Santa Visits Alliance Bank
The annual photo opportunity and reception was today, December 15th, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. There was lots of smiles as kids excitedly met Santa and told him their Christmas wishes. Families were able to get free photos with Santa Claus taken by Kylie Littlefield-Smith, Alliance Bank HR Assistant. While families waited for their photos to print, there were cookies, brownies, candy canes and punch provided by Alliance Bank for everyone to enjoy! One kid even tried to share his cookie with Santa. Each child also got a free Christmas ornament.
The lobby of Alliance Bank was decked out with festive looking arrangements and decorations provided by Sharon Smith from Rose Of Sharon. The tree behind Santa was decorated in reds and whites looking somewhat similar to a peppermint.
Everyone had a great time! Kylie Littlefield-Smith has been helping with the annual event for three years, and explained why she loved participating. “Santa’s jolly, the kids are great and it’s a pleasure taking their pictures every year!”
Wood County Sheriff’s Report December 6-12, 2017
December 6th
Deputies were dispatched to CR 1940 near Yantis, at approximately 10:23 a.m., in reference to a welfare check. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual.
Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 2:34 p.m., in reference to a theft that occurred on CR 3860 near Hawkins. A known actor stole an electric impact driver from the reporting party’s property. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
At 7:25 p.m., cows were reported out on CR 3289 near Quitman.
At 7:26 p.m., cows were reported out on CR 3750 near Hawkins.
December 7th
Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 9:10 a.m., in reference to a scam that occurred on CR 1885 near Yantis. An unknown scammer made contact with the reporting party, stated a family relative was in jail and that they needed to send money. This incident has been cleared.
Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to Main St. in Yantis; at approximately 11:46 a.m. Kimberly Fisher, 34, of Yantis, was arrested for an outstanding warrant.
Deputies were dispatched to FM 2088 near Winnsboro, at approximately 1:11 p.m., in reference to a welfare check. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual.
At 1:12 p.m., cows were reported out on CR 1413 near Quitman.
At 3:26 p.m., cows were reported out on HWY 154 near Quitman.
At 5:53 p.m., horses were reported out on HWY 37 near Quitman.
Deputies were dispatched to PR 5960 near Yantis, at approximately 5:58 p.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
Deputies were dispatched to PR 5228 near Quitman, at approximately 7:10 p.m., in reference to an inquest. A male, 78, was found deceased in his residence. The Justice of the Peace arrived and no autopsy was ordered.
Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 8:15 p.m., in reference to a dog bite that occurred on CR 1681 near Alba. The owner of the dog was advised of the quarantine protocol. This case is active.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 2660 near Mineola, at approximately 10:10 p.m., in reference to a disturbance. Upon deputies’ arrival, it appeared an assault had occurred. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
December 8th
Deputies were dispatched to HWY 37 near Quitman, at approximately 12:00 a.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the gates and they were secure.
At 8:06 a.m., horses were reported out on HWY 37 near Quitman.
Deputies were dispatched to Holly Trail West near Hawkins, at approximately 8:32 a.m., in reference to an inquest. A male, 65, was found deceased in his residence. The Justice of the Peace arrived and an autopsy was ordered.
At 10:40 a.m., cows were reported out on FM 2225 near Quitman.
At 1:49 p.m., cows were reported out on CR 1413 near Quitman.
At 5:21 p.m., cows were reported out on HWY 154 near Quitman.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 2660 near Mineola, at approximately 6:25 p.m., in reference to an assault that occurred. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
Deputies were dispatched to PR 7951 near Hawkins, at approximately 6:34 p.m., in reference to suspicious circumstances. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate any suspicious activity.
At 7:06 p.m., horses were reported out on HWY 37 near Quitman.
Deputies responded to an abandoned vehicle on HWY 154 near Quitman; at approximately 8:22 p.m. Deputies located the vehicle and everything was OK.
Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to PR 7850 near Hawkins; at approximately 9:21 p.m. Jason Williams, 38, of Hawkins, was arrested for outstanding warrants.
Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on HWY 154 near Quitman; at approximately 10:45 p.m. Deputies located the vehicle and everything was OK.
December 9th
Deputies were dispatched to CR 4854 near Winnsboro, at approximately 1:15 a.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
At 3:57 a.m., horses were reported out on HWY 37 near Quitman.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 4450 near Winnsboro, at approximately 3:59 a.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on FM 2869/FM 14 near Hawkins; at approximately 6:11 a.m. Deputies located the vehicle and everything was OK.
Deputies were dispatched to Valley Wood Trail near Hawkins, at approximately 12:11 p.m., in reference to criminal mischief. Actors, or actors unknown, damaged a window on the reporting party’s vehicle. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on HWY 154 near Quitman; at approximately 12:13 p.m. Deputies located the vehicle and everything was OK.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 2632 near Mineola, at approximately 3:28 p.m., in reference to a disturbance. Parties were separated for the day.
Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to Morris Ave. near Quitman; at approximately 6:35 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to CR 2696 near Hawkins; at approximately 7:19 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to CR 3992 near Winnsboro; at approximately 8:43 p.m. Cleveland Harrison, 26, of Winnsboro, was arrested for outstanding warrants.
Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to Stone St. in Mineola; at approximately 9:04 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
Deputies went out on arrest/warrant service to Washington St. in Winnsboro; at approximately 10:36 p.m. Rodrick Carter, 33, of Winnsboro, was arrested for an outstanding warrant.
Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on FM 778 near Quitman; at approximately 11:10 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle.
December 10th
Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to Gilmer Rd. in Winnsboro; at approximately 1:05 a.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to Winnsboro Police Department; at approximately 1:30 a.m. Stormie Vance, 33, of Winnsboro, was arrested for an outstanding warrant.
Deputies were dispatched to Broadway St. in Alba, at approximately 3:24 a.m., in reference to shots fired. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate any activity.
Deputies were dispatched to FM 2869 near Hawkins, at approximately 8:39 a.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 9:36 a.m., in reference to a theft that occurred on CR 3832 near Hawkins. Actors, or actors unknown, stole diesel fuel out of the reporting party’s tractor trailer.
At 1:09 p.m., horses were reported out on HWY 80/CR 2664 near Mineola.
Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 3:35 p.m., in reference to harassment that occurred on FM 312 near Winnsboro. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to CR 1487 near Como; at approximately 6:17 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
At 8:16 p.m., horses were reported out on CR 3750 near Hawkins.
December 11th
At 4:44 a.m., horses were reported out on CR 1970 near Yantis.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 1859 near Yantis, at approximately 6:48 a.m., in reference to criminal trespass. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual.
At 6:59 a.m., cows were reported out on CR 4530 near Winnsboro.
At 7:00 a.m., horses were reported out on HWY 37 near Quitman.
Deputies were dispatched to FM 49 near Mineola, at approximately 7:53 a.m., in reference to an alarm. Deputies checked the building and it was secure.
Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to CR 3840 near Hawkins; at approximately 9:37 a.m. John McCann, Jr., 34, of Hawkins, was arrested for an outstanding warrant.
Deputies spoke with the reporting party, at approximately 1:30 p.m., in reference to identity theft that occurred on Primrose Cove near Hawkins. Deputies gave the reporting party advice and cleared the incident.
Deputies went out on an arrest/warrant service to CR 4740 near Winnsboro; at approximately 1:45 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to make contact with the individual.
Deputies were dispatched to HWY 80 near Mineola, at approximately 4:14 p.m., in reference to criminal mischief. Actors, or actors unknown, damaged a lawn mower on the reporting party’s property.
Deputies were dispatched to Norton Lane in Yantis, at approximately 8:14 p.m., in reference to a welfare check. Deputies located the individual and everything was OK.
Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on CR 3163/CR 3160 near Quitman; at approximately 10:17 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the vehicle.
December 12th
Deputies were dispatched to FM 514 near Yantis, at approximately 9:34 a.m., in reference to criminal trespass. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 3450 near Hawkins, at approximately 10:42 a.m., in reference to a dispute. Parties were separated for the day.
Deputies responded to an abandoned vehicle on FM 2869 near Winnsboro; at approximately 1:11 p.m. This case is active.
Deputies responded to a suspicious person on CR 2320 near Como; at approximately 4:30 p.m. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 2210 near Mineola, at approximately 4:47 p.m., in reference to a welfare check. Deputies located the individual and everything was OK.
At 5:58 p.m., cows were reported out on CR 3230 near Quitman.
Deputies were dispatched to HWY 37 near Mineola, at approximately 9:31 p.m., in reference to a welfare check. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate the individual.
Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle on CR 4990 near Quitman; at approximately 10:35 p.m. Deputies located the vehicle and everything was OK.
Deputies were dispatched to CR 1670 near Alba, at approximately 10:42 p.m., in reference to a disturbance. Upon deputies’ arrival, it appeared an assault had occurred. This case has been forwarded to investigators.
Between the dates of December 6 and December 12, Wood County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to multiple agency assists that included the following: Police Departments, Emergency Medical Services, Mineola Fire Department, and Child Protective Services.
Total Jail Count – 140 inmates – 117 males and 23 females.
Sheriff Castloo would like to remind everyone…if you have any information on these or any other crimes, please contact the Wood County Sheriff’s Office at 903-763-2201 or Crime Stoppers at 903-763-CASH.
Contact the Wood County Sheriff’s Office if you notice any suspicious vehicles or activity around your neighborhood. Please be aware of your surroundings
Game Day: Lady Cats in Hallsville; Wildcats visit Royce City
There is Wildcats and Lady Cats’ basketball on this Friday (December 15) game day.
For the Lady Cats, they’ll have their second district game Friday night in Hallsville. The JV Gold plays at 5 p.m., the JV Blue at 6:15 p.m. and the varsity Lady Cats at 7:30 p.m. Lady Cats Coach Jeff Chapman notes that Hallsville has a new coach this year so he expects some changes in their system. Tuesday night Coach Chapman said he had several tapes of Lady Bobcats games from earlier this year. You can bet he’s been watching them to develop a game plan for the Lady Cats for Friday night. The Lady Cats are 1-0 in district play with their 66-37 home win against Greenville on Tuesday night. The Lady Cats are 13-2 for the season and they are ranked #10 in Class 5A. They have won seven games in a row.
Meanwhile on this game day Friday night, the Wildcats play their final game before district begins next week. There will be a freshman game at 5 p.m., a JV contest at 6:15 p.m. with the varsity game at 7:30 p.m. Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta says the scrappy Bulldogs will put pressure on you and he adds they shoot the ball well. Coach Cipoletta says Royse City reminds him of the Rockwall Health team the Wildcats played back on November 14. He says the Bulldogs are a sound team that is well coached and always seems to play up to their full potential. The Wildcats are 14-1 for the season and they are ranked #11 in Class 5A. They have also won seven games in a row.
basketball
SSISD Sets Early Dismissal Thursday as Holiday Begins
All students in Sulphur Springs schools will be dismissed early Thursday, December 21 for the Christmas-New Year Holiday. Buses will run approximately three hours earlier, leaving the hub around 12:45 p.m. and begin afternoon runs.
Crump Captured; Faces Possible Failure to Appear Indictment
December 15, 2017 – Hopkins County Sheriff’s Investigators and deputies apprehended Keri Amanda Crump, 28, of Sulphur Springs, Friday morning in Rowlett, Texas. Crump has been on the run after she failed to appear the second day of her jury trial last week. Although not present for the second day of her trial Tuesday December 12, 2017, a Hopkins County Jury found Crump guilty of Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram. The guilty verdict was delivered around 9:30 a.m. and the sentencing phase got underway 15 minutes later. Before 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, the jury sentenced her to two years in state jail and assessed a $10,000 fine. According to Assistant District Attorney Clay Harrison, Crump now faces the possible indictment for Failure to Appear, which carries a 20-year sentence in her case.
Keri Amanda Crump
Chief Investigator Corley Weatherford stated the apprehension of Crump follows the Sheriff’s Patrol division working local contacts and associates of Crumb. Also social media posts by Hopkins County Law Enforcement using a KSST News story assisted in leading to her capture in Rowlett. Weatherford stated that Rowlett Police were very cooperative with Hopkins County law enforcement in assisting in the arrest.
Crump was arrested at a residence in Rowlett. Although reluctant to come to the door, Crump did exit the residence and was taken into police custody. She has been taken by Rowlett Police to Dallas County’s Lew Sterrett Jail where she will be arraignment and will be transferred to Hopkins County Jail at a later time, according to Weatherford. Crump is currently on probation out of Dallas County for Robbery.
In April, 2017 Crump was the driver and sole occupant of a vehicle that had been involved in a single vehicle crash that occurred on I-30 eastbound at the 111-mile marker. Crump admitted to deputies at the scene she had smoked PCP just prior to the crash. When arrested by DPS on Airport Road Sunday around 6 p.m., she also admitted to the trooper that she was under the influence of PCP. She also admitted backing out while driving after smoking the PCP. In a search of the vehicle, three cigar type cigarettes were found. They appeared to be moist which was consistent with being dipped in liquid PCP, according to the arresting officer. A small vial of suspected PCP was found secreted in a cigarette package. Crump was indicted by a Hopkins County Grand Jury in August of this year.
In a summary of the case, Assistant District Attorney Harrison wrote, “After hearing the testimony of several witnesses, the jury heard a recorded jail telephone call made by the defendant on the night of her arrest. In the call, she blames her boyfriend for getting in trouble and states that the only reason she went to get the PCP was because he wanted to get high.
“The defendant then elected to testify. She told the jury that she doesn’t know why she crashed but that she might have accidentally smoked a cigarette with PCP on it. She said that her statements to the medical personnel and police officers were not reliable because she was intoxicated at the time. She attempted to explain her jail call to her boyfriend by saying that she was referring to PCP she had purchased for him a long time ago and that she was not aware on the date of the crash that any drugs were in her car.
“A forensic chemist from the DPS crime laboratory testified that the vial found in the defendant’s car contained PCP, as well as the cigarettes and cigars found next to the vial.
“After the defendant testified, the prosecutor offered evidence of several prior theft convictions, a felony conviction for Burglary of a Habitation, and a felony conviction for Possession of a Controlled Substance from 2014 in which she also smoked PCP and crashed her car in Hopkins County.
“The jury found the defendant guilty in approximately 9 and a half minutes.
“During sentencing, the State called Chief Investigator Weatherford, who is a qualified Drug Recognition Expert (DRE). He testified about the intoxicating effects of PCP. He also was one of the investigators from the 2014 PCP case.
“The State also called Detective David Gilmore, SSPD, who testified as a fingerprint expert about the defendant’s nine prior convictions including Assault, Theft, Burglary of a Habitation, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Delivery of a Controlled Substance.
“The jury sentenced the defendant to the maximum of two years confinement in state jail and the maximum fine of $10,000. The defendant did not appear for the second day of trial but the Court proceeded in absentia.”
A year in review: 2017 Hopkins County Youth Science of Agriculture By Mario Villarino
Relevance: As today’s youth are further removed from farming, their understanding of the importance of
agriculture and how it impacts their daily lives diminishes. This Science of Agriculture (Ag Literacy/Awareness) program targets 4th grade students and teachers in Rains, Hopkins, Delta, Wood and
Franklin Counties. The plan provided the following educational components: Educational support materials on Science of Agriculture, field trip to the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, pre- and post-evaluation and information about 4-H opportunities for the participants and parents. During 2017 the plan included educational presentations in cattle milking, products and byproducts of the beef industry, dairy foods, 4-H, horse care, wildlife, small grains and cotton, poultry production, bee keeping, goat production and water conservation. This program targeted 900- 4th grade students in Wood, Delta, Franklin, and Hopkins Counties.
Response: To address the needs of agricultural education to school grade youth, this plan conducted the following activities:
- Ag in The Classroom Volunteer Meeting (October 2017): A working meeting after the 2015 educational event was held with presenters. Recognition for their support was expressed and comments/suggestions were taken. A definitive date was scheduled for 2017.
- Organizational Meeting for 2017 Ag in the Classroom (February, 2017). County Extension Agents from Hopkins, Delta, Franklin and Rains Counties and representatives of Rain-Hopkins Farm Bureau met to provide leadership for topic selection, volunteers and programmatic needs for the 2017 event.
- Ag-in-the-classroom program planning with Ag in the classroom committee (May 2017). A meeting with participant volunteers and presenters was conducted to describe the differences and adjustments to the 2016 program.
- Marketing/Promotion to Schools. An invitational letter to all elementary schools in the region was drafted and mailed to school superintendents and principals. A description of the program including the benefits for the children on their participation was included.
- A pre-event evaluation consisting of 18 questions was given to 50 participants attending the Sulphur
Springs Elementary School during September 2017.
- Ag in the Classroom Event (October 3-4, 2017).
- A post-event evaluation consisting of 18 questions was given to 50 participants attending the Sulphur Springs Elementary School using a pre and post paired study design. Statistical Analysis was conducted using a T-Test (Paired based).
- Plan interpretation (Volunteers 11/9, Commissioner’s Court 11/27, and mass media 12/5).
Results: A two-day session was held at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Coliseum October 3 and 4th, 2017. The topics included were: dairy farming, poultry, water conservation, promotion of 4-H, beef production, use of horses as therapeutic aides, small grains, cotton, healthy eating, goat farming, and honey production. The number of attendees was as follows: males: 376, females: 322, living in farms: 19, living in rural settings: 340, living in town: 339, Volunteers: 43. The questionnaires results indicated an average of correct answers of 11.94 pre training vs 12.75 post training (T-value: 1.38; P-value: 0.175; the comparison results were not statistically significant at p< 0.01).
Impact: The importance of learning food and fiber production is critical to our society. Due to intense media awareness related to food and food supply, local markets remain as an economical alternative for families to purchase and produce their own food. This training provided an overview of the food production process displaying local producers and their products.
For more information on these 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
Tira News
by Jan Vaughn
Evelyn (Arnold) Horne moved into our community recently. She reports that her daughters, Stacy Green from Sugar Land and Alisa Ottley and Saylor from Dallas, came for lunch and a visit on Friday the 8th.
Kim and Lee Beck had a nice visit with their “almost 2-year-old” granddaughter, Demi, and parents, Derek & Michelle Dailey. Demi got to see Santa and all the sights at Heritage Park. Kim adds, “Lee is selling his bass boat if you know someone who needs a super Christmas present.”
Yvonne and Wesley Weir joined Dacy, Elise and Eli Campbell and Destri and Nicolaas Esterhuyse for the Old City Dallas Candlelight Tour. Yvonne reports, “We had a lovely time. The weather was great .The Weir family including Dakota and Sarah and Lucas enjoyed the community Christmas party Saturday night.”
I went to Tyler on Friday afternoon and did a little Christmas shopping. Our family enjoyed celebrating Christmas with our neighbors at the Tira Christmas Party on Saturday night.
A good group gathered for the party and enjoyed a delicious meal and time of visiting. Following the meal, Sherry Smiddy read the Christmas story and then the young people led everyone in singing Christmas Carols prior to the arrival of Santa Claus. The kids enjoyed telling him their Christmas wishes.
Chip and I attended our Sunday School Christmas party on Monday night at The Cottage event center. It was very nice and we enjoyed a potluck meal, playing games, and exchanging gifts.
On Tuesday evening, Tiffany, Jaidyn, and I went to our Women on Mission meeting at Kathie Wells’ home, where we enjoyed finger foods and an ornament exchange.
Chip and I picked up his mother, Grace Vaughn, and joined Tiffany and her family for Thanksgiving/Christmas lunch at Posey Baptist Church. Grace spent the afternoon with us, and then went to have dinner with John and Linda Vaughn and their family.
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].
Year in Review – Skills Camp By Johanna Hicks
This is the third in a series of summaries for Extension programming. Many people are not aware of the vast array of resources and opportunities that are offered through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, so I hope you are enjoying reading these summaries! Today’s column features Skills Camp.
Relevance: According to Kids’ Count Data Center, 2015 statistics, the percentages of Texas children by the household’s head education attainment are as follows: Not a high school graduate – 20%; High school diploma or GED – 45%; Associates Degree – 7%; Bachelor’s Degree – 18%; Graduate degree – 10%. Additionally, the percentage of children who live in households whose parents lack secure employment is 28%. Statistics specifically for Hopkins County are not available, but we can predict that the numbers are similar.
The purpose of Skills Camp was to provide opportunities for youth in 5th and 6th grades to explore various skills, either as hobbies or careers, and to give them a better understanding of various fields of study. This was the third year for Skills Camp, which was planned, implemented, and evaluated by the Community Health/Wellness Alliance.
The four-day camp was created by request of parents whose children had ‘aged out’ of “Kids’ Camp: Fun, Food, Fitness”, which has been implemented by the Community Health/Wellness Alliance for younger students since 2010. The 2017 Skills Camp was the 3rd year for this camp. Topics were selected as the result of the 2016 survey.
Response: The four-day camp was created by request of parents whose children had ‘aged out’ of “Kids’ Camp: Fun, Food, Fitness”, which has been implemented by the Community Health/Wellness Alliance for younger students since 2010. The 2017 Skills Camp was the 3rd year for this camp. Topics were selected as the result of the 2016 survey.
Camp sessions provided were based on surveys from the previous year. Sessions were held at the Extension Office, with the exception of the first session (described below). Collaborators included a local artist, a retired Ag Teacher, a retired woodworker, and Master Wellness Volunteers.
The camp followed a 3-hour per day schedule. Students were asked to pay $15 (as able), in order to help defray expenses. Grade and ethnicity breakdown were: 5th grade – 6; 6th grade – 6; white – 7; black – 1; Hispanic – 4. Alliance members and Master Wellness Volunteers assisted with each session.
Results: The following sessions were held during the 2017 Skills Camp:
- Day #1 – Art: Students met at a local art studio, Brush of Class by Margo, and received guided instruction in creating a painting to keep. The subject was ice cream cones, in which each student was able to give it their own twist. Owner, Marcia Hinkeldey, provided instruction and bottled water for each student.
- Day #2 – Upcycling: This session involved creating pillows from shirts. Students were instructed to bring either a t-shirt or button up shirt to cut. I provided instruction on basic sewing skills (cutting with a rotary cutter, measuring, threading a sewing machine, filling a bobbin, etc.) Each participant completed their pillow. The second part of the upcycling session included making coasters from ceramic tiles, donated by a Master Wellness Volunteer. Using a decoupage medium and magazine pictures or paper shapes, each camper made four coasters.
- Day #3 – Woodworking: Mr. Dennis Sink (retired teacher, father-in-law of our current SSISD Superintendent), and Mr. Harold Bryant (retired Ag teacher), led the participants in building butterfly houses. Materials were donated by Lowes, Fix-and-Feed, and City National Bank. Each camper received a backpack with tools, goggles, tape measures, koozies, and other items. In addition, they used their creativity to individualize their butterfly houses with paint.
- Day #4 – Cooking: I took the lead in this session, assisted by Master Wellness Volunteers. Campers were given ingredients to make garlic cheese biscuits (baking), meat kabobs using an outdoor grill (pre-cooked sausage, bell peppers, onions, pineapple, and cherry tomatoes), banana boats using an outdoor grill (bananas, chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows), and fruit kabobs (strawberries, grapes, pineapple, mandarin oranges). This session also included knife safety, oven safety, and how to properly use an outdoor grill.
A survey was given on the final day, indicating the following:
– Favorite skill (in order): upcycling (6), art (3), woodworking and cooking tied with 2 votes each
– Other suggested topics (in order of popularity): photography (9), pottery (4), public speaking (4), leatherwork (2), and each receiving 1 votewere office skills, more baking, more art, and self-defense.
– Camp rating: Super Fun (12)
– New skills learned: sewing (5), upcycling (3), woodworking/nail gun (3), outdoor/indoor cooking (3)
– Intent to adopt practices learned: all 12 campers indicated they would use some of the skills learned during camp.
Future Implications: The Community Health/Wellness Alliance, assisted by FCS Committee and Master Wellness Volunteers, will plan the 2018 camp according to survey suggestions. Dates have been set for the summer. Registration forms will go out to Sulphur Springs 5th and 6th graders in the spring.
Closing Thought
All our dreams can come true; if we have the courage to pursue them – Walt Disney
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]
