Writers of the panhandle unite

By Sandy Anderson
Reader Contributor

Writers from Clark Fork to Oldtown, from Bonners Ferry to Athol, descended on Sandpoint on Saturday, March 17, to celebrate the art of writing in an annual contest. Spirits were high, as attendees signed in to share their work and to enjoy a few hours of recital. Borrowing the mic, 22 authors in turn took listeners on a roller coaster tour of unusual stories, sweet reminiscences, mirthful moments and fantastic fables, as the audience sat captivated. While many of the participants are known in the community, new talent made its debut, developing themes around love lost, family china, orphans, warfare and trolls—and much more.

If the event had allowed, the storytelling would have gone on for as long as the listeners could stay. In the contest format, though, each writer was granted five minutes to showcase a sample of their work, while Tom Reppert and Jim Payne, members of the local chapter of Idaho Writers League, moderated the morning and called time.

Attendees voted and were hard put to select winners from all the submissions. The teen category awards went to Maggie Russell for “A Second Chance,” and to Coen Smith for “Daily Drink.” Competition in the adult category was so heated that the moderators called for a second round of voting to ratify three winners. Ken Fischman took first honors with “Lollipop.” Second and third went to Mame Cudd for her story, “Calling Out to Lizzie,” and Celeste Lawrence for “Inheritance.”

Dubbed “The Luck of the Irish Writing Contest,” the affair enjoyed support from the East Bonner County Library. Mike Bauer, adult programs coordinator, abetted the planning of the meeting, along with Kathleen Clayton, past president of the Sandpoint Chapter of Idaho Writers League. Chapter members and Friends of the Library spread an appetizing brunch for all comers at the Heartwood Center.