River Talk Series 2026

These programs were made possible in part by a grant from Oregon Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in these programs do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.


Jud Turner's River Talk on the "Viribus", the Phoenix sculpture in Blue River, Oregon that was installed in 2021 and is made from salvaged metal from the Holiday Farm Fires in 2020.

Lauren Kessler, award-winning author of eighteen best-selling books, shared her newest work, Everything Changes Everything. Known for her unflinching, deeply human storytelling, she transforms profound tragedy into a moving exploration of enduring love, grief, and resilience. When she accepted the invitation to speak, she noted that this community’s familiarity with loss would bring a deeper understanding to her work and its message.