THURSDAY OCTOBER 21, 2021

Cedar fever is a seasonal allergy caused by pollen releases from the Ashe juniper, Texas’ most common species of mountain cedar. It can cause intense, almost flu-like reactions.

Cedar pollen resembles smoke as it fogs away from the juniper tree during winter months, especially in early January. According to Dr. William Long, a Temple allergist, this is going to be particularly hard year for allergy sufferers.

Expect rough year for cedar fever

By DAVID STONE, Our Town Temple exclusive

Abundant spring rains around Temple and in the Central Texas Hill Country likely will mean a bumper crow of juniper pollen this winter, and that’s bad news for sufferers of cedar fever.

“It’s always bad in this area and some years are worse than others,” said Dr. William Long, an allergy specialist with clinics in Temple and Harker Heights. “But we’re looking at a banner year. We had so much rain in the spring, and that usually means heavy cedar pollination.”

Central Texas — including Temple, Belton, Troy and most of Bell County — is widely known as the Allergy Capital of the World, and cedar plays no small role in that distinction.

And with mountain cedar season fast approaching, it’s helpful to understand why many Central Texas start sneezing as soon as they open the front door.

Cedar fever is a seasonal allergy caused by pollen releases from the Ashe juniper, Texas’ most common species of mountain cedar. It can cause intense, almost flu-like reactions.

According to Dr. Long, Santa’s sleigh isn’t the only thing airborne come late December.

“Cedar trees usually start pollination right around Christmas,” he said. “It usually hits its peak around Jan. 7 and starts to decrease in late February. By March, most cedar is pretty much gone.”

According to Jonathan Motsinger of the Texas A&M Forest Service, cedar fever is the worst around and west of Interstate 35 where juniper trees are mixed with oaks and other species.

“Because all of those junipers are producing pollen at the same time, there’s going to be a high concentration of pollen in the air,” Motsinger said.

That concentrated pollen can send people — even those who normally aren’t susceptible to allergies — into a sneezing fit.

While most trees typically pollinate in the spring, cedar trees are triggered by cold temperatures and release pollen after a cold front and wind, Motsinger said. In fact, the way cedar trees release pollen makes it look like the trees are smoking or even on fire. 

“Following a cold front, the air dries out, we get some wind, and the pressure is different,” said Robert Edmonson, a biologist for the Texas A&M Forest Service. “Under those conditions, every single pollen cone on a juniper tree will open at one time.”

Dr. Long said the pollen can be spread for miles by the wind and can make people who live far from the trees quite miserable.

Cedar fever symptoms include a runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, nasal blockage, sneezing, fatigue, headaches, a sore throat, loss of smell and even a slight temperature increase, Dr. Long said.

Cedar fever shares several symptoms associated with COVID-19, but pollen allergies usually don’t cause body temperatures to exceed 101. Temperatures higher than that number may indicate a more serious condition.

“If your mucus is clear, then it’s likely an allergy,” Edmonson said. “But if it’s got color, it may be a cold or the flu.”

Experts say allergy medications and staying indoors are the best plans for keeping cedar fever in check. They also recommend bathing pets if they’ve been outside during peak pollen months, keeping windows and doors closed and changing air conditioning filters often.

If you are highly allergic and have been outside, it’s a good idea to shower and change clothes once you come back indoors.

Dr. Long said grass and ragweed pollens are still in the air and are causing problems for allergy sufferers.

“The spring rains cause a lot of pollen issues,” he said. “We had a hot summer but not a lot of triple digit temperatures. That kept grass from burning up and it continued to pollinate.”

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AROUND TOWN THS HOMECOMING PARADE

Temple ISD student showed their spirit and creativity during a Homecoming parade Wednesday at THS. Students from several district schools participated in the parade, which concluded with a community pep rally. The Wildcats host Shoemaker Friday in the Homecoming football game. Our Town Temple photo by David Stone.

SPUR CLASSIC IS OCT. 30 AT WILDFLOWER CC

Wildflower Country Club is becoming a pickleball hot spot in Central Texas. The popular Temple club offers clinics and lessons to beginners, and it will host the Belton Chamber of Commerce’s Fall Spur Class on Oct. 30.

Crunching the numbers: Pickleball interest continues to grow in area

By DAVID STONE, Our Town Temple exclusive

The Spur Classic Pickleball Tournament is kind of a big “dill.”

About 50 pickleball players from around Central Texas are expected to compete in the Oct. 30 tournament at Wildflower Country Club in Temple.

The tournament is part of the Belton Chamber of Commerce’s Spur Classic fall sports events, which also includes a golf tournament and a sporting clay shootout.

Registration for the pickleball tournament is at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 30 and matches start at 8 a.m.

“We will have men and women competing in adult and junior brackets,” said Jeff Contreras, Wildflowers tennis pro. “This is our second big public tournament and interest just keeps growing.”

Pickleball has become so popular at Wildflower that game days have been expanded from two days a week to five. A weekly clinic is held on Monday nights to teach the rules and polish players’ games.

“We had about 30 players in June,” Contreras said. “Now we regularly have more than 60.”

Three years ago, less than a handful of Wildflower members began playing the sport.

“At first it was my wife and I, and another couple,” Contreras said. “It’s really picked up. Earlier this summer we had our first public tournament and about 120 teams competed from all over the state.”

Contreras said tennis players were easy converts to pickleball, but Wildflower golfers have been a harder sell.

“The tennis players quickly came around to the new game and now many play both sports,” he said. “Now we’re getting some of our most dedicated golfers wandering into the pickleball area.”

In addition to running the club’s tennis operations, Contreras also puts on pickleball clinics and provides personal lessons.

“People love it — it’s different from anything they’ve done,” he said.

He said tennis and pickleball programs exploded in popularity during COVID. Both games give players the opportunity to have fun, keep fit, visit with friends and still maintain a social distance.

Contreras said pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America. It combines elements of tennis, ping-pong and badminton.

“The rules are simple and it’s easy to pick up,” he said. “But, it’s difficult to master. It can develop into a fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players.”

The game is played on a badminton-size court, and a whiffle ball is hit with paddles slightly larger than those used in ping-pong. There is a seven-foot no-volley zone on each side of the net — it’s called The Kitchen — to prevent players from spiking the ball. The first team to score 11 points wins as long as they are at least two points ahead.

While gaining popularity at a rapid pace, pickleball has been around for decades. It was invented in 1965 near Seattle, Washington, by three dads whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities. With a little thought, a new sport was born.

In addition to pickleball, the Fall Spur Classic includes a Nov. 1 golf tournament, also at Wildflower, and a sporting clay shootout Nov. 4 at Weber’s shooting range in Troy.

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POSTCARDS FROM THE PAST

The Ponderosa Inn, prominently located just south of Scott & White Hospital on South 31st Street, was a Temple fixture for years. It offered 100 rooms, many of which were suites, but it also attracted hundreds of permanent residents with its daily buffet, private club, barber and beauty shops and gift and floral store. In its latter years, the hotel was owned by Scott & White and provided lodging for families of patients.

PART FOUR OF A FIVE-PART SERIAL

Our Town Temple

Today we continue a tale about the Temple Doll House, told by former Temple educator Russ Wright.

THE STORY SO FAR

I think we were in the first grade when we first heard about the Temple Doll House from some older kids. Me, Ed and Jeff were fascinated by the bits and pieces we could glean from them.

One day I finally summoned the courage to ask about the Doll House. They all roared with laughter, teasing us that we were too scared to even look at the Doll House, much less go inside. That, of course, prompted us to deny that we were afraid of some old lady’s DOLLS!

Then they laid down the challenge.

”If you three kids are SOOOOOO brave, then bring back one of the dolls to prove that you were in it and we will pay you $100!” 

We accepted.  Not for the money so much as the bragging rights. Now we had to figure out how to do it without getting caught.

We knew that it was an abandoned house on 19th Street in Temple.  We also knew that if we broke into some home in the daytime, someone could see us and call the cops.  It was decided that we would do it on a Friday night when everyone was at the Wildcat game.

That evening I told Mom I was spending the night at Jeff’s. Jeff told his mom he was spending the night at Ed’s and Ed told his mom he was spending the night at my house. 

We were free, and we had our bikes and flashlights. We were ready!  Little did we know what was in store for us…

| | | | | | |

Off we rode into the twilight.  Traffic thinned out as game time drew near.  We came to 31st Street. Then 29th, 27th, 25th, 23rd, 21st, then 19th Street. 

We had never been to the Temple Doll House and were not sure exactly where it was.  We looked right and it looked like a normal street with lights at the intersections and cars parked in front of well lit homes. 

When we looked to the left, the street sloped down and what little streetlights there were faded to pitch black as the road dropped into total blackness.  Lawns were not mowed, and there were very few cars on the street or in the driveways. 

We knew which way we had to go. Silently we looked at each other, nodded, and nosed our bikes toward our waiting fate.

In the darkness we could faintly make out small signs of life in most of the houses, until we came to the bottom of the hill. There it was. 

The house was very old with fading, cracking paint and weeds as high as our shoulders in the front lawn. Most of the windows had been broken out and boarded up. We hid our bikes in the tall weeds and made our way to the front porch. 

Ed took the first step onto the porch and his foot crashed right through the rotting wood. Carefully, we made our way to the front door and tried the handle. It did not turn but it was cold as ice. We should have left right then and there. 

We decided to try the back door, so carefully we crept around the side of the house and into the overgrown backyard. Jeff found the back door. 

“It’s over here” he whispered loudly. 

We all gathered around the back door. I secretly hoped that the door would be locked and we would just go home and watch TV. Ed reached out and grabbed the handle. 

“It’s freezing, just like the front,” he muttered.  Then he tried the handle, it turned, and the back door slowly creaked open revealing a darkness unlike any of us had ever seen before. 

I felt a heaviness in my chest along with a trembling in my hands. 

Unspoken, we looked at each other, then at the open door in front of us and slowly entered, knowing that if we got into trouble, no one knew where we were and no one was going to come to help us.

 | | | | | | |

Slowly we entered the house. We could all feel it but no one wanted to mention it. It was very, very cold inside the house. 

I saw Ed rubbing his arms and Jeff slid his arms inside his shirt. It was September in Temple — it was not supposed to be this cold. 

“Someone left the AC on high,” Jeff offered as an explanation. 

We all knew he was trying to be brave. There was no electricity in this house.

As our eyes adjusted to the darkness, we could make out some familiar shapes:  sink, counters, cabinets…this was the kitchen.  There was a door in front of us that led to the front of the house and one at the side of the room leading to the back of the house. We all moved toward the door in front of us.

Jeff slowly pushed the door open and we entered the living room. There were a few broken boards on the windows, letting in just enough light to allow us to navigate the room. 

We kept walking toward the front door when behind me Ed started stuttering:  “Ggggguys?  Look over there.” 

Under the window, where there was more light, we could see her. She was sitting upright on the floor staring straight ahead. She was a very old, porcelain-faced doll dressed in a Victorian Dress.

Her clothes were tattered and dirty and her face was chipped. She was completely dressed with a hat and shoes, but the most compelling thing about the doll was her deep, dark, coal colored eyes. They looked oversized for her face and were open very, very wide. 

We stared at her a few moments, afraid to move when Jeff whispered: “She’s not alone.” 

Our eyes had adjusted to the darkness of the room and we could see that she had friends. Next to her on both sides and extending to the entire perimeter of the room were more of those dolls. Different in face and dress but all from the same period. 

I moved toward the window to select which one I was going to take when I noticed a small movement. I turned to look, thinking it was my friends, but they were on the other side of the room looking at the other dolls. 

I backed up a few steps and that’s when I noticed it: The dolls’ heads were slowly turning, following my movements. 

“Y’all see that?” I loudly whispered. 

“What?” Jeff responded. 

About that time I heard Ed say: “Man, there’s something going on with these dolls.” 

We instinctively gathered together. 

“Watch her eyes when I move,” I told my friends. 

Then they saw it too. The dolls were watching us with those evil dead-black eyes.

In one movement we all three ran for the door we just came through.  We hit it with a loud crash and continued running through the kitchen to the back door. 

I was the last one in the house so I KNEW I left the back door open just in case something like this happened.  It was closed. 

I grabbed the door handle but it would not turn either way.  There was no leaving the house through the back door.  The only way out was past those evil dolls. 

As we started toward the front of the house again, we heard it.

Off to the left, where the hallway and bedrooms were located, there was an unusual sound. It sounded like something being dragged across the floor but with a clanking sound. 

We froze. The sound was getting louder which meant it was getting closer.  Now we were really scared. There was someone or something in the house with us and we couldn’t get out. 

We watched in horror as that side door slowly opened. In the darkness, the only thing we could make out were two small dark-red blinking orbs.

Part 4 — ‘Give me back my arm’

We were frozen. None of us could move or speak.

Slowly the orbs faded then we saw a wrinkled, weathered old hand with long cracked fingernails poking through the partially open door. All of her fingers curled back except for her forefinger, which was straight out and pointing at us.

At this point we all disagree about what happened next. 

Ed and Jeff claim she actually spoke, but I had lost 50 percent of my hearing and I was sure that I could not have heard what she said. I rather felt it when, pointing directly at us she said in a slow, cracking voice: “Give me back my arm!” 

Once we heard that, we started running…back into the room with all the dolls. 

We heard dragging and clanking like a large chain being dragged along the wooden floor. She was following us. 

When she slowly came into the living room, things started happening really fast. 

The dolls started shaking in a frenzy.  Their eyes were still following us, but unbelievably their expressions had changed to one of rage and anger. 

Things were escalating fast so we ran through the side door and into the hallway. 

“This way” Jeff called. 

We went from door to door, but all were locked.  We heard her turn the corner to the hallway with that loud chain.  We also heard the sound of something scooting along the floor. We knew it was her dolls following her. 

Panic was just starting to set in when I turned the knob on the last door in the hallway. It turned!  We ran into the bedroom and slammed the door closed.  Since we could not lock it, we held the door shut just in case. 

We got very silent and listened. 

“Give me back my arm” the old lady wailed. “GIVE ME BACK MY ARM.”

The chains were moving faster…she knew where we were and she was coming after us. 

I am not proud of what happened next.  I panicked and ran toward the small bathroom door at the far end of the room. Once my feet hit the bathroom floor, I lost consciousness. The last thing I remembered before I passed out was a hot searing pain in my left calf.

COMING TOMORROW: Part 5 — A truth revealed

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WHAT’S HAPPENING, CENTRAL TEXAS?

Central Texas largest and most complete calendar of event:

October

October 21, Thursday - Charles Edward Ott makes his Corkys debut! This amazing musician is sure to blow your socks off. Tell your mom, your friends, your dogs and your neighbors to get to Corkys at 7 p.m.

October 21-23 - The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Beltonian, Belton. 6-8 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, Friday - Trunk or Treat at Smile Doctors, 2113 SW Dodgen Loop. 5-8 p.m.

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 - Haunted Hayride, Bend of the River, 6-10 p.m.

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 23, Saturday - October Blues Bash. The Clint Walker Blues Band is bringin' the blues back to Bold Republic Brewing! It is going to be a great night of live music, the best beer in Texas and delish food! 6-10 p.m.

October 24, Sunday - Fall Fest at First United Methodist Church in Temple. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

October 26, Tuesday - Military & First Responders Appreciation Day. Drive through hamburger box dinner for active duty military, veterans and first responders. Central Fire Station in Temple. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or until food is gone.

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

October 29, Friday - Uncasing of the Colors for the 607-member 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment of the 3rd Squadron, 36th Infantry Division, now headquartered at the Texas Army National Guard on Airport Road in Temple. Santa Fe Plaza, 10 a.m.

October 29, Friday - Michael Salgado at Schoepf’s in Belton. 6 p.m.

October 29, Friday - 1st Annual "Monster Mash Ballroom Bash" at Arthur Murray Temple. Join us for a few tricks, some yummy treats, and lots of dancing! Costumes are encouraged, and anyone is welcome — no dance experience needed, $15 per person. RSVP (254) 231-3444 7:45 p.m.

October 29, Friday - Calling all boys and ghouls! Don’t forget to stop by the Monster Mash at the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum. Learn a few new dance moves at the Monster Mash prom. Grab a treat or two and have a spooktacular time. 6-8 p.m.

October 29, Friday - Halloween Party at Firestreet Pizza. High octane rock & roll. 6 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - Spur Classic Pickleball Tournament at Wildflower Country Club. Registration at 7:30 a.m., matches start at 8.

October 30, Saturday - 24k Comedy Magic Show, Corkys Wine & Beer. 8 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - Trunk or Treat at Faith Baptist Church, 1102 S. 51st , Temple. 7 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - Lake Belton High School Trunk or Treat. Sponsored by Vista Community Church. 5-7 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - Halloween Party at O’Briens Irish Pub featuring Jay White & The Blues Commanders. 9 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - The city of Temple will host Fright Fest from 6-8 p.m. at Santa Fe Plaza (301 W Avenue A). Attendees will be able to trick-or-treat, enter a costume contest and enjoy a fire dance show. This event is free to the public and registration is not required.

October 30, Saturday - Downtown Belton Candy Trail. 4-6 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - Halloween Bar Crawl, Mo’s Rail Yard Saloon. 4-11:59 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - Barktoberfest, Dog costume contest at 5:30; adoptable dogs on site. Barrow Brewing Co., Salado. 1-7 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - Trunk or Treat at Express ER in Temple. 4 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - Bulls & BBQ, Live bull riding followed by concert with Jake Worthington and Keith Braxton. Schoepf’s BBQ, Belton, Noon.

October 30, Saturday - Tablerock’s Fright Trail. One-half mile walking trail presents thrill, chills and haunting skits. Salado. 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - BooCru at Crusader Stadium. UMHB in Belton. Wear your Halloween costume to the UMHB v. Belhaven game. Trick or Treat at 10 locations inside the stadium during the first half. Halftime parade of costumes on the football field. Noon.

October 30, Saturday - Trunk or Treat. VFW Post 1820, 3302 Airport Road in Temple. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in parking lot.

October 30, Saturday - Trunk or Treat at Keller Williams Advantage. 3 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - Trunk or Treat at Fellowship Baptist in Morgan’s Point. 6:30-9 p.m.

October 30, Saturday - Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat at Everest Rehabilitation Hospital of Temple. 10 a.m.

October 31, Sunday - Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat at Canyon Creek Baptist Church. 6-8:30 p.m.

October 31, Sunday - Edward Scissorhands, free movie at Cultural Activities Center. In this 1990 film, a scientist builds an animated human being but dies before he can finish the assembly, leaving the young man with a freakish appearance accentuated by the scissor blades he has instead of hands. The event will include a pre and post-movie discussion with Professor Dr. Joseph Taberlet. 2 p.m.

October 31, Sunday - Fall Festival at The Vine Church on 31st Street. Rain or shine. 6-8 p.m.

October 31, Sunday - Taylor’s Valley Harvest Party. Food, family fun, candy, costume contest, hay ride. Taylor’s Valley Baptist Church. 5 p.m.

November

November 2, Tuesday - Dia de los Muertos Celebration, Wilson Park Recreation Center. Celebrate Hispanic and Mexican culture and heritage on this one-day festival for Day of the Dead. 6 p.m.

November 4, Thursday - Spur Classic Sporting Clay Shoot, Weber Shooting Range. 8 a.m.

November 4, Thursday - Brown Bag Bingo, Sammons Community Center Bring a brown bag with a small, non-food Bingo prize inside. 5 p.m.

November 5, Friday - First Friday Block Party: Veterans Day. Fun, food, music and shopping downtown Temple. 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

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

November 6, Saturday - Holiday Craft Bazaar at Gober Party House. Handmade and original items. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

November 7, Sunday - Temple Symphony Piano Trio featuring Suzanne Jacobson on violin, Cory Blaise on cello and Kiyoshi Tamagawa on piano. Cultural Activities Center. 3 p.m.

November 11, Thursday - Veterans Day Celebration and Patriot Way Brick Walk sign dedication. 8:30 a.m.

November 11, Sunday - Downtown Drag! A drag show at Corkys Wine & Beer. 7 p.m.

November 11, Friday - The College of Visual & Performing Arts presents One Voice in concert. Sue & Frank Mayborn Performing Arts Center, Baugh Performance Hall. 7:30 p.m.

November 11-14 - "Our Town," a Pulitzer Prize winning play by Thornton Wilder, Temple High School, Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. More information at: http://www.ThespiansR.Us

November 11-14 - The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Beltonian Theatre, 6 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.

November 13, Saturday - Downtown Temple November Market, 2 N. Main, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

November 13, Saturday - A Night in Vegas…St. Mary’s Catholic School Casino Night. Live auction, silent auction, games, drawings. Benefits the school’s educational programs. Cultural Activities Center. 6 p.m.

November 14, Sunday - St. Mary’s Traditional Turkey Dinner, KC Hall at 2218 W. Ave D, limited seating or to go plates, $12 plate includes Turkey, dressing, roll, gravy, coleslaw, green beans, cranberry sauce and dessert. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

November 18, Thursday - Taste of the Holidays 2021: A Candy Cane Christmas. Mayborn Convention Center. 10:30 a.m.

November 19 through January 15 - Facing the Inferno wildfire photo exhibit opens at Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum.

November 20, Saturday - Casey Donahew at Bell County Expo Center’s Assembly Hall.

November 20, Saturday - Belton Market Days. Downtown Belton. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

November 20, Saturday - The Gathering. Native American music, dancing, food. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for picnicking and fun. Yetti Polk Park in Belton. 11 a.m.

November 25, Thursday - Thanksgiving Outdoor Movie Night at Barrow Brewing in Salado. “A Christmas Story.” 6 p.m.

December

December 3-5 — Disney’s Aladdin Jr. at Temple Civic Theatre.

December 4, Saturday - Barrow Brewing Christmas Market, Salado. Noon.

December 4, Saturday - Temple Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert featuring soprano Priscilla Santana and tenor Brian Joyce. Temple High School. 7:30 p.m.

December 4, Saturday - Chisholm Trail Christmas Ball featuring Rick Trevino. Bell County Expo Center. 6 p.m.

December 6, Monday - The 75th Annual Christmas Parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. This year's theme is “The Magic of a Traditional Christmas." Details will be made available on templeparks.com.

December 10-12 — Disney’s Aladdin Jr. at Temple Civic Theatre.

December 11, Saturday — Downtown Temple Holiday Market & Food Truck Frenzy, 2 N. Main Street. 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

December 11, Saturday - 5th annual Holiday Extravaganza at the Troy Community Center. Shop with local small businesses. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

December 23, Thursday - Santa & Elvis at Fire Street Pizza. 6-9 p.m.

December 31 - January 1 - Texas Elite Pole Vaulting. The Expo Explosion, the second largest indoor pole vaulting event in the country. Bell County Expo Center’s Garth Arena.

LIST YOUR EVENT! 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.

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