October – No Time to be Bored! by Johanna Hicks

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October – No Time to be Bored!

One statement that you definitely will NOT hear around our office is, “I’m bored with nothing to do.”  Below is just a sampling of the opportunities that are offered through the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office:

• National 4-H Week – even though the official week ended on October 7, we invite you to view the entries that were submitted by Hopkins County 4-H members as part of the 4-H Project Show.  Photography, woodworking, baked goods, and holiday entries have been submitted as of this writing.  Entries will be on display Monday thru Wednesday, October 9-11, in the classroom of our office.  Drop by and let us show you!
• Walk & Talk – this is an 8-week series, which includes nutrition information, cooking demonstrations, and….walking!  Each Wednesday for 8 weeks (except Thanksgiving week), starting on October 11 and ending on Wednesday, December 6, I’ll be implementing this great event for Head Start and Pre-K parents at the Early Childhood Learning Center in the Parent Center.  We’ll start at 8:30 a.m. and end around 9:30 or 9:45 a.m.  Each week, we will cover a different topic, and lots of nice give-away items will be distributed to every participant.  As a spin-off of Walk Across Texas, the group will be challenged to achieve 3,000 miles, surpassing 2,784 miles walked last year.
• Book Buddies – Barbara Sanders (our office manager) and I will be involved in this reading enrichment initiative at Sulphur Springs Elementary School each Wednesday during the school year.  We will spend 30 minutes one day a week reading with two students to help improve reading skills and comprehension.  I know numerous individuals around Sulphur Springs will be taking part this year.  If you are not familiar with this program, contact Kristin Monk at the SSISD Administration Building to get involved.  It is a blessing!
• Fall Festival Ribbon Cutting and Mixer – The Hopkins County Fall Festival Board invites you to join them for the 2017 ribbon cutting and refreshments, on Thursday, October 12, 5:00 p.m. at the Sulphur Springs City Hall.  Delicious foods, door prizes, and announcements from board members about the 2017 event will be the highlight of the evening.
• NEAFCS – I will be out of the office during the week of October 16 – 20 to attend my National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences conference in Omaha, Nebraska.  I have the privilege of leading a concurrent session during the meeting, as well as networking with Extension Agents from all across the country.  The week will end with the awards banquet – a special event recognizing individuals who have excelled in programming and have impacted the lives of their clientele.
• Fall Festival Parade – Saturday, October 21, is the date set for the Fall Festival parade.  It will begin in Buford Park at 10:00 a.m.and wind its way through downtown and out Gilmer Street.  Join the fun as the 2017 Hopkins County Fall Festival gets underway!
• Fall Festival Creative Arts Contest – Entries for the 2017 event will be taken on Thursday, October 26 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. and Friday, October 27 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., at the Sulphur Springs High School Conference Center. (Alternative registration times are Monday thru Wednesday, October 23 thru 25, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Extension Office.) If you missed my column in the newspaper outlining the entry categories and guidelines, you can find the information on the Fall Festival website, or give me a call and I’ll e-mail the information.  You can also find the information at https://hopkins.agrilife.org (click on ‘publications’).  We have copies available at our Extension Office, as well.  Items will be judged Friday morning, and the room will be open to the public around 1:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.  They will also be on display again on Saturday, October 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Best of Show winners will have pictures made at 1:30, after which all entries may be picked up.
• Fall Festival Arts & Crafts Show – As of this writing, I still have just a few spaces remaining.  This show is for hand-made items to be sold.  Vendor applications are available on the Fall Festival website, the Extension website (listed above), or may picked up or e-mailed, but spaces are limited, so call soon if you are interested.  This show will take place in the Sulphur Springs High School cafeteria and north entry way.  If you want a one-of-a-kind gift, this is where you will find it!  I am probably one of the best customers, because I love the variety and uniqueness of the items!  Vendors may set up on Friday, October 27 starting at 7:15 a.m.  The doors open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 28.  This is a highlight of the Fall Festival for many people!
• Other Fall Festival Attractions – commercial exhibits, chainsaw carver, BMX exhibit, Kids’ Zone, food vendors, concert and much more will be available on the Civic Center grounds and inside the Civic Center.  The Stew Contest will take place in Buford Park on Saturday, October 28.  Watch for more information to come!
• Delta County Christmas Joys – Because so many Delta County residents have attended the Hopkins County event (next bullet), I am doing a special presentation in Cooper on Thursday, November 2, 2:00 p.m., at the Delta County Civic Center.  The same great information as the Hopkins County program will be provided, so if November 6 doesn’t work for you and you would like to attend in Cooper, call and let me know!
• Christmas Joys Holiday Program – Apparently, this is a VERY popular event!  The 1:30 session is now full, but we still have room at the 5:30 session.  This is scheduled for Monday, November 6, at the Southwest Dairy Museum.  Cost is $5, payable at the door, but we must have a name and phone number for each reserved seat.  Included in the program are demonstrations, gift-giving ideas, decorating ideas, and lots of delicious recipes.  Each attendee will receive a goody bag and a booklet of all the demonstrations and recipes presented.  The Dairy Museum will provide samplings of all the delicious dip mixes, dessert mixes, and cheeses available.  Oh, and I almost forgot to mention door prizes!  Numerous local businesses have donated door prizes to be given away at both sessions.  Please call 903-885-3443 to reserve a seat.
• Extension Leadership Banquet – Each year, we recognize our volunteers, committees, and supporters at our annual Extension Leadership Banquet.  This year’s event will be on Thursday, November 9, at League Street Church of Christ.  The meal will begin at 6:00 p.m., and the program at 6:45 p.m.  If you would like to learn more about Extension and all we have to offer, save the date and give us a call if you would like to attend.  Committee members, Leadership Advisory Board, Master Volunteers, media, and elected officials will receive a formal invitation, but everyone is invited to attend!

That’s all I have room for now, but as you can see, we reach a diversified audience with our programs, workshops, and events….and the ones listed above do not include my co-worker’s programs!  So if you are looking for something to do, look no further!  We have a place for you!  Call our office at 903-885-3443 for more information on all of the above events.

Closing Thought

If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under – Ronald Reagan

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