Korongo No. 2

As the long, dark winter of 2020–2021 settled over Vermont's White River Valley, Korongo editor Sara Tucker asked valley residents to contribute to this volume as a way easing the hardships of the pandemic. The result is a 200-page collection of stories, poems, photographs, and artwork, its overall theme one of hope: Abenaki chief Shirly Hook writes about tending a garden for the members of her tribe; Chip and Sara Natvig document the revamping of their farmstand-and-restaurant as the pandemic shutters businesses nationwide; Mindy Jackson-Jefferys writes about finding solace in nature during a period of mourning; and Valerie Auffray Daniels prepares for a Christmas unlike any other. There are greetings from former residents who have moved away, a photo essay about winter lights, and stories about rediscovering simple pleasures and old pastimes. In addition to a number of journaling prompts, Korongo No. 2 includes a call for submissions to the book about 2020 that Korongo will publish in 2021.