Champion News

CHAMPION – May 13, 2007

        What a fortuitous week for Champions!  Mother’s Day on Sunday brought younguns home from far and wide and cards, letters, and phone calls galore.  It was a regular extravaganza of attention and appreciation for Champion Mothers.  Cards and photographs were displayed and compared and sweet stories of childhood pranks and pleasures were exchanged.  Wednesday, the long awaited Last Day of School for Skyline, made the whole week extra wonderfully special.  The swimming holes will soon be full of kids and they think that the summer will last a long time, that there will be plenty of time for every thing they want to do.  Old timers know that a beautiful summer day just passes in the blink of an eye.  Seasons slip by.  It’s a good thing that Champions understand the importance of living in the moment.  The past has great value and it’s good to review it for it’s lovely parts and good information.  The future is just a maybe, so Now is the best time we can have.  Richard Saunders said in Poor Richard’s Almanack, “Dost thou love Life?  Then do not squander Time; for that’s the Stuff Life is made of.”

        In Champion, as in other places, when a group of friendly people get together, it is hard to keep track of all the conversations going on at the same time.  Larry Powell, visiting his Mom, Mrs. Eva Powell, for Mother’s day, was heard spinning a yarn about someone having tied a brick on to the tail of a cow in an attempt to keep the cow from swatting the milker in the face so often.  As it turned out the milker then enjoyed a brick in the face.  The eavesdropper did not learn who tied the brick, who got it in the face, when it happened or where, but this was not the only yarn spun that day.  Mrs. Powell reported that she has been cooking some poke salat in with her fresh spinach lately.  The subject of edible wild greens came up and she and her daughter-in law, Mrs. Betty Powell, talked about ‘nar-dock,’ maybe ‘narrow dock,’ as opposed the wider leafed variety known as ‘bitter dock.’  Several Champions think they know exactly which plants are being discussed, but are looking for some confirmation.  Euell Gibbons doesn’t have much to say about ‘dock’ other than a contrived way to make it produce in the winter time for salad greens, of which he, by the way, is not overly fond.  Frances Densmore’s book, How Indians Used Wild Plants, which was published in 1928, shows both bitter dock and yellow dock as being used as medicine for cuts, ulcers and eruptions.  A friend named Crespo used dock immediately on a copperhead snake bite, or maybe that was plantain.  In any event, his home remedy proved better than the town doctor’s treatment on an earlier occasion when he had been bitten by another copperhead.  He needs to keep his hands way from the snakes!  Meanwhile, Betty Powell reported that her sister, Mona, reads the Champion Items to her on the phone on a regular basis.  Mona and her husband own and operate the café across the street and to the south a little bit from the Court House in Ava.  The café is called Mona’s Café and they are open from early in the morning until about two in the afternoon on week days.  That is a hard business to maintain, every bit as hard has dairy farming, just a few different kinds of duties required.

        An e-mail came in the Champion News.  It’s subject is  “Old Turner Stories”  Here is what it said.  “Dear Champion, I seen your article in the Douglas Co. Herald.  I have been doing research on my Turner & their connecting line’s for several years to pass on to our future generation’s so they may know who we were.  My great great grandparent’s were: Edward Turner/Elizabeth Nancy Clements.  They migrated to Douglas Co Mo. in the year of 1865 from Blue Mound, Illinois, and homesteaded near Arno, Mo. [They had] nine children, all raised in Arno, Missouri: John Ward, Daniel Edward, George Washington, Martha Elizabeth, Charles Vallandingham, Jesse Vorhess, Perry Oliver (died young), Samuel Edward, Willis Washington.  I am interested in old stories that might have came to light with your program on any of this family.

        “Edward & Elizabeth helped organize the old Mt. Tabor Church–donated land for it & Mt. Tabor Cemetery.  They are buried there, as many Turner’s are.  The first old church was burned by a angry father, when his boy’s caused a disturbance at one of the church services.  He was sent to prison, but was released soon afterwards.  Any early, old info on this church would be greatly appreciated, or old pictures, if [there are] any.  The old church was replaced in 1947, by a donation from Neiman, in honor of his mother who started Sunday school at the beginning of the old church for the children.  The church is now known as the: Mt. Tabor General Baptist.  Respectfully,  Bob Turner, PO Box 1733, Owasso, Oklahoma 74055 (919) 274-0474,  Alct3@aol.com.”  “Dear Mr. Turner,” went the reply.  “Thank you so much for your e-mail.  It will be included it in the next Champion Items.  Perhaps someone will be able to give you more information about your family.  It is most encouraging to know that there are people who wish to preserve their past in order to give their future generations some solid footing.  It sounds like your family has a rich history.  Good luck in your search.  Sincerely, a Champion Friend.”

        “Ifn you got to swaller a frog, don’t look at it too long!”  Ms. Satterfield’s advice from over in Little Creek is some excellent advice.  The richness of the local native tongue is treasure indeed.  A long time Champion resident says, “I don’t care to….” to mean that she would not mind doing whatever.  Champions certainly don’t mind having such interesting neighbors.  Good neighbor and former Champion, Ms. Vivian Floyd is making slow progress in recovering from the auto accident that occurred a couple of weeks ago, but progress nonetheless.  She has the good wishes of many Champions helping her along.  Champions also send Love and Gratitude to the families of the seventeen US service people who lost their lives this last week in Iraq and to the families of the three missing soldiers.  Now the total is 3,398.  The total of the wounded is estimated to be in the neighborhood of 42,400.  Memorial Day will be coming up soon.

        On the television news on Monday morning, it was reported that singing causes the brain to release endorphins that help the immune system to fight off disease, infection, and depression.  Therefore, Roger Miller’s song, Walking in the Sunshine, will summarily be added to the Missouri Song List.  Some of its lyrics are:  “Walking in the Sunshine/ Sing a little Sunshine Song.  /Put a smile upon your face as if there’s nothing wrong. / Think about a good time we had a long time ago.  /Think about, forget about your worries and your woes./  Walking in the Sunshine/ Sing a Little Sunshine Song.”  The song list now stands:

1. The Missouri Waltz
2. Meet Me in St. Louie, Louie
3. I’m Goin Back to Whur I Come From
4. The Westphalia Waltz
5. The west Plains Explosion
6. My Missouri Home
7. Kansas City, Here I come
8. May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You
9. Walking in the Sunshine

        Champions are urged to sing at every available opportunity, especially out in the Garden. Linda’s almanac says that the 19^th and 20^th will be most good for corn, cotton, okra, beans, peppers, eggplant and other above ground crops.  Plant seedbeds and flower gardens.  After a little more investigation a complete report of what happened to Linda over in Spotted Hog in 1981, will be reported.

        Fortuitous occurrences, narrow escapes, information about edible wild greens, songs suggested for the Missouri Song List, any information about Bob Turner’s family or the Latent family, and always any old stories about Ed Henson and his crowd are welcome by mail at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO. 65717, and by e-mail at Champion News.  Any of those things, together with any good advice, gardening tips or good neighbor gossip is welcome to be told right out loud in Henson’s Store in the Heart of the Business District of bustling Downtown Champion.  CHAMPION—LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

CHAMPION—May 7, 2007

        Good news in Champion takes many forms.  Just now there is much Gratitude that former Champion and good neighbor, Ms. Vivian Floyd was not hurt worse than she was in a traffic mishap last week.  She was a passenger in a vehicle that was struck by a driver running a red light.  She is quite bruised and battered from the seat belt and air bag, but is making a good recovery at home.  Lonnie Mears is also on the mend from an eye surgery that will keep him rather subdued for a couple of weeks.  Champion friends and family send them both best wishes for a quick return to their Good Health and Vigor.  The Herald’s Ms. Fish, the Champion Editor has had a bout with the strep throat which it is hoped she has summarily conquered.

        There was a meeting held on Sunday of the former students of the Denlow School.  Attending were Robert and Sharon Upshaw, Richard and Kaye Johnson, Faye Krider, Cleetus Upshaw and a number of others.  A Denlow School Reunion is being planned for Saturday the 26^th of May.  It will start about ten in the morning.  There will be more information concerning this event as the date draws nearer.  Anything that gets Cleetus Upshaw back in the neighborhood is a welcome event.  He is a repository of yarns and local history that needs a good plumbing!  Moreover, he has far and away the most nominations for Grand Marshall of the Champion Parade Committee.

        The Ladies Auxiliary of the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department will meet again on Tuesday the 8^th of May at the Wagon Wheel Bluegrass Park.  They will be making further plans for their participation in the Home Coming Bluegrass Festival being presented by Duke and Connie McIntosh the first week end in June.  The Auxiliary will be providing the food concession for the festival.  It will be a lot of work, but it will be an opportunity to be of help to Duke and Connie who always support the Skyline Fire Department.  Proceeds from the food concession will go to the Fire Department and hopefully the event will mark the beginning of a long and mutually profitable association.

        The good Tennessee Turkey report is that Grandchildren, Dakota and Dillon got their turkeys over the last week end.  Dakota shot his on Saturday and Dillon got his Sunday morning.  Now everyone in that clan has a turkey except Staci.  Someone looked over at Dustin and said with a grin, “Aw, Staci’s got a Turkey alright.”  Dustin’s laugh was the heartiest, so no harm was done by the so called quick-witted observer.  She was just back from Texas where Zoey Louise and Alexandra Jean kept her entertained for a few days.  A.J. is about to take her first step and Zoey is about to drive her old Grannie to distraction with some unruly three and a half year old behavior.  They will work it out over time, surely.

        Someone asked if that new out-house that almost caused the sad end of its builder was finished in time for the company to arrive in Champion.  It was reported that the facility was completed with landscaping and every convenience except a roof.  While the alfresco affair makes for lovely bird watching, it was not very handy during the rain that accompanied most of the visit of the long anticipated guest.  “Don’t worry,” said the Champion to the Guest, “it will get better.”  Champions always have a Sunny Outlook.

        With all the report of the pie supper benefit for Rita and Larry Hicks, someone asked how much the pies brought.  Esther Wrinkle’s coconut cream brought $75.00 and her gooseberry pie brought $45.00.  There were some others that brought as much as $50.00 and $60.00 and quite a number in the $25.00 to $35.00 range. Anyone with more information about this is welcome to pass it along.  A lovely e-mail came to the Champion mail box from Judith Sharon:  “I very much appreciate knowing  about how the quilt that I won, (I couldn’t believe it!) was put together and I thank the kind ladies that made it for the raffle.  How lucky can I be!  I also enjoy reading your column.  It makes me want to be part of your community : ->.  Thank you to Mrs. Violet Melton and to Corrine Rogers for this beautiful quilt.  They did a wonderful job and I will treasure it.  You have a wonderful bunch of Champions there.”  It is agreed.

        Another e-mail to Champion comes from novelist, Judy Ing, who is a native of Amarillo, Texas and an infrequent visitor to the Champion community.  She says: “I have been enjoying the Champion articles although I don’t know the Krider family or their beaus. It must keep you hopping going to all those silent auctions, quilt showings, etc.  Hope it doesn’t cut into your bridge playing.  Keep ‘em coming.  Love the advice from George(Washington), Richard (Saunders) and Twain, always.”  As per Ms. Ing’s request, George Washington’s sixth rule was “Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop.”

        Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood informs that the 10^th and 11^th will be good for planting late root crops and vine crops as well as for setting strawberry plants.  The 12^th to the 14^th will be poor planting days, but the 15^th and 16^th will be very fruitful days.  Linda has some of the prettiest impatiens around and a good variety of healthy tomato plants.  All this rain and cloudy weather is good for the gardens and some of those people who routinely put things off until it’s too late to accomplish anything are up and moving around finally.  Maybe James Brixey’s version of the “No Till” song will turn up before gardening season is over.  More attention will be paid to the Missouri Song List when there is a break from the garden.  A Champion was talking about S.T. Latent and said that he was about the laziest gardener around.  He was pretty good at harvesting other peoples hard work, they say, and there was reported some significant ruckus between him and his sister over this very thing.  Chimera Bea (Chimmey) would hoe a garden like she was killing rattle snakes.  She kept her jaw clenched and her eyes squinted and seemed to hate everything she did out in the garden.  She was generous with her neighbors though if she thought they needed help and appreciated it.  However, if anybody thought they would get the best of her in a trade or take advantage of her in any way she would turn on them.  She could be pretty “snarley.” S.T. was lazy and fairly no good by most accounts, but thanks to his twin, he was an excellent sprinter and could dodge a thrown stone like he had built in sonar.  The Champion informer thinks he might have joined the Navy in WW II.  It was said that Squander T. Latent was like a sundial in the shade.

        A week has seen many changes in the country side.  The trees are finally filling in and some of the things that were presumed to have been lost to the freeze are making their come-back.  It just takes Patience to be friends with Nature.  It will take Patience and Love to support the survivors of the US Service People who have lost their lives in Iraq.  At the end of April there were a total of 3,346 who fell in that category.  The end of the first week in May will bring the total to 3,362 plus fifteen additional deaths awaiting Department of Defense Confirmation.  That makes 3,377.  There will always be a large requirement for Love and Gratitude.

        Anyone wishing to Talk Turkey, sign up for the Champion Parade Committee, nominate a Grand Marshall for that Committee or to pursue the Exploratory Committee for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Champion is welcome to do so at Champion Items, Rt.2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  E-mail concerning those things or gardening tips, songs for the Missouri Song List, advice from notable persons, or any kind of pertinent admonition is welcome at Champion News.  Henson’s Store in Historic Downtown Champion will also accept any input for the Champion Items providing it is of a cheerful nature.  CHAMPION—LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

CHAMPION—April 30, 2007

        Champion is again in the spotlight!  Early last week customers at Henson’s Store on Main Street were surprised to find a film crew there.  There were interviews with various local people as a video was made of the store inside and out.  Over the years Champion and Henson’s Store have been featured in a number of publications including The White River Electric Co-Op paper, Rural Missouri, National Geographic, as well as others.  This group is making a documentary which will be called Old Stores and Old Stories or vice versa, Old Stories and Old Stores.  One of the visitors involved in the project is the granddaughter of Albert E. Brumley who is reported to have written more that eight hundred sacred songs including I’ll Fly Away and Turn Your Radio On.  This is some good quality attention that reminds Champions that they live in a very Special Place.

        Music was a key part of a lovely Saturday evening at the Skyline School where neighbors gathered on the 21^st  to support the Rita and Larry Hicks family which is experiencing some large medical expenses.  After enjoying a fine bowl of chili, attendees repaired to the gym where several groups entertained.  Bill Conley an Ozark String Band, Kirby Clark, and Back Yard Bluegrass were the groups advertised and they were joined by a number of others including yodeler, Ms. Eula Lakey.  A pair of young fiddlers also appeared in their black cowboy hats and executed a fine rendition of the tune Red Wing as well as a number of other fiddle tunes.  As they exited the building through the throngs in the hall someone said, “One of these days we will wish we had stopped them for an autograph.”  The music was interrupted from time to time while Zack Kelly auctioned off the pies that friends and neighbors had brought in.  The food was excellent, the entertainment sublime, and the community spirit just what has come to be expected from Champions and their sweet neighbors.  It takes a lot of hard work to pull off one of these affairs and it is a delight to be associated with the old timers and new comers who have the will to get things done.  If the willingness of good hearts could HEAL Champion would be the Center of The Universe!  Mrs. Violet Melton, made the beautiful cross stitched Rose Quilt that was on display that evening.  It is a very well executed piece set in a tasteful border of subtle colors.  The quilting was done by Corinne Rodgers of Vanzant.  It is machine quilted in a rose pattern.  It is meticulously done and a fine keepsake it will be for Judy Sharon of Ava who won the quilt in the drawing!  The ticket was sold to her by good neighbor and friend,  Carol Tharp.  Ms. Sharon will count her Lucky Stars for friends!  She does already, because she, who is an excellent quilter herself, also is the Exemplification of Friendship.

        The whole World is in Trouble.  Beaus and Spouses of some of the Krider daughters have spent a phenomenal number of shotgun shells in the harvest of a few Sad Turkeys.  It took six shells between two of them to bring down a turkey that had half a dozen pellets in it when it was all said and done with.  Those Turkeys are not Sad.  They are Dead.  (The Sad ones are those left behind.)  Moreover , with trophies uncountable,  these hunters can hardly calculate the price per pound of turkey.  Is it Hunting?  A Sport? A Hobby?  It’s like the wizened Father In Law related in a story lately about the man who had decided to save money by heating with wood.  First he had to buy a stove that cost about $400.00.  Then he needed a chain saw, some splitting wedges and a maul that together cost about another $300.00 to $400.00.  Then he needed a truck.  A real truck cost at least $25,000.00.  Well, there may be a moral to this story about spending to save, but maybe not.  It was reported that a Church service over in Champion  (Proper!) broke up in gun fire on Earth Day!  Sentiments run high in these parts and it’s kind of hard to tell.  Turkey hunters are fine people, however,  and the Champion community embraces them with History, Hospitality and Humor.  The three H’s.

        George Washington  (George the First of the U.S.)  copied 110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation and the 6^th one was: “Sleep not when others Speak.  Sit not when others Stand.  Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop.”

        Concerning the speculation about Ben Franklin, it turns out, according to the Pennsylvania Gazette, that Richard Saunders, who was married to Bridget, was the pen name of Ben Franklin and he (Franklin) really did write Poor Richard’s Almanak.  He said some interesting things like, “There’s none deceived, but he that trusts.”  Matthew Henry said, “If truth is once deserted, unity and peace will not last long.”

        Mark Twain said something to the effect that “A Lie can travel around the world before the Truth can get it’s shoes on.”  The year he was born, Halley’s Comet passed over.  Twain vowed that he would not die until he saw the famous comet.  It passed over on April 20^th, 1910 and Twain died the next day at 6:30 p.m.  All this is brought to mind on account of the news reported in the Looking Backward column in the Herald from 100 years ago when everyone was glad that the Marchette comet that had been recently observed by Prof. Matteucci, the Italian astronomer, did not crash into the World and to quote the columnist of the day: “We’re still permitted to eat our little dirty bite three times a day.”  A reasonably exhaustive search of the Internet did not turn up any significant information about the Astronomer or the Comet.  A Champion does recall that her Aunt Auddie, years ago,  said that when she was a kid she and all her family bathed and dressed in their finest and went out and sat in chairs in the front yard waiting for the End of the World. It was in the 1920’s.  She didn’t say what it was like when the World didn’t end, but life was never easy for those folks.  This seems kind of funny now, but people were genuinely frightened then just as many are today.  The advantage of today is that more reliable information is available, Matteucci or the Marchette Comet notwithstanding.  None of this relates to the current issue of Global Warming or the threat of Nuclear Annihilation.  The Supreme Court of the United States has recently made a ruling that the Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for regulating the greenhouse gasses that are effecting climate change.  Champions will most likely vote down any proposal for a nuclear power plant in the neighborhood.

        It was a busy week for the Skyline Fire Department.  It’s members were some of the first to arrive at the crash site when the plane went down over on the Trappist Abbey Monastery property on Monday the 16^th.  After the survivor made his phone call and a resident from the area who saw the plane go down called the sheriff’s office,  Skyline Firefighters aided by the Air Evac Helicopter located the downed plane and effected the extraction of the injured man and the fatally injured man.  Ultimately there were a number of teams on the scene.  A cooperative effort is always the key to the best outcome.  The next day the Skyline Firefighters were called to a  hunting accident that resulted in the serious injury of a local hunter.  He is making a good recovery, though the wounds of him who pulled the trigger will be slower in healing.  There is much Love and Gratitude that things are not nearly as bad as they could have been.  The Skyline-Champion community is a fortunate place.

        Wilma and Jack Howard of Marshfield used to milk cows.  They don’t do that any more so they are free to go out to breakfast on a Sunday morning and then for a drive that brings them all the way down to Champion.  Their little friend, Foster Wiseman, was also in the neighborhood and was pleased to report having recently seen a goose!  Two Canadian geese had landed in his Grandmother’s yard and it was a treat for him to get acquainted with them.  He likes baby chickens too.

        Hummingbirds are buzzing about Champion again and that is a real sign of  Spring.  Still the damage caused by the recent hard freeze is evident and will be for a while.  Gardens are going in and the World just keeps spinning around.  Over on the other side of it U.S. Military Service People are doing what they are being required to do. During the month of April more than 100 US troops lost their lives, which brings the total up to 3,346 which means that a great number were seriously injured.  This does not count for the psychological damage that will show up later, after the hope of help from the Service and the Veterans organizations is exhausted.  Champions all over the Country will have to step up with patience and understanding  together with Love and Gratitude in the years to come, recognizing that all injuries can’t be sewn up and bandaged.

        Mail to Champion Items last  week included a note from one of Champion’s favorite eagle watchers together with story complete with photographs about bald eagles swimming!  The National Bird is versatile. Anyone with something to Spotlight,  candidates for the Missouri Song List or the Champion Exploratory Committee, descriptions of lovely quilts, lovely friends, lovely neighbors, flora or fauna (including versatile birds,  turkeys and hummingbirds), astronomical observations, or any kind of reminiscence about the old days around here is welcome to send it to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or to e-mail the information to Champion News.  The information can also be left at Henson’s Store on Main Street in Champion if there is not too much hectic congestion there from paparazzi.  CHAMPION—LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

CHAMPION—April 22, 2007

        Champion is again in the spotlight!  Early last week customers at Henson’s Store on Main Street were surprised to find a film crew there.  There were interviews with various local people as a video was made of the store inside and out.  Over the years Champion and Henson’s Store have been featured in a number of publications including The White River Electric Co-Op paper, Rural Missouri, National Geographic, as well as others.  This group is making a documentary which will be called Old Stores and Old Stories or vice versa, Old Stories and Old Stores.  One of the visitors involved in the project is the granddaughter of Albert E. Brumley who is reported to have written more that eight hundred sacred songs including I’ll Fly Away and Turn Your Radio On.  This is some good quality attention that reminds Champions that they live in a very Special Place.

        Music was a key part of a lovely Saturday evening at the Skyline School where neighbors gathered to support the Rita and Larry Hicks family which is experiencing some large medical expenses.  After enjoying a fine bowl of chili, attendees repaired to the gym where several groups entertained.  Bill Conley an Ozark String Band, Kirby Clark, and Back Yard Bluegrass were the groups advertised and they were joined by a number of others.  People were drawn away from the silent auction being held in the school’s hallway by the lovely yodeling of  Ms. Eula Lakey.  A pair of young fiddlers also appeared in their black cowboy hats and executed a fine rendition of the tune Red Wing as well as a number of other fiddle tunes.  As they exited the building through the throngs in the hall someone said, “One of these days we will wish we had stopped them for an autograph.”  The music was interrupted from time to time while Zack Kelly auctioned off the pies that friends and neighbors had brought in.  Esther Wrinkles coconut cream pie went for $75.00 and her gooseberry pie went for $45.00.  The bidding was exciting and heated at times.  The silent auction also enjoyed some competitive bidding and brought in a tidy sum.  A complete copy of the recent Champion Items (8-28-06 to 4-15-07) brought $15.00, and a painted cow skull donated by Lyle Luellen brought $35.00.  There were bamboo wind chimes, a Gateway computer (reconfigured and set up by Michael Griswold), and a beautiful geranium donated by Linda over at the Plant Place in Norwood.  The food was excellent, the entertainment sublime, and the community spirit just what has come to be expected from Champions and their sweet neighbors.  It takes a lot of hard work to pull off one of these affairs and it is a delight to be associated with the old timers and newcomers who have the will to get things done.  If the willingness of good hearts could HEAL Champion would be the Center of The Universe!  As it is, If More Help is Available for the Hicks family, Dale Melton (417-926-6206) is the Community Huckleberry in this matter.  His Mother, Mrs. Violet Melton, made the beautiful cross stitched Rose Quilt that was on display that evening.  It is a very well executed piece set in a tasteful border of subtle colors.  The quilting was done by Corinne Rodgers of Vanzant.  It is machine quilted in a rose pattern.  It is meticulously done and a fine keepsake it will be for Judy Sharon of Ava who won the quilt in the drawing!  The ticket was sold to her by good neighbor and friend, Carol Tharp, and when she sees it, Ms. Sharon will count her Lucky Stars for friends!  She does already, because she, who is an excellent quilter herself, also is the Exemplification of Friendship.

        The whole World is in Trouble.  Beaus and Spouses of some of the Krider daughters have spent a phenomenal number of shotgun shells in the harvest of a few Sad Turkeys.  It took six shells between two of them to bring down a turkey that had half a dozen pellets in it when it was all said and done with.  Those Turkeys are not Sad.  They are Dead.  (The Sad ones are those left behind.)  Moreover , with trophies uncountable, these hunters can hardly calculate the price per pound of turkey.  Is it Hunting?  A Sport?  A Hobby?  It’s like the wizened Father In Law related in a story lately about the man who had decided to save money by heating with wood.  First he had to buy a stove that cost about $400.00.  Then he needed a chain saw, some splitting wedges and a maul that together cost about another $300.00 to $400.00.  Then he needed a truck.  A real truck cost at least $25,000.00.  Well, there may be a moral to this story about spending to save, but maybe not.  It was reported that a Church service over in Champion (Proper!) broke up in gun fire on Earth Day!  Sentiments run high in these parts and it’s kind of hard to tell.  Turkey hunters are fine people, however, and the Champion community embraces them with History, Hospitality and Humor.  The three H’s.

        It kind of reminds one of the three R’s.  That’s not ‘readin’, rightin’, and rithmatick, but Richard I, II, and III.  Richard III (Richard the Third) by Shakespeare is quite a tale!  It tells the story of a jealous brother who usurped his brother’s throne by ill and nefarious means.  He came to a bad end.  Well, perhaps that is a story for a future column.  George Washington is the current interest.  (George the First of the U.S.) copied 110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation and the 6^th one was: “Sleep not when others Speak.  Sit not when others Stand.  Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop.”

        Concerning the speculation about Ben Franklin, it turns out, according to the Pennsylvania Gazette, that Richard Saunders, who was married to Bridget, was the pen name of Ben Franklin and he (Franklin) really did write Poor Richard’s Almanak.  Saunders was not one of the three Richards alluded to in the previous paragraph.  He did say some interesting things though, for instance: “There’s none deceived, but he that trusts.”  Matthew Henry said, “If truth is once deserted, unity and peace will not last long.”

        Mark Twain said something to the effect that “A Lie can travel around the world before the Truth can get it’s shoes on.”  The year he was born, Halley’s Comet passed over.  Twain vowed that he would not die until he saw the famous comet.  The Comet passed over on April 20^th, 1910 and Twain died the next day at 6:30 p.m.  All this is brought to mind on account of the news reported in the Looking Backward column in the Herald from 100 years ago when everyone was glad that the Marchette comet that had been recently observed by Prof. Matteucci, the Italian astronomer, did not crash into the World and to quote the columnist of the day, “We’re still permitted to eat our little dirty bite three times a day.”  A reasonably exhaustive search of the Internet did not turn up any significant information about the Astronomer or the Comet.  A Champion does recall that her Aunt Auddie, years ago, said that when she was a kid she and all her family bathed and dressed in their finest and went out and sat in chairs in the front yard waiting for the End of the World.  It was in the 1920’s.  She didn’t say what it was like when the World didn’t end, but life was never easy for those folks.  This seems kind of funny now, but people were genuinely frightened then just as many are today.  The advantage of today is that more reliable information is available, Matteucci or the Marchette Comet notwithstanding.  None of this relates to the current issue of Global Warming or the threat of Nuclear Annihilation.  The Supreme Court of the United States has recently made a ruling that the Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for regulating the greenhouse gasses that are effecting climate change.  Champions will most likely vote down any proposal for a nuclear power plant in the neighborhood.

        It was a busy week for the Skyline Fire Department.  It’s members were some of the first to arrive at the crash site when the plane went down over on the Trappist Abbey Monastery property on Monday the 16^th.  After the survivor made his phone call and a resident from the area who saw the plane go down called the sheriff’s office, Skyline Firefighters aided by the Air Evac Helicopter located the downed plane and effected the extraction of the injured man and the fatally injured man.  Ultimately there were a number of teams on the scene.  A cooperative effort is always the key to the best outcome.  The next day the Skyline Firefighters were called to a hunting accident that resulted in the serious injury of a local hunter.  He is making a good recovery, though the wounds of him who pulled the trigger will be slower in healing.  There is much Love and Gratitude that things are not nearly as bad as they could have been.  The Skyline-Champion community is a fortunate place.

        Hummingbirds are buzzing about Champion again and that is a real sign of Spring.  Still the damage caused by the recent hard freeze is evident and will be for a while.  Gardens are going in and the World just keeps spinning around.  Over on the other side of it more U.S. Military Service People are doing what they are being required to do.  Seventeen more died last week, which brings the total up to 3,322 and which means that at least 272 were seriously injured last week.  This does not count for the psychological damage that will show up later, after the hope of help from the Service is exhausted.  Champions all over the Country will have to step up with patience and understanding in the years to come, recognizing that all injuries can’t be sewn up and bandaged.

        Mail to Champion Items this week included a note from one of Champion’s favorite eagle watchers together with story complete with photographs about bald eagles swimming!  The National Bird is versatile.  Anyone with something to Spotlight, candidates for the Missouri Song List or the Champion Exploratory Committee, descriptions of lovely quilts, lovely friends, lovely neighbors, flora or fauna (including versatile birds, turkeys and hummingbirds), astronomical observations, or any kind of reminiscence about the old days around here is welcome to send it to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or to e-mail the information to Champion News. The information can also be left at Henson’s Store on Main Street in Champion if there is not too much hectic congestion there from paparazzi.  CHAMPION—LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

CHAMPION—April 15, 2007—LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

        The Good news in Champion is that all the holiday visitors have made it home safely.  Traveling is an adventurous enterprise.  To leave the safety of home, family and friends takes courage even if the destination is home, family and friends.  Others are out on the open road to make a living.  What ever the reason for being out there, Champions applaud the courage of their travelers and wish them safe and pleasant journeys.  Ben and Brenda Goodall of Peculiar, MO, hosted a couple of Champions overnight and were most gracious.

        It was revealed that one of the regular visitors to these parts was spinning yarns over in Krider’s barn last week.  He was telling stories about Ed Henson, whom he knew well.  Perhaps next time this fellow is in the neighborhood he will address a wider audience. Ed was reported to have been a great fan of April Fool’s Day.  Some of his antics surrounding that holiday would make for pleasant reading.  Deward Henson’s daughter remarked that on his death bed her Father had said, “Look on the bright side.”  She likes the new motto of the community and said that the sentiment was routinely expressed in her home as she was growing up.  She also shares a pet peeve with several other residence:  litter.  The beautiful country lanes seem to attract empty bottles and cans, fast food wrappers and other trash.  If it were just town people coming out being thoughtless and unaware, signs could be put up saying “Go Back To Town With Your Garbage!”  If it could all be blamed on hunters, they could be issued litter bags with their hunting licenses.  For many the only answer is to just get out there and pick it up.  While Spring is being illusive this year a walk down the road on a warm day can be a delight.  Champions might as well have plastic bags in their hip pockets to fill up on the way back home.  The next time they are out their eyes will go straight to the beauty all about and to the mysteries of the weather, the woods and Spring.

        It was a dark and stormy night, also cold and wet, when the Ladies Auxiliary of the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department met on Tuesday the 10^th of the month.  Ruth Hamilton (grandmother of Grace), Sharon Sikes, Louise Hutchison, Betty Dye, Susie Griswold, Karen Griswold, Donna Moskaly and Wilda Moses all met at the Wagon Wheel Blue Grass Park to make an assessment of the facilities there in order to plan the Auxiliary’s participation in the upcoming Home Coming Bluegrass Festival.  The meeting then repaired to the home of Esther Wrinkles where the details of menu, purchasing, and schedules for the three day event were discussed.  Also discussed was the availability of grant money for the Fire Department.  The next meeting was scheduled for May 8^th also at the Wagon Wheel Blue Grass Park.

        “If You Cough, Sneeze, Sigh, or Yawn, do it not Loud but Privately; and Speak not in your Yawning, but put Your handkerchief or Hand before your face and turn aside.”  That is the fifth rule that George Washington copied out of the list of 110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.  Some complaint has been made about too much attention to George Washington and not enough to Ben Franklin.  There is some contention that it was not he (Franklin) who wrote Poor Richard’s Almanack, but in fact Richard Saunders, whose wife was named Bridget.  The next time some Champion is plowing through records from 1732-1758 perhaps the matter can be settled.  Meanwhile, Poor Richard said, “A Slip of the Foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the Tongue you may never get over.”  Linda’s Almanac over at the Plant Place says that the 17^th and 18^th will be good for planting beans, corn, cotton, tomatoes, peppers and other above-ground crops.  “Where weather permits” might be added there.  The 22^nd and 23^rd are said to be the most fruitful days for above-ground crops, for seed beds and flower gardens.  Linda’s Almanac also says that on the 24-28 to “Grub out weeds, briars, and other plant pests.”  While that is probably excellent advice, some Champions prefer to grub at their own leisure, thank you.

        Champions extend their Heartiest congratulations to Chicago!  The U.S. Olympic Committee (U.S.O.C.) has chosen the Big Windy City to compete with the international community for the privilege of hosting the Summer Olympics in the year 2016.  The C.P.C. (Champion Parade Committee) could well take it under advisement that Champion could be a contender for this honor in 2020!  Who knows what the next thirteen years will bring?  Certainly the last few decades have wrought significant changes in these parts.  At the very least an Exploratory Committee could be launched.

        “Well there’s a dark and a troubled side of life.  There’s a bright and a sunny side too.  But if you meet with the darkness and strife, The sunny side we also may view.  Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side, Keep on the sunny side of life.  It will help us every day, it will brighten all the way, If we keep on the sunny side of life.”  Those are part of the lyrics to Keep on the Sunny Side.  It is an excellent sentiment and certainly a goal worth the striving, but it is also easier said than done for many.  As of Monday, April 15^th, there were 3,295 US. Military deaths confirmed by the Department of Defense and seven more deaths pending confirmation making the total 3,302.  Non mortal casualties are reported to be 26,188, however that number does not reflect the ‘walking wounded’ and those whose injury will not be apparent until much later in their lives.  It is to be hoped that they and their families will receive the Comfort and Compassion they need as well as the Love and Gratitude of their Nation that they have earned.

        Tax Day was April 15^th as well as the birthday of an erstwhile sailor who says, “Uh huh, uh huh.”  That’s some claim to fame.  Judy Pennington up on Tar Button Road over BrushyKnob way will have a birthday on the 23^rd.  She can’t be very old because she has such a sunny disposition. A certain Champion with a pleasant outlook may finally have her taxes done and will be willing to go out looking for mushrooms again.  Good Luck to her! Squander T. was said to have been a big mushroom hunter.  He would pull them all the way out of the ground instead of pinching them off.  He also would break half the branches out of a young apple tree getting up to the highest fruit.  It sounds like he grew into his name.  Perhaps Pap Latent should have named him Temperance or Thrifty.  That whole family had funny names, according to someone who claimed to know them.  The younger girls were Dreary and Minutia and the little boys were Fervor, Revel and Quell.  There was quite a gap in ages between the twins and the rest of the children.  S.T. and Chimmey Bea were about twelve when the little ones started coming along.  It seems like the brunt of the chores then fell on Chimmey and that just added to her surly nature.  The acquaintance said, “It was no kind of difficulty to pick a scrap with Miss Chimera Bea.  There was a taradiddle around every corner with that outfit.”

        A lot of Champions will be joining forces with their BrushyKnob neighbors in a benefit for Larry and Rita Hicks who are having some big medical bills.  It is lovely to live in a community so willing to help when help is needed.  Other lovely things, yarns (spun or as yet un-spun), songs for the Missouri Song List, rules,  advice, examples of graciousnessor funny names,  applications for membership on the Champion Exploratory Committee, and any other sort of pertinence or mystery is welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  E-mail those things to Champion News or drop them off at Henson’s Store on the sunny side of the street in downtown Champion.  As for pet peeves and complaints of any sort it is suggested that those be sent directly to the Herald or kept in abeyance pending further consideration.  CHAMPION—LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE.

CHAMPION — April 9, 2007

        Good news in Champion is that Spring is back Again!  During the course of the week assessments will have been made about the degree of freeze damage to trees and shrubs, though the full extent may not be evident for some time.  Some are hoping for a second mushroom season to follow the second winter.  All are optimistic about something.  It is just the Champion mind-set to look ahead with expectations of a favorable outcome.  There will still be plenty of time to get a good garden in and Linda over at the Plant Place in Norwood will have her April Almanac available.  It does not say, “April 6, 7, 8, 9….too cold for anything to grow!”  The 13^th and 14^th will be good days to plant root crops, extra good for vine crops and for setting strawberry plants it says.  The ‘signs’ indicate that those above ground crops that were frozen could be replanted starting on the 17^th and 18th.  Starting over is something Champions do well.

        There were enough visiting dignitaries in Champion over the Easter holiday to have mounted a spectacular parade! (Once again the CPC -Champion Parade Committee- has done a rather dismal job in organizing and advertising.)  While the Champion Easter Parade and Egg Roll was a non event, the Lonnie and Fae Krider family hosted a great family gathering on Sunday.  Harley and Barbara Krider were visiting from Elmwood, Il. with their granddaughters Elizabeth and Alexandria Slater.  Vivian Krider Floyd, of Rogersville,  Tanna Jo Krider Wiseman, Roger Wiseman and Foster Emmett Wiseman of Marshfield, were in attendance as well as Richard and Kaye Johnson also of Marshfield.  Dustin Cline was there enjoying Staci’s company.  The Illinois contingent also included Mrs. Don Krider, and her sister Ruth Shaw from Iowa.  Jolyn, daughter of Don and Reta Krider, together with her husband Will Bumphrey and their children Carly, McKenna and Evan also enjoyed the hospitality of the Krider farm.

        The Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department had it’s meeting scheduled to take place at the Wagon Wheel Bluegrass Park on Tuesday.  The purpose of the meeting was to assess the facilities there in preparation for providing the food for the Bluegrass festival slated for early June.  It will be  a lot of work but the Ladies are up to the task.  Details of the meeting will be reported next week. 

        Champions were saddened to hear of the passing of Whitey Upshaw.  He will be missed.  Friends and family of the good natured musician are in the best thoughts of the community.  Many are ill and in recovery from injury.  Farel Sikes is taking physical therapy to recover from his December accident.  Joe Moskaly’s multiple breaks in multiple ribs are beginning to heal.  Neighbors are looking to their neighbors for the opportunity to be of service.  A benefit is being organized to help Larry and Rita Hicks with medical expenses.  Sometimes there is nothing that can be done to help in a situation, sometimes there is plenty.

        Neighbors over on the other side of Brushy Knob had two week old Grace Ruth Hamilton visiting for the holiday.  She was there with cousins Noah and Nathan Moffett.  Rob and Ruth were happy to have all their children home at the same time.  Rob said, “It was a riot!”  Love and Gratitude were rampant over there.

        Someone asked about the origin of The 110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation that George Washington copied out by hand.  Richard Brookhiser, who wrote Founding Father:  Rediscovering George Washington, said that those rules were based on a set of rules composed by French Jesuits in 1595.  Presumably they were copied out as part of an exercise in penmanship assigned by young Washington’s schoolmaster.  Rule number two says, “When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usually Discovered.”  Number three is ”Show Nothing to your friend that may affright him.”  Number four will be the favorite this week:  “In the Presence of Others Sing not to yourself with a humming Noise, nor Drum with your Fingers or Feet.”

        Research on the Latent family has been relatively fruitless.  A local records search has not revealed any births or deaths of people by that name.  While the parents’ given names are not yet known, it turns out that ‘Chimmey Bea’s’ real name is Chimaria Bea Latent, may be spelled ‘Chimera.’  An acquaintance said that when the first two kids were born twins, Maw Latent named the girl and Pap named the boy.  The informer thought Mrs. Latent had chosen the name to reflect a Latin sound because of the pleasant experience she had had on their honeymoon in Piedras Negras, Mexico.  Pap named S.T. which stands for Squander T.  There is probably a story about that too, but it was not forthcoming.  Names are funny sometimes.  In 1965, out in Abilene, Texas there was a family named Bean.  Pinto was a track star for Cooper High School’s first graduating class and his sister, Lima sat on the student counsel that year.

        Caution!  Some farmers are known to get off their tractor with it ginning across the field while they climb up on the trailer to throw feed off to the cows.  There is some potential for trouble there.  More trouble was narrowly averted when a certain Champion in preparation for company, decided on the spur of the moment to build a new out house.  There is inside plumbing available, but the expected guests like to rusticate in the provincial quaintness of a fragrant little shack.  Digging the hole on a hillside overlooking a peaceful little valley, the Champion was kneeling on the high side and reaching down into the hole to check it’s depth and to pull out a rock that had eluded the post hole digger.  The hole was kind of narrow, about shoulder width, and close to three foot deep by that time.  This individual, already known for being unbalanced, took a tip forward and but for fortunate presence of a protruding walnut root would have wound up head side down in a deep narrow hole with nothing sticking out but two feet of flailing overalls and a pair of brogans.  Chances are the architect wouldn’t have been missed until the mail piled up in the mailbox.  It’s probably a good thing to check in on neighbors from time to time.

        The Department of Defense has identified 3,258 American service members who have died since the start of the Iraq war.  The number of wounded, physically and mentally is enormous.  They come from rural areas like this, and from small towns and big cities all over the country.  The opportunity to express Love and Gratitude for their service is not one to be missed.

        Mail to Champion Items this week included a patriotic post card expressing appreciation for a positive spin on Champion and the community.  She says,  “Looking on the bright side is a good motto.”  It is agreed.  Perhaps “Keep on the Sunny Side” would be a good candidate for the Missouri Song List.  “It will help us every day.  It will brighten all the way, if we keep on the sunny side of life!”

        Champion readers near and far, far and wide are welcome to submit songs for the Missouri Song List, reasons for a parade, tales of narrowly averted disasters or other cautionary tales, rules of good behavior for any situation, interesting name origins, or any kind of good neighbor gossip to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  E-mail to Champion News or hand deliver to Henson’s Store in the middle of the parade route at Champion.  Do not bother with mottos, however, unless a better one can be suggested than:  CHAMPION—LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE!

CHAMPION – March 26, 2007

        In Champion the first day of Spring was graced by a delightful downpour.  Oh! Rain! Rain with no thunder and no big winds or falling hail!  Sweet Rain! Soaking into the ground, percolating down to the wonderful water table.  Champions are among the truly fortunate people in the world to have such an abundance of good water.  Somebody said not to go bragging about it because nothing is guaranteed.  True, but then somebody else said that when things are good there is at least as much obligation to recognize it and to talk about it as their is to gripe when things go badly.  So.  Life is good in Champion.  Love and Gratitude abound.  Spring is in the air.  Manure of all kinds (cow, horse, chicken, rabbit, and possibly others) is being worked into the soil together with ashes and lime, or compost, rotten sawdust, sand, bone meal, blood meal, Epsom salts, clay, sea weed, and/or other things such as worm castings and bat guano where available.  Some soil is jut being turned over and other soil is having seeds poked down into it with no other fanfare.  Wilburn likes to use the triple seventeen.  Whatever the method, Champion is a real garden spot.  There is reported to be a recording of James Brixey singing the “No Till” Song.  The recording has been misplaced, but as soon as it surfaces the words will be reported here and the song added to the Missouri Song List.  Jonathan Swift, in Gulliver’s Travels said, “Whoever can make two ears of corn to grow—would do more service to his country than the whole race of politicians put together.”  If Gulliver were to have traveled over to Champion he might have gained some valuable corn raising information and might have spread some good political philosophy.

        Politics is a touchy subject everywhere in the and a subject best avoided.  “Accurst be he that first invented war.”  Christopher Marlowe said that in Tamburlaine the Great, Part I, Act 2, Scene 4.  There is talk that there will be a war Memorial dedicated to the Civil War veterans buried at the Denlow Cemetery.  There are approximately 28 Union Solders there and one Confederate.  The dedication is scheduled for Memorial Day of 2008,  however the Saturday before this Memorial Day will mark the kick off of the project.  The Denlow Cemetery Committee has built a splendid pavilion on the grounds of the church.  The cemetery is the resting place for survivors of many wars.  As of March 26, 2007 there have been THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY-THREE United States Service People who have lost their lives in the current conflict.  Great Britain has lost one hundred thirty four of its service people.  Other Coalition forces have lost a total of one hundred twenty four people.  No accurate count has been made of the number of Iraqi fatalities, military and civilian.  The current estimate according to . . . is . . .   Somebody said, “Hate the War but Love the Warrior.”  Just because the flag draped coffins are not being seen on the nightly news does not mean that our precious soldiers are not dying.  Champions are full of Love and Gratitude for those who have served and continue to serve Our Country.

        Wood smoke hangs heavy in the deep hollows flowing in on wind currents like water.  It’s hard to tell where it is coming from sometimes.  The Forest Service and Conservation Departments do controlled burns on a regular basis this time of year.  Firefighters are on alert constantly and Champions appreciate the willingness of those Volunteers to keep the community safe.

        Champion and its neighboring communities are once again stepping up to be of service to each other.  There is to be a Pie Supper benefit for Rita and Larry Hicks on the 21^st of April at the Skyline School.  They are having some tremendous medical bills.  Dale Melton, a friend of the family,  had a brain storm and started talking about a benefit and a very short time later it is a ‘go.’  Already there are tickets at the Champion Store and at The Plant Place in Norwood for a drawing on a beautiful queen size Rose Quilt made my Mrs. Violet Melton.  The drawing will be held at the Pie Supper.  Actually, the supper will consist of chili, Freetos, crackers, onions and cheese.  Deserts will be auctioned off from the stage.  There is a “Three For One” deal going on.  That is to say that the first pie to bring $500.00 in the auction will see a corresponding pie in the face of Van Kelly (or his appointed representative), and one in the face of Dale Melton, and if that were not enough Farel Sikes will take one!  These are some solid and sweet citizens.

        It’s a lovely thing to see people reaching out to ease the suffering of others.  It is a heartbreaking thing to be unable to replace the terrible losses that dear friends experience.  To build a little home deep in the woods and to raise a family there and then one day to have the woods disappear is devastating.  Life goes on, but it will never be the same.  Compassion might be appreciated but it doesn’t make shade and a person can see straight through it and watch cars go down the highway.  Healing is a long term thing.  Let it begin.

        Three postcards have arrived in the Champion Items mail box this past week.  One is from Champion’s friend, Darrell Haden.  It is very complimentary and suggests a listen to the song “Rock Salt and Nails.”  This came to his mind as a result of the mention made of the Ice Cream Maven from over by Vanzant.  Another card came from a far flung traveler out on a splendid musical adventure.  From Atlanta, he says, “When you think of me, know that I am prosperous and fortunate beyond measure.”  He also noted that the post card was bent up before he put it in the mail.  (So the mailman is not to blame.)  The third card is kind of a mystery.  It must have been mailed from Ava and it is titled “Little Town With A Big Future”  Poke Salat Days, Ava, MO.  It’s an interesting drawing of people on the square there.  The message is:  “A family by name of Latent might have lived some distance South of The Wolf Pen Holler some years back.  They had a raft of kids and the oldest two were twins—a boy and a girl.  Their names were S.T. and Chimmey B.  Any information about what has become of them would be appreciated.  They stayed mostly to themselves.”  There is no signature and no return address.  Inquires in the neighborhood among long time residents have been unproductive to this point.  Anyone who knows of these folks can contact Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717, or e-mail to Champion News, or leave word at Henson’s Store in the Mall at Champion.  Odes to Spring or to Rain, political perspectives, smoke signals, good neighbor gossip, songs for the Missouri Song List or idle chit chat also welcome.