Champion News

CHAMPION—August 16, 2009

        In Champion August is more than half over and the walnut leaves are swirling through the air in flirty spirals, twirling and floating down singly–bright yellow against the unseasonably green grass.  Perhaps the wet summer is portentous of a colorful autumn.  Champions take what they get and are Grateful.

        Skyline folks, friends and firefighters are Grateful for another beautiful picnic and are glad it is over.  Some of those volunteers are going to be relaxing with their feet up for a couple of days.  They are over-doers by nature.  While they are just kicking back, there are great lists of people to thank going through their heads.  Thank you cards will go out with the hopes of acknowledging everyone who made it such a delightful affair.

        Skyline resident Dorothy Dye bought the winning ticket for the $100.00 of electricity awarded by White River Electric Cooperative this year.  Jeff Pardeck of White River confirmed the credit to Ms. Dye’s account on Monday morning.  She is Grateful.

        Alice Hopper had the winning quilt ticket and Johnny Boyd won the 10/22 Reuger rifle.

        Then there were a great number of grateful people who won door prizes of Savings Bonds and new merchandize from local merchants who so generously support the fire department.

        Founding Skyline Fire Department member Esther Wrinkles was absent from the picnic on Friday evening.  It is the first time she has ever missed one.  Eighty seven people signed an enormous get well card for her and she was able to make it out on Saturday evening, though she stayed in her car but close enough to see and hear the music.  People were stopping by to visit with her all evening.  The quilt that she donated to the picnic made over $1100.00 this year.  On Monday morning she was still feeling poorly.  Everyone wishes her well.  Her neighbor, the General, went to great lengths to distract her at the picnic.  Back Yard Bluegrass was in the middle of their set when, sporting an outsized straw Stetson complete with turkey vulture feather, he strode up on the stage.  From a battered guitar case he extricated the most bizarre contraption seen outside of a Rube Goldberg Traveling Exhibition and Medicine Show.  It was comprised of a rusty antique Folgers’s coffee can, attached by a hinge to a length of 1” x 6” on one end and to a short hunk of broom stick on the other with some binder twine strings.  The General elbowed his way to the front of the stage and parked himself on a bar stool (probably not the first time) and lent his questionable talent on this hillbilly basso profundo violoncello.  Already struggling to pat his foot in time to the music he was plagued by tuning issues, which he addressed with a pair of vice grip pliers to the amusement of onlookers and consternation of band members.  They maintained a professional decorum as their sit-in received cell phone calls and waved wildly to the crowd.  There will be a series of photos depicting this episode at www.championnews.us.  It was all in the spirit of fun.

        Fire Chief, Doug Hutchison, took the stage at nine o’clock Saturday evening to say, “On January 20^th of this year, the fire department lost a person that was an essential part of this fire department and picnic.  He was an original founder of this department.  He was a friend to many, a much thought of neighbor, and was loved very much by his family.  He loved working and playing music and doing anything that needed to be done at this picnic.  He was a successful educator and farmer and wasn’t afraid of work.  I was a neighbor to this man many years.  Several times I needed help, he quit what he was doing and came and helped me and he did the same for the rest of the community.  I, for one, miss him very much as do many others.  He was raised and lived most of his life in the Champion Community.  He is not with us any more, but the memories will live on.  As many of you have guessed by now, this man was a friend to all.  His name was Lonnie Krider.”  Musicians from around the community gathered on stage for a jam session of some of Lonnie’s favorite songs.  His influence is far reaching and his absence is much felt.

        Before the evening was over the Fire Chief had been presented with a gift of appreciation for his sterling efforts for the picnic’s success.  Some of his picnic volunteers contrived to give him an electric chain saw.  He will find uses for it.  As his neighbor and distant relative Wilburn says, “Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing:  for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”  Paul said that first but Wilburn pretty much uses it as his motto.

        Master of ceremonies, Ray Bradley, sang the National Anthem each evening. He does an excellent job of it, hitting those high notes with power and confidence.  Many joined together to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and the American Legion made a stirring presentation of the Colors.  People gathering at little country fairs and picnics all across the United States are happy to display their patriotism and are pleased to express their Love and Gratitude to those who serve at the Nation’s request, both in and out of uniform.

        Champions are back out in their gardens now and are busy in their kitchens “putting by” for the winter to come.  Linda’s Almanac from over at the Plant Place in Norwood says that the 24^th through the 27^th will be an excellent time to plant leafy vegetables and other aboveground crops.  Linda donated some beautiful plants for door prizes and for the silent auction.  Charlene Dupre from the Gift Corner did a splendid job of painting a Champion scene on a cream can for the silent auction.  Bob Berry was happy to win it in the auction for a bid of $40.00.  Alvin and Beverly Barnhart donated some great items including a very round and beautiful little watermelon that brought much higher than market value for the fire department and some very good cheer to the lucky buyer.

        Picnic memories are welcome at Champion Items, Rt. 2, Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  Elvis Costello has a song out called “The Other Side of Summer.”  It is said to have a very September feel about it.  E-mail wistful farewell to summer songs to Champion News.  Sing any kind of sweet song out on the porch at Henson’s Store in Downtown Champion.  If your voice is no better than the General’s, just hum while you gaze up and down the broad and beautiful thoroughfare of Lonnie Krider Memorial Drive.  If you don’t have a motto of your own, feel free to use Champion’s—Looking on the Bright Side!