Thirty-seven names appeared on the sign-in sheet at the Champion Reunion on Saturday and a dozen or more unsigned, plus four of the McConnell family brought the total up substantially. There was plenty of good food to go around and lots of good conversation. Newcomers mixed with old timers sharing stories of where they came from and where they live now and some of the rich history of Champion. A couple of the few remaining Champion School alumni had stories to tell rich with nostalgia. While harkening back to the old days we appreciate these days and the Champion community that extends far beyond its geographic boundaries, whatever they are.

School seems to be off to a great start. Parents who have both children in school for the first time were out on the wide veranda on Wednesday experiencing the precursor to the ‘empty nest syndrome.’ In twenty or thirty years they will really understand what that means. The swift passage of time is often referenced, particularly by some who have seen a lot of it go by. Other subjects had to do with the savagery of racoons in the hen house. One reported that a racoon with two bullet holes in it already was still taking the heads off the chickens even as it was dying. Racoons seem to be some of the few animals, humans included, who kill for the fun of it. Stray dogs can be a nuisance too, but Clyde, the fifty pound eight-month-old Basset hound, will probably not cause much trouble. He has trouble staying out of the way of his own ears and is described as ‘getting more stupid’ every day, but loveable.

Earlier, inside the store, there was talk about the problem of black vultures which are known for damaging property and, more seriously, attacking and preying on newborn or sick livestock. Permits to kill them come through the Conservation Department but might be applied for after the fact. All kinds of pleasant conversations go on around the cold old wood stove, often with some joking and chiding. Occasionally a misinformed bloviating local might need to hear the quote by the author Nathan Rustein who wrote numerous books about life, spirituality, racism, education, and the oneness of humanity. He said, “Prejudice is an emotional commitment to ignorance.” We laugh and say, “My prejudices are better than your prejudices.” We have plenty of reasons to laugh in Champion.

Monday morning had upwards of forty stalwart citizens meeting on the corner of Highway 5 and Springfield Avenue with their clever signs sharing their sentiments with passersby on a variety of issues including healthcare, democracy, the value of unions, calls for civility. They say fact is objective information. An opinion is a personal belief. Ignorance is a lack of facts. And stupidity is a rejection of facts in favor of opinions. George Orwell said, “However much you deny the truth, the truth goes on existing.” It is generally thought that the purpose of government is to secure the wellbeing of the governed.

Monday evening had forty plus people enjoying the music that fifteen of them made at McClurg. Tom Peters reported that Lila Robinson played the beautiful “Shepherd’s Wife Waltz.” Other tunes he shared were David Scrivner’s “Five Miles from town,” and an “Un-named Tune in C” with Emily Garoutte-Boldman on lead fiddle. Dot Cohm played “Clinch Mountain Backstep” on the banjo and on his banjo Gordon Gosh played “Shine on Me.” Other videos Tom shared were “A and E Waltz “and “Dark-Haired Girl.” We are grateful to all the musicians and purveyors of music for the beauty, solace, and fun they share. Our glorious hymns in church and our extraordinary solo performances alone in the car on the way to town lift our spirits. Champions–Looking on the Bright Side!

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