Folkorama '82. CASNEWS PHOTOS BY LOIS HUGHES | AND RON NORMAN | BOOK REVIEW ... Review by PAT DONAHUE Rex Stout: a Biography by John McAleer “Rex Stout, born in Kansas in 1886, has had an extremely varied career. After leaving the Navy in 1908, he became an itinerant bookkeeper and then worked as a sight seeing guide, bookstore salesman, stablehand, and hotel manager. Later he devised and implemented a school banking system which was installed in’ four hundred cities and towns throughout the country. In 1927 he retired from the world of finance and began writing. His first Nero Wolfe novel Fer-de- Lance appeared in 1934, In 1941 Mr. Stout became chairman of the Writer's War Board, and in 1943 he was elected president of the Author's Guild. Since 1946 he has written more than 28 Nero Wolfe books. Mr. Stout and his wife, Pola, presently live in a house that straddles the New York-Connecticut line and contains 300 house plants.” That thumbnail sketch appeared at the back of almost all of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe books. I remember, after first reading it, that a book about Rex Stout would probably be just as interesting as his own books. I am happy to say that I was right. John McAleer's biography of Rex Stout is a compulsively readable book that explores an extremely interesting and intriguing subject. It also lays to rest several myths about Rex Stout. Unlike his 883 Ib. detective hero, Nero Wolfe, Rex Stout was neither appallingly lazy nor was he a fabulous gourmet cook. Above all Stout had no obsession with orchids as does Wolfe. In fact Stout had a very casual acquaintance with orchids, He is quoted in the book as saying; “My knowledge or orchids derives from a book, American Orchid. Culture, published in 1927 by A.T. DeLeMare Co. and the catalogue of Jones and Scully Inc. of Miami, Fla. I never met an orchid grower and have not read up on orchids." In fact Stout did not have a single orchid among his 300 house plants. As a writer Stout was a publisher's dream come true. He wrote his books in no less than 25 days and no more than 47 days. His first draft was his finished draft which made his editor's job one of almost semi-retirement. In addition to this his books were best sellers which have continued to remain in print. 3 : Although he wrote books on other subjects, it is primarily through the Nero Wolfe series of novels and short stories that Stout is best known, Nero Wolfe is a 333 Ib. private detective who lives in a brownstone somewhere on West Thirty-Fifth St. in New York city. He despises work and only does it when he needs money to support his establishment and staff; since this consists of a third-floor hot house filled maintained by his personal gardener, and the best private kitchen and chef in New York, Wolfe works far more frequently than he would like. Wolfe has three driving passions which are the basis for ‘Aleithia’ CASTLEGAR NEWS, “Ait, 1982 Western Canada tour this unique establishment; orchids, fine food, and privacy. 'f His passion for privacy leads him to almost never leave the brownstone. When an investigation requires on the scene research Wolfe sends his associate Archie Gobdwin, who is also the narrator of the Wolfe stories, This Archie-Nero combination was one that. would prove successful for Stout for 41 years, Nero Wolfe mysteries continue to entertain audiences world-wide. Just this year CBC commissioned the writing of six radio plays ‘based on Nero Wolfe stories, which may be heard locally at 1 p.m. Sunday on the CBC-am network. Somehow, in discussing Rex Stout, I have drifted into overshadowing him with his creation. This is something McAleer does not do in the book, which makes it eminently readable. The book is available at the Castlegar and District Public Library. O0KS IN BRIEF The Murder of Lawrence of Arabia by Matthew Eden The title of this novel tells it all. What keeps you going through the 271 pages of this book is a true testament to Eden's ability as a storyteller. Danse Macarbe by Stephen King This book reads more like a casual conversation over a few beers rather than a magnum opus on the horror genre in film and fiction. The introduction to the book states that this is to be “a study of the horror genre from 1960 to the present.” As acritical study the book is an abject failure; nevertheless I found it vastly entertaining chiefly because King and I are approximately the same age and share a terrible nostalgia for things that went bump in the night. : The Suicide Murders by Howard Engel This introduces us to Benny;Cooperman, a Canadian private detective who lives in a city suspiciously like St. Catherines, Ontario. Benny is the sort of sleazy low life detective who gets the cases no one else would take — naturally divorces provide his bread and butter. Despite this he is a very likable character. . The Suicide Murders begins with a routine tailing job for a divorce case that carries Benny up through the cream of his city's political society. It becomes increasingly more complex as Benny stumbles from clue to clue culminating in an incident 20 years in the past. Howard Engel intends this to be a series of detective novels, and we can only hope that he follows it up with a second novel soon. ae a2, The Third Fiddle Fest held by the Kootenay No. 9 Branch of the B.C. Old Time Fiddlers Association at Stan- ley Humphries School Gym April 17 was well atterde: Third fiddle fest Good music for all Idaho, Summerland, B.C., Trail, Creston and South Slo- can, The Fiddlers branch thanks them for attending, as joy all 'are a“great group. The crowd attending: was¢“peop! levemd at not as large as usual, but every one enjoyed the music. The Fiddle Fest was a suc- cess in any event. Several fiddlers, specta- tors, and back-up people came from the Washington, dling affair Bob Dean family of Slocan. As usual Bob Johnson of Newport was master of cer- emonies. His work was ap- preciated and thanks to him for his efforts. Thanks to his wife Bobby as a back-up to the Newport group, who ap- parently had trouble with their motor home, but ar- rived back home safely. Jayy Wi ‘to attend, due to other com- mitments as they are always an added feature to Fiddle Fests and it is hoped to see them back here again at a future date. Other good fiddlers were CWL names executive “Pat Paul was elected pres-" ident of the St, Joseph's Catholic Women’s League at the recent annual general meeting in the Catholic Cen- tre. Other members of the 1982-83 executive include: Diana Pilla, past. president; Mary Beth Small, first vice- president; Hannah Brigge- man, second vice-president; Bessie Schiavon, third vice- president; Leona Bozek, sec- retary; Joan Muller, trea- surer; and Father Michael Guinan, director. Elections were conducted by Kay Mc- Gaulty and Brita Haley. Last year's president Pilla was in the chair. Father Gui- nan led the prayers and thanked the ladies who helped with the Easter church cleaning. It was moved to give a donation to the Sisters of St. Anne Provincial Home and plans are being made for a retreat day to be held in May at the Nelson Anawin house of Prayer. President Pilla reported on the resolutions to be voted on at the coming Creston Con- vention. The diocesan Penta- cost mass will be held in the Community Complex May 30 and CWL members will help with needed refreshments, Mary Beth Small, family life convener, asked for vol- unteers to.man the “Right to L. J. Wilkinson WKHAC chairman Lioyd J. Wilkinson of Trail was elected chairman of the West Kootenay Hospitals Area Council by delegates at the recent annual business © session in Nakusp. He suc- ceeded retiring chairman Harry Rezansoff of Grand Forks, The council, which is the regional grouping of. hospi- tals who are members of the B.C. Health Association also named Ratchel A. Wellock of Rossland, vice-chairman; Jean Downie of Rossland as secretary. and Teena Leitch of Castlegar as treasurer. Area representative to the provincial board of the B.C, Health Association will be Ratchel Welloch with Lloyd Wilkinson as alternate rep- resentative. Sister Margaret Doris, now of Cranbrook, was, hon- ored during the course of the year with presentation of a gift when she completed her term as administrator at Mount St. Francis Hospital. The Council's gift of a carved wood wall clock was made by chairman Rezansoff" to Harry Procter, long-term contributor to the advance-. ment of health care who had retired as administrator of three area hospitals, Delegates from Grand Forks, Rossland, Trail, Castlegar, New Denver, Kas- to, Nelson hospitals and long- term care facilities attended Life” booth to be on display at the Trade Fair. Ladies voted to purchase a needed card table and were reminded that membership lues_ are. now payable. Thanks were extended the Knights of Columbus for pre- paring the. league breakfast which was served members and ‘friends following the April mass. Refreshments were served at the Catholic Centre fol- lowing the Maria Silva Web- ster mass. A photograph and interesting letter were re- ceived from. the League fos- ter child in India, President Pilla thanked all members for works accom- plished this past year. The new executive was installed following the Lady ‘of Good Council Mass April 26th. League prayers go out to all CWL will and troubled. God bless them all. ‘(submitted by Bessie Schiavon) in attendance, such as Cy Loull of Summerland, B.C. He has won many trophies, such as third place in _the Provincial - playoffs this month. Red Garneau of Trail was seventh in the senior playoffs in Spokane this year, also won fourth place in-the seniors at the provincial con- test. at Kamloops this month, Curly Ratcliff won fifth place in the open contest held at Revelstoke, B.C. in March, and Thelma Ratcliff won fourth place in the seniors at Revelstoke. Thanks to Thelma Ehman and her girls for the cafeteria which opened for the nice hot coffee and beverages. Thanks to our own club members who really pitched in to make the event success- ful and to Ed Chernoff and staff of Channel 10 who tele- vised the show. “ALEITHIA’ +++ five-member vocal ensemble Tho Castlegar Evangelical Free Church is proud to pre- sent “Aleithia," a five-mem- ber female vocal ensemble, from Trinity Western Col- lege 7 p.m. Wednesday’ at Church of God, The group is -currently touring churches in Western paola, Founded in 1962, Trinity + toral 100-acre campus, it of- fers B.A. B.Sc. and A.A. degree programs in arts, sci-- ences, Biblical studies and business administyation. of Aviation offers a two-year Program. Graduates have transferred to over 125 col- leges and universities across North America, MINOR SPORTS "| Sure, we're interested! Phone the Castlegor News for details on how to get reports of your organization onto the sports pages. 365-3517 CasNews Printing - Letterheads, - & Envelopes © Business 1s BIRT BRETT — To Mr. ed Mrs, Kevin Brett (nee McNeil) of Trail, o daughter, born April 12. To Mr. and Mrs, of Nelson, a son, CROSS — To Mr. and Mrs. Mell Crots of Rossland, © daughter, born March 23. KLAPSTEIN — To Mr, and Mrs. fobecta Klapatein of Nelson, a son, mA\ MERLO — To Mr, rand Mrs. Gerald Merlo of Montrose, a son, born rid Rovond, Gdeughten bore Api POPOF — To. Mr. and Mrs. ergory Ropett of: Castlegar, a on born April 22, PRIDDY — To Mr. and Mrs. David J. Priddy of Trall, @ daughter, born April 11. RADCLIFFE — To rr Kenneth Radcllite of Nelo a son, born Apr RICHARDSON — To Mr. arid MA Rob Richardson of Rossland, a daughter, born April 17, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Ratcliff , and Mr. and Mrs.. Red Garneau are attending the provincial fiddlers conven- tion at Prince George this weekend. Don't forget the next gen- eral meeting to be held at the same place and time May 2 at 2:30 p.m. The three door prizes donated from Trail were won by two youngsters from Castlegar. The first door. prize went to a lady from Trail. It was nice to see one of the door prizes going back to Trail again, {submitted by - Thelma Ratcliff) “INFLATION FIGHTER’ Automatic Transmission snee: -S et Only me remove gan, vsusl eae ‘ond linkoge, Hon, ela sume FREETOWING — We have Aviomone wip 10am rod, Fronamition Stan soaaar bashing the meeting in: the new H Senior Citizens Club Huse. Noreen Ward and Mar- garet Cuthill catered the lun- cheon. Host board was Ar- row Lakes Hospital. The 1983 meeting will. be held April 30 with Mount St. Francis Hospital as host hos- pital. * SPECIALISTS i " 968-3231 2865 Highway Drive, Trail ACROSS FROM KAY MOTORS) SMYTH — To Mr. and Mrs. Dave Smyth of Trail, 0 ‘son, born April 3 7m “sporvouD. — To Mr, and Mrs. Ron Storvold of Trail, a son, born Berares otter.a lengthy illness. Memorial Business ew April 22 from St. Forms And 's ‘Anglican Church with Invitations Rev, Bob Purdy officiating, Cremation is planned. Any Printing! April 15, WEBSTER — Albert Edgar, Web: pele. ster, 70, of Castlegar . 15. Service was held April 19, i CASTLEGAR NEWS THOMAS — To Mr. and Mrs. iho “Castlegar Funeral Chopel ; Berit Themes “ol Teall, a son, with Rev, Ted Bristow Siticionee, 197 Columbia 365-7266 Serna ; Cremation followed. ad HEARN — Alice Emily Hearn, 93, of Samo died April 15.at Mount St. " Srancis Hospital. Service was held 1e imi ni 1 Phythias Holl with Pastor Al Lowe CASTLEGAR SELKIRK LIONS CLUB officiating, Burial was at the Salmo Cemertery? 5 Whitewater Motors was inadvertently KINAKIN left off the Trade Fair program. - Kinckinn 16, of Naleon died’ April ; i i - 15 at the Trail Regional Hospiial, | We apologize sincerely for this over: d Mrs, Service was held in the chapel of April oer Funeral Service | Whitewater Motors can still be visited this afternoon in the outdoor section of "2. ROBINSON — Jo seph Newton | the Trade F (Ne wt) Robinson, 68, }, died Api vif 19 at the Trail Regional Hospital THE PUBLIC COMMISSION ON SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE CUTBACKS Invites community groups and individuals to present ‘briefs on the impact government funding cutbacks willhavein your community. The commission is touring the province collecting infor- mation ‘which will be compiled into a report and be presented to the pro- ¥incial government, The commission er are primarily concerned with the effects the cutbacks will have on health, education, employment; service to senior citizens, women, children and the disabled. The commission will be in: CASTLEGAR Hi Arrow Hotel 2-5:30 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, May 5, 1982 If your organization would like to present a brief to the commissioners please advise the Secretary, Public Commis- sion on Social and Community Service Cutbacks, Suite 105 - 4911 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C., or call 299.3512, COMMISSION MEMBERS: TOM ALSBURY, Chairperson — Senior Citizens/ Education JOY LANGAN, Vice-Chairperson — Community /Services/ Labour/ Women GORDON MACPHERSON — Health TOM HUTCHISON — Education