Chamber Connection: Stew Contest is October 22
Chamber Connection-September 8th
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time, of course. That’s been our motto around here lately! Planning a World Famous Stew Cook-off has many layers to it, but it certainly is fun! The time to enter your world famous stew is HERE!
Stew Cook-off updates:
The Chamber has already mailed out Stew Cook letters and Sponsor letters. If you have not received your letter, please call the Chamber at (903) 885-6515. If you would like to cook or sponsor a stew pot for the first time, please don’t hesitate. Give us a call and we will get you signed up!
Deadline to enter and KEEP YOUR STEW SITE from last year is Friday, September 16th. On Monday, September 19th, you may come by the Chamber and choose a new site based on availability. The 47th Annual Stew Cook-off is scheduled for Saturday, October 22nd, and that will be here before you know it!!
Meal-A-Day in Sulphur Springs is needing volunteers
Karon Weatherman, Program and Marketing Director for the Senior Citizen’s Center, is needing some volunteers for the Meal-A Day Program. She is currently needing Cook Helpers on Mondays and Thursdays. The cooks come in at 7:00 a.m. to start cooking. They will have the food ready to pack up by 9:30 a.m. for the drivers to pick up for delivery. Karon reported that the cook volunteers do NOT need to come up with recipes or be in charge of getting things done. She has HEAD cooks to do that part. She is looking for helpers that can stir, cut, chop, and pack. If you are interested in helping, please call Karon at (903) 885-1661.
Reed’s Auto Detail hosted their Ribbon Cutting Celebration on Wednesday, September 7th at noon
The Chamber welcomed a brand new business to Hopkins County this week. Reed’s Auto Detail hosted their ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, September 7th at noon. Reed’s is located at 200 Fuller Street, Suite A, in Sulphur Springs. Dylan Reed has been working toward this dream of his for many years; and family, friends, and Chamber members came out to support him. They are open for business, and appointments can be made by calling (903) 439-7664.
Fall Festival is selling tickets for the October 22nd Hometown Sounds Concert featuring Hannah Kirby
Tickets went on sale Thursday, September 1st for the Hannah Kirby and Mansion Family Hometown Sounds Concert on October 22nd. Tickets are on sale online at www.outhousetickets.com and cost $17.50 each. The concert will be held in the Civic Center Auditorium.
Careerify will host a ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, September 14th at noon
One of Hopkins County’s newest businesses will host its ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, September 14th at noon at the Chamber of Commerce. We are excited to welcome Careerify and learn about all the things they offer. Careerify is a company that helps individuals discover their career paths and locate internships. Please plans to meet to be there!
First United Methodist Church will host Divorce Care every Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Divorce Care continues every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. through September 13th in the administration building at First United Methodist Church. All who are dealing with separation or divorce are invited to attend.
Lone Star Quilt Guild currently selling raffle tickets for the 17th Annual Quilt Show
The Lone Star Quilt Guild is currently selling raffle tickets for the 2016 Raffle Quilt called Autumn Stars. Autumn Stars was designed by Joy Gregory, made by guild members, and quilted by Debra Hager. Tickets are 1 for $1 or 6 for $5. The 17th Annual Quilt Show will be held September 16th and 17th at The ROC, First Baptist Church Outreach Center at 115 Putman Street in Sulphur Springs. We have tickets available here at the Chamber of Commerce, or you may purchase tickets from Quilt Guild members.
The Lights of Life Style Show is scheduled for Thursday, September 15th at 6:30 p.m.
The HC Health Care Foundation is hosting its annual Lights of Life Style Show on Thursday, September 15th at 6:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Entry fee is a $25 donation and there will be door prizes and a raffle. Dinner and Fashions will be provided by Lou Nells. For ticket information contact the Foundation office at (903)438-4799 or Lou Nell’s at (903)885-0664.
The Fall Festival Carnival will be in town September 14th through the 17th
There has been a change this year regarding the Fall Festival Carnival. The carnival will be in town for SSHS’s Homecoming weekend! The carnival will be located in the Sulphur Springs High School parking lot and will begin on Wednesday, September 14th and go through Saturday evening, September 17th. Tickets are for sale at all Super Handy stores and Sulphur Springs Dodge.
Ribbon Cutting for Access Physicians on Tuesday, September 20th at 5 p.m.
Access Physicians Multispecialty Clinic of Sulphur Springs will be hosting their ribbon cutting celebration on Tuesday, September 20th at 5 p.m. They are located at 107 Medical Circle. Access Physicians Multispecialty Clinic serves the traditional brick-and-mortar clinic with telemedicine, connecting rural patients and staff to urban specialties. They provide Pulmonology, Endocrinology, Neurology, and Psychiatry services.
Yesterday Once More will host a ribbon cutting celebration on Thursday, September 22nd at noon
Yesterday Once More is a new retail store located downtown at 211 ½ Main Street in Sulphur Springs. They specialize in vintage home décor and accessories. Please join us as we welcome Yesterday Once More to Hopkins County!
Workforce Solutions will host its annual LEAP Conference on September 23rd from 9 a.m. to 12 noon
Workforce Solutions of Northeast Texas is hosting its annual LEAP (Learning Endorsements and Professions) Youth Expo on Friday, September 23rd. This event is very much like a job fair except that it is geared to educate eighth graders and help guide them as they make their endorsement selections heading into high school. Workforce Solutions is seeking a wide variety of companies and businesses to attend the LEAP Youth Expo to describe your business and expose eighth graders to all career avenues after graduation. Since students now choose their high school endorsements while in eighth grade, the Expo is perfect for them. Please consider attending this Expo and taking visuals and information to give away. They will be so thankful to have you there! Please call Bart Spivy at (903)794-9490 ext. 513 with any questions.
Lights of Life 3rd Annual Half Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, October 1st from 7:30 a.m. to noon
The Lights of Life 3rd Annual Half Marathon benefitting the HC Health Care Foundation is scheduled for Saturday, October 1st from 7:30 a.m. to noon on Celebration Plaza. Registration fees are $75 for individuals (13.1 miles), $80 2 Person Partner Relay ($40 per participant, 6.5 miles each), and $100 for a 4 Person Team Relay ($25 per participant, 3.28 miles each). You may register online at www.getmeregistered.com/lightsoflifehalf or by dropping off an entry form at Fieldhouse Sports or the Health Care Foundation. Checks should be made out to the HC Foundation.
Welcome to the Chamber:
We are so excited to welcome P-31 Fitness owned by Krista Morrill to the Chamber. We are thankful you joined the Chamber family!
Celebration Plaza’s Yoga on the Square will be offered from 9 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Heritage Park is hosting “A Yard Sale with Friends at the Park” from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Celebration Market will be held on Celebration Plaza from 6-10 p.m. and Hannah Kirby and Kirby Brown will provide your entertainment starting at 6 p.m.
WannaGOFast Again??
The WannaGoFast folks are coming back to the long runway at the Sulphur Springs Airport on November 11th & 12th, 2016. This is the same wildly popular event that was held last year in November. As before, spectators will not have to buy tickets in advance and can buy a two-day discounted ticket at the gate or just choose a single day ticket. Last year, spectators on Saturday witnessed a Lamborghini Huracan race down the track in excess of 234 mph! Some of the same cars race on Sunday as well.
The driver’s registration for the event will be available on Friday, September 9th. The slots will sell out quickly, so use this link to be the first to race at top speed for a 1/2 mile down the airport runway. Driver’s Registration Link The registration should open by 8am on Friday, keep refreshing your screen on that page to open and register. These slots generally sell very quickly so be sure and sign up early. 
Two Arrested for Burglary of a Habitation as They Exited House
September 8, 2016 – Hopkins County Sheriff’s deputies arrested two women Wednesday night as they exited a residence they had entered through a back window. The owner of the residence called the county reporting someone in their house.
Misti Michelle Watson
When officers arrived they found a 2005 Chevrolet pickup parked behind the residence and the back window to the house open. Exiting the house were Misti Michelle Watson, 42, and Lillie Faye Thompson, 17 (no picture available at this time). Both women live in Hopkins County with a Sulphur Springs address. They admitted to going through property in the house. A small child with them was released to a parent.
Both Watson and Thompson were charged with Burglary of a Habitation with intent to take property and are in Hopkins County Jail on $20,000 bond each. Watson was arrested in September, 2015 on a burglary of a habitation charge.
Shadow Ranch 5K Ranch Obstacle Run Sept. 24
Want to visit Shadow Ranch? If you don’t know where it is, here’s some easy directions……from Sulphur Springs, travel Highway 11 East just past the Martin Springs area and watch for the right (south) turn onto CR 2321. Travel this county road for about a quarter of a mile and turn in left at the blue Shadow Ranch sign. You’ll follow a long curving drive back to the barn area.
Wildcats’ Football Prepares for Paris Speed
The Wildcats’ football staff is in agreement that Paris is a speedy team. At his weekly media gathering Wednesday morning, Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens mentioned the fast Paris team and emphasized their quarterback, a running back, a wide receiver and some talented guys on defense. He said their technique is not where it needs to be because it’s early in the season but he added their athleticism makes up for a lot of that.
Coach Owens estimated that Paris appears to run about 70% of the time on offense. He said the Paris quarterback is especially dangerous when the pocket breaks down and he scrambles.
Coach Owens said the Wildcats staff is busy working on team problem areas. That includes some inconsistency on offense, giving up big plays on defense and some times of loss of focus. He said it would be very important for the Wildcats to tackle well Friday night.
Coach Owens said Paris is still a rival of the Wildcats but he admitted it is not what is was when the teams were in the same district. That hasn’t been the case since 2007. Still the teams’ players are familiar with each other and they play each other a lot at sub-varsity levels.
Vocational Nursing Home Training at PJC-Sulphur Springs Campus
NURSING TRAINING Erica Green, center, and Casandra Richards, right, receive instructions from Instructor Kristi Shultz in their vocational nursing home training class. The vocational program is being conducted at the Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center campus.
Sulphur Springs City Manager’s September Report
marc maxwell
Tuesday night, September 6, City Manager Marc Maxwell reported to the city council:
STREETS, WATER AND SEWER – Water and sewer improvements on Bill Bradford Road are completed. Atmos completed the replacement of the gas main. The curb & gutter and street will be replaced next by a contractor.
DAVIS/TOMLINSON PARKING LOT – This project has been on hold for a couple of weeks while the Capital Construction crew has been working on the Jefferson Street parking lot.
JEFFERSON STREET PARKING LOT – The concrete work on this parking lot is nearly completed. We will do the landscaping around the perimeter in October. The new lot will have 77 spaces. When the County opted into the Tax Increment Financing Reinvestment Zone #1 they committed to building the parking lot, and the City committed to beautification of the parking lot.
AIRPORT FUEL FARM – This project is completed. This project removed the underground AvGas and JetA fuel tanks and replaced them with above ground tanks and associated pumps and controls. The total project cost is about $630,000. The original engineering estimate was $1.2 million. By breaking the bid up into its component parts and acting as prime contractor, we were able to cut the cost in half.
CLAIMS – No liability claims were filed in August. One minor workers’ compensation claim was filed in August.
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT – Total suspended solids (TSS) came in at .91 mg/L, well within the limit of 10 mg/L.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES – Finance Director Peter Karstens will present a year-to-date summary of revenues and expenditures.
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Installed lighting at the Jefferson Street parking lot.
- Made electrical repairs at Pacific Park splash pad.
- Cleaned multiple a/c units at city buildings.
- Performed preventative maintenance on several items at the wastewater treatment plant and water treatment plant.
- Repaired 16 water main ruptures.
- Replaced 26 water meters.
- Unstopped 12 sewer mains.
- Washed 75,000 feet of sewer mains.
- Flushed 36 dead end water mains.
- Switched to emergency power at Cooper Lake Pump Station while the North Texas Municipal Water District performed maintenance on their electrical switch gear.
- Treated 160 million gallons of potable water.
- Passed a TCEQ inspection of the wastewater treatment plant with no violations.
- Conducted 29 building inspections, 15 electrical inspections, 7 plumbing inspections, 1 mechanical inspection and issued 30 building permits.
- Responded to 222 calls for animal control and achieved an adoption rate of 26%.
- Made 6 felony arrests in the Special Crimes Unit.
- Responded to 42 accidents, made 62 arrests, wrote 588 traffic tickets and recorded 52 offences.
- Responded to 124 fire/rescue calls, including 5 structure fires.
- Conducted 56 fire inspections and wrote 56 pre fire plans.
- Checked out 3,006 items from the library.
- Sold 1,557 gallons of AvGas and 5,025 gallons of JetA fuel.
- Sprayed for army worms in all parks.
- Removed a dead tree at the skate park.
Community Outreach Lunch and Food Pantry Open September 10th, 2016
At the Church of Christ located on 154 MLK Jr. Dr. in Sulphur Springs, Texas a free lunch will be served on September 10th, 2016 from 11 am to 1 pm. The food pantry will also be open as well. The event is scheduled to reoccur on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Lunch Ministry and Food Pantry Coordinators are Brother Delante Jackson, Elder Danny Hynson, Elder Fred Weeks, Sister Sequita Mosley, Katie Robinson, Sister Bettye Harrison, and Sister Amanda Wilkins.
Lights of Life Half Marathon Registration Underway
The 2016-2017 Lights of Life Campaign is hosting the 3nd Annual Half Marathon benefiting the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation. The official US Track & Field Certified Half Marathon is the only half marathon in Hopkins County, and is scheduled for Saturday, October 1, 2016, 7:30a.m. – 12 noon. The course will be repeated twice and will start and finish on Celebration Plaza. “Our goal is to encourage out of town visitors to come to Sulphur Springs to enjoy our community and contribute to our hospital” said Meredith Caddell, Foundation Director.
“We encourage all levels of runners and/or walkers to participate. You do not have to be a marathon runner to participate. We encourage those who prefer the shorter distance as well! There are multiple ways to enter. An individual can enter for $75 to complete the entire 13.1 miles; a 2-man team registration fee is $80, ($40 a person) each running/walking 6.5 miles; and the 4-man relay team fee is $100, ($25 a person) with each running/walking 3.2 miles each,” stated marathon chair, Jessica Kultgen. “We want to encourage businesses to enter a team. They can wear their company t-shirts and show their company team spirit” she continued.
This is a race chip timed event and runners have been registering at Field House Sports or online through the website, www.getmeregistered.com/lightsoflifehalf. Each participant will receive a race tech t-shirt, guaranteed if they register by September 9th, along with a finisher medal. Awards will be offered for best overall individual times in all age categories, plus partner entry awards, and group entry awards.
Carriage House Manor & The Cottages, CHRISTUS Health and GSC, Inc. are our Galaxy Sponsors of the campaign this year. Access Physicians, Alliance Bank, Fidelity Express, Janet Martin Realty, Wesley House, Mt. Pleasant Running Co. & Snap Fitness have joined in as Endurance sponsors and many others have committed to be Sprint Sponsors of the run. We’ll have six water/aid stations along the route that not only encourage and cheer for the runners but they will offer energy snacks. Our water/aid stations sponsors include; 24 Hr. Gym, Wesley House Assisted Living, Sulphur Springs Health & Rehab, Thunder Country/The Way Radio Station, CHRISTUS Mother Frances SS Physical Therapy and First United Methodist Church.
“We’re excited because the community is really getting behind the third half marathon. The city and local law enforcement have done an exceptional job of accommodating the route and ensuring runner’s safety and of course CHRISTUS Mother Frances SS’s EMS team will be on hand in case there are any mishaps.” continued Kultgen.
ALL proceeds from the race will go to the Health Care Foundation to purchase an Anti-Gravity Treadmill that will aid people with lower extremity issues regain mobility and to purchase 2 Giraffe Omni Beds for the NICU so infants born at 32 weeks may stay here in our local hospital instead of being transported to Tyler or the Metroplex.
Registration is still available at Field House Sports or online at www.getmeregistered.com/lightsoflifehalf. Please call the Foundation office, 903-438-4799, for more information. We hope you, your company, community group or friends will join us as we continue our efforts to make a difference for our hospital and the community.
What’s Up with Texas A&M Agrilife Extension? By Johanna Hicks
What’s Up with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension?
School is back up and in full swing, so that means that 4-H is gearing up for the new year, as well. Our office has received several phone calls in the past few days, so I wanted to share the 4-H enrollment information again. The 4-H year is from September 1 to August 31, and we have lots of events and activities for youth coming up in the next few months. But first, here’s enrollment information:
1) Registration is accessible on the 4-H Connect on-line system at: http://texas.4honline.com. Existing members simply update information for the new year. New members will need to set up a family profile and follow the on-screen instructions.
2) The fee is $20, which covers the entire year, and allows members to participate in all 4-H activities. Fee goes up to $25 after October 31.
3) 4-H Clubs available for membership are: Arbala Harvest (meets 3rd Monday of each month at the Arbala Community Center, 6:00 p.m.); Dike (meets 1stSaturday of each month at the Dike Community Center, 10:00 a.m.); Infinity (meets 2nd Monday at the Extension Office, 6:00 p.m.); Miller Grove (meets 1stTuesday of each month at the Miller Grove School, 3:30 p.m.); and 4-H Paws (school-based club at Sulphur Springs Elementary School, 3rd Thursday of each month, 3:15 p.m.)
If you need assistance with registration, we have a computer set up in our office for enrollment purposes. We will be glad to assist you!
So, what events are coming soon for 4-H members and guests? A very popular project among Hopkins County 4-H’ers and statewide is the foods & nutrition project. I’ll be hosting “Spoonfuls” at the 4-H Foods Fun Day, Saturday, September 24, 1:00 p.m. at the Extension Office. I’m asking interested youth to please call our office to RSVP so adequate preparations can be made – 903-885-3443.
Here’s a list of other upcoming opportunities (both 4-H and non-4-H):
- National 4-H Week kick-off: Monday, October 3, 4:30 p.m., County Courthouse steps – join us for a proclamation reading by Judge Newsom! Everybody is invited to join us – not just 4-H families!
- County 4-H Council meeting: Monday, October 3, 5:30 p.m. (following 4-H week kick-off), Extension Office. We will be boxing up school supplies to send to Louisiana as a community service project, as well as discussing upcoming 4-H events.
- 4-H Project Show: 4-H members are encouraged to enter items for judging, October 3-6. They will be judged on October 7, and on display to the public at the Extension Office on October 10 and 11. (4-H’ers are encouraged to enter the same items in the upcoming Fall Festival Creative Arts Contest!)
- Ag-in-the-Classroom: if you have a student in 4th grade in Hopkins, Delta, Franklin, or Rains Counties, their schools have received an invitation to this popular annual event, October 4 and 5 at the Hopkins County Civic Center. Our Extension staff is looking forward to seeing approximately 1,000 4th graders and their teachers!
- “One Day 4-H”: Saturday, October 8. Our 4-H’ers will be traveling to Cooper Lake South Sulphur Unit to work on the butterfly garden that they prepared last year. Those wishing to carpool will meet at the Extension Office between 9:30 and 9:45 a.m. Interested 4-H’ers need to RSVP by September 20.
- Regional Childcare conference: Saturday, October 8, Hopkins County Civic Center. Our planning committee has some great speakers lined up. Daycare facilities, church childcare facilities, and home daycare facilities are welcome to attend. If you do not receive registration information, but would like to participate, please contact my office.
- Senior Citizen’s expo: Tuesday, October 11, League Street Church of Christ, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon – be sure to drop by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension exhibit!
- Homeowners’ Septic System Maintenance Training: Friday, October 14, Extension Office – call for times.
- Fall Festival Creative Arts entries accepted: Thursday, October 20, 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., and Friday, October 21, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., at the High School Conference Center. Or bring to the Extension Office Monday thru Wednesday, October 17 thru 19, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Items judged Friday, October 21 and on display to public that afternoon and until 1:30 on Saturday, October 22. Best of Show winner pictures will be made at 1:30 on Saturday. Items may be picked up between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
- Fall Festival Arts & Crafts Show: vendors move in Friday, October 21 at 7:30 a.m. and open to public from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm., and Saturday, October 22from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Walk & Talk series: selected dates in October, November, and ending December 6th, ECLC Parent Center, 8:30 a.m. Call Extension Office for details.
- Pesticide Applicator’s Training: Wednesday, November 2, Hopkins County Civic Center. Call Extension Office for details.
- Annual “Christmas Joys – Christmas Blessings” program: Monday, November 7, 1:30 p.m. repeated at 5:30 p.m., Southwest Dairy Museum. Must call Extension Office to reserve a seat! (1:30 session is almost full, so don’t delay!)
- Annual Extension Leadership Banquet: Thursday, November 10, 6:00 p.m., League Street Church of Christ. All Extension committees, Master Wellness volunteers, Youth Board, Leadership Advisory Board, and stakeholders are invited to attend. More information coming, but save the date!
Well, that’s all I have room to list for now, but as you can see, there is much going on with your Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service! Watch next week for information on an upcoming Regional EarthKind Living Conference, to take place in Sulphur Springs on November 18th. You don’t want to miss this!!
Closing Thought
“Stress does not build character, but it reveals character” – unknown
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]
