Quaranzine: Issue 1 April 15, 2020 Quaranzine is a collection of creative works from the community that documents how we responded to this strange time we find ourselves in. Click on the image to see it full size. Stefanie Wines, “FINALLY we did something fun! :)” – My children and I (ages 8 & 5) did a chalk art work on our driveway. My oldest declared, “We FINALLY did something fun!” 🙂 Taking a break from online learning and doing some art out on a beautiful day! Shelby Oppermann, Mechanicsville, “I Almost Forgot” – This was a morning essay upon waking after enjoying a rare night of peaceful dreams during this crisis. Crosby Cofod, “On the Road” – A song I wrote about life struggles and our desire to beat them. Whether it be drinking, loneliness, whatever may haunt you just know it will get better and you are not alone. Many travel out on the road and it’s ok. Listen to the song! Beth Graeme, Port Republic, “Quarantine Porch Family Project” -This photograph was taken as part of a community project running through Southern Maryland called the Front Porch Project that is just a small local arm of a larger national mission. Merideth Taylor, Park Hall, “Green Hellebore in Green Bottle without and with Cat” – This is just for fun. The kind of thing that happens when you’re inside with too much time on your hands. Latasha Ford, Lexington Park, “Embrace” – I wrote this on 4-11-2020 specifically for the Quaranzine. It’s about human interaction, connecting and how we take it for granted. Eric Variz, California, “Old Gods” – I think a lot about how much trees provide us and how we typically treat them so poorly in return. I wrote this poem to express the shame I feel whenever I think of how much trees as a species has had to sacrifice on our behalf. The only time that I’ve ever felt the presence of God has been while surrounded by trees in the woods. I’ve also attempted to portray that feeling of being in the presence of something greater, and ultimately limitless, in the wording of this poem. Frank Roth, Waldorf, “The New Normal, Social Distance” – Photo taken at a grocery store with folks only being allowed in one at a time. The new signs of the time..health first and keep you distance. Bernard Matus, Leonardtown, “Prey” – This is part of a new series on Predator and Prey Brandon Russell, Leonardtown, “Change of Pace” – Brief essay about the change of routines due to COVID-19. Anna Coughlin, “Social Distancing 2020” – My project is a mixed media collage using a Scrabble game board as the base. It includes areas representing missed events such as a domino for games we cannot play with my elderly godparents and a Delaware Dept. of Health stamp for a cancelled creative retreat in Bethany Beach. An empty toilet paper roll hangs from the bottom representing the scarcity in stores. Other areas contain social media shares such as the “Draw Yourself” challenge. I found creating the piece allowed me to visually express my concerns about the Coronavirus social distancing process. Stacey Herron, “Quarantine Chuck E. Cheese” – We made a cardboard Chuck E. Cheese since we cannot visit in person! Tessie Foreman, Chaptico, “Dinner Catch” – I Create art out of things washed up on our local shorelines. Such as seaglass, stones, wood, fishing debri. This piece is of an abstract bird, resembling a great blue heron standing proudly with his dinner Catch in his murky creek habitat. His legs and feet are of a type of bone, as is the duck flying . His body and the fish are made of shells and the netting is of a clam bait bag found ashore. My art page can be found on Facebook @ Washed Up. Wednesday Davis, Leonardtown, “Trying to Hide” – We love walking around for fresh air and exercise, although you never know what may be lurking in the back.