By Julie Brinkley   It’s the most wonderful time of the year and if you’re looking for easy, delicious ways to entertain your guests this holiday season, these appetizers are for you.   Click here to watch how I make them.     GARLIC MOZZARELLA PUFFS   1 sheet puff pastry   200 g grated mozzarella cheese   3 garlic cloves   ½ tsp oregano    100 g of bacon   1 egg (for brushing)   Chopped parsley   Salt and pepper   HOW TO MAKE IT   Mix cheese, garlic, oregano salt and pepper

Say hi to Maizel. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Maizel, a six to seven-year-old mixed breed that has been at the shelter since May 2024.   “Maizel is a loving, people-oriented girl who's been waiting far too long for her second chance,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .     “She was surrendered when her family welcomed a new baby and could no longer keep her. S

TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   Tarleton State University planetarium’s most popular holiday presentation, “The Mystery of the Christmas Star,” begins its annual showings Tuesday, Dec. 9.     The free full-dome feature investigates the possible dates for the birth of Christ by examining recorded sightings of significant astronomical events around that time.   During the show, planetarium visitors will see how signs in the sky could have been remarka

Special to Beneath the Surface News   Members of the Stephenville High School Yellow Jacket Band traveled to Graham on Saturday for the ATSSB Region 7 All-Region band auditions.   “This is the first round of all-state auditions,” said SHS Band Director Michael Childs.     “The band was very well represented with 21 students earning placement in the bands and 19 of those advancing to the area round.”   Those students will participate in the ATSSB Region 7 clinic and concert a

Get festive with this beautiful holiday cocktail. By SARA VANDEN BERGE It appears that I am set to be the hostess with the mostest for the third year in a row thanks to this fancy winter cocktail I’ve mastered. The Brandy Ice. If you’ve never enjoyed one of these, you’re missing out. This holiday cocktail made with Blue Bell vanilla ice cream quickly became a fan favorite in our home a few years ago. The festive cocktail is perfect for a crowd. Here’s the recipe to make Brand

By SARA VANDEN BERGE The Erath County victim services staff will host its 24th annual Tree of Angels ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Donald R. Jones Justice Center in Stephenville. The Tree of Angels is a time for families and friends to remember those who have been victimized or lost to violent crime. Beginning on Monday, Dec. 8, victims, families and friends are invited to bring a new angel to place on the tree, located at the justice center. Since its in

By SARA VANDEN BERGE One of Stephenville’s most festive events of the season – Holly Jolly Christmas - is coming to town on Monday, Dec. 8. The annual event, sponsored by the Stephenville Chamber of Commerce , will be held from 6-9 p.m. at the downtown square and plaza. The fun will include pictures with Santa while listening to holiday hits on the plaza. There will also be a live nativity, horse-drawn carriage rides, petting zoo, letters to Santa, cookie decorating, caroler

By Sarah Weaver   Christmas smash cookies are an excellent cookie to throw in your holiday rotation!   With lots of room to play around, and easy to make, these cookies can be as crazy and festive or as simple and elegant as you want.   Bring your butter and eggs to room temp by laying on the counter an hour before you are ready to bake.      HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED   1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) softened butter    1 cup white sugar   2 eggs   2 tsp. vanilla   2 ½ c flour   ¼ tsp b

By SARA VANDEN BERGE The Stephenville Chamber of Commerce  is organizing its annual buyer’s pool, which supports youth taking part in the Junior Livestock Show of Erath Count y happening Jan. 4-10. The  Chamber accepts donations as small as $25, with most giving $100 - $500, and some giving more than $1,000. All donors will be recognized the night of the sale and in the Chamber newsletter. Click here to register. All funds will be used to support youth and their animal proje

Flour Riot can hardly keep these popular Christmas cakes in stock. The dense vanilla bean holiday treat is topped with a delicious vanilla cream cheese frosting. Photos/Flour Riot By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Flour Riot , a new bakery located in downtown Dublin, is officially open with a collection of delicious homemade baked goodies for sale.   Owner Sarah Weaver says all of Flour Riot's baked goods are made locally by cottage law bakers and prepared with simple, clean ingredients

TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   The 46 th  annual Charles and Cynthia Rives Masterworks Concert, featuring Tarleton State University's singers and chamber choir, guest orchestral musicians and the Cross Timbers Civic Chorale is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, in the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center auditorium.     This year’s program pairs a radiant holiday work, Ralph Vaughan Williams’   “First Nowell,” with selections from Handel’s “Messiah,” in

By Julie Brinkley   If you have any leftover turkey you need to use, you’ll want this recipe for turkey and wild rice soup.   This creamy dish has all the feels you want on a cold day.   Click here to watch a video on how it’s made.     HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED   3 tbsp butter   1 medium onion   2 medium carrots   2 stalks celery   3 cloves garlic   1 cup wild rice   6 cups chicken broth      2 cups cooked turkey   1 tsp dried thyme (2 tsp fresh)   1 tsp rosemary (2 tsp fresh)  

Minty is ready for Christmas. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   One of this week’s featured pets up for adoption at the Erath County Humane Society is Minty, a quiet, easygoing cat who only wants a comfy bed, calm space and someone who appreciates a certified couch potato.   “Minty is a gentle little sweetheart who was brought in as a stray, and sadly, never reclaimed,” ECHS executive director Serena Wright told Beneath the Surface News .     “Now she's hoping her next stop will be her

TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News Tarleton State University invites the community to attend its annual Purple & White Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 ,  in the   Barry B. Thompson Student Center.    This festive event, organized by the staff Senate, brings together the campus and community along with local artisans for a day of holiday cheer, shopping and celebration.    “The bazaar is an opportunity to support local small businesses, showca

Santa will be at Light Up the Night every Friday night through Dec. 21.  By SARA VANDEN BERGE The most magical time of year has arrived and the Erath County United Way  is gearing up for its sixth annual Light Up the Night Christmas Celebration. The festive trail, which includes more than two million lights, will be open from 6-9 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from Dec. 5 through Dec. 21 at Stephenville City Park. The 3/4-mile path includes breathtaking holiday displa

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   Now that you’ve recovered from Thanksgiving, it’s time to move on to Christmas. And nothing will get you into the spirit of the season like the city’s annual Christmasville celebration happening 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, live music, progressive bingo and the annual lighted Christmas parade. You’ll even be treated to a special v

By Sarah Weaver   If your Thanksgiving Day table calls for a pumpkin pie, making one is easier than you think.   This is how you do it! (And for pre-made goodies, follow Flour Riot , located in the heart of Dublin, Texas.)   WHAT YOU NEED   One premade pie shell   15 oz. pumpkin (1 can)   12 oz evaporated milk    1/2 cup sugar    1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp salt    1/2 tsp ginger    1/2 tsp nutmeg   1/2 tsp vanilla    2 eggs    HOW TO MAKE IT   Prepare pie shell and set oven to 42

By SARA VANDEN BERGE I don’t know about you, but nothing sounds cozier than curling up with a holiday-themed book by the Christmas tree. All three of these books sound perfect for our December read and I can’t wait to see which one you choose. 1. Comfort & Joy by Kristin Hannah 4.2 on Goodreads, New York Times bestselling author WHAT GOODREADS SAYS:  “Joy Candellaro once loved Christmas more than any other time of the year. "Now, as the holiday approaches, she is at a crossro

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   The start of the holiday shopping season officially gets underway this weekend and local businesses are offering their best deals of the year with mega-savings on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.   I spoke with several local business owners who are offering great deals all week.   Check it out! VENTURE19 The first 20 customers that walk into Venture19 on Friday will receive a $25 gift card. Other deals will include 50% off men’s High Creek out

Photos courtesy James Pylant/ Blood Legacy ; reprinted with permission. By SARA VANDEN BERGE   It’s a story that lives on in infamy; one so gruesome that books have been written about it and tales of the grizzly homicide have been handed down from generation to generation.   In fact, Francis Marion Snow , the man dubbed the “Butcher of Stephenville,” has his own Wikipedia page that outlines the murder, discovery of the bodies and the trial.     I sat down with Janae Smith wit