Holly Jolly Holidays – but where is the Jolly? Are you feeling a little discouraged, empty, or emotionally drained this time of year due to a loss?
For many people, the holidays can feel like an emotional roller coaster when you are grieving. While the season is often associated with joy, celebration, and togetherness, it can also bring a deep awareness of the people, relationships, or circumstances you have lost.
There is no easy, right, or wrong way to grieve. The grief journey is a very personal, individualized journey. Everyone experiences grief differently. There is no timeline for healing.
The hope is that one can learn to adjust, learn to live, and learn to find a healthy enduring connection that allows life to move forward with purpose. If this holiday season feels difficult, be gentle with yourself. Give yourself permission to grieve, feel the way you feel, take one day at a time, and seek support when you need it.
Bluebonnet Hospice will conduct a mini grief workshop on Friday, November 6th at our host site, Legacy Point, located at 1500 N Main in Friona, Texas. There will be coffee and donuts at 9:30 a.m. and the workshop will start at 10:00 a.m.
Duke Underwood will be the guest speaker. Other presenters include Bluebonnet Hospice Chaplain Larry Mitchell and Social Worker Rhonda K. Sanders, LMSW.
Please join us if you can and feel free to invite others. For more information or free supportive bereavement counsel, call Bluebonnet Home Health and Hospice at 806-247-0057.
Dinner Reminder — St. Ann’s Catholic Church of Bovina will host their 66th Annual Turkey Dinner on Sunday, November 1st from 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. in the St. Ann’s Parish Hall located on 3rd Street in Bovina. The meal will consist of turkey & dressing, creamed potatoes & gravy, green beans, homemade bread, cranberry sauce, desserts, and tea & coffee. Adult plates are $18 each and children’s plates (under 6 years old) are $6 each. Take-out plates will be available at no additional charge.
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Candy Prices Are Scary — Americans are on track to spend a record $13.5 billion on Halloween this year, the National Retail Federation reported, about $400 million more than last year and $1.9 billion more than in 2024. Candy is the sharpest squeeze. Prices for candy and chewing gum are up 7.7% over the year, more than double the rise in overall consumer prices, and shoppers are still expected to spend $4.1 billion on treats. Much of that is a lagging effect from cocoa, along with increased packaging costs. Candy makers are still working through cocoa beans bought during last year’s price spike, and one analysis found Hershey’s seasonal peanut butter cups jumped 23% and Ferrero lifted chocolate packs nearly 19%. The average shopper now expects to spend $115.14 on the holiday, and nearly half said they started buying in September or earlier to spread the cost out. The Flyover
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Educator Funding — On Monday, Governor Greg Abbott announced $40 million to 411 Texas school systems through the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnerships (PREP) Program Allotment. This funding will strengthen teacher recruitment, preparation and mentorship, and bolster Texas’ teacher workforce. “Texas educators shape future generations, and it is critical that they enter the classroom ready to succeed,” said Governor Abbott. “This investment empowers schools and builds on Texas’ efforts to ensure that every student has access to a high-quality education.” “Strong teachers are the foundation of student success, and the PREP Allotment gives Texas school systems the resources to build a stronger educator pipeline,” said Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. “This investment will help districts recruit talented candidates, provide meaningful preparation and mentorship, and support more educators as they begin their careers.”
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Something To Cheer About — The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association and the Cowboys organization issued a joint statement praising the cheerleaders for their talent and dedication and emphasizing their importance to the franchise. For decades, the franchise has faced scrutiny over the cheerleaders’ low salaries, despite their enduring pop culture relevance. In 2022, a former Cowboys cheerleader revealed her salary was equivalent to that of “a substitute teacher” or a “Chick-fil-A worker that works full time.” The Texas Flyover
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Election Day
Tuesday, November 3rd
7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Residents of all precincts can vote at any one of the four polling locations.
Los residentes de todos los distritos electorales pueden votar en cualquiera de los cuatro centros de votación.
Friona
First Baptist Church of Friona
Fellowship Hall (west side)
404 W. 5th • Friona, TX 79035
Bovina
XIT Recreation Center
215 North St. • Bovina, TX 79009
Farwell
Farwell Community Center
207 9th St. • Farwell, TX 79325
Lazbuddie
Lazbuddie Methodist Church
665 FM 1172 • Lazbuddie, TX 79053
View Sample Ballots
Ver boletas electoral de muestra
Early Voting
Parmer County Courthouse
401 3rd St. • Farwell TX
Thursday, October 29th
& Friday, October 30th
7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
In Parmer County: $40 per year
Out of Parmer County: $50 per year
eStar (emailed): $30 per year
Call 806-250-5200 for more information
