A location in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
A location in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
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There's a place in position Florida that designed a 12-foot-substantial monument in the center of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone choose to do that?
Nicely, to start with, heroes are tricky to come by on this commit Florida - the Panhandle city of Wausau, household of fewer than 500 persons in the center of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero as you'll count on? No person else places the possum having a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, final 1982, Wausau bought Ill and Bored with getting neglected in the Florida lists of pleasurable, fairs and festivals. Each and every commit Florida would like a Pageant. Instead of 1 put in position Florida provides a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you've by no means attended Washington County, you most likely will Assume I'm producing this up. If you have been to Washington County, you can expect to have an understanding of - and know This may be a real Tale.
Wausau, it wound up, experienced some very effective possum politicians during the early '80s. Here are two points they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the very first Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led towards the setting up on the monument along Point out Highway 77 in Wausau.
They even acquired the United States Congress to promote the possum. Congress joined the fun by the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a place to click here carry its yearly Enjoyable Working day and Possum Pageant. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other matters, the Pageant draws in a lot of people Just about every and each year, and Additionally they love it.
Outing For several educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 will do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and displays its unattractive entire body only during the night. That is why, when you're within proper place in place Florida, you are able to listen to possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', so Will probably be not so challenging capture (or shoot) a person.
An inscription within the monument in the midst of Wausau cites the possum's part in giving 'both of those fur and meals' in the entire centuries. It goes on say: 'Their existence below has provided a supply of nutritious and flavorful foods in normal times and has been An important support to human survival in the course of instances of distress and significant need to have.'
Giggle If you would like. The people of Wausau will chuckle with you - even though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.