MIXED MEDIUM
THE ARTS AROUND
EASTERN OREGON
Sara Miller
Sara Miller writes essays,
poetry, an online journal, and lots
of letters. She and her husband
have often worked in remote
places where letter writing is the
best way to communicate. When
they lived at Dug Bar, she sent
letters via mail boat, which she
says seemed luxurious.
Miller volunteered on the
founding Fishtrap board and
remembers arguing with fellow
board member Alvin Josephy
over his proposal to raise Sum-
mer Fishtrap registration from
$25 to $50.
“I’m grateful for this oppor-
tunity to connect with people
through Fireside. I’m writing new
work to read because I want
to honor and enjoy our time
together,” she said.
She kept writing during the
pandemic, although extra work
at her job and more family
demands have meant she has
less time. This year she began
13
DECEMBER 29, 2021�JANUARY 5, 2022
babies and birth, death and
love, ranching and wild lonely
places,” she said.
www.fi shtrap.org
experimenting with liturgy (writ-
ing for religious ceremonies),
collaborating with a local pastor,
an experience she describes as
one of risk-taking, acceptance,
and human connection.
Her work has appeared in
newspapers, poetry journals
and anthologies. Every Decem-
ber she thinks of “Imogene’s
Answer,” the story of her family
being homeless in the middle
of winter and being helped by a
complete stranger. KWVR radio
aired a reading of the story for
a Christmas Day broadcast and
now she shares the recording
with family and friends each year.
Miller is a herder and often
feels kinship with other herders,
both in this country and from
other parts of the world.
“Even though I’m getting
older, I still appreciate op-
portunities to create ritual and
help with hard work, especially
Marika Straw
Marika Straw is a Wallowa
County-born queer, nonbinary
Jew. After learning, exploring,
and growing in the Midwest,
India, and North Carolina with
other queers, Jews, musicians,
community organizers, and
human rights activists, they
returned in 2020 to deepen
their relationships with Wallowa
County and with themself.
In addition to enjoying writ-
ing, they delight in playing
music, exploring natural beauty,
engaging in Jewish practice
and community, petting cats,
and celebrating queerness
everywhere it occurs. You can
fi nd their music online at mari-
kastrawmusic.com and learn
more about LGBTQ+ identities
on the Instagram account they
co-moderate, @wallowacounty-
lgbtq.
102 Greenwood St., • La Grande, OR 97850 • www.bluesummitrealtygroup.com
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