May 25, 2015
CHAMPION—May 25, 2015
at a family grave in the Denlow Cemetery. It turned out to be a beautiful day.
Memorial Day, Decoration Day and late spring reunions of families, communities and schools combined for a nostalgic whirlwind of social commotion amid weather that had been unsettled for days. Americans who died while in the military service were duly and respectfully honored with flag ceremonies. Ancestors, long gone, and family and friends recently departed were remembered and commemorated with flowers and gatherings to tell the old stories and remember. This was the scene across the whole Nation and certainly Champion neighbors over in Denlow made a sterling showing of their combined commemorations.
 The General Robert d’Hood Upstart demonstrates Hula hoop magic in hand made, croched multi colored faux lederhosen.
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The Denlow/Fairview School Reunion deserves a paragraph of its own. There were off and on showers and almost continuous drizzle until early afternoon when the sun appeared to lighten the mood of the crowd, which was by all definitions of the word, pretty ‘light’ already. Hula hoop contests replaced the traditional hula dance contest, as some are more conservative these days. General Robert d’Hood Upstart officiated in his custom made crocheted multi-colored faux lederhosen and initiated the action with a demonstration of how it is done. Fortunately, there were many grandchildren about who were able to more accurately depict the correct moves. There were some dazzling displays of colorful hoops circling slim oscillating torsos exerting the necessary torque for the centripetal force to keep the thing up and going round and round. The General shooed the children away with the admonition to ‘grow up’ and then instigated a dead heat contest among himself, The Kentucky Wonder and the Twister Sister. It was a three way tie. With the foolishness over, Lavern Miller, who was on his way to a horse auction in St. Louis, took charge and auctioned off a great variety of donated objects, the proceeds from which go to perpetuate this annual affair. Among the items was the last quilt top that Ruby Proctor had made. The family had it quilted and donated it for the auction. Geneva Proctor, down from Oregon for the occasion was the successful bidder. In spite of some overeager and yet incompetent help, Lavern did his usual good job. The grassy hillside parking lot was full of cars and trucks with people coming and going all day visiting the cemetery with umbrellas, flags and flowers. There was reported to have been in the neighborhood of 120 people in attendance. There was also reported to have been an extraordinary plate of fudge on the desert table, but no evidence of it survived. Those who enjoy The Champion News on line can read reports of the Denlow School Reunion in the archives on these dates: June 2, 2014; May 25, 2013; May 28, 2012; May 29, 2011; May 31, 2010; May 18, 2009; May 26, 2008; and May 28, 2007. These archives only go back until August of 2006, so before that time a person will just have to rely on memory. There are some sweet ones to be had.
 Proctor sisters Geneva, of Oregon, and Alice, from Iowa, are shown here with the quilt Geneva bought in the auction at The Denlow School Reunion. The last quilt top that Ruby Proctor made was finished by the family and donated to the auction. Now it is a family heirloom.
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The Proctor Family gathered at Denlow on Sunday for their reunion. Pete has been working on getting this together for some while. They came from Oregon, Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma and other distant places to the home spot where the heart is. There were lots of pictures being shared around and a display of ancestral photos going way back. Jerry Proctor made good presentation of some family history: “Wiley Proctor, my father, was told by his grandfather, Thomason Clingdon, that when Ransom [Proctor] and five of his six sons left Webster County Kentucky (Andrew was too sick to travel), they were planning on going to relatives that lived in central Missouri. However, when they got to the Mississippi River, they were told that there was a lot of sickness and fever in that part of Missouri so Ransom then decided to go straight on west.” That is how the family came to Douglas County. Jerry has had DNA testing done which reveals that the Proctors can be traced back to the founders of the Jamestown Colony in 1607. He said, “I tell my grandkids that when the pilgrims arrived in 1620, your ancestors were already here to tell the pilgrims where to ‘park’ the boat!” “Family” is a beautiful word and this bunch fully exemplifies all the best qualities of the institution. Moreover, their generosity of spirit is inclusive of strays hungry for a good family feeling otherwise unavailable to them currently.
 Jessie Mae and Lavern Miller enjoy the Denlow School Reunion.
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Larry Hicks was at the Proctor reunion on Sunday. During dinner he received texts from his family at home northeast of Oklahoma City to the effect that a great deal of rain had fallen in a short period of time causing dangerous flooding in his neighborhood. Areas that have been in severe drought for a number of years are experiencing some devastating results from sudden deluges. Picturesque riverfront towns have been all but washed away in Texas. Lives have been lost and others changed forever in the matter of a few minutes. Gratitude for our own good fortune comes with compassion for those suffering natural and man-made disasters and strife.
On a quick trip to Norwood the other day a Champion saw cows, horses, dogs, cats, turkeys, deer, doves, turtles, armadillos(dead), squirrels (dead and alive), wild geese, crows, a great blue heron and multiple turkey vultures. Additionally, there were deep fields of lush grasses undulating over the hills and wildflowers of many kinds. The forest’s boughs are heavy now hiding mysterious dark alcoves running with seasonal springs. Pilgrims home for a visit are overcome with the beauty of the place they remember. They arrived from paved roads and dirt ones by way of old home places. Some have not been back since the Historic Emporium had its Recreation and Grand Reopening back in 2011. They have precious memories of Ed Henson and his good memory for faces. His seemed always the same. Pilgrims reported that at the same time they miss the Old Champion Store they are very much pleased with the replacement. The art work, photos and memorabilia on display there and the same wood stove that warmed their forefathers let them feel at home again. Bonnie Mullins was so happy to see the ramp at the west entry. She was able to get out on to the wide veranda to gaze across the Square at the Monolithic Bee Tree on the wide, wild, and wooly banks of Old Fox Creek. In 1823, John Howard Payne wrote, “Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam, be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home. 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! There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home.” Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!
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