EDITOR. I have sat at my computer and written, tapped backspace and rewritten again and again; but none of it seems capable of gently leading you, dear reader to the place I wish you to see. Isn’t it always like that when you have news to share? You fidget and fumble with ways to tactfully break it to someone, but there is no simpler way than to just tumble the information out.
EDITOR. When I wake in the morning the air is missing that wintry nip and the sun seems to be waking up earlier than me each day. My garden is waking with delicate peach blossoms and greening grass, and the weaver birds are struck with nest building frenzy. There’s no denying it- Spring has sprung.
EDITOR. Spring is in the air! The bare trees of winter are unfurling tender leaves, the air is warming and blossoms are bursting forth in abundance. To celebrate the Earth’s awakening in the Southern Hemisphere, Penton will be holding a Spring themed photography competition with a R100 Kalahari.com voucher for the winning photo.
EDITOR. Nature is more than just trees, animals and scenic settings, for many it is where they find peace, solace and inspiration. Penton would love to showcase the fruits of this inspiration by hosting a poetry competition themed on nature.
EDITOR. Traditionally, the term ‘community journalism’ has been reserved for small town and neighbourhood newspapers. Usually reporting on stories that have been generated directly from the community it serves, community journalism has been a way of keeping its members informed and a means of encouraging community spirit. However things have changed and we now live in the age of the internet, and with that the definition of ‘community’, in terms of community journalism, has changed too. It is no longer restricted to a group of people connected by a common geographical location; the internet now connects us not by geography but by common interests. That means the ‘community’ in community journalism is now broadened to include groups of people who are defined by their shared interests, whether that be a hobby, vocation, life outlook or religion.
EDITOR. In the words of House Stark- ‘Winter is coming’. The sun is setting earlier and the mornings are moving well past ‘nippy’ to positively chilling. However winter’s approach also signals the Sabbat of Samhain, the time to honour the ancestors and prepare for the coming hard, cold months. To our predecessors, winter’s approach carried a greater sense of urgency than it did today. We live in the modern age of heaters, electric blankets and supermarkets- we don’t share the same sense of foreboding when we feel the mornings grow cool.
DAMON LEFF. On behalf of Penton Independent Pagan Media I am honored to announce the appointment of Penton’s new Editor, Bronwyn Katzke. I have absolutely no doubt that under her wise stewardship, Penton can only grow and prosper. I would like to invite Penton’s regular readers and supporters to support Bronwyn, to have faith in her ability to lead Penton IPM into a new era of exploration and discovery, to encourage her on her new journey.
THE EDITOR. PENTON Independent Pagan Media has won the 2012 SA Blog Award for ‘Best Religious or Spirituality’ Blogs.