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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 31, 2015)
Author to recount daring Coast Guard rescue Book a great getaway with winter reading Maritime museum hosts Michael Tougias for slide presentation It’s time once again for TRL’s Adult Winter Reading Contest ASTORIA — Author Michael Tougias will appear at the Co- lumbia River Maritime Muse- um at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2 to give a slide show presenta- tion on his book “The Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Most Dar- ing Sea Rescue.” The Disney Corporation is making a mov- ie based on the book, which will star Chris Pine and Casey AfÀeck and be released in Jan- uary of 2016. The program is sponsored by the Columbia River Mar- itime Museum and is includ- ed with museum admission. Members are free. The muse- um is located at 1792 Marine Drive. For more information, call 503-325-2323. Tougias, co-author of “The Finest Hours,” will use slides of the storm, the sinking tank- ers, the rescues, the victims, the survivors and the heroes to tell the story of this historic event. Tougias will describe the harrowing attempts to rescue the seamen, especially fo- cusing on four young Coast Guardsmen who must over- come the odds to save the lives of 32 crewmen stranded aboard the stern of the Pendle- ton. Standing between the men and their mission were tow- ering waves that reached 70 feet, blinding snow, and one of the most dangerous shoals in the world, the dreaded Cha- tham Bar. The waters along the outer arm of Cape Cod are called “the graveyard of the Atlantic” for good reason. “I enjoy doing these pro- grams,” says Tougias, “be- cause I like to transport the audience into the heart of the storm so that they ask them- selves, ‘What would I have done?’ I don’t like to do au- thor readings because I think they are boring, but with a slide presentation, the viewer can visually relive the adven- ture.” Tougias goes on to say, “This event was — and still is — the greatest and most Submitted photo by Alison O’Leary Michael Tougias will give a presentation about his book “The Finest Hours” Jan. 2 in Astoria. daring sea rescue ever per- formed by the Coast Guard, and it happened off the New England coast. I felt this ep- isode of heroism and tragedy needed to be told in its entire- ty because it’s an important piece of overlooked history.” A book signing will follow the program, and the presen- tation is suitable for all ages. New York Times bestselling author James Brady (author of “Flyboys” and “Flags of Our Fathers”) says, “‘The Finest Hours’ recounts incredible heroism … a gripping read.” “The Finest Hours” has been the No. 4 bestselling non-¿ction book in New En- gland according to the New England Booksellers Associ- ation. Tougias is also co-author of “Rescue of the Bounty.” The tall ship Bounty, featured in the Marlon Brando movie “Mutiny on the Bounty,” sank during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The captain and a crew- member perished in the acci- dent, but the Coast Guard per- formed harrowing helicopter rescues to save the other 14 sailors. Tougias is the author and coauthor of 24 books includ- PACIFIC COUNTY, Wash. — It’s January, so it must be time for Timberland Regional Li- brary’s Adult Winter Reading Contest. Gather up or download all those books you’ve been meaning to read. The more books you read by March 15, the more chances you have to win an overnight getaway for two. Here’s how it works: • Between Jan. 1 and March 15, read or listen to a minimum of ¿ve books. • Pick up entry forms — one for every ¿ve books you read or listen to — at any Tim- berland library, or download from the website at www.TRL. org; hover over “Programs”. • On each form, write the titles, the authors’ names, a brief review of each book, and a ranking of ¿ve (e[cel- lent) to one (would not rec- ommend). Submitted photo Timberland Regional Library invites you to read as many books as possible between Jan. 1 and March 15 as part of the Adult Winter Reading Contest. The more books you read, the better chance you have of winning prizes. • Turn in the forms at any Timberland library. Each form serves as a contest en- try. You can’t lose with this contest; you’ll have the bliss of reading great books and you might get to book a great getaway too. The grand prizes in- clude getaways at local bed & breakfasts and resorts, including the Shelburne Inn, Tokeland Hotel, Lake Quinault Lodge and Alder- brook Resort & Spa. Other prizes include Adult Winter Reading book bags contain- ing reading material and specialty foods as well as a variety of prizes from local merchants throughout the library district. The grand prize drawing will take place March 20. Participants must be 18 years of age or older and be current TRL cardholders. Only one grand prize and one local prize per person. TRL employees, Board of Trust- ees and their immediate fam- ily members are not eligible to enter. T he Cannery Pier Hotel & Spa is a luxury boutique hotel built on the former site of a historic cannery 600 feet out into the Mighty Columbia River in Astoria, Oregon. The Hotel offers guests an unparalleled experience in a real working river... with diverse and exciting ship traffic to and from the Pacific Ocean. • Private riverview balconies in all rooms • Fireplace, Complimentary Wi-fi throughout hotel • Clawfoot Tub with views, Terry Robes • Complimentary Continental Breakfast • Wine and appetizers each afternoon • Full service Day Spa on site • Fitness Room, Hot Tub, Finnish Sauna Submitted photo “The Finest Hours” by Michael Tougias and Casey Sherman. ing “Fatal Forecast: An In- credible True Tale of Disaster and Survival at Sea,” which the Los Angeles Times called “breathtaking … a marvelous and terrifying tale.” Tougias’ previous book “Ten Hours Until Dawn: The True Sto- ry of Heroism and Tragedy Aboard the Can Do During the Blizzard of ‘78” received an Editor’s Choice Selection from the American Library Associatio,n which selected it as one of the top books of the year. Telephone 503.325.4996 Toll Free 888.325.4996 Facsimile 503.325.8350 www.cannerypierhotel No. 10 Basin Street • Astoria, Oregon 97103 December 2015 January 2016 “Locals Only Special” * $ Limited Space Available Excludes New Year’s Eve 1 09 Please call hotel direct 503-325-4996 Per Night One Coupon per Stay Required Must Present Original Coupon at Check-in Deluxe King or Deluxe Double Queen Rates subject to change without notice. *Plus Applicable Tax December 31, 2015 | coastweekend.com | 9
