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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!