Looking back...

100 YEARS AGO... The Reporter was asked by the Ladies’ Cemetery Association to call attention to the necessity for the public to take more interest in the three Rockdale cemeteries. First the funds these ladies get are not sufficient to keep the grounds in first-class condition.

Carved in wood

John Shoemake came by woodworking almost naturally, like a birthright. “I grew up in the poor belt of southeast Oklahoma,” he said recently in his workshop in Rockdale. “My dad was a carpenter and a farmer. When you grow up poor you have to make them when you can’t buy them.

Milam County Junior Livestock Show entry nights for 2021

The MCJLS is to be held on March 24-28. The rules and deadlines are posted on the website. Baked goods will be coming soon. https://counties. agrilife.org/mc4h/4-h-projects/milam-county-juniorlivestock-show/ • Market bunnies will be tattooed: Feb. 27, 8-10 a.m. (subject to change).

November Business of the Month

Texas Electrical Services was voted as Business of the Month for November by the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce. Texas Electrical Services started in 2005. It was incorporated in 2007 as Tex Elect Inc., doing business as Texas Electrical Services.

Season of giving

Miller-Starnes Chevrolet-Buick made a donation to the Milam County Child Protective Services Board recently.

Toy presentation

Rockdale Christmas Roundup accepted about $3,800 worth of toys from the Buddy Oney Toy Run Committee, the Oney family and Bad To The Bone Riders. Pictured with some of the toys are (L-R) Vickie Oney New, Charles Starr, Pam Kaufmann, Rod Roderick, Jocelyn Lewis, Janet Oney Svrcek and David Svrcek.

Wish list for Jesus

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 As Jesus passes through Jericho in Mark 10 he walks by a blind guy named Bartimaeus, who begs for a living on the side of the road.

More Chamber turkey giveaway winners named

The Christmas turkey giveaway, sponsored by local merchants through the Chamber of Commerce, ended this week.

Year-end review

We all know what the major story was this year: The COVID-19 Pandemic. But let’s take a look back and see what other things happened in Rockdale over the past year. In January, Whinstone was poised to make Rockdale the largest facilities of its kind in the world and was already hiring.

Things I learned over strange past year

After washing your hands if you flick your wet fingers into the sink 13 times you will only need one paper towel to totally dry your hands no matter how flimsy the paper. The meme game was strong on social media. There were so many things to poke fun at over the past year.