Rainfall and a flash flood watch did not deter the 115 cooking teams participating in the World Champion Hopkins County Stew contest Saturday at Buford Park. Although 161 teams were expected, those that did not compete did not lessen the enthusiasm for the day.
The team of LaWana and Broc Hohenberger sponsored by Buckley Trucking took first place in Super Stew Chicken. Winning first place in Super Stew Beef were David Joslin and Vern Hawkins sponsored by Sulphur Springs Health and Rehab.
Meredith Caddell, Chamber of Commerce executive, said, “We will have so many memories, so may cool memories that have been created this year.” The rain stopped just before announcement of the winning teams. A drive-thru was established on Connally Street for those who desired to purchase stew. Caddell commended the determination of the cooking teams. Problems starting fires, tents caving in, and other weather related difficulties only added to the memories made at what Caddell called a reunion for the county.
The drive-thru for stew sales did a brisk business following the awards. The rain-demanded innovation provided those who wished to purchase stew but to stay out of the rain a great opportunity to make their purchase from their auto.
A complete list of winners:
Third place beef stew winner was the team of #49 Annette & Gerald Wilburn, sponsored by Atwoods. Their $50 prize money was provided by Kelly’s Tax Service Their third place stew was purchased for $250.00 by Interstate Body Shop.
Second place beef stew winner was the team of #82 Adrian Diaz & Jeff Wallace sponsored by Autolube. Their $150.00 prize money was provided by Dr. Danny Lawrence, SS Dental. Their second place stew was purchased for $ 450.00 by Sulphur Springs Dodge.
First place beef stew winner was the team of #77 Katie Patterson & Linda Henton sponsored by Alliance Bank. Their $300.00 prize money was provided by Advantage Copy Systems. Their first place stew was purchased for $600.00 by Janet Martin Realty.
Third place chicken winner was the team of #1 Chris Anderson sponsored by Brookshires. Their prize money of $50.00was provided by Garrett & Emily Glass & Family.
Their third place stew was purchased for $250.00 by Interstate Body Shop.
Second place chicken stew winner was the team of #6 Kathy & John Lambert sponsored by First Baptist Church. Their prize money of $150.00 was provided by Guaranty Bank & Trust. Their second place chicken stew was purchased for $450.00 by A & S Air Conditioning.
First place chicken stew winner was the team of #86 Elaine Merrell & Doris Humphrey sponsored by HCMH. Their prize money of $300.00 was provided by Town & Country Cleaners. Their first place chicken stew was purchased for $600.00 by Matthew L Johnson, DDS, Summit Dental.
3rd place Super Stew Beef award was won by #62 James & Tonya Ross sponsored by Alliance Bank. Their prize money of $100.00 was sponsored by A.K Gillis. Their 3rd place Super Stew Beef was purchased for $300 by The Smiley Tooth.
2nd place Super Stew Beef award was won by 28B Steve Littlefield & James McMahan sponsored by ReMax Advanced. Their prize money of $250.00 was sponsored by Circle E Western Store. The 2nd place Super Stew Beef was purchased for $ 500.00 by Luminant.
1st Place Super Stew Beef winner was the team of #99 David Joslin & Vern Hawkins sponsored by Sulphur Springs Health & Rehab. Their prize money of $500.00 was provided by Jay Hodge Family of Dealerships. Their winning quart of Super Stew Beef was purchased for $900.00 by Farmer’s Electric Cooperative.
3rd place Super Stew Chicken award was won by # MW Dr. I.L. Balkcom & Greg Carpenter sponsored by Lazy B Ranch. Their prize money of $100.00 was sponsored by Pioneer Cafe. Their 3rd place Super Stew Chicken was purchased for $300 by a Hampton Inn, Ramey & Sheffield Attorneys at Law & Solar Nails.
2nd place Super Stew Chicken award was won by #88 Shirley Wakeman & Mike Cromer sponsored by Hometown Auto Sales. Their prize money of $250.00 was sponsored by Circle E Western Store. The 2nd place Super Stew Chicken was purchased for $ 500.00 by Ocean Spray & Gregg Price Attorney at Law.
1st Place Super Stew Chicken winner was the team of #125 LaWana & Broc Hohenberger sponsored by Bulkley Trucking. Their prize money of $500.00 was provided by Red River Credit Union & Roper & White Attorneys at Law. Their winning quart of Super Stew Chicken was purchased for $900.00 by Alliance Bank, City National Bank & Guaranty Bank & Trust.
Campsite and costume winner this year was site #130 Rachel Beggs & Sarah Northcutt sponsored by Gentiva Hospice. Their $200 prize was provided by Super Handy
The John Chester Award for Super Campsite winner was site # 7 Chris Gibbins & Carolyn Gibbins sponsored by Texas Heritage National Bank . Their $250 prize was provided by East Texas Physical Therapy.
Honorable Mention in the Stew Contest were:
Super Campsite # 118 Tina & Larry Cox sponsored by Rock Creek Health & Rehab
Campsite/Costume #95 Joseph Crist & Wesley Crist sponsored by 1st Choice Home Health
Chicken # 147 Richard & Angela Allen sponsored by Joel Dougan Taxidermy
Beef # 124 Nathan Crist & Calvin Berry sponsored by Classic Lanes
Super Stew Chicken # 117 John Mark & Patsy McAfee sponsored by McAfee Farms
Super Stew Beef # 53 Michael& Vanetta Mund sponsored by Lone Star Milk Products
