Skyline School Bus #4 students enjoy a Champion treat.

Wednesday a trio of the Champion Cowboy’s double cousins came ambling into the square looking for him but settling for the Prominent Champion who they mistook for his older brother. Corrine and Nadine from Hartville and Seymour, driven by Pam, daughter and niece, from Mountain Grove engaged in recollecting those glory schooldays when their East Dogwood baseball team soundly trounced the Champions right there in the sand lot now affectionately called the ‘square.’ They tarried a while, then went on about their outing.

Meanwhile, the Porch Pickers picked away practicing preferred pieces. More pleasant weather may well entice some real musicians to join in. Joann Lawrence has suggested that she may soon and will have a fiddle with her in the event some itinerant fiddler may appear. At the McClurg Jam there was “Peace in the Valley” as the “Lost Indian” and “Old Melinda” enjoyed the “Shannon Waltz” then had some “Squirrel Heads and Gravy” singing the “Milk Cow Blues.” We have Tom to thank for sharing another Monday evening with the rest of us.

Mayday! The first day of May featured our Skyline R2 School’s awards program in the afternoon and the kindergarten and eight grade graduation ceremony in the evening. Staff members are to be commended for creating such a special time for students and their loved ones. The last day of school had all the students on Angela McKay’s Skyline Bus #4 posing for a group picture (with ice cream) on the steps of The Champion Store—a great start to a great summer. Skyline’s summer school will be well underway before this gets to ink.

The last week of school was staff appreciation week. The Facebook post said, “Our teachers/special education coordinator/aides work hard every day to not only educate their students, but to make each one feel valued. Our superintendent always makes time to balance administrative duties with listening to students and staff. Our counselor is an important resource for our students. Our librarian is generous with her time that she gives to our students. Our office staff keeps things running smoothly. Our cook staff provides tasty meals for everyone, including the student favorite, biscuits and gravy. Our maintenance/custodial staff are always working to keep our school safe and clean. Our bus drivers have the tremendous task of safely getting our students to and from school. We truly have a fantastic group of people at our school!”

May the fourth be with you! The Star Wars’ reference for good luck precedes the Cinco de Mayo celebration of the Mexican victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Around that time important battles were being fought around these parts, among them Wilson’s Creek in 1861, and the Battle of Clark’s Mill 1862. These days the general atmosphere around the country seems sort of contentious again, but Champions hope for sanity and civility and humor. They say not to judge a person until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes. Then they say not to worry about him, because he’s a mile away and you’re wearing his shoes.

The General informs us that “The 39th annual Denlow school reunion combined with the umpteenth bi-annual/annual Fairview school reunion will be on 24 May 2025 at the Denlow church and cemetery. Ed Williams will prepare his specialties (including fresh/recent road kills). Attendees are requested to bring a side dish or dessert. Coffee, water, and soft drinks will be provided. There will be an auction if any family heirlooms, treasures, or pet rocks, useful/unuseful items are donated for this event. I would like for all former students and/or their descendants to attend.”

Good things coming up sooner include the Second Saturday Skyline Swap Meet on Saturday the 10th. By order of Woodrow Wilson in 1909, the second Sunday in May became a holiday in honor of “that tender, gentle army, the mothers of America.” Wednesday the 14th will have equestrians from near and far enjoying ice cream on the wide veranda as part of the fun of Bud Hutchison’s Memorial Trail Ride out of and then back into Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

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