There's a commit Florida that created a twelve-foot-higher monument in the middle of city to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any one need to do that?
Nicely, initial off, heroes just take effort and time to return by Within this commit Florida - the Panhandle town of Wausau, property of less than 500 people in the guts of Washington County about 10 miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an unlikely hero to convey the minimum? No person else places the possum with a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Secondly, in 1982, Wausau received fed up with remaining neglected Together with the Florida lists of fun, fairs and festivals. Just about every devote Florida requires a festival. And never one particular set in place Florida carries a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have not attended Washington County, you probably will think I am thus, earning this up. For those who have attended Washington County, you can expect to comprehend - and know This may be a accurate Tale.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some fairly powerful possum politicians in the early '80s. Here's two points they achieved:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the initial Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led into the constructing with the monument together State Highway seventy seven in Wausau.
They even received America Congress in marketing the possum. Congress joined the entertaining by giving the funds for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a place to keep its yearly Fun Day and Possum Competition. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among other matters, the Competition appeals to A large number of persons per year, and In addition they adore it.
Outing For most educating of Northerners listed here. The South's possum could be the similar lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 can perform?) It's a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and shows its ugly physique only during the night. This is exactly why, any time you find yourself inside of right spot in Florida, it is possible to hear possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', hence it is very simple adequate to catch (or shoot) a person.
An inscription on the monument in the middle of Wausau cites the possum's job in delivering 'each fur and food stuff' with the complete centuries. It goes on say: 'Their presence listed here has furnished more info a source of nutritious and flavorful foods in ordinary instances and is made up of been a big aid to human survival in periods of distress and significant want.'
Chuckle if you prefer. The folks of Wausau will chuckle with you - even though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.