The Amazing Dutch Oven Cookoff 2019 at Heritage Park; John Chester Would Have Been Proud!
Johnny “Buffalo” Chester took great pains and great pride in practicing the pioneer craft of outdoor cooking in iron utensils over an open fire or coals. No matter if it was a skillet, a stew pot or a covered ‘dutch oven’, he could cook anything, and had not only mastered the skill in his adult life but demonstrated it everywhere he could get a gathering. Following his passing, his friend Rick Wilson decided to start a contest in Johnny’s memory. Now, 15 years later, the tradition is still thriving and is eagerly practiced by cooks from all over Northeast Texas, thanks to the Hopkins County Historical Society. On a beautiful early Fall morning, about a dozen cooking teams set up camp inside Hopkins County’s Heritage Park, getting their fires started and coals glowing! Here are a few photos!
The Texas Tech Team of Dan Powell and Geary Almon prepared spare ribs and other delicious offerings, assisted by Linda Almon. This team won Second Place Overall!
Hillbilly Gang members: “Big Mama” Melinda Hitt, Kornbred, HAM, Bakn, Tater, Chikn and Peeches. They made a bacon-wrapped Cauliflower that was a show stopper! and their Smothered Pork Chops won Best Meat!
A couple of ladies from the Tulsa, Ok. area have been competing for the past 13 consecutive years. They’ve had an impressive number of wins! Here is Margie Ford’s Chocolate Caramel Cake packaged for the judges!
Donel Davis, Karen Hunter and Donald Wiggins prepared Stuffed pork loin, Lemon Pound Cake, a corn medley and hot bread
Donnie and Katie Martin were Champs again, with their smothered steak with bacon, a pecan pie, butter beans and biscuits.
Eddie and Sheila Etmus of Cumby prepared a bacon wrapped pork loin with bacon laced on top for visual effect!
Richard and Tina Watkins and their team of Shawn Coleman of Mt. Vernon and Larry Johnson of Nelta offered a huge brisket with colorful root veggies, cheesy jalepeno cornbread and blueberry cobbler.
Coley Jones is a Dutch Oven competitor with a neat campsite, he is stirring cowboy beans and his wife Beth made briskets and a Coconut Pecan Cake
International Texas Longhorn Association Coming to Sulphur Springs
The International Texas Longhorn Association (ITLA) was founded in 1990 and currently has just under 1300 members. ITLA registers pure Texas Longhorn cattle, documents pedigrees, has a member driven show and awards system. ITLA is the only Texas Longhorn registry where members get to nominate and elect by mail-in ballot their own President and all officers/directors.
The annual Convention and Show moves around to be fair to all members. It has been staged in Houston, Colorado Springs, Michigan, Virginia, Louisville, Cloverdale, Oklahoma, Fort Worth, Austin, Columbia, Glen Rose and Houston.
Folks interested in owning their own Texas Longhorn should attend the Heifer Auction on the evening of Saturday October 12th.
The three-ring all cattle event will include the ITLA Futurity, halter and non halter judged shows, educational profit seminars, the Elite Heifer Sale, the International All-Star Futurity, General Membership Meeting, Longhorn Legacy Social, Directors Meetings, Miss ITLYA Pageant, banquet with great food, committee meetings and pleasant times to visit with like-minded cattle folks.
The Hopkins County Civic Center is proud to host the 2019 Convention and Show. Livestock will begin to arrive Wednesday October 9th. The public is encouraged to visit the show, and learn about this historic breed. Folks interested in owning their own Texas Longhorn should attend the Heifer Auction on the evening of Saturday October 12th.
All events will be judged by ITLA approved judges. The uniqueness of Texas Longhorn cattle with their many points of special identity demands judges who have owned, buy, sell and regularly involve themselves with the industry.
ITLA owns their own “clear and free” Austin stone world headquarters at Glen Rose, Texas. For more information on this national event call the [email protected] 254 898 0157.
Community Prayer Vigil Held on Playground of Lamar Primary for Sandy, Keesha
Over 200 individuals gathered on Sunday October 6 at Lamar Primary playground to show support and to pray together for the families affected by the Friday October 4 vehicle crash. The crash took the lives of two Sulphur Springs women and injured their two children who were passengers in the vehicle. Organized quickly, the Prayer Vigil provided an outlet for emotions for friends and acquaintances of the Reed, Ivey and Cavanaugh families. Members of those families were watching live feeds of the vigil while staying close to the injured children at Children’s Hospital on Sunday. Sandy Cavanaugh Reed and her sister Keesha Gibbs Ivey were killed in the crash. Jacob Reed, a student at Lamar Primary and Kaycee Ivey, a SSISD student are listed in improved condition at Children’s Hospital as of Monday morning October 7, 2019.
At the vigil, Principal Rowena Johnson led with opening remarks, and Reverend Ed Lantz led with prayer. Pastor Joel Teimeyer spoke of the family’s dedication to their church, school and community and the many ways they have touched lives though their faith. Jason Deitze assisted as numerous acquaintances came forward to give testimony about Sandy Reed, who was President of the Lamar PTO, as well as her sister and their tradition of dedication to their community, as well as her support of families who are victims of childhood cancer. Sandy and her husband Brian Reed lost their young son Micah Reed to cancer in 2015. Another member of the family, Keesha’s son Colson Ivey, is a student at SSHS and a member of the Wildcat football team.
There are various ways that the public can assist these families. There is a GoFundMe page which already had raised over $16,00 during the weekend of the tragedy, and various social media sites mention opportunities to donate to the family’s needs. Prayers are also requested for the Reed, Cavanaugh and Ivey families.
Martins Win First Place Honors At 15th Annual John Chester Dutchoven Cookoff
Indian Summer Days were hailed a great success by Hopkins County Historical Society members, with numerous people from Hopkins County and other areas coming for the annual step back in history and the 15th Annual John Chester Dutchoven Cookoff held Saturday, Oct. 5, at Heritage Park
The contest featured 12 entries. First through third place winners received a cash prize, a plaque created by Harold Bryant and a dutch oven. The cooks, up to two per team, bring their ingredients and cook on-site over coal of open wood fires a meat, vegetable, dessert and bread.
Donnie and Katy Martin’s smothered steak, buttered beans, yeast rolls and pecan pie earned first place overall honors in the cook-off. This marks the third time the Martin has won at the event.
Second place went to Geary Almon, who credits his mom for his cooking skills. For the contest he prepared barbecued ribs, potatoes, pecan cobbler, bread.
The overall third place winner was Margie Ford, who will be taking her plaque back to Oklahoma. She prepared whiskey meatballs in cream sauce, whisky glazed carrots, potatoes, a potato casserole, yeast rolls and chocolate caramel cake.
Best in category awards were as follows:
Dessert — Donnie Barfield’s cherry cheesecake cobbler
Meat — Melinda Hitt’s smothered pork chops
Vegetable — Donell Davis’ vegetable casserole
Bread — Khrista Brown, who made a golden goulash
Pot — Richard and Tina Watkins’ brisket.
Sulphur Springs Community Pulls Together To Help Family Following Crash
The Sulphur Springs community pulled together Saturday for a local family following a crash late Friday, with a time of prayer, celebration and fundraisers established.
Two women and children were reportedly traveling from the Sulphur Springs High School football game in Forney late Friday night, when they were involved in a crash. The women were reportedly killed, and two children were reportedly sent to an area trauma center.
On Sunday, Oct. 6, at 4:30 p.m. on Lamar Primary playground Sandy Reed will be remembered. Sulphur Springs ISD’s Facebook page encourages community members to “Join our Lamar Family as we gather to celebrate Sandy Reed and pray for Jacob and the entire Reed, Ivey and Cavanaugh Families.”
BackStory Brewery will be “hosting a fund raiser in memory of Sandy Reed and Keesha Ivey” at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5.
“We lost Sandy last night in a tragic accident and my heart is breaking today. It is with a heavy heart that we invite anyone and everyone to make a donation in support of this family,” BackStory Brewery posted on their Facebook page Saturday, Oct. 4.
Corner Grub House is showing support by pledging 10 percent of sales on Saturday, Oct. 5, to the Cavanaugh-Reed family.
The Sweet Grind plans to donate a portion of profits next week to the Reed, Gibbs and Cavanaugh families.
“There are children involved in this situation and I know our community will unite to make sure these families have what they need. We encourage everyone to find a donation location this weekend or come in next week to help these families,” the Sweet Grind Facebook page notes.
Vickie Pickel started a GoFundMe page to help raise funds to support the Sandy Reed and Keesha Gibbs family.
“Keesha and Sandy were tragically killed in a head on collision last night returning from the Sulphur Springs Wildcat football game. Donations will go straight to the families and to their children who are in surgery today,” Vickel posted on the GoFundMe page.
The Keesha and Sandy GoFundMe page showed more than $8,500 in donations had been made within 5 hours of it being established Saturday.
Dubb and the Luv Machines will be donating all tips they receive Saturday night, Oct. 5th, during their show at Sidekick’s Bar & Grill, 909 East Lennon Dr. in Emory, Sandy Reed’s family.
Many family and friends of Sandy Reed, Keesha Gibbs and their children posted on social media sites memories and tributes along with promises of prayer for the families.
Sulphur Bluff Volleyball Loses Tough Match Against Detroit Tuesday
Sulphur Bluff Volleyball Loses Tough Match Against Detroit Tuesday
Sulphur Bluff Volleyball Coach Zandra Peyton said the Lady Bears lost a tough match against Detroit last Tuesday (October 1). Score was 21-25, 25-21, 25-18, 21-25 and 7-15. Coach Peyton said the Lady Bears served really well but struggled to place the ball where it would get Detroit out of their system. For the Lady Bears, Alley Collett had 11 services points, 2 kills and 41 assists. Jada Wade had 2 service points and 1 kill. Cierra C.J. Johnson had 6 services points and 3 kills. Tori Raine had 13 service points, 8 kills and 1 assist. Skylar Stanley had 4 kills and 2 blocks. Hannah Byrd had 9 service points. Ann Dorner had 17 kills. Dalena di Donato had 7 service points, 11 kills and 1 block. Angel Brown had 4 service points and 32 digs and passes to target.
Wildcats Win Over Forney
Wildcats Football Earns District Victory on the Road at Forney Friday Night
The opportunistic Wildcats Football Team forced numerous turnovers and then took advantage of them to earn their first win of the season and their first district win for 2019 at Forney Friday night (October 4). The Wildcats won over Forney, 32-13. The Wildcats recovered two fumbles and intercepted two passes in the first two quarters to give them constant good field position. After the second turnover, an interception by safety Chase Haney, the Wildcats got a 31 yard field goal from Brandon Zavala to break a scoreless tie and take a 3-0 lead with 9:02 left in the second quarter. On the next Jackrabbits’ drive, outside linebacker Aidan Walker picked off a Forney pass. Da’Korian Choc Sims scored a touchdown on a 15 yard run and the Wildcats went up 10-0 with 7:25 left in the first half. Later in the quarter, cornerback Dominique Sims recovered a Forney fumble. With just :32 seconds left before the half, Zavala booted his second field goal to give the Wildcats a 13-0 lead. That was the score at halftime. The Wildcats extended their lead with touchdowns on their first two drives of the second half. First the Wildcats went 55 yards to pay dirt. Choc Sims scored his second TD of the night on a 3 yard run. The Wildcats were up 20-0 with 10:01 left in the third quarter. On their next drive, the Wildcats scored again. Quarterback Kaden Wallace rumbled into the end zone from 5 yards out. The extra point kick was no good but the Wildcats led 26-0 with 9:23 left in quarter number 3. Then Forney cranked up their passing game and made the game interesting for a while. Forney got on the scoreboard in a big way with a 56 yard TD pass and run from quarterback Campbell Anderson to wide receiver Riley McMurren. The extra point was no good but Forney trimmed the lead to 26-6 with 4:26 left in the third quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, Forney scored again on a pass from Anderson to McMurren and Forney trailed only 26-13 with 11:16 to go in the fourth quarter. Then the Wildcats put on a solid display of running game football. Back Caden Davis went 31 yards to the end zone and despite a missed extra point, the Wildcats led 32-13 late in the game. That turned out to be the final score. Forney slips to 1-3 in district play and 2-4 for the season. The Wildcats improved to 1-2 in district and 1-4 overall. The Wildcats moved into fifth place just a game out of third place and one game out of the playoffs. The Wildcats have a Herculean task ahead of them. They take on first place Ennis, 4-0 in district and 5-1 overall, next Friday night at Gerald Prim Stadium.
District Scores Friday Night
Ennis 38, Royse City 21
Corsicana, 42, Terrell 7
Greenville 49, North Forney 38
Sulphur Springs 32, Forney 13
Kaufman bye
District 8-5A Standings
Team Dist Season
Ennis 4-0 5-1
Corsicana 4-0 5-1
Royse City 2-1 4-1
Greenville 2-1 3-2
Sulphur Springs 1-2 1-4
North Forney 1-3 3-3
Forney 1-3 2-4
Terrell 1-3 1-5
Kaufman 0-3 0-5
On Friday
Ennis at Sulphur Springs
Corsicana at Royse City
Greenville at Terrell
Kaufman at North Forney
Forney Bye
Hopkins County Records For Oct. 4, 2019
Land Deed Transactions
- Haden Chase Sickles to Jeffery Pirtle and Patricia Pirtle; tract in the BF Burkham survey
- Clint Harrington and Katherine Harrington to Leann M. Norris and Samuel L. Morris; tract in the Stephen Nichols survey
- Coy Johnson to Randy Curtis and Renee Curtis; tract in the David Harris survey
- Coy Johnson to Bradley Tackel and Crystal Tackel; tract in the David Harris survey
- David Duston to Alan M. Durston; tract in the John H. Simpson survey
- Jack Collins to Jack R. Collins Living Trust; tract in the Samuel South survey
- George E. Irwin and Janice M. Irwin to George E. Irwin Revocable Living Trust and the Jamice M. Irwin Revocable Living Trust, George E. Irwin and Janice M. Irwin trustees; tracts in the John G. Procello survey
- George E. Irwin and Janice M. Irwin to George E. Irwin Revocable Living Trust and the Jamice M. Irwin Revocable Living Trust, George E. Irwin and Janice M. Irwin trustees; tracts in the Levi Landers survey
- Teodora Miramontes to Vivan Homes Limited; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Omer Miller and Patsy Marie Miller to Dan Kettwich and Serenity Kettwich; tract in the Lucy Collum survey
- Mary Casey to John Phillips and Mary Phillips; tract in the Daniel Draper survey
- Gerald Martin Lee who is also known as Jerry M. Lee to helsea C. Lee; tract in the OA Wetmore survey
- Lisa Marie Birney and Michael B. Jenkins to Jon Morgan; tract in the Elizabeth Melton survey
- Coy Johnson to Randi Drake and Ryan Drake; tract in the David Harris survey
- Aaron Higareda and Adriana Moreno Mora to J&R Stevens Investments LLC; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- Brian Shurtleff and Ricki Shurtleff to Andrew Saathoff and Rebekah Saathoff; tract in the Winney Jewell survey
- Jackie Jones and Sandra Jones to Beronica Groves and James Groves Jr; tract in the HN Quirk survey
- David Dean Mobley to Angela Dawn Mobley and David Earl Mobley; tract in the Daniel Halbrooks survey
- Lou Ann Tatum and Stan Tatum to Kayla Deanne Gentry and Michael Allen Gentry; tract in the J Hawkins survey
- Coy Johnson to Gary Blake Johnson and Lindsey Johnson; tract in the David Harris survey
- David Owens and Emma Owens to Kevin M. Van Spreybroeck and Paige Van Spreybroeck
- Larry D. Foster and Ronnie L. Foster to R&L Foster Construction Co. Inc.
- Larry D. Foster and Ronnie L. Foster to R&L Construction Co Inc.; tract in the Heary Hurley survey
- Larry D. Foster and Ronnie L. Foster to R&L Construction Co Inc.; tract in the James M. Hodge survey
- Larry D. Foster to R&L Construction Co Inc.; tract in the Jose F. Sanchez survey
- Linda Nabors to Brian A. Johnson and Darrell D. Johnson; tract in the Wm H. Moses survey
- Victoria Stair to Jim Chapman; tract in the Francis Hopkins Headright survey
- Mary Langmaid and Stephen A. Langmaid to Glen Charles Eskew Jr.; tract in the Juan Palvadore survey
- Down to Earth Services Inc. to Danielle Berry and John Berry; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Donald N. Turner and Verda H. Turner to Denya James and Michael James; tract in the James R. McKee survey
- Anthony Wilson Maffia to Alisha Wright and Gregory Wright; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Cornerstone Family Homes Inc. to Matthew Rosamond and Nichole Rosamond; tract in the Jose Ybarbo survey
- Linda Raines and Ted Raines to Alton Mitchell and Glenda Mitchell; tract in the James Barrett survey
- Coy Johnson to Jose D. Jesus Dimas Alcantar; tract in the David Harris survey
- Patrick F. Chase to Burt LL Investments LLC
- The Ranches at River Ridge LLC to Delia Andablo Camacho and Alfredo W. Ortiz Estrada; tract in the James Hansley survey
- Burleson Productions LP and Trans Texas Theaters LP to Sulphur Springs Theatre LLC; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Elta Commercial Inc. to Jonathan Lomax; tract in the Robert F. Clendenen survey
- Steven Wayne Harris and Tissha Harris to James Albert Cline and Tressie Lavone Cline; tract in the S. Coy survey
- Janice M. Hill, known as Janice Marie Richardson, to Alan Screws and Kim Screws; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Blake Johnson, LIndsey Johnson and Triple Crown Investors LLC to Sierra Joiner and Johnathon Tsai; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Brett Bailey and Lester Davis to H. Keith Hunt; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Pamela Sue Ming and Timothy Ivan Ming to Medford D. Watson; tract in the Winney Jewell survey
- Sharon McKenzie Roberts, Rhonda Potter and Audrey Glenn Roberts to Jessica J. Roberts and Roger C. Roberts; tract in the Helena Nelson survey
- Charles E. Tate and Chasity L. Tate to Cristina Hernandez Salazar and Mario Tijerin; tract in the E. Mitchell survey
- Wayne Cooper to Drashty K. Reshamwala and Krunal R. Reshamwala; tract in the Jose Ybarbo survey
- The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to Chelsey Ramey and Jared Ramey; tract in the Nacogdoches University survey
Divorces Granted
- Tammy Ayala and Juan Jose Ayala
- Margarita Molina Carrillo and Enrique Carrillo
- Meagan Hallmark-Driver and Patrick Richardson
- Marco Antonio Rocha and Luz Merari Nunez
- Jason H. Dignam and Natalie K. Dignam
- Kory Machelle Dunnett and Joshua Wayne Dunnett
- Crystal Gnepper and Jason Gnepper
- Debra Lanell Humphrey and Travis Wayne Humphrey
- Justin Dwain Lee and Jessica Ione Morris Lee
- Trevor James Putnam and Jacee Leigh Putnam
- Jessica Radae Sickles and Canyon Cody Sickles
- James Stanley Simmons and Teresa Louise Simmons
- Kaitlyn Stoddard and David L. Stoddard, II
Applications for Marriage Licenses
- Corey Franklin Freeman and Heather Leigh-Ann Cooper
- Kenneth Miller Dallas and Mavis Kathryn Durden
- Adam James Wheeler and Jeanie Frances Pitts
- Brandon Todd Rutledge and Briana Raejean Rodriguez
- Devin Lee Melton and Maria Magdalena Rodriguez
- Noe Negrete and Heather Lasha Fite
- Brice Brittan Diamond and Autumn Mashell Erwin
- Dakota Lane Creager and Estefania Garza Hernandez
- Taylor Thomas Cross and Jessica Danielle Harry
- Haden Chase Sickles and Dixie Anne Matlock
- Cory Shawn Mays and Rhonda Michele Arter
- William Jeffery Wood and Sherri Gipson Hayes
- Gustavo Cruz Santana and Mirna Lizette Campos
- Michael Leonard Clark and Summer Renee Ashby
- Walter Scott Cook and Jennifer Lynn Medina
- Jose E. Canchola Guerrero and Leticia Covarrubias
- Preston Kohl Whiteman and Grace Ann Cox
SAFER Grant Will Allow HCFD To Hire 3 Additional Full-Time Firefighters
Hopkins County Fire Department anticipates adding three additional full-time firefighters to their roster on April 1, thanks to a SAFER Grant.
Officials were recently notified the county has been selected to receive a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergnecy Response Grant, which will help fund the cost of adding three additional firefighter to the roster. Currently, the department’s shift includes two full-time firefighters daily, and one part-time firefighter for a 12-hour shift on week days. This would allow them to hire three more firefighters. One would be assigned to each of the three on-duty shifts, for a total of three full-time firefighters on-duty, according to County Judge Robert Newsom.
“Having three full-time seven days a week is the goal,” Newsom said.
The grant is for multiple years. It will pay 75 percent of the expense of the three firefighters’ salaries and benefits the first two years and 35 percent the third year, and the county would be responsible for full salaries and benefits starting in the fourth year and continuing.
It would start in 180 days. HCFD Chief Andy Endsley and Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook are working together to ensure everything is in place for firefighters to begin their assignments starting April 1.
“We are excited about it. i think this is going to be a good thing for the county,” Newsom said. “Three new firefighters is a big step for us.”
Newsom said once the application process is open, individuals who are certified firefighters by April 1 may apply, including any firefighters who are currently or will be working on a part-time basis for HCFD.
Newsom also reported that county officials have continued to work on contracts for the county’s volunteer fire departments. He said the contracts include “a few minor changes” as well as a raise of about “10 percent for each department. In other words, the county expects to contribute 10 percent more to the VFDs “to better help them serve the county.” He anticipates presenting the updated contracts to the VFD chiefs at an upcoming meeting.
