Events were held all across Scotland to mark Remembrance Sunday as we celebrate Veterans’ Day on November 11th in the US, both nations commemorating those who lost their lives in the two world wars and later conflicts.  We recognize the bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism of all who have served and hope to express national gratitude for their service.

The internet tells us that Smoky the Bear has been to our Skyline R2 School and that students have had the chance to climb all over the Skyline VFD firetruck.  PreK through second grade had pumpkin patch fun on their field trip.  Melissa Wilhite, Skyline’s 3rd grade teacher says, “The Skyline 3rd and 4th grade Tigers enjoyed beautiful weather at the local museums in Mansfield, MO.  We began our journey touring Laura Ingalls Wilder’s home then went to partake in a scavenger hunt at the museum. From there we participated in a “pioneer lunch” at the nearby park and walked this off on a 1-mile walking trail taking us to The Rock House for another informational tour of the home Rose Wilder had built for her parents. To wrap our educational adventure, we went to the Mansfield Community building to listen to authors read and ignite the love of the writing process during the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival hosted by the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival Committee.”  Our wonderful school has a lot going on.

We remember Champions Dean Brixey on his birthday on the 18th and Elva Ragland on the 19th.  Zack Alexander’s lovely grandma celebrates on November 23rd. Skyline fourth grader, Charlie Prine, has the 24th for his big day and the 26th is for Lannie Hinote and Thomas Jernigan who was two years old on in 2017.  Carolyn Nunn Harvey shares her birthday on the 27th with sixth grader Aubrey Louis.  Geoff Bartch will party on the 28th, and fourth grader Christopher Boyd will do that on the 29th.  Your Champion friends and family say, “Happy days!”  We read that for you to born today from 12 previous generations; you need a total of 4,094 ancestors over the last 400 years.  Think for a moment about how many struggles, how many battles, how much sadness, happiness, their many stories, and hope for the future that your ancestors had to undergo for you to exist in this present moment.  You are the dream of many ancestors as we have dreams for our grandchildren and beyond.  The General, our Champion genealogist, can take us back several generations in his and other local families.  Many of us do not know much before our grandparents, but we all came from somewhere.  In America, we are either indigenous people or immigrants of one kind or another in our big, wonderful melting pot.

Saturday, a beautiful day here in Edinburgh with brilliant sunshine in the 50s afforded a chance to tour St. Cecilia’s Hall, a museum of music.  On display are more than 400 musical instruments from the past 500 years.  Almost anything with strings is represented along with harpsichords, pianos (they have strings) and everything imaginable out of brass, wood, and leather, not to mention the plaid of the bagpipes.  Many of the instruments are still playable and there are recordings and videos available to hear them.  They have been meticulously restored and preserved.  We are reminded that music is considered a universal cultural phenomenon present in every human society.   Despite vast cultural and stylistic differences, studies have found common features and purposes for music across all cultures.  We use it to express emotion, to worship, and to fellowship.  It is a pretty good tranquilizer in troubled times.

The Prominent Champion reports the weather to have been ‘cool’ there lately.  Edinburgh has been enjoying temperatures in the 50’s with bright intervals of sunshine, glorious sunsets and occasional rain, light and heavy.  A prominent Scotsman allows there is weather all over the world and no place to go to get away from it.  With such brilliant insight, he could well be a Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

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