Dinner Bell Sponsored by Autumn Wind
Autumn Wind sponsored and served the weekly community meal served each Wednesday at the FUMC. The volunteers served several delicious options including smothered chicken, garden salad and vegetables, and peach cobbler crisp. If you or your business would like to take part in Dinner Bell, call FUMC at (903) 885-2185.
Matt Young on Pine Tree Game: a Roller Coaster Ride
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young compared Friday night’s Pine Tree game at the Prim to a roller coaster ride. Despite a low production first half, Coach Young said the offense found their identity in the first half. He said they changed some pass protections for the second half. Coach Young said Pine Tree also adjusted their defensive front and he said the Wildcats took advantage of that to drive the ball down their throat.
He said the Pirates immediately switch back. Coach Young said three straight unusual turnovers hurt the Wildcats in the second half. He said a tipped ball led to an interception, a running back had the ball kicked out of his hands by a man on the ground and there was a dropped snap, which hardly ever happens. Coach Young was most impressed that the Wildcats rallied from two touchdowns down, not once but twice. He praised the offensive line play of center Ian Blanch, new tackle Jaxon Chaney and guard Ethan Rogers, running backs Lawrence Worth, Searn Rodgers and Cor’Tavius Pruitt and receivers Landry Tyson, Simeon Taylor, Austin Dodd and D’Corian Young. Discussing Friday night’s opponent Marshall, Coach Young called them fast, athletic and extremely multiple.
He said on defense, no one player jumps out for them but he added all eleven players are good. He said the Wildcats would have their hand full Friday night.
Lady Cats’ Volleyball over Hallsville
The Lady Cats’ volleyball team claimed a hard fought five set win on the road over defending district champion Hallsville, 3-2 Tuesday night. It may well be the first district win for the Lady Cats over the Lady Bobcats. The Lady Cats dropped the first set, 19-25. Then they just outpointed the Lady Bobcats over the next two sets, 25-23 and 25-21 to take a 2-1 lead. Hallsville rallied to take set four, 16-25 forcing a fifth set to 15. The Lady Cats had a strong set five winning 15-6 to claim the match.
Autumn Tanton and Kaylee Jefferson were very big contributors to the win. Tanton had a team high 15 kills, 2 block assists and 3 service aces. Jefferson added 12 kills, 13 digs and 3 service aces. Setter Anden Hammack had 35 assists, 9 digs and 2 service aces. Libero Maggie McGlamery had a team high 16 digs with 2 service aces. Erika VanBenthem had 7 kills and 3 block assists. Mieke VanBenthem had 4 kills and 2 block assists. Imani Taylor added 6 digs and a service ace. Sadie Stroud had 7 digs. Lexie Whisenhunt added a service ace and a block assist. The Lady Cats improved to 5-2 in district play. Their season record goes to 22-12. The Lady Cats play at Marshall Friday at 4:30 p.m. The Lady Cats topped the Lady Mavs at home back on September 26.
Abron on the Pine Tree Loss
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Triston Abron said the Pine Tree game was a weird one. He said the Wildcats defense seemed to take a step forward and then a step back. Coach Abron said the defense did some good things and also some not so good things. He said the defense has to get things fixed and do a better job. Coach Abron said the district games coming up would not be an easier than the Pine Tree game.
He said the defense needs to play a complete game. Coach Abron said he was glad to see the defense get turnovers Friday. He said the major problem for the defense is giving up big plays. Coach Abron said they have to eliminate those. He is really impressed with the Marshall offensive line the Wildcats defense will be facing Friday night. Coach Abron said Marshall’s sophomore quarterback is extremely talented. He said he doesn’t get rattled. Coach Abron also said Marshall has fast receivers and good running backs.
He said the Wildcats will have their hands full Friday night.
SSISD Band Prepares for UIL Competition
Contests help bands prepare for important UIL competition. Perhaps the most important benefit of a contest to a band director and his band is the judge’s comments. Wildcats Band Director Charles McCauley said the judge’s comments at a Texas A&M-Commerce contest Saturday were outstanding. He said he used them to tweak the band’s show on the practice field Monday night. McCauley also used a clinician to evaluate the show and suggest changes. McCauley said the band is already a lot better after Monday’s practice.
At the Saturday contest, the band and percussion earned a top one rating. During the afternoon, the color guard received a two score but then earned a one during the evening finals performance. McCauley’s goal is for the band to do a better job every time they perform. He said they did that over the weekend improving from Friday night’s football halftime, to Saturday afternoon and then on Saturday night. Despite finishing ninth among ten bands in the final Saturday night, McCauley said the band got in two performances. He said this year’s show has a large degree of difficulty so it may take the band a little longer to master it. McCauley said when the band get’s the execution of the show down, they should make a very big leap.
Next up is the band’s performance during Friday night’s football game at Marshall. Then the band will go to a contest at Mineola next Monday. McCauley said the band would perform at 4 p.m.
Kickoff of 4-H Week 2017
On Monday, Oct 2nd, thirty local members of the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program gathered at the courthouse steps to witness the proclamation given by Judge Robert Newsom signaling the start of National 4-H Week which runs from Oct. 2nd through 7th.
4-H is a national organization which helps young people develop life-long knowledge and skills to become engaged citizens. The organization is divided into many different departments or “projects” which include food and nutrition, mechanics and technology, and agriculture.
All 254 counties in Texas have a 4-H program; as Judge Newsom joked, “The difference between this county and the others is that we’re better!”
There are 160 4-H members in Hopkins County. Our local 4-H members have completed a multitude of camps, leadership projects, project shows, and community service; and plan for this Saturday to be a “community service day” to celebrate National 4-H Week. Members will post videos on Facebook to help promote the 4-H organization.
I like the food department a lot,” Lena Reyes, age 9 and in her second year of 4-H.
“You make a lot of memories and friends. It’s very beneficial,” Savannah Allen, age 15.
“…likes helping people…[and] getting to know new people.” Diego Childs, age 10.
PJC Will Offer Conversational Spanish at Greenville Campus
Paris Junior College
Public Information Services
903-951-7594
Conversational Spanish offered at the PJC-Greenville campus
Get a practical and functional use of Spanish in a short period of time with Conversational Spanish that will be offered by the Paris Junior College-Greenville Center Continuing Education Department later this month.
Taught by PJC Spanish Instructor Mayra Cummings, the class allows for relaxed and enjoyable learning through a method that breaks the language down into basic components. These allow the language to be reconstructed into easy sentences allowing the student to say what they want, when they want.
The course will be held at the PJC – Greenville Center on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. from Oct. 23 to Dec. 13. Call 903-454-9333 to register.
“Help Starts At Home”… United Way Drive Has Goal of $175,000
Adam Teer, Campaign Chairman of the 2017 Hopkins County United Way Drive, has opened the annual Drive with the first of the weekly Report Meetings. At noon each Tuesday, the dozen board members and numerous volunteer “packet-handers” will get together to monitor the progress of pledges and donations coming in. The goal is to collect $175,000 during October to assist worthy causes with non-profit status which are already at work in the local community. Donations are already coming in. Last year, United Way assisted nineteen different local organizations with allocations of money, including Hopkins County 4H, Boy Scouts of America Circle 10 Council, Meal a Day, CASA, Teen Court, NETx Symphony League, Dinner Bell and others. Later this month, members of the Budget and Allocations Committee will review this year’s applications and make recommendations to be finalized by the Board of Directors.
Adam Teer, who is also manager of the Hopkins County Civic Center, takes volunteer work in the community very seriously. This is his first time to act as Campaign Chairman with United Way. A few years ago when Teer was Director of CanHelp, he learned the process as an applicant for United Way assistance. He believes that even when an organization is not selected for an allocation of money, it can still benefit from United Way’s help in the form of suggestions on budgeting and improved implementation of it’s resources. Non-profits can make application yearly for United Way assistance.
You can watch the progress of the United Way Drive by viewing the large “thermometer” on display along South Broadway Street. Each week, the level of contributions will go up as donations come in. Individuals and business owners who have not been contacted by a United Way worker can call the United Way headquarters at 903-243-4066. “Help Starts At Home” is the slogan for this year’s drive.
Adam Teer, 2017 Campaign Chairman. President is Brandon Williams and Executive Secretary is Susan Berning
Coach Owens Comments on Pine Tree Loss
Some highlights and low lights from Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens on KSST and Channel 18 TV’s Saturday Morning Coach’s Show after the Wildcats 55-47 loss to Pine Tree at the Prim Friday night. Coach Owens said there was no lack of effort for the Wildcats. He said things are getting better. The offense started clicking in the second half. The defense started off terribly, got some stops later but again was plagued by big plays. The tackling was pretty good. The defense got turnovers. Coach Owens said hats off to Pine Tree for making plays. Still the Wildcats never quit. Both teams executed onside kicks. Coach Owens really like the punting game. Jermond Bryant-Amos had a 54 yarder. Angel Tavera continued to pen Pine Tree deep with punts. Kick coverage was good. The offensive coaches made good adjustments after a very slow first half.
There were three straight drives where the Wildcats turned the ball over. Coach Owens was impressed with the play of newcomer Jaxon Chaney at right tackle. He also liked Jesus Olivo at left tackle. The secondary got three interceptions from D.J. Abron, Austin Dodd and Terrell Turman. Marshall, who won 35-33 over Texas High Friday night, is next. They have a new head football coach, Claud Mathis. He was an assistant at SMU for several seasons. Very successful run at powerhouse DeSoto. Coach Owens added the district race is wide open. Wildcats have to go back to work.
