10039903_MCM_OCT2021

MYFUN

hile growing up, Hufton was somewhat of a daredevil. He

International Airport for seven years. When the maintenance department moved elsewhere and his position was eliminated, he had a variety of jobs until he took a chance on pursuing something he really loved. His stepfather, (and biggest supporter) inspired him to start Johnny Panther Quests. Since then, the swamp guy has done what he loves – teaching others about the fragility of our ecosystem and how we can improve it. “I love people,” Hufton shares, “and I love the outdoors.There is a lot of beauty out there if you know where to look and I love sharing that.” A few years back, Johnny Panther Quests received a “Gem Attraction” rating from AAA. “People from all over the country and the world came to Saginaw to take our little boat rides!” Hufton exclaims, adding that they were pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoyed it and would thank him and shake his hand at their tour’s end. Some have even claimed it to be a spiritual experience. In 2013, he was also featured on the NPR series “Under the Radar.” “Business doubled in 2014,” he shares. t

was involved in motocross motorcycle racing since age 15 and his team, the Racing Garage (which he describes as “an ugly name for an ugly team”), went to the Wildlife Refuge for cardio training. On a bike-racing trip to Florida, he and his friends ran through the swamps to stay in shape, an activity they nicknamed “Johnny Panthering.” “I watched a hokey Ricardo Montalban movie,”Hufton explains, “and Montalban’s character would run barefoot through the swamp, busting poachers. He would then exclaim in a dramatic fashion, ‘They call me Johnny Panther!’” Hufton used the term “Johnny Panthering” to describe his own river antics – and it inspired the name of his business venture. “I’m just a swamp guy,” he says with a smile. Hufton’s dream, when he was younger, was to become a renowned motocross racer or a fighter pilot; but when he realized these goals were probably unobtainable, he went to college and studied to become an aviation maintenance technician. He was employed at Bishop

20

MYCITYMAG.COM