Ms. Hopkins County Senior Pageant Contestants Mary Lynne Anderson, Barbara Grubbs & Valerie Ross
KSST’s Faith Huffman recently sat down with the 2022 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant contestants in groups of three to help the community get to know these vibrant, engaging beauties a little better and whet appetites for this weekend’s contest. And, 2021 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Wilma Thompson also graciously stopped by for a chat about her experiences this year.
The interviews have been broadcast over the past 2 weeks on The Morning Show and on Suddenlink Channel 18. Interviews and information provided about each of the 12 contestants will also will be posted, by interview group, on KSSTraido.com.
The Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant will begin at 6 p.m. this Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Hopkins County Civic Center. There’s no entrance fee to attend, just a desire to support the 12 contestants as they shine.
Those who wish may purchase tickets for a 50/50 raffle. Half of the funds from ticket sales will go to the lady crowned 2022 Ms. Hopkins County Senior to help her pay for expenses as she advances to the state pageant. The other half of the money will go to the winning ticketholder. Tickets are available in advance from any contestant or the Senior Citizens Center, or may be purchased at the door before the pageant. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5.
Valerie Ross
Valerie Ross has lived in Sulphur Springs for nine years. She loves spending time with her family, which includes three children and five grandchildren.
The 67-year-old also likes to sew, work in the garden, do crafts and go to junk sales.
She is involved in her church and a Bible study group.
Ross is a return participant. Her first year to be in the pageant was in 2015. She was unable to participate the next year because she was in the hospital, but has competed in the pageant every year since. No even a walking boot on one foot deterred her from being involved one year.
“it’s a lot of fun, the comradery. I was on the fence about doing it this year, mainly because I had COVID and I had lost a lot of hair. I had long hair. But, things are much better and my hair started growing, I decided I want to do it. Being with the ladies, it’s just a lot of fun,” Ross said.
Although she has yet to capture the title, Ross has not gone home empty-handed. Two years in a row she was recognized for Best Talent and last year had the Best Evening Gown.
This year, she’s trying something different for the talent contest. For the past three years, Ross has performed a comedy skit. This year, she plans to sing, although she is not usually a singer. She’ll be stepping out of her comfort zone for to sing the Big Band song, “Fly Me to the Moon.”
Barbara Grubbs
Barbara Grubbs has lived in Sulphur Springs about 60 years. She has three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
In her spare time, the 68-year-old enjoys traveling, painting, writing, acting and spending time with her family. She has been involved working elections in Hopkins County for a number of years as well.
“This is my very first time to do this. It was something my granddaughter thought I should do,” Grubbs said. “She signed me up.”
She has been involved with the Community Players at Main Street Theatre for a number of years, and from time to time has done a bit of acting. So, she will put those skills to good use performing a comedy skit during the talent portion of the pageant.
Mary Lynne Anderson
Mary Lynne Anderson has been in Sulphur Springs for six years. She has two children, four grandchildren and one brand new great-grandchild.
The 73-year-old loves to travel, go antiquing, do cross-stitch and basket weaving, listening to music, watching movies and playing Mahjong and LCR with her friends.
Anderson is most recently busy with her new puppy, Bella.
“This is my first time to be in the pageant. I decided to do it because it was on my bucket list,” Anderson said.
For the talent contest, she plans to give a Betsy Ross monologue. She contacted a childhood classmate and friend, Janet Harris, who is an actress in Pasadena, for help picking the right one. Within 30 minutes, she’d sent five different versions. They went through them and picked the one they felt was the best fit for her. She’s been practicing for a while now to try to get it down so she won’t forget any lines.
Ms. Hopkins County Senior Pageant Contestants Linda Pickle Hill, Jan Massey & Becky Sanderson
KSST’s Faith Huffman recently sat down with the 2022 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant contestants in groups of three to help the community get to know these vibrant, engaging beauties a little better and whet appetites for this weekend’s contest. And, 2021 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Wilma Thompson also graciously stopped by for a chat about her experiences this year.
The interviews have been broadcast over the past 2 weeks on The Morning Show and on Suddenlink Channel 18. Interviews and information provided about each of the 12 contestants will also will be posted, by interview group, on KSSTraido.com.
The Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant will begin at 6 p.m. this Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Hopkins County Civic Center. There’s no entrance fee to attend, just a desire to support the 12 contestants as they shine.
Those who wish may purchase tickets for a 50/50 raffle. Half of the funds from ticket sales will go to the lady crowned 2022 Ms. Hopkins County Senior to help her pay for expenses as she advances to the state pageant. Tickets are available in advance from any contestant or the Senior Citizens Center, or may be purchased at the door before the pageant. The other half of the money will go to the winning ticketholder. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5.
Jan Massey
Jan Massey has one daughter and two grandchildren, one who is grown and another who thinks he’s grown at “12 going on 20,” she said with a laugh.
She has lived in Hopkins County since 1962. She sells advertising for the Millennium Shopper and has a home-based business.
The 79-year-old enjoys being around people, flower arranging, reading, writing stories and decorating.
She said she loves listening to music and dancing, attending senior dances, going to the Senior Citizens Center and helping with fundraisers. She said the community is so excited about and really looking forward to the future when construction of a new senior citizens activity center is complete. The project, she said, ‘has been a long time coming.”
Massey, a returning contestant in the annual pageant, said the ladies participating in the pageant always have fun. For a couple of years, she had health problems that precluded her from participating, and really hated that because she enjoyed competing. Then, COVID happened in 2020, shutting down nearly everything including social events like the pageant.
So, she said, this year is especially fun for her to be back together with the ladies participating in a great pageant, coordinated by Karon Weatherman. Many of the contestants join Weatherman, who Massey calls “a true Wonder Woman,” and others recruited from the community, volunteering their time to help set things up.
“I always enjoy the ladies we participate with. Everybody has different personalities and the talent is different. We will be entertained and presented with a nice tea on Friday,” Massey said of the get-together sponsored this year by Carriage House Manor and the Cottages with contestants, judges, MCs, sponsors and past winners invited, with rehearsal. “That’s always enjoyable. We get to meet each other and get to know each other and plus we get to practice what we are going to do Saturday night. So, at least it won’t be all new.”
For newcomers, she cautions, expect the unexpected as there have been a few surprises over the years.
Her talent this year will be a little different. It will involve some music and a skit.
“One thing about it, age is just a number. I’ve learned throughout the years, if you enjoy doing something, you need to step out and do it. Don’t hold back,” Massey said.
She encourages everyone to get tickets for the 50/50 raffle, with the winner to be drawn during the pageant.
Becky Sanderson
Becky Sanderson is the mother to only one son, age 37, but has served as a second mother to many foreign exchange students she has hosted over the years. She has lived in Hopkins County about 30 years.
The 69-year-old loves crafts, making floral designs and cooking. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing with friends.
Sanderson’s business, called “Granny Nanny,” involves being a dog sitter, baby sitter, elderly sitter and house sitter.
“I fell into the job, but I like it. It’s something to do after you retire,” Sanderson said. “I do a lot of house sitting on vacation times. It’s a lot of fun to stay with the pets. They’re lonely, so that’s what I do. “They stay in their own homes so they’re comfortable.”
This is Sanderson’s first time to participate in the pageant. She said while a little nervous, she expects the experience to be a lot of fun.
Sanderson said she’s been involved in pageantry for a long time as a judge, and her son was the first Little Mr. Sulphur Springs. She, however, has never competed in a pageant herself.
“I just kind of kicked it around for fun and, then, I got talked into this. You know how Karon is, and Ina Gore she’s good at trying to talk you into things,” Sanderson said with a laugh of Senor Citizens Center Program and Marketing Director Karon Weatherman, ” They are sweet ladies so I just finally gave up and said OK.”
She’s known Weatherman for a while. Their sons went to school together so they were frequently involved in activities such as making 45 armbands during football season and working together to raise funds for the boys’ senior class. She said she still occasionally sees some of the big paws they painted.
“It was fun. We had a lot of fun in school days,” Sanderson said.
Sanderson plans to sing a 1950s Brenda Lee song, “but I need a man to whisper in my ear” she says with a laugh.
She noted that tickets for the 50/50 raffle are available from any contestant. And, the raffle winner of half of the money collected from ticket sales does not have to be present at the pageant to win.
Linda Pickle Hill
Linda Pickle Hill has 10 children, 17 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. She has lived in Hopkins County for about 10 years now with her 83-year-old husband, who is a Sulphur Springs native. Her family also consists of her three service dogs, Atticus, Arysett and Hiram. They are Dogue De Bordeaux or French Mastiffs, like the canine featured in “Turner and Hooch.” She said she loves her quirky family, and her three “Hooch-dogs” ensure there’s never a dull moment at their house.
The 66-year-old works as night auditor for Clarion Pointe, and is a Stephen Minister at First United Methodist Church.
She enjoys genealogy, pow wows, horse shows, and public speaking and educating people about service animal rights. She is involved with Loving Friends Rescue and the Animal Shelter.
Pickle Hill too is a returning participant in the annual pageant, which she said introduces contestants to people with whom they will form friendships that will last a lifetime. She affirms it is a lot of fun. To those who are competing for the first time, she laughingly says, “never say never, because it will come right on your heals.”
She first became involved in the pageant when her granddaughter informed her one morning that they’d entered her in the Ms. Hopkins County pageant a few years back. Her granddaughter broached the subject by asking whether she practices what she preaches: “To never be afraid, to step out of the box and always try new things.” When she affirmed that to be true, Pickle Hill’s granddaughter informed her the family had signed her up to compete in the pageant, so she did and has been competing annually ever since.
Pickle Hill said her talent will focus on “The Struggle For Buying a Bathing Suit, The Struggle is Real.”
She noted pageant coordinator Karon Weatherman to be a “true asset and gift to Hopkins County,” who will “put a smile on your face.”
“We are so blessed to have her,” she said of the pageant coordinator/Senior Citizens Center program and marketing director. “Anything, she’s down for it.”
Pickle-Hill noted how much Weatherman has been able to do in the space given, and is looking forward to seeing what she can do with what she’s seeking to obtain in the new senior center building. She too is eager for the facility to take shape, so she can see what “ought to be amazing” things Weatherman does with the space.
Food Allergy Is Associated With Lower Risk Of SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Size Matters: NIH Study Finds High BMI And Obesity Raise Infection Risk, But Asthma Does Not
A National Institutes of Health-funded study has found that people with food allergies are less likely to become infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, than people without them. In addition, while previous research identified obesity as a risk factor for severe COVID-19, the new study has identified obesity and high body mass index (BMI) as associated with increased risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection. In contrast, the study determined that asthma does not increase risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Credit: NIAID
The Human Epidemiology and Response to SARS-CoV-2 (HEROS) study also found that children ages 12 years or younger are just as likely to become infected with the virus as teenagers and adults, but 75% of infections in children are asymptomatic. In addition, the study confirmed that SARS-CoV-2 transmission within households with children is high. These findings were published today in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
“The HEROS study findings underscore the importance of vaccinating children and implementing other public health measures to prevent them from becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2, thus protecting both children and vulnerable members of their household from the virus,” said Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy, and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of NIH. “Furthermore, the observed association between food allergy and the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2, as well as between body-mass index and this risk, merit further investigation.” NIAID sponsored and funded the HEROS study.
Tina V. Hartert, M.D., M.P.H, co-led the research with Max A. Seibold, Ph.D. Dr. Hartert is director of the Center for Asthma and Environmental Sciences Research, vice president for translational science, the Lulu H. Owen Chair in Medicine, and a professor of medicine and pediatrics at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville. Dr. Seibold is director of computational biology, the Wohlberg and Lambert Endowed Chair of Pharmacogenomics, and a professor of pediatrics in the Center for Genes, Environment, and Health at National Jewish Health in Denver.
The HEROS study team monitored for SARS-CoV-2 infection in more than 4,000 people in nearly 1,400 households that included at least one person age 21 years or younger. This surveillance took place in 12 U.S. cities between May 2020 and February 2021, before the widespread rollout of COVID-19 vaccines among non-healthcare workers in the United States and before the widespread emergence of variants of concern. Participants were recruited from existing, NIH-funded studies focused on allergic diseases. Roughly half of the participating children, teenagers and adults had self-reported food allergy, asthma, eczema, or allergic rhinitis.
A caregiver in each household took nasal swabs of participants every two weeks to test for SARS-CoV-2 and filled out weekly surveys. If a member of the household developed symptoms consistent with COVID-19, additional nasal swabs were taken. Blood samples also were collected periodically and after a family’s first reported illness, if there was one.
When the HEROS study began, preliminary evidence from other research suggested that having an allergic disease might reduce a person’s susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The HEROS investigators found that having self-reported, physician-diagnosed food allergy cut the risk of infection in half, but asthma and the other allergic conditions monitored—eczema and allergic rhinitis—were not associated with reduced infection risk. However, the participants who reported having food allergy were allergic to three times as many allergens as the participants who did not report having food allergy.
Since all these conditions were self-reported, the HEROS study team analyzed the levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-specific antibodies, which play a key role in allergic disease, in blood collected from a subset of participants. A correspondence between self-reported food allergy and food allergen-specific IgE measurements supports the accuracy of self-reported food allergy among HEROS participants, according to the investigators.
Dr. Hartert and colleagues speculate that type 2 inflammation, a characteristic of allergic conditions, may reduce levels of a protein called the ACE2 receptor on the surface of airway cells. SARS-CoV-2 uses this receptor to enter cells, so its scarcity could limit the virus’s ability to infect them. Differences in risk behaviors among people with food allergy, such as eating out at restaurants less often, also could explain the lower infection risk for this group. However, through biweekly assessments, the study team found that households with food-allergic participants had only slightly lower levels of community exposure than other households.
Previous studies have shown that obesity is a risk factor for severe COVID-19. In the HEROS study, investigators found a strong, linear relationship between BMI―a measure of body fat based on height and weight―and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Every 10-point increase in BMI percentile raised the risk of infection by 9%. Participants who were overweight or obese had a 41% greater risk of infection than those who were not. More research is needed to explain these findings. In this regard, planned analyses of gene expression in cells collected from nasal swabs of participants before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection may provide clues about the inflammatory environment associated with infection, which may change as BMI increases, according to the investigators.
The HEROS researchers found that children, teenagers and adults in the study all had around a 14% chance of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the six-month surveillance period. Infections were asymptomatic in 75% of children, 59% of teenagers and 38% of adults. In 58% of participating households where one person became infected, SARS-CoV-2 was transmitted to multiple household members.
The amount of SARS-CoV-2 found in nasal swabs, that is, the viral load, varied widely among study participants in all age groups. The viral load range among infected children was comparable to that of teenagers and adults. Given the rate of asymptomatic infection in children, a larger proportion of infected children with high viral loads may be asymptomatic compared to infected adults with high viral loads.
The HEROS investigators concluded that young children may be very efficient SARS-CoV-2 transmitters within the household due to their high rate of asymptomatic infection, their potentially high viral loads, and their close physical interactions with family members.
Further information about the HEROS study is available in this 2020 NIAID press release and at ClinicalTrials.gov under study identifier NCT04375761.
2022 Texas Conference For Employers Schedule Released
Events Assist Employers And Businesses Statewide
AUSTIN ⎯ The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has released its 2022 Texas Conference for Employers (TCE) schedule, with several locations available throughout the state. TWC’s Office of the Commissioner Representing Employers sponsors the Texas Conference for Employers, which offers employers and human resource professionals the opportunity to learn about new employment laws, earn education credits, network with peers, and talk one-on-one with employment attorneys.
Virtual and in-person options are now available for each of the scheduled events. Employers are encouraged to attend in-person if a meeting is offered in your area and virtually if a close in-person meeting is not an option. Events are scheduled for Laredo (June 3), Sherman (July 15), Abilene (August 5), and San Marcos (Sept 9). To register for one of these locations, visit the TWC Texas Conference for Employers webpage.
TWC invites employers, human resource professionals, business owners, and managers to attend the conferences, which will provide valuable information for employers and business owners concerning the legal issues associated with operating a business in Texas. We encourage every employer to attend at least one of the conferences every year; the topics keep up with new laws, regulations, and court cases. Each conference is geared toward small business owners, HR managers and assistants, payroll managers, and anyone responsible for hiring and managing employees.
“Our office continues to offer Texas employers important information their businesses need to succeed and grow,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Employers Aaron Demerson. “Texas Conferences for Employers allow employers to remain up-to-date about state and federal employment laws vital to their business operations.”
Employers receive practical, timely information for operating a successful business and learn techniques to manage employees more effectively. Seminar topics include:
- Texas Employment Law and Hiring Legally
- Federal and Texas Wage and Hour Law
- Unemployment Claims and Appeals
- Independent Contractors
- Employee Policy Handbooks
The Society for Human Resource Management Texas State Council (Texas SHRM) is co-sponsoring the Texas Business Conferences and offering professional development and Human Resources Certification Institute (HCRI) recertification credits. The organizers will distribute the Certificates for the Texas SHRM Professional Development Credits to the eligible Texas Business Conference attendees. Attorneys may receive up to six hours of Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credit (including 0.75 ethics hours) if they attend the entire conference. Moreover, the Certified Public Accountants who attend can earn six hours of continuing education credit, and other conference participants may qualify for general professional credit.
The Office of the Commissioner Representing Employers website offers more information about the resources available to Texas employers.
6 Felony Warrant Arrests May 31-June 1, 2022
At least six felony warrant arrests were logged by local law enforcement officers May 31-June 1, 2022, according to arrest and jail reports.
Kasie Street Disturbance
Sulphur Springs Police officers responded to a disturbance at a Kasie Street address Wednesday morning. They encountered K C Antwan Macon. A records check by communications operators showed the 29-year-old Sulphur Springs man to be wanted on multiple outstanding charges. After the warrants were confirmed as active, Sgt. Brandon Mayes took Macon into custody at 8:33 a.m. and transported him to jail.
Macon was booked into Hopkins County jail at 9:04 a.m. June 1, 2022, on four no driver’s license warrants three failure to maintain financial responsibility warrants, one Titus County failure to appear on a possession of marijuana warrant and a commitment for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Bond on the marijuana charge was set at $10,000, according to jail records. The fine for the driver’s license charge was set at $430.30 each and at $734.50 on the second failure to maintain financial responsibility charge, according to arrest reports.
According to the 8th Judicial District Court docket, Mason was scheduled to appear in court during the 9 a.m. session June 1. Arrangements were made for him to plead guilty before the court with agreements on Oct. 2, 2021 possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1/1-B controlled substance and an unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon charges.
North Hillcrest Drive Traffic Stop
SSPD Sgt. Brandon Mayes and Officer Jameison Hawkins reported stopping a Jeep Cherokee on North Hillcrest Drive for a traffic violation. A records check revealed by communications revealed the driver, Christina Lynn Mowrey, to be wanted on three Kaufman County warrants. Once the warrants were confirmed, the 45-year-old Heartland, Texas woman was taken into custody at 2:47 p.m. Wednesday, June 1 and transported to Hopkins County jail. The vehicle was released to a member of her family, according to arrest reports.
Mowrey was booked into the county jail at 4:02 p.m. June 1, 2022, on one Kaufman County fraudulent use or possession of a controlled substance-a Schedule I/II prescription and two Kaufman County theft of property valued at $100 or more but less than $750 charges. Bond was set at $25,000 on the fraud charge and $5,000 each on the theft charges. She was released from Hopkins county jail on June 2, according to jail reports.
Courtroom Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Officer Courtney Steward took Matthew Howard Baldwin into custody at 10:05 a.m. June 1, 2022, in the District Courtroom for bond forfeiture on a Dec. 2, 2021 possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest reports.
The 62-year-old Pittsburg man was booked into Hopkins County jail at 3:16 p.m. Wednesday and continued to be held on the charge Thursday, June 2, 2022, according to jail reports.
Gas Station Arrest
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Richard Greer and Deputy Kevin Lester alerted to an “active ping on a phone” associated with Jarrod Olin Kirkpatrick, a wanted man they were actively trying to locate Tuesday. The ping showed the phone to be in the area of two stores, Greer noted in arrest reports.
Upon arrival in the area, they located a vehicle that fit the one the 40-year-old Sulphur Springs man was believed to be in parked by a gas station. The deputies contacted the man inside, placed him under arrest at 9:56 a.m. and transported him to the county jail. He was booked in at 11:41 a.m. May 31, 2022 on an aggravated assault of a date, family or household member with a deadly weapon, according to arrest reports.
Kirkpatrick, who is also known to use the aliases Jarred Kirkpatrick, Daniel Wayne Flemmens, Jay Lawler and Lucky, remained in Hopkins County jail on the charge Thursday, June 2, 2022. Bond was set at $100,000, according to jail reports.
Sheriff’s Office Surrender
Tracie Lanell Miller turned herself in at 4:40 p.m. May 31, 2022, at the sheriff’s office lobby on a warrant and was escorted into Hopkins County jail by Deputy Elijah Fite.
Miller was booked into jail Tuesday on a warrant for violation of probation, which she was on for a Jan. 11, 2018 possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance.
The 33-year-old Texarkana woman remained in Hopkins County jail Thursday, June 2, 2022. Bond was set at $100,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
HCSO Arrest
While Nathan Lee Holder was at HCSO for an investigation, a records check was conducted. The 18-year-old Pittsburg man was found to be wanted in Cass County. He was taken into custody at 5:45 p.m. May 31, 2021, and walked into the jail by Deputy Justin Wilkerson, according to arrest reports.
Holder was booked into jail at 5:57 p.m. Tuesday on the felony criminal mischief resulting in $2,500 worth or more but less than $30,000 worth of damage charge. Bond was set at $5,000 on the felony charge. The teen was released from Hopkins County jail Wednesday, June 1, 2022, 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.
Ms. Hopkins County Senior Pageant Contestants Elizabeth Wilburn, Marjean Allen & Mary Ellis
KSST’s Faith Huffman recently sat down with the 2022 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant contestants in groups of three to help the community get to know these vibrant, engaging beauties a little better and whet appetites for this weekend’s contest. And, 2021 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Wilma Thompson also graciously stopped by for a chat about her experiences this year.
The interviews have been broadcast over the past 2 weeks on The Morning Show and on Suddenlink Channel 18. Interviews and information provided about each of the 12 contestants will also will be posted, by interview group, on KSSTraido.com.
The Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant will begin at 6 p.m. this Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Hopkins County Civic Center. There’s no entrance fee to attend, just a desire to support the 12 contestants as they shine.
Those who wish may purchase tickets for a 50/50 raffle. Half of the funds from ticket sales will go to the lady crowned 2022 Ms. Hopkins County Senior to help her pay for expenses as she advances to the state pageant. Tickets are available in advance from any contestant or the Senior Citizens Center, or may be purchased at the door before the pageant. The other half of the money will go to the winning ticketholder. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5.
Marjean Allen
Marjean Allen has two children, a 45-year-old daughter and 16-year-old daughter. Both she said are good kids, who do well. Allen said she adopted her youngest when she was 26 days old, and she has recently made varsity Blue Blazes, is a makes straight A student who plans to one day become an attorney. She also has four stepchildren, who together have 30 children. Holiday family gatherings are usually spent together at one of the children’s large homes.
The 68-year-old does a lot of volunteer work at the Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Service, where she said many volunteers are needed for the various programs the Extension Agents host. She noted she especially enjoys helping with Hopkins County 4-H.
She is also a Garden Club and a member of First Baptist Church – Sulphur Springs, a great church which she loves.
She is a painter and enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, quilting, crafts, ceramics and photography. She loves to read, and since she has retired has been able to enjoy reading a lot more. She visits the Senior Center, noting that Program Director Karon Weatherman is “so friendly and caring.”
When she gets bored at home, she sometimes goes to the Senior Citizens Center just to sit and talk with people.
This is Allen’s second year to compete in the Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant. She said it provides an opportunity for participants to meet some really special people.
Last year, she showed some of her paintings. This year, she plans for the talent contest to show off some of her beautiful handmade note cards, which she sells for $3-$4 each.
Allen said the pageant is a lot of fun and invites everyone to “come out and watch us” at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Hopkins County Civic Center.
Mary Ellis
Mary Ellis has just returned to Sulphur Springs, with her new husband, after living elsewhere for 50 years. She said she born and raised in Sulphur Springs, one of 13 children, of which eight sisters are still living along with three brothers.
Among the values instilled in them by her parents was staying in school and continuing their education, because they would have to go to work after they finished school. “What I’ve learned are the things I’ve seen my parents do,” Ellis said. “I’m grateful for the values. My father was Rev. Ralph Williams and my mother was Lily Mae.”
She graduated high school on a Friday, and moved to Dallas on a Saturday in order to start classes in Dallas on Monday. She worked in Dallas at AT&T for 17 years, then was transferred to St. Louis, where she remained for 38 years. During that time, she married and had three children. Her daughters are now 47 and 44 and her son is 41. She also had three grandsons who are ages 24, 4 and 2.
After a 50 year absence, Ellis said many of the people she previously knew in Sulphur Springs are not longer here. The 68-year-old said she previously lived in a senior village and collaborated a lot with the seniors and developed a passion for helping and making sure all of their needs were met. So, she visited the Senior Citizens Center to meet more people and become more involved.
“I was always busy in St. Louis. That was hard when I moved her because I didn’t really know anyone. So, I said, let me go to the senior village. It may have someone there who needs to be encouraged. So, that’s why I went there, and learned how to play BINGO,” Ellis said with a laugh. “There’s a lot of activity and I’m really excited about hte experience. I encourage anyone to bring your relatives there. They don’t have to sit home and be lonely. I’m learning people, and every opportunity I get I try to encourage them to come on out.”
One of the people she met at Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center was Program and Marketing Director Karon Weatherman.
“This is an opportunity I never imagined experiencing. I’ve done it with my daughters, but when I was asked to participate. You couldn’t say no, the way Karon was so encouraging,” Ellis said.
So, when Weatherman told her her about the pageant and asked her to participating, Ellis said she couldn’t say no. So far, her involvement as a pageant contestant as has been a really great experience.
Ellis says she loves to sing, which she did in the high school choir. She said “anything pretty, that’s what I like to do.” She’s also a professional seamstress and a beauty consultant. She said she likes looking pretty and wants to help others look pretty too.
Elizabeth Wilburn
Elizabeth Wilburn said she is always looking for ways to give people a helping and and loves to care for her family, which includes her wonderful husband; June 16, 2022, will be their 55th wedding anniversary. Her family’s commitment to helping others is evident in their career choices. Her son is a shift captain for Hopkins County EMS, and her daughter is an RN. She also has one grandson who is a paramedic.
The 74-year-old likes traveling and has been to Cancun and St. Lucas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Las Vegas, and said seeing the Grand Canyon was neat. Her bucket list includes visiting Alaska in the summer time, when its not so cold.
She also loves watching birds, often feeding them in her yard. She also likes photography and exercising to keep herself healthy.
Wilburn said she loves going to the senior Citizens Center, and praises the wonderful Program and Marketing Director Karon Weatherman for doing a great job. There are many things going on at the Senior Center that Weatherman prints a monthly packet so the seniors don’t miss anything.
This will be Wilburn’s third year to compete in the Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant. She said says participating in the pageant is lots of fun, not only does it provide an opportunity to meet lots of people, it also allows participants to display talents others may not know about. She can’t wait for this year’s fun.
She said she likes to laugh and plans this year to tell jokes for the talent portion of the contest. If anyone has some good knock-knock jokes, she’s got always got room in her repertoire for a more humor.
Ms. Hopkins County Senior Pageant Contestants Kylene Claypool, Sharon Dunham & Sharon Baker
KSST’s Faith Huffman recently sat down with the 2022 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant contestants in groups of three to help the community get to know these vibrant, engaging beauties a little better and whet appetites for this weekend’s contest. And, 2021 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Wilma Thompson also graciously stopped by for a chat about her experiences this year.
The interviews have been broadcast over the past 2 weeks on The Morning Show and on Suddenlink Channel 18. Interviews and information provided about each of the 12 contestants will also will be posted, by interview group, on KSSTraido.com.
The Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic Pageant will begin at 6 p.m. this Saturday, June 4, 2022, at Hopkins County Civic Center. There’s no entrance fee to attend, just a desire to support the 12 contestants as they shine.
Those who wish may purchase tickets for a 50/50 raffle. Half of the funds from ticket sales will go to the lady crowned 2022 Ms. Hopkins County Senior to help her pay for expenses as she advances to the state pageant. Tickets are available in advance from any contestant or the Senior Citizens Center, or may be purchased at the door before the pageant. The other half of the money will go to the winning ticketholder. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5.
Sharon Baker
Contestant Sharon Baker is the 72-year-old mother of two, grandmother of five and great-grandmother of two. She loves to cook, sing, dance and paint.
She was born in Dallas and raised in the Irving school system, but has lived in Hopkins County for three years.
Baker is involved in the community. Some of the things she participates in include Community Bible Study, Hopkins County Veterans Memorial and Main Street Theatre.
“Main Street Theatre – a lot of people may not realize that it’s open again. We’ve redone it all inside – we’re not finished redoing it inside, but it looks a whole lot better,” Baker said. “We’re having some great shows and we have concerts now too. I would just like everyone to come out and support the theater. We are working very hard to get it where ya’ll will enjoy what we are doing. We have been open since January. We just want the people in Sulphur Springs to know, we are open and we are giving plays and music.”
She participated in the 2021 Ms. Hopkins County Senior Pageant and said pageant coordinator Karon Weatherman signed her up to be in this year’s pageant as well. Last year, Weatherman called asking her to be in a beauty pageant. She declined, having never done anything like that before. But, was convinced last year.
Baker said she had a blast participating in the pageant last year and even earned recognition for having the Best Personality.
“When they called me up there, they said, ‘Best Personality. Sharon, come on up.’ I went up and everybody in the crowd goes, ‘Well, that fits,'” Baker laughed. “I think the pageant is good for Hopkins County, since we’re the county seat.”
Baker said she has only one talent and you can expect to catch her act during the pageant.
“I’ve been singing since I was 5 years old. I sang in a gospel group for 7 years, where we’d go, set up, tear down; go, set up, tear down. For 7 we did that. I was pregnant one of those years. So, when my doctor told me I couldn’t go to any more gigs – we had one more gig – I went anyway,” Baker said with a laugh.
Kylene Claypool
Kylene Claypool has four children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The 87-year-old is originally from West Virginia, but has lived in Sulphur Springs for about three years. She says her son, who has a coffee house, brought her to Sulphur Springs but has since moved to Oregon, where he bought a big farm. Claypool says she’s happy in Sulphur Springs.
“I live in Frontier Crossing. I go up to the clubhouse every day. There’s about six to eight of us that plays Mexican Train. It’s fun. And you socialize. You’re not sitting in your house. You’re out with people, talking and joking and having fun. I enjoy it, being around people, talking to people,” Claypool said.
The 87-year-old likes to play games of all kinds with friends and family. She loves to read, garden, dance, bowl and study the Bible. After hearing from Baker about the theater, she expressed interest in participating with Community Players.
Claypool also loves to serve and help people any way she can.
She said she too as talked into participating in the pageant by a friend. When asked about her talent, Claypool laughed.
“I don’t have a talent. I made up one. When Karon asked, ‘What’s your talent,’ I said, ‘I don’t have a talent,'” Claypool said. “I made up one. I’m going to tell a joke about me and then, I’m going to dance.”
Sharon Dunham
Contestant Sharon Dunham said although she is originally from Mount Vernon, she’s lived in Sulphur Springs for over years. She retired from the hospital as a cook and now does small engine repair with her husband James from their home on Loop 301. That’s something she said she’s learned in the last four years.
She also helps her husband carry drums and equipment to gigs, where he drums classic rock, blues and Country & Western music as part of the Birch Creek Band.
Dunham enjoys gardening, sewing, singing, fishing, camping and spending time with friends. She is also the leader of the TOPS group, which meets Wednesday at Emanuel Baptist Church.
“It’s just a little group to support you in your weight loss. We have 10 members. We have fund. We go to state day once a year and we have a ball,” Dunham said. “It’s not like Weight Watchers or anything like that.
The 64-year-old and husband James have three dogs and two cats they consider their children.
Dunham said Weatherman also was responsible for her participation in the pageant this year, the first time she’s ever been in one. She’s known her for a while, so when she and another woman delivered Avon to her one day, Weatherman told her she needed her to participate in the pageant. She handed her paperwork, and when asked about it explained she’d only had three contestants sign up to that point, and Dunham would make four. So, Dunham agreed.
She too sings, mostly at Emanuel Baptist Church where she not only sings, but leads the music as well.
Information From the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Campus
CERTIFYING
Welding Inspector Danny Rejda, left, is checking the welding work of PJC-Sulphur Springs Center welding student Keith Kirkland during a certification test.
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.
Trusty Housing Facility Having To Be Revised Due To Increases In Construction Costs
Hopkins County Commissioners Court, auditor, fire marshal, and sheriff and jail personnel discussed with architects and construction-manager-at-risk what the next step should be – or if there should be a next step – in the pre-construction process for a new a trusty housing facility, which currently is projected to cost nearly twice the original construction budget allocated for the project.
The county contracted with Sedalco for the construction of a new facility on county-owned property just across from the current jail facility. Hopkins County officials budgeted about $4.5 million of the $7 million allocated to Hopkins County in American Rescue Plan funding to construct a building to house male inmates who have been designated as trusties, and as such go out into the community to work daily, including on precinct crews, at schools, the Civic Center and other locations.
The trusty facility would better segregate the inmate trusties from the general inmate population at Hopkins County jail when they return from their work details. The county officials cited the project as a measure to help reduce potential spread of COVID or other infectious illnesses from trusties who are out in the public or working alongside those who are around others in public, where they could be potentially exposed to illnesses.
By doing so, the county would be meeting the “response to COVID pandemic for public health and the health of the general inmate population of the Hopkins County jail,” an allowable use under the ARP guidelines, county officials said when announcing the project.
Moving the trustees out of the current jail facility would also free up space to house more inmates in general population, as well as federal inmates, for whom the county receives funding to house.
The unit as proposed is to house up to 48 inmates. The most recent projections, although not final or firm numbers, would require approximately $7 million to build a maximum security facility. An alternate plan for a low security facility was presented during Tuesday’s meeting as a potential more cost effective option, if the county chooses to continue with the project. Continually increasing construction costs and supply chain issues were cited as the major causes for the inflated costs. Sedalco reps indicated they’ve been told after bids are taken and order placed, it could be 52 weeks before they arrive.
One Sedalco representative told the court that where in the past construction costs increased on average 4-6%, they are not increasing that much per month. DRG Architects Principal and Architect Wayne Gondeck said. Where as the current jail, a voter approved bond project, only cost about $200-$300per square foot whereas current rates are $400-$500 per square foot and could rise as much as $250 more. Thus, the county will need to come up with an additional $2-3.5 million, not financed but in the bank that a check can be written for.
The draft presented Wednesday would be significantly scaled back to better meet intended budget. It would sacrifice single cell units, a kitchen and laundry, and multipurpose and counseling center.
County officials asked if local labor, including inmate labor, could be used for some of the project such as ground work and painting, thereby, reducing some of expenses. One commissioner asked if they could send someone with truck and trailer to get materials instead of having them shipped or trucked in at a fee. They were told some suppliers have freight companies they contract with for that service.
The architects asked for someone to put together information on what they would part of the project they would like to assume responsibility for completing. The architects then projected it would take another 2-3 weeks before they have another draft and proposal.
Proposed in the down-scale was reducing the building from about 10,000 square feet to 7,000-8,000 square feet, but that would only reduce costs by a couple of hundred-thousands of dollars. One cost savings could be in type of table sand chairs purchased to furnish the building.
Consultant Beth Wisenbaker reminded the gathered officials a few of the limitations of the funding. The funding must be committed by 2024 and spent by 2026, according to the most recent specifications set. The ARP funding cant be used to create or pay off debt, nor paid toward pension.
The balance in the account currently is $4.8 million. The amount designated for the project is $4.5 million, and DRG’s fees would come from that. She reminded the county officials that part of the designated funding has also been committed to Martin Springs tower, which has to be repairs.
County Auditor Shannah Aulsbrook noted that the county does not have an extra million to spend on this project, especially not with the continually rising fuel costs, which will impact how much the county is able to allocate to road and bridge building, and all other operations. While the county’s had a few good years, inflation could change change that in the next couple of years.
Wisenbaker said the county would be out about $20,000 on architectural fees to this point, per the terms of the contract signed, if they choose not to move forward with the building.
Chief Deputy Tanner Crump said going ahead with a low risk facility would free up that much bed space in the jail across the street to house additional general population and federal inmates. That should extend the amount of time after the current bond is paid off by at least 5 years before another would be needed to expand for maximum security or for improvements at the current facility. That would give the county more flexibility and space until those funds are realized.
Discussed was constructing the new facility, but doing so in a way that it could be converted to a maximum security facility later on or expanded as funds and need are available or require. That would likely add cost and require additional measures such as additional doors and detention door controls, which add to the cost.
Where and how a recreational area should be incorporated for the jail trustees housed in the new facility was also a topic of discussion. Costs for a water retention pond, the need for a safety vestibule, fully paved parking area, how and the type of bunks or bedding to put in the building, a need for washers and dryers in the facility for inmates to use for their clothing, and covered area were also among the topics covered during the meeting.
“I think we need to see what we can get done for $4 million,” Tatum said.
The court agreed, asking that DRG make changes and get those to Sedalco, so that the business can come back the court with hard numbers for the county officials to consider approving.
June 1 Chamber Connection: Lots of Events Slated In June Including Dairy Festival
The Reinforcement Foundation Golf Tourney To Benefit Hopkins County EMS, Cumby VFD
By Butch Burney
It’s Dairy Festival time in Hopkins County!
Dairy Festival
The Dairy Festival is back this year with a great schedule of evets, starting June 1-4 with the carnival on the grounds of the Civic Center.
The Festival will host a ribbon cutting at noon on Friday, June 10, on Celebration Plaza, before moving to Shannon Oaks Church that evening at 6 p.m. for the hot air balloon rally and glow.
The hot air balloons will be back in the air at 6 a.m. Saturday, June 11, before the Dairy Festival parade begins at 10 a.m. from Buford Park. That day, there will be the Junior Dairy Show, milking contest, cow patty bingo and the final balloon rally and glow.
Then, the festival will come to an end on Saturday, June 18, with 12 contestants vying for the title of Dairy Festival Queen.
Lunch and Learn
Small business owners will want to come to our Lunch and Learn, set for Wednesday, June 22, entitled Digital Marketing 101, by April Bliss, founder of Bliss Digital Innovations. We had scheduled April for this workshop in January, but had to postpone it due to COVID.
This seminar is for small businesses that want to learn about digital advertising options beyond Pay-Per-Click. You’ll learn about Retargeting, Targeted Display, Behavioral Targeting, Keyword Targeting, Native Ads, Mobile Conquesting, Social Mirror, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon Targeting, LinkedIn, Household IP Targeting, Video Ads (OTT, Pre-roll), Search Engine Optimization and Reputation Management.
Learn from Digital Advertising Expert April Bliss, who brings her unique perspective as a digital marketing and business consultant bringing over 30 years of extensive marketing and sales expertise in radio, national magazines, newspaper, automobile industry, and retail management, as well as owning several small businesses.
The fee is $15 for Chamber members, $20 for nonmembers. You can register by calling the Chamber at 903-885-6515 or emailing [email protected].
Golf for a Good Cause
The Reinforcement Foundation is hosting a benefit golf scramble on Friday, June 10, at the Sulphur Springs Country Club. Proceeds will benefit Hopkins County EMS and Cumby Volunteer Fire Department.
Tee time is 1:30 p.m., followed by a banquet dinner and a concert by Tyler and The Tribe.
Registration fee for the four-person scramble is $500, which includes four tickets to the banquet and eight raffle tickets. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded. There will be plenty of contest holes.
Register on Facebook on the Reinforcement Foundation page or call 903-259-9904. Sponsorships are also available, starting at $100.
Baby Benefit
Heritage Home Health and Hospice is hosting a baby wipe and onesie drive benefitting Heart of Hope, a pregnancy resource center in Sulphur Springs.
Donations of baby wipes and white onesies (sizes 0-3 months) may be dropped off at Heritage Home Health & Hospice (1325 Shannon Rd E, Suite A, Sulphur Springs) or at the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce (110 Main Street, Sulphur Springs) now through June 24.
Children’s Grief Camp
“Mending the Mess,” a grief camp for children ages 6-12, will be held June 23-24, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day, at t First United Methodist Church. The camp is part of Cypress Basin Hospice’s Camp Brave Heart.
For more information, go to the website CBHospice.org.
International Yoga Day
One Soul Yoga & Wellness Center invites everyone to come and join the celebrations for 8th International Day of Yoga on Tuesday, June 21. The global theme this year is “Yoga for Well-Being” and everyone in the community is encouraged to come join. One Soul will offer free classes all day.
International Day of Yoga is celebrated world-wide every June 21 to help spread awareness of the mental and physical benefits of practicing yoga.
One Soul’s schedule for the day includes:
- 6:30-7:30 a.m.: Solstice Kundalini Yoga-DeAnna
- 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Beginner Flow-Rachel
- 12:10-12:50 p.m.: Family Yoga-DeAnna
- 6-7 p.m.: Open Flow-Allison
- 8-9:15 p.m.: Candlelight Flow & Nidra-DeAnna & Rachel
Classes that day are free and open to everyone. One Soul Yoga & Wellness Center is located at 1008 Main St., in Sulphur Springs. To learn more about the classes or to sign up go to www.OneSoulYogaStudio.com.
Ribbon Cuttings
- VFW Post 8560 will host a ribbon cutting at noon on Wednesday, June 1, for its new food line. Join us for the ribbon cutting at 1 Veterans Lane.
- G3 Mercantile will host a ribbon cutting at its new location at 204 Church St. at noon Friday, June 3. Please join us for the event.
- Humana will have a ribbon cutting at noon on Wednesday, June 8, at the Chamber office. Please join us for the ribbon cutting.
- Fulgham’s Social Lounge hosted a ribbon cutting Thursday, May 26, at 1123 South Broadway. Please drop by to enjoy their food and drinks.
- Aaron’s hosted a ribbon cutting at its location at 1402 Mockingbird Lane at noon on Friday, May 27. They have renovated their store, where you can purchase or rent furniture.
Groundbreaking
Sulphur Springs Family Dental broke ground for their new office on State Highway 154 South on Friday, May 27. They will continue working out of their location on Church Street while the new facility is being built.
