Awards, Pictures, Video: SSHS Band Banquet
The annual Sulphur Springs High School Band Banquet celebrated the accomplishments of the band and band members Saturday evening in the high school cafeteria. Below are a list of winners, pictures of the winners of the top four awards and a video of the banquet filmed and produced by KSST’s Doug Haston.
Director’s Award….Emily Johnson
Louis Armstrong Award….Sam Robinson
Rex Wilemon Award….Christian Diaz-DeLeon
John Philip Sousa Award….Owen Lee & Christian Corona
Honey Bee Swarms and Their Control
According to Dr. Mike Merchant, Extension Entomologist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Honey bees are fascinating social insects with a complex set of behaviors. One of the most interesting honey bee colony behaviors is known as “swarming.” Swarming is the method used by honey bees to start a new colony. A swarm is merely a honey bee colony in search of a nesting site. A swarm generally consists of a mated queen bee along with hundreds or thousands of accompanying worker bees. Swarming bees are not normally aggressive and can, in most cases, be approached safely. Unless you are an experienced beekeeper, however, it is best to avoid getting too close to swarming bees. Bees in swarms may, on occasion, sting intruders who venture too close. Although bee swarms generally pose little threat to people, and provide a unique chance to observe honey bee behavior, they can cause problems. When swarms come too close to areas of human activity, or frighten people with a fear of bees, they may need to be controlled. Also, in areas where Africanized honey bees are established, it may become necessary to control wild bee swarms.
Using soapy water to control bees: Soapy water is a safe and effective way to control undesired honey bee swarms. Soapy water applied in this manner is an effective tactic in “drowning’ honey bees only if they are clustered in an exposed swarm. It is less effective and is not recommended for controlling undesired, established colonies in areas like hollow trees, wall voids, or underground nests. Neither would it be recommended for killing managed colonies where bees are “on the comb”. Mix 3/4-1 cup of ordinary liquid dishwashing detergents in 1 gallon of water. Add the mixture to a regular hand-held, pump-up type garden sprayer. Wet the surface of the swarm with the soapy water and continue wetting as the outer layer of soaked bees fall from the swarm. Continue wetting the newly, exposed, dry bees until all have been thoroughly covered and drowned. You may want to place a garbage can or similar receptacle beneath the swarm to catch the soaked bees as they fall from the swarm (enhances “drowning” and simplifies removal). You may need to use the sprayer wand to hasten the “release” of “wetted” bees from the swarm surface and the exposure of the remaining, dry bees in the center of the swarm. Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent has been most extensively evaluated; however, other dishwashing detergents should be just as effective. Commercial insecticidal soaps do not seem to work as effectively as ordinary dishwashing detergents. Powdered (dry) dishwashing and laundry detergents have been used by APHIS/USDA in Mexico and South Texas with equally satisfactory results, however they have not been tested as thoroughly as the liquid detergents. Dry formulations are mixed at 3/4-1 cup per gallon of water, also. Warm water, though not necessary, helps the soap disperse quicker. Soapy water has been approved for use to control Africanized honey bees (AHB) by the Environmental Protection agency provided that: 1) the detergent used for AHB cannot be sold as a pesticide; and 2) the treatment mixture of detergent and water cannot be used on edible food and feed commodities. Bee swarms should not be killed indiscriminately. Bees are beneficial insects, helping pollinate flowers and vegetables. Unless a swarm is causing a distinct problem and cannot be tolerated, it should be left alone. Most honey bee swarms will leave a resting site within a few hours. Eliminating possible points of entry by bees into buildings and removing other potential nest sites is the best way to prevent serious problems with bees around structures.
Interested in learning more about bees and beekeeping? The Hopkins County Beekeepers meets every third Thursday at 6:30 PM at the Hopkins County Extension Office located at 1200 B Houston Street in Sulphur Springs. More info at facebook: Hopkins County Beekeepers.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Baier Finishes Fifth at State Track Meet; Sets Personal Best Time
Sophomore Lady Cat hurdler Abbi Baier finished fifth in the 300-meter hurdles at the State Track Meet in Austin Friday night. Baier’s time was 44.75 seconds, her best time ever. The winners time was 43.68.
Baier came into the race with the fourth best time in the field. She finished second in the race at the regional track meet.
Baier was taken to Austin by Lady Cats Track Coach Triston Abron and hurdles coach Derek Tyson.
Abbi Baier and Imani Taylor, Ladycat Track MVPs
Wildcats Season Ends in Loss to Wakeland
The overachieving Wildcats’ baseball team had their season end in the area round as they lost a second game in their series with highly ranked Frisco Wakeland, 10-0 at Eagle Stadium Friday night. The game was the last one played at the old park, which is scheduled for demolition.
Wakeland got outstanding pitching for the second night in a row. Wyatt Marr threw a three-hit shutout while striking out seven. The Wolverines also had ten hits and they scored in every inning except the second. The game was called after five innings due to the ten run rule. Triston McCormick suffered the loss for the Wildcats. Heston Golightly and Tyler Armstrong also pitched for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats got hits from Mason Buck, Kaden Argebright and Easton Silman.
The Wildcats end their season with a record of 18-10-2. Picked by almost everyone to finish at or near the bottom of the district standings in pre-district polls, the Wildcats surprised them all by winning a share of the district championship with perennial champion Hallsville. Both teams had 10-2 district records. The Wildcats also won their bi-district series with North Forney, 2 games to zero.
Week Three of Spring Football Practice
As Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens evaluated week three of spring practice this week, he said one of the negatives after eleven spring workouts is that the players are sick of each other as they compete.
He said the coaching staff is doing a good job of changing things around in an attempt to keep things interesting. An example, he said, is for the offense to start with the ball at the five yard line to see how often they can score. Coach Owens said special teams work and technique drills continued last week. He said he was pleased with the way players are competing and are getting after it. Coach Owens said players were getting better every day and were showing improvement. He said everyone is getting lots of snaps.
He had praise for two seniors to be next year. He said offensive coaches better know where D’Idrec Dugan is on every play because he has been very active. Coach Owens said wide receiver Simeon Taylor is healthy and continues to make big plays catching the football.
Next week is the last week of spring practice. Monday and Wednesday are expected to be regular practice days. Tuesday Gilmer will be coming to town for 7 on 7 competition with the Wildcats. Next Friday the Spring Game will take place at the SSHS Track field.
football
Lady Bears Play-off Game Friday, May 11
Lady Bears continue play-off Friday, May 11 at 6 p.m. The game will be at Mount Vernon.
Bears Continue Play-off Action Saturday
Sulphur Bluff Bears baseball continues play-off action Saturday at 3 p.m. in Mt Vernon. The Class 1-A team won bi-district defeating Bloomberg 11-4 May 8th. They take on Union Hill Saturday.
Baier Runs in State Track Meet Friday Night
Lady Cat track athlete Abbi Baier will compete at the State Track Meet in Austin Friday night in a final only 300-meter hurdles race. The race is scheduled to take place at 8:45 p.m.
Her hurdles coach Derek Tyson said she will be running in lane nine. That’s the lane at the front of the staggered start. Coach Tyson said he and Abbi are pleased with that lane assignment. He said she’ll be the rabbit, out in front of the field to start. He said she’ll be able to run her race and he added if things go as planned, she will not see another competitor during the race. Coach Tyson kidded Abbi by asking her if she had ever known anyone to catch a rabbit. She said she hadn’t.
He said 10,000 people will be in the stands Friday night during the race which will be treated like an Olympic event. Still Coach Tyson said Abbi has the ability to concentrate on her race and filter out distractions. He said when the gun goes off, the only thing Abbi will be concerned about is beating the others in the race. Coach Tyson said he’s in it to win it.
Abbi has the fourth best time going into the event.
3-D Printing/Drafting Courses Available at PJC-Sulphur Springs
3D PRINTING PJC-Sulphur Springs Center computer-aided drafting and 3D printing instructor Brandon Eulberg shows a replica of the Eiffel Tower constructed through the process of making three-dimensional solid objects from a digital file. Eulberg will be teaching drafting and computer aided design that includes 3D printing, this fall at the PJC-Sulphur springs Center campus. For more information and registration call 903-885-1232.
