A Tribute to Frank Moore
By Penny Tannlund

It isn't every person who succeeds at becoming a legend in his own time, but Frank Moore has done just that. More than 150 guests (all the Roseburg Country Club could hold) affirmed that Frank is indeed "the spirit of the Umpqua," celebrating his 80th birthday in fine style on February 2, 2003.

The party was co-sponsored by the Steamboaters and The North Umpqua Foundation at the suggestion of Beth Spooner. Guests came from far and wide to the dinner, telling just a few Tall Tales and recalling the history of Frank's on-going efforts to protect the North Umpqua. Among those attending were advertising guru Hal Riney, who produced "Pass Creek"; Greg Pitts, national president of Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF), along with Tony Brauer, state president of the FFF. Author and photographer John Shewey participated; the "world's greatest stream ecologist" Dr. James Ward drove down from Eugene and Steve Rajeff, the "world's greatest flycaster," sat close by. Frank said he could "go on forever" about the accomplishments of the folks who came to wish him well.

A high point of the evening was the surprise appearance of a number of Vintage Singers that were in the group when Frank and Jeannie sang with it years ago. Roberta Hall (who put this together) led the group through favorite songs of the Moores, then Frank and Jeannie joined the singers on stage. As people say in the trade, "they brought down the house." Dr. Frankie Moore came "home" from Alaska for his dad's celebration and caught it all on tape - what a show!

The next time we give a party for Frank, we'll have to rent the Douglas County Fairgrounds to accommodate the growing crowd of admirers who would love another chance to say "howdy" and thank Frank for all his good work.