Tira News
by Jan Vaughn
The Tira City Council will meet on Tuesday, June 7, at 6:00 p.m. at the Tira Community Center. During the meeting, they will look into filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Mayor Floyd Payton, along with conducting regular business. The public is always welcome and encouraged to attend.
Joyce Dodd was in Paris last Friday, to meet six of her former coworkers from Cooper ISD. They met at TaMolly’s for a late lunch, to celebrate the retirement of Carlene Wilkins. Those in attendance were Tricia LaRue, Tina Lien, Kaye Ingram, Bree Randall, Joyce Johnson, Joyce Dodd, and the guest of honor, Carlene. Joyce said, “We had a good lunch and a lot of fun catching up on old and new times and memories.”
Dakota Weir and two friends came for a visit with Robert and Yvonne on Saturday evening. Yvonne commented, “Dakota fixed steaks for us and we had a good visit. Dustin Weir took us out to lunch on Monday in Greenville. We were thankful for the cool weather as our air conditioning is out.” She adds, “I am retiring at the end of the week. It is exciting.”
Chip Vaughn was in Knoxville, Tennessee last week, with the Sulphur Springs Middle School Destination Imagination Technical Team. Chip and their teacher, Clay Hansford, were the team managers. The group had advanced from the Regional and State levels and were competing in the Global Finals. During the closing ceremony on Saturday night, they were announced as the first place team in their event!
North Hopkins ISD is offering no cost breakfast and lunch for children 18 years of age and under, Monday through Thursday, June 6th through July 5th, in the school cafeteria. Breakfast will be served from 7:30-8:00 and lunch will be served from 11:30-12:00.
The families of the late Bob and Myrtle Lawrence met at the Tira Community Center for their annual reunion on May 21st. Georgia reports, “We enjoyed being together for fun, family, and lots of food. There was too much, as always.” Constantine Markides and Jimmy Smith manned the grill, preparing burgers and hot dogs. They had all the trimmings, chips, and lots of desserts. Those attending included Danny and Judy Rawson, of Denton, Con, Michelle, and Sophie Markides, of Houston, Mark, Julie, and Darby Lawrence, of Grand Prairie, Joyce Johnson, of Mesquite, Jimmy and Helen Smith, Chrissty, Kyleigh, and Bryndal Williams and friend Kevin Beggs, of Greenville, Chandler & Blake Evans, of Tyler, Gene and Ida Bratcher, of Sulphur Springs, Troy and Georgia Smith and Mary Rawson, of Tira, and Valerie Sanderford, from Edinburg, and her daughters and granddaughter, January from Waco, and Stephanie and Kennedy from Keller. Georgia says, “Our calendars are marked for the same time in 2017.”
Floyd Payton has shown progress in his road to recovery and enjoyed visits from good neighbors in the community – Lewis and Mary Beth Moore; Tami and Madison Joslin brought a delicious apple pie; Georgia Smith. with her famous Hawaiian Delight Pineapple pie; and Ben Jennings dropped in for a visit. Martha says, “Good to see Kenny Crowson as he is trying to get hay cut through out the neighborhood. The rains don’t seem to cooperate very well this year, although we appreciate the rain after so many years of drought. The Dursts are good to keep check on us, also we always enjoy calls from our special lady of the neighborhood, Mrs. Mary Rawson. Our son Brad Payton came on Monday for a few days, plus we have visits from the healthcare nurse and therapist. We thank everyone for their prayers and concerns.”
Minnie (Hillis) Reagor reports that it time for the Hillis Family Reunion again. She says, “Hope you will join us, as we gather with kinfolk from near and far… close relatives and extended families! We hope we will see you at the reunion, Saturday & Sunday, June 18th & 19th, 2016. (Annually, the 3rd full weekend of June) Mark Your Calendars! Any Hillis Descendent from any branch is welcome! Our branch descends from Andrew “Jackson” Hillis (1815/17 – 1878) who married 1) Aliza Elizabeth Hawkins, and 2) Mary Ann Shelton, branching out from the Lauderdale Co, AL & Giles Co & Lawrence Co, TN regions…spreading out across various states.” Minnie would like to receive contact updates and/or updates to the family tree. For more information you can reach Minnie at [email protected]. Enter 2016 Hillis Reunion in the subject. Also you can contact her by mail at Minnie (Hillis) Reagor, 2016 Hillis Reunion, 339 Greathouse, Vidor, TX 77662 or find more information at the reunion webpage: https://www.facebook.com/hillisfamilyreunion .
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].
Miller Grove News
By Brandon Darrow
Thankfully, this week is a little slower than last. I believe that it is partly because school is now out for the summer and partly because of all of the rain we have received this week.
Graduation went smoothly on Friday, May 27. The commencement exercises were held at 7 pm in the new gym with a large crowd on hand. I believe there were 21 graduates this year. Colton McDonald gave the invocation and then Jasmin DelCastillo gave the salutatory address. Eden Godwin introduced the speaker for the night, Mrs. Marci Hayden (English teacher). This was Mrs. Hayden’s first time to speak in public and I believe she did a very good job. Gary Billingsley announced the scholarships that the students had received and also noted that Tiffany McManus had already graduated from Paris Junior College with an Associates Degree. Congratulations to her for her hard work over the years. Derek McCreight gave the valedictory address board president, Eric Mabe, handed out the diplomas to the graduates. After the slideshow Colton Seaney gave the benediction. Afterwards, friends and family congregated in groups visiting with their graduate and taking pictures. This night marked another successful year completed at “The Grove.”
This last Sunday, Amy (Poteet) Nelms sang a special at church (Brashear Baptist). She was visiting with her parents (Johnny & Donna) and sister (Angela). She did a great job!
Happy Birthday to Halston Potts & Shandell Sixberry on Jun. 6, Lisa (Renshaw) Oler & Austin Tipps on Jun. 8, Jamie Hayes on Jun. 9, Angie (Moore) Stanton on Jun. 10, and Joyce (May) Cox on Jun. 11.
Happy 57th Anniversary to Don and Jerri (Byrd) Petty on Jun. 5. Lynn and Linda Johnson will celebrate their 48th Anniversary on Jun. 7. Congratulations to both of these couples.
As you travel the highways and byways don’t forget that all roads lead back home and back to Miller Grove. Please send me any newsworthy information. My email address is [email protected].
Animals of the Week: Every Animal at the Shelter
by Steven Payne
Current Animal Shelter Facilities
As a result of having reached maximum capacity for both cats and dogs, the Sulphur Springs Animal Shelter has chosen to highlight every animal in the shelter in order to stimulate adoption rates and find homes for more animals. “We have limited space here, and we’re about to start using our outside kennels for holding, but we have to get shelters in them first,” Animal Shelter Officer Barbi Blanch said. “We’re hoping not to do that because putting them out there is the only way we can clean the kennels .”
The Shelter is currently housing over 46 animals — 15 cats and 31 dogs — either in the Shelter, with foster volunteers, or at local veterinarian clinics such as Bright Star vet clinic. In order to help attract more people to adopt, the Shelter has lowered adoption rates to $30 for a dog and $10 for a cat. “If the outdoor kennels fill up, then, unfortunately, we’ll have to pick and choose,” Officer Blanch said.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department has announced that the Animal Shelter does not investigate or respond to any calls from county residents regarding stray or wild animals. No other shelters in the surrounding area are able to help relocate any animals inorder to free up space for additional animals. “We’ve actually had another shelter call us because they were packed, and they’re nearly five times bigger than we are,” Officer Blanch said.
The Shelter Offices continue to reach out to other shelters and rescues for help. One female dog and her pups are set to be relocated to a nearby rescue once they have passed their Stray Hold time limit. The Shelter will be at Tractor Supply this weekend from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for their off-site adoption event.
Registration Underway for Summer Sessions at PJC-Sulphur Springs Campus
Justin Radney of Como, left, with the help of Academic/Financial Aid Advisor Carey Gable, registers for a summer class at the Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center. Radney is a student at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor and will be home for the summer, so he is taking the opportunity to get ahead in his education process. Registration for Summer I and Summer II semesters is underway. Summer I classes begin on June 6 and Summer II classes begin on July 13. For further information call 903-885-1232 or go by the campus at 1137 East Loop 301 in Sulphur Springs.
SSHS Coaches Offer Youth Sports Camps
Again this summer, the Sulphur Springs ISD will offer sports camps in baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, football and tennis.
Two camps will be offered next week. Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack will offer baseball hitting camps Monday through Wednesday mornings in the Multipurpose Building. One camp is for youngsters entering first through the third grades and there is another for children entering fourth through the ninth grades. Cost is $50 each.
Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo’s softball camps take place Tuesday through Thursday afternoons in the Multipurpose Building. One softball camp is for girls entering second through fifth grades and another for those entering sixth through the ninth grades. These camps also costs $50.
Lady Cats Basketball Coach Jeff Chapman is having girls basketball camp June 20-23, mornings in the high school gym. The camp is designed for girls entering fourth through the ninth grades. Cost of this camp is $40.
A combined boys and girls soccer camp is scheduled for June 27-30 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. each day in the Multipurpose Building. Wildcats Soccer Coach Nicky Wiggins and Lady Cats Soccer Coach Jesus DeLeon will be instructors. It’s designed for students entering kindergarten through twelfth grades. Cost of the camp is $55.
New Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Justin Maness, a former coach at Paris Junior College, will have his volleyball camps June 27-29 in the high school gym. One for entering fourth through seventh graders will take place mornings and one for entering eighth and ninth grade girls is scheduled for afternoons. Cost of each is $50.
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta will be offering three separate boys basketball camps July 11-14 in the high school gym. One camp for boys kindergarten through fifth grades is scheduled for mornings. Camps for those entering sixth through the eight grades and those entering the ninth grade will take place afternoons. Two of the camps costs $50 and the ninth grade camp is $35.
Wildcats Football Coach Greg Owens’ Wildcat Football Camp for boys entering third through the eight grades is scheduled July 26-28. The camp will take place mornings. Cost is $45. There will also be a separate Freshman Football camp July 26-28. It’s only for SSISD students and cost is $20.
Finally Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez will offer tennis camps July 25-29. One will be for students entering kindergarten through sixth grades and one is designed for students entering the seventh through the twelfth grades. Each costs $50.
Wildcats Athletic Director Greg Owens says camp forms are available on the SSISD website at www.ssisd.net. Campers can also be brought to camp sites on camp day to get signed up.
Ladies Love Taildraggers Fly-In is Saturday
The Ladies Love Taildraggers Fly-In is set for this weekend, rain or shine, June 3-5, 2016. Ladies Love Taildraggers is group of ladies who love to fly. Their mission is to introduce women to the world of aviation and have fun in the meantime. Early arrivals are set for Thursday, June 2nd. Arrivals are also expected throughout the day on Friday and Saturday. On Saturday, a Poker Run to benefit the Ladies Love Taildraggers Scholarship Fund will take place.
On their first stop they will land at Franklin County Airport in Mount Vernon, Texas, next at Mt. Pleasant Regional Airport, then Fox Stephens Field-Gilmer Municipal Airport in Gilmer; Home of the Flight of the Phoenix Museum. On their fourth stop they’ll fly into Gladewater Municipal Airport, then at Mineola-Wisener Field; Home of Royal Flying Circus Aviation Museum, and lastly return to the Sulphur Springs Municipal Airport. That evening, Ann Pellegreno will serve as a guest speaker. In 1967, Ann Pellegreno flew around the world in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of Amelia Earhart’s flight.
Last year, the Ladies scheduled the same event but it was cancelled due to tornadoes that had hit the area. Departures are set for Sunday, June 5th.
Agrilife: Preserving the Harvest
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]
Preserving the Harvest
With all the rain we have received lately, gardens are flourishing and produce is already being harvested! Our office has received some phone calls about home food preservation, and I wanted to share some basic information to get you started in the right direction.
Organisms that cause food spoilage – molds, yeasts, and bacteria – are present everywhere in the air, soil, and water. Enzymes that may cause undesirable changes in flavor, color and texture are present in raw fruits and vegetables. When fruits and vegetables are canned, they are heated hot enough and long enough in the jar to destroy organisms that can cause food-borne illness. This heating (or processing) also stops the action of enzymes that can spoil food quality.
Pressure canning is the only safe method of canning all vegetables (except tomatoes). Because fruits and tomatoes have a high acid content, processing can be done in a boiling water bath canner. Fruits can also be processed in a pressure canner, but it can take more time overall.
The Clostridium botulinum microorganism is the main reason pressure canning is necessary for vegetables. Though the bacterial cells are killed at boiling temperatures, the spores they form can withstand boiling. Jars of food are placed in a pressure canner which is heated to an internal temperature of at least 240°F. This temperature can be reached only in a pressure canner.
Boiling water bath canners are available in several types, but any big metal pot may be used if it is deep enough for the water to cover the jars by at least one inch and still have ample room for boiling (two to four inches above jar tops). The canner must have a tight-fitting cover and wire or flat metal rack with plenty of open spaces in it.
Canning jars should be free from nicks, cracks, or chips. Jars specifically designed for home canning are required. Commercial food jars such as mayonnaise or pickle jars break easily and may not seal. Use only half-pint, pint or quart sizes. Wash jars in hot, soapy water, rinse well, and keep hot until filled and placed in the canner.
Two-piece metal lids must be prepared for use. The flat lids can be used only once for sealing new products, but the ring bands can be reused as long as they are in good condition. Do not reuse lids from commercially canned foods for home canning.
When selecting produce for canning, select fresh, young, tender vegetables and fresh, firm fruits. The sooner you get them from the garden to the jar, the better. For ease of packing and even cooking, sort the vegetables and fruits by size and ripeness. Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly whether or not they will be peeled. (Dirt contains some of the bacteria hardest to kill.) Do not let fruits and vegetables soak; they may lose flavor and nutrients. Handle them gently to avoid bruising.
At this point, canning of fruits and vegetables differs, so if you need more information, our office has publications to guide you through each step of the way, including raw packs and hot packs, closing the jars, processing times, and testing the seal. As a special note, unsealed jars of food need to be treated as fresh. The food can be eaten immediately, refrigerated, frozen or reprocessed. If you reprocess the food, the whole processing time must be repeated.
Do not taste or use canned fruits or vegetables that show any signs of spoilage. A bulging lid or leaking jar is a sign of spoilage. When you open the jar, look for other signs such as spurting liquid, an off odor or mold. All spoiled canned foods should be discarded.
Our office has publications on canning vegetables, canning fruits, and jams & jellies. These are free, and each publication offers a wealth of information!
Hopkins County Dairy Festival
This annual event will kick off with a ribbon cutting on the downtown square at noon on Friday, June 10. That evening, the Dairy-Airs Hot Air Balloon Festival will take place, along with the 5-K Milk Run. More hot air balloons, Dairy Show, Parade, Dairy Festival Queen contestant cow milking contest, and ice cream freeze-off will take place on Saturday, June 11. Be sure to join the festivities! Additional activities will take place throughout the week, ending on Saturday, June 18 with the Dairy Festival Queen’s pageant – “Dance to the Moosic”. Tickets may be purchased from any of the contestants, or at the door. Watch for more information in the coming days.
4-H Members Prepare for Exchange Trip to Virginia
Hopkins County 4-H’ers have been in the news a lot lately! We have some outstanding 4-H’ers, so we are proud to be sending a group of members and chaperones to Smyth County, Virginia for a 4-H Exchange Trip later this month. They will have a space at the Market on the Square, Saturday, June 11, to raise funds. Items available for sale will be neck wrap coolers, custom-made notepads, treats in a mug, body scrubs, framed t-shirt art, raffle for a hand-crafted quilt, and more. Be sure to look for the green and white table cloths! That’s where you will find their friendly faces.
Closing Thought
When you feel exhausted and overwhelmed by life, find a quiet place, inhale deeply, and take refuge in the Lord! – anonymous
Dumpster Dive Leads to Arrest
June 2, 2016 – While going through dumpsters behind a closed business on Gilmer Street Thursday morning, June 2, at 12:43 a.m., Sharon Ann Ball, 67, met Sulphur Springs Police Department Special Crimes Unit Investigator Harold McClure. The result of the meeting was a charge for possession of a controlled substance (Methamphetamine) over 4-grams and less than 200-grams, a Felony 2.
Sharon Ann Ball
In light of the suspicious activity, McClure gained consent to look through Ball’s purse and her belongings. There she was found to be in possession of two tablets that were identified as dangerous drugs. At that time, she also gave consent for investigators to search her Beasley Street residence. When at her residence, Ball went to her bedroom where she attempted to hide a white money bag from investigators. The bag contained 6.2 grams of suspected methamphetamine.
Ball is in Hopkins County Jail held on a $20,000 bond. In April of this year, she violated probation for manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance under 28-grams (methamphetamine) and served one month in the local jail.
Floods and Wildlife: Catching Snakes
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
by Mario Villarino
During severe days of rain, the accumulation of water in the ground creates a problem to native and non-native plants and animals in our county. Because a high percentage (depending on the size of the component of the soil) of the soil is air, when air gets displaced by water plants can get water logged and animal dens can get flooded too.
A common unwanted visitor to higher areas of you properties can be snakes among others. We at the Hopkins County Extension Office have received several calls of residents needing to displace or identify snakes found around homes and barns. It is important to be cautions when approaching snakes, since even non-toxic species can be aggressive and inflict damage due to bites. Their damage is more severe in venomous snakes and potentially fatal. Do not let children neither pets wonder near wood stacks nor buildings before checking for snakes. Depending of the type of snake, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recommends using rodent control glue boards since those are effective for catching snakes that have taken up residence inside a building. The glue board is coated with a sticky substance on one side; this causes the snake to become stuck as it attempts to cross the board. Several rodent glue traps can be attached to a plywood board approximately 24 inches by 16 inches. The trap should then be placed near the wall where snakes travel. Captured snakes can be released or destroyed (if legal). Glue boards are available at feed stores, hardware stores and/or grocery stores. Funnel traps also can be effective in capturing snakes. A funnel trap can be constructed by rolling a 3-foot by 4-foot piece of ¼-inch hardware cloth into a cylinder about 1 foot in diameter and 4 feet long. An entrance funnel is of the cylinder. The other end of the cylinder is closed with hardware cloth. The trap can then be placed next to a fence or building where snakes are likely to crawl. There are currently no toxicants or fumigants registered for the control of snakes.
Registered commercial repellents are available for some species of snakes and should be used according to the label. Where legal, snakes can be shot using either a rifle or shotgun. Since most of the snakes found in Texas are non-poisonous and cause little damage, they should not be indiscriminately killed. It is sometimes possible to remove snakes from a house or other building by placing piles of damp burlap bags in areas where the snakes have been seen or are likely to be. Snakes are attracted to damp, cool, dark places such as the burlap bags. The bags should be checked every few days for captured snakes. In rural areas, snake populations can be reduced by means of an organized den hunt. Hunts usually are held in early spring when snakes are about to emerge or have just emerged from their dens. Fall hunting can be conducted when snakes are gathering to hibernate. Many snakes in Texas are protected by state law, and indiscriminate killing or any other control is illegal. Before using any snake control measures or relocating captured snakes to another area, contact local representatives of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. For additional information contact the nearest office of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service–Wildlife Services.
Coming Up: A great opportunity for residents interested in learning basic skills in beef managements is scheduled for June 22, 2016 at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center starting at noon. The Beef Quality Assurance Training organized in collaboration of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Services, Texas Beef Council, Beef Check Off Program, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and NETBIO will serve a steak lunch and provide basic information in food safety, cattle and beef quality, environmental stewardship , animal handling and well being, proper injection techniques, vaccination and drug residue avoidance. Interested participants must RSVP by calling TSCRA at 800-242-7820 or the Hopkins County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office at 903-885-3443. There is no cost for the training for registration is needed to secure the meal.
