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 is a devote Florida that built a 12-foot-significant monument in the midst of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any one would like to accomplish that?
Nicely, to start out, heroes are hard to seek out in this put in place Florida - the Panhandle metropolis of Wausau, dwelling of underneath 500 people in the center of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero to convey the the very least? No person else places the possum on a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Next, again in 1982, Wausau received Unwell and worn out with currently being overlooked in the Florida lists of enjoyment, fairs and festivals. Each individual devote Florida would like a Competition. And not just one commit Florida carries a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have not gone to Washington County, you almost certainly will Believe I am building this up. When you have been to Washington County, you can expect to have an understanding of - and know It's really a true story.
Wausau, it proved, had some fairly potent possum politicians in early '80s. Here's a handful of items they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the extremely initial Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led to your setting up in the monument together State Highway 77 in Wausau.
They even bought The usa Congress to market the possum. Congress joined the entertaining by means of giving the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a location to help keep its yearly Pleasurable check here Day and Possum Festival. Featuring a queen contest and possum auction, amongst other items, the festival appeals to A lot of people per year, and in order that they obtain it irresistible.
Outing for any few educating of Northerners here. The South's possum is similar lowly animal you get in touch with opossum, (Why use seven letters when six is going to do?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and displays its unappealing entire body only during the night time. That's why, when you're In the ideal area in Florida, you'll be able to listen to possum hunters' puppies baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', so It will likely be not so difficult capture (or shoot) 1.
An inscription regarding the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's role in furnishing 'both equally fur and food items' throughout the hundreds of years. It goes to say: 'Their existence right here has offered a source of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in usual situations and possesses been an important support to human survival in situations of distress and significant need.'
Chuckle if you like. The people of Wausau will snicker together - though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.