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Elementary Principal Jessica Pickard shared updates from the elementary campus. Teachers held fall conferences throughout November, completing 131 conferences with positive feedback. The campus food drive was successful, and the elementary UIL team earned second place overall out of eight competing schools. Mrs.

My children were enchanted by the book, The Polar Express written by Chris Van Allsburg. It was something we read every Christmas and then in 2004 the movie came out. For years I had heard about the train from Palestine with the Texas State Park system that ran The Polar Express as a family activity. It’s merely a two hour drive from Hemphill and worth every moment. You can still purchase tickets through December for anywhere between $20-105 until the 12/28/2025. Further details can be found on their website: texasstaterailroad.net The book comes to life on this train leaving the Palestine Depot on a journey to the North Pole. It is a wonderful family adventure you can even attend in your pajama’s. We saw many families with smiles and matching PJ’s as they boarded the decorated train. I felt like a kid boarding the train with my family to begin the adventure. You can literally feel the excitement with the colored lights, decorations, music, and atmosphere. Employees were dressed from the book and the conductor came along to punch our golden tickets. Delicious hot chocolate and cookies were served on our journey to the North Pole. The characters help read the book aloud, danced and sang. Even Santa made a special appearance with the first gift of Christmas. The excitement and happy faces of the children and adults told me everything. Afterwards, we departed the train to plenty of gifts, snacks, and photos to be purchased. The train itself was decorated for Christmas and the lights and elves at the North Pole were energetic. So, if you are looking for something special and family friendly to do this year. I highly recommend you buy a copy of the book for Santa to sign, borrow or buy the book and/or movie from the library, and live the adventure. It is something I will never forgot with my family in 2025.

Editor’s Note: Chad Warner has authorized the Sabine County Reporter to announce his candidacy for Commissioner Precinct 4. As a participant in the newspaper’s Political Calendar, following is a statement issued by Warner.

Milam, Sabine County — The spirit of Sabine County’s earliest days came alive once again on November 21–22, 2025, with the long-cherished Milam Settlers Day, returning to historic Milam for its annual weekend of remembrance, celebration, and community.

In October, former Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden Justin Charles Eddins was indicted in San Augustine County on a charge of False Statement to Obtain Credit, a felony offense involving credit valued between $150,000 and $300,000, according to the indictment. Eddins was arrested on October 28 and released later the same day after posting a $50,000 bond. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you,being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge__ that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19 May this be our daily prayer and may we speak it at our Thanksgiving feast. May our Lord hear our devotion for one another from your table to ours, and have a joyful day sharing from His throne the unity revived on earth. May we be recognized for being encouragers.