James Fertsch of Extreme Clean presents prize money for the Temple Community Treasures Visual Arts Contest winners. James, at far left, is shown with the winners present at a reception Friday night at the Czech Heritage Museum & Genealogy Center. Also in the photo are (left to right holding their artwork) Melanie Stokes, Kurt Ritterpusch, David Clemons and Seth Sysum. Two photo winners — Annie O’Leary and Michael Maly, were not present. David Stone photos

By DAVID STONE, Our Town Temple

The winners of the Temple Community Treasures Visual Arts contests were announced Friday during reception at the Czech Heritage Museum.

This year, two contests were held for photographs and paintings that feature historic Temple buildings. The contest in held in conjunction with National Preservation Month.

This year, 30 photographs and seven paintings were entered in the contests and they will be part of a traveling exhibit that will be displayed at local museums. The exhibit will be on display at the Czech Heritage Museum through June, at the Bell County Museum in Belton during July and August, then at the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum in September.

During Friday’s reception, winners received ribbons and cash rewards made possible through the generosity of James Fertsch of Extreme Clean in Downtown Temple. The first-place winners in both contests will receive $300, second-place winners will take home $200 cash, and third-place will get $100.

First-place in the photo contest was Seth Sysum with a photo of a Downtown building. Second-place went to Annie O’Leary and third-place was won by Michael Maly.

In the painting contest, the first-place winner was Kurt Ritterpusch, second was David Clemons and third was Melanie Stokes.

Earl Nottingham, an award-winning photographer for Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine, was recognized during the reception.

About 75 people attended the reception and most took time to walk through the many museum exhibits.

Seth Sysum won first place in the photo category. The photo is of the Texell Credit Union in Downtown Temple.

Kurt Ritterpusch won first place in the painting category.

David Clemons won second place in the painting division.

Melanie Stokes was the third-place winner in painting.

SO LONG, AL’S BAR-B-QUE

A landmark Temple restaurant has permanently closed its doors because of a turbulent economy, including supply-chain issues, escalating prices and a shortage of workers. Al’s Bar-B-Que Barn, founded 53 years ago by Alfred Martinec, has been serving up barbecue and other foods at the restaurant on the corner of 25th Street and Avenue M. Back in the 1970s, Al’s also had a Downtown location. Tanglefoot Brewery, a Czech-style brewery located on the west end of the building and owned by Andy Martinec, will remain open. Andy said his dad made the decision to close the business this week and officially announced the shutdown Friday. The family is in the process of creating a mail-order barbecue business that will ship Al’s Bar-B-Que to its many loyal customers. David Stone photo

SATURDAY | MAY 24 | EARLY EDITION

today’s best bets

• Temple Civic Theatre will announce its lineup for the 2022-23 MainStage and Youth seasons. Also, the new Managing & Artistic Director will be announced! 4-6 p.m. Event will be held at Santa Fe Depot! 

• Downtown Temple Foodie Tour presented by Tour Temple. The brand new Downtown Temple Foodie Tour stops at three different downtown restaurants for a taste! Stops include La Dalat - Vietnamese Cuisine done American Style, Mexiko Café - Korean Mexican Fusion, and Ras Kitchen - Jamaican Cuisine! At each stop, tourists will receive a sampling of the restaurant's favorite dishes and get to hear about the establishment and its story. The tour takes off from Corky’s (13 South Second Street). Walk the tour or use a Tour Temple scooter beginning at 2 p.m. Pricing is $25 per person and that is all-inclusive! This is a special event that you do not want to miss! Grab your tickets now because space is limited!

• Rage on the Farm, 5432 Cedar Creek Road in Temple. 5 p.m. to midnight. $10. Live bands, vendors, camping.

• Market in the Vines at 3 Texans Winery & Tasting Room. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Take a walk through the vines and shop with more than 50 vendors!

• Movies in the Park at Miller Park. Spider-man: No Way Home. Grab your blankets, lawn chairs, family and friends for a free Saturday Movie in the Park. Festivities kick off at 6:30 pm. Movies start at sundown. For more information, visit templeparks.com

• Texas Red's Game Show Night. Free! Fire Base Brewing. 7:30 p.m.

• Tracy Lawrence with Jarrod Birmingham at Schoepf’s. Gates open at 6, music at 7.

• Comedy Showcase at Corky’s.  Doors open at 7, show at 8.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

To include your events in What’s Happening, email information to OurTownTemple@gmail.com. Photos are welcome to for use in the publication as space permits!