East Texas Horticultural Field Day Features Public Viewing and Presentations
OVERTON – The 2017 East Texas Horticultural Field Day will feature more than 500 ornamental plant and vegetable trial varieties for public viewing, along with presentations by experts at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Overton.
The event, slated for June 29, will be held rain or shine.
Gardeners, professional landscape managers and seed company representatives can learn which landscape plants and vegetables do well under East Texas conditions, said Dr. Brent Pemberton, Texas A&M AgriLife Research ornamental horticulturist. Pemberton said he started the trials in 1993 to meet the needs of commercial seed companies, local nursery managers and gardening enthusiasts.
There is no cost to attend or for the barbecue lunch provided by sponsors, but organizers ask that attendees RSVP by June 23 for an accurate meal count. The field day will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. at the center’s East Farm 2 miles east of Overton on Texas Highway 135 N.
The Ornamental Trial garden is on County Road 133 just past the former Kilgore College Demonstration Farm on Texas Highway 135.
“Everyone should be aware we will be at a new location this year,” Pemberton said. “Directions to the trial garden will be available online and there will be signs placed to guide visitors.”
A tour of the ornamental trials at the Demonstration Garden at the Overton center will follow.
The center headquarters are about 2 miles north of downtown Overton at 1710 Farm-to-Market Road 3053. For driving directions to the center or the East Farm site, go to http://flowers.tamu.edu/field-
The trials include some standard varieties from previous tests, including both old and new varieties of begonias, New Guinea impatiens, salvias, coreopsis and pentas, Pemberton said.
“There will be plenty of good opportunities to make side-by-side comparisons between new series varieties and popular current series,” he said.
Dr. Joe Masabni, AgriLife Extension vegetable specialist, Overton, will also present plants in ongoing vegetable trials at the center. This year, Masabni will feature ongoing trials of grafted tomato varieties.
“We try to assemble as many species as we can,” Pemberton said. “There are some that have been around for years, recent releases and new ones, but some varieties on display won’t be seen on the market until next year.”
The field day will move to the ornamental trials and demonstration garden at the Overton center headquarters from 10:30-11:45 a.m.
Lunch is from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Afternoon speaker programs will be indoors at the Overton center’s Bruce McMillan Jr. Auditorium. Speakers and topics will include:
— Pemberton, Top Performers from Recent Trials – the Labor Day Report.
— Jenny Wegley, Dallas Arboretum horticulture director, Dallas, Top Performers at the Dallas Arboretum.
— Suzanne Wainwright, Buglady Consulting ornamental entomologist, Using Biological Control in Production.
— Dr. Dotty Woodson, AgriLife Extension water resource specialist, Dallas, Rain Barrel Demonstration.
Pemberton said prior to the trials, there was little information available to greenhouse growers and the industry as to whether particular bedding plant varieties were suited to the East Texas climate and soils.
The bedding plant industry has had a $500 million annual economic impact in East Texas over the past decade, Pemberton said. Ornamental plants remain in high demand every planting season.
“For everyone who likes to have flower color in their landscape, this is a great place to see the newest and the best for East Texas and this region of the country,” Pemberton said.
Wood County Beekeepers “Save the Bees” Event
About 50 members of the newly-formed Wood County Beekeepers Association will be waiting to meet and greet you at Winnsboro Farmer’s Markets during their Save the Bees events during June. Custom-painted decorative beehives and fresh honey will be just a part of their awareness-and-fundraising efforts for 2017. Mary Smith, President of the Beekeepers group says that public awareness and education are essential to help save the bees struggling to survive with pressure from pesticides, lack of forage, imported parasitic mites and an ever-changing climate for these creatures which are vital to our ecosystem. There are ways that you can help.
How can you play a role in this cause and have fun at the same time? Meet with the Beekeepers on Saturday June 3, 10 and 17 between 8am and noon on Market Street in downtown Winnsboro. Attend free demonstrations and children’s activities including a visit by the Texas Honey Queen, vote on your favorite painted hive and pick up some local honey and beeswax products offered each week at the Farmer’s Market. You can also view all ten of the decorative hives on display this week at the Winnsboro Center for the Arts. Also, an Artists’ Reception is set for Sunday June 4 at 2 pm at the Arts Center open to the public. Find out more about “Save the Bees” on the Association’s Facebook page, the Winnsboro Farmer’s Market Facebook page, and at woodcountybeekeepers.org
Winnsboro Police Report May 22-28, 2017
Winnsboro Police arrested one, investigated two non-injury accidents, issued 40 citations and 25 warnings, and responded to 158 calls during the report period May 22-28, 2017.
Leon Morgan, 23, of Winnsboro was arrested May 24, 2017 on a Hopkins County warrant.
On May 22, police responded to a minor two vehicle accident in the 400 block of West Broadway.
On May 23, the police responded to a one vehicle accident in the 600 block of North Main. The vehicle was traveling southbound on Main when it left the roadway striking a telephone pole.
Representative Flynn Summarizes Legislative Session
State Representative District 2, Dan Flynn called the 85th Legislative Session a busy but successful session. During the session he served as the Chairman of the House Pensions Committee and as a member of the House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee.
Flynn navigated the Houston and Dallas Police and Firefighters pensions through the session. Both passed.
The Texas House gave final and overwhelming approval Saturday to a budget proposal that keeps state spending flat while making significant investments in child protection and mental health care. The budget, Senate Bill 1, appropriates about $107 billion in General Revenue and almost $1 billion from the state’s Economic Stabilization Fund. Including federal funds and other dollars, the budget totals $217 billion.
The Mental Health Care budget provides $300 million for new construction, significant repairs and increased capacity at state mental health hospitals. It also appropriates $62.7 million to eliminate projected waiting lists for community mental health services for adults and children and $37.5 million for a new mental health jail diversion program.
The budget also appropriates $350 million to increase the contribution rate and address a projected shortfall in TRS-Care, the health care program for retired teachers. Flynn said that without that funding, retired educators would have faced significant increases in their health care premiums and deductibles. In addition, the budget avoids the severe cuts to higher education that were discussed earlier in the legislative session.
Two Sulphur Springs Women Arrested After Deputies Find More than Marijuana
Two Sulphur Springs women were arrested following a stop for a minor traffic violation. A strong odor of marijuana led to the women admitting a marijuana joint was in the vehicle. They denied knowing about the methamphetamine that found during a probable cause search. However other evidence cast a shadow over their doubt.
The marijuana joint was found in a container inside the driver’s purse and a syringe with clear color liquid believed to be methamphetamine was also found in the vehicle. During a pat down, a glass pipe used to smoke meth was found inside the bra of the passenger in the vehicle.
The driver, Skye Lynn Hargett, 26 of Sulphur Springs is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram. The passenger, Chrystal Gail Hayes, 37, of Sulphur Springs is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams, Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, less than 1-gram, and with Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with intent to impair.
Jan James Golf Tournament , June 10th, 2017
Saturday, June 10th is quickly approaching and we need your registration! The Jan James Tournament provides scholarship money to young female golfers here in Hopkins County.
It’s a fun couples tournament with high cash payouts and great door prizes! This year we are offering special drawings for golf equipment including wedges, a putter and bags!
Please join us for a fun, family oriented and worthwhile event!
Dinner Bell Menu May 31st, 2017
The meal this Wednesday is
In Memory of our great friend
Jim Rooks
Mexican StackupMexican Chocolate CakePineapple Angel Dessert/ low calorie offeringTea or Water
Served at 11:45 AM at the First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs, TX.
Hopkins County Marine Corps League and American Legion Raise Flags for Memorial Day
The proclamation issued by President Donald Trump this morning said; “We pause again to pray for the souls of the heroes who one century ago never returned home after helping restore peace in Europe.” On Memorial Day it is customary for Presidents to honor veterans who died in service to our country.
The Hopkins County Marine Corps League 1357 and American Legion 66 raised the flags at Celebration plaza, at noon today in remembrance of Memorial day. The Flag ceremony began with the raising of the American Flag in the center of the plaza, and continued with flags lining the Veterans memorial. Read more about why the flags were at half-staff click here.
Vice Commandant of the American Legion, James Jones, hinted at a friendly rivalry between the Hopkins county Marine Corp League and themselves by joking, “We come out to see the Marines and to see how it’s supposed to be done.”
It is important to not confuse Memorial day and Veteran’s day.
“[Memorial day is] not a day to say thank you to veterans. We’re honoring those that died. Veteran’s day is November 11th, thank us then.” Marine Corp League member, John Desherow said.
The reason many veterans don’t want to be thanked today, is because today is about the fallen soldiers, not the living ones. Instead pray and remember those that died protecting our country.
If you would like more information on the Hopkins County Marine Corps League visit their website or Facebook page. For more information on the Hopkins County American Legion visit their Facebook page.
Members of the Marine Corps League in attendance included:
John Desherow-member for 40 years and helped form the Hopkins County Detachment
Larry Vickers-member of one year
Chaplain, Cam Perez-member for five years
Detachment Commandant, Derb Goodman-member for 9 years-started in Minneola and chartered the Hopkins County Detachment March 2010
Vice Commandant, Mike Thompson-member for 7 years
Sergeant at Arms, Garry Hall-member for 6 years
Judy Jones-member for three years
Chuck Jones-member for three years
Members of the American Legion in attendance included:
Vice Commandant, James Jones-member for 10 years
Commandant, Andy Lowen-member for three years
Sergeant at Arms, Jim Dial-member for five years
Marijuana, Cocaine Found in Traffic Stop
Stopped for a traffic violation on FM 1870 at CR 2309, Damian Demarcus Williams, 23 of Fort Worth was arrested for possession of a plastic bag containing marijuana residue, cocaine, no driver’s license and drug paraphernalia.
A strong odor of marijuana greeted the Hopkins County Deputy who made the stop. During a pat down for weapons, consent was granted for the officer to search Williams’ pockets. That’s when the baggie containing marijuana residue was found.
On the drive to jail, Williams told the deputy that he had narcotics on his person. At the jail, the jailer removed two baggies of marijuana and a baggie of suspected cocaine. Williams remains in jail on a $5,000 bond.
