“The soul should always stand ajar. Ready to welcome the ecstatic experience.”
-- Emily Dickinson

I have had all manner of experience as editor of The Broadside; some of it was even ecstatic. Life is such that we cannot accurately assess the ecstatic potential of an experience so I am learning simply to leave the door ajar, open to each experience that comes my way. It makes for an exciting ride.

In this, the dead of winter, we bring you an action-packed issue; the St. John’s Folk Arts Council has been busy indeed since the festival, fulfilling its mandate and making its mark in the community, as you will see from the reports herein. For your edification and amusement, this edition also includes a selection of articles about local and distant personalities and initiatives, a few travelling tales and a sizzling CD review. So, pour yourself a dram or a cuppa, sit back and enjoy a good read on a wintery night.

The newsletters of the St. John’s Folk Arts Council are archived by the Centre for Newfoundland Studies at Memorial University. My last official act as Editor-in-Chief will be to ensure that the archive’s compilation of the newsletter known as The Broadside is complete. Working on The Broadside has been a valuable experience, from which I have learned much and to which I hope I have contributed something of value. I’m sure I had little idea in the spring of 2000 when I took this on, what valuable experiences it would have to offer. I thank the SJFAC for the opportunity to do this.

In my absence, I urge you to write for The Broadside and leave the door ajar.