FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 2021: THE WEEKEND EDITION

“I was a nurse at Baylor Scott & White … I had a wonderful health-care career, but I decided maybe I wanted something different for the next 30 years of my life.”

The 3 Texans Winery and Vineyard just west of Temple started in 2009 after a local nurse decided to pursue a wine hobby and go into farming.

3 Texans are growing a wine dream

By DAVID STONE, Our Town Temple exclusive

It’s harvest time at 3 Texans Winery, and despite a year that saw the deepest winter freeze in memory, Kim Langston is expecting a quality crop.

“I think we’re going to be pretty lucky,” Kim said earlier today. “The freeze delayed the harvest a couple weeks and may have lowered the volume of grapes, but it looks like the quality is there.”

This year’s harvest will likely be much smaller than last year when 15 tons of “beautiful grapes” were harvested, but 3 Texans continues to grow.

“We’re going strong and expanding,” she said. “There’s a lot going on here. We’re learning as we grow.”

Kim hasn’t always been a farmer. She got into the wine business about 12 years ago.

“I was a nurse at Baylor Scott & White — the last 10 years or so in administration,” she said. “I had a wonderful health-care career, but I decided maybe I wanted something different for the next 30 years of my life.”

As a wine lover, Kim had visited small vineyards and wineries throughout the state. She decided her hobby might make a good career.

“I started taking wine classes online and started going to some field classes,” she said. “In 2009 I bought 35 acres west of Temple and planted 4,000 vines.”

Definitely a great career move — the winery has bloomed and boomed under Kim’s guidance.

The family winery — 3 Texans is Kim and her daughters, Lauryn Austin and Lacie Howell — has grown as a family and as a business. The addition of Lauryn’s husband Jeremy — the fourth Texan — has allowed Kim to concentrate on different aspects of the business. 

“Jeremy is our vineyard manager and he works full time,” Kim said. “This allows us more time inside the winery and planning for the future.”

The winery consists of a tasting room, a small retail store where 3 Texan and other local wines can be purchased and indoor and outdoor seating areas.

Although the grapes for 3 Texans are grown at the vineyard, the wine is actually produced at a facility in Salado.

“Small wineries often share equipment,” she said. “You basically use it once a year, then it sits until the next. Soon, though, we hope to have a full production center on site. Perhaps as early as 2023. Maybe sooner.”

According to Kim, the winery will start expanding almost immediately.

“We plan on expanding our tasting room and break ground on additional covered patio areas this December,” she said. “We’re also working on creating a larger wedding venue on the property. Right now, we can accommodate 50 to 100 people at weddings and parties. Our goal is a venue that can comfortably serve up to 300 guests.”

The majority of the winery’s guests want to sit outside in a shaded area. Kim hopes additional seating areas are available by spring.

In addition to expanding seating and party space, 3 Texans also plans to expand available food options.

“We serve a delicious charcuterie tray, salsas and chips and desserts — usually a cheesecake,” Kim said. “Proctor Victory Gardens out of Belton makes our salsas and they are delicious.”

Currently, 3 Texans wines are available in the tasting room, but plans may eventually include local beers as well. 

“We are big believers in serving local products,” she said. “We want to have something for everyone, even if we don’t make it ourselves. Right now, we have a wine permit. A beer permit may be in our future so we can sell local beers, too.”

Back in 2009, the trio of Texans planted 4,000 grapevines to produce three varieties of grapes — Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo. Although the vines produced grapes the first year, the plants had to mature before a fine wine could be created.

“You have to wait four or five seasons to get grapes with a solid root system,” Kim said. “Mature plants are essential for a quality wine. We harvested our first grapes in 2012 and made wine for a couple years that wasn’t the best. It came together in 2014.”

Another 1,000 vines were planted in 2015, and last year 1,000 white-wine grapes were introduced. The February freeze claimed part of the young plants.

Kim Langston stomps grapes at 3 Texans Winery near Temple.

The 3 Texans Winery and Vineyard is located at 7536 FM Road 2409, about about a mile west of Texas 317.

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Free back-to-school supplies, services

Our Town Temple

A New Day Fellowship Church in Temple will provide a helping hand Saturday to families with children heading back to school.

“We are giving out 500 free backpacks filled with school supplies,” said event organizer Kayla Beamon. “Plus, there will be a lot more going on to help get kids ready for the school year.”

The event will begin at 11 a.m. and continue to about 3 p.m., Beamon said. A New Day is located at 510 E. Ave. J in Temple.

In addition to school supplies, there will be free school physicals, vision screenings, clothes, shoes and haircuts.

“We will also have free snow-cones, food, games and tons of giveaways,” Beamon said. “It’s going to be tons of fun!”

More than 95 percent of those responding to an Our Town Temple poll said they have no interest in eating insects.

Cricket production for food is a real thing, and Aspire Food Group in southeast Austin is an industry leader. The company hopes to soon produce 100 million crickets a year for food consumption. 

‘Eat your crickets or no dessert’

Our Town Temple & Texas AgriLife reports

Texas A&M scientists are using a federal grant to explore insect farming for food and feed in response to shrinking food supplies and a growing world population. 

But is the world — and Temple — ready to incorporate bugs into an everyday diet? Those responding to an Our Town Temple poll overwhelmingly say no.

A $2.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation has established the Center for Environmental Sustainability Through Insect Farming, and Texas A&M has been assigned as the lead site for the center.

The United Nations estimates traditional agriculture will fall about 40 percent short of the world’s food supply by 2050. Insect farming has been identified as a practical, economical, environmentally sound and sustainable method for producing protein.

Jeff Tomberlin of Texas A&M’s Department of Entomology said the center’s research will explore new avenues to produce food for human consumption, for livestock and poultry, and for pets.

“The difficult truth is we are maxing out our planet’s resources and agricultural production is facing serious threats,” he said. “Insect farming has potential.”

Tomberlin said insect farming represents a burgeoning link in the global food supply chain and the potential to strengthen and complement traditional protein production in an efficient and environmentally friendly way.

Sounds great, but the question remains: Will people eat bugs? 

Probably if that’s their only choice. But, in today’s world, many are saying, “No way.”

“No thank you,” said Robyn Skrhak of Rogers. “I’m not interested.”

Skrhak is far from alone. More than 95 percent of those responding to the Our Town Temple poll said they have no interest in eating insects. One person was unsure and the rest said they would be open to trying bugs.

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What’s happening, Temple?

August 20, Friday - Karaoke Night at Corky’s. 8 p.m. 

August 20, Friday - Family Night at Summer Fun Water Park. 7 p.m.

August 20, Friday - Coffee with a Cop, Bella Blue Cafe, 7-10 a.m.

August 20, Friday - Clint Walker Blues Band, O’Briens Irish Pub. 9 p.m.

August 20, Friday - Bell County Kennel Club, Bell County Expo

August 21, Saturday - Lone Star Gun Show, Bell County Expo Assembly Hall, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

August 21, Saturday - Bell County Kennel Club, Bell County Expo.

August 21, Saturday - PetVet at Tractor Supply Co., Community clinics provide affordable, convenient walk-in veterinary services. 9:30 a.m.

August 21, Saturday - Bob Schneider, Texas Music Series,Cultural Activities Center. 7:30 p.m.

August 21, Saturday - Ethan Smith & Dirt Road Rebellion, O’Briens Irish Pub, 9 p.m.

August 21, Saturday - Temple Park & Recreation’s Touch a Truck. Climb on a fire truck or big rig at Reuben D. Talasek Bend of the River. 9 a.m.

August 22, Sunday - Lone Star Gun Show, Bell County Expo Assembly Hall, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

August 25, Wednesday - Open Mic Comedy, Corkey’s, 8 p.m.

August 27, Friday - 13th Chamber Golf Classic Powered by Amos Electric. Wildflower Country Club. 11:30 registration and lunch, 1 p.m. shotgun start.

August 27, Friday - Craig Howell with Somewhere in Texas. Bo’s Barn Dance Hall. 8 p.m.

August 27, Friday - Karaoke Night at Corky’s. 8 p.m.

August 27, Friday - Megan Brucker & Charles Edward Ott, O’Briens Irish Pub. 9 p.m.

August 28, Saturday - Totally Rad 80’s Prom Gone Bad, A murder mystery. The Venue by Inn on the Creek, Salado. 6:30 p.m.

August 28, Saturday - People’s Choice, Bo’s Barn Dance Hall. 9 p.m.

August 28, Saturday - Full STEAM Ahead! Learn about optical illusions and how to make them. Bell County Museum. 11 a.m.

September 2, Thursday - Central Texas State Fair, Bell County Expo Center. Wade Bowen. 5 p.m. to midnight.

September 3, Friday - Central Texas State Fair, Pat Green. Twisted Metal Mayhem Derby. Bell County Expo Center. 5 p.m. to midnight.

September 4, Saturday - Central Texas State Fair, Flatland Calvary, Professional Bull Riding. Bell County Expo Center. 5 p.m. to midnight.

September 5, Sunday - Central Texas State Fair, Aaron Watson, Professional Bull Riding. Bell County Expo Center. 5 p.m. to midnight.

September 11, Saturday - A Sami Show Arts & Crafts Market, Bell County Expo Center. 10 a.m.

September 11, Saturday - Weird Science. Explore different adaptations animals have made through presentations, fun games, and activities. Bell County Museum. 11 a.m.

September 11, Saturday - Pink Fishing’s Reeling in the Cure, 6th annual bass tournament. Proceeds benefit breast cancer patients and cancer research. Cedar Ridge Park. 6 a.m. Call (254) 681-0102 for details.

September 11, Saturday - 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb & Ceremony. Wildcat Stadium. 7-11 a.m.

September 11, Saturday - Rescue Magazine’s Pet Adoption Extravaganza. There will almost 400 Animals up for adoption and fun for the whole family. Bell County Expo Center. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

September 12, Sunday - A Sami Show Arts & Crafts Market, Bell County Expo Center. 10 a.m.

September 12, Sunday - Rescue Magazine’s Pet Adoption Extravaganza. There will almost 400 Animals up for adoption and fun for the whole family. Bell County Expo Center. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

September 15, Wednesday - Tiny Thinkers, Kids 5 years old and younger are invited to the museum to experience the State Fair! Bell County Museum. 10 a.m.

September 18, Saturday - Harvest Celebration. Bring your family and friends to enjoy grape stomping, food trucks, music, and wine. This is a ticketed event. 3 Texans Winery. 6 p.m.

September 25, Saturday - Fun at the Fair! Join us at the museum to for fun at the fair! View the newest exhibit and take part in fun activities - explore symmetry by decorating a popcorn bucket, build your own mini rollercoaster, race your family in duck races, and visit our petting zoo! Bell County Museum. 11 a.m.

September 25, Saturday - Dale Watson, Texas Music Series,Cultural Activities Center. 7:30 p.m.

September 30, Thursday - TLC’s Celebration of Crazy, Sexy Cool with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Bell County Expo Center. 7:30 p.m.

September 30, Thursday - Funniest Comic in Texas semi-finals. Corky’s. 

October 8, Friday - Painting with a Twist, 3 Texans Winery. 6:30 p.m.

October 9, Saturday - Shinyribs, Texas Music Series,Cultural Activities Center. 7:30 p.m.

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

Have an event you would like to promote? 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.