March 1, 2010
CHAMPION—MARCH 1, 2010
Champions will all say that there is no glory in defeating a weak opponent. So it was in Vancouver this week when them Canadians had to fight like blazes for their big old hockey gold medal! Truthfully, it was enough that we beat them in the preliminaries, and soundly too, but it was sweet to see how happy it made them to win. They are good neighbors and it improves Champions to be chummy with such nice people. Good for them, we say, “Huzza.” Sometimes punctuation says it all.
The clearly unpunctuated Generalissimo was in fine fettle at Plumber’s on Thursday evening. Between lifting tips and giving them, he claimed to know the entire straight skinny on the Three Lads Hunting Incident, only one of whom shot the mail box while all three had to go in with their parents to pay the fifteen dollar fine each to the Douglas County Court in Ava while their little brothers and sisters waited out in the car and family tensions ran high. That was big money in them days. “Boys,” says the General, elbowing his way to a clear spot in the back of the room, “Watch this!” and he commenced to speed skate right there on the linoleum in front of the kitchen door by the buffet table. It was amazing. Ah! The grace! Ask Norris Woods. He was heard to say, “I can’t wait to read about this in the paper!” Encouraged by scant but thunderous applause, the General finished his skateless tribute to Apolo Ohno while graciously declining to reprise his inimitable “moon walk.” Humility overtook him, though clearly he was flattered by the several requests. The General agreed with the speed skating Olympian that an event that lasts 40 seconds is just about the right how long.
Mary Graham called to say that she has a tiny little Peekapoo that showed up at her house about the end of August. He is somewhere around four to five pounds and black with a little white. She says he needs grooming but he is in good health and seems to like milk quite a lot. Mary is softhearted that way and consequently winds up with stray dogs. Over the years she has placed a lot of dogs, Old Rufus was one and then there was the Schnauzer that went to the people in Houston and on and on. Mary says this little dog is very sweet and deserves a good home. Call her at 948-2755.
Elizabeth Johnston is making some good progress recovering from her broken ankle. There have been some complications, but she is being a responsible patient and doing what she knows she needs to do to get well. She has experience in these things so every one who wishes her well knows she appreciates it.
Kenneth Henson writes to say, “Jackie Coonts was underpaid for building a fire at the Dogwood School. Ed Henson was paid three dollars for building a fire at the Champion School. Ed would start the fire early and have the schoolroom warm and very comfortable by the time classes started. The decision was made for the redistribution of wealth, so a student was hired to do the job. As it turned out the student was irresponsible; showed up too late to get the fire started and the schoolroom warm by the time school started. You walked two miles on a very cold room; that was not conducive for doing your lessons. As the old cliché goes you don’t miss it until it is gone. This lasted for one month and Ed was rehired. The students were happy to have Ed back. Here’s wishing Ruby a happy birthday.” Champions will inform Hovie farther in advance next year so that his birthday greeting to Ruby will be more timely.
Jamie Dry and Cathie Reilly have both sent money to buy quilt tickets for the drawing Saturday night at the Skyline VFD Chili Supper. This is building up to be a splendid evening. The fire department membership is encouraged to approach any firefighter at the Chili Supper to ask them about the New Fire Truck! It is a 1980 Ford pumper truck with a thousand gallon capacity. The firefighters will all have much more information about it including the fact that the fire department is buying this much-needed equipment itself. The truck has already seen some significant action and it is a tribute to the community that the firefighters and membership are willing to bear the expense without FEMA funds or grants or big corporate or government money. The fire department will have a ‘truck payment’ for a while but the community has the protection now. Now that is Champion!
“The Hurt Locker” is a movie up for an Academy Award next week. It is supposed to be a very accurate depiction of war in these times. Previews give the impression that it is stark, brutal and tense. That must be what these wars are like and Champions extend their Love and Gratitude to all those who willingly serve their Nation. There will time and opportunity later on to extend understanding and assistance.
Birthday wishes are in order for Linda over at the Plant Place in Norwood. Friday will be her big day but she will be getting good wishes from friends and family for weeks! She has been busy getting the Cole crops transplanted and is working on the herbs now. Her almanac is available there in the shop at the Gift Corner or in the links section at www.championnews.us. Linda and Charlene are good and generous neighbors.
Johnny Cash had a birthday on February 26th. He was born in 1932. He died a few years ago from complications of diabetes and in his final years and days he was reflective of his youth, working all day with his Dad on a cross cut saw singing gospel songs. He had a great range to his voice and as he got older and less well, his voice revealed his understanding of life. The last song on the last album that he recorded was his choice. “Aloha Oe.” The Queen of Hawaii composed it in 1877. “Farewell to Thee” is how it is translated and the recorded version has a steel guitar on it that is the perfect representation of what a fine steel guitar should sound like. “Sweet memories come back to me Bringing fresh remembrances from the past.” It is a poignant piece full of longing and passion and, in the case of the Man in Black, full of a peaceful resignation.
Sing your favorite Johnny Cash song out on the porch at Henson’s Store in Beautiful Downtown Champion. It is on the North side of the Square, squarely in the middle of Lonnie Krider Memorial Drive. Drop a note to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO. 65717 or to Champion News with any of those old stories that still have some bite after all this time. Champion…Looking on the Bright Side!
