A4 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
Center for the Arts hosts book
launch for Hermiston author
By TAMMY MALGESINI
COMMUNITY EDITOR
Combining
story-
telling and art, a book
launch event for Hermis-
ton author Karen Spears
Zacharias’ latest novel
also includes artist Susie
Stuvland.
Inspired: How Art In-
fluences Storytelling is
Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
at Pendleton Center for
the Arts, 214 N. Main St.
The event is free and open
to the public. Copies of
“Christian Bend” will be
available for purchase.
Described as “a con-
temporary murder sto-
ry, which resonates with
a vintage love of place
while
exploring
the
changing landscape of
drugs, addiction and vi-
olence,” it’s Zacharias’
third book in the Appala-
chian series. “Mother of
Rain” (2013) and “Bur-
dy” (2015), also were
published by Mercer
University Press.
The first book in the
series garnered Zacharias
a Weatherford Award for
Best in Appalachian Fic-
tion. The 2013 novel also
was adapted as a stage
play by Paul Pierce,
opening
during
the
2015-2016 season at the
Springer Opera House in
Columbus, Georgia.
With Southern roots
— Zacharias graduat-
ed from Columbus High
School in Georgia — the
author utilizes Appala-
CONTRIBUTED BOOK COVER
Hermiston author Karen
Zacharias is featured
in a book launch event
Wednesday, Aug. 30 at
Pendleton Center for the
Arts. “Christian Bend,”
published by Mercer
University Press, is the
author’s third novel in an
Appalachian series.
Zacharias
chia dialect in the novel
series. After tonight’s
event, Zacharias is head-
ed to Georgia, where she
will embark on a two-
month book tour and oth-
er related events in the
Southern states.
Growing up in a mil-
itary family, her father
was killed in action in
1966. Zacharias said that
was a catalyst for her
eventual career in jour-
nalism. She has worked
in newspapers across the
country, including stints
at the East Oregonian
and the Tri-City Herald.
Also, she has written
eight books, including
“Karly Sheehan: True
Crime Story Behind Kar-
ly’s Law.”
At the urging of true
crime writer Ann Rule,
Zacharias wrote the book
about the 2005 death
of the young girl at the
hands of her mother’s
boyfriend. In addition to
an investigative report-
er’s approach, Zacharias
had personal connec-
tions to the story. Kar-
ly’s mother, Sarah Brill,
lived with Zacharias and
her husband for a short
time. The case led to leg-
islative mandates that are
designed to further pro-
tect children suspected
of being victims of child
abuse.
In addition to writing,
Zacharias enjoys lead-
ing workshops. She has
spoken at the Library
of Congress and has ap-
peared on “Good Morn-
ing America.”
For more about Zach-
arias and her books, visit
www.karenzach.com.
After Harvest party features
dinner, music in Heppner
With the hard work of
harvest just on the horizon,
the community is invited
to help celebrate during an
upcoming event in Hep-
pner.
The After Harvest party
is Saturday, Sept. 16, at 6
p.m. at the Heppner Elks
Lodge, 142 N. Main St.
The gathering starts with
a no-host social time, fol-
lowed by a steak dinner at
6:30 p.m. Live music be-
gins at 8 p.m. The cost is
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2017
COMMUNITY
$15 per person.
The event also serves
as a fun way to bring the
community together and
to give thanks to those
who work to make Eastern
Oregon a better place, said
Justin Hoeft, Elks exalted
ruler.
“This includes all indi-
viduals who volunteer, or-
ganizations that contribute
to this effort, businesses
that are here for us and
struggle to bring the com-
munity the necessities of
life,” he said.
In addition, Hoeft said
the event provides an op-
portunity to introduce
people to the services and
activities of the Elks. Pro-
spective members, he said,
are invited to learn more
about the organization and
pick up an application.
For more information,
contact Hoeft at 541-379-
1530 or jc_hoeft@hot-
mail.com.
IN BRIEF
Kayak trip features
moonlight fun
A unique opportunity to
enjoy the Columbia River
via kayak as the sun sets
is being coordinated by
Hermiston Parks & Recre-
ation.
The Harvest Moonlight
Paddle is Friday, Sept. 8
at 6:30 p.m. at Hat Rock
State Park. Participants
will meet at the main boat
ramp parking lot. After-
wards, a bonfire will fea-
ture harvest themed treats.
The cost is $30 for
Hermiston residents or $38
for non-residents. In addi-
tion, there is a $10 kayak
rental, if needed. The ac-
tivity is open to ages 14
and up (youths must be
accompanied by an adult).
Those planning to attend
need to register by Friday,
Sept. 1.
Sponsored by Hat Rock
State Park and the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers,
paddlers will enjoy an eve-
ning along the river under
the enchanting night sky.
Participants are encour-
aged to bring a headlamp
and glow sticks.
For more information,
visit www.hermistonrecre-
ation.com. To register, call
541-667-5018 or stop by
the recreation office, 180
N.E. Second St., Hermis-
ton.
East Moraine
work party seeks
volunteers
A work party to help re-
store habitat for mule deer,
elk and other animals is
planned on the East Mo-
raine at Wallowa Lake.
The public is invited
to assist with removal of
barbed-wire fencing and
other tasks to help make
the landscape more acces-
sible for animals who live
and roam in the area.
Coordinated by the Wal-
lowa Land Trust, the Habi-
tat Restoration on the East
Moraine is Saturday from
9 a.m. to noon. To RSVP
and for directions to the
gathering place, contact
info@wallowalandtrust.
org or 541-426-2042.
Nazarene church
collects school
supplies
Spiral notebooks, pen-
cils, paper and other
school supplies are being
collected by the Hermiston
Church of the Nazarene.
The congregation ad-
opted West Park Elemen-
tary School and invites
others to donate supplies.
The final collection date
is Sunday. The items will
be presented to the school
counselor, who will dis-
tribute supplies to students
who need them.
Items can be dropped
off at the church, 1520 W.
Orchard Ave. For more
information, call 541-567-
3677.
Hermiston church
shares vision
The Hermiston Assem-
bly of God Church has
designated September as
Vision Month.
The focus is to dream
bigger, believe in greater
things and to love people
even more. The congrega-
tion and its leaders invite
the public to join them
as they launch into a se-
ries called #ThereIsMore!
Each Sunday features
something special and fun:
• Sept. 3: Back To
School Sunday provides
free donuts in the lobby.
• Sept. 10: Taco Truck
Sunday offers taco truck
food available in the yard
after the service
• Sept. 17: NextGen
Sunday features a service
highlighting Elevate Kids
& Tribe Youth
• Sept. 24: I Love My
City, a community out-
reach event
The services begin at
10:30 a.m. at 730 E. Hurl-
burt Ave., Hermiston. For
more information, call
541-567-5831 or visit
www.facebook.com/herm-
istonassembly.
Library encourages
kids to turn pages
With school back in ses-
sion, the Hermiston Pub-
lic Library is encouraging
children to increase their
reading.
The Children’s Back to
School Reading Challenge
runs Sept. 4-30. Kids up to
second grade are asked to
read or have someone read
to them 12 books. Third
through fifth graders are
challenged to read four
books during the month.
Those accepting the
challenge should pick up a
reading sheet at the library
and return it by the end of
the promotion for a chance
to win prizes.
For more information,
call 541-567-2882 or stop
by the library at 235 E.
Gladys Ave., Hermiston.
Portland group
offers easy-going
musical vibe
A group of musicians
with Will West leading
the crew create a signature
blend of modern folk, blue-
grass, pop and groove ele-
ments — some have called
it psychedelic bluegrass,
folk and groove fusion.
Whatever you call it,
Eastern Oregon audiences
will have an opportunity
to experience Will West
& The Friendly Strangers.
The Portland-based group
will perform a free all-ag-
es show Wednesday, Sept.
6 at 7 p.m. at Great Pacific
Wine & Coffee Co., 401 S.
Main St., Pendleton.
Known
for
their
easy-going vibes and fun
audience
participation,
each performance offers
a unique show with spe-
cial guests and various
instrument combinations
— from cello & mandolin
to trumpet and harmonica,
throwing in some funky
percussion system featur-
ing xylophone, typewriter
and more.
For more information,
visit www.willwestmusic.
com.
Tai Chi provides fun,
improved health
Older adults interested
in having fun while reduc-
ing the risk of falling are
invited to register for a free
class in Hermiston.
A 24-class series, Tai
Chi: Moving for Better
Balance starts Monday,
Sept. 25 from 9-9:45 a.m.
at the Good Shepherd
Wellness Center, 610 N.W.
11th St. The popular health
promotion program im-
proves balance, increases
flexibility and strengthens
core muscles.
No experience is re-
quired to participate. In
addition, the gentle move-
ments can be performed
while standing or seated.
With enrollment capped
at 15 participants, those
interested in attending
should register as soon as
possible. For more infor-
mation, call Lynda Carra-
her at 541-922-4203.
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