Cipoletta Said the Difference was Patience; Wildcats Face Highland Park Friday in Regional Tournament
In their 56-44 win over Lufkin Tuesday night (February 26), the Wildcats’ basketball team trailed the Panthers at the half, 18-16. The second half was a different story as the Wildcats outscored Lufkin, 40-26. Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta said the difference was patience.
He said in the first half, the Wildcats were trying to create their own shot opportunities and were working too hard to score. During halftime, Coach Cipoletta said he told the team the Wildcats offense is designed to create easy scoring opportunities. He urged the Wildcats to be patient and told them to reverse the ball a time or two. Coach Cipoletta said that would cause the defense to break down and that would make some shot opportunities come easier which should mean the Wildcats would shoot at a higher percentage.
Coach Cipoletta also said he moved Keaston Willis around some and he was able to free up and hit several threes in the second half. Those made threes then opened things some inside. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats rebounded well and kept Lufkin from one of their favorite things, driving to the basket. The Wildcats also blocked several shots. After the game, Coach Cipoletta turned to social media to thank the huge crowd for turning out. He said their support provided a boost for the Wildcats.
The win was also historic. No past Wildcats’ basketball team has never gone this far. The Wildcats now play Highland Park Friday night at 6 p.m. at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland. The winner plays in the Regional Final game Saturday at noon. #1 ranked Lancaster and Frisco Lone Star also play Friday at around 7:30 p.m.
Saltillo Lost Heartbreaker at Regional Quarter Final
The Saltillo Lions’ basketball team lost a heartbreaker Tuesday night (February 26). Slidell topped the Lions, 44-42 in a Regional Quarterfinal game. Slidell built an 11 point lead after three quarters. The Lions fourth quarter rally came up just 2 points short.
Ben Moore led the Lions with 18 points. Edi Olayo had 9 points. Matthew Gurley scored 8 points. Chris Boekhorst had 5 points. Levi Hoover had 2 points.
The Lions end the season with a 26-9 record.
Three Wildcats Sign Letters of Intent to Play College Football
Three Wildcats’ football players signed letters of intent to play college football Wednesday (February 27). Two of them, both receivers and safeties, Austin Dodd and Landry Tyson, are going to Texas A&M-Commerce.
Dodd said the school invited both of them to visit. Both got tours and they both said they really liked it. Dodd said it felt like home to him. Dodd said indications are the Lions intent to use him as a slot receiver and he said he loves that position. However he added he would play anywhere he is needed. Dodd said he would need to get bigger and his goal is to play as much as he can. He said he is glad he and Tyson are entering school together so he doesn’t have to go it alone. Dodd said he’s glad to be close to home He said he intends to major in engineering, either mechanical or civil engineering.
Tyson said he knows about A&M-Commerce and he said they knew about him and Dodd. He said during his visit, he felt like they really wanted him. Tyson said the Lions have had a lot of success and he added he was pumped to be going to a team that knows how to win. He said the Lions intent to use him as a receiver but, like Dodd, he said he would play anywhere he was needed. Tyson said he and Dodd got the opportunity to sit down with new Lions Coach David Bailiff. Tyson called the coach a real cool dude. He said neither he or Dodd knows much about the current Texas A&M-Commerce offense since they have a new offensive coordinator. He said Coach Bailiff invited him and Dodd to attend some of the Lions spring practices. Tyson plans to major in kinesiology so he can become a trainer of athletes like former Olympic track star Michael Johnson.
Wildcat Damiyon Dugan to Play Football at Hardin-Simmons
Wildcats defensive back and wide receiver Damiyon Dugan will play college football at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. Dugan said he was about to sign with Louisiana College when a buddy of his from Commerce began to talk to him about Hardin-Simmons. The buddy talked with Cowboys’ coaches and they invited Dugan to come and visit them in Abilene. Dugan impressed them and they offered him a scholarship that he accepted. He said they want him to play defensive back. Dugan said as a defensive back he has to be smart, fast and physical. He said if you do one thing wrong, everybody sees it. Dugan said the Cowboys have a good program and have lost only about 3 games during the past 3 years. Those losses usually come to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Dugan said during his visit he was impressed with Cowboys’ coaches and with the school and its’ academics. Dugan plans to major in kinesiology with future plans of becoming a coach or a personal trainer.
Chamber Connection: February 28, 2019
Google is presenting locally for a Chamber Lunch + Learn
The Chamber will be hosting a Lunch + Learn presented by Google, sponsored by Chad’s Media, on Friday, March 15th at 11:30 a.m. at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. Google will be presenting on “Reaching Customers Online”. Learn how customers can find your business online and how to promote your online presence using search engine optimization (SEO) and online advertising. Google will also introduce tools that will help you run your business online, including Google Analytics and Trends. The presentation will also include telling your business story through video. It will be a great hour of useful information. Reservations are made on a first-come-first-serve basis. Cost is $20 for Chamber members, and $30 for non-Chamber members and includes lunch. Make your reservations right away by calling the Chamber at (903) 885-6515.
Letters have gone in the mail this week for the 30th Annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament. Save the Date for Friday, April 12th at Sulphur Springs Country Club, and let us know right away if you would like to have a team. It’s a really fun tournament to be shared with friends and family!
Hope Smith Interior Design Schedules Ribbon Cutting
Hope Smith Interior Design, located at 115 Gilmer Street in Sulphur, has scheduled her ribbon cutting celebration for Tuesday, March 5th. Please make plans to join us for networking and celebration!
Ribbon Cuttings:
Family Smiles hosted their ribbon cutting celebration
Family Smiles, located at 610 Gilmer #1B Street in Sulphur Springs, hosted their ribbon cutting celebration on Friday, February 22nd at noon. The are open Monday through Friday and are accepting new patients.
You CAN Manage Your Diabetes By Johanna Hicks
You CAN Manage Your Diabetes!
As many of you know, our youngest son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 ½ and our world was turned topsy turvy! When I re-entered the career as Extension Agent several years ago, my passion was diabetes education. Our son was my inspiration for helping others manage diabetes.
Approximately 12% of Hopkins County residents have type 2 diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The “Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes” series is designed to help individuals learn to control diabetes through proper diet, physical activity, self-monitoring, and taking medications as prescribed. The series is not diagnostic in nature, and we do not give medical advice. However, we give solid, research-based information supported by the American Diabetes Association standards of care. Individuals who have participated in the past have exhibited lower Hemoglobin A1c numbers, learned what foods affect their blood glucose the most, know the signs of high and low blood sugar, and have been able to follow a healthier eating pattern.
Another series is scheduled, and we hope to reach even more people. If you, or someone you know, would like to participate, please keep this information handy:
· What: Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes series
· When: Mondays and Thursdays, March 11, 14, 18, 21, and 25
· Time: 6:00 p.m.
· Where: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, Hopkins County
· Cost: $25, payable at the first session. This covers materials, refreshments, and door prizes
· Call: 903-885-3443 to sign up. Leave your name, address and phone number. A registration form will be mailed to you, or you may pick one up at the office.
Topics for the series are: How Food Affects Your Blood Glucose; Self-Monitoring and Sick Days; Improving Blood Glucose Control with Physical Activity; Improving Blood Glucose Control with Medication; and Celebrating Diabetes Control While Avoiding Complications.
The series is taught in a manner that is easy to understand, and provides practical information. Classes do not take the place of a visit to your doctor and dietitian, but they do help explain in more detail how to manage the disease. Please contact the office if you have questions.
Becoming a Healthier You
Because we all lead different lifestyles, it is no surprise that dieting is not “one-size-fits-all.” Therefore, it is important to follow a healthy eating regimen that is tailored to you and your daily needs. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, carrying too much body fat may have harmful effects on your health. More than ⅓ of U.S. adults are obese, which is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of >30. There are many contributing factors that cause obesity, most of which can be prevented or regulated. Some of these factors include:
· Family history and genes
· Medications
· Lifestyle habits
· Eating behaviors
· Stress
· Too little sleep
· Medical problems
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Specialist David Leal recommends creating long-term goals that are broken down into achievable steps – those then become goals that are focused on daily. We often feel like there’s so many things we need to change; eat better, exercise more, lose weight, lower cholesterol. However, this can become overwhelming. Remember that progress, no matter how small or slow, is still progress.
While exercising is a key component in being healthy, failure to eat a well-balanced and nutritious diet is often the limiting factor that keeps people from becoming the healthiest version of themselves. For weight loss, or improving any chronic disease, eating 2-3 servings of vegetables a day can make a tremendous impact. Add balance to your meals by making half of your plate fruits and vegetables while decreasing the amount of protein and starches, such as meat and potatoes.
If you want to stay on the straight and narrow by eating healthy but are looking to mix up your mealtime routine with new recipes, visit AgriLife Extension’s “Dinner Tonight” to choose from a variety of healthy meals like Flatbread Pizza, Mediterranean Chicken, Taco Boats, and even desserts like Banana Chia Bread, Pistachio Cake, and Unicorn Popsicles! https://dinnertonight.tamu.edu/
Closing Thought
To hope means to be ready at every moment for that which is not yet born – Emily Dickinson
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Hot Alaska Salmon Melts
Ingredients:
· (15 ounce) can salmon boneless, skinless
· 1/3 cup reduced fat mayonnaise can use canola or olive oil mayo
· 2 tablespoons chopped onion
· 2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
· 3/4 cup shredded, reduced fat cheddar cheese
· 4 English muffins multi or whole grain
· 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Directions:
1) Drain salmon. Add onion, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and pepper to taste.
2) Mix well. Add half of cheddar cheese to salmon mixture.
3) Spread on English muffin halves and place on baking sheet.
4) Top with remaining cheese. Broil in oven for 3-4 minutes. Makes 8 servings.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories – 170: Total fat – 5 g; Total carbs – 15 g; sodium – 450 mg; vitamin D – 40%; Calcium – 15%
PJC-Sulphur Springs Trio Programs
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Education Opportunity Center Advisor Tonya Armstrong, left, and student Emily Nance fill back packs that will be given to students enrolling through the TRIO programs at PJC. TRIO includes several federal outreach and student service programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education designed to foster a strong and highly educated workforce.
Northeast Texas Children’s Museum Acquires a New Home in Commerce, Texas
For seventeen years, the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum has offered educational opportunities and play activities for pre-school through elementary school children. Sharline Garrison Freeman, who became Director of the 501(c)3 in Commerce, Texas ten years ago, is not only pleased with the growth of the museum’s offerings, but thrilled that a new 26,000 sq. ft. property for the facility has been secured. The Northeast Texas Children’s Museum will plan to move into it’s new Commerce home during Autumn 2019. Meantime, the Children’s Museum is open for hands-on play, birthday parties and classroom field trips during their normal hours of operation, open Tuesday through Saturday 9:30am until 4:30pm, and closed on Sundays and Mondays. Special offerings during Spring Break will include Dinosaur Days and Robotics Days. Check the Museum website daily for current activities, www.netxcm.com
According to the Director, the acquisition of the Polara Building on Hwy. 11 East in Commerce ends a period of anticipation about where the Museum would make it’s new home. The current location at 2501 Hwy. 24, across the highway from Texas A and M University-Commerce, has been a leased property. To pay for needed renovations on the new building, support is being sought through donations and sponsorships, as well fundraisers. The Museum’s major annual fundraising event, the Silent Auction, is coming up this Spring and will be held on the evening of Monday April 29 at 6pm in the Sam Rayburn Center on the campus of the University. The Freda Mays Bridge Day is set for April 8 and the annual Style Show will be held in September. During February, the Daddy-Daughter Dance brought 500 persons to the Museum. Donations by check can be mailed to Northeast Texas Children’s Museum, P.O. Box 994, Commerce, Texas 75429.
Approximately 30,000 visitors cross the threshold of the Children’s Museum each year. Springtime Field Trip Season brings classes of students from all over NE Texas. The Summer season is quite busy with families coming from as far away as Dallas to Mount Pleasant, and from Denison to Daingerfield. But, alongside themed educational events and inter-active displays which the Museum continues to offer, it’s the unstructured, creative play of childhood that is perpetually the star of the show. Children are encouraged to let their imaginations be their guide as they play in the Airplane, the Train, the Grocery Store, Bank Drive-Thru, Dress-Up and numerous other areas. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to take advantage of Family Memberships and Grandparent Memberships. For full details, go to www.netxcm.org or phone Director Sharline Freeman 903-886-6055.
Homeowner Maintenance of Aerobic Treatment Units
A homeowner maintenance of Aerobic Treatment Units is set for April 16, 2019, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Hopkins County Extension Office- Sulphur Springs, TX. Cost for the course is $100.
This course covers the components of an aerobic treatment unit and spray field . Presentations discuss the importance of maintaining an onsite wastewater treatment system, health and safety considerations, basic concepts about the aerobic treatment processes, testing and reporting on the status of the treatment system, care and feeding of the aerobic treatment unit, and tools for evaluating the system. These presentations provide a basic understanding of the operational and maintenance activities for an aerobic treatment unit.
The course explains how activities within the home can impact the operation of an aerobic treatment unit. The participants will leave this class with a better understanding of the practices required to keep their system working and limit interferences with the enjoyment of their property.
This course is intended for homeowners interested in gaining knowledge in the operation and maintenance of their onsite wastewater treatment system. The course consists of classroom lecture and discussion, plus hands-on demonstrations and tour of the onsite wastewater training center located near the classroom.
Course fee is $100, which includes training materials, lunch, and certificate of completion. Seating limited to 50 participants. Requires at least 10 participants for the class to make.
Register by April 7, 2019 by calling 903-885-3443.
Soccer: Wildcats win; Lady Cats Lose
Wildcats Soccer 3, Royse City 0
The Wildcats’ soccer team strengthened their hold on the district’s fourth playoff spot with an impressive 3-0 over Royse City at Gerald Prim Stadium Tuesday night (February 26). The Wildcats and Bulldogs came into the contest tied for the final playoff spot. The Wildcats end the first half of district play with a 2-3 record. They are 7-8-2 for the season. The Wildcats broke a 0-0 tie with an unassisted goal from Jose Salazar. Andrew Escobar made it 2-0 Wildcats with a goal after an assisst from Kevin Yanez. Enrique Arellano got the third Wildcats’ goal assisted by Isaac Gutierrez. The Wildcats begin the second half of district play at Greenville next Tuesday. Greenville defeated the Wildcats at Prim Stadium, 5-1 back on February 12.
Royse City 6, Lady Cats Soccer 0
The Lady Cats’ soccer team took on the district’s top team and came out on the short end of a 6-0 score at Royse City Tuesday night (February 26). The game marked the end of the first half of district play. The Lady Cats have lost four of their five district contests but did score a 2-1 win over Texas High by penalty kicks last Friday. The Lady Cats are currently in fifth place. The Lady Cats begin the second half of district play at home against Greenville next Tuesday night. Back on February 12, the Lady Cats lost to the Lady Lions, 3-0 at Greenville.
