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Welcome to Hickory Ditch, Arkansas, 2012
". . . where nothing ever stops or happens but just hangs somewhere in the middle. . . Hickory Ditch, Arkansas--a city full of human-shaped mosquitoes suspended in amber."
On this episode of Arts & Letters, we talk with writer and University of Central Arkansas Alumnus Chase Night.
His book for young adults, Chicken, published by Asymmetrical Press is based on a reality of the thousands of disenfranchised flesh-and-bloo
In a steamy valley between the Ozark and Ouachita mountains of western Arkansas, the sleepy--alright, let's be honest, comatose--town of Hickory Ditch woke just long enough to celebrate the fourteenth annual, three day, Fourth of July festival known as Ditch Daze. . .

Chase Night was born and raised in Arkansas, which he claims is far better and worse than everything that has been said.
He graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a B.A. in Creative Writing, a mere thirteen years after first enrolling. He lives in Arkansas with his wife, three dogs, one cat, and an immortal garden snail.
Thank you to actors Bobby Ampezzan, Jacob Kauffman, and Jennifer Goss.
Thank you to musicians Birthday Club, Gringo Star, Humming House, Kevin and Gus Kirby, Three Miles From Providence, Mothwind, AdamFaucett. Joseph Fuller and DrewDeFrance, Yarn, and Daniel Martin Moore for the transcendent music, which inspires us to leap over all barriers.

Generous funding for this episode was provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanitiesand listeners like you.
This episode is dedicated to Mary Ellen Kubit, our incomparable story editor and producer, who is always, always, always a trier.
Listen to the song "Lighten Up" by Birthday Club
Listen to the song "I'm A Bird" by Humming House
Listen to the song "Life Is Weird" by Yarn
Listen to the song "Proud As We Are" by Daniel Martin Moore
Executive Producer & Host: J. Bradley Minnick Producer: Mary Ellen Kubit Recorded by: Christopher Hickey Intern: Krista Hancock