C&B Statesman

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Vol. 39 • No. 411

Th d O Thursday, October t b 10, 10 2013

50 CENTS

Pow Wow

Celebrating 25 years of Chandler’s fall festival CHAD WILSON

news@c-bstatesman.com

Greased pigs, baby derbies, kiddie Olympics and traditional Native American dances have been a part of the Chandler Pow Wow journey to this year's silver anniversary celebration.

It started with a discussion after dinner one night in 1987 before the first Chandler Cherokee Pow Wow was held

Inside:

Pow Wow archives * Schedule Parade Route * Guide Map in October 1988.

The first Cherokee Pow Wow was an all-day event that featured patriotic opening ceremonies, a Chandler school reunion, best dressed contest for cow-

boys and Indians, traditional Native American dances and a street dance to wrap up a full day of fun.

There have been 25 Pow Wows with a variety of vendors, entertainers and special fund-raising purposes. This year, the 26th Pow Wow, will be a celebration of the 25 events held before – the silver anniversary.

See HISTORY, 9

Four honored as grand marshals PAT KAMBHU Chandler Lions Club

Photo by Pat Kambhu/Chandler Lions Club

Mary Alice Cade, Martha Copeland, Rosie Bussman and Dorothy McHam will be the grand marshals of the 2013 Pow Wow parade sponsored by the Chandler Lions Club.

Prior to October 1988, a group of four local school teachers promoted the idea that Chandler needed an annual fall event to bring the community together in celebration of the end of summer.

Those four ladies are still very active in the Chandler community.

Mary Alice Cade, Rosie Bussman, Martha Copeland and Dorothy McHam led the promotion for a community building, and were determined to provide the funding for its

See HONORED FOUR, 9

Howl-o-ween draws interest

Chili cookoff always a hit

CHAD WILSON news@c-bstatesman.com

The Pow Wow has always had its share of unique events and this year is no exception.

As part of the 25th anniversary celebration of the Chandler fall festival, organizers have launched a Howl-o-ween Pet Costume Contest. It is expected to become an annual event.

“I'm getting a lot of calls from the community excited about adding a new event to the Pow Wow. One lady called and said she was going to dress her pug up as a penguin,” organizer Cherish O'Barr said.

“Who wouldn't want to come and see that?”

Pet owners are encouraged to bring their pet to the Pow Wow in full costume. Registration will be held at the Chandler

Nursing Center booth near the stage area (basketball court) at Winchester Park.

“It's a free event so come bring your puppies dressed up and enjoy those costumes you spend so much money and time on,” O'Barr said. “The top four winners will receive a $25 gift card just for for participating.

It's a great way to get your kids involved here in the Pow Wow festivities.”

Once a registration number is picked up at the CNC booth, participants are encouraged to parade their pet around for people to see.

YOUR COMMUNITY.....

CHAD WILSON news@c-bstatesman.com

Judging will be held from 12-12:30 p.m. on the main stage.

Pets should be kept on a leash or otherwise contained during the event. Pet owners are required to pick-up after their pets to help keep the park clean for everyone.

Questions, or to pre-register a pet, call Cherish O'Barr at 903-724-0518.

CONNECTED

Looking for a little cooking competition to spice up the weekend?

Look no further than the 25th annual Chandler Pow Wow as it hosts a Chili Appreciation Society International, Inc. chili contest.

The contest is open to anyone regardless of their affiliation with CASI. Entry fee is $20 and the first 20 cooks who register will receive a free goody bag.

Full contest rules are available at Chandler City Hall. The first chili cookoff held at the Pow Wow was in 1989.

Chili cookoff prizes include custom trophies, gift cards and a cooksonly raffle.

The CASI entry fee is $20.00.

Chili grind meat only. CASI rules apply.

Awards will be given in CASI, Showmanship and People's Choice.

Gift cards will be awarded for CASI first through 10th place. First place will receive $100 plus a trophy.

Beans are 50/50 and are turned in at 12 p.m. while chili judging will be at 1

See CASI, 9

www.c-bstatesman.com

THE CHANDLER & BROWNSBORO STATESMAN

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013 • PAGE 9

Pow Wow Archives * Schedule

Original article announcing the Pow Wow Originally published Wednesday, July 6, 1988

Plans for an annual celebration in Chandler are progressing well, according to Johnny Godwin, who had the idea to have such an event to promote the city.

The Chandler Cherokee Pow-Wow is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 22. The name was suggested because the Cherokee Indians

were the earliest documented inhabitants of the area, living along the waterways now known as Kickapoo, Battle Creek and the Neches River.

The celebration is being held in memory of these early residents and to commemorate the Chandler community.

An auction planned for July 22 is hoped to raise funds to put plans into ac-

tion.

The festival is scheduled to kick off at 10 a.m. with a parade through downtown Chandler.

Committees have been named, but not yet approved, for possible events for the day.

A decorating committee will outfit the streets of Chandler with proper attire for the day’s events, and a program committee will co-

ordinate all the activities.

An arts and crafts show is also planned with anyone interested in having a booth welcome. A food committee will coordinate food booths.

Another possible committee will be for a reunion and will be responsible for notifying all members of the graduating classes of Chandler School.

A museum may house

How the Pow Wow got its start Written by Harry Adair and published Wednesday, June 1, 1994.

Adair passed away following the 1995 event. The 1996 Pow Wow was dedicated in memory of him due to his work promoting it.

Several stories have been told as to how and why the Pow-Wow was started. I thought it might be of interest to the new people that have moved into this area to have an account and back history of the PowWow. The idea of having some kind of a fun day began with three Chandler couples having a dinner at a Tyler restaurant. They talked about some kind of activity that would be fun for the residents of this area.

The following Monday morning, Johnny Godwin, who was the mayor of Chandler and owner of Tucker’s Store at the time, called me to ask if I could meet with him that morning.

We met at his store to discuss some of the ideas on how to go about getting something started that would benefit the area. We called a meeting of those who were interested. Those present at the first meeting were Dorothy McHam, Rosie Bussman, Mary Alice Womack, Debi Cade, Johnny Godwin and Harry Adair.

Johnny is a talented auctioneer, and we decided to have an auction with items donated by the area residents. In order to help finance this venture, items were collected and the auction held in front of Tucker’s Store. We managed to raise $1,800 at this auction.

My sister, Sandra Weakley, was a public relations representative for the Bell System at this time, and told me about a program that the local Kroger store in Tyler had to promote good customer relationships in a community.

I contacted the Kroger Company, and they agreed to host a dinner for 40 couples, provide the food and entertainment for the evening.

We were to sell tickets to the dinner and the proceeds would be do-

nated to our fund. We were able to raise $1,200 at the dinner, which was held at Chandler Elementary School.

Many meetings were held in the old City Hall before we held our first formal meeting. Attending these meetings were Charles and Velma Cade, Johnny Godwin, Mary Alice Womack, Harry Adair, Dorothy McHam, Rosie Bussman, Joy Clark and Robert Baggett.

Officers elected were Johnny Godwin, president; Harry Adair, vice president; Dorothy McHam, treasurer; Rosie Bussman, secretary.

A name was chosen – Chandler Cherokee Pow-Wow. Mrs. Ross Tompkins had heard of what we were trying to do and thought this would be a good name for the event since the area we live in has a rich Cherokee Indian heritage. We agreed and adopted the name.

It was also placed into the minutes that everything for the event was to be donated, figuring that if everything was donated, all we would do is make money.

We all knew that the city was in need of city offices, a community center and a clothes closet. We discussed how nice it would be if we could some day be able to raise enough money to be able to have these things for the community.

This was early spring. Most of the summer was spent collecting items for the auction which would be one of the events to be held the day of the Pow-Wow, Oct. 12, 1988.

In early fall, we started collecting onions, potatoes and other food items for our food concessions. I asked a local entrepreneur who was in the wholesale meat business if he would sell us briskets wholesale.

He said he would donate the meat and he has done so ever since. He became a very active benefactor to the Pow-Wow. By fall the Pow-Wow idea had really caught on with the help people like Roger Perry and Elaine Reich-

HONORED FOUR purchase. Today that building – the Chandler Community Center - has recently been renovated and is used for many events.

The Chandler City Hall and Community Center building previously led the life of a hardware and video store.

Following its closure in the 1980s, the City of Chandler purchased a portion of it for a city hall.

HISTORY

memorabilia and bulletin boards with local family histories, pictures or other items that everyone may enjoy.

An auction is also planned for festival day, but no time or place has been set.

Because of the nature of the celebration, a costume contest is likely with everyone who comes in costume being welcome to enter.

The evening is scheduled

to conclude with a street dance.

Godwin reminded that these events are tentative and will be voted on this week.Money raised from the event will go toward a civic center for the city.

Anyone wishing to serve on any committee or willing to help with the work is urged to contact Godwin at Tucker’s General Store in Chandler.

2013 Entertainment

ard of the Chandler & Brownsboro Statesman. Word had gotten around and we had several planning meetings at this time which would draw 40 to 70 people. It would be impossible to name all the people and clubs who helped make our first year a success. Everyone did more than their share.

The first year we managed to clear over $12,000. Thanks to the citizens of the area, we have managed to have one successful year after another. The Chandler Area Cherokee Pow-Wow is the most profitable event of its kind in East Texas, and thanks to it and the long-range planning of area residents, we now have an outstanding community center, city offices and a nutrition program.

All of this, of course, did not just happen. A lot of hard work went into holding these events. The PowWow is now on to bigger and better things.

If you have driven out to the new Winchester Park Complex you will see a facility that will be second to none. This will be one of the nicest sports complexes of its kind. This past year, the Pow-Wow donated $35,000 toward the construction and plans to accept their fair share of responsibility to it again this year.

As I have said before, these things that benefited the community don’t just happen. The same amount of planning and hard work each year goes into making a successful PowWow. We need your help and support.

We would like to take this opportunity to invite all churches in the area to become active in supporting the Pow-Wow. We would like all young people who have young families to attend our planning meetings and take part.

We would especially love to have all the new people who have moved into our community; come meet with us and be a part.

We desperately need older people to serve on committees, such as the phone committee and so forth.

10 a.m. parade Includes Brownsboro High drum line, Golden Girls, cheerleaders, twirlers, auxiliaries.

11 a.m. to noon “Chasing Truth” Worship Band from 1stUnited Methodist Church Chandler - stage area.

12-12:30 p.m.

Howl-O-Ween pet costume contest - stage area.

12:30-1:15 p.m.

Travelin’ On Gospel Quartet on stage.

3:30- 4:30 p.m.

Rock Hill Baptist Church on stage.

CASI

• FROM 1

p.m.

Judges for the cookoff include city council members Barbara Reeves, Marshall Crawford and Gene Giger; Chandler Police chief Ron Reeves, Tony Duncan, Chandler Mayor Ann Hall, Henderson County Assistant District Attorney Mark Hall, First United Methodist Pastor Jeff McDonald, Adam Hall, Charles Dixon, Joe Selman, KETK's Bob Brackeen, KLTV's Mark Scirto, Statesman Editor Chad Wilson, Toby Speck and Erica Allen.

Because the roads will be blocked once the parade starts, chili contestants will need to be at Winchester Park before 10 a.m. or after 11 a.m.

All proceeds benefit the Chandler Historical Society and Museum.

The Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI) raises money for charity through the promotion of American red chili.

CASI sanctions over 500 chili cook offs internationally each year as qualifying events for the Terlingua International Chili Championship. This grand spectacle is held the first Saturday of November each year at the society’s grounds in Terlingua, Texas.

CASI is a 501 ( c ) (3) Non Profit Charitable Corporation.

It is governed by a diverse eleven member Board of Directors elected by local affiliate pods internationally.

The Board of Directors oversees the sanctioning of local events that raise well over a million dollars annually for charity and an active scholarship program. It raises funds, conducts, and oversees the Terlingua International Chili Championship.

For more information on the chili cookoff, contact Chandler City Hall at 903-849-6853.

• FROM 1

When the remainder of the building became available, these community-spirited ladies promoted the purchase of the remainder of the building to build a community center.

It was determined that an ongoing funding venue would be required to complete the purchase.

They chose to name the event in honor of the settling of the Cherokee Indians in the Chan-

dler area, and it was determined that a “Pow Wow” would set the tone for bringing the community together.

The first Pow Wow took place in October 1988, with activities and promotions to bring visitors and residents together for a fun day of celebration.

Enough money was raised during the first two years of the Pow Wow that it funded the purchase

of the remainder of the building.

Ingenuity in planning fundraising activities - baby races, cake sales, handicraft auctions, and numerous other fun activities - provided funds for its conversion into the current community center.

Since 1988, the Pow Wow has evolved into a massive annual homecoming affair, with more than 20,000 people attending each year.

Their ideas and actions have endured for a quarter-century, and will continue with this year’s outstanding activities.

The grand marshals of the 2013 parade will be those founding four.

The parade will commence at 10 a.m., with many floats, displays, and local school children participating.

outside the city.

Once the association paid off the civic center their next project was the baseball fields at Winchester Park. The event also helped provide funds for the Chandler Public Library.

In 1995, the event was moved from the downtown area near the intersection of Highway 31 and FM 315 to Winchester Park due to concerns of public safety and parking. Poteet Ranch held a trail ride that year while a bed race, baby derby and a petting zoo were some of the main attractions.

In the mid-to-late 1990s the name of the event was changed as concerns mounted that calling it the Chandler Cherokee Pow Wow would be offensive.

In 1999, the Pow Wow committee voted to merge with the local chamber of commerce and change its focus from an event

that provided funds for one or two community projects to sponsoring an event that provides moneymaking opportunities for all service organizations, churches and individuals.

At that point, the Chandler Lions Club took over the parade responsibilities while the Chandler/ Brownsboro Area Chamber of Commerce handled the rodeo.

Now the Chandler Chamber of Commerce uses the event as its largest fundraiser of the year.

The chamber averages $7,000 each year from the event, money it uses for its activities fund and to promote the city and its businesses.

In the early years of the PowWow events included a Chandler school reunion, live and silent auctions, bake sales, street dances, pie eating contests, Indian dances, livestock shows, lawn mower

races, horseshoe tournaments, greased pig contests, various rodeo events and several sports tournaments including softball and volleyball.

Street dances and other concerts have been a staple of the event. This year's dance has been canceled due to a band pulling out at the last minute.

Brownsboro's Josh Owen performed at the 1992 Pow Wow as a 6-year old fresh off the Star Search talent show.

While the event has changed over its history, the heart of it has stayed the same – a place for the citizens of Chandler to come together and have a good time.

The annual Chandler Pow Wow will be Saturday at Winchester Park. The annual parade begins at 10 a.m. and events continue all day.

• FROM 1

A 25-member organizing committee was formed in 1987 to head up the event planning and decided to honor the oldest documented residents of the area, the Cherokee Indians, by naming the event the Chandler Cherokee Pow-Wow. According to newspaper reports, in December 1989 the Chandler Cherokee Pow-Wow Association borrowed $125,000 from a local bank to purchase an old True Value hardware store on Highway 31 to turn into a civic center.

After the purchase of the store, the association donated the 12,500 square foot building to the city.

While the city had control of the building, the Pow-Wow association worked to pay off the debt in a short amount of time with money raised from its yearly event.

Proceeds from the 1988 PowWow were $25,000 in a time where gas was less than 90 cents and the average price for a new car was $10,000. The first four Pow-Wows combined to net more than $85,000.

It did not take long for the association to pay off the civic center which is now home to city hall and the Chandler Community Center.

The association garnered large amounts of media coverage for its efforts to help Chandler grow while holding true to its small town values.

Thousands of people attended the Pow-Wow each year and the schedule of events varied from year to year. In the beginning, most of the vendors were from local churches and businesses but over time the popularity of the event brought in vendors from

PAGE 8 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

THE CHANDLER & BROWNSBORO STATESMAN

Pow Wow Parade Route * Guide Map

Final preparations made for Pow Wow floats, military equipment, marching and walking units, cars, trucks, motorcycles, four-wheelers, equestrian, clowns, dance groups, music groups and costumed individuals.

“The parade planning committee desperately needs a regular size convertible four passenger car or three sport car convertibles for the parade,” Tom Martin said.

“These vehicles will be used to transport the Pow Wow founders and dignitaries in

the parade. Vehicles owners/ drivers preferred.”

For more information on the parade, contact Lion Tom Martin at 903-849-7154.

With several changes at the park over the past year, parking will be different for the Pow Wow. Emergency vehicles and handicapped parking will be available at the front of the park while general parking will be located off Martin Street and south of the baseball fields on FM 315.

Parking is allowed on FM 315 during the parade but vehicles must be moved once the parade is complete.

Events scheduled Oct. 12 include a Howl-o-ween Pet Costume Contest sponsored by the Chandler Nursing Center and the annual C.A.S.I. chili cook-off. The street dance has been canceled.

Organizers are expecting a record number of vendors at the 25th anniversary celebration as the layout will change

this year.

Several organizations are holding raffles in conjunction with the annual event this year with drawings to be held during the Pow Wow on Oct. 12.

Check out the various booths for all the items up for raffle, including a rifle, all-expense paid trip to Dallas, kayak and more.

Northland Communications is providing free wi-fi access during the Pow Wow at Winchester Park.

Food vendors: CC- Hamburgers (Chandler Chamber) 34- Fried Pickles (Chandler Lions Club) 30- Chili Cookoff 32- Turkey Legs (Class of 2017)

Booth Locations: There are more than 100 booths set up around the park. Several open before the parade while everyone is open by 10:30 a.m.

22- Sorbets, fruit bars 55- Koolaid pickles, drinks 77- Cakes, pies 12-13- Cake Walk (Golden Girls) 21- Kong’s egg rolls 49- Fried pies, tea cakes 24- San Pedro’s Tex-Mex 20- Funnel cakes, sausage on stick 23- Dip sandwich, mac/cheese, etc.

33- Nachos, hot dogs 69-70- Pre-packed baked good

Miscellaneous: 29- First UMC Pumpkins 65- Advocare 26- CDs, DVDs, Books 7-8- Blue Llama jewels, minerals 19- The Boat Center 4- DJ services, crafts 47- Shirts, flip-flops 51- Carnahan Knives 45- Celebrations flowers, gifts 81- Chandler Chiropractic 35- Chandler Historical Soceity 91- Chandler Intermediate PTA

27- Chandler Nursing Center 25- Chandler Police Explorers 73- Chandler VFD 39- Compassionate Hospice 71-72- Creekside Sports 63- ETMC promotions 52- Home decor, flower arrangements 36- Farmer’s Insurance 54- Glitzy Wreaths 37- H&R Block Tax Service 44- Hand bags 61- Crosses, candles 40- Voter Registration

57- Hospice of East Texas 89- Moving company 56- Inspirational Creations 15- It Works! skinny wrap 64- Wholesale toys, clothing 43- Jean Brittain election 38- Junkin’ Gypsies toebags 31- Face painting, temp tatooes 42- Hairbows, holders, crafts 78- Marian’s Metals (jewelry) 82- National Tax Service 46- Paracord/survival bracelets 79-80- PDQ Signs, Banners

87-88- R&D T-shirts 75- Toys 85-86- RHBC Celebrate Recovery 6- R-Unique designs 18,68,59- Toys, purses, kid stuff 48- Scentsy scents, warmers 90- Shaklee nutrition, cleaning 19- Boats for sale 93- Sno Cones 9- Midway games 10- Midway games 11- Midway games 58- 31 Gifts: purses, totes

66-67- Caps, pins, decals 83-84- Water and pens 41- The Witness abstract art 28- Children’s novelties 25- Home restoration 17- Inspirational crosses 14- Golden Girls 50 - Army recruting 76-77 Cakes and pies 60- T-shirts 74- T-shirts, flip flops Diet supplements

Guide Map - Parking Locations

Parking Handicap parking is available at the main entrance to Winchester Park. Limited general parking is located near the baseball fields through the main entrance.

Other general parking locations include the old rodeo area just south of the park entrance on FM 315, grass parking off Pecos Street in the Winchester Subdivison and off Martin Street. Parking is not allowed on FM 315 following the parade.

a.m. on Martin Street near the park before the parade starts at 10 a.m.

The parade will venture north on Martin Street before heading south on 315. It will move through Winchester Park before concluding at the same place entries lined up.

There is no charge to enter the parade and applications may be dropped off at city hall.

Special parking is available for participants.

Past entries have included,

RR = Restrooms

Celebrating the Silver Anniversary of the Chandler Pow Wow will be the theme of this year’s event.

Applications for the parade can be found on the city’s website at Chandlertx.com on the main page. They are also available at city hall.

Planned for Saturday, Oct. 12 at Winchester Park, the Pow Wow will open with a parade down Farm-to- Market Road 315 toward the park.

Line-up begins at 7:30