1 John: 1-14 (1). In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with GOD. (3) All things were made by HIM, and without HIM was not anything made that was made. (4) In HIM was life, and the life was the light of men.

For most people who use tobacco – having a reason to quit tobacco isn’t as much a problem as knowing how to quit tobacco. Unfortunately, there isn’t one way that works for all tobacco users, but there are some key factors that seem to help most people. First, make the decision to quit, and list out the top five reasons you want to quit (e.g., your health, the health of a loved one, tobacco policies at work or in the community, physical appearance, other).

My daughter sent me an email a while back about something she had read in the Galveston Daily News. I would like to share it with you. Here is what she sent me: “There is an article in the Galveston Daily News today about a South Carolina kid who plotted to blow up his high school because he wanted to die and go to heaven to kill Jesus.” When I read these words I was truly surprised.

100 Years Ago November 26, 1908 Lee Burlson has had a large up-to-date baker's oven put in near his rock building on the west side of the square. It was put up by A. Holtmar, a professional baker, and will bake 1200 loaves of bread per day. Miles J. Byrne and J.W.

No rain to report for the past two weeks. So far, only .6 of an inch for November compared to 2.3 last year. Let’s hope and pray that the rain in the forecast actually gets to us. Marilyn and Michael Suber and I attended funeral services for Lou Simpson last Saturday at the Howell Doran Funeral Home in San Saba.

Reading Recommendations: Confessions of a Mafia Boss, Gaspipe, Phillip Carlo. From birth, Anthony Casso's mob life was preordained. Michael Casso introduced his young son around South Brooklyn's social clubs, where "men of honor" did business by shaking pinkie-ringed hands, hands equally at home pilfering stolen goods from the Brooklyn docks or gripping the cold steel of a silenced pistol.

Most of us should be putting the finishing touch on all the stuff & stuffing for the Thanksgiving feast by the time we get around to reading this. I know a lot of folks that really go a long way toward fixing & cooking way too much food for the festive Holiday.

Receipts totaled 2591 head for the week and with the continued financial crisis and drop in the futures market feeder heifers sold steady to $2 lower and feeder steers were $3-$5 lower. Stocker steers and heifers sold $5-$7 lower. Fleshy bulls and plainer calves were $7-$10 lower. Packer cows and bulls showed on a steady market. Rep.

The San Saba Ladies Golf Association met November 20, 2008 for play day with the Chair for November, Hattie Rogers, calling for a game of team play; with one score from the first hole, two scores from the second hole, and three scores from the third hole. The team of Hattie Rogers, Anita Miles, and Debbie Lee bested the team of Jo Ann Snow, Sandee Hartley, and Dorothy Sterner.

Dear Editor, Tired of being abused and put at risk by HEB. For the second time in two weeks, when returning home and unpacking purchased items at HEB - Kingsland, I discovered missing items paid for on the receipt. Immediately calling the service counter I was politely apologized to and given the items the checker failed to put in my bag.

We are all making plans and adjusting our schedules so we can be there this special day. Our family, like many others, may not be able to get together on Christmas day, but everyone tries to make it on Thanksgiving. Each of us will try to make one special dish or our favorite dish and this year I am making as we call them “Mama’s rolls” and candied sweet potatoes.

I found this article written by an anonymous writer and I felt it was worth repeating. It is entitled, "The Pull Downward". "In looking over my congregation", says a preacher, "I find that, while several pious fathers have unconverted children, there are but few prayerless fathers who have converted sons." The pull of the father downward is too strong for the upward pull of the Sunday School and the pulpit.

In what should be the most beautiful celestial show of the year, the three brightest night-sky objects—Venus, Jupiter, and the crescent Moon—will come together low in the southwest at dusk Dec. 1. Below are some things to ponder while enjoying the view. The three are different types and sizes of objects, yet they share the common attribute that none makes its own light.

No rain, but we did have some cloudy cool weather with the hint of rain. They are saying maybe a promise of rain Turkey day. Most of the friends and relatives of Blake Gideon will be stuffed with turkey and glued to the television watching the A&M, UT game Thursday afternoon.

This has been a chilly week! I had to break down and get out my sweaters for the early morning chill. Mind you, by noon there was no need for sweaters! These are perfect days as far as I’m concerned. You snuggle in your blankets at night and prance around in your short sleeves during the afternoon.

John and Myia Stewardson are proud to annnounce the birth of their son Jack Lane Stewardson. Jack was born October 21, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. Jack weighed in at 8lbs. 1oz. and was 19 3/4 inches long. Jack is also welcomed into this world by his proud grandparents James and Cindy Stewardson of San Saba, Mary Kay and Mansel Leverett of Pasadena, Texas and Phil and Michelle Gladding of Honeoye, New York.

The San Saba Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Christmas decorating contest for business owners. The Chamber encourages businesses to decorate for Christmas this year. The Chamber will award this beautiful perpetual trophy to the winner to display in their business for one year. In December 2009, this trophy will pass on to the 2009 contest winner. In addition, the Chamber is sponsoring a Christmas outdoor lighting decorating contest for homes.

The next GED Test at Gatesville High School will be given December 9 and 10. Individuals wishing to take the test December 9 and 10 must complete registration some time between 5 and 7 p.m. on December 3. Be prepared to spend 30 minutes to an hour when registering. You need to bring with you a current state or federal photo ID, Social Security Card, and $65 fee for the test.

Lieutenant JG Sean Stewart recently returned home from a 6 month deployment aboard the USS Peleliu. Hundreds of family and friends waited on the pier as the USS Peleliu, an amphibious assault ship, returned to it’s homeport in San Diego, California. Among the anxious awaiting family members were Shayna Stewart, Shelly Mahan, Linda Stewart, Natalie Stewart and Sean’s Grandparents Noel & Margie Stewart.

The San Saba County Commissioners’ Court met on Monday November 24th at 1:30 p.m. in the County Judge’s Chambers. County Judge Byron Theodosis called the meeting to order followed by Roger McGehee with the invocation and everyone joining for the pledges to the American and Texas flags. Neal Alexander, County Agent, asked if there were any questions pertaining to the report given to the commissioners.

San Saba Elementary School Library will host a Book Fair during the week of December 8th-12th from 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. daily. The community event will be on Tuesday December 9th from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.. The book fair will close Friday at 12 noon. Come and do your shopping with us!

Pictured above (L to R) are: Larry Smith, Samuel Purtee, Joe Ragsdale, Roger Verette, and Cole McDowell cooking the turkeys for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner to be held Thursday, November 27th at The Father’s House Fellowship Hall from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The event is free of charge and open to the public.

The Today's Girl Youth Organization will perform a community service activity benefitting the Hope for Tomorrow Foster Care and Adoption Agency on Saturday, December 5, 2008. The occasion will take place during Pecan Capital Trade Day at the San Saba Court House in San Saba, Texas from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

The Wallace Creek Extension Education Club met on November 20, 2008 at the home of Noma Fitzgerald. A short business meeting was held. The main topics discussed were the quilt raffle and the Pecan Food Show. The quilt raffle is still in progress. Tickets may be purchased from the club members until the morning of December 5.

On November 14th, 55 boys from nine children's homes came to Camp Gene Ashby eager for the next days deer hunt. Homes attending were Big Springs Ranch for Children, Leakey; Cherokee Ranch, Cherokee; Texas Pythian Home, Weatherford; Boys Haven, Beaumont; Methodist Home Boys Ranch, Waco; Smith Home, Mullin; Azleway Wilderness Camp, Palestein; Ricky & Chris Maddox, Cherokee; and West Texas Boys Ranch, San Angelo.

Kenneth Crim, 72, of San Saba, passed away Thursday, November 20, 2008 at his residence in San Saba. Kenneth Wayne Crim was born on March 2, 1936, in San Saba, the son of Amos Earl Crim and Ida Litton Crim. On January 21, 1961, Kenneth Crim and Gaye Taylor were married at the Herren Baptist Church in San Saba.

Lou B. Simpson, 76, of Richland Springs, passed away Wednesday, November 19, 2008, in Temple, Texas. Lou was born June 1, 1932, in Locker, Texas the daughter of T.M. Sofge and Opal Cochran Sofge. Lou was involved with the Busy Bee Quilter's Club and the San Saba Historical Society; she was also a past vice president of the Texas W.I.F.E., and a past secretary of the Locker Cemetery Association and Locker Baptist Church.

Marie Harrell died November 19, 2008 in Abilene. Visitation was on Friday, November 21, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at North’s Funeral Home, 242 Orange in Abilene, Texas. Memorial service was held Saturday, November 22, at 10:00 a.m. at North’s Funeral Home with burial following at the Chappel Cemetery in Chappel, Texas at 3:00 p.m.

Ramona Sifuentes went to be with the Lord on November 20, 2008. She was born the daughter of Leonardo & Julianna Aranda on September 20, 1925 in Dilly, Texas. Ramona married Raul Sifuentes in September of 1959. She was a housewife, a caring mother and grandmother who will be deeply missed.

The San Saba Armadillos opened this year’s season with the Eastland Mavericks coming to town. Eastland won the contest 73-27. Leading the scoring for the Dillos was Braden McBee and J. Miles with 8 points apiece. Ross Williams had 4 points, Tucker Cromer had 3 points, and Chance Gotcher and George Long added 2 apiece.

The Lady Coyotes basketball team is off to a good start and they are 3-1 on the season. The Lady Coyotes played Lometa this past Monday and Blanket on Tuesday. The junior high girls and boys played Rochelle this past Monday. The varsity boys played their first game this past Tuesday against Blanket. The district will begin weekly benchmark testing in Social Studies, English, Math and Science.

Pictured above: Back Row (L to R) - Elizabeth Bryant, Marissa Coffman, Melanie Hedley. Front Row - Maggie Alexander, Emilee Rogers. Five 4-H’ers represented San Saba County at District Food Show on November 22nd in Abilene. They were: Maggie Alexander, Junior Fruits & Vegetables; Emilee Rogers, Junior Main Dish; Elizabeth Bryant, Intermediate Main Dish; Melanie Hedley, Intermediate Breads & Cereals; Marissa Coffman, Intermediate Fruits & Vegetables.

The San Saba Lady Dillos had a great week of basketball as they captured a nice road win and took Championship honors in their own tournament. We traveled to McGregor last Tuesday and soundly defeated the Lady Bullogs. We were a bit rattled to start the game especially after their big post Sha Brown quickly scored six points and the Lady Bulldogs had a 8-3 lead early in the first quarter.

San Saba Players in Progress (P.I.P.'s) kicked off the new season on Saturday, November 8th. Two national PIP coaches conducted a day long camp for thirty one players. The day included practice drills on the many individual ball handling skills, lunch, a parent meeting and a group performance to wrap up the camp.

Richland Springs Students support our troops overseas - The junior high students composed letters to troops and collected food items to send them for Christmas. They collected four boxes full of items.

November 17, 2008 San Saba Dublin 1st 10 2 2nd 8 0 3rd 8 7 4th 8 3 Total 34 12 San Saba Individual Scores: JordanWatson-10pts; 5FG Kolton Ellis-10pts; 5 FG Kelan Verette-10pts; 4 FG, 2 FT Geryn Young-2 pts; 1 FG Cosme Diaz- 2 pts; 1 FG Coach's Comments: 2nd game of year, getting better.

San Saba Dublin 1st 12 7 2nd 21 12 3rd 29 20 4th 40 24 Total 40 24 San Saba Individual Scores: Joannah Crosby-8 pts; 3FG; 2 FT Karlee Cromer- 16 pts; 7 FG Alexa Maxcey- 2 pts; 1 FG Katie Ross - 11 pts; 5 FG; 1 FT McKenzie Hibler- 3 pts, 1FG; 1 FT Coach's Comments: We continue to get better with every game!

New inductees into the San Saba Chapter of the National Honor Society include Faith Lester-Jurek, Carlos Martinez, Allen Martinez, and Guadalupe Rocha.

A Honor Roll 4th Grade: Summer Cook Wyatt Deans Kassidy Ellis Hannah Hibler Braiden Johnson Raley Kirk Brooke Nagle Raylee Pannell Andres Paredez Daniel Rosales Kadyn Saiz Peyton Sloan Chase Turner 3rd Grade: Jaycie Johnson Joshua Lambert Sergio Salazar Dynasty Saldivar Megan Sanchez Jenna Steger 2nd Grade: Michael Aragon Brenna Chambers Brenden Childers Marissa Diaz Ethan Edmondson Jesus Guerrero Katherine Jordan Casey Mathis Linzey ...

The Jr. High girls lost to Lometa, 21-25, last Monday night. The Jr. High boys beat Lometa 21 to 18. The Lady Indians won the Oglesby Tournament. They defeated Cranfills Gap on Thursday, 42-11. Oglesby was next in line, going down 43-27. They played Walnut Springs Saturday for the championship and won 50-14.

On the completion of what was an incredible girls basketball tournament, I think it is important to note the importance of such events to our community. When the school hosts events such as UIL academic contests as we have in recent years, played host to 10 or more schools in high school or junior high track meets or the recent basketball tournament when 20 plus teams roll in to San Saba bringing many of parents, grandparents, and the general fan base to our city, the school’s impact on the l ...

The San Saba Chapter of the National Honor Society traveled to Star to induct the first members of that high school into the National Honor Society. Members include: l-r Vice-President Shelby Hardy; President Whitney Key; Treasurer Candace McKinney; Pedro Prado, Reporter Nathania Cisneroz; Chase Key, Ross Williams, Bradley Cummins, Secretary Leanne Perry; Brittany Glaze, and Bobby Pairett.