Dear Friends and Supporters,

What a great pleasure it is to put this annual report in front of you. Within these pages I hope you realize the very special work Fishtrap has completed this year — the year of our 25th anniversary. We kicked off at Summer Fishtrap in July 2012 with a keynote address by David James Duncan and wrapped up in July 2013 with a keynote by Cheryl Strayed. In between we celebrated with a holiday party in Enterprise’s Fishtrap House, historic home of Gwen and Gladys Coffin, and celebrated again with our Portland friends at a spring gala featuring Molly Gloss, , and Myrlin Hepworth. The Never Strangers Band infused the evening with music, and Kim Stafford, one of our founders and long-time advisors, capped the night with a toast to the next 25 years.

Thanks to the generous support of individual donors and foundations, we were able to finish the year in the black for the second year in a row. (Please see the back pages of this report to witness the extraordinary generosity of our supporters.)

Since I arrived at Fishtrap two and half years ago (time flies!), we’ve continued to provide quality programs and strengthen the infrastructure that makes that programming possible. We received significant funding from the Meyer Memorial Trust, the Arts Commission, the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, and the Oregon Community Foundation for a three-year “Capacity Enhancement Project” to upgrade our database management, add online event registration, increase fundraising and donor stewardship, expand our marketing and upgrade our communications. I hope you are starting to feel the impact of this work. We feel it internally and can see we are getting more done and are doing it better.

We continue to work hard on our flagship program, Summer Fishtrap. As is our tradition, we have successfully recruited outstanding faculty and panelists. We have also increased our outreach, registration and communication. Perhaps best of all, we were able fund 25 scholarships. Additionally, we offered two Yearlong Workshops and this year’s Outpost on the Zumwalt Prairie was wildly popular. Our hard work has paid off: 88 percent of this year’s participants said they were extremely satisfied with the program and many long-time participants dubbed this the best Summer Fishtrap yet. Over 40 percent of participants were new to Fishtrap. And our participants are becoming more diverse in age and gender – something that is important for our long-term success and richness of community.

Thank you for being part of making the past year a great year for writing and the West – we look forward to sharing many more with you.

Sincerely,

Ann Whitfield Powers EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR To those who don’t know Fishtrap or Wallowa County, this far northeastern corner of Oregon seems an unlikely place for a vibrant, active literary arts organization. Yet any exposure to this fertile valley, its people, or the magic of Fishtrap itself, changes perceptions quickly. People, community and words merge to create what we celebrate as inspiration at its most pure. Here’s how we do it.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS The Big Read, Writer-in-Residence, Arts & Lecture Series Our work continues all year long, particularly through the support and implementation of programs to enrich the community from which Fishtrap grew. This year’s highlights included a celebration of A River Runs Through It, which 2,000 locals read as part of our Wallowa County Reads program. We were also pleased to sponsor an Arts & Lectures Series at Fishtrap’s headquarters in the historic Enterprise home of Gwen and Gladys Coffin. Topics ranged from naturalist Gary Ferguson’s two-week hike from Eagle Cap to Hells Canyon to Dave Jensen’s misadventures in India. The charismatic poet, Cameron Scott, served as our winter Wallowa County Writer-in-Residence, teaching creative writing in schools throughout the county, as well as spending several weeks in Chiloquin schools. In total, he worked with almost 800 rural students in grades K-12. Fishtrap served as a source of creative writers for several other eastern Oregon writer-in-residence programs as well.

EXPANDED PROGRAMS Yearlong Writers Workshop, Outpost Workshop, Imnaha Writers’ Retreat Aspiring and established writers often speak of seeking sustained participation in a writing community. Many of our Summer Fishtrappers return to “camp” each year and reconnect with fellow writers. As a natural evolution of the desire to expand the literary and community richness, Fishtrap has developed several ways for writers to expand their experience. This year, 17 students dedicated themselves to the Yearlong Writers’ Workshop. They formed two groups – led by Jane Vandenburgh and Kim Stafford – and gathered at Summer Fishtrap twice and met in Portland for a long weekend in January.

A dozen writers convened on the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve during Summer Fishtrap for a program we call Outpost. Led by Scott Russell Sanders, participants fully immersed themselves in the wild, and in their writing.

The Imnaha Writers’ Retreat offers writers who are thirsty for quiet and seclusion exactly the refreshment they need. Up to five writers attend for a week. The retreat is offered each April and October. This year, nearly 40 writers seized this opportunity, churning out pages of inspired text. FLAGSHIP The Summer Fishtrap Gathering of Writers Fishtrap wrapped up its 25th anniversary year in July 2013 with annual Summer Fishtrap Gathering of Writers. There, Fishtrap began its next quarter of a century as aspiring and established writers from around Oregon and across the nation gathered for a week of literary exploration, reflection and connection. This year’s theme was Breaking Trail: Off the Beaten Path – a phrase that conveys the sense of adventure we feel as we move into the future. Cheryl Strayed, author of best-selling Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, was the keynote speaker. In the five days preceding her talk, 150 writers reveled in the supportive community and inspired instruction they received from ten established writers. Panel discussions and youth workshops added another opportunity for discovery.

Summer Fishtrap thrums with community as writers gather around words. Here, participants convene at Bailey Lodge for Cheryl Strayed’s keynote address, free time and readings — in this case Luis Alberto Urrea captivates with his delivery of recent work. PAY IT FORWARD Fellowships, Scholarships, Youth Programs Encouragement and instruction are undoubtedly valuable for all inspiring writers. But sometimes, financial support is what a writer needs to reach the next level of their ability – and to gift the rest of us with their work. Fishtrap believes strongly in fostering young writers through scholarships and enabling aspiring writers to benefit from our programs regardless of financial status. This year, thanks in full to the generosity of our donors, we provided 25 scholarships, four fellowships and paid it forward in the form of programs supporting schools and youth. We are grateful for the support that made this possible.

Emerging writers take many forms: Here, fellow Nathan Slinker reads and reflects; youth workshop instructor, Myrlin Hepworth, performs; and two of his workshop participants step outside for inspiration.

2012 Fellows 2013 Fellows Kim Gratz Jose Alcantara Irene Skyriver Rachel Khong John Walker Nathan Slinker Kelly Wallace Financial Statement Summarized Statement of Activity for the Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2013

Support and Revenue

Program Revenues $ 189,657 Grants $ 174,850 Donations & Fundraising Event Revenue $ $65,352 Total Revenue $ 429,859

Donations and Fundraising Events Revenue 15% Program 44% Revenue

Grants 41%

Program Expenses

Program promoting Writing & the West Program $ 298,262 Management & General $ 63,077 Fundraising $ 29,770 Total Expenses $ 391,109

Fundraising 8% Management / General 16%

Programs promoting 76% Writing & the West Program gratitude (For gifts received between August 1, 2012 and July 31, 2013) Literature inspires, informs and unites us. The work we do at Fishtrap is only possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters. Thank you.

A CIRCLE OF FRIENDS William and Rosanne Parry Bob Greene and Sue Armitage $1,000 AND UP Skip and Pam Royes Kelli Grinich Bill and Grace Steele Mike Hale and Sara Miller The sharing of thoughts, celebration Michael Whalen Bill and Carol Harris of words, and openness that circles (in memory of Alice Harris) Fishtrap sprouts relationships that $100-499 Peter and Pamela Hayes endure generations. In recognition, Mary Hearing we have formalized the name of the Paul Abrams and Abigail Adler Jim and Tanya Hepworth friends of Fishtrap who donate $1,000 Mike and Judy Allen Harold Hartley and Pat Hines or more to the organization in one year. Anonymous Russell Hoeflich Please join us in thanking our Circle of Cindi Aschenbrenner Ann Humphrey Friends. Susan Badger-Jones Josh and Bette Husted Emilio Bandiero and Anne Bell Michael Andrews Al Josephy III and Melissa Josephy Lois Barry Anonymous (2) Nancy Knoble Suzi Brown Ray and Jean Auel Kristi Koebke Rich Bruer Ed and Sue Einowski David Laskin Elnora Cameron Jenepher Field Pat Lehman M. Pat Cason Don and Rosemary Green Craig Lesley Mary Celnicker Tom and Woesha Hampson Nancy K. Lincoln Nancy Chen Nigel Jaquiss and Meg Remsen Gardner and Tappy Locke Linda Chrisman Glenn Lamb and Sue Knight Gale and Bonnie Long Susan Cleveland Nick and Angie Lunde Robin Martin Benjamin and Lynne Curry Jonathan Nicholas and Vivian McInerny Joe McCormack and Lee Dawson Jim Dameron Fil Peach Mary McCracken John Daniel Gareth Tabor Anna Means Stanlynn Daugherty Ann Werner James Montieth and Nancy Duhnkrack Richard and Judy Davis Gerry Morrison and Julie Weston Barbara Dills Cathy Murphy $500-999 Mark and Julie Eubanks Larry and Sharon Nall (in memory of Kathleen Robinson) Hal Cannon and Teresa Jordan Melanie Nead and Icon Tattoo Studio Clem and Jean Falbo Kevin Fairham-Wheeler Mary Louise Nelson Bill Finney and Heather Tyreman and Victoria Wheeler R. Gregory Nokes Jamie Ford Peter Ferrè Brian and Elizabeth Oliver Bob and Konky Forster Bill and Martha Hall Phoebe Olson Tiffany Fuchs Kathy Hunter David Osborne Molly Gloss Leslie Labbe John Pierce and Holly Hughes Randy Gragg Erin Lunde Tom and Ann Powers gratitude

Bruce and Wendy Reininger David and Ingrid Cook Frank and Kathleen Moore Mary Alice Ridgway Sally Dadmun Bixby Troy and Dana Nave Dave Riley and Karen Kearns Lisa Dawson Suzanne Olson Tony and Linda Robinson Joan Deroko Gary Oxman and Kathryn Menard (in memory of Kathleen Robinson) Claudia Dissel Christine Pinto Steve and Angie Rubin Brian Doyle Sandy Polishuk Peter Sandrock Dave Ebbert and Linda Kruger-Ebbert Susan Prindle Virginia Scott Linda Elegant Daniel Putnam and Anita Helle Anna Elkins and Catherine Jontos-Putnam Jack Shoemaker and Jane Vandenburgh Dr. Lowell Euhus Valerie Rapp Randy and Pam Slinker Kaye Exo Melvina Romanelli Kim Stafford and Perrin Kearns Scott Exo and Margy Robinson Robin Schauffler Brad and Anne Stephens Barbara Fankhauser Mary Schlick Maxine Stone Michael and Rene Fleming Katey Schultz Mike and Debbie Straw Carolyn Gilbert A. Varner Seaman and Robyn Steely Ralph Swinehart and Janet Pulsifer Lezlie Glare Jerry Sebestyen and Sharon Evoy Gary and Glenda Underhill (in memory of Kathleen Robinson) Alex Sember and Allison Reed Tom and Pat Wade Frazier and Margaret Grace Dennis and Marcie Sheehy Cal and Jill Werner Kim Gratz Mary Simeone Susan Werner Thoresen Steve Grove and Kathleen Cornett Irene Skyriver Mitch Wolgamott and Sue Orlaske Don Harker John Smith Kathleen Worley Richard Hart Don Snow and Dorothy O’Brien Mark Zornow Ann Hayes Sally Snyder Olga Hirshhorn Angel Sobotta John and Marcy Houle Scott Sparling $1-99 Kimberly Howard Linda Stark Stephen Adams and Sandra Purnell Jonathan and Robin Jacoby Rob Taylor and Andi Lueders Craig Anderson and Renee Grandi Lauren Johnson Janie Tippett Kristi Austin Richard and Marlene Jones Jennie Tucker John and Tarrah Baker (in memory of Kathleen Robinson) Larry and Debby Tupper Rebecca Banyas Patty Kelly Eric and Meg Valentine James Berry and Kim Carlson Pat Kennedy Tianna Vanderwey Doug Kilgore and Ellie Belew Jennifer Viviano Daniel and Dene Bish Cynthia Kirk Jim and Dottie Waddell Richard T. Brown and Ruth Robbins Gregg Kleiner and Lori Salus Kelly Wallace Carolyn Buan Tom Koehler John Ward Frances Buckles Judd and Kathleen Koehn Russ Westlake Michelle Burnell Grace Kuhns Boyd and Janet Wilcox Jessica Bucciarelli and Kate Jaramillo Caroline LeGuin Hal Williams Carol Carnahan John Lynch and Roberta Ulrich Wendy Willis and Ruby Radmacher-Willis Rose Caslar Patti Maier Edward Wolf Harold Chambers Christina Malango Tony Wolk Larry Colton Linda Martineau Carolyn Wood Rick Comandich and Maya Muir Anne McDuffie Amy Zahm Charles and Alison Moore Dorian Zimmerman gratitude

SPONSORS IN-KIND DONATIONS Tony and Andrea Malmberg Sara Miller and Mike Hale Advanced Plumbing Technologies Pat Adelhart Amy Minato American Association of University Women Paul and Penny Arentsen Mutiny Brewing Company (Wallowa County Branch) Steve Arment Adele Nash Bank of Eastern Oregon Arrowhead Chocolates Never Strangers Band The Bookloft Susan Badger-Jones Fil Peach Community Bank beecrowbee Diane Josephy Peavey Enterprise Joseph Lions Club The Bookloft Paulann Petersen Fred W. Fields Fund Brooks Winery Barbara Reese of the Oregon Community Foundation Janis Carper Pam Royes Kevin’s Tires Lynne Curry Jennifer Sahn Lear’s Main Street Pub & Grill Stanlynn Daugherty Cameron Scott Les Schwab Mary Edwards Peter Sears Mr. Sun Solar Timothy Egan Laura Skovlin Moda Health (formerly ODS) Fireworks Pottery and The Homemade Jam Band Rotary Club of Wallowa County Jamie Ford Annick Smith Ruby Peak Naturals Molly Gloss Gary Snyder Soroptomist Club of Wallowa County Grand Central Bakery Kim Stafford Wallowa County Teachers Guild Lizzie Grossman Pam Steele Wallowa Food City Harper Voit Wines Terminal Gravity Brewery Wallowa Lions Club Ben Hayes Janie Tippett Winding Waters Eye Clinic Henry Hughes ToZion Woody and Megan Wolf Holly Hughes Luis Alberto Urrea Kathy Hunter Jane Vandenburgh ENDOWMENT Pico Iyer George Venn JayZee Lumber The Raymond L. and Alice N. Harris Fishtrap Pat Wade Joseph Fly Shoppe Endowment Fund for Aspiring Writers Ellen Waterston Teresa Jordan Wild Carrot Herbals William Kittredge SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS Brent Wydrinski Sue Knight and Glenn Lamb Bryn Lunde Scholarship Fund Ursula Le Guin Sally Bowerman Craig Lesley and Bob Hall Scholarship Fund Lulu’s Confections Frank Conley Scholarship Fund Nick and Angie Lunde

GRANTS Board of Advisors Board of Directors Staff

Molly Gloss Nick Lunde Ann Whitfield Powers Lizzie Grossman Susan Badger Jones* Mike Midlo Jim Hepworth Stanlynn Daugherty Kristen Blanton Marc Jaffe Rose Caslar (on leave) Janis Carper Teresa Jordan Kathy Hunter Heather Tyreman Al Josephy Elizabeth Oliver Bill Kittredge Pam Royes* Contact Us Craig Lesley Pat Wade Jonathan Nicholas Sara Miller** PO Box 38 Diane Josephy Peavey Aaron Maxwell** Enterprise, OR 97828 Kate Power Liz Enslin** 541-426-3623 Jack Shoemaker Tom Hampson** [email protected] Primus St. John www.fishtrap.org Peter Sears * Term ended at end of FY 2013 ** New to the Board for FY 2014 Kim Stafford Luis Alberto Urrea FISHTRAP PO Box 38 Enterprise, Oregon 97828

Save the dates!

Mark your calendar with these important dates. Please visit our website for a full listing of events.

Imnaha Writers’ Retreats: April 2014 (registration open now) Application Window for Yearlong Workshop: December 1, 2013 - January 17, 2014 Registration for Summer Fishtrap Opens: February 20, 2014 Summer Fishtrap: July 7-13, 2014

www.fishtrap.org

Special thanks to the Oregon Arts Commission for the funds to produce this report.