FRIDAY OCTOBER 8, 2021

A SMALL MARKET ON A SMALL FARM

The Small Farm is located at 5242 Cedar Ridge Park Road near Belton Lake. The farm produces body-care items made on the farm from goat’s milk and bee products.

8-acre farm abuzz with activity

By DAVID STONE, Our Town exclusive

The eight-acre Small family farm is truly tiny by Texas standards. But with 15 goats, three dozen chickens, a swarm of bees and a few horses, big things are happening on the road to Cedar Ridge Park.

“Dairy goats are my passion,” said June Small, who moved to Temple with her husband and children about five years ago. “I started making soaps and lotions with goat milk when we lived in Colorado. About two-and-a-half years ago, I decided to make it a business.”

The Smalls are originally from Houston but spent 15 years in Colorado before returning to the Lone Star state.

“It took three trips for us to get settled here,” June said. “We moved the horses the first trip, then went back for the goats and a tractor. Finally, we moved the bees and our stuff from the house.”

June continues to create products from goat milk, and she sells soaps, lotions, beeswax lip balms, gift sets and more at her little farm store.

“It’s the Small Market at the Small Farm,” she jokes. “I started out making a good all-natural goat milk soap. I’ve added goat milk lotions, and they are my best seller.”

Almost all of June’s products are made with goat’s milk, bee products or a combination of the two.

“Right now we have about 15 goats, but the number varies,” she said. “We’ve had up to 25 and that’s a lot. It’s a small property and the horses need lots of space.”

As the name implies, the Small Market is indeed small.

“It’s a small cottage that we finished inside,” she said. “It’s about 320 square feet, but we’ve packed a lot in there.”

In addition to body-care products, the Smalls produce and sell granola, pretzels and snack items made out of their honey. They also sell eggs.

While June’s products are big sellers, the Small Market also sells items made by other Central Texas small businesses.

While she has been making body-care products and other items for a while, the store just opened in July. Prior to having her own retail space, June sold online and at other small-business establishments such as 3 Texans Winery and Gooch Family Farm.

Despite being relatively new, the Small Market is quickly growing a following.

“We are getting a lot of traffic, especially on the weekends with people going to the lake,” June said. “We are getting the word out and people are just stopping by.”

June Small cuddles with a baby goat at her family’s farm near Belton Lake.

In addition to goat’s milk and bee-product merchandise, June Small sells apparel, kitchen items and merchandise from other Central Texas small businesses.

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SLEEP NUMBER STORE COMING SOON

The former Mama Fu’s location in The District shopping center across South 31st Street from Baylor Scott & White Medical Center is being transformed into a Sleep Number store. Work has already started on the new business but an exact opening date has not been announced. Photo by David Stone/Our Town

HISTORICAL MARKER PRESENTATION

The Temple Historical Preservation Board will present a historical marker to FoxDog, a new coffee house and beer garden that will open soon at 209 N. 7th Street. The house is nearly 100 years old. The presentation ceremony will be at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 12. Photo by David Stone/Our Town

Big party tonight on 2nd Street

Get ready for Oktoberfest II.

Threatening weather forced the cancelation of some Oktoberfest events originally planned for last weekend in downtown Temple, and those postponed activities will be held tonight.

The biggest event for the second weekend of Oktoberfest is the 2nd Street Block Party from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. The street will be closed to through traffic between Central and Avenue A in front of The Hub, Corky’s Wine Bar and Second Street Emporium.

Two bands — Jerry Haisler & The Melody 5 and Funky Old Patina — will be playing in front of The Hub from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jerry and his band have been playing Central Texas for decades and are always a fan favorite. Funky Old Patina is a trio that performs pop, jazz, rock, blues and R&B standards.

Also, there will be two food trucks in the immediate area: The German Food Truck and Our Daily Taco. A wine and beer booth also will be set up.

In addition, there will be a fall-themed photo booth and proceeds will benefit the Temple Children’s Museum. Marilyn Ritchie will be demonstrating pottery skills, and games, crafts and shopping will be available.

Corkys Wine Bar will be serving a special Oktoberfest beer brewed by Southern Roots Brewing Company in Waco. Pretzels and scooter rides will be available.

There will be plenty of other activities going on downtown as well. The Artist 2 Artist Showcase will feature Sugar Skull art, and live bands will be  playing at Fire Base Brewing Company and O’Briens Irish Pub.

BURGERS WITH A BADGE

The Temple Police Department is hosting a second Burgers with the Badge event this month. The event will be held on Oct. 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wilson Park Recreation Center. Residents will have the opportunity to get to know local officers and neighbors while enjoying a delicious meal. City of Temple photo

FIRE SAFETY DAY IN TEMPLE

Temple Fire & Rescue has rescheduled its annual Fire Safety Day event at Central Fire Station, located at 210 N. 3rd St., to Saturday, Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants can expect demonstrations, station tours, activities and presentations with important information about how to ensure fire safety at home. Guests are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes and enter the costume contest. Lunch will be provided, and Temple Fire & Rescue will be handing out candy. No registration is required for the event. City of Temple photo

HAUNTED HAYRIDE AT BEND OF THE RIVER

Climb aboard the Haunted Hayride to enjoy a spooky, narrated tour through Reuben D. Talasek Bend of the River park. The grounds will be inhabited by creepy characters and spooky scenes on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 6-10 p.m. Get your tickets online at templeparks.com starting Oct. 11. Call (254) 298-5690 for more information. City of Temple photo

FRIGHT FEST AT SANTA FE PLAZA

Celebrate Halloween at Fright Fest “Creep Thru” on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 6-8 p.m. at Santa Fe Plaza. Guests can also enter the costume contest and watch an amazing fire dance show. This event is free to the public and does not require registration. Visit templeparks.com or call (254) 298-5690 for details. City of Temple photo

Household hazardous waste collection day

The city of Temple Solid Waste Division is hosting its annual Household Hazardous Waste event on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 3210 E. Ave. H. 

This is a contactless, drive-thru event where residents can properly and safely dispose of household waste not commonly accepted in curbside garbage and recycling.

Common items include old paints, flammables, pesticides, oil filters and old technology items. Tires are also accepted at this event. Visit templetx.gov/hhw for more details.

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Belton Lake

GOOD. Water lightly stained; 83 degrees; 1.01 feet low. The topwater bite is good early morning and as the sun is setting. Black bass are good on blue flecked Texas-rigged plastic worms, chartreuse swim jigs, and bladed spinners. White Bass are good on the main lake points, flats, and humps using white/chartreuse jigging spoons and slabs. Hybrid stripers are fair with live bait and pearl swimbaits in the main lake along the channel edges where bait is present. Crappie are fair on minnows in brush piles and timber in water depths 14-25 feet. Catfish are good on chicken liver, live, and cut bait.

Stillhouse Hollow

GOOD. Water lightly stained; 85 degrees; 0.57 feet low. Black bass are good on drop shots, shad-like crankbaits, and spinners working vegetation, grass lines, and hydrilla beds early in the day. Move to deeper water and timber with football jigs, diving crankbaits, and Texas-rigged plastic worms. Smallmouth bass are good with plastic grubs, small spoons, and rooster tails near rocky shorelines, rock ledges, and drop-offs. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs in brush piles and timber. White bass are good on slabs and live bait off main lake points, humps and drop-offs. Channel catfish are good with nightcrawlers and punch bait. Blue catfish are good with fresh-cut bait and live bait.

WHAT’S HAPPENING CENTRAL TEXAS?

Ethan Smith & The Dirt Revolution will perform at O’Briens Irish Pub tonight at 9 p.m. The pub is located on Central Avenue.

October 8-10 - The ghostly comedy "Blithe Spirit", Temple High School, Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. More information at: http://www.ThespiansR.Us

October 8, Friday - Oktoberfest II in downtown Temple. Outdoor events on Main and 2nd Streets.

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

October 8, Friday - Branded Heart live at Bo’s Barn. 8 p.m.

October 9, Saturday - Pre-Historic Fundraiser, Tiny Hooves Rescue & Petting Zoo. Seaton Star Hall. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

October 9, Saturday - Dark Explorers Paranormal Team will host a public investigation at The Book Cellar. No open-toe shoes. Bring Your Own Flashlight. 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

October 9, Saturday - Fall Festival Farmer’s Market. Walker Honey Farm. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

October 9, Saturday - John Christopher Way and his crowd-pleasing music live at Bo’s Barn. 9 p.m.

October 9, Saturday - Fall Craft Extravaganza. Make leaf lanterns, fall wreaths, shrinky dinks, more. Temple Public Library, 2 p.m.

October 9, Saturday - Downtown Temple Farmer’s Market. 2 North Main. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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

October 9, Saturday - Oktoberfest 2021, Barrow Brewing Company, Salado, noon to 10:30 p.m.

October 10-11 - Auditions for Disney’s Aladdin Jr. at Temple Civic Theatre. Ages 7-12 audition at 6 p.m.; ages 13-18 audition at 7 p.m. Auditioners may come either day. Call backs will be Oct. 12

October 11-17 - Hocus Pocus, The Beltonian Theatre, Belton. Noon.

October 12, Tuesday - Czech Film Night at The Beltonian. Free admission. 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

October 15, Friday - Dancing music with Hyway Traveler at Bo’s Barn. 8  p.m.

October 16, Saturday - Van Cliburn Recital featuring Yekwon Sunwoo. Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center, Belton. 7:30 p.m.

October 16, Saturday - West Temple Oktoberfest. 3 West Alehouse & Grill. 11 a.m.

October 16, Saturday - 35 South burns up the dance floor at Bo’s Barn. 9 p.m.

October 16, Saturday - St. Luke Fest 2021, raffle, petting zoo, live music, carnival games, food vendors, silent auction, bingo and more. St. Luke’s Catholic Church. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

October 16, Saturday - Oktoberfest 2021, Barrow Brewing Company, Salado, noon to 10:30 p.m.

October 16, Saturday - Trunk-or-Treat at RE/MAX Temple-Belton at the intersection of South 31st and Canyon Creek. The event will be in the parking lot behind the building. Ghoulish games, terrifying treats and bone-chilling candy. 3-6 p.m.

October 16, Saturday - Cookie Decorating. Blackmon Community Center. 10 a.m.

October 16, Saturday - Michael Salgado at Schoepf’s BBQ in Belton, 6 p.m.

October 18-23 - The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Beltonian, Belton. 6-8 p.m.

October 19, Tuesday - UMHB Opera/Musical Theatre Scenes. A College of Visual & Performing Arts presentation. Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center, Baugh Performance Hall. 7:30 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 22-24 - “Leading Ladies” at Temple Civic Theatre. Ticket link: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?actions=4&p=1

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 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

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.