Hurray the weather man finally got it right in regard to getting the rain we needed so badly. Two and one half inch and as much as three in some places were reported. There are still reports on family Christmas events coming in. Jerome and Shirley reported that they had a very good Christmas. All of their children were home except Blake Gideon who was in Colorado, Quincee from Pasadena, California and Jessica and Tony Kelley.

1 Juan 5:13-21 Estas cosas os he escrito a vosotros que creéis en el nombre del Hijo de Dios, para que sepáis que tenéis vida eterna, y para que creáis en el nombre del Hijo de Dios. Y esta es la confianza que tenemos en él, que si pedimos alguna cosa conforme a su voluntad, él nos oye.

The big news this week is, of course, all the wonderful rain we received. Curtis Lee reported 2.3 inches at Elm Grove. We did a little better at Bowser, 2.6 inches total. It is a welcome sight to see all the muddy trucks on the road. This morning’s temperature showed 23 degrees with another cold night expected tonight. Another great happening in our area is the hiring of Mitchell Jacobson as one of the new San Saba deputies.

Reading Recommendations: Target Lancer, November 1963, and They're Going to Kill JFK - in Chicago, Max Allen Collins 1963 - John Fitzgerald Kennedy is a lightening rod for public opinion. The handsome, youthful leader, who is prepared to take America into a brighter future, earns love from cheering crowds. But those who oppose his political agenda, including some who consider themselves betrayed by the Kennedy clan, dare to think the unthinkable: Kill an American President. Nathan Heller is C ...

I’m temporarily down for the count. I don‘t know where that cold front came from, but my nose took a dislike to it. It was one of those almost instantaneous events. I started sniffing late afternoon and then realized that the back of my throat was all raw. By nightfall I was miserable.

I am just back from my second retreat to Emilie’s Quilt Haus in Stonewall, Texas. These retreats are planned for the Graceful Hearts Quilters of Richland Springs by our friend Debbie Phelan. I would not be surprised if your imagination has already conjured up a vision of a bunch of “mature,” dignified, maybe somewhat boring women sitting around a quilt frame conducting an old-fashioned quilting bee.

I am sure that all of us in the Hill Country are pleased to hear the sound of thunder once again and that we are receiving much needed rain. After we got the fall rains that were to get many of the wildflowers up and preparing for the winter season, the rains seemed to stop.

On Monday, January 21st, the United States celebrates Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. This is a federal holiday vitally important to San Saba, and to Texas, and to the whole country. Dr. King's message of equal rights for all citizens, inspired by the promises of our constitution, helped to end racial discrimination.

The LCRA Board of Directors has appointed new members to the LCRA Upper Basin Regional Council for terms beginning Jan. 1. The Upper Basin includes Bandera, Gillespie, Hamilton, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Lampasas, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Mills and San Saba counties. The Upper Basin Regional Council and three other councils from throughout the lower Colorado River basin provide important communication links between the Lower Colorado River Authority and the communities it serves. The cou ...

In my imagination I was in a large gathering of souls to present our past lives before the LORD. We all had little bundles of square cards, and those cards formed a tapestry to represent the main events of our past life. Then a large group of angels came in and took all those cards and began to make a huge display to hang on the wall for all to see.

Dateline on TV challenged four female roommates to give up their cell phones and electronic devices for two weeks. The women would even text each other as they sat in the same room. During the time they could not use the phone they actually spoke to each other and actually got to know each other better.

Last weekend, I attended a father/son or daughter outing. It was neat to see the fathers trying to bond with their children. It was not just fathers; there were also some grandfathers there. They got up early that morning and were out and about all day; when they came in that night, they were tired.

There are many ways to fish. One may fish from a boat in a lake or river. Another fishes from a boat in the ocean. In some countries it gets cold enough that the rivers freeze and some "ice fish." Some use a rod and reel while fishing from the bank of the water.

The Friends of the Llano County Library will be hosting The Hobbit this weekend at the LanTex Theater. This PG-13 movie will be showing on Friday, January 18th, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, January 19th, at 4:00 and 7:30 p.m. This fantasy adventure stars Martin Freeman as a young and reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, who sets out on an unexpected journey to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of Dwarves to reclaim their stolen mountain home from a dragon named Smaug.

Christian performance artist Mike Lewis of The Jesus Painter Ministries will be featured as part of “Luke – The Gospel for the Nameless and Faceless.” Mike will be painting live on stage four images of Jesus Christ. The evening will also feature Margot Truelson of the Christian ballet company, Ballet Magnificat.

Would you like to be a part of creating the next San Saba River Pecan Jam? If you have time and talent to offer the event, we are eager to talk with you about it! The third annual Pecan Jam organizing meeting for will be held in the Arrowhead Bank board room (second floor across from the elevator) at noon, January 24th, 2013.

Victor Hill was recently faced with some problems and decisions that caused him to be “stressed out”. Years ago he would have turned to alcohol or could’ve been in “a rage” and not fit to be around anyone. However, this time he prayed about it and knew he needed something to occupy his mind and time, so he got out his sketch pad and drew a pencil drawing of his daughter from a photo when she was 10 years old.

On a very cold December morning twelve members of the San Saba Sew-N-Sews Quilting group with three guests carpooled out to Joy Smith’s home for our 2012 Christmas party. She welcomed us into her beautifully decorated home featuring a quilted Santa and other special Santas. To begin our party, we wanted to see the award-winning quilts, including the birds quilt Joy’s mother made, plus the Log Cabin Christmas tree wall hanging.

City National Bank was the winner of the San Saba County Chamber of Commerce 2012 Business Christmas Lights Contest. Pictured is the presentation of the perpetual trophy by chamber directors, Lynn McHenry, Marcia Dyer and Lewann Turner to employees of City National Bank, Debby Reeves, Tom Murray, Heather Vallenavedo and Billie Amthor.

Next Thursday, January 24th, Fellowship of Christian will be gathering at the First United Methodist Church downstairs fellowship hall for a Mexican Foods Luncheon. Methodist ladies are making plans and want to give ladies of the county a very special invitation to begin our new year. The luncheon starts at 11:30 a.m.

Pecan Valley Nursing and Rehab recently obtained a new AED unit (Automatic External Defibrillator). The San Saba County Volunteer EMS graciously demonstrated to the staff how to use the new AED in case of an emergency. They explained to the staff that the new AED would provide them with a quick response in the event of cardiac arrest, while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

If one did not know better just by looking around at all we have accomplished, it would seem that all the San Saba Garden Club does is party! Our last meeting in December was set aside to have a good time and get to know each other better. Our first meeting this year, January 8, 2013, was time to celebrate our 77th anniversary and reach out to past members and prospective new ones.

On January 10, 2013, the Pierian Study Club met in the home of Brooke Bagley. Co-hostesses for the meeting were members of the Yearbook Committee, Connie Adams, Ann McElroy, Martine Miller, Debbie Shahan, and Sharon Clawson, Chair. Other members present were Nicole Bagley, Loy Nell Behrens, Gail Bruner, Ella Burton-Pavich, Barbara Gilger, Kathleen Hawkins, Jeri Jones, Cherry Kay Lange, Lynn McHenry, Anita Miles, Kay Nettleship, Patty Shaw, Linda Sloan, Sandy Smith, Vickie Stevenson, Geanne Tayl ...

On January 8th, the Sharon Club met at Commie's Tacos, with Sylvia Juarez serving as hostess and Dorothy Gage as co-hostess. After a delicious meal, the members were privileged to have Amanda Brand present a book review of her new book, Resolutions. Ladies, you need to read this book! Amanda, you are such a blessing!

60 Years Ago January 22, 1953 Nine members of the San Saba High School Band, accompanied by their director, J.G. (Pop) Stanley, will go to Cisco Saturday where the students will audition for places in the All-District Band. Those planning to make the trip include John Ferrell and Billie Lehrer, clarinets; Ruth Timberlake and Bobbie Campbell, cornets; Barabara Shaw, french horn; Gordon Clark, saxophone; Isaac Tennison, bass horn; Dorothy Whitley, bass clarinet; and Bobbie Lee Locker, flute. T ...

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) District Conservationist Mitchell Schroeder announces applications for funding opportunities with the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) are currently being accepted at the NRCS office located at 1606 East Wallace, San Saba, TX. NRCS in Texas has received its initial allocation of EQIP funding in 2013 and will begin ranking and obligating EQIP contracts after February 15th.

Receipts totaled 694 head for the week with numbers limited due to good rains of 2-3 inches that fell over the area. The market was higher and all classes of cattle sold were in strong demand with 2 steers 545 lbs @166.00 and 3 heifers 842 lbs @128.00 while the top packer bull sold for 103.50. Steers: choice lightweight calves 180.00-210.00; choice medium weight calves 150.00-188.00; choice heavyweight calves 135.00-157.00 Heifers: choice lightweight calves 150.00-202.50; choice medium weight ...

Looks like we’ve already been ushered into 2013, ready or not. There have been several checks written by this humble scribe, & it still takes a bit of concentration to pen ‘13 at the end of the day’s date. Actually, we’ve had some extremely good things come to our fair Valley of the Pecan.

Mrs. Debra Marie (Berger) Pilkington Arms, 52, of Cherokee passed away Thursday, January 10, 2013. Visitation will be Thursday, January 17th from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. at Nobles Funeral Chapel followed by a recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass is scheduled for Friday at 10:00 a.m. at St.

Maria Del Refugio Ramos, 73, of San Saba, Texas, passed away Sunday, January 13, 2012 in Round Rock, Texas. She was born July 4, 1939 in Huapango, Mexico, the daughter of Irineo Trejo and Atilana Rojas Trejo. She loved her garden and her children, having spent a lifetime tending to all.

Coleman Wesley “C.W.” Cox Sr., 79, of San Saba, Texas passed away on Wednesday, January 9, 2013, in San Saba. Graveside services were held on Saturday, January 12, 2013, at 10:00 a.m., at the Richland Springs Cemetery in Richland Springs,Texas. C.W. was born on February 24, 1933, in Alpine, Texas, to Coleman Foster Cox Jr.

A Celebration of the life of Frank Angerstein, age 63, of Early, was held at 2:30 P.M., Sunday, January 13, 2012 at Early First Baptist Church with David Barnum and Eddie Ailshie officiating. Heartland Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Frank went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 9th, 2013. He was born on December 19th, 1949 in San Saba, Texas to Barton and Edith Angerstein.

William C. “Bill” Haverlah was living at Walden Court Assisted Living in Llano, Texas at the time of his death on January 5, 2013. He was born June 13, 1931 in DeWees, Wilson County, Texas to Lee Henry Haverlah and Anna Alma (Matheaus) Haverlah. He lived on the farm in DeWees with his grandparents until the age of six.

Beatrice Berry, 93, passed away on Sunday, January 6, 2013. Visitation was held on Thursday, January 10, 2013, at Heritage Funeral Home, San Saba, from 12:00 until 1:30 P.M. Her graveside service followed at 2:00 P.M. at Cherokee (formerly Hanna) Cemetery in Cherokee, Texas. Beatrice Berry was born to William Dennis and Etta Roberta Spurlin on December 27, 1919, in Lampasas, Texas.

Kenneth B. Smith, 72, of Cherokee passed away on Sunday, January 6, 2013, in Llano, Texas. Visitation was held on Wednesday, January 9, 2013, from 6:00 ~ 8:00 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home San Saba. Services were held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 10, 2013, at the Baptist Church of Cherokee in Cherokee, Texas.

Dillon Brister, age 9, of Bend TX, recently competed in the Lampasas County Youth Livestock Show. Dillon placed 2nd & 4th in the lightweight & 2nd in the medium weight hair sheep division. Dillon is the son of Michael & Gennifer Brister of Bend, TX.

San Saba Elementary participated in Academic UIL competition on December 4th and 6th in Goldthwaite. The students and sponsors worked very hard this year, and we had a great deal of success! See the results posted, and be sure to congratulate these kids for an awesome job!

Activities are back in full motion after our Christmas break. The junior high teams travelled to Rochelle last week to take on the Hornets. The Lady Indians were defeated, but the Indians were victorious. The high school teams found themselves in a déjà vu situation at Rochelle the following night as the Lady Indians were defeated and the Indians were victorious.

"A" 5th Grade Jett Hibler Ana Lopez Shyann Martinez 6th Grade Ashlynn Cash Brenna Chambers Bailee Franks Victoria Garcia Savannah Johnson Katherine Jordan Linzey Maxcey Mahaila McCoury Abigail Meador Kira Moore Audrey Nagle Hannah Osbourn 7th Grade Analyn Bohensky Sydnie Norris 8th Grade Kassandra Luria-Cervantes Lexie Hayes Hannah Hibler Brooke Nagle Daniel Rosales "A/B" 5th Grade Leo Amaro Uriel Cervantes Denisse Correa Tommy Galindo Jose Gamboa Nayeli Gonzal ...

8th Grade Lady Dillos - Champions of their division at the San Saba JH basketball tournament. Left to right, front row-Kimeri Moore, Baleigh Santeufemia. Back row- Hannah Hibler, Raley Kirk, Raylee Pannell, Saveria Vasquez and Coach Richard Lasley. (Photo submitted by Buddy Whitley)

MONDAY Breakfast: Breakfast pizza or cereal w / graham cracker, juice, milk. Lunch: Oven roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, peaches, bread, milk. TUESDAY Breakfast: French toast sticks or cereal w/ graham cracker, juice, milk. Lunch: Chicken spaghetti, salad, carrots, mixed fruit, breadsticks, milk. WEDNESDAY Breakfast: Bacon or sausage with biscuit & gravy or cereal w/ graham cracker, juice, milk. Lunch: Chili mac, pinto beans, salad, pears, crackers, milk. THURSDAY Brea ...

The San Saba JV boys basketball team had a good week last week. On Tuesday night we hosted the teams from Meridian. San Saba jumped out to a 10-point halftime lead, and finished with a 24 point win, with a final score of 43-19. Scoring for the Armadillos: John Faught (11), Holt Oliver (10), John Welch (10), Yason Aguirre (2), Ridge Smith (2), Josh Cazares (4), and Stone Sealy (4).

Many of our students lack the vocabulary needed to succeed in the state curriculum. Assessment reveals that many students are language poor. Understanding that words used in curriculum are important. Can you identify which subject these words are used: Measure Slope Velocity Summary Quadrilateral Industrial Age Thesis Conflict Aggression Regression If you can identify the subject these word are used, can you tell a story about each word and illustrate (draw a picture) them?

Each January we take a moment to recognize the elected officials that lead our school districts- January is officially School Board Appreciation Month. We should recognize these folks all year long as they work on behalf of students and staff and receive no compensation. Our thanks and appreciation is all they receive in the way of appreciation for the work they do monthly and all year long.

January is School Board Recognition month. Take this opportunity to help acknowledge thousands of public servants who make the time to share their vision and voice about the future of Texas children. A special thanks to our board members; Pres. Jason Lewis, V. Pres. Kay McKee, Secretary Tina Poe, Sally Gossett, Tana Lusty, Ann Reyes, and Rennie Mann.