GENESIS 2:7 "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into its nostrils the breath of life: and man became a living soul." ECCLESIASTES 11:7 "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was and the spirit shall return unto God Who gave it." Since the beginning of time for man there has been an ongoing debate concerning what happens at the death of this temporary life of flesh and blood.

The Internet has grown and flourished for more than 20 years without burdensome federal regulations. Absent government roadblocks that could hold up progress, the Internet has been able to evolve and rapidly advance as technology develops. Along with it, business development and job creation, spurred by web-based innovation, have been strengthened by a free market-oriented environment.

Ultra-concentrated products and products that contain stain-release ingredients are the big news in laundry detergents. Now concentrated laundry detergents have existed in either powdered or liquid form since the 1960s. How do today’s products differ? They come in smaller packages, yet are designed to offer the same cleaning power as regular detergents in larger packages.

Lucille (Hanna) Bode will be honored on her 95th birthday on Sunday, Jan. 2nd, from 2 to 4 pm. Celebration will be held at the Pontotoc Community Building. Lucille, and her family, would like for her friends to come help her celebrate this wonderful event. Sherry Smith was injured by her donkey on Friday morning.

We have come to the end of another year. What did last year bring you? Was it great joy? There were some who got married. Some had children. Some changed jobs. Some saw their children graduate. Others welcomed new grandchildren to their homes. Some became disciples of Jesus. The list goes on. For others it was a year of sadness.

50 Years Ago December 29, 1960 A total of 61 individual pecan samples, plus two groups of three varieties from the local show and a few others have been entered in the 1960 Texas State Pecan Show to be held at College Station, January 6 according to Billy F. Kidd, county agricultural agent. SSgt.

We finally received 1.5 inches of rain, falling on Christmas Eve. There is more rain in the forecast this week. We have had some heavy frost several mornings. Winter officially arrived on the 21st (when the temperature was in the 80’s). January is usually the coldest month. Looking ahead on the calendar, I see that Easter falls on the last Sunday in April, two weeks later than usual. Our Christmas parties began with the Busy Bee quilting party on the 14th.

Reading Recommendations: The Confession, a novel by John Grisham For every innocent man sent to prison, there is a guilty one left on the outside. He doesn't understand how the police and prosecutors got the wrong man, and he certainly doesn't care. He just can't believe his good luck. Time passes and he realizes that the mistake will not be corrected; the authorities believe in their case and are determined to get a conviction.

A cork placed on top of the water will float on the surface. If it is pressed down 10 feet, or 50, or even 100 feet below the surface, and released, it will rise again. But, if it be pressed down 200 feet below the surface, it cannot rise again.

Dear Editor: Our granddaughter, Joely Haverland, is a freshman at San Saba High School. She is a member of the high school band. We attended the Christmas Band Concert December 16th and enjoyed the religious Christmas music incorporated in with the other songs. It is so nice that the band directors allow the Christmas music. Jarvis and Lois Haverland Leander, TX

Beginning in September and making steady progress through December, magazines oriented toward homes and food feature warm and cozy pictures on the front. The September issues generally feature Fall colors and recipes for what my husband calls "deer camp food" such as chilis and stews. October brings photos of pumpkins and other colorful squashes.

Jumping Horny Toads, what a Christmas here in San Saba County. We were very slow up until Christmas Eve and man did it get busy then. Yet, before we get into all of that, I want to say thanks to the man above for the beautiful gift of rain that we received.

Here's how to have a Happy New Year: Enjoy God's presence. He promises, "Fear not; for I am with thee." With God's Spirit within you, His angels around you, His arms beneath you, you are more than sufficient for the year before you. Engage God's power. He promises, "I will strengthen thee."

Post-Christmas feelings are vastly different from the warm fuzzy dreams fluffing up our nighttime slumber leading up to the festive holiday. Sort of like confetti. Views of folks dropping it from tall buildings to the parade below are at variance with the clean-up crew wading in the stuff on snowy streets. Among many sobering thoughts are: 1) Adornments, both inside and out, must soon come down.

Hold your hat here comes 2011! We’re seeing the year out with a cold freeze. This is the last column for the year, I’ve pieced my psychedelic quilt together, and I’m putting the decorations away for another year of hibernation. I noticed last night that my gate lights were out on one side.

Each year, Central Texas Telephone Cooperative sponsors a "Street Safety Poster Contest" for 4th grade students in the Coop-eratives service area. The schools that participated are San Saba, Cherokee, Rochelle, Lohn, Goldthwaite, Mullin, Star, and Evant. The 2010 winners of shiny new bicycles from San Saba and Cherokee are: Devon Hernandez - San Saba and Angel Gonzales - Cherokee. Thanks to all the 4th grade students for their participation!

The San Saba County Commissioners Court met on Monday, December 27th at 9 a.m. in the County Judge’s Chambers. County Judge Byron Theodosis called the meeting to order and noted that this would be Commissioner Roger McGehee’s last Court meeting. McGehee has been County Commissioner for 12 years. Pat Poole was in attendance and was welcomed to the court and will be sworn in as County Commissioner at the beginning of 2011.

This holiday season promises to be a healthier, happier one for as many as 1,018 area residents thanks to the assistance they received this year from the Hill Country Community Action Association. The agency today was recognized by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) for expending 100 percent of its federal stimulus Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds to help transition low income individuals out of poverty and toward self-sufficiency, with the hope that the ...

The San Saba River Chapter Daughters of the Republic of Texas completed a Fall fundraising raffle for a 37" flat screen Sanyo TV during the festivities of Christmas on the Square in San Saba on December 11, 2010. The project was part of a state wide effort entitled "The Vision". The Vision is for a new Republic of Texas Museum in Austin complete with a Texas Family History Center, Educational Viewing Theatre, Conference and Meeting Rooms, Museum Store, DRT Business Office, Climate Co ...

We probably need not be reminded that winter is really here judging by the dog’s water bowl being frozen solid early this morning. Seems like most conversations this time of the year always seem to center around the weather, holidays, football, or hunting. Of course, I’m mainly referring to the male side of the said subject.

This year saw the death of Jack Horkheimer who for 25 years was known to PBS viewers as the "Star Gazer" (formerly the "Star Hustler"). He began each weekly 5-minute show with his exuberant trademark, "Greetings, greetings, fellow star gazers," and ended with an invitation to "Keep looking up." His enthusiasm for naked-eye astronomy was as zany as it was irresistible. The following adaptations of two of my previous columns is a tribute to the beloved Star Gazer. In Christiani ...

Alex Moore, 85, of Jacksonville, TX passed away on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at the East Texas Medical Center, in Jacksonville TX. Alex was born on February 15, 1925 in San Saba, TX to Alex Enoch Moore and Cornelia Clark Moore. After graduating from San Saba High School in 1942, Alex joined the United States Air Force where he served as a radio/gunner on a B-24 Bomber and was stationed in Italy.

David R. Wallace passed away Sunday December 26, 2010 at his son’s home in Early, Texas. David was born March 24, 1948 in Brady Texas to Rodney and May Tyler Wallace. He was reared in San Saba County, Texas. On February 16, 1991 he married Wanda Parks in San Saba, Texas.

Donald H. Freeland, 43, of Grand Prairie, TX passed away on Friday, December 24, 2010. Donnie was born on June 9, 1967 in San Saba, TX to Jack H. Freeland and Jane Freeland. Donnie Freeland and Mindy Hutchison were united in marriage on March 23, 2002 in Arlington, TX. Donnie was a member of the Methodist Church of Grand Prairie, TX and made his living as an Accountant. Donnie is survived by his wife, Mindy Freeland of Grand Prairie, TX; his twin sons, Nicholas and Br ...

Paula Jean Horn, 64, of Joshua, a team lead for Texas Health Resources in Cleburne, died Tuesday, December 14, 2010 in Fort Worth. Paula was born June 20, 1946 in Comance to Wayne Kie and Robbie Pauline Burt Johnson. Paula was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She loved reading, sewing, painting, movies, and cooking, was a very hard worker and was loved by all who knew her. Paula was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her husband, Larry Horn of Joshua; s ...

As we end the journey to another State Championship, we need to stop and reflect what makes this community such a great place. The success of Coyote football has energized many supporters who have done many good things for our program and school. Caring citizens who give of their time and talents in support of students involved in both academic and extracurricular activities make all of our programs successful.

1. No. All you need to do is to bring the entries to the Civic Center on Thursday January 13th from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Please note that there is a change of location for the youth fair and a time change. 2. No. Where do I take my entry? 3. To the Civic Center. 4. If it is a single photography entry, cut a piece of cardboard, poster board or foam board the size of the picture and gl ...

January 3, 2011 will bring about the beginning of the second semester of the 2010-2011 school year. The second semester will go very quickly so I wanted to provide you with some important dates so that you can mark the calendar now. The spring semester is filled with Optional Flexible Days for high school and middle school students.

San Saba ISD will have 1 upcoming EARLY RELEASE DAY. On Thursday, January 13, 2011 the DISTRICT, all campuses will observe an early release with buses running at 12:45 pm. As well, Friday, January 14, 2011 will be a school holiday for staff and students. School will resume regular operation on Monday, January 17, 2011.

January kicks off the new year and heralds many new beginnings, some actual and others symbolic. One ‘new beginning’ in January is both: The second semester of school is the official start of the second half of the school year. It is also a "clean slate" for many young people.