Friends visiting from Seattle have brought this weather with them. They have extra since they suffered an extraordinary episode of a Texas tropical heat wave heat up there recently. The warmest June in 127 years seems a funny statistic to an Old Champion wearing a sweater on July 12. Change surprises with surprise changes though climatologists the world over say we are being forewarned. A break between episodes of rain gives farmers the chance to finish their haying. Some old gardeners are struggling with a profusion of beautiful tomatoes that refuse to ripen even as jars fill up with green beans. These are not challenges faced by city dwellers rushing to their jobs on busy freeways.


Vanzant Picnickers

The Tri-County Fair fueled excitement and hard work for local dairy-farm kids, Jenna and Jacob, who were rewarded for their efforts with first prize ribbons and many accolades. Now the rest of summer seems to stretch out endlessly for them and other Champion youngsters. Boredom has set in and it is no fun going to the creek without friends. Mothers come to the rescue, as they have for generations, and wherever you see a passel of frolicking youth in a swimming hole, there is a mother nearby keeping close watch.


Vanzant Picnic Fun

“The show must go on,” according to Gina Holligshad, who along with Fiddling Tom and ‘D’ is for David, played on between showers and thunder booms. Stringed Union, of Willow Springs, Backyard Bluegrass, of various back yards, and Lost Creek, of Bruner, followed suit for two exciting evenings of music al fresco at the Vanzant Picnic. Brenda Coffman Massey said, “A big thank you to the community for your love and support! You know, there is a lot of work that goes into the picnic, but when you see everyone and the little kids having so much fun, you know your hard work paid off.” She said she does it for the kids. All the volunteers are to be commended for their efforts. This year the crowds defied the weather for the joy of seeing friends and families and continuing the tradition of gathering in support of the Vanzant Community and the Eastern Douglas County Volunteer Fire Department. Teresa Wrinkles wrangled the cake walk while on a walker, and several handsome gentlemen ferried folks from parking lot to picnic and back again in a continual stream with traffic control personnel out on the road keeping everyone safe. Kenneth Anderson won the fish cooker in the raffle. Ask Mary Elizabeth or Barbara how many fish and chips he will cook. Bob Smith won the $100.00 bill, which he may spend or save or give away. Crystal Shephard won the beautiful quilt that may become a family heirloom. The drawings had to be held on Sunday, because the thunderstorm that rolled in just as the turtle races were over put an abrupt stop to the planned evening. The food exceeded expectations for picnic fair and the games saw steady action. Neither Sheriff Chris Degase nor Commissioner Brad Loveless will have to take a bath anytime soon, as they each earned many dollar bills for the cause in the dunking booth. Splash! What might it tell them that so many people were willing to stand in long lines and spend money, hoping to see them get a sudden soaking? The internet fairly swam with images of the spectacle, and they appeared to have had a good time being waterlogged–good sports like Champions—Looking on the Bright Side!


2021 Vanzant Picnic
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