STORIES+

"A Near-Fatal Case of Mistaken Identity" and a John Fielding Tribute

With all the discussion about guns in America, I started to reflect on my own close call. While I was teaching high school in Brockville in the '70s . . .

Volume 18, Issue 2, February 2023
John Fielding & John Stencell

The Voracious One and Chordata, a story by Martha Grimes

Once upon an island, there was a Great Blue Heron who ruled the roost in the colony. Vorax Otiosumuno’s reputation stretched far and wide as the laziest feathered felon in the heronry.

Volume 17, Issue 10, October 2022
Martha Grimes

River Dog, a short story

The place was filled with the usual crowd for a Sunday afternoon, two different games on the TVs, and the dog was at the bar. I’ll never forget the image of the dog, sitting on a stool, lapping up a beer like he was a regular customer.

Volume 17, Issue 8, August 2022
Tom French

Pandemic Vultures, a short story

It is now early April and we’re still in isolation. They tell us not to leave our homes. The virus, they say, is highly contagious. They’re not sure what’s causing it. But here’s the thing: it only infects people who live within 1,000 feet, basically the shoreline, of the St. Lawrence River.

Volume 17, Issue 8, August 2022
Chris Brock

A River Christmas Story

“How about I try to catch us a nice fish for dinner, Sparkle?” The old tabby cat stretched out on her shelf just above the warmly glowing potbellied stove perked her head up at her owner’s voice. “A fresh bass would make for a fine Christmas Eve.”

Volume 16, Issue 12, December 2021
Tom Robbins, illustrated by Sarah Coate

The Witch of Wellesley Island, Chapter 9: Uncertain Enemies

Despite feeling a sense of dread at bedtime, she had slept remarkably well, and as a result she was a little slow to regain her senses. She and Pete had not intended to be overnight guests at the castle.

Volume 16, Issue 12, December 2021
Patrick Metcalf

The Witch of Wellesley Island, Chapter 8: Edwin's Insights

"Ok . . ." said Pete. "What about this this?" He handed Edwin his phone with a picture of the amulet. "Is that blood?" asked Edwin. "Yes. Well, we think so . . ." said Sarah. "It's being tested. We think . . ." "Why?" said Edwin.

Volume 16, Issue 11, November 2021
Patrick Metcalf

What’s in a Name? Trails, Channels and Golf

Those of you who know me, know I like to explore! And this summer my explorations gave me time to reflect on "What's in a Name."

Volume 16, Issue 10, October 2021
Stewart Dutfield

The Witch of Wellesley Island, Chapter 7: What Lies Within

Sarah was irritated. She wasn't thrilled to be standing before a gigantic castle door on a dreary November afternoon, and she was beginning to worry about the long trip home . . .

Volume 16, Issue 10, October 2021
Patrick Metcalf

The Witch of Wellesley Island, Chapter 6: No Turning Back

"We should go back in," said Pete, staring through the windshield toward the side entrance of the diner. . . "What would that accomplish?" asked Sarah.

Volume 16, Issue 5, May 2021
Patrick Metcalf

Food for Thought! Part II

Destiny brought us back to the River after a little over a year, and life resumed as it had been before the great adventure. . .

Volume 16, Issue 4, April 2021
Martha Grimes

The Witch of Wellesley Island, Chapter 5: Unlucky Penny

The police officer who answered Sarah's phone call was surprisingly dismissive, especially considering the fact that there was an active missing person’s case focusing on approximately the same area where Pete and Sarah had heard . . .

Volume 16, Issue 4, April 2021
Patrick Metcalf

The Witch of Wellesley Island, Chapter 4: What Pete Forgot

The relief that Pete and Sarah felt, as they sped through the Narrows and away from incomprehensible peril, lasted about fifteen seconds. It ended abruptly when the hull of the boat impacted something unseen . . .

STORIES+
Patrick Metcalf

The Witch of Wellesley Island, Chapter 3: A Narrow Escape

As children, Pete and Sarah spent many weekends with their paternal grandparents, who lived out in the country in an old farmhouse...

STORIES+
Patrick Metcalf

Season’s Eatings, From Maple Street, by Chris Brock

Carl and Gail Gunther had just completed their fourth batch of Christmas cookies in a whirlwind of their usual holiday kitchen madness.

STORIES+
Chris Brock

The Witch of Wellesley Island: Chapter 2, A Brush With Evil

“I’m going with you,” said Sarah. She didn’t want to, but she couldn’t manage Pete’s chronic adventurism by staying behind at the boat. She would chaperon this interaction between her brother and his own wild imagination.

STORIES+
Patrick Metcalf

A Candy Cane for Percy, by Sherry Johnson

Percy Ireland was a real boy who lived with his grandmother and Christmas 1880 was a disappointment for Percy Ireland.

STORIES+
Sherry L. B. Johnson

The Witch of Wellesley Island - Chapter 1: The Scream

She took a deep breath and resolved to do her best to keep him out of trouble. They shared the same birthday, but she was the big sister.

STORIES+
Patrick Metcalf