SALISBURY — A new year is here, and with it, a new Salisbury the Magazine has hit the stands.

This first edition of the year starts out with Maggie Blackwell’s editor’s letter as she addresses the beginning of a new year.

The cover story entitled, “Rockin’ On — Painted stones spread art and good vibes,” by Sydney Smith Hamrick and photos by Sean Meyers, explores a new creative hobby that Cyndi Allison has undertaken. She has started painting rocks and, along with her miniature poodle Ruby, places them around the Cleveland community for others to find.

In Bookish by John Basinger entitled “How to select great books,” this regular feature tells how he finds that new great book to read and what reading means to him. He also provides a list of fiction and nonfiction books that he is looking forward to reading.

While the magazine looks at new topics, it also provides stories about some longstanding groups and organizations that are observing some milestone celebrations.

One such story is this issue’s Rowan Original. Entitled “Peripatetic Reviewers’ 50th anniversary Sharing books and life’s adventures” by Suzanne Casey and photographs by Meyers, the story tells of a local book club and their adventures of travel and reviewing best-selling books together.

Blackwell’s “100 Years Catawba celebrates milestone anniversary” shares in word and photos the story of this local college, providing an overview of the school as well as telling of its culture, environment and finances.

The story entitled, “Bronze Mettle Chris Gilbert meticulously crafts lifelike sculptures” by Ben White tells of how Gilbert, a military historian and architect, brings history to life through his sculptures. Meyers captures photos of the artwork in varying stages.

Readers can learn about one of the Modern Masterpieces, “Roses” by Henri Fantin-Latour and see the work in a photo by Kent Pell. The paintings, courtesy of the Robertson Foundation, are on display at Waterworks Visual Arts Center.

Check out some additional artwork in the regular features including Through the Lens by Michael Bitzer, a photograph of the Bell Tower Green in the snow and an acrylic painting titled “Soar” by Connie Peninger in Local Colors.

Copies of Salisbury the Magazine are available around town or you can visit the Salisbury Post office and request a copy at the front desk.