She did not want a funeral. She wanted a party. She got one. The enormous turn-out for Trish Davis was a testament to the many lives she touched. Friends will be planting forget-me-nots for her.

A wise man from the east (Vanzant) made the wise decision to enter Champion from the west on Wednesday in lieu of fording Old Fox Creek churning high and wide. Our “Ozarks Alive!” friend, Kaitlyn McConnell, came in from that direction too. Happily, her wide circuit brings her to the Bright Side now and then. She has put 31,000 miles on her car, just a year and a half old. She says her little car is not like a horse that can get used to a rough road, so she tries to take it easy, but she gets around.

Brenda & Gloriabell got into it in the Mt. Grove Post Office on Tuesday. “Just what proof do you have that I read your newspaper?” Friends can shout at each other, frowning and grinning at the same time. “Oh, yea?” It seems to have started over the obituary of a widow woman, though details were vague. Gloriabell folded her paper with a flourish, tucked it under her arm and strode out in a huff. An innocent bystander, just trying to mail a package, let amusement drown alarm and shouted, “You’ll read about this in The Champion News!” We can appreciate a little fun at the post office or anywhere. We poked fun at Big John, John the Generator, our Rt. 72 carrier, as he pulled into Champion in his big new mail truck. It is a beauty, even under all that mud. He says he can go about anywhere.

Wanda’s little dog, Janie, turns out to be a man-magnet. She is a tiny black and white critter with a long soft coat and a winning personality. She never leaves Wanda’s side. On a recent day she caught the attention of three different men. Wanda’s lovely smile indicated that she did not seem to mind. She sits by her sister-in-law at the Vanzant jam with little Janie in between them. On the other end of that same bench sat a couple of guys from Wisconsin, neither of them named John Johnson. Applause welcomed Jerry Wagner, a seldom seen but welcome sight. He allowed that he was doing well but said his sister Sally was not. She is currently in a nursing home in Seymour. Her many friends from all around the country wish her a speedy recovery from what ails her. Jerry asked us to “pardon me if I’m sentimental.” It was sweet to see Doug and Bonnie Bean and to hear Doug sing “I’d rather be here than wherever I am.”

Tim Tamburrino said, “Started out a normal morning, then we decided to take a short drive. Of the things seen were many early redbud trees, then right in the middle of the road was a Bald Eagle, enjoying his catch.” He went on to say that upon arriving home they saw the International Space Station moving from NNW to SSE into the shadow of the Earth. They were able to confirm with tracking their observation. Redbuds are showing themselves up on WW Highway too. Soon enough we will have dogwoods. A hummingbird feeder is going out in Champion this week.

Gary Jones

Daniel Roth of Elixir Farm hand-drew a new logo for Jean’s Healthway. It features a honeybee and echinacea, representing some of the many things relating to a health food store—agriculture, functional medicine, local economies, community, planet health, natural birth, food as medicine, etc. The store has been a boon to Ava and the whole area since 1979, and we are glad to have it still being such a bright spot on the square.

April is a beautiful month for birthdays. Champion grandson Dillon Watts has a birthday on April 12th. He has a lovely wife and baby son and plays the banjo and sings. Studebaker Bob Berry celebrates on the 14th. Mary will be sure he has a nice day. The 15th is for Dustin Cline, Champion son in law, living in Tennessee now with Staci and their two sons. Staci’s aunt Vivian Floyd, who grew up in Champion, shares the day with Dustin. That is Income Tax Day and the big day for Wyatt Lakey who is an eight grade student at Skyline. Saturday, April 15th some friends will have a one o’clock lunch at Rockbridge to remember Gary Jones on his birthday. For many reasons, they think of him as a Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

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