Blue Blazes Set Dinner and Auction Fund Raiser; Plan Team Trip to New York in January
The Blue Blazes Drill Team Booster Club and Blue Blazes Director Christie McCullough have come up with a fund raising idea they hope to make an annual event. It’s a dinner and auction night. This year’s event is set for Saturday, September 23. Tickets for $10 are on sale now from Blues Blazes or from their Booster Club members. Ms. McCullough says the ticket will be for dinner and a paddle to use for bidding on silent and live auction items that are being collected now. She says funds raised will help offset costs of the Blue Blazes’ annual Spring Show and a Blue Blazes team trip to New York in January. Ms. McCullough says sign ups for the Blaze Buddies program will be taking place in a couple of weeks. Blaze Buddies will join the Blue Blazes on the field at a football game, will dance at the Spring Show and will correspond with Blue Blazes Drill Team members.
Count the Blue Blazes among those excited about the renovated Gerald Prim Stadium. They practiced on the field Wednesday. Their first performance at home Friday will be a traditional pom pom routine. Ms McCullough says the Blue Blazes performed it last Friday at Sherman and got good response from fans on both sides of the stadium. Ms. McCullough says the Blue Blazes had a wonderful performance last Friday and he adds they will have to work hard to improve on it at home Friday.
Blue Blazes Director Christie McCullough
Pilot Club Helps out Terrific Tuesdays During 2017 Fundraising Drive
The Pilot Club of Sulphur Springs recently presented a check for $200.00 to Karon Weatherman as a donation to the Walk to Remember, an annual fundraiser for Terrific Tuesdays. A series of mini-walk fundraisers are planned during September sponsored by various health facilities. Following the series of mini-walks, the major Walk to Remember will be held in the Gardens of Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs during early October. If you would like to join in, register early so that you can get a t-shirt to wear at the event. There are also raffle tickets being sold for a specially-designed quilt for the Walk to Remember. Contact Karon Weatherman, Sr. Citizens Director at 903-885-1661.
L. to R. Marilyn Holt, Karon Weatherman, Tammi Reardon Director of Terrific Tuesdays, Karen Jasmer, Jane Goldsmith
2ND Annual “Fruit of the Spirit” Awards Announced by Pastor CJ Duffey Will Feature Tim Brown and Ten Awardees at September 16 Banquet
Pastor CJ Duffey of ColorBlind Ministries has announced that the Second Annual “Fruit of the Spirit” Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday September 16, 2017 at 2pm at the SSHS Cafeteria. Tickets are $25 each which includes the opportunity to hear and to meet Tim Brown, Heisman Trophy Recipient and NFL Hall of Fame Inductee. In addition to Brown’s address and the awards presentations, there will be a banquet meal catered by Big Smith’s BBQ. Brown will also conduct a book signing at the event.
During a KSST Good Morning Show interview, Duffy related that the year of 2016 was the banquet’s inaugural year. The “Josephus Award” was given to Bobby McDonald just weeks before his death last year. Now, the Bobby McDonald Scholarship has been established and will be awarded to two high school students. Also at the 2017 banquet, nine Fruit of the Spirit awards will be given to deserving local individuals and a special Fruit of the Spirit Award to a local media organization for 70 years of service to the community.
Tickets are available at Sulphur Sprigs High School, at Good News Christian Bookstore, Legacy Hospice, Eternity Creations, the office of Dr. Daniel Siriphongs, at Color Blind Ministries, 210 Black Oak Road, Como, Texas, or by contacting Pastor Duffey at 903-413-0067.
CJ Duffey, Pastor of Colorblind Ministries, Chaplain of Legacy Hospice and organizer of the Fruit of the Spirit Awards
Chamber Connection September 7, 2017
Here’s a little update on the 48th Annual Stew Contest! The Chamber has already mailed out Stew Cook letters and Sponsor letters. If you have not received your letter, please call the Chamber at (903) 885-6515. If you would like to cook or sponsor a stew pot for the first time, please don’t hesitate. Give us a call and we will get you signed up!
Deadline to enter and KEEP YOUR STEW SITE from last year is Friday, September 15th. On Monday, September 18th, you may come by the Chamber and choose a new site based on availability. The 48th Annual Stew Cook-off is scheduled for Saturday, October 28nd, and that will be here before you know it!!
Texas WIC is offering a partnership to help with your child’s haircut
Jeff Luster at Studio 9 Hair Designs has partnered with WIC for a discount on children’s haircuts. You may receive $5 off haircuts for children 5 years old and under as long as you bring your ID with name and current WIC shopping receipt. The offer is valid September 1st through September 30th. The hours available for hair appointments are Monday – Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and are by appointment only. Contact Jeff Luster at Studio 9 Hair Designs, 421 E. Industrial Dr., Suite 208, in Sulphur Springs by calling (903) 335-1491.
SmartTech is holding a Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening on Friday, September 15th at 4 p.m.
SmartTech Home Solutions is hosting their ribbon cutting and grand opening celebration on Friday, September 15th at 4 p.m. SmartTech is located at 1217 S Broadway St., Suite A2, in Sulphur Springs. Make plans to come by and welcome this new business to Hopkins County.
The Lights of Life Style Show is scheduled for Thursday, September 14th at 6:30 p.m.
The HC Health Care Foundation is hosting its annual Lights of Life Style Show on Thursday, September 14th at 6:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Entry fee is a $25 donation and there will be door prizes and a raffle. Dinner and fashions will be provided by Lou Nells. For ticket information contact the Foundation office at (903) 438-4799 or Lou Nell’s at (903) 885-0664.
First Baptist Church is offering a Beth Moore Simulcast on September 16th
First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs is offering a Beth Moore Simulcast called “Captivated: The Wonder of Christ on the Winding Road”. The simulcast will be held on Saturday, September 16th from 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at First Baptist Church. This is a free event, but you must register at www.ssfbc.org, or in the church office, or at ROC to attend.
Lone Star Heritage Quilt Guild’s Annual Quilt Show is scheduled for September 15th and 16th
The Lone Star Heritage Quilt Guild is hosting their 18th Annual Quilt Show on Friday, September15th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, September 16th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Door prizes are given away throughout the day, and children’s activities are available, too! The quilt show will be located at the ROC, 115 Putnam Street in Sulphur Springs.
Brick Street Vintage Market is scheduled for Saturday, September 16th from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Downtown Business Alliance is sponsoring a Brick Street Vintage Market on Saturday, September 16th, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will be located downtown on Connally and Gilmer streets. Many local and out of town vendors will be here participating in this first-time event. You don’t want to miss this!
Etiquette by Emily is hosting Cotillion classes starting in September
Etiquette by Emily is hosting Cotillion classes that are scheduled to begin Monday, September 18th at 5:30. Reserve your spot before they’re gone. Classes will be located at The Oaks Bed and Breakfast. It will run weekly for four weeks. Cost is $75 per student, and there is a discount for siblings. Call 903-243-6222 or email [email protected] to reserve your spot!
Texas AgriLife Extension Office is hosting many classes this month, and here they are:
Course: Cooking Well with Diabetes. Attend this series of four fun-filled, interactive classes packed with research-based information and delicious diabetes-friendly recipes.
Location: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B Houston Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas
Dates: Series of 4 classes, September 12, 14, 19 and 24
Times: 1:30 p.m. OR 6:00 p.m. (choice)
Cost: $25, payable at the first session
Call 903-885-3443 to reserve your space or if you need additional information.
Lezley Brown
President/CEO
Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
300 Connally Street
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
903-885-6515-office
903-885-6516-fax
www.sulphursprings-tx.com
Wildcats Face The Avalon School of Maryland in Second Game of Season; First Game in Renovated Prim Stadium
News media members learned more about The Avalon School of Maryland as Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens had his media gathering Wednesday morning. Coach Owens called Avalon a souped up Liberty-Eylau. He used the adjective athletic over and over. Coach Owens said they are big play guys.
The Avalon coach is Tyree Spinner. Coach Owens called him cordial and easy to work with. Coach Owens said he knew what Coach Spinner is going through getting ready to take a team to play a game far from home. Week two last year had the Wildcats playing a Florida school in Orlando. Avalon is expected to arrive in Sulphur Springs Thursday evening. After playing Friday night, the Black Knights will be heading back to Gaithersburg, Virginia on Saturday.
Coach Owens said for the Wildcats to win, they must be disciplined and win the turnover battle. He said the offense must be consistent and put points on the board. Coach Owens said the defense had to prevent big plays. Coach Owens said players’ attitudes were good in practice this week after a win last week. He said the team was pleased to see injured offensive tackle Charlie Maddux visit practice Monday and Tuesday. Maddux suffered a serious head injury last week after a fall from a vehicle in the high school parking lot. Coach Owens said Maddux continues to make good progress. He also advised Wildcats’ fans to arrive at the stadium early Fridaynight. There will be some pregame ceremonies starting at around 7 p.m.
The media gathering was moved to Prim Stadium where reporters found Coach Owens and others putting down sod outside the stadium. The media gathering took place in a most unlikely place, a women’s restroom. It proved to be a quiet spot with construction noise nearby.
SSHS Band Ready for First Performance in Renovated Prim Stadium
Fans to come to the renovated Gerald Prim Stadium for Friday night’s football game will be able to see half of this year’s band halftime show. It’s a four element show and Band Director Charles McCauley says the band will perform element one and element two Friday, just like they did in Sherman last Friday. It may have sounded like just a single element last Friday but McCauley explains element two begins very shortly after the end of element one.
He says he is very excited by the new Prim Stadium the band will get to march on. The band has not marched on it yet but McCauley says the band will arrive plenty early to get the feel for the new stadium. McCauley says he is also excited about the band being relocated from the end zone to the home side. He looks forward to the band playing right next to the student section, the cheerleaders and the Blue Blazes Drill Team.
2015 Band performance at Prim
Indian Summer Day Announced for October 7 at H C Heritage Park and Museum
Everyone of all ages will enjoy discovering Hopkins County’s own heritage through living history. There will be outdoor cooking, art, handmade items, pioneer skills demonstrations, tours and children’s attractions. Youth and adults who wish to enter the cooking competition are welcome to enter.
PJC-Sulphur Springs Back in Session
BACK IN SESSION PJC-Sulphur Springs Center classes are back in session for the fall semester and English instructor Ken Haley gives some one-on-one help to students in his English 1302 class. For information about PJC-Sulphur Springs, call 903-885-1232.
County Treasurer Jim Thompson Announces Re-election Campaign
Hopkins County Treasurer Jim Thompson has announced his campaign for re-election. A 51-year resident of Hopkins County, Thompson is serving his first term in office, and has filed documents to officially establish his campaign in the Republican primary for another 4-year term as Hopkins County’s chief financial officer.
Thompson said, “The voters strongly placed their faith in me almost 3 years ago to handle the daily financial functions of Hopkins County, and I am asking for their support again so I can continue to serve them. The position of County Treasurer is primarily a position of trust, and I have faithfully served to protect that trust. Hopkins County’s financial processes are carefully checked each year by a weeks-long process conducted by an independent auditing firm. During my time in office I am proud that zero discrepancies have been found.”
Thompson continued, “In my original campaign I promised the citizens of Hopkins County 3 important things: Accuracy, Transparency, and Accountability. I have kept that promise. I have taken specific steps to reorganize the way our bookkeeping and banking functions work together to improve efficiency and to reduce the chance of errors. I have modernized the operation of the Treasurer’s office, and I maintain an open-door policy for anyone who wants information about Hopkins County’s finances.
Thompson also said, “I have developed a great professional working relationship with everyone in Hopkins County’s financial operation. We all get along well and help each other without drama or tension. We respect each other’s position and work together as a team. The Commissioners Court very wisely restructured the financial operations of Hopkins County before I was elected, and the new arrangement is working quite well.”
The Texas Constitution of 1876 and laws passed by the legislature carefully detail the core responsibilities of County Treasurers. Thompson fulfills those requirements on a daily basis in cooperation with the County Commissioners, the internal Auditor, and the office of Court Administration. He noted that while Treasurers work only a little with the public, their communication and coordination with other County departments and elected officials is crucial to the overall goal of good local government.
Thompson has been active for over 30 years in many phases of Republican Party efforts to insure limited, conservative government working in all levels from campaign staff member on the Congressional level to local volunteer in many local election cycles. He has been a part of many local Republican Party meetings, attended Republican Party State Conventions, helped conservative candidates create winning ad campaigns, put up highway signs and yard signs, manned the headquarters during election seasons, and worked the Party’s Fall Festival booth. Thompson said that for many years he has proudly voted in Republican primaries, and is a sustaining member of the Republican Party of Texas.
Jim Thompson earned a Bachelor’s Degree with honors from East Texas State University, and later earned a Master’s Degree with honors from Texas A&M University – Commerce. He was elected during the late 1980s to a 3-year term on the Sulphur Springs City Council. He served in the 1990s as President of the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Committee and on the Board of Directors for the local Girl Scout Council. He has been teaching a senior adult bible class at League Street Church of Christ almost 13 years. He is the son of the late Barnie Thompson and Lillian Thompson, and is married to JoBeth Thompson.
