Como-Pickton FFA Teams Place at State Fair, Donate to Help-a-Child Benefit
According to Michael Bowen, Ag Instructor and FFA Sponsor, the Como Pickton FFA teams competed at the State Fair of Texas Agricultural Mechanics Show. The students also donated a shop-built BBQ Smoker to be auctioned at the Help-a-Child Benefit on October 21 in the Civic Center arena.
Here is their report.
Specialty Equipment Trailer – 2nd in class exhibited by Parker Cummings and Daniel Galvan
Portable Milking Parlor – 1st in class exhibited by Cameron Matthews, River Thomas and Breanna Bowen
New to the State Fair of Texas Ag Mechanics Contest is the Premier Exhibitor Sweepstakes contest. In is competition, contestants take a written exam. The top scores on the test advance to the second round. In this round of competition the students perform an agricultural mechanics skill and make a presentation about their project to a panel of judges. Tyler Osborne and Breanna Bowen represented the CP FFA in this contest. Both advanced to the second round with Breanna earning fourth place honors.
The CP FFA built this smoker for the Help-A-Child Ag Mech Project Show and have donated it to the auction. The show starts at 10:00 am on Saturday, Oct 21 at the Hopkins County Civic Center. The awards for the Help-a-Child Contests will be at 12:15 pm followed by the auction. Come out and join the CP FFA in supporting a great cause.
There will be a total of 11 projects in the show and auction from the students of the CP FFA, SkillsUSA and the FCCLA.
CP FFA Members and the Como-Pickton CISD Administration Team will be cooking in the Help-A-Child Chili Cook-off.
CP FFA = Eagle Pride 24/7
Cold Fronts in the Garden by Mario Villarino
Cold season is here! As you have already noticed, cold front during the fall can create a serious challenges for farmers and gardeners alike. When refereeing to this time of the year, Keith C. Hansen, Extension Horticulturist, Smith Co. – Tyler, Texas wrote for Aggie horticulture: “The cool, crisp days of fall are finally here, bringing pleasant outdoor gardening weather. The change from daylight savings reminds us that the first frosts and freezes of the year are not far away, and that more changes are in store. There is plenty of gardening opportunities in November, but don’t let the days slip by before those important chores are done.
The shorter days and incoming cold fronts confirm the changing of seasons. The first freeze is not far away (perhaps already arrived by the time you read this) and plants must adjust to new conditions. The average first freeze is about November 15, and you should have already prepared your tender plants for that eventuality. Houseplants often are damaged below 40 degrees, and tropical plants cannot stand a frost or even light freeze. Bring in tender houseplants that have enjoyed being outdoors during the summer, and give them a sunny location where you can keep up the humidity.
Check for bugs before bringing them in. A forceful blast of water will remove most unwanted guests. Cut back on fertilizer, and water your plants after the soil slightly dries. Do not allow water to collect in saucers, or you will end up rotting the roots at the bottom of the pot. Plants are difficult to protect, even with covers, during windy, freezing nights because the wind dissipates stored heat. On the other hand, covers offer several degrees of protection if the freezing event is the result of a still, cold, cloudless night following a sunny day and the temperature doesn’t fall too far below 32 degrees. If rain is elusive in the following weeks, irrigate as the soil becomes dry. Drought-stressed plants are more easily injured by freezing temperatures. This is particularly true of evergreen plants. Also, moist soil stores more of the sun’s energy and for a longer time than does dry soil. This energy is released as heat after the sun sets, and provides a degree or two of moderation. Harvest all warm-season vegetables before a hard freeze ends production.
Later in November and on through February is the ideal time to dig and transplant trees and shrubs during their dormant, non-growth period. Right now is really an ideal time to landscape with trees and shrubs, especially those grown in containers. Roots continue to grow even though the rest of the plant is dormant, so these plants will be more ready when the stresses of summer. If you have favorite tender plants you’d like to include in your garden next year, then carefully dig them out of the flower bed, plant them in a well-drained potting mix, and keep in a bright, humid room. They may look terrible during the winter, but if they survive, you can replant them in the garden as soon as the soil begins to warm. Or, take cuttings and root them in a well-drained potting mix.
Now that summer is over, and so are summer flowers, it’s time to replace them with winter-hardy flowers for color. Pansies are the number one choice for blooming bedding plants. They’re hardy, will bloom over a long season, and come in a wide array of colors. The old-fashioned face varieties have been steadily improved for better garden performance, and many new varieties with solid or bi-colors without a face are now available. You can get anything from bold orange, yellow and red, to pale pastels. Miniature pansies are also becoming popular, as well as the old fashioned viola and Johnny Jump-Ups. Other bedding plants to choose from now include snapdragons, calendula, ornamental kale/cabbage, and pinks or dianthus. Some spring wildflowers, can still be sown from seed in early November, including bluebonnets, Drummond phlox, rudbeckia and coreopis. Sow into a bare, prepared soil, very lightly cover and water immediately to initiate germination. Don’t forget the interest plants with berries can add to the landscape. Pyracantha, all kinds of hollies, nandina and beautyberry are just a few of the choices available for bright, winter interest.
This time of the year is actually a great time to plant all kinds of trees and shrubs. Trees are already beginning to change into their fall coloration. If you have been considering a tree for your landscape, and would like one that has brilliant fall color, make several visits to your favorite nurseries and check the tree inventories. Seedling trees may vary in their ability to turn colors – one shumard red oak may regularly have great fall color while another may never be anything but brown every fall. By selecting a tree with good color in the fall, you’ll have the assurance it will be able to put on a good show in future autumns.
Don’t forget tulip and hyacinth bulbs in the refrigerator. They can be planted anytime this month if they have received 60 or more days of chilling. It’s not too late to plant daffodils, either. Camellias will soon be coming into bloom. First the sasanqua and later the popular camellia japonica. Select new varieties for a winter planting while in flower. Consider time of bloom when selecting camellias. Sasanqua camellias, while not having as big and showy flowers as japonicas, bloom earlier, usually escaping late freezes that can blight open camellia japonica blooms. As the grass slows down in growth, keep it mowed at the same height. Collect the grass clippings along with the fallen leaves for an excellent mix in the compost pile. Check existing camellias for scale underneath the leaves and treat with horticultural oil or insecticide if found. Don’t get in a hurry to prune woody plants. Late December through February is usually the best time to prune them – even later into March for crapemyrtles.
Late fall and early winter is an ideal time to adjust highly acidic lawn and garden soils. Most grasses, except centipede, and most vegetable garden plants prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH. Many locations in East Texas have soils which are strongly acidic which limits the potential of plant growth. The only way to know for certain whether your lawn or garden needs an application of agricultural lime, and how much is needed, is to have the soil tested for pH. Most soils, however, do not require yearly applications. Test to be sure.
Once leaf drop begins in earnest, do not let wet leaves stay on the lawn. Wet leaves block beneficial sunlight and keep grass wet, increasing the chances of disease. Mow the lawn regularly to shred leaves into the turf, or rake them and add them to your compost pile. Leaves and grass clippings combined make some of the best ingredients for building a hot compost. Build a compost pile (or 2 or 3) to deal with those leaves. It is not necessary to do all the turning and other things you often read about to get those leaves to decompose. They will eventually rot and turn into rich soil amendment. It will just take longer. But if you are basically lazy or not in a hurry, then pile up the leaves in an out of the way spot, and forget about them. On the other hand, if you are industrious, or would like a source of excellent organic matter to add to your beds in a few months, shred the leaves, and add roughly equal parts nitrogen-rich material, like grass clippings, to the leaves. Moisten the contents as you make the pile, which should be at least 3x3x3 feet. Turn it after each time the pile heats up. As caladiums fade, dig up the tubers while you can still find them. Store them in a dry, cool place. Use dry sawdust or peat moss to help keep the tubers from rotting. With colder weather approaching, birds will appreciate our help in supplying food, water and shelter. Make sure feeding stations are located so you can see the action, yet where the birds are not threatened by neighborhood cats”.
Coming Up:
- DOPA training for dairymen, Southwest Dairy Museum, October 25, 2017
- Private Applicators CEU’s, November 1, 2017, Regional Civic Center, 5 CEU’s, $30 lunch included.
- Private Applicator Training for new licensees, November 29, 2017, Hopkins County Extension Office.
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
Ahhh-Autumn, Pumpkins, & Onions By Johanna Hicks
Greetings from Omaha, Nebraska! As I prepare this week’s column, I’m enjoying the cool temperatures on the second day of the National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences conference. It has been an adventurous trip, but I won’t go into that for now. However, the cooler temperatures have inspired me to share a recipe from Extension’s “Dinner Tonight” website. I hope you will try this recipe as a main dish!
Creamy Pumpkin Pasta
- 12 ounces bow tie pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup mushrooms, chopped coarsely
- 2 cups 2% milk
- 4 ounces fat-free cream cheese, cubed
- 1 ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sage
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
Instructions:
1) Cook pasta according to package directions.
2) In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Add garlic and stir. Add mushrooms and stir until softened.
3) Add milk and cream cheese; stir until cream cheese is melted.
4) Stir in pumpkin and spices until well combined. Heat thoroughly.
5) Add pasta and stir until pasta is coated. Serve immediately.
This recipe makes 6 servings. Each serving has 340 calories, 8 grams total fat, 53 grams carbohydrate, 2 grams fiber, 370 mg sodium.
Onion Differences are More than Skin Deep
Have you ever wondered about the difference in onions, other than the color? Actually, each variety has a slightly different flavor and works best in different types of dishes. If you’re in the habit of snagging the cheapest onion at the store, the following information from cooktopcove.com will help you use the best onion for the best flavor:
Yellow Onion: The yellow onion has the strongest flavor out of all onion types. For most dishes, the yellow onion is the best choice, especially if you want to try caramelizing since it is high in natural sugars.
Red Onion: The red onion tastes best uncooked. It is popular on most burgers and sandwiches when you eat out. You can also chop it up for a salad. The red onion has less sugar than the yellow onion and contains antioxidants that may help prevent cancer.
White Onion: The white onion is your best bet for a little crunch. Use this onion in dishes where you want a little more texture. You’ll find this onion on pizza and in Mexican dishes. It has anti-inflammatory properties.
Sweet Onion: A sweet onion looks a bit like a yellow onion, but the peel is more orange than yellow. Walla Wall and Vadalias are sweet onions. The flavor is mold, so you can eat them raw. The high water content makes this a great option for salsas.
Green Onion: These are easy to tell apart from other onions because they are tall and green. These can be cooked, but they’re commonly served raw. The green onion is actually the stalk of a bulb onion plant, so don’t hesitate to dice the whole thing when cooking.
Shallot: Shallots are small almond-shaped onions with a golden-pink colored peel. This type of onion is sweeter and milk, so it works well raw in salads or as an additive in salad dressings. The shallot costs more than other onions. To chop a shallot, slice off the ends and remove the peel. Dice as you please.
So, there you have it! All onions are not created the same, so enjoy experimenting with your favorite recipes to come up with the perfect combination!
Fall Festival Creative Arts Contest Reminder
The 2017 Hopkins County Fall Festival is upon us! I invite you to enter something in the Creative Arts Contest. We hope to surpass 300 entries this year. Here are a few reminders:
– A list of categories can be picked up at the Extension Office, or found on the Hopkins County Fall Festival website or athttps://hopkins.agrilife.org. Click on publications.
– Items will be accepted at the Sulphur Springs High School Conference Center, Thursday, October 26 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., or Friday, October 27, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. If these times are not possible, you may bring them to the Extension Office Monday thru Wednesday, October 23 thru 25, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
– There are entry categories for children, youth, adults, and older Texans. Entries are limited to Hopkins County residents due to limited display space.
– Entries will be judged on Friday, October 27, and open for public display that afternoon, from approximately 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
– Best of Show winners’ pictures (purple rosettes) will be taken at 1:30 on Saturday, October 28, after which all entries may be picked up.
Be sure to check requirements for each entry category.
Closing Thought
Enjoy the simple joys in life, because they soon become the calming factors in a complicated life!
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]
Senior Citizens Chili Cook-Off Approaching
This year’s Chili Cook-Off will be held at noon on Tuesday, October 24th at the Senior Citizens Center. There will be 15 pots of chili for you to come and eat all you want, and five judges from all around the community whose job will be to judge all of the entries. Your only job will be to sample as much chili and crackers as you want. Drinks and dessert will also be served. All of this is FREE to you. Just come, eat, and enjoy!
Lady Cat Volleyball Win at Pinetree
Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Justin Maness said the bottom line Tuesday night was that the Lady Cats got out with a win at Pine Tree. He said he’d take a win on the road, especially at Pine Tree, any day. The Lady Cats outlasted Pine 3-2 winning a close set 5, 15-13. Coach Maness said the match was exciting but he added he knew it would be. He said he knew Pine Tree knew the stakes involved in the match. The Lady Cats came in 8-2 in district play with Pine Tree just one game back at 7-3. Coach Maness said he figured Pine Tree would be out to try and mess someone up. He said Pine Tree came out and played extremely well. Coach Maness called it a great match. Set five was incredible.
The Lady Cats jumped out to an 11-2 lead. Pine Tree rallied back to tie the set at 11-11. Coach Maness said Pine Tree had a rotation that they could get in that made them extremely tough. He said the Lady Cats seemed to get back on their heels waiting for Pine Tree to make mistakes and give away points. Coach Maness said the Lady Cats did not finish the match like he wanted them too. However Pine Tree did make a critical error with the score tied 13-13. A Lady Pirate serve went out of bounds and the Lady Cats went up 14-13. Then the Lady Cats got a kill that ended the dramatic match.
The Lady Cats have a bye Friday and then they host Mt. Pleasant next Tuesday on Senior Night. Coach Maness said the district match is important with the Lady Cats in a virtual tie with Texas High for first place. He said the Lady Cats must take the match seriously. If the Lady Cats and Texas High end up in a first place tie, there will be a playoff game to decide the top seed in the playoffs.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Hopkins County
Ragan Dennis, a caseworker and counselor employed by Safe-T Family Services located in Sulphur Springs, visited the KSST Studios during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. She wants to let the public know where help is available for persons threatened in an abusive or potentially violent situation, relationship or lifestyle. Through it’s network of agencies, Safe-T helps provide counseling, support and housing for women, women with children and others faced with these issues. She also wants the public to know that even a friend or family member may express concern about a loved one and seek help for them with a visit to Safe-T’s offices at 613 Gilmer Street.
In addition to serving teen and adult Safe-T clients, Ragan also performs instruction through Outreach classes at county schools, meeting with sixth-graders on the subject of Cyber-bullying. During the meeting, printed information is supplied and questions asked of the students to reinforce that bullying in any form is wrong and that help is available to victims.
Last October, Safe-T sponsored a Candlelight Vigil in Sulphur Springs for family members of victims of domestic violence. Although a vigil was held earlier this year, the October Candlelight Vigil will return in 2018 as an annual feature of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, according to Ragan.
Chamber Connection October 19, 2017
The Stew Contest is almost here!! The Chamber had a successful meeting Tuesday night with our soon to be stew cooks who were able to pick up their goody bags and grocery reimbursement checks. If you are already signed up to cook stew but missed the meeting, please come by the Chamber to pick up your awesome goody bag.
The 48th Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest will be held at Buford Park on Saturday, October 28th. Stew service will begin at 10:45 a.m., and quart sales begin at 11:30 a.m. Stew tickets are already on sale at all local banks and at the Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are All-You-Can-Eat Stew for $5.00 each. T-shirts will also be available for $10 each.
Workforce Solutions will host its annual LEAP Conference on October 20th from 9 a.m. to 12 noon
Workforce Solutions of Northeast Texas is hosting its annual LEAP (Learning Endorsements and Professions) Youth Expo on Friday, October 20th. This event is very much like a job fair except that it is geared to educate eighth graders and help guide them as they make their endorsement selections heading into high school. Workforce Solutions is seeking a wide variety of companies and businesses to attend the LEAP Youth Expo to describe your business and expose eighth graders to all career avenues after graduation. Since students now choose their high school endorsements while in eighth grade, the Expo is perfect for them. Over the past two years, they’ve had difficulty getting a veterinarian, doctor, dentist, orthodontist, pilot, author, artist, musician, architect, and sports/personal trainer. Please consider attending this Expo and taking visuals and information to give away. They will be so thankful to have you there! Please call Bart Spivy at (903)794-9490 ext. 513 with any questions.
The 10th Annual Help-A-Child Tractor Pull and Cook-off will be held Saturday, October 21st at 9 a.m.
Help-A-Child will host their 10th Annual Tractor Pull with a Chili and Brisket Cook-off on Saturday, October 21st beginning at 8 a.m. at the Hopkins County Civic Center. The Antique Tractor Pull and Show will begin at 8 a.m. There is no admission fee, but donations will be accepted for the charities. The Chili Cook-off begins at 11:30 a.m. with all you can eat chili and Dutch Oven cobbler for $5. There will be a Live Public Auction at 12:30 p.m., and the Brisket Cook-off begins at 4 p.m. The Help-A-Child benefit is conducted by the Sulphur Bluff Masonic Lodge #246, the Sulphur Springs Masonic Lodge #221, the Hopkins Masonic Lodge #180, and the Delta Masonic Lodge #1240.
SS Main Street Uncorked holds a cause worth toasting on Saturday, October 21st
SS Main Street Uncorked is hosting a wine tasting event on Saturday, October 21st in downtown Sulphur Springs from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. They will offer the best of Texas wines, live music, shopping, and vendors. The cost is $20 for 10 tastings. All proceeds to benefit the Hopkins county Veterans Memorial.
Reilly Springs Jamboree is gearing up for a huge night of entertainment
Reilly Springs Jamboree is gearing up for a huge night of entertainment featuring Don Woods, Hannah Kirby, Shelby Glenn, Shanna Carter, Sydnee Hawkins, Bill Owens, and Janet Reed. Make plans to head to the Reilly Springs Jamboree on Saturday, October 21st at 6:30 p.m. The Reilly Springs Community Center is located at 109 CR 1439 in Sulphur Springs. Cost is $10 per person. For more information contact Enola Gay at 903-438-3568, or Roger Reed at 903-348-7114.
The Alcove2 and Foster’s Place are hosting a craft beer and food pairing
The Alcove2 and Foster’s Place are hosting a craft beer and food pairing on Monday, October 23rd at the Alcove 2. Tickets are $10 and available ONLY until October 21st. This is a “Reservations Only” night of special craft beers, food, and fun. The Alcove2 is located at 101 Gilmer Street North in Sulphur Springs. Call (903) 335-8822 to make reservations.
EDC and ATCOG announce the 2nd Annual Northeast Texas Rural Transportation Summit
Sulphur Springs EDC and the Ark-Tex Council of Governments announces the 2nd Annual Northeast Texas Rural Transportation Summit on Tuesday, October 31st at the Hopkins County Civic Center located at 1200 Houston Street in Sulphur Springs. Keynote Speaker is Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar. Panels will include local industry, major rail operators, short-line rail operators, and regional airport operators. For additional information call Roger Feagley at the EDC, 903-439-0101.
Chili’s is now offering Delivery and Catering for the Holidays
Chili’s in Sulphur Springs is now offering delivery and catering for the holiday season. You can receive 10% off your delivered order with the coupon code CHAMBER. Chili’s will need 24-hour advance notice for all orders. Just call (903) 885-5242 to place your order. Let Chili’s do the holiday cooking for you!
Ribbon Cuttings:
Hopkins County Fall Festival hosted a Business After Hours Mixer on Thursday, October 12
Hopkins County Fall Festival hosted a Business After Hours Mixer on Thursday, October 12 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at City Hall in Sulphur Springs. This was the official start to the 2017 Fall Festival!
CHRISTUS Health Care Foundation hosted the Grand Opening of “In My Closet” Wednesday, October 18th at Noon
The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation announced the official grand opening of “In My Closet” benefitting cancer patients Wednesday, October 18th at noon. “In My Closet” is now offering a helping hand for men and women undergoing cancer treatments. The closet is filled with an assortment of wigs, scarves, hats, specialty lotions/creams, books, puzzles, etc. This is a free service and is for anyone struggling through cancer. A picture ID & doctor appointment card are the only requirements. For more information contact the Health Care Foundation office at 903-438-4799.
New Members:
Welcome to our newest members to the Chamber of Commerce. The Colonial Cowboy and Freddy’s Fast Cash, we are happy to welcome you to the Chamber!
Video/Story: Teacher Retirement Healthcare Seminar Set for Monday
A Teacher Retirement Healthcare Seminar will focus on information regarding health care changes for teacher, school staff and auxiliary personnel for retirees under 65 years of age and those over 65. The seminar is set for Monday, October 23 at 1:30 p.m. at the Region 8 Education Service Center located between Mt Pleasant and Pittsburg on Highway 271.
Local retired teachers lobbied for a Northeast Texas seminar which will be much closer for retired teachers than the seminars scheduled in Tyler, Mesquite, Nacagdoches, and Lufkin. There is no reservation needed for this Northeast Texas Seminar. The seminar was made necessary by changes made to the teacher retirement plan during the recent Texas Legislature. All teacher retirement will now be under a Humana Advantage Plan. The Humana Plan for retired teachers will differ from the Medicare Humana Advantage Plan.
Retired North Hopkins School Superintendent Tommy Long, retired Librarian Marilyn Powers, and Sherri Moore, wife of a retired teacher and administrative staff member at CHRISTS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs spoke with KSST News regarding the seminar and the new health plan for retired teacher.
