aaduna Board members make things happen and have an impact on their communities locally and regionally.  Here is a brief update on what aaduna Board members and advisors are up to: Dr. Walt Aikman , faculty member at Cayuga Community College and natural resources consultant, was recognized on May 29 th by the city of Auburn during an annual awards program for his efforts toward environmental preservation and urban forestry.  The city's Historic Resources Review Board presented Dr. Aikman its Award for Landscape Preservation in a ceremony recognizing National Preservation Month. His award was for his work in preserving the city's urban forestry. Walt was recognized by the HRRB for his role as an environmental advocate, educator and frequent volunteer teaching the public about invasive species or planting trees citywide, Aikman is often among those spearheading these enterprises. Sean McLeod has been busy for the past several months in New York City leadin...

A Special Offer in Appreciation Our May 2014 fundraisers in Harlem/ New York City and Auburn , NY enabled us to solidify our circle of supporters and fans in those regions. Expressly designed for those two events, we offered an official, limited edition tee-shirt (we will not reproduce the design once the shirts are sold out) that has the “face” logo on the back of the tee with aaduna across the front with our tag line, “…A timeless exploration into words and images” right under “aaduna.”  The shirts are American Apparel, “sewn by 9 people in a sweatshop–free environment in downtown Los Angeles where they are paid fair wages and have access to healthcare and benefits.”  The shirts were produced by The Merchery, a Syracuse , NY company owned by a multi-cultural mix of young (twenty-something) entrepreneurs.  Available in black or gray (only one size, which is large) the shirts were sold at the fundraisers for $20 each with all proceeds going t...

Monday, Monday …   PARTICIPATE TO WIN!!!!   With recognition to The Mamas and the Papas, show us what your Monday looks or feels like. Use your camera or cell phone to take your original photo of whatever you feel represents your Monday…computer generated or hand drawings are acceptable.  It's simple to play... Just post your Monday, Monday photo to our Facebook page:  aaduna, Inc .  Each month, aaduna will award a limited designed tee-shirt to the person who best captured how one feels or sees the world on that infamous first work day of the week.    (If you are not familiar with Facebook, and wish to enter your photo, please email your entry to:  madelaine@aaduna.org   and our super-talented intern, Madelaine Whalen will post your photo entry for you.) For Monday, Monday …your photo must be posted on the aaduna, Inc. Facebook page by 9 PM on a Monday to be considered.  Include a photo caption or c...

aaduna Inc. CEO/aaduna publisher bill berry jr & Madelaine Whalen aaduna welcomes Ms. Madelaine Whalen , an English Literature, and Political Science major with a minor in Woman and Gender Studies at Elmira College in New York State to our staff as our summer intern.  Ms. Whalen is originally from the peninsula area of Woolwich , Maine and is spending this summer in the Rochester and Auburn , NY areas. Ms. Whalen will be a senior in the fall 2014 semester; expects to graduate in June 2015, and is currently serving her second year as president and managing editor of Elmira College 's literary magazine, Sibyl.  Ms. Whalen has worked with the college magazine for the past three years.  Her work has been published in the school paper, The Octagon , and in Sibyl.  She also holds leadership positions in other campus clubs and groups.   Maddy Whalen is a peer mentor; has high ropes course experience; is a Dean’s List and Honors Schola...

An excerpt: Remember your first time? First time being published, that is. Maybe it was a story in your college lit mag, or a poem in an online journal, or an essay in a periodical. Maybe you even had a manuscript accepted by a small press. Whatever your publishing track record, we're willing to bet that your first time was something special—and chances are it was through an independent literary publisher. Perhaps you're still waiting for your first acceptance letter, but thanks to CLMP—the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses—independent literary publications are thriving, creating more opportunities for writers like you to be heard! As representatives of the community of indie lit publishers, we ask that you join us in supporting CLMP, the organization that helps make it possible for us to publish writers like you. CLMP provides essential training and information to literary publishers small and large, established and just beginning. Russell Banks, G...

bill berry, jr aaduna Inc CEO/Publisher aaduna There are times in life where we know words are not enough…even when the sounds and cadences of letters strewn together like beads on a string alleviate our consciousness to another level of understanding and appreciation. There are times in life when the simplicity of a “thank you” or an “I love you” or the heartfelt rhythm of an “I’m sorry” resonates a deeper meaning than countless platitudes that sound drenched in artificiality and hubris. There are times in life when we need to say more and understand the heart is so filled with gratitude and appreciation that the less we say the more we say it.    Left to Right:  Michele Jones Galvin, Joyce Stokes Jones, Bobbie Panek, Howard Nelson, Ed Mendes, Heidi Nightengale, bill berry jr, Christine Jennifer Noble, Lisa Brennan, Sheila Applegate To the readers, Michele Jones Galvin, Joyce Stokes Jones, Edward Mendes, Heidi Nightengale, Sheila Applegate,...

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Maya Angelou, a literary giant and champion for civil and human rights.   Her words were always eloquent and dignified and she influenced countless generations of writers, poets, seekers of truth, and those who fought for human dignity and the spirit of freedom.     As we prepare for the Thursday, May 29 th aaduna fundraiser at Theater Mack in Auburn , NY , we dedicate our evening of celebrating words and music to Maya Angelou’s legacy and profound wisdom .    America's Poet Laureate, Maya Angelou - google image Still I Rise - You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? 'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my livin' room. Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise Did you want to see me ...