News

The Texas Department of Public Safety is reminding Texans about the potential for vehicle thefts during the holiday season and is advising individuals to takes extra precautions to guard against possible auto thefts. Vehicle burglaries are also a concern during the holiday season.

“The holiday season is a busy time for everyone - including criminals; and DPS is urging Texans to do what they can to keep vehicles and valuables safe from possible thieves,“ said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “The months of December and January can be prime times for auto theft and burglaries. It is important to always lock car doors and store valuables out of sight.”

By Rebecca Smith

While parents are the number one influence on a teen’s decision whether or not to drink, they are not the only influence.

That’s why the Northeast Texas Coalition Against Substance Abuse’s “Not In My House” campaign is for all adults, not just parents.

About 65 percent of minors report that they get their alcohol “from friends and family.” Of course that includes parents, but it also could include older siblings, older friends, or other adult family members.

A lot of people may think there’s nothing they can do about a minor drinking if that minor isn’t their child. But there are lots of things you can do. For starters, simply don’t provide it.

Some stores start stocking Christmas decorations and wrapping paper as early as the end of October, and some families begin decking their halls in holiday finery in late November. But for many people, the holiday season has not truly begun until the music synonymous with this festive time of year has hit the airwaves. Christmas music typically begins flooding the airwaves on the day after Thanksgiving, or Black Friday, if not before. With access to satellite access, Christmas music junkies can listen to their favorite Christmas music all year 'round.

Turkey is a staple on most Thanksgiving tables. Leftovers from the big meal can sometimes last into the next week. It is what to do with those leftovers that can get tricky. Here are a few different options for that leftover thanksgiving feast. Full recipes can be found at Delish.com.

Thanksgiving leftover lasagna: here is a recipe that uses more than just the leftover turkey. Mashed potatoes, green beans, turkey, and gravy all make this a jazzed up leftover dinner. Even the cranberry sauce finds its way into this dish.

Thanksgiving in a blanket: This is another snack that uses more than just turkey. Wrapping prepared stuffing, mashed potatoes, turkey, and cranberry sauce in croissants makes a quick, handheld after-Thanksgiving snack. Use the gravy as unique dipping sauce.

Hughes Springs has brought back a tradition that began in the 1990s. “Christmas Trees in the Park” returned to Spring Creek Park during this year’s Holiday on First Street.

The city provided trees to those who wished to purchase and decorate a tree for the event. Businesses and groups from around the city brought decorations of all varieties to decorate approximately 20 trees. Trees were decorated with everything from carrelated decorations, and decorations made by children to old-world decorations such as popcorn strands and peanut butterand bird seed pinecones. Each group had someone present on Nov. 21 to light their tree as they were announced.

Gina’s Hair Salon hosted the event, and the Globe Gallopers offered up refreshments for the event as fundraiser for their Ireland trip. Following the lighting of the trees, visitors were invited to walk around, taking in the brilliance of the evening, before settling in to watch movies in the park.

Daingerfield State Park will be getting ready for the holidays with their Fourth Annual Holiday in the Park. The event will be held on Friday, Dec. 16, and Saturday, Dec. 17.

Each year, the park invites campers to come and help decorate the park with their favorite Christmas lights and decorations. Campers wishing to take part in this event should call the park soon, as spaces fill very quickly. On the evenings of the event, beginning at 6 p.m. each night, guests are invited to drive through the park, enjoying the decorations. A map will be handed out at the ranger station upon entrance to the park, giving the specific route to aid in the flow of traffic through the event.

In what has become the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season, Hughes Springs hosted their annual Holiday on First Street and Cork and Fork on Monday, Nov. 21.

Holiday on First Street, named for the main street that runs through Hughes Springs and is home to most of the city’s shops, offers visitors an opportunity to find that special gift for their loved ones. Shops stay open late, and may offer a variety of holiday snacks, including hot chocolate, wassail, candies, and more. Many businesses took the opportunity to offer specials for holiday shoppers.

The Cork and Fork portion of the event was an added draw for the city. Certain businesses served as hosts for East Texas wineries and restaurants or caterers. Wineries in attendance included Los Pinos Winery, Texas Smokhaus Winery, Red Road Winery, O’Farrell Winery, and Fairhaven Winery. Food vendors included Taste This Catering, JB’s Hotlinks, Western Grillers, Don Juan’s, and Vickie’s Tamales.

World War II stories are becoming harder and harder to come by. One former Daingerfield resident has made sure her mother’s and uncle’s stories are around for years to come. Brenda Hancock, a former Daingerfield High School Teacher, was recently in Daingerfield promoting her book based on their stories, Talent, Luck, Courage.

In 1968, Bruce and Nicky Holland moved to Daingerfield and purchased what became known as the Holland’s Hill House Café. Their daughter, Brenda, was at school when the Hollands made the decision to move from Irving to Daingerfield. The Holland Hill House Café, located beside Daingerfield’s motel became a favorite place for many in the area to eat, including Daingerfield's state championship winning football team from 1968.

It is a tale that has been told and retold, time and time again. Yet, it is a tale that never gets old. An adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, by John Jakes, is the current production of the Community Theatre of East Texas. The production is being directed by Hughes Springs native, Mandy Gammill.

In Dickens’ tale, the “heartless old sinner” Scrooge, as he is described in the play, encounters three spirits who show him the shadows of Christmases past, present, and of those yet to come, in an evening that melts the old man’s heart. His clerk, Bob Cratchit, was one of those most tormented by Scrooge, and by the end of the play is one of those most touched by Scrooge’s transformation.

Two men are wanted in connection with a money scam at the Hughes Springs Spring Market store, according to Hughes Springs Police Chief Randy Kennedy.