Just now getting used to using the year 2010 on everything and now will have to start putting 2011. For some reason the 2011 is easier than using 2010. A good note is that we did get some much needed rain in December and there ishope for more rain this month.

Lesa Preece held a Christmas party for some children of her Day Care that she operated before taking her present job. Along with the children and parents were Jim and Edna Machen and Malissa Lemons also attended the party.

Bill and Jo Price; Robert, Spring and Haley Price spent five lovely days at Disney World in Florida. The nights were cool, but the daytime temp was in the high 60’s which was just about right. They reported that it was the biggest crowd that Disney had ever had. The Price family was just lucky to be there in the crowd. They saw lots of new things and walked until they could hardly walk any more. Christmas at Disney is like no other place. Disney goes all out with the decorations and events. They stayed in the Fort Wilderness camp ground and rode the ferry boat over to the Magic Kingdom which Haley liked. From the Magic Kingdom you could catch the mono rail to any one of the different parks. It was lots to see, but being home once again is the best.

On our arrival home we received the sad news of the tragic death of Donnie Freeland. He will be sadly missed by his family and many friends.

Rufus Cobern reported that Bernice and LaFayne Porter were getting along just fine. It has been two weeks since Rufus and Bernice had played dominoes, but they had talked. With the holidays and different events taking place around the Bend it was just hard to find the time to play, which is something of a rare thing for the players. Now that the holidays are over you just know they will be back at it once again.

Jim Machen had two bypass surgeries last Thursday in Austin and is now at home recuperating.

Jane Clark reported on her family meeting for their early Christmas celebration with their family Saturday, December 18. All the family was there including Jean Poor and Nathan from Arlington, Texas; Jesse Clark and his girlfriend Tiada; Kasandra and Trey Burash and son Kaxton and daughter Teagyn of Portales, N.M; Boyd, Silas and Levi Clark of Lubbock; Bill Ennis and Danny Clark of Bastrop; Bobby and Kit Clark of Round Rock and childrenClinton, Rachel Wallace and children Misty, Aubrie and Autumn Rose Wallace; Doug, Kristi and children Jordan and Jaylee of Lampasas, Jamie Houdyshell, and sons A. J. and Andrew of Bend. There were so many family members that they had to get outside the home in order to have enough room to take pictures of the group.

William and Jane celebrated their wedding anniversary January 1, with all their family. On Thursday, December 30, they all went to Belton to see the Christmas lights. On the way they stopped at Alberto’s and ate Mexican food. Friday they ate a steak supper, and Saturday they feasted on Cajun Turkey and then on Sunday the family had their usual lunch after church. You can just bet on one thing, the Clark family does like to eat.

Boyd stayed until after Christmas to work his cattle and returned to Lubbock Tuesday.

Nancy and John Hicks of Alvarado joined Mary Pike, her son Danny, Davida Dean and children of Midland and Frieda Pike, R. J. and Patsy Henniger, Pete

Henniger and children of Lampasas all enjoyed getting together at Mary’s mobile home located on the Clark home place.

George and Toni Mayben celebrated a late Christmas this past weekend with children Chris, Lehia Mayben and their children of San Angelo; Kelly, Jennifer Goodson and children of Fredericksburg.

Rufus and Tommye Cobern enjoyed the company of Jeff and Tanya Chalfant and daughter Ashely. They celebrated mommye’s birthday Saturday and Sunday Rufus and Tommye was in San Saba to celebrate the

birthday of his mother, Lillian Cobern who is 95 young years. Tommye will be going in Tuesday to have cataract surgery at 9:00 a.m.

Happy birthday goes out to Charlene Brister, Phyliss Brookshire, Chas Cobern and Billy Bud McCoury will be celebrating a birthday January 6, Annie White will be celebrating her birthday January 7, Jeffery Chalfant will celebrate a birthday January 8, and Bobbie Johnson will celebrate a birthday January 8, Tanya Chalfant will celebrate her birthday January 9, Sandy Gray will celebrate a birthday January 10, Jaylee Messer, Curtis Lemons and Phillip Dowdy will celebrate a birthday January 11, and Kristen Preece will celebrate her birthday January 13.

Congratulations go out to Robert and Spring Price whose anniversary is January 7.