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CHAMPION—April 20, 2009

        “Stand around on the porch at Henson’s Store on the North side of the Square to hear meadowlark chimes–the sonorous sounds of the bucolic nature of Champion where hearts are happy and they are always Looking on the Bright side!”  That was last week’s news and still an invitation because Champion is a very inviting place.

        So far it has proven true that “if it rains on Easter Sunday it will rain the next seven Sundays in a row.”  Even a gentle rain can add up and Sunday found Fox Creek suddenly quite up and roaring over the slab east of town.  It came up so quickly that it flowed backwards over the Clever Creek slab before everything leveled out.  It was very exciting.  Six Sundays from now will be the Memorial Day week-end and the proof of the old adage will have been revealed.  Gardens will be in full swing and producing already, particularly if the rain has been steady and reliable.  As Hank Longfellow suggested, Champions are learning to ‘labor and to wait.’

        Connie Landsdown, Louise’s daughter, was happily surprised on Sunday as she was leaving church.  “That girl looks like Ashley!” she said.  The girl was Ashley.  She and Brittany and Brittany’s daughter Maria had flown in from Utah as a surprise for their Mom.  Their sister Chelsea knew, but Connie was completely surprised.  Good surprises are Champion!

        The Skyline Volunteer Fire Department has been busy holding classes and getting the storm damage cleared up from Hurricane Ike.  The Annual Skyline Picnic is scheduled for the 14^th and 15^th of August.  It will be here about the time people are busy in their hay and trying to get their produce canned and frozen.  It will be a welcome diversion from all the hard work.

        Champion’s good neighbors over at Denlow are getting ready for their 23^rd Annual Denlow School Reunion which will occur on May 23^rd this year.  Preparations are under way.  While on her Easter sojourn to their rural Champion estate, Barbara Krider, of the Illinois Kriders, generously donated one of her couture armadillo handbags to the General as a centerpiece for the Denlow soirée.  The General and Barbara are mishpocheh, that is to say ‘family.’  More clearly understood, the term is most often used to mean family that is not blood kin.  Barbara is married to the brother of the wife of the sister of the General.

Barbara Krider presents an armadillo handbag to the General

        It is a close family, if spread out.  Champions know that closeness has not all that much to do with geography.  It is not yet clear if the General plans to simply display the handbag as part of the Denlow Collection, of if he will include it in the Auction that occurs at the event.  As the event approaches perhaps more details will be revealed.  It had been suggested that the famous bag would be available for view at the Champion May Day Celebration together with the other entries (photos only) of the AAF (armadillo art festival) but none of that has been confirmed.  The General can be hard to pin down when it comes to specifics.

        Because Champions are always excited about potential, a survey is being made to see if palladium, a metal in the platinum family, is a common ore to these parts.  News items from a hundred years ago frequently mention ores of various sorts—some called “Jack,” for example.  Well, palladium, mixed with a little deuterium and a little electricity produces what is called cold fusion.  It doesn’t sound like much, but it would sure put Champion on the map!  Champion is already on the map and even finally in the right spot on most GPS systems and that ought to be enough according to some who reject change of any kind.  Reckless brilliance is not enough for them.  They want to be able to repeat the crackpot scientific experiments with some degree of predictability for their outcome before they buy into enthusiasm for a potentially world changing discovery.  Champions are excited, but cautious.

        Champions are also thinking about old friends far away.  Tennessee friend Darrel Haden comes to mind.  He probably has one of the largest collections of vinyl records around.  A search of his archives might come up with a copy of “All The Goings On At The Courthouse.”  That was quite a controversial tune a few years ago.  Music’s power to inform, entertain, comfort and inspire is not lost on Professor Haden and his contributions to music appreciation are not lost on Champions!  Now Ms. Susan Boyles from over in Scotland is wowing the world with her wonderful voice.  She is singing “Cry Me A River” well enough to remind some old Champions of the beautiful Julie London.  These old guys may not really be remembering Ms. London’s voice, but the song brings her to mind.  One Champion wonders if Ms. Boyles might frequent The Forrest Café at Number Three Bristo Place in Edinburgh.  She might meet Champion Sam Moses there and they would both be lucky!

        The 25^th and the 26^th will be good days to plant anything that bears its yield above ground.  Anytime from the 24^th through the 30^th will be an excellent time to do transplanting, says Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood.  Everything is looking so healthy and vigorous.  It is a real test of patience for some Champions in frost-prone pockets of the country.  They are good at the labor part, but the waiting part is hard.  Spend some of that waiting time in correspondence with distant relatives and friends.  Number Four in the series of Champion Picture Post Cards has been flying off the shelves.  It features Charlie Lambert, Lonnie Krider and Danny Dry watching a two wheeled cart go by down on the Square.  It was the occasion of Bud Hutchison’s trail ride last Spring.  Another one of those should be happening any time now.  No doubt a big supply of those cards will be on hand when the riders come through again.

        “I have mixed emotions about this deployment,” said Spc. Chris Palmer of Joplin, now in his second year with the Guard.  “As a soldier, I’m excited about it because I’m finally fulfilling my duties as a soldier; this is what I signed up to do.  But as a family man, I really feel bad, leaving my wife and children.”

        The Missouri Army National Guard 203rd Engineer Battalion will deploy this fall to Afghanistan.  Many of the soldiers were previously deployed to Iraq in 2003.  Since that time, some have deployed with other units for third and fourth tours of duty.  Staff Sgt. Micah Roth of Joplin, now in his ninth year with the Missouri National Guard, is deploying for the third time.  He first deployed to Iraq in 2003 with the 203rd, and later in 2007 with the 35th Engineer Brigade out of Fort Leonard Wood.  This will be his first tour of duty in Afghanistan.  “I really want to go on this deployment because elements of the mission could be dangerous, and I know a lot of the soldiers who are going,” said Roth.  “I just can’t see them going without me.”  Love and Gratitude are the watch words.

        Thoughts about old friends, good surprizes, garden lore and watch words are welcome at Champion Items, Rt, 2, Box 367 Norwood, MO 65717.  Songs of any kind, sweet, silly, or sad are welcome at Champion News.  Sing, “When I was a lad and old Shep was a pup…” out there on the porch at Henson’s Emporium in Downtown Champion.  Look down the broad expanse of Lonnie Krider Memorial Drive and be glad to be Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—April 12, 2009

        Champions are always grateful for a gentle Spring rain even if it comes on Easter Sunday.  The very unpredictability of weather engages the attention and interest of farmers, gardeners, and mushroom aficionados.  While it is frequently the subject of all the conversation there is to be had, rarely do Champions complain about the weather.  “What’s the point?” one asks.  Even a guy who spent the afternoon standing out in a cool drizzle for three hours ultimately using his own radio antenna to open the door of his truck, the keys locked inside it–even he did not blame his situation on the weather.

        While timing was good for a nice rain, the Champion Easter Parade finally had to be cancelled.  A contingent did parade around the Mall for a while just to blow off some steam over their disappointment.  Kalyssa Wiseman and Chante`(spelled with an accent mark) Michaud were the outstanding participants among the junior set.  Kalyssa’s frock was a soft yellow voile with tiny pink dots from the Madelyn Ward collection.  It featured a gathered skirt with a wide ribbon trim around a plain bodice.  She wore pink tights and white leather sandals.  Chante` was stunning in a spring floral cotton print composed of tiers of detached ruffles from the neck to the hem at mid-calf.  The ensemble was completed by a pastel green long sleeved body shirt and purple jelly flip flops replete with LED lights at the heels.  Mrs. Ruth Shaw of Waterloo, Iowa, an infrequent but always welcome visitor to Champion, also chose a spring floral motif.  Pink dogwood blossoms adorned her skirt, which was topped off with a sporty navy jacket decorated with unmatched blue stone brooches, gifts from her son.  She wore rose quarts ear-rings and matching pendant.  Ruth’s sister, Rita Krider, of Elmwood, Ill. had similar jewelry of a pale blue lapis lazuli set off nicely by a crisp white short sleeved jacket over a bright print skirt featuring yellows and reds.  And red!  Who but Barbara Krider could carry off the drama and excitement of that color so well?  It was inspired!  Delicate dangling gold filigree mandala earrings were the finishing touch and once again Barbara has set the standard for style.  She also has generously agreed to share some of her Fashionista Tips and the one chosen from her list for this week is:  “Don’t get a tattoo that will show in a bridesmaid’s dress.”  All Champion women can benefit from Barbara’s life experiences.

        Sarah Michaud, Chante`’s Mother, has just been named Oxford Health Care’s Employee of the Month!  Apart from the recognition for a difficult job well done, there was a nice little bonus and a spot in the running for Employee of the Year!  Champions all wish her good luck and are pleased to be acquainted such a pleasant and positive person.

        Pete and Kate Proctor have been having a good time.  They had their son Bryan and his family visiting with them for a whole week.  They’ve gone back to Virginia now where Bryan will be stationed for a while.  Pete e-mailed, “I can sure sleep a lot better since he is back home for now.”  Parents and families all across the country are missing their soldiers serving around the world in the dangerous places.  They have the Love and Gratitude of their Nation and when they get home there will be chances to show them that appreciation.

        More than one person has corrected the reference to singing teacher Arthur Porter (not Peterson as reported last week.)  His father, Everet Porter, had been a singing teacher too.  At various times both Harley and Lonnie Krider told the story that they would be in Ava with their Dad, Oscar, when they would run into Mr. Porter on the square.  In no time, Porter would pull a song book out of the hip pocket of his overalls and before long he and Oscar would be studying a new song, marking out the timing, and exploring what it had to offer…right on the busy street with commerce going on all around.  Music is a gift.

        Dianne (Krider) Strickland joined a rowdy rabble of family and friends at Plumbers in Vanzant on Thursday (This is whole other story.) for dinner and music.  She had the good news to share that on April 7, 2009, the song “I Can Go Back Anytime” made Number One on the National Bluegrass Charts.  The song was written by her daughter, Jennifer Strickland, and was recorded by Carrie Hassler.  Dianne is the niece of all those musical Kriders–Harley, Lonnie, Donald, and Vivian (Krider) Floyd.  She is delighted by her daughters’ accomplishment—pleased as punch!

        Champion gardens are just percolating with life!  Little peas and beets are up in places.  Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood says that the 17^th and 18^th will be good days to plant any kind of root crop.  With everything so lusciously green it is difficult to be patient about those more tender things.  Some say that May 10^th is the last possible frost date in these parts.  A native Champion said that it thundered on the 10^th of February, so it’s likely there’ll be a cold spell in May.  Dustin Cline’s granddad said that if it rains on Easter Sunday it will rain the next seven Sundays in a row.  Champions wouldn’t mind a nice rain once a week through the growing season, but they’ll take what they get!  Linda took a trip to the Lake of the Ozarks to meet up with her granddaughter for an Easter visit.  That will have her in a good mood to do all the hard work it takes to make Champion gardeners successful.

        In the midst of the wretched destruction of a beautiful wooded glen stands one giant old dogwood tree about to bloom like crazy!  “You missed one, you money-grubbing, carpet bagging malefactors!” shouts a still angry neighbor, but the boughs of flowers soon to come will soothe some of that ire.  Birthdays come around like taxes and on tax day for some!  Stacy may take her spouse to Rockbridge to celebrate his, if he straightens up a little.  Vivian Floyd will be celebrating if not counting, and so will G.G. Jones, who must be getting terribly old.

        Listen to Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain on the radio to recognize “I Can Go Back Anytime.”  The album got great reviews and Jennifer Strickland’s song is called beautifully sentimental.  Sentimental songs are welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  Silly songs or sad ones go to Champion News.  Stand around on the porch at Henson’s Store on the North side of the Square to hear meadowlark chimes–the sonorous sounds of the bucolic nature of Champion where hearts are happy and they are always Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—April 6, 2009

        April slipped in to Champion quietly as the March lamb left and all was springly sweet and pleasant those first few days.  T.S. Elliot was right though when he said, “April is the cruelest month, breeding Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing Memory and desire, stirring Dull roots with spring rain.”  Mr. Elliot wrote his poem, “The Waste Land,” in 1922, and it lives up to its name with some very dreary imagery.  Clearly, he was not from around here because even the brutal cold winds of those next few days with threats of snow and frozen flowers did not frost the spirits of Champions though they may have been picking ticks from their long handles.

        Long time Champion Minnie Snoddy marked her 100^th birthday recently.  She lives at the Ava Place and her daughter-in-law, Louise Hutchison, said the dining hall was so full of people they couldn’t be stirred with a stick.  It was a great party.  The Mayor gave Ms. Snoddy a key to the city but nobody said what it unlocks.  These wonderful gatherings always unlock a lot of memories though, so the day was full of all the best things…family and friends.  A big group from Iowa, which included her son, Manuel Hutchison, and much of his family, joined with local family to honor a great Champion.

        Those Tennessee boys have been back in the neighborhood.  They are growing up fast.  They like coming to Champion and are always a big help on the farm.  Dakota has been doing a lot of scrubbing in the dairy barn and there is not much telling what all Dillon has been up to.  He is great entertainment to his younger cousins, Foster and Kalyssa.  He and Foster have the same kind of cowboy boots…snakeskin with brass trim–very fancy.  Kalyssa is developing her singing voice.  Her vocabulary is expanding rapidly and so is her vocal range.  It has been clear since she was just a little thing that her Grandfather Krider’s music legacy has found a fine home.  That gift has been spread liberally among Lonnie’s grandchildren.  Some will not give up volume for control, but that is just a matter of youth.  Their great uncle Harley has some volume and some control of some things.  He was part of that Arthur Peterson led trio…he and Eldridge Hicks and Larry Wrinkles.  Those three could blend voices, it is said, in such a way as to draw tears from the eyes of cynics, snobs, and beaurocrats, as well as from the eyes of honest farm people and shopkeepers.  Perhaps the trio might reunite and reprise some of their earlier work.  They may last have sung together in the 1960’s, so they might better hurry if the legend is to be preserved.  Harley and Barbara will be back in town for the Champion Easter Parade and Egg Roll so a musical interlude might be forthcoming.  Fashionista Barbara will be setting the standard for Spring attire as usual.  Hopefully their visit will overlap with the Tennessee contingent and if Vivian Floyd can make it over from Rogersville, Champion will be roiling in pleasantness!

        Sometime after his Mother’s 100^th birthday party, Wilburn Hutchison went over to the Plant Place in Norwood and got himself some Egyptian Walking Onions.  They are also known as winter onions and dividing onions and probably other things.  He had been looking for some for a while so he was really pleased to learn that Linda had some.  She has her Almanac for April out as well which indicates that the 10^th of April all the way through the 14^th will be good planting days.  When April finally decides to behave herself, gardeners can get back out there and get some groceries in the ground.  Unsettled weather is, well, unsettling and while Champions are not dependent upon the weather for their happiness, their gardens are different stories.  Patience is a Champion virtue put to the test by natures vicissitudes.  “Let us, then, be up and doing, With a heart for any fate; Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait.”  That’s Longfellow’s advice in the “Psalm of Life.”  He sounds like a Champion.

        The Military Service is an honorable calling from which the entire population benefits.  Love and Gratitude is the soldier’s due from the Nation he serves.  The men and women in the dangerous places of the world doing now what is asked of them will have requests of their own when they get home.  Their families struggle in the difficult economy and Champions find ways to help.

        Charlene Dupre has her good right arm pinned together with some big fancy pins.  She can still manage to hold a hand of cards, however, and on Saturday night she sat in for the absent Vera Cruz player at the Fortnight bridge game.  She was the decided victor with a  score of 7050.  Brushy Knob came in second at 4850 and Champion third at 4230.  Norwood was low with 4090 points.  That player took home $.50 and Charlene walked off with the grand prize money of $1.40!  The Champion hostess served chicherrones, Cheetos and cherry pie.  She means well.

        Music adds richness to life.  It holds keys to memory and emotion, lifts spirits and opens the floodgates to release great sorrow.  What a wonderful gift!  Rudy Valley sang, “Keep A Little Song Handy wherever you go and nothing can ever go wrong.”  Things can and do go wrong, but those little songs can be a comfort.  Songs about love and home and tomatoes are all welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO. 65717.  Guy Clark, who wrote that song about home grown tomatoes, also wrote one about tornadoes.  He said, “take the paint right off your barn……blow the tattoo off your arm!”

        Champions will hope to have no reason to sing that song as some are very attached to their tattoos.  For almost any situation there is a song.  Email interesting ones to Champion News.  At the www.championnews.us website in the “School Reunions” category a person can hear a short selection of Lonnie Krider, Wayne Anderson and Wayne’s daughter singing “We Live in Two Different Worlds.”  The administrator of that site hopes to have more of that good music up soon.  Meanwhile, a person can stand out on the porch at Henson’s Store and gaze down the broad expanse of Lonnie Krider Memorial Drive and feel a little melody rise up in him.  Now he can send picture postcards taken from that very spot to lift the hearts of unfortunates living elsewhere in the dull and dreary parts of the world.  Champions are a melodious lot and are ever Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—March 29, 2009

        In Champion the old weather adage about March played out this year.  March came in like a lion and left like a lamb.  He entered in a blizzard that startled sweet southern visitors and Chili Supper attendees.  He is leaving with lilacs in his hair across flower strewn lawns that already need mowing.  The seasons roll around.

        Great news has come from Champions Pete and Kate Proctor.  Their son, Bryan, is back in the US and by now is back home with his family.  He has been in Afghanistan.

        Any family with a soldier deployed to the dangerous places of the world has a great gladness about them when their loved one gets home.  Love and Gratitude.  Bryan’s grandmother, Ruby Proctor, says that he is a very good-natured person and he says, “It’s my job.”  She does hope that he will be home for a while.  Ruby misses Champion and living in the country.  She says it will always be home to her.  She misses making a garden but says that Barbara is working full time and making a garden too!  They are a busy family.

        “The best laid schemes ‘o mice an’ men / Gang aft agley.”  Often that line is paraphrased in English as ‘The best laid plans of mice and men / Often go astray.”  Robert Burns wrote it in a poem called “To A Mouse, on Turning Her Up in Her Nest, With the Plough.”  He wrote the poem in 1785, but it could well have been written in Champion on March 32^nd, 2009.  Not that anyone is plowing up mice, but rather trying to keep the plough out of the armadillo hole!  The first and only one time ever event previously referred to as the First Ever Biennial Armadillo Round Up and Art Festival has been taken a step back.  The (Secret Planning) Committee presented pertinent and worrisome issues to the General in a secret planning session at an undisclosed place and time.  An anonymous source reports that there had been no provisions made for the health and safety of the proposed spectators in the presences of so many dead and decaying armadillos, not to mention the live ones.  At the very least some variance from the Health Department or the Conservation Department should have been arranged.  This issue the General summarily and judiciously adjudicated by saying, essentially, “ Very well then!  All entries will henceforth be presented in photographs or other visual media not to include any actual armadillo parts or substances.”  The deadline for entries is April 30, 2009.

        What the General did not say was that two of the headline participants in the Art Show have each had a calamity that prevents the completion of their entries!  Barbara Krider has been flat on her back getting accustomed to her new stent!  She is making a good recovery and will in all likelihood be satisfied to simply photograph her original armadillo handbag collection.  They are couture.  She is rumored to have the largest and most complete collection of couture armadillo handbags east of the Mississippi.  Her avant guard fashion senses and adventurous nature are frequently the subjects of comment in her absence.  Charlene Dupre’s calamity came in the form of a broken arm!  A misstep and a tumble has her good right arm immobilized now and her good left arm is in training just to do the ordinary chores!  Charlene is a talented artist who works in a variety of mediums.  Many of her pieces can be seen at The Gift Corner over at the Plant Place in Norwood.  Her foray into florescent armadillo forensics will have to be put on hold until she has use of both arms again.  That plaster of Paris doesn’t mix itself.  Then, of course, the Art Guild’s own Donna Moskaly with blue ribbon winning paintings already on display at Henson’s Store, has yet to receive her invitation to participate!  The General’s confusion (partially) has been concerning the amateur status of the entries.  Ms. Moskaly is a professional artist with accolades and notoriety, not to mention a tenured spot in the hierarchy of the established art community.  It was on this point that the SPC finally took its overdue stand with the General.  He ultimately agreed that exclusivity is passé.  Anyone who wishes to participate may do so by sending a photo or rendering (no lard please) of an original art work depicting the life or demise of armadillo.  E-mail them to Champion at getgoin.net.  Send them in the mail to Champion Items (Armadillo Department) Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO. 65717 or stop them off at Henson’s Store on the North side of the Square, just off Lonnie Krider Memorial Drive, in Historic Downtown Champion.  (Entries from Spotted Hog are subject to dismissal without cause.)  There is no entry fee and as yet no prize, as the General has been busy.  Judging will be done in secret during the Champion May Day Celebration and the results announced eventually. 

        Not only is March 32^nd April Fools Day, but it is a poor day for planting. The second through the fourth will be good for planting anything that bears its yield above ground.  That is according to Linda’s Almanac.  A distant Champion e-mailed that “Homegrown Tomatoes,” the song, was written by Guy Clark.  “There’s nothin’ in the world that I like better than Bacon, lettuce and home grown tomatoes Up in the morning and out in the garden Pick you a ripe one, don’t get a hard un.  Plant ‘em in the springtime eat ‘em in the summer, All winter without ‘em’s a culinary bummer.  I forget all about the sweatin and the diggin Every time I go out and pick me a big’un.”  It is a three cord song, so even the General could play this one! 

        Mary Graham still has the little dog Brownie who needs a good home.

        Meanwhile, tomato songs, reasons for Love and Gratitude, garden advice and best laid plans of mice and men may be sent to the usual addresses.  Wander around in the www.championnews.us website just for another look at Champion.  Ms. McCallie will be pleased to know that her Champion picture postcards are in the mail and now she can join Champions in Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—March 23, 2009

        In Champion the flowering trees have just become full blown and already the wind is dispersing those blossoms.  So it is in life—it all happens so quickly.  Champions stay in the moment appreciating the beauty while it’s going on.

        Mary Graham, who lives over in Champion East, has a pretty little terrier-heeler mix at her house that showed up there back in December badly mauled.  He’s healthy now and is a good little watch-dog and varmint dog, going after rats and rabbits.  Mary thinks he is about two years old.  He weighs 10 to 12 pounds and has short brown hair.  She calls him Brownie.  He’s not house-broken so he will need a pen or a fenced yard, but he will make somebody a good little pet and Mary wants to see him go to a good home.  Find out more from Mary at 948-2755.  Over the years she has found homes for many stray dogs…such a Champion!

        Last weekend was surely a good one for long time Champion, Esther Wrinkles.  Her granddaughter, Dianna Harris, came down from Olathe, Kansas to visit with her folks, Lonnie and Verla Mears.  They all came over to Esther’s house and joined Larry and Theresa Wrinkles there for dinner on Saturday.  Making time for family and friends is one of those real Champion things to do.

        When some folks make a washtub bass, they take an old tub and turn it bottom side up and tinker an eye-bolt into the middle of it, generally using a big washer on the inside and locknut.  Then they take a nice length of clothes line and tie it to the eye-bolt on one end and through a hole in one end of a broom handle on the other end of the line.  Some folks cut a notch or groove in the bottom of the broom handle so it can ride on the edge of the tub.  With a small chunk of something on the floor to raise the edge of the tub up a little bit, the musician is all set to go.  With one foot on the tub and the other on the floor, the virtuoso then puts the groove on the rim of the tub and pulls back on the stick to make the line taut and then plucks away, pulling and relaxing the stick to change notes.  It can be a marvel.  There are all kinds of variations and preferences depending upon the virtuoso in question.  On Thursday over at the Junction, diners were treated to an infinitely more sophisticated version.  David Richardson, from out west of Norwood somewhere, has produced the Stradivarius of washtub basses.  His is an upright double bass with a wooden sound board and four strings.  It has regular tuning pegs and a tub big enough for a family bath, though it is clear from its dazzling shine that this tub has never seen any lye soap!  It is just a beauty to look at and David really knows how to play it.  He joined with Sue Murphy, Norris Woods, Jerry Wagner and that welcome visitor, Mr. Hancock of Idaho, plus a number of other regulars to make a lovely evening of music.  Lynette Cantrell came over from Cabool with her mandolin—a rare and welcome treat.  While the General was in attendance, the orchestra seemed well enough peopled and he occupied himself productively working the crowd.  He still hasn’t let the armadillo out of the bag as to the nature of the prizes for the First Ever Biennial Armadillo Round Up and Art Fair and the 32^nd or the 32th–the thirty-tooth is drawing nigh!

        Since the war began in Iraq on March 19, 2003, there have been 4,260 American Military Casualties there.  The total number of wounded is estimated to be over 100,000.  There have been 1,320,110 Iraqi Deaths due to the U.S. invasion.  Since 2001, 667 U.S. Service personnel have died in Afghanistan.  No matter whether one agrees with the philosophies behind these actions, it is understood that the troops serving, those who have returned home, and the families of those who will not return home, all deserve the Love and Gratitude of their Nation.  They are all Champions.

        There was a splash of laughter the other day when a favorite Champion remarked that she had heard that retirement is like giving nuts to a squirrel after he has lost all his teeth!  “When a fellow loves a Maiden, and that Maiden doesn’t love him, it’s the same as when a bald man finds a comb upon the highway!”  That is a translated verse from the old Mexican song “La Cucaracha,” and it kind of expresses the same sentiment that so often life plays a little trick and the result is squandered youth!  Alas!  With Spring so evident, it is a sure bet that Champions will be ‘gathering rose-buds while they may.’

        Champion falls between 6 and 7 in the Arbor Day Foundation Hardiness Zone Map of the United States.  It’s just about the same for the District of Columbia, so out there on the South Lawn of the White House, the First Lady of the Land and a bunch of school children have dug up 1100 square feet to plant a vegetable garden!  It is the first vegetable garden there since Ellenore Roosevelt planted a Victory Garden to feed the troops back during the War.  Some folks will say that there is plenty of natural fertilizer in Washington D.C. and that’s no doubt true.  It is certainly going up and down the roads by the truck loads here.  The number of vegetable gardens in the country is increasing by 40% this year according to the U.S.A. Today people.  Gardeners are a generous and thoughtful lot of people.  It is a good sign during a time when good signs are so much in need.  Champions will watch to see if Mrs. Obama plants by the signs and will wish her every good luck in her endeavor.  One of the Beautiful things about America is the willingness of its people to help each other when things are difficult.  Any number of Champions would be willing to help the First Lady get started.  Ed Henson would tell her to wrap those seed potatoes in newspaper to keep the dirt out of their eyes.  She will no doubt have advice from all over the Country.  Even the scoffs and skeptics and respectful dissenters, sore looser, bigots and fear mongers of the Nation like home grown tomatoes.  “There are just two things that money can’t buy and that’s True Love and home grown tomatoes.”  Linda’s April Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood will soon be available and research is being done to find all the words to the “Homegrown Tomato” song.

        Describe good week ends, pretty dogs, interesting musical instruments at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  E-mail any song about tomatoes to Champion News.  Go over to the www.championnews.us website to get a picture of a tidy little Champion garden.  Go over to Henson’s Store on the North Side of the Square just off Lonnie Krider Memorial Drive.  There the gardening advice will flow like honeydew vine water and they are always Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—March 16, 2009

        In Champion a man calls his dear silver haired old Mother on his birthday just to say, “Thanks for the trouble you took to have me and I hope you like how I turned out.”  It is a Champion kind of thing to do that a boy takes on as a habit at an early age and it comes out of an atmosphere of optimism and gratitude—looking on the bright side!

        On Tuesday the 10^th the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary got together to go over the results of the Chili Supper.  About the time for the meeting to get started at Henson’s Store there came such a deluge of rain that it fell faster than it could soak in or run off.  So there were a few wet feet, but the meeting was well attended.  Only Esther Wrinkles had the good judgment to stay in out of the rain.  She also lives the greatest distance from the meeting place and knew that she would be appraised of all the happenings.  The consensus of opinion was that the Chili Supper was a grand success.  It was a matter of great note that so many braved the elements to attend.  The snow was one of those beautiful snows that comes down in big fluffy flakes.  The second wave of it was the deciding factor for many to stay home and stay safe.  No reports have been received of any difficulties out on the road that night.  At the meeting the Auxiliary members reported on the receipts and wrote thank you notes to the bands and various other folks who had helped with the event.  The meeting was punctuated with laughter and topped off with carrot cake and coffee.

        More news concerning the Skyline VFD Auxiliary has to do with the lovely queen size quilt that was one of the centerpieces of the Chili Supper fund raiser.  The winning ticket for the quilt belonged to Toni and Kurt Clinkenbeard of Ava.  When Esther Wrinkles took the quilt to town to deliver it she was met with a pleasant surprise.  Because of her years of service to the Skyline Fire Department as a founding member, the Clinkenbeards decided among themselves to give the quilt to Esther as a gift.  The Clinkenbeard family has always been a great supporter of the Fire Department and this gift to Esther is just another example of their good community spirit.  The further news is that Esther has decided to donate the quilt back to the Fire Department!  The Auxiliary will be pleased to be able to offer the chance to win this quilt again at the summer Picnic!

        A pair of marauding mules have been wandering freely about the Champion community.  The storekeeper at Henson’s store was kept busy fielding reports of their whereabouts for several days.  They are a beautiful matched pair of young mules.  One has short white stockings on the rear feet but otherwise they are perfectly matched, tall with thick black coats.  For several days they wandered about nibbling the new grass but leaving the daffodils and other bulbs alone.  They are not shy–they will look right in a window.  They have been corralled over in Champion—East waiting the interest and effort of their owner who is said to live down on the Fox Creek road somewhere.  Things are never dull in Champion.

        Plumbers Junction, over a little North of East Champion, was certainly a happening on Thursday.  The General led the band that included an itinerate yodeling fiddler, Jerry Somebody (“Waiting for a Train”) from over in West Avee.  Sue Murphy (“Just Because”) and that banjo player (“Frauline”) kept things going.  Brother and Sister Green Mountain Messengers (“Orange Blossom Special”) joined in comfortably.  Then some fellow came in with signatures all over the face of his guitar, a nice hair cut, and some kind of electronic tuning device attached to the pegs of the guitar.  The gadget appeared to work because he fit right in singing several good songs and it was all most harmonious!  A certain Mr. Hancock from up Idaho way sang a stirring rendition of “I Saw the Light.”  When he realized that his cousin, The General, is personally putting up the prize for the First and Second Place winners of the First Ever Biennial Armadillo Round Up and Art Fair, Mr. Hancock saw the opportunity to continue his sojourn in the warmth of the Relative South (with his relatives, Sister Peggy, et.al.)  He is rumored to have an entry for the Art Fair which has yet to be presented to the jurors.  It seems that all those Cousins get kind of jittery when there is a jury involved.  The General was so jumpy Thursday that he was seen several times handing his guitar over to a mandolin player while he just sat staring off into space.  He must be doing some serious planning or conjuring to come up with the appropriate prizes.  The General seldom fails to surprise if not delight.  (He may also just be turning loose of that guitar when a song comes up that does not require the three cords he knows.)  The 32^nd will soon be here and he is under pressure.

        Champions are sure that Spring has not arrived too soon.  Potatoes are going in the ground and truck loads of manure are being driven about and evenly distributed.  It is all so exciting.  The economy has lots of people thinking about growing food.  Seeds have become expensive.  Gardeners are routinely some of the most friendly and generous people in any community.  To be able to share the harvest and abundance with others is one of the real products of gardening.  As the soil warms and frost seems less of a threat there will more sharing of starts and information, lore and advice.  Linda’s almanac is available in the Link section of the www.championnews.us site.  She has copies available at the Plant Place in Norwood.  Occasionally one can be found at Henson’s Store on the North Side of the Square in Downtown Champion.  A person can read it while they stand around the stove trying to soak up the lore.  This is not lore, but a pure true story that has probably already been told around several stoves.  It was about last Wednesday evening, the 11^th, when five of the stalwart , virile, city fathers of Champion, including the mayor, the head of the tenants association, the absentee landlord, the neighbor on the hill, and the self proclaimed mushroom king of Champion got their collective rear ends kicked trying to load one small calf in a trailer.  It must have been a comedy of epic proportions.  Unless everybody clams up about it more will be revealed.

        Expressions of Love and Gratitude for their service can be written to U.S. Service Personnel in care of any Veterans’ organization.  They have contacts.  They have an understanding of the sacrifices made by military families and they appreciate the acknowledgment.

        Acknowledge faith, good fortune, community, family, friendship and Music at Champion Items, Rt, 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO, 65717.  Epic comedies are welcome at Champion News.  Stand on the porch at Henson’s Store and look down the broad expanse of Lonnie Krider Memorial Drive.  It’s getting green out there and the place is simply dazzling—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—March 9, 2009

        Champions are awakening to beautiful greening yards full of daffodils and robins.  The word of the day is optimism.  Many Champions have their taxes done and can just start visiting their favorite mushroom spots in anticipation.  Some of the waiting is already over for one Champion from Champion-East.  He has picked his first tick of the year!  The seasons roll by and Champion is the ideal spot to view them in their steady passing splendor.

        The Champion mail-boxes have been busy.  Another newsy letter has come to Champion Items, Rt. 2 Box 367, Norwood, MO from Oklahoma friend, Ethel McCallie.  She reports on her Tennessee cousin, Darrell Haden, that he isn’t doing too well currently and that she sure misses visiting with him on the phone.  She went on to talk about what it was like during the great depression when her family was out in the Imperial Valley in California.  “We were simply starving under Hoover.  They called jack rabbits ‘Hoover Hogs.’  A poor ole jack rabbit sure didn’t dare show his head, if he did, he’d be sure to get shot.  Oh yes!  I can remember those depression days very well.  But Roosevelt sure got things going—soup lines and shelters for the starving ones living on the streets, and he created a lot of jobs like ‘CCC’ camps and ‘WPA-CWA.  My husband worked on both of those and my brother was in the CCC.  My dad got a farm loan, bought milch cows and sold milk.  FDR didn’t fool and piddle around.  He really helped the poor folks to get back on their feet so’s they could do for themselves.  They didn’t want charity or handouts—just wanted to be able to do for themselves on their own.  Roosevelt was the first president I voted for.  I turned 21 that year.  I like our new President and I think if they’d not keep trying to tie his hands, he’d get some things done that’s badly needed done.  I remember when FDR was elected, they tried to do him the same way, but they didn’t get the job done—but he did!  We were starving under Hoover!”

        Mail to the www.championnews.us site came from Michael Greengard who said, “I learned the song you call “Take Me Back to Where I Came From” (with only slightly different words) from my late father, who grew up in St. Louis.  If he ever told me where he heard it, I don’t recall.  Can you tell me who wrote it and who (if anyone) first recorded it?”  Uncle Al—The Lonesome Plowboy used to sing the song that he called “Whur the Mocking Bird is Singing in the Lilac Bush,” but he only remembered from the part that said, “I met a man in Kansas City and he asked me if I thought that I would like to step around….”  Mrs. Catherine Coffman of Mountain Grove, Missouri filled in the first verse that says, “I’m going back to whur I come from, where the honey suckle smells so sweet it darn near makes you sick…”  She says that the singer Phil Harris recorded it.  A search of his recordings did not reveal a title that sounded like the song, however, there were many good ones:  “The Preacher and the Bear,” “I’m My Own Grandpa,” “I’m a Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas,” and “If You’re Ever Down In Texas Look Me Up.”  “If You’ve Got Someplace to Go, Go Ahead” is another of the Phil Harris recordings that sounds like it could be pretty lively.  While not much was learned about the song in question during this research, it is clear that as surely as one thing leads to anther, with adequate time stumbling around from one wonderful musical website to another, marvelous discoveries will be made and chances are reasonable that all will be revealed concerning “Whur I Come From.”  Meanwhile, Champions are most interested in learning any version of the song and hope Mr. Greengard will share his.

        The third letter came to the Champion at getgoin.net address.  It is from Belizean, Rebecca Quexacotl who has relished sylvan afternoons on Champion hillsides and shares this philosophy about the ‘opportunity to respond.’  “You have the opportunity to respond to whatever happens in your world.  And the way you respond determines the quality of your life.  What matters most is not what happens to you.  What matters most is the way you respond.  You can respond any way you choose.  So choose those positive, empowering responses that will move your life forward.  It may seem in certain situations that a negative response is the only possible response, and yet that is never the case.  Always, a positive response is just as possible, just as realistic, and a whole lot more beneficial.  Get clear on your purpose and know your intentions.  Respond to whatever happens in a way that moves your life in the direction you have chosen to go.  For the opportunity to craft your own response to each event in life is indeed the opportunity to set the direction of your life.  Remember always that you have a choice, and use that choice to add great value to your world.”  Perhaps summer will find Ms. Quexacotl reveling out on the Champion scenic overlook again.

        A trip for chicken manure on a cold day turned colder as the old truck broke down on the road and the double cousins had to be rescued by Linda from over at the Plant Place who took time from her busy transplanting to transplant the two in out of the cold wind and back to their place—63 words with no punctuation.  That Linda is a good neighbor and her gardening friends have a new old truck already full of manure and life goes on.  Things are really starting to percolate over at Linda’s place.  Her new almanac is out for March and it sure gets the gardeners excited—it’s a doosey!  It can be seen on the www.championnews website over on the right hand side under Champion Links or pick up a copy in person at The Plant Place.

        A chance glance at the world news shows it the to be in an uproar everywhere.  Champions appreciate their peace and tranquility and extend good thoughts and best wishes for the whole troubled world to be so sweet a place.  When the soldiers come home from the dangerous places where they have sacrificed to serve their Nation, let them be met with Love and Gratitude and Help.  The seriousness of the Veterans’ situations cannot be overstated.

        As the 32^nd of March rapidly approaches, Armadillo Rights Activists (ARA) from over at Spotted Hog are rallying to protest the General’s planned First Biennial Armadillo Round Up and Art Festival in Champion.  (If a jack rabbit is a ‘Hoover Hog’ then an armadillo is welcome in Spotted Hog and they can just keep them over there.)  Ideally, the Art Show is accepting only two-dimensional entries–flat and painted (with spots?).  All others will be automatically entered into the Great Elimination.  Details have yet to be revealed as the General is being secretive if not furtive.  There is a fine line between a festival and a circus.  Perhaps the General will remember that this time.

        Harley and Barbara are in town for the nonce.  They have a requirement of a certain amount of time in Champion annually just to keep their spirits up and their humor lively.  Champion always benefits from Harley’s lovely singing voice and Barbara’s sense of style.  They make a lovely place more lovely.  Find them and other Champions enjoying each other’s company around the stove or out on the front porch at Henson’s Store taking in the sites.  From the North Side of the Square there is a broad view down Lonnie Krider Memorial Drive—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—March 2, 2009

        Champion joins with Sister-City Skyline in celebrating another successful Skyline Ladies Auxiliary Chili Supper!  The snow kept coming and so did the people.  The wind howled and the music soared.  The hot wholesome food warmed the bodies and the hearts were warmed by fellowship with old friends and family—much loved but seldom seen.  And the pie—beautiful Pie!  M.C. Steve Moody opened the musical program with a tribute to Champion Lonnie Krider, saying that his absence was conspicuous.  In very few words he expressed the feeling of the community that he loved and that loved him.  He was a founding member and staunch supporter of the Skyline Volunteer Fire Department and an elegant musician with great appreciation for humor.

        The silent auction at the Skyline Chili Supper always has some interesting items that bring in good money for the Fire Department.  There was a certain hand made wooden car planter that received a lot of attention and a big basket of hand-picked Rio Grand Valley grapefruit and oranges are being enjoyed by a lucky bidder.  Somebody got a very fancy Vitamaster treadmill at an amazing price.  There were a great many wonderful things on the block and it says great things about the community that people are so generous with their donations and so generous in their bidding.  One of the items was listed as “Jesus Picture.”  It was a print of the well-known image in an 8”x 10” frame.  Teresa Blakely opened the bidding with $1.00.  Sharon Woods came along and bid $3.00 and Teresa later raised it to $4.00.  Sharon raised it to $6.00 and Teresa upped that bid to $8.00.  After fifteen bids Teresa won the bid at $35.00. Then she gave the picture to Sharon as a gift!  Fun and friendship are always well represented.

        Janet Taber, of Almartha, who writes for the Ozark County Times is a regular visitor to Champion.  An e-mail from her says, “…..A few weeks ago you mentioned a teacher struck by lightning:  the event was purported to have taken place near Champion.  Perhaps I can shed some light on that topic.  In the August 21, 1890 edition of the now-defunct Ozark County News, the following news item was published:  On last Wednesday, Martin Smith, son of W.A. Smith, was struck by lightning and killed while in a school room teaching, on Brixey, in the north part of the county.  The school was in session at the time and some fifty pupils were in the school house.  A thunder shower was passing over, and a tree near the school was struck by lightning and at the same time the electricity came down the flue and struck the teacher killing him instantly.  Many of the children were shocked by the stroke but none were seriously injured.  Mr. Smith was an exemplary young man, about 21 years old, just entering upon a life of usefulness.  His sudden death has caused sorrow among all his acquaintance, and we deeply sympathize with his parents in their untimely loss.  I am guessing that this is the incident which some thought took place in Douglas County.  The Smith family, of which this young man was a member, lived at Brixey, and in fact some of their descendants live there today.  The wording of the newspaper item says, ‘on Brixey,’ which probably refers to the fact that the schoolhouse sat very near Brixey Creek.  Brixey is in the northeast part of Ozark County.”  Ms. Taber goes on to have some very nice things to say about Champion.  They are all true.

        A change has been made in government policy that once again allows for the flag draped coffins of returning military personnel to be shown on television and pictured in newspapers.  Now the decision to show these images is made by the survivors of the deceased soldier.  Some want the procedure to be private.  Others want the world to see and recognize the sacrifice of their loved one.  Whatever the decision is, that it is a choice is a remarkable and good change.  The cost of foreign conflict is staggering financially and much of that cost has been hidden.  That the precious human cost is once again visible helps reflect the Love and Gratitude of the Nation.

        The music at the Skyline VFD Chili Supper was a delight!  Those Green Mountain Messengers continue to please.  They are young, enthusiastic and a very talented brother and sister.  They together with Spring creek and the Back Yard Bluegrass kept the place hopping all evening.  “Well, I love my gal.  She’s a little bitty booger.  Just as cute as a bug and sweet as sugar.  I’m agonna buy her a diamond ring and we’ll get married in the Spring!  Do you need any help?  No help wanted.  Could you use a little help?  No help wanted!  Just call on me if you need a little help!  I can handle this job all by my self!”  That tune was new to some…but a sweet old one to others.  Some time has passed since Champions have heard from Tennessee friend and great music lover, Darrell Haden.  Word arrived a while back that he has had some ill health.  Champions wish him well and look forward to more good correspondance with him soon.

        Linda’s almanac is available again over at the Plant Place in Norwood.  She is busy getting things together so that Champion gardeners will have what they need when they need it.  The little dab of snow fixed some nitrogen and gardeners are getting excited though they know the average date of last frost in this wonderful part of the world is May 10^th!  People with dirty hands can also be impatient!

        Examples of patience, fun and friendship can be sent to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  E-mail any kind of offers for help to Champion News.  Look around in the archives at www.championnews.us just to see what can be seen.  There is a lovely picture of a Texas Armadillo Expert who is pleased to inform the General about the true nature of a good armadillo.  His big event, coming up on the 32^nd of the month, is already causing controversy.  Those folks from Spotted Hog are rumbling about it and will not let their jealousy rest.  What a sad and forlorn little community like that needs is a bunch of Champions!  Standing around the stove at Henson’s Store on the North Side of the Square, just off Lonnie Krider Memorial Drive, Champions can’t help but Look on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—February 22, 2009

        After 20 days on the road and 2700.00 miles on the trip meter, a wandering Champion can dutifully report that a dead skunk in the middle of the road smells the same no matter upon what highway in America the lovely fur is spread.  Driving along a person can always say, “It smells like home!”  Home.  What can be better?

        Among the pleasant surprises waiting the wanderer, an email:  “Hi, I am writing to say how much I enjoy your article in the newspaper.  I am not a native Championite however my husband’s family owned the Cold Springs store as long as it was in operation.  My husband, Jay Mallernee, passed away in 1997 and all his siblings and of course his parents have passed away.  His sister, Vivian Robertson, taught school at Champion.  Pete Robertson, J.D. Elliott and myself are the remaining in-laws.  I have many friends that grew up and lived in the Champion and Cold Springs area.  Jay and I graduated from Ava high school and lived at Denlow before moving to Kansas for 23 years.  Keep up the good work in writing the weekly articles……Sincerely,  Catherine Mallernee”

        Tersera, the third child in her family, writes of the importance of a matter under consideration by the current state legislature.  It has to do with proposed changes to the Historic Tax Credits program.  This Champion from Champion—South strongly believes that there should be no change since these tax credits are very important to jobs and the economy of the State.  Many small contractors and their employees will be impacted by major changes in this program.  These Tax Credits create jobs (40,000 since the program began) and better our economy by lowering slum and blight, crime, and other problems in our older communities.  She suggests that citizens become informed and contact representatives, senators, and the governor to let them know that it makes no sense (given the employment, housing, and banking crises in our State and in our Country) to change this program that produces jobs when we have this level of unemployment in our state and unemployment continues to rise.  Champions are ever on the look out for the benefit of their neighbors.

        “Lemon tree, very pretty, and the lemon flower is sweet, but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat!”  That is an old calypso song that some old Champions might remember.  It turns out to be partially true.  The lemon flower is the most deliciously fragrant bloom and the leaves of the tree so shiny green.  The trees are big—fifteen feet in every direction—but these Valley Lemons from the Rio Grand Valley are not at all impossible to eat.  They are big and juicy with thinner skins than the bright yellow ones found in the grocery store and puckery good.  With luck, that traveling Auxiliary woman will bring some to the Silent Auction at the Skyline Chili Supper on Saturday.  They say there will be some real surprises at this auction.  Excitement is building as preparations are getting underway.  It will be the first of these events for a visiting double cousin, though she has been hearing about them for years.  She is a real pie lover, so she is in for a treat!  She has her quilt tickets and is ready for fun!

        In 1942 the Army Emergency Relief was founded to ease cash emergencies of active-duty soldiers and retirees and provide college scholarships for their families.  Its emergency aid covers mortgage payments and food, car repairs, medical bills, travel to family funerals, and the like.  The AER is the biggest charity inside the US Military and active duty soldiers and retirees fund it.  The American Institute of Philanthropy is one of the watchdog organizations that look at all charities for fundraising practices and distribution.  The AER was graded “F” by the oversight organizations because of hoarding.  The charity has been stockpiling tens of millions of dollars meant to help put returning fighters back on their feet.  Most watchdog organizations view 1 to 3 years reserves prudent, but the AER currently has enough reserves to last about twelve years at its current level of aid.  Contributions to the fund are often extracted from enlisted personnel by what amounts to coersion by superior officers and commanding officers make the determination about who is eligible for help.  That any soldier is in need is a shame, and more is the shame when help is available and withheld.  These are troublesome times.  Champions agree that active duty soldiers and veterans all have coming to them the Love and Gratitude of their Nation.  A helping hand helps.

        Champion gardens are still chilling out.  Champions know that things are beginning to percolate under the soil, however, and soon Spring will be busting out all over.  A cousin in Arkansas already has planted a hundred pounds of potatoes!  Buddy likes to get them in the ground by Valentine’s Day.  Up here St. Patrick’s Day is the target date of some gardeners.  Mrs. Buddy hates gardening so much that she said she would wish to get snake bit just to get out of the pea patch!  Linda over at the Plant Place in Norwood will soon have her planting guide almanac ready.  Champion gardens are happy places.

        Tales of the open road are welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO. 65717.  E-mail calypso music or letters to the gov’ment to Champion News.  Bob Conrad from Spokane, Washington sent a note asking about how to find the most current Champion items on the www.championnews.us website.  Then he e-mailed to say that he had found out how to go to the archives to get the latest news.  If he were here, he could get it around the stove at Henson’s Store.  The great Armadillo Round Up may be a topic of conversation there if the General wanders in.  He ‘generally’ only shows up to stir up trouble or mischief of some kind.  Still he is a welcome site in the cultural hub of Champion.  It is on the North side of the square, just off Lonnie Krider Memorial Drive.  The picture postcard business is booming in Champion.  Far-flung Champions and other unfortunates have their optimism renewed by that great view:  Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—February 9, 2009

        The further downhill a person goes from Champion the more clearly he remembers the view from that beautiful place.  Why anyone chooses to leave is a mystery, but life is mysterious and people go wandering for any number of reasons.  A temporary absence is the best kind and the Homeward Trail is the best one to travel.

        A letter from Eva Phillips Henson says: “We have snow, ice,sleet and 17 degrees.  When [a Champion cousin] wrote that Lonnie Lowell Krider passed away, it brought back memories of the Champion School.  Lonnie was a good singer and always in our Christmas programs.  Our teachers would begin in October planning who would do what.  When Kenneth, my brother, [Hovie] was in the first grade, he had a poem.  ‘On Christmas morning I get up so early, I beat all the other folks.  Pa says every morning should be Christmas, but that’s just one of his jokes.’  In 6th grade I recited ‘The Night Before Christmas’ and never missed a word.  I was Proud!  We all were so proud of our program and our parents were pleased.  Then ‘Santy Claws’ would come.  It would be a rotund ‘plump’ man and the kids would not know him.  One year no ‘rotund’ man was available, so Ed Henson played ‘Santy.’  He was tall and skinny with no padding.  We all knew who that ‘Santy’ was.  Then the little sacks of hard candy would be passed out, and our program was over or another year.  Some of my teachers were Vivian Robertson, Doris Giles, Edgie Tate, Opal Powell.  While I was there, no man ever taught school at Champion.  Just thought I’d pass on some history, back in the 40’s and 50’s.  Have a good winter, Eva Henson Phillips.”

        An e-mail came to the Champion box from Cindy Peterson.  “Lonnie was a wonderful person who was our high school counselor.  I never knew anyone who did not like Lonnie.

        “Nothing more has been said about the lightning strike that may have happened at the Champion School (or some place nearby) except a comment made by Mark Twain to the effect that choosing exactly the right word might be the difference between a lightning bug and lightning!

        News reaches other parts of the world that the ice and snow have  melted and things are windy and about to get stormy in Champion.  It is also reported that the seed orders are beginning to arrive in the mail.  Not too far South already vegetable plants are beginning to become available and a little farther South yet, the Boggy Creek Farm is harvesting many winter vegetables.  The farm is about six densely planted acres surrounded by a big noisy city.  On Saturdays and Wednesdays city dwellers flock to the farm to buy organically grown broccoli, cabbage, kale, lettuce, spinach, chard, turnips, beets and green onions among other things.  The produce is more expensive than the regular supermarket fare, but it is well worth it to folks who are hungry for good food and the feel of country life.  City children enjoy feeding the Boggy Creek chickens and it is a good educational experience for them.  Some of them already know The Chicken Song:  “C–that’s the way to begin.  H–that’s the next letter in.  C-H-I-C-K-E-N  That is the way to spell Chicken.”  There are many versions of The Chicken Song some say ‘C–is for the cluck, cluck.  K–is for the kackle, kackle.”  Uncle Al, The Lonesome Plowboy used to play the Chicken Reel on the French harp and a person might start looking for eggs!  The Chicken Song is a good one for any musical repertoire.  Over at the Plant Place in Norwood, Linda frequently has some wonderful brown eggs for sale.  She is getting things ready for Champion gardeners to get a good start on growing some wonderful food.  It won’t be long now!

        In addition to some interesting and pertinent information about the  coming electrical rate changes in April, the Rural Missouri monthly paper had a nice mention of the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department Chili Supper coming up on the 28th of February.  The Ladies Auxiliary is having meetings and making arrangements for musical entertainment as well as that great chili, the ham and beans, the chicken and noodles, and all those scrumptious donated pies that come in the door with the membership of the Fire Department.  This event marks the end of winter’s gloom and is the sure cure for the cabin fever.  There will still be some dark and damp days before full-blown Spring sets in, but Champions are happy for rain and not interested in complaining about the weather!  One of those Auxiliary members is making a Southern trip and will be down near the Mexican border gathering up some nice surprises for the Silent Auction that will take place at the Chili Supper.  Tickets are being sold for the drawing for beautiful queen size quilt from one end of the country to the other.  One of the great sights on the way was an enormous wind farm just North of Abilene.  There are hundreds of windmills generating that clean power.  They are huge and graceful against the big, blue Texas sky.  Douglas County has a few windmill electricity generators!  It is said that Booger County is a “windy” place for a number of reasons.

        No new letters to the Government have shown up in the Champion mail box this week, but Champions are still paying attention to everything that’s going on up there in Washington.  One terribly sad report says that in January more active duty U.S. Service Personnel took their own lives than died in combat.  When the Veterans of these conflicts come home they should be met with Love, Gratitude, Understanding, and all the Help they need.  It is the dear Hope of all Champions.

        It has recently come to the attention of the CEPC [Champion Events Planning Commission] that The General plans to sponsor the First Biennial Great Armadillo Round-Up to culminate in a Festival on the 32nd of March.  As he has not as yet cleared the project with the Committee, no real specifics have been learned.  He did suggest that entries would be limited to the first one thousand, though ‘dead or alive’ has not been indicated.  The General was overheard to say something about ‘the best paint job.’  He is such a rogue element in the community that the details will likely be sketchy up to the very last moment.

        Sketchy details, chicken songs and life mysteries are welcome at  Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 36, Norwood, MO 65717.  E-mail dear Hopes and copies of letters to the Gov’ment to Champion News.  Look around in the archives at 222.championnews.us just to see what has gone be3fore.  Stand around on the porch at Henson’s Store on the North side of the Square just off Lonnie Krider Memorial Drive to see what a beautiful community looks like.  Picture post-cards of the dear place are available in limited supply.  They have been know to lift the spirits of unfortunates living out in the dreary and dull parts of the world.  They bear the motto:  Champion–Looking on the Bright Side!