Stop, Drop and Roll, 4H Exchange Trip, and Summer Sewing Workshop: By Johanna Hicks
Stop, Drop, and Roll – Good Advice All the Time!
“Stop, Drop, and Roll” is the simple safety technique for children in case of fire, but this technique could also be applied to our lives all the time. When we think about our family life, social life, and career life, we are constantly putting out fires, while sometimes putting enormous pressure on ourselves and forgetting about our own wellbeing and/or welfare.
Often, we are so passionate about what we do for our customers, our students, our coworkers, and our families, there seems to be little time left for ourselves. This limited time may lead to burnout, overwork, fatigue and stress. According to a 2013 survey from the American Psychological Association Center for Organizational Excellence, more than onethird of working Americans indicated experiencing chronic work stress. Could you be among the working individuals who are stressed and have burnout?
The next time you start to fill overwhelmed with all the fires in your life, follow the “Stop, Drop, and Roll” strategy. A colleague from Virginia Extension shares these thoughts:
- The first step is to Stop and assess the situation before doing anything and making the wrong decision. Ask yourself: Is this something I can handle? Is this something I need others to assist me in handling? Is this something I should handle? Is this something out of my control? Is this something that I should delegate?
- The second step is to Drop and determine if there are available resources to handle the situation and which method would be best to handle the situation. The resources could be in the form of human assistance, financial help, knowledge, skills and materials. Sometimes, we just need to drop something altogether.
- The third step is to Roll and implement your plan to resolve the situation.
One of the most important points about the “Stop, Drop, and Roll” technique, is that you will not need to keep rehashing the situation. Just as children are instructed to roll safely away from the fire, he/she does not go back in to get burned; so the same sentiments apply. When you complete the “Stop, Drop, and Roll” strategy, do not keep returning to the situation, or you might get burned.
The “Stop, Drop, and Roll” strategy could be applied to any situation social, family, work, or personal. Therefore, make sure you take care of yourselves, so you can be more effective as a parent, employee, friend, or co-worker.
4-H Exchange Trip
On behalf of the 4-H members and leaders who will be traveling to Montana this summer for a 4-H Exchange trip, a big thank you goes to those of you who have supported their fund-raising efforts. The group has almost reached its monetary goal, but they still have a way to go, so if you are interested in helping them out, contact our office.
As many of you know, this will be the third Exchange trip in which Hopkins County 4-H members have participated. The first experience was with Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in 2013, thanks to ties through Susie and Bernie Thesing. The second exchange trip to Smythe County, Virginia, in 2015, was the result of a connection between David Zahn and the Ag Agent in Virginia.
Julie Hutchins-Thurston, former Hopkins County 4-H agent, is now employed with Montana Extension in Sanders County (Thompson Falls), and she has extended the invitation to Montana. Our group will leave on or around July 22, and will have the opportunity to explore new territory, exchange 4-H ideas, and gain leadership skills through the experience. We will then host Montana 4-H’ers, summer, 2018.
Summer Sewing Workshop
Plans are well underway for a summer sewing workshop, to take place Tuesday thru Thursday, August 15-17, at the Extension Office. If you would like to learn how to sew, or need a refresher course, come join us! I’ll also have instructions and examples for making t-shirt quilts for anyone wishing to put those old t-shirts to good use.
Contact the Extension Office for if you are interested – 903-885-3443. More details to come, but save the date! (Registration limited to first eight people.)
Closing Thought
The game of life is a lot like football. You have to tackle your problems, block your fears, and score your points when you get the opportunity – unknown
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 June 16, 2017
by Jan Vaughn
Regina Payton from Victoria spent a week visiting with her mother, Martha. Martha says, “We had a list of chores and repairs to be accomplished, lunch out a couple of days, even a trip to Paris, Texas and a picture of the Eiffel Tower. Also attended the council meeting on Tuesday night with dedication of the free food pantry in memory of Floyd Payton. Thank you very much and hopefully it will work into a very worthy cause. Liz Steinsiek invited us for a visit, tour of her new country home and a delicious glass of cold lemonade. A great asset for our community.”
The Tira Homecoming is coming up on July 2, 2017 at the Tira United Methodist Church and cemetery grounds. The program will begin at 11:00 a.m. inside the church, and then a pot-luck lunch will be shared at the picnic tables on the grounds. Make plans to come visit and share memories. Donations toward the upkeep of the cemetery are always appreciated and may be given that day or mailed to the Tira Cemetery Association, C/O Jan Vaughn, 776 FM 1536, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482.
Chip and I took our great-granddaughter, Dixie, back to Kountze, near Beaumont on Saturday. Our granddaughter, Jaidyn, went along with us. After we dropped Dixie off with her mom, we went to Piney Shores Resort on Lake Conroe. We spent Saturday night and Sunday there and enjoyed swimming and playing miniature golf.
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].
The Downtown Area Making A Splash
by Savannah Owens
The Splash Pad on Celebration Plaza is usually not thought of as the main reason for coming to the square. There are shops, businesses, restaurants, and even historical landmarks. The water feature was created as a space for the kids. But little do you know, the Splash Pad is actually a drawing point for a lot of families in the Hopkins County Area. The splash pad, combined with the other features of the newly revitalized square have revolutionized the Sulphur Springs Downtown area.
KSST met up with Pearless resident, Misty Bye, and her daughter, Samantha, (age 1 and a half), who were out enjoying all that the square has to offer. “It was my first time bringing Samantha to the Splash Pad at Celebration Plaza. She loved the water and enjoyed playing with the other children. It was nice, refreshing, family entertainment for a hot day. We’ll definitely be back!”
Misty Bye also said she ate lunch on the square. “There were so many places to choose from on the square! We ended up eating at the Corner Grub House, and it was delicious! It’s really great to see the influx of business and community togetherness that the revitalization has brought about.”
The Sulphur Springs Christian Preschool’s summer camp group, which is for children kindergarten through fifth grade, was also at the Splash Pad. Taylor Price, a student in the group was enjoying playing in the water, and proudly stated “I’m a 4th grader.” She and the other students with the Christian Preschool Summer camp had a blast at the local feature on the square. For information on S.S. Christian Preschool’s summer camp click here.
Check back for more celebration plaza events coming this summer!
EDGE Conditioning Concludes First Week
The first week of The Edge conditioning program concluded Thursday morning. For high school athletes, their last task was running up and down hills near the lake dam at Coleman Park.
Wildcats Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Greg Owens said Thursday was a good day. He said the first week was what he called semi-slow. Coach Owens said there was a lot of teaching of fundamentals on how to do drills as the athletes were working to get their bodies in shape as they battled through soreness. Coach Owens said after three really good days of attendance, the numbers fell off a little bit Thursday. He wasn’t sure why.
After a few days off, Coach Owens said The Edge would resume Monday. In weeks ahead, Coach Owens said the intensity of the drills would be building. The final week of The Edge, athletes will be attempting to pass a gasser test. They will have to complete a set number of reps back and forth across the Multipurpose Building field in a certain time. Coach Owens said the more athletes show up, the better it will be for them. He said The Edge was off to a good start and he added he was pleased with it.
Middle school and high school Edge will continue four days a week through July 6. High school Edge will resume July 24 four days a week wrapping up on August 3.
Lady Cats Girls’ Basketball Camp June 19-21
Successful Lady Cats Basketball Coach Jeff Chapman will offer his girls’ basketball camp next week Monday through Wednesday, June 19-21, from 9 a.m. until noon each day. Camp will be held in the main gym at Sulphur Springs High School. The camp is designed for girls entering 4th through the 9th grades. Cost of the camp is $40 for each girl. Girls can be registered in advance or they can sign up on the first day of the camp.
Results from Yantis Catfish Classic on Lake Fork
Yantis Mayor Jerry E. Miller, who is also the organizer of the annual Yantis Catfish Classic, wants everyone to know that this Spring’s tournament yielded a donation of $17,500 for the Yantis Volunteer Fire Department. This amount is up from the 2016 donation by $2500, and he feels is money well placed for services rendered year-round by the volunteer organization. The 2-day Catfish Classic brought 248 contestants, the largest-ever field. The wining catch was a 13.25 pound Flathead (yellow) catfish weighed in by Mr. Ray of Yantis. There were also winners in Youth 12-and-under and Youth 13-17 as well as Senior Men and Women divisions. In keeping with the tourney’s family-oriented theme, each youth age 12 and under who weighed in a fish was given $20, and 41 youth weighed in fish. This was the 13th catfish tournament held on Lake Fork, and the 3rd annual Classic sponsored by Bass Pro Shops and local sponsors as a benefit to the Yantis VFD. Visiting anglers also boost the economy of the lakeside community. The 2018 tourney is scheduled for the first weekend in May.
A & M Commerce Ag School Blueberry Farm Open
By Liliana Vasquez
Twin Oaks Blueberry Farm, operated by the School of Agriculture at Texas A&M University-Commerce, has undergone several changes during the past couple of years. Widely known for its family-friendly U-Pick blueberry season each June, the farm and its holiday muffins and jams has transitioned to a student-centered instructional facility focusing on hands-on learning related to food production.
Professor of Agricultural and Family Education, Dr. Bob Williams, took on the role of faculty advisor for the farm during the 2017 spring semester. The curriculum in his class, Food Systems: Farm to Fork, included an opportunity for students to pitch in with necessary spring pruning, plowing, mowing and mulching. Led in the field by Graduate Assistant Chelsea Arnold, Dr. Williams’ students have the farm in great shape for this year’s U-Pick season.
The U-Pick season for blueberries will open to the public on a first come, first-served basis until all berries are gone. The farm will be open for picking on Tuesday evenings from 5:30-7:30 and Saturdays from 8:00 until noon for the remainder of June. Prices for U-Pick are $4 per pint or $25 per gallon.
Dairy Fest Contestants #6 Marissa and #7 Jaci
2017 DAIRY FESTIVAL QUEEN CONTESTANTS #6 MARISSA GREENWAY AND #7 JACI REED
These two ladies and their five counterparts are in rehearsal this week for the 2017 Dairy Festival Queen’s Pageant and Coronation to be held Saturday June 17 at 7pm in the SSHS Auditorium at the Civic Center. Tickets are $10 person at the door to be in the audience for talent and evening gown competitions and the crowning of this year’s royalty.
Contestant $6 Marissa Greenway is the daughter of George Greenway and Jessica Rinehart, and Meredith Greenway and Kevin Green. Look for her in a black and floral gown for the evening wear competition. Her talent presentation will be contemporary dance to “Everybody Wants to Run the World” from The Hunger Games. Marissa has long studied dance and cheer, has been a cheerleader for the past nine years and is a 2018 Wildcat Varsity Cheerleader. She is a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, is active in FFA and holds the office of SSHS Chapter Student Advisor. Following high school, Marissa plans to join the Air Force to become an AeroVac Medic, earn her RN certification and after retirement from the military, work as an air medic for a major hospital. She feels that military service is a path to specialized education and is a way to honor and give back to our country’s military troops.
Contestant #7 Jaci Reed is the daughter of Shane and Kori Reed. You will see her in a royal blue satin gown with jeweled accents. For her talent presentation, Jaci will combine singing, acting and tap dance to “Anything Goes” from the Broadway Musical revival. For over nine years, she has been involved in drama and music, appearing in numerous school and community productions. This summer, Jaci will perform as “Belle” in the Shining Star production of Beauty and the Beast. At SSHS, Jaci has been a UIL District and State qualifier in Technical Theater Costume Design and in Prose and Poetry, is President of the National Thespian Honor Society and a Student Council Representative. After graduation from SSHS, she plans to pursue a degree in musical theater at University of North Texas at Denton or at Texas State University. Jaci attends First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs and is an active member of Youth on Missions and enjoys making a difference in local and distant communities.
TEDC Presents Economic Excellence Recognition at 2017 Mid-Year Conference
The Sulphur Springs Economic Development Corporation was one of 33 organizations to receive the 2016-Economic Excellence Recognition during the Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) Mid-Year Conference in Plano. The two and one half-day conference was held June 7-9, 2017 at the Marriott Legacy Town Center Hotel.
The Economic Excellence Recognition program provides recognition to economic development organizations that meet a desired threshold of professionalism. Recipients qualify for recognition based on training taken by their governing board/council as well as the economic development director and professional staff. Certifications, professional memberships and activities, and organizational effectiveness of the economic development staff also contribute to the standards for qualification.
The following thirty-three organizations received the 2016 Economic Excellence Recognition:
Athens Economic Development Corporation, Bastrop Economic Development Corporation, Bowie Economic Development Corporation, Cedar Hill Economic Development Corporation, City of Balch Springs, City of Farmers Branch, City of Mesquite, City of North Richland Hills, Converse Economic Development Corporation, Cuero Development Corporation, Decatur Economic Development Corporation, Denison Development Alliance, Greater Houston Partnership, Greater San Marcos Partnership, Greenville Board of Development, Hutto Economic Development Corporation, Jacksboro Economic Development Corporation, Katy Area Economic Development Council, Kendall County Economic Development Corporation, Kilgore Economic Development Corporation, Lubbock Economic Development Alliance, Marble Falls Economic Development Corporation, Mexia Economic Development Corporation, New Braunfels Industrial Development Corporation, Pflugerville Community Development Corporation, Pilot Point Economic Development Corporation, Sugar Land 4A Corporation, Sugar Land 4B Corporation, Sulphur Springs Economic Development Corporation, The Colony Economic Development Corporation, Tomball Economic Development Corporation, Tyler Economic Development Council, Yoakum Economic Development Corporation.
“The TEDC’s Economic Excellence Recognition program is one of the ways in which our organization honors the outstanding commitment to excellence of our communities and regions, their leaders, and their economic development professionals have toward the professionalization of their economic development efforts,” noted Carlton Schwab, President/CEO of the TEDC.”
The Texas Economic Development Council, established in 1961, is an Austin-based, statewide, non-profit professional association, dedicated to the development of economic and employment opportunities in Texas. The TEDC provides information, educational and legislative services to nearly 850 members. Our objective is to support the economic growth of Texas and develop strategies that promote a positive business climate in the state.
