News

Wreaths Across America event took place on Sunday at the City Cemetery (as well as several other cemeteries in the area). The event was led by Post Commander of VFW Post 10351, along with Coach Parks and several members of the Hemphill Hornets basketball team and many other volunteers. After the initial ceremony of identifying each branch of the military, volunteers walked the cemetery locating the graves of fallen veterans, placing a wreath at their headstones and verbally saying the name of that veteran, assuring they would not be forgotten. It was a somber and moving ceremony to remember the fallen men and women of our armed forces who answered the call of protecting the freedom we enjoy today.

The filing deadline for Sabine County republican offices coming up for re-election was on December 11th, and a list of persons filing for those positions are as follows: County Attorney - Robert 'Bobby' Neal JR - Incumbent County Sheriff - Tom Maddox - Incumbent County Tax Accessor & Collector - Martha Stone - Incumbent County Commissioner Pct.1 - Brent Cox - Incumbent County Commissioner Pct.3 - Kenneth Brodie JR, Stanley Jacks (Incumbent), and Ronny 'RP' Procell County Constable Pct.1 - W G 'Brad' Bradwell JR (Incumbent) and City Police Chief David West County Constable Pct.2 - Johnny Jackson - Incumbent Filing papers for Republican Party positions in Sabine County had to be submitted between November 11, 2023 and December 11, 2023 and then accepted and qualified by Party Chair R C Griffin.

On Tuesday, December 12th, Sabine County (pictured above Commissioner Pct.3 Stanley Jacks, County Judge Daryl Melton in the black t-shirt, and so many other county representatives serving as volunteers) held a free food distribution at the rodeo arena. Judge Melton successfully secured 300 (twice the normal number of distribution) boxes of food and a large number of turkeys for this County Food Distribution event. The County realizes that times are tough, and they work diligently to try to help its residents any way they can. Thank you, Sabine County and all the volunteers that helped, for showing that Christmas really is all about giving.

The tradition of the Christmas Pickle has to be one of the strangest modern Christmas customs in the world. It is no wonder that no one is quite sure why it exists at all. In fact, there are two traditions that seem to indicate that the custom originated in Germany. However, some think that it originated right here in the good old United States in the late 19th century.

My brother Joe and I have talked many times about the memories of our childhood Christmases. After cutting a pine tree (one year a holly), we made our ornaments from Crayola-colored rings stuck together with water and flour glue. None of us ever saw or ate an apple, an orange or an English walnut until Christmas every year. On Christmas Eve, we lay whispering in bed till daylight. When Mother and Daddy called us, we ran to the fireplace, warmed and opened our presents. A cap pistol with several rolls of caps was for many years our Christmas toy and we each got an apple and an orange. I was so proud of my English walnuts one year that I hid one on a window ledge and enjoyed it several weeks later.

The Sabine County Chamber of Commerce met Tuesday, Dec. 12 for their monthly meeting and on the agenda this month was an honoring of our local Firefighters. Sabine County has nine areas represented. Pictured left to right: Keith Hill -Hemphill, Joe Tiner -Pendleton Harbor and Low’s Creek, Sherri Thibodeaux- Fairmount, Joseph Lane-Pineland, Penny Ridley- Rosevine, Robert Byley -Bronson, Deborah and Mike Pennington - Shamrock Shores and Christine and Lonnie Johnston- Six Mile. Each department spokesman addressed the crowd and shared information on their coverage areas. We are very honored to have this group of servicemen and women. Donations may be made to each department and are greatly appreciated and needed.