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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 2018)
FEBRUARY 1, 2018 // 7 Local poet launches second book at KALA Author reads from her memoir at Astoria Library ASTORIA — The Astoria Library presents author Dede Montgomery as she reads from and discusses her memoir, “My Music Man.” The event takes place 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at the library (450 10th St.). In “My Music Man,” Montgomery — a sixth-gen- eration Oregonian whose ties have instilled in her a deep connection to the land and curiosity about the state’s early history — shares family narratives spanning seven generations. The tales feature charac- ters of historical interest — such as bookseller J.K. Gill and his brother, steamboat engineer Sam Gill — and settings, including Nis- qually, Willamette Falls, Champoeg, Portland, La- Grande and the Long Beach Peninsula. The Astoria Library ASTORIA — Mary Lou McAuley, of Astoria, will launch her second book of poetry, “Nine Hundred Moon Journey,” at KALA 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2. The reading is followed by a complimentary dessert social and book signing. The cover is $8. KALA is located at 1017 Marine Dr. in Astoria. In reference to the title, McAuley said, “That’s how many moons I’ve been alive.” She explained that measuring time in lunar cycles feels like a softer way to refer to age, and it also includes that sense of distance. McAuley describes her poetry as a narration of what she sees. “Very often it’s about an encounter or something I see in the street. I’m more of a watcher and a terrible eavesdropper,” she said. “But for one or two of them I woke up with the opening line.” Her voice is joyful when she talks about going where those single lines want to take her, and the epigram for the first part of the book, COURTESY KALA FILE PHOTO Poet Mary Lou McAuley from Irish Poet Michael Longley, echoes this sense of wonder: “If I knew where poems came from, I’d go there.” McAuley was born in Chehalis, Washington, and grew up in Goldendale and went to college in Seattle. She was the first owner of what is now Jupiter’s Rare & Used Books in Cannon Beach. She met her husband, painter Robert Paulmenn, in Colorado before moving back to Oregon. They have resided in Astoria for six years. In that time, McAuley released her first book of poetry, “The Other Door.” She’s a supporter of the mul- tiplicity of voices in Astoria and emcees Ric’s Poetry Mic at WineKraft the first Tuesday of every month. Film series screened in Seaside PHOTOS COURTESY ASTORIA LIBRARY Author Dede Montgomery is guided by the mission statement: “Explore ideas, engage minds, excite imag- ination.” For more information about library programs and services, contact staff at 503-325-7323 or com- ments@astorialibrary, or visit astorialibrary.org. SEASIDE — The Friends of the Seaside Library will host documentary filmmaker Ron Walker as he presents his film series “Astoria the Last Rivertown” and “Uppertown Girl” 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10. The event will take place in the Community Room. To make “Astoria the Last Rivertown,” Walker roamed the sidewalks and waterfront with his camera. He searched for longtime residents who would grant interviews for this documentary. He spoke with historians, artists, fisher- men and sea captains as they shared their love for Astoria and recounted memories. In “Uppertown Girl,” the late Irene Gunderson shares vivid memories of her child- hood in Astoria. These were the days before the fire of 1922, when the streets were lit with oil lamps, downtown was built on pilings and people traveled by horse and wagon or streetcar in the town. The film illustrates her stories with historic photos, original music and pen-and- ink drawings. Together, the films are a tribute to the beauty and history of Astoria and her residents. Walker learned the craft of filmmaking when he worked as the resident music composer for the Film Loft in Portland in the 1980s. During this period he composed the music for the Mount St. Helens film “This Place in Time,” which is shown at the Mount St. Helens Interpre- tive center. Walker shoots, edits and composes the music for the films he produces. His films are about people, their hob- bies and passions, and often feature historical themes centered on the North Coast. The Seaside Public COURTESY SEASIDE PUBLIC LIBRARY Filmmaker Ron Walker Library is located at 1131 Broadway St. For more infor- mation, call 503-738-6742 or visit seasidelibrary.org.
