Camp Re-Form 

To be released Fall of 2010

Enlightening work of fiction from the literary rebel and wordsmith who brought you his Faulknerian tale of faction in Yocona Puff Adder. 

Not since the soldiers of M.A.S.H. have such an unforgettable cast of characters dealt with the heartfelt heights and comical confusion of teen-aged camaraderie.  Sarcasm drips from Camp Re-Form's coping with adolescence storyline as it follows a handful of fifteen-year-old boys enduring their second straight summer of a judge-ordered Boy Scout camp in lieu of reform school. 

A peek at the accused reveals that:  Jed is the protagonist that you might someday consider for your daughter; Junebug, also called Junie, is the mainstreamed resident from the retardation center who is trying hard to fit in; Overdrive is the slightly crippled genius whose curiosity often arouses his extraordinary creativity; Goose is the obstinate Yankee who's got no business being thrown in with these southern boys, but brings most of his troubles on himself; Moses is the Christian boy who's falsely accused and having another big secret; Chick, as stoic and wooden to the camp as a totem pole, is a Chickasaw Indian trying to hold onto his heritage; and Coonie is de kinda Cajun dat talk wit' a dialect make you wanta keep time to Zydeco an' go afta anudda bowl uh gumbo.

Then along comes five major minor characters by way of:  Sarge, questionable scoutmaster evolved from retired soldier; Braxton Allen Dillion, the antagonist abbreviated BAD for reasons that included being bad enough to make the likes of Injun Joe blush; Mamma Cookie, the camp cook with eyes for Sarge but needing help from Coonie to cook; Fanny Pearl, who is Mamma Cookie's daughter and Jed's goal for love through it all; and sexy Stretch, the boys' opportunity for sex-ed from across the road, where her all-red-headed girls' professional basketball team just happens to be home courted.

In short, Camp Re-Form is a pilot project between the Department of Corrections and the Boy Scouts of America, with seven memorable juveniles struggling through their Eagle projects.  Their puberty and BAD's bad are but a few of their obstacles as they try to stay out of trouble by not being caught.     

Gerald P. Inmon

Retired from a distinguished career as a professional Forester and Wildlife Biologist, Gerald Inmon now resides in his hometown of Oxford, Mississippi, with his wife of forty years.  Patricia is currently the First Baptist Church Secretary.  Their only surviving son, Tony, is a Minister Missionary and Church Planner Strategist in Costa Rica.  

In addition to earning a BS in Forestry and MS in Wildlife Management from Mississippi State Universiy, Gerald's educational achievements included winning Bull-of-the-Woods high-point honors at the M.S.U. Forestry Conclave.

Published in the national scientific journal, The Journal of Forestry, Gerald is also professionally recognized through accolades that include:  nomination by Three Rivers Chapter of The Society of American Foresters peers for Mississippi's Most Outstanding Forester; being bestowed the Soil and Water Conservation District's Conservation Education Award; receiving five USDA Certificates of Merit for various natural resource works in the Forest Service; earning the Nature Conservancy's Public Service Award; and being presented two national Taking Wings Awards, one for waterfowl habitat devlopment and the other for partnership generation.

Acknowledgements from the U.S. Army include:  receiving the Medal for Military Merit; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service and Campaign medals; promotion to E-5 in only 18 months; and selection as Battalion Soldier of the Month in the 101st Airborne Division.