Embracing the Spirit of Wildfire
Those of us of a certain age remember well where we were in 1975 when we heard “Wildfire” by Michael Martin Murphey for the first time and a thousand times after. I was likely cruising up and down the south suburbs of Dallas with an 8 track tape blaring. That song...
Corsicana: Your Adventure Awaits
By P.A. Geddie It’s no wonder why the TV series “The Story of Art in America” (Prime Video) chose Corsicana for one of their Texas features in Season 3 airing in 2024. The Corsicana show was also the pilot episode shared in a recent worldwide premiere during the...
Creating Life in Empty Spaces
One of the challenges communities face in promoting tourism is empty buildings. When people come to town and see those it leaves a negative image in their minds. I recently read a few articles by Becky McCray at smallbizsurvival.com that got me excited about the...
Use Website, Not Facebook for Promotions Hub
By P.A. Geddie (NOTE 08.23.23: This article was originally written in 2016! I am happy to say that most of our tourism towns now have great websites. The problem outlined below remains an issue with others all these years later.) I've noticed lately that several of...
Four Essential Elements to Effective Event Promotions
By P.A. Geddie Promotional strategies for events are primarily designed to build attendance. Done right, they also build good community relations, and have a long-term effect on an organization’s brand. Once an attendance goal is set, there are four main elements to...
Building a Media List for Successful Promotions
By P.A. Geddie Most media outlets want to help promote your towns and events. You just need to make it easy for them. With hundreds of topics to cover daily, they don't often have time to chase down every story. Help them gather the news and they'll appreciate it and...
Spend ‘Healing Time’ With Ruthie Foster
By P.A. Geddie The joyful energy coming off any stage lucky enough to hold Ruthie Foster wraps around audience members like a warm quilt on a cold and rainy day. Her passionate Texas blues and Americana vibe brings a sense of peace to listeners that makes them feel...
History: It’s the New Thing For Local Entertainment
By P.A. Geddie Is it just me or have you too noticed a surge of interest in area history? Not just from the “old” folks, but from millennials and other generations. Tourists have long looked to towns and regions for quirky historical markers and other signs of...
Hampton House: Jewelry Business Creates Lasting Success
By Julie Parker With five children, a husband, and a family insulation business, Angela Hampton registered for jewelry classes during a busy time of her life. “Wesley (her husband) told me to chase my dream,” Angela says. Having taken numerous art courses at the...
Building Nonprofit Leadership for Success
The East Texas Center for Nonprofits (ETCN) offers training throughout the year to help the regions nonprofits achieve their important work. The organization offers a wide range of topics and speakers during the year including grant research and writing, board...
The World According to Hank O’Neal
By P.A. Geddie Hank O’Neal is a music producer, author, and photographer. Named for his father, Harold L. O'Neal Jr. was born June 5, 1940, in Kilgore, Texas. Although the family moved away from East Texas when he was a boy, his deep roots, memories, and many return...
The Art and Influences of Biggers and Criner
By P.A. Geddie County Line Magazine is proud to sponsor a new exhibit titled Student/Teacher: Works by Charles Criner & Dr. John Biggers May 15 through August 14 at Tyler Museum of Art. The show spotlights each individual’s artistic style while examining Biggers’...
Coming Summer 2025
County Line Magazine archives are going to The Portal to Texas History, a gateway to rare, historical, and primary source materials from or about Texas. Look for the County Line issues there soon.