Creative Arts Contest – Are You Ready? By Johanna Hicks
Every year, the Hopkins County Fall Festival features fun events for the entire family. This year’s event will begin with a ribbon cutting on Celebration Square at noon, Friday, October 19. The parade will take place on Saturday, October 20, and other events will take place throughout the week. Two of the highlights of the fair are the Arts & Crafts Show and the Creative Arts Contest. These are two totally separate events, but each equally awesome! Since I am the coordinator for both of these events, I want to encourage you to participate! This week’s column will feature the Creative Arts Contest.
The 2018 Fall Festival Creative Arts Contest will start with registration of items on Thursday, October 25, at the Sulphur Springs High School Conference Room, 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., and Friday, October 26, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. No entries will be accepted after that time. Items may also be taken to the Extension Office, 1200 W. Houston, Monday thru Wednesday, October 22-24, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. if necessary.
Below are a few guidelines to keep in mind:
1) Due to space restrictions, entrants must be from Hopkins County.
2) Article may be exhibited only by the maker and must have been made within the past year (September, 2017 – October, 2018)
3) Participants may enter as many categories as desired, but may enter only one subclass in each category.
4) Age divisions are: children (age 10 and under); Youth (ages 11-19); Adults (ages 20-69); Older Texans (70 and above); nursing home and assisted living residents
5) Entries must be labeled using the color coded label provided at registration.
6) Entries will be judged beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 26. Each entry will be awarded a ribbon: White – good; Red – better; Blue – best. Best of Show and Reserve Best of Show will be selected from blue ribbon winners in each age division and category.
7) No professional exhibits allowed. (example: professional photographers, florists, etc.)
8) Items will be on display to the public in the Sulphur Springs High School Conference Center, Friday, October 26 after judging is complete – approximately 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, October 27, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Please leave items until this time so visitors can enjoy viewing them.
9) Pictures of Best of Show and Reserve Best of Show winners will be made at 1:30 p.m., after which all entries may be picked up. Items that are not picked up will be kept at the Hopkins County Extension Office, but we encourage you to pick them up at the school!
10) Creative Arts Committee members will be on hand during all public viewing times, but the Fall Festival Creative Arts Committee is not responsible for any damage that may occur during public viewing times.
Entry categories include:
- Art (no paint by number except in children’s and youth divisions): oil, water color, pen & ink, rub outs, pencil, acrylic, paper tole, crayon, spray paint, chalk, miscellaneous
- Bake Show (must be in disposable containers. Entries requiring refrigeration will not be accepted): breads, cakes, pies, cookies, candy
- Clothing Construction: classic/tailored; after-five; children’s wear, everyday (pajamas, casual); wearable art
- Creative Crafts: crafts, ceramics, stained glass, painted household accessories, miscellaneous
- Decorated Cakes (will NOT be cut)
- Food Preservation: vegetables, fruits, jams, preserves, fruit butters, jellies, pickles, relish, pickled vegetables, dehydrated foods, miscellaneous
- Handiwork: knitting, crochet, embroidery, needlepoint, sewn items, beadwork, beaded jewelry, other
- Holiday/seasonal: Christmas, tablecloths, decorations, wreath/door hanging, nativity scenes
- Horticulture: agricultural produce, cut flowers, potted plans, hanging baskets, succulents, dried, gourds, herbs
- Photography (black & white, and color in each class): portrait, scenic, still life, animals, people, special effects, floral architectural, grouping
- Quilts: hand quilted, machine quilted, quilts with combination of stitching (hand & machine), baby quilts, quilted items
- Woodworking: kits, inlaid wood, mosaic wood art, furniture, wall hangings, wood carving, yard art, rustic art, birdhouses, toys, miscellaneous
- Nursing home and assisted living divisions: holiday, quilts, plastic art, handmade garments, accessories, needlework, leather craft, metal crafts, wood craft, art, weaving, miscellaneous
Please feel free to call if you have questions. We hope this is the best year ever!
Cooking Well with Diabetes
Each fall, I provide this four lesson series to help individuals with diabetes learn healthier cooking methods, learn to recognize high carbohydrate foods, and celebrate sensibly with diabetes. The series is scheduled for Mondays and Thursdays, September 10, 13, 17, and 20, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Hopkins County office, 1200 W. Houston, in Sulphur Springs. Two times are being offered to fit schedules of those attending: 1:30 or 6:00 p.m. Cost for the series is $25 which covers materials, cooking demonstrations, sampling, and door prizes. Please call 903-885-3443 to sign up.
Closing Thought
Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired – Terri, age 4
Wildcat Team Tennis Picks Up 17-2 Win Against Pine Tree
Perhaps the Wildcats’ team tennis squad is getting hot at just the right time. Thursday (August 23) afternoon, the Wildcats won handily against Pine Tree on the road, 17-2.
It was the Wildcats second straight win as they also took a 17-2 home win against Marshall last Thursday (August 16). The Wildcats are now 3-7 for the season.
They have been very competitive in many other matches this season. The Wildcats lost by a single point to Sherman and Forney. They lost by two points to Waxahachie and by five points to Denison and Spring Hill. The Wildcats will now have a lot of time to practice as they get ready for district play.
They Wildcats will travel to Lindale for a district opener on Tuesday, September 4.
Lady Cats Win 2, Lose 1 in Tyler Tournament Pool Play
The Lady Cats’ volleyball team, ranked #11 in the state, won two and lost one during pool play Thursday (August 23) in the Tyler ISD Volleyball Tournament. The matches were played at Tyler Lee High School.
The Lady Cats opened with a bad first set loss to old district foe Hallsville. However the Lady Cats bounced back to win sets two and three and the match, 28-26 and 25-23. No big comeback was forthcoming in the Lady Cats second pool play match of the day against White Oak. White Oak won 25-15 and 25-22. The Lady did have one more come back in them. In the third pool play game, they opened with a 25-20 loss to Henderson. The Lady Cats responded with 25-19 and 25-20 wins in sets two and three to down Henderson, 2-1.
The Lady Cats improved their season record to 16-4. They will resume play in the Tyler ISD Volleyball Tournament on Saturday (August 25). In the meantime, the Lady Cats will travel to Caddo Mills for a match Friday (August 24) at 6 p.m.
Turnovers Create Problems for Wildcat Offense in Scrimmage Thursday Night
Whether it’s a mid-season game or a preseason scrimmage, it’s hard for a team to have four turnovers and win. The Liberty-Eylau Leopards took advantage of four Wildcats’ turnovers to take a 28-21 scrimmage win at Gerald Prim Stadium Thursday (August 23) evening.
The Leopards got off to a good start going 75 yards on their opening drive for a score using 6 minutes and 33 seconds. Liberty-Eylau used a 9 yard TD run to take the lead. Their extra point went wide but they were up, 6-0 at 3:27 of the first quarter. The Wildcats got off to a slow start offensively as the Leopards got a pass interception, the first of the Wildcats turnovers. L-E drove down to the Wildcats 5 yard line but a holding penalty pushed them back. The Wildcats defense stiffened and a 30 yard field goal attempt by the Leopards was no good.
Early in the second quarter, the Wildcats cranked up their running game. Colton Allen gashed the Leopards for several good gains. The only sophomore on the Wildcats varsity, Caden Davis, electrified the crowd with a 36 yard touchdown run to tie the scrimmage at 6-6. Kicker Osiel Lopez’ extra point was good and the Wildcats led 7-6 with 8:50 left in the second quarter. L-E came right back with a 72-yard scoring drive of their own. The Leopards made good use of their passing game. They scored on a 1 yard run. After a successful extra point kick, Liberty-Eylau led 13-7 with 5:28 left before halftime. After a Wildcat punt, the Leopards threatened to get more but safety Austin Dodd picked off an L-E pass. It was Liberty-Eylau leading the Wildcats, 13-7 at the half.
The third quarter opened badly for the Wildcats. They fumbled the football for their second turnover of the night. Fortunately the Wildcats’ defense forced the Leopards to punt after the turnover. Then back up quarterback Noe Ponce came in an led the Wildcats to a score. He completed a couple of passes to Dodd and one to Aaron Douglas. From the five yard line of L-E, Wildcats back Aidan Walker took the ball into the end zone. Lopez successful kick made it Sulphur Springs 14 and Liberty-Eylau 13 with 3:52 left in the third quarter. On their next drive, the Leopards fumbled on an option play in their own territory and the Wildcats Andy Eddins recovered. Then the Wildcats took it into the end zone. Allen got the score on an 8 yard run. Lopez good extra point kick made it, Sulphur Springs 21 and L-E 13 with 2:11 left in the third quarter.
The Wildcats took the lead into the fourth quarter. Again that quarter started poorly for the home team. First came a bad snap and then a fumble, the Wildcats third miscue. The Leopards were aided by a big defensive penalty on their drive after the fumble recovery. They scored on a four yard run and then tied the game with a successful pass for a two point conversion. The game was tied , 21-21 with 6:45 left in the fourth quarter. On their next drive, the Wildcats were on the move when they suffered another fumble, this one after a pass reception. It was the Wildcats fourth turnover. L-E recovered on their own 22 yard line. A few plays later, a Leopard back burst into the clear and went 63 yards for the go ahead TD. With an extra point kick, Liberty-Eylau led 28-21 with just 2:47 left in the fourth quarter. On the subsequent Wildcats’ drive, another bad snap resulting in a big loss of yardage greatly hampered any hopes of a tying TD. The Wildcats were forced to punt and L-E then ran out the clock. The Leopards took a 28-21 scrimmage win.
The Wildcats open the regular season on Friday night, August 31 against Frisco Wakeland at Frisco Memorial Stadium.
SSHS Cross Country to Run in Commerce Tigers Invitational
Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country Coach Ross Hicks said he was pleased with last Saturday’s (August 18) time trial run at Coleman Park to determine his seven Wildcats and Lady Cats who will run this Saturday at the Commerce Tigers Invitational at Commerce High School.
He said Kaitlyn Ferrell was the top finisher for the Lady Cats Saturday. She was followed by Landrie McKinney and Ashley Noe.
For the Wildcats, Landon Thornton ran a very strong race. Coach Hicks said it was close to times run by college runners on the course in the Dairy Festival Milk Run in years past. Coach Hicks said Thornton was followed by Christian Palomino, Eli Sellers and Nabian Ramirez.
Coach Hicks said the course his team’s will run on Saturday in Commerce is a new course. He said it is a grass course and is flat with no hills. Coach Hicks said about 25 schools are expected to participate Saturday.
Wildcat Football: Defense; Offensive Linemen
Defensive Coordinator Alex Guerra on Expectations for Wildcats Defense This Season
Earlier this week, new Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Alex Guerra discussed his expectations for the Wildcats defense this season. He said thy will need to play fast and play with a lot of heart and emotion. Coach Guerra said he wants a very chaotic defense but also one that plays under control. He said he wants guys who go at it with passion and emotion but then turn it off when the whistle blows to focus and get ready for the next play. Coach Guerra said the bottom line is that players are going to have to give second and third effort. He said other teams will probably be bigger than the Wildcats but he added the Wildcats must play faster and quicker. Coach Guerra said his players might be smaller but they must be strong. He said that’s where off season programs are so important. Coach Guerra said he knows he will be sharing lots of players with the offense. He said it is important for his defense to be two and three deep at positions. Coach Guerra said it is on coaches to make sure they don’t send a tired kid out on the field.
Jeremy Offutt on His Offensive Linemen
This is the last in a series on Wildcats coaches and their players. Today (August 23) we feature Offensive Line Coach Jeremy Offutt and his Wildcats varsity offensive linemen. Coach Offutt is in his seventh year coaching Wildcats varsity offensive linemen. Coach Offutt has lost over 40 pounds in recent months. He is a former North Lamar offensive linemen who played in college at Oklahoma State. Coach Offutt also was briefly with the Detroit Lions. He coached at Northwest Louisiana before coming to Sulphur Springs. Concerning this year’s offensive line, Coach Offutt said his current group has a lot of experience in some players but inexperience in others. He said he has got some size, four 300 pounders, and some good athletes. Coach Offutt said they are working hard to improve. Out of nine offensive linemen, six are seniors. They are Ethan Rodgers, Hayden Daniels, Jakeb Jonaitis, Charlie Maddox, Hunter Salverino and Phillip Rater. His juniors are Giovanni Pizano, Chandler Leo and Ryan Hammonds. Rodgers, at 6-3 and 300 pounds is in his third year on the varsity. He was all-district at guard last year. Rodgers has also played tackle. He’s the team’s starting center this year. Coach Offutt calls 6-foot-4 320 pound Daniels a Swiss army knife kind of guy since he can play all five positions along the line. Coach Offutt said 6-3 330 pound Jakeb Jonaitis is one of his most physical linemen. The second year varsity player had to overcome a very serious hand injury that threatened his playing career. 6-2 240 pound right tackle Maddox is also back after a serious injury right before the start of last seasont hat threatened his football career. Coach Offutt said watching film of Maddox this year, it appeared he was never out. 5-10 220 pound left guard Salverino is a converted center. Coach Offut said 6-3 230 pound Phillip Rater played on the JV last year and is improving all the time. Pizano is a 5-10 250 pound left guard. Leo at 6-foot and 240 pounds is athletic and can play several positions according to Coach Offutt. He said 6-3 310 pound Hammonds is physical and has played his way onto the varsity after being on the JV last season. Coach Offutt said offensive lines are almost always close knit. They thrive as a group since they don’t generate stats or get individual acclaim. Coach Offutt said they are a tighter brotherhood than any other position group on the team.
Game Day: Football Scrimmage; Volleyball; Team Tennis
Football, volleyball and team tennis are all happening on this Thursday (August 23) game day.
Those football fans who have been asking coaches and media how the Wildcats are doing can see for themselves. The varsity Wildcats will have their one and only scrimmage of the season Thursday at 7 p.m. at Gerald Prim Stadium. They will be asking for $2 for admission to benefit Our Day to Shine, a Texas High School Coaches Association fund for injured players and coaches. The JV and freshmen teams also scrimmage beginning at 5 p.m.
The red hot Lady Cats’ volleyball team opens pool play Thursday in the Tyler ISD Tournament. The #11 ranked Lady Cats, 14-3 for the season, play Hallsville at 1:30 p.m., then White Oak at 3:30 p.m. and Henderson at 5:30 p.m. The tournament will continue Saturday. The Lady Cats won a Wills Point tournament last Friday and Saturday.
The Wildcats’ team tennis squad has their only match of the week on this Thursday game day at Pine Tree at 3:30 p.m. This will be the team’s final non-district match as district play begins September 4 at Lindale. Although the Wildcats have struggled to win matches, they are playing teams much tougher this season. They have lost two matches by the score of 10-9.
Mental Health and Wellness Seminar on September 8 at Arbala Road Church of Christ
Pastoring Minister and congregation invites everyone to Arbala Road Church of Christ on the weekend of September 8 and 9, 2018 for special events benefiting individuals and families.
On the evening of Saturday September 8 at 6pm, a Health and Wellness Seminar will be presented by counselor Israel Lewis. Statistics show that 60 million Americans have mental illness issues within any given year, and no matter the cause, these issues can result in disturbance, unrest and breakdown in the family structure. The Arbala Road Church of Christ family is hosting this event in the hope that many will attend and find resources and possible solutions to problems that we individually face. The seminar is designed to help anyone to cement a closer relationship with God, to be resourceful in seeking help that you need and to recognize dependence on other persons whom we can trust for support and assistance. The seminar is open to the public and is free of charge.
The following day, Sunday September 9, the annual Fall Fellowship services will begin during the morning with guest minister Shane Mushonga of Faith Pointe Church of Christ. The theme of the day is “This World Needs a Revival”. Lunch will be served at noon followed by afternoon services. The public is invited to make a day of it and be blessed by the speaker and the hospitality of the congregation.
Arbala Road Church of Christ is located at 806 CR 1175 in southern Hopkins County. DIRECTIONS: take League Street south toward FM 2297. Continue south of 2297 for 5 miles. Turn right onto CR 1175 and look for the first church building on the left.
Arrest Team Serves Felony Warrant on Local Man
Special Crimes Unit activated an arrest team that included deputies, patrol officers, and Criminal Investigators from the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and the Sulphur Springs Police Department. The team successfully arrested David Carl Harvey, 41, of Sulphur Springs.
Harvey was arrested at his residence on Georgia Street. The arrest team was activated due to information about weapons at the residence and the possibility of Harvey fleeing. Harvey was aware of a felony warrant issued for his arrest.
Harvey did attempt to flee when officers arrived and some had entered the residence. However, he did lay down at the entry door of the house when it became apparent other officers were present outside the residence.
Harvey is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Violation of Probation Manufacture Deliver Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams and for Assault Causes Bodily Injury. He is being held with bond denied on the felony charge.
