LiL 4’s Kids Club Non-Profit Fundraiser
LiL 4’S FOUNDER LATITIA CONLIFFE WITH VOLUNTEER SANDRA CUMMINGS
In Sulphur Springs, there is a non-profit after-school organization that serves children ages 2-18. President of Lil 4’s is Latitia Conliffe and Vice President is Sandra Cummings, both of Sulphur Springs. The location for the club is 200 Fuller Street, where kids flock for fun, snacks, singing, homework time and lots of TLC and opportunity to talk about their day and what’s going on in their lives. The concept of the club is Latita’s, based on her own life experience of poverty, being homeless at times, and being on her own since age 15. She is a mom and now a grandmother, and is carrying out her dream of being able to provide a safe haven and a loving place for kids to come to. Through her seven years of experience with the club, she says they are drawn like a magnet to positive reinforcement and the personal interest it provides. Food, wholesome activities and simple caring fill unspoken needs in many of the children. Right now, a total of about 36 youngsters are taking advantage of what the club offers on weekday afternoons.
Parents are encouraged to come to the club and get involved in their childrens’ activities. Latita realizes that a majority of them live in a single-mom household, and some are being raised by single grandmothers. Many do not have positive role models to look up to. Her team of volunteers strive to provide strong leadership and guidance along with fun and laughter. Helping with food on a regular basis is Dinner Bell and Lindsey’s Plates. Assistance also comes from other sources. Fundraising is ongoing on in the form of requests for donations of money. Individuals, businesses, organizations, churches and everyone is being asked to help keep the club going. Money is used for daily operating expenses, food, snacks, juice, shoes, clothing, toys, books, personal grooming items, wholesome movies and other items they can use. A summer field trip is planned, and donations are needed for that as well. There is an account set up for donations at Guaranty Bank and Trust in the name of Lil 4’s. Here are other ways you can contact the club.
Lil 4’s Kids Club, 200 Fuller Street, Sulphur Springs Texas 75482
214-809-1908 Latitia Conliffe, President
and on Facebook
Designing An Effective Weed Control Program By Mario Villarino
As the year progress, our ranchers and farmers have initiated soil management and weed control programs into their ranch/farm. A common question I get later in the year is often related to weed control failure. As Ag producers start planning weed control programs, it is very important to identify weeds as they emerge in their fields. Sometimes weed identification can be challenging specially in early stages of the weed (many plants look alike when small) many times needing flowers or inflorescence for identification. A common basic herbicide strategy is to use a general herbicide to kill broad leaf- weeds. Many non-specific herbicides are based in 2-4D, a restricted use herbicide in the state of Texas. According to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) 2,4-D is an herbicide that kills plants by changing the way certain cells grow. 2,4-D comes in several chemical forms, including salts, esters, and an acid form. The toxicity of 2,4-D depends on its form. The form also affects what will happen to 2,4-D in the environment and what impacts it may have, especially on fish. 2,4-D is used in many products to control weeds, and it is often mixed with other herbicides in these products. 2,4-D was first used in the United States in the 1940s. Products containing 2,4-D may be liquids, dusts, or granules. The liquid forms may be concentrated or ready-to-use. There are over a thousand products with 2,4-D in them that are sold in the United States. 2,4-D kills broadleaf weeds but not most grasses. 2,4-D kills plants by causing the cells in the tissues that carry water and nutrients to divide and grow without stopping. Herbicides that act this way are called auxin-type herbicides. It is often needed to do more than one application to obtain proper control, but since 2-4D is a growth hormone for plants it effect is not immediate. It is important that pesticide applicators allow several weeks after applying 2-4D based herbicides before deciding if a second application is needed. It is also important to remember to conduct weed control before temperatures get too high and weeds get into latent heat stress mode. For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
Let’s Shape Up By Johanna Hicks
Let’s Shape Up, Hopkins County!
With spring in full bloom, many thoughts are turning to summer, vacations, travel…and swimming! Ugh – the dreaded swimsuit! We probably all need to build in a little (or a lot) more physical activity to get our bodies in better shape.
Physical activity doesn’t have to be boring or difficult. Recommendations by the American Diabetes Association and other agencies, indicate that 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week (working up to 60 minutes daily) can have optimum benefits, as described below. Remember the ABC’s of physical activity: Aim for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity; Break it up into 10 minutes segments to fit your lifestyle; Cool down with gentle stretching.
There are two basic types of physical activity: aerobic and resistance. Most people can do some degree of aerobic activity, but some might be instructed by a physician to avoid resistance activity. Examples of aerobic are walking, bicycling, swimming, dancing, gardening, cleaning the house, mowing the lawn (but not on a riding mower!), and running. Aerobic activity helps your heart work better by making the heart muscle more effective. Aerobic activity is also the type of exercise that most helps to get rid of fat in the abdominal area. Abdominal fat is also thought of as toxic fat because it is harmful.
Benefits of aerobic activity include: improved blood glucose levels, stronger more effective heart muscle, reduction in abdominal fat, reduction in stress and depression, increase in good cholesterol (HDL), improved blood pressure, and increased energy.
If your physician says it’s ok, you could also benefit from resistance or strength-building physical activity. This includes the use of weights or elastic bands, push-ups and pull-ups. Start by using ½-pound to 3-pound weights to work your arms and legs while standing or sitting. Do not carry weights when walking, because it could cause strain on your hip and knee joints. Do resistance activity 2 to 3 days each week, with eight to ten different exercises each time. Do 10 – 15 repetitions for each exercise.
Benefits of resistance/strength-building activity include: building muscles (it requires more calories to maintain muscle than does fat); improved strength and therefore better balance; increased stability which decreases the probability of injury from falling. If you have eye problems, your doctor will probably advise you to limit lifting weights.
Increase your chances to continue being active by starting slowly. Have a friend or spouse to be your partner. It is more difficult to quit when you have an accountability partner, plus it increases safety. Choose an activity and time that works best for you. If you are not the type of person who will go to a fitness center, do not choose that option. Don’t pay for a year at a fitness center without a trial membership period. If you would rather be outdoors, a park is a great place to walk. Sulphur Springs has two great parks to walk. There are also some indoor options for those who enjoy more stable climates. The mall and the ROC both offer indoor options and you don’t have to worry about rain, heat, cold, or snow! If you have foot problems such as neuropathy or poor circulation, you should not use a treadmill, take long walks, or jog unless your doctor approves.
Choose the best time for you. If you are not a morning person (I can relate to that!), choose later in the day. So, whether it is first thing in the morning, lunch, afternoon, or early evening, choose what works best for you! Add activities to your day, such as parking farther away from stores, taking the stairs instead of the elevator when given a choice, take “walk breaks” at work, or participate in Extension’s Walk Across Texas (http://walkacrosstexas.tamu.edu). That is a fun, motivating program that can be accomplished by yourself or with teams of up to 8 people. Side note: I see employees from our local banks walking during their lunch breaks. Many of them took part in Walk Across Texas in 2016 and they are still going! Good for you!
Be sure to stay hydrated when doing any type of physical activity. Avoid alcohol, because it actually increases risk of dehydration. Also, be sure to have the correct foot wear. Shop late in the day to get the best fit. Take a test walk in the store. If they don’t feel good in the store, chances are they won’t feel good at home, either! Be sure to have a shoe with plenty of room in the toe box and no slipping on the heal. Remember that running shoes are okay for walking, but walking shoes are not okay for running. If you can’t walk, you might try water aerobics, swimming, or chair exercises. I have a DVD called “Sit and Be Fit” for anyone who would like to check it out.
Keep in mind the main points: Start slowly, try to achieve 30 minutes most days of the week (increasing to 60 minutes when possible), choose the time that is best for you, and try to build in extra physical activity throughout the day. Let’s shape up, Hopkins County!
Upcoming Events
- 4-H Paper Clover Campaign will take place at Tractor Supply, Inc., April 26 thru May 7. Please consider giving $1 extra at check-out to benefit the local 4-H program.
- Twogether in Texas marriage education workshop: Saturday, May 20, 8:30 a.m., call the Extension Office at 903-885-3443 for details or to sign up
- Kids’ Camp: Fun, Food, Fitness registration will be available to Sulphur Springs students in grades 1 thru 4. Forms will be delivered to the appropriate schools on May 10 for distribution to students. Parents, watch your child’s backpack next month!
- “Dinner Tonight: Cooking with the Chef” will take place on Tuesday, June 6, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Hidden Lakes Hunting Lodge in Yantis. Watch for details to come, but save the date! This is going to be a great event for both men and women!
- Deadline to turn in registration to the Extension Office for 4-H Multi-county camp is Wednesday, May 31. Forms will go out in the next 4-H Gazette newsletter.
Closing Thought
If taking vitamins doesn’t keep you healthy enough, try more laughter. The most wasted of all days is that on which one has not laughed – Nicolas-Sebastien Chamfort
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]
Tira News April 21, 2017
by Jan Vaughn
William and Joyce Dodd had Easter lunch at their house on Sunday. Those attending included Michael McNiel, Brad, Tanya, and Matthew Dodd, Stuart, Tiffany, Tristan, Emery, Elli, and Edon McPherson, Alyssa, Gavin, and Ethan Shelton. The kids enjoyed an Easter egg hunt in the afternoon.
Yvonne Weir reports that they drove to Lake Texoma last Thursday, following Wesley’s appointment at Children’s, and visited with her cousin, Dawn and her husband, from Alaska, and her uncle, Casey, from Michigan. The Weirs visited with Dacy, Ely, and Elise Campbell on Good Friday evening, along with Dustin and Natalie Weir. On Sunday, they visited Destri, Eben, Emmie, Mena, and Nicolaas at their home in Dallas. Dakota, Sarah, and Lucas went, also. They attended the Santa Monica neighborhood parade and the kids went to the Easter egg hunt.
The North Hopkins FFA Stew and Auction is coming up on Thursday, April 27th. The students and their teachers would appreciate you attending to help support their projects.
Landon and Laiken Joslin and Rylan, Brailon, and Slaiden, and Tiffany Vaughn and Kenden and Jaidyn came for spaghetti dinner at our house on Saturday evening. After the meal the kids hunted Easter eggs, and then Landon, Laiken, and Rylan went to the Monster Truck Show in Sulphur Springs. The rest of us went to Tiffany’s and the kids enjoyed playing on the trampoline. After attending a wonderful Easter service at church on Sunday, Grace Vaughn, and Tiffany, Kenden, Jaidyn, and Morgan and his girlfriend, Alexis, joined us for chicken and dressing for Easter lunch. That afternoon Chip, Grace, and I dove around in the Winnsboro and Lake Cypress Springs area, before taking Grace back to her home in Sulphur Springs. Tiffany’s family came back that night for leftovers. Landon, Laiken, and the boys spent Easter Sunday with Laiken’s family. Our son, Delayne, stayed in Waco for the Easter weekend to sing in the choir at his church.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-945-2190 or 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
Miller Grove News April 21, 2017
by Brandon Darrow
I hope everyone had a great Easter. It was nice to have the day off of work on Good Friday and we had an excellent church service on Easter Sunday. Jenny (Weatherly) Arledge was one of many who sang a solo that day and was backed by the children’s choir and they all did a fantastic job. After church I had a lunch of chicken and dressing with my family.
There are several news items to report this week. Spring is very busy in “The Grove” and surrounding areas – especially as the school year begins to draw to a close. There are so many activities that take place in the final 6 weeks of the school year that you wonder how it can all be squeezed into the that sort amount of time.
Upcoming Events: Apr. 25 – Elementary Open House (4:30-6 pm), May 9 – Miller Grove Shines, May 18 – FFA Awards Banquet (6 pm), May 19 – End of School Stew (noon) & Academic/Athletic Awards Banquet (6 pm), May 21 – Baccalaureate Services (6 pm), May 24 – Elementary school Awards Assembly (9 am), May 25 Kindergarten Graduation (9 am) & Junior High Graduation (7 pm), and May 26 – High School Graduation (7 pm).
Don’t forget Miller Grove Cemetery’s Memorial Day on Saturday, May 6, at 10:30 am. We have a great line-up this year for our program. Mark Garrett will deliver the message and Woody Garmon will be the song leader. Special music will be by Anna Ferguson accompanied by Mary Lynn Ferguson on the piano. This year’s Master of Ceremonies will be Kellie Rowbotham and ushers will be Addison May and Pacen Price. After a short business meeting we will have dinner on the grounds and then afternoon singing.
James Weaver is somewhat of a celebrity these days. He was recently featured on Lone Star Law, a reality series that features game wardens all over Texas and some of the things they encounter while on the job. The series is aired on Animal Planet and can even be viewed online. For those of you who don’t know James, he is the youngest son of Ernie and Vicki (Lennon) Weaver and was raised in Miller Grove. He graduated in 2006 and went to college to be come a wildlife biologist. James and wife Kayla have 2 children, Jaxson and Blakely, and reside in Alpine, TX. James and Kayla just celebrated their 7th year of marriage and Jaxson recently turned 5 years old. Their growing family is doing well and enjoying life on the other side of our great state.
My cousin, Tiffney Darrow, was recently inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Only thirty percent of students in the nursing program receive this special invitation. Tiffney along with ten other students from Texas A & M University-Commerce enrolled in the nursing program were inducted into the society at a recent ceremony.
I’m sorry to have to report the recent passing of Bonanza native, Garth Looney. Keiffer Garth Looney was born Jun. 25, 1928, in Emory to Keiffer Franklin Looney and Susan Vera (Potts) Looney. Garth graduated from Miller Grove in 1946 and later served in the US Army. He was a dairyman and rancher and if anyone knew Garth, they knew he loved gospel singings and he was a very good pianist. His church home was Emory United Methodist, which he was a member of for many years. In latter years, he submitted a column to the Rains County Leader detailing funny stories and personal experiences throughout his life for readers to enjoy. Garth passed Apr. 5 at his residence at the age of 88 and was buried Apr. 10 in Greenview Cemetery.
Happy Birthday to my niece, Savanna Darrow and Derek Petty on Apr. 25 and Dwayne Wren and Natalie Darrow on Apr. 29.
There was a recent graveside service for Willie Ledbetter, Jr. in Miller Grove Cemetery. He was born Oct. 29, 1935 and passed Apr. 6, 2017. Interment took place Monday, Apr. 10 with West Oaks Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
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].
Four Lady Cats Sign to Play College Soccer
Signing Thursday, left to right, Payton Pierce, Kamryn Wimberly, Ciarra Rico, and Abbie Hale.
Four Lady Cats’ soccer players signed letters of intent to attend college and play soccer Thursday morning at a signing event in the Multipurpose Building on the high school campus. Defender Payton Pierce signed to play at four-year school, LeTourneau University in Longview, where her sister, Myranda is a soccer player. Three Lady Cats are headed to nearby Paris Junior College: Goalkeeper Abbi Hale, defensive midfielder Ciarra Rico and defender Kamryn Wimberly.
Payton Pierce found all about LeTourneau from her sister. She said she visited and loved the campus. During this year’s high school season, she said she decided she wanted to go to college and continue to play soccer. LeTourneau indicated they expected to keep her on defense. Payton plans to study biology and then train as a Physician’s Assistant after college. She began playing soccer at 3-years old. Payton doesn’t remember much if it but she’s been told she cried at her first game but her father held her hand during the game. She thanked her father for getting her involved in soccer on senior night this year.
Abbi Hale likes that Paris Junior College is close by so friends and family can come and watch her play. She says Paris is a good community and she likes that two of her Lady Cats’ teammates will be joining her. Abbi’s been told that the goalkeeper position at PJC is open. She says she’s been playing in the goal since the eighth grade. Abbi wants to continue playing soccer after PJC. Eventually she would like to get a doctoral degree and become a certified registered nurse. Abbi admits she would really like to put on her high school jersey for one more game but then she adds, it’s time for her to grow up.
Kamryn Wimberly says PJC coaches saw her at a tournament and expressed interest in her. She says she visited the campus and liked it and she liked the PJC coaching staff. Kam says PJC is close to home and she says going to school with teammates will make the transition into college easier. She says she expects to play on defense at PJC but she says the coaching staff may want to move her around. She figures she will start if she works hard. If they need someone to take a big penalty kick, Kam would be the one. She will always be remembered for successful penalty kicks in two straight playoff games last year that won the games for the Lady Cats. Kam says her ultimate goal is to become a Physician’s Assistant.
Ciarra Rico calls Kam Wimberly her right hand and she is very happy they will be going off to college together. For Ciarra, PJC is close to home, is giving her a scholarship and it has what she calls a homey atmosphere, just like Sulphur Springs. She too expects to play defensive midfielder like she did in high school. Ciarra would like to start right away but she knows that will depend on what she comes in and does. She says she will miss her high school teammates. Ciarra hopes to play soccer at a university after PJC and to study psychology.
Lady Cats Soccer Coach Jesus DeLeon said he felt like a proud uncle at Thursday’s signing. He said he has known most of the players since the seventh or eighth grades and he has watched them grow into the players they are now. While he’s proud of them, he said he is also a little sad to see them go. But he added he’s happy that they have the opportunity to continue playing soccer. He said they have worked hard and they are being recognized for that. Coach DeLeon said they would all do great.
SSHS Band Plans “Five” For on Field Fall Show
Wildcats Band Director Charles McCauley faced his toughest audience Wednesday as he unveiled his idea for this year’s on field fall show. When he told them about his idea, he admitted they didn’t know quite what to think at first. McCauley said by the time he explained it all, they applauded. The show will be called Five, a show McCauley called an eclectic and different show featuring several styles of music. The show will include Gustav Mahler’s fanfare from his Fifth Symphony, Sergei Prokofiev’s second movement from his Fifth Symphony, a compilation of Beethoven’s Fifth and a jazz tune, Take Five, a ballad from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony and the ending number, Dancing Machine from The Jackson Five. McCauley believes the show’s music will be a crowd pleaser and a judge pleaser at contests. He says the show will feature lots of props and references to five. It will include solos for clarinet, French horn and trumpets. The band began to practice the music Thursday. He predicts the band will like the show more and more as they go along.
Wildcats, Lady Cats at Area Track Meet Thursday
The Area Track Meet in Lovejoy got underway Thursday morning.
For the district champion Lady Cats, Sydney Washburn will be running in the 3200-meter race and the 1600-meter run, The Lady Cats will also compete in the 4 X 100-meter relay and the 4 X 200-meter relay races. The 4 X 100-meter relay team consists of Imani Taylor, Abbi Baier, N’ysa Dugan and Sadavia Porter. The 4 X 200-meter relay team includes Taylor, Rita Hill, Dugan and Porter. Baier and Faith Hatley will compete in the 100-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles. Dugan and Porter will run in the 100-meter dash, Hill will compete in the 400-meter run. Besides the relays, Taylor will also compete in the long jump and triple jump.
For the Wildcats, Landon Thornton and Peyton Vickery will compete in the 3200-meter run. Landry Tyson will be in the 110-meter hurdles and the high jump. Ryan Humphries is in the 100-meter dash and the 300-meter hurdles. Mason Buck is also in the 300-meter hurdles. Ian Blanch is in the shot put.
The top four in each competition advance to the regional meet in Arlington on April 28-29.
Five Saltillo Lions Qualify for Regional Track Meet
Five Saltillo Lions qualified for the regional track meet in five events at the area track meet Wednesday at Como-Pickton High School. Regional qualifiers included Trevor Moore, who was second in the 800-meter run, Dakota Patridge, who qualified with fourth place finishes in the 400-meter run and in the 1600-meter run and Walker McGill, who was fourth in the 3200-meter run. The Lions 4 X 400-meter relay team also qualified finishing third. That team includes Patridge, McGill, Hendrick Rios and Branson McGill. Several more Lions placed and scored points. Matthew Gurley was sixth in the 200-meter run, sixth in the long jump and fifth in triple jump. Anthony Torres was sixth in the 110-meter hurdles and sixth in the 300-meter hurdles. Also competing for Saltillo were Levi Hoover in shot put and Mike Clover and Hondo Torres in long jump. The regional track meet will take place April 28-29 at Whitney.
