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.
Chamber Connection June 15, 2017
Chamber Connection-June 15th
The Ice Cream Freeze-off was a huge success! It was a delicious day full of homemade ice cream. I would like to offer a huge thank you to all who made ice cream, and to those who graciously sponsored the event. Our sponsors were: Interstate Body Shop, Sulphur Springs Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Martin Marietta, Alliance Bank / Galyean Insurance / Alliance Bank Financial Services, Farmers Electric Co-op, City National Bank, Coldwell Banker / Watson Company, Advantage Copy Systems, Cypress Basin Hospice, Dairy Queen, Burgers & Fries, Charles Dawson / Texas Trading, Senator Bob Hall, Ramey & Sheffield Law Office, State Representative Dan Flynn, The Men’s Room Clothing Store, Jay Hodge Chevrolet, Angels Homecare of N.E. Texas, Hopkins County Law Enforcement Association, Circle E Western Store, Professional Land Title, and Super Handy, Inc.
Corner Grub House is now offering delivery during lunch hours
Corner Grub House, located at 113 Gilmer in Sulphur Springs, is now offering delivery to local businesses every day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a $1 delivery charge. Their number is (903) 919-5058. Order you some delicious grub today!
Sulphur Springs Public Library presents their Summer Reading Program for June and July
The Sulphur Springs Library is hosting a summer reading program called Knights and Princesses Summer Reading Program 2017. Every Tuesday at 3 p.m., they offer multiplayer Minecraft. Storytime for all ages will be held on Tuesday, June 20th at 10:30 a.m., and Tuesday, June 27th at 10:30 a.m. Musical Storytime with Will Parker will be held on Monday, June 26th at 10:30 a.m.
Hopkins House will be hosting a free Dinner and Concert on Saturday, June 24th
Hopkins House will be hosting a concert on their courtyard with BBQ and hometown sounds featuring Dale Cummings on Saturday, June 24th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be free BBQ and fixings. Please bring your lawn chairs.
Community Seeds is hosting a celebration at Nissan of Greenville on Saturday, June 24th
Community Seeds is hosting a celebration at Nissan of Greenville on Saturday, June 24th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be activities for the whole family including bounce houses, rock climbing, and a petting zoo. Food will be provided by Chick-fil-a, and they will also offer popcorn, snow cones, and cotton candy. They are also giving away gift cards, prizes, and more!
Taco Bueno will host their Ribbon Cutting on Tuesday, June 27th at noon
Taco Bueno will host their Ribbon Cutting Celebration and Grand Opening on Tuesday, June 27th at noon. Make plans to come by and welcome Taco Bueno and enjoy some delicious samplings of their food!
Tully Insurance is hosting a Re-Opening and Ribbon Cutting on Friday, June 30th at noon
Make sure you go by Tully Insurance on Friday, June 30th, at noon, to congratulate the Tully’s on their Grand Re-Opening! They will have prizes and refreshments! Tully Insurance is located at 109 Jefferson Street in Sulphur Springs.
Hunt County Regional is offering March Mobile Mammography Coach in Sulphur Springs
Hunt County Regional Hospital is offering the Tubby Adkisson Memorial Mobile Mammography Coach on June 22nd in the Spring Village Shopping Center in Sulphur Springs. All insurances accepted at Hunt Regional are also accepted for the Mobile Mammography Coach, including Medicare and Medicaid. They can also help with payment resources for uninsured/income-eligible women or those who choose to pay cash. For help with payment resources please call The Bridge Breast Network at (214) 821-3820 x 21.To schedule individual screening mammograms, please call (903) 408-5010. Appointments and pre-registration are requested.
Hopkins House will host a Grand Opening for their Massage Spa on Monday, June 26th at 1 p.m.
Hopkins House will host a ribbon cutting celebration and Grand Opening for their Massage Spa for residents and community. Come by and check out this wonderful new enhancement to Hopkins House!
Ribbon Cuttings:
Opening Ceremonies Ribbon Cutting for the Dairy Festival was held on Friday, June 9th at noon
The Dairy Festival officially kicked off with a ribbon cutting celebration on Friday, June 9th at noon on Celebration Plaza. It was a great start to the Dairy Festival week!
Video: Dairy Festival Hot Air Balloon Weekend
KSST/Channel 18’s Doug Haston captures the weekend at the 2017 Dairy Festival Hot Air Balloon Rally. From the media morning to the final glow, a collection of interviews, sights, and sounds presented as only he can…
