Lions Club Recognizes 2023 Parade Winners
December 5, 2023 – In addition to providing a little extra holiday cheer each year, the Sulphur Springs Lions Club’s Lighted Christmas Parade also features a friendly competition among participants, with recognition doled out to the top three nonprofit and small business entries, and a trophy and cash prize going to the top rated large business entry in the parade. This year, a Mayor’s Choice award was also given out. Entries were judged by a panel of judges from out-of-town, who notified the Lions Club of their choices for parade winners.
Sulphur Springs Lions Club recognized the 2023 parade winners during their lunch meeting Tuesday, when the prizes were awarded. This year’s parade winners included:
- Small Business
- 1st Water Oak School
- 2nd Fix and Feed
- 3rd Billboard House
- Non-Profit
- 1st Davis Street Baptist Church
- 2nd Trinity Harvest
- 3rd Middle School Cheer
- Large Business
- 1st East Texas Physical Therapy
- Mayors Choice Award
- City National Bank
North Pole Of Texas Back for 2023
December 5, 2023 – For the 25th year, the North Pole of Texas will offer free train rides each weekend leading up to Christmas. Santa’s helpers have been very busy all year making sure the wonderland of lights and sights are just right and the trains are in good working order and ready to roll.
Extra work is put in during the fall, with final touches added on Thanksgiving eve to ensure all of the treat bags are ready, one for each visitor, and Kim’s chocolate factory is fully stocked and ready for the annual community project, manned exclusively by Alan and Kim Screws family and their friends and neighbors in the surrounding Pickton-Pine Forest community – volunteer firefighters, school and church groups too.
The night is designed as a fun, family outing, down to the number and color of jelly beans in the bags train riders receive when they pass through Santa’s Toy Shop; North Pole of Texas founder Alan Screws’ mom, Maw-Maw, has packaged or overseen packaging of each bag of treats. They and the lighted “Happy Birthday, Jesus” bridge clearly state the true purpose behind the annual event, to bless others in an expression of love and celebration of Christ’s birth.
“This past year held uncertainty and unrest at times, but we can look forward with hope knowing that God is in control and His love is greater than we could ever imagine. It’s our greatest joy to brighten your Christmas season, and we’re excited to continue doing our part in providing your family an enjoyable evening celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” the founder noted.
Located off FM 269 in the heart of Pine Forest, The Screws family The North Pole of Texas is designed to offer a fun family experience, the best cup of hot chocolate around, a warm feeling in your heart.
“Our team works all year long to offer this as a blessing to our community; from dreaming up new ideas to enhance your experience, preparing an endless supply of hot chocolate mix, and checking to make sure that every twinkling light is in place are just a few things that we do to ensure ‘the Christmas train in Pickton‘ is a bright spot in your holiday season. We hope to see you this year as we celebrate another year of The North Pole of Texas!” Screws stated.
If you’ve never been, the North Pole of Texas is located at 227 County Road 3378, Pickton, TX 75471. Once you get to Pickton/Pine Forest, just look for the signs and follow them until you see the glow that would make Clark W. Griswold proud. Then, park as directed and prepare to enjoy the lights and sights as the little ones anticipate their ride; it’s also a great opportunity explain the significance of Bethlehem and reinforce the reason to exchange gifts and do for others, especially this time of the year.
Although the ride is free, those who feel led may make a donation in the designated container to help offset costs of maintaining the operation or to bless others through the designated Christian charity of the North Pole of Texas.
Join Atmos Energy in Preparing for Winter
GREENVILLE,TX – The transition from hot summer nights to cozy fall days is here. Atmos Energy remains focused on year-round preparations for the winter heating season. We also have tips to help you stay safe and conserve energy so you can be ready for winter too.
All year round, from gas supply to delivery of natural gas service at the meter, Atmos Energy is preparing for winter weather. As your household also prepares for winter, using energy wisely and making a few household changes can make a big difference in how much you spend on natural gas and other energy bills. Atmos Energy offers rebates for high-efficiency natural gas appliances, energy-saving devices, and weatherization upgrades for customers in Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, and parts of Texas – visit
www.atmosenergy.com/rebates for details.
Remember that colder weather may impact the amount of natural gas you use. To save energy and money, please consider these energy-saving tips where safe to do so:
- Lower your thermostat to 68 degrees during the day and 58 degrees when you are away from home.
- Reduce your shower and bath time. Showering and bathing can account for 40 percent of your home’s hot water use.
- Lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees. Water heating accounts for as much as 25 percent of the energy consumed in your home.
- Do not use a pool heater. Instead, run your pool pump during the coldest part of the day to circulate the water and prevent freezing.
- Operate your clothes washer, dryer, and dishwasher only when fully loaded.
- Unless a fire is burning, close your fireplace damper to prevent warm air from escaping up the chimney.
If your natural gas service lapsed for any reason and you need to reconnect service, contact Atmos Energy now to schedule an appointment – before cold weather sets in. The Atmos Energy customer service team is available at 888.286.6700, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central time – or visit the Account Center anytime at www.atmosenergy.com.
Sign Up for Text Alerts When the forecast calls for extreme cold to arrive, Atmos Energy will closely monitor the weather and stage qualified, well-trained employees across our system. We will communicate regularly with customers and communities before, during, and after extreme weather events. To sign up for text alerts, adjust your notification preferences in the Account Center. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and on our website at atmosenergy.com for continued safety and weather preparedness information.
About Atmos Energy
Atmos Energy Corporation, an S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the country’s largest natural gas-only distributor. We safely deliver reliable, affordable, efficient and abundant natural gas to more than 3 million distribution customers in over 1,400 communities across eight states located primarily in the South. As part of our vision to be the safest provider of natural gas services, we are modernizing our business and infrastructure while continuing to invest in safety, innovation, environmental sustainability and our communities. Atmos Energy manages proprietary pipeline and storage assets, including one of the largest intrastate natural gas pipeline systems in Texas. Find us online at
http://www.atmosenergy.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
A&M-Commerce to Hold Fall 2023 Commencement on December 15 and 16
COMMERCE, TX—A&M-Commerce is gearing up for Fall 2023 commencement ceremonies on Friday, December 15 and Saturday, December 16. The lineup of candidates includes 638 master’s students, 25 doctoral students and 733 undergraduate students. From these students, 385 will graduate with academic distinction, including 111 cum laude, 137 magna cum laude and 137 summa cum laude.
All ceremonies will be conducted in the University Field House at 1804 Lee Street, Commerce, Texas. Doors will open to guests one hour before the start of each ceremony.
Tickets are required to attend, but guests without tickets may view the live ceremony virtually via the links posted below or at the Rayburn Student Center’s second-floor conference rooms.
If you have questions or accessibility concerns, please email [email protected].
Graduation Schedule
Graduate School Ceremony
Date: Friday, Dec.15, 2023
Time: 4 p.m.
Watch Live: https://youtube.com/live/EM-ge0u5GXw?feature=share
_____________________________
Undergraduate Ceremonies
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
College of Business
College of Education and Human Services
Date: Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Watch Live: https://youtube.com/live/_LixLSs_Zkc?feature=share
_____________________________
College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts
College of Innovation and Design
College of Science and Engineering
Date: Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023
Time: 11 a.m.
Watch Live: https://youtube.com/live/7LQVtaGeWYg?feature=share
______________________________
Find more details and information at www.tamuc.edu/Graduation.
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Winnsboro Police Department Media Report 11-27-2023 – 12-3-2023
Arrests:
Morris, JR, James, 38 years of age, of Como, TX, was arrested on 12-3-2023 for Warrant out of Titus County and for Possession of CS PG1 4G<200G
Moseley, Kory, 36 years of age, of Winnsboro, TX, was arrested on 12-3-2023 for Possession of
CS PG1 4G<200G
Parnell, Bryer, 21 years of age, of Desoto, TX, was arrested on 12-3-2023 for Possession of CS
PG1 4G<200G
Huggins, Joseph, 24 years of age, of Winnsboro, TX, was arrested on 12-1-2023 for Terroristic Threat of Family/Household.
Lopez, Roberto, 49 years of age, of Winnsboro, TX, was arrested on 11-30-2023 for Deadly Conduct, Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon and Driving While Intoxicated/Open Alcohol Container
Calls for Service:
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 127 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations:
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 15 citations and 30 warnings during this reporting period.
Whitehouse Christmas Parade Spreading Too Much Christmas Cheer
December 4, 2023 – The Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce has filed a police report regarding an incident involving an “unauthorized entry” into their Christmas parade allegedly throwing bottles of alcohol and other items to parade watchers. The incident occurred last Saturday and was first made public when Joshua Underwood posted a picture of a miniature whiskey bottle he claimed his daughter had picked up after being thrown from a vehicle during the parade. The Underwood post was listed on Facebook Group “Whitehouse Texas, Rants, Raves, & Recommendations” and received over 1,100 comments before a group administrator shut down comments for the post.
One of those comments was an explanation from Ashley Westerfield who is the self-described Admin for the Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce. In the Westerfield post, she said, “The truck that did this was NOT a registered entry in the parade. He went behind Holloway and snuck into the parade line between floats. A complaint was filed with the Police department as soon as we were told about it. They have a picture of his truck, License plate and the name of his company. This was NOT an approved float. We apologize for anything that was handed out by this individual and his passengers.” Most of the comments were in support of the local Chamber of Commerce, as other found humor in the incident. As law enforcement investigate the incident, it is unclear how many inappropriate items were dispensed from the vehicle.
Cattle Tyrant Lands in Corpus Christi
December 4, 2023 – Bird lovers are flocking to Corpus Christi as a rare sighting of a bird known as the cattle tyrant has made it’s way much farther north than it’s normal habitat. The flycatcher bird is native to South America and never before been spotted in North America. Now a wayard example of the little yellow bird has taken up residence in a busy section of a street in Corpus Christi lined with restaurants. Tourists armed with binoculars and cameras now also occupy Shatzell Street hoping to get a glimpse of the out of place bird.
Bird watchers from all over have made the trek to Corpus Christi albeit a much shorter journey that the bird itself as the cattle tyrant has traveled close to 3,000 miles by crossing several borders to arrive at its perch in the parking garage near a sushi restaurant.
Theories of how the bird lost it’s way are as plentiful as the visitors who have traveled to see the bird. The little yellow bird is used to open marshlands and pastures in South America which don’t normally contain parking garages near busy restaurants. One theory is that a powerful storm blew the bird off course. Or another is that the bird hitched a ride on a ship through the Panama Canal. No one will ever know how the South American pasture bird came to light in downtown Corpus Christi, but bird watchers should chart their course to Corpus Christi if they would like to witness this rare sight before it disappears.
Try a Winter Garden THIS Winter From Master Gardener David Wall
December 3, 2023 – Most gardeners go hot and heavy from garden prep as early as January to seed start in February or early March through transplanting in spring right on to takedown after the first fall frost. The thought of growing crops through the winter just doesn’t compute! But on the other hand, if it were really, really easy, why not consider it?
As it turns out, you can have winter crops and perhaps two sessions before it’s time to transplant your spring/summer veggies. It’s too late to put in fall crops, but there’s plenty of time for several winter crops. Such crops contain built-in antifreeze to allow growth/maturity in cold weather.
I usually start cabbage seeds (I prefer Brunswick variety) in December, so they’re ready to transplant in January. 38-50 seeds will provide enough cabbage and cabbage steaks for us and the neighbors well into the spring.
When January rolls around, I try to get the earliest onion seedlings (sorry, I’ve had very poor luck with onion seeds!) possible, usually by 10 January. It takes very little time and not much space to put in 1,000 seedlings which will provide neighbors, the needy and us plenty of large (.5-1.25 lb.) onions.
Then, for those who want more varieties but fewer results, there are the carrots (wait 2.5 months), radishes, beets, lettuce, onions and probably several other crops on seed tapes that are anywhere from 6-15’ long. Several of these offer multiple species for small, big, short, long, thin and fat produce! Stretch out the tape in your garden, cover with proscribed soil, water, and anywhere from 25059 days, start harvesting! Don’t have a regular garden? Not a problem, just cut the tape into sections and plant in containers! Some use seed tape to start marigolds, which will continue in the summer garden.
Lil 4’s Club Christmas Party is December 22, 2023
December 3, 2023 – The Lil 4’s Club Annual Christmas Party will be held December 22nd, 2023, in Pacific Park. The festivities will be held from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Come on out and join the fun celebration! The organizers are looking for donors and sponsors. If you are interested in donating, participating in a sponsorship, or for more information, please call Letitia Conliffe by December 16th, 2023, at 214-809-1908. Hope to see you there!
Embrace the Holiday Season at Cooper Lake State Park’s “Christmas in the Park” 2023
December 3, 2023 – Cooper, TX — December at Cooper Lake State Park is more magical than ever! Picture yourself on a crisp evening, gathered around a blazing campfire, roasting marshmallows, and sharing enchanting Christmas stories. The serene howls of distant coyotes accompany the tranquility of the night. Gaze upwards and catch the glimpse of a shooting star in the park’s beautifully preserved dark skies. Feel the warmth of the fire on your face as you indulge in a comforting hot chocolate, the firelight dancing in the eyes of friends and family. This moment of pure joy and gratitude can be yours. December camping is a unique experience at Cooper Lake State Park, offering a range of overnight options including lake-side cabins, cozy cottages, RV sites, and tent spots. Create lasting outdoor memories this season in the woods of Northeast Texas!
Our annual “Christmas in the Park” celebration is the highlight of the month. Join us at the Doctors Creek Unit for two evenings of festive fun on Friday, December 8th, and Saturday, December 9th, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Campers will decorate their sites in holiday splendor for all to enjoy. Free camping is offered to all who decorate! Limited campsites might be available due to cancellations, so if you wish to participate in this holiday excitement, please contact Doctors Creek at 903-395-3100. This has become quite an event for non-campers to drive the loop through the park and enjoy the Christmas lights and decorations with their families and friends. As a gesture of giving back this season, we’re waiving all entrance and camping fees for the event. Instead, we invite visitors to donate a nonperishable food item per person for entrance, benefiting the Delta Hope House to aid families in need in Delta County.
Don’t miss out on the final pulse of fantastic fall colors, courtesy of our oaks! These colors will not last much past the first 10 days of the month. Red oak reds and post oak yellows decorate the forest. Experience the best of a natural Texas!
Ring in the New Year with our First Day Hike on January 1st, 2024! Ready for an invigorating hike through a post oak forest? Our Park Rangers will guide you, sharing fascinating tales about the park and its natural wonders. Start your 2024 with health and wellness by taking that first step into nature. Keep the momentum going throughout the year with regular hikes and outdoor walks. The South Sulphur Unit hike begins at 10 a.m. at the Coyote Run Trailhead, while the Doctors Creek hike starts at 2 p.m. at the Pelican Point Day Use Area.
Park entrance fees are $5 for adults, free for kids 12 and under, and $3 for seniors 65+ with a Bluebonnet Pass. Veterans and Active-Duty Military are free! Enjoy unlimited park access with the Texas State Park Annual Pass, available for $70 and valid for over 12 months. All events are included with paid entrance fees. Stay updated on events and programs at Cooper Lake State Park by visiting and liking our Facebook pages (Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur 903-945-5256 and Cooper Lake State Park – Doctor’s Creek 903-395-3100).
Recreational and Educational Programs
Doctors Creek
Saturday, December 2 – DC
Dutch Oven 101 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at Pelican Point Pavilion. Learn the basics of Dutch Oven cooking in this hands-on class. Reserve your Dutch Oven or bring your own; Contact alicia.o’[email protected] or call (903) 395-3100 for more information.
Friday, December 8 — DC
Christmas in the Park – a drive through experience! Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and kick off the holiday season viewing the decorated campsites. Bring a canned good, and your camera starting at 6 p.m.
Saturday, December 9 – DC
Country Christmas – Meet at Pelican Point Pavilion at 10 a.m.
Make and take home a country Christmas inspired ornament.
Christmas in the Park 6 p.m.– a drive through experience! Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and kick off the holiday season viewing the decorated campsites. Bring a canned good, and your camera starting at 6 p.m.
Sunday, December 10 — DC
Reindeer– 10 a.m. Meet at Doctors Creek Pelican Point Pavilion. Watercolor painting – create a winter themed inspired painting.
Saturday, December 16— DC
Stargazing – Join us as we explore the night sky. We’ll have the telescopes out for viewing a planet or two, viewing starts at 7 p.m. at Pelican Point Swim Beach. We’ll also be on the lookout for a meteor or two from the Geminids meteor shower.
Saturday, December 23 — DC
Self-guided Stargazing – Ursids Meteor Shower – pick up an informational flyer at Headquarters and prepare to be amazed as you pick your dark skies location to enjoy this natural celestial event.
Saturday, December 30 — DC
Kid’s Fishing – 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Meet at the Bluebonnet Fishing Pier and Day Use Area. Bring your own fishing gear, no pole, no worries. We have a few fishing poles available to borrow. No experience needed!
South Sulphur
Saturday, December 2 – SS
Dutch Oven 101 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. At Gulls Bluff Pavilion. Learn the basics of Dutch Oven cooking in this hands-on class. Reserve your Dutch Oven or bring your own; Contact alicia.o’[email protected] or call (903) 945-5256 for more information.
Saturday, December 9 — SS
Archery 101: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Meet outside the Buggy Whip Restroom. Registration is required, and program is limited to 15 participants. Reserve your spot by calling (903) 945-5256 or email Alicia O’Connor at alicia.o’[email protected]. No experience needed. Ages 10 and up. All equipment provided.
Sunday, December 10 — SS
Reindeer– 1 p.m. Meet at Gulls Bluff Pavilion. Watercolor painting – create a winter themed inspired painting. All supplies provided!
Saturday, December 16— SS
Gems of the Universe – 2 p.m. at Heron Harbor Day Use Area – Learn about the Geminids Meteor Shower, where, when, and how to view them. Create your own Gem of the Universe make and take.
Saturday, December 23 – SS
Self-guided Stargazing – Ursids Meteor Shower – pick up an informational flyer at Headquarters, and prepare to be amazed as you pick your dark skies location to enjoy this natural celestial event.
Saturday, December 30 – SS
Kid’s Fishing – 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Meet at the Fishing Wall Heron Harbor Day Use Area. Bring your own fishing gear, no pole, no worries. We have a few fishing poles available to borrow. No experience needed!
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