By ESTHER K. SMITH
News staff writer
February 28, 2008

The third annual Hood River County Reads project opens this weekend.

Though the official kick-off and book distribution isn’t until March 8, Hood River Reads 2008 starts with a presentation by Pat Courtney Gold entitled, “Innovators and Traders: The Indigenous People of the Columbia River,” 2 p.m. Sunday at the Hood River County Library.

This year’s book selection, Oregon writer Craig Lesley’s “River Song,” is a contemporary novel set on the Columbia River and the lands around Hood River. It is the story of a Nez Perce father recently reunited with his teenage son, determined to teach him traditional ways — but disputes over fishing rights and other modern problems arise.

Gold, a Wasco native enrolled in the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Ore., will discuss the historically rich heritage of cultural and financial commerce conducted up and down the Columbia River by native peoples. Her presentation is an Oregon Council for the Humanities Chautauqua Program.

All programs are free and open to the public. They culminate with an April 12 talk by Lesley, 2-4 p.m. at Riverside Community Church.

Hood River County Reads 2008 is put on by Friends of the Library, with financial support by the Library Foundation, the Community Education Foundation, the Starseed Foundation, the Columbia Gorge Press, and community members.

The project is an opportunity for the community to read the same book and enhance the experience by attending related events and share with others in discussion groups.

The March 8 kick-off celebration will be held at Georgiana Smith Memorial Park at the library; 11 a.m. Free books will be available.

The first discussion group will take place March 27 at 7 p.m. in the Cascade Locks Library.