Champion News

 

Two weeks ahead of Christmas the excitement is building. School programs fill parent hearts with sweet satisfaction. Fantastic yard decorations in town and out on highways and, even on long dirt roads, light us up to the joy of the season. Big family gatherings with family traditions and solitary individuals, remembering old times and perhaps feeling blue about it, pass the same day. Telephone calls can ease that longing. Lonely hearts are urged not to wait for the call, but to make it. Meanwhile, much of humanity is suffering and the urge to help mixes with gratitude for our own wellbeing, making for a sweet and sad season. We say, “Happy New Year,” hoping for the best.

Spike Jones (December 14, 1911—May 1, 1965) was an American actor, comedian, and musician who was able to combine music and laughter to lift spirits. Judy Gale Ing (December 14, 1941—May 22, 2010) photographer, photographer at an important cancer research lab, artist, pilot, writer of historic fiction, was active in the Audubon Society, completing the bird count every year. She received a National Audubon newsletter award. She was a great friend and visited Champion with her children many times. Once she floated her Subaru down Clever Creek during a big spring rain. She is a much missed, dear friend, a Champion in many ways. Another great photographer, Shannon Alexander, lives up in Springfield where he does some beautiful work making people feel beautiful. He enjoys his birthday on December 14th. He is a Champion son-in-law, husband of a Skyline alumnus. He is probably friends with Amanda Masten, who has her birthday on the 16th. That is Judy’s son Jesse Ing’s birthday too. He is a big time movie maker out in L.A. The 20th is for the lovely Mary Goolsby. She enjoys a ride to the Vanzant Jam in a Studebaker. Mary is retired from an important role in the critical air evac system.

She shares her big day with the fine fiddler, Herbie Johnston, son of the much loved and missed J.R. Johnston. Herby plays all around the area, even Grandpa’s fiddle over at the Laura Ingall Wilder place in Mansfield. The next day, the 21st, the shortest day of the year, is for Jonas Paige, a sixth grade student at Skyline. He shares his big day with another fine fiddler, Jerry Wagner, who yodels while he is Waiting for a Train. Prekindergartner Braxton Loveless celebrates on the 22nd. Fourth grader Chase Cauthron and his dad have the same birthday on the 23rd. Their neighbor, Sharon Skies, celebrates that day too. She just lives a little way down the road from her great granddaughter, cowpoke Blaine Denlow. Talented flint knapper and bow maker, Butch Stone shares the day with Sharon, Chase, and David. Christmas Day is the birthday of the lovely Joanne Anderson. She is known as Grannie Grunt to her grandchildren. Happy Birthday to all of you and Merry Christmas two wonderful weeks from now.

Champions are excited about the groundbreaking for the new Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department fire house. It has been a long time coming, and, hopefully, the enhanced facility will encourage participation by a bunch of young folks and newcomers. Champion! Looking on the Bright Side!

 

Long afternoon shadows tell us the year is winding down. In a couple of weeks, we can start observing the days getting longer by miniscule increments and before we know it, it will be June 21st after which the days will begin shortening up again. Meanwhile, every day has some unexpected beauty about it. Cloudy gray days give some housekeepers a break when the dirty windows, the dust and cobwebs hardly show up at all the way they do in a brilliant streak of sunshine. That brilliant sunshine lifts our winter spirits and lets us see deeper into the woods. New structures and old ones that we had forgotten about are revealed now that summer’s heavy foliage fills the forest floor.

Thursday’s all day drizzle with an occasional shower was welcomed by Champions who had been worried about fire and the dry summer foliage on the forest floor. The rain, what little of it there was, seemed to reduce the turnout at the Thursday Vanzant Jam, but those who were there had a good time. From a newcomer’s clear voice came a couple of murder ballads, one in first person, and from another newcomer with a beautiful voice, a melodic song that says change happens unexpectedly all the time everywhere whether you like it or not. Lyrics in a foreign language are always interesting. They could mean anything. But music speaks to all of us. We are connected deeply to our music friends. To name all those who have passed on might cause one to be left out, so we just hold on to the many songs and tunes they taught us and the memory of their voices. We still have some venerable musical treasures among us. You know who you are, and you know who they are. Music is good medicine. Good news comes from Jean’s Healthway that Jeff Barry is on his way to a great rehabilitation center in Colorado where he will get the best of care in his recovery. Ava has stepped up in a big way to help this family. It will be a long process. In a world so in need of help, knowing we cannot help everyone, we can still help someone.

Who does not relish the opportunity to straighten up, whether from stoop labor, accumulated years, or bad behavior, intentional or not? A recent straightening to The Champion News had to do with the reporting of birthdays, citing confusion in determining whether the person being celebrated on a given day is living yet or is being remembered posthumously. Living in Louisiana, Professor Zack Godshall celebrates on the 6th of December, as does Ed Bell, living in Wright County. The 7th is for the lovely Ethel Leach, with a Norwood mailing address from which she frequently sends thoughtful greeting cards, including the first Christmas card of the year. Noam Chomsky was born December 7, 1928, and is known for his work in cognitive science, among other things. Artist Chris Tharp lives in Veracruz and has his birthday on the 8th. Richard Johnston was born December 9th, 1955. He lives over around Salem these days. Skyline prekindergarten student Elizabeth Johnson has that day for her party too. Two third grade students at Skyline have their birthdays on December 10th. They are Levi Hall and Westin Nava. Felix’s aunt Kai, up in Portland, Oregon and Loretta Upshaw, The General’s fair daughter both enjoy the 11th. Sixth grader Kennedy Hinote celebrates on December 13th. We hope your birthdays are all happy and that you are blessed with friends who will help you straighten up and straighten out. Straighten up and fly right, Champions!

December 7, 1941, ushered the United States into World War II. World conditions these days seem almost as tumultuous. We live in an era with a mindset that divides–predator or prey, a grifter or mark. How about friends and neighbors who can amicably disagree? In football we see it all the time. Fierce competitors help each other up off the field and after the game, no matter who won, there is camaraderie and respect for the opposing team. There is no glory in defeating a weak opponent. Yes, it is just a game, but civility is still Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

Between Wednesdays in Champion, the days have gone from sunny, bright and warm all the way to chilly, dank and drear—from dry to a little less dry. Yard dogs are worn out from barking at the trucks and side-by-sides wearing out the country lanes in pursuit of deer. The harvest seems to have gone well. A great deal of generosity shows up during deer season, as hunters share their harvest with neighbors and with the community at large through area processors. The deer that decimated various gardens had a healthy diet that makes them tasty on gardener’s tables. Most Wednesdays find a little music, some interesting reminiscing, some outright fabrications, some genealogy and laughter around the old wood stove. Some of that kind of thing happens on other days as well.

Cheerful givers have been contributing to the “Jeff Jar” at Jean’s Healthway, in support of the Barry family, declining to take the change from their purchases. The Peace Valley Poultry folks from West Plains shared a bunch of their wonderful free range chickens and others are finding creative ways to help the family through the difficulties arising from the accident that occurred on November 8th. It feels good to be part of a community that comes together to meet the needs of a valued member.

Champion granddaughter Luxe Krider was born December 2, 2014. She is Teagan’s little sister. Captain Whetstone, David Richardson, was also born on December 2nd, but quite a few years previous. Miss Lorelai Day celebrates her big day on the 3rd. Wade will likely sing to her. We remember Lonnie Krider and his wonderful music on his birthday December 4th. The Hub’s lovely Ms. Spivey shares her birthday on the 5th with Skyline seventh grader Michael Hall and with Levi Crownover, a kindergarten student at Skyline. Dawn Henson, Champion by marriage, down in Houston, Texas, parties big on the 5th. Happy birthday to all of you.

A computer virus slowed things down for some Old Champions. That, combined with an excruciatingly slow internet, gave them time to catch up on some of the neglected projects that have been lingering for a while. If nothing else, it rekindled the notion of balance. It helps to remember the time when no one had a computer. It was also a great help to get connected with Josh Abernathy at PC Express. Some folks of a certain age now consider themselves ‘analog people in a digital world.’ We are grateful to have Josh help us navigate it. We will be delighted when the White River Connect folks connect us, maybe after the first of the year.

Neighbors living just down the road from one another may not have their paths cross very often. It is a rare and enjoyable occasion when they meet at the Historic Emporium at the end of the pavement on Fox Creek or sometimes in town at the grocery store. Such a happy meeting on Monday added to the joy of the Thanksgiving holiday as they caught up with each other’s news and shared their plans for feasting with family and friends. They agreed that they all have much to be thankful for. Twenty wild turkeys spent Thanksgiving morning browsing big open fields along Cold Springs Road, taking their time on a beautiful day. Phone calls took the place of warm hugs for some and some chose to say their blessings over leftovers with a thought toward the unknown numbers of people here and elsewhere in dire straits, hungry and displaced in these turbulent times. We mix gratitude for our own good fortune with hope for an easing of the world’s suffering. We remember Rosalynn Carter and all the good work she did just because she thought helping each other is what people are supposed to do. She was a Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

Gratitude shines on many faces in Champion.  The Prominent Champion is grateful that his chain saw is in the emergency room and not the morgue.  The Cowboy is grateful for himself.  Beverly Hutchison’s friends from over in Ozark are grateful to have had a glorious sunny day in November to go ‘four wheeling’ on their fancy ‘side by sides’ with friends on a scenic escapade through Champion going on toward Rockbridge for lunch.  First time visitors to the Bright Side seemed to find the place quaint and reminiscent of a former more convivial time.  Out on the wide veranda, The General, was also grateful for Champion, for the wide veranda, and for the Historic Emporium on which it stands, along with the merchant’s genial hospitality.  He expressed gratitude for a root-beer float and for the opportunity to get acquainted with so many of the interesting newcomers to the area.  He can usually tell them history of the piece of land they now own.  Little Stewarts, two year old Elena and six week old Benjamin will be signing up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.  Champions are grateful for children, reading, Dolly Parton, family and friends and the mild weather that has deer hunters cozy in their stands.

Reports are that deer season has been good so far.  Trophies will be mounted; freezers will fill when the processing’s done.  Many people in these parts process their own deer–a good skill to have.  “Road Hunters Beware” signs have shown up in some very rural areas.  Deer hides donated to the Veterans for wheelchair gloves and ‘Sharing the Harvest’ are good programs.  Anyone with a favorite venison jerky recipe to share can send it to champion@championnews.us or to The Champion News, Rt. 72 Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717.  Please.  Dustin says that when he is out truck driving, he buys the Teriyaki Jerky in the truck stops.  He also likes the Mongolian Jerky.  Wolf Pen Hollow’s cattle rancher and dump truck driver says the best jerky recipe left his family in a divorce.  A Tennessee Champion by marriage is said to have a good one.

Friends headed to Norwood for a bridge game almost found themselves in the middle of a parade.  Apparently, Santa and the Missus made a sashay through the town with fire trucks, floats, marching bands, and horses.  The main thoroughfare was lined with expectant onlookers.  Candy was flung among the children and a glorious day weather-wise made it one of those days they will remember when they are old folks.

Community support for the Barry family has been inspiring.  It is beautiful to see.  The Peace Valley Poultry folks stepped up immediately with solid support.  Many others are finding ways to help this precious young family.  Jason Barry has organized a GoFundMe page, raising funds to allow Jeff access to a good physical rehabilitation center, purchase a wheelchair van, pursue additional alternative treatments, cover medical bills, and assist with future unforeseen expenses that will arise while the Barry family focuses on healing.  Find all the information on the “Jean’s Heathway” Facebook page if you spend time online.  Otherwise, pop into the store on the southwest corner of the square and do what you can.  Jason says, “We have great faith that Jeff will recover, and yet this journey will be an epic one.  Let us ease the burden for this family who has dedicated so much of their life in service to others.”

“What do you have to be grateful for?”  It is a good question.  Maybe it gets asked this time of the year more than at other times.  All year, daily, we count our many blessings in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

Wednesday the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department posted a photo of the aftermath of an accident that occurred at the intersection of C Highway and 76. There were two cars—one with a damaged fender and one upside down. We later learned that it was the Barry family’s car that had been hit by a drunk driver. Rachel and their two small children were able to walk away from the crash, but Jeff was life-flighted to Springfield with a severe spinal cord injury. The other driver was taken into custody. Rachel is co-owner and operator of Jean’s Healthway which has been serving the area for many years. The Ava community, loyal customers and the staff family are stepping up to help in any way they can. Rachel says, “Things you can do–pray. Pray for my kids as they transition into change. Pray for the intoxicated driver. Pray for strength. Pray for neurogenesis.” With the whole world struggling one way or another, the chance to help anyone in any way is a gift.

Happy chance brought Tim Tamburino and Sarah to the Vanzant Jam on Thursday. They travel all over the country visiting and recording bluegrass jams for their Midwest Bluegrass Directory. They can be found on the internet highlighting groups and jams and keeping a calendar of events current. Tim is the guy in the red shirt and straw cowboy hat with all the photography and recording equipment. Sarah is the smiling support staff nearby. She is looking forward to her retirement and they are thinking about relocating to New Mexico one day. They probably have bluegrass out there, and they will have more when Tim and Sarah get there. Meanwhile, we will enjoy them while they are still in our neighborhood.

Happy (When do you ever see two newspaper paragraphs in a row start with “Happy”?) Happy Birthday to Veteran Dean Brixey on November 18th. His Dad built that rock house up on CR239 in 1941, and Dean was born in 1942. Champion Elva Ragland had her birthday on the 19th as did Seven Springs Julie January Ring in different generations. Thanksgiving Day falls this year on the birthday of the grandmother of Zack, Seamus, and Elizabeth, so she has triple reasons on top of many others to be happy and grateful. Holly Zappler up in Bethlehem, PA may party on November 24th. The 26th is for Lannie Hinote, beloved aunt and former Skyline School Teacher who has shared her teaching gift in Yukon Village, Alaska in recent years. John Webber’s grandson, Thomas Jernigan, over in Washington was two years old on the 26th in 2017. Carolyn Nunn Harvey and Skyline fourth grader Aubrey Lewis celebrate on the 27th. Aubrey is a fierce competitor in the game room at the Champion Store. Just ask the Prominent Champion. The 27th was also the birthday of Veteran W.A. Masters, born in 1914, in Frog Level, Oklahoma. He lived to be 73. He did a lot of hard work, a lot of good, and made a lot of music along the way. Any corny old country song you can think of was probably part of Uncle Al’s repertory from “The Old Knot Hole” all the way up to “The Flying Purple People Eater.” He played “Listen to the Mockingbird” on the French Harp. He and Tim Tamburino could have enjoyed each other’s company. Geoff Bartch plays harmonica and does a lovely rendition of “Amazing Grace.” His birthday is on the 28th. Christopher Boyd is in the second grade at Skyline. His birthday is the 29th. The paragraph will end as it started saying, “May all your birthdays be Happy!”

November 11th is the special day set aside to acknowledge our many Veterans who have willingly done what has been asked of them in service of our safety and security. Freedom and Democracy are ours due to their service and sacrifice. It is absolutely appropriate to recognize our Veterans every day. Thank you. Though Democracy seems kind of shaky these days, political divisiveness does not interfere with the good sense of community that keeps us Champions—Looking on the Bright Side!

 

The time change discombobulates even old folks who do not have to punch a clock on Monday mornings. Change is hard. Change is the only constant. It must be embraced even as we embrace the changes in ourselves from one birthday to the next. Bob Leach had a birthday on November 4th. He is a fan of Gene Autry and is a real cowboy himself. Ask Ethel. Skyline second grade student Elaina Homer had her birthday on November 5th. That was also the big day for Emerson Rose Ogelsby, a Champion granddaughter. Lee Richardson, of Lee’s Bees and hero luthier for the Skyline Guitar Class, was celebrated in a big way by his sweetheart. She made him three dozen breakfast tacos with Salsa Fresca and mango habanero hot sauce. Wayne Wiseman, grandfather of Champion grandchildren, Foster and Kalyssa Wiseman, had a big 90th birthday party on the 7th. Tree hugger, wood worker Bob Heffern in Champion South will be celebrated by friends and family on the 8th. Skyline fifth grader Owley Sudderth has the 12th as a day to party and seventh grader Isabella Jeffrey will enjoy the 14th for her big day. The 13th is for the multitalented Jill Sterling and the 14th for Carol Callahan Barnhart. Richard Heffern, Bob’s not very much older brother, will enjoy the 15th as the anniversary of his birth. He lives in a big town but has a cabin in the Champion woods that gives him happy respite from city noise and traffic.

Anyone looking for a definition of community need look no farther than the Eastern Douglas County Volunteer Fire Department chili supper on Saturday night. Thanks to all the volunteers who made it happen, the Vanzant Community Building bustled and bulged with good will, appreciation, great food, music, music, music, frivolous fun, fellowship, generosity, gratitude, veneration, and support for the great organization of volunteers who leave their tables, jobs, and beds to protect community lives and property. Backyard Bluegrass showed up as they routinely do for every good cause in the area. More than entertainment, they have history going all the way back to the beginning of these benefit socials. Esther Wrinkles was a big fan of the band and predicted that D.J., who was a young teenager at the time, would become a great musician. She made him strawberry rhubarb pies. She made those original coconut cream pies that brought high dollars at these benefit auctions. Area merchants and community members donated a wide variety of interesting items for the auction. Dave Ellis has auctioneering skills would be something to write home about if one could put that many syllables on paper. With humor, cunning and guileless intimidation, he drew competitive bids between people paying out of the same pocket in an evening of laughter and excitement. Teresa Wrinkles’ coconut cream pie, made from Esther’s big money recipe, sweetened the deal. It is sweet to be part of a real community that goes way back and promises to go on yet. Bravo to the EDCVFD.

A few unseasonably beautiful days in a row has Old Champion gardeners getting ready for spring, hoping to find a way to minimize the damage the deer will do next year. The deer population is surprising large. Hunting season is here, and road hunters are on the move. Gina Hollingshead reported some in her neighborhood and warns friends and neighbors to be on the lookout. She says to get license numbers if you can and report to the Conservation Department or the sheriff.

The chili supper included a salute to our Veterans. Veteran’s Day is Saturday, November 11th. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it as Armistice Day to honor the end of World War I. After World War II, the holiday was recognized as a day of tribute to the Veterans of both wars. British Commonwealth countries now call it Remembrance Day. We acknowledge all those who serve and sacrifice and those who have done so for our security and wellbeing. There will be parades and speeches for them that go along with hopes for peace and understanding the world over. Over here is the very seat of optimism—Champion! Looking on the Bright Side!

It is sad news to hear of the passing of Harley Krider. He was here from Peoria for his class reunion in September and then more recently for the funeral of his sister Vivian Floyd. He and Barbara have been coming back to Champion for the 58 years of their marriage, bringing fun with them. Recent visits had Harley spinning yarns in the store while Barbara laid waste to any Scrabble challengers there in the game room. Harley grew up here, attending the Champion School, where he and Punk (Eldridge) Hicks and Larry Wrinkles were a teenage trio that could melt a heart with their rich gospel harmonies. Arthur Porter was their teacher back then. Harley complained about having to stem gooseberries when he was a kid when he would rather have been doing something else. His many friends and family here will be reminiscing about a genuinely nice man. His dad, Oscar, had grown up around Brixey and his mother, Goldie, over on Bryant Creek at 76. They settled in Champion where they milked cows and raised a family. Both Harley and his brother Lonnie said their dad never went to town without a hymn book in his pocket. He could always find someone on the corner to sing with him. He passed the gift of music to all his children. Harley had a beautiful voice that will be much missed.

Looking back to last week: Sister Ruby of Our Lady of the Golden Slippers was fanning herself with a paper plate at the Vanzant Jam. Her habit was hot. The Gypsy was hot too, glittering and dazzling in all her finery. Ruthie came as her lovely self, as did many sensible people. At least three big black hats designated cowboys and two handsome gents sported overalls, though that is their regular attire. They were not in costume. Sherry was in costume, but she always sparkles. The gala affair featured eight guitars and at least a dozen guitar players, four mandolins, two bass fiddles, a bass guitar, a ukulele, and a fine fiddle. Bill Tackett from Caufield brought his mandolin and Jerry Tackett came over from Dora with his guitar. Notably absent were the hippies from last year. The fiddler of that pair was off on an oinking expedition. Then, there was the “boy of summer,” referring to a baseball player. All the various fastpitch teams for which he played were represented in the uniform of General Fastpitch, topped off with a stunning pink chapeau. What a way to end summer!

The General has so far not revealed his pic in the World Series. An article from “The Screwball Times” says that the U.S. Army has long recognized that gum chewing reduces stress and chewing gum has been included in combat rations since World War I. “There is little doubt that chewing gum can be a powerful stress buster. One has only to look at a tightly contested baseball game on TV to see how many players, coaches and managers are vigorously chewing bubble gum or something else to relieve their pent up tension.” When Red Barber and his contemporaries were broadcasting baseball on the radio, somehow it seemed to be a more elegant sport. Champions try to look the other way, grateful to not be so ‘up tight.’ Play ball!

Sunday’s welcome to fall that feels like winter gives some old Champions a chance to bring in the last of the garden gifts. The wonderful inch or so of rain soothes nerves about forest fires and affords people purging paper the opportunity to set the heap ablaze. They will be bundled up to do so. The Chiefs had to bundle up in Denver. It was a cold, hard difficult day for them, but their fans have faith they will be back on top when they play the Miami Dolphins over in Germany next week. People who just get their television over the air and do not get a bill for it will have to wait until after Thanksgiving to get to see their Chiefs again. Meanwhile, there will likely be football to watch several times a week.

The striving and struggle for optimism is ongoing. Exciting Halloween hoopla, baseball’s world series, college and big league football, the internet, daily work and chores, friends and family, solitaire, homework, and music practice can combine and/or alternate to keep our focus away from the horrific things going on in other parts of the world, natural and manmade. Even these many distractions cannot wholly insulate Champions who are always trying to Look on the Bright Side!