You’re Invited to a Royal Evening Out
By Savannah Owens
The Lil’ 4’s club is hosting their Annual Kings and Queens Ball on Saturday August 12th at 4:00 pm. The Ball is a dinner as well as a talent show and pageant put on by the kids. It will be held at 200 Fuller street (Lil’ 4’s Building), and everyone is welcome to attend. This is a black tie event (no jeans or sneakers) and parents are requested to come.
This is Lil 4’s 8th year of hosting the ball. This year’s colors are gold and white. Letitia Conliffe, president of the Lil’ 4’s, says she starts planning early and stocks up on the decorations. “I make a lot [of the decorations] myself. I spray paint and make it look elegant…You can’t go wrong with white and gold! We’re using actual place settings; no plastic and real glasses, and gold silverware…everything is formal.”
The Ball will include dinner with steak, ribs, and ham for adults, and Salisbury steak for the kids. The kids will be doing skits, a talent show, and a fashion show. Some of the boys are doing a special tribute to their moms. There is no cost to attend this exciting and family fun event, but donations will be accepted.
Special guests to look for include: Colby Savage, Mr. Brown, and Evelyn Fullbright.
The ball will crown 3 kings and 3 queens for different age groups. Four judges will pick the new royals based on fashion and talent throughout the night. The selected kings and queens will represent the Lil’ 4’s in events around town. “They’ll come out to the nursing homes to sing and represent the club, they even get a float in parades that is separate from the Lil’ 4’s float.”
“This is one of the Lil’ 4’s big events, It lets the kids feel special. A lot of underprivileged kids want to feel special and girls want to feel pretty. It’s like Prom or a Quinceanera for the ladies and very debonair for the young men!” Letitia explained. She gets the dresses, suits, and nice shoes for kids who can’t afford them from garage sales, CANHelp, and second-hand stores. “These kids have never been able to dress up, I do everything to let the kids know someone loves them…They want to participate, and I want them all to [be able to participate and not have to worry about their clothes].” The kids are extremely grateful for the new outfits and the entire event. Their anticipation is obvious as they smile and talk about their new clothes and their talents. Letitia said. “They don’t ask for much.”
Some kids are nervous about performing, but “they still dress up and walk out.” Letitia described how typically the girls walk into the ball with a father figure, and everyone stands and cheers as they enter. “It lets the girls feel proud and happy.” She explained. “A lot of drugs have taken this town; 75% of girls don’t have dads around,” which makes things difficult for the girls to be escorted to the ballroom by their fathers. Men in the community are requested to walk with the ladies who’s fathers are unavailable to attend. If you would like to walk with one of the girls, contact Letitia Conliffe at 903-440-5546.
“The kids have beautiful voices and a bunch of talent.” Letitia said.
Let’s meet some of the performers!
Zariyah Kates will sing and dance to “Walk With Me”. “I like singing and wearing pretty dresses.”
Ivanna Gotcher will sing “Oh Lord”. “I like dancing and seeing everyone look pretty.”
D’marien Macon will “sing ‘I Spy’ and [performing a dance] to my mom.” “I like to dance.”
Aniayah Adeley will “dance in the praise dance, and dance by myself.” “I like that I get to dance and sing and perform.”
Dalia Johnson will “sing ‘Ain’t No Woman Like the One I Got’.” Her favorite part is “being pretty.”
Rodney Harris will “dance and sing.” He is excited for the Kings and Queens Ball.
Breeanna Conliffe will participate in the fashion show and the praise dance. She likes seeing everyone in their dresses and suits, and if she is chosen as queen she will most look forward to “being in the parades.”
Chris Hamilton will “dance” a step dance to his mom. His favorite part about Lil’ 4’s is “going outside.”
Shalice Green will “do a praise dance.” She is excited about the Ball.
Zatirya Allen “likes to dance” and will dance in the talent portion of the event.
The Lil’ 4’s is a non-profit organization that keeps kids off the streets, while feeding and mentoring the kids. Letitia explained that the Lil’ 4’s receives very few donations from members in the community, and most everything comes from her own pocket. They only just recently had a donation of an A/C system from Lowe’s. She mentioned Rita Taylor, Clint Beachum fondly known to the kids as “PaPa”, Kenneth Courk, Terry Williams, Clebo, and Terrance, President of the Knights, as people who frequently help out around the club. Letitia explained she was disappointed that all of the churches except for the Church of Christ, don’t seem to want to help.
“We don’t get discouraged, we plan ahead and keep on having faith. God will guide us [as] we work together like a big family.” Letitia frequently puts her life on hold to make sure these kids are fed and taken care of. She pays her own rent and the club’s rent from her own pocket. She says while they have computers for the kids to work on their school work, they still don’t have enough money to pay for WiFi. “It’s like I had 50 kids given to me… I let them feel like home here…I didn’t come to be a friend, I came to show them the love the community and parents don’t give…Our kids are our future, you’d think we would come together as a community to help them.”
To learn more about the Lil’ 4’s or the Kings and Queens Ball visit their Facebook page or go by 200 Fuller street.
SSHS Blue Blazes Drill Team Prepares for Friday Night Performances
The Sulphur Springs High School Blue Blazes Drill Team has been busy all this month getting ready for Friday night performances during football season. During the first week in August, the Blazes went to their annual boot camp. Blue Blazes Assistant Director Cammie McGraw said the 56th line of the Blue Blazes learned all of their football routines and pep rally routines. She said here were also team building sessions.
Ms. McGraw said this year’s theme at boot camp was “extreme makeover”. She said the drill team learned fundamentals of starting a new team this year, starting fresh and bonding with each other without cliques or drama. Wednesday morning (August 9), the Blue Blazes were on a practice field working on there first halftime routine as well as pregame responsibilities. Ms. McGraw said details of the Blue Blazes first routine at the new Prim Stadium before home fans is being kept secret. She said fans will need to show up at the stadium to see it.
There are 32 members in the Blue Blazes Drill Team this year. They are led by senior Captain Natalie Contreras, a three-year veteran of the drill team.
Firefighters Combat Challenge: A Feature of Hot August Night Aug. 11, 12
North Hopkins Volunteer Fire Department Chief Bobby Harris and Hopkins County Fire Chief Andy Endsley were guests on the KSST Good Morning Show to talk about this weekend’s ‘Hot August Night’, an annual fundraiser for Hopkins County Fire Departments. There are two main features: a BBQ Cook-off held as a fundraiser with serving at 5pm Saturday Aug 12, and the Scott Firefighters Combat Challenge, which is an International competition for firefighting departments of all sizes.
The first section of the firefighter challenge will begin at noon Friday August 11, and spectators are welcome to the free admission event. The meet is a qualifier for advanced competition. In 2016, a 5-man team from Sulphur Springs Fire Department as well as members of the Cumby Volunteer Fire Department passed the two-minute qualifier to advance to World competition in Montgomery, Alabama. A Saltillo Volunteer Fire Department team also qualified but could not attend due to schedule conflicts. At this weekend’s challenge, you will see teams from other states and surrounding counties at the meet. A Scott Challenge set-up crew will arrive in Sulphur Springs to put the contest structure in place on the SSHS parking lot and Civic Center grounds. ESPN is expected to be on hand to cover portions of the competition.
Chief Endsley explained his experience from last year’s “Six-Story Tower Climb” trial, having joined five other local firefighters as a Relay Team in the strenuous two-minute qualifier. Each firefighter (male and female) will wear full bunker gear plus carrying a High-Rise pack, thus bearing more than 100 pounds of weight. The firefighter climbs the steel staircase which is six flights high as quickly as possible (staircase will be erected on the school parking lot). In his ascent, he may step on every stair or on every-other stair. At the top, he will use a hand-over-hand method to pull a 100-foot, three and a half-inch hose up from the ground. Next he utilizes the Keiser Sled to simulate chopping with ax or sledgehammer. He then goes to ground level and using a serpentine method, drags a hose through a 100-foot maze. He then steps up to project water from a fire hose through a set of doors at a target. Last, he must drag “Rescue Randy” the 185-pound rescue mannequin for 100 feet. All this must be performed within two minutes to qualify. This section of the contest may be performed by a teams and by individuals.
There are twelve fire departments in Hopkins County. 100% of funds raised during Hot August Night will be used for Volunteer Fire Departments, which through agreement, assist each other wherever the need is in Hopkins County for not only fires but for other emergencies requiring trained professionals. Tickets to Hot August Night are available at ticketstothecity.com.
Meal A Day Menu For August 7th-11th
Meal A Day Menu
August 7th — August 11th
Tuesday
Baked Beans
Tater Tots
Tossed Salad
Broccoli
City Water to be Shut Off At Midnight as New Moore Street Line Tied Into System
In the rough area outlined by blue, City of Sulphur Springs crews will be interrupting water service at midnight Wednesday night. Service should return before 7AM Thursday morning.
The area affected will stretch from Main Street and Garrison to Main and League Street to League and Connally Street and then to Connally and Garrison. Some surrounding areas could be affected, according to city officials.
The plan tonight Wednesday, August 9, 2017 is to tie the new line on Moore St onto the existing water line.
Computer-Aided Manufacturing Course Being Offered
In an effort to help develop a workforce skilled in Mechatronics and CNC Machining training, Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center is offering an introductory continuing education course in Computer-Aided Machining.
This two-week course, beginning Monday, will include topics in safety, G-code, milling tools and computer numerical control (CNC) operations.
PJC President Dr. Pamela Anglin said that PJC is offering classes to introduce and train the workforce in computer-aided manufacturing, which involves the use of computer software to control machine tools and related machinery in the manufacturing process.
“We have the machinery in place and are ready to provide training”, Dr. Anglin said. “It is crucial that we build enrollment so that we can grow these programs and continue to make them available at our Sulphur Springs location. This training provides necessary job skills for local industry.”
The Computer-Aided Machining course (MCHN-1091.500) will be offered at the Sulphur Springs campus from August 14 through August 25. The classes will meet from 6-9 p.m. each evening.
For more information and to register for the course, call 903-885-1232 or go by the campus located at 1137 Loop 301 East.
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Cummings Announces Intent to Seek Re-election as JP Precinct 2
Judge Brad Cummings announces his intent to seek re-election for the Republican nomination for Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2.
“It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve the citizens of Hopkins County as Justice of the Peace for the last 2 ½ years. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to provide assistance, compassion, and service to this county.”
Judge Cummings was elected in 2014 and took office January 1, 2015. Since taking office, Judge Cummings has completed 185 hours of continuing education through the Texas Justice Court Training Center and Texas Municipal Court Education Center. Judge Cummings and his staff have disposed of over 6000 criminal cases and almost 600 civil cases since taking office. Judge Cummings was instrumental in implementing a Juvenile Case Manager to more efficiently handle juvenile cases and reduce recidivism in the Justice Courts. Judge Cummings has considered the safety of the community by enforcing pre-trial bond conditions and holding defendants accountable.
Prior to being elected in 2014, Judge Cummings served Hopkins County as a Deputy-Sheriff from 2008 until taking office. “This year will mark nine years that I have been able to assist people here in Hopkins County in various circumstances. My job is much greater than issuing judgments, setting bail on defendants at the jail, or conducting death inquests. My main priority is to help the people who had faith in me to put me in this position.”
The Justice Courts are part of the judicial branch that is closest to the people without the assistance of an attorney. JPs have original jurisdiction involving fine-only class C misdemeanor offenses. They hear civil cases that involve up to $10,000 in controversy, landlord tenant disputes, truancy cases, and perform magistrate duties at the jail. The JPs in Hopkins County hold capacity as the coroner and conduct death inquests whenever an unattended death occurs.
“When I ran for office in 2014, I often referred to Texas pastor and author Max Lucado who said, “Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want, but faith is the belief the God will do what is right.” To reiterate my campaign promise, I may not always be able to do what is wanted or the most popular, but if re-elected the citizens of Hopkins County can continue to have faith in me and my office to do what is right; with the best interest of all parties involved in mind.
Lady Cats 1-1 Following First Day of Regular Season
The Lady Cats’ volleyball team opened the regular season with a rare win over North Lamar and a five-set loss to Sherman at home Tuesday.
The Lady Cats defeated North Lamar, 3-0. It was the Lady Cats first victory over the Pantherettes since October 1, 2005. John McCullough, the current North Lamar superintendent, was then the Lady Cats Head Coach. Tuesday the Lady Cats jumped out to a 5-0 lead against North Lamar in set one. After the match tightened up, Kaylee Jefferson had five successful serves for points to stretch the Lady Cats lead to 19-10. The Lady Cats won the first set 25-17. The second set went back and forth. The Lady Cats scored the set’s final two points to take a 25-23 win. The Lady Cats then pulled away late in the third set to take the set and the match, 25-19. Lady Cats Coach Justin Maness called the victory a sweet one. He singled out Mieke VanBenthem, Erika VanBenthem and Kaylee Jefferson.
Against Sherman, the Lady Cats almost snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. At first, the Lady Cats got off to a strong start scoring the matches first four points. They got some key points late and took a 25-22 win in set one. Then a good Sherman team, loaded with volleyball club players, seized the momentum in a big way. It started with the team’s tied 17-17 in set two. Sherman ended up with a 25-19 win to even the match at 1 set apiece. The Lady Bearcats continued to play well getting a 25-14 win in set three. In set four, the Lady Bearcats appeared poised to take the set and the match. They led 21-14 and needed just four more points. Then Autumn Tanton began to serve for the Lady Cats. She had ten straight successful serves as the Lady Cats scored the set’s last 11 points to take an unlikely 25-21 win. Both teams now had two sets apiece. Sherman returned to their dominating ways in set five taking the set and the match with a 15-9 win. Coach Maness said he was impressed with the play of Tanton, Lexie Whisenhunt and Kaylee Jefferson.
The Lady Cats have had only two practice days so far. They will double that with practice sessions Wednesday and Thursday. The Lady Cats play next in a Garland tournament Friday and Saturday. Their pool includes South Garland, Mesquite Horn and Carrollton Newman Smith.
