DAVID STONE | July 14, 2022

Developed and flown in 1927, the Temple Sportsman is a light single-seat, high-wing monoplane powered by a 10-cylinder, 100 hp Anzani engine. It proudly achieved many “firsts” when built.

The Sportsman was built primarily for the purpose of making air mail deliveries, and it was outfitted to fly at night — a big innovation at that time.

The Sportsman is the product of the first man to design and build an airplane in Texas — George W. Williams Jr. of Temple. It also was manufactured by the first commercial company licensed to sell airplanes in Texas.

Experimenting with aircraft design since 1908, Williams formed the Texas Aero Manufacturing Company in 1911 in Temple. He died in an air crash in 1930 while training a student pilot, and his corporation closed its doors as a result. 

There were three Temple Sportsman monoplanes produced, and an aircraft displayed at the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Dallas Love Field is the last of the three, N987N.

Jerry D. Ferrel, avid pilot and veteran of WWII and Korea, discovered parts of the aircraft at Russell Field in Fort Worth. Over a nine-year period, Ferrel meticulously restored it piece by piece. Ferrel graciously flew his masterpiece to Dallas Love Field and donated it to the Museum in 1992 to preserve the history of the Temple monoplane.

The Temple airplane factory was located in the vicinity of today’s IHOP restaurant just off Interstate 35. Another smaller marker at the site commemorates the first solo flight George Williams made on Oct. 9, 1912. The accomplishment qualified Williams to become one of The Early Birds, a group of pioneer aviators who flew solo prior to Dec. 17, 1916. About 600 US pilots were members of the elite club. David Stone photo

Junie B. Jones is Saturday at CAC

DAVID STONE | July 14, 2022

Wowee wow wow!

Junie B. Jones, America’s favorite elementary school student, comes to life at the Cultural Activities Center this Saturday in an Academie Musique of Central Texas’ adaptation of the popular book series.

Performances will be held at 2 p.m. and at 7 p.m. July 16, and tickets start at $10. Tickets can be purchased online at cacarts.org.

Clad with purple glasses and all, Junie B., along with her classmates, parents and teachers, sings and dances her way through the first grade. While chronicling her adventures in her “top secret personal beeswax” journal, she learns the importance of facing obstacles head-on and turning bad situations into good ones.

Junie B. Jones: The Musical, though written as a piece of theatre for young audiences, is fun for the entire family and highlights the timeless themes of friendship, acceptance, and humility.

The show is the second in a summer series produced by Academie Musique.

“This is an ‘intensive,’ which means we get our cast ready to perform in about two weeks,” said Shelley Dennis, executive director of Academie Musique of Central Texas.  “This is our 15th summer of doing Intensives, and we will be doing two this year.”

Academie Musique performed Beauty & The Beast Jr. In June.

Dennis said summer intensives introduce students to musical theater and help develop the next generation of performing artists.

“They learn to cooperate and work together,” she said. “It teaches kids to express emotions and to explore views they have never looked at before.”

The Junie B. Jones workshop involves 8 to 12 year olds. Here is a list of cast members:

• Danielle Baker - Ensemble

• Addison Bounds – Bobbi Jean Piper

• Anna Briggs – Student 4

• Ava Cavazos - Ensemble

• Eli Coley – Student 1

• Kyndal Coley - Cheerleader

• Ryn Coley - Mother

• Andy Covington - Ensemble

• Levi Covington – Mr. Scary

• Ella Davies Honea - Ensemble

• Lydia Dickinson – Student 2

• Greyson Foegelle – Mr. Williams (Woo)

• Gracyn Glasper - Ensemble

• Jas Gray - Ensemble

• Jenna Hill - Shirley

• Arabella Holmes - Ensemble

• Harper Howell - Ensemble

• Emma Huston - Ensemble

• Lilly Idoux - Cheerleader

• Anya Jinadatha – Student 3

• Isha Jinadatha – Julia (José)

• Hanna Lyon - Ensemble

• Rose Lyon - Ensemble

• Addison McAninch - May

• Brenna McCoy – Student 5

• Lucie McRae – Shelley (Sheldon)

• Talia Moore - Ensemble

• Camille Morris – Gladys Gutzman

• August Patrick - Ensemble

• Iris Patrick – Lainey (Lennie)

• Silas Patrick - Ensemble

• Luke Picarazzi - Herb

• Rhett Picarazzi - Ensemble

• Avni Prakash – Ensemble

• Ethan Quinn - Ensemble

• Lenna Rachal - Cheerleader

• Londyn Ramirez - Ensemble

• Caroline Roberts - Chenille

• Merit Robinson - Cheerleader

• Kayeleigh Sanderford - Ensemble

• Wyatt Sanderford - Ensemble

• Levi Santana - Ensemble

• Micah Santana - Daddy

• Rowan Sebek – Head Cheerleader

• Scarlett Simcik – Lunch Student 1

• Charley Smart - Ensemble

• Riley Smart - Ensemble

• Mindy Smith - Ensemble

• Syanne Smith - Ensemble

• Lexy Speegle – Junie B. Jones

• Abby Summers – Head Cheerleader

• Gwen Taylor - Camille

• Layne Taylor - Ensemble

• Bethany Vanderburg - Grace

• Maggie VonAchen - Ensemble

• Ella Wardell - Ensemble

• Ana White - Ensemble

• Annabelle White - Ensemble

• Lexi White - Lucille

Wildcat wrestler Sam Maxson receives the Character & Leadership All-America Award from his coach, Deryl Clark, at this weeks TISD school board meeting. Also in the photo are Linell Davis, Shannon Gowan, Dr. Bobby Ott, Ronnie Gaines, Shannon Myers and Virginia Suarez. Courtesy photo

Temple HS wrestler recognized for outstanding leadership, character

Temple High School student Sam Maxson has been named a 2021-22 winner of the Character and Leadership All-America Award by the National Wrestling Coaches Association.

The Character and Leadership All-America Awards, presented jointly by the NWCA and United States Marine Corps, recognize students for outstanding leadership and character on and off the mat.

The award honors student wrestlers for their academic excellence, fighting spirit, mental toughness and work ethic while serving as examples to their teammates and the student body. There are nine categories listed in the criteria for determining the award: dependability, judgement, endurance, initiative, tact, integrity, unselfishness, loyalty and courage. Maxson is one of just 50 wrestlers from Texas to receive the award this year.

“When you see a kid, you can tell the ones that are special, and Sam is special,” said Deryl Clark, head coach of the Temple High School wrestling team. “He was the first person to come to mind when it came time to nominate someone for this award. It was a no brainer for me, he is just a wonderful young man, and that’s really all I can say. He just stood out as someone deserving of this honor.”

Maxson recently completed his junior year at Temple High School. He advanced to the Regional Championships with the THS wrestling team this season. Maxson is also a member of the THS chapter of the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) and plans to work with the Wildflower literary magazine when it starts up in the fall.

“It was a real shock to find out that I was selected as an All-American,” Maxson said. “Coach called me into his office to tell me and I know no idea. But I am honored, and it shows that I can accomplish anything if I really put my mind to it.”

“Congratulations to each of these fantastic individuals who have earned recognition this season,” said Mike Moyer, NWCA Executive Director. “It is our honor, with the USMC, to recognize these outstanding young wrestlers who model the high-level traits of character, leadership, and scholarship.”

Thursday, July 14

• Texas Red’s Taproom Trivia at Fire Base Brewing. 7 p.m.

• Country Nights at El Puerto de Jalisco. Live music and great food and drinks. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Trivia Night at Fire Street Pizza in Belton. There will be 6 rounds of themed trivia to test your knowledge of all things trivia! Other categories will include Movies, Sports, music, and more! Play from your phone! FREE to play! Join anytime. Winners walk away with FSP swag, free pizzas and bragging rights! 6 p.m.

• Karaoke at Bo’s Barn. 8:30 p.m.

• Country & Western Dance at Sammons Community Center. 6-9 p.m. Take a whirl around the dance floor! Come scoot your boots and tap your feet to the lively music of local country and western bands on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. Coffee and punch provided. Bring a finger food or dish to share during intermission. Singles and couples are all welcomed. 18+ 2nd and 4th Thursday

• Summer Fun for Early Learners at Bell County Museum. 10 a.m. to noon. Kids 6 years and younger are invited to the museum with their families to explore the engaging interactive exhibits and participate in fun activities and crafts. Each day will have a special theme of activities: Today is Agriculture & Farming. The events are come and go and completely FREE!

Friday, July 15

• Summer Fun for Early Learners at Bell County Museum. 10 a.m. to noon. Kids 6 years and younger are invited to the museum with their families to explore the engaging interactive exhibits and participate in fun activities and crafts. Each day will have a special theme of activities: Today is Coding. The events are come and go and completely FREE!

• 4 hour Temple Brew Trail Tour with Tour Temple. 6-10 p.m.

• Sweatin’ With The Oldies at Sammons Community Center. 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Join Kathy Patterson as she leads these extremely popular exercise sessions designed especially for those with mobility issues or who have difficulty standing while exercising. Slow stretches and comfortable balance exercises, while seated or in contact with a chair, will help tone and strengthen muscles to increase mobility and flexibility. Gradual use of hand weights and stretch bands is also incorporated. Easily adaptable for those with physical limitations. Two convenient session times to choose from. For more information, call 254.298.5403.

• Summer Sounds Free Concert Series at the Sam Farrow Amphitheater at Lions Park. The Selfless Lovers. 7:30 p.m.

• Noaa Rienecke live at Barrow Brewing Co. 8 p.m.

• Jon Pardi concert at Bell County Expo Center. Sold out

• Karaoke at Corky’s. 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 16

• Amanda Brown live at Barrow Brewing Co. 8 p.m.

• Cars for a Cause. A car show and fundraiser for Robb Elementary Memorial Fund in Uvalde. Live music, Food trucks, auctions. 23330 SE HK Dodgen Loop in Temple, the future home of Pustka Family BBQ. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $20 entry per car.

• 4 Hour Wine Trail Tour with Tour Temple. 3-7 p.m.

• Cancer benefit for Ashley Autrey-Easley. Noon. Event at VFW Post 4008 (by the expo). BBQ Plates, 50/50 Raffle & Live Auction. Help raise money that will all go toward Ashley’s medical bills and expenses. Ashley was very recently diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. She is in need of treatment and tests that her insurance will not cover. Any and all support would be appreciated.

• Kiddo Cards at FoxDog.  Temple Police will be registering kids for Kiddo Cards. The cards are beneficial to both families and officers in the event a child is lost. The card contains a current photo of the child, name, address, date of birth, eye color, hair color, height, weight, thumbprint and the child’s emergency contact information. Parents or guardians must be present the day of the event to fill out the child’s information and receive the ID. This is also an opportunity for parents to update their child’s current ID card. Please visit templetx.gov/pdevents for more information and FAQ.

Sunday, July 17

• Martian Folk live at Fire Street Pizza in Belton. Noon.

• Grease sing a long at The Beltonian. 5 p.m.

• Summer Lecture Series at 2 p.m. at Barrow Brewing Co. Live music by Walt Wilkins from 5-7 p.m.

Monday, July 18

• $1 Summer movies at The Beltonian Theatre. July 18-22. 10 a.m., 1, p.m. 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday. The Lego Batman Movie

• Trash to Treasure Totes, Sammons Community Center. 1 p.m. Go green and create a unique tote bag from plastic bags! Becca Bash will be teaching this fun and creative way to recycle and reuse those endless plastic grocery bags that get stashed away to create a beautiful, one-of-a-kind bag that could have a variety of uses. Watch that bag evolve into your own creation. Knowledge of basic crochet stitch is encouraged. A size K crochet hook is recommended. For more information, call 254.298.5403.

What famous Temple doctor not only made house calls, but made house calls to check on sick dogs and cats?

The answer? Dr. Raliegh R. White, one of the founders of Scott & White Hospital. For decades, Temple didn’t have a small-animal veterinarian, so Dr. White — an animal lover — would respond to calls from his human patients about their sick pets.

On this day in 1938, Howard Hughes and a four-man crew landed their specially equipped Lockheed 14 in New York City, having circled the globe in three days, nineteen hours, and seventeen minutes. Along the way, they cut in half Charles Lindbergh's record for crossing the Atlantic. Hughes, born in Houston in 1905, inherited a fortune when he was orphaned at the age of eighteen. He moved to Hollywood in the 1920s to produce, and then direct, movies such as Hell's Angels(1930) and Scarface (1932). An aviation enthusiast since boyhood, he formed the Hughes Aircraft Company in the 1930s as a division of Hughes Tool Company and set two speed records as a pilot. In the 1940s, he landed several contracts to produce military aircraft, but with mixed results, as in the case of the famous HK-1 flying boat (the "Spruce Goose"). He remained active in the film and aeronautics industries in the 1950s and 1960s, but by 1970 he had become increasingly reclusive and conducted most of his business through memos. He died in 1976 on a plane from Acapulco, Mexico to Houston.

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