STAMP WINNER

DONIPHAN -- Eileen Melton of Doniphan recently captured first in the Missouri Department of Conservation's annual Trout Stamp Competition.

Melton painted a scene of a man casting for a rainbow trout.

This is the second time around for Melton, who won the competition in 1987.

Honorable mentions in the competition this year went to Tony Lemond, Strafford; LeLand Schaperkotter, Columbia; Larry Knapp, Mound City; and Ron Ferkol, Gerald.

The trout stamp competition, usually held in March, gives artists statewide an opportunity to display their work and possibly received recognition from the Department of Conservation. The competition was held early this year in conjunction with the Rivers and Streams Conference.

Melton specializes in all wildlife art. She won the 1990 Missouri Waterfowl Stamp contest, and one of her paintings was selected as the Missouri Conservation Federation's 1990 "Print of the Year."