Fly fishing and music will be among the topics discussed in this year’s “Imagine Lecture” on Sept. 8 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire.
Chris Santella, a freelance writer based in Portland, OR, will be this year’s speaker. His talk is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Luther Building auditorium, 1221 Whipple St.
The event is free and open to the public but space is limited. Reservations can be made by calling Mayo Clinic Health System at 715-838-3219.
In addition to his writing, Santella is also an avid fly fisherman, a marketing consultant and an eager golfer. He writes frequently on these topics and others, and is the author of 18 books, including “Fifty Places to Play Golf Before You Die” and “Fifty Favorite Fly Fishing Tales.”
He is a frequent contributor to The New York Times, The Washington Post and many fly fishing publications. His work has also appeared in The New Yorker magazine, Golf, The Wall Street Journal and Travel & Leisure, among other publications.
Santella also plays guitar and sings with Catch & Release, a band that has released three CDs including “Used to be Trout.” Santella will perform some songs from the band’s CDs during his presentation.
Dr. David Winter, a Mayo radiologist in Eau Claire from 1995 until his 2010 death from cancer at age 47, inspired the “Imagine Lecture.” It bears the word he used to conclude every email he sent to colleagues: “Imagine.”
“It’s a great honor to participate in this year’s ‘Imagine Lecture,’” Santella said. “Fly fishing was a beloved pastime of Dr. Winter’s, providing a chance to both enjoy the outdoors and match wits with nature. I look forward to sharing my love of the sport with attendees.”
Light refreshments will be served following Santella’s presentation. Overflow seating will be available in the Gold Conference Center.
Attendees should park in the free ramp at the corner of Fulton and Whipple Sts. and proceed to the auditorium on the lower level of the hospital entrance.