CHAMPION—April 26, 2011

        Champions are keeping their heads above water and glad of it.  They are glad for the rain and have no complaints.  The bridge over Fox Creek just to the East of Downtown Champion is well underwater and likely to stay that way for a while.  The low water crossings North of town on County Roads 239 and 237 are impassable but Champions do not feel marooned.  Monday morning found the Temporary Annex of the Historic Emporium full of people to overflowing and if there were flies on the walls (which there are not) things might have been learned that would shed light on many mysteries old and new.   By the end of the day the flood had reached the lower drive, but during the night receded.  A quick flash of sunshine Tuesday morning lifted spirits uniformly around Champion.  Even a small amount of sunshine is most welcome. 

        A mystery was solved with a phone call on Sunday when Bob Berry called Esther Wrinkles to confess having left the big bag of mushrooms hanging on her front door while she was away.  It took her three sittings to eat them all and she said they were really good.  Some people have very nice neighbors.  Esther is getting excited about the pie supper to be held at the Vanzant Community Center on May 7th.  She says that there will be much more information coming out about it, but that people should start planning on attending now.  

        Champion’s Easter Parade was a wash this year.  Bright spots, however, were visitors Vivian Floyd and entourage meeting up with the Illinois Kriders, Harley and Barbara.  Together with the Champion regulars they made for a lovely if damp Easter.  Good Easter email wishes came from Bob Conrad, Al Nance, and Pete and Kate Proctor who sent a very interesting article about the entertainer Martha Ray.  It turns out that she was a full “Bird” Colonel in the US Army Reserve and a nurse with surgical specialty.  She is the only woman buried in the Special Forces Cemetery at Ft. Bragg.

        The woods are filling in so fast that the dogwoods are beginning to disappear while still in full bloom.  Garden peas are growing inches by the day and potatoes are almost leaping up out of the ground. More than one experienced gardener voices concern that things might rot in the ground, but others remain optimistic that even if that were to happen there is still time to get a good garden in.  Gardening is not altogether inexpensive, though the greatest cost is in labor, but food prices are such that some who have never tried it are giving it a go this year.  Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood shows that the planting will be good all the way through the 29th of the month for those root crops.  Look for her almanac on line at www.championnews.us and while you are there look at the photo of the elegant new steps leading up to the Recreation of the Historic Emporium on the North Side of the Square in Downtown Champion sprawled lavishly along the wide and wild banks of Fox Creek.  “Oh! The night was dark and stormy.  The air was full of sleet.  The old man stepped out in the yard and his shoes were full of feet.”  Finish that song if you can or send your favorite weather song to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or to Champion News.  Take the only open road into town and get an eyeful of Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

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