Time, according to the clock, has little impact on old, retired Champions and farmers.  We just go about our business regardless of the big hand and the little hand.  School teachers, students, and other people with jobs may or may not like the change.  Linda will be pleased since the clock in her car will be correct again for a while.

“I am glad that I paid so little attention to good advice; had I abided by it, I might have been saved from some of my most valuable mistakes.”  Edna St. Vincent Millay, the great American poet, shared that valuable concept.  Esther Wrinkles wrote for The Douglas County Herald for over fifty years.  She advised that sometimes it is good to make a mistake in an article, as one is given the chance to revisit the subject.  Ever willing to be corrected, it happens that all those young people called ‘second cousins’ last week, are actually ‘first cousins once removed.’  Apologies to all the Watts, Krider, Oglesby, Cline, Upshaw, Wiseman, Johnston families and others for the misnomer as they welcome Waylon Iker Watts to the beautiful briar patch of his family tree.

The lovely Elva Upshaw was welcomed into the world on March 23rd.  On that day welcomed also were Don Bishop, who has an extraordinary wood pile stacked carefully at the top of a steep hill; Donald Powell, the Maytag man; and mushroom maven, Judie Pennington.  All arrived in different years, different places, to different families, but all were welcomed.  Nurse Raquel will be celebrated at Skyline School on March 24th.  Champion Troy Powell was born March 26, 1926, and passed away on his birthday in 2001.  He loved the old gospel music and had a beautiful smile.  The 27th is for Skyline fourth and fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Downs, and for first grader Aliyiea Trujillo.  Fourth grader Brailynn Cumby claims the 28th and seventh grader Braxton Mayberry has the 29th for his big day.  Fourth grader Tucker Johnson and third grade teacher Mrs. Melissa Willhite share the 30th.  Our great little rural school gives us plenty of reasons to celebrate as excellent teachers and staff help our country kids become excellent, educated, solid citizens.

Three doghouse double basses, two banjos, two fiddles, two mandolins and beaucoup guitars made for a jumping jam at Vanzant Thursday.  Music is good for us.  It is particularly pleasant to see the help and encouragement that accomplished musicians share with the beginners—carrying the tradition forward.

A rare trip to town finds friends in unexpected places.  There was a banjo player in the grocery store.  Apparently, they eat too.  Charming Barbara Anderson paused in her shopping to visit a moment.  Charlie Lambert was checking out at the register when he was spotted and entreated to find a way to the jam sometime.  Way off in the big town of Springfield, Beverly and Alvin Barnhart had a few minutes to visit before their medical appointments.  Alvin had recovered from a face plant off his porch that had left him with two black eyes.  Beverly was grateful to have met a cardiologist when it was important to meet one.  She was in good spirits despite battling numerous health issues.  Champions are grateful to be able to access good health care, grateful to have friends and to meet them in unexpected places.

Constructive criticism helps us be better.  Feel free to point out mistakes, share a story or a song, or poke fun at The Champion News, Rt. 72 Box 367 Norwood, MO 65717 or at champion@championnews.us.  For a little optimism, come down to the wide, wild, wooly banks of Old Fox Creek to Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

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