Sometimes we get so focused on Ozark Riverways management politics we need to step back a second and remember what it’s really all about — the resources and the people who visit and steward them.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways welcomes a new Chief of Interpretation, Faye Walmsley, from Martin Luther King National Historic Site in Atlanta. Here’s a good Missouri welcome, Faye! The Chief of Interpretation is the person who plans and manages special events, nature programs, cave tours, and other visitor-oriented services. She also is in charge of news releases and is the primary PR contact for the park.

Many thanks to Dena Matteson for a fine job, who resumes her primary duties as ‘”fire communication and education specialist” and gets to spend more time dealing with her firetruck, not reporters.

Ozark Riverways opened two new visitor contact facilities this summer. The Akers Visitor Center has exhibits on caves, hellbenders and glades. The Pulltite VC has only temporary exhibits right now, and is geared more for children. Check them out if you are in the neighborhood!

Planning is underway for the annual Haunting in the Hills, held at Alley Mill in October.

Our source on this info is impeccable, but prefers to stay in the “background in the dark.”