The Newsletter of the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association M.O.W.A.

MOWRITS

The Blue Water area of southern Michigan

hosted MOWA for our 2011 summer conference

and those who attended can attest to the

terrific outdoor opportunities and stories

there for the taking. The weather was

wonderful, outdoor activities abundant and

our accommodations spectacular. If you missed

it, you missed out on another great

MOWA�conference. The reason we hold two conferences each year

is two-fold: First and foremost, it’s to

gather MOWA�members for interaction and

camaraderie and to conduct MOWA�business; second, but equally important, is to

provide an opportunity for members to sample

different areas of the state, experience the

outdoor activities available there and share

those opportunities with our readers,

listeners and viewers.

In Michigan, we are blessed to have access to

8 millions acres of public land, 11,000

inland lakes, 3,000 miles of shoreline and

36,000 miles of rivers and streams. Pretty

amazing stuff. It can be mind-boggling trying

to decide where your next fishing, hunting,

hiking, camping or sight-seeing trip will be.

MOWA�conferences take the challenge out of planning and provide members with a multitude

of opportunities to experience different

areas of the state.

These conferences ARE NOT held simply to

provide MOWA�members with a cheap vacation and a guided fishing trip!

Our sites chair, Denise Semion, and the local

conference chairs for each event (Brian

Mulherin at Onekama last winter and Jeff

Nedwick at Port Huron this summer, for

example) work diligently with the local

Convention and Visitors Bureaus and

individual guides to set our

conferences/meetings and provide a plethora

of opportunities. Guides work free of charge

on our behalf (although tipping is highly

suggested) and usually take money out of

their own pockets for gas and such, to

showcase the resources in the area.

Presidents Column IIIINSIDE NSIDE NSIDE NSIDE TTTTHIS HIS HIS HIS IIIISSUESSUESSUESSUE

Presidents Column – Bill Parker 1/2/4

Summer Conclave – 2011 - Jeff Nedwick 3/5/6

Business Meeting Topics – Jeff Nedwick, Sec. 5

Craft Award Winners 2011 - Ron St. Germain, Chair 7/8

Clays the ‘Four Square’ Way - Tom Lounsbury 9/10

‘Name That Mowa’n’ – Ron St. Germain 11

‘Little Pens’ – Andrew Duffy [Writers Tips Series] 12/13

‘Fall Gathering’ 15

Post Summer Conclave I ssue

Ju ly 2011

Please see Please see Please see Please see Presidents ColumnPresidents ColumnPresidents ColumnPresidents Column on page 2on page 2on page 2on page 2

By MOWA Pres. Bill Parker

Bill Parker – M.O.W.A.

President

As it shows in the Jeff Nedwick photo below, MOWA members lived the High Life at their recent summer meeting in Port Huron---lots of details follow in this issue of MoWrits

Page 2 MoWrits

The only thing the CVB’s and guides ask

from us is to promote those areas of the

state a little bit. Not a big request for

a group of outdoor communicators, right?

That’s what we do for a living.

To show our appreciation for the efforts

they put forth and that we are actually

working at these conferences and earning

our discounts and guided trips, MOWA

sends each CVB, from areas we visit, a

collection of the stories, photographs,

videos and radio shows generated at the

conferences.

Sometimes though, I feel like we’re not holding up our end of the bargain.

Our Sgt. Preston Award program was

established to encourage MOWA members to

send in their stories so we can forward

them to the respective CVBs. Over the

years, the program has had its ups and

downs but the basic premise remains:�send in your stories, photos, video and

audio transcripts and have a chance to

win a cash stipend of $100 or

$50 from MOWA. Two random winners are

drawn from the pool of submissions to win

the extra cash. The awards are drawn at

each conference and are for submissions

from the year prior.

Problem is, not many members are

contributing stories to the Sgt. Preston

Award program. I�hope this is just a lack of entries, not a lack of production from

the conferences.

At the Port Huron conference we awarded

Sgt. Preston Awards for stories generated

at the 2010 MOWA�summer conference in Marquette. Sadly, only four submissions

(from three writers)�were forwarded to Sgt. Preston chairman George Rowe.

I�really hope those were not the only

stories generated from the conference!�I hope other members found stories and

shared them with their audience, but,

that they just didn’t enter them in the

contest.

The bottom line to this rant is that the

Sgt. Preston Award program is EXTREMELY

IMPORTANT. Take two minutes to clip out a

tear sheet of a story or photograph that

promotes the area we visited and

send it to George. If you did a radio or

video show, print out a transcript and

send it in. It is imperative that we

provide our hosts with copies of the

stories generated from the conferences.

If the CVBs only receive four stories

from our efforts, what

Presidents Column – from page 1 incentive do they have to host 20 or 30

or 40 of us and provide all

these special opportunities and rates

we receive?

CVBs have their own conventions. They

are all associated with each other. If

a perception develops that MOWA really

doesn’t provide much of a service to

the local areas, what incentive do the

CVBs have to host us in the future?

It’s time for us to stand up and face

the music. Do your job and support not

only the areas we visit, but the

organization and the efforts of the

sites chair and the convention chairs.

Contact George if you have questions at

(231) 547-4138.

*** ***

Our heritage committee reports that

progress is being made on the

Hemingway Marker. Committee chair

Dennis Knickerbocker reports that he

has a meeting in Seney later this

summer to discuss details of

establishing and dedicating this marker

to commemorate the work and

roots in the Upper Peninsula of Earnest

Hemingway.

Tom Butchko reports that the

MOWA�heritage plaque missing from the Blaney Inn has been found. The owners

of the Inn plan to clean it up

and display it in the lobby of the

historic and soon-to-be remodeled

Inn. They also expressed an interest in

hosting us for a meeting/conference at

some point in the future.

Continued on page 4…See President’s Column

Bill Parker showing good shooting form at busting sporting clays the Four Square way while Ed Mathews of Jeddo releases the "birds". Tom Lounsbury pic

Page 3 MoWrits

Michigan Outdoor Writers Association

Summer Meeting 2011

Port Huron June 3-5

2011 MOWA Summer Meeting Summary

By: Jeff Nedwick

Thursday, June 2 – early check-in at Thomas

Edison Inn

I arrived early Thursday and spotted Denise

Semion in the hotel lobby assembling gift

bags, working with the TEI staff, making

last minute dinner reservation changes,

organizing cocktail receptions and making

sure conference rooms were prepared and

equipped. I hope all MOWAN’s appreciate

how hard she works on these conferences!

Friday, June 3

10 am – 11 am Underwater Video

Production – Thomas

Edison Inn, Abby North

Room

Unfortunately, this session did not happen

due to a communications mix-up.

11 am – noon Make Your Nature Photos Come

Alive! – Thomas Edison Inn,

Abby North Room

Internationally renowned photographer Judy

Yaker provided a nifty presentation of her

spectacular wildlife / nature photos

followed by a Q & A session where seminar

attendees learned some tips on how to take

dazzling wildlife photos. Especially

interesting were photos she’d recently

taken at night of bats sipping water mid-

flight from a pond lit with infra-red

lights.

12:15 pm – 1:30 pm Lunch

About a dozen MOWAN’s enjoyed the beautiful

weather over lunch at the Quay Street

Brewing Company along the Black River

before departing for the Lake St. Clair

Research Station. (Note: Denise Semion

has pictures)

2:30 pm – 4pm Lake St.

Clair Research Station and Channel Cat Tour

Michael Thomas, MDNR Fisheries Research

Biologist led several MOWA members in an

open house and walk-through tour of the

Lake St. Clair station and the Channel Cat

with some discussion about Lake St. Clair

fisheries issues. Of particular interest

was his demonstration of the equipment and

processes used to determine the age and

growth rate of Lake St. Clair’s famed

musky. Also discussed were issues facing

the DNR as they try to keep tabs on this

phenomenal fishery with continued budget

cuts and staff reductions. One thing you

may not have known: Lake St. Clair has

never been stocked with any type of fish.

All fisheries are completely self-

sustaining.

5:30 pm – 7 pm Perch Dinner

and Welcome - Ivy North Dining Room

Bill Parker, MOWA President and Judi

Stewart, Bluewater Area Convention and

Visitors Bureau welcomed MOWA members to

Port Huron. The great staff of the Thomas

Edison Inn did a great job of getting us

fed and out the door in time for the river

cruise.

7 pm – 9 pm Huron Lady

Cruise/Cocktail Reception

With a bit of prodding by Denise and Jeff,

MOWAN’s arrived in time for a scenic

cruise aboard the beautiful Huron Lady II

cruise ship and took in historical Port

Huron sites along the St Clair River and

southern Lake Huron. The cruise was

narrated by Jenny Olsen, long-time co-host

of the Michigan Out-of-Doors television

show. Jenny is the new part-owner of the

Huron Lady II. David Graham has published

a story about the cruise that can be found

here:

http://www.mlive.com/outdoors/index.ssf/20

11/06/st_clair_river_cruise_offers_h.html

The Bluewater bridge links Canada and Michigan at the entrance to the St.Clair River. Aptly named for the clarity and blue color of the Lake Huron waters that enter here, it remains one of the marvels of engineering, only surpassed by the Big Mac.

Don Ingle photo

Cont. Page 5 – See ‘Port Huron’

Page 4 MoWrits

Presidents Column from page 2Presidents Column from page 2Presidents Column from page 2Presidents Column from page 2

Huron Lady II …before Rambo tried trolling from the stern Tom Lounsbury photo

Please remember to promptly send me your photos and articles for inclusion in the next issue of MoWrits – a good, concise newsletter is still a fluid way to keep any organization ‘greased’ and working. Jerry Kunnath – MoWrits editor

*** ***

The unofficial MOWA fall gathering is

returning in 2011.

We tried this “on-your-own hunting

and fishing weekend” a couple years

ago and those who attended can attest

to the fact that a great time was had

by all.

Jerry Kunnath has agreed to host us

again at his Hemlock Hills property

in Fairview.

Mark the date, Oct. 21-23 on your

calendar and come on up/down/over to

Oscoda County for a frenzy of fall

activities. Call Jerry at (810)

241-2852 to reserve a bunk or a

camping spot. (First dibbs on a bunk, Jerry!) [Ed note: you got it Prez:}:}

A short ride over the river is Canada, a

great neighbor to visit – but don’t forget

your passport. Don Ingle photo

Tom Edison, born in Ohio but raised in

Port Huron, got his start in business here

at age 12 by selling newspapers on the new

Grand Trunk rail line from Port Huron to

Detroit. His earnings bought his supplies

with which he began his numerous

inventions, from lighting to recorded

music.

Don Ingle photo

Page 5 MoWrits

9 pm – 1:00am Walleye Wall Walking

Believe it or not, a few MOWAN’s still had enough energy left to cast for walleyes in the

St. Clair River right outside of the Thomas Edison Inn. Unfortunately, while a few walleye

were caught by nearby local anglers, the MOWAN’s came back empty handed. Well, not

entirely accurate – Jay Vanhouten caught a nice limit of Zebra mussels. (There’s a photo of

this on Facebook, not sure who took it)

Saturday, June 4

7 am – 9 am Breakfast buffet – Ivy South Dining Room

Most MOWAN’s met over breakfast before heading out to pursue their chosen activity. “Most”

didn’t include the unfortunate souls who selected “trolling for Lake St. Clair musky” as

their activity and who by some poor planning by yours truly had to depart at 6am to make it

from Port Huron to Detroit where their captain’s charter boat was moored.

6 pm – 7pm Cocktail hour – Ivy North Dining Room

MOWA members and guests mingled and shared stories about the day’s activities.

7 pm – 10 pm Sirloin Steak Dinner – Ivy North Dining Room

Another delicious meal was prepared by the staff of the Thomas Edison Inn, followed by a

presentation by Rodney Stokes - Director Michigan Department of Natural Resources.[See pic

page 16] Stokes spoke at length about the DNR’s main priorities, staffing and funding

challenges the department is dealing with in these tough economic times, the success of the

new recreation passport initiative. After his presentation, Stokes applied for membership

to MOWA and suggested the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center as a site for an upcoming

MOWA conference.

Following Rodney Stokes’ presentation, Ron St. Germain provided an entertaining and

informative presentation about the significance of the MOWA craft improvement awards and

reviewed his plan to increase participation for the craft improvement awards. Following his

presentation of the recent rule changes and new categories, Ron gave out the awards. (Ron

can provide you with a list of the winners in each category or see page 8)

After the craft awards were presented, Ron St. Germain gave a humorous presentation on the

Redneck Fishing Derby in Bath, Illinois that he and Jonathan Schechter participated in, but

won.

After the dinner and awards ceremonies, some MOWAN’s decided to try again for walleye off

the walls right outside the Thomas Edison Inn. Unfortunately, the fishing had not improved

since Friday and once again we returned empty-handed.

Saturday Activities:

Sporting Clays Shooting

Tom Lounsbury, Bill Parker and David Graham took a short drive to 4-Square Sportsmen Club

in Jeddo, MI where club president Wayne Gottleber and other members hosted a morning of

sporting clays shooting just for MOWA. According to Tom, Bill and David, the course was

especially challenging having just been set up to host a tournament. [see page 9]

Musky Fishing on Lake St. Clair

Capt. Doug Samsal hosted MOWAN Brian Mulherin for a day of casting for musky in Lake St.

Clair and its connecting channels. Unfortunately, opening day musky fishing wasn’t as nice

as the weather and they landed only one northern pike for the day.

Port Huron – cont. from page 3

Cont. Page 6 – See ‘Port Huron’

MoWrits – Page 6

Port Huron – Cont. from page 5

Despite a lot of grumbling about the long drive to Capt. Steve Vanashe’s boat at the head of the

Detroit River, MOWAN’s Jay Vanhouten, Mike Papiez and Russ Fimbinger were rewarded with a

phenomenal day of musky trolling. The three anglers landed 15 musky and had numerous other

strikes and hook-ups. Although no monsters were caught, the fish were all decent-sized and

provided almost non-stop action.

Quiet Water Bass and Panfish Fishing

The extremely wet spring weather dictated a last minute change of venue when I discovered that

the two-track into my “secret” pond was impassable. “Plan B” was a day of largemouth bass

fishing on a small private lake at the headwaters of the Flint River system. MOWA anglers Jeff

Nedwick, Jonathan Schechter and Tom Buchkoe had a very successful day, catching about 2 dozen

bass ranging up to 2.5 pounds.[see pic on page 17]

Self-Guided Activities: MOWA members were fortunate to have our conference on the same day as

Port Huron’s annual “Be a Tourist in Your Own Town” celebration. Port Huron trolleys were free

and ran nearly non-stop from the starting point at Thomas Edison Depot Museum located just

outside the Thomas Edison Inn. [see pic on page 13 Several MOWAN’s and guests of MOWANS visited

many of the sites listed below stopping to shop and dine along the way.

• Highlander Tall Ship. This vessel is moored in Port Huron and is used as a teaching vessel for those interested in sailing.

• Thomas Edison Depot Museum. Located right outside the Thomas Edison Inn, even ole Thomas Edison himself would be surprised at all the artifacts kept on his life.

• Vantage Point Maritime Center. Port Huron’s newest tourist attraction. Right on the water front, the Maritime Center has plenty to offer those interested in Michigan’s Merchant

Marine industry.

• Huron Lightship Museum. Formerly used as a floating lighthouse to safely escort ships from Lake Huron into the narrow entrance to the St. Clair River, this vessel is now permanently

moored at Pine Grove Park.

• Knowlton Ice Museum. Offers a history on how older generations dealt with ways to utilize ice before refrigerators were around.

• Bramble Coast Guard Cutter. The cutter is anchored right in Port Huron for public tours.

• Fort Gratiot Light House. Michigan’s oldest working Lighthouse built in 1814.

Some of the MOWA guests brought their own bicycles and took advantage of one of the many trails

near Port Huron.

MOWAN Carol Swinehart spent some time following a canoe race on the Black River.

Sunday, June 5

7:30 am – 9 am Breakfast buffet – Ivy North Dining Room

9 am – 10:30 am Business Meeting (MOWA members only) See meeting minutes sent

separately.

10:30 am Adjourn

Left: A group of happy Mowans ‘aft side’ Right: Mowans getting ready to chow down in Port Huron Jeff Nedwick Pics

Page 7 MoWrits

Craft Awards - 2011 Ron St. Germain – Craft Chair

At the Thomas Edison Inn, overlooking massive freighters that dwarfed rows of walleye

fisherman, a big deal was made about winners of this year's craft competition. New craft

chair, Ron St. Germain said members will begin to feel more of a sense of accomplishment

and prestige in years to come as we attempt to revive the program. "The craft competition

has been my best teaching tool in developing my writing skills," said St. Germain, sighting

that success in the MOWA awards program gave him the confidence to go forth and earn four

top-three finishes and five firsts in OWAA's annual craft competition.

St. Germain has won 15 MOWA categories since becoming a member in 2002, admitting that

he joined the organization with a total lack of confidence, a feeling that he didn't belong

and a sense of total awe being surrounded by so many successful accomplished writers. "Each

one of these means more to me than the last one," St. Germain said, "I want every member to

have an opportunity to experience that honor and what a difference it can make in your

attitude as you approach each new story."

A downward trend in entries over the past years has cast a dark shadow over the awards

program. Despite rule changes that allowed internet submissions to be added to the

magazine categories, seven categories lacked a sufficient number of entries and went un-

awarded this year. "It's very sad to me that members take the time to put together a

submission, attend the conference, and walk away feeling rejected because their hard work

didn't even make it to the judges desk," St. Germain said. "A couple years of this and

eventually members will just stop submitting all together out of pure frustration." He

said, "I want to avoid that from happening."

The first order of business was to make the awards presentation an event, complete

with a Power Point presentation, which highlighted each award winner and their work. Along

the way St. Germain pointed out some comical errors members made with their submissions.

He also instituted a new game called "Name that MOWA'n," where he used submitters blacked

out photos and asked attendees if they could guess who was in the photo. Part of that

presentation can be found in this newsletter edition.

The second line of business was to encourage people to enter the competition. St.

Germain sighted several misconceptions and illusions about craft award competitions. "The

bottom line is don't pre-judge yourself and use that as an excuse not to enter. Judge

yourself before your piece goes to press, but after that, anything can happen in the course

of judging," he said, using several examples to back up his claim.

Finally, St. Germain said he intends to submit a proposal to the MOWA board of

directors that could tweak the rules and categories in an attempt to lessen the amount of

un-awarded submissions. Ideas can be sent directly to him by emailing "DaPhotoDude@aol.com

See ‘Craft Award Winners’page 8

Don Ingle accepts his Craft Award from

Craft Chair Ron St. Germain, who appears

to not want to let the award go:} Jeff Nedwick pic

MOWA President, Bill Parker accepts his

Craft Award from Craft Chair Ron St.

Germain. Jeff Nedwick Photo

Page 8 MoWrits

‘Craft Award Winners’ from page 7 Winners of the 2011 MOWA Craft Awards Honoring the most outstanding published photographs and writing from the greatest outdoor

state in the country from 2010.

Gil Clark - Best Color Photograph

1) Dennis Neely

Woods-N-Water News

2) Jonathan Schechter

Oakland Press

3) Don Ingle

Michigan Forests

Ketcham - Best Outdoor Feature - Consumptive - Newspaper

1) Ron St. Germain - Slamtastic

Woods-N-Water News - October 2010

2) Dennis Neely - Reaping the Greatest Reward

Woods-N-Water News - December 2010

3) Bill Parker - Treasure Hunt

Michigan Outdoor News - June 18, 2010

Crowe - Best column - Newspaper

1) Don Ingle - The North Country Sportsman

Lake County Star - Big Rapids Pioneer

2010

2) Ron St. Germain - Dear Fish Diary

Woods-N-Water News - 2010

3) Jonathan Schechter - Oakland Outdoors

Oakland Press – 2010

Hall - Best Feature - Non-Consumptive - Newspaper

1) Tom Carney - Notes From a Hero's Ballad Come out Flat

Woods-N-Water News July 2010

2) Ron St. Germain - Canoe Trip ends in Two Divorces

Woods-N-Water News - June 2010

3) Jonathan Schechter - When your Dog Attacks Porcupines

Woods-N-Water News - November 2010

Paquin - Newspaper

1) Don Ingle - Michigan Forests Grow deer and more

Big Rapids Pioneer - August 14-15, 2010

2) Bill Parker - Battle Creek Oil Spill (Series)

Michigan Outdoor News - August 13-17, 2010

3) Ron St. Germain - Are the Asian Carp a Problem? Eat them, Eat Them all

Woods-N-Water News - October 2010

Page 9 MoWrits

Sporting Clays the Four Square Way

By Tom Lounsbury

I’m not sure how the Four Square Conservation & Sportsmans Association chose

their name, I just plain forgot to ask and will be forever curious. However, when my

traveling companions and I reached the small St. Clair County town of Jeddo just an

half hour drive north of Port Huron, residents working on the flower garden beside a

small church knew exactly how to tell us to find it, because at that point we weren’t

sure according to the map whether to turn right or left.

A few miles later on gravel roads found us entering the drive of the 77 acre gun

club that borders the Black River. First established in 1958, it covers a nice piece of

diverse, rolling ground that features a quantity of hardwoods and meadows. It was

obvious that a new 200 yard rifle range was in progress making it clear the membership

were all dedicated shooters. I felt right at home before I even met anyone.

My traveling companions were outdoor writers David Graham and Bill Parker. We

were attending the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association (MOWA) summer meeting being

held recently at the Thomas Edison Inn in Port Huron. There were a lot of outdoor

related activities available not that far from the Blue Water Bridge and the three of

us had opted for a day of shooting sporting clays.

The Four Square members greeted us when we arrived and proved to be very gracious

hosts. Besides their outdoor shotgun and rifle ranges, they also had indoor pistol and

archery ranges that would keep any avid shooters happy, even during the worst of

weather.

I was looking forward to shooting a good round of sporting clays, as I hadn’t

done it in some time. My first experience with it occurred about 20 years ago when it

started becoming popular and I have always appreciated the shooting challenges this

sport offers. The various stations readily duplicate various wing-shooting enterprises

such as ducks, grouse, woodcock, pheasant, and there is even a bouncing on the ground

“rabbit”, although this clay target tends to be a tad faster than anything with fur and

long ears that I have ever shot at. And whether or not you hit anything, it is a whole

lot of fun.

It was while we were uncasing our shotguns that I was able to check out the

armament of the other shooters. They were all 12 ga shooters in either over/under or

semi-auto mode. Sporting clays generally features doubles in the air and having a fluid

follow-up shot by simply touching the trigger again can be helpful. I was the only 20

ga in the crowd, and the only pump gun. I’ve never felt under-gunned in this type of

shooting contest using a butter-smooth pump-action shotgun like my Remington 870, and

besides all that, it is what I generally use for hunting anyway. The 20 ga also more

than makes up for its smaller bore size with its lighter weight and smooth handling

characteristics. If and when I missed anything, it wouldn’t be the fault of the shotgun

due to action type or bore size.

See ‘Clays’ on Page 10

Dave Graham doing a dandy job of

busting Four Square sporting

clays with his over/under 12 ga.

Dave Graham photographing Four

Square guides Ed Mathews,

President of the gun club, and 12

year old Ben Taylor.

Tom Lounsbury Photos

Page 10 MoWrits

‘Clays’ from Page 9 The Four Square sporting clays range entails 12 stations that require a total of fifty

shots. Most stations feature four shots at doubles coming out at separate intervals, and a

couple featured six shots with doubles coming out at three intervals. You are allowed time

to load two rounds into your shotgun and to call “pull” to have the targets released. Our

guides on this shoot were the president of the Four Square club Ed Mathews and a youth

member, 12 year old Ben Taylor, both of Jeddo. The only thing outstanding about Ed Mathews

shooting abilities with his over/under Browning was the fact that he finally missed a bird

near the end of our shoot. Young Ben Taylor also regularly powdered clay birds with his

Remington 1100 semi-auto. Then came the visiting outdoor writers.

I must admit I was the one who said we didn’t need score cards because I didn’t feel

any such evidence of our actual shooting skills should make its way back to the MOWA

meeting that evening. In this manner it is much easier to embellish the facts a bit, even

when a 12 year old shooter busts more clay birds than you. I managed to miss the first

three out of four shots at the first station.

The second station was actually a real treat, and I enjoyed it immensely, even

though I only hit half of the six targets that came out of a ravine down below and stayed

low. It reminded me of the shooting a hunter could encounter further west from a hilltop

while hunting quail, sage grouse or Hungarian partridge. I could have spent the rest of my

ammunition at that station trying to figure matters out, and been happy for the day.

By the third station my fellow writers and myself began to get in the groove and

hold our own. I’ve hunted with both Graham and Parker over the years and neither are

slouches at wielding a shotgun. The majority of the sporting clays stations at Four Square

are in the woods, which makes for a pleasant stroll in the shade on a hot sunny day such

as we were having on this outing. The last three stations were in an open meadow and

featured a surprising crosswind that made things even more interesting.

The final station featured the “rabbit”, and being an avid rabbit hunter I had been

contemplating this one. There is nothing easy about going from targets whizzing out in the

air at different angles to trying to get the lead on one zinging by broadside as it

bounces along erratically on the ground. Often it is one of the bounces that can be the

shooter’s undoing just as the trigger is touched. Sometimes you just plain miss. However,

I got lucky and took no prisoners at that station.

All to soon our sporting clays session was over. It is amazing how time flies when you are

having a good time with good folks. The camaraderie encountered during any shooting

pastime is just a natural and pleasant essence to it all. When we left the Four Square

Conservation & Sportsmans clubhouse, it was as if we were saying goodbye to old friends.

There is little doubt that I will be looking them up again to sample more fun

shooting experiences, which they feature all year long. For more information about

shooting schedules/activities and how to find them go to www.foursquaresportsman.com or

call (810) 327-6859.

Kite Boarder under the Blue

Water Bridge at sunset.

Tom Lounsbury Photo

Page 11 MoWrits

Name that MOWA'n By: Ron St. Germain

Identifying marks are to be eliminated when submitting your work for the MOWA craft

competition. Some members have found some creative ways to make their photos unrecognizable…

Well sort of. This year, those photos were used in a power point presentation and attendees at

the summer conference were asked to guess whose unrecognizable photo they were seeing.

Amazingly, even with their faces covered in black ink, many members were still identified. This

kind of defeats the purpose of being unrecognizable. But get your sharpies out and get your mug

in the game for next year's "Name that MOWA'n" event.

Below, see if you can recognize some of our ‘unrecognizable’ MOWA'ns.

New MoWrits Feature

A:_________________ B:_________________ C:_________________

Winners of the 2011, Best camouflaged submission – By: Ron St. Germain

Winner: Denise Semion

Second Place – Jonathan

Schechsquash

Page 12 MoWrits

Oh Be Careful Little Pens What You Feel

By: Andrew Duffy Another Entry in His Craft Improvement Series

White suggested a reader’s ear should be the guide in determining whether a ‘that’

should be omitted or included in a text. To illustrate the point, White had written the

following example: “He felt that the girl had not played fair.” Omit the ‘that’,

White pointed out, and you have left, “He felt the girl….”

The editor at Macmillan believed the example was uncomfortably raunchy and urged

White change the example to something a little more staid. White finally settled, at

least in my edition of the book, on this: He felt that his big nose, which was

sunburned, made him look ridiculous. “Omit the ‘that’, White wrote, and you have, ‘He

felt his big nose….’” So, implied White, that particular that is not so unnecessary; a

writer ought to leave it in.

Every time I read The Elements of Style, however, I felt a little uneasy regarding

the passage. That certainly appears to be unnecessary there to me. And if we have a

problem with a truncated sentence that says something about a guy feeling his nose, we

can create huge quandaries for ourselves in a great variety of situations. Leave the

final four words off “I saw her, but she didn’t see me,” and what does the sentence

say? Or, how about, “The batter had two balls on him when he charged the mound?” You

get the idea. Taken as a whole, I think the sentence is better without the offensive

that.

Certainly though, I’m nobody to challenge such a great writer as E.B. White on

matters of style. However, I wonder if a gal with a doctorate in a highly-technical

field could.

Back in the day when a crazy employer still believed I had college potential and

was semi-insisting I take some university classes, I found myself in the classroom of

one Wendy Folger, Ph.D. The gal was definitely brainy.

See ‘Little Pens’ on page 13

Who knows what neat things a person might find

on the sale table at a bookstore? I found a

thick volume called Letters of E.B. White and

decided to take it home with me. Now each

evening, before dropping off to sleep, I read

several letters some old, dead, white guy wrote.

A few crotchety National Organization of Women

members may blanch at the thought, but I see no

harm in it.

White, of course, hardly needs an introduction.

He wrote Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little and, a

work perhaps even more famous than those, The

Elements of Style. The stylebook is a tome (if

such a svelte thing can rightly be called a

tome) many MOWA members probably have on their

bookshelves.

As I plodded through the volume, a couple

letters really caught my attention. They were

missives sent to an editor at Macmillan, the

publisher of The Elements of Style. The letters

were in response to notes the editor sent White

regarding the publisher’s discomfort with a

sample sentence White included in his draft of the Style handbook.

In The Elements of Style, E. B. White

argued a writer should sometimes insert,

for purposes of clarity, a that, which

others might believe to be superfluous.

A better solution is to change the fuzzy

verb feel to a more precise think or

believe. The advice’s vessel? A pretty

college professor with a Ph. D. in a

field far removed from writing. Andrew Duffy Photo

Page 13 MoWrits

Well, did I ever feel the sting of her lash. But I realized, of course, she was right. If

we are going to write good prose, we need to be clear. To believe or to think something is

totally different than to feel something.

So when I came across White’s correspondence with the Macmillan editor, I realized

White had addressed the wrong problem. Had the sentence been “He believed that the girl

had not played fair,” no meaning problem would have existed. The that could come out and

the sentence would be better for it. The sentence would also be better for the verb

change. I don’t feel that; I know it to be true. If some guy believed his sunburned nose

made him look ridiculous, he might still feel the offending protrusion. The extra‘that’

however, would never need to appear in print.

If he has a bad game, Justin Verlander need never feel he pitched badly. He can

simply believe he pitched badly. An outdoor writer need never feel he turned in poor

quality copy because he just could never get those words in sync. Instead he can believe

the piece just was a difficult topic to handle. If I’m out fishing with Don Ingle, he

needn’t say, “Duffy, I feel you’re the worst caster I’ve ever seen.” He can say, “I think

you’re the worst caster I’ve ever seen.” Or better yet, he can just say, “Duffy, your

fishing sucks.” On paper that would be writing that is lively and direct. No waltzing

around the point there. Oh, the things about writing a person can learn from a cute

professor in a boring university classroom. Maybe even the great E. B. White could have

learned a thing or two from that pretty gal with the Ph.D.

‘Little Pens’ from page 12 She was also cute. Her long dark hair

cascaded in enticing waves down her neck

and onto her shoulders. Her brown eyes

sparkled and glittered with passion when

she lectured the class about statistics

and probability. I never understood how

so many good things could be so jam packed

into one person.

Was I a little jealous of her obvious

ability? Sure. I was already selling an

occasional outdoor article and thought I

knew at least a little bit about writing,

so I didn’t fret too much over her obvious

superiority regarding numbers. As

everyone knows, most college professors

can’t write (although a couple of our MOWA

members are obvious exceptions). The

typical university textbook contains awful

stuff, garbled language that would never

make it past the editing pen of Bill

Parker, or other editors I know. Then

came the day when I got a paper back from

the lovely Dr. Folger. I’d included a

sentence that said I felt such and such

about something. Beside the sentence she

had penned a curt note saying I believed

such and such, I didn’t feel it.

MOWA members took a jolly ride in the

local trolley in Port Huron, well mapped

with stops at local watering holes during

their Summer Meeting.

Don Ingle Photo

Page 14 MoWrits

News Release

4th Edition of Deer Hunting If you are looking for a book about deer hunting that has as much current information

about the subject as possible, including almost 300 color photos, the 4th edition of Deer

Hunting by veteran hunter/author Richard P. Smith fits the bill. The comprehensive 448-

page volume (123 more pages than the 3rd edition) was recently published by Stackpole

Books. Five totally new chapters have been added to this edition and some chapters that

were part of previous editions were entirely rewritten. New pearls of wisdom and

interesting anecdotes have been added to every chapter in the book.

This is the first edition of the book containing color photographs, many of which have

been published for the first time, which adds to the visual appeal of the book. This

edition is also the first that is available in a digital version for readers who prefer

books in that format.

The first edition of Deer Hunting was published in 1978. Deer hunting has evolved in

many ways since then. Each edition of the book has followed that evolution by adding new

material. The chapter on cameras in the 4th edition is a prime example. It covers, for the

first time, how to film deer and deer hunts with video cameras as well as digital still

cameras and the benefits of doing so.

There’s something in this book for you whether you hunt deer with a center-fire rifle,

shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader, vertical bow, crossbow or camera. The author has done it

all during his more than 45 years of deer hunting. In this 4th edition Smith provides

expert advice on choosing the best equipment and techniques for each method of deer

hunting, whether you are just starting out or a seasoned veteran. If you want to switch to

hunting with a different type of gun or bow and arrow, the information you will need is

found in this new version of Deer Hunting. Many other types of equipment and clothing you

will need are also covered.

All of the different types of hunting methods, deer management, and almost any other

topic you can think of related to deer hunting are covered in this 4th edition of Deer

Hunting. Each of the previous editions of this book have sold out, and this one should be

no exception.

The books can be ordered from any book store or directly from the author. Autographed

copies are available for $35 postpaid from the author through his web site:

www.richardpsmith.com.

Page 15 MoWrits

The 2nd Ever Unofficial MOWA Fall Gathering 2011 As MOWA president Bill Parker mentioned in his ‘President’s Letter’ [found on page

numero uno of course:}:} this October 21rst till 23rd weekend will mark the 2nd ever

planned MOWA Unofficial Fall Huntin’ Fishin’ Hikin’ Beer Swillin’ Lie Tellin’ Restin’

Up Sittin by a Campfire Get Together Weekend. Once again this ‘oh so much fun’ respite

will be held at Jerry Kunnath’s Hemlock Hills property, located on M-72 one mile east

of the buslin’ metropolis of Fairview, Michigan. This completely informal but well

planned weekend will be a ‘must make it’ event for all MOWAinians. Although there are

mucho plenty beds available in both the ‘Big House’ and the ‘Ghetto Cabin’ - all are

advised to send in your RSVP as soon as possible as Jerry will assign beds as he

receives requests. First come first placed for beds in the ‘Big House’. Both places

though have complete and acceptable ‘modern’ facilities. [Including full kitchens, full

baths with showers, and sat tv [yeah..not exactly roughin’it] Bill Parker already has

his ‘Presidential Suite’ reserved in the ‘Big House’:}:}

Meals are planned as ‘pot luck’ with participants bringing critters and stuff to grill,

boil, fry, burn and braise as they see fit. There is no charge for the lodging, except

that it might be nice to throw Jerry a brewski by the fire in the evening. [By ‘fire’

we mean campfire…hopefully :}:} We all had a real ball the last time we planned this

shindig and almost no one was hurt---no white tailed deer were hurt that weekend for

sure:} Activities will be the usual ‘legal’ outdoor fall pursuits. [Yes Schechsquash, I

do have over 62 acres of trees to hug:}:}

So we hope that many of you can make it, because if you don’t come we will publish lies

about you in the next MOWrits issue..... or, at least volunteer those who don’t make it

for being officers or committee chairs:}:}

Please contact Jerry Kunnath for your reservation and directions as soon as possible.

Jerry can be reached at: kunnathj@comcast.net or on his cell at: 810-241-2852

More photos from the Port Huron Summer Meeting……

MOWA members and family enjoying an evening cruise on Port Huron’s Huron

Lady II Cruise ship.

Tom Lounsbury photos

More photos on page 16

Page 16 MoWrits

Still more photos from Port Huron…. All photos on this page are Jeff Nedwick photos

Above: Jonathan Schechter accepts a

Craft Award from chair Ron St. Germain

Above: MDNR Director, Rodney Stokes

addresses the MOWA Conference

Above: Fort Gratiot Lighthouse – the

oldest working lighthouse on the Great

Lakes, built in 1814

Below:Gray Fox

Above: A beautiful Port Huron sunset

Below: Great Lakes freighter Mississagi

Page 17 MoWrits

……and more Port Huron Meeting Photos

Above: Some members tried to catch a fish

aboard the SS Titanic, J.G. Capt. Mark at

the wheel, making the rudder shudder.

Right: The Huron, last of the Great Lakes

Lightships (floating lighthouse), provided

members with interesting touring and a

number of stories.

Don Ingle Photos

Above left:Michael Thomas, MDNR Fisheries

Research Biologist – Lake St. Clair

Above Right: MDNR Fisheries Research vessel

Channel Cat

Left: Jeff Nedwick, Jonathan Schechter and Tom

Buchkoe caught some nice bass on a local private

lake

Jeff Nedwick photos

Page 18 MoWrits

We’re on the Web!We’re on the Web!We’re on the Web!We’re on the Web!

Visit us at:Visit us at:Visit us at:Visit us at:

hthththttp//www.MiOWA.orgtp//www.MiOWA.orgtp//www.MiOWA.orgtp//www.MiOWA.org

and check out MOWA on Facebook and check out MOWA on Facebook and check out MOWA on Facebook and check out MOWA on Facebook alsoalsoalsoalso

Michigan Association of Outdoor WritersMichigan Association of Outdoor WritersMichigan Association of Outdoor WritersMichigan Association of Outdoor Writers

M.O.W.A. Newsletter Editor – Jerry Kunnath 413 N. Vermont Royal Oak, Mi. 48067 810 – 241 – 2851 kunnathj@comcast.net

Please accept my apologies for the delay in the delivery of this issue of MoWrits. I had a

bit of ‘technical difficulties’ with my computer and software. It seems it developed a

mind of it’s own this past few weeks and I think I’ve finally been able to straighten it

out.

Jerry Kunnath

MoWrits Editor