FRIDAY OCTOBER 22, 2021

“‘Blithe Spirit’ was well received. Now we have a lot going on, including productions of ‘Our Town’ and ‘The Lion King Jr.’”

Busy year for Temple HS thespians

By DAVID STONE, Our Town Temple

Temple High School theater students have wrapped up the school year’s first big production and are busy preparing for several big projects, department director Natasha Tolleson said this week.

“‘Blithe Spirit’ was well received,” she said. “Now we have a lot going on, including productions of ‘Our Town’ and ‘The Lion King Jr.’”

This town is Our Town

“‘Our Town’ is one of the greatest plays — ever,” Tolleson said. “Auditions have been held and the cast is set. We are really excited.”

“This Pulitzer Prize-winning play tells the story of a fictional American small town between 1901 and 1903,” she said.

The play is set in Grover’s Corners, N.H., and follows two families through 12 years of life changes. Their children fall in love, marry and eventually die.

Narrated by a stage manager, Tolleson said ‘Our Town’ is performed with minimal props and sets. It is divided into three sections: Daily Life, Love and Marriage, and Death and Eternity.

The performance will include live music and special sound effects.

‘Our Town’ will be presented to the public Nov. 11-13 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. in the auditorium.

In the jungle, the mighty jungle

“This is a Temple district-wide celebration,” Tolleson said. “We have more than 150 students involved from elementary schools to high school.

‘The Lion King Jr.’ is the story of epic adventures of a curious lion cub named Simba as he struggles to accept his duties, hardships and destiny as king. To claim his rightful place on the throne and save his beloved Pridelands, Simba must find his inner strength and confront his wicked Uncle Scar.

Yes, it’s a familiar story, but a classic.

“The cast and crew is set,” Tolleson said, “and the first performance is Jan. 27.”

There will be four Lion King performances — Jan. 27-29 at 7 p.m. and a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee on Jan. 30. All shows will be in the Temple High School Auditorium.

Tickets for ‘The Lion King Jr.’ and ‘Our Town’ can be purchased online at centraltexastickets.com.

In addition to these big productions, Temple Thespians also will be competing in group and individual contests at the upcoming Texas Thespians State Festival in Grapevine on Nov. 17-20, Tolleson said.

THS students also will host the annual Middle School UIL One-Act Play Contest on Dec. 4 at Meridith-Dunbar Auditorium. Theater students from Bonham, Lamar and Travis will be competing.

Annual auditions for Temple’s UIL One-Act Play will be Jan. 7. About 250 schools compete in Class 6A One-Act-Play competition and Temple has advanced to the finals at five of the past six state meets.

In addition, Temple has been crowned district champion for 29 consecutive years.

“We will begin rehearsing for UIL on Jan. 31 and district is March 10 in Harker Heights,” Tolleson said.

Tolleson, in her 31st year as head of Temple High’s theater department, said she has seen the program grow tremendously over the years.

“When I first started here I taught speech, debate and theater,” she said. “I think I had about 60 students. Today, there are more than 200 in the program.”

She also is no longer the lone theater instructor. Alicia Green is in her first year as technical director for the program, and Kayla Stewart is in her sixth year under Tolleson as assistant director.

AROUND TOWN THE BIRDS ARE BACK

Humans aren’t the only ones taking advantage of these cool morning temperatures. Great-tailed grackles call Texas home year-round but they have been gathering by the thousands in areas such as the Market Square shopping center. According to Salado-based Texas Parks & Wildlife biologist Cullom Simpson, the parking lot is a seasonal roosting ground for the birds. They spend much of the year feeding in fields of grain, but once crops have been harvested they migrate to urban areas such as Temple. Simpson said the parking lot likely provides a perfect habitat for roosting with plenty of opportunity to feed on trash items in the area. “They’re very social birds,” he said. “They can form flocks of thousands.” David Stone | Our Town Temple

POSTCARDS FROM THE PAST

The Charcoal Inn was arguably the most popular hamburger spot in Temple for many years. I know, that’s a bold statement — Temple was Burger City, USA. But, Charcoal was right there at the top. Back when it was open, Adams Avenue was two-way all through town and it could be a bit dangerous around lunchtime. That’s because dozens of high schoolers on a short lunch break were streaking down Adams to get to Charcoal. If you didn’t hurry, the line would be long and you’d be late for class. Albert Younts and John Velasaquez Jr. were regulars but about 20 years apart. Younts, who frequented Charcoal in 1961, said: “The wonderful burgers had that smoky taste. We used to wear out our tires getting there.” Velasquez went to Charcoal in the 1980s but he rarely ate a hamburger. “I had the burrito and a frosted mug of root beer!” he said. Alan Martini was a fan of the Chili Char Cheeseburger, a burger smothered in chili and cheese. “There was an amazing assortment of flavors in a single burger.”

PART FIVE OF A FIVE-PART SERIAL THE FINALE

Our Town Temple

Today we continue a tale about the Temple Doll House, told by former Temple educator Russ Wright.

THE STORY SO FAR

I think we were in the first grade when we first heard about the Temple Doll House from some older kids. Me, Ed and Jeff were fascinated by the bits and pieces we could glean from them.

One day I finally summoned the courage to ask about the Doll House. They all roared with laughter, teasing us that we were too scared to even look at the Doll House, much less go inside. That, of course, prompted us to deny that we were afraid of some old lady’s DOLLS!

Then they laid down the challenge.

”If you three kids are SOOOOOO brave, then bring back one of the dolls to prove that you were in it and we will pay you $100!” 

We accepted.  Not for the money so much as the bragging rights. Now we had to figure out how to do it without getting caught.

We knew that it was an abandoned house on 19th Street in Temple.  We also knew that if we broke into some home in the daytime, someone could see us and call the cops.  It was decided that we would do it on a Friday night when everyone was at the Wildcat game.

That evening I told Mom I was spending the night at Jeff’s. Jeff told his mom he was spending the night at Ed’s and Ed told his mom he was spending the night at my house. 

We were free, and we had our bikes and flashlights. We were ready!  Little did we know what was in store for us…

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Off we rode into the twilight.  Traffic thinned out as game time drew near.  We came to 31st Street. Then 29th, 27th, 25th, 23rd, 21st, then 19th Street. 

We had never been to the Temple Doll House and were not sure exactly where it was.  We looked right and it looked like a normal street with lights at the intersections and cars parked in front of well lit homes. 

When we looked to the left, the street sloped down and what little streetlights there were faded to pitch black as the road dropped into total blackness.  Lawns were not mowed, and there were very few cars on the street or in the driveways. 

We knew which way we had to go. Silently we looked at each other, nodded, and nosed our bikes toward our waiting fate.

In the darkness we could faintly make out small signs of life in most of the houses, until we came to the bottom of the hill. There it was. 

The house was very old with fading, cracking paint and weeds as high as our shoulders in the front lawn. Most of the windows had been broken out and boarded up. We hid our bikes in the tall weeds and made our way to the front porch. 

Ed took the first step onto the porch and his foot crashed right through the rotting wood. Carefully, we made our way to the front door and tried the handle. It did not turn but it was cold as ice. We should have left right then and there. 

We decided to try the back door, so carefully we crept around the side of the house and into the overgrown backyard. Jeff found the back door. 

“It’s over here” he whispered loudly. 

We all gathered around the back door. I secretly hoped that the door would be locked and we would just go home and watch TV. Ed reached out and grabbed the handle. 

“It’s freezing, just like the front,” he muttered.  Then he tried the handle, it turned, and the back door slowly creaked open revealing a darkness unlike any of us had ever seen before. 

I felt a heaviness in my chest along with a trembling in my hands. 

Unspoken, we looked at each other, then at the open door in front of us and slowly entered, knowing that if we got into trouble, no one knew where we were and no one was going to come to help us.

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Slowly we entered the house. We could all feel it but no one wanted to mention it. It was very, very cold inside the house. 

I saw Ed rubbing his arms and Jeff slid his arms inside his shirt. It was September in Temple — it was not supposed to be this cold. 

“Someone left the AC on high,” Jeff offered as an explanation. 

We all knew he was trying to be brave. There was no electricity in this house.

As our eyes adjusted to the darkness, we could make out some familiar shapes:  sink, counters, cabinets…this was the kitchen.  There was a door in front of us that led to the front of the house and one at the side of the room leading to the back of the house. We all moved toward the door in front of us.

Jeff slowly pushed the door open and we entered the living room. There were a few broken boards on the windows, letting in just enough light to allow us to navigate the room. 

We kept walking toward the front door when behind me Ed started stuttering:  “Ggggguys?  Look over there.” 

Under the window, where there was more light, we could see her. She was sitting upright on the floor staring straight ahead. She was a very old, porcelain-faced doll dressed in a Victorian Dress.

Her clothes were tattered and dirty and her face was chipped. She was completely dressed with a hat and shoes, but the most compelling thing about the doll was her deep, dark, coal colored eyes. They looked oversized for her face and were open very, very wide. 

We stared at her a few moments, afraid to move when Jeff whispered: “She’s not alone.” 

Our eyes had adjusted to the darkness of the room and we could see that she had friends. Next to her on both sides and extending to the entire perimeter of the room were more of those dolls. Different in face and dress but all from the same period. 

I moved toward the window to select which one I was going to take when I noticed a small movement. I turned to look, thinking it was my friends, but they were on the other side of the room looking at the other dolls. 

I backed up a few steps and that’s when I noticed it: The dolls’ heads were slowly turning, following my movements. 

“Y’all see that?” I loudly whispered. 

“What?” Jeff responded. 

About that time I heard Ed say: “Man, there’s something going on with these dolls.” 

We instinctively gathered together. 

“Watch her eyes when I move,” I told my friends. 

Then they saw it too. The dolls were watching us with those evil dead-black eyes.

In one movement we all three ran for the door we just came through.  We hit it with a loud crash and continued running through the kitchen to the back door. 

I was the last one in the house so I KNEW I left the back door open just in case something like this happened.  It was closed. 

I grabbed the door handle but it would not turn either way.  There was no leaving the house through the back door.  The only way out was past those evil dolls. 

As we started toward the front of the house again, we heard it.

Off to the left, where the hallway and bedrooms were located, there was an unusual sound. It sounded like something being dragged across the floor but with a clanking sound. 

We froze. The sound was getting louder which meant it was getting closer.  Now we were really scared. There was someone or something in the house with us and we couldn’t get out. 

We watched in horror as that side door slowly opened. In the darkness, the only thing we could make out were two small dark-red blinking orbs.

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We were frozen. None of us could move or speak.

Slowly the orbs faded then we saw a wrinkled, weathered old hand with long cracked fingernails poking through the partially open door. All of her fingers curled back except for her forefinger, which was straight out and pointing at us.

At this point we all disagree about what happened next. 

Ed and Jeff claim she actually spoke, but I had lost 50 percent of my hearing and I was sure that I could not have heard what she said. I rather felt it when, pointing directly at us she said in a slow, cracking voice: “Give me back my arm!” 

Once we heard that, we started running…back into the room with all the dolls. 

We heard dragging and clanking like a large chain being dragged along the wooden floor. She was following us. 

When she slowly came into the living room, things started happening really fast. 

The dolls started shaking in a frenzy.  Their eyes were still following us, but unbelievably their expressions had changed to one of rage and anger. 

Things were escalating fast so we ran through the side door and into the hallway. 

“This way” Jeff called. 

We went from door to door, but all were locked.  We heard her turn the corner to the hallway with that loud chain.  We also heard the sound of something scooting along the floor. We knew it was her dolls following her. 

Panic was just starting to set in when I turned the knob on the last door in the hallway. It turned!  We ran into the bedroom and slammed the door closed.  Since we could not lock it, we held the door shut just in case. 

We got very silent and listened. 

“Give me back my arm” the old lady wailed. “GIVE ME BACK MY ARM.”

The chains were moving faster…she knew where we were and she was coming after us. 

I am not proud of what happened next.  I panicked and ran toward the small bathroom door at the far end of the room. Once my feet hit the bathroom floor, I lost consciousness. The last thing I remembered before I passed out was a hot searing pain in my left calf.

Part 5 — A truth revealed

“GET UP!  COME ON, NOW’S OUR CHANCE!” 

When I finally came to, I realized that Ed was in my face frantically whispering to me. But something was wrong: My leg. 

I looked down and saw that I had stepped through the rotten bathroom floor and a sharp nail had torn the side of my leg open. Ed’s dad was a doctor so he sort of knew what to do. He took off his shirt and wrapped it tightly around my leg. 

“We gotta go,” Jeff whispered from the closed door.  “I think she’s gone.”  With Ed helping me walk, we steadied ourselves and slowly opened the door to the hallway.

We looked both ways and saw nothing. Slowly we started walking down the dark hallway toward the kitchen when suddenly, out of the darkness, there she was! 

She had cut us off! 

“Give me back my arm” she called to us. 

The only way out of this crazy house was through the front or back door, and that meant we had to go past those evil dolls again.

“Why does she think we have her arm?” Jeff asked. 

Not waiting for an answer, Jeff bolted toward the living room door with us hobbling right behind him. 

“Oh crap” he said as we stepped through the doorway. 

Yep, there they were.  All of them.  All gathered by the front door, anticipating what we were about to do. Now their serene faces were replaced with anger.

We had one chance. Since they were all gathered by the front door, the kitchen door was unguarded. We made our move and crossed that room at lightning speed, throwing open the door and charging into the kitchen.  The back door and our escape was in sight!  So was the old woman. She was in the kitchen, waiting for us.

We still had a chance to make it to the back door before she could get to us. 

“Give me back my arm” she groaned. 

“Do you guys see that?” Ed said as he pointed to the back of her skirt.  With horror, we realized what was making that chain-like rattling sound we kept hearing. 

Her severed, bloody arm was clutching the back of her skirt with bracelets and jewelry clanking together as she walked.

My adrenaline kicked in at the sight of that severed arm, and I broke free of Ed and ran toward the back door. 

I grabbed the icy doorknob. It would not turn. 

Jeff was right behind me. “Outta the way,” he shouted and threw his shoulder into the door. It splintered and opened just enough for us to wiggle out.

I couldn’t ride my bike because of my leg so Ed waved down a passing car. 

“Our friend is hurt, can you take us to the hospital?” he cried to the driver. 

“Sure, get in,” the driver answered. 

When we got to the emergency room, my friends helped carry me in and finally we knew we were safe.

We were all together waiting for our parents to show up. We couldn’t even talk about what had just happened. We just sat together, friends, knowing that from now on we would have each other’s back, no matter what. 

Ed and Jeff’s parents arrived first. I was watching their reunion and I was so happy for them.

I began to notice that a couple of the orderlies who helped us get into the hospital were talking to each other. 

“I can’t believe it happened again!” one said. 

“Yeah, where does she find them?” the other asked. 

Now I was interested. Were they talking about us? 

“All those wounded kids she finds…you would think she would just stay home and play with all of her DOLLS.”

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WHAT’S HAPPENING, CENTRAL TEXAS?

Unity Fest starts at 4 p.m. today and will feature about 12 bands, including the late reggae legend Bob Marley’s cousin, Alex. The festival will be held on Main Street in downtown Temple and is being hosted by Ras Kitchen. Marley and his Rebel Band will be the main attraction in a lineup that also will feature several local performers. One of the performers is Rose Short, a finalist on season 17 of the NBC television show, The Voice. Also performing will be recording artist Lady Shacklin, Coldfront Baby, Martian Folk, Treyshawn Bell, Matt MacDonald, L’Dia Cantu, Ruben Castro, Bond Fusion Music, Steel Fury, DJ Ablaze and DJ Spida Tech.

Central Texas largest and most complete calendar of event:

October

October 22-23 - The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Beltonian, Belton. 6-8 p.m.

October 22, Friday - Unity Fest on the street in front of Ras Kitchen. Featuring Alex Marley and many other acts. 4 p.m. to midnight.

October 22, Friday - Trunk or Treat at Smile Doctors, 2113 SW Dodgen Loop. 5-8 p.m.

October 22-24 - “Leading Ladies” at Temple Civic Theatre. Ticket link: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?actions=4&p=1

October 23, Saturday - Haunted Hayride, Bend of the River, 6-10 p.m.

October 23, Saturday - Don Gregory Memorial Lions Club Golf Tournament. Sammons Golf Course. Contact Jeffrey Thigpen Thigpen.jeff@gmail.com to register or for sponsorship opportunities. 4-person scramble begins at 8:30 a.m.

October 23, Saturday - Oktoberfest 2021, Barrow Brewing Company, Salado, noon to 10:30 p.m.

October 23, Saturday - Fall Food Truck Festival, 3524 FM 2484 in Salado. Proceeds benefit Salado VFD. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

October 23, Saturday - October Blues Bash. The Clint Walker Blues Band is bringin' the blues back to Bold Republic Brewing! It is going to be a great night of live music, the best beer in Texas and delish food! 6-10 p.m.

October 24, Sunday - Fall Fest at First United Methodist Church in Temple. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

October 26, Tuesday - Military & First Responders Appreciation Day. Drive through hamburger box dinner for active duty military, veterans and first responders. Central Fire Station in Temple. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or until food is gone.

October 26, Tuesday - The College of Visual & Performing Arts presents the UMHB Concert Choir and the Women’s Chorus. Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center, Baugh Performance Hall. 7:30 p.m.

October 28-31 - “Leading Ladies” at Temple Civic Theatre. Ticket link: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?actions=4&p=1

October 29, Friday - Uncasing of the Colors for the 607-member 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment of the 3rd Squadron, 36th Infantry Division, now headquartered at the Texas Army National Guard on Airport Road in Temple. Santa Fe Plaza, 10 a.m.

October 29, Friday - Michael Salgado at Schoepf’s in Belton. 6 p.m.

October 29, Friday - 1st Annual "Monster Mash Ballroom Bash" at Arthur Murray Temple. Join us for a few tricks, some yummy treats, and lots of dancing! Costumes are encouraged, and anyone is welcome — no dance experience needed, $15 per person. RSVP (254) 231-3444 7:45 p.m.

October 29, Friday - Calling all boys and ghouls! Don’t forget to stop by the Monster Mash at the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum. Learn a few new dance moves at the Monster Mash prom. Grab a treat or two and have a spooktacular time. 6-8 p.m.

October 29, Friday - Halloween Party at Firestreet Pizza. High octane rock & roll. 6 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - 24k Comedy Magic Show, Corkys Wine & Beer. 8 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - Spur Classic Pickleball Tournament at Wildflower Country Club. Registration at 7:30 a.m., matches start at 8.

October 30, Saturday - Trunk or Treat at Faith Baptist Church, 1102 S. 51st , Temple. 7 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - Lake Belton High School Trunk or Treat. Sponsored by Vista Community Church. 5-7 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - Halloween Party at O’Briens Irish Pub featuring Jay White & The Blues Commanders. 9 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - The city of Temple will host Fright Fest from 6-8 p.m. at Santa Fe Plaza (301 W Avenue A). Attendees will be able to trick-or-treat, enter a costume contest and enjoy a fire dance show. This event is free to the public and registration is not required.

October 30, Saturday - Downtown Belton Candy Trail. 4-6 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - Halloween Bar Crawl, Mo’s Rail Yard Saloon. 4-11:59 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - Barktoberfest, Dog costume contest at 5:30; adoptable dogs on site. Barrow Brewing Co., Salado. 1-7 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - Trunk or Treat at Express ER in Temple. 4 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - Bulls & BBQ, Live bull riding followed by concert with Jake Worthington and Keith Braxton. Schoepf’s BBQ, Belton, Noon.

October 30, Saturday - Tablerock’s Fright Trail. One-half mile walking trail presents thrill, chills and haunting skits. Salado. 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - BooCru at Crusader Stadium. UMHB in Belton. Wear your Halloween costume to the UMHB v. Belhaven game. Trick or Treat at 10 locations inside the stadium during the first half. Halftime parade of costumes on the football field. Noon.

October 30, Saturday - Trunk or Treat. VFW Post 1820, 3302 Airport Road in Temple. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in parking lot.

October 30, Saturday - Trunk or Treat at Keller Williams Advantage. 3 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - Trunk or Treat at Fellowship Baptist in Morgan’s Point. 6:30-9 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat at Everest Rehabilitation Hospital of Temple. 10 a.m.

October 31, Sunday - Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat at Canyon Creek Baptist Church. 6-8:30 p.m.

October 31, Sunday - Edward Scissorhands, free movie at Cultural Activities Center. In this 1990 film, a scientist builds an animated human being but dies before he can finish the assembly, leaving the young man with a freakish appearance accentuated by the scissor blades he has instead of hands. The event will include a pre and post-movie discussion with Professor Dr. Joseph Taberlet. 2 p.m.

October 31, Sunday - Fall Festival at The Vine Church on 31st Street. Rain or shine. 6-8 p.m.

October 31, Sunday - Taylor’s Valley Harvest Party. Food, family fun, candy, costume contest, hay ride. Taylor’s Valley Baptist Church. 5 p.m.

November

November 2, Tuesday - Dia de los Muertos Celebration, Wilson Park Recreation Center. Celebrate Hispanic and Mexican culture and heritage on this one-day festival for Day of the Dead. 6 p.m.

November 4, Thursday - Spur Classic Sporting Clay Shoot, Weber Shooting Range. 8 a.m.

November 4, Thursday - Brown Bag Bingo, Sammons Community Center Bring a brown bag with a small, non-food Bingo prize inside. 5 p.m.

November 5, Friday - First Friday Block Party: Veterans Day. Fun, food, music and shopping downtown Temple. 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

November 6, Saturday - Chris Hillman, Texas Music Series,Cultural Activities Center. 7:30 p.m.

November 6, Saturday - Holiday Craft Bazaar at Gober Party House. Handmade and original items. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

November 7, Sunday - Temple Symphony Piano Trio featuring Suzanne Jacobson on violin, Cory Blaise on cello and Kiyoshi Tamagawa on piano. Cultural Activities Center. 3 p.m.

November 11, Thursday - Veterans Day Celebration and Patriot Way Brick Walk sign dedication. 8:30 a.m.

November 11, Sunday - Downtown Drag! A drag show at Corkys Wine & Beer. 7 p.m.

November 11, Friday - The College of Visual & Performing Arts presents One Voice in concert. Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center, Baugh Performance Hall. 7:30 p.m.

November 11-14 - "Our Town," a Pulitzer Prize winning play by Thornton Wilder, Temple High School, Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. More information at: http://www.ThespiansR.Us

November 11-14 - The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Beltonian Theatre, 6 p.m.

November 13, Saturday - Market in the Vines. Take a walk through the vines and shop with over 50 vendors! Free to the public. 3 Texans Winery. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

November 13, Saturday - Downtown Temple November Market. his will be our second to last market of the year and just in time to start your holiday shopping for all your friends and family. From soaps to jewelry, baked goods & jams, even custom wood working items, our market has something for everyone. 2 N. Main, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

November 13, Saturday - A Night in Vegas…St. Mary’s Catholic School Casino Night. Live auction, silent auction, games, drawings. Benefits the school’s educational programs. Cultural Activities Center. 6 p.m.

November 14, Sunday - St. Mary’s Traditional Turkey Dinner, KC Hall at 2218 W. Ave D, limited seating or to go plates, $12 plate includes Turkey, dressing, roll, gravy, coleslaw, green beans, cranberry sauce and dessert. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

November 18, Thursday - Taste of the Holidays 2021: A Candy Cane Christmas. Mayborn Convention Center. 10:30 a.m.

November 19 through January 15 - Facing the Inferno wildfire photo exhibit opens at Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum.

November 20, Saturday - Casey Donahew at Bell County Expo Center’s Assembly Hall.

November 20, Saturday - Belton Market Days. Downtown Belton. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

November 20, Saturday - The Gathering. Native American music, dancing, food. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for picnicking and fun. Yetti Polk Park in Belton. 11 a.m.

November 25, Thursday - Thanksgiving Outdoor Movie Night at Barrow Brewing in Salado. “A Christmas Story.” 6 p.m.

December

December 3-5 — Disney’s Aladdin Jr. at Temple Civic Theatre.

December 4, Saturday - Barrow Brewing Christmas Market, Salado. Noon.

December 4, Saturday - Temple Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert featuring soprano Priscilla Santana and tenor Brian Joyce. Temple High School. 7:30 p.m.

December 4, Saturday - Chisholm Trail Christmas Ball featuring Rick Trevino. Bell County Expo Center. 6 p.m.

December 6, Monday - The 75th Annual Christmas Parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. This year's theme is “The Magic of a Traditional Christmas." Details will be made available on templeparks.com.

December 10-12 — Disney’s Aladdin Jr. at Temple Civic Theatre.

December 11, Saturday — Downtown Temple Holiday Market & Food Truck Frenzy. We are excited to partner our market with a Food Truck Event! Come join us and support local businesses in our area! 2 N. Main Street. 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

December 11, Saturday - 5th annual Holiday Extravaganza at the Troy Community Center. Shop with local small businesses. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

December 23, Thursday - Santa & Elvis at Fire Street Pizza. 6-9 p.m.

December 31 - January 1 - Texas Elite Pole Vaulting. The Expo Explosion, the second largest indoor pole vaulting event in the country. Bell County Expo Center’s Garth Arena.

LIST YOUR EVENT! Email info to OurTownTemple@gmail.com with “What’s Happening” in the subject line. Keep it short and sweet — what, when and where. You may include a short description. You must include a phone number for verification purposes. The phone number will not be published unless requested by submitter.