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Show 8 The Signpost - Wednesday, Feb. 1, 1989 Weber State invites poet Symposium encourages writers Weber State College has invited Salt Lake poet Scott Cairns to read in its reading series on Thursday, February 2. The reading will take place at 10:30 a.m. in room 201 of Weber's Social Science Building. The author of two books of poems, Cairns has been nominated three times for the Pushcart Prize in poetry. Among other awards, he has twice received the Academy of American Poets Prize. His poems have appeared in such magazines as "The Atlantic," "The New Republic," "Christianity and Literature" and Kansas Quarterly." Cairns' most recent book, "The Theology of Doubt," has been noted for both its wit and the gentle seriousness of its vision.. Jerry Johnston, Deseret News book critic, has praised its poems as "Simple, handsome, warm and dark." Cairns is currently a professor at Westminster College. In addition to teaching, he has served as a contributing editor of "Jeopardy Magazine" and in various editorial positions with other literary journals including "Quarterly West" and "Mid-American Review." The read ing will be co-sponsored by the Utah Arts Council. For further information, call the Utah Arts Council's Literary Office at 533-5895, Topping the charts U.S. Singles U.S. Albums 1) Poison 1) Traveling Wilburys Every Rose has its Thorn Volume One 2) Phil Collins 2) U2 Two Hearts Rattle and Hum 3) Anita Baker 3) Anita Baker Giving You the Best... Giving You the Best... 4) Bobby Brown 4) Guns N' Roses My Prerogative Gn'R Lies 5) Bangles 5) Cocktail In Your Room Soundtrack 6) Taylor Dayne ( 6) Guns N' Roses Don't Rush Me Appetite for Destruction 7) Chicago 7) BonJovi Look Away New Jersey 8) DefLeppard 8) Bobby Brown Armageddon it Don't Be Cruel "LOVE CATS DANCE" LDS Institute Valentines Formal Feb 10th 8:30 p.m. Institute Semi-formalBoy's Choice tickets at Institute Lisa Dayton Asst. Arts and Entertainment Editor The Association for Mormon Letters held their annual symposium Saturday, Jan. 28, at Weber State. This year's symposium focused on Virginia Sorcnsen, a Mormon author of several novels and children's books. The papers presented by students and professors on "Virginia Sorensen and Her Contemporaries" were accompanied by an awards luncheon and a panel discussion. Opening the session was Eugene England of BYU with his presentation, "Virginia Sorensen as the Founding Foremother of the Mormon Personal Essay." England considers her the first Mormon essayist who is truly "first class." Next, Jackie Barnes of Weber State delivered her paper, "The Sacrifice to the Proper Gods in Virginia Sorensen's "The Proper Gods'." This novel about the Yaqui Indians is one of Sorensen's own favorites, one she enjoys rereading occasionally. Edward Geary and Linda Berlin of BYU read papers on Sorensen's "dn This Star." First, Geary discussed the elements of imitative desire in his paper, "Joseph and His Brothers: Rivalry in Virginia Sorensen's 'On This Star'." Berlin's "Strengths and Weaknesses of Virginia Sorensen's 'On This Star'" examined both the positive and the negative aspects of the novel. She stated that while the novel at times is contrived and melodramatic, it also succeeds in exploring complex emotions and relationships to create "a portrait of the human experience." The group then adjourned to the Skyroom for an awards luncheon. The Association business was conducted by Steven Sondrup after which the awards were presented by Bruce Jorgensen. The award in the novel category was presented to Ann Edwards Cannon for "Cal Cameron by Day, Spider-Man by Night," a book aimed at an adolescent audience. Her characters, while not expressly Latter-day Saints, may easily be construed as Mormons but "they display the traits of a universal humanity." John Bennion received the award in the short story for his three stories, "A Court of Love," "A House of Order" and "Dust." "The Man at the Chapel," by Karin Anderson England, earned her the award in the personal essay. Dennis Marden Clark received the award in poetry for his collection entitled "Tinder: Dry Poems." A special recognition in poetry went to Clinton F. Larson for his collection, "Selected Poems of Clinton F. Larson." Special recognition in biography went to Levi S. Peterson for "Juanita Brooks: , Mormon Woman Historian." This book also received the David W. and Beatrice C. Evans Biography Award. The final award, special recognition in criticism, went to Wayne C. Booth for his book, "The Company We Keep: An Ethics of Fiction.' The Association then resumed with presentations aimed more at Sorensen's c r n tt m rr r 9 ri f c Patricia Truxler of Westminster, College read her paper,"The Geography of the Heart: Utah Women Writers and the Utah Renaissance." This dealt mainly with Ardyth Kennelly, Maurine Whipple and the tradition and focus of womens' writing" "The Promise Is Fulfilled: The Literary Aspects of John D. Fitzgerald's Novels" was presented by Audrey Godfrey of Utah State University. Fitzgerald, not to be confused with F. Scott Fitzgerald, is probably best known for the "Great Brain" series of children's books. The final paper, Karin England's "Feminine Voices in the Works of Juanita Brooks," examined Brook's treatment of women in her writings, taking into consideration the availability of information and the attitudes of the time. Dean Hughes, Gordon Allred and Linda Sillitoe were the panel members for the discussion, "Utah Authors on Publishing in the Marketplace." After the discussion, the Association met at the home of Drs. Candadai and Neila Seshachari for dinner and readings by the award winners. Clark, Cannon and Karin England read from their works. Bruce Jorgensen (see LETTERS on page 9) t I M . m ft- "T. mr B&m I Z ri r m a m .k jmm m-m VALENTINE BALLOON BOUQUETS C- 3 different $4 bouquets to choose from. Valentine mylar balloons available (while supply lasts) at $2 extra. Will deliver on campus -- Tuesday, February 14, between 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. All delivery orders must be prebooked by 2-9-89. WEBER STATE BOOKSTORE |