Champion News

It has been an eventful week all over the northern hemisphere. The aurora borealis wowed about half of the world. It was spectacular here in Edinburgh, Scotland. For those of us who had never seen it, all expectations were beautifully met. Then Saturday found an enormous comet making its closest pass by Earth. They say it should be visible through the end of the month clear skies permitting, a fuzzy circle with a long tail streaming behind it. Somebody on the news will tell us where to look.

Plans had been to send postcards from Scotland to many friends and family, but we find that a postcard costs $.44, but it costs $3.67 to mail it to the US, so they might get hand delivered or mailed from home. The Royal Mail has been privatized over here, which has made it less efficient and more expensive. We hope that never happens to our great USPS. Thank your rural carrier and leave a treat in the mailbox every now and then.

Darcy Upshaw Cecil, down from Boise, Idaho, looked up to see Trevor Richardson in his paraglider coming in for a landing at the Vanzant Jam on Thursday. The General reported that flight time is 42 minutes from Norwood to the Vanzant Air Strip. While in the neighborhood Darcy took a drive up County Road 153 for some sightseeing. The Quarter Mile Racetrack is up that way, commemorating her Alsup ancestors. Meanwhile, the whole Alsup, Ousley, Livingston gang, numbering fourteen, were together for another family reunion, this year sadly missing, Karen Fae Upshaw Krider who passed away on October 6th. Her place in the Champion community can never be filled. She was a kind, gracious good soul, mother of a big loving family and dear friend to many.

The second wave of linemen from our wonderful White River Valley Electric Cooperative that were sent to assist in restoration efforts from Helene are still hard at work. Crews are still facing many hours of work because many of the repairs that remain are individualized; crews may work for hours on one repair and that repair may only bring power back to one member. The White River folks say, “As they face these challenges, we can’t help but think back to the summer storms of 2023 when our members were without power for several days. By day four, it seemed like eons they had been in the dark. These Cooperative members are on day 17 of now power due to the destruction. We ask our members to keep all these Cooperative family members in their thoughts as they deal with the reality that is their situation.”

Birthdays to celebrate include those of Darlene Connor and Champion grandson Carson Cline on the 18th. We remember Anna Henson on the 21st. The 22nd is for Donna Moskaly and for Skyline first grader London Coon. His lovely Aunt Eva Clark had her big day back on the 14th. Another Champion grandchild, Esther Grace Ogelsby, has her big day on the 23rd. The 24th is for Skyline fourth grader Grant Strong and for Champion Breauna Krider. We always celebrate songwriter Roger Miller on the 25th. He was born in 1936 and passed away in 1992. He gave us a lot of good music. Another great musician we have been remembering is John Prine, who lived from October 10, 1946 – April 7, 2020. He was known for his signature blend of humorous lyrics about love, life, and current events, often with elements of social commentary and satire, as well as sweet songs and melancholy ballads. Then we think of Waylon Jennings who said, “I’m just a man, no more or no less. Bad as the worst, good as the best.”

Sarah Harden shared photographs of the Champion Trail Ride, while we do not have the names of the riders and their horses or where they hail from, we know they had a great time in and out of Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

 

Travelers to distant places are blessed with the option of not being engaged with the rancorous politics of their homeland, having their minds made up already. Yet, the tragedies unfolding in the wake of the terrible hurricanes cannot be ignored. We will learn of heroic efforts of ordinary people and of the heartbreaking loss of so many. Loss comes with life. We have all experienced loss to some degree. Champions are feeling it now with the passing of a dear friend and neighbor.

Champions in Skyline R-2 School’s 5K Run/Walk were Kash Hurt, Ava Hurt, and Elaina Homer in first, second and third place in the 11 and under division. In the 12-17 division Ray Hurt took first and Evan Homer second. Rowdy Woods was first place in the adult division. Rowdy, a Skyline alumnus, during his first year of high school attended the Fun Run and was overheard offering encouragement to eighth graders saying they were going to love high school. Encouragement is a gift! Thanks, Rowdy. More fun will happen at Skyline’s Fall Carnival happening Friday October 11th. It will start with dinner at 5:00 and activities at 6:00 with food, games a bounce house and prizes. Come support one of the two little rural schools left in Douglas County. This sterling little outfit is preparing the leaders of tomorrow—those people who will be running the government, the banks, the hospitals and all the important things that make America tick!

Bud Hutchison’s Memorial Trail Ride happens Wednesday, heading up in Champion about 10:00 a.m. They will make a wide loop and return to the wide veranda in the afternoon for refreshment and good stories. Perhaps someone will recall the one about Bud backing his mare up to the church building and flanking her. She kicked the building with both hid feet during the church service. There are many stories about that good man. Those of us who only wish we could saddle up and ride look forward to the report and hope that it is a joyful amble with no bad dogs and plenty of water for the hot, dry trail.

Visiting Texans were delighted with the Pioneer Heritage Festival saying, “The jam session was delightful and the lunch fare delicious. Vendors were sharing demonstrations of their craft and wares for purchase at each stall. Who doesn’t need a pretty shawl made right while you watch the maker create other things? And the brooms – I want one of each!” We will challenge those Texans or anyone to answer this riddle: “If Hanna’s daughter is my daughter’s mother, what am I to Hanna?” Send your answer to The Champion News, Rt. 72 Box 367, Norwood, MO 65717 and expect a prize for the earliest post marked correct answer. Not that we know what it is. That is why we are asking you. The prize will be some little treasure from Scotland to be awarded sometime in November.

Bluegrass promoter, Timothy Tamburino and his faithful companion, Sarah, passed through Champion last week, pausing for a little while to hear the Sometime Porch band. They were on their way to an adventure that has taken them all the way to New Mexico. The General reports that Thursday’s jam at Vanzant was great. He said there were listeners from Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida. Meanwhile, over here in Scotland jams happen often. Many music venues in Edinburg have ‘open sessions’ where patrons are welcomed and encouraged to share a song or a poem. Many have house instruments, guitars and pianos, just for the use of any aspiring musician or one who used to be or one who is away from home. Music seems to be the universal language. We remember the great Kris Kristofferson who said, “Tell the truth. Sing with passion. Work with laughter. Love with heart. ‘Cause that’s all that matters in the end.” In the truest sense a Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

 

HOBA fun started on Thursday over in West Plains and the jamming went on until after midnight. The festival went on through the weekend with Tacie and the Sunshine Band reporting that their first time attending was awesome. “The festival grounds and the atmosphere are wonderful! We enjoyed visiting with old friends and meeting so many new ones. Thanks to the HOBA gang for having us out.” The Greenland Station Bluegrass Band echoed the sentiment. “We got to join an incredible lineup of bands in a beautiful venue with a fantastic audience.”

Friday’s fun at the open house event for the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department included a special appreciation award from Danny Maggard and Brian McFarland with the Douglas County EMA Office. For members who were not able to attend, the internet is full of photos and videos of the event. The splendid new building was full of fire department members enjoying each other’s company, some great food and the satisfaction of knowing our vital volunteers are working in a much-improved facility. There is space for training and hopes are that some of the many new folks to the area will join in the good work of protecting the whole community.

Carol Green the “C” in the lovely trio called “TLC” has her birthday on the 6th of October. Betty Dye, past president of the Ladies Auxiliary, celebrates her birthday on the 7th. Theresa Toast, who gives us important information during bad weather, shares her birthday with Skyline kindergarten student Preslee Trujillo. Champion grandniece, Madelyn Ward celebrates on the 10th. The 11th is for newcomer Steve Conner, and the 12th is for Janet Chapin and the late Evelyn Woods Carol who used to live on Cold Springs Road. Champion Leslie Krider, Skyline fifth grader Evan Homer and third grader Tinsleigh Miller all party on the 14th. Up on C Highway, Joe Moskaly will be partying on the 15th. Happy birthday to all of you.

It happens that both Colorado and Georgia have Douglas Counties. To get to the one in Georgia one might leave the HOBA festival and wind down through Arkansas, then try to skirt Memphis to get on some rough roads in Mississippi. Do this in some moderate to torrential rain with various vehicles hydroplaning off into deep ditches. Cross over into Alabama for beautiful road conditions. The road surfaces are wonderfully smooth and the right of ways perfectly manicured. The welcome center in Georgia is enormous and well appointed. A brochure in the entryway there details the many features of Douglas County including a Butterfly Trail. It may be that Colorado’s Douglas County has a butterfly trail as well. That calls for another adventure. This adventure, all the way to Atlanta, has Booger County residents hesitant to wear their KC Chiefs gear, their team having recently trounced the Falcons. Chief’s fans are delighted that the team is undefeated so far. It is a dangerous hard-hitting game with frequent injuries. With luck players can recover quickly.

How the country will recover from the ‘biblical’ devastation of Helene is to be seen. Often in the past we have observed that catastrophic events draw people together and bring out the most compassionate and helpful parts of us. Our hearts go out to all those suffering and we do not take for granted our good fortune in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

 

Autumn has arrived right on schedule. Sudden hard rains Sunday evening washed the dust off our lush green spring growth. Persimmons are about to ripen and walnut trees that have not borne fruit in years are heavy-laden and breaking limbs. Squirrels are busy gathering those ankle breakers and the Hammons people will be buying them starting October 7th. Meanwhile, deer will be feasting on the persimmons that Grannie did not pick to make a nice green persimmon pie for some unsuspecting newcomer.

Not all the 500 students attending The Future Farmers of America Greenhand Leadership Conference on Tuesday were in the Mountain Grove Pharmacy that afternoon eating ice cream, but it was standing room only. A sea of smiles and blue jackets. There were 27 chapters of the FFA represented and many of them were in the drug store. It is heartening to see the young people who are getting ready to feed the country before long. Thank you in advance!

The brand-new Skyline Firehouse got its start back in 2020 with a grant from the Central Ozarks Council of Governments and a Community Development Block Grant from the Feds and HUD. There is to be an Open House celebrating its completion starting at 4:00 p.m. Saturday the 28th. It is a big red beauty. The Skyline VFD has long needed this upgrade, and hopes are the facility will encourage new volunteers. All our first responder volunteer firefighters have worked to make this happen and have worked protecting our lives and property, some of them for decades. Thank you for your dedication and service, and Party On! Many remember all the years of the pre-pandemic Skyline Picnics. The new firehose sits about where the old bingo parlor stood. In its last years, it barely stood, but those games—bingo, ring toss, dime toss, silent auction, duck pond, archery, bounce house, cake walk, etc. made for great community fun. The cook shack was legendary for the good food and there was always topnotch entertainment down on the stage. Local merchants were generous with donations for door prizes. The picnic was much more than a fund raiser for the VFD, it was a community gathering where seldom seen friends could reunite and catch up. The stage and cook shack are still there. We will see what happens in years to come.

We remember the old days of Dale and Betty Thomas down at ‘the end of the world’ in Yates with the Pioneer Descendant’s Gathering. Those were some good times. We are enjoying more good times with the 7th annual Pioneer Heritage Festival of the Ozarks on October 4th and 5th. Sherry Bennett does an outstanding job of rounding up young musicians for the Youth Talent Show. She is right in the middle of music all over the place and is much appreciated for her efforts. Just the other night when the sheriff was struggling his way through “The Folsom Prison Blues” at the Vanzant Jam, she came to the rescue with the lyrics on her tablet. The sheriff and the road commissioner stopped in to explain the Local Use Tax that will appear on the November ballot. It’s not an additional tax, but an accounting issue that will return to Douglas County a portion of the sales taxes paid on internet purchases and Wal-Mart pickup. That money will come back to Douglas County from the state to be allocated to the general revenue fund, the county road departments and the sheriff’s office.

This is an exciting time of the year with so much going on. Baker Creek folks over by Mansfield invite you to celebrate the harvest and autumn at their farm and pioneer Village on October 6th and 7th. This has grown into an enormous event during recent years.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers in each age division of the 5K Run and Walk at Skyline School on Saturday, October 5th. Free registration starts at 8, and the race starts at 9. All ages are welcome, including great-grandmothers of Skyline students. On October 1st, sixth grader Myson Loveless shares his birthday with the Prominent Champion who is annually reminded: “If you act like you are having a good time, soon you will forget you are acting, and you will really be having a good time!” That is also the big day for Champion Jana Brixey and the day we remember Pete Mullens. Mahatma Gandhi was born October 2, 1869. William Tucker Clark was born on that day in 2015. His grandpa Gary will celebrate on the 3rd as will fifth grader Evan Homer. The 4th of October is the special day for sisters Karen Fae Upshaw Krider and Linda Kaye Upshaw Johnston, special Champions. President Jimmy Carter was born October 1st, 1924. He is about to be 100 years old. He and Rosalynn were married for more than 77 years.

Bud Hutchison’s Memorial Trail ride will take out of Champion on Wednesday, October 9th. Riders who never had the chance to meet Bud will hear the great stories about him that go way back. Lots of ice cream will be enjoyed and epic yarns will be spun on the wide veranda of the Historic Emporium at the end of the trail in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

 

The fall festival season is officially open according to “Ozarks Alive!” All kinds of things are going on. The Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival has happened and the HOBA festival will start in West Plains on the 26th. Studebaker Bob Berry won a trophy at the Southern Cruisers Car Show on Saturday, reported by and photographed by Mary Goolsby who has a Studebaker of her own, a top-of-the-line 1963 Lark. The Mountain Grove square was full of beautifully restored classics and a few old rust buckets, all with their hoods up and many with old guys standing around pointing at points of interest, harkening back to their own experiences with various vintage rigs.

Bob and Mary are frequent attendees at Thursday’s Vanzant Jam where there will be only one more such gathering this month. The 40th Annual Fall Bluegrass Festival will start in West Plains on Thursday the 26th, so the Vanzant Jam will pick up again on October 3rd. Several of the regular Vanzant musicians will be featured on stage there, and many of the regular pot-luck attendees will be in the audience at the HOBA (Heart of the Ozarks Bluegrass Association) Park at 900 Bluegrass Lane on the south side of town. There will be toe tapping and pleasant reunions among bluegrass friends and fans.

The America’s Cup parking lot “Helping the Heroes” benefit for Hero’s Rest was lively with some booming gospel music and good food. Maybe all over the country neighborhoods step up to support their local good causes like Champions—like good citizens, good neighbors. Spokesperson Carissa Rene reports: “Another successful Helping the Hero’s event is in the books! The second annual Helping the Hero’s fundraiser was held last Saturday at The American Cup. Once again, numerous businesses sponsored prizes and locals bought raffle tickets to support Hero’s Rest and honor first responders and veterans. New this year was an opening prayer from Pastor Terry Ramming, live gospel music by The Batchelor Family, and BBQ by Sheriff Sonny Byerly! Together, $3,803 was raised for Hero’s Rest! We are grateful for each and every one of you who bought tickets, donated, and volunteered to put on this event. A huge thank you to Dennis Martin for organizing this event two years in a row and also to Pam Martin for coming out to serve up the delicious BBQ’s”

September 16th has Mexico celebrating independence from Spain since 1810. The 17th is September’s full Harvest Moon. We remember Louise Hutchison on her birthday on the 21st. Champion granddaughter Zoey Louise and great niece Penelope were both born on Louise’s birthday. The 22nd marks astronomical autumn—the autumnal equinox. “Searching for Booger County” author Sandy Chapin has the 24th for his big day. Graeme Laird over in Edinburgh will enjoy a pint on the 26th. Cathy Reilly will party on the 26th and we remember Lucile Gayman on the 29th. The 29th is the big day for Becky Heston down in Austin, Texas and for Skyline sixth grader Melanie Hall. Prekindergartner Jaxson McIntosh will celebrate his birthday on the 30th. Happy Birthday to all of you.

Cathy Alsup Reilly was able to correct The General, saying that it was Mike Reilly and not Mickey who had stated that hummingbirds leave these parts on September 15th. The General said, “At 0712 this morning 23 hummingbirds bid farewell to the Vanzant metropolis and, flying in V formation, circled the city and flew off in a southwesterly direction. The rear guard of five departed precisely 47 seconds later. If I deciphered their flight plans correctly, their eta at Del Rio, TX will be around midnight on 19 Sep.” Cathy said, “Our hummingbirds are still here and if they are like past years, they will still be around a few more days. Even though I have placed a calendar out for them apparently these KY hummingbirds can’t read. They’ll probably even fly north when they do.”

Playing sports, like playing music, has long-term, far-reaching benefits for young people. Local Bears, Panthers, Pirates, Lions, Tigers and Eagles are finding themselves in the papers. Scrapbooks are being filled with the heroic exploits of our local athletes. There is no glory in defeating a weak opponent. Certainly, the first two games of the Kansas City Chiefs have been very close exciting competitions. Heart rates increased dramatically among some who struggled to stay in their chairs during the recent mêlée with the Bengals broadcast on their televisions. They will be tuned in to NBC at 7:20 PM on Sunday the 22nd to see how they do in Atlanta. In these tumultuous and unsettling times, sport offers some diversion and respite for Old Champions—Looking on the Bright Side!

 

Some gardens are winding down and some are just getting going. The fall garden is a joy to behold in downtown Champion, replete with zinnias. Visitors from Mississippi were out playing horseshoes by the garden and photographing all the local sites. They are the parents of a young woman who has recently married a young man from Norwood. It turns out he has lots of kinfolks in this part of Booger County. The couple have settled over near Vanzant and hopes are they will be joining the jam on Thursday evenings. She has picked up her guitar again after having neglected it while attending college. The General persuaded her to play his while he went off for a candy bar. She strummed a few chords and thinks it will be nice to sit on her porch in the evening with her guitar, a smaller version. If her singing voice is anything like her mother’s, Vanzant will be much enhanced. Her parents and young nephew were headed back to Mississippi Thursday, but plan to be back often. Her dad thinks he might join the B Group for morning coffee at the Junction Store, formerly known as The Boated Goat.

Skyline’s Second Saturday Swap meet happens again on the 14th—the last one of an eventful summer. We thank the instigators, Helen Batten and others, for putting this together for the community. The Brushy Knob Church at the corner of Highway C and 76 has shared its parking lot for the event. Thanks. Garden produce, baked goods, crafts, kittens, puppies, goats and other critters and variety of fowl have made it well worth the trip out. Meet friends and neighbors there.

Ellie Strong is a second-grade student at Skyline. Her birthday is on the 14th. First grader Jackson Johnson will enjoy the 17th for his big day and another first grader, Bailey Kilgore will have the 18th. Skyline alumnus, Tanna Krider Wiseman celebrates on the 13th. She has recently solicited gallon pickle jars for the purpose of making Fire Cider. She says it is supposed to help with chest congestion and head colds for the winter. It has jalapenos, orange and lemon, apple cider vinegar and herbs. We will hope not to need it but we will be interested to hear how it works. On the 15th we remember Elmer Banks. He moved here in 1997, but before long knew the history and pedigree of many of the locals and all his neighbors. He was a gregarious interesting fellow. Another gregarious, interesting, fun-loving individual shares that day—Pat Kim Smith. She has many sterling attributes now including line dancing. Her sweetheart may give her a ride in his new pickup—a Dodge, bought on his own birthday back on the 29th of August. Patrick Mahomes was 28 on September 17th, 2023. Now he will be 29 and will continue to be our Chiefs’ superhero. Donald Krider grew up in these parts and has deep family ties here. He lives up around Peoria, Illinois and celebrates his birthday on the 18th.

Linda and Charlene are having another great sale there in Norwood on Friday and Saturday. Charlene has added to her inventory some great recent finds and Linda continues to divest herself of treasures. It seems that we cannot help but accumulate things. It is nice to pass them on. Enjoy.

The American Cup folks in Mountain Grove are hosting a fundraising event for Hero’s Rest. It is the first ever U.S. retreat center dedicated to serving first responders. It is located right here in Champion. The fund raiser is happening on Saturday the 14th with music, barbecue, some great gun raffles and the chance to support the people who support us when we need it most.

With all the political excitement going on it is good to look back at our nation’s beginnings: “Government is instituted for the common good: for the protection, safety, prosperity and happiness of the people and not for the profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class of men.” John Adams said that. He was born October 30,1735 and died July 4,1826. He has been gone a long time now but his words still make him a real Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!

Champion School Dec. 15, 1915 Someone has numbered the photos and the names on the back of the photo are: 1. Oscar Krider, 2. Ella Coonts, 3. Alvin Hutchinson, 4. Eva. Hutchinson, 5. John Roads, 6. Lillia Riley, 7. Ethel Irvin, 8. Edd Sutherland or Switland??, 9. Mabel Proctor, 10. Lena Roads, 11. Glads Roads, 12. Allis Irvin, 13. Bullie? Irvin, 14. Lola Hutchinson, 15. Ople Lofton, 16. Carl? Riley, 17. Elis Suthland?, 18. Felda Proctor, 19. Floid Hancock, 20.0ple Coonts. Teacher: Ella Goodman

Excerpted from “Champion school Memories” published in 1985: “In the fall of 1892, the school board met and drew up specifications for a new schoolhouse and advertised the same for bids.” “The last day of school held at Champion was on April 24, 1959.” There are a few Champion students yet, and a few of them will rendezvous for a reunion. Last year there were five attending, but there are others scattered around the country. The Historic Emporium was full of descendants, friends and neighbors all celebrating this exceptional little spot on the map with such a rich history. Everyone is welcome to the celebration. There is a potluck luncheon at noon and plenty of visiting before and afterward. We hope to see you there, Saturday, August 31st.

The 34th Champion School Reunion was held on September 2, 2018. Scrolling through the photos there you may see Richard and Kaye Johnston, Robert and Connie Brown and Paul Brown, Harold and Eva Phillips, J.R. and Janet Johnston, Wilma Hutchison, Royce and Jody Henson, Wayne and Frances Sutherland, Laine Sutherland, Tanna, Kalyssa and Foster Wiseman, Fae Krider, Robert Upshaw, Dean Brixey, Beverly Keller Dooms, David and Irene Dooms and many others. It is a joy to see their faces and smiles again if only on the computer screen. Many are missed and good memories of them reside with the rest of us.

From “Champion School Memories” again: “In 1955, eight school districts were reorganized and the Skyline R-2 School District was formed…Black Oak Flat, Pea Vine, Pine Park, Stoney Point, Cold Springs, Brushy Knob, Denlow, and St. James.” In 1959, Champion, Fielden, East Fairview, East Dogwood, Diamond and Vera Cruz were consolidated into the Skyline district. Skyline is still going strong with more than 90 students, preschool to the 8th grade, and some recent significant upgrades on the campus. There is new flooring in the cafeteria, front hallways, library and offices. The front hallways have all been painted to match school colors. The roof is being completely replaced by West Plains Roofing. The front bathrooms are being remodeled. To be thanked are Tyler Williams for flooring, Brooks Williams, Candace Mayberry and Erica Sudderth for painting and updating. It is a bright and beautiful place doing important necessary work. Thanks! One of only two rural schools left in Douglas County, the importance of this vital institution to the community cannot be overstated.

Thanks too to the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department for looking out for our health and safety! They were just granted an award of $2,530 and used the funds to purchase battery-powered tools, including a chainsaw, Sawzall, and glass cutter, to enhance their extrication and forcible entry capabilities. The department expresses its gratitude to Jessica Miller and the FFAM family for their support in acquiring these game-changing tools. The new firehouse is beautiful, and we will be looking forward to an open house celebration soon!

Back on August 21st Skyline VFD Lieutenant Terrell Johnson had a birthday. Champion grandson Drayson Cline had one on the 23rd and his uncle Dakota Watts had one on the 24th. Skyline fifth grader Lauren Collins shares her birthday with Barbara Krider on the 25th. Barbara lives in Illinois near Rita Krider whose birthday is on the 26th. Felix the Farmer’s dad also celebrates that day. Skyline first grade student Mia Truillo’s birthday is on the 27th. Bill (Wes) Smith, Minnie Jo Henson and Steve Moody all have birthdays on the 29th. Fifth grader Brantley Kilgore, kindergartener Chaseton Shelton and fourth grader Jason Smith all celebrate that day too. Laine Sutherland and Wayne Anderson have both passed away, but they are well remembered and missed on their birthdays on the 30th. Kalyssa Wiseman, Jenna Brixey and Skyline eighth-grader Aiden Ray Hurt all celebrate on the 31st. Skyline R-2 School staff Sarah Goss and Carolyn Willhite had birthdays on the 13th and the 23rd. Happy birthday to all of you. We acknowledge and appreciate you.

Pulled pork and baked beans and other delights were the Wednesday treats celebrating a political victory and optimism in Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!