EUGENE–Two Eugene authors and one Bend author are winners of the "Northwest Perspectives" Essay Contest, sponsored by Oregon Quarterly, the magazine of the University of Oregon.

Debra Gwartney of Eugene won $500 and publication in the Summer 2000 issue of Oregon Quarterly for her essay, "When He Falls Off a Horse." Cheri Brooks of Eugene placed second with "Finding Frogs," and Ellen Waterston of Bend placed third with "The Last Log."

The finalists were judged by nationally renowned Portland poet and essayist Kim Stafford, who directs the Northwest Writing Institute in Portland and is author most recently of "Having Everything Right: Essays of Place" and "A Thousand Friends of Rain: New and Selected Poems
1976-1998."

The contest attracted nearly 70 entries from throughout the Northwest.

"We were delighted by both the number and the quality of the essays we received," says Guy Maynard, editor of Oregon Quarterly.

All three winners will be introduced by Stafford and will read their essays at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17, in the Browsing Room of the Knight Library, 1501 Kincaid St. The reading is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Maynard, (541) 346-5048.

—30—

#G-1050/A&E,Special