Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Possum Drop



Here in our little neck of the woods in the Southern Appalachians, also known as Western N.C. an eighteen year old tradition is being threatened by a group that calls themselves P.E.T.A. Most of you have heard of them but for the ones that haven't it means People Against Ethnic Treatment of Animals...
Next to my community is a  small community called Brasstown  and each year on New Year's Eve a man called Clay Logan has an event called The Possum Drop. Now some may have heard of it since he has been on the morning shows in years past.. Clay owns a little country store known as Clay's Corner and right beside it, he has a little stage that's set up for the event. They have good, down home, clean fun. No alcohol what so ever on the premises . Clay sees to that.. They usually start off with good singing and picking and church groups come out and sing  then they have a Womanless Beauty Pagent. At the end of the night just before the clock strikes midnight they start the lowering of the possum and at twelve o'clock  the possum is on the ground in a Flexi Glass Cage. Weeks before this event Clay goes out and finds the scrawniest possum he can find, puts it in a pen and feeds it dog and cat food until its sides are sticking out.. He was quoted as saying he grooms it and bathes it, blows it dry with a hair dryer, all for the big event..The possum is taken care of so much and pampered that Clay said it didn't even want to leave after he puts it back out into the wild.. He also was quoted as saying, There's all kinds of possums running around on Brasstown holding up little signs that says "Take me this year".

Each year he goes by what the law says, he fills out all the necessary paper work and gets his permit that allows him to catch and hold a wild animal.. But P.E.T.A. has already been saying that it would be ok if he killed the possum and lowered its carcuse but not while it's alive. It scares it to much..Go Figure..
Well, today they finally found a Judge that agreed with them and he handed down an order that says Clay Logan can't lower anymore possums on New Year's Eve..

Now when one ponders on this , one would think there's a lot more pressing things in the country to worry about , like helping the Victims of Hurricane Sandy or helping to feed the needy and hungry. Before you go and jump to conclusions let me say this, I love animals to no end and they become our family. I would NEVER be mean to any animal or ever condone it...It's against my beliefs and the way I was raised. But if this is called being mean to an animal I'd hate to see what real abuse is..

As for Clay Logan, he said in the news paper that he would be having something but he doesn't know what .. Knowing Clay, he'll probably go out and get some Road Kill and puts it in a Flexi Glass Cage. I just hope he seals it really tight.
So our little Mountain Tradition will go on with or without the possum, it's not over yet.

19 comments:

  1. So . . . they are all for killing the possum? Like you said, I'd say there are a lot more things to worry about, especially now a days.

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    1. I'd say so to Janet but some people just like to stir up trouble over a possum ..lol

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  2. This is so sad to think our old traditions are being pushed aside. I just heard tonight about a nativity scene being targeted and having to be moved. I'm beginning to think our country will never be the same.

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    1. That's sad . I'm beginning to think the same thing as you.. It's a shame that it's come to this.

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  3. It seems the whole world has turned upside down. And common sense is certainly NOT common anymore. Sad.

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  4. Hi Susie,
    I love animals too, but I must say that mice, rats, and rodents frighten me. I have been looking for Christmas cards lately and most of them have said Happy Holidays and not Merry Christmas. I am wondering what that is all about. It seems that there has been so much change in the world, ya know?
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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    1. I hate the change that's taking place in the world today. It's sad when one can't even find a Christmas card to fit the real reason for the season.. It's all fallen by the wayside..

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  5. Good grief!! I agree, Susie... you would think there are more important things to worry about than fattening up a possum...
    Oh, brother!

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  6. Everyone in peta needs to go to the animals shelters and adopts some pets...I bet they would not want a possum. Smiles, Susie

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    1. I agree, the possum would be left behind for sure..

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  7. Hi Susie, this is a very strange story, I don't think it sounds like cruelty to animals at all. What a shame he had to be taken to court. I hope though, that Mr. Clay doesn't put road kill or anything shocking like that in the cage to make his point. I think that would be giving the people in Peta that accused him, just the excuse they were looking for proving their point to strangers and the media that do not understand the situation.

    I think he should have someone sew a big stuffed animal possum. He could dress it up in something different and funny each year. That would give the people in his audience something to anticipate and be surprised about at the lowering of the cage. Maybe he could even have contests and get the kids involved. If he created his own possum character he could copy right it and use it advertising. It would make his point, and no one could stop him from doing it or ruin the tradition again.

    I am so happy to hear that you are working on your new book, be sure and let me know when you have it done, I would love to purchase a copy! I have enjoyed the one you sent to me so much. I love the new title. I have decided to blog a little bit less this season too. I am not going to stop, but just not write everyday. I have been feeling so much better the last few weeks and have really enjoyed getting outside and catching up with things around the house. We also have a string of company lined up between now and the first of the year. I have started on some new medicine and the doctor said that I may be feeling better also due to the change in the weather because we have so much humidity and that effects the fibro and arthritis, but like Tony said: "Quit trying to figure it out honey and just enjoy it!" :)

    I hope you have a wonderful day ahead Susie! With Love Always, Delisa :)

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  8. It's so good to hear from you and all is well.. I failed to add that a few years ago they managed to do something like this too.. He actually did go out and get some road kill.. It wasn't the same, needless to say.lol. Glad you are doing better and I hope you enjoy your company. I will let you know about the book..

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  9. It seems that things into place to "protect" sometimes don't make sense. I don't understand why it is better to kill the poor possum rather than fatten it up and follow a long time tradition...strange. One of the things I love about Appalachia are those old traditions!

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  10. I don't understand it either Lise. The old traditions are the backbone of the Applachians..thank you.

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  11. Susie,
    I'm sure Clay will be able to come up with a unique ideas to celebrate New Year's Day. He is a born storyteller and knows how to entertain folks. This has been an interesting event for many folks for many years.

    I hope you and your family have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

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