The Access Physicians MultiSpecialty Clinic of Sulphur Springs Will Be Closing
By Holly Ragan, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Access Physicians MultiSpecialty Clinic – CLOSING
Access Physicians Multispecialty Clinic of Sulphur Springs will be closing, and ending Neurology and Pulmonology services effective November 1, 2021.
It is recommend that you find another specialist to take care of your Neurology and Pulmonology medical needs. If you do not know another specialist, you may contact the Texas Medical Board for resources or refer to your Primary Care Physician.
If you wish to obtain copies of your medical records, please go to the office and complete a “Medical Records Release Form” to have your records released to you or to have your records sent to another provider. Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed for lunch from 12 to 1 p.m.). Please call ahead at 903-919-5034.
Access Physicians MultiSpecialty Clinic of Sulphur Springs address is 105-III Medical Plaza, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
No Excuses – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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.
Boosters are available for fully vaccinated people who received their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna 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 or Moderna vaccine series and meet the current eligibility criteria. Updates 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
Pesticide CEU Session Offered Nov. 3 For Private Applicators
By Dr. Mario Villarino, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Hopkins County Agent, Natural Resource/Agriculture
Pesticide private applicator licenses and certificates are valid for five years, and the applicator must obtain 15 continuing education units (CEUs) during that time to renew, including two credits in laws and regulations and two credits in integrated pest management (IPM).
To provide CEU opportunities in Hopkins County, The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office has organized the private applicators CEU session scheduled for November 3, 2021, at the Regional Civic Center. The session will provide five CEUs approved by the Texas Department of Agriculture.
To register, please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office by calling 903-885-3443.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic, please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Getting Advise at the Education Opportunity Center at Paris Junior College
GETTING ADVISE
Education Opportunity Center Advisor Maria Zuniga, right, helps returning student Danielle Berg of Cooper complete her paperwork for continuing her education at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center campus.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Grilling Like A Texan
By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County
Texans love to grill. Hamburgers, rib-eyes, pork loin steaks, chicken breasts – these are only a sampling of what Texas are grilling this fall for football tailgates and other get-togethers. But are they grilling correctly? Proper techniques can lead to better grilling experiences.
Dr. Davey Griffin, meats specialist in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, provides several tips on how to grill like a Texan. Griffin says that the best results can be had by using a meat thermometer to cook cuts at the proper temperatures Regulating smoke to give meats a more flavorful eating experience is also important. So how do you do that?
- He suggests that rather than controlling the smoke from the top lid, use the air supply adjustment on the bottom portion of the grill. By doing this, you are allowing the air and soke a continuous flow that converts the entire cooking area.
- Another suggestion is to use wood chips when cooking. If you want more flavorful smoke, wood chips can be an excellent choice. He suggests putting the chips in a foil wrap, then punching a few holes. Place the pack on top of the charcoal and let it do its work. Some of the best barbeque comes when you have good, clear smoke. Your choice of wood chips may range from oak for beef to hickory or pecan for pork or poultry.
- Controlling the temperature is another key to great meat. To cook properly, a cooking thermometer can help gauge temperature of the meat during the cook. Here are some key points to remember:
- When grilling, take the temperature from the side in the very center of the meat. For pork, cook to an internal temperature of 145 degrees and let it rest for approximately 3 minutes.
- For beef cuts, the internal temperature should be 145 degrees.
- Hamburger patties should be cooked to an internal temperature of 10.
- All poultry should reach 165 degrees because they go into a chilling water system that leaves the product more likely for salmonella.
- Brisket should reach 165 degrees, then wrap with butcher paper to finish at 195-205 degrees.
When grilling large pieces of meat, give it time to rest after reaching the proper internal temperature. To do this, remove the meat from the grill and let it cool to 140-145 degrees. Griffin says that if you cut too soon, you will lose all of those juices inside and the meat will dry out. Resting lets the juices equilibrate and will result in more flavorful meat.
Saving money while grilling out is also a bonus. With popular choice retail meat prices more expensive due to demand, Griffin suggests being choosier when shopping for cuts. For example, flat iron steaks from the front shoulder of the beef can provide as good an eating experience as the typical rib-eye. The flat iron is the second most tender muscle on the carcass and costs approximately $6 per pound versus $16 per pound for a rib-eye. Pork loin chops, chicken breasts, sausage, and hamburger patties are other good choices.
Enjoy the cooler temperatures and enjoy grilling like a Texan!
Annual Christmas Joys Program
Seats are filling quickly for the 2021 Christmas Joys program, scheduled for Monday, November 8 at the Southwest Dairy Museum. The 1:30 p.m. session is full, but we still have 25 seats remaining for the 5:30 p.m. session. Attendees will receive a goody bag and a booklet of all the instructions, recipes, and ideas demonstrated by presenters. The Southwest Dairy Center will provide samplings of their cheeses and dips at the conclusion of the event. The cost of $5, payable at the door. We must have a name and phone number for each seat reserved. Please call 903-885-3443 to reserve a seat.
Closing Thought
Faith is a fundamental factor in everything you do. — Emmitt Smith
Contact Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, P.O. Box 518, 1200-B West Houston St, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75483; 903-885-3443; or [email protected]
Lady Cats Volleyball in Edgewood Today For Final Tune-Up Before Last Two District Matches
The Lady Cats volleyball team got the much-needed win over the Pine Tree Lady Pirates on Friday, sweeping Pine Tree 3-0 for the season sweep over the Lady Pirates.
Set one was the closest of the three, as the Lady Cats won 25-18.
Coach Bailey Dorner’s team took care of business from there, dispatching Pine Tree 25-10 and 25-14 to get the season-sweep of the Lady Pirates.
The win gave the Lady Cats volleyball team a 20-14 overall record (6-4 district).
Not only that, but the much-needed win for Coach Dorner’s program keeps them in the thick of the play-off hunt.
They come in to Tuesday’s match (originally a bye on the schedule) with a 6-4 district record, a game behind third placed Hallsville (7-3) and 1.5 behind second-place Marshall (7-2).
The Sulphur Springs coach added a game to the schedule Tuesday in which they will travel to Edgewood.
A tune-up before the final two games of district play will be good for the Lady Cats as on Friday, Senior night for Coach Bailey Dorner’s program, will be a tough match with Hallsville.
If Sulphur Springs can win out, not only in their non-district contest versus the Lady Bulldogs tonight but throughout the rest of their fall 2021 regular season, Coach Dorner’s program may just put themselves in a position to take third or possibly even second place.
First they will have to get through the Lady Bulldogs on Tuesday, Oct. 19.
That match is set to begin in Edgewood at 4:30 P.M. with varsity only playing Tuesday night.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Early Voting Slow In 2021 Constitutional Amendment, North Hopkins ISD Trustees and Cumby City Council Elections
Early voting got off to a slow start Monday, with a total of 20 ballots cast during the first day of early voting in the Constitutional Amendment, North Hopkins ISD trustees and Cumby City Council Elections.
Early Voting
All early voting by personal appearance is being conducted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, in the Hopkins County Justice of the Peace #2 Courtroom, located inside the Hopkins County Annex Building at 128 Jefferson St., Suite C. Two days have been designated for extended early voting hours. Ballots may be cast early by personal appearance in the three elections from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26, and Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021.
Applications for ballots by mail must be received no later than the close of business on Oct. 22 by the Early Voting Clerk, Tracy Smith, at 128 Jefferson St., Suite C, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. Federal postcard applications must be received no later than the close of business on Oct. 22. Voted ballots by mail must be received by the Early Voting Clerk (Smith) no later than 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021.
Election parking is available across the street from the County Clerk’s Office on Rosemont Street.
Election Day Voting
On Election Day, Nov. 2, 2021, voters may cast ballots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at any of the 12 designated voting locations:
North Hopkins ISD Election
Hopkins County voters who reside within North Hopkins ISD will be asked to choose up to two candidates to fill two trustees seats on NHISD Board of Trustees. Candidates are selected at large, so the two candidates receiving the most votes will be elected to the serve a full three-year term on the school board.
Candidates for the school election include Ellis Dicus, Robert McPherson, Jennifer Harrington and Michael S. James.
The NHISD General Election appears after the eight Texas Constitutional Amendments on the sample ballot.
Cumby Election
The City of Cumby will not only have a General Election for Alderman Places 3, 4 and 5 on the City Council. The Council had originally called for a Special Election to fill Alderman Places 1 and 2 on the City Council as well, but reportedly canceled it due to lack of candidates
The Cumby General Election is listed at the end of the ballot. Neither Wayne Mobley nor Ryan Horne drew challengers for another term on the City Council, thus, Mobley is the only candidate for Alderman Place 3 and Horne the lone candidate on the ballot for Alderman Place 5 on Cumby City Council.
Cumby voters will be asked to choose between Allie Croker and Katherine Finn for Alderman Place 4 to also serve a full term on the City Council.
Constitutional Amendments Election
All registered Hopkins County voters also have the opportunity to select their choices on eight Texas Constitutional Amendment Propositions. Voters will be asked to vote either for or against the following propositions:
- Proposition Number 1 – HJR 143 proposes a constitutional amendment expanding the circumstances in which a professional sports team charitable foundation may conduct raffles to raise money for the foundation’s charitable purposes. The proposed amendment would allow professional sports team charitable foundations of organizations sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association to hold charitable raffles at rodeo events.
- Proposition Number 2 – HJR 99 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing the legislature to authorize a county to issue bonds or notes to finance the development or redevelopment of an unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted area within the county and to pledge for repayment of those bonds or notes increases in property tax revenues imposed on property in the area by the county. The Texas Constitution gives the legislature the power to authorize an incorporated city or town to issue such bonds or notes but does not expressly give the legislature the power to grant that same authority to counties. The proposed amendment also provides that a county that issues bonds or notes for transportation improvements may not pledge for the repayment of those bonds or notes more than 65 percent of the increases in ad valorem tax revenues each year, and a county may not use proceeds from the bonds or notes to finance the construction, operation, maintenance, or acquisition of rights-of-way of a toll road.
- Proposition Number 3 – SJR 27 proposes a constitutional amendment barring the State of Texas or a political subdivision from enacting, adopting, or issuing a statute, order, proclamation, decision, or rule that prohibits or limits religious services. The proposed amendment would apply to religious services, including those conducted in churches, congregations, and places of worship, in the state by a religious organization established to support and serve the propagation of a sincerely held religious belief.
- Proposition Number 4 – SJR 47 proposes a constitutional amendment changing certain eligibility requirements for a justice of the Supreme Court, a judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals, a justice of a court of appeals, and a district judge. The proposed amendment provides that a person is eligible to serve on the Supreme Court if the person, among other qualifications, is licensed to practice law in Texas; is a resident of Texas at the time of election; has been either a practicing lawyer licensed in Texas for at least ten years or a practicing lawyer licensed in Texas and a judge of a state court or county court established by the legislature for a combined total of at least ten years; and during that time has not had the person’s license to practice law revoked, suspended, or subject to a probated suspension. The same eligibility requirements would apply to a judge of the Court of Criminal Appeals and to a justice of a court of appeals. The proposed amendment further provides that to be eligible for appointment or election as a district judge, a person must be a resident of Texas; be licensed to practice law in Texas; and have been a practicing lawyer or a judge of a court in Texas, or both combined, for eight years preceding the person’s election, during which time the person’s license to practice law has not been revoked, suspended, or subject to a probated suspension.
- Proposition Number 5 – HJR 165 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing the State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC) to accept complaints or reports, conduct investigations, and take any other authorized action with respect to a candidate for a state judicial office. Currently, the Texas Constitution only permits the SCJC to take such actions as to persons holding a judicial office.
- Proposition Number 6 -SJR 19 proposes a constitutional amendment establishing that residents of certain facilities have the right to designate an essential caregiver with whom the facility may not prohibit in-person visitation. The proposed amendment would apply to a nursing facility, assisted living facility, intermediate care facility for individuals with an intellectual disability, residence providing home and community-based services, or state supported living center. The proposed amendment also would authorize the legislature to provide guidelines for these facilities to follow in establishing essential caregiver visitation policies and procedures.
- Proposition Number 7 – HJR 125 proposes a constitutional amendment permitting a person who is 55 years of age or older at the time of death of their spouse who is receiving a limitation on school district property taxes on their residence homestead on the basis of a disability to continue receiving the limitation while the property remains the surviving spouse’s residence homestead.
- Proposition Number 8 – SJR 35 proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a member of the United States armed services who is killed or fatally injured in the line of duty. The Texas Constitution provides a property tax exemption to the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services who is killed in action, but the current exemption does not include members of the military who die during their service due to injuries sustained that are not combat-related.
Sulphur Springs Church of Nazarene Host Rummage and Bake Sale
Sulphur Springs Church of Nazarene is hosting a huge multi family rummage and bake sale. It will be held Friday October 22nd 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday the 23rd 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. There will be items available for everyone.
Sulphur Springs Church of Nazarene is located at 1300 League St.
MS. Hopkins County Senior 2021 Wilma Thompson is a Classic
Wilma Thompson, a Hopkins County native, was crowned Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic back in June and met her public Saturday atop a red convertible with Tammy Wilburn at the wheel during the Fall Festival Parade. Last month, Wilma also earned the designation of Second Runner-Up in the State Ms. Senior Classic Pageant.
Wilma will wear her crown and make public appearances through the holidays and early 2022 until summer when the next local pageant is staged. Local ladies age 60 and older can compete in the Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant by getting in contact with Karon Weatherman at the Sulphur Springs Seniors Center, 150 Martin Luther King Drive. There is no fee to enter.
Wildcats Team Tennis Ends Fall Season With Five Match Wins Versus Whitehouse in Bi-District Round of Playoffs
Wildcats team tennis fought hard, winning five matches versus Whitehouse in the Bi-District round of playoffs in a 14-5 loss at LeTourneau University in Longview on October 12.
In the last three years, team tennis, led by Coach Tony Martinez, has gone up against Whitehouse the last three years in the first round of the playoffs.
The tennis coach said all three years team tennis’s season has ended at the hands of the Wildcats 19-0 for three straight years, but fall 2021 was different in that Sulphur Springs was able to win five matches versus Whitehouse.
Captain Jeauxleigh Cantu did not win her singles match, but she was able to win her mixed doubles with freshman Ian Westland. Coach Martinez said that while things did not go as expected for the senior player, she performed very well.
Paige Miesse was the stand-out senior, according to the team tennis coach. Miesse won not only her doubles match with Ella San but also her singles contest.
Trynity Luckett pulled off a good win in her singles match, Coach Tony Martinez said. Mykylie Meador pulled off another good win in singles as well.
The team tennis coach said they were very happy with the women’s results. Coach Martinez also said they were complimented by the Whitehouse tennis staff for giving the Wildcats the bets fight they had been given all season long.
The team tennis coach said that while they were without Ella Ray, who had surgery, and Kaylee Schumacher, who was out due to illness, but still saw great performances from freshman and sophomores who stepped up and filled in for them.
Moving over to the men, freshmen Brody Emert and Malachi Negrete both fought relentlessly but fell short against the Wildcats. Coach Martinez said those Sulphur Springs athletes played great games.
The star freshman for the men’s team, Ian Westland, won his singles match Tuesday morning.
While the Bi-district match-up may not have gone the Wildcats way, the Sulphur Springs coach said he was proud of the way his kids fought.
“I had never been more proud of this team than I was [in the loss against Whitehouse],” Coach Martinez said.
At certain times, the team tennis coach would have to inspire his team to fight and stay ion contests even when down, but this team has not required such coaching.
He says they support one another and show what a family program looks like.
And while the ending to their fall 2021 season may not have been what the coach had hoped for, he reiterated just how proud of the way this team composed themselves and fought day-in, and day-out.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Great Entertainment at Cooper Lake from the Sulphur Springs Community Players, Reilly Springs Jamboree
During the weekend of October 15/16, 2021, the Friends of Doctors Creek and the staff of Cooper Lake hosted live entertainment which was planned as part of the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the State Park. Friday’s dramatic performance at the Amphitheater was presented by Community Players and Friends, and Saturday’s live musical performance was presented beside the lake by members of the Reilly Springs Jamboree.
The ‘Players’ invited friends to join them in presenting an hour of skits, songs and comedy on the wooden stage structure of the Amphitheater. Loyd Turney made up a capable one-man production crew as Director, emcee and sound man. Completely surrounded by trees, the setting offered an intimate feel with the stage lighting creating a pool of activity within dark surroundings. For those seated on the the benches and standing behind, the effect was of watching a movie in a darkened room. The talent was excellent, conditions were pleasantly cool, and Park staffers provided friendly hospitality by escorting small groups along the paved trail, winding to and from the parking lot. It is hoped that more entertainment will be offered upon the Amphitheater stage in future months, so if you haven’t been there yet, make plans to!
Although the weekend started out windy, it became surprisingly calm as darkness arrived on Saturday evening. At the South Sulphur Unit, an elevated traffic island overlooking the lake served as the bandstand, providing a great view of the show. With a light breeze coming off the water, the sound carried perfectly toward the audience. Everyone remembered to bring folding chairs, and were scattered in a semi circle around the stage.
Enola Gay served as emcee, and the headliner was Patsy Cline/Loretta Lynn tribute artist, Janet Adams of Winnsboro, Texas. Above the stage, a nearly full moon and some very bright stars shone down, and with the gentle sound of waves the scene was perfect for making memories of great classic country music in the open-air setting.
A big thank you to Cooper Lake State Park Complex Supervisor Steve Killian and his staff of Rangers, educators and maintenance crews, as well the volunteers of Friends of Doctors Creek who made the formal 25th Anniversary Celebration a very warm and welcoming event to be long remembered by everyone who attended.
