A hug, long, time ago, in a galaxy far, far, away, Stetson published a quarterly literary
magazine. Tunes changed and students no longer cared to express their ideas in a visual
format The magazine was no longer published as there was no real interest expressed in
it
Then, the magazine was resurrected and enjoyed a "fit though few" audience. In 1981,
the magazine was rechristened Touchstone, alluding to the Shakespearean fool hi As You
Like ft This witty clown provided sharp barbs to those people whom he considered rustic
as well as being a foil to the melancholic philosophizing of Jacques. Also in Renaissance
England the touchstone (or philosopher s stone as it was sometimes called) was an
elusive substance that would be able to prove the existence of gold in a base metal by
touching the rock in question. Needless to say, this stone was in big demand.
For the newly named magazine, a new cover was designed. Focusing on the hands in
Mtehaebngekj "Divine Spark" in the Sistine Chapel, the idea behind a literary magazine
composed of students' works was captured admirably.
Once again times have changed and so has Touchstone. Stetson students still create all
materials found in the magazine. However, instead of being a separate magazine that lies
in a dusty box in the corner of the English offices, Touchstone has became a section of
the Reporter in order to allow greater access to the works of our peers to see what
questions they wrestle with. We still are looking to the stars, trying to "be good," to find
a way to "phone home." We were touched by the alien this summer and hopefully will
continue to receive inspiration from others searching for a way back home.
Special thanks are due to Alison Steele and the staff for letting us incorporate 1983's
attempt to be artsy into the paper. Also without contributions from people who dared to
express themselves, there would be no Touchstone, so for baring yourselves to the world,
we thank you. To Aggie whose dedication and perserverance in seeing this thing through,
(while neglecting Dr. Smith's Milton paper - I hope you re not too harsh with him, Dr.
Smith!) I am extremely grateful. I'll miss you next year, Aggie!
Finally, I'd like to dedicate this year's Touchstone to a person who has meant a great
deal to me as well as to the Stetson community. From her, I have learned some of the
most important lessons of my Nfe, from her I have learned bow to find beauty in
everything I see and how to see more of what is going on around me; from her I have
learned that education is a lifelong process, as much a part of life as eating, sleeping and
breathing. But perhaps the most important lesson that I have teamed from her is the art
of being human, the essence of humanity. Hopefuhy, I will take all that she has taught me
and be able to touch as many lives as she did during her stay here at Stetson. Mrs.
Johnson, thanks for bringing the actuality and the reality together for me. Thanks for
showing me the gold in even the base world. Thanks for teaching me that although, as
Antoine St Exupery said, "It is only the little children who press their noses against the
window of the train," I can retain that little child that lives within my heart
I hope that you all enjoy this year's magazine and get a glimpse into depths of your own
selves through the eyes of the artists honored here.
Sincerely,
Donna M. Thorns!
2 3 911 i Touchstone '83 Editor
