Champion News

CHAMPION—October 11, 2010

            Champions are not able to resist the wisdom and spirit of patience that permeates one of the most picturesque places on the planet.  It so often happens that things seem to stay just the same day after day and then suddenly, “Bam!” Change.  That is exactly what happened during the past week as the foliage went from summer to fall overnight.  Now the hillsides have taken on the aspect of an old oil painting.  When the rains have come at last (remember Champions are patient) and washed away the dust, perhaps the scenery will resemble one of the famous Van Gough paintings of autumn landscapes as the colors brighten.  While construction seems at a standstill on the replica of the Historic Emporium on the North Side of the Square, patient Champions will be rewarded soon with an incremental leap of accomplishment.  Champion!

            Neighbors over in VanZant had another delightful Thursday evening jam session at the Junction.  Guitars, mandolins, banjoes and that sweet fiddle backed up some fine singing voices and a big crowd was well entertained.  Esther Wrinkles was sorry not to make it out.  She is a great music lover.  She has had some nice company from Texas as Barbara Mathers and her friend were visiting with Lois Thompson in Mountain Grove.  They all came out to see Esther and Lonnie and Verla Mears also came down from Springfield that day.  Barbara and Lonnie are cousins.  Esther went with Larry and Theresa Wrinkles to Ava to church on Sunday where they had lunch with Esther’s sister, Irene Dooms.  Esther is a ‘gad-about’ and Champions are always glad to see her coming.  More Upshaws may be at Plumbers this week as Susie Upshaw of Idaho will be visiting with family in Mountain Grove.  She is bringing her three daughters Darcy, Liane, and Londa with her and it is expected that much fun and reminiscing will be going on.   

            Great niece, Jillian Hall, and nephew Glen Masters, both of Austin, TX will have birthdays on the 14^th of October.  Taegan Rae Krider’s dad will have his birthday that day as well and her mother’s birthday will be on the 24^th.  Among the many October birthdays are John Lennon and Harley Krider.  The late Mr. Lennon would have been 70 years old, and while Harley is not quite that old he will still be much older than most Champions.  Brian Oglesby shares a birthday with his uncle-in-law, Harley, on the 26^th.   Mr. Oglesby may best be known as the father of young Eli and Miss Emmy Rose.  Their grandmother celebrated her special day on the 4^th and gave her sister, Kaye, with whom she shares the day, a lovely bag that she found in Delores Evan’s new store in Mountain Grove.  The store is located on North 95 next to the Fruit Experiment Station and is called Sew and Treasures.  Many people were so aggravated that Wal-Mart ceased to sell fabrics.  Their predatory business practices had eliminated any other fabric store so that someone looking to buy even a spool of quilting thread had to travel off to distant places.  A little business called Sew Crafty was just making a good showing when it was destroyed by fire a few months back. Hopefully, Sew and Treasures will fare better.   In addition to fabrics and all kinds of threads, Ms. Evans offers consignment booths for local craftspeople and antique aficionados.  It is a Champion thing to support local family owned business. 

            Students from Norwood High School are studying gardening through their life science class.  Their instructor, Courtney Davault, says that this is a one semester class in botany that the school is generally able to offer every other year.  This year she has twelve students who are sophomores to seniors and they have planted a fall garden over at the Plant Place.  Linda has donated the space and provided many plants and much good information.  They have all the Cole crops as well as many herbs and gourds.  Students tend their garden on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with watering and weeding.  Ms. Davault says that she and the students and the school are all most grateful to Linda for her generosity of time, space, and materials.  Linda is having a nice sale this week on hostas, mums and her gallon perennials.  It is indeed Champion to support local businesses.  Linda and Charlene are always glad to help the Skyline VFD.  They are good neighbors.

            The Skyline VFD Ladies Auxiliary meeting at Louise Hutchison’s house on Tuesday the 12^th was scheduled to discuss the musical entertainment for the Chili Supper that will be coming up in February.  It is splendid to see those Auxiliary members so well on top of what needs to be done to have a successful fundraiser for the best little fire department in Douglas County!  The Picnic Society has sold another Monkey at Henson’s Store in its monthly silent auction and the new one looks remarkably like the last one except for its Halloween costume.  Friends surprised Auxiliary President Betty Dye for her birthday with a new leather jacket.  She is ready for cool weather so she can wear it.  Champion!

            Some Champions were surprised to learn that they had hosted the Pioneer Descendant’s Gathering earlier in the month.  While the pictures in the paper were quite nice and the story most interesting, it is important to say that the wonderful event, while attended by many fine Champions, was indeed held at the Thomas Farm down in the Yates community.  Betty and Dale Thomas put a lot of effort into this event every year and it is an excellent opportunity to meet neighbors and friends and to step back into the pleasant part of the past with all the crafts and demonstrations.  Already Champions are looking forward to next year.

            The Air and Military Museum-Ozarks is at 2305 E. Kearney Street in Springfield, just a few blocks east of Glenstone.  It is a place to go to gain an understanding of what life was like for Veterans of past conflicts and what soldiers of current conflicts may be enduring.  If the burden can be eased by Love and Gratitude, Champions throughout the Nation offer those things heartily.  A helping hand to a Veteran is one well extended.  

            “If you smile through your pain and sorrow Smile and maybe tomorrow You’ll see the sun shining through For you.”  This is the second verse of the song written by Charlie Chaplin.  It was originally used as an instrumental theme in the soundtrack for the 1936 movie Modern Times.  Chaplin composed the music, while John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics in 1954.  In the lyrics, the singer is telling the listener to cheer up and that there is always a bright tomorrow, just as long as they smile.  “Smile” has become a popular standard since its original use in Chaplin’s film.  It is a powerful concept.  One Champion gets a birthday card every year that says, “Remember, if you act like you are having a good time, pretty soon you will find that you really are having a good time, “ or words to that effect.  It is an admonition to anyone under stress and anxiousness to eat slowly, breathe deeply and count your blessings.  Enumerate your blessings at Champion at getgoin.net  or in person down in the Loafing Shed next to the Temporary Annex on the West Side of the Square.  It is in Downtown Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!