1978 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen
Betsy Keys
"Comics Characters" Was Theme
of 1978 Dairy Festival
by: Bobby McDonald
"Lay Down Sally," by Eric Clapton, and "Three Times a Lady," by the Commodores, were popular 8-track tapes that played in your vehicle in 1978, as Hopkins County was poised to celebrate the annual Hopkins County Dairy Festival. And, of course, Andy Gibb was popular with his "Shadow Dancing" and "Love Is Thicker Than Water," while his brothers, The Bee Gees, were celebrating other popular songs, like "Night Fever," "Stayin' Alive," and "How Deep Is Your Love," that had become popular when John Travolta made "Saturday Night Fever" a hit across the country.
1978 Dairy Festival Queen Betsy Keys, as she rode in the 1979 Dairy Festival Parade, as the queen.
And, popular on the "tube" at home, was "Laverne & Shirley," "Three's Company," "Charlie's Angels," "Eight Is Enough," "Starsky & Hutch,"and "Welcome Back Kotter."
The Sulphur Springs State Bank was advertising an interest rate of 5.75% on savings accounts and the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month, was the Hopkins County Food Locker, owned by Mr. & Mrs. H. W. Halcomb. They boasted of processing more than 1 million pounds of beef and pork, annually.
And, speaking of beef, Bonanza Steak House, located on Shannon Road, featured their 12 oz. T-Bone Steak Dinner, complete with baked potato, a trip to the salad bar, and a drink, for only $3.99. Meanwhile, across the Interstate and west, "The Colonel" was featuring a 12 piece bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, rolls, cole slaw, mashed potatoes, and gravy, for only $5.49.
These were the nine local young ladies who competed for the title in 1978, left to right, Debbie Pogue,
Myra Pilcher, Jane Gideon, Terri Burney, Angie Deaton, Cathy Lumsden, Robin Rogers, Betsy Keys,
and Martha Penn.
Quicky Foods featured their pork chops for $1.29 a pound, pork sausage 2 pounds for $2.89, and six quarts of Coca Cola for $1.49 plus bottle deposit. Bacon was $1.39 a pound and milk was $1.49 a gallon. Bread could be purchased three loaves for $1.00.
Gober-Merrell Chevrolet was featuring a 1978 Caprice Classic for only $5,150.00 and Beall's Department Store was featuring their 55th Anniversary Sale. Men's suits were $69.88 to $99.88, and ties were $3.00 to 5.00. Men's sports shirts could be purchased three for $12.00.
Price Ford Sales, located on Gilmer Street, advertised that 1978 was the year that the government was forcing all full-sized cars to be reduced in size, but they still had a great selection of full-sized Lincolns. And, they were needing 150 good, clean pickups for trade-ins.
A Square-Dance was featured on the downtown square as a part of
the 1978 Festival.
County Agricultural Agent, Ron Wooley, was writing his weekly "The Milk Pail" column about the local dairy industry and Travis Elementary School fifth-graders were planting a garden, under the watchful eyes of Mr. HW. Grays and Jim Crawford.
The Billy Martindale Company had been contracted to add nine new holes to the Sulphur Springs Country Club Golf Course and a $10.00 per plate fundraiser for State Agriculture Commissioner, Reagan Brown, was planned at the Bowie School Cafetorium in Sulphur Springs.
On the national scene, Former First Lady Betty Ford had entered a Rehab Center for addiction, while locally The Shoe Tree was offering mens' Florsheim Shoes for only $49.95.
These scenes from the Dairy Festival Parade show how the downtown area looked
in 1978.
A student body election was being conducted at Sulphur Springs High School where Terri Burney was running against Keith Mathis for president. Burney won the presidency, with Keith Husbands winning the vice-president's spot, Jan McDonald the secretary position, and Robin Rogers the treasurer position, to serve SSHS for the 1978-79 school year.
Randy Maddox had earned the position of valedictorian of the SSHS Class of 1978 and Cynthia Poulos was the salutatorian. Top grads at Yantis included Jeannie Hooker and Debbie George, and Sulphur Bluff named Tammie Hare and Jimmy Williams. North Hopkins valedictorian was Joyce Glossup and salutatorian was Rita Tucker. At Como-Pickton, valedictorian was Greg Gamblin, while Patricia Dianne Odom was the salutatorian.
At the movies, it was "Superman" that was the top grossing movie of 1978, with $134 million in box-office sales. Second was "Grease," with $96,300,000. in sales, followed by "Animal House." Other popular movies included: "Everywhich Way But Loose," "Jaws II," "Heaven Can Waite," "Hooper," "California Suite," "Up in Smoke," and "Foul Play." The week of Dairy Festival the Mission Theater was showing "Speedtrap," described as "crazy for speed and driving for revenge." The Hi-Vue was showing a double-feature of "Moonshine County Express," and "One on One."
The Western Store was conducting a "Hog Wild Sale," with refrigerators priced at only $449.95 and washers for $289.85, with a new dryer priced at $199.95. Down the street a bit, The Sulphur Springs Floral Company had been damaged by a fire, that caused heavy structural damage to the back of the building and smoke and water damage throughout the front.
Cathy Lumsden rode this float depicting a farm scene, as she represented
the Mother's Culture Club.
"Mickey & Minnie in Dairyland" was the theme of this float, rode by Angie
Deaton, representing Sulphur Bluff School.
Robin Rogers rode this float sponsored by Price Feed.
1978 found new faces on the Sulphur Springs City Council, when Vaden Richey and Millard Glover had won election to the council from a field of eight candidates seeking the two vacant spots. And, jury selection was underway in the local trial of Former District Attorney Jack Neal, who had been charged with official misconduct.
Debbie Pogue rode this "Wonder Woman" float as she represented Farm Bureau.
Terri Burney rode this "Snoopy" float representing the Waverly Club.
Myra Pilcher rode this "Sesame Street" float, featuring "Big Bird."
Nine young ladies chose to enter Dairy Festival Queen competition in 1978. They were: Terri Burney, representing the Waverly Club and sponsored by Rockwell International; Angie Deaton, representing Sulphur Bluff High School, and sponsored by Sulphur Springs State Bank; the Kiwanis Club representative, Jane Gideon, sponsored by Texas Power and Light Company; Cathy Lumsden, chosen by the Mothers Culture Club, and sponsored by City National Bank; Betsy Keys, the Junior Waverly Club representative, sponsored by Johnson Ice Cream Company; Martha Penn, sponsored by General Telephone Company and representing the Rotary Club; Myra Pilcher, the Dial Study Club representative, sponsored by Peoples National Bank; the B&PW Club representative, Robin Rogers, sponsored by Price Feed Store; and Debbie Pogue, representing Hopkins County Farm Bureau, and sponsored by Pratt Packing Company. The Queen's float was sponsored by the Lion's Club.
Jane Gideon, representing the Kiwanis Club, rode this "The Flinstones" float, and
her boyfriend, Paul Lawrence, Jr., navigated the float from a riding lawn mower,
beneath "Dino." Lawrence was almost asphyxiated during the parade.
This was Martha Penn's Rotary Club float.
Betsy Keys, representing the Junior Waverly Club, rode this "Cow Patch USA"
float and won the Sweepstakes Award in the 1978 Festival.
Queen Julie Scott presided over the May 4, 1978, Talent and Beauty Show, conducted for the last time in the Junior High School Gymnasium. Master of Ceremonies was Dr. Curtis Pope, Head of the Drama Department at ETSU. President of the Dairy Festival Board, Bruce Fielden, welcomed the crowd and introduced the judges and guests. Judges included: Mrs. Lanny Ramsey, Mr. & Mrs. Neil Humfeld, Mr. Ron Robinson, and Mrs. James Weeks.
The "Comic Cuties" appearing in the Talent and Beauty Show program included: Chiree' Garrett, Jennifer Chapman, Ashley Payne, Kimberly Lewis, Gayla Lummus, Karol Ann Taylor (a future Dairy Festival Queen), Marcie Grett, Kristi Cherry, Kristi Jones, Amanda Thurman, Paige Dawson, Alicia Gae Henderson, Mariah McKenzie, Angela Johnson, Kristi Darlin, J.J. Rorie, Lucia Herschler, Brandy Enlow, Myndi Helm, Joanna Johnson, Kelly Johnson, Chelsey Rawson. And, you guessed it, Chris Rorie made an appearance as "Dennis the Menace!"
And, these were the "Comic Cuties" in the 1978 Hopkins County Dairy Festival, along with "Dennis the
Menace" aka Chris Rorie.
"The Young Lifers" a drama group from ETSU presented comic skits in-between the changes of the setting for talent and beauty segments of the program and the SSHS Stage Band, under the direction of Rex Wilemon, provided the music. A group of "Leading Festival Promoters" were recognized on the Talent and Beauty night. And, other than Fielden, as president, Mrs. F.G. Rogers served as vice-president of the Dairy Festival Board, Mrs. Betty Chapman was secretary and Mrs. B.F. Ashcroft was treasurer. Pageant Coordinator was Mrs. Lena Mae Rogers and Mrs. Lynda Hager was Talent and Beauty Coordinator. Public Relations for the festival was handled by Mrs. Virginia Henderson and Ticket Coordinators were Mrs. Joseph Longino and Mrs. Pete Long. Tickets were priced at $1.50 each for the talent and beauty show and the pageant.
A new addition to the 1978 Dairy Festival was the Tour of Homes, featuring local homes of interest. Mrs. Rickie Berry and Mrs. Dick Enloe were in charge of this segment of the celebration. Homes featured on the tour included the homes of Mr. & Mrs. D.T. Harrington, Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Gibby, Mr. & Mrs. W.G. Martin, Mr. & Mrs. Harlan Irvin, and Mr. & Mrs. Aubrey Gamblin.
The Annual Dairy Festival Parade was featured on Saturday, May 6th, in 1978. Dairy Festival Candidates' floats included Comic Characters to match the theme of the festival. Winning the coveted Sweepstakes Award was the Junior Waverly Club, with their "Cow Patch USA" float, featuring "Lil Abner," and ridden by Betsy Keys. The float was designed in a "curved" format and had a purple cow, Mammy and Pappy Yokum, and the "Kickapoo Camp."
Terri Burney's Waverly Club float, was selected for the "Most Beautiful" award and represented "Snoopy." The float featured 450 packages of crepe paper to fill-out the tree that held Charlie Brown's kite. And, Schroeder played the piano, via a motor from a disabled pick-up's windshield washer. The mechanics on the float had been designed by Billy Sam Elliott and James Jones.
This "dairy scene" from 1978 shows a contingency of dairy farmers from Hopkins
County delivering a dairy cow to a Ranger Baseball Game, in Arlington. That's
Emma Owens milking the cow for the Rangers and press.
The Dial Study Club float, featuring "Big Bird," "Oscar," and the "Cookie Monster," was chosen for the "Best Theme" award, and was ridden by Myra Pilcher.
When it came to "trouble-shooting" in the 1978 parade, Martha Penn's float, representing the Rotary Club, featured "Bugs Bunny" and was beset with problems throughout the parade. "First the wheels fell off the trailer, the float's designer went into the hospital before it was completed, and they were putting petal paper on the float moments before the parade, due to a back-order of float material," according to Penn.
Sulphur Springs FFA members Dale Thompson and Kent Bailey, along with Mitchell Darr
(hidden in right corner) work on an electrical projects that would be beneficial on any
dairy farm.
"The Most Original Float" award was presented to "Pete's Dragon" ridden by Robin Rogers, sponsored by the B&PW Club. Parade Marshals were Lewis Helm and B.F. Chapman.
Following a day in the sunshine, for the parade, it was off to the Judge's Dinner and the pageant, that night. Pageant decorations were provided and designed by Mrs. F.G. Rogers, Charles Kibart, Kenn Sheen, Bill O'Brian, Julie Daniels, and Pat Penn. Mrs. Bill O'Brian and Mrs. M.Z. Bailey were in charge of the visiting Duchesses' arrangements.
Sulphur Springs FFA member, James Shrode, addresses the audience at the annual
Sulphur Springs FFA Banquet, above, and works on a dairy farm, below.
Sulphur Springs native, Steve Whitworth served as the Master of Ceremonies for the Dairy Festival Pageant with sound provided by Clovis Harbor, Jr. Musical entertainers were Mr. & Mrs. Joe Weaver, David Baucom, Jack Rogers, Mrs. Vic Brittain, and Mrs. Jana Dewitt. Visiting royalty included: Miss Quitman Dogwood Festival, Miss Mt. Vernon, Miss Winnsboro Autumn Trails, Miss Grand Saline Salt Festival, the 40th Gilmer Yamboree Queen, Miss Daingerfield, and Hopkins County's Miss Flame, Rita Tucker.
Described as a "petite, blue-eyed blonde, and dropping her head to her hands when named," Miss Betsy Keys, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Clarke Keys, was named the 1978 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, winning the crown, following a talent presentation from "Cabaret." First runner-up was Miss Myra Pilcher, and two young ladies were selected for the second runner-up position, Miss Terri Burney and Miss Martha Penn. Jane Gideon and Cathy Lumsden were sited as being the ticket sales winners in the contest.
Sulphur Springs FFA member Clint Anderson feeds one
of the many baby calves on the home dairy farm.
"I must credit Durann Ardis as being an incredible teacher and 'booster' throughout the pageant, to allow me to win the crown," allows Betsy Keys Levenson. "She worked with me to boost my confidence that I could perform and then helped me choreograph three songs and a dance routine for my talent segment!"
"I have especially fond memories of my participation in Dairy Festival and getting the opportunity to really 'get to know' the other candidates and become their friend, especially those who represented other schools in the county," remembers Betsy. "And, of course, my first memory is going to the Old Show Barn in Buford Park, as my first duty as queen, and handing out awards at the Dairy Show. That was fun!"
"Giving her a haircut".....Keith Maddox trims his heifer for the 1978 Dairy Show.
Betsy also cherished her memories of getting to know the people of her hometown community at the many ribbon cuttings throughout the year and her trip to the State Fair of Texas's East Texas Queens Day. "I can remember 'shivering' and having a fever, as we made an appearance in the Cotton Bowl, and still enjoying the experience," denotes Betsy. "But, I'd have enjoyed the cute young military man singing to us, if I'd felt better!"
Like many of the other former Queens, the costume for the Gilmer Yamboree, "stood-out" in Betsy's mind. "The one they had me to wear wasn't the most appealing creation, but I suffered through it, and now it is a treasured memory, to mark the occasion," states Betsy. "Those things are just part of your year as queen and helps to build perseverance and a sense of accomplishment!"
"My Dairy Festival Queen experience allowed me to learn more about Hopkins County and appreciate the impact of the dairy industry in my home community," expresses Betsy. "And, participating in the contest was one of the first times that I had to talk to people that I didn't know, and that definitely prepared me for the future."
These dairy exhibitors from Hopkins County competed at the 1978 Houston Livestock Show.
Betsy had the joy of being the first Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen to preside over a festival in the new, modern Hopkins County Civic Center, as the 1978 Festival was the last one conducted in the Old Junior High Gymnasium.
Betsy's year of reign included Gary Franklin winning the "Fighting Heart Award" at the 1978 SSHS Sport's Banquet, and on the national scene, "The Fonz," Henry Winkler married his girl friend of two years in a private ceremony. And, some were "eyeing" the Old Junior High School Building for a Senior Citizen's Building, once the move was made to the new Sulphur Springs High School.
Sulphur Springs Real Estate Agent, Lowell Cable, was running for State Representative, but lost the race to Smith E. Gilley, a Greenville attorney, with Hopkins County roots. The race drew 7005 votes for Gilley and 5632 votes for Cable. And, Deputy Sheriff John E. Tittle, Jr. and Olen Gillean were in a run-off for the Hopkins County Sheriff's race. County Judge L. E. Goldsmith was "shocked" when he lost the re-election bid for his office that he'd held for six years. Former County Tax-Assessor, Joe Pogue, and City Commissioner Larry Gee, had garnered enough votes to be the top two men for the run-off election for County Judge. And, Precinct #2, County Commissioner J.L. Courson was also surprised by the county electorate, when a strong opponent, Arnold Alsobrooks, swept him out of office. State-wide in 1978, Attorney General John Hill defeated incumbent Governor, Dolph Brisco, for the Governor's office, in a heated race for the top-level office, in the democratic primary.
Wade Bartley, third from left, accepts the Outstanding Chapter Award for the
Sulphur Springs Young Farmers, with to his right, Vocational Agriculture
Teachers from Sulphur Springs, Keith Parks, Mike Bullock, and Richard
Benson looking on.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Virginia Adams was selected for the role as Principal of the Sulphur Springs Middle School. And, David Mayo, a senior at SSHS in 1978, was described as "the most outstanding percussion performer in the history of the local school system," by Band Director Rex Wilemon, and was featured in the SSHS Spring Concert.
Over 7,000 Hopkins County residents had signed a petition for the Proposed First National Bank in Sulphur Springs, and the directors of the newly proposed financial institution had announce plans to construct the bank in the southern part of Sulphur Springs.
Another addition to the 1978 Hopkins County Dairy Festival included a Poster Contest for elementary aged children. Students from Sulphur Springs, Miller Grove, Cumby, and North Hopkins entered the contest. Winners included: Jana Hardgrave, Tammy Coleman, Angie Hockett, Holly Hawkins, Kathy Denney, and Jennifer Seely. Honorable mention awards were presented to: Jay Petty, Vali Swindell, Michelle Berry, JOhn Goolsby, Lisa Marriner, Virgie Mae Johnson, Joyce Barrett, Buffy Scott, Brian Poe, Mike Phillips, Jeff Chitsey, and Christy Hughes.
In 1978, the FFA Ag Co-op Program was very popular among local youth, who
went to school part of the day and worked on a dairy farm the remainder of the
school day.
Olivia Newton-John was singing "Hopelessly Devoted to You," and "We Are The Champions," by Queen was another popular tune, as the Northeast Texas Dairy Show got underway, the week following the naming of the 1978 Queen. Other popular songs included: "Sometimes When We Touch," by Dan Hill, "Hot Blooded," by Foreigner, "Last Dance," by Donna Summer, "Take A Chance On Me," by Abba, "Here You Come Again," by Dolly Parton, and "We're All Alone," by Rita Coolidge.
Terry Woodard, a local 4-H member was described as being "right off of a Norman Rockwell cover," as he was pictured with his Houston Scramble heifer, "Buffy," and he told about what it took to prepare an animal for the Dairy Show.
The 42nd Annual Northeast Texas Dairy Show got underway on Friday, May 12th, with Dr. David Dickerson, nationally known judge and professor of Dairy Science at the University of Wisconsin, serving as the judge. "This bunch of dairy cows is by far the best-looking and the best-shown that I have seen in a long time," expressed Dickerson.
Cynthia Alexander was the first local exhibitor winning honors, when she captured the Grand Champion Brown Swiss Female trophy. Another local youth, Steve Mitchell, captured the Reserve Champion award. Danny Huddleston, of nearby Alba, was the big winner in the Milking Shorthorn division. Kelly Kight of Como captured the Grand Champion honors in the Jersey Show and Lester Hobbs of Quitman won the Reserve Champion awards. Other local showmen included: Kris Koon, Jonathan Thomas, Randy Neal, Melinda and Amy Deaton, Autry Darden, Alexander Farms, and Glenn Mitchell. The Holstein division awards went to Thomas and Leo Hoff, Jr. of Windthorst. Amy Rabun, a little girl from the Brashear area of Hopkins County won the dress-up heifer contest.
Some of the leaders in the Sulphur Springs Young Farmer Chapter in 1978
included left to right, David Owens, Mike Webb, Dr. Hurley, Gordon Payne,
and Ralph Oldham.
Mrs. Joe Hubenak, wife of a Democratic Candidate for Agriculture Commissioner for Texas, made a campaign stop in Sulphur Springs and she related that she understood fully the life on a dairy farm, as she spoke to a group of supporters, on the downtown square. "I knew immediately that I was in dairy country when I saw the crimson clover growing on the side of the roadways here and can remember opening Christmas gifts and then having to go milk cows," exclaimed Mrs. Hubenak.
Meanwhile, 1978 found Lee Sharber, SSHS Track Star, winning first in State in the 300-meter hurdles, and milk production was experiencing a "downturn" in price, across the country, after approximately two years of price increases. Howard Graham, manager of the local Mid-America Dairymen Plant had given the forecast at a local Rotary Club meeting. And, Layton Black, self-described as a "sheepherder from West Texas," was the speaker at the annual Spring Rural-Urban Banquet, where he "poked fun" at sheepherders, politicians, and cattlemen.
This was a scene from the annual Sulphur Springs FFA Stew and Auction, conducted as one of the
last events in the Old Show Barn in Buford Park, as the Hopkins County Civic Center would be
completed in time for events in 1979.
And, nationally acclaimed comedian, Jerry Clower, was being brought to town by the Sulphur Springs Young Farmer Chapter, where he would entertain local residents. On a less than valiant note, Bob Cody, with the Boy's Baseball Association was inspecting damage to the local baseball fields, made when someone had vandalized the fields by "cutting donuts" in the turf, leaving deep gouges. A $100.00 reward was being offered for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrator. And, Hopkins County and the nation was saddened at the death of Will Greer, whom lately had portrayed "Grandpa Walton," on the famous TV series.
An editorial in the local news confirmed what many in the Pickton area of Hopkins County, already knew. The Pickton gravel deposits had apparently been depleted. And, a first-grader at Como-Pickton School, Paul Jay Bieganski, aged seven, was killed on Highway-11, west of Pickton, when he was stuck by a vehicle crossing the highway, on the way to school.
Hopkins County, in 1978, found many things to celebrate and the dairy industry remained the major influence in the area, fueling the local economy to record levels.
Betsy Keys graduated from Sulphur Springs High School in 1979 and headed for the University of Texas, in Austin. There she met her husband, before beginning a banking career, when the couple moved to Dallas, in 1985. The last 15 years, have been spent with the Wells Fargo Bank and its predecessors. Betsy says she and Kenny have two wonderful children, who have a keen sense of humor and keep them laughing all the time! Wonder where they got that sense of humor?
Betsy Keys Levenson is shown in this family photo with her husband, Kenny, and children, Katie age 15, and Grant age 19.
Queen Betsy Keys, the granddaughter of Kate and Bill Frailey, of Sulphur Springs, today lives in Houston, where she is married to Kenny Levenson. They are the parents of Grant, age 19, and Katie, age 15.
Betsy Keys Levenson
1978 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen
"The Dairy Festival wouldn't be what it is today without the countless hours of time that the volunteers have all devoted to it through the years," states Betsy Levenson. "There are so many that have my sincere gratitude, for their hard work and guidance, over the past 50 years! This is truly a time to celebrate the history of Dairy Festival and the Hopkins County Community, and I look forward to returning and being a part in the celebration!"
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