2
THE OPENING ACT
JUNE 8�15, 2022
STAFF
What we’re into
WARD CARROLL ON
YOUTUBE
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goeasternoregon
T
he YouTube channel of Ward
Carroll, musician and ex-F-14
radar intercept offi cer, is popular
with his fellow former naval per-
sons and lifelong civilians interest-
ed in military aviation. Under his
call sign “Mooch,” Carroll reviews
movies and shares stories from
his own and others’ service for his
251,000 subscribers. He also has
about 9,500 Twitter followers.
Carrol is a prize-winning
writer for the prestigious Naval
youtube.com
Institute Press, where he worked
as editor, marketer and digital
impact expert. He served in the
Navy 15 years after graduating
from the U.S. Naval Academy.
A YouTube episode that
impressed me, aired 10 months
ago, was Carroll’s report from
Afghanistan in 2009 for Military.
com. I covered Oregon Army
National Guard helicopter units
there in 2005, losing young
friends in the September shoot-
down of Pendleton-based CH-47
Mustang 22.
Carroll sells T-shirts and cof-
fee mugs to raise money for the
Return Alive Foundation, which
provides training and supplies to
Ukrainians resisting the Rus-
sian invasion.
Carroll regrettably bought
into Ukrainian propaganda about
RAISING THE CURTAIN
ON THIS WEEK’S ISSUE
the “Ghost of Kyiv,” an unnamed
MiG-29 pilot who supposedly
shot down six Russian planes in
one day. This improbable tally
was later raised to 10, then to
40 total, before he was allegedly
killed in action.
The Ghost was briefl y identi-
fi ed as a real pilot, Maj. Stepan
Tarabalka, 29, confi rmed killed in
combat on March 13. Now, how-
ever, Ukraine admits the Ghost
was mythical, a composite of
fl iers serving in the 40th tactical
aviation brigade defending Kyiv.
contact us
Lisa Britton
Go! Editor
editor@goeasternoregon.com
541-406-5274
Sarah Smith
— JOHN TILLMAN, REPORTER,
EAST OREGONIAN
We can help
you get from
Here to Here
New releases
MARY GAUTHIER,
‘DARK ENOUGH TO SEE
THE STARS’
Calendar Coordinator
calendar@goeasternoregon.com
SUBMIT NEWS
Submit your event information
by Monday for publication the
following week (two weeks in
advance is even better!).
Go! Magazine is published
Wednesdays in the  Wallowa
County Chieftain and Blue
Mountain Eagle. It publishes
Thursdays in The Observer, Baker
City Herald and East Oregonian.
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BIKES, SKIS, CLIMBING
GEAR, ADVICE,
BEER & SNACKS, RENTALS,
GOOD PEOPLE
M
ary Gauthier’s weekly Sun-
day afternoon livestreams
at the pandemic’s peak were a
lot like church, with confessions,
contemplations and a welcome
spirit of communion.
The gatherings off ered balm
for believers in the power of song,
and Gauthier’s new album does
the same, showcasing tunes that
came to life during lockdown and
were regularly featured on those
shows. As the title might suggest,
love prevails over death on “Dark
Enough to See the Stars,” though
not without a struggle.
Gauthier’s scarred alto is the
ideal instrument for her candid,
thoughtful musings on loss,
healing and the need for hope.
Her voice quivers, wobbles and
slides, as if never sure where
the next note will land, but it’s
always someplace compelling.
The Associated Press
Among those contributing to
the soulful, smart arrangements
are keyboardist Danny Mitch-
ell, fi ddler Michele Gazich and
singer-guitarist Jaimee Harris,
Gauthier’s partner.
Highlights include “Thank God
for You,” a gospel-tinged celebra-
tion of love’s restorative qualities,
and “How Could You Be Gone,” a
wrenching slice of life and death.
But from start to fi nish, Gauthier
masterfully makes the per-
sonal universal. On “Truckers and
Troubadours,” she aff ectionately
draws a connection among those
“just passing through,” which
would be all of us.
— THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MOUNTAINWORKSBICYCLES.COM
1301 Adams Ave.
La Grande, OR
Mon-Sat • 10am-6pm
541.963.3220