JAMES 1:21 "Receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." One of the most familiar expressions in the word of God is, "soul and spirit." The Bible cannot be read and studied without it being often seen; but can the depth and full implication of the basic truth it exposes be fully understood?

This month, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts of America. When a boy takes the Scout Oath, he promises on his honor to do his best, to do his duty to God and his country and to obey the Scout Law. For 100 years, Scouting has prepared young boys to become leaders to give them the tools to become good citizens of this great nation.

What do you do with your leftovers? Do you eat them at another meal? Do you freeze them? Do you throw them away? Although eating leftovers may seem unappealing, you have already prepared the meal so why not save time and use some of that food. You can be creative and make the most of these leftovers.

While reading through the Bible I was intrigued by the awesome power of God. First, His creation was awesome! To think that He was able to speak and things took shape is amazing! But then in Exodus we read of His power as the ten plagues were cast upon the Egyptians.

50 Years Ago - February 18, 1960 Staff-Sgt. and Mrs. Cleo Solsbery and girls of Fort Bliss visited last week with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. G.A. Solsbery. Sgt. Solsbery spent the past 16 months in Formosa. Mr. and Mrs. Leo Park of Ruidoso, N.M., have purchased the former R. S. Cain pecan orchard northwest of San Saba from Lloyd Davis and are moving to San Saba. A group of six members of the San Saba County Chamber of Commerce and the CRIDA directors are planning to at ...

Reading Recommendations: Tear Down This Wall - A City, A President, and The Speech That Ended The Cold War, Romesh Ratnesar. On June 12, 1987, Ronald Reagan addressed a crowd of 20,000 people in West Berlin in the shadow of the Berlin Wall. The words he delivered that afternoon would become among the most famous in presidential history.

It is a great honor to be able to compete in the Olympics. I have been able to watch some of the Winter Olympic and have thoroughly enjoyed them. Not every one or very few make it to the final competition. Every country has a little different way of selecting who will represent them.

As a young military brat spending hot summer days in the coolness of the base library, I discovered the powerful art of photography in the book "The Family of Man" by Edward Steichen. The book contains just over 500 photographs that Steichen said served as "a mirror of the essential oneness of mankind throughout the world."

Since the earliest times, the natural cycles of the Sun and Moon have been used to measure intervals of time. Solar cycles define days, years, and seasons while the Moon marks of months ("moonths"). There are two major lunar cycles, the best known being the 29 1/2-day synodic month during which the Moon goes from new Moon to new Moon.

There are many unique things with which Texans identify ourselves, but human space exploration is perhaps one of the most distinct. Through the developments spurred by NASA’s human space flight program, started here in Texas in 1961 at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, Americans and diverse peoples across the globe are intricately linked by gadgets and inventions that make our everyday lives easier.

Tattoos are popular. People want to have marks on their bodies identifying them with mom or dad, some other person, organization, or cause. There are also earrings, nose rings, ornaments piercing other body parts. The Bible forbids tattoos. "You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the Lord"

Looks like we are going to have to pay for the last few days of nice warm weather. From all reports old man Winter isn’t through with us yet, as snow is in the works for us the last of the week. By the time you read this it may well be time to have a snowball fight, or better yet build a nice snowman.

The best friend of Family Abuse is denial. The best way to have family abuse run rampant in our community is to deny its existence. Of course we all know that just by denying something exists doesn’t mean it does not exist. It only means that by our denial we refuse to do anything about it!

A few days after the Super Bowl, I bade "so long" to the Interstate, knowing that the sun-splashed highway would be visible only with headlights upon resumption of my travels a few hours later. It was time for my semi-annual visit to the thicket where Uncle Mort and Aunt Maude have been residents for 97 years. I wanted to get Mort’s "take"

Are we having roller coaster weather or what! The poor kids at school are beginning to think winter will never go away. We hardly get to go out these days! Tennis is a challenge. We are still not into full tennis practice as our boys are involved in district play.

The last thing any driver wants is to pay for bad fuel. When Texas drivers fill up their gas tanks, they need to feel confident the fuel they pay for meets the highest quality standards and is free of water and other contaminants. Thanks to a new law, the Texas Department of Agriculture is now authorized to protect consumers from receiving tainted fuel. The new statewide Fuel Quality Program was established as a result of the passage of House Bill 2925, which authorizes TDA to regula ...

Business, finance and law have long been popular college majors, but another field of study that’s growing in popularity is agriculture. As our state’s population continues to expand, particularly in urban areas, some may mistakenly think agriculture education is waning. Fortunately, that’s not the case. Nationwide, enrollment in agriculture degree programs increased by 22 percent between 2005 and 2008, from 58,300 students to nearly 71,000, according to USDA. ...

The veterans of the Wiley B. Murray Post No. 27 of San Saba will meet at the legion hall Friday evening, February 26th. The building will open at 5:30 p.m. for fellowship and supper will be served at 6:30 p.m. The meal will be a pot luck Mexican food/chili supper. Members are asked to bring their favorite dish to include a dessert, bread and salad.

Bode and Amber Barker are proud to announce the birth of their son, Bode Lehman Barker Jr. who was born on February 16, 2010 at 7:24 a.m. in Cedar Park, Texas. He weighed 7 lbs 6 oz and was 19" long. Proud big brother and sister are Hunter and Briley Barker.

Dawson and Savannah Gibson are proud to announce the arrival of their baby brother, Reed Andrew. Reed was born in Georgetown, Texas, January 20, 2010 at 6:01 a.m. He weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz. and was 19 inches long. His parents are Joseph and Melanie Gibson of Florence, Texas. Maternal grandparents are Bill and Janice Foster of Waller, Texas and Richard and Trish Barns of Crystal City, Texas. Paternal grandparents are Douglas and Wanda Gibson of Richland Springs, Tex ...

Teresa Campbell and Neil Harrison, both of Midland, Texas are planning to be married on March 20, 2010 under the Wedding Oak in San Saba, Texas. The bride-elect is the daughter of Royce and Zelda Campbell of San Saba, Texas. The groom-elect is the son of Marvin and Mary Harrison of Midland, Texas.

Signups for free CTC computer and Internet classes are now being taken for Goldthwaite, San Saba, Brady and now in Millersview and Evant. There are still some seats available in the Tuesday, February 23rd classes in Brady. Tuesday, February 23rd 1:00 - 3:00 PM - Beginner Class 3:30 - 5:30 PM - Basic Web Class 6:00 - 8:00 PM - Basic E-mail Class The classes in Evant will be March 2nd at the First National Bank Community Room on 115 S Me ...

Do Well, Be Well Diabetes Education Program, sponsored by the Texas AgriLife Extension-San Saba County, is a free program offered to the public. The program will be held each Tuesday in March (March 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30) at Rylander Library, 5:15 to 7:00 p.m. each night. Teaching the different classes will be doctors, nurses, physical therapists, etc.

Seventy-eight members of LCRA’s seven regional councils met to discuss electric, water and other issues important to the communities they represent at an all-day "roundup" meeting Feb. 10 at LCRA facilities in Austin. LCRA hosted the meeting in Austin for council members to meet one another and discuss with LCRA staff such topics as water supply, drought management, electric generation and transmission operations and planning, and LCRA’s financial operations. The ...

Dear Editor, I have something I would like to sound off about and I believe it concerns a lot of people. I went to my hometown doctor three weeks ago and to go in and look the doctor in the eye, I paid $125.00. I got a shot and paid $40.00 and another 40.00 for the nurse to give it to me.

Dear Editor, HAPPY TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY. On March 2, 1836, Texas signed its Declaration of Independence. It was patterned after the speech delivered by Daby Crockett to the volunteers of Tennessee. The speech worked in encouraging the volunteers to come to Texas and fight for the Texans' independence. The Declaration of Independence was signed on March 3 because General Sam Houston was celebrating his 43rd birthday on that date.

If you subscribe to Southern Living be sure to read about one of our local companies in the Special Travel Section of the March, 2010 Issue. Millican Pecan Company is the focus of this Southern Living Magazine article. The section showcases "30 Ways to Experience the Real Texas." Millican Pecan Company is referred to as providing "heaven in a nutshell"

San Saba County has provided help for victims of domestic violence by forming the Dove Project over 10 years ago. Dove was "under the umbrella" of the San Saba City Council, funded by grants and also city and county contributions and fund raising projects. The Dove Project had some funding problems in 2009 and was forced to close for a short time.

The San Saba Scottish Rite Club will be attending the regular stated meeting of the Austin Valley on Wednesday, March 3rd. Members should meet at the San Saba Lodge Hall at 3 p.m. The 2010, Austin SR Valley dues will be collected at that time. Members must bring their dues card in order to attend the tiled meeting. The club will car-pool to Austin for the mandatory Maundy Thursday Feast.

The Wallace Creek Extension Education Club met Thursday, February 18, 2010 at the Rylander Library. President Lynn Blankenship called the meeting to order. The roll call was answered to "What is your favorite cookbook?" The minutes were read from the January meeting. The treasurer's report was given. The council report was given.

Weldon and Corky Whisenant celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, February 20, 2010 in Arlington, Texas with family and friends. Weldon Winford Whisenant and Thomas Lou (Corky) Roberds were married of February 20, 1960 at the First Baptist Church, San Saba, Texas. The ceremony was performed by Reverend Doctor R.C. Tennison.

For those of you that have been pining for spring, it appears that one might just have to exercise a bit of patience and wait a while. Fact of the matter is that as I’m penning the rest of "High lights" Tues. a.m., things are looking rather bright white around our Fair Valley of the Pecan.

Receipts totaled 1714 head for the week. The market continued to advance with stocker heifers selling $3-$5 higher and stocker steers selling steady. Feeder heifers sold $2 higher while feeder steers were steady. Packer cows and bulls sold $2 higher in an active market. Stocker cows and pairs sold $50-$75 higher.

Betsy Florene Lane Adams, 82, left this earth in the arms of angels to be with her Heavenly Father on February 20, 2010. She was born to Georgia and Russell Lane on March 28, 1927 in San Saba Co., TX. Betsy married John H. Adams in 1945 and made her home in San Antonio, TX.

Gwen Shannon, 85, passed away on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, in Brownwood Regional Medical Center. Gwen was born to John Oliver and Mary Mullins Oliver on July 14, 1924. She married Denzil Earl Shannon on May 8, 1940, in Menard, Texas. Gwen is survived by two sons, Roy Shannon and his wife Winnie of Richland Springs and Troy Shannon and his wife Paula of Richland Springs; four daughters, Sierra Mayfield of San Saba; Erline Daniels of Austin; Mary Ann Liepelt and her husband Walter of ...

Mr. Foy Gibson, age 87 of Bend, Texas, passed away Friday, February 19, 2010 at Seton Hospital in Austin, Texas. Foy was born August 16, 1922 in Bend, the son of Joshua Walker "Bunk" Gibson and Cora Etta Doyle Gibson. Foy was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Muriel Gibson and by his brother, Lester "Hap"

The 7th Grade Lady Dillos finished the season on a 10 game winning streak and ended with a 13-3 record. We saw lots of improvement in the girls and their the ability to get tougher as the way got tougher. Tori Bauerschlag, Shellby Buttler, McKenna Maxcey, Hailey Osbourn, Valerie Salinas, Joy Trujillo, and Ashlyn Turner all worked together as a team which allowed the girls to have the record they did. When we went to Early, we got into severe foul trouble with our outside girls which ...

The spring season is a busy time of year for students, teachers and staff. TAKS testing begins in earnest next week. On Wednesday, March 3, students in grades 4 and 7 will have writing TAKS. Also on March 3, grade 9 students will have Reading TAKS, and students in grades 10 and 11 will have ELA TAKS testing.

When the new realignment was announced on February 1, many were searching for non-district games closer to home. San Saba coach Jeff Pannell elected to go for quality opponents. Schedules could not be announced until the appeal process was completed on the 19th. The new schedule for the San Saba Armadillos puts the team on the road for the longest road trips during the regular season in a long time. The season opens on the road at the Ballinger Bearcats.

Dedicated students Laken Miller, Pete Torres and Tyler Lackey from San Saba High School’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America partnered with local family violence program Dove Project, CASA and TCFV to organize Take a Stand. Take a Stand gathered 600 high school and middle school students to raise awareness about teen dating violence and educate young people about how they could be part of ending violence.

Brittany Ellis, showing through Troy FFA, had the Grand Champion meat goat at the Bell County Fair and Livestock Show and Rodeo the week of February 8-13. Her Grand Champion goat came out of class 7 and she also showed the 2nd place goat in class 10. Ellis will also take meat goats to the Houston Livestock Show and the Austin Star of Texas Livestock show in March. Congratulations Brittany!

The GED test will be given at Gatesville High School, March 9 and 10 in room 22. You must register to take the test Wednesday, March 3, in room 22 at Gatesville High from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. You need to bring with you, your Texas Driver's License or State or Federal Photo ID, Social Security card, and $65.00.

Led by Shelby Hardy and Meghan Stevens who finished fifth and sixth respectively in the individual competition, the Sam Houston State women’s golf team finished as the runner-up at the Koasati Pines Classic hosted by McNeese State Monday and Tuesday (Feb 15 & 16). Lamar held off a final round charge by the Bearkats to win the title by one stroke.

The San Saba Ladies Golf Association met February 18, 2010 for play day with six ladies enjoying the sun and fellowship: Dorothy Sterner, Hattie Rogers, Jo Ann Snow, Becky Hardin, Eileen Roberts, and Janet Hoyt. Becky Hardin, the play day chair for February, called for a game of playing the holes beginning with the letters T and F less half your handicap.

Softball season is here again! The Lady Dillos kicked off the season this week by traveling to Evant to play the Lady Elks. The playing conditions for the game were cold and windy. Bad weather conditions couldn’t dampen the Lady Dillos spirits. Sylvia Jimenez led off the game and was hit by a pitch.

Nydia Baez of San Saba earned a place on the Dean’s Honor Roll for the fall semester at Texas State Technical College Waco. Baez is a student in Chemical/Environmental Laboratory Technology. The Dean’s Honor Roll recognizes the scholastic achievement of students with a grade point average of 3.5 to 3.9 for the semester. Texas State Technical College, the only state-supported technical college system in Texas, offers specialized, hands-on instructional courses at c ...

We had our last freshman game of the season a week ago last Monday. It was good. Bangs came over to our arena and we battled each other once again. When we played last, they beat us by two on their court. This game was very similar. We started in zone and they made some early shots from the outside.

The San Saba High School BCIS II class was given an assignment to identify a problem and its solution. After researching ideas, talking to the City Manager and the Superintendent, issues were found. We decided that the school needs a new mascot uniform. The one we have now is so old and torn up that it can’t even be used. Another issue we are trying to tackle is resurfacing the tennis courts.

The San Saba Tennis Team divided up into two groups last week with one group playing in the Fredericksburg Tournament on Thursday, Feb. 18 and the second group playing in the Copperas Cove Tournament on Friday, Feb. 19. Participating in the Fredericksburg Tournament were Jonathan Ramirez, Luke Cox, B.J. Harbour, Kolton Haverland, Diego Lara, Jarred Long, Josh Wright, Chase Pierce, Reid Casco, Heather Wilcox, Lauren Dawson, Kelli Cox and Joannah Crosby.

February 22, 2010 - So many times we are leery of requests for personal information and I am certainly not different that you. However, there is an upcoming "survey" that I encourage you to pay close attention and consider your participation. This "survey" is actually the 2010 United States Census.

In conversations with your teen, steer the subject to drugs and why they’re harmful. If you can ingrain this information in your children well before they are faced with making difficult choices, experts say they’ll be more likely to avoid rather than use. In fact, teenagers who say they’ve learned a lot about the risks of drugs from their parents are much less likely to try marijuana than those who say they’ve learned nothing from them. You don’ ...