POLK COUNTY -- Last fall, a group of farmers, landowners, scientists and residents in the Luckiamute River and Ash Creek watersheds learned to write personal essays -- a genre most of them had never tried before.
A year later, those essays have been gathered and bound into an entertaining and colorful book that will raise money to improve the watersheds the group wrote about.
The Luckiamute Watershed Council is inviting the public to see the book and hear the authors read from it on Thursday, Oct. 16, when "Writing Our Watershed, Luckiamute River and Ash Creek," is released at 7 p.m. at River Gallery in Independence. The gallery at 184 S. Main St. is hosting the event. Viridian Winery has donated wine. Other snacks and refreshments will also be served at the event.
Donna Henderson, an acclaimed Airlie poet who wrote a special piece for the book, and Gail Oberst, the book's editor, are coordinating the reading.
"The stories told by these people who live and work in the watershed are earthy, sometimes funny and often important," said Oberst.
Oberst recruited the writers, taught the writing workshops, edited the manuscripts and found expert volunteers to help produce and publish the book.
Those who live in Polk and Benton counties will recognize the authors for their community connections: Historian Arlie Holt, Buena Vista landowner Kirk Lewis, Shawn Irvine of the city of Independence, master gardener Jo Yeager, ecologist Phil Larsen of Corvallis, landowners Ron Nestlerode of Airlie and Tammee Stump of Monmouth, farmers Howard and Linda Grund-Clampit of Monmouth, professors Emily Plec of Dallas and Meg Artman of Dallas, scientist Michael Cairns of Independence, and otter expert Nicole Duplaix, who is also the watershed coordinator.
Stories range from Stump's musings about growing up on her pioneer family's farm in Monmouth, to newcomer Artman's essay about her first discovery of the beautiful falls at Falls City. Between the old and the new are spontaneous and inspiring stories about people's relationships to the rivers and creeks that run through their everyday lives, lands and work.
"If you've lived here forever, or if you just moved here, you'll want to have this book about our place," Oberst said.
The book, which costs $15.95, will be available at the Oct. 16 event. All proceeds benefit the watershed council.
The book is also available locally at Second Chance Books, Independence; Heritage Museum, Independence; Western Oregon University Bookstore, Monmouth; Polk County Historical Society Museum, Rickreall; the Itemizer-Observer Newspaper, Dallas; and Rick's Place, Monmouth.
In addition to those already mentioned, Portland General Electric Foundation, Pacific Power Foundation, Polk Soil and Water Conservation District and Ash Creek Water Control District contributed to the book's publication.
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