February happenings

    This month starts out great with lots of exciting stuff going on in and around the area.  High school sports are in full swing, so if you live far away and want to attend you grandchild's game, look no further for accommodations than here at The Oaks.  

    Be sure to step out and support the local adult football team, The NTX Dragons,  at Gerald Prim Stadium, Saturday, February 5 at 6 pm.  Tickets at the gate are $10.

     Long time country music stars, Shenandoah will be in town for a concert on Friday, February 11, 2022.  This is sure to be a great show, with all their classic songs.  The concert will be held in the High School auditorium.  Be sure to get your tickets soon.

    On Saturday, February 12, the City of Sulphur Springs is hosting the Larry Buster Memorial Kids' Trout Fishing Day from 10-2 pm.  Bring your rod and reel to Peavine Pinion Pond, next to Buford Park and see what you can catch.  The Kiwanis Club will be cooking up hot dogs to eat.  A big shout out to the other sponsors, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Texas Parks and Wildlife.

    Also on Saturday, February 12, Main Street Theatre and Marlene's Sass and Class are teaming up for a fashion show mixer from 6:30 - 8 pm.  For $5 you can enjoy wine, refreshments, door prizes and a coupon.  Come see some latest fashions and hear the musical stylings of the Smith Brothers.

    The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is hosting their annual membership banquet to celebrate Hopkins County and recognize many of it's citizens. On Thursday, February 17, members will gather to eat and celebrate those in the community. Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber or from their website.  

    The Kiwanis club will also be hosting their annual pancake breakfast on Saturday, February 19.  The Kiwanis use the money raised to give back to the community and they give out a scholarship each year to seniors who are looking to go to college.  

    The civic center will be hoping as usual with rodeos, horse shows and the annual NETLA show, February 24-26.  North East Texas Livestock Association, helps bring students hard work on raising farm animals to the public.  These students work hard to raise show quality animals that are shown and then auctioned off after the event.  The money raised helps to cover the cost of animal and for many starts a fund for college.  This is a great show for anyone interested in promoting the growth of the next generation of farmers.    

    Do not forget about Valentine's day, plan your special someone a night they won't forget.  With Valentine's on a Monday this year, the weekend before makes for the perfect opportunity to celebrate with your love.  Plan a weekend retreat with us, and ask about our special add-ons such as wine and cheese or in-room massages.  Make your reservations soon, too book the extras during your stay.  

Let's Eat ~ Arturo's

  

  One of the best parts about staying at a bed and breakfast for us is the time spent with guests and helping to guide them to have the best experience here in Sulphur Springs.  Not everyone who visits knows of the glass bathrooms, or the Dairy Museum.  Most visitors want to know our favorite places to eat in town.  I wanted to feature a different restaurant each month for current and future guests to dive into a more intimate look at the dinning scene in town.  

    First up is Arturo's.  Home of some of the best wood fired pizza in the State of Texas and possibly the US.  I have had wood fired pizza in other cities and states and I always compare it to Arturo's.  A little history lesson before we get into the food.  Before the Kunzman's moved to Texas they were in Iowa.  Ready for a new adventure, Tina started talking with the city manager, Marc Maxwell and learned more about Sulphur Springs.  They must have really liked what they heard, since they packed up and moved their family, hundreds of  miles from home and started their wood fired pizza business on the side of the road on Main Street with a mobile pizza kitchen while waiting for one of the downtown buildings to be remodeled.  It has now been six years since they have "fired up" their oven inside.  Downtown Sulphur Springs would be a different experience without them.  We are glad they came and stayed in our little slice of Texas.

      Now let's talk about what to eat.  Not only do they have delicious pizza, they have pasta, calzones and salads for patrons to enjoy.  Don't forget about dessert, home made crème Brule, has often been on the menu, along with bananas foster, and smore's pizza.  If you don't find a pizza made to your specifications, you can toss out the right words and they will throw those toppings on your pizza for you.  I happen to be vegetarian, and was in for lunch recently and Art made me a delicious white wine vegetable pasta that dish that I completely finished.  So yummy!

    The pizza is amazing and the crust is all made in house.  Gluten free crust is also available for those who have allergies.  Our favorite pizza is the margarita pizza, fresh mozzarella cheese, diced tomatoes and basil just take the cake.  Our children really enjoy the Korean Bar B Que pizza, I think they like the flavors that meld together on that particular pie.  If you enjoy a little spice in the mix, be sure to take a slice of the Pitt Boss.

    The best part of about dining downtown is many of the restaurants will "deliver" your meal directly to you at the winery.  This partnership allows you to enjoy all the local flavors at once.  If beer is more your style, the local brewery has a beer on tap at Arturo's and you can always grab your meal to go and head over there to enjoy the best of both worlds.

    So pull up a seat and order your favorite wood fired pizza to enjoy at Arturo's.  Be sure to leave the a review when you are done.  We hope you enjoy your dinning experience there as much as we do.  

Let's Eat! 

Travel East Texas ~ Mineola

  

  When you step outside and come for your visit to the Oaks bed and breakfast in Sulphur Springs, Texas, there are many things you can do in and around our great, little town.  In case you want to explore a little more, we want you to get to know the area before you arrive.  Each month we plan to feature another town close to Sulphur Springs, that you can visit and keep the Oaks as your home base for your exploration.  Our first stop is Mineola, Texas.

    We happened to need to be in Mineola for an evening soccer game, for one of our children and I figured this was a great time to explore before the game and get a feel for what the town has to offer for visitors.  Our first stop, like yours should be when visiting anywhere new, was the Chamber of Commerce.  The chamber of commerce in most any city is more than willing to give your tips and ideas about what is best to hit when you visit their town.  Mineola was no different.  The chamber proved to be very helpful in finding a decent place for lunch and pointed us in the right direction for our exploration.

   

Mineola is home to the railroad and that is what helps to keep this Historically registered town on the  map today.  They are home to an Amtrak depot, which makes stops on a regular basis and the town even has a festival later in the year celebrating the "Ironhorse."  The depot stop also has a small train museum located inside so visitors can learn more about the industry and how it has helped the city of Mineola.

    If you are a history buff or just like to learn more about the local area Mineola is host to a Historical Museum.  A cool fact about this museum is that it once housed the Post Office.  The only disadvantage is the days of the week they are open, Thursday - Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p. m. but admission is free.  So plan your visit just right and you can explore this little nugget of East Texas history.

    If museum's are not  your thing, Mineola is home to the oldest, continuously operating theater in the State of Texas.  The Lake Country Playhouse and Select Theater is home to all different kinds of shows and events. 

You can see a first run movie or watch a classic all at the same location depending on what happens to be playing.  This would be great spot to stop by and watch a classic or take in a play.  

    If nature and being outside is more of your jam, then be sure to stop by the 3,000 acre nature preserve.  This beautiful spot in East Texas is sure to appease all the people in your party.  The Mineola Nature Preserve has a little bit of everything for you to enjoy in the outdoors.  A disc golf course, horse riding trails, a kayak or canoe spot, fishing and so much more.  Step outside to explore this small piece of East Texas, it is sure to bring you joy.  Grab your bike and explore!  Don't forget to pack a picnic lunch for your visit.

   The dining scene in Mineola is varied.  There are going to be some great spots and some good spots to pull up a chair and grab a bite of food to enjoy.  We chose to eat downtown and support those local businesses, this time we ate at Logan's.  They have a good selection on their menu and even have a vegetarian section, which if you have spent anytime in East Texas is rare.  We have also eaten at Kitchen's and we stopped in for fudge and coffee at The Fudge Shop inside Between Friends.  You can look up my reviews on both locations at google reviews.  

     Just past the Nature Preserve is a winery, Grand Oaks, that people should be sure to check out.  They only have tasting hours on Saturday, so be sure to call ahead to see if you can get in to grab a taste.  We always fill like visiting these type of wineries, and feel it is important to help keep them open and making great wine.  Unfortunately we happened by on a weekday, so we could not stop, but would love to hear about your experience.  

 Needless to say, Mineola is a great stop when exploring East Texas.  It is close enough to Sulphur Springs to make The Oaks your home base and yet far enough away from home to make it like a little staycation.  We encourage you to book your stay and then explore.  Until then "take only memories, leave only footprints." ~ Chief Seattle.

Cranberry Rose ~ herb infused cocktail

  

   We are back with our herb infused drinks for the New Year.  I have a plan of action to make one happen once per month, so check back here to see what new drink we are mixing up.  And be sure to follow us on social media, there might be a cocktail hour during the month featuring our latest drink.

    This month we are featuring the drink we made for our New Year's Eve party.  A Rosemary Cranberry Vodka, we called the Cranberry Rose, that is sure to be a crowd pleaser at any time of the year.  We wanted to feature an herb that is currently growing and a little bit of fizz to help ring in the New Year.  Have no fear's this drink can be enjoyed at any time of the year, as rosemary is typically growing all year round.  

    We found this drink to be full of flavor and the more rosemary you want to taste the longer you let it sit in the vodka.  For our purposes we let ours sit for about four days, in a window, to allow the flavor to meld with the alcohol. That brings us to how we made this drink.  We do have to prep a few days in advance to truly get the rosemary to seep into the vodka.  We cut a few stems off, and placed them in a jar and coved with some vodka.  I let mine sit in the window to speed up the process, since I started a little late.  

    The rest is pretty easy, if you are making for a larger group you could just pour directly into a pitcher but since I had a smaller group I made each drink directly into the champagne flute we would be drinking out of.

    The rosemary flavor really came through in the vodka and gave this drink and extra kick of tastiness.  The cranberry combined with your sparkling drink of choice made for a simple and pleasurable experience.  

    If you wanted to make this drink a mocktail, I would make a simple syrup infused with the rosemary in stead of letting it seep with the vodka.  I would then use club soda or a sparkling water of your choice to add the bubbles.  You could then have a great version of this drink for those designated drivers or friends who choose not to drink. 

Cranberry Rose

1 oz Rosemary infused vodka

2 oz Cranberry juice

squeeze of some lemon

Top off with Moscato/Champagne/Prosecco

Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and lemon.

    We always have a Moscato on hand for events, or special occasions for guests celebrating a Wedding or Anniversary, that I like which isn't too sweet or dry.  This Moscato is the perfect blend for those who like one that is a middle of the road.  Depending on your tastes you can make your drink sweeter or drier based on the alcohol you choose to use.  Don't forget you can always make a mocktail.  Be safe and use a designated driver!

Cheers! From the Oaks bed and breakfast.

January Happenings

  

  It's a New Year and time to hit the streets.  Sulphur Springs still has a lot to offer in the "off season." The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a First Responders banquet on Thursday, January 6th at the Civic center.  Our community feels that it is important to recognize and support our local first responders and celebrate all that they do to help our community.  The banquet is one way the community gives back to those who help protect and saves lives daily in our area.

    The Civic center is hopping with rodeo events every weekend.  If you want to see some roping action or riding skills they have you covered. 

   

Workforce Solutions in North East Texas is hosting their annual event for students, the LEAP Expo on Friday, January 14 at the Civic Center.  This event is for 8th grade students around the county to find out more information about jobs in our area and help them select the learning path they would desire to enter in High School.  Companies from around the area attend and teach the students more about what they do and how they can work in our community.

 

  As always our local shops and dining are in full swing, ready to serve your needs or help you locate that special item as a gift or just a treat for yourself.  

    We can't wait for you to stop by in the New Year and check out our little space in North East Texas. 

Happy New Year's Sulphur Springs!

  

  I can hardly believe that the end of the year is just around the corner.  In a few short days we will be closing the door to 2021 and opening up the door to 2022.  We all know that time goes by at the same speed everyday but there are days that feel faster than others.  Well this entire year feels as though it flew by, except maybe that week in February when we were snowed in.

   

With the New Year on the horizon, what are you plans?  Do you have any big trips on the books?  Business or personal goals you want to accomplish in the next year? Do you make resolutions or goals every year?  What does the New Year mean for you and your life?

    As a child growing up, especially in our middle school and high school years, our family would have weekly meetings to go over goals.  We would set goals for the week, revisit our monthly goals and see if we were on track for larger goals that could be hit during the quarter or year.  I will say in the moment I did not appreciate these family meetings and truly have not kept up those habits.  Part of that is my husband, when we were first married, did not seem interested in doing this, so I just stopped.  I think internally I still set little goals for myself and mentally kept a record of them but never really put pen to paper and tracked my progress.  With that being said, I have not taught my children to set goals either. Sure we talk about those things but I don't make them write them down and keep them accountable for their goals.  

    I am going to step out of my comfort zone and put this out here for all the world to read if they want, or not.  My goal for The Oaks this year is to increase my occupancy by 15%.  Some of you might be thinking that's not a lot or woah how will she do that?  Each year we have grown a little, except for 2020 and we all know why.  I'm not sure if this is going to be a big ask for me or not, but its a goal that I feel like is attainable and with the help of all my past guests, and future guests something I can make happen.  

   

 Everyone has a different reason for traveling.  Some travel for business, some travel for pleasure.  There are lots of different activities and events that are going on in Sulphur Springs and the surrounding area to make a visit to The Oaks, amazing.  

    Our goal for you is to visit someplace new, and come and explore our little corner of East Texas.  The civic center, Cooper Lake, and Celebration Plaza are always open and welcome to travelers from all over.  Whether it's for business or pleasure we hope that while you are in Hopkins County and Sulphur Springs you stop by and visit The Oaks for your overnight accommodations.  

    Until then Happy New Year!  May all your goals and dreams for 2022 be realized!

Happy Holidays

     The holiday season is upon us and there is no shortage of fun and excited events for the whole family to participate in, here is Sulphur Springs.

    

    To start of in the spirit of giving, Blue Santa, Toys for Tots and food drives are happening all over the city.  The joy of giving to others does not stop at only this charities, there are Angle trees at local churches and stores.  If you desire to give back this season, be sure to check out those in need.

    The first weekend in December really  kicks of the Holiday Season with the Lion's Club Lighted Christmas parade.  This annual event, is fun for all ages.  Businesses, civic groups, the ISD and many others gather to march through the town to open up the holiday season. 

    The tree lighted ceremony will be held just before the parade on the Celebration Square, so bring your lawn chairs and Christmas spirit to line the streets and partake of this great holiday tradition.

    The Hopkins County Historical Society is at it again with Holiday in the Park located at Heritage Park.  This event is a great way to see what an old time Christmas holiday was like while exploring and learning about the past.  Heritage park goes all out for this event and it is cost effective for the whole family.

   

 The North East Texas Choral Society hits the stage this weekend with the holiday show, Deck the Halls.  They have two performances available, Saturday at 7 p. m. and Sunday at 2 p. m.  This is sure to be a great show as they have always done an amazing job in the past.

    The High School band and choir take the stage on December 9, 2021 to perform their holiday concert.  It is always a great time to see those students put on a great show.  You can see all the hard work that goes into this program and just how far our fine arts department has come.

  

  If you want to take a little break from all the holiday cheer.  Be sure to check out the Monster Truck Mania at the Civic center on December 11, 2021.  It is sure to be a great show for the whole family.

    On December 18 at 11 a. m. Wreaths Across America will be at each of the city cemeteries laying wreaths for our fallen veterans.  This is a great time to gather the family to celebrate the sacrifices others have made.  WAA is a great service opportunity for all ages.  

  We hope that you are able to find your favorite holiday event while you visit Sulphur Springs.  Be sure to check out our dates available for your stay to be able to enjoy the holiday fun.