Hemingway Impersonator Erv Johnson Leads Triple Life
Wednesday, November 20 2002
Nov. 20, 2002^Editors: Johnson will be at the UI Press at 11 a.m. tomorrow (Nov. 21), 200 S. Almon, to present his 55 books and 20-some magazines by and about Ernest Hemingway to the University of Idaho Press’ book collection. The donation will enhance research for the Hemingway Review, a scholarly biannual journal published by UI Press. ^Photo of Johnson as Hemingway is at www.today.uidaho.edu/photo_list.asp^MOSCOW/BOISE - Boise’s 71-year-old Erv Johnson is every bit the collegiate “Yell Duke” that he was 50 years ago on the University of Idaho cheer squad.^He still extols the virtues of fraternity life, much to the teasing of his buddies who call him “the perpetual frat-boy.” He’s advised his UI chapter of Beta Theta Pi for 50 years, wrote the pledge manual last year, for nine years edited the international fraternity’s magazine and now is writing the history of the organization.^ Despite the fun-loving profile of fraternities, “their intent is to help young men transition to independent living and focus on their education, principles and leadership development,” says Johnson, who claims his fraternity permanently stamped his life.^ Through fraternal connections, he learned of Idaho’s fascination with Ernest Hemingway, the Nobel Laureate and Pulitzer-winning author of the 1920-50s whose passions with war, wilderness and other “high-risk escapades” produced such novels as “A Farewell to Arms,” “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” and “The Old Man and the Sea.” After his international adventures, Hemingway settled from 1958-61 in Ketchum, where he died.^Johnson dramatically immersed himself in writing and performing a one-man play about the author’s life that toured the West from 1983-86. “Even when I don’t have the props, people say I resemble E. Hemingway,” says his impersonator. He will present the UI Press 55 books and 20-some magazines by and about Ernest Hemingway Nov. 21. His collection is meant to enhance research for the Hemingway Review, a scholarly biannual journal published by UI Press and edited by Susan Beegel, a visiting faculty member.^ Between his campus life and theater life, Johnson’s “regular” life was that of a public relations executive, who ran L.E. Johnson & Associates in Boise for 20 years. Prior to that, he served in various communication roles for several large companies. He also has been a frequent freelance contributor to such publications as Grit, Modern Maturity and Dynamic Years, wrote a weekly syndicated newspaper column, “One for the Road,” and wrote scripts for such 1960s TV shows as “Twilight Zone,” “One Step Beyond” and “My Three Sons.”^ Despite his several metamorphoses, Johnson insists, “the greatest permanent influence on my life has been my affiliation with the fraternity – especially now, to continue contributing to the maturing of young men.”^Contacts: Susan Franko, UI Press, (208) 885-3305, sfranko@uidaho.edu, Erv Johnson, Boise, (208) 484-8483, ervandginger@yahoo.com, or Nancy Hilliard, University Communications, (208) 885-6567, hilliard@uidaho.edu^-30-^NH-11/20/02-UIPRESS/GreekLife
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