Tira News for April 13th, 2018
By Jan Vaughn
The Weir family celebrated Easter early, on Sunday, March 25th . They had Mexican food, and then the “usually competitive egg hunt.” Yvonne reported, “Emmie won the prize egg, which had $10 on it.” She adds, “On Easter Dustin and Maria visited and he finally got my Christmas present (a greenhouse) put together. It is really nice and I
have lots of stuff in there, since the cold front hit. I’ve planted lots of flower seeds. Guess we’ll see how it does.” She commented, “Robert’s squash, cucumbers, cantaloupes, and watermelons took a hit from the frost.”
On Friday Robert, Wesley, and Yvonne drove to Rowlett to watch Maria in a drill team performance. Yvonne says, “She did a great job.” The next day they went “thrift shopping” and Dustin took Wesley to skate. She adds, “He did really well, considering it was his first time on roller blades. He had a triangle PVC helper to assist him.”
Rylan Joslin, son of Landon and Laiken Joslin, celebrated his 6th birthday, with family and friends, at Skate Magic in Sulphur Springs on Sunday afternoon.
Chip and I took Tiffany, Kenden, and Jaidyn out for dinner on Friday evening, and then went to see the inspirational movie, “I Can Only Imagine.” 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].
Blackberries: Friend or Foe By Mario Villarino
As I started mowing more often and visiting sites around Hopkins County, the Blackberry weed has lately come into conversation often. Blackberries are plants that can be friends or foe depending of the intensity of the numbers of plants and purpose of the land. Some people might welcome them while others might have issues having them in their property.
According to work done by the Noble Foundation in Oklahoma , Blackberry (Rubus sp.) are native (usually) woody shrubs or brambles. Blackberry is a warm-season perennial shrub with upright, arching stems. The stems are armed with many sharp thorns or prickles. Blackberry blooms from early spring through early summer with five-petalled, showy white flowers. The fruit consists of an aggregation of drupelets that change from red to black when mature.
The fruit is a favorite ingredient in jellies, pies and cobblers, so it may be a desirable plant in some situations. If wildlife management is a primary goal, the fruit is a valuable food source for many wildlife species. The thickets can provide good cover for some species, so maintaining blackberry as part of a diverse plant community can be beneficial.
If livestock or forage production is the primary goal, then blackberry is detrimental due to reduced forage production and limited access to the forage that is produced. The stout blackberry prickles may also cause injury and subsequent infection to livestock traversing or attempting to utilize forage in infested pastures.
Blackberries can be controlled with prescribed fire, mowing when terrain and surrounding tree and brush species permit, Intensive stocking with browsing species, such as goats, or chemical control. There are several herbicides labeled for blackberry control or suppression. Due to blackberry plants’ extensive root systems and ability to resprout from secondary buds, more than one application is often necessary to obtain satisfactory control.
The preferred application method is a high-volume foliar treatment of individual plants or thickets. Apply 0.25% to 0.5% triclopyr or 1.0% to 2.0% triclopyr and fluroxypyr premix in enough volume to obtain thorough coverage of the foliage and stems. Include 0.25% to 0.5% high-quality, non-ionic surfactant in the mix. Apply during the full bloom stage in late spring through the berry drop stage in the fall. Do not apply during periods of stress from drought, frosts, heavy insect damage, etc. Do not apply treatments within 12 months of mowing or burning of the blackberries because control is significantly reduced.
Another high-volume foliar treatment reported by some researchers to have better activity on blackberry is applying a mix of 1 ounce metsulfuron-methyl per 100 gallons with 0.25% to 0.5% high-quality, non-ionic surfactant. Thorough coverage, up to the point of runoff, of all foliage and stems, is often necessary. For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Coming UP!
- Basic Vegetable Gardening, April 24, 2018, 7:00 PM. Cost $10 at the door. Hopkins County Extension Office
- Hopkins County Master Gardeners Annual Plant Swap. April 28, 2018. Bright Star Veterinary Clinic Parking lot. 9:00 to Noon.
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
Wildcat Student-Athletes Pursue Financial Assistance for EDGE Through Wildcat Lawns
Wildcats Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Greg Owens says Wildcat Lawns is back in business.
The student athlete lawn service began several years ago to help the athletes defray the cost of a trip to Orlando, Florida. Now the student athletes are needing financial assistance to pay for this summer’s Edge conditioning program that has partnered with Michael Johnson Performance. The Edge will cost $200 per athlete this summer.
Coach Owens says Michael John Performance is an elite organization that trains world class athletes in strength, speed and agility. They are now offering their services to schools. Coach Owens says the athletes will receive a $1,000 training value for $200. Coach Owens says Wildcat Lawns is offering basic non-professional lawn service, such as mowing, weed eating and flowerbed work. He says the cost of the service is negotiable adding he’s hoping for fair payment. Services will be provided after school hours or on weekends. Those interested can contact Coach Owens at the high school at 903 885-2158, extension 2270 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Wildcats Spring Football Begins April 30th
For the third straight spring, the Wildcats’ football team will have spring football practice. It is scheduled to get underway on Monday, April 30. It will run Monday through Friday. The Spring Game, which marks the end of spring football practice, is tentatively scheduled for Friday, May 18.
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens said he is still working to finalize the spring football schedule. By having spring football, the Wildcats will lose a week of practice in August as well as one scrimmage game. The Wildcats will have one football scrimmage instead of two this fall. Over the past two years, Coach Owens and his coaching staff have been pleased with players’ August retention levels of things taught in the spring.
stock football picture
Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament Rescheduled Due to Possible Severe Weather
Due to the multiple threats of severe weather throughout the day tomorrow (April 13, 2018), the 29th Annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament has been rescheduled to Friday, April 27th. While predicting the weather with accuracy is a hard thing to do here in Texas, the data and reports that are out today suggest the safety of our citizens may be at risk if we proceed. Because the safety of our volunteers and golfers is the main concern for the Chamber and the Sulphur Springs Country Club, the tournament will be rescheduled. Please contact the Chamber at (903) 885-6515 with any questions. Tee times will remain the same. We look forward to wonderful weather and a great day of golf on April 27th.
New information on tournament:
Friday, April 27th
Morning tee times: 8:00 a.m.
Afternoon tee times: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Sulphur Spring Country Club
“Let Us Entertain You” Music Fundraising Event at FUMC Quitman April 14
Where can you go in NE Texas to enjoy your favorite songs from “Phantom of the Opera”, “My Fair Lady”, “Evita” or “Fiddler on the Roof”? Interestingly, in Quitman, Texas this Saturday evening, April 14! The 6:30 pm dessert affair themed “Let Us Entertain You” will feature members of the Quitman First United Methodist Church and area-known guest singers and musicians performing favorite Broadway musical selections. Attendance is free, by donation. The exciting evening will serve as a fundraiser for an even more exciting event…an opportunity for a specially-selected group of local singers to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York this autumn.
Mary Meyer and Lepha Luttrell
Also members of the NE Texas Choral Society, Vicky Smolek and Lepha Luttrall enjoy serving as co-directors of the Quitman church chancel choir where Mary Meyers is also a member. Last Christmas, a video of a church performance posted on You Tube was noticed by renowned American music composer Joseph Martin, and an invitation was sent to them to be part of the 200-voice New York premiere of his “Winter Rose Christmas Cantata”. In order for the group of 27 persons to make the trip, fundraising is needed. Their April 14 ‘Let Us Entertain You’ evening, a Fish Fry in June and other fundraising efforts have been planned. You can also donate through their GoFundMe account at gofundme.com/choir-performance-at-carnegie-hall. You can also mail donations to the Carnegie Hall trip at First United Methodist Church, 406 East Lane Street, Quitman, Texas or by calling 903-366-1506.
Composer Joseph Martin’s music can be heard worldwide in small and large venues, and he continues to travel, bringing memorable music and performers to people everywhere. He currently resides in Texas with his family and is Artist in Residence at Concordia University in Austin. The venue, Carnegie Hall, is a cultural center dedicated to excellence and to cultivating artistic talent. It was built in 1891 following the Civil War to uplift the spirits of it’s visitors and guests. It is located in Mid-town Mahattan and it’s over 3,500 seating is divided among three fabulous performance venues.
Chamber Connection April 12, 2018
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce will host a City Council Candidate Forum at the Sulphur Springs Middle School on Thursday, April 19th at 6 p.m. SSMS is located at 835 Wildcat Way in Sulphur Springs, and admittance to the forum will be through the back doors of the school. Questions from the public are encouraged and must be submitted in advance to the Chamber of Commerce via email, fax, or mail. Questions must be received by Monday, April 16th. Submitted questions will be reviewed and approved by a committee appointed for this purpose. No questions will be accepted from the floor during the forum. Email questions to [email protected], fax to (903)885-6516, or mail to 300 Connally Street in Sulphur Springs. We hope you will be able to attend that evening to see the candidates discuss important topics for Sulphur Springs.
Danna’s Buffalo Girls will hold their grand opening and ribbon cutting
To kick-off the flea market style and swap, the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce will host a Ribbon Cutting Celebration on April 12th, 12:00 p.m. at The Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. Early shopping will begin immediately following the ribbon cutting until 6 p.m. Visit www.dannasfleamarketstyle.com or call 903-439-7091 for more information.
Danna’s Buffalo Girls’ Flea Market Style/Swap on April 12-14, at 8:00 a.m.
Danna’s Buffalo Girls’ will be having a flea market style/swap event April 12, 13 & 14 beginning at 8:00 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 April 12th from noon to 6, and the first 50 shoppers will be presented a goody bag filled with donations by local merchants. The entry fee on Thursday is $10 and will go to the “Save the Trolley” fund. The entry fee on Friday and Saturday is $5. Visit www.dannasfleamarketstyle.com or call 903-439-7091 for more information.
The 6th Annual Tanner Higgins Warrior Run is scheduled for April 14th
The 6th Annual Tanner Higgins 5 Mile Warrior Run and One Mile Grunt Run is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th at Cooper Lake State Park. Registration is being held until April 13th for $45. You may also register the day of the race for $50, and the Grunt Race will be $25. Warrior Run Registration includes race chip timing and a race day t-shirt. For additional information, visit www.tannerstonehiggins.com.
CANHelp prepares for their annual tennis tournament
CANHelp is preparing for their Fourth Annual Play It Forward Tennis Tournament and fundraiser which is scheduled on Saturday, April 14th at the Sulphur Springs High School Tennis Courts located at 1200 Connally Street in Sulphur Springs. Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. Entry forms are available at CANHelp, 613 Gilmer Street in Sulphur Springs, or online at www.canhelponline.org. Proceeds from this event will allow CANHelp to continue to provide important services to the residents of Hopkins County in times of need. All ages and skill levels are welcomed. The tournament is round robin style with doubles play. Don’t miss this fun event benefiting a great cause!
History by Foot is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th
History by Foot with John Sellers is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th, at 10 a.m. Cost is $10.00 per person. Make reservation by emailing John Sellers at [email protected] or call CNB at 903-885-7523. Reservations are filling up fast!
The John Chester Dutch Oven Cooking Class is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th from 8 a.m. to noon
The John Chester Dutch Oven Cooking Class is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th from 8 a.m. to noon at Heritage Park in Sulphur Springs. This is your chance to learn the ins and outs of cooking with a Dutch oven. Lunch and door prizes are included. Fee is $15 per person. For more information contact Rick Wilson at (903) 885-9692 or (903) 335-2752.
Warp 9 Computers is hosting their ribbon cutting celebration
Warp 9 Computers is hosting their ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, April 18th at noon at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce located at 300 Connally Street in Sulphur Springs. Please make plans to come by to learn about the services Warp 9 offers and to welcome this new business to Hopkins County!
The 2018 UPRA Rodeo is scheduled for April 20th and 21st
The Hopkins County Rodeo Committee presents the 2018 UPRA Rodeo at the Hopkins County Indoor Civic Center arena on April 20th and 21st. The doors open nightly at 6 p.m., and the rodeo begins at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $10 for Friday, $12 for Saturday, and $8 for children on both nights. Tickets are available at Circle E Western Store in Sulphur Springs.
Reilly Springs Jamboree welcomes Jack’s Western Swing Round Up
The Reilly Springs Jamboree, Hopkins County’s original music venue, presents Jack’s Western Swing Round Up on Saturday, April 21st at 7 p.m. Jack Phillips and his friends will entertain throughout the evening, and it shouldn’t be missed! The Reilly Springs Community Center is located at 109 CR 1439 in Sulphur Springs. For additional information contact Allison Phillips at (903) 348-7321, Enola Gay at (903) 438-3568, or visit www.jackphillipsmusic.com.
Como School Reunion is scheduled for April 21st
The planning committee for the biennial Como High School reunion is scheduled for April 21st in the Como-Pickton School cafeteria. Registration will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by a short program to recognize former teachers, the oldest graduate, and the former student traveling the longest distance. Lunch, consisting of a main dish, sides, dessert, and beverage, will be served for $12. Everyone is encouraged to arrive early and greet former classmates before, during, and after lunch! For additional information, call Richard Teer at (903) 488-3673 or Elizabeth Coker Trepanier at (903) 885-3887.
AgriLife Extension offers Rebalancing Work & Life Webinar
The Military Families Learning Network (MFLN) is providing a free monthly webinar in partnership with USDA, U.S. Department of Defense, and Extension. The April 25th webinar will take place at 10:00 a.m. To sign up, go to: https://learn.extension.org/events/3261. To join the webinar, use the ‘event location’ link designated for each webinar and follow directions within the site. The MFLN offers both continuing education credit (CE) and certificates of completion for webinars. Additional webinars will take place on May 23, and June 13, 2018. For more information, call the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office – Hopkins County – at 903-885-3443.
CPI is hosting a customer appreciation of Thursday, April 26th
CPI is hosting a customer appreciation dinner and product demonstration on Thursday, April 26th at 6 p.m. at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. CPI would love for you to join them for dinner and stay to learn about their new products they are now offering. Dinner will include salad, prime rib, bacon green beans, broccoli with cheese sauce, and garlic mashed potatoes. Please RSVP to [email protected].
Sulphur Springs Youth Orchestra presents Family Music Night
The Sulphur Springs Youth Orchestra presents a Family Music Night on Friday, April 27th at 6:30 p.m. at Shannon Oaks Church, located at 1113 Shannon Road in Sulphur Springs. This event is free to the public. Come enjoy movie themed and great classical music performances by local musicians. Children are welcomed to dress as their favorite movie characters. For more information, call (903) 261-7907, or email [email protected].
Lezley Brown
President/CEO
Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
300 Connally Street
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
903-885-6515-office
903-885-6516-fax
www.sulphursprings-tx.com
PJC-Sulphur Springs Welding Program Summer Registration Underway
NEW WELDING STUDENT PJC-Sulphur Springs Center welding instructor John Plemons explains some aspects of the welding program to KeaAron Cash of Sulphur Springs as she prepares to register for the program. Registration for the summer semester at the Center is underway. For more information call 903-885-1232 or go by the campus located at 1137 Loop 301 East in Sulphur Springs.
