North Hopkins FFA Students Will Enter Livestock at Hopkins County Junior Market Livestock Show Feb 22-24
The North Hopkins FFA Chapter boasts 60 busy members who participate in numerous areas of FFA involvement. The chapter officers visited the KSST/Channel 18 studio to discuss the upcoming Hopkins County Junior Market Livestock Show to be held in Sulphur Springs February 22-24 in the Civic Center arena.
Chapter President is Senior Rachel Stanley, who will show a Charolais-mix steer. Rachel has been showing livestock for 8 years. Her twin brother who is Chapter VP Samuel Stanley will show a mixed-breed steer during his 10th year of entering livestock shows. First VP Faith Wheeler shows chickens and Secretary Amy Sprague will show a Boer goat, and both young ladies will proceed to the Houston Livestock Show following the local show. Breeanna Hicks is Chapter Reporter and she will enter her pens of chickens in the poultry division. All these students credit their families as well as the North Hopkins FFA Advisor Team Christin Daugherty, Britney Bettes and Richard Watson with setting them on the road to success.
Without exception, these students expressed that FFA has given them a foot forward in planning for careers when they graduate. Despite the early and late hours and the daily responsibility for feeding, grooming and handling their projects, all the students agree that working with livestock has instilled confidence and an I-can-do-it attitude in facing challenges successfully. Be sure and give a handshake or a pat on the back to the hard-working North Hopkins FFA students when you see them at the county show!
Saltillo ISD Homecoming Queen and Court
L to R: Michael Clover escort of Sophomore Duchess Graycie Hodges, Edi Olayo escort of Sr. Sylvia Feijen, Chris Boekhorst escort of Sr. Shelby Matlock, Crown Bearer Kaden Olvera, Flowergirl Eliana Romero, Walker McGill escort of Sr. Lupita Olayo, Lyle Bench escort of Sr. Madison Simmons, Jayden Holloway escort of the past Homecoming Queen Rainie English, Matthew Gurley escort of 2018 Homecoming Queen Christie Gurley, Sr. Jordan Sustaire escorted by Levi Hoover, Sr. Adriana Ortega escorted by Branson McGill, Sr. Tori Mobley escorted by Trevor Moore, Junior Duchess Lorena Castro escorted by Ben Moore, Freshman Duchess Paisley Kastner escorted by Steven Marroquin.
Saltlillo Senior Basketball Night
Lady Lion Seniors L to R: Amy Sustaire, Sr. Jordan Sustaire, Mark Sustaire, Donna Gurley, Sr. Christie Gurley, Blake Gurley, Tammy Matlock, Sr. Shelby Matlock, Larry Matlock, Laura Mobley, Sr. Tori Mobley, Gary Mobley, Sr. Madison Simmons & Mike Simmons.
Lion Seniors L to R: Ronnie Green, Sr. Walker McGill, Ashley McGill, Sr. Branson McGill, Debra Saxon, Sr. Lyle Bench, Kim Moore, Sr. Trevor Moore & Ann Jones
Armstrong Files for City Council Place 1
Erica Armstrong has filed for Place 1 on the Sulphur Spring City Council. Armstrong filed Friday morning, the last day to file for a place on the ballot. She joins challenger Justin Davidson and incumbent Craig Johnson in the race for the seat.
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 that race. The other place on the ballot, Place 2, features Jimmy Lucas and Sara Gibson. Incumbent Place 2 Clay Walker will not seek re-election.
Currently, incumbents Kerry Wright and Jason Dietze are the only two to have filed for the Sulphur Springs School Board.
The two incumbents for Hopkins County Hospital District Board, Suzanne Bankston, Ph.D. and Dr. David Black, DVM have filed.
Kelty Named Citizen of the Year at 92nd Annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet
Tim Kelty was named Citizen of the Year and Carolyn McKinney was named Woman of the Year during the 92nd Annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet. The 470 who filled the Exhibit Room at the Hopkins County Civic Center celebrated the accomplishments of several county residents and of the local chamber during the two hour event. With the dd1920’s theme, “Extra! Extra! Read All About It!”, a video highlighting historical moments from the past delighted the crowd. Several community awards were presented.
Chamber President and CEO Lezley Brown said the night was a huge success. “Our goal was to say thank you to all of the Hopkins County Chamber supporters. We can be successful at the Chamber because of the support we receive from the business and citizens of Hopkins County, and we are so thankful for all of them. We loved stepping back in time to the 1920’s and, now that we are back in 2018, we are going to do what we do best—keep moving forward!”
Members of the Military Coalition, last year’s winners, presented the Citizen of the Year Award to Kelty. In presenting t he award, Kelty was called a friend of industry and retail growth in the city. A local realtor, his business development and partnership with others was emphasized. In receiving the award, Kelty revealed that the land purchase by Chic-fil-a has been accomplished. He noted it would be located on Shannon Road by Chili’s. He also noted that Kentucky Fried Chicken would be returning to Sulphur Springs if a few utility problems can be solved. The Citizen of the Year Award is sponsored by Echo Publishing.
Beta Sigma Phi presented the Woman of the Year Award was presented by Sheila Boyd. In presenting the award to McKinney, her many accomplishments were noted. Her service to the community includes Dairy Festival Board and a number of other organizations.
Other awards presented included:
Two awards sponsored by the Chamber Workforce Committee and presented by last year’s winners :
- Joe Wallace with Saputo presented the Large Business of the Year: Lowe’s
- Chad Young Owner of KSST/Channel 18 presented the Small Business of the Year: Award to Interstate Body Shop and owner Chuck Sickles.
Two received the Caregiver of the Year Award presented by the Pilot Club and presented by Jane Goldsmith, member of the Pilot Club. The two honored were Faye Sandifer and Patricia Harrison Cooper.
Local cattleman Don Smith, member of Professional Ag Workers presented the Mark Sustaire Family as Agriculturist of the Year.
Richelle Johnson was named Cahmber Ambasador of the year.
Cathy Singleton and Sharon Harris received the 1994 Adult Leadership Class sponsored Community Pride Award presented by County Judge Robert Newsom. The two ladies volunteer time and energy as they “seek and save” lost dogs, cats, and other creatures that are lost or looking for a home.
The Chamber of Commerce Education Committee presented Sharon Ferguson, a para-professional at Sulphur Springs Elementary School, and Como-Pickton FFA teacher Michael Bowen the Educator of the Year Award. Jessica Kultgen, committee member, presented the award.
Hopkins County Sheriff Lewis Tatum received the Bobby McDonald Vision Award on behalf of the Sheriff’s Department. The Vision Award recognized the “thinking outside the box” efforts of his department in various areas including the county farm worked by inmates and a number of law enforcement initiatives that benefit the safety of the county. Chamber CEO Brown presented the award.
Music for the event was provided by the Sulphur Springs High School Jazz Band.
Lady Cat Softball Win First Two Games in Tourney
No matter the venue, the Lady Cats’ softball team seems to find high gear when it’s time for the Sulphur Springs Tournament. The weather made it too wet to play at Coleman Park or at Lady Cat Park this year. Some teams played games Thursday in Mount Pleasant while others competed at Emory Rains’ beautiful new softball field that features a dirt infield but an artificial turf outfield. The Lady Cats played at Emory Rains and dominated two games Thursday. They got incredibly sharp pitching and big time slugging. They also made no errors.
In their first game Thursday morning, the Lady Cats defeated the Caddo Mills Foxes, 13-0. Pitcher Cheslee Roberts got the pitching win going three innings allowing no runs and just one hit while walking one and striking out two. The Lady Cats pounded out 14 hits. They scored 9 first inning runs and added 4 more in the second inning. The hitting stars were numerous. Five Lady Cats had at least two hits. Sadie Stroud was 2 for 2 with a run scored, four RBIs and a three-run home run. Landri Bell hit a grand slam home run and scored a run. Kelsey Wallace was 3 for 4 with two runs scored, 3 RBIs and a triple that drove home two runs. Brinklee Driver was 3 for 3 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI. Alyssa Abron was 2 for 4 with one run scored. Macee Hollins was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored. Sierra Smith also drove in a run and scored one.
In the afternoon game, the Lady Cats overwhelmed Mesquite Poteet, 14-2. The Lady Cats again started off hot scoring 7 first inning runs. They added 1 run in the second and then 6 more in the fourth inning. Bailey Haggerty allowed only 2 runs and 2 hits with 7 strikeouts and just one walk. She also had two hit batters. The Lady Cats hammered out 17 hits and six different Lady Cats had at least two hits. Abron was the perfect table setter as she was 3 for 3 with a triple, two runs scored and an RBI. Stroud was 3 for 4 with a double and 2 runs scored. Wallace was 2 for 4 with a triple, a run scored and 2 RBIs. Driver was 2 for 4 with a double, 2 runs scored and an RBI. Sierra Smith was 2 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI. Macee Hollins was 2 for 2 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs. Alli Fite was 1 for 3 with a run scored and a three-run homer. Bell was 1 for 3 with 2 runs scored and a double. Karlee Adams was 1 for 3 with 1 run scored and an RBI. The Lady Cats’ season record is 3-0. They will continue play at Emory Rains Friday, weather permitting. They play McKinney at noon and Canton at 6 p.m.
Lady Cat Basketball Season Ends in Area Loss to Frisco Lone Star
The state’s #3 ranked team proved to be a mountain too high to climb for the Lady Cats’ basketball team as Frisco Lone Star won 71-41 in an Area playoff game Thursday night at Rockwall High School.
The Rangers started the game fast scoring the first ten points. They led 21-10 after the first quarter. The Lady Cats settled down in the second quarter and played much better. The Rangers still outscored them 17-14 to take a 38-24 halftime lead. Frisco Lone Star led after three quarters, 59-37.
Senior Kaylee Jefferson gave it all she had and scored 19 points. Nobody in the game scored any more. Sadavia Porter was also fearless against the mighty Rangers and she had 15 points. Autumn Tanton scored 5 points and senior Imani Taylor had 2 points. Stats for the game show the Lady Cats hit 15 of 41 shots for 37%. They were only 2 of 9 from three point range for 22% The Lady Cats made 9 of 16 free throws for 56%. Jefferson led the Lady Cats with 9 rebounds including 7 offensive rebounds. The Lady Cats had only 7 deflections and 6 steals. Jefferson had a block. The Lady Cats had 16 turnovers.
The Lady Cats end a fine season with a 26-6 record. They were district co-champions and bi-district champs defeating Mesquite Poteet, 52-30 on Monday night.
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]
