Happy Thanksgiving from our Staff! By Johanna Hicks
Recently, I had the privilege of leading a discussion on cooking with winter squash – butternut and acorn, in particular. I demonstrated a recipe that is rich in vitamin A and C, as well as being a good source of fiber and deliciousness! The recipe is a delightful accompaniment to any meal, but especially appropriate for Thanksgiving. Enjoy this recipe at your Thanksgiving meal, and from our staff to you, have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Butternut Squash Casserole
Ingredients:
1 butternut squash (about 2 pounds)
2 apples, cored and chopped
½ cup brown sugar, firmly packed
¼ cup reduced calorie margarine
1 tablespoon flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon allspice
Directions:
1) Peel squash, scoop out seeds, and cut in small pieces.
2) Place squash and apples chunks in oblong baking dish (9 X 13)
3) Blend remaining ingredients with a fork until crumbly. Distribute over squash and apples.
4) Cover and bake at 350°F for 45 to 50 minutes.
Makes 8 to 10 servings. Nutrition facts: 119 calories, 24.8 grams carbohydrates, 1.4 grams protein, 2 grams fiber
Become a Master Wellness Volunteer
The Master Wellness Volunteer program allows those who have a passion about health and wellness to share that passion with others via worksite wellness programs, community events, and more. Obtain knowledge and skills to live a healthier lifestyle and encourage others to do the same. Receive 40 hours of training and give back 40 hours of service!
The Master Wellness Volunteer training is for community leaders, school/community nurses or teachers, community health workers, retirees, college students, worksite wellness coordinators, YOU! Session topics will include: overview of the Master Wellness Volunteer program, nutrition and weight management, health and wellness, food safety, physical activity, and much more.
The 2018 dates for the Master Wellness Volunteer training are: January 23, face-to-face; January 30, February 6, February 13 – online self-paced study; and February 28, face-to-face. For those who prefer all classes to be face-to-face, that option will also be available. All face-to-face sessions will from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200 W. Houston, Sulphur Springs (next door to the Southwest Dairy Museum).
Registration is on-going until January 15, 2018 at http://agrilife.org/mwv. There is a $75 fee. College students only pay $25. For more information, contact our office at 903-885-3443. Currently, Hopkins County has 10 trained volunteers who have contributed more than 925 hours in 2017. We have a great group, and we’d love to have YOU!
Closing Thought
No one stands as tall as the one who stoops to help a child.
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]
UPRA Rodeo Royalty, Hopefuls Make Promotional Visit to KSST, Channel 18
With the “Cinch” United Professional Rodeo Finals in town this weekend, the nine candidates for UPRA titles were making their way around town prior to arena competitions during the rodeo’s three performances. These young ladies range in age from thirteen to eighteen and represent rodeos and cattle companies in Texas and Louisiana. All of them are already seasoned rodeo competitors who aspire to represent the UPRA’s five-state circuit. Both the current Miss UPRA and Miss Teen UPRA are actually from the same community, the Scroggins area of Hopkins County, the first time that has ever occurred in Finals history! Both these girls will have to pass their crowns to new winners during this rodeo.
The finalists are pictured here, left to right;
FRONT ROW
Amber Simmons of Needville, Tx Miss Teen Jasper Rodeo Queen
Rebeccah McQueen now of Brock, Tx, reigning Miss Teen UPRA
Josie Neal of Scroggins, Tx, reigning Miss UPRA Rodeo
Dixie Tabb of Bagota, Tx, Miss Wing Rodeo Company
BACK ROW
Bobbi Loran of Scotland, Tx Miss Champion Rodeo Company
Allie McGaha of Childress, Tx, Miss Old Settlers Reunion Association
Savannah Stafford of La Ranger, La, Miss Junior Crossbrand Rodeo Queen
Colleen Crumpton of Dekalb, Rx, Miss Naples Rodeo
Kendall Blake of Sulphur Springs, Mt. Vernon Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo Queen
UPRA Royalty and contestants in the KSST studios in Sulphur Springs
SSISD Tax Office Closed During Week of Thanksgiving
According to Sandra Gibby, Tax Assessor-Collector for the Sulphur Springs Independent School District, the school tax office will be closed the following days for the Thanksgiving Holiday:
Monday, November 20th through Friday, November 24th
Vote for Local Teen Syndee Hawkins to Sing National Anthem Contest at Cattle Industry Convention in Phoenix, Az.
Nineteen year-old Sydnee Hawkins of Sulphur Springs, Texas is one of four finalists vying for the privilege of singing the National Anthem at the Spring convention of one of the oldest and largest cattleman’s organizations in the United States. The National Beef Cattleman’s Association sponsors the singing contest each year, the winner earning the honor of appearing at the convention and trade show in Phoenix in early 2018. Voting is a simple and quick process, so please help Sydnee get the most votes by voting daily through early December.
Sydnee is well-known locally for roles in SSHS Thespian productions, in Haystack Youth Choir and as a soloist with the NE Texas Choral Society. Supporters of Sydnee can vote once each day at the link to the NCBA contest. You can Vote for Sydnee by clicking on the following link: Vote Here and clicking on Sydnee’s video, then click on the blue “Vote” button.
CATTLE INDUSTRY CONVENTION & NCBA TRADE SHOW
JANUARY 31 – FEBRUARY 2, 2018
PHOENIX CONVENTION CENTER DOWNTOWN
PHOENIX, AZ
The Cattle Industry Convention is the oldest and largest national convention for the cattle business. The 2018 convention will be the 121st annual convention. The convention and trade show create a unique, fun environment for cattle industry members to come together to network, create policy for the industry and to have some fun! If you’re in the cattle business, then you need to be in Phoenix.
Harrison Seeks Republican Nomination for County Court at Law Judge
SULPHUR SPRINGS – November 13, 2017 – On the first official day of filing, Assistant District Attorney Clay Harrison filed to run for County Court at Law Judge with the Republican Party. The position is currently held by Judge Amy Smith, who will retire when her term expires in December 2018.
Harrison, a life-long resident of Hopkins County, graduated from Sulphur Springs High School and attended The University of Texas at Austin where he was a Group Commander in the University’s Air Force ROTC program. After graduating from college, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force at age 20. He then attended Baylor University’s law school on a full academic scholarship.
After taking the bar exam, Harrison joined the Air Force Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps and served as a military attorney at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia. For two years, he practiced a variety of law on behalf of U.S. service members including wills, probate, family law, and civil law.
Harrison was later assigned to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, where he served as the Chief of Military Justice for one of the Air Force’s largest overseas bases. He supervised a team of attorneys, paralegals, and clerks and oversaw criminal cases for the 7,500 member base. He prosecuted numerous criminal cases involving child pornography, sexual assault, drugs, and theft.
In 2010, he was deployed to the tropical island of Mindanao in the Southern Philippines in support of counterinsurgency operations against the Abu Sayyaf (“Bearer of the Sword”) terror group. The Abu Sayyaf organization made its reputation as a particularly violent jihadist threat, specializing in kidnapping for ransom operations. As the lone attorney for a joint special operations unit of Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces, and other combat soldiers, he advised military commanders on the law of war and rules of engagement. He also directed an intelligence program that rewarded local civilians for providing information on high value enemy targets.
He separated honorably from the Air Force in 2012 in order to return home to Texas. After prosecuting criminal cases in Tyler, he returned to his home town in 2014 and joined Will Ramsay’s team at the District Attorney’s office in October 2014. Since then, he has tried 28 fully litigated cases to the jury or to the court, written 13 appeals, and had several notable jury trials.
In November 2015, he tried Mark Covington, a captain in the Aryan Circle according to gang experts, for witness tampering. Covington received a life sentence from a jury.
In January 2016, he tried Stanton Yates as the leader of a home burglary ring that spread across Hopkins County. Yates received a life sentence from a jury.
In March 2016, he tried Hunter Dixon for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. After initially pleading Not Guilty, Dixon changed his plea during trial to guilty and agreed to 40 years in prison without parole.
Also in March 2016, Harrison tried Scott Shine for Engaging in Organized Crime. Texas DPS Narcotics officers dubbed Shine “the biggest meth dealer in Franklin County.” Shine was sentenced to life in prison by a jury.
In December 2016, Harrison worked closely with law enforcement to secure guilty pleas from Dustin Garcia, Christopher Chambers, and several other members of an organized ATV theft ring. Garcia received a 28 year sentence and Chambers received 15 years. Due to aggravated parole rules, both leaders will have to serve half of their sentences before being eligible for parole.
Also in December 2016, Harrison tried Daniel Arnold of Franklin County for shaving the heads of his two children while a CPS investigation was pending into methamphetamine use. Arnold was sentenced by Judge Eddie Northcutt to the maximum of 10 years in prison.
In June 2017, Harrison tried professional swindler Chad Cappiello for a contracting remodel scam in Hopkins County. Mr. Cappiello was convicted by a jury and sentenced to the maximum of 2 years in state jail by Judge Northcutt.
Last week, Harrison prosecuted Dana Gandy for felony theft. She was convicted by a Hopkins County jury in 13.5 minutes. Sentencing will take place on November 28.
Harrison has published two books, including The Stubborn Texan, which is a conservative defense of the U.S. Constitution.
Outside of work, Harrison and his wife lead the Crossover young adult ministry at The Way Bible Church, are active in Crossfit, and are the proud parents of a 7 month old girl. Harrison is the son of Dr. Juan and Mrs. Sheri Harrison, both career educators, and the grandson of Jim Weeks and the late Darlene Weeks. His wife Tara is the daughter of Mike and Sandra Gibby, and the granddaughter of Jerry Don and Peggy Goldsmith of Birthright.
Contact: Clay Harrison 903-243-3118
Email: [email protected]
Main Street Uncorked Presents $5,000 to Veterans’ Memorial
Jeana Penny presents 5,000 check from Main Street Uncorked a fundraiser for the Hopkins County Veterans’ Memorial.
NETBIO Anniversary Sale Averages $906.48 per Head
The cattle industry in Northeast Texas celebrated a milestone at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission Wednesday when the Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization (NETBIO) launched the beginning of its 20th year of operation with a big barbecue luncheon and a pre-conditioned calf and yearling sale.
NETBIO is a group of independent cow/calf producers and agribusiness representatives who work together to enhance the beef industry in Northeast Texas. The organization is recognized across the State of Texas and the Southern United States as the leader in its reputable offering of pre-conditioned calves.
The anniversary celebration kicked off with a barbecue meal that was enjoyed by approximately 475 producers, buyers, family and friends. Following the lunch, auctioneer Joe Don Pogue gaveled the sale of 7,758 head of cattle into action.
BIDDING GOES ON Auctioneer and Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission co-owner Joe Don Pogue, at the microphone, takes bids on a pen of Tiger stripe heifers during Wednesday’s NETBIO pre-conditioned cattle sale.
“It was a very good sale to mark the anniversary of NETBIO,” Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission co-owner and NETBIO board member said. “There were producers and buyers here from throughout the region and from the adjoining states.”
Fowler said the 246 producers who consigned cattle to the sale did their usual great job of pre-conditioning their cattle and getting them ready for the sale. He added that the demand was good and the cattle sold at a premium. A total of 38 buyers paid an average of $906.48 per head.
“There was a lot of interest from the buyers — both those at the sale and several who were buying over the Internet,” Fowler said.
Those who missed this sale have an opportunity to attend a second NETBIO anniversary sale on November 29 at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission.
Due to the increased demand that made it necessary to close the consignment books early on the Nov. 15 sale, NETBIO directors scheduled this second sale, which will be offering over 7,000 head of pre-conditioned cattle. This second edition of the anniversary-month sale will begin at 1 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled NETBIO sale will be held on January 17. The deadline for weaning calves for that sale is Dec. 3, and the booster shot deadline is Dec. 18.
QUALITY CATTLE A total of 7,758 head of pre-conditioned cattle like these sold at the NETBIO anniversary sale this week. Another special NETBIO sale, with over 7,000 head consigned, will be held Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 1 p.m. at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission.
Lovejoy Head Coach Resume Includes UT Quarterback; Offensive Coordinator for Southlake Carroll, UNT
The Wildcats play Lovejoy Friday at Prim Stadium in a bi-district match and the Leopards head coach is Todd Ford, in his second year. The former University of Texas quarterback in the `90s was the offensive cooordinator for Coach Todd Dodge at Southlake Carroll and the University of North Texas. Coach Ford also built the program at Round Rock Cedar Ridge leading them to the playoffs for three straight years before coming to Lovejoy.
This year Lovejoy is 5-5, just like the Wildcats. They lost five but have won the last five. Plagued by injuries and a tough schedule that include playoff teams Argyle, Frisco Wakeland, Frisco Lone Star and Highland Park, the Leopards went 0-5. After a bye week, they got healthier and have won five straight including victories over playoff teams North Forney and Mesquite Poteet.
Lovejoy’s quarterback is Carson Collins, who was injured early. Coach Ford said he is benefiting from starting ten games last season as a sophomore. Receiver Chase Van Wagoner is heading to TCU. On defense, the Leopards leader is Arkansas commit Bumper Pool, their senior middle linebacker. Coach Ford said the Wildcats are well coached and they are playing very hard. He said the Wildcats are also on a winning streak and are playing with confidence. Coach Ford said the opportunity is there for a really good football game to take place Friday night.
