Tira News: February 16th, 2018
By Jan Vaughn
We want to express our sympathy to the family of Claude Ed (Pud) Brice. His funeral service was held at Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home in Sulphur Springs on Sunday, February 11, 2018, followed by burial in the Tira Cemetery. Pud’s wife, Peggy Evans Brice, survives. He was the son of the late Claude and Mary Dee Brice. Please remember the family in prayer.
Yvonne Weir spent last Monday and Tuesday working in Nacogdoches. She reported that the weather was terrible as she drove home on Tuesday night. Yvonne was in Dallas on Wednesday and Thursday night babysitting her grandson, Nicolaas (Destri’s son). He had eye surgery on Wednesday. Wesley Weir bowled on Saturday and played his final Pilot Club basketball game on Monday.
The regular quarterly meeting of the Tira City Council will be coming up on Tuesday, March 6 th , at the Tira Community Center. The public is always welcome and encouraged to attend.
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].
2018 Hopkins County Junior Livestock Market Show By Mario Villarino
As we get closer to our NETLA Junior Market Livestock Show (Feb 22,23 and 24) I wanted to share with you a little bit about the event. The North East Texas Livestock Association (NETLA) is a non-for-profit association created with the purpose of promoting youth development and is composed of volunteers, FFA advisors, 4-H leaders and myself, the Hopkins County Extension Agent. As an organization, we promote youth development during the year supporting project shows and the activities needed to conduct them. NETLA also works with committees to conduct state validations for major livestock show during the year.
According to Marty Vahlenkamp, Texas 4-H, livestock projects are important depending on goals and personal situations. I could give you the typical answer of it builds character- he said, creates discipline, teaches youth about agriculture, teaches sportsmanship, etc., etc. While all of that is true and right on point, I am not sure that it does justice to the core of what the 4-H Livestock Project can and does do for our youth. One of the greatest values of the 4-H Livestock Program is that it allows 4-H’ers the opportunity to gain confidence in themselves by caring for something that is 100% dependent on them.
I remember a young 4-H’er who was uncomfortable getting in a pen with the heifer that was to be his show heifer that year, but he had to because without him the heifer could not eat or drink and could not have a clean place to live. Over time, he gained the confidence he needed to complete the project. In the years since that heifer he has showed steers at our county show and major shows. Today, he no longer shows cattle, but is routinely asked to show for other exhibitors when they have multiple animals in the same class. While this 4-H’er learned how to show cattle, the important life lesson is the self-worth and confidence he gained that will help him get through tough spots in his life and challenges that lie ahead.
The other major value I see in the 4-H Livestock Project can be said in one word “Family”. When it is done right there is no better activity that promotes family time and the opportunity for a family to work side by side on a common goal. As surveys and reports keep pointing out the fact that families spend less time together, families that participate in 4-H Livestock Projects together have the opportunity to spend time together.
Finally, as the project year comes to an end and we put animal on the truck, families get to help celebrate success and also comfort exhibitors through the loss of a friend, just one more life lesson that will stick with our 4-H’ers throughout their life. According to Jerry Coplen, CEA Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, the main object of a livestock project is to teach young people the importance of being responsible. Our youth will carry whatever we teach them into adulthood. They may choose not to be as adults but it is our job to see they have it when they get there. Having someone else care for your animal is counterproductive to the whole process. Start small, gain some knowledge and experience, learn from your mistakes as well as others, and always have a plan or goal in front of you.
Our NETLA Junior Market Show is a competition. After every participant shows their project, a selection process of the top projects will be conducted. Only a determined number will make it to the Sale of Champions coming February 24, 2018. FFA mentors, 4-H leaders and myself will have to provide support to our exhibitors until the last minute on the show, with the understanding that many, regardless of their effort, will not be a champion. As I was talking about this to one of our 4-H families, I remember their comments related to how similar this situation is to real life. Regardless of how much we like our projects, not everyone can be a winner but everybody can win something beneficial of the experience.
For the 2018 NETLA Junior Market Show, more than 350 projects were validated and a very similar number expected to be exhibited. Less than 150 projects will be sold during the Sale of Champions.
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].
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
And I Think to Myself-What a Wonderful World By Johanna Hicks
“And I Think to Myself – What a Wonderful World”
Louis Armstrong had the right idea about noticing and appreciating the everyday occurrences when he penned the song, “What a Wonderful World.” The song speaks of “trees of green, red roses too, all in bloom for me and you, skies of blue, clouds of white, bright blessed day, dark sacred night.” Wouldn’t it be great if everyone would slow down, put away their electronic devices, and take time to simply observe the world around them? There is so much for which to be thankful.
The last two verses of “What a Wonderful World” say, “The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky, are also on the faces of people going by, I see friends shaking hands saying ‘How to you do?’, They’re really saying ‘I love you.’ I hear babies crying, I watch them grow, They’ll learn much more than I’ll never know, and I think to myself, what a wonderful world. Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world.” I’m always reminding my audiences that today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders – we must teach them to live uprightly, be considerate, take responsibility, and be a good example.
My husband and I have been blessed with a grandbaby who is now 8 months old, and of course, we are in awe of how a tiny human being can grow so quickly and take on a personality of her own! It’s mind-boggling to think about all the things she will learn as the years pass. We also know that she has a strong family to guide her, and she will someday step out on her own to be a contributing member of society. Our prayer and desire is that she will take time to observe this wonderful world and make a difference for the better!
Congratulations to One of Our Own!
Our Extension Office Administrator, Barbara Sanders, was recently honored with the “Nice Person Award” through a local radio station. Her heart for people is very evident, not only at work, but in the public eye, as well. She does not seek attention, but her actions speak volumes! If you missed it, here are the reasons she was selected:
1) Barbara is a faithful Book Buddy at Sulphur Springs Elementary School every week.
2) She does not hesitate to take a meal to a friend who is sick or to a friend who has had a death in the family.
3) She helps the youth of her church by serving as a cook during the summer mission trips to Austin.
4) She generously gives to Compassion International to “adopt” a child to help with physical and spiritual needs.
5) She goes above and beyond to keep our crazy busy office flowing.
6) She loves her grandchildren and always has wonderful stories to tell about them. Her nieces and their families are also a source of joy for her.
7) Barbara’s mom is a rock in our community, so it is no wonder that Barbara is following suit!
8) And of course, her husband, Tommy, is a strong foundation. They both love the Lord and exhibit their faith through their actions.
She is one of those people who makes this world a better place. Congratulations to Barbara!
Do Well Be Well with Diabetes
The spring 2018 diabetes series is on the calendar, and we are now taking registrations. The dates are Mondays and Thursdays, April 9, 12, 16, 19, and 23 and all sessions will take place at the Extension Office, 1200 W. Houston, Sulphur Springs. Two times are being offered to accommodate schedules of those wishing to attend, so pick the time that works best for you – 1:30 or 6:00 p.m. A one-time fee of $25, payable at the first session, will cover materials, refreshments, door prizes, speakers, and all presentations. Please call 903-885-3443 to sign up.
If you are newly diagnosed, or simply need a refresher on diabetes management, please make it a priority to participate! We’ll cover nutrition topics, as well as self-care topics, including checking your blood glucose, what your numbers should be, managing sick days, planning meals, identifying foods high and low in carbohydrates, and much more.
Closing Thought
We see the world suffering, but still we get married and have children – that’s love.
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]
Saltillo BETA Had 21 Students Attend State Convention
Saltillo BETA had 21 students attend the State BETA Convention in Grapevine, Texas on February 9-10. The mission of the National Beta Club Convention Program is to allow students opportunities to showcase their academic achievement, artistic creativity, critical thinking skills, collaborative team work, and increase student leadership. Beta convention challenges all participants to achieve more, serve more, lead more thus succeeding beyond all expectations. Edi Olayo received third place in Spanish and Garrett Tarver was runner-up in Creative Writing. These two students will advance to the National Beta Convention. It will be held June 17-20 in Savannah, Georgia.
Those students attending this year were (front row) Paisley Kastner, Bianca Castro, Lorena Castro, Kristina Wade, (middle row) Garrett Tarver, Edi Olayo, (back row) Adriana Ortega, Sylvia Feijen, Shelby Matlock, Madison Simmons, Chris Boekhorst, Sienna Collins, Trevor Moore, Cheyenne Neal, Maddy Smith, Chandler Bain, Brittney Peeples, Matthew Gurley, Branson McGill and Anna Reeder. Not pictured Lupita Olayo. Sponsors are Jennifer Ricketson and Johnna West.
Saltillo Lady Lions Face Ector At Chisum Gym Friday Night
Saltillo Lady Lions: Kneeling L to R: Jordan Sustaire & Chandler Bain; Standing L to R: Coach Bill Giles, Christie Curley, Maddy Smith, Anna Reeder, Jocelyn Ochoa, Brittney Peeples, Kristina Wade, Shelby Matlock, Madison Simmons, Tori Mobley & Coach Colton Smith.
Saltillo Lady Lions will play an Area playoff game against Ector Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Chisum High School near Paris. The Lady Lions game will be the second half of a doubleheader. In the first game, Miller Grove will play Dodd City at 6 p.m. at Chisum.
Flags at Veteran’s Memorial Lowered to Half-Staff
The Hopkins County Marine Corps League has lowered all flags to half-staff at the Veteran’s Memorial in accordance with orders of the President of the United States, according to Robert “Derb” Goodman, league member.The flags have been lowered as the nation mourns the death of students in Florida.
The President’s Order reads: “Our Nation grieves with those who have lost loved ones in the shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. As a mark of solemn respect for the victims of the terrible act of violence perpetrated on February 14, 2018, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, February 19, 2018. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
Friday is Last Day to File for May 5th Ballot for City, School, and Hospital District Elections
Andy Lowen filed Thursday as a candidate for Place 3 on the Sulphur Springs City Council. Lowen joins challenger Norman Sanders and incumbent Oscar Aguilar in the race.
Other candidates on the May 5th municipal ballot currently include:
- Place 1, incumbent Craig Johnson and challenger Justin Davidson.
- Place 2, Jimmy Lucas and Sara Gibson. Incumbent Clay Walker will not seek re-election.
Friday, February 16th is the last day to file for one of the three places on the municipal ballot.
Friday is also the last day for filing for School Board. Currently, incumbents Kerry Wright and Jason Dietze are the only two to have filed.
The two incumbents for Hopkins County Hospital District Board, Suzanne Bankston, Ph.D. and David Black, DVM have filed.
Pancakes Anyone? Kiwanis Pancake Day is Saturday!
Downtown businessman Perry Altenbaumer, a 20-year member of the Sulphur Springs Noon Kiwanis Club, is inviting everyone this Saturday when the club serves the public in a day-long pancake marathon. The fundraiser will be held at the Hopkins County Civic Center from 7am til 2pm on Saturday February 17. Cost for the all-you-can-eat meal is $7 person, and children under age 6 eat free. The pancakes will be served with bacon, sausage, coffee, milk and juice. Annually, Pancake Day raises a substantial contribution toward projects that the local Kiwanis Club supports year round. These causes include a Special Games Day as well a college scholarship fund for Sulphur Springs High School students, youth sports teams for boys and girls, and the Spirit of Christmas Food Drive with Brookshire’s as a partner. Kiwanis also supports the Kids Fishing Day every Spring and contributes annually to CASA and United Way.
One of the most visible Kiwanis projects are the American flags which they place along major roadways and throughout downtown Sulphur Springs. Members perform this labor of love during major holidays and for special local events. To have flags placed at your location, businesses and homeowners can pay an annual fee of $35. The flags will be placed before the holiday and then removed and stored following the holiday. Contact any Kiwanis member to subscribe to the flag display service.
The Sulphur Springs Kiwanis Club is part of Kiwanis International which serves in 80 countries of the world and supports over 150,000 service projects. It’s mission is “bringing the world together, one community at a time”. Men and women are invited to become members. Meetings are held weekly at noon in the fellowship hall of League Street Church of Christ. Interested? Just come to the Pancake Day or to a luncheon meeting and learn more about Kiwanis.
SSISD Says, “Thank You” to Employees
A Thank You to SSISD Employees
In Texas, the month of January is School Board Appreciation Month. As in previous years, SSISD schools and administrators were generous and thoughtful in the ways in which they expressed appreciation to the school board. Their acts of kindness are sincerely appreciated. Receiving acts of kindness from teachers, administrators and students at SSISD is humbling. Serving on the school board is an honor and responsibility that is taken very seriously.
The real opportunity for appreciation is for the 350 plus teachers and administrators that commit their lives to educating and developing our community’s students. The SSISD school board says THANK YOU for all you do. Your professionalism, dedication, and love for students and the learning community are the jets that fuel the minds and hearts of our young people. A thank you is not enough. Please know how much you are valued, appreciated and thought of. SSISD employs the largest group of professionals in the community and the contributions you make every day impact the present and future. Charge forward and know you are infinitely supported and valued for what you do. You make a difference!
