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 set in position Florida that constructed a twelve-foot-substantial monument all through town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone may like to do that?
Nicely, to start with, heroes are difficult to research with this particular dedicate Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, house of less than five hundred persons for the duration of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero To place it mildly? No person else puts the possum by using a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, back 1982, Wausau acquired Unwell and worn out with becoming omitted while in the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Just about every place in Florida would like a Competition. Instead of a person set in position Florida carries a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you haven't absent to Washington County, you probably will Consider I'm creating this up. For those who have long gone to Washington County, you will recognize - and know this can be a legitimate Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some rather strong possum politicians inside the early '80s. Allow me to share certain things they attained:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the Original Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led on the setting up in the monument along Condition Highway 77 in Wausau.
They even received The usa Congress to promote the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment through furnishing the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a place to help keep its annual Enjoyable Working day and Possum Pageant. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, among the other matters, the Pageant appeals to Countless persons yearly, click here and in order that they like it.
Outing for your couple educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is analogous lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when six can perform?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and exhibits its unattractive entire body only in the evening. That's why, When you are inside the suitable spot in Florida, you could listen to possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', so It'll be not so tough to lure (or shoot) a person.
An inscription for your monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's purpose in delivering 'equally fur and food items' throughout the hundreds of years. It goes on say: 'Their presence here has provided a useful resource of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in standard occasions and possesses been A vital guide to human survival in instances of distress and demanding want.'
Snicker in the event you'd choose. The people today of Wausau will chortle alongside - although downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.