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SOUTHERN OREGON JOURNAL Southern Oregon Journal: Riding high in Buncom Comment By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Will Shakespeare wrote, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” Last Saturday, I traversed the dusty third road of greatness. It happened in a ghost town outside of Ruch named Buncom on the annual celebration of the former gold-mining town. My coronation began weeks prior when Lyn Hennion, proud (one of two) resident of Buncom, cordially invited me to experience the unique goings-on, and asked if I'd like to be in the parade. I said I’d be happy to check it out, but as for the parade, I inquired what would I ride in, why would I do this, and who the heck would care? The fact that she didn’t answer should have provided reason to pause. I forgot the parade idea but, since I’d never been there, I grabbed a friend to see what Buncom Day had to offer. My motivation revolved largely around a contest called Chicken Splat. As far as I could tell, that was the big draw, plus I did like chickens. Once we arrived, there were a lot more cars and people, but fewer goats than I’d imagined. We enjoyed various booths and colorful personalities. There was a set-up for hiking various trails in the vicinity, the Applegate library tempted me with a book sale inside one of the now perforated, ghostly structures, and I located the Chicken Splat site. It was the place with a red-faced chicken moseying over a cardboard grid, trying not to make eye contact. More on that later. I scouted out Lyn and introduced myself since she was kind enough to send me a personal invitation. Before we knew it, high noon arrived, and the time had come for the parade to start. Lane and I took our places along the “route,” but Lyn grinned at me like the Cheshire Cat. My stomach began to feel the way it does after eating a big bowl of chili with jalapenos and onions. Sure enough, she’d waited as long as she could for someone of note to show up. She grabbed a magic marker and hastily printed my name on a cardboard strip. I was to be the Grand Marshal. The inane reality about nobody knowing me from my great Aunt Minnie hit home, but when she mentioned a tractor ride, well, how could I refuse? I climbed up the flank of a seasoned John Deere with Martha Straube capably at the wheel. Lyn handed me my cardboard title and name and gave instructions to show them to the compliant crowd. The parade included some wonderful old cars, a fine horse or two, a lady with hair the color of artificially flavored tropical punch, and Sage, a congenial hippie driving a VW van the size of a large shoebox. I was in appropriate company. I smiled and waved and wondered what I was doing there. The word surreal flashed before me in gold letters, while the friendly attendees actually waved, clapped and smiled at me. I wondered if they were paid. That’s when I remembered Lyn had announced something into the microphone as I mounted my seat of honor. She must have played up the sympathy angle pretty well. I was doing all right and getting the hang of the wave, but when we turned around and made a second pass, it got harder to maintain my stature when I caught a few slackers looking at their watches and returning to the humiliated chicken. My four-and-a-half minutes of fame had ended. Speaking of Chicken Splat — the aim is to write your name on the square where you believe the victimized hen will deposit her digested chicken chow. I arrived late to the game. For me to have a prayer at the pot, she would have had to back herself into a corner at an unnatural stance. I wonder if this really happened. If so, thanks, Lyn, for the memory! For info and pictures, see www.buncom.org . Peggy Dover is a freelance writer in Eagle Point. Reach her at [email protected] and her page on Facebook at Peggy Dover-writer. By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Peggy Dover for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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