Champion News

Pioneer Heritage Festival Talent Group

The second of the ‘ber’ months has arrived—a time for remembering. A big thing to remember is if you happen to have a prescription for nitroglycerine, keep it current. Recently, a much loved musician suffered a heart attack that would have been prevented had his nitro not been expired. Another annual reminder to a prominent Champion is, “Remember, if you act like you are having a good time, soon you will forget that you are acting, and you will really be having a good time.” That occurs on his birthday on the first of October, which he shares with Jana Brixey, dairy farmer and Skyline kindergarten teacher. Fifth grader, Myson Loveless, also parties that day and it was the birthday of Pete Mullens who married Bonnie Brixey many, many years ago. The were a lovely pair. October 2nd was the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, born in 1869. William Tucker Clark was born on that day in 2015. His old grandpa celebrates his birthday the next day, which is the big day for Skyline fourth grader, Evan Homer. Those delightful Denlow dames, Kaye and Faye, were born up at the OK Corral on October 4th, some little while ago and they are perking along nicely yet. Skyline’s great cook, Rhonda Nava, will have her celebration on the 5th. So, all you Skyliners, Denlowites and Champions, enjoy your day and the year ahead.

Saturday was a beautiful warm day for the Pioneer Heritage Festival of the Ozarks. Meeting up with old friends and seldom see ones, catching up and reconnecting, added to the enjoyment of the day. Many talented artisans willingly spent the time and energy to show us how things were done before mass production and automation made life easier for us. Should a time ever come when those are the skills required for subsistence, it is good to know they have been perpetuated. It was a real treat to see Brian Thompson on his aluminum (lighter than cast iron) pedal scroll saw. He can produce any wonderful word you want in wood—pine, red oak, or walnut. Spinners, weavers, quilters, planters, soap makers, herbalists, tool makers and others shared their gifts for our edification and enjoyment. The whole festival was a pleasure and hopes that some permutation of it will persevere. Music was no small part of it with jams, bands, dancing, and the great youth talent show. Those kids not only embody optimism but are the very future of the music so much a part of our history and culture.

Under the guise of getting rid of clutter, and Old Champion ran across a stack of notebooks going back a couple of decades. A random sampling says, “Paul Uhlmann had four goats with big horns. Some fellow came to call on his sister and the goats got up under his car and it took them two hours to jack the car up off the goats.” Another entry mentioned Lavern Miller. He lived over near Willow Springs. He was a WWII veteran with a lovely wife name Jessie Mae and a great sense of humor. He grew up around Brixey and Rockbridge and worked for the railroad for 36 years.” For several years, he was the auctioneer at the Denlow/Fairview School Reunion where his spirit of fun drew bids that were themselves funny. Another entry said, “When you’re swerving on life’s highway, you’re running someone off the road.” Back to clutter control, experts in the area suggest throwing something away every day and giving something away every day or designating something to give away. That maxim about being more blessed to give than to receive comes in to play. That also leads to the idea of asking for help. Old folks are reminded to remember how good it felt to be of help to some old person back when they were young, strong people. It may take some effort to figure out how it is a gift to the person you are asking for help but go for it if you need it and give it if you can. Champion! Looking on the Bright Side!

“Sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you.” This phrase was often used by an old friend to say that things do not always work out they way you expected. Unexpected aggravations cause us to harken back this week to The Champion News from ten years ago. We will catch up with this week’s news next week when the aggravations have passed. Meanwhile, keep on the Bright Side!
 

CHAMPION—September 30, 2013

It happens sometimes that an old friend introduces one to another of his old friends and the two strangers suddenly become acquainted as if they have known each other for years. There is immediate trust and appreciation for the good taste of their comrade who is willing to share friends with each other. They often find that they have much in common apart from their mutual acquaintance and new vibrant relationships emerge. Bringing kindred spirits and good people together is a Champion practice well implemented.

Good news is that Pete Proctor has had a birthday. No telling how old he is, but everyone who knows him knows him knows him to be young at heart. That is probably on account of having such a sweet mother. Word is that Ruby has taken a fall and hopes are that she was not seriously injured and that she is much recovered. The details have been sketchy but it was reported that there were no broken bones and that she was feeling better. All her Champion friends are most interested in her because she is so well regarded as part of that generation of Champions that made the place what it is today. She will tell you that Champion is where her heart is and her Champion friends all wish her well. Graeme Laird, a fine singer-songwriter in Edinburgh, Scotland, celebrated his 42nd orbit of the sun on the 26th. He wrote, “Now’s the end of the beginning. The days are passing faster than the sun.” Other birthdays being celebrated belong to Jana Brixey who marks hers on the first of October. She shares the day with the shy cousin of her husband, most frequently referred to as “a prominent Champion.” The very next day Wild Turkey Hunting Season opens. It is presumed that the kind of wild turkeys being hunted will be of the avian variety and not the distilled kind, though there likely will be some of that floating around. Conservation officials say the number of adult turkeys should be plentiful thanks to good reproduction over the past couple of years. That is good news for hunters who are looking for turkeys with meatier bodies. Back in the late forties Sylvia Henson was writing the Champion Items and remarked that the Upshaw family had increased by two on October 4th. The twin girls had a number of big brothers to spoil and tease them and Morton and Mable must have had their hands full with such a boisterous household. Linda Kaye comes back home to visit often and Karen Fae keeps the home fires burning and the welcome mat out for all the family. Between them they have ten grandchildren so there is always fun and excitement going on. Skyline Auxiliary President Betty Dye celebrates her special day on October 7th. She may decorate her own cake, a skill at which she excels. She has many talents and keeps the auxiliary humming along in a productive and supportive way. Betty will let an interested party know that the Skyline Auxiliary is not just for ladies, but for anyone who wishes to support the wonderful little fire department that allows home owners to have insurance and the protection provided by the able volunteer fire fighters. Champions all!

The last of the tomatoes are coming in and some of the greens planted last summer are making. Pretty soon there will be hardly anything to do in the garden. Go up to The Plant Place in Norwood to find a few things to put in this fall and to visit with Linda about how to bed your garden down for the winter. Then go enjoy some music. There are reports on the internet of another superb night at the Vanzant Music Jam with lots of tasty food, nice folks and music, music, music. It happens every Thursday Night. Ruth Collins says that she appreciates such a fine group of pickers and listeners. Gospel songs, bluegrass and country music make her happy and her smile is a light for the room. She wrote a note to Sherry thanking her for lugging that big old bass around and said “It adds so much to the music.” It does. Sherry provides a solid beat that makes it all just right.

When a friend, a family member, or a rank stranger knocks on a door in Champion unexpectedly, he is met graciously. The house may not be clean. A person may have plans and be busy. The caller may just pop in for a moment or may arrive with expectations of a lengthy stay just figuring that he is loved and welcome. Whether or not accommodations are easily available or the visit is appropriate or fitting, Champions are most likely to extend the courtesy to invite the guest in, or at least to stand on the porch and visit for a spell in the case of the stranger, particularly if he is rank. Champions do not need lead-time, advanced notice or an R.S.V.P. to be polite. It is just natural. They say that hospitality is making your guests feel at home even when you wish they were. Augustus McCall of “Lonesome Dove” fame said, “There’s no excuse for rude behavior.” It certainly does not fly in Champion and the rest of the world could well take a lesson therefrom. It could just be that a surprise is anathema to some and the rebuffed should endeavor to not take it personally. A traveler to other parts of the big world might well say, “Come on down through the beautiful hills to the end of the pavement, where country roads meet by the wild wooly banks of Old Fox Creek, where generous spirits prevail and where ‘Welcome!’ is the byword– to Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!”

Skyline School Guitar Class
Eighth grade Skyline students Braxton Mayberry, Cryslynn Johnson, Caleb Harden, Joseph Hastings, Jaycee Hall, Juniper Wiley, and Jacob Brixey stand
beside their teacher, Cheyenne McIntosh, celebrating the arrival of a new guitar. It is a good Gibson, donated by Bob Berry, and shown here embraced by
Juniper Wiley. Cheyenne says she is proud of the progress of her students. Contact her if you have guitars or string sets to share. Music training leads to
success in all academic studies and helps the community keep its happy foot patting.

Bingo! Skyline School had a bingo game Saturday night, the 16th. Look for reports of that fun next week. Our neighbors to the south celebrate the 16th of September as “El Grito,” commemorating Mexico’s independence in 1810, from centuries of Spain’s colonial rule. Terri Ryan, retired Skyline School kindergarten teacher, and her beautiful little granddaughter, Selena, enjoyed the Hispanic Carnival in Kansas City. Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes celebrated his 28th birthday down in Florida with a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on the 17th. The 18th is the birthday of Champion Donald Krider up in Peoria. His younger brother, Harley, just attended his 60th high school reunion in Ava. He and Barbara, also of Peoria, are always welcome visitors. Barbara is making good progress, getting to know her new knee. We remember Louise Hutcheson on her birthday on September 21st. She passed away in 2018. She had worked at Emerson and had been a cook at the Skyline School and was always very active in the Skyline VFD Auxiliary. She liked fishing, cooking, and gospel singing. Her favorite song was “What a Day That Will Be.”

Lee’s Bees’ Honey just won the “Best Tasting” award in Lee Richardson’s bee group, though Lee said there was one he liked even better. Lee and Edie of L and E Organic Farm were back in Champion visiting on Friday. They came with treats—honey, Edie’s pain relieving salve and a Super-Power tonic. Good conversation over a lovely lunch passed a couple of pleasant hours. They are a hardworking couple doing good in many ways. They are active with the Wright County Extension. Edie is a gifted herbalist and enjoys teaching classes in the Master Gardener program. In addition to being a beekeeper, Lee is a luthier. He was pleased to learn about Cheyenne McIntosh’s guitar classes at the Skyline School. He says he has a little Ovation to share and will be pleased to share his repair skills.

Tim Tamburino of the Midwest Bluegrass Directory tells us that the Laura Ingalls Wilder Fiddle Off is now a National Certified contest with The Nation Oldtime Fiddlers Contest and Festival in Weiser, ID. Tim keeps track of all the bluegrass happenings in this part of the country. If you have a jam, a festival, or a show to list, call him at (573)368-8365. We have seen him and Sarah at the Vanzant Jam in the past and last year at the Pioneer Heritage Festival of the Ozarks. We will hope to see them there again this year. That splendid event is coming up on the 29th and 30th of this month (next Friday and Saturday!) at the Fox Trotters Showgrounds. Hopefully, Brian Thompson will be there again with his pedal scroll saw writing our names in wooden letters. Those heritage skills demonstrations and exhibits inform us of our past and may well serve us in the future. Costume and baked goods contests, bingo, food, and family fun along with live bands, open jam sessions, Friday night square dancing and youth talent shows—all this happening just a mile north of Ava from 10 am to 6 pm both days. See you there!

Particularly as we age, there are plenty of things about which we can complain. One of them recently has been the excruciatingly slow BrightSpeed internet, which some are just calling B.S. On the bright side, however, those contractors working for White River Connect, powered by White River Valley Electric Cooperative, are out stringing cable on the poles and one of these days Champions can connect easily with family and friends all over the place. Perhaps that will happen as early as in the spring. When something good happens, we rejoice. We are grateful for that big infrastructure bill.

We can say goodbye to summer on the 23rd. On the 29th, we will be singing “Shine on Harvest Moon.” Moderating weather, thank goodness, helps to make more accessible and more enjoyable the many harvest festivals and heritage festivals that occur this time of the year. Pantries fill up as gardens are winding down. Squirrels go up and down walnut trees stowing their own winter’s food supply. We are never short of gratitude in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

 

We can tell the seasons are changing with these delightful temperatures and the exodus of most of the hummingbirds. A few are lingering around yet while their families have flown to Louisiana to fuel up for their jet stream flight over to the Yucatan. They may make this round trip as many as eight times in their life spans. For such tiny little things, they are resilient and they remember where they came from—from the Bright Side!

Good neighbors up on C highway a little north of Skyline have fruit trees bending over with the weight of the fruit, apples, and pears. They are pleased to freely share with passersby. It is a bountiful little orchard. Back before the pandemic, before the internet, and before everyone had television, friends and neighbors would drop in unannounced. They might call first, but often as not, they would just show up. The coffee pot was always on. The children would romp, and the grownups would sit around the table discussing the crops, the livestock, the other neighbors, the war, or the politicians. Technology has made us more and less connected at the same time. The wide veranda at the Champion Store and the chairs and tables back by the old wood stove still provide a place for neighbors to meet and trade their news, insights, and observations. Genealogists, historians, and yarn spinners are regularly there.

The PTO of the Skyline School has a wonderful fundraiser going currently, selling gorgeous two gallon mum plants in a lovely array of colors. Bud says when they sell this bunch, they will get more. The Parent Teacher Organization is responsible for many good works for our little school. We are reminded also to save those Best Choice UPC barcodes for the school. They get traded for money. Any support for this great little outfit is worth it. Solid citizens who will be running things ‘er long are roaming those halls these days. (Studebaker) Bob Berry just sent a lovely Gibson guitar to school. Cheyenne McIntosh will make good use of it in her guitar classes. If you have one languishing in your closet or under your bed, let go of it for the future of good music. Music is proven to be a great brain stimulator and children who have the advantage of music education perform better in all their academic and social situations.

Fiddlers in overalls make the Vanzant Jam a sweeter circle. Overalls are not a required uniform for them, but they look comfortable as they add melodiousness and harmony to the round of tunes. Jerry Wagner adds fun, and it is always a joy to hear him take a break on an old standard like “Red Wing” or “Soldiers’ Joy.”

Tanna (Krider) Wiseman attended Skyline. She is the daughter of a great musician and the mother of a couple of aspiring ones. Her birthday is September 13th. The 14th is for Ellie Strong, a first grade student at Skyline. Dear Frances Southerland had her birthday on the 14th. She passed away a few years ago as did Elmer Banks whose birthday was on the 15th. They were each pleasant and interesting people, if very different. Both are much missed and well-remembered. Champion Pat Kim Smith shares the 15th birthday with a Mountain Grove gal who goes by the name Tigger. Three Skyline kindergarten students have their birthdays on September 17th, 18th, and 19th. They are Jackson Johnson, Bailey Kilgore, and Gabriella Ryals. Happy birthday to all of you–many happy returns.

We recall the events of September 11, 2001. All of us who are old enough to remember that day remember it well. It was a terrible day. Many terrible things have happened since then and, doubtlessly, many more will happen by nature and by man. But, while we are here now, basking in our comfort and security, we can acknowledge the sacrifices and suffering of people the world over. We can hope for better days for everyone and do what we can to help. Champions—Looking on the Bright Side!

2023 Champion School Reunion

Nineteenth century labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to American strength, prosperity, and well-being. The eight hour workday, child labor laws and other workers’ rights also came about from the zeal of those activists—trade and labor organizations. Labor Day is a good time to think about the advancements that have been made and some that could be made yet.

Photographs of the Champion School Reunion from September 3, 2016, show 29 former students gathered under the big walnut trees in the school yard. A beautiful, if warm, day gave them the opportunity to reminisce and to catch up with all the new grand- and great-grandchildren, health issues and hopes for the future. This year, five of them returned to their old stomping grounds, though several others would have come, but for various reasons, had to miss the gathering. Still, with family and new and old friends, a couple of dozen folks milled about the Historic Emporium, enjoying a lovely potluck spread and the retelling of Champion tales. The man who bought Vasel and Ruby Proctor’s old place had a chance to meet their daughter, Barbara, who grew up there. They had lots to talk about. Barbara and Darrell came down from Norwood for the festivities and hopefully will be back often. Bill Phillips brought his mother, Eva Lois (Tiny) Henson Phillips, over from Nashville. She and Jody Lorett were girlhood friends long before Jody became Mrs. Royce Henson. Connie Brown brought her dad Robert and uncle Lee Brown for the occasion. They were both students at Champion. Darrell Hutchison also studied there. He said they were having about the best tomato harvest they have had over there in Ava. Kaitlyn McConnell paused for a spell on her way to Vera Cruz. She will tell you Champion is one of her favorite spots in the Ozarks.

The internet was filled to nearly clogged early last week with good happy birthday wishes for Steve Moody. He is not only the President of a bank, but President of the Skyline School Board and the master of ceremonies for the Vanzant Picnic, where he was seen with his foot in a cast. He may be found right in the middle of any good work in the area. He helped Rowdy Woods, an illustrious Skyline graduate, celebrate his 18th birthday about that same time. He did that by responding “Thank you” to “Happy birthday, young man.” Youth is subjective in some cases—charming young men in both cases. Other lovely folks celebrating birthdays are Betty Thomas, who kept the Pioneer Descendants Gathering going for many years, and for Larry Wrinkles, a Champion who used to trade fish to Ed Henson, at the store, for candy—so the story goes. Champion granddaughter Phoebe Ward has the 3rd for her big day. This year Vernon and Dailey Upshaw celebrate their birthdays on Labor Day. Skyline School students with birthdays the first week in September are kindergartener, Luke Hall, on the 2nd; fourth grader, Serenity Merryman, on the 3rd; first grader, Brayden D. Ellingsworth, on the 5th; and fourth grader, Ely Young, on the 8th. Happy days all around!

A startling bright light in the rear view mirror alarmed an Old Champion on the way home from the Vanzant Jam. It was the great glowing moon and not a big “semi-double-clutching-e-flat-trailer-truck” suddenly hard on her heels. A turn onto the dirt road gave an opportunity to pause on a high spot to enjoy the sight and to reflect on the beauty of this part of the world. We love our gentle rolling and steep hills, our deep and sweeping valleys, our trees and streams, and our wonderful distant vistas. We have, so far, been spared the disastrous weather that other parts of the country have suffered. For that and many other reasons we are grateful in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

 

The delicious break in the weather has Old Champions breathing a sigh of relief. It looks like Saturday will be warm (hot) again and so the Champion Reunion will be well situated inside the store. The noon time potluck feast starts off an afternoon of visiting with old friends and getting acquainted with new ones. Everyone is welcome. Folks new to the area can learn the stories behind the historic photographs on the walls along with the prize winning paintings depicting the Bright Side. Alvie Dooms hopes to make it over to his old stomping grounds. He has some stories to tell. Our “Ozarks Alive!” correspondent, Kaitlyn McConnell, might come and share some of the adventures she had at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and in the actual Library of Congress. We hear that Jerry Wagner has been seen at the barber shop on recent Wednesdays, so perhaps he will fiddle over this way again. Music is always a possibility. It goes along with the hospitality. “When you’re living in the country, everybody is your neighbor…. Y’all come!”

Our Skyline School year is off to a good start. Skyline Tiger, Jennifer Trujillo, has joined the staff as Assistant Cook. She and her husband both attended Skyline, and now their two daughters are Tigers as well. Harper Campbell is starting kindergarten this year. His Mother, Danielle Campbell, is the New Skyline RII School Art Teacher. She has previously taught first and fourth grades. She is excited to be joining the Skyline community–an exciting place. Enrollment is up to 84 sterling students and our new secretary, Sarah Harden, says the first week went very well. Way off in the future these young folks will be old folks talking about the wonderful days they had in a little country school in the middle of Booger County back in the 20s.

There is always a little suspicion when the score keeper wins three games in a row. Lena says she is still up one scrabble game for the year and that is what counts. To his credit, her brother has been doing the traveling to play recently. Perhaps he will join the throng at the Champion Reunion just to balance out all the truth to the stories being told, though it is not necessarily our point to call him a prevaricator. After all, he has been referred to as a motorcycle hoodlum. That should be enough.

The big Blue Moon will light things up for us Wednesday. There will likely be songs sung about it. Sunday was the right side of the moon for planting turnips for a fall cover crop and as bait for the rabbits, which have been a real nuisance this year. They got most of the beets and beans, so Champions will be eating lots of black eyed peas this winter. The deer have not been as much competition for the garden produce as they were last year, partly because of the good grazing out in the woods and otherwise because of the higher fence. Green tomato hornworms did not bother the pink morning glory growing up in the ornamental backyard tomato plant. They had plenty to eat before they were discovered and summarily sent off for a nice swim. They have spared the big tomato patch so far, but gardeners will certainly be more vigilant until frost. One almanac says the first frost date for us is October 22nd, but we have seen it much earlier. It will almost be a relief for some canners in the kitchen.

Excitement came on Friday afternoon when a Skyline VFD first responder happened upon an accident out on HW 76 near Brushy Knob. He discovered an overturned vehicle, rendered aid, and called for assistance. The driver was extracted from the wreck and hopes are that her injuries are ones from which she can recover. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that more than half of all car accidents occur within a five-mile radius of home. We are reminded that our beautiful country roads and highways are so familiar to us that we may easily become cavalier. There are many places along our local lanes that have memories of accidents attached to them. They can serve as a warning. Stay off your phones as you come down to the wide, wild, wooly banks of Old Fox Creek to Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

 

A full house beats a straight every time, unless it is a straight flush. That was a good lesson to learn among friends down on Teeter Creek. A house full of family and friends makes for memorable summertime fun. Much of that fun is made possible by Mr. Willis Carrier who invented a device to control humidity—the fundamental building block for modern air conditioning. This week we will be singing his praises and singing Jimmy Rogers’ “Mother, the Queen of My Heart.” It is a song about a broken deathbed promise. “Son, don’t start drinking and gambling. Promise you’ll always go straight.” Ten years later, he came back around and renewed his vow to his dear Mother like a Champion.

Those gathering for the Champion Reunion on Saturday, September 2nd will also be most appreciative of Mr. Carrier. The Recreation of the Historic Emporium is cool inside. As the number of Champion School alumni dwindles, these days we are just calling it the Champion Reunion, to include so many who have great memories and long associations with the place. New comers are welcome too, to get an idea of the interesting community history where they have decided to make their home. The noon time potluck is always a feast, and the chance to hobnob with old friends and make new ones is not one to miss. You musicians, bring your instruments.

The Skyline R2 School open house Thursday was a delightful event. Donnie Luna had spent the afternoon grilling hotdogs out under the wonderful new awning. This addition will keep students dry from the bus to the door during a downpour. There were hotdogs for everyone, and the lunchroom and halls filled up with students, parents, staff, and friends for lots of socializing and planning for a great year ahead. There are about 82 students enrolled and 17 staff members. Sarah Harden is the new school secretary and bookkeeper, Karen Tamblyn, says she is already on top of things. Helen Batten had cookies to share and will be substitute teaching as needed again this year. She loves it. Bud Watkins could be seen all summer keeping the grounds in beautiful shape. The floors are gleaming, and the new HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters in every room will help keep contagion down while trapping dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any tiny airborne particles. Kaitlyn Smith will appreciate them as she travels over from Vanzant to be the new school nurse. Cheyenne McIntosh says they could use a few more guitars for her class, if any of you have one to share. Those instruments that have been in the back of the closet or under the bed for years can still be resurrected into musical learning for our future generation of bluegrassers, rock and rollers, country, jazz and classical players. They say adolescents with music training have better cognitive skills and school grades and are more conscientious, open, and ambitious–those cotton picking kids!

Ambition in the kitchen turns to making salsa, pico de gallo, and canning black eyed peas. We are grateful for the garden’s bounty even as we sympathize with those suffering bad weather and fire related calamities all over the country. The whole world seems to be in an uproar with climate catastrophes, war, poverty, and political strife. Out here on the banks of Clever and Old Fox Creeks, we acknowledge our good fortune and strive to lend a helping hand. Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!