The full Cold Moon showed up on Saturday night, a day early, to illuminate a heavy, dense fog, turning Champion into something like a pre-dawn luminous pearl. Every season has its beauty and winter’s appears in contrast among the tall bronze waiving grasses, the pale greens of foraged fields, and the evergreens. We are living in a beautiful part of the world even with all the shades of gray and brown.
Dusty Simon is a kindergarten student at Skyline. His birthday is December 18th. On the 19th, Skyline will have its Christmas program, this year jingle all the way to Frosty Fun. Everyone is welcome. It starts at 6:00. Chances are very good that Cheyenne McIntosh’s guitar students will be performing. Last week at school a stray sheep fount its way onto the school grounds. Your investigative reporter learned the sheep belonged to Donna Clark, who was alerted and retrieved her animal before the day was over. The episode provided some excitement for the student body as well as for the staff.
               Mary Goolsby loves Studebakers and music and shares her birthday on December 20th with Possum Trot fiddler Herbie Johnston. Chances are pretty good that the Vanzant Jam will be rocking “happy birthday, dear Mary!” Paige Jonas is a seventh grader celebrating on the 21st. That is also the day we remember another favorite fiddler, Jerry Wagner, who sang, “Just Bumming Around.” Braxton Loveless, in prekindergarten has the 22nd for his big day and fifth grader, Chase Cauthron, shares his birthday with his Dad on the 23rd. Longbow master, fletcher and flint Knapper, Butch Stone, also celebrates on the 23rd, as does Blaine Denlow’s great grandmother, Sharon Sikes. Blaine’s other great grandmother, Ilene Woods, ran 8.3 miles on her 83rd birthday back on the 12th, which was also the big day for The General’s fair daughter, Loretta.
              Christmas Day is the big day for Grannie Grunt, Joanne Anderson enjoys her birthday then. Champion grandson, Eli Ogelsby, has the 30th of December for his birthday and the year ends with a celebration for young Arvin Schroder, a Champion, and for The General himself. Happy birthday and Happy New Year. God bless us every one!
Suzie Freeman draws and paints her own Christmas cards every year. This year it says, “Wishing you all the timeless treasure of Christmas and warmth of home, the love of family and the company of good people! Season’s Greetings to Missouri!” She signs it, “The Freemans Wesley and Karen in Texas.”
               The shortest day of the year will be Saturday, December 21st. Thereafter, the days will be getting a little longer one day at a time. Saturday will also be a fine day for a noontime potluck dinner where everyone is welcome. Maybe Jody Henson will be there. She writes that she and Royce would have just celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary and says how much she misses him. There are many with deep ties to Champion. Hopes are they will join some of the new folks to the neighborhood and longtime locals for the joy of celebrating Christmas with old friends and new ones in a place that is more than special for all of us–Champion! Looking on the Bright Side!

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