Too Much Emphasis on Winning and Losing at Jr. Fair Livestock Shows by Mario Villarino
February 8, 2024 – According to Nebraska Extension “It seems far too often we place too much emphasis on winning and losing at Jr. Fair livestock shows. Unfortunately, many times adults consider 4-H and FFA livestock projects a failure if their son or daughter does not win. If our only goal at a livestock show is to win, maybe we need to make some adjustments in our goals and in understanding the benefits our youth are gaining from livestock shows. Ideally, 4-H and FFA livestock projects should be a family affair. If the right percentages of time and energy are spent by youngsters and parents together, these projects can help our young people learn the basic life skills and eventually help them develop into better citizens. If the percentage gets out of hand, we see a group of spoiled kids who parents are sore if they don’t win, constantly criticizing the judge and trying any trick possible to win. Very few 4-H and FFA livestock projects are economically sound. However, neither are having children, paying for band lessons, taking them to summer recreation programs, buying them bicycles and paying for other youth activities. If a parent’s
goal is to invest in the future and to help their son or daughter develop as a person, learn responsibility, set goals and gain some knowledge about livestock production, then 4-H and FFA livestock projects are good investments. Most likely we will have livestock shows as long as there are youngsters who have parents and grandparents. However, let’s keep these shows in proper perspective. They are not beef shows, swine
shows and sheep shows but they are KIDS SHOWS! The animal is simply the ticket for the youngster to take part.
As we analyze all the new and innovative ideas, many of which are quite sound and very excellent methods, we find 4-H and FFA livestock projects are one of the oldest and greatest teaching tools that we have to teach youth life skills”. To promote the youth involvement in agriculture and livestock projects, the Northeast Texas Livestock Association (NETLA) will be hosting the 2024 Hopkins County Junior Market Livestock Show & Sale February 22-24, 2024 at the Regional Civic Center in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Come and support our young exhibitors during the event!. For more information on this contact NETLA, the Hopkins County Extension Office (903-885-3443) or your school FFA chapter.
Hopkins County Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting to be Held February 22: Notice Date Change for this Month’s Meeting
After 15 years of Family History research, Jim Thornhill embarked on a second career, applying his existing experience in research, critical thinking, writing and speaking to genealogy and started Heroes of the Past, a company that seeks to delight clients and tell them about the Heroes of their pasts.
He is a professional genealogist and the chief researcher for Heroes of the Past.
Jim is a graduate of the Gen Proof and ProGen professional genealogy course, TIGR (Texas and Advanced Southern Research) as well as attending countless live classes and virtual presentations. He is Past President of the Dallas Genealogical Society, an author for Stirpes, the Journal of the Texas State Genealogical Society, and has spoken for the National Genealogical Society, the Texas State Genealogical Society, and many local societies in North Texas. Jim is a native Texan who has been living in the Dallas area his entire life, and has roots in pre-civil war Texas and Mississippi.
Jim’s topic for this meeting will be “Migration Across the American South.” The program will be presented in person at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 22, 2024, (one week later than usual) at the Genealogy Library, 611 N. Davis St., Sulphur Spring, Texas. There will be handouts provided.
In addition, we will present the program via Zoom. The link to join the Zoom meeting is provided below:
When: Feb 22, 2024 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwpdeqrrT4jGdCqlSGd72-iC_G6rboCV8lx
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Those who register for the Zoom meeting will be emailed a copy of the hand-outs. We look forward to seeing you there.
Chamber Connection – February 7th
By Butch Burney
February 8, 2024 – Time is almost out to get your tickets for the 97th Annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet that will celebrate Hopkins County with a theme of “Sweethearts,” awards and dinner on Thursday, Feb. 15, at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.
At the banquet, we will recognize the people and businesses who make Hopkins County the best place to live and work. We will be giving out such awards as Citizen of the Year, Woman of the Year, Educators of the Year, Small and Large Business of the Year and others.
Social networking and a cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m., with food service at 6:30, and awards beginning at 7 p.m.
You can reserve your seat for $30 per person or get a table for 10 for $500. The tables include preferential seating and name displays, as well as video recognition at the banquet.
For more information, call the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or email [email protected].
Romantic Dinner
Celebrate your love with a romantic evening of dinner and music, hosted by Haystacks, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8. The reservation will include a three-course dinner for two with choice of entrée and includes dessert, a single rose for your sweetheart, live music produced by Mike and Enola’s Sentimental Journey with Friends and photos by Vosh Graphix. There is limited seating.
Cost is $150 per couple. Contact Haystacks to reserve a spot.
Joy of Hope
Joy of Hope, Inc., will have a Concert Fundraiser at 7 p.m. Friday. Feb. 16, at Central Baptist Church. Admission is $20 and proceeds go to Joy of Hope, Inc., which is a ministry to the blind, visually impaired, diabetics and others will skills needed to live independently.
In concert will be the Erwins and the DeVore Family.
Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast
Get your bacon on at the annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Hopkins County Civic Cener. Cost is $8 per person (children under 6 eat free). It includes all you can eat pancakes, sausage, bacon, coffee, milk and juice. The funds will benefit local charitable programs.
Dr. Michael Johnson on Stage
Community Players Inc. is proud to present an extraordinary evening of solo performance featuring acclaimed author and humorist, Dr. Michael Johnson, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10. With a career spanning over 20 years, Dr. Johnson has captivated audiences across America and Canada through his wit, humor, and wisdom.
No tickets are needed, but donations are accepted.
Directories
Work is finishing on the 2023 Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Directory. We distribute over 7,000 of these directories to visitors, relocation hopefuls, and even hometown heroes who are interested in learning more about our local businesses. They include historical information as well all things to the see and do in Hopkins County. The best part is, they include an alphabetical and categorical listing of your business.
LeeAnn Peugh, with Echo Publishing, is contacting businesses to see if you are interested in placing an ad in the directory.
The rates are affordable, and one of the best ways to represent your business. You may also contact the Chamber, and I will pass your information along to her.If your business wants to be in the directory, please make sure your membership is current. Only current members will be included in the directory. If you’re unsure, please contact the chamber at [email protected] or by calling 903-885-6515.
CHRISTUS Health Partners with Texas A&M in Sulphur Springs for Rural Medicine Program
February 8, 2024 – (SULPHUR SPRINGS, Texas) – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs is partnering with Texas A&M University School of Medicine on a rural health initiative that will expose medical students to practicing health care in rural areas and show them opportunities available.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for both our hospital and our community and when Texas A&M approached us, we jumped at the possibility,” said Paul Harvey, president, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. “For us to be able to bring in young, motivated students who have a desire work in rural areas is an opportunity we are excited about.”
The rural medicine program at Texas A&M began in 2019 to bring innovative health care to rural populations and to address the provider shortage in rural Texas.
CHRISTUS will work with Texas A&M to host medical students for one-week or two-week rotations in the hospital and clinics.
To date, 25 counties in Texas are part of the program. CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs will be the first in East Texas and joins CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital –Beeville as the second CHRISTUS hospital in the program.
Curtis Donaldson, director of rural medicine outreach at Texas A&M, anticipates the first medical students arriving in Sulphur Springs as early as April.
“Our program has been a tremendous success since we have launched it, and we have gotten great feedback from our medical students,” Donaldson said. “Our students are coming back and are telling us that rural health care is something they want to do and start addressing the shortage.”
The rural medicine program will also include local school districts to create awareness of health care opportunities in their local communities.
As part of the partnership with schools, students can attend a “Mini Med Camp” at the Texas A&M School of Medicine in College Station. This camp will further expose students to the needs of health care in rural Texas.
“Good health care is vital to ensuring the health of our communities and to control escalating health care costs” said Dr. John McDonald, chair of CHRISTUS Health Academic Institute. “We hope that this experience and partnership with Texas A&M will expose more students to the joys and rewards of living in a rural community and caring for the healthcare needs of the community.”
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Poverty Simulation Well Attended
February 8, 2024 – A poverty simulation hosted by the First United Methodist Church Sulphur Springs was well attended on Thursday. Community leaders, elected officials, local law enforcement and the public participated. The Gray’s Building in Pacific Park was chosen for the event.
The board game type activity provided education and learning and was created by Cultiv8Community, an organization based in Paris, Tx. Rev Dana Coker of Cultivat8Community was on hand to lead the event.
Senior Pastor Peter McNabb said, “We are hosting a board game, meal and discussion about the resources and gaps that we have in our community. We hope this leads to a fruitful discussion and positive changes. Your participation will be a great blessing to us and this community.”
For more details on the purpose of this event, see this post made in January of 2024.
AARP Tax-AIDE Officially Begins
February 7, 2024 – The AARP Tax-AIDE program officially saw their first clients of the 2023 tax season this week. This volunteer powered service is available to anyone regardless of age or residence. Volunteers from as far as Greenville traveled to the Sulphur Springs Public Library to help people file their Federal Income Tax.
They are not the only ones drawn to the Celebration City, clients are known to drive from as far as Paris, TX to get their paperwork in order.
The Covid pandemic forced several NE Texas Tax-AIDE centers to close. The Sulphur Springs location kept going through it all.
Library Director Hope Cain welcomes Tax-AIDE to the library each year. “It’s a good fit. While they get their return done, people can read a book or use the library’s other resources.”
Public libraries have long been a source of tax information. Even if you dont take part in the free return service, you can still get forms and other information at 611 N. Davis St. in Sulphur Springs, TX.
There are some tax returns that Tax-AIDE can not help with. But those situations are rare. Be sure to fill out your Tax-AIDE information packet before you arrive for your appointment.
If you would like to set an appointment with Tax-AIDE, follow this link. No walk-ins will be accepted.
Sulphur Springs High School Choir Took Students to UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest
February 6, 2024 – On Saturday, February 3, SSHS choir took 20 students to UIL Solo & Ensemble contest at Marshall High School. All 20 students received a medal for their hard work, preparation, and commitment to artistry. 16 of the 20 students qualified for Texas State Solo & Ensemble.
Solo & Ensemble is a time when I see a lot of musical and personal growth from the students. Very little time in class is spent on learning and preparing. The students have to be internally motivated to rehearse independently and responsible in scheduling times to work with me after school. They also learn to gracefully accept criticism and using feedback to fuel their performance. We’re lucky to have great accompanists working with us. Chad Houk, Mary Ellen Kirkland, and Melissa Bilyeu are crucial to helping our students succeed.
The following students received 1st division rating on their solo. marks state qualifiers Mika Boren
Ka’Lecia Christman
Adriana Espinoza*
Finn Friddle
Caitlin Foster*
Kaisy Garcia Hidalgo*
Mikel Godwin*
Katie Henderson*
Ben Lovelady*
Celeste McCoy*
Reese Offutt*
Mars Patterson*
Braylen Savage*
Xen Simmons*
Karisma Stegient*
Jaya Smith*
Jamie Tavera*
Jaiden Wade
Bailee Wilkerson
The following students qualified for TSSEC with their ensemble(s). marks more than one ensemble Mika Boren
Caitlin Foster
Mikel Godwin
Alan Guzman
Ben Lovelady
Celeste McCoy*
Reese Offutt*
Mars Patterson*
Xen Simmons
Jaya Smith
Beth Cole (she/her)
Sulphur Springs HS Choir
Region IV Vocal Chair
Prevent the Spread of Oak Wilt in Texas
February 6, 2024 – AUSTIN, Texas – While winter is the ideal time to prune trees, pruning after recent droughts and freezes may cause more damage than good this year.
“Pruning always adds stress to trees because it opens wounds that need to seal, so if a tree is already stressed, it’s best to avoid unnecessary pruning this year,” Demian Gomez, Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Forest Health Coordinator. “Especially avoid pruning for aesthetics and controlling growth if a tree is already showing signs of stress.”
For oak trees specifically, all wounding, including those produced by pruning, construction activities, livestock, land clearing, lawnmowers, string trimmers and storms should be painted over to produce a physical barrier and prevent the spread of oak wilt.
Oak wilt is one of the deadliest tree diseases in the United States, killing millions of trees across 76 counties of Texas.
Any new wound on oaks can be an entry point for infection. Small insects, called sap beetles, move spores of oak wilt fungus to new trees and are very active in late winter and early spring. Because of this, pruning or wounding trees should be avoided from February through June and no matter the time of year, all oak tree wounds should be painted immediately.
“Prevention is key to stopping the spread of oak wilt,” said Gomez. “With wounds being the best entry point for the pathogen, landowners should avoid pruning or wounding trees from February through June.”
Oak wilt is caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum. The fungus invades the xylem, the water-conducting vessels of the trees, and the tree responds by plugging the tissues, resulting in a lack of water to the leaves, slowly killing the infected tree.
All oaks are susceptible to oak wilt. Red oaks are the most susceptible and can die in as little as one month after being infected. Live oaks show intermediate susceptibility, whereas white oaks are the least susceptible, but they are not immune to infection.
Oak wilt can spread two ways – above ground by sap-feeding beetles or underground through connected roots.
The disease spreads above ground by sap beetles more rapidly in late winter and spring because of high fungal mat production and high insect populations. During this time, red oaks that died of the disease last year may produce spore mats under the bark. With a fruity smell, these mats attract small, sap-feeding beetles that can later fly to a fresh wound of any oak tree and infect it, starting a new oak wilt center.
The second way oak wilt can spread is underground by traveling through interconnected root systems from tree to tree. Oak wilt spreads an average of 75 feet per year by the root system. This occurs primarily in live oaks and is responsible for the majority of spread and tree deaths in Central Texas.
Oak wilt is often recognized in live oaks by yellow and brown veins showing in leaves of infected trees, known as veinal necrosis. This time of year, it may be difficult to diagnose oak wilt due to seasonal transitioning of oak leaves in the spring – when evergreen oak trees shed their old leaves while simultaneously growing new leaves. The signs of oak wilt can be seen on a majority of leaves when a tree is fully infected. Landowners should contact a certified arborist if they are unsure if their tree is infected.
“For red oaks particularly, one of the first symptoms of oak wilt is leaves turning red or brown during the summer,” said Gomez. “While red oaks play a key role in the establishment of new disease centers all oaks can move oak wilt through root grafts, particularly live oaks.”
To stop the spread of oak wilt through the root system, trenches can be placed around a group of trees, at least 100 feet away from the dripline of infected trees and at least four feet deep, or deeper, to sever all root connections. Another common management method for oak wilt is through fungicide injection. The injections only protect individual trees injected and best candidates for this treatment are healthy, non-symptomatic oaks adjacent to and up to 75 to 100 feet away from symptomatic trees.
Other ways to help prevent oak wilt include planting other tree species to create diversity in the area; avoiding moving firewood; and talking with neighbors about creating a community prevention plan for oak wilt. Infected red oaks that died should be cut down and burned, buried or chipped soon after discovery to prevent fungal mats that may form.
Not only is saving oak trees important for our ecosystem and health, but also for property values and community aesthetics. Loss of trees due to oak wilt can reduce property values by 15 to 20 percent.
Some cities and municipalities, including Austin, the City of Lakeway, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Round Rock, have oak wilt programs in place with municipal foresters dedicated to managing the disease. Texans can also contact their local Texas A&M Forest Service representative with any questions about this devastating disease.
For more information on oak wilt identification and management, visit https://texasoakwilt.org/ or Texas A&M Forest Service’s website at https://tfs.tamu.edu/.
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Free Mental Health App Available for A&M-Commerce Students
February 6, 2024 – COMMERCE, TX—Students at Texas A&M University-Commerce now have access to TELUS Health Student Support, a free and confidential mental healthcare app available to the more than 153,000 students in The Texas A&M University System.
“At A&M-Commerce, we are committed to eliminating barriers to student success,” said Jayson Douglas, executive director for Student Access and Success. “The TELUS Health Student Support app will make it easier for our students to take the first step toward positive mental health.”
TELUS, available for iOS or Android, is accessible any time students need it, wherever they are. Through the app, students can quickly connect with one of more than 1,500 licensed TELUS counselors via text or phone at no cost.
While the app is designed to offer immediate access and support when on-campus counseling services are unavailable, TELUS counselors encourage students to schedule appointments with the A&M-Commerce Counseling Center for continued care.
Other app features include an educational media library covering a variety of mental health-related topics, anonymous assessments for conditions like depression, anxiety, and drug use, and even access to guided meditations and fitness sessions.
The TELUS app can be installed and set up in just a few short steps, allowing students to connect with professional counselors whenever they want. Services are available in multiple languages, including Spanish, French, Mandarin and Cantonese. Other languages may be available by request. Students may even schedule repeat sessions with the same counselor as needed.
Adam Metts, interim director of the Counseling Center at A&M-Commerce, said the app is a welcome addition to services provided at the center.
“The need for mental health support has risen at a rapid pace over the past few years,” Metts said. “The Counseling Center has worked hard to meet those demands in flexible and creative ways. This app is a great addition to our service model and will enhance mental health services for all A&M-Commerce students.”
Judy Sackfield, vice president of Student Affairs and dean of students at A&M-Commerce, thanked Chancellor John Sharp and the A&M System Regents for investing in the new mental health care benefits.
“I’m thrilled that Chancellor Sharp and the Texas A&M System Regents are investing in TELUS Health Student Support for our students,” Sackfield said. “This innovative platform reflects our commitment to fostering a culture of well-being that ensures every student has access to the support they need when they need it.”
For more information about the TELUS Health Student Support app, contact the A&M-Commerce Counseling Center at 903.886.5145.
Extreme Environmental Conditions Make Texas Trees Susceptible to Secondary Stressors
February 5, 2024 – COLLEGE STATION, Texas—With three consecutive years of severe weather conditions throughout Texas, including extended hard freezes and droughts, East Texas trees have become vulnerable to secondary threats. These threats include cedar bark beetles, Ips engraver beetles, hypoxylon canker and cedar rust fungi.
Trees experience threats like insects and diseases regularly, and when a healthy tree encounters these stressors under positive conditions, they can show little to no reaction to the threat. However, environmental conditions such as droughts, extreme winter weather and new construction development can add primary stress to the trees. As the trees encounter prolonged stress under these factors, they become more susceptible to secondary threats.
Ben Plunkett, Texas A&M Forest Service District Forester, explained that many secondary factors, like insects and fungi, can almost always be found in forests throughout the state, but healthy trees are not as threatened by them and do not indicate an infection.
“We can relate these secondary factors of trees to human bacteria,” said Plunkett. “If we cultured every tissue on our body, we would probably find bacteria, but it will only turn ‘toxic’ under certain conditions. Trees respond similarly in that weakened trees will see an increase in reaction to the fungi and insects.”
Environmental conditions can affect trees for years and decades to come. For instance, Plunkett noted that the droughts of 2011 and 2015 are still oppressing the surviving trees today.
Allen Smith, Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Forest Health Coordinator, reiterated this sentiment. “The trees are under such severe stress that it takes one little additional factor like a cedar bark beetle to push the tree into mortality,” said Smith.
Common fungi spread among cedars in Texas are cedar rust fungi. Most commonly seen as cedar-apple rust or cedar-hawthorn rust, these fungi are not deadly but can cause irreversible damage. These fungi can cause leaf discoloration and “bleeding” cankers. Cedar-apple rust is recognized by its distinct reddish-brown galls around young branches and twigs that resemble the size of a golf ball.
Among the current most threatening fungi to weakened hardwood trees in East Texas is hypoxylon canker. Symptoms of hypoxylon canker can include browning of the leaves and sloughing of bark, which exposes a gray or black fungus on the sapwood of the stem or major limbs.
Threatening insects to weakened trees currently include Ips engraver beetles and cedar bark beetles. Symptoms of Ips engraver beetles occur in pine trees and include discolored crowns, dying branches and numerous white to reddish brown pitch tubes on the bark. Adult Ips beetles are cylindrical, measuring approximately 3/32” in length with a black to reddish brown color.
Symptoms of cedar bark beetles occur in cypress and juniper trees and include the discoloration and dropping of leaves; twig and branch decline; and small exit holes present on the bark of trunk or limbs which are sometimes accompanied by “sawdust” around the boring or tree. Adult cedar bark beetles are approximately the size of a grain of rice with cylindrical bodies and a reddish colored back.
In closing, Smith noted that many of the trees that appear to be dying may experience significant recovery this spring. The warmer, wetter and more stable weather conditions of the spring will take environmental stress off the trees, allowing them more strength and immunity toward secondary factors.
If Texas residents notice repeated or widespread tree abnormalities in their community, Texas A&M Forest Service local foresters are able to inspect and address specific concerns. Find your local forester here: https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/contactus/location-search/
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