County Master Gardeners Recommend Proven Tough Texas Plants
By Brenda Payne, Hopkins County Master Gardener
Gardeners everywhere have had varied results growing plants. We all want a garden that looks good and suits our landscape. But what grows in Houston may not grow as well in Amarillo and what grows in El Paso may not grow as well in Tyler. I grew up in Ohio and found I had to learn about a lot of different plants when I moved to Texas. Fortunately for us the Texas Department of Agriculture and Texas A&M Agrilife Extension have been working to make it easier to grow great plants without all the trial and error we usually have to go through. They have developed a list of Texas Superstar plants for us to choose from.
What is a Texas Superstar? Only the toughest, most reliable and best-looking plants make the cut. Every plant earning the designation undergoes several years of extensive field trials. They must show superior performance under Texas tough growing conditions receiving reasonable levels of water and no pesticides. This means you will find success with proven Texas-tough plants.
Each plant on their list is labeled with planting time, soil requirements, sun needs and the zones they will grow in as well as descriptions of uses for these plants. There are flowers ( annual and perennials), shrubs, vegetables and fruits all listed on their website and in their brochures.
So before you spend many seasons of trial and error you may want to look up some of these Superstars and see what you might want to try in your landscape. You can find information on their website Texassuperstar.com. You can also download their brochure from that website. Another way to find them is to ask your local nursery if they are carrying the Superstars or look for the Texas Superstar logo on the plant tags.
Gardening quote: “My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plants point of view”
Lady Cats Responded to Coach’s Challenge; Senior Night Friday
Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo said he challenged his team before they played Texas High Monday in Texarkana. He told them go get after it, not wait but try to jump on Texas High from the start. The Lady Cats did get off to a good start scoring two first inning runs as two of the first three batters up scored. Coach Carrillo said he wanted the Lady Cats to get a lead so they could put pressure on the Lady Tigers to force mistakes.
The pitching of Bailey Haggerty was magnificent. She carried a no-hitter into the top of the seventh before giving up a hit. Haggerty faced only two batters over the minimum in the one-hitter. She also walked one while striking out ten. There were two outstanding defensive plays by the Lady Cats when the no-hitter was still in play. Second baseball Sierra Smith laid out on a ground ball, made the stop and jumped up and threw out a speedy Lady Tiger runner at first. Center fielder Alyssa Abron also chased down a well hit fly ball in the gap. Coach Carrillo said she makes it look easy.
Meanwhile the Lady Cats pounded out 15 hits. Five Lady Cats had multiple hits led by Alli Fite who had four. Coach Carrillo said the Lady Cats showed patience against a very good Lady Tiger starting pitcher. He said he was glad to see his team so focused with so much on the line.
With the win, the Lady Cats improved to 10-1 in district play. They can do no worse with co-district champs. The Lady Cats can wrap up the district championship with a win Friday on Senior Night at home against arch rival Mount Pleasant.
In the meantime, Coach Carrillo said he was going to give the Lady Cats a day off Tuesday while the coaching staff is scouting possible playoff teams. Most likely bi-district opponents are Lovejoy or Royse City.
Friday on Senior Night the Lady Cats will recognize Alyssa Abron, Macee Hollins, Karlee Adams and Jacklyn Semler. Field dedications will also take place during pre-game ceremonies Friday at both Lady Cat Park and Wildcat Park.
Get to Know Pitty Pat Guidry, Local Entertainer
Howard Patrick Guidry, better known to locals as soul entertainer Pitty Pat, has established Sulphur Springs as his second home and Texas as his state of choice. From his New Orleans birthplace to Las Vegas when he first broke into the world of casino entertainment there, Pitty Pat has made friends and entertained people everywhere from street corners to intimate lounges to spacious stages.
Pitty Pat Guidry
He has a million stories to tell about people he’s met like the late actor Dennis Weaver, soulful singer Otis Redding and his childhood friends the Neville brothers. In fact, he joined Aaron and siblings frequently at the historic New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. During the Morning Show with Enola Gay, he related the story of the night when he was playing the lounge at the Sands Hotel and Sammy Davis Jr. was in there and heard his rendition of “Mr. Bojangles”. Davis came up behind Pitty Pat on the stage while the audience was applauding and tapped him on the shoulder. Davis said into the microphone “You done me proud, babe!” and then knelt on his right knee and handed the mic back. Pitty Pat says didn’t realize it at the time, but that gesture meant that he was “accepted” into the family of Vegas entertainers. From that time on, Pitty Pat rose above playing the small lounges and enjoyed headliner status with his name touted on the marquee of many of the famous Las Vegas hotels and casinos of the 1960’s and 70’s. Along the way he picked up the nickname “The Mockingbird of Soul”.
Pitty Pat’s early life included music. His father was a musician and often played music with friends until the wee hours, many times bedding them down on pallets on the floor of their home. However, their sofa was reserved exclusively for one frequent overnight guest, Otis Redding. His mother was chronically ill for much of his childhood. He wrote a song called “Mama’s Bedtime Stories” that captures the comfort and the sweet comical moments spent on her lap. His grandmother raised him to adulthood and he still owns her home in New Orleans.
Today, Pitty Pat appears often at The Alcove Restaurant in Sulphur Springs, Texas on Friday and Saturday nights, performing soul, 50’s and 60’s rock n roll and country ballads. He is presently working on a “Texas” album to commemorate the influence that Texas has had on his music and personality. He does part-time work for J.R. Supply, tends his vegetable garden and enjoys simple foods and simple pleasures. He is currently planning his Summer Tour through New Mexico and Colorado where he has numerous singing gigs booked through the tourist season. If you’d like to book his talent, contact him at Facebook/Pitty Pat Guidry.
Pitty Pat Guidry
Wolver Arrested Following Drug Search of Residence
April 17, 2018 – As a result of a Special Crimes Unit investigation concerning the manufacture and sale of drugs at a Hodge Street residence, Dylan Brianna Wolver, 26, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 2, more than 4-grams but less than 400 grams, a felony 2, and Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-grams, a state jail felony.
The search of the home took place Monday afternoon following warrants served on Jeremy Michael Huffman, 29, also a resident at the address.
Wolver is in Hopkins County Jail held on bonds totaling $25,000.
Wolver was indicted by a Hopkins County Grand Jury later that year. See that story here.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Local Man Arrested on Drug Warrants; Had Drugs in Home
Following a Special Crimes Unit investigation into the use and sale of methamphetamine by Jeremy Michael Huffman, 29, of Sulphur Springs, a warrant was issued for his arrest. At the time of his arrest, investigators found 8-grams of suspected THC Wax and under 1-gram of suspected meth in his Hodge Street home. During questioning after informed of his rights, Huffman admitted the items belonged to him.
Huffman is in Hopkins County Jail charged with two counts of Manufacture Delivery Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams and with possession of a Penalty Group 2 more than 4-grams but less than 400-grams. All three charges are Felony 2. He was also charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram.
Panthers Place First at District Golf; Lady Panthers Third
North Hopkins Panther Golf team won the district championship for the first time in school history and the Lady Panthers placed third.
Front Row- L-R Rustin Reed, Eastan Lewis, Caleb Short. Back Row L-R Ryan Reed, Cooper Adams, Samuel Stanley, Connor O’Bryan, and Evan Lewis
Coach Danna Lewis said the boys team had been second numerous times in 16 years as the Head Golf Coach but never first. Lewis said the boys have worked very hard on their own and even playing in junior tournaments during the summer. The Panthers beat the second place team Martins Mill by 93 strokes after two rounds of golf at Lake Fork Golf and Country Club.
L-R Brisa Miranda, Cecile Lozano, Breeanna Hicks, Rachel Stanley
The girls placed third in District with Rachel Stanley qualifying for the fourth time for Regional. Cecile Lozano is also headed to regional as a medalist.
The Regional course is at the Old Brickyard Golf and Country Club in Ferris, Texas. This will be the fourth year in the row that the boys golf team has qualified for Regionals.
Regional Team qualifiers and their individual finish: Evan Lewis 1st, Ryan Reed 6th, Samuel Stanley 5th, Connor O’Bryan 8th, Cooper Adams 3rd
Eastan Lewis qualified as a Medalist.
Lady Panther Rachel Stanley place 5th in girls play.
Panthers Lose to Palmer Monday
The North Hopkins Panthers lost to Palmer on the road Monday, 9-4.
The Panthers fell behind early as Palmer scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning and another run in the bottom of the third to take a 5-0 lead. The Panthers scored four times in the top of the fifth to narrow the gap to 5-4.
Palmer put the game out of reach with four runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Wyatt Wharton took the pitching loss lasting just one inning. He gave up four runs but only two were earned. Wharton gave up no hits but walked four. North Hopkins also had an error in the first inning. Caleb Wyatt worked the final five innings allowing eight hits and five runs, four of them earned. He struck out four and walked one.
Palmer outhit the Panthers eight to four. North Hopkins senior Chase Williams was 1 for 4 at the plate with two RBIs, a double and one run scored. Wyatt was 1 for 4 with an RBI. Wharton was 1 for 3 and Colby Cameron was 1 for 3 with a stolen base and a run scored. Blane Hocutt and Jessie Rivera both scored a run. Brycen Gillespie also stole a base.
Lady Cats Near Perfect in 13-0 Win at Texas High
It was worth the wait. On Monday evening, the Lady Cats’ softball team got to play a game postponed by rain last Friday and they came away with a close to perfect, 13-0 district win at Texas High.
Pitcher Bailey Haggerty took a no-hitter into the bottom of the seventh inning before giving up a solid single to right center field. She retired the next three Lady Tigers to complete the one-hit shutout. Haggerty faced only two batters over the minimum also walking a batter. She had 10 strikeouts.
Meanwhile the Lady Cats had 15 hits. They chipped away early against the Lady Tigers ace pitcher and then scored eight runs in the top of the seventh against a relief pitcher. Lady Cats Coach David Carrillo has been encouraging his team to get off to a quicker start and they did that Monday. The Lady Cats scored two runs in the top of the first. Alyssa Abron led off with a big time walk. She fouled off numerous pitches before finally getting a fourth ball. Kelsey Wallace then tripled Abron home and Wallace then scored on a Brinklee Driver single. The Lady Cats went up 3-0 in the top of the second scoring an unearned run. Macee Hollins scored as the result of two Lady Tiger errors. The Lady Cats added a fourth run in the top of the fourth. Wallace singled, moved up a base on a wild pitch and scored on a Driver single. The Lady Cats went up 5-0 in the top of the fifth. Kate Womack singled. Sierra Smith put down a sacrifice bunt that moved Womack to second. Womack went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Hollins ground out. Then came the Lady Cats eight run top of the seventh. It featured seven hits and two Lady Tiger errors. After Alli Fite, Womack and Smith singled, two runs scored on errors. Wallace drove home a run with a single. Driver plated two runs with a single. Stroud singled and Fite cleared the bases with a three-RBI double over the left fielders head. Fite had four hits. Driver and Wallace had three hits apiece. Stroud and Womack had two hits. Smith had a hit.
With the win, the Lady Cats just need a Senior Night win over arch rival Mount Pleasant to claim the district championship. The Lady Cats are now 10-1 in district play and 23-5 for the season. The Lady Cats will recognize four seniors on Senior Night this Friday at Lady Cat Park: Alyssa Abron, Karlee Adams, Macee Hollins and Jacklyn Semler.
There will also be a field dedication at Lady Cat Park and at Wildcat Park during pregame ceremonies at each park on Friday.
Pizza Inn Lends a Helping Hand
Pizza Inn generously sponsored the KSST SurPrize Patrol for the Month of April by donating the Grand Prize of a Pizza Party, which was awarded to Campbell ISD. KSST sat down with Kevin Tanton, owner/manager of Pizza Inn, to discuss why they decided to donate a Pizza Party for the Teachers and Staff at Campbell ISD. “We always try to help out: especially schools. Whether it is with donations around Sulphur Springs, or Hopkins County; we always try to lend a helping hand.”
Kevin Tanton was excited to show of the new Pizza Inn Delivery Van. “We use it to take pizza to surrounding communities: Birthright on Tuesdays and Fridays, and Como on Thursdays, and are looking to expand [to other surrounding towns].We use it with community events and big orders, to help keep the pizza warm.”
Community involvement is very important to Tanton and the folks at Pizza Inn. Tanton commented on the recent Campbell ISD visit, “We want to empower teachers so they can empower students, because the students are the future.” Tanton understands all the hard work and dedication teachers have for their students, because he previously taught and coached at Sulphur Springs High School. “People still call me ‘Coach’! Teaching’s not a job, it’s a profession. You’re always that person, whether your students have graduated college or moved on to the next grade.” “Coach” Tanton loves seeing his students and their parents who never miss a moment to reminisce about favorite memories.
Of all the possible pizza combinations served at Pizza Inn, Tanton said his favorite was “Buffalo chicken pizza on Italian crust!” That sounds like a winner! This pizza “coach” knows good pizza!
Tanton is originally from Como, and has faithfully served this community for many years. Under his thoughtful direction, Pizza Inn treats their customers and fellow community members like family. “We think family is important and we are a family centered business.” Every time you enter Pizza Inn, Tanton has a smile on his face and is genuinely glad to see you. Pizza Inn is located in Sulphur Springs at 1320 Mockingbird road.
For more information on April’s KSST SurPrize Patrol click here.
