Champion News

Pictures of the big full Hunters’ moon and the T-Atlas Comet from all over the world remind us that we are all living here together, that closeness has not all that much to do with geography. To quote Monty Python, “Just remember that we’re standing on a planet that’s evolving and revolving at 900 miles an hour!” He goes on to say things about our galaxy and the universe that give us a good perspective on our own tiny little spot in it.

The report is that it was a beautiful day at Vera Cruz for the celebration of the life of Chris Tharp—a sunny warm day with many old friends sharing good memories of a good friend. Among his many talents was storytelling and a gathering at the creek was just the place for it. A friend writes, “Through the fog this morning the forest below the glades just seems to be a bit empty.”

The Skyline VFD and the Eastern Douglas County VFD caution against burning. They say chances for showers are on the horizon and we hope they materialize. Today in Edinburgh we had 53 degrees with a sustained wind of 20 miles an hour with gusts up to 60 miles an hour with intermittent rain and sunshine, often simultaneously. We hear the wind is strong in Booger County too and we hope everyone is being prudent. The woods are full of fuel from our wonderfully wet spring.

Felix the Farmer is getting postcards from Scotland and reading them to his old grandfather. He has probably been busy doing those garden chores that make it a productive patch year-round. If his energy could be harnessed and duplicated to share with old folks, the way he is willing to share his beautiful garlic, their gardens might be as beautiful as his.

There will be an auction, supper and concert at the Sharry Lovan Benefit at the First General Baptist church in Willow Springs on November 9th. Sharry has her hand in about every good work around, including bringing HOBA bluegrass to Cheyenne McIntosh’s great guitar classes at Skyline. Someday those kids will be in the circle at the Vanzant Jam. The therapeutic value of music cannot be overstated, particularly in these extraordinarily stressful times. Cheyenne and Sharry are keeping it going for future generations.

Brad Oglesby and Shala Clark have birthdays on the 26th of October. That is also the day we remember Champion Harley Krider. Skyline 4th grader and prekindergarten student John Sudderth both celebrate on the 28th. Addison Burns is an 8th grader at Skyline. His birthday is the 30th, also the big day for Connie Lansdown. It is a day when we remember Royce Henson who often made the ‘Walk of Ages’ to the Champion School Reunion.

Every year, the Missouri Division of Tourism recognizes one of the state’s media outlets with its Navigator Media award. According to its website, the award is “presented to a media outlet that promotes tourism in Missouri and its importance to the state’s economy.” This year, Kaitlyn McConnell and Ozarks Alive were chosen for this honor. Kaitlyn is a frequent welcome visitor down at the Historic Emporium on the wide, wooly banks of Auld Fox Creek, often bringing a pie, and always shining a bright light on Champion—Looking on the Bright Side!