LUKE 11:17 "But Jesus knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every Kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation: and a house divided against a house falleth. Acts 28:23-26 "Paul expounded and testified of the Kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning to evening till evening."

Let’s go back to the beginning: Most encyclopedias will show you that – Emergency management (or disaster management) is the discipline of dealing with and avoiding risks. It is a discipline that involves preparing for disaster before it occurs, disaster response (e.g. emergency evacuation, quarantine, mass decontamination, etc.), as well as supporting, and rebuilding society after natural or human-made disasters have occurred.

The most important issue facing our country today is health care reform. Like many of my colleagues, I believe that health care reform should be done in a careful, constructive, and bipartisan way. Unfortunately, the Democrats’ health care reform proposals meet none of those standards. That is why we are seeing Americans across the country voice their concerns in town hall meetings and in letters and phone calls to Congress.

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has declared highly purified Reb A sweetners {rebaudioside A (rebgiana)} as generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Derived from the stevia bush plant native to Central and South America, it can now be used as a general purpose sweetener and as an ingredient in foods and beverages.

Cottage 4 at Cherokee Home for Children spent last Monday in San Antonio. While there one of the things they did was go to Sea World. Mike Magill is getting married September 29, 2009 to a petite red head from Burnet! Michelle, Matt and Megan Murray spent several weeks in San Antonio, Texas.

Have you ever lost someone who was close to you? That’s probably a silly question because many of you have lost parents, mates, grandparents, even children. We grieve at the loss and desire that we could have just one more meeting with them to tell them how we feel. We have their memory but not their physical presence.

50 Years Ago August 20, 1959 Don Newbury of the Brownwood Bulletin staff, is here this week helping edit the news for The San Saba Star. He has been covering sports for the Brownwood paper this summer. He is a student at Howard Payne College. Sam P. Everett says he feels at home again since he purchased the Gulf Station located on Wallace Street at South First, this week from Jim Dannheim.

Reading Recommendations: Heritage of Lancaster County 3 Best selling Novels in One volume; Beverly Lewis The Shunning In the quiet Amish community of Hickory Hollow, Pennsylvania, time has stood still while cherished traditions and heartfelt beliefs have flourished. But in one family, a secret lies buried, a secret that could shatter the town's tranquility.

The Bend community center has really been used this month for birthday parties. First Elsa Dean Shirley and this past Saturday a big birthday celebration held for Foy Gibson. Many friends and family attended and helped to celebrate the big event. Son-in-law Tommy Ketchum fried the fish which was served to all the guests and of course the birthday cake.

New Yorkers who deal with the city on a daily basis may grow numb to the sights and sounds abounding there for us who mosey in from time to time. We are big-eyed and big-eared, marveling at the energies of millions who seem so comfortable with the duties of each day.

Another blistering week of heat under our belts! We had a nice unexpected rain that gave us about 1.7 inches. The rain was not consistent over the area. Floyd Gossett had about .2 inches, as did the Behrens. The Hills had the 1.7 that we had here at the house.

My cousins and I recently received a letter from the state saying we were the heirs of some land from my great-grandfather. It joined some land that he owned but we did not know that he also owned the adjacent property. The State checked it out and we were the rightful owners.

Abe Martinez was born in San Saba on August 3, 1924. He recently celebrated his 85th birthday with friends and family at a fish fry at Ann and Don McElroy’s ranch near Harmony Ridge Cemetery. Abe lived in or around San Saba most of his life and is known and respected by many.

Ladies of the First Presbyterian Church extend a cordial invitiation to the ladies of the county to the August Fellowship of Christian Women’s Luncheon. Beginning at 11:30 a.m. next Thursday, August 27th, a Fall Favorites luncheon will be in the basement fellowship hall. Bring any covered dish you’d like to share around the serving tables, and our ladies in their 80’s and 90’s will be treated this month.

Raffle tickets are on sale now for this beautiful quilt made by the Cherokee Ladies Quilter's Bee. The quilt is queen size and is made from 1930's and 40's reproduction fabrics. Ladies who worked on the quilt are: Geneva Brawn, Sue Broyles, Suzanne Crum, Kristy Harris, Candace Henderson, Maurine Johnson, Sandy Kuykendall, Carolyn Perry, Kay Savage, Katherine Simmons and Clara Thomson.

FRIDAY NIGHT 6:00 P.M. - 9:30 P.M. Movie in the Park after Skating (MOVIE)- Hannah Montana- The Movie * NEXT CITY SKATE NITE: August 21, 2009 ~~ RENT OUR SKATES: $5.00 BRING YOU OWN: $4.00~~ GAMES, RACES AND LIMBO ** CONCESSION AVAILABLE** AGES 10 & UNDER MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT/GUARDIAN **NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES - SKATE AT YOUR OWN RISK **

Hannah Marie Crosby and Justin Morgan Barker were united in marriage on June 6, 2009 at San Saba's First Baptist Church. Sam Crosby, father of the bride, officiated the double ring ceremony. He was assisted by Russell Crosby, grandfather of the bride. The bride is the daughter of Sam and Jan Crosby of San Saba.

The Fredericksburg Chorale under the direction of Mark Hierholzer will be starting its 24th season this month. A workshop will be held on Saturday, August 22nd, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 426 W. Main. Music for the year will be discussed and worked on but the workshop is open to all and there is no requirement to join the Chorale in order to participate.

As the school year begins in just a few weeks, now is the time to plan more healthy nutrition for students. One area that can use a makeover in many homes is the choice of snacks. Pediatric clinical dietitian Kim Bilger, MPH, RD, LD at Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas offers some advice and suggestions to help make healthier snacks for your hungry students. “Many times students, especially younger ones, eat lunch at school before noon, so by the time class is over in the aft ...

Janene, four year old daughter of John and Jeannie (Zulauf) Alcalar of Thrall, Texas competed in the Universal Royalty Beauty Pageant for ages 4 to 5 in Austin, Texas, on June 6th. Janene competed in Best Dress, Photogenic, Baby Face, and Miss Personality. Janene walked away with all four 1st place awards and the Miss Universal Royalty Crown. Janene wore a lavender party dress covered with swarovski stones with a poofy cupcake skirt.

The Booth Brothers will be in concert on Tuesday, August 25th, 7:00 p.m. at San Saba’s First Baptist Church. With their harmony-drenched vocals and warm, easy voices, the Booth Brothers have been sharing their faith and their music fulltime since 1998. These men get their musical influences from a wide range of performers-from the Eagles to the Gatlin Brothers to legendary gospel greats such as Bill Gaither and Mosie Lister.

On August 11, 2009, Ward McKee celebrated his 96th birthday at the San Saba Senior Center among family and friends. Those attending included Sherry and Paul Bonds, Vern Horsley, Fern Bowling, Darwin Lewis, James, Frances and Roberta Duey, Janet Pribbles, Debbie Mathews, Dorothy Gage, Bebe Bagley, Charlie Henry and Jay Carney.

The spirit of volunteering starts early for these youngsters from San Saba’s First United Methodist Church who helped their mothers’ deliver Meals-on-Wheels recently. Back Row (L-R): Risien Shahan, Casey Mathis, Raley Kirk, Ryan Mathis, J T Mathis. Front Row: Gracen Shahan, Jayce Everett, Madison Shahan. (Not pictured is Allison Christian.)

Despite extended drought conditions across much of Texas, wildlife biologists with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department suggest there has been enough moisture to set the stage for good hunting this dove season. “Dry conditions don’t necessarily equate to bad dove hunting,” said Corey Mason, TPWD dove program leader. “I’ve been around the state the last month and have seen good production of native sunflower and numbers of doves along high lines and around water.

If you happen to be anything like the rest of us, then watering the lawn is becoming a tiresome project. In keeping our own yards, of which I have 3 to tend to, I’m a bit more prone to not pamper the turf grass as much as some, thus letting it get by on it’s own as much as possible.

Receipts totaled 2248 head for the week. The market remains active with stocker steers selling $2 higher and stocker heifers selling $3 higher. Feeder steers and heifers sold steady. Packer cows and bulls were $2 lower. Rep. Sales Pecan Tex, Inc-Goldthwaite-1 Steer-445@115.00 Dick Giesecke-Valley Spring-4 Steers-476@112.00 Dick Giesecke-Valley Spring-9 Steers-553@107.00 Jim Smith-Goldthwaite-10 Steers-679@105.00 Joe B Freeman-Llano-1 Steer-705@104.00 Pecan Tex, Inc.-Goldthwaite-1 Heifer- ...

Texas hunting and fishing licenses for 2009-2010 will go on sale Saturday, Aug. 15th. Sportsmen are reminded all current Texas annual hunting and fishing licenses (except for the year-to-date fishing license) expire Aug. 31st. Most fees for recreational hunting and fishing licenses have increased by five percent; resident hunting licenses now cost $25, while the Super Combo all-inclusive license costs $68.

Texas AgriLife Extension Service’s annual Silver Clover Recognition Banquet celebrated its 42nd year August 13th with a banquet at the Zentner’s Daughter Steak House in San Angelo. This year’s event recognized 32 individuals who are instrumental to the success of district 7’s 4-H youth program. Honorees included from San Saba County were Charles & Vickie Key and Charlotte Spence.

Gladys Esther Holloway Sims was born on February 28, 1914 in Roane, Texas, Navarro County to Arthur Burton Holloway and Lula Pearl Reagan Holloway, the eldest of seven children. Gladys married Kyle G. Sims on June 14, 1941 in San Antonio, Texas. There were three children born to this union: Martha Ellen, Larry Kyle, & Betty Marie.

Roxie Taff, 96, of San Saba, passed away on Monday, August 17, 2009 at her residence in San Saba. She was born December 21, 1912 in San Saba, Texas, the daughter of Samuel David Edmondson and Addie Belle Carter Edmondson. Roxie Edmondson and T.J. Taff were married on March 10, 1932 in San Saba.

Ruby Mae Gage, 96, of San Saba, passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at in San Saba, Texas. She was born September 25, 1912 in Brown County, Texas, the daughter of Charlie Cobern and Clara Miller Cobern. Ruby Mae Cobern and Clev Gage were married on November 14, 1936 in San Saba.

H.S. Tie Down Roping: 1st.-Turner McQuaide of Marble Falls, 2nd-Danny Trowbridge of Santa Anna, 3rd-Connor McCracken of Lohn. Pee Wee Barrels: 1st-Hannah Osborn of San Saba, 2nd-Kolton Frazier of Comanche, 3rd-Skyler Smith of Big Lake, 4th-Kaitlin Sutherland of Brownwood. Grade School Boys Calf Riding: 1st-Raven Caine of Brownwood, 2nd-Kody Harris of Goldthwaite.

The 2009-2010 SSHS Varsity Cheerleaders attended the Universal Cheer Association (UCA) Camp at Great Wolf Lodge and Resort in Grapevine, Texas on August 10-13. The group competed with about 400 other girls from all over the state. They worked very hard prior to camp in order to compete with a home dance routine.

Two-a-days opened the 95th edition of San Saba football with a new head coach. After the resignation of Coach Joel Johnson last spring, the school board voted to promote Jeff Pannell to head coach. Pannell has been the baseball coach and assistant football coach. Several key returning lettermen brings hope of an improved squad on both sides of the ball.

The 2009-2010 school year at Richland Springs begins August 24th. New to the district this year are Joel Yantis, high school science; Heather Slater, 2nd & 3rd grade combined class; and paraprofessionals Candi Lewis, Marta Martin, and Susan Luna. Accountability ratings have been released by the Texas Education Agency and Richland Springs ISD is Academically Acceptable.

Central Texas College (CTC) recently announced the addition of two new online computer management programs to be offered this fall. The first is an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Information Security Management and the second is a Security Management Specialist Certificate of Completion. Both courses can be completed solely online and will be available with the fall 2009 semester. CTC now offers 22 online certificate programs and 21 online degree programs. Students enrolling in the In ...

The Armadillo football program completed the 2-a-day segment of the season this past week. So far we have worked out 18 times with 1 scrimmage. We scrimmaged Junction this past Saturday and I was very pleased with both JV and the Varsity. We still have many things to improve on prior to our first game, but I was pleased with how physical we were and our intensity. This week we are practicing once a day in the evenings, with the coaches being in in-service during the day.

The Armadillo football program completed the 2-a-day segment of the season this past week. So far we have worked out 18 times with 1 scrimmage. We scrimmaged Junction this past Saturday and I was very pleased with both JV and the Varsity. We still have many things to improve on prior to our first game, but I was pleased with how physical we were and our intensity. This week we are practicing once a day in the evenings, with the coaches being in in-service during the day.

All Dilloette moms are invited to attend the events of the Dilloette 50th Reunion – pep rally at 3:00 p.m. on Sept. 4th, pre-game at 7:00 p.m. on Sept. 4th, and reception at 10:00 a.m. on Sept. 5th at the home of Martha Leigh Miller. Dilloette moms were and always have been an indispensable part of the drill team.

The Ladies Golf Association met August 13, 2009 with the Chair for August, Dorothy Sterner, calling for a game of low putts. The winner was Anita Miles with 30 putts and she also chipped in to win the chip in pot, Second Place went to Jo Anne Hardy, who also scored the Low Gross and Low Net for the day, and a tie for Third between Jo Ann Snow and Hattie Rogers.

The San Saba High School Dilloettes are in full practice preparing for the first home game. They have a new field kick routine they will be performing to “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by English rock band The Rolling Stones. Between practice, the girls are taking time out to show appreciation and support for the high school football boys after an early morning practice.

Pictures of SSISD staff preparing for the new school year.

It’s opening day!!! No not of baseball, but for teachers to return for another school year! I want to report to you that SSISD staff reported back for work anxious, excited, and enthusiastic which made for a great opening day. Teachers began their day with a “welcome back” breakfast and later provided with an update from a variety of areas.

The San Saba Armadillo JV and Varsity teams had their first scrimmage in Junction last Saturday morning. Both teams played hard and did well.