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CHAMPION—November 9, 2009

        It has been noted that the community of Champion is located just a little to the right of the exact center of Douglas County.  The question has been raised about whether this location is as it appears on the maps or is as it appears from the driver’s seat.  The concerned party suggested that looking at a photograph of himself finds his right thumb on his left shoulder.  Champions are sure of their place in the world, showing by good conduct that it is a patient and mild place, a seat of wisdom, always ready to comply with truth.  Therefore, the photo in question needs must be taken on (or from) the porch at Henson’s Store so that the Bright Side will reflect the correct side and lift the cloud of confusion.  Champions are compassionate.

        Tuesday found nieces Linda and Karen visiting with their Aunt Vivian Shannon who had enjoyed reading about Old Fox a couple of weeks ago.  They were reminded of a little horse that belonged to Harley Van Shannon.  Old Fox seems to have stirred up memories for a number of Champions.  The sisters nee Upshaw also visited with their Mother’s sister, Aunt Ruby Anderson, who has recently celebrated her 97^th birthday.  The General’s wife had her birthday celebrated vigorously on the 5^th of November in bash at Plumber’s Junction.  It was a Thursday.  Not since last year have disbelieving eyes flashed so rapidly between the General and his Better Half!  Overheard:  “What was she thinking?” “Cradle robber.”  “May and December.”  “General Lucky.”

        Louise and Wilburn, Champions on the move, enjoyed exceptional weather for their trip to Oklahoma to visit Louise’s sister Doris and her husband George Gillis.  Louise came home with a nice ceiling fan and two computer printers for the next Skyline Chili Supper silent auction, scheduled for March, 2010!  There will be time to gather all kinds of great items for the auction and that, together with all the pertinences connected with the fundraiser and the Auxiliary, will have been hashed out decidedly by the time these words are ink.  Champion!

        Champions living on the other side of Fox Creek were just up a creek from Thursday afternoon until Monday morning due to the four inches of rain that came down all day in a deluge.  Some traveling Champions had met that rain head on just south of the Ouachita Mountains in an adventure that otherwise proved delightful.  The peak of the fall colors through the Ozarks and Boston Mountains was a spectacular trail to travel for grandchild face time.  Runny noses on the little faces caused runny noses on the old faces by the time they returned to find the leaves all down and the colors changed to greens and mostly grays and browns.  The roads must have washed significantly and the returning Champions are once again impressed by the speed and efficiency of those fellows from the County Shed over in Drury.  Those nice guys do a wonderful job of keeping the beautiful roads in good condition.  Champion!

        These mild November days can be productive ones in the garden.  Linda from over at the Plant Place in Norwood says, “Plant trees, shrubs, bulbs and perennials before the really severe weather comes.”  It is a good time to complete garden clean up and to apply and turn under coarse organic materials.  Apply mulches, not to keep the ground warm but to maintain an even ground temperature.  Better late than early.  November’s moon is called The Beaver Moon.  It is a reminder to stay beaver busy while the weather permits.  Those short cold winter days and long cold winter nights will soon be providing opportunity to sit back and plan next year’s garden and read that book, and write those letters, and finish those quilts, and get all those photos organized.

        When Veteran’s Day comes around every year, patriotism swells again in the hearts of Champions and Citizens all over the Nation.  Concerns for National security, the economy, health care, influenza, safety of the food supply, clean water, and the politics of all of that and more can spin the head of the most informed and thoughtful individual.  Those who are on the front lines in the dramatic armed conflicts of the Nation, or who will be or have been on those lines are facing additional concerns that are overwhelming.  A Nation known around the world for its compassion must be compassionate to its Veterans, serving in and out of uniform.  The Love and Gratitude due them is nonnegotiable.

Tom Waits’ November song says, “Made of wet boots and rain and shiny black ravens on chimney smoke lanes, November seems odd..”  Duncan Sheik’s song says, “The past we seek some certainty, the seasons we remember, the light of May and darkest days, the month we call November.”  No words could be found for Sonny Boy Williamson’s song “November Boogie,” but it is thought to have been one of the first cross-over tunes from Boogie Woogie to Jug Band when it was taken up by the preeminent Jug Band of Pete, Ben, Lem and Clem who like many Champion antecedents came from Kentucky.  From Tennessee came Linda Watts and all her men folk for a good visit with Champion family over the last weekend.  News has not been released about the hunting expeditions, but it is easily imagined that excellent memories were made.

        Send any examples of confusion or its clearing to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or e-mail to Champion News.  Certainly any news about Lem and Ned would be welcome there.  Complete sets of all ten Champion Picture Post Cards are available at Henson’s Store in the central commercial district on the North side of the Square in picturesque Downtown Champion.  Step up on the porch to sing your own November song or to get your picture taken…smiling, in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!