Welcome to the Website Home of the
Virginia Outdoor Writers Association!
VOWA has sad news to share…
William V. “Bill” Sherrod Jr., a long time member of VOWA passed away June 1, 2020, following a difficult, determined and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Bill was a superb journalist and photographer. A devoted advocate for rural Virginia and the electric cooperative community Bill served as editor of Cooperative Living magazine for 26 years. Most of all he was a kind, caring man who loved his family and cared deeply about nature and the environment.
Bill was the driving force behind starting our Collegiate Cooperative Living Best Virginia Essay Award. This coveted award included publication of the essay, often as the cover story, and provided outstanding publicity for our VOWA contests. Bill (Senior Editor) strongly believed in VOWA’s mission of encouraging youth, the future stewards of our natural world, to value and write about the outdoors. Along with Richard Johnstone (Executive Editor) Bill also served as a judge for all the collegiate contest essay awards for many years.
The June 2020 Cooperative Living article “A Camera Bag and a Heart of Gold” is a moving tribute to Bill and his fine work. A full obituary can be read here.
VOWA treasures Bill’s memory and all the support he provided to our organization over the years. Thank you Bill!
In addition…
Jennifer Hensley, long serving VOWA Board member, tragically lost her brother, Steven Lee Stroop, to major complications of Covid-19, on June 3, 2020. Steven was an avid archer and outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He enjoyed skeet shooting with the Blue Ridge Christian skeet team. He will be dearly missed by his children, grandchildren, sisters and friends.
Our hearts go out to Jennifer and Thurman Hensley. The covid-19 virus exacts a heavy toll on families. Just eight weeks ago Steve and his brother-in-law Thurman were busy getting ready for crappie fishing. Jennifer tells us that “Steve’s love of fishing was second to none, including our Dad. Give him a thought as you cast your line.” Please see Steve’s full obituary with a lovely slide show tribute.
Jennifer also asks that we all take care and stay as safe as possible during this horrific pandemic. Steven’s battle was six weeks long, sad and very painful to his family. Yes indeed we all need to work at staying safe. Jennifer thank you for sharing about your brother’s loss with us and for your wishes that we remain safe, we all need to heed your call!
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Spring Fling 2020
Due to the current coronavirus situation and stay at home order, VOWA will not hold a “Spring Fling” this year. While this is disappointing, the safety of our members and guests is of the utmost importance! We thank the Hensleys and the Mundys for again being willing to host this event had it been possible. Stay tuned for VOWA events after the covid crises is past. Be safe & healthy!
Please also follow VOWA on Facebook!
Board of Directors
Chairman of the Board: Robert Thomas, Richmond Va
President: Terry Lewis, Gloucester Va
1st Vice President: Frank Mundy, Broadway, Va
2nd Vice President: Marie Majarov, Winchester Va
Secretary: Nancy Sorrells, Greenville Va
Treasurer: Milan Majarov, Winchester Va
Member-at-Large: Lynda Richardson, DGIF, Richmond Va
Member-at-Large: Dan Genest, Midlothian Va
Member-at-Large: Linda Mundy, Broadway, Va
Member-at-Large: Jennifer Hensley, Grottoes Va
Member-at-Large: Amanda Creasey, Chester, Va
Member-at-Large: Patricia Poffenberger, Luray Va
Member-at-Large: William Funk, Staunton, Va
Member-at-Large: Ashley Unger, North Chesterfield, Va
Executive Assistants: Mellisa Butcher & Ricki Bennett
The Board of Directors meets three times a year. An Annual Membership Meeting and Conference is held each spring; other social and educational gatherings are scheduled periodically. The membership enjoys implementing their mission, learning from one another, and sharing experiences in the outdoors.
The VOWA Mission
The Virginia Outdoor Writers Association is a coalition of writers, photographers, and video/film producers who inform through various media on the out-of-doors and its enjoyment. Through this association, we strive to improve ourselves in our craft and increase our knowledge and understanding of the outdoors.
We pledge our support to the conservation of natural resources and to the best precepts governing their consumption and recreational use. Above all, we pledge to maintain the highest ethical standards in the exercise of our craft.
*Note: Our Website has recently undergone a major software update. We are still tweaking the design, so we appreciate your patience. Soon our pages with websites for active, supporting and corporate members will be updated and added. Please come back and visit often.