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Arkansans take heart. We are no longer the only country bumpkins of the world. Other states have areas just like ours....you know, that certain out-in-the-boonies place--that's no bigger than a tree stump...and the name of that metropolitan area offers little hope for it to be included in the highfalutin listins' of highfalutin society. We've always called these little places, podunk towns.
Arkansans take heart. We are no longer the only country bumpkins of the world. Other states have areas just like ours....you know, that certain out-in-the-boonies place--that's no bigger than a tree stump...and the name of that metropolitan area offers little hope for it to be included in the highfalutin listins' of highfalutin society. We've always called these little places, podunk towns. In 1869, Mark Twain wrote an article called "Mr. Beecher and the Clergy", defending a friend, the Rev. Thomas K. Beecher, whose preaching had come under criticism. Among its roughly 1800 words, he said of the controversy...They even know it in Podunk, wherever that may be.
A few months back I printed a list of the cities of Florida (just to help me out on the job). That's when I noticed a town called 'Sopchoppy'. Sopchoppy is a city in Wakulla County...part of the Tallahassee, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2004, the population recorded is 465. Course, that was a few years back. Who knows what the population is by now.
Sopchoppy. Arkansas had/has a Booger Hollow - In Arkansas you call it Holler.
Booger Hollow was a tourist attraction in Pope County ( my home county). According to the sign near the town's entrance, it has "a total population of 6 humans and one coon dog" ( Update: the sign actually says, " Population 7...countin' one coon dog " )
When I googled 'Sopchoppy' I learned a bunch. Never in my life have I heard of Worm Gruntin' or Worm fiddling, or Worm charming until I googled 'Sopchoppy'. Learn something new every day.
In 2000 the "Worm Gruntin' Festival" began in Sopchoppy, Florida, which claims to be the "Worm Gruntin' Capital of the World". The event includes a ball and the crowning of a "Worm Gruntin' King and Queen". The Festival is the second Saturday in April every year 8am till 10pm.
Worm Gruntin' is a method of attracting worms from the ground. Most worm charming methods involve vibrating the soil, which encourages the worms to the surface. "Worm grunting" refers to the use of a "stob", a wooden stake that is driven into the ground, and a "rooping iron" which is used to rub the stob.
And to think: in 2008 researchers from Vanderbilt University demonstrated that the worms surface because the vibrations are similar to those produced by digging moles, which prey on earthworms. Betcha the Worm Gruntin' competitors could have given Vanderbilt that information and saved a heap of research money. They could've studied something more important, like why little children fall off tricycles. I forgot, that one has already been done.
Below is a video, via YouTube, that you can watch and learn about Worm Gruntin. This couple makes a living at it. Hey, don't laugh. You probably watch Swamp People. This is no different (believe me).
Worm Gruntin in Sopchoppy Florida - YouTube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKNv6ZrC5mg -
Americans, we 'done' ourselves proud! Out in them thar' hills and swamps. Who knows what you will find....or where.....
Have fun Americans! We're still somewhat free! Enjoy while it lasts.
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