CHAMPION—November 8, 2010

           Champions do not rob themselves of the joy of this season by wishing they were in a future or a past one.  Pretty much Champions are a here and now kind of people.  They consider the lilies how they grow…and the collard greens too.  With the possibility of a mild winter, some are thinking they can yet get some greens going.  All it takes is some planning and hard work. Not just every place is good for growing collards.  They are really just a non-heading form of cabbage and their requirements for growth are the same…rich moist loamy soil, water and attention.  It turns out that green leafy vegetables are about the very best thing a person could eat, though some Champions might negate those health benefits with the bacon drippings. 

          E-mail from Pete Proctor says, “I want to say thanks to all Veterans that serve their Country. This Veterans Day I will be busy.  On Thursday at 9:00 a.m. we will have a Color Ceremony on the Mountain Grove Square, at 10:00 at Mountain Grove High School, and then at 1:00 p.m. at the Norwood School.  Everyone is welcome to come.  Here is some History:  so far this year from Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia the remains of 26 combatants have been found and identified; in Korea 33 combatants were recovered and identified; World War II 70 combatants were recovered and identified.  Still Missing as of September 15, 2010, are 74,191 from World War II, from the Cold War–127 still missing, Korean War–8,019 still missing, Vietnam–1,693 are still missing.   Remember each Ex-POW, those that are being held as Prisoner of War and those Missing in Action, for surely they have not forgotten you. Remember them all, until the day they come home. Keep supporting the Troops.  Bye for now, Pete” Champions thank Pete for his vigilance and join him is extending Love and Gratitude to all those who serve now and all those who have.  Check out the Missing Man Table and the POW/MIA Color Ceremony by the Mountain Grove VFW Post 3770 through the Champion Connections link at www.championnews.us.

            Bob’s older brother Richard will have his birthday on the 15th.  For a short time they are the same age.  November 1lth was the birthday of Charles “Chuck” Barnes.  He was born in 1916, and led an interesting life for 86 years. He had some great stories to tell about gardening in Tasmania and snowstorms in Kansas.  His daughter, Cathy Crain, just celebrated her birthday on Friday (“Will you still need me?  Will you still feed me?”).  Cathy planned her day with her two sisters, Linda and Charlene and with three dear friends of long standing.  They went garage-sale hopping en masse and then out to lunch.  Talk about out to lunch!  Sharon Upshaw knew a little something was up on her birthday on Friday when dinner was planned at Uncle Rooster’s place.  Before it was all said and done with, her four children, Michael, Elva, Loretta and Debra and their families were all there together with a whole host of surprise well-wishers.  Sharon’s Mother, Mrs. Guymon, attended as did Sue and Russell Upshaw and Dean Upshaw, Kaye and Richard Johnston, and their daughters Phoebe and Elizabeth, and Josh and Madelyn Ward, Carol Barnhart, Peggy Hancock, Faye Krider, and the General, himself, Sharon’s proud spouse, Robert.  It was what any good birthday should be—full of family and friends.  One of Sharon’s grandchildren, Caleb James Barker will have his birthday on the 17th so the party will just go on anon.  Champion!  

            Esther and Raymond Howard spent the day in Champion on Sunday.  They always brighten up even the Bright Side.  Raymond led that song that Elvis made so popular, “Peace in the Valley.”  It is a good one and Raymond does it justice.  He and Taegan’s Uncle Dusty were talking about the great number of gray squirrels in the neighborhood, though no serious hunting expedition was discussed as far as could be told.   Taegan has a calf of her own now.  His name is Virgo. Her Great Aunt Barbara sent Email to the effect: “We’ll see you Thanksgiving if you don’t leave town to avoid us.”  Champions are always glad to see their absentee neighbors.  They will have some real and wonderful surprises in store for them at the marvelous progress being made on the major construction on the Square in Downtown Champion.  The beautiful weather has allowed for the stain to dry on a whole forest of boards standing up on end just ready to be attached to the stunning Replica of the Historic Emporium.  Everyone will be attached to this excellent establishment.  Champions are savoring the anticipation.

          Esther Wrinkles is happy to report that her effort to secure the band Big Creek for the Skyline VFD Chili Supper was successful.  Back Yard Bluegrass had already committed and the Green Mountain Messengers will be there.  This year the Skyline Auxiliary is inviting ‘jammers’ to get together about the time the silent auction is over which will be at 8:00  or 8:30 p.m. or so and so a fine evening is expected.  It is expected on March 5th!  That is some while off, but the plans are already well in the works!  (It is also Linda’s birthday!  Some alternate celebrating will be arranged.)  The Skyline Mascot Monkey of the Month for October (Zorro-Monkey) has garnered a bid of  $47.00 in the silent auction held at Henson’s Store in Downtown Champion.  It will be winging its way via airmail to its owner this week and the November monkey will suddenly appear.  It will be interesting to see if this one is a pilgrim-monkey, an Indian-monkey, or a turkey-monkey.  The Skyline Area VFD Association Picnic Society sponsors this monthly auction as a way to assist the Firefighters in making their big fire truck payment.  It is a Champion kind of thing to do.

          Some people from Texas bought a 60-acre chunk of beautiful forest at the corner of C highway and WW with the declared purpose of using it for hunting.  It turns out to be another of those wretched clear-cut logging operations and while Champions are big into property rights, some are saddened at the exploitation.  Change is inevitable but the things that are important should not change—like: ‘your word is your bond.’   “A log drops and the fire creaks.   All eyes turn but no one speaks.  The air grows heavy.  All thought the same—the rain, the rain, here comes the rain!”   This is a poem/song by Good Homes.

          Send your rain songs, your good waiting songs, and your happy birthday songs to Champion at getgoin.net or to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.    Go to www.championnews.us to see the pictures of that Crystal Lake Gang loafing at the Loafing Shed in Downtown Champion.  They are a rowdy looking bunch and when you see their picture it will be clear that they are all Champions—Looking on the Bright Side!

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