A spot in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum
A spot in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum
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There's a place in Florida that constructed a 12-foot-higher monument in the center of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would everyone need to do that?
Perfectly, very first off, heroes are tough for getting with this particular set set up Florida - the Panhandle city of Wausau, house of much less than five hundred individuals in the middle of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero as you would be expecting? No one else places the possum on the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, in 1982, Wausau got sick and Bored with remaining neglected With all the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Each individual devote Florida needs a Competition. Rather than just one position in Florida contains a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you have never gone to Washington County, you most likely will Feel I am producing this up. For those who have frequented Washington County, you will have an understanding of - and know it is a genuine Tale.
Wausau, it wound up, experienced some fairly strong possum politicians in early '80s. Here's two things they accomplished:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led to the developing with the monument alongside State Highway seventy seven in Wausau.
They even received America Congress to promote the possum. Congress joined the enjoyable through giving the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau may need a spot to hold its once-a-year Fun Working day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among other items, the festival attracts many people annually, and so they like it.
Trip For several educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is definitely the identical lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will do?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and reveals its unsightly overall body only at night. That's why, If you're inside of ideal place in Florida, you may hear possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', therefore it is not so tough to hook (or shoot) 1.
An inscription to the monument in the midst of Wausau cites the possum's purpose in providing 'equally fur and food stuff' throughout the centuries. It goes onto say: 'Their existence below has furnished a source of nutritious and flavorful foods in typical instances and is made up of been a big enable to human survival throughout times of distress and important need click here to have.'
Laugh if you like. The individuals of Wausau will giggle along - even though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.