Ever wondered what truly makes a farmers market the beating heart of a small town? In our conversation with Amber Whitworth-Spagner, Director of the Sanger Farmers Market, we discover how a simple agricultural marketplace has transformed downtown Sanger into a vibrant community hub where nearly 1,000 visitors now gather on market days. Amber shares…

Dive into the vibrant world of local business with our latest podcast episode featuring Megan Moon, president of the Sanger Chamber of Commerce. We explore the significant role of the Chamber in supporting local businesses, advocating for economic development, and facilitating connections within the community. Megan shares her passion for fostering…

Ever wondered how a couple's online meeting could spark a small-town revolution? Join us as Todd and Vanessa Benson share their journey from a digital encounter 18 years ago to becoming the visionary minds behind Uptown Rail Brewery in Sanger, Texas. The Bensons' entrepreneurial spirit led them to create community-centered businesses that breathe l…

Wondering how a community can come together to support local education while having a blast? We've got you covered with Executive Director Valerie Foster from the Sanger Education Foundation, sharing her insights on the much-anticipated Education Foundation gala. This event isn't just about raising funds; it's about celebrating collaboration and gr…

Join us on a whimsical adventure to the North Pole with the enchanting Mrs. Claus as our special guest. You won't want to miss her sharing the delightful tale of meeting Santa in 1830 and the secrets behind Santa's favorite cookies—spoiler alert: chocolate chip and snickerdoodles reign supreme! Mrs. Claus also spills the beans on the magical carrot…

Join us for a captivating discussion with Ramey Hammonds, the dynamic Director of Development Services for the city, as we explore the bustling world of urban planning and community growth. Ramey unveils the intricacies of her role, from managing planning and zoning to collaborating with third-party engineers. You'll gain insights into exciting new…

Picture a city on the brink of transformation—how does a 50,000-square-foot grocery store fit into the puzzle? Join us as we promise to unravel the ambitious plans and strategies that are reshaping Sanger, from the determined efforts of the Economic Development Corporation to the strategic incentives that have attracted a major grocer. Our discussi…

What inspires a young artist to transform boredom into brilliance? Join us as we chat with Jordan Shepherd, the talented winner of last year's Old Bolivar Station Songwriter Festival, as he prepares to headline the event this year. From the small towns of Northeast Louisiana to the grand stage, Jordan shares his heartfelt journey, painting vivid me…

What makes two entrepreneurs from opposite sides of the Atlantic choose the quaint town of Sanger, Texas as their business haven? Join us as we unravel the captivating journeys of Renee Richardson, a Texas native, and Joanne Dela Cruz from London. Discover how Renee transitioned from corporate life to become a thriving small vendor and eventually o…

Have you ever wondered what it takes to transform a community's economic landscape? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Shani Bradshaw, the Economic Development Director who turned her diverse background in marketing, social media, and community engagement into a thriving career in economic development. Learn how her initial hesitations w…

What if a simple scrapyard could transform into a thriving business that uplifts an entire community? Join us as we welcome David Fulton, the driving force behind DEF Recycling, and uncover the remarkable 38-year journey that took him from working in his father's scrapyard to becoming a pivotal figure in Sanger's metal recycling industry. David's s…

Step into the world of civic innovation with Jim Bolz, the Director of Public Works for the City of Sanger, as he unveils how a municipality breathes life into its infrastructure. With a wealth of knowledge from his nearly two-decade tenure, Jim walks us through the complexities of managing a city's vital systems. He enlightens us on the pioneering…

Embark on a historical adventure as we sit down with Tona Batis, the dedicated president of the Sanger Area Historical Society, and uncover the evolution of Sanger, Texas. Our guest brings the past to life, revealing how the Sanger brothers and the Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railroad were instrumental in transforming the town from a humble cattle…

Join the conversation as Sanger's own Mayor Thomas Muir sits down with John Noblitt for a heartfelt look behind the curtain of small-town governance. With his unique blend of humor and dedication, Mayor Muir unpacks the misconceptions surrounding the mayoral role and shares tales from his time conversing with school kids about civic responsibilitie…

Have you ever met someone whose dedication transformed a volunteering gig into a journey of leadership and impact? That's the story of Valerie Foster, Executive Director of the Sanger Education Foundation, who joined us to unravel the tapestry of her work and the foundation's pivotal role in propelling Sanger ISD's educational programs forward. Val…

Discover the groundbreaking changes unfolding within Sanger's Police Department as Chief Tyson Cheek takes us behind the badge in this transformative discussion. From tackling staffing shortages with an eye for dedicated talent to implementing a dynamic command structure, Chief Cheek's journey from interim to permanent fixture at the helm provides …

Prepare to feel the magic of the holiday season as we welcome the one and only Santa Claus aboard the 266 Express. Today, we're taking a ride into Santa's world, exploring the enchanting North Pole, getting a glimpse into Santa's incredible gift delivery system, and learning about the magic dust that powers it all. You won't believe how he manages …

What do truth, love, and the power of music have in common? They form the backbone of a truly impactful song, or so say our guests for this episode, the renowned songwriters Ron Grimes and Stefan Prigmore. Ron and Stefan are here to share their remarkable journeys in the music industry, and we promise it's a narrative you won't want to pause. We ki…

Ever wondered about the magic that unfolds when a group of individuals join forces to create a song? Get ready to be enchanted as we journey with Michael David Dean, an inspiring songwriter from Austin, Texas. Michael shares his captivating story of musical beginnings, the difficult decision to step away from music to raise a family and work a corp…

Brace yourselves for an exciting journey into the world of musicians Hazy Blues and Jeremy Parsons, who joined us at the Old Bolivar Songwriter Festival in Sanger, Texas. They laid bare their creative processes, from Hazy Blues' evolution from a duo to a four-piece ensemble and their upcoming album release, to Parsons' transition from San Antonio t…

Ever wished you could peek inside the minds of songwriters and understand what motivates their creativity? Look no further! As your hosts, we invite you on the 266 Express for an intimate chat with the incredibly talented songwriters, Alexandra and Matt. Alexandra, a Dallas-based artist, reveals her journey from an Ohio teenager, crafting songs inf…

Ever wondered how punk and metal enthusiasts morph into celebrated songwriters? Unleash the story behind the musical transformation of Tribe and King, and choir aficionado turned songwriter, Ray Kwan Green, in a festival they never dreamt of being part of. Discover their musical journey, from their roots to their current fame, and hear first-hand e…

Wondering how a school can become a lifeline for a community? Listen as we engage in a heartwarming discussion with Principal Anthony Love of Linda Tutte High School in Sanger, Texas. This alternative school isn't your run-of-the-mill institution, it's a beacon of support for its students and the local community. With unique programs like the Choic…

Imagine finding your music rhythm while sponging off the dinner plates or spontaneously crafting a melody while taking a stroll. This week, we are thrilled to have Brittany Beckston and Jordan Shepherd, accomplished musicians with intriguing tales. Brittany shares her lifelong love for music and the huge leap she took by moving to Nashville to foll…

Experience the raw and real stories of Adara Kay and Ross Fleming, two seasoned songwriters who have graced the stage of the Old Baller Station Songwriter Festival. Their passion and determination will leave you captivated as they share the highs and lows of their musical journey- from their first nerve-wracking gigs to the refining fires of Middle…

Ever wondered how isolation during a pandemic can be transformed into a journey of self-discovery and creativity? Tune into our conversation with Tara Grace and Anthony Prater, two blooming musicians who have done just that, and more. Tara Grace, a new resident of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, talks about her creative process during COVID-19 that led…

Meet the effervescent Kim Ewing, a musical powerhouse from the heart of Texas. Our chat with Kim takes you through her incredible journey, starting from the age of 10, when she first picked up a pen to express herself through lyrics, to the momentous occasion when she strummed her first guitar chords at 21. As she weaves the tale of her life in mus…

Get ready to mark your calendars folks! We've got the president of the Chamber of Commerce, Amanda Gibson, giving us an exclusive on the 45th Annual Downtown Sellabration Festival. With an impressive line-up of food trucks, vendors, games, raffles and even a mechanical bull ride, it's promising to be an event to remember. Amanda walks us through ho…

Did you miss the Old Bolivar Station Songwriter Festival? Over the next few weeks, we will release interviews with some of our performers. Listen to their stories about getting into the business and their career climb. This episode features Jacob Muniz & JJ Roberson. Listen to JJ Roberson: https://www.facebook.com/jjrobersonmusic/ Liston to Jacob M…

Buddy Jewell will be the headliner of the upcoming Old Bolivar Station Songwriter Festival. Listen to the story of his rise to fame. You have been listening to The 266 Express, the official podcast of Sanger, TX. IF you have comments or suggestions, please send them to [email protected] Co-hosted by John Noblitt and Donna Green