Chamber Connection – August 27, 2015 by Meredith Caddell
Chamber Connection August 27, 2015 by Meredith Caddell
Thank you to everyone who attended the ribbon cutting and grand opening for Red River Credit Union,
Guests for the ribbon cutting and grand opening of Red River Credit Union were greeted by the Board of Directors, CEO and other employees of the Credit Union. RRCU has been in business since 1943 and are excited to have a new location in Hopkins County. They currently have a loan office (providing a wide variety of loans) and they hope to expand to a full branch in the near future. Guests were also treated to a delicious cake, cookies, punch and nice giveaways! They are located at 1335 S. Broadway, Ste. 20, Sulphur Springs, For more information, please call Ryan Brook at 903-735-3164.
Red River Credit Union
Mark your calendars for the 46th Annual World Champion Hopkins County Stew Contest-Oct. 24th
Stew Cooks: Stew Packets went out this week, so please call us at the Chamber if you did not receive yours. The deadline to claim last year’s site is September 18th. All sites will be up for grabs, Monday, September 21st, so make sure to get your forms in ASAP!
Sponsors: Sponsor letters also were sent this week. There are tons of options to get your business’ name in front of the 7,000 people that attend the stew contest. If for some reason you haven’t received yours, please give us a call!
T-Shirt Designers: The Stew T-shirt Contest is BACK! If you would like to design a t-shirt for the stew contest, please have the design to the Chamber office by Friday, September 18th. We will begin voting for the winners some time the week of the 21st and will vote for 2 weeks! The winner of the stew t-shirt contest will win $100 and will also have the opportunity to be a stew judge (if desired). Please have your design in a format that is ready to print on a t-shirt.
Non-Profit Groups: The Stew Committee for the Chamber of Commerce has decided to offer a great opportunity for an organization looking to raise money. This year, we would like for a group or organization to take over the selling of drinks at the Stew Contest on October 24th. If your group would be interested, please call the Chamber by September 8th to let us know. The only way we could figure out a way to be fair, is to have a Blind Draw. All organizations will go into a drawing and the one that is drawn will be the one who sells drinks at the Stew Contest. There will be several requirements that must be met: 1) Must man 3 drink stations 2) Must have adequate volunteers to work Friday and Saturday 3) Must have t-shirts or some other “identifier” so visitors will recognize your group as the “drink sellers”. Group t-shirts will be fine. Once a group has sold drinks at the stew contest, they will not be eligible to sell them again the next year. If you have questions, please call the Chamber at 903-885-6515. Please note…NO others items may be sold on the stew grounds.
4th Annual Jace Jog, Saturday, August 29th, 5K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run, Coleman Park
5K Run Walk begins at 8:00 a.m.; $25.00 Entry Fee. Kids Fun Run at 7:30 a.m.; $5.00 Entry Fee (10 years and under will be held at Coleman Park (Soccer Field Side). Register at Anytime Fitness and online: rctregister.com.
TABC Certification Class, Monday, September 14th at the Country Club!
On September 14, 2015, Sulphur Springs Country Club is hosting a Texas Best Comic’s TABC Certification Class in our Ballroom. The class is open to any restaurant, bar, or business in town that would like to send their employees to get their TABC Certification. The cost is only $20/person. It will be held from 1:00pm until 3:00pm. For more information, please call 903.885.4748.
2015 Lights of Life Style Show, presented by Lou Nell’s & Ashley Larea, Thursday, Sept. 17th
Get your tickets now for the amazing Lights of Life Style Show that will be held Thursday, September 17th at First United Methodist Church at 6:30pm. It will be an amazing evening filled with a delicious dinner and the latest greatest in fashion from Lou Nell’s! With a special treat, Aslely Larea jewelry will also be accenting the beautiful clothing during the show! For more information, please call the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation at 903-438-4799. You may purchase tickets for just $25 at Lou Nell’s & The Chamber office!
Walk Like MADD Car & Bike Show, September 26th at Buford Park
If you have a car or bike that you would like to show off, then plan to register it for the Walk Like MADD Car & Bike Show, Saturday, September 26th. All Classes are welcome and the registration fee is only $25. The event is free to the public. They will open the gates for participants at 1:00 with judging taking place between 3:00 & 5:00. The winner will be announce at 5:30, with Glow presentation winner being announced at 8:00 pm. All proceeds benefit Hopkin County Walk Like MADD. For more information please contact Eddie Moon at [email protected] or call 903-534-6000.
Lights of Life Half Marathon-October 3rd benefitting the HC Health Care Foundation
Register before September 11th to guarantee a T-shirt for the Lights of Life Half Marathon! Registration is $75 for an individual entry, $80 for Partner Relay (2 person) or $100 for a Team Relay (4 person). You may register at Fieldhouse Sports or at www.rctregister.com. For more information please call 903-438-4799. Packet pickup will be Friday, October 2nd from 6-9pm at Celebration Plaza.
Adult Leadership Class Project…Beautiful Picnic Tables in the new pavilion!
The Leadership class of 2014-15 has the opportunity to assist in enhancing this area using a location that has been unused for years. The City of Sulphur Springs and the Adult Leadership Class of 2014-15 has partnered in the demolition of the old city pool and begun the construction of a large pavilion, available for public use, complete with brick fireplace/smoker and 24 picnic tables. We anticipate a great place for family reunions, class reunions, birthday parties or general meeting space!
The tables are a $1,000 donation for each picnic table personalized with your business, family name or loved one’s name with a maximum of 30 letters. Donations can be paid to the order of Sulphur Springs Leadership Class 2014-15 or Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. They will limit to the first 24 paid donations.
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
Hopkins County Hay Show: Samples taken Starting September 1, 2015
Quality of hay matters: Hopkins County Hay Show Samples taken Starting September 1, 2015
A forage analysis can determine the nutritive value and/or any potential toxicity of forage. With this information you can calculate whether or not you will need supplemental protein, energy or minerals. You must sample the hay correctly to get an accurate analysis, and each lot of hay should be sampled independently. For the purposes of hay sampling, a lot of hay refers to “all forage harvested and baled from one field at one harvest date and stored under similar conditions.” You should obtain one composite sample for each lot of hay by taking sub-samples from at least 10 percent of each lot’s bales. This composite sample will represent the nutritive value for that lot of hay.
Sampling bales: The ends and outer edges of bales are often weathered and decayed, so taking samples from these areas can understate the true nutritive value of the hay. The ideal way to sample hay is to use a bale probe, which removes a 1-inch-diameter core. On round bales, cores should be taken toward the center, midway up the side of the bale. Sampling near ends or bottoms of bales will not give you a representative sample. Remove the outer ½ inch of the bale surface so the sample will not be contaminated with dust or debris. Then drill or core 12 to 18 inches into the bale and carefully put the sample into a paper sack. Repeat this procedure on several other bales from the same field and harvest date. Mix the subsamples thoroughly and submit the composite sample to the laboratory along with the laboratory submittal form. You should collect one composite sample for every 25 to 30 bales from a given field and cutting. For very large lots of hay you should sample at least 10 percent of the baled hay.On square bales, take sample cores from the ends of bales toward the center. Remove the outer 1/2 inch of hay, then drill 12 to 18 inches into the bale. Carefully place the sample into a paper sack, and then sample six to eight other bales from the same field and cutting. Mix the samples thoroughly, label the composite sample, and submit it to the laboratory with the submittal form. Collect one composite sample for every 400 bales from a given field and cutting. Nutrient needs for grazing animals vary according to kind (cattle, sheep, goats, horses) and class (mature, dry pregnant, lactating, growing). Although minerals and vitamins are important to the overall health and performance of these animals, energy and crude protein are the most important components of forage nutrition. To promote science based estimation of hay quality, the Hopkins County Professional Ag Workers has planned the 2015 Hopkins County Hay Show. The show is organized so hay producers in Hopkins County can get hay samples tested for protein, phosphorous and potassium for free courtesy of the Northeast Texas Farmer’s Co-op (two samples per producer). Hay samples will also get evaluated based on physical properties. Top 10 hay samples will get sold during the Hay Show October 1, 2015 at 6:30 AM at the Professional Ag Workers Building located at 957 Connally Street in Sulphur Springs. Proceeds of the hay auction will support youth project and scholarships benefiting Hopkins County. For more information contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Mario Villarino DVM, Ph.D.
Hopkins County Extension Agent for Ag and NR
1200B Houston Street
Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482
903-885-3443
AUGUST RED RIVER FLOAT TRIP – AUGUST 27, 2015
1398 AUGUST RED RIVER FLOAT TRIP AUGUST 27, 2015
Last week I asked for information about Smoky, or Smokey, Road. Why was it given the name? It’s FM 2716 that cuts across from the Country Club Road, 1529, over to Highway 24. Up about Walker and Echols country. Thomas Peters said he thought it was because it used to be a lot of small farms up that road. Lots of little houses beside the road. They all burned firewood and therefore the road was very smoky. Judge Jason Murray reports seeing an old picture somewhere years ago of the road covered with smoke. This past week I got a letter from Elizabeth Echols and she sent some more information. Here is her letter as she sent it.
“A few years back at an event our family was attending, possibly the Enloe Homecoming, some people started talking about where the name came from. If memory serves me, I remember one fella saying it was named Smoky Road because of the smoke that billowed out from potbelly stoves of sharecroppers that that lived along that area.
Another point of interest about Smoky Road is the spelling. My grandparents had an entry way put up on their place 25 years ago that reads Smoky Road Ranch. My grandparents had a little bit of debate about the proper spelling of ‘smoky’, with my grandmother, Ruth Echols, winning out. I remember hearing a guy mention a couple of years ago that it was spelled wrong. I have always prided myself on being a pretty good speller and my grandmother wouldn’t have spelled it wrong, but I went to the dictionary to verify. As I thought, there is no E in the word, smoky, when referring to something to do with smoke/fire. The only references I have seen that refer to smokey with an E is if you are talking about a highway patrolman/ policeman, or smokey the bear. Not sure why they are spelled differently, maybe you can investigate that for another story.
Just wanted to share with you the little bit I had heard about Smoky Road. I’ll get ahold of my Aunt Linda sometime and see if she knows anymore.” Thanks Elizabeth for the information.
Return of the coatimundi. In 2010 Jean was coming home around the Charleston South Loop when she saw a strange creature. After she described it I told her it was either a ring tail cat or a coatimundi. After looking at pictures she said it was a coatimundi. About a week later she saw it again and got a lot better look at it. Dan Pickering and Tommy Anderson were working on our new house and Jean described the critter to them. Tommy said some exotic animals had recently escaped over in Hopkins County. This past week daughter in law Jinger was walking in the west end of Charleston at McGuyer Branch. A critter came out from under the bridge and she got a good, close look at it. From her description the coatimundi is still in our area. Watch for an animal with a long tail carried upright with a sharp curl at the top.
Years ago each August just before school started I would go on a last minute float trip. Sometimes by myself and sometimes others went along. Almost to the day, 27 years ago I made such a float trip. Let’s go back to 1988 and have a semi adventure. Monday, August 15, 1988. Left home about noon and crossed at Kensing Crossing. Through Cunningham and stopped to talk with Taylor Ladd who was sitting under a shade tree on his curve by his junkyard. Taylor told me about his grandson killing a wild hog with a bow. Cunningham store owner Johnny Musgrove said the hog was on his land and filed charges and took the hog. Taylor said Johnny was “cutting a big hog,” a saying I had never heard before referring to when somebody is trying to act big and show out. Leaving Taylor’s I drove on toward Clarksville then Dekalb where I was going to launch my boat.
Stopped in Clarksville to get gas at a station run by a man named Ballentine. Did his practice teaching at Sulphur Springs with Dan Pickering. Taught at Del City with Vincent Lum, brother of our county agent Eric Lum. On to Dekalb and stopped at a Phillips 66 station. Paid a high school senior five dollars to go to the river and help me launch my boat. Talked to Jack Duncan that had some cattle missing and thought they were bogged down in the river. Gave me his phone number and asked me to watch for them. On the river at 4:40. At 6:10 there was a four wheel drive John Deere near the edge of the bank. A fishing camp with live boxes to keep fish in. White jugs marking trotlines. By 6:30 at the north end of a long straight stretch. Big tires on the Oklahoma side used to try to slow erosion. 6:55 hundreds of bank swallows.7:07 a kingfisher just dived into the water after a fish. 7:09 a huge fish of some kind was laying just underneath the water and I scared it. Made a big splash. Had to weigh over fifty or sixty pounds. To be continued.
Things to consider: No one says “It’s only a game when their team is winning.” Some people spend money on beer and lottery tickets then complain about not feeling good and being broke. Why is it that most nudists are people you wouldn’t want to see naked anyway. Snowmen fall from Heaven—unassembled. I signed up for an exercise class and they told me to wear loose fitting clothes. If I had any loose fitting clothes I wouldn’t need an exercise class.
[email protected]
Animal of the Week: Sweetie the Chihuahua
Sweetie, a Chihuahua mix, is between two and three months old. She still has all of her baby teeth. She was surrendered by her previous owners to the Animal Shelter on August 21. Officers of the Shelter believe Sweetie is also mixed with Terrier. She is a very curious and adventurous animal, prone to exploring the Shelter whenever able.
“She gets along with pretty much everything,” Animal Shelter Officer Brandi Blanch said. “She’s very friendly, very loving, a cute little dog, and she’s available for adoption.”
Sweetie has not received any shots for rabies or worms nor has she been spayed due to her young age. The preferred age for an animal to be spayed or neutered is four months old at the least. She is scheduled to receive her first round of shots soon.
Recently, the Animal Shelter has had success in their number of animals adopted. Dallas Animal Shelters took on five animals from the Sulphur Springs Animal Shelter, all of which have been adopted there within the last week. Since starting their offsite adoptions in May, the Animal Shelter has had success adopting animals here in Sulphur Springs. Last week’s Animal of the Week, Peanut the Cat, has been adopted.
Enrollment at PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Begins
Registration for the Fall Semester at PJC-Sulphur Springs Center began Wednesday with the first class day set for Monday. Registration continues through Friday.
DaMarcus Johnson of Sulphur Springs, left, is preparing for the fall semester at Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center as he goes through registration this week. PJC volleyball coach and instructor Justin Maness is assisting Johnson with his schedule. Fall semester classes begin at the PJC-Sulphur Springs campus Monday.
Lady Cats Volleyball Wins On Road
The Lady Cats’ volleyball team went to a decisive fifth set to defeat Mt. Vernon on the road Tuesday night. The Lady Cats improved to 11-6 for the season. Lady Cats Volleyball Coach Allison Irvin said this is the first 5-set match of season and was an exhausting, stressful two hours long. Irvin said each of the matches were close with long rallies.
The Lady Cats won the first set and then in the second had a five point lead only to have the Lady Tigers score 10 unanswered points. The victory for the Lady Cats was called a team effort according to Irvin. Irvin commended specific point and kill leaders.
SSISD Students May Apply for Free or Reduced Meals.
Parents of children in Sulphur Springs ISD should be on the lookout for bright pink forms to fill out to sign kids up for free or reduced meals at school. The forms were sent home with children Tuesday. Rickie Elliott, Director of Child Nutrition with the SSISD, told KSST News that every child in the district received a form to take to parents. The forms are sent to principals in the district on Tuesday.
Households that wish to apply are asked to place student name or names, total household income, and number of people living in the household. One mailout has been sent out during the summer. A predetermined list of households, based on various state programs, received the mailout. Those students are already enrolled in the program.
When school ended last year, 62% of SSISD students were on the plan last year when school ended. Elliot said the SSISD numbers are lower than surrounding school districts. Students in the Early Childhood Learning Campus are already in the program for free lunch and breakfast. This is the second year for the ECLC to automatically be in the program.
County Firefighters Busy Tuesday
Firefighters from several communities joined forces to fight two structure fires Tuesday morning. The first fire was reported just after 6:45 a.m. Tuesday at a single wide mobile home located on County Road 1159 in the Arbala community. First arriving units reported seeing heavy smoke and fire venting through the roof of the home. A quick aggressive interior attack resulted in the fire being put out quickly. A Unit from County Central Fire Station was joined by trucks from Como, Arbala, Cumby and Miller Grove.
Just a few minutes later, firefighters were told of a structure fire reportedly caused by a lightning strike. Location of the fire was on County Road 1190. First arriving fire units reported light smoke coming out of the home. A quick attack of the fire reportedly saved the structure. Fire units responded from County Central Fire Station and from Arbala, Miller Grove, Brinker, Cumby and Como.
