Hall or Representative to Attend Candidate Form Focused on Education
As the October 9th Hopkins-Rains Retired School Personnel candidate forum focused on Public Education approaches, Texas State Senate District 2 incumbent Republican Bob Hall has announced that he or a representative of his campaign will be present. The event features candidates for Lieutenant Governor, Texas District 2 State Senator, and Texas District 2 Representative. A meet the candidates begin at 5:30 and candidates will speak in turn beginning at 6 p.m. at Sulphur Springs City Hall Council Room.
Each candidate will be given 10 minutes to present their views regarding public education. Order for speakers will be Representative, Senate, and Lt. Governor. Following the candidates presentations, a question and answer session will be conducted.
All Democrat candidates have committed to attend the forum–Mike Collier, challenger for Lieutenant Governor, Kendall Scudder, challenger for District 2 Senator, and Bill Brannon, challenger for District 2 Representative.
Incumbent Hall, a Republican, joins District 2 Representative incumbent Republican Dan Flynn in committing to attend. Republican Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has yet to respond to the invitation to attend.
The Hopkins-Rains Retired School Personnel organization is the local chapter of the Texas Retired Teachers Association.
Tira News: September 28th, 2018
By Jan Vaughn
Georgia Smith and Joyce Dodd were in Paris on Wednesday, September 19th, for some shopping. Georgia treated Joyce to lunch at Magel’s Grill for her birthday.
Yvonne Weir and Brenda Allen returned from a wonderful journey to Nova
Scotia, Canada on Wednesday the 19 th . They traveled by coach to Prince Edwards Island, Cape Breton, New Brunswick, etc. Yvonne reports, “The highlands were beautiful and the oceans were, too. We also went on a successful whale watching tour and a sailboat ride. We especially enjoyed the Maritime museum and the Maud Lewis Art exhibit in Halifax. We took a cab to Fairview cemetery to see the graves of 130 Titanic victims. It was very moving to see all the graves, which just had numbers because they could not identify them. We are busy planning our next adventure.”
Yvonne adds, “While I was gone the army worms and the wild hogs tore up our grass and pasture. Wesley kept Robert busy.” On Friday night they met with Dacy, Elise, and Eli, Eben, Destri, Mena, Emmy, and Nico, as well as Dustin and Natalie, to celebrate Destri’s birthday. She comments, “We met at Dodie’s Cajun Diner in Rockwall and I am sure it will be an unforgettable birthday, as we ate outside and got a good shower from the big rain.”
Judy Petty reports, “Rick and I were in College Station Friday, September 21st, for the Texas A&M ring ceremony. Our grandson Tyler Petty received his ring. His finance Caitlin Valley also received her ring on Saturday.”
Chip and I met Frances and Keith Klein, Shirley Charles, and Phil and Carla
Kenley at Juan Pablo’s on Wednesday, September 19th . We celebrated Frances’ birthday, which was a couple of days earlier.
Our grandson, Morgan Joslin, completed his 507-mile cross-country flight for his aviation training on Tuesday, September 25th . He flew to a few airports on the way to Kansas and then returned by a different route.
Morgan and Chip helped with the Young Eagles event at the Sulphur Springs Airport on Saturday, September 15th . Morgan enjoyed taking several youngsters for a plane ride and Chip was a “ramp rat”, helping direct planes and people.
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 903-945-2190 or 903-438-6688 or [email protected] .
Garden Checklist for October By Mario Villarino
Here the recommended activities for the garden in October according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension:
- Carefully harvest material for dried arrangements at this time. Choose cockscomb, flowering artemisia, already mature okra pods, flowering oregano stalks and others to enhance fall and winter bouquets.
- October through November is an excellent time to purchase bulbs while you still have a good selection in the garden center. They may be planted at any time with the exception of tulips and hyacinths.
- Chill tulip and hyacinth bulbs in the refrigerator until mid or late December before planting. The lower part of the refrigerator is best. Do not leave bulbs in airtight plastic bags during refrigerated storage.
- Plant bulbs in well prepared beds so the base of the bulb is at a depth that is three times the diameter of the bulb. In sandy soil, set slightly deeper and in clay soils less deeply.
- Start collecting leaves for the compost pile. Be sure to have extra soil available so that each 6 inch layer of leaves may be covered with several inches of soil. Always wet the layer of leaves thoroughly before adding the soil. Add about one pound of a complete lawn or garden fertilizer to each layer of leaves to provide the necessary nitrogen for decomposition.
- In addition to bulbs, check your nursery or garden center for started plants of snapdragons, pinks, sweet williams, poppies, and calendulas. Planted now in south and east Texas, they will usually provide a riot of spring color; wait until late winter or early spring to plant in north Texas.
- Keep Christmas cactus in a sunny spot where night temperatures can be kept below 65 degrees F. Buds will drop if you allow night temperatures to go above 70 degrees F. or if you allow the plant to become excessively dry. They should also be kept in total darkness from 5:00 pm until 8:00 am for about 30 days in October to initiate flower buds.
- If you have saved seeds of your favorite plants, allow them to become air dry, then place them in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Be sure to label each packet carefully. Remember, seed from hybrid plants will seldom resemble the parent plant.
- Prepare beds for planting pansies when they become available at the garden centers. They need a well-drained soil and exposure to at least a half-day of sun. It is best to use started plants, as seeds are difficult to handle.
- If you are planning to save caladium tubers for another year, dig them in late October, and allow to dry in a well ventilated but shady area. After 7 to 10 days, remove leaves and dirt, then pack in dry peat moss, vermiculite, or similar material for storage. Pack tubers so they do not touch each other. Dust with all-purpose fungicide as you pack. Place container in an area where temperature won’t drop below 50 degrees F.
Coming Up:
Ribeye Cook Off with NETBIO- Sulphur Springs Downtown, October 5, 2018 $25
Field Day for Producers and Grasslands Managers- October 26, 2018- Free
DOPA Training- Southwest Dairy Museum, October 31, 2018- $10.
Basic Tree Care Training- November 1, 2018, 6:00 PM $10.
Private Applicator Credits- Regional Civic Center- November 7, 2018- $30 10:00 AM
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training- November 14, 2018- $40 8:30 AM
For more information on this or for registration contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443.
What’s for Dinner Tonight? By Johanna Hicks
Many of you may remember the very first “Dinner Tonight” program held in Hopkins County. The event took place at the Civic Center with approximately 125 attendees. The program included cooking demonstrations by Extension Family & Community Health educators, and we had a celebrity tasting panel composed of county officials and media personalities.
“Dinner Tonight” was developed to provide busy families with quick, healthy, and cost-effective recipes that taste great. A part of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, the Dinner Tonight program aims to improve the health and wellness of Texans through nutrition education. Not only does the Dinner Tonight program provide recipes, it also gives weekly video demonstrations on cooking tips and techniques, nutrition topics, menu planning basics, and information on healthy living.
As the program has grown, we have seen interest from all areas of the state to create recipes and step-by-step preparation techniques for family favorite dishes. To find these resources, simply go to https://dinnertonight.tamu.edu. You can sign up for a weekly e-mail blast, find delicious recipes by category, and much more! So, don’t worry about what’s for dinner tonight!
Master Wellness Volunteer Initiative
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is proud to offer the 2019 Master Wellness Volunteer Initiative. Hopkins County currently has 8 trained and active Master Wellness Volunteers, and we’d love to increase that number!
1) What is the Master Wellness Volunteer Initiative? This program provides training in the areas of food safety, child and adult nutrition, health, working with diverse audiences, recognizing reputable internet sources, and much more. Master Wellness Volunteers are not required to have previous training in the areas of health and wellness, but a desire to help others is important.
2) What does the initiative involve? The training will be presented in a series, but only the first and last sessions are in-person. The first session will offer an overview of the entire training, and acquaint participants with the many resources that Extension has to offer. The final in-person session will provide a wrap-up review and certification exam. The other sessions may be done on-line at leisure. Participants will be provided with the link to view the topics and complete the tasks.
3) When will the training take place? The first session is scheduled for Tuesday, January 22, from 9:00 a.m. to early afternoon. Lunch will be provided. The final in-person training will be Tuesday, February 19.
4) Where will the in-person sessions be held? We will meet at the Hopkins County Extension Office of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, 1200 W. Houston, Sulphur Springs.
5) What do I do with the information? Master Wellness Volunteers will give back 40 hours of service by assisting me with programs, events, health fairs, workshops, 4-H projects, worksite wellness, and other opportunities. The current Master Wellness Volunteers have contributed over 900 volunteer hours this year…and they have fun doing it!
6) What do I get? You will receive a name badge to proudly wear at all events with which you assist. You will also receive the “Volunteer Connection” newsletter, which I prepare 6 or more times per year, recognizing volunteer participation, listing upcoming opportunities for involvement, providing more detailed information about some of the volunteer opportunities, and a brief interest story for personal development.
7) Does my Master Wellness Volunteer status ever expire? No, but yes. After the first year, trained volunteers only have to give back 10 hours of service, but that has never been a problem! As a matter of fact, they continue to help out in so many ways! Some employers may provide time off for their employees to take the in-person trainings, and in some cases, encourage participation in order to bring back information that can be used in the workplace.
Watch for more details to come concerning cost and registration. In the meantime, please contact our office if you have even the slightest interest in participating. This is such a great opportunity!
Closing (Humorous) Thought
Change is inevitable – except in vending machines. Robert Gallager
Recipe of the Week (from Dinner Tonight)
Citrus-Cilantro Chicken Thighs
· 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs
· 1 bunch green onions, chopped
· ½ bunch fresh cilantro
· 4 garlic cloves, sliced
· 1 teaspoon lime zest
· ¼ cup lime juice
· 1 teaspoon orange zest
· 1 teaspoon orange juice
· 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions:
1) Pound chicken thighs with a meat tenderizer until they are of even thickness; place in sealable bag.
2) In a blender or food processor, puree scallions, cilantro, garlic, lime zest, lime juice, orange zest, and orange juice. Reserve and refrigerate one-fourth of the pureed marinade.
3) Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken and seal bag. Marinate chicken for at least 20 minutes or overnight.
4) In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Place chicken in skillet and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 6 minutes. Turn chicken and cook for an additional 6 minutes, or until chicken reaches 65°F. Once chicken is completely cooked, remove from skillet and top with reserved marinade. Serves 6.
Nutrition information per serving: 240 calories, 11 g total fat, 2.5 g saturated fat, 0 trans fat, 5 g carbohydrate, 140 mg cholesterol, 30 g protein, 25% vitamin C.u
Demolition Permit and Building Permit Issued to Chick-fil-A; Lot Next Door Being Cleared for Unnamed Restaurant
A demolition permit and building permit have been issued and work has begun to prepare the site for Chick-fil-A in Sulphur Springs. Plans have been issued for construction. Chick-fil-A will be located on Shannon Road between the current location of Chili’s and Panda Express. A second lot, to the east of the Chick-fil-A lot is being cleared for a yet unnamed restaurant according to sources.
Thursday afternoon work began to remove the west side of the old service stations that sits on the site.
Clearing of under grow at the site has also began for an additional restaurant to be built next to Chick-fil-A.
Blue Blazes Buddies Registration Underway
About 125 girls were signed up last school year for the Blaze Buddies program. Registration is currently underway for this year’s program. Blue Blazes Director Christie McCullough said members of the Blue Blazes visited all SSISD campuses last Friday (September 21) promoting the program. They left registration forms behind. Forms were also left at Little Acorn School, Water Oak schools and at a local Christian academy.
Ms. McCullough said the Blaze Buddies get to join the Blue Blazes on the field at a football game, get to be with the Blue Blazes at the Lions Club Lighted Christmas Parade, get to attend a Christmas party with the Blue Blazes and get to dance on stage as part of the annual Blue Blazes Spring Show. The Blaze Buddies also get some pictures and good luck gifts. Ms. McCullough encouraged parents to watch for registration forms that children might bring home.
Registration forms are also available at Fieldhouse Sports. Cost is $50 but Ms. McCullough said there are discounts available for families that have several girls interested in joining the program. Forms may be returned by using campus mail, the post office box on the form or the main desk at the high school. Ms. McCullough said the Blaze Buddies program was started in 2006, her first year at SSHS. The program also serves as a recruiting tool. Ms McCullough said several current Blue Blazes were once Blaze Buddies.
Wildcat Team Tennis Qualifies for Bi-District After MPHS Forfeit
The Wildcats’ team tennis squad has picked up a forfeit 1-0 win over Mount Pleasant. The Wildcats complete district play with a 2-2 record and they will be the district’s #3 seed in bi-district playoffs coming up. The Wildcats season record is 5-9.
Mount Pleasant could only get a handful of players to play team tennis this year and ended up having to forfeit to the four district schools that have team tennis squads. Royse City does not compete in team tennis. Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez had hoped to take a few of his players to Mount Pleasant this week to get them some matches with Tigers’ players but the weather refused to cooperate.
The Wildcats lost district matches to Texas High and Lindale this season but defeated Greenville to go along with the Mount Pleasant forfeit. Coach Martinez said he expects to have some more solid playoff information after some very big matches coming up next Tuesday involving the top two teams in both District 15-5A and District 16-5A.
PJC-Sulphur Springs Geology Class
ROCKS LARGE AND SMALL
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Geology Instructor Trina Lubbe, right, knows a lot about rocks and she shares some of that knowledge in her physical geology class with students Noah Andress and Rachael Whetstone. For more information about classes at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center, call 903-885-1232
Phelps Added to CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic-Winnsboro Medical Staff
Winnsboro TX – Patients looking to obtain award-winning primary care services have a brand-new option with the addition of Janet Phelps, DO, to the CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic – Winnsboro medical staff.
“CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, Dr. Phelps and everyone on the Winnsboro team are dedicated to providing excellent, compassionate care to the people of this area,” said Alissa English, Manager at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic – Winnsboro. “At CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic, we are dedicated to quality, compassionate care for the entire family. We offer you a medical home and work in partnership with you to maintain your health with preventive care and treatment of illnesses and injuries. When serious health problems strike, your primary care provider guides you to the appropriate specialty care.”
Dr. Phelps joins the CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic – Winnsboro team from Legacy Medical Group in Oregon, where she offered patients a medical home providing geriatric, adult, women’s health, and pediatric care to patients in a rural area. She earned her medical degree at Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine after completing her two previous undergraduate degrees from Portland State University (Biology) and the University of North Texas (Anthropology and German). She also completed her medical residency in Anchorage, Alaska. Dr. Phelps has been a member of the American Osteopathic Association since 2009 and enjoys spending time with family, running, sewing, hiking, backpacking, camping, baking and traveling.
“We have an outstanding team here, and Dr. Phelps brings an outstanding attitude and incredible skill set to the patients and communities we serve,” said English. “She will be an invaluable asset to CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic and an important resource in offering the highest levels of care to our patients in this community.”
“I believe it is important for everyone to establish a close, working relationship with their primary care provider,” said Dr. Phelps. “When patient and provider work together and communicate well, the results improve dramatically for the patients – they live healthier lives, and we are able to manage and even prevent many chronic or long-term conditions.”
To schedule an appointment, please call 903-606-DOCS or for more information, visit christustrinityclinic.org.
