“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Discover more inspiration in the Upper Side of Texas in the County Line eMagazine. Scroll down on the HOME page to see our most active communities and follow the links to their sites to get details on many other events and things to do. — P.A. Geddie

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Two Towns Honor Their Hometown Heroes

A historical marker is being unveiled on May 17 in Farmersville to honor Gussie Nell Davis who was born and buried there. It kicks off the new Gussie Nell Trail that runs from Farmersville, to Greenville where the Queen of Dance Drill Team found her footing, and to Kilgore, where she kicked things into high gear. Read MORE about Davis, the unveiling, and the trail across the Upper East Side of Texas.

Also being honored on May 17 is Audie Murphy in Greenville’s annual Audie Murphy Day. The event honors other military heroes as well. Featured speakers include Seth Paridon, host of the popular podcast The Unauthorized History of the Pacific War, Terrance Furgerson, author of The Dallas Story: The North American Aviation Plant and the Industrial Mobilization during WWII, and a zoom Q&A with actor Kent McCord, who knew Audie Murphy and is best known for his role in Adam-12. Get details on TravelGreenvilleTX.com.

Murphy is celebrated again on his 100th birthday in both Farmersville and Greenville on June 20. Find out more in this County Line article.

Set Your Own Pace for Fun This Summer

With an abundance of lakes, water sports, public beaches, parks, splash pads, and picnic areas, there’s no shortage of summer fun in the Upper East Side of Texas. For more fun, take a day trip train through East Texas from Longview to Mineola and back. Enjoy mini golf, bowling, escape rooms, laser tag, arcades, go carts, water parks, and zip lining. Or grab a friend and enjoy time in a cozy cafe or public gathering space in one of our small towns or cultural districts. See a play. Enjoy an art exhibition. Listen to live music. READ MORE

Rockwall Founders Day celebrates the town’s 171 birthday on Saturday, May 17. The free festival takes place both in downtown Rockwall and at Harry Myers Park, with a robust lineup of family programming that begins at 8 a.m. downtown and culminates that evening in the park with high-energy performances by Will Jones, William Beckmann and headliner Josh Turner. READ MORE

Denison Arts Council is hosting the third annual North Texas Arts Festival on Saturday, May 17 and 18, 2025, from 10 AM to 5 PM and 10 AM to 3 PM respectively in historic Downtown Denison, TX. Juried local, regional, and national artists will display and sell their work alongside local wineries, with beer and food vendors available throughout the venue. Various artist demonstrations will be held, as well as local musicians performing a variety of music throughout the day. This is a family friendly event, open to the public. Get more information HERE.

Wine Swirl takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. on May 17 at Heritage Plaza in Longview. The event shares local flavors from Texas wineries while listening to live music from the Jazz Connection and shopping from local artists and vendors. Learn more on VisitLongviewTexas.com.

• US Postal Service Proposed Privatization Affects Rural Citizens

• Outstanding Alumni Honored at East Texas A&M Awards Gala

• Remembering the Birth of the American Music Story

HOW TO REACH US

County Line Magazine, PO Box 705, Winnsboro, TX 75494

Phone: (903) 312-9556

pa.geddie@geddieconnections.com

www.countylinemagazine.com