Meal A Day Menu And Senior Citizens Center Calendar for Nov. 29-Dec. 2, 2022
Volunteers prepare meals at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center and deliver them five days a week to Meal A Day program recipients in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. The Meal A Day Menu for the remainder of the week of Nov. 28-Dec. 2, 2022 includes:
- MONDAY, NOV. 28 — Ham & Broccoli Quiche, Hashbrowns, Fruit Salad and a Biscuit.
- TUESDAY, NOV. 29 — Apricot Glazed Chicken Over Rice, Broccoli & Cauliflower, and a Roll.
- WEDNESDAY, NOV. 30 — Two Chili-Cheese Hot Dogs, Chips and a Pickle Spear.
- THURSDAY, Dec. 1 — Rope Sausage, Sauerkraut, Black-Eyed Peas and Cornbread.
- FRIDAY, Dec. 2 — Mexican Chicken Spaghetti, Beans, Salad and Garlic Bread.
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
Paris District Road Report for November 28, 2022
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district for the week starting Nov. 28, 2022. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between SH 91 and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes, bridges, and retaining walls. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between FM 1417 and SH 91. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph on the US 75 mainlanes has been set for this construction project.
The southbound lanes for SH 91 are closed at the US 75 underpass for crews to complete construction on the new southbound US 75 overpass as well as complete storm drainage work. Motorists traveling southbound on SH 91 will be detoured along the northbound US 75 frontage road to Taylor Street where they will make a left on Taylor Street and another left on the southbound frontage road. The roadway is expected to reopen to traffic on Dec. 23, weather permitting.
The northbound and southbound US 75 frontage road intersections with Center Street have been converted to an all-way stop condition. Traffic on the frontage roads is asked to pay attention to the advanced warning signs and new stop signs, and approach the intersection prepared for a stop there.
Lamar Street and Houston Street under US 75 are closed to through traffic with detour signs in place to guide motorists around these intersections.
Eastbound Lamar Street traffic will turn right on the southbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Center Street, and turn left on the northbound US 75 frontage road to return to eastbound Lamar Street. Video animation of this detour can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/5LrCpdOA8OQ
Westbound Houston Street traffic will turn right on the northbound US 75 frontage road, turn left on Washington Street, and turn left on the southbound US 75 frontage road to return to westbound Houston Street. Video animation of this detour can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/7jCatnI3Oq4
These switches will allow crews to reconstruct the proposed US 75 mainlanes and the bridge over Lamar and Houston Streets. The US 75 northbound frontage road traffic is reduced to one travel lane, but two travel lanes remain for northbound US 75 mainlane traffic. A concrete barrier separates the northbound frontage road and mainlane traffic. Video animation of this alignment can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/y_uO0UmpCzk
For southbound US 75 the frontage road traffic is reduced to one travel lane, but two travel lanes remain for southbound US 75 mainlane traffic. A concrete barrier separates the southbound frontage road and mainlane traffic. Video animation of this alignment can be seen at the following link.
https://youtu.be/k2EG2W9rFJY
US 75, Grayson County: at the US 82 intersection. Watch for shoulder closures on the northbound and southbound US 75 main lanes between South Loy Lake Road and Lamberth Street as crews work on building new exit and entrance ramps. Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on the eastbound and westbound US 82 main lanes between FM 131 and Loy Lake Road while crews work on building new exit and entrance ramps. Watch for lane closures and lane shifts for the frontage roads at the US 75 and US 82 intersection as crews work on construction of new frontage road lanes.
FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews construct the new roadway pavement. The ultimate roadway will be a four-lane divided section with turn lanes. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project. The West Cypress Grove Road intersection on the east side of FM 1417 is closed to through traffic to allow crews to work on paving at the intersection. During the closure, traffic wishing to use Cypress Grove Road is asked to use Mimosa Drive and Redbud Trail as a detour route. Mainlane traffic has been switched to the new concrete section between Lamberth Street and SH 56. The Lamberth Street intersection on the west side of FM 1417 is currently closed to through traffic to allow crews to work on paving at the intersection. During the closure, traffic wishing to use Lamberth Street is asked to use Taylor Street and Little Lane as a detour route. The Lamberth Street closure is expected to last three weeks.
Roland Road at the South Branch of Big Mineral Creek is closed to traffic in order for crews to replace the bridge structure and approaches. During the closure, traffic is requested to use either US 377 or County Line Road as a detour.
South Travis Street, Grayson County: in Sherman at Post Oak Creek. Construction is underway for the South Travis Street bridge over Post Oak Creek. During construction, the bridge will be reduced to one lane with traffic signals controlling traffic through the project, while the new bridge is built in phases.
Business US 377B, Grayson County: in Whitesboro from Randy Street to Walnut Street. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to construct sidewalks and curb ramps. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Business US 377B, Grayson County: south of Whitesboro at the railroad underpass near US 377. Watch for lane closures with signals controlling traffic while crews work to upgrade the bridge railing.
US 75 full depth concrete repair, Grayson County: Crews will be working on US 75 each week from Sunday night through Friday morning during the overnight period. Lane closures will be present at night for crews to replace failed concrete sections. Lane closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. each night and should be reopened to traffic by 6 a.m. This work will extend from the Collin-Grayson County line to the Oklahoma State line.
FM 1753, Grayson County: from FM 120 to FM 1897. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and overlay the roadway.
FS 121 (Grayson Parkway), Grayson County: from the Collin County line to FM 121. Construction is ongoing on this new-location roadway which is west of SH 289 approximately four miles. The new roadway will be two lanes with shoulders and will be an extension of the frontage road of the Dallas North Tollway. Local traffic on CR 60 (Marilee Road) and Stiff Chapel Road should expect occasional road work at those intersections, with flaggers present to control traffic. Work on FM 121 at the FS 121 intersection (formerly Scharff Road intersection) is ongoing as crews work to widen the pavement to add turn lanes. Motorists on FM 121 should expect daytime lane closures while crews widen the pavement and install a culvert.
US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday and Thursday during the nighttime.
FM 121, Grayson County: from SH 289 to US 377. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform base repairs and blade level the roadway with hotmix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
SH 56, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to US 69. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform spot milling and blade leveling on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 271, Fannin County: from SH 78 to FM 68. Construction on this rehabilitation project is expected to begin Nov. 30, weather permitting. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway.
SH 34, Fannin County: from FM 64 to FM 1550. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as workers build the new SH 34 bridge over the future Lake Ralph Hall as well as the approaches to the bridge.
FM 824, Fannin County: from SH 56 in Honey Grove to the Lamar County line. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1550, Fannin County: from County Road 3330 to SH 34. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
SH 121, Fannin County: from the Collin County line to SH 56. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install sloped end treatments on pipes and install guardrail.
FM 897, Fannin County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway with hotmix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
FM 100, Fannin County: from US 82 to FM 2216. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews blade level the roadway with hotmix. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
FM 1536, Hopkins County: from SH 19 to FM 71. Watch for lane closures and short delays as crews place pavement markings on the roadway.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 82 to Texas-Oklahoma state line. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews resurface the roadway.
US 271, Red River County: from SH 37 to Titus County Line. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews resurface the roadway.
FM 906, Lamar County: from FM 2648 to CR 47400. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 38, Lamar County: from US 82 to US 82. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and upgrade bridge rail and metal-beam guard fence.
FM 195, Red River County: from the Lamar County line to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve drainage structures and replace bridge rail.
FM 1487, Red River County: from FM 909 to FM 910. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews widen and rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
Loop 286, Lamar County: from FM 1497 around the North Loop to FM 1507. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve guardrail and drainage structures, perform bridge maintenance, and make crossover closures.
Loop 286, Lamar County: At Collegiate Drive intersection and the westbound FM 195 exit ramp. Watch for temporary lane and shoulder closures while crews improve guardrail and drainage structures, perform bridge maintenance, and make crossover closures.
FM 64, Delta County: from FM 128 to SH 1532. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
FM 2675, Delta County: from Lamar County line to FM 128. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews rehabilitate the existing pavement and improve drainage structures.
CR 3440, Delta County: at Jennings Creek. Watch for road closure while crews replace the existing bridge.
CR 15100, Lamar County: at a Branch of Cuthand Creek. Be aware that the road is closed while crews replace the existing bridge.
BU 271 (North Main Street), Lamar County: from Santa Fe Street to 0.25 Miles North of Stone Avenue. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews install sidewalk.
FM 411, FM 1159, FM 1699, FM 2283, US 82 and US 37, Red River County: Watch for temporary lane closures while crews remove debris from recent storm damage.
FM 1499, FM 906, FM 2820, FM 79, FM 1510, US 271 North, and FM 197, Lamar County: Watch for temporary lane closures while crews remove debris from recent storm damage.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903) 455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
CR 1032, 1031 and 2132 bridge replacement project, Hunt County. The contractor has set barricades and advance warning signs. The contractor has reopened the CR 1032 bridge. The contractor has removed the existing CR 2132 bridge. The proposed drill shafts, abutments and west bridge deck have been constructed. The bridge deck curing is in progress and the contractor is awaiting to start the roadway flex base. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
SH 224, Hunt County: The contractor has placed barricades and warning signs along with the detour route. The contractor has poured the abutments and caps. Grading and placing stone rip rap is presently occurring. Beams have been set and the contractor has begun pouring the bridge deck. Please be aware of this construction, detour route and workers in the area.
FM 275, Rains County: from SH 19 to FM 514. The contractor worked on laying profile tracks and RPMs and placing the final SETs on the driveway culverts. The contractor performed hand work on the SH 19 intersection. The contractor is cleaning up the area and working on final punch-list items. Please be aware of workers and watch for work zones when traveling in this area.
SH 276, Hunt County: from FM 36 to SH 34 (Quinlan Bypass). The contractor is working on the west and east tie-ins and the widening of SH 34. The contractor is finishing up drainage and inlet placement for the project. The contractor is working on SH 276 and SH 34 concrete paving to complete the tie-ins. Work has begun on the project sidewalks and signals. Please be aware of lane closures and watch for work zones and workers when traveling in this area.
FM 38 & I-30 Bridges: The contractor plans to clean and paint exist structure on SH 56 location. Overhead bridge repairs on I-30 east bound have continued. Contractor is prepping to pour stabilized backfill at west abutment under I-30 near the Sabine River. The contractor also plans to resume 18-inch backfill soon if conditions will allow. The contractor plans on beginning joint repair and bridge rail repair in early 2023.
SH 66, Hunt County: SH 66 at FM 1570, SH 34 at FM 1570. The contractor will continue signal work at SH 66 at FM 1570 and SH 34 at FM 1570. The contractor will be partially removing islands and extending box culvert at SH 34 and FM 1570.
Maintenance crews for both Hunt and Rains County will be performing various sign and mailbox installations on various roads. Both Hunt and Rains County maintenance crews swept US 69 and SH 276 for debris. Crews will be addressing potholes at various locations. Please be careful when traveling in these areas, watch out for workers and maintain a safe distance from work crews.
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Christmas at Heritage Park Rescheduled
Originally set for November 26 and December 3rd, 2022, Christmas at Heritage park will now be December 3rd, and December 10th.
Saturday December 3rd & Saturday December 10th 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Admission – $3 per person, children under 7 are free.
Visit Santa, 🎅 see lighted displays and a live Nativity, enjoy live music, roast marshmallows on an open fire, buy homemade Christmas candy at the Candy Store in the Atkins House and more!
All proceeds go to Heritage Park
FDA Approves First Gene Therapy To Treat Adults With Hemophilia B
This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Hemgenix (etranacogene dezaparvovec), an adeno-associated virus vector-based gene therapy for the treatment of adults with Hemophilia B (congenital Factor IX deficiency) who currently use Factor IX prophylaxis therapy, or have current or historical life-threatening hemorrhage, or have repeated, serious spontaneous bleeding episodes.
“Gene therapy for hemophilia has been on the horizon for more than two decades. Despite advancements in the treatment of hemophilia, the prevention and treatment of bleeding episodes can adversely impact individuals’ quality of life,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “Today’s approval provides a new treatment option for patients with Hemophilia B and represents important progress in the development of innovative therapies for those experiencing a high burden of disease associated with this form of hemophilia.”
Hemophilia B is a genetic bleeding disorder resulting from missing or insufficient levels of blood clotting Factor IX, a protein needed to produce blood clots to stop bleeding. Symptoms can include prolonged or heavy bleeding after an injury, surgery, or dental procedure; in severe cases, bleeding episodes can occur spontaneously without a clear cause. Prolonged bleeding episodes can lead to serious complications, such as bleeding into joints, muscles or internal organs, including the brain.
Most individuals who have Hemophilia B and experience symptoms are men. The prevalence of Hemophilia B in the population is about one in 40,000; Hemophilia B represents about 15% of patients with hemophilia. Many women carriers of the disease have no symptoms. However, an estimated 10-25% of women carriers have mild symptoms; in rare cases, women may have moderate or severe symptoms.
Treatment typically involves replacing the missing or deficient clotting factor to improve the body’s ability to stop bleeding and promote healing. Patients with severe Hemophilia B typically require a routine treatment regimen of intravenous (IV) infusions of Factor IX replacement products to maintain sufficient levels of clotting factor to prevent bleeding episodes.
Hemgenix is a one-time gene therapy product given as a single dose by IV infusion. Hemgenix consists of a viral vector carrying a gene for clotting Factor IX. The gene is expressed in the liver to produce Factor IX protein, to increase blood levels of Factor IX and thereby limit bleeding episodes.
The safety and effectiveness of Hemgenix were evaluated in two studies of 57 adult men 18 to 75 years of age with severe or moderately severe Hemophilia B. Effectiveness was established based on decreases in the men’s annualized bleeding rate (ABR). In one study, which had 54 participants, the subjects had increases in Factor IX activity levels, a decreased need for routine Factor IX replacement prophylaxis, and a 54% reduction in ABR compared to baseline.
The most common adverse reactions associated with Hemgenix included liver enzyme elevations, headache, mild infusion-related reactions and flu-like symptoms. Patients should be monitored for adverse infusion reactions and liver enzyme elevations (transaminitis) in their blood.
This application received Priority Review, Orphan and Breakthrough Therapy designations.
The FDA granted approval of Hemgenix to CSL Behring LLC.
This & That for Thanksgiving
By David Wall, Mount Pleasant Master Gardener
Sweet potatoes come from South America, and while regular potatoes are tubers or underground stems, sweet potatoes are actually roots. For any recipe that calls for apples, white potatoes or squash, you can substitute sweet potatoes. They have a 5,000-year history.
White potatoes also come from South America and have a 400+ year history. Today, they’re the number one side dish in restaurants. The French fry option was introduced by Thomas Jefferson while President. They were the first vegetable astronauts grew in outer space.
Pumpkins originally came from Central America and have a 7,000-year history. Size varies by type and care and can range from less than one pound to over 1,000. The origin of the pumpkin pie began with colonialists filling a gutted pumpkin with spices, honey and milk, and baked/roasted in hot ashes. The largest pumpkin pie weighed 350+ pounds and was more than 5′ in diameter.
Green beans apparently originated in Mexico some 7,000 years ago. Today, some 40 million casseroles are served every Thanksgiving.
The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts by our Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe, and apparently lasted for three days. Regardless of what we were told in history classes, there was no corn, let alone pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, bread, butter, or milk at this first Thanksgiving. While this may sound like a bland feast, the first feast is thought to have included eggs, carrots, cabbage, beans, onions, chestnuts, goat cheese, honey, rabbit, chicken, dried fruits, and even lobster!
Interestingly, Pilgrims didn’t have forks. Rather, they used spoons, knives, and their fingers! Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863, and the setting aside of the fourth Thursday of November to celebrate Thanksgiving in the USA was enacted by Congress in December 1941.
This year, some 46 million turkeys are expected to be sold for Thanksgiving.
2022: Year In Review – Child Health/Wellness
By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County, [email protected]
This is the second of the program impact summaries provided by Hopkins County Family & Community Health Extension.
Relevance
According to https://nccd.cdc.gov, Hopkins County has a population of approximately 37,211, with 19% of children living in poverty an average of 21% of youth ages 6-19 are overweight. Additionally, approximately 24% achieve 1 hour or less moderate physical activity; an average of 45% consume less than 1 serving of fruit per day; and 50% consume less than 1 serving of vegetables per day. Other factors that can be a detriment to youth health and wellness include:
- adult obesity (32% of Hopkins County population)
- adult smoking (20%)
- uninsured (24%)
Response
The Community Health/Wellness Alliance and Hopkins County Master Wellness Volunteers identified the need to continue addressing childhood health in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, and well-being. This was accomplished by partnering with the Sulphur Springs and Cumby ISD’s for their 2022 summer day camp program. The target audience was students grades 1-5. Collaborators in the effort were:
- Department of State Health Services (session on water/sun safety)
- United Healthcare (session on dental care)
- Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center (sessions on stranger danger)
- Barbara Bush Primary Campus (facilities for sessions)
- League Street Church of Christ (facilities for hands-on cooking session)
- Cumby School campus (facilities for sessions)
- Hopkins County Master Wellness Volunteers
- Healthy Texas Youth Ambassador
Results
A total of nine sessions were provided, including a 2 ½ hour hands-on cooking session for Sulphur Springs students. Sessions included: physical activity at each session, “Color Me Healthy” curriculum, nutrition, importance of breakfast, MyPlate, sun safety, water safety, stranger danger and more. The hands-on cooking session included reading and following a recipe, food safety, hand hygiene, and kitchen safety. Incentive items were distributed to reinforce information learned: MyPlate plates, exercise bands, MyPlate flying discs, sports bottles, aprons, and more.
A retrospective 11-question post survey was distributed to 2 Sulphur Springs classes (30 returned) and 14-question post survey to 2 Cumby classes (20 returned). Surveys included multiple choice questions, true/false questions, and intent to adopt practices learned during the sessions. Students indicated learning:
- 100% (50/50) were able to identify dairy products from a list
- 100% (50/50) were able to identify recommended number of minutes of physical activity
- 100% (50/50) were able to identify the best beverage for hot days
- 90% (45/50) were able to identify what to do in the event of severe weather
- 88% (44/50) were able to identify sedentary behavior vs. physical activity
- 88% (44/50) were able to identify foods in the protein group
Intent to adopt practices:
- 100% (50/50) indicated that they will drink more water and fewer sweetened beverages
- 96% (48/50) indicated that they plan to eat breakfast every morning
- 88% (44/50) indicated that they plan to eat more fruits & vegetables
I know statistics can be boring, but they certainly help tell the story about the impact of these programs! Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is all about education and helping people have better lives. I want to thank the two schools for allowing me to be part of their very successful summer camp program!
Closing Thought
A year is basically 365 opportunities for something great to happen!
Contact Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Family & Community Health Agent in Hopkins County, P.O. Box 518, 1200-B West Houston St, Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; 903-885-3443; or [email protected].
Tips For A Safer Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays for most brings to mind for most a smorgasbord of rich foods, including turkey and dressing with giblet gravy, ham, rolls and plenty of sweet desserts and snacks. However, for some, the the holidays are marked by devastation — home fires.
Cooking is the leading cause of reported home fires year-round in the US, and accounts for 45 percent of all home fire injuries and 21 percent of home fire deaths. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires and fire deaths; 15 percent of the fatalities are attributed to clothing ignitions, according to the National Fire Protection Agency.
Thanksgiving Day is the leading day for US home cooking fires, with more than three times as many home cooking fires occurring on Thanksgiving as a typical day of the year, the NFPA reports.
Below are a few safety reminders heading into the holidays to help keep residents and properties safer.
Fire officials recommend planning to cook a turkey outdoors for Thanksgiving, especially those planning to deep fry, to make sure it’s cooked away from patios, porches, garages, structures and awnings. He suggests testing the turkey to fluid ratio before putting oil into it; put the turkey in water before firing the cooker up. If water splashes out, that is an indicator there’s too much liquid. Remove some of the water. When the turkey fits without significant amount of water overflowing, that’s a good indicator of how much oil to put in the fryer, the fire chief suggested.
Also, to avoid an explosion, avoid dropping a frozen turkey into hot oil. Make sure the turkey is thawed before attempting to cook it. The cooler the turkey the hotter the oil and fire, the more chances of splashing or burning.
The US Fire Administration also reminds turkey chefs to make sure their fryer is level, and away from children and animals, to avoid it tipping over or popping and burning. Keeping a 3-foot safety zone around stoves (when cooking indoors) and outdoor grills is recommended.
Things that can catch fire — like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels– should be kept a minimum of 3 feet from the cooking area. Shirt sleeves should be pushed up and billowy clothing should be worn after the food is prepared to keep it from coming into contact with open flames or other heat sources, the NFPA recommends.
Cooking food shouldn’t be left on the stove top unattended, especially when frying and sautéing with oil. Stay near and check the turkey frequently while it is cooking.
Home Heating Tips
Precautions are also needed for heating structures during cooler temperatures. Heaters are to be plugged directly into outlets. Extension cords should not be used for electric heaters, as doing so can easily overload the source and result in melted cords and fires.
Natural heating should include proper ventilation, method to extinguish a blaze in a fireplace or wood burning store. Check to be sure there are no gas leaks for natural gas heaters. Objects should not be placed too close to any heaters or heating sources as a precaution as well.
Upcoming Activities: CASA Cookie Walk, Christmas Activities, Economic Conference
If you’re decorating your Christmas tree and you’re looking for that special ornament, come see our local one.
For the fifth year, the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce has commissioned a Christmas ornament, and this year it celebrates Heritage Park!
The shipment is expected on Wednesday and there is a limited supply (70) and the cost is $40. If you would like to purchase one, drop by our office at 110 Main St. while supplies last!
The Chamber office will be closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving.
Directories
Work has started on the 2023 Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Directory. We distribute over 7,000 of these directories to visitors, relocation hopefuls, and even hometown heroes who are interested in learning more about our local businesses. They include historical information as well all things to the see and do in Hopkins County. The best part is, they include an alphabetical and categorical listing of your business.
LeeAnn Peugh, with Echo Publishing, will be contacting you in the next few weeks to see if you are interested in placing an ad in the directory.
The rates are affordable, and one of the best ways to represent your business. You may also contact the Chamber, and I will pass your information along to her.
Economic Development Conference
If you would like a crystal ball to see into the economic future, then you’ll want to get a glimpse of what the experts are saying at the annual Economic Development Conference, set for Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hopkins County Civic Center.
Aaron Demerson, commissioner representing employers of the Texas Workforce Commission, is our keynote speaker. Mr. Demerson will present to Hopkins County the economic outlook for Northeast Texas for 2023. He serves as an advocate for over 555,000 Texas employers and his office provides a variety of resources, including training and assistance with hiring, managing and recruitment.
Tickets and tables are both available. Sponsorship tables are available on three different levels and individual tickets are sold for $20 each. For sponsorship opportunities or individual tickets, contact the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or email [email protected].
Sponsorships must be in by Nov. 30 to be included in the program.
Cookie Walk
The annual Lake Country Cookie Walk is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, Dec. 2, at First United Methodist Church. It’s a great time to stock up on treats for yourself, your business or your friends and neighbors.
For more information, call 903-885-1173 or go to LakeCountryCASA.org.
Christmas Activities
If it’s November, it means Christmas is coming, and the Lions Club will help you get in the Christmas spirit when they host their 16th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 2.
If you’d like to register for the parade, contact the Chamber at [email protected] and we can email you a form. Entries will be graded in three categories: large business, small business and non-profit.
The parade will start at 7 p.m.
- Also on that day, the city’s Christmas tree will be lit at 5:45 p.m. downtown.
- The Chamber will also be offering free photos with Santa at the Chamber office, 110 Main St., from 5-7 p.m.
- Christmas in Heritage Park will be from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26 and Dec. 3. Admission is $3; children under 7 are free. You can visit with Santa, see light displays and live nativity, roast marshmallows and enjoy free hot cocoa and old fashioned cider. You can also start your Christmas shopping in the country store!
- RPM Staffing Professionals will host its 2 nd Annual Stockings for Seniors, with donations directly benefitting Rock Creek Health and Rehabilitation. Donations items include but are not limited to Chapstick, books, socks, denture cleaner, hand lotion, etc. Contact RPM at 903-439-1022 or drop off donations at 401 Church St., Suite B.
- First Baptist Church of Sulphur Springs will present Christmas at First, a celebration of the sights, sounds and the true meaning of Christmas, at 6 p.m. each day Dec. 10 and 11. Reserve your free tickets are SSFBC.org.
Caring by Preparing
Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home is offering a Caring By Preparing seminar on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 112:30 a.m. at the their new building at 876 Wildcat Way.
The complimentary lunch is provided by Murray-Orwosky, and RSVPs are needed by calling 903-885-133.
The seminar will including understanding your options for cremation and burial, how to plan and protect your funeral dollars and what most people don’t know about pre-planning.
Ribbon Cuttings
- The Barn of Emory, located at 550 Rains County Road 3425 in Emory, hosted an open house and ribbon cutting on Friday, Nov. 18. Following the ribbon cutting, there was visitation with vendors, music and a movie.
- Corner Grubhouse hosted a ribbon cutting for their new breakfast menu, located next door to the main restaurant on Connally Street, on Thursday, Nov. 17. The new venue is also available for meetings and gatherings.
- At noon on Thursday, Nov. 17, 101 Barbershop, located at 101 Bill Bradford Drive, hosted a ribbon cutting. Please welcome them.
- Top Notch Realty, located at 468 Shannon Road, Suite 14B, hosted a ribbon cutting on Tuesday,
Nov. 15. - Murray-Orwosky Funeral Home debuted its new facility on Wildcat Way with an open house on
Tuesday, Nov. 15.
CEFCO Convenience Store Sign Variance Request Receives Limited Conditional Approval
A convenience store sign variance request received limited conditional approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals Tuesday evening.
CEFCO asked to be allowed two signs for a total of 465.7-square feet of signage, including a high rise sign 100 feet tall with 144-square feet of sign, plus a price sign that is 321.7-square feet. The city’s sign ordinance caps pole signs at 150 square feet in size, requires a 15-foot setback from the property line and 40 foot height limitation.
That means CEFCO asks for a variance of 60 feet in height and 315.7-square feet in size, which would be 150% in excessive height and 210.5% in excess of size requirements.
Assistant City Manager Manager/Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski said the city sent certified letters to 14 residents within 200 feet of the property, notifying them of the variance request. The city received one response in favor of, and one in opposition to the request. The opposition expressed concern about light being detrimental to the residential neighborhood that backs up to the site.
Niewiadomski told the ZBA at the board’s Nov. 22 meeting that the airport director was consulted. He reviewed an aeronautical study for the site and found that the proposal does not present a hazard to air navigation. However, if approved, any temporary construction equipment that exceeds 100 feet above grade level would require additional notice to the FAA.
The Hillcrest Drive overpass and trees along I-30 west were sited as hardships which could limit visibility of the sign to interstate traffic, which could be a difficulty in being competitive with other surrounding businesses.
The planned convenience store will have four lanes of diesel for vehicles powered by the fuel, but would not be a truck stop as it does not have long-term parking for trucks to lodge overnight.
Niewiadomski noted there are some trees blocking exposure of the sign from the east, however, some of those trees likely will be removed when the store is built and signs go up. Currently, the existing billboard can be seen by traffic from the west despite the overpass, and the sign is not 100 feet tall. City staff recommended the sign be 40 feet tall, which should still make the sign visible for convenience store, while protecting the neighborhood to the north from light pollution.
It is customary for stations that sell fuel to advertise gas prices on a sign, the assistant city manager noted. For instance, Love’s was granted a variance for a sign and ended up putting up a digital sign that’s 9-feet, 8 inches by 19 foot, four inches for a total of 187 square feet and changes between diesel and gas prices, Niewiadomski noted.
Elevation and trees were reported to be factors in granting a sign variance for Love’s, on the southwest side of I-30 and the Hillcrest Drive (SH 19) overpass.
CEFCO representative Guy Slimp noted the existing billboard at the location presents difficulty, as it can’t be placed in front of the billboard, but still needs to be seen from I-30. CEFCO tried to buy the billboard but the owner does not want to sell it. He said the business is primarily focusing on westbound traffic as eastbound traffic on I-30 would be more likely to frequent the businesses on the south side of I-30. He indicated a desire to alert motorists, especially trucks, far enough prior to the exit that they have time to safely get over and exit I-30.
Texas Department of Transportation is still scheduled to evaluate the exit, and is expected to move hte exit back further east, which would require motorist to be able to see the signs even further back so they can get over sooner to exit, officials noted. Niewiadomski said TxDOT has been amenable to a traffic light in the area to help with traffic direction on SH 19 in the area of the overpass.
ZBA member Kyle Robinson said more information is needed regarding elevations in the area compared to other signs approved for similar businesses. ZBA member Kevin Mohl said the station’s location in relationship to the sign should also be considered. It would not be fair to give say Love’s a variance but not CEFCO. Both said they could approve the size recommended by the city staff, then if the sign isn’t visible the business could return before the city officials to note that and again request a variance based on that.
The ZBA agreed with the recommendation of city staff, approving up to a 40-foot tall pole sign along Industrial Drive, with up to 331 square feet of total sign area to balance communications efficiency and to preserve environmental quality and preservation. The business will be required to follow any and all requirements of the FAA for constructing the sign as referenced to the communication for the airport director.
Other Business
The Zoning Board of Adjustments also welcomed Gary Clem to the board Tuesday night, approved the minutes of the last meeting on Jan. 25, 2022, a temporary use permit for a construction trailer during construction of a on Wildcat Way and modifications to a special use permit for Ladera RV Resort to be constructed at 1229 Loop 301.
Niewiadomski noted that board likely will be called to meet in December to discuss at least one variance. ZBA meets at 5:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month, when needed.
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