Veteran Miller Grove FFA Teacher, Richard Watson, reflects on
how the FFA Stew and Auction concept began back in 1972, when
her was teaching at SSHS.

 

Miller Grove Stew and Auction
Marks Hopkins County Tradition
That Began in 1972

by: Bobby McDonald

This year's annual Miller Grove FFA Stew and Auction, is scheduled for Friday night, April 9th, with the stew beginning to be served at 5:00 and the auction beginning promptly at 7:00. Miller Grove FFA students will have a number of "shop made" items available in the auction, as well as the items that local businesses have donated for the event. And, some of the best Hopkins County Stew and desserts will be served for supper that night.

"Yes, I still remember the first FFA Stew and Auction, that started a tradition in all of Northeast Texas," states Veteran Vocational Agriculture Teacher, Richard Watson, who continues to be the advisor of the Miller Grove Chapter.

"It all began in 1972, when I was teaching at Sulphur Springs High School, in my third year of teaching," remembered Watson. "We had come back from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the ag chapter needed a new trailer. The one we had was worn completely out. So, a group of parents, Jerri Buchanan, Faye Smith, Pete McDonald, G.R. Romans, Mike Watts, Dan Humphrey, and several others that I can't remember, met and decided that we could raise funds by soliciting donations from local businesses. Faye Smith 'headed-up' the auction committee and Pete McDonald 'headed-up' the stew committee, and a goal was set for $2,000.00 to purchase the needed trailer."

"Parents began soliciting donations from local businesses and the day of the event some 20 pots of Hopkins County Stew was bubbling in front of the old show barn in Buford Park, as parents and students chopped onions and potatoes, and de-boned chickens, that had been donated by other businesses," continued Watson. "Chairs and tables were brought from the high school and set-up in the street, in front of the show barn for serving and all the auction items were placed on tables in the show barn arena, where the auction would be held."

 

 

"About 5:30 or 6:00 p.m., the line of folks waiting for stew grew past the swimming pool and armory and we were adding thickening and water to the stew to make it go further!" laughs Watson. "We'd never seen so many people waiting to eat stew!"

 

 

The auction was just as successful, according to Watson. Peavine Pinon broadcast the auction "live" on local radio station KSST and when the proceeds of the night's events were totaled, the Sulphur Springs FFA was "rich." Almost $8,000.00 had been raised and the new trailer could be purchased, as well as funding for a number of other activities for the local FFA Chapter.

"That's what began the tradition of the stews and auctions that are conducted, now, all across Northeast Texas," allowed Watson. "Certainly, the idea has been changed some through the years, but basically, we still operate under the same guidelines begun back in 1972. We ask parents and community members to assist in cooking stew, that becomes a really enjoyable day of folks visiting and adding ingredients to the washpots and then, parents and students solicit donations for the auction, while students build projects throughout the year, to be auctioned at the auction, as well,......gates, bird feeders, lawn furniture, picnic tables, and other items!"

 

 

"The stew and auction concept is a great teaching tool in the classroom for students!" allowed Watson. "The projects they build in the shop provides them with skills that they can use for the rest of their lives, while the soliciting of donations teaches them self-confidence, salesmanship, responsibility, and how to get out and meet people in the community. It's a great method of teaching the student how their activities are funded and how important it is to raise funds for the operation of the chapter!"

"I'd just like to thank the many, many people in Hopkins County who have so generously contributed to the success of these efforts, since 1972!" exclaimed Watson. "Without their help and support, the thousands of students going through the FFA program in Hopkins County could not have learned the valuable lessons and made the useful citizens that they have made. I'm now teaching on the "third generation" of students and some of the basic lessons in life are still accomplished with the stew and auction concept. A huge 'Thank You' goes out to everyone who continues to support us in educating the next generation!"

Make plans to attend Miller Grove's FFA Stew and Auction, on Friday night, in the Old Miller Grove High School Gym, and the Sulphur Springs FFA Stew and Auction, scheduled for May 1st, in the Hopkins County Civic Center, and continue the tradition!

 

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