October 31, 2011
CHAMPION—October 31, 2011
Champions are still reliving their biggest event in recent history. Old friendships were rekindled and old scores settled peaceably as Champions put aside their differences to join in the Celebration of Champion! The Recreation of the Historic Emporium on the North Side of the Square is the flagship and anchor of the shopping district. It was the object of much favorable comment with only that nagging criticism of being “overbuilt” for balance. The Celebration itself is immortalized on you-tube by David Richardson. http://youtu.be/SOFom1e2oJk Go there for a ten minute slide show to the strains of “An Ashoaken Farewell” interspersed with live music as it occurred on the spot. You distant Champions are encouraged to disperse this piece of technology lavishly among yourselves. It will be almost as if you were really there among the throngs. Three hundred or so signed the guest book registry, but the estimated attendance was on the high side of four hundred. One Old Champion said that anytime four or five hundred people get together in Douglas County it ought to be ‘news.’ He is just cross because he takes the wrong newspaper. Jerry Wagner was good-natured about his gripe. He said, “The paper made it sound like I ran over Bud myself, and then lit out for Oklahoma to hide out!” He laughed about the mix up and then went on to shed light on several subjects that will be held in abeyance for a while, for want of room and for reconsideration as to propriety. Has anyone noticed how that whole Wagner bunch smiles so sweetly?
Talking about sweet smiles, the awesome Skyline PTO Halloween Carnival brought out a lot of spooks and goblins on Friday night. It is just an excellent set of circumstances that this little school is here to provide a safe gathering place for wild little country kids. They are forging the friendships and relationships that will last them a lifetime—just like those old Champions who are still reliving school days from seventy years ago. Among the lady bugs, cave men, vampires, and cowboys, parents and grandparents had the chance to spend time with teachers and with each other. No one takes the existence of our wonderful rural schools for granted. Tax payers in the Skyline R2 School district and alumni of Skyline and other local (now gone) schools can start looking for the orange letter in the mail that will give them all the information about the Skyline R2 School Foundation. They will be given the chance to participate in the support and encouragement of the very cornerstone of rural American life—the rural school. The newly established foundation is affiliated with the Community Foundation of the Ozarks which does a lot of good work. About every week an article appears in local papers outlining some philanthropic enterprise of this great non-profit organization. Champion!
Champions are those Veterans! Veterans Day will be marked as 11-11-11 on the calendar this year. It is the birthday of Linda and Charlene’s Dad, Charles Barns. He was born in 1916, and passed away in 2002. Veterans Day brings him to mind as it does countless Veterans who have served our Country in times of peace and war. As those enlisted people come home to stay, they will need some help. Already many wounded Veterans from recent and past conflicts are in dire straits. Young Scott Olsen, 24 years old, returned from active duty and was lucky enough to get a job. In the evening he went down town to support the 99% people who are advocating for a more equitable economic profile for the Nation. While exercising his First Amendment Rights, for which he fought, and while breaking no law, he was critically injured by local police, decked out in riot gear that is significantly more heavy duty than any armor or protective gear that Scott had provided to him by the US Military in a war zone. At home things will continue to be complicated. Champions advocate restraint and compassion, Love and Gratitude, while they look on the Bright Side.
Champions find it to be a continual battle to stay just a little ahead of their mistakes. Jack Coonts points out that the article about Bud Hutchison’s Fall Trail Ride failed to acknowledge Charlie Cox who came all the way from Louisiana to ride the trail with Bud and the bunch. There are probably other mistakes in the process of being made at this very moment, but Champions forge on!
The Old Biddies Bridge Club, which meets once a month over in Mansfield at the wonderful Community Center, had a great game on Thursday last. Founding member, Betty Swain, celebrated her 92nd birthday on the 20th of October and her friends recognized her for drawing them all together. She is also recognized as quite an astute player. It was the Champion player’s good fortune to have Betty as a partner for the last round. She is a keen bidder and a great fan of the ‘no-trump.’ While Champion did not leave the game ‘in the money,’ Betty’s example is reassurance that brains can be kept sharp with activities like bridge. Of course, a sharp brain to start with is required. Dorlene House is one of those sharpies. She was seen hob-knobbing with her old school chums down at Champion during the Grand Champion Celebration. She attended high school in Ava with Champions Vivian Krider Floyd and Royce Henson, both of whom gave her the glad hand out on the Champion Square. Dorlene got the glad hand, but Linda walked away with the big money from the game on Thursday. She has been playing for a long time and is still taking lessons. Anyone interested in learning bridge can get a good start by contacting the American Contract Bridge League, or just any friend that plays. Bridge players are always recruiting.
Hunting Season requires Champions and everyone enjoying the great out of doors to be mindful and colorful. Blending in is not advised at this time of the year with the woods full of armed people. There are likely to be some interesting hunting stories and they will be welcome at Champion at getgoin.net or at Champion Items, Rt. 2 Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717. The call out for words and music to “All the Late News from the Court House” was answered promptly and the tune will soon be posted to the website at www.championnews.us for all to hear. Gary Hutchison shared the piece that he obtained personally from the author Walter Darrell Haden himself. There is a great line in the song, “If any news to you is better than no news at all…” Champion! Looking on the Bright Side.
