ENTERPRISE — The first Fishtrap Fireside of 2025 takes place Friday, Jan. 3 at Fishtrap’s event space in Enterprise, 107 W. Main St.

The event features readings from three Wallowa County writers — Kate Forster, Cameron Scott and Shannon McNerney, Fishtrap’s executive director.

Fishtrap Fireside is a monthly reading series designed to celebrate diverse voices from local writers and storytellers. Since the program launched in 2013, more than 150 Wallowa County writers have stepped up to the podium or logged on virtually to share their work.

Admission is free although donations are welcome. Light snacks are provided and drinks are available for purchase. An intermission takes place after the featured readings followed by an open mic. Five open mic spots are available. Writers of all ages and experience are encouraged to sign up beginning at 6:30 p.m.

For those who can’t make it to Enterprise, anyone anywhere can take in Fireside online at fishtrap.org and on Fishtrap’s YouTube channel.

January’s Fishtrap Fireside is sponsored by Sharon and Larry Nall.

Featured readers

With deep roots in Wallowa County and a passion for community service, Kate Forster has served as a Fishtrap board member for 10 years. Her career path at Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness has evolved from a peer support specialist and case manager helping people with mental illnesses to a dedicated service coordinator for individuals with developmental disabilities. Away from her professional endeavors, she finds joy in the simple pleasures of life — capturing the serene beauty of a sunrise, attending local live music events, sipping mochas, and chasing rainbows, to name a few.

Shannon McNerney has served as Fishtrap’s executive director since 2015. She said Fishtrap’s mission to cultivate clear thinking and good writing in and about the West aligns with her passionate belief that the power of storytelling, creativity, and art can bring together and transform a community. She spent the first part of her career working in music as a classroom and studio teacher, singer, in music publishing, and as the executive director of the Portland Symphonic Choir. She received her bachelor’s in music education from the University of Oregon and recently received her master’s in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University. McNerney lives, writes, sings, cooks, attempts gardening, and snuggles with her ridiculous beasties in Joseph.

Cameron Scott teaches English in grades eight to 12 at Joseph Charter School, advises Interact Club and Dungeons and Dragons, and serves on various educational boards. He reads to his 3-year-old daughter when she can’t sleep at three in the morning and talks gibberish to his 10-month-old son who somehow understands. His wife and dogs love him.