1969 Dairy Festival Queen Janet Skidmore
It Was Candidates From Como-Pickton That Dominated Dairy Festival 1969
by: Bobby McDonald
The Dairy Festival Queen and her court attracted a "bevy" of Junior High boys as they presented
awards at the 1969 Northeast Texas Dairy Show.
As Hopkins County paused on May 5-10th, 1969, to honor the local dairy industry with Dairy Festival Week, spirits were high in the area, as Gary Hanman, Marketing Director of Mid-America Dairymen, had been in town and told of a predicted shortage of milk for the autumn of 1969. "Milk production has been falling 1-2% each year and this will consquently drive prices higher for this fall," explained Hanman.
Some 450 local dairy farmers and their wives had attended the meeting to hear about the future of dairy farming in Hopkins County. Meanwhile, "Support Your Local Sheriff," starring James Garner and Joan Hackett, was showing at the Mission Theater, while "The Desparodos" and "The Detective," featuring Frank Sinatra, were the double-feature at the Hi-Vue Drive-In. Upcoming movies included: Dean Martin in "The Wrecking Crew," and Glenn Ford in "Smith."
And, the "Support Your Local Sheriff" and "The Detective" movies might have offered some pointers to local teenagers and law enforcement officers, as Sheriff Paul Ray Jones and Sulphur Springs Police Chief Junior Tittle informed local parents that they had known of the presence of "mind-altering" drugs in Hopkins County for the past two years. "It can happen here; it has happened here," warned local law enforcement. "There has been at least one 'pot' party held here by some teenagers, that we know of. There have possibly been more and we know that there have been sales of marijuana made locally to teenagers."
"It's awfully hard to prove 'possession' of marijuana charges in a small town, where everyone knows the law enforcement officers," continued Sheriff Jones. "However, we have no evidence that locally there has been use of hallucinogens such as LSD or of narcotics such as heroin."
Dairy Festival Queen Janet Skidmore awards Senior Showmanship Award to
Paul Ray West of the Sulphur Springs FFA.
The Sulphur Springs FFA Chapter had just conducted their annual Father-Son Achievement Banquet with an attendance of 250 people. Donnis Rushin received the Agriculture Accomplishment Award, as the top senior student, Gaylon Odom was awarded Star Lone Star Farmer, Rickey Jetton was named Star Chapter Farmer, and DeWayne Gooding was named Star Greenhand. Larry Neal, president of the Saltillo FFA, presented three vocal numbers as entertainment for the night.
Price Ford Sales, with two locations, one at 127 Jefferson Street and their new location at 1058 Gilmer Street, was offering a "brand new" Ford Maverick, for only $1995.00 and their 1969 Ford Failane was priced at $2395.00. The Fairlane featured a tudor hardtop, V-8 engine, all vnyl trim, radio, and heater. Salesmen included Ed Williamson, Pete Darlin, and John Kennedy. Frank Dodson could be reached for interest in one of a "special" group of quality used cars and trucks, at the Price Ford Gilmer Street Lot.
"Windswept Thunderstorms" had moved through the area prior to Dairy Festival Week, causing heavy rainfall and downed trees and power lines. However, the weather forecaster was predicting clear skies and sunshine for the many activities centered around the dairy industry.
This was the Koon Jersey Farm entry in the Breeder's Herd at the 1969 Northeast Texas Dairy Show, shown with the
cattle left to right are: Ricky Koon, W.C. Pryor, Randy Koon, and Jana Koon.
And, local youth were excited that a private firm had approved permission to construct a new 18-hole Minature Golf Course in Buford Park. The course was to be installed at the corner of League and Connally Street and would provide entertainment for all ages.
Koon's Feed Store, located at 646 North Davis Street, was advertising their "Sweet-16" Dairy Ration, that was "sweetened with molasses," and contained a guaranteed 16% protien. It was promised to be fairly priced and available in bulk form, delivered to the farm.
Officers of the Distributive Education Club at SSHS included: Charles Simpson, Lanny Jenkins, Mike Richey, David Payne, Ronny Jones, and Karen Hettich. And, Crossroads Restaurant was advertising their "Sunday" Menu, that consisted of a choice of Smothered Steak with mushroom sauce, Fresh Water Catfish, Roast Beef with brown gravy, or Southern Fried Chicken; sides included buttered broccoli, cauliflower with cheese sauce, lima beans, and whole kernel corn, while you had a choice of congealed or green salad, all for only $1.99, that included coffee, tea, and dessert.
Jana Koon (in the 7th grade in 1969) shows her Junior Jersey Showmanship
winner, at the Northeast Texas Dairy Show and receives her awards from
Queen Janet Skidmore and Judge Grover Sellers.
"The House of Shing" Restaurant was featuring "fine dining in Hopkins County" from their location at the corner of I-30 and Texas Street, where their menu included choice steaks and seafood. And, Gibson's Discount Center was conducting a "Hoover Sale," that featured a floor sweeper for $33.97, an electric blender for $9.97, and a Steam-Dry Iron for $9.07.
Six young ladies were vying for the coveted Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen crown. They included: Judy Copeland of Saltillo High School; Vali Walker and Janet Skidmore of Sulphur Springs High School; and Laveda Coursey, Patsy Minter, and Penny Nichols, all of Como-Pickton High School. The six candidates had spent the Saturday before Dairy Festival Week dressed as clowns, as they sold Dairy Festival tickets on the Downtown Square and at the Spring Village Shopping Center, to promote the upcoming festival. Reigning 1968 Dairy Festival Queen Morna Harry also participated in the promotional effort.
Cathy Elliott of the Hopkins County 4-H Exhibits her Ayrshire heifer at
the 1969 Northeast Texas Dairy Show.
Walter Helm and his two sons, Lewis and Charles were hosting a fish fry, at their Helm's J-B Ranch, for the Dallas Cowboys Football Team. Providing most of the fish for the event were Dave Manders, Cowboy Center, and a "towering" George Andre, an all-pro defensive end. And, there was concern in Sulphur Springs about the proposed widening of League Street at City Park. In order to widen the street, it would be necessary to destroy some of the "towering pines" along the street. Local citizens had voiced their concern about the trees, and a meeting was being conducted at the Municpal Building.
The Local Domino Parlor in Tira was being "spruced up," according to a report. The building had once been the weighing building for the Tira Gin and was owned by Jake Weir. New additions included: a flashing sign, new paint; and decorations on the doors. It was called the "Double Six Domino Parlor." Does anyone remember playing there?
"Dairyland Carnival" was the theme for the 1969 Dairy Festival Pageant and featured a "talent revue" on Tuesday night of Dairy Festival Week. "The six Dairy Festival Queen candidates, a bevy of talented performers from the Blue Blazes Drill Team, plus the pretty reigning queen Morna Harry, and Susan Payne, the 1968 talent revue winner," were featured in the presentation, along with Karen Moss and Peggy Reynolds, who assumed the roles of "Lucy and Charlie Brown," for the night. "Young Lynn Massingill" directed and designed the production, with help from the Talent Committee of the Dairy Festival Board.
1969 found Carl Brice as the Chairman of the Dairy Festival Board and the theme of the Talent Revue portion of the contest was dubbed "Make Someone Happy!" Some 600 people attended the presentation in the Junior High School gymnasium. Judy Copeland, Vali Walker, LaVeda Coursey, and Janet Skidmore presented vocal numbers, while Penny Nichols presented an organ solo, and Patsy Minter gave a dramatic monologue.
Vali Walker, Dairy Festival Candidate, presents her talent number in the 1969 Dairy Festival Pageant.
Also, 1969 found ten Sulphur Springs High School seniors revealing a report that there was a "Generation Gap" in Hopkins County. The seniors presented their findings at a program for the Rotary Club. Participating in the study were Raymond Edge, Frank Ashcroft, Donnis Rushin, Warren Chancellor, Jr., Mark Bradford, Charles Johnson, Barry Hargrave, Charles Jones, Sam Buser, and Max Watson. Watson served as the moderator for the group, and Raymond Edge declared that much of the problems on college campuses was the "Communist Influence" among college students. And, Watson expressed that he felt that most of the people "causing problems" on American college campuses wouldn't be coming from small places like Sulphur Springs!
On Thursday, May 8th, 1969, the Coronation Pageant was conducted. The activities began at 2:00 p.m., when ten visiting duchesses from neighboring communities met for a reception at the Chamber of Commerce, hosted by Mrs. Walter Helm and Mrs. Billy Hager. A practice session was held following the reception, then the six festival candidates, the queen, and the duchesses were treated to the "Queen's Dinner," in the home of Mr. & Mrs. Billy W. Harry. The pageant began at 8:15 p.m.
Winners included, left to right, Penny Nichols, Beauty Award, Janet Skidmore Dairy Festival Queen and ticket sales winner,
and Patsy Minter, Talent Winner.
"A near capacity crowd" was on-hand to view the coronation ceremonies, held again in the Junior High gymnasium. Miss Morna Harry relinquished her crown as Miss Janet Skidmore was announced the new Dairy Festival Queen. Vali Walker was named 1st Runner-up in the contest and Penny Nichols was sited as the Beauty Winner. Patsy Minter was named the Talent Winner in the contest. Entertainment for the coronation ceremony was provided by Hank Price of Dallas, as he was accompanied by Grady and Vicki King.
A new aspect of the Dairy Festival was introduced in 1969, when there were no candidate floats. Following the coronation, the new queen, Janet Skidmore, and past queen Morna Harry, rode the Queen's float to the downtown square, where they were introduced before a large crowd. A carnival was set-up on the square that featured square dancing. Two 45-minute sessions of dancing were included, as Harlan Craig's Lone Star Rangers Band presented musical numbers between dancing sessions. Nathan Hale, a nationally know square dance caller, served as the "caller" for the event.
Square Dancers on the Downtown Square included Judy and Gerald
Ragan, left, as they appeared here in front of the State Bank.
Harlan Craig's Lone Star Rangers Band, provided additional entertainment on the Downtown Square.
"Spotlight to Turn Toward All-Important Dairy Cow," was the headlines, once the Dairy Festival Queen was named, and Queen Janet Skidmore headed to the Show Barn on Friday morning, May 9th. T.D. Harness was president of the North East Texas Livestock and Dairy Association, with Paul Watson serving as vice-president, and Al Maberry, assistant County Agriculture Agent serving as secretary-treasurer. Judge for the event was Dr. Jimmy Davis, Dairy Specialist with the Texas A&M University Extension Service.
4-H Youth at the 1969 Northeast Texas Dairy Show included: Debbie Ragan, Randy Ragan, Cathy Elliott, and
Milton Ragan.
Friday's Dairy Show began with the Jersey Show and found T.D. Harness Showing the Grand Champion Jersey Bull and Grove Sellers showing the Reserve Champion Jersey Bull. Harness also showed the Grand Champion Jersey Female in the Open show. Randy Koon showed the Junior Champion Female in the Junior Show and Jana Koon was named the Fitting and Showmanship Winner. Other local winners included: A.P. Johnson, Paul Payne, J.B. McQueen, Rickey Koon, and Donnis Rushin.
Queen Janet Skidmore, Runner-up Vali Walker, and Ed Haveron of the Texas Jersey Cattle Club, present this award
in the Jersey Show to McQueen.
In the Other Breeds Division of the Dairy Show Clifton Alexander of Miller Grove showed the Grand Champion Bull and Sheila Bearden, also of Miller Grove, won the Grand Champion Female honors. Other local exhibitors included: Rodney and Dwight Alexander, Cathy Elliott, Donald Hopper, Windell Fisher, and others.
In the Holstein Division, Grand Champion Bull honors were won by Cecil Tucker and Paul and Richard Watson won the Reserve Champion Bull award, both animals received purple ribbons. In the Female section, Cecil Tucker won Grand Champion and the Watson's took the Reserve Champion honors. Other local winners included: James Jackson, Neal Anderson, Ronald Dicken, Don Moore, Wayne Hinton, David Sewell, and Richard Watson.
This was a scene from the Other Breeds Division of the 1969 Dairy Show.
County Agent Harrison W. Grays and Judge Grover Sellers were among those interested at the ringside of the
1969 Northeast Texas Dairy Show.
"Being the 1969 Dairy Festival Queen was one of the highlights of my high school years," exlcaims Janet Skidmore Cason, who has moved back to Sulphur Springs. "The Rotary Club was my sponsor and those guys were so nice to me. They sold enough tickets for me to win the ticket sales competition!"
"My talent for the pageant was a song that my father picked for me entitled 'Feelin'," remembers Janet. "It had a line 'feelin' groovy all the time' and I wore red, white and blue bell-bottomed pants, designed by my mother! You've got to remember this was the late 1960's! Lanelle Stanley accompanied me on the song."
Skidmore bears the distinction of wearing the Dairy Festival Queen Crown longer than anyone, as there was no 1970 Dairy Festival Pageant and it wasn't until 1971 that she relinquished the crown. "Following my high school graduation, I went to Austin College and graduated in three years," allows Janet. "I obtained a degree in Art and English and then moved to Washington D.C., where a friend and I got government jobs. I later worked in a law firm and even pursued a singing career with a small group, which was fun!"
"I then moved back to Texas and worked on my master's in art at East Texas State University, until I auditioned for a singing job and got it!" remembers Janet. "I spent the next two and one-half years singing with a group called 'The Good Times,' in Dallas. It was wonderful fun and very hard work. We did four-part harmonies and different types of shows! But, Disco came along and put an end to us!"
"Next, I came back and my Dad taught me the oil and gas business or researching titles, and the teaching has served me well," explains Janet. "It is something that I really enjoy and there is always a need for someone to do the reasearch on titles!"
Dairy Festival Queen Janet Skidmore in a milk promotional effort,
in Hopkins County!
Meanwhile, Janet married in 1979, and moved in 1982 to Amarillo, with her husband's job. She is the mother of two children, Zachary Skidmore Cason, 27, who is an auditor for the Texas Department of Banking, and a daughter, Alex Skidmore Cason, 23, who is teacher at the Primrose School in North Richland Hills.
"During the years that I stayed home with my children, I became involved in community theater," states Janet. "I did 'Peter Pan,' 'Barnum,' 'Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,' 'Sweet Charity,' and 'Madame Butterfly,' along with several others, so my early Dairy Festival training came in handy!"
"I even engaged my children in theater and they enjoyed performing too," continued Janet. "Two of the shows that I am proudest of were done by the Amarillo Little Theater, 'Quilters' and 'Pumpboys and Dinettes.' These were two small ensemble casts that went from town to town in West Texas, many of them very rural, and performed. We had large audiences among the older members of the communities who remembered the quilting days, dust storms, and the oil boom in that region of Texas!"
"While in Amarillo, I also got to try another job that I had always wanted to pursue, when I became involved as a newspaper photographer and reporter for the Amarillo Globe News," states Janet. "It was wonderful experience and aided me in other jobs later in life."
Janet Skidmore Cason, 1969 Dairy Festival Queen, states that she is
proud to have represented her community as their representative, during
a very prosperous time of the Hopkins County Dairy industry.
Janet divorced and moved back to Dallas in 1992, with her two children and began her oil and gas lease business and research, again. Soon, she made her way back to Sulphur Springs, to be near her parents, Bob and Joan Skidmore, and also worked for The Commerce Journal.
"I literally 'gave up the crown,' when I relinquished my crown, as it was a heavy, handmade, crown, and Leo St. Clair took it from me and it is now on display in the Hopkins County Historical Museum," remembers Janet. "I guess one of the most fun times I had as queen was going to the Livestock Barn and passing out ribbons and awards to all of the 'cowboys,' who were my classmates showing dairy cattle! They told me I would have to learn to milk a cow, but managed somehow to never perform the fete! However, when my daughter was smaller, she returned back to visit her grandparents and I had her learn to milk a cow, just so she would know how, if the occasion ever arose!"
"I'm pleased to have represented Hopkins County, my home community, and all the many, many hardworking dairy farmers, as their 1969-71, Dairy Festival Queen," states Janet Skidmore Cason. "It was a wonderful experience and one that I look forward to, in representing those years in the Golden Jubilee Celebration in June 2009!"
As we leave 1969 in the Hopkins County history files, we will remember that it was a time that Richard Nixon was president of the United States. He had just asked for a "one cent" increase in the postal rates, to where it then cost seven cents to mail a first-class letter, air-mail would rise to 10 cents. It was a time when the East Loop in Sulphur Springs was under construction, and Hollywood Brands was advertising six bars of their candy for only 19 cents. Eggs wee 49 cents a dozen, and Steele's Shoe Store had Buster Brown shoes for $8.00 a pair. J.D. Bennett was the mayor of Sulphur Springs and El Chico Frozen Dinners were just 39 cents.
Sue Walker's "Fashionland" Dress Shop was advertising their "pant dresses" for only $8.00 and ladies' sandals were $2.97.
The American death toll in Vietnam had reached 33,641 casualties and more and more of the young men in Hopkins County were enlisting in the U.S. Armed Forces.
It was a time of prosperity for the local dairy industry and saw many young people entering the business, in all the rural communities of Hopkins County. Local banks had record deposits and the price of milk was great!
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