The Wood County Economic Development Commission discussed the Bassmaster Tournament May 19-22 last Wednesday.

The Quitman Pilot Club took over the activities for Friday and Saturday at the Sabine River Authority tournament headquarters at Lake Fork. Admission is free for all of the activities on Saturday and Sunday (May 21-22).

Concerts have returned to the event with Quitman’s Bobby Irwin performing Saturday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Irwin was the FFA national talent winner, as well as first place in the Texana Troubadour Singer and Songwriter. 

Sunday’s concert will feature award winning siblings, the Bellamy Brothers. The Bellamy Brothers have remained a staple on the country music charts and have won numerous awards from the Country Music Awards and the Academy of Country Music awards. They continue to perform on tour to concert sell-outs across the United States and in several foreign countries. Their Lake Fork show will begin at 1 p.m. and end at 2:30 p.m.

The commission voted unanimously to approve $750 as an entertainment sponsor June 11 for the Health Fair in the Park in conjunction with UT Health Quitman and the Quitman Chamber of Commerce.

The WCEDC is sponsoring a public forum to discuss the broadband situation for all of Wood County. The forum will be Monday, May 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Quitman Public Library community room. WCEDC board member Lee Smith said, “The EDC is promoting the event and will be joined by representatives from Peoples Telephone to answer questions from the public.”

In other business the board approved hiring Marketing with Mandy for $850 per month to provide a strong social media package for the WCEDC. Amanda Shirley of Lindale is the owner of the company. “We are always looking for local regional talent and we have found this lady (Shirley) and she is just fantastic,” board member Steve Eggleston noted. “I would tell you we are getting a steal. She is very professional and with her pricing it just can’t be beat.”