Sulphur Springs Public Library Director’s Report
DIRECTOR’S NOTEBOOK by Hope Cain
Behind every great community is a great library! The Sulphur Springs Public Library is a great place to:
Tour. We recently led the Sulphur Springs Adult Leadership Class through a tour of the library. They said of the tour: “The library is a great asset to our community. It is versatile and important to our citizens.” We have tours for the St. Clair music box collection and the Sinclair WWII collection, in addition to a general library tour. Call ahead and schedule a tour today. 903-885-4926
Interact. The library is a great place to interact and explore at a centrally located meeting space. Numerous school groups meet in the Storytime Room on a regular basis. The conference room for students and adults is used for many purposes including tutoring groups, study groups, small meetings and job interviews. We believe that continued learning is crucial to a community’s success.
Learn. We offer Computer Coach, a program where a library staff can sit with you for 10 minutes to assist you with anything you need on the computer. Job application, write a letter, set up and use an email, fill out online paperwork…just about anything you feel you would like assistance with. Call 903-885-4926 and set an appointment today.
Read. Love of reading begins at a young age. My dad read to me and my little sister every night and many times in between. Some of my favorites were: Amos and Boris, Goodnight Moon and Flat Stanley.
Oprah Winfrey said of the library, “Getting my library card was like citizenship; it was like American citizenship.”
Remember. Do you remember your first library card as a child? The majesty of book filled shelves full of characters, adventures and faraway settings? That’s because someone in your life felt the library was an important part of childhood. Share your library story with us so we can share with others.
*Watch the library calendar for Adult library events in February or call us for details. 903-885-4926.
I guess the holidays find me a little nostalgic. Do you remember visiting the library as a child?
The rows of books and the majesty of the shelves filled with characters, stories and faraway settings?
That’s because someone in your life felt the library was an important part of childhood. If you are a parent or grandparent, ask yourself, “Is it important that my child/grandchild remember their trips to the library?” Make a difference in a child’s life by taking them to the library on a regular basis A library should be a place of living, not a vacation destination. A library should be like going to a friend’s house, where you know where your favorite things are. It warms my heart when a family comes in and the children run to their favorite section of books to choose from…Bernstein Bears, Curious George, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Fancy Nancy, Amelia Bedelia, Stuart Little, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Little House on the Prairie.
My dad read to me and my little sister every night and many times in between. If you are in my office, there is a great photo of him reading to us. Those are cherished memories for me. Some of my favorite childhood books were Amos and Boris, Goodnight Moon, Flat Stanley, Francis the Raccoon.
Hope Cain, Director of the Sulphur Springs Public Library.
Rescue the Perishing Food Drive December 17
Bishop Nelson Gatlin stopped by the KSST Studios on Friday morning to remind listeners about Saturday’s “Rescue the Perishing” Food Drive at Mitchell Chapel Church of God in Christ in Sulphur Springs. The drive will begin at 8am at the church, 402 South Jackson Street. Persons in need can receive a food basket with ID of a driver’s license or Sulphur Springs water bill. Formerly Pastor of only Mitchell Chapel, Gatlin became a Superintendent over 8 area churches, then in 2016 was named Bishop, overseeing 55 churches in N E Texas. He still enjoys visiting and spending time with each congregation individually. He is one of 19 Bishops in Texas and 350 nationwide. Churches of God in Christ have 8 million members in 89 countries of the world.
BISHOP NELSON GATLIN WITH KSST EMPLOYEES DOLLIE KELLY AND ENOLA GAY
FOOD DRIVE VOLUNTEERS ROBERT BONNER JR, CARNELL ALEX, MARVA ALEXANDER, BISHOP GATLIN, NEHEMIAH AND DETRA SHAMLIN, MOTHER G. SHAMLIN AND NITA BARRETT.
Game Day: Lady Cats Seek Second District Win; Wildcats Host Royse City
Both the Wildcats and Lady Cats’ basketball teams will be playing at home this Friday game day.
The Lady Cats will be having their second district game as they will host Hallsville Friday afternoon in Wildcats Gym. Games begin with the freshmen team playing at 2:30 p.m. The JV is scheduled to play at around 3:30 p.m. The varsity Lady Cats take on Hallsville at around 5 p.m. The Lady Cats varsity is 1-0 in district after defeating Greenville on Tuesday, 40-17. Hallsville is 0-1 after losing at home Tuesday to Texas High, 68-55. The Lady Cats are 12-3 for the season. The Lady Bobcats are 13-6 so far this year. We will bring you the Lady Cats and Hallsville game Friday at around 5 p.m. on KSST Radio. We will also videotape the game for replay on Channel 18 TV on Suddenlink Cable at a later date.
The Wildcats will be taking on Royse City Friday night in the Sulphur Springs Middle School Gym. The freshmen Wildcats play Royse City at 5 p.m. The JV game should start at around 6:15 p.m. The varsity Wildcats game should get underway at around 7:30 p.m. The Wildcats varsity has defeated the Bulldogs in two scrimmages and during the Royse City tournament, 61-43. Victor Iwuakor had 16 points and Ke’Ontae Dunn 15 during that game. The Wildcats season record is 12-2. They lost a very competitive game at Paris, 67-64 Tuesday night.
Shopping Local is more fun this Christmas!
SHOE INN ETC. OWNER EMMA OWENS WITH GRANDDAUGHTER MORGAN OWENS
Veteran businesswoman Emma Owens and other retailers in Windsor Plaza Shopping Center decided to hold an after-hours Open House with refreshments, discounts, giveaways and visits with Santa Claus on December 15. Marlene’s Sass and Class, Beauty Grace Boutique, Shoe Inn Etc., Just Country and Blingin’ Crazy are among businesses promoting “shopping local”… and for people searching for the just-right Christmas gifts, this can have a number of fun benefits. By staying open late, these merchants enjoyed a steady flow of visitors to their shops between 6 and 9pm, got to meet a number of families who brought the children to see Santa, and a chance to acquaint new customers with the goods and services they offer the community year-round.
OWNER MARLENE DEYONG AND HER CHRISTMAS STAFF AT MARLENE’S SASS N CLASS
BEAUTY GRACE OWNER ANA VELASCO WITH MIREYA VAUGHN OF RODAN AND FIELDS
MARANDA BRANTLEY, KYLIE COOPER AT BLINGIN CRAZY. OWNER, ANGIE CHURCHMAN
JUST COUNTRY OWNER DEONNA WATKINS WITH HER SISTER LANA VANVLEET
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM SANTA BRYANT AND PAISLEY AND BRODY WATKINS !
Retirees Honored at County Employee Christmas Party
At the annual Christmas party for Hopkins County employees held at the Civic Center on December 15, 2016, there was good music, great food and warm fellowship. Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsome emceed the evening’s celebration, where four county retirees were honored.
Sheriff Butch Adams and Precinct One Commissioner Beth Wisenbaker have each put in 20 years of service in their office. They each plan to spend time with their respective families and enjoy being grandparents. Chief Deputy Ricky Morgan will retire on December 31 after 29 years with the department. Precinct 1 foreman Rodney Keller has worked for the county for 37 and a half years. Also in attendance was Sheriff-elect Lewis Tatum who will be sworn in as Hopkins County Sheriff on January 1, 2017. The well-attended Christmas event featured country music by Monty Tipps and Main Street Band and a BBQ meal catered by Big Smith’s BBQ and Catfish.
Texas Senator Bob Hall Hears Local Concerns During Thursday’s Town Hall
Texas State Senator Robert “Bob” Hall addressed approximately 25 people Thursday afternoon at a Town Hall in the Council Chambers of Sulphur Springs City Hall. Hall told the small gathering that he and his staff will promote conservative principles during the 85th Legislative Session of the Texas Senate. Hall addressed specific pieces of legislation and answered questions from those present. Those who spoke seemed to have come with their own agenda of legislative needs that had not been addressed by Hall.
Hall told KSST News that in the Town Hall meetings already conducted the questions regarding property taxes are gaining momentum and are now ahead of boarder security. Protecting the electrical grid is also high on the list of concerns. He said boarder security is a concern and most of the district awaits the federal government’s decisions and steps taken to secure the borders. Regarding property tax, Hall said the tax is growing in many areas and that growth must be changed. The electrical grid’s vulnerability to terrorist attack and the affect that would have on daily life in the state is also high on the list of calls to his office.
He noted no new issues have been brought up. He said many are wondering why the security of women and children in the bathroom is an issue. He stated that their safety should be secure and without question.
At the local Town Hall meeting, a retired policeman and military veteran questioned the legislation regarding educational assistance for veterans and their children in Texas. Hall responded that the legislature would seek to restore the assistance after a veteran moved to Texas from another state and was refused the funding. Hall noted that the bill was passed for Texas veterans but not for those who move to Texas to take advantage of the funding. An educator questioned certain segments of House Bill 5 that denied certain certification to students who passed the local school curriculum but did not pass the state’s standardized test. Hall referred both questions to his staff.
Hall said that he would be guided by five qualifying questions for each piece of legislation analyzed. He asks, 1) “Is it constitutional?”; 2) “Does it support a core function of government?”; 3) “Does it increase personal liberty, free enterprise, personal responsibility, or property rights?” 4) Will it decrease spending, taxes/fees governmental control, regulations, or federal overreach?”; and 5) “Is it right for a moral person?”
He addressed specific legislative pieces. Life After Roe (SCR 9) is a proposed constitutional amendment to give full constitutional protections of the right to life to the unborn under the Texas Constitution. Veteran Homestead Exemption (SB 97) would apply the homestead exemption to the disability application file date and create a remedy for the federal government’s multi-year veteran disability application wait times. Title Insurance (SB TBD) will completely regulate the title insurance industry, which includes setting a fixed price and fixed level of coverage. Intrastate Commerce (SB 92) will set regulatory certainty for businesses as they seek to expand throughout Texas. Red Light Camera Repeal (SB 88) would prohibit counties, municipalities, school districts, and state agencies from using or operating photographic traffic signal enforcement systems and prohibit the entities from issuing a civil or criminal charge based on evidence from such a system. The Civil Asset Forfeiture (SB TBD) would require that property cannot be forfeited without a criminal conviction.
He also addressed securing the Texas Electrical Grid (SB 83); Maintaining the Rule of Law on Texas Boarders (SB TBD); Self-Defense Security Zones (SB 86) providing immunity for business and property owners from civil liability if a carry license holder is injured on their property from gun-related violence; Election Integrity (SB TBD); Repeal Driver’s Responsibility Program (SB 90) which would repeal the program which prevents a person from having his or her driver’s license suspended for mere failure to pay a surcharge; and Transportation Expiring Revenue Enhancement Bill (SB 84) which would create a new financing mechanism for design-build highway projects by TxDOT providing an alternative source of financing to the construction of toll roads.
Hall’s senate committee assignments include: Vice Chair of the Border Security Sub-committee; Veterans Affairs and Military Installations; Transportation; Natural Resources and economic Development; and Agriculture Water, and Rural Affairs.
Property Hearing Tuesday Determines Fate of Seized Malnourished Cattle
A property hearing regarding approximately 45 head of malnourished cattle seized Monday by Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will be conducted in Hopkins County Justice of the Peace Court Tuesday, December 20th. The owner of the cattle seeks to retain custody of the animals. The owner stated that if he does not regain custody of the cattle, he will purchase 40 more cows and place them in the pasture, according to law enforcement officers with whom he spoke.
At this time no charges have been filed but, according to Coby Hume, Hopkins County Animal Cruelty Investigator, the case is being sent to the County Attorney’s Office. He stated that at this time the charges would only be a misdemeanor but a veterinarian with the SPCA was examining one or more of the approximate 10 dead animals at the scene to determine whether or not the cattle died of starvation, disease, or another cause. The findings of the veterinarian tests could result in criminal charges filed.
A call Monday morning alerted Hume to approximately 45 head of cattle that were malnourished in a pasture just south of the intersection of State Highway 19 and FM 71 in Birthright. Along with the malnourished cattle, approximately 10 head were found dead near a pool and two of the bovine bodies were in the pool on the property. According to Hume it seems the cattle had broken through a weak fence and torn down bales of hay to eat. That hay was trampled under their feet and ruined by their own waste.
On Monday, Hume contacted Art Muñoz with the SPCA who brought a team to take the cattle to a safe place with food, water, and veterinarian services. Justice of the Peace B. J. Teer had signed a warrant for the seizure of the cattle.
Tira News, December 16, 2016
by Jan Vaughn
Powell Vickery and Sherry Smiddy delivering canned goods to the Senior Center
Around 35 people gathered at the Tira Community Center on Friday night for the community Christmas party. We enjoyed a delicious meal and a wonderful time of visiting. Ally Massy and Emma Vickery provided special musical entertainment, and other children joined them in leading the group in a few Christmas songs. David Larkin, pastor of the Tira United Methodist Church, shared the Christmas story. The kids were thrilled to visit with Santa Claus and tell him their wish lists. Canned goods were collected for the Meal-a-Day program in Sulphur Springs. Tira mayor, Powell Vickery, and council member Sherry Smiddy, took the items to the Senior Center on Monday.
Yvonne Weir, Brenda Allen, Regina Taylor, Tiffany Vaughn, and I enjoyed a “girls get-away” on Friday and Saturday. In spite of the cold weather, we bundled up and enjoyed a tour of Dallas in an open electric cruiser. After the tour, we went to Grapevine and had a wonderful meal at P.F. Chang’s Asian restaurant, and then drove around and saw the beautiful lighted Christmas decorations all around the downtown area and the Gaylord Texan. We left Grapevine and went to North Richland Hills, where we spent the night at Comfort Suites and enjoyed soaking in the hot tub. Afterward, we played games (Catch Phrase and Tri-Bond). On Saturday, we shopped at Grapevine Mills mall, and then ate at Jason’s Deli before returning home.
Tira kids with Santa at the community Christmas party
Tonja Horn came for a quick weekend visit with her mother, Liz Steinsiek, in Sulphur Springs. She had planned to fly back to Chicago on Sunday, but flights were cancelled due to the snow storm there. Chip and I met them at Chili’s for lunch on Sunday.
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].
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
