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Enola Gay Mathews
Like spring, autumn can be a time of beginnings.
4H Roundup is under way at the Texas AgriLife Extension Office in Sulphur Springs, and families are invited to check out what’s new, exciting, and fun in local 4-H clubs.
According to Lisa Sprague, the new Hopkins County Family and Community Health Extension Agent, clubs across Texas offer new interests like robotics, dog training for agility, shooting sports and entomology — the scientific study of insects. Traditional interests like food science, sewing, photography and raising livestock are also offered. Check it out!
Lisa is loving her new job. She was a teacher at North Hopkins ISD for a number of years.
She shared with me that she comes from a dairy-farming family, and her roots are in the ‘Soonover’ community of Hopkins County. Where’s that? Between Ridgeway and Emblem.
Find out more about Lisa in the Down Home East Texas color magazine available free of charge at the Sulphur Springs News-Telegram, 1428 South Broadway St.
Lisa’s counterpart, Mario Villarino, is the county extension agent for agriculture and natural resources. On Saturday, Oct. 7, he will be involved in the celebration of Beef Day and the Ribeye Roundup steak cook-off on Celebration Plaza.
Up to 20 youngsters will participate in the youth division of the grilling contest, along with the more than 30 adult cooking teams already signed up. In total, over 900 ribeye steaks will be prepared, judged, served and enjoyed on Saturday evening. Don’t miss out on this!
Do you remember horny toads? I’m talking about the Texas Horned Lizard. I found one or two in Longview when I was a kid, and I found a lot when I visited my grandparents in Odessa. Due to habitat loss and invasive fire ants over the last 40 years, the species practically disappeared from East and Central Texas. But now, thanks to Tyler’s Caldwell Zoo and the Texas Horned Lizard Conservation Cen-ter’s breeding and release program, they’re making a comeback!
2023 marks the 25th year since the formation of the Hopkins County Military Coalition, a non-profit honor guard made up of veterans dedicated to providing final military rites for honorably discharged veterans from in and around Hopkins County. The detail also posts colors at public events and distributes flag booklets to area students. For 2016, the Coalition was named ‘Citizen of the Year’ the top award given by the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce. According to Commander Gerald Heard, the group performs a number of funerals every month.
New members are being sought to join Hopkins County Military Coalition. If you would like more information about the program or becoming amember, phone 903-243-4427.
My most favorite time of the year is autumn. I love the changing colors and the crispness of the air. It’s opening day for new seasons and celebrations!
While our tradition of cooking contests creates an atmosphere of delicious abundance now, our palates are being prepared for delightful holiday joys ahead!