Last Days for Big Hilton Points Bonus
As many seasoned travelers know, obtaining extra “points” through a credit card sign-up is a great way to get a jump start on free travel or enjoy perks from a hotel chain. One recent development is with the Hilton brand of hotels and their agreement with American Express. Previously, Hilton had partnered with both Amex and Citibank, but have recently decided to end their relationship with Citibank at the end of 2017. This will cut the number of cards that you can apply for from four down to two. Of course, Amex may expand their offering in the future, but the Citibank cards that earn Hilton Honors Points, will no longer be available. As a Hilton Honors member, you can enjoy many perks by being loyal to the Hilton brands, which include Hampton Inn, DoubleTree, and many other properties. Below is a limited offer that will let new Amex Surpass cardholders easily earn 100,000 Honors points (redeemable at over 4,600 properties worldwide), after the cardholder meets the initial spending requirement. This Amex Surpass 100K offer will end 7/26/17. If you access the same offer through the American Express site the bonus is only 75,000 points. By having this credit card, you also enjoy instant “Gold” status which gives you free breakfast for many stays and other perks as well. This is a great bonus for folks that travel infrequently. You do not have to be a current Hilton Honors member to apply for this card, but current Hilton Honors members (that don’t currently have this credit card) may apply and receive the bonus points. You must use the link by clicking on the ad below to get the higher sign-up bonus. After clicking on the link, be sure and read all of the Rates & Fees as well as the other Benefit information supplied by Amex.
Amex Surpass 100,000 point offer
Dressage for a Cause – Benefiting Shadow Ranch
By Savannah Owens
The North East Texas (NETX) Dressage Club is hosting a three day Clinic and Competition, July 21st through 23. The event is benefiting the Shadow Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center. Pam Richardson with Shadow Ranch talked to KSST about Shadow Ranch. Shadow Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center helps kids and adults with disabilities or disabling situations through horse therapy.
Richardson explained the healing benefits horses bring to patients, “We’ve been able to see first steps and hear first words.” Relationships with horses seem to unlock patients in areas that other therapy can’t. “Interaction is really good, and you can see the children bond with the horses.” She explained that each patient is matched with a particular horse based on need , temperament and personality. The horses can help kids and adults with confidence, “balance, and strength.” She continued. “The horses have to have big, loving, hearts and we’ve trained them to be able to handle a variety of situations including [patient] meltdowns and seizures.” “The horses have been trained know to come to a complete stop, and be very still while the Shadow Ranch staff properly solves the problem”. Shadow Ranch is committed to meeting their patients needs at every level. “Some kids are afraid to ride, and that’s okay, we work with grooming and petting the horses too.”
The North East Texas (NETX) Dressage Club”s three day event highlights the heroes of Shadow Ranch by focusing on the artistry of dressage which is the art of riding and training a horse in a manner that develops obedience, flexibility, and balance. Dressage enables the horse and rider to act as one in manner and movement.
Saturday’s event began at 8:00 am and ended at 5:00 pm . The Clinic portion was similar to a training session where Kristen Currie and Doreen Atkinson worked one on one with the different scheduled riders and horses, helping them perfect their dressage routines, and was done in the arena part of the civic center. It was a learning and teaching portion, held simultaneously with the competitions.
The schooling show competitions which included western dressage and coach-driving competitions,were held in the outdoor arena. Sunday’s agenda includes Clinics, Schooling shows, and other competitions! Events start at 8:00 a.m. – don’t miss it!
Competitions on Saturday included over 15 different horses and riders competing in the events. Spectators enjoyed seeing a range in techniques and style as well as various breeds of horses and miniature horses. The competitors impressively guided the horses around the arena while the judges scored each one. Winning horses were given ribbons, which several owners placed on the horse’s stall.
In addition to the event, there was a silent auction and giveaways. Spectators also enjoyed various concessions and the equine vendor section. Consumers found tables laden with horse related items such as: blankets, grooming supplies, bits, and etc. Local artist Gail Finger, sold hand painted chaps, boots and jackets along with her signature paintings.
Check out some pictures from the event!
Aviation History: VC-137C 72-7000. Boeing 707-353B.
The included information comes from local Sulphur Springs resident Tony Hughes. Mr Hughes worked on, performed engine run up, pre-flight/post flight and flew as an aircraft mechanic observer on FCF’s (functional check flight) at the Greenville, Tx. plant, formerly known as TEMCO. The Greenville plant started as Temco (Texas Engineering & Manufacturing Co.) then changed to Ling-Temco Electronics, Inc. in 1960, then Ling-Temco-Vought, Inc. in 1961. The company then changed it’s name to LTV Electrosystems, Inc. in 1965, then E-Systems, Inc. in 1972. A merger changed the name to Raytheon E-Systems in 1995, and now the company has been managed by L-3 Communications since 2002.
The Lion King Jr Delivers Wholesome Entertainment
By Savannah Owens
The Lion King Jr. play was terrific! All the kids are very talented actors and singers! Alex Walker did a wonderful job playing the villainous Scar, delivering his lines in a believable and seemingly-experienced way. Grace Mansfield and Savannah Deterding were hilarious as Timon and Pumbaa and kept the audience laughing all night long. Kiara Stowater sang a beautiful melody as Nala.
There was a touching scene between Ben Braddy as Mufasa and Zeek Deterding as Young Simba when they sang about the stars, and Ben picked Zeek up at the end, as a father would playfully pick up his son. There was even a part where the lions captured (non-violently) a baby antelope and carried him off stage.
Overall this play is a perfect family outing with something everyone can enjoy! Don’t miss the final performance Sunday at 2:00 pm. For more information about the play click here.
Dixie Ponytails Fundraiser Saturday at 5 p.m.; Play in World Series in South Carolina
Hopkins County Dixie Ponytails Head Coach Brent Tanton said the strength of his state champion and World Series bound team is its’ defense. He said they put a lot of time and effort into it. The local Ponytails won the state championship in front of hometown fans at Coleman Park last weekend. They will now be heading to the Dixie Ponytails World Series in Sumpter, South Carolina July 29-August 2. Coach Tanton said he is excited to be taking 12 girls to South Carolina to represent Hopkins County and the city of Sulphur Springs.
He said the state tournament was very competitive and he added they had to go through the toughest bracket. He called Winnsboro their toughest competition. Coach Tanton said he used three pitchers to keep them fresh. The pitchers are Crimson Bryant, Denver Wyatt and Sailon Adair. Defensive standouts include shortstop Jadyn Harper, third baseman Sailon Adair, second baseman Alexis Tanton, first baseman Josie Howard, centerfielder Emily Soto and leftfielders Tia Nash and Lani Hurley. Coach Tanton said Emily Soto had a big state tournament with the bat. Other hitters of note included Jadyn Harper, Crimson Bryant and slap hitters Alexis Tanton, Josie Howard and Sailon Adair.
The Ponytails are having a fundraiser Saturday starting at 5 p.m. on the downtown plaza at as they will be having a barbeque cookoff. Coach Tanton said most if not all the girls have never been to a world series. They will also be flying to South Carolina, most for the first time. Coach Tanton is assisted by Chris Adair, a veteran of some world series games, and Tonya Hurley.
SSISD Board of Trustees Regional Nominees for TASA Board Awards
Sulphur Springs ISD trustees are one of sixteen Texas school district boards of trustees have been selected as regional nominees for the 2017 TASA School Board Awards.
The regional nominees for 2017 Outstanding School Board of the Year are:
| Region | School District | Nominating Superintendent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lasara ISD | Sara Alvarado |
| 3 | Wharton ISD | Tina Herrington |
| 4 | Galena Park ISD | Angi Williams |
| 5 | Hardin-Jefferson | Shannon Holmes |
| 7 | Longview ISD | James Wilcox |
| 8 | Sulphur Springs ISD | Michael Lamb |
| 10 | Royse City ISD | Kevin Worthy |
| 11 | Mansfield ISD | Jim Vaszauskas |
| 12 | Killeen ISD | John Craft |
| 13 | Dripping Springs ISD | Bruce Gearing |
| 16 | Canadian ISD | Kyle Lynch |
| 17 | O’Donnell ISD | Cathy Palmer |
| 18 | Coahoma ISD | Amy Jacobs |
| 18 | Alpine ISD | Rebecca Watley |
| 20 | Center Point ISD | Cody Newcomb |
| 20 | Southwest ISD | Lloyd Verstuyft |
Texas school superintendents who belong to TASA and meet other criteria may nominate their boards of trustees for the TASA School Board Awards. Committees of TASA members organized by Texas’ regional education service centers review the nominations and select up to two school boards for consideration for the state-level awards: one with fewer than 1,000 students and one with 1,000 or more students.
TASA’s School Board Awards Committee will meet in late July to select up to five of the nominated boards to be recognized as Honor Boards. Those finalists will be interviewed at the TASA/TASB Convention in Dallas October 6-8, and one will be named Outstanding School Board of the Year during that event.
NETBIO July Sale Draws Producers From Neighboring States
Livestock producers from throughout Texas and some neighboring states converged on the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission Wednesday to sell their cattle at the July Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization’s pre-conditioned stocker and feeder calf sale.
“We had a lot of good cattle consigned to the sale and there was a lot of interest from the buyers — both those at the sale and some buying over the Internet,” said David Fowler, co-owner of the livestock commission. “The producers continued to do a great job of pre-conditioning their cattle. That is why buyers like these cattle and come back for nearly every sale.”
Fowler said the market was good and the quality of the cattle was excellent. “I believe the sellers were pleased with the result of the sale.” When the sale was complete, the cattle ended up selling for $908.61 per head.
QUALITY CATTLE Late spring and early July rainfall kept pastures green and cattle fat for the July NETBIO Sale held at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Auction. Sellers and buyers commented on the excellent quality of cattle being offered at the sale.
Consignors shipped 5,285 head of calves and yearlings to the NETBIO sale that drew a full house of sellers, buyers and visitors.
A total of 246 producers sent cattle to the sale and 31 buyers purchased all of the cattle, including those bidding over the Internet. Fowler said one Internet buyer was on vacation at Gulf Shores, Alabama and took time to buy over 100 head of NETBIO cattle during the afternoon.
Most of the feeder cattle purchased at the sale were destined for the Texas Panhandle, Kansas and Oklahoma.
Two more NEBIO Pre-conditioned Calf and Yearling Sales are scheduled this year. The next sale will be held on Wednesday, September 20. Weaning deadline for calves entering that sale is August 7.
CHECKING CATTLE NETBIO customers Buck Heath of Mount Pleasant, left, and Justin Armstrong of Paris were busy checking out the cattle before the July 19 sale began.
The final sale of the year is the anniversary sale, slated for November 15. . The weaning deadline for calves consigned to that sale is Oct. 1. That sale includes a BBQ lunch with all the trimmings. All the sales are held at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission and begin at 1 p.m.
Saputo Dairy Foods, PJC Partner to Provide Job Training
Saputo Dairy Foods USA LLC (Saputo Dairy Foods) has partnered with Paris Junior College to provide job training using an $86,289 Skills Development Fund grant from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The grant will benefit workers in the Northeast Texas area.
This grant will be used to provide customized training to 88 new and incumbent workers for industry-related topics with focused instruction on food processing technology. Trainees will include distribution and warehouse supervisors, maintenance mechanics and testing lab technicians. Upon completion of training, the workers will receive an average wage of $23.89.
TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Julian Alvarez III presented the check to representatives from Saputo Dairy Foods and Paris Junior College at a 1 p.m. ceremony at the company’s facility in Sulphur Springs. He represents the interest of Texas workers with respect to TWC services and ensures that their concerns are considered in all Commission actions.
“We have a longstanding relationship with Paris Junior College and the Texas Workforce Commission,” said Saputo Human Resources Director Scott Brown. “This is not the first time we’ve received a grant, and our relationship has truly been one that is very close. We’re very appreciative. Every time we’ve reached out and asked for help, they’ve come through.
Three things are very important to us: the safety of our employees, the quality of our product, and our efficiency. Today we have training going on in four locations in this facility. Every week, every month, there’s something going on pertaining to training our employees. With that training and that efficiency and quality, we know that Saputo is going to support the growth of this operation, this plant, in Sulphur Springs.”
“I want to start by saying a huge ‘thank you’ to Scott Brown,” said PJC President Dr. Pamela Anglin. “We’ve worked together a long time and our partnership with Saputo is something we really appreciate and are thankful to all he does for keeping the plant going and for his hiring good people.
Dr. Anglin also recognized Bart Spivey and Saundra Shingleur with Northeast Texas Workforce Solutions and commended their work.
Prior to signing the check, Alvarez praised the area’s progress.
“Something I find very unique about this area is how everyone gets along,” Alvarez said. “Industry has been engaged with our workforce boards and our ISDs. We want our folks to be educated here but we want them to stay here as well. Your unemployment rate is excellent and that’s a testimony to you working together.”
Alvarez also addressed the rapid change of technology.
“You are preparing for that change,” Alvarez said. “What’s happening here in this area is noticed. And whatever you’re doing to bring in business, continue doing it. As the governor says, ‘Texas is open for business.’ Are we preparing our future workforce for that need? I think we are. This community used to be a farming and ranching community. We’re changing. Industry is looking for credentials that they can identify. We need to do a better job of promoting technical fields. There’s nothing wrong with having a four-year degree. We all need a lawyer; we all need a doctor. But how many of us would be in this room if the air conditioning wasn’t working, or if the plumbing was out. We need those folks; we need trades.
“This grant has an estimated regional impact of $1.2 million. Because of what your doing and your management team here, you continue to make Texas strong. We are in the tenth largest economy in the world. That’s awesome, and you’re part of that.”
Brown followed up by explaining that once a Saputo employee has been at work six months, they qualify for $5,250 a year that pays for college.
Ninety-nine percent of the employees in this plant were hired from Sulphur Springs,” Brown said, “including the plant manager. We have a lot more success when we hire from Sulphur Springs or the local northeast Texas area, than we do from other areas. There is opportunity within this organization. When I came here 14 years ago, there were 155 people; now there are almost 400. This training is only the beginning. We want to be the employer of choice.”
Shadow Ranch’s “Mane Event” is First of It’s Kind for Sulphur Springs
Amounting to a benefit festival, The Mane Event was initially planned as a kick-off event to the 2-day Dressage event in the Civic Center, but turned out to be a fun stand-alone event on the evening of Friday July 21. It was a bit of an afterthought, organized by Shadow Ranch co-founders Pam Richardson and Marion Cox, along with Kris Cobb, a volunteer at Shadow Ranch. The women realized they could expand the 2-day horse event to include a Friday night event and went for it, inviting food and drink vendors, a petting zoo, a mobile fashion boutique and other independently-owned businesses. Live music began later in the evening. There was also a silent auction going on inside the arena as a pre-event for the Dressage weekend.
Volunteer Kris Cobb with Pam Richardson (left) and Marion Cox (right) co-founders of Shadow Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center, who have operated the center in Hopkins County for 7 years.
Vendors were mainly from Sulphur Springs, including Velasco Family Tacos, Life Gave Us Lemons, D and T T-Shirt Designs and lake and Megan Giles’ BBQ Smokestack. The Petting Zoo from Grand Saline and The Girlz Cave from Mt. Vernon were other vendors.
The Velascos are a local food-vending family
Barry with Life Gave Us Lemons freshly squeezed lemonade vends all over Texas
Kenneth and Melanie Shelton’s Circle S Petting Zoo of Grand Saline does birthday parties, festivals
Rebecca Cowling and her husband of Girlz Cave Boutique of Mt. Vernon. She deals in fashion and jewelry, and he makes leather crafts, western art and home decor for the boutique.
Lori Krell, a Dressage Club member, reported that almost 100 rides will be shown during the clinics and demonstrations over the weekend, and you may see all kinds of breeds from Arabians to Quarter Horses to Haflingers in the show. “It’s not all top hats and tails” she said, meaning that dressage is a riding discipline which can be very practical for everyday pleasure riders. This event will demonstrate Western and Classic Dressage with mounted riders, as well as Driving Dressage using horse-drawn carts. Dressage attracts all ages, with lead-line clinics for the youngest riders and some riders competing into their 70’s. Dressage competitions involve scoring for both the horse’s skill in his assignment and the rider’s influence on his mount. Northeast Texas Dressage Club members live in the Sulphur Springs, Campbell and Commerce areas. The show is Saturday and Sunday July 22 and 23 in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. Spectators are admitted free.
Dressage Club member Lori Krell of Campbell and Carrie Zirrette of Sulphur Springs
The Silent Auction was also a pre-event to the Dressage Club’s weekend show. A good deal of Western art as well as horse tack was offered by vendors.
Dylan Cooper of Como is a rider and George Krell is a volunteer at the show.
