1986 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen
Suzanne Glover is joined by her family
following the crowning.
1986 Dairy Festival Continued
Texas Bicentennial Theme in
Hopkins County
by: Bobby McDonald
In January of 1986 the wagons had rolled out of Hopkins County on a historic trek across Texas, celebrating the 150th birthday of our state, and when it came time to celebrate the annual tribute to the local dairy industry it was the the same "Texas" theme that dominated the parade, pageant, and milking contest. Hopkins County was celebrating her role in making our state great!
These ten young ladies decided to enter the 1986 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Contest.
The top world topic was the Chernobyl nuclear blaze and the potential for radiation contamination from the reactor accident. And, locally, the races were "heating up" for various Hopkins County offices. Incumbent judge H.W. Scott was facing former county judge Joe Pogue, Marvin Stubbs, and J.O. Walker. In the precinct 4 commissioners race, it was Gerald Bowers who was running against incumbent Wayne Mobley, for the full commissioner's term that Mobley had been elected to, upon the death of former Commissioner L.T. "Son" Martin. Sandra Ishmael Hathcox had challenged District Clerk Ola Beckham for that office, as well.
In the Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 race, it was incumbent William Bauman who was facing Teddy Boggs and Cleits Millsap in the primaries. Not only were Hopkins County voters having a number of contested races, but reports indicated that ten state candidates had made an appearance in Hopkins County before the primary. Included in the list were both democrats and republicans. However, a "grim" prediction that only about 1/3rd of the registered voters in the county would actually go and mark a ballot.
When the votes were tabulated, it was Ola Beckham and Wayne Mobley, who won their offices and it was a scheduled run-off election on June 7th, for Joe Pogue and Wayne Scott, and Bill Bauman and Cletis Millsap.
Dairy Festival Candidates are shown at the Freddie Rowell Dairy Farm in Como, learning all
about dairy farming.
And, it was in 1986 that a surplus of milk production had called for a plan to slaughter over a million head of dairy cattle, in the next 18 months, to curb the national milk output. However, a Lubbock Judge, Halbert O. Woodward, ruled that this was detrimental to the beef cattle industry and that slaughter must remain below a 7% level of the national dairy herd. It was an example of the Agriculture Department "pitting" one segment of the industry against another.
The spring of 1986 found the Hi King Klub celebrating its 60th Anniversary with a gala presentation, the Saturday night before Easter, in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.
The Super Handy Team consisting of Josh Cowling, Brian Leverton, Tony Key, Robert Howard, David Harper, Jason Arrington, Jeremy Jordan, Chesney Deel, Chandra Deel, Cody Hooten, Cody Payne, and Andy Holt (yes, he'd one day be a SSHS soccer star and then coach the Wildcats), won the city 8 and under soccer championship, in the spring of 1986. Meanwhile, Yantis pricipal, Joe Taylor was congratulating seniors Melody Allen and Kim Brown, who were headed for the State UIL Contest in Austin, in persuasive speaking and prose interpretation. And, at Satillo High School, it was Kellie Garmon, a senior who was headed to the state UIL contest in prose interpretation. Sulphur Springs High School was sending five students to the state UIL contest. They included Kathy Brannon, typing, Nicole Hamm, shorthand; Angie Marcis, poetry interpretation; and Menzie Chase, spelling. Cumby High school had two students advancing to the state contest, Kelly Husbands in debate and Ginger Evans in feature writing.
Meredith Jennings rode this Sweepstakes winning float, that featured a covered wagon and
highlighted pioneer spirit of Texans.
The local Soil Conservation Service was reporting that spring grazing had been "sparce" in Hopkins County, due to a series of unfavorable weather conditions causing slow growth in winter pastures. Soil moisture had been low during the autumn planting of the pastures, and conditions remained dry throughout much of the winter. Then, a long wet period prevented cattlemen from allowing their cattle onto the pastures, creating "not much forage" potentials from the pastures.
Gina Sidebottom's float featured a Texas-sized taco!
Miller Grove High School had three entries at the Class A regional track meet, according to Miller Grove Coach Larry Slatter. They were Bill Bessonett in the 1600 meter run; Jeff Ethridge in the 3200 meter run; and Erik Brown in pole vaulting. And, SSHS's Tommy Dixon had won top honors at the State High School Powerlifting Championship in the 220 pound class. He won the state title and was headed for the Nationals in Oklahoma City.
And, Suzanne Glover won the Most Beautiful Award with this float that depicted Famous Texans.
Two-liter Coca Cola and Dr. Pepper was priced at $1.09 and round steak was $1.39 per pound. Milk was $1.79 a gallon and Bluebell Ice Cream was "on special" 2 half-gallon cartons for $5.00. Coffee was $2.99 a pound.
Price Ford Sales was advertising a Ford Ranger Pick-up for $5999.00 or a Ford Escort for $7090.00, with a 5.9% APR financing charge.
Jennifer Fuhrmann rode this float that represented a replica of the traveling schoolhouse that went on
the Texas Wagon Train, that left from Sulphur Springs.
The Sulphur Springs High School Lady Cat Golf Team consisting of Wendy Edwards, Terri Hill, Michelle Moody, Barbara Norton, and Carla Baucom had won second in the region and were headed to the state competition. Coach was Sharon Barnes. The Wildcat Golf Team was disappointed at regionals, as they had two days of "unproductive" play. Team members were Wade Johnston, Mike McCaffrey, Scott Harris, Chris Rorie, and Brad Morris. Winning the coveted "Fighting Heart Award" at SSHS for 1986, was senior, Greg Owens.
Kim Blount rode this Mother's Culture Club float depicting the
Nasa Space Center.
The Sulphur Springs FFA Dairy Judging Team had won first place at area competiton and was headed for the state contest in College Station. Team members were: Todd Folmar, Tammy Neal, Kevin Spencer, and Michael Overstreet. The Ag Mechanics Team from SSHS, consisting of Forest Hurley, Jason Frazier, and Jonas Helm, also won the area contest and qualified for state competition.
Penni Rowell rode this float entitled "Made in Texas by Texans" and won the Most Original Award.
And, youth and adults in Hopkins County who liked Country music joined the nation and selecting Alabama's "She and I," as the number one song in 1986. Alabama also made popular "Touch Me When We're Dancing." Dan Seals came to the top of the charts with "Bop," and the Forester Sisters made popular "Mama's Never Seen Those Eyes," as they came to the Hopkins County Civic Center as the opening act for a May 1986 Lee Greenwood Concert.
Leta Boles rode this float depicting the Texas oil and gas industry.
"Nobody in His Right Mind Would Have Left Her," and "It Ain't Cool To Be Crazy About You," both had made George Strait even more popular as a top Country and Western Male Vocalist. Holly Dunn's "Daddy's Hands" and The Judds' "Rockin' With the Rhythm of the Rain," along with "She Use To Be Somebody's Baby," by Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers Band, were also at the top of the list for the Country genre. Randy Travis made popular "On the Other Hand," and "Diggin' Up Bones." And, Reba McEntire was singing "Whoever's In New England," and "Little Rock," while the popular group, Sawyer Brown made popular "Betty's Bein' Bad" and "Out Goin' Cattin'." T.G. Sheppard made it with "Strong Heart," and Willie Nelson was crooning "Living in the Promiseland."
Jimmi Bell rode this float depicting a large block of cheese, as she represented the Jr. Waverly Club.
On the Pop charts it was Dionne Warwick, Elton John, and Gladys Knight, who joined forces and produced the number one "That's What Friends Are For." Lionel Richie moved up to the top with "Say You, Say Me," and "Dancing On the Ceiling," and Patti Labelle and Michael McDonald were featured with the hit "On My Own." Whitney Houston produced "How Will I Know," and "Greatest Love of All." Carl Anderson and Gloria Loring made popular "Friends and Lovers" and Peter Cetera produced "Glory of Love." Billy Ocean was singing "There'll Be Sad Songs," while Madonna made popular "Papa Don't Preach," and "Live to Tell." Atlantic Star was singing "Secret Lovers" the Pet Shop Boys had made popular "West End Girls."
Eva Bain and her family crafted this float that won Best Use of Theme and featured live
registered Jersey cows from their farm.
"Manic Monday" by the Bangles, "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper, and Kenny Loggins' "Danger Zone," from the motion picture "Top Gun," were also popular with local teans.
And, speaking of "Top Gun," it was the number one movie of 1986, grossing over $176 million at the box office, while "Crocodile Dundee" ran a close second with over $174 million. Other top films of the year were: "Platoon," "The Karate Kid, Part II," "Back to School," "Aliens," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," and "Star Trek IV."
U.S. Congressman Jim Chapman made it back home to thank local supporters for their
support in sending him to congress, as he rode in the Dairy Festival Parade.
Top television shows for 1986 included: The Cosby Show, Family Ties, Cheers, Murder She Wrote, and The Golden Girls. Other tops shows were: Dallas, Newhart, Matlock, Moonlighting, Who's the Boss?, and Growing Pains.
The ten candidates and their mothers joined 1985 Queen Leann Carpenter for this photo,
before the 1986 contest.
Ten young ladies chose to enter the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen's contest and compete for the 1986 crown. They were: Jimmi Elizabeth Bell, sponsored by the Junior Waverly Club; Eva Marie Bain, sponsored by the Rotary Club; Kim Blount, sponsored by the Mother's Culture Club; Gina Sidebottom, sponsored by Dial Study Club; Meredith Jennings, representing the Standard Club; Sandy Michelle Woodard, sponsored by the Tanti Club; Suzanne Glover, representing the Waverly Club; Jennifer Fuhrmann, sponsored by the Young Homemakers; Leta Annette Boles, representing the Hopkins County Farm Bureau; and Penni Rowell, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club.
Saturday, May 3rd was the scheduled date for the Annual Hopkins County Dairy Festival Parade, that featured the ten candidates riding floats that represented the theme "Dairyland Salutes Texas." Joining the candidates were the "Little Texans," children who would be appearing on stage during the Talent and Beauty portion of the contest, as they rode wagons in the parade. Little Texans in the 1986 Dairy Festival included: Ashley Irvin, Michael Lawrence, Dusti Evans, Cody Koon, Keri Reed, Cody Blount, Amy Long, Justin Hager, Kayle Bartley, Chad Jones, Mindi Garrett, Cody Strate, Justin Sparks, Joe Dan Gober, Holly McMahan, Kyle Koon, Lyndsi Caddell, Danny Lawrence, Marla Jones, Jeremy Jones, Ashley Westbrook, Josh Boatman, Jennifer Scroggins, Tanner Ragan, Brooke Hodge, Brandon Booher, Judson Weaver, and Jade Weaver.
The "Little Texans" children rode in covered wagons in the Dairy Festival Parade.
Dwight Alexander served as President of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board in 1986, with Jana DeWitt serving as vice-president, Mrs. Eva Ruth Long, as secretary, and Mrs. Wanda Winfrey serving as treasurer. Other board members included: Julie Ashmore, Kris Bartley, Sammi Bedford, Mike Blount, Debra Evans, Bruce Fielden, Jerry Gibby, Lynda Hager, Howard Graham, Sheila Koon, Jan Lawrence, Bobby McDonald, Kenneth Hyde, Nita Lair, Bob Strate, Cathy Weaver, and Rita Wright.
And, these "farmers" in the Dairy Festival were Tanner Ragan and Brandon Booher.
And, Kyle Koon and Holly McMahan were Indians!!!
Activities for Dairy Festival Week included a Dairy Festival Soccer Tournament, the Annual Ice Cream Freeze-Off, a Dairy Foods Show, "Fun and Frolic For Older Texans, and a Tasting Bee. The Northeast Texas Dairy Show was celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 1986. Judging of the Open Show cattle began on Friday morning, May 9th, and the Junior Show judging was featured on Saturday, May 10th. The judging of the special Dairy Festival Classic Show, for heifers developed in Hopkins County, was to being the judging on Saturday morning.
Dairy Festival President Dwight Alexander, and his wife Tina, help their son, Grant, with
his dress-up heifer at the Milking Contest.
Dairy farmer's children participated in the dress-up heifer contest at the Milking Contest.
Sheila and Randy Koon constucted covered wagons to accompany their boy's dress-up
heifers for the contest.
1986 Dairy Show winners included: Tracie Johnson, who won the Grand Champion Classic Heifer, and Stacy Gibson, who received Reserve Championship honors. Other winners included: Michelle Berry, Ginger Henderson, Susan Allen, Brandon Hopper, and Amy Koehler.
Qualified judges who served to weigh the milk for the Annual Milking Contest on Friday night were dairy farmers, Wayne Hinton, Emma Owens, Vera Harrington, and Jimmy Don Goldsmith. In the Queen's Contestants Milking Contest, it was Suzanne Glover, who "showed intense concentration, and expert placement of her hands," that managed to win the contest, accumulating 4.25 pounds of "liquid gold." Second place honors went to Meredith Jennings and third place went to Jimmi Bell. Mrs. Glenda Shelton, representing First National Bank was "well on her way to winning the Banker's Milking Contest, with a large amount of milk, when her bucket got kicked-over by the cow!" Dan Phillips, representing Sulphur Springs Building and Loan Association, managed to win the Banker's Contest with 4 pounds of milk in his bucket, when the bell was rang!
The Northeast Texas Dairy Show celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1986.
A number of children of local dairy farmers were featured at the Milking Contest, with "dress-up" heifers, that carried-out the theme of "Dairyland Salutes Texas."
Described as "singing her way across the stage, while taking the audience back to the 1920's in New York, with her rendition of Blind Date," it was Suzanne Glover, daughter of Paul and Cerita Glover, who won the 1986 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen's title. And, she received another honor, when her float "Milk Makes Famous Lone Star Texans," was awarded the "Most Beautiful" award.
Gina Sidebottom was selected as the First Runner-Up in the Queen's contest, as she had presented a jazz dance routine to the hit "Conga." She was the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Bill Sidebottom. Second Runner-Up was awarded to Kim Blount, who had presented a hand-bell solo for her talent in the contest. She was the daughter of Mike and Sandra Blount. Jimmi Elizabeth Bell, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Talley Bell was selected by her peers to receive the "Miss Congeniality Award."
Eva Bain's float "Hands of Time," that featured live Registered Jersey Dairy Cows from her family's dairy farm at Pine Forest, won the "Best of Theme Award." The Sweepstakes Award was presented to the float ridden by Meredith Jennings, entitled "Texas Pioneers," and featured a large covered wagon. Penni Rowell's float entitled "Made in Texas by Texans," was awarded the "Most Original" award in the 1986 contest.
And, these were the winners in the 1986 Banker's Milking Contest. Dan Phillips won the
contest with 4 pounds of milk collected.
"At the age of 17, the highlight of becoming queen was getting to drive a mustang convertible for a week," admits Suzanne Glover Eddins, as we located her living here in Sulphur Springs. "As an adult, now looking back, the highlights would be much deeper, as the opportunity to meet and work with the wonderful people of Hopkins County, as I represented the dairy industry for a year!"
"It was a great honor to represent the industry that made Hopkins County what it is today," continued Suzanne. "And, I really enjoyed riding in the parades around the state, meeting queens from other communities, and people from other cities. Partcipating in the Gilmer Yamboree Festival and other pageants as a visiting queen was a great experience and loads of fun!"
"Participating in the Dairy Festival enhanced my self-confidence and gave me the opportunity to communicate with people of all ages, while developing leadership skills and learning responsibility," expressed Suzanne. "The lessons have served me well as I completed college and entered my career. I would most definitely encourage anyone who is asked to be in the contest to 'go for it!' The contest will serve as an awesome experience and created a cache of memories that you will never forget!"
Suzanne lives in Sulphur Springs, today, with her husband of 18 years, David Eddins. They are the parents of two children, Ally a fourteen year old, who attends Sulphur Springs Middle School, and Andy, who is eight and attends Bowie Elementary. Suzanne's entire extended family, her parents, and sister, Tammy Cooper, and her family, also make Hopkins County their home.
For Suzanne, fond memories of the Dairy Festival Contest in 1986 include: having to learn a "New York" accent for her talent presentation of "Blind Date," from the Musical "Funny Girl." "The talent presentation called for an accent that was far different than our 'East Texas twang' and I was forced to really work hard to master it," allowed Suzanne. "But, now I look back and that is what made it all fun!"
"I also enjoyed the building of my float for the annual parade," remembers Suzanne. "The float featured four Texas Heros and had a beautiful star on the back, that rotated in a circle as it moved down the street. The building of the float was a fun experience as my family and friends came together to help make it all possible!"
And, Suzanne shares another rarity of her year as Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, as she was asked to crown "double" queens, when she relinquished her crown in 1987. "I can remember the long, long pause of us naming the new queen and the guest performers singing extra songs," remembers Suzanne. "We didn't know what was happening, but the Dairy Festival Board was running all over town trying to find another crown and more roses, so I could crown double queens, Kathy Brannon and Nikie Ward, who had tied in the contest!"
Meanwhile, as Suzanne wore the crown of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival in 1986, it was James I Murray, Jr., who had retired as manager of the local Rockwell International Plant, after over 30 years of service. And Mr. & Mrs. Skillman W. Gideon were chosen as the "Outstanding Older Texans of Hopkins County" at a local committee on aging event.
Winners in the 1986 Ice Cream Freeze Off included: Joanna Ham, Matthew Howell, and Cletis Millsap. Other winners were: Rosa Rutherford, Wayne Scott, and Andrew Howell. Ed Phelps, executive director of the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, had been sited for his work with the local chamber of commerce, at the state convention.
Justin and Jennifer Hager, children of Mr. & Mrs. Tony Hager,
help Wanda Winfrey with some of her Dairy Festival duties.
And, a burning motor home had damaged the Highway 69 bridge over Interstate-30, when the vehicle had caught fire and cause excessive heat to the structure. Texas Highway Department inspectors were being called to inspect the bridge and only limited traffic access was allowed. An El Paso man, who owned the motor home, was killed in the crash, while his wife and other passengers escaped without serious injuries.
Local veterinarian, David Black, DVM, had conducted a Grand Opening at his new clinic, located on Broadway Street, in May of 1986, as he was joined by family and friends. "Love That Man," a men's clothing store, was announcing it had opened for business in the Broadway Square Shopping Center. And, while most teachers in the local school system had "passed" the mandatory teacher testing program, they were disgruntled over the procedure and felt that once they had received their degree, the testing should be a "moot" issue. SSISD teachers Barbara Ponder, Wanda Dangler, and Rene Armstrong, had voiced their displeasure with the testing program, in a local forum.
Meanwhile, local dairy farmer, Billy Jenkins, of the Arbala Community, had won a Sequicentennial Rifle, in a drawing at the Historical Society. Jeff Campbell of the society presented Jenkins with the award. While local assistant County Agent, Randy Harms, was presenting a program on somatic cell counts in dairy cattle, to help curb lost production because of mastitis infections, a tent revival was being held in Sulphur Springs, with music, preaching and fellowship.
Marc McGahee was the champion pole vaulter at Sulphur Springs High School and had his sites set on a goal of going to the State Track and Field Meet in Austin, following his regional win. And, Travis Elementary School was the site for a Computer training seminar that had local principals and teachers hoping to enter the "computer age in the classroom," after attendance. Local Optimist Club members Dr. Robert Parker and David Hooper had presented the local school board and superintendent with a $3,105.00 check to help in purchasing computers for local classrooms.
And, 1986 found the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce involved in a "Get to Know Your Business Neighbor" social, conducted downtown and the Downtown Merchants Association conducting an Arts and Crafts Show on the downtown square. The SSHS Key Club had organized a Dance-A-Thon to raise funds for the American Cancer Society and the Texas Commercial Savings and Loan Team from Sulphur Springs had won the Dairy Festival Soccer Championship. Team members were: Scott O'Neal, Jason Moore, Chad Moore, John Long, Seddrick Berry, Jeff Kranz, Trey Williams, Amy Tanton, Ben Thesing, Cory Nichols, Jamie Dale Fite, Anthony Tanton, Chris McLarry, Mark Sevier, and Justin Peugh. Coach was Tommy Long.
Larry Crowson was named valedictorian of the 1986 class at SSHS, with Tammy Teel earning the salutatorian spot. Jerry Duncan and Wayne Bolton were the top two graduates at Sulphur Bluff, and Julita Petty and Shelia Bilyeu were tops at Miller Grove. Saltillo named Sharon Thomas and Kellie Garmon valedictorian and salutatorian, while Como-Pickton honor grads included Debbie Simmons and Ronda Beezley. North Hopkins awarded valedictorian to Stephanie Cockrum and salutatorian to Vicki Hillis. Shelly Graham was valedictorian at Yantis High School and Kim Brown was salutatorian, and Cumby's top two grads were Scott Davis and Jerry Green.
Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County continued to celebrate throughout 1986, despite a "down-turn" in the local dairy economy and with less than idealic weather conditions for growing forages. The wagon train that left from Sulphur Springs, and traveled across the state of Texas arrived on-schedule in Ft. Worth, during the summer of 1986 and completed it voyage. The seasons turned and life in our community met the challenges of the year with hope and prosperity.
"I'm proud to have represented the Hopkins County Dairy Festival during the states Sesqui-Centennial," expresses Suzanne Glover Eddins. "And, I'm looking forward to joining other queens and friends in celebrating the Golden Jubilee Festival in June 2009!"