WALLOWA LAKE – “Longing and Belonging in the West” is the theme of the annual Summer Fishtrap Gathering that will bring writers and lovers of the written word to Wallowa Lake during the second week in July this year.

The 2003 Summer Fishtrap event runs July 7-11, with a line-up of morning workshops, with most instructors staying on as presenters for the Fishtrap Gathering writer’s conference Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, July 11-13.

All events take place at the Wallowa Lake Methodist Camp with plenty of time for socializing, discussion, exploring and writing. While this year’s presenters and instructors were chosen for what they could add to the overall theme, most of their workshops emphasize writing, and especially writing during the workshops themselves.

The cast of presenters/instructors bring a broad range of backgrounds, cultures, and talent, with some returning to Fishtrap after earlier appearances and others for the first time.

First time presenters at Fishtrap include Howard Berkes, who was just named National Public Radio’s first rural affairs correspondent; Kathleen Alcala, a Chicana writer of novels and plays; Peter Sears, author of “The Brink”, winner of a Western States Book Award in poetry; Kate Powers and Steve Einhorn, song writers/musicians who own the Artichoke Music shop in Portland; and Nyewusi Askari, a musician, poet, actor, playwright, newspaper editor and storyteller who founded the Sojourner Truth Theater company in Portland.

Veterans of other Fishtraps Gatherings are Horace Axtell, well-known to Wallowa County and author of “A Little Bit of Wisdom: Conversations with a Nez Perce Elder”; Jack Ohman, editorial cartoonist for the Oregonian who spoke in Enterprise in Fishtrap’s lecture series this spring; Geronimo Tagatac, writer of short fiction and a recipient of an Oregon Literary Arts fellowship who taught a workshop in 2001; and John Rember, author of “Coyote in the Mountains” and a new memoir, “Trapline.”

“We still have plenty of room in the weekend Gathering, but some of the workshops are already filled,” said Frank Conley, Fishtrap business manager this week. “We have a waiting list, though.”

He notes that the price for the Gathering has been reduced to $160 this year, partly because it includes one less meal and partly to insure a full house. Scholarships are available.

The workshops which still have openings are “Storytelling – or Exploring Your Own Life Journey in Song and Story”, taught by Nyewusi Askari; “The Musical Theater of Everyday Life; Songs of the Common Folk” by Kate Power; and the only two-day workshop, “Drawing on the Write Side of the Brain”, by Jack Ohman. Workshops with a waiting list include “Nez Perce Language and Culture,” taught by Horace and Andrea Axtell; “Difficult Characters,” short fiction by Geronimo Tagatac; “Writing Magic Realism,” by Kathleen Alcala; “Pivotal Moment: A Workshop in Poetry -And/Or Short Fiction” by Peter Sears; and “Story and Talisman: A Workshop in Memoir,” by John Rember.

According to Fishtrap director Rich Wandschneider, “Longing and Belonging” is a way of describing or exploring the contemporary West, “of who we are and feel about being here.”

He said that people who are interested in the topic and don’t necessarily consider themselves ‘writers’ are welcome to join in, sharing their thoughts and ideas and enjoying the Fishtrap experience. For details about cost, food, lodging, registration, workshops and the conference, call Fishtrap, (541) 426-3623, go to www.fishtrap.org , or send mail to P.O. Box 38, Enterprise, OR 97846.