Hey Tyler!

Hope your week's off to a good start… or wrapping up nicely.

We've got a packed edition coming your way — graduation season is officially here, the Lindale Rodeo rides into town for three nights, and Pollard just got officially recognized as one of Tyler's historic neighborhoods.

Plus: a Tyler run club that's quietly building real community, a workforce program celebrating its 11th year of changing lives, and a Saturday loaded with everything from car shows to community festivals.

🏃 Side Quest Run Club is building community one mile at a time A new run/walk group is drawing East Texans of all paces to Rose Rudman Trail — and it's about more than fitness. Founder Jerome Bowser Jr. named the club after the "side quests" in video games and anime: the extra things you do alongside your main mission that end up making you better at everything. The group meets weekly, runners and walkers alike are welcome, and Bowser says safety in numbers is part of the point: "You don't have to run. You can walk. It's just about community." Read more

🎓 Tyler ISD's Project SEARCH celebrates its Class of 2026 After 11 years, the Tyler ISD–Christus Trinity Mother Frances workforce-readiness program just sent another group of graduates into the working world. Eleven students from Tyler High and Tyler Legacy were honored last week at the Wisenbaker Conference Center after a full year of rotating internships at Christus — building real skills for real jobs. With nearly 100 graduates over the program's history and a placement rate that consistently beats the state average, it's quietly become one of the most impactful partnerships in town. Read more

🏛️ Pollard Historic District gets its national marker The City of Tyler and Historic Tyler Inc. gathered at Pollard Park on Monday, May 11 to unveil new markers celebrating the Pollard Residential Historic District's listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Developed between 1947 and 1974 and covering more than 1,200 structures, Pollard is now the largest of Tyler's nationally recognized historic districts — and the result of more than a decade of work by Historic Tyler. Read more

🏆 Best Preps Tyler 2026 honors the area's top student-athletes More than 600 people packed Green Acres Baptist Church on Monday night for the 8th annual Best Preps Tyler ceremony, recognizing standout high school athletes from across the area. Troup's Brett Wells took home Male Athlete of the Year and Grace Community's Emma Goetz — fresh off her third straight state title in distance running — earned Female Athlete of the Year. Grace Community's Chris Hemphill was named Coach of the Year. Read more

🏥 Last independent hospital in Northeast Texas joins Christus Mount Pleasant's Titus Regional Medical Center — long the last independently operated hospital in Northeast Texas — officially became Christus Health – Mount Pleasant Hospital on May 1. The change follows a board vote in February after years of financial pressure. Christus says all employees in good standing kept their jobs and that the focus going forward is "continuity, stability, and growth." The deal also expands Christus's already-significant East Texas footprint. Read more

What Buyers Notice in the First 8 Seconds
Most buyers don’t walk into a house looking for reasons to buy it.
They walk in looking for reasons to eliminate it.

And the truth is, most of that decision starts happening within the first few seconds of walking through the front door.

Before buyers notice the granite countertops or ask about the roof age, they’re subconsciously asking themselves one question:

“How does this home make me feel?”

They notice the smell.
They notice if the house feels dark.
They notice if the temperature is uncomfortable.
They notice clutter, overgrown landscaping, scuffed paint, dirty windows, or deferred maintenance that makes them wonder what else hasn’t been taken care of.

Even small things matter more than sellers realize because buyers don’t separate issues individually. They stack them together emotionally.

One dead plant becomes:
“What else is wrong here?”

One dim room becomes:
“This house feels depressing.”

One outdated or neglected area can quietly chip away at the excitement buyers felt from the listing photos online.

That’s why preparing a home for the market is about more than just taking good pictures. It’s about removing distractions so buyers can focus on imagining their future there instead of mentally building a repair list.

The good news? Most of the things buyers notice first are fixable without spending a fortune.

Better lighting. Cleaner spaces. Fresh mulch. Neutral smells. Minor touch-ups. Cooler temperatures during showings. Small details can completely change the emotional reaction buyers have walking through your home.

In today’s market, buyers are picky. They have options. And homes that feel cared for almost always create stronger offers and sell faster than homes that feel neglected, even if the square footage and price are similar.

If you’re thinking about selling and want honest feedback on what buyers would notice first about your home, let’s talk before you make a move.

Thinking about selling but not sure what buyers would notice first about your home? Follow this page and fill out your information for a free home presentation consultation before you hit the market: homeseasttexas.com/contact

Lindale Championship Rodeo (Night 1) Cross Brand Arena, Lindale | Thu, May 14 | Gates 6:00 PM / Rodeo 7:30 PM | Learn more

Show Jumping Classic Texas Rose Horse Park, Tyler | Thu–Sun, May 14–17 | 8:00 AM | Learn more

4th Annual Battle of the Brains The Historic Mayfair Building, Tyler | Thu, May 14 | 11:00 AM | Learn more

Wildflower Poetry Society Tyler Public Library, Tyler | Thu, May 14 | 2:00 PM | Learn more

BYOC + Trinket Trade Side Quest Flourish Nonprofits Tyler | Thu, May 14 | 6:30 PM | Learn more

Music in May – Uptown Live Downtown Mineola | Thu, May 14 | 6:30 PM | Learn more

Dr. Factenstein's Trivia Night True Vine Brewing Co., Tyler | Thu, May 14 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

John Curry Live Dinner Music The Grove Kitchen & Gardens, Tyler | Thu, May 14 | 7:30 PM | Learn more

Pedal Steel Noah with Zayne Browning Stanley's Famous Pit BBQ, Tyler | Thu, May 14 | 8:15 PM | Learn more

Piano night at The Thomas Hotel The Thomas Hotel, Tyler | Thu, May 14 | 6:00-8:00 PM

Hallsville East Family & Community Color Run 422 Galilee Rd., Hallsville | Fri, May 15 | 9:00 AM – Noon | Learn more

Master Gardeners: Gardening for the Heat Tyler Public Library, Tyler | Fri, May 15 | 12:00 PM | Learn more

Ark-La-Tex Tattoo Expo (Day 1) Longview Convention Complex, Longview | Fri, May 15 | Noon – 9:00 PM | Learn more

Emily Glover Live Fresh by Brookshire's, Tyler | Fri, May 15 | 6:00 PM | Learn more

Lindale Championship Rodeo (Night 2) Cross Brand Arena, Lindale | Fri, May 15 | Gates 6:00 PM / Rodeo 7:30 PM | Learn more

Jason Salmon Live Rose City Comedy, Tyler | Fri, May 15 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Tyler High School Graduation Tyler ISD Athletic Complex, Tyler | Fri, May 15 | 8:00 PM | Learn more

Rose City Run Club Running Lab Legacy Trail, Tyler, TX | Sat, May 16 | 8:00 AM | Learn more

Wood Memorial Car Show 320 Greenville Ave., Mineola | Sat, May 16 | 7:00 AM | Learn more

Smith County Master Gardeners Home Garden Tour Smith County / Tyler Area | Sat, May 16 | 9:00 AM | Learn more

Camping 101 at Purtis Creek State Park Purtis Creek State Park, Eustace | Sat, May 16 | 9:30 AM | Learn more

Tractors, Trucks & Fun Historic Downtown Kilgore | Sat, May 16 | 10:00 AM | Learn more

Payton Pierce Live Brunch Music The Grove Kitchen & Gardens, Tyler | Sat, May 16 | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Learn more

National Ride a Bike Month Family Ride 309 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tyler | Sat, May 16 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Learn more

Dungeons and Dragons Club – Adult Tyler Public Library, Tyler | Sat, May 16 | 2:00 PM | Learn more

Parent's Night Out – Under the Sea Inspire Gym United, Flint | Sat, May 16 | 5:00 PM | Learn more

Pirates & Mermaids Parent Survival Night The Little Gym, Tyler | Sat, May 16 | 6:00 PM | Learn more

Gary Freeman & The Girl Next Door Live Fresh by Brookshire's, Tyler | Sat, May 16 | 6:00 PM | Learn more

Sara Evans Live Blackhawk Creek Grill & Venue, Whitehouse | Sat, May 16 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Kid Icarus Project Live True Vine Brewing Company, Tyler | Sat, May 16 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Jason Salmon Live Rose City Comedy, Tyler | Sat, May 16 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

The Tuxedo Cats Live Red Rooster Icehouse, Hawkins | Sat, May 16 | 7:30 PM | Learn more

Live Local Music The Grove Kitchen & Gardens, Tyler | Sat, May 16 | 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM | Learn more

Lindale Championship Rodeo (Night 3 — Finale) Cross Brand Arena, Lindale | Sat, May 16 | Gates 6:00 PM / Rodeo 7:30 PM | Learn more

The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride Tyler (location shown after registration) | Sun, May 17 | 10:00 AM | Learn more

Brunch at ETX Brewing Co. ETX Brewing Co., Tyler | Sun, May 17 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Learn more

175th Anniversary of Christ Church 703 S. Main St., Jefferson | Sun, May 17 | 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM | Learn more

Ark-La-Tex Tattoo Expo (Final Day) Longview Convention Complex, Longview | Sun, May 17 | Noon – 9:00 PM | Learn more

America 250 Celebration (East Texas Symphonic Band) 415 American Legion Blvd., Longview | Mon, May 18 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Trivia Night with Dr. Factenstein ETX Brewing Co., Tyler | Wed, May 20 | 7:00 – 8:00 PM | Learn more

New Menu Coming Soon @ Heritage East at Culture ETX Downtown, Tyler | Learn more

Tyler Farmers Market Opening Day Tyler Farmers Market, Tyler | Sat, May 23 | 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Learn more

Texas Songwriters on the Rise Stanley's Famous Pit Barbecue, Tyler | Fri, May 22 | 7:00 – 10:00 PM | Learn more

Wayne Toups Live Blackhawk Creek Grill & Venue, Whitehouse | Fri, May 22 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Soul of Motown Liberty Hall, Tyler | Thu, May 21 | (Time TBD) | Learn more

2026 State of the City Luncheon W.T. Brookshire Conference Center, Tyler | Thu, May 21 | (Time TBD) | Learn more

Adult Painting Night: David Hockney Tyler Public Library, Tyler | Thu, May 21 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Kolby Cooper Live Blackhawk Creek Grill & Venue, Whitehouse | Sat, May 23 | 7:00 PM | Learn more

Memorial Day Weekend: Stars, Stripes & S'mores at Jellystone Tyler Jellystone Tyler, Hawkins | May 22–25 | 2:00 PM daily | Learn more

May Madness Crappie Throwdown 16822 McElroy Rd., Whitehouse | Sat, May 30 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Learn more

TACHE Used Book Sale Colonial Hills Baptist Church, Tyler | Sat, June 6 | 12:30 – 4:30 PM | Learn more

Tyler Mayoral Runoff Election Day Smith County polling locations | Sat, June 13 | Polls open 7:00 AM | Learn more

That's the rundown for this week, Tyler. Between graduation lights, rodeo dust, and the first Saturday of farmers market season — plenty of reasons to get out the door.

Got an event, a tip, or a story we should be paying attention to? Just hit reply. We love hearing from you.

See you in your inbox next week. 🌹

Eric & April
From Tyler