CAMPFIRE CHAT WITH
MOC PRESIDENT ZACH SMITH
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Greetings Missouri Outdoor Communicators,
As most of you probably know, my wife, Valerie, and I welcomed a new outdoorsman to the family last month. Zane Alexander arrived 10 days before deadline, so he’s already off to a better start than his old man.
True to form, the first time my father came to visit his new grandson he didn’t come empty handed. It will be a few years before we string up the Spider-Man-emblazoned Shakespeare that’s sitting in Zane’s closet, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little eager to get through the next few million diaper changes and feedings if for no other reason than to cut straight to the fun part: dissecting double the number of worms, retying endless lures and hooks and retrieving them all out of trees, bushes, reeds and whatever else we’ll manage to hook other than fish. I did say the “fun part,” right?
What I’m really looking forward to, fishing and beyond, is to see his first reaction to things: There’s the first catch, of course, but there are also the rest of fishing “firsts”: seeing a bald eagle cruising a lake, watching the turtles, herons and muskrats casting a curious eye toward us from a river bank, or just enjoying that magical time-freezing effect that holding a fishing pole seems to have on the one holding it and the world at large. The last one may take a little while to grow on him — I know it did for me — but the earlier he gets started, the better.
Beyond introducing him to a love of the natural world, I’m hoping we make some memories he’ll have even after I’m gone. We still have my blue and white Zebco somewhere (and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles tacklebox to go with it). I can’t remember the first or last time I cast it or whether or not I ever caught anything on it. What I can remember is sitting on the lake dock and the riverbank with Zane’s grandfather, gazing in wonder at the contents of his much larger, more seasoned tacklebox, loudly proclaiming “I ‘mell it!” when the lid came off the secret catfish bait (ask my dad about that one sometime if you ever meet him, he loves that story.)
Ultimately, that’s what a first fishing pole or fishing trip is — the gateway to a great memory, or even a lifetime’s worth of them. The fishing pole could be anything. It could be one grandfather’s pocket knife or another grandfather’s binoculars, a pair of waders, a walking stick or that hand-tied poppin’ bug you’d love to try but just can’t bring yourself to use (“Not yet, not today anyway,” you think). What it is beyond a family heirloom or a slowly peeling piece of plastic is a connection to another person or people, and a marker in your life where at least one time, even if it was just for an afternoon, life was perfectly as it should be.
- Zach Smith, President 2019-2021
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE |
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How did everyone spend their first day of summer?
My family and I celebrated Fathers Day and the official start of the summer season with a leisurely eight-mile float on the Big Piney River in Pulaski County.
I couldn't think of a better way to spend the day than enjoying a clear, cool stream, a gravel bar picnic, a little bit of fishing, a lot of swimming and canoes full of the ones I love. Sounds pretty good right now, too, and I'd jump at the opportunity to do it all again.
I'm lucky to have been introduced to Missouri's natural beauty and its numerous scenic rivers at a young age and my wife and I take pride in the fact that our three children have also gotten an early start. Of course, with each having their own personalities, they have their own preferences, too. They all love to go camping but not all enjoy hiking. Elliot loves fishing while his sisters usually prefer to watch the wildlife or go for a swim (though they've been known to catch a few fish of their own). We all love Missouri's streams but can't agree on which is the best (is there truly a correct answer to this quandary?). Gertie and Aurora's favorite river is the Gasconade. Elliot's is the Big Piney. My wife, Vara, is hard-pressed to choose between the Jacks Fork and the upper Current. As for me? I think they all are wonderful, but, for sentimental reasons, I'd have to go with the Niangua River.
I grew up going to a summer camp near Lebanon and I would go on a camp-wide float trip on the Niangua every year from the age of seven onward. As a result, the Niangua River and the Lebanon area has always held a special place in my heart. The Niangua River was where I learned to paddle a canoe and where I spotted my first bald eagle and green heron in the wild. Bennett Spring was the first state park I can remember visiting. It was the place where I first cast a fly rod and also caught my first trout.
I am excited to be heading back to the Niangua River, back to Bennett Spring and back to Lebanon for our upcoming conference. It's been too long since I've visited this special place. And, it's been too long since I've gotten to see and visit with all of you. I do hope that you will join us for this eagerly-awaited reunion. After the year we've all had, catching up with old friends in a beautiful setting sounds just about perfect to me.
I look forward to seeing you there.
- Kyle Stewart, The Beenders Walker Group
Missouri Outdoor Communicators Executive Director
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ANNOUNCING THE NEW MOC SERVICE DAY PROJECT |
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New for 2021, MOC will host its inaugural Service Day on the morning of Friday, Oct.1 as an early kick-off for the annual conference from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
We will hop into canoes and kayaks and float down a stretch of the Niangua River picking up litter, debris and other items that take away from the natural beauty and natural habitat of this river system.
This new initiative, which was the brainchild of MOC President Zach Smith, is something that we plan to carry forward to all future conference communities as well.
Complete details will be available when the conference registration forms go out. Be on the lookout for those the first week of August.
A message from Zach about this new program:
"Every year, MOC gives back to our host communities — not only in the form of good ink but also through the Toyota Community Generosity Award, which assists a local nonprofit in continuing its outdoor mission. This inaugural service day is another way for the MOC membership to personally give back to the places that give us so much to talk about, experience and enjoy. This year, I’d like to humbly suggest that those attending the annual conference consider arriving early on Friday, Oct. 1 in order to take part in MOC’s first service day — a half-day clean-up on the scenic and bountiful Niangua River.
"As MOC members, it’s in our blood to spread the good word about the outdoors. After every conference, attendees walk away with stories to tell about the resources and recreation opportunities available in our host area. And what better way to introduce our audiences to a new locale than by leaving it better than how we found it?
"One of the many Ozark streams that feed the Lake of the Ozarks, the Osage and Missouri rivers, the Niangua is 125 miles of stream not to be missed. Take your pick of Missouri’s iconic species — trout, bass, sunfish, suckers — the Niangua has them all. The real angling showstoppers, particularly for locals, are the smallmouth and goggle-eye. The river is one of Missouri’s many jewels, providing plenty of access to the kind of fishing and floating you’ll only find in our neck of the woods. With a little TLC from MOC, it will stay that way for future generations.
"I hope you’ll join us this year in giving the Niangua a little polish. Then we can bring that same spirit of giving back to our host communities at all future conferences as well."
- Zach Smith, President 2019-2021
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2021 MOC CONFERENCE UPDATES |
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We are thrilled to let you know that all of the planning for the 2021 MOC Conference Bennett Spring State Park/ Lebanon, MO is almost complete. There are just a few more items/activities to shore up before registration forms can be made available, but we know we are going to have another great conference on our hands.
Here's what attendees can look forward to:
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FRIDAY, OCT. 1
- MOC Service Day River Clean Up (prior to conference starting)
- Registration
- Lunch
- Your choice of Outdoor Adventures:
- Float/ Float-Fish the Niangua River
- Fish for trout at Bennett Spring State Park
- Explore the Hiking Trails at Bennett Spring State Park
- Tour the Nature Center at Bennett Spring State Park
- Take casting Lessons with Master Caster Jim Rogers
- Tour the Trout Hatchery at Bennett Spring State Park
- Write Your Own Story (Explore on your own)
- Dinner - Fish Fry at the Bennett Spring State Park Pavilion
- Story Starters/Craft Improvement Seminars:
- Ben Havens, Hatchery Director at Bennett Spring (Story Starter)
- Lee Vogel, Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation (Story Starter)
- Larry Whiteley, MOC - "Writing from the Heart" (Craft Improvement)
SATURDAY, OCT. 2
- Breakfast
- Your choice of Outdoor Adventures:
- Float/ Float-Fish the Niangua River
- Fish for trout at Bennett Spring State Park
- Explore the Hiking Trails at Bennett Spring State Park
- Tour the Nature Center at Bennett Spring State Park
- Take casting Lessons with Master Caster Jim Rogers
- Tour the Trout Hatchery at Bennett Spring State Park
- Write Your Own Story (Explore on your own)
- Lunch and MOC Awards Program
- "Going to Town" - Activities in Lebanon
- Visit Shepherd Hills Cutlery & Outlet Mall
- Guided tour of the Route 66 Museum
- Social Hour at Boat Town Brewing
- Closing Night Banquet & Activities
- Toyota Community Generosity Award
- Dinner
- Keynote Speaker: Mike Sutherland, director of Missouri State Parks
- Silent and Live Auction
- MOC People's Choice Photo Contest
SUNDAY, OCT. 3
- Breakfast
- 2021 MOC Membership Meeting
- 2021 MOC Board of Directors Meeting
- Lunch
Registration for the 2021 MOC conference will be $75 per person and registration forms will be available the first week of August 2021.
Please note: For those members that paid the 2020 conference fee and asked that it be applied for the 2021 conference, Kyle will reach out to you directly to follow-up on that arrangement.
A special thanks goes out to Rebecca Rupard, director of the City of Lebanon Tourism Office, for sponsoring this conference and our activities. A big "thanks" also is in order for Jim Rogers, concessionaire at Bennett Spring State Park.
We're hoping to see as many of you as possible at our conference the first weekend of October in Lebanon. And, for the record, the last time we held a MOC conference in Lebanon it was the best-attended conference to-date. So, let's recreate that magic!
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RESERVE YOUR CONFERENCE
ACCOMMODATIONS TODAY
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If you have not already done so, we suggest MOC members make reservations for their accommodations soon. MOC members can choose from a variety of accommodations at the beautiful Bennett Spring State Park and lodging also will be available at the Bennett Spring Inn outside of the park.
Lodging options at Bennett Spring State Park include:
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Four-plex Units (two bedrooms - one with two twin beds and one with a queen bed) for $149 per night
- Duplex Units (two bedrooms - one with two twin beds and one with a queen bed) for $149 per night
- Motel units at the park (two queen beds) for $99 per night
- Quaint Sleeping Rooms (1 bed) for $79 per night
- To make reservations for accommodations in the park, please call 417-532-4307 or 800-334-6946.
Additional lodging options at the Bennett Spring Inn, which is located about two miles outside the park, include motel rooms with two queen beds for $50 per night. To make reservations at the Bennett Spring Inn, please call 417-588-9110.
To receive the above-mentioned conference rates, please be sure to let your reservationist know you are reserving your stay for the Missouri Outdoor Communicators conference.
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2021 MOC PULASKI COUNTY
FISH, FLOAT N FUN MEDIA EVENT WRAP UP
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Left to right: Barb Ostmann and Don Corrigan floating the Big Piney River; The Historic Route 66 Byway over the Big Piney River; A charming cabin at Gasconade Hills; Stephanie and Christian Chattergee, our hosts at Gasconade Hills Resort; Angie Hall of Devil's Elbow River Safari; A sign for Route 66 in Devil's Elbow; Don and Karen Hood of Pulaski County Tourism Bureau enjoying pizza at the Piney River Taproom; Serving up a delicious Missouri-made beer at the Taproom. |
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MOC's third Fish, Float and Fun Media Camp wrapped up in early June in Pulaski County.
From June 1 through June 3, a handful of MOC members came together at the charming Gasconade Hills Resort for three days of outdoor adventures and story gathering opportunities around the Pulaski County area. Although the weather did not always cooperate, we still managed to thoroughly enjoy some of the best outdoor activities and attractions the area has to offer throughout the communities of Richland, Waynesville, Saint Robert, Duke and Devil's Elbow. Attendees also took home a few goodies compliments of Dixie Jet Lures and Pulaski County Tourism.
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On the opening day of the media event, attendees enjoyed a visit to the Trail of Tears Cultural Art Center, learned about Cold Creek Mushrooms and how this family-owned operation grows Italian oyster mushrooms for retail for restaurants around the state. We also enjoyed a phenomenal Southern-inspired catered meal of Blackberry Fried Chicken and all the fixin's from Honey Chile' Please Restaurant before returning to our cabins to swap stories in the lamplight. The next day, part of our group enjoyed a visit to Devil's Elbow, MO and a short but scenic float on the beautiful Big Piney River while others spent the day targeting smallmouth bass from kayaks on the Big Piney with The Fallen Outdoors' Mike Unruh. In the afternoon, some toured the Trail Of Tears Memorial in Laughlin Park in Waynesville or went on an intrepid guided wild cave tour before all meeting up again in downtown Waynesville for delicious pizza and Missouri-made craft beer at the Piney River Tap Room. In the morning of the last day of our visit, the sun finally shone down as part of our group enjoyed casting lessons and guided wade-fishing trip on Roubidoux Creek with local fly fishing legend Herb Turner while others learned about the town's rich history during the Tombstone Tales program at the historic Mitchell Cemetery. A fine time was had by all.
This MOC event was attended by Barb Ostmann, Bill Cooper, Don Corrigan, Larry Whiteley and Kyle Stewart.
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Many thanks to Stephanie and Christian Chattergee, our hosts at Gasconade Hills Resort, for having us. We also appreciated the hospitality and contributions of Mary Ryberg of the Trail of Tears Cultural Art Center, Ron Selfors of Cold Creek Mushrooms, Honey Chile' Please Restaurant, Mike Unruh of The Fallen Outdoors, Angie Hale of Devil's Elbow River Safari, Roger Preston of the Roubidoux Grotto caving club, Mayor Luge Hardman, Herb Turner of the Roubidoux Fly Fishers Association, the fine folks at Piney River Taproom, Laura Huffman and Tom Murphy of Dixie Jet Spoons.
And, last but not least, a huge thank you is in order for our host extraordinaire Karen Hood of the Pulaski County Tourism Bureau. Without Karen, this event would not have taken place nor would it have been nearly as enjoyable. Thank you, Karen!
We look forward to seeing all the great stories and coverage for the Pulaski County area that will result from this media event.
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REMEMBERING A DEAR FRIEND, THAYNE SMITH |
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By Kyle Stewart
It never gets any easier to say goodbye to a friend.
Thayne Smith passed away at the age of 92 on Sunday, July 11 at his home in Claremore, OK.
Thayne was a legend among the outdoor industry, a consummate gentleman and great friend and mentor to many. Thayne's storied career speaks for itself. He was an award-winning author, editor, writer, photographer and public relations professional, who had a distinguished journalism career spanning more than 70 years.
In addition to being a lifetime member of MOC, Thayne was active in the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA), Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers (AGLOW), Outdoor Communicators of Kansas (OCK), the former Great Rivers Outdoor Writers (GROW), Texas Outdoor Writers Association (TOWA), Southeastern Outdoor Press Association (SEOPA) and Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA). Thayne also was inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Communicator.
I find it poignant that I met Thayne 10 years ago during the 2011 MOC conference at Bennett Spring State Park. Though Thayne had already let me know that, due to health issues, he likely would not be able to make this year's conference even though he really wished he could, I still hoped that I might get to see him again. As a result, Thayne had been on my mind quite a bit as we were planning this conference.
During the 2011 MOC conference, Thayne had signed up to go on a float trip on the Niangua as he had floated the river many years before and wanted to take photos for a comparison story he was working on at the time. Marjorie Beenders, who had organized the conference, asked if I would man the stern so that Thayne could take photographs and notes. Somewhat reluctantly, I agreed. I had confidence in myself as a canoeist but I also knew the river well and knew that there were typically a couple places where things could get a little sticky. That knowledge and Thayne's cases of expensive cameras and lenses in the bottom of the canoe made me a little nervous. Fortunately for us both, we successfully managed to float the eight miles without Thayne or his camera equipment going overboard nor me swamping the boat.
After our afternoon together on the Niangua, Thayne would often call or email out-of-the-blue to check in and see how I was doing and reminisce about our day on the river. I will miss those phone calls and emails and I will always cherish Thayne's kindness and friendship.
Thayne will be missed by many, as evidenced by the outpouring of remembrances on social media:
"As fine a man as I've known. I will miss Thayne and our regular conversations." - Dennis Whiteside
"Thayne was a great friend. He urged me to join AGLOW and SEOPA after I retired from the KC Star, and always had encouraging words for me. We talked regularly, even when he was in bad health. I regret that we never got together for one last fishing trip. I invited him and Jeannie to join me at Riss Lake and stay at my house, and he always told me, "We'll do that one day." But we ran out of time. Rest in Peace, my friend." - Brent Frazee
"Thayne was one of the best men I've ever met." - Brandon Butler
"One of the nicest guys I have ever met." - John Neporadny
"It's never easy to lose a friend and mentor and Thayne was extra special. Marjorie and I will miss him terribly." - Darrell Taylor
"Thayne was an absolute joy to be around. I will always remember his gentleness and how kind he was to everyone around him. He will be greatly missed by all who were lucky enough to know him." - Jo Duncan
"I was blessed to know Thayne my entire 40-plus-year career and enjoyed many fishing trips with him. All outdoor writers loved and respected the man. I know that we will fish again someday on the other side." - Kenny Kieser
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WRITING FROM YOUR HEART
By Larry Whiteley
Larry is a recent inductee into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, the 2019 recipient of the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers' "Best of Show/ Best of the Best Award for Excellence in Writing or Electronic Media," the recipient of the 2021 Professional Outdoor Media Association Pinnacle Award for Outstanding Achievement. Larry also recently published his first book, "Seasons: Stories of Family, God and the Great Outdoors."
Larry originally wrote this article for the AGLOW newsletter and it is re-printed here with AGLOW's permission.
“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” - William Wordsworth
Over my many years of writing I have done articles and radio shows on outdoor tips, product reviews and travel destinations just like each of you. But, those I like doing the most are when I write or talk about things that touch the emotions of those that read or listen and hopefully make them laugh, cry, smile or think. It’s called writing from your heart to touch the hearts of others. It is the most rewarding and enjoyable writing you will ever do.
To write from your heart you need to write about something that has a deep meaning to you. I like to write about outdoor memories I have made with friends, kids and grandkids. Things I think about alone in a tree stand or turkey blind. The eagle I see or the loon I hear while out fishing. What I feel out hiking or camping. The thoughts I have of time by myself or with others around a campfire.
I want them to get a tear in their eye when they read “A Christmas Letter to my Grandkids.” I want them to have a lump in their throat when they hear “Time around a Campfire.” I want them to think about their own deer camps and laugh when they read “Deer Camp – It’s About Characters.” I want them to smile when they read “Everyone Needs a Special Place.”
You need to be vulnerable in your writing and in your life and that’s not very easy for most of us to do. People listen and read when you’re vulnerable. When you do this and include inspiration in some form in your writing and broadcasts, you automatically share from your heart.
You will never be able to write from the heart though if you don’t honestly be you. Don’t think about how others will perceive your words. Everyone will get a different meaning from what you write or say anyway. Just concentrate on pouring in emotion and being you. You need to be you because no one else can tell your personal stories like you can.
It takes courage to write from the heart because that’s where we hide things we care about. But that’s what makes them enjoyable to read or hear. By writing from the heart you will never run out of words. What’s in there, both the big and small things, really matters. What you share from your heart will touch other people’s hearts.
To sum it all up, write from your heart not from your brain. Write from your heart not to impress or show off. Write from your heart so it engages the reader and touches their heart and soul. Write from your heart so it encourages the reader to get out in God’s great outdoors and do the things you wrote about or talked about from your heart.
Here’s one last thought for you. I love to use quotes like the one I began this article with and the one I end it with. Quotes help add impact to the story you just shared from your heart with your readers and listeners. Like the below quote says; while enriching the lives of those who hear or read your work, you enrich your own life.
Something to Think About
“Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid or making friends. In the end, it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well.” ― Stephen King
The above is a sample of some of the things Larry will touch upon during the Craft Improvement Seminar at the 2021 MOC Conference at Bennett Spring State Park in Lebanon, October 1-3.
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For future issues for MOC TALK, please send story submissions, photographs, inquiries and upcoming events to Kyle Stewart of The Beenders Walker Group at [email protected].
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MISSOURI OUTDOOR COMMUNICATORS
125 E. HIGH STREET, SUITE 200
JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65101
OFFICE: 573-636-8282
CELL: 573-619-3296
WWW.MISSOURIOUTDOORCOMMUNICATORS.ORG
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