Champion News

CHAMPION—December 14, 2008

        Champions have put a lot of good thought into preparing for the bad weather that is in the forecast.  There are big heaps of firewood and plenty of candles and lamp oil on hand.  Some folks have drawn up buckets of water in case the power goes out.  Folks with generators have fuel to run them and are well versed in all the procedures to operate them safely.  The last ice storm reminded people that the old fashioned telephones are still good to have around.  A person can pick one up in a garage sale for a quarter.  The sound is better on the old phones than on many of the new ones anyway, though they have that pesky cord that keeps the user tied to the wall.  Some Champions remember a time that a long distance phone call made a person want to talk really loud.  Those things are funny to think about now.  Folks up in the northeast have been struggling with their worst ice storm in many years.  Champions wish them well.  In spite of good preparations accidents can happen.  A few years ago Cletus Upshaw was out on his regular mail route when he hit a slick spot and slid into a snow bank.  When he was unable to get his truck going again, he took off walking.  He slipped on the ice and hit his head.  He fell several times before neighbors who were checking on some cattle happened to spot him walking around in a daze.  It was his good luck to be found, but the injuries he sustained that day stayed with him until his recent death.  A long time after the accident he was heard to remark that had he stopped to take his socks off and put them on the outside of his tennis shoes he would have had better traction to walk.  Hopefully no one will find himself in that situation, but that is the kind of good information that could come in handy.  Cletus hailed from Denlow, but he was a real Champion.

        When the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary came to Champion on Wednesday evening for their scheduled meeting they were just dazzled by the festive Christmas decorations.  Auxiliary President, Betty Dye, runs a good meeting and soon got the group down to business.  This was the first planning meeting for the annual chili supper, which is scheduled for February 28, 2009.  Determinations were made about the menu and entertainment.  While Esther Wrinkles was unable to attend the meeting, it was revealed that she will be providing a quilt for the fund raiser.  Items are already being gathered for the silent auction and it promises to be another delightful event.  In other business, the Auxiliary unanimously agreed to purchase a compressor for the firefighters to use with their cascade system.  This will allow them to refill their oxygen equipment quickly.  This is a substantial purchase that represents a significant improvement in the way the firefighters go about keeping the community safe.

        The cold weather is a hardship on people with livestock.  There is an extra burden to be sure the animals have water and feed.  Those are not things that people routinely consider when they are standing at the meat counter in the grocery store.  It is easy to take conveniences for granted.  Sometimes it looks like the weather stops at the borders of the country—like the tropical storm that moved up through the Caribbean didn’t really go through Mexico, or the frigid temperatures that sink down from the North only got cold when they crossed the border from Canada.  It’s cold on the other side of the world too—where the U.S. Service Personnel are serving at the behest of their Nation.  Since the war began March 19, 2003, four thousand two hundred and nine of those people have lost their lives in Iraq.  Six hundred twenty eight have perished in Afghanistan.  The official number of wounded in Iraq is 30,852.  The actual number is estimated to be over 100,000.  As of December 10, 2008 it is reported that 18 veterans take their own lives each day.  These are just numbers and words.  The Love and Gratitude that Champions extend to all those who serve is real and heartfelt.

        This is the busiest time of the year for the Post Office.  Mailmen everywhere are weighed down with packages and cards and holiday sales brochures.  They are a good natured lot and Champions appreciate that poem about “Neither hail, nor sleet, nor snow, nor dark of night shall stay these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds!”  Thanks Bob!  Merry Christmas.  Iva Johnson and her crowd were the folks taking pictures on the porch at Henson’s Store the other day.  Ms. Johnson used to carry the mail as a substitute on the Rt. 2, Norwood route.  She had family visiting from New Mexico and part of taking in the sights included a foray to Champion.  Memory making is a Champion enterprise!

        Phone lines stay busy this time of the year too.  Champion Granddaughter Emily spends time chatting up her Grandmother, Ms. Eva Powell, on a regular basis.  Closeness is not always about geography.  Ms. Powell has some very nice things to say about some of her neighbors lately, including Robert Hamilton, who discovered that the problem with her car was that the light under the hood was not going out so it was draining her battery!

        Alexandra Jean called her Grannie the other day to tell her that she was eating chicken nuggets with catsup!  For a two year old, she carries on a pretty good phone conversation.

        Champion grandchildren Ethan and Zack have their pictures on the family Christmas card so everyone can see why Bob and Sue are so proud!

        The bright red cardinals perching in the drab brown brush lift a spirit on the coldest day.  A quick trip to The Gift Corner in Norwood reveals a variety of cardinals in the form of pictures, figurines, and Christmas ornaments.  Charlene Dupre, the proprietor, has gathered a wonderful collection of all sorts of interesting things from all over the country at decidedly affordable prices.  Family owned and operated business are becoming an endangered species and it is a delight to be able to support them.  Charlene will be headed over to Virginia to see her Granddaughter, Olivia, for the holiday.  Fortunately her sister, Linda, will be there to look after the shop.  Linda is busy with her seed catalogues and the planning that it takes to keep the community growing.  Her Granddaughter, Danniel, will be wearing out the phone lines with her too.  Ah! Granddaughters!  Champion!

        Good Christmas Wishes have come from Ms. Ethel McCallie from Oklahoma.  She extends her best regards to all of Champion!  Back at you, Lady!  She reports that her cousin, Darrell Haden, from over in Tennessee is having some health problems.  Champions wish him the best as well as a number of dear Champions who are struggling with illness at this time.  Some are having to do a lot of traveling and their Champion neighbors keep them in their best thoughts and prayers for safe travel and a return to their much needed good health.

        “Oh the weather outside is frightful!  But the snow is so delightful!  And since we’ve no place to go….”  Champions will just head over to Henson’s Store on the Square in Downtown Champion to gawk at the dazzling decorations.  They might stand around on the porch there and bellow out a carol or two.  Send favorite holiday recipies for fun to Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or e-mail them to Champion News.  Look in on www.championnews.us just for the picture of the beautiful place in warm sunshine.  Champion…always Looking on the Bright Side!