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 is a dedicate Florida that built a twelve-foot-high monument in the middle of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any one would like to do that?
Properly, to start with, heroes choose time and effort to get within just this invest Florida - the Panhandle city of Wausau, dwelling of underneath five hundred individuals in the course of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why not the possum, an not likely hero understandably? No person else places the possum on a pedestal. Why don't you Wausau?
Next, very last 1982, Wausau got Unwell and fatigued with being ignored Together with the Florida lists of pleasurable, fairs and festivals. Each individual spot in Florida desires a Pageant. Instead of a single devote Florida includes a Possum Festival. Why don't you Wausau?
If you have under no circumstances been to Washington County, you almost certainly will Imagine I am earning this up. If you have been to Washington County, you will comprehend - and know It's really a real story.
Wausau, it proved, experienced some really effective possum politicians in early '80s. Allow me to share two points they achieved:
They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the 1st Saturday in August as Possum Day in Florida. That led on the building through the monument along Condition Highway seventy seven in Wausau.
They even obtained the United States Congress to market the possum. Congress joined the entertaining by offering the resources for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could have a spot to support its annual Enjoyment Day and Possum Pageant. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, between other things, the Pageant attracts Many men and women on a yearly basis, and they come across it irresistible.
Trip for a few educating of Northerners right here. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you call opossum, (Why use seven letters when 6 is going to do?) It is a smallish marsupial that lives in trees and reveals its ugly overall body only during the night. That's why, Should you be throughout the correct make investments Florida, you'll be able to hear check here possum hunters' canine baying and barking. Treed by pet dogs, the possum 'freezes', so It will likely be not so challenging seize (or shoot) one particular.
An inscription throughout the monument in the center of Wausau cites the possum's job in offering 'both of those fur and foods' with the overall generations. It goes on say: 'Their existence right here has furnished a source of nutritious and flavorful food items in ordinary occasions and possesses been An important assistance to human survival when in distress and important have to have.'
Snicker if you like. The individuals of Wausau will snicker along with you - even though downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.