Lady Cat Volleyball Hits The Road For Huge Duel with North Lamar
Coach Bailey Dorner’s team plays a crucial two-game stretch this week that has them going up against the top two teams in District 15-4A.
Starting with Tuesday, Sulphur Springs heads to Paris for a duel with North Lamar.
The Pantherettes come into Tuesday, Oct. 18’s game at 6-1, tied for first in the district and a full game ahead of third place Sulphur Springs. Tuesday’s game at North Lamar is the lone away game during the second half of district play.
Friday begins the home stretch for volleyball, as they play two-straight home games to round out the regular season.
A win on Tuesday in Paris would be huge for Lady Cat volleyball, as they would not only avenge their loss to North Lamar earlier this season on their home floor, but if Sulphur Springs could win out from there they would be the No. 2 seed come playoff time.
That game begins in Paris on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 5:30 P.M.
Coach Dorner’s squad comes into Tuesday’s game riding high on a three-game winning streak.
Friday had Sulphur Springs in the Main Gym hosting Liberty Eylau, and the Lady Cats made quick work of the visiting Lady Leopards. Coach Dorner’s team embarrassed L.E. 25-12 and 25-13 in sets one and three on their way to an easy sweep of the Lady Leopards.
The lone set in which the Lady Cats were tested came in the second, but L.E. still fell in that one 25-22.
That win Friday at home clinched a series-sweep of Liberty Eylau, their second straight season sweep after taking care of Paris the Tuesday before.
Now the biggest test of the season looms over volleyball as they prep for the biggest two-game stretch of the season: at North Lamar (6-1, tied for 1st) and versus Pleasant Grove (also 6-1, tied for 1st).
While winning both is preferable, even splitting this week’s games, combined with a win next Tuesday, could put the Lady Cats in a great position to steal the second seed.
First they have to get through North Lamar on Tuesday, Oct. 18.
That duel begins in Paris on Tuesday at 5:30 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.
A Student in the Paris Junior College Welding Program
SPARKS FLYING
Structural welding student Omar Teran of Quinlan prepares a welding project during a recent class at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center welding shop. For more information about the welding program, call 903-885-1232.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924.
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Fastpitch Softball Championship of Champions Tourney Coming to Sulphur Springs In May 2023
National Championship Sports will be hosting the LSB Tournaments Championship of Champions Softball Tournament in Sulphur Springs in May 2023; the fastpitch softball tourney is essentially a softball World Series event, according to Sulphur Springs Parks Director Jerry Maynard and City Manager Marc Maxwell.
NCS is, however, no stranger to Sulphur Springs, with at least eight other events already being hosted in Coleman Park, according to Maynard and NCS Director Matthew Bright.
“Sulphur Springs has a great facility there,” Bright said. “We come to Sulphur Springs because it is a great facility.”
Bright explained that although he’s not from Sulphur Springs, he was aware of the city because he and his dad used to frequent Cooper Lake a few times annually to fish. He said in addition to the being a “top-notch facility,” Coleman Park in Sulphur Springs is conveniently located between Tyler and the Texas-Oklahoma border, and relatively close to Dallas, without being in the middle of a the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
The May 2023 Fastpitch Softball Championship will feature various ages, starting at 6U on up to 18U, with an additional age group every 2 years. The opening ceremonies on May 19 will feature a type of skills derby, with first through third place awarded for Fastest Team, Around the Horn, Fastest Pitcher and Homerun Derby by age division.
Teams are guaranteed five games, with three pool games to double elimination, 60 minute pool pay and 70 minute brackets.
Those wishing to enter may do so now online at playncs.com/fastpitch. The number of available spots in a division may fluctuate depending on the needs of all divisions that share the same field size. Rosters will be locked in on Friday evening prior to the event. All players must be listed on the public view team page by the cutoff in order to play. Every players must have a parent/guardian-signed waiver by the cutoff in order to be eligible to play.
All first place teams and finalists will receive banners; first place teams will be awarded World Series Championship rings and and finalist will get a WS finalist ring.
A $10 gate fee will be charged per person age 12 and older. Outside food and drinks will be allowed, but no alcoholic beverages are permitted. Pets are allowed, but must be on a leash, and owners will be responsible for the pet’s behavior.
A concert featuring Sony Records recording artist Don Woods Jr. will also be held Friday night. The gate fee pays for Friday’s concert.
Currently, NCS lists eight additional events on the organization’s calendar scheduled to take place at Coleman Park in Sulphur Springs between now and the LSB Tournaments Championship of Champions May 19-21, at Coleman Park
Hallooween Havoc, a 6U-14U NCS Fastpitch Tournament, is scheduled Oct. 29, 2022 at Coleman Park. Candy will be given away to all kids present, and there will be a costume contest with awards as well. The tourney offers a 4-game guaranty, with rings for first and second place winners, and because it’s only one day, a maximum of eight teams per division.
Travel teams will can register for the May 19-21, 2023, LSB Tournaments Championship of Champions, Hallooween Havoc or other NCS Fastpitch events at Coleman Park online at playncs.com/fastpitch. Call or text 903-279-3708 for information.
These tournaments are boon for the city in that they typically feature travel teams in a wide range of age groups, according to city officials. Many of whom travel from far out-of-town, even out-of-state, so they often reserve rooms at local hotels and spend the weekend in town, including visiting local restaurants and stores, fuel up at local gas stations and take in local attractions such as Celebration Plaza between games.
Winnsboro Police Department Media Report – Oct. 10-16, 2022
Arrests
- Theresa Wells, 57 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on Oct. 14, 2022, on a Wood County Warrant for Assault Causing Bodily Injury.
- Keri Joseph Garner, 19 years of age, of Winnsboro, was arrested on Oct. 13, 2022, for Possession of Marijuana in a Drug-Free Zone.
- Christopher Byrd, 28 years of age, of New Caney, was arrested on Oct. 11, 2022, for on a Gwinnett County Warrant for Theft by Receiving Stolen Property.
Calls for Service
The Winnsboro Police Department responded to a total of 129 calls for service during this reporting period.
Citations
The Winnsboro Police Department issued 28 citations and 25 warnings during this reporting period.
3-D Mammography Technology Offered At The Ruth & Jack Gillis Women’s Center
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs has ONE mission: To Extend the Healing Ministry of Jesus Christ
Amazon Smile Program, Free Saturday Athletic Injury Clinic For Students Ongoing
By Jennifer Heitman, Senior Market Development, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, [email protected]
Free Mammogram Clinic
Our Ruth & Jack Gillis Women’s Imaging Center provided 20 free mammograms on Saturday, October 15, as part of the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s gift to our community (along with a donation from our hospital). They will hold another free clinic on October 29. By the end of the month October, the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation will have provided 60 free mammograms to uninsured women over forty!
We emphasize the importance of breast exams and mammograms for women and even men who have a family history of breast cancer. Our compassionate medical associates help detect breast abnormalities to ensure you receive the necessary resources, diagnostics, treatments, and procedures. The Ruth & Jack Gillis Women’s Center inside of the CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs is a state-of-the-art imaging center that includes the newest 3-D Mammography technology.
We welcome you to schedule your mammogram here today. Schedule an appointment by speaking with your physician, or call 903.438.4325.
Give Back through Amazon Smile
Did you know that you can do nothing other than your regular online shopping at Amazon and give back to our Hopkins County Health Care Foundation? The program is easy and does not cost anything to the Amazon customer.
All a person needs to do is shop through smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com.
Once on smile.amazon.com or the app, be sure to denote the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation as the beneficiary. Do this by going to “Account & Lists” then “Your Account” drop down. Click on Amazon Smile. From there a charity (Hopkins County Health Care Foundation, please) may be designated or changed. If using the app, select “Change your Charity” under Settings.
Purchase of certain products will generate a donation of 0.5% of the sale to the HCHC Foundation. It will cost nothing extra to the Amazon customer, but will be helpful to the Foundation, allowing it to do even more to promote health care initiatives in Hopkins County.
Thank you for your contribution!
Free Student Athlete Injury Clinic Continues
CHRISTUS Orthopedics and Sports Medicine of Sulphur Springs continues to offer a FREE Saturday Athletic Injury Clinic for all student athletes, all sports included. The clinic is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. through Nov. 12. Student athletes from 7th grade to college age will be able to get a free exam and x-ray to determine a plan of care to treat their injury.
The clinic will be held at our CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic Orthopedics, Medical Building 5, at 103B Medical Circle in Sulphur Springs. For more information about our Sports Medicine program, or Orthopedic services, please call 903.885.6688.
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties. For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit: christustmf.org.
- Bed count – 402 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 – CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 – Tyler Continue CARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
SSHS Wildcat Band Marching Through “Bandtober” With An Eye At Area UIL Next
The Sulphur Springs High School Wildcat Band has been on the move — traveling, performing, and competing during their busiest time of the year. The month of October brings a “culmination of all things competitive marching band,” with Friday night football game performances and Saturday contests. The weekly Saturday marching contests in October have lead to the coining of the month as “Bandtober.”
“These kids work so hard to perform for the community on Friday evenings, but a major focus of our year are our contests in October,” said Spencer Emmert, head director. “It is exciting to compete against the best bands in the area and work for success at UIL.”
The students have and will continue spending a huge amount of time working for and perfecting their show, with even the smallest details scrutinized by the judges at every contest, the band director noted.
“Marching Band is all about precision. Our continual goal is always to produce the cleanest, most precise show possible. This is what scores the best from the judging panels,” Emmert said.
The band started the contest season traveling to Princeton for their first contest of 2022 on Oct. 1. They performed well and got some outstanding comments from the judging panel and placed above several state-level bands, the band director reported.
The following Saturday, Oct. 8, the band traveled to Royse City for their second contest of the year. After their preliminary performance, the Wildcat Band was awarded a spot in the finals and placed fourth overall behind several state-level groups.
“We were incredibly proud of the results at Royse City! Our students have put themselves in the same conversation with some of the best bands in the state,” Emmert said.
Late Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 11, the Wildcat Band competed in the UIL Region Marching Contest in Mount Pleasant, “the most important contest of the year” thus far, Emmert said.
The band received straight first divisions from all judges and qualified for advancement to the Area level, which will be held in Lindale on Oct. 29. The Area performance schedule has yet to be released, but will be announced by the band program as soon as the schedule is released, Emmert noted.
The Windcats continued through “Bandtober” by competing in Winnsboro High School’s the first ever “Battle for the Spear” marching contest on Oct. 15. The Wildcat Band received all first divisions and was awarded “Most Outstanding Woodwinds,” “Most Outstanding Brass,” and “Best in Class 4A.” They placed third overall in the finals with two judges ranking the group’s finals performance first and second, respectively.
The band will continue working to perfect their show for the upcoming UIL Area Contest in Lindale on Oct. 29. Five groups will be certified at Area to advance to the State Marching Contest in San Antonio, which will is scheduled to be held during the second week of November in the Alamodome.
The Wildcat Band expresses gratitude to their outstanding parents who continue to help feed and support the students and offer special recognition “to our amazingly supportive principal, Josh Williams, and Superintendent Mike Lamb.”
If the band advances from Area on Oct. 29 to State in November, Sulphur Springs ISD school personnel encourage district band supporters to cast ballots in the upcoming $81.5 million SSISD Bond Election during the early voting period, so there’s no potential that they would miss voting on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in order to support the Wildcat Band at state.
Inductees For Friday’s 2022 Hall Of Honor Ceremony Revealed
Four former Sulphur Springs athletic greats will be inducted into the SSHS Hall of Honor in a pre-game ceremony on Friday, Oct. 21.
Quan Johnson, a district basketball MVP who graduated in 1990; Torio Kelly, a record-setting running back in the Class of 1996; Maegan Bell Nix, a 2003 graduate who was a two-sport MVP; and Colby Suggs, a 2010 graduate who was an All-State pitcher and won a state championship in football, will be the latest Wildcats to be honored with a Hall of Honor plaque.
A public reception will be held for the inductees at 5:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, in the SSHS Multipurpose Building, followed by an on-field induction at 7 p.m. at Prim Stadium before the Wildcats host Paris for a district football game. Friends, family and supporters are invited to attend the reception.
Quan Johnson, Class of 1990
Quan Johnson was a two-year starter and two-time All-District selection for the Wildcats in basketball at SSHS. He was named District MVP his senior year when he averaged 18.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. He also shot 60 percent from the field and 88 percent from the free-throw line.
The 1990 season for the Wildcats can be described in no other way than simply spectacular. Winning 13 consecutive games, the Cats broke the record set in the 1964-65 season, and their 24 wins tied the school record for most wins in a single season.
The perfect 8-0 record in district set a new school record for no losses in district play. Johnson was the only nominated player for the MVP Award, a rare tribute for the versatile 6-0 senior star. He was also named 2nd Team All-Region and All-State Honorable Mention.
Johnson completed his Wildcat career with 899 points, setting the school record during that time for most career points for a two-year letterman.
During Johnson’s career, the Wildcats posted a 43-18 record.
After graduating high school, Johnson attended Navarro College.
He now resides in Sulphur Springs, where he managed at Walmart for 19 years and is currently the operations manager at High Health Cosmetics in Dallas.
Johnson’s parents are Lonnie and Joyce Shaw. He has been married for 27 years to Shondrea Johnson and has two daughters, SSHS teacher Aliah Johnson, and Tia Berry; and two sons, SSHS seniors Torris and David Johnson.
Johnson has six siblings, sisters Loretta, Sandra, and Carla, and brothers Damon, Kevin and Brandon.
His presenter will be his former high school coach, Steve Armstrong.
Torio Kelly, Class of 1996
Torio Kelly, who graduated from Sulphur Springs High School in 1996, was a record-setting running back in football and a state qualifier in track and field.
Kelly broke numerous school records at SSHS, earning him All-District and All-State honors as both a junior and senior. He still holds the school record for most career yards rushing with 3,555 and most carries with 563, and also held the school single-season rushing record of 1,771 yards, as well as most rushing TDs in a season and a career.
He also was a four-year track letterman, finishing sixth in state as a junior in the long jump. He qualified for Regionals his junior and senior seasons, finishing second as a junior and third as a senior.
He was a football team captain as a senior and was Co-MVP in both football and track.
Kelly notes that he was fortunate to have been coached by two Hall of Fame coaches, James Cameron and Joey Florence.
He earned a scholarship to Tyler Junior College, and then transferred to Texas A&M-Commerce in 1998, where he was an All-Conference athlete in football before graduating in 2001.
At TJC, he was Honorable Mention All-Conference as a special teams player with four blocked kicks. At TAMU-C, he is currently ranked sixth with the longest fumble returned in 2001 of 60 yards, and is also currently tied for sixth with 14 passes defended with 10 break-ups and four interceptions in 2001.
After college, Kelly caught the attention of the NFL, working out for 14 teams, and two Canadian teams, as well as three Arena football clubs.
Over the years, Torio has shared his passion for athletics by educating and coaching area youngsters, and he remains active in the THSCA.
Torio and his wife, LaRisa, now live in DeSoto and have four children and one grandson. They both are coaches in the DFW area. Torio is the assistant football and head boys track coach at South Garland High School.
His presenter will be his son, Jeremiah Kelly.
Maegan Bell Nix, Class of 2003
Maegan Bell Nix was a four-year letterwinner on the Lady Cats softball team, made All-District three years and was the team MVP not only in softball but in cross country as well.
She graduated from SSHS in 2003 as top 10 percent in her class.
While at SSHS, she earned six letters, four in softball and two in cross country. In softball, she was the 2001 District sophomore of the year and was first team All-District, All-Region and Academic All-State each of her last three years.
As a senior, she was also the softball MVP and recipient of the James Cameron Fighting Heart Award.
Bell Nix ran cross country her sophomore and junior years and was the district champion and state qualifier as a sophomore, when she was also named team MVP.
She was awarded a softball scholarship to the University of Central Arkansas, where she was a three-year letterman and starter for the UCA Bears softball team. She was named the 2004 Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year, and was Second Team All-Conference as a sophomore and junior. In 2006, she was the 2006 GSC crossover tournament offensive player of the tournament.
She also holds career records at UCA for top 25 in batting average, on-base percentage, stolen base percentage, most hits, and most triples. She is No. 3 in career stolen bases with 91 and No. 1 in sacrifice hits with 24. She finished her career with a .978 fielding percentage starting every game at second base.
Maegan graduated cum laude in 2008 with a Bachelors in Nursing from the University of Central Arkansas and graduated summa cum laude in 2014 with a Masters in Nurse Anesthesia from Texas Wesleyan University and was also named clinical resident of the year in 2014.
She now resides in Sulphur Springs and is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist at Christus Mother Frances in Sulphur Springs. She is married to Robbie Nix, who was a letterman in baseball at the University of Central Arkansas, and they have three children: Cooper (12), Lundy (10) and Jackson (3).
Her parents are Terry and Lynn Bell, and has one brother, Tab Bell.
Maegan is currently coaching a girls 10U select softball team, Ladycat Select.
Her presenter will be her high school coach, John McCullough.
Colby Suggs, Class of 2010
Colby Suggs was an All-State Honorable Mention pitcher, a college All-Star and a second round Major League Baseball selection.
As an athlete at SSHS, he was a two-year letterman as a starting pitcher and third baseman for the Wildcat baseball team.
As an All-District pitcher in 2009, he struck out 17 batters in 7 innings in a playoff game against Henderson. As a senior in 2010, he was an Honorable Mention All-State pitcher and was also named the District 13-4A Pitcher of the Year.
Colby was also a three-year letterman in football for the Wildcats as an offensive lineman. He earned All-District honors as center for the 2008 team that won the 4A Division II state championship, defeating the Dayton Broncos 69-49 in the San Antonio Alamo Dome.
Suggs was a co-recipient of the Forrest Gregg MVP award his senior year.
He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas where he received a scholarship to play baseball for the Razorbacks. He was a relief pitcher his first two years, setting a school record for fewest runs allowed in a season (6) his sophomore year. He was privileged to pitch for Arkansas in the 2012 College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, that same season, fulfilling a lifelong dream to pitch in the CWS.
Following the College World Series, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Wareham Gatemen in the Cape Cod League and was named an All Star for the league.
Colby was the Razorback closer his junior year at Arkansas and was given the honor of being a team captain. In 2013, as the closer for the Razorbacks, he set a single season record for saves with a total of 13. His ERA for the 2013 season was 1.74 with 29 strikeouts in 20 2⁄3 innings pitched.
In June 2013 he was drafted 73rd overall by the Miami Marlins in the MLB draft. He pitched in the minor leagues until he suffered a career-ending elbow injury.
Colby returned to Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas and completed his degree in communications. While there, he also served as the bullpen coach for the Razorback baseball team, helping them return to the College World Series in 2018, where they finished as runners-up for the national championship.
In 2019, Colby joined the Minnesota Twins major league team as an advance scout. On July 1st of this year, he was promoted to bullpen coach for the Twins.
In the offseason he makes his home in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with his wife, Hannah, and sons Miller (4) and Gibson (2).
Colby’s parents are Joe and Kerry Suggs of Sulphur Springs, and he has one brother, Blake Weir of Royse City.
His presenter will be his high school coach, Jerrod Hammack.
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.
2 Arrested, Search Warrant Executed At Fisher Street Residence
Two people were arrested and a search warrant was executed at a Fisher Street residence last week, according to arrest reports.
Sulphur Springs-Hopkins County Special Crimes Unit Lt. Mark Estes reported taking Fernando Montes De Oca and Malissa Louise “Nana” Larey into custody upon arrival at 10:03 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, at their Fisher Street residence.
Estes reported multiple undercover purchases of methamphetamine were made from Montes De Oca. Overall, officials reported seizing just under 30 grams of meth. The purchases are all alleged to have occurred within a drug-free zone. Officers obtained warrants for Montes De Oca’s arrest on two manufacture or delivery of 4 grams or more but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone and took the 47-year-old man into custody Thursday at his residence.
A search warrant also executed Oct. 13 at the pair’s residence Thursday allegedly resulted in additional evidence being gathered and the man’s truck being seized, Estes alleged in arrest reports. The 44-year-old Sulphur Springs resident allegedly claimed ownership of less than 1 gram of suspected meth located and was taken to jail for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone, Estes noted in arrest reports.
Montes De Oca remained in Hopkins County jail Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, in lieu of $200,000 bond — $100,000 per first degree felony manufacture/delivery charge. Larey was released from Hopkins County jail Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, on a $5,000 bond on the third-degree felony possession charge, according to jail reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
168 Stew Cook Sites To Choose From At The 53rd Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival
Tickets Are $8 Each For A Bowl And All-You-Can-Eat Of Stew Or 4 For $28 Through Friday; Quarts Are $15
Almost 170 stew cook sites and projected perfect weather should make for a memorable 53rd Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival for the entire family on Saturday.
The festival, presented by title sponsor Alliance Bank, will feature 168 cook sites of either chicken or beef stew, a Kids Zone, vendor market and more at Buford Park.
“We are very pleased to have so many cooks participating this year. This is 24 more than cooked last year, so there will be a lot of options,” said Butch Burney, president of the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the festival. “This is such a fun event for everyone. Thanks to our many sponsors, and primarily title sponsor Alliance Bank, so that we can put on a festival that’s affordable for the entire family.”
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 until Friday.
Online tickets will not be available for purchase on Saturday.
The ticket includes an all-you-can-eat bowl, cheese, crackers, spoon and napkin.
Stew service will start, as usual, at 10:45 a.m., with quart service beginning at 11:30 a.m. Quart tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the Chamber office or on the day of the festival.
Announcement of the winning stews will be made at 12:45 p.m.
The vendor market opens at 9 a.m. Saturday, with about 30 booths selling merchandise and desserts. It will be on the south side of Connally Street in the paved circular area.
But, the fun actually begins on Friday when the Tailgate Friday Night party, sponsored by Bob Evans Farms, hits center stage. Many cooks gather on Friday to prepare their sites, swap stories and prepare foods for the appetizer contest. After the home football game against Paris, there will be a free concert in the park, with Dubb and the Luv Machines on stage.
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.
There are other new features as well.
“We will also have a Kids Zone with Gellyball and free bounce houses from Jerry’s Jump Zone,” Burney said. “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.”
Another Successful Help-A-Child Benefit In The Books
The 15th Annual Help-A-Child Benefit was hailed by organizers as another success for children served by Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center, four local foster families and toward scholarships to be awarded to graduating high school seniors by Masonic Lodges who participate in and help put on the annual event.
Starting at daybreak Saturday, 15 teams began firing up their stew pots and smokers, preparing chili, beans, brisket, and peach cobbler to compete for bragging rights and trophies for preparing the food judged the best in each category. Teams included families, school groups, groups sponsored by businesses and Masons. The smells wafted through the air by 10 a.m., whetting the taste buds of all in the area, so that all were ready by the time the ticket and serving lines opened up to the public.
Sulphur Springs High School Culinary Arts students, sponsored by Guaranty Bank, went home with two awards. The students received the championship trophy for cooking the best pot of pinto beans at Saturday’s cook-off and their chili won second place honors in that cook-off as well.
Taking home the trophy for first place chili at the Oct. 15, 2022, cook-off were members of Rosalie Masonic Lodge #527 of Bogata. The third place chili was prepared by the Caitlyn and Colten Froneberger family, sponsored by F1 Fabricators
Rosalie Masonic Lodge #527 of Bogata, Chili Cook-Off Champion 
SSHS Culinary Arts Class, second place, Chili Cook-Off 
Colten and Caitlyn Fronberger, F1 Fabrications, third place, Chili Cook-Off 
White Smoke, SSHS Construction Class, Brisket Cook-Off Champion 
Safety Control, second place, Brisket Cook-Off 
Hopkins County Law Enforcement, third place, Brisket Cook-Off 
SSHS Culinary Arts, Pinto Beans Cook-Off Champion 
Saltillo FF, Ira Black FFA Ag Mechanics Project Show 2022 Grand Champion 
Wayne Bartley, Peach Cobbler contributor to Help-A-Child since the event was first held 15 years ago
First place in the brisket contest was prepared by White Smoke, the Springs High School Construction Class. Second place in the brisket contest was won by the Safety Control team, with Drew Smith and Trey Clark as cooks. The third place brisket was prepared by the Hopkins County Law Enforcement team lead by Jail Administrator Kenneth Dean and prepared by the jail trusties.
Wayne Bartley was recognized for all of the Dutch over peach cobbler he prepared this time and which has continued to be a crowd favorite all 15 years of the Help-A-Child Benefit. Numerous pans of peach cobbler this year were prepared by the team of Bartley and Larry Rose, which Red Barn Café sponsored.
Also among the 15 cook teams entering this year’s cook-off were Hopkins Lodge #180, Saltillo FFA, Como-Pickton FFA, Bobby Neal Family, Bulkley Trucking. Texas Heritage, Mike Cleveland and Mike Hooten team and Jay Hodge Chevrolet. Several teams submitted entries in two or more cook-offs, but the SSHS Culinary Arts cooks were the only team that went home with more than one award.
The contest judges and representatives from the businesses that have helped sponsor the Help-A-Child Benefit all 15 years it’s been going on were also recognized.
The winners of the Ira Black FFA Shop Project Show, which featured entries from members of chapters around the county, were announced immediately following lunch. First place went to the Saltillo FFA arbor and bench. Second place went to the Sulphur Springs High School Building Trades Class’ pecan wood picnic table, and honorable mention went to Sulphur Springs High School FFA’s rocket stove.
All of those items, as well as desserts and other items donated by local youth, individuals and businesses were auctioned off Saturday. Several donated items were also awarded following a silent auction.
The first-ever Ag Mechanics Team Build Off held Friday featured 35 teams from 26 different school districts who worked together to construct a fire pit. Each brought their own tools which they used over the course of four hours to conform the furnished materials into a fire pit. Projects were then judged by Paris Junior College staff, based on quality of welding and the overall project, safety practices utilized and how well all four members of the team worked together. The top four fire pits then were auctioned Saturday, raising additional funds to benefit the children benefitting from Help-A-Child fundraiser. Each of the top teams then received a kit to construct another fire pit to raise funds for their school, if they so choose.
One of the Bonham teams also donated their project for auction to help generate more funding for the charitable causes.
Four local foster families were also recognized and presented with check for $4,000 each to help them care for the children they’ve taken into their homes, some with special health needs. Among the Foster Family of the Year honorees were the Ryan and Tiffany Bozeman family, Brian nd LaTonya Clarke family, Ron and Malcolm Lowrie family, and Jose and Kristen Mandujano family.
The Equine Pavilion Saturday also was a lively place with the annual Livestock Show beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing into the afternoon, with at least 58 showing 17 different breeds of heifers that morning, and quite a few in the steer show too.
The winner of the Ranger raffle drawing was Megan House of Sulphur Springs.
The total for the Help-A-Child Benefit has yet to be counted as some funds are still being tallied. Overall, the event was considered a success, however, in that it raised funds for children with health needs who are treated at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, those reported to have been abused neglected who are interviewed and receive services from Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center, in the four local foster families, and will help youth continue their education after graduation thanks to scholarships awarded by their local Masonic Lodge. The Lodges also are eligible to apply for a match up to $1,500 from the Grand Lodge of Texas to give in scholarships, which would at least double the amount awarded by local Masonic Lodge.
Among the Lodges participating were Sulphur Springs, Yantis Lodge #382, Commerce Lodge #439, Gus Garrison Lodge #1273 of Winnsboro, Mount Vernon Lodge #691, Caddo Mills Lodge #581, Greenville Lodge #335, Mars Hill Lodge #1440 of Emory, Columbia Lodge #81 in Sulphur Springs, Rosalie Lodge #527 of Bogata, Hopkins Lodge #180 of Cumby, Sulphur Bluff Lodge #221. Brad Billings, Grand Master of Masons in Texas was also on hand for Saturday’s Help-A-Child Benefit.
Bounce houses and a petting zoo were stationed on the Civic Center grounds for children to enjoy throughout the day. Carriage rides pulled by Clydesdale horses were also offered on the grounds as well.
Event coordinators and workers offers thanks to all sponsors for their support, as well as to the community members who came out to eat and purchase auction items, and to those who entered and helped put on the various contests.
