Champion News

Champion Snow on Sunday–Photograph by Roger Wiseman

The East Champion Fox Creek Bridge is a fait accompli.  Well done, gentlemen.  It looks good and will doubtlessly serve well until the single tin horn gets blocked with brush and the rushing tide overtops the concrete.  That is not to say that three tin horns could not be blocked with brush and debris, but the FEMA is not there to make improvements, but to restore things, as much as possible, to the way they were before the emergency.  Chances are good that this bridge will last as long as the last one did. Go to www.championnews.us to see pictures of the whole interesting process.

The range map in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology publication, “All About Birds,” indicates that there are no Spotted Owls in Missouri.  The map shows the nearest habitat is west of Oklahoma.  That information did not play into the conversation interrupted down on the Wild Wide Banks of Auld Fox Creek.  The comparison was being drawn:  Spotted Owl–more or less tasty than Bald Eagle, Buzzard or Peacock.  The great number of deer in area fields and dead along the roadsides figured in the talk.  Some of the talk was meant to be inflammatory and provocative for the sake of comedy, as the newcomer was perceived to be an ecologist or at least to have leanings in that ‘green’ direction.  The Spotted Owl was a player in the logging debates in the Pacific Northwest back in the 1990s.  Federal Protection for this bird came to represent all environmental regulations.  Some of those regulations may have caused the great buildup of brush and underbrush throughout the California forests that made them tinderboxes during the extended drought there.  Fires took the trees holding the soil, and the soil and ash took a trip downhill in the unprecedented rain event.  One thing leads to another.  Often even honest effort to make things better is twisted, thwarted and mishandled.  Despite protection, the owl is still on the decline owing to habitat loss and competition with Barred Owls.  We have Barred Owls here.  Perhaps a Prominent Champion can speak to their taste in comparison to Bald Eagle, Buzzard, or Peacock.  The conversation continued:  “Republican or Democrat, none of them would pull you out of a mud hole.”  “But, sir, practically everyone here is one or the other.  I’d pull you out of a mud hole.”  “Yes,” he said, “folks around here would, but not those Washington uppity-ups.”  He has a point and a sense of humor.

Skyline fourth grade student, Aaliya Irby has a birthday on January 16th on the same day as Coach Davault and Champion granddaughter Miley Schober.  Miley’s cousin, Rese Kuntz, has the 17th as his birthday as does an intrepid Vanzatiana.  The 18th is for Jacob Brixey and Mary Beth Shannon of Far-East Champion.  The 19th is shared by the Preeminent Champion who will be celebrated as the hub around which the growing circles of Champions whirl.  J.C. Owsley of Jordan, Missouri is a staunch supporter of The Champion News and if often seen on a big white mule.  His birthday is also the 19th.  The 20th is the special Day for Sharon Woods.  Sharon featured briefly in a video that appeared again recently on the Internet.  It was posted originally by Lori Woods Lewis on the occasion of her Dad’s 76th birthday, January 13, 2015.  It was a beautiful family circle of herself, her niece, her dad, brother and sister–all singing “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?“  She remarked that her little family circle had been singing this song together for 45 years.  They say that music is science.  Music is mathematical.  Music is a foreign language.  Music is history.  Music is physical.  Music develops insight and demands research.  Music is art.  Music has healing properties and makes work lighter.  A treat is coming up on Friday January 26th at the Star Theatre in Willow Springs.  Wendy and Ed Cline (no relation to Patsy) will join with Sharry Lovan, David Richardson, Rod Cash and Lynette Cantrell in a tribute to Patsy Cline.  The performance starts at 7:00 p.m. and only costs $5.00 at the door.  There may be parts of the country where music is not so much appreciated or available.  It is better to live here.  The McClurg Jam was cancelled on the 15th due to the snow and very cold temperatures.  That is a rare occurrence since those musicians are a stalwart devoted bunch.  Tuesday is often a favorite day for some Champions since Laine Sutherland is kind enough to post recordings of this wonderful Monday jam on to Facebook.  If you are engaged in this social media, look up “McClurg Jam” and sit back to enjoy dozens of great videos featuring our talented neighbors.  Thank you, Lanie!

School is out and gallons of hot chocolate are being consumed by children coming in frosty after gallivanting in the winter wonderland.  Pictures are being taken and memories stored.  Snow covers clutter and makes things look clean.  It exposes topography with color contrast.  Hills and hollows we love and think we know show themselves differently under coverlets of snow.  With roughly a twelve to one ratio, it takes a foot of snow to amount to an inch of rain.  Meanwhile we are in the tinderbox status where California found itself before the fire, before the deluge, before the mudslide.  There is an unsecure feeling living out here on the surface of the planet.  Old Champions observe that many things, even the weather, change with the natural progression of time.  These days change seems intensified by exploding population and pollution from the industrial activities of man.  Whatever the cause, the world finds itself in a tumultuous state with weather anomalies and an accumulating subversion of norms.  Things seem to be acceptable now that were unheard of even just a decade ago—even a couple of years ago.  It takes more effort to disagree amicably than it once did.  With humor, humility, compassion, empathy, understanding and the whole idea of ‘love thy neighbor,’ we can move on and sing together along with Louis Armstrong, “And I think to myself, what a wonderful world!” in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

Jonnnie and the Armadillo meet at a Champion pond.”

Eight thirsty Champion bluebirds.

Information from the Missouri Department of Conservation website says that the nine banded armadillo is not considered to be an invasive species, just that its territory is expanding.  They say that freezing temperatures, ice and snow will be the barrier to their northern migration.  They are nocturnal and nomadic and destructive as they dig for earthworms, spiders and other invertebrates.  They are plentiful in the Champion exurbs—boldly out in the daylight defying the dog for a drink of water.  Any place that has open water these days is attractive to all kinds of wild life.  Some folks have great flocks of cardinals and finches and a few miles away cedar waxwings and bluebirds are the dominant birds.  There is something interesting going on outside every window.

An Old Champion out on the High Road the other evening met several vehicles at intervals of a minute or two.  By the fourth meeting the dust was roiling so as to fool the driver into thinking it was a thick fog.  The optimism for rain reigns in Champion hearts.  At Vanzant that evening, Skip asked if Fox Creek was up over the new bridge yet.  With the warming of the weather, it is expected that work will resume on the downstream side of the East Champion Fox Creek Bridge soon.  Meanwhile, according to General ‘sources,’ icicles were forming on feeders at the Vanzant Weather Tower and Bird Sanctuary late Sunday morning.  An off and on slow drizzle at 33 degrees made the afternoon dreary looking while it floated the bright hope of greener times ahead.  It is amazing how little rain it takes to green up a yard that has been parched.  The post in The Champion News ( www.championnews.us) for January 11, 2016 shows a picture taken from the south side of Clever Creek looking across to where Fox Creek Road and the High Road fork.  It was a wide rushing stream—wide and deep enough to make you pay attention driving through it.  Look at the photo of Fox Creek looking east from Champion on the January 4, 2016 post.  There are ten years of archives at that site and pictures to look through if you are far away and feeling nostalgic for the Bright Side.

Clever Creek, January 2016

Felix Maverick Osage Parsons arrived on January 6th, weighing in at 7.4 pounds and 20 inches tall.  Babies are generally measured as ‘long,’ but this fellow has a tall Papa and a tall Grandpa.  He’s liable to be called “Stretch” when he grows up or “Timber.”  Whatever they call him, the lad has arrived into a loving, welcoming family.  Congratulations to the whole bunch of you.  Bud Watkins is the maintenance man who looks after our wonderful little Skyline R2 School.  He also celebrated his birthday on the 6th.  The talented Travis Hathaway was 20 on January 7, 2017, so he must be a grown up now.  Folks who know him will smile at that.  It has been a nice year for Elizabeth Johnston Lawrence who married Roger this year.  Her birthday is on the 9th.  Phillip Moses will also celebrate that day over in Oklahoma with the lovely Paulette.  Tom Van Dyke has been an infrequent but welcome guest in Champion over the years.  He is newly married and hopes are that he and Leticia will visit this summer.  Meanwhile, they will celebrate his birthday on the 10th.  Wilburn Hutchison shares his birthday with Bob Liebert of Teeter Creek fame on January 11th.  When Wilburn was a boy, he and Fleming Gear saw a dirigible motor over the field they were working near where the school sits now.  Who among us can say he has seen a dirigible?  How many even know what that might be?  Teeter Creek is over west of the Trappist Abby Monastery.  You Facebook folks can look at the page called “Teeter Creek Herbs” and enjoy excellent photographs of morel mushrooms, garden spiders and many native plants.  With them Bob includes descriptions, habitat, history and uses of our treasured local flora.  We live in a truly lovely part of the world full of lovely people.  It was a delight to see Judy Stigall and Eileen Woods at the Vanzant Bluegrass Jam on Thursday.  The 13th was the birthday of our much missed banjo player and fine singer, Norris Woods.  He often played, “Life Is Like a Mountain Railway,” so the group played it for Eileen.  It missed Norris’s perfection, but let everyone remember him with that good feeling that comes from music.  John Garret (Snuffy) has his birthday on the 13th as well.  Rumor has it that he will be 75.  For many of us that does not sound nearly as old as it once did.

A space is set aside, in out of the weather, at the Re-creation of the Historic Emporium for relaxing with coffee and the newspaper or visiting with friends and neighbors.  The checker board is out for any who wish to test their skill against The General who needs practice if he is ever going to meet up with Sharon Sanders over at the Douglas County Museum for a play-off.  She is the reigning Douglas County Checker Champion and willing to take on all comers any Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. there at the museum in Ava.  The General used to be pretty good according to his stories.  Bring your stories, observations, wild claims and speculations down to the broad banks of Auld Fox Creek to share with your neighbors.  From the archives, a person asked about predictions for the coming year (2016) had such dire and cataclysmic expectations for just the next few months ahead that the inquirer abandoned the survey altogether.  The Granddaughter of an esteemed Champion of old, on the other end of the room sat in stunned disbelief, her eyes wide asking silently, “Is this for real?”  Certainly the world is big enough for widely divergent philosophies, but the breadth of the difference among people in such close proximity can be staggering.  Stagger on down to the wild, wooly banks of Auld Fox Creek and see for yourself.  It is good to remember that in any given gathering there may well be people (polite people) who believe exactly opposite things and, in most cases, they are indistinguishable from each other by their looks.  For your own peace of mind, be sure you are registered to vote and participate in your democracy.  It is a sure bet that “they” do.  It is eleven more months and four more days until the midterm elections and plenty of time to study.  Bring an instrument with you some Wednesday to improve the music.  “We looked down the river and we see’d the British coming.  There must have been a hundred of them beatin’ on their drums.  They stepped so high and they made their bugles ring.  We stood beside our cotton bales and didn’t say a thing.”  That was in 1814.  In 2018 there will be plenty to be said in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

Champion’s 2016 Christmas Flood

Old Champions enjoy wildlife through their windows.

Champions started the New Year with zero degrees and a big full moon sliding down behind the mountain just before sun up.  A sunny day full of feasting and family and friends is a fine way to start anew.  Champions are checking their drip, being sure that there is heat in the well house and that the kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors are open under the sink.  It is that time of the year.  One Old Champion said that he had heard it is going to get colder here than it has been in 100 years.  (Colder than the 18 degrees below zero in 1976-77?)  Memories of extreme cold will surface around the stove that has warmed Champions for generations along with those favorite sayings…colder than a tax-collector’s heart, a polar bear’s pajamas, colder than moonlight on a tombstone, than a mother-in-law’s kiss, or any number of other things.  Skip said, “Colder than a well digger’s feet.”  Ina smiled.  ‘Safety’ is the watch word.  There is danger in the cold itself–frost bite and hypothermia come with low temperature and prolonged exposure.  The dangers of gathering firewood are legion and visible as scars on many a Champion.  That watch word is ___________.

Harley Krider was in the neighborhood over the holiday up in Rogersville visiting his sister, Vivian Floyd.  Visiting and doing other good works for family kept him from the Wednesday gathering, but he likely spent some good amount of time in the Historic Emporium before he headed back north.  Some of those nice Watts from Tennessee were also around gladdening the hearts of family.  Lucky old retired people (Who knew how pleasant it would be?) watch the birds and wild life through their windows.  Farmers, young and old, have cattle to feed, ice to break on the ponds, cows to milk and myriad other outside chores that keep them busy and vigorous.  Karen Ross rolls down her window every whip-stitch to stuff mail in our boxes and propane deliverers stand out there while it pumps.  Deer hunters are out there with their muzzle loaders just having a wonderful time.  Those of us who get to stay inside around the stove and cook are pleased with the division of labor.  There are some good stories associated with the tradition of eating black-eyed-peas on New Year’s Day.  One notion about the custom is that if you make black eyed peas your main dish on the first day, you will eat at least that well all year.  Champion.

2017 Spring Fling

Vanzant’s Bluegrass Jam was delightful despite the weather.  Attendance was down slightly because of the weather and the delightful demands of family at holiday time.  The music was sweet, particularly as it kicked off with “Happy Birthday dear Mary and Robert!  Happy Birthday to you!”  Mary Goolsby beamed and The General said he never heard it sung better.  On the 31st, Tim Tamburrino of the Midwest Bluegrass Association sent out the good wishes from the music community to Russell’s little brother.  Russel Upshaw put the Vanzant Jam together as we know it today after circumstances at the previous venue became awkward and Robert, The General, is doing a good job of keeping it going.  Eli Ogelsby has a Champion grandmother and a birthday on December 30th.  The New Year starts with parties for Jacob’s Dad on the first and for Jacob on the 3rd.  Cousin Kabela is in between them with her fifth birthday on the 2nd.  The first is also the day of much celebration for Ms. Jan Teetercreek.  The third is for Dr. Zappler’s arm-candy, Leland.  The sweet Mrs. Esther Howard celebrated that day as well.  Champion Girlfriend Extraordinaire celebrates on the 4th of January.  Last year she asked for a Spring Fling and it arrived with a fish fry and music and a sweet community get together right there in the big middle of the Square in Downtown Champion.  It was a lovely affair.  David Richardson and Sheri Lovan played music out on the wide veranda.  A while back, sitting around the old wood stove there in the Recreated Emporium, she allowed as how that is what she wants for her birthday again this year.  It is a joy to share her birthday present.  We will just have to wait a little while.  All the people born on the 4th of January are likely to have some of the sweet, generous, fun loving qualities of the charming Champion girlfriend, but there is no guarantee.  Still, any wayward soul born that day might be worth redeeming with a little education and patience even if they are well into their eighth decade.  It will just require forbearance.

As the holiday decorations get packed away for another year and ‘thank-you’ cards get sent for generous and thoughtful gifts, thoughts turn to the year ahead.  This past one has been a bonafide doozie.  A brief listen into the internet echo chamber of the ‘other’ political party shows that those folks believe thoroughly, honestly, wholeheartedly in the very things you oppose thoroughly, honestly, wholeheartedly.  It is a gift that we all look alike—all of us being people–a person cannot necessarily discern your beliefs just by looking at you, unless you advertise them in some way.  Circumstances, therefore, dictate that we treat everyone with respect.  The days ahead may be full of difficulties and strife as some still chant, “Eighty-six forty five!”  But there are songs in our hearts, gratitude and much optimism.  “Eleven more months and ten more days and I’ll be out of the calaboose!”  That is a line from an old song shared by Uncle Al Masters.  November 6th is the date of the midterm elections—eleven more months and six more days away.  Hopes are that there will be an unprecedented voter turnout.  Some of the rest of the lyrics to Uncle Al’s song were.. ”and he called me an Irish son of a gun–a breaky on the train.”  There are many wonderful old train and railroad songs full of history and emotion like “Life is Like a Mountain Railroad.”  Share your favorite railroad song at champion@championnews.us, or TCN Rt. 72 Box 367 Norwood, MO 65717 or in person down on the broad bonnie banks of Auld Fox Creek.  One of many a favorite is the last verse of Jimmy Rogers’ “Mystery of Old Number Five.”  It says, “So you railroad men take warning and play this game fair, so when The Master calls on us we’ll meet my fireman up there.”  Then there ensues some extended yodeling…(ah lee oh lay he, odle odle lay hee, hee.)  The old year ends and the new one begins with hope in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

The scant rain that has graced Champion in recent days together with a little fog and mist has worked its magic on our brittle brown fields.  They now have the softest hint of a green underlayment which gives rise to a little optimism.  Even in this stressed state, distant vistas are magnificent as the hills roll and fold in upon each other with their subtle shades of beige and gold.  The speculation was that we would have snow before real rain played out, though there was not much snow either.  Holiday decorations along the highways and country lanes are a treat for nighttime travelers.  Some folks put a lot of money, time and thought into their displays.  Others just run the same string of lights they have used for years along their porch rails and posts.  The effect is dazzling on a dark night drive.  A cold Christmas Day did not diminish the joy of family and friends together feasting and relishing fine company.  Who knows what wonders the New Year will bring!

Bridge construction over Fox Creek in near East Champion goes on at full bore.  Concrete trucks had pumped 12 yards on Tuesday and it looks like the 32 or so yards for the next phase arrived on Thursday.  Construction on the downstream side is underway and locals will be interested to see just how the bridge builders proceed.  The new tinhorn shines in the sun.  It is about 4 feet in diameter.  FEMA wants the bridge to be just the way it was before the flood, so the additional two tinhorns that it would take to adequately handle a deluge will go wanting.  The East Champion By-Pass will disappear with the opening of the bridge.  The information that has come to light so far about Dave Simpson is that he was just a very nice man.  His family made a substantial donation toward the construction of the last bridge over Fox Creek and the little stone to acknowledge the good life of their loved one stands yet.  He is buried up at Denlow.  TCN will be glad for any more information about him.  champion@chamionnews.us or TCN Rt. 72 Box 367 Norwood, MO 65717.

Wednesday’s gathering at the Historic Emporium over on the north side of the Square in downtown Champion was festive as neighbors came in with cakes and pies and all kinds of finger foods for a Christmas celebration.  The table was spread and regular visitors were joined by those seldom seen for some quality visiting and yarn spinning.  There were Upshaws galore, Kriders, Smiths, Dooms, Bishops, Lees, Leaches, Partells, Johns, Hutchisons, Moses, Von Altendorfs, Barnharts and others.  The food was good and the fellowship sweet.  Next time the talk will all be about New Year’s Resolutions.  Here are some that Woody Guthrie wrote January 1, 1943:  “1. Work more and better   2. Work by a schedule   3. Wash teeth if any  4.  Shave   5. Take bath   6. Eat good—fruit-vegetables-milk   7. Drink very scant if any   8. Write a song a day   9. Wear clean clothes—look good   10. Shine shoes 11.  Change socks  12. Change bed clothes often   13. Read lots good books   14. Listen to radio a lot  15. Learn people better  16. Keep ranch clean   17. Don’t get lonesome   18. Stay glad   19. Keep hoping machine running   20. Dream good   21. Bank all extra money   22. Save dough   23. Have company but don’t waste time   24. Send Mary and kids money   25. Play and sing good   26. Dance better   27. Help win war—beat fascism   28. Love Mama 29. Love Papa   30. Love Pete   31. Love everybody   32. Make up your mind   33. Wake up and fight.”  Some of Woody’s most famous songs are “This Land Is Your Land” and “The Lonesome Road Blues.”  An excellent resolution that seems to encompass much of what Woody had to say is, “Just try to be a little nicer to people.”

Our rural mail carriers, really all the post office workers, are under pressure this time of the year.  The added parcels and Christmas cards bring joy to the recipients and maybe headaches to the folks doing the delivering, but they do not complain.  If you have not left some cookies in the mail box or a thank you note for their hard work and dependability, there is still time before the year is over.  Thank you Karen Ross!  We are grateful for Karen and for the U.S. Postal Service.  Many an Old Champion is also grateful to Franklin D. Roosevelt who signed the Social Security Act in 1935.  By 1937, 53,236 people received a total of $1,278,000.  In 2017 there are nearly 62 million Americans who will receive approximately $995 billion in Social security benefits.  Somewhere along the line, about LBJ’s time, the government started borrowing from the Social Security Trust Fund.  Now they owe ‘us’ about $2 trillion.  It is all very interesting and bears some study.  Everyone will have his own opinion about tax reform.  These are exciting times and very reminiscent of about 1928.  Watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” again on Christmas Eve it was as heartwarming as it first was back in 1947—a very sweet film.  An Old Champion pointed out that while the generosity of the fine citizens of Bedford Falls kept George Bailey from scandal and prison, Mr. Potter did not return the $8,000.00.  Sometimes a shenanigan might escape notice when we are distracted.  86 45.  Look at old Mr. Potter for a good example of bad behavior.

A card from Minnie J. Henson informs that Royce Henson had hip surgery on December 13th.  It was their 59th Wedding anniversary.  Jody said that it was their gift to each other.  He is working hard three hours a day in a rehabilitation hospital and may be able to come home in time to celebrate the New Year.  It all started back on November 20th.  Royce had been mulching leaves all afternoon and he fell in the driveway as he got off the mower.  He did not know his hip was broken.  “Even cycled a week later…then got worse.”  She said that it was his first time in the hospital overnight at age 84.  Royce is a tough customer—it must be his Champion upbringing.  Thursday evening found the crowd singing at Vanzant.  The birthday card said, “Where the deer and the antelope play, they play, ‘Happy Birthday, dear Jerry!’” and so it was.  The 27th is the special day for Boy Howdy of the Howdy Boys.  The 29th is the birthday of Skyline fifth grade student Logan Hill.  We remember that lovely Joann Anderson celebrates on Christmas Day and The General on 31st or sometime or all the time.  Come down to the wide, wild, wooly banks of Auld Fox Creek for some pleasant socializing and the opportunity to end the old year or begin the New Year with optimism.  “Should auld acquaintance be forgot” in Champion?—Looking on the Bright Side!

VFW District 18 Commander Russell Olewinski congratulates Skyline R-2 School’s Mr. Prock on having been nominated for the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award.

Skyline R-2 School’s Mr. Prock was honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars as one of three exceptional teachers in District who are being considered for the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher Award.  Acknowledgment comes with certificates, plaques and financial awards for the teacher and the school as well.  Russell Olewinsky, VFW District 18 Commander, made the announcement at the beginning of the pre-kindergarten to 8th grade Christmas Music and Band Program on Thursday evening.  The program was entitled “Glorious” and it was.  The community came out in great numbers and was well rewarded with another splendid program directed by Mrs. Downs and Mrs. Casper.  The talented children always do a good job at these performances and to have such strong neighborhood support is most encouraging.  Even if your children are grown and gone and you have no grandchildren in school at Skyline, there are volunteer opportunities that will throw you right in the middle of the youthful exuberance that will help you stay young.  Alternately, the Skyline R-2 School Foundation accepts financial donations in any amount.  Contact the school at (417) 683-4874 to find the best way for you to help these 100 or so young country kids get a good start in life.  Champions!

A bunch of trail riders decided to make an excursion from Vera Cruz over to Champion on Saturday.  When it was time to leave, it was about 18 degrees and there were four riders ready.  Andrew Hardin rode one of Bud Hutchison’s horses, Jim Bob.  Hershel Letsinger rode Andrew’s horse, Cloud.  Jeff Alcorn was on Lace and Gary Braden, from over near Bradleyville, was on his horse, Ruby.  They made good time and were glad to get the broad, brushy banks of Auld Fox Creek.  They enjoyed themselves around the wood stove in the Re-creation of the Historic Emporium, where they had a good lunch and a restful interlude of visiting and yarn spinning before they hit the trail again.  Mr. Letsinger had just received a beautiful ornate belt buckle in the mail.  It signified that he had completed ten National Trail Rides.  He said it turned out to be a fairly expensive buckle—but it sure is pretty.

Bridge dedication.

If the East Champion Fox Creek Bridge (ECFCB) is going to be done by year’s end, those fellows are going to have to get seriously busy.  It is not as if there is an imminent torrent for which they have to prepare.  Most likely they have other irons in the fire across the county.  The upstream side is formed up nicely with lots of t-posts, plywood and rebar.  The tinhorn is ready for action and people who drive around the bridge by-pass (the East Champion By-Pass) to get to Champion have plenty to discuss with each other about the details of the construction as well as the speed of the operation.  The little marker by the tree on the west side of the bridge says the previous permutation had been dedicated to Dave Simpson (1934-1993) by his friends and family.  Perhaps some reader will share the story of Dave Simpson.  Send it to The Champion News, Rt. 72 Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or to champion@championnews.us.

Christmas cards with good wishes and happy remembrances (and some with checks and cash), phone calls with distant loved ones and the music of the season, “These are a few of my favorite things!”  Roberta will be singing “Christmas Time’s A-Coming” and there will be sweet renditions of “Silver Bells” and other holiday favorites at the Vanzant Bluegrass Jam.  Mary Goolsby will be talking and smiling about the great party the folks at Champion had thrown for Christmas and for her birthday on Wednesday.  (Bob Berry lured her to The Bright Side saying he had a propane bottle that needed filling and would like to have her company for the outing.)  There will be a big to-do over the Friendly Fiddler’s birthday which will happen this very Thursday night.  He will enter into his 9th decade where he will join the Lovely Lena as they proceed toward 61 years of marriage.  There is plenty to celebrate all year and music does celebration better than most things.  Hugs and kisses, pats on the back, hearty hand-shakes, and good groceries all play their part in merriment, but music is one of the best elements of celebration. “Fa la la, la, la-la la la la!”

Everyone is not celebrating.  There is struggle, war, tragedy, suffering, silence, indifference, greed, intolerance and rancor the world over.  Champions do not subscribe.

The dreary day on Sunday was welcomed with glee by rain starved Champions.  True, not much rain fell, but every drop that landed washed up some pragmatic optimism.  When talking about prospective Christmas gifts, a young granddaughter once said, “You get what you get, and you don’t pitch a fit.”  That smacks of a good upbringing and the ability to make the best of what may not always be the most ideal situation.  86-45.  That is kind of the way it is about the weather.  A Wednesday visitor to the Bright Side said that back in the fifties it was dry like this for two or three years.  He said that folks up in Wright County would tie the sassafras trees over so the cows could reach them.  Other people cut the trees down to feed the cows.  Those who had just tied them over saved their trees for the next year.  There are probably several Champions who can shed light on how it was back then.  There is much to be learned from our predecessors, but how to get along in hard times might be some of the most useful information.  It is amazing how well folks used to do with so little–a clear definition of resourcefulness.  In these days of much and plenty, particularly at this time of the year, a reflection on what is truly important is worth the time.  It is delightful to be gifted with the latest gadget or stylish garment, but Champions do not confuse “things” with love.  The best thing we have to give is our time for our family, our friends and our neighbors.  “Good tidings we bring to you and your kin—we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year” in Champion—looking on the Bright Side!

Ready to hit the trail, Gary Braden on Ruby, Jeff Alcorn on Lace, Herschel Letsinger on Cloud,
and Andrew Hardin on Jim Bob head back to Vera Cruz.

The north side bridgework progressing.

Over 100 people attended the hearing last Tuesday evening at the Ava Community Center on the future of the Bryant Creek State Park.  Most favored keeping the park as a “wild” area, without much development.  It was reported that this meeting drew a larger crowd than the initial meeting in Branson earlier in the year.  There were a number of people from the Park Service there, as well as Forest Rangers in full uniform, a representative of the Department of Natural Resources, and State officials–Lyle Rowland (our representative) and Mike Cunningham (our senator).  If you wanted to go to the meeting and could not attend, or if you just want to learn more about the 2,917 acre park with its old-growth oak and pine forests and nearly two miles of bluffs along Bryant Creek, go to the Missouri State Park website at www.mostateparks.com  There is a place there to add your ideas and your comments.  To participate, click on “Your Input on New State Parks.”

The chief meteorologist at the Vanzant Weather Burro (not Bureau) is predicting an extremely cold winter.  On Friday he reported seeing a caterpillar wearing a hooded sweatshirt and ear muffs.  A distant relative has wooly worms so fuzzy their feet don’t touch the ground and they just roll around in the breeze.  We have breeze but no rain.  Rain might be waiting for the East Champion Fox Creek Bridge to be finished.  The cold may hamper the progress, but the current, clear progress with no rain in the forecast for the next couple of weeks, may well “git ‘er done, Sis,” and then we can all wash our trucks.  A note from the Missouri Department of Conservation concerning the dry weather and fire danger recommends that landowners make a defensible space of 30 feet around homes and structures where fuels and vegetation are treated, cleared or reduced in order to slow the spread of a wildfire.  The defensible area also provides firefighters room to maneuver as they make a stand against fire.  Champions are grateful to live in such a beautiful part of the world and grateful for friends and neighbors who volunteer as fire fighters to protect our homes and lives.

Destiny Surface, a 5th grade student at Skyline R2 School, shares her birthday on the 20th with Rachel Prock, a kindergarten student there, also with sweet Mary Goolsby who attends the Vanzant jam regularly.  The 21st is a special day for Chris Dailey, Archie’s girl.  It also marks the day when a favorite fiddler will enter his 9th decade.  He and Lena have been married sixty years.  They will be the same age until May.  The 22nd is for very young Oliver Cohen’s Dad.  Chase Cauthron, a prekindergarten student at Skyline, has the same birthday as his dear old Dad, and as Butch Stone and as Sharon Sikes.  These birthdays, Chanukah and Christmas altogether make for a festive season.  There are parties and gatherings and music jams going on all over the place.  Christmas lists include the latest gadgets for some, bling for others, necessities for modest folks and, among all, the hope of health and happiness for all ourselves and all our precious dear ones.  Peace on Earth and good will toward men is a Champion wish.

Again the first Christmas card of the season came from the Freemans, Wesley and Karen.  Karen hand-makes cards and writes they are still kicking in Texas and celebrated their 52nd anniversary November 23rd.  Karen’s sister, Daisey Delgado, lost almost everything she had in Hurricane Harvey—personal things, house, furniture, motorcycles and trucks, but still she is grateful.  This was the costliest tropical cyclone on record, inflicting nearly $200 billion in damage, primarily from widespread flooding in the Houston metropolitan area.  That was just back in August.  Time flies and they will be a long time recovering.  Another card comes from J.C. Owsley up Cross Timbers way.  He grew up (way up) over near Crystal Lake.  He encourages:  “Thank you for adding sunshine via The Champion News on-line.”  Friends like to see his photographs taken from behind the ears of a big white borrowed mule or one of his handsome saddle horses.  Maybe he will make it back for one of Bud Hutchison’s trail rides next year.  Bonnie and Pete Mullins, living in Douglas, Kansas now, also get news at www.championnews.us and say in their card they are looking forward to having Christmas with their son and his wife.  We are hoping to see them next Denlow School Reunion.  They did not make it this last time and were much missed.  They have until May to get ready.  Merry Christmas back at all you lovely folks.

Watching the news and sitting around the table visiting with friends and family about the current state of affairs, the question comes up, “How it is that good people, with each of the opposing political points of view, wonder how so many are under such strong delusion to believe a lie?” 86 45.  We are reminded that it takes both wings for the Eagle to fly.

Show and Tell at the Wednesday Champion Soiree is more interesting as time goes by.  Among all the things that have been brought to share, the best of all (according to one) was a mandolin banjo.  The guy that owns it does not play it.  He bought it (cheap) years ago and only recently paid $20.00 to a local luthier to have it restrung.  It is a lovely little thing and it languishes on a shelf, not played, while the guy collects other items that he values more.  Hopes are that he will bring it back to the Historic Emporium again soon for a communal musical.  Carnegie Hall held a hootenanny organized by Pete Seeger back in 1962.  Robert Zimmerman performed a song that lasted ten minutes.  It starts out, “Oh, where have you been My blue-eyed son?  And where have you been my darling young one?”  And goes on to say, “I’ve stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountain/ I’ve walked and I crawled on six crooked highways, I’ve stepped in the middle of seven sad forests” and winds up “It’s a Hard Rain’s A-gonna Fall” in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

The wormhole.

Work progresses on the East Champion Fox Creek Bridge.

With the specter of Christmas looming large, Champions are still reveling in the memories of a lovely Thanksgiving.  After the feasting an Old Champion Uncle shared the accomplishments of his niece, Kelly Cox.  She is the creator of The Original Fare, a PBS Food program where she “hunts, forages, and farms her way across the globe to search for the best ingredients our planet has to offer.”  She has Missouri roots and a perspective on food that is eye-opening.  Look for it at www.theoriginalfare.com and be prepared for some real adventures and surprises.  Another of Kelly Cox’s Champion Uncles reports that hearings are underway and a decision will be made soon about whether to keep or sell the Bryant Creek State Park, one of Missouri’s newest.  It is a beautiful and diverse property in eastern Douglas County.  He says, “It’s a jewel of the Ozarks, and one of the most rugged landscapes in the state.”  Another Old Champion Uncle enjoyed the return engagement of Boy Howdy and the Howdy Boys featuring Rattlesnake Slim and Frankie Midnight.  They played the Friday night soirée including some familiar pieces like “The Old Home Place” which has the refrain, “Why did I leave the plow in the field and look for a job in the town?”  They also shared some eclectic Bulgarian and Albanian tunes, enthralling family, friends and neighbors.  Among myriad reasons to be Thankful are Old Champion Uncles.  Kaitlyn McConnell is off in Ireland and posted a picture on the internet of musicians in a pub playing with the same enthusiasm (and some of the same tunes) as those folks at the McClurg jam.  It is a small and beautifully melodic world.

People with birthdays in December sometimes feel disadvantaged, having been given money for their birthday with the expectation that they spend it on Christmas gifts for others.  That wonderful feeling of giving might compensate for not having a real birthday.  (Perhaps they should choose a random day earlier in the year and just lie about it being their birthday.  It is a standard joke that people lie about their age anyway.)  Film maker Zack Godshall of Baton Rouge, Louisiana shares his birthday on the 6th of December with a talented local Mr. Bell.  Noam Chomsky was born December 7, 1928.  On the 8th another talented man–jeweler, woodworker, designer and cook celebrates on a creek bank with a lovebird named Trixie and a splendid spouse.  The 9th belongs to Skyline R2 School bookkeeper, Mrs. Karen.  That is also the day to celebrate Kaye Johnston’s sweetheart.  The 11th is for Bailey’s mom up in Portland, Oregon.  Danielle Gorham is an 8th grade student at Skyline.  Her birthday is on the 12th.  The 13th is for Kennedy Hinote, a Skyline kindergarten student, and for Richard Green down in the Magic Rio Grande Valley.  The 14th belongs to Zac Alexander’s dear old dad, for the much-missed comrade, Judy Ing, and for Spike Jones, who could gargle an aria with the best of them.  Amanda Mastin up at the Honky Tonk Clothier in Springfield celebrates on the 16th, as does big time movie producer Jesse Ing out in Hollywood.  Happy birthday all you people and get ready for a Merry Christmas.  No lie–it is going to be a Champion Christmas!

The fascinating full super moon shining out there helps to light up the many deer who decide to cross the highways and country lanes in front of oncoming vehicles.  Daytime drivers along C Highway, and doubtlessly other routes, see the deer on the side of the road that were unsuccessful in their crossings.  Dented fenders, hoods and worse show up in local body shops.  The fact that it gets dark earlier these days does not keep people from having to go out at night to do things.  Champions just start early and drive carefully.

Work continues on the East Champion Fox Creek Bridge.  As of Thursday the tinhorn was in place and a great deal of chat was arranged in such a way to allow for a good concrete pour.  It will be exciting to get back that way to see what the fine fellows of Douglas County have wrought.  If the draught continues there will hardly be a need for bridges anywhere.  Dean Brixey was in the neighborhood Wednesday.  He may know when it might have been this dry in the past—maybe in the 1950’s.  It is a gift that ‘old timers’ (sorry, Dean) are willing to share their history and experiences in the place we enjoy so much today.  He may well have come down to the Historic Emporium to get some of those beautiful Champion Christmas Cards or just on the hopes of running into old friends there.  If you cannot make it over to the wide, wild, wooly banks of Auld Fox Creek, look at www.championnews.us for some vicarious enjoyment of one of the world’s truly beautiful places.

Paul Harvey said, “In times like these it helps to recall there have always been times like these.”  Will Rogers said, “The money was all appropriated for the top in the hopes that it would trickle down to the needy.  Mr. Hoover didn’t know that money trickled up.  Give it to the people at the bottom and the people at the top will have it before night, anyhow.  But it will at least have passed through the poor fellow’s hands.”  Another Old Champion recalls a similar quote from an earlier century:  “If you feed your horse enough oats, some will pass through to feed the sparrow.”  A song cheering the NRA (National Recovery Act—not the National Rifle Association) appears in an anthology of music called “Boom, Bust, and the New Deal.”  “There’s a new day in view.  There is gold in the blue.  There is hope in the hearts of men.  (86 45)  From the plain to the hill, from the farm to the mill, for the road is open again” in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

More progress…