Attractions

Frances’ Fabrics

Published

7 years ago

June 19, 2017

NTFR

By Shannon Gillette

When something or some place is woven into a county’s history, it is hard to imagine a time when it did not exist. It is even harder to imagine that it almost never came into being in the first place. Frances’ Fabrics, a staple on Graham’s picturesque town square, is just such a place.
The proprietress, 83-year-old, Frances Vaughn, did not set out to open a business 50 years ago. But as she explains, “It just fell into my lap.”
Vaughn’s friend had the original plan to open a fabric store in Olney in the late 1960s, but when her husband was stationed in El Paso, those plans fell to the wayside.

Vaughn, who had been in on the planning phase with her pal, decided to pick up the thread, so to speak, and open it on her own. She opened her first store in Olney in 1966, followed by a second in Jacksboro in 1967 and the third and current shop in Graham in 1970. Vaughn is quick to explain that having three stores does not necessarily mean that business was booming, but fabric came 25 yards to a bolt and women did not want to be wearing the exact same pattern as their friends and neighbors.

Having three stores allowed Vaughn to divide the stock among the locations. The Graham location is still in business today and is still solely operated by Vaughn, who will be celebrating her 51st year in business this summer. Before becoming the queen of all things fabric, Vaughn held other jobs including secretarial positions and as a bookkeeper. She even did a three year stint as a deputy sheriff. She claims that the deputy job had its trials. But after spending just five minutes with her, it is obvious that she enjoys what she does and has enjoyed every second of the journey. She credits her grandmother for her love of sewing and fabrics.

To read more pick up a copy of the June 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.

Attractions

Oak Meadow Ranch

Published

3 weeks ago

October 30, 2024

NTFR

On The Road With Dave Alexander

Rarely will you find an event center that includes a music venue, a steakhouse and a wildlife refuge all rolled into one.

Oak Meadow Ranch has been welcoming guests for over two decades with one thing in mind, your complete happy experience.

The Chef Dinner and Exotic Animal Experience includes a four-course meal followed by a hands-on experience with exotic animals.

You can catch up with Dave at the Birthplace of Western Swing Festival in Fort Worth, Texas on November 7, or at the Irving Symphony Orchestra in Irving, Texas on November 9. To read more about his experience at Oak Meadow Ranch, pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print.

To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

Attractions

Ag Elsewhere: Montana

Published

4 weeks ago

October 29, 2024

NTFR

By: Lindsey Monk

On Aug. 22, 2024 at 11:40 p.m., the Remington fire jumped the line in Wyoming to burn towards Montana at a high rate of speed. The fire burned 194,459 acres and over 41 miles from one end to the other in a span of two days. Livestock producers will be feeling the effects for years to come.

Pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

Attractions

State Fair of Texas & GO TEXAN Program

Published

2 months ago

September 15, 2024

NTFR

State Fair of Texas

By: Hannah Claxton | Editor

The GO TEXAN program is a Texas Department of Agriculture initiative dedicated to showcasing and supporting Texas based busi- nesses. During the State Fair of Texas, held in Dallas each year, the program puts together the GO TEXAN pavilion. Within the pavilion, presented by Southwest Dairy Farmers, visitors have the opportunity to sample and shop Texas-based products, learn more about agriculture and participate in family-friendly activities.

In 2023, more than $1 million in revenue was generated across nearly 67,000 products sold. Businesses with products produced or processed in Texas are invited to apply to join the program, and can visit http:// www.gotexan.org/JOIN to apply.

When visiting the State Fair of Texas, make sure to visit the GO TEXAN pavilion to support businesses driving agricultural commerce and explore Texas agricultural commodities outside of North Texas.

The State Fair of Texas is held each year in the fall, and is considered to be the first of the “majors” shows for many students involved in showing livestock. Cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, and even llamas all have a class to enter at the fair.

For those not showing livestock, over a hundred creative arts classes are available to enter. Canned goods, photography, quilts, paintings, and butter sculptures are all displayed throughout the fair’s duration. Another contest judges a variety of antique collections and keeps them on display throughout the duration of the fair.

It’s not the State Fair of Texas without world-renowned food. The Big Tex Choice Awards contest has solidified the State Fair of Texas as the top Fair for great food creations. Each year, State Fair concessionaires fry up tasty and unique foods for a chance to become a finalist in the annual Big Tex Choice Awards competition.

The 2024 Finalists in the Savory category are: Dominican Fritura Dog (by Justin Martinez), The Drowning Taquitos (by Tony & Terry Bednar), Hippie Chips (by Rose and Tom Deschenes), Hot Chick-In- Pancake Poppers (by Palmer and Amanda Fortune), Texas Fried Burnt End Bombs (by Nick and Vera Burt).

In the Sweet category, the 2024 Finalists are: Nevins Nutty Bar- Laska (by Tami Nevins Mayes & Josie Mayes), Rousso’s Cotton Candy Bacon On A Stick (by Isaac Rousso), Strawberry Pop-Tarts Beignettfle (by Justin Martinez), Texas Sugar Rush Pickles (by Heather Perkins), and Tropical Two-Step Punch (by Binh Tran).

Livestock & contests schedule of events is available in the September issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.