1988 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen
Angie Diamond
Dairy Festival Was Truly a
"Cinderella Story" For 1988 Queen
by:Bobby McDonald
The 1988 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen title was literally a "Cinderella Story" for Angie Diamond, as she had waited in the wings for seven long years, since her sister, Laura, had been crowned queen, all with an "eye" on the crown. And, it was on the night that her sister was crowned, that Angie tells she was literally left at home, when her family left for the Dairy Festival. "I can distinctly remember, the night," expressed Angie. "I had been allowed to wear panty hose for the first time and while I was getting dressed my family forgot about me in the hurried fashion that everyone was getting ready for the pageant. When they arrived at the Civic Center, they realized that they had left me at home and they sent my eldest sister, Susan, to get me. I was running for the car and fell and tore my panty hose! It's a family joke now, that we all laugh often about!"
The year 1988 found the Sulphur Springs Lady Wildcat Golf Team, lead by a dazzling performance by Wendy Edwards, headed for the State Contest in Austin. The Wildcat Golf Team had missed the state play-offs by losing a "sudden-death" play-off at the Denton Country Club. The heartbreaking fete gave the Wildcats third place behind Paris and Jacksonville. And, there was a bank name change going-on in Sulphur Springs, when BancTexas had been purchased by First American Bank, owned by a group of eight local investors. Stockholders included: Gene Watson, Miller Steinsiek, Dick Pogue, Joe Kennedy, Tim Kelty, Bob Gideon, Bob Mangum, and David Baucom.
Congressman Jim Chapman was "back home" to address the Federal Land Bank Stockholder's meeting in Sulphur Springs, in the spring of 1988, and a number of candidates had filed for school, city, and hospital board positions. Five candidates were filing for election to two seats on the SSISD Board, they were Mark McClendon, Chuck Osborn, Perry Altenbaumer, Dr. Bill Dietz, and Rick Palmer. Five candidates had announced their bids for a place ont he Sulphur Springs City Council. They were: J.O. Walker, Margin Latham, Terry Knabe, Lydia Bryant, and Robert Cook. W.A. Cannon, Jr. and G.V. Hughes were seeking re-election to the Hopkins County Memorial Hospital Board.
Price Pontiac Cadillac had a Pontiac Lemans priced at $7,988.00 and an Olds 98 Regency Brougham priced at $17,998.00 And, Sulphur Springs State Bank was featuring 10% financing on automobile loans. The Pickton High School Class of 1948 had held their 40th year class reunion, with 15 members of the class of 20 attending. And, Sue Cregg, Ethel Winton, and Willie Bussell each had been selected as the "Women of the Year" by their Sigma Beta Phi Chapters. Quicky Foods had Mrs. Baird's Bread priced at 69 cents for a 1.5 pound loaf, and Totino's Pizza for $1.39 each. Decker Bologna was priced at $1.39 a pound and Premium ground beef was $1.49 a pound. Biscuits were six cans for 99 cents.
Wayne Hinton, local dealer in springing northern Holstein heifers, had just received two new loads, and was offering them for sale at $1250.00 each. The Sulphur Springs Stock Removal Company was offering "free pick-up" of dead livestock from their location off Highway-19.
Samantha Bothwell rode this Jr. Waverly Club float featuring Moonique in Sir Lancelots Court.
DMO Holsteins, owned by David and Emma Owens, was featuring a Production Sale, at their farm, in the Star Ridge Community, on May 7, 1988. The sale featured all ages of dairy cattle, registered, and many with Canadian pedigrees. A bull in the sale was purchased by Greenland Corporation for $10,200., in the sale.
Danny Durham had been named Superintendent of the Sulphur Springs ISD, in the spring of 1988. Durham had formerly served as Assistant Superintendent for the district. And, Mark Bassham, Archie Davis, and Rev. Jessie McLendon were recognized by the NAACP for outstanding service in the community at the organization's annual banquet.
SSHS Student Council Officers, Brent Barclay, Tami Arrt, Angela Rogers, Angie Johnson, Jason Norton, and Kristi Vaughn had won a place on the State Student Council organization and were celebrating their victory, in May 1988. And, Forest Hurley, Travis Willmann, Sheila Greb, Stephanie Laurence, and Darron Shaw were the student representatives to the service clubs in Sulphur Springs for May 1988.
A "rash" of burglaries in Hopkins County had prompted Sheriff Mark Bassham to begin a "Burglary Task Force" to help in solving the cases. And, the local Crime Stoppers were offering a $1000.00 reward for information about a robbery at the Super Handy Store and two local E-Z Mart locations. Town East Grocery and the Holiday Inn had also been robbed at the same time.
"Around the World in 80 Days" was the movie depicted in this float rode by Jennifer Seely
and sponsored by the B&PW Club.
Two SSHS seniors, Menzie Chase and Jeral Poskey had made the "final cut" in the National Merit Scholarship Program, earning them monetary scholarships from Texas A&M and the University of Texas at Austin.
In the National news in the spring of 1988 was the Super Collider Conductor, that was being proposed in Central Texas. Groups on both sides of the issue were making headlines, as the project was receiving numerous debates. Meanwhile, the Sulphur Springs Community Players were featuring "Play On," described as a "three-act comedy," at the Main Street Theater, in May of 1988. And, illegal aliens in the U.S. were "flocking" to the 107 immigration offices in the country for a "once-in-a-lifetime amnesty offer, that expired in May of '88.
Winners at the Sulphur Springs FFA Banquet in 1988 included: Keith Edwards, Chuck Vititow, Marty McKinzie, Murphy Howle, Shawn Massey, Scott Harst, and Matt Bell. Jennifer Duncan, Sweetheart of the Chapter, was also presented with roses, by Chapter President, Shawn Massey. And, the Saltillo Basketball Team, consisting of Neal Jones, Jerry Katt, William Shores, Elgin Katt, and Randy Johnson, had won the state Class-A Free Throw Shooting Title, with a 73.7% from the line.
Local dairy and beef producers were scheduled to vote on the "check-off" issue, that would allow money to be collected at the salebarn, for beef promotion. And, the Sulphur Springs Loan and Building Association was presenting awards to their Junior Advisory Board members, Robby Chamness, Jason Pamplin, Lance Cook, Cheri Phillips, Shane Watson, Keith Edwards, Jennifer Jones, Neal Jones, Rachelle Smiddy, Bruce Stinson, Jennifer O'Neal, and Kevin Monk.
Mother's Culture Club representative, Angie Diamond, rode this "Swiss Cheese Family
Robinson" float that won the originality award in the parade.
And, the Hopkins County Commissioners Court had voted in favor of expanding the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, by constructing a livestock pavilion, on the south side of the facility, in a meeting that was attended by over 100 supporters of the effort, in the spring of 1988.
It was "Faith," by George Michael, and "Need You Tonight," by INXS, that led the most popular music in 1988. "Sweet Child of Mine, by Guns 'N Roses, "So Emotional," by Whitney Houston, and "Don't Worry, Be Happy," were also among the top musical selections. They joined, "Pink Cadillac," by Natalie Cole, "Hold On To The Night," by Richard Marx, and "Kokomo," by the Beach Boys. Other popular "pop" selections involved: "Could Have Been" by Tiffany, "Man in the Mirror," by Michael Jackson, "Anything For You," by Gloria Estefan and The Miami Sound Machine, "Simply Irresistible," by Robert Palmer," and "Red, Red Wine," by UB40. Belinda Carlisle made popular "Heaven Is A Place On Earth," and Cheap Trick brought out "The Flame." "I'll Always Love You," by Taylor Dane, "Hungry Eyes," by Eric Carmen, and Phil Collins' "A Groovy Kind of Love, were popular among local teens. Elton John's "Candle In The Wind," Whitney Houston's "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" and "One Moment In Time," and Kylie Minogue's "The Loco-Motion" were other top selections on the musical scene.
If you like Country and Western tunes, you'll remember the 1988 hits: "I'll Always Come Back," by K.T. Oslin, "Eighteen Wheels & A Dozen Roses," by Kathy Mattea, Alabama's "Face to Face," and Tanya Tucker's "If It Don't Come Easy." Other popular tunes included: "I Told You So," by Randy Travis, "I Can't Get Close Enough," by Exile, and "If You Ain't Lovin', You Ain't Livin'," and "Baby Blue" by George Strait. Eddy Raven sang "Joe Knows How to Live," and Vern Gosdin presented "Set 'Em Up Joe." "When You Say Nothing At All," by Keith Whitley, "Famous Last Words of a Fool," by George Strait, "Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star," by Merle Haggard, and "Life Turned Her That Way," by Ricky Van Shelton were also among the 1988 favorite songs.
The 1988 Parade Sweepstakes Winner was this Farm Bureau sponsored float entitled
"Crocodile Sundee" and rode by Julie Odom.
And, the Sulphur Springs City Council had given "the nod" for Sulphur Springs to enter the national Main Street Program, and were taking applications for a director for the program, in the May of '88.
"Rain Man," starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, had grossed over $172 million at the box office, making it the number one movie of 1988. "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," "Coming to America," "Big," and "Twins" were other top movies of the year. "Crocodile Dundee II," "Die Hard," "Cocktail," "The Naked Gun," and "Oliver and Company," rounded-out the top ten movies of the year.
And, if you were "stuck at home" watching television, it was "The Cosby Show," that took the top spot on the tube for 1988. "Roseanne," "A Different World," "Cheers," and "The Golden Girls" also made it to the top of the list. Other popular t.v. shows included: "Who's The Boss?" "Murder, She Wrote," "Empty Nest," "Anything But Love," "Matlock," "Head of the Class," and "Growing Pains."
Gina Hughes rode this Kiwanis Club sponsored float depicting the movie "Splish Splash,"
where she was a mermaid taking a milk bath.
Meanwhile, nine young ladies chose to the enter the 1988 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Pageant. They were: Samantha Bothwell, representing the Junior Waverly Club; Angie Diamond, sponsored by the Mothers Culture Club; Kelly Cook, sponsored by First National Bank; Amy Bouck, representing Dial Study Club; Gina Hughes, sponsored by Kiwanis Club; Jennifer Johnson representing the Rotary Club; Tara Petty sponsored by the Waverly Club; Julie Odom representing Hopkins County Farm Bureau, and Jennifer Seely, representing the B&PW Club.
The nine Dairy Festival Candidates are presented here with 1987 Queen Nikki Ward on
the far left, and Queen Kathy Brannon, on the far right.
It was Sheila Koon who served as President of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board in 1988. Bobby McDonald served as Vice-President; and Mrs. Eva Ruth Long was Secretary, with Mrs. Wanda Winfrey serving as Treasurer. Other board members included: Dwight Alexander, Denney Ashcroft, Julie Ashmore, Kris Bartley, Sammie Bedford, Pam Black, Mike Blount, Mary Campbell, Debra Evans, Bruce Fielden, Jerry Gibby, Howard Graham, Lynda Hager, Kenneth Hyde, Judy Jones, Nita Lair, Jan Lawrence, Joan Longino, David Reid, Lisa Williams, and Rita Wright.
Mrs. Pat Clark, the director of the Sulphur Springs Blue Blazes Drill Team, served as the Mistress of Ceremonies for the 1988 Dairy Festival Pageant. Theme for the Pageant and Parade was "Let's Go To The Moo-vies" and featured famous movies.
Little "Moo-vie Stars" appearing in the 1988 Dairy Festival Pageant included: Dusti Evans, Dallas Campbell, Haley Pogue, Zachary Glenn, Amanda Birchfield, Garrison Reid, Kendal Pfiefer, Travis Strate, Morgan Peugh, Tanner Crump, Mindy Crouch, Jarrod Williams, Mandy McGraw, Eric Law, Christi Cross, Ty Hinton, Amy Long, Justin Wright, Shaunda Bragg, Grant Alexander, Kacie Sibley, Zachary Kelty, Jennifer Hager, and Justin Hager.
"Double Features" included: Mendy and Wendy Allen, Angela and Gelena Gentry, Scotty and Stewart Murray, Sandy and Tandy Arthur, Chad and Jeremy Jones, Meredith and Susanna Reid, Dena and D'anne Graves, Laura and John Campbell, Brad and Paul Malone, and Penny and Tenny Turner; of course, they were all local twin siblings.
Jennifer Johnson won "Most Beautiful" with this Rotary Club float depicting the
movie "LaBamba."
Although she admits to changing her talent presentation at the last minute, it was Angie Diamond, who "stunned the crowd" with the legendary Patsy Cline song "Sweet Dreams, and declared the winner of the pageant, once the judges' ballots were counted. "I had orginally chosen 'Crazy,' another of Cline's classic songs, but had won a state Texas Farm Bureau Talent Contest, singing 'Sweet Dreams,' so decided to not tempt fate," explains Angie. "I guess it worked and wowed the Dairy Festival judges, as well!"
Diamond was crowned queen by dual queens Nikki Ward and Kathy Brannon and completed the second set of sisters to wear the Dairy Festival crown, in the entire history of Dairy Festival. The Booker Sisters, Linda and Bonnie had been crowned in earlier years and Angie and Laura Diamond, daughters of James and Melba Diamond, both wore the crown.
Kelly Cook rode this First National Bank sponsored float depicting "America is Where
the Streets Are Paved with Cheese."
First runner-up in the 1988 contest was awarded to Jennifer Seely and second runner-up was awarded to Tara Petty. Jennifer Seely also captured the "Miss Congeniality Award" voted by her peers in the contest.
In the 1988 Dairy Festival Parade, it was the "Crocodile Sudee" float of Julie Odom, representing Hopkins County Farm Bureau, that won the coveted Sweepstakes Award. The float depicted the theme of the popular "Crocodile Dundee" movie. Diamond's "Swiss Family Cheese" float won the "Most Original Award," and Jennifer Johnson's "La Bamba" float depicting the popular song won the "Beauty Award." The "Grease" float, rode by Amy Bouck won the "Theme Award" as it depicted a '57 Chevrolet.
Amy Bouck rode this "Theme Award" winning float, sponsored by the Dial Study Club
and depicting the movie "Grease."
"My favorite memory of Dairy Festival was my evening gown speech," acknowledges Angie Diamond English, who continues to make her home in Sulphur Springs. "I told the story about my 'torn panty hose,' and being the 'forgotten sister,' in the 1981 pageant, and how that competing in the 1988 pageant was truly my Cinderella story!"
"I feel that the Dairy Festival experience gave me the opportunity to appear at countless functions and fundraisers and increase the opportunities to sing," states Angie. "The entire experience paved the way for me to go on to participate in the Miss Texas Pageant in 1990 and 1991. My involvement in pageants awarded me many scholarships, which paid a large portion of my college education. So, I feel my involvement in Dairy Festival set my future in motion! I would have never gained the confidence in myself, that the opportunity afforded me."
Tara Petty rode this Waverly Club sponsored float depicting the movie "Overboard."
Today, Angie is a CT and MRI Tech with Hunt Regional Medical Center, in Greenville. Following her high school graduation, in 1989, she attended Texas A&M University-Commerce, before entering the Radiologic Technology School at Tyler Junior College. She's been a Radiology Technician for the past 17 years. Angie is the mother of two sons, Austin, who is 12, and Norris, who is almost nine, and readily admits that she can be found most any time on the sidelines of football, basketball, and baseball games, cheering them to victory. "I have an incredible family, that I love dearly, including two sisters....Susan Diamond, who also resides in Sulphur Springs, and Laura Taylor, who lives in Poteau, Oklahoma, five gorgeous nieces, and one 'brand new' great-nephew!" confirms Angie. "Along with my two sons, and my parents, we're quite a group, when we all get together, regularly!"
"One of the best things about becoming Dairy Festival Queen is that you were viewed as somewhat of a local celebrity," remembers Angie, humorously. "My sisters and I still laugh about when I was queen, a woman came up to me and told me that her daughter and friends loved to pay dress-up and be "Angie Diamond." Man, I can live off that compliment for the rest of my life! To think that I was a role model for younger girls was an awesome responsibility and made me realize the importance of being queen."
"I would encourage any young lady anticipating being in the Dairy Festival that the experience is absolutely 'priceless' and a once in a lifetime experience," recommends Angie. "I owe a huge part of who I am in my life and in my community to the Dairy Festival and the experience I gained during the contest and year of reign."
Angie continues to express her great musical talent as a vocalist with the Hopkins County group "Mahoney Road," where she sings classic rock songs. "I tell people that singing was what I was born to do, but I would have never gained the confidence to be a performer, had it not been for my participation in the Dairy Festival activities!" continues Angie. "It was definitely a positive influence in my life!
As Angie Diamond won the Dairy Festival Crown in 1988, it was Laura Teer, of the Seymore Community, of Hopkins County, that won the National Homemade Ice Cream Contest, besting some 43 contestants, with her "Frozen Lemon Creme Ice Cream." Other winners included: June Henderson, Jackie Gode, Imogene Parr, Gladys Howell, Linda Stevens, and Kevin Singer. And, Joe Don Pogue, local auctioneer, had just won the 25th Annual World Livestock Auctioneering Championship, in Vienna, Missouri.
It was 1988 that found local dairy farmers being asked to support a National Milk Producers Federation lobbying effort to prevent further cuts in the national price support program for milk and dairy products. The group favored a "whole herd buy-out"program to reduce surplus milk production, in the U.S., rather than cut the support price that was favored by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Richard Lyng.
"A Tough Stand on No Pass, No Play," had made the headlines, as lawmakers in Austin were adamnant to make certain that academics were emphasized in the classroom, as well as extra-curricular activities. And, new funding from the U.S. House Appropriations Committee had continued the Cooper Lake Project, that kept hopes alive for its completion, in the not-to-distant future.
Many on the Dairy Festival Board remember constructing this set that included the "Let's
Go to the Moo-vies" sign that had running lights. Here the Little Moo-vie Stars are being
presented on Pageant night.
Alan Screws, a Pine Forest Dairy Farmer, was "sweeping the race tracks with a hot streak" in 1988, as he competed in the Super Bowl Speedway. He was touted as "the fastest dairy farmer in this part of Texas!"
Dallas Cowboy great Drew Pearson was the speaker for the 1988 All Sports Banquet at SSHS and Coach Don Poe had "singled-out" Mike McAlister, as the year's top athletic booster. Kerry Wright had won the coveted "Fighting Heart Award" for 1988 and other athletes sited for accomplishements included: Chris Nowels, Denise Bryant, Jodi Theshing, Michelle Moody, Kent Starr, Joey Morris, Cary Horton, Todd Osborn,Teresa Boles, Teresa Johnson, and Mike McCaffery. Andrew Mack, Community Development Director of Sulphur Springs, had announced his resignation on June 15th, and a four-month long trial, in neighboring Emory, had finally ended with four people being found "guilty" of drug manufacturing charges.
Mike and Judy McAlister were making plans to host their fourth charity golf bash, at their two-hole golf course on Fm-1567. The event promised to attract a number of celebrity athletes and fun time for everyone. And, Mr. & Mrs. W. R. Stewart of Cumby and Mr. & Mrs. Charlie Jenkins had been selected as the longest-married couples by the Hopkins County Committee on Aging. Eva Ruth and Pete Long had been sited for their many civic involvements in both Hopkins County and across the state of Texas, by County Judge Joe Pogue.
Claud M. Neal, a 76 year old man who had become lost on the Sulphur River, had been found alive, by local Sheriff's Department representatives, and found to be only minorly dehydrated following the ordeal. Tommy Korn had been selected valedictorian of the 1988 SSHS Graduating Class and Kathy Brannon was named salutatorian. And, meanwhile, Pat, Amy, and Ann Rabun, along with County Agent Gordon Ford, were making the rounds of local elementary schools, teaching the children about the importance of milk and dairy products.
Amy Bouck won the 1988 Dairy Festival Milking Contest with one pound and 3/4 ounces in her bucket. It was Jennifer Seely that placed second, and Angie Diamond was the third place finisher. And, Wildcat shortstop standout, Cary Moore, had been claimed by the Cincinnati Reds, in a free agents draft, in 1988.
Hopkins County fell below the 500 grade-A dairy farms for the first time, in 1988, when it was listed that the county had only 498 farms. However, the county still maintained the number one county in Texas, in terms of production. 1988 was a "trying time" for many local dairy farmers, as the price of milk continued to be at lower levels because of national over-production. But, local farmers were meeting the challenges and looking for ways to overcome the obstacles.
Angie Diamond, shown today with her two sons, Austin and Norris.
"I'm proud to have represented Hopkins County as their Dairy Festival Queen in 1988," admonishes Angie Diamond English. "I look forward to the Golden Jubilee activities in June of this year and plan to be involved in helping this great organization celebrate a half-century of accomplishment!"
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