"Patriot," a bald eagle saved as an eaglet by refuge staff in 1995, is now housed at the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis and returned to the refuge for the day to celebrate the Centennial. She was accompanied by a screech owl, great-horned owl, red-shouldered hawk, and a turkey vulture. "Puddles" also made appearances throughout the day to welcome the visitors and participate in the activities.

Jim Rathert, a renowned photographer for the Missouri Conservationist magazine, provided a display of wildlife photos taken on the refuge and throughout the state. Local artisans submitted oil, acrylic, watercolor, ink, photographic and 3-D artwork for an art contest. Children from kindergarten through the sixth grade submitted their artistic rendition of their ?Favorite National Wildlife Refuge.? And the limited edition Centennial print by the Hautman brothers was also on display.

Visitors were treated to refreshments including cookies decorated with the Blue Goose, popcorn and sodas as they observed demonstrations of wildlife survey techniques including cannon netting, radio telemetry and mist netting. Interactive displays tested their skills in identifying furbearers and ducks, as well as their ability to count simulated flocks of waterfowl. Children as well as adults enjoyed the opportunity to build wren nest boxes, add sticks to an eagle nest, create animal track souvenirs and other activities.

Cooperators and contributors for the event included the Missouri Department of Conservation, University of Missouri ? Columbia, World Bird Sanctuary, Bowood Farms, MFA Elsberry and Annada Christian Church. Volunteers from the Clopton and Elsberry Chapters of the National FFA Organization, Clopton Science Club, and citizens from local communities helped with the event. Assistance was also provided by refuge staff from Mark Twain NWR Complex and Two Rivers NWR. Overall volunteer numbers totaled 40 individuals, which resulted in approximately 160 hours of volunteer time donated for the event. We are truly appreciative of everyone's efforts, which helped to make the event a great success!