Another Successful Ag In The Classroom Hosted At Civic Center
Another successful year of Ag in the Classroom wrapped up Wednesday, with approximately 1,000 fourth graders bused to Hopkins County Civic Center to learn more about agriculture and its importance in our daily lives.
Approximately 300 students attend the first session on Tuesday, Oct. 11, and about 700 more packed the Arena Wednesday morning, Oct. 12, 2022. Not only did students from all seven Hopkins County school districts attend, fourth graders from four surrounding counties were invited as well. Among the schools attending were Como-Pickton, Cumby, Miller Grove, North Hopkins, Saltillo, Sulphur Bluff, Sulphur Springs, Cooper, Mount Vernon, Rains and Yantis.
Students rotated between 10 stations for a brief overview and close up look at various aspects of agriculture. Although this is still considered a rural and agricultural rather than urban areas, with many local youth participating in 4-H or who have farms, Ag in the Classroom the first time others are exposed directly to the various aspects of agriculture.
The stations are manned by individuals representing families, businesses and other organizations involved in agriculture in the local area. Several bring livestock to illustrate their topics, including beef cattle, three different types of poultry, goats and therapy horses. Exhibits also included 4-H projects, fresh honey and mobile exhibits. Students even got to sample a dairy treat.
Students learned about the different cuts of beef and talked about raising beef cattle; the importance of clean water and the process of water filtering; horses and horse therapy; wheat and corn, dairy, beef and swine production and uses; fresh honey and the important role bees have in pollination; goat farming and uses; dairy and the importance of milk for healthy growth and bones; 4-H project; and poultry production.
Among the groups involved in putting on the annual agriculture day for area students were Hopkins-Rains County Farm Bureau, Hopkins County and Rains County AgriLife Extension offices, Southwest Dairy Museum and director Aaron Sanders, NETBIO, Hopkins County Master Gardeners, Marion Cox with Shadow Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center, and the Kelly Ebel Ranch, along with volunteers.
Extension staff offered special thanks to all of the volunteers who helped, the Farm Bureau and Southwest Dairy Center for their sponsorships and donations. At the conclusion of the second day two lucky students won bicycles donated by presenting sponsor Hopkins-Rains County Farm Bureau.
Volleyball Wins Second Straight, Continues Home Stand Friday
Sulphur Springs continues their second half of district play Friday at home when they host Liberty Eylau.
Coach Bailey Dorner’s team beat the Lady Leopards on their home court earlier this season, and hope to complete the season sweep over Liberty Eylau.
Tuesday, Oct. 11 had Sulphur Springs hosting Paris to begin the second half of district season.
The two schools played tug-of-war as each team fought to swing the momentum arrow in their favor. Late in the first set, Paris led 22-17 and looked to be on their way to a 1-0 set lead, only to see Sulphur Springs outscore Paris the rest of the way, 10-8 sweeping the rug out from under Paris to steal set one 27-25.
Shellshocked from leading late in set one, Paris fell apart in set two as the Lady Cats pulverized them 25-11 to lead in a big way 2-0. Volleyball scored 23 of the first 32 points in the set.
The story was more or less the same in the third as Sulphur Springs once again jumped out to a big lead, this time 18-10, before Paris scored seven straight points to trail by one, 18-17. Even with Paris staging a huge comeback, it fell short as Coach Bailey Dorner’s squad scored seven of the next 10 en route to a 25-20, three straight set wins over Paris.
The home win to begin the second half of district season brings the Lady Cats’ season record to 18-14 (4-2 district). The victory is not only the second straight, but also keeps Sulphur Springs firmly in third place, now two games ahead of Tuesday’s victim in Paris.
Including Tuesday’s win over Paris, Lady Cat volleyball now holds the season sweep and tiebreaker over the fourth place school. The Lady Cats edged out Paris in five sets to begin district play in late-September.
The season sweep over Paris is the first for Coach Dorner’s squad, and they look to make it two straight series-sweeps if they can best Liberty Eylau on their home court.
Lady Cat volleyball hosts Liberty Eylau on Friday, Oct. 14 in the SSHS Main Gym.
That game is scheduled to begin Friday at 4:30 P.M.
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.
8.7% COLA Increase Announced For Social Security, SSI Beneficiaries For 2023
SSA Acting Director: Medicare Premiums To Go Down Next Year
The Social Security Administration this morning announced that approximately 70 million Americans on Social Security and and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will see an 8.7% cost of living increase in benefits in 2023, which averages out to about $140 extra in benefits per month starting in January.
SSA calls the increase a “substantial Social Security cost-of-living adjustment,” which is tied to the Consumer Price Index cost of living adjustment set by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
More than 7 million SSI beneficiaries will begin receiving the COLA on December 30, 2022, while benefits paid to more than 65 million Social Security beneficiaries are slated to start in January 2023, per the Social Security Act. Some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits.
And, according to Acting SSA Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi, another bit of good news is that senior adults Medicare premiums are going down next year, for the first time in over a decade Medicare premiums haven’t risen year-to-year. That, the acting director said, is an indicator “that we can provide more support to older Americans who count on the benefits they have earned.”
Of course, there will be other financial tax adjustments that go into effect in January, including the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social security tax. That rate will increase from $147,000 to $160,200, which the Oct. 13, 2022 SSA release stated is based on the increase in average wages.
Social Security and SSI beneficiaries are normally notified by mail starting in early December about their new benefit amount. The fastest way to find out their new benefit amount is to access their personal my Social Security account to view the COLA notice online. SSA claims the site is a secure and easy way to find out their amount before the mail arrives. People can also opt to receive a text or email alert instead of a mailed notice when they have a new message from Social Security–such as their COLA notice. People may create or access their my Social Security account online at www.ssa.gov/myaccount.
Information about Medicare changes for 2023 is available at www.medicare.gov. For Social Security beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, their new higher 2023 benefit amount will be available in December through the mailed COLA notice and my Social Security‘s Message Center.
To view the full COLA message from Acting Commissioner Kijakazi, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgm5q4YT1AM.
To read more about how the Social Security Act stipulates COLA is to be calculate., visit www.ssa.gov/cola.
Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines Authorized As Booster For Younger Kids
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorizations (EUAs) of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent to authorize their use as a single booster dose in younger age groups. The Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent is authorized for administration at least two months following completion of primary or booster vaccination in children down to six years of age. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent is authorized for administration at least two months following completion of primary or booster vaccination in children down to five years of age.
These bivalent COVID-19 vaccines include an mRNA component of the original strain to provide an immune response that is broadly protective against COVID-19 and an mRNA component in common between the omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5 lineages to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by the omicron variant. The mRNA in these vaccines is a specific piece of genetic material that instructs cells in the body to make the distinctive “spike” protein of the original virus strain and the omicron variant lineages BA.4 and BA.5. The spike proteins of BA.4 and BA.5 are identical.
“Since children have gone back to school in person and people are resuming pre-pandemic behaviors and activities, there is the potential for increased risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. Vaccination remains the most effective measure to prevent the severe consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D. “While it has largely been the case that COVID-19 tends to be less severe in children than adults, as the various waves of COVID-19 have occurred, more children have gotten sick with the disease and have been hospitalized. Children may also experience long-term effects, even following initially mild disease. We encourage parents to consider primary vaccination for children and follow-up with an updated booster dose when eligible.”
With today’s authorization, the monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine is no longer authorized as a booster dose for individuals five through 11 years of age. Both the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine continue to be authorized for primary series administration in individuals six months of age and older.
For each of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccines authorized today, the FDA relied on immune response and safety data that it had previously evaluated from a clinical study in adults of a booster dose of a bivalent COVID-19 vaccine that contained a component of the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 and a component of omicron lineage BA.1. The FDA considers such data as relevant and supportive of vaccines containing a component of the omicron variant BA.4 and BA.5 lineages. In addition, the FDA has evaluated and considered immune response and safety data from clinical studies of the monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, including as a booster dose in pediatric age groups. These data and real-world experience with the monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, which have been administered to millions of people, including young children, support the EUA of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccines in younger age groups.
What You Need to Know: Authorization of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent
- The data supporting FDA’s authorization of a single booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent for both the 6 years through 11 years age group and 12 through 17 years age group is based on the FDA’s previous analysis of immune response and safety data from a clinical study in adults 18 years of age and older who received a booster dose of Moderna’s investigational bivalent COVID-19 vaccine that contained a component of the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 and a component of Omicron lineage BA.1.
- For the 12 through 17 years age group, the authorization is also based on the effectiveness of a single booster dose of the monovalent Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine in this age group. The FDA’s analysis included a comparison of the immune response among approximately 250 clinical trial participants in this age group who received a single booster dose of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine at least five months after completion of a two-dose primary series of the vaccine to the immune responses among approximately 300 clinical trial participants 18 through 25 years of age who had received a two-dose primary series of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine in a previous study which determined the vaccine to be effective in preventing COVID-19. The immune response to the booster dose of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine in the 12 through 17 years age group was comparable to the immune response to the two-dose primary series in the adult participants.
- For the 6 years through 11 years age group, the authorization is also based on the effectiveness of a single booster dose of the monovalent Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine in this age group. The FDA’s analysis included a comparison of the immune response among approximately 100 clinical trial participants 6 years through 11 years of age who received a single booster dose of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine at least six months after completion of a two-dose primary series of the vaccine to the immune responses among approximately 300 clinical trial participants 18 through 25 years of age who had received a two-dose primary series of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine in a previous study which determined the vaccine to be effective in preventing COVID-19. The immune response to the booster dose of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine in the 6 years through 11 years age group was comparable to the immune response to the two-dose primary series in the adult participants.
- The safety of a single booster dose of monovalent Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine was evaluated in approximately 1,300 participants 12 through 17 years of age who received a booster dose of monovalent Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine at least five months after the second dose of the primary series, and approximately 1,300 participants 6 years through 11 years of age who received a booster dose of monovalent Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine at least six months after the second dose of the primary series. The most commonly reported side effects after a booster dose of the monovalent Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine in the clinical trial participants for both age groups were pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, underarm swollen lymph nodes in the same arm as the injection, nausea/vomiting and fever.
- Individuals who receive the bivalent vaccine may experience similar side effects reported by individuals who received the monovalent Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine.
The data for the monovalent Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine are relevant to the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent because these vaccines are manufactured using the same process.
What You Need to Know: Authorization of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent
- The data supporting the authorization of a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent for individuals 5 through 11 years of age is based in part on the FDA’s previous analysis of immune response and safety data from a clinical study in adults greater than 55 years of age who received a booster dose of a Pfizer-BioNTech’s investigational bivalent COVID-19 vaccine that contained a component of the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 and a component of Omicron lineage BA.1. In addition, the authorization is based on the FDA’s previous analysis of safety and effectiveness data of a booster dose of monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine in children 5 through 11 years of age.
- Individuals who receive Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent may experience similar side effects reported by individuals who received the monovalent Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
The fact sheets for both of the bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for recipients and caregivers and for healthcare providers include information about potential side effects, as well as the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis.
The amendments to the EUAs were issued to Moderna TX Inc. and Pfizer Inc.
Related Information
Team Tennis Makes History, Reaches Area Round For First Time
For the first time in Sulphur Springs history, team tennis has reached the Area round.
“We felt like we were gonna make history,” Coach Tony Martinez said following the 10-4 Bi-District win over Jacksonville.
The team tennis coach said that has been their mantra for this squad, to make history. Coach Martinez said in the 35 years team tennis has been played in Sulphur Springs that year after year, Texas High were district champions, followed by Longview.
That, and challenging foes like Hallsville ensured the Wildcats were a fourth seed, setting them up for a number of years with Whitehouse in Bi-District.
Moving down to 4A has been wildly beneficial for team tennis, as even though there are still tough competitors in the Wildcats new subdivision, Sulphur Springs has cashed in by ending their regular season as the 2 seed from 15-4A. While they lost a chance to secure the first ever district championship for team tennis, Coach Martinez and his group are in the playoffs and faced Jacksonville in Bi-District.
Team tennis beat Jacksonville Tuesday 10-4 to secure not only the first ever Bi-District Championship, but also the first trip for Sulphur Springs to the second round of playoffs.
“It was a goal that we had set a few months ago, when we felt like we should get to the playoffs,” Coach Tony Martinez said, “but we didn’t want to be satisfied with just getting to the playoffs. Let’s see if we can get to the second round.”
They did just that, beating Jacksonville thanks to a number of great matches from Sulphur Springs.
Jessie Li and Kaylee Schumacher lost the first set in their girls’ doubles match, but rebounded by taking it to a tiebreaker and ultimately winning the match. The team tennis coach said their victory was one of the stronger wins Tuesday.
His No. 1 boys’ doubles teams also went neck-and-neck with the top guys from Jacksonville, something Coach Martinez applauded since the Wildcats’ opponents were ranked higher, according to UTR. While they fell short, the team tennis coach said his guys put up a good fight.
Another boys’ doubles match he mentioned, Brodie Emmert and Malachi Negrete, pulled off a big win versus the Indians’ No. 2 guys, who Coach Martinez said were really strong opponents.
Both boys’ and girls’ doubles featured key wins for Sulphur Springs in their Bi-District victory, but none more so than the girls’ side.
The Lady Cats put on a show Tuesday, winning almost all of their matches. The team tennis coach said Ella Sant, Coral Perez, Trynity Luckett all played strong games Tuesday. Coach Martinez said the girls dominated their side of the competition.
“We’re happy with where we’re at, the kids are very excited,” the coach said Wednesday. The team tennis coach said his group is ready to get back out there and face their second round foe.
They have another tough one ahead of them in Lindale, the #4 ranked team in the state. Sulphur Springs is #8 in the region, according to Coach Martinez. The coach said Lindale has a great program.
Team tennis returns to Longview Thursday, Oct. 13 to take on Lindale in the Area round of playoffs.
The first ever competition in the second round for team tennis begins Thursday at Longview HS at 9:30 A.M.
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.
SOS 101: Voting By Mail In Texas
AUSTIN — Texas Secretary of State John Scott today released the third installment of ‘SOS 101,’ a series of educational videos on the voting process in Texas ahead of the November 8, 2022 General Election. In the newest video, Secretary Scott provides an overview of voting by mail in Texas, including who is eligible to cast a ballot by mail, ID requirements for voting by mail, and how county officials work to protect the security and integrity of mail ballots cast in an election.
Secretary Scott also visits with Parker County Elections Administrator Crickett Miller, who provides a step-by-step account of the mail ballot process at the county level and offers helpful tips for Texas mail voters.
Texas voters who are eligible to vote by mail must provide: (1) a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)-issued Texas Driver License, Personal ID or Election ID Certificate number; OR (2) the last 4 digits of their Social Security Number on both their Application for a Ballot by Mail (ABBM) and mail ballot carrier envelope. As long as one of the ID numbers provided matches what is on the voter’s registration record, the voter’s ABBM and ballot can be accepted.
“Remember, if you’re eligible and planning to vote by mail, you must make sure your Application for a Ballot by Mail is received by Friday, October 28, at your county Early Voting Clerk’s office,” Secretary Scott says in the video.
Applications for a ballot by mail in Hopkins County should be mailed to Hopkins County Clerk Tracy Smith (who serves as the county’s early voting clerk) at 128 Jefferson St., Suite C, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482; [email protected]. The clerk’s office must have received the ABBM no later than the close of business on Oct. 28, 2022. Federal Post Card Applications must be received no later than the close of business on Nov. 14, 2022, according to the Order of Election for November General Election for County Officers and Notice of General Election for state and US offices.
“Please take the time to read the instructions your county gives you carefully before putting your ballot in the mail. Don’t forget to provide an ID number, under the flap of the carrier envelope, to protect the security of your personal information,” Scott stated.
“When in doubt, fill both out,” Elections Administrator Crickett Miller recommends in the video.
“In case you don’t remember which number is on your voter registration record, we can use either.”
Hopkins County United Way Another $15,000 Closer To Goal
Hopkins County United Way is $15,000 closer to meeting this year’s $150,000 campaign goal, which will benefit 18 local nonprofit agencies. As of the second campaign workers report meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, HCUW had raised a total of $26,522.27.
After the kickoff of the 2022-2023 campaign at the end of September, workers began distributing donation packets to leaders and representatives for local businesses, financial institutions, schools, medical facilities and organizations to provide information about HCUW and the annual fundraiser. At the first report meeting on Oct. 4, 2022, workers had collected $11,503.89. This week, another $15,018.38 in donations were turned in, with several weeks yet to go in the campaign.
HCUW 2022 Campaign Chair Emily Glass offered thanks to the workers for their diligent volunteer service, and especially to the dedicated longtime contributors as well as a few new who’ve embraced this year’s goal of continuing Untied Way’s history of giving by helping provide funds for campaign recipients who serve people of all ages and walks of life in Hopkins County.
Glass and Executive Secretary Susan Berning noted not only are some of the HCUW campaign workers faithful volunteers who return year after year, they also serve the community as representatives from some of the 18 agencies allocated funding this year from HCUW. (Ninety-nine percent of the goal will remain in Hopkins County.)
Natalie White turned in donation packets from Roper and White, Propane company and Bright Star Veterinary Clinic. Donations also were received from Cross Fit and Ian Ashcroft.
Charlotte Henderson received a donation from the Lions Club.
Joel Tiemeyer turned in numerous donation packets, including from West Oaks Funeral Home, I-30, Circle C, M&F Western, Abboe’s Collision Center.
Debra Evans and Carolyn McKinney reported donations were turned in from Glenn Irvin, 4 Paws Pet Grooming, Flowerland Florist, D&B Loans, Lee’s Hallmark, Northeast Texas Janitorial, Chad Cable, Frank Long and Hopkins County Abstract.
Bill Owens turned in what he called Jay Hodge Chevrolet’s first “down payment” to HCCUW. For every car sold at Jay Hodge Chevrolet during the month of October, Jay Hodge has pledged $100 to HCUW. (Check out the short video he did with Glass on the Jay Hodge and HCUW Facebook pages.
Shelly Trammel and Jennifer Heitman also turned in their first collection of donations from CHRISTUS-Sulphur Springs facilities. The medical facilities offer incentives such as donations to be able to wear jeans on Friday and a contest for a prime reserved parking space for a year to the top bid. Heitman noted some departments pool their resources to come up with a bid, then if they win take turns among staff using the prime parking spot.
Mary Ferguson turned in donations from Tierra Del Sol, VIP Nails and Uptown Cuts.
Amy Griggs turned in contributions from Hopkins County Fire Marshal Andy Endsley, Tax Assessor/Collector Debbie Mitchell, County Attorney Dusty Rabe.
Berning reported a donation was received through United Way of Central New Mexico, Greg Price, Center Point-Emory, Oncor Energy Future Holdings and Vistra Corp. HCUW also applied for a grant from Brookshire’s, for which notification was received of a pledge.
HCUW workers will meet again at 9 a.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 18, 25, Nov. 1 and Nov. 9 at Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Office. All campaign workers who are able are encouraged to attend the weekly meetings to fellowship, receive encouragement, turn in collected contributions and see how much each pledge and donation boosts the total, getting HCUW that much closer to the $150,000 goal. Each donation is like payday for HCUW and the entities benefitting from the 2022-2023 campaign, so each contribution is celebrated.
Campaign volunteers who are unable to attend are encouraged to send their packets with other workers or contact Berning at 903-243-4066.
Any business, organization or group that has not been contacted by a HCUW campaign worker may still contribute by. Contact Berning at 903-243-4066 or Chair Glass. Individuals, groups and industries may also mail donations (and a return address) to the Hopkins County United Way Headquarters, PO Box 735, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483. Donations may even be made in memory or honor of loved ones or friends.
Donations may also be made via PayPal, debit or credit card on the Hopkins County United Way Facebook page by clicking “Shop on Website“; or the Hopkins County United Way website (where you can also find additional information) by clicking “Make a Donation.”
Wildcat Golf Wins Mount Pleasant Invitational
Coach Jeremy DeLorge and his squad had a fantastic outing Monday, Oct. 10 in Mt. Pleasant.
Sulphur Springs won the invitational, shooting 327 as a team.
Monday’s win came thanks in large part due to Caleb Kesting, who took home 1st place with a score of 70 (-2).
From there, men’s golf more or less shot as a team.
Nick Burney was next up at 83, followed closely by Noah Newsom (No. 4 golfer for Sulphur Springs) coming in at 86 and finishing third for the team.
Monday had two golfers finish just one stroke apart; Tripp Smith, at 88 and Luke White at 89.
Sulphur Springs shot 327 as a team, 10 stokes ahead of second place Pleasant Grove.
Monday’s course at Mt. Pleasant CC is where men’s golf has their district competition come spring time.
To finish first in only their second invitational of the year is big, but beating several former district foes Monday, as well as new district competition Pleasant Grove is huge.
Next up, both golf squads play in their final competition of the fall season as they host an invitational.
That begins Monday, Oct. right here in town at Sulphur Springs CC at 9 A.M.
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.
Chamber Connection – Oct. 12: Stew Festival, Youth Expo, Help-A-Child Benefit Coming Up
Stew Tickets Available Now At Local Banks; Stew Merchandise, Quart Tickets On Sale At Chamber Office
By Butch Burney, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce President/CEO
Now is the time to get your tickets before the 53rd Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival, sponsored by Alliance Bank, on Saturday, Oct. 22.
This year, tickets are $8 each or four tickets for $28, if you buy them before Saturday. On Saturday, there will not be a four-ticket discount. You can purchase tickets at Alliance Bank locations, City National Bank locations, Texas Heritage National Bank and Pilgrim Bank, or at the Chamber office, 110 Main St. You can also purchase them online at HopkinsChamber.org.
Quart tickets are $15 this year. They can only be purchased at the Chamber office or the day of the stew, which is Saturday, Oct. 22.
If you want to wear your new T-shirt or carry your stew mug or tumbler with you to the stew festival, now is the time to gear up. You can get stew merchandise at the Chamber office now!
Be sure to come out to Buford Park on Friday, Oct. 21, for the free concert by Dubb and the Love Machines, which will start immediately after the Wildcats’ home game against Paris.
We will also have a Kids Zone with bounce houses and Gellyball.
We have doubled the number of port-a-potties, added a fourth drink station and will have about 30 vendors in our market.
It will be a great day for the entire family!
Volunteer Opportunity
If a person or group would like to volunteer to work in one of the service tents at the Stew Festival, please contact me at [email protected] or by calling 903-885-6515. Volunteers can help from 9 a.m. to about 12:15 p.m.
Help A Child Benefit
The 15th Annual Help-A-Child Benefit, which raises money for children’s charities, is Saturday, oct. 15 at the Hopkins County Civic Center. Benefitting from the proceeds will be Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center, local foster families, and local Masonic lodges scholarship funds.
Events include the IRA Black FFA shop project show and auction, a cookoff for chili, brisket and pinto beans, a cattle show, and an ag team competition build-off. There will also be carriage rides and photos.
One of the main fundraisers is the drawing for a Polaris 500 and custom-built trailer. Contact Clay Bartley at 903-438-3930 for tickets.
Free Mammography Clinic
Due to demand, additional appointments were added to the Free Mammography Clinic hosted by the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation in partnership with CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. A few openings are still available. If you are an uninsured woman over 40 years of age that lives in Hopkins County, you are eligible for a free mammogram through this program.
The staff of the Ruth & Jack Gillis Women’s Center, a part of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, will be welcoming women to the clinic on two Saturdays, October 15 and 29.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is a good time to schedule an annual mammogram. If you are eligible for a free mammogram, call 903-438-4325 to schedule an appointment.
LEAP Youth Expo
Workforce Solutions Northeast Texas is sponsoring a LEAP (Learning Endorsements and Professions) Youth Expo at the Hopkins County Civic Center from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, Oct. 28.
The expo is sponsored by Pilgrim’s Bank, RPM Staffing Professionals and the Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County EDC.
Halloween Costume Contest
Goodwill Industries is having a DIY Show Us Your Halloween Costume Contest from Oct. 25 to Oct. 31, for a chance to win a $50 gift card to any of the Northeast Texas Goodwill stores. Use items from Goodwill to make the costume, then upload a photo to their Facebook page.
University Day at TAMU-Commerce
Texas A&M University-Commerce is partnering with Sulphur Springs for the CommUniverCity Day on Saturday, Nov. 5, when the Lions football team hosts Northwestern State.
The Lions will highlight and honor local educators, youth programs and residents. There will be on-field photos, hospitality areas, team interaction and a family fun zone.
For more information, contact Chris Tobiaz at 903-468-8756 or [email protected].
Epilepsy Awareness
There will be an epilepsy awareness fundraiser set for Saturday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at First Baptist Church’s The Roc. The fundraiser will include a car show, vendors and a spaghetti lunch.
All proceeds go to the Epilepsy Foundation of Texas.
Hopkins County 4-H Gives Back
By Johanna Hicks, Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent, [email protected]
National 4-H Week recognition has come to a close, but Hopkins County 4-H’ers are still going strong! Our County Extension staff feel strongly that we need to teach our youth to give back to the community, and that’s exactly what they are doing!
Throughout the month of October, contributions will be accepted at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Hopkins County office, 1200, West Houston, in Sulphur Springs. Items being sought include: body wash or bar soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, leggings, jogger pants, spandex shorts (long enough to wear under ripped jeans), undies and socks for middle-school aged students. These items will be delivered in November by our 4-H County Council. Encourage your neighbors, church groups, friends, and family to contribute to this cause!
Project Show
Another event that took place during National 4-H Week was the Hopkins County 4-H Project Show. If you missed seeing their entries, each 4-H member will also be entering the same items in the Hopkins County Fall Festival Creative Arts Contest, so be sure to drop by the Sulphur Springs High School Conference Center to see those items.
Participants in the 2022 4-H project show were:
- Clover Kids
- Eretria Giles – Art
- Rosia Childs – General sewing (pillowcase)
- Junior
- Kallie Mabe –Art, Photography, Craft (mobile), Craft (flower arrangement), and Holiday
- Intermediate
- Kaede Wolf – Decorated Accessory, Art, Craft (Trash-to-Treasure)
- Serenity Giles – woodworking
- Senior
- Rylie Carroll – Food Preservation (jalapeno jelly), Food Preservation (salsa), Horticulture
- Lena Reyes – General Sewing, photography, Crafts (Trash-to-Treasure), Art
- Diego Childs – General sewing (pillow case), General Sewing (bag holder)
Best of Show recipients included:
- Clover Kid – Eretria Giles (Art);
- Junior – Kallie Mabe (Craft – mobile);
- Intermediate – Kaede Wolf (Art);
- Senior – Rylie Carrol (Food preservation – salsa)
Congratulations to each of these 4-H members!
Paper Clover Campaign
Also now taking place is the 2022 Fall Paper Clover Campaign at Tractor Supply. Two times per year, 4-H groups nationwide partner with Tractor Supply, Inc. to promote 4-H programs. The campaign is held to encourage customers to donate $1 or more upon check-out. A large proportion of the funds raised go toward the 4-H Clubs in the county where Tractor Supply stores are located. Last fall, over $400 was raised at the Sulphur Springs Tractor Supply. The campaign ends on October 16, 2022.
Closing Thought
An umbrella can’t stop the rain, but it allows us to stand in the rain. Faith in God may not remove our trials, but it gives us God’s strength to overcome them.
Contact Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent at the Hopkins County Office, P.O. Box 518, 1200-B West Houston, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; 903-885-3443; or [email protected].
