Historical Scroggins store is focal point of upcoming festival

By KRISTY HEMMINGSEN | East Texas Edition

The Catalpa trees, and the worms that invade them, provide a reason to gather for a festival in Scroggins. -- Staff phot by Hemmingsen

June 9, 2005 - Sometimes you want to go, where everybody knows your name; and they're always glad you came ...."

These lyrics certainly seem the case for those who frequent the Scroggins General Store, located in the small community of Scroggins in southeast Franklin County.

And now, the friendly community has an opportunity to unite and celebrate years of traditions during a unique annual festival.

Today's Scroggins General Store reflects the country stores of yesteryear. Current owners Ben and Joann Glaze continue to keep it stocked with the full range of daily, essential supplies needed by farmers and their families. It has a traditional appeal which not only may save someone a "trip into town" for a necessity, but maintains a friendly "like home" atmosphere that draws numerous locals into the store on a daily basis.

Scroggins Store owners Ben and Joann Glaze are readying their store and adjacent area for the June 18 festival. -- Staff phot by Hemmingsen

The town of Scroggins was settled in the 1850s, and was centered around a sawmill operation owned and operated by Milton (Mills) Scroggins. By 1896, there were three general stores, in addition to the sawmill. But as towns around the community grew, eventually only one store remained.

  In addition to household necessities and supplies, customers of the Scroggins Store can fill their vehicle with gas, or stop in for a bite of breakfast or linger over lunch at the in-store "Post Office Grill." The grill gained its name because it's in the exact area of the store that used to serve as the community's post office, which was established in 1891 and was managed by the store's original owner W.B. (Burnice) Swanner and his wife Maud.

The grill is managed by Ben's sister, Sherry Garrett, who is there nearly every day of the week cooking up delicious meals and desserts.

Ben said he's proud of the community and the store's history and reputation, but one small thing bothered him. He had met many of the local residents (mostly while delivering mail on his route the past 10 years or from them coming into his store), but what about the other Scroggins' citizens? There was a lack of opportunity for all the residents to meet their neighbors.

"Let's have some sort of a festival," he recalled thinking. A festival would be a good excuse for everyone to get together and "celebrate." But what would be a good focus for such an event?

After a lot of thought, one day Ben viewed the Catalpa trees that embrace the outer walls of his store and, as the saying goes, one thing led to another, and soon, plans for the first Catalpa Worm Festival were under way.

With a lot of planning, Ben and Joann, along with the help of many friends and family, held the first (and successful) festival in June of last year.

Now, with the Second Annual Catalpa Worm Festival set for Saturday, June 18, there has already been months of preparation for the big event.

This year's fest promises to be, of course, bigger and better.

Those interested in being a part of the annual celebration are sure to be pleased with a variety of games and entertainment which include many singing sensations, a hula hoop contest, 42 tournament, talent contest, and of course, a Catalpa worm race.

There is also a Catalpa Worm Festival Queen contest.

The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on June 18 on a vacant lot located directly across from the Scroggins store. The store is located right off of FM 115 in southeast Franklin County, about 15 miles southeast of Mount Vernon and six miles east of Winnsboro.

For more information, contact the Scroggins store at 903-365-7415.