A location in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum
A location in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum
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There is a position in Florida that constructed a twelve-foot-substantial monument through town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual should do that?
Well, to begin with, heroes are difficult for getting inside this spot in Florida - the Panhandle city of Wausau, residence of beneath 500 people all through Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero as you should assume? No one else places the possum on the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, final 1982, Wausau bought sick and Uninterested in remaining neglected through the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Just about every place set up Florida requires a Competition. And not a single position in Florida carries a Possum Competition. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have not attended Washington County, you probably will Believe I am creating this up. For those who have been to Washington County, you can expect to have an understanding of - and know it is a real story.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some very powerful possum politicians in the early '80s. Here's two factors they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the Original Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led check here for the building on the monument together Point out Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even bought The us Congress to market place the possum. Congress joined the enjoyable by furnishing the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau can have a region to help keep its once-a-year Enjoyable Working day and Possum Pageant. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other factors, the festival appeals to many people each year, additionally they adore it.
Time out for a few educating of Northerners below. The South's possum is equivalent lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 can do?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and reveals its unpleasant entire body only during the night. This is exactly why, after you end up during the suitable location in Florida, you could listen to possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by pet dogs, the possum 'freezes', so it really is not so difficult seize (or shoot) a single.
An inscription for your monument in the course of Wausau cites the possum's position in supplying 'both of those fur and foodstuff' through the entire hundreds of years. It goes on to say: 'Their presence listed here has provided a source of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in typical situations and it has been An important support to human survival when in distress and significant will need.'
Chortle If you prefer. The individuals of Wausau will chuckle together with you - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.