By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Early nights are headed our way, friends. Daylight Saving Time comes to an end at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2, and for Texans, that means setting those clocks back one hour before climbing into bed on Saturday night. I know I’m in the minority when I say that I love this time change. To me it means cozy nights, soft blankets, cool weather, fires and the excitement of the holiday season. Oh, and an extra hour of sleep.

By Julie Brinkley   This easy-to-make dish with rice, chicken, French onion soup and cheese is absolutely delicious   And it’s pure comfort your family will love!   Click here to watch a video on how it’s made.     WHAT’S IN IT   2 cups white rice   1 (10.5-ounces) can condensed French onion soup   2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed beef consommé   8 ounces baby portobello mushrooms, roughly chopped   1 cup grated pecorino romano or parmesan cheese, divided     1 stick butter, cu

Jayce Gazaway and his mother Haley Esslinger at Friday's Heart of Gold game. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Jayce Gazaway has a new heart beating inside his chest.   And his family is hopeful that his life – and theirs – will soon return to normal.     The 17-year-old was placed on a transplant list in September after doctors discovered that he was in heart failure.   Late Friday night, the family got the call they had been praying for: A heart was available for Jayce.   “We had jus

By SARA VANDEN BERGE The Stephenville Chamber of Commerce  and city of Stephenville  are partnering for an evening of fun with the annual Safe Trick ‘R Treat happening from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27, at Stephenville City Park. The festive Halloween event will feature candy (and lots of it!), the annual costume contest, fun zone and plenty of entertainment. If you decide to enter the costume contest, there are a few things you need to know. The Chamber will award five prize

TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   Tarleton State University will host its annual Fall Carnival from 4:30 -7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at the O.A. Grant Building lawn and Admin Mall. This festive event brings the campus and community together to support Tarleton’s student organizations.   Tickets can be purchased to enjoy games and activities at various booths.   “We are excited to be hosting the annual Fall Carnival once again,” said Kyle Becerra, Cam

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Before you stuff yourself with turkey on Thanksgiving Day, make plans to take part in the 7 th  annual Huffin’ for the Stuffin’ 5k fun run in Stephenville.   Julie and Dana Brinkley started the neighborhood run, which has expanded to a community-wide event with more than 200 participants last year.   Click here to register for $30.   To guarantee a T-shirt, register by Friday, Nov. 7. (The cost to enter will increase after that.) The fun run will start

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Texas Sage Plant Nursery and Garden Market is brimming with the spirit of the season and it’s hosting a family-friendly Halloween event this weekend.   “Monsters, Magic & Mums” will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.     The event will include 15 local vendors, live music, costume contests for pets and kids, free pumpkin painting, yard games, a scavenger hunt, festive photo ops, delicious food, a coffee and tea truck and door prizes ever

Hudson Westbrook is playing a concert at the EECU Center on Nov. 1. Photo/Lance Houston Special to Beneath the Surface News   Skyrocketing Texas country star Hudson Westbrook launched his  Texas Forever Fall Tour ,   and will perform a hometown benefit show on Nov. 1 at Tarleton State University’s EECU Event Center .    The 7,000-cap venue will host a night of fundraising, benefiting the Erath County Junior Livestock Association. All proceeds from the show will go towards re

By Julie Brinkley   It’s time for dinner and we're making crispy smash dumplings with ground chicken and cabbage.   They are so good!   Click here to watch a video on how they are made.     WHAT YOU NEED   1 lb. ground chicken   1 clove minced garlic   3 tbsp ginger, peeled and minced   1 cup green cabbage, finely shredded   3 scallions chopped   1 egg     ½ tsp salt   ½ tsp pepper   1 tbsp sesame oil   1 tbsp soy sauce   1 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp water)   1 packa

Today's mammogram was quick and painless thanks to x-ray tech Marsha Rogers who has done my annual screenings for the past several years. By SARA VANDEN BERGE I had a mammogram today. October is, of course,  Breast Cancer Awareness Month , so I took advantage of Cross Timbers Imaging ’s special on breast cancer screenings. I spoke with Dr. Nanette Evans about the importance of annual mammograms for women beginning at the age of 40. I’m well past that age, and although I’ve ha

By SARA VANDEN BERGE If you like to cast an early ballot, it’s time. Polls in Erath County will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 20-24 and Oct. 27-29. Hours will be extended to 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Oct. 30-31. All early voting will take place at the new Erath County Annex.  Election Day, of course, is Tuesday, Nov. 4. Polls will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the following locations and registered voters in Erath County can cast a ballot at any of these locations no matter where th

Julie Brinkley after completing the Berlin Marathon. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Stephenville resident Julie Brinkley has been selected to march in the opening ceremony of the New York City Marathon.   The Parade of Nations will be held on Friday, Oct. 31, in Central Park prior to the NYC Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 2.   Julie, founder of the Stephenville Running Club and regular cooking contributor on Beneath the Surface News , is one of only 50 Americans chosen to participate in t

By SARA VANDEN BERGE An Erath County grand jury indicted 14 people Thursday on a variety of charges ranging from drug possession and theft to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The following list of indictments was released by the office of District Attorney Alan Nash. • Taylor Danielle Bigbie for manufacture or delivery of a substance in penalty group 1, a first degree felony. • Agustin Franco Carranza for possession of a substance in penalty group 1, a state jail felo

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   Tarleton State University invites the community to join in a vibrant celebration of tradition and Texan pride at its annual homecoming parade beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, proceeding along Washington and McIlhaney streets. This cherished event brings together students, faculty, staff, alumni and local residents to showcase their school spirit through an array of colorful floats and dynamic p

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   The annual L.V. Risinger Memorial Bonfire will ignite Friday at the Tarleton Agriculture Center, and the university will provide complimentary shuttle service to and from the festivities from 6 to 11 p.m.     A cherished tradition since the 1920s, the bonfire honors L.V. Risinger, who famously defended the structure in 1939 from rival students at North Texas Agriculture College.   The towerin

Absolute deliciousness.  By Julie Brinkley   There are several variations on these protein bowls, which are growing in popularity.   You can create a bowl using different protein like ground turkey or ground chicken and adding veggies, pickles, avocado and cottage cheese to pump up the protein.   Click here to watch a video on how I make it.       WHAT YOU NEED   2 tbsp ghee or olive oil   1-2 tbsp minced garlic   ¼ cup yellow onion, diced   ¼ cup red onion, diced   1 green

Ramona By SARA VANDEN BERGE   One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Ramona, a four to five-year-old German Shepherd mix who's as loving as she is loyal.   “She was found as a stray and never reclaimed, but she hasn't let that dampen her affectionate spirit,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .     “Ramona is a clingy cuddle bug who thrives on human attention. She loves to be by your side and w

Photo/TSU Media Relations TSU MEDIA RELATIONS SPECIAL TO BENEATH THE SURFACE NEWS Preparations are in full swing as Tarleton State University readies a plethora of traditions and events for students, faculty, staff and alumni to take part in during Homecoming Week Oct. 12-18.   The annual week of festivities is a favorite for Texans as the university is transformed with Tarleton State spirit.     “Homecoming is a time for alumni and current Texans to join together in celebra

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   It’s going to be a rare weekend in Stephenville with so many great events taking place that it’s hard to keep up....

By SARA VANDEN BERGE The Stephenville Chamber of Commerce  and city of Stephenville  are partnering for an evening of fun with the annual Safe Trick ‘R Treat happening from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27, at Stephenville City Park. The festive Halloween event will feature candy (and lots of it!), the annual costume contest, fun zone and plenty of entertainment. If you decide to enter the costume contest, there are a few things you need to know. The Chamber will award five prize