Planning to Say “I Do?” Don’t Miss This! By Johanna Hicks
Planning to Say “I Do?” Don’t Miss This!
Hopefully, you have read or heard about the Twogether in Texas Marriage education workshop. This event only takes place three times each year, but the benefits are huge!
Twogether in Texas is recognized by the state of Texas as being an important part of helping couples have a successful marriage. As a matter of fact, engaged couples who complete the workshop are given a certificate to save $60 upon applying for a marriage license. That is the state portion of the fee – waived!
Did you know that family fragmentation costs U.S. taxpayers at least $112 billion each year? Finding ways to strengthen marriage and reduce unnecessary divorce and unmarried childbearing is a legitimate and pressing public concern. Because of the very large taxpayer costs associated with high rates of divorce and unmarried childbearing, marriage-strengthening initiatives programs will be cost-effective for tax-payers (Institute for American Values).
Twogether in Texas is dedicated to increasing the overall strength of marriages, as well as increasing the well-being of children by providing voluntary marriage and relationship education skills to their parents. All Texans are able to utilize these services. There are no eligibility requirements. Couples that complete pre-marital education through one of the service providers listed on the Twogether in Texas website are able to receive $60 off their marriage license fee. Out of the 288,000 Texans who have taken these classes, 95% of couples say they have learned skills to:
- Improve their relationship
- Increase their ability to communicate and share feelings
- Understand and feel understood by their spouse
- Disagree without fighting
Benefits of taking a premarital education workshop include:
- Enhancing your communication and conflict resolution skills to enrich your relationship,
- Learning the key components of a successful marriage,
- Receiving a $60 discount on marriage license fees (the certificate to save is good for one year from the date it is issued), and
- Waiver of the 3-day waiting period.
The workshop offered through the Hopkins County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is free of charge, and lunch is provided! I’ll also have coffee, water, and snacks available throughout the day. So, here are details on the 2018 workshops:
WHEN: Saturday, February 10
WHERE: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200 W. Houston, Sulphur Springs
TIME: 8:30 a.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m.
TOPICS: marriage expectations, communication, conflict resolution, money management, and goals & dreams
COST: nothing
Because lunch is provided, I do request that couples call to reserve a seat – 903-885-3443. If the February 10th workshop is not convenient, two other dates are also available – Saturday, May 12, and Saturday, August 25. The workshop uses videos, group participation, couple interaction, and a simple workbook for couples to keep.
Please share this information with anyone who might be interested. Married couples are also welcome to attend!
Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes
I’ve received a few inquiries about the “Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes” series. The spring sessions are scheduled for April 9. 12. 16. 19. And 23. We’ll cover nutrition and self-care concepts, using research-based and evidence-based information from the American Diabetes Association and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. This series has resulted in very positive results from participants. You don’t have to be from Hopkins County to participate!
All sessions will take place at the Hopkins County Extension Office. Two times are being offered to accommodate participants’ schedules, and you can even mix-and-match times – 1:30, or 6:00 p.m. Due to the nature of the series, a fee of $25, payable at the door, will be charged. Participants will receive a notebook of all the handouts, recipes, and supplementary materials, as well as refreshments and door prizes. Call the Extension Office at 903-885-3443 if you would like to attend.
Spring Break Sewing Workshop
I’m just putting out a “feeler” to see if there is enough interest in a spring break sewing workshop. A couple of individuals have asked about it, so if you would like to participate, let me know! It will most likely be March 12, 13, 14 (Monday thru Wednesday) during spring break. Anyone is welcome – youth to adult, but children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Make-and-take projects will be available, but instruction using a pattern will also be given. Contact the Extension Office at 903-885-3443.
Closing Thought
You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips.
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]
Hopkins County Genealogical Society is A Busy, Award-Winning Group
Congratulations to the Hopkins County Genealogical Society! The local organization earned two more awards from the Texas State Genealogical Society. during 2017. The Quarterly, edited by Carol Ann Dixon, was named second-best in state. A new publication based on The Collection of Kenneth and Sidney Brice, complied by Shirley Patchen and other members, received a third-place award.
John Sellers, President of H C Genealogical Society, displays a working copy of 1914 city directory
Do you remember the old City Directory published in Sulphur Springs where you could look up individuals and businesses and cross-reference them by name, street address and phone number? They were common even until the 1990’s. Well, these old hard-bound directories published by private companies provide a wealth of historical information for researchers. Late historian Sydney Brice helped compile information for the earliest-known published local directory, the 1914 Sulphur Springs city directory. Later, late historian June Tuck re-typed the directory and entered it into a computer file so that it could be safely stored for future use. That’s the project the Hopkins County Genealogical Society has in full swing right now.
Society President John Sellers says this new book, 1914 Downtown Sulphur Springs, will be important because it will document life during an important era. In 1914, the World was at war, scores of local residents serving as soldiers, local business and home construction was taking off, two railroads were actively providing transportation and commerce with distant cities, and the local Chamber of Commerce was active. 1914 brought a new United States Post Office to Sulphur Springs and free mail delivery in town by postmen. In order to provide postal delivery, homeowners in town got house numbers and merchants got business addresses, and the first listing of this new innovation was in the 1914 City Directory.
The 1914 Downtown Sulphur Springs project also needs photos. If you have snapshots or photographs of a house, street, church or business that is up to ten years older or ten years younger than 1914, bring it to the Genealogical Library. Photos can be scanned in and your photo returned while you wait. If you have photos that you are not sure of their location or if they fit the era, you can bring those too, to be added to the growing computer archive for use when identified. You can find helpful volunteers to assist you at the Genealogical Library inside the Sulphur Springs Public Library, 611 North Davis. And the Genealogical Society is accepting new members. Phone 903-885-8523.
Tennessee Man Arrested for Money Laundering
Three individuals traveling from Nashville, Tennessee to Dallas in a Black Cadillac Escalade were found to be in possession of $73,068 when Hopkins County Deputies stopped them Thursday morning. The driver, through an interpreter, voluntarily admitted they were on their way to Dallas to purchase 30lbs of marijuana and pay $2,000 to $2,200 per pound.
The driver stated that they planned to sell the marijuana for $2,800 to $3,000 per pound or $250 to $300 per ounce in Nashville. He said the customers were friends or people he knew.
The traffic stop was initiated when the Escalade failed to maintain a single lane. The driver of the vehicle did grant permission to search the vehicle and the money was found in two separate places. The money was packaged in a manner used by those who participate in the drug trade. K-9 O’Malley alerted positive on the money.
The Tennessee man was arrested for money laundering more than $30,000 but less than $150,000, a Felony 3.
Winnsboro Man Arrested for Possession of Meth Following Traffic Stop
A 1991 Chevy Blazer was stopped by a Hopkins County Deputy for license plate light violation and expired registration. However, when the deputy made contact with Carl Patrick Williams, 26, of Winnsboro, he showed signs of nervousness and did not possess a valid driver’s license or insurance.
During a roadside investigation, Williams admitted to having a pipe he used to smoke methamphetamine purposely hidden under the front seat of the vehicle. A probable cause search of the vehicle found a container located under the seat containing drug paraphernalia and several small plastic baggies, one of which had a clear crystal like substance believed to be meth.
Williams is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram, a state jail felony.
Local Man Charged with Burglary of Building; Evading Arrest
February 2, 2018 – Amario Feliciano Zamora, 19, of Sulphur Springs was using a pipe to destroy property when Sulphur Springs Police responded to a call Thursday morning, February 1, 2018, around 8 a.m. He was arrested for Burglary of a Building (a State Jail Felony) and Evading Arrest before the morning ended.
Amario Feliciano Zamora
Zamora was walking in an open area behind an Oak Avenue address when officers found him. Zamora ran from the officer, who ordered him to stop. Zamora later stopped in a wooded area. At the jail, Zamora confessed to forcing entry into an unoccupied residence after several bottles of liquid medication was found inside his backpack. Zamora stated he had taken the items from the residence on Oak Avenue.
Andrews Will Serve Day for Day in Possession Plea Agreement
Thursday afternoon in Eighth Judicial District Court, Justin Wayne Andrews was sentenced to four years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and will serve day for day. He was indicted by a Hopkins County Grand Jury in November, 2017.
Andrews plead to Possession of more than 1-gram but less than 1-grams of Methamphetamine in a Drug Free Zone. Charges for tampering with physical evidence were dismissed in the agreement.
Tira News February 2, 2018
By Jan Vaughn
We want to express our sympathy to Dorreice (Horn) Shuptrine and family. Dorreice’s husband, Pete Shuptrine, passed away on Wednesday afternoon, following a lengthy illness. Visitation will be at West Oaks Funeral Home, in Sulphur Springs, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, followed by a graveside service at the Tira Cemetery at 12:30. Dorreice resides in Plano and is the daughter of the late Noble and Modena Horn, of Tira. Please be in prayer for the family.
Evelyn Horne reported that she and her guest attended the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Lights of Life Gala on Saturday night at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.
Sherry Smiddy shared the following announcement. The Cross Spur Cowboy Church cordially invites you to the annual Sweets for your Sweetie auction on February 11th at 10:30 a.m. All proceeds go to their youth group.
Robert, Yvonne, and Wesley Weir spent Saturday night in Frisco. On Sunday afternoon, they went to the Dr Pepper Arena to watch the Harlem Globe Trotters entertain the crowd with their basketball handling talents. Yvonne says it was lots of fun and Wesley loved it! Dustin Weir visited them at the hotel on Saturday evening.
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].
Saltillo Basketball Defeats Fannindel
Both the Saltillo Lions and the Saltillo Lady Lions picked up basketball wins against Fannindel Tuesday.
The Saltillo Lions won 77-29. The Lions outpointed Fannindel in every quarter. Walker McGill led the Lions with 20 points. Chris Boekhorst scored 19 points. Matthew Gurley added 11 points. Michael Clover had 9 points. Ben Moore and Trevor Moore scored 6 points each. Levi Hoover scored 4 points. Branson McGill had 2 points. The Lions are now 4-1 in district play and they are 18-14 for the season. They play Miller Grove next at home Friday on Senior Night.
The Saltillo Lady Lions defeated Fannindel, 62-32. Fannindel actually led 12 -11 after the first quarter but the Lady Lions took the lead at 22-20 at the half. The Lady Lions then outscored Fannindel 41-12 in the second half. Madison Simmons led the Lady Lions with 30 points. Anna Reeder had 7 points. Jocelyn Ochoa and Chandler Bain scored 6 points apiece. Maddy Smith and Tori Mobley each had 5 points. Jordan Sustaire scored 4 points. The Lady lions remain unbeaten in district play at 6-0. They are 15-15 for the season.
Owens Calls New Alignment for SSHS Sports Exciting
greg owens
“We are excited about the new places and new faces,” said SSHS Athletic Director and Football Head Coach Gregg Owens as the new district alignments were announced Thursday morning. Owens said, “It will be a new challenge with new teams, but the biggest challenge [for football] will be the nine (9) team district.” He said a team must win a lot of games to get in the playoffs. “It’s really exciting because it’s different,” he said.
Wildcat football will play a two game non-district 2018 schedule that includes Frisco Wakeland and Lucus-Lovejoy.
Sulphur Springs Wildcats will be making new travel plans for the 2018-2019 football season and volleyball and basketball plans will be changed but not match football. Texas UIL alignments have been announced and the Wildcats will be in 5A Division II – District 8 with Corsicana, Ennis, Forney, Greenville, Kaufman, North Forney, Royse City, and Terrell. The former district will now be District 9 including Hallsville, Jacksonville, Lindale, Longview Pine Tree, Mt Pleasant, Nacogdoches, and Whitehouse. Now, basketball for Wildcats and Lady Cats as well as volleyball will be in District 15 with Greenville, Royce City, Lindale, Mt Pleasant, and Texas High.
Here are the new districts for Hopkins County and area schools for the next two years beginning new school year fall 2018. Miller Grove and Yantis are in Class A District 23 in Region 3 with Dodd City, Ector, Fruitvale, Fannindel, Roxton and Savoy. Saltillo and Sulphur Bluff are in Class A District 24 in Region 3 with Avery, Avinger, Bloomburg and Union Hill. For Cumby, in football, they are in Class 2A Division II District 9 in Region 3 with Campbell, Era, Muenster and Tioga. For other sports, Cumby is in Class 2A District 14 in Region 2 with Campbell, Como-Pickton, Martin’s Mill, Quinlan Boles and North Hopkins. Como-Pickton, in football, is in Class 2A, Division I, District 6 in Region 2 with Rivercrest, Honey Grove, Quinlan Boles and Wolfe City. Mount Vernon, in football is in Class 3A, Division I in District 7 in Region 2 with Atlanta, Hooks, Hughes Springs, Jefferson, New Boston and Redwater. In other sports, Mount Vernon is in Class 3A, District 13 in Region 2 with Commerce, Cooper, Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill, Paris Chisum, Prairiland and Winnsboro. Winnsboro, for football in in Class 3A in Division I, District 8 with Gladewater, Gladewater Sabine, Mineola, West Rusk, Tatum and White Oak.
