Chamber Connection for Nov. 28, 2019
By Lezley Brown, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce president/CEO
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! 2019 has been a fast and furious year, and now here we sit enjoying Thanksgiving Day! The Friday after Thanksgiving is a day often referred to as Black Friday. It was named Black Friday because it described the heavy and disruptive pedestrian and vehicle traffic that would occur on the day after Thanksgiving. Many people shop Black Friday, and that’s fantastic. But, there’s an even better day for shopping! The Saturday after Thanksgiving is called Small Business Saturday. It is a day labeled to remind us to shop locally for the holidays. Our small business owners are giving everything they’ve got to live their dreams, and we in return, can benefit from those dreams! Hopkins County offers wonderful local shopping! Please make sure you spend at least some of your day at your favorite local place … stores, restaurants, venues, all of them. We love our Small Businesses, and we want them to continue to thrive and be successful in all they do. Shop local for the holidays and enjoy Small Business Saturday on Nov. 30!
The Sulphur Springs Hopkins County EDC and the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce are hosting their annual Economic Outlook Conference at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center on Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. We are so excited to welcome Mr. Christopher Slijk, assistant economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, as our keynote speaker at the 2019 Economic Outlook Conference. Sponsorships of the conference and tickets are available. Lunch will be provided. For further information, please call the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce at 903-885-6515.
I’m excited to let you know that we have begun work on the 2020 Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Directory. We distribute over 7,000 of these directories to visitors, relocation hopefuls, and even hometown heroes who are interested in learning more about our local businesses. They include historical information as well all things to the see and do in Hopkins County. The best part is, they include an alphabetical and categorical listing of your business. LeeAnn Peugh with Echo Publishing will be contacting you in the next few weeks to see if you are interested in placing an ad in the directory. The rates are affordable, and one of the best ways to represent your business. I hope you will consider this a wise investment with over 7,000 opportunities for business exposure. You may also contact the Chamber, and I will pass your information along to her. I’m proud to produce this book telling all about the place we love. I hope you will join me in the journey!
Heritage Park will host Christmas in the Park on Saturday, Nov. 30
The Hopkins County Historical Society presents Christmas in the Park on Saturday, Nov. 30, and Saturday, Dec. 7, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Visit with Santa, see the light displays, listen to live music, enjoy hot cocoa, old-fashioned cider, coffee and cookies, and begin your Christmas shopping in the Country Store.
TLC Chiropractic is hosting their ribbon cutting celebration
TLC Chiropractic is hosting their ribbon cutting celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at noon. They are located at 2655 Highway 11 east in Sulphur Springs. Please make plans to attend to learn about our newest business in Hopkins County!
Hopkins County EMS is hosting their Christmas Tree decorating contest
Hopkins County EMS is hosting their annual Christmas Tree decorating contest on Friday, Dec. 6, on Celebration Plaza. For rules and additional information, visit EMS on Facebook at Hopkins County EMS.
Lion’s Club will host the 12th Annual Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 6
The Lion’s Club is hosting the 12th Annual Christmas Parade Friday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m.
The parade begins at Buford Park and goes East on Connally Street to the square, turns left onto Church Street, and left on Houston Street to end in the Gerald Prim Stadium parking lot (watch the Lion’s Club Facebook page for possible route changes due to construction on Connally Street).
You may pick up registration forms and rules at the Chamber of Commerce. Registration forms must be received by noon on Tuesday, December 4.
CASA hosts their annual Cookie Walk
CASA is hosting their annual Cookie Walk on Friday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to noon at First United Methodist Church Family Life Center.
Cookies are sold for $5 a pound. Go by there and load up on Christmas cookies while supporting our local CASA!
Santa Cause 5K presented by Nations Lending
Nations Lending is hosting a Santa Cause 5K Without the Sleigh benefitting the Reed-Cavanaugh families at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at Pizza Inn, 1320 Mockingbird Lane in Sulphur Springs.
For additional information, contact Nations Lending at 202 Church St. in Sulphur Springs.
North East Texas Choral Society presents “Starry Night”
North East Texas Choral Society presents Starry Night on Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. and on Dec. 8, at 2 p.m., in the SSHS Auditorium in Sulphur Springs.
Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. You may purchase tickets online at www.singerscount.org.
Sister Babyz hosts 8th Annual Fashion Show
Sister Babyz will host their annual Fashion Show on Friday, Dec. 13, at BackStory Brewery, 211 Magnolia St. in Sulphur Springs. Happy Hour begins at 6 p.m., Fashion Show begins at 7 p.m. and shopping the show begins at 8 p.m. All proceeds benefit local charities.
Tickets are available for purchase at Sister Babyz, 135 Gilmer St., in Sulphur Springs, or at www.sisterbabyz.com.
Main Street Theater presents “A Christmas Carol”
The Main Street Theater Community Players Presents A Christmas Carol. Performances will be Thursday, Dec. 12, and Friday, Dec. 13, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 14, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 15, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Online reservations can be made at www.communityplayersinc.com or by calling (903) 885-0107. Main Street Theater is located at 225 Main St. in Sulphur Springs.
Ribbon Cutting
The UPRA Rodeo Finals were held in Sulphur Springs last weekend. They held a ribbon cutting to celebrate 40 years of the UPRA Rodeo Finals at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 21st at the Civic Center.
Thanksgiving Leading Day For Home Cooking Fires
Tips For A Safer Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays for most brings to mind for most a smorgasbord of rich foods, including turkey and dressing with giblet gravy, ham, rolls and plenty of sweet desserts and snacks. However, for some, the the holidays are marked by devastation — home fires.
Cooking is the leading cause of reported home fires year-round in the US, and accounts for 45 percent of all home fire injuries and 21 percent of home fire deaths. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires and fire deaths; 15 percent of the fatalities are attributed to clothing ignitions, according to the National Fire Protection Agency.
Thanksgiving Day is the leading day for US home cooking fires, with more than three times as many home cooking fires occurring on Thanksgiving as a typical day of the year, the NFPA reports.
Thus, Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley has a few safety reminders heading into the holidays to help keep residents and properties safer.
Endsley recommends those planning to cook a turkey outdoors for Thanksgiving, especially those planning to deep fry, to make sure it’s cooked away from patios, porches, garages, structures and awnings. He suggests testing the turkey to fluid ratio before putting oil into it; put the turkey in water before firing the cooker up. If water splashes out, that is an indicator there’s too much liquid. Remove some of the water. When the turkey fits without significant amount of water overflowing, that’s a good indicator of how much oil to put in the fryer, the fire chief suggested.
Also, to avoid an explosion, avoid dropping a frozen turkey into hot oil. Make sure the turkey is thawed before attempting to cook it. The cooler the turkey the hotter the oil and fire, the more chances of splashing or burning.
The US Fire Administration also reminds turkey chefs to make sure their fryer is level, and away from children and animals, to avoid it tipping over or popping and burning. Keeping a 3-foot safety zone around stoves (when cooking indoors) and outdoor grills is recommended.
Things that can catch fire — like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels– should be kept a minimum of 3 feet from the cooking area. Shirt sleeves should be pushed up and billowy clothing should be worn after the food is prepared to keep it from coming into contact with open flames or other heat sources, the NFPA recommends.
Cooking food shouldn’t be left on the stove top unattended, especially when frying and sauteing with oil. Stay near and check the turkey frequently while it is cooking.
Home Heating Tips
Endsley also reminds that precautions are needed for heating structures during cooler temperatures. He notes that heaters are to be plugged directly into outlets. Extension cords should not be used for electric heaters, as doing so can easily overload the source and result in melted cords and fires.
Natural heating should include proper ventilation, method to extinguish a blaze in a fireplace or wood burning store. Check to be sure there are no gas leaks for natural gas heaters. Objects should not be placed too close to any heaters or heating sources as a precaution as well.
Saltillo Lions and Lady Lions and Sulphur Bluff Lady Bears Get Basketball Wins
Both the Saltillo Lions and Lady Lions got basketball wins Monday and the Lady Lions won again on Tuesday.
The Lions, ranked #21 in Class A, topped Boles, 78-53. The Lions outscored Boles during the first three quarters and then coasted to victory in the fourth. Chris Boekhorst led the Lions with 33 points. Andrew Redburn scored 17 points. Colby McCoy added 12 points. Gunner Tarver and Dillon Beadle had 8 points each. The Lions improved their season record to 2-1. The Lions played Alba-Golden Tuesday.
Meanwhile the Lady Lions, ranked #16 in Class A, improved their season record to 8-3 with a big 76-21 win at home against Terrell Tuesday. The Lady Lions outscored Terrell in every quarter and held the Lady Tigers to less than ten points in three of the quarters. Chandler Bain led the Lady Lions with 18 points. Brittney Peeples had 14 points. Anna Reeder scored 13 points. Allie Lane scored 12 points. Maddy Smith had 7 points. Jocelyn Ochia added 5 points. Kristina Wade scored 3 points. Paisley Kastner and Julianna Giles both scored 2 points. Monday the Lady Lions defeated Celeste, 42-30 at Celeste. After a 10-10 first quarter tie, the Lady Lions took command of the game with strong second and third quarters. Chandler Bain led the Lady Lions with 11 points. Anna Reeder and Jocelyn Ochoa had 8 points each. Allie Lane and Kristina Wade had 5 points apiece. Brittney Peeples added 4 points. Julianna Giles scored 1 point.
The Sulphur Bluff Lady Bears Basketball Team won third place recently in the Bland Invitational Tournament with a win over Class 3A Bonham. Lady Bear Jada Wade received All-Tournament Honors. Skylar Stanley, a freshman, had her season high with 18 points. Alley Collett had 8 points. Wade scored 7 points. Ann Dorner had 5 points before going out in the second half due to an ankle injury. Dalena di Donato had 4 points.
Former Wildcat Player and Coach Triston Abron to Bring Paul Pewitt to Prim For Friday Football Playoff Game
Gerald Prim Stadium in Sulphur Springs will host another playoff football on Friday (November 29) and it’s a big homecoming or sorts. Former Wildcats Defensive Coordinator and former Wildcats football player Triston Abron is returning to The Prim as the head coach of the Paul Pewitt Brahmas. Paul Pewitt will be playing Bells at 6 p.m. Friday at Prim Stadium. It’s a regional semi-final game for Class 3A, Region III, Division II. Paul Pewitt is 11-1 for the season while Bells is 9-3. Coach Abron’s team was picked to finish fourth in their district by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine but they surprised the experts. The Brahmas were district co-champs and a #2 seed in the playoffs. The winner of Friday night’s game will face the winner of a Daingerfield and Newton game being played Friday at Nacogdoches.
Lady Cats Basketball Team Takes Liberty-Eylau into Overtime Before Dropping 55-49 Game
In a back and forth game, the Lady Cats Basketball Team got outscored in overtime, 11-5 in a 55-49 loss to Liberty-Eyau Monday afternoon (November 25) at the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School. The Lady Cats season record slipped to 3-5. The Lady Leopards improved to 4-1 for the season. Liberty-Eylau took a 13-11 lead after the first quarter. The Lady Cats surged ahead in the second period and were up 28-27 at halftime. The Lady Leopards moved back up by three points, 41-38 after three quarters. Points were hard to come by in the fourth quarter as they Lady Cats outscored Liberty-Eylau 6-3 in the quarter to tie the game after regulation, 44-44. In overtime after the teams traded baskets, L-E went on a run that proved to be the difference in the game. The run was fueled by several steals by the Lady Leopards using their full court press. The deficit proved too much for the Lady Cats to overcome. Freshman Serenity Lewis had a huge scoring game tallying 23 points before fouling out in overtime. Freshman Kenzie Willis and senior Kate Womack had 7 points each. Junior Nylah Lindley scored 6 points. Freshman Addisyn Wall added 4 points and junior Bre’Asia Ivery had 2 points. In a post game interview, Lady Cats Coach Brittney Tisdell said she told her team she would work with them to fix their young mistakes so they could come after the teams next year that are getting the best of them this year. She credited her team for playing hard and never giving up. Coach Tisdell said she scheduled Liberty-Eylau because she knew they would be athletic. She said the Lady Leopards will help the Lady Cats get ready for district team’s that are athletic like Texas High. The Lady Cats practiced Tuesday before taking most of the rest of the week off for Thanksgiving holidays. The Lady Cats return to action on Tuesday, December 3 at Terrell.
Wildcats Basketball Team Just Gets By Byron Nelson in Overtime on the Road Tuesday
A last second desperation three point shot rimmed out as the Wildcats’ Basketball Team eked by Byron Nelson, 52-49 in overtime in Trophy Club Tuesday afternoon (November 26). A Wildcats’ inbound pass with just 8.6 seconds left in overtime was intercepted by the Bobcats and their 6-6 junior post Jesse Iweze tossed up a three point prayer that was just about answered. After playing to a 43-43 tie in regulation, the Wildcats outscored Bryon Nelson 9-6 in overtime. Wildcat Grayson McClure hit four clutch free throws during the overtime. Lamodrick Johnson had a basket and a free throw and Cameron Kahn hit a basket. The Wildcats won despite having a two point fourth quarter. Day Day Hall got the Wildcats lone fourth quarter basket. Luckily the Bobcats only scored 8 points to tie the score. The big quarter for the Wildcats was the third, which saw them outscore Bryon Nelson, 21-16. The quarter featured a barrage of three point baskets from the Wildcats including four from McClure. At one point, the Wildcats led 41-31. Points were hard to come by in the first half. The Wildcats trailed 8-7 after one quarter and then led by one, 20-19 at the half. McClure led the Wildcats with a game high 19 points including 5 three pointers. Hall had 10 points before fouling out late in the game. Kahn scored 7 points including a three. Johnson and Justin Brock scored 5 points and Brock hit a three. Justin Haire and Boo Wilkerson worked tirelessly on defense and both scored 3 points on a made three pointer. Byron Nelson was led by freshman Finley Bizjack with 15 points including 4 three pointers. The Wildcats, ranked #4 in Class 5A, improved their season record to 3-0. After Tuesday’s win, with a big smile on his face, Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta quipped that his kids are going to kill him by going down to the wire every game. Two of the Wildcats three wins have been by 2 and 3 points in overtime. All kidding aside, Coach Cipoletta said he was proud of his team because they faced a lot of adversity Tuesday. He said Day Day Hall did not have it going as he usually does especially trying to finish near the basket. He said Cameron Kahn only played about 10 minutes due to foul trouble. Coach Cipoletta said some calls did not go the Wildcats’ way. Still he said the team stuck it out. He added a team of winners found a way to win. They also survived that two point fourth quarter. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats played one of their best games defensively. He also liked the way the Wildcats ran offensive sets in the half court. Coach Cipoletta acknowledged the team did not execute late in regulation. He said senior Grayson McClure played an outstanding game and perhaps his best game ever. Coach Cipoletta said McClure deflected praise from himself and credited his teammates for setting good screens for him. Coach Cipoletta also praised the defense and rebounding of sophomore Justin Haire who played heavy minutes due to Kahn’s foul trouble. To his credit, Kahn played a lot of the fourth quarter and all of overtime with 4 fouls but did not foul out. The Wildcats big players inside stifled the big players inside for Byron Nelson. After Thanksgiving Day off, the Wildcats will practice Friday and then will meet Port Allen, Louisiana from West Baton Rouge Parish Saturday at 9 a.m. in the Duncanville HoopFest.
Brashear Man Receives 3 Years Deferred Probation On Controlled Substance Charge
Quitman Man Pleads Guilty On Child Endangerment Charge
Shannon Jay White, 55, of Brashear plead guilty Tuesday, Nov. 26, before Judge Northcutt to a state jail felony possession of a controlled substance charge. He was sentenced to 3 years deferred probation and a $500 fine, according to ADA Cox.
White was stopped around 10:40 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, by a state trooper for a traffic violation and appeared to highway patrol to be intoxicated. He apparently had medication, which he claimed to have prescriptions for; while going back to get the paperwork, two syringes fell out of his pocket, troopers alleged in arrest reports.
A search of the truck allegedly yielded a bag of suspected methamphetamine in a gum wrapper in a cup, resulting in White’s arrest, according to arrest reports. He was released from jail Aug. 31 on $5,000 bond on the charge, according to jail reports.
Eric Mitchell Rawson, 28, of Quitman appeared before 8th Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt Tuesday, Nov. 26, where he plead guilty to abandoning or endangering a child with criminal negligence charge during a trial before the court. He is scheduled to appear Dec. 10 for a sentencing hearing on the charge, according to Assistant District Attorney Jodi Cox.
The offense he plead guilty to was alleged to have occurred on Jan. 17. He was arrested on a warrant for the charge on Friday, Jan. 18. He remained in the county jail until March 5, according to court and jail reports.
Cemetery, Residential Disturbances Result In 2 Misdemeanor Arrests
Two men were reportedly arrested on misdemeanor charges following reports of disturbances Tuesday.
A 39-year-old Rockwall man’s unruly behavior in front of Brashear Cemetery caught the attention of others in the area, who reported him to the sheriff’s office around lunch time Nov. 26.
The first call county dispatchers received was for suspicious activity, specifically a report of a guy “yelling and throwing stuff out of a truck” at Brashear Cemetery at 11:57 a.m. Tuesday. A second caller a minute later reported a guy was not only yelling and throwing things out of the truck but was also throwing his arms up in the air, which also was considered suspicious activity at Brashear Cemetery, according to sheriff’s reports.
In arrest reports, Hopkins County sheriff’s deputies reported a call of ” a male laying on the ground in front of the Brashear Cemetery” by a red Ford F-150 pickup. On contact with the 39-year-old Rockwall man they located, they obtained permission to search the truck, where they alleged finding drug paraphernalia.
Consequently, deputies reportedly took the man into custody at 12:15 p.m. for possession of drug paraphernalia. The Rockwall man spent the night in jail and was released from custody on the charge Wednesday morning, Nov. 27, according to jail reports.
A 26-year-old Sulphur Springs man was jailed Tuesday night for his disorderly conduct.
Sulphur Springs police were dispatched shortly after 8 p.m. Nov. 26 to the 400 block of Sheffield Street, in response to a disturbance complaint. Upon arrival, officers reported finding a man “acting erratic” in the road in front of the Sheffield Street residence, not the address listed on reports as his home address. The man was allegedly shouting profanity and not calming down.
Police rewarded his conduct with an escort to the county jail, where he spent the night on the disorderly conduct-language charge; he was released from jail Thursday morning, Nov. 27, according to arrest and jail reports.
Black Oak Cemetery Will Join in Wreaths Across America on December 14
A nationwide movement to pay homage to deceased veterans has come to Hopkins County. Last December, the first Wreaths Across America event in Sulphur Springs was organized by Dena Loyd and held at City Cemetery with a ceremony and a laying of over 500 wreaths on headstones of veterans buried there. The 2019 observance will be held on the same day across the nation, at 11am, and in Hopkins County at Sulphur Springs City Cemetery as well as at Black Oak Cemetery. Loretta Scott of Pickton is a board member of the Black Oak Cemetery and was very impressed when she attended the 2018 tribute in town. Through her efforts, Black Oak Cemetery is now recognized by the Wreaths Across America organization as Texas Cemetery # 0733.
According to Loretta, “there are 23 wreaths still needed to cover the 71 veterans graves at Black Oak. For this first year, our delegation plans to attend the ceremony at Sulphur Springs City Cemetery on Saturday December 14, then return to Black Oak to lay the wreaths there. If you would like to help complete the number of wreaths for Black Oak, please go online to wreathsacrossamerica.org and make your donation by December 4, 2019. If you donate $15, one wreath will be sent. If you donate $30, three wreaths will be sent to us, through the generosity of the organization. Or you can mail a check to the address you will find online. Please note the ID number of the Black Oak Cemetery on your order, that’s TX0733. The wreaths will be shipped to Sulphur Springs one day prior to the ceremony and sorted for distribution. This is an opportunity to help complete the number of wreaths needed”.
The Co-ordinator for Hopkins County’s role in the national event is Dena Loyd. You are invited to attend the public ceremony on Saturday December 14 at 11am, and afterwards, you will be welcome to join others in placing the wreaths and speaking aloud the name of those who served our country during their lifetimes. Families are encouraged to bring their children. The mission of the annual event is ‘Remember, Honor, and Teach’.
Free Photography Showing at City Hall on Saturday November 30 at 1:30 pm
P H O T O G R A P H Y E X H I B I T R E C E P T I O N
A Photography Exhibit featuring local submissions to the World Wide Photo Walk and other original photographs will be open to the public on Saturday November 30, 2019 at 1:30 pm inside Sulphur Springs City Hall on North Davis Street, downtown. Admission is free, everybody is welcome! Bring friends and family!
This exhibit is the combined results from the World Wide Photo Walk & the 5 Year Marathon Photo Contest
Sponsored by the Sulphur Springs Downtown Business Alliance and Casa Regis – Center for culture and contemporary art, Italy
