CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CARTHAGE CONVENTION/VISITORS BUREAU
POCKET GUIDE
SPRING IS HERE, bringing new beginnings and fresh opportunities, and there’s no better time to celebrate the amazing students in Panola County. At Panola College, we are proud to be part of this wonderful community where education is a shared passion, and the success of our students is something we all work toward together.
This spring, we applaud the achievements of students graduating from Panola College and our local high schools. Their hard work, determination, and dedication inspire us all. These students are not just reaching milestones—they are opening doors to bright futures, and we are so proud to play a role in their journey.
At Panola College, we believe student achievement improves lives, and we are dedicated to making education accessible for everyone. That is why we offer numerous scholarships and other resources to help students take the next step in their education. Whether they’re pursuing a degree, gaining new skills for a career, or
transferring to a university, we are here to support them every step of the way.
Panola College is honored to be part of such a supportive community. Together, we can continue to invest in the power of education and create opportunities for students to grow, dream big, and succeed. Congratulations to all of our graduates—you make Panola County proud!
With heartfelt congratulations, DR. JESSICA PACE President, Panola College
From One Mom’s Journey to a Thriving Therapy Center
The Story of Beyond Speech Therapy
WHEN BRENDA GILLAR first set foot on her journey to become a speech therapist, she wasn’t just thinking about a career—she was thinking about her son. As a mom of a child with severe developmental delays, she knew firsthand the challenges families face when seeking the right support. She understood the worries, the long drives to appointments, and the deep hope that therapy could make all the difference.
Determined to turn her experience into something meaningful, Brenda went back to school—sometimes even bringing her son along with her! She earned her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Texas Woman’s University and later
became a board-certified autism specialist. But instead of stopping there, she took a leap of faith and opened Beyond Speech Therapy, a place where families could find the same kind of help she once searched for herself.
It all started in a modest 800 sq. ft. office in Longview, Texas. But word spread fast—because Beyond Speech Therapy wasn’t just another clinic. It was a place where kids felt comfortable, where parents felt heard, and where progress happened in a way that felt personal and empowering.
Today, seeing families make long drives just to access therapy, Beyond Speech Therapy recognized the need for change. With abundant faith and a
supportive team who believed in their vision, Brenda opened Beyond Speech Therapy-Carthage, bringing essential services closer to home for even more families.
Offering a full range of speech, occupational, and autism services—helping children develop communication,
speech, language, balance, coordination, handwriting, sensory, emotional regulation, and social skills that carry over into school and everyday life. But it’s not just about therapy; it’s about building a community. That’s why Beyond Speech Therapy is especially excited about bringing “Mothers’ Night Out” to the Carthage clinic—a fun and much-needed evening where moms can connect, support each other, and enjoy a creative escape with a paint party.
From one mom’s personal journey to a thriving, multi-location therapy center, Beyond Speech Therapy is proof that passion, perseverance, and heart can create something truly life-changing.
Want to learn more? Visit Beyond Speech Therapy and see how they’re making a difference, one child at a time.
Beyond Speech Therapy
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
4H PROJECT FAIR
March
PANOLA COUNTY SHRED DAY
March 1
300 W. Panola, Carthage, Texas
PANOLA COUNTY CLEAN UP DAY
March 1
300 W. Panola, Carthage, Texas
79TH 2025 PANOLA COUNTY
JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW
March 3-7
Carthage Expo Hall, Carthage, Texas
March 3-7
Carthage Civic Center 1702 S. Adams,Carthage, Texas
3RD ANNUAL TERESA FORD MEMORIAL SANDBASS TOURNAMENT
March 15
Sabine River Bridge Boatramp Hwy 2517, Carthage, Texas
PANOLA HAS TALENT
March 15
The Esquire Theater Downtown Carthage www.thecountrymusichayride.com
ST. PATRICK’S DAY STREET PARTY
March 15
Grind & Grain, Downtown Carthage
6TH ANNUAL BRANDON SEEGERS MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
March 29
Carthage Country Club US Hwy. 79 N, Carthage, Texas
April cont. on 8
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS
April 3-6
The Esquire Theater Downtown Carthage
PANOLA COLLEGE PURSE BINGO
April 4
Carthage Civic Center 1702 S. Adams, Carthage, Texas
MARCH 15 AT
AT 7:00 PM
TALENT SHOW PRIZES
WINNER $300
1ST RUNNER UP: $100
2ND RUNNER UP: $75
3RD RUNNER UP: $25
Ages 5-18
SCAN THIS QR CODE TO SIGN UP AND SHOW OFF YOUR TALENT
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
April cont. from 6
COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE
April 5
Panola County Chamber of Commerce
300 W. Panola, Carthage, Texas
AUSTIN GRAY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP BASS TOURNAMENT
April 5
Lake Murvaul Marina 638 FM 1234, Carthage, Texas
For event details visit us on Facebook or the web!
PINEY WOODS QUILT SHOW FESTIVAL
April 11 & 12
Carthage Civic Center 1702 S. Adams Carthage, Texas
EAST TEXAS TEACAKE FESTIVAL & TRADE DAY
April 19
Sunset Alumni Association Downtown Beckville Texas
KEITH STEPTOE MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
April 19
Carthage Country Club US Hwy. 79 N, Carthage, Texas
20th Annual Piney Woods Quilt Festival
April 11 & 12, 2025 9-5 9-4
2025 PWQF Quilt Challenge
Theme: Piney Woods
Any pattern depicting the piney woods of East Texas
Minimum size pieced: 36” x 36”
Featured Quilter
Jackie Rodriguez
Quilt entry forms due March 21, 2025
Wednesday March5, 6pm WednesdayMarch 5, Psalm S unday Sunday
Sunday April13, 6pm SundayApril13, Maundy
Thursday April17, 6pm ThursdayApril 17,6pm
Easter S unday S er vice asterS undayS
Sunday April20, 10am SundayApril 20,10am
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
May
2025 DOWNTOWN
TUNES & TAILS
May 3 or 5 (TBD)
Esquire Theater 114 W. Sabine St., Carthage, Texas
EAST TEXAS JEEP JAM
May 3
Carthage Civic Center 1702 S. Adams, Carthage, Texas
PRCA RODEO
May 9 & 10
Panola County Cattleman’s Arena Hwy 79 N, Carthage, Texas
Hosted by Panola County Cattleman’s Association
CAPPS/LADYMON MEMORIAL 2 DAY GOLF TOURNAMENT
May 17 & 18 Carthage Country Club Carthage, Texas
2025 7TH ANNUAL CRAWFISH BOIL KEITH CARR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER
May 31 Lake Murvaul Marina 638 FM 1234, Carthage, Texas
SLEEPY REYNOLDS GOLF TOURNAMENT
May 31 through - June 1 Carthage Country Club Carthage, Texas
CARTHAGE SEPTEMBER 25
Combat Illegal Dumping and Keep Communities Clean
Provided by East Texas Council of Governments
THE EAST TEXAS COUNCIL
OF GOVERNMENTS is proud to announce the launch of a new reporting system designed to combat illegal dumping and keep East Texas clean. The system, called RID – Report Illegal Dumping, is a simple and convenient way for residents to report instances of illegal dumping in their neighborhoods and communities. Illegal dumping is a persistent problem in many communities, creating health and safety hazards, detracting from the beauty of our neighborhoods, and negatively impacting the environment. The new online system provides a convenient solution to this problem, allowing residents to quickly and easily report incidents of illegal dumping with just a few clicks.
RID features a user-friendly interface and easy-to-follow instructions that guide users through the reporting process. Users can submit a report by providing a description of the incident, a photo of the dumped material, and the location of the dumping site. All reports are sent directly to local enforcement officials, who will follow up to address the issue.
“Our solid waste advisory committee is committed to keeping our communities clean and safe,” said ETCOG’s Economic Development Manager, Lisa Smith. “The new reporting system has been funded by recommendation of the committee to allow East Texans to be part of the solution to minimizing environmental damage. This is a significant step forward in our efforts to combat illegal dumping and improve the quality of life for residents in our region.”
The online reporting system is available on the ETCOG website and does not require a mobile download. Residents are encouraged to visit and use it to report illegal dumping in their neighborhoods. ETCOG’s member cities and counties are encouraged to add the RID logo and link to their website and promotions to help share the tool’s availability. For more information about the ETCOG RID reporting system, visit www.etcog.org/rid.
