Champion News

CHAMPION—April 12, 2009

        Champions are always grateful for a gentle Spring rain even if it comes on Easter Sunday.  The very unpredictability of weather engages the attention and interest of farmers, gardeners, and mushroom aficionados.  While it is frequently the subject of all the conversation there is to be had, rarely do Champions complain about the weather.  “What’s the point?” one asks.  Even a guy who spent the afternoon standing out in a cool drizzle for three hours ultimately using his own radio antenna to open the door of his truck, the keys locked inside it–even he did not blame his situation on the weather.

        While timing was good for a nice rain, the Champion Easter Parade finally had to be cancelled.  A contingent did parade around the Mall for a while just to blow off some steam over their disappointment.  Kalyssa Wiseman and Chante`(spelled with an accent mark) Michaud were the outstanding participants among the junior set.  Kalyssa’s frock was a soft yellow voile with tiny pink dots from the Madelyn Ward collection.  It featured a gathered skirt with a wide ribbon trim around a plain bodice.  She wore pink tights and white leather sandals.  Chante` was stunning in a spring floral cotton print composed of tiers of detached ruffles from the neck to the hem at mid-calf.  The ensemble was completed by a pastel green long sleeved body shirt and purple jelly flip flops replete with LED lights at the heels.  Mrs. Ruth Shaw of Waterloo, Iowa, an infrequent but always welcome visitor to Champion, also chose a spring floral motif.  Pink dogwood blossoms adorned her skirt, which was topped off with a sporty navy jacket decorated with unmatched blue stone brooches, gifts from her son.  She wore rose quarts ear-rings and matching pendant.  Ruth’s sister, Rita Krider, of Elmwood, Ill. had similar jewelry of a pale blue lapis lazuli set off nicely by a crisp white short sleeved jacket over a bright print skirt featuring yellows and reds.  And red!  Who but Barbara Krider could carry off the drama and excitement of that color so well?  It was inspired!  Delicate dangling gold filigree mandala earrings were the finishing touch and once again Barbara has set the standard for style.  She also has generously agreed to share some of her Fashionista Tips and the one chosen from her list for this week is:  “Don’t get a tattoo that will show in a bridesmaid’s dress.”  All Champion women can benefit from Barbara’s life experiences.

        Sarah Michaud, Chante`’s Mother, has just been named Oxford Health Care’s Employee of the Month!  Apart from the recognition for a difficult job well done, there was a nice little bonus and a spot in the running for Employee of the Year!  Champions all wish her good luck and are pleased to be acquainted such a pleasant and positive person.

        Pete and Kate Proctor have been having a good time.  They had their son Bryan and his family visiting with them for a whole week.  They’ve gone back to Virginia now where Bryan will be stationed for a while.  Pete e-mailed, “I can sure sleep a lot better since he is back home for now.”  Parents and families all across the country are missing their soldiers serving around the world in the dangerous places.  They have the Love and Gratitude of their Nation and when they get home there will be chances to show them that appreciation.

        More than one person has corrected the reference to singing teacher Arthur Porter (not Peterson as reported last week.)  His father, Everet Porter, had been a singing teacher too.  At various times both Harley and Lonnie Krider told the story that they would be in Ava with their Dad, Oscar, when they would run into Mr. Porter on the square.  In no time, Porter would pull a song book out of the hip pocket of his overalls and before long he and Oscar would be studying a new song, marking out the timing, and exploring what it had to offer…right on the busy street with commerce going on all around.  Music is a gift.

        Dianne (Krider) Strickland joined a rowdy rabble of family and friends at Plumbers in Vanzant on Thursday (This is whole other story.) for dinner and music.  She had the good news to share that on April 7, 2009, the song “I Can Go Back Anytime” made Number One on the National Bluegrass Charts.  The song was written by her daughter, Jennifer Strickland, and was recorded by Carrie Hassler.  Dianne is the niece of all those musical Kriders–Harley, Lonnie, Donald, and Vivian (Krider) Floyd.  She is delighted by her daughters’ accomplishment—pleased as punch!

        Champion gardens are just percolating with life!  Little peas and beets are up in places.  Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood says that the 17^th and 18^th will be good days to plant any kind of root crop.  With everything so lusciously green it is difficult to be patient about those more tender things.  Some say that May 10^th is the last possible frost date in these parts.  A native Champion said that it thundered on the 10^th of February, so it’s likely there’ll be a cold spell in May.  Dustin Cline’s granddad said that if it rains on Easter Sunday it will rain the next seven Sundays in a row.  Champions wouldn’t mind a nice rain once a week through the growing season, but they’ll take what they get!  Linda took a trip to the Lake of the Ozarks to meet up with her granddaughter for an Easter visit.  That will have her in a good mood to do all the hard work it takes to make Champion gardeners successful.

        In the midst of the wretched destruction of a beautiful wooded glen stands one giant old dogwood tree about to bloom like crazy!  “You missed one, you money-grubbing, carpet bagging malefactors!” shouts a still angry neighbor, but the boughs of flowers soon to come will soothe some of that ire.  Birthdays come around like taxes and on tax day for some!  Stacy may take her spouse to Rockbridge to celebrate his, if he straightens up a little.  Vivian Floyd will be celebrating if not counting, and so will G.G. Jones, who must be getting terribly old.

        Listen to Carrie Hassler and Hard Rain on the radio to recognize “I Can Go Back Anytime.”  The album got great reviews and Jennifer Strickland’s song is called beautifully sentimental.  Sentimental songs are welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  Silly songs or sad ones go to Champion News.  Stand around on the porch at Henson’s Store on the North side of the Square to hear meadowlark chimes–the sonorous sounds of the bucolic nature of Champion where hearts are happy and they are always Looking on the Bright Side!