PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Prepares for Fall Semester
To prepare for the fall semester, Paris Junior College-Sulphur Springs Center will be closed on Monday morning, August 24 for a meeting of all staff and faculty. Offices will reopen at 1 p.m.
Fall registration is already underway, and special on-campus registration day will be held at the PJC – Sulphur Springs Center on Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On Saturday August 29, all campus locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for more opportunities to register. Fall semester’s first day of class is Monday, Aug. 31. Late registration will be held Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.
For more information, call the PJC-Sulphur Springs campus at 903-885-1232.
Driver Needed for Meal-A-Day
Meal-A-Day is short one driver for Tuesday mornings. This will require about 1 hour of your time, from about 10:00 – 11:00.
No CDL required. Karon Weatherman heads up the local organization. Meal-a-Day feeds 140 to 180 people depending on the day and menu.
Call (903) 885-1661 or email at [email protected].
Dare to Dream Teaches Leadership Skills
Dare To Dream is the brainchild of Jeff Harris, who works with curriculum with the Sulphur Springs ISD. It utilizes high school seniors to teach leadership skills to incoming fifth graders at Douglas Intermediate School. At the Dare To Dream Camp this week, the incoming fifth graders at Douglas attending did some thinking about what they want to do when they grow up. Thursday morning, Jeff Harris helped some of the children who were willing to share their career goals with us.
Hopkins County Courthouse Anniversary Revives Story of Pete the Mule
On July 2, 1994, at what was then called Heritage Square, now called Celebration Plaza, Alma Ellison handed to KSST’s Bill Bradford a handwritten note that included a summary of a story told by her father, Paul Braden. At age 99, Mr. Braden had told how as a teenager he had watched the building of the Hopkins County Courthouse in 1895. Copies of the 1994 letter by Alma Ellison are now kept in Judge Newsome’s office in the courthouse.
Here is the contents of her note and the of the recorded transcription: “I am Alma Ellison and I live in Winnsboro. My father was Paul Braden who lived in Hopkins County most of his 103 years. He died in 1985 just a few days before his 104th birthday. He was born in 1881 and told me a story on tape on his 99th birthday about how he stood as a teenager across the (Sulphur Springs) square and watched as this beautiful old courthouse was built. When the groundwork was finished and the scaffolding couldn’t reach any higher, there were two (black) men who worked with a mule named Pete. The men put the sandstone blocks on a board and when they were ready to hoist the block, they would say “go up, Pete” and Pete would start walking out, and the ropes would raise the block up to the stone mason who had the mud on his trowel and was waiting for the block. old Pete would go out just far enough that the block would be set right down on the spot where the mason wanted it. I asked what command was given to the mule to have him back up. He said there was no command; old Pete just knew what to do. That routine was continued until every stone was in place. He, my dad, tired of talking to me on tape, and so he finished by saying ‘that is a good old courthouse and I want it to stay there’. Thanks to all of you for keeping in good repair this ‘beautiful old courthouse’.”
Local Artist Featured at National Ranching Heritage Center
![The Art of Edgar Sotelo4[6]](https://www.ksstradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/The-Art-of-Edgar-Sotelo46.png)
National Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock will feature Hopkins County artist Edgar Sotelo in a one man exhibit featuring 22 of his paintings Saturday, August 22. He will also participate in a meet-the-artis reception from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
Western artist Sotelo is a fourth generation artist who was born in Durango, Mexico. He came to the U.S. to attend Texas Tech University. He graduated in 1988, putting himself through school in part by selling pencil drawings to pay expenses. At the urging of his wife Michelle, Edgar began to experiment with oil painting in the early 1990’s, and later began to “go west” to ranches during spring and fall roundups, photographing and sketching scenes as reference materials for paintings.
His paintings of cattle, horses and working cowboys capture the “code of honor” of the American West. His many awards and recognitions also include realistic, vibrant depictions of scenes from “charreadas”, or Mexican rodeos. In 2014, Edgar was named Signature Artist at “America’s Horse in Art” at the American Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame in Lubbock. In 2015, he received the “distinguished alumni” award from Texas Tech University College of Animal and Food Science and was honored with a one man show at the National Ranching Heritage Center there. His work was also featured at the 2015 Cattleman’s Beef Association national convention.
Edgar and Michelle’s three artistic daughters attend school in Sulphur Springs and hope to follow in their father’s footsteps. The family also raises La Joya quarter horses on their home range in Hopkins County.
“Dan the Man” Adds Another Family Business In Downtown Sulphur Springs!
Dan Hamiter with daughter and grandson Lara and Matthew Colby
Local businessman Dan “the Man” Hamiter loves to make old things look like new. That’s one reason he’s undertaking restoration projects in downtown areas of Sulphur Springs.
His current Antique and Flea Market location is open in the restored location at 800 Jefferson Street. Also situated along the historic “Bankhead Highway” is a two story building at 123 Jefferson Street which Dan plans to make a “Pampering Studio”.
Another of his restoration projects is the old Hargrave Welding and Fabrication setting in the 600 block of Mulberry Street. It may eventually become a restaurant.
There’s also the “Celebration Antiques” site at 210 Connally Street which will offer fine antiques, collectibles, fun “gypsy” decor and more.
Dan’s daughter Lara Colby will be owner and operator of the new family business set to open this Fall in the downtown district. Dan Hamiter embraces a personal interest in preserving the rich heritage of our community. Following a long career with the Dallas Morning News, “retirement” brought hard-working Dan and Donna Hamiter back to his hometown of Sulphur Springs. His handshake and wide smile for everyone are his trademarks.
Chamber Connection – August 20, 2015 by Meredith Caddell
Chamber Connection August 20, 2015 by Meredith Caddell
We finally had a cooler day…our first indicator that Stew Fest is right around the corner!!!
The 46th Annual World Champion Hopkins County Stew Contest is coming soon…October 24th! All stew packets will be sent out Monday, so be checking the mail!!!
Sulphur Springs Boys Baseball Association Fall Ball Registration through August 22nd
Fall Baseball Registration for ages 3-15 is going on through Saturday, August 22nd. You may fill out a form online at www.ssbba.org, Fieldhouse Sports-101 Bill Bradford Road, Endless T-shirts-400 Main Street and Home Plate Family Style Restaurant-1505 Shannon Road East. For more information, please visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ssboysbaseball.
Bright Star Baseball Fall Ball Registration Going on NOW
The Bright Star Baseball League is for boys and girls with special needs, ages 5-18. Each player is assigned a buddy or two to assist them on and off the field. There is no cost to play, with games starting Monday nights from September 21st through October 26th. You may register online at www.brightstarbaseball.com.
Back to School Summer Bash, Friday, August 21st from 5-7 at Tropical Sno, hosted by The Way Radio
Its FREE!! Yes its FREE! The snow cones are on The Way Radio and Thunder Country this Friday from 5pm to 7pm at Tropical Sno at League and Main Street in Sulphur Springs. Did we mention that its FREE???? Bring the entire family for a free snow cone this Friday. Just tell them the password is…The Way.
Please join us for the ribbon cutting and grand opening for Red River Credit Union, 8/26 @ Noon
Please stop by on your lunch hour and join us for the ribbon cutting and grand opening of Red River Credit Union. They are located at 1335 S. Broadway, Ste. 20, Sulphur Springs, For more information, please call Ryan Brook at 903-735-3164
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. Early registration – July 15- August 14. T-shirts guaranteed for 5K early registration.
TABC Certification Class, Saturday, 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!
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.
Would your organization like to raise a little money?
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.
We would like to welcome the following members to the Chamber of Commerce:
Charles G. Oxford, 17 Jennifer Lane, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482, 903-439-1818, Individual
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
Animal of the Week: Peanut
Peanut is a domestic shorthair, the typical ally cat. Peanut is considered a brown-ticked tabbie, meaning each strand of hair has more than once color. She was found three weeks ago after she was left behind by her owners who moved away.
“A neighbor discovered her after they had moved out,” Animal Shelter Officer Brandi Blanch said. “They didn’t take the cat, and the next day she had kittens. The neighbor kept them until the kittens were old enough, got a home for the kittens and brought [Peanut] to us.”
Peanut was spayed a week after arriving at the Animal Shelter. The adoption fee is still $85, however, now anyone interested will no longer have to worry about having her spayed. She was spayed when it looked as if she might be pregnant again.
“We don’t have but four cat cages, and we don’t have the room or the time to care for them while they raise their babies,” Officer Blanch said.
Peanut does not enjoy staying in a cage. She tried to escape the cage as she was put back in, and she repeatedly reached out toward Officer Blanch with her paws throught the cage door.
“I don’t think she’s used to being in a small spot,” Officer Blanch said. “But she doesn’t have a choice here. We do let them walk around while we’re cleaning, but even then, that room is small.”
Peanut adjusted to life in the Shelter fairly well except for the cage, according to Officer Blanch. She reacts well around other cats, and even dogs. She is completely domesticated. Based on behavior traits, Peanut appears to be both an indoor and outdoor cat.
Like dogs, cats also get dewormed and rabbie shots at the Shelter. peanut has been involved in the past two off-site events at Tractor Supply. She will be in another on August 29, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
