Pesticide Private Applicator Session By Mario Villarino
Pesticide Private Applicators CEU session Scheduled for Nov 7, 2018
Licensed pesticide private applicators are required to recertify every five years by obtaining 15 continuing education credits, including two (2) credits in laws and regulations and two (2) credits in integrated pest management (IPM), prior to expiration of the license.
To partially satisfy this requirement, the Hopkins County Extension Office has scheduled a 5 CEU Pesticide Private Applicator Session for Nov 7, 2018. The topics include: 1 hr for Laws and Regulations, Pond Weed Control, management of native grassland, integrated pest management for small grains, and Bermuda grass management update including insect control of introduced pastures and hay fields.
The program is partially sponsored by NETBIO. For more information or to register (limited to 100) call the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443.
Understanding the Texas Cottage Food Law By Johanna Hicks
The Texas Cottage Food Law allows the sale of foods that are prepared in residential homes as long as gross sales do not exceed $50,000 annually. This type of business is not regulated by a local or state health department, which means that your kitchen will not be inspected by a health inspector unless there is concern about the public’s health.
Certain foods are considered safe (not “potentially hazardous”), and are allowed to be sold. These include:
· Baked goods that don’t require refrigeration (cookies, breads, biscuits, pies, muffins, pastries, rolls)
· Candy
· Unroasted nut butters
· Canned jams & jellies
· Roasted coffee or dry tea
· Coated & uncoated nuts
· Popcorn snacks
· Dried herbs & herb mixes
· Dehydrated fruits & vegetables
· Cereal (including granola)
· Fruit butters
· Pickles (cucumber only)
· Fruit pies
These foods are not potentially hazardous because they do not have to be held at specific temperatures to prevent foodborne illness. Potentially hazardous foods can be used to prepare a food, but if the final product requires time or temperature control to prevent growth of bacteria, it cannot be sold under the Cottage Food Law.
The following foods are considered “Potentially hazardous” and are not allowed under the Texas Cottage Food Law:
· Fresh or dried meat or meat products, including jerky
· Canned fruits, vegetables, salsas
· Kolache with meat
· Fish products
· Canned pickled products such as corn relish or sauerkraut
· Raw seed sprouts
· Bakery goods which require refrigeration (such as cream, custard or meringue pies and cakes or pastries with cream cheese icings or fillings)
· Milk and dairy products
· Cut fresh fruits/vegetables (including fresh fruits dipped or coated in chocolate or similar confections; fresh vegetables and juices made from fresh fruits and vegetables)
· Barbeque sauces and ketchups
· Chocolate covered graham crackers
· Dried pasta
· Lemonade and juices (from fresh fruits), or similar beverages
Foods can be sold at the individual’s home, a farmer’s market, a farm stand, or at municipal, county, and non-profit events. Foods can also be delivered to the customer, where the sale can then take place. Foods cannot be sold over the internet, by mail order, or at wholesale. Foods must also be packaged to prevent contamination, and must have proper labeling, including name and physical address of the operation, common or usual name of the product, any major food allergens that are present in the food (example: eggs, nuts, soy, peanuts, milk, or wheat), and the following statement: “This food is made in a home kitchen and is not inspected by the Department of State Health Services or a local health department.”
Of course, practicing good personal hygiene is a must, along with clean surfaces, cooking food to a proper temperature, and storing food properly. The Texas Food Handlers’ card is required from a state accredited program. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides an on-line training, but I also wanted to share the following information if you want more detailed information:
· What: One-day Texas Cottage Law workshop
· When: Friday, November 9
· Time: 8:30 a.m. registration and program at 9:00 a.m.
· Where: Fletcher Warren Civic Center, 5501 Business Highway 69S, Greenville
· Cost: $25, includes lunch
Speakers include Julie Prouse, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Associate – Food Protection; Blake Bennet, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Economist; and Debra Wamke, Hunt County Health Department Food Inspector. This will be a great workshop! Call the Hunt County Extension Office at 903-455-9885.
Closing Thought
The key that unlocks energy is desire. It’s also the key to a long and interesting life. If we expect to create any drive, any real force within ourselves, we have to get excited – Earl Nightingale
Recipe of the Week:
Pumpkin Cupcakes with Greek Yogurt Frosting
· 15-ounce box spice cake mix
· 15 ounce an pumpkin
· 1 cup water
· 2 cups plain Greek yogurt
· 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
· 1 cup powdered sugar
Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 24 cupcake tins with paper liners
2) In a large bowl, combine first 3 ingredients. Mix well. Evenly distribute batter into cupcake liners.
3) Bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven and cool completely.
4) In a medium bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Spread frosting on cupcakes and garnish with ground cinnamon, if desired.
Nutrition content (per muffin):
Calories – 210; total fat – 8 g; sodium – 210 mg; carbohydrate – 28 g; protein – 4 g; fiber – 1 g
Something Completely Different for Wildcat, Lady Cat Basketball District Schedule
Now for something completely different. District 15-5A Superintendents and Athletic Directors have approved new scheduling for some district basketball games in January and February. Under the new scheduling, impacting all Sulphur Springs home district games and three on the road, the Lady Cats and Wildcats’ varsity teams will play back to back games in the same gym.
The Lady Cats’ varsity will play at around 6:15 p.m. and the Wildcats’ varsity will follow at around 7:30 p.m. The new scheduling will begin January 11 when Greenville comes to Sulphur Springs and conclude with the district games at Texas High on February 5. Before the two varsity contests, there will be a 5 p.m. JV contest. The first four impacted district contests will have the Lady Cats JV playing in the main high school gym and the next four will feature the Wildcats’ JV. Freshmen Wildcats games will be played at either Sulphur Springs Middle School or at the high school Auxiliary Gym. At the current time, the Lady Cats have only a JV and varsity teams.
Lady Cats Basketball Coach Brittney Tisdell said this schedule is what she is used to. She said they had a schedule like this when she was at Paris and Mildred. Coach Tisdell said it would bring bigger crowds for the girls’ games. She said district girls’ coaches were unanimous in their support of the idea. Several of the boys’ coaches opposed the idea. Coach Tisdell said the new scheduled would put girls basketball before some new fans. She said her team was excited by the prospects of having more fans at their games.
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta said there were pros and cons to the new schedule. He said the new schedule would allow fans to see both the girls and boys varsity programs at one place. Coach Cipoletta said he figured that was why superintendents and athletic directors voted for the change. He said a negative for him was that having the Wildcats’ freshmen at a different site from the varsity would make it harder for him to see them. The huge crowds that show up for Mount Pleasant and Wildcats boys varsity games are expected to create some logistical headaches on game nights. Coach Cipoletta said he would be interested to hear public reaction to the change. He had some advice for basketball fans. Get to these district games early.
Kaufman Prepares for Wildcats Following Loss at Royse City Last Week
Kaufman Lions enter Prim Stadium Friday night with hopes of a win that will tie the two teams for second place in District.
Jeramy Burleson is in his third year as head football coach for the Kaufman Lions. Before getting a promotion after the head coach went to Tatum, Coach Burleson was offensive coordinator for the Lions for two seasons. He was also a Wildcats’ football assistant under former coach Brad Turner from 2001 through 2006. Coach Burleson is the son in-law of legendary East Texas Coach Dickie Meeks. He went to high school at Emory Rains and to college at what was known back then as East Texas State University.
Kaufman is in third place in District 8-5A with a record of 4-2. The Lions’ season mark is 5-2. Coach Burleson said the Lions have played well for the most part. He said in their two losses, turnovers have hurt them. Fresh in his mind were turnovers suffered in a 27-21 loss at Kaufman to Royse City last week. Coach Burleson said you can’t so that against good teams. He said his players work hard and do what they are asked to do and he added he is proud of them.
The Lions quarterback is senior Trey Collier. Collier has committed to Tulsa as a wide receiver. Coach Burleson said Collier is a good leader. The Lions also have twin brothers that have been big contributors to the team, Jay and Cecil Gasper. Jay is a running back and Cecil is a wide receiver. Coach Burleson called them good competitors and team leaders. He said the Kaufman offensive line makes the offense click. Coach Burleson said Offensive Line Coach Kent Smith has done a good job. He said the leader on the offensive line is senior Landon Taylor. Coach Burleson called him a next level kind of guy.
He said the Kaufman defense has done a pretty good job this season. Coach Burleson said they need to get better at tackling like everybody else. He praised defenders for their effort and for being where they need to be. He added they have done a pretty good job of keeping Kaufman in ballgames. Coach Burleson said the strength of the defense is the defensive line. He said they tie guys up which allows big middle linebacker Billy Pullen to make plays.
Coach Burleson said the Wildcats are well coached. He said the Wildcats defense flies to the football and makes few mistakes. He said the Wildcats use their offensive players well.
Coach Burleson said he expects a fun atmosphere for Friday’s big district football game in Sulphur Springs.
PJC-Sulphur Springs Giving Blood, Giving Life
GIVING LIFE
Students at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center and others in the community had the opportunity this week to give blood during a drive sponsored by the Blend Club and PTK. The Carter BloodCare signed up 27 donors and collected 25 units of blood. One of the donors was student Presli Cummings, above, being assisted by Carter BloodCare specialist Cheryl Hughson.
Man Arrested for Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon
Sulphur Springs Police responded to an address on Arbala Road Wednesday evening around 9:30 p.m. regarding a family disturbance. The victim, a family member, told officers that Joshua Ladearl Leisey, 32, had threatened to kill her and displayed a handgun during the assault.
Leisey was found walking on the roadway south of the location and detained him. Leisey is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Aggravated Assault Family Violence with a Deadly Weapon, a Felony 2.
Danna and the Buffalo Girls’ Traveling Market Coming to Sulphur Springs!
Danna and her Buffalo Girls three-day “Flea Market Style and Swap” will arrive in Sulphur Springs to open inside the Hopkins County Civic Center on Thursday November 8, Friday November 9 and Saturday November 10, 2018. Your one-time entry fee is good for all three days of the popular shopping attraction. Ages 12 and under will be admitted free.
On opening day, Thursday, from 4-8pm the “V.I.P. Shopping Event” will take off with vendors open, a scavenger hunt, door prizes , $500 in cash prizes, and a local fundraiser. Cost to enter on V.I.P. Thursday evening is $10 per person, with half of the admission to be donated to Dinner Bell, a local food ministry. You can also search for the “hidden Buffaloes” with prizes for winners. Then on Friday and Saturday, cost is $5 to enter the shopping event. Friday hours will be 9 am til 8 pm and on Saturday, 9 am til 5 pm. The Sulphur Springs event will be the final traveling market date of 2018, however Danna and the Buffalo Girls will be back in Sulphur Springs in Spring 2019!
Extended Voting Hours Thursday; Rain Hampers Wednesday Numbers
Thursday, November 1st, will offer extended hours for early voting. Hours Thursday are 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. This extended hour opportunity to cast a ballot in the November 6th General Election follows a rain soaked Wednesday that saw only 337 early votes cast. Wednesday was the lowest vote total for a weekday during this early voting period.
Early voting continues through Friday this week. Friday hours are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Courtroom.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 6th. Hopkins County voters may cast ballots at any of the Vote Centers in the county. Voters will need one of seven forms of ID: Texas Driver License, Texas Personal Identification Card, Texas Election Identification Certificate, Texas Handgun License, United States Military Identification Card, or United States Passport (book or card).
Vote Centers open November 6th include: In the city of Sulphur Springs: the Lutheran Church, 1000 Texas Street; Morning Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 208 Fuller Street; County Courthouse, 118 Church St; Grace Family Church, 1901 Loop 301 East; Civic Center, 1200 Houston St; League Street Church of Christ, 1100 South League. Throughout the county: Saltillo ISD, 150 CR 3534, Saltillo; Cumby Municipal Building, 100 E. Main Street, Cumby, TX; Sulphur Bluff ISD, 1027 CR 3550, Sulphur Bluff; Como-Pickton school, 13017 TX Highway 11E, Como; Miller Grove ISD, 7819 FM 275 S, Cumby; and North Hopkins ISD, 1994 FM 71 W, Sulphur Springs. Hours for voting November 6th are 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Hearts of Life Present Heidi and Peggy Sue for Adoption
Heidi & Peggy Sue are still waiting for a family to call their own. They are bonded best friends who must stay together. Heidi is approximately 3 years old. Peggy Sue is approximately 4 years old. Their adoption fee together is $100.00 which includes all previous vetting, shots, spay and rabies.
Please contact Hearts of Life Animal Rescue to meet this precious pair! Call 903-439-5019, email [email protected], www.facebook.com/heartsoflife or find us on Petfinder.com
Chamber Connection November 1, 2018
Thank you to all who attended the 49thAnnual Hopkins County Stew Contest! We enjoyed delicious stew, BEAUTIFUL weather, and great memories. I love that we live in a community that welcomes an event of this size, allows us to think of our big dreams, and execute them. Thank you to our sponsors,our cooks, and our volunteers for a wonderful, wonderful Hopkins County tradition! See you next year for the gigantic 50th Annual Stew Contest on Saturday, October 26th,2019!
I’m excited to let you know that we have begun work on the 2019 Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Directory. We distribute over 7,000 of these directories to visitors, relocation hopefuls, and even home town heroes who are interested in learning more about our local businesses. They include historical information as well all things to the see and do in Hopkins County. The best part is, they include an alphabetical and categorical listing of your business. LeeAnn Peugh, with Echo Publishing, will be contacting you in the next few weeks to see if you are interested in placing an ad in the directory. The rates are affordable, and one of the best ways to represent your business. I hope you will consider this a wise investment with over 7,000 opportunities for business exposure. You may also contact the Chamber, and I will pass your information along to her. I’m proud to produce this book telling all about the place we love. I hope you will join me in the journey!
Danna’s Buffalo Girls’ Flea Market & Swap on November 8-10
Danna’s Buffalo Girls’ will be having a Flea Market & Swap event November 8, 9, and 10 beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. Vendors are wanted as well as shoppers and “junque” lovers who are ready to shop, swap, and eat. Early shopping will be held on Thursday November 8th from 4:00 to 8:00. The entry fee on Friday and Saturday is $5. Visit www.dannasfleamarketstyle.com or call 903-439-7091 for more information.
Veterans Day Parade scheduled for November 10th
A Veterans Day Parade is scheduled for Saturday, November 10th in Sulphur Springs to honor those who have served us. Beginning at 9:00 a.m., the parade will begin at Buford Park and go through the downtown square and back to the park. Please call Jason at either (903) 634-5673 or (972) 750-1966.
Third annual Salute the Veterans Cook-off
The third annual Salutethe Veterans Cook-off on will be held on Saturday, November 10thstarting at 8 a.m. at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center located at 1200Houston Street in Sulphur Springs. All-you-can-eat BBQ begins at 1:00 p.m.Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids under 12, and free for veterans andchildren under 6. Proceeds will benefit Operation Victor Echo Tango.
