Champion News

Across the wide Atlantic it is inspiring to see online how our Skyline R2 School celebrated Veterans Day.  Angela McKay organized the program that included a parade of military branch flags, a flag retirement ceremony, and a presentation of poppies to our Veterans.  Reading the Patriot’s Pen Essay Competition highlights gives us an insight into the understanding of our young folks about the heroism of those who have fought to protect our freedoms.  Lily Trujillo, a sixth-grade student, won first place for her essay.  Seventh grader Owley Sudderth won second place and eight-grader Blake McIntosh won third place.  All the entrants had some stirring observations that give us optimism for the future.  Here in Scotland Remembrance Day is celebrated with reverence as many are still alive who remember the bombing of their land and the dire threat imposed by fascism.

  Gracious hosts and wonderful musicians in Edinburgh much enjoyed Tom Peters’ sharing of the McClurg jam online.  David Scrivner’s mandolin and fiddle playing particularly excited Michael Wherry, who is an extraordinary mandolin player himself.  He was very interested in the dobro video.  He said you just don’t see them over here.  But ‘over here’ is a great love of traditional music and the desire to preserve it along with histories going back hundreds of years.  The Scots have no great love for England and would likely have voted for independence in their last referendum had they not been convinced they would not be able to join the European Union.  Imagine their feeling of betrayal at Brexit.  Sixty-five countries have gained independence from the UK.  Forty-eight of them have independence celebrations.  We are one of them.  If Ken Burns’ documentary on the Revolutionary War is as good as his work on the Civil War and Baseball, it will be an education to many who may have forgotten their classroom histoires or were never treated to the whole story.  We are reminded that history repeats itself, so we will hope that the good parts are the ones that come around again.

Missouri friends are sharing pictures of the northern lights online.  It seems impossible that something could happen to make our part of the world more beautiful than it is in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

Events were held all across Scotland to mark Remembrance Sunday as we celebrate Veterans’ Day on November 11th in the US, both nations commemorating those who lost their lives in the two world wars and later conflicts.  We recognize the bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism of all who have served and hope to express national gratitude for their service.

The internet tells us that Smoky the Bear has been to our Skyline R2 School and that students have had the chance to climb all over the Skyline VFD firetruck.  PreK through second grade had pumpkin patch fun on their field trip.  Melissa Wilhite, Skyline’s 3rd grade teacher says, “The Skyline 3rd and 4th grade Tigers enjoyed beautiful weather at the local museums in Mansfield, MO.  We began our journey touring Laura Ingalls Wilder’s home then went to partake in a scavenger hunt at the museum. From there we participated in a “pioneer lunch” at the nearby park and walked this off on a 1-mile walking trail taking us to The Rock House for another informational tour of the home Rose Wilder had built for her parents. To wrap our educational adventure, we went to the Mansfield Community building to listen to authors read and ignite the love of the writing process during the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival hosted by the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival Committee.”  Our wonderful school has a lot going on.

We remember Champions Dean Brixey on his birthday on the 18th and Elva Ragland on the 19th.  Zack Alexander’s lovely grandma celebrates on November 23rd. Skyline fourth grader, Charlie Prine, has the 24th for his big day and the 26th is for Lannie Hinote and Thomas Jernigan who was two years old on in 2017.  Carolyn Nunn Harvey shares her birthday on the 27th with sixth grader Aubrey Louis.  Geoff Bartch will party on the 28th, and fourth grader Christopher Boyd will do that on the 29th.  Your Champion friends and family say, “Happy days!”  We read that for you to born today from 12 previous generations; you need a total of 4,094 ancestors over the last 400 years.  Think for a moment about how many struggles, how many battles, how much sadness, happiness, their many stories, and hope for the future that your ancestors had to undergo for you to exist in this present moment.  You are the dream of many ancestors as we have dreams for our grandchildren and beyond.  The General, our Champion genealogist, can take us back several generations in his and other local families.  Many of us do not know much before our grandparents, but we all came from somewhere.  In America, we are either indigenous people or immigrants of one kind or another in our big, wonderful melting pot.

Saturday, a beautiful day here in Edinburgh with brilliant sunshine in the 50s afforded a chance to tour St. Cecilia’s Hall, a museum of music.  On display are more than 400 musical instruments from the past 500 years.  Almost anything with strings is represented along with harpsichords, pianos (they have strings) and everything imaginable out of brass, wood, and leather, not to mention the plaid of the bagpipes.  Many of the instruments are still playable and there are recordings and videos available to hear them.  They have been meticulously restored and preserved.  We are reminded that music is considered a universal cultural phenomenon present in every human society.   Despite vast cultural and stylistic differences, studies have found common features and purposes for music across all cultures.  We use it to express emotion, to worship, and to fellowship.  It is a pretty good tranquilizer in troubled times.

The Prominent Champion reports the weather to have been ‘cool’ there lately.  Edinburgh has been enjoying temperatures in the 50’s with bright intervals of sunshine, glorious sunsets and occasional rain, light and heavy.  A prominent Scotsman allows there is weather all over the world and no place to go to get away from it.  With such brilliant insight, he could well be a Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

Among the birthday celebrations to acknowledge is that of the Statue of Liberty which was 139 years old on October 28th.  Thank you, France, for all you’ve done for the US from the very beginning of our Nation.  Of course, we did a little to help you back in 1944.

Bob Leach has his birthday on October 4th.  He has a beautiful little mandolin-banjo that he does not play and will not sell.  Happy birthday anyway, Bob.  The 5th is the big day for Champion granddaughter Emerson Rose Oglesby and for two Skyline fourth grade students, Elania Home and Aiden Strong.  Kathy Barns celebrates on the 6th.  We remember Wayne Wiseman on the 7th and wish Bob Heffern a happy day on the 8th.  We remember Chuck Barns (Kathy’s dad) on the 11th.  That is Veteran’s Day and also the big day for a favorite west coast barber, Mel Petralia and for Skyline seventh grader Owley Sudderth.  Jill Sterling is an artist and an Arkansas watch maker.  Her birthday is on the 13th.  Carol Carnahan Barnhart has the 14th for her day, and it is also the day we remember Fern Bishop.  Rich Heffern, Bob’s older brother, celebrates on the 15th.  Joe Petralia is a Yard Vulture.  The son of the west coast barber will party on the 15th as well.  Happy birthday to all of you from your Champion friends and neighbors.  Have some fun.

We hear that The Grand Old Opry just had its one hundredth birthday.  Bravo!  Music is good for us.  Music in the pubs here in Edinburg is a mix of wonderful Scottish and Irish tunes and lots of American music.  “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “The Sunny Side of the Street” are big favorites as well as anything by Johnny Cash and Hank Williams.  We see that Tom Peters continues to share good stuff from McClurg and Oldfield and other places.  The General reports that there were 35 or 40 people at Vanzant for its Halloween Jam with fifteen in the circle.  He went as a Border Patrol agent, but did not arrest anyone, not even the circus performers.  He also reports that the Eastern Douglas County VFD chili supper was a great success with lots of people in attendance and lots of good stuff at the auction.  Good community support for our schools and our volunteer fire departments is a hallmark of Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

In olden days in Ireland, Halloween marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.  Now it is celebrated all over the place with jack-o-lanterns and all manner of fun.  Skyline School will have its “Spooktacular Bingo” on November 1st in the gym.  It starts at 5:30 and will feature prizes, treats, and spooky surprises.  Costumes are encouraged. The event is hosted by the Skyline School Sunshine Committee and proceeds will go toward Christmas boxes and student supplies.  Over here in Scotland there will be torch light parades and effigies of winter burning summer—all very exciting.  Over the internet we see more excitement as a favorite Champion neighbor, Miss B.D. Woods, won first place in barrel racing at the Cabool Fun Show.  More pleasant news from there is that the Skyline VFD annual meeting and chili supper was well attended and the chili was good.

The Prominent Champion said he waited and waited for the rain that was supposed to arrive Friday and not much happened.  The little bit of drizzle on Saturday did not do much for the rain gauges, but Sunday morning had puddles in the road up Cold Springs way and about half an inch in the measuring device.  The General boasted three tenths.  No ships will be sailing down Fox Creek, because there is no water in it.  Over here on Sunday there was a glorious orange sunrise, then fog, drizzle, brilliant sunshine, some sprinkling rain, more sun, lots of wind, then a big gray cloud to obscure the sunset.  They say all four seasons can happen in a single day.  Champions report frost in the low spots, and we all know winter is coming.  Maybe there will be enough rain so that Fred the Firefighting Goat will not be called to duty.

Sunday found J.c. Owsley at the Wesley Church in Springfield.  He was attending the Jazz Band Fundraising Concert to benefit the people of St. Louis in their recovery from the devasting tornado last May.   In Champion the Sometimes Porch Band is reported to have had a short interlude with Carissa on Wednesday. Jeff Bartch played some harmonica with The General, so the tunes are still happening on the Bright Side.  There were fourteen in the circle at the Vanzant Jam with Mike Satterfield on fiddle. Little Willow Rose appeared with her Mom to brighten up the place.  She will have her first birthday around Thanksgiving.  She likes music.  Some Spaniards from Pamplona were enjoying tunes at The Captains Bar in Edinburgh on Friday.  They have the ‘running of the bulls’ over there, but no lively pubs that satisfy their musical needs.

“What a Wonderful World” is a great song recorded in the 1960s by Louis Armstrong is also being sung well by The General himself at the Vanzant Jam.  Some of the lyrics are “The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky are also on the faces of the people passing by.”  On the streets here in Edinburgh one sees people of every imaginable hue from the darkest to the fairest.  And the number of spoken languages is astounding. The Scotts speak English, but if they do not wish for you to understand, though it is English, it is indecipherable.  We hear French and are reminded that France was our first American ally and still a good one.  Had it not been for Ben Franklin, sweet talking in Paris for nine years impressing them with our desire for independence from Britain, our Founding Fathers might have been hanged as traitors.  Franklin’s efforts and France’s distain for Britain after their own war cemented an alliance that proved crucial for the founding of our Nation.  Even though some of us do not like the sound of their language, we have to appreciate the fact that they have always been champions of human rights and individual freedoms.  They are also the first to have imprisoned an ex-president for corruption and financial malfeasance.  Sarkozy will spend five years in jail.  Even far away on distant shores there are Champions—Looking on the Bright Side!

Bud Hutchison’s Memorial Trail Ride went off without a hitch!  No bad dogs, no rough creek crossings, only a mellow ramble through the beautiful countryside.  They bypassed their usual Shannon Ranch visit out of consideration for those little ground wasp yellow jackets that are likely plentiful and vigorous in weather conditions such as these. Stories about them are rampant among equestrians.  They can turn a trail ride into a rodeo.  At the end of the trail, they repaired to ice cream and pleasant palaver out on the wide veranda.  Joann Laurence had joined the regulars with her guitar for a few tunes then came Carissa Rene and Cheryl Hatch of Heroes’ Rest who added their lovely voices to some gospel tunes.  About that time too came Kaitlyn McConnell and Mike O’Brian with a pie and their usual curiosity and enthusiasm for the Bright Side.  As the day progressed Kaitlyn and Mike made their way to Mansfield to Wilder Day activities where Kaitlyn has some special history.

In years past a dozen and more riders have made trail ride, sharing their stories of Bud and adventures along the trail.  Cavin Chambers and some of his buddies had just returned from an epic trail ride up in Utah, Colorado and Kansas.  They may have been saddle-sore which kept them from showing up this time.  Karen Brown has been on a number of rides recently and enjoyed this one.  She was seen with a shovel cleaning up after her mount.  Loran Cockrum came over from West Plains for the fun of it.  He had stories to tell and good reasons to get home.  Andrew Harden was riding one of Bud’s horses.  Lots of exciting things are going on in his life. He endured some significant teasing from The General who likes to keep things jovial. 

Earlier in the day Johnny Burkdoll spent some time around the cold wood stove.  He was haggling with the Prominent Champion over some twelve-foot one by sixes.  He is making a good recovery over some health problems and enjoys being in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

In 1697, the English poet and playwright William Congreve said, “Musick has charms to soothe the savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.”  We do not know about rocks and oaks, but we know that music is a good calming force for us. The Prominent Champion reported that Johnny Cox from up around Kansas City joined The General, and Cheryl Hatch and Carissa Rene from the Hero’s Rest out on the wide veranda Wednesday.  He commented on Carissa’s beautiful voice, which it is.  The General reported that she and Cheryl were at Vanzant Thursday in the musical circle of fifteen, where Cheryl surprised and delighted the room with a beautiful rendition of “Ashokan Farewell” on her violin.  We did not know she was a fiddler!  The jam has been much in need of one, so maybe she will become a regular.  Meanwhile, over here in Edinburgh, Scotland, Paul (someone) on cello and Eddie Hanson on fiddle did that beautiful old tune in a crowded and usually very noisy pub on Friday and brought the room to a sublime stillness.

Music is so good for us that we will sing “Happy Birthday!” to Champion Leslee Krider and Skyline fourth grader Tinsleigh Miller on October 14th, to Joe Moskaly on October 15th, to Darlene Connor and Champion grandson Carson Cline on the 18th.  Your Champion correspondent will celebrate on the other side of the Atlantic on the 21st and will remember Champion Anna Henson that day.  October 22nd is for Donna Moskaly and Skyline second grader London Coon.  The 23rd is for Champion granddaughter Esther Grace Oglesby and her Aunt Breauna Krider has the 24th for her big day.  We remember the great singer songwriter, Roger Miller (1936-1992) on October 25th.  He wrote great tunes like “You Can’t Roller-skate in a Buffalo Herd” and “Dang Me.”  That is also the birthday of Skyline fifth grader Grant Strong and first grader Olyvia Wagner who moved to Champion this summer.  The 26th is for Brad Oglesby, Esther Grace’s dad, and Champion Shala Clark and the day we remember Champion Harley Krider. Harley had a wonderful singing voice.  Skyline fifth grader Kayleigha Crownover and kindergarten student John Sudderth share the 28th for their birthdays along with Nicholas Georges.  Connie Lansdown will party on the 30th and on that day we will remember Champion Royce Henson.  May the music uplift your spirits.  Tom Peters has been sharing good music online and good stories about music.  He also reports that Kaitlyn McConnell’s new book “The Ozarks Pie Project Diary” includes McClurg.  It includes Champion too and it is said that pie, just like music, brings people together.

The General reported that the Owsley family reunion was another enjoyable event.  He said there were twenty-four in attendance this year, down from the usual fifty or so of recent years.  His nieces from Idaho and Florida did not make it this time and a nephew who lives in Ava just waved as he drove by.  Cathie Alsup Reilly and her daughter Linda came over from Kentucky and said they had a great time. Johnnie and Lori Kline Cox made it down from around Kansas City for the gathering and then over to Champion for the fun of it.

Riding in taxis and buses over the ancient cobblestones here in Auld Reekie feels just like bouncing along our beautiful country lanes in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—October 6, 2025.
            “In your heart you know he’s right.” The Prominent Champion remembered Barry Goldwater’s slogan during the Wednesday chat around the cold wood stove. There was something too about Fritz Mondale, “Fritz and grits give me…something.” The General lamented having lost his “I Like Ike” button. At Sen. Hubert Humphrey’s funeral, President Jimmy Carter quoted Mahatma Gandi as he listed the seven deadly sins. “Wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity, worship without sacrifice and politics without principle.” Seneca, the Roman Stoic philosopher who passed away in 65AD said, “Be wary of the man who urges an action in which he himself incurs no risk.” Politics seem to play second fiddle to sports these days. The Kansas City Chiefs have won a game, and the NFL season is well underway. The major league baseball playoffs are happening to determine who will be in the Worlds Series. Basketball, soccer and rugby can keep our attention diverted nicely, though as citizens it behooves us to be informed—awakened to what is going on in the country.
           Before long, the musicians retired to the wide veranda about the time Fox Creek farmers showed up talking about planting rye, turnips, and radishes with GPS operated tractors. Then came Lorrie with an adorable puppy she had rescued from a dumpster in Mt. Grove. She is looking for a home for the little girl dog, thought to be six or seven weeks old, tiny, maybe some Chiwawa mixed with a Beagle, a friendly little critter. Joanne Metroplos, visiting from Seattle, sat a spell on the porch. It is nice to see friends with Champion connections touching base from time to time.
            Bob and Mary left the Vanzant Jam early on Thursday, headed to Tulsa on a lark, where Bob won another ‘best of show’ prize with the 1963 Lark at the 50th Annual Zone Meet by the OK Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club. It was a joy at the jam to see little Willow Rose who will have her first birthday on November 28. She likes music. Her papa is a fiddler. The jam needs more fiddlers. Banjo picker Carol Green, also at the jam, will celebrate her birthday on October 6th. Betty Dye and Vickie Trippie will enjoy the Full Hunter’s Supermoon on their birthdays, October 7th. Teresa Tost and Skyline first grader Preslee Trujillo share the 8th for their big day. Champion granddaughter Madelyn Ward has October 10th to party and Steve Conner shares his birthday with kindergartner Chloe Porcello on the 11th. October 12th is for Janet Chapin, and we remember our friend Cathy Baldwin on her birthday October 13th. She and Chuck were swept away in the election day flood last year.
            We figure that the absence of something bad is the same thing as something good. Often enough we hear what is wrong, aggravating, and what needs fixing. We always have the chance to say right out loud when things are good, when someone smiled, when the sunrise was glorious, when the road was not so rough and rocky. It is still rough and rocky, Johnny and Bobby, but it is much, much better, and we appreciate the work that goes into maintaining these beautiful country lanes. Jane Goodall said, “Live in joy, even though you know the facts.” Someone else said, “I cannot do all the good the world needs. But the world needs all the good I can do.”
            The Skyline R-2 PTO hosted a splendid potluck dinner during the Fall Carnival on Friday. And what a carnival! The bounce house and all the interesting, innovative games, including “Pick Fred’s Nose,” made for a lot of fun for the kids. Grownups had a chance to enjoy other people’s cooking and to visit during the festivities. Community support for our great little school was on full display.
            Another chance to support community comes up on Saturday, the 11th, at the Skyline School. Two of the Fimon children, Landon and Dusty, suffered serious burns in a recent accident. A benefit for the Fimon Family starts at 4:00 with dinner, an auction at 5:00 and then live music by Cheyenne McIntosh and the New Grass Attack. Chris Degase will be the auctioneer, taking bids on the many donations of everything from dog food to a five-day four-night cruise. The chance to be of help when help is needed is one for Champions—Looking on the Bright Side!