1984 Dairy Festival Queen
Katerina Sheffield
"Area Growth" Was Topic of
Discussion When Dairy Festival 1984
Unfolded
by: Bobby McDonald
Total bank deposits in Sulphur Springs had hit another all-time record for the first quarter of 1984, with $224,961,113.00 on deposit, in the four local institutions, and the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce reported a 25% increase in the sales tax revenue for the same period. Two new industries had reported that they would be locating in Sulphur Springs, according to Chamber CEO Ed Phelps. Things were "booming" in Hopkins County!
Sulphur Springs had been entered in a state-wide beautification contest and the Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee was planting crepe myrtles throughout the city, with the project chaired by Margin Latham. A series of "heated" political races were being conducted throughout Hopkins county as local attorneys Chad Cable and Frankie Long were vying for the office of District Attorney and H.W. Halcomb had "pitched his hat in the race" for County Commissioner Precinct #2. Elton Stewart had placed his name on the ballot for the Precinct #1 race, and Carroll Crouch was vying for the Precinct #4 position.
Winning the crown of 1984 Dairy Festival Queen was Katerina Sheffield, center. First runner-up was Amy Sidebottom,
left, and Second runner-up was Lisa Husbands, right.
BilliJo's Kid's Clothes had opened on Shannon Road and was the perfect place to outfit the children of the community, as Billie Jo Newsom and her family were ready to serve you. Quaker State motor oil was 76 cents a quart and a twelve-pack of Pepsi could be purchased for only $2.46. Milk was $1.99 a gallon and bacon was $1.33 a pound. Eggs were 69 cents a dozen and beef brisket was featured at $1.89 a pound. Grandma's Fried Chicken, located on the south side of Interstate-30 was "the place" to eat for Sunday dinner in Sulphur Springs and Bailey Tractor Company was offering 9.9% financing on tractors and farm equipment.
Lou Nell's was offering a half-price sale and Price Ford Sales featured a 1984 Crown Victoria for only $10,295.00 or a 1984 Ford F-150 Pick-up for only $9,199.00, fully-loaded. "The Nest" at 1207 Mockingbird Lane, was offering "women's fashions for every occasion," and Stephanie Tyler, a senior at Sulphur Springs High School, had been named SSHS's first National Merit Scholar.
Marshall's Department Store, located on the downtown square, had caught fire and burned, totally destroying the business and causing extensive smoke and water damage to the neighboring City National Bank Building. Newport's was offering famous name-brand fashions and shoes from their location, while the "Natra-Lee" Dairy Supply Company had opened at 232 Linda Drive.
Texas Commercial Savings and Loan, to be located at 919 Gilmer Street, had began their ground breaking ceremonies, when Bobby Price had lifted the first shovel of dirt, before a host of well-wishers.
"Equs" the Sulphur Springs High School Drama Department's one-act play, was headed to state competition, and local debators included Tommy Kelty and Stacy Cody. Cumby Trojan, Jon Wells, had signed a letter of intent to play football for Cisco Junior College, and the Doubles team of Rhanda Hall and Allison Gideon had won second place in District Tennis Competition. The Sulphur Springs Lady Wildcat Golf Team was headed to the state competition. Members were Mary MacCaffery, Lisa Bell, Amanda Motes, Shelia Sims, Katerina Sheffield, and Karen Brown.
Sugar was 98 cents for a five-pound bag and Lay's Potato Chips were 89 cents for a large bag. Round steak was at $1.68 a pound. And, the 1984 FFA Stew and Auction featured over 20 pots of stew served at the annual event. Judy Gilreath had been named President of the SSISD Board of Education.
April 1984 found the Hopkins County Historical Society conducting their second-annual Old-Time Folk Festival at Heritage Park. The event featured a blacksmith, broom-making, and candle-making, just to name a few of the crafts featured.
Local dairymen Bill Floyd, Jackie Boles, Jimmy Don Goldsmith, Billie Anderson, Joe Bain, Jerry Gibby, and H.V. Flora, Jr., had just returned from a National Associated Milk Producers Inc. meeting in Chicago, where they represented the interests of the local industry. And, the spring Rural-Urban Meeting was hosted in Yantis, with Mrs. Elaine Stone, a graduate of Yantis High School serving as the speaker, while the Yantis community chose to honor Marlin L. Scarborough as their outstanding citizen, at the banquet.
The Ag Mechanics Team from Sulphur Springs High School, consisting of Shane Hurley, Robert Allen, and Lance Ragan, was headed to the state contest to be held at Texas A&M University in College Station.
This float ridden by Holly Willis and entitled "Milk Gives True Grit," won the Sweepstakes Award
and was sponsored by Jones Livestock and Dairy Auction.
Meanwhile, popular music in 1984 included the top hit of the year, "When Doves Cry," by Prince. Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do With It," was another popular hit, along with "Say, Say, Say," by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson. Local teens quickly adapted to "Footloose" the hit song by Kenny Loggins, and "Almost Paradise" by Mike Reno and Ann Wilson, from the popular movie, "Footloose," that featured small town teenagers, who wanted to have a dance, in their hometown. Other popular songs included: "Against All Odds (from the movie) by Phil Collins, "Talking in Your Sleep," by the Romantics; "Joanna," by Kool and The Gang; "Hello" and "All Night Long" by Lionel Richie; and Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" and "Girls Just Want to Have Fun." Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark" and Deniece Williams' "Let's Hear It For the Boy," were popular, along with Richie's "Stuck On You," Huey Lewis and The News' "The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll," and Peabo Bryson's "If Ever You're In My Arms Again."
The number one movie of 1984 was "Ghostbusters" grossing $238,632,124. at the box office, and the hit song from the movie was popular locally, as well as a featured song in the local Blue Blazes Drill Team performances. "Beverly Hills Cop," was the second high grossing movie, with "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," placing third. "Gremlins," "Footloose," "The Karate Kid," "Police Academy," "Romancing the Stone," "Purple Rain," and "Star Treck III: The Search For Spock," wrapped-up the top ten list.
Culture Club's "Karma Chameleon," and the Pointer Sisters' "Jump For My Love" were popular music choices in 1984, also. They joined Daryl Hall and John Oates' "Say It Isn't So," Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl," and Elton John's "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues," as popular listening. Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson joined forces to top the County charts with "To All the Girls I've Loved Before" that joined "Islands In The Stream," a duet by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton that continued to be a hit for the second year straight. Madonna's "Lucky Star" and Elton John's "Sad Songs Say So Much" found fans in Hopkins County, as well.
If you found yourself at home, watching television, it was the nighttime soap, "Dynasty," that was the number one TV show of the year. It had surpassed the devious plots on "Dallas" for the first time. Third rated show of the year was "The Cosby Show" and other popular show included: "Family Ties," "Simon & Simon," "Murder, She Wrote," "Knots Landing," "Falcon Crest," "Hotel," "Cheers," "Riptide," and "Magnum P.I."
Katerina Sheffield rode this Lions Club float entitled "A Street Car Named Deisre."
Growth in Hopkins County was reflected in the number of candidates that chose to enter the Dairy Festival competition in 1984. Fifteen young ladies chose to enter the contest. They included: Kim Bell, sponsored by the Hopkins County Farm Bureau; Donna Hines, sponsored by the Sulphur Springs Young Homemakers; Gretchen Dietze, representing the Standard Club; Allison Gideon, representing the Children's Center; Sara Lindley, sponsored by the Tanti Club; Rhanda Hall, representing the Dial Study Club; Amanda Motes, sponsored by Kiwanis Club; Melissa Julian, representing the Rotary Club; Lara Reedy, sponsored by the Waverly Club; Lisa Husbands, representing Primrose Lane; Amy Sidebottom, as the Mother's Culture Club representative; Colleen O'Brien, sponsored by B&PW Club; Leah Stevens, representing the Junior Waverly Club; Katerina Sheffield, as the Lion's Club representative; and Holly Willis sponsored by Jones Livestock and Dairy Auction.
Gretchen Dietz won "Most Beautiful" with this float depicting "Harvey."
"The Acowdemy Awards" was the theme for the 1984 Dairy Festival Week, Talent and Beauty Show, and Pageant. Talent presentations included: ballet, piano solos, a ducimer solo, a hand-bell solo, humorous monologues, jazz dances, a flute solo, tap dances, vocal numbers, and a photography slide presentation. Danny Parkerson was the Master of Ceremonies for the Talent and Beauty Show and Dwight Alexander served as the President of the Dairy Festival Board in 1984.
"Future Stars," the "younger set" that appeared in the 1984 Dairy Festival included: Marla Jones, Tiffany Watts, Laurie Holder, Myndi Garrett, Ann Rabun, Danna Evans, Chad Jones, Jeremy Jones, Coby Reed, Preston Peugh, Michael Lawrence, Todd Aaron Evans, Kelsey Moss, Keri Reed, Summer Daniels, Amanda Vaculik, Kaylee Bartley, Dee Ann Evans, Michael Vititow, Jim Teetes, Jeremy Jenkins, Kamilla Moss, Jandi DeWitt, Chanelle Hinton, Allison Reeves, Courtney Blount, Josh Boatman, Lee Higgins, Tyler Dunlap, Blake Stewart, J.R. Fisher, and Brandon Bell.
Among the "Acowdemy Awards's Future Stars" were these two sets of twins, from
left to right, Chad Jones, Kelsey Moss, Kamilla Moss, and Jeremy Jones.
Dairy Festival Week was May 5-12th and featured the third annual Milking Contest on the Square. Bobby McDonald, Chairman of the Milking Contest Committee was featured in a story that reflected the care that was taken to get cows who would be docile enough to perform on the downtown square, and that would prevent anyone from getting hurt during the milking extravaganza. No one was hurt and it was candidate Melissa Julian, that bested her competitors to lay claim as the "Milking Queen," when she squeezed 2 pounds and 14 ounces from her cooperating bovine. Second place honors went to Holly Willis who manged to milk 2 pounds 12 ounces, and third place winner was Amy Sidebottom, who collected 2 pounds 10.5 ounces from her docile milking machine. Several contestants complained that their bucket had been over-turned by a cow's foot, or that somehow their cow wouldn't cooperate to their "touch!"
Meanwhile, the Dairy Foods Contest was held with a variety of dishes, using only "real" dairy products, were prepared for the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center hosted event. Winners included: Deann Hasten, of Miller Grove, in the Main Dish Category; Rebecca Van Alstine, of Sulphur Bluff, in the Dessert Category; and Dovie Wall, of Weaver, in the Salad Category. Helen Sapaugh, of Sulphur Springs, won top honors in the Appetizer Category.
Allison Gideon rode this "The Circus" float depicting Charlie Chaplin, and was sponsored by the
Chidren's Center. The float won the "Most Original Award."
In the Ice Cream Freeze-Off, it was Mrs. Jo Spencer, of North Hopkins, that won the Plain Category, with her vanilla ice cream concoction. Mrs. Rosa Rutherford, took second place honors in the category, and Mr. Tom Howell was featured as the third place winner. In the Novelty Category, First Place was awarded to Shelia Millsap, with Cleitus Millsap winning second place. Third place was awarded to the ice cream of Karen Williamson.
The 1984 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Parade was naturally a colorful event, with 15 candidates' floats featured in the display through town. They were joined by a number of commercial floats, as well as the eight-horse Belgian hitch of Owen's County Sausage, that was a "big hit" among spectators. The Sweepstakes award was won by Holly Willis', Jones Livestock and Dairy Auction float, and the Most Beautiful Award was presented to Gretchen Dietz's Standard Club float. Leah Steven's Junior Waverly Club float was selected for the "Best of Theme" prize, and Allison Gideon's Children's Center float was awarded the "Most Original Award."
Donna Hines rode this float that poured milk, sponsored by the Sulphur Springs
Young Homemakers.
In describing the 1984 Northeast Texas Dairy Show, that was held on May 10-12th, County Agent Gordon Ford stated that "the multi-million dollar dairy industry in Hopkins County, had helped 'inflation proof'our area from the recession that had thwarted other parts of the nation." And, Gerald Prim, longtime local banker, traced the dairy industry from its humble beginnings of hand-milking four or five cows, that brought the county out of the Great Depression, to the modern dairy farms that had converted "cotton worn" land to luscious pastures of coastal bermudagrass pastures and hay meadows. "The people of Hopkins County can thank the dairy cow for the prosperity that they enjoy today, as the industry has fueled a local economy that has diviersified to included manufacturing, processing, and other related industries," state Prim. "Our community has certainly prospered because of the humble dairy cow and the many industries she supports in our county and region of Northeast Texas!"
Rhanda Hall is shown on this Dial Study Club float representing the movie "Madame Butterfly."
Grant Alexander, son of Dwight and Tina Alexander was featured in a photo at the Northeast Texas Dairy Show, as he made his first appearance at a dairy show. His grandmother, Marita Alexander was photographed holding the infant and giving him a bottle of milk (of course)!
Meanwhile, David Owens, a Como Dairyman, had plans to exhibit a Holstein bull and possibly a couple of cows, at the show. However, as he was returning from Canada, with 5 head of animals, a cigarette came in contact with hay in the trailer and caught fire. A Holstein bull and cow were killed in the fire, and three other animals injured. "We'd been on the road for 29 hours, when the accident took place, and that kinda ruins the plans to show at the dairy show," advised Owens.
Lisa Husbands rode this Primrose Lane sponsored float depicting "Meet Me in St. Louis."
A new attraction added to the 1984 Dairy Festival was a soccer tournament. The tournament was featured on both Saturdays of Dairy Festival Week, with finals being held on Sunday, May 13th.
The final Saturday night 1984 Dairy Festival Pageant was described as "six months in the making," as it was billed as "an exciting and fast-paced, musical performance" coordinated by Lynn Massingill, pageant director, Arvin Starrett, musical director, Jackie Nutting, Choreographer, and Edna Mabe, Blue Blazes Reunion Choreographer. "We've been working 12 and 14 hour days, to get the 75 plus performers ready for Saturday night, May 12th," allowed Starrett. "What we're doing is very theatrical with no 'dead-spots' in the evening!"
Miss Kim Baxter, the 1975 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, and Mrs. Lydia Wallace Walden, the 1980 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, were billed to perform in the musical production, with Bill Bradford serving as the Master of Ceremonies. Mrs. F.G. Rogers served as the Pageant Coordinator and Mrs. William O'Brien was the production manager. Technical assistants included: Cliff Hines, Jon Thomas, Jerry Gibby, and Wayne Kimbrough. Lighting directors were Billy Sam Elliott, Kenny Kirtley, and Mark Botello. Mr. & Mrs. James Jones were the sound technicians. Scenic artists were Jody Skidmore, Diane Emerson, and Gary Moon, and Costumes and Wardrobe supervisors included: Sylvia Vanderford, Janelle Gillis, and Dee Von Allman.
Sara Lindley rode this "Gone With The Wind" float sponsored by the Tanti Club.
Jackie Nutting brought her dance toupe of Gina Sidebottom, Peni Rowell, Cynthia Lawrence, Sandi Watts, Lori Myers, Nicole Newton, Amy McClain, Kristine Kinsale, Brooke McKee, Jennifer Seely, and Melinda Moore. And, Mrs. Edna Mabe presented her former Blue Blazes Drill Team members: Kim Edwards Adams, Debbie Penney Perkins, Debbie Nowlin, Kim Hazlewood Wilhite, Cindy Price Abercrombie, Lisa Baker, Donna Kirkpatrick Jenkins, Shannon White Copeland, Ala Loyd Scroggins, Lisa Vititow Bruan, Teresa Brumfield Shrode, Connie Bradley Mabe, Debbie Walker Ponder, June Orren Johnston, Glenna Orren Ramey, Lana McWilliams, Marsha Bradley Blount, Charlotte Vititow Haygood, and Pat Irving Gammill.
The Pit Orchestra and Chorus was comprised of: Grady King, Jimmy Finney, Mark Beggs, Jan Blize, Sherry Brock, Larry Campbell, Cindy Compton, Larry Davis, Mike Dodd, Lisa Hargis, Kevin Markham, Roberta Harney, and Letha Miller.
Amy Sidebottom rode this Mother's Culture Club Float in the 1984 parade.
In a statement in the Pageant program, by County Agent Gordon Ford, there were 527 dairy farms in Hopkins County in 1984 and the previous year they had produced over $86 million in milk sales. Local dairy farms averaged 117 cows per farm and total production was over 614 million pounds of Grade-A milk.
Leah Stevens rode this Jr. Waverly Club Float depicting "Laurel and Hardy" and won the "Best Use of
Theme" Award.
Amidst the theatrical production and a well designed setting of "glitz and glamour" the crowd stood and applauded as Katerina Sheffield, the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. John Sheffield, was named the 1984 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen. She was junior at Sulphur Springs High School. First runner-up honors went to Amy Sidebottom, sponsored by the Mother's Culture Club, and second runner-up was awarded to Lisa Husbands, sponsored by Primrose Lane.
We found Katerina Sheffield Dickey, living in Lago Vista, Texas, today. She and her husband of 18 years, Ross Dickey, are actively involved in the Shoreline Christian Center, that she describes as an interdenominational Christian Church, in Austin, Texas, where Ross serves as the executive pastor. Katerina and Ross live on Lake Travis and Katerina boasts that the church has grown from an humble 100 members to over 5,000 parishioners. "My husband and I are mainly 'behind the scenes,' working with strategic planning, designing and overseeing building projects, and working with operations," expresses Katerina. "We enjoy wakeboarding, music, cooking, and sharing traveling adventures together."
Kim Bell rode this float sponsored by Hopkins County Farm Bureau that featured a dairy parlor serving
milk and ice cream.
"When I see the Lago Vista Lion's Club sign, on my way home every day, I get a smile on my face, thinking about the wonderful club, who supported me during my time as a Dairy Festival Candidate, in Hopkins County," expresses Katerina. "The exprience helped me build confidence, gave me valuable experience communicating in various settings, and speaking before large groups!"
Amanda Motes, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, rode this float featuring a "milk oasis" in the 1984
Hopkins County Dairy Festival Parade. Note the camel and palm trees on the front.
"Representing the Hopkins County Dairy Festival and all the nice people of Hopkins County gave me a better understanding of what my hometown community was all about," continues Katerina. "I would highly recommend to any young lady to take advantage of the opportunity and experience, and strongly encourage them to work hard on their talent, speech presentation, and interviewing skills. Those are skills that will benefit you over and over again in life!"
"My talent was a piano piece called Sabre Dance, that was a very lively tune and my cousin, Eydie McDowell, had me over to her house to help me with the perfection of the piece. Her mom and dad, Charlotte and William, would serve as critques, as well," remembers Katerina. "I remember using a mirror, at the suggestion of the McDowells and I would finish my piece and then look in the mirror to make certain that I had stage presentation for the contest. That brings a smile today, from the experience! The McDowell family was so helpful!"
Colleen O'Brien rode this B&PW sponsored float in the 1984 parade.
Katerina graduated Sulphur Springs High School in 1985, where she was a member of the Lady Wildcat Golf Team, and she remembers being flown back to the contest with her teammate, Amanda Motes, so they could participate in the Dairy Festival Week activities. "We felt so 'jet set' being flown back for the competition!" remembers Katerina.
Following high school graduation, it was on to graduating from the University of Texas College of Pharmacy in 1990, for Katerina. Today, she is going back to school, after some 20 years, to Parker Chiropractic College, and choosing a second career. She had worked in intravenous medications, nutrition support, oncology pharmacy, and even retail, but was so impressed by a "life changing" introduction to chiropractic care, that she used some of that "spunk" she learned in Dairy Festival, and is seeking a passion. After 18 years as a pharmacist, she's returned to school and working toward her second degree. "I guess I never learned to say 'never'!" bemuses Katerina. "I had life pictured much differently, but must say that it's an adventure and you must follow your passions! Don't even think 'never,' because you never know what life will bring you and what exciting and glorious adventures are waiting for you!"
Lara Reedy rode this Waverly Club sponsored float that featured Elsie the cow in a garden setting.
Meanwhile, back in 1984, as Katerina accepted the crown, as the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, the Royal Lipizzan Stallions, were making an appearance in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, straight from Austria, where once during the Thirty Years of War, their mere mention would bring an outcry of terror from the countryside in Europe.
And, it was a memorable night for many in Sulphur Springs, as at approximately 6:00 p.m., the night of the Dairy Festival Pageant two intense explosions rocked the home of Alan and Jan Spencer, friends of many involved in Dairy Festival, and engulfed the home at 1516 San Jacinto Street. Killed in the home was the Spencer's 22 month old son, Jansen Ryan Spencer. Alan Spencer received second and third degree burns over the upper half of his body, as he vainly tried to rescue his son. A neighbor and brother of Dairy Festival Queen Eydie McDowell, William Howard McDowell, aged 15, ran to the home and was also burned as he was able to drag Alan Spencer unconcious from the home.
Melissa Julian, sponsored by the Rotary Club, rode this float that depicted a barn and garden setting, in
the 1984 parade.
The Grand Opening was hosted for "Holiday Inn," a 100 room facility on the north side of Interstate-30, that featured Tiffany's Seafood and Steak Restaurant and Private Club. And, the Sulphur Springs High School Student Body had selected their Student Council Officers for the coming year. They were: Bill Allison, President; Randy West, Vice-President; Dana McComb, Secretary-Treasurer; David Maeker, Reporter; and Chris Jackson, Parliamentarian. Shaundra Kendricks, a senior at SSHS, was headed to Texas A&M University with a full scholarship, and planned on majoring in physical therapy.
And, Melody Allen, of Yantis was headed to the state UIL Speech Contest, representing Yantis High School. The 130 members of the Sulphur Springs Wildcat Band were headed for Kansas City, Missiouri, according to Rex Wilemon, Director, where they would compete in a national contest.
Stephanie Tyler was named valedictorian of the 1984 SSHS graduating class, and Rae Lynn Tipping was named salutatorian. The class of 1984, at SSHS had voted to host their graduation exercises in Gerald Prim Stadium, so more of their family and friends could attend the exercises, that had outgrown the Civic Center Auditorium.
The Owens Country Sausage 8-horse hitch, made a
guest appearance in the 1984 Dairy Festival Parade.
The Wildcat Baseball Team was headed for District competition. Team members were: Derek Harred, David Pool, Jimmy Hurley, Tony Clark, Michael Smith, Greg Owens, Wesley Rutherford, Shannon Stubbs, Joe Wallace, Scott Steele, Craig Higginbotham, Jason Stanley, Richard Clover, and Justin Hathcox. Head Coach was Lee Daniel and Assistant Coach was Ben Shipley.
And, Stormie Jones, a seven-year old Cumby resident and the first-ever heart-liver transplant patient, was headed back to Hopkins County, following her historic surgery in Pittburg, Pennsylvania. The historic surgery had been performed on Valentine's Day and everything indicated that she was functioning well enough to return home for a visit.
Katerina Sheffield Dickey, today, lives near Austin,
in Lago Vista, and is pursuing a second career in
Chiropractic Therapy.
"I am so honored to have been chosen 1984 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen and to represent the Hopkins County community, during this historic era of the region," expresses Katerina Dickey. "I look forward to coming back to Sulphur Springs and being a part of the 50-year celebration, in June 2009!"