The Lighter Side: Hunt County

Episode 14: Barbara Horan – owner of the Texan Theater in downtown Greenville, Texas – is doing things her way. After being born and raised in Hunt County, she left town as quick as she could. But the majestic theater on Lee Street brought her back. Now, she's determined to give her hometown a one-of-a-kind experience inside her "home." #powerofcommunityTexan Theater: https://texantheatergreenville.comHerald-Banner: https://www.heraldbanner.comTitle Sponsor – Britain Chevrolet Cadillac: https://www.britainchevy.com Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Tim Kruse might have the coolest job in the world! As a lead rigger, he has toured with some A List entertainers, like Alan Jackson and Incubus. But when he's not working 16 hours a day in venues across the country, or sleeping in a tour bus, Tim calls Greenville, Texas, home. And while he's home, he's not just sitting on the couch. He's investing into this community in a very special way. Tim and his wife proudly spearhead the Greenville Flags project. #powerofcommunityGreenville Flags: https://www.facebook.com/GreenvilleFlagsHerald-Banner: https://www.heraldbanner.comTitle Sponsor – Britain Chevrolet Cadillac: https://www.britainchevy.com Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

When Darren Duke took over as head football coach at Greenville High School, he was excited to "restore the roar" throughout the community. In 2019, his team started to do that. Now, it's time for the Lions to build on that momentum in 2020 - right in the middle of a global pandemic. Coach Duke is optimistic that there will be a season, and he's confident his football team will rise to the occasion when they do hit the field. #powerofcommunityGreenville ISD: https://www.greenvilleisd.comHerald-Banner: https://www.heraldbanner.comTitle Sponsor – Britain Chevrolet Cadillac: https://www.britainchevy.com Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

There is a lot of powerful perspective on this episode of "The Lighter Side." Brandon Adams, a local artist who grew up in Greenville, had three profound moments that helped mold him into the person he is today. He shares those life-changing incidents on this podcast. He also talks about his art and finding his way back to Hunt County. #powerofcommunityBrandon Adams on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badamsart/Herald-Banner: https://www.heraldbanner.comTitle Sponsor – Britain Chevrolet Cadillac: https://www.britainchevy.com Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

There are a lot of layers to Wyatt Spivey's story. Over the last 18 months, a lot of those layers are heartbreaking. In January 2019, he lost his dad. His senior year at Greenville High School was cut short by Covid-19. That same global pandemic destroyed his first and only season on the varsity baseball team. But all of those tragic layers do not define the Class of 2020 valedictorian from Greenville. During our conversation, his courage and strength shined through. #powerofcommunity

This was an important episode of "The Lighter Side," and Dr. LaVelle Hendricks – professor at Texas A&M-Commerce and civil rights advocate in Hunt County – was the perfect guest for this show. Like every episode of this community podcast, we heard Dr. Hendricks' story, but then we discussed Covid-19 and the social and racial injustices still plaguing our country. #powerofcommunityHerald-Banner: https://www.heraldbanner.comTitle Sponsor – Britain Chevrolet Cadillac: https://www.britainchevy.com Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Brittany Peters Sims has a heart for giving back, and her hometown is feeling the wonderfully great ripple effects from her generosity. On this episode of "The Lighter Side," we discuss ALL the selfless philanthropic initiatives that Brittany has spearheaded in this community through the Project Grace Foundation. #powerofcommunityProject Grace Foundation: https://www.facebook.com/TheProjectGraceFoundation/Title Sponsor – Britain Chevrolet Cadillac: https://www.britainchevy.com Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

This is a powerful episode of "The Lighter Side," which revolves around strength, hope and faith. Greenville's Renee Francey received a scary diagnosis in October of 2019. She was told that she had cancer. But Renee knew it wasn't her time to go, and she vowed to beat it. With the help of her community – and her unwavering faith – she did just that! #powerofcommunityHerald-Banner: https://www.heraldbanner.comTitle Sponsor – Britain Chevrolet Cadillac: https://www.britainchevy.com Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Everyone knows Friendlee, right? If you live in Greater Greenville, Texas, that is probably true. But do you know Friendlee's story? That is what we highlighted on this episode of "The Lighter Side." We discussed Friendlee's love for this community, and the wonderfully great things he does to give back, but we wanted to hear his story - how he ended up in Greenville, Texas, and became a staple of this community. #powerofcommunityFriendlee Radio: https://friendleeradio.comHerald-Banner: https://www.heraldbanner.comTitle Sponsor – Britain Chevrolet Cadillac: https://www.britainchevy.com Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

We say it all the time ... "on this podcast, we're telling the story of Hunt County through the stories of the amazing people who live and work here." Dennisha Denney – our featured guest on this episode of "The Lighter Side" – is amazing. This is a tremendous conversation with a hometown girl, who briefly left but got back to Greenville, Texas, as fast as she could. #powerofcommunityRe/Max 3D Real Estate: https://www.remax3drealestate.com/Herald-Banner: https://www.heraldbanner.comTitle Sponsor – Britain Chevrolet Cadillac: https://www.britainchevy.com Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Episode 4: When Dr. Demetrus Liggins was hired as superintendent of schools in Greenville, Texas – his very first superintendent job – a global pandemic was the last thing on his mind. He was simply excited to make a difference in the lives of all the students in Greenville ISD. Then the COVID-19 nightmare happened, and Dr. Liggins was forced to lead the charge for an entire district looking for answers. After visiting with Dr. Liggins on this episode of "The Lighter Side," it was obvious that GISD had the right man in charge. #powerofcommunityGreenville ISD: https://www.greenvilleisd.com/Page/1Herald-Banner: https://www.heraldbanner.comTitle Sponsor – Britain Chevrolet Cadillac: https://www.britainchevy.com Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Episode 3: Derek Price might be the most interesting person in the world! (At least the most interesting person that host Drew Myers has gotten the opportunity to sit down and visit with.) Derek does so much and a lot of it revolves around story (a lot like this podcast). He has called Greenville, Texas, home for more than 10 years, and he said he has fallen in love with this community. That is evident in his video series, "Celebrate Hunt County." We recorded this podcast in the front seat of a Chevy Silverado from our friends at Britain Chevrolet Cadillac. Celebrate Media Group: http://celebratemediagroup.com/Celebrate Hunt County: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxa6DY6Zkw-PQ07FG975M_wHerald-Banner: https://www.heraldbanner.comTitle Sponsor – Britain Chevrolet Cadillac: https://www.britainchevy.com Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Episode 2: Madison Champion makes zero excuses. She also lives with a selfless heart. Those two inspirational facts made this a special episode of "The Lighter Side." Her story: This Greenville teen simply wanted to get involved in her school. She just wanted to give back. But it did so much more, leading her to an unlikely sport – sharpshooting. Now, she is on the Olympic Developmental Team. An inspiring story, right? But it doesn't stop there. Madison Champion, a recent graduate of Greenville High School, has overcome a physical disability to reach these impressive levels of success. Herald-Banner: https://www.heraldbanner.comTitle Sponsor – Britain Chevrolet Cadillac: https://www.britainchevy.com Music: https://www.purple-planet.com

Episode 1: Katy Ridge has been named the Herald-Banner's 2020 Person of Distinction. After getting the opportunity to meet Katy, hear her story and find out how much she loves Greenville and Hunt County – the newspaper's decision to honor her makes all the sense in the world. She understands the importance of community and giving back. She was the perfect guest for this inaugural community podcast.Rotary Club of Greenville: https://greenvillerotary.orgGreenville Chamber of Commerce: http://greenvillechamber.comCornerstone Insurance: https://cornerstoneadvisors.netHerald-Banner: https://www.heraldbanner.comTitle Sponsor – Britain Chevrolet Cadillac: https://www.britainchevy.com Music: https://www.purple-planet.com