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CHAMPION–March 22, 2010

        Champion is a place not so much affected by inclement weather as other places may be.  Cold wind driven rain and deep slick mud are much the same as calm sunny days fragrant with the promise of new growth.  Knowing well the degree of control they exercise over the elements, Champions choose rather to control their attitude toward the elements.  What an entirely sensible place.

        Linda’s Almanac says the best days for planting peas and other above-ground crops that can go in this time of the year are the 24th and the 25th.  From Friday all the way through Monday the 29th will be barren days good for killing plant pests or doing chores around the farm.  One Champion has put some old aluminum window sashes over the pea patch to warm the soil.  She will use the magic black ‘inoculate’ powder as she pre-soaks her pea seed for a few hours before she plants them.  She has tested the fertility of the soil in her little pea patch and the PH.  All signs are favorable.  Tiny little pepper plants and marigolds are being transplanted and the whole “Spring” thing is really catching on.  Linda is in full swing at the Plant Place and all the cole crops will soon be ready.  She has those great Majestic mix pansies again this spring that will be blooming by the time they get in the designated flower beds just in time.

        In these hard economic times the Disabled American Veterans outfit is a perfect charity to support.  They are DAV, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301, and they are happy to get one or two dollars in the mail.  They use it for good and very little of their donations go for administration costs.  It mostly all goes to the Vets.  They also get the Love and Gratitude of their Nation for their willingness to serve in the dangerous parts of the world.

        A want-to-be Champion from far away e-mails a promise for a seven dollar bid on the Skyline VFD March Mascot Monkey that is being auctioned off at Henson’s Store.  It is a silent auction–shhhhh.  The woman has been watching car commercials on TV for a model called the “Sorento” and it has a sock monkey in it and the lady wants one.  She may want the car too, but she says, “I know your Volunteer Fire Department is very important to your community, I just want that monkey!  Sincerely, E. Jasmin.”  She has not indicated how high she will be willing to go with the bidding.  It is a lovely monkey.  The bidding will close on March 31st.  Good Luck Ms. Jasmin.

        The weather changed dramatically on Saturday morning after the guests all arrived at the baby shower in Seymour.  It was hosted by Staci Cline in her home with the help of her sister, Tanna Wiseman, for the benefit of their sister-in-law, Breaunna Krider who will be augmenting the family in May.  It was a sweet and lovely time with gifts and games and sumptuous refreshments.  The room was full of aunts, nieces, cousins, mothers, grandmothers, daughters, granddaughters, sisters, friends and all manner of near and distant relations and in-laws.  One such was Mrs. Lucille Gayman who turns out to be the General’s mother-in-law.  She was wearing some exquisite sapphire earrings, an elegant lady altogether unsullied by her charming daughter’s choice of spouse.  The particulars of that choice are mysteries yet to be unraveled.  The party broke up amid a cold spitting rain but everyone seemed to have had a good time and the new Krider baby will be well outfitted and certainly welcomed with a great deal of love and appreciation.

        Unravel mysteries at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or at Champion News.  Look in on www.championnews.us for a view of a beautiful place.  When the party is on at Henson’s Store on the North side of the Square in downtown Champion the place rocks.  “Grab your hat and get your coat.  Leave your worries on the doorstep.  Just direct your feet to the sunny side of the street!”  That’s Champion–Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—March 15, 2010

          Champion is one of the green places in the world, not just because its residents are environmentally conscious, which many are, and not because spring is so rapidly approaching will all the glorious daffodils and henbit, but because of the decided Irish influence.  An Irish nobleman, the 8^th Earl of (Champion?) or something could easily be the antecedent of a prominent Champion, who may think he is of Scotch extraction.  It probably does not matter to this particular Champion what with the past all having happened so long ago and all and him being nigh on to a tea totaler Scotchwise.  The other day as he exited the Emporium on the North side of the Square in downtown Champion, in the company of one Elmer Banks, there approached another Champion from Champion-North up Cold Springs way.  “Now there is somebody who knows exactly what’s going on!” piped up Elmer with an accusatory pointing gesture.  The newly arriving Champion agreed and said, “Yes, Elmer I believe I do know exactly where the coon scat (stuff/excrement) is on the pump handle!”  By this she meant to say that if she knew she would tell the whole story of anything, and she had chosen that particularly colorful saying as an homage to Elmer with his roots in Louisiana.  Now the Scotsman (really Irish) much taken aback by the crudeness of the statement and the unseemliness of a woman speaking in such a vulgar manner said, “Around here we say ‘axel grease,’” meaning the stuff on the pump handle.  Yes, Champion is indeed a decorous place and green and Champions are reminded that a rough exterior can easily mask the most delicate sensibilities. 

          The Skyline Volunteer Fire Department’s new fire truck has seen some action already.  It is a beauty!  The old one was also quite nice as the firefighters are sticklers for maintaining their equipment in the best possible condition.  The dispensation of the old one has yet to be determined though it is generally thought that after all the useable fire fighting apparatus is salvaged, the truck will be sold.  It is to be noted that the truck has a big 350 Cummings diesel engine and it is in fine shape.  The drive train is solid and has been well serviced.  This old truck has tremendous power.  In the words of one who has driven it, “It just wants to go!”  It has a good Jake-break as well.  It can be viewed at the fire station and any of the firefighters will have more information to share.  Perhaps some of them will also be willing to divulge the history of the choice of ‘monkey’ for a mascot as opposed to say “Dalmatian,’ as is so often the case with other fire departments. The monkeys brought in good money at the silent auction at the Skyline VFD Chili Supper.  It was a very worthwhile fundraiser designed to help the fire department acquire equipment; the latest acquisition was that fabulous new (used) truck.  Since this worthy organization has, so far, been overlooked for FEMA assistance or other funds, that big old truck payment falls onto the membership.  A genuine red-heel sock monkey is being offered in a silent auction at Henson’s Store.  All proceeds will go to offset that big old truck payment.  The monkey will be on display starting Friday the 19^th and the Auction will close at the end of business on the 31^st.  It is a chance to do some good, have some fun and to get a monkey!  Look for a picture of the monkey on the neighborhood events page of the website at www.championnews.us.

          Family and friends gathered last week to commemorate the life of Ms. Ruby Anderson who passed away on Sunday the 7^th.  She lived ninety-seven years in the community and had an expansive family tree.  She will be missed.  Many who came to say goodbye to her congregated at Plumbers on Thursday evening and enjoyed some excellent reminiscing.  In addition to renewing old acquaintances, there was much good music to be enjoyed.  As if his past demonstrations of the now famous ‘moonwalk’ and the speed skating exhibition a-la-Appolo Ono, were not enough,  the General seemed quite transported in his interpretative dance to the tune of Kalija.  The results were not what one might consider to be representative of any of the Native American Peoples, but rather of another poor old woodenhead.  Say what you will, the General is irrepressible, and it is sure that his Shannon ancestry will come out in full bloom of four leaf clovers for the Champion St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  Whether or not St. Patrick actually ran the snakes out of Ireland, there are plenty of them in Champion and some just waking up from their long winter’s naps.  The General best step lively, and Champions know he will.

          For the nonce, the controversial mailbox shootings are set aside to address another issue.  Rumor and innuendo are rife.  What was euphemistically described in an e-mail to Champion at getgoin.net as a ‘gated’ community, wherein resides one of the infamous Hoppers, turns out to be gated all right, but from the outside! That is not to say that he is in any way confined in the sense of incarcerated, but there is no indication that he is free to leave at will.  This e-mail reported a litany of injuries not dissimilar to those often sustained in those famed prison rodeos:  i.e. a broken nose, cracked and broke ribs, perhaps even blackened eyes and undisclosed internal injuries.  This wild horse must have been a nightmare!  Ride ‘em cowboy!  Wally Hopper wrote himself to say, “I wanted to let you know that I received a letter from Pres. Obama in response to my letter about my Marine grandson, Jake Hopper, who assisted the Republic Police while he was on leave.  It was about catching a serial car thief who was in our area and holding him until the police arrived.  I appreciate getting the letter and will frame it and put it with the other awards Jake has earned.  Jake is at Camp Pendleton, CA now as platoon leader training for Special Security Services and will be sent to Washington DC upon completing this training.  As you can tell, I am a very proud grandpa!”  Champions join Wally in supporting with Love and Gratitude all those who serve at the request of the Nation.

          Champions are glad to hear Elizabeth Johnston is doing well.  She is making a good recovery from her broken ankle and is back to work already.  Champion!

          Spring begins officially on Saturday about 12:30 Champion time.  Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood says it is a good time to plant above ground crops and to transplant.  “Sowing in the morning, sowing in the evening, sowing in the noon time and the dewy eve…” There is always plenty to do when you live in the country and it is always easier with a song in your heart.  Champion!  Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—March 8, 2010

          Champions greet the second week of March with routine optimism and great waves of gratitude. The big news is the wonderful success of the Skyline VFD Chili Supper.  It was a delight to see old friends greeting each other again after the long winter and enjoying the time just to hang out together.  In addition to the need to raise funds for the fire department, the communities seem to need the wonderful tradition of this great mix and mingle. People come from all around— Ava, Dora, Drury, Brushy Knob,  Buckheart. Gainsville, Macomb, Mansfield, Mountain Grove, Rockbridge, Springfield,  Squires, Sweden, Vanzant, and maybe even Spotted Hog and other quaint places!  Champions were well represented and days later are still all smiles from the experience.

          Ruby Proctor’s friends were happy to see her smiling face again.  She was there with her daughter, Barbara.  Esther Littrel came with her daughter Jeanie Maddox.  Irene Dooms enjoyed the evening with her sister, Esther Wrinkles and Esther’s son, Larry and his wife Teresa were there.  Eva Powell had the company of her daughter, Sondra and grandson, Bryan, as well as her firefighter son, Donald.  Ellie Web came with her Grandmother, Vickie Dooms.  Lannie Hinote escorted Violet.  Elva Ragland and her friend, Retha Forrest, from over at Rockbridge enjoyed the evening as did Sally Prock of Ava.  Van Kelly, the James Brixie family and myriad Upshaws were in attendance.  It will take until next week to recall all the names!  Check in on the www.championnews website soon to see pictures of some of the bands and lots of the people including Dale and Betty Thomas.

          Terry Chastain of Ava won the Queen Star Quilt in the drawing at the end of the evening.  It was a timely win for him as he had lost his home in a fire last fall.  He is a new member of the Skyline Fire Department and a welcome one. 

         The General and his cronies had a good time. Sorting out their various yarns will take every bit of a week.  There were at least two versions of the Three Lads Hunting Incident, which has also been called The Great Mailbox Shooting. There was some talk about how one of the boys had ‘broke down’ under interrogation.   Another version of the incident came on line from an anonymous source who claims to have been the triggerman.  He said that the owner of the mailbox complained about only getting bills in the mail and was thinking about just tearing the blamed thing down so he and his friends came along one night and decided to help him out with the tearing down by shoving a twelve gauge shotgun in the front of the mailbox and pulling the trigger.  He claimed not to know anything about the hollow log.  Someone said that Cletus Upshaw’s mailbox was shot up much worse but that he never complained.  Kenneth Anderson said that his dad, Homer Anderson, enjoyed cornbread and sweetmilk and as he was emptying the jar of milk into his cornbread one evening he discovered a big old crawdaddy in the bottom of the jug.  Cletus was blamed for that on account of his having fetched it up from the spring and someone said that it was only a few years ago that Cletus owned up to having done that.  It seems like there is right smart of owning up going on these days.  The General promised the straight skinny on a well-known story about a certain Champion stepping over a log.  Anticipation of that revelation is flat palpable. 

            There was great competition for Esther’s coconut pie.  Murphy, Peggy Hancock, and Bob Berry dueled it out and Bob walked away with it for a mere forty bucks!  A value! That Sue Murphy collects Tonka Trucks was just one of the excellent pieces of information gleaned during the evening.

           There was a man by the name of Harold Goodnight at the Chili Supper.  He had a diamond in his ear and Steve Moody said he was in the witness protection program and was masquerading as a base player.  He proved out, however, as he played with the Green Mountain Messengers.  They always do such a good job.  It was nice to see D.J. of the Backyard Bluegrass, still being a nice young man after having achieved fame in the movies.  Spring Creek played some great tunes and that duo of David Richardson and Erin Akers played some love songs that might have caused a couple to leave early.  Big Creek finished off the evening with a very professional performance of some very good music in those nice blue plaid shirts.  Champions and Skyline Firefighters are grateful that all these talented people are so willing to share their gifts with the community in support of the fire department.  MC Steve Moody grew up just over in Macomb.  He said that the nice thing about this part of the country is how people rally around each other.  He said that folks around here can put a benefit together at the drop of a hat.  He said that the Vanzant Community building can fill up at a moments notice when there is a need.  “It’s just wonderful,” he says.  Champions concur.

            For the sake of brevity (“What a joke!” says one Old Champion.) the discussion of the controversy over the names of Bill Emory’s new Halflinger team, the reason that the Skyline VFD has chosen the monkey as its official mascot (some fire departments use Dalmatians) and the merits of the New Fire Truck and dispensation of the old one will all have to wait for next week.  Linda’s Almanac says that the 10^th through the 12^th will be good times to plant root crops.  The Disabled American Veterans association reports that after last month’s tragic earthquake in Haiti, American troops were among the first to hit the ground—providing security, flying in food, medicine, and saving lives.  At any time, our troops can be called to deal with the gravest hazards. Champions do not forget to express Love and Gratitude for those who serve.

           Send any Champion news or stories to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or to Champion at getgoin.net.  Step up on the porch at Henson’s Store for a view that will do your heart good.  (A complete set of Champion Picture Post Cards—all ten—brought ten dollars in the silent auction—another value!)   Sing that old song, “When you are bending low and many evils your life betide and you almost lose your courage, Look! The shadows are lifting.  Look! The dark clouds are rifting.  Look on the brighter side—the brighter side!”  That will be Champion!

CHAMPION—MARCH 1, 2010

        Champions will all say that there is no glory in defeating a weak opponent.  So it was in Vancouver this week when them Canadians had to fight like blazes for their big old hockey gold medal!  Truthfully, it was enough that we beat them in the preliminaries, and soundly too, but it was sweet to see how happy it made them to win.  They are good neighbors and it improves Champions to be chummy with such nice people.  Good for them, we say, “Huzza.”  Sometimes punctuation says it all.

        The clearly unpunctuated Generalissimo was in fine fettle at Plumber’s on Thursday evening.  Between lifting tips and giving them, he claimed to know the entire straight skinny on the Three Lads Hunting Incident, only one of whom shot the mail box while all three had to go in with their parents to pay the fifteen dollar fine each to the Douglas County Court in Ava while their little brothers and sisters waited out in the car and family tensions ran high.  That was big money in them days.  “Boys,” says the General, elbowing his way to a clear spot in the back of the room, “Watch this!” and he commenced to speed skate right there on the linoleum in front of the kitchen door by the buffet table.  It was amazing.  Ah!  The grace!  Ask Norris Woods.  He was heard to say, “I can’t wait to read about this in the paper!”  Encouraged by scant but thunderous applause, the General finished his skateless tribute to Apolo Ohno while graciously declining to reprise his inimitable “moon walk.”  Humility overtook him, though clearly he was flattered by the several requests.  The General agreed with the speed skating Olympian that an event that lasts 40 seconds is just about the right how long.

        Mary Graham called to say that she has a tiny little Peekapoo that showed up at her house about the end of August.  He is somewhere around four to five pounds and black with a little white.  She says he needs grooming but he is in good health and seems to like milk quite a lot.  Mary is softhearted that way and consequently winds up with stray dogs.  Over the years she has placed a lot of dogs, Old Rufus was one and then there was the Schnauzer that went to the people in Houston and on and on.  Mary says this little dog is very sweet and deserves a good home.  Call her at 948-2755.

        Elizabeth Johnston is making some good progress recovering from her broken ankle.  There have been some complications, but she is being a responsible patient and doing what she knows she needs to do to get well.  She has experience in these things so every one who wishes her well knows she appreciates it.

        Kenneth Henson writes to say, “Jackie Coonts was underpaid for building a fire at the Dogwood School.  Ed Henson was paid three dollars for building a fire at the Champion School.  Ed would start the fire early and have the schoolroom warm and very comfortable by the time classes started.  The decision was made for the redistribution of wealth, so a student was hired to do the job.  As it turned out the student was irresponsible; showed up too late to get the fire started and the schoolroom warm by the time school started.  You walked two miles on a very cold room; that was not conducive for doing your lessons.  As the old cliché goes you don’t miss it until it is gone.  This lasted for one month and Ed was rehired.  The students were happy to have Ed back.  Here’s wishing Ruby a happy birthday.”  Champions will inform Hovie farther in advance next year so that his birthday greeting to Ruby will be more timely.

        Jamie Dry and Cathie Reilly have both sent money to buy quilt tickets for the drawing Saturday night at the Skyline VFD Chili Supper.  This is building up to be a splendid evening.  The fire department membership is encouraged to approach any firefighter at the Chili Supper to ask them about the New Fire Truck!  It is a 1980 Ford pumper truck with a thousand gallon capacity.  The firefighters will all have much more information about it including the fact that the fire department is buying this much-needed equipment itself.  The truck has already seen some significant action and it is a tribute to the community that the firefighters and membership are willing to bear the expense without FEMA funds or grants or big corporate or government money.  The fire department will have a ‘truck payment’ for a while but the community has the protection now.  Now that is Champion!

        “The Hurt Locker” is a movie up for an Academy Award next week.  It is supposed to be a very accurate depiction of war in these times.  Previews give the impression that it is stark, brutal and tense.  That must be what these wars are like and Champions extend their Love and Gratitude to all those who willingly serve their Nation.  There will time and opportunity later on to extend understanding and assistance.

        Birthday wishes are in order for Linda over at the Plant Place in Norwood.  Friday will be her big day but she will be getting good wishes from friends and family for weeks!  She has been busy getting the Cole crops transplanted and is working on the herbs now.  Her almanac is available there in the shop at the Gift Corner or in the links section at www.championnews.us.  Linda and Charlene are good and generous neighbors.

        Johnny Cash had a birthday on February 26^th.  He was born in 1932.  He died a few years ago from complications of diabetes and in his final years and days he was reflective of his youth, working all day with his Dad on a cross cut saw singing gospel songs.  He had a great range to his voice and as he got older and less well, his voice revealed his understanding of life.  The last song on the last album that he recorded was his choice.  “Aloha Oe.”  The Queen of Hawaii composed it in 1877.  “Farewell to Thee” is how it is translated and the recorded version has a steel guitar on it that is the perfect representation of what a fine steel guitar should sound like.  “Sweet memories come back to me Bringing fresh remembrances from the past.”  It is a poignant piece full of longing and passion and, in the case of the Man in Black, full of a peaceful resignation.

         Sing your favorite Johnny Cash song out on the porch at Henson’s Store in Beautiful Downtown Champion.  It is on the North side of the Square, squarely in the middle of Lonnie Krider Memorial Drive.  Drop a note to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO. 65717 or to Champion News with any of those old stories that still have some bite after all this time.  Champion…Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—February 22, 2010

        Fifty some odd years ago there were three families living around the Champion—Denlow area and each of them had sons.  Three boys, one from each of these families, went out hunting one day.  Among them there was only the one gun, probably a 22.  Out North of Denlow, stalking their prey, they came upon a certain hollow log.  It was a particularly contrived hollow log in that it had a door built right into it.  This door might have had hinges, or the door might have just have been composed of an overlayment of bark and moss, but a door nonetheless and behind it sundry jars or jugs.  (The pertinences of the story are vague due to a persistent requirement for anonymity.)  These vessels were doubtlessly inspected, perhaps sampled, but surely left overtly undisturbed (or perhaps not, the particulars are vague.)  The owner of these sundry jugs or jars took exception to their discovery and their treatment by these young rogues, however was reluctant to complain to any specific authority for reasons of his own.  Now it came about that there was an old abandoned home place that had an old abandoned mailbox out by the road and one of these hunters frustrated that day (or another) from lack of game, shot a hole in the mailbox.  Maybe he just needed to sight in his gun, or he felt it a shame to go out hunting and not even shoot, or maybe it was the mailbox itself or the rough words of the unhappy property owner that caused him to shoot.  The mailbox was shot and a complaint was lodged and the ruffians were summarily summonsed to stand before the judge–all three of them.  Champions would all like to have been a fly on that wall that day or, perhaps not as flies are not so long lived and all this happened such a long time ago.  Still, it is kind of exciting and somehow more engaging than current events.  Share thoughts about these rouge hunters or any Champion stories that come to mind at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or at Champion News.

        A few sunny days warm the blood fast and the geese fly, the buzzards return, frogs start to sing, daffodils sprout up and the rosy nose of rhubarb peeks out of its garden bed.  The purpose of these luscious pre-spring days is to drive home the bitterness of cold when it comes again.  After the teasing warmth, the cold seems colder.  Last year a heavy snowfall fell on the Skyline VFD chili supper when it was too late to call the whole thing off!  Nevertheless, it was a splendid evening and it was a good benefit for the fire department.  People braved the elements to kick the slats out of the cabin fever and to get a jump-start on the spring social calendar.  It will be the same this year.  No matter what the weather, people will pour in from all over the country to support the little fire department that does so much for the area.  All the firefighters go through intense medical training and fire and rescue training of all sorts.  The rural community benefits significantly from having all this expertise available in the event of an accident or emergency.  Look in on the www.championnews.us website for more information about the chili supper and a full color view of Esther and that lovely queen star quilt that will be given away that night to the owner of the winning ticket.  It is going to be another fine get together.

        Champion Douglas Holt sent an interesting list of Marine Corps bumper stickers.  A favorite one was “If you can read this, thank a teacher.  If you can read it in English, thank a Veteran!”  Champions are grateful to all those who are serving on behalf of their Nation, in and out of uniform at home and in the dangerous parts of the world.  One Champion has a cousin who was a helicopter mechanic in the Marines stationed at Mosul, just across the Euphrates River from the ruins of Nineveh, which was the intended destination of Jonah who finally made it.  The cousin has not been heard of for a while, but routine checks of the rosters of the fallen and injured have not revealed his name.  That is a good thing, but it is a morbid search nonetheless and it keeps one reminded of the actual costs.

        Wednesday the 24^th and Thursday the 25^th are both good days to plant above ground crops, flowers and seedbeds.  Linda’s Almanac from over at The Plant Place says it is also a good time to apply chemical fertilizer, if a person is of a mind to do that.  The next good planting days will start on the third of March and go through the sixth, all days being good for planting root crops.  The almanac says the 5^th and 6^th will both be good days to prune in order to encourage growth.  Time is going by quickly.

        Music is one of the gifts that all can share.  Whatever the circumstance or situation, chances are pretty good that there is a song that will explain it or ease the way or offer some comfort or hope.  Such a song is Unchained Melody, a 1955 popular song by Alex North with lyrics by Hy Zaret.  “Time goes by so slowly, and time can do so much.”  Champions of a certain age will have their favorite versions even if they do not know the name of the song.  It does not matter.  Step up on the porch at Henson’s Store in beautiful Downtown Champion and let your favorite song slip into your head.  Just keep it in there if you are too shy to let it out.  It will do you almost as much good.  Send out a few of those interesting Champion picture postcards to friends and family stuck out in the dismal and depressed parts of the world.  It will do them good to get a view of Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION–February 14, 2010

        Champions are always ready to celebrate.  Knowing that the world is full of woe, worry, and wearing winter weather, Champions choose to celebrate in protests of the glum.  The verb “to champion” means to defend and support.  That’s what Champions everywhere do and this week in Champion, Champions celebrate Ruby Hicks Proctor.  She was raised just over north east of the store.  She had three brothers and six sisters and her folks were John and Golda Hicks.  She married Mr. Proctor when she was seventeen.  There is a story in Champion that she worked at the knothole factory until she went to work at the doughnut hole factory.  The knothole factory was the Cloud Toy Factory, which was situated near the railroad in Mountain Grove.  She worked there for a long time and then took a job at the bakery at the Town and Country grocery store.  She worked there for eighteen years, getting to work at four in the morning to get the doughnuts started and things ready to open up for business at 6 a.m.  During this time she was raising children and working on the farm.  Now that is a Champion woman!  She has her birthday this Friday on the 19^th and rumor has it that she will be 85.  Her grandson Bryan and his family are over in Virginia under a lot of snow, but are well and are wishing Ruby a happy birthday.  Bryan is in the service and Champions are wishing him and all his fellows the best as they serve the country at home and in the dangerous parts of the world.  They have Champion Love and Gratitude.

        Ruby’s good friend, Esther Wrinkles, has again provided a beautiful quilt for the fundraiser at the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department Chili Supper, which will occur on March 6^th this year.  The quilt is a queen-sized beauty, with a star pattern and a blue lining.  It is stunning.  Esther has also been quite instrumental in securing a great line-up of music for the affair.  Back Yard Blue Grass, Spring Creek, Big Creek, David Richards and Erin Akers, and the Green Mountain Messengers will all perform.  It promises to be quite a night.  In addition to chili there will be chicken and noodles on the menu.  Once again the chickens in the noodles are home grown organic big fat hens produced by one of the fire fighters and his family and generously donated to the auxiliary for this special occasion.  Folks will be glad to find some stationary bicycles in the silent auction to peddle off some of the potential pounds produced by the plethora of scrumptious pies that come donated in the door.  What a Champion delight!

        Even an extraordinary place like Champion sees changes in the population.  Folks move away for various reasons or sometimes they pass away and land and old home places change hands.  It is as if the country is breathing—out with the old—in with the new.  Champions certainly miss old friends and dear ones as they leave and the old stories around Champion hearths keep the good times that have passed fresh in Champion hearts, but hearts open to new neighbors and new friends.  Steve and Darlene Conner have made a home in the place where Ruth Hicks last lived and a lovely couple, Gabriel and Mark, have built that beautiful straw bale house up at the site of the New Old Dogwood School House on C Highway.  New porch lights twinkle in the darkness as people find their way here from all over the place.  So Welcome!  Come and meet your neighbors.  The place still known as ‘the Goldie Dooms’ place, however, has been unoccupied for quite a while.  Even though the original house has been replaced a couple of times, local people still refer to it as the Goldie Dooms place.  The house been vandalized and ransacked and the doors and windows left open and what was a cute little place at the bend in the road has taken on a specter of danger.  Someone said that it had been purchased on the courthouse steps the other day.  Maybe someone will take possession soon.  They’ll find some neighbors willing to help out.  Some were thinking to call the sheriff to see if the place could be boarded up as a way to make it less attractive to vermin, but maybe things are about to turn around.  The sheriff probably is not the guy to call for that kind of thing anyway, but his number is the one to call for a fire, auto accident or medical emergency.  That office routes emergency calls to the appropriate responders and in these parts that is the Skyline VFD.  The number to call is 683-1020.  A firefighter was remarking the other day that the sheriff’s office gets a lot of calls for frivolous or silly things but they’ve got some capable people there who know how to their job.  While Champions hope they never have to use it, they are glad to know the number.  It is easy to remember–1020.  It is 683-1020.

        Back to Goldie Dooms, it seems that there were a number of ladies named Golda or Goldie in the Champion area in years past.  Ruby’s Mother was Golda and Oscar Krider’s wife was Goldie.  There are many ladies of a certain age named Shirley after Shirley Temple.  It would be interesting to know the Goldie after whom these Champion girls were named.  That information is welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or at Champion News.

        The 20^th and the 21^st of the month will be good days for planting above ground crops according to Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood.  The 24^th and 25^th will both be good days for starting seedbeds.  Go to the links section of the www.championnews.us website to see the almanac or go on over to The Plant Place and pick one up.  Charlene Dupre, who is Linda’s sister, runs the Gift Corner there and the kind of lovely items she routinely has in her shop will be much in evidence at the silent auction at the Skyline Chili Supper.  Those ladies are the very definition of good neighbors.

        Dillon and Dakota Watts were down in Champion visiting for a few days from their home in Tennessee.  They like to come down to spend time on the farm and to help out with whatever needs doing.  They are growing up and their young cousins Foster and Kalyssa think they are just the greatest.  They are all good singers and Kalyssa was heard Sunday showing off her skills with the scales…Do Re Me Fa Sol La Ti Do!  What a girl!  Her big brother, Foster, has a fan club at the Bank of America.  Gayla Blackwell’s father was named Foster and she said that it is not a common name and she enjoys reading about the young fellow.  Ms. Blackwell should know that Foster is an exceptional runner.  He climbs that steep hill at Champion and then just flies down it.  He almost never falls and most of the time he can avoid knocking down his little sister when he gets to the bottom.  She is a pretty good sport about it though and just figures it to be part of the territory.  She was reported to have told her Aunt Linda that she is always in trouble.  She will be four at the end of the summer.  Champions wonder just what all kinds of trouble she could be in?

        “Trouble in mind, I’m blue, but I won’t be blue always.  You know the sun’s gonna shine in my back door some day.”  That is an old song with some good memories attached to it.  Champions are routinely checking their back door for sunshine and when it does not appear, they go on down to Henson’s store for a little bright spot in their day anyway.  Steve and Darlene just back from a Padre Island adventure brought Ms. Henson a new bamboo wind chime to hang on her porch.  It is a beauty with a haunting melodic tone that brings sunny beaches to mind, a nice addition to Champion—already looking on the Bright Side.

CHAMPION—February 8, 2010

        Champion is one of those places that makes sport of the weather.  It doesn’t matter how cold or snowy or muddy or wet or hot or dry or windy it gets in Champion, there is liable to be someone around who can make a joke about it.  Jackie Coonts said that the snow was probably going to get axel deep on a Ferris wheel.  He had several other thoughts on just about how deep he reckoned the snow might get but the Ferris wheel one was the most printable.  He was still in good spirits after having had a birthday on Sunday and while did not say just how old he was, he said that when he was a kid going to the Dogwood School (The New East Dogwood School) over on C Highway, he walked to school and got there first to build a fire in the stove.  It was a big wood stove like the one at Henson’s Store around which this yarn was spun.  He said he got there early one morning when it was about zero degrees out and filled the stove full of pine knots and paper.  The whole thing was glowing red including the stovepipe when the teacher got there.  He said it was a wonder he didn’t burn the school down.  For the fire lighting service the school paid him a silver dollar every month.  In those days students would get a silver dollar at the end of the school year if they had perfect attendance.  Jackie collected seven of those.  Roy Brown, who now lives over at Mansfield, collected eight of them.  Somebody said those silver dollars might be pretty valuable now on account of being so old.  Jackie did not say just how old he is but Champions expect somewhere past fifty.  Jackie asked if you fed cows snow would they give milkshakes?

        A note came from Judith Parsons responding to the Champion birthday wishes and talking about the quilt she won a couple of years ago, “I would love to tell Ms. Violet Melton what a wonderful quilt she made, and how lucky I was to have won it.  We have really enjoyed it, and our guests have enjoyed it very much for its beauty and warmth.”  The Melton family was doubtlessly well represented at the big doughnut fry party at the home of Larry Hicks on Friday.  This annual event has been going on for some time and is a chance for friends and neighbors to get together to get better acquainted and to enjoy the hospitality of a good neighbor.  Larry has been a good neighbor to the Skyline Volunteer Fire Department over the years and chances are good that the tomato on your burger at the Annual Skyline VFD Picnic came from Larry’s garden.  Or it well could have come from Alvin and Beverly Barnhart’s garden.  It is so often the case that people who are good gardeners are people who like to share.  One of the very best things that Champion has going for it as a community is its neighbors.  Champions are thinking a big juicy homegrown tomato would be pretty good about now.  The next good planting day for above ground crops will be on the 16^th according to Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood.  Some are ready to get their hands dirty already.

        News has come that Elizabeth Johnston has a cast on her leg all the way to up above the knee in treatment for her broken ankle.  She is spending some time with her parents, Kaye and Richard Johnston, up in Marshfield while she recuperates.  She has had visits from family, friends and co-workers all wishing her well and a speedy recovery.  Kaye and Richard always try to make it down to Skyline for the Chili Supper.  Maybe Elizabeth will be up for the trip by March 6^th.  The Auxiliary ladies had a good productive meeting on the second and plans are in full swing for another fine evening of good food, good music, good fellowship and a good break from the cabin fever that will be fairly pervasive in the area if the weather doesn’t settle down a little.  Champions do not complain about the weather and they always have a good time at the Skyline Chili Supper.

        Champions can remember when there was no phone service in these parts at all.  It was in the late 1990’s before the party lines that were the technology of the area finally gave way to the new buried fiber optic lines that are in place now.  The fiber optic lines can carry the broadband internet and Champions are excited about the possibility of having their internet speed enhanced.  It would be very much faster so that when a certain college student/dairy farmer has his accounting homework done and gets ready to submit it on line, he will not get kicked off and have to start all over.  The high-speed internet is already available over in Champion East, but others are on the waiting list.  A representative of the CenturyLink people said that priority is determined by demand, so those interested in the service can contact them at 1-800-201-4099 and it may just happen that Champion will be able to join the 21^st century before too much of it has slipped away.

        Some Champions have been enjoying the sight of the Common Flicker, which the bird book says is common in open country near large trees.  They are jay-sized woodpeckers with brown back, no white on wings, and a black breast crescent.  Champions have seen them around before but were wondering if they stayed all year or if they were migrants.  Robbins, bluebirds and cardinals seem to be around all year so maybe these Common Flickers are too.  The big migration problem has seemed to be with the GetGOIN people.  As they performed their migration of the e-mail accounts to the new platform there were all kinds of little glitches and hitches and customer service people were putting in some long hours.  One of these hardworking people is Kimberly Mayfield.  She is the granddaughter of long time Champions Lee and Maggie Cooley.  Lee (Theodore) was a World War I Veteran who grew up in Champion.  He has one surviving sister who is Frances Southerland, wife of Wayne Southerland.  Maggie (Martha) Cooley who is 89 now, still lives in the area and subscribes to three local papers.  So, Ms. Cooley, if you are reading this, your granddaughter is a lovely person.  She has a pleasant way of explaining complicated technological things to people who might think that microchips are just the small ones in the bottom of the bag.  Kimberly said that the internet provider had decided to move the e-mail accounts to an outfit that had better control of the Spam!  Technology is Champion!  Just look in on www.championnews.us for proof.  Several mentioned that they had heard Lonnie Krider and Wayne Anderson on the radio two mornings in a row last week on the new public radio station out of Cabool, 88.1 on the FM dial.  Champion!

        The Chinese New Year will commence on St. Valentine’s Day this year.  It will be the Year of the Tiger and it is generally thought that it is a fortuitous time for acts of courage.  Describe such acts at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO. 65717 or at Champion News.  Sweethearts are urged to courageously step up on the porch at Henson’s Store and spring for that box of chocolate covered cherries for your Valentine.  Sing “Let me call you sweetheart, I’m in love with you,” to the right person and know that romance is a big deal in Champion where they’re looking on the bright side!

CHAMPION—February 1, 2010

        Champions are again dazzled by the beauty of their environs as the full moon mixing with falling and fallen snow fixed Champion in the swirling center of a luminous pearl.  February’s is called the Snow Moon and some are thinking that before the moon is full again on the 28^th, the countryside will have retreated into mud, mud, glorious mud.  It hardly matters as ecstatic joy and bitter complaint have equal affect on weather and road conditions.  It is a Champion thing to love the weather especially on Groundhog Eve.

        An email from Kenneth Henson says, “Enjoyed the news from Wally Hopper.  Growing up Wally Hopper would say and do things that were funny.  My younger brother and I would play Wally Hopper and mimic the things he did.  His mother was the kindest and most Godly woman that I have ever known.  Hovey Henson was an obnoxious kid but she loved him in spite of the defects.”  This woman was named Irma and neighbors from long ago remember her as having been a lovely person and Hovey as obnoxious!

        An article last week reported that last Sunday, the 24^th of January, a vehicle driven by Doris Lininger had washed off a low-water crossing on County Road 114 off East Highway 76.  The daring water rescue by Missouri Highway Patrolman, Justin Piccinino, was described and the participation of Patrol Trooper Rob Crewse, Sheriff Chris Degase, Deputy James Venrow and “fire department personnel” was noted.  The fire department personnel were Skyline Volunteer Fire Department firefighters Robert Hamilton, Craig Blankenship, Dom Mastrangelo, Bill Griswold, Michael Griswold and Wayne Griswold.  The article also says that Ms. Liniger was treated for hypothermia by paramedics at the scene.  The paramedics were not named, but Champions and all the residents of the beautiful remote rural areas are grateful for them and the excellent emergency response of State and County personnel and particularly the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department.

        Betty Shelton is making progress toward healing after having broken her arm a month ago.  She has begun to be able to do a little housework again and is happy to stand at her sink looking out over beautiful downtown Champion to do a few dishes.  Champion relatives learned over the weekend that Elizabeth Johnston slipped on the ice and broke her ankle.  She has had a reconstructive surgery and will be recuperating with her folks in Marshfield for a little while.  Just last year her cousin, Elva, had a mishap that resulted in a cast and a nice long visit with her folks.  It is a cautionary tale that strong resilient young ladies can have accidents.  It makes some old Champions want to hold on.

        Those Groundhog Day birthdays need special celebrating because a day so propitious for change must surely have hailed the arrival of exciting people.  Judith Parsons from over west of Ava is one of those exciting people.  She makes hominy starting with wood ashes!  How many Champions have done that lately?  A couple of years ago she bought the winning ticket for the quilt made by Ms. Violet Melton that was the centerpiece of the Skyline VFD Chili Supper.  It was a beautiful rose pattern worked in a lavender cross stitch.  Judith is an excellent quilter herself and can boast having a great number of talented quilting friends all of whom love her and wish her the happiest birthday.  Charlene Dupre is another of those exciting birthday people.  She has just returned from a trip to Florida spending time with her charming granddaughter, Olivia.  This six year old reads so well that her teachers have to send notes home in sealed envelopes!  Charlene runs the Gift Corner at the Plant Place in Norwood and it is always a treat to see what new things she has acquired.  Charlene has a keen eye for beauty and is a gifted artist.  The shop is open again after the winter holiday and gardeners will be pleased to see that Linda’s Almanac is already available there.  It will also soon be up on line under Champion Connections on the www.championnews.us site.

        “Now the moon shines tonight on pretty Red Wing; the breezes sighing; the night birds crying, while afar ‘neath the stars, her brave is sleeping while Red Wing’s weeping her heart away.”  There are many versions of this song.  It is an old one.  This one came from “The Education of Little Tree,” a book written by Forrest Carter.  Well, Little Tree was an orphan boy of about five years of age when he went to live with his grandparents in the hills.  His grandmother was a Cherokee and his grandfather was Cherokee and Scotch.  The back cover of the book says it has all emotions—humor, sorrow tragedy, bigotry, unselfishness and love and goes on to say that Mr. Carter exalts personal precepts and an appreciation of nature.  One of those personal precepts is when a person finds something good he ought to share it right away.  Forrest Carter was five years old in 1930 and he only lived to be fifty-four.  He was sort of a controversial figure so Champions figure he would have fit in these parts pretty well.  He also wrote “The Vengeance Trail of Josey Wales.”  Douglas County still bears scars of the Civil War.  It is part of the make up of the country.  Maybe Josey Wales did not look like Clint Eastwood but the scars of war are as evident today as ever.  Soldiers returning from service in the dangerous parts of the world can look forward to some readjustment problems.  They have the Love and the Gratitude of their Nation, if they can just get some understanding and assistance.

        The Skyline Ladies Auxiliary will have had it’s meeting before this gets to ink.  The details of the March 6^th Chili Supper will have been worked out including the music, the menu and this year’s quilt.  Time is flying and excitement is building!  Champion.

        Sing, hum, or whistle your version of “Red Wing” out on the porch at Henson’s Store in the blissful heart of Downtown Champion.  Look up and down the beautiful expanse of Lonnie Krider Memorial Drive and let the tranquility of the place sooth your ruffled feathers.  The Store is on the North Side of the Square, but the porch faces south so there is a little break from the wind there.  That is not to say that there is not plenty of wind going on inside the store, depending on the time of day.  It has always been like that. If you can’t make it through the mud to the store, share good Champion news at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO. 65717 or at Champion News.  It is Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—January 25, 2010

        Champion is a special place where people go to feel reconnected with the good ties to the past.  It is also a place where a person can develop a good perspective on his place in the big world.  With the exception of the relatively few Native American people who still live in this Nation, everyone here or their antecedents came from elsewhere and are therefore connected to the whole rest of the world.  Champions are aware that more that 150,000 people have just died in Haiti.  In 2008, the estimated population of Douglas County was 13,483.  Now there is some perspective.

        Good news in Champion comes from the Brixie clan.  Jacob Kyle Brixie was born Monday evening, January 18^th, at 6:01 to Jana and James Brixie.  His paternal grandfather is Robert Dean Brixie who now lives in Mountain Grove and his maternal grandparents are Gary and Nyalin Barnes also of Mountain Grove.  He’ll have to share his grandparents with his older sister Jenna Kateland, but there is every reason to believe there will be enough love and fun to go around.  Grandparents are Champions!

        Another note came from Wally Hopper the other day.  It included an article from his local newspaper concerning his grandson, Jacob Hopper, who had just completed his boot camp Marine training in San Diego.  While he was in Republic visiting family before going on the Camp Pendelton for more training, he happened into an unusual situation.  A serial thief had been breaking into cars in that part of Republic, the police said as many as twenty-five cars.  He noticed this man hopping fences and running away from a police car.  Hopper and his brother-in-law followed the guy in their car for a distance, then Hopper jumped out and ran the thief down just before he got to the highway.  “The Marines pride themselves on being very physically fit,” said the Private First Class.  Wally was a Marine himself and proud already, but this grandson!  Wally will have all of his vest buttons popped off soon!  Champion!

        Albert E. Brumley wrote “Turn Your Radio On” and eight hundred other songs including “I’ll Fly Away.”  Kalyssa and Foster Wiseman do an excellent job with that tune as did their Granddad, Lonnie Krider.  There is a CD circulating around of Lonnie and Wayne Anderson that was made down in Squires several years ago at the Relay For Life program for the American Cancer Society.  They helped raise a lot of money for the cause.  That CD has made it into the hands of the music director of the new public radio station over in Cabool.  For Champions willing to prize themselves away from Old Rush for a little while, they can check out KZ 88.1 on the FM dial.  This is a listener-supported station with over half of their programming currently produced locally and featuring local people, organizations, musicians and artist.  From ten a.m. until noon on weekdays Butch Kara hosts a program called Kaleidoscope.  He plays all kinds of music including folk, world music and bluegrass.  Champions will be listening in for the chance to hear Lonnie again as well as other local musicians who are encouraged to submit their work by CD or cassette to KZ88 1211 Ozark Street Cabool, MO 65689.  Check in on the schedule of programming at KZ88.org or listen to live streaming at mykz88.com.  It turns out that another Krider grandson, Dillon Watts of Murfreesboro, TN has taken up the banjo.  Most likely Champions will be turning their radios on for him one of these days:  “And listen to the music in the air.”  Champion!

        On Monday snow was whisping through the air driven by a hard wind even as eagles were soaring over open fields and some gardeners were getting ready to plant their onions.  Some are trying onions from seed for the first time and the process is a little daunting.  It seems that the main thing is to maintain a fairly even temperature and moisture level until the seeds sprout.  They take several days.  Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood indicates that the 28^th and 29^th will be excellent days for starting seedbeds.  The Plant Place will open up again next week and the Almanacs for February and March will already be available.  Some gardeners are hauling manure and cottonseed meal and other things to spread over their gardens.  Others are just planning to do that sort of thing someday when the weather is more pleasant.  It seems that as some gardeners get older they are more likely to put off the hard work.  Some are still daydreaming about Lem and Ned and checking the bulletin board down at Henson’s Store to see if they have put up their notice that they are available for ‘choreing.’  Some sweet juicy turnips will surely lure them out again soon and they will be prowling the countryside looking for hard work that husbands do not really want to do:  shoveling manure, cleaning out chicken houses, digging new outhouse holes, getting the grass out of the flowerbeds, stacking rocks, hauling brush and the like.

        Champion ladies are getting excited about the Skyline Volunteer Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary meeting that will be held on February 2^nd at seven in the evening down at Henson’s Store.  It will be their first chance to see the quilt that will be one of the features of the annual chili supper that is scheduled for March 6^th.  In addition to covering all those important details of menu and entertainment, the meeting will be the first opportunity for members to pick up tickets to sell for a chance to win the quilt and to report on the various interesting things already collected for the silent auction.  There will be a like-new Mirro pressure pan, a vintage J.C. Penny stationary bicycle, an oak clock and a variety of things as yet unimagined.

        The www.championnews.us site is getting some fine attention.  David Richards of Mountain Grove said that he looks at the site all the time.  He and a group of his friends were out riding their four wheelers on Sunday and paused to get their picture taken in front of Henson’s Store.  There were about a dozen of them on their machines and a Kawasaki Mule.  The mule goes along on these outings to carry a little extra fuel in case some rider runs out, and to carry some dry clothes and other necessities in case a rider gets wet out on a cold day.  They are mostly from around the Norwood area and they get together every month or so just to tour the back roads on their ‘machines.’  Fortunately, they go different places all the time so there is no one spot that gets over-treated to their noisy boisterousness.

They are a rowdy bunch but well behaved and are just out for fun.  Champions don’t mind seeing them coming…..or going! They are not unlike the trail rides that come through Champion in the spring and fall, except for the speed and the noise.  They don’t leave any ‘signs’ behind the way the horses do, just circles in the dirt where they have been cutting doughnuts.

        Someone suggested that the Neighborhood Events page of the www.Championnews.us should include birthdays on it.  To that end several will appear for February…Charlene Dupree of the Gift Corner in Norwood will celebrate her birthday on February 2^nd, as will Judith Parsons from over on the other side of Ava.  Later in the month, after St. Valentine has his day, Staci Cline 4^th grade teacher at Skyline School will mark another anniversary.  Anyone who would like to have a special day noted can do so with an e-mail to Champion News or a note to Champion Items Rt. 2, Box 367 Norwood, MO 65717.  Note how many notes you sing out on the porch at Henson’s Store.  The wind chime there replicates the notes of the meadowlark.  How pleasant a sound is that!  It’s Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—January 18, 2010

        Champion is a privileged place.  No resident or visitor however casual or important can deny it.  Even the National Resources Conservation Service has used Champion as a source and inspiration.  Champions know the NRCS to be part of the United States Department of Agriculture.  A soil scientist from Wisconsin traveling in these parts wrote, “It sticks and stacks, It squeezes through cracks between your toes goes mud.  It plops and drops, and oozes and goozes.  Thick or thin it’s mud!”  The piece goes on to extol virtues of mud and what a glorious and wonderful thing is mud.  Champions agree that a little dirt cannot hurt and yet, while still not at all complaining, they indicate that they prefer their mud a little warmer.

        Excellent good news comes from Betty Shelton who is mending nicely from having broken the ball off her right arm bone back just before the bad weather hit.  The doctor says it is mending beautifully and she was out celebrating on Friday night with a good dinner over at Plumber’s Junction where her friends there surprised her with a lovely card and some good wishes.  She said she was “floating on a cloud.”  Good news and good wishes must surely help the mending process.

        Barbara Krider has had an arthroscopy procedure on her knee and is making a splendid recovery.  Hopefully she will be in the neighborhood soon to lead the final perlustrations down Lonnie Krider Memorial Drive to determine where the signs will be placed.  Her sister-in-law is feeling better over her fall on the ice and things in Champion are just humming right along in the most pleasant way.  No complaints.  More good news comes from Ed Bell a Champion son-in-law and always-welcome visitor.  He has made the Dean’s List at Drury University.  Friends and family who love him are not at all surprised.

        Wally Hopper sent a note (Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717) to say, “PFC Jacob Hopper has completed training at the US Marine Corps Depot in San Diego, CA.  He graduated with honors and was Guide On of his platoon during the complete time of training.  He will return to Camp Pendleton for further training in Security and Infantry.  His Security duty may include the Washington DC area.  He is the son of Wally Brian and Janet Hopper and the grandson of Donna and Wally Hopper, who was also a Marine from 1953-1956.”  Champions stay mindful of those who serve the Nation with Love and Gratitude.

        Bill Pool sent an e-mail (Champion News) to say that two weeks ago he had opened an attachment to an e-mail that contained a Trojan virus that killed his computer.  His daughter, Kathy, had called him to report that her friend in K.C. had received an e-mail that supposedly had a UPS shipment tracking number in it.  When opened, it had a virus that ruined her computer and her security system was powerless to stop it.  His advice is to be very cautious about what you open.

        It turns out that Champion is right in the middle of the Louisiana Purchase, which Thomas Jefferson negotiated with such aplomb in 1803.  Napoleon let go of his holdings in the New World because of his military defeat in the twelve-year slave rebellion in St. Dominique that had deprived France of a quarter of its annual income and cost the lives of 40,000 French.  He got $15 million dollars (60 million franks) for the land west of the Mississippi.  Much of that went to pay off French debt to the U.S. and the rest he got in bonds, which he sold at face value and really only recognized $8,831,250 in cash.  At that time he also demanded 150 million gold franks in reparations for Haiti’s independence.  This began a two-century economic stranglehold that did not allow the country to develop in a natural way.  On Friday in Paris, France urged Haiti’s creditors to speed efforts to cancel the impoverished Caribbean nation’s debt now estimated at $640 million.  No wonder they cannot afford to put a little rebar in their concrete.  Bonaparte’s Retreat has long been a favorite song in Champion.  “I met the girl I love in a town way down in Dixie.  Neath the stars above she was the sweetest girl I ever did see, so I took her in my arms and told her of her many charms.  We kissed while the fiddle played The Bonaparte’s Retreat.  All the world was bright as I held her on that night and I heard her say, ‘Please don’t ever go away’ and so I held her in my arms and told her of her many charms, etc.”

        On your way into Henson’s Store in downtown Champion, take just a moment to admire the impressive kindling box.  Some tinkerer must be producing a lot of fine trinkets in a local woodshop.  Champions are hoping that more of those trinkets show up at the silent auction at the Skyline VFD Chili Supper.  A couple of craftsmen have been generous with their donations at this event in previous years and there is always exciting competition in the bidding for their special items.  The Skyline Ladies Auxiliary will meet at Henson’s Store on the evening of Groundhog Day to get plans in the works for the March 6^th Chili Supper.  The years roll around so quickly.

        Lem and Ned are anxious to get in the mud and pestering Linda for an almanac already is just the start of it.  As seed catalogues and orders go whizzing through the mail and the Internet and robins bob along it is easy to forget that a week ago it was fourteen degrees below zero in some parts of Champion!  A warm day inspires impatiens.  There is always plenty to do.  Choosing the right thing to do is the trick.  Those are some tricky guys.  They kind of remind a person of the General who was loitering around Champion on Saturday, plainly interfering with the work of four grown men and a little boy as they replaced the roof on the well house at the church.  The General’s wife (bless her) waved to onlookers and eventually was successful in persuading Himself to move along.

        Sometimes a break from the arduous labors of living in the country requires just kicking back and listening to some good music.  When the Champion mentioned “I Traced Her Little Footprints in the Snow” last week, she was doubtlessly thinking of a sweet version of that song by Lonnie Krider.  He had such a fine voice and such a good heart.  A year has gone by since his untimely passing.  A person may not know in his lifetime how many lives he touches and to what effect.  Champions know what a gift he was to the community and beyond.  His music still brings a smile.  He will always be missed, but never forgotten.  He was a Champion.  Go to www.championnews.us to see some pictures of Lonnie and on that site to “Champion School Reunions” to hear him sing.  Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!