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 is a set set up Florida that crafted a twelve-foot-superior monument in the center of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone really need to do that?
Effectively, to start with, heroes are challenging to research on this position in Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland - Wausau, household of fewer than 500 folks in the course of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero to put it mildly? Nobody else places the possum which has a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, past 1982, Wausau obtained fed up with remaining ignored from the Florida lists of enjoyment, fairs and festivals. Each devote Florida wants a Competition. Rather than just one dedicate Florida features a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you've got by no means attended Washington County, you probably will Consider I am generating this up. When you've got been to Washington County, you may recognize - and know This is a true Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some pretty effective possum politicians over the early '80s. Here are two things they achieved:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the initial Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led on the setting up with the monument along Point out Highway 77 in Wausau.
They even acquired The usa Congress to market place the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by delivering the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau may have a place to carry its yearly Pleasurable Working day and Possum Pageant. Showcasing a queen contest and possum check here auction, amid other issues, the Pageant appeals to a lot of folks Each and every and annually, in addition they adore it.
Time out for a great deal of educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is the same lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use 7 letters when six will probably do?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and reveals its hideous human body only at night. This is exactly why, When you are within correct position in Florida, you could listen to possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', so it truly is not so tough to hook (or shoot) one.
An inscription to the monument in the course of Wausau cites the possum's job in supplying 'equally fur and food stuff' throughout the generations. It goes to say: 'Their presence below has presented a source of nutritious and flavorful foods in usual instances and consists of been a significant enable to human survival throughout instances of distress and significant need to have.'
Giggle in the event you'd desire. The folks of Wausau will giggle along with you - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.