Dairy Festival Celebrates
Silver Jubilee in 1983
by: Bobby McDonald
The Hopkins County Dairy Festival Organization reached a milestone in 1983, as it celebrated its Silver Jubilee. What had begun as only an idea, had matured into a huge celebration, each spring, with a number of activities to celebrate the local dairy industry and highlight the prosperity that existed in Hopkins County.
And, the dairy industry wasn't the only thing that was making Hopkins County great. The headlines in the local paper read that Ocean Spray Cranberries was adding new jobs and expanding their facility in Sulphur Springs. The H.D. Lee Company was celebrating its 23rd Anniversary and expanding their job force, as well. An announcement had been made that a new Wal-Mart would open its doors in 1983 in Hopkins County and the Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber Company was constructing a new building.
1982 Queen Raschelle Browning demonstrates how to milk
a cow, on the Square in 1983.
And, the contest was on!!!
Bluebell Ice Cream had finally become available in Hopkins County and sold for $2.48 a half-gallon, in 1983. Pork chops were $1.35 a pound and bacon was at $1.49 a pound. Eggs were 49 cents a dozen and milk was priced at $1.99 a gallon. Gober-Merrell Chevrolet and Price Ford Sales were advertising a 9.9% interest rate on car loans, while the four banks in Hopkins County had set another record, during the first quarter of 1983, for gross deposits.
Karol Ann Kelty won the 1983 Milking Contest with 2 pounds, nine ounces.
Norman Bedford, J.O. Walker, and Mickey McKenzie had been elected to the City Commission and Stephen Bonner was named the Mayor of Sulphur Springs in the spring of 1983. Three native Hopkins County women, Maggie White, Tessie Bingham, and Della Bennett, all ninty-five plus years of age, had a friendship that had spanned over 90 years of Hopkins County living. All had been born in 1887, and were described as "the living history of Hopkins County," having lived through the a maxim of change, adversity, and prosperity, right here at home!
These former Dairy Festival Queens arrived for the Silver Anniversary
1983 Dairy Festival.
The Space Shuttle "Challenger" rocketed into space in the spring of 1983, and had a successful trip to space, while a "write-in" candidate, Fred Overman, "racked-up" 107 votes to be named to the Como-Pickton CISD Board, over others that were on the ballot. And, all three incumbents for the SSISD Board, Paul Tipping, Judy Gilreath, and Johnny Dobson, were re-elected for their terms.
The year 1983 found Governor Mark White "mulling" over new oil taxes and asking the state legislature to consider "year-around" schools, that had been proposed by some Houston area lawmakers. And, "Gas Prices Edge Upwards" was among the headlines, as gasoline locally rose to just over $1.00 a gallon, in a two-week period, in early April '83.
The Silver Leaf Athletic Club had announced its grand opening, from a location on I-30 east, and the City of Sulphur Springs was "touting" its new IBM Computer system, that would be used in producing water bills for the month of April.
Dairyland Ford Tractor was encouraging local farmers and ranchers to come by and see their new Ford-1100 series tractors that were priced at $4,545.00, with easy installments of $395.00 down and payments of $121.90 per month. Large candy bars were priced at 25 cents and Sulphur Springs was launching a "Spring Clean-up" event for the month of April.
A Dairy Antique Show was held with the 1983 Dairy Festival.
Irene Cara's "Flashdance...What A Feeling" was the number one song and the movie that inspired the song was the second-high grossing movie of the year, at over $95 million at the box office. However, "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi" was the number one movie of the year, grossing an astounding $309 million dollars. "Trading Places," "Terms of Endearment," "WarGames," "Sudden Impact," "Mr. Mom," "Staying Alive," "Risky Business," and "Vacation" rounded-out the other top 10 movies of the year.
Police's "Every Breath You Take," was the number two song, with Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and "Beat It," among the top selections for the year, as well. Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Baby Come to Me" by Patti Austin and James Ingram, joined Daryl Hall and John Oats' "Maneater," Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," Laura Branigans "How Am I Suppose to Live Without You," and "Solitaire," and Culture Club's "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me," as favorite songs among the teenagers. The British Group "Culture Club," made its debute in America with featured lead singer "Boy George," who "turned a few heads" in Northeast Texas.
Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton joined forces with "Islands In The Stream" and Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle recorded "You and I" as two of the favorite pop duets of 1983. Donna Summer lauched "She Works Hard For the Money," while David Bowie's "Let's Dance" became popular, joining Taco's "Puttin' On The Ritz," Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing," the Stray Cats "Stray Cat Strut," and Stevie Nicks "Stand Back," as other favorite songs of the year.
The Dairyman's Reception honored Mr. & Mrs. Eldon White as the oldest dairy farm
operating in Hopkins County, in 1983.
Joe Crocker and Jennifer Warnes' "Up Where We Belong," from the previous year's box office leader, "An Officer and A Gentleman" was also among local youth's favorite songs. Peabo Bryson and Roberta Flack made "Tonight I Celebrate My Love" popular and Rick Springfield's "Affair of the Heart" was a top selection in music.
"Dallas" was still the number one television show in 1983. Other popular favorites included: "Dynasty," "Falcon Crest," "Magnum P.I.," "Simon & Simon," "Hotel," "Cagney & Lacey," "The Love Boat," "Riptide," and "The Scarecrow & Mrs. King."
It was April of 1983, when the new Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center and Jail were officially opened for use in Hopkins County and warnings in the national news indicated that the U.S. Medicare Fund could go Broke by 1991, if some major measures weren't taken. Terry's Furniture was advertising a new sofa and love seat for $499.00 and had "any and all accessories" needed for the home, while Price Ford Sales had a 1983 Ford Granada, fully-loaded, for only $5,795.00.
Internationally, the death toll continued to climb in Beirut, when the U.S. Embassy was bombed in mid-April 1983. However, the local family of Marine Sgt. Charles A. Light, Jr., a native of Sulphur Springs, were emotionally relieved to learn that he was safe and had not been injured in the bombing. Radio Station KDXE had sponsored a "Hawaiian Travel Promotion," that was won by B.J. and Maggie Smithers.
The 1983 Sulphur Springs Wildcat Baseball Team took the District Championship with a 5-0 decision on the road in Liberty Eylau. And, the 1983 Lady Wildcat Golf Team won District and was runner-up to the Regional title, behind Mineral Wells. Team members were Carla Cheatham, Teena Poe, Katerina Sheffield, Norma Perry, and Karen Watts. The Wildcat Boys Tennis Team also brought home a District title, with team members being: Chris Sellers and Fred D'Lizarrgo.
Meanwhile, also in 1983, two local youth won "heroism" awards for helping save their father's lives. Chris Wilhite, age 11, and his sister, Amy Wilhite, of Saltillo were sited for assisting their father, Steve Wilhite, when his arm was caught in a hay baler, and managed to get him in the truck and drive him eight miles for medical help. The accident had occured on August 12, 1982, in a remote hay field, near Saltillo. And, twenty-three year old W.A. Fouse, Jr., died nine days after being involved in a motorcycle accident, on Church Street in Sulphur Springs.
The City of Yantis was seeking bids for the construction of a new sewer plant in that city, south of Sulphur Springs.
The ten young ladies who competed for the 1983 crown are shown here joining 1982
Queen Raschelle Browning.
On a much brighter note, ten young ladies chose to enter the Silver Anniversary Dairy Festival Contest. They were: Judy Penn representing Dial Study Club; Stacey Barnett, chosen by Mother's Culture Club; Eydie McDowell representing Waverly Club; Vanessa Meacham, representing Saltillo High School; Laury Emerson chosen by the local Lions Club; Gae Thomas representing the Children's Center; Marla Teel as the Hopkins County Farm Bureau representative; Cristin Hughes representing the Tanti Club; Lesley Thomas as the Standard Club representative; and Karol Ann Kelty, representing the Junior Waverly Club.
The 1983 Dairy Festival Week began on Sunday, May 8th, with a Dairymen's Reception. The event was highlighted by the recognition of the Oldest Dairy Farm in the County. The Eldon White Family, who operated a dairy farm on the south side of Interstate-30, in the City of Sulphur Springs was sited as the oldest farm, having begun selling milk in 1935, for 35 cents per hundred-weight. An Antique Dairy and Farm Show was held in the Civic Center, on Sunday, as well, featuring a new addition to the week of activities.
Monday morning, found Dairy Festival Candidates, once again on the downtown square, as they competed in the 2nd Annual Milking Contest. Karol Ann Kelty won the contest, managing to "squeeze" two pounds, nine ounces from her cow. Runner-up Milking Champion was Eydie McDowell. Following the Milking Contest, Dairyman Bobby McDonald and Dairy Festival Queen Raschelle Browning traveled to Travis Elementary School where they were accompanied by a dairy cow and baby calf, to promote the festival and teach the students about the dairy industry.
Wednesday of the 1983 Dairy Festival Week, found Dairy Queen Candidates and the reigning Queen engaged in a style show and tea, hosted by the Hopkins County Newcomers Club. The Northeast Texas Dairy Show began in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, on Thursday morning, followed by a Dairy Foods Contest and Tasting Bee. The Carnival opened on Thursday afternoon and the Talent and Beauty Show began at 7:30 p.m. in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center Auditorium.
The set for the 1983 Talent and Beauty Show, in the Hopkins County Civic Center.
Termed "the best talent competition in the history of the Dairy Festival," the Silver Anniversary candidates "dazzled" the audience with vocal numbers, piano and flute numbers, as well as skits and tap dances. Cristin Hughes opened the night with a comedy song and skit to "Second Hand Rose." She was followed by McDowell, who presented a classical piano rendition of "Rhapsody in Blue." Gae Thomas, dressed as a clown, presented a mime and magic routine. And, Stacy Barnett charmed the audience with a "flowing and graceful" ballet number to "Endless Love." Vanessa Meacham presented a humorous dialogue "Southern Belle," and Karol Ann Kelty "went into high gear" with her vocal and dance presentation of "Rapid Roy the Stockcar Boy." Laury Emerson presented a tap dance routine to the music of "42nd Street." Marla Teel gave an original oratory, "A Dairy Girl Speaks," and Judy Penn presented her own presentation of her photography work in a venue entitled "I Looked Around." Lesley Thomas finished the talent competition with a flute medley from "Sound of Music." The young ladies had previously competed in casual wear and followed their talent presentations in an evening gown segment of the contest. The judges presented Mrs. B.F. Ashcroft a sealed envelope to hold until the new queen would be revealed on Saturday night, during the pageant portion of Dairy Festival Week.
Meanwhile, on the Vera Harrington Dairy Farm, in Reilly Springs, a Holstein cow had given birth to triplets, a rare occasion among dairy cattle, who many times give twin births. The cow and her three offspring were shown in a photo in the local newspaper.
Alexander Swiss Farm's Brown Swiss Exhibit at the Dairy Show.
At the Northeast Texas Dairy Show, it was Koon Jersey Farm and Sonshine Jersey Farm from Brashear that took the champion and jr. champion honors in the Jersey Show. It was Alexander Swiss Farm that took the champions in the open Brown Swiss Show and Bobby McDonald and Billy Jack Allen, who took the champion honors in the Holstein Show. Allen Chamness won the champion honors in the Red and White Division of the open show. The Junior Show was held on Saturday of Dairy Festival Week. A "Media Milk-Off" was hosted with local and area media personalities pitted against each other in seeing who could capture the most milk.
The Koon Jersey Farm exhibit at the Dairy Show.
The Bobby McDonald Holstein Farm exhibit at the Dairy Show.
Saturday morning found cloudy skies and early morning showers, but by parade time, the rain had stopped and the beautiful floats, following the past themes of Dairy Festivals, made their way through Sulphur Springs, in a most colorful event. The Hella Temple Shriners were featured in the parade, once again, that included the Sulphur Springs High School Marching Band, the Blue Blazes Drill Team, children's decorated golf carts, and a number of commercial exhibits.
Gae Thomas rode this Southern Melodies float in the 1983 Festival.
Stacey Barnet rode this Texas themed float in the 1983 Festival.
Marla Teel rode this "Gone With The Wind" float in 1983.
Karol Ann Kelty won "Most Beautiful" with this float in 1983.
Vanessa Meacham rode this "Education" float representing Saltillo High School.
Eydie McDowell rode the magic carpet on this Arabian Knights float in the
1983 Dairy Festival Parade. The float won the Sweepstakes Award.
Laury Emerson rode this float in the 1983 Dairy Festival Parade.
Lesley Thomas rode this float depicting "Our American Heritage" and won the
"Best Theme Award." It's probably the only float ever pulled by a team of mules.
Judy Penn rode this "Uncle Remus" Storytime float in the 1983 Parade. The float
won the "Most Original" Award.
Christin Hughes rode this "Milk Is It!" float in the 1983 Parade.
Saturday night found the Dairy Festival Coronation Pageant opening at 8:00 p.m. with the theme "A Silver Jubilee Celebration." Mrs. Lena Mae Rogers was the pageant coordinator with Lynn Massingill doing stage design and Arvin Starrett serving as music director. Dwight Alexander served as President of the 1983 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board with Mike Blount serving as vice-president, Mrs. Pete Long serving as secretary, and Mrs. Denney Ashcroft serving as treasurer. Other board members included: Howard Graham, Charles Dawson, Gilbert McGrede, Bruce Fielden, Virginia Henderson, Lena Mae Rogers, Sherrie O'Brien, Sheila Koon, Jodie Skidmore, Rita Wright, Lynda Hager, Jana DeWitt, Beckie Berry, Angela Price, Sammie Bedford, Mrs. John Hardgrave, Bobby McDonald, Rosemary Bailey, Joan Longino, Gordon Ford, Jerry Gibby, and Denise Bell.
The set for the 1983 Dairy Festival Pageant.
Former Dairy Festival Queens were presented at the Silver Jubilee to begin the program. Returning queens included: Janet Cason, Lydia Walden, Lasca Harry, Kim Baxter, Judy Deaton, Bonni Kids, Linda Bennett, Morna Moss, Kim Huffstettler, Betty Chapman, Gina Reese, Denise Booher, Beth Holland, Stephanie Little, Laura Diamond, Marilyn Bettes, and Janet Shields.
Bill Bradford served as the Master of Ceremonies and James Jones presented a slide presentation entitled "Projections of the Past." Past queens were featured in a number of talent presentations, throughout the evening. A special presentation was awarded Mrs. Lena Mae Rogers, for her tireless effort in the past 25 years of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival.
Duchesses from Winnsboro, Mt. Vernon, Grand Saline, Rains County, and Daingerfield, and Fall Festival Cover Girl, Rhonda Crouch, and Hopkins County Farm Bureau Queen, Beverly Nymyer, were presented during the pageant.
When the secret envelope was revealed and opened, it was Miss Eydie McDowell, daughter of William and Charlotte McDowell and a junior at Sulphur Springs High School that was named 1983 Queen. First Runner-Up was Miss Karol Ann Kelty, and 2nd Runner-Up was Marla Teel. Miss Lesley Thomas had been selected by her peers for the Miss Congeniality Award.
Winners in the float competition were also announced on Saturday night. Eydie McDowell scored a "double-honor" as her Arabian Knights float was awarded the top Sweepstakes Award. Karol Ann Kelty's float was awarded "Most Beautiful" and Judy Penn's float was sited for the "Most Original" award. Lesley Thomas' float, that had been pulled by a team of mules, was sited for the "Best Depiction of Theme" award.
Eydie McDowell, the granddaughter of Mr. & Mrs. Howard Smith and Mr. & Mrs. W.A. McDowell, could trace her family roots back for generations in Hopkins County and had been reared with her eye on competing in the Dairy Festival Pageant. "Participating in the Dairy Festival had been a dream since I was a small girl," remembers Eydie McDowell Ginn. "It was encouraging just to be asked to be in the competition and then to win with such a talented group of friends and classmates, was beyond anything that I had ever imagined."
"I'm so grateful that my parents encouraged me to be in Dairy Festival," expressed Eydie. "Without their encouragement and support I would never have been able to take advantage of this opportunity. Going through the judges' interview helped me to overcome my natural tendency to be shy and opened a world of opportunities, that I truly needed at that time in my life."
"Some of my fondest memories are of learning how to milk a cow, and I'll forever be greatful to 'Kate,' a special cow that I always got to milk during my year of reign," expresses Eydie. "Then there were the many ribbon cuttings, representing Hopkins County in pageants across East Texas, and then at the State of Fair of Texas. I can remember going to the Nacogdoches Heritage Festival and being escorted by my cousin, Dave Spurrier, and Lena Mae Rogers and Lynda Hager accompanying me, just to see me do a 'full' courtsy, properly all the way to the floor!"
Today, Eydie McDowell Ginn makes her home in Sulphur Springs, where she is active in
her three children's lives, the community, and as pianist for First Baptist Church.
"Some of the ribbon cuttings that I remember attending were for Pizza Inn, Skate Magic, Holiday Inn, Thee Christian Bookstore, Professional Land and Title Company, and the Super Handy at the intersection of 154 and Hwy 11," relates Eydie. "Others included Producers Feed and Supply, Radio Shack, Outdoor Power Products, and many others thoughout Hopkins County."
"I would encourage any young lady that is asked to participate in Dairy Festival to take advantage of the opportunity," expresses Eydie. "It was definitely a life changing experience for me, and the only time in my life that my mother let me be a 'bellydancer!' My float was themed Arabian Knights and Donnie Wisenbaker loaned us his jeep and we built a flying carpet over it. Jim Thompson, Sue Rogers, my parents, and my brothers constructed the float from chicken wire and plastic materials, in T.L. Sanderson's garage!"
"My entire family supported me throughout my year as Dairy Festival Queen, from my brother, William Howard, driving me in parades, to my mother getting dresses and costumes made, to my dad helping to make sure that I was to the events on time," remembers Eydie. "I was 'Hello Dolly' in the Gilmer Yamboree and we got a vague sketch in the mail to have a costume designed from, but it turned out to be a wonderful experience."
"A real treat was in store for me when I was presented at the East Texas Queens Day at the State Fair. It was a wonderful day that made you feel very special," relates Eydie. "And, I can't thank the members of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board enough, for all of their support. From opening their homes and dairy farms to allow us to learn about the dairy industry, to building difficult sets for both the coronation and talent and beauty nights, to organizing and making the year truly something to remember, the board of directors have always been a very dedicated group of people! That's the reason that the organization will celebrate a half-century of success in 2009!"
"My talent was one of my dad's favorite pieces, George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, and my parents and grandparents would take turns driving me to Denton, each Saturday, for a year, so that I could study piano with Dr. Isabel Scionti," remembers Eydie. "Yes, it was time consuming, but I'll have to say it was all worth it, to win the title and to be able to experience one of the greatest moments in my life, winning the crown."
Eydie graduated from Sulphur Springs High School in 1984 and attended Baylor University in Waco. She graduated Baylor in 1988 with a B.S. Degree in Education. She worked as a summer intern for Congressman Jim Chapman, of Sulphur Springs, following her marriage to John Ginn, whom she met in college. John and Eydie have been married for 21 years. Eydie taught second grade in Mart ISD, while John completed his law degree at Baylor, and then they decided to move home to Sulphur Springs. John is a partner in Smith, McDowell, and Ginn. Eydie and John are the parents of three children, Charlie, age 19, and a sophomore at Baylor University majoring in history and journalism, Andy a 17 year old senior at Sulphur Springs High School and a member of the Cat Pack and track team, and Molly, age 13, an eighth-grader, an all-region violinist, and member of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra Sinfonietta.
Eydie continues her love of music and has been the pianist at First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs for the past 18 years. "My greatest accomplishment in life has been being Mom to three wonderful children," expresses Eydie. "I've enjoyed every minute of watching them grow and develop, and to share their joys in life!"
Meanwhile, as Eydie McDowell served as Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, the school district agreed to give the Hopkins County Civic Center $10,000.00, to help with some needed equiment and maintenance of the building, as a bond election had failed to provide the needed funds. In exchange the school district could use the facility for some of their many activities. And, the Hopkins County Commissioners Court approved insurance for Civic Center Board members, who were acting on behalf of the complex.
Members of the North Hopkins FFA won third place in the State Dairy Judging Contest in 1983. Team members were Juan Contreras, Terry Goldsmith, Jackey Ferrell and Holly Hague. And, Sandi Watts and Bridgette Clark were named valedictorian and salutatorian of the Class of '83, at Cumby High School. Sulphur Springs Wildcat senior, Cody Vanderford, was named for the coveted Fighting Heart Award and Parul Patel and Julie Parker were named valedictorian and salutatorian of the SSHS Class of '83.
Shonda Moore was selected as the Sulphur Springs FFA Officer of the Year and Kris Koon was the president of the Sulphur Springs Chapter. Jeff Maeker received the Cecil Tucker Memorial Scholarship and Jason Frazier was named the Outstanding Greenhand in 1983. Brian Orr, Jeff Maeker, Kris Koon, and Gary Goggins were awarded the top honors in the Ag-Coop Program.
The year 1983 found Hopkins County "on top of the world" in the dairy industry, with the price of milk at a profitable level and county producers marketing more milk than any other county in the Southwest. It was a time of a healthy local economy and great reasons to celebrate with the Hopkins County Dairy Festival.
"I am honored to have served as the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen during the Silver Jubilee year," expresses Eydie McDowell Ginn. "And, I look forward to joining the other former queens and celebrating the 50 years of success of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival in June 2009!"