Sentinel photo/Jessica Shepard Birders work up their final species counts after a long day in the field, Monday, Dec. 20. Thirteen teams of birders cover a 15-mile diameter area for the 122nd Annual Audubon's Matagorda county Mad Island Marsh Christmas Bird Count.

Christmas Market Day at Bay City Civic Center Saturday, Dec. 18, was  “absolutely successful,” Mitch Thames, president of Bay City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, told commissioners court Monday morning. Thames said he was pleased by the turnout of shoppers and vendors. Sentinel photo/ Jessica Shepard