HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Connie Mills...November 1

Eddie Burns...November 8

Billie Bennett...November 9

Serena Booth...November 10

JoAnn Allen...November 11

Ruth Hailey...November 14

Patrick Wilson...November 18

Harold Carr...November 26

Vannie Robinson...Nov. 28

Jerry Knight...November 30

Stephen Wertheim...Dec. 1

Kenneth Francis...December 9

Jerri Staggs...December 12

Cheryl Buffington...January 8

Randy Kirkpatrick...January 19

Ryan Johnson...January 22

Linda Box...January 31

Rains County Post Newsletter November/December, 2007

COUNTY HOLIDAYSCOUNTY HOLIDAYSCOUNTY HOLIDAYSCOUNTY HOLIDAYS

Thanksgiving...November 22 & 23

Christmas...December 24 & 25

New Years Day...January 1

Martin Luther King Jr. Day...Jan. 21

New County EmployeesNew County EmployeesNew County EmployeesNew County Employees Eddie Sisk...Sheriff’s Department Serena Booth...Sheriff’s Department Ryan Johnson...Sheriff’s Department Vicki Mason...Library Kathleen Gibson...District Clerks Office June Cotten...County Attorneys Office

Thanks For Your Years Of Service!Thanks For Your Years Of Service!Thanks For Your Years Of Service!Thanks For Your Years Of Service!

Teresa Northcutt...21 years!! Ruth Hailey...19 years

Gary Mike Bishop...15 years

Wayne Luckett...13 years

Charles Dickerson...13 years

Randy Kirkpatrick...9 years

Lee Roland...7 years

Kurt Fischer...7 years

Joe Ray Dougherty...5 years

Don Smith...5 years

Deborah Traylor...5 years

Jeremy Case...5 years

Amy Wallace...5 years

Melba Wiley...5 years

Stephen Gowin...4 years

John Wallace...3 years

Richard Almon...3 years

JoAnn Allen...3 years

Michael Godwin...2 years

Tom Carter...2 years

Jimmie Painter…1 year

Bob Sisk...1 year

Rains County Post Newsletter Page 2

2007 Annual Rains County Awards Banquet

The 2007 Annual Rains County Awards Banquet will be held on

Thursday, December 13th, at 6:30 p.m. at the Rains County Fairgrounds

Exhibit building in Emory.

This promises to be a lovely evening to be shared with friends.

The main dish will be provided—please bring a side dish and/or dessert.

You are welcome to bring a guest.

TEXAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OPEN HOUSE

You are cordially invited to attend the Texas Cooperative

Extension Open House on Friday, December 21, 2007,

from 9:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m., at 109 Wood Street in Emory.

Texas Cooperative Extension along with our TEEA ladies

will be hosting this event.

Please stop by for a visit & for holiday refreshments.

For more information contact Texas Cooperative Exten-

sion at 903-473-5000 Extension 157.

Page 3

HOLIDAY BAUBLES & BOWSHOLIDAY BAUBLES & BOWSHOLIDAY BAUBLES & BOWSHOLIDAY BAUBLES & BOWS

TEXAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAMTEXAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAMTEXAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAMTEXAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PROGRAM

WHEN: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2007WHEN: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2007WHEN: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2007WHEN: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2007

WHERE: RAINS COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS WHERE: RAINS COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS WHERE: RAINS COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS WHERE: RAINS COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS

EXHIBIT BUILDING IN EMORY, TEXASEXHIBIT BUILDING IN EMORY, TEXASEXHIBIT BUILDING IN EMORY, TEXASEXHIBIT BUILDING IN EMORY, TEXAS

TIME: 10:00 A.M.TIME: 10:00 A.M.TIME: 10:00 A.M.TIME: 10:00 A.M.

COST: $3.00COST: $3.00COST: $3.00COST: $3.00

PLEASE JOIN US FOR GREAT GIFT GIVING IDEAS, DEMONSTRATIONS, PLEASE JOIN US FOR GREAT GIFT GIVING IDEAS, DEMONSTRATIONS, PLEASE JOIN US FOR GREAT GIFT GIVING IDEAS, DEMONSTRATIONS, PLEASE JOIN US FOR GREAT GIFT GIVING IDEAS, DEMONSTRATIONS,

RECIPES, & DOOR PRIZES. RECIPES, & DOOR PRIZES. RECIPES, & DOOR PRIZES. RECIPES, & DOOR PRIZES.

THE RAINS COUNTY 4THE RAINS COUNTY 4THE RAINS COUNTY 4THE RAINS COUNTY 4----H CLUB WILL BE SELLING GOURMET COFFEE H CLUB WILL BE SELLING GOURMET COFFEE H CLUB WILL BE SELLING GOURMET COFFEE H CLUB WILL BE SELLING GOURMET COFFEE

& DESSERTS AT THEIR “CHRISTMAS CAFÉ”.& DESSERTS AT THEIR “CHRISTMAS CAFÉ”.& DESSERTS AT THEIR “CHRISTMAS CAFÉ”.& DESSERTS AT THEIR “CHRISTMAS CAFÉ”.

ALSO, VISIT LOCAL VENDORS AS THEY DISPLAY GREAT GIFTS FOR ALSO, VISIT LOCAL VENDORS AS THEY DISPLAY GREAT GIFTS FOR ALSO, VISIT LOCAL VENDORS AS THEY DISPLAY GREAT GIFTS FOR ALSO, VISIT LOCAL VENDORS AS THEY DISPLAY GREAT GIFTS FOR

ALL OF YOUR HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING NEEDS. THESE BOOTHS WILL BE ALL OF YOUR HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING NEEDS. THESE BOOTHS WILL BE ALL OF YOUR HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING NEEDS. THESE BOOTHS WILL BE ALL OF YOUR HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING NEEDS. THESE BOOTHS WILL BE

OPEN FROM 9:00 A.M.OPEN FROM 9:00 A.M.OPEN FROM 9:00 A.M.OPEN FROM 9:00 A.M.————7:00 P.M. ADMISSION AFTER NOON IS FREE.7:00 P.M. ADMISSION AFTER NOON IS FREE.7:00 P.M. ADMISSION AFTER NOON IS FREE.7:00 P.M. ADMISSION AFTER NOON IS FREE.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT DENITA YOUNGFOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT DENITA YOUNGFOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT DENITA YOUNGFOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT DENITA YOUNG————CEACEACEACEA----F&CS F&CS F&CS F&CS

AT 903/473AT 903/473AT 903/473AT 903/473----5000 EXTENSION 157.5000 EXTENSION 157.5000 EXTENSION 157.5000 EXTENSION 157.

Rains County Post Newsletter Page 4

THE WOODEN BOWL

(I guarantee that you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow,

a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.)

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four year old grand-

son. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his

step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather’s

shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto

the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled onto the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. “We must do some-

thing about Grandfather,” said the son. I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy

eating, and food on the floor. So the husband and wife set a small table in the cor-

ner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.

Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather’s direction, sometimes he had a tear in his

eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admo-

nitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four year old watched it all in

silence. One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood

scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as

sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat

your food in when I grow up.” The four year old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents so much that they were speechless. Then tears

started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew

what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather’s hand and gently

led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal

with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care

any longer when a fork was dropped, milk was spilled, or the tablecloth was soiled.

Page 5

YOU MAY LIVE IN TEXAS…..YOU MAY LIVE IN TEXAS…..YOU MAY LIVE IN TEXAS…..YOU MAY LIVE IN TEXAS…..

Forget Rednecks, here is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about folks from Texas…..

If someone in a Lowe’s store offers you assistance and they don’t work there,

you may live in Texas.

If you've worn shorts & a parka at the same time, you may live in Texas.

If you’ve had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a

wrong number, you may live in Texas.

If “Vacation” means going anywhere south of Dallas for the weekend, you may

live in Texas.

If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Texas.

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you may live

in Texas.

If you install security lights on your house & garage, but leave both unlocked,

you may live in Texas.

If you carry jumper cables in your car & your wife knows how to use them,

you may live in Texas.

If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph — you’re going 80 and everybody

is passing you, you may live in Texas.

If you find 60 degrees “a little chilly”, you may live in Texas.

If you actually understand these jokes, and forward them to all your Texas friends

& others, you definitely live in Texas.

Rains County Post Newsletter Page 6

Rains County

Extension Is Online

Rains County Extension is online at: http://rains-co.tamu.edu

On our website you will find the Rains County Post Newslet-

ters, news releases from the Rains County Extension

Agents, upcoming events, & links to other interesting web

sites.

WORDS OF INSPIRATION

Happiness is not a matter of good fortune or worldly possessions. It's a mental attitude. It comes from appreciating what we have, instead of being miserable about what we don't have. — Anonymous

RECIPE CORNER

GRANNY’S APPLE PIE 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie

1/2 cup unsalted butter

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

8 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form

a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let

simmer.

Place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples, mounded slightly. Cover with a lattice work of

crust.

Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over the crust. Pour slowly so that it does not run off.

Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F

(175 degrees C). Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until apples are soft.

Page 7 Volume 1, Issue 1