Quarter Auction Fundraiser Harvests Fun and Profits for Lights of Life Campaign
Meredith Caddell, CEO of the Hopkins County Healthcare Foundation, came up with an idea for an exciting and different kind of fundraiser for this year’s Lights of Life campaign. On November 3, 2017 in the Civic Center banquet hall, she put on a “quarter auction” where attendees could bid inexpensively on very desirable prizes from local merchants, earned when their paddle number was drawn from the hopper. It turned out to be exciting fun with over 110 bidders present and 15-20 vendors who donated two prizes each from their booths. Assisting Meredith on the auction block was her “Vanna”, Jessica Kultgen, and handling quarter sales was her office manager Betty Finn. Moving among the tables of bidders were students of the SSHS Medical Technologies Practicum classes, gathering up quarters during the evening’s fast-action fun. Proceeds amounted to over $4,100 and will be used for the final Lights of Life campaign events planned in December and January.
Jan Massey was among the happy winners
Jessica Kultgen as “Vanna”
SSHS Medical Technologies Practicum students gathered the quarters into a large glass container, displayed by Landon Caden
Freeze Damage & How to Spot It By Mario Villarino
Fall, winter, and spring bring the danger of frosts and freezes to Texas gardens, orchards, and landscapes. Although sporadic and unpredictable, these cold spells have left their mark on horticulture in Texas by wiping out peach crops, freezing pecans in their shucks, forcing the replanting of spring vegetables, killing valuable landscape plants, and necessitating the replacement of beloved avocado, citrus, and fig trees. Home gardeners and commercial growers can minimize these losses by understanding how cold affects plants and implementing diverse strategies to protect them. When the water inside plant cells freezes, ice crystals form that can pierce and damage the cell walls, killing the cells. As temperatures rise, fluids leak out of those cells and they begin to decay. In the coming weeks, I will be addressing weather related issues including cold spells as our winter season unfolds.
Freeze damage first appears as dark, water-soaked tissues that later turn brown or black and dry up many ornamental and edible plants have mechanisms to resist freeze damage. Trees and woody plants that go dormant, such as pecan and peach, can tolerate very low winter temperatures. However, they can be injured if they are too slow to stop growth in the fall or begin growing too quickly in the spring. Many species of woody evergreens, such as hollies, can tolerate tremendous cold. Subtropical plants such as citrus and palms have variable levels of cold hardiness; some can withstand mild to moderate subfreezing temperatures. Their survival depends on their age, condition, size, and genetic mechanisms for acclimation (gain in the ability to withstand freezing) and the depth and duration of the cold.
Some species of herbaceous (non-woody) plants are cold tolerant, enduring all but the most severe cold in Texas. Examples are perennials like lilies and irises and annuals like violas and sweet alyssum. However, many spring- and summer-growing annuals and perennials may be damaged at, near, or even above freezing (32°F). Likewise, most fruit and vegetable structures have little resistance to freezing temperatures, prompting a quick harvest when the forecast calls for frost. Because Texas weather is often erratic, these guides do not always predict plant performance in freezes exactly. They also cannot account for a particular farm or landscape being colder or warmer than its surroundings because of its topography, urban microclimate, nearness to bodies of water, etc. Plants can generally acclimate to freezing weather when they are exposed to consistent, gradually colder weather. Intermittent warm periods, not uncommon in Texas, can cause the plants to deacclimate, leaving them more vulnerable to damage in a frost or freeze. To help plants withstand frosts and freezes, do not fertilize with nitrogen or harshly prune them in late summer, which will stimulate growth and make them less winter hardy.
For more information in freeze and cold protection or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email 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
Walk and Talk Reaches Half-way Point By Johanna Hicks
Walk & Talk Reaches Half-way Point
Several years ago, an initiative was created to encourage individuals to get up and get active. “Walk Across Texas” is designed to inspire physical activity and comradery among teams of up to eight people with the ultimate goal of logging 833 miles (distance from Beaumont to El Paso) during an 8-week period. The on-line link allows participants to calculate miles according to the type of physical activity they achieve. They can also log their miles each week which is automatically totaled. In the past, we have had county employees, school teachers, classrooms, and churches participating.
For the past three years, “Walk and Talk” has been implemented at the Early Childhood Learning Center for interested parents and staff. This year’s event started in October, and we’ve just reached the half-way point. The difference between “Walk Across Texas” and “Walk & Talk” is that the latter is held face-to-face and has a nutrition element, with discussion focusing on healthy eating and increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables. Each week features a different topic and incentive items to reinforce the subject are distributed to those attending. Items have included shopping pads, collapsible measuring cups, veggie peelers, and pedometers. Following the brief nutrition segment, we walk together! Some parents even include their small children in strollers.
The ECLC group of 16 logged over 570 miles during the first three weeks of participation, so they are guaranteed to far surpass the 833 mile goal! We will conclude the series on December 6 with an awards celebration for the individuals who walked the most miles, progressed the most, and had the most team spirit.
Note: The picture was taken on week two of Walk & Talk, which also fell on Red Ribbon Week – thus the pajamas and hair curlers on one of the participants!
If your organization, business, or school is interested in learning more about Walk Across Texas or Walk & Talk, please visit the website: www.walkacrosstexas.tamu.edu. You may also contact our office and I’ll be glad to help!
More on Health
I recently had the opportunity to participate in my National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Conference in Omaha, Nebraska and brought home some great information. The topic for one of our speakers was “Essential Elements to Living Well”, and I took a few notes I’d like to share with you.
1) Normal Numbers Now – strive to have normal numbers, which include blood pressure, cholesterol, Hemoglobin A1c, and weight.
2) Critique Calorie Consumption – eat healthy foods and focus on increasing fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats, such as fish.
3) Make Movement Mandatory – everyone should strive for at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily. You should include aerobic and strength activities.
4) Address Addiction/ Halt Harmful Habits – this includes tobacco use, alcohol, drugs, anger issues, etc.
5) Meticulously Manage Money and Minutes – don’t be consumed with superficial appearance and entertainment.
6) Graciously Give your Gifts – give your time, talents, and conversation for the betterment of others.
7) Forgive and Fast Forward – anger destroys, but forgiveness heals in dealing with family, friends, and foes.
8) Passionately Pursue Purpose and Priorities – be able to say who you are in 25 words or less.
9) Stifle Stress/ Sever Suffering – stress is inevitable, but how we handle stress can make or break us. Focus on the positive.
10) Periodically Pause, Ponder, Pray, and Plan – reflect on life, meditate to calm your spirit, and ponder your blessings.
11) Seek and Secure Support – external factors have great influence on us, so seek friends and family who love and support you.
Closing Thought
I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I might have – Abraham Lincoln
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]
Tira News November 3, 2017
by Jan Vaughn
Kim Beck won the Reserve Best in Show for Photography at the Hopkins County Fall Festival. The photo was a black & white of street lamps lighting up a rooftop. She won several other blue & red ribbons in different categories. Kim was also working the Hopkins County Stew contest for the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. She comments, “It was so cold! But we had a great turnout and it was hard work, but worth it!” She reports that Lee Beck was selling drinks at the Stew Contest representing the Masonic Lodge in Sulphur Springs as a fundraiser and they did pretty well with sales.
Joyce Dodd and her son, Michael, went to Hot Springs, Arkansas recently. They went to the beautiful Garvan Woodland Gardens, where they were decorating for Christmas. Joyce shared, “We shopped down town, went up on the east and west mountains a couple of times, visited a wine tasting bar, went to the wax museum, and Tiny Town. We ate at our favorite Mexican Restaurant, La Hacienda, for dinner.” She adds, “The next day we shopped down town again, rode around and went to some places where I used to go as a child. It was a fun two days and I enjoyed being with Michael.”
Chip Vaughn went to Reklaw on Friday evening for their annual fly-in. He camped there and enjoyed watching the planes and visiting with the pilots the next day. Morgan Joslin, our grandson, was in from Louisiana Tech, He flew to Reklaw with a friend, and then rode back with Chip and had dinner with us on Saturday night. His mother, Tiffany, joined us.
Chip and I enjoyed passing out candy to trick-or-treaters in their cute costumes on Halloween night. Tiffany and Jaidyn were at Posey Baptist Church for their carnival, and then stopped by our house on the way home.
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].
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic-Quitman Opens Expanded Space, Services
QUITMAN, TX – After weeks of construction the new CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic – Quitman will open its expanded space to the public and patients of CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System. The newly updated location offers advanced facilities providing the highest quality of care and increased access to needed health care services for the patients of Northeast Texas.
“We have built out approximately 2,200 square feet that houses nine new exam rooms, three new offices, a nurses’ station and a new check-in desk for our patients,” said Tracy Taylor, Manager at CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic – Quitman. “Because it is the goal of CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System to always seek innovation and to improve upon our award-winning services, the expanded space has also incorporated design changes and an exam room experience based on feedback and research from best practices for medical offices across the nation.”
Construction on the facility began in June 2017 and was completed at the beginning of November. The providers are eager to begin utilizing the extra space on behalf of their patients.
“We are looking forward to the expansion of our clinic because it will allow us to further implement a team-based approach in providing well-coordinated and patient-centered care,” said Nancy Gegbe, M.D., a Primary Care provider.
“We are very grateful to have more space to provide our staff and we are excited to share this great new space with our patients,” agreed Kristal Spencer, FNP-C, a Family Nurse Practitioner.
The Clinic will continue seeing patients at this location, and will be open Monday through Thursday, from 7am until 5pm, and Friday from 8am until 5pm.
“The new expansion was designed to be a modern adaptation of the heritage found in CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic locations throughout Northeast Texas. It will have a positive impact on the patient’s experience when they make the choice to trust us with their health care,” said Scott Smith, M.D., Senior Vice President and Institute Chair of Primary Care for CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System. “Many patients have entrusted us with providing care for them and their families over the years, and this expanded facility will continue to serve them for years to come.”
“Our clinic was first designed for three providers, and we now we have five working in that space,” said Suzanne Terrell, FNP. “Our work space is can be very busy at times, which can present a challenge to work and communicate with each other and our patients. We are so excited about having the extra space. It will definitely improve the care we give to our patients!”
FUMC Hosts Annual Hamilton Bake Sale and Harvest Festival November 9-11.
If you love home-baked goods,, plan to be at the Hamilton Bake Sale, a traditional pre-Thanksgiving event on Thursday November 9 at First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs. The bake sale will open at 8:30am, and lasts until sold out, which is usually way before noon. So don’t be late!
That same weekend is Harvest Festival at FUMC where the good cooks prepare and serve stew and chili, provide family fun and offer wonderful big-ticket items and gift-worthy prizes at the fundraising auction. It is scheduled for Saturday November 11, 2017 starting at 4:30pm.
Hall Dispels Rumors of Congressional Run
AUSTIN, TX – On Tuesday, it was announced that U.S. Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Dallas), of Congressional District 5, will not be running for re-election. The announcement likely will cause a domino effect of opening seats across Northeast Texas.
“United States Congressman Jeb Hensarling has a servant’s heart, and I am so very thankful for his commitment and service to the people of CD-5 for all these years,” stated Senator Bob Hall.
Hall confirmed that he had received a lot of encouragement to run for Congress, but stated, “I was over whelmed by the calls and messages urging that I continue to seek re-election to the Texas Senate. The most often stated reason was the people wanted a true conservative to represent them in the Senate”.
“The people of CD-5 deserve a conservative leader who will go to Washington to fight for our values in place of Congressman Hensarling and many people have approached me about filling that role. However, that someone will not be me. There is no truth to the rumor that I will be running for Congress.”
Three years ago the citizens of SD 2 made it clear that they wanted a true conservative for their State Senator. Senator Hall ran as the conservative and his voting record confirms that he has served as a true conservative. “I appreciate the tremendous support that I have received from the people of Senate District 2 during my first term as Senator. I have kept my word and voted as I said I would vote for my constituents. My record reflects exactly what I said I would do when I first ran, and it is my plan to continue to keep those same promises again in Austin. Promises made will continue to be promises kept.”
“I will continue to run and seek your support for re-election to The Texas Senate,” continued Senator Hall.
Senator Hall is widely known for his consistent leadership and protection of individual liberty, fiscal conservatism, property tax reform, quality education for students and teachers in the classroom, limited-governance, the defense of innocent life, free markets, gun rights, and the Constitution.
“Texas and especially SD 2 are champions of conservative principles,” concluded Sen. Hall, “I am committed to continue making sure that they are served by a true conservative who will preserve the principle of liberty for future generations.”
Senator Robert “Bob” Hall represents Texas Senate District 2, which encompasses Delta, Fannin, Hopkins, Hunt, Kaufman, Rains, Rockwall, Van Zandt, and parts of Dallas.
Eleven Lady Cats Named to All-District Volleyball Team
Eleven members of the District Champion Lady Cats’ volleyball team received All-District honors. Included were two superlatives. Lady Cats Coach Justin Maness and Texas High Coach Melissa Trotter were named co-District Coaches of the Year.
Senior Kaylee Jefferson was named Offensive Player of the Year. Sophomore Erika VanBenthem was selected as Newcomer of the Year.
Lady Cats making First Team All-District were senior setter Anden Hammack, junior Autumn Tanton and senior Mieke VanBenthem.
Lady Cats selected to the Second Team All-District were senior Imani Taylor, senior libero Maggie McGlamery and junior Sadie Stroud.
Getting Honorable Mention recognition were junior Abbi Baier, junior Madison Vickery and junior Lexi Whisenhunt.
The All-District selections were made by the district’s coaches meeting at Sulphur Springs High School Wednesday.
Ten Lady Cats earned Academic All-District honors. They are senior Kaylee Jefferson, junior Sadie Stroud, senior Maggie McGlamery, senior Imani Taylor, senior N’sya Dugan, senior Anden Hammack, junior Autumn Tanton, junior Abbi Baier, sophomore Erika VanBenthem and junior Madison Vickery.
Greenville Lions’ Coach Calls Friday Night at Prim Biggest Game for Lions in 13 Years
It’s Greenville at the Wildcats Friday night (November 3) at Prim Stadium on Senior Night. These are a new bunch of Greenville Lions. They are winning. The Lions are 5-3 this season and are fighting for a playoff spot with a 2-2 district record.
Their head coach is Darren Duke, in his second year. Coach Duke replaced his mentor Marvin Sedberry, who hired Duke to be his defensive coordinator four times: twice at Greenville and also at Dallas Carter and Bryan. Coach Duke also built the program at Dallas Conrad, getting them to the playoffs several times. Coach Duke is excited by how the Lions have played this season. The Lions were 1-9 last year. Coach Duke credits the players for their hard work and also his coaching staff.
Coach Duke says his offensive leaders now are quarterback Caleb Jarvis and back Christian Dunson. Both players are picking up the slack made when back Nick Mapps was injured. Mapps is not expected to play Friday night. Mapps led the team in rushing, receiving and kick returning when he was injured. Coach Duke says his defensive leaders are senior safeties Koltin McNair and JaKwan Allen and senior linebackers Luis Garcia and Victor Enriquez.
Coach Duke calls the game with the Wildcats the biggest game for Greenville in 13 years.
