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CHAMPION—December 5, 2011

          Geese are headed south these days.  An interested Champion learned that waterfowl frequently prefer to fly at night since the air remains relatively stable with lighter winds and less dramatic pressure and temperature gradients.  In the daytime hawks and eagles use thermals, air currents caused by the warming earth, to ride aloft.  Ducks and geese prefer undisturbed air.  They might also like to avoid the hawks and eagles.  By flying in the v-formation the whole flock has a much greater flying range since as each goose flaps its wings it creates an ‘uplift’ for the birds that follow.  By working together and sharing a common direction a community can function better.  When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position. In a community it pays to take turns doing the hard tasks.  Geese honk to keep each other encouraged.  In Champion a little honking goes a long way.   It turns out that a Canadian goose can live twenty-four years.

          “We’ll sing of the old, and we’ll sing of the new.  We’ll sing of the changes in years.  I can’t tell a lie, last night we had pie for the first time in twenty four years.  There’s a man over there without any hair, you can be sure he is fond of his beer.  He is called old-time rocks, and last night changed his socks for the first time in twenty four years.”  Well, there are lots of verses to that song, some having to do with banking, with politics, with the railroad and travel to the Indies.  It is just one of those conglomerated songs with no author to claim credit and a history too long to remember.  Esther Wrinkles said that she remembered it but that she has not heard it in a long time.  Music is a big part of Esther’s enjoyment of life.  When the fire department fund raisers first appear on the horizon, Esther is the one who registers the first and most enthusiasm about who will play.  She has a good ear and great appreciation for local artists.  A meeting of the Skyline Ladies’ Auxiliary will be coming up soon and the planning session will get going for the next community affair to benefit the best little fire department around.   The year seems to be going by pretty quickly.  Esther is doing well.  Louise is making steady progress on her recovery and the fun is starting all over again.  Champion!   

          That raft of tiger orange letters mailed from the Skyline R-2 School Foundation is producing some good results.  Thank you cards are being sent to early donors and more letters are going out to various philanthropic entities.  Anyone with a good idea can include a note with your check or cash donation to the Skyline R-2 School Foundation, Rt. 2, Box 486, Norwood, MO 65717.  A little country school is something worth supporting—a Champion something!

          A full lunar eclipse of December’s Cold Moon is going to occur, visible from Champion, about 8:30 next Saturday morning, December 10^th.  Starting about 7:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m., the moon will have the shadow of the Earth pass over it from east to west…Actually the moon is doing the moving, passing through Earth’s shadow.  A delicate layer of dusty air surrounding the planet reddens and redirects the light of the sun so that the moon seems to turn red when it enters the shadow of the Earth.  So not only will the Moon be beautifully red, it will also be inflated by the Moon Illusion.  For reasons not fully understood by astronomers or psychologists, low-hanging Moons look unnaturally large when they beam through the trees, buildings and other foreground objects.   In fact, a low Moon is no wider than any other Moon, but the human brain insists otherwise and so to observers in the western USA, and maybe Champion, the eclipse will appear super-sized.  It is very exciting.  This moon is kind of low in the western sky, so someone behind a hill may not see it.  They say that the darkest part of the eclipse will be about 8:30 a.m.  That is opening time at the Recreation of the Historic Emporium on the North Side of the Square in Historic Downtown Champion.  Friends who missed the Thanksgiving Day parade are planning to show up early for coffee and to exchange their elliptical experiences from over the years. Saturdays at Champion are beginning to take on that old time quality when they gathered on the square for fellowship and to be in on all the latest happenings.  One Old Champion says, “There is something to be said for holding on to those old ties familial and friendly, particularly when those ties are with people you like.”  When the weather is consistently warm again, Champion City Mothers are going to break out the lucky horseshoe set and Champions will be extending challenges to each other and to any hapless visitor from Vanzant or Spotted Hog.  Some are practicing already.    Perhaps those ecliptically shadowed stories will shed light on some of the persistent Champion mysteries like the Champion Illusion when those phantom parades drift up the steep climbing western stretches of Lonnie L. Krider Memorial Drive toward the lofty summit of Mount Champion—how the bagpipes become faint in the mist and suddenly dissipate as if the procession had never occurred.  Anyone who attended (and everyone did) The Grand Champion Celebration of October 22^nd, knows for sure that grand and glorious things happen in Champion. (Verify this at www.championnews.us.)  Send reports of same to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or to Champion at getgoin.net.. 

          The weather is changing and real winter will be here in a few days.  Champions will be traveling and hosting guests and making all kinds of merry.  They are safe on the road, careful in their holiday spending while still most generous with all the things that count.  They are extending their Love and Gratitude to their Veterans and those serving at the behest of the Nation and they are thinking about dear family far away.  They are remembering that joyfulness is a year round Champion kind of thing.  Get a big heaping helping of it at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, December 10^th in Downtown Champion–Looking on the Bright Side.

CHAMPION—November 28, 2011

          As in all years past, Champions digest their Thanksgiving dinner in a tryptophanic haze awash in Love and Gratitude.  To sit at the table with dear family and friends year after year, watching the children grow and the adults grow richer in understanding as they see themselves change as rapidly in their latter years as do the children in the full bloom of youth—to see it all happening and appreciate it—what a gift!  Old bones of contention, little hurts and slights, misunderstandings, unintentional missteps and insensitivities blur and dissipate (swerving aside into vain jangling) and the charity of pure hearts and of good conscience reigns in Champion.

          The sign designating Lonnie L. Krider Memorial Drive was installed over the Thanksgiving holiday on the South West corner of the Square in downtown Champion.  In lieu of a crass signpost sunk in concrete, city parents (fathers and mothers) chose the landmark oak tree just at the foot of Mount Champion.  It is the very tree under which all those musicians gathered to entertain on the day of the Champion Grand Opening Celebration back in October.  Many of those players, probably most of them, had the pleasure of making music with Lonnie at one time or another over the years, so it is wonderfully fitting for the sign to be placed there.  Go to www.championnews.us and hear some of the music played that day under that tree on David Richardson’s youtube movie.  For a treat look up the 2008 Champion School Reunion on the website and find a little mp3 recording of Lonnie Krider and Wayne Anderson singing “We Live In Two Different Worlds.”  Many long years ago this road, now named for one of Champion’s favorite sons, was the main road through town.  Now the upper part of that road remains mysterious as it is mostly unused winding west up the mountain and disappearing into the woods. 

          Charlie Haden’s lyrics to Old Joe Clark go, “Old Joe Clark, the preacher’s son Preached all over the plain The only text he ever knew Was high low jack and the game.”  A bright and warm spot at a table near the stove in the back room of Champion’s Mercantile turns out to be an ideal spot for a quick game of pitch.  “Eleven point” is the game of choice by many and to a novice it seems to be a loose enough game to allow for plenty chatter.  Hot coffee and a pleasant atmosphere in out of the wind could promote loitering, but respectful Champions do not abuse their refuge.  Small Business Saturday found Henson’s Grocery and Gas overrun with customers many of whom had come from out of state to inspect the Recreation and to take advantage of the eclectic stock of merchandize.  There has been a run on the Champion Picture Post Card that depicts the Old and the New.  Printers are struggling to keep up with demand.

          So much of life is perspective.  One percent of the population serves in the Nation’s military for the benefit and protection of the ninety-nine percent.  Champions support those serving and the Veterans who have served in past and current conflicts with Love and Gratitude.  The all-volunteer army of today, AVA, can be said to be one of the results of the social demonstrations of the 1960’s and 70’s.   That tumultuous time changed the country dramatically.  Equal opportunity and equal rights became the law of the land for American citizens regardless of their race, ethnicity, or gender.  The veil of secrecy that surrounded much of American foreign policy was, at least partially, removed.  The health of the nation’s environment became a national priority.  Citizen oversight of government officials became accepted.  Bernie Sanders of Vermont is on the Senate Budget Committee.  He says “This country does in fact have a serious deficit problem.  But the reality is that the deficit was caused by two wars—unpaid for.  It was caused by huge tax breaks for the wealthiest people in this country.  It was caused by a recession as result of the greed, recklessness and illegal behavior on Wall Street.  And if those are the causes of the deficit, I will be damned if we’re going to balance the budget on the backs of the elderly, the sick, the children, and the poor.  That’s wrong.”  He said that on November 18, 2011.  Opinions vary about the causes of the current economic situation and what ought to be done but things are definitely happening.  Champions pay attention.

          Black Friday and Small Business Saturday were good for good neighbors over in Norwood at the Plant Place and the Gift Corner.  While Charlene was minding the store, Linda paused in Lebanon on her way home from a Thanksgiving visit with her granddaughter in Kansas City to do a craft fair for Charlene. They work well together and are busy people.  For years they have been providing a local alternative to the big corporate businesses that seem to be taking over every little town.  Audrey of “Audrey in the Morning” on KZ88 Community Radio is a big fan of the Plant Place.  She likes to garden and likes to share gardening with her friends and family.  Some Champions are finally getting their gardens cleaned up with the idea of getting an early start next year.  Whether or not they do their chores and are ready at the right time, Linda will be there to help.

          That tiger-orange letter is going out by the handfuls every week to tax payers in the Skyline R-2 School District.  The Skyline R-2 School Foundation has been established as a way to provide support for the little country school that is so important to this part of Douglas County.  Like all schools everywhere the economy is taking a toll on operating funds.  As available resources are stretched thin the Foundation hopes to keep literacy programs and technology instruction supported in lasting and substantial ways.  Some Champions in distant places nostalgic about their own dear old golden rule days are not waiting for the letter in the mail but are already sending their checks, small and large, to Skyline R-2 School Foundation, Rt. 2, Box 486, Norwood, MO 65717.  

          Elgin put on her old gray bonnet with the blue ribbons on it while Vernon hitched old Dobbin to the shay.  It was not exactly like that, but they did celebrate their Golden Wedding Day and Upshaws and others far and wide congratulated the couple and partied down.  Describe your celebrations at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or at Champion at getgoin.net..  Sashay on over to the Square in Downtown Champion to see how the place is recovering from the Thanksgiving Day Parade of 2011.  You will be amazed!  You will be in Champion, looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—November 21, 2011

          Champions find Gratitude easy.   Much needed rain has settled the dust and hunters have taken their prizes home with them leaving the country side wonderfully quiet again.   Things can get back to normal just as the Champion Thanksgiving Day Parade forms up.  Look for a full report next week.  If you are looking for a good time, some fellowship, some fun Champion is the place for you!  Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—November 14, 2011

          Hunting season is always exciting in Champion.  Stories around the stove in the mercantile include descriptions of just how the buck came over the rise and just how he quartered just so and then turned to present a perfect target and then fell in his tracks.  Hunters have been telling hunting stories around the fire for as long as there has been fire.  Champions are glad to be part of the big continuum which these days has hunters exchanging text messages out in the field.  “Was that you?” One hunter said, “It was so windy on Saturday that the birds were walking!”  Kalyssa’s Mother took a fine eight-point buck and will have a trophy for her wall in what is called a ‘European mount.’  Freezers will soon be full and the generosity of Champion hunters is no small thing.  It is Champion!

           Friday the landline telephones in and around Champion went haywire.  By Saturday things had improved quite a little bit and parties were able to connect on the old fashioned phones again.  Monday telephone trucks were patrolling the area and though the lines are buried out here, it could be that all the high wind has caused some trouble somewhere.  Those folks do a good job of keeping Champion in the loop.  While Champions embrace change and technology, there are still a few rotary dialed telephones and a few typewriters in regular use in the area.  Louise’s eagle watching neighbor across the hill still uses the typewriter to a pleasant effect.  Louise was busy out on her computer Friday night looking at the pictures and movies of the Grand Opening Celebration at Champion that are posted on the Neighborhood Events page at www.championnews.us.  She saw quite a few people she knows and would have heard the music, except that her speakers are not hooked up to her computer at this time.  She watches the cooking shows on TV when she is not busy with various therapies.  Wilburn said that he and Fleming were mowing hay when the dirigible came over and it scared the little mare they were working.  He said it came over real low, just above the tree tops, and they could hear people talking.  Probably Wilburn could tell several interesting stories if he were in the mood to do so. 

          A Champion friend writes in from Elsemore, MO to say, “It is a surprise to read [Champion News—October 31, 2011] that our city police forces here in America are better equipped than our own soldiers going to war in foreign countries.   We need our police to protect and serve us, and we want them to be protected themselves, safe and careful in their work, but when you get to looking at their equipment, what do you suppose they are protecting us from?  It looks like they are protecting us from us.  It scares me to think that police could be turned against the very population they are hired to protect.  Does that ever happen?  Does it really only happen to people who deserve it—to those who not believe the right things and who says exactly what those things are?  To me the scariest thing that could happen would be for people to think there is nothing they can do or that it is too late to have a say in how the country behaves.  Maybe even worse would be if they just didn’t care and thought it’s not all that bad.  ‘Don’t make trouble.  Mind your own business and everything will be ok.’  Consider that as long as you stay on the good side of your own police force, you’ll probably be ok.  You don’t need to bother to pay attention, to study or to vote.  Just be quiet and stay in line.”  This reader makes a good point, if a little hysterical, but Champions are here to say that cynicism and apathy are not the way of things in these beautiful parts. 

          The one hundredth anniversary of the Great Blue Norther of 1911 occurred on November 11th.  On that day in Springfield the high temperature early in the day was 80⁰ and had dropped to 13⁰ before the day was over.  There were enormously destructive tornadoes and many weather related deaths all across the country that day.  Champions keep a weather eye out as there have been tornadoes in Douglas County every month of the year—not every month in every year, of course, but, well, you know.   Armistice Day and Veteran’s Day received a lot of good attention this year.  Armistice Day marked the end of the Big War—The War to End All Wars—It was a hard won peace that has not been very long lasting.  For whatever meaningful reasons people are pitted against each other, a saying one can apply is, ‘Hate the War—Love the Warrior.’  Champions understand that and applaud the willingness of individuals to serve the Nation.  When the Veterans come home, they could use some help, just like a lot of people who have served at home could use some help—Veterans, police, teachers, fire fighters, nurses, farmers, ad. inf.  Let the trickling down commence!  Love and Gratitude is what Champions have to offer.

           Harold March, writes, “When you are looking on the bright side, the day is bright and gay.  When you are looking on the dull side, everything is gray.  The word Champion is a Winner so the book does say. I would rather be a winner any old day.  I have been to Champion when I was a lad, riding Old Dolly with my brother at my side.  I would like to go back but now it is too late.  I still remember some stories Ed did relate.  How Deward’s old hounds ran that fox right through Johnnie’s front gate.  There was chickens in the yard and clothes on the line and Johnnie came out just a jumping up and down.  Oh!  He was mad at any rate.  He was not thinking about all of the chickens that Old red fox had already ate.  Cold Springs was not so very far away.  I went to school there in my early days.  I like to put to Poetry the things we did, so now you know I’m the Clever Creek Kid.” Thanks, Kid.  Even Champions can use some comfort and encouragement during troubled times and times of great loss and sorrow.  Young Dane Solomon had just started his life and friends and family will continue to hold him close in their hearts.

          Send poetry, reminiscences, songs, speculation, suggestions, requests, and rants to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367 Norwood, MO 65717 or to Champion at getgoin.net.  Sing when you are by yourself or with somebody and go for a happy tune if you can–on key if you can, but don’t let that stop you.  Sing loud!  “Look on the Brighter Side—Sorrows will pass away!”  Champion!

CHAMPION—November 7, 2011

          Champions find themselves in pretty good shape to start out the week.  With much needed rain on the way, the garden harvest in, winter’s wood in the shed and a little brighter start to every morning with the time change, there is no complaint to be had by anyone around.  One or two might grouch about having to do their chores, but Champions kind of like to have them around for contrast as a bench mark for the Bright Side. 

          About a week before his first birthday, Richard was surprised to find that he had a brand new little brother.  Bob’s birthday is on the 8^th of November and Richard’s is on the 15^th.  They grew up together and are for a few days this week the same age and that age finally has some benefit to it.  They will have new identification cards to carry in their wallets and opportunities for health club memberships and reduced expenses in certain areas.  Jealous, snarky family members will just have to wait for years and years to enjoy these excellent aspects of accumulated years.  For some, age and maturity are not the same.  Champion friends and neighbors say, “Happy birthday, brothers!”  Since their birthdays are so close together they can party all week and chances are their celebrations will not get hijacked since most people only celebrate their own special day once a year and generally on the actual day.  Carry on you Champions! 

          Pete Proctor writes to inform about the Veteran’s activities in the area.  Pete is Commander of the VFW Post 3770 in Mountain Grove.  He and the Commander of the American Legion will be folding the flag and doing the POW/MIA Missing Man Table at the Mountain Grove Senior Center at 10:00 a.m. Thursday.  On Friday they will have a color ceremony at the Skyline School at 9:00 a.m. and then again at 11:00 a.m. that day on the Mountain Grove Square.  These Veterans organizations are very busy this time of the year as they keep the National observances in the public eye.  The support they provide for Veterans and active duty military personnel is invaluable.  As more people return from active duty in war zones there will be more need.  Champions join Pete in expressing Love and Gratitude to those who have served and to those who are doing so now.  Friday, November 11, Veteran’s Day—Champion!

          Strange slow moving pickup trucks are prowling the country roads again.  There are rules about road-hunting and it is probably true that there is more game on places that keep no-hunting signs and tape up year round.  By and large, the hunters who frequent Champion are respectful and well behaved and they do bring revenue into the area.  This year they will be surprised at the marvelous new facility available in Champion.  The Recreation of the Historic Emporium over on the North Side of the Square in Downtown Champion is an excellent place to stand around a warm wood stove and enjoy a good cup of coffee while swapping hunting tales.  

          Good conversation with Connie on Monday morning lets Champions know that Louise is doing well.  With a lot of hard work and help, she is making slow but steady progress in her recovery.  A note in the mail to a friend like Louise is a stamp well spent.  Who knows what unexpected encouragement you might provide?  Louise has typically worked circles around everyone and it must be very difficult for her to be sidelined this way.  She is at Rt. 2, Box 276, Norwood, MO 65717.  Wilburn gets down to Champion from time to time and he’s always a welcome sight.  He has some good stories.  He said that he and Fleming Geer were out in a field over by Skyline one time when they were boys and a dirigible passed overhead.  Probably not too many Champions have ever seen a dirigible.  Some may not even know that it is a big bag of inert gas.  (The General does claim to have spent a hitch in the air-force.)

          The General’s sainted wife celebrates her birthday on the 6^th of November.  That was Sunday and the news blackout from over in Vanzant was finally broken Monday morning with Himself nowhere in sight.   She is much younger than he is and overall better natured and ever so much more decorous.  Friends and neighbors have almost ceased shaking their heads at the unlikelihood of him being able to hold on to such a prize.  Their good neighbor, Esther W. says that the neighborhood is pretty quiet now and things are as tidy as if one of the Champion parades had been through.  Esther is busy piecing quilts and said that she and a bunch from the Fieldstone Church went down to help the folks at Odom with their meeting on Saturday.  She said it was a good meeting and that the Odom people are awfully good about coming up to Fieldstone.  Good neighbors are a Champion kind of thing.

          As Champions settle into some lovely autumn days, they can spend a few moments reflecting on recent excitement.  The fall was full of activity with the Champion School Reunion, the West Plains Wagon Club wagon train, the Pioneer Descendants’ Gathering, Bud Hutchison’s Fall Trail Ride and then the fantastic Grand Opening Celebration of Henson’s Grocery and Gas over on the North Side of the Square in Downtown Champion.  It has been a whirlwind of activity and Champions will be pleased to take a moment to catch their collective breath.  Thanksgiving will be the next order of business and Champions are already in the mood for it.  “Hooray for the fun!  Is the pudding done?  Hooray for the pumpkin pie!”  Send your favorite pumpkin pie receipts or better yet, sweet potato pie receipts to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or to Champion at getgoin.net.  Look in on www.championnews.us for that wonderful you tube movie of the Grand Celebration.  There are lots of good photographs there too from that day and from other big time Champion events, so enjoy.  For your overall betterment you are invited to come and Occupy Champion for a Look on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—October 31, 2011

          Champions are still reliving their biggest event in recent history.  Old friendships were rekindled and old scores settled peaceably as Champions put aside their differences to join in the Celebration of Champion!  The Recreation of the Historic Emporium on the North Side of the Square is the flagship and anchor of the shopping district.  It was the object of much favorable comment with only that nagging criticism of being “overbuilt” for balance.  The Celebration itself is immortalized on you-tube by David Richardson.  http://youtu.be/SOFom1e2oJk Go there for a ten minute slide show to the strains of “An Ashoaken Farewell” interspersed with live music as it occurred on the spot.  You distant Champions are encouraged to disperse this piece of technology lavishly among yourselves. It will be almost as if you were really there among the throngs.  Three hundred or so signed the guest book registry, but the estimated attendance was on the high side of four hundred.  One Old Champion said that anytime four or five hundred people get together in Douglas County it ought to be ‘news.’   He is just cross because he takes the wrong newspaper.  Jerry Wagner was good-natured about his gripe.  He said,   “The paper made it sound like I ran over Bud myself, and then lit out for Oklahoma to hide out!”  He laughed about the mix up and then went on to shed light on several subjects that will be held in abeyance for a while, for want of room and for reconsideration as to propriety.  Has anyone noticed how that whole Wagner bunch smiles so sweetly?

          Talking about sweet smiles, the awesome Skyline PTO Halloween Carnival brought out a lot of spooks and goblins on Friday night.  It is just an excellent set of circumstances that this little school is here to provide a safe gathering place for wild little country kids.  They are forging the friendships and relationships that will last them a lifetime—just like those old Champions who are still reliving school days from seventy years ago.  Among the lady bugs, cave men, vampires, and cowboys, parents and grandparents had the chance to spend time with teachers and with each other.  No one takes the existence of our wonderful rural schools for granted.  Tax payers in the Skyline R2 School district and alumni of Skyline and other local (now gone) schools can start looking for the orange letter in the mail that will give them all the information about the Skyline R2 School Foundation.  They will be given the chance to participate in the support and encouragement of the very cornerstone of rural American life—the rural school.  The newly established foundation is affiliated with the Community Foundation of the Ozarks which does a lot of good work.  About every week an article appears in local papers outlining some philanthropic enterprise of this great non-profit organization.   Champion!

          Champions are those Veterans!  Veterans Day will be marked as 11-11-11 on the calendar this year.  It is the birthday of Linda and Charlene’s Dad, Charles Barns.   He was born in 1916, and passed away in 2002.  Veterans Day brings him to mind as it does countless Veterans who have served our Country in times of peace and war.  As those enlisted people come home to stay, they will need some help.  Already many wounded Veterans from recent and past conflicts are in dire straits.  Young Scott Olsen, 24 years old, returned from active duty and was lucky enough to get a job.  In the evening he went down town to support the 99% people who are advocating for a more equitable economic profile for the Nation.  While exercising his First Amendment Rights, for which he fought, and while breaking no law, he was critically injured by local police, decked out in riot gear that is significantly more heavy duty than any armor or protective gear that Scott had provided to him by the US Military in a war zone.  At home things will continue to be complicated.  Champions advocate restraint and compassion, Love and Gratitude, while they look on the Bright Side. 

          Champions find it to be a continual battle to stay just a little ahead of their mistakes.  Jack Coonts points out that the article about Bud Hutchison’s Fall Trail Ride failed to acknowledge Charlie Cox who came all the way from Louisiana to ride the trail with Bud and the bunch.  There are probably other mistakes in the process of being made at this very moment, but Champions forge on!

          The Old Biddies Bridge Club, which meets once a month over in Mansfield at the wonderful Community Center, had a great game on Thursday last.  Founding member, Betty Swain, celebrated her 92^nd birthday on the 20^th of October and her friends recognized her for drawing them all together.  She is also recognized as quite an astute player.  It was the Champion player’s good fortune to have Betty as a partner for the last round.  She is a keen bidder and a great fan of the ‘no-trump.’ While Champion did not leave the game ‘in the money,’ Betty’s example is reassurance that brains can be kept sharp with activities like bridge.  Of course, a sharp brain to start with is required.  Dorlene House is one of those sharpies.  She was seen hob-knobbing with her old school chums down at Champion during the Grand Champion Celebration.  She attended high school in Ava with Champions Vivian Krider Floyd and Royce Henson, both of whom gave her the glad hand out on the Champion Square.  Dorlene got the glad hand, but Linda walked away with the big money from the game on Thursday.  She has been playing for a long time and is still taking lessons.  Anyone interested in learning bridge can get a good start by contacting the American Contract Bridge League, or just any friend that plays.  Bridge players are always recruiting.

          Hunting Season requires Champions and everyone enjoying the great out of doors to be mindful and colorful.  Blending in is not advised at this time of the year with the woods full of armed people.  There are likely to be some interesting hunting stories and they will be welcome at Champion at getgoin.net or at Champion Items, Rt. 2 Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  The call out for words and music to “All the Late News from the Court House” was answered promptly and the tune will soon be posted to the website at www.championnews.us for all to hear.   Gary Hutchison shared the piece that he obtained personally from the author Walter Darrell Haden himself.  There is a great line in the song, “If any news to you is better than no news at all…” Champion!  Looking on the Bright Side.

CHAMPION—October 24, 2011

          When Champions get in the mood to celebrate, they do it right.  The weather was perfect for the occasion and the crowds came pouring in.  The Western entry to the square was cordoned off to vehicular traffic and auxiliary parking was made available in a nice flat Fox Creek Farm field with golf cart shuttles that ran all day.  Between passengers, Henson son-in-law Chris Cogdill, entertained multiple children with rides around the square.  There was a continual swarm of kids around him.  Mervin Jameson operated another shuttle.  He is quite an interesting fellow and has Champion connections not only as a neighbor to the Cogdills over in Branson, but he was married to the daughter of Champion Ray Harris.  Jameson retired in May 1975, from the military service.  He was a Combat Medic in Korea in 1951-52.  He has been everywhere and has done every interesting thing including having carried the Freedom Torch in Antwerp. Now he has his important participation in this amazing Champion Celebration to add to his resume. 

          People came from far and wide to join resident Champions in honoring the passing of the Old Store and the inauguration of the New Store–Henson’s Grocery and Gas.  It is to be noted that during the entire process of dismantling the old and constructing the new, not one regular day of commerce was lost.  The community was served throughout without interruption. The General’s Address to the Champion Masses was delivered with great emotion and broad gestures, his voice rising to fevered pitch and falling to barely a whisper (noted in parenthesis) surprisingly evangelical in style, certainly impassioned and fervent, if ill-timed as there was something interesting going on elsewhere so few heard the oration.  He was overheard as he rehearsed, pacing back and forth along the creek bank to the amusement of the three horses tied up under the trees,  “That famous stone monument in South Dakota only took fourteen years to carve.  Old Gutzon Borglum overworked himself and did not live to see it completed.  His son, Lincoln, worked on it one more season, but he left it just about like it was when his dad passed away.  And so, dear Champions, it is our great good fortune,” he pontificated, “that the Chief Architect and Hammer Swinger (though the building is largely put together with screws–we just didn’t want to say it) [voice rising] of the Recreation of the Historic Emporium did not so overwork himself and that he did, indeed, live to see his work finished.  As a matter of fact, some would say he didn’t give the impression that he overworked himself much at all, which is why it seemed like fourteen years in the completing.”   With this, the General who had been gesticulating wildly slammed is fist down into his open palm with such a smack the horses were startled and strained at their tethers.  This seemed to bring the magniloquent General back to his senses and he finished with his declaration that the edifice was “surely a candidate for recognition by the National Registry of Historic Places.”  Champion!

          The horses were ridden in from Crystal Lake, a three and a half hour ride, by Howard and Penny Price and Raymond Johnson of Ava.  Billy and Beth Williams came all the way from West Monroe, Louisiana to be present for the affair.  Beth is the sister of Elmer Banks, but just a lot better looking.  The register of attendees is an exciting read.  The Rankin family from over in the Anne community was well represented. Far flung descendant, Ed Gehrman, came from Quincy, California up high in the mountains and the McGinty’s and Helen Rankin Byrd came from Marianna and Walnut Hill, Florida.  They were on their annual family rendezvous incidentally and asked folks in Anne about Champion. “Why, there is nothing there!” they were told.  As readers of the Champion News in their dispirit places, however, they had to convince themselves that the Champion Community was not purely fictional.  They expressed their surprise and delight and wandered about agog identifying the landmarks, “Oh!  There’s the Loafing Shed!”  Royce and Jo Henson made their third trip to Champion in the space of six weeks.  Royce is still intrigued by the particle accelerator that can cause a neutrino to hit the wall in Italy before the gun that fired it was shot.  He was about as surprised to be able to buy a cheese burger in Downtown Champion.  The Champion Bistro was operated by familiar Champions, friends, and neighbors and provided some excellent nourishment to the hungry bunch. 

          The music kicked off early with Bill Connelly on the fiddle, Darrell Cooley on guitar, and David Richardson on his beautiful washtub bass.  They started out on the porch, but soon moved out under the big oak trees on the southwest corner of the Square as more joined in and the crowd grew.  Many musician came and went throughout the day and the spectators enjoyed continuous entertainment.  The perfect weather and the chance to get together with seldom seen friends added to the festive spirit.  Customer appreciation is always the order of the day at the Recreation of the Historic Emporium and a day to appreciate the Champion Community and the Emporium itself well designated.  The official word from behind the counter in Henson’s Gro. & Gas is that all the efforts by all those who helped to make it such a Grand Celebration are very much appreciated.

          Rest assured, Dear Champion readers, you have not heard the last of this.  Darrell Haden called from Tennessee on the eve of the Celebration to extend his good wishes.  Look at www.championnews.us for a link to excerpts from The Headless Cobbler of Smallette Cave.  Halloween is fast approaching and a little spookiness is in order. ( The Skyline Halloween Carnival starts at 5:30 Friday!) Several people asked about Haden, hoping that he would be in the crowd.  There is a big resurgent interest in his song, “All The Late News from the Court House.”  Anyone with a recording of the song or a copy of the lyrics is asked and encouraged to share them at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  Champion’s good Whetstone neighbor has made a movie of the Champion Celebration.  It will be a ten minute u-tube flick and it will be linked up to the Champion website.  There will be lots of pictures there for the enjoyment of those who were fortunate enough to attend and for those who, sadly could not.  Many signed a get-well card for Louise Hutchison and maybe someone will take a laptop up to her so she can see what all the fuss is about.  She was certainly missed, but Wilburn made an appearance and was in good spirits.   Send any pictures that you would like to share to Champion at getgoin.net and just know that you are a Champion!  Looking on the Bright Side!

BUD HUTCHISON’S FALL TRAIL RIDE—OCTOBER 19, 2011

          Wednesday, the 19th of October was the date of the long anticipated Fall Trail Ride organized by Bud Hutchison that begins and ends in Champion.  He was joined by sixteen other riders on the trail this year:  Bill Collins, Gary Braden, Bill and Margaret Brunner, Butch Linder, Dale Lawson, Nancy Burns, Herschel Letsinger, Joe and Wilma Hamby, Junior Brown, Gene Dunn, Joe Heath, Carl Loftis, Jack Coonts and Bob Herd.  The day happened to be the first really cold day of the season, but the colors were just spectacular and no complaints were heard from any of the riders as they ended their ten mile excursion around the big old wood stove at Henson’s Store in Downtown Champion. They had planned to take their lunch alfresco out on the Shannon Ranch, but the brisk wind and open exposure made Champion a more attractive lunch spot.  Lots of good hot coffee and a pleasant conversation was the order of the day.  Most of these riders are members of the Missouri Fox Trotters Association.  There is a great deal of information on-line about the Fox Trotter breed of horses and the people who support them.  The public libraries in the area are also well informed and there is quite an expansive display of photos and other material at the Association Headquarters in Ava.    They say that Fox Trotters became the using horse of the Ozarks. They were the favorite mounts of cattlemen, country doctors, sheriffs, and tax assessors before improved roads and cars appeared on the scene.  Old Fox, one of the breed’s most influential sires, was a chestnut stallion that spent his adult life trailing cattle in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas early in this century.  He was a Champion!  There is a rumor that Fox Creek was named after the horse.  Check it out with Bud the next time you see him.

          Some of the stories told around the stove the other day included one by Junior Brown.  It seems that a neighbor named Jess ‘something’ gave Junior a billy goat that grew up bad and liked to visit at the school house.  It might have been Wilma Hicks Hamby who was headed out to the outhouse when the goat got after her.  Opal Proctor was the second grade teacher then.  She took a baseball bat to the offender.  Several students have memories of that incident but do not recall what ultimately became of the Billy goat.  Ask Junior. 

          Bud cleared up the story about having been run over by the car back in 1956.  It turns out that it was New Year’s Day and as Jim Hancock turned the corner around the Champion School, Bud jumped out in front of him.  Bud says it was as much his own fault as Jim’s.  He said that it was true that just when he had been relieved of the full body cast, he was kicked in the chest by a horse and all of his upper portion was broken up again.  He did not have to have a cast the second time.  Bud went on to talk about having been in a car wreck and then another horse hurt him in the 1970s.  He had his jaw wired shut for nine weeks over that.  Then in 1988 he had his ribs broken again—car wreck or hose kick, ask him.  Bud is also the man to ask about trail ride events in the area and about anything to do with the Fox Trotters Association.

CHAMPION—October 17, 2011

          Champions are rejoicing, bringing in their sheaves, saddling up to go for a ride with Bud to no place in particular, getting ready for company as tourist flock in to town for the big Celebration.  What a pleasant time of the year.  Champions generally feel that way about every time of the year, but this is beginning to feel pretty special.

          Esther and Raymond Howard spent some time in Champion on Sunday.  They always pick up the spirits of the community when they are around.   Esther shared a new green bean canning process to the interest of many.  Raymond has a sunny disposition and fine singing voice—one of those altos that is always at the right place at the right time.  He always leaves everyone feeling better about everything.  He and Lonnie used to try to get a squirrel hunt in about this time of the year.  He likes the big reds. 

          The Clever Creek Kid writes in ink on paper to say, “I lived ten of my youngest years at Cold Springs just across from the old school house.  We had a lot of fun in Clever Creek.  I write a lot of what I call hill side poetry…… I remember the Hutchisons and Smiths up and down that old hill.  Wilburn gave me by pen name, so I remember Champion.”  Then he goes on to say nice things about the Champion News.  “I remember the flood the Hensons wrote about.  The water lacked one inch coming in the door of the old log house.  It was water from one hill to the other and no way out.   Wilburn always says, ‘Come down and we will go crawdad hunting.’ HA!”  “The Kid” signs his name as Harold March.  Wilburn is home now after his own stint in the hospital, with plans for more serious health care exercises in the weeks ahead.  Meanwhile, Louise Hutchison, St. John’s Hospital, room 2203-B1, 1235 E Cherokee, Springfield, MO 65804 is a good place to send a get well card to Louise herself.   Mail that comes to her home address gets to her too, so the notes you want to send will surely reach her, and word is that they are doing her some good.  She is walking 400 feet these days, a little at a time, and singing “Amazing Grace” and “Jesus Loves Me.”  She is trying for “What a Day That Will Be,” but has not quite mastered it yet, according to Connie who answers the phone at home and does who knows what all to keep the Hutchison Family ball rolling.  She says her Mom’s in ‘rehab’ and her Dad is in ‘house-arrest,’ but what is going on really is she is taking care of her folks.  A very gorgeous Champion woman is that Connie. 

          Those Tennessee boys made a quiet visit to their Grandparent’s farm from about Monday to Thursday while they were on a break from school. They wrangled cattle, went hunting, and had many Champion farm experiences.  They are growing up.  They have become young men.  Their Mom enjoys a trip home to her family farm, though she came close to being run down by a wild bull calf on this occasion.  He made a run at several different people over the course of a few days and it proved to be the wrong thing to do for a little bull calf.   Uncle Harley’s critter is hanging in a freezer locker now and will be featured at many family dinners in the future.  He may be a little more muscular than ‘veal’ but he will definitely be tasty.  Unfortunately, the Tennessee school break did not coincide with the Grand Opening Celebration of Henson’s Grocery and Gas, which will occur on the coming Saturday.  They were in and out of the establishment many times during their stay, however, and so it was probably better for them, as they were looking for a personal experience, not to have to contend with the crowd.  The same is true for Harley and Barbara.  They will be doing other fancy family things up in their Illinois home in lieu of joining the parade around the square.  That is fine.  They too had a week’s worth of quality one on one time at the store.  They will be satisfied with photographs and second hand accounts of the festivities.  Barbara did make arrangements for the placement of the new sign that will mark Lonnie Krider Memorial Drive.   She hopes that it will be in place by the time the party gets started.  Not only are the absentee Champions going to be absent at the big fandango themselves, but they have lured away others. Mr. and Mrs. Dusty Mike are sojourning among the Northern tribes at this critical juncture as well!  They will come dragging back in in the middle of the night with Harley’s tractor on a big trailer.  They will content themselves with reports from friends and family about what an excellent affair it will have been.

          Champions are enjoying the exciting build up to the Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday.  People will be here from miles around.  Linda will come down from the Plant Place in Norwood, and probably Kurt Dooms, the Norwood Postmaster.  Maybe his Mom, Irene Dooms will make it over and her sister, of course, Esther Wrinkles will come home to see the sights.   Ruby Proctor and some of her lovely bunch ought to make it for sure and there will be Smiths and Stones and Elliots, Hutchisons, Upshaws (the General for sure), Cooleys, and Coontses galore.  Murphy from the barber shop in Mt. Grove will not be able to make it.  Butch Linder and Todd Miller from barber shops over in Ava might come.  Murphy is going to a wedding in Lebanon.  He was reminded by a disappointed Champion that he is already married.  He will be taking Sue to the wedding, so her mandolin will not be part of the music this time.  “This time!” you say. “Why, this is a once in a lifetime event!”  Champions know that every event is a ‘once in a lifetime event’ and that nothing can be replicated exactly when it comes to life experiences.  This one might remind J.T. Shelton of the old days when Champion would be full of people every Saturday, visiting and learning the news, trading dogs and any number of other things not widely reported.  Come see for yourself.  Saturday, October 22, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Downtown Champion at the bottom of several beautiful hills, on the wide and wooly banks of Old Fox Creek just where the pavement starts. 

          Follow The Clever Creek Kid’s lead and send your poetry to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717, or to Champion at getgoin.net.  Look in at www.championnew.us for more of his work.  This one is called “Looking on the Bright Side.”  “If the day be dark and dreary, look for sunshine. If you’re feeling sad and weary, look for sunshine. You will always find a path of blue Where the sunbeams sparkle through, If you look for sunshine.  Friends are falling every day for want of sunshine. Help them up along the way.  Show them sunshine. If you help the world in seeing, You are always sure of being In the sunshine.”  Champion!

CHAMPION—October 10, 2011

          Was it Will Rogers who said, “All I know is what I read in the papers?” Champions are the kind of folks who just do not believe everything they read.  It is a good thing too.  Last week in some publications there was a long, convoluted story leading up to Bud Hutchison’s Fall Trail Ride.   Everyone was entreated to show up to see the spectacle.  The eloquently worded and heart felt invitation was extended for the wrong day—Saturday.  It turns out that the trail riders will actually meet up in Champion on Wednesday, the 19^th, to go off on their mounted expedition to somewhere as yet undisclosed.  The good thing is that at least the error was in advance of the event.  If anyone shows up on the wrong day, they will have the opportunity to attend on the correct date, just by waiting four or five days. (Which is it–four or five?)  All of this is decidedly better that showing up four or five days late!  Being at the right place at the right time is truly a Champion attribute.  Anyone who likes the sound of horse hooves, squeaking leather and spinning yarns ought to show up on the Square that morning (Wednesday the 19^th), just for the fun of it.  The talk will be of pawpaws, persimmons and wooly worms and it will be part of the continual “Occupy Champion” demonstration that only goes to demonstrate that this is about the best place in the world to be.  Meanwhile, back out on the trail, in 2006, there were 41 riders and 5 wagons. (That year the first eagle sighting was October 8^th.)  The next year it took seventeen stock trailers to get all the horses to Champion together with two buggies and a wagon.  In 2008 thirty one riders left Champion, but only 29 arrived in Drury.  The next year only six riders made the Champion ride because of a conflict in events.  Last year 22 riders made the trip.  All this information has been gleaned from archives at www.championnews.us and is available for all to see and/or believe.  

          October’s Full Moon is known as the Hunter’s Moon.  It occurs on the 11^th of the month this year which happens to be the birthday of a relatively new Champion who has been busy making himself useful and being a very good and welcome neighbor in recent years.  Steve now has an enormous whole dug in his yard with the plans for an innovative home to be built there.  Darlene, his lovely wife, has her birthday on the 18^th of the month.  Their neighbors Leslee and Breauna have their birthdays on the 14^th and the 24^th of the month.  Breauna shares her day with brother-in-law Brian Oglesby who is the lucky father of Eli and Emerson Rose.  Then a couple of days later Uncle Harley has his big day and will once again be older than everybody around.  One Champion has her birthday on October 21^st, but she has decided to celebrate on the 23^rd of November, since someone with that birthday has appropriated the 21.^st  It does not matter the day, the passage of time seems immutable, even if Royce Henson thinks he can harness the little neutrinos for some serious time travel.  Those who wake up in the mornings just go on with it one day at a time, older and wiser–Champion! 

          One little old hummingbird straggles behind in Champion.  Her friends and family have all left already.  Maybe she dreads the long trip or perhaps she just does not want to leave her Champion home.  Friends and families came together on Saturday in Norwood to acknowledge the passing of David Littrell.  He was born on October 21, 1952, and passed away in a tragic auto accident on August 20, 2011.  He was young and had led a vital, exciting life that touched many people.  Over in Cabool that day, a memorial service was held to honor Elitta January.  Her birthday was August 1, 1938, and she passed away in her home in the presence of her family on September 24^th, the birthday of her friend, Sandy Chapin.  Often in prayers, people ask for an ease of passing for those on the brink and for comfort for those left behind.  Those are good prayers and Champions would only add that expressions of appreciation and affection to loved ones while they are living are never wasted. 

          The glorious changing autumnal colors inspire artists and musicians and people with empty woodsheds. “The autumn leaves drift by my window.  The autumn leaves of red and gold.”  Preparations for winter are well under way and hopes that the frost will continue to hold off for a while are less and less likely to be granted as the days progress.  Recently, as the beginning of the ten years of war in Afghanistan was marked, it was noted that less than one half of one percent of the population is currently engaged in the active wars.  During World War II, that number was nine percent of the total population.  For every Veteran, every one actively serving, and every survivor there is a story.  “Hate war, but love the warrior” is a much used quote attributed to a number of different warriors in a number of different wars.  Wherever it came from, Champions agree.  Love and Gratitude abound here for those who do and for those who have served.

          Champions are in a whirlwind of excitement as the date for the Grand Opening Celebration of Henson’s Grocery and Gas has been set for October 22, 2011.  Festivities will kick off at ten in the morning and go through five in the afternoon.  Butch Stone is organizing music on the porch.  There will be refreshments and lunch available on the grounds at an old-fashioned affordable price.  This is an opportunity for all of you who have just been reading about the beauties of Champion to really get an eye full of it and to meet your favorite Champions.  The Recreation of the Historic Emporium on the North Side of the Square in Downtown Champion will be centerpiece of the jubilee.  As a new era is ushered in the past is embraced fully with great affection.  Champion is located off C Highway between 76 and 14 at the end of the pavement on WW at the bottom of several steep hills and on the wide and wooly banks of Old Fox Creek just down from its confluence with the Clever.  It is easy to find Champion.  Look on the Bright Side!