A location in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum
A location in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum
Blog Article
There is a devote Florida that built a 12-foot-high monument all through city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual really need to do that?
Nicely, initial off, heroes are challenging to uncover on this commit Florida - the Panhandle cash of scotland- Wausau, residence of under five hundred people in the course of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero understandably? No one else places the possum above a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, again 1982, Wausau bought Unwell and Bored with remaining neglected While using the Florida lists of enjoyable, fairs and festivals. Just about every commit Florida desires a Pageant. And not a single set in place Florida contains a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have not been to Washington County, you almost certainly will Assume I am building this up. Should you have attended Washington County, you'll fully grasp - and know It is just a correct story.
Wausau, it turned out, had some really potent possum politicians noisy . '80s. Allow me to share a pair of matters they completed:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the initial Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led to the building within the monument together State Highway seventy seven in Wausau.
They even received America Congress to publicize the possum. Congress joined the fun by the money for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau might need an area to keep its once-a-year Enjoyable Day and Possum Festival. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among other items, the Pageant attracts many people every year, and so that they find it irresistible.
Time out For numerous educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum is definitely the identical lowly animal you simply call opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 will do?) It is a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and demonstrates its unsightly human body only at night. That is why, if you find yourself inside the proper devote Florida, it is possible to hear possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by canine, the possum 'freezes', so It is really uncomplicated adequate to trap (or shoot) one.
An inscription about the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's job in offering 'the two fur and food items' through the entire centuries. It goes on to say: 'Their presence listed website here has presented a source of nutritious and flavorful food stuff in normal situations and it has been an important assist to human survival far more distress and critical need to have.'
Laugh if you like. The people today of Wausau will chuckle together - though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.