LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear editor, I want to thank the many wonderful citizens who participated in the Christmas sponsorship for our Milam County children in foster care and kinship care. Each year, we have more children who have been removed due to dangerous family situations.

As for me, I’m happy we made it to 2021

I stayed up until midnight on New Year’s Eve to make sure 2020 got left behind. On New Year’s Day I already felt a little lighter, like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt happy all day. We had Bloody Marys right before we pigged out on our black-eyed peas.

County updates on vaccines, other news

BURN BAN IN EFFECT—A burn ban is back in effect for Milam County as of 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5. Although we had a lot of rain last week, the grass is dry and burns quickly.

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.