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 area in Florida that developed a 12-foot-high monument during town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any one would like to accomplish that?
Very well, 1st off, heroes consider effort and time to discover in this place set up Florida - the Panhandle capital of scotland- Wausau, dwelling of under five hundred persons for the duration of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an unlikely hero as you would probably hope? No person else puts the possum with a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, very last 1982, Wausau got sick and Uninterested in becoming neglected in the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Every devote Florida demands a Competition. And never one position in Florida features a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you haven't attended Washington County, you probably will think I am thus, making this up. For those who have absent to Washington County, you will understand - and know This may be a accurate Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some rather effective possum politicians in the early '80s. Here are a pair of things they achieved:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led for the making Along with the monument along Condition Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even received The us Congress to publicize the possum. Congress joined the entertaining by delivering the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau would have a site to hold its annual Enjoyable Working day and Possum Festival. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, amid other matters, the Pageant appeals to Many of us annually, and in order that they adore it.
Time out for more info just a couple of educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is comparable lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 can perform?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and reveals its ugly human body only at nighttime. That is why, if you end up inside the proper put in place Florida, you can listen to possum hunters' canines baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so It'll be effortless to hook (or shoot) one.
An inscription on the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's role in offering 'equally fur and food items' in the hundreds of years. It goes to say: 'Their presence here has provided an origin of nutritious and flavorful food in standard occasions and incorporates been a major help to human survival for the duration of times of distress and demanding want.'
Chuckle if you're keen on. The men and women of Wausau will chuckle along with you - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.