The investigative reporter for The Champion News did not follow up on the report of a surprise visitor to the Skyline R2 School on Thursday. Forty-six people responded to the on-line post of a photo of a sheep on the playground at one of Douglas County’s two remaining rural schools. Did it follow Mary to school? Why this day? An update appeared saying, “Sheep has been picked up by owner.” Those forty-six were hoping for more information. Tune in next week for answers. Meanwhile, tune in on December 19th, for the Frosty Fun Christmas Concert at Skyline. Jingle all the way, starting at 6:00 pm. “See you there!” Christmas makes children of all of us. We cannot help it.

Champions home at last from distant travels are optimistic that the internet they experienced in hotels, airplanes, and in various cities across states and oceans will one day be available out on hillsides and in deep valleys right in the heart of Booger County. White River Connect will connect us. And in a trice we will be able to learn things like this: Voltaire said, “Common sense is not so common.” Arthur Ashe said, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Wayne Gretzky said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Alex Ellie said, “Work harder than you think you did yesterday.” Newt Gingrich said, “Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.” Ann Landers said, “Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work, so most people don’t recognize them.” Robert Heinlein said, “Progress isn’t made by early risers. It’s made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something.” George Carlin said, “May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house.” Dr. John said, “Ya never too hot, never too cold, never too young, never too old, never too skinny, never too fat, never too dis, never too dat, ya just where ya are and dat’s where it’s at.” We can also learn that plateaus are the highest form of flattery and all kinds of interesting things.

Sometimes people with birthdays in December are expected to use their birthday money to buy Christmas presents for other people. That may not be the case for Skyline fourth graders Levi Hall and Westin Nava who both celebrate on December 10th. Felix’s Aunt Kai Parsons has her birthday on the 11th. The 12th is for Blaine Denlow’s great grandmother, Ilene Woods. She shares the day with The General’s fair daughter, Loretta Upshaw. Kennedy Hinote is in the seventh grade with a birthday on December 13th. The 14th is for famed photographer, Shannon Alexander, and for the famous musician and band leader, Spike Jones, who was born in 1911. He made music with slide whistles, and cow bells, and he could gargle a good tune. However you go about singing that “Happy Birthday” song, sing it with gusto to show your dear ones and friends how much they are appreciated.

Christmas songs were being practiced at the Vanzant Jam back before Thanksgiving. That holly jolly weekly event happens on Thursdays with a potluck supper at 6:00 and music starting at 7:00. Everyone is welcome. The music circle varies in size but is always full of good cheer and the good music that is some of the good medicine that helps us be optimistic Champions—Looking on the Bright Side!

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