LongviewNOW! Summer 2023 Issue

PLUS

Shop Local Home Décor

East Texas offers boutique selections for discerning shoppers

ArtsView

Children's Theatre

Where creativity takes the stage

Orthopedic care is rising to a new level

No two patients are the same — a good treatment plan should be just as unique.

The new CHRISTUS Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute in Longview is ready to assist with faith-based compassionate care, close to home.

Our team of world-class orthopedic and sports medicine specialists provide diagnosis and treatment for injuries and chronic conditions of bones, joints, and muscles in one centralized location for convenience and ease of care.

• Orthopedics, Sports Medicine, Sameday Joint Replacement, Joint Revisions and Podiatry

• State-of-the-art Rehabilitation Center

• Human Performance Program

• Cutting-edge diagnostic imaging

CHRISTUS Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute — taking orthopedic care a step further.

Schedule an appointment today:

Call 903.294.3553

Making the Connection

When my husband and I moved to Longview in 2005, it was the simple pleasures that made us feel at home. The warmth of the people who live here helped us say goodbye to the community we were once part of and

proud to call home. It is this story we want to share with our readers. It is our hope that you will want to experience the hidden treasurers of Longview and East Texas!!

Our goal with this edition is to connect our lifestyle and introduce you to our community. We will focus on Longview’s rich culture of entrepreneurism and innovation from around the world eateries, to home design, to why businesses are flourishing in Longview. It is important to us that we help you get to know our area. Longview is a great place to live, work and play.

hello to the opportunities that await us. It is the natural warmth of being embraced into the culture of our region that shines brightly when someone asks, where’s Longview?

There is no doubt, it is our fiery spirit that led us to creating LongviewNOW! We are a strong "get things done" community. Status quo is not an acceptable term in our vocabulary. We welcome the opportunity to look towards the future and build a community that makes us

We invite you to also call Longview home!

PRESENTED BY:

KELLY R. HALL CCE, IOM, MSL Editor and President/CEO of the Longview Chamber of Commerce

Meet the People doing Amazing Work in Longview

The LongviewNOW! Podcast will give you the opportunity to meet the people who are already doing amazing work for the people of Longview. Through the Coffee Conversations with Kelly Hall, President and CEO of the Longview Chamber, you’ll hear stories about how things get done in our city, and how you can be involved in its continued growth!

We welcome the opportunity to look towards the future and build a community that makes us proud to call home.

VISIT THE LONGVIEW CHAMBER SITE!

With its location conveniently along the Boorman trail, Fluger’s goal is to serve everyone in the Longview area with their main trifecta of bicycles, rooftop tents, and kayaks. Their store has a large selection for most outdoor needs, with exceptional customer service and they even have an in-house service center for bikes. Whether you need a tricycle for your toddler or need more help with your bike, Fluger’s is here to help. And they have been there for the past two years, April 2023 marks their two-year anniversary in Longview.

“It’s a really cool niche for Longview. Community-wise, we’ve been able to cater to pretty much everyone,” owner Dereck Yagle said.

There are a couple of months left until the food truck park opens, and axe throwing will hopefully open in the fall. The vision is to create a fun and inviting atmosphere where the people and families of Longview and the surrounding area will come hang out for a night or two. There will be the food trucks that will park, live music with a stage, a covered area where there will be a bar, restrooms, and games, and a courtyard with picnic tables and lights, all looking toward Lake Lamond.

From fixing a chain, to a full-service center, Flugers offers plenty of services in-house. They also work on helping the community in a variety of different ways. For example, bikes are continuously donated to the shop, and Dereck and his team generously work to fix them and give them away. They work with Highway 80 Mission and One Love to meet the needs of the community around them.

“Both of my assistants will see somebody coming in, and it’s a blessing just to see them interacting with people,” Yagle said. “They’ll just look at me and know that we have a better bike in the back, and ask if we can give it to them. It seems like we’ve really connected with people in that regard, but mostly because of our service department.”

Another way that Fluger’s is helping the environment is they have a wash station at the rear of their building open to anyone who needs to wash their bikes off after being on a trail. This is convenient for people who live in apartments and don’t have access to a hose, and for people who don’t live in Longview.

While the bike shop is what people driving on HWY 80 see, Flugers aims to be much more than that. When Dereck Yagle bought the property, he envisioned much more than just this shop. In the works is a food truck park, axe throwing, access to Lake Lamond, and an overall place for families and friends to spend time together. Dereck has worked with the Friends of Lake Lamond group to help them both accomplish their vision for the lake and how to foster the Longview community.

“Their vision is about the lake, and my vision is also the lake and trying to create somewhere where people can feed off of it. When food trucks got approved five or six years ago to serve in city limits, I thought they needed a place to go, and then I thought ‘I’d go there’ and then I thought ‘Why not me?’ and so that’s where I fell down into this idea.” Yagle said.

“We want to be family oriented, it’s a huge criteria for doing this,” Yagle said. “We want to have dogs and pets out here. One of the things that drew me to this is that I didn’t want this just to be Yagle's bicycle shop. I really don’t. I didn’t want it to just be my name on there. I wanted it to not mean anything specific. For you, Flugers might mean the food truck lot, for somebody else, it might be where they got their bike repaired. Flugers doesn’t have a title on it. It doesn’t scream bicycle shop, and it doesn’t seem like a food truck yard either. It’ll mean different things to different people.”

Flugers will be the only place in town where the backdrop to your meal is a beautiful lake while you are listening to live music. When you stand on the property, you cannot even tell that Highway 80 is right behind you. It’s an atmosphere that will be unique and new to Longview.

“The lake is such a hidden gem. It’s been sadly neglected. There’s a lot of trash. One of our biggest things and teaming up with the non-profit is going to be awareness getting out there, cleaning it up, and bringing the lake back to what it used to be. It used to be a super social place and we need to get it there again.”

The property had sat vacant for a while before Yagle bought it. The vision of utilizing Lake Lamond was formed as soon as he saw the potential. “I don’t want to be the next person to sit on this kind of scenery, view, and atmosphere.” Yagle said.

“Whether it’s someone just getting into it, has done a couple of years, or a college student wanting to come in and get into it. We have price points for everybody.”

Eastman team members are committed to enhancing the quality of life in a material way Whether they are developing products and solutions for our customers or volunteering in the community, our people are the reason we can continue to innovate and make a positive difference here and around the world

Thank you, colleagues, retirees, neighbors, and area partners for helping make Eastman a great place to work and this community a great place to live

ArtsView: Where Creativity Takes the Stage

Looking for a place for kids to use their creative energy?

ArtsView Children’s Theatre is the place for them.

Located downtown on Tyler St. ArtsView offers camps, programs, and chances to perform for all ages.

The organization has evolved since its opening in 2004, but it’s mission and goals have been the same: to change lives through education, outreach, and the performing arts in Longview and the surrounding areas. Starting at a young age, ArtsView aims to teach about performing arts, foster creativity, and show their students how to expand their skillset in a way that will help them in the future. From ages 2-18, ArtsView wants to help foster community, education, and give children opportunities to shine using their gifts and talents.

There are two sides to ArtsView. The first side is the PATHS side which stands for Performing Arts Theatre School. This aspect of the organization starts working with kids at age two and this is where the education side of the organization comes in. These programs work on creativity and foster it at a young age to prepare them for the future. They do this through camps and classes throughout the year. They have various lengths of programs ranging from a couple of hours a week to 1-2 week intensive camps depending on the time of year and availability.

The other side to the program is their mainstage performances. This is an audition-based program that is responsible for putting on the shows you see advertised. The mainstage programs are a 6 week process full of rehearsals where they will learn choreography, lines, music, etc, along with the opportunity to learn and help with the technical side of the production. Throughout the year, ArtsView puts on around 5 mainstage shows.

Students involved get the unique opportunity to be part of the performing arts, but also have a community of people around them from different schools, areas, and lifestyles. They will also grow in confidence, knowledge, and overall appreciation of the arts. ArtsView works hard to be organized in a way that makes both parents and students comfortable and want to be there.

ArtsView opened in 2004 when a group of community members asked the question if there were enough opportunities for the families of Longview to participate in live theatre. After partnering with other organizations, putting on their first production, and acquiring their non-profit, ArtsView officially became part of the Longview community on Tyler St. Recently, the organization remodeled their building to make it more effective to work in and also to give the exterior a facelift to attract and make it more on brand with what they are doing. One side of the building will have a mural that has bright colors and different homages to the shows that they have done in the past.

This year, ArtsView will host their annual banquet Broadway at the View on September 16, 2023 at The Reserve. Different from years past, this banquet will be in a larger location in order to accommodate more people and provide entertainment for more people. They want this to become an exciting community event that provides entertainment along with opportunities to learn about and support ArtsView. The banquet will also feature a show directed by Sarah Medin to go with the theme “In love.” The goal of the banquet is to showcase the talent within ArtsView and raise money in order to keep the organization up and running.

“My daughter is not a basketball player or a softball player and so she didn't feel like she fit. She didn't feel like she had friends that understood her. But here, and especially with the Youth Council that has impacted her so much, they embraced her. They didn't treat her as somebody younger. They treated her with love and respect, and they said, ‘you know what? Your appreciation of musicals is valid.’ And now she's not afraid to sing anymore. She was a very shy kid. Now, she gets up on that stage and she dances. I can't even recognize my 12-year-old, and I'm happy about that.” Krystle Spates, mom of ArtsView student.

Home Décor:

Heirloom, House to Home

211 N. BOLIVER STREET – MARSHALL, TEXAS

Heirloom House to Home is worth the drive to Downtown Marshall for your home, clothing, and various gift needs. Only open Thursday through Saturday, the shop has thirteen different East Texas-local merchants in their space. From Brightwell selling his tree art to Barron’s selling their gifts, and Heirloom featuring antique furniture and nick knacks, the store changes from week to week because the merchants come and change up their spaces. Heirloom also hosts various events throughout the year that brings the community together. Whether you are looking for something specific for a space in your home, or just curious about what Heirloom offers, stop by, enjoy the beautiful smells from Mustard Seed Co. find some hidden gems for you kitchen from Krystle Childs or pick out the perfect earrings to go with your outfit from Refining Dust. There’s something for everyone.

HEIRLOOMETX.COM

80 Acre Market

12229 FM-1650 – GILMER, TEXAS

Visitors will enjoy navigating their way down a scenic country road to discover the beautiful plantation style home nestled into a corner of East Texas. The expansive 250 acres provides a family-friendly atmosphere in the iconic Piney Woods of East Texas between Longview and Gilmer. The exquisite massive trees surround the former house of Josh and Holly Smallwood delivering beautiful views and scenery from every direction. Today, the magnificent mansion has been transformed into a market that is now open two weekends a month, Friday-Sunday to the public. Yes, visitors need to add the 80 Acre Market to their bucket list! It provides a unique community experience of shopping, dining, and entertainment for all ages.

The 80 Acre Market is filled with unique gifts, apparel, home furnishings, and more. Displays are filled with wares that change every two weeks with each of the market openings. Products are designed and made from the Smallwood’s manufacturing company and from what the staff calls the Bath Barn. The Bath Barn is on the property and has three generations of family recipes for soaps, candles, etc. that are sold in the market.

Barron's

405 WEST LOOP 281 – LONGVIEW, TEXAS

Jim and Julia Barron founded Shop Barron's in 1972. They believe in cultivating community, and believe that the items in their shop helps people do just that. Whether it’s grabbing a gift for a friend from the shop or having a conversation in the café, they want people to connect with each other. The store started as a bookstore and has now molded into a store that has just about everything you would need including, clothing, accessories, home décor, gifts, and more. Stop into Barron's to grab some items to spruce up your home and grab a gift for your friend. Currently, the shop is operated by Jim and Julia’s son and his wife and continues to be family operated. Barron’s is open Tuesday through Sunday 10am - 5pm.

SHOPBARRONS.COM

Heartisans Marketplace

3501 GILMER ROAD – LONGVIEW, TEXAS

Heartisans Marketplace, from just the look of it is a great place to shop for your next gift. However, the organization is so much more, they “help women break the chains of dependency and achieve selfsufficiency.” What started as a church ministry arts and craft program now reaches women in the Longview community, provides them with job training, creates community, and helps women learn essential skills to succeed in life.

The operation is run by over 190 volunteers and a handful of employees. In addition, 80% of the operations costs are covered by the store revenue. The store offers monogramming, embroidery, sewing, and quilting services, along with natural health and beauty products, soups, cookie mix, candles, etc. They also offer anything that needs personalization.

HEARTISANS.ORG

Big Wood Haus and Home

115 EAST TYLER STREET – LONGVIEW, TEXAS

What used to be just a flooring store is now Big Wood Haus & Home. Located in Downtown Longview, the store provides both construction and design services while also providing for all décor and finishing needs. They pride themselves on the quality of work that they do, their customer service, and their unique showroom. Head to their Facebook page to see new products, inspiration for your next project, or events that are coming up.

De sig ned f or per f or mance. Made wi t h pr ide.

Built by S T EMCO.

Some companies buy components from other companies and just put their own label on them. That’s not us. We value the importance of roadway safety too much to rely on the workmanship of anyone but our employees. From our wheel seals, made in Longview, TX to our king pins from Millington, MI, we make the products we sell, and we make them with pride.

Bike Trails

Need something to do outside? Longview has a plethora of options. One of the most appealing aspects of the Longview community is the bike trails available to ride, walk, or run. There are different difficulties, lengths, and options for your next bike ride.

LONGVIEW TRAILS

Cargill Long Park Trail – The Cargill Long Park Trail runs for 3 miles through Longview. The trail follows an old rail bed along a wooded corridor among suburban neighborhoods and parks. You'll also find a pavilion, picnic tables, playground, restrooms (between Hughey Drive and Le Duke Boulevard), drinking fountains, benches and exercise stations.

Parking and Trail Access: Walnut Hills park at 3112 North 4th St. on Hollybrook park behind the gas station on Eastman Rd.

Guthrie Trail – This trail surrounds the ever-expanding Guthrie Park and Rotary Park. In addition to the 1.25 miles, the trail also has a disc golf course and picnic area. It goes between the Cargill Park Trail and The Boorman Trail.

Paul G. Boorman Trail – The Paul G. Boorman Trail, named after a long-serving city employee, is one of the longest walking trails in Longview. It runs nearly 3 miles through the Grace Creek corridor, including Lois Jackson Park, where you'll find a playground and picnic areas.

Parking and Trail Access:

• 121 Summers Dr.

• 2422 H. G. Mosley Pkwy.

• 1505 Princeton Ave.

• 919 W. Marshall Ave.

Mobberly Baptist Church Mountain Bike Trail – The Mobberly Baptist Church trail is located on private church land but open to the public. This 6.5 mile trail is somewhat beginner-friendly with some good flow, but the hills also make it a challenge for experienced riders. The trail consists of one main loop. To make a full loop, you must connect the west and east ends of A loop via the Lake Loop.

Parking and Trail Access – 3297 Tryon Rd., Mobberly Baptist Church

Grace Creek Loop Trails – Comprised of three (3) intermediate sections A, B, and C. Grace Creek A is known as an intermediate trail which is 2 miles, 391 feet long. B Loop is at 2 miles, 2019 feet as is the C Loop at 2 miles, 343 feet.

Maude Cobb Connector Is known for being a great trail for beginners. It is only 1,706 feet long. The Longview Bicycle Club and other volunteers are building and maintaining a trail on public land. The trail is currently open to the public and accessible from the trailhead at The Maude Cobb Convention Center parking lot. The trail, referred to as both Stamper Park and Grace Creek Trails, is primarily an intermediate-level set of single track, though the Maude Cobb connector under TX 31 is beginner-friendly.

Akin Trail – Surrounding a newly improved play structure, this trail allows families the best of both worlds. The .75 mile long trail has a shaded pavilion, drinking fountain and playground.

Julieanna Trail – Surrounding Julieanna Park, Ward Park, and McWhorter Park, this trail is the perfect spot for a quick walk. It’s .75 miles and has a picnic area and playground.

KILGORE TRAILS

Creekside Trail – The first phase of the Kilgore trails system opened in 2018 and the winding path is 2.58 miles long. The trail goes alongside Bighead Creek. Park-goers can find the trailheads at Stone Rd, Houston St., Dudley Rd, and Moccasin Trl. Creekside is considered an easy trail. From this trail, you can branch off and ride the Bighead Creek Mountain Bike trail or visit Dog Bark.

Bighead Creek Trail – This Kilgore biking trail finished construction in 2020 and is constantly upgrading it’s features. To enjoy this area, park at the Dudley Rd. Trailhead and ride under the bridge. This trail is the main loop of what will be Kilgore MTB and is an intermediate trail.

Local Flavor: Jucy's Burger

The Butcher Shop

102 LEHIGH ST, LONGVIEW, TEXAS

Longview staple, the Butcher Shop has great burgers and meals, and also has a full bakery. The shop has a rich history starting in 1983 when the family owned and operated business opened. They still prepare the meals the same way they did back then, just with a larger selection. The bread is baked daily in the morning and the beans and chili are free everyday to enjoy. They offer a popular Thursday night special, and some people might say it’s the best burger in town.

Jucy's Hamburgers

LONGVIEW LOCATIONS: 816

Speaking of history, Jucy’s opened in Longview in 1980 and has since expanded to seven locations around East Texas. Everything that goes into their burgers and fries is prepared that morning to ensure the freshness of the burger. The antique décor and family friendly atmosphere help make Jucy’s experience unique and authentic. Part of Jucy’s appeal is also the convenience of several locations. While they stretch from Marshall to Tyler, Jucy’s has three Longview locations on Gilmer Rd, Marshall Ave, and Eastman Rd.

Pizza King

1100 E. MARSHALL AVE. | 3302 N 4TH ST.

“A smile in every bite” is more than a motto but a lifestyle for this family-owned business. The original owners opened Pizza King in 1965 and worked tirelessly until they earned their fame with the “Best Pizza in East Texas. In 2021 the Springer brothers purchased Pizza King and still use the same secret recipe! Today, there are two locations. The newest location, carry out or take-n-bake, is available is conveniently located near Walmart at the Loop and 4th. The original

Nanny Goat's Cafe

Nanny Goat's Café and Feed Bin

1401 JUDSON ROAD, LONGVIEW, TEXAS

Off of Judson Rd is the unique experience that is Nanny Goats Café and Feed Bin. This store opened in 2012 and offers one-of-a-kind recipes starting at breakfast and goes through lunch. They pride themselves on their customer service, quality ingredients, and community involvement. Nanny Goat’s menu offers soups, salads, sandwiches, and more. In addition to the restaurant portion, there is a market where you can grab to-go meals, wine, snacks, casseroles, and more. While it resembles a gas station on the outside, the inside is where you can find their unique offerings and genuine customer service.

Hot Dog Express

106 E. MARSHALL AVE, LONGVIEW, TEXAS

This family-owned business has served Longview for over 30 years and their goal has remained simple, to provide good food at a reasonable price. The distinct building has a drive thru and covered patio for patrons to enjoy on a nice day. Open six days a week, Hot Dog Express offers just what you would imagine, different styles and variations of hot dogs. The simple menu makes it easy for everyone to find their favorites. They have a wide range of sides that pair well with the hot dogs and they even offer moon pies and mini chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Recently, the shop has gotten a new owner, with that comes a couple of changes to their parking lot and drive-thru.

The A Workout and A Game

The pickleball craze has made its way to East Texas, and Longview has places and programs to accommodate! Nationally, the pickleball community has seen an over 80 percent increase in players over the past couple of years, and Longview has its own Pickleball club. Their goal is to grow the game of Pickleball for all ages by cultivating an environment that is fun, healthy, social, and encourages good sportsmanship. While the club organizes games and play, they also want to foster skill development through mentorship and partner with local organizations to promote the game.

advocate and work toward making Longview a place people want to come play. Because of this and help from the City of Longview, they have raised over $40,000 in the past three years to redo the courts at Guthrie Park. The dues and donations of the club help with projects like those and also the general upkeep of Guthrie Park. Looking towards the future, eventually the club would like to advocate for more public court space at more locations to make it accessible for more people and have enough room to accommodate everyone.

“Now you hear about pickleball more and more every year. If you had asked someone three or four years ago, they wouldn’t know what it was. It’s interesting to see how it’s grown now.” President of the Longview Pickle Club Dustin Eberhart said.

To be part of this club, there is a $25 annual fee that gets you access to the group chat, early registration for tournaments, and discounts throughout the community. In addition to becoming a member, the Longview Pickleball Club also accepts donations to help with things like improving the facilities, attracting more players, and providing more opportunities to play ball.

The club started in 2019 and in the past year has grown to over 200 members. The goal is to teach people how to play the game and create a community that loves the sport. The club offers different classes, and to get more information, their Facebook page is the place to get updates regarding joining and attending different classes. The overwhelming participation and growing numbers caused the group to seek changes on how some of their classes are offered and run.

Guthrie Park is a great and free spot open to the public where pickleball players of all levels will be able to practice, meet other players, and learn more about the game. Pickleball club’s goal is to

“We believe everyone should go out and try it. Then find a buddy or two or link up with somebody. Go give it a whirl because it’s a good workout and it’s fun. Even if you’re inexperienced, you go out there, figure it out, and it doesn’t matter how good you are, it’s just fun.” Dustin Eberhart said.

The Longview Pickleball club hosts two tournaments a year, one in the fall and one in the spring for players to compete and showcase their skills. These tournaments bring in people from all over and it’s entertaining for even the spectators watching their friends. The Club also gives members the opportunity to compete in other tournaments and competitions throughout the year.

“Our club is there to grow the sport obviously, teach new people about it, and create a place for people to get a little workout in, meet people, and have fun,” Eberhart said. “The number one thing that people forget about is that they get a little too serious, and you’re supposed to have fun.”

In addition to playing at Guthrie Park, Longview natives can also play at a couple of other private courts. Longview Tennis Club has pickleball courts that are open to the public if their members have not reserved them. The Stafford Wellness Center has three indoor courts in their facilities, a membership is required.

“We believe everyone should go out and try it."

Longview frozen treat specialists, Wild Honey Creamery.

Photo by Tyler Ellison

Roller Skating

4716 W LOOP 281, LONGVIEW, TEXAS

REO Starplex is a hidden gem in Longview. Located on 4716 W Loop 281, the building hosts a roller-skating rink and arcade on one side and an event center, and a bar and grill on the other. It has the classic aesthetic of a roller rink, with the added element of the other side of the building being used as both a restaurant and event center. One of the features of the property is the REO Pam Isle Bar and Grill which features Karaoke and various other entertainment from Wednesday-Saturday. Throughout the year, there will be several concerts, musicians, theme nights, etc. on the one side of the building. The roller-skating rink in the building has several promotions including birthday parties, different events, special promotional nights and more. The rink is closed on Monday’s but, Tuesday-Thursday there are $5 skate times and Friday-Sunday prices range from $8-10.

Bowling

One way to escape the heat while also providing entertainment and competition is the classic game of bowling. Families of all ages, friends, or strangers can play this game together and have a great time hanging out, seeing who can knock down the most pins, and enjoying the nostalgia of a bowling ally.

Oil Bowl in Longview has 32-lanes and prides itself on catering to families, groups, and friends. They offer both recreational bowling 7 days a week and also opportunities to join their bowling leagues every day except Friday. Bowling is not the only option in this facility.

Thursday-Saturday and Monday nights, the Rustic Axe is open where you can go throw axes or have a competition with the programmed games. Grab the kids or a group of friends and head to Oil Bowl at 1102 Cotton Street for fun, competitive activities for all ages. Check out their Facebook page and website for more information on their different offerings.

Kilgore also has its own bowling alley called Kilgore Bowling Center. This facility is open Tuesday-Sunday with varying operation times. Like Oil Bowl, they offer family entertainment, league bowling, birthday parties, groups, and more. They have 16 lanes and encourage patrons to enjoy their snack bar, game room, and pro shop during their time there. Located at 2004 Henderson Blvd, Kilgore Bowling Center is another great option for this classic activity.

Nip it Golf

414 W. LOOP 281 STE. 8, LONGVIEW, TEXAS

Just off loop 281, you’ll find the perfect place for entertainment for a rainy day, or just to experience playing golf indoors. The vision of Nip It Golf is to “create a destination that satisfy both a passion for golf and fill the entertainment void in East Texas.” This place is great for all skill levels and is perfect for those wanting to experience

playing golf in a unique way. They have 5 golf simulators that you can choose different courses, levels, and games on. While you play, there are food and beverages available for purchase, large TVs displaying sports, and areas for socializing. Nip it Golf offers several options to enjoy their services. There are tee times available to reserve online as well as party packages to rent out a bay or the whole facility. Nip It Golf is open 11-9 Tuesday-Friday with longer hours on Saturday. You can find Nip it Golf at 414 W Loop 281 suite 8, Longview, TX 75605.

Longview World of Wonders

112 E TYLER ST, LONGVIEW, TEXAS

In the middle of Downtown Longview is the World of Wonders handson discovery center where kids can come explore and learn more. Their goal is to give children the opportunity to imagine, create, and explore in a hands-on educational environment. They have several programs year-round that are for different ages and demographics. Longview WOW is a great place to bring children that is educational, encouraging, and entertaining. They are open Thursday-Sunday and have different prices and discounts for admission.

Longview Museum of Fine Arts

215 E. TYLER STREET, LONGVIEW, TEXAS

“We believe the citizens of Longview and East Texas deserve an innovative, beautiful, and culturally significant museum. Lives will be enriched, minds will be enlightened, and Longview will become well-known as a city that fosters beauty, creativity, and the arts,” LMFAs statement. The LMFA is a perfect summer outing that is fun, educational, and unique. With nearly 1,000 works of art, the museum has both culturally and historically relevant pieces. They feature pieces from East Texas as well as across the country. During the summer, they offer Summer art classes from June 5-July 28, 2023. If you’re wanting to just experience the exhibits and works, they are open Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m – 2 p.m. You can see all the wonderful works of art Downtown Longview at 215 E. Tyler St. Children under 12 have free admission and adults pay $5.

Gregg County Historical Museum

214 N. FREDONIA ST., LONGVIEW, TEXAS

Another museum worth visiting is the Gregg County Historical Museum. They have several exhibits that stay throughout the year, along with events that celebrate several East Texas traditions and history. The museum invites visitors of all ages and backgrounds to come and learn about Longview and Gregg County’s rich history. Going along with the museum, in front of the building once a year is Longview’s Dalton Days. This is a historical reenactment of a bank robbery in Longview years ago. Not only is there the reenactment, there is also live music, food, and vendors for the whole family to enjoy. The building itself is full of history, the museum opened in 1984, but it was originally a Citizen’s National Bank in 1910. It is one of Gregg County’s oldest buildings located at 214 N. Fredonia St. Longview TX.

Longview Public Library

222 W. COTTON ST. | 801 S. MLK JR. BLVD.

The Longview Public Library is a great spot to spend a few hours that is both fun and educational. In addition to the traditional library offerings, there are several events and programs put on in the summer. The Summer Reading Club was put in place in order to keep students’ reading skills sharp throughout the summer break. They have entertaining activities that keep students engaged and educated including reading challenges and daily events. There are goals and prizes throughout the summer for children! To kick off the summer program, the Library will host a party with lots of activities, games, and fun! Stay updated with the Library’s Facebook page to see all their events and offerings this summer and also throughout the year! The two branches of the library are located at 222 W. Cotton St. and 801 S. MLK Jr. Blvd. in Longview.

Books and Barrels

206 N. CENTER ST., LONGVIEW, TEXAS

Another reading option for this Summer is visiting Books and Barrels Downtown Longview on Center St. Not only do they have books for all ages, reading levels, and interests, they also have an in-house beer and wine bar to enjoy while you shop or sit and read a book. Throughout the month, Books and Barrels has several events lined up to keep customers entertained and coming back. For example, there are a couple of children’s story times, an arts and crafts night, poetry night, and even once a month there is an open mic night. Their social media is constantly updated with more specials, events, and updates so make sure you check it out before you go relax at the store!

Ice Cream & Frozen Treats

Wild Honey Creamery

108 E TYLER ST & 405 W LOOP 281

What started as two moms selling ice cream that source the best ingredients from East Texas from a pushcart is now a two-location ice cream shop. Wild Honey Creamery has a location in Downtown Longview at 208 E Tyler St. along with another on Loop 281. Their creamy ice cream has all of your favorite classic flavors along with unique seasonal offerings. One of the most unique features about Wild Honey is their ability to create flavors with East Texas ingredients. For example, one of their staple flavors is the Silver Grizzly Iced Latte which has coffee from their downtown neighbor. Along with their stores, Wild Honey also offers catering services and take-home packages for their customers convenience. To keep up with their special events and promotions, take a look at their Facebook or Instagram pages.

Shivers Natural Snow

5651 US-259, LONGVIEW, TEXAS

You might recognize Shivers by their silver food truck along 259. They strive to create a family-friendly atmosphere where you can go to relax and enjoy shaved ice that is handcrafted with fresh fruit and natural ingredients. They play old music to encourage people to hang out and get away from the business of life. Shivers offers seasonal menus. The Summer Snow is available from MarchAugust, Fall Snow which features flavors like The Great Pumpkin, peppermint, etc. is served from September-October, and during the Holiday season Shivers switches it up a bit. In the colder months (November-January) they have Holiday drinks like Frozen hot chocolate, The Yule, Sally’s Sister, etc. The shop is open MondaySaturday 2-9 p.m. and updates are pushed through their Instagram @shiversnatural snow. Hang out and enjoy shaved ice at 5651 US259, Longview, TX.

Diddy’s Frozen Yogurt Shoppe

305 W LOOP 281 #108, LONGVIEW, TEXAS

Conveniently located in the corner of Papacita’s village surrounded by shopping and dining options. Diddy’s Frozen Yogurt is in the perfect location to stop by after a night on the town. This froyo shop offers a wide variety of flavors and fresh toppings. The vibrant colors and decorations create a fun environment for both kids and adults. With outdoor and indoor seating, this destination is perfect for any weather or occasion. Their Facebook provides both inspiration for your next cup of frozen yogurt and also keeps customers updated on specials and promotions going on seasonally. Stop by Diddy’s Frozen Yogurt Shoppe for a unique and personalized dessert.

DIDDY'S FROZEN YOGURT

A Place to spend time with family, explore the outdoors, and experience a unique aspect of the Longview community

The history of the lake started in 1910 when it was constructed on farmland. The original property had several buildings with a boat dock, pavilion, etc. Some of these pieces of history remain standing, but the property is not what it once was. Recently, it has been neglected and trashed. This is where the Friends of Lake Lomond came in. The Friends of Lake Lomond began because of their day-to-day jobs in real estate investments. They saw that different parts of this land were for sale and took the opportunity to buy the whole property and then began the vision for the lake. One of the stipulations from the previous owner was that she would donate the lake.

The vision of this project is to create a space where the people of Longview can go spend time with family, explore the outdoors, and experience a unique aspect of the Longview community. As part of the project, the lake will be surrounded by businesses such as an outdoor shop, food truck park, restaurants, etc. There will be walking and biking trails around the lake and they will connect to existing Longview bike trails. The goal is to use the lake as a draw and create a space for community surrounding it.

Currently, Friends of Lake Lomond is working on getting funding to start construction on the boardwalks that connect the wetlands and floodplains to dry ground around the property. The next step in this process is to raise money to support the project. There will be several naming opportunities throughout the park, for example, the boat launch dock, different banks, bridges, etc. The Friends of Lake Lomond have a fourth of a million pledged from the internal investment group and are looking for others to join them.

“The lake area showcases an aspect of nature that can become an additional leg of the main city walkways. This will also be surrounded by uses that we plan to turn toward the lake so that three or four

years from now, a family could get on their bikes at the Loop and Bill Owens, and they could ride their bikes down to here,” President of Friends Lake Lomond Hudson Johnson said. “families can come to have a hot dog, or beer, whatever we have down here, check out the shops, or whatever tenants we get. We want this to be a fun little spot to come fishing, kayaking, walking, and more. It’s not even a mile from Lear Park which hosts soccer matches and baseball games, so it’s convenient for families to stop by in between games or after.”

Currently, Evergreen Food Factory is one of their tenants surrounding Lake Lomond. They are a Korean fusion restaurant with unique and flavorful offerings different from any place in Longview. Flugers is another tenant. This is a retail bicycle shop that also offers outdoor equipment for other adventures. Looking forward, the owner of Flugers is also working on a food truck park on his property. He bought into the vision early on and is doing everything he can to provide spaces for visitors to enjoy their time.

“For the people that are relocating, it’s a huge step in the right direction. It’s a good model for not only our city but others to show that we have these natural resources, so open them up to the public and let people have access to them. I think that you’ll see if you invest in something like this, it will come back to help the city enormously. People love having access to these kinds of things. I personally cannot wait until we have a trail that connects all the way around the city.” Johnson said.

Several groups have come out to volunteer on the property to help pick up trash and clean the area. The first group picked up three 30-yard dumpsters. There are several teams that have donated their time to help beautify the lake.

“We’re putting a lot of our effort, heart and soul, time, and money into this project. The plan is to have a lease type fund for all of the properties that will go back into the work so that a portion of our profits go back to the lake and park. We’re really excited to see this turn into something that citizens have access to.” Johnson said.

“We are devoted to partnering with the community to conserve, promote, and enhance Echols Park at Lake Lomond through volunteerism, advocacy, innovative programming, and financial support in order to provide public green space and ensure access for current and future generations.”

Friendsoflakelomond.com

LONGVIEW Education

Longview ISD

8,621 PK, K-12 Total Enrollment

High School Total Enrollment: 2,141

AP® Participation Rate: 53%

15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

98% Graduation Rate

Minority Enrollment: 79%

Economically Disadvantaged: 56%

1 of 3 High Schools In Longview

Advanced Placement®

Coursework and Exams

Pine Tree ISD

4,500 PK, K-12 Total Enrollment

High School Total Enrollment: 1,266

AP® Participation Rate: 30%

14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

98% Graduation Rate

Minority Enrollment: 63%

Economically Disadvantaged: 51%

Oak Forest Montessori School

8 Wks - K

This school ls modeled after what Dr. Maria Montessori called "the prepared environment," an environment which possesses order and logic.

Accredited by Cognia

Spring Hill ISD

2,019 PK, K-12 Total Enrollment High School Total Enrollment: 525

AP® Participation Rate: 42%

14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

98.2% Graduation Rate

Proficient in Reading and Math: 54%

Minority Enrollment: 30%

Economically Disadvantaged: 28%

Advanced Placement®

Coursework and Exams

The Only High school in Spring Hill ISD

St. Mary's Catholic School

PK, 3-12

Fully accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops Education Department, Southern Association of Colleges, and Cognia

UT Tyler University Academy

100% Graduation Rate

Attend a 4-Year College After Graduation: 80%

Accredited by TEA (Texas Education Agency) / We are a University Public Charter School

Christian Heritage Classical School

259 PK, K-12 Total Enrollment

6:1 Student-Teach Ratio

100% Graduation Rate

Attend a 4-Year College after Graduation: 87%

Offers Athletics and Fine Arts

Accredited by Cognia

Longview Christian School

349 K-12 Enrollment

10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

100% Graduation Rate

Attend 4-Year College After Graduation: 85%

Offers Athletics and Fine Arts

Accredited by ACSI - Association of Christian Schools International

Trinity School of Texas

293 PK-12 Total Enrollment

9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

100% Graduation Rate

Attend a 4-Year College after Graduation: 87%

Accredited by Cognia, Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools

LONGVIEW Community DATA

81,631

80,455

POPULATION PERCENT CHANGE APRIL 1, 2010

1.46%

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE OR HIGHER, PERCENT OF PERSONS AGE 25+ (2015-2019)

BACHELOR'S DEGREE OR HIGHER, PERCENT OF PERSONS AGE 25 YEARS+ (2015-2019)

84% 21.4%

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME (IN 2019 DOLLARS) (2015-2019)

PERSONS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE

PERSONS 65 YEARS AND OVER FEMALE PERSONS

WHITE ALONE BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN ALONE OWNER-OCCUPIED

30,053 54.3% $139,600 $1,253 $473 $840

LONGVIEW Healthcare

Longview’s medical corridor is a major part of the local economy and is often a reason people choose to relocate to the city. If you work in the healthcare field, need a specific type of treatment or are simply assured by the thought of having state of the art facilities and personnel at your service, you appreciate this aspect of Longview. The city’s medical facilities provide some of the most advanced healthcare services east of I-35. Two fully equipped and modern hospitals, CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Medical Center and Longview Regional Medical Center, offer care from a staff of doctors and healthcare specialists who have received national attention for their medical achievements.

There are also dozens of medical clinics with a variety of specialties. Hundreds of physicians offer quality care in every major medical specialty. A complete range of medical services, surgical services, and emergency care are available in the heart of the city.

Longview Regional Medical Center was awarded the America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Vascular Surgery Award™ (2020, 2019, 2018).

LRMC is a 230-bed facility, with 180 physicians and healthcare professionals. They are known for being quality-driven, and nationally recognized for chest pain and stroke care. LRMC is dedicated to great patient service, with multi-specialty clinical expertise.

CHRISTUS Good

Shepherd Medical Center (CGSMC)

is proud to announce that it is among the first health care organizations in the country to earn ClearHealth Quality Institute™ (CHQI) accreditation for telemedicine. CGSMC in Longview is a notfor-profit, full service, acute care, 425-bed regional referral center. As one of the region’s top Level III Trauma Centers and home to the region’s first Level III NICU, it serves a vital role in the health of all the residents it serves. CGSMC Longview is also:

ຸ A Certified Primary Stroke Center with 24-hour neurosurgery coverage

ຸ Longview’s only Center for Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery

ຸ A Breast Center of Excellence

ຸ An Accredited Chest Pain Center with 24/7 Cardiac Cath Lab availability

Center CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Medical Center

Good Shepherd Emergency Center NorthPark