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

Photo/Tim O'Keefe TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   Chart-topping, multi-platinum country star, Parker McCollum, has announced dates for the second leg of his 2026  Parker McCollum Tour .     Known for being one of the busiest touring acts in country music, McCollum is bringing fans his No. 1 hits and fan-favorite tracks to cities across the U.S. including a stop at EECU Center in Stephenville on Sept. 24.   Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased

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

Get your Tarleton spirit gear at this weekend's warehouse sale.   Photo/Layerz Clothing By SARA VANDEN BERGE Erath County residents will get a rare opportunity to shop a warehouse sale from 8 a.m.- noon on Saturday, Dec. 6. Layerz Clothing  is a women's apparel brand based in Stephenville that specializes in unique fashion in sizes XS-3XL. Owners, Courtney and Brandon Rayzor are Tarleton State University alumni that proudly employ several Tarleton students and graduates. So

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)  

By SARA VANDEN BERGE   A to Z Plumbing is pledging to donate a portion of proceeds from its service calls inside the Stephenville city limits in December to the Foster’s Home for Children .   Branndon Bledsoe recently took ownership of the company after losing his father Brent, who owned A to Z for over 36 years.   He said giving back to the community is one of his top priorities.   “My dad has always supported the Foster’s Home and we handle their service,” Branndon told Be

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

Special to Beneath the Surface News   CASA for the Cross Timbers Area is launching “cards for CASA,” a project designed to ensure that every child in the foster care system has access to the same everyday experiences as their non-foster peers.   The community is invited to donate gift cards to allow children to choose items that fit their individual needs — whether that’s new clothing, school supplies, toiletries, books or a special treat just for themselves.   This flexibil

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

TSU Media Relations Special to Beneath the Surface News   Ring in the season with Tarleton State University’ s annual Holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, in the Clyde H. Wells Fine Arts Center auditorium.  This fast-paced, family-friendly evening brings together Tarleton’s premier musical ensembles for a seamless collage of holiday classics, cherished carols and sparkling seasonal favorites — including the always-popular “Sleigh Ride.”   Traditional carols and sacred

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

By Alexis Rochester   Looking for the perfect skincare gift, but short on time or aren’t sure what to give someone?   Then this list is for you.     As a chemist, I’ve tested hundreds of products, and these are the ones I love the most.   Whether you’re shopping for a friend, teacher or skincare-loving family member, these picks are backed by science and guaranteed to please. 1. Firming serum   This is the one serum that everyone can use and benefit from because it combines n