Miller Grove News by Brandon Darrow
I don’t know about you, but I have really enjoyed the spring-time weather we have been having. It feels nice to leave the house in the mornings and not have to put on a jacket. The days are getting longer and daylight savings time will be here next weekend – Sunday, March 13 to be exact. Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour on the night of Mar. 12.
Congratulations to all of the students who walked away making the sale at the local NETLA livestock show in Sulphur Springs. I hope I don’t leave anyone out but here is a list of our students who walked away with top-honors at the sale of champions: Cheyenne Gary (Grand Champion – Steer), Harli Watson (Grand Champion – Swine), Braxton Northcutt (Grand Champion – Poultry), David Winstead (Reserve Grand Champion – Swine), Parker Dyer (Reserve Grand Champion – Poultry), Shelby Lackey (Reserve Grand Champion Steer & Senior Showmanship), Hannah Caudle (Senior Showmanship – Swine), Haley Dyer (Intermediate Showmanship – Swine & Intermediate Poultry Showmanship) and Mika Gray (Junior Showmanship – Steer). From the looks of things I believe Brandon McClure (MGISD Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor) is doing a good job and has quite a few students interested in showing animals this year.
A Daddy Daughter Dance is scheduled to be hosted at the school again this year. The date will be Mar. 11. For more information you can contact the school at 903-459-3288.
MGISD Trustees approved the final floor plan and fixtures for the new elementary addition this past Monday night, Feb. 29. If rain will hold off hopefully Burnett Construction will be able to get started soon.
Those of you who like to compete in predator hunts be sure and mark your calendars for this year’s hunt that is being coordinated by the Miller Grove Volunteer Fire Department. The fundraiser hunt will be scheduled for the weekend of March 19-20. Fliers are being distributed now and the VFD is also selling raffle tickets on a .243 Savage AXISII XP. Tickets are $1 each and can be purchased from any of the volunteers. Even if you don’t like to hunt, please take the time to buy a raffle ticket. Our fire department always needs financial contributions to keep the doors open and in service for the community. As Doug Lewis said, “This is your fire department; we are just the care-takers.” And that is a very true statement. The volunteers have helped many in the community over the years.
Happy Birthday to Donna (Vititow) Mynatt on Mar. 7, Heath McCraw on Mar. 8, Tim Heijligers & Victoria (Edwards) Reeves on Mar. 10, Retha (Waskom) Heath on Mar. 11, and Lindsey (Watson) Cipoletta, Jordan Lennon & Johnny Ferguson on Mar. 12.
I am sending out a very special happy birthday wish to a young lady celebrating her 90th birthday – Mrs. Della (Wheat) Loane on Mar. 7. Della is a person that is full of life and truly loves everyone she meets. She has known me and my family for basically her whole life. When I see her I know I’m going to get a big hug and she will have some supportive and constructive things to say to me. Those little things mean a lot in a world full of negativity. This is something we can all take a lesson from. Della is a blessing to all who know her and is always a good Christian example for anyone. Happy Birthday Della and enjoy your special day!
Happy Anniversary to Heath and Sheena (Petty) McCraw on Mar. 9.
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].
Business History Month: Big Smith’s Bar-B-Q & Catfish
Big Smith’s is owned and operated by Steve and Donna Smith of Sulphur Springs, Texas. Steve and Donna have been married for 30 years. They have lived in Hopkins County for 27 years, raised their two sons there, and lovingly call it their home. Steve and Donna are very active with the Boy Scouts. They’ve been leaders for 16 years. The two believe very strongly in being positive role models and helping mold young men with high morals and positive outlooks on their futures.
Before Steve and Donna’s dream of owning a restaurant became a reality, Steve cooked for several events and was employed at a meat packing house while Donna was an FDA meat inspector. The two soon decided to let their dream take flight and rented a dairy barn on Highway 154, right outside of Sulphur Springs. They complied a menu of BBQ, brisket, hamburgers, ribs, sausage, ham, turkey, potato salad, beans, and french fries. About 6 to 8 months in the Smith’s hired their first employee and continued to grow. Big Smith’s resided in that same dairy barn for 24 years.
In 2014, the construction of the new building, located at 4858 TX-154 just outside of Sulphur Springs, was completed. The Smith’s wanted a quaint look to the outside of their building, but shot for a wow factor on the interior of their building. Everything used to decorate the interior is refurbished and reused. Along with the new kitchen came a new, expanded menu. Big Smith’s then began serving catfish, shrimp, steak, and many more side dishes.
On any given day, both Donna and Steve are present and working hard at their restaurant. They now employ 17 people who the Smith’s consider their family. Donna explained that she takes great pride in the people they employ and the work they do. “Most of the people we employ are young adults getting their education. We encourage our employees to go out and go to college, to make an honest living for themselves. It’s important to Steve and I to be able to take a step back on a really busy night and see our customers laughing, relaxing, and talking and us know that we played a part in providing them with great service, great food, and a place they feel comfortable. This is what makes owning a restaurant exciting,” said Donna Smith.
Delta County Fair Set for April
Delta County Fair is April 9th. Vendors and participants are needed according to representatives of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce–guests on KSST’S Morning Show.
Animal of the Week: Butch and Sundance
Butch and Sundance are two three-month old male puppies. Butch is a black pit bull mix while Sundance is a black Spaniard mix. Neither are siblings, but have been friends since arriving at the Animal Shelter.
“Sundance came first on February 9, and Butch came after that the next day,” Animal Shelter Officer Barbi Blanch said. “Butch came from the Lincoln Square Apartments, and Sundance came from the Spanish Villa Apartments. They became kennel mates because they were both male and about the same age.”
Neither puppy has been claimed, which means both are up for adoption. It was because of their almost immediate friendship that the Animal Shelter Officers chose to name them Butch and Sundance when trying to think of cute male names for the puppies.
“Butch is the more wilder one, but believe it or not, Sundance is the more aggressive one,” Officer Blanch said. “They don’t fight at all, but it’s always Sundance getting on Butch. I guess he’s telling him he’s had enough”
They have received their first round of puppy shots and are scheduled to receive the next round soon. Both puppies almost had an issue with Parvo, but were able to come out safe and healthy.
“Because of issues with Parvo, we keep them together and they’re doing good,” Officer Blanch said. “For a minute, we thought that Sundance might have issues, but we got them both vacinated and he’s fine now. He was under the weather for a day or two and now he’s bounced back.”
Both puppies will be at the off-site weekend this Saturday, March 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Shelter will not be open during the off site adoption.
Mount Vernon Music Presents High Fives!
What do you get when you add an extra viola to a string quartet? If they are playing Mozart’s Quintet in G minor K. 516, it could be a musical look at your own mortality, and glimpse of salvation, according to members of the Orchard Ensemble. The Ensemble will be performing the piece along with the Quintet in G major Op. 111 by Johannes Brahms Sunday, March 13th at 3 p.m. in Mount Vernon Music Hall.
The Orchard Ensemble includes Mark Miller and Elizabeth Elsner, violin; Ute Miller and Emily Williams, viola; and Sara Birnbaum Hood, cello.
The concert will begin with performances by winners of the Mount Vernon Music’s Betty Whitlock Scholarship awards.
Timmons Sentenced to Three Years in TDCJ
Wednesday afternoon, March 2, 2016, Brandon Ray Timmons, 21, was sentenced to three (3) years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice following his plea for unlicensed possession of a firearm by a felon. He had been indicted on that charge in September, 2015.
Timmons along with three others had been arrested December 30, 2015 in a drug bust for the Sulphur Springs Special Crimes Unit Wednesday night. At that time the weapon was found in Timmons possession. The four were arrested at that time for engaging in organized crime.
Timmons was a backseat passenger in a car where the driver sold some meth to a criminal investigator. In the car waws the weapon, some precription pills, and marijuana in addition to the meth sold. His parole was revoked and the new charges wre taken into account in the probation revocation.
Donation for Portrait for Volunteer Fire Department is Not a Scam
It’s not a scam. The North Hopkins Volunteer Fire Department is raising funds for a new brush truck using a donation for portrait of an individual, couple, or family.
Thursday morning a listener called KSST News to question if the fundraiser was legitimate. In a phone call to a member of the North Hopkins VFD leadership, KSST News was told that the department was indeed doing the fund raiser. The question raised in the caller’s mind was a statement made by the volunteer who approached them about the donation.
If you wish to assist the North Hopkins Volunteer Fire Department, contact any member of the department.
Business History Month: S & S Auto Glass
For Chad and Rowdy Sachs, replacing windshields is a daily routine at S & S Auto Glass, located at 837 FM 2297 (Arbala Road). S & S Auto Glass provides a variety of auto glass services including replacing windshields, door glasses, back glasses, and the parts that allow the windows to go up and down or lock the doors. They work on cars, trucks, vans, dozers, tractors, and some 18-wheelers.
Chad and his wife Sandy started their business ten years ago when the Gibbins family decided to retire and sell their auto glass business. Since the age of 15, Chad has worked in the auto industry either selling auto parts or working on automobiles.
After buying the business the Sachs family moved it to the current location, one mile south of the city limits sign on Arbala Road. From the beginning, Chad and his father, Billy Don Sachs, worked and installed glass. When Billy Don decided to retire, Chad’s son Rowdy took his grandfather’s place and currently works with his father daily installing glass and working on vehicles.
S & S Auto Glass is a family owned and operated business. The Sachs’ have two children; Rowdy and Ragan. Ragan is the Sachs’ daughter, she is a Junior at SSHS and helps out when she can. Sandy Sachs is the businesses secretary\bookkeeper and also works full time as an Internal Auditor at City National Bank.
S & S Auto Glass’s main goal is to provide the best service they can at a good price. They shop glass prices to get their customers the best deal possible. S & S doesn’t normally do mobile service. Most all jobs are done in their shop so the best quality of service can be provided for their customers. Over the last ten years S &S has been blessed to serve thousands of customers in the Sulphur Springs area.
For more information or directions to S & S Auto Glass visit www.ssauto-glass.com or call 903-885-5006 for an appointment.
Chamber Connection March 3rd, 2016 by Meredith Caddell
Chamber Connection
March 3rd, 2016 by Meredith Caddell
Attention all Bicyclists…Spring Fever Bike Rally will take place in SS, March 12h!
Mark your calendars NOW for the Spring Fever Bike Rally sponsored by the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. Bikers will have the opportunity to ride in one of 4 rides…10 miles, 27 miles, 37 miles or 60 miles. The ride will be through some of our beautiful East Texas communities on Saturday, March 12th! Registration forms are available NOW. The ride is only $30 if you register before March 4th and $35 after that. For more information, please call the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or you may register online at www.sulphursprings-tx.com/events.
Chamber Members…here is your chance to be a part of the Spring Fever Bike Rally!
All Chamber members…if you would like to get your business in front of the hundreds of people that will be in town, Saturday, March 12th for the Springs Fever Bike Rally…there are lots of opportunities! We give each rider a dri-fit t-shirt that you could have your business logo/name on. We have 10 rest stops along the ride…may your business would like to host one! So far…Muddy Jakes, Shannon Oaks and Juvenile Probation have agreed to host a rest stop…that means there are 7 more available! We have lunch on the square hosted by Alliance Bank. If your business would like to fix homemade desserts for the riders…they love those after a long ride! Lastly, we always give the riders a FABULOUS SWAG bag (bag with cool goodies in it), such as lip balm, sunscreen, first aid kits, sweat bands, etc. If you would like to put something in their bags, we will need approximately 250 by Wednesday, March 9th! Needless to say, we would LOVE for you to be involved in welcoming the cyclists to Sulphur Springs! If you want to help, please call Meredith at the Chamber at 903-885-6515.
Open House of the newly renovated City National Bank Mortgage office March 10th, 5-6pm
Please join us at City National Bank Mortgage Office, 1108 South Broadway, Thursday, March 10th from 5-6pm. Stop by on your way home from work and see their beautifully renovated Mortgage Department, enjoy delicious refreshments and door prize giveaways!
Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening for Jay Hodge Chevrolet, Thursday, March 17th at Noon
Please join us as we welcome Jay Hodge Chevrolet to Sulphur Springs and the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce! They will have their grand opening and ribbon cutting Thursday, March 17th at Noon! They are located at 478 Wildcat Way.
Caregiver Support Group at Rock Creek Health & Rehab, 4th Thursday of each month at 2:30pm
Are you caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, cancer or some other ailment or disability? Caregiving can be rewarding but it can also be mentally & physically exhausting, frustrating & overwhelming. As a caregiver, you are not alone. Rock Creek Health & Rehab Center is offering a Caregiver Support Group to provide you and your family emotional support, education and guidance. They will help participants develop methods and skills to solve problems with new intervention and interaction activities. The group also encourages caregivers to maintain their own personal, physical and emotional health, to optimally care for their loved ones. You are welcome to bring your loved one with you. The will enjoy participating in a fun activity with the certified Activity Director while you attend the support group. For more information, please contact Christine Jackson at 903-932-5823.
We would like to welcome Dragon Ranch to the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce!
Dragon Ranch is a unique gem which, after many years, is now available for private stays in country guest houses as well as events – from corporate retreats to ladies’ spa days or guys’ nights out to family reunions or weddings. The ranch is a preserve for nature features fish stocked ponds and lakes, modern art sculptures throughout the property, miles of hiking trails through woods, resident animals including Zig and Zig the zebras, and one of a kind architecture made of reclaimed materials.
Dragon Ranch is located just minutes off I30 between Greenville and Sulphur Springs TX, and only 1 hour from downtown Dallas. We will be hosting an open house & ribbon cutting on April 7th from 3-6 with the ribbon cutting at 5:00. Please visit this website to RSVP! You don’t want to miss it!
http://dragonranchopenhouse.eventbrite.com
We would like to welcome our newest members to the Chamber of Commerce:
Angler’s Pest & Termite Control
444 CR 1859
Yantis, TX 75497
Randy Bunch
903-383-2023
Pest Control
That’s all for now…have a GREAT week!
Meredith Caddell
President/CEO
Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce
300 Connally Street
Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
903-885-6515-office
903-885-6516-fax
www.sulphursprings-tx.com
Lewis Tatum Elected Sheriff; Excited About His New Challenges–Video Interview
He will change hats in January. Chief Criminal Investigator Lewis Tatum will become Sheriff of Hopkins County in January following his Republican Primary win. Tatum says the greatest challenge he faces is transitioning another into the Criminal Investigation Department. He said the department’s current staff will stay in place.
