Texas Plains Trail 10th Anniversary Logo
 New year concept the way to the door of new year 2014 Note Slight blurriness, best at...
In This Issue
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Upcoming Events in the Texas Plains Trail Region

First Day Hikes in Texas Parks 
Wed., Jan 1
(times vary)


First Friday Art Trail
Fri., Jan 3., 6-9 pm
LHUCA, Buddy Holly Center, and various locations (all accessible by free trolley and bus service), Lubbock 

 
Coming up this winter and spring at the historic Cactus Theater in Lubbock, Texas: tribute shows, local musicians, and more! Call their box office for tickets, (806) 762-3233 


JANUARY
Saturday Jan 11th
Ray Benson
Ticket Price $30.00, Showtime 7:30 PM
Saturday Jan 18th
West Texas Elvis Tribute
Ticket Price $25.00, Showtime 7:30 PM
Sunday Jan 19th
50/60 Nostalgia Night
Ticket Price $20.00, Showtime 6:00 PM
Friday Jan 24th
Eagles, CSN & Fleetwood Mac
Ticket Price $20.00, Showtime 6:00 PM
Saturday Jan 25th
Kenny Maines CD Release Concert
Ticket Price $25.00, Showtime 7:30 PM

FEBRUARY
Saturday Feb. 1st
Always Patsy Cline
Ticket Price $25.00, Showtime 7:30 PM
Friday Feb 7th
An Evening With The Grand Ole Opry
Ticket Price $25.00, Showtime 7:30 PM
Saturday Feb 8th
Del Castillo
Ticket Price $20.00, Showtime 6:00 PM
Friday Feb 14th
David Gashen Valentine Concert
Ticket Price $30.00 - $25.00, Showtime 7:30 PM
Saturday Feb. 15th
Magic Moments of The 70's/ 80's
Ticket Price $20.00, Showtime 6:00 PM
Sunday Feb. 16th
50/60 Nost. Night Part 2
Ticket Price $20.00, Showtime 6:00 PM
Saturday Feb. 22nd
Cactus Theater Reunion
Ticket Price $25.00, Showtime 6:00 PM
Friday Feb. 28th
Kinky Freedman
Ticket Price $20.00, Showtime 6:00 PM

MARCH
Saturday March 1st
Bon Jovi, Journey & Aero Smith
Ticket Price $20.00, Showtime 7:30 PM
Saturday March 8th
Women Of Lubbock Music
Ticket Price $25.00, Showtime 7:30 PM
Sunday March 16th
50/60's Nost. Night Part 3
Ticket Price $20.00, Showtime 6:00 PM
Friday March 28th
Joe Ely Unplugged
Ticket Price $ 30.00 - $35.00, Showtime 7:30 PM
Saturday March 29th
Guy Forsyth
Ticket Price $20.00, Showtime 7:30 PM

Saturday May 17th
Bruce Robinson & Kelly Willis
Ticket Price $30.00, Showtime 7:30 PM  

. . . . . . . . . .

Don't see your heritage event listed here?
We try to digest information from your e-mail notices and newsletters, but if we've missed one, let us know and we'll do our best to promote it via social media and add it to our TPTR website.

Please provide a brief rundown of what, when, and where, along with the hotlink and contact info you'd like us to use.

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Texas Plains
Trail Region 
Board of Directors, 2013-14

Debbie Wegman,
Big Spring,

President

 

Kathleen Beach, Post

Jim Brokenbek,

Amarillo

Carol Campbell,

Matador

Linda Germany,

White Deer

Paula Sue Hatfield,

Snyder

Kay Henard,

Claude

Lynn Hopkins,

Borger

Holle Humphries,

Lubbock

Rita Isbell,

Paducah

Frankie Jackson,

Wheeler

Ramon Johnston,

Lubbock 

Tamera Julian,

Canadian

Ada Low Lester,

Mobeetie

Sally Murrell,

Tulia

Kristine Olsen,

Dalhart

Danyel Parkhurst,

Boys Ranch  

Virginia Scott,

Lipscomb

Debbye ValVerde,

Big Spring
Tales from the Trail, December 2013 
What a great anniversary year it's been!

We bid good-bye tonight to 2013, closing out our first decade in the Texas Plains Trail Region and opening the door on our second. And we have some great things in store for the coming year, for our travelers and our heritage tourism partners.

For a glimpse at the accomplishments, events, and adventures of 2013, download our annual report, "Looking Forward, Looking Backward" (and the cover letter mailed to each of our 52 counties). We are grateful for the contributions of funds, time, imagination, and vision of our 52 counties and our great volunteers.

As you prepare to travel the trail in 2014, visit www.TexasPlainsTrail.com to plan your trip, or click on any of the other hotlinks in this issue of our newsletter. You'll learn something new and meet new friends wherever you go. Big region, big history, big fun!
Barbara Brannon
Barbara Brannon, Executive Director
Barbara@TexasPlainsTrail.com

P.S. Start your new year out right--and outdoors--with a First Day Hike. Join me and ranger Carl Hopper at Copper Breaks State Park (Quanah, Texas), at 10 am or 2 pm Wed., Jan. 1. Or hike at Caprock Canyons State Park (Quitaque) with ranger Le'Ann Pigg at 2 pm; at Palo Duro Canyon State Park (Canyon) at 2 pm with ranger Bernice Blasingame. And that's just in our region alone. Wherever you are in Texas or the U.S. on New Year's Day, start a tradition -- check out the opportunities to experience the scenic wonders and natural history of your area.
CELEBRATING OUR ANNIVERSARY YEAR
Texas Plains Trail Week in Lubbock, Oct. 20-26
Debbie Wegman presents poster to Mayor Robertson
TPTR president Debbie Wegman (right) presents Texas Plains Trail Region anniversary poster to Lubbock Mayor Glen Robertson, Oct. 24, 2013
As part of our anniversary year celebrations, at TPTR's Oct. 24 board meeting at the Bayer Museum of Agriculture, Lubbock Mayor Glen Robertson proclaimed Oct. 20-26, 2013 "Texas Plains Trail Week" in TPTR's new headquarters city. VIEW FULL SLIDE SHOW HERE
    In addition to our meeting and museum tour, graciously hosted by museum director Lacee Hoelting and members of the museum board, the week included a "Take Your Brochure to the Next Level" workshop to help tourism leaders and other public information professionals create more effective printed communications. Workshop leaders Teresa Carney of the Texas Travel
Teresa Carney of the Amarillo Texas Travel Information Center discusses tourism brochure design
Teresa Carney of the Amarillo Texas Travel Information Center discusses tourism brochure design
Information Center (Amarillo), Clay Renick of the Hutchinson County Museum (Borger), and Ramon Johnston of West Texas TravelHost (Lubbock), along with TPTR executive directorBarbara Brannon, led topic sessions in the half-day workshop.  VIEW FULL SLIDE SHOW HERE
    The Texas Plains Trail had a special treat Oct. 26 at Lubbock's Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts, with visiting author Marcia Kaylakie of Austin, who presented a "bed turning" that demonstrated 200
Marcia Kaylakie
With help of Linda Cullum (center) and Linda Drake (right), award-winning author of "Texas Quilts and Quilters" Marcia Kaylakie demonstrates 200 years of history through quilts.
years of American history through quilts, and a "Quilts Road Show" during which she welcomed audience members to bring quilts for a brief historical description and appraisal. VIEW FULL SLIDE SHOW HERE   Thanks to Lubbock for being such great hosts during our big week!
COME JOIN US ON THE TRAIL
Texas Plains Trail Board Meetings
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .                                                                
Thurs., Feb. 20, 2014, 10 am
U-Drop Inn or Museum, Shamrock                              

Thurs., Apr. 17, 2014, 10 am 

Paducah                                                                

Thurs., June 19, 2014, 10 am 

Hotel Settles, Big Spring

early August, 2014 (date TBA)
Annual TPTR Tourism & Preservation Round-up
Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, Canyon 
TRAVELING THE TRAIL
An Arrow Comes to Amarillo
Potter County received its first giant arrow marker on the
Quanah Parker fanmily members perform cedar smoke blessing to dedicate arrow marker, Nov. 2013
Quanah Parker family members perform cedar smoke blessing to dedicate arrow marker, Nov. 2013
Quanah Parker Trail Nov. 2, with a dedication ceremony at Wildcat Bluff Nature Center on North Soncy Road.

On a bright November morning members of the Quanah Parker Family from Oklahoma and other locations graced their native homeland with story, song, dance, cedar smoke blessing, and music, with the help of local friends. Amarilloan Joe Ed Coffman, who helped TPTR board members Jim Brokenbek and Holle Humphries in arranging the event, arrived in native costume on horseback and presented Quanah Parker's monologue from the Texas play. The board of Wildcat Bluff welcomed some 200 visitors from the Amarillo area, including Boy Scouts who
Joe Ed Coffman portrays Quanah Parker
Joe Ed Coffman portrays Quanah Parker
participated in flintknapping sessions, and guests were invited to stroll the nature paths and grounds at no charge.
  
Read more information about the Comanche history of Potter County here

VIEW FULL SLIDE SHOW HERE

The event was made possible by the generous financial assistance and volunteer help of numerous organizations and individuals, including our sponsors:

 
ARMCHAIR TRAVELER
Images from Around the Region (and Beyond)
Fall is always a busy season along the trail! If you didn't (or did!) make it to one of these TPTR events, feel free to browse the slide show.

* Lipscomb, TX: Presentation of THC's Texas Treasure Business Award to 7 local business with continuous history of 50 years or more, Oct. 2013 (Bonus pix: a visit to downtown Lipscomb, with pottery and J W Beeson Saddle Shop)
Rep. Ken King (center) and wife Robin (left) congratulate recipients of Texas Treasure Business Awards in Lipscomb County, October 2013
Rep. Ken King (center) and wife Robin (left) congratulate recipients of Texas Treasure Business Awards in Lipscomb County, October 2013
* A visit to Perryton, TX, and the Museum of the Plains, Oct. 2013

* Amarillo, TX: Presentation of THC's Texas Treasure Business Award to 101-year-old Underwood Law Firm, Oct. 2013
Members of the Underwood Law Firm, Amarillo, are honnored with the Texas Treasure Business Award, October 2013
Members of the Underwood Law Firm, Amarillo, are honored with the Texas Treasure Business Award, October 2013
* Texas Downtown Association's annual Downtown Revitalization Conference, Bastrop, TX, Nov. 5-8, 2013. Congratulations to Center City Amarillo and other Amarillo partners for recognition of the Potter County Courthouse restoration project!
Potter County representatives, Texas Downtown Association, Nov. 2013
Center City Amarillo director Beth Duke (right) accepts preservation award for Potter County Courthouse, Texas Downtown Association, Nov. 2013
* Dedication of Quanah Parker Trail giant arrow, Miami (Roberts County), Nov. 15, 2013
Miami, TX, resident Jimmy Northcutt presents the Comanche history of Roberts County in the role of a U.S. Cavalry soldier.
Miami, TX, resident Jimmy Northcutt presents the Comanche history of Roberts County in the role of a U.S. Cavalry soldier.
* A visit to Matador, Texas, and the old Motley County Jail, Dec. 12, 2013
* A visit to Matador, Texas, and the old Motley County Jail, Dec. 12, 2013
Motley County residents Carol Campbell (left) and Marisue Potts host a visit to sites in Matador, TX, December 2013. 
* Michael Martin Murphey benefit concert and dinner, Kwahadi Museum of the American Indian, Dec. 17, 2013.
Michael Martin Murphey in concert, Kwahadi Museum, December 2013
Texas musician Michael Martin Murphey and the band in concert, Kwahadi Museum, December 2013
* TPTR Board Meeting, Christmas party, and tour of Carson County Square House Museum, Panhandle, TX, Dec. 19, 2013. (Bonus: "On the Texas Plains Trail," words and music by Barbara Brannon)
On the Texas Plains Trail
Texas Plains Trail board meeting, Panhandle, TX, December 2013
Texas Plains Trail board meeting, Panhandle, TX, December 2013
PARTNERS: RESERVE YOUR AD SPACE NOW 
Texas Plains Trail Region/TravelHost Visitor Guide 2014  
Visitor Guide 2013 CoverVisitor Guide Ad 2013

The Texas Plains Trail Region and West Texas TravelHost Magazine will publish our 2014 Visitor Guide in spring 2014. You may click here to reserve your space. Choose "Texas Plains Trail," complete and save the form, then email it to publisher Ramon Johnston at at travelhostwesttexas@gmail.com, or call him at (806) 789-8385.
QUIZ TIME
Where in the Region?

This traditional white church, whose lighted steeple used to serve as a landmark for miles around in the Panhandle, is still used for weddings and services in its new location, alongside other historical buildings.
Be the first to e-mail us with the correct location, to win a prize from the Texas Plains Trail Region.

Congratulations to readers of our last newsletter who knew that the display pictured below may be seen not in a museum or historical center -- but the Dairy Queen in Spur, Texas, where local citizens Harry Bob Martin, Emily Long, and others responded to requests for more information about the Quanah Parker Trail arrow marker in Dickens County by posting this attractive exhibition.
T E X A S   P L A I N S   T R A I L   R E G I O N

Participant in the Texas Historical Commission's
Texas Heritage Trails Program

Barbara A. Brannon, PhD, Executive Director | info@TexasPlainsTrail.com | 806.747.1997 

Copyright � 2013 Texas Plains Trail Region. All Rights Reserved.