Board of Directors WILL BAIN PRESIDENT MARSHA CORDLE VICE PRESIDENT KRISTIE CANNON SECRETARY CAROLYN FAJARDO TREASURER DIRECTORS ED MATHEWS, GIGI RHOTEN, RICK LEMON, CHRISTIE BLISS, BILL PTOMEY, PAM YOUNG, JASON COTTINGAME, LINDSAY HARBER, KENNY WHEELER, ANGEL GREEN, MIGNON GENTRY
ABOUT
The Lake Texoma Association is a nonprofit organization, over 60 years old, with the mission of preserving and protecting Lake Texoma, as well as promoting the entire Texoma region. The LTA regularly engages with stakeholders from all over the Texoma region, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the Lake Texoma reservoir, the hydropower entity Southwestern Power Administration, water supply users, and legislators both in Oklahoma and Texas at the federal and state levels. The LTA is managed by Executive Director Terri Weir and Assistant Director Brandi Burkhalter. We invite you to become a member of the LTA and help us to achieve our mission. Lake Texoma is critical
to the vitality of the Texoma region, and, if conserved and protected, will be here for generations to come. The LTA has four specific events each year to promote the association and raise funds to fulfill our mission. These are the ways that you can partner with us to ensure not only the success of the LTA but the entire Texoma region. Each year in January we release our Guide to Lake Texoma. The guide is an award-winning publication and, as you will see as you look through its pages, is full of information to help our guests experience the region at its best. You can partner with us in producing this guide through your membership and advertisements. Each year in March we organize the “Burning of the
Lake Texoma Association
Staff EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TERRI WEIR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR BRANDI BURKHALTER
P.O. Box 610 Kingston, OK 73439 580-564-2334 | Office 580-564-2344 | Fax
Advisory board
2018 Guide
CHRIS DUROY, GREG JOHNSON, EDWARD PHILLIPS Socks” event. This is a lake-wide, multiple-venue event, with each venue sponsoring and planning their own activities. The LTA assists with promotion, flyers, and publicity. This year’s Burning of the Socks will be held on Saturday, March 17. Visit our website for more details, pick your favorite venue, and go out and celebrate the arrival of a new season at Lake Texoma. The LTA raises many of its funds through our annual Bash for Ca$h. Between ticket sales and live and silent auction proceeds, the Bash keeps the association thriving. If you’ve never been, you’ve been missing out! Come support the LTA and have some fun with us on Thursday, August 2 at the Tanglewood Resort and Conference Center. This year’s theme — Beach Blanket Bash! Finally, in the fall the LTA hosts a fundraising cruise on Fastrac Charter and Cruise’s Island Girl party boat. Last year we did a Gilligan’s Island themed cruise. Come out for a dinner cruise and a good time — and help support the LTA. The date is still to be determined, so keep an eye on our Facebook page for plenty of advance notice and information. What we do at the LTA may not affect you and your business directly, but the economic and environmental success of this lake affects us all. Become a member, advertise, come to the Bash, or cruise with us. The success of the LTA mission means that visitors to this area may continue to enjoy the many opportunities for fun and excitement this region has to offer.
COVER ART AL AGNEW To view an Al Agnew original is to be given the gift of a moment suspended in time. Nature artist Al Agnew captures the essence of wildlife, wild country, and wild rivers, focusing all his attention on his subjects with the intensity of the predators he loves to depict. Agnew’s knowledge and his respect for wildlife are evident in the exquisite depiction of anatomy, action, and habitat in each subject he paints. It is this love and respect for the wildlife of North America and Africa, combined with his extraordinary skill of interpretation, that has earned him numerous awards and accolades throughout his 30-plus year career as an artist. His work has been featured in many of the major art publications, along with sporting magazines such as Field and Stream, Outdoor Life, In-Fisherman, Sporting Classics, and North American Fisherman. It has even graced many of the covers of the most popular fishing magazine in Russia. Agnew is an avid conservationist, and his work has raised millions of dollars to benefit wildlife and wild lands preservation through such organizations as Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the Wolf Recovery Project, along with benefit shows such as the National Zoo Wildlife Art Show in Washington, D.C. In addition to his renown as a wildlife artist, Agnew is an acknowledged expert angler and canoeist, and it is no surprise that fish, fishing, and wild rivers are also major subject matter areas in his artwork. His originals of fly fishing scenes are highly sought after, and he is one of the top fish artists in the world. Bass Pro Shops has commissioned him to produce well over 100 catalog covers, and his fish illustrations have been used in a number of books and other publications. When they are not traveling, Agnew and his wife Mary reside half of each year at their home on the banks of the Yellowstone River in Montana, where his studio is a restored log cabin overlooking a beautiful stretch of trout water, and the other half at their long time home in the rugged, rolling hills of the Ozarks of Missouri.
@LAKETEXOMAASSOCIATION @LAKE_TEXOMA_ASSOCIATION @LTASSOCIATION LAKETEXOMAONLINE.COM The 2018 Guide to Lake Texoma is the official publication of the Lake Texoma Association produced in cooperation with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. Fifty thousand copies of the 2018 Guide were produced at a cost of $0.76 each. Projected readership is 250,000. LAKETEXOMAONLINE.COM | 3
S T N E T CON HISTORY OF LAKE TEXOMA...........................................................6 WHITESBORO, TEXAS......................................................................8 BOATING SAFETY..........................................................................10 BOAT SALES & RENTALS................................................................10 FISHING GUIDES...........................................................................11 FAMILY FUN..................................................................................12 HISTORY & CULTURE.....................................................................12 MARSHALL COUNTY, OKLAHOMA..............................................14 FISHING.......................................................................................16 BEACHES, MARINAS & SWIMMING.............................................18 PARKS...........................................................................................20 GOLF COURSES............................................................................22 POTTSBORO, TEXAS......................................................................24 LAKE TEXOMA MAP.....................................................................26 NIGHT LIFE....................................................................................28 GAMING......................................................................................29 MISS LAKE TEXOMA.....................................................................30 SHERMAN, TEXAS.........................................................................32 REAL ESTATE..................................................................................34 REAL ESTATE AGENCIES...............................................................34 CAMPING & MARINA QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE........................36 DINING.........................................................................................37 DENISON,TEXAS...........................................................................38 FASTRAC CHARTER CRUISES........................................................40 OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES..................................................................42 HIKING, BIKING & EQUESTRIAN TRAILS.......................................43 CALENDAR...................................................................................44 LODGING.....................................................................................44 DURANT, OKLAHOMA..................................................................46 HUNTING......................................................................................48
LAKE TEXOMA TEXOMA REGION REGION GUIDE GUIDE || 2018 2018 44 || LAKE
A M O X E to is LA KE T h ry Without question, Lake Texoma is one of the most beautiful spots to be found anywhere in Texas and Oklahoma. It draws millions of visitors, boaters and anglers each year. By Lynn Burkhead
F
A year later, as war clouds continued to gather across or all of its natural beauty and popularity as an aquatportions of the globe, the first tree was cleared in the lake ic playground, the reservoir is also a highly historical landmark, one whose story dates back nearly bed and the project was underway. three-quarters of a century. With local workers looking to recover from the economic The genesis of the 89,000-acre, two-state reservoir can ravages of the Great Depression, progress began to steambe traced back even further, all the way to long ago tales of roll forward as several hundred workers began to clear big seasonal floods on the Red River — a sandy tributary thousands of acres of trees. Eventually, numerous pieces that begins hundreds of miles to the west of the Texomaof earth moving equipment would cause the huge earthland area out in the Texas Panhandle. en dam to begin forming not far from the old Baer’s Ferry landing that carried travelers across the Red River north of Most days, as the Prairie Dog Fork of the Red River flows Denison. downstream near Canyon into the main stem near Vernon and past Wichita THE CONSTRUCTION OF The construction of Lake Texoma Falls towards Denison, the river doesn’t would include the relocation of roads, LAKE TEXOMA WOULD INCLUDE appear to be too formidable, a shallow railways, bridges and more than 3,000 THE RELOCATION OF ROADS, ribbon of red-tinted water and sand graves across the eventual lake bed. RAILWAYS, BRIDGES AND MORE separating Texas from Oklahoma. Some small towns in the area could THAN 3,000 GRAVES ACROSS not be relocated — Cedar Mills, But when the heavens open up with THE EVENTUAL LAKE BED. SOME Hagerman and Preston in Texas and torrential rainfall, just as they did in Woodville in Oklahoma — with those SMALL TOWNS IN THE AREA the El Nino-fueled spring of 2015, the normally placid streambed can turn big, COULD NOT BE RELOCATED AND communities being swallowed up as gathering waters filled the reservoir. muddy, mean and unruly. So much so WOULD BE SWALLOWED UP. that during the 1800s and early 1900s, While visitors to Lake Texoma today as powerful and destructive floods ocmight barely give thought to the one casionally ravaged this portion of the world and on downmile-plus journey across State Highway 91 as it traverses stream into northeastern Texas and Louisiana, local resithe top of 165-foot tall Denison Dam, the project was one dents began to wonder how the river might be tamed. of the most impressive engineering feats of its time. In fact, at the time of construction, the dam was the largest rolled During the 1920s, the idea for a reservoir — one that earthfill dam in the world thanks to a total of 18.8 million could help blunt floodwaters from the area near Denison cubic yards of dirt (along with some steel beams secured in and on downstream — began to take shape as people a few spots near Burns Run). such as Denison’s George Moulton and Dr. A.W. Acheson began to champion the idea. On Jan. 6, 1944, work was completed at Denison Dam and the lake began to fill up. By March 1945, the huge Moulton took hold of the idea and became a one-man reservoir — still the 12th largest lake in the country in public relations firm, eventually figuring out where a dam terms of volume — had filled its normal conservation pool should be placed on the Red River near Denison. He was to the 617-foot mark above sea level, establishing some soon championing that idea to anyone who would listen, 580-miles of shoreline across the two-state region. starting a massive letter writing campaign. Over the years, many other Texoma-area businesses — After study in the 1930s, the idea for a reservoir — Denison Reservoir at first, Lake Texoma later on — was officially including hotels, condominiums, bed-and-breakfast opbirthed as Congress passed the Flood Control Act of 1938. erations, resorts and championship golf courses — have
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sprouted up in communities around the lake. As you might expect, the lake is extremely popular with boaters and campers. Bird watching enthusiasts love to visit Texoma, too Hunters also enjoy visiting the region around Lake Texoma thanks to the famous trophy-sized white-tailed deer (Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge once produced a Pope & Young Club Texas-state record archery buck), Rio Grande turkeys, migrating dove, small game like squirrels and rabbits and, of course, clouds of migrating ducks and geese each fall. For many people though, it’s the fishing that Lake Texoma is best known for these days, since the lake is arguably the best naturally reproducing freshwater striped bass lake in the country. The two-state reservoir is also well
known for its other game fish species, including crappie, white bass and big catfish. The latter includes the legendary Splash, a 121.5-pound blue catfish caught by Howe angler Cody Mullinex in January 2004. That fish was the International Game Fish Association’s world record for the species for more than a year. Texoma is also home to some of the region’s best bass fishing. In fact, the angling action for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass is so good at the lake that it annually draws numerous tournaments ranging from weekly jackpot-style events to huge professional derbies like the world famous Bassmaster Classic in 1979, the Bassmaster Elite Series BASSfest event in June 2016 and the Costa FLW Series in September 2017. Lake Texoma is one of the region’s most intriguing spots, whether one is concerned about flood protection, recreational opportunities or a lengthy history with many twists and turns. — Lynn Burkhead is a special correspondent and columnist who writes for the Herald Democrat and Lake Texoma Life. Follow him on Twitter @LynnBurkhead.
O R O B S E s T a x e I T H W W
Seated in North Texas off Highway 82, Whitesboro is a small city that has largely retained its rural feel. By Danielle King
lighting ceremony, parade, carriage rides, and live nativity ith a population of around 4,000, the city gets its name from Captain Ambrose White, who moved to scene. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be out on the town at the annual the area in the 1830s from Illinois. Whitesboro Mainstreet Christmas event. Today, if you stroll down Main Street you may Rodeos and Texas culture go hand in hand. In Whitesboro, notice a watering well. That well was a the Crossfire Area hosts several events main attraction for residents who gathered each year, like the Wild West Promotions WE ARE GROWING AND WE around to collect water for themselves and Barrel Race, barrel race exhibitions, and JUST KEEP GETTING BIGGER AND their horses. The well was also used to team roping events. BIGGER. THE VENDORS ARE COMwater travelers. The events allow cowgirls and cowboys ING OUT. THE BOOTHS GET BIGVisitors can expect more than just to hone their skills and compete close to GER. WE HAVE A LOT OF CRAFTS water when they come to the city today. home. Whitesboro may be small in size but not HERE. WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF Visitors have four parks they can go to in culture. In 2017 the city hosted its tenth GOSPEL SINGERS HERE. inside the city. Godwin Park offers visitors annual Shauney P. Lucas Community Art a giant wooden community playground, Show. Open to the public, the show alpicnic area, half-mile walking trail, sand lowed guests to view over 157 works of art and gave a chance volleyball court, restrooms and a pavilion. Center Street Park to meet some of the artists who created them. has a playground, picnic areas, two youth baseball fields Visitors looking to admire art year-round should stop by the and a basketball court. Whitecotton Park has four baseball Tina Meschko Fine Art Studio located in the heart of Whitesand softball fields, restrooms, a concession stand and two boro off Main Street. lighted tennis courts. Trollinger Park has a stage for outdoor theater, playground, picnic area and basketball court. Tot Lot The downtown area is full of historic buildings that have been renovated and revitalized in recent years. Cook’s Main Street Mercantile, Past & Blast, Lovejoy’s on Main Street, Southern Junkers, and Butterfield Stage Stop Antiques are all located downtown, making it easy for shoppers to pop in to all the stores in one trip. Food is not hard to come by in the small city. Get barbeque at Don’s BBQ or some southern catfish at Catfish Haven. If you’re looking for a nice lunch on Main Street, stop by Lovejoy’s for sandwiches, soups, and some old-fashioned soda. In December, the city dresses up for the holidays with a tree
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2010 Peanut Festival
Alicia Parker
Whitesboro Riding Club
2008 Butterfield Stage celebration
Park has a youth baseball practice field, basketball court, playground and picnic areas. One of the highlights for the community and visitors is the annual Peanut Festival in late October. Held for more than 50 years, the festival has helped put Whitesboro on the map. The one-day festival has been known to draw crowds as large as 10,000.
via Flickr
circa 1968
“We are growing and we just keep getting bigger and bigger,” Festival Chairman Dee Lee said. “The vendors are coming out. The booths get bigger. We have a lot of crafts here. We also have a lot of gospel singers here.” The free to the public event has live entertainment, a car show, over 200 shopping booths, parade, food court, kid alley, carnival, tractor exhibit and, of course, peanuts! “Every year is the same but different,” Whitesboro Chamber of Commerce board member David Blaylock said. “... We try to incorporate all of the area performers including gymnasts, karate
The Pearl, O
ld Church R
estored
and fighting arts, and others into the main stage performers because parents like to see their children performing.” Whitesboro offers visitors a unique and interesting experience. It embraces its history but is always moving forward. — Danielle King is a special correspondent for the Herald Democrat.
LAKETEXOMAONLINE.COM | 9
BOATING SAFETY As one of the most beautiful and popular fishing and boating destinations in Texas and Oklahoma, millions of people flock to the two-state reservoir’s pristine waters. By Lynn Burkhead
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ith lots of sunny, chamber of commerce weather, not to mention sparkling clear waters that harbor all kinds of game fish and aquatic fun, it’s little wonder that Lake Texoma remains one of the top-visited water bodies on either side of the Red River. Here are a few boating safety tips gleaned from information available on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website (www.tpwd.texas.gov). • Always wear a legal, properly fitting personal floatation device (PFD) when fishing, boating, water skiing, operating a personal watercraft or enjoying a kayak. See TPWD and Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) regulations for complete legal requirements.
• In Texas and Oklahoma, children under 13 years of age in or on vessels less than 26 feet must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable PFD while underway. • Either plan on avoiding alcohol use entirely until the day is done or select a designated vessel operator. • Pay close attention to the day’s weather forecast and seek safe shelter immediately should a storm build up and threaten. And remember, lightning can strike and injure or kill a boater even if a storm is still several miles away. • Be especially careful when operating personal watercrafts on the lake, particularly on weekends, holidays and busy periods. The same goes for those using kayaks to navigate Texoma.
• Always operate your boat or personal watercraft at a safe speed. • Watch out for low water areas and partially submerged stumps, rocks and points, especially during periods of drought and low lake levels. If water levels are unusually high, keep a lookout for partially submerged objects, debris and floating logs. • Enroll in a boater education class. While all of this may not be a comprehensive list of things you can do to stay safe on the water, it’s a good step in that direction. — Lynn Burkhead is a special correspondent and columnist who writes for the Herald Democrat and Lake Texoma Life. Follow him on Twitter @LynnBurkhead.
TEXOMA WATERCRAFT SALES AND RENTALS ALBERTA CREEK RESORT-RENTAL 9040 CLEAR LAKE DR., KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-2552 WWW.ALBERTACREEK.COM
CEDAR BAYOU MARINA-RENTAL & SALES 513 CEDAR BAYOU BLVD., GORDONVILLE, TX 76245 (903)523-4248 WWW.CEDARBAYOU.COM
HIGHPORT RESORT AND MARINA-RENTAL & SALES 120 TEXOMA HARBOR DR., POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)786-7000 WWW.HIGHPORT.COM
BIG MINERAL RESORT, MARINA & CAMP-RENTAL 2889 BIG MINERAL RD., SADLER, TX 76264 (903)523-4287 WWW.BIGMINERAL.COM
CEDAR MILLS MARINA-SALES 500 HARBOR VIEW RD., GORDONVILLE, TX 76245 (903)523-4222 WWW.CEDARMILLS.COM
LIGHTHOUSE RESORT AND MARINA-RENTAL 300 LIGHTHOUSE DR., POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)361-5070 WWW.LIGHTHOUSERESORT.COM
BLACKBEARD MARINE-SALES 6339 S. HWY 377, KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-9576 WWW.BLACKBEARDMARINE.NET
EISENHOWER YACHT CLUB MARINA-RENTAL & SALES 2141 PARK RD. 20, DENISON, TX 75020 (903)463-3999 WWW.EISENHOWERYACHTCLUB.COM
LITTLE MINERAL MARINA & RESORT-RENTAL & SALES 300 LITTLE MINERAL BLVD., POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)786-2332 WWW.LITTLEMINERAL.COM
BRIDGEVIEW RESORT & MARINA-RENTAL 13947 REEL LANE, MADILL, OK 73446 (580)795-3979 WWW.BRIDGEVIEWMARINAANDRESORT.COM
FLOWING WELLS RESORT & MARINA-SALES 3217 FLOWING WELLS RD., POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)786-2930 WWW.DFWRESORT.COM
MILL CREEK RESORT & MARINA-SALES 512 MILL CREEK RESORT RD., POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)786-2227 WWW.MILLCREEKRESORTANDMARINA.COM
CATFISH BAY MARINA-RENTAL & SALES 11622 ROOSTER CREEK DR., KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-2307 WWW.POINTE-VISTA.COM
GRANDPAPPY POINT MARINA-SALES 132 GRANDPAPPY DR., DENISON, TX 75020 (903)786-2930 WWW.GRANDPAPPY.COM
TEXOMA JET SKI RENTAL KINGSTON, OK 73439 (877)938-6030 WWW.TEXOMAJETSKIRENTAL.COM
10 | 2018 GUIDE TO LAKE TEXOMA
Jose Ramirez
GO FISH
Are you ready to catch some fish? You have found perhaps the best fishing lake in the country for world class striped bass fishing. By Bill Carey, Striper Express
FISHING GUIDES ADVANTAGE GUIDE SERVICE OUT OF ALBERTA CREEK - 9040 CLEAR LAKE DR. KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-3444 WWW.ADVANTAGEGUIDESERVICE.COM SPARKY’S GUIDE SERVICE 606 WILLOW SPRINGS RD. MEAD, OK 73449 (580)305-0533 WWW.SPARKYSGUIDESERVICE.COM STRIPER COUNTRY GUIDE SERVICE OUT OF ALBERTA CREEK-9040 CLEAR LAKE DR. KINGSTON, OK 73439 (405)627-2250 WWW.STRIPERCOUNTRY.COM JOHN BRETT’S TEXOMA STRIPER GUIDE SERVICE 458 FISHERMAN RD. POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)786-9279 WWW.LAKETEXOMASTRIPERFISHING.COM STRIPER EXPRESS FISHING GUIDES 512 MILL CREEK RESORT RD. BOATHOUSE #3 POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)786-4477 WWW.STRIPEREXPRESS.COM STRIPER HUNTER GUIDE SERVICE 512 MILL CREEK RESORT RD. POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (972)816-6000/(888)863-9662 WWW.TEXOMASTRIPERHUNTER.COM
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exoma is a natural phenomenon. Year in and year out it holds a huge population of a dozen or more species of fish. With 580 miles of shoreline and 90,000 acres of water, this is a fisherman’s dream come true. Texoma has 6 million visitors a year, and without a doubt one of the biggest attractions to Lake Texoma is the exceptional fishing. Texas Parks and Wildlife regional biologist Dan Bennett summed it all up when he said, “Texoma is today probably the finest fishery in the nation. It has everything, both large and small mouth bass, world record blue catfish and the best striper fishing in the world.” The striped bass is the fish that most fishermen opt for. Stripers were first stocked in Lake Texoma in 1965. Texoma naturally sustains an incredible striped bass population. Along with the best-documented natural spawn in the nation, Lake Texoma boasts a liberal limit of stripers at 10 per angler. There are several ways to catch stripers. You can troll, use live bait and cast artificial lures for the fish. Striped bass are plentiful and con-
sidered some of the best table fare of all freshwater species. Because of the popularity of striper fishing, there is an abundance of professional Lake Texoma fishing guides to choose from. Striper Express is one of the oldest and most reputable Lake Texoma fishing guide services. The fish bite year-round and have seasonal patterns that make for a great experience anytime you go. In addition to the excellent fishing, camping and boating, there is a bonus awaiting you at Texoma — the excellent duck hunting. Located in a major flyway, the waterfowl are abundant. Every year the lake also has some special visitors — bald eagles! As many as 250 bald eagles choose Texoma as their winter home. These majestic birds can be spotted all over the lake and below the dam. Bring your camera and zoom lens for some great photos. Year in and year out, Lake Texoma is one of the favorite recreational destinations in the country. For over 70 years people have been enjoying this huge border lake. We invite you to come and enjoy Lake Texoma. You can contact any of the local marinas or the many Chamber of Commerce offices for more information.
LAKETEXOMAONLINE.COM | 11
FAMILY Fun The Lake Texoma area provides many avenues for family-friendly entertainment. From museums to festivals, there are many activities for children to enjoy with their parents. By Future Brown Museums do not just provide information on Texomaland, they provide history and allow patrons to see exhibits that can only be found here. The Red River Railroad Museum in Denison is housed in the former “Katy” Depot building that was built in 1911. The building was the third depot for the city of Denison and was active until 1965. Museum Curator Roy Jackson said Denison held many firsts for the railroad industry in Texas, including the first interurban rail service between cities in Texas. Denison held one of the first train stations to use refrigerated rail cars, allowing meat and other perishable goods to be transported to markets on the east coast. Along with a trumpet that was once owned by Miles Davis, the Sherman Jazz Museum owns one of Duke Ellington’s traveling pianos and the musical collections of jazz trumpeters Maynard Ferguson and Roy “Little Jazz” Eldridge. Museums are not the only sites in Texoma that tell the history of the area. Local antique shops and resale stores give tourists and area residents information about the United States in the 20th century. Levines Antique Store is located in Mar-
ietta, Oklahoma. The family-owned shop carries a diverse line of merchandise from dishes to tools to farming equipment and tables. ”Our most interesting item is a late 1800s printing press by Chandler and Price from Cleveland, Ohio,” owner Kathy Wilson said. “Some people come in looking for specific items like that that may be from this area or other parts of the United States, and other people just come and look around to see what we have. We like both kinds of customers.” A Touch of Class Antique Mall owners Jeanette and Ivert Mayhugh agree that items in the mall can help tell the history of North Texas. A Touch of Class has been voted best antique store in Texoma every year since 2003. “If you enjoy history and remembering things from the past, come in,” Ivert Mayhugh said. “This place is very nostalgic.” The fun in Texoma does not end with the summer. Going into the fall, there are still opportunities for area residents and tourists to enjoy the culture and history of this area. Celebrating Pottsboro’s heritage, Fron-
tier Day Festival is held in September in Friendship Park. Last year’s festival included a parade, vendors, food and about 4,000 patrons from Sherman, Denison, Pottsboro and surrounding areas. “I like the festival because it celebrates what is unique about Pottsboro,” Pottsboro resident Lisa Ramsey said. “I always look forward to the food, buying some wares and listening to some live music.” The Whitesboro Annual Peanut Festival is also held in October. There is usually a car show, entertainment stages, more than 200 shopping booths, displays, a parade, food court, kid alley, tractor exhibit, carnival and more. “The parade is really, really, really popular,” Barbara Bailey of the Whitesboro Chamber of Commerce said in 2016 about that year’s festival. “Everybody gets to the festival in time for the parade, and I think the crowd is the largest when the parade is going on.” — Future Brown is the Entertainment and Lifestyles Editor of the Herald Democrat. Email her at fbrown@heralddemocrat.com.
HISTORY & CULTURE CHICKASAW COUNCIL HOUSE MUSEUM 207 N. FISHER ST. TISHOMINGO, OK (580)371-3351
FORT WASHITA 3348 STATE RD. STAR ROUTE 213 DURANT, OK 74701-9443 (580)924-6502
CHICKASAW WHITE HOUSE 6379 E. MANSION DR. MILBURN, OK (580)235-7343
RED RIVER RAILROAD MUSEUM 101 EAST MAIN ST., SUITE 145 DENISON, TX 75021 (903)463-5289
EISENHOWER BIRTHPLACE AND MUSEUM 609 S. LAMAR AVE. DENISON, TX (903)465-8908 12 | 2018 GUIDE TO LAKE TEXOMA
HARBER WILDLIFE MUSEUM 4703 TEXOMA PKWY. SHERMAN, TX (903)771-1134
THE SHERMAN MUSEUM 301 SOUTH WALNUT SHERMAN, TX (903)893-7623 THREE VALLEY MUSEUM 401 W. MAIN STREET DURANT, OK (580)920-1907 PERRIN AIR FORCE BASE HISTORICAL MUSEUM 436 MCCULLUM AVE. DENISON, TX (903)786-8741
FRONTIER VILLAGE MUSEUM 100 RC VAUGHN RD. DENISON, TX MORTON MUSEUM 210 S. DIXON ST. GAINESVILLE, TX (940)668-8900 MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA 400 W. OVERTON #3 MADILL, OK (580)795-5060
y t u n o a C m l o l h a a l h k s O r Ma By Marshall County Chamber of Commerce
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arshall County, Oklahoma, is the smallest county in Oklahoma, conveniently located “In the Arms of Lake Texoma.” Marshall County, including Kingston and Madill, is the place to be when not on the lake. Lake Texoma offers every kind of water entertainment and outdoor recreational activity, including year-round fishing/boating, swimming, skiing, wakeboarding, camping and even hydroflight. Bird watching and hunting are other activities available. Golfers are in luck with two excellent courses in Marshall County. Take a break from the lake and shop Marshall County. Shopping in Marshall County offers something for everyone: quaint boutiques filled with the latest in fashions, name brand clothing, boots and home décor; antique shops filled with old relics; stores with yard décor and plants; you can even find unique gift ideas in some of our stores, as well as Lake Texoma gear. Indoor activities in Marshall County include the Museum of Southern Oklahoma and the Ruby Adkins Gallery. The Museum of Southern Oklahoma began preserving yesterday for Marshall County in 1975. Since then, it has continued to bring together and assist those interested in the discovery and collection of the history and genealogy of Marshall County. The Ruby Adkins Gallery is where the Madill Art Club meets monthly, with artists sharing painting tips and techniques. The annual Madill Art Show, held in October, features several hundred specimens of original oils, watercolors, mixed media, pottery, sculpture and junior division entries. Marshall County is home to the National Sand Bass Festival — Madill’s “Jumpin’ Little Summer Fest” — which is held the first full week in June and attracts 30,000 people each year from all across the United States. Held on Madill’s town square, the festival features a carnival, arts and crafts fair,
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food booths and an entertainment slate. Annual events also include a car show, talent competition, terrapin races, King Sandie Fun Run, King Sandie Fishing Tournament and 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Free
nightly concerts featuring local bands, gospel singing, talent search winners and well known Nashville recording artists. Marshall County is also home to several other annual events. The Madill FFA Rodeo, held in April, is the oldest FFA rodeo in Oklahoma. The Madill Round Up Club Rodeo takes place in August. The Marshall County Fair in September is an education showplace of the farm and home. The displays help acquaint visitors with the resources of the county and are shown with pride by their owners. Little Mr. and Little Miss Marshall County are also crowned during the County Fair. The Reuel Little Classic is an annual 5K, 10K and a half-marathon run held in October. The Marshall County Christmas Parade is a lighted parade at 6 p.mm on the second Saturday in December. Marshall County is conveniently located two hours from both Dallas/Ft. Worth and Oklahoma City and 30 miles from both Durant, Oklahoma, to the east and Ardmore, Oklahoma, to the west. Marshall County — “A Great to Visit, a Better Place to Live” — is warm, friendly and eager to welcome all visitors. Visit the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce’s website for a complete list of events and attractions, www.mccoconline.org.
SHOPPING KINGSTON HARDWARE 23 N. MAIN ST. KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-2694 KINGSTON PHARMACY 7 N. MAIN ST. KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-2337 SUPER C-MART 515 HWY 70 E. KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-3397 AMAZING GRACE BOUTIQUE 815 S. 1ST ST. MADILL, OK 73446 (580)677-9200
BLUSH NATURALLY-SPA 211 W. LILLIE BLVD. MADILL, OK 73446 (405)401-3535 EFFIE’S UNIQUE BOUTIQUE 14856 W. HWY. 70 MADILL, OK 73446 (580)795-7575
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Nick Brown
g n i h Fis a m o x e T Lake
No matter what time of year you decide to try your fishing luck on Lake Texoma and successfully wet a line, you have to make sure to have the right equipment. By Lynn Burkhead
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o be successful for open water stripers and/or the largemouth and smallmouth bass that hang out near boat docks, marinas, rocky points, underwater boulders, rip rap, submerged logs and other forms of cover, a Texoma angler will want to have several baits handy in their tackle box. The first, particularly in the low light of early morning and late evening, will be a topwater bait that walks (moves back and forth from side to side) or chugs (pops and/or spits water) as it is retrieved. Examples of walking style topwater baits can include the time honored Heddon Zara Spook, a Strike King KVD Sexy Dawg, a Rapala Skitter Walk, a Livingston Lures Walking Boss or a Walking Boss II, among others. For the chugging style of bait, try a Rebel Pop R, a Strike King KVD Splash, a H2O XPRESS TWP or a Storm Chug Bug, the latter being an all-time
favorite on Texoma. If early morning shoreline stripers are the main fish species that you are targeting this month, use bigger versions of these topwater baits, those that have large and stout treble hook sets. In some cases, especially when larger stripers are present, Texoma anglers will actually upgrade to a saltwater version of a topwater bait since the lake’s linesiders can be big and mean. For largemouths and smallmouths on mid-summer mornings and evenings, stay with regular-sized topwater baits, although some anglers will choose to upgrade standard out-ofthe-box hooks with a heavier grade aftermarket treble hook. What about lure colors? Unless you are fishing in a marina basin where bluegills are present with their blue, gray, green, brown and orange hues, you’ll primarily want to go with shad-resembling colors. With that in mind, opt for colors resembling shad — either the threadfin or gizzard variety — lures that are primarily white, silver, gray, or clear along with some accent colors that are red, chartreuse, olive, blue or black. A second type of bait to use for stripers and their largemouth and smallmouth bass counterparts is a crankbait, either a squarebill, a medium to deep diver
BEST CATCHES
Striped Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Blue Catfish
Black Crappie
White Crappie
Largemouth Bass 16 | 2018 GUIDE TO LAKE TEXOMA
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BASSfest Tournament 20
Bluegill
Channel Catfish
White Bass
and/or a rattling Billy Holder lipless version. Again, bluegill colors can produce fish — primarily bass — near docks and marinas, not to mention stick ups, lay-down logs and sunken brush piles. Otherwise, most crankbaits utilized around rocky points, near offshore structural features and in the open water where big schools of stripers tend to roam this month, will need to look like a shad. Finally, keep a few lures handy that can probe Texoma’s watery depths later on during a sizzling August day as the sun gets high above the horizon, the heat gets turned up and the
fish become lethargic. For stripers, this is a good time to use a slab — an oval-shaped lead bait with a treble hook attached to the bottom — that is painted in some sort of a shad resembling pattern. Find a school of stripers on a boat’s electronic graph, drop the lure down below the school, quickly wind the lure back up through the school towards the surface and, with any luck, hang on tight. To target heat-of-the-day largemouth and smallmouth bass that are sulking in deeper water near a point,
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a hump or a breakline (a sharp dropoff into deeper water), keep a 3/8- or 1/2-ounce jig handy in bluegill-resembling colors, either a structure style jig or a football jig. For both, add some sort of soft plastic crawfish or creature bait trailer to the back end of the hook. To fish a jig for Texoma’s late summer bass, cast or flip it towards deeper structures (main lake points, underwater humps and breaklines) and/or submerged cover (stumps, logs and boulders). Then methodically work the bait back by pumping the rod tip up gradually, slowly reeling in the slack line and then gradually lowering the rod tip back down
towards the lake’s surface where you’ll start the up-anddown retrieval process all over again. If you would like to target a few of the popular game fish species that swim in Texoma, here are some top areas to consider: The Highport Marina/Tanglewood area is located on the western flank of Preston Peninsula, the Highport Marina/Tanglewood Resort area of the lake. There is the Table Top/Two Rivers area which is known to the lake’s top striped bass anglers as a good spot to chase linesiders,
The Denison Dam Region is for anglers hoping to catch a smallmouth bass or a largemouth bass. From the long stretch of rip-rap along the face of the dam itself to the rocky points and boat docks of Eisenhower State Park and its marina to the sandy flats and shoreline trees of the Burns Run area, several good options exist in this stretch of the lake. In Platter Flats, which is a spot along the eastern shoreline of Oklahoma’s Washita River arm, stripers are what you will be looking for. And the Little Glasses Marina area in the Washita River arm to the north of the U.S. 70 bridge between Kingston and Durant can be the spot to locate largemouths in the flooded bushes, grass and willow trees in the vicinity of Little Glasses Resort and Marina and over to the Newberry Creek area. After that, hopefully the only other thing left to do — once you feel the soft thump of a bass taking the jig at the end of your line — is to set the hook hard, keep the line tight to the fish as you reel it in and get ready to grin. While the rod-and-reel options seem to be nearly endless in the aisles of the area’s various tackle stores, having these five combos handy should help anglers catch Texoma’s top game fish species all year long. — Lynn Burkhead is a special correspondent and columnist who writes for the Herald Democrat and Lake Texoma Life. Follow him on Twitter @LynnBurkhead.
BEACHES, SWIMMING AND MARINAS OKLAHOMA ALBERTA CREEK RESORT 9040 CLEAR LAKE DR. PO BOX 9, KINGSTON, OK 73439 PHONE: (580)564-2552 CONVENIENCE STORE: (580)564-2561 FLOATING RESTAURANT: (580)564-4465 EMAIL: CUSTOMERSERVICE@ ALBERTACREEK.COM WWW.ALBERTACREEK.COM BRIDGEVIEW MARINA AND RESORT 13947 REEL LN., MADILL, OK 73446 PHONE: (580)795-3979 SHIPS STORE ON LAND PHONE: (580)795-3082 SHIPS STORE ON WATER BRIDGEVIEWMARINAANDRESORT.COM
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BUNCOMBE CREEK RESORT MARINA 14584 ARROWHEAD POINT RD., KINGSTON, OK 73439 PHONE: (580)564-2543 TOLL-FREE: (800)636-2543 ANCHOR ‘N RESTAURANT: (580)564-2536 WWW.BUNCOMBECREEK.COM CATFISH BAY MARINA / POINTE VISTA MARINAS 11622 ROOSTER CREEK DR., KINGSTON, OK 73439 MARINA OFFICE: (580)564-2307 GAS DOCK: (580)564-4131 SERVICE SHOP: (580)564-2309 MARINA MART: (580)564-4994 THE CABANA: (580)564-4968 EMAIL: CATFISHBAY@POINTE-VISTA.COM WWW.POINTE-VISTA.COM
EAST BURNS RUN CAMPGROUND 525 EAST BURNS RUN RD., CARTWRIGHT, OK 74731 (580)965-4660 WWW.RECREATION.GOV/ LAKE TEXOMA STATE PARK 1988 STATE PARK RD., KINGSTON, OK 73439 PARK OFFICE: (580)564-2566 WWW.TRAVELOK.COM LITTLE GLASSES RESORT 13443 PARROT HEAD LANE, MADILL, OK 73446 PHONE: (580)795-2068 FAX: (580)677-9046 EMAIL: RESERVATIONS@ LITTLEGLASSES.COM WWW.LITTLEGLASSES.COM
NEWBERRY CREEK RESORT AND MARINA 1582 NEWBERRY CREEK RD., MEAD, OK 73449 PHONE: (580)924-0787 WWW.NEWBERRYCREEK.COM MARINA DEL REY 7007 MARINA DR., KINGSTON, OK 73439 PHONE: (580)564-3670 FLOATING RESTAURANT: (580)564-9540 WWW.MARINADELREYOK.COM TEXOMA SHORES RESORT 16022 CUMBERLAND COVE RD., MADILL, OK 73446 (580)795-3828 WWW.OCEANCANYON.COM WEST BURNS RUN CAMPGROUND 825 WEST BURNS RUN, CARTWRIGHT, OK 74731 (580)965-4922 WWW.RECREATION.GOV/
BEACHES, SWIMMING AND MARINAS TEXAS BIG MINERAL RESORT, MARINA & CAMP 2889 BIG MINERAL RD., SADLER, TX 76264 PHONE: (903)523-4287 WWW.BIGMINERAL.COM
MILL CREEK RESORT & MARINA 512 MILL CREEK RESORT RD. POTTSBORO, TX 75076 PHONE: (903)786-2227 EMAIL: TONYA@MILLCREEKRESORTANDMARINA.COM WWW.MILLCREEKRESORTANDMARINA.COM
CEDAR BAYOU MARINA 513 CEDAR BAYOU BLVD., GORDONVILLE, TX 76245 PHONE: (903)523-4248 FAX: (903)523-5154 WWW.CEDARBAYOU.COM EMAIL: ALLBY1@VERIZON.NET
ROCK CREEK RESORT 21400 FM 901 NORTH, GORDONVILLE, TX 76245 SHIP STORE PHONE: (903)523-5353 LAND SALES PHONE: (903)523-5105 BOAT SLIP RENTALS: (214)706-7801 WWW.ROCKCREEKONTEXOMA.COM
CEDAR MILLS MARINA 500 HARBOUR VIEW RD., GORDONVILLE, TX 76245 PHONE: (903)523-4222 EMAIL: RESORT@CEDARMILLS.COM WWW.CEDARMILLS.COM
WALNUT CREEK RESORT 1075 WALNUT CREEK RD. PO BOX 346, GORDONVILLE, TX 76245 PHONE: (903)523-4211 WWW.WALNUTCREEKRESORT.COM 1 MI. NORTH AND 1 MI. EAST OF GORDONVILLE
EISENHOWER STATE PARK 50 PARK ROAD 20, DENISON, TX 75020 (903)465-1956 WWW.TPWD.STATE.TX.US EISENHOWER YACHT CLUB 2141 PARK ROAD 20, DENISON, TX 75020 PHONE: (903)463-3999 EMAIL: EYC@EISENHOWERYACHTCLUB.COM WWW.EISENHOWERYACHTCLUB.COM LOCATED INSIDE EISENHOWER STATE PARK FLOWING WELLS RESORT 3217 FLOWING WELLS RD., POTTSBORO, TX 75076 PHONE: (903)786-2930 WWW.DFWRESORT.COM GRANDPAPPY POINT RESORT & MARINA 132 GRANDPAPPY DR., DENISON, TX 75020 PHONE: (903)465-6330 WWW.GRANDPAPPY.COM HIGHPORT MARINA 120 TEXOMA HARBOR DR., POTTSBORO, TX 75076 PHONE: (800)569-4650 TOLL FREE: (800)786-7000 MO’S AT HIGHPORT: (903)786-7654 SUPER PORT FUEL DOCK: (903)786-8365 WWW.HIGHPORT.COM ISLAND VIEW 87426 PRESTON BEND RD.POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)361-8500 WWW.ISLANDVIEWTEXOMA.COM LIGHTHOUSE RESORT & MARINA 300 LIGHTHOUSE DR., POTTSBORO, TX 75076 RESERVATIONS: (903)361-5070 MARINA OFFICE: (903)786-2311 FUEL DOCK: (903)786-2250 WWW.LIGHTHOUSERESORT.COM EMAIL: LIGHTHOUSETEXOMA@GMAIL.COM LITTLE MINERAL MARINA & RESORT 300 LITTLE MINERAL BLVD., POTTSBORO, TX 75076 PHONE: (903)786-2332 WWW.LITTLEMINERAL.COM LakeTexamoLodge-Guide_FullPgAd.indd 1
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Parkastion Recre an d
UGE
NAL WILDLIFE REF
TIO HAGERMAN NA
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Want to get out and enjoy the great outdoors, especially in the areas surrounding beautiful Lake Texoma? Stop here first. By Dwayne Wilder
f you’re looking to get closer to nature, keep one of these three options in mind — natural spots that offer wildlife viewing, fishing, hiking, camping and superb birding options. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge 6465 Refuge Road Sherman, TX Phone: 903-786-2826 www.fws.gov/refuge/Hagerman
Known to many as one of Texas’ best spots for bowhunting trophy caliber whitetailed deer, Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge is also one of the region’s top birding paradises where visitors can seasonally observe a wide variety of ducks, geese, shorebirds, upland birds and songbirds. At nearly 12,000-acres, Hagerman offers visitors a variety of options to closely observe and study the natural world each summer, from watching different wildlife species to enjoying the numerous bird species that are seen at the refuge each year. Before heading out for some outdoor fun, stop at the spacious Visitor’s Center where Friends of Hagerman (www.friendsofhagerman.com) volunteers and Hagerman NWR staff will happily answer questions, provide information and help visitors understand what’s currently happening at the refuge, as well as understanding how best to ex20 | 2018 GUIDE TO LAKE TEXOMA
perience this natural jewel of North Texas. While you’re at the Visitor’s Center, don’t forget to check out the displays and exhibits that tell the story of the local NWR’s wildlife, its various types of habitat and the conservation work done since the refuge was founded in 1946 after Texoma’s voluminous waters covered the former Grayson County village. In addition to wildlife observation and birding activities, Hagerman NWR offers visitors ample summertime fishing options for a variety of fish species including bass, crappie and catfish. While the Visitor Center is closed on several federal holidays, it is otherwise open from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and on Sunday from 1-5 p.m. The refuge itself is open year round from sunrise to sunset. Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge 12000 S. Refuge Road Tishomingo, OK Phone: 580-371-2402 www.fws.gov/refuge/tishomingo Like Hagerman, the Tishomingo NWR is a part of the nation’s vast refuge system that came about in part after members of the Boone and Crockett Club looked for ways to create a system of wildlife refuges across the nation at the turn of the 20th
TISHOMINGO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Century. In 1903, B & C founder and then U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt made such ideas a reality with the creation of the nation’s first refuge in the state of Florida. Today, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service manages the nation’s refuge system, a network of lands that includes more than 560 refuges and some 150 million acres of land across the country. That includes Tishomingo, a NWR that sports more than 16,000-acres of bottomlands, uplands and reservoir water on the upper end of Texoma’s Washita River Arm. Created in 1946, the refuge near its namesake town in southern Johnston County is similar to Hagerman NWR in terms of wildlife observation and recreational opportunities. In addition to fall hunts, there are ample options available to hike a nature trail; to fish for bass, crappie, and catfish; and to watch the numerous wading shorebirds that swoop onto the Cumberland Pool’s mudflats during the late summer months. For full details on rules, regulations and how best to enjoy the Tishomingo NWR, contact the refuge office during regular business hours.
Eisenhower State Park 50 Park Road 20 Denison, TX Phone: 903-465-1956 tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/eisenhower Named after Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Denison-born 34th President of the United States, Eisenhower State Park on the southern shores of Lake Texoma is one of the lake’s most heavily visited natural attractions. Why? For starters, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department state park is Eisenhower State Park perhaps the best spot for campers to visit the lake whether they plan on roughing it or camping in a bit more luxury. Boasting some 150 campLIKE HAGERMAN, THE TISHOsites in the Armadillo Hill, Bois MINGO NWR IS A PART OF D’Arc Ridge, Deer Haven, THE NATION’S VAST REFUGE Fossil Ridge and Elm Point SYSTEM THAT CAME ABOUT IN camping areas, Eisenhower PART AFTER MEMBERS OF THE SP is certainly a busy place BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB through the summer months LOOKED FOR WAYS TO CREATE as everyone from primitive tent campers to full service RV A SYSTEM OF WILDLIFE REFUGcampers vies to get a spot. ES ACROSS THE NATION. Be forewarned that camping
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sites are in great demand during much of the summertime, so plan ahead and make reservations early. Daily admission to the state park is $5 for adults, while children 12 years of age and under receive free admission. Campsite reservations may be made by going online to TPWD’s state park reservation system at http://texas.reserveworld.com or by calling the Austin-based agency at 512-389-8900. The park consists of more than 420-acres of wildlife rich lakeshore, timbered hills, creek bottoms and grassy uplands that serve as home to such wild critters as the white-tailed deer, Rio Grande turkeys, fox squirrels, raccoons, bobcats, coyotes, upland game birds and songbirds. One of the park’s biggest lures each summer are the various striped bass, white bass (sand bass), largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, sunfish and catfish that can be caught by anglers seeking such fish around the state park’s boat docks and the lake’s rocky points, boulder-strewn shorelines and quiet coves. — Dwayne Wilder is a special correspondent for the Herald Democrat.
Eisenhower Yacht Club Marina Family Owned and Operated Since 1969 2141 Park Rd 20 - Denison, TX 75020 903-463-3999
Open 7 Days a week! 26’ - 55’ Covered Power Slips Sailboat Slips Night Security Full Service Shop Boat Brokerage Boat Lift Dealer Closest marina to HWY 75
Full Service Fuel Dock Bait & Tackle Ice, Snacks & Drinks, Snowcones Pontoon Rentals Canoe/Kayak Rentals Stand Up Paddleboard Rentals “Cruisers” -Food Trailer Kitchen
eyc@eisenhoweryachtclub.com www.eisenhoweryachtclub.com
LAKETEXOMAONLINE.COM | 21
GOLF
Texoma
If you would rather have a golf club in your hand than a fishing pole, a trip to Texoma will offer you the opportunity to hit the links — and not have to go very far to do so. By Jason Della Rosa & William C. Wadsack The golf course at the Tanglewood Resort, located at 290 Tanglewood Circle in Pottsboro, Texas, was designed by one the legends of the game, Arnold Palmer, and renowned architect Ralph Plummer nearly 50 years ago. “It’s very player-friendly,” Tanglewood’s Director of Golf Mike Fish said. “It’s open off the tees. The greens are great. The fairways are great. I think we have the best product around.” A round at the private championship course can provide a challenge to golfers of any skill level, covers 7,000 yards and features lush Bermuda fairways. Seven of the holes involve water of some kind coming into play. The fairways can be narrow, but on most of the holes you can see the flag. If you are looking to avoid bunkers, they are around the greens, so make sure your approach shot is true. The Chickasaw Pointe Golf Club in Kingston, Oklahoma, has been around since October 1999, but saw new holes added last year. “If you have not played the course before (or since April 1, 2016), then we recommend you invest in a yardage book,” Director of Golf Ryan Chapman said on the course’s website. “The course still puts a demand on the placement of a tee shot.” The Chickasaw Pointe Golf Club is a 7,011-yard championship layout course with Bermuda fairways and Champion Ultra Dwarf greens. Its website states the course is ranked in the top three in Oklahoma public access courses.
A short drive from Lake Texoma in Sherman, Texas, golfers can play at the Stone Creek Golf Club, which boasts a 7,428yard, 18-hole championship course that opened in January 2009. The course was designed by Cal Olson, who has been putting together challenges for golfers since 1979. Denison Golf and Country Club, located in Denison, Texas, offers not only a relaxing 18-hole experience, but also an opportunity to work on your game. Open seven days a week, the club includes practice areas with obstacles in addition to a challenging course. For those looking for a different kind of challenge, or just a shorter outing, the Tishomingo Golf and Recreation Club in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, offers a nine-hole regulation length course that is said to reward good shots. The 3,187-yard course is located next to Pennington Creek and has a number of hills. Anyone looking for more variety in their rounds can try the WinStar Golf Course, which is located just east of the WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma. The public course offers options for players of all skill levels with five sets of tees that can extend the course from around 4,900 yards to more than 7,200 yards. — Jason Della Rosa is the Sports Editor of the Herald Democrat. Email him at jdellarosa@heralddemocrat.com. William C. Wadsack is the Managing Editor of the Herald Democrat. Email him at mwadsack@heralddemocrat.com.
GOLF COURSES BUNCOMBE CREEK GOLF COURSE OFF 377; ONE MI. NORTH OF WILLIS BRIDGE, KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-1260 / 9 HOLES WWW.BUNCOMBECREEKGOLF.COM CHICKASAW POINTE GOLF CLUB EAST HWY. 70, KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-2581 / 18 HOLES WWW.POINTE-VISTA.COM DENISON GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB HWY 84N, DENISON, TX 75021 (903)465-4488 / 18 HOLES WWW.DENISONCC.COM 22 | 2018 GUIDE TO LAKE TEXOMA
FALCONHEAD RESORT & COUNTRY CLUB 113 FALCONHEAD DR., BURNEYVILLE, OK 73430 (580)276-9284 / 18 HOLES WWW.FALCONHEADGOLF.COM
TISHOMINGO GOLF AND RECREATION CLUB 3600 WEST GOLF COURSE RD., TISHOMINGO, OK 73460 (580)371-2604 / 9 HOLES
STONE CREEK GOLF CLUB 2200 CLUB HOUSE DR., SHERMAN, TX 75092 (903)870-7980 WWW.STONECREEKCC.COM
WINSTAR GOLF COURSE 777 CASINO AVE., THACKERVILLE, OK 73459 (580)276-1240 / 18 HOLES WWW.WINSTARGOLFCOURSE.COM
TANGLEWOOD RESORT & COUNTRY CLUB 290 TANGLEWOOD CIRCLE, POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)786-4140 / 18 HOLES WWW.TANGLEWOODRESORT.COM/GOLF
WOODLAWN COUNTRY CLUB 4048 WOODLAWN RD., DENISON, TX 75021 (903)893-9657 / 18 HOLES WWW.WOODLAWNCOUNTRYCLUB.COM
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Pot tsb oro Texas
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he city of Pottsboro is located at the northern tip of Grayson County. Highway 289 runs north from Dallas through the western region of Pottsboro, ending at Lake Texoma. Situated a little over an hour drive from the Metroplex, the city is home to weekend visitors, summer home-owners and permanent residents. The Pottsboro area has several golf courses, horseback riding opportunities, nature walks and bus tours through the Hagerman Wildlife Reservation. Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge is a haven for migratory birds and other wildlife. It lies on the Big Mineral Arm of Lake Texoma on the Red River between Oklahoma and Texas. This National Wildlife Refuge is comprised of water, marsh and upland habitat. Visitors are invited to hike, observe wildlife, hunt and fish throughout the year. Tanglewood Resort offers everything from comfortable accommodations to a wide variety of activities. The resort provides fine dining as well as a casual pool-side experience. Tanglewood Hotel features 248 rooms as well as a fitness center and business amenities. The conference center looks out over Lake Texoma with two buildings connected with an enclosed 30 foot sky-way. Full service marinas abound throughout Pottsboro providing boating, fishing and dining amenities to residents and visitors. Flowing Wells Resort and Marina provides access to lakefront cottages with almost two miles of shoreline. Cottages come complete with lake-view decks for grilling. The marina provides covered boat slips that comfortably accommodate yachts up to 60 feet long. Highport Marina goes beyond traditional slips 24 | 2018 GUIDE TO LAKE TEXOMA
Highport Marina
by offering luxury dockominiums at their full service marina. Covered slips range from 25 to 60 feet and up to 80 feet for uncovered slips. The deep-water harbor is located within sight of the islands of Lake Texoma. Mo’s at Highport offers a full-service bar and grill within the marina. Located on Preston Point, Lighthouse Resort & Marina provides easy access to recreation and activities. Cabin and home rentals provide a place to stay during your visit. While boat slips, rentals and ramps take care of your boating needs. A fuel dock, general store and fishing guides round out the array of amenities at Lighthouse.
Frontier Day
Little Mineral Marina and Resort is equipped with cabin rentals, courtesy dock, boat slips and boat houses. In addition to traditional boat slips the marina offers improved slips and dockominiums. Golf cart rental, karaoke and Jet Ski rental round out the offerings at Little Mineral. Mill Creek Resort and Marina is another of Pottsboro’s full service marinas including camping, cabin rental and boating amenities. This resort provides another option for anyone looking to escape to peaceful Pottsboro. For those looking for a fishing adventure, Striper Express fishing guides Bill Carey and his son Chris have been helping lake-goers for three decades. Restaurants including Arroyo’s Mexican Restaurant, Genti’s Pizza and Pasta and Roma’s Italian Restaurant and Pizza provide dining options throughout the city. Pottsboro is a Go Texan Certified Retirement Community making this a great city to call home when you retire. During the month of July fantastic fireworks displays can be seen over the lake. September hosts the family-friendly event at Frontier Day. “The festival started many, many years ago,” Pottsboro Chamber of Tanglewood Commerce Board President Rosemary Hall said. “Cattle drivers would arrive in this area on their way to Dallas for the THE FESTIVAL STARTED MANY, state fair. Locals would come out MANY YEARS AGO. CATTLE and welcome DRIVERS WOULD ARRIVE IN THIS them into the AREA ON THEIR WAY TO DALLAS community and that is how the FOR THE STATE FAIR. LOCALS fair began.” WOULD COME OUT AND The event WELCOME THEM INTO THE boasts over 75 COMMUNITY AND THAT IS local craft and HOW THE FAIR BEGAN. food vendors, a parade and a carnival.
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SHOPPING THE COUNTRY STORE 7015 W. FM RD. 120 POTTSBORO, TX 75076
HOME STAGING 209 E FM 120 POTTSBORO, TX 75076
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Night Life After a long day on the lake, visitors to the Texoma area can spend the night on the town. By Future Brown
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here is no shortage of things to do for adults and children in the Lake Texoma region. Between the wineries and breweries and the area casinos, entertainment can be found on both the Texas and Oklahoma sides of the lake. The Munson vineyard is known worldwide, and so are the Choctaw and WinStar Casinos. 903 Brewers may be new to this area, but they are also growing and creating a name for themselves. “We have about 60 varieties of the TV Munson hybrids now,” Ross Hull of Munson’s Vineyard said. “We had about 300 in the past and they would go all over the world. They have wild in them and adapt better with weather and soil. They are growing in popularity, and you do not have to pray too much for insects and bugs.” The big difference between Munson grapes and French grapes is that Munson grapes are not found in stores, Hull said. Munson’s vineyard is still located in
Grayson County and is open for tours by calling 903-465-6030 ex. 253. In Oklahoma, area patrons and residents can visit casinos not far from the Choctaw and Chickasaw Indian Reservations that oversee them. WinStar World Casino and Resort is located off Interstate 35 at the Oklahoma/Texas border, and Choctaw Casino and Resort is just half an hour from the lake in Durant, Oklahoma. Choctaw Cas ino and Resor t “WinStar offers more than 7,400 electronic games — more than any “WinStar hosts world-class other casino in the country,” Jennifer entertainment every weekend at the Klutinis-Pierce of WinStar World CasiGlobal Event Center or special outdoor no and Resort said. “WinStar offers an entertainment in the Colosseum at unmatched gaming experience, upscale WinStar. This summer guests can see amenities for rest and relaxation and Sammy Hagar, Patti LaBelle, Diana Ross, quality customer service designed to cre- Vince Gill, PBR, Steven Tyler and Keith ate a truly memorable experience without Urban,” Kultinis-Pierce said. the expense of traveling far.” Choctaw Casino and Resort has similar In addition to electronic games, guests offerings. also can play at the 98 table casino Beyond gaming, Choctaw has recently games and 46 poker tables. added a new entertainment venue, The District, which features a sports bar, 20 bowling lanes, arcade, laser tag and movie theater. “There is also a large sports bar show-
WinStar World Casino
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Click Photography
Click Photography
Ironroot Distillery
ing all the top action sports and the private poker room with 30 tables is also a great added benefit for the adults,” Choctaw Marketing Director Jodi Pestka said. “You can’t forget about the entertainment! Most weekends there is a top act performing at The Grand Theater and free live shows at Gilley’s.” 903 Brewers in Sherman celebrated its fourth birthday in May 2017. The brewery is open from 5-9 p.m. Thursdays and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays. “Craft beer is popular and people want to see what there is to offer,” 903 Brewers owner Jeremy Roberts said. “We offer free tours at 1:30 p.m. Saturdays. The tasting room is open from noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays.” Samples are only offered to those over 21. They sell pints of the beer in the tasting room as well. “We also host the local farmers market on Saturdays,” Roberts said. “There are food trucks available as well. We have seen people come from southern Oklahoma and as far as Austin.” 903 Brewers is located at 1718 S. Elm St. in Sherman. Ironroot Distillery is located at at 3111 Loy Lake Road in Denison. It is open from 2:30-8 p.m. Saturdays. The American Distilling Institute — the country’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to craft distilling — awarded Ironroot’s Carpenter’s Bluff Moonshine with top honors in its Clear Corn Whiskey category at the 2015 Craft American Spirits Competition in Louisville, Kentucky. “We were ecstatic,” said Ironroot Distillery owner Jonathan Likarish in a story by the Herald Democrat. “It was pretty much an honor, to be standing in the midst of all these really good distillers and be honored ourselves.” — Future Brown is the Entertainment and Lifestyles Editor of the Herald Democrat. Email her at fbrown@heralddemocrat.com. 903 Brewers
GAMING TEXOMA GAMING CENTER 1795 HWY 70 EAST, KINGSTON, OK (580)564-6000 WINSTAR WORLD CASINO & RESORT 777 CASINO AVE., THACKERVILLE, OK EXIT 1 & I-35 (580)276-4229/(800)622-6317 CHOCTAW CASINO RESORT HWY. 69/75, DURANT, OK (580)920-0160/(800)652-4628 MADILL GAMING CENTER 902 SOUTH FIRST STREET MADILL, OK (580)795-7301
LAKETEXOMAONLINE.COM | 29
A M O X E T E K A L MISS
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he Miss Lake Texoma competition lake that we have here.” is back. Through the efforts of Last year marked the 50th Pam Daniel, the first and only Miss anniversary of the Miss Lake Lake Texoma, the competition is Texoma competition. The supposed to be making a resurgence in competition was held Labor 2018. Day weekend in 1966 and Daniel hopes that the competition date was sponsored by the Denwill be soon set for late summer/early fall ison Jaycees, a domestic 2018 and will have celebrity judges. She nonprofit corporation that is is in talks to get national celebrities with no longer active. local ties to participate in the competiSince her crown was never tion. passed down, Daniel is still “We are thinkthe reigning ing big here,” THE CONTEST HAD AN Miss Lake she said. “We Texoma. She EVENING GOWN PORTION, A want this to be marked the BATHING SUIT PORTION, AND all about the anniversary THE LAST PART WAS A QUESTION lake. We want this year AND ANSWER PORTION. MY to get area with a photo businesses QUESTION WAS ABOUT NASA. shoot at involved so that THAT WAS INTERESTING BECAUSE High Port we can make it Marina in ... THREE YEARS LATER, WE DID really big.” August. LAND ON THE MOON.” The new Miss “I got in at Lake Texoma the last mincompetition, Daniel hopes, will be a ute,” she said. “The Jaycees beauty pageant with an evening gown, called my dad. They wanted bathing suit and a question and answer me to participate. The conportion. test had an evening gown “We are looking to have as many spon- portion, a bathing suit porsors a part of this as possible,” Daniel tion, and the last part was a said. ” I am just so proud of Texoma and question and answer porI want people to be proud of this tion. My question was about NASA. That was interesting because the moon landing was July 20, 1969 so three years later, we did land on the moon.” Pam Daniel was born and raised in Denison and is the daughter of lifelong residents, Billy Duff and Lola Ball. A 1964 graduate of Denison High School, Pam Daniel was a junior at East Texas State University at the time the contest was held in 1966. Daniel competed against eight other girls for the competition. Ron Sloan of Madill, Oklahoma, won the Texoma World Championship boat race that year.
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“There was no money involved with the pageant,” Daniel said. “It was really just the title. The cool thing was that it had never been done before, and, well, it’s never been done since.” Just like the 1966 competition, Daniel hopes the 2018 competition is paired with a Lake Texoma sporting event. “It was a big deal,” she said. “There were boat races that were held that weekend. They were next to the Denison Dam. I did not expect to win. I had never done a beauty pageant before, and I have not done another competition since.” — Future Brown is the Entertainment and Lifestyles Editor of the Herald Democrat. Email her at fbrown@heralddemocrat.com.
LAKETEXOMAONLINE.COM | 21
N A M as x R T e E H S The city of Sherman is more than just the county seat of Grayson County. By Future Brown
W
ith more than 35,000 residents, a private college, an accredited school system, many restaurants, theaters, shopping centers and an active downtown association, Sherman has many offerings for Texoma residents and visitors. In the summer, area residents and visitors can enjoy the annual Lights on the Lake celebrating the Fourth of July and during the winter, the Snowflake Festival brings in people from all across the region. Other festivals include the Sherman Arts Fest, the Sherman Police Department’s Fright Fest, Christmas in July, Stroll on the Square and small business craft fairs. From the summer concert series Hot Summer Nights to Sherman Community Players theater productions at the Finley Theater, Sherman also offers performance art as well as art galleries. As for entertainment, visitors can hear a concert performed by the Sherman Symphony Orchestra or the Austin College Community Series or watch an Austin College theater production. Those that have been in this area for a while or who are new to the amenities in this area can pay a visit to area museums like the Sherman Museum, the Sherman Jazz Museum and the Harber Wildlife Museum. If outdoor fun seems more appealing, there is Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge and the many area parks including Fairview Park and The Splash Aquatic Center. There is also Hawn Spray Ground, Pecan Grove Disc Golf, Old Settler’s baseball fields, Center Street fields
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Sherman Jazz Museum
and Baker Lake and park. And, then when it is time to eat and enjoy the nightlife, visit downtown Sherman eateries like Fulbelli’s and 903 Brewers, which are both locally owned and operated. Both companies offer locally-made products in the form of scratch-made food and draft beer. About 70 miles north of Dallas on US Highway 75, Sherman is less than 30 minutes from Lake Texoma. As the largest city in the Lake Texoma region, Sherman strives to provide ample opportunities for fun, rest and relaxation. It’s a great place to
Sherman Opry House Bluegrass
Festival
Lights on the Lake
SHOPPING 903 BREWERS 1718 S. ELM ST. SHERMAN, TX 75090 (903)487-0856 A TOUCH OF CLASS ANTIQUE MALL 118 W. LAMAR SHERMAN, TX 75090 (903)891-9379
Austin College
stop or stay while enjoying the incredible outdoor beauty of North Texas and Southern Oklahoma. So, whether it’s a quick get-away or an extended stay, make plans to come visit Sherman. It’s a great place to find yourself close to home, yet a world away. — Future Brown is the Entertainment and Lifestyles Editor of the Herald Democrat. Email her at fbrown@heralddemocrat. com.
BOARD AND BRUSH 215 N. TRAVIS ST., SUITE B SHERMAN, TX 75090 (903)328-3021 DOWNTOWN ESCAPE ROOMS 114 S. CROCKETT ST. SHERMAN, TX 75090 (903)815-1495 CHANDELIERS 330 W. LAMAR ST. SHERMAN, TX 75090
GLITZY GIRLS 100 S. CROCKETT STE. 100 SHERMAN, TX 75090 (940)634-3991 PICKLES & POTTERY 212 W. HOUSTON ST. SHERMAN, TX 75090 (903)892-3200 POP POP POPCORN 123 E. WALL ST. SHERMAN, TX 75090 (903)267-8322 SANDY’S BOUTIQUE IN KELLY SQUARE 115 S. TRAVIS ST. SHERMAN, TX 75090 (903)892-4240
LAKETEXOMAONLINE.COM | 21
REAL ESTATE Lake Texoma
According to local realtors, the Lake Texoma real estate market is on the rise. By Rhea Bermel
C
huck and Stephanie Henson of Texoma Premier Properties opened their real estate business in 2009 at Lake Texoma. “We chose to open at the lake because it is a revolving door,” Stephanie Henson said. “Lake buyers normally buy vacation homes, and then when they’re ready to move on, they sell. That is the progression, and a lot of our buyers end up selling. You may be able to sell the same home two or three times. For this reason, we don’t worry about having enough inventory.” When asked how last summer’s lake season went, Henson said that it was the best one since their opening in 2009. “If you ask the striper fishing guides, they will say that (last) summer was the best fishing ever,” Henson said. “The clarity of the lake is so clear. And as far as real estate goes, it’s all over the place but usually our sweet spot is from $150,000 to $300,000 priced homes,
and this year people were really looking at higher-end homes.” Marie Ward with Tanglewood Real Estate Company, and current president for the Greater Texoma Association of Realtors, said the lake level has been good with no issues of drought, flooding or blue-green algae this summer. “Interest levels have held, which helps for second homes,” Ward said. “Not everything at the lake is a second home. A lot of people want to move to this area because of the school district, small town and proximity to the lake. Full-time residents and second home purchasers alike are buying larger and more traditional homes near the lake instead of smaller lake homes, so that they can live in them full time.” Henson went on to explain that many
factors affect the real estate market at the lake and other vacation hot spots. “Right now, we are waiting to hear what the president and government decides on a second home tax deduction,” Henson said. “There has been some talk that they might take away the deduction, which would negatively affect lake sales.” Ward explained that the lake has sales year round, but they tend to be heavier during the April to September time span. This is what most consider to be lake season, but there are those that visit year round. “The size of our lake is 89,000 acres, and we have so many marinas,” Ward said. “There’s always availability for dry and wet boat storage. Even if they don’t
REAL ESTATE AGENCIES ACTIVE REAL ESTATE, SHAWN STOVALL 509 N. 1ST, MADILL, OK 73446 (580)564-5167 SHAWN@ACTIVEREALESTATEOK.COM WWW.LAKETEXOMAREALTY.COM COLDWELL BANKER, VANMETER RADER GROUP 419 W. MAIN, DURANT, OK 74701 (580)924-8404 WWW.VANMETERREALTY.COM COLDWELL BANKER VANMETER RADER GROUP 1694 HWY 70 EAST, KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-9000 WWW.CBTEXOMA.COM 34 | 2018 GUIDE TO LAKE TEXOMA
EASY LIFE REALTY, LISA HITCHCOCK & ASSOCIATES 603 N. TRAVIS RD., SHERMAN, TX 75092 (903)814-2689 LISA@EASYLIFEREALTY.COM WWW.EASYLIFEREALTY.COM ERA STEVE COOK & CO. REALTORS 225 W FM 120, POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)786-3355 WWW.ERATEXOMA.COM HOMES BY LAINIE 421 FM 120 WEST, POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)686-1872 WWW.HOMESBYLAINIE.COM JANEY HOGENSON REALTY ERA STEVE COOK & CO. REALTY PO BOX 455, POTTSBORO, TX 75076 JANEYREALTY@YAHOO.COM
LAKE TEXOMA REAL ESTATE 702 HWY. 70E STE D., KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-6216 DCARRUTHL@SBCGLOBAL.NET TANGLEWOOD REAL ESTATE CO. 81750 N. STATE HWY 289, STE 114 POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)786-3100 MWARD@TANGLEWOODRESORT.COM TEXOMA AGENCY 1105 HWY. 70, KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)230-2200 KENNY@TEXOMAAGENCY.COM WWW.TEXOMAAGENCY.COM
have a home up here yet, they can easily drive up and rent a cabin or hotel. We can accommodate a lot of people. There are so many metropolitan areas within an hour to years, the stock market was iffy and investing in a second home instead was two hours. It’s an easy drive.” Ward said that buying a second home is different from buying a good investment. We’ve been very fortunate that the stock market has been fairly stable lately, but a home often makes a a first home. She recommends speaking to a local lender to good investment.” find out more about the lending practices on a second home. Bill Ptomey with Coldwell Banker said the Oklahoma side of “For a second home, they will have to put a little more money the lake has experienced a great year for real estate as well. down,” Ward said. “Depending on their credit, interest may be “It’s been fantastic,” Ptomey said. “It’s rehigher. We need well-qualified buyers and ally been a good year in Marshall and Brycash buyers.” “NOT EVERYTHING AT THE an county as far as the lake is concerned. Henson said that she has found millenI think prices have stayed really stable and LAKE IS A SECOND HOME. A ials to be less interested in investing their money in homes and more interested in LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO MOVE even increased about 2 or 3 percent.” travel. Ptomey said the lake level has remained TO THIS AREA BECAUSE OF THE constant and they have seen a large influx “I have a daughter who only wants to SCHOOL DISTRICT, SMALL TOWN of people looking for homes on the lake. travel,” Henson said. “She really doesn’t AND PROXIMITY TO THE LAKE. care about buying a house. I would say “According to the reports I’ve read, the FULL-TIME RESIDENTS AND SECthat is affecting homebuyers in some fishing has been good,” Ptomey said. “We OND HOME PURCHASERS ALIKE are encouraged by the purchase of the old ways. I’m not saying young buyers aren’t buying homes, but it’s not at the rate that ARE BUYING LARGER. Texoma Lodge and are hoping that moves baby boomers were doing at this age.” forward in the near future. That will bring more business to the lake. We are looking forward to what (this) Often times, homebuyers at Lake Texoma are looking to esyear brings.” cape from the daily routine, Ward said. — Rhea Bermel is the editor of HD Homes. Email her at “These are people that want trees and relief from the stress of work life,” Ward said. “They want it to be different. For a few rbermel@heralddemocrat.com.
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Quick Reference Guide
G N I P M CA Corps of Engineers Campground
S MARINA
36 | 2018 GUIDE TO LAKE TEXOMA
TEXAS ANCHOR UP CLUB & GRILL 576 HIGHPORT RD. POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)786-6144 DENISON GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB 19TH HOLE OLD ROD & GUN BAR & GRILL 5216 FM 84 DENISON, TEXAS 75020 (903) 465-4488 WWW.DENISONGOLFANDCOUNTRYCLUB.COM
DINING
LOOSEWHEELS 4716 POOL RD. DENISON, TX 75020 (903)464-9119 HTTP://LOOSEWHEELSTEXAS.COM/CONTACT.HTML MO’S AT HIGHPORT RESORT AND MARINA 120 TEXOMA HARBOR DR. POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)786-7659 WWW.HIGHPORT.COM
FULBELLI’S 115 SOUTH TRAVIS SHERMAN, TX 75090 (903)892-8409 WWW.FULBELLI’S.COM
STRIPER’S GRILL AT MILL CREEK RESORT 512 MILL CREEK RESORT RD. POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)786-2227 WWW.MILLCREEKRESORTANDMARINA.COM
HILTON GARDEN INN 5015 SOUTH US 75 DENISON, TX 75020 (903)463-3331 WWW.HILTONGARDENINN3.HILTON.COM
PELICAN’S LANDING WATERFRONT RESTAURANT AT CEDAR MILLS MARINA 500 HARBOUR VIEW RD. GORDONVILLE, TX 76245 (903)523-4500 HTTP://WWW.CEDARMILLS.COM
Texoma
SKOONERS VACATION SPORTS BAR & GRILL AT TANGLEWOOD 290 TANGLEWOOD CIRCLE POTTSBORO, TX 75076 800-833-6569 WWW.TANGLEWOODRESORT.COM THE COMMODORE ROOM 290 TANGLEWOOD CIRCLE POTTSBORO, TX 75076 800-833-6569 WWW.TANGLEWOODRESORT.COM THE OASIS AT LIGHTHOUSE RESORT 300 LIGHTHOUSE DR. POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)361-0504 THE ISLAND AT HIGHPORT RESORT AND MARINA 120 TEXOMA HARBOR DR. POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)786-7654 WWW.HIGHPORT.COM/THE-ISLAND
OKLAHOMA ALBERTA CREEK RESORT AND FLOATING RESTAURANT 9040 CLEAR LAKE DR. KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-4465 WWW.ALBERTACREEK.COM
BUBBA’S BREWHOUSE 9125 W. HWY. 70 DURANT, OK 74701 (580)931-9206 WWW.BUBBASBREWHOUSE.COM
ANCHOR ‘N AT BUNCOMBE CREEK 14584 ARROWHEAD POINT RD. KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-2536
CHICKASAW POINTE GOLF CLUB GRILL 12428 CHICKASAW POINTE RD. EAST HWY. 70 KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-2581 WWW.POINTE-VISTA.COM
BRIDGEVIEW RESORT 13947 REEL LANE MADILL, OK 73446 (580)795-3979 WWW.BRIDGEVIEWMARINAANDRESORT.COM
CHOCTAW CASINO AND RESORT 3735 CHOCTAW ROAD DURANT, OK 74701 (888)652-4628 WWW.CHOCTAWCASINOS.COM
GRINGO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT 12430 LITTLE RD. KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-7875 HTTPS://FACEBOOK.COM/GRINGOSLAKETEXOMA THE BELLY FLOP AT MARINA DEL REY 7007 MARINA DR. KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)565-7212 WWW.MARINADELREYOK.COM WINSTAR WORLD CASINO AND RESORT 777 CASINO AVE. THACKERVILLE, OK 73459 (800)622-6317 WWW.WINSTARWORLDCASINO.COM
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O N S N I E D Texas
L
Denison feels like a small town but has the luxuries of a big city. By Danielle King
ocated in Grayson County near the Oklahoma border, the city of 20,000 moves at a different pace than its North Texas neighbors. There’s a laid back atmosphere to the city that feels like it could be your hometown — but with more entertainment. Stroll through downtown and you’ll notice the historic buildings that line the street have been revitalized. Whether you want to shop for a new pair of cowboy boots or the latest fashions you can find it all there. Downtown is designated a historical district, entertainment district and arts and cultural district. Nearly every week there are events happening down-
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town, like the annual Veteran’s Day Parade, Monsters on Main, Fall Festival and Fourth of July Celebration. Mary Karam’s Art Gallery, Sparrows Gallery and 413 Maker’s offer visitors a chance to explore local and regional art. Denison is also one of the few Texas cities to feature multiple craft beverage venues. Homestead Winery, Ivanhoe Ale Brewery and Ironroot Republic Distillery all call Denison home. Ironroot won the 2017 Best American Corn Whiskey Award. Denison is also the birthplace of our 34th President, Dwight Eisenhower. He was born there in 1890. Today, his birth home has been turned into a historical site. Visitors can come and see the modest frame house Eisenhower was born in, complete with antique furnishings. The Eisenhower Birthplace State Historical site also
features “Ike” memorabilia and exhibits about his accomplishments both as president and a war hero. Denison is also the hometown of Chesley B. Sullenberger, better known as Captain Sully, the pilot who landed US Airways flight 1549 on the Hudson River in 2009. After you’ve taken in the historical stops and gotten in some shopping, you need to leave time to explore the outdoors, because a trip to the area wouldn’t be complete without stopping by the Denison Dam. The dam is 15,350-feet long and 165-feet high. It is built right beside the
Texas-Oklahoma border and made to hold back water from the Red River. At the time of the dam’s completion it was the largest rolled-earth filled dam in the world. The overlook is quite a sight to see. Since its construction, water has only gone over the spillway four times, in 1957, 1990, 2007 and 2015. The dam was built in 1944 during World War II by German prisoners of war who were housed in Texas and Oklahoma. While you’re by the water, check out all the activities Lake Texoma has to offer. The reservoir has plenty of recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy such as largemouth bass fishing, water sports and dinner cruises. Camp out under the stars at the Eisenhower State Park or enjoy one of the nearby marinas like Grandpappy Marina, Eisenhower Marina & Yacht Club, Highport Marina or Tanglewood Resort. Bring your horse and explore one of the many equestrian trails and campsites near the lake. If roughing it is not your thing, then check in to one of Denison’s many hotels for the night. Discover all Denison has to offer by going off the beaten path — you won’t be disappointed. — Danielle King is a special correspondent for the Herald Democrat.
SHOPPING
MAIN STREET MALL 500 W. MAIN ST. DENISON, TX 75020 (903)463-1230 MARY KARAM GALLERY 404 W. MAIN ST. DENISON, TX 75020 (903)465-3703 PRINT HOUSE BOUTIQUE & OH FUDGE 415 W. MAIN ST. DENISON, TX 75020 (903)462-0619 SPARROWS GALLERY 124 W. MAIN ST. DENISON, TX 75020 (903)337-0708 THE DOWNTOWN EXCHANGE 410 W. MAIN ST. DENISON, TX 75020 (903)421-2254
2 CHICKS HOME AND MARKET 311 W. MAIN ST. DENISON, TX 75020 (903)815-2323 CHATEAU RANCH, LLC 800 W. MAIN ST. DENISON, TX 75020 (972)922-5611 HOMESTEAD WINERY 220 W. MAIN ST. DENISON, TX 75020 (903)464-0030 IRONROOT REPUBLIC DISTILLERY 3111 LOY LAKE RD. DENISON, TX 75020 (903)337-0495 KABOODLES 513 W. MAIN ST. DENISON, TX 75020 (903)464-0441
LAKETEXOMAONLINE.COM | 39
SET SAIL On Beautiful Lake Texoma
Fastrac Boat Charters and Cruises take passengers on an adventure out on Lake Texoma. By Rhea Bermel
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ith themed cruises and lake tours, the company operates three boats. Their newest attraction is a murder mystery cruise, which has become a reoccuring event due to high demand. The murder mystery cruise includes 1920s themed attire that guests happily partake in. Guests are served food and given an opportunity to explore clues and discover who was murdered. Other themed cruises include a new debut, the trivia night cruise. The trivia night is themed towards a specific genre and guests are also served dinner. Reoccuring cruises include holiday cruises, full moon cruises, singles cruises and eagle watching breakfast cruises. Owner Michael Tucker said the eagle watching breakfast cruise is a fan favorite that sells out quickly. “They really enjoy having a great breakfast on the boat,” Tucker said. “There’s such a market for themed cruises.” The dinner cruises rotate five to six menu options. Some options include Mexican fajitas, TX Barbecue, Italian lasagna and a down home option with
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baked chicken or porkchops with salad and sides. The meals include dinner, dessert and soft drinks or tea and water. Guests wanting to enjoy adult beverages are welcomed to bring their own. Cruises typically last an hour and a half to two hours. The cruises are comprised of 36 to 48 guests. Although the boats can carry 86 passengers, Fastrac likes to keep the cruises to a more intimate level. The cruises take place on Fridays and Saturdays year round and additionally on Thursdays during the Summer. The times vary based on the time for sunset and sunrise. For more information and to make reservations visit www.fastrac.com — Rhea Bermel is the editor of HD Homes. Email her at rbermel@ heralddemocrat.com.
LAKETEXOMAONLINE.COM | 41
R O O D T U O
activities
Few things in life are as relaxing as walking through a quiet secluded hiking trail, and, at Lake Texoma, there are plenty of trails to choose from. By Rebecca Jones
T
he 14-mile long Cross Timbers Trail offers scenic views of the lake, snaking above the water’s edge on rocky ledges. The trail begins at Juniper Point and goes west along the lake’s southern shoreline through the Cedar Bayou Marina, around Paw Paw Creek and Rock Creek. “It’s very rugged hilly terrain and most of the time you’re in the trees,” Kathy Albright, the owner of Cedar Bayou Marina, said. “Most of the time, there is shade and the trail runs along the lake and there are several points where you can look out and see the most beautiful views of the lake.” Lining the trail is lush vegetation, so it’s recommended hikers wear long pants to keep from discovering a new plant allergy. Another popular hiking route WE SEE ALL TYPES FROM is the Platter Flats Lakeside outdoor opportunities. From pack campers to full RV RVS TO TENTS, EVEN HAMTrail, an over 40-mile trail that explorers, there is something for everyone. runs between the Platter Flats MOCKS, EVEN THOUGH THOSE There are about 35 listed campgrounds on Lake Campground and the Lakeside AREN’T VERY SAFE. PEOPLE Texoma — operated by the U.S. Corps of Engineers Campground. This stretch of or privately — and there are still more around the lake. LOVE THE OUTDOORS AND trail is accessible on horseback Campsites vary from full hook-ups for RVs, water/ THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE and offers equestrian trails. electric for tents or fire rings only for primitive, acTHAN LAKE TEXOMA TO BE The Big Mineral Equestrian cording to Richard Kellogg, who is the assistant park OUTDOORS. trail is made up of two main manager for Eisenhower State Park. trails, Walnut Creek Loop and “We see all types from RVs to tents, even hamBrushy Creek. Walnut is 10 miles long and Brushy is 13 miles. mocks, even though those aren’t very safe,” Kellogg said. “PeoGates along the trail are designed to be opened by riders withple love the outdoors and there is no better place than Lake out having to dismount. Texoma to be outdoors.” When the sun goes down, riders and hikers are welcome to While it may be tempting to jump right into the car and head setup camp at the Platter Flats. out for a trek in the woods, hikers and their families need to If you are a camping aficionado, Lake Texoma is the place properly prepare for a trip to the trails. The first step to planning a safe adventure is choosing the right path. Choose a trail that to be as the 70-year-old, man-made lake offers a variety of
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PML2008 via Flickr
will not be too strenuous for you or your family. Next, be sure to pack according to the length of your stay, but don’t forget the essentials. “Always bring more water than you plan to drink,” Eisenhower State Park Ranger Kate Saling said. “On hot days you can get dehydrated much faster than you realize.” The best way to prevent insect and animal bites, as well as reduce the risk of sunburn, is to dress appropriately for a hike — layers, long pants and thick socks are a good idea regardless of outdoor temperatures. Hikers, campers and trail
riders should also familiarize themselves with the terrain before attempting a trail — that means being aware of local flora and fauna. Finally, always remember to leave things just as you found them, respect wildlife and dispose of waste in appropriate locations. And, most importantly, remember to have fun. “A hike means having an adventure and creating lifelong memories with their friends or family. Wildlife photographers, birders, and others hoping to see animals have a better chance on the trail and away from the busy campsites,” Saling said. Most of all, she said, “hiking offers a chance to relax and be refreshed by the beauty of nature. After a stressful work week, there’s nothing quite as peaceful as looking out over the lake after burning away frustration on a long hike.” — Rebecca Jones is the Creative Director at the Herald Democrat. Email her at rjones@heralddemocrat.com.
HIKING, BIKING AND EQUESTRIAN TRAILS CROSS TIMBERS HIKING TRAIL JUNIPER POINT CAMPGROUNDS 32843 HIGHWAY 377 GORDONVILLE, TX 76245 (903)523-4022 WWW.RECREATION.GOV
FLOWING WELLS RESORT AND MARINA 3217 FLOWING WELLS ROAD POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)786-2930 WWW.DFWRESORT.COM
CEDAR BAYOU MARINA 513 CEDAR BAYOU BLVD. GORDONVILLE, TX 76245 (903)523-4248 WWW.CEDARBAYOU.COM
HAGERMAN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 6465 REFUGE RD. SHERMAN, TX 75092 (903)786-2826 HTTPS://WWW.FWS.GOV/REFUGE/HAGERMAN/
CEDAR MILLS MARINA 500 HARBOUR VIEW RD. GORDONVILLE, TX 76245 (903)523-4222 WWW.CEDARMILLS.COM
LAKE TEXOMA STATE PARK 11500 PARK OFFICE RD. KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-2566 WWW.TRAVELOK.COM
EISENHOWER STATE PARK 50 PARK ROAD 20 DENISON, TX 75020 (903)465-1956 WWW.TPWD.STATE.TX.US
LITTLE MINERAL MARINA & RESORT 300 LITTLE MINERAL BLVD. POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903) 786-2332 WWW.LITTLEMINERAL.COM
PLATTER FLATS CAMPGROUND 867 TRAIL RIDE ROAD PLATTER, OK 74753 (580)434-5864 WWW.RECREATION.GOV SUNDANCE CAMP 295 GLEN EDEN DR. POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)361-8500 WWW.TEXOMADESTINATIONS.COM TISHOMINGO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 12000 SOUTH REFUGE ROAD TISHOMINGO, OK 73460 (580)371-2402 HTTPS://WWW.FWS.GOV/REFUGE/TISHOMINGO/
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S T N E EV JANUARY 1-2 6 15 25 27
Denison on Ice, Downtown Denison Parks & Rec. Trout Derby, Waterloo, Denison Martin Luther King Jr. Day Snowball Tourney, T-Bar Fields, Denison Crystal Ball benefiting Boys & Girls Club, Choctaw Casino Resort, Durant
FEBRUARY
3 Parks & Rec. Family Fishing Day, 14 17
18 23 24 TBD TBD
Waterloo, Denison Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Dinner Dating Downtown, Downtown, Denison Celebrate with the Presidents, Eisenhower Birthplace, Denison Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet, Choctaw Casino Resort, Durant Lake Texoma Association Fish Fry Fundraiser, Loose Wheels, Denison Pottsboro Annual Chamber Banquet Southeastern Gold & Blue Gala, SOSU Visual & Performing Arts Center, Durant Battle of Waterloo 5K Run, Waterloo Lake, Denison Parks & Rec. Youth Trout Derby, Waterloo Lake, Denison
MAY
MARCH
5 Dancing with the Stars, Choctaw Event Center, Durant
3 Denison Dancing with the Stars,
Hilton Garden Inn, Denison Taste of Durant, SOSU Visual & Performing Arts Center, Durant 17 St. Patrick’s Day Burning of the Socks, Lake Texoma Region 24 Kid’s Fest, Denison Main Street, Denison Eisenhower: Easter Egg Roll 2:30-4 p.m., Eisenhower Birthplace, Denison
6 Historic Sites Free Day, Eisenhower 12 13 15 24 25 28
APRIL
1 April Fools / Easter 7 Authorfest, Downtown Denison
31
Pot O’ Gold, St. Patrick’s, Denison Culture of Arts Festival, Main Street, Denison 20 Sporting Clay Shoot, Location TBD, Denison 28 Doc Holliday Festival, Main Street, Denison Red River Anniversary & Open House, Red River Railroad, Denison TBD Red River Amateur Disc Golf TBD Championship, Munson Park, Denison Kiwanis Club Circus, Denison
Birthplace, Denison Bark & Paws, Heritage Park, Denison Mother’s Day Downtown Awards, Denison Durant Riding Club Magnolia Festival Rodeo, Durant Rodeo Arena, Durant Music on Main, Heritage Park, Denison Memorial Day Memorial Day Parade, Main Street, Denison Taste of Texoma Benefiting the Boys and Girls Club, Location TBD, Denison Magnolia Festival of Oklahoma, Choctaw Event Center, Durant
JUNE
1 Music on Main, Heritage Park, Denison 3 8 9
Magnolia Festival of Oklahoma, Choctaw Event Center, Durant Tenth Annual “Catfish Rodeo,” Waterloo Lake, Denison Music on Main, Heritage Park, Denison Denison Wine Festival, Heritage Park, Denison
LODGING ALBERTA CREEK RESORT 9040 CLEAR LAKE DR. KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-2552 WWW.ALBERTACREEK.COM
BUNCOMBE CORNER 4033 SHAY RD. KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)251-1604 HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ BUNCOMBECORNERSTRIPERINN
AMERICAN INN 601 N. 1ST ST. MADILL, OK 73446 (855)516-1090 WWW.MAGNUSONHOTELS.COM
BUNCOMBE CREEK RESORT MARINA 14584 ARROWHEAD POINT ROAD KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-2543 WWW.BUNCOMBECREEK.COM
BRIDGEVIEW RESORT 13947 REEL LN. MADILL, OK 73446 (580)795-3979 BRIDGEVIEWMARINAANDRESORT.COM BUDGET INN 803 S. 1ST ST. MADILL, OK 73446 (866)238-4218 WWW.MAGNUSONHOTELS.COM 44 | 2018 GUIDE TO LAKE TEXOMA
CABIN FEVER ADVENTURES 8985 TEXOMA PARK RD. KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-1616 CABINFEVERADVENTURES.NET KINGSTON HILLS BED & BATH KINGSTON. OK 73439 AIRBNB 12022397
LAKE TEXOMA LODGE & RESORT 3263 US 70 MEAD, OK 73449 (866)831-4293 WWW.LAKETEXOMALODGE.COM LITTLE GLASSES RESORT 13443 PARROT HEAD LANE MADILL, OK 73446 (580)795-2068 WWW.WASHITAPOINT.COM NEWBERRY CREEK RESORT & MARINA 1582 NEWBERRY CREEK RD. MEAD, OK 73449 (580)924-0787 WWW.NEWBERRYCREEK.COM MARINA DEL REY 7007 MARINA DR. KINGSTON, OK 73439 (580)564-7212 WWW.MARINADELREYOK.COM
TEXOMA SHORES RESORT 16022 CUMBERLAND COVE RD. MADILL, OK 73446 (580)795-3828 WWW.TEXOMASHORESRVPARK.COM THOMAS TRAILER PARK PO BOX 20 MADILL, OK (580)564-3144 WINSTAR WORLD CASINO AND RESORT 777 CASINO AVE. THACKERVILLE, OK 73459 (800)622-6317 WWW.WINSTARWORLDCASINO.COM
JUNE
9 Texoma Craft Beer Assn. Annual 15 17
22 29 30
Conf., Hilton Garden Inn, Denison Esbenshade Farms Tractor Parade, E. Main St., Denison Music on Main, Heritage Park, Denison Father’s Day “Lost Neighborhood” Self-Guided Tours, Eisenhower Birth Place Music on Main, Heritage Park, Denison Music on Main, Heritage Park, Denison Movies on Main, Heritage Park, Denison
JULY
3 Lake Texoma Association Fireworks
Display, dusk, Roosevelt Bridge, Kingston
4 Independence Day
6 13 20 27 28
Fireworks at Munson Stadium, Forest Park, Denison Choctaw Casino & Resort Fireworks Display, Choctaw Event Center, Durant Music on Main, Heritage Park, Denison Music on Main, Heritage Park, Denison Music on Main, Heritage Park, Denison Music on Main, Heritage Park, Denison Movies on Main, Heritage Park, Denison
ANDREW JOHNSON CABIN POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (888)640-7927 HTTPS://WWW.VRBO.COM/630763 BIG MINERAL CAMP 2889 BIG MINERAL RD. SADLER, TX 76264 (903)523-4287 WWW.BIGMINERAL.COM CABIN LAKE TEXOMA 108 CIRCLE 8 LANE POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (940)391-4958 WWW.CABINLAKETEXOMA.COM CEDAR BAYOU MARINA 513 CEDAR BAYOU BLVD. GORDONVILLE, TX 76245 (903)523-4248 WWW.CEDARBAYOU.COM
AUGUST
2 Lake Texoma Association Bash for Cash, Tanglewood, Pottsboro
25 Movies on Main, Heritage Park, Denison
SEPTEMBER
3 Labor Day 29 Movies on Main, Heritage Park, Denison Pottsboro Frontier Day, Pottsboro
OCTOBER
1 Wall of Honor, Katy Depot, Denison 6 Fall Festival, Main Street, Denison
NOVEMBER
3 Dia de Muertos Festival, Main Street, Denison
4 Turkey Dinner, St. Patrick’s, Denison 10 Veteran’s Day Parade, Main Street, Denison
16 Texas Youth Fest,
Hilton Garden Inn, Denison
22 Thanksgiving 23 Holiday Lights, Loy Lake (through12/31) Denison on Ice, Downtown Denison (through 1/1/19) 24 Small Business Saturday, Downtown Denison
12 7th Grade History Day,
Citywide, Denison 13 Eisenhower Birthday Celebration, Eisenhower Birthplace & Monument, Denison 27 Movies on Main, Heritage Park, Denison 31 Halloween Monsters on Main, Main Street, Denison TBD Colton’s Main Street Run, Downtown Durant
DECEMBER
1 Denison on Ice, Downtown Denison
(through 1/1/19) Holiday Lights, Loy Lake (through 12/31) 4 Christmas Parade, Downtown Durant 6 Christmas Parade/Tree Lighting, Chamber/Main St., Denison 8 Loft Tours, Downtown Denison 25 Christmas Day
CEDAR MILLS MARINA 500 HARBOUR VIEW ROAD GORDONVILLE, TX 76245 (903)523-4222 WWW.CEDARMILLS.COM
HILTON GARDEN INN/ TEXOMA EVENT CENTER 5015 U.S. HWY. 75 DENISON, TX 75020 (903)463-3331 HILTONGARDENINN3.HILTON.COM
MILL CREEK RESORT & MARINA 512 MILL CREEK RESORT RD. POTTSBORO, TX 75076-6242 (903)786-2227 MILLCREEKRESORTANDMARINA.COM
FLOWING WELLS RESORT & MARINA 3217 FLOWING WELLS ROAD POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)786-2930 WWW.FLOWINGWELLSRESORT.COM
LAKE TEXOMA HIDEAWAY 652 COUNTY RD. GORDONVILLE, TX 76245-2338 (214)773-3239 WWW.LAKETEXOMAHIDEAWAY.COM
PARADISE COVE 503 PARADISE PARK DR. POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)361-8500 WWW.PARADISETEXOMA.COM
GONE FISHING RV RESORT 730 OXFORD DR. GORDONVILLE, TX 76245 (903)523-3474 WWW.GONEFISHINGRVRESORT.COM GRANDPAPPY POINT RESORT & MARINA 132 GRANDPAPPY DR. DENISON, TX 75020 (903)465-6330 WWW.GRANDPAPPY.COM
LIGHTHOUSE RESORT & MARINA 300 LIGHTHOUSE DR. POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)361-5070 WWW.LIGHTHOUSERESORT.COM LITTLE MINERAL MARINA & RESORT 300 LITTLE MINERAL BLVD. POTTSBORO, TX 75076 (903)786-2332 WWW.LITTLEMINERAL.COM
TANGLEWOOD RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER 290 TANGLEWOOD CIRCLE POTTSBORO, TX 75076 WWW.TANGLEWOODRESORT.COM WALNUT CREEK RESORT 1075 WALNUT CREEK RD. GORDONVILLE, TX 76245-0346 (903)523-4211 WWW.WALNUTCREEKRESORT.COM LAKETEXOMAONLINE.COM | 45
T N A R U D
Oklahoma
T
Durant — the City of Magnolias — is home to recreation, entertainment and rich cultural traditions. By Rhea Bermel
he Magnolia Festival is one of the largest events in southern Oklahoma and celebrates 22 years in 2018. The Durant Riding Club Rodeo kicks off the festival each Memorial Day weekend, and the festival continues at the Choctaw Event Center the weekend after Memorial Day. The Magnolia Festival is packed with family fun including a carnival, live entertainment, unique shopping booths, food vendors, fireworks, children’s activities, 5K run, Rotary Bike Ride and more. As the county seat of Bryan County, Durant is home to over 16,000 residents. Durant’s charming downtown area features a Main Street program that works continuously to create a thriving attraction. Along with a variety of restaurants and unique shopping on Main Street, another asset to downtown is the Three Valley Museum, which features many historic articles and exhibits. Durant is the headquarters of the Choctaw Nation. Many of their business enterprises operate throughout Bryan County, including the popular Choctaw Casino Resort. The resort includes many options for gaming, lodging and dining. Amenities also include the Oasis Pool and The Spa. The Grand Theater hosts many quality entertainers, and The District features a
46 | 2018 GUIDE TO LAKE TEXOMA
movie theater, laser zone and bowling alley. The city is also the home to Southeastern Oklahoma State University. SE enhances the rural setting by providing quality higher education, an award-winning Aviation Program, entertaining Savage Storm sporting events and excellent musical and theatre productions like the annual Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival. Lake Texoma is located 15 minutes from Durant.
Lake visitors can go camping, cast a line on the lake or enjoy hunting for whitetail deer, bobwhite quail, mourning dove, ducks and geese. Durant also has a “World’s Largest Peanut” monument, a title it shares with two other monuments in Texas and Ashburn, Georgia. The monument is located on the front lawn of Durant’s city hall. Dedicated in 1973, it includes a time capsule that contains historic
and legal documents, which will be unearthed in the year 2023. Don’t forget to include historic Fort Washita, located 15 miles northwest of Durant, in your agenda to explore its fascinating history. A variety of food and drink options can be found in and around Durant, including Boomerang Diner, Country Junction BBQ and Hot Shots Coffee, to name a few. Whether you are venturing on a visit or establishing a permanent residence, you are invited to discover Durant! — Rhea Bermel is the editor of HD Homes. Email her at rbermel@heralddemocrat.com.
SHOPPING BLISS 132 W. MAIN DURANT, OK 74701 (580)924-4200 BELLA RAGAZZA 201B W. MAIN STREET DURANT, OK 74701 (580)924-2762
MARIE’S 134 WEST MAIN DURANT, OK 74701 (580)924-3205
BLUE RIVER WINERY 3565 SAWMILL RD. CADDO, OK 74729 (580)775-4213
PINK DOOR BOUTIQUE 1207 N. WASHINGTON DURANT, OK 74701 (580)931-3667
FOSTER CREATIVITY 124 N. 2ND AVE. DURANT, OK 74701 (580)745-8208
SOUTHERN DRAWL BOUTIQUE 141 W. MAIN STREET DURANT, OK 74701 (580)745-8222
LAKETEXOMAONLINE.COM | 47
HUNTING Texoma
The Texoma area is teeming with game — get your shot this season. By Lynn Burkhead When people think of the outdoors recreation available around the Lake Texoma region, it’s easy to turn to the great boating and superb fishing opportunities that can be found on the big lake. But truth be told, the fall hunting action around the lake is pretty good in its own right, and in some cases, about as good as it gets.
WHITE-TAILED DEER When it comes to hunting around Texoma, there’s little doubt that deer hunting draws the most attention each fall. While better overall deer numbers can be found in other portions of Oklahoma and Texas, there aren’t very many better places to find a trophy buck. As you might suspect, Hagerman NWR is a well-known spot in deer hunting circles, especially for a bowhunter hoping to take a record book sized whitetail. In fact, the 11,320-acre refuge on the southern shores of Lake Texoma was once described by a wellknown wildlife photographer as one of the country’s best spots to see a Boone and Crockett class trophy buck. With three management deer hunts each fall, hunters hoping to draw a bowhunting permit for Hagerman must pass a bowhunter education course, score 80-percent or better on an archery shooting proficiency test, and have their name drawn in a random computer drawing that takes place every year in the early summer.
WATERFOWL For all of the recognition that Hagerman NWR gets for its big bucks and superb whitetail hunting opportunities, the curious thing is that the refuge was actually created back in 1946 as a place to provide a stop for ducks and geese migrating down the Central Flyway each fall. And the same thing is also true for 48 | 2018 GUIDE TO LAKE TEXOMA
the Tishomingo NWR on the north side of Lake Texoma. At Lake Texoma, superb waterfowl hunting has taken place at times since the reservoir was impounded in the early 1940s. Over the years, puddle ducks like mallards, pintails, green-winged teal, gadwalls, and wigeon flock into the region, cupping their wings and dropping into shallow water zones with aquatic vegetation and mud flats on the big lake. For a hunter possessing a valid hunting license, a Federal duck stamp, HIP certification, and a state duck stamp endorsement, there is plenty of reason to grab the decoys, load up the Labrador retriever, and to go duck hunting on Texoma and surrounding farm ponds from early November through the end of January.
UPLAND BIRDS Don’t glance over the region’s hunting for wild turkeys and doves. With light hunting pressure and pockets of good turkey habitat in the region, it isn’t hard to hear a loud-mouthed gobbler sounding off in April. Turkeys are the biggest upland bird in the area, but the two smallest — the mourning dove and growing numbers of white-winged dove — draw the most interest when the September 1 dove season opener approaches. The early autumn wingshooting can be steady to very good around harvested grain fields, patches of sunflowers and croton and shallow waterholes.
SMALL GAME While squirrels and rabbits don’t generate nearly as much attention as they did in the middle of the 20th century,
there is still ample opportunity for local hunters to chase fox squirrels in the area’s bottomlands and cottontails around overgrown farms and woodlots. What’s more, a solid amount of public hunting opportunity exists for small game hunters hoping to chase the two small game critters — check with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to discover the region’s public hunting land.
WILD HOGS Finally, don’t overlook the great wild hog hunting that can also be found all around Lake Texoma. Since many farmers are eager to see the destructive wild pigs controlled or removed from their properties, many will allow hunters to gain access to their land for a nominal fee. Some public hunting opportunity also exists locally, including a draw hunt at Hagerman NWR. The bottom line here is this: while Lake Texoma is better known for boating and fishing activities on its volumi-
nous waters, the hunting around our great lake is pretty good too. Here are a few rules to consider, courtesy of information put out by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Ducks Unlimited and a few others: • Always point the muzzle of your rifle, shotgun, handgun or muzzleloader in a safe direction. • Always treat a firearm as if it is loaded. • Handle every firearm or bow with the same respect that you would show a loaded gun or a bow nocked with an arrow. • Be sure of your target, including what is in front of it and what is behind it. • When you aren’t 100-percent sure of what’s behind your target, pass up any shot opportunity. • Never shoot a gun at a hard, flat surface or the water’s surface where a ricochet might happen.
• Wear hearing and eye protection while shooting rifles, shotguns, handguns and muzzleloaders. • Never climb a fence, a tree or a ladder with a loaded firearm or with your bow and arrows. • When required by state or local laws and regulations, wear daylight fluorescent orange (hunter safety orange) so that you can be seen from a distance or in heavy cover. • Have a small bag or pack with you that contains basic fire-starting materials and survival gear (high energy food, some water, a compass, a headlamp and/or flashlight, paracord and/or rope, a knife, flares or a signal mirror, a whistle, dry clothes, a space blanket, etc.). • Finally, don’t drink alcohol or take drugs before or while handling firearms and/or bow and arrows. — Lynn Burkhead is a special correspondent and columnist who writes for the Herald Democrat and Lake Texoma Life. Follow him on Twitter @LynnBurkhead.
Lake Texoma offers a large range of wildlife for hunters who want to use their skills with a bow and arrow, or with more sophisticated weaponry. Come visit the Lake Texoma Association office, online at www.laketexomaonline.com, or call us at (580)564-2334 for a free map of the public hunting areas around Lake Texoma. For more hunting information, to include rules and regulations, go online: Oklahoma: www.wildlifedepartment.com | Texas: www.tpwd.texas.gov
LAKETEXOMAONLINE.COM | 49
LAKE TEXOMA ASSOCIATION
B BE CH EA AC H AN KE ETT B NK BLLA B GO BIIN O NG
THURSDAY, AUGUST 2
6:30 P.M. • TANGLEWOOD RESORT 290 TANGLEWOOD BLVD POTTSBORO, TEXAS 75076 LAKE TEXOMA ASSOCIATION 2018 GUIDE MARKETING PARTNERS BLACKBEARD MARINE ...............................BACK BRIDGEVIEW MARINA.......................................7 BUNCOMBE CREEK MARINA ............................47 CATFISH BAY..................................................23 CEDAR MILLS MARINA & RESORT.....................39 CHICKASAW COUNTRY....................................17 CHICKASAW POINTE.......................................23 COLDWELL BANKER.......................................47 DENISON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE..................41 DOUGLASS DISTRIBUTING...............................37 EISENHOWER YACHT CLUB.............................21
50 | 2018 GUIDE TO LAKE TEXOMA
FIRST UNITED BANK.......................................15 GONE FISHIN’ RV RESORT..................................43 GRANDPAPPY POINT RESORT & MARINA..........29 HIGHPORT MARINA.........................................35 HILTON GARDEN INN......................................31 HYDROHOIST MARINE GROUP..........................43 LAKE TEXOMA HIDEAWAY................................43 LAKE TEXOMA LODGE & RESORT.........................19 LITTLE MINERAL RESORT & MARINA..................29 MARSHALL COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE...13 MILL CREEK RESORT & MARINA........................29
NEWBERRY CREEK RESORT................................9 OKLAHOMA STATE PARKS...............................51 PELICAN’S LANDING.......................................39 POTTSBORO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.............25 STRIPER EXPRESS..........................................11 TANGLEWOOD RESORT...................................50 TEXOMA AGENCY REAL ESTATE........................47 TEXOMA DESTINATIONS.....................................5 TEXOMA MEDICAL CENTER...............................49 U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.....................33 WHITESBORO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE............9
LAKETEXOMAONLINE.COM | 51