Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   Tarleton State University ’s Texan Theatre will present a five-performance run of "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" Nov. 20-23 in the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center auditorium in Stephenville.  Directed by Tarleton theater professor Dan Stone, the show is an adaptation of the children's book by Kate DiCamillo and follows a self-centered China rabbit's journey of learning to love and b

The Reuben is built with house-made pastrami, sauerkraut and Russian dressing. Photo/Buzzi's Food Truck By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Stephenville is getting another new restaurant. Yay!   Buzzi’s Pizzeria (named after Ruth Buzzi) is slated to open on McNeill Street in Stephenville in mid-December. (Where BJ’s Restaurant was located.)     Owner Mark Bryant is currently serving up his delicious food from Buzzi’s Food Truck parked right in front of the new restaurant.   The food truck

This wine will be center stage on my holiday tables this year. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   If you’ve ever dreamed of wine tasting your way through Northern California’s epic vineyards, Napa is likely the place you plan to visit.   And while Napa is a gorgeous place you shouldn’t skip, Paso Robles offers a different, but equally incredible experience.     The Husband and I just returned from a three-day trip to Paso, where our long-time friends from high school opened Creekcut Win

Recipe by Sarah Weaver   The holidays are upon us, and if you’re like a lot of people, making a pie crust can be a little intimidating.   The good news is that it’s not as hard as you think. Follow these steps to make the perfect crust for your holiday pie and click here  to watch how I make it. HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED   1/2 cup shortening or butter    1 1/2 cups flour, plus 1/2 cup for surface  1/2 tsp of salt    1/2 cup ice cold water        HOW TO MAKE IT   Start by adding fl

By Alexis Rochester   Before you know it, the holiday season will be in full swing.   Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there are endless activities happening, and if your home needs a quick refresh, these chemistry-based cleaning hacks can make a big difference.     At Chemistry Cachet , I love bringing science into everyday life, especially when it comes to cleaning smarter, not harder.   Here are a few of my favorite tricks that use simple ingredients you already have at

By Julie Brinkley   Soup season is officially here and this recipe for creamy Tuscan tortellini is a family favorite.   Heavy cream, chopped kale and shredded chicken makes for a flavorful, creamy and filling dish that will warm you up on a cold night.   Click here to watch how it’s made.     WHAT YOU NEED   ½ diced onion diced   1 leak, diced   3 stalks of celery, chopped   3 cloves garlic   1 can crushed tomatoes     1 box of chicken stock or bone broth   Parmesan rind   2

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The Stephenville Downtown Merchants organization is ringing in the Christmas shopping season with a holiday open house on Friday, Nov. 14.   The festive event is one of my favorites and will include refreshments, entertainment, and of course, the chance to do lots of shopping.     The Erath County courthouse square and downtown plaza are already being decorated for Christmas, beckoning holiday shoppers to keep it local.   KayLee Pemberton, manager of th

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Officials with the Erath County Courthouse and Erath County United Way  have partnered for a program aimed at keeping residents warm this winter. Becky Keith, HR director at the courthouse, said the drive is ongoing through Dec. 20 ECUW executive director Lisa Scroggins said the coats will be boxed by sizes and taken to local food pantries where they will be dispersed. “All the coats stay local and are given to people in Erath County who need them,” Lis

TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   “Voices of Service: A Tribute to Veterans” will honor the service and sacrifice of local veterans with a community celebration featuring music, remembrances and recognition from 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at Tarleton State University ’s Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center. The tribute is a collaboration by the university’s Lozano Long Division of Global, Community and First-gen Initiatives, the College of Education and

Photo/Lauren Hummert Photography By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Erath County law enforcement agencies are wasting no time getting into the holiday spirit.   Their working together to raise money for the sixth annual “Shop with a Cop” program, aimed at giving local at-risk youth a merry Christmas.   “We are so very blessed by the most loving and generous community and county,” Stephenville Police Chief Dan Harris told Beneath the Surface News .   “With such love and support we are abl

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The Erath County United Way is asking residents to take part in an “urgent food drive” to provide assistance to residents dealing with a pause in SNAP benefits.   “Due to the current environment surrounding the pause of SNAP benefits and the ongoing federal shutdown, many families in our communities are facing sudden food insecurity,” reads an ECUW Facebook post. ECUW has partnered with InterBank and the Purple Goat for a two-week food drive to collect

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Registration is underway for a festive annual event hosted by the Cross Timbers Business and Professional Women organization.   Run with Rudolph will take place at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at Timber Ridge Church.     Sign up to take part in a 5K for $25 or a one-mile fun run for $20.   Click here to register.     Participants must be registered by Nov. 26 to guarantee a T-shirt.   All participants will be entered into a drawing for a chance to wi

Lonn Reisman will be sworn in as Stephenville's new mayor on Nov. 18. Photo/Reisman campaign By SARA VANDEN BERGE One of the most recognizable names in Stephenville has earned a new title. Lonn Reisman on Tuesday was elected to become the city’s next mayor. “I want to congratulate David (Baskett) for a well-run campaign and wish him the best. I am overwhelmed at the number of people who went to the polls to vote for me. Truly amazing!” Reisman said. “I had a wonderful campaig

By SARA VANDEN BERGE Election Day has arrived and polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. today at the Erath County Annex, Dublin Annex, Texas A&M Agrilife Research & Extension Center and TexasBank in Stephenville. Registered voters in Erath County can cast a ballot at any of these locations no matter where they reside. Headlining the ballot in Stephenville is the race for mayor between Lonn Reisman and David Baskett. If you’re still undecided and need to learn a little more ab

Hudson Westbrook presented a $100,000 check to the Erath Country Junior Livestock Association after his headline benefit show in Stephenville on Nov. 1. Pictured from left: LV Coffee, Christie Beyer, Lance Gilliland, Hudson Westbrook and Jason Beyer. Photo/Ian Noh Special to Beneath the Surface News   Skyrocketing Texas country star Hudson Westbrook headlined a benefit concert in his hometown of Stephenville on Saturday, then donated a whopping $100,000 to the Erath County Ju

By SARA VANDEN BERGE The city of Stephenville’s annual holiday market is happening this weekend and the festive event will be bigger and better than ever! The two-day event will be held from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Rec Hall. There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything from home décor and jewelry to clothing and holiday gift ideas. There will also be food trucks both days and free pictures with Santa from 10 a.

Photo/Mindy McCleskey By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Stephenville High School’s theatre will perform two showings of The Spongebob Musical at 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8.    Theatre teacher Mindy McCleskey told Beneath the Surface News that more than 60 students have worked on the production in the areas of performing, sets, costumes, props, hair and makeup, lighting, sound and projections.     “This high energy musical is appropriate for all ages and is based on the Nickelodeo

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Stephenville will kick off the holiday season with a festive event happening on Thanksgiving weekend. The city’s annual Christmasville will be held in downtown Stephenville on Saturday, Nov. 29. Bring the family for a full day of holiday cheer with horse-drawn carriage rides, Rudolph’s chili cookoff (click here to sign up), live music, progressive bingo and the annual lighted Christmas parade (to participate, click here ). Santa and Mrs. Clause will al

TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   History Happy Hour at the W.K. Gordon Museum and Research Center is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 8, with the event featuring Island Getaway Rum.    Produced in Dripping Springs and founded by Stephanie Martinez, Island Getaway Rum is one of the few dark rums produced in the United States and the only one produced in Texas.   Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here . Advanced purchase is required.    The W.K. Gordon Mus

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Admit it.   The only thing you want to do right now is curl up on the couch under a comfy blanket and read.   Me too.   So, Beneath the Book Club, I’ve chosen three terrific-sounding (and very different) books to choose from for our November read.     Here they are:   1. The Intruder by Freida McFadden   No. 1 best seller in Kindle Store, 4.3 on Goodreads   WHAT AMAZON SAYS : “ Who knows what the storm will blow in… “Casey's cabin in the wilderness is n