February 7, 2011
CHAMPION—February 7, 2011
The tranquility of Champion sits unperturbed under another coat of snow. This one was substantial, beautiful and quickly melted. The next one will be what it will be and forward-looking Champions will make the most of it.
Cabin Fever has claimed few victims this season and the slowness of pace gives ample time for reflection. It is a tribute to Champion that not much reflecting time is given over to regret. Only one example has emerged and this old Champion reigned in her impulse to spit on her own floor at the falderal of the centurial. “Remember instead,” she said, “the Triangle Shirt Factory Fire or the lightening strike that destroyed the State House in Jeff City 100 years ago. Regret that solar collectors came down off the White House and that dependence on foreign oil was not ameliorated by in-country investment; regret the shameful scandals that resolved the fate of the 52 after 444 days; regret the final nail driven into the coffin of organized labor that insured the decline of working class wages that we still endure; but most of all, regret the revisionism that obscures this history!” She rants, “Regret sucks.”
Reflection is ever so much more pleasant and much of that shows up in the water—in canoes. Kaye’s sister recalled when she and Richard were first dating. With no canoeing experience, they took a box lunch and put in at Rippee when The Bryant was well up. Neither could swim to speak of and they both got wet and the dinner box was lost, but now they are grandparents and happy as clams. There are apparently several canoe stories associated with Harley and Barbara, but nobody really wanted to talk about it. The word is that Harley and Barbara are both feeling better over having had bad colds and bronchitis. Dusty Mike and his charming sweetheart went canoeing on one of their first dates and they have been an old married couple for some time now. There are some good stories about Foster and Kalyssa’s folks when they first started dating. One such has the young man up on a flat bed truck holding two little calves and Patch the dog. They were moving some young heifers from one place to another, and the idea was that the cows would follow the truck with the calves on it. Things started out well then went bad. The dairy heard was headed to the barn about that time and Patch managed to get all the animals excited and agitated. The cows were charging the truck and Patch was biting cow noses and barking. The young lady and her sister ran for safety and climbed up on a trailor that was sitting near by and their Mother slipped through the gate and closed it behind her. That left the young man in difficult straits trying to impress his future father-in-law. Some of his brothers-in-law say the whole thing was a set up by the Father to run the suitor off. It did not work.
Someone who does work is Route 2’s mail carrier, Karen. The snow and ice has had no effect on the mail service and it comes with a smile. She stays well prepared with snow boots, coats, blankets, cleats, flashlights and all the safety equipment necessary to keep her appointed rounds. She is a grandmother of seven—some live nearby and some live up in North Dakota where their Dad is in the military service. She knows the value of mail to and from the grandchildren and so Champions are well served.
Champion friend, Bill Long, has joined the growing list of artists and craftsmen who are donating pieces of their work for the silent auction at the Skyline VFD chili supper on the 5th of March. His contribution is a lamp hanger, for displaying and burning the old kerosene lamps that so many Champions keep as family heirlooms and as back up against loosing power. This piece is yellow pine with the beautiful grain typical of that lumber and a hard shiny finish. It is a generous gift that will find its way to the home of a lucky bidder. The chili supper will be held on Krenna’s birthday this year. Bill says that she has been under the weather for a couple of days, and Champions all wish her a speedy recovery.
It is expected that after another little round of winter chill the weather will warm up next week into the fifties again. The last time it did that the armadillos came out in force. There was a report of a fellow over near Blanche having killed 46 in one day. The Fox Creek Farm family has rubbed out that many and more over the course of a couple of weeks. Good riddance. The gardeners are getting their seed orders in and keeping their shotguns, etc. handy against the menace. Copies of Linda’s Almanac will be available this week at Henson’s Store currently located in the cozy Temporary Annex on the West Side of the Square in Historic Downtown Champion. This fine document reveals that Valentine’s Day and the day after will both be good days to start seed beds. Champions are getting excited.
The American Forces Network broadcast the Super bowl game to 175 nations where Americans are serving. Those wearing the uniform of the military service probably all know the words to the National Anthem. Champions know that until July 4th, the Nation will celebrate its 235th year of Independence because of their dedication. Some would say that soldiers enter into a contract with the government—their service for money. Perhaps that is true, but there is no doubt that those services are an imperative and Champions salute their soldiers and Veterans with Love and Gratitude.
The Golden Ratio is 1 to 1.618 and it is most likely applicable to the Re-Creation of the Historic Mercantile over on the North side of the Square in Champion. Anyone familiar with classic architecture can be soothed by the graceful appearance of the edifice as it approaches fruition. “Now if you were a horsefly and I an old gray mare, I’d stand and let you bite me, and never move a hair. I’d stand and let you bite me and never move a hair, cause that’s how much I love you, Baby. That’s how much I love you!” This may not be the Valentine song you have in mind, so sing your own. Send favorite Valentine songs to Champion News. Look in on Champion in person for a sweet site or on the web at www.championnews.us. Keep a happy heart, because somebody loves you. Champion—Looking on the bright side!
