Champion News

 

Sharon Sanders, there at the Douglas County Museum, has recently shared a piece from 1988, by video journalist, Ed Fillmer, concerning Dr. Marvin Gentry. In just two minutes and forty-five seconds he stirred up lots of memories, giving us a glimpse again of the old gentleman who, in six decades of service to the community, delivered 2,500 babies. Newcomers to the area in the 1970s found it amazing that there was no receptionist in his waiting room. You just saw whoever was there when you arrived and who came in after you to know when it was your turn. He was great with children, had a good sense of humor and gave the feeling that he genuinely cared about you and your health. These have been some difficult days for health care providers. Not everyone is cut out for the work. It is likely they appreciate some kind expressions of gratitude.

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Wayne Anderson once lamented that he felt bad about having his son-in-law bringing in the firewood during a time when he was aging and not in good health. We can feel bad for ourselves because we cannot do what we used to do. We can feel bad about inconveniencing a young person who has his own fish to fry and about losing face with him for being old and weak. Then we can harken back to our youth and remember the joy and pride we felt at the opportunity to help some old man or some old woman, to show respect and appreciation for our elders, to repay with kindness their many gifts to us. We might think of it as a gift to ask for help and as a gift to get to be of help. Wayne passed away in 2015. He would laugh at the idea of being part of an object lesson, but he laughed about a lot of things. Fun was his forte–family, fun and the banjo. The banjo seems to attract fun loving, nice people. Norris Woods was another one. We miss those charming men and are grateful to be acquainted with others who are still at it, plucking and plinking away. Do not even get us started talking about old fiddlers. But, back to help—ask for it if you need it and give it if you can.

An opportunity to help comes with a benefit for Charlie Byerley on Saturday, February 25th at the Vanzant Community Building. It is a chili supper with a live auction to follow. Contact Vicky Fox at 417-259-0440 if you have something to contribute.

School is back in session after a week of slipping and sliding fun for the kids. The birthday list for our Skyline students will start showing up next week. For now, we can celebrate Sarah Cloud, Glen Cooley, and Zack Alexander, all on the first, and Zack’s aunt Angie and Charlene Dupre on the second, Groundhog Day. (Champion’s groundhog, Wilbur, was nowhere in sight.) The Cowboy has his big day on the 7th and Sondra Powel and Clare Shannon celebrate on the 13. Shelby Ward has Valentines’ Day for her birthday. Flowers and candy will be all the rage next week along with heartfelt expressions of affection. There is an old song that says, “Love is where you find it. Don’t be blinded. It’s all around you everywhere.”

Our Champion Scots daughter continues her penguin studies as she currently swelters in Trelew, Argentina, home of South America’s most important Museum of Paleontology and the Astronomic and Planetary Observatory. When the sun goes down there, the heat abates a little and the fun begins. She says that evening entertainment includes children’s puppet shows and parks full of couples dancing the tango. We admire her sense of adventure and wonder where she may go next. We know where the Super Bowl is going to be and when. Between now and then we will just go on with our own adventurous lives as usual, like Champions—Looking on the Bright Side!

Frankie and Jonnie

Fun came in a visit with seldom seen, much loved family. They hit the road home ahead of the bad weather, arriving there safely, leaving the old folks in Champion smiling from the excitement and the music. J.c., over in Jordan, always helps us remember Robert Burns’ birthday (January 25, 1759) with a salute to the lovely liquids of Scotland, as well as to the insight of the young farmer turned poet lamenting that equality does not exist among men. He also reminds us of the birthday of Stephan Grappelli, the amazing French fiddler, on the 26th. By Thursday, the roads had cleared enough for the adventurous to get out. Over in Wilder, Idaho, Susanna and Wesley Hancock just celebrated sixty years of marriage. She was wishing they could have come to the Music Capitol of Booger County to witness the spectacle expected by Robert Muller. He figured another Robert would be “…. tapping your toes while you strum out a tune on your guitar and your mouth organ all the while you play your accordion with a pump and toes…. such talent.” That mind boggling image challenges one to conjure it. So far, none among the ten in the music circle that evening and fewer in the audience have indicated that anything like that happened.

At our Skyline R2 School, Mr. Luna acknowledged January 27th as National Chocolate Cake Day and National Have Fun at Work Day with treats. Ms. McKay, Mrs. Strong and counselor, Mr. Top, had their photograph taken enjoying big slabs of chocolate cake. Archery coach and classroom teacher, Melissa Willhite, said it was a delicious treat and, “Thanks for spoiling us a little.” Thursday’s snow day had Skyline Tigers at home building snowmen and ‘chilling.’

More treats came on Saturday at Red’s Slice ‘N Scoop in Norwood. The General and The Gypsy ventured out to see “an outstanding performance by the New Grass Attack band.” Cheyenne McIntosh, Skyline’s music teacher, is a member of that band. Her students at Skyline are making real audible progress on those guitars donated by generous musicians around the area. They will be forming their own bands before long and she will be there to show them how to do it. Musical connections are long standing.

The Eastern Douglas County Volunteer Fire Department’s “Lost Person Search and Rescue” class held over the weekend in the area of the Shannon Ranch received some great news coverage. Several area fire departments participated in the exercise. Training was provided by Alan Altis of Missouri University. Hopes are that the valuable lessons learned there will not have to be used, but it is a comfort to know that well trained firefighters and first responders stand ready to help us when we need it. They advised caution on the slick roads Monday morning, admonishing us to stay at home if possible.

“Football, beer, and above all, gambling filled up the horizon of their minds. To keep them in control was not difficult,” George Orwell said in “1984.” Beer and betting notwithstanding, how pleasant it is to be absorbed completely in some frivolous activity and, for a moment, removed from the stresses, trials, aggravation, concerns, and anxiousness of world situations. As to being controlled, we will just have to do our best to stay alert and informed. There is no glory, they say, in defeating a weak opponent and the Cincinnati team fought valiantly, but to no avail in the AFC championship game Sunday. Kansas City won by three points in the last 13 seconds. The Chiefs are indeed Champions!—Looking on the Bright Side!