Danna’s Buffalo Girls 3-day Flea Market Arrives at Backstory Brewery April 11

When she says this is a Pickers Paradise and a Shoppers Dream, she really means it! Danna’s 2019 Spring Flea Market season opens in Sulphur Springs on Thursday April 11 in a new location, at Backstory Brewery, located near downtown Sulphur Springs at 211 Magnolia Street. The craft brewery’s beautifully-restored, very historic site is the perfect place to host The Buffalo Girls during the 3-day Flea Market Style and Swap Meet. Joining Danna will be a caravan of vendors peddling collections of unique, vintage and eclectic items with excellent deals in a fun atmosphere. Merchandise offered will include indoor and outdoor home decor, Santa Fe jewelry, vintage and collectible quilts and linens, home crafted leather items, ladies western hats, belts and purses, Western art, signs of all types, vintage harness and tack, hand made soaps and candles, a Fishing and Tackle vendor for the guys, and some of everything else!

Danna Bain has been in retail fashion and decor for three decades in Winnsboro, Canton and Sulphur Springs. Her year-round location, Danna’s and the Florist and Buffalo Girls Boutique, is located at 438 Gilmer Street in Sulphur Springs. She has a spirit for success, not just for herself, but for fellow business-people trying to succeed in rural Texas. So, in 2018, Danna founded and promoted the Highway 11 Treasure Trails, an 80-mile trail through six historic towns (Sulphur Springs to Hughes Springs) located on State Highway 11, marked by yard sales and flea markets all along the way. She continues to encourage individuals, businesses and eateries along that “trade route” to enhance their own local economies by utilizing the Treasure Trail to their advantage during the Spring and Fall shopping and travel seasons.
Here’s Danna’s Flea Market schedule at Backstory Brewery: Thursday April 11 opening at 4pm…Friday April 12 from 12 noon til 9pm…. and Saturday April 13 from 10am until ? Vendors will be coming from far and wide, in fact vendors whom you have also seen at Market 67, at Canton, in Greenville and in Winnsboro. One of the food vendors on-site will be Plain and Fancy’s Buffalo Girls Cafe. You’ll also find plenty of food, drink and live entertainment inside the relaxing Backstory venue. And, the Flea Market location is a short walk to downtown for shopping the boutiques and enjoying the many restaurants, coffeeshops and wineries located there. Get more information at dannasbuffalogirls.com.


Service Reportedly Uninterrupted By Power Outage At Hospital
About 10:45 a.m. Wednesday CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs lost electric power. The power was only out for a few minutes, hospital staff reported.
However, the hospital’s backup generator kicked in when the power stopped. Regular power had been restored within a few minutes. Auxiliary power had been restored by about 11 a.m., hospital staff reported
Despite the power disruption, patient care never stopped; there was no disruption of service, said Holly Ragan, senior market development for
CHRISTUS® Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs.
An Oncor representative reported the outage was no more than 10 minutes, caused by a tree limb on a power line; it was removed and power quickly restored.

HCSO: Investigation Into Lawn Mower Thefts,Traffic Stop Lead To Three Arrests, Property Recovery
April 4, 2019 – Three people were jailed Wednesday morning, two men on misdemeanor charges and a woman on a felony charge, and as a result of a traffic stop by sheriff’s deputies and an investigation into lawn mower thefts.

Hopkins County sheriff’s deputies had received two reports of a lawn mower stolen from a property just south of Sulphur Springs. The second time, a possible suspect description and possible vehicle involved were reported. Sgt. Shea Shaw and Deputy Tanner Steward spotted a vehicle matching the one given within a few hours of the second report. They stopped it about 12:10 a.m. Wednesday and reported the driver matched the suspect description given, according to Hopkins County Sheriff’s Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford.
When questioned about the lawn mower theft, one man allegedly admitted to the recent lawn mower theft. After talking with the man, the sheriff’s officers went to the man’s residence, where they were reportedly met with uncooperative people, reported Weatherford, who was called in to assist in the investigation.
The officers contacted court officials and around 3 a.m. had obtained a search warrant to check the property for the stolen lawn mowers. They executed the warrant, found and recovered one lawn mower from the residence, along with drug paraphernalia and miscellaneous items, Weatherford reported.
Two men, one 26 and the other in his 40s, were reportedly arrested on a misdemeanor charge for possession of drug paraphernalia. The younger man also was also found to be wanted on an outstanding misdemeanor theft warrant. Officers anticipate filing for a warrant for the lawn mower theft, according to Weatherford.

Deputies continued looking for the second stolen lawn mower, encountering a 25-year-old Talco woman at a County Road 1112 residence. The woman, identified as Kalen Reigh Halbert, was found to be wanted on Titus County and Midland County theft of property charges. Thus, the woman was placed into custody on the warrants, HCSO Cpl. Todd Evans and Sgt. Michael Russell wrote in arrest reports.
A search of the bedroom the woman was in revealed approximately 35 grams of a substance that field-tested positive as heroin as well as other drug paraphernalia, which she allegedly claimed, the deputies alleged in arrest reports. Consequently, Halbert was also charged with possession of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of the controlled substance, according to the arrest reports completed by the deputies.
Halbert remained in the county jail Thursday morning. Her bond was set at $10,000 on the Midland charge, according to jail reports.
The investigation into the lawn mower thefts is ongoing, Weatherford said.
Mt. Vernon’s “Alamo” Trade Days,Chili Cookoff, Concert
According to Jackie Bateman, organizer of The Alamo Mission Museum in Mt. Vernon, Texas, she is planning a day-long event for both locals and tourists to enjoy on Saturday April 12, 2019. There will be a Trade Day/Swap Meet all day, a Chili Cook-off on Saturday afternoon and a Classic Country Concert with live music by Roger Reed and the Sunshine Band featuring Don Woods. Chili judging will take place prior to serving at 5:30pm, when the Concert begins. Visit the Alamo Mission Museum and grounds which is on CR 4105, just 1.5 miles south of Interstate 30 in Franklin County near Mt. Vernon. If you’d like to set up a vendor booth at the Trade Day or enter the Chili Cook-off, contact Jackie at 903-380-1949 or find out more at alamomission.com



Blackberries, Dewberries Are Closely Related, Yet Very Different
By Dr. Mario Villarino

Berries are common plants naturally existing in Hopkins County. There are many types of berries occurring in our farming sites and forested areas but the most prevalent are dewberries and blackberries. For many, berries are a fruit of value to human consumption, for others, berries are a common weed infesting pastures and meadows
According to Dr. Vanessa Corriher-Olsen, forage specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Overton, blackberry and dewberry are closely related, but they are very different in growth habits and physical characteristics. Dewberry exhibits a low, vine-like, trailing growth habit that forms mats that are rarely taller than 2 feet above the ground. Blackberry typically has an upright rambling growth habit, which can form impenetrable thickets that are often 4 to 6 feet tall.Stems of dewberry have slender thorns and numerous red hairs, while upright blackberry stems have few to no hairs and numerous hard, broad-based thorns. Dewberry also tend to flower about one to two months earlier in the spring than blackberry.
Mowing or hay cutting alone WILL NOT control dewberry or blackberry. It may temporarily reduce the size or top growth of these weeds, but they will rapidly recover.
If blackberry or dewberry has been mowed, best control results have been observed when a herbicide application is made in the following year. Blackberry and Dewberry are most sensitive to herbicides when blooming in late spring and in the fall prior to frost. Applications made soon after emergence from winter dormancy or during fruit production are generally less effective. It is also important that the plants are not drought-stressed at the time of herbicide application. Make sure the sprayer is properly calibrated, and always read and follow directions on the herbicide label of any product you use. You will likely need to retreat for several years to get on top of the problem.
Similar to many other pasture weeds, both blackberry and dewberry species may form persistent seed banks in the soil, and the roots are difficult to completely kill with any management approach. However, with persistence, these weeds can be effectively managed.
Select Herbicide Options: Chaparral (will kill bahiagrass) Cimarron Plus (will kill bahiagrass), RemedyUltra, Pasturegard HL Surmount (Note that Pasturegard HL, RemedyUltra and Surmount may be less effective if mowing has occurred within a year prior to treatment for either species).
COMING UP
- Homeowners Maintenance of Aerobic Septic Systems: April 16.
- Grasslands Tour: April 26.
- Hopkins County Plant Sale (Native Plants): April 26.
- Private Pesticide Applicator Training for new applicants: May 15.

Chamber Connection: April 4, 2019
Chamber Connection-April 4th
Golf Tournament time!
We are almost out of tee times for the 30th Annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament! The tournament is slated for Friday, April 12, at Sulphur Springs Country Club with morning tee times available. Let us know right away if you would like to have a team as the spots are filling up quickly. It’s a great tournament to be shared with friends and family! Give the Chamber a call at (903) 885-6515 to register today!
Forgotten, presented by Community Players
Community Players presents Forgotten, A Peter Pan Story at the Main Street Theatre, 225 Main Street in Sulphur Springs, on Friday April 5 and Saturday April 6, at 7 p.m. Additional show times are Sunday, April 7 at 2 p.m.; Thursday, April 11, at 7 p.m.; Saturday April 13, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, April 14, at 2 p.m. Seats are limited, tickets are $10. Visit www.communityplayersinc.com for more information.
History by Foot is scheduled for Saturday, April 6
History by Foot with John Sellers is scheduled for Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m. Cost is $10 per person. Make reservation by emailing John Sellers at [email protected] or call CNB at 903-885-7523. Reservations are filling up fast!
The Muddy Lotus helps sponsor event for CARE Center
The Muddy Lotus is helping sponsor a fundraising event for the CARE Center to be built in Hopkins County. The fundraiser will include live music, a fashion show, and art auction and will be held on Saturday, April 6th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Backstory Brewery. Please make plans to support this fantastic cause.
Jehovah Jireh hosts ribbon cutting
Jehovah Jireh, a new food pantry located at 10870 State Highway 11 East in Como, Texas, is hosting their ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, April 10, at noon. Make plans to join the celebration!
Texas A&M- Commerce is presenting two business seminars
Texas A&M Commerce is hosting two business seminars on Thursday, April 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. free of charge with lunch provided. You may choose between “Specialized Business Skills” and “Emerging Entrepreneurs.” For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/SUDS-TAMUC-entrepreneurs or https://tinyurl.com/SUDS-TAMUC-BusinessSkills.
CANHelp prepares for their annual tennis tournament
CANHelp is preparing for their Fifth Annual Play It Forward Tennis Tournament and fundraiser which is scheduled on Saturday, April 13 at the Sulphur Springs High School Tennis Courts located at 1200 Connally Street in Sulphur Springs. Entry forms are available at CANHelp, 613 Gilmer Street in Sulphur Springs, or online at www.canhelponline.org.
Heritage Park opens new facility
Heritage Park is hosting a ribbon cutting celebration for the grand opening of Winiford Place, their new multi-purpose facility, on Tuesday, April 16th at noon. Heritage Park is located 416 Jackson Street in Sulphur Springs. Please make plans to attend this ribbon cutting and tour this beautiful new venue.
Texas Farm Credit hosts a Business After Hours
Texas Farm Credit, located at 1305 Shannon Road East in Sulphur Springs, is hosting a Business After Hours to celebrate their completed remodel on Thursday, April 18th from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Please make plans to join us for this networking opportunity!
Rotary hosts Claws for a Cause
The Rotary Club is hosting the 6th Annual Claws for a Cause on Saturday, April 27 on Celebration Plaza, downtown Sulphur Springs. Tickets are $30 for all-you-can-eat crawfish with all the fixins. Proceeds will benefit local charities and scholarships.
Ribbon Cuttings
One Church hosted their ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, March 27, at noon. They are located at 1400 Loop 301 in Sulphur Springs.

Backstory Brewery hosted their ribbon cutting celebration on Thursday, March 28, at 6:30 p.m. Backstory Brewery is located at 210 Magnolia Street in Sulphur Springs.

Tira News for April 3, 2019
By Jan Vaughn
We want to express our appreciation to Martha Payton and Hope and Sammy Weir for their contributions to the Tira Food Pantry.
Landon and Laiken Joslin hosted a birthday party for their son, Rylan, at their home on Saturday night. Friends and family gathered to help him celebrate and were served pizza, cupcakes and soft drinks and everyone had fun playing games.
Chip and I drove to San Antonio on Sunday afternoon. I had training there on Monday and Tuesday. On the way, we met our son, Delayne, in Waco, and enjoyed a meal and visiting with him. While I was in my sessions, Chip went exploring along the Riverwalk. On Monday night, we enjoyed trying out the Dough Pizzeria Napoletana, which has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, on the Food Network. We tried their “signature” Truffle Burrata, which is an Italian cheese appetizer, and then we had their Pork Love pizza. Both items were featured dishes on the show and were wonderful!
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected].

PJC Receives Multiple Recognitions At Texas Honor Society Convention
Paris Junior College’s Beta Zeta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society, came away with several awards and recognitions from the PTK Texas Region annual convention held recently in Houston.
Beta Zeta members John Martinez, Joseph Lukula, Trinity Davis, Sophia Cunningham, Shannon Shepherd, Kareyn Hellman, and Jayla Oldfield received official recognition of their service. Joining Hellman, Shepherd, and Oldfield at the convention were members Tabitha Kelly, Kate Flores, and Emily Nance.

Paris Junior College President Dr. Pam Anglin was inducted into the Texas Hall of Honor for Chief Executive Officers for the Texas Region of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year college honor society, at the state convention held recently in Houston.
PJC President Dr. Pamela Anglin was inducted into the Texas Hall of Honor for Chief Executive Officers for the Texas Region of Phi Theta Kappa.
“Dr. Anglin was recognized for her outstanding support of Phi Theta Kappa,” said PJC chapter advisor Melissa Arnold, “and specifically the Texas Region.”
College presidents are inducted into the Hall based on their outstanding efforts made toward promoting the goals of PTK to recognize academic achievement of college students and to provide opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders.
“Attending the Phi Theta Kappa regional convention and the awards banquet was a wonderful experience for me,” said Dr. Anglin, “allowing me to be around our students and other students and seeing and hearing of their achievements. It was very inspirational and reminds me that there are so many young people out there who will ensure our future is in good hands.”
PJC Geology Instructor and chapter advisor Trina Lubbe received the Horizon Award for new advisors who complete the Five Star Advisor Curriculum.
Beta Zeta was honored with the Five-Star Chapter Award for building a strong, active chapter, attaining chapter goals, and enhancing the working relationship with the college administration by becoming active on the campus and in the community. The chapter also received an Honors In Action participation award. Honors in Action is an in-depth project based on a theme of the current Honors Study Topic.
The “Food for Thought” project was part of both the Five-Star Chapter Award and Honors in Action. Beta Zeta tackled student food insecurity this year, manning information booths in the fall and distributing flyers on campus this spring.

PTK STUDENTS, LEADERS
Attending the PTK Texas convention from Paris Junior College were, from left, Jayla Oldfield, Kareyn Hellman, Dr. Pam Anglin, Shannon Shepherd, Tabitha Kelly, Chapter Advisor Melissa Arnold, Emily Nance, Kate Flores, and Chapter Advisor Trina Lubbe.
“I look around campus and see a lot of people my age struggling to deal with everyday life, which in today’s economy is mostly poverty,” said Shannon Shepherd, PTK Beta Zeta Vice President of Communications. “I want to level the playing field and make sure everyone has an equal chance to succeed in reaching their fullest potential and helping their families.”
The goal was raising awareness that the Paris Metro bus and the Downtown Food Pantry were on the local bus route. Bus passes are available from the PJC Business Office and federal financial aid may be used to pay for the pass. At the fall information booths, maps of bus routes and information brochures on the food pantry and the Paris-Lamar County Health District services directory were handed out. The Downtown Food Pantry welcomes PJC students who bring their IDs on Tuesdays from 1 to 4 p.m.
With our awareness campaign, it is our hope that PTK can help save a seat at the table for every PJC student and their families,” said PTK Beta Zeta chapter President Kareyn Hellman. “Our vision for all students is for them to be able to focus upon their education without facing barriers to obtaining food or clothing.”
For more information about PTK, contact club sponsor Melissa Arnold at [email protected].
Cornhole Tournament to benefit Miller Grove Athletics
Miller Grove Athletics will hold a benefit Cornhole Tournament April 13th, at 229 Main Street in Sulphur Springs. Cost is $25 to play. Tournaments are for Adults and High-School students. Proceeds go to the Miller Grove Athletics department. For more details, please email [email protected].

