Hay Show: Deadline Oct. 11 for Hay Samples from Hopkins, Rains County Forage Producers
To continue a long-standing Hopkins County agricultural tradition, the Hay Show will take place on October 21, 2021. According to Andy Wright, it will be held at the Hopkins County Civic Center starting about 11:30 a.m with a BBQ lunch. Winning hay samples will be auctioned and Hopkins and Rains County producers will be announced. The event is an annual project of the Soil and Water Conservation District. The event sponsors two Ag Student Scholarships each year.
One of the goals of the Hay Show is to provide agricultural producers an opportunity to test their forages and to gain knowledge from the results. Producers wishing to enter the Hay Show must take up to two samples of hay for testing by the deadline of October 11, 2021, to the Northeast Texas Farmers Co-op lab in Sulphur Springs, located across the street from the Co-op Farm and Ranch Center on North Jackson Street The Co-op testing lab will provide the testing again this year. Hay samples should be about a gallon or more, and can be brought in a feed sack. Hay samples will be tested then displayed at the Hay Show on October 21. Nutrition percentages determined by testing provide valuable information for farmers wishing to produce the best grade of forage for their livestock.
Another of the goals of the Hay Show is to show support for the agricultural interests of high school students of Hopkins and Rains counties. The Soil and Water Conservation District extends scholarships to qualifying high school students entering college to study agriculture sciences. Any high school senior in Hopkins or Rains County can apply. Entry in the Hay Show is not a requirement. Contact Andy Wright, your County Agent or phone the Hopkins and Rains County SWCD office at 903-885-4433 Ext. 3 for more details or for a Scholarship application.
No Excuses – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Health Ministry of Jesus Christ.
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Nothing will keep us from making your breast health a priority, whether you need a mammogram, help choosing the right physician or treatment plan, from chemotherapy to radiation to surgery. We provide safe, high-quality care in our brand new, state-of-the-art Ruth & Jack Gillis Women’s Center.
Schedule an appointment for your local 3D mammogram today by calling 903-438-4325.
COVID Testing
Do You Need a COVID test, but are unable to get in to see your provider for testing or an appointment?
- CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Primary Care in Sulphur Springs is now scheduling patients who are unable to schedule an office or urgent care visit for COVID testing.
- These appointments must be scheduled by calling 903-885-3181, then press option 0.
- We will open the schedule daily by 8:30 a.m. depending on staffing availability for the COVID drive-through.
- Current tentative available times from testing are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
- Patients will be instructed to come to the parking lot of 100 Church Street at their scheduled appointment time and remain in their vehicle. Someone will be out shortly to check them in and begin the appointment.
- Patients will be required to sign up for MyChart.
- Results of COVID testing will be available to patients via MyChart.
Thank you for your patience
With a spike in COVID-19 cases in Hopkins County, please expect “longer than usual” wait times in the Emergency Department. Rest assured we are doing everything we can to provide high quality care in a timely manner. Thank you in advance for allowing us to provide for your healthcare needs, while extending grace to our staff.
COVID Vaccine Clinics
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs will host a COVID Vaccine Clinic every Friday morning from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the main lobby of the hospital until further notice. The available vaccines include Moderna (2-doses, ages 18 and older) and Pfizer (2-doses, ages 12 and older). Appointments not required, but parent/guardian must accompany anyone 17 and younger.
The CDC recommends a booster for fully vaccinated people who received their second dose of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months ago, and for those 65-years of age and older, and/or immunocompromised. Right now, boosters are only recommended for patients who completed their Pfizer vaccine series and meet the current eligibility criteria. Updates on a Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster shot will be provided in the near future, as the CDC determines guidelines.
Missing COVID card?
Don’t worry – We manage your medical records if you had your vaccine administered at a CHRISTUS location. You may log in to your “MyChart” account to access the record. If you don’t have a MyChart account, you can call 903-885-3181 to get that setup. You will need a working email address. Or, you may contact Health Information Management. If you need medical records, please use one of the following options:
- Please call 903-439-4045 to speak to staff members who can send your records to care providers for you or to request your medical records. You will need to complete an authorization form, complete and return, along with a copy of your identification, to our office via fax or email. The fax number is 903-439-4704.
- We are available Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hospital Visitation
Please note the following guidelines:
- Visitors must acquire masks themselves prior to entering our facility; cloth masks are acceptable. Masks must cover both the nose and the mouth. Visitors must remain masked during their time in the hospital.
- Minor-aged visitors must be accompanied by an adult, be free of symptoms and able to comply with masking and hygiene expectations throughout the visit.
- Emergency Department entrance open 24/7
- Main Entrance open 5 a.m. to 5 p.m, Monday – Friday
- Gift Shop open
- Visiting hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Types of Visitors:
- COVID receiving aerosol treatments: via tele-visitation only;
- COVID not receiving aerosol treatments: 1 Essential support person for the duration of hospital stay – Essential support person will be given a visible wrist band for identification purposes;
- ICU/ER: 1 Essential support person only;
- All other patients may have 1 Essential support person and 1 visitor (up to 2 persons in room at a time)
- Types of Visitors:
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Urgent Care Hours of Operation
The CHRISTUS Urgent Care hours of operation are as follows:
- In-Person Care Hours
- Monday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, closed
- Wednesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Sunday, closed.
- Virtual Visit Hours
- Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- To schedule a virtual visit, please visit urgentcare.christushealth.org, then select your location and click “Virtual Visit”
The Urgent Care is located at 1339 South Broadway St., and the phone number to call is 903.951.1001.
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs; the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler; CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital, a partner of Encompass Health; Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-term acute care facility; and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic.
CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties.
For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
Cumby Man Allegedly Flipped Truck And Trailer, Got It Back On Road, Resumed Reckless Driving Before Felony DWI Arrest
A 69-year-old Cumby man allegedly flipped his truck and trailer, managed to flip the truck back over and resume driving recklessly before being arrested on a felony drunk driving charge Friday afternoon, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies received a complaint of a reckless driver on FM 2653 south at around 1:10 p.m. Oct. 1, 2021. A witness claimed the a white Chevrolet pickup was being driven all over the road, and at one point even flipped the truck and trailer it was pulling, but managed to turn the truck back over and kept driving, officers alleged in arrest reports. The truck was alleged to have then been driven recklessly to the point it almost collided with multiple vehicles head-on.
Cumby Police Officer Justin Talley responded and was able to intercept the truck on FM 2653 near County Road 1125. Talley reported the driver, identified in arrest reports as Wilburn Lewis Russell of Cumby, got out of the truck and refused to comply with simple commands from him. Talley detained Russell until HCSO Deputy Elijah Fite and Sgt. Todd Evans arrived.
Fite reported Russell exhibited 6 of 6 possible clues on horizontal gaze nystagmus tests, then refused to perform any further standard field sobriety tests. Russell was transported to the county jail for suspicion of DWI. After being read his rights, Russell refused to provide either a blood or breath test for analysis.
Consequently, deputies were able to secure a warrant signed by County Court At Law Judge Clay Harrison requiring Russell to submit to a blood draw for analysis. The blood sample was taken at CHRISTUS Mother Francis Hospital Sulphur Springs, then Russell was transported back to jail, where he was booked at 5:32 p.m. Oct. 1, 2021, for driving while intoxicated.
The charge was enhanced to a felony offense due to two prior DWI convictions on his records, according to arrest and jail reports. Jail records show Russell was jailed on June 3, 1974 and March 31, 2014, on DWI charges.
The 68-year-old Cumby man spent the night in Hopkins County jail Oct. 1 and was released the next day on a $10,000 bond on the felony DWI-third offense charge.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Man Arrested At Sheriff’s Office: Firearm and Controlled Substance Found In His Truck
A 28-year-old Sulphur Springs man caught officials’ attention when he arrived at Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office lobby Saturday morning because of a marijuana odor emitting from him, according to arrest reports.
Deputies reportedly contacted and escorted him to his truck, where his juvenile son was reported to be waiting. The son appeared to be upset. Deputies reported seeing an open container of alcohol in the console. A closer inspection peering into the driver’s side of the pickup revealed a clear bag containing a suspected controlled substance. Further search reportedly revealed a .22-caliber revolver inside a storage compartment under the console.
As a result K C Antwan Macon was arrested at 11:14 a.m. Oct. 2, 2021, in the sheriff’s office parking lot by Deputies Jason Lavender and Elijah Fite for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and endangering a child.
The 28-year-old Sulphur Springs man was released from the county jail Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, on a $10,000 bond on the firearm charge and $5,000 bonds on the two other charges.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
SSHS Wildcat Band Kicks Off Competition Season On High Note At Mesquite, Sunnyvale Marching Contests
The Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat Band kicked off the competition season on a high note Saturday at the Mesquite and Sunnyvale marching contests.
“This was the first time in many years the band attended two contests in one day,” SSISD Director of Bands Spencer Emmert noted.
The SSHS Wildcat Band did well on Oct. 2, 2021, earning first division ratings from all judges and receiving the Outstanding Music Award in Class 5A at the Mesquite Memorial Stadium early Saturday. The band also won Best in Class 5A, earned recognition for having the most outstanding Winds and Color Guard in Class 5A, and finished third overall at the Sunnyvale High School contest Saturday evening.
The band will continue their marching contest season, performing the full contest show, which the students have gradually been adding to at the halftime show each week. They are gearing up for the UIL regional and area marching contests later this month.
The SSHS Wildcat Band competition season is scheduled to continue with two contests scheduled three days apart. The 2021 marching contest schedule includes:
- Saturday, October 9 – Royse City High School: Prelims Performance time is approximately 3:15 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 12 – UIL Region Contest at Pine Tree Stadium: Performance time is 3:30 p.m.
- Saturday, October 23 – UIL Area Contest at Mesquite Memorial Stadium
(Click here to view halftime shows featuring the SSHS Wildcat Band.)
CommUniverCity Day At TAMUC Will Recognize Sulphur Springs Groups
The Oct. 9 game between the Texas A&M University-Commerce Lions and Saginaw Valley State Cardinals will be a special one for Sulphur Springs. Called the Sulphur Springs CommUniverCity Day at TAMU-C, four Sulphur Springs ISD educators will be among the Sulphur Springs groups recognized, others to be recognized include including youth sports teams, school groups, church groups and Scouting groups.
Sulphur Springs ISD Principals Mandy Fenton, Ashanta Alexander, Chandra Crawford, and Michelle Wallace will be honored during the Lions’ football game for their campus’ Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School status.
Capturing Kids’ Hearts recognizes and celebrates schools that go the extra mile each day, creating the social-emotional safety on school campuses that is conducive to learning.
National Showcase Schools are chosen annually through a rigorous selection process that includes measuring key performance indicators, gathering campus data, and surveying staff and students. The results represent the implementation of CKH processes as well as the culture and climate on each campus. Capturing Kids’ Hearts celebrates campuses where educators are exceeding expectations and creating an environment where students feel safe, connected, and eager to learn.
Capturing Kids’ Hearts provides professional development for educators nationwide. Through experiential training, expert coaching, and personalized support, Capturing Kids’ Hearts equips professionals in K-12 education to implement transformational processes focused on social-emotional wellbeing, relationship-driven culture, and student connectedness. Capturing Kids’ Hearts processes provide educators with the skills they need to change the trajectory of students’ lives. Campuses implementing Capturing Kids’ Hearts processes consistently report improvements in academic, behavioral, and cultural outcomes, according to the CKH website.
In February, SSISD was notified Bowie, Bush, Lamar, and Travis Primary schools were nominated for the 2020-2021 Capturing Kids Hearts National Showcase School award. In April, Bowie and Bush Primaries were named first year winners and Lamar and Travis Primaries second year winners. Out of 325 campuses chosen nationwide.
The four principals, one from each school will be awarded a game ball between the first and second quarters of the game, which begins at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9.
Those who wish to attend the Sulphur Springs Sulphur Springs CommUniverCity Day at TAMUC, to cheer on the Lions and the SSISD administrators, may purchase group seating tickets at the four SSISD primary campuses for $4 per ticket mid-week, according to SSISD Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education & Learner Services Kristin Monk.
Cumby PD: Gladewater Woman Tried To Evade Police In Vehicle, On Foot
A 32-year-old Gladewater woman allegedly tried to evade police in a vehicle and on foot, according to Cumby Police reports.
Cumby Police Lt. Paul Robertson spotted a blue Lexus with a registration that expired in July traveling on Mill Street around 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, so he pulled into a driveway to turn around and stop it. As he was doing so, he observed the vehicle accelerate, which Robertson stated in arrest reports he believed was an attempt to avoid being stopped. He turned on his patrol vehicle’s lights and began pursuing the 2002 Lexus RX 300.
Robertson, in arrest reports, noted the vehicle never slowed as it neared railroad tracks, just continued north on Mill Street at a high rate of speed with no acknowledgement from the driver of the emergency vehicle behind it. The vehicle then continued to be driven recklessly through a residential area, where the sped limit is 30, the CPD officer noted in arrest reports.
Eventually, the car turned right into a residential driveway. As Robertson pulled in behind the Lexus, the driver began fleeing on foot. However, when he called out, the 32-year-old woman stopped. While speaking to her she admitted she fled from a person she knew was a peace officer, Robertson alleged in arrest reports.
CPD Officer Justin Talley arrived and the woman was placed into the back of his patrol unit, where she began banging her head against the metal partition between the front and back seats. When she failed to heed after Talley attempted several times to get her to stop, he used his OC spray on her to get her to comply, Robertson alleged in arrest reports.
Mathis was booked into Hopkins county jail at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 2, 2021, on a felony charge for trying to evade police in a vehicle and a Class A misdemeanor resisting arrest, search or transport charge, according to arrest reports.
The 32-year-old Gladewater woman remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, in lieu of the $10,000 bond set on the evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge and $2,000 bond set on the resisting arrest charge, according to Hopkins County jail reports.
Revival Underway at Brashear Baptist Church Through October 6
The Brashear Baptist Church family is inviting everyone to Revival through Wednesday October 6, 2021, at 7 p.m. nightly. Guest pastor Chad Poe will bring messages from the Bible book of Hosea, on the theme of “God Will Meet You in the Middle of Your Trouble and Give You Hope.” Other references will be examined from the inspired writings of the Old Testament. Chad and Melaina Ferrell will serve as Music Ministers during the Revival.
Pastor Dustin Cowden, invites everyone to the Revival as well as regular services on Sundays and Wednesdays. The church is located at 134 FM 2653 N, next to the Brashear Post Office along Interstate 30.
Dike Man Accused Of Assault Of 2 Deputies And His Girlfriend, Resisting Arrest, Trying To Take Deputy’s Taser
Cumby Man Accused Of Resisting Arrest When Caught With Stolen Trailer
A 51-year-old Dike man was accused Sunday evening of the assault of 2 deputies and his girlfriend, as well as resisting and trying to take a deputy’s taser. The arrest marked the man’s second in less than 3 months for resisting arrest, according to arrest and jail reports. He also wasn’t the only person arrested over the weekend for resisting arrest.
CR 3520 Assaults
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded at 5:09 p.m. Oct. 3, 2021, at a County Road 3520 residence, where an active disturbance and assault was reportedly occurring.
Upon arrival, Deputy Jason Lavender encountered a 51-year-old woman. She and her boyfriend, identified in arrest reports as 51-year-old resident Jerry Mack “JJ” Price Jr., had argued. Price allegedly grabbed the woman by the arms and threw her onto a bed, then poured beer on her and threw beer cans at her. Lavender reported red marks visible on one of the woman’s arms.
Sgt. Todd Evans then arrived and began talking to the woman. Sgt. Tanner Steward arrived and, with Lavender following, approached the residence, were the assault was alleged to have occurred. Lavender reported seeing a man, identified later as suspect Price, run into the home, only to return a short time later.
Price walked up to one deputy’s patrol vehicle and began giving an explanation of what he alleged occurred. When deputies asked him about the marks on the woman’s arm and beer smell on her, Price claimed she must have poured the beer on herself and made the red marks on her arm herself.
When it became apparent the woman was cooperating with officers and Evans reported seeing a bruise coming up on her, the deputies instructed Price to turn around put his hands behind because he was being arrested for family violence assault causing bodily injury. Instead of complying, Price allegedly refused to put his hands behind him, and began actively resisting the deputies’ efforts to place him into handcuffs.
While Steward and Lavender began working to place the man into custody, Price allegedly continued to resist and refusing to comply with the deputies’ instructions. A struggle ensured, with Price being drive-stunned in the torso during the fight, although that did not seem to have much affect on Price. Steward and Lavender continued to try to place Price into custody and Price continued resisting and refusing to comply with the officers’ instructions. At one point, Price allegedly grabbed Lavender’s Taser and tried to take it away from him.
The deputies were eventually able to get Price’s right hand behind his back and to get a handcuff around that wrist. Lavender then put Price’s other hand behind his back. However, as the sheriff’s officers attempted to put that one in a handcuff, Price grabbed the handcuff and closed it while Steward’s fingers were inside the cuffs, injuring Steward’s hand. Price then allegedly continued resisting being taken into custody, causing one of Deputy Lavender’s knees to be injures as well. The deputies continued getting the Dike man into custody at 6:14 p.m. Oct. 3 at his CR 3520 residence.
Price was transported to the county jail, where he was booked not only on the original Class A misdemeanor assault charge for is alleged actions toward his girlfriend, but was also booked on a Class A misdemeanor resisting arrest charge, two third-degree felony assault on a public servant charges for the alleged assault of 2 deputies, and felony offense of attempting to take a weapon from an officer. The 51-year-old Dike man remained in Hopkins County jail Monday morning, Oct. 4, 2021, on all five charges.
Jail reports show Sunday was the second time this year Price has been accused of resisting arrest, search or transport. He too was jailed July 29, 2021, for driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest.
On July 28, deputies stopped Price on FM 900 at CR 3524 just before 11:30 p.m. for an obstructed license plate on the green truck he was driving. Alcohol was smelled on him. Following standard field sobriety tests, deputies advised he was under arrest for DWI. He also on that occasion allegedly refused to put his hands behind his back and resisted by tensing his arms. He also allegedly used passive aggressive resistance to prevent deputies Josh Davis and Zack Horne from putting him into a patrol vehicle. He also allegedly refused to let the sheriff’s officer read him his statutory warning.
Upon arrival at the jail early July 29, 2021, Price was read his warning rights. Price then allegedly agreed to provide a blood sample, but only if it was analyzed and he was released immediately. He continued being argumentative when told he would not be immediately released. He was told deputies would be seeking a warrant requiring a blood draw. The Dike man allegedly continued resisting officers when they tried to get him to exit the patrol vehicle. The deputies and jail staff then allegedly assisted Price out of the vehicle and into the jail.
After a blood search warrant was obtained, Price was taken to the hospital for the blood draw, then returned to jail without further incident. He was booked at 2:18 a.m. Sept. 29, 2021, into Hopkins County jail. A records check showed the man had one previous conviction for a Jan. 19, 2011 DWI charge, resulting in Price being charged with second offense DWI and resisting arrest. The Dike man was released from jail later Sept. 29, 0221, on $2,000 bond per misdemeanor charge.
Frisco Street Arrest
Cumby Police Officer Justin Talley was approached by a man at 10:34 p.m. Oct. 2, 2021, who told the officer he was searching for his stolen trailer. Talley reported locating the 16-foot black utility trailer attached to a 2004 GMC Sierra at a residence in the 300 block of Frisco Street. The 24-year-old in the passenger seat of the pickup was not the owner.
Talley attempted to take the Cumby man into custody, instructing the 24-year-old to put his hands behind his back. Aware Talley was an officer, the man allegedly began intentionally preventing the officer from arresting him for theft of the trailer by using physical force.
The suspect was taken into custody around 10:40 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, on charges of theft of property valued at $750 or more but less than $2,500 for the trailer theft and resisting arrest when the officer tried to take him into custody. The Cumby man was booked at 3:50 a.m. Oct. 3 into the county jail, where he remained Monday morning, Oct. 4, in lieu of the $2,000 bond set on each of the Class A misdemeanor charge.
According to jail records, this weekend wasn’t the first time the 24-year-old Cumby man has been in Hopkins County jail on a resisting arrest charge nor the first time this year he’s been jailed locally. He was arrested Aug. 2, 2016, for resisting arrest, search or transport, then released later in the day on a $2,000 bond on the misdemeanor charge. He spent Jan. 2-March 30, 2021, in the county jail on a warrant for a Dec. 10, 2020 burglary of vehicles charge and a defective bond on a possession of marijuana charge; he was released on a $5,000 bond per charge at the end of March.
‘John Chester’ Dutch Oven Cookoff, a Favorite Local Event
The John Chester Cookoff, an Autumn tradition in Hopkins County, was held on Saturday October 2 in Sulphur Springs’ Heritage Park. The number of participants was a little less than expected due to the threat of rain, but organizer Rick Wilson remained undaunted by the weather forecast. Despite an early shower, cooking began by 7:30am, and deliciously fragrant meals were ready for serving by 11am. Prior to serving, judging samples were collected for the six judges, and here’s how the 2021 contest turned out.
First Place Overall: Melinda Hitt
Second Place Overall: Donnie and Katie Martin
Third Place Overall: Marjorie Ford
Best Dessert: Don and Carol Barfield
Best Meat: Laney and David Whitlock
Best Vegetable: Rick Wilson and Les White
Best Bread: Coyle and Elizabeth Jones
Best in Pot: Eddie and Sheila Etmus
Rick Wilson sent out his appreciation. “Thanks to our host, the Hopkins County Heritage Park, and our sponsors City National Bank, Alliance Bank, Hopkins/Rains County Farm Bureau and the NE Texas Farmers Co-op for making it possible to hold this fun and historic event for the people of Hopkins County.”
Persons new to Hopkins County may ask “what’s a Dutch Oven?” Dutch oven cooking pots of various metals were first used in the Netherlands – that’s why it’s called a Dutch oven – but it is the British who were the first to use cast iron pots such as we have today. This essential pot or cooking oven came in some form to America with the colonists, and no doubt kept many pilgrims alive during those first seasons in the new land. The shape and the size of the cooking ovens has evolved over time. In the United States, the Dutch oven for outdoor cooking has become a shallower pot with shorter legs, helping it hover over the top of a fire, and it’s lid improved with a flange or rim that keeps the coals atop the pot from falling into the food inside. The fundamental two-piece design has traveled the world and remains a staple from South Africa to Australia, in many European lands and in American households. Hopkins County’s long history of Dutch oven cooking extends from the first settlers in 1850’s through the exciting years of the 1980s and 90s when Johnny “Buffalo” Chester cooked for large gatherings of friends over a multi-county area, to Rick Wilson’s revival of the skill more than a decade ago.
