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 place in place Florida that built a 12-foot-substantial monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone want to perform that?
Properly, to start with off, heroes choose time and effort to locate on this place in Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland - Wausau, property of lower than 500 folks in the center of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero as you should hope? Nobody else places the possum over a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, very last 1982, Wausau got fed up with remaining neglected With all the Florida lists of enjoyable, fairs and festivals. Every set in position Florida would like a Competition. Rather than one commit Florida contains a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you haven't long gone to Washington County, you most likely will Feel I am causeing this being up. If you have attended Washington County, you will realize - and know this can be a real Tale.
Wausau, it proved, had some rather highly effective possum politicians within the early '80s. Listed here are a pair of things they attained:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led on the constructing from your monument together Condition Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even bought The us Congress to industry the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by way of more info providing the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau would have a region to aid its annual Enjoyable Day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among other items, the festival attracts A large number of men and women yearly, moreover they like it.
Trip for some educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you phone opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will complete?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and displays its unappealing body only at night. That is why, when you find yourself Within the correct spend Florida, it is possible to listen to possum hunters' canine baying and barking. Treed by canines, the possum 'freezes', therefore it truly is easy enough to hook (or shoot) one.
An inscription on the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's function in giving 'the two fur and foods' throughout the entire generations. It goes on say: 'Their existence in this article has supplied a source of nutritious and flavorful foods in typical moments and possesses been a significant aid to human survival a lot more distress and critical require.'
Giggle If you prefer. The folks of Wausau will snicker with you - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.