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CHAMPION—June 15, 2009

        In Champion the ratio of the water vapor in the atmosphere to the amount required to saturate it at the same temperature is called relative humidity.  When concrete sweats even though it has just been lying there, there is humidity.  Some say the humidity is bad enough, “Do we need to have relatives too?”  It turns out they are a good thing.  Champions residing in Seymour have had a swarm of relatives helping them to get their roof back on after some storm damage that occurred recently.  Uncle Dusty did say he thought he was getting shingles on his behind and he had a number of other complaints, but none about his relatives.  Those relatives have not just been lying around but have been helping with the grocery bill and getting ready to do the haymaking finally.  They have also been busy with a nice variety of general farm work, including some generous favors for neighbors.  So on balance, relatives are preferable to humidity.  Neighbor’s relatives are some of the best kinds.

        “Hi [Champion].  The East Fairview School reunion was a great.  We had students from Oregon and Arkansas.  We are remembering the deceased students from two years ago and also the deceased veterans from the 22 vets that went to school there and 11 vets that lady students had married.  I called their names and asked veterans that were there to come up front.  We saluted the flag while taps was played.  We had door prizes and [recognition] for the oldest student, youngest student, and farthest distance traveled.  We had auction on the homemade quilt made by Ruby Proctor.  We are planning another one next year . The Proctor reunion was well attended–a lot of talking.  I saw some for the first time also since 1958.  I got a surprise of my life.  My buddy that was in boot camp with me in 1967, met me and my wife in Bass Pro the 3rd of June for the first time since Sept 1967, 42 year ago.  We had a great visit and dinner.  So, bye for now.  Pete”  Champions join Pete in support of all the troops serving everywhere with Love and Gratitude.

        “Dear Champion, Enough of this BS!  If you don’t know ‘BS’ stands for Bright Side.  Don’t you ever get tired of everything being so rosy and pleasant out there in the sticks?  You make the place sound like a roaring metropolis.  Well, I’ve been to Champion and I know that it is not even a wide space in the road.  It is a wide space beside a road and the pavement ends there.  Who are you trying to fool?  Sure, everybody would like to live in a place that is uncommonly beautiful and bountiful with eagles and bears, turkeys and blackberries and good neighbors, but you never mention the ticks and chiggers.  Why the only thing I ever read in your column about chiggers is that somebody said they lower cholesterol!  That’s just an out and out lie.  If you don’t know the rest of the world is out here suffering with a bad economy, corrupt government, crime, despotism, vandalism, tragedy, disease and heartbreak.  Where do you get off?  Disgruntled Elsewhere” This letter comes unbidden and Champions get off C Highway and turn east on WW and go all the way to the bottom of the hill.  Then they are home.  It is a shame that everyone can’t live in such a beautiful place, but then, as this reader points out, there are the ticks and chiggers and there is also the humidity to consider.

        Foster Wiseman has his 4^th birthday this week.  The whole community is proud of him and pleased for him to be having such a lively celebration.  He has a whole mess of relatives who have been eating pie and cake in his honor for days!

        Friday and Saturday are designated as good days to plant root crops according to Linda’s Almanac from over at The Plant Place in Norwood.  The 17^th and 18^th are good days to cut hay if the weather cooperates.  Linda is as excited as any about the First Ripe Tomato in Champion Contest 2009.  She has signed a Congratulatory Gift Certificate for $10.00 to be presented to the winner.  That brings the total cash value of the prize to upwards of twenty dollars and an old fruit jar!  The catch is that the tomato must have been grown in Champion and for contest purposes Champion is defined as where a person casts his ballot.  Voting is not a requirement, but that defines the geographical area under consideration.  The winner must also be willing to share the tomato with the judges who vote if it’s ripe or not and to be photographed with the prize….the tomato will be gone by then.  This is the third annual event.  June 28, 2007 and July 12, 2008 are the dates of the previous wins.  Anticipation is mounting!

        “In the night when the moon is clear You my dear are very near and so warm Like a hot summer day late in June. Remember when we were so young?  We thought that everything was fun, But really life had just begun.  I never want to leave you.  I never want to go.  I just want to be beside you Everywhere you go.”  This song is called “Hot Summer Day” and was written by Danny Kirwan.  The nature of the melody might determine weather it is a sweet song or sort of creepy like a stalker might be singing it.  (Perhaps that note from Mr. Elsewhere is having an effect.)  For sure Summer will be here on Sunday.  Seasons are slipping by and it may happen that suddenly on a sultry summer Sunday someone will sing that song or another one that is sentimental and soothing.

        The Summer Solstice is June 21^st.  It is the longest day of the year and it is Father’s Day this year!  The old guy will be fed his favorite pie and the phone will jangle off the hook as grateful sons and daughters make their customary “Gee, thanks, Dad” call.  Mail boxes will be full of cards and a few long overdue letters describing the successes of his children and how they could never have done it without him.  Others will be thinking of their own dear Father and how he worked for his family and the good example that he set.  They will be remembering fishing trips and funny songs and family stories that go way back.

        Examples of good neighboring and stories that go way back may be sent to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  Garden lore and salutes to sylvan summer are accepted at Champion News.  Sip a soda and sing a summer song on the porch at Henson’s Store.  It is on the North Side of the Square and looks across the broad expanse of Lonnie Krider Memorial Drive.  Check out the news from way back at www.championnews.us.  In Champion it’s not BS when you’re Looking on the Bright Side!