June 8, 2009
CHAMPION—June 8, 2009
Champions think Ella May Daugherty, of Gentryville, hit the nail on the head with her James Russell Lowell quote: “What is so rare as a day in June.” He says, “There is no price set on the lavish summer, and June may be had by the poorest comer.” Champions agree with that sentiment.
Virginia Jacobs from Bryant Heights and former Champion, Esther Wrinkles, of Vanzant gave good first hand accounts of the Proctor Family Reunion and the Fieldstone Reunion last week. People are still talking about the fun they had.
Wally Hopper, now of Republic, MO, writes: “This is the first time I have written, but I enjoy the Champion articles very much…..” “The Denlow Reunion was outstanding this year. Robert Upshaw should have been a stand up comedian. He did a great job of keeping us laughing and we even had hula dancers. Many thanks to him, Faye and Kaye and all the others who work so hard to make it a success. Lots of work goes into this and I want you to know how much we appreciate you! Also a big thanks to the ones who mow and tend to the graveyard. It looked beautiful and the rain held off for just enough time to decorate. For those who didn’t get to come, you missed out on a good time. It was good to see Bob and Betty Upshaw who came from Iowa. I spent lots of time with Bob in my young days and we got into a trouble now and then but it is nice to see folks make an effort to attend these things. I’m afraid our young people do not put the importance on it that we do. I went to school at Denlow in 1946-1948 and still have a love for this area. Keep up the good work. Wally Hopper.” A Champion who occasionally drives by Denlow notes that the same Robert Upshaw is frequently out there riding or pushing a lawnmower or weed eater. He seems to be everywhere. He’ll be playing this Thursday evening with the Wild Bunch over at Gravy Corner.
“Every clod feels a stir of might, an instinct within it that reaches and towers, and, grasping blindly above it for light, climbs to a soul in grass and flowers,” says Mr. Lowell and so it is in Champion. A Champion clod ran into Louise Hutchison in Walmart the other day. She had her sister, Gail Carson, visiting with her from Buffalo, Iowa. Gail and her husband Dick Carson had arrived Friday in time to see the third sister, Doris Gillis and her husband George who were visiting from Oklahoma City. They are all reported to much favor Henson’s Store in Downtown Champion over any Walmart. When asked if she was going to be in contention for the “First Ripe Tomato in Champion Contest” again this year Louise replied that she already had a tomato ‘about this big,’ whereupon she indicated a circle with her thumb and forefinger that was about the size of a hen egg. Later, on the phone, she described it as being about the size of a silver dollar. Champions will remember the Contest Rules. 1,The Tomato must be Ripe. 2, The Tomato must have been grown in Champion. 3, Grower must be willing to Share the Tomato with judges present at Henson’s Store. 4, Winner must be willing to be photographed with the Prize. The Prize this year includes A Gift Certificate from the Plant Place in Norwood, another Old Fruit Jar, 1 dozen each regular and wide mouth canning flats, and $5.00 worth of tickets (6 tickets) for chances on the Queen Size Quilt to be awarded at the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department Picnic on August 14th and 15th.
The Best Things in Life are Free is a song written by B.G. DeSylva, Lew Brown, and Ray Henderson for the musical “Good News.” “The moon belongs to everyone. The best things in life are free. The stars belong to everyone, they gleam there for you and me. The flowers in Spring, The robins that sing, The sunbeams that shine They’re yours, They’re mine! And love can come to everyone, The best things in life are free.” That song came out in 1927. It is still true.
The D Day memorial celebrations around the country and around the world remind Champions of the sacrifices made and being made by the people in Our Uniforms and the people who support them. Of all the good reasons for war there are as many for peace. “The foolish and the dead alone never change their opinions.” That is another quote from James Russell Lowell. The nature of conflict is to be in opposition or at a variance and Champions, like all Americans, are Grateful to live in a Nation that allows for differing views. For those who put themselves in danger to protect the right to differing views, a Grateful Nation acknowledges their sacrifices with Love and Understanding. Compassion is a Champion thing.
“When you plant a seed, you learn patience. You don’t dig it up to see how it’s growing. You let marinate, You’ve got to let it mull and marinate.” Mimi Baczewska wrote those lyrics many years ago and the melody accompanies many gardeners in their hearts still as they go about their productive tasks. Mimi has a deep connection to the Ozarks which makes the Ozarks a more lovely place. The re-release of her album, Turning Tide, invites old friends and new to join Mimi and her music. Make the journey from grief to hope, from longing to exhilaration. It is available from cdbaby.com and is described as heartfelt, reflective, loving, fun and expansive—a rich noveau-folk-jazz genre mix. Back out in the garden, the 10th through the 12th will be good days to plant root crops according to Linda’s Almanac. It says that June is the Strawberry Moon. Lots of strawberries are going into freezers and the blueberry farms are in full swing now for people who like to pick their own. Blueberries are always up at the top of the lists of healthy foods especially good for the Brain!
Skyline Ladies Auxiliary members are gearing up for a meeting to get their part of the Annual Skyline VFD Picnic organized. The picnic will be held August 14th and 15th this year and it promises to be another splendid affair. As Mr. Hopper pointed out, there is always a lot of hard work that goes on to make these kinds of events so successful. It’s part of living in such a Champion community!
Champions celebrating wedding anniversaries in June are full of contented smiles and sighs. “O, My Love is like a red red rose, that is newly sprung in June. My love is like a melody. That is sweetly played in tune.” Robert Burns wrote that poem that suits the occasion well.
Ramble around on the website at www.championnews.us to find pictures of Champion Tomatoes and a tidy little Champion garden. Express differing views at Champion News. Send any kind of encouragements to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717. Check out the complete selection of Champion picture postcards at Henson’s Store on the North Side of the Square in Downtown Champion. Lowell said, “Joy comes, grief goes, we know not how; Everything is happy now.” In Champion they know it is because they’re Looking on the Bright Side!
