REGION
Friday, July 14, 2017
East Oregonian
Q&A with Pendleton native Joel Wayne Bartron
T
he Boise based writer Joel
Wayne — his full name is Joel
Wayne Bartron though he has
dropped his last name in his nom de
plume due to the frequent misspelling
of it by others — will be reading at
the Pendleton Center for the Arts on
Thursday, July 20, as part of the First
Draft Writers’ Series. His unsettling
yet oddly heartwarming short story
“Brother’s Keeper” won literary journal
The Chattahoochee Review’s Lamar
York Prize for Fiction in 2015. His
work has appeared in
esteemed publications
such as Salon, The
Moth and AdPulp,
among many others.
As a Pendleton High
School alumni, Joel’s
appearance at the
PCA will be a bit of
a homecoming — a
J.D.
local-boy-done-good
Kindle
story if you will —
Comment
where he’ll serve
up selections of his
Raymond Carver-esque work.
What inspired you to become
a writer? Was it a dream of yours
while growing up in Pendleton?
Early on, I was probably most
attracted to writing because I loved
to read. Then I had some teachers
who took notice and shaped that bent
over the years — Mrs. Bellamy and
Carolyn McMillan in grade school
and junior high, Tom Lovell and John
Scanlan in high school. They sent me
to the Oregon Writing Festival a few
times, handed me projects or prompts
outside of class, encouraged me to
keep plugging away. Those weren’t,
and aren’t, small gifts to a student
like me. So, yes, it became a dream to
“become a writer” and, over time (and
this reads similar to the experience of
many other writers I know), the dream
evolves into “continuing to write, in
spite of everything, and getting things
published, or not, every now and then.”
Can you tell me a bit about the
selections you are going to read at
First Draft?
I’m planning to read a short story
about a middle-aged man with one eye
and two kids. He moves back to his
hometown after a divorce and enjoys
a kinda punchy relationship with his
father while they give his house a new
roof. That old chestnut. He’s a recurring
character in a series of short stories
I’ve had no luck placing, although this
particular one did win a recent award
Contributed photo
and earned me a short writing residency
up in Ketchum, Idaho.
What is your most recently
published work?
The Boise Art Museum invited
me to write a flash fiction piece to
accompany some artwork from their
permanent collection, which appeared
in their Tall Tales program through this
spring. The work was a clay teapot by
Richard Notkin featuring a sculpted
scene on top — a tiny dog lying on a
sidewalk, hydrant at his side, etc. Very
intricate. I only hope my story was half
as well-rendered.
Who do you count as your
primary influences, literary or
otherwise?
I’m drawn more towards work that’s
accessible, dark, darkly funny. I love
Kurt Vonnegut and Alice Munro, any
issue of The Chattahoochee Review,
The Onion, The Toast, I really dig
this book of short stories by Ben
Greenman from a few years back. In
nonfiction, I’m a big Gay Talese fan,
advice column junkie, and Longform.
org is always worthwhile. And there
are so many good shows on right now:
“Louie,” “Veep,” and “The Great
British Baking Show” are a few recent
faves. It’s a wonder we get anything
(reading, writing or otherwise) done.
You’ve also dabbled in the world
of film. What is the nature of the film
projects you’ve been involved in?
In 2010, after moving to Boise, I
was lucky to work alongside a guy who
did some short film directing on the
side. He was looking for a screenwriter
and I raised my hand. We mostly did
it for kicks but placed one in a few
national festivals. It was a little drama
about a guy afflicted with pica, hunting
for his son, who’d checked himself out
of rehab. I’d love to continue writing
for the screen but, having self-produced
a few projects and watching friends
tackle some longer work, it’s a very,
very tough thing to get off the ground,
and a big gas guzzler to keep running
on the side of your 9-5. At this point,
I’d probably rather write and submit
than write and produce and direct and
submit.
■
James Dean Kindle is a Pendleton
musician and executive director of the
Oregon East Symphony. Contact him at
jamesdeankindle@gmail.com.
HERMISTON
Portland pianist to give concert at Methodist Church
East Oregonian
Portland pianist John Nilsen, who
has sold more than a million copies of
his albums, will be tickling the ivories
in Hermiston on July 21.
Nilsen’s concert will be at 7 p.m.
at First United Methodist Church,
191 E. Gladys Ave., with a suggested
donation of $10.
Nilsen is a pianist, guitarist and
vocalist, but his Hermiston concert
will focus on the piano. He said that
while he tours all across the United
States and overseas, he’s always
happiest performing in his “home-
land” of Oregon.
“I enjoy Hermiston. I love our
state,” he said. “I can’t tell you all the
places I’ve played in our state but I’ve
been just about everywhere.”
He said he looks forward to being
able to drive instead of fly for this leg
of his tour.
Nilsen is working on his 20th
album. Over his career he has toured
solo and with his two bands — the
folk-rock band SWIMFISH and the
John Nilsen Trio, which features a mix
of folk, classical, jazz and rock. He
has also made appearances with such
notable musicians as Jose Feliciano,
Jesse Colin Young, David Foster,
Marc Cohn, Kenny G and Alex De
Grassi.
He said his piano concert features
“folk, classical and jazz styles, some
traditional pieces, and some other
classics woven together with some
stories of my life, music and travels.”
Photo contributed by John Nilsen
For more information visit www. Portland pianist John Nilsen will give
johnnilsen.com or call 541-567-3002. a concert in Hermiston on July 21.
COMING EVENTS
FRIDAY, JULY 14
ADULT OPEN GYM, 6 a.m.,
Pendleton Recreation Center,
510 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton.
Half-court basketball. Adults only.
WALKING FOR WELLNESS,
8:30-9:30 a.m., Pendleton Rec-
reation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion
Ave., Pendleton. (541-276-8100)
HEPPNER FARMERS MAR-
KET, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Heppner City
Park, 444 N. Main St., Heppner.
Local produce, crafts, baked
goods and more. (Don or Jo Ann
Shannon 541-676-8957)
STORY TIME, 10:15 a.m.,
Hermiston Public Library, 235 E.
Gladys Ave., Hermiston. (541-
567-2882)
PENDLETON
FARMERS
MARKET, 4-7 p.m., 300 block,
South Main Street, Pendleton. Lo-
cal produce, baked goods, crafts,
jewelry, live music, food vendors
and more. (Cheryl Montgomery
541-969-9466)
VFW BINGO, 6 p.m., Herm-
iston VFW, 45 W. Cherry St.,
Hermiston. Doors open at 6 p.m.,
games begin at 7 p.m. Everyone
welcome. (541-567-6219)
SATURDAY, JULY 15
PENDLETON ON WHEELS
RELAXED BIKE RIDE, 7 a.m.,
Chamber of Commerce Parking
Lot, 501 S. Main St., Pendleton.
Weekly casual ride. Meet with
those taking a longer ride, but
take a shorter route that match-
es participant interests that day.
Usually in the 10 to 20 mile ride
as participants desire. (Pete Wells
541-379-2180)
POW
SATURDAY
BIKE
RIDE, 7 a.m.-1 p.m., Information
kiosk at Museum Park, 108 S.W.
Frazer Ave., Pendleton. Weekly
bike ride by Pendleton on Wheels.
Rides are open to the public, as
far and at a speed comfortable for
you. (Pete Wells 541-379-2180)
HERMISTON
FARMERS
MARKET, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Festival
Plaza, Northeast Second Street
and Main, Hermiston. Local pro-
duce, baked goods, crafts, jew-
elry, art, live music, food vendors
and more.
HERMISTON
Public encouraged to
attend interviews for
interim superintendent
East Oregonian
Joel Wayne Bartron
FREE FOR ALL, 9:30-10:15
a.m., Pendleton Center for the
Arts, 214 N. Main St., Pendleton.
Free art classes for children up to
age 12. Children under 8 should
be accompanied by an adult. (Ro-
berta Lavadour 541-278-9201)
YARN CLUB, 10 a.m.-12
p.m., Hermiston Public Library,
235 E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston.
(541-567-2882)
HIP & HANDMADE, 11 a.m.-
12 p.m., Pendleton Center for the
Arts, 214 N. Main St., Pendleton.
Free drop-in project class for
adults. (Roberta Lavadour 541-
278-9201)
STRAIGHT TALK WITH
BECKY MARKS, 2-4 p.m., The
Saddle Restaurant, 2220 S.E.
Court Ave., Pendleton. Share
thoughts with Ward I councilwom-
an. (541-276-9147)
ECHO OPEN AIR MARKET,
4-7 p.m., George Park, down-
town, Echo. Seasonal fruits and
vegetables, crafts and more. Ven-
dor fees $12 per space.
SUNDAY, JULY 16
FEAST OF CHRIST THE
REDEEMER, 10 a.m., Episcopal
Church of the Redeemer Second
Street lawn, 241 S.E. Second St.,
Pendleton. Patronal Feast and
Eucharist celebrating Christ the
Redeemer will take place out-
doors. A potluck barbecue will
follow the service in Crysler Hall;
bring a side dish to share (meat
and veggie burgers provided).
Free and open to everyone. (541-
276-3809)
NATIONAL ICE CREAM DAY
EVENT, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., SAGE
Center, 101 Olson Road, Board-
man. Buy 1 scoop of Tillamook ice
cream and get one free. (Stefanie
Swindler 541-481-7243)
KBLU CITIZENS ADVISORY
GROUP, 3 p.m., Bowman Building
Suite 352, 17 S.W. Frazer Ave.,
Pendleton. Share ideas on format
of Pendleton area’s newest radio
station. (Vickie or Gary 541-566-
2744 or 541-566-0131)
STAND IN THE SHADOW OF
THE MOON ASTRONOMY LEC-
TURE, 6-8 p.m., Prodigal Son
Brewery & Pub, 230 S.E .Court
Ave., Pendleton. Shane Larson’s
yearly astronomy talk features
basics of solar eclipses and how
they’ve historically helped us de-
velop an understanding of the
Earth and its place in the cosmos.
If you plan to dine at the pub,
please do so before or after the
lecture. (Matthew Barnes 541-
276-6090)
ADULT OPEN GYM, 6:30
p.m., Pendleton Recreation Cen-
ter, 510 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pend-
leton. Half-court basketball. Adults
only.
MONDAY, JULY 17
ADULT OPEN GYM, 6 a.m.,
Pendleton Recreation Center,
510 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton.
Half-court basketball. Adults only.
WALKING FOR WELLNESS,
8:30-9:30 a.m., Pendleton Rec-
reation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion
Ave., Pendleton. (541-276-8100)
TOT TIME, 10-11 a.m., Pend-
leton Recreation Center, 510 S.W.
Dorion Ave., Pendleton. For chil-
dren ages 0-5. Costs $1 per child
per session. (541-276-8100)
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME,
10:30 a.m., Athena Public Library,
418 E. Main St., Athena. For ages
birth to 6. (541-566-2470)
PENDLETON SENIOR MEAL
SERVICE, 12 p.m., Pendleton
Senior Center, 510 S.W. 10th
St., Pendleton. Costs $3.50 or
$6 for those under 60. Pool, puz-
zles, crafts, snacks, Second Time
Around thrift store 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For Meals On Wheels, call 541-
276-1926. (541-276-7101)
ART STUDIO, 4-5:30 p.m.,
Pendleton Center for the Arts, 214
N. Main St., Pendleton. Free class
for ages 7-12 to develop skills and
encourage art exploration. (Ro-
berta Lavadour 541-278-9201)
ATHENA KNITTERS GROUP,
7 p.m., Athena Public Library, 418
E. Main St., Athena. Open to all
knitters, crocheters and lovers of
needle work. (541-566-2470)
MUSIC IN THE PARKS SE-
RIES, 7 p.m., Irrigon Marina Park,
end of Northeast 10th Street,, Ir-
rigon. Outdoor summer concert
features Melissa Cunnington.
Bring a picnic and blanket or lawn
chair. Free. (Tami 541-571-0844)
TUESDAY, JULY 18
ADULT OPEN GYM, 6 a.m.,
Pendleton Recreation Center,
510 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton.
Half-court basketball. Adults only.
WALKING FOR WELLNESS,
8:30-9:30 a.m., Pendleton Rec-
reation Center, 510 S.W. Dorion
Ave., Pendleton. (541-276-8100)
TERRIFICALLY FREE TUES-
DAY, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Children’s
Museum of Eastern Oregon, 400
S. Main St., Pendleton. Free ad-
mission all day. (541-276-1066)
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME,
10:30-11 a.m., Stanfield Public Li-
brary, 180 W. Coe Ave., Stanfield.
(541-449-1254)
BOARDMAN SENIOR MEAL
SERVICE, 12 p.m., Boardman
Senior Center, 100 Tatone St.,
Boardman. Cost is $4 for seniors
55 and over or $5 for adults. (541-
481-3257)
PENDLETON SENIOR MEAL
SERVICE, 12 p.m., Pendleton
Senior Center, 510 S.W. 10th
St., Pendleton. Costs $3.50 or
$6 for those under 60. Pool, puz-
zles, crafts, snacks, Second Time
Around thrift store 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For Meals On Wheels, call 541-
276-1926. (541-276-7101)
HERMISTON SENIOR MEAL
SERVICE, 12 p.m., Our Lady
of Angels Catholic Church par-
ish hall, 565 W. Hermiston Ave.,
Hermiston. Cost is $4 for adults,
free for children 10 and under,
$4 for Meals on Wheels. Extra
50 cents for utensils/dishes. Bus
service to parish hall by donation.
(541-567-3582)
ATHENA TUESDAY MAR-
KET, 4-7 p.m., Dugger Park, Main
Street, Athena. Local vendors fea-
turing food, crafts and more. Ven-
dor spaces are free. (April McKen-
na or Katie Zmuda 541-310-9557)
CRAFTERNOONS,
4:15
p.m., Pendleton Public Library,
502 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton.
Drop in for a group or individual
craft project. All ages. (541-966-
0380)
Page 3A
Hermiston
School
District staff and members
of the public are encouraged
to sit in on the district’s
interview process for an
interim superintendent.
The district is looking for
someone to fill in for Super-
intendent Fred Maiocco
after Maiocco announced
at a school board meeting
Monday that he leaves July
24 to serve a 15 to 18 month
tour of duty in Europe with
the U.S. Army Reserves.
Interviews for the posi-
tion will take place July 24
in the school district offices
at 305 SW 11th Street. If
two candidates are inter-
viewed, the interviews will
take place at 3 p.m. and 4:30
p.m. If three candidates are
interviewed the interviews
will take place at 2 p.m.,
3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
A news release by the
district said the interviews
will be a formal process,
not the meet-and-greet the
public is used to attending
for principals. Attendees are
encouraged to sit through
the full interview process
for all candidates, then
provide written feedback on
cards that will be available.
School board chair Karen
Sherman said in a statement
that she encouraged as
members of the community
as possible to attend.
“Selecting an interim
superintendent is a very
important function for
the board, and is one that
should not be taken lightly,”
she said. “The superin-
tendent position is very
visible in our schools and
community. The board feels
that it’s imperative that we
include stakeholders in the
process.”
BRIEFLY
Mystery water
coming from excess
groundwater
HERMISTON — Water
flowing from a catch basin
on the corner of Southwest
Seventh Street and
Division Avenue is coming
from an “abundance of
groundwater” according
to Hermiston street
superintendent Ron Sivey.
The water has been
flowing along the side of
the road down to Highland
Avenue for about six days.
Sivey said the
subdivision there has
tile pipes to collect
groundwater, and the
system is working as
it should as the pipes
overflow. He said the
excess groundwater may
be a combination of the
unusually wet winter and
spring and extra irrigation
on a field. The city will
work to determine if there
are any blockages that are
contributing to the overflow.
“There’s nothing to be
concerned about at this
point,” he said.
Fire causes minor
damage to trailer
A fire caused minor
damage Thursday afternoon
to a trailer at Buttercreek
Apartments on Southwest
11th Street, Hermiston. No
one was injured.
Umatilla County Fire
District Battalion Chief
Jimmy Davis said the
cause of the fire was under
investigation, but fire
officials think it may have
been due to a cigarette.
Davis said the fire
burned through one part
of the floor of the trailer,
causing minimal damage.
SAGE Center hosts
ice cream event
BOARDMAN — In
celebration of National
Ice Cream Day, the SAGE
Center in Boardman is
offering a great deal. All
day Sunday, when visitors
to the center buy a scoop
of Tillamook ice cream a
second scoop is free.
The SAGE Center
is located at 101 Olson
Road, and showcases
Eastern Oregon agriculture
with interactive displays
and informative exhibits
designed for all ages.
Summer hours of operation
are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday through Thursday,
and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday
and Saturday.
For more information,
call the center at 541-481-
7243 or browse events
online at www.visitsage.
com.
River exploration
offered for teens
HERMISTON — Teens
ages 13-17 are invited
to explore the Columbia
River with the help of the
Army Corps of Engineers
and Hermiston Parks and
Recreation.
Teen River Exploration
Day is Thursday, July 20
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It
includes a variety of river
recreational activities,
water safety and much
more. A ranger for the
Corps will be on hand to
provide instruction, and
personal flotation devices
will be provided, but all
participants must know
how to swim. Lunch will be
provided.
The cost is $25 for
Hermiston residents and
$31 for non-residents.
Participants will meet at
Hermiston City Hall, 180
N.E. Second St. Deadline to
register is Friday.
For more information,
or to sign up, visit the parks
office at city hall, or call
541-567-5521.
The Fire returns to
arts center
PENDLETON — A
Scottish quartet that’s sold
out the Pendleton Center for
the Arts with their previous
appearances is back again
this month. Rebecca
Lomnicky, David Brewer
and Adam Hendey from The
Fire will perform Friday,
July 21 at 7 p.m. at the arts
center, 214 N. Main St.
Rebecca Lomnicky
began playing classical
violin and piano at age
five, discovering Scottish
fiddle music a few short
years later.
She will be joined by
David Brewer, a multi-
instrumental musician who
performs with acclaimed
Celtic band Molly’s
Revenge, and Adam
Hendey, also a multi-in-
strumentalist and composer
who performs across the
U.S., U.K. and Ireland with
Molly’s Revenge and other
groups.
Tickets are $15,
available by calling the arts
center at 541-278-9201.
For more information, visit
www.pendletonarts.org.