A location in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
A location in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
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There's a devote Florida that developed a twelve-foot-higher monument throughout town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any one have to do that?
Properly, first off, heroes are tough to come back by in just this devote Florida - the Panhandle capital of scotland - Wausau, dwelling of lower than 500 folks in the middle of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero To place it mildly? No one else places the possum within the pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, in 1982, Wausau got fed up with currently being ignored from your Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Just about every position in Florida desires a Competition. And never a single make investments Florida features a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you have in no way attended Washington County, you probably will think I'm So, creating this up. Should you have frequented Washington County, you will comprehend - and know it is a true story.
Wausau, it proved, had some quite impressive possum politicians in early '80s. Here's two matters they accomplished:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the initial Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led for the developing from the monument along Condition Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.
They even acquired America Congress in marketing the possum. Congress joined the fun by giving the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau would've a location to carry its annual Exciting Day and Possum Festival. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among other issues, the festival appeals to thousands of individuals yearly, and In addition they like it.
Trip for any couple educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you get in touch with opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 will almost certainly do?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and displays its ugly system only in the evening. This is why, Should you be inside of correct location in Florida, you could hear possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by pet dogs, the possum 'freezes', consequently it is not so complicated seize (or shoot) a single.
An inscription with the monument in the heart of Wausau cites the possum's position in furnishing 'both fur and foods' all over the centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their presence right here has offered an origin of nutritious and flavorful food items in standard moments and possesses been a vital assist to human survival through instances of distress and significant want.'
Snicker if you like. The people today of Wausau will chuckle along with you - while downing get more info baked possum and sweet potatoes.