Keokee Bookfest Fun

It took a whirl of activity to set up the bookfest, but the Keokee staff pulled it off beautifully. 

Author Sandy Compton visits with customers. 

Lost Horse Press owner Christine Holbert. 

Author Bill Percy

A familiar face with any local arts event, Erik Daarstad, longtime, award-winning cinematographer. 

Former Seattle Times editorial page editor and recently retired Lake Pend Oreille School Board member Mindy Cameron visited the bookfest. 

Bill with his former boss and new author, Mike Reeb. 

Keokee Publishing owner Chris Bessler had a great idea which tuned out to be a lot of fun last night. 

Author Suzan Fiskin. 

I like to take audience photos before starting presentations (calms me down).  In this photo are two people who've played important roles in Bill and my lives.

That's Gary Pietsch holding hands with his wife Marge.  Gary gave me the feature assignment, covering a Boy Scout Jamboree back in the early 1970s which led to my meeting Bill Love.

Later, Bill Love worked with Mike Reeb on the right, Idaho Dept. of  Lands supervisor for the Sandpoint office.  Mike told about his new book Inland Salish Journal at last night's bookfest. 

Beth, on the left, helped organize last night's Keokee Summer Bookfest.  Her lovely, artistic daughter Delaina came to listen to presentations. 

Keokee Publishing Co. came up with a winner yesterday with its inaugural Summer Bookfest/Prose Slam, held at the old Coldwater Creek downtown store.  

The venue, now known as the Bernd Building on First Avenue, served as a wonderful setting for Keokee and some other local presses to set up book displays.  

Thirteen authors participated in the "slam" portion of the event with readings ranging from Vietnam helicopter stories, to fictional selections, historical segments, memoirs and even a little humor.

Before the main program, a steady stream of people visited with authors, selected books and just plain enjoyed the festive atmosphere.  

The evening program began with a slide presentation by a couple of fun guys telling how their book of beautiful photos from the International Selkirk loop unfolded. 

And, authors visited with and met each other.  I particularly enjoyed spending time with Bill Percy, especially cuz we soon learned we're just three days apart in age. 

Bill is a wonderful writer/psychologist who has penned a novel called Climbing the Coliseum. I also enjoyed meeting his wife Michele, a retired school teacher.  

Teachers were on hand for the event, which was nice for me since I read a segment from my third book Lessons with Love.  Thanks, St. Katharine and Bette, for coming. 

Twas also fun because Swiss Miss, who's back for a visit to Sandpoint was there.  

Hats off to Chris Bessler and the Keokee gang for putting on a wonderful event.  Hope you do it again!

Happy Friday.