December 2021

Dirks-Anderson Elementary School in Fort Davis has been chosen as a stop on the one-time Busload of Books Tour. Supported entirely by private donors, illustrator/ author married couple Robbi Behr and Matthew Swanson and their four children will spend one year visiting Title I schools in every state.

This command kicked off the first message spoken after 400 years of divine silence. It was directed to Zechariah as he learned the upcoming birth of his son, John the Baptist.

Alpine Daughters of the American Revolution and Daughters of the Republic of Texas held their fourth annual Christmas tea on Dec. 4 at First Presbyterian Fellowship Hall. Refreshments and conversation amid beautiful Christmas decorations were enjoyed by all, with 13 ladies attending, two being prospective new members of each organization. In the photo, Mary Smith, Judy Parsons, and Kay Houston. Courtesy photo

Alpine ISD Bucks Boosters Bonnie Lujan, Sarah Fellows Martinez, Paty Saenz, Mesinda Llanez, and Sarah Vasquez pause for a photo at the middle school cafeteria on Dec. 11 as they serve up hamburgers with all the trimmings. The fundraiser will benefit all Alpine ISD athletes. Avalanche photo by Roxanne Hill

The Board of Regents of the Texas State University System formally recognized recipients of the Regents’ Professor, Staff, and Student Scholar awards for 2021. The board adopted resolutions honoring the award winners during its quarterly meeting this week on the campus of Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.

Toronto Creek Estates, a subdivision in Alpine, invites the community to join in a neighborhood Christmas party on Saturday, Dec. 18, at 5 p.m., on Haystack, Doe Court, and Deer Run Drive. There will be hayrides, driveway goodies, and a Christmas lighting contest. Cookies, hot cocoa, candy, and more goodies will be offered. There will also be voting for best Christmas lights, and the winner gets a yard sign for their front yard.

What are you especially looking forward to in your senior year? Making memories with my friends that will last me a lifetime! What activities are you involved in during your senior year? I’m an active member of the Buck Band and a member of the National Honor Society. Who has been your most influential teacher or coach through high school? Mr.

Members of the Holy Cross Anglican Church Trail Life Troop 40 enjoy a Saturday morning of target practice at a gun range south of Alpine on Dec. 11. The boys participated in a range day where they practiced with .22 rifles and more under the close supervision of Trail Life volunteer Atticus Freeland and Gunsmoke Training & Defense founder Zach Vaughn of Alpine. Vaughn instructed the youngsters on basic firearm and marksmanship skills. Avalanche photo by Roxanne Hill

As a service to the Big Bend community, the Sul Ross State University Meat Lab hosted a wild game processing workshop. Twelve participants gathered on Dec. 4 as Hip-O Taxidermy’s Caleb Hughes presented topics on field dressing and taxidermy considerations. Marfa Meats’ Nicole Tancik broke down a mule deer carcass as participants asked questions.

Christmas is around the corner, and one way people can share in the joy and spread holiday cheer is by taking part in a special event to celebrate Jesus’ birth with a live nativity. Karen McGuire has been directing and organizing it in Alpine for 30 years. The event is produced by Michael’s Mountain Ministry, named after McGuire’s oldest son who passed away in 1991.