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

Say hi to Bubble Bath. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Bubble Bath, a five-year-old female Pit mix.   “Bubble Bath is a big, lovable girl who just wants to be close to her people,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .     “She’s done well around other dogs through the fence, but she hasn’t had a formal dog test yet. When meeting cats, she’s showed curiosity, but did

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

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

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

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

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

Harold By SARA VANDEN BERGE   One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Harold, a three-year-old male cat.   Harold was found as a stray and never reclaimed.     “This shy boy is definitely on the nervous side and prefers to hide in the back of his kennel, but with time and patience, he’s slowly starting to come around,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .   “And he is not a fan of being picked up

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

Scroll down for video where Officer Blessed Matai shows you how to retain your gun if you are attacked.

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

Courtney Donegan applying DMY enzyme therapy to a client. Photo/Mandi Simmons Photography By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Courtney Donegan specializes in skin care and knows her stuff.   I sat down with the owner of Skin Med Spa in Stephenville and toured the recently renovated space that now includes private treatment rooms.     Courtney first opened as a hair salon in 2012, but transitioned into skincare four years ago.   “I had skin problems of my own and tried every product you c

Craig Parks  By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The former director of Dublin ISD ’s information and technology department was arrested Wednesday for allegedly stealing more than $1 million from the school district.   Craig Parks was reportedly taken into custody while at his job in Glen Rose on Wednesday.     He has been charged with making a false statement property/credit over $300,000, theft of services over $300,000 and money laundering over $300,000.   He is being held at the Erath

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