October 31, 2016
CHAMPION—October 31, 2016 (Boo!)
At the end of the trail, Bud’s Bunch–looking for ice cream.
There is good news in Champion! The bees are flourishing again in the Ancient Behemoth Bee Tree on the South Side of the Square. Moreover, there are more bees—over the top—that is to say, a second story of bees with an additional entry about four feet higher than the long established entry. The old tree is just right for this thriving hive. Locals are relieved and grateful for the continuity.
Bud Hutchison’s Fall Trail Ride headed up In Champion on Wednesday and took a wide 16 mile swing out through the Shannon Ranch and returned several hours later to the Historic Emporium for ice cream out on the wide veranda. Fourteen horses and riders made the trip with no serious complications; nobody’s hat went in the creek (they didn’t cross any creeks to speak of); nobody was thrown or trampled and as they all loaded up to go their separate ways it was agreed that it had been another great ride. Bud listed off several folks that can no longer ride because of age and health related issues. For some the effort to get in the saddle is excruciating, but then the movement of the horse moves their bodies in a therapeutic action that makes them feel better in the end….probably everywhere. J.C. Owsley made that observation, but he did not make the ride this time. Wilma enjoyed the day visiting out on the veranda listening to the dairy farmer harmonize with Teresa’s husband and enjoying the Chase Cauthron Wednesday Trio. When Mr. Letsinger dismounted and strolled up the steps he accepted the invitation to play the mandolin and scrubbed off a version of ”Turkey in the Straw” that set toes tapping. For contrast he played “Laura’s Theme” from Dr. Zhivago. It is the song that goes, ”Somewhere, my love, la, La, la, la–la, la…” This musician is also reported to be a transcendent yodeler, but he was not in the mood. Some of his fellow riders said he had been singing a song about a bad Strawberry Roan while they were out on the trail. Sublime/Champion.
 The Ancient Bee Tree has a Champion two story hive.
|
In sports: The Champion Horseshoe Pitch was the scene of good action on Wednesday, though no official score was reported. It would appear that each player is capable of a finite number of pitches in any episode of play, elbows, knees, backs and throwing arms notwithstanding. Champions always root for the home team. Some Old Champions have been watching the World Series. Baseball, they say, is the most sophisticated of all the gladiator sports. Super sophisticated videos now show every play from every angle and graphics show the strike zone and replicate the path of the pitch. The Old Champion gal liked it better on the radio where the spitting and scratching did not show up. As to the chewing, she acknowledges that while slow, according to critics, the game is decidedly intense and stress relief via the jaw serves a purpose. She has fond memories of Red Barber and Phil Rizzuto calling the games with names like Pewee Reece, Yogi Berra, Gil Hodges, Roy Campanella, Stan Musial and Leo Durocher. It was wonderful on the radio: “Two up and two down in the top of the 9th…. It’s a high fly ball to right field…..he’s going back, back, back and……” Back in the 1950s she was a great fan of White Sox first baseman Norm Cash, who came from Justiceburg, Texas where she had family history. Now she is appreciating 6’6” pitcher, John Lackey, who was born in her home town of Abilene, Texas. He has been in the big leagues since 2002, and joined the Cubs in 2015. When the series is over there will be happy people and disappointed people, but it will have been exciting. The boys of summer shine.
America’s Favorite Pastime is a peasant diversion from the unpleasantness of politics. The election will soon be over. Some will be glad, some disappointed. The rancor of this political season is unprecedented. Hopes are that at its conclusion, neighbors with disparate (and maybe desperate) views can and will still be neighbors and friends.
Over the years there have been many conspiracy theorist who warned about the dangers of militarized police being used against peaceful people standing up for their rights. It is happening. Representatives of the United Nations and Amnesty International have been alerted to the chaotic situation at the Standing Rock Reservation of the Sioux in North Dakota. Heavily militarized police and National Guard are allied with the pipeline company which is pursuing a project that has seriously questionable legality and unaddressed ramifications for the indigenous people and for millions of people downstream who rely on the Missouri River. The people have been defending their sacred sites, their land and water for months with scant attention in the media. Their numbers are growing as are the numbers of the constabulary with their tanks, assault rifles, riot gear, rubber bullets, sound cannons, mace, pepper spray and, on occasion, vicious attack dogs. There are also reports of infiltrators among the peaceful, prayerful, unarmed people who are directed to incite violence in order provide law enforcement with justification for brutality. Those 147 and more people who have been arrested in Morton County have been subjected to brutality and humiliation commensurate with the degree of respect historically afforded indigenous people. It is very reminiscent of the difficulties at Wounded Knee in 1973. However, over the week end there was a report of a great heard of wild buffalo showing up unexpectedly at one site of confrontation.
Douglas County Health Department nurse Nannette Hirsch made her regular last Tuesday morning of the month visit to Champion. She was accompanied by a nursing student named Violet, who has family ties to the area. They will be at Skyline School on the first Tuesday of each month doing blood pressure checks and other health screenings. It is a great service to the community—some verify, ‘life saving.’ Nannette’s birthday passed on the 16th with no Champion News fanfare, but Champions are indeed fans of this pleasant lady. One of Champion’s regular Bobs celebrates his birthday on the 4th of November. Emerson Rose Ogelsby, Champion granddaughter, has a birthday on the 5th and the 6th belongs to a very sweet lady from Goshen County, Wyoming. She knows who she is and everybody who knows her is glad to know her. Kalyssa’s grandfather, Wayne Wiseman has his birthday on the 7th. He has been out on a wild adventure with Mishbucha rambling through the Great Smokey Mountains in good company at a beautiful time of the year. Bob Weltanschauung of Champion South will share his birthday with the presidential election and will forever remember the results. Happy Birthday, Bob, and everyone. (See a smiley face here.)
A Champion Louisiana brother in law came to the Vanzant bluegrass jam the other night. His guitar picking was a pleasure to hear and before the evening was over he sang, “This Ain’t My First Rodeo.” If a person orders a music stand from an outfit called Ceol Waves on the internet, the next thing you know a fellow named Shelton will be chatting up the person, sharing the philosophy that music is a prodigious part of the human experience. Look them up at www.ceolwaves.com. They have a great deal on a zinc guitar capo. Look up www.championnews.us and see a picture of Nannette on stilts in the October 3rd post, and pictures of some of Bud’s bunch at the end of the trail. Pictures of the Bee Tree remind school alumni that the Bee Tree used to be first base. “Take me out to the ball game” in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!
Champion Trails
