Steve Killian, superintendent of Cooper Lake State Park , says the swimming beaches at both the South Sulphur and the Doctors Creek units have recently received truckloads of white sand, giving them an appearance similar to beaches in Florida. Also, the park has resume educational programs after the coronavirus lockdown. In fact, a program on bats is set for 8 p.m. tonight (Friday, July 16) at South Sulphur, a photography hike is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Doctors Creek, and a program on

Carol Taylor , chairman of the Hunt County Historical Commission , says the raising of livestock was the major occupation of people in early Hunt County, rather than farming. Not until the arrival of the railroads in the 1880s could farmers easily transport crops, including cotton, to markets. Carol says sheep were as numerous as cattle and horses.

Frances Dalbey, Hunt Regional Healthcare outreach specialist, reflects on the importance of safety on the water . and of drinking enough water during the summer months.

Dr. Karri McCreary, veterinarian and co-owner of the Greenville Animal Hospital , discusses National Lost Pet Prevention Month in July. Dr. McCreary works with the Abandoned Pet Project , which helps reunite lost pets with the owners or finds new homes for them. She says the organization welcomes volunteers.

Dr. Dale Funderburk, Northeast Texas economist and long-time Texas A&M-Commerce economics professor, reflects on a report from the state comptroller's office showing Hunt County manufacturing output to be second only to Collin County in the Metroplex region, based on percentage of Gross Domestic Product (45%) and average annual wages earned ($96,000).

Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie critic, says "Black Widow" starring Scarlett Johansson, is among the most entertaining of the Marvel Comics movies, and develops a very interesting back story for the "Black Widow" character. It is the first Marvel movie based on Johansson's "Black Widow" character. Less successful is "The Ice Road," a Netflix action movie starring Liam Neeson. Alice says Neeson is good as an ice-road trucker, but the script fails him.

Commerce musician and music producer Brad Davis is releasing a new bluegrass song, "Annalee," on August 13. Brad is a multiple-Grammy-Award winner for projects he has produced at his Commerce studio. "The Brad Davis Acoustic Guitar Cafe," a trio with Joel Weaver and Brad's daughter Briley Mitchell, will perform Saturday night (July 10) at the Cork and Brew in downtown Commerce.

Sharon Feldt of Sulphur Springs, our books commentator, reviews the New York Times best-seller "Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story" by Pulitzer-Prize winning author Rick Bragg, who is known for his writing on the South. Lewis, from Ferriday, Louisiana, was the first performer inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Wayne Bowman, Hunt County Master Gardener , offers non-toxic tips for combating insects that attack your garden. One of Wayne's recommendations is a mix of orange oil and Dawn dish washing liquid for battling ants. Also, Wayne says time is running out to sign up for training to become a Master Gardener this fall.

Rains County Agrilife Extension Agent Sarah Latham says a sewing clinic will be offered on Tuesday-Thursday, July 20-22 in Emory. Sarah recently presented a program on the importance of summer hydration, demonstrating the use of infused water with pieces of fruit adding nutrition to the water.