Champion News

 

The fall festival season is officially open according to “Ozarks Alive!” All kinds of things are going on. The Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival has happened and the HOBA festival will start in West Plains on the 26th. Studebaker Bob Berry won a trophy at the Southern Cruisers Car Show on Saturday, reported by and photographed by Mary Goolsby who has a Studebaker of her own, a top-of-the-line 1963 Lark. The Mountain Grove square was full of beautifully restored classics and a few old rust buckets, all with their hoods up and many with old guys standing around pointing at points of interest, harkening back to their own experiences with various vintage rigs.

Bob and Mary are frequent attendees at Thursday’s Vanzant Jam where there will be only one more such gathering this month. The 40th Annual Fall Bluegrass Festival will start in West Plains on Thursday the 26th, so the Vanzant Jam will pick up again on October 3rd. Several of the regular Vanzant musicians will be featured on stage there, and many of the regular pot-luck attendees will be in the audience at the HOBA (Heart of the Ozarks Bluegrass Association) Park at 900 Bluegrass Lane on the south side of town. There will be toe tapping and pleasant reunions among bluegrass friends and fans.

The America’s Cup parking lot “Helping the Heroes” benefit for Hero’s Rest was lively with some booming gospel music and good food. Maybe all over the country neighborhoods step up to support their local good causes like Champions—like good citizens, good neighbors. Spokesperson Carissa Rene reports: “Another successful Helping the Hero’s event is in the books! The second annual Helping the Hero’s fundraiser was held last Saturday at The American Cup. Once again, numerous businesses sponsored prizes and locals bought raffle tickets to support Hero’s Rest and honor first responders and veterans. New this year was an opening prayer from Pastor Terry Ramming, live gospel music by The Batchelor Family, and BBQ by Sheriff Sonny Byerly! Together, $3,803 was raised for Hero’s Rest! We are grateful for each and every one of you who bought tickets, donated, and volunteered to put on this event. A huge thank you to Dennis Martin for organizing this event two years in a row and also to Pam Martin for coming out to serve up the delicious BBQ’s”

September 16th has Mexico celebrating independence from Spain since 1810. The 17th is September’s full Harvest Moon. We remember Louise Hutchison on her birthday on the 21st. Champion granddaughter Zoey Louise and great niece Penelope were both born on Louise’s birthday. The 22nd marks astronomical autumn—the autumnal equinox. “Searching for Booger County” author Sandy Chapin has the 24th for his big day. Graeme Laird over in Edinburgh will enjoy a pint on the 26th. Cathy Reilly will party on the 26th and we remember Lucile Gayman on the 29th. The 29th is the big day for Becky Heston down in Austin, Texas and for Skyline sixth grader Melanie Hall. Prekindergartner Jaxson McIntosh will celebrate his birthday on the 30th. Happy Birthday to all of you.

Cathy Alsup Reilly was able to correct The General, saying that it was Mike Reilly and not Mickey who had stated that hummingbirds leave these parts on September 15th. The General said, “At 0712 this morning 23 hummingbirds bid farewell to the Vanzant metropolis and, flying in V formation, circled the city and flew off in a southwesterly direction. The rear guard of five departed precisely 47 seconds later. If I deciphered their flight plans correctly, their eta at Del Rio, TX will be around midnight on 19 Sep.” Cathy said, “Our hummingbirds are still here and if they are like past years, they will still be around a few more days. Even though I have placed a calendar out for them apparently these KY hummingbirds can’t read. They’ll probably even fly north when they do.”

Playing sports, like playing music, has long-term, far-reaching benefits for young people. Local Bears, Panthers, Pirates, Lions, Tigers and Eagles are finding themselves in the papers. Scrapbooks are being filled with the heroic exploits of our local athletes. There is no glory in defeating a weak opponent. Certainly, the first two games of the Kansas City Chiefs have been very close exciting competitions. Heart rates increased dramatically among some who struggled to stay in their chairs during the recent mêlée with the Bengals broadcast on their televisions. They will be tuned in to NBC at 7:20 PM on Sunday the 22nd to see how they do in Atlanta. In these tumultuous and unsettling times, sport offers some diversion and respite for Old Champions—Looking on the Bright Side!

 

Some gardens are winding down and some are just getting going. The fall garden is a joy to behold in downtown Champion, replete with zinnias. Visitors from Mississippi were out playing horseshoes by the garden and photographing all the local sites. They are the parents of a young woman who has recently married a young man from Norwood. It turns out he has lots of kinfolks in this part of Booger County. The couple have settled over near Vanzant and hopes are they will be joining the jam on Thursday evenings. She has picked up her guitar again after having neglected it while attending college. The General persuaded her to play his while he went off for a candy bar. She strummed a few chords and thinks it will be nice to sit on her porch in the evening with her guitar, a smaller version. If her singing voice is anything like her mother’s, Vanzant will be much enhanced. Her parents and young nephew were headed back to Mississippi Thursday, but plan to be back often. Her dad thinks he might join the B Group for morning coffee at the Junction Store, formerly known as The Boated Goat.

Skyline’s Second Saturday Swap meet happens again on the 14th—the last one of an eventful summer. We thank the instigators, Helen Batten and others, for putting this together for the community. The Brushy Knob Church at the corner of Highway C and 76 has shared its parking lot for the event. Thanks. Garden produce, baked goods, crafts, kittens, puppies, goats and other critters and variety of fowl have made it well worth the trip out. Meet friends and neighbors there.

Ellie Strong is a second-grade student at Skyline. Her birthday is on the 14th. First grader Jackson Johnson will enjoy the 17th for his big day and another first grader, Bailey Kilgore will have the 18th. Skyline alumnus, Tanna Krider Wiseman celebrates on the 13th. She has recently solicited gallon pickle jars for the purpose of making Fire Cider. She says it is supposed to help with chest congestion and head colds for the winter. It has jalapenos, orange and lemon, apple cider vinegar and herbs. We will hope not to need it but we will be interested to hear how it works. On the 15th we remember Elmer Banks. He moved here in 1997, but before long knew the history and pedigree of many of the locals and all his neighbors. He was a gregarious interesting fellow. Another gregarious, interesting, fun-loving individual shares that day—Pat Kim Smith. She has many sterling attributes now including line dancing. Her sweetheart may give her a ride in his new pickup—a Dodge, bought on his own birthday back on the 29th of August. Patrick Mahomes was 28 on September 17th, 2023. Now he will be 29 and will continue to be our Chiefs’ superhero. Donald Krider grew up in these parts and has deep family ties here. He lives up around Peoria, Illinois and celebrates his birthday on the 18th.

Linda and Charlene are having another great sale there in Norwood on Friday and Saturday. Charlene has added to her inventory some great recent finds and Linda continues to divest herself of treasures. It seems that we cannot help but accumulate things. It is nice to pass them on. Enjoy.

The American Cup folks in Mountain Grove are hosting a fundraising event for Hero’s Rest. It is the first ever U.S. retreat center dedicated to serving first responders. It is located right here in Champion. The fund raiser is happening on Saturday the 14th with music, barbecue, some great gun raffles and the chance to support the people who support us when we need it most.

With all the political excitement going on it is good to look back at our nation’s beginnings: “Government is instituted for the common good: for the protection, safety, prosperity and happiness of the people and not for the profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men.” John Adams said that. He was born October 30,1735 and died July 4,1826. He has been gone a long time now but his words still make him a real Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

Champion School Dec. 15, 1915 Someone has numbered the photos and the names on the back of the photo are: 1. Oscar Krider, 2. Ella Coonts, 3. Alvin Hutchinson, 4. Eva. Hutchinson, 5. John Roads, 6. Lillia Riley, 7. Ethel Irvin, 8. Edd Sutherland or Switland??, 9. Mabel Proctor, 10. Lena Roads, 11. Glads Roads, 12. Allis Irvin, 13. Bullie? Irvin, 14. Lola Hutchinson, 15. Ople Lofton, 16. Carl? Riley, 17. Elis Suthland?, 18. Felda Proctor, 19. Floid Hancock, 20.0ple Coonts. Teacher: Ella Goodman

Excerpted from “Champion school Memories” published in 1985: “In the fall of 1892, the school board met and drew up specifications for a new schoolhouse and advertised the same for bids.” “The last day of school held at Champion was on April 24, 1959.” There are a few Champion students yet, and a few of them will rendezvous for a reunion. Last year there were five attending, but there are others scattered around the country. The Historic Emporium was full of descendants, friends and neighbors all celebrating this exceptional little spot on the map with such a rich history. Everyone is welcome to the celebration. There is a potluck luncheon at noon and plenty of visiting before and afterward. We hope to see you there, Saturday, August 31st.

The 34th Champion School Reunion was held on September 2, 2018. Scrolling through the photos there you may see Richard and Kaye Johnston, Robert and Connie Brown and Paul Brown, Harold and Eva Phillips, J.R. and Janet Johnston, Wilma Hutchison, Royce and Jody Henson, Wayne and Frances Sutherland, Laine Sutherland, Tanna, Kalyssa and Foster Wiseman, Fae Krider, Robert Upshaw, Dean Brixey, Beverly Keller Dooms, David and Irene Dooms and many others. It is a joy to see their faces and smiles again if only on the computer screen. Many are missed and good memories of them reside with the rest of us.

From “Champion School Memories” again: “In 1955, eight school districts were reorganized and the Skyline R-2 School District was formed…Black Oak Flat, Pea Vine, Pine Park, Stoney Point, Cold Springs, Brushy Knob, Denlow, and St. James.” In 1959, Champion, Fielden, East Fairview, East Dogwood, Diamond and Vera Cruz were consolidated into the Skyline district. Skyline is still going strong with more than 90 students, preschool to the 8th grade, and some recent significant upgrades on the campus. There is new flooring in the cafeteria, front hallways, library and offices. The front hallways have all been painted to match school colors. The roof is being completely replaced by West Plains Roofing. The front bathrooms are being remodeled. To be thanked are Tyler Williams for flooring, Brooks Williams, Candace Mayberry and Erica Sudderth for painting and updating. It is a bright and beautiful place doing important necessary work. Thanks! One of only two rural schools left in Douglas County, the importance of this vital institution to the community cannot be overstated.

Thanks too to the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department for looking out for our health and safety! They were just granted an award of $2,530 and used the funds to purchase battery-powered tools, including a chainsaw, Sawzall, and glass cutter, to enhance their extrication and forcible entry capabilities. The department expresses its gratitude to Jessica Miller and the FFAM family for their support in acquiring these game-changing tools. The new firehouse is beautiful, and we will be looking forward to an open house celebration soon!

Back on August 21st Skyline VFD Lieutenant Terrell Johnson had a birthday. Champion grandson Drayson Cline had one on the 23rd and his uncle Dakota Watts had one on the 24th. Skyline fifth grader Lauren Collins shares her birthday with Barbara Krider on the 25th. Barbara lives in Illinois near Rita Krider whose birthday is on the 26th. Felix the Farmer’s dad also celebrates that day. Skyline first grade student Mia Truillo’s birthday is on the 27th. Bill (Wes) Smith, Minnie Jo Henson and Steve Moody all have birthdays on the 29th. Fifth grader Brantley Kilgore, kindergartener Chaseton Shelton and fourth grader Jason Smith all celebrate that day too. Laine Sutherland and Wayne Anderson have both passed away, but they are well remembered and missed on their birthdays on the 30th. Kalyssa Wiseman, Jenna Brixey and Skyline eighth-grader Aiden Ray Hurt all celebrate on the 31st. Skyline R-2 School staff Sarah Goss and Carolyn Willhite had birthdays on the 13th and the 23rd. Happy birthday to all of you. We acknowledge and appreciate you.

Pulled pork and baked beans and other delights were the Wednesday treats celebrating a political victory and optimism in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!
 

 

Fox Creek ran backwards on Wednesday after a couple of good rainstorms so that the Clever Creek crossing north of Champion was a lake. The mile and a half trip to the Bright Side became a fifteen-mile journey, the long way around, but well worth it. Alice McClure, who had just had her 90th birthday earlier this month, made the trip down from Salem, Iowa with her daughter Carole Brown through heavy rainstorms to spend time with kinfolks and friends in her old stomping grounds, Denlow and Champion among them. Pete Proctor and his brothers were glad to see their Aunt Alice and cousin Carole. Alice and a sister in Oregon are the last two living of a family of twelve siblings—eight girls and four boys. She had some good stories to share including a trip to Heaven from Denlow when she was four years old. She says Jerry Bennett keeps up with The Champion News online up there in Iowa and shares it with her. She plans another trip next summer and her Champion friends look forward to it.

An invitation to a tea party does not come often. When it does, RSVP right away. Thursday’s event out on Fox Creed Road featured an elegant table setting, delicious teas and tasty treats. Friends and neighbors sat around a table sharing histories and stories, current happenings, ideas, hopes and plans. Thanks goes to a gracious hostess and her equally gracious mother for putting the party together. Imagine the benefits of many small, pleasant gatherings happening all across the whole nation, fostering friendship and understanding. Another friend, Ruby Adams, shares a thought: “If you want to feel rich, just count the things you have that money can’t buy.” Will Rogers said, “We will never have true civilization until we have learned to recognize the rights of others.”

Champion Hovey Henson down in Houston, TX writes in to say, “My little girl Avery, (his granddaughter) was off to school this week, leaving an empty space in our lives. She was accepted to Abilene Christian, Baylor, Texas Tech and other, but chose Texas A & M because of their traditions. I am very proud of her. Dawn says that I brag too much. Can’t help it, I am totally intoxicated with her. It seems that we had her for such a short time, like it was only yesterday that she was brought to her home at one year and a month from Kazakhstan to be part of our family. I will have to get used to a 93-pound little girl being on the campus of a major university. Suck it up, grandfather. Kids grow up. Love, Hovey.” Hovey is not the only one with separation anxiety as children and grandchildren go off to school for the first time or when they leave home. In today’s world closeness has not all that much to do with geography, but lucky the family that can get together often. Phone calls and video chats are sweet, but they are not hugs and they lack a little of the preciousness of seeing loved ones in the flesh.

Blaine Denlow says she would rather stay working at Wolf Pen Cattle Company than to go off to preschool. She is a mutton busting trooper though, so she will do well. Hopes are that all our Skyline Tigers get off to a good start. They are lucky to be in one of the two rural schools left in Douglas County. It is a dynamic little outfit with a talented, dedicated staff all working to help these young folks grow up to be solid citizens. B.D.’s great-grandfather, grandfather, father and brother are all Skyline alumni. Her Top Hand there on cow farm happened to have a battery-operated impact wrench and just the right socket to fit the lug nuts as an old neighbor labored to change a tire. He was just passing by and thought he could be of help. He was. One of his grandmothers was over in the Senior Center in Mountain Grove on Friday and heard about his good deed. She said she is proud of him and agrees that he is a real Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

The Champion School Reunion is coming up at the end of the month. It always occurs on the Saturday before Labor Day. Alumni, their families and friends always enjoy this gathering. It is a chance to catch up with everyone’s news and to share stories of the bygone days and of old well-remembered Champions who are no longer with us. It happens out on the wide, wild, wooly banks of old Fox Creek, at the foot of several hills, where country roads meet the pavement. Everyone is welcome.

Champions who, for one reason or another, were unable to attend the Mountain Grove Heritage Festival on Friday or Saturday have The Wright County Journal to thank for sharing so much of the festivities online. The many, many pictures and stories almost transported us. Neighbors who attended said there was a huge crowd, that the little town transformed itself into a wonderful street party, full of arts and crafts, great food and music and the sense of community that makes this part of the world a beautiful place to live.

Preserving the garden’s bounty is hard rewarding work that will pay off in the cold months until planting time again next year. While they are at it, those canners might sing, “…sowing in the noon time and the dewy eve, we shall come rejoicing bringing in the sheaves.” You can almost hear it. Can you hear it? Zachary Poteet of the Clear Sound folks can help you if you are having trouble. He is in Mountain Grove on Tuesdays and Thursdays offering free hearing tests, repairing and adjusting hearing aids. He is making friends and doing important work. Zachary was working in the Springfield office back in July when a driver confused his brake pedal with his gas pedal and crashed into a column that damaged the building. He said it was startling and they were all grateful that no one in the building was seriously injured.

A sweet surprise blew into the Champion Square on Sunday in a little red car. Kaitlynn McConnell stepped up on the wide veranda with her pie box and a pie to share. It was a Peach Macaroon pie, the 58th pie she has made from the many community cookbooks she has collected for her Ozarks’ Pie Project. It was delicious, though a couple of fellows insisted on calling it Peach Macaroni. Online Kaitlyn shared a sentiment that needs to be said often. With her permission, we share it here. “How do we overcome chasms that feel can’t be bridged? No low water crossing or iron bridge can span the divides that seem to separate us in this highly charged political world. But really, that’s not a new thing: There have always been misunderstandings, prejudices and injustices – here in the Ozarks, too. While I wish it wasn’t so, I think it’s human nature to put up barriers with those we don’t know or feel are different or wrong. I don’t know how we fix problems that ends of a spectrum feel are insurmountable. I do, however, believe that we only come closer to greater understanding by reaching out with a bouquet of love and a desire to find common ground. Believing the other side is the enemy will never help convince anyone of anything besides reinforcing hatred. I worry about those divisions in the Ozarks (and the greater world) and what that means long-term. Life has never been, nor will ever be, perfect. I’m afraid there will always be those misunderstandings and prejudices and injustices. We can’t fix how others perceive these realities, but we can look inside and be better – for ourselves, and for the world. Those thoughts perhaps aren’t only about the Ozarks. But it’s where we can start.” Another talented journalist, Molly Ivins (1944-2007) said, “Listen to the people who are talking about how to fix what’s wrong, not the ones who just work people into a snit over the problems. Listen to the people who have ideas about how to fix things, not the ones who just blame others.” Pete Seeger said, “It’s very important to learn to talk to people you disagree with.” We can agree these folks are Champions—Looking on the Bright Side!

 

The Skyline VFD is looking for an unwanted vehicle to use for training purposes. It will then be converted into scrap, with the proceeds going towards operating costs of the fire department. If you have some old wreck sitting around in the way, call 417-349-9150. They will make good use of it. Champions are excited about the new Skyline Fire Station. It is a beauty. Check it out when you come to the Second Saturday Skyline Swap Meet on the 10th. There will be garden produce and assorted critters as well as crafts and garage sale items, friends and neighbors.

Shelling peas and piecing quilt blocks are some of the good things that can be done inside in the air conditioning during these scorching days. Many of us remember shelling bushels of peas out on the porch, drinking iced tea and taking a break for some cold watermelon. Those are good memories that come back to us in the middle of the winter when we open a jar of peas to have with supper. All of us who have quilts passed down to us from our old folks enjoy them for their warmth and for the connection to dear family. It is a good connection to continue. Kaitlyn McConnell said that she had created another flower to complete her great-grandmother’s feed-sack quilt. “It’s so meaningful to help see this vintage top turned into a quilt—especially since I get to help complete it alongside my friends at the Chadwick Quilting Circle.” Quilters are excited that Linda has gone through her enormous fabric stash and will be including it in the sale there at Charlene’s place, The Gift Corner, in Norwood this Friday and Saturday. Linda has lots of cotton pieces, some corduroy and upholstery fabric. This will be their last sale there until sometime in September, so get there early to claim your favorite pieces.

Summer school has been exciting this summer. Mrs. Goss provided some great STEM challenges. Her birthday is August 13th. Cryslynn Johnson was an 8th grader at Skyline last year and is off to high school somewhere. Her birthday is August 12th. Lee Borders, a third grader will celebrate on the 16th. The Back to School Bash on August 1st was a good way to start the year. Open house will be on the 15th and the first day of school will be August 19th. School days hold sweet memories for many of us. The Champion School Reunion will take place as usual on the Saturday before the Labor Day weekend. That happens on August 31st. Everyone is welcome—alumni, their families, descendants, friends and neighbors, and just anyone with an affection or connection to Champion.

More excitement comes with the election. Perhaps some of the negativity and rancor will dissipate as the ballots are counted. Then a new episode of campaigning can begin with more of the same until November. Back in the 1960s a Nobel laureate said in a literary magazine, “We know they are lying. They know they are lying. They know we know they are lying. We know they know we know they are lying, but they are still lying.” A good question to ask any candidate is, “Would you pull me out of a mud hole?” Believing that we have government to provide order, stability, and safety, to ensure domestic tranquility, promote the general welfare and to secure the blessing of liberty, Champions continue to—Look on the Bright Side!

Bob Clark

Friends of Clarence R. (Bob) Clark applaud the unanimous ruling of the jury in convicting William R. Wolfe Jr. of first-degree murder of their friend on September 21, 2020. The long-awaited trial began on July 22 and concluded midday on the 25th. Guilty on all ten counts. Bob Clark was 84 years old when he was slain by a person he had helped many times over the years. Bob was a genial, good-hearted, interesting person who lived in Brushy Knob for close to fifty years. A friend writes, “Four years waiting, justice served at last. Bob Clark was a seasoned bridge player—a participant in our rotating neighborhood klatch. He was formidable when he played as your opponent and a godsend when he played as your partner. He always knew who had the aces! A kind and generous man, we miss him immensely.” When sentencing happens on October 8h, at 9:00 am, his many friends will have a chance to express to the court the positive part he played in their lives.

One of the great pieces of news coming out of the Ozark Empire Fair happening this week was that our Champion friend, Kaitlyn McConnell, won a blue ribbon for her cornmeal pie. The recipe came from a cookbook produced by the Eddie Mae Herron Center in Pocahontas, Arkansas, one of the many cookbooks Kaitlyn has referenced for her Ozarks Pie Project. She has featured Champion frequently in the nine years she has been posting “Ozarks Alive,” and is always a welcome visitor.

In the old days, school started on the first Monday after Labor Day. It starts earlier these days. Sparky Clark Shannon has been out of school for decades. His birthday is on August 3rd. Right around there somewhere is the big day for an old boy called R.D. and for his good neighbor, Connie’s younger brother. August 5th will be the birthday of Skyline School third grader Genesis Castillo. Caleb Harden is now a Skyline alumnus off to the ninth grade somewhere. His birthday is also on the 5th. Jaxton Harley will have the sixth for this big day. He will be a fifth grader at Skyline. Gina Hollingshad who went to school in Dora then taught third grade there, will have her birthday on the 6th. She is the pretty part of Whetstone which can be seen on stage at 10:00 Friday morning at the Mountain Grove Senior Center. It’s always a great show, followed by a great lunch in the big hall with lots of interesting people. Gina will be celebrated big time at the Vanzant Jam on Thursday. Champions hear good reports of the Ava Senior Center jam too. The barber shop has been a mainstay for musicians for a long time. It is nice to be in a part of the world where music plays such an important role. It is good for us.

The Olympics are another big show this week. Though parts of the opening ceremony seemed to have been widely misinterpreted by many folks here, once it was explained it just became part of the fun with big blue Bacchus. It was a depiction of a raucous party held by the Greeks in Greece where the Olympics started, and not the much-loved Italian painting. Death defying, high flying, scantily clad, dedicated athletes do what seems to be impossible. The work they do to be the best in the world at what they do makes them Champions—Looking on the Bright Side!