Golden Agers Tree helps at Christmas Time
People of all ages love giving to the elderly and housebound at Christmas through the Golden Agers Christmas Tree! The tree is now up at the Senior’s Center in Sulphur Springs. If you’d like to provide a brighter holiday for a local Golden Ager, just go by 150 MLK Drive and choose a card off the tree, go shopping for that person’s wishes, and then return the wrapped gift items back to the tree before December 16. Karon Weatherman will arrange for the deliveries to be made in plenty of time for Christmas!
Wednesday’s NETBIO Annual Sale Was Bigger Than Ever
The November NETBIO Pre-conditioned Calf and Yearling anniversary sale held Wednesday at the Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission was bigger than ever — drawing hundreds of people and selling over 7,500 head of quality cattle.
A record 294 producers consigned a total of 7,565 head of cattle that were sold during the afternoon.
Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization CEO Dwyatt Bell, left, and Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission co-owner and auctioneer Joe Don Pogue, address the capacity crowd at the Wednesday pre-conditioned calf and yearling sale.
“We had a auction market full of people at sale time and they got to see a good sale,” said Sulphur Springs Livestock Commission co-owner David Fowler. “The market was good and light calves were in good demand. Several buyers bought these light calves to turn out to pasture.”
People came from throughout Texas and several other states to buy, sell, and in some cases just to see what the Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization, which began with a pre-conditioned sale in November 1998, is all about.
Auctioneer Joe Don Pogue works the capacity crowd for bids on this lot of cattle during the NETBIO anniversary sale Wednesday.
A total of 42 buyers purchased cattle during the sale. At the end of the day, Fowler said the market held steady and the calves and yearlings averaged $773.31 per head. There was also good buyer activity over the Internet, according to Fowler.
More than 400 folks enjoyed a big plate — or two — of BBQ and all the trimmings that was cooked up and served by the crew from the Sulphur Springs Livestock Café and sponsored by Alliance Bank. There was a lot of visiting under the tent and looking over the cattle from 11:30 a.m. until the sale began at 1 p.m.
“We were glad to see so many people come out,” Fowler said. “It was a strong market, the cattle sold well and people got to see an outstanding sale. And as usual, our employees at SSLC did an outstanding job of handling the cattle, which made the sale run smoothly.”
Producers are already getting their calves pre-conditioned for the next sale coming up on Jan. 18, 2017. Anyone wanting to consign to the sale are encouraged to call in or come by the market center for ear tags and consignment sheet
UPRA Queen, Miss Teen and Contestants
A crowd of nine lovely rodeo contestants, some of them already rodeo royalty in their home towns, will be seen in Sulphur Springs during UPRA Finals Rodeo. Following the horseback competitions and judging, you can meet the girls during rodeo performances. Miss UPRA Queen Maggie Richardson will present the United States flag at the start of the each performance, and she will have horseback duties in the arena during the cattle events. Miss Bailee Arrington from Hopkins County is currently Miss Teen UPRA, and plans to run for Queen in 2017. With a large field of 2 Teen contestants and 5 Queen contestants, both the girls will have to hand their crowns over to newly crowned royalty at the end of the 2016 Finals in the Hopkins County Civic Center arena. Catch performances at 7pm on Friday November 18 and Saturday November 19, and at 2pm on Sunday November 20.
UPRA QUEEN MAGGIE RICHARDSON AND MISS TEEN UPRA BAILEE ARRINGTON
Saltillo Varsity Girls’ Tournament Schedule/Results
Saltillo High School is hosting a Varsity Girls’ basketball tournament this weekend. Friday action includes Martins Mill v. Paris at 2 p.m.; Rivercrest v. North Lamar at 3:30 p.m.; Quinlan v. Chisum at 5 p.m. and Saltillo v. Bullard at 6:30 p.m. Finals will be Saturday.
Thursday’s results include:
Pool A
Paris 58 Chisum 39
Martins Mill 67 Quinlan 27
Martins Mill 65 Chisum 35
Quinlan 54 Paris 43
Standings in Pool A
Martins Mill 2-0
Quinlan 1-1
Paris 1-1
Chisum 0-2
Pool B
Bullard 67 North Lamar 46
Saltillo 45 Rivercrest 30
Bullard 73 Rivercrest 20
North Lamar 60 Saltillo 41
Standings in Pool B
Bullard 2-0
North Lamar 1-1
Saltillo 1-1
Rivercrest 0-2
Bill Bradford Road Eastbound Lane Opens Next Week; City to Develop Next Five Year Street Plan
As the holidays approach, Bill Bradford Road’s eastbound lane will be opened from Gilmer Street to Industrial Blvd giving drivers a more direct path to stores and shops located along that roadway. City Manager Marc Maxwell told KSST News Friday morning that the roadway will allow shoppers better access as the shopping season opens next Friday. He stated Bill Bradford Road should be completed in early February, 2017.
Work will continue on the westbound side of the roadway and a portion of that roadway will be closed. Water, sewer and utility improvements are complete. Only the concrete work remains.
As the City of Sulphur Springs nears completion of their five year plan for improvement of specific streets, work begins on a second five year plan that will specify additional streets for improvement. City Manager Marc Maxwell said that some streets need to be sealed but other streets need a total rework.
Those streets chose for the next five year plan will complement a larger planning process that will develop a new comprehensive plan for the city. Maxwell stated many will be involved in developing the new comprehensive plan.
Oak Ridge Boys’ Duane Allen Picks PJC for Pre-Release Movie Premiere Sunday: Advance Viewers Will Help Select Movie Name
Cunningham native and Paris Junior College Distinguished Alumnus Duane Allen has chosen PJC’s Ray Karrer Theater for the first pre-release showing of a new Christmas-themed movie in which he stars.
The world premiere of the faith-based Christmas movie will be shown Sunday, November 20, at 2 p.m. Tickets for the movie are $25 for adults, $12.50 for children 12 and under. Afterwards, ticket holders will be treated to a meet-and-greet with Allen.
This unique event coincides with the sold-out Oak Ridge Boys performance the same evening at Love Civic Center benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Paris. It is also Allen’s 50th year with “The Mighty Oaks.” Allen will attend the showing, along with a few cast members and the writer/director of the movie.
“This is a very special production and will not be available this year anywhere in the country except in pre-release venues like PJC,” said Mark Nicolosi, Nashville-based writer and director of the film. “Those who attend will have the opportunity to make recommendations for the movie’s title. Following the showing, guests will be provided an email and social media information to share suggested titles.”
The movie is expected for home release by Fall 2017.
The movie is a “feel-good” Christmas story that allows viewers to experience the real meaning and the magic of Christmas. It is based on the scripture, Matthew 25:40: “What you’ve done unto one of the least of these my brethren, you’ve done unto me.”
Tickets are available at the PJC Business office, located at the east end of the Administration Building, 2400 Clarksville Street. Check, cash or credit cards are accepted at this location. Those wishing to reserve and pay by credit card by phone may call 903-782-0232. Tickets purchased by phone will be held at the theater’s will-call window beginning at 12 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20. The Lamar County Chamber of Commerce, 8 West Plaza, will also have tickets available by cash or check.
The movie soundtrack features songs by The Oak Ridge Boys, Deborah Allen, George Canyon, Pam Tillis, Ricky Lee Phelps, Tayla Lynn, Regie Hamm and more.
A portion of the viewings proceeds are being donated to PJC by Allen and the production company.
Tira News
By Jan Vaughn
A large group of friends and family gathered at the Tira Community Center for a delicious meal, prior to the graveside service of Eric Payton, son of Brad and Virginia Payton and grandson of Floyd and Martha Payton. Please continue to be in prayer for them.
Also, please be in prayer for the family of Linda (Wester) Andrasko. Her graveside service will be held at 11:00 on Saturday morning, at the Tira Cemetery.
Mark Hixon is still looking for his missing Anatolian Shepherd. He is offering a reward for “Cooter’s” return. He provided another picture of his dog, in hopes that someone will have seen him. If you have any information on his location, please contact Mark at 903-268-1179.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving. I look forward to reports of your activities.
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].
National Diabetes Awareness Month By Johanna Hicks
National Diabetes Awareness Month
The timing of this column is either brilliant or discouraging. November is known as National Diabetes Awareness Month, and as many families share the wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, those who have been diagnosed with diabetes face a real challenge. The good news, diabetes can be managed with diligence and a little self-control.
You’ve probably wondered how you or someone you love developed diabetes. You may worry that your or their children will develop it too. Unlike some traits, diabetes does not seem to be inherited in a simple pattern. Yet clearly, some people are born more likely to develop diabetes than others. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes have different causes. Yet two factors are important in both. You inherit a predisposition to the disease, and then something in your environment triggers it. Genes alone are not enough. One proof of this is identical twins. Identical twins have identical genes. Yet when one twin has type 1 diabetes, the other gets the disease at most only half the time.
In most cases of type 1 diabetes, people need to inherit risk factors from both parents. We think these factors must be more common in whites because whites have the highest rate of type 1 diabetes.
Because most people who are at risk do not get diabetes, researchers want to find out what the environmental triggers are. One trigger might be related to cold weather. Type 1 diabetes develops more often in winter than summer and is more common in places with cold climates. Another trigger might be viruses. Perhaps a virus that has only mild effects on most people triggers type 1 diabetes in others. Early diet may also play a role. Type 1 diabetes is less common in people who were breastfed and in those who first ate solid foods at later ages.
Type 2 diabetes has a stronger link to family history and lineage than type 1, although it too depends on environmental factors. Lifestyle also influences the development of type 2 diabetes. Obesity tends to run in families, and families tend to have similar eating and exercise habits. If you have a family history of type 2 diabetes, it may be difficult to figure out whether your diabetes is due to lifestyle factors or genetic susceptibility. Most likely it is due to both. However, don’t lose heart. Studies show that it is possible to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes by exercising and losing weight.
According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 30 million Americans—almost 10 percent of the population—have been discovered to have diabetes and 86 million more are at risk. Currently the United States’ annual direct health care costs and lost productivity due to diabetes and prediabetes total $322 billion. But diabetes isn’t just an American epidemic, it’s a global crisis. That’s why we need to shift our attitudes about diabetes, treating it with the urgent attention it deserves.
So what are the symptoms of diabetes? The following symptoms of diabetes are typical. However, some people with type 2 diabetes have symptoms so mild that they go unnoticed.
Common symptoms of diabetes:
- Urinating often
- Feeling very thirsty
- Feeling very hungry – even though you are eating
- Extreme fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
- Weight loss – even though you are eating more (type 1)
- Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2)
Women with gestational diabetes often have no symptoms, which is why it’s important for at-risk women to be tested at the proper time during pregnancy.
There are 4 key factors to controlling diabetes: checking your blood glucose, eating the right amount of carbohydrates, getting the recommended amount of physical activity, and taking prescribed medications. For more information on diabetes, go to www.diabetes.org, visit with your physician, and sign up for the next “Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes” series.
If you are looking for a delicious recipe that is sure to please…and one that is suitable for a person with diabetes…give this one a try!
Chocolate Pudding Cake
Ingredients:
30 graham cracker squares (15 sheets broken in half), divided
1.4 ounce box sugar-free, fat-free instant chocolate pudding mix
1 ½ cups fat-free milk
12 ounces fat-free whipped topping, thawed and divided
¼ cup mini-chocolate chips
Directions:
1) Arrange 10 graham squares, slightly overlapping, on bottom of 8-inch square pan.
2) In a large bowl, prepare pudding according to package directions. Cool in refrigerator for 5 minutes
3) Fold 6 ounces whipped topping into pudding and incorporate well.
4) Spread half of the pudding mixture over graham squares in pan; cover with 10 of the remaining graham squares. Repeat layers.
5) Refrigerate 3 hours or overnight.
6) Top dessert with remaining 6 ounces light whipped topping. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips.
Recipe serves 12 and has the following nutritional content: calories – 160; carbohydrates – 28 g ; protein – 3 g; fiber 1 g
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Closing Thought
“Your success as a family… our success as a nation… depends not on what happens inside the White House, but on what happens inside your house” – Barbara Bush
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]
