May Happenings

     Another month is almost upon us as the days keep flying by towards the summer.  At long last May holds so much fun for the whole family you will not want to miss a minute of the excitement. 

    We will start off with the North East Texas Choral Society's Spring Concert, May 7 and 8th at the High School Auditorium.  Come and hear the wonderful selection of music and the voices of your community in Endless Summer. 

    Don't forget to take in the annual Cinco De Mayo Celebration on the Square, Saturday, May 7.  This is a great time to find some delicious street food and is fun for the whole family.  

    If neither of these events is your cup of tea, be sure to check out the North East Texas Dressage Club and their show going on at the Hopkins County Civic Center.  Take in the amazing "dancing" skills of these horses as the make their way around the area.  

    Up next the Branded Ranch Rodeo will be in town on Saturday, May 14.  Come and check out the action, but watch out for the High Schoolers as they make their way to the dance floor for prom.  The Hunt County Horseman's Association will also be  hosting their monthly event at the Civic Center on Friday and Saturday May 13-14.

    VR Social will be hosting a moon viewing on Saturday, May 14. Grab your friends and head on over to see into space.

    On Thursday, May 18 VR Social will be having a glow bike ride.  Trick out your bike and join the fun with friends and ride through town with a glow.  

    On Saturday, May 21 The Spring Market opens on the Square.  The first market of the season is sure to be a great one.  With local finds of all kinds.  The Market will be every Saturday, until the end of Summer so be sure to check it out, when you visit Sulphur Springs.

    The Hopkins County Freedom ball is set to take place on Saturday, May 21 at the Hopkins County Civic Center.  Step out into the night and show your support for our local veteran community. 

    The USHR Roping Rally will also be held on Saturday, May 21.  Check out the roping skills from Cowboys all over the State at they compete to see who is the best in their arena.

    The Horseman Association of Texoma will also be hosting a show on May 21.  So there is no lack of "cowboy" action in town for May.  One might even say it will be better than the action we will see in the fall.

    The last week of May is filled with Graduation for the High School.  We wish all the best of luck to the Class of 2022 as they make their way across the stage and into the next phase of life.  No matter where they go, we  hope that they will all succeed. 

    Hill Production USA Roping will be on hand May 27-29 at the Civic center showing off their stuff.  Be sure to check out their program.  

    Sulphur Springs Center of dance will host their annual show on May 28-29.  Come see the hard work those kids have put in, as they showcase their talent.  

    

    

Let's Eat ~ Pacific Station

 

    If you have not yet been to Pacific Station while visiting or living in Sulphur Springs, then you are missing out.  They have some of the best Pacific style Mexican food in the state of Texas.  I would even say it might rival some local coastal towns in Mexico.  

    I took a group with me so we could have a variety of food to taste and enjoy when we made our stop at Backstory Brewery and Pacific Station.  Plus a lovely group of local bankers let me sneak photos of their food as well, to broaden our approach for choices.  

    A great starter if you plan to stay a while is the guacamole.  Fresh made, with home made chips, this guacamole is sure to make all avocado lovers rejoice.  It's nice and chunky, perfect for placing on those chips and devouring with a great beer.  

    Now comes the hard part, deciding what type of fish to enjoy.  The choices range from ceviche to whole fish.  Fried fish to grilled fish.  There is something for everyone to select from. We are really big fans of ceviche so we always order at least one of the options they have available.  

    The grilled tilapia is melt in your mouth delicious.  The seasoning and firmness of the fish is cooked just right, so it's not too dry but moist and delicious.

    What kind of Mexican dining experience would be complete without an option of tacos.  Fish tacos, shrimp taco and many more.  They each come with a choice of three, rice and sauce.  The homemade sauce really brings out the fish flavor. 

    If you are looking for a fried fish they have you covered.  The coconut fried shrimp is breaded and flavored just right.  The standard fried fish is well worth the wait for the time it might take to deep fry everything.  Finish it all off with some fries. 

    There are so many great choices on the menu that you could go everyday for a month and still not try it all.  Pair everything with a beer from the brewery, I'm sure they could help you come up with some amazing flavor combinations.  

    Pacific Station should absolutely be on your list for the next place to eat and drink.  Their food will not disappoint!

Travel East Texas ~ Mt. Pleasant

     

    This month in our Travel East Texas exploration, we stopped over in Mt. Pleasant, Texas for a swing around their downtown area to see what there is to do and explore, when visiting their city.  In 1993 Mount Pleasant was selected by the Texas Historical Commission to become an official Texas Main Street City, which is a designation in downtown to a nine block radius.  Mt. Pleasant boasts two large events during the year, the first ever Pinefest a celebration of outdoor recreation on April 28, and Boots and Bells a Christmas festival, held November 5 - December 23.  Through out the year, different organizations and the Chamber of Commerce also hold events for residents and visitors alike.    

    In our exploration downtown we found Laura's Cheesecake, and let us tell you, with the variety of cheesecake offered everyone in your group is sure to go home with or enjoy a tasty treat.  You can purchase cheesecake by the slice or a whole cake to eat and enjoy later.  They also offer a varied lunch menu for visitors with plenty of space in their seating area to find a spot to stop in for a meal.  

    Downtown also plays host to the court house of Titus County.  The court house sits in the center of downtown with the streets moving in a one way direction around the building.  The modern looking structure can't be missed when visiting downtown.

    As you make your way around downtown you can eat and shop for everyone on your list.  There are a variety of shops with a myriad of options to bring home with you on  your visit.  We popped into Seasons to check out what they had and just loved the variety in their store.  Plus they have a Christmas shop built right in so you can always find a new holiday décor item anytime of the year.  

    A few place to eat around downtown is Jo's and Nardello's, who happens to have a great alfresco dinning space on the side of their building.  One of our favorite places to eat happens to be off of the freeway, Thai Lanna's.  Their menu is varied and a great find for East Texas, for something a little different than Bar B Que or Tex-Mex.  Thai Lanna is always a great stop for lunch or dinner when in the area.  

    One of Mt. Pleasants real claim to fame beyond, Pilgrim's and Priefert is Sweet Shop USA.  A family owned and operated, handmade chocolatier with their factory and store serving over 7,000 retailers nationwide.  You definitely want to make the Sweet Shop one of your stops while in town to sample and purchase their delicious and mouthwatering chocolate to take back for friends and family, or maybe just as your midnight snack. 

Image from the Mt. Pleasant Chamber website

    If you are looking to explore and have a more mindful adventure, you should be sure to stop by the Mid America Flight Museum.  They are only opened on Saturday from 8-12, so plan your trip accordingly, but take flight with this location and learn about some amazing warbirds who made history in America.  

    There are plenty of things to occupy your day in Mt. Pleasant, and we hope that our little exploration can help you plan your trip.  We try to find the unique and fun experience for your travels.  Until next time travel safe and enjoy your visit.

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Hugo Cocktail

    

    Our herb infused cocktail for this month is once again featuring St. Germain, an elderberry liquor, that is just so yummy we had to use it again.  The addition of mint, really helps to bring this drink to the top of the list for Spring time enjoyment.  We plan to make these drinks for our Easter dinner celebration later in the month. 

    I like the versatility of the Hugo Cocktail because you can make it to your taste.  If you want your drink to be a little sweeter then use a sparkling wine more in line with a Moscato.  Now if you prefer to let more of the sweetness come from the St. Germain then I would use a drier sparkling wine such as Gruet Brut NV.  This wine is made in New Mexico, but has roots in France, from where the family came from with the tradition of the Champagne families knowledge of creating sparkling wine.  The drier sparkling wine will really help to make the St. Germain flavors stand out in this drink.  Of course if you want a little bit of sweet with the dry you can never go wrong with a good Prosecco.  A good Prosecco can be used to create multiple drinks to enjoy at most any meal. 

    This cocktail is not only delicious but very simple to make.  No extra time is needed to create a simple syrup or infuse the liquor with the additional flavors of the mint.  It is best to make this cocktail as you go along instead of in a big batch.  So line those glasses up and get ready to create magic with this each drink.

Hugo Cocktail

1 oz. St. Germain

3 oz. Sparkling Wine

1 oz. Club Soda

Fill a glass with ice.  Pour in your portions for the drink, swirl the glass a bit.  Top it off with a sprig of Mint for garnish.  Then enjoy with family and friends.

    We hope you enjoy this cocktail as much as we did.  Please remember to drink responsibly and select a designated drive.  Please share your pictures of your group enjoying this cocktail with us on Social media.  Cheers!

Make your own soap ~ Buff City Soap

    

 Nestled along main street in downtown Sulphur Springs is Buff City Soap.  A franchise that focuses on handmade, plant based soaps for the whole house. When Buff City Soap first came to town I thought it would be a great touch to add their soaps to our rooms for guest to enjoy.  With a local store from at 217 Main Street, guest could easily find their location and select some new favorites to take home.  Since our goal is to help promote the local shopping industry in Sulphur Springs, our addition of their products would help drive customers to their downtown location without overwhelming guests and provides them with a local treat to enjoy while staying in Sulphur Springs, at The Oaks.  

    One day a couple came and stayed with us and had visited Buff City, while at breakfast they told me they made their own custom bar of soap.  I think I vaguely remember them asking me if I wanted to make the soap myself when I ordered mine but I said no at the time.  Well this time, I needed to refill my bar soap supply so I figured why not give it a go and make the soap that the guests will be enjoying in the rooms.  

    I set up a time to come in and make my product, and the day had finally arrived.  I only added color to my soaps this time, to add some interest to our bars, but it would hopefully keep with the décor of the rooms.  

    Before you can get started you need to get "dressed."  Safety first on this adventure.  Make sure you wear closed toed shoes and long pants for your class.  Otherwise, they will have everything you need to stay safe.  Googles, face shield, apron, gloves and shoe booties are all on and now we were ready to make soap.  

    Since we decided to add color, we chose two different colors to mix together this time around, an orangish gold and a turquoise with our honey oatmeal scent.  The process is fairly simple and you even use a standard kitchen tool, an immersion blender, to mix everything together.  First you mix the water and scent together and then add in the color to blend it all together.  

    Your soap is not ready for the molds.  We added our gold color first then poured the turquoise over the top.  But your artistic skills do not stop there, by dragging a tooth pick through the liquid you are able to create a "design" in your soap to fit your stylistic needs.  

    Once you are satisfied with your pattern, your soap needs to cure and harden before being cut.  Buff City will cut it for you into the desired size you want for your soap to be used and displayed.  This a great and creative way to make gifts or have a unique bar at home for when guests come to stay.  We hope that you will take advantage of making your own bar of soap when you visit, or by making  your own bath bombs. 

    Be sure to stop by Buff City during your visit to Sulphur Springs, they are open seven days a week and are happy to help you find the perfect scent to please your senses. 

April Happenings

     Let's start April off right with an Easter Egg hunt at the Civic Center on Saturday, April 2.  The Hopkins County Sheriff's office will be helping to support and put on this community event.  Bring the kids on out and have a great time filling up baskets with eggs.

    Adults can purchase tickets for the annual Hospital Gala that will be held on Saturday, April 2 at the Civic Center.  Funds raised will go directly back towards programs and equipment at the Christus  Mother Francis hospital in Sulphur Springs.  

    The Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their annual golf tournament on Friday, April 8 at the Sulphur Springs Country Club.  Grab your friends and hit the links to see who is the best team in this fun scramble to help support the Chamber of Commerce.  There are morning and afternoon tee times available. 

    Saturday, April 9 will be the final run for Tanner Higgins Warrior Run.  Lace up your tennis shoes and hit the road in support of this fallen local hero.

    "Better Together" will be hosting a dinner and Live Auction to support Israel Lewis on Saturday, April 9th at Heritage Park. 

   The week after Easter will be filled with fun for everyone, as the Community Players are getting in on the action with their One Act play, Trifles, auditions April 18-20, from 6:30-8pm.  Come see if you have what it takes to step on the stage and play a part in this upcoming production, set to show in June.  

    Starting on Thursday April 21 - Saturday April 23, the Adult Leadership class will be working with the community to clean up Kids Kingdom.  They can use all the volunteers they can get to make this project a success.  Pick a day to volunteer and bring out the whole family.  There will be something for everyone.

    Friday and Saturday, April 22-24 and April 29 - May 1, CHESS will be performing Treasure Island.  These kids have worked hard to recreate these roles and put together a charming experience for people of all ages to enjoy.

    Saturday, April 23 will be the Spring Market on Main.  Vendors and local shops will be out selling their wares, for visitors.  Be sure to stop by and find all your favorite gifts for everyone on your list.  It's never to early to start thinking about the holidays.

    Have you ever wanted to know more about Sulphur Springs and the history of our town.  Be sure to sign up for History by the foot with John Sellers.  This walking tour will highlight the key and central points in the history of Sulphur Springs.  You don't want to miss out on this tour.

    Pull you a chair and join the Gifted and Talented program from Sulphur Springs Middle school for their annual fundraiser, the Ham Scramble.  This exciting event takes place downtown on the square.  Bring the whole family, everyone walks away with a prize.  Funds raised from this event help students to travel to Destination Imagination events, and provide a learning experience during the school year.

    

    Join the Rotary Club in their favorite fundraiser of the year, Claws for a Cause located downtown Sulphur Springs.  All you can eat crawfish is the way to go on Saturday, April 30. The Rotary club helps raise funds to give back to different community needs and a scholarship for local students to apply for their senior year. 

    

Let's Eat ~ White Oak Buffet

    

    Our chosen restaurant this month to visit is the White Oak Buffet just outside of town on FM-69.  They are only open two days per week on Friday and Saturday from 3-9pm. So plan your visit accordingly. Their address is 2327 FM 69 North, Sulphur Springs, Texas.  Bring the whole family out to enjoy this local favorite.  The pricing is set by age, with a flat rate for to-go options. They should probably have a teenage boy category, based on how much my kid ate.  He made up for whatever I missed at dinner.

   

 They have a variety of fish options for each person in your group.  Once you made it to  your table get up again and start out in line to grab your food.  Everything is self-serve, and you might have to wait for a table at prime dinner time.  But the wait will be worth it!

    Grab your plate, utensils and start loading up on all your favorites.  The first section of the buffet is 
"cold" items, such as coleslaw, shrimp and various toppings.  Then you can move on to the fried stuff.  Fried fish, fritters, shrimp and okra are just to name a few.  If fried fish is not your jam, you can find some baked white fish and a vegetable medley to enjoy or chicken tenders and sausage.  

    White Oak Buffet is a great stop on Friday during lent, if you plan to observe the no meat on Friday suggestion.  Your drink options are simple, water and tea.  Of course sweet tea and unsweet tea to choose from.  And what dinner would be complete without dessert.  Soft served ice cream, and your choice of cobbler to finish up your visit.  

    Our family enjoyed their time at the White Oak Buffet and will be sure to head back out their to enjoy their offerings.  We hope that you will take the time to plan a visit in the future.