Down Home East Texas

DOWN HOME east texas FALL 2021

WHAT’S STEWING THIS FALL?

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DOWN HOME Summer 2021

ON THE COVER

DOWN HOME east texas FALL 2021

WHAT’S STEWING THIS FALL?

Thank you for picking up a copy of our Fall issue of Down Home East Texas Magazine.

This magazine is a product that we are all very proud of, here at the News-Telegram. We pride ourselves on bringing you interesting stories and photos in each issue and this edition is no exception. Fall brings a multitude of events here in Hopkins County (barring any COVID related closures), and this issue highlights many of the events happening in Hopkins County. This will be my first opportunity to attend our famous Stew Festival and my first live high school football games. Once this God-forsaken humidity goes away, the weather will be beautiful here. I don’t know if I’ll ever get acclimated to the humidity. I spent five years in North Carolina and never really got used to it there either. But Fall here in Hopkins County is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever lived, and I can’t wait to attend all of the amazing events we have coming up. I hope to see all of you there and thanks again for reading Down Home East Texas Magazine!

Taking Stock on Stewstock

BY TODD KLEIBOER

pg. 18

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DOWN HOME Fall 2021

Dave Shabaz Publisher

DOWN HOME east texas staff

Todd Kleiboer

Asst. Managing Editor

Reporter

Sports Editor

Daylan Millard

Advertising Sales

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Ariel Phillips

Tyler Lennon

Kat Curling

Graphic Designer

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Sulphur Springs Native Reflects on FCS National Championship

Taking Stock on Stewstock CHRISTUS Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute

Fall Calendar What freedom means to the African American community of Sulphur Springs Healing Longstanding Wounds

Rally the Crowd with a Masterful Game Day Menu

Around Hopkins County

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903-INJURED

Sulphur SpringS native reflectS on fcS national championShip

By Tyler Lennon

‘Everything I’ve ever done is worth it’ “That sucked the life out of the sideline, out of our side of the stadium, and how could it not? We were so high up, everything was looking good and then that happens,” Ryan Humphries said, reflecting on the moment when South Dakota State took the lead with 5:41 left in the FCS National Championship game. “This is how we’re going to lose? This is how it’s going to end?”

Humphries, a Sulphur Springs native, wears a lot of hats for the Sam Houston State Bearkats. The red shirt sophomore has seen snaps as a quarterback, wide receiver, punt returner, kick returner and holder in his time in

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Huntsville. For Humphries, the goal is to take advantage of every opportunity given to him, which has been his plan since he was a young kid growing up in Sulphur Springs.

“I was around it as long as I could walk, my dad had a lot to do with booster club,” Humphries said. “Seeing that, Friday Night Lights at Gerald Prim Stadium, I have a lot of pride being a Sulphur Springs Wildcat and at a young age that was something I really looked forward to.”

“He loved being a Wildcat,” Sulphur Springs football coach Greg Owens said.

“He could not wait to run out of the tunnel on a Friday night. Whatever he’s in, he’s all in, so Sulphur Springs meant everything him and it still does.”

As Humphries got into high school and began to play, his focus on making it to

the next level continued to grow.

“I think seeing other guys before me from Sulphur Springs, guys like Tyrik Rollison, Willie Ivery and Larry Pryor make it,” Humphries said. “The fandom behind college football is second to none, and I just wanted to be part of something to that nature.”

As the Sulphur Springs native continued to grow, more and more opportunities were thrown his way, and he continued to make the most out of each of them.

“Whatever you asked him to do, he did it and then more, he’s always looking for wards to get better,” Owens said. “He wanted to be the best he could possibly be.

He tried to reach his fullest potential in whatever he did.”

When asked if he could still feel the love and support from Sulphur Springs, Humphries didn’t hesitate.

“Without a doubt,” he said. “I can

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definitely feel it and that’s something special to me, because Sulphur Springs is special to me.”

“I hope one day I can be a guy that is looked up to in the community,” he added. “Whether that’s helping out with Sulphur Springs athletics or jut being a respected person in Sulphur Springs, that’s something that’s certainly in my future plans and it’s a pretty cool feeling knowing that I’ve made people from where I’m from proud.”

After having a strong high school career at Sulphur Springs, Humphries knew all he needed was a chance at the next level.

“I got a couple of opportunities as a walk-on and all along I felt like that was all I needed,” he said. “I just needed my foot in the door and I felt like I was competitive and hard working enough to make that work and in the end it was the best decision I’ve ever made.”

As a walk-on at Sam Houston State, Humphries was given everything he needed, a chance to make something happen.

As a red shirt, the Bearkats gave him the chance to play in the final game of the season, his first opportunity see some game action, and in his first collegiate snap, he threw a 45-yard touchdown.

“Kind of all my life there’s been things like that, that happen, it’s just kind of a Ryan thing to happen,” he said.

“The opportunity presented itself, and obviously I made the most of it.”

Another opportunity was given to him when Sam Houston State asked him he had an experience as a holder.

“They asked if I’d ever held before and of course I tell them yes, which is true,” he said before pausing. “I hadn’t held since eighth grade.”

Earning the role as the holder not only meant more opportunities in games for Humphries but a chance at an award.

Every year the Frederick Award is given to the FCS Holder of the Year.

“I’m pretty good at it and worked really hard at it and then I find out that there’s actually a national award for it and at this point I’m like ‘man, I’m just going to go win it.’”

In his first full season as the holder Humphries finished as a finalist for the award. Not willing to settle for being a finalist, Humphries came back the next year and won the award.

“It means a lot to me, just because, with anything I had an opportunity and there was an opportunity to win an award so I did what I had to do to get it,” he said.

As Humphries has started to have more and more success, so have the Sam Houston Bearkats.

Coming into the 2020 season, the expectations were high, but soon their entire season would be pushed back to the spring, due to COVID-19.

Neither the Bearkats nor Humphries let themselves get down by the move. Instead they used the extra few months to further prepare for their season. When the season finally rolled around in the spring, they were prepared.

“Our first goal was to do whatever it takes to win conference, we have to win conference and we have to make it back to the playoffs,” Humphries said. “I think a vast majority of our team actually believed we could win the national championship.”

Sam Houston State opened their season against No. 18 Southeastern Louisiana, and walked away a 43-38 win. In week two they faced an even tougher opponent, No. 7 Nicholls, and the Bearkats won by in a dominate 71-17 performance.

“I think it really dawned on us after the second game,” he said. “I think after that we kind of looked around and said alright, we really have something special here, we can do this.”

The red shirt sophomore was right. The Bearkats went on to go undefeated in the regular season, entering the playoffs with a ton of momentum. Sam Houston State went on to win their first three playoff games, earning themselves a spot in the FCS National Championship game.

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“At first I think there was some kind of worry that we’d be complacent,” the team leader said. “But looking back on it I don’t ever remember looking at it that way or feeling that way. The overall feel was we didn’t come this far just to come this far.”

After one of the toughest college seasons ever, given the circumstances, things didn’t get any easier for the Bearkats at the championship game, as they sat through a long delay due to bad weather.

“The weather was about as bad as it could possibly be,” Humphries recalled. “But the thing was, at this point, this was just another bump in the road.”

Sam Houston State brushed it off, and built a 17-7 lead for themselves heading into the final frame.

“We just had all the momentum and there was so much energy coming from the sideline, we get a big interception and we score and I’m thinking man, we’re really about ti put it on them.”

South Dakota State did their best to rally back, and even took a late lead with less than six minutes to go, but Sam Houston State held on, taking the lead with 16 seconds left to win the game by a final score of 23-21.

“I know it probably sounds dramatic but, I’ve played a lot of sport growing up since I was a little kid, years of hard work in college, and immediately everything I’ve ever done is worth it,” the national champion said. “I wouldn’t trade the moments I’ve woke up at 6 a.m. to work out, I wouldn’t trade coming off a meniscus tear before my senior year, I wouldn’t trade going up to the weight room at night to get a lift in, because that truly made anything and everything I’ve been through or done worth it.”

The now national champion is more than just a football player, however, as he is also the student athlete president at Sam Houston Sate.

“It means a lot to me, not only Sam Houston football is important to me but Sam Houston athletics as a whole,” he said. “I’ve gotten some really cool opportunities with that position.”

During my interview with Humphries I asked him what advice he would have to give to current athletes at Sulphur Springs high school.

“Enjoy it while it lasts,” he said. “My advice would be give it your all, give it everything you’ve got, give Sulphur Springs everything you’ve got, because you never know when your clock is going to be up, and if you’re like me and you put so much into it, in the long run you’re going to appreciate it.”

After winning a national championship, it could get easier for a player or a team to get complacent, but Humphries assured me that was not the case.

“It’s not about repeating,” the Frederick Award winner said.

“It’s about winning it this year.”

“We’re not the defending national champions, we’re the attacking national champions,” he’d added. “We have a chance to do something that has never and will never be done, and that’s win two national championships in the same calendar year. We could be apart of essential the greatest FCS calendar year ever. What a unique opportunity.”

A unique opportunity it is, and we know what Humphries does when he’s given an opportunity.

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Taking Stock on Stewstock Coming off of a unique 2020 year, Hopkins County stew Contest looks to be a big one

By Todd KleiBoer Butch Burney has served as part of the Hopkins County Stew Contest on and off for the past six or seven years, but this year as the new Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, he’s in charge of coordinating the nationally-known event.

“I think I came on board at the right time,” Burney said. “I came right at the golf tournament, and then our next big event wasn’t until Stew [in October]. I’ve had the summer to get my feet under me, to get things planned.”

Burney was picked as the new successor to Brown in March, and so far, he’s been adapting into the role just fine.

“I really love the job, love the people,” Burney said.

“Everybody has been really supportive and welcoming. It’s been a really good experience so far.”

Burney had worked at the service tent for the past few stews, serving around 2,000 people during the day of the Stew, and the volunteers were what made the event run smoothly. He said it was good for the younger volunteers, like the Blue Blazes from Sulphur Springs or Como-Pickton Student Council, to learn service work.

“Without their participation, those 7-8,000 people [attending] wouldn’t have good time,” Burney said. “It’s good for those young people like that. I think it’s fulfilling for them to know that because of what they’ve done, these people have had good time. They go home with a good feeling.”

Last year, however, was a bit different with the COVID-19 pandemic and its related restrictions still in place. The Stew converted to an all drive-throughs that year, and campsites were more spread out along Connally Street. What was important, said Burney, was that the Stew had not missed a year.

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Stewstock

“It wasn’t the Stew we had become accustomed to, but we had the Stew,” Burney said. “I think that was the big thing. I know some events have had to cancel, and you lose momentum when that happens. You’re starting over again.”

According to Burney, it was not the first time the stew had a drive-through. In 2015, a heavy rain had created a marshy environment at the campsites, and attendees had the option to either walk around or grab a stew cup to go.

“It was a spur of the moment thing,” Burney said. “It was probably 50/50, half the stew onsite and half the drive-through, but that was out of necessity because we had 100 plus pots of stew there and we weren’t going to have that many people visiting that were going to get out of their cars.”

This year’s Stew Contest is planned to be all walk-ons unless there is an emergency, and some changes made last year may be sticking around this year.

“The Stew Contest has had its roots for 50 years being one way,” Burney said. “And so any change that comes about we don’t take lightly. People that enter it take this seriously.”

One change is allow the cooks to choose either their 2020 or 2019 site this year, allowing both sides of Connally Street to be open during the event. With COVID-19 surging August but starting to level off in

September, the options may help in spreading the event out.

“The people on the south side said they had more room and it wasn’t as smoky. They weren’t as congested.” Burney said. “On the north side, people would say the same thing, it wasn’t as congested, not as much smoke because there wasn’t a lot of people there. That’s a good thing.”

Burney hopes to also install radios at every campsite that will tune into the announcements made at the stage. Sometimes the sound system has been a bit too loud, especially in Burney’s time at the service tent.

“I had to tell them a couple of time, hey, turn that down just a little bit because I can’t talk to my workers,” Burney said. “The workers couldn’t hear what I was saying because it was so loud.”

That addition isn’t definite yet, and Burney looked to order the radios and have them arrive before the Stew at the time of the interview.

Burney wagered that 120-150 cooks may sign up

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for this year’s Stew, and after having only 90 cooks last year, he wants a “solid number” this year.

“For people who weren’t there last year, I would just say come back this year,” Burney said. “Because I think it’s going to be great. With good weather, I think it’s set up to be one of our biggest and best that we’ve had.”

In all, Burney thanked his predecessors for tough, right decisions. Former Chamber President Meredith Caddell moved the Stew Contest from September to October, which meant cooler weather, and Brown continued on with the stew in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m thankful for those past presidents who have had the courage to do what they needed to do for the Stew Contest to grow and to keep going,” Burney said. “I feel fortunate that they’ve laid that foundation for what this year could be in what I think a great stew.”

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TIMES Friday, Oct. 22 After the home football game - Dubb and Luv Machines Concert Saturday, Oct. 23 8 a.m. - Stew Fest Market opens 10:30 a.m. - Turn in stew 10:45 a.m. - Stew service begins 11:30 a.m. - Quart sales begin 1 p.m. - Announcement of winners

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CHRISTUS Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute Taking orthopedic care a step further

After two failed ACL re-constructive surgeries, Coach Colton Smith, found himself frustrated and desperate for someone to help resolve his knee issues once and for all.

He sought medical attention from CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Chris Meltsakos. After the initial consultation, Coach Smith felt confident that perhaps he had finally found the help he needed. He underwent a third ACL re-constructive surgery with Dr. Meltsakos in December 2020, “It is the best I’ve felt after knee surgery, and the first time I’ve ever been able to recover without a knee brace.”

CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs & CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic welcomed new Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Chris Meltsakos, almost two years ago. Dr. Meltsakos is a graduate of Boston University with a Bachelor of Science in Human Physiology. He subsequently obtained his medical degree from New York Medical College and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at New York Medical College at Westchester Medical Center. He then moved to Texas for his subspecialty training in Sports Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Sulphur Springs was fortunate to have him join the Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute in the fall of 2019, and he has quickly gained the community’s trust as a go-to Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Specialist.

The CHRISTUS Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute provides residents and athletes of Northeast Texas diagnostics and comprehensive treatment for injuries and chronic conditions of the bones, joints and muscles. Conditions include:

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Cartilage Restoration and Preservation Minimally invasive techniques like arthroscopy Robotic Surgery, MAKOplasty – treats osteoarthritis of the knee through minimally-invasive, surgeon-assisted robotic technology Total Joint Replacement including knee, hip and shoulder Sports Medicine - Athletic Training and Education - Pre-Participation Screenings - Physician School Visits - Saturday Morning Sports Injury Clinics - Rehabilitation Services DOWN HOME Fall 2021

Dr. Meltsakos has quickly acclimated to Sulphur Springs and you will see him on the sidelines under the Friday night lights at the Wildcat home games to support the team and provide physician support to the Athletic Training team.

Earlier this year, he hosted a “Meet Our MAKO – KNEEMO” event, where 50 students from the Sulphur Springs Elementary Robotics Club visited the hospital to meet the MAKO robot that they had personally named in a “Name our Robot” contest hosted by the hospital.

And most importantly, he has helped provide quality care to countless patients seeking orthopedic care, like Mr. Roy Campbell from New York. “I needed a total knee replacement, and couldn’t find a good orthopedic surgeon in New York that I trusted to do it. I sought care from Dr. Meltsakos, and traveled to Texas to have my procedure.” Mr. Campbell is a 68 year old lifelong runner who experienced osteoarthritis in his knee which required a replacement. Dr. Meltsakos recommended the MAKOplasty procedure, “The beauty of the Mako system is that it provides every patient with a personalized surgical experience, based on their diagnosis and anatomy.” As Mr. Campbell shared, “I would absolutely recommend the MAKO surgery. As an older man, I didn’t want to face a second surgery with the partial knee replacement. And, having better mobility in a short period of time was vital to me – I was able to walk out of the hospital the same day of my surgery with a walker, and by the end of the first week, I was walking entirely on my own. Now I am running 1 mile, two times a week.”

Just like Coach Smith, Mr. Campbell highly recommends the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute to anyone needing orthopedic care. “The staff and X-ray techs were great and attentive, and kept you informed as you go through this journey.”

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For more information, visit ChristusOrthoandSportsMed.org

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FALL WORKSHOPS at the Plant Niche September Sep. 25 Learn to propagate October Oct. 2 Spooky Skull Air-plant workshop Oct. 9 Halloween theme Design Oct. 16 Pumpkin center piece Oct. 23 Fall houseplant Plant care class Oct. 30 Halloween foliage design workshop (encouraged-to come dressed with Halloween costumes) NOVEMBER Nov. 6 pumpkin center piece Nov. 13 orchid design workshop All workshops begin at 2:00 PM Visit nicheplantshop.com for more information

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What freedom means to the African American community of Sulphur Springs

Juneteenth becomes a national holiday

By Ariel Phillips

RECOGNITION AS A FEDERAL HOLIDAY Forty years after the first state recognized the formal end of slavery in the United States, President Joe Biden signed a bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday into law Thursday June 17. Juneteenth is now the first federal holiday to be created by Congress since 1983, when lawmakers designated the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Congressional leaders from both parties said that establishing the holiday was an important gesture in recognizing those who suffered under American slavery, as an act of racial reconciliation.

A question that now faces many employers is whether or not to grant employees a paid day off. Although the holiday would be observed by two million federal employees, not all state and local governments or private-sector employers would follow suit.

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HISTORY OF JUNETEENTH Juneteenth, also known as “Emancipation Day,” began 155 years ago as a day to celebrate freedom and the end of slavery in the United States. It marks the day when news finally reached the last remaining enslaved persons in Galveston, Texas of the Emancipation Proclamation.

On Jan. 1, 1863, referred to Freedom’s Eve, First Watch services took place. Enslaved and free African Americans gathered all across the country awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. At midnight, prayers were answered.

Abraham Lincoln had declared all enslaved peoples free.

Union soldiers traveled all over the country to share the news of emancipation.

Not everyone was immediately free, the proclamation could not be implemented in some places under Confederate control.

In the western most Confederate state of Texas, enslaved persons would not be free until June 19, 1865 when 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay. Union general Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston and issued General Order Number 3, which read, “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freed are advised to remain at their present homes, and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts; and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”

Only through the Thirteenth Amendment did emancipation finally end slavery.

The Thirteenth Amendment passed in 1865, reading “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crimes whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

The amendment faced much controversy as emancipation became national policy and was the first of three Reconstruction Amendments adopted between 1865 and 1870.

After this began the post-emancipation period known as the Reconstruction, an era of great hope, uncertainty and struggle.

Formerly enslaved African Americans immediately sought to reunify families, establish schools, run for political office, push for radical legislation and even sued slaveholders for compensation.

The first June 19 celebration was in 1866, according to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. African Americans celebrated with prayer services, speakers with inspirational messages, reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, stories from former slaves, food, red soda water, games, rodeos and dances. Red foods are especially important, with foods such as Kola nuts and hibiscus being tied to West African societies and are material imports that survived the slave trade.

In many parts of Texas, freedmen and women purchased land, or “emancipation grounds,” for Juneteenth gatherings. Examples include: Emancipation Park in Houston, purDOWN HOME Fall 2021

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chased in 1872; what is now Booker T. Washington Park in Mexia; and Emancipation Park in Austin.

The Juneteenth Flag was first created in 1997 by the former National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation Massachusetts Juneteenth State Director and Founder Ben Haith. However, in 2000 the flag was revised to what we know today.

The flag features a 12-pointed star with a white 5-pointed star inside it. They appear on top of a blue and red background.

The National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation says the star on the flag represents Texas with the burst being the new freedom throughout the land over the horizon, hence the arch of red.

The date was added to show the day that enslaved peoples in Galveston were finally freed.

The flag was created with the American red, white and blue colors as a “symbol that gives all Americans the opportunity to recognize American freedom and African American History,” the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation said.

The colors were also chose to reinforce that enslaved black people freed by the Emancipation Proclamation were just as much Americans as their descendants are today.

African American Voices of the Sulphur Springs Freddie Taylor

I had a chance to speak with city council member Freddie Taylor at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Grays Building at Pacific Park. Some of the questions I asked him were: What does Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday mean to you and the African American community here in Sulphur Springs?

“Juneteenth presents a wonderful opportunity to understand the contributions that African Americans have made to our community and to celebrate, and be prideful of who we are. We are not second to none, we are equals. I want our community to be proud of what we have accomplished and to build the esteem they feel within themselves. We should feel good about who we are and pass on positive vibes. We love our community and we are proud of it. We should be equally visible, this is our opportunity to shine and for others to recognize

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the struggles and accomplishments of our forefathers. We are a part of Texas history, US history, and world history. People need to understand all history not just a part or only one side of it. It’s important to look at all sides.”

You’ve served on the city council for nearly 18 years, how did you feel first starting out as compared to how you feel now?

“When my wife and I first came to town, I took her for a drive downtown, she looked at me and said ‘Freddie where have you brought me? What have we gotten into?’ It was a bit of a struggle at the beginning and it turned out okay. It’s all fine now.”

One last question, What does black freedom mean to you moving forward, looking into the future?

“Freedom means opportunity. There is always an

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opportunity, for those who are less than, left behind, or lost. We have to look out for those people, we need to help them. We can do a better job of finding these folks and bring them up. ‘When the ship rises, we can all rise.’ You know that’s what Jesus did, ‘leave the 99 to help the one.’ We, the Haves, need to look out for the Have nots.”

Bridgette Cooper, of East End Allegiance

Also having the chance to speak with Bridgette Cooper, President of the East End Allegiance: Our Youth organization, we also discussed what freedom meant, in her opinion, to the African American community in Sulphur Springs.

“Freedom is, basically, equality. In Sulphur Springs there are certain areas of the city that you can clearly see the difference. For example, the Grays Building being built shows that we are equal, we fought hard for it to be built. And the number of black owned businesses, such as KJC Beauty Supply owned by Shardae Jones, shows that we are able to financially succeed here. It shows progression.”

After looking at the East End Allegiance Facebook page, I saw that you really pushed for the Grays Building to be built and Pacific Park to be remodeled, can you tell me why it was such a big deal for that to go through?

“I’ve been the president of the East End Allegiance for four years and we have all of our events at Pacific Park. It got to be where there wasn’t enough space for us in the original building and the park was in poor shape. There was a group of people asking ‘Why hasn’t anything been done?’ We started a campaign and were very vocal with the city council. We wrote a letter to help the city get the grant that they used to build the Grays Building. We wanted to have a place to hold events on the East End that was convenient for kids to be able to walk to. The main focus of the East End Allegiance is family, mentorship, and outreach to lower income families, such as the Back To School giveaway. We don’t ask anyone to show a proof of in-

come to be able to receive the school supples, a backpack or a pair of shoes. It’s a first come, first serve basis.”

Juneteenth became a national holiday this year, what other improvements or changes in our community would you like to see in the future?

“I’d like to see more focus on our youth, in a positive way.

There is a lack of age versatility in our council. They’re all older folks and Downtown is mostly geared towards the older crowd. We don’t have a skating rink or an arcade, we need more youth focused areas. The youth are our future. All too often, they’re left at the wayside and forgotten. We need more agencies that will mentor them, places they can work on the computer and learn about entrepreneurship.”

The East Side Allegiance is funded solely on donations and out of Cooper’s own pocket to cover events such as their Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Bash and the Back to School School Supply Giveaway.

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Healing Longstanding Wounds “Welcoming Home America’s Vietnam Veterans”

By Ariel Phillips The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with a mobile Education Center is coming to Sulphur Springs Nov. 4-7.

It will be set up at the Sulphur Springs High School track and will be open to the public at no charge, 24 hours a day.

The Wall is transported from community to community in a 53-foot trailer and before the pandemic visited over 30 locations. There were 28 sites chosen for this year, with Sulphur Springs being the only one in Texas.

The Wall honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in the Vietnam War and bears the names of 58,279 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

When opened, the trailer has exhibits built into its sides, allowing it to serve as a mobile education center telling the story of the Vietnam War and the divisive era in American history.

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The mobile exhibit includes digital photo displays of “Hometown Heroes,” service members whose names are on The Wall that list their home of record within the area of a visit; photo displays of Vietnam veterans from the local area honored through VVMF’s In Memory program which honors veterans who returned home from Vietnam and later died within three months as a result of their service; video displays that teach the history and impact of The Wall; educational exhibits told through items representative of those left at The Wall in D.C.; a replica of the In Memory plaque; and a map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the Vietnam War. The national ‘The Wall That Heals’ tour is

sponsored by USAA and through a partnership with the Truckload Carriers Association, the trucking industry and Blue Beacon, the exhibit is able to travel across the country.

The Wall That Heals is sponsored locally by the Hopkins County Veterans Memorial Committee, Sulphur Springs ISD and the city of Sulphur Springs in a partnership that recognizes the veterans of the Vietnam War and offer their grateful appreciation for their service and sacrifice during a difficult time in the nation’s history.

“The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is pleased to bring The Wall That Heals mobile exhibit to Sulphur Springs to allow local veterans and their family members a chance to experience The

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Wall. We will work carefully with the host to provide a safe opportunity for the community to experience the healing and educational aspects of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial,” said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of VVMF. “Hosting The Wall That Held provides an opportunity to honor and remember all those who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War and educate on the continuing impact of the Vietnam War on America.”

When asked how the decision was made to host The Wall That Heals, Kennedy shared that she had visited the Wall at Reagan Library with her husband and found it to be profoundly moving.

“I felt it would go well in our area due to the patriotism and how many family members of service members settled or had ties here. The magnitude of this event, just the acknowledgment of these veterans who did not receive the best treatment when they first came home,” Mandy Kennedy, of the Hopkins County Veterans Memorial Committee said. “We have 11 service-members from Hopkins County that were killed in action during the war and ultimately, the community support and patriotic spirit played a huge role in us being approved.”

Kennedy shared that the committee would like to convey their appreciation to Mrs. Carol Gunn Vernon, who underwrote the $10,000 Diamond level sponsorship cost of hosting the Wall.

“The timing was just right for us,” Kennedy said. “We applied just before COVID and we knew it would take some time before we were approved. To be approved, we had to have a site plan in place, the donation from Mrs.Vernon to underwrite the cost, and we had to visit The Wall in another city.”

On Nov. 2, the Wall will stop in Brashear and rendezvous with the Patriot Guard Riders, Christian Bikers Club and law enforcement escorts to be escorted down an as of yet undetermined route. Plans for the escorts include fire trucks on overpasses with the American Flag hanging on their ladders, as well as the Yellow Ribbon Campaign with ribbons, banners and flags held by residents lining the route.

A site manager will conduct a site tour to finalize the placement of The Wall, mobile education center and approve all final committee site plans before erecting the wall on Nov. 3.

Mandatory volunteer training will be held Nov. 3. Sign up applications for volunteering at The Wall and Command Post are available at www.thewallthatheals-sstx.org.

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The Wall will be erected under the direction of the The Wall site manager along with Joey Baker, Josh Williams and Dan Froneberger heading up the setup with help from athletes and city employees.

The Command Post and other site details will be set up by committee members and volunteers.

Tours will start on Nov. 4, and volunteer shifts will be in full swing with The Wall being staffed 24 hours a day.

The official opening ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 4 with the SSHS orchestra and Jazz Band playing patriotic music.

Also during the event, a guest speaker, Colonel Allen West, will be coming to share his take on military service from an African American soldier’s perspective.

Groups of students from SSISD will be playing a big part in the event with the Audio-Visual club, CTE students, Ag-science group and athletes each having a role and sticking with it.

“We knew the school would want to be involved.

They, SSISD, normally have a big veteran’s day program

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that is a really big deal, the entire school gets involved, the culinary arts class would prepare lunch before COVID,” Kennedy shared. “The Kiwanis club will also be raising the flag earlier in the day for the event.”

The A/V club will be filming the event as well as conducting interviews with veterans and refugees that live in the community. The CTE students will be leading student tours and volunteering in other ways at the event. The Ag-Science students are building benches for the reflection area, and after the event the students will choose whether they want to sell or keep the benches.

Memorabilia can be placed along the wall by loved ones during the event and the city will be entrusted with the care of these items after the event ends.

The library has volunteered to set up a display for two weeks after the event and then store the items until spring or a permanent display can be created.

Kennedy shared that the city is expecting to host between 10,000 to 25,000 visitors coming to view The Wall That Heals.

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Rally the Crowd with a Masterful Game Day Menu Scoring big on game day requires championship-level meals and snacks that keep the crowd full and ready for action. You can take your tailgate to the house with these baked dishes that help simplify homegating so you can focus on the big screen.

From a salsa-based dip and chicken wings to kick off the party to sweet brownies for celebrating victory, each of these recipes call for less than an hour in the kitchen. Clock management is key to tackling a tailgate spread, making these delicious dishes the perfect play calls on game day.

Just Wing It Skip the silverware at your next homegate and dive right in with a fan favorite that requires just your hands and a heap of napkins: wings.

Whether you pick through your pieces or clean each wing to the bone, these Game Day Chicken Wings are perfect for eaters of all types. A simple flour-based coating keeps the recipe easy to make and baking in the oven means you can skip the messy fryer or firing up the grill.

Cook until crispy then corral your party’s favorite dipping sauces from ranch and blue cheese to barbecue and more.

Once your spread is served, it’s time to sit back and enjoy the game.

Visit Culinary.net to find more touchdown-worthy tailgate recipes.

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Game Day Chicken Wings Total time: 50 minutes Servings: 4 1/2 1/3 2 1 1 1 10

In medium bowl, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

cup butter, cubed cup flour teaspoons paprika teaspoon garlic powder teaspoon salt teaspoon black pepper chicken wingettes, thawed dipping sauces (optional) fresh parsley (optional)

Coat both sides of wings in flour mixture then evenly space among butter cubes on baking sheet.

Bake wings 30 minutes.

Turn wings over and bake 15 minutes, or until crispy and fully cooked.

Serve with dipping sauces and sprinkle with fresh parsley, if desired.

Preheat oven to 425 F. Line baking sheet with foil. Arrange butter cubes on foil.

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Score Big with a Salsa-Based Dip

Whether your game day celebrations call for a full-blown parking lot party or homegating with your closest friends, the nibbles and noshes you serve set the stage. Building your menu with crowd-pleasing classics – including one tried-and-true favorite that offers a fresh, veggie-forward taste: chilled salsa – makes your guests cheer for more than just the home team.

Healthy game day snacks are important to almost half (48%) of tailgaters and 18% said they’d consider leaving a party if salsa wasn’t served, according to the “Game Day Eats Report” survey from refrigerated salsa brand Fresh Cravings. With its low calorie count packed with high flavor, salsa supports health-conscious goals. Made with ingredients like fresh tomatoes, crisp vegetables, zesty peppers and more, the authentic taste of chilled salsa is a universal favorite among fans.

With a belief that plant-based foods should contain wholesome ingredients and bold flavors worth celebrating, Fresh Cravings refrigerated salsas are available in the produce section, next to dressings and dips, in restaurant-style or chunky mild, medium and hot varieties. Chilled salsa is an affordable and vibrant-tasting alternative to jarred salsa, making it a key ingredient in this Mexican Pizza Dip from celebrity chef George Duran. It’s a simple crowd-pleaser you can make in less than an hour, leaving more time for pregame festivities.

For more information and game day recipe ideas, visit freshcravings.com.

Mexican Pizza Dip Recipe courtesy of chef George Duran Servings: 6-8 1 1 1 8 1/2 1 1 1/2

Nonstick cooking spray tablespoon vegetable oil pound ground beef package taco seasoning mix ounces cream cheese, at room temperature cup sour cream cup Fresh Cravings Chunky Salsa, plus additional for topping cup grated mozzarella cup blended Mexican cheese sliced jalapeno (optional) sliced black olives (optional) green onions (optional) tortilla chips

Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray 8-by-8-inch glass pan or large souffle dish

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with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In large saute pan, heat oil over medium-high heat and add ground beef, breaking up with flat wooden spatula, until fully cooked. Sprinkle taco seasoning throughout beef and combine.

Place warm beef mixture in large bowl and add cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup salsa and mozzarella. Mix well until combined and pour into prepared pan. Top with blended cheese and sliced jalapeno, black olives and green onions, if desired.

Bake until fully warmed and cheese is melted, 30-35 minutes.

Top with small spoonfuls of salsa. Serve with tortilla chips

Cap Off Game Day with an All-Star Combo Pregame festivities call for salty snacks and meaty morsels, but halftime eating and postgame celebrations are perfect for sweet treats.

You can sweeten up your tailgate or homegate with a shareable option like Marbled Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies made with Domino Golden Sugar, which is made from pure cane sugar and dissolves and measures cup for cup just like white granulated sugar without compromising performance or taste.

Featuring an undefeated combination of peanut butter and chocolate, this dessert is ideal for baking a day ahead so you can manage the clock on game day.

Find more tailgating sweets at dominosugar.com.

Marbled Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies Prep time: 25 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Yield: 24 brownies Chocolate Brownies:

1/2 cup (1/4 pound) butter

2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped

1 cup Domino Golden Sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

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Peanut Butter Marble: 1/4 cup natural (no added sugar) peanut butter 4 tablespoons butter, softened 1/2 cup Domino Golden Sugar 1 egg 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon baking powder powdered sugar, for topping Heat oven to 350 F. To make chocolate brownies: In medium saucepot over low heat, melt butter and chocolate. Remove pot from heat; stir in sugar and vanilla until blended.

In small mixing bowl, whisk eggs until frothy then stir into chocolate mixture.

Sift flour into batter and stir just until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing to edges.

To make peanut butter marble: In mixing bowl, cream peanut butter, butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla; beat just until blended. In separate bowl, sift or whisk flour and baking powder then stir into batter just until combined.

Carefully spread peanut butter marble over chocolate batter. Use knife to swirl batters together, first horizontally then diagonally.

Bake 20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Cool completely on wire rack before cutting. Top with powdered sugar, if desired, before serving.

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Around Hopkins County Hopkins County residents know how to have fun. Whether you attend the annual Fall Festival, holiday events or the rodeo, you’re bound to have a good time.

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