October 12, 2009
CHAMPION—October 12, 2009
Champions are edified by encouragement. They never weary in well doing and are pleased to be able to be of service to others. Looking on the Bright Side is more than a motto in Champion. It is a way of life.
Keith Yeager led a meeting at the Church of Christ in Champion from Friday through the Sunday afternoon service. He and his wife, Sue, and their granddaughter made the trip to Champion from their home in Springtown, Texas, which is just a little Northwest of Fort Worth. They had not been to Champion for thirteen years and while things are very much the same at the little church, there are some notable changes. Missing from the congregation are Troy Powell and Lonnie Krider. Though their absence is continually felt, the positive influence they exerted on the community by good example is one of the reasons Champion is still such a pleasant place. Yeager taught on a variety of subjects with a focus on the responsibility of Christians to uplift and encourage each other as well as others. The churches of Springfield, Marshfield, Peoria, IL and Murfreesboro, TN were well represented at the meeting and the little building was filled to capacity. Acapella singing lifted the rafters and the spirits of everyone. The Yeagers were heard to remark about how much they enjoyed being out in the country amid such sweet fellowship. It reminded some of that old song about an “all day singing and dinner on the grounds.” And what a dinner! Champion!
Saturday found Bob Berry leading a party of tourist through the tranquil environs of Champion. Mary Goolsby has finally seen what all the fuss is about. Her camera was working overtime as she tried to capture the place (not on film—on digits—no that is fingers). Well, Champion just cannot be captured. A person has to stroll around to soak it in and Champions hope to see Bob and Mary strolling through the place often. They are long-time, big-time supporters of the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department and as such are Champions.
Bud Hutchison’s Fall Trail Ride will be starting and finishing in Champion on Saturday the 24th of October. He has been doing this for about twelve years now. Thirty five to fifty people on horses, mules, wagons and buggies take out of Champion at ten in the morning. They get over to Drury for lunch around noon and then back to Champion at 2:30 or 3:00 in the afternoon. Those that don’t know their way to Champion generally meet up across from the Fox Trotters in Ava about nine in the morning and caravan over to Champion. People come from Springfield and all over to participate and all are welcome. The trail goes close by the historic spot where Shelt Alsup was killed by the sheriff. This story his told in the books Early Settlers of Douglas County and in The Search for Booger County. Bud’s ancestors bought a big farm North of Champion on Clever Creek back in 1894. He has a prominent Champion double cousin living just up WW from the city limits sign. Everyone is welcome to come out to see the spectacle of the horses and riders, wagons and buggies. Everyone has a good time. A photograph will be chosen of this year’s group to be the new Champion Picture Post Card, replacing the 2009 picture. It will be available at Henson’s Store on Tuesday the 27th of October.
There are more than forty families in Springfield who will see one of their family members deployed to Afghanistan in late October. They are among the 300 Missouri National Guard Soldiers who have been training in Camp Clark, Nevada with the 203rd Engineer Battalion. Their job in Afghanistan will be clearing the roadways of improvised explosive devices. The job of their families back home will be to carry on with daily life, doing all the things that have to be done, with the added load of concern for the well-being of their loved ones far away. The soldiers are also worried about their families back home, which must make their work harder for them there. The Love and Gratitude of the Nation, the communities, the neighbors, friends and strangers must be expressed in some tangible way to provide comfort and encouragement to those serving and those left behind. A dinner invitation, a phone call, a hug or handshake will go a long way.
One of Foster and Kalyssa’s favorite uncles is about to have a birthday. They are all such good singers, perhaps they will share a song with him on his special day. Kalyssa does a bang up job with “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” and Foster’s Granddad taught him the one about “Sadie’s Got Her New Dress On.” When complimented on his own beautiful voice, the uncle just said that his wife makes him sound good. They sure sound good together and Champions always enjoy a chance to hear the two of them sing.
The specter of frost is still looming and some Champions are still scrambling to get everything done. One tells a story about the mysterious Lem and Ned. “They came walking up the hill one fall, one with a toe sack and the other one a syrup bucket. ‘Hidy, Missus. Lem and me was jest wonderin iffin you wouldn’t mind to have some kindlin’. We got this sack of pine knots here and we was jest wonderin iffin you wouldn’t care for us to split you up some stove wood and pull all them pig weeds outa your turnip patch. Now, don’t worry none about us. We got our dinner bucket and we’d be much obliged to get our pay in turnips iffin you got a few to spare.’” It turns out that Champions with turnips generally always have some to spare and so the deal was struck. Now some Champions are keeping an eye on the lane to see if a couple of lanky, rusty ankled old barefoot hillbilly boys are passing by. There is plenty to do and a few turnips worth of help couldn’t hurt.
Harley’s voice sure adds some punch to the acapella consonance of Champion. Barbara likes for him to lead, “Look on The Brighter Side.” “…Shadows will pass away. Trust in the Lord to guide you. He’ll keep you every day and will drive away your sorrows…” This is not the Monty Python song written by Eric Idle. That one says, “…When your chewing on life’s gristle, don’t grumble, give a whistle, and this will help things turn out for the best. And always look on the bright side of life…” Either of those is a good tune to accompany an excursion up and down the now famous Lonnie Krider Memorial Drive. Barbara, whose idea it was, is making her survey to determine the number and placement of the signs. Champions who have yet to traverse its entire length are taking advantage of Barbara’s sojourn in the country to accompany her on her perlustration of the scenic avenue.
Any Bright Side songs are welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO. 65717 or at Champion News. Those are also good places to send any more information about Lem and Ned. Are they really doppelgangers of Junior and the General? Look for the complete set of 10 picture post cards, now available individually or in gift packs at Henson’s Store on the North Side of the Square in Historic Downtown Champion. Get a good look at the place on-line at www.championnews.us. Go over in person for a real treat–to Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!
