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 constructed a 12-foot-substantial monument in the course of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any person really need to do that?
Nicely, to start with, heroes just take time and effort to come by within this spend Florida - the Panhandle metropolis of Wausau, residence of underneath five hundred people in the center of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero to say the minimum? Nobody else puts the possum over a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, back in 1982, Wausau bought Unwell and Fed up with being neglected within the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Every single set in position Florida demands a Pageant. And not 1 commit Florida features a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have not frequented Washington County, you probably will think I'm earning this up. When you've got been to Washington County, you are going to fully grasp - and know this is a accurate Tale.
Wausau, it proved, had some really powerful possum politicians over the early '80s. Allow me to share a set of items they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the really to start with Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led on the developing of your check here monument along Condition Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.
They even acquired the United States Congress in endorsing the possum. Congress joined the pleasurable as a result of providing the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau may have a location to hold its yearly Enjoyable Working day and Possum Pageant. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, between other points, the Pageant appeals to A lot of people each year, and they also adore it.
Day trip for many educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when six will carry out?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and demonstrates its unattractive entire body only during the night time. This is exactly why, if you find yourself Within the appropriate spot in Florida, it is possible to hear possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so It really is not so hard to hook (or shoot) one.
An inscription for that monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's function in furnishing 'equally fur and food stuff' in the total centuries. It goes onto say: 'Their presence below has provided a useful resource of nutritious and flavorful food in typical occasions and possesses been an important help to human survival in moments of distress and demanding need to have.'
Giggle if you prefer. The individuals of Wausau will laugh along - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.