October 6, 2025
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!
