DreamWorks

O beautiful, for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

America! America! God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.

O beautiful, for pilgrim feet

Whose stern, impassioned stress

A thoroughfare for freedom beat

Across the wilderness!

America! America! God mend thine ev’ry flaw;

Confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law!

O beautiful, for heroes proved

In liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved

And mercy more than life!

America! America! May God thy gold refine,

‘Til all success be nobleness, and ev’ry gain divine!

O beautiful, for patriot dream

That sees beyond the years,

Thine alabaster cities gleam

Undimmed by human tears!

America! America! God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea!

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Champions and citizens of neighboring communities turned out in numbers to greet the West Plains Wagon Club as it passed through Champion in central Douglas County on Thursday, September 18, 2008.  The wagon train was on its annual trail ride from West Plains to Mansfield.  This year there were twelve wagons on the train when it pulled into Champion and there were about twenty-five accompanying outriders.  From year to year the numbers vary but the welcome is always warm and friendly in Champion.  Under the direction of 83 year-old Wagon Master Clifford Luna, the wagon train left West Plains on Monday morning.  They routinely make about twenty miles a day and stop at predetermined camp-sites.  On Thursday they camped at the Black Gate Farm just north of Skyline.  They arrived in Mansfield on Friday with few incidents to report.  A couple of outriders were thrown from their horses—one, when it was spooked by a motorcycle, and another when someone in a pickup suddenly opened a door and yelled.  The riders were not seriously injured and the trip overall was a pleasant one.  Luna and the West Plains Wagon Club will enjoy more rides this year, but Champions will have to wait until next year to see them rolling through the community again.

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CHAMPION—September 21, 2008

                In Champion Summer is making an elegant and graceful exit.  Spring’s green has lingered long and the dog days have been few.  Violent storms and a bountiful harvest mark a memorable season. 

                The annual Wagon Train of the West Plains Wagon Club came rolling through on Thursday.  They must have made an early start that cool morning.  They had already passed by when Esther Wrinkles got over to the Bluegrass Park on Highway 95, so she didn’t get to see them this time.  Ruby Proctor came out to Champion, though, as did quite a number of other Champions including Elva Ragland and Violet Hinote.  Sharon and Louise brought some excellent deserts and then set them down on the table in front of Jackie!  The other outriders, wagon drivers and passengers did get to enjoy those goodies too, however.  It was a nice rest stop for the train and a good chance for the community to get an eyeful of the past.  They rolled out of Champion headed up Cold Springs Road about one in the afternoon.  Hurricane Ike played havoc with that route on Saturday night but early Thursday morning a fast moving, efficient road grader came through and set things to rights.  There were still trees partially blocking the road in areas, plus low water crossings buried in gravel and big chunks of the road just washed away.  Those guys out working on the road equipment are real masters of their art and the country people are glad!  New Champions who have recently moved to WW Highway from Springfield are Steve and Darlene Conner.  They came to see the Wagon Train and brought Steve’s Aunt and Uncle, Roy and Darlene Conner, with them.  They had come down from St. Joseph especially for the occasion.  They were celebrating their 49^th wedding anniversary and enjoying the sites.  Ms. Conner said that the Pony Express was headquartered in St. Joe and that they are most interested in the old days.  From April,1860, to October, 1861, mail routes ran across country from St. Joe to Sacramento, California.  The first westbound trip took 10 days, 7 hours and 45 minutes.  It was 1,966 miles!  That’s another story.  Maybe Uncle Roy and Aunt Darlene will be regular visitors and will share more of that history.  The Wagon Train has been coming through Champion every year for a long time now—regular as clockwork.

                Champions are delighted to learn that Sally Miller has passed the test required of those who want to become Citizens of the United States of America.  Huzza!  It would be interesting to know how many citizens born and raised on These Shores could pass that test.  Sally has already registered to vote.  It is the first time she has ever enjoyed that privilege.  Living in a participatory democracy implies some responsibility and it is a tribute to Champions who take it seriously.  It was not so many years ago that women were imprisoned, beaten and committed to insane asylums for perusing their voting franchise.  Women’s Suffrage is a part of American history that merits remembering.  The electoral college is something that gets forgotten about between presidential elections and it has yet to be explained to the satisfaction of some particular voters and now some of those voters are concerned about the use of paperless voting machines.  Those produced by the company, Diebold, are used extensively throughout the country.  Princeton University studies have proven that there are great security concerns about the Accuvote TS Voting Machine.  Malicious software can easily be installed that can circumvent the logic and accuracy tests and steal votes.  Moreover, a virus can travel from one machine to another teaching them all to steal votes. There are proven examples of such chicanery already, they say.  Whoever ‘they’ are, they sing, “Oh Beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, for purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain.  America! America! God shed his grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!”  That is a Champion song!

                An e-mail came from Pete Proctor who verified the news that Ruby had reported on Thursday:  “..letting you know that Bryan shipped Monday the 15^th  (back to Afghanistan).  Also on the 15^th in 1968, 40 years ago, I came home from Viet Nam.  I am proud of Bryan and everyone else who wears the Uniform.  I hope all come home soon.”  Champions share that pride and hope with Pete.  One who will not be coming home is a 53 year old soldier from Wentzville, Missouri who died ‘over there’ this week.  Love and Gratitude is what his survivors need.

                Paul said, “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”  He may not have been talking about politics.  A liberal helping of apple pie is generally thought to be a good thing.  The word “liberal” is said out loud by some folks as if it were something that needed to be scrapped off the bottom of their shoe, though its definition is “favorable to progress or reform.”  “Conservative” is also a nice word and it means “disposed to preserving existing conditions.”  A conservative piece of that pie might not be as satisfying, but these are just words.  So far Champions of both persuasions are coexisting in harmonious respect for their neighbors and for the freedom to believe what they will.  More words to that song are:  “America!  America! God mend thine ev’ry flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law.”  

                Champions congratulate Terri Ryan, Lannie Hinote and Deborah Barker for recently earning their masters degrees.  This is no small feat!  It represents serious effort and the students of Skyline School are the beneficiaries of their diligence!  More congratulations go out to Zoey Louise of Austin, TX.  She has celebrated her fifth birthday in a gala party.  Grandparents expect DVD’s and expansive detailed reports of the fun.  She shares her birthday and party with her cousin, Penelope Zappler, also of Austin, who is now three years old.  They share the date with Louise Hutchison of Champion. (It will be interesting to learn how she observed the occasion this year!) Tanna and Roger Wiseman have a wedding anniversary that day too!  It’s the last day of  Summer and a special day for many–Champions all!

                The 25^th through the 30^th of the month will be very good days for destroying weeds and doing general work around the farm, according to Linda’s Almanac.  Then the signs change and it will be good planting again starting on the first of October.  Harley and Barbara Krider will be in the neighborhood for a week or so ‘making hay.’  They always lift spirits when they show up.  A pleasant note arrived from Darrell Haden who hopes to attend Ray Cunningham’s Five-School Reunion on the last Saturday in September.  Soon the Pioneer Descendents Gathering will be happening over at Yates, so Champion and its neighbors are in full swing celebration mode….it’s a Champion kind of thing.

                The hurricane winds did more damage to parts of the Ozarks than anyone expected.  Eva Powell had Granddaughter Emily and her family visiting the night of the storm.  With the power out and trees down on power lines, buildings and fences it was more excitement than any wanted.  The good thing is no one was hurt and progress is being made on the clean up.  The Skyline Volunteer Fire Department lost some big trees on the picnic grounds, but sustained no damage to the buildings, fortunately.  Some in Arkansas are still out of electricity.  Champions are quick to compliment the hard work of the White River Valley Electric Co-Op people.  They did a good job of getting things up and running in short order.  Hopefully, those Arkansawyers and Texans will get some relief soon. 

                Katherine Lee Bates wrote “America the Beautiful.”  Look for all the words on the website at www.championnews.us.  Send explanations of the workings of the electoral college to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or to Champion@getgoin.net.  Stand on the porch at Henson’s Store in downtown Champion and sing that song or any other patriotic, uplifting, heart warming song right out loud.  Nobody will complain if the singing is heartfelt and sincere (and close to on key) because it is well known that singing is beneficial to the health, particularly the health of the singer.  With or without musical accompaniment, Champions are Looking on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—September 15, 2008

        In Champion people just roll with the flow.  Whatever comes along next is the very thing they are ready for.  That is not to say they can’t be surprised, but they are fast adapters.  Hurricane Ike’s destruction and detritus is strewn about everywhere.  Someone said that it was all on account of the Adlai Stevenson fans in these parts.  That is just more political hogwash.  It makes about as much sense as most of what is being heard these days.  People do not seem to be able to agree on what is important—personalities or the pressing problems the Nation faces like the collapse of the financial infrastructure and the like.  Some Champions are just delighted that the lights went out (de-lighted) if only for the respite of a timely political break.  Lowing cattle, hooting owls and ticking clocks make a peaceful replacement for the ruckus and racket that comes along with the conveniences of electricity.  For those who enjoy the quiet, for a little while, it is a real pleasure.  Champions are mindful, however, of the many others who have not faired so well due to the storm.  Everyone will be chipping in to help his neighbor recover from the disaster.  From one end of the country to the other—that’s Champion!

        It has been noted that coincidences occur in Champion with the same regularity as in other less convivial places.  Recently, at the Champion School Reunion, it was revealed that an Old Cemetery in Birdstown, TN has buried in it ancestors of both Kaye Upshaw Johnston and Pete Mullins who is married to Bonnie Brixey Mullins, formerly of Champion.  This was discovered when Richard and Kaye visited out in that part of the country last year when they attended the Brixey Family Reunion.  They got their feet wet out in the Atlantic Ocean on that trip too.  There are no photos of that happening, but there are quite a number of pictures of the Champion Reunion on the internet at www.championnews.us  Surprise!

        While Champion seems like the center of the world to some, it is clear that the world is getting smaller.  Some of that has to do with the population—about six billion now—and some of it has to do with the relative ease of travel these days.  When the West Plains Wagon Club pulls in to Champion on Thursday it will be another excellent opportunity to learn how things were really done in the old days.  The movie and television depictions of life “back then” doesn’t necessarily provide an accurate picture of what it was really like to travel across the country.  Events like this trail ride and the Pioneer Descendants Gathering coming up over at Yates provide a valuable insight into the daily existence of Champion forbearers, so “Wagons Ho!”

        “Head ‘em up!  Move ‘em out!”  Those “Rawhide” sentiments are applicable to a notable Champion who has become too well acquainted with the rear ends of a few of his neighbor’s cattle as he chases them up hills and hollers trying to get them to go home.  His neighbor does not maintain his fences and seems glad to turn the cattle into his neighbor’s good grass when his own grass gets thin.  The offended neighbor is the very essence of restraint.  While there is some legal recourse to be had, he seems to take the long view of the situation and is not inclined to escalate to a contentious level.  These are good lessons.  Things eventually work out.

        Brother and sister, Foster and Kalyssa Wiseman have recently celebrated their Mother’s birthday!  It occurred on the 13^th of September and her Champion family and friends wish Tanna many happy returns.  She is making a good recovery from a recent illness in is just the picture of radiant good health.  She is a Champion!

        The 18^th through the 20^th will be timely for planting root crops according to Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood.  Linda has some fast making cabbage plants that form a small, compact, golden head.  She also has a variety of broccoli that produces well after the Frost.  Frost!  The wild grapes will sweeten up.  Persimmons will let go of their tree and the walnuts will keep falling.  Ike shook a lot of them down, but in some places there are many yet to fall.  Perhaps prices will be good this year.  Paw paws are plentiful and paw paw lovers are in paw paw heaven.

        It doesn’t take much to make some people happy.  Some Old Champions will be glad to have the power back on.  Those serving the Nation in the dangerous places of the world will be happy with the acknowledgement of their Nation.  Things are not easy for the returning soldier and it is hoped they will be met with Love and Gratitude.

        “Walking in the sunshine—sing a little sunshine song—put a smile upon your face as if there’s nothing wrong.  Think about a good time you had a long time ago.  Think about—forget about your worries and your woe’s.  Walking in the sunshine—sing a little sunshine song!”  That is Champion musical advice and that sort of thing is welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or at Champion News.

        Sing that song or any happy little ditty out on the porch at Henson’s Store near the hitching post in Downtown Champion—the hub of the Douglas County and the place famous for Looking on the Bright Side!

 The 26th Annual Champion School Reunion was held August 30th, 2008.  More than fifty attended this year.

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CHAMPION—September 8, 2008

        Champions generally consider themselves to be observant people—especially when it comes to good things.  So it was quite a surprise to one driving east on 76 Highway the other day when he happened to glace over to see the new sign on the Firehouse at the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department.  It’s a beauty!  “When did that happen?”  Well, it happened back in early August when the Fire Department was getting ready for the Picnic.  It was those Mastrangelo girls that did it—Elizabeth and Loren.  “I was sort of used to that ‘A’ being tilted over to the right, (or was it to the left?) and the whole thing looking sort of ‘catawampus.’”  Now he’ll just have to get used to the new and improved look.  It is a perfectly wonderful sign that identifies the place with the suggestion that it is substantial, well maintained and well regarded.  Moreover, no committee assigned the work.  No delegation spurred on by complaint caused it to happen.  These young ladies saw that it needed doing and did it.  They are Champions!

        Aged Champions grew up watching Ward Bond on TV shouting, “Wagon’s Ho!”

        Champions are excited that once again the West Plains Wagon Club is about to pass through town.  Wagon Master, Clifton Luna, says that the train will leave West Plains on the 15^th of September.  It will be in Champion about lunch-time on Thursday the 18^th.  Champions are urged to make that their regular shopping trip to the Village that week.  Some plan to bring a basket of dainty vittles just to share with the trail riders.  The chance to experience the sounds and smells and general atmosphere of a wagon train comes around infrequently and often has passed by before many Champions knew it was going on. So Champions Look Out!  Here they come!  Maybe Shelby Blades will have his three-up again.  (That’s three mules.)  Jim, Sam and Sue are the three up of Bill and Blanche Jackson of Ozark.  Last year Blanche told about a trail ride they had been on from Corpus Christ,  Texas to San Antonio through the King Ranch.  It took them about ten days.  They were in a train of 35 or 40 wagons with 300 outriders.  Champions wonder what they’ve been up to since then.  Luna said that ferrier Mutch Stone wasn’t shoeing but about a dozen a week last year.  He’s been doing that work for 37 or 38 years now and hopefully he’ll be around to chew some harness leather with local ferriers..(Joe!)  Of particular interest will be the three quarter size Springfield wagon pulled by Rabbit and Ruthie.  This outfit belongs to Jerry Sanders of Norwood.  The wagon was built 29 years ago by a guy named Elvin Huldo.  It is authentic except for the rubber tires.  Mr. Sanders is a seasoned trail rider.  He once rode 200 miles horseback for the Boys and Girls Ranch.  It took nine days.  He has been participating in this trail ride since 1993.  Last year the Gee and Haw Club out of Salem Arkansas was well represented by Don Crawford from Salem and Randall Barnet from Warm Springs, Arkansas.  Don Crawford said that he and Clifton Luna had been on every one of these rides since 1989.  Some of these rigs are just amazing to see.  Some like to keep things as authentic to the old days as possible.  Others like to innovate and have solar collectors on their roofs charging batteries for their CB radio, their TV and Radio and cell phones.  Some have lights and some have ‘running water.’  It will be a spectacle and so the opportunity to observe something especially interesting won’t slip by Champions this year.  The train is, as in the old days, accompanied by a number of outriders.  They were scouts, herders, solitaries and security.  They all have interesting stories.  Some are relatively new to the train, but others like Gary & Pam Carder of Mountain Grove have been outriders with this wagon train for 15 years.  The squeak of saddle leather and general horse and wagon racket is music to the ears of nostalgic Champions.  Lonnie and Faye won’t get to see the train this year.  They are taking their “19^th trip to Tulsa.”  That sounds like a hard driving song.  Champions sing “Happy Trails” to them and wish for them safe and successful journeys.  Champions are still enjoying the music from the Champion School Reunion last week-end.  It was one of those perfect occasions.  Some good pictures of the reunion can be seen on the internet at www.championnews.us.   This is a thriving berg of constant entertainment.  Why, just around the corner on the 4^th and 5^th of October Dale and Betty Thomas will be hosting the Pioneer Descendants Gathering over in Yates.  That promises to be another spectacle full of wagon rides and demonstrations of all sorts!  Between now and then Farmer’s Days and other harvest festivals will be celebrated.  The social calendar around these parts is replete with fancy functions!  It’s a good time for family and friends to come wandering by.  That’s always a good time in Champion.

        As to the matter of standing on the corner and listening to the opposite point of view, some Champions struggle.  They are like King Agrippa almost being persuaded by Paul.  Abandoning momentarily their own prejudices and seeing the fervor of true belief in the faces of their friends and even misguided family members, they are pulled almost to believe the Contrary.  Ultimately, they know what is right, however, and hardly any except the politicians ever change their political minds once decided upon.  They resign to tolerate the crackpot opposition because sometimes they are married to them or have lived next door to them for forty years.  “Where do these off-the-wall ideas come from?”  One old Champion about teared up the other day saying that it is a heartbreaking shame that Adli Stevenson wasn’t respected.  He might have been the smartest man to run for office this century.  “Smart” doesn’t seem to mean much he laments.  The voting franchise has been hard won and Champions take it seriously.  This will be the first presidential election that folks who are ten years old now will remember.  Champions are hoping for the best!

        So are the Veterans of Foreign Wars.  There are many more of them now than ever and they could use the Love and Gratitude of their Nation. As of September 5, 2008 the Department of Defense reports that there are 320,000 Vets with brain injuries.  There are 18 Veteran Suicides per day among the Nation’s 25 million Veterans, according to Dr. Ira Katz, the VA’s head of Mental Health.  Clearly these patriots who step out there to protect the voting franchise could use some advocates.  They will be here for the duration.

        When the ground is so nice and wet, the weeds slide out of the ground with the least amount of pulling.  Sometimes they come out with the sound that the sod-busters loved as they turned the prairie grasses over to farm.  That same sound was the death knell for indigenous peoples and it was  their heartbreak.  It is all so subjective.  Linda’s Almanac says the 14^th will be good for planting above ground crops and the 15^th for root crops.  Both days will be good for vines.  The 12^th and 13^th will be good days to prune to discourage growth.  Encourage growth by pruning on the 23^rd and 24^th.

        Encouragement of any sort is welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or at Champion News.  Sing like Roy Rogers and Dale Evans out on the porch at Henson’s Store at the way station:  “…Some trails are happy ones, Others are blue.  It’s the way you ride the trail that counts, Here’s a happy one for you.  Happy trails to you Until we meet again  Happy trails to you Keep smiling until then.  Who cares about the clouds when we’re together?  Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.  Happy trails to you, until we meet again.”  Meet up with yer partners at Champion where they always Look on the Bright Side!

CHAMPION—September 1, 2008

        The Champion Reunion of 2008 was one of those gatherings that is just the essence of good community.  Fifty people and a few more were on hand to reunite with old friends and family in a place so dear to them.  Someone said that there will be no need for a formal Labor Day Parade in Champion this year on account of the Reunion folks marching so steadily around the tables of food.  There was every thing from soup to hay!–ribs and chicken and enchilada pie, rolls, salads and vegetables and watermelon.  Then came the deserts, which were incredible except for the blackberry cobbler which was stupendous!  The grand old walnut trees shaded those gathered and a pleasant breeze stirred the air just enough.  Old friends Lonnie Krider and Wayne Anderson sat down with mandolin and guitar the way they have done for forty-plus years.  They were joined by Charles Lambert, Rod Humbird, Todd Miller and Robert Graham.  They sat in a loose circle the way musician do when they are playing for each other.  Low conversations gave the music room to move easily among the people as any welcome guest might.  “There’s an old spinning wheel in the parlor” and “Rank Strangers” and a hundred more old tunes drifted out among the folks.  It was easy to see people were actively making memories—sharing old ones and making new ones.  For a few hours on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in the old school yard under the amazing old trees people shared the best of the past and the best of the precious present.  It is a gift that Champions share—knowing when things are good.  This was the 26^th Annual Champion Reunion.  These are the people who came.  If there is a “*” by their name it means they won a door prize.  Robert Graham*-Drury, Mary Graham-Drury, Lorene Johnston-Marshfield, Pete & Bonna Mullens-Wichita, KS, Shirley Brixey-Springfield, Karen Krider-Champion, Lonnie Krider-Champion, Linda Watts-Murfreesboro, TN, Ruby Proctor-Mtn. Grove, Barbara Cooper*-Norwood, Debbie Massey*-Norwood, Elsie Curtis*-Norwood, Daniel Kingston-Norwood, Linda Kingston-Norwood, Pete Proctor, Mtn. Grove, Betty Henson*-Champion, Verla & Lonnie* Mears-Springfield, Vivian Floyd*-Rogersville, Esther Wrinkles*-Vanzant, Elva Ragland*-Drury, Wilda Moses*-Champion, Tom* & Arlene Cooley-Mtn. Grove, Charles Lambert-Ava, Dakota Watts & Dylan* Watts-Murfreesboro, TN, Robert Upshaw-Vanzant, Lucille Ketchum-Mtn. Grove,  Bertha Wood-Mtn. Grove, Russell, Sue & Dean* Upshaw-Mtn. Grove, Dain Lambert-Ava, Larry & Theresa Wrinkles & Quinton-Vanzant, Benton Hutchison-Ava, Tommy Sutherland-Mtn. Grove & Branson, Wesley Lambert-Ava, Kenneth E. Anderson*-Mtn. Grove,  Barbara Schwartz-Republic, Wayne* & JoAnn Anderson-Ava, Fern Bishop-Ava, Linda Clark, Marty Watts-Murfreesboro, TN, Frances Sutherland-Mtn. Grove, Shirley Elaine (Laine) Sutherland, Nashville, TN, Greta Cope, Rita Coble and granddaughter-Mtn. Grove, Todd Miller-Ava, Rod Humbird, Ethel McCallie-Nowata, OK.

        A hot bridge game came off without a hitch up in Riley Holler on Saturday night.  The looser (the host) won a dollar and the winner walked off with $1.75.  Not bad earnings for five or six hours of work!  A couple of the players had just returned from a bridge match that had lasted twenty-three hours over a two day period.  The winner there came out with $4.80.  She says, “It’s not about the money.”  Really?

        Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place says that the 6^th and 7^th will be good days for planting above ground crops.  The 8^th will be an excellent day to celebrate Carol’s birthday!  Her sweet Mother-In-Law, Sally Tharp, gave her some wonderful garden advice:  “Cultivate lasting friendships.  Sow seeds of kindness.  Listen to sage advice.  Don’t let the little things bug you.  Be outstanding in your field.  Take thyme for yourself.  No Vining!”

        There was a substantial crowd at the Denlow Cemetery on Sunday afternoon for the dedication of the Civil War Memorial.  The ceremony was well orchestrated by Catherine Alsup Reilly of the Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War.  There were several speakers including the monument designer and builder Rick Alsup.  A twenty-one gun salute was presented by Civil War Re-enactors David Coffman, Gary Lee Riley, and Mike Metcalf with their muzzleloaders.  Pete Proctor raised the Colors, which include the American Flag and the black flag commemorating the US Soldiers Missing in Action and the Prisoners of War.  The contributions of many individuals toward the realization of the Memorial were recognized, particularly those of Cletis Upshaw who has done a great deal over the years to preserve the stories of Denlow and Douglas County.  Friends were happy to see him in attendance.  Jared Moore played Taps as the ceremony drew to a conclusion.  There were a lot of photographs taken and overall it was about the most proper and dignified event imaginable considering the degree of participation by a certain General Upstart.  The starkness and difficulties of living in a war torn area were brought to mind by re-enactor Mike Metcalf.  He said that the war had been particularly hard on the women who lived around the fighting.  That is true in every war then and now.  The dedication of this memorial brings to mind those serving now.  Love and Gratitude is their due.

        Champions agree with E.B. White who said, “There is no limit to how complicated things can get, on account of one thing leading to another.”  Everybody likes to stand around on the porch or the street corner and talk with people who believe exactly the same thing that they believe.  They can agree with each other and feel smart when everyone agrees with them.  They aren’t likely to learn anything new, however, or to gain an understanding of people who believe the exact opposite.  Even if they are honest, hardworking, loveable people–even some of them friends and family, it’s hard to listen to that other opinion with an unbiased ear.  Champions do all agree that they find themselves living in an Extraordinary Nation–one shaped and strengthened by diversity.

        Monday rolled around and the AF of L and the CIO were suitably honored in the Champion Labor Day Parade.  The American Federation of Labor has been around since the early 1880’s and the Congress of Industrial Organizations sprang out of the New Deal.  They were acknowledged with a cursory salute as Champions resumed their orderly and productive activities.  The day was warm and quiet enough for a nap, much needed after the frenetic pace of the week-end celebrations.  There is at least one Old Champion that says, “Any day you get a nap is a good day.”  He makes it a point to have as many good days as possible.  He’s been thinking of an old song “Ain’t We Got Fun!”  “In the morning, in the evening, Ain’t we got fun? ..Not much money, Oh but Honey!  Ain’t we got fun?…  There’s nothing surer.  The rich get rich and the poor get poorer.  In the meantime in between time Ain’t we got fun!  The song lists any number of things that have gone wrong but it doesn’t seem to matter.

        Any old song that brings back memories…sweet or sad or silly…is welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2. Box 367 Norwood, MO 65717.  They all are beneficial to the health if they are sung with heart.  Perhaps Champion’s Tennessee Friend, Darrell Haden, will remind Champions of one that has over time slipped their minds but once heard again is as familiar as an old friend…some toe tapping tune that brings a smile automatically.  That’s the ticket.  E-mail anything like that to Champion News.  Stand out on the porch at Henson’s Store in historic downtown Champion or on a street corner somewhere (where they have corners) and listen carefully without derision to the logic of a different point of view.  Think about it and ask questions.  That’s the Champion thing to do.  Once you’ve parted company with the crack-pot you can slap your thigh and guffaw, but be polite and Look on the Bright Side!

DENLOW:  MISSOURI CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL
 

        On August 31, 2008, a warm Sunday afternoon, 150 people gathered in the Denlow Cemetery in central Douglas County to dedicate the new Civil War Memorial that has been in the works for some time.  The rural cemetery sits on a hillside overlooking Fox Creek and some rich farmland that is also rich with history.  The designer and builder of the monument, Rick Alsup, said in his remarks that he has always liked history and he expressed concern:  “If we don’t tell it, it may not get told the way we would want it to be remembered in the future.”

        The memorial is a stone column with two plates of text on the upper surface and the list of the 32 Civil War Soldiers buried at the Denlow Cemetery engraved on the face of the monument.  The text outlines the roll of Lieutenant William N. Alsup and that of Captain James S. Upshaw and continues:  “U.S. Civil War 1861 to 1865 Veterans of this war buried here at Denlow Cemetery.  On April 12, 1861 the Civil War of the United States officially began.  The State of Missouri was bitterly divided between Union and Confederate support.  This meant close neighbors became instant enemies and obviously caused huge close conflicts, especially in the Ozarks of Southern Missouri being close to the Mason Dixon line.  The very area in which this monument stands and the surrounding area, became a brutal battlefield for livelihood of families, farms and their personal possessions.  For the constant support of the Confederacy forces some people and families in this area and others, the Federal Union forces administered Martial Law on August 30, 1861.  Under Martial Law, the Union forces were to be the law and to do whatever it took to keep the Confederate armies from advancing through southern Missouri.  The very men in this cemetery were commissioned to be the Law of this area.  This included and was not limited to executions, confiscation of land and homes of those who supported and gave aid to the Confederate Forces.  The Confederate Army did the same.”

        The unveiling ceremony was directed by author Catherine Alsup Reilly of Fulton, Kentucky, a Member of the Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War.  Her husband Mickey Reilly opened the program with a prayer and there followed a number of speakers.  Herb Woods, whose ancestor donated the land for the cemetery, spoke eloquently of the sacrifice and history of the people of the area.  Additional speakers were Kristi Towe, County Coordinator for the Douglas County rootsweb site, Robert Upshaw, Sally Prock and Cenita Brown.  Each emphasized the importance of preserving local history.  Special acknowledgment and recognition for providing historical information and support for the building of the monument were made to Cletis Upshaw, Nobel Barker, Jane Alsup Hegle, Lyle Dickison, Cinita Brown, Marion Conradi.

        To the strains of “Ashokan Farwell” flags were placed flanking the memorial by Randy Parham and David Beasley.  Designer/builder, Rick Alsup unveiled the memorial.  Tom Alsup played “To the Color” as the flag was raised from half staff by Pete Proctor.  Robert Upshaw held a Roll Call of all 32 Veterans with a response of “here” from descendants of the veterans. David Coffman, Mike Metcalf and Gary Lee Riley, Civil War Re-enactors gave a very informative introduction and later a 21 gun salute.  Jared Moore closed the ceremony by playing “Taps.”

        The ceremony lasted just over an hour and was the culmination of work that has been in progress for more than a year.  Colonel William Monks wrote in “A History of Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas,” published in 1907, “History in its darkest hour shall be written and perpetuated by generations not yet born.”  More information and photographs of the event can be seen at http://home.earthlink.net:80/~cmickeys/dcm/.  This information has been made available by Catherine Alsup Reilly, who has written the “Book of Moses Locke Alsup.”

Following are the Veterans to whom the memorial is dedicated:

James S. Alsup Infantry, John B. Alsup Infantry, Moses L Alsup Captain Infantry, Thomas S. Alsup Infantry, William N. Alsup Lieutenant Infantry, Andrew Anderson Infantry, Calvin Barnard, William M. Coffman Infantry, Jesse Cox Calvary, David Farmer, Elijah Farmer, James H. Hammons Private Infantry, James B. Henson, Richard h. “Doc” Hodge Private Calvary, William A Hopper Infantry (Medal of Honor), Enos Lakey, Thomas Livingston, John R. Lord Infantry, Henry C. Malernee Calvary, John L. Martin, Elijah Martin, John W. Mattucks, James Ousley Infantry, Thomas N. Smallwood Private Infantry, John W. Souder, John S. Upshaw Captain Infantry, E.C. (Elias Crocket) Vancil Private Infantry, George W. Williams Private Infantry, James S. Woods, John S. Woods, Moses F. Woods Calvary, Confederate soldier John A. Rambo

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This photograph was taken at the first Champion School Reunion in 1984. In the front row with a smile and a pie is Esther Wrinkles who lived in downtown Champion at that time. The men in the back are from left to right. Herbert Hutchison, Manfred Smith, Tommy Sutherland, Doug Hutchison, Dwayne Henson, and George Tom Proctor. The three remaining ladies will be remembered and identified by Ruby Proctor or some other attendee at the next Champion School Reunion which will be held August 30th. This will be the twenty-fourth of these reunions and it is always pleasant to renew old acquaintances and catch up on the year’s news.

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CHAMPION—August 25, 2008

        In Champion the Labor Day celebration starts off with the Champion School Reunion, which is traditionally held on Saturday.  People return to the old place so full of memories of precious days gone by, of good times and bad times of their youth now spent.  They always pull someone along with them — some spouse or child or cousin or friend and then those persons have Champion as part of their lexicon of good experiences.  Before you know it people who never darkened the door of the School are ‘reunionizing’ and reuniting from one end of town to the other year after year.  Then some Champions who are great fans of Theodore Roosevelt say, “Bully!”  Bridge players say, “What a Deal!”  It is a Champion Notion!  Saturday is also the traditional date for the Haden Family Reunion over in Ava.  Champions hope to get some spill-over in the form of some visits from some Hadens and McCallies.  Celebrating friends and family is a Champion notion no matter where it happens.

        The Sunday part of this Labor Day week-end is to be taken up with the usual Sunday Fair of Love and Gratitude.  The Civil War Memorial will be dedicated at the Denlow Cemetery at two in the afternoon.  Representatives of the Douglas County Historical and Genealogical Society will officiate in what promises to be an interesting and informative program.  It would be a good idea to get there early so as not to miss any of the preliminary entertainment sure to be provided by the esteemed Alumni of Denlow U.  Board members of Denlow Savings and Loan and National Indemnity Life Assurance of Denlow, LLC, as represented by the firm Upshaw, Upshot, and Unshod will also be on hand to oversee the propriety of the presentation.

        Jenna Kaitland Brixey and Kalyssa Ariel Wiseman will both celebrate their first birthday on Sunday, August 31^st!  It is amazing how quickly the year has passed and it is a delight to see the happy changes wrought in the lives of so many people by these delightful little girls.  Love and Gratitude meets them wherever they go.

        Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States since the 1880s.  Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those ‘who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold.”  Someone else said that it was Matthew McGuire, a machinist, who first had the idea of a holiday.  Anyway, the form for the celebration was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday—a street parade to exhibit to the public “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations.”  When Monday rolls around the Champion Labor Day Parade will spontaneously erupt the way it does every year and in a short while the throngs will disburse to resume their orderly lives.  What a Champion place!

        Americans also celebrate Labor Day as the symbolic end of summer.  The summer was green and passed quickly.  The fast green summer of Champion still leaves time for some planting and Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood indicates that the 3^rd all the way through the 7^th will be good for planting crops that bear above ground, particularly leafy vegetables.  So much of gardening is just paying attention.  The rest of it is hard work — It might require a thousand shovels of manure to get the plot ready, then maybe a thousand more!  September’s Moon is the Harvest Moon and its birthstone is the sapphire.  A gangly garden crooner with romance in his heart might woo successfully with, “The night was mighty dark, you could hardly see, because the moon refused to shine. There’s a couple sittin neath the willow tree.  For Love they Pine.  The little gal’s kind of scared of the dark, so she says, ‘I think I’ll go.’  The boy began to sigh.  He looked up in the sky and told the Moon his little tale of woe.  ‘Oh! Shine on shine on Harvest Moon up in the sky…”  Or he might fall off the porch while he’s singing and get his foot stuck in a slop bucket and then get chased by a bad dog and knock a knot on his noggin and loose his hat on a low branch of a walnut tree and then roll his foot on a walnut and go sailing hip pocket over tea kettle and hit the ground flat of his back with the breath whooshing right out of him.  Maybe he should just go home before he starts singing.  Music is good medicine, but in some cases it ought to be applied sparingly.  Perhaps a nice original poem written in a legible hand and folded neatly in a box with a pretty sapphire would do the trick.  Wooing is tricky business in Champion as elsewhere and can easily turn into a calamity.

        Calamities come in many forms and they are almost always unbidden.  Those many thousands of wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan certainly didn’t plan to live out their lives missing limbs, eyes, motor function or mental acuity.  Some are making remarkable recoveries and some are not.  They and all their families could use the support and understanding of a Grateful Nation that Loves them for their Sacrifice.  On August 26, 1998 it was reported that Air Force Senior Airman Bryan J. Proctor had graduated from the Airman Leadership School at Yakota Air Base, Tokyo, Japan.  He is the son of Pete and Kathy Proctor of Mountain Grove.  At the Skyline Picnic this summer Pete reported that Brian is now a Staff Sergeant and that he has served multiple tours of duty in the Middle East where he is currently serving.  “It’s my job,” he says.  He’s a Champion.

        Part of the prize give-away at the Skyline VFD Picnic this summer was two Angel Food Packages.  Foster Wiseman won one of them but the other one has not been claimed.  Louise Hutchison has collected the food and has it on hand for the winner, but this person needs to contact her in order to make arrangements to pick it up.  Her number is 948-2443.  The certificate says: “Good for One Menu from the Angel Food Ministries donated by the Skyline Full Gospel Church.”  It is quite a lot of food and it represents quite a generous donation made by Louise’s church organization.

        Champion notions or tricky business or examples of generosity can be reported to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  Calamities of a romantic nature should be left untold, unless they are particularly humorous, then e-mail them to Champion News.  Search the archives at www.championnews.us for references to Champion Parades.  Think of some happy, uplifting song to sing on the porch at Henson’s Store on the North Side of the Square in Downtown Champion.  Get those endorphins moving, but hold on to the porch railing and be sure that you’re Looking on the Bright Side!