A Place in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum
A Place in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum
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There is a devote Florida that built a twelve-foot-substantial monument in the center of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would anyone could possibly like to do that?
Perfectly, to begin, heroes are difficult to locate During this place in position Florida - the Panhandle metropolis of Wausau, property of under five hundred people in the midst of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero to mention the the very least? No person else puts the possum having a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, again 1982, Wausau obtained fed up with remaining disregarded in the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Every spend Florida desires a festival. And not one particular put set up Florida includes a Possum Competition. Why not Wausau?
If you have not attended Washington County, you most likely will Feel I am generating this up. For those who have been to Washington County, you'll have an understanding of - and know This can be the accurate Tale.
Wausau, it turned out, experienced some very strong possum politicians through the early '80s. Listed here are a handful of issues they achieved:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led towards the developing of your monument alongside Condition Freeway 77 in Wausau.
They even acquired The us Congress in selling the possum. Congress joined the exciting by the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau can have a spot to carry its yearly Enjoyment Working day and Possum here Pageant. That includes a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other factors, the Pageant attracts many people each year, and so they find it irresistible.
Day out For most educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is comparable lowly animal you get in touch with opossum, (Why use 7 letters when 6 will perform?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and demonstrates its ugly human body only during the night time. That's why, when you are within the right commit Florida, it is possible to hear possum hunters' dogs baying and barking. Treed by dogs, the possum 'freezes', so it will be quick to capture (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription about the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's function in furnishing 'equally fur and food items' from the generations. It goes to say: 'Their presence right here has provided a useful resource of nutritious and flavorful food in standard times and is made up of been a major help to human survival all through instances of distress and important want.'
Snicker in case you'd favor. The folks of Wausau will laugh together with you - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.