There is no glory in defeating a weak opponent. There were no weak opponents Sunday night. Congratulations to our Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Champions! Yet, the faces of the 49ers registered sadness and disappointment that somehow evokes sympathy. They played a strong game. It could have gone the other way. “There but for fortune, go you and I,” as the song says.

The time between birthdays passes more swiftly for some than others. Skyline seventh grader Aiden Acree and third grader Makenzie Jonas have the 8th and 9th of February for their birthdays. The 13th is for Claire Shannon who has grown up and gotten married. Valentine’s Day is the big one for Shelby Ward, Champion granddaughter. Donna Mullens Gainer has the 16th for her day and the 17th is the day we remember dear Trish Davis, who left us too soon. It is a sweet day for Linda Clark, grandmother of triplets. Skyline third grader Rayleigh Harvey shares the 18th with Pete Proctor and another Champion of another generation Madelyn Boehs. If Pete were in the neighborhood still, they would be neighbors. The next day would have been Pete’s mother’s birthday. Ruby will always be remembered as a founding Champion. We miss her. We do not miss Jim Ivy. He is still around also celebrating on the 19th. Third grader Jaylee Sudderth will party on the 20th. The swift passage of time may not be evident to the youngsters, but several in that bunch know all about it.

There comes a day in February when the dog hunts for (or looks for) the shade. That was according to Champion Lonnie Krider. Dave Medlock said that his Dad said it was two days in February. Anyway, a day later the loveable critter looks to lay around by the wood stove, then back out to sun on the porch. In and out—doorman to the dog. “Is it spring yet?” asks a neighbor up on C Highway whose dog likes to watch the small herd of deer that roam his grounds. He is ready to plant. Swiftly shift the seasons! He says that on Monday, Feb 19th there will be a ‘seed swap’ from noon to 5:00 pm at the Living Lands Studio on the Square in Ava. He is doing a lot of planting and has boxes and boxes of heirloom and interesting seeds to share. Master Gardner Edie Richardson at the L. and E. Organic Farm over north of Macomb has been enjoying some of the recent mild days to get some serious planting done. She and Lee are active with the University of Missouri Extension Agency, keeping bees and teaching good gardening practices.

Great area news is that Sue’s Greenhouse up north of Norwood will start being open with regular hours this Saturday, February 17th. Her son-in-law who was seriously injured last year, is now walking again and everyone there is very thankful for all the prayers and good thoughts for him. Sue and Joe have put up three new Greenhouses with a large retail center, easier access to the building with new shopping carts, and much more. She will be open for a sneak peek this Saturday and her hours will be 9-5 Monday-Friday and 9-4 on Saturdays. She already has onion sets and seed potatoes and some starter plants. By the first week in March, she should be in full swing with lots of plants ready to go. Sue contributes significantly to the beauty of Champion.

It was on Ash Wednesday thirty one years ago when an old couple calculated that on the median date between their two birthdays they would be 100 years old. They called it their duo-birthday and took the day off from work to have a picnic. This year they celebrate their 162nd birthday on Valentine’s Day which is Ash Wednesday. Valentine’s‘ Day gives us an opportunity to say lovely things to each other right out loud. It is not all romance, but affection, fun, and appreciation. Our Skyline School extends the occasion until Saturday the 17th with and invitation to the entire school family to a Valentine’s Day Family Formal. Music and dancing from 6-8 p.m. with games, food, and prizes. They say “Bring your friends, and even your neighbors! Wear your best and put your dance moves to the test.” Sweet Champions—Looking on the Bright Side!

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