DreamWorks

CHAMPION—December 27, 2010

          Champion hearths and homes are full to the brim with holiday cheer and kinfolks.  Champion refrigerators are full of leftovers and little dabs of all kinds of cranberry goop.  It is a wonderful time of the year when the stresses are over and folks can just settle back to enjoy each other as they reflect on the past and plan for the year ahead.  Champion farmers still have their chores to get done—365—but they do those chores with a happy heart full of Gratitude for their blessings and Love for their dear families and friends.

          Monday morning found Esther Wrinkles still full of the spirit.  All her family came to her house for dinner Sunday and she had a houseful.  With all the good cooks in that family, Esther’s refrigerator would be the one to raid.  Her counters are probably overflowing with pies.  Probably she will have unexpected drop in guests all week! 

          Dakota and Dillion Watts came over from Tennessee with their folks to spend time with their Grandmother down on the farm.  Lots of aunts and uncles and cousins keep the place lively and surely the chores are spread out nicely among all that youthful energy.   Everything has changed now that Taegan Krider is just about to take off walking.  Look out!  She has two very pretty shiny new teeth and more on the way.  It is no surprise that she is developing a lovely singing voice.  Her cousins Foster and Kalyssa are also great singers with good pitch and excellent volume.  Foster has had a bad cold and has been missing out on a little of the fun.  Champions all wish him a speedy recovery.  He is a real Champion. 

          A chance meeting with Rita Fancher was one of those pleasant occurrences that sometimes happens in the middle of the hustle and bustle.  She and her friend and former art student, Theresa Smith, were admiring the painting in the windows at the Junction.  Rita pointed out an interesting feature.  One of the paintings is a desert scene with a figure on a camel.  The paint was scraped away in an outline of the figure, so that from the inside, the light shining through added another dimension to the painting.  No information was available on the artist, but it is sure that all will be revealed in the fullness of time.  Theresa lives up on C Highway near the county line and was Rita’s neighbor before Rita moved over near Ava.  Esther remarked that George and Rita were very active in the beginning of the Skyline Volunteer Fire Department.  Theresa commented that Rita meets someone she knows everywhere she goes.  That will be even more so now that she has joined the Sunshine Singers.  This is a serious coral group led by Kathleen Sikkema of Seymour.  Rita says that Ms. Sikkema is an extraordinary and patient teacher and that they have a classical repertoire of cantatas.  The music is very difficult, she says, but they have excellent encouragement and instruction from their gifted leader. She said they could use a few more male voices.   When Rita is not busy singing, she volunteers at the Heart of the Ozarks Food Harvest.  When she’s not working there she may be found prowling the creek beds for suitable stones on which to paint.  Champion! 

          Much of the conversation with Rita and Theresa had to do with Champion and what is going on with the store and what a lovely place it is and how sweetly the little church sits back against the trees and what beautiful trees they are and how marvelous the new construction seems to be over on the North Side.  They both plan forays through the square in the near future just so they will be able to say that they watched the Re-creation of the Historic Structure rise from the dust…like a phoenix. The Chinese, Japanese, Russians, Egyptians, and Native Americans all have stories of a mythical bird that never dies.  That is quite representative of the spirit of Champion.  The phoenix flies far ahead to the front, always scanning the landscape and distant space.  It represents a capacity for vision, for collecting sensory information about the environment and the events unfolding within it.  As the building progresses in such a significant and substantial way, Champions count themselves lucky to get to see the work in progress. The phoenix, with its great beauty, creates intense excitement and deathless inspiration—just like in Champion.  Deward’s Daughter over on the other side of the hill will say the Champion bird is the bald eagle and she keeps her eye out for them across the wide meadow that is her front yard.  She said that Wilburn Hutchison with Connie and Gary stopped over at her house on Christmas with a feast for the two of them.  Apparently the Skyline Gospel Church bunch did a powerful lot of wonderful cooking and spreading of goodwill throughout the community.  Champion has some very sweet neighbors. 

          It is seems strange to have Christmas and New Years Day falling on Saturday. Next year they will fall on Sunday!  It happens every so once in a while.  Like the Phoenix, Champions are looking far ahead while being very alert to the here and now.  This week will be full of reminiscing, New Year’s Resolutions and optimism.  On Friday people will be singing, “Should old acquaintance be forgot for Aulde Lang Syne”  and will be being magnanimous with their affection and good intentions.  It is the time of year for magnanimity.  To that end Champions wish a special Happy New Year to The General who has given so much entertainment to the community this past year; and to Linda and Charlene over in Norwood, who have kept gardeners and gift-givers well supplied with good information and ideas; and to Champion Ruby Proctor and her family—especially Pete who keeps Champions informed about and conscious of our Veterans and the Troops Serving at the request of their Nation in dangerous places all over the world; and to all the distant Friends of Champion like Ethel McCallie out in Oklahoma and Becky Heston down in Texas, Darrell Haden over in Tennessee and many others—Hoovie, Walley, Pete and Bonnie Mullins, Bob Conrad, and all those Cooleys; and the builders working there on the Square so diligently keeping the spirit of Champion very much alive. The holidays are especially difficult for people who have illnesses in their families and who have lost precious ones.  Champions say, “There, there,” with hopes that their hearts will heal with Love and Gratitude.   Send lists of favorite Champions and songs and poetry about January to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or to Champion at getgoin.net.  Look in on the website at www.championnews.us to see what a lovely job Champion’s own webmaster, Carol Cleveland, does on behalf of the community.   Drink a cup of kindness.  This is the time of the year when the whole world pretends it is in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—December 20, 2010

           The unique culture of Champion has the populace looking backward toward a lost, but not forgotten, past while looking forward simultaneously to a vibrant future.  The specter of a full lunar eclipse on the full moon of the first morning of winter is most exciting to Champions.  It may be that the spectacle will have happened on the other side of a cloud cover, but Champions know about it.  It is said that scientific explanation is the best guide to understanding the world.  While Champions are keen observers and are uniformly ready for the days to start getting longer, those celestial occurrences do have a magical quality about them that is not lost in Champion.

           Taegan Krider went out to the airport with her Mom and her aunt to meet her future uncle, Jason Golden, who was returning from his second deployment to Afghanistan with the 1107^th Aviation Group of the Missouri National Guard.   When Jason marries Taegan’s aunt, he will get Landon as a brother-in-law!  Cool!  The wedding will take place in January and that will make Uncle Jason a Champion though he and all his fellows are indeed already Champions of the Nation.  Pete Proctor writes that his son Bryan got home Sunday night and that he is with his family in Virginia.  Pete says, “Merry Christmas to you and all Veterans and all troops, men and women, still serving.  Happy New Year!”  Champions join Pete in sending Love and Gratitude to all of those who serve to protect their Country out in the dangerous places of the world. 

             Chante’ was visiting again in Champion on Sunday.  She came with her Mom, Sarah, and with her Grandmother, Pat Michaud.  Chante’, Kalyssa and Foster are all great friends and had a wonderful time chasing about on the Square Downtown.  Chante’ has lost her two front teeth and is dazzling the world with her glorious smile.  She is well acquainted with Big Bad Bill and is not the least bit afraid.  Krenna says that they will be celebrating Christmas by phone with lots of their family.  Many old Champions will just be rambling about in big empty houses, pulling up the memories of noisy children, rattling dishes, music, feasts and flashing lights of Christmases past.  There will be surprises, visitors and the chance to accept kind invitations and to extend them.  Kindness is never out of fashion.   Holes in the holiday table settings where loved ones used to sit can accommodate a place for Elija or for any chance beggar or stranger or friend alone at a time when the heart wants company.    The tricky thing about hospitality is that you do not know which guests you are going to be happy you welcomed in– until you do it.  They have a sneaky way of arriving in disguise.  Like longed for gifts—sometimes they turn out to be burdens and sometimes something that arrives as a burden turns out to be a gift.  On the subject of  “flashing lights,” take the General, for example or as a caution, even though Champions all still wish him and all of his dear family sweet happy times together.  Those Tennessee boys will be back on the farm with their folks and aunts and uncles and cousins. It will be a grand old time!  Champions are anxious to see if Barbara will be fit to lead the Christmas parade this year.  Of course, her ensemble will be stunning; it is her mobility that is in question.  Perhaps a comfortable chair will be fastened to the lead float.  It is the season for surprises! 

            Icy roads kept some of the more timid Old Biddies away from their Christmas bridge game in Mansfield on Thursday.  There were three tables, however, and the cards were quite good to Linda, who was the winner of the day.  She could not have done it without great partners, she said, and that is the nature of the game.  In a game on Saturday night, Linda got the low money and Charlene was high scorer. Charlene shared some lovely hand-painted ornaments with the other players and informs that the Gift Corner will have a big sale on all Christmas stuff through Friday.  Linda will soon be planting Cole crops and so the seasons go round and round. 

               Rules by which to live vary from person to person.  One Champion lists those rules this way:  #1.  Assume responsibility for your condition.  #2.  Don’t get strung out on something you can’t have.  #3.  Be where you are.  #4.  Love the weather.  #5. Time will tell, so be patient.  #6.  Give us all a break.  #7.  When it is good, say so.  This is the end of the rules.   This person has also chosen the mantra:  “Behold!  As a wild ass in the desert, go I, forth unto my work!”  That is a quote from some science fiction novel read as an adolescent.   A good modus operandi seems to be: to wake up, live, go to bed and hope to wake up again.  To be awake is a concept that was clearly elucidated by Thelma as she traveled with her friend across the desert in a long blue convertible with the top down.  Champions hope to reach the awareness without the tragic outcome by following their own rules and adding big doses of Love and Gratitude to all their endeavors.

                E-mail arrived with a query about the Skyline Mascot Monkey of the Month.  The December Monkey is wearing Santa Clause over-alls and will go to his new home on Christmas Eve.  The monthly silent auction is held at Henson’s Store currently located in the Temporary Annex on the West Side of the Square in Downtown Champion.  SAVFD Picnic Society members sponsor the auction in an effort to assist the Skyline VFD in making the big fire truck payment.  The fire department stays busy protecting the community and can use all the support it can get.  The Ladies’ Auxiliary will be meeting again soon to get the Chili Supper planning going again.  It is scheduled for March 5^th.  Everybody will be ready for a bowl of chili by then! 

                 Cinnamon and cloves are some favorite Christmas aromas.  Some Champions like rubbed sage in their turkey dressing and some want to be sure there is plenty of celery in it.  Champions know that it is hard to make just a little bit of dressing and it does not freeze very well.  When it comes to gravy, some Champions decline the giblets saying, “I don’t eat guts.”  Send favorite dressing receipts to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or to Champion at getgoin.net.  Go to www.championnews.us to see some good photos of chili suppers past and myriad other very interesting subjects. “Hooray for the fun! Is the pudding done?  Hooray for the Christmas Pie!”  Sing your Christmas songs on the path in and out of the Temporary Annex and loud enough that the builders in the Re-creation of the Mercantile can hear you.  They are busy and can best be encouraged toward their ultimate goal by not having their attention overly diverted.  Champions are uniformly grateful to have such a substantial and graceful edifice as the centerpiece of the Square.  It is a dandy! It is on the North side in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—December 13, 2010

        This time of the year Champions are much given over to reminiscing.  Remembered events are often more clear after a passage of time and things that happened this morning or yesterday have to have been significant to compete with a favorite childhood memory or some global event.  Some of those things are happening in Champion.  The Bright Side is so full of festive good humor and the decorations are so charming that the brutality of the cold wind is inconsequential—days to remember!

        Now the Humbug is an impostor.  His whole point is to fraudulently deceive by pretentious sham.  Expectation is the sure path to Disappointment (indeed the only way to disappointment since without expectation it does not exist).  Champions lavish their inherent compassion on the unfortunate harbingers of Humbug.  “There, there,” they say, “the secret is to adjust those expectations.”  Easier said than done.

        “Big Bad Bill is Sweet William now.  Married life done changed him somehow.  He’s the man the town used to fear.  Now they all call him Sweet Papa Willy Dear.”  It seems that he got himself a wife and now he lives a different life according to Van Halen and Leon Redbone and others in various interpretations of the old song.   Bill and Krenna Long have been visiting in Champion lately from up in Norwood.  They shared a big box of sweet crisp turnips a while back, which have been much enjoyed by many Champions.  Visitors to Champion are always welcome and are not routinely required to pay a vicarage of turnips for the privilege of touring the town but no one objects to a spontaneous outpouring of turnips.  Come back any time–no turnips required (but none refused particularly if Lem and Ned are about).

        It is easy to become overextended during the holidays.  It is easy to spend too much, to eat too much and to try to do too much.  Cards need to be in the mail to family and friends and all the other things that clog the ‘to do’ lists of holiday celebrators need to be done right away. Urgency seems to be the culprit. Champions say, “Chill out!”

        Certain knowledgeable Champions posit that the construction on the North Side of the Square in downtown Champion is not a replica of the Historic Emporium but is rather a re-creation.  The difference would be that the replica would be an exact copy of the original made with old boards complete with a certain amount of decay where they met the ground and there would be the requirement for eighty plus years worth of dirt dauber nests in the attic and so on.  The re-creation, however, implies that it is being created anew.  This one is built on a foundation with new technology, new materials, new wiring and insulation and a shiny bright new Galvelume roof. Champions could not help but notice the big gaping hole in the new roof the other day.  The next passing revealed a nice flue sticking up through that hole and smoke coming out of it.  So December 10th will be remembered as the day fires were rekindled in the Re-Creation of Henson’s Store.  Now the difference between re-create and recreate is just the fun of the hyphen (high fun).  Many fine comments were made about the photograph of the edifice in the paper last week.  It is mighty pretty.  A picture, they say, is worth a thousand words.  Some Champions think more pictures and fewer words would be a good thing.  “Too many words!” was the comment.  Others suggest that trips to the archives are not necessary.  Go if you want to: www.championnews.us.

        Braxton Liebert was four years old on the 12th of December.  He has charming grandparents.  Their whole family was together down on Teeter Creek for Thanksgiving.  It is sure that many fine memories were made.  Braxton can say, “My Grandmother plays bass in a rock and roll band.”  Cool.

        A most appropriate e-mail comes from Pete Proctor.  It was forwarded to him by some friend and is a series of poignant photos of soldiers serving in the Middle East.  The text:  “Your cell phone is in your pocket.  He clutches the cross on the chain with his dog tags knowing that he may not see some of his buddies again.”  The text goes on to remind the reader of the difficult circumstances and conditions under which They serve.  The e-mail is a chain letter to keep the troops in the forefront of good thoughts.  They are doing what the Nation requires of them.  Love and Gratitude is their due.

        The Old Biddies will get together Thursday to play bridge at the wonderful Mansfield Community Center.  It is a great facility and includes a beautiful gym full of state of the art exercise equipment.  The Old Biddies will just exercise and stretch their brains with this extraordinary game. Hopefully Linda and Charlene will be there.  Linda learned to play bridge one summer when she was on vacation from college when her parents were living in Peru.  She played bridge in the morning and golf in the afternoon…or the other way around.  Anyway, she learned from some great bridge masters and she is still learning and teaching the game.  Now that the seed catalogs are starting to fill Champion mailboxes again, gardeners will be visiting Linda at The Plant Place in Norwood looking for her expertise to help their growing things to flourish.

        Tagen Krider has had the sniffles.  So have her cousins Foster and Kalyssa.  Hopefully they will all be feeling better soon and up to their rowdy business of being Champion grandchildren.  Tagen reminds a Champion of a song her Dad used to sing, “Mama rock a little.  Papa rock a little too.  Gonna try to do a little sleeping maybe.  If it’s just for a moment or an hour or two, it’s entirely depending on the baby.”  That is not exactly the way it was written.  The song is “Tippy Toeing” by Bobby Harden.

        Check out the dazzling decorations at the Temporary Annex on the West Side of the Square in Historic Downtown Champion.  Do some reminiscing at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or at Champion News.  That is what Hovie did when he sent the picture of his 8th grade graduating class.  What a nice looking bunch of Champions!  Make some brand new favorite memories in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—December 6, 2010

           Champions are mighty glad to know that there are still two full weeks of Autumn left before Old Man Winter lumbers into town.  The Winter Solstice occurs on the 21^st of the month and coincides this year auspiciously with the full moon.  This one is called ‘The Cold Moon’ by some and ‘The Long Night Moon’ by others.  With a little warming trend going on between now and then Champions will be well prepared and welcoming to whatever Winter has in store.

          The Store is the big news in Champion.  Every day the replica of the Historic Emporium inches closer to completion.  Some of the doors and windows are in and soon the electricity will be wired in and then insulation and then and then and on and on until One Fine Day (OFD) the resounding chorus of “Ta Da!” will echo through the countryside.  What a day that will be!  Until then, Champions are glad to know that there is plenty of time to do it right.  Most folks who have ever built a fence know the story about the guy who measured each post on the one before it and his posts got shorter and shorter until, before he knew it, his fence was about knee high.  If multiples of something are needed, it is best to make a template so that each of the duplicates can be measured from the same source.  An old Swedish carpenter answered the question, “How long?” with “Twice the length of my two foot ruler, a brick, a hammer handle and a piece of string about this long” whereupon he stuck out his two knobby index fingers an undetermined but short distance apart.  It is all relative.  Everybody has some relatives like that and Champions are uniformly patient with them.  The term “verisimilitude” measures the extent to which a hypothesis approaches the truth.  Readers understand this concept is also relative in Champion.

          A review of Champion News archives (www.championnews.us) revealed that in December of 2006, Dustin Cline was reported to have said, in front of eight witnesses, that he was wrong (about something).  The report was made at Staci’s request and subsequently he was heard to have said that she was right about something.  That was also about the time that Champion Esther Wrinkles got her truck stuck in the mud in her own garage and was locked out of her house and wound up climbing in through her front window.  She fixed the window so it can no longer be used that way and has plenty of keys in case she should be locked out again.  Esther keeps a pretty front porch  and when it was time to bring the plants in (the ones the goat did not eat), she shared one of her Christmas cactuses with a friend who is today enjoying voluminous pink blossoms.  Monday morning Ester was still feeling mighty bad about not having reached out a hand to comfort the General on Friday Night.  It was up at the Junction and Bob Moody and some steel guitar players were entertaining at the fish fry when they played such a sad song that the General became so flustered and emotionally overwrought that he could not get his hand in his own hip pocket for his hankie.  Finally he found a handful of table napkins with which he vainly tried to stem the flow of tears from his rheumy eyes.  He is a soulful sort and not at all responsible for the goat on Esther’s porch and she would say, “There, there” to him if it were to come up again just that way.   

          Champions are enjoying the Clever Creek and Champion Items written by Sylvia Henson in the late 1940’s.  A copy of the collection that Hovey sent recently is available for examination down at Henson’s Store which is currently located in the Temporary Annex on the West Side of the Square.  One item was written in September 1947.  Mr. and Mrs. I. P. Henson had attended the National Convention of Spanish War Veterans in Kansas City.   Mr. Henson met several of his old comrades of C. B 28 U.S. Infantry whom he had not seen since his discharge from the service forty-six years earlier.  There were about 2000 Veterans attending that convention.  While many may not recall just why that war was fought and the reasoning behind current conflicts may escape understanding, Champions do understand that the call to military service is an honorable one and that the Nation owes a debt of Love and Gratitude to all those who serve. 

          Sisters Linda and Charlene from The Plant Place and The Gift Corner over in Norwood have been busy with Santa’s Workshop activities.  Throughout the course of the year Charlene keeps her eyes out for bargains and so when the school children come to Christmas shop, they can find affordable gifts for their friends, siblings, and parents.  It is a lovely program that the local schools have accommodated for a number of years.  The atmosphere is lively and festive and it reinforces the notion that a thoughtful gift is priceless.  Linda has been busy making cuttings and working on her beautiful begonia crop for next year.  Gardeners and plant lovers always have something to do.

         Sometimes sad news travels slowly and Champions were saddened to learn that teacher, friend, and bridge player, Jan Townsend, of Mountain Grove has lost her long battle with cancer.  She had sparkle about her that remains in the hearts of people who knew her even casually—a special gentle kindness and a wonderful laugh. 

          Champions are almost uniformly a nostalgic lot of people.  Even though there may not be a lot of people in Champion at any given time, the ones who routinely occupy the place can easily start a sentence with, “I never will forget the time…” and then go on to recall some unforgettable moment.  Naturally, everybody finds his own life extremely interesting.  For the sake of future generations Champions are very busy making excellent memories today.  It is a quality of life thing that goes along with “do not let perfect be the enemy of good.” 

          “I really can’t stay (Baby, its cold outside) I must go away (but Baby it’s cold outside)” Sing that one on the way into the store in Downtown Champion or use these cold days to practice your knitting.  It is to be noted that the builders have not taken up knitting and the appellations of Nit & Purl are totally inappropriate.  Be advised.  Voice opinion or advice or recall excellent moments at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO. 65717 or at Champion at getgoin.net.  Submit plans for approval of your float to the Champion Christmas Parade Committee before the Solstice or be left out of the fun.  The porch on the replica of the Historic Emporium will be an excellent reviewing stand for Champion’s myriad fascinating and unique parades, as well as a stage for all manner of performances and a platform for oration of any kind that is exulting and uplifting.  It is Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!  

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CHAMPION–November 29, 2010

                   Champion is the kind of place that makes it easy to express Gratitude.  It is a relaxed and peaceful pastoral glen amid hills and fields with the little town square in the middle and the little church down near the creek under the big trees.  Louis Untermeyer was not from Champion but was contemporary with Champions born in 1885.  He died in 1977, at age 92.  He said, “What thanks can I presume to give to you who live the gracious life of giving–of giving and receiving the golden gift of love?  What I want to say today in this or any other way can never be expressed.  It is best felt and understood in the small voice of gratitude–in thoughts, not words that one may have the will, but not the skill to fashion and impart when all the loud and clouded hours are still; in the unvoiced responses of the thank-filled heart–the sudden start of the awakened pulse that quickens and exults. Always remember this, thankfulness is a boon–a pleasant and a joyful thing to bring, a lasting pleasure for us to treasure to relish and renew again and yet again.  Thanks then for everything that’s good and true: YOU.”  The poet laureate could well have dedicated his work to Champion family and friends. 

          Weather interfered with some Thanksgiving celebrations.  It certainly put the kibosh on the Champion Thanksgiving Day Parade, since the General is presumed to be “delicate.”  Still, much good feasting was accomplished with friends from over on Tar Button Road meeting up with Champions and Vera Cruzers over in Champion-South.  It was turkey and pie time all the way with diners striving to compensate for the absent weather delayed guests.  The turkey was succulent, the hosts ever gracious and the poker table unusually profitable.  Gratitude abounds.

           Harley Krider commented on having met up with several wagons of Amish people traveling uncovered in the pouring rain.  He was on his way to his sister Vivian’s house over in Rogersville where the family has had their traditional thanksgiving gathering for many years.  Champions know that even with a sunny disposition life can have its sad and difficult moments.   The folks traveling in the wagons go prepared for rain, but some storms cannot be anticipated.   Eutychus was probably a pretty grateful guy when he got up off the ground and dusted himself off, but he certainly had help.  Champions always look to help family and friends to endure their tempests.

           Pete Proctor writes that the VFW Post 3770 has mailed out their packages to all their troops.  He says that his son, Bryan leaves on December 3^rd for South Korea but will be back for Christmas.  He also says that his Mother, Champion Ruby Proctor, is doing just fine.  Champions are glad to hear that.  Pete suggests that anyone might benefit from a look at the VFW Post 3770 website www.vfwwebcom.org/mo/post.  There is good contact information there for any Veteran who might need assistance.  There is a good link to that site at www.championnews.us.   Champions join Pete in his expressions of Love and Gratitude for those who serve and for those who have served their Country in and out of uniform.

           Talk about uniform!  Anyone happening to stroll by the replica of the Historic Emporium being constructed on the North Side of the Square in Downtown Champion, will be just astounded at the fine even coat of stain on each and every board forming the exterior walls, boards and battens alike.  Somehow certain aspects of building are rather reminiscent of knitting or quilting.  There is the pattern/plan/design/blueprint and then there are multitudinous repetitions of framing members, trusses, purlins, boards and battens, rows and rows of screws and on and on.  The knitted sweater or the quilt is judged for quality by the uniformity of its stitches—each a tiny building block of the whole big beautiful thing.  Quality is the very fabric of this Champion construction.  Pause during your Christmas shopping at Henson’s Store (currently located in the Temporary Annex on the West Side of the Square)—pause for a good long gape at the wonder of it all and just wonder where those builders get the patience to do such a good job.  Champion!  They will, no doubt, take Paul’s advice and ‘finish their course with joy.’

          What better way to express Thanks for friends and family than by celebrating their birthdays!  That is another good thought out of a birthday book—a thoughtful gift from friend Linda.  Lonnie Krider would have had his 69^th birthday on December 4^th.  He is a much-missed Champion who brought music and a kind, good humor wherever he went.  The Judge’s sister, Bobette Spivey, will celebrate on the 5^th, and Champion, Ed Bell, will have the 6^th as his special day.  Vera Cruzer, Chris Tharp, will be partying on the 8^th and Champion web-mistress, Carol Cleveland, on the 10^th.  The 11^th, 12^th, and 13^th are all lawyers birthdays though the 11^th also belongs to Eva Coyote and then Spike Jones Appreciation Day will be the 14^th complete with bells and slide whistles.  That is also the birthday of Shannon Alexander—father of a Champion grandchild, and of Judy T. Ing who claimed to be older than dirt.  She loved Champion and always said, “It’s just so picture-skew!”  And so it is.  Ms. Ing frequently sent writing encouragement and critique.  One such was a quote from Gustave Flaubert:  “May I die like a dog rather than hurry, by a single second, a sentence that isn’t ripe.”

          Champions on a rare venture into Ava the other day happened to see that the beautiful little house that had belonged to Elmer Peterson has burned to the ground.  There is only the little brick archway left under the wonderful old pine trees.  It is hard to see some of the changes that have happened by nature and by accident and by design.  Spring will find some looking again for the Alma Peterson Azalea Memorial.  It was a lovely tribute to someone who must have been well loved.  Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood indicates that these days ahead will be good for cleaning up the garden, applying fertilizers and mulch.  The 3^rd and 4^th will be good days to prune to encourage growth and the 16^th and 17^th — prune to discourage growth.  How pleasant to work with nature—to be part of the good changes.  It is Champion. 

          Once again Champions are reminded of the song, “There’ll be a change in the weather, a change in the sea.  From now on there’ll be a change in me.”  Send changes for the better to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or to Champion at getgoin.net.  Change your mind and bring them on down to the Loafing Shed adjacent to the Temporary Annex.  Some of those loafers were in the store the other day (taking up space in out of the cold wind) claiming that they did not necessarily consider what they had been doing out there in the shed ‘loafing.’  No?  Go figure.  They did not say exactly what they considered that activity to have been.  Nevertheless, they are in Champion and Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—November 22, 2010

           The Blue Moon came to Champion very early Sunday morning bathing the tranquil hills and valleys in a quiet soft silver light.  Some define the blue moon as the second full moon in a single month and others adhere to an earlier definition as the third moon of a season with four full moons.   The seasons sail by quickly and the full moons bring Champions to the regular realization (every 29.5 days) that they live in one of the truly beautiful places on the planet.  Any Champion will affirm that any day of the week.

          The Champion mailboxes have been getting some good use this week.  Lovely “Okie” Friend, Ethel McCallie sent twelve beautifully hand written pages of observation and reminisces.  Her Dad wrote a poem for her when she was a young girl: “Deep in the Ozark Mountains/ Down by a rushing stream/ Is the place I love to wander/ And have a sweet day dream.”  She allows as how she would be living in Champion now if circumstances were just a little different.  She would be a welcome neighbor and is already quite the Champion with her love of family, friends, history, good music, and a sunny disposition. 

          Ms. McCallie is a staunch supporter of the Nation’s Veterans. “I’m from a family that believes in highly protecting this Great Country of Ours…Two of my great grandfathers, William T. Kay, and James L. Martin were both in the Civil War.  My uncle, Mark L. Warden, was in WW I.  My brother, Adrian G. Haden, Was in WWII, so was four of my nephews, Lowell L. Sanders, Jimmy R. Brixey, Gary E. Sanders, and Gary L. Haden.  My oldest son, Gerald A. Davidson, was a tail-gunner on a B-39 plane, in the Korean Conflict.  I also had four more sons in the Viet Nam War.  Phillip P. Davidson was on a nuclear submarine so was Larry Davidson, Phillip was the electrician, Larry was the Sonar man and Jonathan W. Davidson was on a destroyer ship, and William L. Davidson was in the Naval intelligences.  I’ve had four grandsons in the military also.  William L. Davidson (2^nd), Navy; Robert D. Davidson, Army; Brian D. Drexel, Marines; Scott D. Drexel, Army; and Randy L. Turk, Marines (and then 4 years in the Navy.)  Now I don’t even know how many great nephews I have had in Iraq and those other areas.”  Ms. McCallie goes on to say that she sympathizes with the families of those serving and only has Love and Gratitude for them and their soldiers and her Prayers.  Champions agree.

          A surprise package came from Houston, Texas with the return address of Dawn E. Henson, but it turned out to be from Hovey.  He sent a photograph of the eight grade graduating class of Champion School, 1954.  Pictured were Darrel Joe Hutchison, Bob Lambert, Leon Smith, Hovey Henson, Modeen Dooms, Mary Pearl Sutherland and their teacher, Norva Strong.  They are quite a nice looking bunch and efforts will be made to get the picture in the paper soon so that those folks can remember how they looked in 1954!  Sylvia Henson was the local correspondent for Champion/Clever Creek for a number of years.  Her articles were published in the Norwood Index.  Her thought for the year 1946 was:  “Let us teach and practice honesty and fair dealing in our own homes.  Maybe it will spread, crowding out wickedness in high places.”  The articles are full of familiar names and interesting items like the charivari* (sic) at the Manford Smith home for Willard Smith and his bride.  “Attendants report great fun over the wedding present they took the bride and groom but the newlyweds didn’t know how to keep a horse and it made its way to Edgar Henson’s cow shed.” “Mrs. Oscar Krider and little son, Harley Murl, left Thursday with Mr. and Mrs. Claude Slate, bound for California.”  “Troy Powell who has been with the Army of Occupation in Heidelberg, Germany, arrived home Monday.  Troy has his discharge and we join in the hearty welcome extended him by his relatives and friends.” “Orville Hicks, Floyd Coble, Tom Dobbs, Herbert Hutchinson, Ivy Hutchinson, Oscar Krider and Kenneth Hammons helped Amos Tate put a new roof on his barn Monday.”  Champions wonder what that crowd would make of the Replica of the Historic Emporium going up so beautifully on the North Side of the Square on the very spot where Edgar Henson had his wonderful store for so many years.  They would most likely do plenty good-natured teasing of the current builders, but it would all come with the same solid nod of approval that current observers make.  Champion! 

          “Saint Louis woman, with her diamond ring!”  That is Sylvia Neff.  She is a self described ‘very sweet person’ and real card-shark bridge player.  Her birthday is on the 25^th of November and the year is anyone’s guess—somewhere between coquette and worldly wise.  She is a handsome woman with a good sense of humor and just barely old enough to play with the “Old Biddies” bridge club in Mansfield.  They meet once a month at the Mansfield Community Center and play for the fun of it and for money.  The Champion player had her first big win there and strolled out of the place with a full $6.00!  (It cost $3.00 to play.)  Still she was high as a kite over the win and over having met some new bridge players from over Ava way.  Elizabeth Brown and Louise Walker are new to the group and hopefully will play often.  Louise has a pottery studio called “The Pottery Works.”  She and her friends are having a holiday open house there on Saturday the 27^th and everyone is invited to attend.  For information call 683-6925.  The Old Biddies come from Springfield, Hartville, Norwood, Ava, Mountain Grove and Champion as well as other places.  Conversation between hands is always lively covering a wide range of subjects.  “Not the school, the Principal of the thing!”  was the line that came to mind when Judy Rodery reported that Ron Lehr is a reader of the Champion News.  He was the principal of Mountain Grove Elementary for a number of years a number of years ago.  He lives off in Kansas somewhere but keeps up with local events through the papers.  He is well remembered and well regarded by students and teachers.  Champions hope he will tour the Bright Side when he is back for his next visit.

          With a hard freeze expected area wide this week; the workload might lessen a little for Linda over at the Plant Place in Norwood.  She has been transplanting and making cuttings and doing all those things necessary to keep Champion landscapes and gardens looking good.  Charlene has been busy getting her Christmas ornaments and other decorations ready for the season.  The Gift Corner is a cozy spot to spend a blustery afternoon.  There are always surprises to be found there.

          “When my blue moon turns to gold again, and the rainbows chase the clouds away, when my blue moon turns to gold again, you’ll be back within my arms to stay.”  Sing that one or any other blue moon song out in the Loafing Shed on the West side of the Square in Downtown Champion.  Drop a note to Champion at getgoin.net or to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, Mo. 65717 or look in at www.championnews.us for a view of the beautiful place.  E-mail has come from a distant place chiding Champions to tolerance regarding those old existential nihilist.  “They pay their taxes too, and you folks sure don’t want the reputation for being exclusionary.  Anyway, what can they do to you?  You are Champions!”  Indeed and Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—November 15, 2010

           The sun is shining in Champion and it is cool, but not too cool to work out and so rather than complain in vain about the lack of rain, Champions are out and busy doing all the things that they would not be able to do if it were raining.  Champions would not complain if it were to rain.  Champions are after all, a relatively uncomplaining lot even when overrun by a lot of relatives.  Family, friends and neighbors—that is what Champion is all about. 

          The big excitement on the Square in Downtown Champion is that the battening on the board and batten siding is going up on the replica of the Historic Emporium and it is startlingly beautiful.  The north side of the building, which is completely without any other artifice—neither door, nor window— stands like a monumental piece of golden corduroy with a single piece of trim demarking the Isosceles triangle formed by the pitch of the roof.  The effect is remarkable in that it is at once simple and intricate.  While the loafers in the Loafing Shed may spend time verifying the straightness of the line of screws on the long west wall, they cannot help but be impressed with the fruition of the planning that has brought the edifice to such a fine state.  Those loafers could as easily be battening down their own hatches against bad weather to come (rain, hopefully).  “Batten down the hatches” is a nautical term, like “Hello, Sailor, come here often?”  Referring to a sea voyage in his book, Domestic Amusements, John Badcock wrote about it first in 1823, “The severity of the climate having compelled them to batten down and caulk their abiding place.”  When, at last, the appreciative public can stand upon the porch, lean upon the rail and peer out across the broad and beautiful expanse of Champion, it will be like the end of a long, edifying voyage.  Whatever else may be said construction is definitely not at a standstill and Champions all wish the builders smooth sailing.  A Champion met a woman in the post office the other day who asked when the Champion Store would be back in business.  Well, it has never been out of business.  Not a single business day has passed when Henson’s Store, currently located in temporary quarters on the West Side of the Square, has not been open to serve the community.  It is Champion.

          Champion neighbors report a good deer harvest this year so far.  Esther Wrinkles said that Chad Emory had the biggest buck in the back of his truck that she had ever seen.  According to her, it was lying diagonally and about filled the back of his truck.  She said it had ten points, though they were not as big as might be expected for an animal of that size.  There are many hunters camping out and Champions appreciate the care they take with their campfires, their trash and their aim.  Some residents keep their car keys handy so they can hit the panic button to let hunters unfamiliar with the hills and hollers know that there are folks about.  Neighbors from up near Norwood meet with friends at Vera Cruz once a week every week to visit.  They swim when the weather is warm, and otherwise just picnic.  They do not like to give up their weekly visits for deer season, but the hiatus will make the meetings the more pleasant when they resume in another week or so.  Meanwhile, Champions and their neighbors will be patient.  Esther has a neighbor who changes her porch light, mows her yard, rakes her leaves and does it all on the sly when she is not around.  Generally speaking, the General is a good neighbor. 

          Those Cajun hunters from Louisiana have been visiting at Linda’s house again.  They come up every year and most generally bring seafood to cook.  The oil spill has stopped that for the time being, so this year they brought roasts from deer that they killed here last year.  Champion bridge players happened to be there one time when the hunters fried up some nice alligator for the group.  Yum.  Linda made a quick trip to celebrate her granddaughter Danielle’s 16^th birthday.  It is amazing how quickly time flies.  Charlene made a quick trip to a craft fare in Camdenton where her wonderful hand crafted Christmas ornaments were well received.  A friend minded the store for her while she was gone.  She had a special on and donated 10% of her sales to Project Graduation for the Norwood High School.  Christmas is coming—time is flying.  It does not matter how fast time flies, Grandma Sue will still be the youngest in her crowd.  All her friends will always be just lots older than she is.  Next year, on the 23^rd, she will be knocking at the door of a new decade.  Seamus, Elizabeth, Zack, and Ethan will be there to open that door and to sing, “Happy birthday to you. You live in a zoo.”  It may not be that version exactly, but it is pretty well figured that it will be some exciting and interesting version of the same old song, because they have had this very young, exciting and interesting grandmother to inspire them. “Huzza!  Many happy returns!” say your old Champion friends. 

        The post office was closed and people all around the Nation took last Thursday to remember the Veterans and those serving currently in and out of uniform.  Those serving did not take the day off.  They served.  Champions Love them and are Grateful for them.

          Uncle Al, the Lonesome Plowboy, would have had his birthday on the 27^th.  He was born in 1916, and served in the Army Air Corps.  His family did not recall for sure if his birthday was the 25^th or the 27^th, so he often started celebrating on the 25^th all the way through the 27^th.  He liked it when his birthday fell on Thanksgiving and would remark that the Nation was celebrating with him.  His grandson, Sam, is out in the big world singing some of his favorite songs like “I’m so lonesome I could cry.”  (Many Champions and Denlowites will remember that that particular song threw the General into such a howling frenzy of lament, that it is only allowed to be sung on this side of the pond if himself is not in attendance.)  Sam is on the other side of the pond and much missed, though Champions know that closeness is not all about geography.  They think about him when they hear “The Wildwood Flower” by anyone, “Minuet in C,” “Soldiers Joy,” “Grave Diggers Waltz,” “The Annihilation of the Wicked” by Nile or almost any song.  Music is the joyful noise.  Almost no set of circumstances could arise that did not bring to Uncle Al’s mind some song.  He visited Champion once back in the late 1970’s and allowed as how he liked it fine.  It reminded him of the song “Where the mockingbird is singing in the lilac bush.”

          “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing!”  It doesn’t mean anything even with the swing to those old existential nihilists.  They will argue that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value.  They’ve got no business in Champion. If you run into one of them over on the Square in Historic Downtown Champion, negate their pithy argument by saying, “This is Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!”

CHAMPION—November 8, 2010

           Champions do not rob themselves of the joy of this season by wishing they were in a future or a past one.  Pretty much Champions are a here and now kind of people.  They consider the lilies how they grow…and the collard greens too.  With the possibility of a mild winter, some are thinking they can yet get some greens going.  All it takes is some planning and hard work. Not just every place is good for growing collards.  They are really just a non-heading form of cabbage and their requirements for growth are the same…rich moist loamy soil, water and attention.  It turns out that green leafy vegetables are about the very best thing a person could eat, though some Champions might negate those health benefits with the bacon drippings. 

          E-mail from Pete Proctor says, “I want to say thanks to all Veterans that serve their Country. This Veterans Day I will be busy.  On Thursday at 9:00 a.m. we will have a Color Ceremony on the Mountain Grove Square, at 10:00 at Mountain Grove High School, and then at 1:00 p.m. at the Norwood School.  Everyone is welcome to come.  Here is some History:  so far this year from Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia the remains of 26 combatants have been found and identified; in Korea 33 combatants were recovered and identified; World War II 70 combatants were recovered and identified.  Still Missing as of September 15, 2010, are 74,191 from World War II, from the Cold War–127 still missing, Korean War–8,019 still missing, Vietnam–1,693 are still missing.   Remember each Ex-POW, those that are being held as Prisoner of War and those Missing in Action, for surely they have not forgotten you. Remember them all, until the day they come home. Keep supporting the Troops.  Bye for now, Pete” Champions thank Pete for his vigilance and join him is extending Love and Gratitude to all those who serve now and all those who have.  Check out the Missing Man Table and the POW/MIA Color Ceremony by the Mountain Grove VFW Post 3770 through the Champion Connections link at www.championnews.us.

            Bob’s older brother Richard will have his birthday on the 15^th.  For a short time they are the same age.  November 1lth was the birthday of Charles “Chuck” Barnes.  He was born in 1916, and led an interesting life for 86 years. He had some great stories to tell about gardening in Tasmania and snowstorms in Kansas.  His daughter, Cathy Crain, just celebrated her birthday on Friday (“Will you still need me?  Will you still feed me?”).  Cathy planned her day with her two sisters, Linda and Charlene and with three dear friends of long standing.  They went garage-sale hopping en masse and then out to lunch.  Talk about out to lunch!  Sharon Upshaw knew a little something was up on her birthday on Friday when dinner was planned at Uncle Rooster’s place.  Before it was all said and done with, her four children, Michael, Elva, Loretta and Debra and their families were all there together with a whole host of surprise well-wishers.  Sharon’s Mother, Mrs. Guymon, attended as did Sue and Russell Upshaw and Dean Upshaw, Kaye and Richard Johnston, and their daughters Phoebe and Elizabeth, and Josh and Madelyn Ward, Carol Barnhart, Peggy Hancock, Faye Krider, and the General, himself, Sharon’s proud spouse, Robert.  It was what any good birthday should be—full of family and friends.  One of Sharon’s grandchildren, Caleb James Barker will have his birthday on the 17^th so the party will just go on anon.  Champion!  

            Esther and Raymond Howard spent the day in Champion on Sunday.  They always brighten up even the Bright Side.  Raymond led that song that Elvis made so popular, “Peace in the Valley.”  It is a good one and Raymond does it justice.  He and Taegan’s Uncle Dusty were talking about the great number of gray squirrels in the neighborhood, though no serious hunting expedition was discussed as far as could be told.   Taegan has a calf of her own now.  His name is Virgo. Her Great Aunt Barbara sent Email to the effect: “We’ll see you Thanksgiving if you don’t leave town to avoid us.”  Champions are always glad to see their absentee neighbors.  They will have some real and wonderful surprises in store for them at the marvelous progress being made on the major construction on the Square in Downtown Champion.  The beautiful weather has allowed for the stain to dry on a whole forest of boards standing up on end just ready to be attached to the stunning Replica of the Historic Emporium.  Everyone will be attached to this excellent establishment.  Champions are savoring the anticipation.

          Esther Wrinkles is happy to report that her effort to secure the band Big Creek for the Skyline VFD Chili Supper was successful.  Back Yard Bluegrass had already committed and the Green Mountain Messengers will be there.  This year the Skyline Auxiliary is inviting ‘jammers’ to get together about the time the silent auction is over which will be at 8:00  or 8:30 p.m. or so and so a fine evening is expected.  It is expected on March 5^th!  That is some while off, but the plans are already well in the works!  (It is also Linda’s birthday!  Some alternate celebrating will be arranged.)  The Skyline Mascot Monkey of the Month for October (Zorro-Monkey) has garnered a bid of  $47.00 in the silent auction held at Henson’s Store in Downtown Champion.  It will be winging its way via airmail to its owner this week and the November monkey will suddenly appear.  It will be interesting to see if this one is a pilgrim-monkey, an Indian-monkey, or a turkey-monkey.  The Skyline Area VFD Association Picnic Society sponsors this monthly auction as a way to assist the Firefighters in making their big fire truck payment.  It is a Champion kind of thing to do.

          Some people from Texas bought a 60-acre chunk of beautiful forest at the corner of C highway and WW with the declared purpose of using it for hunting.  It turns out to be another of those wretched clear-cut logging operations and while Champions are big into property rights, some are saddened at the exploitation.  Change is inevitable but the things that are important should not change—like: ‘your word is your bond.’   “A log drops and the fire creaks.   All eyes turn but no one speaks.  The air grows heavy.  All thought the same—the rain, the rain, here comes the rain!”   This is a poem/song by Good Homes.

          Send your rain songs, your good waiting songs, and your happy birthday songs to Champion at getgoin.net or to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.    Go to www.championnews.us to see the pictures of that Crystal Lake Gang loafing at the Loafing Shed in Downtown Champion.  They are a rowdy looking bunch and when you see their picture it will be clear that they are all Champions—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—November 1, 2010

          In Champion the Bright Side has been so interesting and Champions have been so busy keeping their eye on it that five/sixths of the year have slipped by and already it is November.  Bird feeders are going up in hopes that the cardinals and gold finches will find them and the blue jays, woodpeckers, and squirrels will not.  Champions choose their favorite birds and feed accordingly.  Cardinals are the particular favorites of some who happened to notice them tenderly plucking the green tomato hornworms out of the tomato patch during the summer.  The seasons have slipped by and another group of birthdays are ready to be celebrated.  Miss Emerson Rose Ogelesby will be celebrating on the fifth and Richard’s little brother will be asking that “Will you still need me?” question on the 8^th.  The answer will be, “Yep!” to a charming fellow born in the Chinese year of the dog.  Champion.

          Champions are kind of wondering what the advertisers will be advertising now that the voting franchise has been exercised.  It was quite a build up.  Now the radio and television advertisers will just have to try to sell products on their own merits, not the shortcomings of other brands.  It should be a nice change with a little less ranting.  Imagine, “Gillette foamy sticks like glue…Burma shave’s the shave for you!”

          The Loafing Shed in Downtown Champion has been getting a lot of action.  On Saturday the Crystal Lake Gang took a rest there at the halfway point of their 43-mile trail ride.  Bud Hutchison, Howard Price, Bob Herd and Mutt Stone, Gene Dunn, and Raymond Johnson just did not get enough saddle time on the Champion to Drury trail ride a couple of weeks ago.   Champions are curious about the conversations way out on the trail.  What they talk about will just be among them, because Champions without horses or riding skills are not likely to be privy to those discourses.  Some Champions do not seem to be interested in learning anything anyway.  When invited into the Shed on the chance of learning something one septuagenarian said to another, “Not likely!” and went on his way.  He probably knows everything he needs to know anyhow.  A recent scholarly study revealed that ultra rich people are only just a little more happy than Amish people and it seems that happy people become happier through kindness.  Another study said that getting older leads to happiness and that happiness has more to do with life experience than with material possessions.  These may not be the subjects under consideration when you visit the Loafing Shed, but there is generally someone there to talk about whatever is on your mind. 

Now the General has been much on the mind of certain Champions lately.  It is November and the Thanksgiving Day Parade is in the planning stage and certain members of the planning committee are want to have the parade secretly again this year so as to avoid even the possibility of the General showing up with that Spotted Hog rabble again.  “The rags and the meat and the hide and the hair” were all a little too much.

Champions met a guy named Bob at a Halloween Party.  He had smoked a ham with apricot wood that was just amazingly good.  His cell phone was full of pictures of his green tomatoes and sweet potatoes.  He is an interesting guy—the youngest of six brothers with two older sisters and two younger ones.  He’s 52 and has a son in the military service that is serving his fifth tour of duty.  He drives one of those forward operating tanks—some of the first things that go into close up combat.  Bob is proud of his son and conceals the concern that he has for his well-being with the assertion that he is very conscious, capable, competent and courageous.  The Love and Gratitude that Champions extend to all those serving in the dangerous parts of the world can be well spent on Bob and all the parents, children, spouses, sweethearts and friends of those are out in harms way at the behest of the Nation. 

Champion neighbors over in Vanzant are experiencing some change.  The Junction Store known as Plumbers Junction has been sold to a guy named Jack from Florida.  This last Friday was reported to be the last of Ms. Pauline’s fish fries…though there might be one more yet.  It was said that they were packed in the place about standing room only.  Thursday’s Jam Session had also been a big deal.  They say that the Jam Session will continue to be a weekly event.  Last week, in addition to the regulars, Back Yard Blue Grass and some special others played.  Esther Wrinkles said that there were sixteen musicians and that it was a lively gathering.  The Orange Blossom Special featured Wayne Anderson’s famous train whistle and then D.J. Shumate made the fiddle whistle till the whole place was rocking.  A preacher’s wife danced with her girlfriend a quick dosie doe and the joint was jumping.  East Enders know how to do it.

Many Champions are working on their garden clean up. They are planting bulbs and applying mulch.  The weather has been good for the outside work and the evenings find the canning, drying and preserving going on for the last of the harvest.  Those folks who planted their spinach and lettuce a while back will just cover it up a little when the weather gets cold and continue to enjoy it and the collard greens.  This is a good time of the year to plant flowering shrubs and perennials of all sorts.  Linda’s mums are really pretty this year and she has good information about what grows best in this part of the country.  Charlene had a beautiful and productive garden there at the Plant Place this year.  They say if you see a pretty garden there is usually someone in it.  Charlene’s hard work paid off for her in a big way.  Thomas Hardy wrote about November’s Flower, the chrysanthemum (mum) “Why should this flower delay so long to show the tremulous plumes?”

Answer that question or ask one at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367 Norwood, MO 65717 or at Champion at getgoin.net.  Get on over to the Temporary Annex of the Historic Emporium to describe how happy you are.  The Annex is on the West Side of the Square next to the Loafing Shed.  From there the re-creation of the Emporium can be clearly viewed.  It is golden.  It is Champion—Looking on the Bright Side.

CHAMPION—October 25, 2010

          Champions will stand shoulder to shoulder to say that there is no glory in defeating a weak opponent.  The reason they would say such a thing as that is to promote the idea that if it is easy to do or if it requires no thought at all, just anybody can do it. Clearly, long range planning and logical sequencing of events with meticulous attention to the timely flow of materials and supplies are imperative in order to insure successful completion of any substantial construction.  Anyone who enjoys building knows that even when things seem to be ‘on hold,’ the builder is dreaming about the job, planning, figuring, innovating, dodging pit falls and setting goals.  He is constantly making assessments:  assessing his own workmanship in comparison to the workmanship of his antecedents, assessing weather and time schedules against material availability, assessing the quality of his help, his tools and materials, and assessing the qualifications of the myriad self appointed inspectors who may go so far as to ask, “How come you didn’t do it this away?”  It is a tribute to the genuine restraint of the many admirers of the work in progress that they refrain from imposing their presence and their views overly on the jobsite.  Moreover, on those occasions when necessity brings them to Champion, they rather spend their time in shooing Elmer Banks, Glen Cooley, Jackie Coonts, and others away from the builders, who are nevertheless doing beautiful things in Downtown Champion. 

          Bud Hutchison’s Fall Trail Ride came ambling through Champion Wednesday and while the ambiance on the square was pretty lively, it is not reckoned that construction progress was slowed to any significant degree.  Sons of Clifford O. Hutchison were visiting earlier last week.  Michael and Wanda Hutchison were in Champion from Doneph, Nebraska and Bert Hutchison made a trip over from Murfreesboro, TN.  Other Champions have strong family connections in that ‘boro’ and so names and addresses were exchanged.  There are many familiar names on the list of those who made the trail ride this year.  From Ava there was Raymond Johnson, Hershel Letsinger, Kay Allen, Paul Uhlman, Joe Boyd, Beth McElvain, Ross McElvain, Stacy Lathron, Penny Price, Nancy Burns, Bud Hutchison, and Dale Lawson.  Champion’s own Jack Coonts represented Norwood, and Eddie Massey and Willie (Junior) Brown represented Mountain Grove.  Chris Comstock of Seymour had that pretty Fox Trotting mule.  Don Breauchy came all the way from Vanzant and Bob Heard made it down from Springfield.  Gene Dunn came from Protem, MO. Alice Batton and Jonathan Batton came from Garden City, Kansas and Nancy West came from Tucson, Arizona.  All in all there were 22 riders this year.  Wilma Hutchison took some pictures of them over at Drury.  Slow moving Champions who had hoped to see them off in the morning had to be satisfied with welcoming them back into the Square in the early afternoon.  They all came riding in with smiles on their faces and it seems the ride had gone off without a ‘hitch.’  Even the steady stream of gravel trucks on the dusty County roads had not caused any difficulty.  Before long the participants had loaded the horses up in their trailers and headed back to their homes.  This ride has been an annual event in Champion for many years.  It marks the passage of time.

          Birthday celebrations take on an exceptional quality when held in Champion.  Champions Steve and Darlene Connor both have birthdays in early October—his about the 11^th (someone said) and hers about the 18^th.  It is unclear who gave who what, but they each have a new ‘scooter.’  His is white and hers is pink.  His is bigger, but hers has a sweet pink helmet to go with it. They will be fun on the beach.   Darlene said that she had been able to celebrate with five of her seven sisters!  Sunday was Taegan’s Mom’s birthday and the family celebrated up in Springfield.  Who knows what form Harley’s festivities will have taken, most likely there will have been some good food, lots of laughter and family fun.  Brian Oglesby will be sharing his cake with Eli and Emmy and their sweet Mom.  Another Old Champion has stretched her birthday celebration out for a solid week.  “Old Man, take a look at my life.  I’m a lot like you were.”   That is a Neil Young song that kind of goes along with another one of his that has the line “Twenty-four and there’s so much more.”  Forty years later, some Old Champions are now sixty-four and Grateful for the Love and Acknowledgement of friends and family.  “Happy birthday dear Graaaannnie!”  Is the sweetest song yet sung. 

Last week, in Mansfield, a group of soldiers from the 103^rd Engineer group out of Fort Leonard Wood volunteered to work on making an Army Veteran’s home wheelchair accessible.  Sixty-eight year old Wright Bogart will be able to move back home from a nursing care facility and it will mean a dramatic improvement in the quality of his life.  Private First Class, Dylan T. Reid, 24, of Springfield, Mo., died October 16^th in Amarah, Iraq in a non-combat related incident.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado. Those serving in the dangerous parts of the world are in harm’s way.  It is the very nature of their Service.  They have the Love, Gratitude and Acknowledgement of their Nation due them.

“Oh, the wild joys of living! The leaping from rock to rock.”  Robert Browning’s line was lived out while Champions were on a Sunday drive.  The scenic overlook on 95 Highway just north of Drury was the scene to see some young teenage girls leaping from rock to rock.  The view is spectacular there where the folds of gold and red roll out the whole distance to the far horizon marked by the crest of steep hills on the other side of the wide valley.  The rocks are placed along the edge of the parking area and are easily heavier than any car parked there.  They are flat on the top and just far enough apart to require some spectacular leaping.   Browning’s lines were a gift in a birthday book from Linda who had been over in Champion on one of these wild celebrations. It was a thoughtful gift.  Talk around the bridge table during that evening was that this part of the country may experience another mild winter.  Everyone agrees that it has been very dry and much of the final yard and garden preparation for winter could best be done during a rainy spell.  It is the time of year to finally get some fall decorations out.  Linda has some beautiful mums over at the Plant Place and lots of wonderful bulbs for Spring.

Cast a rainy spell or send instructions on how to do it to Champion at getgoin. net or Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, Mo 65717.  Get an eyeful of that Mascot Monkey of the Month masquerading as Zorro.  His wanted poster has been up in the Norwood Post Office and over at Plumber’s Junction and at www.championnews.us.   The Loafing Shed is the place to be to get just the right perspective on the building sight.  Their modus operandi seems to be to methodically (‘slow and steady wins the race’) address one aspect of the building and then, by golly, just build it until it’s done and done right.  Anybody looking for the thrill of seeing something well done ought to hurry down to Champion before the tin goes on the porch roof.  It’s a sight!  It is Champion!  Looking on the Bright Side!