The Good News and the People Making it Happen

I would like to take the opportunity to say “thank you” to Gretchen and congratulations on completing your first year!

Gretchen brings so much to the creation of this monthly publication and her team spirit and enthusiasm is unmatched and a breath of fresh air at MOR MEDIA, Inc.

If you didn’t know that I love to fish, you must not read this column, and we must not be friends on Facebook. Someone said, “You do not look like a fishing kind of gal” at an office professional event and I thought – “You should see me in fishing mode.” And as you see from this picture --- I do look like the fishing type of gal.

Maybe we shouldn’t “judge a book by its cover” and stereotype anyone. People are multi-faceted and that is what makes them interesting. I would say I know how to dress the part — professional when needed and all in between. It did dawn on me that Shawn Cox, our guide on the last several White River trips, may think I only have one outfit — it is my lucky fishing outfit, and it worked this time! Apparently, it is my Lucky River Fishing Outfit because it did not work on my Costa Rica fishing trip!

Fishing, for me, is a relaxing hobby but I take my tactics (and success) seriously. I love trout fishing on the White River because it takes skill, but it is fun and I get to apply strategic tactics, but I also practice patience. Early mornings on the White River are beautiful and serene, and, on this trip, I landed a 20-inch brown trout before it was even fully daylight.

When we chose this as our theme along with Back To School, I wasn’t sure of the relationship but there are so many lessons to learn from fishing, I believe every child should go at an early age and as often as possible. Patience, finesse, the thrill of success and the agony of defeat with the addition of an enjoyable experience regardless ... and so many other lessons.

Let's go fishing!

-Dina Mason, General Manager & Publisher

Each year has 365 days, 52 weeks and 12 months, which means, of course, 12 editions of NEA’s Premiere Magazine!

With the publication of the August 2025 edition, I mark the completion of my first year as content manager for Premiere and look forward to continuing forward now that I have that experience under my belt.

It almost seems like fate that my anniversary date should fall as the new school year is set to begin. There is always extra excitement around NEA as both K-12 schools and colleges come back to life after the summer break. We are excited to get to feature two of NEA’s outstanding teachers, a mother and daughter duo, as they join their fellow educators in preparing to go back to school.

Our August edition also celebrates the last of the lazy days of summer as we focus on fishing. When we chose that theme, we had no idea the different directions the fishing topic would lead us, but we quickly discovered that in addition to being a fun way to pass a Saturday, fishing also has a major impact on the region in a lot of different ways.

I hope you enjoy this final edition of my first of what I hope are many years to come sharing the good news of Northeast Arkansas and the People Making it Happen.

-Gretchen Hunt, Content Manager & Graphic Designer

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