In the early hours Sunday 4/10 inch of rain was received. Puddles of water were standing, it was a gentle rain with no run off which was good. It is all soaking into the ground which we have needed for so long. Monday drizzle off and on all day with the promise of rain for the next couple of days.Cathy Gibson reported that she and Mary Hicks had a Christmas open house Friday at their businesses The Spotted Donkey and Happy Healthy Hair located on Hwy. 183 in Lometa. They plan on having it again next year, so if you missed this year there is always next year.Bernice Porter who was born and raised at Bend passed away this last week. He loved playing dominoes with his friends. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends..Hugo and Lesa Preece was in San Antonio this weekend to attend the wedding of Hugo’s nephew Travis Preece son of Gaylon and Karen Preece of Austin and grandson of Phennie Judkins of San Saba. They stayed on the river walk and enjoyed all of the Christmas lights. Lesa reported that it was awesome even though it was cold and rainy. Eric Hernandez from Lampasas, Kristen Preece and Ytaga Fields of Killeen and Garlan Preece of San Saba attended the wedding also. The wedding was held at the Shearer Baptist church and the reception was held at the Westing in downtown San Antonio. Jerome and Shirley Meischen attended the Longhorn banquet Friday night in Austin. They watched their grandson Blake Gideon receive five awards. What an honor. Monday things will be going downhill or up whichever way you look at it, she is going in for a root canal. She hopes she is able to attend the Holiday bowl in San Diego, California which is what they have on their menu of things to do.Jane Clark may be coming home sometime this week. She is feeling very well and wanting to come home. The doctors are keeping her there until they make sure the medication that she is taking will be doing the job it is supposed to do.The Bend annual Christmas party will be December 17, at 5:30 p.m. and everyone is invited to attend and asked to bring finger foods and /or desserts. Santa will be on hand to greet the children. If you want your child to receive a gift from Santa please bring it and bring your camera to take pictures. The meal will be served after all the children have had a visit with old St Nick and after the meal entertainment will be provided by Allison Hendrick. After that the fun time begins with the adult Chinese gift exchange. Men are asked to bring a gift suitable for a man and women areasked to bring a gift suitable for a woman. Be prepared to have a good time.Happy birthday wishes go out to Cody Kenny who will celebrate a birthday December 17, to Donnie Eckhoff and Diana Dowdy who will be celebrating a birthday December 18, to Clovis Ketchum and Lavada McCoury who will be celebrating a birthday December 21.Congratulations go to Bobby and Debbie Hicks who will be celebrating an anniversary December 21.