Raschelle Browning
1982 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen
1982 Dairy Festival Featured the
First Milking Contest
by: Bobby McDonald
It was in the spring of 1982, that word had been circulated around Hopkins County that "the Dairy Festival Queen many times didn't even know how to milk a cow!" That's when a group of local dairy farmers, that showed and exhibited dairy cows all across the state and at national shows, put their heads together and the First Annual Milking Contest on the Square was born. The center section of the downtown square was "blocked-off," hay was brought to cover the bricks, and dairymen brought cows to the downtown area. The Dairy Festival Contestants thought it was fun, because it was held on a Monday morning, and they were allowed out of school for the event! Of course, when you bring a herd of dairy cattle to the square, even in Sulphur Springs, you're guaranteed an audience.
The first Milking Contest on the Square, involved a television personality from Tyler
(shown in this picture), who filmed the entire event and got her own chance to milk
a cow.
And, that's Jandi DeWitt, center, enthralled with a "Holstein" calf! Was that an early
sign that she'd grow-up to marry a dairy farmer?
Another new feature of the 1982 Festival, was the first-ever (and the last) Ice Cream Eating Contest. It sounded like a good idea, when the City of Sulphur Springs was pitted against the County Judge and Commissioners. However, there was a small problem, although the ice cream was delicious, it left most of the participants with a severe headache and the contest was discontinued.
The first, and only, Ice Cream Eating Contest, conducted on the downtown square in
1982. The City's competitors are on the right and the county's entries are on the left.
It was Olivia Newton-John's "Physical" that topped the musical charts in 1982, followed by Survior's "Eye of the Tiger." Joan Jett and The Blackhearts brought us "I Love Rock N' Roll" and Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder performed "Ebony and Ivory." John Cougar made popular "Hurts So Good" and the Steve Miller Band produced "Abracadabra." Chicago was featured with "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" and Toto had the popular hit "Rosanna." Juice Newton's "The Sweetest Thing" and Willie Nelson's "Always On My Mind" were among the top Country and Western hits of 1982.
This float represented Austin, Texas, and featured a "Texas Longhorn."
Karla Cheatham's Ft. Worth float depicting Billy Bob's.
This float depicted Arlington, Texas, and Six Flags.
The Motels made "Only The Lonely" a hit and "Hold Me" by Fleetwood Mac was a favorite. "Eye in the Sky" by the Alan Parsons Project, "Let's Groove," by Earth Wind and Fire, "Turn Your Love Around," by George Benson, and Dan Fogelberg's "Leader of the Band," joined Air Supply's "Even The Nights Are Better" as favorites among Hopkins County teenagers. Many enjoyed the Oak Ridge Boys' "Bobbie Sue" (Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Bobbie Sue had replaced their earlier popular line of "Oom pawpa mou mou" made popular in "Elvira") and Bertie Higgins "Key Largo."
Diana Ross asked "Why Do Fool's Fall In Love?" in her popular 1982 hit, while Huey Lewis and The News asked "Do You Believe In Love?" Donna Summer confirmed "Love Is In Control" and Alabama crooned "Love In The First Degree." Kenny Rogers stated "Love Will Turn You Around" and Ronnie Milsap added "Any Day Now," all popular song titles in 1982. Michael Martin Murphy made popular "What's Forever For" and Kenny Rogers added "Through The Years" to his string of hits for the era.
Teena Poe was Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader on her float, naturally depicting football
in Dallas, Texas.
This float featured Galveston, Texas, with its coastline and sandy beaches.
Julie Henderson's Houston float, depicted NASA and the space industry.
The musical soundtrack and the movie "An Officer and a Gentleman" were popular, as the movie was the top grossing movie for 1982, with over $122 million at the box office. "Tootsie" was the second highest grossing movie, followed by a humorous "Porky's" that was a favorite among the youth, that year. "Star Treck: The Wrath of Khan" and "Poltergeist" were among the other top movies. Getting closer to home "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" made a popular sweep of the silver screen in 1982, as it featured Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds in a story about the UT and Texas Aggie Football teams.
At home, on "the tube" it was the news show, "60 Minutes" that was the most popular t.v. show in 1982. Followed closely by the still popular saga from Southfork, "Dallas." "Magnum P.I.," featuring Tom Selleck joined "Dynasty," "Falconcrest," and "The Love Boat" as favorite shows to watch in Hopkins County. The long-running "M.A.S.H." and "Three's Company" were still holding audience appeal, as well. "Hart to Hart" and "Trapper John, M.D." were other favorites.
Raschelle Browning rode this Farm Bureau float depicting San Antonio and the Alamo.
This float, ridden by Connie Elder, depicted the Hot Air Balloon Capital, Plano, Texas.
Robin Webb's Kilgore, Texas, float won the Sweepstakes Prize in the 1982 Festival Parade.
The year 1982 found shoppers at Quicky Foods purchasing eggs for 75 cents a dozen, a gallon of milk for $1.98, and 2-liter Dr. Peppers and Cokes for only 98 cents. Folger's coffee was $2.39 a can, and whole fryers were only 53 cents a pound. The Basket Case, located at 715 Houston Street, was having a "Spring Cleaning Sale," while the Western Store had Cooper tires for $38.50 each.
Pauline's Phase II Shop was conducting a "16th Anniversary Sale," while some teens made their way up and down Gilmer Street listening to Joan Jett and The Blackhearts crooning "Crimson and Clover."
Tammy Clifton's Luchenback, Texas, float won the "Most Original" prize, in 1982.
This 1982 float depicted Tyler, Texas, and the rose production there.
Allison Henderson's Jefferson, Texas, float won the "Most Beautiful" Award.
And, it was in the spring of 1982, when tragedy struck our neighboring community, Paris, as a violent tornado bore down on the city, killing at least 10 people and injuring over 160 others. Property damage was estimated in the millions and the disaster was described as the worst thing to happen to the community since a 1916 fire, started by a train, almost obliterated the city. The Friday, April 2, 1982, tornado moved through Paris and Lamar county at approximately 4:30 p.m., leaving unbelievable destruction in its path. Residents in Hopkins County, by Sunday were taking special collections at church services and donating clothing and canned goods, for delivery to their neighbors in Paris.
Meanwhile, tragedy struck Hopkins County, when on Saturday night, April 3, 1982, a high school senior, Michael Stephens, who was anticipating graduation from SSHS, was killed when the motorcycle he was riding struck a semi-truck on South Davis Street, in Sulphur Springs.
Elsie's Borden Milk Train appeared in the 1982 Parade.
And, the 1982 Festival Parade featured the "Little Wranglers" appearing in
decorated golf carts. Note the Brookshire's location on the east side of Gilmer
Street, and the classic 1980's era automobiles.
And, the Hopkins County Commissioners had a problem of their own. They were shown standing beside a muddy mire, near the construction site of the unfinished Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center. In an emergency meeting, the county commissioners brought in an additional contractor and was talking of adding "lime slurry" to stabilize the area surrounding the jail and center.
"Dairy Farmers Up In Arms Over Bossie's Imitators" were the national headlines, when the farmers were encouraging product labeling and asking for restrictions on dairy imports that were not forced to meet the standards of U.S. Milk and Dairy Products.
Lowell Moore, a 21 year veteran as Postmaster at Cumby, had retired from his position, and although the jobless rate in the nation, for the first quarter in 1982, was listed at 9%, the economy in Hopkins County was "boosted" by a healthy dairy industry. "Bank Deposits Buck National Trend" was the headlines, as the four local banks recorded a combined assets of over $178 million. Additionally, March 1982 building permits were listed as for $3.4 million in new and improving constructions.
The youngest man to ever serve as mayor of Sulphur Springs, was chosen in April 1982, when Greg Price, age 26, was selected by fellow city councilmen to take-over the reigns of the city, for the next year. And, the Sulphur Springs Wildcat Baseball Team was said to "have their eyes on a district championship." Team members were: Tyrone Dial, Brad Strawn, Jordan Stanley, Tony Mabe, Jason Stanley, Richard Clover, Shawn Brewer, Keith Spivey, Scott Bell, Cody Vanderford, Jim Ceretani, Craig Ashmore, Tony Clark, Steve Littlefield, Tim White, and Stuart Cody. Managers were Brad Highlander and Barry Ferrill, while Foy Williams was head baseball coach, with Lee Daniel serving as assistant coach. Do you remember if they won that District title?
Sulphur Springs Wildcat, Jordan Stanley, had just received an invitation to participate in the North-South All-Star Football Game, in July, in the Astrodome. The game was sponsored by the Texas High School Coaches Association.
Recognized for outstanding achievement in the Future Homemakers of American program at SSHS were freshman, Donna Hines, sophomore Judy Penn, Felecia Young junior, and Kenna McAdams, senior. Carol West was named the over-all outstanding student in the program.
On the international scene, the British Government was "beefing-up" patrols and a establishing an armada, in the Faulkland Islands, where trouble would continue to "brew" throughout the spring of 1982. And, Democrat Jim Hightower had "tossed his hat" in the race for Texas Agricultural Commissioner, once he had determined that many Texas farmers were dissatisfied with current Ag Leader, Reagan Brown. Northeast Texas Farmer's Coop was offering a "haymaker's special" as they had all of their baler twine on sale, for the upcoming Hopkins County hay season. A 24,000 ft. bundle of twine could be purchased for $29.53. And, across town, Dairyland Ford Tractor was boasting "no interest and no payments" on equipment purchases until January 1983. Hopkins County was poised to take advantage of a good hay year in 1982, following record heat and drouth in 1981.
The North Texas Production Credit Association was annoucing their 1982 Stockholder's Convention and had tapped popular WBAP Radio personality, Dick Yaws, to be the featured speaker, for the event. And, in neighboring Marshall, Texas, it was reported that "moonshining" was still alive and well! Locally, "Pe Pe's Restaurant" had announced its grand opening with a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting. The eatery was located just east of the Sulphur Springs city limits, and was touted as specializing in Mexican, American, and French foods.
1982 Dairy Festival Candidates are shown here with 1981 Queen Laura Diamond, and Fred Randles, who
served as the Master of Ceremonies for the Talent and Beauty Competition, in 1982.
Thirteen young ladies chose to participate in the 1982 Hopkins County Dairy Festival, as they competed for the crown. They included: Liz Horton, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club; Carol West, sponsored by B&PW Club; Teena Poe, sponsored by the Jr. Waverly Club; Julie Henderson sponsored by the Standard Club; Michelle Moore as the Dial Study Club representative; Karla Cheatham sponsored by the Tanti Club; Allison Henderson, representing Sulphur Bluff High School; Julie Sapaugh representing the Waverly Club; Robin Webb as the Mother's Culture Club representative; Tammy Clifton sponsored by Sulphur Springs Livestock Auction; Connie Elder representing The Children's Center; Raschelle Browning, sponsored by Hopkins County Farm Bureau; and Tammy Gregg respresenting the Lion's Club. Charles Dawson served as Dairy Festival Board President, again in 1982.
The 1982 Dairy Festival theme was "Dairyland Tours Texas," with floats in the parade depicting Texas cities. The festival also featured the "Little Wranglers," children who added to the program. Little Wranglers, dressed in Western attire included: Luckey McDowell, Alisha Wright, Brandon Owens, Chrissy Weaver, Brooks West, Michel Blount, Daron DeWitt, Brooke Bell, Andy Smith, Ann Rabun, Leslee Rawson, Erica Odom, Brandon Price, Bridget Price, Jason Poskey, Dee Ann Evans, Dan Daniel, Diedre Daniel, Brent Wilhite, Lynnette Loyd, Blake Taylor, Wendi Stapleton, Jason Palmer, Cara Bartley, Trey Hinton, and Courtney Dawson. Jana Hardgrave was featured as "Miss Moo-nique" and Jandi DeWitt was "Little Miss Moo-nique," while Natalie Randles, appeared in a "foretaste" of what was yet to come, as a "fiddler."
Can you "pick-out" your favorite "Little Wrangler" from the 1982
Hopkins County Dairy Festival?
Among the features of 1982 Dairy Festival was the Newcomer's Club Style Show, where Dairy Festival Queen Candidates and others from the community modeled clothes depicting the latest fashions, in the Hopkins County Civic Center.
Dwight Alexander and Charles Dawson were the chairmen of the Dairyman's Reception, that opened Dairy Festival Week, and the 3rd Annual Dairy Festival Ice Cream Freeze-Off Committe was chaired by Mrs. Julie Ashmore, Mrs. Becky Berry, and Mrs. Johnie Hardgrave.
A Square-Dance was featured in the Hopkins County Civic Center and well attended by local dance groups, and a modern dance for teenagers was featured following the square-dance sessions.
On the left is the square-dance held in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, in 1982, and right is Kris
Koon and an unidentified date starting the dancing at the youth dance, that followed.
Those Dairy Festival Directors, who spent hours working on staging, and for those volunteers all across town, who were building floats, they could stop by Kentucky Fried Chicken and purchase a 9-piece "thrift" box for only $4.39 or carry an 18-piece "Carry Pack" to the work night, for only $7.29. Or, if that wasn't your taste in food, "What's For Dinner?" operated by Janie Crump and Eddie Jo Edge, was located at 206 Parkins Street, and featured carry-out food of all kinds.
Price Ford Sales were encouraging folks in Hopkins County to "sign-up" for their lease plan, on a 1982 T-Bird, featured for only $245.00 a month.
And, as Easter 1982 approached, the killing of 11 Palestinians in Jerusalem, by Israeli gunfire, had "triggered" riots in the Holy Land. Israeli troops fired on a mob in the West Bank town of Nabius, with many of the victims being teenaged youths. And, mid-April 1982, found an appreciation dinner being hosted at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center for Congressman Sam B. Hall, Jr.
The City of Como was anticipating a local options election for the sale of alcoholic beverages in their city limits, in 1982, and Joan Kerns and Travis L. Cook had been elected to the CPCISD School Board. An article entitled "Grievances Aired at Como Meeting" dealt with some of the teachers in that school district concerned about their teacher evaluations. Meanwhile in Sulphur Springs, Paul Tipping had been named President of the Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Education, and Tim Kelty and Gary Odom had just been elected to new three-year terms on the board.
"Dairy Festival Week provides a premium opportunity for celebration and to emphasize to the public the socio-economic impact of the dairy industry on Hopkins County and the surrounding area," stated new County Agricultural Agent, Gordon L. Ford.
The Northeast Texas Dairy Show opened on Thursday morning of Dairy Festival Week, in the Civic Center, while Thursday night featured Talent and Beauty Competiton for the thirteen candidates. The 1982 Dairy Show featured the Texas Brown Swiss Association hosting their State Show in Sulphur Springs, in conjunction with the local show.
Scenes from the 1982 Northeast Texas Dairy Show.
Mrs. Lynda Hager served as Chairman of the Talent and Beauty Show Committee, with Mrs. Julie Ashmore, Mrs. Jana DeWitt, Mrs. Sheila Koon, Mrs. Johnie Hardgrave, Mrs. Angela Price, Mrs. Rita Wright, and Mrs. Sandra Blount serving as her assistants.
The Friday headlines read, "Festival Contestants Entertain Full House," as the the talent and beauty segment of the 1982 contest was described. The staging was described as "the most elaborate staging in Hopkins County Dairy Festival history." "The stage was transformed into a scene from Texas's heritage, filled with objects seen while spending the night on the prairie or touring the towns and farms of the Ole West, featuring campfires, horses, a stage-coach and bales of hay." Fred Randles, minister of music at First Baptist Church served as the Master of Ceremonies and provided special music for the event. The "Little Wranglers" rode a stage-coach, rocking horses, and provided a square-dance for the audience, while Natalie Randles played "Turkey in the Straw" on the fiddle. Dairy Festival Candidates presented talents that ranged from a twirling routine, Broadway musical enterpretations, to vocal numbers, and dance routines.
Winners in the third annual Hopkins County Ice Cream Freeze-Off were named on Saturday, of Dairy Festival Week. Lisa Dicken, of Miller Grove, won first prize in the "plain" category with her vanilla ice cream. In the "fancy" category, it was Ruth Whitworth who was selected for first place, with her strawberry flavored concoction. Judges for the event included: Laura Diamond, 1981 Queen, Jimmy Winfrey, Ben Johnson, Jerry Knight, Curtis Rich, J.G. McKibben, and Junior Bearden. Judges sampled 19 "fancy" entries, and 17 "plain" entries in the contest, in 1982.
In a complete contrast from 1981, the spring of 1982 was one of the wetest in Hopkins County, and the annual Hopkins County Dairy Festival Parade began from Buford Park with cloudy skies. However, the parade was completed with only "a few sprinkles." Beautiful floats by the thirteen candidates that featured: Houston, Austin, Kilgore, San Antonio, Jefferson, Dallas, Arlington and other cities across Texas, made their way along the parade route, as viewed by a record crowd. Joining the candidate's floats was the "Elsie Train," the Hella Temple Shriners, and the Queen's float, as well as the Blue Blazes Drill Team and the SSHS Marching Band.
Dairy Festival action continued in the Civic Center Arena on Saturday in the Northeast Texas Dairy Show. Local winners included: the Larry and Susan Paaske Family, Tierra Verde Dairy of Brashear, Sherri Paaske, and the Mitchell Swiss Farm in the Open Brown Swiss Show. In the junior show, local winners included: Sherri Paaske, Vicki Mabe, Laura Coke, Lisa Spencer, Tammy Neal, James Day, Brad Anderson, Lance Mabe, and Stephanie Coke in the Brown Swiss Division; in the Jersey Division it was Kris Koon, Leslie Schepp, and Morgan Anderson. In the Holstein Division local winners included: Amy Deaton, Kevin Spencer, Lisa Spencer, Shawn Massey, John McNeil, Sheila Darden, Terry Goldsmith, Greg Owens, Tammy Neal, Chris Owens, and Shane Hurley. In the Red and White show it was local winners: Stephanie Coke, Darrin Dicken, and Kay Nolen. In the Other Breeds local winners were: David Winstead, Donald Birchfield, Brett Garrett, and Amie Malone. In the showmanship contest, top Junior showman was Lance Mabe of Miller Grove and Senior Showmanship winner was Terry Goldsmith of North Hopkins. Miss Leslie Schepp won the title of Texas Jersey Princess during competition associated with the show.
1982 Pageant Coordinator, Lena Mae Rogers, and set designer, Lynn Massingill.
The Finale of the 1982 Hopkins County Dairy Festival was the 8:00 p.m., Coronation Pageant, held in the Civic Center Auditorium. Lynn Massingill was set designer and Mrs. Lena Mae Rogers was pageant coordinator. The show featured the Sulphur Springs Blue Blazes Officers, the SSHS Stage Band, and special musical performances by 1970 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen Janet Skidmore Cason and a young man described as a recent graduate of Stinnett High School and vocalist at the State 4-H Round-up, Chuck Morrill. M.C. for the pageant was local real estate broker, Lowell Cable.
When the judges submitted their scores and they were tabulated, in what was described as a "stunning and surprised announcement," Raschelle Browning, daughter of Mr. & Mrs Mervis Stephens, was announced as the winner of the 1982 Queen Crown. First Runner-up was Robin Webb, daughter of Mike and Sandra Webb, and Second Runner-Up was Teena Poe, daughter of Coach and Mrs. Don Poe. Raschelle was crowned by Laura Diamond and presented with roses by Dairy Festival Board Chairman, Charles Dawson. Miss Allison Henderson, representing Sulphur Bluff High School, had been selected by her peers in the contest as Miss Congeniality.
Float winners included: Robin Webb's Mother Culture Club Float, depicting Kilgore and "pumping white gold," as the Sweepstakes Winner; Sulphur Bluff High School's Jefferson Float, ridden by Allison Henderson as the Most Beautiful Award; The Standard Club Float, depicting the city of Houston, and ridden by Julie Henderson, with the Theme Award; and Tammy Clifton's Sulphur Springs Livestock Float, depicting Luchenbach, Texas, was selected for the Most Orginal Prize.
"I was definitely both stunned and surprised, but exceptionally pleased with winning the 1982 crown," remembers Raschelle Browning Loudenslager, now a resident of Erie, Colorado. "I loved every minute of each opportunity that the experience afforded me!"
"I enjoyed the association with all of the other girls in the pageant, representing Hopkins County and her wonderful people in area pageants, and even the judge's dinner had its own merit," states Raschelle. "I have many, many sweet memories of serving as the 1982 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen!"
"Dairy Festival provided me with an opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and to hear their stories, as well as understand the dairy industry and see firsthand the hard work and accomplishments of so many Hopkins County families," expressed Raschelle fondly. "It also gave me the venue to grow personally, to learn presentation skills, which have proved to be of great value in my adult life. Through representing Hopkins County during my year of reign, I had the great blessing of meeting some of the best people in the world, right in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and I have carried so many of those experiences and friendships close to my heart throughout the years!"
Raschelle states that she feels any young lady from Hopkins County, asked to be in the Dairy Festival should grasp the positive opportunity and take advantage of the experience. "Never be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, because it is though taking these risks that you learn about yourself and become a better person. Whether or not you win the crown or a title, you are still a winner, just by your willingness to work hard and share your talents and ability with others," advised Raschelle.
"My talent presentation was performing 'Nothing' from A Chorus Line," remembers Raschelle. "I must give credit to former Dairy Festival Queen Kim Baxter, for all of her help and assistance in perfecting the presentation. I will forever be grateful to her for her time, advice, and encouragement. When I was crowned queen, we both laughed because I had braces on my teeth, at the time, and did not want to have them removed for the pageant. So, I was the first Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen with braces! By the next year, when I relinquished the crown, they had been removed and I no longer had a 'reflective' smile!"
"Oddly, I still remember every line of my talent presentation," states Raschelle. "I guess I practiced so much that it continues to be 'wedged' somewhere in my brain forever!"
Raschelle Browning graduated Sulphur Springs High School in 1983 and continued her education at Baylor University in Waco, where she majored in Communications/Public Relations. There she met her future husband, Doug Loudenslager, and they will soon celebrate 20 years of marriage. "We have two amazing children, Hayden, a seventeen year old son, that is junior in high school, and our daughter, Haylee, who is fifteen and a sophomore," states Raschelle. "They along with my Christian faith have been the greatest blessings in life!"
Today, Raschelle Browning Loudenslager lives in Erie, Colorado,
a suburb of Boulder, and spends time supporting her children's
sports activities and as a substitute teacher and civic supporter.
Raschelle worked for E-Systems in Greenville, in Public Relations for several years, then worked as a freelance editor/ghost writer for book publishers from across the U.S., representing the adult and children's genre, for both secular and Christian publishing. "My most unusual project was editing a full volume of Collier's Encyclopedias!" affirms Raschelle. "And, my most exciting opportunity was working alongside the late children's author, Bill Martin. I've even been called upon to dress-up and play the character of 'Arthur' in a bookstore during Children's Hour. Again, those Dairy Festival lessons aided me in my life choices!"
Raschelle's parents Merv and Nancy Browning, now live in Euless, Texas, but continue to "keep-up" with friends in the Sulphur Springs area. Her father, the late, Bob Browning is deceased. Her grandmother, Lucille Browning, at age 93, is a resident of an assisted living facility in Ft. Worth.
Raschelle and her husband, Doug Loudenslager, in the back row, will celebrate 20 years of marriage
this year. Shown in the front row, is Foreign Exchange Student, Ji Hee Ann, from South Korea, son,
Hayden, and daughter, Haylee. "My family and Christian faith are my greatest accomplishments
in this life," admonishes Raschelle.
"My family relocated to the Boulder, Colorado, area, eight years ago," reports Raschelle. "And, we live just outside there in the suburb of Erie, where you'll find me as a substitute teacher, advisor to the National Honor Society, and eagerly cheering my children to victory in volleyball and basketball games. I also serve with the Denver Baylor Women's Council and can be found near the 'jumping pits' at my children's track meets!"
When mentioning that she was a participant in the first ever, Hopkins County Dairy Festival Milking Contest, Raschelle remembers, "That was truly a blast!"
"I'm looking forward to returning to Hopkins County in June 2009, meeting friends, sharing memories, and visiting with so many people that I remember from my year as queen," states Raschelle. "The Hopkins County area will always retain a special place in my heart and I commend the members of the Dairy Festival Boards for creating something that has stood the test of time and offered opportunities for so many young ladies!"
Meanwhile, the Frankie Don Huie murder trial had been held the same week as Dairy Festival unfolded. Huie, age 39, was charged with killing his 32 year-old wife, Sheila Huie, in August 1981, in their Sulphur Bluff area mobile home. Huie was sentence to 99 years in TDC the following Monday, despite tearful pleas by his four children, before a nine woman, three man jury of Hopkins County residents, after two and one-half hours of deliberation, during the punishment phase of the trial.
The Sulphur Springs High School Stage Band, packed their bags and headed for Branson, Missouri, the week following Dairy Festival, where they performed at the Silver Dollar City Music Festival. And, 1982-83 SSHS Blue Blazes Officers were named in competition. They were: Robin Webb, Suzette Julian, Sue Herman, Chandra Calvin, Carol West, Marla Bowman, and Kim Tolbert.
Milk was definitely "big Business" in Hopkins County in 1982. Here, Chamber of Commerce President,
Rick Palmer, presents Governor Bill Clements, with an engraved, stainless steel milk bucket, at the
1982 Chamber of Commerce Banquet, where Clements made an appearance.
A disturbing headline indicated that home values would "jump' in a new appraisal system, that was being implemented in Hopkins County by Chief Tax Appraiser, Tom Witt, and war was declared by the British in the Faulkland Islands region. The Helm family opened Trail Dust Inn, located on I-30 and the 1982 Kentucky Derby winner was "Gato Del Sol" in the 108th Run for the Roses!
And, Texas was facing an "immigration dilemma" that hadn't been solved by a number of "raids" on businesses across the state. Does that sound familiar?
Like so many other years, 1982 had its successes, challenges, and highlights, but was a time of dairy independence in Hopkins County, that was celebrated by her residents, and a quality of life existed within the sphere of the Hopkins County Dairy Industry!
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