Dec 29, 2023 5 min read

By Dave Bates

For the Observer-Reporter

I confessed, from the beginning, that I could in no way adequately fill the big shoes left by George Block, the Observer-Reporter’s longtime outdoors writer. That was 53 installments ago. I like to think that I would have made George chuckle a few times over the last year. Other times, I’m sure I would have left him shaking his head, wondering what is this kid doing to my column?

Overall, I’ve received a bunch of kind, encouraging responses from folks saying that they enjoy reading the column. Thank you all. I am especially motivated by folks who tell me that they are not dyed-in-the-wool hunters or fishermen but that they truly love the outdoors and being out in nature. A few have told me that I have helped them to see and understand the experiences and the relationships and the bonds that form between kindred spirit sportsmen and women. For that, I say thank you, as well.

And thank you for being patient. When I was the principal of my alma mater, Jefferson-Morgan High School, I occupied the office of former principal and legend, Mr. Ben Parker. To say that I was in awe of Mr. Parker, would be understatement at best. He was not only a legend on the gridiron but I was acquainted with him from his school principal days as well. Everyone knew Mr. Parker. I usually arrived at my office at 6 a.m. ready to meet the day. I was petrified to go inside his/my/our office. Our maintenance crew was always ahead of me in opening up the building so I wasn’t exactly “afraid of the dark.” I was, however, afraid that Mr. Parker’s spirit was most present and accounted for. I never fully got over thinking that he might appear, suddenly, and toss me out of “his” office.

When people spoke of “Ben” they used a tone of reverence that was reserved for very special persons. It was part respect, part fear, part admiration and maybe a little hero worship. Don’t get me wrong, Mr. Parker had his detractors, like us all. You don’t perform the job he did all those years without acquiring a few. But overall, even those who didn’t care for Mr. Parker were mostly careful with their words in mixed company. Sort of like George Block?

Come to think of it, it’s a lot like replacing legendary outdoor columnist George Block. You don’t really replace that person as much as you try to carry on the tradition set in motion by someone with that kind of experience and knowledge base. I had read George’s column since I was a young man in high school and first began sorta reading the newspaper. I didn’t always make it cover to cover but I at least hit the front page, obituaries, sports section and. of course, the outdoors column. George provided the impetus for neat experiences to come. He captured the essence of hunting and fishing even if we were not up to his length and breadth of understanding. He savored the subtle nuances, noticing facets that many of us overlook on our forrays afield. Maybe most impressive was his sharing of his great love of the outdoors beside his wife, Eileen. He spoke of them as best friends but never over sentimentalized their relationship. She seemed as much, if not more, a part of the fabric of the hunt than anyone or anything.

So, as I go about replaying in my mind my first year as a fledgling outdoors columnist, I am searching for new ways to view life, scrambling to come up with ideas to write about and at the same time, I am deeply honored to follow a legend like George. In the year to come, I will give you my best. I will make every attempt to assist you in enjoying the great outdoors as I have enjoyed my time afield these many years.

I am indebted to those folks who send emails and texts with requests for stories. I appreciate it when you tell me I struck a chord within your sportsman’s heart or that I helped to uncover some long forgotten memory that brought a smile to your face. I love it when someone furnishes details for a story idea that I had not previously considered. Mostly, I like exploring the many areas that I thought I knew a little about, only to find that I am still a relative novice, even as I approach my sixth decade.

Technology has been both boon and thorn as I struggle to be a 21st century newspaperman but I press on. As we head into 2024 and all it holds, I hope that you will bear with me a little longer as I search to find my way, churn out new topics to hold your interest and forever chase the legend of excellence that was my predecessor. Thanks, George, and for sharing your gifts and talents with us these many years.

Dave Bates writes a weekly outdoors column for the Observer-Reporter. He can be reached at alphaomegashootingsolutions.com