Merry Christmas-Almost! By Johanna Hicks
Merry Christmas – Almost!
My how the time has flown! It’s the time of year with multiple holidays, parties, traveling to spend time with family, or relatives coming to visit you. With only one week until Christmas, turn up the calm. Put your priorities at the top of the list: plenty of time to sleep, play and exercise.
Unfortunately, for emergency room doctors it’s also one of the busiest seasons. Learn how to protect your little ones from some common holiday dangers, so you and your family can enjoy a season that’s happy and healthy:
Poisoning:
1) Mistletoe, holly, poinsettias, Jerusalem cherry plants, and other plants are commonly used as decorations during the holidays. Like many plants, these are considered potentially poisonous and should be kept out of the reach of kids. Symptoms of plant poisoning can include rashes, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you suspect that your child has eaten any part of a plant, immediately call your doctor or the National Poison Center: (800) 222-1222. Snow sprays may be harmful if the aerosol propellants are used improperly.
2) Alcohol poisoning is a common risk for children during the holiday season. Many parents host holiday parties where alcohol is served. Take care to remove all empty and partially empty cups as soon as possible. Because kids imitate adults, many may drink the beverages they see adults drinking. Children become “drunk” much more quickly than adults, so even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous. It’s best to leave the alcohol out of your social gatherings altogether. When consumed before driving, it can become deadly.
3) Food poisoning is another potential holiday hazard. Practice food safety by washing hands, utensils, dishes, and anything else that comes in contact with raw meat, including poultry and fish, and raw eggs before and after use. Don’t contaminate a serving dish with raw meat. Store leftovers properly and heat them thoroughly before serving.
Choking & Swallowing:
- Tree ornaments, light bulbs, icicles, tinsel, and small toys are potential choking hazards for small children because they may block the airway. The general rule of thumb is that if it’s small enough to fit in the mouths of babies and toddlers, it’s too small to play with.
- Common holiday foods such as peanuts or popcorn are potential choking hazards and should not be given to children under age 4.
- The needles of Christmas trees can cause painful cuts in the mouth and throat of a child who swallows them.
Fire:
- Keep your tree secured in a sturdy stand so that it doesn’t tip over (or isn’t knocked over by kids or pets) and keep it away from all heat sources, such as electrical outlets, radiators, and portable space heaters. If you buy an artificial tree, be sure it’s labeled “fire-retardant.” Turn off all lights, both indoor and outdoor, and extinguish all candles every night before you go to bed.
- Avoid using real candles on a tree because if the needles are dry, they can easily catch fire. Never leave the room with taper candles burning — it only takes a minute for a spark from a candle to burst into flames. Keep lit candles away from fabrics and flammable decorations and use only flame-retardant decorations when decking your halls.
- Circuits that are overloaded with lights, decorations, and accessories can start a fire. Don’t overload indoor or outdoor electrical outlets.
- Have your fireplace inspected before you light your first fire of the season. A chimney professional can clean your fireplace and ensure that it is safe to use. You can protect your family by using a sturdy fireplace screen when burning fires. Never burn paper or pine boughs, since those materials can float out of the chimney and ignite a nearby home or your own roof.
Accidents:
- A lot of cooking goes on during the holiday season, so there are many opportunities for burns and scaldings. Keep pot handles turned away from the front of the stove. To prevent accidents, watch your kids while you bake or cook.
- Keep breakable ornaments out of young kids’ reach — or keep them off the tree until your children are older. If one does break, clean up the pieces quickly.
- Car accidents and injuries to children increase during the holiday season. Prevent a holiday ER visit by making sure that kids are buckled up securely during car rides and don’t drive after drinking alcohol.
Be extra cautious when traveling at night on holidays such as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, when there is a higher incidence of impaired driving. From our Extension staff to you, Merry Christmas!
Closing Thought
Youth is when you’re allowed to stay up late on New Year’s Eve. Middle age is when you’re forced to – Bill Vaughan
Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
Private Applicator Licensing and January Garden Checklist By Mario Villarino
By the time you get this edition, Christmas celebration should be in full swing. We at the Hopkins County Extension Office will like to wish you Merry Christmas and the best for you and yours during this holiday season. I know the garden should not and will probably will not be a priority now but for those looking into having a little time to meditate or relax during this time of the year, Texas A&M AgriLife has a check list for the garden for January. I understand that many of these suggestions might not apply to you but might benefit someone in our audience.
- If you have ash trees in your landscape, keep an eye open for the Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis), an insect invader from China that has killed many thousands of ash trees in the eastern United States, and is approaching our region. The Texas Forest Service has recently begun a monitoring program in a number of counties that may become affected by the half inch long beetles.
- Continue to water and fertilize cool-weather annuals such as Flowering Tobacco, Bells of Ireland and Stocks to encourage the best blooms.
- Now is an excellent time to transplant mature or established trees and shrubs while they are dormant.
- Make flower and vegetable garden plans now before the rush of spring planting. Time spent in armchair gardening before the fireplace will pay off in improved plant selection. Besides, it is fun to page through the garden catalogs.
- Sow seeds in flats or containers to get a jump on plant growth before hot weather arrives. Petunias, begonias, and impatiens should be sown in early January. Warm temperature plants, such as tomatoes, peppers, marigolds, and periwinkles, should be sown in late January or early February.
- Sow seeds in flats or containers to get a jump on plant growth before hot weather arrives. Petunias, begonias, and impatiens should be sown in early January. Warm temperature plants, such as tomatoes, peppers, marigolds, and periwinkles, should be sown in late January or early February.
- Apply a light application of fertilizer to established pansy plantings. Use one-half pound of ammonium sulfate per 100 square feet of bed area. Repeat the application every 4 to 6 weeks, depending on rainfall. Dried blood meal is also an excellent source of fertilizer for pansies.
- Prepare beds and garden area for spring planting.
- Select and order gladiolus corms for February/March planting. Plant at two-week intervals to prolong flowering period.
- Check junipers and other narrow-leaf evergreens for bagworm pouches. The insect eggs overwinter in the pouch, and start the cycle again by emerging in the spring to begin feeding on the foliage. Hand removal and burning of the pouches are ways of reducing the potential damage next spring.
- The life of the plant received as a Christmas gift can be prolonged with proper care. Keep the soil moist, but provide drainage so that excess moisture can flow from the pot. Keep the plant out of range of heating ducts and away from heating units. Keep in a cool room at night, preferably at 60 to 65 degrees F.
- Don’t fertilize newly set out trees or shrubs until after they have started to grow, and then only very lightly the first year.
- When buying plants, the biggest is not always the best, especially when dealing with bare-root plants. The medium to small sizes (4 to 6 feet) are usually faster to become established and more effective in the landscape than the large sizes.
- Hold off on pruning bush roses until February or early March. Use good shears that will make clean cuts. Remove dead, dying, and weak canes. Leave 4 to 8 healthy canes, and remove approximately one-half of the top growth and height of the plant.
- Now is an excellent time to select and plant container-grown roses to fill in those bare spots in your rose garden.
- When pruning shrubs, first prune out any dead or damaged branches; then thin out by removing about one-third of the canes or stems at ground level, removing the oldest canes only; and last, shape the rest of the plant, but do not cut everything back to the same height.
- Water foliage plants as well as other containerized plants only when needed and not by the calendar.
- Climbing roses should be trained but not pruned. Weave long canes through openings in trellises or arbors and tie them with jute twine or plastic/wire plant ties. Securing canes now prevents damage from winter winds, and contributes toward a more refined look to the garden when roses are blooming. Wait until after the spring flowering period to prune climbing or once-blooming shrub roses.
As part of our educational program during 2017, general public looking into getting Private Applicator License to purchase restricted pesticide must attend a private applicator training either online or at the Extension Office. We have scheduled a Private Applicator Licensing Training for February 8, 2017 from 10:00 to 2:00 at 1200B Houston Street in Sulphur Spring. The cost of the training will be $25. Training materials are available at the Extension Office for $40. Call for RSVP at 903-885-3443.
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
Hopkins County Beekeepers Meet to Share and Learn
The Hopkins County Beekeepers met in winter temperatures to discus more spring and summer like activity. A pre-meeting Q&A session ranged from mites to chemical to beetles. The main program was provided by Texas Beekeepers Association member Roger Farr. HCB member skills range from first year beginners to seasoned veterans. Question can be directed to Rolanda Hasten at 903-450-7580.
Infinity 4-H Club Sets Saturday Fundraiser
Saturday Dec 17 at Tractor Supply on South Broadway/State Highway 154, the Infinity 4-H Club of Hopkins County is selling hotdogs and hamburgers and doing gift wrapping as a fundraiser for their March trip to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. At the Livestock Show, they will be competing in public speaking, science fair, and will be showing their animals.
The 4-H Infinity Club meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Texas Agrilife Building on Houston Street. A stem-branch meets 2nd and 4th Monday each month at the Sulphur Springs Public Library.
PJC-Sulphur Springs Early Registration
SIGNING UP David Riffle of Sulphur Springs is receiving help from PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Director Jeri Dulaney as he registers for spring semester classes at the Sulphur Springs campus. Early registration continues on campus through Dec. 16. For more information call 903-885-1232 or go online at parisjc.edu.
Local Leaders Optimistic Following Economic Outlook Conference
Having had a day to digest the Tuesday Chamber of Commerce Economic Outlook Conference, both Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell and Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom told KSST News the Conference with Dr. Ray Perryman, President and CEO of The Perryman Group, provided powerful optimistic vision for the local area. Roger Feagley also heard optimism in local growth as did Realtor Tim Kelty.
Perryman’s organization is an economic research and analysis firm based in Waco, Texas. He addressed those attending the Economic Outlook Conference concerning trends that would impact industry and economic life in the region.
marc maxwell
Maxwell said he left the event encouraged about the future of the local economy. Maxwell was encouraged by the Texas miracle that the state have added more jobs than those usually lost during the last oil downturn. The Texas Miracle of job growth in light of the oil market downturn also played well with Roger Feagley, Director of the Economic Development Corp in the city and county. Feagley told KSST News that with improving technology the fracking process of extracting oil enables Texas producers to once again produce even though the oil prices drop to around $50 a barrel. Technology has reduced the cost to the producers, according to Feagley.
Judge Robert Newsom stated that he was optimistic after hearing the report by Perryman. Newsom noted the county population is still growing. Although the growth is slow and less than other areas of the state, the local county is doing much better than other rural counties that are losing population numbers. Current figures show the county growing at a rate of 2%. Newsom stated that a lot of home building and construction work needs to happen in the county for population growth to gain speed. Local Realtor Kelty agrees. Kelty has advocated building new houses in new developments for some time. He states that he inventory of homes in the area is very low, especially in moderate priced housing. Kelty did note that at least four ranches are for sale in the county but that does little for population increase.
feagley
Newsom and Feagley noted the low unemployment rate, 3.9% for the county, in their optimism for the county. New businesses are coming into county on a regular basis. Both Newsom and Feagley point to a soon to be announced manufacturing company coming to the county that will be employing people by July if their building can be completed by then. Feagley said the EDC has gone out for bids for a building and plan an announcement in the first month of 2017.
Both Kelty and Feagley pointed to statements made by Perryman regarding the national economy. Kelty said the history lesson regarding change of world and the presidential election cycle was a positive reminder of the economic circumstances faced at this time. Basically Perryman said that many expect President-elect Trump to back off of some of his campaign rhetoric regarding massive changes in trade. Kelty agreed with Perryman that to pre-judge what the national government will do would be unhealthy. He said the wait and see, give it time philosophy would be healthy. Kelty thinks caution is a good economic stance for the short-term. He noted a son that develops computer games said their market had seen decrease as had a son-in-law that works for major food company.
Feagley said that even though right after the election the stock market dropped because everyone knew what Clinton would do but were uncertain about Trump, there was uncertainty. He noted that on Wall Street Clinton was picked to win and was expected to continue the same path of economic life. The problem with Wall Street is that when there is uncertainty, there are reservations. Having seen the steps that Trump is currently taking is expressing pro-business laced with a few ideas that would create issues.
Grand Jury Indicts 34 in December
A Hopkins County Grand Jury handed down 34 indictments in the month of December.
Samuel Avila Garcia was indicted for Sex Abuse of a Child Continuous: Victim Under 14-years of age. Hopkins County Criminal Investigators Corley Weatherford and Jase Anglin arrested Samuel Avila Garcia, 38, of Pickton for Sex Abuse of Child Continuous: Victim Under 14. Using a translator, the investigators advised Garcia of his rights. Garcia then proceeded to admit to sexual assault of the child on numerous occasions over the past year beginning around October 15, 2015.
Lucas Wayne Williams, 24, was also indicted for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
Charlie James Williams, 30, was indicted for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. Sulphur Springs Police arrested both Lucas Wayne Williams and Charles James Williams related to a disturbance in the 400 block of Van Sickle Street. Sulphur Springs Police and Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call the 400 blk of Van Sickle Street. There they found one individual with a laceration above the left eye and the second victim had a stab wound. Both victims were transported to CHRISTUS Mother Francis Sulphur Springs Emergency Room for treatment. The individual with the laceration stated he had been hit with a baseball bat.
James Michael Janway was indicted for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. Hopkins County Deputies were advised that a weapon was involved in a disturbance on FM 71 West. When they arrived and began their investigation, they found that Janway, 61, had displayed and discharged a shotgun during an assault on his nephew.
Sammy James Sarkisian was indicted for Aggravated Kidnapping.
Justin Karl Roderick, 58, was indicted for Assault Family/House Member Impede Breath/Circulation. Sulphur Springs Police responded to a disturbance in the 1000 block of Main Street. The victim told police that Roderick had choked her to the point that she could not breathe or scream for help. Roderick had been drinking all day and was highly intoxicated. As officers arrested Roderick, he resisted arrest and had to be forced into the back of the patrol unit.
Armando Roberto Perez was indicted on two counts of Abandon Endanger Child Imminent Danger. Deputies called to a motor vehicle accident on I-30 at the 120 Mile Marker found two females and two children, ages 9 and 6, standing on the side of the road in temperatures below 50 degrees. The driver of the vehicle, one of the females, said Perez, 32, of Brashear, a passenger in the vehicle, had grabbed the steering wheel of the auto while she was driving and had caused the vehicle to veer into two metal poles at the exit. Perez had fled the scene in the vehicle leaving the children and women beside the roadway. The 9-year old child had an abrasion on his chin, a small bump on his right temple, and dried blood on his right ear. Emergency Medical Services arrived and checked the four for injuries. The children were released to their mother and the females were transported to a Sulphur Springs address. However, deputies went to Perez residence on County Road 1200 where they found the vehicle with heavy damage to the rear door and fender. At the Perez residence, a neighbor identified a passing truck as belonging to Perez. A traffic stop was made on the truck. Perez was arrested. After having been read his Miranda rights, he confessed to how the accident occurred and to leaving the women and children stranded.
Jose Wis-Soto Rios was indicted for Obstruction or Retaliation. He was also indicted for Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair.
James Andrew Fryi Mushonga was indicted for Obstruction or Retaliation. He was in a holding cell awaiting release when he made several threats against local law enforcement. Mushonga, 24, of Sulphur Springs, told one officer that it is a small town and that he would see the officer again. To another officer, he stated that he knew where their children went to day care. Mushonga never made it out of jail. He had completed a 17-day stay for Violation of Parole when arrested.
Damiyon Deaundrey Berry was indicted for Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair.
Garland Shane Robinson was indicted for Fraud Use/Possession Identifying Info & Items more than 10, less than 50. Hopkins County Deputies were called to County Road 3502 to check out a suspicious vehicle and a suspicious person. There they found two people who failed to identify themselves correctly on the first try. Robinson, 38, of Dallas gave his name as Landon Lee. It was quickly discovered that he was lying about his name. An inventory of the F250 Supercab he was in disclosed 42-grams of suspected methamphetamine in a computer bag on the back seat of the vehicle. Documents used to obtain securities and benefits in the name of Landon Lee and the name of Nicolas Branson were also found in the vehicle.
Benny Marcellous Towns was indicted for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by Felon.
Claston Wayne Bearden was indicted for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. When a Hopkins County Deputy arrested Bearden on two Justice of the Peace Court warrants, the deputy found several 22-caliber bullets in Bearden’s pants pockets. A quick records search at dispatch showed Bearden had been convicted of a felony. He and the Deputy went to Bearden’s residence where they found a .22-rifle.
Charles Chason Williams was indicted for Theft of Firearm.
Bryan Lynn Walker was indicted for Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle.
Angie Merkow Hardin was indicted for Theft of Property over $2,500 but less than $30,000.
Jerry Franklin Hamilton, Jr was indicted for Theft of Property over $2500 two or more convictions.
William Ray Reed, 27, was indicted on two counts of Manufacture and Delivery of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram, less than 4-grams. He was also indicted for one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram. When the Special Crimes Unit and Hopkins County Deputies serving two Hopkins County warrants for Manufacture Delivery of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, over 1-gram but less than 200 grams, a Felony 1 and two warrants for Manufacture Delivery of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, over 1-gram but under 4-grams, a Felony 2, additional methamphetamine was found and a Child Protective Services investigator was called. While serving the warrants, officers observed drug paraphernalia in the living area of the home on County Road 4778. Following a search of the house methamphetamine was found in the bedroom.
Ontiveros Adrian Lopez, Jr. was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 4-grams, less than 200-grams. A traffic stop by Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputy near Auto Zone in Sulphur Springs led to the arrest of Adrian Lopez Ontiveros, Jr., 21, of Mt Vernon. Detecting the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle led to a probable cause search. A clear plastic bag containing 1.5 oz of marijuana and a metal screw top container containing 14.4-gram of white powdery substance was identified as cocaine by Lopez Ontiveros.
Those indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 more than 1-gram, less than 4-grams were:
- Stephen Kyle Kaye: A traffic stop on I-30 at the 115 mile marker by Sulphur Springs Police resulted in the arrest of three individuals for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Penalty Group 1, over 1-gram but under 4-grams.
Vanessa Marie Orozco: A traffic stop on I-30 at the 115 mile marker by Sulphur Springs Police resulted in the arrest of three individuals for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Penalty Group 1, over 1-gram but under 4-grams.
Tyler Nathaniel Swearingin: A traffic stop on I-30 at the 115 mile marker by Sulphur Springs Police resulted in the arrest of three individuals for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Penalty Group 1, over 1-gram but under 4-grams.- Marty Lee Kays
- Sharon Donice Simmons
Derrick Glen Berry was indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram in a Drug Free Zone. Derrick Glen Berry, 34, of Sulphur Springs was walking on the wrong side of the road near a park in the city. Sulphur Springs Police arrested Berry on Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram in a Drug Free Zone.
Those indicted for Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 under 1-gram were:
Jodi Brewer: While Hopkins County Deputies were working a scene, a vehicle drove away. A short time later, the vehicle was spotted and stopped. It was found that Brewer, 43, of Sulphur Springs had a warrant issues by the FBI in Dallas. She also had methamphetamine in her purse.- Keyra Leanne Dunham
Leah Maria Ehsani: A call to a residence on McGrede Street in Sulphur Springs in reference to a welfare concern let to the arrest of Leah Maria Ehsani for possession of a controlled substance penalty group 1 less than 1-gram. The officer found Ehsani extremely nervous during his response. The officer asked if she had narcotics. She produced a yellow plastic baggie with crystal like substance believed to be methamphetamine.
Miller Grove News
by Brandon Darrow
Saturday before last, I took a day trip to Austin, TX to see my cousin, Clinton Millsap, at his art show. He is a great artist and had over 90 drawings displayed and for sale that he had created in a 90-day time frame. He had drawings of all shapes, sizes, and colors hanging on the walls. He can draw pretty much anything – from butterflies to beasts that look like the came from a different planet. If anyone would like to check out his artwork you can go to his website: www.clintonmillsap.com. You can always look him up on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to see his latest creations. Now, you’re probably wondering how any of this has a connection to good ole Miller Grove? Well, I’ll tell you: I’m sure many of you will remember Clinton’s father, Charles Millsap. He went to school at “The Grove”, as did Charles’ sisters – Elizabeth Millsap and Patricia Millsap. Charles’ parents, Uncle Charlie and Aunt Ruthie Millsap, lived just west of Miller Grove in the old Maude Wise house. Parts of the house are still standing but it has really deteriorated over the years. But yes, Clinton does have ties to our community even though he lives in Spring, TX near Houston. So, if you have a free moment you can check out some of his works.
Thursday night, Dec. 8, there was a Christmas Concert at the school, held in the High School Library. 1st-5th grade students performed one song per grade level and Mrs. Bryant’s high school choir class sang various Christmas songs for about 30 minutes. All the students did a great job and the library was so packed full of students, parents, family members, and faculty that many of us had to stand outside in the hallway to listen.
Congratulations to the Sparks family on the birth of Roman Paul McDonald on Dec. 8. His parents are Joe and Sue Ann (Sparks) McDonald. He came into the world weighing 6.58 lbs and was 20 inches long. His MG grandparents are Stephen and Fran (Christian) Sparks. Great-grandparents that live in Miller Grove are William and Bertha (Davis) Sparks.
Another addition to the Miller Grove/County Line area is the daughter of Cole and Jayna Middleton. I’m a little late with sending out congratulations on the birth of little Jaydie Lane Middleton, since she was born Nov. 18. She weighed 6 lbs, 14 oz, and was 19.75 inches long. Bobby and Robin (Garrett) Middleton are very proud grandparents. Mac & Sandra Garrett and Lavelle and the late Bob Middleton, all of Miller Grove, are the great-grandparents of Jaydie and her big brother Coleson.
Sunday afternoon, Dec. 11, County Line Baptist Church had a dedication service for their new building. Thelya Bone and I went and enjoyed the service and the refreshments afterwards in County Line’s Family Life Center. The large new sanctuary was almost full of church members and guests that day. The program began at 2 pm with a welcome from Bro. Wayne Darty. Pattie Lennon and Sandra Garrett played the piano and the church choir sang a song or two. There were several guest speakers that day. Bro. Jimmy Tarrant, Bro. Jeff Thompson, and Bro. Jim Barksdale all reminisced about their times as pastor of County Line. Bro. Ray Crumpton was also slated to speak but was unable to make it that day. Lewis Watts gave a history of the church and a slideshow and video were presented showing the previous churches and the progress on the current building as it was being constructed. The Garmon Girls (Christi, Cheryl, & Sara) sang two specials and Bro. Paul Allison also delivered a song that day. Two individuals were baptized during the service and one of the folks from the Baptist Men’s group spoke about the part they played in getting the new church finished. It was nice to see the little kids had a part in the dedication – they sang a couple of Christmas songs for the audience. After Bro. Ken Pate gave a short message we were dismissed with a benediction from Bro. Stevie Tipps.
My sympathies go out to the family of Ward Cooksey this week. Mr. Cooksey passed away Dec. 10 and was buried Dec. 12 in Reilly Springs Cemetery. Mr. Cooksey taught at Miller Grove HS for several years. I was privileged enough to be a student when he was a teacher at the school and also a co-worker of his when I became a faculty member. There was never a time that I didn’t meet Mr. Cooksey in the hallway that he wasn’t smiling and would have a word of encouragement for me. I never was a pupil in any of his math or history classes but I know he was a good teacher and was a good friend to all of us that worked with him.
The PTO held their annual Jingle Bell Shop from Dec. 14-16. They started the Jingle Bell shop about 8 or 10 years ago, I would say. It is a way for the PTO to make some extra funds while giving students a place to buy relatively cheap Christmas gifts for friends and family. I’m not sure yet how much money was made but even if the profit margin is slim, it’s still a good way to help students be able to buy presents without breaking the bank.
Please keep Faye Tipps in your prayers. She fractured her pelvis a couple of weeks ago and has been in a good deal of pain.
Attention all dad’s with daughters: Pre-K thru 5th grade Father/Daughter dance will be coming up before you know it. The date is set for Feb. 11, 2017. More details to come as the dance approaches.
As you travel the highways and byways don’t forget that all roads lead back home and back to Miller Grove. Please send me any newsworthy information. My email address is [email protected].
