An area in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
An area in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
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There's a dedicate Florida that built a 12-foot-significant monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anybody could love to do that?
Nicely, to start with, heroes are hard to return by inside of this commit Florida - the Panhandle cash of scotland- Wausau, residence of fewer than 500 people for the duration of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero understandably? No person else places the possum having a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, again in 1982, Wausau bought fed up with being omitted on the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Each and every set in place Florida needs a Pageant. Instead of one particular location in Florida carries a Possum Pageant. Why not Wausau?
If you have not frequented Washington County, you almost certainly will Believe I'm producing this up. In case you have attended Washington County, you will realize - and know This may be a true story.
Wausau, it proved, had some really strong possum politicians in early '80s. Here's two things they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the quite to start with Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led towards the creating within the monument alongside State Freeway seventy seven in Wausau.
They even acquired The us Congress in selling the possum. Congress joined the exciting by the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might have a area to guidance its once-a-year Enjoyable Day and Possum Competition. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, between other things, the festival draws in Countless persons on a yearly basis, as well as they find it irresistible.
Time out for lots of educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use 7 letters when six will do?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and reveals its unsightly entire body only at nighttime. That is why, Should you be Within the proper commit Florida, it is possible to listen to possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', so it truly is easy ample to capture (or shoot) one.
An inscription around the monument in the center of click here Wausau cites the possum's role in furnishing 'both equally fur and foods' over the whole hundreds of years. It goes to say: 'Their existence in this article has offered a supply of nutritious and flavorful meals in standard periods and possesses been an important support to human survival when in distress and important will need.'
Giggle if you want. The people of Wausau will chortle along with you - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.