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Lake Texoma Burning of the Socks and Switch for Flip Flops!

BJ Kirkpatrick Lake Texoma news, News 03/10/201807/23/2025 0 Comment

Update: Lake Texoma Burning of the Socks Switch to Flip Flops 2019

The 3rd Annual Lake Texoma Burning of the Socks and Switch for Flip Flops will be March 17, 2018. This unique event invites everyone out to various marinas and resorts around the lake as mariners welcome the arrival of spring. This is a Lake Texoma event that you won’t want to miss!

The Burning of the Socks is a tradition started in the 1970’s thanks to Bob Turner who managed the Annapolis Yacht Yard. At winter’s end, Captain Turner upon leaving his work on the first day of spring, decided to burn his socks in tribute to the coming warmer weather. Turner’s personal custom caught on with others and became an annual tradition.

Over the years, the tradition has expanded along the east and west coasts and in between. Mariners all over the country will be holding sock burning events to shed heavy winter wear for summer attire. In Texoma Flip Flop season begins with the Spring Equinox which marks the moment when the center of the sun appears directly overhead at the Equator.

The Lake Texoma Burning of the Socks Switch to Flip Flops Celebration will be a day full of family friendly fun. Along with the burning of the socks there will be lots of other fun events. Here is a little preview of the events planned around the lake.

Big Mineral Marina
9-11 – Beach Cleanup
11:30-1 – Burning of the Socks – Free hotdogs, chips, tea and lemonade
1-3 – Lakeside tunes with Tom Branton

Bridgeview Marina
Flea market all day, begins 8am
Burning of the Socks – starts at 11am – free hot dogs
Tri-City Fire Department will be there!

Buncombe Creek Marina
Starts at 11am
Chili cook-off, polar plunge, wiener roast, bonfire, cookie sale, dunk tank, car show and more!

Cedar Mills Marina
Activities are from 4-6pm

Flowing Wells
5-10pm, free food, bring your lawn chairs, beach blankets and your favorite beverages

Highort Marina
Free hotdogs and s’mores from 3-5pm
Free flip-flops to first 100 attendees!
After burn party starts at 5pm with a surprise mystery performer

Lighthouse Marina
Starts at 4pm
Horseshoes, potato sack races, corn hole contest, scavenger hunt
Bonfire and sock burning at 5:30 pm
Live music starting at 6pm

Loose Wheel Texas NEW Venue!
Receive a drink token (with or without alcohol) if you bring a pair of socks to burn in our fire pit and a new pair to donate (or just a new pair)!

Walnut Creek
Annual Smoke Out!
This event is their annual charity cooking competition with all the proceeds going to the local volunteer fire departments.

During the Burning of the Socks, It’s a tradition to read the following poem…

Ode to the Sock Burners

By Jefferson Holland, Poet Laureate of Eastport, 1995

Them Eastport boys got an odd tradition

When the sun swings to its Equinoxical position,

They build a little fire down along the docks,

They doff their shoes and they burn their winter socks.

Yes, they burn their socks at the Equinox;

You might think that’s peculiar, but I think it’s not,

See, they’re the same socks they put on last fall,

And they never took ‘em off to wash ‘em, not at all…

So they burn their socks at the Equinox

In a little ol’ fire burning nice and hot.

Some think incineration is the only solution,

‘Cause washin’ ‘em contributes to the Chesapeake’s pollution.

Through the spring and the summer and into the fall,

They go around not wearin’ any socks at all,

Just stinky bare feet stuck in old deck shoes,

Whether out on the water or sippin’ on a brew.

So if you sail into the Harbor on the 17th of March,

And you smell a smell like Limburger sauteed with laundry starch,

You’ll know you’re downwind of the Eastport docks

Where they’re burning their socks for the Equinox.

Come Hear a Humorous Exploration of All Things Southern

BJ Kirkpatrick News 02/21/201807/23/2025 0 Comment

Pottsboro, Texas | February 21, 2018

There will be a humorous and interesting program given at the March 1^st meeting of the Preston Trail NSDAR meeting. The title of the program will be “Southern Fried.” The speaker for the March 1st meeting will be Catherine Fowler. There’s something enchanting and irresistible about the style of a Southern woman and the incomparable culture that produced her. Come revel in our wonderfulness as we gently poke fun at all things Southern — from magnolias to moon pies. Sit a spell on the porch and share in the laughter as we decode the manners and myths, the rules and rituals of the storied South. Rich traditions such as how to eat watermelon in your frilly sundress to the importance of biscuits, banjos, and bless your heart will all be explained. We will make you proud of putting’ on the grits! Y’all come now, ya hear?

The speaker, Catherine Fowler is a graduate of the University of North Texas and taught English at Lake Highlands High School for four and a half years when it first opened. Mrs. Fowler is an adult Sunday school teacher and chaired various church committees – Council on Ministries, Worship, Education, Women’s Retreat and Capital Campaigns. She has served as a librarian and as district library coordinator for Frisco Independent School District, where she worked for 22 years, serving on many committees. Mrs. Fowler and her husband, Pat, are honored to have a school named after them—Pat and Catherine Fowler Middle School. She has been awarded the “Spirit of Frisco” award by the Frisco Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Frisco Education Foundation Board, where she helped raise money for and award scholarships to graduating seniors. Mrs. Fowler has volunteered as a living history demonstrator as the school marm in the one-room school at Frisco Heritage Village. She has presented programs to various organizations, including the Frisco Garden Club, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Frisco Association of School Personnel and more. She is also active in the Frisco Association of Retired School Personnel. Mrs. Fowler is a proud mother and grandmother.

Would you like to be part of our meetings and be able to listen to the interesting speakers we have each month? You are welcome to come and see what the DAR is all about even if you are not a member. Would you like to be involved in the good works that DAR participates in? Anyone interested in receiving help to prove their ancestry for qualification to become a Daughter of the American Revolution are welcome to contact our chapter at www.facebook.com/PrestonTrailNSDARPottsboroTX75076 on Facebook or www.DAR.org.

The Preston Trail Chapter of the DAR next meets Thursday, March 1st, and thereafter through May on the first Thursday of the month at 5pm for snacks and fellowship and at 6pm for chapter meetings and programs. For the meeting location please contact the chapter at prestontrailnsdar@gmail.com

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 177,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. DAR members are committed to volunteer service having served more than 12.5 million hours in communities throughout the world during the past three years. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org or connect with DAR on social media at facebook.com/TodaysDAR, and youtube.com/TodaysDAR.

Children’s Health and Safety Fair at Children’s Museum

BJ Kirkpatrick News 02/20/201807/23/2025 0 Comment

February 19, 2018 | Commerce, Texas

No topic is more important than children’s health and safety. This will be the focus of the Children’s Health and Safety Fair held at the Children’s Museum on Saturday, March 3 from 9:30 to 11:30. Sponsors for the event include Walmart, Hunt Regional Healthcare, Atmos, and Pediatric Center of Greenville. Free admission to the museum will be offered during the time of the Health and Safety Fair.

Although the museum will be open for creative play, exhibits throughout the museum will highlight health and safety. The 8 foot tall Mega Lung will be on display and will provide an opportunity for children to ask questions and have a greater understanding of the importance of a healthy lung. ” I enjoy seeing the expression on each child’s face as they see the MegaLung for the first time. They become even more interested as they walk through the lung, ” said Elana Barton, Director of Development.

Ms. Angela Price of the Commerce Police Department will provide children’s identification cards. The cards will include fingerprints and pictures of each child. Ms. D’Ann Frank will use oxymeters to compare each child’s resting pulse rate to the pulse rate after exercise

“What could be more important than an event which focuses on the health and safety of our children?” said Sharline Freeman, Director of the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum. “We are excited to offer an event that is so beneficial to children and their parents.” The Children’s Museum and the play areas will be open.

“We appreciate the sponsors for the event and the Children’s Activity Book. The sponsorship of Walmart, Hunt Regional Healthcare, Pediatric Center of Greenville, and Atmos make this event possible. We are very appreciative of their support,” said Donna Tavener, Board President.

For more information, call the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum at 903-886-6055.