Use An Annual Rye Cover Crop In Your Garden This Fall From Master Gardener David Wall
November 1, 2024 – One way to protect and enrich your garden soil for next spring is to plant a cover crop, and one of the best cover crops is cereal (annual) rye. Cereal rye is a grain crop planted/sown on bare soil immediately after removing vegetable crop residue. It grows very fast and so thick, it quickly outpaces any weeds trying to recover or newly landed weed seeds that sprout.
First off. cereal rye’s thickness of growth will protect your soil from erosion during winter winds and rain. Then, it protects the soil next spring from new weeds. On top of all this, it helps to aerate and enrich the garden soil next spring when it dies and decays. How? Well its roots can penetrate virtually any type of soil, breaking up compaction (loosening the soil), making it easier for next spring’s crops to penetrate.
When cereal rye dies back next spring, the decaying roots provide organic matter for vegetable crop roots. Hollows left by decaying roots provide channels for air and water. On the soil surface, decomposing foliage provides more nutrients, as the crop doesn’t have to be removed. Simply plant right through it! Again, the thickness of the growing cereal rye prevents from getting the other hand. Basically, it creates a barrier that outgrows and smothers weeds
A major asset is low maintenance. You don’t have to till it into the soil. Just sow it, perhaps run a rake over it, and give it some water. It will quickly sprout and start covering the soil. To terminate, just cut it back (more than one trimming may be required) and plant your vegetables right through it.
Make sure you buy a cereal (winter, annual) grain rye. Its seeds are much larger than perennial or annual rye grass seeds, which won’t die off!
Dinner Bell for November 6, 2024
The doors to Fellowship Hall at First United Methodist Church will open at 11:00 a.m. Meal service begins at 11:30 a.m. and doors will close at 12:45 p.m. Please come join us to share fellowship and a meal.
It was Texas’ gain (especially Sulphur Springs) and California’s’ loss when the Dollison family decided to locate Diversi fied Storage Systems (DSS) in our fair city in January, 2016. Diversified Storage Systems designs and produces dry power storage transfer equipment and silos. This equipment meets the needs of such industries as construction, mining import and manufacturing.
DSS not only enriches the local economy and provides job opportunities, but is also heavily involved in community endeavors. Since 2016 it has partnered with the Dinner Bell quarterly. It also participates in High School Soccer, the Healthcare Foundation Annual Gala, the Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, and the Senior Center holiday “wish list” to name several other community endeavors.
The Dinner Bell appreciates Diversified Storage Systems and Michelle and Tim Dollison for their continued support
We plan to continue inside dining every Wednesday with the exception of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Christ mas and New Years Day.
MENU:
MEXICAN LASAGNA
BROWN SUGAR TARRAGON CARROTS
TORTILLAS
GARDEN SALAD WITH GUACAMOLE RANCH DRESSING
SOPAPILLA CHEESECAKE
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices as flu and COVID are lurking in our midst! Wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
Chamber Connection – October 30, 2024
By Butch Burney
Saturday turned out to be a glorious day for stew fans as an estimated 7,500 people jammed Buford Park to take part in the 55th Annual Hopkins County Stew Contest, sponsored by Alliance Bank. The weather was pleasant in the morning, when stew was served from more than 170 pots!
A big thank you to all those who attended, to our sponsors and especially to those cooks, who spent most of Friday and Saturday making stew for us all.
It’s not too late to capture some of that magic with stew merchandise, including hoodies, mugs, tumblers, stickers and more. There are on discounted sale at the Chamber of Commerce office.
Cocktails and Conversation
Join us for our next mixer at noon on Thursday, Nov. 7, at Vino Lounge at 223 Main Street, from 5-6:30 p.m.
You don’t have to be a Chamber member to take part in the Cocktails and Conversation event. It is open to everyone to enjoy the atmosphere, cocktails and refreshments.
Get the first peek at this hip new hangout with interior design by Haus of Sabor and plants from The Plant Niche, and mingle with new friends, & try out all the wines.
Region 4 Rodeo
The Region 4 High School Rodeo will come to the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center the first weekend of November.
The action will start at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, and Sunday, Nov. 3.
Christmas Joys
Reservations are now being taken for the 51st Annual “Christmas Joys” Holiday Program on Monday, November 11 at the Southwest Dairy Museum.
The program will have two showings to accommodate the schedules of those wishing to attend – one at 1:30 p.m. and another at 5:30 p.m.
Contact the Hopkins County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office at 903-885-3443 to reserve a seat. Tickets are $10, payable at the door.
P.S. If you are a business looking for a way to get your name out there, please consider donating items for their goody bags. Donations will be accepted at the AgriLife Extension office, 1200B Houston Street in front of the Civic Center, until November 4.
Car Show
The Heritage Square Car Show is back for the 19th year! Hit the square this Saturday to check out hotrods, classic cars, muscle cars, and more. Bring your camera and the whole family for a day of fun!
Ribbon Cuttings
Join us for a ribbon cutting for Altura Homes at noon on Thursday, Nov. 7. The event will be at their development on State Highway 11 West.
Attorney General Ken Paxton Sues El Paso Doctor for Prescribing Dangerous “Gender Transition” Drugs to Children in Violation of Texas Law
October 30, 2024 – Attorney General Ken Paxton sued an El Paso doctor for illegally providing “gender transition” treatments to Texas children. In some cases, the patients were as young as twelve.
Senate Bill 14, a Texas law that took effect in September 2023 and was upheld by the Texas Supreme Court in June 2024, prohibits “gender transition” medical interventions such as surgeries, puberty blockers, and cross-sex hormones for minors. Growing scientific evidence strongly suggests that “gender transition” interventions prescribed to or performed on children in an attempt to anatomically or hormonally alter their biological sex characteristics have damaging, long-term consequences. Additionally, the prohibited treatments are experimental, and no scientific evidence supports their supposed benefits.
Medical providers who violate SB 14 are liable for penalties, and the law also directs that the Texas Medical Board “shall revoke the medical license or other authorization to practice medicine of a physician who violates” the statute.
The El Paso-based doctor violated the law by knowingly providing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to children for the purpose of “transitioning” their biological sex. Further, he engaged in false, misleading, and deceptive acts to intentionally conceal the unlawful conduct by falsifying medical records, prescriptions, and billing records.
“Texas is cracking down on doctors illegally prescribing dangerous ‘gender transition’ drugs to children,” said Attorney General Paxton. “State law forbids prescribing these interventions to minors because they have irreversible and damaging effects. Any physician found doing so will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
Neighboring County to the South Institutes Burn Ban
October 30, 2024 – Hopkins County has yet to issue a burn ban this fall, but our neighboring county to the south issued one today. Residents of Wood County are now prohibited from outdoor burning.
In Texas, local governments are empowered to take action on the behalf of those they serve. When drought conditions exist, a burn ban can be put in place by a county judge or county commissioners court prohibiting or restricting outdoor burning for public safety.
A burn ban means no outdoor burning is allowed, except in an enclosure that contains all flames and/or sparks. Non-commercial cooking, such as backyard cookouts and barbeques, are still allowed. Any outdoor welding and/or other “hot work” must be performed in accordance with fire code requirements.
As of this posting, there is some rain in the forecast. Total amounts hover around 0.20″.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Releases Photo of Suspected Truck Believed to be Used in Crimes
October 30, 2024 – Gangs burglarizing cars in Hopkins County seem to be well organized and using stolen vehicles to committ these crimes. One suspected vehicle being used has been identified as a stolen 2015 Chevrolet pickup. This vehicle may have scratches as it was driven through a barbed wire fence as it was stolen several months ago. Law enforcement believes the license plates will have been changed on the vehicle with stolen plates from another vehicle to avoid detection. If you see this or any other suspicious vehicle, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office urges residents to call 9-1-1 or (903)438-4040. The suspects in these crimes are considered to be armed and dangerous as they target vehicles to steal cash, weapons, and other valuables.
The 2024 Hopkins County United Way Continues to Collect for a Great Cause in This Campaign Meeting
October 30, 2024 – The 2024-2025 Hopkins County United Way keeps working to collect for great causes. Check out KSST’s coverage of their latest meeting that was held Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Give it a viewing below.
Check out the Game Everyone is Talking About; Wildcats Versus Community on October 25th
October 29, 2024 – Be sure to check out the game everyone is talking about… Below is KSST’s coverage of the Sulphur Springs High School Wildcats versus the Community Braves. The game was played Friday, October 25, 2024, at Gerald Prim Stadium in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Play by Play is called by KSST’s Sports Director John Mark Dempsey, and color commentary was provided by Tony Flippin. The Wildcats games are brought to you by the official Wildcats station, KSST!
Sulphur Springs City Council Has Full Agenda for November Meeting
October 29, 2024 – The regular meeting of the Sulphur Springs City Council will take place at City Hall Tuesday, November 5th with the public portion of the meeting starting at 7:00 pm. Council members and city staff will begin an executive session at 6:30 pm to consult with an attorney, to hold Negotiations about Real Property; and to hold Deliberations Regarding Economic Development: Thermo 2 known as Thermo 2. Executive session meetings are closed to the public.
The regular meeting agenda contains several ordinances for the council to consider including items for Discussion on authorizing submission of a Texas Community Development Block Grant program application to the Texas Department of Agriculture for the Community Development Fund, discussion and action on requesting a Speed Study and Traffic Signal Improvements along Highway 19 and Highway 154, discussion and action to approve expenditure for upgrade and conversion of election equipment and purchasing a ballot scanner for paper ballots, discussion and action on a motion to approve an amendment to the 2019-2023 Capital Improvement Plan to provide for the replacement of the water and sewer lines on Como Street, between Alabama Street and College Street, as part of the Alabama
Street Project, and more. The full agenda can be seen below.
Mariachi Ensemble Brings New Sounds to A&M-Commerce
The newly established student organization will perform for the first time later this week.
COMMERCE, TX, October 29, 2024—A new cultural experience has emerged at Texas A&M University-Commerce as the Mariachi Ensemble looks to wow audiences with performances of traditional Mexican music.
Officially organized in May 2024, the ensemble is different from other musical groups at the university, as they officially function as a student organization rather than a part of the A&M-Commerce School of Music. Even still, most of the students participating are also majoring in music.
Starting Out
The group’s faculty advisor, Dr. Tomas Espinosa, assistant professor of bilingual and ESL education, is well suited for the role. He participated in mariachi ensembles for eight years during his studies at the University of Texas at El Paso and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
Espinosa said that upon arriving at A&M-Commerce in 2023, he was surprised to see that the university did not already feature a mariachi ensemble for students.
“I started having conversations with university administration and the School of Music about forming this group, and they have been very supportive the entire time,” Espinosa said. “The response from students was great as well; It was obvious that plenty of students had a desire to participate.”
Making Music
The group consists of more than a dozen members, all split between parts that make up a traditional mariachi ensemble: trumpets, violins, armonia (which includes the guitar, the vihuela—a smaller, higher-pitched guitar—and the guitarrón, a larger, lower-pitched guitar) and vocalists.
Since mariachi ensembles typically do not feature conductors, Espinosa said they can be a great way for the students to build valuable skills.
“Performing in this type of group allows students to build trust, communication and cohesion with one another,” Espinosa said. “They need to work to act as one unit without the aid of a conductor, which can be a challenge.”
Student Perspective
Veronica Flores serves as president of the mariachi student organization. A junior music education major from Palmer, Texas, Flores normally plays the clarinet. However, she took on the violin when joining the mariachi ensemble. She says that mariachi is very important to many of the students in the organization. Even if this is their first time in a mariachi ensemble, this form of music has been a constant presence in their lives.
“I feel like for many of us, mariachi has always been a part of our lives in some way,” Flores said. “It’s a part of our culture that we’re excited to be a part of.”
She hopes that this first cohort of performers can leave behind a strong foundation for future ensemble members to build on and grow the organization.
Debut Performance
The A&M-Commerce Mariachi Ensemble was formally introduced to the university community at a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in September 2024. The ensemble is gearing up for its first solo performance in celebration of Dia de los Muertos on November 1, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. in the Finney Concert Hall.
The setlist for their debut concert will include classic staples and admission is free and open to the public.
For more information on the Mariachi Ensemble Student Organization at A&M-Commerce, contact Dr. Tomas Espinosa.
