Hamilton Bake Sale Going on Now
A part of the annual Fall Festival at the First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs, TX, the Hamilton Bake Sale started Friday morning at 8:30. Goodies will be on sale until noon today. You can visit them at
301 Church St, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
Ms. Hopkins County Senior Wins the 2nd Annual Chili Contest at Seniors Center
On chilly, wet Thursday November 8, 2018, seventeen local chili cooks brought their best recipe, hot and ready in crockpots, to the contest for some friendly competition on who makes the “best chili in Hopkins County”. Upon arrival, chili samples were collected for judging, then the serving began at noon. And there was no shortage of diners standing in line to get their bowls of chili! According to the judges, “There were seventeen unique interpretations of Texas chili in this contest!”.
Facilitator Karon Weatherman was assisted by capable Seniors Center volunteers. Serving as judges were Charlotte Baxter, Brandy Raley, Ty Smith and Enola Gay Mathews.
Here are the Winners!
1st Place – Mary and Loyd Mary Ivey (She is 2018/2019 Ms. Senior Classic)
2nd Place – Tina Cox
3rd Place – Judith Beck
Honorable Mention: Mr. Kim Hansford
Honorable Mention: Brad and Kristy Marshall Johnson
Honorable Mention: Stacey Wetzel
Honorable Mention: Ronnie Wilson
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE WINNERS!
4-H Swine Validation By Mario Villarino
4-H Swine Validation- November 19, 2018 4:00 to 5:00 PM – Extension Office
Swine is a generic word used to describe pigs. For 4-H, the swine project includes the selection, care and showing of a commercial pig. For the majority of our 4-H members, the NETLA junior market show is the livestock show where those projects will terminate but some also intent to show at major livestock shows.
The swine project starts with making the decision to show a pig next February at NETLA junior market show or any other show. This is important because pigs gain weight daily, and knowing the target weight at the time of show is critical (every livestock show has weight requirements). The 4-H “Learning by Doing” Learning Approach, The Do, Reflect, Apply learning approach allows youth to experience the learning process with minimal guidance from adults. This allows for discovery by youth that may not take place with exact instructions.
4-H members are expected to know their project, learn from it, work with it and find help when needed. Youth interested in showing a pig under 4-H must get enrolled in 4-H (call the extension office at 903-885-3443), find a pig and validate it (November 19, 2018 4:00 to 5:00 at the Hopkins County Extension Office). This day, all 4-H swine projects will be tagged and the feeding period will officially start. A project that is not validated is not approved. All exhibitors intending to show at the NETLA Junior Livestock Show should have an updated Quality Counts Certificate.
I am including here a brief check list from the 4-H publication Start to Finish- Show Hogs:
Pre-Feeding Period:
1. Repair pens from previous year,
2. Disinfect equipment and pens
3. Decide which shows to attend
4. Update medical supply
5. Restock bedding
6. Educate yourself and families on medication labels and with-drawl times of all medications and additives
7. Quality Counts – Acquire or update certification
Start of Feeding Period: (November)
• Order Validation tags
• Encourage 4-H families to develop a good relationship with Veterinarian
• Castrate barrows that haven’t been worked
• Vaccinate pigs with recommended vaccines from vet
• Begin a relationship with pigs – treats , brushing, skin and hair treatments
• Deworm – Safeguard only de-wormer that controls whip worms
• Begin to train pigs to show
• Evaluate to determine the proper protein level for each individual pig
• Begin exercise program
• Towards the end of this period weigh pigs to project final weight for expected show
• Validate Major Show pigs
• Revisit with-drawl times on ALL medications and additives to make sure of proper use and timing
End of Feeding Period: (February)
• Adjust feed to obtain proper condition and bloom
• Continue exercise and training program and increase time of exercising and training
• Deworm – use a product that controls external and internal parasites (Check withdrawal time)
• Determine which additives to begin if any
• Weigh pigs regularly to determine if there needs to be any growth adjustments
Everyday Day Schedule
• Make sure appetite is good and pig is active and alert
• Check water supply for cleanliness and working properly
• Check bedding for cleanliness and dryness
• Check pigs breathing to make sure its normal and no coughing
• Look to see if walking is normal and joints are not swollen
• Brush and manage hair and skin
• Clean pens
• Determine if any feed changes need to be made
• Feed the same time every day
For more information in 4-H or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Living Well/Managing Diabetes By Johanna Hicks
Approximately 12% of Hopkins County residents have been diagnosed with diabetes, while the diabetes prevalence of Texas is 10%. That’s a large percentage, but it doesn’t mean doom and gloom! Diabetes can be controlled, and with the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays rapidly approaching, management of the disease is even more important. “Diabetes Forecast Magazine,” a publication from the American Diabetes Association, give some practical advice for 7 self-care strategies for managing diabetes.
1) Being Active: Schedule exercise the way you would schedule any must-attend event or activity. Be specific, noting not just the date, but also the time, place, and type of exercise.
2) Taking Medication: Take a moment to check the expiration date on your diabetes supplies and medications. When you store them, make sure the earliest date is at the front of your medicine cabinet so you’ll be sure to use them before they expire.
3) Problem-solving: If you come down with the flu, see your doctor as soon as possible. There’s no cure for it, but taking antiviral medications can lessen the symptoms and duration, and may help prevent complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
4) Healthy Eating: Stick to your eating plan during the holidays by offering to bring your favorite diabetes-friendly dish to a party or get-together.
5) Monitoring: To see how our body responds to a meal, check your blood glucose before eating and again two hours after the start of the meal. It takes about that long for the numbers on your meter to reflect the full rise in glucose.
6) Healthy Coping: The holiday season is a good time to give thanks for what you have. Studies suggest an attitude of gratitude can help relieve stress, improve your mood, and boost your health. Keep a journal of all the things for which you’re grateful. It will act as a reminder of the positives in your life.
7) Reducing Risks: Diabetes can damage your nerves, so you might not feel a scrape or sore. Be sure to check your feet every day for redness, blisters, and cuts. If you discover a wound, let your doctor know right away.
With a focus on all aspects of your health, you can enjoy this time of the year to its fullest.
Hispanic Diabetes Series
“Si, Yo Puedo Controllar Mi Diabetes” is a 7-lesson diabetes series targeted toward a Spanish-speaking audience. I am working with Dr. Angela Doddy from the Christus Health System to offer this series in early 2019. If you know of anyone who could benefit, please notify my office – 903-885-3443, and share the information with Dr. Doddy.
Closing Thought
“I’ve learned that everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile” – Andy Rooney
RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Greek Yogurt Chocolate Mouse
· 6 mini dark sugar-free chocolate bars, chopped
· 2 cups fat-free plain Greek yogurt
· 2 tablespoons honey or 4 packets artificial sweetener
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· ¼ cup fat-free milk
· 2 cups fresh raspberries
· 6 tablespoons light whipped cream
Directions:
1) Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for 1 minute. Stir; add an additional 30 seconds until chocolate chunks are melted. Do not overcook.
2) In medium bowl, whip the Greek yogurt with electric mixer until fluffy. Add honey, vanilla, and milk, and beat again. Add chocolate, a little at a time, beating between additions.
3) Divide the mixture into 6 portions and top each with 1/3 cup raspberries and 1 tablespoon of whipped cream.
Makes 6 servings.
Nutritional content: 130 calories, 4 g total fat, 5 mg cholesterol, 17 g carbohydrate, 35 mg sodium
From The Diabetes Cookbook.
Nations Flags Fly at Half-Staff in Respect for Mass-Shooting Victims in California
Flags at the Hopkins County Veterans Memorial and across the county and nation have been lowered to half-staff in respect for victims of the mass-shooting in California. Locally, the Hopkins County Marine Corps League lowered the flags.
In a declaration from the President of the United States: “As a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the terrible act of violence perpetrated in Thousand Oaks, California, on November 7, 2018, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, November 10, 2018. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.”
Franklin County Sheriff Offers Public “A Public Shooter in the Making” Training Event
Franklin County Sheriff Ricky Jones in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Association of Texas is sponsoring a free, unique training opportunity at the Mount Vernon ISD Auditorium Saturday, November 17, 2018. A four hour training course entitled, “A Public Shooter in the Making” will be taught by retired Texas Department of Public Safety Inspector Marx Howell and Texas DPS Victim and Employee Support Services Counselor Bunny Terrell, LMSW.
Topics for the course include: understanding, recognizing, and identifying behavioral indicators, or “red flags”A to identify potential threats by an angry individual; Internal and external triggers for violence; and Recognition of Potentially Violent or Dangerous situations that law enforcement, schools, and religious institutions.
The event is open to the general public and if free. Texas Peace Officers will receive four (4) hours of TCOLE training and teachers will receive four (4) hours of CPE credit for attending. Teachers can register for CPE credit through the Region8 website.
Sheriff Jones asks that no school aged children attend due to some of the material covered.
DPS, SCU, SWAT Make Arrest on Drexel Drive
Special Crimes Unit and the local SWAT Team assisted Texas Department of Public Safety Narcotics Team conduct a search warrant at a residence on Drexel Drive. During the search, a pistol and approximately$10,000 in U S currency was located. Also marijuana was found at the location. The search came as a result of Texas DPS investigation concerning marijuana being shipped from Fresno, California to be sold in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County.
The firearm was located under a bed and the serial number had been removed. The case is still on-going and more charges are expected.
Arrested at the scene and placed in Hopkins County Jail was Nathaniel Dion Smith, Jr., 39, of Sulphur Springs. Smith was arrested for Theft of Firearm and Possession Marijuana more than 4oz but less than 5lbs. Other charges may be added. Prior arrests in Hopkins County include illegal substances and engaging in organized criminal activity dating back to 2007.
Wildcats Wrap Up District Season at North Forney Friday
Well traveled Texas high school football coach Randy Jackson seems to enjoy the challenge of rebuilding football programs that are going through hard times. Such a situation brought him to North Forney in 2017. The Wildcats wrap up district play Friday night (November 9) in Forney against North Forney.
After a strong 2017 season, the Falcons have fallen on hard times this season. They are 3-6 overall and are 2-5 in district play. They are out of the playoff picture. Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens believes the Falcons may have six athletes playing college ball off of last year’s stellar team.
The injury bug has also impacted the Falcons. For the season’s first six games, North Forney was led by quarterback Jaylin Smith. He injured his shoulder and now is attempting to help the team as a wide receiver.
Coach Owens remembers meeting Coach Jackson and his wife at a coaches retreat just before he came to Sulphur Springs in 2006. Coach Jackson was at Lone Oak at the time and already had several former locations on his resume. Coach Jackson is in his second year at North Forney. Prior to that he was at Grapevine for three seasons. He spent the 2013 season at Plano East. Coach Jackson is credited with turning around the Mesquite Poteet program coaching there in 2010-2012. He was at Lone Oak from 2004 through 2009. Coach Jackson also coached at Dekalb, Mason, Paducah and West Mesquite. Coach Jackson also wrote a book in 2016 entitled Culture Defeats Strategy: 7 Lessons on Leadership From a Texas High School Football Coach.
SSHS Drama Department Presents The Three Musketeers
Every fall, the Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat Theatre Department puts on a fund raising production. This fall they are presenting The Three Musketeers. The play premieres Thursday (November 8) at 7 p.m. It will also be staged Saturday (November 10) at 7 p.m. and Sunday (November 11) at 2 p.m. Tickets are available from any cast and crew member or at the door for $5 for students or $10 for adults. Any veteran can get in free on Sunday, Veterans’ Day.
Director of Theatre Arts Lesha Woodard explains that The Three Musketeers is a non-musical. She has decided to rotate non-musicals with musicals in the fall. Ms. Woodard says the play this year features a huge cast of kids and lots of fun. Back in September, the cast and crew got a visit from a certified swordsman who conducted training with the students teaching them how to sword fight safely.
Ms. Woodard says the play features the familiar Three Musketeers’ story and the same wonderful characters. Shes says that playwright Ken Ludwig has added a bit more humor and modern language. It features a swashbuckling story of heroism, treachery, close escapes and above all, honor. The original was written by Alexandre Dumas.
Ms. Woodard says auditions took place the second week of classes and students began work right away. After quite a few graduations last school year, Ms. Woodward says this year’s drama department features lots of young talent. Junior Chase Berry plays d’Artagnan. Sophomore Rorie Young plays d’Artagnan’s sister Sabine. The Three Musketeers, Athos, Porthos and Aramis, are played by freshman Ben Braddy, junior Reagan Kesting and senior Johnathan Johnson. The Queen of France is played by sophomore Hannah Shultz. Cardinal Richelieu is played by senior Hagen Hunt. The infamous Countess de Winter, also known as Milady, is played by junior Rachel Bramlett. Crew members include senior Tre Ransom, senior Stage Manager Cody Queen and Assistant Technical Director Loren Carter. Ms. Woodard is directing and her Technical Director is Desi Pharis.
