MISSOURI TAXIDERMIST
ASSOCIATION
Improving the Art of Taxidermy
Through Continuing Education Since 1980
JANUARY 2015 NEWSLETTER
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
Cole Cruickshank
609 W. 6th St.
Cameron, MO 64429
(816) 724-0271
VICE PRESIDENT
Garland Lessley
234 Hwy JJ
Huntsville, MO 65259
(660) 277-4339
SECRETARY
Dawne Stacks
218 N Spruce St
Eldon, MO 65026
(573) 746-6000
TREASURER
DeWayne Bauer
423 Giggins Creek Rd
Jefferson, City, MO 65101
(573) 496-3575
The 34th Annual MTA Competition & Convention
This year’s show was very successful. We had 80 registered taxidermists
(56 pre-registered) join us this summer, including several out of state
competitors. Taxidermists from Iowa, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Illinois, and
Oklahoma made the trip to Lake of the Ozarks to spend the weekend with us.
Our show wouldn’t be the success it is without these people supporting it, so
thank you out of staters for participating. Bill Zimmerman once again agreed to
auctioneer for us, and our auction was also a big success. We brought in over
$3300.00 in the live and silent auctions alone, and another $300.00 in
donations at the BBQ totaling over $3600. We also had a good showing in the
competition room, with 136 pieces entered. There were some fantastic works of
art on display, and the judges earned their pay selecting winners from that
collection of showpieces. The banquet was wonderful. Several people assisted in
set up and tear down, which always goes much faster with lots of help. Connie
Lessley did a splendid job with the silent auction. Craig Sloan did all of the
wonderful photography of our award winners. Debbie Cross was a huge help at
the registration desk. Bill Zimmerman was one of the first to arrive on Thursday
and last to leave on Sunday and worked hard all weekend as usual. I especially
appreciate the help received from the board before the show, and during.
MTA January 24th, 2015
Business Meeting Minutes
The dates for our next show will be July 31st-August 2nd, 2015 at the Country Club
Hotel & Spa, Lake Ozarks, MO.
Old Business: Scholarship change to allow out of state members to teach . Earn points toward a
ballot system.
BOARD MEMBERS
Don Cross
1659 Little Bay Rd.
Hermann, MO 65041
(573) 943-6740
New Business: It was agreed Garland Lessley will fill Lee Smith’s Vice President vacancy. A
motion was made and passed to change the Lee Smith Scholarship to Lee Smith Memorial
Scholarship. A motion was made and passed to add a Randy Pike amateur division plaque to
competition. Motion was made to create a Hall of Fame plaque for display on the competition
floor. Motion was tabled.
Kevin Berten
15030 Reel Avenue
Altamont, MO 64620
(660) 749-5757
General discussions: A discussion on future financial cd’s was tabled. It was agreed upon to use
last year’s BBQ attendance numbers as opposed to r.s.v.p. on competition registration. Last year’s
convention banquet issues and unsecured doors after hours where discussed. The Missouri Deer
Classic has moved to St. Louis the same weekend as the MTA competition. A motion was made
and passed to adjourn meeting.
Craig Sloan
5187 W Farm Rd 94
Springfield, MO 65803
(417) 425-8923
Jeff Gibson
204 S Titus Ave
Excelsior Springs, MO
64024
(816) 204-8760
www.missouritaxidermist.org
35th Annual MO Taxidermist Competition and
Convention
The dates of July 31st, August, 1st-2nd have been chosen for the 2015 MTA
Competition & Convention. It will again be held at the Country Club
Hotel and Spa. Details will be posted to the website and Facebook page as
they become available.
Everybody needs to start planning for it now. Save so it won’t be such a
burden later, and begin your pieces while the things you learned this year are
fresh in your mind. Hope to see you all there.
Tuesday May 5 through Saturday May 9, 2015 Springfield Expo Center, Springfield, MISSOURI, USA Owned and
sponsored by Breakthrough Magazine
Our MTA President
Thursday Afternoon WTC Seminars
May 7, 2015
Seminar #11
1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. — Illinois Room, Thursday, May 7. Cole Cruickshank: Mastering Facial
Features on a Bobcat Award winning taxidermist Cole Cruikshank is one of the few gifted
individuals who are capable of capturing the essence of the animal in every mount, a skill that
was learned through years of intense observation. Cole will demonstrate the proper set for eyes, ears, and whisker
alignment, as well as the proper grooming of many hair patterns on a bobcat.
Lee Smith
1935 – 2014
I is with great sorrow to announce the MTA has lost our Vice
President and a founding father December 11, 2014. Lee had
many accomplishments in life: family, military service, retired
school teacher, taxidermist over 50 years and MTA founding
member. Lee has left behind many friendships developed over
the years in this industry. He will be missed dearly.
Randy W. Pike
1953 - 2014
It is with great sorrow that I announce the MTA lost one of its founding
fathers Saturday, September 20th. Sadly, Randy W. Pike passed away
due to health complications. He was an influential man who was very
generous with his time, and his knowledge. Randy had many friends in
this industry and will be missed dearly.
2014-2015 Election Results
President-Cole Cruickshank
Vice President- Garland Lessley
Secretary – Dawne Stacks
Treasurer- DeWayne Bauer
Board Member-Kevin Berten
Board Member-Craig Sloan
Note: 2 –Board Member positions will be up for election next year at the show. Be thinking of who you want
to elect.
UPCOMING EVENTS
WORKSHOP SEMINAR
Our Summer workshop this year will be held on May 16, 2015 at 9am. The seminar will be given by
Blake Reiminger. He will be mounting a wild turkey. The Missouri Department of Conservation will have a
representative there as well, to discuss our requirements as taxidermists and to answer any questions we may have.
It will be held at Curt Shahan’s shop in Columbia, MO. Our business meeting will immediately follow.
Woodland Wonders Taxidermy
1446 Jade Road #A
Columbia, Mo 65201