Pioneer Heritage Festival Talent Group

The second of the ‘ber’ months has arrived—a time for remembering. A big thing to remember is if you happen to have a prescription for nitroglycerine, keep it current. Recently, a much loved musician suffered a heart attack that would have been prevented had his nitro not been expired. Another annual reminder to a prominent Champion is, “Remember, if you act like you are having a good time, soon you will forget that you are acting, and you will really be having a good time.” That occurs on his birthday on the first of October, which he shares with Jana Brixey, dairy farmer and Skyline kindergarten teacher. Fifth grader, Myson Loveless, also parties that day and it was the birthday of Pete Mullens who married Bonnie Brixey many, many years ago. The were a lovely pair. October 2nd was the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, born in 1869. William Tucker Clark was born on that day in 2015. His old grandpa celebrates his birthday the next day, which is the big day for Skyline fourth grader, Evan Homer. Those delightful Denlow dames, Kaye and Faye, were born up at the OK Corral on October 4th, some little while ago and they are perking along nicely yet. Skyline’s great cook, Rhonda Nava, will have her celebration on the 5th. So, all you Skyliners, Denlowites and Champions, enjoy your day and the year ahead.

Saturday was a beautiful warm day for the Pioneer Heritage Festival of the Ozarks. Meeting up with old friends and seldom see ones, catching up and reconnecting, added to the enjoyment of the day. Many talented artisans willingly spent the time and energy to show us how things were done before mass production and automation made life easier for us. Should a time ever come when those are the skills required for subsistence, it is good to know they have been perpetuated. It was a real treat to see Brian Thompson on his aluminum (lighter than cast iron) pedal scroll saw. He can produce any wonderful word you want in wood—pine, red oak, or walnut. Spinners, weavers, quilters, planters, soap makers, herbalists, tool makers and others shared their gifts for our edification and enjoyment. The whole festival was a pleasure and hopes that some permutation of it will persevere. Music was no small part of it with jams, bands, dancing, and the great youth talent show. Those kids not only embody optimism but are the very future of the music so much a part of our history and culture.

Under the guise of getting rid of clutter, and Old Champion ran across a stack of notebooks going back a couple of decades. A random sampling says, “Paul Uhlmann had four goats with big horns. Some fellow came to call on his sister and the goats got up under his car and it took them two hours to jack the car up off the goats.” Another entry mentioned Lavern Miller. He lived over near Willow Springs. He was a WWII veteran with a lovely wife name Jessie Mae and a great sense of humor. He grew up around Brixey and Rockbridge and worked for the railroad for 36 years.” For several years, he was the auctioneer at the Denlow/Fairview School Reunion where his spirit of fun drew bids that were themselves funny. Another entry said, “When you’re swerving on life’s highway, you’re running someone off the road.” Back to clutter control, experts in the area suggest throwing something away every day and giving something away every day or designating something to give away. That maxim about being more blessed to give than to receive comes in to play. That also leads to the idea of asking for help. Old folks are reminded to remember how good it felt to be of help to some old person back when they were young, strong people. It may take some effort to figure out how it is a gift to the person you are asking for help but go for it if you need it and give it if you can. Champion! Looking on the Bright Side!

Facebook