DreamWorks

CHAMPION—May 7, 2007

        Good news in Champion takes many forms.  Just now there is much Gratitude that former Champion and good neighbor, Ms. Vivian Floyd was not hurt worse than she was in a traffic mishap last week.  She was a passenger in a vehicle that was struck by a driver running a red light.  She is quite bruised and battered from the seat belt and air bag, but is making a good recovery at home.  Lonnie Mears is also on the mend from an eye surgery that will keep him rather subdued for a couple of weeks.  Champion friends and family send them both best wishes for a quick return to their Good Health and Vigor.  The Herald’s Ms. Fish, the Champion Editor has had a bout with the strep throat which it is hoped she has summarily conquered.

        There was a meeting held on Sunday of the former students of the Denlow School.  Attending were Robert and Sharon Upshaw, Richard and Kaye Johnson, Faye Krider, Cleetus Upshaw and a number of others.  A Denlow School Reunion is being planned for Saturday the 26^th of May.  It will start about ten in the morning.  There will be more information concerning this event as the date draws nearer.  Anything that gets Cleetus Upshaw back in the neighborhood is a welcome event.  He is a repository of yarns and local history that needs a good plumbing!  Moreover, he has far and away the most nominations for Grand Marshall of the Champion Parade Committee.

        The Ladies Auxiliary of the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department will meet again on Tuesday the 8^th of May at the Wagon Wheel Bluegrass Park.  They will be making further plans for their participation in the Home Coming Bluegrass Festival being presented by Duke and Connie McIntosh the first week end in June.  The Auxiliary will be providing the food concession for the festival.  It will be a lot of work, but it will be an opportunity to be of help to Duke and Connie who always support the Skyline Fire Department.  Proceeds from the food concession will go to the Fire Department and hopefully the event will mark the beginning of a long and mutually profitable association.

        The good Tennessee Turkey report is that Grandchildren, Dakota and Dillon got their turkeys over the last week end.  Dakota shot his on Saturday and Dillon got his Sunday morning.  Now everyone in that clan has a turkey except Staci.  Someone looked over at Dustin and said with a grin, “Aw, Staci’s got a Turkey alright.”  Dustin’s laugh was the heartiest, so no harm was done by the so called quick-witted observer.  She was just back from Texas where Zoey Louise and Alexandra Jean kept her entertained for a few days.  A.J. is about to take her first step and Zoey is about to drive her old Grannie to distraction with some unruly three and a half year old behavior.  They will work it out over time, surely.

        Someone asked if that new out-house that almost caused the sad end of its builder was finished in time for the company to arrive in Champion.  It was reported that the facility was completed with landscaping and every convenience except a roof.  While the alfresco affair makes for lovely bird watching, it was not very handy during the rain that accompanied most of the visit of the long anticipated guest.  “Don’t worry,” said the Champion to the Guest, “it will get better.”  Champions always have a Sunny Outlook.

        With all the report of the pie supper benefit for Rita and Larry Hicks, someone asked how much the pies brought.  Esther Wrinkle’s coconut cream brought $75.00 and her gooseberry pie brought $45.00.  There were some others that brought as much as $50.00 and $60.00 and quite a number in the $25.00 to $35.00 range. Anyone with more information about this is welcome to pass it along.  A lovely e-mail came to the Champion mail box from Judith Sharon:  “I very much appreciate knowing  about how the quilt that I won, (I couldn’t believe it!) was put together and I thank the kind ladies that made it for the raffle.  How lucky can I be!  I also enjoy reading your column.  It makes me want to be part of your community : ->.  Thank you to Mrs. Violet Melton and to Corrine Rogers for this beautiful quilt.  They did a wonderful job and I will treasure it.  You have a wonderful bunch of Champions there.”  It is agreed.

        Another e-mail to Champion comes from novelist, Judy Ing, who is a native of Amarillo, Texas and an infrequent visitor to the Champion community.  She says: “I have been enjoying the Champion articles although I don’t know the Krider family or their beaus. It must keep you hopping going to all those silent auctions, quilt showings, etc.  Hope it doesn’t cut into your bridge playing.  Keep ‘em coming.  Love the advice from George(Washington), Richard (Saunders) and Twain, always.”  As per Ms. Ing’s request, George Washington’s sixth rule was “Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop.”

        Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood informs that the 10^th and 11^th will be good for planting late root crops and vine crops as well as for setting strawberry plants.  The 12^th to the 14^th will be poor planting days, but the 15^th and 16^th will be very fruitful days.  Linda has some of the prettiest impatiens around and a good variety of healthy tomato plants.  All this rain and cloudy weather is good for the gardens and some of those people who routinely put things off until it’s too late to accomplish anything are up and moving around finally.  Maybe James Brixey’s version of the “No Till” song will turn up before gardening season is over.  More attention will be paid to the Missouri Song List when there is a break from the garden.  A Champion was talking about S.T. Latent and said that he was about the laziest gardener around.  He was pretty good at harvesting other peoples hard work, they say, and there was reported some significant ruckus between him and his sister over this very thing.  Chimera Bea (Chimmey) would hoe a garden like she was killing rattle snakes.  She kept her jaw clenched and her eyes squinted and seemed to hate everything she did out in the garden.  She was generous with her neighbors though if she thought they needed help and appreciated it.  However, if anybody thought they would get the best of her in a trade or take advantage of her in any way she would turn on them.  She could be pretty “snarley.” S.T. was lazy and fairly no good by most accounts, but thanks to his twin, he was an excellent sprinter and could dodge a thrown stone like he had built in sonar.  The Champion informer thinks he might have joined the Navy in WW II.  It was said that Squander T. Latent was like a sundial in the shade.

        A week has seen many changes in the country side.  The trees are finally filling in and some of the things that were presumed to have been lost to the freeze are making their come-back.  It just takes Patience to be friends with Nature.  It will take Patience and Love to support the survivors of the US Service People who have lost their lives in Iraq.  At the end of April there were a total of 3,346 who fell in that category.  The end of the first week in May will bring the total to 3,362 plus fifteen additional deaths awaiting Department of Defense Confirmation.  That makes 3,377.  There will always be a large requirement for Love and Gratitude.

        Anyone wishing to Talk Turkey, sign up for the Champion Parade Committee, nominate a Grand Marshall for that Committee or to pursue the Exploratory Committee for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Champion is welcome to do so at Champion Items, Rt.2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  E-mail concerning those things or gardening tips, songs for the Missouri Song List, advice from notable persons, or any kind of pertinent admonition is welcome at Champion News.  Henson’s Store in Historic Downtown Champion will also accept any input for the Champion Items providing it is of a cheerful nature.  CHAMPION—LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

CHAMPION—April 30, 2007

        Champion is again in the spotlight!  Early last week customers at Henson’s Store on Main Street were surprised to find a film crew there.  There were interviews with various local people as a video was made of the store inside and out.  Over the years Champion and Henson’s Store have been featured in a number of publications including The White River Electric Co-Op paper, Rural Missouri, National Geographic, as well as others.  This group is making a documentary which will be called Old Stores and Old Stories or vice versa, Old Stories and Old Stores.  One of the visitors involved in the project is the granddaughter of Albert E. Brumley who is reported to have written more that eight hundred sacred songs including I’ll Fly Away and Turn Your Radio On.  This is some good quality attention that reminds Champions that they live in a very Special Place.

        Music was a key part of a lovely Saturday evening at the Skyline School where neighbors gathered on the 21^st  to support the Rita and Larry Hicks family which is experiencing some large medical expenses.  After enjoying a fine bowl of chili, attendees repaired to the gym where several groups entertained.  Bill Conley an Ozark String Band, Kirby Clark, and Back Yard Bluegrass were the groups advertised and they were joined by a number of others including yodeler, Ms. Eula Lakey.  A pair of young fiddlers also appeared in their black cowboy hats and executed a fine rendition of the tune Red Wing as well as a number of other fiddle tunes.  As they exited the building through the throngs in the hall someone said, “One of these days we will wish we had stopped them for an autograph.”  The music was interrupted from time to time while Zack Kelly auctioned off the pies that friends and neighbors had brought in.  The food was excellent, the entertainment sublime, and the community spirit just what has come to be expected from Champions and their sweet neighbors.  It takes a lot of hard work to pull off one of these affairs and it is a delight to be associated with the old timers and new comers who have the will to get things done.  If the willingness of good hearts could HEAL Champion would be the Center of The Universe!  Mrs. Violet Melton, made the beautiful cross stitched Rose Quilt that was on display that evening.  It is a very well executed piece set in a tasteful border of subtle colors.  The quilting was done by Corinne Rodgers of Vanzant.  It is machine quilted in a rose pattern.  It is meticulously done and a fine keepsake it will be for Judy Sharon of Ava who won the quilt in the drawing!  The ticket was sold to her by good neighbor and friend,  Carol Tharp.  Ms. Sharon will count her Lucky Stars for friends!  She does already, because she, who is an excellent quilter herself, also is the Exemplification of Friendship.

        The whole World is in Trouble.  Beaus and Spouses of some of the Krider daughters have spent a phenomenal number of shotgun shells in the harvest of a few Sad Turkeys.  It took six shells between two of them to bring down a turkey that had half a dozen pellets in it when it was all said and done with.  Those Turkeys are not Sad.  They are Dead.  (The Sad ones are those left behind.)  Moreover , with trophies uncountable,  these hunters can hardly calculate the price per pound of turkey.  Is it Hunting?  A Sport? A Hobby?  It’s like the wizened Father In Law related in a story lately about the man who had decided to save money by heating with wood.  First he had to buy a stove that cost about $400.00.  Then he needed a chain saw, some splitting wedges and a maul that together cost about another $300.00 to $400.00.  Then he needed a truck.  A real truck cost at least $25,000.00.  Well, there may be a moral to this story about spending to save, but maybe not.  It was reported that a Church service over in Champion  (Proper!) broke up in gun fire on Earth Day!  Sentiments run high in these parts and it’s kind of hard to tell.  Turkey hunters are fine people, however,  and the Champion community embraces them with History, Hospitality and Humor.  The three H’s.

        George Washington  (George the First of the U.S.)  copied 110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation and the 6^th one was: “Sleep not when others Speak.  Sit not when others Stand.  Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop.”

        Concerning the speculation about Ben Franklin, it turns out, according to the Pennsylvania Gazette, that Richard Saunders, who was married to Bridget, was the pen name of Ben Franklin and he (Franklin) really did write Poor Richard’s Almanak.  He said some interesting things like, “There’s none deceived, but he that trusts.”  Matthew Henry said, “If truth is once deserted, unity and peace will not last long.”

        Mark Twain said something to the effect that “A Lie can travel around the world before the Truth can get it’s shoes on.”  The year he was born, Halley’s Comet passed over.  Twain vowed that he would not die until he saw the famous comet.  It passed over on April 20^th, 1910 and Twain died the next day at 6:30 p.m.  All this is brought to mind on account of the news reported in the Looking Backward column in the Herald from 100 years ago when everyone was glad that the Marchette comet that had been recently observed by Prof. Matteucci, the Italian astronomer, did not crash into the World and to quote the columnist of the day: “We’re still permitted to eat our little dirty bite three times a day.”  A reasonably exhaustive search of the Internet did not turn up any significant information about the Astronomer or the Comet.  A Champion does recall that her Aunt Auddie, years ago,  said that when she was a kid she and all her family bathed and dressed in their finest and went out and sat in chairs in the front yard waiting for the End of the World. It was in the 1920’s.  She didn’t say what it was like when the World didn’t end, but life was never easy for those folks.  This seems kind of funny now, but people were genuinely frightened then just as many are today.  The advantage of today is that more reliable information is available, Matteucci or the Marchette Comet notwithstanding.  None of this relates to the current issue of Global Warming or the threat of Nuclear Annihilation.  The Supreme Court of the United States has recently made a ruling that the Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for regulating the greenhouse gasses that are effecting climate change.  Champions will most likely vote down any proposal for a nuclear power plant in the neighborhood.

        It was a busy week for the Skyline Fire Department.  It’s members were some of the first to arrive at the crash site when the plane went down over on the Trappist Abbey Monastery property on Monday the 16^th.  After the survivor made his phone call and a resident from the area who saw the plane go down called the sheriff’s office,  Skyline Firefighters aided by the Air Evac Helicopter located the downed plane and effected the extraction of the injured man and the fatally injured man.  Ultimately there were a number of teams on the scene.  A cooperative effort is always the key to the best outcome.  The next day the Skyline Firefighters were called to a  hunting accident that resulted in the serious injury of a local hunter.  He is making a good recovery, though the wounds of him who pulled the trigger will be slower in healing.  There is much Love and Gratitude that things are not nearly as bad as they could have been.  The Skyline-Champion community is a fortunate place.

        Wilma and Jack Howard of Marshfield used to milk cows.  They don’t do that any more so they are free to go out to breakfast on a Sunday morning and then for a drive that brings them all the way down to Champion.  Their little friend, Foster Wiseman, was also in the neighborhood and was pleased to report having recently seen a goose!  Two Canadian geese had landed in his Grandmother’s yard and it was a treat for him to get acquainted with them.  He likes baby chickens too.

        Hummingbirds are buzzing about Champion again and that is a real sign of  Spring.  Still the damage caused by the recent hard freeze is evident and will be for a while.  Gardens are going in and the World just keeps spinning around.  Over on the other side of it U.S. Military Service People are doing what they are being required to do. During the month of April more than 100 US troops lost their lives, which brings the total up to 3,346 which means that a great number were seriously injured.  This does not count for the psychological damage that will show up later, after the hope of help from the Service and the Veterans organizations is exhausted.  Champions all over the Country will have to step up with patience and understanding  together with Love and Gratitude in the years to come, recognizing that all injuries can’t be sewn up and bandaged.

        Mail to Champion Items last  week included a note from one of Champion’s favorite eagle watchers together with story complete with photographs about bald eagles swimming!  The National Bird is versatile. Anyone with something to Spotlight,  candidates for the Missouri Song List or the Champion Exploratory Committee, descriptions of lovely quilts, lovely friends, lovely neighbors, flora or fauna (including versatile birds,  turkeys and hummingbirds), astronomical observations, or any kind of reminiscence about the old days around here is welcome to send it to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or to e-mail the information to Champion News.  The information can also be left at Henson’s Store on Main Street in Champion if there is not too much hectic congestion there from paparazzi.  CHAMPION—LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

CHAMPION—April 22, 2007

        Champion is again in the spotlight!  Early last week customers at Henson’s Store on Main Street were surprised to find a film crew there.  There were interviews with various local people as a video was made of the store inside and out.  Over the years Champion and Henson’s Store have been featured in a number of publications including The White River Electric Co-Op paper, Rural Missouri, National Geographic, as well as others.  This group is making a documentary which will be called Old Stores and Old Stories or vice versa, Old Stories and Old Stores.  One of the visitors involved in the project is the granddaughter of Albert E. Brumley who is reported to have written more that eight hundred sacred songs including I’ll Fly Away and Turn Your Radio On.  This is some good quality attention that reminds Champions that they live in a very Special Place.

        Music was a key part of a lovely Saturday evening at the Skyline School where neighbors gathered to support the Rita and Larry Hicks family which is experiencing some large medical expenses.  After enjoying a fine bowl of chili, attendees repaired to the gym where several groups entertained.  Bill Conley an Ozark String Band, Kirby Clark, and Back Yard Bluegrass were the groups advertised and they were joined by a number of others.  People were drawn away from the silent auction being held in the school’s hallway by the lovely yodeling of  Ms. Eula Lakey.  A pair of young fiddlers also appeared in their black cowboy hats and executed a fine rendition of the tune Red Wing as well as a number of other fiddle tunes.  As they exited the building through the throngs in the hall someone said, “One of these days we will wish we had stopped them for an autograph.”  The music was interrupted from time to time while Zack Kelly auctioned off the pies that friends and neighbors had brought in.  Esther Wrinkles coconut cream pie went for $75.00 and her gooseberry pie went for $45.00.  The bidding was exciting and heated at times.  The silent auction also enjoyed some competitive bidding and brought in a tidy sum.  A complete copy of the recent Champion Items (8-28-06 to 4-15-07) brought $15.00, and a painted cow skull donated by Lyle Luellen brought $35.00.  There were bamboo wind chimes, a Gateway computer (reconfigured and set up by Michael Griswold), and a beautiful geranium donated by Linda over at the Plant Place in Norwood.  The food was excellent, the entertainment sublime, and the community spirit just what has come to be expected from Champions and their sweet neighbors.  It takes a lot of hard work to pull off one of these affairs and it is a delight to be associated with the old timers and newcomers who have the will to get things done.  If the willingness of good hearts could HEAL Champion would be the Center of The Universe!  As it is, If More Help is Available for the Hicks family, Dale Melton (417-926-6206) is the Community Huckleberry in this matter.  His Mother, Mrs. Violet Melton, made the beautiful cross stitched Rose Quilt that was on display that evening.  It is a very well executed piece set in a tasteful border of subtle colors.  The quilting was done by Corinne Rodgers of Vanzant.  It is machine quilted in a rose pattern.  It is meticulously done and a fine keepsake it will be for Judy Sharon of Ava who won the quilt in the drawing!  The ticket was sold to her by good neighbor and friend, Carol Tharp, and when she sees it, Ms. Sharon will count her Lucky Stars for friends!  She does already, because she, who is an excellent quilter herself, also is the Exemplification of Friendship.

        The whole World is in Trouble.  Beaus and Spouses of some of the Krider daughters have spent a phenomenal number of shotgun shells in the harvest of a few Sad Turkeys.  It took six shells between two of them to bring down a turkey that had half a dozen pellets in it when it was all said and done with.  Those Turkeys are not Sad.  They are Dead.  (The Sad ones are those left behind.)  Moreover , with trophies uncountable, these hunters can hardly calculate the price per pound of turkey.  Is it Hunting?  A Sport?  A Hobby?  It’s like the wizened Father In Law related in a story lately about the man who had decided to save money by heating with wood.  First he had to buy a stove that cost about $400.00.  Then he needed a chain saw, some splitting wedges and a maul that together cost about another $300.00 to $400.00.  Then he needed a truck.  A real truck cost at least $25,000.00.  Well, there may be a moral to this story about spending to save, but maybe not.  It was reported that a Church service over in Champion (Proper!) broke up in gun fire on Earth Day!  Sentiments run high in these parts and it’s kind of hard to tell.  Turkey hunters are fine people, however, and the Champion community embraces them with History, Hospitality and Humor.  The three H’s.

        It kind of reminds one of the three R’s.  That’s not ‘readin’, rightin’, and rithmatick, but Richard I, II, and III.  Richard III (Richard the Third) by Shakespeare is quite a tale!  It tells the story of a jealous brother who usurped his brother’s throne by ill and nefarious means.  He came to a bad end.  Well, perhaps that is a story for a future column.  George Washington is the current interest.  (George the First of the U.S.) copied 110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation and the 6^th one was: “Sleep not when others Speak.  Sit not when others Stand.  Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop.”

        Concerning the speculation about Ben Franklin, it turns out, according to the Pennsylvania Gazette, that Richard Saunders, who was married to Bridget, was the pen name of Ben Franklin and he (Franklin) really did write Poor Richard’s Almanak.  Saunders was not one of the three Richards alluded to in the previous paragraph.  He did say some interesting things though, for instance: “There’s none deceived, but he that trusts.”  Matthew Henry said, “If truth is once deserted, unity and peace will not last long.”

        Mark Twain said something to the effect that “A Lie can travel around the world before the Truth can get it’s shoes on.”  The year he was born, Halley’s Comet passed over.  Twain vowed that he would not die until he saw the famous comet.  The Comet passed over on April 20^th, 1910 and Twain died the next day at 6:30 p.m.  All this is brought to mind on account of the news reported in the Looking Backward column in the Herald from 100 years ago when everyone was glad that the Marchette comet that had been recently observed by Prof. Matteucci, the Italian astronomer, did not crash into the World and to quote the columnist of the day, “We’re still permitted to eat our little dirty bite three times a day.”  A reasonably exhaustive search of the Internet did not turn up any significant information about the Astronomer or the Comet.  A Champion does recall that her Aunt Auddie, years ago, said that when she was a kid she and all her family bathed and dressed in their finest and went out and sat in chairs in the front yard waiting for the End of the World.  It was in the 1920’s.  She didn’t say what it was like when the World didn’t end, but life was never easy for those folks.  This seems kind of funny now, but people were genuinely frightened then just as many are today.  The advantage of today is that more reliable information is available, Matteucci or the Marchette Comet notwithstanding.  None of this relates to the current issue of Global Warming or the threat of Nuclear Annihilation.  The Supreme Court of the United States has recently made a ruling that the Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for regulating the greenhouse gasses that are effecting climate change.  Champions will most likely vote down any proposal for a nuclear power plant in the neighborhood.

        It was a busy week for the Skyline Fire Department.  It’s members were some of the first to arrive at the crash site when the plane went down over on the Trappist Abbey Monastery property on Monday the 16^th.  After the survivor made his phone call and a resident from the area who saw the plane go down called the sheriff’s office, Skyline Firefighters aided by the Air Evac Helicopter located the downed plane and effected the extraction of the injured man and the fatally injured man.  Ultimately there were a number of teams on the scene.  A cooperative effort is always the key to the best outcome.  The next day the Skyline Firefighters were called to a hunting accident that resulted in the serious injury of a local hunter.  He is making a good recovery, though the wounds of him who pulled the trigger will be slower in healing.  There is much Love and Gratitude that things are not nearly as bad as they could have been.  The Skyline-Champion community is a fortunate place.

        Hummingbirds are buzzing about Champion again and that is a real sign of Spring.  Still the damage caused by the recent hard freeze is evident and will be for a while.  Gardens are going in and the World just keeps spinning around.  Over on the other side of it more U.S. Military Service People are doing what they are being required to do.  Seventeen more died last week, which brings the total up to 3,322 and which means that at least 272 were seriously injured last week.  This does not count for the psychological damage that will show up later, after the hope of help from the Service is exhausted.  Champions all over the Country will have to step up with patience and understanding in the years to come, recognizing that all injuries can’t be sewn up and bandaged.

        Mail to Champion Items this week included a note from one of Champion’s favorite eagle watchers together with story complete with photographs about bald eagles swimming!  The National Bird is versatile.  Anyone with something to Spotlight, candidates for the Missouri Song List or the Champion Exploratory Committee, descriptions of lovely quilts, lovely friends, lovely neighbors, flora or fauna (including versatile birds, turkeys and hummingbirds), astronomical observations, or any kind of reminiscence about the old days around here is welcome to send it to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or to e-mail the information to Champion News. The information can also be left at Henson’s Store on Main Street in Champion if there is not too much hectic congestion there from paparazzi.  CHAMPION—LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

CHAMPION—April 15, 2007—LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

        The Good news in Champion is that all the holiday visitors have made it home safely.  Traveling is an adventurous enterprise.  To leave the safety of home, family and friends takes courage even if the destination is home, family and friends.  Others are out on the open road to make a living.  What ever the reason for being out there, Champions applaud the courage of their travelers and wish them safe and pleasant journeys.  Ben and Brenda Goodall of Peculiar, MO, hosted a couple of Champions overnight and were most gracious.

        It was revealed that one of the regular visitors to these parts was spinning yarns over in Krider’s barn last week.  He was telling stories about Ed Henson, whom he knew well.  Perhaps next time this fellow is in the neighborhood he will address a wider audience. Ed was reported to have been a great fan of April Fool’s Day.  Some of his antics surrounding that holiday would make for pleasant reading.  Deward Henson’s daughter remarked that on his death bed her Father had said, “Look on the bright side.”  She likes the new motto of the community and said that the sentiment was routinely expressed in her home as she was growing up.  She also shares a pet peeve with several other residence:  litter.  The beautiful country lanes seem to attract empty bottles and cans, fast food wrappers and other trash.  If it were just town people coming out being thoughtless and unaware, signs could be put up saying “Go Back To Town With Your Garbage!”  If it could all be blamed on hunters, they could be issued litter bags with their hunting licenses.  For many the only answer is to just get out there and pick it up.  While Spring is being illusive this year a walk down the road on a warm day can be a delight.  Champions might as well have plastic bags in their hip pockets to fill up on the way back home.  The next time they are out their eyes will go straight to the beauty all about and to the mysteries of the weather, the woods and Spring.

        It was a dark and stormy night, also cold and wet, when the Ladies Auxiliary of the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department met on Tuesday the 10^th of the month.  Ruth Hamilton (grandmother of Grace), Sharon Sikes, Louise Hutchison, Betty Dye, Susie Griswold, Karen Griswold, Donna Moskaly and Wilda Moses all met at the Wagon Wheel Blue Grass Park to make an assessment of the facilities there in order to plan the Auxiliary’s participation in the upcoming Home Coming Bluegrass Festival.  The meeting then repaired to the home of Esther Wrinkles where the details of menu, purchasing, and schedules for the three day event were discussed.  Also discussed was the availability of grant money for the Fire Department.  The next meeting was scheduled for May 8^th also at the Wagon Wheel Blue Grass Park.

        “If You Cough, Sneeze, Sigh, or Yawn, do it not Loud but Privately; and Speak not in your Yawning, but put Your handkerchief or Hand before your face and turn aside.”  That is the fifth rule that George Washington copied out of the list of 110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.  Some complaint has been made about too much attention to George Washington and not enough to Ben Franklin.  There is some contention that it was not he (Franklin) who wrote Poor Richard’s Almanack, but in fact Richard Saunders, whose wife was named Bridget.  The next time some Champion is plowing through records from 1732-1758 perhaps the matter can be settled.  Meanwhile, Poor Richard said, “A Slip of the Foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the Tongue you may never get over.”  Linda’s Almanac over at the Plant Place says that the 17^th and 18^th will be good for planting beans, corn, cotton, tomatoes, peppers and other above-ground crops.  “Where weather permits” might be added there.  The 22^nd and 23^rd are said to be the most fruitful days for above-ground crops, for seed beds and flower gardens.  Linda’s Almanac also says that on the 24-28 to “Grub out weeds, briars, and other plant pests.”  While that is probably excellent advice, some Champions prefer to grub at their own leisure, thank you.

        Champions extend their Heartiest congratulations to Chicago!  The U.S. Olympic Committee (U.S.O.C.) has chosen the Big Windy City to compete with the international community for the privilege of hosting the Summer Olympics in the year 2016.  The C.P.C. (Champion Parade Committee) could well take it under advisement that Champion could be a contender for this honor in 2020!  Who knows what the next thirteen years will bring?  Certainly the last few decades have wrought significant changes in these parts.  At the very least an Exploratory Committee could be launched.

        “Well there’s a dark and a troubled side of life.  There’s a bright and a sunny side too.  But if you meet with the darkness and strife, The sunny side we also may view.  Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side, Keep on the sunny side of life.  It will help us every day, it will brighten all the way, If we keep on the sunny side of life.”  Those are part of the lyrics to Keep on the Sunny Side.  It is an excellent sentiment and certainly a goal worth the striving, but it is also easier said than done for many.  As of Monday, April 15^th, there were 3,295 US. Military deaths confirmed by the Department of Defense and seven more deaths pending confirmation making the total 3,302.  Non mortal casualties are reported to be 26,188, however that number does not reflect the ‘walking wounded’ and those whose injury will not be apparent until much later in their lives.  It is to be hoped that they and their families will receive the Comfort and Compassion they need as well as the Love and Gratitude of their Nation that they have earned.

        Tax Day was April 15^th as well as the birthday of an erstwhile sailor who says, “Uh huh, uh huh.”  That’s some claim to fame.  Judy Pennington up on Tar Button Road over BrushyKnob way will have a birthday on the 23^rd.  She can’t be very old because she has such a sunny disposition. A certain Champion with a pleasant outlook may finally have her taxes done and will be willing to go out looking for mushrooms again.  Good Luck to her! Squander T. was said to have been a big mushroom hunter.  He would pull them all the way out of the ground instead of pinching them off.  He also would break half the branches out of a young apple tree getting up to the highest fruit.  It sounds like he grew into his name.  Perhaps Pap Latent should have named him Temperance or Thrifty.  That whole family had funny names, according to someone who claimed to know them.  The younger girls were Dreary and Minutia and the little boys were Fervor, Revel and Quell.  There was quite a gap in ages between the twins and the rest of the children.  S.T. and Chimmey Bea were about twelve when the little ones started coming along.  It seems like the brunt of the chores then fell on Chimmey and that just added to her surly nature.  The acquaintance said, “It was no kind of difficulty to pick a scrap with Miss Chimera Bea.  There was a taradiddle around every corner with that outfit.”

        A lot of Champions will be joining forces with their BrushyKnob neighbors in a benefit for Larry and Rita Hicks who are having some big medical bills.  It is lovely to live in a community so willing to help when help is needed.  Other lovely things, yarns (spun or as yet un-spun), songs for the Missouri Song List, rules,  advice, examples of graciousnessor funny names,  applications for membership on the Champion Exploratory Committee, and any other sort of pertinence or mystery is welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  E-mail those things to Champion News or drop them off at Henson’s Store on the sunny side of the street in downtown Champion.  As for pet peeves and complaints of any sort it is suggested that those be sent directly to the Herald or kept in abeyance pending further consideration.  CHAMPION—LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE.

CHAMPION — April 9, 2007

        Good news in Champion is that Spring is back Again!  During the course of the week assessments will have been made about the degree of freeze damage to trees and shrubs, though the full extent may not be evident for some time.  Some are hoping for a second mushroom season to follow the second winter.  All are optimistic about something.  It is just the Champion mind-set to look ahead with expectations of a favorable outcome.  There will still be plenty of time to get a good garden in and Linda over at the Plant Place in Norwood will have her April Almanac available.  It does not say, “April 6, 7, 8, 9….too cold for anything to grow!”  The 13^th and 14^th will be good days to plant root crops, extra good for vine crops and for setting strawberry plants it says.  The ‘signs’ indicate that those above ground crops that were frozen could be replanted starting on the 17^th and 18th.  Starting over is something Champions do well.

        There were enough visiting dignitaries in Champion over the Easter holiday to have mounted a spectacular parade! (Once again the CPC -Champion Parade Committee- has done a rather dismal job in organizing and advertising.)  While the Champion Easter Parade and Egg Roll was a non event, the Lonnie and Fae Krider family hosted a great family gathering on Sunday.  Harley and Barbara Krider were visiting from Elmwood, Il. with their granddaughters Elizabeth and Alexandria Slater.  Vivian Krider Floyd, of Rogersville,  Tanna Jo Krider Wiseman, Roger Wiseman and Foster Emmett Wiseman of Marshfield, were in attendance as well as Richard and Kaye Johnson also of Marshfield.  Dustin Cline was there enjoying Staci’s company.  The Illinois contingent also included Mrs. Don Krider, and her sister Ruth Shaw from Iowa.  Jolyn, daughter of Don and Reta Krider, together with her husband Will Bumphrey and their children Carly, McKenna and Evan also enjoyed the hospitality of the Krider farm.

        The Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department had it’s meeting scheduled to take place at the Wagon Wheel Bluegrass Park on Tuesday.  The purpose of the meeting was to assess the facilities there in preparation for providing the food for the Bluegrass festival slated for early June.  It will be  a lot of work but the Ladies are up to the task.  Details of the meeting will be reported next week. 

        Champions were saddened to hear of the passing of Whitey Upshaw.  He will be missed.  Friends and family of the good natured musician are in the best thoughts of the community.  Many are ill and in recovery from injury.  Farel Sikes is taking physical therapy to recover from his December accident.  Joe Moskaly’s multiple breaks in multiple ribs are beginning to heal.  Neighbors are looking to their neighbors for the opportunity to be of service.  A benefit is being organized to help Larry and Rita Hicks with medical expenses.  Sometimes there is nothing that can be done to help in a situation, sometimes there is plenty.

        Neighbors over on the other side of Brushy Knob had two week old Grace Ruth Hamilton visiting for the holiday.  She was there with cousins Noah and Nathan Moffett.  Rob and Ruth were happy to have all their children home at the same time.  Rob said, “It was a riot!”  Love and Gratitude were rampant over there.

        Someone asked about the origin of The 110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation that George Washington copied out by hand.  Richard Brookhiser, who wrote Founding Father:  Rediscovering George Washington, said that those rules were based on a set of rules composed by French Jesuits in 1595.  Presumably they were copied out as part of an exercise in penmanship assigned by young Washington’s schoolmaster.  Rule number two says, “When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usually Discovered.”  Number three is ”Show Nothing to your friend that may affright him.”  Number four will be the favorite this week:  “In the Presence of Others Sing not to yourself with a humming Noise, nor Drum with your Fingers or Feet.”

        Research on the Latent family has been relatively fruitless.  A local records search has not revealed any births or deaths of people by that name.  While the parents’ given names are not yet known, it turns out that ‘Chimmey Bea’s’ real name is Chimaria Bea Latent, may be spelled ‘Chimera.’  An acquaintance said that when the first two kids were born twins, Maw Latent named the girl and Pap named the boy.  The informer thought Mrs. Latent had chosen the name to reflect a Latin sound because of the pleasant experience she had had on their honeymoon in Piedras Negras, Mexico.  Pap named S.T. which stands for Squander T.  There is probably a story about that too, but it was not forthcoming.  Names are funny sometimes.  In 1965, out in Abilene, Texas there was a family named Bean.  Pinto was a track star for Cooper High School’s first graduating class and his sister, Lima sat on the student counsel that year.

        Caution!  Some farmers are known to get off their tractor with it ginning across the field while they climb up on the trailer to throw feed off to the cows.  There is some potential for trouble there.  More trouble was narrowly averted when a certain Champion in preparation for company, decided on the spur of the moment to build a new out house.  There is inside plumbing available, but the expected guests like to rusticate in the provincial quaintness of a fragrant little shack.  Digging the hole on a hillside overlooking a peaceful little valley, the Champion was kneeling on the high side and reaching down into the hole to check it’s depth and to pull out a rock that had eluded the post hole digger.  The hole was kind of narrow, about shoulder width, and close to three foot deep by that time.  This individual, already known for being unbalanced, took a tip forward and but for fortunate presence of a protruding walnut root would have wound up head side down in a deep narrow hole with nothing sticking out but two feet of flailing overalls and a pair of brogans.  Chances are the architect wouldn’t have been missed until the mail piled up in the mailbox.  It’s probably a good thing to check in on neighbors from time to time.

        The Department of Defense has identified 3,258 American service members who have died since the start of the Iraq war.  The number of wounded, physically and mentally is enormous.  They come from rural areas like this, and from small towns and big cities all over the country.  The opportunity to express Love and Gratitude for their service is not one to be missed.

        Mail to Champion Items this week included a patriotic post card expressing appreciation for a positive spin on Champion and the community.  She says,  “Looking on the bright side is a good motto.”  It is agreed.  Perhaps “Keep on the Sunny Side” would be a good candidate for the Missouri Song List.  “It will help us every day.  It will brighten all the way, if we keep on the sunny side of life!”

        Champion readers near and far, far and wide are welcome to submit songs for the Missouri Song List, reasons for a parade, tales of narrowly averted disasters or other cautionary tales, rules of good behavior for any situation, interesting name origins, or any kind of good neighbor gossip to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  E-mail to Champion News or hand deliver to Henson’s Store in the middle of the parade route at Champion.  Do not bother with mottos, however, unless a better one can be suggested than:  CHAMPION—LOOKING ON THE BRIGHT SIDE!

CHAMPION – March 26, 2007

        In Champion the first day of Spring was graced by a delightful downpour.  Oh! Rain! Rain with no thunder and no big winds or falling hail!  Sweet Rain! Soaking into the ground, percolating down to the wonderful water table.  Champions are among the truly fortunate people in the world to have such an abundance of good water.  Somebody said not to go bragging about it because nothing is guaranteed.  True, but then somebody else said that when things are good there is at least as much obligation to recognize it and to talk about it as their is to gripe when things go badly.  So.  Life is good in Champion.  Love and Gratitude abound.  Spring is in the air.  Manure of all kinds (cow, horse, chicken, rabbit, and possibly others) is being worked into the soil together with ashes and lime, or compost, rotten sawdust, sand, bone meal, blood meal, Epsom salts, clay, sea weed, and/or other things such as worm castings and bat guano where available.  Some soil is jut being turned over and other soil is having seeds poked down into it with no other fanfare.  Wilburn likes to use the triple seventeen.  Whatever the method, Champion is a real garden spot.  There is reported to be a recording of James Brixey singing the “No Till” Song.  The recording has been misplaced, but as soon as it surfaces the words will be reported here and the song added to the Missouri Song List.  Jonathan Swift, in Gulliver’s Travels said, “Whoever can make two ears of corn to grow—would do more service to his country than the whole race of politicians put together.”  If Gulliver were to have traveled over to Champion he might have gained some valuable corn raising information and might have spread some good political philosophy.

        Politics is a touchy subject everywhere in the and a subject best avoided.  “Accurst be he that first invented war.”  Christopher Marlowe said that in Tamburlaine the Great, Part I, Act 2, Scene 4.  There is talk that there will be a war Memorial dedicated to the Civil War veterans buried at the Denlow Cemetery.  There are approximately 28 Union Solders there and one Confederate.  The dedication is scheduled for Memorial Day of 2008,  however the Saturday before this Memorial Day will mark the kick off of the project.  The Denlow Cemetery Committee has built a splendid pavilion on the grounds of the church.  The cemetery is the resting place for survivors of many wars.  As of March 26, 2007 there have been THREE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY-THREE United States Service People who have lost their lives in the current conflict.  Great Britain has lost one hundred thirty four of its service people.  Other Coalition forces have lost a total of one hundred twenty four people.  No accurate count has been made of the number of Iraqi fatalities, military and civilian.  The current estimate according to . . . is . . .   Somebody said, “Hate the War but Love the Warrior.”  Just because the flag draped coffins are not being seen on the nightly news does not mean that our precious soldiers are not dying.  Champions are full of Love and Gratitude for those who have served and continue to serve Our Country.

        Wood smoke hangs heavy in the deep hollows flowing in on wind currents like water.  It’s hard to tell where it is coming from sometimes.  The Forest Service and Conservation Departments do controlled burns on a regular basis this time of year.  Firefighters are on alert constantly and Champions appreciate the willingness of those Volunteers to keep the community safe.

        Champion and its neighboring communities are once again stepping up to be of service to each other.  There is to be a Pie Supper benefit for Rita and Larry Hicks on the 21^st of April at the Skyline School.  They are having some tremendous medical bills.  Dale Melton, a friend of the family,  had a brain storm and started talking about a benefit and a very short time later it is a ‘go.’  Already there are tickets at the Champion Store and at The Plant Place in Norwood for a drawing on a beautiful queen size Rose Quilt made my Mrs. Violet Melton.  The drawing will be held at the Pie Supper.  Actually, the supper will consist of chili, Freetos, crackers, onions and cheese.  Deserts will be auctioned off from the stage.  There is a “Three For One” deal going on.  That is to say that the first pie to bring $500.00 in the auction will see a corresponding pie in the face of Van Kelly (or his appointed representative), and one in the face of Dale Melton, and if that were not enough Farel Sikes will take one!  These are some solid and sweet citizens.

        It’s a lovely thing to see people reaching out to ease the suffering of others.  It is a heartbreaking thing to be unable to replace the terrible losses that dear friends experience.  To build a little home deep in the woods and to raise a family there and then one day to have the woods disappear is devastating.  Life goes on, but it will never be the same.  Compassion might be appreciated but it doesn’t make shade and a person can see straight through it and watch cars go down the highway.  Healing is a long term thing.  Let it begin.

        Three postcards have arrived in the Champion Items mail box this past week.  One is from Champion’s friend, Darrell Haden.  It is very complimentary and suggests a listen to the song “Rock Salt and Nails.”  This came to his mind as a result of the mention made of the Ice Cream Maven from over by Vanzant.  Another card came from a far flung traveler out on a splendid musical adventure.  From Atlanta, he says, “When you think of me, know that I am prosperous and fortunate beyond measure.”  He also noted that the post card was bent up before he put it in the mail.  (So the mailman is not to blame.)  The third card is kind of a mystery.  It must have been mailed from Ava and it is titled “Little Town With A Big Future”  Poke Salat Days, Ava, MO.  It’s an interesting drawing of people on the square there.  The message is:  “A family by name of Latent might have lived some distance South of The Wolf Pen Holler some years back.  They had a raft of kids and the oldest two were twins—a boy and a girl.  Their names were S.T. and Chimmey B.  Any information about what has become of them would be appreciated.  They stayed mostly to themselves.”  There is no signature and no return address.  Inquires in the neighborhood among long time residents have been unproductive to this point.  Anyone who knows of these folks can contact Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717, or e-mail to Champion News, or leave word at Henson’s Store in the Mall at Champion.  Odes to Spring or to Rain, political perspectives, smoke signals, good neighbor gossip, songs for the Missouri Song List or idle chit chat also welcome.

CHAMPION –March 18, 2007

        Good news in Champion!  A purple Martin was spotted on Wednesday the 14^th.  That’s a little early for their return (they generally show up around the 21^st) but the odd weather and other unknowns have at least one of the wonderful mosquito eaters home for the season.  Geese are winging their way north and the red, red robins are bob, bob bobbing along and probably eating tons of wonderful Champion earthworms.  They are so plump they might make a nice robin pie. 

        The expected large turn-out for Champion’s First Annual Unorganized, Unauthorized  and Unannounced St. Patrick’s Day Parade was a no show.  Oh, there was the usual Saturday parade of regulars in and out of The Store throughout the course of the day and there was, no doubt, a mention of the Irish here and there, but the throngs of revelers were no where to be seen.  Most of them were out in their potato patches doing what has to be done at this time of the year to make potatoes happen.  It was the digging and seeding and the mulching that kept people off the street.  There were frantic calls for newspapers from various farmers.  Ed Henson was quoted by several regarding the use of  newspapers to keep the dirt out of the eyes of the potatoes so they could see to come up.  It has been suggested that a Champion Parade Committee should be organized so that a better showing can be made next year.  The example set by the Spotted Hog community as reported in the Spotted Hog Yearly Gazette of a number of years ago is one to be emulated.  It might be the good luck of Champion to secure Cletus Upshaw’s services as Grand Marshall.  He was the official Director of Traffic at the now famous Spotted Hog Christmas Parade and clearly has more parade expertise than any who have so far stepped forward.  It will be taken under advisement by the, as yet. unformed committee.

        A good neighbor and Champion eagle observer suggest that the Ozark Mountaineer is a good source of information for the history and points of interest of this local area.  She said that a recent issue had an excellent four page article about the West Plains Disaster including a number of photographs. Its title was “Devastating West Plains Blast Still a Mystery After 79 Years.” She said that the words to the song together with the music were reproduced there.  It costs $19.95 a year for six issues of the magazine.  Perhaps, when the cost of the sheet music to MY MISSOURI HOME has been recouped and some savings have been accrued,  arrangements can be made to get a subscription for Champion.  Someone remarked that last week’s Champion Items said, “This is the cover of the Sheet Music…….for MY MISSOURI HOME” and then there was no picture.  Well, it is an attractive item including the name of the author, the publisher and the date of publication.  The title at the top is written in an old fashioned type-face.  Then there is a picture of a farm house with a big porch and some shade trees sitting down kind of behind a hill which is indicated by some curved parallel lines.  There is a windmill in the drawing, however, and while that is not representative of this area there may be parts of Missouri where windmills are more common.  In any event the sheet music is still available to be examined by any interested party.  There has been made a description of written music as looking like hen scratches and fly specks.  It is kind of magic to people who can’t read it.  Champion Souvenir copies of MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS AND KEEP YOU are available at Henson’s Store in Beautiful Downtown Champion.

        Mrs. Eva Powell is happy to have her daughter home again after her recent adventures out west.  She and her husband explored gold mines and desert towns and big lakes and dams.  They had fun but were glad to get home.  Many Champions have family out traveling.  The world is a dangerous place and loved ones far from home pass through the good thoughts of home folks during course of the day.  Worry is a waste of time.  “May the Good Lord bless and keep you, whether near or far away.”  Family and friends of distant travelers and US Service People abroad hold them close in their hearts with hopes for safe and speedy returns of all those precious ones.  They are full of Love and Gratitude.

        Kyle Alexander Barker was visiting with his old Grandfather and his young Grandmother on Sunday.  His favorite flavor of ice cream hasn’t been determined yet, but it won’t be long.  Ice cream preferences, songs, stories, parade reviews, and reports of happy homecomings are welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717, at Champion News and at Henson’s Store in Downtown Champion.

        The Ladies Auxiliary of the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department had their regular meeting on Tuesday at the home of Esther Wrinkles.  The recent chili supper was discussed and plans were made to make next year’s event even better.  The immediate business at hand is the Bluegrass Festival that will be held at the Wagon Wheel Bluegrass Park the first week end in June.  The Auxiliary will be providing the food for the event and plans are in the works.  Good planning is responsible for the wonderful successes of the Auxiliary projects.

CHAMPION – March 15, 2007

        Time is getting away!  The early change in the daylight savings time is a headache to some.  Some don’t worry about it at all.  The “Ides of March” is Thursday.  Some say, “Beware!”  Others don’t care.  The Luck of the Irish will be spread around Champion over the week end.  May it last the whole year through!  It will be met with Love and Gratitude.

        The delightful news out of Champion this week has been the weather.  If it were like this all the time Champions could not find a spot to light for all the tourists.  As it is, the ticks and chiggers, the hail storms, cyclones, tornadoes, floods, droughts, heat waves and blizzards kind of keep things balanced out.  A local Hero and well known Mushroom Hunter was heard to say that in a week or two, if we get some warm nights, we can start looking (for mushrooms) with expectations of success.  The dogwoods are swelling up to bud, and all is well.  Champions Love the daffodils and the sweet Spring green.

        This is the cover of the Sheet Music that arrived from the on-line web-site that specializes in collectables: MomThrewItAway.com.  The official words to MY MISSOURI HOME are very much like those recalled last week by Darrell Haden.  The official words are:  “Dear old Missouri, I know, You mothered me long ago.  You are my own, I should have known, That I’d be missing you so.  My Missouri Home, My Missouri Home, Let me show you why I’m so blue; I just long to be with folks I long to see, who still belong to me and you.  Old Missouri farms, Take me in your arms, Hold me so I never can roam, Open up your doorway, For I’m coming your way, My Missouri Home!”  It is a waltz moderato and was written by Little Jack Little and published in 1930.  A band made up of piano, alto and B-flat tenor saxophones, ukuleles, guitars, tenor banjos and Hawaiian steel guitars could all use this same piece of sheet music.  Any musicians interested in viewing this excellent ‘collectable’ should contact Champion Items, Rt. 2 Box 367, Norwood, MO. 65717, or should e-mail to Champion News or leave word at Henson’s Store in Downtown Champion.  Copies of the words and guitar tablature to MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS AND KEEP YOU are also being made available as a Champion Souvenir.  Ask at the store or contact the address above. “May your heart stay tuned music, that will cheer the hearts of men.”  That’s a Champion motto!

        A Champion Idea heard recently is:  “Those wounded Veterans should be able to go to just any hospital anywhere and get good treatment.  The hospital could bill the VA the way they do Medicare.  There would still be plenty room for the ubiquitous corruption and ineptitude, but maybe a few more Veterans would actually get the help they have coming.”  As of March 12, there have been 3194 US Service People who have lost their lives in the current conflict.  The number of seriously wounded and otherwise damaged personnel may never be known.

        “Sassefrass, that good old yaller tea!  Sassefrass, it’s good for you and me.  If it put pep in my Grandpap, it’ll put pep in you too!  Sassefrass, that good old southern brew.  Oh! They dig it in the hollers and they dig it in the hills.  The drink it for the fever and they drink it for the chills.”  That is all that has been reported of this song except a partial verse that says “And when they failed to get enough, they began to fight.”  Once all its lyrics are rediscovered it will be added to The Missouri Song List. Meanwhile, it’s that time of the year when people are looking for the Spring Tonic.  They say that sassafras is a good blood purifier and it can be brewed to taste pretty good.  It is reminiscent of ‘root beer’ and probably the source of ‘sarsaparilla.’  Some say it should be strictly used as a ‘tonic’ and not to be a regular drink on account of its blood thinning and ‘purifying’ qualities and its possible effect on the liver and kidneys.  Still, it is getting on to Spring and some may be ready for their tonic.  The other day some folks were talking about gardening by the signs.  Over in Norwood Linda’s almanac says that the 15^th & 16^th are barren days.  The 17^th good for planting root crops and the 18^th for above-ground crops. The 19^th & 20^th are not good for planting, and that the 21^st and 22^nd will be good for planting above-ground crops. It’s a long time until the signs change and one fellow said he would just sit down and wait! The almanacs are free and full of good information. Flowers, herbs and  home grown food can’t be beat.  These same folks were talking about something called “Ugly Farming.”  It has something to do with not tilling the soil.  There is a song about it that ought to be informative if it can be found.

        A pleasant conversation with Tony Evans, now of Ozark, MO, clears up some information that appeared here back in October.  He says the store at ‘Evans’ was first built by Lee Evans and was located at about the place where the Dobbs family lives now which is about a quarter mile west of where the store last stood.  No details of ‘how’ the store was moved were available, but Mr. Evans said that his sister, Joyce, was born in the store in 1932.  His Grandfather Thomas Luther Evans had the stave-mill at Evans and had donated the land and material to build the church there.  The church was built by a Mr. Lathum.  Mr. Evans says that his Aunt Erma Evans, who was the wife of Curtis Evans, brother of Lee Evans, still lives in Ava and will have all kinds of family history to share.  Champions look forward to learning more about their neighbors.  It’s not that they are so nosey, they are just interested.

        Points of interest, ‘bright ideas,’ songs, sayings, eagle sightings and signs are welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2 Box 367 Norwood, MO 65717 or at Champion News.

CHAMPION – March 5^th, 2007 

Good news in Champion!  The words to MY MISSOURI HOME are on their way.  From Ebay for $4.49, a copy of the original sheet music from 1930 is on it’s way by express mail.  With shipping it comes to about $8.00 and while that is quite a lot, the amazing thing is that the World has become so small and accessible.  Thanks to Scott C. Wehner of Midland, TX for locating the sheet music!  He must be a Champion himself or related to one.  Then, of course, Darrell Haden, formerly of Smallette, first mentioned the song back in January so there will be more Gratitude to spread around particularly if it is a likeable tune.  It looks like it will be a catchy number as it is orchestrated for saxophone, banjo and Hawaiian guitar.  Another postcard has arrived from Haden, now of South Fulton, TN.  He said that MY MISSOURI HOME was used in the late 1940’s on KWTO Springfield as a theme song by one of the many live-music shows still being broadcast then on 560 AM.  “I worked there as an announcer from 1955 until the spring of 1957.  Jr. ,’Speedy’ Hawthorn and his trio performed almost every month at Ava’s Avalon Theatre ‘Thursday Night Music.’  As a former KWTO member of several on-the-air groups, he may remember the song.  All I remember of it is: ‘My Missouri Home, my Missouri Home,/ Let me tell you why I’m so blue./ I just long to be with friends  I long to see/ Who still belong to me and you./  My Missouri Home, My Missouri Home/ Open up your doorway/ Because I’m coming your way/ My Missouri Home.’  It sounds like the refrain,” Haden says.  While waiting for the sheet music to arrive with all those words, someone suggested that a better version of MAY THE GOOD LORD BLESS AND KEEP YOU by Meredith Wilson might be made available.  Any old timer around can remember the melody for any young guitar player who wants to learn this Lovely song: 

An e-mail arrived concerning the location of Spotted Hog, Missouri.  It says among other things, “From Champion take the dirt road east until you reach V highway.  Turn left on V, go to highway 95.  Turn left on 95 and go about nine miles to ZZ highway (ZZ is about 34 miles south of Lynchburg).  Turn left on ZZ and go four miles to Cherokee Road then turn right for about one quarter mile.  Turn left on spotted hog road.  Spotted Hog church is about 150 yards off Cherokee Road.”  A good friend over in Spotted Hog had a birthday Monday.  She is young at heart, adventurous, productive and ready for fun!  Linda, who runs the Plant Place in Norwood, is the birthday person!  Things are starting to percolate over there and her free monthly almanac is available again.  It is compiled from a number of sources and informs gardeners with such information as that the 8^th and 9^th of March will be an excellent time for planting root crops and for starting seed beds.  The 10^th -12^th will be poor planting days.  Any root crops planted the 13^th and 14^th will do well.  The 15^th and 16^th are a barren period.  Good fishing days will be the 8, 9, 15, etc.  Some people do everything by the ‘signs.’  It would be interesting to know if the Highway Department has provided Spotted Hog with a sign such as the excellent one in Champion.  [Of course, Champion is on the pavement.]  Speaking of signs, it is also to be reported that the Chinese New Year celebrated on the celebrates the year 2007 as the ‘Year of the Boar.’  It only comes around every ………………years.  That must be why certain odd people are harkening back to the glory days of Spotted Hog.  There were wonderful singings there, attended by Oscar Krider and others, and a well reported Christmas Parade some 25 years ago.  It is a sweet thing to have neighbors.  In this auspicious year of the Pig, it would be good of Champions to reach out to their neighbors to the North (and everywhere.)

Last week the Champion Items appeared on the page with the pictures of the Chamber of Commerce Ladies at their February 17^th banquet modeling dresses that had been made for the Centennial celebration of 1957 and for the nation’s Bicentennial celebration in 1976.  They are lovely, though even the most simple of the day dresses looks like a lot of yard goods to keep out of the mud, or the pig trough, or just to get around in the barn and in and out of wagons.  Appreciators of the old ways and the old days also appreciate the automatic washing machine and plumbing.  Darrell Haden remarked in his recent note that he is enjoying Mr. Curry’s Reminiscent History of Douglas County.  He said that he had bought a copy of it in 1957 for five dollars “when five dollars was worth almost five dollars!”  Excitement will be building for the Douglas County Sesquicentennial Celebration.  Beards are already sprouting.  Hopefully the spirit of the festivities will carry through the whole year and the Skyline and other community picnics will find attendees wearing period costumes this summer.  Then will come the fall and the Pioneer Settler’s Reunion over in Yates.  More than one person is hoping that a serial reprint will be running in the Herald of The Headless Cobbler of Smallet Cave.  Perhaps Champions will be able to lure Mr. Haden home for the Finale!  It’s a small world.  If the crow were to fly a straight line between Champion and Smallette it would be about……miles according to the ………………map.  It’s only about …………miles as the crow flies to Spotted Hog.

The News of Our Military Personnel reported in the Herald is most welcome.  Everything that keeps our service people in our thoughts is good.  Most week day evenings at about 6:50 p.m. the News Hour With Jim Leher on Channel 21 TV gives a silent memorial to the fallen.  They are shown as their deaths are made official and as pictures become available.  Most evenings there are ten or twelve.  It is an honor to see their optimistic faces so dedicated to duty.  It was recently reported by Bob Woodruff of ABC News that during the Viet Nam War there were three seriously injured soldiers for every fatality.  Now they are saying that there are sixteen seriously wounded people for every fatality.  Bless their hearts and the hearts of all their loved ones.  It is a tribute to better armor and to better medical technology that fewer people are dying.  That any are dying is a heartbreak for those they leave behind.  Those Champions who survive don’t need their hearts broken too.  They are our neighbors.

Now we are all looking for Peace Valley.

CHAMPION – February 25, 2007

Last week’s news:  CHAMPION – February 22, 2007 

        The good news in Champion once again has to do with grandchildren.  Those boys from Tennessee were back again making life on the Krider farm joyous.  Dakota and Dillon keep young Foster, visiting from Marshfield, well entertained and the three of them together is a sweet sight.  Foster is also an excellent entertainer and is currently practicing a duet with his Mom: “You Are My Sunshine.”  Some of the best news around has to do with the weather.  There has finally been a break from the deep cold.  Remembering that recent winters have been unusually mild doesn’t make the hard ones any easier to bear.  Buzzards were reported to be flying around the Skyline Ladies’ Auxiliary Shoot Out the other day, so that is  portentous of something, perhaps just the passage of time.  Warm days make the garden call out to Champions.  Linda, over in Norwood, says the cole crops are looking good and their second leaves are beginning to emerge.  Mailmen will be burdened with seed catalogues and the seasons keep rolling around.

        The sad news in the community is word of the passing of Murnice Hamilton.  She was a most consistently good humored person with an openness for friendship that is seldom seen.  Kind words, compassion and a sweet laugh were her hallmark.  Her gentle smile will be missed by all whose lives she touched.  She was a great repository of Love and Gratitude.

        Gunfire echoed throughout the hills and hollows of Champion as those Auxiliary women blew off steam.  Their chili supper will go off on Saturday.   It will be the event of the season.  People will be celebrating a change in the weather, a change in the season, and the chance to get together for some good visiting and good food.   The music will lift every spirit and everyone will benefit.  The Skyline Volunteer Fire Department will be the designated beneficiary, but the whole community will share in the uplifting.

        Monday was marked by The Return of the Buzzards,  then came Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, and then it was the birthday of Farel Sikes, and Friday the birthday of Staci Krider. Yipee!  Farel is  making a good recovery from his injury and is doing what he has to do regain his strength and mobility.  There are many people struggling to overcome serious injuries sustained in the line of duty.  There are more than twenty thousand veterans of the current war in Iraq whose lives will never be the same.  No one who has served there will return as the same person who left.  Hopefully they will be met here with Understanding as well as the Love and Gratitude that is their due.

        The Missouri Song List will surely become longer as a result of the Skyline VFD Ladies Auxiliary Chili Supper.  Words to “My Missouri Home” are still being sought.

1. The Missouri Waltz
2. Meet Me in St. Louie, Louie
3. I’m Goin Back to Whur I come From
4. The Wesphalia Waltz
5. The West Plains Explosion
6. My Missouri Home
7. Kansas City, Here I Come
8. May The Good Lord Bless and Keep You

        New songs for the Missouri Song List, old stories from around Champion, family histories, new or old news, poetry, admonitions, complaints, speculations, exaltations—all are welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2 Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717, at Henson’s store in the heart of Champion and at Champion News.

This week’s news:  CHAMPION – March 1, 2007 

        Well the Skyline Auxiliary chili supper is past again for another year.  The big build up was worth it and Auxiliary members are still busy on the phone congratulating each other on a splendid success.  Also on the phone this pas week was Louise Hutchison and Marion Conradi.  They share the view of a beautiful open field where a large bald eagle has been putting on a show for their benefit this last week.  Ms. Conradi looks out East and Louise looks to the North.  When the eagle is there, the first one to see it calls the other one.  Champion has some excellent entertainment. 

        An email has been received at Champion News from the Webner Household of Midland, TX.  He says, “Read your article in the Douglas Co. Herald and see you are looking for lyrics to MY MISSOURI HOME.”  He sent a link to http://missourifolkloresociety.truman.edu/eyecandy.html that proved to be most interesting.  There were pictures there of some of those Missouri quilt blocks:  “The Missouri Daisy,” “Old Missouri,” and “The Missouri Star:”  He also included an address on EBAY to buy a copy of the original sheet music from 1930.  When the sheet music arrives at ‘Champion Items’ a full disclosure of the lyrics will be made.  Thanks, Scott C. Webner of Midland, TX!

        An email has been intercepted from a famous pitcher turned ice cream aficionado.  He says:  “I guess I will be making a lot of peanut butter ice cream this year.  I sure do have some great neighbors in this here hamlet of Vanzant.  I bet I have over 60 containers of peanut butter they have given me recently (although some are only partially filled).  Even some of the people I don’t even care about have been extra generous, and they told me I didn’t even have to make any ice cream for them.  So, anytime any of you can come by and visit just call an hour ahead and I will have a batch ready.”  There must be more going on here than rock salt and friction can freeze.

        The daffodils are starting to bloom and some trees and shrubs are beginning bud.  Some people just can’t stay out of the dirt and are already hauling manure and turning clods.  It is an example of the kind of eagerness that some can watch for hours from the comfort of their porch swing with no kind of guilt.  The story of the “Little Red Hen” is one that might benefit a number of fine Champions.  The garden is a place to learn a lot of lessons not the least of which is patients.  A few warm days can cause some folks to ‘jump the gun.’  Last week the saying about a day in February when the dog looks for a shade was proven to be true.  Another one of those February sayings is “thunder in February, frost in May.”  While time marches on, it is important to enjoy today.  No use getting in a hurry.  Haste makes waste.  Send any sayings, platitudes or cautionary tales to Champion Items, Rt. 2. Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.