1975 Dairy Festival Queen
Kim Baxter
"County Roads" Local Concern
For Dairy Farmers When 1975
Dairy Festival Queen Was Named
by: Bobby McDonald
Local dairy farmers and residents living on rural roads were concerned about "pot holes" and the general disrepair of the county roads leading to their property. Two petitions had been brought to the Hopkins County Courthouse, bearing the signatures of almost 400 rural residents in Precinct #2, complaining about the conditions of roads. One petition from Reilly Springs bore 107 signatures and another one from the Como and Pickton areas of the county, bore an additional 286 signatures. Precinct #2 Commissioner, J.L. Courson, advised the residents that he was doing all he could with the funds available and that the constant toil of milk trucks going up and down the mostly oil roads, were keeping them in disrepair. "Those heavily loaded milk trucks are what keep the roads torn up," advised Courson. "With wet weather and the constant loads being carried over the roads in the way of feed trucks and milk trucks, it is almost impossible to keep them repaired!"
Citizens were not convinced and complained that there had been some roads that hadn't been "touched" in over two years!
One of the more memorable floats of the 1975 Dairy Festival Parade, was this Dial Study Club Float,
ridden by Julie Hager, featuring "Gone With the Wind," complete with "Tara!"
Meanwhile, the H.D. Lee Plant in Sulphur Springs was celebrating its 15 year Anniversary, when the county paused to celebrate Dairy Festival 1975. The title of the 1975 Festival was "Academy Awards in Dairyland," with floats featuring movies that had won academy awards.
This "The Greastest Show on Earth" float ridden by Connie Milburn, was
sponsored by the Waverly Club.
And, Kim Caruthers rode this "American In Paris" float constructed by the
Mother's Culture Club.
Johnny Froneberger, a senior at Sulphur Springs High School, had been selected as the Outstanding ICT Student of the Year. And, David Worsham, another senior student, had been selected as the Outstanding DECA Student, following his service as National President of that organization. Cathy Maddox and Cindy Attaway had been selected as the VOE Students of the Year. A Sulphur Springs High School athlete who had lettered in four sports, Bryan Burney, was selected for the coveted Fighting Heart Award, while the SSHS Golf Team was headed for state competition and Keith Gray and Lee Sharber were making their mark in the Track and Field records at SSHS.
Marcie Spigner, a Como-Pickton Lady Eagle, had been named to the All-State Basketball Team, and Sulphur Springs Furniture was advertising their newest appliance, a microwave. One could be purchased for $309.88, if you could find the cash! Eggs were 57 cents a dozen and round steak was $1.09 per pound. Eden's Restaurant was advertising their "Italian Buffet" for only $2.50, and The Western Store had thier Armstrong, steel-belted, radial tires for only $27.68 each.
A "police stake-out" at the Medical Surgical Clinic in Sulphur Springs had thwarted the plans of a 35 year old, local man, who was intent on stealing drugs. And, the Rev. James Sheppard, pastor at First Presbyterian Church, had announced that he was resigning his position. He'd been pastor since 1968, and his son was graduating in 1975, so the family would be leaving for Abilene.
Texan John Connally was "on trial" in Washington for a bribery charge and had character witnesses of Lady Bird Johnson and Rev. Billy Graham. He would soon be found "not guilty!"
Alec Bridges had been named president of the SSISD School Board and Larry Grayson and Glyn King were named valedictorian and salutatorian respectively of the SSHS Graduating class of 1975.
Kim Baxter rode this "Wizzard of Oz" float, constructed by the Rotary Club,
in the 1975 Dairy Festival Parade.
A "real life, last cattle drive," was being conducted down Highway-19, when Rastus McIntosh, lead some 90 head of steers up the highway, from Emory to the Marvin Jones Livestock Auction. It was reported that it was one of the first such "excursions" in Hopkins County, in approximately 30 years and that there had been no apparent problems, with the delivery of the cattle!
The movie "Oklahoma" was portrayed on Kylene Neal's Jr. Waverly Club float.
And, Patti Harbor portrayed Mary Poppins on this B&PW float.
Sulphur Springs State Bank reported, that despite the "slow" national economy, they had record deposits of $65,767,594.00 on deposit and all three local banks were reporting an increase in deposited amounts.
The year 1975 was also a year that found local dairy farmers concerned about the price of milk. The price had fallen and the beef cattle market had also "gone south," creating low cull cow prices and many farmers looking to other sources of income, to survive. Times were so difficult that a couple of local "protests" were staged. One such protest involved a group of dairy farmers in the Como and Pickton areas of Hopkins County staging a "calf kill," where farmers brought "worthless" calves to be slaughtered, to raise awareness of their plight!
Cindy Price rode this "Giant" float representing the Kiwanis Club.
Susan Tolleson was on the "Sound of Music" float representing the
Standard Club.
"When Will I Be Loved," by Linda Rondstadt and "Third Rate Romance," by the Amazing Rhythm Aces, were among the top songs of 1975. "Your Are So Beautiful," by Joe Cocker, "Long Tall Glasses," by Leo Sayer, "Love Will Keep Us Together," by Captain and Tenille, and "Born to Run," by Bruce Springsteen, joined "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You, by James Taylor, among the top songs, as well. On the Country & Western side of music, it was Freddy Fender's "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" and "Before the Next Teardrop Falls," as well as Glen Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy," that were popular.
"Shining Star," by Earth, Wind & Fire, "Laughter in the Rain," by Neil Sedaka, "Someone Saved My Life Tonight," by Elton John, "One Man Woman, One Woman Man," by Paul Anka, and The Bee Gees' "Jive Talkin'," were all popular hits for the teenagers of 1975. The Eagles had introduced "Best of My Love," and John Denver was crooning "Thank God I'm a Country Boy," that "hit home" with many of the young men in Hopkins County. "He Don't Love You, Like I Love You," by Tony Orlando and Dawn and "Please Mr. Postman" by the Carpenters were among the favorite tunes, as well as "I'm Not Lisa," by Jessi Colter and Billy Swan's "I Can Help." Oliva Newton John had made "Have You Never Been Mellow," popular, while local teens began dancing to "The Hustle," made popular by Van McCoy and the The Soul City Symphony. Michael Martin Murphy introduced "Wildfire," and Carl Douglas was singing "Kung Fu Fighting."
"Music was changing," expressed one teenager of the 1975 era. "Disco was beginning to 'creep' into our music and would make its complete change within the next couple of years.
The Disco influence was heard in "Get Down Tonight" by K.C. and the Sunshine Band, and "Someone Saved My Life Tonight," by Elton John. "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet'," by Bachman-Turner Overdrive and "Get Dancin'," by Disco Tex and the Sex-O-lettes, also had their influence.
"Around the World in 80 Days" was the theme of Sulphur Bluff High
School's foat, ridden by TyJuana Harris.
Meanwhile, nine young ladies from Hopkins County "set their sights" on the title of Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen. They included: Patti Harbor, representing the B&PW Club, sponsored by Peoples National Bank; Julie Hager, representing Dial Study Club and sponsored by Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber Company; Kylene Neal, representing the Junior Waverly Club, and sponsored by Sulphur Springs State Bank; Cindy Price, sponsored by Rockwell International, and representing the Kiwanis Club; Kim Caruthers, representing Mother's Culture Club, and sponsored by Pratt Packing Company; Kim Baxter, representing the Rotary Club, and sponsored by Texas Power and Light Company; Susan Tolleson, representing the Standard Club, and sponsored by City National Bank; TyJuana Harris, representing Sulphur Bluff High School, and sponsored by Coca-Cola Bottling Company; and Connie Milburn, representing the Waverly Club, and sponsored by General Telephone Company.
Some of the most elaborate floats, to date, were built for the '75 Festival, representative of Academy Award Winning Movies, such as "The Giant," "Gone With The Wind," "Sound of Music," "The Wizzard of Oz," and "The Greatest Show On Earth." People who witnessed the '75 Dairy Festival Parade still talk about the outstanding floats that graced the streets of Sulphur Springs, that year. Mr. Sterling Beckham, longtime Sulphur Springs High School Vocational Agriculture Teacher, served as the Parade Marshal for the parade.
Tuesday night's Talent and Beauty Competition opened in the Sulphur Springs Junior High School Gymnasium, with a "packed" crowd. Julie Hager, Cindy Price, and Kim Caruthers presented dance routines for their talent segment of the show, while Kim Baxter, Patti Harbor, and Susan Tolleson delivered vocal numbers. Kylene Neal offered a piano solo and TyJuana Harris presented a song while accompanying herself on the guitar. Connie Milburn delivered a song and dance routine.
Talent and Beauty Show committee members were: Mrs. Bill McCool, Mrs. Jill Helm, Mrs. Jeanette Watson, Mrs. Alice Gamblin, Mrs. Lulu Helm, Mrs. James Moore, and Mrs. Anita Bowers.
Vocalist, Tim Kelty, sang "Thank Heaven For Little Girls" during the
Talent and Beauty Show.
The stage of the Talent and Beauty Show was graced with these young ladies,
some of which would later compete in the Dairy Festival Queen's Contest. They
included: Jimmi Elizabeth Bell, Jana Albright, Lorna Beck, Mary Anna Putman,
Sheri Phillips, Amy Bowers, Kim Blount, Shawn Nowlin, and Gina Sidebottom.
A local dance troupe of future Dairy Festival participants performed on stage, while vocalist Tim Kelty entertained the crowd with several numbers, while the stage crew moved props. Serving as Academy Award movie standard bearers were: Karen McCool, Terri Moore, Karol Ann Kelty, Maleta Fox, and Cammye Gamblin. Mr. Ken Charles with Tyler Radio Station KTBB served as the Master of Ceremonies for the Talent and Beauty Show.
Of course, the queen was chosen by the scores obtained during the Tuesday night performances, but it was a "guarded" secret until Thursday night, when the 16th Annual Coronation Pageant unfolded, again in the Junior High School Gymnasium, as the pageant was moved from the Football Stadium, inside.
Rod Henderson served as the Master of Ceremonies for the pageant, while Mrs. Ron Stanley served as the organist, and vocalists Mrs. Ron Lummas, Jerry Callaway, and Terry McNatt presented songs to entertain the crowd. Academy Award "Autograph Seekers" included Sharee Garrison, Marsha Bradley, Samantha Hathcox, John Sellers, Mitchell Skidmore, and Carey Barnett.
Visiting Duchesses from Grand Saline, the Autumn Trails, Winnsboro, Mineola, Lone Star, and Rains County were invited, as well as the Miss Rodeo USA and Miss Shara Dobson, Miss Sulphur Springs, Miss Deborah Lynard, Miss Flame of Hopkins County, and Cindy Crouch, Farm Bureau Queen.
Her Royal Majesty Queen Lasca Williams presided over the evening, before crowning her successor.
And, it was the self-described girl "who wore glasses and didn't think she had talent," that wowed the judges and was named 1975 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen. Kim Baxter relates, "I can honestly say I had no 'delusions of grandeur' when I was asked to represent the Rotary Club in the Dairy Festival. At the time I didn't think I had viable talent and I wore glasses!"
Kim Baxter is crowned 1975 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen,
by Lasca Williams.
Queen Kim Baxter, center, is flanked by 1st Runner-Up, Julie Hager, left, and
2nd Runner-Up, Patti Harbor, right.
"However, Leo St. Clair, the Longinos, and the Bonners, all friends from church and close family friends, had heard me sing in the children's choir at church and encouraged me to be the Rotary representative," explains Baxter. "I obviously had no expectations of winning the crown and was just thrilled out of my mind to be asked to participate in the festival!"
"God proved his 'providence' when in 1975 Cecil Pearson had just joined our church as the new Music Director at First Methodist, and he began offering voice lessons. I talked my friend, Diana Teddlie, to go with me and finally persuaded my parents that I needed the lessons, so I could sing in Dairy Festival," remembers Kim. "I really don't know how I thought I could 'pull it all off,' but with God's help and Cecil working with me on a light pop song called I Honestly Love You, I managed to surprise myself and flabbergast my family and friends, with my Dairy Festival presentation!"
Baxter was crowned by Queen Lasca and a "star" was actually born, as Kim used her humble musical beginnings, to begin a foundation for a career in music. She graduated Sulphur Springs High School in 1976, and attended Paris Junior College for two years. She won the John Phillip Sousa Award as a senior band member of the Sulphur Springs Wildcat Band. Then, during 1978, Charles Stephens became orchestra director for The Young Americans singing/dancing group, in Los Angeles and conducted the American Musical Theatre Summer Stock Program, in Northern Michigan. Through Charles, Kim was able to audition for the AMT, in the summer of 1978, and at the end of that summer, she auditioned for the Young Americans. "I was fortunate enough to be chosen for both groups, and it changed my life forever," states Kim.
Queen Kim Baxter as she rode in the Dairy Festival Parade, her senior year.
And, back in performance at a future Dairy Festival Pageant, as a featured singer,
accompanied here by classmate Arvin Starrett.
Kim "set her sights" on a vocal music career, and credits her confidence found in the Dairy Festival with giving her the courage to "turn down" a music scholarship to North Texas State University, in instrumental music, and "follow her heart" to Paris Junior College, where she was a vocalist with the Madrigal Singers.
Kim has repeatedly returned to her hometown of Sulphur Springs, as a guest at Dairy Festival performances, as well as a vocalist for the Annual Independence Day Celebration. She's appeared on stage as a featured vocalist, lead/back-up vocalist, around the U.S, traveling with theatre productions, appeared on television and radio, and it was all because of Dairy Festival. She's appeared in "Angry Housewives" as "Carol," "West Side Story," "Gypsy," and "Cabaret Noel," to name only a few of her musical accomplishments.
Kim returned home to Sulphur Springs, last year, to aid in caring for her family, and immediately became involved in helping current Dairy Festival Queen, Haley Reynolds with her talent presentation for the 2008 Dairy Festival Competition.
Kim Baxter's family had close ties to the Hopkins County Dairy Industry and the Hopkins County Dairy Festival. Both her father and grandfather were employees of the Carnation Milk Company, and her grandfather, Bill Elliott, was on the construction crew for the Carnation Plant, when it was built. Kim is the daughter of Max and Sherry Elliott Baxter, and the granddaughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. Bill Elliott and Mr. & Mrs. Frank Baxter.
"My great-grandmother, Ada Gilbert, sold milk, butter, and eggs, during the Great Depression," allowed Kim. "Then, my grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Bill Elliott were involved first as Grade-B dairy farmers. My grandfather, quit the Carnation Plant and opened a Grade-A dairy, that he operated until his death in 1966. When he passed away, my grandmother, Marguerite Gilbert Elliott, continued running the Grade-A Farm, during my formative years, and later joined my uncle, Billy Sam, in the farm."
"My mother, Sherry Baxter, had been a member of the Mother's Culture Club and helped build many floats, before mine had to be built, so she had experience in that category, as well, as serving as my seamstress, while I assumed the duty of Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen," remembered Kim. "We'll never forget my 'Duchess of the Clipper Ships,' outfit that had to be made for the Gilmer Yamboree appearance. That one went down in history as one of the hardest constructions of my year as queen!"
Kim's grandmother, Marguerite Elliott, was a longtime member of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board, as well as her uncles, Billy Sam Elliott and James Jones. Her aunt, Annada Elliott Jones, had preceded her as a former Dairy Festival Candidate.
1975 SSHS FFA Officers included: front row, Dan Humphrey, Mike Watts, Sweethearts Debbie Lyle and Jan Pearson, Jack
Newsom, and David Dobson, back row, Dwight Alexander, Ronny Lyle, Walt Mannon, Roger Burks, Joe Don Pogue, and
Rodney Alexander.
"I can truthfully say that my experience in Dairy Festival 'opened doors' for me, that enhanced my life," acknowledges Kim. "And, I'm living proof that with determination and many hours of practice, you can win the title and represent your hometown community in a variety of venues!"
Meanwhile, the first "item of business" for Queen Kim Baxter, First Runner-up, Julie Hager, and Second Runner-Up, Patti Harbor, was their appearance at the Northeast Texas Dairy Show, in Buford Park, on Friday morning, as the show opened. Judge for the show was Mr. Jack Kay, of Buda, Texas, Executive Secretary of the Texas Holstein Association. Kay named brothers, Dwight and Rodney Alexander with the first Grand Champions of the 1975 show, when he awarded their Brown Swiss cows purple ribbons, in the Friday morning judging. Michael Mund was awarded Reserve Junior Champion with his Brown Swiss heifer.
Rodney and Dwight Alexander are shown with their two Champion Brown Swiss Cows, at the 1975
Northeast Texas Dairy Show, with Julie Hager presenting the awards.
Later in the day on Friday, Billy Jack Attaway, of Pickton, exhibited the Grand Champion Jersey Bull, while Hall Gaddy of Sulphur Springs, exhibited the Reserve Champion Jersey Bull. Female classes were won by Lester Hobbs of Quitman and Jack Newsome of Sulphur Springs.
Some of the local junior Dairy Show exhibitors included: Melinda Deaton, Amy Deaton, Tammy and Randy Neal, Jimmy Don and Laura Allen, Clint and Amy Anderson, Earl Gaddy, Karrie Bennett, Andy Crouch, Budge Vititow, Tammy Hodge, Amy Rabun, Kyle Verner, Joe Don Pogue, Andy Crouch, Steve Mitchell, Jack Newsome, and Kelly Kight.
Clint Anderson with one of his winning cows in 1975.
And, this was Andy Crouch, with one of his prize-winning Holstein Heifers.
In Saturday's Holstein Show, Leo Hoff, Jr. of Windthorst, walked away with the Grand and Reserve Champion Holstein Female Awards. Joe Don Pogue, of the Sulphur Springs FFA won a purple ribbon with an outstanding 2 year old female, as well. Jimmy Don Allen and Laura Allen won heifer classes and Reserve Junior Champion Female honors. Kay commented on the quality of the cattle in the show, by stating that "the quality ran deep throughout the classes and the champions were some of the best cattle he had judge all year!"
In May 1975, Parker Veterinary Clinic had opened on Loop-301 to service local dairy farmers and Jimmy and Lavert Ross were advertising their good selection of springing Holstein heifers. They also touted themselves as "the registered Holstein bull headquarters" of Northeast Texas.
Earl Gaddy with his prize-winning Guernsey heifer.
Joe Don Pogue with a winning Jersey entry. Who would have ever "thunk" he'd grown-up to
be a dairy auctioneer?
In nearby Yantis, Craig Rushing and Barry George had been named valedictorian and salutatorian of the Yantis Class of 1975, and Deborah Lynard and Bart Millsap had been selected for the same awards at Cumby High School. Howard M. Graham had moved to Sulphur Springs, as the new manager of the Mid-American Dairyman Operations Manager.
The Mission Theater was showing "The Klansman," encouraging local movie goers to come to Atoka County, population 10,000, where cross burnings, rape, arson, and murder occur. "It's a great place to live if they will let you!" The film featured Richard Burton and Lee Marvin. An upcoming presentation of "Aloha Bobby and Rose," was anticipated, with admission prices of $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children under 12. The Hi-Vue Drive-In was featuring "Mama's Dirty Girls" and "The Man Handlers."
Bill Farler had been named the "Jaycee of the Year," and Borden's Ice Cream was 99 cents for a half-gallon. Buttermilk was 59 cents for a half-gallon and the U.S. was receiving record numbers of Vietnamese refugees as Saigon had fallen. Associated Milk Producers Inc. had just settled an "anti-trust" suit in national court, that accused them of "monopolizing the dairy industry."
Bobby Mays, a senior student at Como-Pickton High School, had won the State Class-B UIL Championship in News Writing and Pratt's Federated was advertising their straw handbags for $4.99, and their beaded shoulder bags for only $3.99. Como-Pickton students had elected Diana Funderburk, Tammy Caldwell, Wendy Gouge, Sandy Jenkins, and Lavon Nabors as cheerleaders for the upcoming year, while the student body at Sulphur Springs High School had selected Kim Tucker, Denise Leewright, Renee Ramey, Donna Barrett, Jan Pearson, and Amy Caruthers to lead their cheering squad.
Kim Baxter looks forward to the 2009 - 50th Anniversary Dairy Festival.
Kim is shown here congratulating 2008 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen Haley Reynolds.
"I'm extremely excited about the upcoming 50th Anniversary Dairy Festival Celebration," expressed former Queen Kim Baxter. "I've been privileged to return to Dairy Festival for a number of times, since being crowned, and had the opportunity to 'keep in touch' with the annual salute to the local dairy industry, so I can't wait to renew acquaintances and visit with the other former queens!"
"I wish the fortunate girls who get to compete in this historic year, all of the luck in the world, and state what an honor it will be to serve as the 50th Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen," continued Kim. "It's seldom that you have such an opportunity in life!"
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