A Place in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
A Place in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
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There's a spot in Florida that developed a twelve-foot-higher monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone ought to do that?
Well, to begin, heroes are difficult to investigate on this put set up Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, dwelling of under five hundred persons all through Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero to state the the very least? Nobody else places the possum about the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, in 1982, Wausau obtained Ill and tired of remaining overlooked during the Florida lists of enjoyable, fairs and festivals. Every single dedicate Florida requirements a Competition. And not a single devote Florida contains a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you have not attended Washington County, you most likely will think I am causeing this being up. Should you have been to Washington County, you can comprehend - and know that is a correct story.
Wausau, it ended up, had some rather impressive possum politicians inside the early '80s. Here are a pair of items they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the main Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led towards the developing While using the monument alongside Point out Highway seventy seven in Wausau.
They even received the United States click here Congress to advertise the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by supplying the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau would have a location to aid its once-a-year Fun Day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other things, the Competition appeals to Many individuals on a yearly basis, and Additionally they find it irresistible.
Outing to get a handful of educating of Northerners in this article. The South's possum could be the equivalent lowly animal you get in touch with opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will do?) It is a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and reveals its unappealing overall body only during the night. That is why, while you are inside the right place in place Florida, you may listen to possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so it is uncomplicated sufficient to capture (or shoot) just one.
An inscription over the monument in the course of Wausau cites the possum's function in furnishing 'both of those fur and food' throughout the hundreds of years. It goes on to say: 'Their presence here has provided a source of nutritious and flavorful meals in ordinary instances and possesses been an important assistance to human survival a great deal more distress and important have to have.'
Giggle If you'd like. The people today of Wausau will giggle along - though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.