SSISD Personnel Changes
A special meeting of the Sulphur Springs ISD school board was held on Friday, July 22, 2016.
Resignations
Lane Doughtie Math Teacher Middle School
New Personnel
Julianna Ramirez ESL/LPAC Facilitator Admin. Building
Karina Perez Title I Aide Travis Primary
Taryn Dungan Technology Aide SS Elementary
Bethany Markey Special Ed Aide SS Elementary
Matthew Miles SpEd Teacher SS Elementary
Cristina Munoz Bilingual Aide SS Elementary
Tiffany Walker Grade 3 Teacher SS Elementary
James Davis Science Teacher High School
Kaytlin Hodges Chemistry Teacher High School
Maci Newsom Government Teacher High School
SSISD
Sports Summer Camps Next Week
Sulphur Springs ISD is offering football and tennis camps next week. Each will have two different sessions daily based on this fall’s student grade level. Wildcat Football Coach Greg Owens will have football camp Tuesday through Thursday in the Multipurpose Building. Boys entering the third through the eighth grades will have camp each day from 8:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. Cost is $45. There will also be a camp for Sulphur Springs ISD boys entering the ninth grade each day from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Their cost is $20. Coach Owens promises fun to go with fundamentals. He says entering seventh and eighth graders will be focusing on either offensive or defensive positions while the entering third through sixth graders will learn both offense and defense. Coach Owens says the camp will teach the proper techniques for tackling, blocking, passing, catching and running routes. He says campers will be given things they can improve on at home.
Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez is having his summer tennis camp for girls and boys next week Monday until Friday at the high school tennis center. Camp for those entering kindergarten through the sixth grade will be from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. and a session for those entering the seventh through the twelfth grade takes place from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. daily. Cost is $50.
Camp forms are available at the school district web site at www.ssisd.net or campers may register at the camp sites next week.
Light Your World: Ladies Night of Worship
In the Sulphur Springs Auditorium at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center, a free ladies night of worship is set to take place on September 15th, 2016. Ladies of all ages from Northeast Texas are getting together for an evening of encouragement. The women of the Choral Society will be singing, Jennifer Kerby Riley will lead praise and worship with Marcie Owens. “In the middle of the night I woke up and knew the Lord was asking me to do this. He gave me the name, Light Your World, and a date. I reached out to a local group of ladies and things began to come together,” said Linda Meek. The goal of the night is for women to leave encouraged, refreshed, and ready to go. The free event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and conclude around 8:30 p.m. in the Sulphur Springs Auditorium.
The Great Barrier Reef
By Molly Clegg
The Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of Queensland in northeastern Australia, is the largest living thing on Earth, and even visible from outer space. The 2,300 km long ecosystem comprises thousands of reefs and hundreds of islands made of over 600 types of hard and soft coral. The breathtaking array of the marine creatures includes, 600 types of soft and hard corals, more than 100 species of jellyfish, 3000 varieties of mollusks, 500 species of worms, 1625 types of fish, 133 varieties of sharks and rays, and more than 30 species of whales and dolphins.
A visitor to the Great Barrier Reef can enjoy many experiences including snorkeling, scuba diving, aircraft or helicopter tours, glass-bottomed boat viewing, whale watching and swimming with dolphins. The Great Barrier Reef is famous for it’s great scuba diving locations. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef offers a range of diving experiences for both beginners and the experienced diving experts. Also to get a complete look at the Great Barrier Reef, you need to stop swimming, get out of the water, and go on a plane ride above the reef. And also the tourism part to the reef generates approximately $5-6 billion per year.
The Great Barrier Reef is beautiful all year round, and a great experience for people of all ages.
Minimal Damage in Apartment Fire
A skillet on a hot burner flamed up and created minimal damage at Brittany Square Apartments, 210 Duckworth Street in Sulphur Springs Thursday around 1:45 p.m. A plume of smoke could be seen puffing out of the apartment windows and doors. Sulphur Springs Firemen from Station 2 make quick work of the fire.
From the Convention Floor: Wisenbaker’s “Interesting Experience” Concludes
The final night of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland found the Texas Delegation seating changed and Hopkins County’s Donnie Wisenbaker found himself seated behind the Colorado delegation but with a better view of the speaker’s podium. The final night of the convention focused on the party’s nominee for President, Donald J. Trump.
Wisenbaker praised speeches made by Trump’s daughter as well as Trump. He stated that Trump had people on their feet with his populist speech. He noted that Trump and other speakers Thursday evening were seeking to secure the vote of women. “If he can accomplish 50% of what he says he wants, it will be wonderful for our nation.” He hopes Trump will stay on point and not allow distractions to defeat his message and campaign. Wisenbaker said that he hoped Trump would negotiate with countries that he says are cheating our nation. He said only one protester found their way inside the convention area but was soon dispatched by security. Outside the convention center, no protestors were to be found within two blocks of the arena.
Now that the convention has concluded and he is making his way home, Wisenbaker noted that he would love to go to the next national convention. He stated that with only three (3) delegates and (3) alternates from the area that might be difficult. He did say that if he returns he would be okay with being an alternate and allowing others the delegate privilege. He said that having be active in the precinct, county, state, and now national conventions, he has gained insight into the work of the political party. He noted that the state convention has far more floor fights than does the national convention. He stated that setting rules and determining platform priorities is more regulated at the national level thanks to those who meet before the convention to hash out differences.
Wisenbaker was perhaps one of the more interviewed media darlings of the Texas delegation. He was interviewed by national and regional news media and met many of the nationally known names in news reporting. He said the media tried to bring up Cruz to Texas delegation but that the delegation gave effort to keeping the party message a priority.
Wisenbaker summed up the week by saying, “It was an interesting experience.”
Tira News By Jan Vaughn
By Jan Vaughn
Applications for a place on the Tira City Council will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on August 22, 2016. For more information, please contact Jan Vaughn, Tira City Secretary, at 903-438-6688.
John and Stephanie Long of Alvin announce the birth of their son Quentin Michael on July 8th in Houston. Quentin weighed 8 pounds 11 ounces and was 21 and 1/2 inches long. He is the grandson of Tommy and Carolyn Long of North Hopkins, Irene Gaddis of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, and Mike Muma of Alvin. He is the great-grandson of the late Quentin and Altha Robinson of Plano and W. S. (Pete) and Ruth Long of North Hopkins.
Kim and Lee Beck traveled to Lubbock to the Woodrow House Bed & Breakfast for a wedding shower for son, Jackson Dailey and his fiancé Courtney Fleming. Kim shares, “They got lots of goodies and had some great family time together.”
Michael and Shelia Boyd took, Jeremy, Jessica, Derrick, Austin, Josie and Dallas to Millwood for a weekend camping trip. Shelia reports, “Patsy Powell (Mom) went too. We enjoyed breakfast together and watching the animals….including the alligators. We were blessed with seeing the twin fawns and mom coming to get them one morning. The kids went swimming and fishing. Wesley and Terri came down Saturday and a group of us went golfing. A good time was had by all.”
Yvonne Weir took Dustin and his dogs home last Wednesday. She picked up Dacy and Elise and after dropping Dustin off and they had a girls night out. They went to Pinkalicious at the Dallas Children’s theater. Yvonne comments, “I picked up Dacy’s dog to keep for a few days. We already had Destri’s 2 dogs, The kennel is closing this week!”
On Wednesday morning the Weirs went to the ROC for Wesley’s program for his summer school. Yvonne adds, “Wesley had bowling Saturday.”
Chip and I celebrated our anniversary with a weekend trip to Branson. We left on Thursday evening and drove to Conway, Arkansas, where we enjoyed a delicious meal at El Acapulco Mexican Restaurant. On Friday morning we drove into Branson, and then went to the Taylor Reed Magic Show. He had performed on America’s Got Talent. We have a tradition of eating barbecue at Shorty Small’s when in Branson, so we did that on Friday night, after spending some time at Branson Landing, browsing in the shops and strolling alongside the lake that afternoon. We went to the Wild World Aquarium & Zoo on Saturday and that night we enjoyed dinner and a show on the Showboat Branson Belle. We drove home on Sunday, by way of Eureka Springs, where we stopped and window-shopped for a little while.
Tiffany and Jaidyn Joslin returned from a weeklong mission trip to Montana on Saturday, where they served on an Indian reservation. They went with a group from the Abundant Life Church in Commerce. They did some sightseeing at the Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks on their return trip.
The 2016 Hillis Family Reunion was held June 18th and 19th at the Tira Community Center. Minnie (Hillis) Reagor reports that there were fewer in attendance than in past years, possibly due to illness, and other events going on at the same time. There were 69 in attendance including: Minnie (Hillis) Reagor, Rodney W. Johnson, Hayley Halbert, Michelle (Peterson) Reagor, and Ryan Reagor, all of Vidor; Calvin W. and Renee (Gooding) Hillis of Aransas Pass; Dorothy (Hillis) Shields of Lone Oak; Iva (Hillis) Haren, and Jessica Short, of Cooper; Norman E. and Desiree (Woodard) Kepner, Rogue A. Kepner, Madison, Silas, Paul R. Kepner III, all of Garland; Jennifer (Boulware) Ware, Alena Ware, and Brent Ware, all of Corsicana; Theresa (Marlow) McGregor, Justin McGregor, and Koda, all of Cookville; Jo, Mark, and Josh, of Longview; Cheryl (Wilson) Tillery, Jose Martinez, Dana Wilson-Martinez, Lana Wilson-Martinez, of Greenville; Al and Hillis Bass, Johney W. and Dorthy (Goodson) Hillis, Kimberly (Hillis) Willingham, Crystal (Crocker), Zoey Hutchison, Jackey L. and Vicki (Hillis) Ferrell, Kortni Ferrell, Kaden Ferrell, Alvin E. and Sarah (Daniels) Hillis, all of Sulphur Springs; Bennie E. and Diana (Davis) Hillis of Scurry; Fred and Lennie (Hillis) Sharrow, Paul R. Kepner IV and Jaime (Lifto) Kepner, Josh Lifto, and Lois Lifto, all of Rowlett; Dial D. and Ruby (Hillis) Atkins, of Lake Kiowa; Crystal (Beall) Chalk, Savannah Chalk, Rickie Chalk III, of Big Sandy; Casey (Beall) Jongsma, Emma Jongsma, and Ryan Jongsma, all of Winnsboro; David W. and Sherry (Keener) Marlow, of Naples; Jessica (Miranda) Marlow, Hannah Marlow, and Savannah Marlow, all of Winfield; Freddie L. and Neva (Hillis) Yarbrough, of Cedar Hill; Cynthia (Hopson) Sadler of Gladewater; Carla Miranda, Karen Miranda, Jeremy Miranda, all of Alexander, Arkansas. Minnie reports, “A survey was taken at this year’s reunion, in an attempt to decide whether to keep the 2-day reunion, or cut it back to 1 day. Only 13 persons actually participated in the survey – 7 preferred to keep the 2-day reunion, and 6 would prefer it to be cut back to 1 day. At this point, the 2-day reunion remains intact. The 2017 Hillis Family Reunion will be June 17th and 18th . Please mark your calendars!”
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].
Hopkins County Hay Show And August Garden List
Hopkins County Hay Show and August Garden list:
The temperature highest pick of the summer always brings a challenge to farmers and gardeners. Traditionally, July and August are among our hottest months and this year has not been an exception. For our hay producers, it will be important to evaluate their hay crop quality since our first cut might got watered down because the intensive rain earlier on the year. A good way to evaluate high density is to have the hay tested. As part of our Professional Ag Workers Hay Show, up to two samples of hay can be tested for free and entered into the hay show. Top ten hay samples will enter the competition with prices for top three ($100 for first, $75 for second and $50 for third). All entered samples will get hay tested courtesy of the Farmers-COOP. Entries can be submitted to the Hopkins County Extension Office from August 15 to September 15, 2016. For the gardener, here the check list for August from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension by Dr. Welch, horticultural specialist in Overton, Texas:
1. Trim off faded flowers on crape myrtles to encourage later re-bloom. The more modern hybrids of the old-fashioned Lagerstroemia indica and L. faureii have larger, more conspicuous panicles of flowers, but these often tend to turn to heavy seedpods which discourage reblooming later in the season. They can be cut off, if practical.
2. Evaluate the volume of water delivered from lawn sprinklers to ensure healthy, stress-free grass during the heat of the summer. One thorough watering which will deliver one inch of water at a time is better than several more shallow sessions. The amount of water available through flower bed sprinklers may be checked by placing several shallow pans among shrubs or flowers
3. Caladiums require plenty of water at this time of year if they are to remain lush and active until fall. Fertilize with 21-0-0 at the rate of one-third to one-half pound per 100 square feet of bed area, and water thoroughly.
4. Prune out dead or diseased wood from trees and shrubs. Hold off on major pruning from now until midwinter. Severe pruning at this time will only stimulate tender new growth prior to frost.
5. Sow seeds of snapdragons, dianthus, pansies, calendulas, and other cool-season flowers in flats, or in well-prepared areas of the garden, for planting outside during mid-to-late fall.
6.Plant bluebonnet and other spring wildflowers. They must germinate in late summer or early fall, develop good root systems, and be ready to grow in spring when the weather warms. Plant seed in well-prepared soil, one-half inch deep, and water thoroughly. Picking flowers frequently encourages most annuals and perennials to flower even more abundantly.
7. It is time to divide spring-flowering perennials, such as iris, Shasta daisy, oxeye, gaillardia, cannas, day lilies, violets, liriope, and ajuga.
8. Make your selections and place orders for spring-flowering bulbs now so that they will arrive in time for planting in October and November.
9.Don’t allow plants with green fruit or berries to suffer from lack of moisture.
10. A late-summer pruning of rosebushes can be beneficial. Prune out dead canes and any weak, brushy growth. Cut back tall, vigorous bushes to about 30 inches. After pruning, apply fertilizer, and water thoroughly. If a preventive disease-control program has been maintained, your rose bushes should be ready to provide an excellent crop of flowers this fall.
11. It is not too late to set out another planting of many warm-season annuals, such as marigolds, zinnias, and periwinkles. They will require extra attention for the first few weeks, but should provide you with color during late September, October, and November.
12. Establish a new compost pile to accommodate the fall leaf accumulation.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
New Main Street Addition: Lyndsay’s Plates + Provisions
Lyndsay’s Plates + Provisions puts a modern twist on pure, home-cooked food. They take their customers back to the basics with food that is made from scratch. Lyndsay’s believes that food should have intention, every ingredient taken into our bodies should be given thought. The vision of Lyndsay’s is to provide the convenience people need without losing nutrition in the meantime. On Monday, July 25th, 2016, Lynday’s Plates + Provisions kitchen will be open from 10 am to 3 pm, and the market side section will stay open until 6 pm. The market side section will provide box dinners with raw ingredients that customers can take home and prepare themselves. Each recipe is simple and may be prepared in 30 or so minutes. They are also looking into local farms to provide shelf space for local products. They provide a vast array of sandwiches, salads, pastries, and more all made from scratch.
Lyndsay’s Plates + Provisions is located at 313 Main Street.
