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CHAMPION—February 18, 2008

        “Just how far does Champion extend?  What is its geographical description?  Where are the Champion City limits?”  These questions were asked by a Brushyknob neighbor the other night.  Then another neighbor from over near Vera Cruz said, “Well, all the way to Iraq!”  It is a matter for speculation and currently it is thought that Champion reaches as far as do the Champions.  The name itself suggests no limitations.

        Champion and Champion friend, Darrell Haden, from over in Tennessee forwarded a letter that he had received from Mrs. Wilma Hutchison recently.  She said she keeps up with him through the Champion Items and that “My husband and I love history and I think your song [“All the Late News from the Courthouse”] has a lot of history attached to it.  We would love to have a copy of the words to that song….This would be a treasure for us to keep.”  Part of Mr. Haden’s reply to Ms. Hutchison was: “You’re very kind to connect the record’s success with local history, [State Fair Records from Nashville, circa 1972], but I heard from people in several states who were amazed that I ‘knew about our courthouse.’  I hope the topic had—or has some universality.”  Mr. Haden indicated that recordings of the song were no longer available but that he would send a copy of the lyrics to her.  Since the song was written more than 35 years ago, perhaps any of the sensitive material that caused the song to be banned on some local radio stations will now be moot.  Champions would be most interested in digging up a past controversy.  They seem ever so much more civilized and humorous than do current ones.

        Foster E. Wiseman and his sister Kalyssa Ariel have been passing time in Champion with their maternal grandparents.  Foster is not a big fan of the old red rooster, but he really likes to help his Granddad feed the cows.  Cousins Eli and Emerson Rose are expected in the neighborhood soon.  Grandparents are the truly lucky people in the world!

        Barbara sent a beautiful Valentine to her Valentine and so Harley will be headed back up north soon.  He said, “Now, don’t run over my roadrunner!”  It was suggested that if the Coyote can’t get the Roadrunner chances are he is most likely safe.  Indeed, Wile E. Coyote is a real Champion!  What makes him so and what evokes such sympathy for him is his unflagging optimism.  He is always more humiliated than harmed by his failures and knowing that he could give up his quest at any time but for his fanaticism makes him the more endearing.  Someone said that a fanatic is one who “redoubles his effort when he has forgotten his aim.”  Whether or not the Coyote has forgotten that he wanted to eat the Roadrunner, the enthusiasm and dedication with which he approaches the hunt each time is a lovely example of optimism.  Moreover, he is loyal to the Acme Corporation.  While gravity is most often his greatest enemy, he has certainly been many times betrayed by poor quality and design flaws of Acme Products.  Nevertheless, he approaches anew as if to say, “It is a poor craftsman who blames his tools!”  That there is no glory in defeating a weak opponent is not lost on Wile E.  Whether the opponent is his own ineptitude or the Roadrunner is another matter for speculation.  “Beep! Beep!”

        Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are bridge players!  They would be welcome to join a game with Linda over at the Plant Place in Norwood.  She is busy getting things transplanted and ready to go for the gardening community this spring, but she has also been teaching some bridge classes.  This week the lesson has been on the Stamen Convention in no-trump.  It’s very interesting.  It is a tool that can be used to great advantage if its intricacies are understood.  Soon she will have her monthly almanac ready for those who like to garden by the signs.

        A call from Mrs. Esther Wrinkles on Monday evening included the information that her sister, Irene Dooms had taken a spill on the ice which resulted in a serious bruise.  She and Larry were taking Irene to Springfield to the doctor on Tuesday and so she did not know if she would be able to make the Skyline VFD Ladies Auxiliary meeting at Henson’s Store in Champion that evening.  Champion good wishes go out to Ms. Dooms with hopes for a speedy recovery.  Meanwhile the Auxiliary meeting was well attended and covered all the bases that will make the March 1^st Chili Supper a success.  All the preparations for the good home cooking and for the excellent entertainment were made.  Green Valley Grass, Green Mountain Messengers, Bill Conley & Ozark String Band, Back Yard Blue Grass and another group will perform.  It promises to be a lively evening and it will be a significant benefit to the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department.  Fire fighters are hoping to acquire a specific kind of compressor that will work with the cascade system to refill their oxygen bottles.  This is a substantial purchase and the Auxiliary is working toward taking on a sizeable portion of it.

        As of Presidents Day 2008, three thousand nine hundred sixty-three US service people have lost their lives in Iraq.  At least 29,133 have been wounded there.  Champion’s own soldier Staff Sergeant Raul Moreno, Jr. has been out of touch for some while.  He is in Afghanistan over on the border with Pakistan.  Every day a number of internet web sites post the names of the fallen soldiers.  While it seems morbid to go looking there for a certain name sometimes the not knowing is worse.  Then, as the pictures of the young people, and some not so young, scroll by with their names and ages, their home towns and when and where they died, it seems disrespectful not to look at every one.  They each represent a family with a heartache.  Love and Gratitude is what they have coming from the Nation that has asked so much of all of them.  A great Champion friend from Rosenberg, TX, and Champion herself, known by admirers as “Queen of the World” keeps a sign on her desk that says “Gratitude is not only the greatest of all virtues, but the parent of all the others.”-Cicero

        Well, thanks to Ruby Proctor, the “Sweethearts on Parade” Parade will probably be an annual event over at Spotted Hog in the future.  Her recent revelation that Groundhog Day was in the old days celebrated on February 14^th has made it apparent that it is entirely appropriate that the parade be held there.  Champions are certainly reasonable and generous when presented with sufficient logic.  Sweethearts over in Brushyknob say their sign is still missing and one suggested that it will be a good thing to have a parade over there in Spotted Hog every so once in a while just so folks can look around for things that have gone missing.

        Report missing things or historic controversies to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  Describe examples of optimism and lightness of heart via e-mail at Champion News.  Stop in at Henson’s Store on the Village Green for some speculating where the reasonable and generous people of Champion are always looking on the bright side!

CHAMPION—January 28, 2008

        What Champion is so old that he cannot learn something new?  It is the mark, the very definition of a Champion that he should be willing to look at things in a new way.  That is what was behind the thinking of one who has always been such a stickler for observing the no trespassing rules connected with other people’s property.  Coon dogs and feral hogs notwithstanding, he figured a person ought to stay on his own side of the fence.  He always had.  So when he took off meandering around on a neighbors place for reasons that he thought were justified he had his eyes opened.  First of all, the place had long, long been unoccupied and it amazed him that such great hunks of beauty had been so long neglected.  Then, the realization that those very hunks will not exist next week made his heart break that he had not been willing to break the rules long years ago.  Would the impending loss then be greater or less for the knowing of the place more or less?  It doesn’t matter.  The beautiful place is being chewed up and spit out like a bad plug of Red Man at the rate of about an acre a day.  It might have been better for the old Champion had he never crossed the fence.  Still his heart soared for those moments of discovery and that can’t be discounted.  It is a conundrum.  Champion is full of them.

        A few years ago in this part of the world there was a great convergence of cicadas one summer.  The ones who emerge every year, joined the ones that emerged every five years, joining the ones that emerge every seventeen years and there may have been another batch as well.  Champions may remember that the noise in the evenings was just astounding.  It blocked out every musing that a thoughtful person might have had and was the talk of the whole area.  Someone said that it was like living in a science fiction story.  This comes to mind in connection with the Great Ground Hog Day Convergence which will occur spectacularly on Saturday this year.  The expectation of Champions for the coveted invitation to the Spotted Hog Ground Hog Day Parade is palpable.  The great fear is that it will be snowed out.  Nevertheless, the recent revelation that Ike was a Champion has sparked great interest.  It seems that he had made a raid on Spotted Hog before rendezvousing with Betsy up in Pike County.  He had forsaken the lead mines of Douglas County for the gold of the west with Betsy as his inspiration and sweetest companion.  Their journey was well documented and fraught with much hardship.  He is reported to have said “Dear old Pike County, I’ll come back to you.”  Says Betsy, “You’ll go by yourself if you do.”  The gist of it was a divorce and, having no family in Pike County, it is figured that he returned to Champion or to Spotted Hog.  Some say that his legacy is the surly attitude of disappointment that makes those folks so fractious over there.  A resident of Tar Button Road has reported that the Brushyknob sign has been missing for some while.  That brings to mind the great controversy of the Champion sign last year.  It was the subject of much discourse even to the distant reaches of Tennessee.  While blame was never actually assigned to Spotted Hog, it was generally believed that the jealousy over not having their own sign had sparked the larceny.  In any event, the Brushyknob sign is gone.  As to the Great Ground Hog Day Convergence, Charlene Dupre and Judith Parsons are both celebrating birthdays that day and it is the best part of the whole affair that they are such splendid Champion neighbors.  Happy Days, dear Ladies.  Huzza! and many happy returns to you.

        A pleasant note arrived from Champion’s friend Darrell Haden over in Tennessee relating to the World War I hero Sergeant Alvin York.  He sent a clipping from The Messenger of Union City having to do with the York Institute in Jamestown, Tennessee.  York founded the school after returning from the war with the idea of providing the children of rural Fentress County with a good education—something that had not been available to him when he was a child.  The original building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  It is in poor condition currently and there is a movement to restore it.  Mr. Haden said that they had attended an alumni banquet at the York Institute with a friend a few years ago.  There, they had been introduced to Sgt. York’s daughter and at Pell Mell, Tennessee, they met two of her brothers who have them a tour of their parent’s home.  He says that the York Institute is a lovely building worth the saving.

        The other evening by chance, young Specialist Todd E. Davis, age 22, of Raymore, MO, had his picture on the news on the Lehrer Report on Channel 21 TV.  That program makes it a habit to show the pictures of the fallen soldiers when their deaths are confirmed and their pictures are available.  His picture showed a full bodied, blonde healthy looking specimen of virile young manhood.  He was a real Champion and one to whom his country has a debt of Love and Gratitude.  The US Service People doing their dangerous duty around the world are worth the saving and certainly worth the acknowledgment of their Nation.

        As the fever swells for the Skyline Chili Supper someone asked about how much good these benefits do.  It happens that the benefits staged for different people in the Skyline/Champion communities have long reaching effects.  They really benefit people.  Larry and Rita Hicks were supported in dealing with some serious medical expenses in a benefit organized by Dale Melton last April.  Mrs. Violet Melton made a beautiful Rose Quilt that was raffled off to a most delighted winner.  Young Allen Melton, a fifth grader at Mountain Grove Middle School, spent some of his art class on Friday making a thank you card for Larry Hicks who was throwing a Doughnut Party for his family, friends and acquaintances this past week end.  The card said, “Thank You, Larry!  Doughnut think that we doughnut like doughnuts!”  Recently Lannie Hinote, Skyline’s inspiring eighth grade teacher was also the subject of a benefit there to help with medical expenses.  Anyone wishing to contribute to that excellent cause can still do so by contacting Helen at the Skyline School (417) 683-8458.  Skyline student, Douglas Dobbs, won the pony that was raffled off at Ms. Hinote’s benefit.  It had been donated by Buzz and Sharon Woods.  He named it “Dynamite” for reasons of his own, according to his Grandmother, and he keeps it on the farm of some nearby cousins and everyone is getting a chance to enjoy the shaggy pony.  It’s lovely.  Champions and Champion Neighbors are very interesting, diverse and giving people!  The Skyline VFD Ladies Auxiliary chili supper scheduled for the first of March will give everyone the chance to get acquainted with them and to join in the fun of giving.

        Conundrums or reports of convergences or recollections of any old ill tempered Champions named Ike can be reported to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  Any recollections of Sweet Betsy from Pike, any pictures of the Spotted Hog Ground Hog Day Parade or any information about the missing Brushynob sign can be e-mailed anonymously to Champion News.  Feel free to mull over the various virtues of staying on your own side of the fence versus trespassing with purpose at Henson’s Store on the public square in Champion where everyone is welcome and where Champions are ever Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION – January 21, 2008

        In Champion the full moon generally falls right in the middle of the lunation which is the interval from one new moon to the next and equals to about 29 1/2 days.

        That it happens like that all over the world is of no real concern to the Lunatic Fringe in Champion which seems to be concerning itself primarily with birthdays during this time.  Some remark was made about the speed with which the full moons come around these days, this one is known as the “Wolf Moon, ” and the speed with which the years pass according to how many one has experienced.

        To the matter of Birthdays: Kyle Barker has had his first one!  Celebrating with him were his parents Tom and Deborah Barker, Skeez and Inez Parker, Gene and Nancy Barker, Robert and Sharon Upshaw, Loretta Upshaw, Elva Upshaw, Michael and Melaine Upshaw and their two children, Elva Gayman, Richard and Kaye Johnston, Carrie and Mike Stewart, Tanna, Foster and Kalyssa Wiseman, Russell and Sue Upshaw, Kenneth and Juanita Anderson and Dean Upshaw.  There was lots of visiting and games and presents.  Robert Upshaw made homemade ice cream and the family and friends that were not able to attend are sorry to have missed such a splendid party.

        More Upshaw birthday business has to do with the New Years Eve birthday of Rear Admiral Robert Upshaw!  Little wonder he was in no condition to attend the New Years Day Parade of Champions!  One of his sisters leaked that information so Champions will be ready for him next year and perhaps if they are unable to dissuade him from such raucous celebrating, they can at least join him.  There is an old guy who comes into Henson’s Store almost every day who is woefully uniformed about Champion birthdays, particularly the Upshaw birthdays.  As it turns out one of Champion’s all time favorite mailmen, Cletis Upshaw and his cousin Russell Upshaw, who attended the Kyle Barker party, were both born in 1929.  Anyone who doesn’t believe that can call Cletis or Russell for confirmation.  They, at least, know how old they are.  This fellow seems to think that he is younger than most of the people in Champion which is just completely erroneous.  He is much older than Faye (Upshaw) Krider, Kaye (Upshaw) Johnston, Carol Cleveland, Wilda Moses and Betty Thomas and certainly much older than the proprietor of Henson’s Store who shares her birthday of January 19^th with such notables as Paul Cezanne, (1839), Edgar Allan Poe (1809), Robert E. Lee (1807), Dolly Parton (1946) and Janis Joplin (1943).  This old fellow will be eligible for the Old Age Pension by the middle of the summer.  Champions already keep their eyes out in case he is on the roads.  In addition to being old, he has a heavy foot they say.

        Another Champion just invested in a GPS system.  Trying to get to Champion the other day, he wound up a couple of miles north in somebody’s driveway.  The thing said, “You have reached your destination.”  It turns out that he hadn’t reached it after all.  It is a lucky thing for him that he is familiar with the area.

         The cold weather of January is hard on the little wild critters.  Wild birds can use some bird seed in feeders on these brutal days and places where there is open unfrozen water is a real resource for them  The bobcats that had their haunts and holes and dens over on Orville’s place will have to relocate if they haven’t already.  The bats and deer and coons and turkeys will all have to find some place else to live.  Neighbors welcome them.  Even when the temperatures are colder it is easier to have a light heart on a sunny day.  Champions know that and are keeping the spirit of fun afloat no mater what the weather.  They are sure that US Service people in dangerous places all over the world have more of a challenge in keeping positive attitudes when they are far away from home and family.  Love and Gratitude is what they have coming from the Nation that asks so much of them.

        An e-mail came from the President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department.  “The guys got our gun,” she says.  “It is again a Mossberg 535 ATS with full turkey choke and fiber optic sites.  It has a 3 ½ inch chamber.  It comes with a cleaning kit and a shell carrier.”  For the past couple of years the Ladies of the Auxiliary have staged a Shoot-Out to bring attention to the gun that they include in part of their annual chili supper fund raiser.  The first year the theme for the shootout was “Blast It If It Doesn’t Work!”  On that occasion they got together and blasted a bunch of old toasters, crock pots and coffee pots.  The next year they awarded prizes for marksmanship and sportsmanship that included the “Whole Shootin Match” Award.  The amount of expended brass was phenomenal and some of the ladies made some good progress toward becoming better shots.  Some of them are ‘dead-eyes’ already and don’t need much practice.  Informal shootouts will be taking place all over the area as the weather warms up and the Ladies vie for prizes to be awarded at the March First Chili Supper.  More musicians are being booked and detailed plans are being made about the food.  Auxiliary members will be making homemade pies to go along with the hot supper.  This annual event is a high point for the area, coming during the cold part of the year when ‘cabin fever’ can be a real issue.  The Skyline Volunteer Fire Department covers an area of approximately 125 square miles.  In spite of some muddy places, the weather has been dry enough that a real fire hazard exists.  As Champions haul ashes out of their stoves they are careful to dispose of them carefully.  The wind has been known to whip up suddenly and brush and grass fires are not at all unheard of this time of the year.

        Birthday Greetings may be channeled through Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  Reports of the antics of the Lunatic Fringe can be e-mailed to Champion News.  Fight the fever down at Henson’s Store where there is a chance to view pictures of the original quilt, “The Bachelor Meets the Old Maid,” and where there will be more information about The Gun.  Champions are well armed overall, which is part of the reason they are always Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—January 14, 2008

        The good news in Champion is that Mrs. Powell is back in her pew and in fine voice!  Moreover, Young Foster was visiting with his Grandparents on Sunday and so  everyone was in a jolly, light hearted mood.  There is nothing like recovered health and irrepressible youth to keep a place lively.

        The Auxiliary ladies were delighted by the “Bachelor Meets the Old Maid” quilt designed and produced by one of its members, Betty Dye.  She brought it to the Auxiliary meeting at Esther Wrinkles house on the 8^th of January.  Pictures of it can be seen at Henson’s Store.  Esther reports that Dennis of the Backyard Bluegrass group had said, “I’d play any time…..for you!”  That means they will join Green Valley Grass at the annual chili supper for the Skyline Fire Department. Somebody is talking about buying a lot of tickets for the quilt on the sly in the name of a particular bachelor.  It is not that anybody particularly wants him to win the quilt, it’s just that they want to hooraw him for the fun of it.  Most likely if he were to win he would just auction it off again.  There was a query the other day about the word “hooraw” used in this context.  To hooraw someone is to tease him, to give him a little grief or hard time in a convivial, friendly kind of way.  Bachelors in Champion have always been good sports about friendly fun.  Ed Henson was one of the Champion hoorawers of all times!  An example of his hoorawing was when he called Louise Hutchison early on Christmas morning every year to ask if her refrigerator was running.  Louise took to being hoorawed pretty easy.  It has been reported that she has been fighting off a cold for some time now.  Champions wish her best of luck in doing so and hope to hear she is better soon. It is understood by all that her refrigerator is still running!

        Neighbors are some of the best things in Champion.  It has always been like that.  Orville Hicks was born and grew up in the first house on the north side of the road going West out of Champion.  He was one of five children and he eventually settled on Cold Springs Road a mile or so north of Champion.  His wife, Ruth, told how their house had been moved down off the hill with eight teams of mules.  During the late seventies they did some upgrading.  Marvin Barnes’ company came out and put a pump in their well, Orville ran the piping into the house and a newcomer neighbor came over to install the water heater and to plumb their new sink.  He asked Orville why he didn’t put in a bathroom too and Orville said, “There are some things you don’t do in the house!”  Now a person can climb the steps to the house but the house has long been gone.  It burned, as vacant houses frequently do around these parts.  As the trucks roll out off of the property everyday now with massive loads of timber soon there will be nothing of the old place that remains the same.  During his lifetime Orville saw many changes, some for the good.  Still, it is hard for some of his neighbors to see the current changes without an amount of biting loneliness for the sweeter old days when things were less convenient.

        One of Orville’s old neighbors, Evelyn Wood, called from California the other day for a pleasant chat.  She comes back to the area from time to time to visit some family here.  She can’t pop in for coffee at every portal where she was a welcome guest in days gone by, but she hits the high spots.  Somebody threatened to get all over her “like white on rice” if she is not in touch next passing.  She allowed as how she will at least phone.  Champions come and go from the area.  It is a given.  Recently Champions did some downsizing of their material goods in preparation to taking smaller quarters.  One of their parents had broken up house keeping as well and the end result of the situation is there are a lot of interesting things that need a home.  Among the lovely items numbers three sets of two glass candy dishes.  Two of the sets are on pedestals and one set might be crystal.  The third set is cut (or perhaps pressed) glass with matching lids. So there are six candy dishes; there are candle holders of various descriptions, and an absolutely enormous clear glass vase.  The thing looks like it would hold two or three gallons!  Amazing.  There is a small birdbath sculpture and a huge wire chicken among other things.  And so, as Champions are such givers, these things are being contributed to the silent auction that will occur at the fire department benefit on the first of March.  Champions are so cool!

        Other neighbors over in Norwood are already planting perennials!  Soon Linda over at the Plant Place will have Cole crops and pansies and what ever the rest of the gardeners need to get their gardens going again to keep themselves eating healthy food.  She is also giving Bridge lessons at The Plant Place on Wednesdays these days and has an interesting group of interested students.  It seems like this is a game that a person can just keep on learning.  Linda has been playing for fifty years (!) and she is still studying.

        The Pentagon says that 22 year old Specialist Todd E. Davis and five other soldiers died when an improvised explosive device went off during combat operations in Sinsil, Iraq, on Wednesday.  Davis was from Raymore, MO.  To his survivors and those of his comrades Champions send their Love and Gratitude for their Service to their Country.

        When a couple of old Champions finished watching Gary Cooper in Sergeant York on a DVD the other day they remarked that the language was kind of rustic.  It makes the people sound ignorant when they say, “Ah was a gonna go to be a doin it, but ah figgered ah would jest as leave be a puttin it off fer another day.”  The ignorant part of that is the procrastination.  The profound lesson to be learned from Sergeant York is anything but ignorant:  that is of service beyond self.  “It kind of gives a view of religion and of patriotism and the idea of a sense of responsibility for ones own condition and a view of the individual as being part of something larger than himself…..It is one of those things that fosters hope that man ‘might not all be a goin to hell in a hand basket directly.’”  Sergeant York was from Tennessee, one of Champions best neighbors.

        Anything that fosters hope of any kind is welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  E-mail pictures of white on rice or bashful bachelors to Champion News.  Reminisce about old Champion neighbors by mail, e-mail or in person at Henson’s Store.  Look at that picture of the Bachelor Meets the Old Maid quilt down there in the Heart of Champion.  Champion has a big heart and it is always Looking on the bright side.

CHAMPION—January 6, 2008

        Excellent good news in Champion is that the bad weather left the community with some much needed moisture and little if any damage.  Tremendous good news is that the bad weather that passed up North West left Johnstons, Kriders, Wisemans, Floyds, Howards , Clines, Alexanders, Hefferns and others closely connected with Champion without injury.  Everyone was not so fortunate.  Champions are big counters of blessings.

        What a jolly place is Champion! It is especially so when Raymond and Esther Howard pay a call from over in Marshfield.  Esther had celebrated her birthday on the third of the month, kicking up heels with the Wisemans and other friends.  Esther has what they call “joie de vivre.”  She can’t help it.  She has always had a spirit of fun about her and a sweet compassionate nature.  When Champion Eva Powell began to feel poorly on Sunday afternoon, Esther was right there with a comforting touch and reassuring words.  She and Raymond are active in their community in the Meals on Wheels program as well as their local Older Americans Center.  Marshfield is a fortunate place to have such residents.  Meanwhile, Mrs. Powell took a ride I one of those fancy busses with the medical staff inside.  She is home now and doing well by all accounts.  Champions hold her in high regard and are optimistic for a speedy and uncomplicated recovery.

        As another year of war in Iraq and Afghanistan gets well underway, Champions send their Love and Gratitude to the 200,000 US Service people who are there and to those in other dangerous places in the world on behalf of their Nation.

         Some Champions enjoyed a good visit with Neighbors from over on Tar Button Road during the week to exchange belated holiday greetings.  There was some interesting time spent pouring over the Golden publication the Expanded and Revised edition of the Guide to Field Identification of North American Birds.  The question was to differentiate between the Sharp Shinned Hawk and the Broad Winged Hawk.  The determination was made and examples related.  It was all very interesting.  Then came the excellent discussions concerning building additions and heating.  Is it better to keep the source of the heat near the center where the plumbing might be protected in the event of a prolonged absence, or out on the perimeter of the space?  Different situations and configurations require different solutions, and a great number of possible scenarios were played out over some good coffee with drawings turned this way and that to add to the laughter and confusion.  Everybody is an expert!

        The Bachelor has met the Old Maid in an original quilt pieced by Betty Dye of Skyline and quilted by her sister Susan Cook.  Skyline VFD Ladies Auxiliary members will get their first chance to view it at their meeting on Tuesday the 8^th of the month.  This quilt will be one of the focal points of the fund raiser that the Auxiliary will sponsor for the Fire Department on the first of March.  Green Valley Grass will be playing for the chili supper and the evening is shaping up to be a grand one because the planning has already begun.  That Auxiliary bunch is on the ball!

        Orville’s barn is in rough shape.  It is loosing its battle with gravity.  This is one of those perfect examples of ‘a stitch in time saves nine.’  What a beautiful barn it was!

        It was built by neighbor, Mr. Southerland, and served its purpose well for many years.  Orville was a nice man.  He grew up in Champion and as so many Champions of his generation was full of pleasant charm and wit.  He was a good neighbor.  It is sad to see our reminders of the past slipping away.  The current Rural Missouri paper put out by Missouri’s Electric Cooperatives has a wonderful article on ‘The long-eared loggers.”

        It tells the story of a family up in Brinktown that still does logging with mules.  Ruth and Orville’s place is being logged, but not in that gentle way and soon Champions will have to work harder to recall the way things were.  Somebody said, “Well, things will just be a new way.”  “Change is not always the harbinger of progress,” says another.

        Politics is a subject that can stir a lot of enthusiasm and rancor even in a peace loving village like Champion. A Champion friend has sent in a piece from a book written by Lee Iacocca who asks, “Where are the curious, creative communicators?  Where are the people of character, courage, conviction, competence, and common sense?”  There are lots of folks like that in Champion, but they mostly are too honest to go into politics.  Even a bootlegger’s family would shy away from that sort of business, not that there are any bootleggers in Champion… anymore. 

       Rear Admiral Upshaw wrote to say, “I was unable to attend the Champion New Year’s Eve celebration for reasons I can only faintly remember.  However, I do know it was cold and our pro temperance chief of police had declared martial law in the downtown Vanzant four city block area.  Festivities here were severely stifled.  But I did sneak outside just as the spotted hog, ball, or rock was being dropped at Champion and I could hear all the cheering.  What a Champion celebration must have been had!”  It is to be noted that the Admiral was in no condition to attend the 2008 New Year’s Day Parade of Champions either.  It was such a cold day that marchers moved quickly.  A cabbage flower fell off the Cold Springs float, but otherwise the Champion Maintenance workers had little to do to clean up afterwards.  “I hope my niece don’t get into any trouble during her probation,” Admiral Upshaw goes on.  So does all of Champion.

        Champion friend Darrell Haden writes with accusations of whimsy!  He indicates that one of his favorite parts of the Champion news from the previous year was the great mystery concerning the disappearance of the Missouri DOT Champion sign and particularly the question which he calls “Zen-like” regarding the remaining (or not) hole.  It reminded him of something written by a guy named Bertholt Brecht: “What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?”  Mr. Brecht must have been eating Swiss cheese.  Mostly Champions are Cheddar eaters.

        Miss Wigglewood from over East is teaching herself the piano and dropped a note to say that Theodore Ralph who put together a book of American songs said, “Betsy and Ike were from Pike County, Missouri” and the song “Sweet Betsy From Pike” became popular in 1851 when wagons full of dreamers crossed the wide prairie during the California Gold rush.  She thinks the song belongs on the Missouri Song List.  It will be number 12.  For a copy of the list inquire at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367 Norwood, MO 65717 or e-mail to Champion News.  Cozy up to the stove in Henson’s Store in downtown Champion to find out what leading Champion is about to have a birthday.  She will be twenty years younger than Esther Howard!  Happy Birthdays happen in Champion where people are “Looking on the Bright Side!”

CHAMPION—December 31, 2007

        Champions are amazed at how small a part of life is taken up by meaningful moments.  Most of them are over before they start.  They cast a light on the future, though, and what takes up the time is the memory of those moments.

        Long time Champion, Esther Wrinkles took a ride down to visit old friends John and Neomi Haskins the other day.  She went with Theresa and Larry on a beautiful drive way down past Squires over near Thornfield out in Ozark County.  Mike and Sandy Haskins were there from Lawson, MO and Larry Haskins who lives nearby as well.  John is a lot of fun, Esther says, and told some good jokes.  They were still laughing about some respectable lady climbing through her own front window.  Esther had brought one of her famous peach cobblers, and Neomi said that she had heard about Esther’s pies for years, but had never had one.  There about erupted a brawl over it with servings dished out before dinner was served and the whole thing pretty much devoured before the visit was over.  John said, “Come back ever chance you get, but don’t come back without one of those cobblers!”

        This will have been one of the memorable Red Neck Parties held out in Champion-West.  Rear Admirable Robert Upshaw was there (out of uniform) in a cowboy hat dangling a corncob pipe and hoorawing a sweet niece who had just been bailed out from an unfortunate scrape with the law.  Since the (rear) Admiral has a great number of nieces, the felon, Miss Demeanor, will be lost in the crowd and while a little leaven will surely leaven the whole lump, Champions are not quick to judge.  They will rather enjoy the speculation about which one it was throughout the year and all the Upshaw nieces will now enjoy an additional air of mystery.

        Family portraits are some of those memorable moments in time.  One has floated on the internet over to Champion.  It has Aaron, Angie, Elizabeth, Sue, Shamus, Bob, Kay, Jacob and Shannon in several different memorable poses.  “Who took the picture?” is the question and “What a beautiful family!” is the exclamation.

        This year 180,000 family portraits are missing a US Service man or woman as they are in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Love and Gratitude are the best gifts they can receive from the Nation which asks that they be in those dangerous places.  As one thousand US Veterans of World War II die every day now, it is to be hoped that those currently serving can come home to live out long and happy lives.

        Harley and Barbara seem to be enjoying their sojourn to the pastoral delights of the relative south.  That is to say, it is more southern than where they live and they have a lot of relatives around Champion as well as cows in the pasture.  In the spinning of yarns Harley let go of one on some family member by blood or by marriage who as a youth joined with other boys to pour whiskey down the gullet of a bad rooster.  The already bad rooster, once drunk, became so fractious as to pick a fight with a fence post.  He lost and lost his life in the process.  It is hard to tell if that is a cautionary tale.  Meanwhile, Barbara is most excited about the New Years Day Parade of Champions.  She will forgo the coonskin hat as seen at the Thanksgiving Day Parade and will be wearing a new iridescent blue-green goose-down jacket with fur trim on the hood.  The fur is too light in color to be coon, so some other hapless beast has lost its hide to satisfy Barbara’s fashion whims, not to mention the poor geese.  A full accounting of the New Years Day Parade of Champions will be forthcoming.  The weather promises to be so cold that a rooster would have to be drunk to get out in it.  Proprietors of Henson’s Emporium on the Square were heard to remark that the detritus from the Christmas Parade was significant.  It took no small amount of cleaning to right things again in Champion.

        The Missouri Song list has been neglected of late so Robert Burns’ poem Auld Lang Syne published in 1796, will fit in nicely as Champions are want to hearken back to ‘Old Long Ago.”  The English translation of the old Scottish poem:  “Should old acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind Should old acquaintance be forgot, And days of long ago.  For old long ago, my dear, for old long ago, We’ll take a cup of kindness yet For old long ago.  We two have run about the hillsides And pulled the daisies fine, But we have wandered many a weary foot For old long ago.  We two have paddled in the stream From noon until dinner time, But seas between us broad have roared Since old long ago.  And there is a hand, my trusty friend, And give us a had of yours, and we will take a goodwill draught, For old long ago.  And surely you will pay for your pint, And I will pay for mine And we’ll take a cup of kindness yet For old long ago.”  There has long been confusion about the song and its title.  Some know it as Auld Lang Syne, others as Old Langs Sign, and still others as Ol’ Hank’s High.  However it is known, Champions will embrace it and not subscribe to “Out with the Old and in with the New.”  Certainly, the New is welcome, but the Old Days and the Old Ways are great friends to Champion and won’t be abandoned for anything new fangled.  (“Fangled” means having fangs!)

        Some New Year’s Resolutions will already have been broken by the time the ink is dry on this week’s Herald.  2008 will see Champions in all sorts of circumstances– visiting with old friends and new ones, running into Homesteaders in town, hanging out with the Red Necks and in scrapes with the law, taking family portraits and marching in parades.  They’ll be singing new songs and old songs.  It’s a Wonderful Life in Champion.  Share any meaningful moments of it at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  Parade pictures are welcome at Champion News. Visit Henson’s Store in the Historic Downtown and see Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—December 24, 2007

        Astronomical observations are all the talk in Champion with the rarity of the full moon (The Long Night Moon) falling on Christmas Eve and the close proximity of Mars in all its red brilliance.  The sparseness of the population and the relative lack of light pollution make the night sky more visible to Champions than to, say New Yorkers!  That is just one of the many advantages of this beautiful part of the world.

        Many people are on the move this week.  Harley and Barbra Krider will be down from Illinois to visit family and friends and to look in on their cattle operation.  Hopefully their granddaughters, Elizabeth and Alexandria will be with them and that will be good news for Dillon and Dakota Watts who will be over from Tennessee with their Mother, Linda Krider Watts.  The whole bunch will be getting together and they all recognize the preciousness of those family times.

        Not all of the Hamilton brood will be at one table this Christmas.  They were able to all be together for Thanksgiving, however, and so being spread out across this country and other countries at this time will not be too hard on them.  Lots of families are scattered and sometimes uncontrollable circumstances keep them apart during the holidays.  The trick to getting through what could be a depressing time for many is to be aware of those priceless moments when they are happening and to Celebrate Family and Friends at every available opportunity.  If everybody waits until Christmas to express affection…some might loose out!  The Champion Way is to just let loose with the love year-round….  Love and Gratitude are the watch words in Champion.  At this time of the year and all year long Champions appreciate the service and sacrifice of those in the US Military and the families they leave behind as they do what is asked of them in the dangerous places of the world.

        On Christmas Eve morning some Champions watched out their kitchen window as a “Sharp-shinned” hawk killed a blue-jay on the ground and then flew off with it.  It was like something out of the “Wild Kingdom” TV show.  Champion is a Wild and Wonderful place!  It is also quite a deferential place and so when Santa’s schedule is made known with all the appearances in departments stores and Christmas Parades around the country, Champion is pleased to be last and to catch the old fellow on his way home on Christmas morning.  His appearance is no more than a nod and a wink at the annual Champion Christmas Parade, but the parade itself is hardly more than that.  He’s tired and ready for a rest from the whole thing and particularly from the endless claims of ‘goodness’ from, well, you know who you are.

        Champion’s friend, Darrell Haden, from over in Tennessee has sent a lovely Christmas card with pictures from their visit here last fall.  While the township is not so large, the spirit of the ‘village’ spreads far and wide.  Champion’s Oklahoma friends have been having a hard weather time over there.  They have Champion good wishes for a speedy recovery and restoration to a better situation.

        The Skyline Volunteer Fire Department had another class last week end, this time in ‘extrication.’  They learned how to use their new ‘jaws of life’ apparatus and in the process chewed up several cars.  The class was well attended and hopefully a good report will be made about it soon.  Some of those same nice firefighters from over in Ozark who attended the auto fire class a couple of weeks ago came.  It has also been learned that Betty Dye attended the class and took good notes and good photos. Betty is also making a quilt for the Auxiliary Chili Supper which will be held the First of March.  It’s a busy life for community minded people!  Such an asset!

        “What ‘sailors’?” someone asked about the reported rowdy Wassailors and Christmas Carolers described last week.  “Does Champion have a Navy too?”  Unless and until the Spring rains come, there won’t be enough water to float a boat if the Champion Navy existed and had a boat.  Clever Creek has long been underground and Fox Creek only runs big when it rains now.  It does run into the Bryant though, which runs into the White River and that into ….well a person might eventually get to the ocean. Distinguished Denlow University Alumni and a former member of the US Air Force, Robert Upshaw, might well be the Rear Admiral of the Champion Navy since he claims to have seen the Ocean one time.  He hasn’t said which one.  He may not even know that there is more than one, however, any further inquires about the matter may be addressed to him.  He is quite nautical.  A CPC member said that most of the floating done around here is connected with the frequent parades.  One local gardener still has some beautiful ornamental cabbages blooming and would sacrifice them to a float for the Champion New Year’s Day Parade though she won’t be able to attend on account of having to keep the fire going under the black eyed peas all day.  Someone answered the question about why people eat black eyed peas on New Years Day by saying, “It means that you will eat at least that well all year.”

        It is a sure bet that there will be lots of good cooking going on over at Esther Wrinkles’ house through the holidays.  That is a family that enjoys its time together and knows how to show it.  The pies will be popping out of the oven and the love and laughter will keep the place jumping.

        Sure bets, New Years Resolutions and reports of good holiday cheer may be sent to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  E-mail any kind of good news or fantastic examples of nature to Champion News.  Stroll into the Village and spend some time at Henson’s Store.  It is on the North Side of the Square with its back to the cold wind and its Friendly Hospitality wide open All Year.  Happy New Year from Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—December 16, 2007

        When the sun came out on Sunday in Champion and shone dazzlingly on the bright white snow, Champion hearts and spirits swelled and soared!  The question, “Who doesn’t like a week-long 34 degree rain?” can go unanswered.  The snow was enough to satisfy the desires of most children without making too much mess for the rest of the population.

        A Christmas note from a notable Champion says that “Old timers long ago referred to Champion as ‘the Village.’  Locals would refer to it as going down to the Village.”  It would be interesting to know what Christmas was like for the Champion Villagers in those days gone by.  The emphasis was most likely on the same things that are considered important in Champion today, that is, family and friends.

        AChampion from just over east of Fox Creek sent pictures of the fall’s amazing huge Spinach leaves and of an exotic night blooming cirrus.  She is the daughter of Grace and a transplant herself, like most here.  Linda at the Plant Place over in Norwood still has tulips bulbs and allows that they can be planted as long as the ground isn’t frozen.  It would seem that the Champion Planning Commission/Parade Committee will not have been able to get the Champion Time Capsule Project together before the ground freezes and it appears that the Christmas Parade is slated to be a low key affair so as not to spark the interest of certain Spotted Hogs.  The Committee is being urged to let bygones be bygones and not to abandon the spirit of fun for the sake of dread or reprisal.  It is not in keeping with the Season.  Christmas Carolers and Wasailors are more the order of the day.

        The schools are about to let go of their charges and the countryside will soon be overrun with modern day versions of ‘skinner wheels’ and the same kind of jolly ruckus that has hit these hills this time of the year since this country was first settled.  Some things don’t really change and many of those are the good things.

        As the number of US Military fatalities in Iraq approaches 4,000 and the number of wounded there passes 40,000 it is good to remember that those people are Champions whose Service to their Nation requires the Nation’s Love and Gratitude.

        One Champion is already making New Year’s Resolutions.  “I’m just going to try to be nicer to people.”  That’s a lofty goal.  Lofty goals, Christmas lists, and the names of those who do like a week-long 34 degree rain are welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  Reports of any kind of ruckus whether made be school children on holiday or rowdy Wasailors can be e-mailed to Champion News.  A trip down to the Village is a charming excursion any time and any time spent with the charming proprietor of Henson’s Store is time well spent.  The festive atmosphere, the cozy fire, the community news and pleasant banter are delights that endure the year through in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side.

CHAMPION–December 9,2007

        Champions just love the weather no matter what it is doing.  The good rain may help fill Harley’s pond which will be a good thing for the cattle.  The overall dreariness just goes to remind the community that the beauty of the place is largely a matter of perspective.  Mud, mud glorious mud!  There will be a dry day in the future when today’s sloppy mud will look wonderful.  The Christmas decorations all over down town Champion look so much brighter and more cherry through a cold drizzle!

        Other good news is that young Foster has the cast off his leg and seems to be doing fine.  His old Granddad had a birthday last week and it went by without much fanfare.  After so many they don’t seem to get much attention.  There was another very sweet and rowdy little guy by the name of Rowdy at the benefit that was held for Lannie Hinote on the First of the month.  He is in the neighborhood of two years old and is just loaded with beautiful Grandmothers….two of whom are named Sharon.  There were great grandmothers, aunts, uncles, grandpas and a bunch of friends all of whom put together could hardly keep up with him through the course of the evening.  It will be an exciting proposition to watch him grow up! One of these days he’ll be in Lannie’s eight grade class, and then he will have met his match!  In the area of excitement the World Wide Web has been a buzz with request to view the “whirley blurs” on the night of the benefit that were Clayton and Robert in their wild rendition of what must have been the rain dance that brought this weather to the region.  That evening is still a bright topic of conversation in the community.  Anyone wishing to participate in the good time that comes from giving back can still do so by contacting Helen at Skyline School at 683-4874 or at Rt. 2, Box 486, Norwood, MO 65717. 

        It is good to see that the US Service personnel serving in dangerous places around the world are being remembered by their countrymen and women back home.  The letter writing campaigns and the packages that go out to them are lifelines to home for them.  Just a Christmas card means so much.  Champion’s soldier is SSG Raul Moreno.  He is at 4-319^th  / TR SABER / FOB NARAY / APO 09354.  He has been serving in Afghanistan near the Pakistan border for a long time.  He is a real Champion.  So are they all and they all have the Love and Gratitude of their Nation due them.

        The flood of suggestions concerning the Champion Time Capsule is being sorted out by the Champion Planning Commission.  What to bury, where to bury it, and the duration of it’s burial are all being hashed out.  Some are adamant that it should be more ‘capsule’ like and not look so much like a coffin which was the look of the affair buried on the courthouse grounds in Ava last week.  “It looked like a cemetery vault!” someone said.  This person is more in favor of something like a coffee can.  Another Champion thinks probably there are some time capsules already buried around and people have just forgotten where they are.  It sounds like something that Ed Henson and Furley Lambert might have done.  “Reckon where they’d a put ‘em?”  Speculation is rampant and the Commission is requesting that anyone who is prospecting for forgotten time capsules should get permission from the land owner before digging and in the event that the search is fruitless, please fill the hole back in and if it is not in an inconvenient place, perhaps plant a tree in it.  The Conservation Department has plenty of young trees to share.

        Good ideas are welcome at Champion Items,  Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  Any recollections about past time capsules are welcome at Champion News.  Belated birthday wishes to prominent Champions can be dropped off at Henson’s Store where the ambient mood is Cheerful, Festive, and Optimistic.  Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—December 3, 2007

        When Champions rally for a good cause it is always a splendid occasion.  So it was on Saturday the first of December when people gathered from surrounding communities for the benefit of Skyline teacher, Lannie Hinote.  It was a very entertaining evening and by the time it was over event organizer, Sharon Woods, had transformed herself into a first class auctioneer.  With lines like, “It’s only money,” and “You know he’s going to bid again,” she was able to draw top dollar for the many items on the block.  Those things included a great number of pies and cakes donated by Lannies host of friends, her family, and so many members of the community who just recognize her contribution to the future and understand the difficulties she is facing.  Additionally merchants from Champion to Cabool, including Ava, Norwood, and Mountain Grove, contributed goods and services that Sharon deftly parleyed into money.

        Young Doug Dobbs, a Skyline fifth grader, was the lucky ticket holder who won the pony donated by Buzz Woods.  Arlene Petty who lives down the hill over on the Bryant donated a beautiful patriotic quilt which was also disposed of in a drawing.  There were door prizes on top of a hearty bowl of chili—an all around good deal.  Lannie was surrounded all evening by well wishers, friends and family.

        During an intermission in the auction, the popular bluegrass group, The Kellys, from Norwood entertained.  They have all know Lannie and the Hinotes for years.  (That sounds like another singing group!)  They did a variety of tunes including some favorite sacred songs, some hot standard bluegrass, and some original pieces like “Whooptee Do!” written and performed by Bridget (Kelly) Lawson.  When Clayton called from the stage for bids to see him dance with Robert Upshaw, the auction was closed in a matter of a few short minutes!  Robert barely had time to get his boots off and his pink and white crochet hat on before the capers started!  All attempted photos came out a blur!  They are spectacular photos, however, and available for view by request at Champion News.

        There is a Champion who wants to know who donated the pink portable sewing machine to the silent auction.  It is quite a substantial piece of machinery and the new owner is interested in its history.  Please e-mail or drop a note to Champion Items, Box 367, Norwood 65717 with any information about it.  Anyone wishing to participate in this wonderful benefit after the fact can contact Helen at Skyline at 683-4874 or at Skyline School, Rt. 2, B ox 486, Norwood, MO 65717.

        On Sunday afternoon young Foster handed his Granddad a stick and said, “Let’s go hunting, Granddad.”  His Granddad said “OK,” and asked what they would be hunting.  “Deer and moose!”  So off they went and Foster called out “Goodbye, everybody!  We’re going hunting!”  Soon they were way out in the Pretend Woods and Foster saw a big one!  “Pow Pow!” he shot.  His Granddad said, “Well, now that you’ve killed it, how are we going to get it out of these woods?”  Pretty soon they sat down on some pretend logs to think about it and decided to sing a song instead.  It was quite a successful hunting trip anyway you look at it.  Some Champions looked at it through the moist eyes of sentimental grandparents.  So sweet!

        Friday and Saturday the 1^st of December, the Skyline VFD hosted a class on Vehicle Fire Fighting.  It was quite a big deal and drew firefighters from all around.  It turns out that one of the Ozark Firefighters who came over for the class has a Champion connection!  His cousin is Charlee Smith.  He was ‘wowed’ to hear of her hunting exploits, but was not surprised.  Champion observers were ‘wowed’ by the scope and quality of the class presented by a professional firefighter out of Jefferson City.  Saturday was a cold, windy day and the volunteers might well have enjoyed being inside watching football.  In stead they endured the conditions to take advantage of the situation to gain the knowledge necessary to keep the community safe.  They are all Champions!

        Another Champion is Specialist Kyle Reece, 24, who died in a vehicle damaged by an improvised explosive device in Baghdad.  His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Parachutist’s Badge.  He is survived by parents, a wife and two children.  They are all Champions and have the Love and Gratitude of their Nation.

        It was with no small sense of chagrin that certain Champions realized that the ‘time capsule’ that was put together by the Douglas County Sesquicentennial group over in Ava for the Bicentennial Celebration to be held there in 2057, had found its way into the ground with no article representative of the Champion Spirit!  Alas!  Busy Champions say that the philanthropic fervor of citizenry obscured the calendar and allowed that ship to sail without them.  The CPC (Champion Parade Committee a.k.a. Champion Planning Commission) has been called upon to take the matter under advisement toward the end of a possible Champion Time Capsule.  Champions are urged to voice opinions on the matter, or to offer suggestions  by the US Postal Service or by e-mail.  They can be dropped off or spouted off at Henson’s Store on the North Side of the Square where refugees from Spotted Hog or Homesteaders are welcome anytime to watch civic zeal in its purest form.  Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!