Harrison Magazine Summer 2023

Feature:

Marvelous Fun Music

Marshall woman finds passion bringing musical education to children through ‘Anna Banana’ character

Backyard Surprises:

street jam

Monday Night Pickers serenade downtown Marshall for fun

Marshall Manor Nursing & Rehab Senior Olympic Team

The Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem opened the 2023 Senior Olympic Games held at Maud Cobb Convention Center on June 6 th . Over 200 participants from Assisted Livings and Skilled Nursing facilities within a 60-mile radius of Longview were dressed in their Olympic attire with big smiles.

Marshall Manor Nursing and Rehab showed their excitement and team spirit in the opening parade as

they marched around the convention center with pom poms chanting and cheering, “Marshall Manor #1!”

The residents participated in wheel chair races, bean bag toss, fastest walker, dice game, volleyball, wheelchair races, dance contest and many more. Jennifer Garza, Rehab Director stated, “We worked hard to be ready and we wanted to represent Marshall Manor well.”

Otis Harris brought his competitive nature to the games and was awarded 3 medals, 1st Place Gold Medal in the dice game, 2nd place Silver medal in the wheelchair

races and a Bronze medal in the Volleyball tournament. Willie Roberson competed and brought home 2 medals, a Gold Medal for 1st place in the wheelchair races and a Bronze medal for 3rd place in the Volleyball tournament.

“We are so excited and proud of these two residents as well as all of our Olympic team”, stated Robert Parker, Activity Director. In his excitement Otis said,

“It was a GREAT day!

Marshall Manor is NUMBER ONE!”

As the summer comes to a close and the new school year is quickly approaching, it is easy to wonder where the time went. The temperature is still triple digits, so there’s no way school should be starting, but here it is. We learn many things during our school years, but Robert Fulghum may be correct by saying ‘All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten.’

Who is going to argue with him that warm cookies and cold milk are good for you? OK, perhaps if you are lactose intolerant, you may take a different view, but metaphorically he is correct, enjoy the sweet things in life. Hopefully you are taking time to enjoy those items at home and around Harrison County that make life enjoyable. Don’t get in such a race to get the kids to and from practice that you don’t enjoy the moments in the car with your children. Don’t get me wrong, those activities are important, and often make up the fabric of our community, but the moments in between the moments can provide some of the sweetest memories, if we allow ourselves to be mentally present for them.

Fulghum also reminds people one of the first words you learned was, look.

Are you aware of what is going around you? Are you genuinely curious about new experiences or opportunities that are presented?

My experience is people want to share what they know or have, if you are genuinely interested and curious in your inquiry. Stop in that local business you have passed 100 times, and poke your head in and see what they are up to. I Perhaps you have passed the Starr Family Home or Memorial City Hall and asked yourself, I wonder what is inside? Stop, go in and be curious. You will find out there are great things happening right here in your backyard.

Before you ever made it to Kindergarten, your mother most likely already taught you an important lesson, that you should always use your manners. Have gratitude for the things that you have and be sure to say thank you. As the students return to the classroom, and teachers and administrators prepare for another year of learning, allow me to be the first to say thank you for preparing the next generation of Harrison County difference makers. Your work is important, and you most definitely have an impact well beyond your time in front of the child.

Publisher

Alexander Gould

agould@mrobertsmedia.com

Editor

Meredith Shamburger

mshamburger@marshallnewsmessenger.com

Advertising Sales

Johnnie Fancher

jfancher@marshallnewsmessenger.com

Amy Strong

astrong@marshallnewsmessenger.com

Marquisia Wright

mwright@marshallnewsmessenger.com

contributing Writers

Jessica Harker

Sadiq King

Nicholas Osborn

Robin Y. Richardson

contributing Photographers

Michael Cavazos

Jessica Harker

Les Hassell

Graphic Designers

Kimberley Bailey & Meredith Shamburger

Alexander Gould agould@mrobertsmedia.com

Anne Leslie Tijerina, known as Anna Banana, is using her love of music and fun for a new children’s ministry.

Photo by Les Hassell

Republic Elite celebrates over 45 years of professional cabinet making in East Texas

story and photos by Jessica Harker

Started by Gene Ponder in 1975, Republic Elite has been a foundation of cabinet production in the United States since that time, housed right here in Marshall.

The company began as a cabinet manufacturer, and has remained that way throughout its history, according to Director of Marketing Allyson Humphries, who said that they began with a focus on manufacturing traditional framed cabinetry.

“We’ve had a long and exciting journey since then; some of the highlights include the expansion of our frameless product line in 1999,” said Chief Executive Officer Geoff Bennett “Then in 2017, we introduced a range of innovative designs into our portfolio; and merged with Elite Multifamily interiors as well.”

Bennett indicated that the business was sold in 2002 and grew exponentially until they merged with Elite Multifamily Interiors in 2017, which allowed the company to expand further and provide customers with high grade countertops along with their cabinetry.

Today, thanks to that merger, the company now offers a wide range of cabinetry in a wide breadth of styles, according to Humphries, including frameless and painted and stained, along with natural stone and quartz countertops, matched with the cabinets.

Republic Elite specifically caters to large scale projects, such as new apartment complexes typically with 100 units or more. Humphries said that the company worked with Disney, providing cabinets and countertops for over 2,000 units for a

new development built by the company.

“The stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas, but most skylines in Houston, Austin and Dallas and the southeastern U.S. showcase our stellar cabinets and countertops,” Humphries said, “We installed over 300 multifamily projects last year, and we expect to continue our impressive trajectory of growth.”

The company has also grown far outside of its origins here in Marshall, where in 2021, the company opened a brand-new manufacturing facility for cabinetry in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The company has the ability to produce around 3,000 high grade cabinets daily.

“Republic Elite’s footprint reaches from coast to coast. We also work with select distributors in key markets in the Midwest and Northeast to expand our reach nationally,” Adam Sumrow, chief business officer, said.

“Our story is really one of strategic growth that leveraged our honed and proven skills to expand outside of our home state. We very intentionally replicated the success that we saw in Texas in new markets, and it’s really paid off for the company.” Sumrow elaborated.

However, the company never forgot their roots right here in Marshall, and still counts the employees they have at the Marshall location as the best they could find.

“Our team in Marshall, Texas features some of the most skilled and dedicated folks in the business. Our Marshall team drives lean manufacturing. Their hard work, dedication and laser-like focus on quality permeates every area of our business,” said Steve Garwood, SVP of operations.

Bennett echoed those sentiments, stating “Our people are what sets us apart. In the long-term, Republic Elite will continue investing in its people, and working towards an established national presence. One of the things that is

very important in the cabinet manufacturing business is having disciplined growth to create market density. Republic Elite has amazing resources at the factory level and throughout the organization. Having an intentional footprint allows us to be more effective, proactive, and profitable as a company.”

Republic Elite workers construct cabinets on the floor of the Marshall plant. The company has been making cabinets since 1975 right here in Marshall.

Chad R. Reed, DDS

Misty M. Fyffe, DDS

Charles A. Parker, DDS

OUSLY RVEMA

FUN MUSIC Marshall

story by Robin Y. Richardson |

photos by Les Hassell

woman finds passion bringing musical education to children through ‘Anna Banana’ character

Music education with a fun twist is the goal of Anne Leslie Tijerina, better known to youngsters as her newly created sing-a-long character “Anna Banana.”

“Anna Banana is traveling the Ark-La-Tex and available to come to children events inside and outside, birthday parties, church venues and community venues where you’re prompting children to be involved — children and families,” said Tijerina, a local singer, songwriter and retired occupational therapist.

“I’m reaching out to them to tap into the old songs and the community sing-along songs that we want,” she said.

Donned in her bright yellow overalls, vintage blue and banana printed shirt, and elaborate yellow headpiece, the Marshall resident engages audiences with fun and interactive childhood favorites, including the feel-good folk song, “You are My Sunshine,” “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” the classic French nursery rhyme “Frère Jacques” and more.

“So we have a good time remembering why songs are special,” said Tijerina. “I try to do little in English, Spanish and even throw that in about ‘Frère Jacques, Dormez vous? Dormez vous?,’ which is French. And we had the French influence here in Texas as well, and Louisiana.”

“So it’s music education and fun,” she said of the goal.

Music has always been a joy to Tijerina as she’s been singing for decades in the Marshall community, often featured as the special guest at patriotic programs, nursing home National Music Week events and more. Her talent has also been spotlighted in various esteemed platforms, including as a 2017 finalist for the John Ritter Tribute Showcase in Carthage and most recently as one of the nearly 200 voices singing in the highly anticipated 50th anniversary commemoration of the musical “Celebrate Life”, performed in June at New York’s Carnegie Hall.

She has also been well known as one-half of a daddy-daughter duo, singing alongside her father, the late Bill Monigold.

“When I came back to Marshall, my dad and I, Mr. Bill Monigold, sang together — the daddy daughter duo — and we had so much fun,” she said. “It was mostly gospel, but it was country family stuff and we liked to sing about fishing, and we liked to sing about family being tied together with ribbons of love, which is the name of one of our songs.”

Anna Banana Inspiration

Her participation with the National Christian Songwriters Association inspired her to start writing fun-loving children’s songs. It gave her the spark she needed to create her character, Anna Banana.

“I started writing some songs with the National Christian Songwriters Association several years ago, and they have been influencing my thoughts about how my songs come out,” shared Tijerina. “They said you’ve just got joy written all over it and you’re popping, so kids would love these songs. And so

I started focusing on children’s songs, and my yellow overalls came out. Anna Banana (was born).”

The shirt decked with bananas just makes things even livelier.

“This shirt has bananas on it and in person, it’s fun,” said Tijerina. “So we just go bananas for singing and reading little children’s books, and that fits my personality very well.”

It’s definitely a change for her as she traditionally sports patriotic colors to sing. She’s excited, however, about her new colorful journey, through Anna Banana, that God is leading her to.

“I’m supposed to be red and blue. God is taking me to a different color zone,” Tijerina said of adding her yellow overalls to her wardrobe.

The name Anna Banana was also the perfect fit as it’s a play on words to her name, Anne.

“Anna Banana, we just have fun with that since my name is Anne,” Tijerina shared. “That summer we were working with Hispanic young people; they just started calling me Anna, and I had the yellow overalls and (they) started calling me Anna Banana.”

“My granddaughter revived that when we were home during COVID, and she told me you look like an Anna Banana,” she grinned.

As Anna Banana, Tijerina also likes to share her self-written faith-based songs.

“I do let them know that I believe in God and He is my source, so it’s faith-based, as well,” she said.

Tijerina enjoys singing the popular hymnals that raised her, as well as the up-beat songs that she’s penned.

“It’s lots of fun; lots of funny,” she said of her Ana Banana children’s program, which she also considers an outreach children’s ministry.

Tijerina launched the new ministry following her retirement as an occupational therapist, a career she enjoyed for more than 30 years.

“After many years of occupational therapy throughout the state of Texas… I have done over 30-something years of occupational therapy. It was wonderful,” said Tijerina. “I came out of Baylor with a pre-biology healthcare (degree) and went to the University of Texas medical branch in Galveston. It was great to see the diversity of the state. I went to Huntsville, Dallas, Texarkana, Marshall, East Texas, Bastrop, Austin and worked for some different companies.”

She also worked in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma for a stint.

“At one time I had four licenses because there were not that many occupational therapists at that time. So, it was a wonderful career to deal with people who were adapting their life due to an injury, a trauma, or neonatal early birth,” said Tijerina.

A Musical Passion

She decided to focus more on her first love of music following her retirement. It’s something that’s always been a part of her since childhood.

“Of course, I had been singing with my dad (Bill Monigold) for many years. My mother sang with us before she became ill, so we had a little trio going,” she shared. “That was when I became a young adult, but my love for music came from First Baptist Church. ‘Jesus Loves Me’ was probably the first song, or even ‘Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam.’”

The songs were taught by people who were sponsors of the Marshall Music Club where Tijerina now serves as president. Most of her mentors were all either piano or voice teachers.

“I did go to Baylor and was participatory in the music programs. I thought I would major as a musician, but I went on into therapy instead,” she said.

Nevertheless, she still worked with children, and spent the last 10 years of her occupational therapy career specializing in pediatric care for children with special needs. As Ana Banana, Tijerina always extends a special invitation to children with special needs as they hold a special place in her heart.

“All of the concerts are open to them,” she said.

Tijerina is hoping to be able to partner with sponsors to help with the presentation of her Anna Banana outreach events. The character is becoming a local household name, so far, filling the calendar with several appearances at Marshall Public Library, Carthage parks, Telegraph Park, festivals and more.

“I’ve done this in church, children’s ministries and outreaches,” said Tijerina, sharing she was scheduled to participate at her church Mobberly Marshall’s Kids Weekend this summer.

“I’ll be working with the smaller kids and wearing the yellow overalls. Sanctimonious silliness is what I call it,” she chuckled.

The Anna Banana children’s program is catered to ages 5 to 10 as they’re most engaged with the interactive sing-a-long songs such as “Hokey Pokey” and “If You’re Happy and You Know it Clap Your Hands.”

“And then educationally, I love to talk about Marshall with the railroad,” said Tijerina. “We’ll do the ‘choo-choo’ (sound), and we’ll blow our horn and we’ll play the banjo — a lot of motion. I have some instruments, depending on what size of the group. The kiddos that participate love it.”

“And I wear silly, funny shirts,” she said.

Along with her Anna Banana shirt, she’s now added a watermelon shirt to her wardrobe as a tribute to the children’s book her husband, George, wrote titled “Seeds.” She wrote a children’s song to complement the book, which she does read and sing as Anna Banana.

The book details the journey of her husband’s childhood from working his first job at age 12 in a South Texas watermelon field, to being introduced to God’s love through traveling tent revival from Arkansas.

“They sang about God’s love and planted the seeds in his heart,” said Tijerina. “He told me about that. I said we need to write that down. Let’s let them know how that happened and also that we want to plant those seeds of God’s love in their lives. And then I came up with a song: ‘Seeds, seeds; oh yes, seeds. Let’s just plant some seeds… tiny little starters growing into mighty trees. God’s gonna grow these seeds.’”

Tijerina was pleased to incorporate the seeds component to help kickoff Marshall Public Library’s seeds promotion this year.

“The kids know about his story because he taught in Marshall for many years. So we’re tying our things together,” said Tijerina. “We’re working together to reach kids.”

“Life in Marshall, we’ve always been civic and we’ve always been community-minded,” she added.

“We’ve always taken our joy to the streets for the kids. So, that’s where I’ll be in my yellow overalls — going bananas,” she chuckled.

Future Plans

Tijerina said she has plans to expand the Anna Banana brand, publishing more children’s books and booking more events in the future.

“This a huge transition from occupational therapy to almost full time trying to sing and reach out to the community and write

more children’s songs,” she said. “I have been in collaboration with the National Christian Songwriters Association working with them almost monthly on writing songs.”

She plans to write a book to complement most of the songs as a means to promote music education.

“The (signature) song that my daddy and I were known for around here was ‘Daddy’s Still Fishing with a Cane Pole.’ I’m using the chorus of that to base a book in the future,” said Tijerina. “It’s also educational because they don’t know what a cane pole is. A cane pole was made out of sugarcane poles way back then. Now they produce them. And that was what they did before rods and reels.”

She said she hopes the book will educate children on the progression of things.

“Obviously, we have a lot of fun things to do but we still have this instrument,” she said, pointing at her mouth she uses to sing.

“We still have these instruments,” she continued as she snapped her fingers and clapped her hands. “You can’t say I can’t sing if I don’t have the background singing, the background in music. You’ve got what you need.”

“So, it’s everything about the joy and the fun of singing as well as in some situations, definitely praising the Lord and having kids understand that lifting their voice also lifts up their spirit,” said Tijerina.

‘This is What Passion Feels Like’

Marshall Education Foundation has major local impact

story by Nicholas Osborn

photos by MIchael Cavazos

What started in 2011 with a small group giving away a few thousand dollars has grown into one of the most prominent foundations in the East Texas community supporting the Marshall school district with tens of thousands of dollars every year.

The Marshall Education Foundation has given away almost $500,000 since their inception, and the group is only just getting started in their mission to make Marshall the premiere place to be for any student, teacher or staff in education. This has led the volunteer-only foundation to impact every corner of education in Marshall by bringing the community together under a single common goal.

“I love Marshall,” said Marshall Education Foundation’s District Liaison Jessica Scott. “The town would not thrive without the school, and I think a lot of people forget that.”

The Marshall Education Foundation provides grants to teachers and districts to help with education for students that goes outside the box. The funds are raised through community support by a 100 percent volunteer team in a wide range of events that are designed to offer sustainable support with maximum impact. One of the most important educational benefits the foundation seeks to provide both students and teachers comes down to one thing – opportunities.

The opportunities given to students by the Marshall Education Foundation can range from trips to new places to allnew classroom materials that all aim to heighten the educational experience. Whether it is giving the students students a chance to go to fun and unique places like the indoor skydiving facility iFLY in Frisco to providing the chance to become a published author while still in school, the foundation seeks to correlate each of the opportunities given with the education process for a more impactful experience.

The team behind the Marshall Education Foundation’s Board of Directors is made up of the current President Christy Godwin, District Liaison Jessica Scott, Treasurer Sarah Palmer and Secretary Kristin Skinner. Together, this team helped to provide more than $75,000 in educational grants to Marshall classrooms in the year 2022.

“I grew up with two teacher parents, so teachers have a special place in my heart. I remember watching them spend their own money so that they could have certain things for their classroom and working on things until 9 p.m. at night so their lessons would be ready for the next day,” said Godwin. “So, being able to fill that need even a little bit really warms my heart a whole lot.”

The Marshall Education Foundation has typically operated within two annual periods of grant application periods, in the fall and in the spring. This allows teachers in the district to apply for a grant with no requirements on the application. The requests are then reviewed by a committee who receives the applications in a blind format and then decides if the request for a grant can be fully funded or partially funded.

Grants from the Marshall Education Foundation can be given to teachers in the district for new experiences that wouldn’t otherwise be available through state funding. In the past, this has included digital globes, sensory learning devices, trips to the zoo, newscast equipment, outdoor garden spaces, escape rooms and even drones. However, the grants are also used for student support in both emotional and physical needs as well. Requests for a care closet to help with hygiene and clothing and a coffee shop set-up to help with interpersonal skills have all contributed to the long-term impact of the foundation.

“I think seeing some requests for grants come through is both equally heartbreaking and rewarding at the same time, to know that our teachers see a need and they don’t just ignore it,” said Scott. “They make a request to try and help fill that gap.”

The Marshall Education Foundation has worked diligently to broaden the definition of academic development for students in the district by allowing a more expansive approach to education, allowing teachers and staff of the district to provide more learning opportunities and support systems for each student.

“We’re hoping that our work is making a lifelong impact,” said Godwin.

“I love Marshall...”

Since 2011, the Marshall Education Foundation has maintained their original purpose and pursuit to aid the education of Marshall ISD children and enrich the lives of the community by delivering incentives and grants to improve the educational environment of Marshall ISD schools.

The foundation’s volunteer members primarily raise funding through community events such as the Back the Mavs T-Shirt fundraiser, the Maverick Honors Banquet – a top 10 percent celebration that honors distinguished alumni – and the renewed Merry Maverick 5K run. While these fundraisers are crucial to the foundation’s mission of aiding education at Marshall ISD, the support from the local community and business sponsorships have resulted in a network of like-minded people all coming together alongside the foundation to make a lasting impact beyond the classroom.

Though the Marshall Education Foundation is not affiliated with the school district directly, the charter of the organization mandates that all funds raised must be used to aid the educational pursuits of children who attend Marshall ISD. The most difficult challenge for the Board of Directors, since the organization’s founding has been trying to fulfill every request they receive.

“It’s sometimes challenging to figure out how we can best utilize the funds. We want to be good custodians and we want to support our teachers and students in the best way,” said Godwin. “It’s hard to just decide, and that to me is our biggest challenge.”

If you are interested in lending your support to the Marshall Education Foundation, you can learn more through the organization’s Facebook page or their official website at www. BackTheMavs.com where you can donate money, become a sponsor or even learn where to volunteer at their next event.

Through the years of support for students and after tens of thousands of dollars given back to the district, the Marshall Education Foundation has become a tight-knit community. Together, they embody the positive impact that only local support systems can bring and highlight why Marshall can be such a special place for so many. The Marshall Education Foundation has ultimately become like a family to those who are involved. Members do more than just benefit their com-

munity, they help each other, and in doing so, foster a future that we can all be more proud of.

“I want Marshall ISD to be the premiere district in East Texas, which makes our town the premier place you want to be,” explained Scott. “That’s something we’re very passionate about and every single person in the Marshall Education Foundation feels the same way.”

“I have always felt this passion to volunteer, to be involved in the community. It always was just something I felt like I had to do,” said Godwin. “But from the very first meeting at the Marshall Education Foundation I was like okay I get it, this is what passion feels like.”

STREET JAM

story by Robin Y. Richardson | photos by Les Hassell

Arare treat of weekday entertainment can be found year-round in downtown Marshall as the “Monday Night Pickers”, a group of stringed-instrument players serenade audiences, beginning at 6 p.m. each Monday.

“I’ve been going to it since about 2008-09, maybe, and it’s been going for a long time,” said Ricky Maxey, who plays the guitar and sings. “It’s Monday night. We generally meet at the Telegraph Park unless it’s raining. If the weather is good, we meet up there and we play from 6 until everyone gets ready to leave.”

With instruments in tow, the group, ranging anywhere from six to 20 players, assemble on the square most Monday nights to play and sing a selection of songs of their choice.

“Mostly it’s acoustic string instruments, but occasionally someone brings a drum or snare drum,” shared Maxey. “We’ve had people bring saxophones or clarinets, but most acoustic instruments like the guitar and mandolin and sometimes the banjo — those kinds of things.”

For more than a decade, the Monday Night Pickers have been a part of the downtown entertainment scene, meeting first in front of the Weisman Center, then around eateries on the square, then returning to North Washington Avenue, to now making a home by Telegraph Park.

Sitting in a circle, participants take turns picking the day’s songs.

“You can play and sing or you can take turns,” Maxey described. “When it’s your turn, you decide,”

“It’s truly a street jam,” he said

The Monday night event was founded by fellow musicians Pap Watson and Grady Lee to give the players a platform to not only come together to share their love and passion for music with each other, but anyone who would like to stop and listen, too. Maxey said the Monday night event has drawn not only local listeners, but travelers, too.

Monday Night Pickers, a come-and-go group of musicians who host an open jam session in downtown Marshall every Monday night, perform.

“A lot of the hotels occasionally send people that are looking for something to do on Monday,” he said.

Many of the regulars hail from Carthage, Longview, Shreveport, Atlanta and other surrounding areas. Tourists come from Lake O’ The Pines, too.

“We draw a good crowd,” said Maxey.

The Monday Night Pickers group invites all to come and enjoy the weekly music and fellowship.

“If people just want to come and sing, we let them do that, too,” said Maxey. “It is a fun fellowship. It’s a good, clean thing for people to do. People are friendly.

“We’ve got relationships that are built out of this circle,” he

continued. “As the years go by we’ve become family.”

To learn more about the group, check out the Marshall Monday Night Pickers Facebook page.

STEMulating the mind

STEM camp hosted by the Marshall

photos by Alexander Gould

LOVE For the

of BBQ

Harrison County joints serve up barbecue in all its iterations

story by Sadiq King | photos by Les Hassell & File Photos

Nothing says summer like the smell of barbecue wafting through the air. From classic pulled pork to mouthwatering brisket, there’s something for everyone. Barbecue is more than just a meal — it’s a tradition that’s been passed down for generations. Slow-smoking meats over wood coals have a rich history in Texas, and its enduring popularity has made it an iconic and beloved part of American cuisine. Harrison County is home to some of the best barbecue spots in Texas, and we’re excited to highlight them in this issue. Get ready to dig in and discover the rich history and mouth watering flavors of barbecue.

The rich history of this style of cooking meats dates back centuries. The origins of it can be traced back to the Caribbean, where indigenous people slow-cooked meat over a fire. The technique eventually made its way to the United States, where it became a popular way to cook meat in the South.

In the 1800s, the act became a staple at community events and celebrations. People would gather around the pit to watch the meat cook and enjoy the company of their friends and family. Barbecue quickly became a symbol of Southern hospitality

and a way to bring people together.

Today, that sweet and savory taste is enjoyed all over the country and has become a cultural phenomenon. There are many different types of barbecue, each with its own unique flavor and cooking technique.

If you’re looking for old-school Southern barbeque, look no further than BBQ Express.

“I cook it like you cook it at the house,” said Herbert White, the owner and founder of BBQ Express. Located at 801 Elmore St. in Marshall, this family-owned restaurant has been serving up mouthwatering barbecue for over 20 years. White starts with a rub and the stripping of membranes before he puts his meat on the pit. Once he gets it to the perfect temperature, he starts cooking the meat.

“Most people don’t tenderize their meat,” White explained. “After tenderizing your meat, whatever drips off your meat you need to put it back on there.” He pointed out how meat sweats and stops sweating while in a pit. “The pores are opening and closing in meat,” said White. “You got to know something about cooking it instead of just throwing something to-

gether. I’ve never thrown anything together around here. I got a lot of love for my cooking. My clients that come here tell me the same thing. That I pay more attention to the process.”

He explained how when the pores of the meat close up it draws the seasoning back into the meat. When juices begin to drip, he advises for you to mop them back on before you put the meat back on the grill.

BBQ Express’s signature dish is brisket which is slowcooked for 16 hours and served on a sandwich plate or chopped. What sets BBQ Express apart from other BBQ spots is the love White adds to his cooking and his courtesy to the customers.

Bodacious Bar-B-Q in Hallsville is the place to go if you’re craving East Texas-style barbecue. Run and solely operated by husband and wife Gabriel and Kasie Ritter, this Hallsville location has been recognized by Texas Monthly for “Top 50 Honorable Mentions” in 2021. Also “2021 Best Bites of the Year” for their sausage boudin, “2018 Best Bites of the Year” for their pork steak, and “2017 Best Bites of the Year” for their brisket. This award-winning restaurant is known for its specialties like its in-house sausage and boudin of different kinds and of course its signature Bodacious BBQ sauce. Their menu features a wide variety of smoked meats, such as tender bris-

ket, juicy ribs and flavorful sausage.

Ritter has been barbecuing for over 30 years.

“I started working for Bodacious in high school and never left,” said Ritter. He and his wife had another location in Longview before ultimately relocating to Hallsville in September 2013.

The authentic flavors and smoky aroma found at this smokehouse will leave you craving more. What sets Bodacious apart from other barbecue spots is their weekly specials and commitment to using only the highest quality brisket. Bodacious Bar-B-Q is dedicated to preserving the traditions of East Texas-style BBQ.

When you head over to 500 E. Travis St. in Marshall, you’ll find a hidden gem that has that good ol’ Texas barbeque. Pic-N-Pay Texas Style Cookin’ is a casual eatery known for its grilled smoked pork chops. They are chopped locally from Caddo Packing.

“We season them with a dry rub and let it set in for at least 48 hours before I smoke them,” said Greg Soransan, the owner of the establishment. His pork chops are usually served on a plate or as a pork chop sandwich with a side of their homemade barbecue sauce. The menu also features other southern classics like hotdogs, barbecue sandwiches, smoked sausages and hotlinks. What makes Pic-N-Pay Texas Style Cookin’ stand out is its friendly service and laid-back atmosphere, making it the perfect spot for a casual meal with friends.

For those who like grilling meat over an open flame from the comfort of their own yard, the key to a great barbecue is starting with the right cut of meat. For pulled pork, choose a pork shoulder or pork butt. These cuts are known for their marbling and fat content, which helps keep the meat tender and juicy during the slow cooking process. Additionally, their rich flavor enhances the smoky taste that comes from grilling over an open flame. For brisket, choose a whole-packer brisket. This cut includes both the point and flat sections, which perfectly balance lean meat and fat. The marbling in the brisket adds flavor and moisture, resulting in a tender and succulent barbecue experience. For ribs, choose baby back or spare ribs. Baby back ribs are smaller and leaner, making them a great option for those who prefer less fat. They are also known for their tenderness and sweet flavor. On the other hand, spare ribs have more meat and fat, which adds richness and juiciness to the final dish. Both types of ribs can be cooked to perfection on the grill, resulting in a deliciously smoky and mouth watering barbecue. It’s important to choose a cut of meat with enough fat to keep the meat moist during the long cooking process.

Having the right equipment is the foundation for creating barbecue that will have your taste buds singing with joy. Texas natives’ go-to will always be a smoker over a grill. A smoker is

Gabriel and Kasie Ritter at Bodacious BBQ .

the best way to cook meat low and slow, but if you don’t have a smoker, you can use a charcoal or gas grill. Just be sure to set it up for indirect cooking by placing the meat on one side of the grill and the coals or burners on the other.

To give your barbecue flavor, you’ll need to season the meat with a dry rub. A good dry rub should include salt, sugar and spices like paprika, chili powder and cumin. Apply the rub generously to the meat and let it sit for at least an hour before cooking.

The key to a great barbecue is cooking the meat low and slow. So once it’s time to cook the meat, cook it at a low temperature (225-250 degrees F) for a long time (six to 12 hours). The goal is to cook the meat until it’s tender and juicy, and falls off the bone.

To give your barbecue a smoky flavor, you’ll need to use wood. Hickory, mesquite and oak are all good choices. Soak the wood chips or chunks in water for at least 30 minutes before using them. Place them on top of the coals or burners to create smoke.

To keep the meat moist during the long cooking process, you’ll need to baste it with a mop sauce. This is a thin, vinegar-based sauce that’s applied to the meat every hour or so. The acid in the sauce helps to break down the meat fibers and keep it moist.

After the meat is done cooking, let it rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing or shredding it. This allows the juices to redistribute and makes the meat tender.

Exploring the barbecue places in Harrison County has been a delicious adventure. From the smoky brisket at BBQ Express to the tangy sauce at Bodacious, each restaurant has its own unique take on this cuisine. Whether you’re a fan of pulled pork, ribs, brisket, or chicken, there’s something for everyone in Harrison County. Be sure to check out these top barbecue spots. You won’t be disappointed!

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Black, white students across Marshall joined in civil rights demonstrations

story by Meredith Shamburger

Marshall’s legacy of civil rights activism is long and storied.

Among the many stories of Black residents and students working to end the racial divide is a special one recalled by two former Bishop College students that highlights how students across the city, both Black and white, joined forces as activists tried to desegregate downtown lunch counters.

In a 1992 article titled “Bishop students recall civil rights protests,” reporter James Osborne discussed how Willie Bruce Mooring Jr. and Carl L. Frazier visited the News Messenger to seek information about the sit-in demonstrations they participated in 31 years earlier. The two men shared their recollections.

Mooring and Frazier were freshmen during the two-week demonstrations led by Bishop and Wiley students at downtown Marshall businesses in 1960. About 100 students staged peaceful demonstrations at lunch counters at the F.W. Woolworth store, the Fry-Hodge drug store and the bus station. The protests were met with hostility from white city leaders, with students’ being jailed, soaked with high-pressure hoses or met with police dogs in the courthouse square.

Mooring, a Dallas native, told Osborne that while Jim Crow laws existed in Dallas, they were not as blunt as the segregation he and other students felt in Marshall.

“Oh sure, there were places in Dallas that treated blacks much the same as blacks were treated in Marshall back then,” Mooring said. “I just didn’t feel the situation struck you in the city as dramatically as it did here, in Marshall.”

So, Mooring recalled, “a number of upper-level student leaders decided to challenge Marshall’s ‘lunch counter closed to blacks’ policy.”

“When I went in and sat down at the lunch counter, the waitress asked if she could help me,” Mooring recalled. “I told her I wanted to buy a sandwich and she told me that Negroes were not served at her establishment.”

More black students filed in, filling all the seats at the lunch counter. Mooring recalled the police showing up and taking the students to jail.

“Every college student in the city was trying to get into the courthouse to join us,” Mooring recalled. “On the way up to the courthouse, the dogs which had been brought in to assist the

police in controlling us – although we were peaceful – strained at their handlers’ leashes, snarling and barking at us.

“It was an emotional time. There were even students from East Tex as Baptist College there, at the courthouse, singing songs as we were being herded into the court house.

“We were singing tradition al songs… evidently the ETBC students heard us singing from inside, because the moment we stopped, the white students continued singing – they were on the same key, the same note, it was just an emotional, moving experience.”

Frazier recalled then-District Attorney Charles Allen getting angry by the students’ actions.

“Oh, he was upset, he started yelling for us to stop singing, and when we stopped, the students outside continued singing,

and he yelled at them outside from inside the courthouse to stop singing, too.”

Allen’s yelling had no effect. Only when Al Campbell, a student leader from Philadelphia, stood up and raised his hands did the singing stop.

“That was when we could hear the rest of the students outside from Bishop and Wiley and ETBC singing,” Mooring recalled.

“The district attorney asked us, ‘what do you want,’ and we all replied, ‘we want you to let all of us go.’

“We told him ‘we want you to try to understand us, and to give us some understanding of the changes we are seeking.’”

The students ordered a halt to their sit-ins after Bishop College President M.K. Curry and Wiley College President T. Winston Cole Sr. asked them to convince the students to end the demonstrations.

Nick Garcia, Roger Garcia, Kris Garcia

MARSHALL, TX

FAMILY I

805 Lindsey Dr. | 903.938.1146

FAMILY II

705 Grove St. | 904.472.7307

PEDIATRICS

618 S. Grove St. | 903.927.6620

PEDIATRICS

J. Charles 620 S. Grove St. | 903.935.9441

BEHAVIORAL

622 S. Grove St. | 903.702.7900