Kim Tucker
1976 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen
Dairy Festival Celebrated National
Bicentennial With 1976 Celebration
by: Bobby McDonald
It was a time of national celebration, as our nation was celebrating 200 years of freedom when Hopkins took note of Dairy Festival Week, in May of 1976. "The American Dream" was the logical theme for the celebration that found many "firsts."
For the first time in the history of the celebration, the parade, talent and beauty show, and pageant would be moved to the week preceding the 40th Annual Northeast Texas Dairy Show. "It gives us the opportunity to spend two weeks in celebration of our local dairy industry," explained the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board, in making the decision. "It will bring broader appeal from those people coming from out of town and give us the opportunity to have more time between events!"
"Little Bicentennial Dreamers" appearing in the 1976 Dairy Festival included:
Traci Elliott, Cheri Phillips, Angie Wright, Shawn Nowlin, Karrie Bennett, Jennifer Johnson, Monica
Price, Merredith Jennings, Ronda Lummus, Amanda Rhodes, Tiffany Rawson, and Chelsey Rawson.
The Spring of 1976 found Hopkins County celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Hi-King Klub, with a a gala affair, only weeks before Dairy Festival Week. The Junior High Gymnasium was described as being "transformed into a garden of beauty, with a three-tiered stage, flanked by marbleized mirrors, hanging baskets, and marble columns, encircled with flowers." President of the 1976 Hi-King Klub was Delores Poskey, with Julie Hager serving as vice-president, Judy McDonald as Secretary, Kim Baxter as treasurer, Kylene Neal as reporter, Elsianne Graves as parliamentarian, Connie Milburn as historian, Lisa Greb as song leader, and Jan Pearson as philanthropist.
The 1976 50th Anniversary celebration included the introduction and presentation of founding Hi-King Klub members, Emma McClimmons Myers, Laverne Puitt McCoy, Maclyn Green Wingo, Vera Gafford Campbell, Lena Maye Waits Rogers, Margaret Berry Ashcroft, Lonice Mitchell Trammel, and Grace Evelyn Hedick Garrison, and Pauline Hethcoat Rose. Other charter members not able to attend included: Mary Evelyn Sherwood Green, Rose LaVerne Beck Simmons, Margaret Stephenson Campbell, Opal Higdon Cohen, Mildred Tapp Caldwell, and Finn Chaney Bell.
Kim Tucker as she delivered her talent dramatic
presentation from "My Fair Lady."
Meanwhile, Greig Latham, a 1976 Senior student at Sulphur Springs High School, had won the Regional Science Fair and was headed for state competition. And, the Como-Pickton One Act Play, "Antic Spring," was headed for the Area UIL Competition, starring Richard Watkins and Datha Ruggles, who had been selected to the All-Star Cast. Sherrie Bassham was their teacher/sponsor.
Quicky Foods, located on Gilmer Street, was advertising a 6-pack of cokes for only 89 cents; Pringles potato chips in the 9 ounce twin-pack for only 69 cents, and whole fryers for just 49 cents a pound. Gladiola flour was five pounds for 69 cents, sirloin steak for $1.39 a pound and round steak for just $1.28 a pound. Eggs were 49 cent a dozen and bacon was $1.29 a pound. Milk and buttermilk were only 59 cents for a 1/2 gallon and ice cream was just 99 cents in the half-gallon size. Sugar was five pounds for 89 cents.
Anna Ray's float that tied for third place, featured the
1976 Olympic Games.
Kim Tucker's Jr. Waverly Club float that tied for third place, and depicted
"Freedom of Entertainment" featuring Disney Characters.
Tucker waves to the crowd as she reads her Disney storybook.
Ozark Fried Chicken, located on Gilmer Street, also, was advertising their special Fish Dinner, on Friday's, for just $1.25 plus tax. The dinner included fish, French fries, cole slaw, tartar sauce, and hush puppies. You simply needed to only call "5-4711!" And, if that wasn't what you wanted to eat, you could simply "pop" an El Chico Mexican Dinner in the oven, for only 45 cents at the local Brookshire's store.
Carother's Brothers, located on the square in downtown Sulphur Springs, was advertising their men's suits for just $89.95 or the popular "Leisure Suits" for only $49.95.
Jimmy Carter was seeking the Democratic Presidential nomination and would eventually win the White House. And, the local Sears store was featuring their 16-hp riding lawn mower for only $1,395.00 or the harder to operate, push mower for only $96.00.
Karen Murray's "Freedom of Religion" float in the 1976 Parade.
Mary Raines' float representing Sulphur Bluff High School.
Chandra Mattison rode this float depicting "Freedom of Space."
Delores Poskey had been named the Valedictorian of the 1976 Class at SSHS, while Gere Don Camper was named Salutatorian. Ralph Oldham, a local pork producer, had won the Master Pork Producer's Award, from the Texas Pork Producers Association, and Cal Brim had been selected as the new drum major for the Wildcat Band.
A "man-hunt" ended in the Greenwood Community of Hopkins County, when an 18 year old man and a 20 year old man escaped from the Mt. Vernon Jail. They flooded the second floor of the building, causing a disturbance, and exited the building while officers were busy with the clean-up. Both young men were being held on drug related charges. And, the Downtown Merchants' Association in Sulphur Springs was active and staging several promotional efforts, including monthly "sidewalk sales."
Margaret Bauman rode this float as she represented the Standard Club.
Karey Brice rode this float representing the Dial Study Club.
Sharee Garrison rode this "Freedom of Democracy" float, as she represented
the B&PW Club.
Pratt's Federated offered canvas shoes for only $1.97 a pair, panty hose for 59 cents a pair, and "double-knit" material for $1.97 a yard, at the "Sidewalk Sale," being hosted. Kin's Mens Store, downtown, was conducting a half-price sale, on all of their inventory. The Campbell Grocery and Market, located 900 Jefferson Street, featured bologna for 79 cent a pound and canned drinks 10 for $1.00.
Price Ford Sales was featuring the 1976 Ford Cobra for only $5327.00 and the 1976 Ford Mustang for $4845.00. The 1976 Ford Pinto could be purchased for just $3667.00.
Vicki Price rode this second place float, representing the Mothers Culture Club.
Charlotte Ashcroft rode this winning float depicting "Freedom of Peace"
and representing the Rotary Club.
Lewis and Walter Helm had announced the expansion of their Lakeview Village Apartment Complex, located on the West side of Helm Lane. They would be adding 76 more units to the complex. And, turbulent winds had blown three large plate glass windows from the Winnie Lee Store, located on the downtown square.
The 4-H Dairy Judging Team, consisting of Mike Rushin, Jimmy Don Allen, and Thomas Pace, had won the District Contest and were headed for the state competition, to be held in June, in College Station, at Texas A&M University. Gene Neal and County Agent Ron Wooley were the coaches for the team. And, work was "on-schedule" for the Lake Fork Dam and Reservoir Project, in the southern part of Hopkins County and northern part of neighboring Wood County.
The WBAP Radio Station from Ft. Worth brought their stagecoach for its
first time appearance in the 1976 parade.
Gary Reynolds and Bobby Littlefield had received their Eagle Scout Awards, in ceremonies at First Methodist Church. They were members of Troop 66. And, 34 individuals had been declared dead in an American Airlines crash on St. Thomas Island, that held 88 persons. More casualties were expected once the investigation was complete.
The Hella Temple Shriners made their appearance in the '76 parade.
And, these bag pipes offered an international flair to the '76 parade.
Cheerleaders selected for the upcoming year at SSHS included: Lisa Goggans, Amy Anderson, Melony Moore, Renee Ramey, Kim Tucker, and Amy Caruthers. And, the Hopkins County Citizen's Group #1 and the Hopkins County Citizen's Group #2 were in the 62nd District Court, to determine who would have control over a bank account at Sulphur Springs State Bank, containing $2,001.19. The money had been collected in 1975.
Tim Kelty had won an 87 vote majority to win the first ever SSISD School Board Run-off Election. And, Judy Gilreath had been selected as the first woman to ever hold the President's position of the SSISD Board. CB radios were all the rage in Hopkins County, with everyone installing them in their homes and trucks. A 23-channel model could be purchased at the Western Store for only $159.95. "Breaker....Breaker" could be heard all across the "air waves" of Hopkins County and "Convoy" by C.W. McCall was one of the popular songs of the era!
And, it was 1964 Dairy Festival Queen Judy Jackson Deaton and her daughter, Debbie,
that were making plans to enter the Dress-up Heifer Contest at the Dairy Show.
Local elections were held on May 1st for the Democratic Primary. Jimmy Carter easily carried Hopkins County, as did Lloyd Bentsen in the U.S. Senate Race. Sam B. Hall, a democrat, won the county's nod for U.S. Representative and Smith Gilley, with deep roots in the Miller Grove area of Hopkins County, won voter approval in the State Representatives race. Ola Beckham won the District Clerk's position and Lanny Ramsey, a first time candidate for the office, defeated incumbent 62nd District Judge J.K. Brim. Paul R. Jones won the sheriff's election and Allen Sanders won the County Commissioners Race in Precinct #1. There would be a run-off for the Precinct #3 County Commissioner between Pat Potts and Gene Tanton. Potts eventually won the election.
Kirk Walker was a state winner in high school golf and Keith Gray had won state in discus and the shot put. Baylor Guy was headed for state competition in Tennis as the Singles Champion of the Region. The Mission Theater was showing a feature film "Rocky," and "Vigilante Force," that stared Kris Kristofferson and Jan Michael Vincent. The Hi-Vue Drive-In had two "R" rate movies entitled, "Naughty Co-Eds" and "Campus Pussycats." Other top movies of 1976 included: "Taxi Driver," "Outlaw Josey Wales," "All the President's Men," "Silver Streak," "Obsession," "The Bad News Bears," "The Enforcer," and "The Pink Panther Strikes Again."
Ten young ladies "threw their hats in" for the Bicentennial edition of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival. They were: Charlotte Ashcroft, representing Rotary Club, and sponsored by Rockwell International; Vicki Price, selected by Mothers Culture Club, and sponsored by Pratt Packing Company; Karey Brice, representing Dial Study Club, and sponsored by Sulphur Springs State Bank; Karen Murray, representing the Waverly Club, and sponsored by A-1 Auto Supply; Sharee Garrison, selected by the B&PW Club, and sponsored by Texas Power and Light Company; Anna Ray, sponsored by Peoples National Bank, and representing the Kiwanis Club; Kim Tucker, selected by the Junior Waverly Club, and sponsored by Sulphur Springs Farm Store; Margaret Bauman, representing the Standard Club, and sponsored by City National Bank; Chandra Mattison, chosen by Alpha Kappa Tau Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi of Como, and sponsored by General Telephone Company; and Mary Raines, selected as the representative of Sulphur Bluff High School, and sponsored by Sulphur Springs Coca-Cola-Dr. Pepper Bottling Company.
Rodney Alexander is shown with one of this winning Brown Swiss entries in the
40th Anniversary Northeast Texas Dairy Show.
Thursday night, May 6, 1976, saw the Talent and Beauty Show, unfolding in the Junior High School Gymnasium. Former Hopkins County resident and SSHS graduate, twenty-four year old, Donnis Rushin, was featured as the Master of Ceremonies for the event; he was a television representative from Lufkin, Texas, and the son of dairy farmers, Mr. & Mrs. Murrel Rushin. Bruce Fielden welcomed the guests and Rex Wilemon directed the SSHS Stage Band, as they provided entertainment for the evening. Jim Paul was the featured soloist, as he performed "Daddy's Little Girl," a "Patriotic Medley," and other selections.
Wayne Hinton Dairy Cattle and the Sulphur Springs FFA teamed to present this parade
entry in the 1976 parade.
In the talent portion, Miss Charlotte Ashcroft presented a pop vocal and Margret Bauman was featured in a dance routine. Chandra Mattison presented a dance routine and Karey Brice was featured in a vocal number. Karen Murray and Vicki Price presented jazz dance routines and Mary Raines was highlighted with a vocal presentation. Anna Ray performed a vocal number while Kim Tucker performed a dramatic musical presentation. Queen Kim Baxter made an appearance as one of her final acts as the 1975 Dairy Festival Queen.
The Saturday, May 8th, Hopkins County Dairy Festival Parade, saw many visitors from out-of-town, and saw a first when the WBAP Radio Station Stagecoach made an appearance, for the first time, and the Hella Temple Shriners marched in the parade. The ten Dairy Festival Candidates were featured on beautiful floats depicting different freedoms that we enjoyed in America. Charlotte Ashcroft's float, representing the Rotary Club, won first place honors, as it featured "Freedom of Peace," and included a globe and peace doves. Vicki Price's float was entitled "Freedom of Heroes" and won second place honors, as she represented the Mother's Culture Club. A tie vote was handed down by the judges for the third place float. Receiving the awards were the Kiwanis Club float rode by Anna Ray and featuring "Freedom of Competition," highlighting the 1976 Olympic Games, and the "Freedom of Imagination" float, rode by Kim Tucker, representing Junior Waverly Club, and featuring Disney Characters, including Mickey Mouse. Tucker was on the front of the float reading from a storybook!
And, it was Richard Benson and Brodie Koon that were discussing the upcoming 40th Anniversary
Northeast Texas Dairy Show.
It was off to the Dairy Festival Pageant on Saturday night, May 8, 1976, for the ten candidates, each anticipating the naming of the new queen. The pageant featured Duchesses from Rains County, Wills Point, the Gilmer Yamboree, Winnsboro Autumn Trails, Mineola, the Quitman Dogwood Festival, Mt. Vernon, and the Miss Salt Festival in Grand Saline. Miss Jan Pearson, Hopkins County Miss Flame, Tammy Caldwell, Como Miss Flame, and Julie Hager, Miss Sulphur Springs, also appeared.
Fourteen former Dairy Festival Queens also made an appearance in the Dairy Festival Parade and Pageant, in 1976. They were: Sunell Rogers Comfort, Marilyn Mullins Bettes, Betty Brice Chapman, Linda Booker Bennett, Judy Jackson Deaton, Janet Bailey Shieldes, Judy Gillis Barnard, Stephanie Longino Little, Morna Harry Moss, Janet Skidmore, Beth Ashcroft, Gina Chancellor, Denise Dickerson, and Lasca Williams Harry.
Co-Master of Ceremonies were Richard Wilson and Cecil Pearson, with entertainment provided by the Sulphur Springs High School Blue Blazes Drill Team and the High School Band. Miss Janet Skidmore, 1969 Dairy Festival Queen also was featured as a vocal entertainer.
When it came time to crown the new queen, it was the portrayal of "Lisa Doolittle" in "My Fair Lady," by Junior Waverly Club Representative, Miss Kim Tucker, that had wowed the judges. Tucker was named the 1976 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen. Miss Charlotte Ashcroft was selected as the first runner-up; and Miss Chandra Mattison, of Como, was named second runner-up.
Kim Tucker is flanked by her court.....Charlotte Ashcroft, left, first runner-up, and Chandra
Mattison, right, second runner-up.
"Winning the title of Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen had been a dream since my family moved to Hopkins County in 1965 and I first went to the '65 contest," exclaimed Kim Tucker Huffstetler. "I had dreamed of riding in the parade on a float and would have been perfectly satisfied with that honor alone, as I had already completed the parade and rode on my float!"
"I remember being so impressed when Carolyn Keys (Stewart) drew the sketch for my float, on a napkin, while we sat at her kitchen table, and then the ladies of the Junior Waverly Club, got busy and started building my elaborate float!" remembers Kim. "Those ladies were 'real troopers' as they would come to Gober-Merrell Chevrolet and work every night to fashion the float into the Disneyland creation. I just knew the float would win first place, as it was one of the first ones that featured curved edges. I remember being disappointed that the float didn't win the first prize and I hardly recognized my name being called as the queen, because I wasn't expecting it!"
"Being in the Dairy Festival was probably the single most significant event of my teenage years, that developed my self-confidence," relates Kim. "I had been a cheerleader at SSHS, but that was done in a group setting, and you were all alone on the stage during the Dairy Festival. I would encourage any young lady asked to be in the contest to 'go for it.' It will develop self-confidence, poise, and friends that last a lifetime. My very best friends and I still get together, once each summer, and laugh and enjoy all the memories of the 1976 competition!"
And, Kim Tucker represents Hopkins County at the Gilmer Yamboree, in her "famous" Hawaiian outfit.
Kim fondly remembers her appearance in the 1976 Gilmer Yamboree, like so many other former queens. "My costume was to be that of a Hawaiian dancer," remembers Kim. "The Yamboree appearance didn't look too promising, at first. But, to represent Hawaii, my mother found a lady in town who made me a one-piece bathing suit, from satin with bright flowers, and we attached a grass skirt, made from metallic fringe! It was beautiful and I really enjoyed going to Gilmer and making my appearance!"
"I also really enjoyed all of the other appearances in Hopkins County and the trip to the Queen's Day at the State Fair of Texas," relates Kim. "I enjoyed representing the great people from Hopkins County, my hometown."
Acknowledging that her greatest accomplishment in life has been the rearing of her children, Kim graduated Sulphur Springs High School in 1977 and headed for Texas Tech University. At Tech, Kim continued dating her high school sweetheart, Don Huffstetler (SSHS Class of 1974), and they married, when he completed his studies in 1978. They moved to Houston, where Don entered Dental School and they lived there until 1983. That year, Don and Kim moved to neighboring Mt. Vernon, where Don opened up his dental practice. Don and Kim have three children: Andi Huffstetler, a Texas Tech graduate & University of Texas School of Nursing graduate, who lives in Houston, with a career in Neonatal ICU nursing; Haley Huffstetler Puryear, who lives with her husband in Austin, where she teaches science at The International Preparatory School, using her degree from Texas Tech; and John Huffstetler, who is in his third years at the United States Naval Academy.
When Kim's children entered elementary school, she went back to East Texas State University in Commerce and completed her degree in elementary education. She taught in Mt. Vernon ISD, before going to work in Don's dental practice, when her children became active teenagers. She admits that she and Don have raised a family of sports enthusiasts, so they spend many weekends traveling to Texas Tech and Navy football games. They enjoy spending time with their children and both of their families in the East Texas area, as well.
"I must credit Mrs. Duran Ardis for helping me choreograph my dramatic interpretation for my talent competition," adds Kim. "She was the reason that I was successful in winning the crown, as she coached me the entire way!"
"Then, I remember having to put brown eye shadow on my face to make it look like it was 'smudged with dirt," and I remember Julie Hager running down the stairs and getting me water to wash my face, following the talent performance, so I could get cleaned-up for the evening gown competition," added Kim. "Those are the kind of memories that we all still laugh about when we get together and reminisce about our pageant!"
These young men were the leaders in the Sulphur Springs FFA in 1976.
When Kim won the crown, "Muskrat Love" (Muskrat Suzy and Muskrat Sam) by Captain and Tennille was a favorite among the teenagers in Hopkins County, and both Disco and Funk were dominating the music scene. "Silly Love Songs" by Paul McCartney and Wings, as well as "Oh, What A Night," by The Four Seasons, were favorites. Elton John and Kiki Dee were crooning "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," and "Take It To The Limit," by the Eagles was a popular tune. "Kiss and Say Goodbye," by the Manhattans; "Love Machine," by The Miracles; "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," by Paul Simon; "Play That Funky Music," by Wild Cherry; and "Right Back Where We Started From," by Maxine Nightingale, were popular on the charts, as well as "I Write the Songs," by Barry Manilow; "Boogie Fever," by the Sylvers; "You Sexy Thing," by Hot Chocolate; and "A 5th of Beethoven," by Walter Murphy and The Big Apple Band.
"Shake Your Booty," by KC and The Sunshine Band; "The Rubberband Man," by the Spinners; "Never Fall In Love Again," by Eric Carmen; "Shop Around," by Captain and Tennille; and "Dream On," by Aerosmith, were among the top songs listened to in the car as you made your way up and down Gilmer and Broadway Streets. You stopped at Massey's Gulf to visit with your friends, and use the bathroom, as "Fox On The Run," by Sweet; "Times of Your Life," by Paul Anka; and "Nights Are Forever Without You," by England Dan and John Ford Coley played from your 8-track tape deck. "Take Your Money and Run," by the Steve Miller Band; "Slow Ride," by Foghat; "Still the One," by Orleans, and "Country Boy," by Glen Campbell, might have been playing as you decided to drive to Commerce! Many teenagers related to "All By Myself," by Eric Carmen, if they didn't have a date for the weekend, but chose "Let Your Love Flow," by the Bellamy Brothers, if they 'got lucky!" "Only Sixteen," by Dr. Hook, and "That's The Way I Like It," by KC and The Sunshine Band, had their significant melodies, too!
Tapp Furniture and the Made Rite Mattress Factory were chosen as the Businesses of the Month, by the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, in May 1976, and Chamber Executive Officer, David Jackson, had found a $1000.00 bond left to the Chamber, that had matured. It was presented by Austin Hurley, and had explicit instructions written on the back of an envelope to use it for the "good of Hopkins County!"
Some of the local winners in the 1976 Brown Swiss Show.
A petition by 600 people had been forwarded to the Hopkins County Commissioners Court, pleading with them to re-hire the wolf trapper, as the rural areas of Hopkins County were plagued with a heavy wolf population. Klough Williams, aged 93, and Mrs. Ora Ury, age 94, had been declared the Outstanding Senior Citizens of Hopkins County in 1976. And, Cathy Elliott had earned Valedictorian honors at Miller Grove High School, while Jan Dicken was selected as the Salutatorian. Gail Herman was Valedictorian of the 1976 Graduating Class at Sulphur Bluff and Amy Holcomb was the Salutatorian. Debbie Bedford was named the top graduate at Como-Pickton, with Ray Lynn Mays being named to the second position of the class.
Kenneth Bell had just been named the first African-American to serve as the President of the Student Body at SSHS, and Kim Tucker was selected for the vice-president's position, while Anita Miller was selected as secretary, for the coming year.
Carrol D. Willis was the top graduate at North Hopkins High School and Cindy Crouch was named Salutatorian. Jacob Lewis was awarded the "Fighting Heart Award," at SSHS in 1976, and popular Sulphur Springs native, Jerry Clifton, a victim of cerebral palsy, had passed away in Austin, following a heroic and experimental brain surgery. He was the son of Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Clifton, of Sulphur Springs.
Some of the local leaders in the Agricultural Community included left to right Young Farmers, Wayne
Parker, Gordon Payne, Dr. Hurley, and Ralph Oldham.
Gibson's Discount Center featured 8 x 10 portraits for only 88 cents and The Chicken Shack, was reopening at 470 Shannon Road. The Hopkins County Regional Civic Center Fund had "passed another step" and was closer to becoming a reality for Hopkins County, when a federal review committee had approved the $1,400,000.00 project.
Kim Tucker joined Charlotte Ashcroft and Chandra Mattison, as they passed-out awards at the 40th Northeast Texas Dairy Show. Local winners included: Monty Teel, Amy and Melinda Deaton, Mitchell Green, Kris Koon, Rodney Alexander, Cynthia Alexander, Marty Glossup, Stuart Cody, Jana Koon, Billy McQueen, and Lester Hobbs of Mineola. Leo Hoff, Jr. of Windthorst, Texas, dominated the Holstein Division of the show.
Cumby was planning their Bicentennial edition of the Black Jack Grove Fair and Rev. Daniel E. Bonner, Jr. had been selected by Superintendent Lloyd Goolsby to address the graduating class of 1976 at commencement exercises, to be held at the end of May.
Kim Tucker Huffstetler is shown here today with her husband, Dr. Don Huffstetler, and her
youngest child, John Huffstetler.
"I never would have made it as Dairy Festival Queen, if it hadn't been for all of the help that I received from family and friends," acknowledges Kim Tucker Huffstetler. "I so appreciate the people of Hopkins County and all of those who have kept the traction alive for the past 50 years. I'm looking forward to joining the celebration in June 2009 and celebrating this milestone with all my friends!"
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