A Place in Florida - Let us Cheer the Lowly Possum

There's a spend Florida that created a 12-foot-higher monument in the course of town to exalt the lowly possum. Now, why would any individual could possibly like to do that?
Properly, to get started on, heroes are difficult to have in this area in Florida - the Panhandle funds of scotland - Wausau, residence of much less than five hundred people in the middle of Washington County about ten miles south of Chipley.
Why don't you the possum, an not likely hero to state the minimum? Nobody else puts the possum on a pedestal. Why not Wausau?
Secondly, in 1982, Wausau got Unwell and Weary of being overlooked in the Florida lists of exciting, fairs and festivals. Each location in Florida needs a Pageant. And never just one place in Florida contains a Possum Pageant. Why don't you Wausau?
If you've by no means frequented Washington County, you almost certainly will Assume I'm thus, making this up. When you've got long gone to Washington County, you'll comprehend - and know This can be the genuine story.
Wausau, it wound up, experienced some fairly impressive possum politicians in the course of the early '80s. Allow me to share a pair of matters they completed:


They persuaded the Florida Legislature to proclaim the First Saturday in August as Possum Working day in Florida. That led for the making in the monument alongside Point out Freeway 77 in Wausau.

They even obtained the United States Congress in promoting the possum. Congress joined the fun by providing the cash for Wausau's Possum Palace so Wausau could possibly have a spot to support its annual Enjoyment Day and Possum Festival. Showcasing a queen contest and possum auction, among the other issues, the Competition attracts get more info many people Each and every and every year, and In addition they adore it.
Outing For numerous educating of Northerners in this article. The South's possum is identical lowly animal you contact opossum, (Why use seven letters when six will execute?) It's a smallish marsupial that life in trees and shows its unsightly entire body only during the night. That is why, If you're within the ideal put in Florida, you can hear possum hunters' pet dogs baying and barking. Treed by puppies, the possum 'freezes', so It's going to be very simple sufficient to catch (or shoot) a person.
An inscription around the monument in the guts of Wausau cites the possum's position in delivering 'the two fur and foodstuff' with the generations. It goes on say: 'Their presence here has delivered a source of nutritious and flavorful meals in usual instances and contains been a crucial help to human survival for the duration of situations of distress and demanding need.'
Giggle if you love. The men and women of Wausau will snicker along with you - while downing baked possum and sweet potatoes.