Chamber Connection by Butch Burney 11.13.25
The annual Economic Outlook Conference is set for Tuesday, Dec. 2, with Richard Froeschle,
Senior Economist at the Texas State Technical College System, as the guest speaker.
The conference will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hopkins County Civic Center, presented by the local Economic Development Corporation and the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce.
Froeschle can speak on a wide range of topics including all aspects of labor market and career information, education and workforce skill analysis and labor market trends.
Everyone is invited to the luncheon, but you do need a ticket or sponsorship.
Sponsorships are available for $500 for a table for eight, $250 for a table for four, and individual tickets for the event are $30 each. The deadline is Nov. 26. If you have any questions, please call 903-885-6515 or email me at Butch@HopkinsChamber.org.
Chamber Banquet
Nominations are being accepted for Citizen of the Year, Woman of the Year, Small and Large Businesses of the Year and other superlative recognitions by the Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce.
The awards will be announced at the Chamber’s membership banquet on Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Hopkins County Civic Center.
When nominating a person or business, please write in the nomination letter the reasons you are proposing them for the award. Nominations can be sent to Butch@HopkinsChamber.org or mailed to 110 Main Street in Sulphur Springs. The awards to be presented include:
· Citizen of the Year
· Woman of the Year
· Caregiver of the Year
· Community Pride Award
· Agriculturist of the Year— (can also be mailed to Hopkins/Rains Counties Farm Bureau at 233 College St., Sulphur Springs 75482).
· Growth and Renewal
· Outstanding Professional Educator (Administrator, Counselor, Diagnostician, or Teacher
· Outstanding ParaProfessional Educator (Secretary or Aide
· Outstanding Auxiliary Educator (Maintenance, Custodial, Transportation, Nurse or Cafeteria
Businesses of the Year nominations should be for those businesses which exhibit outstanding community involvement—civic, church, educational, benevolent, humanitarian or other.
· Large Business of the Year (50 or more employees)
· Small Business of the Year (fewer than 50 full-time employees)
Please get your nominations in before the end of the year.
Ornaments and Stew Merch
Our 2025 Christmas ornaments, featuring Buford Park, are on sale at the Chamber office. They are $45 each.
The Chamber also has a limited supply of 2025 stew merchandise still available. This includes a few shirts, tumblers, mugs and caps. We are located at 110 Main St.
Christmas Activities
-The 34th annual Sulphur Springs Symphony League live auction is brought to you by Chad’s Media on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 6 p.m. The event will be streamed live via the Front Porch News Facebook page and Chad’s Media YouTube page. Expect to see incredible gifts from local businesses, handmade treasures and unique local experiences, all available for you to place your bid. And remember, everything you donate goes to funding local music enjoyment and education like the Children’s Concert, the Dallas Opera and the Independence Day concert to Sulphur Springs!
-Christmas in the Park is set for Nov. 29 and Dec. 6 at Heritage Park on Jackson Street. Affordable family fun under the Christmas lights, with Santa, live music, nativity and more.
-Lake Country CASA’s annual Cookie Walk is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5, beginning at 9 a.m. at First United Methodist Church. There will be cookies, cakes and other treats for sale to benefit Lake Country CASA.
-The Lions Club Lighted Christmas Parade is set for Friday, Dec. 5 starting at Buford Park. Line-up begins at 4 p.m. with the parade starting at 7. Registration must be received by noon on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Categories will be Large Business, Small Business and Non-Profit, with cash prizes awarded to winners.
Registration sheets are available at the Chamber office, 110 Main St.
Entry fee is one new unwrapped present for Blue Santa.
-Along with the parade, the city will host the Lighted Celebration Market downtown from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5. It will include lighting of the city Christmas tree at 5:45 p.m., and the snow slide opening at 6 p.m.
-The Christmas Market on Main Street will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6, downtown. You can do your shopping with our local merchants and vendors that day.
-Northeast Texas Choral Society will have their “Joy to the World” production at 7 p.m. Dec. 6 and 2 p.m. on Dec. 7, at the Hopkins County Civic Center. Visit the website SingersCount.org for ticket information.
-“Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Sulphur Springs Christmas” will be playing at Main Street Theatre at 7 p.m. on Dec. 4, 6, 7, 11, 13 and 14. Tickets are $15. Visit communityplayersinc.com for more information.
