Kuchi Kopi By SARA VANDEN BERGE   One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Kuchi Kopi, a two-year-old male Black Mouth Cur/Shepherd mix.   “ Kuchi Kopi was found as a stray and, unfortunately, was never reclaimed,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface New s.     “Since arriving, he’s shown himself to be a sweet, goofy guy who absolutely loves attention and companionship.” Kuchi Kopi walks well on a leash

By SARA VANDEN BERGE With the holidays upon us, I ordered ingredients to whip up one of our favorite holiday appetizers that’s the perfect crowd-pleasing dish. I stumbled upon this recipe a couple of years ago, and now it’s a staple at holiday gatherings. I made a big crockpot of these festive cranberry meatballs for a recent Friendsgiving and they were gobbled up fast! HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED 1 can (14 ounces) jellied cranberry sauce 1 bottle (12 ounces) chili sauce 3/4 cup pac

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   If things are a little tight this year and you’re struggling to purchase what you need for Thanksgiving dinner, Lida’s Bakery is offering to help.   Manager Michelle Pierce said every year the bakery donates a large meal to a family in need, and this year, they can help even more.     “When we advertised it on our Facebook page, three customers donated large meals and two customers donated a small meal to help those that need a hand up this year,” Miche

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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

Photo credit – Marathon Photos Live/Cowtown Marathon By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Stephenville resident Lexi Nelms is running for angels.   Literally.   The 20-year-old is running in the Dallas Marathon on Dec. 14 and is raising money for H.O.P.E.’s angel trees. “My parents have always adopted a bunch of angels during Christmas, so it was always near and dear to my heart,” Lexi told Beneath the Surface News . “When I was little, we adopted an angel from a nursing home and I got to

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   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

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   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

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   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

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Ask for Andrea  by Noelle W. Ihli was the perfect atmospheric read to get into the Halloween spirit.   A ghostly tale centered around three women - Meghan, Brecia and Skye – who were murdered by the same man. The killer was a bad dude. A really bad dude who hunted his victims online, pretending to be an eligible bachelor, though he had a wife and kids at home.   After charming his victims, he lures them to a desolate area and un-alives them.   The kill

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

The Stephenville Running Club celebrated these runners at its October social at Grumps.    Special to Beneath the Surface News   "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start" - John Bingham   Stephenville Running Club spends a lot of time encouraging runners to just start.    SRC was founded by Julie Brinkley and four running friends.    Using a Facebook group as the platform to stay connected, the club has grown to more than 1,000 with h

Sarah Weaver has joined Beneath the Surface News as a cooking contributor. Photo/Katelyn Sparger Photography By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Just in time for the holiday season, Dublin resident Sarah Weaver is joining Beneath the Surface News to host a weekly Facebook live baking class.   Sarah will go live on the BTSN Facebook page at 1:30 p.m. every Wednesday beginning Nov. 12.   “Baking has always been a huge part of who I am, and on most days, you can enter my home and there is s