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Enola Gay Mathews
The few days of sunshine as January ended and February began have been invigorating! After a generous amount of rainfall, road shoulders and muddy paths to barns and gates have begun to dry up.
Garden plots and backyards are beckoning, but let’s not get carried away too quickly. The first day of winter was Dec. 21, 2023, and on the calendar, the first day of spring will be March 19, 2024. So, we still have plenty of mileage left in the winter season and several good weeks for planning for spring’s true arrival.
Sweethearts’ Day Among bright spots ahead, Valentine’s Day is Wednesday, Feb. 14, a day for love, flowers, candy and special desserts. Some local restaurants are offering reservations for dinner out with entertainment.
Children of a past generation might remember Valentine’s Day with the anticipation of going to school and carrying in your decorated Valentine’s box filled with cards for your classmates. At Jodie Mc-Clure Elementary School in Longview, Texas, there was a low shelf under the windows that overlooked the playground. Our boxes would be lined up on the shelf, and we’d exchange cards by addressing one for every boy and girl, then, slipping them into their box. Popular or not, no student was ever left out!
Pancake fundraiser
Another local winter event is the Kiwanis Pancake Day. This year, it is Saturday, Feb. 17, in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. The all-day, all-you-can-eat breakfast of bacon, sausage, pancakes, syrup, milk and juice will be prepared and served by local members of Kiwanis International.
Attend the gathering and you’ll see neighbors and meet new friends. Proceeds go to fund student scholarships. Get your ticket from any Kiwanis member or at the door.
Upcoming event
You’ve been hearing that Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County will host the viewing of a rare celestial phenomenon in early 2024. That’s true, and our community is preparing for it. On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States and Canada.
According to science. nasa.gov, a total solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and the earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. The sky will gradually darken before and after the total darkness as if it were dawn or dusk. The totality, or period of total darkness, will last for four minutes and 21 seconds for persons viewing on the center line in Sulphur Springs, Texas. We expect an influx of visitors.
The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is leading the way in educating us about what the phenomenon will bring and is making information available regarding preparedness. The website totaleclipsesstx.com is for everyone to utilize. Access the site often to learn about the eclipse, how our city is preparing for safety as well as celebration, and how to view the eclipse safely to create your own memories and great photos.
We will learn a lot as we weather together this awesome opportunity, and have stories to pass along to the next generation.