Celebrating Our Treasures

SUNDAY May 17, 2020

READ IN BROWSER

The Upper East Side of Texas has a wealth of nature and beautiful people and places that make it a happy place for many that live here or visit on a regular basis. We're featuring here this week a few of those treasures and you can discover many more on our website .

Be sure to put the lively little towns of the region on your list as you make plans for getaways and day trips as soon as it is safe to do so. They have plenty to offer for good times with an enormous backdrop of welcoming wide open spaces.

As we navigate the coming months through our new normals, remember we are all in this together. Be kind, respectful, and helpful. Avoid judging others — you don’t know what they are going through. Try to build bridges instead. Find the silver lining. Discover treasures you may have overlooked before.

To stay in touch with what's going on in the Upper East Side of Texas, sign up for a free subscription to the COUNTY LINE WEEKLY HERE if you are not already a getting it, check out the blogs on the website and other articles, and follow us on social media for daily updates.

"Summer Breeze" by Emily Guthrie Smith is part of the Longview Museum of Fine Arts' permanent collection. Read more about her HERE.

FEATURE

Let's All Dance With LeAnn Womack

On May 23, 2000, Jacksonville native Lee Ann Womack released the single, "I Hope You Dance." It became a number one country hit and even crossed over on the Adult Contemporary chart. In today's challenging times, the lyrics of the song — written by Tia Sillers and Mark D. Sanders — hold special meaning for many. Read our in-depth interview with the Upper East Side of Texas native in the County Line Archives.

I Hope You Dance

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder

You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger

May you never take one single breath for granted

God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens

Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance

Never settle for the path of least resistance

Livin’ might mean takin’ chances, but they’re worth takin’

Lovin’ might be a mistake, but it’s worth makin’

Don’t let some Hell-bent heart leave you bitter

When you come close to sellin’ out, reconsider

Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance

(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)

I hope you dance

(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)

I hope you dance

(Where those years have gone?)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens

Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance

I hope you dance

I hope you dance (Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)

I hope you dance (Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder?)

LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT

Blueberry Picking Starts This Week

Blueberry Hill Farms in Edom, Texas, kicks off their blueberry picking season this coming Friday along with others in the region. They are opening a little earlier than usual due to nice rains that helped yield a beautiful crop this year. Berry picking continues through July. Read this article for more details and a good list of farms.

DESTINATION COUNTY LINE

Planetarium Offers Virtual Field Trips

The Space Science Center at Tyler Junior College is offering educational virtual field trips. Videos include Phases of the Moon, Night Sky Constellations, and Stargazing with Star charts. Upcoming programs include Constellation Storytime for Kids; Solar System Tour; Deep Sky Objects; Navigating the Night Sky; and Stargazing at Home: Tips, Tools, and Apps. Click HERE to visit online.

READ MORE ARTICLES IN THE DESTINATION COUNTY LINE BLOG

THIS TIME OF YEAR

Historic Baseball Team Receives Recognition

Citizens of Mineola celebrated the determination of its former independent baseball team, the Mineola Black Spiders, with a historical marker on May 21, 2011.

The Spiders, also known as the Texas Black Spiders, formed in the late 1920s to play against other African-American teams in Texas and eventually traveled across the US. The Spiders became known for their fast-paced, entertaining style of baseball. Owner Vernon Klingaman moved the team to the Midwest in the 1930s to improve its opportunities. More information is available at the Mineola Historical Museum .

ARTS AND CULTURE

Check Out Virtual Arts Summer Camps for All Ages

North Texas Performing Arts (NTPA) is hosting virtual summer camps for all ages. NTPA is adding two new programs for youth ages 7-18: A half-day “Virtual Theatre Explorers” and full-day “Virtual One-Week Productions,” in addition to hourly online class options throughout the summer of 2020.

FOOD & DRINKS

May is National Strawberry Month

Visit your local farmers' market, or travel to an Upper East Side of Texas berry farm where visitors can pick their own strawberries. Check out Panola Orchard & Gardens near Carthage, McPeak Family Farms near Pittsburg, and Alford Family Farms near Emory.