Senseless success
Ed Jervis started making bread while recovering from COVID-19. He had no sense of smell or taste, but his wife said the sourdough sure made the house smell nice!
MONDAY JANUARY 24, 2022
Zoё’s Wings is improving Temple lives and homes one house at a time.
Welome to Our Town TUNES, an ever-changing collection of music from Central Texas musicians who live in or are performing in the area.
Feb. 8 celebration to honor UMHB’s national football championship.
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Ed Jervis, owner of Ed’s Breds and a soldier at Fort Hood, makes a sale at a local market. Ed started making bread in 2020 while recovering from COVID. He said he was looking for something to do during quarantine and decided to try his hand at baking. Now business is booming and Temple is one of his regular stops.
By DAVID STONE, Our Town Temple
Ed Jervis started his baking business in the summer of 2020, but he had know idea how delicious his breads smelled and tasted for about seven months.
“I moved to Fort Hood in June 2020 after four years in Germany,” said Ed, an active duty soldier in the U.S. Army. “We have some family in the Round Rock area, and not long after we moved here my mother-in-law gifted us with a sourdough starter kit. Great gift, but we really didn’t think much about it and put it away.”
Soon, Ed was diagnosed with COVID-19, and during his quarantine period, he started looking for something to do.
“I got out the sourdough kit, and made my first loaf of bread,” he said. “I couldn’t smell it or taste it, but my wife, Kari, kept saying how nice it made the house smell.”
Based on Kari’s reaction, Ed ramped up production.
“I was bored, and bread-making was a lot of fun,” he said. “I realized: ‘OMG! I love this.’ I made a lot of bread.”
Once out of quarantine — and with a huge surplus of bread — Ed began hauling loaves to work and giving it away to fellow soldiers. They loved it and wanted more.
“When we were stationed in Germany, Kari and I fell in love with German-style breads,” he said. “We decided we could make that here in Texas, and since a lot of the people at Fort Hood have been in Germany at some point, it might be popular.”
Ed’s Breds was born.
“On Columbus Day weekend 2021, I decided I would set up a booth at a celebration in Florence,” he said. “The day before, I baked more than 50 loaves of bread. I finished about 2 a.m., got a little sleep, and headed to Florence. I sold out quickly.”
He set up shop at the Temple Small Business Coalition’s Farmers Markets in Temple, and sold out in just a couple hours. Ed’s Breds was a hit, and his products were in high demand.
“I’m making several European-style breads now,” Ed said of his bread. “In addition to German sourdough, I make a chocolate babka, a honey-and-olive oil based Jewish bread called challah, a Vienna sandwich bread, cinnamon buns, bagels and pretzels.”
Ed, a native of Philadelphia, bakes at his home and sells his products directly to customers. He also has a website — edsbreds.com — and a social media presence.
“If you would like to place an order, message me and I’ll get in touch,” he said. “Being in the Army, I don’t always know my schedule. Message me, and we’ll work out the details.”
Eds Breds will be in Temple on Feb. 4 for the grand opening of FoxDog, 209 N. 7th in Temple. Grand opening hours are 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
“I’m baking up a bunch of soft pretzels,” he said. “They will be given away while supplies last.”
In March, Ed’s Breds will be back at the Downtown Farmers Market.
“I plan on hitting the Temple Farmers Market every month,” he said. “It takes about 18 hours to get ready for a market event. Being in the Army, I’m kind of limited as to how many I can attend.”
That will change in about three years, he said.
“Once I retire, I’m going to do bread full time,” he said. “Kari and I are considering a move back to Germany or going up to Wisconsin and opening a bakery.”
Oh, and by the way, Ed’s senses of smell and taste finally returned.
“Once I got vaccinated, it started coming back,” he said. “Kari was right — the house does smell nice after we bake.”
By DAVID STONE, Our Town Temple
Zoё Grant knows folks need an occasional lift in life — especially those who are struggling to make ends meet. In 2019, she decided to provide needed help.
“I started Zoё’s Wings Foundation in 2019 to provide home repair services for economically disadvantaged people,” she said today. “We provide repairs for veterans, people with disabilities, the elderly, single parents and other low-income families.”
Since its founding, Zoё’s Wings has repaired 36 homes in Temple, and that includes slow periods during the pandemic. The group consists of a four-member board — Zoё is the executive director — four paid workers and volunteers.
“We can do a variety of home repairs,” she said. “Patching roofs, dry-wall repair, installing wheelchair ramps and grab bars, fixing leaky faucets — that sort of thing. If we can’t do it, we will find a licensed professional who can.”
“Some of the problems we need help fixing are leveling issues, roof replacements and big plumbing and electrical jobs,” she said. “Right now, it’s been hard finding people who will work. In the future, we want to get our staff workers licensed to do some of these jobs.”
Zoё partners with the city of Temple for financial help and for referrals of local residents in need of assistance, and the organization has worked closely with Nancy Glover, Temple’s director of Housing & Community Development.
“Nancy and the city have been wonderful,” Zoё said. “The city has provided grants and referrals to make our work possible. She is a great asset not only to Zoё’s Wings but to the city as well.”
Glover said Housing & Community Development relies on strong community partnerships with organizations such as Zoё’s Wings Foundation.
“We utilize these partnerships to bridge gaps that sometimes present themselves due to limitations with outside funding sources,” Glover said. “We look forward to continuing to work with Zoe’s Wings Foundation in the coming year to provide necessary home repairs for our clients.”
Zoё said Temple has provided Zoё’s Wings with more than $135,000 in grant money for various repair projects since 2019, and many other local clubs and organizations have contributed as well. Referrals come from the city, health organizations and from residents seeking assistance.
Zoё — a Colorado native who moved to Temple in 2016 — said the organization’s work doesn’t end when the last nail is hammered or last bolt is tight. That’s when the group goes into education mode.
“Yes, after we help with repairs, we try to educate the homeowner so we can prevent other problems before they occur,” she said. “We provide basic knowledge such as how to change air filters and protect pipes during cold weather.”
Zoё’ said her foundation revitalizes communities by providing money and support for repairs that keep homes safe for residents.
“It’s such a relief to see despair and helplessness turn into smiles,” she said. “We don’t just provide a service — we build friendships with those we serve.”
Those wanting to help the foundation with donations can do so at www.zoeswings.org or by mail to Zoe’s Wings Foundation Inc., 510 E. Ave. J, Temple TX, 76501
OUR TOWN TUNES
By DAVID STONE, Our Town Temple
Welome to Our Town TUNES, an ever-changing collection of music from Central Texas musicians or bands and solo acts that are playing in the area.
Before we get started with the jams, I want to invite all local musicians of any level to submit a video for consideration by emailing OurTownTemple@gmail.com. Nightclub bands, touring bands, school bands, individual acts or duets, ensembles, church choirs…it’s all welcome as long as it has a Central Texas connection.
Club and restaurant owners: Let me know who is coming to your business to perform and when, and I’ll make an effort to get them on the playlist.
For our first installment, I have selected three songs by artists who are coming to the area and two by bands who perform locally on a regular basis.
First up, Parker McCollum and “To be Loved by You.” Parker will perform at the Bell County Expo on Jan. 29.
Then, check out Kyle Mathis on this cover of Foreigner’s “Waiting for a Girl Like You.” Kyle will be at Tom Sefcik Hall in Seaton on Feb. 12.
Next is Landon Heights, who will be at Fire Street Pizza in Belton on March 4. Here’s the bands “Lead Me On.”
The biggest name on this list is The Vandoliers, a crazy punk/country cross that will have your toes tapping. Today, we present their “Troublemaker” video. The Vandoliers are coming to the Cultural Activities Center on Feb. 12.
The final spot on this week’s playlist goes to Martian Folk, a band most Temple-area residents are familiar with. They commonly play at nightspots and events across Central Texas. Here’s “Magic.”
OK, enough introductions….let’s listen:
Celebrating greatness!
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor will celebrate its 2021 NCAA Division III national football championship on Tuesday, Feb. 8, and the community is invited.
The celebration will begin at Crusader Stadium at 5:30 p.m. (gates open at 5) and once the program on the football field is complete, a meet-and-greet will be held inside Bawcom Student Union at about 6 p.m.
According to UMHB officials, there will be game-day food, commemorative posters, door prizes and opportunities for photos and autographs from Cru players and coaches.
POSTCARD FROM THE PAST
This postcard is from the Shady Trailer Park, located at 1708 W. Ave. H in Temple and owned by O.B. Klamm and his wife. The card is postmarked Dec. 3, 1948. The trailer park — “modern in every way” — boasted hot AND cold running water!
COVID-19 site operations extended
The COVID-19 testing and vaccination site operating date will be extended through Friday, Feb. 11, at Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport.
The is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. or until the site reaches capacity. The site is closed on weekends.
For more information, contact Temple Fire & Rescue Emergency Management Specialist Jennifer Henager at jhenager@templetx.gov.
the LINKS: NEWS FROM EVERYWHERE! Texas News, US & World News, Sports, Weather CLICK THE BUTTON!
Birdcreek Drive partial road closure begins; the projected reopening date is now March 25
Due to inclement weather and material delivery delays, the Birdcreek Drive partial road closure began today. A previous start date was postponed because of inclement weather and material delivery delays.
This is part of the ongoing Bird Creek sewerage project.
Detours will direct traffic around the closure. Local traffic access will be maintained in the area, including access to the cul-de-sacs at El Capitan Drive and Daniels Drive.
Residents with inquiries about the project should contact the City of Temple Engineering Department at (254) 298-5660.
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