Miller Grove News April 28, 2017
Not too much new in old MG this week. Spring is rolling along and end of year school activities are at hand. Next week I’ll list the upcoming events again as a reminder but for now I’ll ask that you keep in mind Miller Grove Cemetery’s annual homecoming that will be Saturday, May 6. The service will begin at 10:30 am – hope to see you there.
Tuesday was a busy day for me. I took a day off of work and went to have lunch with my niece and nephew at their school for my niece’s 8th birthday. After that I was able to work in the garden and then go to the MG Elementary’s Open House. I was glad to see the halls and classrooms filled with parents and students who were meeting with their teachers and showing off the things they have been working on during class. I was even able to meet a few of the newer teachers that I had not been introduced to at the time that they were hired. It also felt nice to stroll down the new building that so many teachers and parents are proud to have. I know in talking with two teachers in particular, Marisela Carpenter and Ginger McCreight, they expressed how much they have enjoyed the new elementary addition. While I was there I made a stop by the library to check out the shelving that was built by one of the school’s maintenance men that had been a cabinet maker. They shelving looked incredible and to my surprise there was enough room for the library to grow and add many more books to the collection for several more years to come.
Happy Birthday to Aaron Baylus & Billy Wren on May 2; Johnny Burns, Ray Sparks, & Lindsey (Smith) Beaver on May 3; Kyle Smith, Angela (Pitts) Gress, & Tara (Russell) Spencer on May 5; and Dianne (Sparks) Wicks on May 6.
As you travel the highways and byways don’t forget that all roads lead back home and back to Miller Grove. Please send me any newsworthy information. My email address is [email protected].
Lovejoy Wins First in Bi-District Best of Three; Lady Cats Host Lady Leopards Friday in Second Game
Give the Lady Cats’ softball team credit for not giving up but Lovejoy, the #8 ranked team in Class 5A, put together a sold evening of hitting and aggressive base runner to take a 17-7 win in game one of a bi-district best two out of three series at Lovejoy Thursday evening. Lovejoy outhit the Lady Cats 13 to 8. The Lady Leopards also swiped eight bases.
The Lady Cats got the game’s first run as Sadie Stroud hit a solo home run in the top of the second inning. Lovejoy tied the score in the bottom of the inning with a homer of their own. The Lady Cats went back into the lead with a run in the top of the third. Hannah Crowson single, went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a Brinklee Driver double. The Lady Leopards batted around in the bottom of the third scoring six runs on four hits plus three walks and a Lady Cat error. Lovejoy led 7-2 after three innings.
The Lady Cats reduced the deficit with two more runs in the top of the fourth. Stroud walked and then scored on Kelsey Wallace’s triple. Wallace came home on a wild pitch. Lovejoy’s lead was now just 7-4. Lovejoy batted around in the bottom of the fourth scoring six more runs on four hits plus a hit batter, one walk and a Lady Cat error. The Lady Leopards now led, 13-4 after four innings.
Once again the Lady Cats rallied scoring twice in the top of the fifth. Alyssa Abron walked, Crowson singled and Stroud drove home two runs with a double. The Lady Cats now trailed, 13-6. Lovejoy got two runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth and they led 15-6. The Lady Cats got one more run in the top of the sixth on a Wallace home run. Lovejoy now led 15-7. The Lady Leopards used a walk and three straight hits to end the game at 17-7 due to the ten run rule.
Alli Fite took the pitching loss working the first five innings against Lovejoy allowing 15 runs on ten hits. She walked six and struck out four. Cheslee Roberts pitched the sixth allowing two runs on three hits and a walk.
After the game, Lovejoy presented the Lady Cats with some gifts to encourage them after the very hard week they have had.
Lovejoy is now 26-5 for the season and the Lady Cats are 22-8. Game two will be at Lady Cat Park Friday at 7:30 p.m. Game three, if necessary, will be at Royse City at noon on Saturday.
Spring Football Provides Opportunities For Developing Players
The Wildcats’ football team completed their third practice of the spring Wednesday after school. Before they even got started Monday morning, Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young talked about things he wants to see accomplished by the end of spring drills. He said first and foremost, he wants to see players be physical and to see how physical they can be.
Next Coach Young wants the passing game to develop with quarterbacks and receivers gaining confidence in throwing and catching. Starting quarterback Ryan Humphries is expected to miss some or perhaps all of spring practices due to his participation on the playoff-bound Wildcats’ baseball team. Last year JV quarterback D’Corian Young and some other young quarterbacks are getting to show what they can do.
Coach Young said he has several running backs returning from last year’s team like Searn Rodgers, Colton Allen, Lawrence Worth and Cason Goodson. Cor’Tavius Pruitt, a receiver last year, has also been getting running back reps during Spring ball. Wide receivers returning include leading receiver Simeon Taylor, as well as Landry Tyson, Austin Dodd and others. Blocking backs returning include Logan Caton and Calvin Eckert. Eckert is also getting reps on defense.
Spring ball is always important for offensive lineman and Coach Young said returnees include Ethan Rogers, Jesus Olivo, Ian Blanch and massive 300-pounder Norris English. He said other line men include Charley Maddox and Haden Daniel from last year’s JV team plus some more young guys. Coach Young said the beauty of spring football is that everyone gets reps and lots of them compared to the fall.
Like a talent scout, Coach Young is always watching players. His conclusions will determine which players are Friday starters or Friday depth and Thursday starters or Thursday depth. The Wildcats will have a total of fourteen spring workouts. Spring football wraps up with the Spring Game on May 19 at the SSHS Track Field.
Coach Matt Young
Wildcats in 10th After First Day of Regional Golf Tourney
The Wildcats’ golf team is in tenth place after the rain-delayed first round of the Regional Golf Tournament Wednesday at Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club. There are fifteen teams participating. Alex Motes led the Wildcats Wednesday with an 11 over par 83. He’s tied for 22nd place in the tournament. Carter Lewis shot 84. Andrew Escobar had 87. Caleb Lewis came in with an 89. Matt Calhoun shot 93. The Wildcats shot a team total of 343.
Round two got started Thursday morning. All the Wildcats were scheduled to get underway between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Thursday.
Lady Cats Begin Bi-District Series
The Lady Cats’ softball team opens their best two out of three bi-district series at Lovejoy in Lucas Thursday at 7 p.m. The Lady Cats will be playing with heavy hearts after the death of the mother of Lady Cats’ pitcher Bailey Haggerty on Monday in Dallas.
On KSST Radio and Cable Channel 18’s Saturday Morning Coaches Show, Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo gave a scouting report on Lovejoy. He said they had six or seven left handed slap hitters in their lineup. Coach Carrillo said they would slap the ball and move the ball around. He added they were very aggressive on the bases. They also have two big hitters that hit with power. Coach Carrillo said their number one pitcher is out with a back injury and they have been using their number two. He said she keeps the ball around the plate and likes to throw outside to right handed and left handed batters.
Coach Carrillo said the Lady Cats need to play good defense and pitch well to win.
We’ll bring you Lady Cats’ softball Thursday at 7 p.m. live from Lovejoy. We will also videotape the game for replay later on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
Game two in the series is Friday at Lady Cat Park at 7:30 p.m. with game three, if necessary, at Royse City Saturday at noon.
KSST is Giving Away Rangers Tickets!
KSST will be giving away a pair of tickets to each of the Texas Rangers Games this Weekend. Winners will be picked during Afternoon Drive 4-6PM on Thursday April 27th, 2017.
Rules: The tickets must be picked up from the KSST Studios on Friday April 28th. The tickets must NOT be resold!
How to enter: Like KSST on Facebook, AND like this Post on Facebook.
Affiliated Driving Class June 29th at Senior Center
Another driving class is being held at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center from 10 to 4 PM at June 29th. Lunch will be available for $2 a meal. This class is good for a Ticket Dismissal or 10% Discount on your Liability
Insurance for 3 years.
TxDOT Launches Motorcycle Safety Awareness Campaign
AUSTIN – In an effort to curb an increase in motorcycle fatalities on Texas roads, the Texas Department of Transportation is launching its “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” campaign as part of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May. The campaign implores drivers to watch closely for motorcycles, especially at intersections and when changing lanes.
“Part of our responsibility as motorists is to always be aware of other vehicles on the road and to give them plenty of space,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “Motorcycles are particularly vulnerable because they can be difficult to see and don’t have the standard safety features found in cars and trucks. On a motorcycle, even a relatively minor collision can be fatal, so we’re urging drivers to please keep an eye out for their fellow motorists.”
Motorcyclists are nearly 5 times more likely to be injured and 29 times more likely to be killed in a crash than car or truck occupants.[i] More than half (54 percent) of fatal motorcycle crashes result from a collision with a car or truck.[ii] From 2015 to 2016, Texas motorcycle fatalities increased from 464 to 493 (6 percent), and crashes resulting in seriously injured motorcyclists increased from 1,902 to 2,006 (5 percent). The summer months have the highest incidences of motorcycle crashes.[iii] TxDOT’s “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” campaign reminds drivers to:
- Always use turn signals.
- Give motorcycles plenty of space and don’t follow too closely.
- Check mirrors before changing lanes.
- Give motorcyclists a full lane.
This year’s “Share the Road: Look Twice for Motorcycles” campaign will conduct outreach events inviting visitors to participate in activities that highlight motorcycle safety. Campaign tour stops are:
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- April 27 – Austin (statewide launch)
- April 29 – San Antonio
- April 30 – Houston
- May 6 – Waco
- May 18 – El Paso
- May 27 – Dallas
To learn more about the campaign, visit LookTwiceTexas.com or visit TxDOT’s website at txdot.gov. You can also follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/TxDOT and on Twitter at twitter.com/txdot.
Sandra Phillips, 50 Years at City National Bank!
Sandra Phillips was hired in April 1967 in a ground-floor position at City National Bank’s original downtown building. Since then, she has seen the industry change, the building change and almost all the equipment she works with on a daily basis. One thing that hasn’t changed is that CNB is “good people to work for. They care about their employees”.
Sandra was hired right out of college and like most beginner employees, she was in bookkeeping. Then, sums were figured on an old-fashioned adding machine. The first calculator took up most of the desk top. Her first boss was Billy Jones, CNB President who had succeeded his father, Will Jones. Henry MaHaffee was Senior Vice President and Lonnie Campbell was Cashier. The bookkeeping team would formulate a customer’s note from a paper form filled out by the loan officer when he was preparing the loan application for the customer. She likes to remember how important the loan officer was in many people’s lives, almost like a family friend. Frequently, a customer might stop by the bank just to tell his loan officer about a good crop, a wedding, new baby or funeral in his family.
She moved up to teller, loan secretary and Mr. Jones secretary. Today Sandra is Assistant Vice-President and handles Collections and Accounts as well. Each morning, she checks the Fraud Program Report which is one way that CNB’s safety policies protect their customers from today’s cyber dangers.
After spending most of her career in a downstairs office, Sandra moved up to the second floor when the bank was expanded and completely remodeled. She doesn’t get to see as many customers, but she is still the go-to person when an employee wants to ask, “Sandra, do you remember…?” CNB employee Dorothy Edwards already celebrated her 50 year mark; she was on the job in bookkeeping when Sandra was hired. Phyllis Loyd came on board 2 years later. Outside of moving into the computer age, one of the biggest changes for the ladies over the years was the dress code. Only dresses were allowed at work until 1970 when pant suits came into style. Formal bank uniforms gave the ladies slacks and matching skirt to go with the required shirt and vest. Men’s styles have relaxed as well, but a white shirt and tie or even a 3-piece suit was the standard for bank officers in Sandra’s early days.
Sandra’s dad worked for Foremost Dairies in Dallas and moved his family to Sulphur Springs when she was 5 years old. She graduated SSHS and attended East Texas State University. She has a son and a grandson. When her husband passed away, she moved into town closer to work. She likes to garden, sew and do needlework, and read. She does not plan to retire.
