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's a place set up Florida that crafted a 12-foot-significant monument in the middle of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone desire to do that?
Very well, first off, heroes acquire effort and time to come back by in just this devote Florida - the Panhandle city of Wausau, dwelling of less than 500 people in the center of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero understandably? No one else places the possum within the pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, again 1982, Wausau acquired Ill and drained with being overlooked on the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Every single devote Florida needs a Pageant. And not 1 set in position Florida features a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you haven't been to Washington County, you most likely will Believe I am producing this up. Should you have long gone to Washington County, you can expect to recognize - and know this is the correct story.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some fairly impressive possum politicians in early '80s. Here's a set of items they achieved:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led on the setting up while in the monument along Point out Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even acquired The usa Congress to industry the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment as a result of offering the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau may have a place to assist its annual Enjoyable Day and Possum Competition. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, amid other matters, the festival appeals to Lots of individuals yearly, and so they find it irresistible.
Outing For lots of educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when here six will probably do?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and shows its unsightly physique only during the night time. This is exactly why, For anyone who is inside of correct place in position Florida, you could listen to possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', so It really is not so challenging capture (or shoot) a person.
An inscription to the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's role in supplying 'each fur and food items' in the course of the full centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their presence right here has delivered an origin of nutritious and flavorful food in regular moments and possesses been An important support to human survival considerably more distress and demanding need.'
Chuckle if you want. The people today of Wausau will snicker together with you - whilst downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.