Yachats arts and sciences group resumes presentations Sunday

YACHATS — The Yachats Academy of Arts & Sciences is breaking out of its pandemic sleep with a new roster of presentations for the community.

“People kept asking when I was going to start this again,” said Ginny Hafner, one of five committee members steering the resurrected nonprofit. “There are all sorts of people who live here now who can do the kinds of presentations we want.”

The sessions, each just one hour long with discussion afterward, will take place in the multi-purpose room at the Commons. Plans are to try to offer eight presentations in 2024.

First up is “Journey to Svalbard” at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21 when world traveler and photographer Greg Scott, a member of the Yachats city council, will detail his “quest for Arctic wildlife in the land of polar bears.”

A $5 donation is requested for all YAAS presentations, with the funds going to help pay for future presentations and for YAAS-donated materials for the Commons.

On March 3, retired University of Chicago astrophysicist Craig Hogan will offer a presentation titled “What the sky can tell us about the history of space and time.” On April 21, the topic will be Yachats Ridge, a 950-acre property that serves as a backdrop to Yachats. Local nonprofit View the Future is working to preserve the property with possible purchase by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission.

YAAS presentations have been popular in the past, and Hafner knows why. “People come to learn, to experience; it’s being with a community. That’s why people wanted it back. It’s just enjoyable.”

YAAS is sponsored by Polly Plumb Productions, the local nonprofit that brings cultural events to Yachats. The committee leading the revived academy includes Hafner and Hogan, along with Adam Altson, Sally Marie and Tom Kerns.