Champion News

Champion—May 12, 2008

        Mother’s Day in Champion found the place overrun with sons and daughters with their wives and husbands, and with grandchildren and great grandchildren.  They took the opportunity to celebrate the sweetness of life and the preciousness of Mother.  Sappy sentimental cards, flowers and gifts were presented and emotion filled smiles and hugs were exchanged.  It was a beautiful day.  Troy and Theo Petty were first time visitors in Champion.  They came to see their great grandmother, Ms. Eva Powell.  Ms. Esther Wrinkles also reported having had a beautiful day.  She received lots of cards and phone calls.  She went to church in Houston on Sunday with Larry and Theresa and then out for a nice lunch.  The ladies came home with big red roses and another pleasant memory.

        Champions all send their best wishes for a speedy recovery to Wilburn Hutchison who is experiencing some cardiac issues up at St. John’s in Springfield.  He was born right up the road from the Champion square and has a wealth of stories to tell about the place.  He and Louise have represented the best of Champion’s spirit for a long time and everyone is looking forward to having him home again.

        Pamplona, Spain has the Running of the Bulls every year.  Champion has the Champion Spring Trail Ride.  It came off again ‘without a hitch.’  Bud Hutchison has played a major role in its success for many years and it has been going on for a long, long time.  It was reported that there were about forty riders this year, that they took their regular route and had a good time.  Foster Wiseman was just a little surprised at how tall Jackie’s horse was when his Aunt Staci put him up there.  He is a Champion who likes to participate in everything.  Sometimes names aren’t mentioned in reporting community events for fear of leaving one out, but a resolve not to be fearful rules today and so most names will be left out!  Other riders were Danny Dry, Joe Heath, Travis Thompson and Tip Proctor who came all the way from Oregon to participate in this trail ride.  Tip Proctor is the reason any names were mentioned at all.  He is a real cowboy they say.  He grew up over in East Champion and has continued living a Champion kind of life out on the open range and on his spread in the Oregon territory.  He has been visiting for a spell they say and hanging out with that Wild Bunch over at the Junction:  Cletis and the General.  General Upshaw is the one who last year addressed his friends at the Denlow School reunion as “you thieves and thugs, scoundrels, bootleggers and bushwhackers.”  That Reunion is about to come up again and it will be interesting to hear what he has to say, if the gag order has been rescinded.  The reunion will be held on Saturday, May 24th.  There will be a program at 10:30 in the morning and lunch at 12:30.  They have decided to unveil the Civil War Soldiers Memorial plaque just after lunch.  It will contain the names of all the Civil War Soldiers who are known to be buried there and some history of the battles and skirmishes that occurred in the Denlow area.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

        A couple of old Champions have been watching old movies as a way to escape the constant barrage of bad news of modern life.  “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” is a story about a young man who was appointed by his state’s governor to take the place of a deceased senator for the duration of his term.  The movie was made back in the forties or early fifties and depicted the greed and corruption of federal government officials in fairly clear if simple terms.  The disillusionment of this young patriot and his ultimate vindication is a heartwarming tale.  Five decades later, the situation in Washington has only compounded, but out in the sticks, out in places like Champion people remember the extraordinary history of their Nation and maintain those ideals and values that made the country great.  Among those things is Love and Gratitude to all the US Service Men and Women who serve in dangerous places around the world at the behest of their government.

        It has been reported in a number of places including the Douglas County Herald (May 13, 2007) that “singing causes the brain to release endorphins that help the immune system to fight off disease, infection and depression.”  Thursday night music is popular at the Ava Family Theatre.  Bob Moody and the Easy Goin’ Band will be playing there this week.  Thursday nights are also a great night for music at Plummer’s Junction located at the intersection of 76 Highway and 95 Highway, which is a hang out for many Champions.  It is an open mike jam session and it is always a good time.  Everyone is welcome.  By six thirty or so things really start jumping with the efforts of many talented local musicians.

        Linda’s Almanac from over at The Plant Place in Norwood says that the 12^th to the 16^th would be a good time for killing plant pests, cultivating or taking a short vacation.  The 17^th and 18^th will be an excellent time for planting corn, beans peppers and other above ground crops.  It will be a good time for sowing hay, fodder crops and grains and for planting flowers.  The 19^th through the 21^st will be good for root crops again.  Everyone will be glad to have some ‘settled weather’ for gardening.  E-mail has arrived from Betty Thomas from over at Yates.  She says, “Our garden is planted finally but parts are under water.  We set out 166 tomato plants too.”  She goes on to say, “I have read about the 8 pointed star quilt that Esther Wrinkles made and I would like to see a picture of it if possible.”  A picture of the beauty was straight way e-mailed to Betty and Esther has agreed to come up to the Thursday Night music at Plummer’s Junction to have her picture taken with the quilt for publication in the paper for the benefit of people without access to the internet.  (Some newspapers won’t publish a picture that doesn’t have people in it.)  She generally attends the Thursday musicals anyway, so this is an opportunity for everybody to get to see the quilt in person.  It will be one of the main attractions of the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department Picnic in August.

        Severe weather, here and abroad, earth quakes and wars and illness all go to make these days seem very tumultuous and unsettling.  Day by day, Champions count their blessings and extend themselves to help their less fortunate neighbors.  Reports of beautiful days and examples of good neighbor behavior can be sent to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  E-mail those things or some good garden reports to Champion News.  Release some endorphins in song on the porch at Henson’s Store on the Square in beautiful downtown Champion, where hearts are light and everyone is looking on the bright side!