DreamWorks

CHAMPION—October 27, 2014

        At age 8 days Carson Cline made his first visit to Champion on Sunday.  His brother, cousins, parents, aunts and uncles, grandmother and friends all enjoyed a good look at him.  He is a fine looking fellow starting out in life with a wonderful support system.  He is a real Champion!

        Halloween is just around the corner “and the goblins will get you-if-you–don’t–watch-OUT!”  It is All Hallows Eve that marks the time in the year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed believers.  The theme of using humor and ridicule to confront the power of death shows up in the costumery and trickery, so enjoy the ridiculousness and irony with treats for the children, knowing that the sugar is not good for them.  “The Day of the Dead” in Latin American countries happily celebrates those dear departed ones with gaily painted skeletons bedecked with flowers.  In Celtic lands, the Beltane Fire Society observes Samhain on October 31^st where Winter symbolically slays Summer in a great pageant full of drumming and fire and blue painted people.  Earliest Irish literature mentions the event as part of the time when preparations were being made for winter, when there were feasts where places were set at the table for souls of the dead kin.  Great bonfires were built and were thought to have healing and cleansing properties.  Certainly the Beltane Fire Society is doing its part in keeping the traditional Scottish skills of street theatre, music and pageantry alive.  The end of summer and rise of winter is celebrated in Champion with standard trick or treat fare and elaborate pumpkin art.  Locals spend time up on the wide veranda at the Historic Emporium gawking at the beauty of the season’s changing and relishing sweet memories of loved ones gone on.

        More things are visible from the road now as the leaves are falling and vegetation is wan due of the lateness of the season and the dry conditions.  Up and down the roads lately a very specialized tractor has been pruning and preening.  This instrument is operated by one of the fine gentleman of the Douglas County Road Works.  The bright green tractor has a closed in cab that is surely equipped with super safety glass sides and ‘sun roof.”  It has a blade on the back, but the main attraction is an articulated bush hog boom mower.  “Articulated” in that it has pivoting joints that allow the big chewing machine to operate overhead or at any necessary angle with maximum flexibility (“articulated” the impressed observer.)  The overgrown roadsides are now opened up so the school busses do not get scratched going through the tunnels.  In places things look rough and mangled, chewed-up, but the fallen leaves conceal some of the brush and by spring it will all be just glorious—like a bad haircut grown out again.

        Asked about the Dobbs Reunion, Laine Sutherland said that they missed Uncle Ralph Dobbs who passed away this past summer.  He was born in Bertha in Douglas County in 1922.  He graduated from Ava High School and joined the CCC.  He earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Southwest Missouri State and joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942.  He married his sweetheart, Sherry Sherwood, and they raised five daughters while he continued his education, worked as a county Extension agent, taught graduate level courses at the College of Education at MU and became a professor emeritus in 1985.  He raised top quality Registered Polled Hereford cattle.  He was active with the Central Missouri Honor Flight program.  Professor Dobbs lived to be 91 years old.  J.C. Owsley said, “R. C. was my teacher, mentor, and friend for many years. The insight into adult education and group process skills that he shared contributed to my career success. His respect for his roots, love of polled Herefords, and his sharp wit will always be remembered.”

        The extended season has some gardeners still enjoying tomatoes, peppers, beans, and greens.  One family is overrun with turnips waiting on Lem and Ned to come do some trading.  Meanwhile, the thought of year round gardening is not an original one.  Jeffrey Goss Jr. is a Chartered Herbalist who has written articles for the Countryside & Small Stock Journal concerning winter gardening.  “The 365-day Vegetable Garden, no greenhouse, no plastic, no containers, no joke!” looks like it is going to be an interesting read.  Meanwhile he suggests that “The Harris Farmer’s Almanac” is most suited to the Ozarks of all the major almanacs.  He says that the almanac is available through Shelter Insurance.  Rick DeGraffenreid of the Ava office says that they generally get the almanacs in toward the end of November and he will include their arrival in his weekly ad in the newspapers.  He says that Shelter Insurance has been giving these away since 1946, and that people in this area really rely on them.  Linda’s Almanac from over at The Plant Place in Norwood is a compilation of Ramon’s Brownie Calendar and Blum’s Almanac.  With luck, next year the amalgam will include this new old publication.  Thanks, Jeff and Rick.

        Vanzantians were busy over the week end.  The General, his amazing wife and other family members took a stroll down memory lane with a tour of the old home place once occupied by Morton and Mable Upshaw.  They scrambled up bluffs that may have had a hidden panther den long ago and where grapevine swings out into the air provided plenty of excitement.  There was also talk of a search for water one time—aided by dynamite.  Internet pictures and videos of the outing sent waves of nostalgia through extended family members.  Other day trippers paused for lunch at the Vanzant Country Store where River cooked up some excellent burgers and curly fries and had genuine ginger ale on hand to wash it down.  Neighborhood changes may be turning this thriving interim enterprise into “River’s Bistro.”  Bravo!

        Oklahoma neighbor Woody Guthrie had a sign on his old guitar that said, “This Machine Kills Fascists!”  Scotland’s Bobbie Nicholson has adopted the slogan and it is a good one.  A friend recently posted, “Not voting is not rebellion; it is surrender.”  Whatever your views, the voting franchise has been hard won and hard maintained.  So much is at stake.  Participate!  “This land is your land, this land is my land from California to”… Champion!  Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—October 20, 2014

        Autumn’s hues and migrating birds are conspiring to make Champion a brilliant place.  Add the colorful locals to the mix for a winning combination.  Prowlers along the country lanes are rewarded with postcard views around every turn and random high spots reveal distant vistas to remember.

        The Fall Festival at the Skyline School was a great success.  Look for pictures in the papers.  Queen Morgan Whitaker and King Waylon Moon were attended by Princess Hailey Hall and Prince Zackary Coon–the royal court having been elected by the school community.  The event was organized to help the school clubs and the school foundation raise funds for their various activities this fall, as well as an outlet for some prekindergarten to eighth grade seasonal energy.  There were some great bargains at the auction and Joy Beeler won the chili cook off.  Pie contest judges are thinking to make pies themselves next year so as to be eliminated as judges.  Some kind person made a generous $50.00 donation toward the water fountain project.  The fruit jar on the counter at Henson’s G & G is also getting some good attention toward that goal.  Drinking lots of clean water (delivered by a safe, hygienic drinking fountain) is one of those good-health lessons that benefit children for their lifetime.  Clean water and wellness cannot be separated.

        The first Tuesday of each month, the Douglas County Health Department comes to the school from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. to do free blood pressure readings for anyone in the community.  The last Tuesday of the month, the 28^th, Angela Souder of the DCHD will be in Champion from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.  She sets up back in the meeting room of the Historic Emporium and does free blood presser checks.  She can give you a reading of your body mass index—a very sophisticated diagnostic tool that helps identify health risks.  Angela can also test you for carbon monoxide.  She may be bringing a ‘lung age’ machine this time to evaluate the health of your lungs.  It is a good service to the area.

        Drayson Cline shares his birthday (August 23^rd) with his great grand-father, Charlie Cline.  Now he has to share is great-grandfather with a new little brother.  Carson Krider Cline arrived on Saturday the 18^th and came in at seven pounds plus.  So Kalyssa and Foster Wiseman, Teagan Krider, Eli and Emmy Oglesby and Dillon and Dakota Watts now have a new first cousin.  Madelyn and Shelby Ward have a new distant cousin (grandmother’s sister’s grandchildren) and the briar patch that is the community family tree has a welcome new addition.  Champion!

        Breauna (Teagan’s mom) Krider will share her birthday on the 24^th with Sandy Chapin, who is the grandfather of a young guy named Atticus Umba Fowler.  October 25^th is the birthday of Roger Miller.  He was born in 1936, and died in 1992.  He was responsible for a great deal of wonderful music including “Dang Me” and “King of the Road.”  Everyone has his favorite Roger Miller song.  Mishbucha, Brian Oglesby and Harley Krider share the 26^th as their birthday.  Now the distant Champion is older than a lot of people in the neighborhood again so he can enjoy their deference and respect once more.  Nicolas Georges is a preschool student at Skyline.  His birthday is the 28^th of October.  Royce Henson and Connie Lansdown share October 30^th and will have big family celebrations to mark their birthdays.  Two fifth grade students, Kimberly Carder and Cheyenne Hall, have Halloween birthdays.  They can share the day with Skyline Superintendent Jeannie Curtis.  Happy birthday, ladies, and “Boo!”  Austin friend, Felipe Heston, celebrates his birthday on Halloween too.  Felicidades, compadre!

        The Vanzant Community building is a busy place. The bluegrass jams on Thursdays are lovely—pot luck at 6:00 and music, music, music.  The Dobbs Family reunion will be there and will start at 11:00 a.m. on the 25^th.  Laine Sutherland posted that folks should bring their own table service and drinks along with their potluck contribution as well as their photos and stories of the Dobbs and associated families to share.  On the 8^th the Eastern Douglas County Fire Department will have its chili supper and auction there.  It is a nice place.  Betty Thomas reported that the East Dogwood School Reunion was a pleasant affair on Saturday over at the Evansdale Church.  Fred Follis had printed up a bunch of old songs, cartoons and poetry from his era of schooling there and it was most interesting.  She said there was not any singing, but a fine dinner, some good photographs taken and old acquaintances renewed.  Betty is still resting up from the Pioneer Gathering—a well-deserved rest.

        Legendary water researcher, author and emissary for peace, Dr. Masaru Emoto, passed away on Friday.  He was only 71.  That now seems young to some people who are approaching that age.  His documented research has shown that thoughts, words, emotions, prayer, and music have a direct effect on water-crystal formation, and since our bodies and our planet are mostly water, our thoughts and words affect not only ourselves, but also the world around us.  For over 30 years he shared his message of the power of Love and Gratitude in creating peace on our planet through his understanding of water’s true nature.  Many people in this area live here because of the quality of the water.  The old timers who migrated in from Kentucky and Tennessee settled near the rivers, creeks and springs.  Arrowhead and artifact collectors can attest to indigenous peoples having lived near these waters in centuries past.  The community is working toward providing clean, fresh drinking water for the school children.  Others are putting forth effort to bringing last August’s Amendment 1 back to the ballot, since the wording on the ballot did not reflect the content and intent of the amendment, and water quality may hang in the balance.  As Susan Needham conveyed in her letter, as few as 22% of the registered voters may show up for a given election and therefore as few as 11.1% of registered voters can control the outcome of elections that can affect the lives of everyone.  It takes some effort to become informed and good information is not always in the easiest place to find it.  Believe what people tell you or find out for yourself, but participate.  That way you will have the right to gripe if things do not go your way.  If they do go your way, it will be because you had a hand in it.  If you find out later that your way was the wrong way, you’ll be glad if it lost, and admonished if it won.

        Take that Sunday drive any day of the week down to the broad beautiful banks of Old Fox Creek.  The foliage is magnificent.  The broad veranda of the Recreation of the Historic Emporium provides a perfect perch for viewing and a suitable spot for visiting with friends and neighbors on a lovely fall day.  Sing Roger Miller’s “You can’t roller skate in a buffalo herd, but you can be happy if you’ve a mind to!” in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—October 13, 2014

        On her way to Champion Sunday afternoon a local resident found herself following a slow moving pick up.  At a discreet distance, she enjoyed the leisureliest trip to Champion she has had, apart from the few times she walked it and the few times she rode the wagon train in the other direction.  Anyway, it was a beautiful outing and she was reminded that it is good to slow down sometimes on a day nice enough to have the windows open.  Some trees change colors from the top down and some sumac starts out red and turns purple. The recent rains have brought up some enormous mushrooms.  At last the truck reached the pavement and it turned west up WW, still in Sunday driver mode.  Bow season is on already and rural residents are accustomed to the deliberate pace of camouflaged country cruisers.  It would be nice if they came during the week to contribute to the local economy and would be even nicer if they took their litter with them.  Who, though, could blame anyone for wanting an unhurried trip through Champion?

        Betty and Dale Thomas had three to four thousand people come down to their place on Saturday and Sunday last.  They came from all over Missouri, from Colorado, Arizona, California, Indiana, Illinois, Montana, Texas, Tennessee, Idaho, Louisiana and China.  Phyllis Swafford brought the exchange student from China and reports are that she and everyone else had a marvelous time at the 13^th Annual Pioneer Descendant’s Gathering.  The music and food and demonstrations were all top notch.  Betty said they had twelve primitive camps this year and that the Sunday service up at the pavilion was very well attended.  One of the muzzle loader guys, Don Stafford of Gainesville, won the lovely hand quilted buffalo quilt.  He came in second behind Ed Paterka in the shooting, but first in the quilt.  It was a lot of fun and a lot of work for Betty and Dale to organize it all.  They had some volunteers to help close things up and put things away afterwards.  Planning is already underway for next year.  It really is an excellent gift to the area and Champion friends hope it will continue for years to come.  Among the authors attending this year were Cinita Brown of Ava, Vincent Anderson of Gainesville and David Allen Durer of Forsyth.  More than these complimentary words will be written about the gathering.

        The fruit jar on the counter at the Recreation of the Historic Emporium over on the North Side of the Square is steadily gathering funds to help the Skyline R2 School Foundation buy new, modern water coolers for the school.  The existing drinking fountains were original equipment when the school was built back in the 1950’s.  Some of the students attending Skyline back then are great-grandparents now.  Many of them will be at the Skyline Fall Festival on Friday where there will be fun and food and games for all.  There will be a live auction of some of the fine student art work and a variety of items donated by local businesses and individuals.  It will be a great evening—6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and the weather looks like it will be perfect for a family outing.

        A new Skyline alumnus grandson, Ryden Alen Coon, came in at 6 pounds 2 ounces and arrived on October 11.  His happy parents are Laurie and Randy Coon.  His grandparents are getting lots of attention from family and friends.  He has great-grandparents too—lucky kid.  Joe Moskaly has his birthday on the 15^th of October and his charming neighbor, Darlene Connor, celebrates on the 18^th.  Donna Moskaly enjoys her birthday on the 20^th and shares it with Betty Swain of Mansfield.  Betty is a consummate bridge player, somewhat past 90 now, a great fan of the no-trump bid.  Marty Watts has his birthday on the 20^th also.  Lonnie Krider is reported to have said he should have shot Marty the first time he came walking up the driveway.  He wound up marrying the elder Krider daughter and taking her off to Tennessee.  Cyanna Davis is in the 4^th grade at Skyline.  Her birthday is also on the 20^th.  The next day is given over to remembrances of Anna Henson.  She kept a close eye on Champion business and was famous for her memory.  Her sense of humor was such that if a person were buying a Snicker, they would get another one with a smile from Anna.  Kindergarten student, Haylee Surface, 7^th grader Talia Mancia and Skyline’s cook, Ms. Beth, all share the 22^nd as their special day.  It’ll be a Wednesday, so there will be fun at school that day.  Peanut Teagan–Supergirl’s mom, Breauna Krider, will celebrate her birthday on the 24^th.  Breauna’s brother-in-law, Bryan Ogelsby, and her uncle-in-law, Harley Krider, share the 26^th as their birthday.  Harley is feeling better these days according to his family, so much so that he has sent word to tease certain Champions that they are now as old as he is…just until Sunday.  His friends wish him and the lovely Barbara great day.

        Wilma Hutchison organized another good photo of Bud’s Fall Trail Ride.  She got the riders all lined up in front of Henson’s Grocery and Gas for a shot before they took off on their ride Wednesday.  Bud said that they all had much enjoyed the ride and the good company.  This time he was joined by Hershel Letsinger, Dale Lawson, Doran Coberly, Bob Wheeler, Larry Warrick, Don Hamby and Frank Williams.  Wilma’s picture will be in the papers one of these days and readers will be able to see what fun looks like on horseback.  Minnie Jo (Lorett) Henson was down at the Pioneer Gathering with Royce and said that she would send “Walk of Ages” pictures to The Champion News.  They have arrived and soon people will be able to go to www.championnews.us to see what fun looks like afoot.  Stay tuned.

        Columbus Day is called Indigenous People’s Day in some places these days and some people do not like it.  History is written by the winners and the truth of the past takes some effort to discern and may be so blurred through different perspectives as to be unfindable.  Recently some high school students have protested that history courses are being altered to reflect a more tranquil, less volatile recent past of the country than actual facts portray.  If the Nation appears more orderly, dissent is less likely, dissent being one of the best aspects of democracy.  It is easy to create the perception that our actions are always ethical and honorable, while those of our opponents are always unethical and dishonorable.  Jesse David Ing, big time Hollywood producer and frequent childhood visitor to Champion, said “If the 99% voted they would get what they want.”  He is a clever fellow.  In a letter to the editor October 7, 2010, Susan Needham wrote, “Change is a naturally occurring event; the most you can hope for is to steer it in the right direction.”  The deadline to register to vote for the November 4^th election was October 8^th.  Those registered already are encouraged to be informed and to participate in the process.  Those not registered are encouraged to do so and to join in the steering.

        Steer through the Missouri Earthquake Drill this week.  “This Island Earth” is a song adopted by The OACC folks as an anthem:  “Calling all dreamers and optimistic fools.  Don’t let go of your dream.  Make it now, make it all come true.  If you believe in a brighter day, I know we can find our way…” to Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—October 6, 2014

        Champion pumpkins are frost free and ready for the season…ready to be turned into jack-o-lanterns and pies and lattes.  They will be sitting around being decorous on bales of hay or next to dried corn shocks and chrysanthemums.  Some will stand alone on the porch and be all the decoration the changing season needs.  Some will wind up as chicken feed and some will have their seeds roasted for snacks.  Champion Pumpkin!

        See what children can do with pumpkins at the Skyline Fall Festival on the 17^th of October.  That is a week from Friday. There will be lots of fun and games for the whole family.  The school and the Skyline R2 School Foundation have a big push on to collect some funds to replace the aging water fountains in the school.  All you alumni, here about and far-flung, and residents of the school district, past and present, are invited to participate in the upgrade.  Cool, clean water for the kids seems like a worthwhile project.  Come to the Fall Festival, Friday, October 17^th, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., or contact the school to find out how you can help. 

        Angela Souder grew up in Romance and works for Douglas County Health Department.  She will be in Champion from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on the last Tuesday of each month doing blood pressure checks.  She can give you a reading of your body mass index and she can test you for carbon monoxide.  She may be bringing a ‘lung age’ machine with her next time.  It is a device that can evaluate the health of your lungs.  It is free and a great service to the eastern areas of the county to have this assistance to help people take a more active part in maintaining their own good health and Champions appreciate the attention.  The Health Department offers free blood pressure readings at Skyline School on the first Tuesday of each month from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

            Crystal Miller in grew up in Brixey.  Her family ran the store there for many years.  Todd Miller had the good fortune to win her heart and they have been making beautiful music together for a long time now.  He plays the banjo and Crystal plays the standup bass and sings.  She has a beautiful clear voice.  When you see “Hunter Creek” on the playbill, that is Todd and Crystal, together with some other nice folks.  To illustrate how quickly time flies, their son Eli is now twelve years old.  Crystal has recently had back surgery and is in Cox Hospital.  Her family and friends are sending her their prayers and best wishes for a good outcome and a speedy recovery.  Crystal Miller, Rt. 5 Box 590, Ava, MO 65608 is the address for well-wishers to send those cards and notes of encouragement.  She grew up in Brixey, lives over on Hunter Creek, but she is a real Champion.

        A note came from Pete Proctor saying his birthday is in February.  Champion Birthday Records show it to be on the 18^th of that month.  The report of a recent birthday for him proved to be a ‘test’ just to see if he really reads The Champion News.  Good job, Pete!

        In all the excitement several birthdays have slipped by unnoticed.  Who could have imagined that former President Jimmy Carter might share a birthday with a Prominent Champion?  The President is now 90 years old.  The Champion is younger but shares many of the laudable traits of the Nobel Peace Prize winner.  They are both accomplished wood workers, both civic minded with oversight to democratic elections.  Mr. Carter observes elections in developing nations around the world.  They also fancy well turned out brunettes and good home cooking.  They are organizers, delegators, good citizens, neighbors and friends.  Some have differing ideas about whether Mr. Carter was a ‘good president,’ but none can dispute he is a good man.  Meanwhile The General, another good man, has been hosting dinners, parties, picnics, peanut butter ice cream socials and assorted shenanigans in observance of various birthdays of his kinfolks.  His mother-in-law, Lucile Gayman, got the full treatment according to Shirley Squitiero who reported that the family had made a big wonderful deal of her Mother’s birthday.  Then came the double wingding of his sisters’ birthday.  Elizabeth Johnston and Tanna Wiseman did what they could to make it a surprise but their mothers found out and attended anyway.  Friends and family poured in from Springfield, Elkland, Drury, Champion and other places in a throng of about thirty to wish the Upshaw twins a happy day.  Eva (Coon) Clark has a birthday coming up on the 14^th.  She grew up in Champion and broke hearts around the country.  She became a nurse and recently made a trip to Eastern Europe with the Doctors Without Borders.  She worked in Albania, Macedonia and Germany and found it to be a great experience.  More recently she helped Gary celebrate his birthday on the 3^rd and/or the 6^th.  She has grandchildren who were birthday shopping for her down at the Pioneer Gathering.  Birthday excitement is Champion.

        The Pioneer Descendant’s Gathering was another splendid event.  Saturday morning started out pretty cold for the campers there, but the day warmed up as the steady stream of visitors poured trough.  The stage coach and wagon rides were very popular as were all the demonstrations of the various crafts and skills of times past.  Friends who only see each other at this event were well met.  The music was sublime as so many area talents came out to share their gifts.  A Prominent Girlfriend, one of those well turned out brunettes, made her singing debut with “You Say it Best When You Say Nothing At All.”  Applause! Brava! Champion!

        A reader wished to call TCN to task for plagiarism, having said, “The power of willful ignorance cannot be overstated.”  The reader was right, that string of words had been lifted from an on-line narrative about industrial animal production back during the debate of the so called “Right to Farm” amendment.  It was an anonymous positing, so no credit was given to the author.  Dr. Joe Dispenza, prominent neuroscientists, says, “In the age of information, ignorance is a choice.”  George Bernard Shaw wrote, “Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”  Another anonymous person says that we are attached to what we know.  Liberals and Conservatives alike must now contend with another powerful group drawing activist from both sides.  These are the Selfservatives—another bit of selective lifting.

        Linda’s Almanac can be found on the bulletin board at Henson’s Grocery and Gas over on the North Side of the Square in Downtown Champion.  It is also on line at www.championnews.us and on the counter at The Plant Place over in Norwood.  There is good information there about when to prune to discourage or to encourage growth.  It says that the 16^th to the 18^th will be good days to harvest crops.  The weather forecast looks good for a frost free period until then.  Hopes are that Bud Hutchison’s Fall Trail Ride will be rain free on Wednesday.  There will be folks out on the spacious veranda at the Historic Emporium to see them off about ten that morning and to welcome them home in the mid afternoon.  Happy trails, fellers!  Friends following the adventures of J.C. Owsley imagine him singing, “I ride an Old Paint, I lead Old Dan. I’m off to Cheyenne to do the hoolihan.”  He’s been off to Old Jeff lately, doing good work for far thinkers and his efforts are lauded by Champions—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—September 29, 2014

        Champions have been warned that, in terms of weather, the two weeks ahead are two of the four most beautiful weeks of the year in this lovely part of the world.  The other two weeks are those just past during which time Champion has been the destination of many visitors, some familiar with the area and some just out rambling.  On Tuesday Jim Cantrell, of Mansfield, and his buddies from the Gee Haw Horse and Wagon Club of Viola, Arkansas came back through town and camped for the night on the Square.  Locals knew they were coming so they had prepared some dishes to augment their supper.  Neighbors came out to visit around the campfire for a spell in the evening.  The travelers harnessed up and pulled out of town early the next morning planning to make it home on Friday.  The Gee Haw bunch were Ken Felts, Randall Barnett and Coy Stone.  Cantrell only went along with them because he had left his truck and trailer down in Arkansas.

        Bud Hutchison and a half dozen of his friends came riding in from Crystal Lake on Wednesday.  This was not Bud’s scheduled “Fall Ride,” but just a beautiful day to be in the saddle.  The scheduled ride will meet up at Champion on October 8^th, and at about ten o’clock they will take off up Fox Creek and amble around over towards Vanzant.  Sometimes this is quite a large group of equestrians.  Wilma Hutchison always gets a good picture.  They make their loop and get back to Champion at two or three in the afternoon.  The neighborhood comes out to see them off and to welcome them back again.  Bob and Ethel Leach will likely be there to greet them, as well as Almartha’s mischievous motorcycle maven, and a prominent Champion and perhaps a prominent Champion girlfriend.  Everyone is welcome.

        Skyline VFD Auxiliary President Betty Dye will celebrate her birthday on October 7^th.  She shares the day with OACC activist Vicky Trippe of Springfield and with Skyline prekindergarten student Macy Smith.  The OACC folks had a great gathering at the Hammond Mill Camp recently.  They support the environment, sustainable farming and social consciousness, among other good things.  Madelyn Ward was born in 2006 on October 10^th.  She is the granddaughter of Kaye and Richard Johnston, so it is predetermined that she will have a great birthday.  The next day Champion Steve Connor has a reason to celebrate and along about this time in years past, Pete Proctor is said to have had a birthday.  The 14^th is shared by three grown-ups who do not know each other—nephew Glen Masters, in his 40’s now, Jillian Hall III, great niece and award winning filmmaker, and Leslie Krider, dairy farmer and Peanut-The Wonder Girl’s dad—lovely people all.  Joe Moskaly shares the 15^th with Skyline prekindergarten student Keedien Smith.  Olivia Prock is in the sixth grade.  Her birthday is on the 16^th.  The next day the whole school will celebrate Skyline’s PTO Fall Festival.  It will be held at the school from 6 to 9 p.m.  The event replaces the Halloween carnival.  Everyone is welcome to attend to support the excellent little rural school that is preparing responsible and involved citizens for the future.  These are the people who will be running things when most readers of The Champion News will be doddering, old and gray or gone.

        The Christian Agricultural Stewardship Conference will be held on Friday, October 3^rd, 2014 at the Vanzant Community Building starting at 11a.m.  The conference is being co-hosted by coordinator Geffrey Goss and President Keith Montgomery.  The program this year will feature Carroll Montgomery speaking on the subject of soil balance, Jill Henderson on vegetable crops and seed saving, and Vernon Kinsinger on the subject of epigenetics.  Everyone is invited to bring samples of crops such as corn or other field crops (non GMO please) or samples of vegetable crops for a show and tell.  There will be a pot luck dinner in the evening followed by bluegrass and gospel music provided by the group Wires on Wood.  Past conferences have had an average of sixty or so people in attendance.  There will be free literature available on a variety of agricultural subjects as well books for sale.  The event is free to the public.

        To augment his income The General has taken a position as a ‘stringer’ for The Champion News.  His first offering:  “What a great night we had at the Vanzant Community Center Thursday night pot luck and jam.  Great music and food.  That fabulous banjo player and his beautiful wife that lives on highway 14 east of Ava showed up for the first time in about 19 months.  Wayne and Joann Anderson were greeted with a standing ovation when they came through the door (Possibly because they arrived a little late and everyone was standing in line to serve themselves at the buffet table).  Anyhow, it was great to have them back.”  An example of Wayne’s wonderful picking can be heard by going to “Champion Events– School Reunions” at www.championnews.us.  There is a short mp3 there of Wayne and Lonnie Krider singing, “We Live in Two Different Worlds.”  Their harmonies are unforgettable and plans are to get more of their recordings up soon.  Meanwhile, it is great to have The General on the TCN team and readers look forward to more from him.  He was over at ‘Vanzant Under The Stars’ Saturday night and reports are that he was well deported (good behavior as opposed to good-bye) for this charming new weekly community gathering.  Thanks, Ms. Stillwell, for getting it together.  River has had family visiting from afar.  That is always a special time.

        The 13^th Annual Pioneer Descendants Gathering is happening on October 4^th and 5^th.  Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.  Betty and Dale Thomas have made this an excellent happening–getting better year after year.  It is a free public event with everyone invited to see exhibits and demonstrations of the 1860 to 1960 era.  Musicians from all around the area will be performing, so bring your lawn chairs and prepare to be entertained under the big pavilion.  Apple butter and molasses cooking will keep the air full of good aromas.  Hungry visitors will have plenty to enjoy while the music plays. Wagon rides down by Bryant Creek will be going on all day and chances are friends you have not seen in a while will be there too.

        Linda’s October Almanac from over at The Plant Place in Norwood indicates that there is plenty to get done in the garden this time of the year in addition to bringing in the sheaves.  According to the almanac, the Hunter’s Moon will be full on the 8^th of the month and that is also the day of the full lunar eclipse.  It will occur early in the morning with the total eclipse beginning at 5:27.  The eclipse will be at its maximum at about 5:55 and will end at 6:22.  It looks like it will be clear and if there is not a hill between you and it, and if you are willing to get up before daylight, and if you are in the mood for celestial excitement, this will be an excellent opportunity to be reminded that the world is round.  Expect conversations concerning that concept to be rife out on the wide veranda at the Historic Emporium.  The power of willful ignorance cannot be overstated, so come join in the discourse in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—September 22, 2014

        Last week’s rain was heavy at times and much appreciated over the entire area.  Champions were concerned that the West Plains Wagon Club might have difficulties keeping to their schedule, but they rolled into town Thursday no worse for the wear.  Only two outriders accompanied the seven wagons and they reported having been drenched on at least one occasion.  They were all in good spirits and happy to be dining again under the enormous walnut trees in the little church yard.  The usual crowd of gawkers and musicians were not as intrepid as the travelers, but those who did come out were well rewarded.  Bob and Linda Cottengim and Joann Carter, all of Norwood, came out to rendezvous with Jim and Judy Cantrell of Mansfield.  Linda is Judy’s aunt and Joann is Linda’s sister-in-law and they are all well acquainted.  Bob Cottengim is 85 years old now.  He recalls having come down to this part of the country once when he was a kid.  Someone his family knew had a car.  He and Linda used to run into Ed Henson at the feed store in Mt. Grove fairly often.  They kept saying that they would make it down to Champion ‘one of these days,’ and when they read about the event in the paper they figured the day had finally come.  Bob says they will not be strangers in the future.  Linda used to write the Mt. Zion column for the paper and she is a regular reader of The Champion News.  Others out to see the train were Mark and Gretchen from East Dogwood and a number of Kriders, Clines and Johnston.  Outrider, Candice Summer, was very sweet to the young ones and sat them up on her pretty paint horse for pictures and for the fun of it.  The fun continues as several of the wagons plan to pass back this way on their return to Viola, Arkansas.  They will camp here overnight and be genuine Champions!

        Last Monday Champions out on a tear ran into Pat and Wes Smith in a Mexican Restaurant in town.  It was Pat’s birthday (September 15^th) and they were celebrating, though she said something to the effect that getting older is nothing to brag about.  She was, however, willing to brag about her grandson, Weston.  She and Wes had been down to Mt. Home to see him and help him celebrate his birthday.  On their way home they stopped in Seymour to enjoy the Apple Festival.  It sounds like she came home with a couple of birthday presents one of which is a gourd that is painted and cut in such a way that when a person does something with it, it sounds like thunder.  She was quite pleased with it and a better description of it will be forthcoming once it is on public display.  Wednesday will be Grandfather Chapin’s birthday.  He says that between now and Grandma Chapin’s birthday on October 12^th, this part of the country will experience the most beautiful weather of the year.  Other birthdays falling into this glorious period are those of Nicole Johnson, Skyline’s preschool teacher’s aide, on the 27^th.   Seventh grader, Newt Souder, has a birthday on September 30^th.  First grade student Lydia Harden shares her birthday on the first with a prominent Champion, who once again is reminded, “When you act like you are having a good time, pretty soon you will forget you are acting and will really be having a good time.”  Malachi Johnson is a second grader and he will be having a good time on October 4^th.  The Upshaw twins have been celebrating that day for quite a few years.  One is older than the other and does not let her sister forget.  They are both older than one of their friends by a couple of weeks.  During those weeks the younger person makes it a point to say, “Yes, Mam” to her friends and opens the door for them—“Age before beauty,” etc.

        Posted on the internet recently: “UPDATE:  From the Vanzant Weather Lab and Alien Observatory, the dry weather spell for Vanzant and the surrounding area has been extended through 11:15 a.m. 17 Sept 2014.  Everyone watch out for a downpour of spizzel.”  The local meteorologist and alien observer might have enjoyed the “People’s Climate March” on Sunday the 21^st.  While many folks in this part of the world do not believe it is happening, there is significant evidence that there is a lot of melting going on way up North and way down South.  Almost four hundred thousand people marched in New York City to bring attention to the issue.  Every large city all across the world had enormous demonstrations to shed light on the subject.  There were even some in Springfield and the OACC folks (Ozark Area Community Congress) had their gathering at the Hammond Mill Camp over the week end.  Climate change does not seem to get much publicity in the mainstream media, but there have not been this many people out in the streets trying to raise consciousness of an issue since the 2003 demonstrations against the Shock and Awe bombing of Baghdad.  The bombing made it to the news but the worldwide resistance to it did not.  Back to climate change, if indeed the planet has passed the tipping point and no amount of human effort can mitigate the damage, it would seem the thing to do, as was suggested by William Burroughs, is to align oneself with the inevitable.  Several years ago some folks from the east coast of Virginia bought property in Brushy Knob because they figure that before long the Ozarks will be the new east coast.  Champions will stay alert and make room for new neighbors.

        One of those nice Tennessee boys came over from Cripple Creek to visit with his Grandmother over the week end.  He had to get back to Murfreesborough for school Monday morning, so the visit was short but sweet.  He helped out in the milk barn and showed off his continually growing banjo skill.  He had his bow with him, but the white tails were elusive.  The season is open back home now, so he will have more opportunities to put meat on the table.  Some Champion gardens are still pouring forth good food for the table and the larder.  If the frost will hold off for a while, there will be a few more tomatoes.

        There are green tomatoes on the vine in little kitchen gardens in fair Edinburgh and a Champion lad there thinks he will introduce fried green tomatoes to his Scots friends.  Some of them (45%) could use some cheering up as the Referendum for Independence did not work in their favor.  It was said that the majority of the ‘no’ vote was cast by elderly people, and there are reports of significant shenanigans as Russian observers were present at a number of polling places and reported irregularities.  They must be pretty irregular to impress Russians.  The Scots have had a nice reconciliation gathering that suggests there will be some positive changes.  Positive change is the best kind.  They say, “Don’t change the old for the new.”  Several, including Ray Charles, Sophie Tucker and Benny Goodman, found out that this will never do.  They figure, “when you grow old, you don’t last long.  You’re here today and then tomorrow you’re gone.”  Gone where?  To Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—September 15, 2014

        It happens every year that the heat breaks and the mornings are suddenly quite cool.  It does not matter if a person is ready for it or not, seasons change.  Champion!

        Louise Hutchison’s birthday is September 21^st.  That is an auspicious day, being the traditional date of the Autumnal Equinox.  Some calendars say autumn begins on the 22^nd and some say the 23^rd.  It is a nice thing that birthdays do not move around the calendar that way.  Her many friends will be wishing Louise the best on her special day.  She shares it with Zoey Louise in Texas and with Penelope Zappler as well.  Zoey will be eleven.  Penelope will be nine and Louise will be smiling at the pile of cards and well wishes coming her way.  Atticus Umba Fowler is the newly arrived grandson of Sandy Ray (“Searching for Booger County”) and Janet Chapin.  He lives up in St. Louis.  He will eventually find out that his Grandpa’s birthday is the 24^th of September and Granny’s is the 12^th of October.  Sandy says that the best weather of the year here about is always between their birthdays.  Certainly it is a busy time of the year.  Tristian Jeffery is a kindergarten student at Skyline.  His birthday is September 26^th.  Dustin Johnson is in the 5^th grade and celebrates on the 26^th.  The school year is well underway and there are good times ahead for the little country school student body and staff.  Skyline Champions all!

        Frances Sutherland celebrated her 82^nd trip around the sun back on the 14^th of September.  Her Champion friends wish her a happy belated birthday and hope to get to see her on Thursday the 18^th when the West Plains Wagon Club comes rolling into the Square in Champion around noon time.  Mr. Clifton Luna has been heading up this annual trek from West Plains to Mansfield for many years.  He is getting close to 90 now and there is speculation that this may be his last year for this train.  Observers will note that just getting from here to there on a wagon hitched to horses or mules is no small task.  It is a wonderful learning experience to see how it used to be done.  Champion always turns out a good welcoming committee and there may be music up on the Veranda or out under an oak tree while the animals rest and the travelers take in all the sights on the wide wooly banks of Old Fox Creek.   The General said that he would gauge the level of excitement that his squeeze box might create in the draft animals before he let fly too many notes.  Past years have seen as many as fifteen rigs of various kinds and dozens of outriders who travel ahead and behind the train for security.  Some outriders travel the whole distance and others join up to ride for a day or two or for just a few hours.  Ronnie Thompson will miss getting to ride along this year.  His friends and family are looking forward to having him back in the saddle again soon.  Everyone is welcome to come enjoy the spectacle.  If you cannot make it this time, go to www.championnews.us and look at some pictures from past years.  The weather ahead looks like it will be ideal for photographs.  Jo and Royce Henson will be there to greet the train, as will Kaye and Richard Johnston, maybe some Sutherlands, Brixeys, Upshaws, and Cooleys, and Proctors.  Pictures will be taken.  Champion is a very picturesque place, situated as it is at the bottom of several hills where country roads meet at the end of the pavement.  A recent visitor asked why these banks of Fox Creek are always called ‘wooly.’  The debris still stuck high in the trees from the flood of August 2013, is part of it and other parts may be the mystery and history of what is up the creek and down it.

        By the time the wagon train pulls out of Champion on Thursday, the lovely people of Scotland will have cast their ballots and will probably know if they will be an independent nation or if they will still be tethered to the United Kingdom.  Had our precious Colonies been able to simply cast a vote for independence it might have saved a lot of bloodshed but might not have yielded ‘freedom.’  It is a spectacular moment in history today for Scotland as it was for us in 1776.  This election is being watched closely around the world by other captive countries.  We feel secure out here in our tranquil rural homes where we seem untouched by the troubles of the tumultuous world outside.  The right to vote has been hard won and Champions do not take it for granted.

        The recount in Douglas County of the vote in the August 5^th primary election showed that Amendment 1 was passed by 287 votes–state wide by 2,375 votes.  It will be interesting over time to see if this amendment really does protect the right to farm for farmers or if it will just allow the nice people of China to move their “Smithfield Foods” pork production to the Bryant Creek watershed or any of the other beloved waterways of the beautiful Ozarks.  When the U.S. government approved Shuanghui International Holding’s purchase of Smithfield Food, Inc. in September of last year, the deal was valued at approximately $7.1 billion.  That is a lot of bacon.  It was the biggest takeover of a U.S. company by the Chinese to date.  Time will tell and Champions will all hope it tells a good story.

        The Pioneer Descendants Gathering is gathering steam for another fine show.  It will occur on October 4^th and 5^th.  Admission is free and everyone is invited to see the exhibits and demonstrations of the 1860 to 1960 era.  Dale and Betty Thomas have been hosting this gathering for 13 years now and it is just getting better.  The event is promoted by the many descendants of Tom Brown and John Burden.  There will be lots of live music in addition to good food and many opportunities to appreciate the skills and ingenuity of our predecessors.

        Proceed to the wide, wild, wooly banks of Old Fox Creek and enjoy the view from the Veranda looking out across the square.  If a song comes into your head and you have a good voice, let it out.  “A charm from the skies seems to hallow us there, which seek thro’ the world, is ne’er met elsewhere.  Home! Home! Sweet, sweet home!” in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—September 8, 2014

        This week looks perfect and those not busy enjoying it will be missing something delightful.  Champions do not get ahead of themselves other than to plan well and firewood is being contracted this week.  The nip in the air is suddenly portentous of the winter ahead which some are predicting will be a rough one, as if last winter was not.  Neat stacks of firewood and lots of full canning jars are Champion preparedness.

        The extended community turned out in a big way for the benefit for Ronnie Thompson at the Skyline School on Saturday.  The event was well planned and well executed and the food was delicious.  To be a part of so many friends and neighbors from all across the area coming together in a lovely loving common cause is a gift to everyone who participated.  Helping –Champion!

        “Deep in the Ozark Mountains.  Down  by a rushing steam.  Is the place I love to wander and have a sweet day’s dream.”  Ethel McCallie’s father’s poem is timeless for lucky locals.  A recent letter from her to The Champion News revealed that the Hayden Family Reunion was well attended.  She estimated close to 78 or 80.  There were sad absentees as there are in every nostalgic reunion.  Ethel is a wonderful storyteller.   Bonnie Brixey Mullens over in Wichita, writes that Ethel’s sister was her aunt, married to Virgil Proctor.  The family trees in this part of the world look like the Briar Patch.  Bonnie is hoping to make it down to Denlow for the Proctor Family Reunion in May.  Meanwhile TCN (The Champion News) will encourage a correspondence between Ethel and Bonnie.  Look for the transcript of Ms. McCallie’s latest letter in the Champion Neighbors Category over on the right hand side of the page at www.championnews.us.  It starts out, “9-3-14 Well, Howdy Doody and a pleasant good marnin to you.”

        Skyline School first grade student Lexus Ledbetter has his birthday on September 10^th.  The 13th is set aside for Tanna Jo Krider Wiseman, mother of Foster and Kalyssa, Skyline alumnus.  Breann Davis is a seventh grader at Skyline who celebrates her birthday on the 14^th together with nephew Konrad Zappler, father of Sophia and Penelope.  Elmer Banks will party on the 15^th and everyone who sees him is welcome to ask him just how old he is anyway?  He might have some yarn to spin about it and a wise person will take the time to listen.  Most generally Elmer has some good information to share.  The General is a little less predictable.  They are both predicted to be out on the spacious veranda over on the North side of the Square on Thursday the 18^th when the West Plains Wagon Club comes rolling into town.   Coy Stone will probably be representing the Gee Haw Club out of Viola Arkansas.  He is the guy who whittled that ball and chain on display in the Chat Room in the Emporium.  Champions are hoping Diane and Jerry Wilbanks will be on the train.  Their new friends here miss them.  The wagon folks are awfully nice about letting people look at their rigs and their animals.  It is a real education for many who have just heard about the old days when the only way to get around was by horse or wagon or walking.  People might have been healthier for the exercise and they probably made every trip off the place count.  “Put on your old gray bonnet, with the blue ribbons on it, while I hitch Old Dobbin to the shay.”  Perhaps there will be an example of a ‘shay’ on this train.  Bud Hutchison’s Fall Champion trail ride sometimes has a buggy or two along for the ride.  A shay sounds kind of fast and sassy, like the hot rod of the day.  Champions will be on the lookout and invite the neighborhood to come out and enjoy the spectacle around noon time Thursday the 18^th in Historic Downtown Champion.

        Thursday, September 18, 2014, the people of Scotland will vote on a referendum that restores their sovereignty and removes them from the United Kingdom.  Each side has vocal supporters and detractors.  The “Yes” for Independence people ask the “Better Together”(“No”)people, “Why is it not better already?”  People from all over the world weigh in on the issue because Scots are everywhere from Nova Scotia (New Scotland) to Perth, Australia, and they hold on to their culture.  1703 does not seem that long ago in Scots history.  Caledonia is the Latin name given to the area by the Romans.  The old song goes, “I’ve been telling old stories, singing songs that make me think about where I’ve come from.  Let me tell you that I love you, that I think about you all the time.  Caledonia, you’re calling me, now I’m going home.  But if I should become a stranger, know that it would make me more than sad.  Caledonia’s been everything I’ve ever had.”  The world is watching and hoping for the best for the fine people of Scotland.  The recount of the votes on Amendment One in Missouri’s primary election is still underway.  Results are available from some counties, but so far nothing significant has developed.  Less than one quarter of one percent margin would indicate that there are strong opinions on both sides.  Democracy rules even when it rules against the best interest of the people.  Alas!

        Linda’s Almanac from over at The Plant Place in Norwood says that the 10^th and 11^th will be good days for harvesting crops.  Crops harvested on those days are thought to keep well.  The 12^th and 13^th will be favorable days for planting root crops and fine for vine crops.   They will also be good days for transplanting.  This might be a good time to plant garlic for next year.  Some already have a good size patch of tiny turnips sprouting in anticipation of a fall visit from their favorite friends Lem and Ned.  These fictional boys are big lanky fellows who come ambling up the driveway looking for a chore to do for a housewife.  They bring their own dinner bucket and will do any kind of onerous chore she cannot get the old man to do—clean the chicken house, turn the compost, haul brush, cut sprouts, etc.  They just want a few turnips for their effort since they are independent gents, not needing much but the chance to help out where they are needed.  Daydreaming down on the wild wooly banks of Old Fox Creek or a little ways up The Clever is easy to do in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—September 1, 2014

        It has been a busy week in Champion with another busy one ahead.  Recent visitors have remarked that there seems to be a lot going on in a place so geographically small.  That is because the community extends well beyond its borders.  It turns out the world is full of Champions.  It was a joy to have so many returning for the Champion School Reunion on Saturday.  They came from Kansas, Arkansas, Tennessee and Texas and one was just back from Oregon.  They shared good food and great conversations as old friendships were rekindled and renewed.  Eight stalwart individuals made the “The Walk of Ages” which was routed from Denlow to Champion this year and was led again by Royce Henson.  Mini Jo was at his side as well as their son Vaughn, and daughter, Valley and her husband Tom Mills.  The route had been chosen by Kenneth Henson (Hoovie) who scouted it out back during the spring and allowed as how there were hardly any hills at all.  He paid for the prevarication by huffing and puffing and dragging up the rear of the party.  He was lucky that his wife, Dawn Henson, was willing to drive the support vehicle with the cool water.  Brothers Pete and Frankie Proctor made that walk in honor of their Mother, Champion Ruby Hicks Proctor, who passed away since the last reunion.  When the walkers arrived they found a nice crowd enjoying the day:  Elva Ragland and her daughter Sheila Brown, Fae Krider, Wes Lambert, Elsie Curtis, Debbie Massey, Ethel Luellen Anderson from Kansas and her three daughters, Louise Rinebold, Ruth Daharsh, and Betty Bishop, Wilma Hicks Hamby, Glenna Lambert Henson, Vivian Krider Floyd, Irene Keller Dooms, Beverly Dooms Keller, Betty Henson, J.R. and Janet Johnston, Wayne and Frances Sutherland and Laine Sutherland, Robert and Sharon Upshaw, Darrel Hutchison, Harold and Eva Phillips, Jerry and Shawna Smith.  Shawna is a collector of arrowheads and found a beautiful and perfect little white specimen out on the banks of Old Fox Creek.  There were just over forty in attendance including prominent citizens and with only a hint of rain, some light sprinkles at lunch time, it was a perfect day for gathering on the old school grounds again to reminisce and to catch up with old friends.  This was the 30^th year for the reunion.  Last year Russell Upshaw sat out under the trees visiting with family and friends until late in the day.  He and a number of other dear ones were sorely missed this time.

        Russell Upshaw was the inspiration behind the Vanzant Bluegrass Jam which is a pot luck affair happening every Thursday night at the Vanzant Community Building—supper at six.  Readers of TCN ( The Champion News) on line can simply ‘click’ on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm7UqsNZhaw&feature=share and see 38 minutes of a session in April, 2012.  “This particular Thursday night there were people in the audience from New Jersey, Idaho, and Iowa.  Max Cooley, playing dobro and singing, lives in Nebraska,” reported an attendee.  Looking around the room it was like a Who’s Who of Bluegrass–a spectacular evening.  David Richardson of Whetstone is probably responsible for the video.  He records a lot of the good stuff that goes on in the area and it will be good to have another of his pieces up on the www.championnews.us website.  More of the good stuff going on has to do with the community benefit for its Champion Ronnie Thompson.  The advertisements in the papers say that it will start with a chili supper at 5 on Saturday at the Skyline School.  There will be an auction and a volleyball tournament.  Ashley Pierson (417-686-0164) is the contact person.  The ad says to bring a pie for the auction.  What the ad does not say is that the Thompson family has been a part of the real infrastructure of the community for generations—ideal neighbors and friends.  Champion!

        Wayne Anderson celebrated his birthday on Saturday.  He took a rambling ride with his family over to the Clever Creek Unity Cemetery.  It was established April 5^th, 1928.  The trustees were Elijah Anderson, president, Isaiah P. Henson, secretary, James H. Schudy, treasurer, Harve G. Mears and Fleming Ghear.  From there the party made a swing up through Denlow, then over to Mt. Grove for dinner, and back down through Champion.  They missed the school reunion but enjoyed visiting and hearing all about it.  Laine Sutherland had been there and it was her birthday too.  Bernice Wiseman said, “Thank all of you so much for helping me grow old.  It is a pleasant journey with friends like you all.  Appreciate everyone so much.”  That was her response to the many birthday wishes she had received.  Tennessee grandson Dillon Watts was in Champion on Sunday.  He has just had his 21^st birthday.  His cousin, Drayson Cline, is a one year old boy now and on the run.  It will take more than The Champion News to keep up with him.  Larry Wrinkles birthday is on September 1^st.  Skyline sixth grade student, Ethan Poppas, has his birthday on the 4^th.  Eighth graders Derek Camp and Donavon Sarginson both celebrate on the fifth.  Renaissance woman, Jeannette C. Tharp, will start merry making Friday for her Monday birthday.  Her friends will help!

        Ms. Ethel McCallie had her 97^th birthday on August 11^th.  She was in town (Ava) for the Hayden Family Reunion over the week end.  Her Champion friends missed getting to see her this time.  They will make up for it with some nice telephone conversations soon just to see how it all went.  She lives over in Bartlesville, Oklahoma but has deep connections to the area.  Ethel is a good neighbor.

        Because the Constitution Amendment #1 was approved on the August 5^th ballot by less than one quarter of one percent of the vote, Mr. Wes Shoemeyer, President of Missouri’s Food for America, requested that the vote be recounted.  The recount of the Douglas County votes will happen at nine o’clock on Friday, September 5^th in the court room of the Courthouse in Ava.  The county by county by county recount results will be published on the internet at www.sos.mo.gov/elections/Amendment1  The Secretary of State’s office takes care of that.  Mr. Shoemeyer lives over in Clarence, Missouri just a little to the west of Hannibal.  Folks on either side of the issue are aggravated that so many people did not vote and that many who did voted against their own best interest because of family tradition or lack of factual information.  Ah!  Democracy!

        Soon it will be “Oh! Pioneer” as the Descendants Gathering comes together for the 13^th time on October 4^th and 5^th.   Before then, “Wagons, ho!” Fans of the West Plains Wagon Club will be pleased to know the wagon train will be back in Champion on Thursday the 18^th of September.  They will leave from the West Plains MFA Sale Barn at 10:00 Monday morning and pass through Champion for the noon time rest on Thursday.  The General asked if there would be music again at the Champion Welcoming.  That is a good question with a couple of weeks to answer it.  He said that he would measure the response of the draft animals to the sound before he let too much air out of his accordion.  (Note:  He missed the Walk of Ages, having taken a wrong turn and winding up somewhere north of Spotted Hog before he came around.)  Bring those guitars, fiddles, banjos, mandolins, basses and good voices down to the Wild Wooly Banks of Old Fox Creek any day of the week, but that particular Thursday will be a good one to show up in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!