A Place in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum
A Place in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum
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There is a devote Florida that developed a twelve-foot-significant monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual wish to perform that?
Well, to start, heroes are complicated to receive using this type of put in position Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, house of underneath five hundred persons in the center of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero understandably? Nobody else puts the possum that has a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, again 1982, Wausau obtained Ill and Uninterested in getting neglected Using the Florida lists of pleasurable, fairs and festivals. Every single dedicate Florida wants a festival. Instead of one particular put set up Florida features a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have never ever attended Washington County, you almost certainly will think I am making this up. In case you have been to Washington County, you are going to comprehend - and know Here is the genuine Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, had some pretty effective possum politicians noisy . '80s. Here are a number of matters they accomplished:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the primary Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led to your developing With all the monument alongside Point out Highway 77 in Wausau.
They even bought The us Congress to market the possum. Congress joined the exciting by offering the money for website Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a location to support its yearly Enjoyable Day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other points, the Pageant draws in A large number of men and women each year, and they like it.
Day trip to get a few educating of Northerners in this article. The South's possum could be the identical lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will probably do?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and exhibits its ugly body only at night. This is why, if you are In the proper set in place Florida, you'll be able to hear possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so it will be not difficult to catch (or shoot) one.
An inscription within the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's purpose in supplying 'both fur and foods' through the entire centuries. It goes to say: 'Their presence right here has offered a source of nutritious and flavorful foodstuff in standard instances and it's been A necessary assist to human survival in periods of distress and demanding have to have.'
Chuckle if you prefer. The persons of Wausau will laugh with you - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.