CHAMPION—February 6, 2017

 

        Groundhog Day came and went in Champion under a gray and gloomy sky where no shadow was cast by anything, animate or inanimate, ground hog or hound dog.  The Pennsylvania woodchuck saw his shadow.  The Champion whistle pig did not.  The upshot of it all is that our northern friends and family will have to endure six more weeks of winter, while we will be enjoying an early spring.  Groundhog Day was also the 62nd wedding anniversary of a special couple transplanted here from Louisiana twenty years ago.  They are fractious pair but still together, i.e., “I’d have divorced him years ago, but I didn’t want to make him that happy.”

J.R. Johnston–a Bluegrass Pioneer

        A beautiful plaque lettered in gold says, “The Missouri Bluegrass Preservation Association would like to recognize J.R. Johnston on this day, January 28, 2017 as a Pioneer of Missouri Bluegrass Music.  With passion, dedication, hard work, and perseverance; your musical contributions have left a priceless mark on the Missouri Bluegrass world, helping forge a music relatively unique to The Show Me State.  Without this elite First Generation of Bluegrass Pioneers, the State of Missouri would not have our treasured music.  We humbly present this Pioneer Award as a token of our gratitude, whereas, you are a vital part of Missouri History.  A Tree cannot stand without its roots, and Missouri Bluegrass Music has impeccably strong roots because of J.R. Johnston.”  The Vanzant Bluegrass jam had a chance to examine the trophy and to enjoy, as always having J.R. in the circle.  A pleasanter fellow you will never meet.

        Accolades were planned for The General at a local Superbowl Soirée but he did not show up and neither did he bring his poetry book, which is thought to contain his original works, probably in free verse, since it is not likely he would have spent money on it.  Some special birthdays coming up are those of Cowboy Jack on the 7th (keep your hat out of the creek), and the lovely Sarah Rucker on the 8th, the day shared with Skyline kindergarten student Aidan Acree.  Joshua Garner is a 4th grader who has his birthday on the 13th.  Shelby Ward’s birthday is on Valentine’s Day.  Acclaimed American author, John Trudell was born February 15, 1946.  Skyline 3rd grader, Madison Bradshaw, celebrates on the 16th.  Champions wish all their friends, family and neighbors a happy day whether or not they are celebrating.

        Terri Ryan says that many Skyline archers go on to join the Norwood Archery Team.  The Norwood team is raising money to go to the state championship tournament.  They will have a drawing for a Hoyt Ignite bow including a pin sight, 4 arrow quiver, whisker biscuit, stabilizer and 4 arrows.  The drawing will be on February 25th.  Anyone interested in this exciting bow and the chance to help local archers can contact Mrs. Sartor at the Skyline School or any of the Norwood or Skyline archers.

        John Prine wrote a song about his grandpa.  He said, “Grandpa was a carpenter.  He built houses, stores, and banks.  He chain smoked Camel cigarettes and hammered nails in planks.  He would level on the level, shave even every door and he voted for Eisenhower because Lincoln won the war.”  Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.”  King Richard III said, “We like to think of our enemies as worse than they are.”  He also said, “…death, desolation, ruin and decay!”  He was kind of a negative guy.  Political philosophies are a dime a dozen.  If you have a dime to spare, you can contact your democratically elected government representatives and explain your point of view:  The White House (202) 456-1111 or (202) 456-1414, Governor Greitens (573) 751-3222, Roy Blunt (202) 224-5721, Claire McCaskill (202) 224-6154, Billy Long (202) 225-6536, Jason Smith (202) 225-4404 and Paul Ryan, by mail, 700 St. Laurence Ave., Janesville, WI 53545.

        A friend of a friend, who lives up in Springfield, made a trip back around Christmas to North Dakota.  He missed his weekly bridge game to take food supplies to some of the people cooking for the 2,600 or so people who are engaged in defending their property and resources against corporate interests.  He and his companions were caught in a terrible blizzard on the way and were finally able to take refuge in a primitive fishing camp for the worst of it.  They had adequate clothing for the temperatures but still found it to be a strenuous and difficult trip.  They delivered the food and were able to make it home safely, but this fellow says the next time he goes to Standing Rock it will be in August.  The Black Snake and the aggressive force behind it may still be a threat to the people there in August.  John Trudell said, “No matter what they ever do to us, we must always act for the love of our people and the earth.  We must not react out of hatred against those who have no sense.”

Future Champion Snowdrops

       Some old Champions look out their windows to see dandelion flowers amid the green stuff close to the ground and some emerging bulbs that look like they will be Snowdrops.  With the prospect of an early spring, or at least a mild end to winter, some are thinking to go ahead and plant some spinach and lettuce.  They might have a little make-shift row cover or protection ready in case of a hard freeze.  Champions over west of Ava had good luck doing that last year and were able to enjoy greens not-from-the-grocery-store much earlier than the rest of us.  What a pleasure it is to have home grown food.  It is more than a pleasure to have dear friends willing to share their expertise and bounty.  For planting times, some people go absolutely and without fail by the signs according to the almanac, while others go by when they have their soil ready and seed on hand and the time and energy to get it done.  For a look at ten years of ‘getting it done’ go to www.championnews.us.  Send your examples of how you got it done or plan to get it done, when you get around to it, to The Champion News, Rt. 72 Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 or to champion@championnews.us.  Plant your feet out on the wide veranda at the Historic Emporium on the North Side of the Square to view an example of one of the world’s truly beautiful places—Champion!  Looking on the Bright Side!

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