‘Shouting’ Chronicles Time Spent With Troubled Kids

The question of what to do with throw-away teens is one that continues to plague American culture. Nature writer Gary Ferguson offers what he believes is a workable answer in his new book “Shouting at the Sky: Troubled Teens and the Promise of the Wild” (St. Martins Press, 249 pages, $24.95).

Ferguson, who will read from his book in Spokane on Monday (see reader board), is the author of some 13 other books, most of which (“Through the Woods: A Journey Through America’s Forests”, paperback) are ruminations on nature and/or science.

Here, he writes about the time he spent with the Aspen Achievement Academy, an Outward Bound-type wilderness therapy program for kids suffering from suicidal tendencies, heroin addiction and other problems.

He got the idea, he says, while researching at the University of Colorado. He came across a dissertation that claimed wilderness programs featuring compassion boasted results “that were in some cases significantly better than the best rehab programs in the country.”

The Montana writer ended up being involved with all aspects of the program, and his book recounts the experiences of both counselors and the kids. He even followed a dozen or so of the kids for up to six months after their two-month ordeal.

Most were doing better. And the ones who had resumed their old ways were more easily able to quit their bad habits a second time.

“Most good wilderness programs don’t believe that the kids are broken,” Ferguson says. “They’ve just made bad choices.”

Going our Hemingway

As the clock winds down to the 100th anniversary of Ernest Hemingway’s birth, which takes place July 21, expect the nation to take notice.

Papa’s bearded visage likely will be seen everywhere, from lifestyle magazines to evening news reports. But nowhere in this part of the country will it be seen more than in Sun Valley, Idaho.

The Sun Valley/Ketchum Chamber of Commerce is helping to organize and promote a special celebration of the late Nobel Prize-winning novelist’s birthday through a number of activities scheduled to take place during the weeks of July 21-31.

Some of the events will appeal only to teachers (especially a program titled “Hemingway and the Birth of Modernism”), but several are open to the public. For a complete list, contact the Sun Valley/Ketchum Chamber at (800) 634-3347.

One of the events, though, appeals specifically to writers. The Wood River Journal is holding a Prose for Papa short-story contest, the three top winners of which will receive cash and merchandise prizes. The overall winner will be invited to read his/her story to the public in Ketchum on July 21.

Stories should be no longer than 12 pages and written not necessarily in Hemingway style, but should boast “good, clean prose and a good strong story.”

The deadline is June 25. Send all entries to Prose for Papa, c/o Wayne Adair, editor, Wood River Journal, 11 E. Bullion St., Hailey, ID 83333.

In like Glen

Glen Adams, founder of Ye Galleon Press, is being honored by Eastern Washington University for his career as a publisher of regional history. The event, which is not open to the public, will be held Tuesday on the Cheney campus. Ye Galleon Press has published some 691 titles, mostly involving Northwest history. Adams is an EWU graduate.

A Gonzaga `Reflection’

Gonzaga University’s annual literary journal “Reflection” is now available. Edited by Kristian M. Ferguson, a junior from Redmond, Wash., the journal features the poetry, fiction and art of 33 writers and artists, all of whom are GU students, faculty, staff and/or alumni.

“Reflection,” which sells for $5, can be purchased by calling 323-6875. The issue features the work of Melanie Madden, a sophomore from Barstow, Calif., whose poem “(homesick)” won the Costello Poetry Award.

A poet who knows it

Since 1950, Poetry Scribes of Spokane has chosen a local poet to serve as Lilac Poet. This year’s poet, Eleanor Whitworth, will read her 1999 Lilac poem “What the Lilacs Say” at 1 p.m. Monday at the annual Lilac Luncheon, which will be held at the Ridpath Hotel.

For further information, call 328-7823 or 838-1275.

The puppet master

Jacqueline Baucom will perform a puppet show at 2 today at the Children’s Corner Bookshop, 714 W. Main on the skywalk. For further information, call 624-4820.

What’s your signing?

Vernon J. Baker, co-author of the war memoir “Lasting Valor” (with Spokesman-Review reporter Ken Olsen), will sign copies of the book from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Go West Bookstore in Chewelah, Wash., 101 W. Lincoln. For further information, call (509) 935-4467.

The reader board

Gary Ferguson, author of “Shouting at the Sky: Troubled Teens and the Promise of the Wild,” will read from his book at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Auntie’s Bookstore, Main and Washington. For further information, call 838-0206.

Rosemary Norwalk, author of “Dearest Ones: A True World War II Love Story,” will read from her book at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Auntie’s Bookstore.