5th Annual MADD Glow Walk
By Savannah Owens
The 5th Annual Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Glow Walk was held Saturday September 30th, 2017, at Celebration Plaza. With over 150 participants forming nine teams and some individual walkers the square was packed with people wanting to bring awareness, support victims and their families, and remember their loved ones.
They raised $16,000, of their goal of $19,000. Many of the businesses in Sulphur Springs help out and donate, even Sulphur Springs High School was involved, the Drill team performed a routine at the event.
Many families who’d lost a loved one set up memorial tents around the square. They also had 987 pairs of shoes set up to symbolize the number of people killed by drug and drunk drivers in the state of Texas for 2015.
Richard Francis, a walker in the “Glowing for Nathan” group talked with KSST and explained how amazing the community support has been and how “people really get involved when it hits close to home.” A lot of “big businesses help out and donate” to help out with the MADD Walk.
Also Alliance Bank had a team that was walking for “all the victims”. Jennifer Valovinos has repped Alliance Bank for four years and is the team leader. Alliance Bank Senior VP, Linda Galligher, stated that Valovinos “does an amazing job!”
The money raised will go to MADD to help victims and families. MADD also purchased and donated equipment to the local Police Department. “They’ve bought intocilizers, BBT’s, and HGN pens- [items] that aid officers in tests.” Lt. Eddie Moon said.
Officer Tony Crouse added “All of the proceeds go back to trying to stop Drunk Driving.”
Lt. Moon explained that ” [Drunk driving in Sulphur Springs] has dropped, it’s not as high as it used to be…We face it everyday, but it’s getting better.” Part of that is the education of the public. MADD has programs in place to teach youth about being safe and the importance of not drinking and driving.
For more information, to donate, or if you’d like to get involved next year visit walklikeMADD.org or MADD.org.
Local Cattlemen Realize Success with Ribeye Roundup, Concert
The NETBIO Board of Directors were pleased with the outcome of Friday’s Ribeye Roundup event on Celebration Plaza. The third-annual event featured over 30 steak-cooking teams, a well-attended educational talk by Trent Loos about the benefits of eating beef, a delicious, well-executed meal for 1200 persons and a huge crowd on the plaza for the Stoney Larue concert. A partial list of Ribeye winners includes Sulphur Springs Country Club as top winner in the Restaurant Division, and the teams of Smoke House Rats I, Smoke House Rats II and Henderson Ranch as the top three teams in the Non-commercial Division. Thanks also to students of the Culinary Department at SSHS who assisted by serving the salads sides and desserts for the meal. Thanks also go out to all the volunteers and helpers who made the event a success. Plans are already in the works for a similar 2018 event.
NETBIO President Dwyatt Bell and Veterinarian Kevin Gray
Dr. Gray announcing winners in Non-commercial Division.
Ribeye Roundup Under Way
Preparations for the Cattleman’s Classic Ribeye Roundup have Celebration Plaza swarming this Friday afternoon as the sound check for the 8pm concert falls into place. The setup for the cooking teams is also well under way, with some of them already hard at work on their steak dinners. Anticipation for heavy crowds and great entertainment is high. Show up from 2-5pm for activities such as the Producer Trade Show & Program featuring Trent Loos, and 8pm for the free concert.
Game Day: Wildcat Football; Lady Cat Volleyball
There is Wildcats’ football and Lady Cats’ volleyball on this game day Friday. Both play Marshall in district games and both games are in Marshall. The Wildcats are 0-1 in district play and 2-3 for the season. Marshall is 1-0 in district play and 1-4 for the season. We will have all the action of Wildcats football for you tonight from Marshall on KSST radio. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. We will also videotape the game for replay on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable at a later date.
Meanwhile the Lady Cats volleyball team will play Marshall beginning at 4:30 p.m The Lady Cats are 5-2 in district play and they have won five matches in a row. One of those was against Marshall here in Sulphur Springs on September 26.
Truck Driver Arrested for Erratic Driving
Lowell Edward Landers, Jan 2016
Westbound I-30 was not a very safe place to be in the Sulphur Springs area after midnight Friday. A Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputy observed an 18-wheeler weaving all over the highway near the 126 mile marker of I-30. Multiple vehicles were seen getting out of the way of the truck to keep from getting hit. The deputy initiated a traffic stop and turned on flashing lights. The truck kept on going but only at a top speed of about 55 miles per hour. He sometime reduced speed to about 5 miles per hour.
The trucker finally exited at the Highway 19 exit. He attempted to make a turn and ended up hitting a light pole which brought his rig to a halt. By this time, the sheriff’s deputy was joined by units from the Sulphur Springs Police Department. The trucker must have believed he was in Alabama because he said he had to deliver some goods to an Alabama location in about an hour. He was tested for inebriation and was arrested. 57-year Lowell Edward Landers of Russellville, Alabama was charged with evading arrest and with driving while intoxicated. Justice of the Peace B.J. Teer set bond totaling $6,000 for Landers.
LANDERS, LOWELL
“Walk to Remember” Spirit Awards Earned By Local Companies
In addition to individual donations, Terrific Tuesday’s annual fundraiser “Walk to Remember” is also supported by local businesses. Of the companies who donated money for the cause through payroll deductions, Saputo Industries was the most generous, giving $1,000 through the year. The company was honored with the new “Community Spirit “award.
Wesley House Assisted Living and Wesley Oaks Memory Care was, for the fourth consecutive year, the Spirit Award winner. Wesley’s Mini-Walk and other donations brought in $1.740. for Terrific Tuesdays.
All the volunteers and healthcare workers along with Terrific Tuesday organizers accepted the check representing $10,891.00 raised for Terrific Tuesdays for 2018.
Setup for Ribeye Roundup Begins
Celebration Plaza was hopping early Friday morning as cooking teams were setting up for the Cattleman’s Classic Ribeye Roundup and the free concert with Stoney Larue. The tables and chairs were being set up for the 1200 ticketholders lucky enough to snag a ticket for the steak dinner at 6pm tonight. Everyone anticipates a heavy crowd for the 8pm concert as well. Activities are planned throughout the day as the Producer Trade Show & Program featuring Trent Loos from 2-5pm.
More Fall Festival Plans Announced…There’s Fun for Everyone in October!
Fall Festival President Tracy Dennis shared the newest additions to the Hopkins County Fall Festival schedule of events in a KSST interview on the Good Morning Show with Enola Gay.
The Fall Festival Golf Tournament is set for Monday October 9 at Sulphur Springs Country Club. Players can still enter even on the morning of the event. Lunch is at 11am and tee-off is at 12:10. Thee are lots of nice prizes and door prizes. Dixie Golf will also be present.
On Wednesday October 11, the Cover Girl Dinner and Meet and Greet. Outgoing Cover Girl is Maddie Peavler of Yantis. There are three contestants, all from county schools ; Ally Price of Miller Grove, Breanna Hicks of North Hopkins and Cassidy Seaney of Miller Grove. Former Cover Girls act as volunteers to help with the contest.
Thursday October 12, Fall Festival has a Ribbon Cutting and Mixer, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce at City Hall starting at 5pm. There will be catered food and door prizes, everyone is invited.
Saturday October 21, following line-up in Buford Park, the Fall Festival Parade steps off at 10am on it’s usual route east on Connally Street, across the Plaza and south on Gilmer Street to Lee Street. Parade Marshall this year is Patty Stone Sells, Gold Star Mom and cancer survivor.
Tuesday October 24 is Fall Festival Sr. Citizen’s Day to be held at the Seniors Center, 150 MLK Drive. There will be a chili cookoff, with serving at noon. Chili cooks are still needed and there will be nice prizes. Phone Karon Weatherman for details, 903-885-1661.
Thursday October 26 Some area schools will bring students as field trip, ALSO Fall Festival Carnival opens through Saturday night October 28 ALSO the Fall Festival Cover Girl Competition will be held inside the arena during the evening, with judging in seven categories: cow milking, horse saddling, hay stacking, sewing, chicken cut-up, calf scramble and tractor driving. Spectators are welcome.
Friday October 27 Fall Festival open from 10am til 8pm and Saturday October 28 open 9am til 5pm with: Petting Zoo, Kidz Zone, Water Bubble Walk, Cosmo’s Universe of Art”, barrel train, balloon art, face painting, mechanical bull, Arts and Crafts Sale/Creative Arts Contest in High School, also a mammogram coach and Carter Blood Care mobile will be offering services.
On Saturday night October 28, the Fall Festival Cover Girl Awards will be made at 8:30pm between two free band concerts. Exit 110 Reunion starts at 7pm, and Midnight Twang Featuring Jason Walden at 9pm. (Jason filling in for Jacoby Smith)
Saturday October 28 World Championship Hopkins County Stew Contest on the grounds of Buford Park. Cooking begins at daylight and serving starts at 10:30am with awards at noon.
October-No Time to be Bored By Johanna Hicks
October – No Time to be Bored!
One statement that you definitely will NOT hear around our office is, “I’m bored with nothing to do.” Below is just a sampling of the opportunities that are offered through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office:
- National 4-H Week – even though the official week ended on October 7, we invite you to view the entries that were submitted by Hopkins County 4-H members as part of the 4-H Project Show. Photography, woodworking, baked goods, and holiday entries have been submitted as of this writing. Entries will be on display Monday thru Wednesday, October 9-11, in the classroom of our office. Drop by and let us show you!
- Walk & Talk – this is an 8-week series, which includes nutrition information, cooking demonstrations, and….walking! Each Wednesday for 8 weeks (except Thanksgiving week), starting on October 11 and ending on Wednesday, December 6, I’ll be implementing this great event for Head Start and Pre-K parents at the Early Childhood Learning Center in the Parent Center. We’ll start at 8:30 a.m. and end around 9:30 or 9:45 a.m. Each week, we will cover a different topic, and lots of nice give-away items will be distributed to every participant. As a spin-off of Walk Across Texas, the group will be challenged to achieve 3,000 miles, surpassing 2,784 miles walked last year.
- Book Buddies – Barbara Sanders (our office manager) and I will be involved in this reading enrichment initiative at Sulphur Springs Elementary School each Wednesday during the school year. We will spend 30 minutes one day a week reading with two students to help improve reading skills and comprehension. I know numerous individuals around Sulphur Springs will be taking part this year. If you are not familiar with this program, contact Kristin Monk at the SSISD Administration Building to get involved. It is a blessing!
- Fall Festival Ribbon Cutting and Mixer – The Hopkins County Fall Festival Board invites you to join them for the 2017 ribbon cutting and refreshments, on Thursday, October 12, 5:00 p.m. at the Sulphur Springs City Hall. Delicious foods, door prizes, and announcements from board members about the 2017 event will be the highlight of the evening.
- NEAFCS – I will be out of the office during the week of October 16 – 20 to attend my National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences conference in Omaha, Nebraska. I have the privilege of leading a concurrent session during the meeting, as well as networking with Extension Agents from all across the country. The week will end with the awards banquet – a special event recognizing individuals who have excelled in programming and have impacted the lives of their clientele.
- Fall Festival Parade – Saturday, October 21, is the date set for the Fall Festival parade. It will begin in Buford Park at 10:00 a.m.and wind its way through downtown and out Gilmer Street. Join the fun as the 2017 Hopkins County Fall Festival gets underway!
- Fall Festival Creative Arts Contest – Entries for the 2017 event will be taken on Thursday, October 26 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. and Friday, October 27 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., at the Sulphur Springs High School Conference Center. (Alternative registration times are Monday thru Wednesday, October 23 thru 25, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Extension Office.) If you missed my column in the newspaper outlining the entry categories and guidelines, you can find the information on the Fall Festival website, or give me a call and I’ll e-mail the information. You can also find the information at https://hopkins.agrilife.org (click on ‘publications’). We have copies available at our Extension Office, as well. Items will be judged Friday morning, and the room will be open to the public around 1:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. They will also be on display again on Saturday, October 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Best of Show winners will have pictures made at 1:30, after which all entries may be picked up.
- Fall Festival Arts & Crafts Show – As of this writing, I still have just a few spaces remaining. This show is for hand-made items to be sold. Vendor applications are available on the Fall Festival website, the Extension website (listed above), or may picked up or e-mailed, but spaces are limited, so call soon if you are interested. This show will take place in the Sulphur Springs High School cafeteria and north entry way. If you want a one-of-a-kind gift, this is where you will find it! I am probably one of the best customers, because I love the variety and uniqueness of the items! Vendors may set up on Friday, October 27 starting at 7:15 a.m. The doors open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 28. This is a highlight of the Fall Festival for many people!
- Other Fall Festival Attractions – commercial exhibits, chainsaw carver, BMX exhibit, Kids’ Zone, food vendors, concert and much more will be available on the Civic Center grounds and inside the Civic Center. The Stew Contest will take place in Buford Park on Saturday, October 28. Watch for more information to come!
- Delta County Christmas Joys – Because so many Delta County residents have attended the Hopkins County event (next bullet), I am doing a special presentation in Cooper on Thursday, November 2, 2:00 p.m., at the Delta County Civic Center. The same great information as the Hopkins County program will be provided, so if November 6 doesn’t work for you and you would like to attend in Cooper, call and let me know!
- Christmas Joys Holiday Program – Apparently, this is a VERY popular event! The 1:30 session is now full, but we still have room at the 5:30 session. This is scheduled for Monday, November 6, at the Southwest Dairy Museum. Cost is $5, payable at the door, but we must have a name and phone number for each reserved seat. Included in the program are demonstrations, gift-giving ideas, decorating ideas, and lots of delicious recipes. Each attendee will receive a goody bag and a booklet of all the demonstrations and recipes presented. The Dairy Museum will provide samplings of all the delicious dip mixes, dessert mixes, and cheeses available. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention door prizes! Numerous local businesses have donated door prizes to be given away at both sessions. Please call 903-885-3443 to reserve a seat.
- Extension Leadership Banquet – Each year, we recognize our volunteers, committees, and supporters at our annual Extension Leadership Banquet. This year’s event will be on Thursday, November 9, at League Street Church of Christ. The meal will begin at 6:00 p.m., and the program at 6:45 p.m. If you would like to learn more about Extension and all we have to offer, save the date and give us a call if you would like to attend. Committee members, Leadership Advisory Board, Master Volunteers, media, and elected officials will receive a formal invitation, but everyone is invited to attend!
That’s all I have room for now, but as you can see, we reach a diversified audience with our programs, workshops, and events….and the ones listed above do not include my co-worker’s programs! So if you are looking for something to do, look no further! We have a place for you! Call our office at 903-885-3443 for more information on all of the above events.
Closing Thought
If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under – Ronald Reagan
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]
