We are reminded that the Red Flag warning is not an invitation to burn. An explosion of daffodils along country lanes at old home places and places where people have not lived in generations brightens any day tripper’s day. Exploring some of Douglas County’s four hundred miles of dirt road is a sweet springtime pastime. The question begs: should one pick up the litter coming out of the window the truck up ahead and follow the truck to return it? Probably not. We want to say, “Trash litters.” And we expect to hear, “Who you callin’ trash?” Then there is the bright blue beer can that has been on the side of the road since last summer that a Champion drives by on every outing. It has become a landmark and has maintained its bright blueness through the election day flood and two snowstorms.
          Ten archers from Norwood will be going to the State Level Archery Competition in Branson during March 19-22. Their sponsor and coach is Jana Barnes-Brixey. Jacob Brixey scored 291 in 3D for first place in the Marionville tournament and is one of those going to State. Chase Cauthron, a Skyline 5th grade student, has qualified for state level for both the Elementary and 3D divisions. For the Middle School level: 6th grader Raiylnn Dixon has qualified for both the bullseye and 3D divisions at the state level and 7th grader, Paige Jonas, has qualified for the bullseye state level division. Melissa Willhite oversees the program at Skyline. She says the 24-25 Archery Team consists of two levels” Elementary and Middle school. “Our Elementary individual level students are 5th Graders: Evan Homer, Chase Cauthron, Lauren Collins, Paxton Elgie, RyAnne Harvey, Brantley Kilgore, Jaxton Harley, and Aubrey Lewis. Our Middle School individual level students are 6th Graders: Railyn Dixon, Ely Young, Serenity Merryman, Tucker Johnson. 7th Graders: Paige Jonas, Morgan Johnson, Kennedy Hinote, 8th Graders: Jordan Ellingsworth, Isabella Peters. Archery, like music, teaches the life lesson that focus and practice move a body forward toward whatever goal one has in mind.
           Ilene Woods and Elaine West Woodward made a rugged four-mile hike at the Bryant Creek State Park on Friday. It was sunny and 70 degrees. That same day, Calvin Chambers and fourteen other riders rode 10,9 miles on the NTR at the North Fork River Ranch. These beautiful days have even sedentary senior citizens strolling about in the evenings after supper. The time change is not a problem for old folks who do not have to rush off to work on Monday morning. This Monday afternoon Kathy Love’s letter to the editor in the Heral with questions for our congressman was a treat to read. Kathy is part of the Voters for Positive Action out of Rolla. She asks good questions. Champions appreciate Thomas Peters for sharing the McClurg Jam online as it happens. This Monday evening, we heard a rendition of “Monkey in a Dog Cart,” which was requested by Festus. Other tunes were “Tat’s Earl,” “Oyster Girl,” and “Down Home Waltz,” where we saw Ruby Adams and Stephen Assenmacher cutting the rug with gusto. Tom is writing a biography of Red Foley who wrote may good songs including “Too Old to Cut the Mustard.” Tom’s visits to Champion are always welcome.
             The pie supper to support the Vanzant Community Building is coming up on March 22nd. The doors will ope at 5 m for pulled pork and other good things and the auction will begin at 6p;m. Pie supper auctions have proven to be our communities’ favorite way to support our communities. The long history of goodness that has come out of that building is one that needs to carry on. We need a place to vote, to congregate, to celebrate, to come together to help each other, to make music and have fun. Vanzant–sister city to Champion–Looking on the Bright Side!

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