Thornton Wins 5K Milk Run
Landan Thornton, 16, was the overall winner of the 5K Milk Run Friday evening during Hopkins County Dairy Festival Activities. Thornton’s time was 17:43.1 for a 5:43 mile. Second overall was Ross Hicks, 26, competing in the Male age 19-29 Division. Hicks pace was 5:53 per mile for an 18:13.4 over-all time. Adrianna Proffit, 15, was the Female Overall Winner with a time of 22:50.3 for a 7:22 per mile pace.
In the female Divisions:
Eden Godwin, 7, won the 10 and Under Division with a time of 53:37.7 or 17:18 per mile pace. McKenzie Glenn, 24, won the 19-29 age group with a 27:18 time or 8:48 per mile pace. Adrian Childress, 37, was 7th overall and won the 30-39 age group. She ran the 5K in 25:48.4 with an 8:19 per mile pace. In the 40-49 age group, Kari Enge, 41, ran a 10:01 per mile pace. Debbie Williams,53, won the 50 and over with a 10:19 per mile pace.
For the male division, Cade Childress, 9 finished 16th overall with a time of 25:48.2 or an 8:19 per mile pace. For males 11-18, Chase Bennett, 14, was 3rd overall with an 18:24.7 time and a 5:56 per mile pace. Shiloh Childress, 39, won the 30-39 age group with a 19:56.5 time or a 6:26 per mile pace. He was 5th overall. Duane Sprague, 44, won the male 40-49 age group with a 22:02.7 time or 7:06 per mile pace. Jon Walk, 50, won the male 50 and over group with a 30:33.8 time for a 9:51 per mile pace.
2017 PJC Spring Graduates Announced
Paris Junior College is pleased to announce the certified list of students receiving associate degrees or certificates for the spring 2017 semester.
Janny Lopez of Sulphur Springs receives her associates’ degree from PJC President Dr. Pamela Anglin.
Students from the area receiving associate degrees include:
Como: Bonifacia Martinez
Cooper: Kolton C. Leatherwood, Raven D. Maxwell, Ashley D. Palmer, Rebecca G.
Cumby: Kathryn J. Mabe, Haley R. Meisenheimer, Halee D. Newton
Pickton: Nabor Cuevas, Yoan Preciado
Point: Amanda K. Fischer, Amelia B. Woodman
Saltillo: Justin M. Wade
Hunter Powers of Sulphur Bluff received both his Associate of Applied Science in Computer Aided Design and his Certificate of Computer Aided Design Specialist during the Paris Junior College spring graduation.
Sulphur Bluff: Hunter L. Powers
Sulphur Springs: Oscar E. Aguayo, Mario Arellano, Tyler E. Ballard, Alejandro Brena, Cynthia B. Brooks, Cassie L. Cannon, Wendy M. Gallegos, Olivia Gudino, April N. Hanson, Nicole V. Klemptner, Denise Lopez, Janny C. Lopez, Lacee N. Merrill, Morgane S. Milligan, Bryant I. Neff, Bailey N. Penny, Holli-Von Sawyer
Kakuri, Kaduna, Nigeria: Evelyn C. Omemmah
Students from Texas receiving certificates:
Alba: Luckey L. Kirkpatrick, Kyle Matthews
Campbell: Thomas L. Fry
Commerce: Jeffery T. Rich, Hunter W. Rumbaugh
Como: Adriane T. Harris, Fredrick D. Smith
Cooper: Kolton C. Leatherwood, Madison R. Oats, Kelcie B. Stager
Cumby: Karli L. Emmons
Dike: Holland T. Willis
Emory: Hubert B. Robinson
Quitman: Taylor R. Davis
Sulphur Bluff: Joshua P. Newby, Hunter L. Powers, Taylor L. Reed
Sulphur Springs: Ronald G. Arellano, Kasie L. Brantley, Ben M. Brown, Michala L. Davis, David Estrada, Tristan K. Fairchild, Juan C. Gomez, Karla V. Martinez, Bryan C. McFarlin, Casi L. Mobley, Austen W. Penny, Melissa Rowe, Leonel Sanchez, John David M. Sheffield, Javia K. Stokes, Erik S. Tussey, Laura A. White, Caleb R. Wiler, Angelia W. Johnson
Yantis: Eric R. Dalton
Friday Night Balloon Rally and Glow
The Balloon Rally and Glow event started around 6:00 pm with a band playing 70’s and 80’s cover songs, the Original 501’s kept the crowd endlessly entertained throughout the night. Concessions were provided by Shannon Oaks Church and the Pink Snow Cone Stand. The Mothers Culture Club provided an interesting twist on the classic game with cow patty bingo.
As darkness fell, people settled into their lawn chairs while their children played and wore glow-stick necklaces. The hot air-balloons glowed on and off in sync with the live music. The balloon crews bustled around their individual balloons to maintain buoyancy by lighting the fires periodically. As one balloon lit up another would fade. The colors of the balloons illuminated the night sky reminiscent of fireworks on the Fourth of July. The glow of the balloons created a magical ambiance which delighted and mesmerized both young and old.
The Hopkins County trustees helped set up and take down the Air-Balloon named Cosmos 1, which was shaped like a giant astronaut. Cosmos 1 weighs 600 lbs, is 164 sq ft, and 116 ft tall. This was their first year helping out with the balloons. Adrian Godbolt held the cables, and twisted the balloon around for optimal audience viewing. He mentioned that the 600 lbs of air pressure lifted him off the ground a few times! Brandon Patton explained the general process for setting up and taking down the massive balloon. They start with the basket on its side, and let a fan blow cold air into the balloon. Then the team slowly adds hot air into the balloon which makes it rise. To take it down, they quickly let the air out of the balloon, squished it down to make it easier to fold before placing it back up for transportation. Other trustees in attendance included Kerry Duffey, Chase Harrison, and Joseph Icenhower.
Saturday Nights Rally and Glow will be from 6:00 to 9:00 pm and will be another chance for the public to experience the fun. Make plans to attend the Saturday morning flight at 6:00 am, as well!
Here’s a list of pilots and balloons in attendance:
Como-Pickton Cheerleading Team Bake Sale
Como-Pickton’s Cheerleading Team sold baked goods outside Alliance Bank’s Downtown Branch, Friday morning. The team coach, Shona Brewer, said the team was “trying to raise money for this coming year.” They had all sorts of delicious-looking treats-cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and even some rice-krispie treats. The 21 cheerleaders were all smiles as they sold their sweets.
The team hopes to raise enough money to go towards getting new uniforms and the Alamo Bowl. They’ve raised about $600 so far, and every donation is appreciated. The team arrived early around 8:30 and plans to be out until they sell everything.
Be sure to stop by and support!
Dairy Festival Opening Ceremony
On Friday June 9th at 12:00 noon, Dairy Festival Board members held the opening ceremony at Celebration Plaza. 2016 Dairy Festival Queen, Sadie Evans, was in attendance, with the 2017 Dairy Festival Contestants.
Carolyn McKinney has served on the Dairy Festival Board for 11 years, and commented “It’s the 59th Annual Hopkins County Dairy Festival. Was have 7 girls vying for the title of queen. The opening ceremony kicks off a weekend of fun activities. Balloon rally is Friday night, Saturday Morning, Saturday Night, and maybe Sunday Morning. There’s a Friday night 5k run. The parade is [Saturday] morning at 10:00 am. The Milking Contest is at 3:00 pm. The Carnival is all day Friday and Saturday. And then on Sunday we start working with the contestants getting them ready for the coronation pageant [next] Saturday night.”
McKinney thanked her fellow board members saying “We have an awesome board of 24 members, who have their own responsibilities, and do a great job.”
Don’t Miss out on the variety of Dairy Festival activities happening this weekend!
Hot Air-Balloons at Sunrise
The Hot Air-Balloon Pilots met early Friday morning at 5:15, at the Holiday Inn in Sulphur Springs. Impending thunderstorms in Gainesville and Denton caused the Pilots to postpone the flight until after Sunrise at 6:15. The edge of the rain was 60 miles out, but the balloons can get affected by winds from a storm that is as far away as 50 miles out. “The FAA requires [Pilots meetings] as a group to make sure everyone has the same information, and decisions are made collectively.” Balloonmeister, Bill Broker stated. There are many pilots with all ranges of experience from pilots who just got their license to pilots who have been flying for years. Pilot meetings allow everyone to make sure they are on the same page and to allow everyone to stay safe. Broker clarified. “The biggest concern is safety.”
At the Pilots meeting the group welcomed some new balloon pilots, and Lance Terry, an experienced balloon pilot from Frisco, offered the new pilots two pieces of advice. “When you land, you will be behind a fence…and it’s okay.”
The group headed out to Shannon Oaks Church, where they did a test with a small helium balloon. It rose steadily and then headed in what seemed to be the opposite direction than what the pilots had expected. Bill Broker, explained why the test balloon was so important. “[It’s the] best wind indicator. Most apps are for airplanes, and we’re the lowest flying aircraft.” So if they took a risk and flew the Hot Air-Balloons, they could be trying to land at 10 or 20 miles an hour, and the balloons “don’t have brakes to slow down.” Taking all of the weather into consideration, flights were cancelled for this morning, but the flights for the rest of the weekend are still planned as scheduled as the weather is expected to move through the area by early afternoon.
The group went ahead and brought out 8 media flight balloons this morning- but kept them tethered to the ground for safety.
Balloons are most often flown in the morning or evening “The wind and weather is most stable around sunrise and sunset.” Broker said. Bill Broker has been flying at the Dairy Fest for “10 or 12 years. ” He has been flying balloons since 1979. He first got first got involved when he was 14, and his family moved to Plano, Tx from Michigan. Balloon pilots use CB radios to talk to the teams in the cars and people on the ground, and Broker’s dad had a CB radio and they would talk to the balloon guys. One day his dad told the balloon guys if they flew over their house, the Brokers would follow them and give them a six-pack. Broker and his Dad met up with the balloon guys, joined the crew and have been flying ever since. 
Broker said his favorite part was “Seeing people’s first reactions, and being able to share and expose people to [Hot Air-Balloons] because it is so unique.” Broker said of the 20 balloon festivals a year he attends, the Dairy Festival is his favorite “because of the people and places to fly.”
It was evident that all of the Hot Air-Balloon Pilots were friends, and enjoy flying their balloons. Be sure to stop by Shannon Oaks Church and check them out!
Friday night and Saturday night from 6:00 to 9:00 pm will both have the Balloon Glows and Races- “Half will glow and the other half flies.” Lonnie Fox, explained. Then the next night the groups will switch.
Here are some fun Hot Air-Balloon Facts:
Hot Air-Balloons are measured in volume. Standard sized balloons are 65 thousand cubic feet, and “smaller” balloons are 45 thousand cubic feet.
The average cost for a Hot Air-Balloon is $22,000. For larger balloons (housing a pilot and 4 others) the cost is between $35,000 and $45,000. Talk about an expensive hobby!
Check out KSST later for an update on all the pilots and balloon names!
Enthusiastic Campers at Lady Cat Softball Camp
Lady Cat Softball Camp at the SSHS Multipurpose Building included a number of enthusiastic campers. Coach David Carrillo said he could tell some of the girls had played some softball before. As with all camps, the focus is on fundamentals. The girls fielded balls, made some throws and ran bases Tuesday. Improved hitting skills on Wednesday, and a variety of activities to round out the camp. Coach Carrillo was assisted at this camp by softball assistant coaches Kevin Tanton and Chris Valdovinos.
Last Call for Entries in Chamber of Commerce Ice Cream Freeze Off Saturday
Currently 48 entries are registered but 60 or more entries are anticipated for the 16th Annual Ice Cream Freeze-off Saturday. Those who desire to enter and have not registered may register today during business hours at the Chamber of Commerce or Saturday around 4:30 p.m. at the event sight.
The time and location have changed this year due to the placement of the Dairy Festival Carnival. The carnival location is on the grounds of the civic center. The ice cream event will take place on the lawn at Shannon Oaks Church beginning at 5:30 p.m., according to Lezley Brown, Chamber of Commerce Executive. She said this will allow for those attending to also be in attendance for the Hot Air Balloon Rally that begins at 6 p.m.
A slight change has been made in ice cream categories as well. This year a division for First Timers has been created. This is for those entering the contest for the first time and creates a better opportunity to win for rookies. The Big Dip Classic will be for adults entering vanilla and chocolate. Big Dip Novelty is for adults entering all other ice cream flavors. Little Dip is for children entering any flavor ice cream. Super Scoop will pit previous winners vying for the division title. There is no entry fee.
Brown invites the public to enjoy all-you-can-eat ice cream for $3.00 while it lasts.
Tira News June, 9, 2017
by Jan Vaughn
We want to express our sympathy to the family of Floyd Joslin. He passed away on Sunday and a memorial service is planned for Saturday, June 10th, at 2:00 p.m. at Tapp Funeral Home Chapel. Floyd was the father of former Tira Volunteer Fire Chief, Malcolm Joslin.
The Tira City Council met on Tuesday, June 6th, at the Tira Community Center. They discussed the routine business – financial reports, volunteer fire department report, and facility and grounds needs. The group would like to make everyone aware of the long-standing tradition of Tira residents bringing food to the community center, when there is a meal for the family of a deceased loved-one. To be added to the email and/or phone list for reminders, please contact me, Jan Vaughn – see my information at the end of the column. A community ice cream social was scheduled for Saturday, July 29th, at 4:00 p.m. Please mark your calendar to come enjoy a sweet treat and visit with your neighbors. Following the meeting on Tuesday, Judy Moore, with Community Chest and the Hopkins County Ministerial Alliance presented a program on resources available to help those with needs, and then the group moved outside to the community food pantry, which was dedicated in memory of the late, former Mayor Floyd Payton. Martha and Regina Payton were special guests at the meeting and dedication.
Wanda Cummings and her daughters, Kim and Vicky, of Camarillo, California, and Carolyn Allen and her son Jeremy Allen and a friend, of Saginaw, Texas, and Jimmy and Helen Smith were in Tira on Saturday for the King, Speaks, Lewis family reunion. They visited with Troy and Georgia Smith on Saturday afternoon. Wanda and Carolyn are Troy’s nieces.
Michael and Shelia Boyd enjoyed a family-and-friends get-together last weekend. All three boys (Jeremy, Wesley and Colton) were able to attend with their families, along with Michael’s sisters Carla Boswell and family, Becky Fuhzman and family from Missouri and his mom Betty Boyd, Shelia’s sister, Sandra Crawford and family and her mom Patsy Powell were there, too, plus Steven Smith & Casie Boyd and several others. Sheila shares, “We played horseshoes, beanbag toss and enjoyed visiting. The rain stopped just in time to eat and play. We are very blessed to have such wonderful family & friends and a free nation to enjoy them in.”
Kim Beck reports, “Our son, Jackson Dailey, just got a pre-loved Mini Cooper Countryman that he can sport around San Antonio in. Ever see the movie Italian Job? He is staying busy with school and his job.” She adds, “Our daughter-in-law, Courtney Dailey, just began her summer internship at the Department of Defense office in San Antonio…son, Jason Beck, has moved with the Navy to Virginia to begin new training…daughter, Maddie Beck, just finished up her Junior year at TCU. Go Horned Frogs!”
Landon, Laiken, and Rylan Joslin drove to Kountze (near Beaumont) on Friday evening, and then picked up Dixie on Saturday morning to bring her back to Tira to spend time with her brothers and the rest of the family. Brailon and Slaiden stayed with Tiffany, Kenden, and Jaidyn. On Sunday afternoon, Dixie and Slaiden were honored with a party in celebration of their May birthdays, at the home of Laiken’s parents, Leigh Ann & Richard Panther. The kids and some of the adults enjoyed swimming, and then Dixie (6) and Slaiden (2) opened their gifts and everyone was treated to delicious cupcakes. Slaiden enjoyed eating the icing off the cupcakes. By the time we left, he was up to six!
Tiffany Vaughn celebrated her birthday on Thursday evening at China House Restaurant in Sulphur Springs, with family – Kenden and Jaidyn Joslin, Landon and Laiken Joslin & the kids Dixie, Rylan, Brailon, and Slaiden, Chip and Jan Vaughn, and Kenden’s friend, Matthew.
The Aiguier Cemetery Association moved their annual meeting from the cemetery grounds to the North Hopkins School Cafeteria last Sunday, due to the wet conditions. Several gathered for the covered dish luncheon and business meeting.
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].
