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This upcoming January 1 will be the 33rd Black-Eyed Pea Off to be held in the Terlingua Ghostown. This annual cook-off allows participants to bring their best black-eyed peas for judging and to share with the community. Peas may be cooked on or off-site but turn-in time is 2 p.m. sharp and the entry fee is $10. Spectators are welcome to participate by eating a “bowl of good luck” peas for a donation of $10 or more. This will include the bowl, spoon, and cornbread until it runs out. This coming year’s event will have local music on hand as well as a “Hot Date” raffle. All proceeds of the cook-off will benefit continuing education scholarships for the Terlingua School graduates. For more information contact LaNetta Barnes at 573-286-5285.

Several area nonprofit organizations have received a portion of the $2.8M in grants awarded by the Permian Basin Area Foundation (PABF). This foundation allows the hundreds of non-profit organizations throughout the Permian Basin to fulfill their missions. Raymond Williams, grant administrator for PABF stated, “Every one of these grantees has a story, a dedicated staff, a committed roster of volunteers, and a mission that impacts us all in some way. We trust each organization to make our community thrive with the funding that so many donors have entrusted to us.” The PBAF works on behalf of charitable donors to see that their money goes to organizations fulfilling a mission they feel strongly about. They are the liaison between the donations and the grantees. For this grant cycle, area non-profit organizations awarded grant funding include the Family Crisis Center of the Big Bend, Friends of the Jeff Davis County Library, Marfa Education Foundation, Museum of the Big Bend, and the Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation-District 6.

We find ourselves in the middle of one of the most hectic seasons of the year. Thanksgiving has just passed, and Christmas, Kwanza, and the New Year are right around the corner. We are literally running around like chickens without our heads. It might seem willy-nilly.

Baking is not something I do regularly, and while I enjoy something sweet and satisfying just like the next person, I rarely break out the flour and measuring cups to create sweet treats to grace my table. Although I enjoy a decadent dessert, my tastes run quite simple. A simple chocolate cake, a light and spongy angel food cake, or a dense and buttery pound cake are simply my favorites. And then comes this recipe to turn everything upside down and make anyone’s tastebuds feel as if they have won the flavor lottery.

Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened 2 cups light brown sugar, packed 1 cup granulated sugar 5 large eggs, at room temperature 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup whole milk, at room temperature 1 (8-ounce) bag toffee bits 1 cup pecans, chopped 2-1/2 cups caramel sauce Directions: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Ingredients: 1 cup packed brown sugar ½ cup half and half 4 tablespoons of butter Pinch of salt 1 tablespoon vanilla Directions: Mix the brown sugar, half-and-half, butter, and salt in a saucepan over medium- low heat. Cook while whisking gently for five to seven minutes until it gets thicker. Add the vanilla, and cook another minute to thicken further. Turn off the heat, cool slightly, and pour the sauce into a jar. Refrigerate until cold.

Deadlines for the upcoming primary ballot for the March 5 election are close at hand. All candidates wishing to add their name to the list of those running for office must schedule an appointment with Lora Nussbaum, Brewster County Election Administrator to file the announcement for their campaign treasurer before they announce they are running for office, obtain signatures, or file with their party chairs.

The Brewster County Commissioners Court held its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, November 28. At this meeting, Sheriff Ronny Dodson stepped forward to introduce the court to Dory, his office’s newly acquired bomb dog. Dory is the only bomb dog in the area and will be available for nearby counties as well as Brewster. According to the sheriff, Dory has already been put to work and brushes up on her skills daily.