Lifestyle

The 35th Annual Black-Eyed Pea Off (cook-off) will be held in the Terlingua Ghostown on Thursday, January 1, 2026. Participants need to bring their best Black-eyed Peas for judging and to share with spectators. Award and prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place. Turn-in time is 2 p.m. sharp with a $10 entry fee. Peas may be cooked onsite or off. Spectators can start the year off with a bowl of “Good Luck” peas for a $10 (or more) donation - includes bowl, spoon, and cornbread until it runs out. There will be local music and a raffle for several “Hot Dates” (Room & Dinner). All proceeds will benefit continuing education scholarships for Terlingua School Graduates.

She came into the shelter after being found running loose in the city of Alpine in mid-September. She went unclaimed at the shelter, and upon starting her veterinary care, it was discovered that she was positive for heartworm disease. She started treatment immediately and had several months of confinement and restricted activity while undergoing her treatment. She is now heartworm-free and ready for adoption.

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The time for the Annual Live Nativity is right around the corner. The Nativity dates are December 19-21, and the event will be held at the “stable area” between Kokernot Lodge and the Outdoor Theatre. Tri-county residents and visitors are invited to be the audience as this timeless story is retold with lights, music, and costumed characters, including Mary, Joseph, Gabriel, shepherds, wise men, and more. Wassermann Wranch will again provide the animal cast of Carl the camel and Pumpkin, the faithful Nativity donkey. Anyone may also be a part of the all-star cast by just showing up to the new dressing area, the Prop Barn [right next to the Outdoor Theater Stage], to robe up and fill the role of a winged angel, shepherd, wise man, scribe, innkeeper, census reader, or other parts. There are no lines to learn, and costumes are provided. Check out next week’s Alpine Avalanche for complete information. Please call Karen at 432-386-3071 for further questions.

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The Big Bend Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas Scholarship Committee is excited to announce our 2026 Patricia Rose Manning Undergraduate Scholarship recipients. The committee is currently comprised of eight society members from our chapter and is led by the scholarship committee chair, Tom Kennedy. Scholarship applications open in August each year, and awards are decided based on academic achievement, community involvement, and focus on studies related to the NPSOT mission.

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Calling all parents of young shoppers! Hillside Baptist Church of Alpine is hosting its Ninth Annual Children’s Christmas Store on Saturday, December 13. The “store” will be in the Fellowship Hall at Hillside, 205 Church Road, just off East Highway 90, and will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children are invited to shop for their parents, siblings, and other family members – nothing will cost more than $5, and most selections are $2 or under.

The Big Bend Amateur Radio Club (BBRAC) will host the 18th annual Talk to Santa event at True Value Hardware on December 17 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.