The Saturday of the Memorial Day weekend, May 23rd, will again find former students of the Denlow and Fairview Schools gathering at the Denlow Church and Cemetery. This is the 40th year of this event. Former students, their descendants, and everyone else with ties to the community are welcome. Lunch will be served at 12 noon. Ed Williams and staff will provide the main course of the meal. Attendees are encouraged to bring a side dish or dessert. A prominent alumnus says, “Thank goodness descendants of former students show up for this reunion as there are not too many former scholars still around. Denlow’s last school year was 1955, Fairview was 1958.”

Memorial Day on Monday unofficially marks the beginning of the summer season. Officially it became a federal holiday in 1971 and celebrates and honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Military. 620,000 soldiers died in the Civil War and were honored with Decoration Day. Today we decorate and contemplate our many losses.

In 1896 the US Postal Service began rural free delivery. It is a vital public service. Route 72 is about 120 miles long, much of it on gravel roads. We celebrate and appreciate our rural mail carriers. We also celebrate Teresa Wrinkles on May 22nd. She has moved away but is still remembered for her wonderful pies. Keller Boehs is glad school is out. His birthday is also the 22nd. Skyline Jennings Harley’s birthday on the 24th. Jennings will be in the third grade when school starts. Chase Cauthron’s mom also celebrates on the 24th. The 25th is for Leana Bell Wagner. Skyline Counselor Leslie Top will enjoy the 26th for her birthday as will John Webber. On May 27 we remember Champion’s Ed Henson, born in 1903. The 27th is also the day all her children and grandchildren celebrate Paula Mudd. Brylee Clark is one of those great-grandchildren. Her birthday is on the 28th, the same day as Presleigh Miller’s who will be in the 4th grade at Skyline. Dale Thomas also has the 28th for his big day and it is the day we remember Jessie Mae Miller who was born in Denlow in 1926.

When, in the course of human events, we are called far away for family events joyful or somber, returning home marks the high point of the trip. Driving back into the Ozarks this time of the year we love all its ups and downs, its curvy undulations, amazing deep lush green foliage and oxeyed daisies sprinkled along the roadways. We have precious memories of our family time, but we know there is no place like home. Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

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