LIGHTING WINNERS—

Winners in the annual Rockdale Chamber of Commerce Lighting Contest gathered at the Chamber Visitor Center for a group photo: Front row (L-R) Calvin Ivins, Glenda Guthrie, Tim Guthrie, 703 Vogel; Megan and Cutler Brantley, Charming Blossoms; Glenda Wiley, 1504 Pecos; back row, Caitlyn Ivins, 703...

RJH MUSICIANS—

This fall RJH had students audition for the All Region Band. Students selected to that honors band performed a concert earlier this month at the Jerry Wilhelm Center for the Performing Arts in Bastrop.

What’s stopping you is you

He told me to tell you that There is a story about a little girl who was asked if she got all she wanted for Christmas. She said, “No, but then again it’s not my birthday.” The way we celebrate the birth of Christ is more than a bit dysfunctional isn’t it?

ROCKDALE CHRISTIAN SERVICES

RCS food pantry Rockdale Christian Services operates a food pantry at 224 West Cameron Avenue, open 10 a.m. until noon weekdays. Donations of non-perishable food items are welcome, especially one-pound bags of rice, pinto beans, macaroni and cheese, canned soups and peanut butter.

Lighting up the night in Rockdale

Winners in the annual Rockdale Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center lighting contest have been announced as follows: RESIDENTIAL DIVISION Best overall—503 East Bell, Gerald and Tammy Stephenson and Dylan Diestel. Best lights—205 Bowser, Paul and Susan Rodersheimer.

Over 1,000

That’s how many Rockdale-area residents had their Christmas made a little brighter by Christmas Roundup, Rockdale’s annual program of cheer to the less fortunate. Monday and Tuesday, Roundup volunteers distributed boxes of toys and food to 1,069 persons—over 600 of them children—in 320 families.

FOR PLACE OF HOPE—

RVOS Rockdale Lodge 149 President Doug Williams presents a check for $600 to Danice Hurt, Place of Hope Pregnancy Center board member. From left are RVOS member Bea Williams, Doug Williams, Danice Hurt, Lodge Secretary Debra Konarik and Mary Ross also with the Place of Hope.

It’s a busy elementary

RISD REPORT The holidays are always a very special time of year for all students, but it seems to be extra special for our elementary students.

When do we close schools?

MISD REPORT When we experience ice/ sleet/snow and start school late, the district respects the decision of parents not to send their children to school. On days such as these, a student’s absence is counted as excused.

KEEPING THEM WARM—

Rockdale Masonic Lodge No. 414 AF&AM has donated heaters to the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce’s annual drive to give heaters to those who need them during the winter months. From left, Masons Clyde Adcock, Mike Walko and Clint Wallace made the presentation to Ann King, representing the Chamber.