Fred Oerly, 85, shares stories yesterday as a lifelong resident of Overton with participants in the Gumbo Bottoms River Float at Taylor’s Landing along the Missouri River. Oerly and his stories inspired Meredith Ludwig and Cathy Barton to write “Gumbo Bottoms: A Big Muddy Musical,” which premieres Nov. 21 at Thespian Hall in Boonville. More than 40 floaters participated in the event from Rocheport to Huntsdale and passed scenery referenced in the musical.