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For more than a decade, locals and visitors alike have flocked to Marathon to take in the festivities of Fiesta de Noche Buena. Marathon’s main street will come alive with children caroling, the Marathon Volunteer Fire Department ushering in Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and local businesses and organizations setting up tables and opening their doors to help herald in the Christmas spirit. This year’s festivities will kick off at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3 and last until 9 p.m. Robert Alvarez of Visit Big Bend stated, “Fiesta de Noche Buena is a wonderful holiday event put on by the Marathon Chamber of Commerce. Every year, this taste of a ‘small town Christmas’ grows and grows. This year should be the best ever.”

The City of Alpine began holding town hall meetings in October to enlist its’ citizens help in setting up a strategic plan for the city. These meetings are geared toward having the citizens of Alpine express their views, concerns, and ideas about issues in the community, to be addressed by the elected officials and employees of the city, to formulate a strategic plan.

The Texas State University System Board of Regents has appointed Carlos Hernandez, Ed.D., as the 14th president of Sul Ross State University. Hernandez has served as interim president since June 4, following the resignation of Alpine native Pete Gallego. The unanimous vote occurred during the board’s quarterly meeting at Texas State University in San Marcos.

Many centuries ago, ancient Chinese philosopher and writer Lao Tzu once wrote, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one single step.” That vision was as applicable back then as it is now, and this simple yet inspirational source of wisdom fits the journey of Alpine track and field star Elena Cano.

Alpine FFA competed in the Big Bend District contest at Sul Ross State University on Nov. 14. The two Green Hand teams brought home the first and second place banners for the local chapter. The Senior Skills teams also took first and second place in District competition, which will advance both the Green Hand and Senior Skills teams to Area competition in Ira this coming Saturday, Nov. 19. The local chapter also brought home a third place in Spanish Creed Speaking.

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on the Did you experience the earthquake last week on Nov. 16, and if so, what did you think? .

It’s that time of year again, a time to partake in the holiday spirit and create new Christmas memories while interacting with neighbors. Alpine hopes to continue a popular Christmas stroll that will appeal to everyone as they relish the Christmas memories from yesteryear. That is what Abbey Branch, president of the Alpine Historical Society, hopes to achieve as the second annual Christmas Stroll kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 3, on Sul Ross Ave. “Driving along Sul Ross Ave during Christmastime in the late 70’s was magical,” Branch reminisced. “Once a year, the kids from the community stood in line with their families and friends to see Santa Claus at the Methodist Church, where he gifted us with oranges, apples, and walnuts. Following, our community filled the sanctuary for Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol production. When it concluded, we drove, and some walked to the Catholic Church to see the beautiful Christmas luminaries.”

Dear Neil: This summer the right side of my tree looked shorter and less filled out than the left side. Some of the leaves on the right side turned yellow early or else that side is dying. Is this a temporary condition due to the 2021 cold, or is my tree dying and about to split in two? I don’t know what type of tree it is.