Lock It or Lose It
The Sulphur Springs Police Department has one big tip for you that could help you from becoming a crime victim this holiday season, lock your vehicle. The police department has investigated numerous cases of auto break-in’s recently and in many cases they found that people had left their vehicles unlocked. Some thieves are said to walk along trying out vehicles’ doors until they find one unlocked, then they enter. In some cases, people also leave valuable items inside the vehicle. Thieves are often said to be looking for anything of value then they enter a vehicle
Sulphur Springs’ Senior Center Christmas Party
It was Christmas for senior adults at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center Friday. Those attending exchanged gifts, sang carols, and told Santa their Christmas list. Three tables of food prepared those attending for the ugly sweater contest, whose winners wish to remain nameless but won cash prizes.
North Hopkins Class to Monitor Cooper Lake Water Quality
Wednesday morning, a North Hopkins High School teacher and some of her students received funding for an environmental project. The funding from Collins Academy in Jefferson and from the Today Foundation totaled almost $1,500. North Hopkins Teacher Janis Thomas submitted a proposal to create an outdoor classroom and to do water monitoring at Cooper Lake. Last year Ms. Thomas’ students were a part of the Paddlefish Project as a satellite school. They named and tracked a paddlefish. This year the North Hopkins students will do hands-on environmental science through the Texas Stream Team, a project of Texas State University and the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. The North Hopkins students will take part in water quality monitoring on Cooper Lake with Texas Parks and Wildlife. In addition, students will create a schoolyard habitat to attract pollinators and will provide an outdoor classroom on campus.
Tira News By Jan Vaughn
Tira News
By Jan Vaughn
Martha Payton reports, “The Tira Methodist Church will have a Candlelight Christmas Eve Service on Dec. 24,Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend.”
Commander Michael Horn, U.S. Navy, ret., placing shoulder boards on Civil Air Patrol Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Morgan Joslin
Morgan with CDR Michael Horn, U.S. Navy, ret.
Morgan with LTC Phil Kost, U.S. Army and LTC Jane Smalley, CAP
Morgan Joslin was promoted to Cadet Lieutenant Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol and assumed the role of Squadron Cadet Commander. He also received the Ira C. Eaker award, which only 2% of cadets achieve in their career. He was blessed to have many family and friends in attendance to help celebrate the milestone at the annual Squadron Christmas Dinner and Change of Command ceremony, which was held at the League Street Church of Christ on Thursday, December 10th. Morgan’s cousin, Commander Michael Horn, U.S. Navy, retired, was there, from San Antonio, to place Morgan’s new shoulder boards, indicating his new rank.
Chip and I shopped in Tyler on Friday and Saturday. We stayed at the Lake o’ the Woods resort on Lake Palestine, and returned on Saturday evening for “A Holy Night” Christmas program at First Baptist Church. Our daughter, Tiffany, and her friend, Darris, met us there, and then we all went out for dinner at Chili’s afterward.
Yvonne Weir, Brenda Allen, and I met for dinner at Roma’s Italian Restaurant, in Sulphur Springs, on Sunday evening, prior to attending the Choral Society Celtic Christmas performance at the First Methodist Church.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas!
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
Miller Grove News
Christmas has slipped up on us once again this year. It seems like it is so long away in the summer months and then, all of a sudden, it’s time to put up the Christmas Tree and prepare for the holidays. I hope everyone will remember the true reason for the season, despite how commercial this very meaningful holiday has become. Each year I hear children and even some adults quoting what they want for Christmas in anticipation and for some reason it always makes me think of my grandparents. They would tell me what Christmas was like when they were growing up and how happy they were to receive the little bit each of them would get for Christmas. A typical Christmas in that day and time (1920s & 30s) would consist of one or two pieces of fruit, possibly one toy, a piece of candy, and maybe a new homemade clothes item (like a dress or shirt). They would always tell me how happy they were when Christmas would come around and they would make decorations for the tree they would cut down in a pasture. My, how things have changed over the last 80 or so years. The depression years would tough, but I think valuable lessons were learned and being wasteful was not an option.
On Sunday, Dec. 6, my uncle James Ragan was honored at our church. He decided to step down as being an active deacon. He had been a deacon of Brashear Baptist Church for many years and recognition was well deserved. Several people in the congregation stood and relayed a story or heartfelt “thank you” to James for his service to the church and the example he has set over the years. The church gave James a new Bible and gave he and my aunt Margaret tickets to see the Gaither Homecoming show when it comes to Texas in May. James’ daughter Sherry asked me to snap a few pictures that day while they were in front of the congregation and as I returned to my pew to be seated I looked over and noticed the new Bible the church gave James. His old Bible was there beside the new, tattered around the edges with creases and wrinkles in the leather cover – the spine being worn enough that it looked as if it were ready to crumble any minute. At that time I realized that we should all strive for our Bibles to look that way – worn from use. If you have had a Bible for years and it looks brand new then you should start using it more often (me included). It reminds me of an old song Kitty Wells used to sing called “Dust on the Bible”. If you get a chance to look it up on the Internet or elsewhere, take a few minutes to listen to the words; it has a good meaning.
Happy Birthday to the following: Juan Velasco & Teresa Burns Dec. 18; Larry Slatter on Dec. 19; Cathy Millard & Lavanna Wilcox on Dec. 20; Nathan George & Sandra Jones on Dec. 21; Monty Tips on Dec. 22; Beth (Millsap) Adams on Dec. 23; Bettie (Varnon) Garrett, Chet Ragan, Evelyn Echeverio & Vandie (Kerby) McCoy on Dec. 25; and Karyn Petty on Dec. 26.
Happy 7th Anniversary to Halston and Pamela Potts on Dec. 20.
Miller Grove School Board is still planning the early phases of the new elementary addition. The projected completion date is Sept. 2016. Within the next few weeks the campus will begin to change visually. The current portable buildings will be moved so that dirt work can begin and hopefully we will be off and running.
I hope everyone has a great Christmas celebrating Jesus’ birth and a Safe, Happy, and Healthy year in 2016.
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].
Christmas Gifts for County Meals on Wheels Recipients
Several months ago with the demise of Northeast Texas Opportunities or NETO, quite a few rural Hopkins County residents were left without their daily meals program. In stepped the Lamar County Human Resources Council. Their Meals on Wheels, which already served a portion of Hopkins County agreed to serve those in need. Thursday morning at the Hopkins County Fire Station, several firefighters helped load gifts for the county’s Meals on Wheels clients into the vehicles of drivers who deliver their meals. I talked with Bill Collins with the Lamar County Human Resources Council.
Hearts of Life Presents Chester the Cat for Adoption
Deborah Balkcom, a volunteer with Hearts of Life Animal Rescue, brought an adoptable pet to KSST Wednesday afternoon. Something was different this week however, as this week’s adoptable dog of the week turned out to be a cat. To adopt Chester the Cat, call Hearts of Life Animal Rescue at 903 439-5019. Hearts of Life will have adoptable pets at PetSense on South Broadwway, Saturday.
Animal of the Week: Gator
Gator is a male two month old Shepard mix. He was surrendered to the Animal Shelter when his owner could no longer care for him.
“The guy has saved several strays in his area and because he has been feeding them for some time, they are considered his dogs,” Animal Shelter Officer Barbi Blanch said. “He had to give up a few and [Gator] is one of the ones that we were able to save. He was getting overwhelmed with them and had a couple that were jumping the fence.”
Three dogs were surrendered by Gator’s former owner with two more to be surrendered after the beginning of the new year. Gator is a young and friendly pup with large paws that indicate he will grow into a large size. He will receive his first round of puppy shots tonight, December 17. He is still too young, however, to begin testing for heart worms.
“He’s a puppy so he seems to be pretty happy with everybody,” Officer Blanch said. “When you come towards him he gets kinda scared, but he’ll eventually come to you. He’s a cute little guy looking for a home for Christmas.”
Gator will be part of an off-site adoption this Saturday, December 19 at Tractor Supply from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This will be the last off-site adoption for two weeks because of the holidays. The Animal Shelter will also be open on the weekend from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“We’re trying to get them all out to be empty for the holiday,” Officer Blanch said. “And we still have several cats.”
Chamber Connection December 10, 2015 by Meredith Caddell
Chamber Connection
December 10, 2015 by Meredith Caddell
Attention All Chamber Members….Membership Directories are being prepared NOW!!!
Chamber Members, we are going to print a little earlier than normal for the 2016 Membership Directory. We are going to have it ready for distribution the first part of January, so we need you to do a few things…
- Please go to www.sulphursprings-tx.com and click on the membership directory. Please check to make sure that we have the correct information for your business. We have been trying to check and recheck it but I’m sure we have made some errors, but we want to fix them.
- If your membership investment is past due, payment arrangements need to be made prior to
December 11th.
- If you find information that needs to be corrected, please call the Chamber at 903-885-6515!
- If you want to place an ad in the directory, please contact Lee Ann Peugh at 903-885-8663.
Would you like to recognize an Outstanding Educator?
Here is your chance…this year the Chamber of Commerce Education Committee wants to allow all Hopkins County Citizens to nominate their candidates for “Outstanding Professional Educator” (Administrator, Counselor, Diagnostician, or Teacher) “Outstanding Para Professional Educator” (Secretary or Aide) and “Outstanding Auxiliary Educator” (Maintenance, Custodial, Transportation, Nurse or Cafeteria). We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to nominate that “special educator” that has had an impact in their lives. You may pick up a nomination form at the Chamber office at 300 Connally Street and then either fax, e-mail or mail it in, no later than December 31st! Our fax number is 903-885-6516, our e-mail address is [email protected] and our mailing address is P.O. Box 347, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483. Don’t miss this opportunity to recognize a special educator!
Nominations for Large and Small Business of the Year!
Please submit your nomination for Large Business of the Year or Small Business of the Year. Nominations should be for those businesses which exhibit outstanding community involvement—civic, church, educational, benevolent, humanitarian or other. You may pick up a nomination form at the Chamber office at 300 Connally Street and either fax, e-mail or mail it in, no later than December 31st! Our fax number is 903-885-6516, our e-mail address is [email protected] and our mailing address is P.O. Box 347, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483.
Additional Chamber of Commerce Banquet Nominations
Many other awards are presented at the Chamber of Commerce membership banquet (February 18, 2016). Aside from the awards mentioned above, nominations are also being accepted for:
Citizen of the Year—Echo Publishing Company—P.O. Box 598, SS, TX 75483
Woman of the Year—Beta Sigma Phi Organization—P.O. Box 72, SS, TX 75483
Caregiver of the Year—The Pilot Club—P.O. Box 145 Brashear, TX 75420
Community Pride Award—Adult Leadership Class—P.O. Box 347, SS, TX 75483
Agriculturist of the Year—Professional Ag Workers—c/o AgriLife Extenson, P.O. Box 518, SS TX 75483
Each of these nominations should be submitted in writing and mailed to the above mentioned address.
Business After Hours & Ribbon Cutting for Express Care, January 4th from 5:30-6:30
We are so excited to invite you to the Business After Hours and Ribbon Cutting for the new urgent care facility on the southside of town in the old Radio Shack Building, 1139 S. Broadway-Express Care! We will host their ribbon cutting at 5:30 and there will be lots of food and beverages. We hope to see you there!
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
DBA Rewards Christmas Light Contest Winners
The Downtown Business Alliance Christmas Lights contest winners received their prize checks Thursdayat 1:30 pm on Celebration Plaza in front of the Christmas tree. Presenting the awards were Pat Chase and Rita Edwards.
Commercial and Residential First Place Winners:
1. $500.00 Vickie Mathews
1. $500.00 Gourmet Kitchen &Company
Commercial and Residential:
2. $200.00 Judge Robert and Robbie Newsom
2. $200.00 Potato House3. $ 50.00
Commercial and Residential:
3. $ 50.00 Connally Street Gallery
3. $50.00 Dennis and Sharon Sink
