ETX VIEW
YOUR VIEW OF EAST TEXAS
SKY-HIGH THRILL
FARM-TO-FORK CONCEPT
THRIVING CITY PARK SYSTEMS
OUTDOORS & RECREATION
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THE GREAT OUTDOORS OF EAST TEXAS
While on location for one of the stories inside of this issue, a local Realtor featured in the story said something that really stood out to me.
“I’ve had clients move to East Texas from out of state who specifically chose East Texas because of the outdoors and scenery,” said Macy Ruark, a Realtor with Dwell Realty and ETX View’s 2023 40 Under Forty Real Estate award winner.
And aren’t we so lucky to live here and enjoy that beauty every day?
The great outdoors of East Texas and all that comes with it is highlighted in our May/June 2024 Outdoors & Recreation issue of ETX View Magazine.
Starting on Page 8, you’ll read all about how Tyler and Longview are enriching lives through parks and recreation. Both cities have made immense strides in improving the parks and trails throughout their respective cities over the years, with more improvements to come. Having quality amenities such as these in our neighborhoods is such a luxury, and our city’s ongoing investment into them is admirable. As you enjoy the season, make sure to check out the parks and trails in our cities. Maybe it’s one you frequent, or maybe it’s one you’ve never been to before. Trust me, it’s worth the adventure.
Speaking of adventure, we have a bucket list item for you. New York, Texas Zipline Adventures, starting on Page 20, is a gem destination right here in our own backyard. You will not believe the views at this place, and the thrill is like no other!
Turn to Page 28 to see the prettiest breakfast sandwich ever. And it’s not just pretty, it’s healthy and tasty! Hood Family Farms is bringing farm fresh food to the streets of East Texas – an endeavor grabbing the attention of local foodies. Read about all the goodness this Bullard family is bringing to our community, one aesthetically-pleasing food truck meal at a time.
On Page 40, you’ll read about home fashion and real estate in East Texas, while being inspired by all the summery vibes. Be sure to read the special ‘thank you’ on Page 49 to see our appreciation for all the folks who helped this spread come together so beautifully.
Starting on Page 54, we give you a glimpse into our region’s comedy scene – which is on the up and up. Then keep flipping through to Page 64, where we introduce you to the coolest golf simulator ever. It can go anywhere you want it to!
Be sure to check out the calendar of events starting on Page 76, as it’s shaping up to be an amazing summer. Tyler Cattle Baron’s Ball, Great Texas Balloon Race, Juneteenth festivities, and so much more! This really is the best place to live.
Thanks for reading and supporting ETX View. For story ideas, email info@etxview.com. We’d love to hear from you!
PRESIDENT
Stephen McHaney
PUBLISHER
Justin Wilcox
SALES MANAGER
Tracy Stopani
ETX VIEW EDITOR
Santana Wood
PUBLICATION DESIGNER
Haley Holcomb-Capps
WRITERS
Katecey Harrell
Jennifer Scott
Symone Sheppard
Santana Wood
Raquel Villatoro
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Les Hassell
ADVERTISING SALES
Alyson Durst
Donna Valentine
Kerri Esposito
Kurt Kitchings
Paula White
Sonorah Duty
Stuart James
Zoie Perry
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY New York, Texas Zipline Adventures
COVER DESIGN BY Haley Holcomb-Capps
© 2024, M. ROBERTS MEDIA
100 E. Ferguson, Suite 501, Tyler, TX 75702
May/June 2024 | etxview.com 4
EDITOR’S LETTER Santana Wood
ETX VIEW MAGAZINE
SANTANA WOOD santana@mrobertsmedia.com
5 etxview.com | May/June 2024 24-685054 Are muscle strains, joint injuries or chronic pain holding you back? Experience what our comprehensive patient-centered approach means firsthand. From diagnosis to treatment, at CHRISTUS Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute we’ll get you on the road to recovery, all in one convenient location close to home. Call 903.323.6500 to schedule an appointment today. We’ll get you on the road to recovery SCAN HERE TO LEARN MORE
May/June 2024 | etxview.com 6 54 Comedy Scene Local clubs grow in popularity 65 Golf Anywhere Mobile simulator brings fun to ETX 8 20 28 CONTENTS 54 8 Enriching Lives Cities revamp parks, trails 20 ‘Sky-High Thrill’ Add this zipline park to bucket list 28 Farm to Fork New food truck hits streets 40 Sweet Summertime Home fashion at backyard oasis 52 I Am Tyler USA Today ranks city No. 1 in Texas 70 ETX View Elite Local businesses share offerings 76 Calendar of Events Things to do this May, June
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ENRICHING LIVES THROUGH PARKS & REC
Through extensive master plans, Tyler and Longview have brought new energy to cities’ parks and trails
STORY BY KATECEY HARRELL PHOTOGRAPHY BY LES HASSELL
City parks and recreational areas offer opportunities for creating cherished memories for individuals and families alike.
"Twenty years from now, these kids that are having a picnic with their parents, can remember," said Leanne Robinette, Tyler director of parks and recreation. "This is why we do what we do. We are making a difference in these people's lives, even if it's just a memory."
In East Texas, Tyler and Longview have substantially invested in bolstering their park systems to accommodate their growing populations.
Tyler boasts 28 parks, two green spaces and 14 walking and biking trails, while Longview's park system encompasses 41 recreation sites, including neighborhood parks, community parks, recreation centers, linear parks, a regional park and special-use parks.
These expansive offerings ensure abundant opportunities for outdoor leisure and communal involvement throughout the summer.
IMPROVEMENTS
"Parks are important to a community in so many different ways," Robinette said. "They play a crucial role in revitalizing our surroundings. They create inviting spaces. They foster a sense of pride."
John Albertson, Longview's director of parks and recreation, was motivated to assume his role because of the profound community
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LILY LAMMERT, 2, plays in the spray of the fountain at Rotary Park Tuesday, May 25, 2021. (Les Hassell/News-Journal Photo)
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dedication to the park system and its desire for expansion.
Longview has been steadfastly investing in its park system since 2000, culminating in finalizing its 2015 Master Plan this year.
"Seeing the city's commitment to its master plan and following through with it to meet those needs, it's really exciting to see that come to an end," Albertson said.
In 2018, voters approved $24.71 million in park improvements, including Lear Park, Cargill Long Trail, Broughton Recreation Center and others.
Broughton Recreation Center renovations included work on the entry, the construction of an additional gymnasium, extra parking, and updates to current facilities. Broughton's park has extended trials, improved basketball courts and a plaza for outdoor events.
Spring Hill, McWhorter and Rollins parks are the second set of parks identified for improvements as part of the bond initiative, according to an article in the Longview News Journal.
The city has fulfilled its mission and continues with a revised master plan. Longview City Council recently
JUDE HARRIS, 12, participates in the Longview Memorial disc golf tournament, on Saturday May 14, 2022, at Hinsley Park. (Michael Cavazos/News-Journal Photo)
greenlit the updated Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan on March 28, underscoring its ongoing commitment to enhancing green space offerings.
Following creative funding initiatives, partnerships and grants, Tyler follows suit.
"Historically, parks have just been underfunded for a very long time," Robinette said. "People are so invested in what we're doing, and they see the difference that we're making and they see the effort that the City of Tyler is making to make our parks a priority."
In February 2019, Tyler initiated the development of a Parks and Open Space Master Plan.
The plan guides decisions, assists in implementation, recommends projects, and offers recommendations through 2030 and 2050. The aim is to create a balanced park and open space system that meets citizens' recreational needs and enhances the community's unique character.
Several parks have received renovations from a Community Block Development Grant, including P.T. Cole, Emmett J. Scott and Noble E. Young Park. Other parks that were improved include Gassaway Park and Hillside Park.
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One received a splash pad addition, while another underwent skate park improvements. Additionally, most underwent complete revamping, resulting in refreshed appearances.
Summer programs at P.T. Cole and Emmett J. Scott Park provide children with breakfast, lunch, and activities, ensuring they have engaging options while their parents work rather than staying home all day.
"Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1:30, any child can just walk up to the park, and we will serve them," Robinette said.
Lindsey Park is receiving a facelift through a grant won by Keep Tyler Beautiful through Keep Texas Beautiful. W.E. Winters Park is currently in the design phase of upgrading playground equipment and enhancing trail pathways. The project was set to go out for bid in mid-April.
Thanks to grant funding, Robinette acknowledged that although the city is ahead of schedule on renovations outlined in the master plan, there are still years of work ahead to achieve the goal of enhancing every city park.
"It's a good time to be in parks and recreation," Robinette said. "With that being said, I can also say, on the other hand, there's a lot that still needs to be done."
PARKS
Getting outside and utilizing these amenities is good for one’s health.
"It's good not only for physical health but mental health as well, and it creates a sense of community engagement," Robinette said. "You meet new friends, and you have a lot of diverse people who use these parks who may not come into contact with each other."
When prompted to highlight notable parks in her mind, Robinette reflected on several standout locations:
KALYNN TAYLOR, 4, of Tyler, plays with the water at the Splasher splash pad at Bergfeld Park in Tyler on Wednesday Oct. 3, 2018.
Bergfeld Park earns distinction due to its significant utilization by residents, organizations and visitors. It serves as a centrally located event space within the picturesque Azalea ROSE RUDMAN RECREATIONAL TRAIL.
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District. This neighborhood park offers amenities such as tennis courts with pickleball striping, an amphitheater and "Splasher," the Dolphin Fountain splash pad. Lindsey, Faulkner, and Golden Road Park emerge as favored athletic hubs. They feature soccer, baseball and softball fields alongside disc golf courses.
The recently revamped Pollard Park shines with its eight dedicated pickleball courts, while Fun Forest Park stands out as the city's sole public pool venue. Noble E. Young Park showcases scenic natural elements and is home to East Texas' premier bike park.
Robinette has a special fondness for Southside Park, not only due to her direct involvement in its renovation but also because it is the sole all-accessible park in East
Texas. The park features wheelchair ramps, soft and smooth surface turf, accessible swings, and a wheelchair rocker, ensuring inclusivity for all visitors.
"If you have a child that has a disability in any way, they can still play alongside their siblings or their friends and not be excluded, including children in wheelchairs and so that park is extremely special," Robinette said.
Albertson highlighted Longview's trail system as a highly utilized and distinctive feature for a city of its size. He mentioned that the Boorman Trail spans from Stragent Dog Park to Guthrie Park and Cargill Long Park, with future developments aiming to connect it to Teague Park.
"All three join to make one long trail," Albertson said.
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A DOG PLAYS in the creek at the Rose Rudman Recreational Trail.
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MEREDITH STABLER, of Houston, helps her son Wyatt, 6, get his kite ready at the City of Longview’s inaugural Kite Festival at Lear Park.
HUGO FLORES helps his daughter Emma, 3, learn how to ride her new bike, on Thursday December 26, 2019, on the Paul G. Boorman Trail.
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"Which is one that I think everybody in the community loves and sees quite a lot of benefit from."
Lear Park is one of the largest regional parks, attracting sports tourism with a state-of-the-art activity complex housing softball, baseball and soccer fields, walking trails, an open area, a fishing pier, KidsView playground and Jack Mann Splash Pad.
Teague Park, acquired in 1973, is a community park undergoing revitalization efforts to boost activity.
Spanning 30 acres, it offers amenities like picnic areas, pavilions, trails, an amphitheater and a Veteran's Memorial Plaza.
"It's a historic park and a good community park that we can do some work to, to bring it back to its glory," Albertson said.
The pandemic-driven surge in park usage underscored their vital role in providing outdoor recreation. People who had never utilized parks before began frequenting them, discovering their appeal and developing a newfound appreciation for outdoor spaces Parks enhance citizens' quality of life, contributing to their happiness and satisfaction with living in the area. The community's love for parks is evident in their frequent use, and parks and recreation departments take pride in offering safe, high-quality outdoor spaces to meet their needs and enhance enjoyment.
"We saw this huge influx of usage. It has never really gone away since that time," Robinette said. "That is also pushing us to make sure that our park system is meeting our citizens' standards and expectations because they deserve it."
May/June 2024 | etxview.com 16
LONGVIEW PARKS
Akin Park
Bennie Jackson Park
Birdie Park
Broughton Park
Cargill Long Park
Flewellen Park
Grace Creek Mountain Bike Trail
Guthrie Park
Heritage Plaza
Hinsley Park
Ingram Park
Julieanna Park
KidsView Playground at Lear Park
Leaders' Core Park
Lear Park
Lois Jackson Park
Longview High School Tennis Courts
Magrill Plaza
McWhorter Park
Panther Park
Patterson Park
Paul G. Boorman Trail
Pinewood Park
Rollins Park
Rotary / AMBUCS Park
South Ward Community Park
Spring Creek Park
Spring Hill Park / Neal McCoy / AMBUCS Too
Universally Accessible Playground
Stamper Park and Stamper Park Resource
Center
Stragent Dog Park
Teague Park
The Green
Timpson Park
Ward Park
Willow Park
Womack Field
Akin Trail
Boorman Trail
Cargill Long Trail
Guthrie Trail
Julieanna Trail
TYLER PARKS
Tyler Area Dog Parks
Bergfeld Park
Children's Park
City Park
Crescent Park
Douglas Park
Emmett J. Scott Park
Faulkner Park
Fun Forest Park
Gassaway Park
Golden Road Park
Herndon Hills Park
Hillside Park
Lindsey Park
Noble E. Young Park
Northside Park
Oak Grove Park
P.T. Cole Park
Pollard Park
Southside Park
T.R. Griffith
Tyler Rose Garden
W.E. Winters Park
Windsor Grove Park
Woldert Park
Faulkner Nature Trail
Legacy Trail
Lindsey Park Trail
Rose Rudman Trail
Windsor Grove Nature Trail
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May/June 2024 | etxview.com 18 CharleneIngram, Agent 801 Pine Tree Road Longview,TX75604 Bus: 903-247-0393 charlene.ingram.pmjy@statefarm.com Hablamos Español GET TO A BETTER STATE.® CALL ME TODAY 903-590-7722 VACCINES• MICROCHIPS HEARTWORM PREVENTION FLEA/TICKPRODUCTS NAIL TRIMS APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR SURGERY Vi si tw ww.D eh ar tVet Se rv ic es. co m HIGHQUALITY AFFORDABLE SPAY/NEUTER &WELLNESS CLINICS Foranappointment call Dr.Sharon Marsh, Veterinarian DEHART VETERINARYSERVICES Locations throughout East Texas visitportarthur tx. com ROAD TRIP TO port arthur, TEXAS pack up for your perfect Get ready for surf, sand and sunrises in Port Arthur, the official Cajun Capital of Texas. Drive on over to Texas’ upper Gulf Coast for a family vacation overflowing with spring festivities. From sports and music hall of fames at the Museum of the Gulf Coast to overnight camping and paddling one of three rated trails at Sea Rim State Park to fishing and beach combing at McFaddin Beach, and even filling up on the best Cajun seafood in all of Texas, you’ll love every memory-making moment. TEXAS
19 etxview.com | May/June 2024
‘SKY-HIGH THRILL, TEXAS-STYLE’
NEW YORK, TEXAS OFFERS ZIPLINE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME
STORY BY SANTANA WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF NEW YORK, TEXAS ZIPLINE ADVENTURES
Several thousand people from all around the world visit New York, Texas Zipline Adventures each year. Some have come from as far as New Zealand or Australia, and many travel from the metroplexes of Dallas Fort-Worth, Austin or Houston. While some East Texans have discovered this adventureland located in their own backyards, many other locals have never even been. To that, Director of Operations Carson Shultz says, “What are you waiting for?!”
“While we’ve toured thousands of guests over the last 16 years, I still talk to people every day who have either never heard of us or have been meaning to come see us,” Shultz said.
From Tyler, make the short 30-mile drive across Lake Palestine and through the pines. If you’re in another surrounding city in the area, don’t worry, as the property is still within a short drive, taking just an hour and a half to arrive from Longview. Once you get there, Shultz invites residents of East Texas and beyond to “take in the natural beauty, leave your fears behind and experience a sky-high thrill, Texas-style!”
New York, Texas Zipline Adventures is a family-owned and operated business that opened in 2008. Charles and Connie Shultz own the property where the business is located, and Carson Shultz oversees all day-to-day activity. Older brother Chad is a former guide and now owns Shultz Land Services, while younger sister Carley runs her own online business and helps the zipline business out with website design.
“Over the years we have all worn many different hats to ensure smooth operations and happy guests,” Carson Shultz said.
When the business opened 16 years ago, it was the second commercial zipline course in Texas and about the 10th in the continental U.S. Since its high-flying beginnings, the business has soared in popularity.
“We originally started with just a 6-line tour. We quickly realized that a lot of our guests wanted to keep going, so we added the option for a 9-line course by adding a few more lines, with a repeat of our 950-foot final line,” Shultz said, noting the expansion. “In 2017 we built our current 9-line tour finale, which is 1,500 feet long with 200 feet of rope bridges to get to the top. It’s the perfect grand finale for a tour.”
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TRAVEL
Located in the New York community, the setting could not be more unique.
“We are located at the highest elevation in East Texas. Our guests pull up and are instantly blown away by the panoramic 30-mile views,” Shultz said.
To make things even more welcoming, Shultz said the business runs off the front porch of the family’s relocated 1910 historic home.
“The setting is very familiar, warm, and casual – not like a theme park in any way,” he described. “Lastly, our location is literally on the line of the beginning of the piney woods for the entire southeastern United States. Therefore, the place has a unique mix of tree species and abundant wildlife, too. It truly is the most beautiful spot in East Texas.”
When guests arrive, they are greeted by the team with a smile, a handshake and of course, amazing scenery.
“From there, we will take them on the thrill of a lifetime while soaring from treetop to treetop,” Shultz
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said. “We have such a laid-back, fun atmosphere, along with awesome ziplines and beautiful scenery. You can easily get the feeling that you’ve been somewhere exotic without having to go far from home.”
Ziplining is a recreational activity where participants ride on a suspended, inclined cable equipped with a pulley and a harness. For thrill-seekers, it’s an adrenaline rush they’re prepared for. For those who may be timid to try these sorts of adventures, Shultz said it’s part of his job to help guests overcome fear and anxiety about the experience.
“I tell everybody that overcoming your fear of heights and going ziplining is like one of my favorite sayings, ‘Whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re probably
right.’ If you think you can do something, then you’ve already got the hard part down. If not, good luck jumping over that mental hurdle that you’ve set up for yourself,” Shultz said. “Sometimes things are that simple, especially after being trained by professionals and passing ground school.”
That’s right – the team at New York, Texas Zipline Adventures teaches you everything you need to know for a safe and thrilling adventure. Each guest practices on a cable that is close to the ground until they learn the proper braking system used. From there, a guest will zip from treetop to treetop through the canopy of the trees and high above them. While having fun is a big focus, guests can rest assured that safety is the team’s | CONT. ON PG. 26 | CONT. FROM PG. 23
May/June 2024 | etxview.com 24
top priority. In addition to being well-trained, each zipline guest is fit with a harness, helmet and all the appropriate gear needed for a tour.
Shultz said guests are encouraged to bring cameras or phones to take advantage of some of the incredible photo opportunities, both on and off the course, at the property.
When you’re done experiencing this priceless adventure, you can check out the gift shop which sells all sorts of branded T-shirts, stickers, hats and more, plus plenty of other Texas-style gear. Sodas and snacks are also available, and bottled water is provided to all guests free of charge. You can also bring food for a picnic at one of the property’s many umbrella-covered picnic tables.
The property is open yearround, but spring and fall are the busiest seasons, Shultz said. In the spring, zipliners can soar over the beautiful crop of bluebonnets and in the fall, admire the beauty of the leaves changing colors on the trees. Summer is a great time as well, as crowds are smaller and you can cool off from the Texas heat with the wind in your face while soaring through the trees, then you can enjoy an icecold popsicle after the tour to cool off.
“Each season has its own highlights as the course changes. Even in the dead of winter it’s nice to throw on a hoodie and go hit the ZipLine course,” Shultz says.
Guests should arrive about 30 minutes prior to their reservation time and each tour lasts about an hour and a half to two hours. Tours are available for ages 5 and up, with prices ranging from $80 to $120 per person. Tours are available by reservation only every Thursday through Sunday.
For more information and frequently asked questions, visit goziptexas.com. Call or text 903681-3791 to schedule your tour or ask additional questions.
People have traveled from all over to enjoy the beauty and lure of this zipline park. Since many of ETX View’s readers are closeby, why not take Shultz’ advice and experience it for yourself? Happy thrill-hunting!
May/June 2024 | etxview.com 26
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Chief
Development Officer Tim Butler speaks about opening the organization's new
ULTIMATE BREAKFAST Sammy from Hood Family Farms in Bullard is a breakfast sandwich with maple chicken sausage, a chili crisp farm egg, sliced avocado and fresh microgreens, served with a garlic aioli on a potato bun.
FOOD
BULLARD COUPLE BRINGS FARM FRESH FOOD TO STREETS OF EAST TEXAS
STORY BY SANTANA WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY BY LES HASSELL
Jimmy and Sara Youmans are self-proclaimed foodies. Pair that with the Bullard couple’s resume skills from their past careers to now running a regenerative farming operation, and you’ve got a recipe for success – which looks like a unique food truck bringing delicious farm fresh food to the streets of East Texas.
A stellar breakfast lineup is the heart of Hood Family Farm’s farm-to-fork menu. Farm fresh scrambled eggs wrapped in a warm corn tortilla are topped with Monterey Jack cheese, local microgreens, and potatoes, bacon or their very own chicken chorizo. This combination makes the best breakfast tacos that this journalist has been thinking about ever since she tried them. Garnish your taco with one of three housemade salsas – salsa fresca, avocado salsa, or creamy jalapeno – with a heat range suited for all taste buds.
“The taco is a catalyst for the salsa,” says Sara – a breakfast taco connoisseur herself. “I’ve probably eaten about a million breakfast tacos in my life,” she adds with a laugh. This authority gave her a good idea of where she wanted to start when crafting the perfect taco for Hood Family Farm’s food truck menu.
While the tacos are superb, the Ultimate Breakfast Sammy is tied in the taste contest. Rich maple chicken sausage on a potato roll or English muffin is topped first with a chili crisp farm egg and melty cheese, then avocado, red onion slivers and microgreens. HFF’s signature roasted garlic aioli sauce lays the foundation for an explosion of flavors. The sweetness of the maple chicken sausage is complemented by the spicy chili flavors on the egg, while the avocado and microgreens add a light, refreshing touch to this hearty handheld breakfast.
You might get lucky and find the trailer on a day they’re serving Croissant FrenchToast | CONT. ON PG. 30
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with a berry compote, whipped maple syrup, powdered sugar and fresh mint, or their Grilled Brie and Blackberry sandwich with brie, shaved fontina, blackberry jam, carmelized shallot, local honey and fresh thyme on grilled bread. The food truck's menu changes based on seasons, availability and customer popularity
These expertly crafted flavor profiles continue into the main entrees. You didn’t think these taco lovers would leave them only for breakfast, did you? Why, of course not! The Farm Fresh Barbacoa Tacos come as a trio – because since when is just one taco enough, especially when the flavors are this good? Yep, never. HFF barbacoa is the star, garnished with cotija cheese, house-pickled red onion and cilantro microgreens – all on fresh, locallysourced corn tortillas. Don’t forget to choose the salsa that best fits your palate.
The HFF Burger gives other burgers a run for their money. A grass-fed all-beef patty sits on a toasty brioche bun, topped with melted cheeses, cayenne candied bacon, grilled onions, crunchy microgreens (because they’re dang good on everything), that fabulous garlic aioli, and their “secret sauce” avocado spread to meld it all together.
The menu only gets more mouthwatering as you work your way down the list. The ETX Hot Chicken Sammy consists of a buttermilk fried chicken thigh, house slaw and hot pepper sauce served on a fresh potato roll. Lastly, the Parmesan Garlic Wings… y’all. Perfectly grilled pasture-raised wings, herbed garlic parmesan butter sauce, garnished with fresh parsley. I don’t even need to bring up the Great Ranch or Blue Cheese Debate of the 21st Century because you don’t need any kind of dip when the wings are this good.
The Youmans rotate menu items in and out, keeping things fresh and sometimes featuring specials like Butter Chicken.
Every single ingredient is grown or raised on the Bullard family farm or brought in from other local businesses. HFF’s local partners
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HOOD FAMILY FARMS' farm to fork food trailer.
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CHICKENS in a coop at Hood Family Farms.
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include Sola Bread, which supplies fresh baked croissants and rolls; 2 Hats Coffee for locally roasted coffee; Growing Branches for those essential microgreens; Red Moon Farm for organic seasonal produce; Texas Tortilla Kitchen for fresh tortillas; Elzner Farms for local honey; and Big Tree Farmacy for herbs and mushrooms.
Even the drinks offered by the farm to fork food trailer are healthy. The drink menu includes a variety of Poppi prebiotic sodas, Walker Brothers kombucha, Wehrloom honey root beer, Brightside sparkling water, and Favuzzi teas, orange soda or lemonade.
Crafting the perfect menu looked like a lot of time spent in the Youmans’ family kitchen. A little bit of this and that, countless taste tests and trial runs, and a lot of fun and love along the way led to unconventional combinations, like their club sandwich creation with lightly breaded grilled chicken breast, crunchy bacon, smashed avocado, and – here’s the surprise – blanched green beans.
“I think the recipes are inspired by the ingredients, not necessarily the other way around,” Sara says. “It's
amazing what using fresh, whole ingredients can do for the appearance and the taste – it’s mutually beneficial. Another thing is when you get quality food, you get that option – the opportunity to highlight but yet not dull down the creativity on what you can do with it.”
Jimmy spent 20-plus years working in the restaurant business, including in fine dining. Sara talks about her husband’s time building sandwiches or artful dishes in the fine dining space and translating that into their new venture. For him to be able to exercise that creative muscle, meticulously creating and plating dishes once again – but this time alongside his wife, things really came full circle.
“He was like a kid in a candy shop,” Sara says, recalling when Jimmy brought forward the idea to start the food truck. “He was so excited.”
Ultimately, the couple’s inspiration in starting this project was creating a menu that was sourced as locally as possible.
“We are raising the most delicious clean meats and eggs, and so many other local farmers, producers and makers are raising organic vegetables, regenerative
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ROBIN HOOD, left, Jimmy Youmans, Cheri Hood, and Sara and Archer Youmans in the Hood Family Farms farm to fork food trailer.
pork, and baking real bread – why not put it all together?” Sara said. “Food made with real ingredients not loaded with fillers, artificial flavorings, high fructose corn syrup, artificial preservatives, sprayed with chemicals, loaded with ultra processed sugar, insane sodium levels, or cooked in unhealthy seed oils. We can tell such a difference in how we feel after eating just one meal out, and we know it doesn’t have to be this way … we know we can bring you delicious, good-foryou, locally sourced meals.”
When you think “food truck,” presentation is not often top of mind. You know you’re probably in for a tasty bite, but most don’t really care too much about what it looks like. Hood Family Farms has a high standard when it comes to aesthetics – from branding to plating to little details.
“Anything from Hood Family Farms always has to have a really specific look for me,” said Sara, who has a background in sales and marketing. “That to me is what differentiates the brand from any other farm out there. It’s aesthetically pleasing. When people are drawn to something, they want to know more about it. So whether it’s our website, social media, or food trailer, I approach each the same way. Even our trailer has a rounded shape that looks different than your average boxy food truck.”
The exterior is a classic black, with white text in a font consistent with the rest of HFF’s branding. The trailer’s interior is covered with an elegant printed wallpaper, with birds, greenery, florals, and lemons. The birds are an ode to Jimmy’s late mother, who loved birds. “I know she would be so proud of where he is today,” Sara said.
When you see the food offered by HFF, each looks like a dish you’d get at a five-star, high-dollar, fine-dining establishment. The only difference is, instead of being served an entree on a weighty dining plate with polished silverware while seated at a clothcovered table, you stand outside this neat trailer and get that same caliber dish on a small, recyclable paper tray, usually with a beautiful
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floral napkin – because to the Youmans, every tiny detail matters.
These decisions were made with intention to help the brand stand out, because what HFF offers is outstanding in its own right.
As an additional revenue stream, the food truck venture helps support the family farm, which the couple operates with Sara’s parents, Robin and Cheri Hood. Small family farm is a literal term, as the four of them are the only ones who run the business each day. “Every egg that’s packed, meat that’s raised, bag that’s stamped, email that’s answered, order that’s bagged, delivery that’s made, it is by one of us four,” Sara says, noting expansion is a goal for the future.
But for now, they’d have it no other way.
“It’s really been a blessing to be able to spend this time together and build the business together. We’re so thankful for Mom and Dad’s support, because we get all these crazy-brained ideas and they support us through it. Jimmy and I are the ones usually working on the trailer, but Mom and Dad have been a crutch to get it to where it is now, and we couldn’t have done it without them.
There’s nothing like family support,” Sara said.
And there’s nothing like supporting a local business. So if this story made you as hungry as it made me while writing, make it a point to check them out one day real soon. The Hood Family Farms mobile trailer can often be seen at local events, such as the Rose City or Athens farmers markets, or Tyler food truck parks. To keep up with exactly where they’ll be on any given date, follow their pages on Facebook and Instagram. Their social media is also a great place to learn more about regenerative farming and how it works and the difference it makes in the food on your plate. The Youmans are passionate about educating the community about the industry and healthy eating, and make it a point to share information on their platforms.
You can also visit hoodfamilyfarms.com to order their products and make some incredible food in your own home. They even have several recipes posted for you to use. Mrs. Cheri was so sweet to send me home from our interview with a dozen farm fresh eggs, and let me tell you – there’s nothing better. I savored every single one! Once you try their food, you’ll be holding on to that flavor until the next time you’re able to indulge in some HFF healthy deliciousness.
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Sweet SUMMERTIME
Elegant decor, staple furniture pieces can level up your outdoor space
STORY BY SANTANA WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY BY LES HASSELL
In the summertime, there are few places as tranquil as a backyard patio. Imagine relaxing by the pool on comfortable furniture with a fresh pitcher of ice-cold lemon water, admiring the trees and picturesque scenery we are so lucky to be surrounded by in East Texas.
That’s exactly what the ETX View team did on a beautiful spring afternoon in Bullard. We had two award-winning professionals on location to help us bring our photo shoot vision to life, including Realtor Macy Ruark, of Dwell Realty, who invited our crew out to one of her listings with a gorgeous exterior and spectacular view. East Texas native and interior designer Hillary Davidson brought her A-game – and some fantastic decor pieces – to freshen up the outdoor space. Office Barn in Tyler lent us a fabulous, neutral patio set that served as an anchor for the space, really leveling up the look of the outdoor retreat.
Ruark was an essential part of the shoot, not only for providing the venue, but because she also served as one of our beautiful models. Her friend, Kylie Brooks, was also our model for the day. Posing in an elegantly decorated backyard oasis, the two of them were picture perfect.
Those looking to spruce up their outdoor space can do so easily, said Davidson, founder and lead designer of Hillary Davidson Interiors, which offers interior design, decorating, and remodels for both residential and commercial clients. Davidson said her team works with a client’s budget to bring “affordable, modern designs that bring your space to life.”
While there are all sorts of themes and styles for home decor, it’s not as
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HOME FASHION
KYLIE BROOKS poses with home fashion while wearing accessories from Jim Bartlett Fine Jewelry.
May/June 2024 | etxview.com 42
LILY PADS and cypress trees in the Mill Pond at Caddo Lake State Park.
overwhelming as one might think to find their own style. Davidson encourages people to try new things and lean into their creative side – even if they don’t know it’s there!
“People have their style, they just don't know it. It doesn't need a label,” Davidson said. “... People have more eyes than they know.”
“Outdoor patio furniture alone can really warm up and transform a space, especially with the right landscaping, plants and other elements to make it your own,” Ruark said. “If the house checks all of your boxes, and the outside space does not, there are ways to work around that to get it up to your | CONT. FROM PG. 40
She recommends a professional consultation, as an experienced designer like her can help clients narrow down what they like or don’t like, thus saving a lot of time – and money in the long-run – when it comes to decorating their home.
Ruark, who also has a background in and particular passion for interior design, points out furniture and decor can bring a space to life. When showing homes, she’s sure to remind clients that a house with good bones can always be transformed into their dream oasis.
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expectations.”
Davidson was able to transform a blank canvas at Ruark’s listing and bring the home’s poolside patio to life. With classy yet durable neutral furniture provided by Office Barn in Tyler, Davidson brought in just enough color to transform the space into an inviting summer haven. Multi-colored beach towels draped on each lounge chair were complimented by a small, striped bolster pillow, creating comfortable seats awaiting the models. The contrast of thin, multi-colored stripes on the towels and thick, single-colored stripes on the pillows went together just right, to create a cohesive look leading the eye from one pattern to the next. Tulips and hydrangeas sat in water-filled vases on a multi-functional side table/ storage cube. These two flowers are Davidson’s “go-to,” as they easily refresh a space.
In addition to the furniture, our models wore jewelry provided by Jim Bartlett Fine Jewelry in Longview. Davidson said when planning the decor for the space, she kept all of these local products in mind.
“I brought spring colors of everything I had, and I tried to honor the jewelry and furniture to make the scene pop,” Davidson said. Similar to how she might decorate a home, it’s important to make the most of the elements already there, while bringing in new pieces to bring the space together.
Decorating a space doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank, Davidson emphasized.
“So many people get paralyzed by thinking they simply cannot afford a room or space makeover, and that could not be further from the truth. You can achieve a great look and still maintain a budget. That’s what we do!” she says.
That HGTV or magazine-worthy home is not a far-fetched dream, she adds. Helping people from all walks of life understand they can not only afford this sort of service but also realize their dreams for their home can come true was part of what launched her to start her own business. Now, Davidson has a full
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MACY RUARK and Kylie Brooks lounge on furniture from Office Barn in Tyler, with finishing decor touches styled by Hillary Davidson Interiors.
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team of designers and professionals who make the idea of interior design work, decorating and remodeling a piece of cake for their clients.
“I am nothing without my team,” she says. “Like most of your readers, I get in a slump and get stuck on the same color palette and design style.”
Davidson’s experienced team helps her stay inspired and ahead of the latest trends. She also reads blogs and other media to draw inspiration. Davidson has had a passion for interior design since she was just a child and has been helping people make decisions about “their space – home, office, even the color of their car,” for about 30 years. “It’s just about five years ago I started charging for it,” Davidson recalls. “... Overnight, I abandoned Corporate America and launched my journey.”
Since then, her team has completed 187 homes and 23 commercial businesses as of April, with many more in the works. Davidson said the reaction from their clients is what keeps her going. It’s that “smile at reveal,” she says. “There is truly nothing like knowing that you play a part in the thrill that they get to walk home to each day. Even if it’s just new paint or wallpaper, or a new patio, those smiles and hugs
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MACY RUARK, Realtor with Dwell Realty, poses in a summer backyard oasis at one of her listings in Bullard.
keep us coming back.”
Ruark is the same way when it comes to her profession of real estate.
“The people are the best part of the job,” Ruark says. The house hunt is her favorite part of all, as she dedicates all her time to finding just the right options for her clients to choose from. Watching people’s dreams turn into a reality is the most rewarding part, though.
"Sometimes buying a home means a new beginning for people. Sometimes it means meeting a goal someone has worked diligently to achieve, and being part of that achievement is so rewarding," Ruark adds. "I love the relationship and the connection I build with clients, who almost always become friends even after the transaction. I love getting to help people find the perfect
house that they get to turn into a home."
Similar to how residential and commercial clients lean on Davidson’s team for their design expertise, Ruark said she takes pride in helping her homebuyers and sellers understand each part of the process – from prequalification to the ins and outs of the contract to the closing table and beyond.
For help with all your real estate needs, contact Ruark at 903-780-7354, email macyruark@gmail.com, or visit macyruark.dwell.realestate. She’s always excited to talk to new clients.
To make your interior design, decor or remodeling dreams – in a residential or commercial space – come true at a price point that works for you, contact Davidson at 903-978-0460 or hillary@hillarydavidsoninteriors.com. Visit hillarydavidsoninteriors.com for more information.
May/June 2024 | etxview.com 48
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When you live in a place as beautiful as East Texas, there are few places better to spend your time other than the outdoors. Whether you’re a homebody or love to entertain, having that oasis at your own home is like a dream. That’s the story we wanted to tell for our 2024 May/June Outdoors & Recreation issue. To create this type of retreat, we partnered with several folks to whom we owe so much gratitude. In no particular order, we want to thank these special people who contributed their time, efforts and products to help ETX View create a fabulous outdoor scene.
Macy Ruark was our 2023 40 Under Forty winner in the real estate category. She works with Dwell Realty and is an expert in all things real estate. She found the perfect home for us to utilize as our venue. Located in the heart of the Bullard, America countryside, this stunning listing was an amazing backdrop for our photo shoot. We also must thank the family for graciously allowing us to set up shop at their home for the afternoon! Macy not only hooked us up with the venue, but she played the role of model that day too. And what a gorgeous model she was! She invited her precious friend, Kylie Brooks, who modeled alongside her. The two of them were so patient as our team fine-tuned each component of the shoot. When they were behind the camera, they were great sports and couldn’t have been more photogenic. We can’t thank these two ladies enough!
The pair modeled the sparkliest of jewels from Jim Bartlett Fine Jewelry in Longview. That moment our models have to take off the necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets is the only sad moment we ever have on set at an ETX View photo shoot! Can you blame our models, though, when the jewelry is as beautiful as that offered by Jim Bartlett? We are so thankful for our longstanding partnership with Jim Bartlett and his team.
Our set simply wouldn’t have been complete without Hillary Davidson – award-winning design extraordinaire and owner of Hillary Davidson Interiors. She was able to spruce up the space with beautiful decor pieces and really take the scene up a notch. Davidson has a heart of gold and gives back so much to our community. Her team donates unused furniture to shelters, surprises deserving people with free home makeovers, and even volunteers with Habitat for Humanity by picking colors and designs for the lucky new homeowners. Partnering with people like Hillary reinvigorates our passion for connecting with people in the community like her who are making a difference.
The decor was complemented by elegant patio furniture provided by Office Barn in Tyler. We are so grateful for Office Barn’s support in our endeavors and express all the thanks in the world to their team for helping us bring this patio scene together.
Of course, we have to thank our internal team for all of their hard work on these projects. Now, let’s see what we can put together for our next issue!
49 etxview.com | May/June 2024
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TYLER TOPS LIST OF USA TODAY'S 5 BEST CITIES IN TEXAS
STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SANTANA WOOD
Tyler tops the list of USA Today’s 5 Best Cities in Texas.
The media group recently released a story breaking down the best cities to move to in Texas. The story included why residents should move to Texas, the top cities, relocation tips, and more.
Tyler ranked No. 1 on the list.
“Named for John Tyler, the 10th president of the United States, Tyler is our pick for the best Texas city to live in,” the article states. “Low unemployment (3.3%), access to healthcare (nine providers for every 1,000 residents) and the lowest risk of damage from severe weather all hoist Tyler to the top of our list.”
The article points out the Rose City’s location in East Texas, just an hour from the Louisiana border. It also notes Tyler’s national designation as the Rose Capital of America, “with several million roses distributed by local companies,” according to the article.
Tyler’s Municipal Rose Garden is the largest in the nation at 14 acres with over 38,000 rose bushes and over 600 varieties, according to the City of Tyler. While the rose garden is a key attraction for the city, USA Today notes there is “plenty” to do in the city.
“Once you’re done smelling the roses, there are plenty of other things to see and do: Tyler boasts 3.3 restaurants and 1.2 activities per 1,000 residents,” the article states.
USA Today reports Tyler’s life expectancy averages
77.4 years old, and the average median income is $60,811. Rent costs $1,481 on average, and the typical home value is $245,750. The unemployment rate is 3.3%, according to the article. USA Today used U.S. Census American Community Survey, Zillow, the University of Wisconsin Health Institute and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to source this data.
Ultimately, USA Today determined Tyler is a place with low unemployment, top medical access and low risk for natural hazards.
“Overall, Texas has plenty to offer: barbecue galore, no state income tax and diverse geography that spans beaches, deserts and mountains,” USA Today writer Rachel Newcomb said in the article.
For those considering moving to Tyler or another city in Texas, USA Today recommends looking for a job in any of the state’s major industries including oil, aerospace, manufacturing and information technology; registering for new services such as schools or registering vehicles; getting ready for hot weather, as Texas summer heat can easily surpass 90 degrees Fahrenheit which “can be a big shock if you’re moving from a northern state”; and saving money on the move by budgeting and calling at least three moving companies for quotes.
Read the full article and learn more about USA Today’s methodology for crafting this list at www. usatoday.com/money/homefront/moving/best-citiesin-texas.
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THE RISE OF COMEDY
East Texans find community, comedic relief through clubs
STORY BY SYMONE SHEPPARD
PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY KRISTOPHER BLAKEMAN, TYLER MORNING TELEGRAPH, AND LONGVIEW NEWS-JOURNAL
East Texans are finding community – and comedic relief – in the region’s evolving comedy scene. From new clubs to longtime groups, the Longview and Tyler areas are challenging the notion of “nothing to do” in these East Texas cities.
Downtown Tyler is home to Rose City Comedy Club, a venue dedicated to helping the comedians who live in East Texas.
“I grew up in Kilgore and was in the music industry in Nashville. I was in Nashville right before it exploded,” owner Kristopher “Shy” Blakeman said. “COVID brought me back to East Texas. I was really surprised by how much the culture had grown in Tyler. Now because the reputation this venue is getting in Dallas and in Shreveport, we’ve got people driving to come to the open mics.”
“We’re booked out till like June,” Blakeman said in a March interview. “We haven’t been doing any booking, it’s been all submission-based since probably six months into it.”
Comedian host Jared Jordan, who could be seen behind the mic on a March night, agreed the comedy scene is on the rise.
“I’ve really seen it to bud up,” said Jordan. “I think the community is here for it, but also we’re creating our own community of comics. Tyler has become a hub of East Texas. It’s good because we’ve had two comics, Tyler Elliot and Brandon Davidson, come from Tyler. They walked so that Rose City could run.”
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE
May/June 2024 | etxview.com 56
JARED JORDAN performs in March for a crowd at Rose City Comedy.
JEREMY “SCOOBY” HOUSTON, also known as The WildMan Scoob, performs at Rose City Comedy.
Four comedians performed at Rose City Comedy’s show on March 9, some traveling in from Dallas. The club is located at 117 W. Front St. in Tyler and hosts open mic nights every Monday at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 and you can bring your own beverages. Comics from near and far hit the stage each week.
“I’ve been doing standup for 10 years,” comedian Kerry Smith said. “I got into it oddly enough by working at a comedy club while I was in college.”
Smith recalled a “crazy night” where she and some friends had a bit too much to drink while on comedian Carlos Mencia’s tour bus.
“He yelled at all of us, and was like ‘Who ate my pringles!?’,” she said with a laugh. “I just kept telling the story I was telling and he goes ‘Are you a comedian?’
And I said ‘No,’ but my friend who was a comedian was a comedian said ‘Yeah she is, she just doesn’t want to admit it.’”
As they say, the rest is history.
Smith traveled to the Tyler club with Nic Hawk and Anna Barden, also of Dallas, to entertain East Texas.
“As a person of the LGBT community of course you’re going to be like, are they welcoming, and what’s going to be the vibe,” comedian Nic Hawk said, thinking of his reservations before performing.
However, after performing and having a great experience, Hawk said Tylerites and others in the audience had a common ground in their love for comedy. He felt welcomed and comfortable with the club’s atmosphere.
“... It’s great that (comedy) is coming to East Texas because this is a place that could thrive in that market and have more opportunities,” he said.
Comedy is something that opens its arms to anyone, Hawk said.
“Comedy is so open for everyone,” Hawk said. “It could be a small niche reference, but it’s those connections that help build the community. It’s just nice to see it flourishing here.”
Barden got into comedy after a professor asked her if she’d considered comedy before, as it’s something other copywriters often get into. That’s when the seed
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CONT.
COMICS MICHAEL ADDENGAST, Jared Jordan, Kerry Smith, Nic Hawk and Anna Barden pose for a photo at Rose City Comedy in Tyler.
was planted, but it wasn’t until a few years later after a period of depression where Barden really found solace in comedy.
“I needed a goal in life,” she recalled. “I found some really cool people in comedy that I hang out with, and now I get to do that still.”
East Texas comic Michael Addengast also performed that night and spoke about his beginnings in the field.
“I started doing a comedy contest for locals and I had been doing it for the first time,” said Addengast. “I signed up for that, and I got second place. I started doing open mics here (at Rose City Comedy Club) and got a little heat here, and then started doing shows.”
Blakeman said there’s no need for a bigger space just yet, but he would be open to partnering with different theaters in order to continue to spread the word to the community.
“This was never the plan, this was never supposed to happen,” said Blakeman. “But it happened because I think it was supposed to. Everything in the world should have stopped this from happening. It’s persevered regardless. Our biggest obstacle was just convincing people that there was legitimate comedy in Tyler. So many people are familiar with the concept of comedy but never have experienced it in person.”
While Rose City Comedy Club highlights standup, The Understudy in Tyler mainly focuses on bringing the art of improv to East Texas.
“I think one of the things that makes improv special for Tyler –and almost anywhere – is improv is extremely commercial. I think it’s very marketable, but it’s hard to come by,” owner Steve Hargrave explained. “You can watch standup comedy on Netflix until you’re blue in the face, and never watch the same special twice. Improv is hard to find, and it’s entertaining. It’s a different style of comedy, it’s a different flavor, and I think that if you’re looking for something a little bit different or more engaging, improv scratches that itch better than standup. Bringing an improv club to Tyler gives it that much more
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THE UNDERSTUDY owner Steve Hargrave said the comedy and event club aims to bring more improv to East Texas. (Tyler Morning Telegraph File
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Photo)
PAT MAY, David Stiewe, and Kate Wells of Theatre Longview’s improv group Duck. Duck. Moose. perform, on Tuesday August 28, 2018, at Oil Horse Brewing Company. (Michael Cavazos/News-Journal Photo)
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variety.”
The Understudy has open mic nights every Thursday night at 8:30 p.m., and also hosts trivia nights, special events, and can be rented out for private gatherings. The club is located at 212 Old Grande Blvd. in Tyler.
Previously living in Dallas, Hargrave and his wife moved to the Tyler area, inspired to bring different comedy forms to the city.
“I had never done standup until I came here,” said Hargrave. “There are entire states that don’t have a comedy club, and Tyler’s got two. There are plenty of places to do comedy but very few dedicated comedy clubs across the country, and I didn’t realize that. For us to have two comedy clubs in one small town in East Texas, and to have an improv group in Longview, is kind of a unique thing. It’s a big deal.”
And he’s right, as in Longview, Theater Longview is home to Duck. Duck. Moose! – the city’s longtime, and only, improv group.
The group’s website says, “There is no right or wrong way to do improvisational comedy, but we’d like to say we do it the right way.” It’s an experience that can entertain a wide range of viewers.
What’s so fun about watching it is “the fact that they don’t actually know exactly what they’re going to get,” said Kaycee Counts, Duck. Duck. Moose!’s producer. “They know that they’re getting a fun night but what that entails is a mystery, I think that alludes people not knowing exactly what happens next.”
Their team is formed in August, and practices throughout the year.
“When we have a show coming up, those practices are focused on learning and practicing the games that we’ll be playing in the show,” Director Richard Yeakley
May/June 2024 | etxview.com 60
DAVID STIEWE AND PAT MAYS of Theatre Longview’s improv group Duck. Duck. Moose. receive help from audience members Matthew Parks and Lindsey Sigler, on Tuesday August 28, 2018, at Oil Horse Brewing Company. (Michael Cavazos/News-Journal Photo)
said. “But when we don’t have a show coming up, it’s working on the fundamentals of improv, learning to make improv better, so that we can use those skills when we are in front of an audience.”
“There’s Nothing to Do in East Texas” has become a main motto for Duck. Duck. Moose!, an ironic play on words.
It’s something The Understudy has also worked into its messaging.
Many of Tyler’s residents can attest “There is nothing to do in Tyler,” the group’s website states. “We are aiming to change that.”
“In today’s climate, comedy in general has become more important than we give it credit for,” said David Stiewe, Duck. Duck. Moose! assistant director. “Being able to bring people together and provide a laugh is amazing. It’s still one of the few art forms that brings everyone together, and we forget that we have a lot
more in common than what tears us apart. If I can help bring laughter to people’s lives, I hope that is what people take away from what we’re trying to build in our community.”
When it comes to the naysayers who say there’s nothing to do in the Tyler and Longview areas, these three comedy clubs are determined to prove them wrong. They note there are many options for a night out, and assert that the comedy scene in East Texas continues to thrive.
With shows every weekend and classes available, it’s easy to get involved in the comedy scene in Tyler and Longview. To find out more about each group and see upcoming events, visit https://rosecitycomedy. club/, https://www.theunderstudytyler.com, or https:// theatrelongview.com/improv.
61 etxview.com | May/June 2024
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GOLF ANYWHERE
Creator of mobile golf simulator aims to bring more fun to Tyler
STORY BY JENNIFER SCOTT
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF PAR FIVE GOLF
For many, the love of golf stems from the serenity of the putting green or the sound a club makes when it makes contact with the ball.
But for Tyler native Jason Berrier, he’s just an average Joe who loves the sport – so much so that he started Par Five Golf, a mobile golf simulator.
“I’m not the best golfer in the world,” he said. “But I grew up playing golf. And I'm pretty sure for any kid growing up in the ‘90s, Tiger Woods was the guy to be; every kid wanted to be Tiger Woods. But I played it for many, many years.”
Berrier was feeling a lack of entertainment in the area, especially for young adults.
“When you think about what's there to do on Friday, Saturday nights, there's not a whole lot of places that aren't repetitive,” he said. Young adults could spend an evening “either at Rick’s or some other bar in town, but there's not really an entertainment facility (for young adults) in Tyler,” he added.
The idea of Par Five Golf came to Berrier during the COVID-19 pandemic, as he noticed that golf was an industry that saw an increase in revenue during that time. According to Prime Putt, the PGA Superstore alone saw a 90% increase in sales over the last two years.
“Since golf is an individual sport that is played outdoors and does not require shared equipment, it was one of the few safe leisure activities that was able to be enjoyed during most stages of the early pandemic,” according to Prime Putt.
| CONT. ON PG. 66
Motivated by the surge of enthusiasts in golf and the need for more entertainment in Tyler, the 34-year-old entrepreneur got to work.
“At the time I was just strictly just going to jump into the brick and mortar … but then I (thought) it’s probably a better idea that I just do the blow-up inflatable, get that going, get the name out there and then do the brick and mortar,” he said. “After COVID, it took me a while to figure out all the stuff I needed … but the whole goal was to launch, get the name out there, get people liking it, get people wanting to do more of it.”
He launched Par Five Golf in the summer of 2022.
“(It) was miserably hot, but the success was good,” Berrier said. “It's all been word of mouth, which has been great. The clients have been great and the community around Tyler has been great around it as well.”
The name Par Five Golf comes from the feeling a golfer gets when standing on the tee box of a Par 5, Berrier said, meaning there’s a possibility of getting a birdie or even an eagle.
“It’s the chance you can ‘grip it and rip it’,” he said. “That’s the feeling I want you to have when you’re using the simulator… that fun, feel-good feeling.”
Using a big white inflatable, the setup also includes a hitting projector and a hitting mat.
“Basically to hit a golf ball is science,” Berrier said. “If you know the speed and trajectory of your club path and all that, you can pretty much dictate where that ball is going.”
With the latest technology, the computer system is able to provide instant feedback and does the thinking for you and projects the data on screen.
“Once you hit the ball, you have a full view of what you hit,” Berrier said. “You're not waiting for any club data or anything… it just goes.”
The rental price is $600 for the two-hour minimum, then $75 an hour after. Berrier offers discounts | CONT. ON PG. 69
May/June 2024 | etxview.com 66
| CONT. FROM PG. 65
67 etxview.com | May/June 2024
May/June 2024 | etxview.com 68
after four hours. For most events, the rental is between 2 to 3 hours.
“Most like the three-hour rental, as it gives them more time to chill and relax… especially with larger groups,” Berrier said. “And if you want to play quickly –the full 18 holes – you can probably get that done in an hour and 45 minutes.”
Berrier sets up the simulator by himself, which can take around 45 minutes. He also supplies the golf clubs and golf balls.
With the right people and the right funding, Berrier hopes to have a brick and mortar in the future.
To get in touch with Berrier about setting up for a party or an event, he is available on Facebook as Par Five Golf. | CONT. FROM PG. 66
“That's kind of the big picture of it,” he said. “And with God’s willingness to help, we get funded and get a place open.”
The space he is looking at is about 5,000 square feet that would hold five hitting bays and include a full bar, restrooms and an office. Berrier and his wife, Kayla are the owners of Par Five Golf and are open to partnerships.
“It would make a lot of things a whole lot easier, less stressful,” Berrier said.
He and his wife have been married for 10 years and have two children – Leighton, 7 and Porter, 3.
“I love what I do,” Berrier said. “And I love my family. They’ve been so supportive… and they will always come first.”
69 etxview.com | May/June 2024
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MAY/JUNE CALENDAR events
ARP
MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH
10 A.M. - 2 P.M. MAY 12
High Hill Resort Community 12626 County Rd 217 https://highhillresort.com/
ATHENS
NO WORRIES WEEKEND BARREL RACE
MAY 24 - MAY 26
Henderson County Rodeo Arena 3356 TX-31 BUS
https://fb.me/e/1FCcxxhMR
BULLARD
STROKES FOR STROKES
12:30 P.M. MAY 4
Eagle’s Bluff Country Club 700 Eagles Bluff Blvd
https://fb.me/e/1xwSd2BpM
OKLAHOMA! THE BROOK HILL SCHOOL MUSICAL
7P.M. - 9:30 P.M. MAY 3 - MAY 4
The Brook Hill School 1051 N Houston St https://fb.me/e/1RNXd0wYb
CANTON
MOMOSA SIP N’ SHOP
5 P.M. - 8 P.M. MAY 4 Downtown Canton https://www.visitcantontx.com/
MAIN STREET MARKET
9 A.M. - 1 P.M. MAY 11, 18, 25 AND JUNE 8, 15, 22 Downtown Canton https://www.cantontexaschamber. com/
Jacksonville Tomato Fest
TEXAS MINI MILKERS PINEY WOODS POLKA MDGA GOAT SHOW
9 A.M. - 12 P.M. MAY 18
Van Zandt County Fairgrounds 24742 State Hwy 64 https://www.visitcantontx.com/
MIRACLE MADNESS
8 A.M. - 9 A.M. JUNE 1 Canton Jr High Gym 1021-1099 Athens St https://www.visitcantontx.com/
WILDLIFE ON THE MOVE
10 A.M. - 11 A.M. JUNE 28
Van Zandt County Sarah Norman Library 317 1st Monday Ln https://rb.gy/8f6oxj
CARTHAGE
CINCO DE MAYO
11 A.M. MAY 4
Carthage Square
https://fb.me/e/5ku3UmhpP
KEITH CARR MEMORIAL 6TH ANNUAL CRAWFISH BOIL
11 A.M. MAY 4
Panola County Fresh Water Supply District #1 638 FM-1234
https://fb.me/e/xFkLYnxWr
DAINGERFIELD
DUTCH OVEN COOKING
9 A.M. - 12 P.M. MAY 4 AND JUNE 1
Daingerfield State Park 455 Park Road 17
https://tinyurl.com/47e4krwv
5TH ANNUAL SPRING FLING 2024
10 A.M. - 5 P.M. MAY 11
Daingerfield City Park https://fb.me/e/22Hoxamrl
May/June 2024 | etxview.com 76
GILMER
COVIE AT ROWDY CREEK RANCH
6 P.M. - 9 P.M. MAY 24
Rowdy Creek Ranch 4048 TX-300
https://rb.gy/egow8z
LEE MATHIS AND THE BRUTALLY HANDSOME
6:30 P.M. MAY 31
Rowdy Creek Ranch 4048 TX-300
https://rb.gy/cqxx30
IN HER SHOES LADIES CONFERENCE
9 A.M. - 2:30 P.M. JUNE 1
Location?
5799 State Highway 154 E https://rb.gy/hfci09
RAW IRON FITNESS EXPO
8 A.M. - 11 P.M. JUNE 8
Gilmer Civic Center 1218 US Hwy 271 N
https://tinyurl.com/sefmhxpm
RETRO CAR SHOW
7 A.M. - 12 P.M. MAY 4 AND JUNE 1
Downtown Gilmer Square
https://www.gilmerareachamber. com/
CHEROKEE ROSE FESTIVAL
8 A.M. - 4 P.M. MAY 18
Downtown Gilmer
https://www.gilmerareachamber. com/
GLADEWATER
MOTHER’S DAY TEA TASTING
11 A.M. - 4 P.M. MAY 11
Three Roots Boutique 110 S Main St
https://fb.me/e/3HJ3klXVV
BRUNCH WITH BELLE OF THE PARTY AND FRIENDS
11 A.M. - 1 P.M. MAY 11
Tempest Golf Club 568 E Wilkins Rd
https://fb.me/e/23zURKkBQ
HALLSVILLE
EAST TEXAS WINE PROJECT DEDUCTIVE TASTINGS
6 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. MAY 27
Walkers Mill Vineyard & Winery 13983 FM 449
https://tinyurl.com/ycy4xxhx
HAWKINS
LAKE HAWKINS ROUND THE LAKE YARD SALE
MAY 3 - MAY 4
Lake Hawkins
127 Wild Lake Path
https://fb.me/e/20CTnLO2J
OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHT: A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
7 P.M. - 10 P.M. MAY 10
Lottie Bug Farms 3385 FM-14
https://fb.me/e/20cfOuh68
SUNDAY SOCIAL WITH 3 AM BAND
3 P.M. MAY 19
Red Rooster Icehouse 1470 N Beaulah St
https://fb.me/e/9IW7HEZkO
HENDERSON
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG
MAY 3 - MAY 5
Henderson Civic Theatre 122 E Main https://hendersoncivictheatre.org/
JACKSONVILLE
62ND ANNUAL TOPS IN TEXAS RODEO MAY 9 - 11
Jacksonville Texas Rodeo Grounds 936 Mulberry https://www.jacksonvilletexas.com/
JEF PETE LEMONS MEMORIAL FISHING TOURNAMENT
6 A.M. - 12 P.M. JUNE 1
Lake Jacksonville Park 2235 Byrd Rd https://www.jacksonvilletexas.com/
TOUR DE TOMATO BIKE RACE
7:30 A.M. JUNE 1
Jacksonville High School Tennis Courts 1210 Corinth Rd https://tourdetomato.com/
2024 DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT
6 P.M. - 8 P.M. JUNE 3
John Alexander Gym 811 Farnsworth https://www.jacksonvilletexas.com/
JSA TOMATO FEST 4X4 SOCCER TOURNAMENT
JUNE 7-8
Tomato Bowl
200 Austin St
https://www.jacksonvilletexas.com/
40TH ANNUAL TOMATO FEST SALSA CONTEST
8 A.M. - 12 P.M. JUNE 7
Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce
307 E Commerce St https://www.jacksonvilletexas.com/
40TH ANNUAL TOMATO FEST BEST HOMEGROWN TOMATO
8 A.M. - 10:30 A.M. JUNE 7
Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce 307 E Commerce St https://www.jacksonvilletexas.com/
40TH ANNUAL TOMATO FEST YOUTH TALENT SHOW
9:45 A.M. - 10:45 A.M. JUNE 8
Downtown Jacksonville https://www.jacksonvilletexas.com/
40TH ANNUAL TOMATO FEST TALENT SHOW
1:45 A.M. - 3 P.M. JUNE 8 Main Stage under the underpass https://www.jacksonvilletexas.com/
40TH ANNUAL TOMATO FEST
CHILI’S BLOODY MARY CONTEST 7:30 P.M. JUNE 8
Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce 307 E Commerce St https://www.jacksonvilletexas.com/
40TH ANNUAL TOMATO FEST
CHILI’S STREET DANCE
7 P.M. - 11 P.M. JUNE 8
Chili’s Parking Lot 1225 Jackson St https://www.jacksonvilletexas.com/
JEFFERSON
BATTLE FOR JEFFERSON LIVING HISTORY SCHOOL DAY
9 A.M. MAY 3
Lion’s Club Park 515 East Jefferson Street www.battleforjefferson.com
ILLUMINATION
7:30 P.M. - 10 P.M. MAY 3
Oakwood Cemetery Corner of Webster and North Main St http://www.battleforjefferson.com
| CONT. ON PG. 78
77 etxview.com | May/June 2024
Longview Juneteenth Black Rodeo
77TH HISTORIC JEFFERSON PILGRIMAGE
MAY 3-5
Downtown Jefferson https://visitjeffersontexas.com/
PILGRIMAGE PARADE AND DOWNTOWN SKIRMISH
10 A.M. MAY 4
Downtown Jefferson http://www.battleforjefferson.com
SECRET CODES OF THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
11:15 A.M. MAY 4
The Jeffersonian Institute 120 E Austin St #100 http://www.battleforjefferson.com
LADIES’ TEA
2 P.M. MAY 4
The Jeffersonian Institute 120 E Austin St #100 http://www.battleforjefferson.com
THE BATTLE OF BIG CYPRESS BAYOU
4 P.M. MAY 4
Total Farm 601 S Polk Street http://www.battleforjefferson.com
MUSKETS AND MAGNOLIAS GRAND BALL
8 P.M. - 11 P.M. MAY 4
The Jeffersonian Institute 120 E Austin St #100 http://www.battleforjefferson.com
GRAND FINALE BATTLE OF THE BAYOU
1 P.M. MAY 5
Total Farm
601 S Polk Street http://www.battleforjefferson.com
PRESENTATION OF COLORS
10 A.M. MAY 5
Christ Episcopal Church 703 S Main St http://www.battleforjefferson.com
ARK-LA-TEX MEMORIAL RALLY
MAY 24 - MAY 26
Downtown Jefferson https://visitjeffersontexas.com/
KILGORE
GEEKEND
MAY 4 - MAY 5
Downtown Kilgore https://kilgoremercantile.com/
TRACTORS, TRUCKS AND FUN
10 A.M. - 2 P.M. MAY 11
Downtown Kilgore https://fb.me/e/4WioAtlYp
MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATION
6 P.M. MAY 11
LoneStar Speedway
3131 FM 1252 E https://fb.me/e/3ETy4FRcP
STORYBOOK WALK
10 A.M. - 2 P.M. JUNE 1
Downtown Kilgore https://kilgoremercantile.com/
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING 7:30 P.M. - 10 P.M. JUNE 27
Texas Shakespeare Festival 1200 S Henderson Blvd https://fb.me/e/3xQ8EsPvu
KILGORE’S FARMERS MARKET
8 A.M. - 12 P.M. JUNE 1, JUNE 8, JUNE 15, JUNE 22 AND JUNE 29
Downtown Kilgore East South Street https://kilgoremercantile.com/
LINDALE
PINEY WOODS WINE FESTIVAL
1 P.M. - 8 P.M. MAY 10 AND 11 A.M. - 7 P.M. MAY 11 Picker’s Pavilion at Blackberry Square 205 Cannery Row https://www.visitlindale.com/
LONGVIEW
DOWNTOWN LIVE: KIM DONNETTE
5 P.M. - 8 P.M. MAY 3 Heritage Plaza 219 E. Methvin St https://www.visitlongviewtexas. com/
May/June 2024 | etxview.com 78
| CONT. FROM PG. 77
7TH ANNUAL KENTUCKY
DERBY PARTY
4 P.M. - 7 P.M. MAY 4
Gregg County Historical Museum 214 N Fredonia St http://gregghistorical.org/
THE NINA EFFECT 5K TRAIL RUN AND DOG WALK
8:30 A.M. - 12 P.M. MAY 4
Campbell Woods 20148 FM 449 https://runsignup.com/theninaeffect
EAST TEXAS COMIC CON MAY 4-5
Longview Exhibit Center 1123 Jaycee Dr http://easttexascomiccon.net/
CINCO DE MAYO
2 P.M. - 7 P.M. MAY 5
Longview Arboretum and Nature Center 706 W Cotton St https://fb.me/e/9olKs1w6c
READY, SET, FLY ROBOTICS COMPETITION
10 A.M. - 4 P.M. MAY 8
Gregg County Historical Museum 214 N Fredonia St http://gregghistorical.org/
PLAYHOUSE CREATURES MAY 9-12
Longview Community Center 500 E Whaley St https://theatrelongview.com/
DOWNTOWN LIVE: THE POWELL BROTHERS
5 P.M. - 8 P.M. MAY 10
Heritage Plaza 219 E. Methvin St https://www.visitlongviewtexas. com/
EXCELLENCE IN FLIGHT LECTURE WITH CHRISTINA STANGER
5:30 - 6:30 P.M. MAY 16
Gregg County Historical Museum 214 N Fredonia St http://gregghistorical.org/
DOWNTOWN LIVE: SWEET PAIN ROCKS
5 P.M. - 8 P.M. MAY 17
Heritage Plaza 219 E. Methvin St https://www.visitlongviewtexas. com/
UP, UP AND AWAY: STEM ACTION DAY
10 A.M. - 2 P.M. MAY 18 AND JUNE 15
Gregg County Historical Museum 214 N Fredonia St http://gregghistorical.org/
BAGS AND BREWS CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT
2 P.M. - 8 P.M. MAY 18
Maude Cobb Convention Center 100 Grand Blvd https://etxalz.org/
RUN FOR THE WALL
8 A.M. - 3 P.M. MAY 19
Longview Exhibit Center 1123 Jaycee Dr https://rftw.us/
EAST TEXAS SYMPHONIC BAND
7 P.M. MAY 20
Teague Park Amphitheater 415 American Legion Blvd https://etsymphonicband.org/
DOWNTOWN LIVE: CALVIN TATUM AND KING STATES
5 P.M. - 8 P.M. MAY 24
Heritage Plaza 219 E Methvin St https://www.visitlongviewtexas. com/
ALL THINGS EAST TX VENDOR CATCHUP
9 A.M. - 5 P.M. MAY 25
Longview Exhibit Center 1123 Jaycee Dr https://catchupnmustard.com/
MY PEOPLES AND MY PARTNERS RECEPTION
5:30- 7 P.M. MAY 30
Longview Museum of Fine Arts 215 E Tyler St https://www.lmfa.org/
DOWNTOWN LIVE: COVIE
5 P.M. - 8 P.M. MAY 31
Heritage Plaza 219 E. Methvin St https://www.visitlongviewtexas. com/
ARK-LA-TEX TATTOO AND ART EXPO MAY 31- JUNE 2
Maude Cobb Convention Center 100 Grand Blvd https://arklatextattooexpo.com/
CLASSIC ARMS PRODUCTIONS GUN AND KNIFE SHOW
JUNE 1 - JUNE 2
Longview Exhibit Center 1123 Jaycee Dr https://capgunshows.com/
20TH NICU REUNION
9:30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. JUNE 8
The Summit Club 3700 Judson Rd https://fb.me/e/4rArkldbJ
LONGVIEW PRIDE- Y'ALL MEANS ALL
3 P.M. - 8 P.M. JUNE 8
Maude Cobb Convention Center 100 Grand Blvd https://www.longviewtexas.gov/
| CONT. ON PG. 80
Great Texas Balloon Race
THE GREAT TEXAS BALLOON RACE
JUNE 10 - JUNE 16
Maude Cobb Convention Center 100 Grand Blvd https://gtbr.net/
MELON JELLY CONCERT
6:30 P.M. JUNE 21
Longview Museum of Fine Arts 215 E Tyler St https://www.lmfa.org/
LUNCH WITH A PILOT WITH THOMAS A. BUSSIERE
11 A.M. - 2 P.M. JUNE 22
Gregg County Historical Museum 214 N Fredonia St http://gregghistorical.org/
EXCELLENCE IN FLIGHT SERIES WITH JERRY ANNE JURENKA
5:30 P.M. - 6:30 P.M. JUNE 22
Gregg County Historical Museum 214 N Fredonia St http://gregghistorical.org/
HERPS EXOTIC REPTILE AND PET SHOW
JUNE 22 - JUNE 23
Longview Exhibit Center 1123 Jaycee Dr https://www.herpshow.net/shows
ORCHIDS OF HOPE NONPROFIT GALA AWARDS
6 P.M. JUNE 29
Green Rose Garden Event Center 2507 S Green St https://fb.me/e/7iRbcmqMa
LONGVIEW JUNETEENTH RODEO JUNE 29
Longview Fairgrounds 1123 Jaycee Dr. https://therealcowboyassociation. com
MARSHALL
2ND ANNUAL TACO THROWDOWN
4 P.M. - 6 P.M. MAY 4
North Washington Avenue https://marshalltexas.com/
MAKE-YOUR-OWN FAIRY GARDEN WORKSHOP
1 P.M. - 3 P.M. MAY 4
Starr Family Home 407 West Travis St https://marshalltexas.com/
SPRING 2024 CONSUELA TRUNK SHOW
11 A.M. - 2 P.M. MAY 4
Bear Creek Smokehouse 10857 TX-154 https://fb.me/e/6yK4Fbrnv
MATILDA THE MUSICAL JR MAY 10-11
Memorial City Hall Performance Center 110 E. Houston https://marshalltexas.com/ FIRST ANNUAL MOTHER’S DAY GALA
6 P.M. - 10 P.M. MAY 11
Marshall Convention Center 2501 E End Blvd S https://marshalltexas.com/ CLASS OF COVID PROM
7 P.M. MAY 25
Marshall Convention Center 2501 E End Blvd S https://fb.me/e/1T6Ctczth
CONNECT THE CULTURE’S NETWORK AND CHILL JUNE 29
Marshall Convention Center Hwy 59 S & Pinecrest https://marshalltexas.com/
MINEOLA
FIESTA DE MAYO
10 A.M. - 4 P.M. MAY 4 Downtown Mineola https://mineolachamber.org/ THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD
7 P.M. MAY 7
The Historic Select Theater 114 N Johnson St https://lakecountryplayhouse.com/
| CONT. FROM PG. 79
Red Dirt BBQ and Music Festival
SPRING MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATION
10 A.M. - 2 P.M. MAY 11
Bob Wells Nursery at Sorelle Farms 975 CR 2220
https://fb.me/e/1aWpOdS12
SECONDHAND LIONS
7 P.M. MAY 14
The Historic Select Theater 114 N Johnson St https://lakecountryplayhouse.com/
ADAM’S RIB
7 P.M. MAY 21
The Historic Select Theater 114 N Johnson St https://lakecountryplayhouse.com/
ONE, TWO THREE
7 P.M. MAY 28
The Historic Select Theater 114 N Johnson St https://lakecountryplayhouse.com/
MINEOLA SUMMER BASH
9 A.M. - 5 P.M. JUNE 15
The Line 124 S Line St https://fb.me/e/3EXlf0uKx
PITTSBURG
ENTREPRENEHER SMALL BUSINESS EXPO
12 P.M. - 5 P.M. MAY 11
The Wright Spot 117 Quitman St https://tinyurl.com/2xxj7yy7
EAST TEXAS ULTRA
MAY 18-19
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park 341 State Park Rd 2117 https://ultrasignup.com/register. aspx
PURPLE HEART POST DESIGNATION
6 P.M. JUNE 12
Camp County Memorial VFW 5398 646 FM-21
https://tinyurl.com/up3bz2ut
PACKING UP POLLY
JUNE 28-30
Pittsburg High School
300 N Texas St
https://tinyurl.com/5frc39m4
TATUM
LADIES NIGHT OUT WITH GUEST SPEAKER JACKIE HAYDEN
6 P.M. - 9 P.M. MAY 3
First Baptist Church Tatum 470 S Hill St https://fb.me/e/5q6B3RbfV
TROUP
TROUP FFA DINNER AND AWARDS BANQUET
6 P.M. MAY 14
Troup High School 927 Arp Dr https://fb.me/e/4XO3EuLHV
CRAFT AND CHAT
5 P.M. - 7 P.M. MAY 16 AND JUNE 20
Cameron-J. Jarvis Troup Municipal Library
102 S Georgia St https://fb.me/e/6uRcdnzQN
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS PROCLAMATION
6:30 P.M. MAY 20
Cameron-J. Jarvis Troup Municipal Library
102 S Georgia St https://fb.me/e/1PfuRO00Q
ADULT GAME DAY
1 P.M. JUNE 4
Cameron-J. Jarvis Troup Municipal Library
102 S Georgia St https://fb.me/e/3cjszGMEH
TYLER
GREAT STRIDES FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS
9 A.M. MAY 4
Caldwell Zoo
2203 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd https://fb.me/e/6JW1GCJtD
RED DIRT BBQ AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
1 P.M. MAY 4
Downtown Tyler Square https://fb.me/e/3nBebmytB
SWINGIN’ SUSPICION: MYSTERY AT THE USO BASH
6 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. MAY 4
Goodman-LeGrand Museum 624 N. Broadway
https://fb.me/e/3LjEVZGDu
NICU REUNION
1 P.M. - 4 P.M. MAY 5
W.T. Brookshire Conference Center 2000 W Front St https://fb.me/e/eHvV1Z5oZ
EAST TEXAS MENTAL HEALTH SUMMIT
2 P.M. - 4 P.M. MAY 7
W.T. Brookshire Conference Center 2000 W Front St https://fb.me/e/4jCBhJ4PX
SPRING FLING ADOPTION EVENT
10 A.M. MAY 11
Smith County Animal Control and Shelter 322 E Ferguson St. https://fb.me/e/3tIY9wNWP
STEEL MAGNOLIAS
2 P.M. MAY 11
Liberty Hall 103 E Erwin St https://libertytyler.com/
4TH ANNUAL TOM DENMON CRAWFISH BOIL
11 A.M. - 8 P.M. MAY 11
Cedars of Lebanon 5800 New Copeland Rd https://fb.me/e/4TSimsIV9
ART SHOW AND BLOCK PARTY
6 P.M. - 8 P.M. MAY 11
Studio Art Lounge 328 S College Ave https://fb.me/e/7htKlzMtG
MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH BUFFET
10:30 A.M. - 2:30 A.M. MAY 12 Villa Montez 3324 Old Henderson Hwy https://fb.me/e/5E5nMgSrr
EXPRESSIONS OF BEAUTY: THE WORKS OF NANCY A. BERKHOUSE
MAY 15 - MAY 18
Goodman-LeGrand House 624 N Broadway Ave https://fb.me/e/1YB5Jcxh2
2ND ANNUAL JUNIOR LEAGUE OF TYLER PICKLEBALL SOCIAL
6:30 P.M. MAY 16
Tyler Athletic and Swim Club 2767 Oak Creek Blvd
https://fb.me/e/7U36vBCM3
RUN OF THE ROSES
8: 30 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. MAY 18
Southside Park 455 Shiloh Rd
https://fb.me/e/21nGkIxHl
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| CONT. ON PG. 82
| CONT. FROM PG. 81
EMBRACE THE JOURNEY 5K
9 A.M. MAY 18
True Vine Brewing Company 2447 Earl Campbell Pkwy https://fb.me/e/52tHp382y
THE BREAKFAST CLUB
7 P.M. MAY 24
Liberty Hall 103 E Erwin St https://libertytyler.com/
LOTERIA NIGHT BENEFITTING FOR THE SILENT
6 P.M. MAY 17
Glass Recreation Center 501 W 32nd St https://fb.me/e/7kJGxVeI3
TYLER CELTIC FEST 2024 MAY 24-27
The Grove 15972 Texas Hwy 64 E https://rb.gy/y5xxnq
BLOCK PARTY POPUP MARKET
11 A.M. - 4 P.M. MAY 25 Downtown Tyler https://fb.me/e/1iFIeF8w1
FOUNDER’S DAY
JUNE 8
Discovery Science Place
308 N Broadway Ave https://www. discoveryscienceplace.org/
MOANA
2 P.M. JUNE 8
Liberty Hall 103 E Erwin St https://libertytyler.com/
RESERVATION-ONLY WINE TASTING AND ART EXHIBIT
2 P.M. TO 6 P.M. JUNE 8
Texas African American Museum
309 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. www.facebook.com/ texasafricanamericanmuseum
TYLER CATTLE BARON’S BAL L
6 P.M. TO 12:30 A.M. JUNE 8
Texas Rose Horse Park 14078 Texas Highway 110 N https://tyler.acscbb.org
THE WIZARD OF OZ
JUNE 7-9 AND JUNE 13-16 AND JUNE 20-23
Tyler Civic Theatre
400 Rose Park Dr https://tylercivictheatre.com/
JUNETEENTH ASSOCIATION OF TYLER PARADE
9 A.M. JUNE 15 https://tinyurl.com/juneteenthtyler
LABYRINTH: LIVE SHOW
2 P.M. JUNE 15
Liberty Hall 103 E Erwin St https://libertytyler.com/
JUNETEENTH MUSIC FEST
8 P.M. - 1 A.M. JUNE 15
Majesty Event Center 900 W Bow St https://fb.me/e/6tiLU9svK
ROSE CITY PRIDE
JUNE 22
W.T. Brookshire Conference Center 2000 W Front St https://www.tylerareagays.com/
FINDING DORY
2 P.M. JUNE 22
Liberty Hall 103 E Erwin St https://libertytyler.com/
THE MUSIC OF WILL JENNINGS
7:30 P.M. JUNE 22
Rogers Palmer Performing Arts Center
1303 S Mahon Ave https://etxsymphony.org/
COME FROM AWAY!
7:30 P.M. JUNE 27
Cowan Center
3900 University Blvd https://cowancenter.org/
ALLEN HURT: LIVE CONCERT
7 P.M. JUNE 29
Liberty Hall 103 E Erwin St https://libertytyler.com/
WHITEHOUSE
KC JOHNS
6 P.M. - 9 P.M. MAY 25
Blackhawk Creek General Store and Grill 20255 Texas 110 https://tinyurl.com/ywwcf2ap
JAKE WORTHINGTON
8 P.M. - 9:30 P.M. JUNE 14
Blackhawk Creek General Store and Grill 20255 Texas 110 https://tinyurl.com/2knknze5
WINONA
WINONA FFA BANQUET AND AUCTION
5 P.M. MAY 9
Winona Middle School 611 Wildcat Dr https://fb.me/e/7iXYp5xfQ
THIS EVENTS LISTING WAS COMPILED BY STAFFER RAQUEL VILLATORO. EVENTS FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE JULY/AUGUST EDITION OF ETX VIEW MUST BE SUBMITTED BY MAY 23.
May/June 2024 | etxview.com 82
Tyler Cattle Baron's Ball
May/June 2024 | etxview.com 84 At CHRISTUS Health, we never stop working to make heart care better. With us, you have easy access to innovative diagnostics, rehabilitation, and the latest in heart surgery advancements – delivered with genuine thoughtfulness and compassion by our skilled cardiology team. To learn more about one of the area’s most comprehensive heart care programs, or to find a provider close to you, visit CHRISTUShealth.org You only have one heart. We only have one purpose: to keep it healthy and strong. SCAN HERE TO FIND A PROVIDER.