Alliance Bank in Sulphur Springs

Expand Your Horizons By Johanna Hicks

Expand Your Horizons!

               Texas A&M AgriLife Extension prides itself in quality volunteers and collaborators.  Because of feedback from several people, we are bringing a workshop to Sulphur Springs which will have far-reaching impact, not only on Hopkins County, but also in surrounding counties.  The Certified Volunteer Training for Judging Fairs, Festivals, and Events, will take place on two separate days, with each day covering different topics.  If you have ever attended the Hopkins County Fall Festival Creative Arts Contest, you have seen the ribbons attached to the entries during public viewing.  They didn’t just appear on their own!  Certified judges from other counties were called in to serve as judges for categories in which they received special training.

               Due to requests from folks in Hopkins, Rains, and Wood Counties, a training is now scheduled and we want to invite you to attend!  You are not required to judge a certain amount of events, and you don’t have to keep up with your hours.  In other words, by taking the training you are not obligated to do anything – you simply pick what, if any, event and location you want to judge when called.

               The training will take place at the ROC (Recreation Outreach Center) of First Baptist Church.  Each day will start at 9:00 a.m. with check-in, and end at 3:00 p.m. with a wrap-up and survey.  The cost is $25 (per session), which covers lunch and cooking demonstrations, refreshments, and all materials.  Choose one or both sessions!

               Below are the dates and topics:

  • Tuesday, August 7: Judging Woodworking, Food Preservation, Baked Goods, and Art
  • Tuesday, August 28: Judging Horticulture, Quilts & Fiber Arts, Home Accessories, and Photography

Participants will rotate through all four sessions and earn their certification as a Certified Volunteer Judge in each category.

               My colleagues from Hunt (Sarah Latham), Rains (Denita Young), and Wood (Angie Monk) will be partnering with me to bring this event to Sulphur Springs.  We encourage you to attend, but we need to have registration information by July 18 if possible.  Forms are available at the Hopkins County Extension Office, 1200 W. Houston Street, Sulphur Springs; on Facebook (under Hopkins County Family & Community Health); on-line at https://Hopkins.agrilife.org; or by calling any of the Extension Offices listed above.  I can also e-mail the registration form.

               Expand your horizons and join us!

Back to School Fair

               I don’t want to get tarred and feathered for mentioning back-to-school, but this event is something you DON’T want to miss!  The 2nd annual Back-to-School Fair is very similar to an event we held for several years (Kids’ Safe Saturday), but it is bigger and better!  The event will feature numerous exhibitors with fun activities for kids.  In addition, dental screenings and fluoride applications, vision screenings, school physicals, immunizations for children and adults, haircuts, food and drinks will be available, free of charge!  Families needing assistance with school supplies can apply in advance at www.canhelponline.org.  Qualifying families may pick up their school supplies and backpacks the day of the event.

Here are the details:

  • When:  Friday, August 10
  • Where:  Hopkins County Civic Center
  • Time:  3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Be sure to stop by the Texas A&M AgriLife exhibit for some great information on upcoming workshops, series, and special events.  Also, stop by the Hopkins County 4-H exhibit.  4-H registration for the 2018/2019 year will begin in mid-August, so this will be the perfect time to learn about what all our Hopkins County 4-H program has to offer.

Closing Thought

Always be a little kinder than necessary.

Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]

Author: Savannah Everett

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