Sensations Magazine
Issue 15, Summer 1997:  Released 1997

Sensations Magazine
Issue 16, Fall 1997:  Released 1997

Sensations Magazine
Issue 17, Winter 1997:  Released 1997

From two major research articles in our ongoing, in-depth examination of 17th century American poetry, to a Tenth Anniversary Issue containing past poetry rejections, 1997 was a banner year - and generated a surge of interest in what we do 

1997

Dabbling in quarterly publishing leads us to printing 600 8-1/2 x 11 magazine pages in one year . . .

Four issues, a monthly reading series, and readings in unusual locations.  In the Sensations Magazine historical timeline, 1997 was a memorable year:

(Above) Fort Lee poet Moira Bailis reads at the debut of Spring 1997 Issue 14, at The Hampton Inn, Secaucus, NJ

(Above) Maryland poet Blair Ewing shares his original work from Issue 14 at The Hampton Inn, Secaucus, NJ

. . . promoting our Coney Island issue in unusual yet fitting locations . . .

(Above) Publisher David Messineo is flanked by poets Maude Carolan and Dianalee Velie, as they bring Coney Island poetry to the New England Carousel Museum in Bristol, CT.  In the coming years, the Museum's gift shop would be one of the top three sellers nationwide of the Coney Island issue, selling over 50 copies of the award-winning issue.

(Above) Maude Carolan at the Coney Island issue promotional
reading at Borders Books & Music, Stamford, CT, early 1997

(Above) Group shot in Wildwood Crest, NJ.  Top row, L-R:  Dean Kostos, John Messineo, Lynne Koplitz, David Messineo, George C. Harvilla, and Nicole Walker.  Bottom row, L-R:  Mary Florio, Diane Messineo, Dianalee Velie, and (seated) Kleber de Freitas.

(Above) Group dinner at The Mad Hatter in Cape May, part of Coney Island Issue promotional tour at the Jersey Shore.  Starting far left and going around table:  Nicole Walker, George C. Harvilla, Mary DeBow (now Florio), Dean Kostos,
David Messineo, Fritzy, Lynne Koplitz, and Dianalee Velie

(Above) The wind didn't stop the poetry from happening--
but it gave our poets memories they carry to this day!

. . . hosting our first Writer's Retreat . . .

(Above) One of the rooms at Hollycroft Bed and Breakfast at the Jersey Shore, creating a fitting ambience for the first Sensations Magazine Writer's Retreat
on Feb 1-2, 1997

(Above) Dianalee Velie reads at the group reading at Hollycroft Bed and Breakfast, Spring Lake, NJ

(Above) John J. Trause reads at the Saturday night group reading at Hollycroft

(Above) David, Kleber, and John enjoy a sensational breakfast at Hollycroft B&B in February, 1997

(Above) Beth and Pat enjoy breakfast at Hollycroft

(Above) Sensational dinners are part and parcel of our writers' retreats, as the group learns at an outstanding dinner at Nellie's Restaurant in South Belmar
(now Lake Como, NJ)

(Above, L-R) High tea at the Jersey Shore, a component of our first Writers Retreat, is enjoyed by Jesus and Becky Lopez, Lynne Koplitz, and Sondra Morton

. . . launching a new monthly poetry reading series to bring a blast of fresh air to the New Jersey poetry scene . . .

The Sensational Poets Series at Centennial Hall, Newark Public Library, provided a monthly "home base of operations" for Sensations Magazine from April 1997 to June 2000.  During the course of this series, over 60 poets were featured, along with music and dance performances, all in a grandeur and style suitable to our high-quality publication. 

Poets had to have three poems published in three Sensations Magazine issues to qualify for a 45-minute feature slot.  All but two poets who met this criteria by mid-2000 accepted the opportunity to be featured on this stage - and the series wasn't limited to New Jersey poets.  

During the course of the series, feature poets came at their own expense from 12 states:  California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Virginia.

It was a remarkable mix of talent - and it was all videotaped for posterity.

(Above) Poet Eddie Rivera reads in majestic Centennial Hall, Newark Public Library, Newark, NJ

(Above) Publisher David Messineo and Newark Public Library's Wilma Grey  welcome 95-year-old poet Daniel Green and his wife Leona to Centennial Hall, as part of their Summer 1997 Coney Island feature reading

(Above) Videographer Kleber de Freitas videotapes the Sensational Poets Series at Centennial Hall for posterity.  The series would run monthly from April 1997 to June 2000, bringing poetry, music, and dance to over 1,000 people during its 38-performance run.

. . . and celebrating the tenth anniversary of Sensations Magazine, from continuing events to "The Road To Death Valley"

(Above) Sondra Morton joins David Messineo at his Homecoming feature reading at Barnes & Noble, West Paterson, NJ, on Thurs February 13, 1997--the first poet to break Maria Gillan's "lock" on solely hosting readings at that store

(Above) Celebrating the Tenth Anniversary of Sensations Magazine in 1997 with lunch at Country-by-the-Sea in Avon-by-the-Sea, NJ are (L-R) David Messineo, John J. Trause, Barbara Meyerson, Carolyn Howard, and Kleber de Freitas

(Above) A larger celebration of our Tenth Anniversary Issue, "The Road Through Death Valley," brings over 30 performers together at Newark Public Library, many of whom are shown here

(Above) Tom Meell (Guest Poetry Editor for our 1994 Hope Against Hate Issue) is one of the poets to present original work at the Tenth Anniversary Reading at Centennial Hall, Newark Public Library, Newark, NJ