Tuesday still had people talking about the severe weather in the area during the previous week. Out in the foyer of the Town and Country Supermarket one gentleman said he and his wife were feeling very lucky not to have lost the enormous walnut tree hanging over their house. He said they have a deck to enjoy but the squirrels like to sit high in the trees hulling their walnuts, dropping the trash down on them as they try to relax. From there he shared his recipe for squirrel. He said to clean it and part it out, roll it in flour and put it in a skillet with about ‘this much’ water (he used his fingers to represent about two inches) put it on the stove slow and it makes its own gravy. He smiled in a way that smacked of reminiscence and expectation. He said he had eaten raccoons and rabbits but had never tried groundhog. Someone else said when her Mother asked, “What’s for supper?” she would say, “Cold coon and collards.”
           Skyline’s Archery coach, Melissa Willhite, (Happy Birthday, Melissa, on the 30th) reported that her students, 5th grader Chase Cauthron, 6th grader Railynn Dixon and 7th grader Paige Jonas used their spring break to compete at the 2025 Missouri National Archery Championship at the Branson Convention Center. She thanked the many local sponsors of the Skyline Archery Program whose contribution to the success of these archers is invaluable. Melissa said through their level of achievement, “they gained a wealth of experience, fun and drive to make lasting memories to pass on to their families.”
            Linda Clark shared some good information about a couple of good guys. They are Gene Clark, her charming husband, and Tommy Roberts. Those gentlemen were up in Jeff City at the Capitol being honored on the floor of the House of Representatives for their service with the VFW. Tommy was also honored for being a veteran of the Vietnam War. They received framed citations, had their pictures taken with dignitaries, and enjoyed touring the capitol building, with all its statuary and beautiful ceilings. Veterans are well represented in Ava. The mission of the Veterans of Foreign Wars is to foster camaraderie among Veterans of overseas conflicts, serve Veterans, the military, and communities, and advocate on behalf of all Veterans, ensuring they are respected, receive their earned entitlements, and are recognized for their sacrifices. (The Champion News always capitalizes the words ‘Veteran’ and ‘Mother.’ It is our policy.)
            A Champion writes that lilacs are blooming up on Tar Button Road. She says the nights are above 55 degrees. She still has not seen May apples but thinks a little rain will bring them out. All this comes with a picture she shared of her first morrell. It is tiny, so she will just watch it for a while. “It’s starting!” she says about Spring. Sunday’s rain was most welcome, though some folks got more hail than they would have liked. Gardens are calling.
           Tom Peters posts that Monday’s jam at McClurg had fourteen musicians and forty folks (people) total. A Kansas City visitor that Tom had not seen in a long time was wearing a Rosedale t-shirt had him craving Kansas City barbeque. He is supporting the Benefit Fish Fry for Jeff and Rachel Barry and their children which will happen at St. Leo’s Catholic Church on April 11th. Spread the word. Tom had shared a video of Glen Dale Robertson playing “Battle Hymn of the Republic on his banjo at the Oldfield Opry. It was a splendid rendition of a good patriotic song, which brought politics to mind. If one were to ask an Old Champion’s Mother about how to go about fixing the messy unwieldy politic of these current days, she would probably say, “It would be sort of like putting a sidesaddle on a hog, but it probably could be done if you were acting like you had good sense.” She would suggest a good read of the First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise therof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceable to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” We are reminded that April Fool’s Day is all about fun. Look for reports of pranks next week. Fun is what we are all about in Champion–Looking on the Bright Side!

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