TOY RUN DONATION

—Bad To The Bone Riders and The 14th Annual “Buddy Oney” Toy Run Presented Rockdale Christmas Roundup with about $4,000 worth of toys donated and purchased from the ride held Dec. 7. Total raised was around $8,000, according to Charles Starr, organizer.

Applicants sought for Appraisal Review Board

CAMERON—The Milam Appraisal District (AD) is seeking applications to serve on its Appraisal Review Board (ARB). The ARB hears and resolves disputes over appraisal matters based on evidence provided by the taxpayer and the appraisal district. Deadline to apply is Jan. 17.

REASON FOR THE SEASON

—Murray Avenue Church of Christ won the Best Religious Float” category in Saturday night’s Rockdale Chamber of Commerce Lighted Christmas Parade. A number of local congregations entered floats in the parade which wound its way from Fair Park to downtown. See full results page 6B.

CHURCH NEWS

New Jerusalem pageant New Jerusalem Interdenominational Church will hold their annual Christmas Pageant this Friday. They will hold a night of praise and worship starting at 7 p.m.

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.

WINNERS

—Above Milam County 4-Hers (L-R) Hannah Bakken, Harleigh Barrett and Klay Eschberger placed third in intermediate competition in last week’s district Food Challenge competition in Belton. At right, Kaylor Eschberger was second in junior food show rankings.

ORGANIZATIONS

Crown Garden Club okays two donations The Crown Garden Club met for its November meeting at the home of Michelle Fletcher with Roberta Pounders serving as co-hostess. Plans for a trip to the Arboretum were finalized by Barbara Nelson.

Parade winners announced

The Milano High School and Milano Junior High cheerleaders won the “best overall” entry for the 2019 Milano Christmas parade held Saturday. The groups also took first place in the vehicles and tractors division. This year’s parade theme was “The Magic of Santa’s Workshop.

Exploring the first Christmas

The birth of Jesus Christ has long been celebrated on Dec. 25 of every year. The first recorded celebration of Christmas dates back to Dec. 25, 336. However, it is not known for sure if Christ was even born during the month of December, much less on the day we come together to celebrate.