HEMPHILL, TX – The generosity of a host of supporters have ensured a successful 6th annual Galactic Gala supporting the ‘Remembering Columbia’ Museum in Hemphill.
On Saturday, September 27, 2025, a packed Hemphill VFW hall enjoyed an evening of good food, music, and special guests to raise funds for the Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum.
From in-kind donations of food, beverages, door prizes and items for the highly-anticipated silent auction, the proceeds of the night support the educational initiatives of the museum.
We would like to acknowledge the generosity of the following individuals, groups, and businesses:
Terry’s Meat Market
Speedy Lube
Nichols; Many, Louisiana
Hamock Furniture
Kyle Bulter
Jean Schulz, widow of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz
Tractor Supply
Lonesome Pine, Sam Melton
Loving Toyota
Kimberly Hamlin
Shelia Thomas
Lane & Cassandra Luckie
John Brewton
Vickie Thomas
Wolfhead Construction
Debra Kennedy
Senerity Books and Coffee
Vanessa
Corylee Thomas
Leeanne Hinkle
Lonnie B. Davis
Shelby Bank
Estella Gillette
Market Basket
Hemphill Care Center
Tyson Chicken; Center, Texas
Kevin & Karen Doolin
Rebecca Felts
Brandon Belt
David Glenn Antilley Sr.
Colonial Mortuary; Lufkin, Texas
Svehla Christmas Tree Farm
Roger & Belinda Gay
Park Hill Fine Art Portraits; Fort Worth, Texas
Cody & Andrea Jordan
Mike Nugent Fishing
Big Bass Splash
Chad & Marieka Gay
Dr. Gregory Backofen, Hemphill
Dr. Brent Campbell, Lufkin
Carla Morgan – Sabeans
Procella Service Station
Sugar Creek Gardens
Yolanda Bozant
Sabine County Chamber of Commerce
Journalist and Space historian Robert Pearlman captivated the crowd with stories of his international efforts to track down missing moon rocks.
Winners of the table decorating competition were: 1st place- Sabine County Sheriff’s Office, 2nd place- Hemphill VFW, and 3rd place- Hemphill Garden Club.
Next year’s gala is scheduled for Saturday, September 26th. Details will be announced at a later date.
Photos from the event may be viewed in the album below.
The Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum ‘Remembering Columbia’ serves as a memorial to the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy and as an educational facility dedicated to creating science and technology-inspiring learning opportunities for children and adults. Learn more at http://www.NASAColumbiaMuseum.com.
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Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum 'Remembering Columbia' 