Cool mornings in the garden, watching birds and butterflies, get us off to a good start. Cool dry days have been good for farmers and for old Champions, but it is August. These days, August means school. There are lots of fun things coming up at our great Skyline R-2 School. August 11th the ‘Back to School Bash’ will be going on from 4 to 6 pm. ‘Open Enrollment’ will be from 9am to 3 pm on August 13th. ‘Open House’ will happen the next day from 5 to 7 pm. Summer has been wonderful, but at least one young Champion has said she is ready to get back to school to be with all her friends. Kindergarten teacher Sarah Goss will celebrate her birthday on August 13th. (That is a day we celebrate Dean Upshaw. He enjoys a good song.) Morgan Johnson was in the eighth grade at Skyline last year. His birthday is on the 14th. Skyliner Lee Borders celebrates on the 16th. School days and birthdays are days to be remembered.

Remembering the old days, we miss Cletus Upshaw because he knew the deep story behind everything around these parts. He has kinfolks with good memories. We relish those afternoons here on the north side of the Champion Square when The General and others harken back. We are grateful to the Douglas County Museum and Historical Society for all they do to keep us grounded in the past. They have an Open House coming up on August 16th that will be a chance to tour the twelve rooms of the museum again and to support that important institution. ‘Dora Historian Ozarks’ is a Facebook page that often shares photos and stories of the far eastern part of the county. Our friend Kaitlyn McConnell with Ozarks Alive shines a light on Champion and interesting places all over the country. Ozarks Watch Magazine on public television gives us a deep look into the history of the Ozarks with a particular emphasis on the music. Tom Peters over in McClurg is helping to keep old music alive in a spot that has been doing that for many years. The Douglas County Herald, even in its current diminished form, is still sharing things from 125 years ago. A famous man said, “There are people in every time and every land who want to stop history in its tracks. They fear the future, mistrust the present and invoke the security of a comfortable past, which in fact, never existed.” Another famous fellow said, “Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” This quote highlights how those in power can manipulate historical narratives to maintain their control over society and shape future actions. By controlling what information is available and how it is interpreted they can influence public perception and behavior. Mother said, “Behave! Act like you have good sense.” We try and hope. Another guy said, “Education is learning how to spot the signs of history repeating itself.” Hopes are we will repeat the good and the neighborly parts.

Our friend Johnny Burkdoll visited again in Champion on Wednesday. He has a big job taking care of several hundred miles of rough country roads on this big end of the county. We have fewer people out this way and many more miles of county roads. He says Bobby Emery will be in this neighborhood soon. We will be glad to see him on his big machine and glad to have some smooth sailing down our lovely country lanes.

A large and spreading damp spot emanating from the front left side of an old ugly truck parked under a giant oak tree was visible only because the gravel there was so dry. Good fortune comes in the form of good neighbors, knowledgeable good neighbors, willing and able good neighbors. They diagnosed the problem, a loose radiator plug, and set about to reseat it and to top off the radiator with antifreeze and water. Chances are very good that without their help the old truck would not have made it the mile and a half home without something catastrophic happening. Those guys know who they are—Champions! —Looking on the Bright Side!


 
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