INK: A chat with an author, farewell to Ruth Vanderwall

Idaho author Chris Carlson will hold a book-signing session 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 5 at the Starbucks section of the Vandal Bookstore, 710 Deakin in Moscow. He will be selling and signing copies of "Cecil Andrus: Idaho's Greatest Governor" and his most recent book, "Medimont Reflections."

"Both books have received excellent reviews, and I would encourage your readers to visit Amazon.com where they can read all seven reviews for each book," Chris told the INKster this week. "The Andrus book is a reminiscence of my nine years of working for him as press secretary when he was governor."

When Cecil Andrus was secretary of the interior, Chris served as assistant to the secretary, director of the Office of Public Affairs and western field director.

"I've had the pleasure of continuing to serve him in various capacities since 1973," Chris said. "After leaving the governorship, I enticed him into joining the consulting firm I founded, The Gallatin Group."

Chris also said his Andrus book is a biography that "fills in the blanks not covered by the governor's earlier book. Few people for example knew about his early years or his Korean War years."

" 'Medimont Reflections' is a book of 13 essays covering other people and issues I worked on during my 40 years in the public arena," Chris explained.

"It contains chapters on Frank Church and John Evans, and the development of the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. It also has a widely praised chapter on the influence of the LDS Church on Idaho politics and its culture. Other chapters call for abolishing the NW Power Planning Council and taking out the four lower Snake River dams."

Another chapter discusses some of the politically prominent women in Idaho history.

Chris has planned no readings from his books but will do so if asked. Chris lives in Medimont with his wife, Marcia. Medimont is a small town in Kootenai County located on the north shore of Cave Lake.

When he isn't writing, Chris does some occasional consulting for daughter Serena's strategic communications business.

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The INKster would like to express her sympathy to the family of Ruth R. Vanderwall, who died Sept. 22 at Bishop Place in Pullman. She was the widow of Dean Vanderwall, who died in July.

The Vanderwalls were active in the arts community on the Palouse. In 2010, the couple was honored by the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre in Moscow for their 50 years of patronage of the arts.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. today at St. James Episcopal Church in Pullman. A reception will follow in the parish hall.

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The following is Pullman Chamber of Commerce Tourism Director Vicki Leeper's October list for things to do for $10 or less on the Palouse:

• Press your own cider at Bishop's Orchard in Garfield. Only $5 a gallon. Bring your own jugs. www.bishop-orchard.com
• Take the family to one of the free concerts at the WSU Humanitas Festival Oct. 3-5. Experience music from all over the world. www.performingarts.wsu.edu
• Peruse the vintage jewelry and accessories at Lily Bee's on Main Street in Pullman. One gal's junk is another gal's Tiffany's.
• Check out Pullman's latest welcome mat. The new WSU Visitor Center's Open House will be 4:30-6:30 p.m. Oct. 16. www.visitor.wsu.edu
• Want to see some full contact roller derby action? Catch the Dames of the Dead doubleheader 5 p.m. Oct. 19 at Beasley Coliseum. Just $5 for a suggested donation. www.rollinghillsderbydames.com
• There is still time for one last barbecue before winter sets in. Pick a park and a pork chop.
• Like animals? Volunteer to walk the dogs at the Whitman County Humane Society. Maybe walk one all the way home to your house. www.whitmanpets.org
• Discover the world that perks up when the sun goes down. Animals of the Night event is 5-8 p.m. Oct. 25 at Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute, 1040 Rodeo Drive in Moscow. Admission for nonmembers is $6 for adult and $4 for children. www.pcei.org/aotn
• Get your fall fix at the Autumn Arts & Crafts Show in Beasley Coliseum Oct. 25-26. You can find them on Facebook.
• Go to Haunted Palouse the weekends before Halloween in downtown Palouse. Hold hands. visitpalouse.com

... the blotter rests.

INK is penned by Vera White. To contribute to INK, call White at Serenity Place (208) 743-5322, or email vnwhite@cableone.net.