The 60th annual Vanzant Community Picnic has garnered rave reviews on all fronts. Nigh on to a thousand people spent a couple of evenings together exemplifying true community. That number includes a small army of firefighters and their families from the Eastern Douglas County Volunteer Fire Department and all the surrounding volunteer fire departments—Skyline, Squires, Brixey Rockbridge. They did all the hard work that let the rest of us have a good time. Roy Crouch could be seen everywhere riding loose herd on the whole wonderful event. He emphasizes the crucial role of the sponsors: ZZ Insurance, Farmers Ag, Vanzant Baptist Church, Wright County Land Services, Grove Portable Buildings, Jason Macpherson, Stockmens Bank, Feld Fire and others. The American Legion Post presented the colors both evenings. Along with all the games, bingo, cake walk and excellent picnic food, other attractions included The Butterfield Stagecoach, the Blood Mobile and the Quilt Show. The music line-up was superb, as usual, and the fireworks at the end of the evening rivaled any to be seen anywhere in this part of the country. A favorite venerable Old Champion often said, “When things are good, say so.” It was good. It is good to catch up with friends who only see each other at this event year after year.

John Webber has a grandson named Thomas who lives way out west somewhere. His grandpa’s birthday is on July 25th. Wade Day was at the picnic and his birthday is July 27th. Reba Bishop and Skyline fifth grader Joey White share a birthday on the 28th. The 29th is for Karen Ross, who cheerfully delivered our mail for years in Champion, and for Skyline School’s amazing music teacher Cheyenne MacIntosh. If you have an extra ukulele lying about, Cheyenne can put it to good use. Last year Warren Appling was a prekindergarten student at Skyline and Rayven Castillo was a first grader. They share a birthday on July 30th.

More concerning what is good: A gentleman (one who can play the accordion but doesn’t) happened to have an air compressor handy to assist a neighbor with a flat tire. A good neighbor is a treasure, and the wide veranda was full of them on Wednesday. They visited and shared news about family members far and near and about local fairs and livestock shows, about gardens and history. Friday brought another Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

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