Chamber Connection By Butch Burney 10.10.23
It’s finally getting a touch of stew weather, and now is the time to get your stew tickets and merchandise.
Tickets are $8 each for those 13 and over. Children 12 years and younger will eat free this year, thanks to Signature Solar’s sponsorship, but they still need a ticket.
Tickets can be purchased online at HopkinsChamber.org or at the Chamber office, 110 Main St. Tickets can also be purchased at our financial institutions which include Alliance Bank, City National Bank, First National Bank of East Texas, Guaranty Bank and Trust, Pilgrim Bank, Red River Credit Union, and Texas Heritage National Bank
T-shirts are now available at the Chamber office for just $25 in adult sizes S-XXL. We also have a limited supply of hoodies, tumblers, mugs and stickers.
The 54th Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival, presented by Alliance Bank, has been able to keep its costs down because of our generous businesses in the community, and the cost just got even cheaper for some families.
Signature Solar and the Chamber announced that children 12 and under will eat free at the festival on Saturday, Oct. 28, due to Signature Solar’s generous sponsorship. Children will still need tickets, which can be obtained either online or via paper tickets.
One Church announced that they will sponsor the Fun Zone, which includes Gellyball, bounce houses and kids’ games. That means free fun for children, thanks to One Church’s generous sponsorship!
City National Bank will be sponsoring the Friday night festivities, Oct. 27, which will include our appetizer contest and concert by Dubb and the Luv Machines!
Thanks to all of our sponsors who make the stew festival affordable for families in Hopkins County. Follow the Chamber’s Instagram and Facebook accounts for spotlights on our sponsors and updates on the stew festival.
New Cooks Meeting
First-year cooks in the 54th Annual Hopkins County Stew Festival, presented by Alliance Bank, can attend a Stewcomers meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the Buford Park pavilion.
All returning cooks can pick up their goody bags from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. the same day at the Chamber office, 110 Main St.
Cocktails and Conversation
Plan now to attend our next Cocktails and Conversation, the new name for our revamped Business After Hours, at Beauty Grace Lifestyle Shop on Connally Street. Cocktails and Conversation will be held the first Thursday of every month, from 5-6 p.m., and for November, Ana Velasco will welcome everyone to her shop.
This is a casual networking event and happy hour. You don’t have to be a Chamber member to attend.
Gospel Songfest
The Texoma Gospel Music Association will once again have its fall gathering and convention at First Baptist Church’s The ROC, 115 Putman St., on Friday, Oct. 13 and Saturday, Oct 14, beginning at 10 a.m. daily. The concert is free to the public, though donations are accepted.
For more information, call 940-736-7881 or 903-439-4597.
Main Street Uncorked
Main Street Uncorked Wine and Music Festival comes to downtown on Oct. 14, from 1-7 p.m.
Enjoy wine from some of the best Texas wineries, shop local vendors and enjoy talented musical artists. Jeb Brooks Band will perform from 1-3 p.m., and Nevermind will be on stage from 4-7 p.m.
Tickets are available at MainStreetUncorkedSS.com from $10. Tickets at the door are $15.
Fall Festival
The Fall Festival is coming in October.
The Homecoming Carnival is Oct. 11-15, while the parade (from Buford Park to Brookshire’s) will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21. Trade and vendor booths, a kids’ zone, creative art contest and craft show will all be conducted Friday, Oct. 27 to Saturday, Oct. 28.
Community Players
Main Street Theatre will present Bullets on Broadway, a murder mystery, four nights this month. The presentation by the Community Players will be 7 p.m. nightly Oct. 13, 14, 20 and 21.
Visit the CommunityPlayersInc.com for ticket information.
Homecoming Parade
The Dial Study Club Homecoming Parade, presented by Triple Crown Roofing, will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12. All SSISD student organizations and sports teams are encouraged to join. If your business would like to sponsor, contact any Dial member or call 903-243-4138.
Free Mammography Clinic
The available appointments for the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation’s Free Mammography Clinic are filling up. Only a few openings are still available. If you are an uninsured woman over 40 years of age that lives in Hopkins County, you are eligible for a free mammogram through this program.
The staff of the Ruth & Jack Gillis Women’s Center, a part of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs, will be welcoming women to the clinic on three Saturdays in October: 14, 21, and 28.
If you miss out on the free clinic this year, it should be back again next year in October.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is a good time to schedule an annual mammogram. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her life. The risk of breast cancer increases with age, so mammograms continue to be important, as is early detection.
If you are eligible for a free mammogram, call 903-438-4325 to schedule an appointment.
Ribbon Cuttings
Studio 9 Hair Designs hosted a ribbon cutting at their new location, 416 Hillcrest Drive South, at noon Wednesday, Oct. 4. Please contact them if you are in need of their services. [Photo attached]
RBC Freight and American Standard housekeeping services hosted a ribbon cutting on Monday, Oct. 2, for their businesses. Please welcome them to the business community. [Photo attached]
Hopkins County Veterinary Clinic will host a ribbon cutting for their new building at 129 North Hillcrest Drive at noon on Friday, Oct. 13. Please join us for this event.
