Chamber Connection October 12, 2017
It’s almost here! We have been working diligently at the Chamber of Commerce preparing for the 48th Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest. Mark your calendar! Tickets are on sale at the Chamber of Commerce and at the local banks. We’ll see you in Buford Park on Saturday, October 28th. Stew service begins at 10:45 a.m., and $5 will buy all-you-can-eat while it lasts. Just so you know, we are usually out of stew by 12:15 p.m., so come early and be ready! It’s going to be a wonderful day!
Hopkins County Fall Festival will host a Business After Hours Mixer on Thursday, October 12
Hopkins County Fall Festival will host a Business After Hours Mixer on Thursday, October 12 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm at City Hall in Sulphur Springs. This will be the official start to the 2017 Fall Festival!
Danna’s Buffalo Girls’ Gazette Flea Market Style/Swap on October 12-14, at 8:00 a.m.
Danna’s Buffalo Girls’ Gazette will be having a flea market style/swap event October 12, 13 & 14 beginning at 8:00 a.m. Take Hwy 11 East from Sulphur Springs and the event is at 20670 Hwy. 11 E. in Winnsboro. Vendors are wanted as well as shoppers who are ready to shop, swap, eat and dance. There will be a Buffalo Girls Ball Saturday night with live music and dancing in the dirt. Expect to experience eclectic finds, shabby chic, rustic, western/urban, Victorian traditional, backyard or barn sale items, tools, guns, vintage antiques and homemade items. Visit www.dannasfleamarketstyle.com or call 903-439-7091 for more information.
The 14th Semiannual History by Foot is scheduled for Saturday, October 14th
The 14th Semiannual History by Foot is scheduled for Saturday, October 14th, starting at Houston School grounds on College Street at 10 a.m. Cost is $10.00 per person. The tour is starting at the grounds of the old Houston School on College St. between Lundy and Patton, and just east of the former B.F. Ashcroft white two-story brick. The tour will walk west of College St., featuring the homes and businesses. You will also walk to the square and return on the other side of College to get back to the start. There will be a couple of surprises along the way! Make reservation by emailing John Sellers at [email protected] or call CNB at 903-885-7523. Reservations are filling up fast!
HC Sheriff’s Posse hosting a Drug Take Back Day
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Posse will be hosting a Drug Take Back Event on the Brookshire’s parking lot in Sulphur Springs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 14. This take back opportunity provides people a safe way to dispose of out-of-date prescription and over-the-counter medicines including pet medications. This keeps the medicine out of the environment. The meds will be disposed of properly under the direction of the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office. Needles and inhalers are not permitted.
The Chamber of Commerce will hold the 2017 Stew Cook Reception on Tuesday, October 17th at 6 p.m.
All cooks signed up for the 48th Annual Stew Cook-off will need to attend the Cooks Come-and-Go Reception on Tuesday, October 17th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Southwest Dairy Museum. Cooks will receive their grocery reimbursement check from the Chamber, their goodie bags, and a list of rules and regulations for the Stew Cook-off. If this is your first time to enter the contest, you will need to attend the short orientation at 6 p.m. T-shirts will be available for purchase that night, and you will also have the opportunity to order a long-sleeved t-shirt or hoodie. Please make plans to be there!!!
CHRISTUS Health Care Foundation hosts Grand Opening of “In My Closet” Wednesday, October 18th at Noon
The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is excited to announce the official grand opening of “In My Closet” benefitting cancer patients. “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. The desire is to help patients feel better. They recognize the difficulties of finding certain items in our community, so they are hoping to help patients who cannot drive to Dallas or those who might not have the funds to purchase items online. This is a free service and is for anyone struggling through cancer. A picture ID & doctor appointment card are the only requirements. Please join us at our new Foundation Office located on the first floor of the hospital (just past the gift shop), Wednesday, October 18th at noon for the grand opening & ribbon cutting. For more information contact the Health Care Foundation office at 903-438-4799.
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.
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.
Hunt Regional is offering October Mobile Mammography Coach in Sulphur Springs
Hunt County Regional Hospital is offering the Tubby Adkisson Memorial Mobile Mammography Coach on October 26th in the Spring Village Shopping Center in Sulphur Springs, and on October 27th at the Fall Festival in Sulphur Springs. All insurances accepted at Hunt Regional are also accepted for the Mobile Mammography Coach, including Medicare and Medicaid. They can also help with payment resources for uninsured/income-eligible women or those who choose to pay cash. For help with payment resources please call The Bridge Breast Network at (214) 821-3820 x 21. To schedule individual screening mammograms, please call (903) 408-5010. Appointments and pre-registration are requested.
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.
Ribbon Cuttings:
Bombshell & Company hosted their Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening on Wednesday, October 4th at noon
Bombshell & Company hosted their ribbon cutting on Wednesday, October 4th at noon. Bombshell & Co. is located at 101 Bill Bradford Road, Suite 16, in Sulphur Springs. Go by and welcome this new business to Hopkins County!
Danna’s Buffalo Girls held their ribbon cutting celebration
To kick-off the flea market style and swap Highway 11 event, the Hopkins County Chamber of Danna’s Buffalo Girls hosted a Ribbon Cutting Celebration on October 11 at 11:00 a.m. at 20670 Hwy 11 East in Winnsboro. Visit www.dannasfleamarketstyle.com or call 903-439-7091 for more information.
New Members:
Welcome to our newest members to the Chamber of Commerce. Sign Gypsies and Deer Lake Cabins Ranch Resort, we are happy to welcome you to the Chamber!
Wildcats Head Coach Talks Texas High in Weekly Press Conference
What is Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens assessment of things as Texas High comes to town Friday? The Wildcats are 0-2 in district play and 2-4 overall. Coach Owens says he would like a few more wins. He says the Wildcats’ backs are not completely up against the wall but he says it is getting tight. Coach Owens says all he knows to do is to keep working. He says the Wildcats are getting better and are doing some good stuff. He points to a good first half at Marshall. Coach Owens says the team needs to finish.
He says the Wildcats have a great opportunity Friday night against Texas High. Coach Owens says the Wildcats are playing at home so they don’t have to travel to tough Grim Park at Tiger Stadium. He says the Wildcats have to do things right, take care of business, pay attention to details and make plays.
When asked about a Gerry Stanford Texas High as compared to an ex-coach Barry Norton Tigers’ team, Coach Owens says they still have Texas High athletes. He is impressed with Tigers’ receiver Tevailance Hunt and quarterback Coltin Clack. Coach Owens says Texas High’s offensive line averages about 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds per man but it does not have the giants in the line like other teams the Wildcats have faced. Coach Owens says the Tigers have a balanced attack of running and passing. Coach Owens says keys to the game for the Wildcats is to be consistent on offense and to make first downs and on defense to prevent big plays.
Texas High lost a player in early September as he died in his sleep. Coach Owens says the Wildcats hurt for Texas High. He says they have been encouraging the Tigers. Coach Owens says he knows it has shaken the Tigers’ team. He notes the Wildcats went through the death of a player in the off season several years ago. He says such a tragedy draws a team together and reminds them what is really important in life.
Cub Scout Fun Day This Saturday
The Tonkawa District of Circle Ten Council, BSA, will host a Cub Scout Fun Day from 2:00-4:00 pm on Saturday October, 14th, at Heritage Park in Sulphur Springs. There is no admission fee, and all Cub Scouts and their families are invited to attend the Cub Fun Day. This is the first Cub Scout activity for those boys who have just joined the Scouting program, but all Cub Scouts are encouraged to participate in the Cub Fun Day. Activities scheduled include BB range, Nerf target range, turtle racing, washer pitching, baseball toss, and more. Cubs and their families may come and go as their schedule allows; they do not have to be there the entire two hours.
Donation of Love to Rock Creek Residents
Janice Irwin knows how important it is to know that you are loved, and she made gift bags for the residents of Rock Creek Health and Rehabilitation to let them know just that. She filled the bags with goodies and things that they use every day and tied a note to each bag reading, “You are loved”.
Shown in the photo accepting the gifts are (left to right): Janice Irwin, Tina Cox, Jennifer Scroggins and Lisa Barclay.
LEAP Youth Expo Hosted by Workforce Solutions
Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas is hosting this year’s Learning Endorsements and Professions (LEAP) Youth Career Expo, which will take place on Friday, October 20th from 9:00 – 12:00 at the Hopkins County Civic Center. The event aims to help our local 8th grade students understand the types of career pathways available in the community as they begin to make career related coursework decisions for high school.
The LEAP Expo features local employers from a wide variety of industries and non-profits, as well as Career/Technical Education programs from local high schools. If you would like to participate as an exhibitor, please follow the links below to information and registration pages.
Employer Registration: http://netxworkforce.org/FormCenter/LEAP-Youth-Career-Expo-11/LEAP-Youth-Career-Expo-Hopkins-County-Ci-65
Event Information: http://netxworkforce.org/369/Exhibitor-Information
Good Deeds happening at Rock Creek
Shown in photo excepting the gifts are Left to Right:. Janice Irwin, Tina Cox, Jennifer Scroggins and Lisa Barclay
City Council Approves First Reading of Ordinance Regulating Pay Day Lenders, Concrete for Crosstown Trail, Plat for Love’s Travel Center
During the Sulphur Springs City Council Meeting the council approved all items on the agenda.
Love’s Travel Center, to be located across Highway 19 from Pilot Truck Stop, will be required to install a 12-inch water main as a part of the plat approval. City Manager Maxwell noted to KSST News that the two agencies in the world that provide mapping information to all the other GPS groups have been updated with the new configuration at Highway 19/I-30/Hillcrest Dr. Additional trucks are expected with the building of the Loves Travel Center. The Loves facility is planned to be larger than the Pilot location.
Crosstown Trail construction will begin this week with approximately $200,000 in concrete being poured to connect Buford Park to Coleman Park. The walking trail was approved two years ago and at least one of the two grants approved to fund the trail is now available. Work will begin at Buford Park and it is hoped to be completed in that area before the annual Hopkins County Stew Contest.
Pay Day Lenders will be regulated by an ordinance that passed on first reading. A second reading is required before the ordinance can be enforced. Banks, lending institutions, and pawn shops are not affected by the ordinance due to federal and state controls. Pay Day Lenders provide a predatory lending mechanism that often prevents the borrower to repay the original principle. The borrower is then stuck in a cycle of interest and loan costs. In the ordinance, pay day lenders will be required to register with the city and keep books on loans. They will also be required, if providing installment loans, to credit 25% of each of payments to the loan principle. The contract between the pay day lender and the borrower must be written in the language of the person receiving the loan. The state legislature has failed on several occasions to regulate pay day lending. According to the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission, pay day lobbyists can be credited for the failure to regulate. The TBCLC has lobbied for state regulations. Locally, steps will be taken by a group of churches to partner with an agency that provide small loans to individuals with smaller interest rates and an easier method of payback.
Local Man Arrested Again
This time his bond is $750,000. Jimmy De O’Dell, 59, is back in Hopkins County jail for stalking. He was arrested on a warrant by a Hopkins County Deputy at a location on CR 2389 around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
This was his fourth arrest for stalking since August 2, of this year. Other incidents have also placed O’Dell in Hopkins County Jail dating back to April of this year.
Atmos Energy Plans Controlled Release of Natural Gas
Atmos Energy crews and contractors will oversee a controlled release of natural gas on Thursday, Oct. 12 between 7 a.m. and noon. Work will occur on FM 1537 approximately 1½ miles east of State Hwy 19. Crews will be working on a section of natural gas pipeline in the area as part of normal, routine maintenance operations.
The controlled release of natural gas allows employees to work safely on the pipeline. People in the area may smell the natural gas odor and hear moderate noise during this process. Atmos Energy will be on-site to monitor the work as natural gas is vented into the atmosphere.
There will be no Atmos Energy customers affected while the maintenance work is being performed. Residents in the area, along with Hopkins County officials, Sheriff’s office, 911 operators, fire department and the media are being advised of the controlled release prior to work beginning Oct. 12.
