BLAZE Magazine Special Edition 2006-2016 | Page 5

editor’s note The Starfish Story... Adapted from The Star Thrower by Lorene C. Eiseley accept no limits OUTDOOR WOMEN UNLIMITED Executive Director, Editor An old man was walking on the beach one morning after a storm. In the distance, he could see someone moving like a dancer. As he came closer, he saw that it was a young woman picking up starfish and gently throwing them into the ocean. “Young lady, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?” “The sun is up, and the tide is going out, and if I do not throw them in they will die.” “But young lady, do you not realize that there are many miles of beach and thousands of starfish? You cannot possibly make a difference.” The young woman listened politely, then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, saying, “It made a difference for that one.” One high school student, one graduate, one mother of three, one single mother, one empty nester, one grandmother, one by one, Outdoor Women Unlimited(OWU) made the difference. The need for diversity is inevitable. Women are like chameleons. However, the one common trait is their desire to achieve. In our OWU outdoor education events, our volunteers and instructors are encouraged to focus on three concepts: CHALLENGE- EDUCATE-CONQUER. We recognized the need for women to have “their place” to share their story. In 2013, we created a media print BLAZE, the voice for outdoor women and more. As Founder, I would like to take this opportunity to share my most gracious appreciation to every volunteer, instructor, donor and member for their belief in our mission and vision of Outdoor Women Unlimited. We couldn’t do it without YOU! The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit. ~ Nelson Henderson ~ Rebecca OWU Mission Statement OWU is an organization dedicated to providing women and families with the education and the excitement of the outdoor experience through teaching outdoor life skills, sharing the knowledge of our natural resources, while building self esteem, strengthening individual character, and promoting self-reliance in a safe and professional environment. Definition of BLAZE(n) 1a: an intensely burning fire b: intense direct light often accompanied by heat c: an active burning; especially: a sudden bursting forth of flame 2: something that resembles the blaze of a fire: as a: a dazzling display b: a sudden outburst 3. (v) - an accomplishment of a task, challenge, or goal in an outdoor activity: to harvest a trophy game; to break a target or clay; to hit a bullseye; to catch a trophy fish Outdoor Women Unlimited would like to express our appreciation to our supporters: Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association(ACEOA), The Wetumpka Herald, Tallapoosa Publishers, Inc., Southwick Associates, Winchester Ammunition, Weatherby, Inc., North America Hunter Online, International Paper, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Outdoor Alabama SAT-C, Donna Leonard, Quaker Boy, Pretty Hunter, Streamlight, National Rifle Association (NRA), Jim and Bobbie Parsons, Bennett’s Archery, Southern Sportmans Lodge, Lower Wetumpka Sports Shotgun Club, Alabama Hunting/Fishing Digest. Accept No Limits | outdoorwomenunlimited.org Rebecca A. Wood Managing Editor Whitney W. Hurt Director of Development Lisa McNeil Design/Printing Publications Press, Inc. Photography Nate McKenzie Photography Chrietzberg Photography Webmaster Howard Williams Board Members Lee Gates Chip McEwen Jennifer Meadows Rusty Morrow Marie Powell Rob Pinkston Janna Roberts Matthew Senn Dawn Singleton Howard Williams Contributing Writers Joe Balog Brigetta Giles Doug Gilmer Donna Jackson Chip McEwen Steve Pennaz David Rainer Johnnie Wood Rebecca Wood Daniel Xu POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Blaze, Outdoor Women Unlimited, Post Office Box 1292, Wetumpka, Alabama 36092. Contact Outdoor Women Unlimited: [email protected]. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the organization. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2016 Outdoor Women Unlimited Featuring the photography of Nate McKenzie Photography ACCEPT NO LIMITS ® SPECIAL EDITION 2006-2016 “The official page of Outdoor Women Unlimited” outdoorwomenunlimited.org SPECIAL EDITION 2006-2016 | | 5