CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Volunteers Ann Hudson and Wanda Galyean, Received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award
December 8, 2023 – Today two of our CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs volunteers: Ann Hudson and Wanda Galyean, received the President’s Lifetime Achievement award from Retired Service Volunteer Program (RSVP), an organization of volunteers. To be eligible for the award and win, you must have volunteered AT LEAST 4,000 hours since they started volunteering. We are so proud of our volunteers and their dedication to our organization and volunteerism in our community.
The Auxiliary is Sponsoring the Health Care Foundation’s Gala January 27, 2024
December 8, 2023 – The CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs Volunteer Auxiliary is a dedicated group of individuals with servant’s hearts. The Auxiliary is sponsoring the Health Care Foundation’s Gala to be held on January 27, 2024. Joining the Auxiliary to celebrate their donation are, seated, John and Kim Sellers who are serving as the volunteer Gala chairs.
To learn more about the Gala visit LOLGala2024.GiveSmart.com
Dinner Bell Menu For December 13, 2023
Today is the Christmas meal with our partner Cross Country Cowboy Church, a giving group that feeds four times a year. Their loyalty and dedication to the Dinner Bell Ministry is greatly appreciated.
GRAB and GO with a meal from the distribution area under the covered driveway (porte cochere) on the Northeast corner of the First United Methodist Church campus starting around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
MENU
Tuscan Pork Loin –pork loin stuffed with cream cheese, spinach and bacon
Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Brown Sugar Carrots
Yeast Rolls
Mandarin Orange Salad
Pecan Pie Squares
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF BY FOLLOWING SAFE HEALTH PRACTICES AS FLU AND COVID ARE LURKING! WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN! WEAR MASKS WHERE REQUIRED! GET INOCULATED AND BOOSTED!!!
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH!!!
From the Dinner Bell staff:
MERRY CHRISTMAS and A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! WE WILL TAKE A SHORT BREAK AND RETURN ON JANUARY 3, 2024.
CHRISTUS Recognizes Two Volunteers
December 8, 2023 – Today two of our CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs volunteers: Ann Hudson and Wanda Galyean, received the President’s Lifetime Achievement award from Retired Service Volunteer Program (RSVP), an organization of volunteers.
To be eligible for the award and win, you must have volunteered AT LEAST 4,000 hours since they started volunteering. We are so proud of our volunteers and their dedication to our organization and volunteerism in our community.
Paris Junior College Offers Degrees in a Variety of Fields that are High in Demand
CDL Instructor Colin Ashbreck, standing, lectures a class of future truck drivers at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center campus. CDL training includes classroom work and then driving lessons.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
The AARP Tax Aide Program Really Needs New Counselors
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides free tax filing service to those who need it most and they need more volunteers in the area to help. Tax counselors are trained, supported, and become IRS-certified.
There are other roles needed as well, like tech support, greeters, and interpreters. Make new friends with other volunteers and taxpayers. It’s a rewarding experience that makes a real difference in the community. Learn more at AARP.org/taxaide
Santa Will Make a Stop at Sulphur Springs Middle School December 13th for Pictures
December 7, 2023 – Bring your kiddos and have them get their picture taken with Santa Wednesday, December 13th, 2023 at Sulphur Springs Middle School. The event will be held from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Cost is $10 per family, cash only, please. All proceeds to toward the “Iron Giraffe Challenge” to build water wells in South Sudan. Merry Christmas!
The Annual Wreaths Across America Ceremony Will be Held December 16th
December 7, 2023 – Please mark your calendars and join us across Hopkins County on Saturday, December 16th @ 11:00 a.m. for the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony. We will be joining 4,000+ cemeteries and thousands of volunteers across the United States to REMEMBER the FALLEN. HONOR those who SERVE, and TEACH the next generation the VALUE AND SACRIFICES OF FREEDOM!
This is a family oriented event and we encourage families to join us at the participating cemeteries below:
Restlawn, New Hope, Gafford Chapel, Shook Chapel, Greenview, Greenpond, Brashear, Union, Pickton – Old & New, Winterfield, Mahoney, and Sulphur Springs City Cemetery
The wreaths are handmade of fresh balsam fir and adorned with a red ribbon and cost $17.00 ea.
Goal for SS City Cemetery is 950 wreaths to be placed.
Donations to Sulphur Springs City Cemetery website:
www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/TX0613
Or contact Dena Lloyd @ 903-348-8174
Goal for Restlawn Cemetery is 525 wreaths.
Donations to Restlawn Cemetery website:
www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/TX1375
Or contact Tim Fuller @ (903) 348-9652
Farmers, Ranchers Establish Policy Goals During 90th Annual Meeting
December 7, 2023 – (FRISCO, Texas)—Texas farmers and ranchers established policy to help guide the agricultural advocacy efforts of Texas Farm Bureau (TFB), the state’s largest general farm and ranch organization.
Policies regarding water, rail transportation challenges and natural resources were among those approved by the nearly 800 voting delegates gathered at the organization’s 90th annual meeting business session Dec. 3 in Frisco.
“Farm Bureau leaders from across the state set our policy goals for our organization for the coming year during the business session,” TFB President Russell Boening said.
Voting delegates discussed the 1944 water treaty between the U.S. and Mexico, supporting stronger efforts to ensure that water delivery to the Rio Grande and annual allocations are strictly honored instead of carried over into a five-year reporting cycle.
“This policy supports the U.S. to call on Mexico to fulfill its obligations under the 1944 treaty. The drought conditions and water scarcity in South Texas are causing major challenges for farmers and ranchers,” Boening said. “The lack of consistent water deliveries is impacting agriculture, and Mexico should be held accountable to fulfill its water contributions in a timely manner.”
Voting delegates discussed hydrogen energy projects, issuing support for state oversight of all aspects of the projects, providing landowner education and safety, and studying the impact of these projects on agriculture and wildlife.
Farmers noted problems with blocked railroad crossings and cited the need for local law enforcement agencies to have the authority to make stopped trains move to allow for access to properties that are blocked.
Voting delegates supported eliminating the oversize permit and the requirement for the permit to transport hay.
On the national level, delegates supported removing the U.S. from the United Nations (UN) because of the UN’s attacks on U.S. agriculture.
“The UN continues to make incorrect and damaging accusations about agriculture, especially with the latest call in an upcoming report by a UN agency for Americans to dramatically reduce its meat consumption in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Boening said. “Texas farmers and ranchers use climate-smart farming techniques and have continued to make advancements in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The UN is grossly misrepresenting the food system, and this is our members’ attempt to enact change.”
Also on the national level, voting delegates supported a resolution that would provide disaster assistance for poultry growers, along with a resolution that supports activities and legislation that discourages the unnecessary loss of productive farmland.
State resolutions adopted at the TFB annual meeting become policies that guide the organization in 2024. National resolutions adopted by the voting delegates are sent to the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) for consideration in its resolutions process.
Resolutions approved by AFBF delegates in January provide a roadmap for the national organization.
Leadership elected to serve
Boening was re-elected to his sixth term as president.
Kevin Wilkerson of Mabank, Sam Snyder of Moran, John Griffith of Alto and Brian Jones of Edcouch were re-elected to two-year terms on the state board of directors.
Snyder was elected vice president, and Walt Hagood of Wolfforth was elected secretary-treasurer.
Three new directors were also elected.
Jared Blankenship of Hereford is the new District 1 state director. He is a third-generation farmer and rancher in the Panhandle. He grows corn, grain sorghum, wheat and hay and raises cattle. He also owns an ag construction company. He has been active in Farm Bureau for several years, serving as the president of Deaf Smith-Oldham County Farm Bureau and on the TFB Resolutions and Feed Grains committees. He’s also a graduate of FarmLead VI, an agricultural leadership program offered by TFB. He and his wife, Sheri, have two children.
The new District 3 state director is Greg Buenger, DVM of Newcastle. He raises bulls and replacement females, as well as a small number of show steers and heifers. He is a retired veterinarian. As a Farm Bureau member, he has served on the TFB Resolutions Committee and as a judge for TFB’s scholarship program, including the Rural Veterinary Scholarship. He has also supervised the Ag Safety Day. He and his wife, Anneta, have six children.
Stuart Traylor of Conroe is the new District 11 state director. He’s been active in Farm Bureau since 1973 and served as president of Montgomery County Farm Bureau since 1986. He has a small hay operation with his brother and works in the feed business. Traylor has served on the TFB Resolutions Committee twice and is active in state and national legislative advocacy efforts. He and his wife, Beth, have four children and 10 grandchildren.
Annual Meeting details
Click to view membership recognition, Outstanding Young Farmer & Rancher contest winner, Excellence in Agriculture contest winner, Discussion Meet winner and more announcements from the annual meeting.
For more information about Texas Farm Bureau, visit texasfarmbureau.org.
SSHS Wildcat Theatre Presents: Charlotte’s Web
December 7, 2023 – SSHS Theatre is proud to announce our final show of 2023—CHARLOTTE’S WEB! Our varsity performance class will present this classic show ONE NIGHT ONLY—Friday, December 15th, at 7pm. Tickets are $5 for adults—children 12 and under are free! The performance will be held at the Sulphur Springs High School Auditorium located at 1200 Houston Street (behind Hopkins County Civic Center).
CHARLOTTE’S WEB is one of the top 100 bestselling books of all time and the best-selling children’s paperback book ever. The New York Times called it “just about perfect, and just about magical in the way it is done.” Tony-winning playwright Joseph Robinette’s touching and faithful stage version will make fall in love with the story all over again.
In rural Maine, Wilbur, (senior Talley Brown) a young orphan pig, is loved by its owner, Fern Arable (senior Addison Bradley), but the pig is destined to be slaughtered for food as soon as he is old enough. But, a lonely, childless spider named Charlotte (senior Caroline Prickette), who lives in a dark corner of the Zuckerman’s barn, takes pity on the pitiful little pig and decides to do what she can to save his life. Wilbur is grateful for this mysterious mother figure, but the act of true motherhood will come at a costly price for the kind spider.
Senior Oliver Falter, Juniors Aspen Mayhew, Audrey Tanton, and Aiden Woodard, and sophomore Emma Boatman round out the cast. Junior Alaya Mims provides tech support.
We know how busy you are during this holiday season, but bring your kids, and come and support these talented students –the show lasts less than an hour, and it will be worth your time!
