Multi-County 4-H Camp By Johanna Hicks
Multi-County 4-H Camp – Explore 4-H!
4-H is all about kids. One of the summer highlights available to 4-H members and guests is the Multi-County 4-H Camp. Plans are well underway, and registration forms will soon be available. “Explore 4-H” is the theme, and the dates are July 9-11, at Lakeview Baptist Encampment in Lone Star, Texas.
Workshops for the 2018 camp will be Nature/Master Gardeners, Archery, Real Life Skills, Re-Use Derby, Healthy Lifestyles (team games), and Ropes course (conducted by trained camp employees). The camp facility also has a swimming pool; lake with paddle boats, canoes, and the blob; tether ball; gift shop; snack shack; ping pong tables; and lots of beautiful scenery. A camp nurse will be available to administer medications or patch boo boos, and Extension agents and 4-H leaders will see that everything runs smoothly. All adults who serve as chaperones are required to have taken and passed the “Child Protection Training” course prior to attending.
Campers are asked to bring the following: sheet and blanket or sleeping bag; pillow; towels (for bathing & swimming), toiletries; bug spray; flashlight; sunscreen; reusable drink bottle (it’s hot in July! – we’ll have drink stations throughout the camp) and money if they want to purchase anything from the camp store or snack shack. Cool, comfortable clothing should include modest shirts (no low-cut, spaghetti straps) and modest length shorts. Other clothing items to bring include comfortable walking shoes, lake shoes (required for canoeing and paddleboats), and swim suit (girls must wear t-shirt over suit). Campers may also bring fun items such as card games or board games and snacks.
We ask that campers NOT bring the following: cell phones (if brought to camp, they should be left in the cabin. They will be taken up if brought to a workshop and returned at the conclusion of camp); video games; CD players/iPods/radios; sandals/flip flops (the camp facility has lots of hills and rocks, so please bring closed toed shoes instead); fireworks; duct tape; knives; shaving cream; or water guns.
Each camper will receive a camp t-shirt at registration to wear for county group pictures on the first day.
Multi-county 4-H camp is open to all youth grades 3 thru 12. You do not have to be a 4-H member. My co-worker and I will both be transporting supplies and campers, as well as other 4-H leaders. We will meet at the Extension Office on Monday, July 11 at 9:00 a.m. to arrange carpooling. The camp ends on July 11 at 10:00 a.m. Parents are welcome to attend the closing awards assembly at 9:00 a.m.
The cost of the camp is $115 per camper. We have scholarships to assist students with payment, if needed. Call the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 for more information. Current 4-H members may refer to the March/April 4-H Gazette for more information.
Group of campers from Hopkins County who attended the 2017 Multi-county 4-H camp
County 4-H Roundup
March is a busy month for our 4-H members! We will hold County 4-H Round contests, where member’s talents and project work is highlighted. On Tuesday, March 20, we will hold the 4-H Fashion Show, Food Show, and Share-the-Fun (talent) at the Extension Office, and archery in the Civic Center arena, starting at 5:30 p.m. Entry forms for the Food Show and Fashion Show are due March 16. Thursday’s events will include Educational Presentations, Public Speaking, and Consumer Decision Making mock contest. These events will also start at 5:30 p.m. We encourage 4-H members to contact us if they plan to participate so adequate preparations can be made.
Closing Thought
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need – anonymous
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
Wildcats Lose Two by One Run At Grayson County Tourney Thursday
The Wildcats’ baseball team lost a pair of one-run games on the opening day of the Grayson County Classic Tournament Thursday. Playing in Denison, the Wildcats came up short against McKinney, 9-8 and then lost a later game, 5-4 to host Denison.
Against McKinney, the Wildcats got off to a good start by scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the first inning. Jaxon Chaney hit a double off the base of the center field wall that scored Kaden Argenbright who had walked and Ryan Humphries who got on on a fielder’s choice. The Lions third inning turned out to be more than the Wildcats could overcome. McKinney scored seven unearned runs. The Wildcats had a throwing error, a ball got lost in the sun and fell in for a single, there was a second throwing error and a hit batter. Then the Lions began to hit as they had three straight RBI singles and a three RBI double. McKinney was up 7-2 after the top of the third. Triston McCormick hit his first of two home runs in the game in the bottom of the third to trim the lead to 7-3. The Lions answered with two more runs in the top of the fourth. After a walk and a double, one Lions’ run scored on a wild pitch and another on a Wildcat error. The Lions led 9-3 after the top of the fourth. The Wildcats had a big rally in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, McCormick connected for his second homer of the game. Then after a Chaney single and a walk for Dawson Draper, Ryder Caddell blasted a home run over the left field wall and McKinney’s lead was only 9-7 after five innings. The sixth inning turned to be the final one in the game due to the tournament time limit. The Wildcats scored a run and threatened to do more but they could not. Humphries had an RBI single after a single by Gavin Millsap and a walk for Austin Dodd. Humphries took the pitching loss despite yielding only a single earned run. Brady Crouse pitched well in relief allowing no hits or runs over three innings. Both teams had 7 hits.
In the late game, the Wildcats led all the way to the bitter end. The Wildcats broke a scoreless tie with Denison with three runs in the top of the third. Tyler Armstrong hit a home run. Jase Thompson drew a walk and Humphries hit a two-run home run over the left center field wall. The Yellow Jackets got two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth using a single, a walk and then an RBI single and RBI double. The Wildcats scored a run in the top of the fifth to go up 4-2. Millsap walked, stole second and then came around to score on Humphries’ double. Denison matched that run in the bottom of the fifth using two singles and a sacrifice fly. The Wildcats still led 4-3 after five. It stayed that way until the bottom of the seventh. Crouse replaced starter Triston McCormick for the Wildcats. The Yellow Jackets tied the game with a double, a stolen base, a walk and an RBI bunt single. Another successful bunt single loaded the bases. Draper came in to pitch. A wild pitch allowed Denison to score the winning run in the 5-4 win. The Wildcats season record is 3-7. They still have three games to play in the Grayson County Classic. They play Bridgeport in Sherman Friday morning at 11 a.m. The Wildcats end the tournament with back to back games on Saturday in Sherman. They face Celina at 11 a.m. and Sanger at 1:30 p.m.
Superintendent Lamb Addresses Security During School Board’s March Meeting
Superintendent of Sulphur Springs Schools Michael Lamb told the school board that security on local campuses has been recently evaluated, again, and specific steps are being taken to tighten security at some locations. Lamb gave his security report Monday night during the March school board meeting.
Lamb said that with two armed police officers at the high school, there were still some concerns regarding access to the buildings on campus. He noted that high school students need access to and from the main building, including various buildings such as Vocational Agriculture classes, vocational classes the former PJC building that now houses classes for the high school, and athletic facilities. Lamb did not go into detail but did state that in the next few weeks specific steps, such as access through the front door to the school, would be put in place. Lamb noted that the lower grade buildings and the middle school building do have in place the security features that limit access. Lamb limited his remarks in the public venue for the purpose of security.
Lamb noted that decisions made regarding security upgrades would be made in planning sessions with principals and teachers on each campus. He is determined to be proactive in the protection of children in Sulphur Springs schools according to his statements in the report.
Cumby Man Arrested for DWI 3rd or More, Again
Asleep at the wheel and stopped in the middle of County Road 4131 with the motor running alerted a citizen to call the Cumby police. The citizen though the driver might be intoxicated.
When Cumby Sgt. Ray Embro arrived at the scene, he found John Anthony Colfax, 51, of Cumby, asleep in the driver’s seat. When Embro made contact with Colfax, the odor of alcohol was strong and Colfax eyes were blood shot. An open container of alcohol was found in the front seat of the vehicle. Colfax failed the field sobriety test.
A records check showed Colfax to have an extensive history involving driving while intoxicated including two prior convictions for DWI 3rd or more.
Colfax was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated 3rd or more and his bond was set at $10,000.
Local Hospital District Downgraded by Moody’s
Hopkins County Hospital District, acquired by CHRISTUS Health System in 2016, was downgraded by Moody’s in August 2017. According to an article in CEO HealthCare, written by Shawn Shinneman, the downgrade applies to the Hospital District and not CHRISTUS because the structure of the agreement between the District and CHRISTUS did not guarantee any of the Hopkins County Hospital District’s outstanding debt.
The local hospital district and Tyler-based East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System are the only two North Texas not-for-profit hospital systems downgraded by Moody’s in 2017, according to the report by Moody’s Investors Service.
CHRISTUS owns 51-percent of the local hospital and manages the operations of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Sulphur Springs. The Hospital District owns 49-percent and continues operation of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as well as well as several East Texas nursing homes.
In September, Nashville-based Ardent Health Services purchased ETMC and partnered with the University of Texas System in the deal, according to CEO HealthCare.
Moody’s downgraded 41 hospital systems in 2017 and upgraded only 12.
SSISD Tax Office to Close for Spring Break
The school tax office will be closed the following days for Spring Break: Monday, March, 12th through Friday, March 16th, 2018
Game Day: Wildcat Baseball, Tennis
Wildcats’ baseball coach Jerrod Hammack has one more tournament to get his team ready for the start of district play next week. The Wildcats begin play in a three-day Sherman-Denison-Celina sponsored Grayson County Classic on this Thursday game day (March 8). Their site Thursday will be Denison High School. The Wildcats will play McKinney at 1:30 p.m. and then will face host Denison at 4 p.m. On Friday the Wildcats play Bridgeport at Sherman High School at 11 a.m. Saturday the Wildcats are back at Sherman with a game against Celina at 11 a.m. and against Sanger at 1:30 p.m. Coach Hammack was given the option of playing a fifth game in this tournament and he took it. The Wildcats are playing their third tournament of the season. They come into play Thursday with a season record of 3-5.
Meanwhile the Wildcats’ tennis team is also in a tournament on this Thursday game day. They are one of 22 teams in a Longview tournament. Play got underway there at 8 a.m. This is the Wildcats’ fifth tournament of the season as they prepare for their district tournament April 4-5 in Texarkana.
North Hopkins Panthers Baseball Schedule Announced
North Hopkins 2017 Panthers
Date & Time Opponent Place
Monday, Feb. 19th @ 4:30 pm Martin’s Mill There
Feb. 22 -24th Chisum Tournament
Monday, Feb. 26th @ 6 pm Big Sandy There
March 1st- 3rd Bells Tournament
*Tuesday, March 6th @ 4:30 pm Saltillo There
March 8th – 10th Douglass Tournament
*Tuesday, March 13th @ Noon Sulphur Bluff Here
*Wednesday, March 14th @ 1 pm Fruitvale There
*Tuesday, March 20th @ 4:30 Yantis Here
Friday, March 23rd @ 6:30pm Quitman There
*Tuesday, March 27th @ 4:30pm Cumby Here
*Thursday, March 29th @ 6pm Campbell There
*Tuesday, April 3rd @ 4:30 pm Saltillo Here
*Friday, April 6th @ 4:30 pm Sulphur Bluff There
*Tuesday, April 10th @ 4:30 pm Fruitvale Here
*Friday, April 13th @ 4:30 pm Yantis There
Monday, April 16th @ 5 pm Palmer There
*Friday, April 20th @ 4:30pm Cumby There
*Tuesday, April 24th @ 4:30pm Campbell Here (Senior Night)
Saturday, April 28th @ 11am Dodd City There
* Denotes District Game
