Wednesday at Champion was another of those interesting days. A couple celebrating their 27th wedding anniversary had enjoyed a few days at the River of Life cabins over in Dora and on their way home, some four or five hours away, stopped in to sit around the stove and visit. They had heard about Champion from Kaitlyn McConnell at Ozarks Alive. Steve and Sharon Schlichting are big bluegrass fans and enjoy a jam anytime they can find one. Steve does not play, but he has a guitar and a mandolin made from a walnut tree that grew on his family farm. He is a retired truck driver and a coon hunter with a lot of stories to tell. He said his own Mother, when asked about his pedigree, said, “He’s half hound dog and half Indian. If he isn’t sitting on his ass howling about something, he’s on the warpath.”
                Angela McKay teaches sixth and seventh grade students at our wonderful Skyline R2 School. He birthday was on Thursday. She said it had been a lovely day with cards and singing from her students. “My son-in-law baked me a strawberry shortcake! My favorite!” More good news comes as Champion, Jacob Brixey has qualified for state in his archery tournament in Mt. Grove on Saturday with some great scores. Calvin Chambers did a nine-mile ride on Saturday with eleven of his friends. He said they did not see the sun, but their spirits were not dampened.
               Chief’s fans may have their spirits dampened a little, but they will get over it. Sports have been a good diversion from calamitous world events. Since the future is murky at best, we can look backward for some inspiration. Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.” He also said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Theodore Roosevelt said, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Another president said, “The best form of government is that which is most likely to prevent the greatest sum of evil.” Another one said, “A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on.” Ideas are plentiful in Champion–Looking on the Bright Side!

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