Champion News

Early last week the roads were full of expectant people hurrying off to the embrace of family and the annual ritual of feasting together with love and gratitude. Later the roads were full of happy, satisfied people longing for their homes and hearths and full of precious memories and the idea of adhering to a sensible diet until Christmas. The long road trip home gives them time to reflect on the growth of the young ones and the decline of the old ones. Counting the number of Cowboy Churches and the number of Dollar General stores adds fun to the journey. Out on the blue roads and the interstate highways the industry of America is very evident. We are an industrious, hardworking people.

Somehow it got to be December. We know it comes around every year, but we did not expect it to arrive so quicky. Miss Luxe Krider, a Champion granddaughter, celebrates her birthday on the 2nd. Lorelai Day has the 3rd for her big day. On the 4th we remember Lonnie Krider, a real Champion. The 5th has Skyline first grader Levi Crownover and eighth grader Michael Hall celebrating along with Bobette Spivey and Dawn Henson. The 6th is for Zack Godshall down in Lafayette, Louisiana, and for Missey Rogers in Eastern Douglas County. Ethel Leach has the 7th for her big day. She shares the day with Noam Chomsky who was born in 1928. Ethel is much younger. We remember Chris Tharp on the 9th. He passed away recently and is much missed by his many friends. The 9th is for Elizabeth Raelyn Johnson, a Skyline prekindergarten student. It is also the special day for Richard Johnston, a Champion born in 1955. Kris Schewe just had a birthday. Your Champion friends wish you all happy birthdays with the love and support of your family and friends, cake and ice-cream.

One Old Champion rushing into Mountain Grove to get last minute chores done in a hurry before her Thanksgiving Odessey, found a light flashing on the dashboard indicating an issue with the inflation of her tires. It was a new light she had never seen which alarmed her and had her ‘stepping on it’ in a panic for the last ten miles. Austin at the Super Lube happened to be wrestling with the long air hose as she pulled in and, in a jiffy, had her reassured and ready to go. He said the colder temperatures had lots of those lights flashing. Among the many things we have to be grateful for, competent, kind, helpful people are some of the bests. Champions—Looking on the Bright Side!

Gratitude has been the theme of this week. Last week our Skyline R2 School students were grateful to the Ava Masonic Lodge for having given new shoes to every student. That was a generous gift from a generous outfit that made all the students and staff smile and say, “Thank you!”

Saturday found Champions with a long list of things for which to be grateful. The Historic Emporium was packed to overflowing with good neighbors, friends and family all gathering for a bounteous pot-luck feast and opportunity to visit and catch up with some who are seldom seen. The official head count was fifty-six, but there may well have been more. The whole thing may have been cooked up by a retired mail carrier and a surgical nurse—the first annual Champion Friendsgiving Day. Thank you. Kaitlyn McConnell and Mike O’Brian made it all the way from Springfield for the occasion, Kaitlyn with her trusty pie basket to add to the feast. Her Champion friends will look forward to the pie recipe book she is compiling from old cookbooks published by area fire departments, churches and neighborhoods.

By the time this is in ink and out into our rural mailboxes, leftovers will be the fare on many tables. A favorite keepsake from one Old Champion’s Mother is a wooden plaque hanging in her kitchen. It says, “Thank God for dirty dishes. They have a tale to tell. While others may go hungry, we’re eating very well. With home and health and happiness, I wouldn’t want to fuss. By this stack of evidence, God’s been very good to us.” While we rejoice in our good fortune, we are mindful of the suffering of many in our own country and all around the world.

These days we hear it said that closeness has not all that much to do with geography. Still, many are on the road and in the air looking for the warm embrace of family. We wish everyone safe travels there and back home. Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

Champions are making good progress in recovering from last week’s inundation. Neighbors have helped with projects on the square. The church is being cleaned. Song books are drying out. People have been working hard to get things working again. Steel fences down by Fox Creek are twisted and down and matted with debris. The great power of water is evident in many places in Booger County. Road crews have worked overtime to get us back on the road and their efforts are much appreciated. There is still plenty to do. Champions are resilient.

Unseasonably glorious weather had old gardeners out working to get ready for next year’s growing season. Tenacious vines, both tomato and morning glory, wrapped tight around the woven wire tomato cages, came loose with significant effort. Perhaps some creative person with time on her hands could become a basket maker. There are plenty grasses, vines and roots, willows and oak splits to work with, but time is the scarce commodity. Birthdays slipped by us. Skyline School third graders Elaina Homer and Aiden Strong have their birthdays on November 5th. Sixth grader Owley Sudderth celebrated on the 12th and the 13th was for kindergarten student Aceton Fox. Eighth grader Isabella Jeffrey partied on the 14th. The 27th will be the day for 5th grader Aubrey Lewis to party and the 29th will be the big day for Christopher Boyd who in the 3rd grade.

On November 11th, a dozen veterans attended the Skyline Veterans’ Day celebration that included the Pledge of Allegiance, and a parade of the Military Branch flags and anthems. Mr. Joe Henry Harley shared his experience of going on the Honor Flight and about his time in the Air Force. Ms. McKay said, “The Presentation of Poppies Ceremony was accomplished by David Ball’s ‘Riding with Private Malone.’ This is always a very touching part of the program.” She reported that Mr. Terry Prock, former teacher and coach at Skyline, attended and represented the VFW. Mr. Prock presented the Patriot Pen Awards to Skyline students: Grace Rystad, 8th grade, took 1st; Jersey Hall, 8th grade, took 2nd; and Morgan Johnson, 7th grade, took 3rd. Our Skyline students salute our Veterans as part of the education that will make them good citizens.

The Vanzant Jam enjoyed a good house full of visitors on Thursday, some who have not been there for a while. One such person, all the way from Las Vegas, had the opportunity to learn about reincarnation from her distant cousin who has, over the years, explained the complicated notion to a number of friends and family members. It is generally met with the good humor that goes along with the music that everyone agrees is good for us. Rudy Valley sang, “Keep a little song handy wherever you go, and nothing can ever go wrong.”

Sports fans understand that there is no glory in defeating a weak opponent. The Chiefs were not weak and are still on top in the rankings, but Buffalo came out on top on Sunday. Alas! Meanwhile, the woods are full of hunters and the deer harvest is on. It all started so beautifully then Monday came with gray skies, stiff winds, intermittent drizzle and rain. The General reported in a newsbreak, “From the Vanzant Big Q Channel 88 Eyewitless News Room: Gusty wind today toppled the three foot weather balloon launching tower. On a lighter note, winter is just around the corner.” The report was dated November 18, 2017. He said, “Dey jay view!” Better days are ahead. Youth hunters enjoyed much success last week and hopes are the firearm season will be productive and safe for all those out there in the woods stalking deer. Safety is the watch word for good memories around the deer camp, and good food around the table in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!