February 19, 2007
CHAMPION – February 19, 2007
The good news in Champion once again has to do with grandchildren. Those boys from Tennessee were back again making life on the Krider farm joyous. Dakota and Dillon keep young Foster, visiting from Marshfield, well entertained and the three of them together is a sweet sight. Foster is also an excellent entertainer and is currently practicing a duet with his Mom: “You Are My Sunshine.” Some of the best news around has to do with the weather. There has finally been a break from the deep cold. Remembering that recent winters have been unusually mild doesn’t make the hard ones any easier to bear. Buzzards were reported to be flying around the Skyline Ladies’ Auxiliary Shoot Out the other day, so that is portentous of something, perhaps just the passage of time. Warm days make the garden call out to Champions. Linda over at the Plant Place in Norwood says the cole crops are looking good and their second leaves are beginning to emerge. Mailmen will be burdened with seed catalogues and the seasons keep rolling around.
The sad news in the community is word of the passing of Murnice Hamilton. She was a most consistently good humored person with an openness for friendship that is seldom seen. Kind words, compassion and a sweet laugh were her hallmark. Her gentle smile will be missed by all whose lives she touched. She was a great repository of Love and Gratitude.
Gunfire echoed throughout the hills and hollows of Champion as those Auxiliary women blew off steam. Their chili supper will go off on Saturday. It will be the event of the season. People will be celebrating a change in the weather, a change in the season, and the chance to get together for some good visiting and good food. The music will lift every spirit and everyone will benefit. The Skyline Volunteer Fire Department will be the designated beneficiary, but the whole community will share in the uplifting.
Monday was marked by The Return of the Buzzards, then comes Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, and then it’s the birthday of Farel Sikes, and Friday the birthday of Staci Krider. Yipee! Farel is making a good recovery from his injury and is doing what he has to do regain his strength and mobility. There are many people struggling to overcome serious injuries sustained in the line of duty. There are more than twenty thousand veterans of the current war in Iraq whose lives will never be the same. No one who has served there will return as the same person who left. Hopefully they will be met here with Understanding as well as the Love and Gratitude that is their due.
The Missouri Song List will surely become longer as a result of the Skyline VFD Ladies Auxiliary Chili Supper. Words to “My Missouri Home” are still being sought.
- The Missouri Waltz
- Meet Me in St. Louie, Louie
- I’m Goin Back to Whur I come From
- The Wesphalia Waltz
- The West Plains Explosion
- My Missouri Home
- Kansas City, Here I Come
- May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You
New songs for the Missouri Song List, old stories from around Champion, family histories, new or old news, poetry, admonitions, complaints, speculations, exaltations—all are welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2 Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717, at Henson’s store in the heart of Champion and at Champion News.
