Tira News
by Jan Vaughn
The Weirs have had a busy week. Last Friday, Robert and Yvonne went to Canton. Wesley bowled with My Heroes on Saturday, and then they all went to Destri Weir’s “40 and Fabulous” birthday party. Yvonne reported that Dacy [(Weir) Campbell] had “decorated Destri’s house up really cute.” A good group of family and friends gathered to help her celebrate. On Monday. Wesley played Bright Star baseball. Robert, Yvonne, and Wesley drove to Garland on Tuesday evening to watch Dustin Weir’s middle school football teams play. Yvonne comments, “Wesley loved the band, the cheerleaders, and the game!”
Chip and I have enjoyed the past week at Lake Tahoe, on the border of Nevada and California. The lake surrounded by the mountains was gorgeous. We enjoyed a sightseeing cruise on the lake, driving on the mountain roads and seeing the fall foliage and ski slopes (which will be opening for the winter season in a few weeks), and relaxing at the resort. It snowed on Sunday afternoon and night, which made for a beautiful sight. On our last day, we took a tour of the Thunderbird Lodge Historic Estate, known as Tahoe’s “Castle-in-the-Sky.” That afternoon, we drove to the “wild west” town of Virginia City, Nevada.
One last reminder for the North Hopkins Alumni Association – it will begin at 4:30 on Saturday, October 8th, with registration, visiting, and Bingo. At 5:30 a barbecue dinner will be served, followed by a program, honoring the Classes of 1966, 1976, and 1986. After the program, the Monday Night Jam band will entertain the group. All former North Hopkins students and staff are encouraged to attend.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-945-2190 or 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
An Agrilife Update By Johanna Hicks
This and That with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Today’s column is different than most, because I have lots of announcements and topics to cover! So, sit back and enjoy!
4-H Project Show
We are excited to announce the 2016 4-H Project Show. Our Hopkins County 4-H’ers have entered some amazing items – from wood work to metal work, from photography to food! The items will be on display at the Extension Office October 10 thru 14 for public viewing. Be sure to stop by our office at 1200-B W. Houston, and take a look at the work of our youth. You will be impressed!
Master Wellness Volunteer Training
Finding reliable resources of health and wellness information can be a challenge. Since 1906, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has provided Texans with guidance in various health areas and is now planning the 2017 training for volunteers to provide more communities with the education and tools needed for healthy living.
The Master Wellness Volunteer Initiative is an AgriLife Extension program that provides volunteers with 40 hours of training in health and nutrition education. In return, the volunteers agree to give back 40 hours of service. The volunteer opportunities are diverse – assisting with presentations for local community groups, assisting with periodic cooking schools, distributing information at health fairs, and much more. Previous health or wellness training is not required, but an interest in living healthfully and helping others do the same is important.
Hopkins County currently has nine active Master Wellness Volunteers. Backgrounds of the volunteers are very diverse – dietitian, nurse, retired teacher, retired architect, business woman, community volunteers, young mother. They all have one thing in common – the desire to be active and to help others. Some of the many activities in which they were involved include: 4-H foods project workshops; Diabetes series; Ag-in-the-Classroom; Kids’ Camp: Fun, Food, Fitness; health fairs; Fall Festival Creative Arts Contest; Christmas Joys holiday program; planning meeting input; and many more.
Even though the next training series is a few months away, it isn’t too early to begin making plans to participate if your interests lie in those opportunities. The training is being offered in two formats – face-to-face, or hybrid (combination of face-to-face and on-line). Dates for the face-to-face sessions are Mondays, January 30,February 6, 13, 20, and 27. For those who choose to participate in the hybrid format, the face-to-face sessions will be January 30 and February 27. Cost will be $75, with lunch included on the first and last sessions. Sessions will take place at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200 W. Houston, in Sulphur Springs, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Watch for more information in the future, but if you are interested in participating, please don’t hesitate to call – 903-885-3443.
4-H Robotics/STEM
Interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) has grown considerably in recent years. Hopkins County 4-H is offering sessions for youth to learn more about the topic and we are encouraging youth to join 4-H and join the fun! If your student (grades 3 thru 12) is interested in joining the STEM project meetings, give us a call! The STEM Group meets twice a month at the Sulphur Springs Public Library, under the direction of 4-H leader, Frannie Miller.
By the way, enrollment in Hopkins County 4-H is on-going. If you register prior to November, the fee is $20, which covers the 2016/2017 year. The fee goes up to $25 on November 1st, so take advantage of the early registration!
Christmas Joys Holiday Program
Due to the popularity of this November 7th event, both sessions are full, with waiting lists for both. However, I will do a mini session on Tuesday, November 8, at 1:30 p.m. at the Extension Office. You will receive a goody bag, a booklet of the recipes and instructions, and refreshments, and I will demonstrate the same great ideas. If that date doesn’t work for you, call our office and I’ll give you the dates of other holiday programs in neighboring counties in which I will also be participating (two are daytime and one is an evening event).
Closing Thought
Be nice to people on your way up because you meet them on your way down – Jimmy Durante
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]
Game Day: Wildcats, Lady Cats at Texas High
There will be football and volleyball on this Friday game day. The Wildcats’ football team will travel to Texarkana to face the district’s top team. Texas High is 5-0 so far this season. They are 1-0 in district play and they are rated number 8 in the AP Poll. The Wildcats come in with a 1-1 district record and a 2-4 season record. The Wildcats will be attempting to break a Texarkana losing streak that goes back to 1998 when Dwayne McMeans was head coach. The Wildcats have lost the last seven at Grim Park at Tigers Stadium. We’ll bring you all the action of Wildcats Football Friday night on KSST Radio. We will also videotape the game for replay on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable Sunday night t 8 p.m. and Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
Meanwhile the Lady Cats’ volleyball team will also play a very important match Friday at Texas High. The Lady Cats are trying to bounce back from a heart breaking 3-2 home loss in a first place battle with Hallsville Tuesday night. Now the Lady Cats face the Lady Tigers on the road with both teams tied for second place with 5-2 records. The Lady Cats won a first round match at home against Texas High, 3-0 on September 13.
The Walk To Remember Main Event at The Gardens Thursday Night
Walk to Remember is an event that funds Terrific Tuesdays at First United Methodist Church. Terrific Tuesdays is a place that caregivers can bring those suffering with Alzheimer’s while they run errands, go to appointments, etc. It not only benefits the caregivers, but also allows those suffering to experience social interaction with people their age. Several volunteers and those impacted by Terrific Tuesdays came out to support the fundraising event Thursday night at The Gardens.
City of Commerce Begins Spraying for West Nile Carrying Mosquitoes, Again
According to Acting City Secretary Becky Pattillo, the City of Commerce, with the assistance of Texas A&M University-Commerce, has been trapping mosquitoes and sending them to the Department of State Health Services as a precautionary measure to test for various diseases. Emergency Management Officials have been notified that one sample has tested positive for West Nile. Additional samples have been returned with positive results for the West Nile Virus.
City staff will again spray for mosquitoes in the areas where there were positive tests and will continue for three days, beginning tonight, Oct. 6, 2016. The spraying is more effective if it takes place during peak mosquito biting hours. Crews will begin spraying around 7:30 p.m. Emergency Management Officials will continue to test for infected mosquitoes in all areas of Commerce as long as the threat continues.
The chemical used in the spray is of low toxicity to humans and pets, but it is a pesticide and direct contact should be avoided. Citizens should go indoors and stay back from the truck during spraying operations. The chemical will not be sprayed if the driver sees people outdoors. This product is extremely toxic to fish, and fishponds should be covered.
West Nile is typically spread to humans and animals via infected mosquitoes, infected by feeding on infected birds. Most people infected with the virus have no symptoms. About 20 percent will develop a mild infection called West Nile Fever. Common symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, back pain and occasionally a skin rash, swollen lymph glands and eye pain.
Although the chemicals will greatly reduce the number of mosquitoes, the spray will not eliminate all chances of getting bit. Residents should take the following precautionary measures to avoid being bit:
- Consider staying indoors during peak mosquito biting times – dusk and dawn.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants that are light colors. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors.
- Apply an insect repellent that contains DEET.
- Limit the number of places that mosquitoes can breed by eliminating the standing water sources around your home. Drill holes in tire swings so that the water drains out and always empty children’s wading pools and store them on their side after using them.
- Try to pick a breezy location when enjoying the outdoors. Mosquitoes have a hard time flying even in a light wind.
Friday Night Lights: Texas High’s Norton, Wildcats’ Owens, Young, Abron
Wildcats are at Texas High Friday Night
The Wildcats play at Texas High Friday night and the Tigers are coached again this year by Barry Norton, now in his eighteenth year. He took over when the program was struggling and Coach Norton has turned the Tigers into a perennial playoff team. Despite his team’s 5-0 record, 1-0 in district play and a #8 rating in the AP Poll, Coach Norton says his team has a long way to go to be a good team. He says the offense has the potential to be very good. Meanwhile he says the defense just needs to keep plugging along. They have 11 new starters on defense. Coach Norton calls them a no-name bunch but he adds they are playing hard and getting better. Despite being a little smaller than most Texas High defenses, Coach Norton says his defense is quick. After allowing Marshall lots of yards on the way to an 18-0 Mavericks’ lead, the Tigers shut down the Mavericks the rest of the way in a 36-18 Tigers’ win. The Tigers have a three year starter, Cade Pearson, at quarterback. He’s a North Texas commit. Coach Norton says you can’t replace experience. He says receiver Quan Hampton is as good of a player as there is in the district. Coach Norton says the Tigers line has been solid. They also have two very solid running backs and a second outstanding wide receiver. Coach Norton says he respects the Wildcats and their ability to move the football and score points. He notes that quarterback Ryan Humphries has thrown for over a thousand yards. He calls the Wildcats’ defense an attacking defense. Coach Norton says a Greg Owens coached team will always play hard. He expects a real competitive Wildcats team to come to Tiger Stadium Friday night.
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens started his media gathering Wednesday morning by saying the loss last week to Marshall was still bothering him. He said he remained concerned about some things the team needed to do better. Still Coach Owens said the team was continuing to get better and he added he could see it on tape. Coach Owens noted his team was 1-1 in district play with a tough opponent on the schedule, Texas High, on Friday. He said he looked at the game as an opportunity. It’s not lost on him that Texas High was ranked number 8 in the state. He said they are as good as they have been in a long time on offense. Coach Owens talked about the Tigers top two running backs, their top two receivers, their offensive line and quarterback Cade Pearson, who is committed to North Texas. Coach Owens called the offense the strength of the team. He said the key to the game was for the Wildcats offense and the offensive line to control the ball to keep it out of the hands of the potent Texas High offense. Coach Owens said he was hoping for some turnovers as well. He said Texas High, under Coach Barry Norton, in his 18th year, liked to run first to set up their passing game.
Wildcats Offense
Wildcats Offensive Coordinator Matt Young says the Wildcats are improving on offense. He says they were better last Friday than when they played Whitehouse at home a couple of weeks ago. Coach Young says he’s hoping the offense can build on that improvement. Concerning the Texas High defense, Coach Young they are good as always but in a different way. He says the Tigers defense has no standout. He calls them eleven really good high school football players. Coach Young says they are undersized by Texas High standards but adds they make up for it with quickness. He says when they see something, they react at full speed.
Wildcats Defense
Wildcats Defensive Coordinator Triston Abron says the three-man defensive line did a great job last Friday night against Marshall. But he adds those behind the line needed to do better. Coach Abron says the defense has to put it all together to do a better job of stopping offenses. Coach Abron says he is looking for improvement in two areas. He says he defense must create turnovers. Coach Abron calls third downs the defense’s Kryptonite. He calls the Texas High offense extremely talented. Coach Abron calls their two top running backs thunder and lightning. He says the offensive line does a great job. Coach Abron remembers how well the Tigers quarterback played against the Wildcats last year. He says the quarterback has a lot of talented receivers to throw to. Coach Abron says in the past, the Tigers defense defined the team but he says the Tigers offense is doing that this year.
9th Annual Help-A-Child Benefit Saturday, October 8, 2016
On Saturday, October 8, 2016, the 9th Annual Tractor Pull and Chili and Brisket Cook-off will be held at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center. All proceeds benefit children at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center, and the Southern Christian Home for Children in Arkansas.
At 9 a.m., the Antique Tractor Pull & Show will be held inside the Civic Center and conducted by the Lake County Antique Tractor Association. There is no admission fee but donations will be accepted for the charities. At 11:30 a.m., chili will be served from the Chili Cook-off. $5 is All-You-Can-Eat chili and Dutch Oven cobbler. At noon, a live public auction of donated items will take place. Ira Black FFA Mechanics Project Auction will follow, as well as the Allarea Black Home Economics contest, and Ag project show winners will be announced. At 3 p.m., there will be the Brisket Cook-Off Judging. The winner of the Brisket Cook-Off will be announced and brisket will be sold in concessions starting at 5 p.m.. The Stone Groove Band featuring Sadie Evans, Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen 2016, will perform at 5 p.m.. The last event of the day will be the Hot-Rod Garden Tractor Pull inside the Civic Center at 6 p.m., admission will be $10 at the gate. The Hot-Rod Garden Tractor Pull will be conducted by the Lone Star Garden Tractor Pullers Association. For more information, contact Wade Bartley at 903-348-1878.
Animal of the Week: Ginger
Ginger is a sweet, female that has been with the Sulphur Springs Animal Shelter since August 22nd, 2016. She was picked up at Douglas Intermediate School and an owner never claimed her. During the Animal of the Week interview, Ginger was playful and full of energy! She loves her head scratched, has a sweet temperament, and would be a perfect family dog! Ginger has visited a local vet to be spayed and get her shots. Her adoption fee is $100. To add Ginger to your family, contact the Sulphur Springs Animal Shelter at 903-438-9369.
High School Pitchers Face Pitch Count Rule Change
The UIL in Texas seems poised to adopt a 110 pitch count for all high school baseball pitchers for either a game or a series by this school year’s season. Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack says the proposal should not have much impact on his program. Coach Hammack already uses a standard of 100 pitches.
He admits the new rule may have an impact in a series where an ace throws on Thursday and then wants to come back for one final inning to close out a game Saturday. That may put the pitcher a few pitches over the limit. Coach Hammack says most coaches use good common sense when it comes to pitch counts. He admits to hearing the stories about the excesses.
Coach Hammack says he mostly uses a pitcher just once a week. He says the proposed pitch count is designed to protect coaches and players alike. There are some questions as to who would keep the pitch count. Coach Hammack keeps his pitchers’ count in the dugout during the game.
Statistician Eric Buck also keeps pitch counts. How strict is Coach Hammack with his 100 pitch rule? He remembers removing starter Colby Suggs from a game at Henderson in the playoffs as the tie game went into extra innings. Suggs was at the 100 pitch limit. Henderson won the game with a run in the bottom of the eighth against a relief pitcher.
