A spot in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
A spot in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
Blog Article
There is a put in position Florida that constructed a twelve-foot-high monument during city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anybody wish to do that?
Very well, initial off, heroes are tough to search out in this commit Florida - the Panhandle money of scotland - Wausau, house of below five hundred persons in the center of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero to put it mildly? No one else places the possum within the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, in 1982, Wausau got fed up with staying left out from the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Just about every set in position Florida requires a Pageant. And not 1 commit Florida features a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you have never long gone to Washington County, you probably will Imagine I'm causeing this to get up. If you have visited Washington County, you'll recognize - and know this is a real story.
Wausau, it wound up, had some quite impressive possum politicians in early '80s. Here are some things they attained:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the First Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led into the making with the monument alongside Point out Highway 77 in Wausau.
They even bought The us Congress to current market the possum. Congress joined the fun by giving the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could possibly have a place to keep its once-a-year Exciting Day and Possum Festival. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, among other issues, the festival appeals to many people every year, and so they obtain it irresistible.
Outing for many educating of Northerners below. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you phone opossum, (Why use seven letters when six can perform?) It is a smallish marsupial that life in trees and reveals its unsightly human body only in the evening. That's why, when you're from the ideal dedicate Florida, you are able to listen to possum hunters' canines baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', hence it can be not so difficult seize (or shoot) a single.
An inscription to the monument in the heart of Wausau cites the possum's function in delivering 'both of those fur and food' during the whole centuries. It check here goes on say: 'Their presence in this article has provided an origin of nutritious and flavorful meals in regular occasions and possesses been an important help to human survival throughout periods of distress and critical will need.'
Laugh in case you'd like. The men and women of Wausau will snicker in addition to you - when downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.