Talk of Our Towns

TOOTS topic this Thursday “The Gifts of Creativity During Challenging Times”. My guest is Marianne Monson who is the Founder & President/Executive Director of The Writer’s Guild here in Astoria. Marianne is the author of twelve books for children and adults with an emphasis on women’s history. Marianne holds an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from...

TOOTS topic for Thursday, November 6 is “The Grace of Grief” and my guests are Noah Rubinstein and Katelyn Staecker. Noah and Katelyn will be facilitating a 3-day Workshop and Ritual for Those Living with Grief and Loss at the Netel Grange in Astoria over the weekend of Friday, November 14. Therapists Noah Rubinstein, LMHC and Katelyn...

Talk of Our Towns is hosted by Donna Quinn. This episode’s guest is Adam Sawyer, an outdoor travel writer, photographer, author, guide and public speaker based in Tillamook. They discuss his work with Oregon Humanities, and after a life changing event,  his shift to Substack to share writings and videos on topics such as grief,...

My program this Thursday will be about ENCORE (Exploring New Concepts of Retirement Education) and their upcoming fall classes and events. My guest is Elizabeth Hayes and she was the President of the Board but now I am not sure about her title these days.  We have a phone call tomorrow to go over ideas...

Host Donna Quinn talks with Amy Snow, Founder and Executive Director of the 501c3 organization “Project Happy Face”, which offers dermatological health and wellness education and treatment to underserved teens, first responders, farm workers and park and recreation staff in rural areas of Oregon.

Today we will be discussing how new concepts of retirement are changing individual lives, and indeed our entire culture.  It is my pleasure to have two thoughtful highly educated experienced professional therapists to explore this topic. My guests are Astoria based IFS (Internal Family Systems) therapist and trainer, Katelyn Staecker and her dear friend of...

Donna Quinn speaks with Astoria Downtown Historical District Association Executive Director Quinn Haase.

This Thursday Talk of Our Towns features the Wildlife Center of the North Coast.  Host Donna Quinn will speak with Executive Director Kari Henningsgaard. Donna and Kari will be talking about the Wildlife Center’s mission of rescue, rehab, release, the recent NPR story about the Wildlife Center receiving three injured Bald Eagles in one week,...

KMUN Station Manager steps in as a substitute for Talk of Our Towns host Donna Quinn to chat with the Citizens Advisory Board. More details to follow. 

Host DQ talks with Jesse Jones, the new Executive Director of the North Coast Food Web, an Astoria based non-profit organization cultivating a resilient and equitable food system through supporting producers and improving access to local food. Working with local farmers, fishermen and foragers the North Coast Food Web increases the health and well-being of...

Donna speaks with Mac Burns, Executive Director of the Clatsop County Historical Society in Astoria.  He provides updates on the CCHS Fabulous Four (museums) and learn how historical organizations and museums can help inform and ground us during rapidly changing times.

Talk of Our Towns host Donna Quinn is joined by Suzanne Harold, the Astoria Public Library Director, to discuss updates for the ongoing building renovation and events being held in the temporary location for this historical local third space.  

Join host Donna Quinn for “Talk of Our Towns” on Thursday, November 7th for a lively discussion about negotiating stress as we face inner and outer challenges in our lives, and in our world. How do we maintain our ground and agency while being overwhelmed with too much (and suspect) information in our rapidly changing...

Donna Quinn is joined by guests Jessica Newhall, Associate Director of the SBDC, Josh Allison, SBDC Advisor & Instructor for the F&B Entrepreneur’s program, Andy Catalano, Kitchen and Storage Manager, North Coast Food Web and Clarissa Barrick, Human Resources Manager, Astoria Co+Op to discuss very exciting collaborations and progress on the “Food & Beverage Entrepreneur’s...

Join Host Donna Quinn on “Talk of Our Towns” as she interviews Licensed Clinical Social Worker Katelyn Staecker, an Astoria based Psychotherapist in private practice, Internal Family Systems Trainer and Creator/Facilitator of Vital Elders and Young Old Souls.  Donna and Katelyn will discuss new ways to think about aging … from birth to death, Astoria being chosen as the nation’s...

Donna Quinn celebrates the 50-year anniversary of the Astoria Co-Op with Matt Stanley and Josie Pepper. They discuss history, purpose and future. 

Donna Quinn acknowledges Museum Month by bringing on Madeline Matson, executive director of the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum in Ilwaco, Washington. They discuss this unique attraction, upcoming events, workshops and cover some history across the Long Beach Peninsula. 

Donna Quinn talks with guest Kevin Leahy, Executive Director of Clatsop Economic Development Resources. 

Donna Quinn interviews guest Elizabeth Hayes, the President of the ENCORE, about the classes their organization offers. These classes cover across a range of subjects in the interest of our elder community members. They discuss the importance and benefits of providing a place for seniors to learn and grow together.

Donna Quinn chats with guest Bruce Jones, the Executive Director of the Columbia River Maritime Museum. They discuss his experience on the job so far, the history of the museum since it was established in 1982 and the exciting projects that are planned for this local and engaging landmark. 

Donna Quinn interviews two psychotherapists about the concept of conscious aging and how it can help respond to the challenges of getting older. Longtime friends Katelyn Staecker and Jerry Rousseau exchange their ideas about the results of clinical studies, the experience of aging and how community affects the lives of our elders. This special version...

Donna Quinn and Suzanne Harold, the Astoria Public Library Director, discuss upcoming renovations for the library building, visions for youth involvement and more. They call upon the community for ideas on a temporary space for library operations and Donna guides us through spending some time in the moment. 

Host Donna Quinn speaks with Marianne Monson, Founder and President of Writer’s Guild of Astoria.  They discuss the Guild’s upcoming events and how the organization has grown and changed since Monson established it in 2017.

Join Host Donna Quinn on “Talk of Our Towns” to find out more about a Community Gathering on Friday, October 13th at 6 pm at the Netel Grange. This first event will explore ways to support Healthy Living and Aging for Vital Elders and Young Old Souls … in other words… everyone!  Licensed Clinical Social Worker...

Join host Donna Quinn on “Talk of Our Towns” for a lively and thoughtful discussion about enhancing sensitive communication in our daily interactions with others during these challenging times.  Her guests for Thursday, September 7th are: Katelyn Staecker, a licensed clinical social worker/psychotherapist in private practice in Astoria and trainer of the healing method, IFS, Internal Family Systems ...

“Talk of Our Towns” Host Donna Quinn focuses on the Astoria Regatta Festival happening August 9-12.  Since 1894 Astoria Regatta has celebrated all things Maritime with boat races, parades, Coast Guard demonstrations and more. This year’s theme is “A New Wave”.  Donna’s guests are Michelle Murray, Vice President Astoria Regatta Association and Leah Boles, 2022...

Host Donna Quinn speaks with Ed Overbay and Ted Osborn, who both represent the group Citizens For Astoria Oregon, about the future of Astoria’s Heritage Square. 

Donna Quin talks about the current state of the library. 

Donna’s guest is Rachel Jensen, a fourth generation Astorian and Executive Director of the Lower Columbia Preservation Society.  Updates on the Lower Columbia Preservation Society mission goals and offerings as well as information on ongoing and new projects.

Donna’s guest is Melissa Meadow, a licensed funeral director, who is pioneering the first not-for-profit funeral home and conservation burial park for people and pets in the Pacific Northwest through her 501-c3 organization, The End Foundation …website TheEnd.green.  Melissa is based in Long Beach, Washington where she currently offers green cremations for pets among other...

This weeks Talk of Our Towns discusses the upcoming Columbia River Shipwreck Conference at Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria which takes place on February 4, 2023. Guests will be Chris Dewey, Shipwreck Archaeologist and Bruce Jones, Deputy Director of the Columbia River Maritime Museum.

Host Donna Quinn interviews Misty Czillinger, Events and Marketing Manager for the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association.  

Join host Donna Quinn for this month’s Talk of Our Towns.  The topic is Resilient Clatsop County, a new network community initiative to help children suffering from various kinds of trauma … which have been an exacerbated since the pandemic. The main guest is Angel Escobeda Senior Program Director for Columbia Pacific CCO. Other guests...

In this episode of Talk of Our Towns, Donna Quinn interviews Portland author Lara Messersmith-Glavin whose latest book “Spirit Things” is a collection of essays exploring the secret histories, science, and mythology of objects on a fishing boat in Alaska. The Anchorage Daily News named it “a book to love and cherish”. Today Lara is...

Join host Donna Quinn in a special Fall Pledge Drive “State of the Station” edition with guests KMUN Program Director Emma Geddes and News Director Katie Frankowicz. Donate online at kmun.org or call 503-325-0010 during business hours.

Host Donna Quinn interviews Oregon based nature writer and author Marina Richie.  Her new book, “Halcyon Journey … In Search of the Belted Kingfisher” has just been published by Oregon State University Press. Marina writes blogs, articles and poetry, teaches classes, is on the Board of the Greater Hells Canyon Council… and much more.  Together...

“How Can We Help?”   In today’s world, we are swamped with a constant tsunami of disturbing images and news of pain, suffering, and conflict through 24/7 access to tv, radio, social media, blogs, texts, and tweets.  Many of us tune out in response to feeling overwhelmed and powerless to do anything about the myriad problems...

Host Donna Quinn interviews Suzanne Roberts, an award winning travel writer, memoirist and poet.  Her books include the just released “Animal Bodies: on Death, Desire, and Other Difficulties”, “Bad Tourist”: Misadventures in Love and Travel released in 2020” and “Almost Somewhere: Twenty-Eight Days on the John Muir Trail” released in 2012 and which earned her...

My guest tomorrow on “Talk of Our Towns” at 9 am is Lexie Hallahan.  She is the visionary and Director of Northwest Women’s Surf Camps based in Seaside, Oregon.  We will be discussing her upcoming events, camps, programs and how her business has grown, changed to now offer family friendly and co-ed experiences, adapted and...

Host Donna Quinn interviews Josh Saranpaa, the Executive Director of The Wildlife Center of the North Coast. They talk about the Birds of a Feather Spring Festival coming up on May 14-15, along with educational outreach programs, volunteer opportunities, summer camps etc,.