The Hood Is In; First United Methodist Church
New oven and a much needed Vent-A-Hood
Things are looking up in the kitchen at First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs. A gigantic Vent-A-Hood now has dominion over heat and fire safety. The kitchen where Dinner Bell makes it weekly meals is nearing completion. In addition to the ventilation and fire safely upgrades a new commercial double oven stands ready.
Head cook Judy Gilreath gives a tour to remember. Highlights include the washing station, the French “industrial food processor” and the time saving Iced Tea machine. “It’s a community event each Wednesday”, says Gilreath. Cooks and helpers from different denominations help in the preparation and delivery of meals.
Support for the Dinner Bell come from many sources. United Way helps foot the bill as well as a weekly sponsor. The sponsor provides food and helpers. Sponsors can be a business, a group, or even in memory of a loved one. Sunday School classrooms have a jar where church members make donations as well.
Diners come from all walks of life. The dinning room is wheelchair accessible. Young, old, needy or just hungry… Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to come.
Dinner Bell is on for January 11th after a 3 week hiatus due to the essential upgrades to the kitchen.
Lady Cats to Play Texas High Varsity Only Friday at 6 p.m.
A time change for Lady Cat basketball was announced late Thursday afternoon. The Lady Cats play a varsity only Friday at SSHS gym due to possible weather issues.
The Lady Cats host Texas High in Wildcats Gym at 6 p.m. as they seek to remain undefeated in district play. The Lady Cats are 4-0 in district, 18-3 for the season, and are ranked #24 in Class 5A in the latest Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.
The game will be broadcast live on KSST and video replayed on Suddenlink Cable Channel 18 at a later time.
Florinditas Pupuseria – A taste of El Salvador in Sulphur Springs
Tucked away at 105 Weaver Street, an authentic pupuseria awaits. The Florinditas Pupuseria is a family owned spot near downtown Sulphur Springs, TX. Behind the counter are two charming ladies who hail from El Salvador. The immigration of their family from El Salvador started with their Mother, who decided to escape a 12 year civil war.
During the course of a week, many family members help out, and each contributes in their own way. Several components come together to make a pupusa, and each is prepared on site.
Olga and Mayra
A pupusa might be described at a flatbread filled with meat, cheese vegetables and spices, then cooked on a flat griddle. They are served with a slaw… and a spicy sauce that one should add to taste. Traditional Latin beverages are served, including horchata. Soft drinks are also available. However, due to their Christian beliefs, absolutely no alcohol will be served. The menu is simple, with specials added periodically.
The hours are somewhat restricted, but they are expanding due to increased response. Thursday 10 – 6, Friday and Saturday 10 – 9, and Sunday 10 – 6.
This is as close to a trip to El Salvador you can get without boarding an airplane. Call ahead for take-out at (903) 919 – 5002. Salud!
Wine Grape Grower Workshop Set for Los Pinos Ranch, Pittsburg
PITTSBURG – The third annual Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Texas Wine Grape Grower Workshop will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 20 at Los Pinos Ranch, 658 County Road 1334 in Pittsburg. Michael Cook, AgriLife Extension viticulture program specialist, Denton, said the program is designed for established and prospective wine-grape growers located in North and East Texas. Cook said the workshop will cover topics and practices critical to the development and maintenance of vineyards and a successful grape growing program. Cost is $40, and an RSVP is required at sherydamuth@gmail.com by Jan. 13.
Topics and speakers include:
– Principles of Pruning — Cook.
– Integrated Canopy Management – Dr. Justin Scheiner, AgriLife Extension viticulturist, College Station.
– Spur Pruning Demonstration – Cook.
– Laws and Regulations – Dale Scott, Texas Department of Agriculture, Grapevine.
– Building a Spray Program – Scheiner.
Speakers and discussions will be followed by a vineyard and winery tour by Gerald Jones and Arnulfo Perez of Los Pinos Ranch.
“Growers of all experience levels should attend because pruning is one of the most critical vineyard practices during the season,” he said. “Whether you are new to pruning or would like a refresher, all will benefit.
“Furthermore, many growers struggle to develop sound spray programs, and AgriLife Extension will address the topic in detail, ensuring growers are well equipped with the latest research on the subject. Workshops such as this also offer the unique opportunity to network with other growers in the region.”
Rotary Club of Sulphur Springs Meets for Voting and Helmets
At the weekly meeting of the Sulphur Springs Rotary Club, voting for the Board of Directors and Officers for 2017-2018 took place. Newly elected Officers take their position in July. President Neva Mohesky said the club now has 77 Members.
Remodeling at First United Methodist Church continues. The space allotted for the meeting was a bit crowded, but that did not dampen the lively crowd.
In addition to the business at hand, a presentation on helmets, and why they should be worn more by everyone was given by recently transferred member Stan Kent.
Wildcats Soccer Topped Patriots in Forney Tourney
The Wildcats’ soccer team presented new coach Nicky Wiggins with a victory in his first regular season game as a head coach as the Wildcats topped the Garland Lakeview Centennial Patriots, 4-1 at a Forney tournament Thursday morning. The Wildcats also play Richardson J.J. Pearce at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the tournament.
SSHS Soccer Game Day
Both the Wildcats’ soccer team and Lady Cats’ soccer team open the regular season at separate tournaments on this Thursday game day.
The Wildcats got an early start as hey took on Garland Lakeview Centennial at 9:45 a.m. in a Forney tournament. The match marked the head coaching debut for Wildcats Soccer Coach Nicky Wiggins. He replaced Andy Holt who is now the Head Soccer Coach at Frisco Wakeland. The Wildcats are also scheduled to play Richardson J.J. Pearce Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The Wildcats have prepared for the regular season with two scrimmages, one with the alumni last Saturday that the Wildcats won 4-0 and one at Royse City Tuesday night that ended in a 0-0 tie. The Wildcats were 14-10-2 last year. They returned to the playoffs and dropped a close match to Lufkin in bi-district last year.
The Lady Cats’ soccer team is just getting their regular season underway as they are scheduled to play South Garland in a Terrell tournament Thursdaybeginning at 12:45 p.m. South Garland won the tournament last year and the Lady Cats finished third. The Lady Cats also play Dallas Hillcrest Thursday at 5:45 p.m. The Lady Cats already have four scrimmages under their belts as they enter play Thursday. They scrimmaged Paris and Pleasant Grove on the road and played their alumni and North Lamar at home. The Lady Cats won all four scrimmages. They lost only one starter off last year’s stellar team that ended up 19-7-1 and made it into the third round of the playoffs before losing a 2-0 game to Mansfield Legacy at Terrell.
Coaches and Educators Rally to Help Legendary Coach in Need of Heart Transplant
East Texas coaches and educators are rallying to help legendary East Texas football coach Dickie Meeks, who has been hospitalized in need of a heart transplant. According to Wildcats Coach Greg Owens, insurance is not covering a large portion the Meeks’ medical costs. Meeks’ daughter Sonja and Meek’s son in law Jeremy Burleson used to work in the SSISD.
An account for donations for Meeks has been set up at First National Bank in Mt. Vernon. You can help by sending checks to Richard E. Dickie Meeks at First National Bank, Box 909, Mt Vernon, Texas 75457. Meeks also has a GoFundMe page on line.
Meeks retired from coaching in December ending his second stint at Mt. Vernon. He won state championships at Chapel Hill and Henderson. He also coached at Pine Tree and Pittsburg. Coach Meeks’ coaching career spanned 42 years, 37 as a head coach.
“Updated” Mt Vernon Lady Tiger Basketball Coach Center of Controversy; Board Votes to Retain
Before a packed auditorium the Mount Vernon School Board voted 5-2 to not remove Lady Tiger Basketballl Varsity and golf coach Brad Floyd. Floyd was accused of a long list of financial and professional errors including the violation of the educational code of conduct by the Superintendent of Schools. The list was read by the superintendent during an open session of the board at the request of Floyd’s attorney. The superintendent noted a specific bank account opened, as a non-profit organization, in the name of the basketball team. It was stated that Floyd had not kept accurate records on the account nor had he sought school approval for the account.
Floyd is not the first instructor the superintendent has asked the board to terminate due to professional errors regarding financial accusations. Mount Vernon’s Theater Arts instructor, who had served the district for a number of years and had seen success in One Act Play competitions, was terminated. More than one principal has resigned as well.
The proposed termination placed before the board was placed in jeopardy according to Floyd’s attorney based on state law regarding termination of an employee. The district is required by law to provide a specific time frame and specific steps that allow Floyd opportunity to respond to allegations including an independent hearing regarding the termination which would give Floyd opportunity to speak to the charges. Floyd could not respond to the allegations during the board meeting Thursday night. He would have had opportunity to ask for a public hearing but the board refused to give opportunity for Floyd to speak even though it was pointed out to the board that Floyd had asked for the meeting held Thursday to be open and not in executive meeting. Shortly after the observation, the board took a short break.
The Mt. Vernon School Board met a special meeting for Thursday, January 5 at 5:45 p.m. in the Auditorium to consider the termination or suspension of Mt. Vernon girls basketball Coach Brad Floyd. Floyd was accused of misusing district funds, a charge he denies.
A petition in support of Coach Floyd was circulating in town and on line. The coach’s supporters intended to present the petition, which urges a no vote by the board on the question of terminating the coach or placing him on suspension without pay. The on-line petition drew nearly 1,000 supporters comments. The petition notes that no public comments will be allowed at the Thursday night board meeting, which has only the one agenda item dealing with Coach Floyd.
The petition reads:
“This petition is being circulated to show the MVISD School Board and Superintendent just how many people support Coach Floyd. Coach Floyd is a valuable asset to our school district and community. We will no longer sit idly by and watch as innocent, hard-working employees are subjected to such treatment as Coach Floyd (and others before him) is enduring. We also feel that the timing of this decision shows no regard for our students and their performance, hard work, and dedication. We respectfully ask the Board to not terminate or suspend Coach Floyd and to show their support for him by voting NO either of the proposed recommendations.
Please sign and share this petition, and also be present at the meeting this Thursday night at 5:45. It is time to take a stand for what is right! We stand with Coach Floyd! #keepcoachfloyd”
