Wake Up With the Saturday Morning Market
Where can you go to find fresh produce, as well as tasty treats, and practical purchases? That’s right, the morning market! Located on Gilmer street between Alliance Bank and City National Bank and available every Saturday from 8:00a.m. to 2:00 p.m. . This hidden gem is one of the best things about Sulphur Springs. Friendly, local vendors look forward to visiting with customers and discussing the history behind their products. Ksst met with many of the local vendors who were happy to share their stories:
Ramie Phillips sells homemade specialty soaps with some help from her son Judd. Phillip’s’ soaps can be found at the CO-OP but she enjoys coming to the market because her favorite thing about the market is “the people!” Phillips began making soaps after her son was born, and she had a lot of downtime. She read a lot and started watching videos about soap making and eventually became interested in making soaps. She perfected her craft by hand milking her goats and using the “cool process method.” “With milk soaps you have to carefully add lye and try to keep them around 65 degrees while mixing everything, and make sure the milk doesn’t scorch!” After she has her base created she “pours it into a 5lb mold” before adding the aromatic scents and essential oils. Total prep time takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, then it goes into the fridge for 4-5 days before it is set out to cure for 4-6 weeks. As with everything she does, Phillips puts the same love and care into her soaps as she does with her family. Her variety of soaps range from unscented oatmeal and honey, cocoa mint, and mint mocha.
Cool Beans Coffee owned and operated by Gary Simmons and Amanda Treadaway made its debut at the morning market. Usually the pair can be found at the Saturday evening markets. Cool Beans specializes in cold pressed specialty coffees, offering a variety of flavors and styles including sugar free and non-dairy options. Simmons said he “loves the community involvement.” The coffee stand’s best seller is the Caramel Frappuccino, and at night they also sell various flavored lemon-aids as well. “It’s just something fun for us to do and make a little money on the side.” Simmons explained when asked if Sulphur Springs would possibly have a new coffee shop. Being from Shreveport, Simmons shared the inspiration for their hobby. “There’s a coffee shop there that we love and they inspired us.” Simmons secret for their delicious coffee? Cold brewing their coffee. It cools 18-24 hours allowing the coffee to have less acidity and a smoother taste.
Christy Williams from Williams Produce was out and selling local vegetables from Hopkins county, and fruit from Pittsburgh, TX. She attends the morning market every Saturday. “I really enjoy meeting new people.” Williams said She enjoys meeting people and sharing quality produce with them. Her customers come from all over the area and even some from out of state. One customer came “all the way from Pennsylvania!” Her favorite thing to grow is her best seller – tomatoes. Williams shared the best way to prepare her green tomatoes, by “slicing them thin, and putting a little bit of olive oil and spices in a pan before baking them in the oven.” or if you slice them thinner and cook them a little longer you can make a tomato chip. “It’s almost like potato chips.” Williams enjoys helping run the family business with her mother and sister.
Julie Davis, Sharon Horton, and Marsha McRight were selling produce from the Hopkins County Sherriffs Department Trustee’s farm. They’ve been working at the morning markets “every Saturday morning for 8 weeks.” Horton’s favorite part of the market is interaction with the customers and the knowledge she has gained from working on the farm and growing the various vegetables. “We’ve learned a lot about growing our own vegetables and are bringing in money for the jail.” The Sherriffs Department is working hard to help the trustees become a self sufficient unit by growing and processing everything they need and takiing some of the burden off of the taxpayers.
Davis explained the process behind the farm. The male “trustees plow and plant the garden, while the women pick and harvest it.”
“We also have an honor system stand over across from the jail, where people can purchase excess vegetables grown from the garden.” Horton said. In addition to the 3 gardens where the trustees grow produce, they also have livestock such as chickens, hogs, and calves.
McRight said that she’d only just begun working in the gardens. “I have a new respect for farmers!” She stated and added how amazing it was to “start with a beautiful plant and it flowers and turns into something for food.”
“God has his hand on it.” Horton added gratefully, before telling KSST what to expect next. The trustees “will soon be growing a pumpkin patch for the fall!”
William Ragan was selling his raw and unfiltered honey. He’s been selling things at the market for 3-4 years. He described how he got his start in bee keeping . It was “completely random!” He was talking to a neighbor when a man walked up needing help with his bee boxes and Ragan jumped into beekeeping learning as he went. He encouraged others to get involved in Beekeeping and honey making. “You can do it by yourself, but expect a lot of hardships; it’s a lot of fun and you get to interact with an animal that is a lot smarter than you anticipate.” Ragan clearly has learned a lot in his 3 years of bee keeping as he is quick to share techniques, history and interesting trivia of his craft. What most people don’t know is how “incredibly complex” it is to create the honey. It all depends on ” the weather, what plants bloom, night temperatures, there’s an amazing ecosystem in Sulphur Springs where bees can propagate, creating unique honey that doesn’t taste like its from a grocery store.” Ragan said he had 107 bee boxes, that need constant maintenance “just like cattle” he added. Ragan is always willing to give educational tours of the bee boxes or provide honey if you miss him at the market. Contact him at (361)-332-1515.
Craig Robbins owner of “Wood N Tings” was out selling some home decor. He said his most popular items were the bird houses he creates out of palette wood and metal license plates or tin. He’s been attending the morning markets since May 20th. He specializes in re-purposing items into bird feeders or wine bottle holders, and hopes to eventually break into candle making. Moving here from Ohio in 2009, Robbins says he is inspired by things he sees when he is out and about and what he finds on “Pintrest”. “The reason I’m here, I’m retired and it gives me something to do and I get to meet new people.”
Bobby London, a local favorite at the market, is the longest participants of the market, having participated for 7 years on the square. After learning to cook when she was 6, 70 years later, she “constantly is learning new ways to cook.” By running Midway Farms with her son, she says she “went back to her roots.” She loves taking orders, and even makes Dr. Pepper Jelly, which she created and perfected without a recipe. Customers return time and again to find her and her wonderful homemade wares!
The Morning Markets are a great place to purchase fresh vegetables, and items for your home. Grab something from the vendors to snack on for breakfast while you walk around an check out all the amazing booths.
Pacific Park Community Mission and Celebration Outreach
By Savannah Owens
Celebrating the 20th year of the Pacific Park Praise Night and Community Mission Celebration, Morning Chapel Baptist Church teamed up with Journey Baptist Church to create an event for the whole community with 3 on 3 basketball games, bounce houses, food and drinks, fun music, as well as kids splashing in the water park. Smiles were on everyone’s faces as they fellow-shipped and enjoyed the event. Not even a little rain could stop this party from continuing!
KSST caught up with Pastor H.B. Nash from Morning Chapel and Pastor Kyle Ray from Journey to talk about this event. This was the 1st year that Journey Baptist Church helped plan and host the event, but it was the 20th anniversary of hosting for Morning Chapel Baptist Church. “I think the community can come together under Christ; The gospel is the answer, not only for personal problems but globally.” Pastor Ray said.
Pastor Kyle Ray with his daughters Shelby and Ella
Pastor H.B. Nash
Pastor Nash said;”We [brought] in a motivational speaker and hope to provide a positive outlook with government relationships and citizens…We started this event back before the shootings to encourage and bring the community together” and that goal still continues to this day. The special motivational speaker is Fort Worth’s Mount Herman Baptist Church’s Pastor Aaron Ray.
Former Layman’s President, and member of Brothers Against Drugs, Corey Spigner, said the event was about “just trying to raise awareness against drugs and bring the community together.”
“I like to watch the clean fun the community has…We’re a unit, Journey Baptist Church and Morning Chapel [and its nice to see everything united together].” Pastor Nash said about his favorite part of the event.
Pastor Ray’s favorite part includes “seeing different ethnicities coming together under the gospel.” The Pastors “have been working together on racial reconciliation for 1 & 1/2 years” and this event was part of their success.
Pastor Nash said “We have businesses and individuals who have given to this event and a summer youth work program to help 30 children be mentored in the community.” Pastor Nash explained that the kids use the money they earn from the mentorship program to purchase school supplies and clothes for the next school year.
The community can get more involved by showing up and donating to help the Churches causes. “What we need is donations to help these kids in the summer. We had a grant from the DA’s office and changes in the system caused them to lose funding.” Morning Chapel members then sent out letters to the community looking for internships/mentorships for the students in the program. If you are interested in mentoring students, contact Clifton Nash with B.A.D. through Morning Chapel Baptist Church at (903)-885-4978.
Nylah Ellenn and Krystyana Waterhouse
Krystyana Waterhouse has been attending the Pacific Park Community Outreach and Celebration for 4-5 years. Her friend Nylah Ellenn attended last year, and again this year. Their favorite part of the event are the bounce houses.
Cayden Spigner and Zhakari Jackson
Cadyen Spigner and Zhakari Jackson said their favorite part of the event was the delicious food. There were hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, popcorn, snow-cones, and much more!
Coryn Young and Damia Dugan have attended the event since they were little. Coryn’s favorite part is”coming here, spending time with family and friends and learning about God.”
Wylie Martin, Marla Cofer, Nova Nolen, Kevin Little, Katherine Little, and Krista Caldwell
Wylie Martin, Marla Cofer, Nova Nolen, Krista Caldwell, Kevin Little, and Katherine Little were all enjoying the cool weather, and watching the kids enjoy the bounce houses. Krista Caldwell said “it was fun seeing all the kids playing together, and the teens playing basketball together, even when they don’t know each other they just click.”
Kevin little agreed saying he loved “the ability for the community to come together.”
Sadaidriene Hall (pictured in orange) and friends
Sadaidriene Hall has attended the event for two years, and his favorite part was the 3 on 3 basketball games.
KSST’s own Dollie Kelly was there serving burgers and hot dogs to hungry people. “This is the first year we’ve joined with the Journey Church and its been nice; we’ve enjoyed it…except for the rain..there’s been good fellowship, food and fun!”
Damia Dugan, Coryn Young, Shandis Young, and Rylee Godbolt
Shandis Young has attended “from the beginning”. Her favorite part is the singing on Praise night.
Rylee Godbolt age 6, said her favorite part was when she could play and eat her “red strawberry” flavored snow-cone.
Saturday was about fun, Sunday’s event is about worship. Don’t miss Praise Night on Sunday July 9th at 7:00 pm.
Special July Events at the Senior Center
There are a few Special Events at the Senior Center in July in addition to our regular monthly events.
1) I Finally found a Magician for the Senior Prom, “Through The Looking Glass”, on Saturday, July 22nd. Terry Cunningham with Have Fun-Will Travel will be performing. I still have a few tickets left if you want to attend, Call Soon before they are gone.
2) Don’t forget that “Basics at Brunch” will be on Monday, July 17th at 10:30. Ross and Shoalmire, Elder Care Attorneys will be speaking on the “Pitfalls of Sharing Your Home with Caregivers and Adult Children” You will be able to ask any question about any subject after they get through speaking. At Home Healthcare and Carriage House Manor will be providing the Brunch.
3) Ice Cream Freeze Off.. Thursday, July 13th at 2:00 will be the Ice Cream Freeze Off. Right now I have 17 Ice Cream Freezers coming for the Competition. The Seniors will be the judges. I will give everyone 3 Poker Chips when they come in.. They will sample all of the Ice Cream Flavors then put a Poker Chip into a cup in front of their 3 favorite flavors. Will will count up the poker chips at the end of the contest and award 1st 2nd and 3rd places by the number of poker chips in their cups. It is not too late to enter a freezer of Ice Cream. Just call me and let me know what kind you will be bringing. 
4) BUNCO will be on Thursday, July 27th at 1:00.. We always have a GREAT TIME.
If you don’t know how to play it is easy and we will teach you. Cost is $ 5.00 which is prize money and dish of some kind. (Chips, Sandwiches, Fruit, Brownies, Cookies, popcorn, etc… ) 
For more information about any of these events contact:
Karon Weatherman
Program and Marketing Director
Senior Citizen’s Center
150 Martin Luther King Blvd
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
(903) 885-1661
An Inside Look at Barn Swallows: How They Do Their Part
By Savannah Owens
Once again Barn Swallow season in Texas is coming to a close as the beautiful birds prepare to migrate south for the winter. Barn Swallows typically can be found in Texas sometimes as early as March and typically stay until June or July. With this year’s cooler weather we have enjoyed a longer season with many birds hatching out their last brood in July.
Barn Swallows are easily identified by their blue backs and wings and tawny colored underbellies. The have blue heads, with a cinnamon color around their beaks and chins. They have long forked tails that have hints of white in them.
Their nests are made of mud and straw, and often found on barns, porches, and bridges. “Swallows, their nests and its contents, like most other North American birds, their nests and its contents, are protected by both state and federal laws making it illegal to harass the birds or destroy their active nests.” A Texas Parks and Wildlife booklet explained.
Barn Swallows love to eat insects: especially mosquitoes, gnats, and flying termites. A single Barn Swallow can consume 60 insects per hour, that’s 850 bugs per day.
“Barn Swallow parents sometimes get help from other birds to feed their young. These “helpers at the nest” are usually older siblings from previous clutches, but unrelated juveniles may help as well…Barn Swallow populations declined by over 1% per year from 1966 to 2014, resulting in a cumulative decline of 46%, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 120 million with 24% spending some part of the year in the U.S, 2% in Mexico, and 4% breeding in Canada. They rate an 8 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score…”A Cornell Lab of Ornithology Article stated.
Barn Swallows are an important part of the environment-not to mention all of the benefits from having to deal with less mosquitoes in the hot Texas summers!
Storytime for Athletes at The Edge
From the beginning of The Edge conditioning program, Wildcats Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Greg Owens has been reading a page or two a day from a book to the athletes. The book is entitled, Chop Wood, Carry Water. It features a Samurai archer. Coach Owens said he heard about the book at a clinic presented by SMU Football Coach Chad Morris. Coach Owens picked up a copy of the book and he liked it’s messages for athletes. He compared it to an athlete’s daily devotional.
Coach Owens said stories teach things like work ethic, perseverance, and mental and physical toughness. He said each story applies to what an athlete is doing at The Edge that day. Coach Owens said each day’s five minute reading leaves the listener wanting to know what will happen next. He said the readings are popular with both athletes and coaches. Coach Owens said he has gone through about twenty chapters of the book so far. He expects to finish the book’s last eight chapter by the end of The Edge in early August.
KSST is Giving Away More Texas Rangers Tickets!
KSST is giving away tickets to the July 8th and July 9th, 2017 Texas Rangers Game. Winners will be announced during Afternoon Drive 4-6PM on Friday July 7th, 2017.
The Tickets:
- 1 pair for the Saturday July 8th, 8:05 First Pitch
- 1 pair for the Sunday July 9th game, 2:05 first pitch
- 2 sets of four to the Sunday July 9th game, 2:05 first pitch
Rules:
- The tickets must be picked up from the KSST Studios before 5pm Friday June 7th, 2017. If can’t pick them up Friday, a Saturday morning pickup can be arranged. 903 885 3111
- Ticket dates/games are first come, first served.
- The tickets must NOT be resold!
- Unclaimed tickets will be dispersed by KSST.
- Employees of KSST can not win.
- Winner’s names will be announced on the radio.
- Winner’s names will be posted on Facebook.
- We will be picking the winners Friday afternoon.
- Winners will be notified via Facebook, and announced on the air.
How to enter: Like KSST on Facebook, AND like this Post on Facebook.
Local Girl Heads to National American Miss Pageant
Sarah Nicole Joslin is a 13-year-old student at Sulphur Springs Middle School. On the weekend of July 15, she will head to the Metroplex to compete in the National American Miss Texas State Pageant to be held in the Westin Galleria Hotel. She will join a few dozen other young ladies in the Junior Teen age division who also desire the “Texas” title National American Miss with rights to compete at Nationals in Hollywood, California.
13-year-old Sarah Nicole Joslin represents Sulphur Springs in the Junior Teen Division of the National American Miss Texas Pageant
Sarah says she is like any other normal 13-year-old….she has a busy family with mom, dad, brother and cousins, and she has recently become an aunt. She has dogs and cats for pets, enjoys music and loves spending time with friends. Sarah also maintains a high grade point average…3.9…and that’s how she was selected for eligibility in the pageant. The National American Miss pageant is headquartered in Houston. It’s focus is on natural beauty, personality and intelligence… and not so much a “Miss America” staged persona. Last year was her first time as a contestant. According to Sarah, on the first day of the pageant, you will meet the judges. This is called Personal Introduction, and you get to sit down and answer some questions about yourself so they can get to know you better. Later you meet up with other girls in the contest and that’s when you start making friends! Later comes the Casual Wear competition. Your outfit and presentation is a way that you can show your own personality in the outfit you select, such as a jeans outfit or a church outfit. The big night of competition is called Formal Escort. Your formal dress or gown is shown off in the spotlight as you and your escort walk the stage in front of the cameras. The announcement of winners is made before the audience, but everybody feels like a winner by just being in the pageant. And you make some lifelong friends too!
Sarah’s mom, LaShae Joslin, invites anyone who would like to be a sponsorship donor for Sarah’s bid in the pageant to contact them at 903-689-6991. Proceeds will be used for travel and related expenses.
Regional AgriLife Research and Extension Center Celebrates 50 Years of Service
The Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Overton will celebrate 50 years serving Texans on July 12.
AgriLife Extension has grown to become a statewide, national and international agricultural education agency over the past 100-plus years. Over the past 50 years, the Overton center has helped guide cattle, forage, ornamental plant and fruit and vegetable production. And AgriLife Extension outreach programs to educate producers and the public about best recommended practices.
AgriLife Extension’s roots grew in Smith County from a single seed – the first agriculture Extension agent in Texas: William C. Stallings – in 1906.
Overton center staff will welcome the public, state and area officials and Texas A&M University System officials to the facility at 1:15 p.m. July 12 for presentations regarding its history and contributions to Texans.
Presentations by staff will be followed by a keynote address from John Sharp, Texas A&M System chancellor, and comments by Dr. Craig Nessler, AgriLife Research director; Dr. Doug Steele, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service director, and Dr. Mark Hussey, vice chancellor and dean for College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University, all from College Station.
A reception will follow the ceremony.
Steele said Stallings laid the groundwork for the evolution of AgriLife Extension and its mission to reach and educate the agricultural public and industry to provide the best, science-based data and recommendations to help them be successful.
“W.C. Stallings represents the genesis for what has become one of the most significant public service initiatives in our nation’s history,” he said. “It’s humbling to think about what he did to turn around production numbers for East Texas farmers at the time and to then multiply the daily impacts AgriLife Extension agents make in the lives of individuals, producers and agricultural industries around Texas more than a century later.”
East Texas, specifically Smith County, was a major hub for agriculture in the late-1800s, according to historical records from the Smith County Historical Society. Smith County was considered a “garden spot,” according to the records. The Cotton Belt Railroad reported the county produced 35 percent of all fruits and vegetables it shipped from Texas.
But agricultural yields dwindled as damage from boll weevils, other pests and diseases began to take their toll on area growers.
Concerned Smith County leaders and members of the Tyler Commercial Club hired Stallings as the first agricultural agent in Texas. He also became the first agricultural agent in the U.S. to serve a single county.
Stallings was credited with turning around farmers’ fortunes. The state quickly began adding agricultural agents and began establishing agricultural experiment stations around Texas to determine best practices based on scientific trials for farmers in their respective regions.
Today, AgriLife Extension includes a network of 13 AgriLife Research and Extension centers and offices in 250 counties staffed by some 900 professional educators who provide expertise in various fields, including soil and animal sciences, plant pathology, entomology, wildlife and fisheries, family and consumer health, economics and 4-H youth development programs.
AgriLife Extension spearheads efforts across Texas to address drought, wildfires, insect and disease outbreaks, as well as provide the latest scientifically supported best recommendations for producers in the full spectrum of farming enterprises, including beef cattle, dairies, poultry, row crops, and fruits and vegetables.
Texans also benefit from AgriLife Extension’s community health and wellness outreach programs regarding diabetes, healthy eating, child safety, food safety and cancer detection.
The economic impact of AgriLife Extension efforts, including saving residents money and creating opportunity for increased earnings or job creation, reaches into the billions of dollars annually, according to AgriLife Extension economic impact briefs.
For example, the economic benefit in net returns from adoption and implementation of selected beef cattle management practices, taught at the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course and Ranch Management University, was $32.1 million in 2015, according to an AgriLife Extension economic impact brief.
But AgriLife Extension impacts are not only monetary.
In 2011, the Plum Creek Watershed became the first watershed in Texas to be removed from the Environmental Protection Agency’s list of impaired water bodies due to watershed improvement efforts spearheaded by AgriLife Extension, community leaders and volunteers, according to Extension impact briefs. AgriLife Extension continues to work in dozens of watersheds to reduce contamination, including high bacteria levels and increase accessibility to clean water for consumption and recreation.
Tira News July 7, 2017
The annual Tira Homecoming was held on Sunday, July 2nd. Larry Fitzgerald did a great job serving as Master of Ceremonies and singing two inspirational songs. Dusti James presented a rose to the families of those buried in the Tira Cemetery during the past year. Lynda Garner, accompanied by Tiffany Vaughn at the piano, led the congregation in singing the traditional “Church in the Wildwood” and “America the Beautiful” Several in attendance shared memories and thoughts of Tira. Jan Vaughn read the minutes of the last homecoming, gave the financial report, and shared that the new section of the cemetery had been developed and that several monuments, in the other sections, had been leveled. Martha Payton shared that her brother, BC Honzell, and his crew had leveled some monuments at no charge. We really appreciate him sharing his time and skills in this manner. Mick Petty and Mary Beth Moore were reelected to the cemetery board. Floyd Lawson is to be commended for keeping the cemetery grounds in beautiful condition. Following the program and meeting, the group gathered at the picnic tables and enjoyed a covered-dish lunch. Mark your calendar for the next homecoming, which will be on the first Sunday in July next year.
Kim and Lee Beck picked up mom, Sue Beck, from Sulphur Springs and met son, Jason and daughter, Maddie, in Rockwall for lunch on the 4th. Jason was visiting from Virginia and his girlfriend, Courtney, came in from Florida to celebrate Independence Day.
Larry and Dorothy Fitzgerald arrived at our house on Friday afternoon, from Somerville, and spent the weekend with us. We enjoyed playing cards and Rummikub and visiting. The “girls” beat the “boys” at Spades by a wide margin on Saturday. They wanted a chance to redeem themselves, so the girls let them win (ha, ha) on Sunday. On Saturday evening, Tiffany, Morgan, Kenden, and Jaidyn joined us and we all went to AJ’s Fish House in Yantis and enjoyed the buffet, before heading to the square in Sulphur Springs for the 4th of July musical presentation and fireworks. We went to the Tira Homecoming on Sunday.
Tiffany and the kids celebrated the 4th with their friends, Shane and Barndi Rhudy and their family. I’m sure many more were involved with Independence Day activities. I hope to have more reports for the next column.
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].
