FREE ISSUE
From Football to
Film
Fall
FunTimes
Visitor Guide
You do not have to look too far for fall fun and entertainment.
Brew and Renew Venture over to Seven Points for some craft beer, nostalgia and food to boot.
Local filmmaker shoots episode of new Internet TV show in his hometown of Terrell.
Glory Days The players on the 1957 championship team talk about their coach and unity that took them all the way.
Fall 2016/Vol. 6 Issue 3 www.kaufmancountylife.com
From the Publisher
Life
a slice of
Fall is around the corner. I can only hope by the time you read this issue of Kaufman County Life that the heat has calmed down as we settle into the fall season. It’s easy for everyone living in Kaufman County to know that fall is here because of football and the enthusiasm of all our sports teams. Being situated between Dallas and Canton, fall brings the smell of corn dogs and funnel cakes to your senses. Just imagine for a moment how many thousands if not millions of corn dogs will be consumed this season at the State Fair of Texas at Fair Park in Dallas and First Mondays in Canton. If you are in Kaufman County, you are perfectly situated to take advantage of both events. On the cover and inside our fall edition, you will read about Greg Ellis and how he made the transition from football to life without football by starting his own film company. The second episode of “The Greg Ellis Show” was shot in the black box at the Iris Theater in Terrell. The tradition of football continues as we showcase the special anniversary of Terrell’s 1957 championship team — has it really been almost 60 years? We interview three outstanding players of that championship team — Larry Raines, Don Clontz, and Raymond Sparks offer us a back in time glimpse into that magical season for the Terrell Tigers. The E! Terrell Entertainment Series started off with a
sold out performance of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the Terrell Performing Arts Center in September. Many more events are scheduled, including Jim Witter on Oct. 18 and Melinda Doolittle on Nov. 3. Go to www.eterrell.org for more information on upcoming events. Another fall favorite tradition in East Texas is sitting outside and enjoying a meal with family and friends. You need to check out the new Cedar Creek Brewery location in Seven Points for some of the best food and brew in town.
For other great ideas, don’t miss reading the Fall Fun Times Visitor’s Guide with information on things to do and places to visit in East Texas like the East Texas Oil Museum located on the Kilgore College campus; The Trails of Treats event at Forney Community Park, Boo on the Bricks in downtown Wills Point, the Scarecrow Festival on the Square in Kaufman, the 35th Annual Civic Auction at Cowboy Collection Arena in Terrell, the Historic Highway 80 Sale in downtown Terrell, the Veteran’s Day Ceremony at Spellman Amphitheater located at Forney Community Park, and the 75th Civil Air Patrol Anniversary Celebration at Van Zandt County Regional Airport. All of these events and more are listed on the Events Calendar on pages 30–31 in this issue. Enjoy your time in Kaufman County, one of the fastest growing counties in the region. — Bob Janss, Publisher
surging…
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From Football
Table of Contents Volume 6 Issue 3 | Fall 2016
Publisher & Editor
to
Bob Janss
Contributing Writers Travis Detherage Gary E. Lindsley Phil Major
Photography Travis Detherage Jim Klenke Gary E. Lindsley Phil Major
Creative Editor & Layout Erika Dorsey
Ad Design Patrick Brown
Advertising Sales Patty Barringer Bob Janss Brandi Thomas
Contact publisher@terrelltribune.com 150 Ninth Street, Terrell, TX 75160 972-563-6476
Cook’s Corner The women of First United Methodist Church in Kaufman use their cooking talents to raise much needed money for community support.
43.
Kaufman County Life assumes no responsibility for the content of articles or advertisements, in that the views expressed therein may not reflect the views of the publisher, employees or contributors. This publication and all of its contents are copyrighted.
Cover photo by Gary E. Lindsley 4
KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
6.
15.
Economic Excitement
Technology Tigers
Terrell is not the only community showing an uptick in development. Forney and Kaufman are also seeing growth.
The Terrell Tigers are using technology to reduce the need to meet at school to review film, and as a recruiting tool for players to get noticed by colleges.
Film Check out the latest creation of filmmaker, editor, producer and director M. Legend Brown.
12. Shopping AROUND TOWN
24. Take a look at some of the
uide Visitor G
27.
29.
Brew and Renew
Fall Fun Times Visitor Guide
The Cedar Creek Brewery in Seven Points started out as a home-brew operation and morphed into a brewery, built in the former Plowboys location.
Fall brings the changing of the leaves and a bit cooler temperatures. So be sure to check out the plethora of places to visit, and sights and sounds to see and hear, this season.
unique shopping experiences offered in the area.
30. Community Calendar Kaufman County and Surrounding Areas
Find out about the latest events happening in Kaufman County and nearby.
47. Scene & Heard Find out about the housing opportunites at Heather Lane — Tiffany Square townhomes, and fun to be had during the Iron Horse Festival in Mineola, Texas. www.kaufmancountylife.com
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Economic
excitement
Work continues on a new business next to Taco Bueno in Terrell. (Gary E. Lindsley)
Story by
Gary E. Lindsley
Activity throughout the county suggests surging growth and development.
I
t has been a long time coming for Danny Booth — you might even say he has been overseeing a work in progress for at least 15 years in the city of Terrell. “It” is the surge in economic development in the community, particularly in the Farm-toMarket Road 148, Spur 557 and Interstate 20 corridor. The corridor has a potential of serving about 290,000 people — that is a marketing tool any economic developer would love to have in his or her tool chest. And Booth, who is vice president of the Terrell Economic Development Corporation, is using that tool to the fullest potential and seeing dramatic results — especially in the past several years.
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Forney and Kaufman also have seen a surge as of late. Stewart McGregor, economic development coordinator for the Forney Economic Development Corporation, said there are a lot of moving parts in Forney right now. McGregor said Emergicon, a third-party Dallas-based emergency service billing company, moved its Gun Barrel City operation to Forney. He said the move resulted in 50 new jobs in Forney. There also are developments underway, according to McGregor, for an Indian Motorcycle dealership redevelopment on U.S. Highway 80 between the Pinson Road and Farm-to-Market Road 548 exits. Motorcycles and all-terrain
vehicles will be sold at the new dealership, which is the old Village South outdoors products building, according to McGregor. And 7-11 opened a new store at the intersection of FMs 741 and 548. Also relocating to Forney, this time from nearby Kaufman, was Abox Packaging. The company consolidated its operations in the old Forney Sports Center building on FM 1641. That resulted in another 130 new employees in the city. The south spine road of Gateway Boulevard is under way. It will connect the south end of FM 1641 with the north end of Gateway at FM 548. McGregor said construction of 1,850 homes at Gateway parks is also under way.
Kaufman County Life | Feature Volume 6 Issue 3 | Fall 2016
And he said once renovations are complete at the FEDCowned property at 106 E. Main St., Latham Bakery and Deli will move in. There also are plans for a new Hampton Inn at U.S. 80 and FM 548. FEDC programs for 2016-17, according to McGregor, include a service line training seminar, countywide veterans job fair, an economic resiliency workshop and a business plan competition. Over in Kaufman, Tables Manufacturing purchased and refurbished a 100,000-square foot building to expand its footprint to more than 270,000 square feet. The expansion added 25 new jobs to Tables Manufacturing’s 185, according to Lee E. Ayres, executive director of the Kaufman Economic Development Corporation. Falcon Steel also announced expansion plans that include refurbishing its existing facility while increasing employment from 140 to 250 people in 2017. And Kaufman officials recently received a site plan for a new 10,000-square foot logistics center in the city’s business park. Ayre’s said the company’s officials have pledged to create about 50 new primary jobs in 2017. Then there is Kaufman’s housing uptick. “Kaufman, the county seat, had more hous-
Gateway Cedars is one of the new complexes in Forney. (Courtesy photo)
in 2017. On the boards for 2017 are preliminary site plans for a 110-apartment complex. And developer Robert Beach is working on plans for a 250-lot subdivision that should see start-up in 2017 as well, according to Ayres. Kaufman also has seen an increase in fast food restaurants — Whataburger, Little Caesar’s Pizza, Dairy Queen — and 2017 plans include a new Sonic, Dickey’s Barbecue and Schlotzky’s. Joining the fast food restaurants in 2016 were Dollar Tree and GameStop. Ayres said Kings Fort Market Center developers are in talks with Starbucks, Chipotle
“Kaufman, the county seat, had more housing starts in the first half of 2016 than the previous five years combined.” — Lee E. Ayres, executive director, Kaufman EDC ing starts in the first half of 2016 than the previous five years combined,” Ayres said. He expects that number to double
and Panda Express. Also on the drawing board for Kaufman are preliminary site plans for a 5-acre conve-
nience store/truck stop/strip center along the new State Highway 34 bypass at the State Highway 243 intersection, according to Ayres. And not to be left out, the city’s town square is going to receive a $1.8 million streetscape makeover, including sidewalks, landscaping and period lighting. Ayres expects that project to break ground in October. The city’s voters also gave city officials approval for $10 million in bonds to improve streets and build a new state of the art city hall and law enforcement center. And in August, the new $35 million SH 34 bypass opened, opening up more than 1,000 acres for development, according to Ayres. Back in Terrell, the current upsurge in development really dates back several years ago, at least. TEDC’s Booth, along with Kaufman County Judge Bruce Wood and Terrell city officials, in 2013 were able to entice Arch “Beaver” Aplin III to commit to www.kaufmancountylife.com
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The ribbon is cut for the grand opening of Buc-ee’s in Terrell, which got the ball rolling in 2015. (Gary E. Lindsley)
opening his first North Texas Buc-ee’s in Terrell. It took years, though, to get to the point where Buc-ee’s agreed to come to Terrell. In the late 2000s, the housing bubble burst. And with it, the economy came tumbling down. It was labeled the Great Recession. Terrell was hit hard by the Great Recession. The dreams of city and economic officials, as well as those of the community members, fell by the wayside. The dreams of large developments, new roads — and new residents shopping locally — were shattered. City employees had to take furloughs — which translated into loss of income. Street maintenance was hindered. No money translated into no money for housing, commercial or industrial development. There was a glimmer of light, though. In 2011, city and economic development officials heralded a plan called the 80/20 project — as in U.S. Highway 80 and Interstate 20 — with The 8
KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
MGHerring Group. The project was supposed to start in early 2012 with completion set for spring 2013. MGHerring Group was going to build a 255-acre, regional open-air shopping center. By May 2012, MGHerring had bowed out of the project and George Allen teamed up with Charles Hodges. Allen owns Dallas-based Oakridge Investments while Hodges owns Dallas-based Hodges and Associates. “We have been looking to develop that for at least 15 years,” Booth said. “Being at the junction of I-20 and U.S. 80 does not get any better than that.” But about 20 years ago, the vision was different. Booth said they contemplated expanding Metrocrest Business Park into the FM 148, Spur 557 and I-20 area. Over time, that vision changed. “Retail creates jobs and sales tax [revenues],” Booth said. One of the first prospects to express interest in the area was Lowe’s. However, Home Depot
got into Terrell first and Lowe’s was no longer interested. “Home Depot got under construction quicker,” Booth said. So the vision was to create a retail mecca with hotels and restaurants in the corridor. But there had to be infrastructure in place or underway before any company would be interested in coming to Terrell. It took Las Lomas’ Anthony Partners, Mario Sinacola and TEDC to spur Buc-ee’s development by putting up $4.5 million for the infrastructure for the site. Buc-ee’s was the first to commit to build on the 90-acre site — after a lot of negotiations by Booth and city officials. And it did not hurt that Wood was on board. Aplin, Wood said, told him North Texas was on his radar screen. Aplin also told him, according to Wood, that Terrell was a little further out from a metro area than usual when he considers a site. “He said I was the first county official to contact him,” Wood said.
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Kaufman County Life | Feature Volume 6 Issue 3 | Fall 2016
Indeed. Aplin, at the Nov. 5, 2013, Terrell City Council meeting, announced he would be building a Buc-ee’s in Terrell. The 61,000-square foot store was a multi-million dollar project and was slated to employ about 125 people with upward of 200. It has 84 fuel pumps. Aplin had several reasons for choosing Terrell for a new Buc-ee’s. The number one reason was that he found it to be an extremely friendly community. “That is quite important for us,” Aplin said. “We have not done ‘great’ projects before because [the people] were not friendly.” Buc-ee’s got the ball rolling. On site now are a Starbucks, Whataburger, Dairy Queen, and soon, a Discount Tire. And across FM 148 is the newest arrival, Taco Bueno. In fact, Taco Bueno Chief Marketing Officer Jeff Carl said it was because Buc-ee’s invested in Terrell that Taco Bueno decided to come to Terrell. Plus, he said, Terrell residents have been
clamoring for years for Taco Bueno to come to the city. Baylor Healthcare has also invested millions of dollars in infrastructure to help make the development a reality. But Baylor officials have not announced what or when they will build on the site, other than it is possibly going to build at least a 100-bed facility. To accommodate the development, though, Farm-ToMarket Road 148 was expanded
“[a friendly community] is quite important for us. We have not done ‘great’ projects before because [the people] were not friendly.” — Arch “Beaver” Aplin III to four lanes, Spur 557 was upgraded and work includes the Interstate 20 area. And in late May 2014, the Las Lomas Parkway and Spur 557 bridge ramps opened, which will help spur development of the several thousand-acre Las
Terrell Economic Development Corporation Vice President Danny Booth points to development areas in the city. (Gary E. Lindsley) 10
KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
Lomas retail and residential projects. Atmos, at its own expense, in 2014 built a gas-line facility near the Baylor and Buc-ee’s sites. It will provide gas to those two sites as well as the Town Market Center development on the other side of FM 148. City officials say Terrell has always been an economic hub. One of the first economic development projects was
Terrell Municipal Airport. It was created as a site to train Royal Air Force and Canadian cadets attending the No. 1 British Flying Training School during World War II. After the war, it provided the potential of being an industrial resource. A new terminal was completed in 2011 and a future No. 1 BFTS Museum is slated to go up next to it. On the other side of FM 148 — near Taco Bueno — is another 255 acres that Retail Connection is working on filling with restaurants, an anchor store and hotels/motels. The development off FM 148, Spur 557 and I-20 involves the following partners: Bucee’s, Baylor, TEDC, Anthony Partners, Sinacola, Retail Connection, George Allen, Hodges and Associates and the Texas Department of Transportation. One of the things next on the economic development horizon is what can be done with See DEVELOPMENT, Continued on pg. 42
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From Football to
Film
Filming the Second episode of “The Greg Ellis Show.” Part of the episode is shot in the black box of the former Iris Theater in Terrell.
Greg Ellis’ eccentric uncle Earl, left, played by Matthew Greer, tries to outshine Maxwell, played by Michael Green during a rehearsal in a play. The scene was shot in the black box at the former Iris Theater. 12
KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
Story and Photos by
Gary E. Lindsley
Kaufman County Life | Feature Volume 6 Issue 3 | Fall 2016
O
n a sweltering Texas summer day, the nondescript army — director, camera and sound men, and production team — swarmed into Books and Crannies in the former Iris Theater building. Retired Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Ellis, meandering along West Moore
movie studio and guiding a quirky, eccentric group of people in Hollywood. Ellis was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 1998 NFL draft and wore the Cowboys colors and star until 2008. He went on to play one season with the Oakland
“I care about people and helping people. The best way to enlighten someone is through film. If we can entertain, we can get a message across that they will remember.” — Greg Ellis Avenue toward the book store, was joined by Terrell’s very own independent movie producer, M. Legend Brown. Brown has produced three award-winning faith-based movies in Terrell — “Hiding in Plain Sight,” “Steps of Faith” and “A Man Called Jon.” Ellis, who drew second glances from passersby before entering the building with Brown, was at Books and Crannies to shoot the second episode of “The Greg Ellis Show,” in the former theater’s black box. The six-episode show debuted on the Your Now Network TV on the Internet at 9 p.m. Aug. 17. Ellis shook hands with Gayle and Ron Harris, who own Books and Crannies and are fellow actors themselves, before getting ready to watch the episode evolve. “The Greg Ellis Show” follows the retired Dallas Cowboys defensive end as he tries to make the transition from tackling quarterbacks in the NFL to running a
Raiders before being cut. Ellis then went on to form the film company, Play Now Enterprises, and got involved with the “Carter High” movie. “Carter High” centers on the football powerhouse Carter High during the 1980s. Ellis had a part in the movie, which came out in 2015. Brown had teased the “Carter High” movie when he debuted his third faith-based film, “A Man Called Jon,” in 2015 in Terrell.
The next step was a collaboration. “It’s been going great,” Ellis said during the shooting of his second episode of “The Greg Ellis Show” in Terrell in August. The genesis of Ellis teaming up with Brown was when Kelly Gray, Brown’s co-producer, said they should do something together. Brown suggested a show revolving around Ellis, but he was more than a bit hesitant. “I was trying to get out of playing myself, but Mike said I had to be in it,” Ellis said. “It’s been fun but uncharted waters for me — crazy enjoyable for me.” In Brown’s Greg Ellis Show, which is set in Dallas, Ellis is taking care of his elderly Aunt Tippi — played by renowned actress Irma P. Hall — and an eccentric Uncle Earl — played by Mathew Greer, who played the associate pastor in Brown’s award-winning film, “A Man Called Jon.” Aunt Tippi and Uncle Earl, of course, fight like cats and dogs. “[Ellis] is essentially dealing with life after being an NFL See ELLIS, Continued on pg. 45
Terrell filmmaker Michael Legend Brown, left, oversees a rehearsal of “The Greg Ellis Show” at the Iris Theater. www.kaufmancountylife.com
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KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
Technology
Tigers
Terrell High School football players tackle a Kennedale ball carrier. (Jim Klenke)
Story by
Travis Detherage
The Terrell varsity football team uses a football app to improve on the field.
B
efore society was inundated with technology breakthroughs such as smart phones, tablet computers and the Internet, people had a difficult time effectively getting their message across in a short amount of time through a variety of different ways. Yes, people could still talk to someone they wanted to through a phone but they couldn’t message people or use the Internet on it. People could use computers but could only do so at home through an electrical outlet. And the Internet couldn’t be used unless it was plugged into a phone line.
During this time, high school football coaches around the nation were using DSV, which is video editing software to watch football game film. Coaches would take video from a football game and upload it into a computer. Coaches would use a projector to show video of the game on the computer that would be displayed on a big screen. Because of this, football players would have to meet with coaches at the high school athletic facility for several hours in a row on a Saturday or Sunday to watch film of their previous game and watch film of their next opponent.
During those two days would be the only film study players would get for the next game week. Those days are now over with. Thanks to the introduction of smart phones, computer tablets, Wi-Fi and a new game film software, players may now watch football game film however and whenever they want. Hudl, which was created in 2006, has revolutionized the way coaches and athletes watch football game film. Hudl has the ability to edit, share video, study associated play diagrams, and create quality highlight reels for recruiting purposes, all while using a www.kaufmancountylife.com
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By using Hudl, people can watch all of the highlights from a specific player in any game. Pictured is a Hudl screenshot of 2016 Terrell graduate Dawonya Tucker who is highlighted by a bright circle so people can easily find him before each play.
In Hudl, each high school football team has a database for in game highlights for each football player on the team. Pictured are some of the Terrell High School football players that have game highlights in Hudl that anyone can look at.
Terrell High School varsity football head coach Mike Shields. (Jim Klenke)
smart phone or computer tablet that is connected to a Wi-Fi. It is the go-to software for coaches in the United States. “Basically, everybody in the nation uses it because it’s just so easy for kids to watch film and coaches too. We used to have to be inside the athletics complex on Saturday and Sunday to watch film, but now we can go home a little bit earlier and watch it from there,” Mike Shields, who is the Terrell High School varsity head football coach, said about Hudl. Hudl can be accessed through a website or through an app on a smart phone. 16
KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
“Everybody’s got a smart phone and they can go home to watch the film,” Shields said. Shields first discovered Hudl in 2007 but didn’t start using it until 2009 because DSV was still the main resource to watch game film on. “It was just easy to use and that’s what we’re all looking for,” Shields said. “As long as you have Internet access then you can use it.” Also using Hudl, the coaching staff can type in notes to send to the players that can explain play tendencies an opponent may have on a
particular formation. Shields said coaches have the ability, using Hudl, to also send messages to a single player or to a group of players. For example, Shields can send a message to the team telling it when and where football practice is going to be. “Even more important than that, the players can watch film on their opponent when they’re at home because we’re limited on time about how long we can keep the players up here to watch film,” Shields said. The coaching staff has access to a database, with Hudl, that shows how long a player has watched film on a particular day and see when the last time a player used Hudl to watch film. “For example, Tiyea Zanders [Terrell’s starting quarterback] watched film two hours ago for
Kaufman County Life | Feature Volume 6 Issue 3 | Fall 2016
15 minutes. So we can get on there and see if they’re watching it. It’s a good deal for everybody,” Shields said. Hudl also helps college programs recruit players. College recruiters can go to the Hudl program and watch film of any high school football player in the state. “It’s out there for them and they can just go out there and get it,” Shields said. High School athletes can also use Hudl for making their own highlight reels from the
plays they made in games. This helps display their athletic abilities nationwide so college coaches can more easily recruit them. “They can go in and make their own highlights. I don’t have to go into every play and organize it for each player. The players can go in and make their own highlights,” Shields said. Similar to the NFL where teams can have Microsoft Surface tablets on the sideline to review plays from the game
“We used to have to be inside the athletics complex on Saturday and Sunday to watch film, but now we can go home a little bit earlier and watch it from there.” — Mike Shields
they’re playing in, Texas high school coaches are actively trying to get the same access that they can use during football games. Texas High School football coaches voted against using computer tablets on the sideline or in the press box during games when it was brought up for discussion and voting at UIL meetings. But high school football coaches know eventually that their teams will get to use tablet computers during games in the coming future. “Pretty soon it’s going to pass and you’re going to see us with iPads on the sideline,” Shields said. “In the future, you’ll see it start at 6A and 5A level and it usually trickles down to everybody else.”
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Light Crust Doughboys Perform in Terrell Excellence Foundation Benefit Concert Special to Kaufman County Life
I
cons of Texas Western Swing Music, “The Light Crust Doughboys” will perform a special benefit concert for the Terrell ISD Excellence Foundationon at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at the TISD Performing Arts Center. Named “State of Texas Official Music Ambassadors” by the 74th Texas Legislature, the Doughboys are recognized inductees of the Texas Cowboy, Texas Western Swing, Rockabilly, Texas Music, and Cowboy Society of Fort Worth halls of fame.
Boys were a natural choice.” Noted local drummer and former Texas Sen. Bob Deuell from Greenville will appear as special guest star for the concert, which will trace the history of Texas western swing and popular radio show music through the decades, starting with the 1930s. The event is the second annual benefit concert for the TISD Excellence Foundation. Created in 2009, the foundation has awarded more than $850,000 in grants to support
“The foundation will surpass the $1 million dollar mark in grants awarded in 2016-2017. We invite everyone to join the fun at this concert and to support the good work of the excellence foundation at the same time.” — Lea Cooper, executive director “We wanted to bring name entertainers and a fun-filled family show to our community for this year’s concert,” said Sarah Kegerreis, community relations director and publicity chairperson for the foundation. “The Dough
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KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
enhanced educational opportunities for students throughout the district’s seven campuses over the years. The foundation’s emphasis in recent years has focused mostly on career tech programs at Terrell
High School. Assisting Terrell ISD with the purchase of needed equipment, supplies, and infrastructure, the effort is making a noteworthy impact as substantial numbers of THS students are currently earning numerous industry-recognized certifications and significant college credit hours while still in high school. “The foundation will surpass the $1 million dollar mark in grants awarded in 2016-2017,” said Lea Cooper, the foundation’s executive director. “In addition to the yearly individual and collaborative grants, the foundation board recently made a major commitment to support the district’s new robotics program in 2016-2017. We invite everyone to join the fun at this concert and to support the good work of the excellence foundation at the same time.” Ticket prices are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets may be purchased at the Terrell Chamber of Commerce, American National Bank, Terrell ISD Campuses, and Terrell ISD Administration Building and on-line at: www.terrellexcellencefoundation. org/#!benefit-concert-1/uu5y3.
World
Class
Concert DSO’s violin section is seen performing.
Story by
Gary E. Lindsley
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra played in Terrell as part of its DSO on the Go program.
T
he E! Terrell Entertainment Series kicked off on Sept. 8 with the return of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at the Terrell ISD Performing Arts Center. The performance marked the second time DSO has performed at the performing arts center. The center was packed in 2013 for DSO. The conductor for the Sept. 8 performance was Ruth Reinhardt, who is an assistant DSO conductor. Reinhardt was appointed assistant conductor in May 2015. She was born in Saarbrücken, Germany, and recently graduated with a master of music degree in conducting from The Juilliard School where she studied with Alan
Gilbert. Reinhardt was recently appointed conducting fellow with the Seattle Symphony for the 2015/16 season and was a Tanglewood conducting fellow in 2015. She is currently associate conducting fellow of the Taki Concordia program under Marin Alsop and conductor of the New York City based ÆON Ensemble with whom she led a collaboration with the Kronos Quartet. Reinhardt began her formal musical education at the age of six studying the violin and completed her studies at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (ZHdK) with Rudolf Koelman. She began conducting in 2004, taking private lessons with Constantin Trinks, music direc-
Ruth Reinhardt, DSO conductor
tor of Staatstheater Darmstadt, and from 2008 studying at the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste with Professor Johannes Schlaefli and later in Leipzig with www.kaufmancountylife.com
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Professor Ulrich Windfuhr. From the beginning of her career, connecting classical music with young people has been an integral part of Ruth Reinhardt’s work as a conductor. From 2013-14, she worked as teaching fellow for the Music Advancement Program at Juilliard, teaching chamber music and serving as assistant conductor to the MAP Orchestra. Ryan Anthony is scheduled to be the trumpet soloist. He will be playing the Haydn Trumpet Concerto. Anthony is noted for his varied career as soloist, educator, chamber musician and orchestral player. Having departed the worldrenowned ensemble ‘Canadian Brass’ nearly 10 years ago, Anthony became one of the most sought after trumpet players in America both as soloist and an orchestral player. His solo career started as a 16-year-old prodigy when he won the Seventeen Magazine/ General Motors Concerto Competition — the second person ever to win the grand prize after Joshua Bell. Subsequent teenage appearances included the Cleveland Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Kennedy Center and State Department, Washington D.C., as well as a feature on WQXR radio New York City. Since then he has appeared as soloist with more than 30 ensembles including the Dallas, St. Louis, Springfield, Dayton, Winston-Salem Symphonies, IRIS, Wisconsin, Portland Chamber Orchestras and Pershing’s Own Army Band, Washington D.C. Anthony is currently principal trumpet with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and since 2004, has also appeared as principal trumpet for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, Colorado Symphony and played in the sections of New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra and Israel Philharmonic. Fall 2012 brought a change to Anthony’s life and career with a diagnosis of an incurable cancer. After a stem cell transplant for multiple myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow and blood), he started The Ryan Anthony Foundation 501(c) (3) non-profit organization using music to promote cancer research. The concerts called “Cancer Blows” have taken off as a vehicle for See E! TERRELL , Continued on pg. 40 20
KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
Ryan Anthony, trumpet soloist
glory days
Story by
Travis Detherage
Team picture of the 1957 Terrell High School varsity football team. First row: K. Williams, J. Slayton, R. Sparks, E. Curtis, J. Keller, L. Raines, D. Harwell, D. Clontz, W. Dickerson, B. Mitchell. Second row: C. Stanley, B. Rutherford, T. Wade, G. Beavers, S. Irwin, R. Beavers, J. Keller, T. Waggoner, P. Lea, T. Caughran, D. King. Third row: D. Stiles, A. Stoy, C. Watkins, N. Harrell, T. Anderson, E. Larner, B. Sturgeon, R. Holton, J. Gibson, H. Johnson. Fourth row: D. Norton, M. Brock, J. Kirk, K. Elliot, G. Gann, B. Wesson, J. Harwell, M. Campbell, K. Drost. (Terrell High School 1958 year book)
A look back at the 1957 Terrell High School football state championship team.
W
ith a dominating defense and a running game tough to stop, the 1957 Terrell High School had a football season to remember. Terrell High School won its second state football championship with a 41-6 win over Brady High School. They played each other for the Texas Class AA state championship in Baylor Stadium at Waco before an estimated crowd of 5,000 fans. “The thing that made it so great on the field was the fact that we were all highly motivated and we were team players. We felt like this is what we were supposed to do, which was win and play our guts out,” said Larry Raines, who was a player on the 1957 team. Terrell High School finished 14-1 and outscored its opponents by a dominating 535-117
margin and holding nine opponents to single digit scoring. “We had good talent and we played as a team,” said Raymond Sparks, who was also a member of the 1957 team.
Leon Vineyard was the Terrell head football coach during the 1957 season. The 1957 state champion win was also Vineyard’s 100th win, and at the time, he was the
The Terrell Tribune front page after the Terrell Tiger football team won its second state championship in 1957. (File Photo) www.kaufmancountylife.com
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Leon Vineyard was the head coach of the 1957 and 1952 Terrell state champion teams. (Terrell High School 1958 year book)
quickest coach to win 100 games in Texas. “He was a very tough and disciplined coach. He made us that way,” Raines said. “He wanted 11 guys on offense and 11 guys on defense that wouldn’t quit on you.” Raines said playing under coach Vineyard was similar to being coached by historic college football coach Bear Bryant. “Coach Vineyard got us so ready that he wanted everyone to be in on the tackle. It didn’t
matter what side of the field you were on. We got the job done,” Raines said. Sparks recalls coach Vineyard putting on the pads in practice and going against some of the players. “We respected him,” Sparks said. “He was tough, but he was fair.” Coach Vineyard was so respected by college coaches, in fact, whenever Raines and Sparks played college football at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, the coaches there wanted them to teach the other players how to play defense. Raines said even at the college level he never learned anymore about football because coach Vineyard taught the team so much about the game. “I taught the defense there how
Pictured is an aerial view of memorial stadium in Terrell in the 1950s. (File Photo) 22
KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
to play in the line because they weren’t even in tune with what our coach had taught us. They put me in charge of the defense and the coaching staff told me, ‘You know the drills better than I do’. All these guys came from premier schools or they wouldn’t have gotten a scholarship anyway. It started hitting home that our coach did something different,” Raines said. Before the season, Vineyard told the seniors that they were the smartest and most talented team that he had ever had. “He put together a plan for us to go all the way,” said Don Clontz, another player on the 1957 championship team. After beating Ennis 34-0 during the season’s first game, Terrell lost its second game of the season 19-14 to Athens.
Kaufman County Life | Feature Volume 6 Issue 3 | Fall 2016
Pictured is the 1952 and 1957 Terrell football state championship teams on the side of memorial stadium. (Travis Detherage)
“But, whatever, we won all the rest of them,” Clontz said. Clontz recalls the team working out in a cotton warehouse so opponents couldn’t see them practicing and because it rained so much during fall 1957. “It was the wettest year we’ve ever had, maybe. It rained all the time.” Terrell ran with an unbalanced offensive line, which was called the Michigan State offense. “Most of the plays were wedge plays or dive plays. They don’t play football like that much anymore,” Clontz said. “We were really small, but we were fast.” In regionals, Terrell beat Electra 21-13 to advance to the state quarterfinals. Raines and Sparks said one of the toughest games that season was against Electra in the playoffs. Terrell was behind 13-0 at halftime but Electra was about to go up 20-0 before the break if it wasn’t for a goal-line stand by Terrell at the one-yard line. “That was pretty tough,” Raines
said about Terrell’s game against Electra. “But nobody had any doubt that we were going to win the game. We were going to win the game regardless.” Terrell scored all its points in the second half and didn’t allow a single point from Electra. “We just came out ready to go,” Raines said. The other tough game for Terrell that season was the state semifinal game against Seymour, which Terrell won 20-7. “Seymour was a lot bigger and a lot stronger,” Sparks said. Raines said he’s still overwhelmed of how Terrell beat Seymour in the state semifinals. “Seymour’s team averaged 50 pounds a man more than us on offense and defense. Their offensive line averaged 250 and our defensive line averaged 190. Nobody thought that we had a chance to beat them. They were like a college team,” Raines said. Clontz said Seymour had a lineman that weighed more
than 300 pounds and was committed to play college football at Texas Christian University. “We probably beat them because we changed our offense. We were normally three downs-four yards in a pile of dust. We just ground everything out and that’s just the way it was. But in that game we threw a pass and we caught it for a big gain and ran it in for a touchdown. We’ve never done that before. We just surprised them,” Clontz said. Clontz said Terrell blocked a punt during the Seymour game. “I tried to pick it up and run with it but I kicked it down the field.” Clontz said laughingly. “We ended up recovering the ball.” When Terrell played Brady for the state championship game it was surprisingly one of the easiest games the Tigers played all season. “Our easiest game was the state final game,” Clontz said. “They had a good offense but I was surprised that they didn’t really have a good defense.” Against Brady, Paul Lea scored two touchdowns including a 52-yard punt return. Tommy Waggoner, Tommy Caughran, Jimmy Keller and Walter Dickerson each scored one touchdown. Keller made five-of-six on extra points. “I couldn’t believe Brady was in the finals and didn’t have better material than what they showed. Our guys were disappointed because we didn’t have any opposition,” Raines said. Caughran, who was a sophomore at the time, ran for 149 yards in 16 carries to lead Terrell. Waggoner ran for 93 yards on 16 carries. See 1957, Continued on pg. 41 www.kaufmancountylife.com
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Kaufman County Life | Shopping Around Town Volume 6 Issue 3 | Fall 2016
ShoppingAround Te r r e l l
Where the only limit is your imagination
A peaceful place in a busy world. Enjoy quiet time with a good book, browse our shelves, and visit with Maddie, our resident calico cat. We order books — new releases to out of print books; take gently used books in trade, and have over 80,000 books in stock. Our theatre offers Classic movies (2nd and 4th Fridays at 7 p.m.), and “The Vagabond Players” live performances. Susan’s Soaps and More (natural skin care products made in Scurry) available here! Open Tuesday–Saturday.
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Books and Crannies 209 West Moore | Historic Downtown | Terrell, Texas 972-563-5481 | www.bookscrannies.com
Shop auto maintenance for all seasons! $3.00 off any service with this ad! ~ excluding state inspections 10-minute oil change Texas State inspections (automotive and motorcycle) Commercial inspections Replace as needed: • Fuel filters • Air filters • Wiper blades • Bulbs • Fuses Transmission flushes Radiator flushes Service front and rear differentials Brake replacement Minor mechanic work • most tune-ups • ball-joint replacement • starter and alternator replacement FREE diagnostic check We accept fleet accounts
Terrell Oil & Lube 1006 W. Moore Ave. | Terrell, Texas | 972-551-3801
Fall has arrived at The Front Porch! Come shop the home decor, gifts and antiques that reflect the colorful season. Pumpkin pound cake and dessert mixes available as well as Cinnamon Cider decorative fragrance, room spray, candles and melts. Celebrate the season with us!
The Front Porch 304 N. Catherine St. | Terrell, Texas 469-474-7888 | Like us on Facebook!
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KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
Find your happy place! Florist, Gift Shop, Gift Baskets, Mums & Garters. Flower arrangements for every special occasion and event. Hours: Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Poor Me Sweets 106 W. High St. | Terrell, Texas | 214-901-2560
Tiger Express Wash Now Open! We have Special Monthly Package Rates! Tunnel Operation Hours: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. Car Washes starting at $5.00! Ask about our unlimited wash membership. FULL SERVICE AND DETAIL AVAILABLE!
Tiger Car Wash & Storage 545 FM 148 | Terrell, Texas
Shopping Around
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Gifts and more, just for you Located on the square in downtown Kaufman in the historic First National Bank Building, this charming tea room offers an array of soups, salads, sandwiches, desserts, and Nancy Murphy’s famous lemonade tea. The Tea Room serves lunch from 11–2 and is perfect for special events! And don’t forget to go shopping while you’re there! Exquisite seasonal decor, baby items, jewelry, accessories and Introducing Thymes Candles make this shop a MUST SEE this fall! Now offering a variety of treats from the Texas Toffee Queen, made in Kaufman, Texas. Gift shop hours are 10–3 daily.
Especially for You Gift Shop & Tea Room 100 West Grove | Kaufman, Texas 972-932-4274 | www.especiallyforyoutearoom.com
Explore the exquisite looks of Fall! Pool season is coming to an end. Transition into Fall with some new exciting pieces to add to your current wardrobe!
Daisy’s 105 W. Mulberry St. | Kaufman, Texas 972-962-3810 | www.daisysdressshoppe.com www.kaufmancountylife.com
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Kaufman County Life | Shopping Around Town Volume 6 Issue 3 | Fall 2016
Fall is in the air!
Shopping und Aro
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Delivering smiles since 1955, The Green House, Inc. transforms any celebration with fresh flowers and plants. They also carry a wide variety of gift and home decor items such as yard flags, fragrances by Tyler Candle Co. and Circle E, plus collectibles of all kinds. There is also a registered wedding and event planner to help turn your dream day into an everlasting memory. A staff photographer is available as well as tuxedo rentals.
The Green House, Inc. 201 N. 4th St. | Wills Point, Texas 903-873-3331 | www.thegreenhousewillspoint.com Like us on Facebook!
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Fall into Great Savings! Leather Sofa Liquidation Sale! Less than cost! Great buy! Come into store to see! Featuring: Fine furniture, mattresses, and futons. Great customer service and much more! Hours: Sun. & Mon. Closed, Tues.–Fri. 10–5, Sat. 9–5
Way Off Price
Your favorite Country Store Located in Southeastern Kaufman County near Cedar Creek Lake. Listen to the Wind Chimes on the porch, then come inside and pick up a sandwich, snack, or sweet treat! Look around at the variety of goodies we have! Deli meats & Cheeses ~ Breads ~ Muffins ~ Fried Pies ~ Cookies ~ Pies ~ Baking Supplies & Spices ~ Jars of Jams, Jellies, Pickles & Salsas We also have a variety corner that includes: Christian Literature ~ Leanin’ Tree Greeting Cards ~ Fabric and Sewing Notions ~ Cookbooks ~ Hand-made soaps and Lotions ~ Coloring Books for children & Adults ~ Jigsaw Puzzles
Heritage Market & Bakery 109A State Hwy 274 | Kemp, Texas | 903-498-3366 26
KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
10486 Hwy. 80 | Forney, Texas | 972-552-2612 Building behind pink van (From Terrell: Exit Co. Rd. 212/217) | www.wayoffprice.com
Brew
and Renew
Jim Elliott draws a sampler of the beers featured at Cedar Creek. His beers have earned four awards.
Story and Photos by
Phil Major
Kemp man turns love of brewing into success story.
B
eers from the Cedar Creek Brewery in Seven Points may be found in six states. Not bad for a former high school marketing teacher. Jim Elliott opened his brewery in 2012, not far from the shores of Cedar Creek Lake — and miles and a world away from his high school classroom in Carrollton-Farmers Branch. From 300-gallon converted dairy tanks to seven 1,000-gal-
lon beer tanks, it has come a long way, and far exceeded any expectations. Elliott, who with his wife, Cindy, lives in Kemp, began brewing beer as a hobby at home after their children were grown. He learned the chemistry and science of the brewing process, and despite the 75-mile commute to his classroom, he was happy. But then friends, who helped
Part of the success that helped spread the word was the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, which awarded Cedar Creek a gold medal in its 2013 competition for their Belgian style dubbel.
him consume what he made, began to tell him they would buy it if it were in stores. So the marketing teacher went to work on a business plan. During the course of two years, he fine-tuned it. But despite presenting his plan to 16 banks, he failed to come up with any financing. He was glad that three of the banks took the time to explain to him that they had no idea how to evaluate a plan for a small brewery, so they rejected it. The Elliotts had moved to the lake area after their children left home, and he had honed in on the name for the enterprise to reflect the lake’s name. His children were visiting www.kaufmancountylife.com
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Kaufman County Life | Feature Volume 6 Issue 3 | Fall 2016
one weekend and asked how his plans were progressing. When they heard of the roadblocks he had encountered, his daughter recommended he start a Facebook page and tell his story. Though Elliott had taught his students the importance of social media in marketing, he did not even have his own Facebook page. So she set up one for Cedar Creek Brewery and told him to tell his story. He put out the word that he had his recipes for several beers and a little money and was looking for investors. Within a month he had $100,000 lined up. Combined with what he and his wife were putting into it, they got started. The brewery was planned for Kemp, and the city had even provided land upon which to build it. But because it was located
in a dry precinct, the brewery could not be built without a change in the local law. Rather than go through the time-consuming election process of getting the alcoholic beverage laws changed in the community, the Elliotts found another nearby location in Seven Points and opened for business in July 2012. After the venture became successful and it was time to expand, they ended up moving two doors to the east, into the vacant building that once housed Plowboys. The honky-tonk had been well known in the region for attracting many up-and-coming country stars as well as hosting filming of the movie, “Tender Mercies,” starring Robert Duvall in 1984. But it had sat vacant for a decade or more. As part of the move, Elliott
decided he needed to add a restaurant, and in a nod to the former occupants, Plowboys was reborn as an eating establishment. When renovating the building to house the tall beer tanks, they carefully removed the second-story floor timbers, which were 20-foot long, 3 by 9 red oak boards and repurposed many of them to build the bar, walls of the restaurant and more. Then the Elliotts were contacted by the former owner who shared many photos of patrons and the movie’s filming. They also found photos, posters and other things in the walls and other places while remodeling the building. Included was a floor safe. It’s still there, and Elliott has never had it opened. He’s thinking See BREWERY, Continued on pg. 46
Cedar Creek Brewery still looks much like the building did when it housed Plowboys in the 1970s and ’80s. A beer garden was added to the east side while the area out back hosts games of horseshoes and cornhole. 28
KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
e d i u G r o t i s i V all is here, and the temperatures are cooling down! That translates into time to travel close to home, do some shopping and see the sights — all within a short drive. We think you’ll be amazed at the variety of options available for recreation, dining, shopping and sight-seeing nearby in Kaufman and the surrounding counties.
F
www.kaufmancountylife.com
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Community Calendar Kaufman County and Surrounding Areas
October Sun Mon TUE WED THU
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24 31
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
FRI
Sat
7 14 21 28
1 8 15 22 29
15
Oct
Razzmatazz And All That Jazz Dress in period attire, as time is turned back to the roaring ’20s for the 35th Annual Terrell Chamber of Commerce/CVB Civic Auction. 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Cowboy Collection Arena 11300 Farm-to-Market Road 148 | Terrell, Texas
21-22
NOVEMBER
Oct
Sun Mon TUE WED THU
FRI
Sat
1 8 15 22 29
4 11 18 25
5 12 19 26
6 13 20 27
7 14 21 28
2 9 16 23 30
3 10 17 24
Scarecrow Festival Street dancing, Witness the Fitness 5K, parade, food, arts and crafts, street performers and live music in the Kaufman Square. Highlight of the day is a large parade through town.
Downtown Kaufman, Texas Info., call Curtis Snow at 972-932-3118
Oct
29 Iron Horse Festival 5K fun run, car show, live music, carnival, jump rope team, fair food and dance performances. 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Downtown Mineola 101 East Broad St. | Mineola, Texas www.mineolachamber.org 903-569-2087
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29
Oct
Trail of Treats Trail hours will run from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Costume fashion show and games from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., and a movie in the park at sunset.
Forney Community Park 241 S FM 548 | Forney, Texas 972-564-7329
Nov
Sharing the Love Turkey Trax Live entertainment, a silent auction, food trucks, vendors, activities for the children and car show awards. 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Forney Community Park 241 S. Farm-to-Market Road 548 Forney, Texas | 469-278-5755
Oct
29
Boo on the Bricks 7TH ANNUAL BOO ON THE BRICKS
Wills Point BOO on the Bricks is a seasonal festival that takes place at multiple locations in downtown Wills Point. 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Downtown Wills Point www.willspointchamber.com
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KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
FOrney Events
21
Oct
Annual Golf Tournament Buffalo Creek Golf Club, Rockwall Lunch 11:30 a.m., Tee time 1:00 p.m.
29
Oct
Community Parade Downtown Forney 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
29
Oct
Trails of Treats Forney Community Park 3:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
5
Terrell Events
15
Oct
35th Annual Civic Auction Cowboy Collection Arena 11300 N FM 148, Terrell 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
16
oct
Vagabond Players Present Red White and Tuna Books and Crannies 209 W. Moore Ave., Terrell 2:30 p.m.
8
13
Historic HWY 80 Sale Downtown Terrell
3
16-18
oct
Highway 80 Sale
29
oct
Boo on the Bricks Downtown Wills Point
12
nov
Holiday open House on the Bricks
22
oct
Lake Country Jubilee Terrell Performing Arts Center 400 Poetry Rd., Terrell 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
28
nov
Shop Small Business Saturday
10
Dec
31
oct
Downtown Trick or Treat Main Street, Terrell 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
nov
Turkey Trax Auto Show Forney Community Park 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Van Zandt County Regional Airport Fly-In 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
14-16
nov
Annual Business Expo Warren Middle School 811 S Bois D Arc St., Forney
8
oct
oct
nov
Veterans Day Ceremony Spellman Amphitheater at Forney Community Park 3:00 p.m.
Wills Point Events
21st Annual Christmas on the Bricks
Kaufman Events
3
21-22
dec
oct
Christmas Home Tour
Scarecrow Festival Friday night, music on the Square; Saturday, parade
10
dec
dec
Christmas on Main Downtown Forney 12:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Christmas Parade
20
dec
Blood Drive ANB Operations Center parking lot 200 N. Catherine St., Terrell 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Gilmer Events
19-22
oct
79th Annual East Texas Yamboree
www.kaufmancountylife.com
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FA LL VISITO RS G U ID E www.kaufmancountylife.com
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EAST TEXAS OIL MUSEUM
Step back in time during the East Texas oil boom Rural life in East Texas changed with the discovery of oil in 1930. The discovery brought hardship, scorn, wealth, people and national attention. Columbus “Dad” Joiner, a 70-year-old wildcatter, had drilled two dry holes when in May 1929, he spudded a third on the Daisy Bradford farm in Rusk County. But it was not until Oct. 3, 1930, that a production test was done that resulted in a gusher. Oil fever increased after a test by Bateman Oil Company on the Lou Della Crim farm. On Dec. 28, 1930, while Mrs. Crim was attending church, the well came in, flowing 22,000 barrels a day. It was only 9 miles from Joiner’s well. No one reckoned for what was then a geological phenomenon: an incredible deposit of oil in the Woodbine formation that “pinched out” as it tilted upward against the Sabine Uplift. The initial “boom” was completed on Jan. 26, 1931, when J.K. Lathrop in Gregg County came in at 3,587 feet, producing 18,000 barrels a day. The well was situated on land assembled by B.A. Skipper of Longview and taken over by the Arkansas Fuel Oil Company. Drilling increased from seven wells every two weeks to seven wells a day and eventually to 100 a day. Oil, at first, sold for $1.10 a barrel but dropped to 15 cents as supply flooded the market. Production was more than a million barrels a day. Then, in August of 1931, the National Guard was sent in to keep peace between roughnecks, lease hounds, oil speculators and camp followers. It resulted in legislative action: market demand, confiscation and 34
KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
truck tender law; the refinery control and felony bill; and the Connolly Hot Oil Act of 1935, which restored order and stability. The East Texas Oil Field produced 6 billion barrels of oil, some of which gave the Allies the petroleum needed to win World War II. The oil boom produced new towns, new ways of living and livelihoods for thousands of East Texas citizens. About the museum The East Texas Oil Museum at Kilgore College in Kilgore houses a recreation of oil discovery and production in the early 1930s towns, personal habits, tools and pastimes. There are hand-painted murals of early oil production and portraits of famous oilmen. One of those men, H.L. Hunt, is showcased in the Memorial Room. You will be able to hear a hymn in the church exhibit, have a lesson in school history and wonder how the antique car in the transportation exhibit ever got anywhere on rough, rutted roads. Then step into Boomtown, USA, a full-scale town of stores, people, animals, and machinery depicting the activity of a booming oil town. Next up are the general and drug stores where you can watch mom and pop dance to vintage 1930 big bands on the jukebox. And do not forget to cross the rutted street to the newspaper
et Walk the st re
Learn about the histor
s of Boomtow
n, USA.
y of Ea st Texas oil.
office for a Boomtown paper. A visit to the theatre brings back historical footage of the boom period while you sense a blowout gusher. Your visit is not complete, though, without a trip to Boomtown’s Museum and its geological exhibits before taking the elevator to The Center of The Earth. The East Texas Oil Museum at Kilgore College, 1301 S. Henderson Blvd., is a tribute to the independent oil producers and wildcatters, to the men and women who dared to dream as they pursued the fruits of free enterprise. Call for hours of operation. It is closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. For more information call 903-983-8295 or visit www.easttexasoilmuseum.com.
FA LL VISITO RS G U ID E www.kaufmancountylife.com
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SHARING THE LOVE FOUNDATON
9th Annual Forney Turkey Trax Auto Show benefits Sharing the Love Foundation Sharing The Love Foundation is a faith-based 501(c)3 nonprofit youth organization. It provides mentoring and empowering programs for children, youth, and college students in Kaufman County. The programs are designed to enlighten, enrich, and encourage youth to follow their dreams as they pursue higher education. The “Young Ambassadors” is a group of junior high and high school age students who are the heart of all its programs. They facilitate and implement community service projects once a month in Kaufman, Dallas, and Rockwall counties. They are the leaders of the yearly outreach programs. These include events that financially support single mothers, the summer youth camp for underprivileged youth, hunger relief, and the senior citizen Christmas outreach. In addition to providing community service opportunities, Sharing the Love Foundation embraces higher education. Its academic programs includes ‘back to school: backpack event’ care packages and scholarships to the Young Ambassadors entering college. These scholarships are available only by the proceeds raised from its main fundraiser — “Turkey Trax”. This year, Sharing the Love Foundation is hosting the 9th Annual Forney Turkey Trax Auto Show on Sunday, November 13th from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Forney Community Park, 241 S. FM 548 Forney, Texas. This event typically brings in more than 2,000 visitors to Forney! There will be an auto show plus a silent auction/ raffle, free games for kids, and live entertainment! 36
KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
If you are interested in supporting its commitment to the youth in Kaufman County, please consider being a sponsor for the event. Merchant vendor space is also available! For more information, please contact Sharing the Love at SharingtheLove01@gmail.com or calling (469) 278-5755.
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KAUFMAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
A Community Tradition Continues The Kaufman Scarecrow Festival is a community tradition that goes back over twenty-five years. It has gone by a few names but in the Fall the community invites everyone to participate in family games, good food and music. It has evolved over the years to this year’s two day event, beginning October 21, 2016. The Festival will start with TJ Broscoff as musical entertainment at 7:00 PM. TJ has had four number one releases on the Texas Country charts. His band is something to listen to. Then, TJ will be followed by the world famous and oldest Country band, the Light Crust Doughboys. This band started by Bob Wills and others
has continued from its inception in 1931. The band was one of the first inductees into the Texas Swing Hall of Fame. Another band that will have you dancing into the night. There will be food and drink vendors the whole time. It should be quite an evening. Saturday will begin with the Witness the Fitness 5k run and the annual Scarecrow Festival Parade at 9:00 AM. Saturday will be more music with Texas Underground, Wes Pruitt, and The Acoustical Hounds. These three bands will fill your Saturday afternoon with some of the best live music you have heard live in a long time. Then there is more food, rides for the kids,
crafts to shop, and even more entertainment. The Festival will have a stage for local talent to perform. www.kaufmancountylife.com
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EAST TEXAS YAMBOREE
Gilmer pays homage with annual fall festival One of the longest running festivals in Texas returns from Oct. 19–22 as the East Texas Yamboree kicks off its annual tribute to the yam with a focus on fun and plenty of entertainment. Gilmer annually hosts the event with activities centered on the downtown square and the city’s civic center. From gospel music and a carnival to a queen’s coronation pageant, the Yamboree annually attracts more than 100,000 people. Parades, a barn dance, a livestock show and sale, yam pie contest, art and photography shows, a fiddler’s contest, a quilt show and more accent this event. The East Texas Yamboree, one of the oldest continuous festivals 38
KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
in Texas, was established in 1935. The name was chosen because the yam, or sweet potato, was a major cash crop in the area during the 1930s. The festival proved to be so popular that it became an annual event, only stopping for period during World War II. The Yamboree is a non-profit organization, planned and executed by volunteers, along with the chamber of commerce, who spend countless hours year-round to ensure every attendee will have a time to remember. There will be a variety of foods — many centered around the celebrated yam. Crabtree Amusements provides the carnival. On Wednesday Oct. 19, carnival rides are half price. On
Thursday, $20 gives riders all access to ride all of the rides they want. Friday and Saturday prices for “ride all you want” are $25 before 5p.m. and $30 after. For visitors wanting to kick up their heels, the Yamboree Barn Dance begins at 8 p.m. on Oct. 22 at the Trinity Street Gym. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. This year’s dance includes Shane Smith & The Saints opening for The Roger Creager Band. For tickets and information contact the Gilmer Area Chamber of Commerce at 903-843-2413.
Small Business is BIG Business The Terrell Small Business Organization is once again hosting the Small Business Saturday Shop at Home event on Nov. 26, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Promoting their “Small Business is BIG Business in Terrell slogan,� local merchants will offer their customers drawing tickets for a chance to win a gift basket valued at more than $500. Customers will be given a ticket at each of the participating businesses they visit between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. After a day of shopping, customers are invited to stop by the Terrell Heritage Museum where the drawing will be held, followed by the Christmas Tree Lighting at dusk. When the date of the event gets closer, a flyer with a list of participating merchants and a corresponding map will be available at the Terrell Chamber of Commerce/CVB and at other local businesses.
The annual event is in keeping with the nationwide 3/50 project launched in 2008, which encourages people to invest money in their local economies. The project suggests people pick three of their favorite independently owned local stores and spend $50 in them each month. More than 95 million shoppers shopped at small businesses on Small Business Saturday in 2015 than ever before, according to results from the National Federation of Independent Business’ Small Business Saturday Consumer Insights Survey. It was an 8 percent increase from 2014. More than 4,100 Neighborhood Champions around the country rallied local businesses and created events in their communities for Small Business Saturday — an increase of 48 percent from
2014. And more than 425 organizations joined the Small Business Saturday Coalition — an increase of 11 percent over last year. According to the survey, spending among consumers who were aware of Small Business Saturday reached $16.2 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on the day, an increase of 14 percent from $14.3 billion in 2014. Among those who shopped on Small Business Saturday, 31 percent attended a community event on the day and 81 percent encouraged family and friends to support their local small businesses. So mark your calendars for Nov. 26 and support your local small businesses.
FA LL VISITO RS G U ID E
TERRELL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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FA LL VISITO RS G U ID E E! TERRELL , Continued from pg. 20 musicians and audiences to unite in finding a cure. “Our E! Terrell mission is to provide cultural enrichment programs for our community and area students,” said E! Terrell board member Sarah Kegerreis. “To that end, high school band students from Terrell, Kaufman, and Wills Point will attend a pre-concert overview by DSO’s director of education prior to the concert. “This is a rare opportunity for our students, and we appreciate our patron-donors for helping us bring this wonderful event to our community,” Kegerreis said. 40
KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
The DSO performance will mark E! Terrell’s 14th season of providing concerts for the community. “We were so fortunate to host the magnificent Dallas Symphony Orchestra again this year,” said board member Anne Davidson. “They were very impressed the superb acoustics of the Terrell ISD Performing Arts Center and our enthusiastic E! Terrell audience when they played here in 2013.” Board member Dana Skelton said classical works by Brahms, Mendelssohn and Haydn will be featured during the first half of the DSO concert. “The repertoire changes to a ‘pops’ format after intermission with selections by John Williams, Henry Mancini, Leonard Bernstein, and Aaron Copeland,” Skelton said. The DSO concert was the first of six set for the 2016-17 season and admission is by season subscription only. The other season performances are: Jim Witter, “I Write the Songs-The Music of Barry Manilow on Oct. 18; Melinda Doolittle, American Idol finalist on Nov. 3; and Kubecca, Broadway singer and percussion virtuoso on Feb. 9; Birth See E! TERRELL , Continued on pg. 47
Kaufman County Life | Feature Volume 6 Issue 3 | Fall 2016
— Raymond Sparks They caused the Brady leading runner, heading into the game, to finish with 31 yards on 11 carries. Terrell was up by so much at halftime that coach Vineyard decided to play the sophomores and juniors in the second half. “The sophomores and juniors got to play in the second half,� Sparks said. “Coach Vineyard told the seniors and juniors to go hit the showers because they weren’t playing in the second half.�
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Lea ran for 63 yards on 11 carries. Those three worked behind a fine offensive line group that included Sparks, Raines, Ray Beavers, Clontz, John Keller, Eddie Curtis and Tommy Wade. “All the hard teams were from west Texas and east Texas but south Texas got a little weak, going that way, at least for that year,� Raines said. Defensively, the Tigers didn’t allow Brady to get anything going. Kenny Williams, Eric Larner, Lea and Ken Drost all stopped the Brady running game along with lineman Larry Raines, Tommy Anderson, Don Clontz, John Keller, Ray Beavers, Stan Irwin, Dave King and Eddie Curtis and Robbie Colton.
Sparks recalls not being able to go through Terrell without people stopping him and congratulating him after Terrell won state. “It was a lifetime opportunity,� Sparks said. “It changed people’s lives.� Raines said the 1957 team was a well-oiled machine. “Coach Vineyard taught us how to play and not get hurt and how to protect yourself or you wouldn’t have been out there for every game,� Raines said. It was the second football state championship that Terrell won after the Tigers won state in 1952. The 1957 team was also the last Terrell team to win state. “It was just a tremendous experience,� Clontz said. “We all believed in each other.�
“It was a lifetime opportunity, it changed people’s lives.�
Virginia St.
1957, Continued from pg. 23
200 N. Virginia Street Terrell, TX 75160 Main Phone: 972.551.7500 Fax: 972.524.7418 Baylor Regional Imaging Center: 972.551.7400
Physicians are employees of HealthTexas Provider Network, an affiliate of Baylor Scott & White Health. Š2016 Baylor Scott & White Health. BID HTPN_2953 3.16
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Kaufman County Life | Feature Volume 6 Issue 3 | Fall 2016
DEVELOPMENT, Continued from pg. 10 Kaufman County Road 305 on the other side of the 255 acres. The area abuts the Las Lomas property. The dirt road, which recently was nearly untravelable because of deep mud, needs to be developed. And also on the horizon for Booth is a combination hotel and convention center. “I came here in 1985, and we have done studies,” he said. “Numerous committees all have come to the same conclusion.” That conclusion is that the city and surrounding area can support such a facility. “The biggest issue is who would operate the convention center longterm,” he said. The last study done about two years ago identified two areas suitable for a hotel/convention center — of course, one is the FM 148, Spur 557 and I-20 area. The other is near Tanger Outlet Center.
“We hope Baylor does something in the near future, we need healthcare for the citizens of Terrell.” — Danny Booth “We have met with hotel developers and operators,” Booth said. “The best case scenario is they build the hotel and we will build the convention center.” “The city would put it up to bond,” he said. “It would be up to the citizens of Terrell whether it would happen.” “I absolutely think it would work,” Booth said. “American National Bank uses the Hamp42
KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
Work at the new State Highway 34 construction site in Kaufman. (Phil Major)
ton Inn and Suites in Mesquite,” Booth said. “We are losing [potential] revenue,” Booth said. He envisions the hotel/ convention center would be on the west side of FM 148 near a movie theater that is slated to be built. Booth also sees at least another hotel adjacent to the Fairfield Inn and Suites Hotel by Marriott that is being built near Discount Tire near Spur 557. “You will see major retail development, more pad sites and restaurants,” Booth said about the west side of FM 148. “On the back side, there will be multifamily apartments.” He believes that may occur within the next couple of years. “We hope Baylor does something in the near future,” he said. “We need healthcare for the citizens of Terrell.” The city, according to Booth, also desperately needs more
housing. And along with that comes a need for more infrastructure — water and sewer. Companies want to come into a community and have sites shovel ready, he said. Putting the infrastructure in place and building a new service road between Las Lomas Parkway and FM 148 were major projects for Terrell. Those projects will continue to spur development in the corridor, according to Booth. “The EDC’s decision to do that was one of the best we ever made,” Booth said. “It led to Buc-ee’s and others.” And the area has room for more development. “It is a growing area,” Booth said. “Las Lomas is going to see residential, commercial and retail.” Booth is seeing years of visioning, negotiations and construction come to fruition. But there is more to come.
Kaufman County Life | Cook’s Corner Volume 6 Issue 3 | Fall 2016
More than 50 varieties of salads help fund projects in the community.
Cook’s Story and Photos by
Phil Major
Corner
F
or about 40 years, the women of the First United Methodist Church of Kaufman have put on a salad bar as a fundraiser. Proceeds from the event are poured back into the community for a range of projects from Boy and Girl Scouts to clothes and eyeglasses for school children, Christmas toys and so much more. Longtime attendees know to expect a great variety of salads. The cooks estimate there are usually at least 50 kinds of salads from as many contributors, and not much duplication. Fruit salads, meat salads and vegetable salads are well represented. It is held during the summer, usually in June, though it was moved to July this year to avoid a conflict with vacation bible school. Some of the chefs feature the same item each year. For instance, Teddy Lindsey makes her vegetable bar, Betty Bates has settled on congealed salads after some trial and error, Carole Aga can be counted on to
There is quite a spread at the annual salad bar sponsored by the United Methodist Women of the First United Methodist Church of Kaufman, held every summer for more than 40 years. www.kaufmancountylife.com
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Kaufman County Life | Cook’s Corner Volume 6 Issue 3 | Fall 2016
bring most of the desserts and Linda Fetter’s taco salad is among the favorites. Others will make something different each time. “Whatever I decide or what they need,” said Carolyn Wilson, who has been involved since the fundraiser began. Diane Young also usually checks to see what is needed, though deviled eggs are among her specialties. Carol Altom normally makes a hot chicken salad that was included in a 1979 church cookbook, and its author is listed as Pat Nixon — yes, the late Pat Nixon, wife of the late president. Tina Gent, one of the United Methodist women who has been in the church all her life, said she makes whatever strikes her fancy. Dixie Carrell, a member for a dozen years, follows a similar path. Plus, the ladies contribute to a huge green salad that’s made in a giant punch bowl that comes out only once a year. Another tradition is a fruit salad made in a carved out watermelon. The luncheon generally attracts 200 to 300 participants, and the take out line is always popular. The ladies say they are always concerned about having enough, but that’s usually not a problem. Each contributor is asked to make
Carol Altom makes a hot chicken salad that was included in a 1979 church cookbook, and its author is listed as Pat Nixon — yes, the late Pat Nixon, wife of the late president. a salad that will feed at least 12, and some make two or three. Plus all those desserts. And it’s not just a fundraiser. People like to stay and visit, and some come from far away just to participate. The women running the show now acknowledge they were well-trained to organize the event by the original participants. The women usually hold one other fundraiser during the year, as well as contribute desserts to the huge United Methodist Men’s chili supper in the fall.
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KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
Many of the FUMC Kaufman ladies have been helping with the salad bar for many years, some since its inception.
Recipe
Kaufman County Life | Feature Volume 6 Issue 3 | Fall 2016
ELLIS, Continued from pg. 13 player and retiring [in his 30s],” Brown said. “No one is hiring NFL players in the real world.” Ellis is trying to decide what the next chapter of his life will be after football. “I have found through acting a safety net,” he said. “You know what is going to happen.” Ellis has been out of football for six years, but he still misses it. “You miss it because it is not just playing football,” he said. “Most guys miss the camaraderie. I miss that too. But I miss the competing part. You train all week to stop the guy across from you and he trains all week to stop you.” “I spent the majority of my life playing football,” Ellis said. One of the funniest and most
unexpected moments in filming Ellis so far was when Aunt Tippy was upset about Uncle Earl eating her eggs. “She busted eggs on the side of his head,” Ellis said. “I did not know she was going to do that.” Besides doing the show there is owning his own production company, which Ellis said has been a challenge. “Football is football but business has mental aspects which make you tired,” Ellis said. He started out filming commercials, as well as infomercials for a small college. Ellis also was doing photography for school years books. “I like capturing memories,” Ellis said. “Like most athletes, I care about people and helping
people. The best way to enlighten someone is through film. If we can entertain, we can get a message across that they will remember.” As for “The Greg Ellis Show,” he said the content is good and Brown did a great job writing it. “We all have issues,” Ellis said. “Do I continue playing football or do I make a sacrifice to be here for my aunt and Uncle?” Check out “The Greg Ellis Show” on Your Now Network TV on the Internet to see what happens. And stay tuned as to when Brown’s fourth faith-based film, “A Heart That Forgives,” will debut in Terrell.
www.kaufmancountylife.com
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Kaufman County Life | Feature Volume 6 Issue 3 | Fall 2016
BREWERY, Continued from pg. 28
Left: When the brewery relocated, the Elliotts added a café so that patrons didn’t have to leave the site to find food. They brought in a restaurant consultant to help design a menu unique to the area.
Master brewer Damon Lewis (left) oversees the canning process. The line will can 28 cans a minute.
maybe upon some special occasion they’ll see what is inside, smiling as he enjoys that mystery. He’s also very happy with the location, which opened in May 2015. The city has been supportive, even declaring a Cedar Creek Brewery Day in July. Distribution recently expanded into Tennessee and to a beer and wine of the month club in Washington state, which ordered 80 cases. “We never thought we would leave Texas,” Elliott said. 46
KAUFMAN COUNTY LIFE | FALL 2016
Locally, Brookshire’s and Crossroads sell the beers in Kaufman, and Wings will be serving it soon. Part of the success that helped spread the word was the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, which awarded Cedar Creek a gold medal in its 2013 competition for their Belgian style dubbel. “It’s the Olympics of craft beer,” Elliott said. Suddenly the year-old brewery was in demand. The dubbel is one of the seasonal beers Cedar Creek brews. It will be made again in January.
There are four staples made year-round and six others brewed only at certain times. Next up is the Octoberfest, which will be made in September and October. “We’re always looking for new ones,” Elliott said. There are 84 styles of beers, so it’s important to pick a style that people like and try to come up with a flavor that is appealing. “The hardest part is thinking far enough ahead,” he said. He says he has learned a lot about the business in the past four years and is still learning. "You never stop,” he said. Craft beer is gaining popularity. When Cedar Creek opened four years ago, there were seven craft breweries in the Dallas area. Now there are 42. But Cedar Creek is the only one nearby. There’s one in Rockwall and a couple to the east in Tyler. Visitors can learn a little more about the beer business during the weekly tours at 1:30 on Saturdays. The taproom and café are open Thursdays through Sundays. And Cedar Creek welcomes families, with a play area out back. And that includes family dogs. Live music is featured on a regular basis. Beer making goes on five days a week year-round. More information is available at cedarcreekbrewery.com.
Scene & Heard
E! TERRELL , Continued from pg. 40 of the Beat, Broadway Stage Show on March 2; and Equinox Little Big Band, 30s, 40s and 50s swing band music on May 15. Tickets may be purchased online at www.eterrell.org or at The Heart of Avon store, 203 W. Moore Ave. and the Terrell Chamber of Commerce/Covention & Visitors Bureau, 1314 W. Moore Ave.
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