As I write this week’s column, I’m surrounded by 4-H Project Show entries – photography, art, sewn items, baked goods, metal work, leather work, wood work, needlework, horticulture, and more. We have some very talented youth, and every October, our 4-H members have the opportunity to exhibit they handiwork as part of the National 4-H Week kick-off.
The public is invited to view the entries at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office in Sulphur Springs, 1200 W. Houston Street, Monday thru Friday, October 8 thru 12, from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Our young people have worked hard and they are to be commended for taking the effort to enter their items.
On similar note, all Hopkins County residents are invited to enter items in the 2018 Hopkins County Fall Festival Creative Arts contest. Our Hopkins County youth will be out in full force to enter items. I’ve already heard from some of 4-H members and area schools who are planning to have entries from students. Kuddos to North Hopkins, Sulphur Bluff, and Sulphur Springs for sharing the information with students. (I apologize if other schools have also promoted the event. These three are the ones of which I’m aware.)
The Creative Arts Contest registration will take place on Thursday, October 25 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. and Friday, October 26 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Sulphur Springs High School Conference Center. Doors will be closed for judging which will start at approximately 10:00 a.m. Following judging, the conference center will be open for public viewing of the entries until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 26, and again on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:25 p.m. Pictures of Best of Show winners will be made at 1:30 p.m., after which all entries may be picked up.
As a reminder, the age divisions are children (ages 10 and under), youth (ages 11 to 19), adults (ages 20 to 69), and older Texans (ages 70 and up). There is also a division for Assisted Living and Nursing Home residents. Entry categories are: art, bake show, clothing, creative crafts, food preservation, handiwork, holiday/seasonal, horticulture, photography, quilts, and woodworking. Under each category are several classes, so there is a potential for each person to enter numerous items!
If you would like more information on the Creative Arts Contest, there are several ways to get it. You may drop by the Extension Office and pick up a copy, or you may go tohttp://hopkins.agrilife.org, or go to the Fall Festival website and click on forms.
Fall Festival Arts & Crafts Show
Even though the deadline to submit applications to have a space in the Arts & Crafts Show was October 8, you still have an opportunity to get your application to our office. Only a handful of indoor spaces remain, and we don’t want to leave anyone out. A few spaces under the outdoor covered north entrance remain, as well. All items sold must be hand-crafted. Exhibit space determines the cost. Senior adults get a slight price break.
This is a highlight of the Hopkins County Fall Festival! Exhibitors have beautiful, unique handmade items for sale, and I’m always amazed at the variety and quality of the merchandise. If you want to get a jump-start on your Christmas shopping, this is the perfect opportunity to do so!
Christmas Joys
The 45th annual Extension “Christmas Joys” program is another highlight of the year! If you plan to attend and have not signed up, now is the time to do so! The event will take place on Monday, November 5, at the Southwest Dairy Museum, but please don’t call them – call the Extension Office to sign up at 903-885-3443. The 1:30 session is full with a waiting list, and as of this writing, only 23 seats remain for the 5:30 session.
We have some great ideas to share with you – from sewing, to crafting, to decorating, to baking, to celebrating! All attendees will receive a goody bag along with a booklet of all the instructions, recipes, and tips shared in the demonstrations. The Southwest Dairy Museum will once again provide sampling of their cheeses, dip mixes, and party mixes. The cost is $5, payable at the door. If you have signed up, but for some reason cannot attend, please contact us so we can call the next person in line.
Closing Thought
“Don’t let rules get in the way of a teachable moment” – Dr. Douglas Steele
Recipe of the Week – Honey-Chipotle Pork Tacos
1 pound pork loin, trimmed and sliced into ¼ to ½ inch strips
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon chipotle pepper sauce
½ cup chopped white onion
½ cup chopped tomato
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
½ cup chopped, fresh cilantro
Juice of 1 lime
½ cup nonfat sour cream
Corn tortillas
1) Place pork in bowl. In separate bowl, combine olive oil, honey, and pepper sauce. Pour mixture over pork and stir to coat. Marinate at least 10 minutes.
2) While pork is marinating, combine onion, tomato, jalapeno, and cilantro. Squeeze lime juice over the mixture and refrigerate until ready to use.
3) In a large skillet over medium heat, cook pork 5 to 7 minutes on each side, or until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
4) Serve the pork on corn tortillas, topped with onion-tomato mixture and 1 tablespoon sour cream. Makes 8 servings.
Per serving: 200 calories, 8 g total fat, 40 mg cholesterol, 18 g carbohydrate, 14 g protein, 1 g fiber
