SUNDAY June 7, 2020
Today begins National Gardening Week, held the first full week of June each year. Gardening is a proven way to relieve stress and improve our mental health. With so much going on in our world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed with worry and negative thoughts.

The natural world offers balance and serenity, and spending time outdoors for gardening, recreation, or exercise can heal our spirits. Fortunately, the Upper East Side of Texas is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, and we don't even have to be gardeners to appreciate it.

Today's newsletter offers ideas for connecting with the outdoors in our region, such as visiting Caddo Lake State Park in Karnack or the city parks in Sulphur Springs. Also, consider exploring other attractions such as the Mineola Nature Preserve, the East Texas Arboretum, the Tyler Rose Garden, Blue Moon Gardens in Edom, or one of the numerous blueberry farms in the region. Visit our archives for stories, guides, and other information about these destinations and more.

Get to know a few of the people and places here in this issue and stay in touch with more of what's going on in the region on our website and social media. If you aren't already signed up for a free subscription to the  COUNTY LINE WEEKLY  you can do that HERE.
Becky’s Blue and White Passion Flower. Courtesy Photo.
FEATURE
Race car driver, auto parts manufacturer, and philanthropist Carroll Shelby was a well-known leader in the auto industry in the 20th century, but few know his story began in our region. Born in Leesburg (between Winnsboro and Pittsburg), Shelby left a remarkable legacy on the automobile industry, and later touched many lives in our region.

One period of Shelby's life is told in the 2019 movie, Ford vs. Ferrari, starring Matt Damon (Shelby), as designer of the legendary Shelby Cobra sports car that allowed Ford Motor Company to challenge Ferrari's auto racers in the 24 Hours in Le Mans, a French auto race, in 1966. The movie also stars Christian Bale as Ken Miles, the car's British-born driver.
LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT
Just a few miles from Marshall, Caddo Lake State Park is a unique ecosystem that offers majestic scenery, outdoor activities, and memorable experiences. Paddle boating, hiking, fishing, and camping are just some of the park's popular activities.

Caddo Lake is one of many state parks now accepting reservations for day passes and overnight stays. Read our story for details on how to book reservations and how to contact the park directly.
DESTINATION COUNTY LINE
Heritage Park in Sulphur Springs. Photo by Bill Ayres.
Sulphur Springs' city parks boast a variety of family-friendly adventures -- from Town Square Park in the downtown plaza with a splash park and the world's first see-through restrooms -- to Heritage Park a few blocks north, with 11 acres of relocated historical buildings and the Hopkins County Museum.

Visitors can also enjoy recreational facilities at Buford Park, such as the one-acre Kids Kingdom castle playground, or the beautiful scenery at Coleman Park, with 2.5 miles of walking trails around Lake Coleman.
THIS TIME OF YEAR
ZZ Top's members Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard, and Dusty Hill are still rockin' around the world after 51 years. Courtesy Photo.
Happy Birthday Frank Beard
Frank Beard, drummer for ZZ Top, was born in Frankston in 1949. Beard (center with no beard) and the two bearded members, Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill, celebrated 'Goin' 50' with an album of the same name and a documentary in 2019 titled ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band From Texas .

Read more in our article about the Texan blues band and events surrounding their 50-year anniversary in County Line's archives.
ARTS AND CULTURE
The late Omar Shariff performs Boogie Woogie music at Marshall's first Boogie Woogie Festival in 2010.
After staking its claim as the "Birthplace of Boogie Woogie" 10 years ago, the city of Marshall is expanding its role with plans for future music festivals and a commemorative museum. Historians now recognize that Marshall's unique circumstances contributed to the genre's development. More important, though, is Boogie Woogie's impact on the rest of the world.

“We are living in a place where some remarkable things happened,” says Jack Canson of Marshall, who is leading efforts to continue the festival and build a museum. Learn about the roots of Boogie Woogie and its influence on rock and roll legends like Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Lead Belly, and more in our story that commemorates the festival's 10th anniversary.
FOOD & DRINKS
Four Winds Steakhouse, conveniently located on a 1,000-acre ranch near Wills Point (between Terrell and Canton, off Interstate 20), offers an exceptional dining experience.

Thousands of guests rave about the restaurant's tender, perfectly-prepared steaks, tasty entrees and desserts, and its relaxing, rustic atmosphere. The popular restaurant is a favorite destination for celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions.
Feel free to send story ideas, poems, letters, and beautiful photography from the region to editor@countylinemagazine.com. Let us know what you enjoy most about this area.
HOW TO REACH US
County Line Magazine
PO Box 608
Ben Wheeler, TX 75754
Office: (903) 963-1101
Text: (903) 312-9556
info@countylinemagazine.com
www.countylinemagazine.com