Outdoor columnist’s book shows how to make a connection with region’s nature
Award-winning outdoor columnist Ben Moyer has published his third book, 无毛视频淪moke to See By: Knowing Nature in Northern Appalachia.无毛视频� (Submitted photo)
无毛视频楽moke to See By无毛视频�
news@greenecountymessenger.com
As a young boy, author and columnist Ben Moyer watched smoke rise from the campfire while sitting at his grandfather无毛视频檚 farm in Greene County.
There was nothing fancy about it, but it was special. It was time spent together, bonding in the great outdoors.
无毛视频淚无毛视频檇 like people to know there are meaningful experiences to have that don无毛视频檛 cost money,无毛视频� Moyer, of Farmington, said. 无毛视频淚t无毛视频檚 just paying attention and getting out there.无毛视频�
In his book 无毛视频淪moke to See By: Knowing Nature in Northern Appalachia,无毛视频� Moyer included an essay about that experience and many others, hoping to draw people outside to appreciate the beauty of the area.
无毛视频淪moke to See By,无毛视频� Moyer无毛视频檚 third book, contains essays that are about the human relationship with a place; some directly focused on nature, others focused on the unique creatures native to the area.
无毛视频淚 feel where we live is a very strong place of identity in an ecological sense, a historical sense, a cultural sense, a diverse place 无毛视频� going back to coal mine days 无毛视频� and all different religious perspectives,无毛视频� said Moyer. 无毛视频淭hese essays are an examination of a person seeking affinity with a place, seeking relationship with a place; to know a place is very important for their quality of life. It grounds you.无毛视频�
Published in March, 无毛视频淪moke to See By无毛视频� contains 21 essays that include new material as well as previously published columns that appeared in various outlets including 无毛视频淭ea For Two,无毛视频� which ran in the 无毛视频-Standard.
The idea for the book came to Moyer after he got involved with the Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia, which creates and promotes writings about the area, and began writing for the organization无毛视频檚 annual publication, 无毛视频淣orthern Appalachia Review.无毛视频�
无毛视频淚t无毛视频檚 been kind of overlooked in the literary world,无毛视频� Moyer said of the region. 无毛视频淚t doesn无毛视频檛 have an identified literature like the South or New England.无毛视频�
Throughout his career, Moyer无毛视频檚 writings on nature, the outdoors and conservation have appeared in numerous regional and national publications. In 2019, he received the Enduring Excellence Award from the Outdoor Writers Association of America, and has also received awards from the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association and the Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writers Association.
In addition to his grandfather无毛视频檚 influence, Moyer said his father also fostered his love of the outdoors from a young age. The two shared an enjoyment of hunting a fishing, stoking Moyer无毛视频檚 passion to continue his adventures in nature.
Through the essays in 无毛视频淪moke to See By,无毛视频� Moyer said he hopes to inspire readers to be more aware of and better appreciate the ecological significance, resilience and diversity of what无毛视频檚 around them, and how it affects their lives.
无毛视频淚 do believe people have a craving for it,无毛视频� he said.
And much like his youthful wonder at smoke rising from his grandfather无毛视频檚 campfire, Moyer said finding ways to take in the area无毛视频檚 natural beauty needn无毛视频檛 be a costly endeavor. There are a number of state parks to explore in the area, many of which offer free or low-cost programs throughout the year.
无毛视频淎lmost every week, they have some educational program presented by their staff,无毛视频� Moyer said. 无毛视频淭hey无毛视频檙e very good, the staff really take it seriously.无毛视频�
无毛视频淪moke to See By无毛视频� is available to purchase at online bookstores like Amazon, Barnes & Noble or through the publisher at www.sunburypress.com. Copies can also be purchased at Tissue Farm in Confluence.
Moyer无毛视频檚 first book was the self-published collection of columns and essays, 无毛视频淥utback: Reflection of the Appalachian Outdoors.无毛视频� His second book was a collaboration with Uniontown chef Joe Carei titled 无毛视频淕rub to Gourmet: Food on the National Road.无毛视频� While the first book is no longer in print, the second remains available for purchase at the National Road Heritage Corridor.