Wednesday

Keynote Address : Esther Stutzman and Shannon Applegate

Esther Stutzman is Coos and Komemma Kalapuya and is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz. She lives in Yoncalla, Oregon. Esther Stutzman is also a storyteller and history keeper. She tells only Coos and Kalapuya stories because her grandmother told her that it was bad luck to tell other people or other tribes' stories. Stories are regarded as private property, as are songs. She will commence the 2006 PNLA Conference with creation stories from the first peoples of Oregon.
A more complete biography of Ester Stutzman

Eight years ago, Shannon Applegate found herself the owner of a small rural cemetery in Douglas County, Oregon. The graveyard, dating from the pioneer era, is two hours from Eugene, in a sparsely populated county of 5,000 square miles. With the land, Applegate inherited all the foibles and fractiousness of a small town. She wrote about this experience in Living Among Headstones. The book ranges from ruminations on plastic flowers to the story of a florist's unintentionally funny misspelling on a graveside sash. Since inheriting Applegate Pioneer Cemetery, Applegate says she has tried to preserve the five-acre cemetery. In the process, she's learned a lot about gravediggers, the rules of the business, and human nature. Shannon Applegate is also the author of Skookum: An Oregon Pioneer Family's History and Lore.
An All Things Considered interview with Shannon Applegate

Thursday

Luncheon Author: Craig Lesley

From one of the Northwest's most beloved novelists comes Burning Fence. Critics are hailing Burning Fence as Craig Lesley's finest work to date. Burning Fence deftly captures the rural humor, rugged characters, and hardscrabble life of Eastern Oregon with its searing reflection on fatherhood and remarkable insight into the landscape of the Western heart. In Burning Fence, Lesley turns his keen eye toward two difficult fathers, his alcohol-damaged Indian foster child, and the panorama of 20th century Western America. Seldom has literature painted such vivid pictures of rural northwest communities and their people. With place names like Madras, Baker City, Pendleton and Portland, this book stretches from the high desert of Oregon to Washington and Idaho. It is peopled with real-life characters that extend beyond fiction, from Craig's shell-shocked father, who abandoned his family to become a reclusive coyote trapper and poacher, and the stepfather, Vern, a tough, controlling railroader. Craig's appearance will introduce PNLA members to the author of one of Oregon's most notable books of 2005.
Craig Lesley’s Official Website

Friday

Young Reader’s Choice Award Luncheon

Speaker To Be Determined after the 2006 winners are announced in April
Young Readers Choice Award

Banquet Entertainment: Mason Williams

Mason Williams emerged in the late 1960’s as a strong force in television and music circles. He is most widely known as composer and recording artist of mega hit Classical Gas, which won three Grammy Awards for: “Best Instrumental Composition”, “Best Instrumental Performance”, and “Best Instrumental Orchestra Arrangement.” While his composition Classical Gas may be the calling card by which Mason Williams is best recognized, his career has been marked with accomplishments and awards in art, comedy, poetry, book, and script writing; as well as music composition and performance that appeals to a variety of audiences. Throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s, Mason created and performed concerts for band and orchestra; “SYMPHONIC BLUEGRASS” was performed with over 40 major symphonies, and “OF TIME AND RIVERS FLOWING,” a chronological river of music encompassing the realms of classical, folk, minstrel, gospel, jazz, country, pop, and contemporary rock. His “A GIFT OF SONG” Holiday Pops concerts featured music from his Christmas album and various community artists and choirs.

Recent honors include an Honorary Doctorate of Music from his Alma Mater, Oklahoma City University and in 2000, Mason was officially designated the Musician Laureate for the State of Oregon. One of the many highlights of Mason's career has been his long-standing relationship with Tom & Dick Smothers. As head writer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, he developed both his musical and comedic talents, and he will draw on this experience to discuss what it was like to work around censors while writing cutting edge comedy.
Mason Williams’s Official Website

Saturday

Winery Tour: Visit two of Lane County's premier wineries for a tour and taste of award-winning offerings from the traditional to the exotic. Learn more about the broad range of wines produced in our lush Willamette Valley, and sample the best of Oregon wines. Tour price of $40 includes standard wine tasting fees and transportation.

White Water Rafting,Hamlin to Helfrich: For those craving to be in touch with the natural beauty of the Willamette Valley, try this whitewater adventure with Oregon River Sports. The lower McKenzie River offers beautiful scenery and fun class II and III rapids. Families welcome; minimum age for children is 8 years. Lunch included, water fights and piracy optional.