Real Poets Don’t Plug Their Ears
Jerry Gee had some sinus problems, so he declined to demonstrate his poetry yelling technique.
“I’m in training,” he said, pressing his lips together primly. Jerry’s vocal cords need to be in top shape to bellow Shel Silverstein’s “When Tillie Ate the Chili” on North Idaho College’s lawn today.
NIC’s dean of instruction isn’t a shoo-in for the trophy at the college’s first poetry yelling contest. Norm Gissel plans to yell Shakespeare and, as an attorney, has a pocketful of bombast ready for every occasion.
“I hope it’s not like hog-calling,” Norm said, a belly laugh sending him backwards in his office chair.
Funny he should mention that.
“I grew up in the Midwest, called sheep but not hogs,” Jerry said. “I can be quite vocal.”
The contest has attracted four other competitors. But these two normally noseto-the-grindstone men probably will have the most fun.
“I give great gesture,” Norm boasted. He thought a moment and added, “I might give my piece a Capt. Kirk twist. He pauses at the worst times.”
Jerry was NIC’s king in a charity chili cookoff a few years back. Hence, the selection of Tillie who couldn’t hold her chili.
Neither man has practiced much. Sure, they’re both confident; that confidence has taken them a long way in their careers. But they also feared their families wouldn’t tolerate them roaring verse in the bedroom, the bathroom, the basement.
And then there’s that other reason …
“I’m saving my full volume for the event,” Jerry said, stroking his throat as if it were a Persian cat. “Those younger competitors have stronger vocal cords. I’m hoping they’ll burn themselves out.”
NIC’s poetry yelling contest is open to everyone. Show up at noon today in front of the student union with your poem in hand and voice in tune. If there’s rain, the contest will be moved inside.
Bless my soul
Add a parable to the Bible’s book of Matthew and you’ll have Cheryl-Ann Rossi’s production of “Godspell.” The rock and folk musical tells the gospel according to Matthew, who shares his moral messages in story form.
Cheryl-Ann’s added parable? Hard work pays off. Eighteen students in her Coeur d’Alene Theater for Youth worked hard to study, audition and see shows in New York for a week this summer.
So Cheryl-Ann is donating to the group part of the ticket sales for “Godspell” performances at 8 p.m. April 7, at 7:30 p.m. April 9 and at 2 p.m. April 15. Those shows will be in Lake City High School’s auditorium. Tickets are $10. Buy them in advance at the youth theater, 501 Lakeside, to benefit the kids.
Canned response
To teach the importance of recycling, Coeur d’Alene Christian School teachers asked their 74 students to collect aluminum cans. Students responded with a whopping 6,000 the first day, jumpstarting the school’s campaign to raise money for playground equipment.
They need all the cans they can get. The school is at Fourth Street and Hanley Avenue, right on the way to the Silver Lake Mall.
Eye-catchers
Coeur d’Alene’s Janet Callen gives a blue ribbon to Hecla’s corporate offices. She says they fit well among the trees and she likes the landscaping. Janet ranked The Spokesman-Review building second for its elegance and class.
Myrna Tarnasky and Marie Rau picked the new United Methodist Church at Ramsey Road and Hanley Avenue as their favorite building. The nearly finished church is “humming with a celebration of life,” they say.
Which buildings have won your heart and why? Send your nominations for the area’s best buildings to Cynthia Taggart, “Close to Home,” 608 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene 83814; or send a fax to 765-7149 or call 765-7128.