Chamber Connection January 19, 2017
SAVE THE DATE!!!
It’s time for the 91st Annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet! “An Evening in the Woods,” dinner and community awards will be held at the Hopkins County Civic Center on Thursday, February 16th at 6:30 p.m. Awards including Citizen of the Year, Woman of the Year, Caregiver of the Year, Community Pride Award, Agriculturist of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, and Educator of the Year will be presented to deserving citizens of Hopkins County. There will also be a raffle of a guided duck hunt AND a guided fishing trip that will be drawn that evening. So please join us for a beautiful “Evening in the Woods”. We look forward to seeing you there! Individual tickets are $30 and available at the Chamber of Commerce. Whole tables that seat 10 people are available for $500.
More Chamber News:
Beauty Grace Boutique, owned and operated by Ana Velasco, has moved to a larger store at 101 Bill Bradford, Suite #21. It’s next door to her previous location. Ana wanted to provide her customers with more room to shop her ‘ever-growing’ inventory. Her new hours are Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Her phone number is 903-919-5033. Please stop by and see the wonderful selections she has just for you.
Ribbon Cutting for Cobblestone Realty was held on Tuesday, January 17th at noon
Cobblestone Realty, held their ribbon cutting celebration at their new office at 215B on Main Street in Sulphur Springs, on Tuesday, January 17th at noon. Cobblestone has branched into this area from Mt. Vernon and has opened an office in Sulphur Springs.
Reilly Springs Jamboree presents Country, Gospel, & Blues on Saturday, January 21st at 7 p.m.
The Reilly Springs Jamboree presents Country, Gospel, & Blues on Saturday, January 21st at 7 p.m. at the Reilly Springs Community Center located at 109 CR 1439 in Sulphur Springs. Tickets are $10. The night’s entertainment will feature Shanna Carter & Walk the Line, Cindy Self, Karen Hodges, and Raythan Hodges. For more information call Enola Gay at (903) 438-3568 or Roger Reed at (903) 348-7114.
Grand Opening Celebration for Mahoney Oaks Retreat on Friday, January 27th
Mahoney Oaks Retreat, a brand-new retreat venue in Hopkins County, is hosting an Open House and Ribbon Cutting in celebration of their grand opening. The open house will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Ribbon Cutting will be held at noon. Mahoney Oaks is located at 5678 FM 1537 in Sulphur Springs. Please make plans to come by and explore this new venue!
4-H presents Sewing Fun Day & Food Challenge on Saturday, January 28th
4-H Sewing Fun Day and Food Challenge is scheduled for Saturday, January 28th, at 10:00 a.m. They will be making Alzheimer’s Activity Mats and easy make-and-take projects. The 4-H Food Challenge and Consumer Decision-Making practice contests will be held at 1:00 p.m. Bring a sack lunch (drinks provided). All activities
will take place at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B W. Houston Street in Sulphur Springs. Contact Johanna Hicks at 903-885-3443 for details.
Master Wellness Volunteer Training Begins January 30th and Goes Through February 27th
This training takes place every two years, and 2017 is the year! Individuals learn about food safety, nutrition, working with diverse audiences, finding reliable resources on the web and much more. The training will be held on five consecutive Mondays, January 30, February 6, 13, 20, and 27, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, Sulphur Springs, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Upon completing the training and passing a
certification exam, volunteers agree to give 40 hours of service by assisting the Extension Agent with programs, day camps, program preparations, health fairs, and other services. Contact Johanna Hicks at 903-885-3443 for more details.
CHRISTUS Mother Francis Hospital -SS will host Women with Heart on Tuesday, February 7th
CHRISTUS Mother Francis Hospital in Sulphur Springs, along with Advanced Heart Care, present the 2017 Women with Heart Dinner on Tuesday, February 7th, 2017, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Hopkins County Civic Center. There will be a free dinner and prizes. Women with Heart is an annual program conceived to celebrate and honor women who have survived heart disease. To nominate a woman who has survived and triumphed with the help of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-SS and Advanced Heart Care, please visit the following link. https://www.tmfhc.org/care-treatment/heart/your-heart-health/womens/women-with-heart/. If you have any questions, call Lakan Johnson at 903-438-4462 or e-mail [email protected] / Sherry Moore at 903-439-4062 or e-mail [email protected].
SS Public Library presents a Couponing Class on Thursday, February 9th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Sulphur Springs Public Library is offering a Coupon Class by Courtney Solstad on Thursday, February 9th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Library, 611 North Davis Street. The class will cover kinds of coupons, where to get coupons, how to use coupons, apps to help you save, shopping and saving without coupons, coupon ethics, retail savings, and restaurant savings. The class is free to the public, and refreshments will be served. Each attendee will have a chance to win a Family 4 Pack of Tickets to the 2017 Season of the Scarborough Renaissance Festival. For more information call the Library at (903) 885-4926 or visit the website at www.sslibrary.org.
Twogether in Texas Marriage Education Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, February 11th
The next Twogether in Texas Marriage Education Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, February 11, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B W. Houston Street, Sulphur Springs, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This free workshop will cover marriage expectations, communication, conflict resolution, money management, and goals & dreams. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Engaged couples who attend the workshop will be given a certificate to save $60 upon applying for a marriage license. Contact the Extension Office at 903-885-3443 to enroll.
Texas A&M presents Singing Cadets on Friday, February 17th at 7 p.m.
Texas A&M presents The Voice of Aggieland Singing Cadets on Friday, February 17th, at 7 p.m. at Central Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at City National Bank and Alliance Bank. Call 512-755-4925 for more information.
SS Public Library presents a Cooking Tips Class on Thursday, February 23rd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Sulphur Springs Public Library is offering a Cooking Tips & Skills Class by Lyndsay Palmer on Thursday, February 23rd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Library, 611 North Davis Street. Attend this class to learn tips and tricks of the kitchen with Chef Lyndsay Palmer. She will demonstrate several ways to help strengthen your kitchen skills and help answer any of your cooking questions. The class is free to the public, and refreshments will be served. Each attendee will have a chance to win a Family 4 Pack of Tickets to the 2017 Season of the Scarborough Renaissance Festival. For more information call the Library at (903) 885-4926 or visit the website at www.sslibrary.org.
New Members to the Chamber of Commerce…
Welcome to our newest members of the Chamber of Commerce: Alta Vista Home Inspections, Etiquette by Emily, Stream Energy Consultant – Renee’ Young, RE/MAX Advanced-Renee’ Young, Starbucks Coffee, Express Employment Professionals, Silver Star Custom Carts, FitMiss by Jaime Mitchell, and Juice Plus by Donna Williams. We are excited about having you!
Ribbon Cuttings:
Ribbon Cutting for Cobblestone Realty was held on Tuesday, January 17th at noon
Cobblestone Realty, held their ribbon cutting celebration at their new office at 215B on Main Street in Sulphur Springs, on Tuesday, January 17th at noon. Cobblestone has branched into this area from Mt. Vernon and has opened an office in Sulphur Springs.
My heart broke with the Cowboys on Sunday, but that was one exciting game! I’m thinking I may not watch the rest of the season! Have a wonderful weekend!
Lezley Brown
President/CEO
Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
300 Connally Street
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
903-885-6515-office
903-885-6516-fax
www.sulphursprings-tx.com
SSISD Board Sets Public Hearing To Discuss the Annual Report of Educational Performance
In a news release, Rusty Harden, Director of Communications and Assistant Superintendent of Sulphur Springs Schools announced the Sulphur Springs Independent School District will hold a public hearing on Monday, February 13, 2017 at 6:00 pm for the purpose of discussing the Annual Report of Educational Performance and the Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) for the 2015-2016 school year.
The hearing will be held in conjunction with the regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees. The meeting will be held at the administration building located at 631 Connally St., Sulphur Springs, Tx. 75482.
Coaches Pleased With Continuing Improvement
WILDCATS BASKETBALL
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta saw lots of signs that his team used last Friday’s loss to Mt. Pleasant as a learning experience moving forward. He said the team hopefully either wins or learns from a loss. Tuesday night the Wildcats won at Greenville, 84-54. Coach Cipoletta said his team played really well on both sides of the ball. He said the Wildcats executed on offense a lot better Tuesday than they did Friday. Coach Cipoletta said his team returned to their average of around 8 made three-point baskets per game. He said the Wildcats also had 22 assists. They average about 20 per game but were well short of that in last Friday’s loss. Ke’Ontae Dunn had 14 big assists along with his 14 points against the Lions. Coach Cipoletta said the team did a good job of sharing the ball and of getting everybody involved. He was also glad to see four double figure scorers. Along with Dunn, Victor Iwuakor and Keaston Willis had 18 points and Michael Jefferson had 14 points. Coach Cipoletta said with multiple double digit scorers, the team is harder to defend. It also fits right in with the team motto of The Team Over Everything. He said the team also played real hard, like they had a chip on their shoulder due to Friday’s loss. Coach Cipoletta said the loss revealed some things that needed improving. With the win over Greenville, the Wildcats are now 4-1 in district play and they are in second place. They play Hallsville, in third place at 3-2 in district, Friday night in Wildcats Gym. The game will mark the end of the first half of district play. Coach Cipoletta said the Bobcats were well coached and he added they play hard. He said he is very impressed with the shooting of the Bobcats Blaine Parker.
LADY CATS BASKETBALL
Lady Cats Basketball Coach Jeff Chapman said his team got off to a very good start against Greenville in Tuesday’s 75-33 win until some foul trouble slowed down the Lady Cats a bit. Coach Chapman said he actually enjoyed the second half more than the first half. He said he talked to the team at halftime about motivation. Coach Chapman told them motivation should come from within and not just from another team challenging them. He said some players decide before a game if an opponent is good or not. Coach Chapman said he wants his team to just come out and play and not worry about whether the opponent is good or bad. He said he is beginning to have good feelings about this year’s team and their potential to stir things up in the playoffs. Autumn Tanton scored 24 points Tuesday against Greenville. Coach Chapman said she is beginning to do a lot of things the Lady Cats are working on in practice. He added Tanton has an uncanny ability to get in position for offensive rebounds and then make put backs. Coach Chapman said her continued improvement would help the Lady Cats tremendously. He also praised senior Tori Moore for her extra practice work. Moore has become a force by driving to the basket and hitting layups. Moore had 13 points Tuesday. The Lady Cats play at Hallsville Friday night. The Lady Bobcats are 2-5 in district play and they will be trying to improve their district standing with a win at home.
Channel 18 News Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Incumbent Robert Cody files to return to the SSISD Board of Trustees. School Tax Collector Sandra Gibby prepares to receive the paperwork.
Winner Winner Winner Ranger’s Fan Fest
Here are our winners! I have a list of alternates if you can not pick up your tickets, or can’t go to the Fan Fest. Call KSST at 903 885 3111 with questions.
Thanks for Listening to KSST!
SSHS BPA Students Qualify for State Competition
Ten Business Professionals of America, or BPA students from Sulphur Springs High School qualified for State Competition at a regional leadership conference held last Saturday.
Qualifiers are Aubrey Benson, who took first place in individual Administrative Support, Dylan Joiner, who came in first in individual Economic Research Project, Lydia Burleson, who finished second in Advanced Word Processing, Mandy Eckhardt, a second place finisher in individual Economic Research Project, Joshua Snyder, who was second in JAVA Programming, Anne-Marie Winborn, who was second in individual Administrative Support, Hannah Morrill, a third place finisher in Basic Office Systems and Procedures, Spencer Brewer, who finished fourth in Personal Financial Management, Rudolfo Perez, who finished fourth in Banking and Finance and Elizabeth Vega, who finished fourth in Intermediate Word Processing.
Seven students and two teams of four students each qualified as alternatives to the state competition. Twenty-eight (28) SSHS BPA students participated in the regional competition.
The State BPA Leadership Conference will take place March 1-4 in Dallas. SSHS BPA teacher advisors are Paula Haas, Lynn Smith, Heath Robinson and Tracy Stewart.
Alliance Bank Announces Promotions
Wednesday, January 18, 2017, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tom Sellers was pleased to announce that the Board of Directors for Alliance Bank have approved the promotions of Ruth Ann Crowson to Executive Vice President-Chief Risk Officer, Kevin Monk to Executive Vice President-Chief Operations Officer, Mike Jumper to Senior Vice President-Mortgage and Julie Degelia to Senior Vice President-Human Resource.
“Ruth Ann Crowson has an incredibly strong legacy with Alliance Bank, members of her family have continuously worked for the bank for over 90 years. Ruth Ann’s passion and loyalty to the bank are unmatched and her professionalism in every area of her career spanning 45 years have been critical to the bank’s success. We are very excited to have her knowledge and passion heading up our newest department-Risk Management. Risk Management has become a critically important part of banking and I can’t think of a person I would rather entrust with this endeavor than Ruth Ann. Ruth Ann will oversee IT Risk, BSA security, Vendor Management and Compliance,” stated Tom Sellers, President and Chief Executive Officer-Alliance Bank.
Crowson has been with Alliance Bank for over 45 years starting as a statement clerk in September of 1970. Crowson currently serves on the bank’s board of directors. She is a graduate of Sulphur Springs High School, attended East Texas State University and completed the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking, held at SMU. She stays very active at First Baptist Church Sulphur Springs, American Cancer Society, Hopkins County United Way and is an honorary member of the Rotary Club. Ruth Ann and her husband of 31 years, Kenny, have 3 children and 5 grandchildren.
“Kevin Monk has served as Senior Operations Officer since 2005 and has proven to be a critical part of the ever changing landscape of banking with bank operations at the forefront of those changes. We are excited about the continued contributions that Kevin will make in his expanded role as Executive Vice President-Chief Operations Officer for Alliance Bank,” continued, Sellers.
Monk, started his career with Alliance Bank in 1990 while attending East Texas State University and graduated with a degree in Human Resource Management. He attended and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking in Colorado and the Bank Operations Institute. He has served in several leadership roles with the Independent Bankers Association of Texas (IBAT) and most recently sits on its Service Board. Additionally, he serves on the Advisory boards of both the Bank Operations Institute and the Bank Lending Institute. He has been a passionate member of the Lake Country CASA board and currently sits as its chair. Kevin, his wife Kristin and their 3 children attend First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs.
“Mike Jumper has a strong background in Mortgage in both our Rockwall market and here at home in Hopkins County. He has proven to be an energetic and professional member of our Mortgage Department. Mortgage is a cornerstone of the bank’s success and a department that will continue to drive Alliance Bank’s value to our shareholders and also our communities as they grow,” explained Tom Sellers, President and CEO-Alliance Bank.
Jumper has been with Alliance Bank for 14 years. He is a graduate of Texas A&M-Commerce with a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration. He is also a graduate of the Bank Operations Institute held at Southern Methodist University. He is currently the President of the Sulphur Springs Adult Leadership Alumni Board and a member of Rotary International. Mike enjoys coaching his children’s sports teams and spending time outdoors. He, his wife Amy and their three children attend First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs.
“Julie Degelia has been and will continue to play a critical part in the expansion of Alliance Bank and its subsidiaries. She consistently provides it with great employee acquisitions and employee development. She has been involved in and/or directed our Human Resource department for 12 years and the bank has expanded greatly during her tenure, “continued Tom Sellers, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Degelia started her career with Alliance Bank in 2004 as an Assistant Vice President in the Human Resource Department. In 2006 she was promoted to Vice President and again promoted to Director of Human Resources in 2012. She received a Bachelor Degree in Human Resource Management from East Texas State University. She is also a graduate of the Bank Operations Institute, held at SMU. Additionally, she holds professional certifications of Senior Professional and Senior Certified Professional in Human Resource Management. She, her husband Tim and their 2 daughters live in Greenville, Texas and attend Wesley United Methodist Church-Greenville.
Alliance Bank Biographical Information:
Alliance Bank was established in 1927 with corporate offices in Sulphur Springs, Texas and began serving Greenville and Hunt County in July of 1990. It expanded into Wolfe City and Commerce in August of 1993. In February 1996, the bank purchased Colonial Bank of Greenville and now has (2) branches serving that community. Alliance Bank completed construction of its branch in Rockwall, Texas in October 2005. In November of 2015, Alliance Bank opened an additional branch in North Rockwall and a Loan Production Office (LPO) in McKinney, Texas in January 2016. Additionally, the Bank owns and operates Galyean Insurance Agency and Alliance Bank’s brokerage company-Alliance Bank Financial Services.
A GoFundMe Account Raises Over $13,000 in First Hour for Homeless Sulphur Springs Man
Wednesday, January 18, 2017 saw over $13,000 has been raised in one hour for Anthony’s Village, a gofundme.com account established by Colleen Hoover for a 19-year old homeless man in Sulphur Springs. The original goal of $5,000 was increased to $20,000 as money began pouring into the account. Some 385 people or more gave in the first hour.
Pictured: Lazarus, Anthony Hayes, and Lin
Hoover described the campaign on GoFundMe: Anthony’s Village.
Phoney Check Scam Making the Rounds
The images shown were taken of a letter sent to a Hopkins County Senior Citizen. The bogus check had her name and current address on it. Spread the word and help people avoid these scam artists.
This type of scam is common. A bogus check is sent to unsuspecting people. They attempt to deposit the check and meanwhile send real money back to the thieves via wire transfer. The bait is the promise of a huge cash winning. That payout never happens. If in doubt, always consult local police or other reputable organization. The Senior Citizen Center in Sulphur Springs is always glad to help.
We called the 877 number on the letter. After a strange ring tone, a person with a thick accent encouraged us to deposit the check, and call back. No reputable business would do this.
Keywords: 877 319 9498, 0114479245890, Oscar Palom, 3750, 34822MD
Dinner Bell Receives $500 From the Celebration Association
Proceeds from the “Taste of Sulphur Springs” event that took place on November 9th, 2016 were presented to Dinner Bell on Wednesday January 18th, 2017.
Mary Campbell and Kaydee Hauerwas presented the check to Head Cook Judy Gilreath. The Celebration Association promotes Downtown Businesses in Sulphur Springs, TX.
