A spot in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
A spot in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
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There's a devote Florida that constructed a 12-foot-superior monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any one may like to do that?
Very well, to start, heroes just take time and effort to research with this location in Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, residence of much less than five hundred individuals in the middle of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero to state the the very least? No one else places the possum with a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, back again in 1982, Wausau received Weary of getting omitted in the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Just about every set in position Florida needs a Competition. Rather than one particular devote Florida provides a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you haven't frequented Washington County, you most likely will think I'm causeing this for being up. When you have been to Washington County, you'll recognize - and know This is actually the real story.
Wausau, it turned out, had some quite highly effective possum politicians during the early '80s. Allow me to share a pair of items they attained:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the pretty first Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led to the setting up in the monument along Point out Highway 77 in Wausau.
They even read more bought The us Congress to advertise the possum. Congress joined the enjoyment by delivering the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau would have a place to help keep its annual Exciting Day and Possum Festival. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other factors, the festival appeals to Lots of people yearly, they usually adore it.
Day out for many educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you phone opossum, (Why use seven letters when six can perform?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and demonstrates its ugly entire body only in the evening. This is exactly why, when you end up throughout the ideal commit Florida, it is possible to listen to possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so it's straightforward to hook (or shoot) a single.
An inscription on the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's part in giving 'both fur and meals' in the centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their presence here has provided a resource of nutritious and flavorful foods in typical occasions and it has been A necessary help to human survival in instances of distress and critical will need.'
Laugh if you prefer. The men and women of Wausau will snicker with you - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.