A Place in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
A Place in Florida - Let's Cheer the Lowly Possum
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There's a location in Florida that constructed a twelve-foot-higher monument in the middle of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would everyone need to do that?
Properly, initially off, heroes are hard to come by In this particular spot in Florida - the Panhandle capital of scotland - Wausau, dwelling of less than 500 persons in the midst of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero to say the minimum? No one else places the possum with a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, back again in 1982, Wausau got Unwell and tired with getting omitted in the Florida lists of entertaining, fairs and festivals. Every single put set up Florida needs a festival. Instead of one put in Florida contains a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you haven't frequented Washington County, you almost certainly will Feel I am causeing this to generally be up. In case you have been to Washington County, you will fully grasp - and know This can be the real Tale.
Wausau, it wound up, experienced some really potent possum politicians while in the early '80s. Here are a pair of matters they achieved:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the really very first Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led to the setting up inside the monument together State Highway seventy seven in Wausau.
They even got The us Congress to sector the possum. Congress joined the enjoyable by furnishing the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau can have an area to maintain its once-a-year Fun Working day and Possum Pageant. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, amid other factors, the festival attracts Many of us each year, and so that they find it irresistible.
Day trip for many educating of Northerners below. The South's possum could be the equivalent lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will do?) It is a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and displays its unattractive body only during the click here night. That is why, while you are Within the ideal put in position Florida, it is possible to hear possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so It can be uncomplicated adequate capture (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription in regards to the monument in the guts of Wausau cites the possum's role in delivering 'both equally fur and food' all through the centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their existence listed here has presented a source of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in ordinary situations and has been a very important assist to human survival in periods of distress and demanding need.'
Snicker in case you'd favor. The persons of Wausau will laugh along with you - though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.