Temple Public Library Director Natalie McAdams, left, and Outreach Coordinator Cassi Coates place books and movies on a cart in preparation of deliveries to homebound residents. The library started a homebound delivery service in May. David Stone photo

DAVID STONE | June 28, 2022

Are health issues keeping you from reading a good book or watching classic movies? Good news: Temple Public Library now delivers books and movies to local residents who are housebound.

“We just started in May, but we already have about seven customers,” said Cassi Coates, outreach coordinator at Temple Public Library. “We expect that number to grow as word gets out.”

Coates’ outreach team delivers items to the customer’s front door, and if the person is bedridden, deliveries can be arranged for a time when a caretaker is present.

“We don’t enter the home,” Coates said. “But we will bring up to 10 movies and books to your front door.”

According to Temple Public Library director Natalie McAdams, delivery days vary depending on where a person lives. A person is eligible to receive a delivery once a month.

“There are four City Council districts in Temple, and delivery is based on which district you live in,” McAdams said. “If you are in District 1, we will deliver on the first Friday of the month. If you are in District 2, it would be the second Friday.”

Districts 3 and 4 are served on the third and fourth Fridays of each month.

“While we are making a delivery, we can pick up any book or movie that may be due,” Coates said.

“Also, if there are children living in the home, we can bring them an appropriate book or movie as well,” she said. “They can select the books or movies online or we can pick for them. Just tell us what you like.”

Customers must have a library card to check out books and movies or have them delivered. Applications for cards also can be done online.

“We hope to expand our delivery service in the future,” McAdams said. “We would like to have our Outreach staff become notaries so we can provide notary services to homebound residents as well.”

To apply for homebound service or a library card, or to select movies and books for delivery, visit https://www.templelibrary.us/families/homebound.php or call TPL Outreach at (254) 298-5295.

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REMINDER TO FILMMAKERS: Temple Public Library is partnering with NASA and the Houston Cinema Arts Society in the 2022 CineSpace International Short Film Competition. Filmmakers have until noon July 15 to submit their work.

Films can be of any genre and on any topic, but they must not be more than 10 minutes long and at least 10 percent of the film must use NASA archival footage.

Finalists will be announced at the Houston Cinema Arts Festival in October and the winner will be named in November.

Winning films will be shown at film festivals, schools, libraries, museums, on NASA TV and even aboard the International Space Station.

Temple Public Library hosts a film screening of CineSpace finalists every spring.

For additional information, visit https://www.nasa.gov/offices/COECI/index.html.

Central Texas State Fair lineup released

A star-studded lineup has been announced for this year’s Central Texas State Fair, set for Sept. 1-4 at the Bell County Expo Center. The Eli Young Band will take the stage Thursday, Sept. 1, followed by Kevin Fowler on Friday, Sept. 2, Flatland Cavalry on Saturday, Sept. 3, and Charley Crockett on Sunday, Sept. 4. Tickets for all four shows go on sale at 10 a.m. July 8. Also on Sept.2 is the always popular Twisted Metal Mayhem demolition derby.

TSO announces 2022-23 season

The Temple Symphony Orchestra has released the lineup for the 2022-23 season, the first ever without founding conductor Thomas Fairlie.

The new season, “Passing the Baton,” will feature four conductors in the running to replace Fairlie.

Here’s the lineup as of today — details will be announced in the near future;

Sept. 17, 2022 — TSO program featuring guest conductor David Itkin. The performance will include Gabriel Faure’s Pavane, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No 25, and Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4. Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center at Temple College.

Oct. 8, 2022 — Van Cliburn Recital at the Cultural Activities Center featuring pianist Fei Fei Dong.

Nov. 12, 2022 — TSO program featuring guest conductor Benjamin Loeb. The performance will include Beethoven’s Lenore Overture No. 3, Dvorak’s American Suite, and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 d minor. Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center at TC.

Dec. 10, 2022 — TSO Holiday Concert. Conductor, program and location to be announced.

Jan. 28, 2023 — TSO program featuring guest conductor Beau Benson. The performance will include Kati Agocs’ Shenanigan, Igor Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite, and Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center at TC.

April 29, 2023 — TSO program featuring guest conductor Lois Ferrari. The performance will include Giacomo Puccini’s Preludio Sinfonico, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, and Arturo Marquez’s Danzon No. 2. Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center at TC.

Latino baseball exhibit opens July 9

“Pleibol! In the Barrios and the Big Leagues” will be on exhibit at Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum from July 9 until Oct. 8. For nearly a century, baseball has been a crucial social and cultural force in Latino communities across the United States. And, for just as long, Latino and Latina players have had a huge impact on the game. To celebrate this history, the Smithsonian Institution illustrates in "¡Pleibol!" how generations of Latinos/as have helped make the game what it is today. From youth and community teams to the Major League, the exhibition reveals how baseball brings people together regardless of race, class, or gender. These inspirational baseball stories reflect larger themes in American history that connect us all, on and off the diamond.

Current CAC art exhibits on display through July

The Carabasi Gallery at CAC features watercolors and acrylics of neon signs around the country by Lisa Tennant and pottery by Bronwyn Taff and Ester Crawford. David Stone photo

A group exhibit of paintings and pottery from Waco-based Professional Artists of Central Texas is featured in the Howard Gallery. The pieces include oils and acrylics, from stunning realism to abstracts. This large exhibit features dozens of works. David Stone photo

Western and Native American art by Matt Tindell highlights wildlife, landscapes and portraits, and it is on exhibit in the Saulsbury Gallery. David Stone photo

Paintings by Rachelle Johnson are on display in the CAC’s McCreary Gallery. The works depict a range of mental health and emotions through color and graphics. David Stone photo

Electricity in Bell County exhibit opens July 1

Electricity changed the lives of urban and rural communities in Bell County in the late 19th and 20th centuries, and this Bell County Museum exhibit chronicles the story of electricity through photographs and first-hand accounts. The exhibit opens July 1 and runs through Jan. 7, 2023.

Tuesday’s best bets

• Tai Chi at Sammons Community Center. 3 p.m. This ancient Chinese exercise and martial art promote vitality, balance, strength, and longevity. Using special breathing techniques and slow, precise physical movements, Tai Chi can help curtail arthritis, respiratory disease, and high blood pressure. Regular practice of this “Moving Meditation” also provides health benefits of stress reduction, mental alertness, and increased energy. This on-going course is adaptable for all levels of mobility. Led by Christopher Dow, who has practiced this and related Chi Kung exercise forms for 42 years. For more information, call 254.298.5403.

• Tuesday on the Trails. 8:30 a.m. Join Kathy Patterson “KP” each Tuesday as she leads you on a different trail with a different challenge! One winner per week. Walking not only promotes physical activity and prevents stiffness, but it also stimulates your brain and aids in weight management. See you on the trails! Call 254.298.5403 or stop by for a trail schedule.

Wednesday, June 29

• Airport Food Truck Day at Draughon–Miller Central Texas Regional Airport. This month’s food truck is Lula Mae’s Cajun Cuisine and they will be serving up lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Every month through October, a local food truck will be featured. 

• 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.

• Open Mic Night at Fire Base Brewing featuring Maxx Carter.

• Comedy Open Mic Night at Corky’s. Sign up at 7:30, show at 8.