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 is a devote Florida that crafted a 12-foot-high monument in the center of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual may well love to do that?
Very well, to begin with, heroes are really hard to discover in just this devote Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, residence of under five hundred folks in the heart of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero to mention the minimum? Nobody else puts the possum with a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, final 1982, Wausau bought Bored with becoming disregarded Using the Florida lists of enjoyment, fairs and festivals. Each and every set in position Florida needs a Competition. Instead of one place set up Florida carries a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have not attended Washington County, you most likely will Believe I am producing this up. In case you have gone to Washington County, you'll fully grasp - and know It's a legitimate Tale.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some really potent possum politicians noisy . '80s. Allow me to share some things they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the main Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led towards the creating from your monument along Condition Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even bought The usa Congress to promote the possum. Congress joined the fun by way of supplying the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau may have a locale to keep its yearly Enjoyment Working day and Possum Pageant. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, amid other points, the Competition draws in Many people Each individual and on a yearly basis, plus they adore it.
Outing for any few educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when six will do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and reveals its unpleasant overall body only at night. That is why, when you're inside the suitable place in place Florida, you can listen to possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', so it can be straightforward sufficient to hook (or shoot) just one.
An inscription with regards to the monument in the midst of Wausau cites the possum's part in giving 'both fur and foods' all over the centuries. It goes to say: 'Their existence listed here has presented a supply of nutritious and flavorful meals in regular instances and includes been an essential support to human survival get more info in the course of times of distress and demanding have to have.'
Giggle if you want. The individuals of Wausau will chortle alongside - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.