5 Thursday, February 25, 2021 GO! magazine — A&E in Northeast Oregon Big Read continues Fishtrap’s look at RESILIENCE ENTERPRISE — Fishtrap’s Big Read 2021, which is online-only again this year, centers on a true tale of resilience and survival — “In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex” by Na- thaniel Philbrick. The month-long event kicked off last week. The National Book Award- winning tale is the story of the whaleship Essex, which in 1820 was the target of a sperm whale attack. The 85-foot long whale — perhaps the largest of that species anyone had witnessed — rammed the ship and stove it in. The attack and the sinking of the Essex were the basis of Herman Melville’s end- ing for his 1851 novel, “Moby-Dick.” Under a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, Fishtrap has created a month of free online events for readers, students and families to learn about whales and the history of whaling in America. The Big Read’s events are free and open to all, and reading the book is not required. All Big Read events may be experienced either as a livestream or afterward on Fishtrap’s website. The fi rst event of the 2021 Big Read was Wednesday, Feb. 17, a livestreamed presentation by Dr. Lisa T. Balance, director of Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute and endowed chairwoman of marine mammal research. If you missed the live event, the talk may be watched at fi shtrap.org/the- big-read-2021. The book takes place in 1819, when the Essex set sail to hunt whales, leaving Nan- tucket, Mas- sachusetts, for the South Pacifi c in what was to be a routine voyage. Instead, the crew found itself part of one of the most horrifying mari- time disasters in American history when the massive whale rammed and sunk their vessel. For 90 days the crew drifted in small boats with only some sense of where they were in the vast ocean. Facing starvation, disease, brutal weather and a near loss of hope, they succumbed to drastic mea- sures as they fought to stay alive. The Big Read continues with a series of educational events in partnership with The Columbia River Maritime Museum, including on how to make your own hard- tack, sailor superstitions, whaling in Oregon and more. The Big Read fi nale is March 17 featuring the author, Philbrick, streaming online from his home on Nantucket. Since 2006, Fish- trap has brought the Big Read to the community by highlighting a great work of literature, hosting events, discussions and providing hundreds of free books to schools, libraries and community members. In addition to the National En- dowment for the Arts, the program is supported locally by neighbor- hood businesses and individual donations. Special thanks are offered to community sponsors Art Center East, Community Bank, The Bookloft and the Oregon Arts Commission. Specializing in BIG READ 2021 SCHEDULE Feb. 17 — “Whaling” with Dr. Lisa T. Ballance; watch recorded talk online anytime beginning Feb. 18. Feb. 24 — “Food at Sea: How to Make Your Own Hardtack”; watch online anytime beginning Feb. 25. Feb. 25 — “Sailor Superstitions”; watch live online at 1 p.m. or anytime beginning Feb. 26. March 3 — “Whaling in Oregon”; watch live online at 1 p.m. or anytime beginning March 4. March 4 — “Golden Age of Whaling”; watch live online at 1 p.m. or anytime beginning March 5. March 10 — “Sailor Slang”; watch live online at 1 p.m. or anytime beginning March 11. March 17 — Finale keynote address with Nathaniel Philbrick, author of “In the Heart of the Sea”; watch online anytime beginning March 17. Providing quality and compassion to all his patients. Dr Sanders specializes in all aspects of the foot and ankle. Anything from foot & ankle pain to diabetic foot care & limb salvage, injuries, surgery, skin or toe nail conditions, sports medicine, he covers it all! HOMETOWN Real Estate 2830 10th St Baker City, Oregon Keisha Anderson Real Estate Agent 541.910.8827 www.johnjhoward.com Mobile App Brian Sanders, DPM Accepting most insurances 541-524-0122 LA GRANDE 541-963-6033 BAKER CITY 541-523-1533 Baker City office hours: Mon-Thurs 8am-5am Clinic hours: Tuesday 8am-5pm Thursday 8am-12pm Clinic offices in Ontario (every other monday) John Day (every other monday) La Grande (every Wednesday) ENTERPRISE 541-426-9228 www.CarpetoneEO.com