Chamber Connection – Oct. 10, 2019
By Lezley Brown, president and CEO, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
The 50th Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest will be held at Buford Park on Saturday, Oct. 26. Stew service will begin at 10:45 a.m., and quart sales begin at 11:30 a.m. Stew tickets are already on sale at all local banks and at the Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are for all-you-can-eat of Stew for $6 each. T-shirts will also be available for $15 each.
All cooks signed up for the 50th Annual Stew Cook-off will need to pick up their stew goody bags on Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce, 110 Main St. Cooks will receive their grocery reimbursement from the Chamber, their goody bags, and a list of rules and regulations for the Stew Cook-off. First time cooks will have a brief orientation meeting at the Chamber at 6 p.m. that day as well. Please make plans to be there!!! T-shirts will be available for purchase that night. Call the Chamber at (903) 885-6515 for additional information.
I have some more very exciting news! The Chamber of Commerce is currently selling our 2019 Hopkins County Christmas ornament. This ornament is the second of our series and features our beautiful Buford Park, the 50th Anniversary Stew Contest, and beautiful oak trees under a starry sky. It is dated with the year, made with 24 karat gold, shatterproof, and VERY limited in number. They are quite beautiful and the perfect addition to a rare collection. They are $40 each and literally flying out the door. If you would like to purchase one, please call the Chamber at (903) 885-6515, or come by soon.
The Chamber is excited to announce our Stew Fest Market at this year’s Stew Contest! The Chamber is currently accepting vendors for the Stew Fest Market, which will be located on the south side of Buford Park during Friday night and Saturday Stew Contest activities. This is a great opportunity to sell goods or to promote your business to 7,000 people who attend the Stew Contest annually. Vendors may rent booth space to sell goods or distribute information about their business. Booths will be assigned on a first-paid basis. Access to electricity is not guaranteed. Generators are permitted. Desserts may be sold, but no other food or drinks may be distributed. Vendors who are interested in purchasing booth space, call the Chamber of Commerce at (903) 885-6515.
Danna’s Buffalo Girls’ Flea Market Style/Swap
Join us for a ribbon cutting celebration at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, for Danna and the Buffalo Girls. Danna’s Buffalo Girls’ will be having a flea market style/swap event Oct. 10, 11, 12 and 13 at 20670 Highway 11 east in Winnsboro. The Hwy. 11 Treasure Trails, a garage sale stretching from Linden to Sulphur Springs, will be held in conjunction with the Flea Market that same weekend. Visit www.dannasfleamarketstyle.com or call 903-439-7091 for more information.
Barbara Bush Primary holds a 5K Fun Run
Barbara Bush Primary in Sulphur Springs is holding a Spooktacular 5K & Fun Run benefiting Barbara Bush PTO on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 5:40 p.m. Registration and packet pickup will begin at 5 p.m., the Fun Run will begin at 5:40 p.m., and the 5K will begin at 6 p.m. For entry information, call Barbara Bush Primary at (903) 439-6170.
Walk ‘n’ Roll to benefit the CARE Center
The future CARE Center is hosting a Walk ‘n Roll for Disability Awareness on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Celebration Plaza in Sulphur Springs. Proceeds from the event will go towards the future CARE Center and to a local charity. For additional info and registration, call Clay Pirtle at (903) 243-1614.
Chaffer’s Place presents their monthly concert
Chaffer’s Place, located at 410 Main St., in Sulphur Springs, is hosting a live 80’s Tribute Concert. The concert will be held on Oct. 17, and doors will open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. This includes dinner and a show! For more information call 470-848-2246 or visit www.ckproductions.info. Chaffer’s Place also offers live music every Friday and Saturday night.
The 12th Annual Help-A-Child Tractor Pull and Cook-off will be held Saturday, Oct. 19, at 9 a.m.
Help-A-Child will host their 12th Annual Tractor Pull with a Chili and Brisket Cook-off on Saturday, Oct. 19, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. All Help-A-Child proceeds benefit the Scottish Rite Hospital and the Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center.
John and Deborah Gillis Foundation to host ribbon cutting celebration
The John and Deborah Gillis Foundation is hosting a ribbon cutting celebration on Tuesday, Oct. 22, at 10 a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce, 110 Main Street in Sulphur Springs. Please plan to attend to learn about all this foundation offers for the students and schools of Hopkins County.
Miss Behavin’ to host downtown ribbon cutting
Miss Behavin’ has officially opened their second location and will host a ribbon cutting celebration on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at noon. They are located at 118 Main Street in Sulphur Springs. Stop by to shop and wish them congratulations on this second location.
The Barn of Emory
The Barn of Emory, located at 550 County Road 3325 in Emory, will host their ribbon cutting on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. In addition to the ribbon cutting, the Don Woods Jr. Band will host a free concert at the venue at 7 p.m. Please make plans to attend this fun event and explore this new venue.
EDC and ATCOG announce the 4th Annual Northeast Texas Rural Transportation Summit
The Sulphur Springs Hopkins County EDC and the Ark-Tex Council of Governments announce the 4th Annual Northeast Texas Rural Transportation Summit on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the Sulphur Springs in Sulphur Springs. For additional information call Roger Feagley at the EDC, (903) 439-0101.
Ribbon Cuttings
One Soul Yoga, located at 521 Main St., Suite 201, in Sulphur Springs, held their ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at noon. One Soul Yoga is offering classes throughout the day to accommodate all schedules.
Texafied JamFest hosted a ribbon cutting celebration on Thursday, Oct. 3, at noon at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. Texafied JamFest begins Friday, Oct. 11, and tickets are available at https://www.texafiedjamfest.com/.
Treat Street Coming October 31st
Central Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs would like to invite everyone to join us for “Treat Street” on October 31, 2019 from 6-8pm. We will have decorated booths, bounce houses, games, and of course, tons of candy! The event will be held in the Family Life Center located at 840 Connally Street.
Cumby City Council Approves Resolution Calling For Special May 2 Election For Place 2 Alderman
Discussion On Annual Audit, Employee Manual, An Annexation
The resignation of a recently appointed alderman marks the second in recent months, which could necessitate a May 2 special election of fill the Place 2 alderman seat on Cumby City Council.
The city employee manual, rescinding the recent Alderman appointment and a resolution calling for a special May 2, 2020 election, allowing Chris Turner to begin conducting the city’s annual audit, a hearing regarding annexation of property owned by Texas Ranchitos were also on the agenda.
Appointment, Special Election
Initially, the council was slated to consider taking action to rescind their appointment Sept. 21 of Audri Mayo to the Place 2 council vacancy. She resigned, so that was not necessary.
However, because of two vacancies on the council due to resignations at the same time, a resolution calling for a special May 2, 2020 election is required.
Place 1 Alderman Doug Simmerman has stepped up from mayor pro tem to acting mayor when Cody Talley resigned as mayor in August. He will continue serving doing so until the November election.
The Alderman Place 2 seat is also open, due to Kristen Thompson’s resignation. While the mayoral seat is on the November ballot already, the Place 2 resignation was made too late to be on the Nov. 5 ballot. Any time two positions are open at the same time a special election is required to be called for within eight days, a community member and the city’s attorney noted.
Alderman Place 3 Monty Lackey expressed concern about the expense of holding a special May election, whether it would coincide with other elections so the cost for voting equipment could be shared or if the city would have to pay the thousands needed to obtain the equipment. He asked if paper ballots could be used instead of voting machines if the city has to foot the full cost.
Officials said they’d be in contact with the requisite elections administrator regarding costs and options.
Once the mayoral seat is filled, the election could be canceled and the council could appoint someone to the Alderman Place 2 seat. If the election isn’t canceled, the candidate filing period would begin in January. The election would be May 2, 2020, and would be through the current term for Place 2, which ends in November 2020.
Annual Audit
Cumby City Council opted to table discussion and action on allowing Chris Turner to conduct the 2018-19 audit of city finances. When the topic was first broached Simmerman noted he did the city’s audit for the previous year.
A community member asked if the city had sought other bids or potential options for auditor. Alderman Julie Morris suggested tabling the matter until a quote was obtained from Turner for his services.
Property Annexation
A public hearing regarding the proposed annexation of property owned by Texas Ranchitos LLC, was held.
The property is located outside the city limits, but the owner asked the city to provide water and sewer services. City Attorney Edgar J. Garrett Jr. said in talks with the owner’s attorney, he explained that if he wants city services the property must be within the city limits.
Simmerman said in his talks with the property owner, there was a bit of a language barrier. The man told him he’d told the people planning to buy the property that it wouldn’t be in the city, so it wouldn’t be subjected to city restrictions. When told it was on the Oct. 8 agenda.
Garrett said when he talked to the man’s attorney on Friday, he expressed no objects to annexation and they talked about setting up a meeting between the stakeholders involved.
He said he’s not sure how many or if any of the properties have actually sold, so he could potentially be contracting them for deeds.
Morris asked if a mediator had been suggested due to the potential language barrier. Simmerman said a meeting had been held previously between the man’s realtor, Talley (who was mayor at the time) and Simmerman. Garrett has been brought on board as well regarding the appropriate procedure for the matter.
Garrett suggested adopting a policy regarding annexation and extension of city utilities outside of the city limits. Potential costs of extending services to the requested area should also be factored in, the attorney recommended.
Employee Manual
Discussion on a city employee manual was tabled to allow members of the City Council to further review it. Lackey reported he was still looking it over, but did anticipate recommending some changes.
Executive Session
Following an executive session, Simmerman reported the city attorney spoke about litigation regarding substandard buildings. The council will proceed forward with that information. Also discussed during the executive session was development. Simmerman afterward said the city would “leave as is,” and no further attention was needed. No additional information about either item was provided by the council.
Texas Longhorns Arrive for Show
The Annual ITLA Championship Show and Convention starts Thursday October 10th, 2019. Some participants arrived in Sulphur Springs bright and early Monday morning. This group of ITLA Youth Members traveled from Pennsylvania.
Adriana Norris Current ITLA Queen and ITLA Youth President will end her reign this weekend. There are at least seven potential queens competing for the crown. Her family owns Nel-Tam longhorns in Pennsylvania. Miss Norris knows the breed, and had an answer to every question KSST had to offer.
“Steers are more docile, and you get more attached to them.” said ITLA Princess McKenzie Oswald. She explained that steers also have the biggest horns as well. “The bulls use energy for breeding, but the steers just hang around eat, and grow their horns.”
Saturday events include the youth show, the heifer sale which is open to the public, and the auction for donated animals. Proceeds from the sale of donated animals goes to the ITLA, earmarked for youth events, and support of youth members.
Participants will continue to deliver animals Wednesday. The show starts offically Thursday at 8AM. The public is encouraged to visit the Hopkins County Civic Center and meet these passionate folks and their animals.
11 SSHS Choir Students Advance To Pre-Area Contest
Eleven members of the Sulphur Springs High School Choir advanced Saturday from the All Region contest on Saturday, Oct. 5, to the Pre-Area contest in December.
According to SSHS Choir instructor Beth Cole, students learned five very challenging pieces of music chosen by Texas Music Educators Association for the Oct. 5 contest. Their audition at Texas High School Saturday consisted of singing prepared music and sight singing. All students spent endless hours practicing and perfecting their music, Cole stated.
Among the 11 are juniors Bailey Early, Freddy Botello and Haylee Fletcher; sophomores Aidyn Rogers, Jakobe Yarbrough and Rose Marie Oyad; seniors Alex Walker, Layla McCarley, Meredith Hooten and Hope Williams; and freshman Danielle Verlander.
All 11 singers will display their hard work and talent at the All Region concert scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, in Mount Pleasant. The concert is free and open to the public, according to Cole.
Meet Brent Smith, Hopkins County EMS Director
October 9, 2019 – Brent Smith loves his job and is pleased with the many ways in which Emergency Medical Services is being recognized across the State for the services it renders to the public. But he is especially pleased with the professional level of care and the continuity of services that Hopkins County EMS renders to persons in need of emergency transport and medical care. In fact, according to Brent, “our EMS vehicles are like a mobile emergency room. All the way from the patient’s residence to Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs, care can be underway in most areas including stroke, heart attack, sports-related injuries and many more. And most recently, the Texas legislature has recognized Communications officers as First Responders, and that recognition is long overdue for their uniquely crucial services”.
In addition to having the title of Chief Operating Officer of the Hopkins County Hospital District, Brent is EMS Director for the county, under a partnership with Christus/Hopkins Healthcare Alliance. “We employ 36 full-time staffers and 20 PRN’s, or as-needed staff. More EMS personnel are needed, especially in the rural settings. Payscales can sometimes be higher in larger cities and therefore workers may gravitate to those jobs. We usually make our hires funneling in from the three community colleges that offer EMT schools, and from the Fire Academy, another local source of EMT training. But we are excited because SSISD has now put an EMT program in place that allows high schoolers to begin that course of training while finishing high school. We now have a dozen Sulphur Springs Sr’s in the program who may be doing their ‘clinicals’ with our EMS department, while completing classroom portions elsewhere before heading to Paramedic school. They’re looking at this kind of work as a career”.
Another point of pride for Smith are the Mission: Lifeline Gold awards earned by his department annually since 2016, through the American Heart Association. Along with current and former Hopkins County EMS staff, Smith takes pride in the history of EMS in Hopkins County since it’s establishment in 1983. He stated, “our department is part of a unique industry. The Legislature looks upon us as Public Safety, part of the 911 system of response, while the public looks upon us as a medical entity, or healthcare. Actually, we fall into a unique category, in between the two and performing regulated services to both”. He is appreciative for all the recent equipment improvements, including the Lucas Devices provided for the vehicles through the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation. “The Lucas Device saves lives, because it provides chest compressions that never stop or slow down due to fatigue. Having the Lucas onboard allows staff to perform all the many other duties needed for a transport while being assured that the patient needing chest compression is receiving that in it’s most perfect and most beneficial form. We are still appreciative of that gift.”
“You may see EMS workers with vehicles on-site at local public events, at fairs and rodeos and games. You may not know this, but we frequently go to sessions of the Texas Legislature, to represent our region. This is also part of our job, along with being ready if and when you may need to call from your home for emergency services. We are here to serve Hopkins County”. Brent entered EMT school in 1990, began work with Hopkins County EMS in 1996, and has been in management of the department since 2007.
Lady Cats Volleyball Win Over Mount Pleasant
Lady Cats Volleyball Takes Home Court Win Over Mount Pleasant, 3-0 Tuesday night.
The Lady Cats Volleyball Team took care of business and defeated the Mount Pleasant Lady Tigers, 3-0 in the Main Gym at Sulphur Springs High School Tuesday evening (October 8). Score was 25-20, 25-18 and 25-19. With the win, the Lady Cats improved their district record to 2-2. It also made a 20 game winner out of Lady Cats Coach Bailey Dorner as the Lady Cats are now 20-13 for the season. In set one, the Lady Cats led only 21-20 late but scored the last four points for a 25-20 win. In set two the Lady Cats jumped out to a good lead and never trailed taking the set, 25-18. The Lady Cats never trailed in set three winning the set and match, 25-19. The Lady Cats moved into a third place tie in district with Texas High, who lost to first place Lindale Tuesday night. The Lady Cats travel to Texarkana Friday to conclude the first half of district play against the Texas High Lady Tigers.
Volleyball Standings
Team District Season
Lindale 4-0 23-12
Greenville 3-1 21-13
Sulphur Springs 2-2 20-13
Texas High 2-2 11-22
Royse City 1-3 22-13
Mount Pleasant 0-4 13-18
United Way $5,600 Closer To $165,000 Campaign Goal
Hopkins County United Way campaign worker collected $5,689.46 in campaign contributions and pledges, for a total of $41,410.54 of the $165,000 goal met so far.
HCUW President Mike Jumper turned in four packets this week and reported he still has two donation packets out at local dentists offices and that for BackStory Brewer is still out too.
Jumper reported Triple Crown Roofing, Miss Behavin’ (collected by another campaign worker), and Wayne Cooper Construction all met their goal. Freedom Realty was “just under 100 percent” of the requested goal, but Jumper noted HCUW is still “very happy to have every donation.”
Amy Griggs reported Chad Cable’s office met their goal.
Susan Berning reported Joel Tiemeyer was sad not to be able to be at the meeting, but has a “full plate this week. However, she reported Tiemeyer had collected all of the donation packets he distributed in the community. East Texas Line-X, Commercial Glass and Mirror, West Oaks Funeral Home, Larry Vititow Trucking, Circle E Western Store, M&F Western Products and Interstate Body Shop were among the businesses he collected that met their goal. Bobby Kerby Garage also made a great donation, Berning reported.
HCUW Campaign Co-Chair Beverley Owens commended Tiemeyer for doing such an “awesome” job for HCUW. He is the first to turn in all of his packets.
Berning too reported being contacted by Helen Sapaugh, who wanted to either mail or drop off a check for what turned out to be a very generous donation. HCUW is “very grateful,” Berning said.
Debra Evans turned in one packet; Pilot Club not only met but exceeded the goal set for the group.
Beverley Owens also noted Brumley Uniforms met goal.
Charlotte Henderson reported Joe Bob’s was about 100 percent of its goal.
Kayla Price reported Hopkins County Food Locker met goal.
Beth Wisenbaker turned in numerous packets. She distributes packets to and collects donations in them from the various county officials, offices and departments.
She noted only the law enforcement, Civic Center and fire department packets remained out. Officials and fire personnel have been tied up since Thursday cleaning up a diesel spill in the Miller Grove area. The Civic Center is under new management so it’s taking them a little longer than usual, Wisenbaker reported. She hopes to get those packets in soon.
“Everybody’s done good. Some exceeded, some hit close, some hit under. But, we are proud of everything we can get. They were very proud to participate,” Wisenbaker said.
HCUW Campaign Co-Chair Bill Owens reported the owners of Rail 19, a new meat processing business, “very supportive” and met the goal set for the business.
Beverley Owens offered thanks to Larry Crowson and the employees of Sulta Manufacturing for putting up the traditional Thermometer on Gilmer Street across from CVS, near Sulphur Springs Fire Department Station 2.
She expressed appreciation to Chaney and Craig Johnson for posting campaign percent totals on the digital billboard by Chili’s.
Beverley Owens too expressed appreciation to the Chamber of Commerce for allowing HCUW campaign workers to hold their first two weekly report meeting in their building, and to the Dairy Museum for agreeing to host the next HCUW meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15.
Jumper commended the campaign cochairs for their “excellent” work giving speeches about HCUW at the banks, businesses and group meetings across the city and county.
Beverley Owens noted a Panda Express plans a Give Back Day, Thursday, Oct. 17, with 20 percent of sales of orders placed with an event flyer going to HCUW. Customers must show either a paper or digital copy of the event flyer, or mention HCUW for 20 percent of their purchase to go to HCUW.
2019 NETBIO Cattleman’s Classic, Ribeye Round-Up A Success, Results
The 2019 NETBIO Cattleman’s Classic and Ribeye Round-Up was a huge hit Saturday, with thousands of people filling downtown to sample their picks from various contestants.
The event offered 1,200 tickets and all were sold out by the start of the event. A drawing was held for a raffled item, 12 additional donated prizes, including a $15,000 gift card to the sale barn to purchase livestock.
Event coordinators reported the event to be a success, with lines filling the street with people eager to enjoy the meat prepared for the occasion. Afterward, many stayed downtown for the free Mike Ryan Band concert.
Dwight Bell, COO and event planning committee chair, noted the committee works year round to put the event on. Bell extended special thanks to the sponsors without whom the event would not have be possible. Thanks were also given for those who participated in the cook-off, coordinated, contributed and attended the event.
This year, the contest featured a special category for youth, a Jr. Burger Cook Off. Brody Jack Spraggins was the winner of that, he took home a NETBIO belt buckle and braggin rights! Other winners were:
RESTAURANT DIVISION:
Grand Champion: Seth’s Lake Fork Creek
Reserve Grand Champion: Bear Litteton’s State Farm, Ben Spraggins, cook
Thirds Place, Slaughter’s BBQ Oasis
OPEN (NON-RESTAURANT) DIVISION
- Smoke House Rats #4, prize $2,000 cash
- Smoke House Rats #2, prize $1500 cash
- The Udder Team, prize $750 cash
Hors d’oeuvre Division: Seth’s Lake Fork Creek
PJC Sulphur Springs News
WRITING EXERCISE
Dr. Ken Haley’s English 1302 class at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center had a special assignment last week — writing an essay in class. These class members and others gathered in the computer lab to complete their narratives.
