1993 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen
Leslie Cogburn
1993 Dairy Festival Queen Now
A Resident of Arkansas
by: Bobby McDonald
The search was on to find 1993 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, Leslie Cogburn, and we found her as a student at Arkansas Tech University and pursuing a new career of being an art teacher. Leslie has fond memories of that 1993 event and shared a number of them with us.
The year 1993 was an active one in Hopkins County and the state of Texas, as well. Governor Ann Richards had called a special election for the U.S. Senate seat that had been vacated by Former Senator Lloyd Benson, when he resigned to become U.S. Treasury Secretary. The election had drawn 24 candidates and "the fractured election" was expected to pit front-runner, Sen. Bob Krueger, a Democrat, against a Republican opponent in a run-off election. Of course, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, eventually won the race and made her own campaign stop in Sulphur Springs.
Meanwhile, voting in the local City Council race, the school board race, and for the hospital board had all been moved together for the first time, in one location, for convenience of voters. And, the Cedar Crest Christian Church had held a groundbreaking ceremony, on property near the Hopkins County Memorial Hospital. Members of the church that attended the ceremony included: Durwood Smith, Phillip Hicks, Paul Morris, Larry Humphrey, James Diamond, Julian Humphrey, and minister, Don Hicks.
And, it was in 1993 that Doris Prim received recognition and a "bash" at Sulphur Springs State Bank, marking her 50th year of employment. It was noted that Mrs. Prim had seen changes from "long-hand" calculations to computer technology in her tenure with the bank, and would still be working part-time, with no plans of complete retirement. Prim had worked in almost every department of the bank, beginning in the bookkeeping section, when the bank was a small building on the corner of Church and the downtown square. Prim stated, "The bank holds an amazing record of never having been robbed, in its history! We've had a couple of threats, but nothing ever happened!"
City leader Miller Steinsiek had passed away in the spring of 1993 and it was Billy Sam Elliott and Tom Sellers who were elected to the SSISD School Board in a "high" turn-out of voters. Statewide, Texas voters failed to pass the "Robin Hood Plan" for school finance and a special session was imminent for trying to pass legislation to fund Texas schools. Charles Gilreath, Vaden Richey, and Steven Bonner had all been elected to serve on the Hopkins County Memorial Hospital Board.
The Hopkins County Farmer's Market was selling locally grown produce from a location in Buford Park and the Yantis Volunteer Fire Department was hosting a medical fundraiser for 18 year old Yantis Volunteer Fireman, Thomas "Bubba" Jenkins, who had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease.
Wes Goggans and Mike Harris were headed to the Region II-4A track and field meet, and North Hopkins was sending five competitors to the state UIL meeting in Austin. They were Destri Weir, Julie Littlefield, Arisha Young, Delayne Vaughn, and Shad Scharlach.
The local Crime Stoppers organization was seeking help in solving the incidents of a man going through Sulphur Springs assaulting women and in some cases sexually assaulting his victims. Resident were encouraged to keep their windows and doors locked and to be observant of anything unusual. "Women in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County are encouraged to be vigilant and to not be alone, outside, at night," warned local law enforcement. "Until this person is caught, consider him to be very dangerous!"
Sharon Horton, a 1983 graduate of Sulphur Springs High School and a Doctoral candidate, had been chosen for the SSHS Commencement Speaker, while local businesses and computer guru, Keith Klein, had donated items to be sent to Madagascar, to establish a computer lab, in that country.
The Sulphur Springs High School UIL Team had captured the Sweepstakes Trophy in Region 4A competition, in Denton. Some of those advancing to state included: Justin Bowen, Matt Young, Lynn Attaway, Jack Massey, Andrew Passons, Stacy Miller, Mandy Taylor, and Christopher Seals. And, businesses in Broadway Shopping Center received a "shock" when a 1984 Chevrolet Cavalier struck the front of Today's Cuts, smashing windows and the front of the building. Fortunately no one was injured in the wreckage.
And, it had been in the spring of 1993, that ATF and FBI Agents began a seige in Waco, Texas, with the Branch Davidians, at Mt. Carmel. The seige began on February 28th and lasted for 51 days, the longest in U.S. History. An explosion and fire ended the seige on April 19, 1993, resulting in the death of leader David Koresh and over 80 of his followers.
Local resident, Wilbur Thomas Myers, in a "Letter to the Editor" cautioned President Clinton about becoming involved in the Bosnian War. He stated that on June 28, 1914, in the very same country, World War I was begun over the assassination of Archduke Frances Ferdinand and his wife, and before it ended over 7 million men were killed, with 236,108 of them being American soldiers.
"Dazzlin' Decades in Dairyland" was the theme of
the 1993 Festival, and the first year that candidates
didn't build individuals floats for the parade.
And, Hopkins County dairy farmers were attending a locally sponsored seminar that included representatives of the Texas Water Commission, who told of the new requirements for "large cattle feeding facilities," which would include some of the larger dairy farms in the area. Many local farmers were relieved to learn that their operations were too small to be considered in some of the new rules for waste water treatment and others were satisfied that the EPA and Texas Water Commission were working together to form one set of rules.
It was the spring of 1993 that found six former SSHS Wildcats being inducted into the Wildcat Hall of Fame. They were: Dr. Mike Barton, Jack Ward, Leroy Harry, Eroy Harry, Joe Brown, and Chris Owens. Also featured in the news was the story of Tram Pham, the 1993 SSHS Valedictorian, and how she and her family fled the falling Ho Chi Min City, in South Vietnam, in 1975, making their way to Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County, for a new start. That start had been successful, as was evident by Tram's scholastic abilities. "We love this community and this small town, to raise our family," expressed her parents, Yen and LeHong Pham.
Coach James Cameron awarded "Athletes of the Year" awards to Damiyon Bell and Derrick Henley and Coach Ernesteen Collvins awarded the same accolades on Shelley Vickery and Julie Stone. Lance Larry and Matt Young received the "Fighting Heart Award," as did Charity Thesing and Amy Anderson.
Price Ford Sales was featuring a 1993 Ford Protege DX for only $8,995.00 and a 1993 Mazda Pick-up for only $10,245.00. And, in the national news was the "approval" of females to serve in combat areas of the U.S. Military. The decision had received "mixed" emotions from local residents, in a local "straw" poll. And, it had been announced that during President George Bush's recent visit to Kuwait, the CIA had uncoverd an attempt to take the U.S. President's life, by Iraq forces.
Sonic Drive-In was offering a "triple feature" double-meat burger, French fries, and a medium drink, for only $3.29, and both Lou Nell's and Shoe Inn were featuring spring sales. The Cattleman's Restaurant, located in Holiday Inn, was featuring a $7.95, all-you-can-eat buffet, and Double-O Boot Corral had $10.00 off ladies' jeans. Milk was 99 cent for a 1/2 gallon and eggs were 49 cents per dozen. Kroger's Grocery Store was offering a "Dairy Festival Special" where ice cream was featured at 78 cents for a half-gallon carton, for the two weeks surrounding the annual celebration.
Local dairy farmers were also engaged in the second annual Southwest Dairy Field Day, that was being hosted in Hopkins County, at the Jack Kempenaar Dairy Farm. The event was cited as featuring sessions on body scoring of dairy cattle, sediment pond conversions to land use, and heifer growing for maximum dollar returns on your investment. Kempenaar's dairy, the largest in Hopkins County, was also to be toured by those attending the seminar.
And, John Perry and Shem Ray, local Kiwanians, had bested all of the other service club competitiors in producing the "Best Chili" at the 1993 Folk Festival sponsored contest. Some said, "chicken stew" might be the best way to serve up the remains of a Pilgrim's Pride wreckage on I-30, that featured a poultry truck turning over and spilling its cargo all across the roadway, shutting down traffic for some 5 hours, while the wreckage was cleaned-up.
Mrs. Imogene Glenn, marked her 50th anniversary as a teacher in the Yantis ISD, in the spring of 1993, and still hadn't decided when she would retire. She had began teaching the day that WWII began. And, Sulphur Springs golfer, Blake Ladd, who had an illustrious career as a schoolboy, was disappointed after taking an early lead in the state meet, with earning a second place finish, when the cards were turned-in.
Then, it was the fourth-grade class at Travis Elementary School that had painted a giant map of the United States, on their playground as part of a geography lesson. Does anyone remember being a part of that exercise?
At the movies it was "Jurassic Park" that was the top movie of 1993, grossing over $350 million at the box office. Other top movies included: "Mrs. Doubtfire," "The Fugitive," "Sleepless in Seattle," "Indecent Proposal," "In the Line of Fire," "Schindler's List," "Cliffhanger," and two movies based on John Grisham books, "The Firm" and "The Pelican Brief."
Country and Western tunes that were produced in 1993, included: Alan Jackson's sensational hit, "Chattahoochee," Clay Walker's "What's It to You," and Tracy Lawrence's "Can't Break It To My Heart." Sayer Brown made popular "Thank God For You, and Trisha Yearwood paired up with former Eagle and Gilmer, Texas, native, Don Henley, to bring us the favorite "Walkaway Joe," about two young lovers. Vince Gill was asked to join Reba McEntire for "The Heart Won't Lie," and John Michael Montgomery brought us the famous hits, "Life's A Dance," and "I Love The Way You Love Me." "Too Busy in Love" was sung by Doug Stone, and George Straits hit was "Heartland." "One More Last Chance" was a hit for Vince Gill and Toby Keith made popular "Should've Been A Cowboy." Garth Brooks brought us "American Honky-Tonk Bar Association" and everyone could identify with Little Texas' "God Bless Texas."
On the Pop Charts it was the memorable and still heard song by Whitney Houston, "I Will Always Love You," that made it to the top. Other popular songs included: "Whoomp!" by Tag Team; "Can't Help Falling In Love," by UB40; Janet Jackson's "That's The Way Love Goes;" "If I Ever Fall In Love" by Shai' and Mariah Carey's "Dreamlover." Boys II Men brought us "In The Still of the Night," and Peabo Bryson teamed with Regina Belle to bring us "A Whole New World." Rod Stewart made popular "Have I Told You Lately," and Whitney Houston had another favorite in "I'm Every Woman." Toni Braxton sang "Another Sad Love Song," and Ugly Kid Joe brought back "Cats In the Cradle." Madonna's hit for the year was "Deeper and Deeper," and Inner Circle brought to light "Bad Boys." Michael Bolton's "To Love Somebody" was a favorite and Taylor Dayne made popular "Can't Get Enough of Your Love."
The 1993 Hopkins County Dairy Festival Milking Contest was held in Buford Park with
cows furnished by Koon Jersey Farm.
In a voting of the Wildcat Football Team, captains for the 1993 season would be Bruce Turman,
Brian Maynard, Mike Cox, Cory Young, Shelby Bruhn, Jared Mofatt and Brandon Sells. And, Massey's Convenience Store was hosting their Grand Opening of the new store located at the corner of Broadway Street and I-30.
Hopkins County had"slipped" behind Erath County as the number one county in the state of Texas for milk sales, but it remained in the number two spot in the state. However, the county was boasting being the number one agricultural income county in all of East Texas. And, Joe Diffie and a relatively "unknown" Tim McGraw were being featured in concert in the Hopkins County Civic Center. McGraw would sing his first popular hit "Indian Outlaw," that was a favorite of local fans. Five teachers from Sulphur Springs ISD announced their retirement from the system at the end of the 1993 school year. They were Charley Dickey, Dorothy Thomas, Wilma Rholes, and husband and wife team, George and Barbara Law. The Sulphur Springs Fire Department had dedicated a small park beside the Fire Station on Church Street to be known as "Wilson Park" in honor of longtime dedicated volunteer firefighter, Woodrow Wilson.
1993 Milking Contest Winners included Cara Bartley,
D'Anne Graves, and Amy Carr.
When it came time to begin thinking about the 1993 Dairy Festival, it was Mary Campbell who was in charge of the 1993 Ice Cream Freeze-Off and it was being hosted at the VF Factory Outlet Mall. And, a special force had been "spying" on local residents as they drove through town and it was determined that 77% of the local residents used their seat belts.
Hopkins County had more dairy farms than any other county in the state of Texas (437 Grade-A Dairy Farms), when it came time to enter the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen's Contest. And, the 1993 contest attracted a large group of girls, eleven candidates. Some said that the reason was that this was the first year that candidates and their individual families did not have to build individual floats. Groups of girls joined forces to complete a group float to ride in the parade. "Dazzlin' Decades in Dairyland" was chosen as the theme and longtime businessmen and Dairy Festival Sponsors, B.F. Ashcroft and Gilbert McGrede were chosen as the Parade Marshals.
Candidates entered in the contest included: Amye Allison, representing the Dial Study Club; Cara Bartley, representing Mother's Culture Club; Mindy Bentley, representing Grocery Supply Company; Jackie Boshears, Rotary Club representative; First American Bank & Mortgage sponsored, Amy Carr; Sulphur Springs Loan and Building sponsored, Leslie Cogburn; D'Anne Graves, representing City National Bank; Michelle Holloway, representing the Jr. Waverly Club; Erika Nelson, representing Sulphur Springs State Bank; First National Bank sponsored Christy Petty; and Kiwanis Club sponsored Kristyl Slider.
Leslie stated that she enjoyed making the Milking Commercial for the radio, but she looks lkie she might
have been a "little timid" at approaching this cow in the Candidates Milking Contest, in Buford Park.
Little children deemed "Space Kid-ettes" and riding decorated golf carts in the parade and appearing on-stage, included: Breiann Birchfield, Jacob Jenkins, Christy Teer, Brent Rutledge, Katie Watson, Price Orwosky, Abby Lawrence, Tyler Baker, Kadie Ragan, Landon Lane, Mandy Teer, Eric Hartin, Jennifer Moreland, Jake Broumley, Shelby Suttle, Colt Hooten, Kaili Sink, Micah Walker, Michelle Fenati, Micah Walden, Rachel Dorris, and Ruston Frazier. John Ginn served as the Master of Ceremonies for the Pageant night and Brit Fisher was the President of the Dairy Festival Board. Other officers included: Talley Bell, vice-president; Jennifer Massey, secretary; Bobby McDonald, treasurer; and Ron Oswald, as reporter.
Other members of the Dairy Festival Board were: Jan Bartley, Teresa Birchfield, Pam Black, Mike Blount, Mary Campbell, Patricia Chase, Tony Cook, Susan Cook, Tommy Dickens, Pat Dickens, Debra Evans, Bruce Fielden, Jerry Gibby, Lynda Hager, Judy Jones, Janie Lewis, Karrie Oswald, Barbara Taylor, and Tim Taylor.
Over-all winner in the 1993 Ice Cream Freeze-Off was Brenda White, with her "mouth-watering" Black Walnut concoction, that won the Novelty Category. Other winners included: Becky Singer, Marjean Stotts, and Matthew Howell in the Plain Category; Micah Stotts, Jeana Williams, and Tracy Smith and Teresa Wright in the Fruit Category; and White, Joy and Jimmy Allen, and Bill Allen in the Novelty Category.
Following the consumption of ice cream, spectators left the VF Factory Mall and headed to Buford Park where Dairy Festival Candidates and their parents had their appointment in the "cow milking department." The Milking Contest was won by Cara Bartley with 1 3/8 pounds of milk. Second place was won by D.Anne Graves, with one pound of milk, and third prize was Amy Carr with 3/4 pound milk. (Folks that means that eight other young ladies got less than 3/4 pound of milk in their buckets. We couldn't claim that the 1993 candidates held the world record as productive Milk Maids, now could we?)
During Dairy Festival Week it was local dairywoman, Vera Harrington, that was announced as being named to the National Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Board and SSISD School Trustees "broke ground" for a new high school library and media center, to be built on to the current high school complex. And, women and candidates who were practicing late at night in the Hopkins County Civic Center were being escorted to their cars, as the suspect wanted in assaults on women in the western part of the city was still "at large." Donations had raised the Crime Stoppers Reward to over $1000.00 for information leading to his arrest.
Leslie Cogburn, representing Sulphur Springs
Loan and Building Association, was crowned
the 1993 Dairy Festival Queen.
On the last Saturday night of Dairy Festival '93, it was the talented performace to a Broadway Musical song from "Cats," that wowed the judges and named seventeen year old, Leslie Cogburn, the new queen. She was the daughter of Johnny and Marilyn Cogburn and an upcoming senior at SSHS. First Runner-up was Christy Petty, the daughter of Ronny and Mary Petty, of Cumby, who performed the song "I Feel Lucky, during the talent portion of the show; and Erika Nelson, the daughter of Dickie and Mindy Nelson was named second runner-up, as she performed an original monologue concerning drinking and driving. Amy Carr was named Miss Congeniality by her peers in the contest and Christy Petty won the ticket sales. Special musical performance were offered during the pageant by Mike Shing, who sang "I Cross My Heart" from the popular George Strait movie, and "I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried," and Tim Kelty, who sang "Melody From The Past," featuring songs from several decades of music.
"I certainly feel that being named Dairy Festival Queen of 1993 changed my life," acknowledges Leslie Cogburn, now a resident of Dardanelle, Arkansas. "It holds so many special memories for me and made a difference in who I am as a person!"
"What can you say? It was an honor to be chosen by your home community to represent them and I have so many exciting and special memories that I treasure to this day," expressed Leslie. "Everytime I come to Sulphur Springs or like just last month I saw a Southwest Dairy Museum Truck in Arkansas and the memories of that wonderful year came flooding back for me! It seems the memories will always surround me!"
"It was Dairy Festival that prepared me for life taking me down so many roads, once I graduated Sulphur Springs High School in 1994," states Leslie. "I attended Abilene Christian University, where I was a broadcast journalism major. After two years at ACU, I had the opportunity to move to Malibu, California, and be a nanny for an actress. It was a bit of a culture shock for me, but nonetheless, a wonderful learning experience and one that I will always feel helped to shape my life."
Leslie returned from California and decided on entering the Fashion Design School in Dallas and worked for a school in Highland Park, while being paid to make two movie "extra" appearances. It was while she was working in Dallas, at the school, that she made the decision to become a teacher. "I have done lots of church work, including mission work and continue to help with the children's ministry at church," states Leslie. "So, I know that is where God wants me to be serving."
Leslie's parents moved to Arkansas, following their retirement as school teachers, and Leslie decided to follow them, once her daughter was born, so that she could be near her grandparents. Leslie enrolled in Arkansas Tech University and began her studies. She will do her student teaching in the fall of 2009 and plans to enter graduate school, as she searches for employment.
Former Queen Leslie states that her greatest
blessing in life is her daughter, Myra Belle!
"Life has afforded me many roads to travel, but certainly the highlight and greatest accomplishment of my life, is my daughter, Myra Belle!" states Leslie, confidently. "My daughter is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me and truly a blessing from God. Our time is spent traveling, playing outside, drawing and painting, creating things, and now we're beginning gymnastics! She's already a big fan of the stage and a 'little performer' herself!"
In offering advice to young ladies considering entering the Dairy Festival Queen's Contest, Leslie states that it is a wonderful experience and an opportunity to build confidence and serve as a role model for others. "I really hadn't considered entering the contest, until about the time to sign-up, but I thank my Mom for encouraging me to enter, and serving as the 'spark' that won me the crown," continued Leslie. "It opened doors in my life and made me aware of responsibilities and being a part of something that was bigger than my life!"
"The Dairy Festival experience is not something you do alone," acknowledges Leslie. "I borrowed a costume from my wonderful friend Myndi Helm. My dear best friend, Han Pham (now Dr. Han Pham Hulen), helped me choreograph my talent presentation and we worked for hours perfecting the performance. And, of course, my parents, and the parents of the other candidates built the float that we rode on during the parade!"
"I want to personally thank all of those who served on the Dairy Festival Board and made my year possible and those who have served in the past, and from that year forward, that continue to make this an opportunity in Hopkins County," inserted Leslie. "Dairy Festival represents the 'greatness' of Hopkins County!"
Leslie has plans to return to Hopkins County to represent her era as a Dairy Festival Queen of the 1990's, and hopes to see her old friends from a year that she still holds dear in her heart. "I still hold the special memory of attending Special Olympics in high school and my special needs athletes being in awe of the crown I wore, but to me they were the true heroes and I merely wore the crown!" advised Leslie.
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