Champion News

CHAMPION—September 14, 2009

Foster and Kalyssa Wiseman, Prince and Princess of the 2009 Champion School Reunion

        The social whirlwind that is Champion is still spinning vigorously through the high and low spots at the end of WW highway.  Champions still reliving the recent reunion are passing pictures around and are making plans to draw a bigger crowd next year.  One of the pictures that has surfaced is of Foster Wiseman driving the lead car in the Labor Day Parade.  He is escorting his sister, Kalyssa Wiseman, who was named Champion Reunion Princess 2009!  Their mother celebrated her birthday in Champion on Sunday in the midst of family and friends who wish her well.  Health and Happiness!

        The Wagon Train is on its way.  It will be exciting to see all the wagons and interesting rigs, interesting characters, and all the well tended horses and mules.  Pictures from previous Champion layovers of the Wagon Train can be seen at www.championnews.us and new pictures will go up on that site of this year’s train in a few days.  Clifton Luna leads the train out of West Plains on a Monday and it takes until Thursday to get to Champion.  They should pull into Champion around noon and will make a rest stop there for their lunch and to be examined and admired by any Champions or others who wish to stop by to wish them ‘Happy Trails.’  By Friday they will wind up in Mansfield, making about twenty miles a day.

        One of those pictures from years past is of a guy named Paul Uhlman of Gentryville.  He was riding a horse named Miss Spot.  Seeing this picture brought up a story recently related by Elmer Banks.  He must have heard it from J.T. Shelton while they were out hunting one night.  According to Elmer, J.T. and Paul Uhlman (perhaps the very same guy) long years ago, before Highway V was ever black toped, went out hunting with their dogs.  They had been out all night and about the break of day they were surprised to hear a rooster crowing.  They were out in the middle of nowhere with no home places around–no place where a rooster could reasonably expect to be found.  Again the rooster crowed.  They scratched their heads and said, “What in the world is going on?”  It took some time to finally locate the rooster.  It was roosting on the axel of J.T.’s truck.  It was J.T.’s own rooster!  It had survived a rough ride and had gone through low water crossings and was still there under the truck on the axel.  Elmer, who wrote for the Cajun Sun Times Picayune (or another illustrious newspaper) said he would have written that J.T. had brought the rooster along on purpose so he would be able to get home on time and avoid some domestic problems.  This was quite a domestic rooster, as well as a rough rider.

Junior and the General Entertain

        There is a rough, bad rooster living over on the Krider farm.  Young Eli and sister Emerson Rose were visiting there the other day when Eli went out to gather the eggs.  The old red rooster made a run at Eli and gave him quite a scare.  Anybody laying odds on the longevity of that rooster better get his money down.  Eli’s Grandmother was not amused and was heard to make only slightly veiled threats against the fowl.  As a diversion from that scare, she brought two of her daughters and Eli and Emerson Rose with her over to Plumber’s Junction for some amusement on Thursday evening.  She had heard there was to be a bass duel—a face-off, bass-off between Eddie (Junior) Berry, of Blanche, a veritable virtuoso on the conventional washtub base, and Generalissimo Upshaw (the Infamous) on his homemade hillbilly basso profundo violoncello.  The band was made up of a number of regular musicians including Sue Murphy, Norris Woods, Wesley Hancock, and that wonderful yodeling fiddler from over in West Ava, Jerry Somebody.  There were quite a number of other musicians joining in.  Their names would have been available if a person could only have waded through the crowd to get to them.  The music was lively.  Conversations and laughter filled the space as old friends and family greeted each other and reminisced.  Then stepped up Junior and the General.  Before a note was played Junior was on the defensive as the General wrestled his unwieldy contraption from the case.  Junior ducked and dodged for all he was worth as a length of broomstick narrowly missed his head while the General muttered shallow apologies and continued to flail the air with the neck of his musical ax as if he had hold of a flogging rooster himself.  After a protracted exercise in awkwardness he settled down and the music began.  The band must have contrived to start the duel with “Hear that lonesome whippoorwill, he sounds too blue to fly.”  Before that midnight train could start its whine, the General started his.  The band, actually everyone, knows that this particular song is like poison to the General as it renders him blubbering and inept.  The clear winner of the music part was the melodic Mr. Berry.  The General won the prize for theatricality.  Cameras flashed and the audience roared.  It was a fine send off for Wesley Hancock who was beating it out of town early the next morning heading back to Idaho.  Champions and survivors of that Thursday at Plumbers all wish him well and a speedy return.

        Champions enjoying a good garden harvest are grateful for the weather and grateful for the food filling their shelves and freezers.  Some are cleaning up spots in the garden to plant some leafy greens and turnips.  There is time to get those spots ready because the next good planting days start on the 20^th of the month according to Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood.  She has some excellent mums this year.  Some Champions will get some of those planted soon trying to spruce up a little for some special company.  Some Champions just stay spruced up!  It is their way of life to be ready for anything at any time.  If company comes by unexpectedly they have no messes to hide and no apologies to make.  Champion!  They set a good example like the men and women, young and older who wear the Nation’s uniforms.  They are capable, ready and alert.  For those who do serve and those who have served in the dangerous places of the world on behalf of their Country, Champions everywhere have Love and Gratitude to express.  For those at home when their Soldier marches off or comes home again or does not, they have compassion, understanding and support.

        Now, that is a Bright Side song if ever there was one!  This song was written in 1874, about the time some of this country was being settled by antecedents of folks living here now.  The song was written by Knowles Shaw and was inspired by Psalms: 126:6.  Champions who are fearing neither clouds or winter’s chilling breeze are working with a will and a song in their heart to get the harvest in.  Bright Side songs and sweet reunion day pictures welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367 Norwood, MO 65717 and at Champion News.  Sing one of those songs out on the porch at Henson’s Store in the throbbing heart of Historic Down Town Champion.  It is on the North Side of the Square.  The Champion Picture Postcard business is a thriving concern as many of them offer expansive views of the famed Lonnie Krider Memorial Drive.  Each of them is emblazoned with the contagious motto:  Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—September 7, 2009

Ruby Proctor, Esther Wrinkles and Zilea Lambert in the forground with Irene Dooms and Vivian Floyd.

        There was a fine turn out for the 27^th Annual Champion School Reunion on Saturday.  A mild threat of rain just turned into a mild and pleasant day for old friends and family to gather.  A wonderful spread of potluck dishes covered a long table and the temptation to return to it often was hard to resist.  After dinner everyone settled down for some heavy-duty visiting and some good music.  Charles Lambert on mandolin together with the guitars of Wesley Hancock, Robert Graham and Robert Upshaw made for good listening.  Susie Hancock did some harmonizing with husband Wesley and their daughter Shawn Harrison joined with Foster and Kalyssa Wiseman in a most enjoyable rendition of “I’ll Fly Away.”

Doris Giles Clark visits with Dale Thomas.

        Only one teacher attended the Reunion this year.  Doris Giles Clark began teaching at the Diamond school, which was located down on Bryant Creek at the site of what later became the Monastery.  That was in 1947.  She was in Champion for the 1948-1949 school year.  Ms. Clark taught in a number of schools in the area including Bakersfield and a year at Skyline.  After 33 years she ended her career at the Dora School where she taught Special Education.  Robert Brown, one of the thirteen students attending, said that Ms. Clark had whipped his backside when he was in her class at Champion.  No more whippings were reported, but one student was heard to ask another if she had ever had to stand with her nose in a circle drawn on the blackboard as punishment for whispering.  Other students on hand were Dane Lambert, Wes Lambert, Charles Lambert, Billy Joe Lambert, Esther Wrinkles, Irene Dooms, Vivian Floyd, Elsie Curtis, Elva Ragland, Ruby Proctor, Tommy Sutherland, Anita Sutherland Krewson.

Ruby Proctor and Esther Wrinkles share a moment.

        Other Champions celebrating the day were Pete Proctor, Fae Krider, Debby Massey, Darlene Brown, Connie Brown, Robert Graham, Mary Graham, Zilea Lambert, Tom Cooley, Arlene Cooley, Roger Wiseman, Tanna Wiseman, Foster Wiseman, Kalyssa Wiseman, Betty Henson, Robert Upshaw, Sharon Upshaw, Dale Thomas, Betty Thomas, Russell Upshaw, Sue Upshaw, Dean Upshaw, Daily Upshaw, David Coffman, Peggy Carreras, Jim Carreras, Holly Elizabeth Boche, Shawn Harrison (Hancock), Wesley Hancock, Susie Hancock, Nikki Sorrell, Murrell Clark, Kenneth Anderson, Barb Anderson and Virginia Canada from Coco Beach, FL.  These folks came from one end of the country to the other just for the joy of being together.  Already plans are in the works for next year.  Some schemes are being hatched to lure back some of those students and teachers who have been absent at recent reunions.  Contemporary gospel songwriter, Gene Jeffress, wrote, “What a reunion there, meeting on Glory Square!”

        The Labor Day weekend marks annual reunions and meetings all around the country.  The Haden Family generally gets together about this time of the year. Champion’s Tennessee Friend, Darrell Haden, comes to mind as he often does with hopes that circumstances let him come back to his old stomping grounds.  Some grounds sure could use a good stomping from time to time.

        Pete (Lyman) Proctor was overheard at the Champion Reunion to say that the VFW and the American Legion have been asked to participate in a memorial service for Norwood High School graduate PFC Jonathan Yanney who lost his life in Kandahar province Afghanistan on August 18^th.  The service is to be held on Friday the 11^th at 2 o’clock at the High School in Norwood.  Those who serve the Nation in the dangerous parts of the world are being memorialized all across the Country with the Love and Gratitude that they have coming.  Those who survive and those who are survivors of those who do not are also to be remembered.

        Norwood’s illustrious Postmaster has been off celebrating a birthday (Tuesday).  He has been on a fishing trip with son Ryan up to northern states to some special fishing holes.  Champions hope they caught some big ones.  Fishermen are always in a good mood when they’ve ‘caught a big one.’

        The social and economic achievements of American workers are celebrated with Labor Day.  For the jobless who want to work it is hardly a holiday.  For fortunate old Champions ‘retired’ from the workforce it is just another day for working in the garden, in the kitchen, in the wood lot, in the hay.  One was heard to complain that he works harder now than he did when he was earning money.  Vegetables are not inexpensive when you are buying them or when you are growing them.  It all takes work.  Good planting days for root crops will be on the 9^th and 10^th and on the 13^th and 14^th according to Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood.  It says that the best fishing days in September will be the 3^rd-6^th, and the 13^th and 14^th, so maybe Kirk and Ryan will have been in the right place at the right time.

        A couple of old Champions were talking on the phone the other day.  One is getting pretty old and was born and raised in Champion.  The other one is also pretty old but has only had Champion as a home place for a little over half her life–35 years.  The one who has been here the longest says, “Oh, Champion has changed.  It’s not like it was.  It’s really gone down.  It will never be the same.”  It is human nature to think that the prime of a person’s life is when things are right, the way they should be.  Any old guy who got out of high school in 1957 will tell you that the 1956 Thunderbird is the most beautiful car ever and they might as well have stopped making cars after that.  History is sweet to have and the past is often a pleasanter place.  They are still making cars though, and to Champions living the wonderful Champion life of today in their prime, these are the good days.  Lamenting change is lamentable.  That old guy said that he didn’t know too many people in Champion who were in the prime of their lives, meaning that the median age is getting up there.  The Champion newcomer says that it is pretty much a choice minute to minute if you are living a prime life or not.  “Sometime in the next few minutes could be the moment that will be remembered as the best one,” she extols, “So, Live!”  She is an extoller and exhorter.  Champion!

        “Wait till the sun shines, Nelly.  When the clouds go drifting by.  We’ll be happy, Nelly.  Don’t you sigh.”  The song was published in 1905 and has been the anthem of the floor traders on the New York Stock Exchange since 1934.  These days kind of remind a person of 1934, but it was the prime of some lives back then.  Drift over to Henson’s Store on the glorious Champion Square to sing any kind of prime of life song.

        Mail those kinds of songs and poems to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or e-mail them to Champion News.  Pictures of the 2009 Champion Reunion will go up on the www.championnews.us website soon, so keep checking in.  Through the grapevine the question came from some Upshaw cousin out in California who asks, “What does that Champion writer have against the General anyway?”  The question came after seeing the series of silent pictures depicting his musical aptitude.  The General will reprise his performance on his unusual instrument in a bass-off, face-off duel with another inventor, Eddie Berry of Blanche at Plumber’s Junction on Thursday.  Wesley Hancock will use the occasion to make his farewell to the area for a while.  He is not being driven away.  His roots will bring him back soon to Champion—Looking on the bright side.

Introduction

Getting Settled

Tuning Up

Playing Along

Receiving Calls

Waving to the Crowd

Looking Natural

CHAMPION—August 24, 2009

        In Champion days such as these are not rare because Champions have the charming ability to see, to recognize and to appreciate beauty in every day.  They are gifted at living in the moment.  These particular moments are delicious ones by any standard while some old Champions stroll about chortling, “Ah, perfection.”

        Sunday found Ruby Proctor back in the neighborhood.  She took a drive out to celebrate Sunday with her lovely voice joining the a cappella singing service.  She is much looking forward to the Champion School Reunion, which will occur on Saturday the 5^th of September.  This will be the 27^th one and it has become a reunion for many Champions, not just those who attended school there.  It is always a pleasant gathering full of old friends and good memories and ‘antics’ depending upon who attends.  There are pictures and samples of music from past reunions at www.championnews.us site.  Even at a distance people can reunite with Champion!  A note came to that site from Amanda (Rhoades) Mayberry who said that her grandpa John Rhoades rode the mule that could not be ridden.  No one had been able to.  But he did.  He rode it till his nose bled and for his trouble was rewarded with pocketknives, hats and pocket change.  Ms. Mayberry says, “My dad, Ike Rhoades, used to take us down to the store when we were kids.  I need to come back to visit.  I love reading this site.”  Champions welcome visitors.  Other Champions like Harley and Barbara just need to come home.  They are being missed.

        It turns out that not everybody has a computer and is on-line.  Many Champions and others elsewhere try to spend their days out enjoying the real world of sight and sound, air and temperature changes, aromas and the joy of work.  One such dropped a note to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 to say that she would like to get a copy of that story about the buzzards on the frosty barn roof.  She wants to send it to some old family member who will get a kick out of it.  That story came from the article written October 23, 2006!  This reader has a long memory for some unusual things.  She sent a dollar and a self addressed envelope with her request and so it will go out to her and another moment will be frozen in time when the lights went on and “…the ruckus started.  There were buzzards everywhere.  The ground was just black with them, he said, and the air was full of them.  The walnut trees up behind the house were full of them.  They took off flying in every direction, hitting the high lines and squawking and screaming with their big old wings flapping.  ‘It was a wonder they didn’t break those wires,’ he said.  They were trying to light on the roof of the barn, but the roof was so steep and it was so slick with frost that they would just slide down, their talons scraping on the tin.  ‘It was the awfullest racket you ever heard.’” The story goes on and on.

        Clifton Luna of the West Plains Wagon Club revealed in a phone call that the wagon train will be rolling through Champion on September 17th.  The mules, Kit and June will pull his wagon again this year.  At this time Luna does not know how many wagons will participate, but it is sure they will be met with an interested and appreciative audience when they pull into Champion.  Hopefully, The Gee and Haw Club out of Arkansas will be represented again.  The wagon train starts out in West Plains and travels to Mansfield.  It is not the same as traveling backward in time, but it is reminiscent of it.

        It is good news to hear that Champion Esther Wrinkles is feeling better.  It can be a slow process sometimes, but once a person feels that he has turned the corner and is on the actual road to recovery things generally speed up.  So all of Champion wishes Esther a speedy recovery.  She went with her sister, Irene Dooms, to see nephew Kirk’s garden not long ago.  She said it was just beautiful.  Irene thinks that Kirk and Judy were able to enjoy their good corn crop because the raccoon was busy elsewhere.  He decided he liked the easy to get dog food left out on the deck for their little dog.  The little dog lay down next to the raccoon and let him eat…so the corn was spared.  Judy threw a bucket at the raccoon and he finally left, but lucky corn growers might think about a decoy for the critters as a way to preserve the harvest.

        The week through Friday will be good for planting crops that bear their yield above the ground.  Leafy vegetables especially do well as a fall crop planted now.  Linda from over at the Plant Place in Norwood will have Cole crops ready to set out soon and her September Almanac will be full of all the good information that gardeners need to make the most of the growing season.  The Almanac says ‘prune to discourage growth’ on the 29^th, 30^th and 31^st.

        Skyline Auxiliary members will meet at Henson’s Store in downtown Champion this week just to hash over the results of the picnic.  Big handfuls of thank you cards are going out.  Many of those little observations will be made that, acted upon, refine and perfect the process.  Some enthusiasts are saying, “It’s only about eleven and a half months until the picnic!”

        Nebraska, Nevada, Kansas, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Georgia, Illinois, all have a Douglas County.  There may be others as well.  The Missouri government website shows that there are 550 male veterans in Douglas County Missouri over the age of 65 and 20 female veterans over that age.  There are a total of 875 veterans living in Douglas County Missouri.  Chances are pretty good that a person will run into a veteran just about anywhere he goes.  Champions are pleased to acknowledge their service and to express the Love and Gratitude that they are due.

        The Green Corn Moon is giving way to The Harvest Moon and soon people will be singing that song again.  The year rolls around so quickly now and this summer seems to have been like a dream.  Some Champions better wake up and get busy!  Those beans don’t get in the jars all by themselves.  Firewood will be the subject of conversation soon, and Frost!  Champions enjoy it all and are just now thinking about another song from Roger Miller:  “Walking in the Sunshine, sing a little sunshine song.  Put a smile upon your face as if there’s nothing wrong.  Think about a good time you had a long time ago.  Think about; forget about your worries and your woe’s.  Walking in the sunshine.  Sing a little sunshine song.”  Sing that one out on the porch at Henson’s Store on the north side of the square in Downtown Champion.  Send sunshine songs to Champion News.  Go see for yourself:  Champion—Looking on the Bright Side.

CHAMPION—August 16, 2009

        In Champion August is more than half over and the walnut leaves are swirling through the air in flirty spirals, twirling and floating down singly–bright yellow against the unseasonably green grass.  Perhaps the wet summer is portentous of a colorful autumn.  Champions take what they get and are Grateful.

        Skyline folks, friends and firefighters are Grateful for another beautiful picnic and are glad it is over.  Some of those volunteers are going to be relaxing with their feet up for a couple of days.  They are over-doers by nature.  While they are just kicking back, there are great lists of people to thank going through their heads.  Thank you cards will go out with the hopes of acknowledging everyone who made it such a delightful affair.

        Skyline resident Dorothy Dye bought the winning ticket for the $100.00 of electricity awarded by White River Electric Cooperative this year.  Jeff Pardeck of White River confirmed the credit to Ms. Dye’s account on Monday morning.  She is Grateful.

        Alice Hopper had the winning quilt ticket and Johnny Boyd won the 10/22 Reuger rifle.

        Then there were a great number of grateful people who won door prizes of Savings Bonds and new merchandize from local merchants who so generously support the fire department.

        Founding Skyline Fire Department member Esther Wrinkles was absent from the picnic on Friday evening.  It is the first time she has ever missed one.  Eighty seven people signed an enormous get well card for her and she was able to make it out on Saturday evening, though she stayed in her car but close enough to see and hear the music.  People were stopping by to visit with her all evening.  The quilt that she donated to the picnic made over $1100.00 this year.  On Monday morning she was still feeling poorly.  Everyone wishes her well.  Her neighbor, the General, went to great lengths to distract her at the picnic.  Back Yard Bluegrass was in the middle of their set when, sporting an outsized straw Stetson complete with turkey vulture feather, he strode up on the stage.  From a battered guitar case he extricated the most bizarre contraption seen outside of a Rube Goldberg Traveling Exhibition and Medicine Show.  It was comprised of a rusty antique Folgers’s coffee can, attached by a hinge to a length of 1” x 6” on one end and to a short hunk of broom stick on the other with some binder twine strings.  The General elbowed his way to the front of the stage and parked himself on a bar stool (probably not the first time) and lent his questionable talent on this hillbilly basso profundo violoncello.  Already struggling to pat his foot in time to the music he was plagued by tuning issues, which he addressed with a pair of vice grip pliers to the amusement of onlookers and consternation of band members.  They maintained a professional decorum as their sit-in received cell phone calls and waved wildly to the crowd.  There will be a series of photos depicting this episode at www.championnews.us.  It was all in the spirit of fun.

        Fire Chief, Doug Hutchison, took the stage at nine o’clock Saturday evening to say, “On January 20^th of this year, the fire department lost a person that was an essential part of this fire department and picnic.  He was an original founder of this department.  He was a friend to many, a much thought of neighbor, and was loved very much by his family.  He loved working and playing music and doing anything that needed to be done at this picnic.  He was a successful educator and farmer and wasn’t afraid of work.  I was a neighbor to this man many years.  Several times I needed help, he quit what he was doing and came and helped me and he did the same for the rest of the community.  I, for one, miss him very much as do many others.  He was raised and lived most of his life in the Champion Community.  He is not with us any more, but the memories will live on.  As many of you have guessed by now, this man was a friend to all.  His name was Lonnie Krider.”  Musicians from around the community gathered on stage for a jam session of some of Lonnie’s favorite songs.  His influence is far reaching and his absence is much felt.

        Before the evening was over the Fire Chief had been presented with a gift of appreciation for his sterling efforts for the picnic’s success.  Some of his picnic volunteers contrived to give him an electric chain saw.  He will find uses for it.  As his neighbor and distant relative Wilburn says, “Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing:  for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”  Paul said that first but Wilburn pretty much uses it as his motto.

        Master of ceremonies, Ray Bradley, sang the National Anthem each evening. He does an excellent job of it, hitting those high notes with power and confidence.  Many joined together to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and the American Legion made a stirring presentation of the Colors.  People gathering at little country fairs and picnics all across the United States are happy to display their patriotism and are pleased to express their Love and Gratitude to those who serve at the Nation’s request, both in and out of uniform.

        Champions are back out in their gardens now and are busy in their kitchens “putting by” for the winter to come.  Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood says that the 24^th through the 27^th will be an excellent time to plant leafy vegetables and other aboveground crops.  Linda donated some beautiful plants for door prizes and for the silent auction.  Charlene Dupre from the Gift Corner did a splendid job of painting a Champion scene on a cream can for the silent auction.  Bob Berry was happy to win it in the auction for a bid of $40.00.  Alvin and Beverly Barnhart donated some great items including a very round and beautiful little watermelon that brought much higher than market value for the fire department and some very good cheer to the lucky buyer.

        Picnic memories are welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  Elvis Costello has a song out called “The Other Side of Summer.”  It is said to have a very September feel about it.  E-mail wistful farewell to summer songs to Champion News.  Sing any kind of sweet song out on the porch at Henson’s Store in Downtown Champion.  If your voice is no better than the General’s, just hum while you gaze up and down the broad and beautiful thoroughfare of Lonnie Krider Memorial Drive.  If you don’t have a motto of your own, feel free to use Champion’s—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—August 10, 2009

        In Champion people are adept at living in the moment.  That is to say, when things are good for people they say so right out loud.  “This is so nice.”  “Isn’t this beautiful weather?”  One old Champion said to another, “This time next week that picnic will be over!”  Her point was to comfort and reassure her friend that the exhausting and hectic days ahead in the intense heat and humidity will be forgotten when the band strikes up and the crowd gathers full of old and new friends and dear family.  Laughter and happy talk, kid ruckus, and glad handshakes are the ties that bind to pull glad hearts together.  Everything else is icing on the cake!  Meanwhile, the President of the Steering Committee, was heard several times reciting from a recent correspondence he had received, “Remember, if you act like you are having a good time, pretty soon you will be!”  He used the sentiment liberally to encourage the volunteers preparing the grounds for the Picnic.  Several times his cousin, Wilburn’s sonorous and compelling voice   was heard extolling the virtue, “Never weary in well doing!”

        Monday and Tuesday after the picnic will be an excellent time to plant root crops like beets, turnips and onions.  That is according to Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood.  Linda generously provided plants for the landscaping of the newly dedicated “Bridge To Nowhere” on the picnic grounds at Skyline.  Picnickers are in for a treat.  This completed “shovel-ready” project exemplifies what a significant contribution a real stimulus package can have.  The spirit of volunteerism has been plumbed.  Champion!

        Wally Hopper writes that he will be coming over from Republic on Saturday.  He has recently completed his second family history book.  This one is about his great grandfather, William A Hopper, and his service in the Civil War.  He said that the research was very interesting particularly concerning the meals he received.  His first book was bout his father, Jimmy Hopper, and was written after his death in 1977.  Wally has copies if anyone might be interested.

        Bill Poole from Nashville shared more good tomato information on Sunday afternoon.  He says that the plants don’t need all that much foliage and that getting rid of the excess, particularly damaged or diseased leaves, reduces the strain on the plant and lets it do a better job of making tomatoes.  One Champion appreciates the “Tums” tip to help with the blossom end rot, so she will probably spend her Monday pruning the tomato plants.  In an article in the New York Times about the rampant tomato blight in the Northeast the expert indicated that as much as possible gardeners should use plants grown in their area.  It said that a tomato plant that is shipped from 2,000 miles away is pretty much like a tomato shipped from that far.  Bill really called to pass a message on to his cousin Eva to say that his mother, Esther, had been taken Sunday morning from the nursing home in Mountain Grove over to Cox South in Springfield.  She is having some heart issues.  She will be 94 on September 27^th.  A Champion son-in-law had a birthday on the 8^th.  He was born 08-08-68.  Foster and Kalyssa do not think their Dad is old.  Foster sported chocolate cake on his sleeve and britches leg on Sunday, just from helping his lucky Father celebrate.  Kalyssa is about to have a birthday too!  She’ll be three!  How fast the time goes!

        Some Champions were born in Champion and may live within a few feet of the very spot where they first entered the world.  They have deep roots and are deeply connected to the community with history, family and friends.  Other Champions moved here from other places.  Sometimes they moved away from their family.  Sometimes the family moved away from them.  For whatever reason there are Champions rooted to their adopted spot, but with deep longing in their hearts for their distant loved ones.  Everyone is familiar with the feeling on some level.  Most times the lonesome Champions can just enjoy vicariously those filial feelings as other people’s grandchildren run up to hug their old folks.  But sometimes it takes a real Champion to look on the Bright Side.  Some newly transplanted Champions are joining right in to help get the picnic going.  Steve and Darlene Conner from over on WW in Champion West were busy at the picnic grounds Friday with rakes, tarps, and various technical help getting the place ready for the fun.  Saturday saw a wonderful swarm of Griswold children (but not Michael) hauling brush and picking rocks and sticks, wielding rakes and shovels in the hot sun.  It is a treat to see some willing and productive young folks participating and ‘not weary in well doing.’  They might have been weary, but they were not complaining.  Champion!

        A large contingent of the Patriot Riders passed by the picnic grounds Saturday on their way to honor Sgt. Charles L. Wilson, the Korean War Veteran who was laid to rest in the Vera Cruz Cemetery.  Love and Gratitude is the due of those who serve.

        If Uncle Al, the Lonesome Plowboy, could join in at the picnic, he would be sitting in with The Backyard Bluegrass.  Their repertory is so similar, they must have shared some of the same influences.  Uncle Al often performed at Civil War reenactment venues and for such important groups as the South Central Texas Coon and Cat Hunting Association.  He was a jolly fellow with a comedic approach to music.  Someone said that a comedian is about to approach the Backyard Bluegrass at the picnic.  The audience will do well to arrive early as this group is scheduled to play early both evenings.  Once when she was a very young girl, Uncle Al shared the stage with fellow Texan, Janis Joplin.  She sang, “In this world, if you read the papers, Honey, you know everybody’s fighting with each other.  There ain‘t no one you can count on—not even your own brother.  So if someone should come along who’s gonna give you some love and affection, I say get it while you can.  Oh yes!  Get it while you can.  Don’t you turn your back on love. Oh! No no no no!”  Janis sounded kind of lonesome.  There is some cathartic relief sometimes in a sad song.  Champions are reminded of a gathering at Denlow one time when someone started out a song, “Hear that lonesome whippoorwill.  He sounds too blue to cry.  The moon just went behind a cloud and I’m so lonesome…..”   Well, at that point the General burst into such inconsolable and desperate sobbing that the whole tenor of the gathering thereafter was of a rather subdued embarrassment.  If he behaves himself at the picnic, it will be a wonder.

        A good old sad song or lonesome kind of song is welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367 Norwood, MO 65717.  Upbeat, lively, happy, sunny side songs are welcome at Champion News.  There will be plenty of them at the picnic too, so go enjoy.  While in the neighborhood, step over to Henson’s Store on the main drag in Historic Downtown Champion where discerning shoppers can find a full compliment of Champion Picture Postcards.  Emblazoned on the front of each and every one is that time honored and sincere motto:  Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—August 3, 2009

        Champions hold fast the pattern of sound words and are ever busy about promoting the good.  It is part of the Champion Identity to be optimistic and busy with good neighbor business.  The Skyline VFD Picnic is currently the focus of much good neighboring.  Gray-Mc Contractors out of Norwood were over on the picnic grounds the other day trimming trees and assisting with some infrastructure that was ready for a boost.  Everybody is excited to see the weather warming up.  “Just in time for the picnic!” they chortle as they go about gathering door prizes, silent auction items and pie promises.  The word is spreading and the days are flying by!

        Wow!  What a tomato!  Elmer Banks was down at Henson’s Store on the Square in Champion last Thursday talking about some ‘old boy’ who was showing off a huge tomato that he had grown.  He said the guy lived over by Skyline and that the tomato was enormous and red and beautiful.  Then Alvin Barnhart’s picture shows up in the paper holding that ‘Delicious’ wonder.  It’s a good picture of the tomato and a good one of Alvin too who doesn’t look old at all!  Banks is prone to colorful language since he is from Transylvania, Louisiana.  His sweetheart is from Alsatia, Louisiana a little further South.  They both went to Lake Providence to school.  Someone said that Alvin and Beverly went to school together too.  Ah! Sweethearts!

        More interesting neighbor news has to do with Sgt. Charles L. Wilson who died in Korea in 1950.  The soldier’s remains will arrive at Lambert Field in St. Louis on Wednesday and will be escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders back to his family in Ava.  The VFW in Mountain Grove is organizing a tribute as the procession passes through that town about 6:25 in the evening.  The information on the Internet indicates that the procession will be traveling at highway speeds until it turns off on to 5 Hwy at Mansfield.  Then it will go about 40 miles per hour for the last 14 miles to Ava.  Sgt. Wilson will be buried at the Vera Cruz Cemetery on Saturday, August 8.  The Patriot Guard will again escort him starting from the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home at about 12:30 p.m.  The date of Sgt. Wilson’s death is estimated to be on or about Nov. 27, 1950, five months after North Korea invaded the South, when the U. S. Army committed its first divisions to battle by battalion.  The battalions usually fought often without artillery, heavy mortar or air support.  Sgt. Wilson received the Purple Heart Medal, the Army Good conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Starts, the United Nations Service Medal, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal, The Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.  The Patriot Guard Riders are escorting fallen soldiers home every day.  They are showing the Love and Gratitude Champions and all good citizens feel for the sacrifices of those serving the Nation in and out of uniform.

        More good neighboring news comes in the form of a benefit pie supper for Debbie and Mike Stone of Drury.  They lost their home to fire recently and the Vanzant and Champion communities joined Drury and others to help out.  Some pies were sold and then resold a number of times bringing in ‘big bucks!’  The overall proceeds reflect a generous and compassionate populace.  To have a good neighbor, you have to be one… Champion!

        Some bridge players are Buddhists but not all are.  Some Buddhists play bridge, but not all do.  Those that do live a life that promotes a doctrine of peace, inner resolve and tranquility and moral living.  Fortnight Bridge celebrated the birthday of a favorite Buddhist bridge player from Seven Springs.  She is ailing, but it is hoped that she’ll be shuffling and dealing again soon.  Saturday’s game, hosted by Vera Cruz, was fast moving with only 910 points separating winner from loser.  The host won the match and Champion split the money as low, each collecting $.35.  Penalties for unbid slams made it an expensive evening, particularly for the Brushy Knob player who had to pay up four times and for Norwood’s player who had to pay for three unexpected slams.  During the course of the evening a total of twenty games were won and seven contracts were lost and a luscious peach pie was consumed with ice cream.  The phenomenal number of rules, conventions and possible contingencies make bridge a game that occupies most of the cognitive powers of a player.  For the duration of the hand the declarer is completely occupied, giving a rest to the rest of the whirl of thoughts that routinely take up the consciousness.  It is like a little vacation—like a meditation.  No wonder they play.

        Some feedback has come into the Champion News mailbox regarding using ‘Tums’ to treat blossom end rot in tomatoes.  One old Champion girl thinks it works.  “The calcium seems to be getting to the tomatoes!  The blight is still making the plants look bad, but the fruit looks wonderful.”  Now, perhaps with some sunshine and summertime, some ripening will take place and other heat loving crops will benefit.  Dwarf, non-bearing, ornamental okra is ready for a change.  Linda’s Almanac from the Plant Place over in Norwood shows that the 8^th and 9^th will be good days to plant root crops again.  Turnips and beets will be welcome when the weather gets cold again—soon enough.  “Time is filled with swift transitions” is one of those songs that gives a person pause to think.  Champions recognize when things are good.  “Summertime and the living is easy.  The fish are jumping and the cotton is high.  Your Daddy’s rich and your Ma’s good looking, so hush little baby!  Don’t you cry.”  Songs about when things are good are welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  Sing one of those or another one out on the porch at Henson’s Store.  Go inside and get some tickets for that $100.00 power drawing from the White River Valley folks.  Or get some quilt tickets for that Skyline Picnic Quilt.  There is a great color picture of it on the www.championnews.us website and it has sparked interest from far away places!  A new shipment of Champion Picture Postcards has arrived so the sad, dull and dreary old world outside can get some of that good Champion view.  Champion!  Looking on the Bright Side!