Champion News

CHAMPION—June 29, 2009

        Champion is a relaxed and happy place where industrious people are ready to jump up and do what needs doing and they never tire of doing good.  Being always ready is the state of equipoise and Champion is full of it.  No one confuses being relaxed with idleness and a busybody has to put out a prohibitive amount of effort to work much mischief at all.

        A letter from Eva Henson Phillips of Oklahoma City says “The Ava, all school, high school Picnic was held at Lake Springfield on June 13^th.  Champion school was well represented by:  Vivian Krider, Glenna Lambert, Eva Henson.  Pete Robertson, of Republic, MO. also attended.  His wife, Miss Vivian, taught at Champion in the 1940’s.  We had a good visit about the one room school we attended.”

        Correcting an error from last week, Prince William’s last name is Windsor, not Spenser.  Spencer was his mother’s maiden name.  He is Prince William Arthur Phillip Louis of Wales and while he is only about 27 he has accomplished a great deal in life already.  Of course, much is expected.

        It is expected that the Forth of July Celebration in Champion will be marked with much solemnity and humility this year.  Gratitude goes to the Founding Fathers and Mothers and to the previous patriotic generations who have defended the beautiful Constitution against all threats both external and internal since the United States of America was founded in 1776.  Other nations in both hemispheres are currently in turmoil with questions concerning the legitimacy of regime changes.  This country exemplifies democracy in the sweetest way.  If a person were in Washington DC over the Fourth of July he could meet up with other marchers at 7^th Street on Constitution Avenue at 11:45 a.m. Eastern time and proceed all the way to 17^th Street.  The National Parade features marching bands, military and specialty units, floats, and VIPs.  Champion VIPs will stroll down Lonnie Krider Memorial Way.  They will come in from the South down the portion of the thoroughfare that has previously been known as the “Old Road.”  It was the main road prior to the construction of the black top of WW some time back in the 50’s…It is the road that Lonnie and his siblings used to walk to school at Champion.  It is the road to everywhere.  It goes past the church that used to be the school, past Henson’s Store and out the East end of town without ever encountering a speck of pavement.  Champion marchers will carry Love and Gratitude in their hearts for all those who serve the Nation in and out of uniform.  Champions Love of their Country.

        Esther Wrinkles has been celebrating her birthday for a solid week.  Her friends Louise and Sharon with their spouses took her out to supper at the Cajun Kettle on Tuesday.  Sister, Irene, took her to the Golden Coral on Thursday.  On Friday, the Slagels treated her to supper at Plumbers and then Sunday there was a big lunch at church for her including a lovely cake made by daughter-in-law, Theresa.  Esther was surprised further when later on Sunday evening a planned small gathering turned into a house full of 15 family members to help her get her partying done.  There was three gallons of homemade ice cream and no small amount of fun and laughter as her 92 years were acknowledged!  Esther is a Champion!  Another Champion is commemorating 70 years on the planet!  What a guy!  A Champion fellow, if ever there was one!

        So much of gardening is observation.  A quick eye can spot an insect infestation before it gets out of hand.  One old Champion has found her first green tomato hornworm already.  She doesn’t have a tomato close to ripe yet, but the pests are already beginning to find their favorite foods.  Plants are being traded still out among friends and it is reckoned that corn can be planted as late as the 15^th of the month with the expectation of a harvest.  Choosing the right variety is important to be sure there is enough growing time left in the season.  Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood shows that the first through the fourth will be excellent days for planting above ground crops.  By the 8^th and 9^th the signs will have changed and the crops that bear their yield below ground will be the favored ones to plant.  Sometimes a Champion is busy hoeing the corn and becomes aware of the shadow of a large bird passing overhead.  The brim of her hat or the dazzling sun or her own disorientation may obscure the bird and she may not ever know what bird caused the shadow that had passed over her.  It is an eerie feeling that goes to worldview and perspective.  Bill Pool from over in Tennessee has been sending pictures of his ripe tomatoes.  They are gorgeous.  Too bad, Bill.  While you are certainly a Champion by history, family ties, and sentiment, you simply don’t live here and your Nashville, TN tomatoes do not count toward the First Ripe Tomato in Champion Contest.  He said, “I grew up 7 miles south of Gentryville on Brushcreek & Bryant, a Cousin to Eva Powell, also you may know my mother, Esther Richmond.”  Ms. Powell began her own birthday celebration on Monday and was expected to be chasing around with daughter, Saundra, and various other loving family.  She smiled to hear about her cousin’s tomatoes and remarked that his mother is in a rest home in Mtn. Grove.  Eva is not growing tomatoes this year, but it is hoped that she has had a Champion Birthday.

        Norwood hosted the Fortnight Bridge group on Saturday and it was quite a close game.  A mere three hundred points separated the winner from the loser.  Norwood won with 4870 points, Champion 4770, Brushy Knob 4790 and Vera Cruz 4570.  There were several slams bid and unbidden and prizes for slams made in previous games were paid out.  The Champion player collected two dollars in old slams, paid in 50 cents for two unbid ones and then recovered those two quarters with another bid one.  Champion!  It was a close and interesting game punctuated with cherry cheese cake.  Champion indeed!

        The mail boxes have been full this week.  Betty Dye sent a lovely story that she has written about her Dad, called The Old Straw Hat.  She wrote it in 2007.  It is a touching tribute to a hardworking family man who taught good life lessons and set a good example.  Look for the story and pictures of Mr. Dye in his hat under Champion Friends at www.championnews.us.

        A Champion Reader, Michael Greengard wrote, “The words I learned from my father for ‘I’m Goin’ Back to Where I come From’ go like this:  ‘I’m goin’ back to where I come from Where the honeysuckle smell so sweet, it durn near makes you sick.  I used to think my life was humdrum But I sure have learned my lesson, and it’s bound to stick.  There ain’t no use in me pretendin’.  The city just ain’t no place for a guy like me to end in.  I’m going back to where come from Where the mocking bird is singing in the lilac bush.’” There are three more verses, each a little different from versions found earlier.  What a song!  Champions at Henson’s Store the other day were still talking about that guy who called himself “Disgruntled Elsewhere.”  It was noted that there is a lot of nice property in Champion for sale if he is so anxious to live here.  Then there was the idea that such a grouchy attitude might make him not the most pleasant neighbor.  Then someone said maybe if he can break free from his encumbrances for a while he aught to just come and rent for a spell to see if it is as wonderful as he thinks it must be and to see if he is a good fit for the community.  He better slip in sort of quiet and give his right name.  He may have predisposed some to be skeptical of him.

        Skeptics are free to write to Champion Items, Rt, 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  E-mail music, tomato pictures, examples of patriotism, and good works to Champion News.  Stand out on the veranda at Henson’s Store on the North Side of the Square in Downtown Champion.  Look up the hill to the South to see Lonnie Krider Memorial Way emerge from the forest and wind its grassy way down the hill, past the old school, past the old store, and all the way through the Heart of Champion—Look on the Bright Side!