December 2021

Our time is the best gift we can give to our friends and family this Christmas. Nobody knows how much time we have on Earth.

Over the past few weeks, media outlets have reported that holiday consumers should expect a shortage of Christmas trees this year due to the supply chain crisis and climate change, and the trees themselves refusing to re-enter the workforce after becoming addicted to Netflix and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to expenses and risks associated with returning to live in-person instruction during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Fort Stockton Independent Dependent School District full-time staff will be rewarded.

The youth of First Presbyterian Church in Fort Stockton reminded all of the real reason for the Christmas season during worship on December 12. Courtesy Photo.

T.J. Perkins, Pecos County Sheriff, awarded a scholarship from the Sheriffs’ Association of Texas to 2020 Fort Stockton High School graduate Kylie Duarte on Dec. 14 at the Pecos County Sheriff’s Office. Perkins is a member of the association. Duarte is a first-year student at Texas State University and is the daughter of Desi Duarte. The Fort Stockton native is majoring in fashion and merchandising. Photo By Nathan Heuer

To say I am not a traditionalist is an understatement. I push the envelope when it comes to cooking. That is not to say I am some classically trained chef using liquid nitrogen or a sous vide cooker, it just means that I like to use ingredients outside those listed in a recipe. It means that I like to experiment with different flavors beyond those one may traditionally associate with different dishes. One such dish I most definitely experiment with is chicken pot pie.

Place one sheet of pie dough into a pie dish, pierce several times with a fork. This helps with steam disbursement. Ideally, one would roast the chicken and use the broth to make the gravy for the pie. Instead, I use a can of cream of chicken soup and a little bit of canned chicken broth to thin it out a bit.

It is important to note than an arrest should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

As we look at the story of Christ, it is imperative that we are aware of His earthly parents. Most are aware that He was born of His earthly Mother, Mary and the Holy Spirit.

Cookies at Christmas are as traditional as decorated trees, gifts, carols, cards and Santa. They are great for formal, casual, and other family gatherings, as well as for gifts. There is no exact date recorded for the idea of leaving cookies for Santa, but it is thought to have started sometime in the 1930s.