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Man on a mission winter 2022 ISSUE

Hallsville filmmaker David Ford is a man on a mission.

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LETTER

Winter 2022 ISSUE

ike many of you, I spend some time each turn of the calendar year reflecting on the past year and start planning what goals should be put in place for the new year. This can be done for yourself, your family, your profession, or all the above. Additionally, we should take time to celebrate the victories we accomplish and thank those who have assisted us to reach them. If you’re like me, unfortunately sometimes we too often run through life without making a proper acknowledgment. The issue you hold in your hands or are reading online, is the fourth issue out of four, in our first year of publication. This accomplishment makes me want to stop and give thanks. When we started working on the idea of Harrison Magazine a year ago, we wanted this publication to reflect our great community. We always want to be finding and telling the great stories that this community has to offer. While my talented staff often develops these story ideas, it is you our reader who often provides the greatest tips and ideas for us to cultivate and share with the rest of the readership of Harrison Magazine. We are grateful for your input. As we move into the next year of publication for Harrison Magazine, I do hope that you will continue to reach out to us and provide ideas and feedback on our stories. I would be remiss in not acknowledging all the area businesses that have supported the magazine by advertising. I do hope you support their businesses, and mention you saw their ad in Harrison Magazine, because without their continued support we would not be able to bring Harrison Magazine to life each issue. If you would like to be part of Harrison Magazine in a future issue, please reach out to me. Perhaps you have a great story idea. Maybe you want to build your business profile by advertising in our pages, or you believe your business should be featured as the subject or location of an upcoming photospread. No matter what it is, we want to be part of telling the story of Harrison County through Harrison Magazine. While you can find my email below the signature on this column, I am also available via phone if you prefer to speak. My direct line is (903)-927-5977. No matter your preference in communication, I do look forward to engaging with you. Please let me say again, thank you to everyone who has had something to do with Harrison Magazine in it’s first year. We look forward to many more.

Publisher Alexander Gould

agould@mrobertsmedia.com

Editor Meredith Shamburger

mshamburger@marshallnewsmessenger.com

Advertising Sales Johnnie Fancher

jfancher@marshallnewsmessenger.com

Marquisia Wright

mwright@marshallnewsmessenger.com

contributing Writers Jessica Harker Bridget Or tigo Robin Y. Richardson

contributing Photographers Michael Cavazos Les Hassell

Graphic Designer Katie Case

Special thank you to Amtrak

on the cover

David Ford has stories to tell, and the writer, producer, trainer, and actor has now set his sights on his next project. Photo by Michael Cavazos

published by Alexander Gould

agould@mrobertsmedia.com

4 | HARRISON MAGAZINE

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COVER STORY

Man on a Mission

Hallsville filmmaker David Ford is a man on a mission. Ford has stories to tell, and the writer, producer, trainer, and actor has now set his sights on his next project. HARRISON CHAMPION

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BACKYARD SURPRISES

Oh The Places You Can Go! Amtrak’s Marshall station is first stop for adventure story by Robin Richardson | photos by Les Hassell

hen looking for adventure, the Texas Eagle line on Amtrak is the way to go. Harrison County just so happens to wear the proud distinction of being home to one of the hundreds of Amtrak stations in the nation. Of the thousands of cities in the country, Marshall is one of nearly 600 to have the privilege of being an Amtrak stop along the Texas Eagle long-distance route. As the longest route in the nation, the Texas Eagle Amtrak route connects Chicago to Los Angeles and takes travelers on a “real adventure” deep in the heart of Texas. Passengers, especially first-timers, are always impressed by the places the route explores. “Most people leaving from here, they go to St. Louis or Chicago,” shared Jazmin Williams, customer service agent at the Marshall station. “We have a lot of Dallas passengers, San Antonio and Austin. We do have a connecting bus that goes to Houston. It goes all the way to Galveston, but it stops in Houston.” The train continues to be a prime transportation option, as travelers are learning more about the melting pot of affordable destinations. “You can pretty much go anywhere and it’s really cheap,” said Williams. “You can go to Dallas anywhere between

8 | HARRISON MAGAZINE

$15 and $40 round trip. You can go to Chicago anywhere between $100. “Sometimes we have specials or deals,” she shared. “You can get a roomette, which is basically your own private room. It comes with dinner; you can get a snack, an alcoholic beverage or a soda. You can get them as low as $120.” Passengers are invited to explore schedules and venture to the many attractions near Amtrak stations. “Hop aboard the Texas Eagle, traveling between Chicago and San Antonio, through major cities from Austin to Dallas,” Amtrak’s website encouraged, noting connecting service between San Antonio and Los Angeles is available via the Sunset Limited. “Wind through the Land of Lincoln, across the Mississippi River, and through the Ozarks to Little Rock and the piney woods of East Texas,” Amtrak continued. “Onward to colorful, cosmopolitan Dallas, through Austin (home of the University of Texas) and finally to San Antonio, where the legend of the Alamo and the Riverwalk attract people from all over the world. Williams said she definitely recommends traveling the Chicago, San Antonio and Los Angeles route. “If you want to venture out and take another route, I would say the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and Canada,” she said.

Top left: Passengers wait for the Amtrak ride from Marshall to Mineola. Middle: Maryville University student Donavan Whitted looks at his phone as he travels home to Dallas. Top right: The train arrives at the Marshall Depot. Bottom right: Wilma Maxwell-Snow waits on a customer in the dining car. Bottom left: Customer service agent Jazmin Williams at the Marshall Depot. “It goes through the Grand Canyon. We do have a route that goes into Canada and you can come back as well. “It’s pretty cool. You learn some pretty interesting things,” Williams said of the escapades offered.

Travelers’ Experience This past holiday season, the Amtrak train saw many passengers stopping through Texas to visit their loved ones. Ron Diaz, of Orlando, Florida, came via Amtrak to see his brother, who lives in Jefferson. He rides the train from the Dallas/Fort Worth stop to Marshall’s station because of its close proximity to Jefferson. “I ride the train because I come to Dallas/Fort Worth from Orlando, and then I ride the train and I get off here, and he picks me up. It’s close to Jefferson. That’s why I use the train from Dallas to here,” Diaz said as he prepared to say goodbye to his brother before boarding the train back to Dallas to head home. Diaz is no stranger to traveling by train, having been raised in Madrid, Spain. He said he prefers trains because of the convenience. “You don’t have to be driving and keeping your eye on the road all the time and all that,” he said of train travel. The fact that it’s a relaxing experience is a plus, too. “You can get up and walk; you can go get a snack. It’s just less hectic when you’re traveling,” said Diaz. For Cynde Shauser, traveling by train makes her feel secure. “I’m scared to fly,” she shared. “I think that it’s a great alternative to flying. It’s a great alternative to driving all by

yourself across the United States.” The Denton resident took the train from Dallas to Maryland during the holidays to attend her daughter’s event. “I caught the train in Dallas. You have to change trains in Chicago and then go to Maryland, and then I came back,” said Shauser. The ride was very accommodating as she enjoyed riding in both sleeper and coach during her journey. “I took a sleeper all the way to Maryland. Then I took the coach back,” said Shauser. She thoroughly enjoyed the luxury of the sleeper as it offers a five-star experience, complete with amenities. “The sleeper is amazing,” said Shauser. “You have a bed. They have better meals that they give you options of. I ate salmon the whole time. “They bring your baggage in for you,” she noted. “They change down your bed for you, and then you have your seats during the day. They have the bathroom. They have the showers with all soaps and towels. I mean … it’s a whole different thing.” Riding coach was pleasant too, and gave Shauser, a pastor and educator, an opportunity to mingle. “I’m a pastor and I’m a special education teacher, so I’m used to talking to people and interacting with people, and I like it,” said Shauser. The educator also likes to take in the scenic views along the way, to share with her students. “I teach virtual special education, so I sent them all the difWINTER 2022 ISSUE | 9

ferent things about my road trip on the train. So I’m teaching them about the train; I’m teaching them about transportation,” said Shauser. The train ride also provided the perfect opportunity to educate her students on history. “Some of the trains in some of the different areas, they’ll give a history tour as you’re going. And so as they were telling me about the history in some of the different areas, I wrote it down, sent it to my kids, so they got to hear about all of that,” said Shauser. She found the train to be very accommodating, equipped with a desk and electrical outlets for her electronics, as she squeezed in some work. “I’ve been teaching while I’ve been here. I’ve been doing a speech. I have my computer here. I wrote my speech,” she said of how she occupied her time while on the train. “Everybody makes you feel real comfortable,” she said of the staff. Eloise Tatum, a nurse from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, decided to explore the train for the holidays as well. It was her first time. She was pleasantly surprised with the cozy ride. “It’s been nice,” she said of the experience. “I came from up north and I’m traveling to Longview.” Longview is the train’s next designated stop from Marshall and is also the transfer point for travelers going onto Houston, Shreveport and Nacogdoches. Tatum, who is a frequent flier, chose the train just to try something different. “I just wanted the experience, that’s all,” she said. “My aunt always talked about how nice the train was when she would travel to family events to visit us; and this time I just decided to take the train for the relaxation, honestly, because I could’ve got to where I was going in three hours. “So it was just for the relaxation, experience and the sightseeing,” said Tatum. “It’s nice to sightsee, especially if you don’t have a rush, like I’m not in a rush; I’m on my vacation.” She enjoyed the views of the small towns and the vast land of greenery the most. “And I’ve met some decent people in here. I’ve met a few people that I’ve talked to that seem nice,” said Tatum. Indulging in some of the offerings, the first-timer checked out some of the snacks and drinks. “I did have me a nice Corona last night for relaxation,” Tatum chuckled. “And this morning I had my coffee, so it’s been a nice ride.” It’s the perfect alternative, especially for those who revel in a sense of solitude when traveling. “I’m a loner anyway. I like the peace,” said Tatum. “The ride has been very peaceful, very relaxing. If you’re a person like myself that’s kind of like a loner, this is a perfect ride for 10 | H A R R I S O N M A G A Z I N E

somebody that’s a loner.” Tatum said she appreciated how respectful fellow passengers are, overall. “That’s important because if you get on a ride long like this, because this is 37 hours … if you get on a ride like this, and you’re on a ride with disrespectful people, it makes the ride unpleasant. You definitely forever want to fly after that, just to get where you’re going just to get off,” she said. Tatum said she would definitely recommend traveling via Amtrak to others as it offers not only a great trip but makes a thrilling conversation. “Actually whenever I get to my family I’m going to talk good about the experience,” she said. “That’ll be our topic, when I make it there — about this ride, and the people I’ve met along the way.” She looks forward to her next adventure in the future. “I’d try it again one day, but next time maybe I’d try the other features that I hear other people talk about,” she said. The train was also a top choice for Paul Zasadny as he found it to be a soothing remedy to his anxiety, associated with seasonal affective disorder. Zasadny traveled from his home in Milwaukee for a long-awaited reunion with his cousin Melissa in Texas. “I haven’t seen her for 35 years,” said Zasadny. “And I have something called seasonal affective disorder. I have some anxiety problems, and if I took the plane, I would get air sick,” he explained. “Now if I take the train, it’s going to be a little smoother.” For the trip, the self-described “flute artist” had an assortment of flutes in tow. As the train stopped for a stretch and smoke break at the Longview station, Zasadny decided to seize the moment, entertaining passengers with a selection. “I’ve been collecting flutes and playing the flute for five years now. I wouldn’t call myself a severe professional, but I’m getting there,” Zasadny teased. “I want to spread some joy to my family by playing some music, so I thought about bringing my flutes along.” He said he had fun posting pictures from his journey onto Facebook. He planned to stop in Dallas and take the Greyhound bus from there on to Lubbock, in time for the holidays. “I’m happy to get out of Milwaukee for a while,” said Zasadny. Kubia Chance took the train for the first time to relocate from South Bend, Indiana to his former home, Dallas. He chose the train over bus for the comfort. “I said no, I don’t want to take no bus; I don’t want to take no plane. I want to try the train. It’s comfortable; you’ve got more space. I can’t be cooped up and all that like on a bus.” It was also college student and wrestler Donavan Whitted’s first time on a train as he traveled from his school, Maryville University in Missouri, to return to Texas for the holidays.

2021

“I was like yes, I can take the train,” he said, sharing how his dad was pleased with the affordable prices. “I’ve never taken the train. “I was asking all kinds of questions: ‘Do I have to get there early like the airport; do I have to try to eat early before I get there?’’” he grinned. “It’s a first experience, kind of like a last minute thing.” It turned out to be a great decision. “I did good,” said Whitted, sharing how he’s used to traveling long distances in cars for wrestling matches. “I prefer this over driving any day.”

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Friendly Staff Randy Lucas, who has been aboard for 23 years, enjoys working as a train attendant, accommodating the passengers’ needs. So does Wilma Maxwell-Snow, who has manned the café lounge for 16 years, serving up anything they like from breakfast to snacks to sandwiches and more. “It’s almost like at a baseball game, you have chips, candy — anything they need to just enjoy the view and relax,” said Maxwell-Snow. The work crew is one big family and enjoys traveling, seeing both new and familiar faces that utilize Amtrak. “It gets to be like family. Basically I get to see some of the same people over and over again,” said Maxwell-Snow. “I tell everybody, the train is a good place to bring your kids,” said Lucas. Children ages 2 to 12 ride half price. Infants under 2 ride free. To plan for your trip, Williams, customer service agent at Marshall’s station, noted Amtrak’s generous baggage policy, which allows passengers to carry-on two free pieces of luggage — each not to exceed 50 pounds. She offered some helpful tips to further make the journey delightful. “Make sure you have a pillow and blanket and phone charger, so that way you can charge your phone,” she suggested. “Bring a tablet.” Most of all, just sit back, recline and enjoy. “The seats do recline so you do have extra space to be comfortable,” said Williams. “I would definitely say enjoy yourselves, get up and move around, see the train, talk to people, ask them where they’re going because it’s always cool to see where people are going or why they’re traveling.”

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COVER STORY

story by Bridget Ortigo 12 | H A R R I S O N M A G A Z I N E

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o s t h zos sig ava

s ichael C t e s or otos by M t c a h r, |p

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ke et Ortigo a m g film Brid y by

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W I N T E R 2 0 2 2 I S S U E | 13

allsville filmmaker David Ford is a man on a mission. Ford has stories to tell, and the writer, producer, trainer, and actor has now set his sights on his next project. Ford has made three movies, the most recent “Man vs. Bigfoot” debuted at the Memorial City Hall Performance Center in Marshall last fall. Before that, Ford filmed “Something in the Woods.” “They’ve all been done the same way, ultra low budget, a shoe string budget,” Ford said. “I’m doing all of those to kind of show what I can do with a little bit, and if those films can get good reviews and do well, hopefully I can attract some bigger investors and bring them to the table.” Ford said he has long term plans to continue to make movies while attracting bigger and bigger investors, and part of that plan includes teaming up with a friend of his who happens to be another Hallsville filmmaker — Micah Lyons, who recently moved back to East Texas from Hollywood. Lyons owns Breath of Life Productions LLC and filmed “The Runners.” “I’m trying to work with Micah a little bit more and we’re talking about teaming up on a future feature film,” Ford said. Most recently, Ford starred as the lead in Lyons’ film “Lockdown,” which is set for release this spring. “I’ve only been a lead in my own films so far, so to be a lead in someone else’s film is exciting,” Ford said. Ford is even now continuing to send off auditions tapes across the country to star in other producers’ films and has traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to shoot a scene for an Edward Zwick film. “It was just one scene that I’m in for that film, but to land a speaking role in one of his films was pretty fun because he’s pretty big time,” Ford said. “When he comes up and says, ‘You did a good job,’ it makes you feel confirmed, that you’re justified in chasing this dream.” Following his dream to act and produce films with meaning hasn’t always been an easy road for Ford. “You get a lot of people saying, ‘It’s a pipe dream, you’ll never make it to the top,’ and that may be true but I’m having fun,” Ford said. “But I honestly just don’t know how to quit. I really don’t. Part of me wonders why I do it sometimes, but I’m having fun.” Ford continues to work full time for 1845 Barndominiums here in East Texas, where he films catchy commercials that rack up rack up lots of views on social media. The company is owned by Ford’s family, which affords him some freedom to take off work and shoot the occasional movie.

LIFELONG DREAM

“I started acting in college and I gave it a break for a while, 14 | H A R R I S O N M A G A Z I N E

kind of gave up on the dream for a few years and began teaching,” Ford said. “But finally, I auditioned for a horror film in Dallas. I almost didn’t go to that audition but then I told myself, ‘If you don’t go, you’ll never know.’” Ford ended up landing the lead role in that horror film. “At that time, I had delusions of grandeur,” he said. “I thought I was going to become a star overnight. First role I auditioned for I landed. But, little did I know, it doesn’t come as easy as that and I may audition 20 or 30 times now before I land a role.” Those audition tapes Ford sends off aren’t a quick and simple process. He has to have all of his own gear to film the auditions, make sure the lighting, framing, sound and setting is just right, often has to recruit other locals actors to read other parts with him off screen and, once the audition is filmed, he then begins the editing process on each video. “All of these actors around here, we all try to pool together and help each other out in that department,” he said. The reason Ford continues to work the dream because he feels this is all part of his ministry.

FAITH AND FILMS

Ford said his main purpose in making films is to further what he feels is his personal ministry to reach people and spread the Good News of Jesus to others through his stories in film. “I look what’s out there in the world, and a lot of it’s a bunch of garbage,” Ford said. “A lot of it’s just re-packaged movies of older movies. I try to think outside of the box and I truly feel that movies can go where some not every one can go. One of the most important reasons I do all of this is because I want to create an avenue to share my faith. I want to create an avenue, and I believe my ministry is to create Christian films because films can go to some countries where missionaries can’t go.” The film Ford is currently focusing on shooting and raising money for is a film he wrote years ago and even made, but he wants to do it bigger and better in the hopes it will truly take off and be shared around the world to spread an uplifting message. “I originally filmed Preacher Man in 2013, but I didn’t have the right equipment or a good budget and I just scrapped the whole thing,” Ford said. “I’m now focusing on raising a big enough budget, about $100,000, to really film it right, with a well known actor in the lead, and send this movie where missionaries can’t necessarily go.” With “Preacher Man,” Ford writes and portrays the character of “Dan Flanigan,” who certainly wouldn’t come off as your typical faith based movie hero.

“BUT I HONESTLY JUST DON’T KNOW HOW TO QUIT. I REALLY DON’T. PART OF ME WONDERS WHY I DO IT SOMETIMES, BUT I’M HAVING FUN.”

W I N T E R 2 0 2 2 I S S U E | 15

Flanigan is an escaped convict who, by a series of events, ends up taking over the identity of a recently deceased pastor. Flanigan finds himself growing to care for his fellow church members, and when the wolves coming knocking at the church’s door, this preacher won’t turn the other cheek. “It’s got all of the elements that make a good movie and keep audiences emotionally engaged — comedy, action, drama, romance, adventure,” Ford said. “Many Christian films today often come across too preachy — either that or they target mainly Christians. We aren’t trying to target Christians, but rather the lost. We believe Christians and non-Christians alike will find this film entertaining but will also be able to clearly the see that there is a message in it.” While the 6-foot, 2-inch, brawny former athlete might look more suited to playing on the gridiron rather than peering through a video camera lens, Ford has no doubt that reaching people through films is his God-given purpose. “I want to shoot it with a big name actor, but I want to shoot it locally, I’m just focused on the fundraising for it now,” Ford said. “There is a great message behind this film and it can just catch fire. There is a message in this film without beating people over the head with a Bible. Even non-Christians would enjoy this film because it goes about sharing a good message in a great way and it really could catch fire. The plot shows you how one guy can change from bad to good and make a difference.” Ford said story telling is something he has always loved to do, and he draws inspiration for those stories from his surroundings. “I get my inspiration for stories from life and music,” Ford said. “Sometimes I’ll be listening to some music and a scene will just pop in my head and I can build a whole script from 16 | H A R R I S O N M A G A Z I N E

that one scene. Really, the underlying theme of my films is to spread the good news of the Gospel, but I don’t make it too preachy. I entertain people and then leave them with a good message. When they can walk out of a theater with a good message, maybe it will impact them.” Ford’s film, “Something in the Woods” made it to global distribution and “Man vs. Bigfoot” received great reviews. “Acting is my passion,” he said. “A lot of people know nothing about the Gospel, but they’ll watch a movie and hopefully it will leave them with a powerful experience.” Ford said he was saved at the age of 7 and grew up with a strong Christian support system through his parents. “Our mission is to make high quality Christian-based films that will encourage, inspire and entertain film audiences around the world. The main reason for the success of family and faith based films in the last few years is a result of the lack of quality films being produced by Hollywood that instill family values and Biblical ethics,” he said. “There is a hunger for this, and that is the reason why even lower-budget faith based films are making waves at the box office.” In the meantime, Ford will continue to produce video commercials for local and area businesses, as he continues to do at his full time job with 1845 Barndominiums. “I know this movie can’t happen without the support of the Christian community that believe in the message I’m trying to put out,” he said. “There’s a lot of people that say ‘awesome, great work’ but I need their support. There’s a strong Christian message in this and I believe in it. I need to get this in front of people that are Christians that believe movies can have an impact. Movies can divide people or bring them together. They have a big impact. I’m trying to influence them in the right way.”

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HARRISON CHAMPION

Buddy Power and his daughter, Cherry Fisher, started Buddy Power Promotions in 2017 to promote events and community ideas in Harrison County.

Bring Back the History

story by Jessica Harker | photos by Michael Cavazos

hen Buddy Power Promotions was first started five years ago, the plan was very different from that of other nonprofit groups. Rather than making plans to formulate their own unique event in the area, the group behind Buddy Powers Promotions simply wanted to help promote, and sometimes bring back, classic events local East Texas communities have been known for. A true family affair, Buddy Power started the organization with his daughter Cherry Fisher back in 2017. “She (Cherry) was involved with other theater groups, and we wanted to put something together for a community theater group here,” Power said. The group began shows in 2018 with the production of “Curious Savage.” Since that time, the group has performed a number of local shows including “Steel Magnolias,” “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “The Wild Women of Winedale.” Not satisfied with just putting on and promoting local theater, Power said that the goal of the organization was always to expand out of that and promote other events and community ideas. 18 | H A R R I S O N M A G A Z I N E

“It was always my idea not to be the headline, but to support and grow community events and organizations,” Power said, “But plays are our specialty.” For Halloween last year, the organization looked around the Marshall community and realized that there was no real local event for community families to go to during the season. Advertising Chair Julie Brock said that after spending time researching the area, she worked with other group members to form Marshall’s first Trail of Terrors haunted maze event. Brock said that the event was a way to give local children and their families something safe, and spooky, to enjoy during Halloween this year, with the first event costing only $5 to attend. The group organized a winding haunted maze for community members to go through in groups, lead by one of the nonprofit’s volunteers. The event also featured a children’s area for younger guests. “We wanted to make this as good as it can be so that teens and adults can come out and have something scary close to

home,” Brock said. The group also worked with the City of Waskom to produce the city’s lighting ceremony, lighting up the Waskom City Park throughout December. Power said that the only cost for entry was a can to be donated to the local food bank, with all of the work for the lighting ceremony put on by volunteers. “It’s something they used to do all the time, and now we are trying to bring it back,” he said. An additional Christmas-themed play was also performed during the holiday season by the group in Scottsville. Titled the “The Charitable Sisterhood Christmas Spectacular,” Fisher described it as “horny, cheesy and fun”. Now that 2021 is in the rearview mirror, Power said that the organization is gearing up for a big 2022, with plans to bring back the classic Stagecoach Days celebration in May 2022. “I was looking into it and doing some research, and I reached out to people on Facebook just to gauge the reaction, and wow, a lot of people in this community remember that event,” Block said, “There was a lot of interest in the idea to bring Stagecoach Days back to Marshall.” The organization has been working since last year to organize and bring back the classic event, with plans for a parade, stagecoach rides and more. “This is what we always wanted to do, to bring back the history and really show people all of the things in Harrison County that are worth celebrating,” Power said. The organization has big plans for the rest of the year too, with Power stating that they are working on ideas to promote the history of local communities. Future events focusing on the history of Harrison County, including local celebrities currently buried in Marshall cemeteries; the history of the Buffalo soldiers; and a potential educational event with the Caddo tribe are in the works. “God prepares us,” she said. “He prepares you for His work, and you don’t know what He’s doing. And I love people. “And through my job, we ministered to people, because I worked with people,” she said of her job in human resources. “You saw people at their worst moment, but you had to still treat them with dignity and let them know this is not the end; this is a mistake; you can recover.” “I got promoted about 2010 to become the director. But it was all part of the preparation to get me to this point,” she said. Jackson’s husband had already been in the ministry for over a decade. She heard her calling into the ministry loud and clear while exercising early one morning in the gym. “I was at the gym, just moving. He said I want you. I knew exactly what he meant,” she said of God’s voice. “Then He sent me five wonderful women, I call my five C’s, and they are these women in the ministry that ushered me through the process.”

Scenes during a dress rehearsal of the Buddy Power Promotions’ production of The Charitable Sisterhood Christmas Spectacular, at the Scottsville Campground and Conference Center. Cast memebers included Julie Brock, Margaret Stedig, Sheila Langbartels, Marty Vaughn and Christy Barnes, stage management by Becky Beasley and directed by Cherry Power Fisher. W I N T E R 2 0 2 2 I S S U E | 19

“This is what we always wanted to do, to bring back the history and really show people all of the things in Harrison County that are worth celebrating” - Buddy Power Once she surrendered and accepted her calling, blessings poured in. One of them was the former school building. “As soon as I said yes (to ministry), in 2019, we just thought about a place. I knew this place was available,” Jackson recalled. Through God’s grace, they were able to get the building. She said for it to happen in the order it did, in such a historic neighborhood, in a community that needed some reviving, was truly destiny. “You talk about dry bones… He can bring back to life dry bones,” Jackson said of God’s power. “And He’s moving and it’s a matter of being faithful and staying here, and bringing back the community not to just life, but to become saved. “And it’s going to happen through our children and the perseverance, and us just being here and continuing to do His work,” said Jackson. “I do believe and have said it from the beginning… this is a true assignment. This is an assignment and we’re here on assignment. We started it. We’re go-

ing to finish it. We’re going to do it to the best of our ability.” Jackson said God has sent community partners and volunteers to come and pour into their mission. She thanked their five-member board as well for their support. “It’s all of us working together to make sure it happens,” she said. “When we say it takes a village, it’s truly a village helping our children,” Jackson said. “It’s taken a village to get this done. It’s going to take it, with Christ leading us in here and going before us.” Jackson encourages all to continue to support the community center through volunteerism, donations, but most of all prayer. “Pray for us, pray for our community, for our children and pray that the Holy Spirit stays in the forefront of all of this,” she said. “We want to finish the work. We want to make sure it’s done properly, and for our children’s sake so they can see God doing great work on their behalf. He’s working for them, to help them, support them through this world we’re in.”

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

J.C. Kester stands with UTV’s outfitted with products from Thumper Fab in Marshall. Thumper Fab offers a one-stop shop for the design, manufacturing and sale of its all-terrain accessories, offering direct to consumer prices at record speeds.

Level Up Your ATV Thumper Fab is a one-stop shop for all-terrain vehicle accessories story by Jessica Harker | photos by Les Hassell

humper Fab owner J.C. Kester said that when the company was started three years ago, it was because it was a necessity. “That’s always the best way to start a business,” he said. The company designs and manufactures accessories for all-terrain vehicles, originally using third party manufacturers to construct their products. “We were using different manufacturers from all over East Texas,” Kester said, “But we maxed out their potential.” To allow the company to continue to grow, Kester said they worked with Rush Harris and the Marshall Economic Development Corporation to find their home in Marshall, bringing 22 | H A R R I S O N M A G A Z I N E

the design and manufacturing processes all under one roof. “This really offered a dramatic reduction in lead time,” Kester said, “It could take six weeks before to go from design to launch of a new prototype, now we can do it on the same day.” Thumper Fab offers a one-stop shop for the design, manufacturing and sale of its all-terrain accessories, offering direct to consumer prices at record speeds. The company works to address the range of needs customers are looking for in all-terrain vehicle accessories, including those that assist with farm work, other outside jobs or even for the wide range of recreational uses.

“We wanted to move to Marshall because we have a great built in workforce here...” J.C. Kester

“We like to look at what the basic customer needs, and wants are,” Kester said, “Like a roof, and lights, those are a must. But also, music, who wouldn’t want music in their vehicle?” Once in its new location at 5103 Elysian Fields Road, in Marshall, Kester said that it became apparent that they needed to expand their facilities. Just last year the company completed a large expansion, with plans to continue and expand another portion of the facility in 2022. “We wanted to move to Marshall because we have a great built in workforce here, and a great location near I-20 and U.S. Highway 59,” Kester said. He said that when a new all-terrain vehicle comes on the market, the company begins the process of designing new accessories for it by using 3-D scans. Once a design is completed, the company then uses computer generated machines with laser cutting tools to perfectly measure, cut and fold the metal pieces of its accessories.

The pieces are then sandblasted and powder-coated to add color and scratch resistance to the product, before moving on to the final stages of production. “We didn’t want to use old manufacturing ways, so we have all of the newest and most updated equipment,” Kester said. Kester, who is a manufacturing and mechanical engineer himself, said that the company even offers in-house electronics work for its light bars and radios, two highly popular items. “For these vehicles, there is a wide range of places that they go and a ton of reasons that people use them,” he said. Since its creation, Kester said that Thumber Fab has already grown nationwide, with customers in all 50 states. “We went out to Colorado for vacation a while ago, and when we were out there we ran into quite a few people who were using our products,” Kester said, “That was a cool thing to see.”

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CULINARY DELIGHTS

Brian and Julie Wright of Wright On Taco

Wright on Taco in Harleton heats up the menu story by Bridget Ortigo | photos by Michael Cavazos

he tacos and the barbecue are heating up at an East Texas eatery as they unveil an updated menu. Wright on Taco in Harleton has gained attention from across the State of Texas and beyond the past few years for their take on barbecue, tacos and everything in between. Owners Brian and Julie Wright said the menu has evolved over the past couple of years as they themselves continue to evolve and learn new techniques and recipes to keep customers coming back. The restaurant combines two of Texas’ most iconic foods — tacos and barbecue — into one delicious dish, and their menu 26 | H A R R I S O N M A G A Z I N E

items have drawn the attention of culinary connoisseurs and media from abroad, including a couple of features in Texas Monthly and a spot on the top 50 eateries in Texas list. “We both love to cook and ran a food truck for a couple of years before opening this restaurant,” Julie said previously of her and husband Brian. “This place had most recently been a barbecue restaurant and when it came up for sale, we asked if they could throw in the barbecue pit that was here with the sale.” Now a few years later, that barbecue pit has been upgraded, along with the menu, and the couple is even thinking of adding more.

“The menu has kind of evolved as we’ve gone along and we continue to find our balance, while staying true to our mission,” Julie said. “We recently celebrated five years, and we’re just so thankful. It’s so neat to see where we started and where we are now. I really think we’ve found our balance.” Part of finding that balance had a lot to do with one major addition to the restaurant. “Brian also got a new 500-gallon offset pit from Primitive Pits, and it’s been amazing,” she said. “He really loves it and he loves what he does.” With the new pit, the Wrights decided to hone in on the barbecue while also keeping the tacos they’re known for across East Texas. “We had to streamline the menu and we’ve really just kept the best of the best,” she said. “We’ve kept the tacos, but we’ve really expanded and dialed up the craft barbecue side of the restaurant. I think we still have a really good mix.” Indeed, the menu varies from crawfish to barbecue to tacos to barbecue fries to Frito pie. Wright on Taco is neither a taco joint nor a barbecue joint — it’s both or maybe something in between. “We are offering a lot more of the smoked meats and we sell our dry rubs, but we want to keep our variety because we feel that variety is what makes us special,” Julie said. “We are just keeping focused on our best items.” The COVID-19 pandemic affected the restaurant just as it did others across the world, but Julie said their ability to adapt, along with the help of great staff and loyal customers, had them not only surviving but now thriving. “The pandemic affected us just like so many other businesses and there were so many changes within such a short period of time,” she said. “We stayed open as long as we could then went to carryout and curbside. Our town was amazing. Our staff was amazing and took everything we threw at them. We had customers that made it a point to come here every day or every week and support us and they are the reason we’re still here. To be able to go through all of that and say we’ve grown, it’s just amazing.” Julie said the restaurant is selling a lot of meat by pound these days, along with their No. 1 taco, the “Hannah Taco,” which includes grilled chicken, bacon and queso. The “Chicken Willie” taco also sells well with its grilled chicken, fresh guacamole, pico de gallo and avocado house ranch. The taco can also be made the same way with brisket. The “Porkstrami” is also a big seller on the menu with its combination of pork shoulder soaked in brine for seven to 10 days before it is smoked. “The Gone Loco Queso” is also a popular appetizer, along with the barbecue fries that combine smoked pulled pork, red onion, house barbecue dressing and queso. W I N T E R 2 0 2 2 I S S U E | 27

The restaurant still makes as much from scratch as possible, including their sauces. “We are still trying to bring the most excellent food everyday for our guests,” she said. Now as the Wrights head into 2022, they’re looking beyond the walls of their brick and mortar restaurant, which is located at 17227 Texas 154. “We bought a food truck again, which is funny because that’s where we originally started years ago, but we hope to take it to events and places across East Texas,” Julie said. “We also are looking at partnerships with other restaurants so we can feature their items and they feature ours and we expose our community to all of the other great businesses all around us.” Most recently, Wright on Taco partnered up with Sunbird Barbecue in Longview to feature some of their items, and Sunbird featured some of Wright on Taco’s menu items. “We’re really excited and eager for more collaborations — we’re bringing two businesses together. We also love music and we have an outside porch area that’s great for people to sit and eat and enjoy live music,” she said. “We just want this to become a destination place where people can come with their friends and family and have good food and make memories.” In addition to partnerships and outside events, the couple is also looking to expand their Harleton restaurant.

“We’ve kind of outgrown our kitchen and we’d love to add another pit room,” she said. “Our next step is to add to the kitchen prep area.” The Wrights are also experiencing personal growth, with Brian being named one of the top 42 pit masters out of a list of about 8,000 people. “It’s just been so great to see his passion grow and his drive rubs off on me,” Julie said. “We just love this so much and I’m blown away that our passion has also been picked up by our employees. I’m so glad we can use some tacos and barbecue to connect our community.”

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has been central to New Year’s celebrations since it was built story by Meredith Shamburger

owntown Marshall’s tallest building has had several names and even more owners. But one thing that never changed for the Marshall Grand, nee Hotel Marshall, is that the building has always been a hub of community life – especially on New Year’s Eve. From elegant dances to football watch parties to laser light shows, past issues of the News Messenger highlight just how often ringing in the New Year meant a trip up the hotel’s elevators. Take, for instance, 1931. It was a few years after the hotel was completed, and members of the Kappa Theta Omega Society celebrated the holiday season with a Christmas dinner at the hotel on New Year’s Eve. “Twenty guests were seated at the long dinner table centered with a bowl of poinsettias, and decorated down its entire length with a miniature snow scene,” a Jan. 3, 1932 story reported. “Red tapers in silver candlesticks at each place lighted the table. A four-course turkey dinner was served.” A decade later, it was the Delta Phi Omega fraternity gather-

ing at the Hotel Marshall for New Year’s Eve, with a December 1943 paper reporting they held their annual banquet and New Year’s Eve dance in the mezzanine dining room. The Marshall Club, consisting of some of the city’s most prominent citizens, gathered in 1958 on New Year’s Day for the first “Black-Eye Pea Party,” the News Messenger reported the day before the event was scheduled. The party featured “not only the menu but a television party to watch bowl games.” “Bridge and other games are planned for those “who don’t know a football from a pumpkin,” the club’s bulletin advises members, suggesting that they bring a guest for the day’s entertainment. To liven things up, a “community sing” is set to start off the New Year, with Mrs. Loui Faust at the piano,” the story read. Another tradition at the Hotel Marshall was the Tri-Murti Club’s formal New Year’s Eve dance, which was advertised in that same 1958 paper to last from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on the Pine Terrace Roof Garden. Left: The Tri-Murti Club enjoys a New Year’s Eve dance at the Hotel Marshall in the ‘50s. Top: Among the old photos that were shared to promote the Light Up the New Year ball drop event at the Marshall Grand is this one provided by Gloria Gibbons Snyder, which showed a Marshall High dance on the hotel’s rooftop garden in either 1946 or 1947. W I N T E R 2 0 2 2 I S S U E | 29

Left: Beto Hernandez, center, holds his daughter Heather Hernandez on his shoulders during the ball drop at Light Up the New Year on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008. Right: Richard and Christina Anderson, right, dance as North Grove Six performs jazz classics during the New Year’s Eve dance in 2008. Courtney Case/Marshall News Messenger File Photos But the hotel’s biggest New Year’s celebrations took place about 20 years ago, when the Marshall Grand was being renovated and brought back to life: Organizers began hosting a midnight lighted ball drop and a dance.” Christina Anderson, one of the organizers, said ahead of the 2004 event that it was fitting the hotel was being put back into use, after years of being vacant, on its 75th anniversary.

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“We wanted the first dance held in this beloved historic building after more than 30 years of its being vacant to capture the flavor of the Hotel Marshall in earlier days and bring back wonderful memories,” she told the News Messenger at the time. The “Light Up the New Year” ball drop continued for several more years.

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