THURSDAY DECEMBER 16, 2021 PART ONE OF TWO

TEQUILA EXHIBIT COMING TO TEMPLE

A Mexican agave farmer works a field in this photo by Joel Salcido of San Antonio. Agave is the key ingredient in the making of tequila.

By DAVID STONE, Our Town Temple

An invitation to a private taco and tequila-tasting event in 2013 put Joel Salcido on a new path in life.

Salcido was a freelance photographer who was having a very bad year. His occasional gigs with Texas Monthly and regional newspapers weren’t coming through, and he needed a payday.

Times were tough, so when a friend invited him to the tasting party, he jumped at the chance.

“The party was being hosted by Enrique De Colsa, the master distiller for Don Julio Tequila,” Salcido said Wednesday from his San Antonio home. “The only thing I knew about tequila was it made me feel good — that’s not why I wanted to go, really.”

“Enrique De Colsa also was a breeder of bulls used in bullfighting. I have photographed fighting bulls in the past, and I thought this would be a good opportunity to expand my work. After a few shots, we started talking about bullfighting and his bulls.”

The night ended with an invitation to Guadalajara and De Colsa’s breeding ranch.

“I was excited,” Salcido said. “The bullfight breeding community is very tight-knit. This was a chance to do some quality work.”

Salcido went to work researching De Colsa and his breeding ranch, but soon became fascinated with the Mexican businessman’s other passion — tequila.

“I got to looking, and I realized quality photo books about tequila didn’t exist,” he said. “I was fascinated by the production process.”

Salcido went to Mexico but never saw a single fighting bull. Instead, he made the rounds to iconic tequila distilleries big and small.

“I knocked on doors, and they let me in,” he said.

About a month later, Salcido realized he had captured authentic images of a rarely seen industry. After showing the image to friends in the media industry, he decided to move forward with a photo-based tequila story.

“I had been free-lancing with Texas Monthly, so that was my first stop,” he said. “They liked my work and gave it some consideration, but ended up taking a pass. But, they recommended showing my photos to Smithsonian Magazine.”

Same story, second verse. The Smithsonian was impressed but didn’t commit.

“I continued showing my work to friends in the industry — art curators and photo editors — and they thought I should create an exhibit for art galleries and museums,” Salcido said. “Again, I wasn’t having a great year and didn’t have the money to print 39 photos and have them framed.”

That’s when De Colsa, the Don Julio tequila maker, stepped forward and sponsored Aliento a Tequila, which translates as The Spirit of Tequila. In a matter of weeks, the exhibit was launched.

“Don Julio got it started and sponsored me for two years,” Salcido said. “That was enough to get it going.”

Years later, the exhibit is still high in demand, especially in Texas. The exhibit makes its way to the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum on Jan. 28 for a six-week run.

Aliento a Tequila explores and celebrates the landscape, culture and traditions that gave birth to tequila. Salcido includes the original distilleries that literally founded the industry, as well as artisanal tequileras committed to the ancestral way of making tequila from harvest to bottle.

Agave, the fruit that is processed into tequila, dates back to the Aztec civilization as a crop important to Mexico. Since the 1600s, farmers in western Mexico have cultivated blue agave from the red volcanic soil that blankets the region.

Salcido’s photographs, along with the bilingual Spanish/English texts, reveal not only the tequila-making process but also the region’s culture and religion.

“Aliento a Tequila celebrates a craft that is rooted deep in the culture of Mexico and connects viewers with the labor and place that produces this popular spirit,” Salcido said.

A distillery worker stirs a batch of tequila in this photo by Joel Salcido.

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City: Celebrate new year without the bang

Our Town Temple

The city of Temple is asking residents to usher in 2022 safely and thoughtfully by celebrating without the bang. 

Fireworks can aggravate PTSD, especially in veterans and first responders. They often cause panic in pets, farm animals and wildlife. Fireworks can harm people and damage property. And fireworks are illegal in the city of Temple and its neighboring cities. 

“Temple is a community that truly cares about its neighbors,” says Fire Chief Mitch Randles. “And one in seven residents are veterans. Let’s support those who served our country, help our community stay safe from unintentional burns and property damage, and follow the law by welcoming in 2022 without fireworks.”

In addition to their impact on people and property, fireworks can have devastating effects on animals, with lost pet reports skyrocketing during this time. The Temple Animal Shelter suggests that residents keep their dogs and cats indoors on New Year’s Eve and avoid the risk of panic and escape. 

Police Chief Shawn Reynolds emphasizes that even though fireworks sales are legal in Bell County, it remains against the law to sell, possess, or set off fireworks within the city limits. 

Local lake parks also are asking that residents keep fireworks away. This restricts legal fireworks to private properties outside the city limits.  

“Temple PD will be adding patrols on New Year’s Eve and asks everyone to celebrate safely and legally,” Reynolds said. “If you go out, make sure you have a sober driver, be especially aware of others on the road, and please take a pass on the fireworks.” 

Those with concerns about fireworks can call Temple PD’s non-emergency number at (254) 298-5500. Please reserve 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies.  

FLASHBACK: UMHB’s LUTHER HALL

Named after Dr. John Hill Luther, president of Baylor College from 1878-1891, Luther Hall was also known as the “College Building.” It was constructed of limestone in the Renaissance Revival style by architect Matthew Dow. The cornerstone was laid on April 21, 1886. The three-story building housed the entire college including classrooms, chapel, student dormitory, parlors, faculty and staff offices, and the Luther family’s living quarters. For years Luther Hall was the only building on campus until enrollment increased and additional structures were built. A fourth floor was added in 1914. 

College rebuilds after building burns

By DENISE KARIMKHANI, Special to Our Town Temple

A devastating fire shook Belton in the bitterly cold, early morning hours of Jan. 26, 1929, when flames burst from the ceiling in the kitchen area of Luther Hall on the campus of Baylor College, now known as Mary Hardin-Baylor.

The alarm was turned in about 2:30 a.m. and aid was solicited from Temple, Georgetown and Cameron. After record runs, the equipment from Temple and Georgetown arrived on scene.

Located on the ground floor of the ell and extending west, the kitchen fire could not be contained despite heroic efforts of both Belton and Temple fire departments. It soon became apparent that the entire structure would be destroyed.

Attention turned to adjacent buildings on campus that were in danger from falling embers. At one point, it appeared as if the Wilson Administration Building were in danger and staff began removing valuable records.

Residents of Luther were called together in Burt Hall where roll was taken. Residents were trembling with fear, but when the last name was called and no one was missing, tears of relief and prayers of thanksgiving sprang to eyes and lips. Not one life had been lost!

Due to frequent fire drills offered by the physical education department, the girls had no difficulty in safely leaving the building. One straggler was forced to leap into an outstretched blanket but without injury. Fortunately, there were vacancies in other dorms and cottages owned by the college. “Doubling up” became fashionable even in the Ely-Pepper dining room where meals were served six times a day instead of three. 

No one slept in the few hours remaining before daylight. Before breakfast, gifts poured in from the local community — bags of clothing, blankets, and cash — and items continued to pour in for days.

Most girls had saved only what they were wearing. Their fellow students generously offered dresses and shoes for classes which began at 8 a.m. that morning. When the student body gathered as usual for chapel, President Hardy and Dean Townsend were overcome with emotion and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

There was sorrow over the loss of a building so dear to successive generations of students and the financial loss to the College as well as thanksgiving, loyalty and pride as the girls pledged to carry on and “stand by Baylor.”

On Sunday afternoon, a mass community meeting was held at the First Christian Church. Dean Townsend characterized the meeting as “a memorial service for a dear departed building.” He spoke of the sacrifices made to build Luther Hall and the many phases of Baylor life centered in the building. Dr. Hardy expressed the need to replace the building as quickly as possible and emphasized the great need for Presser Hall since music faculty offices and practice pianos were in Luther.

The following Tuesday, the board of trustees met in a special three-hour session and authorized the president to issue an urgent and immediate appeal for relief funds and rebuilding efforts. The board voted to supplement the president’s appeal with a statement of its own with arrangements being made to have the letter read in every Baptist pulpit in the state.

The college pledged not to contract for the erection of any building until funds were in hand “thus ensuring neither the debt of the college or of the denomination will be increased.”

A committee composed of the president, the executive committee and other members of the board would consider all suggestions regarding size, character, location, architect, etc. of the new dormitory. The full board would consider and approve the plans of this committee before allowing the closing of any contracts.

Dr. Townsend was tasked with chairing the fund-raising committee and was released from all other college duties as long as necessary. The campaign goal was $150,000 to be added to the insurance money of $86,400 for the construction of a new dorm. The Belton Chamber of Commerce voted to support and cooperate with Baylor in its big campaign.

“Old Luther drew — and deserved—the tender affection of thousands of Baylor girls; and the best proof of the sincerity of their love will be their response to the call for funds to build a better, safer, more resistant home for the Baylor girls of today and of tomorrow. Luther is gone; but the great “Baylor Spirit” triumphs still, and will inspire Baylor’s daughters and friends the world around to rally as they have never done before to replace the awful loss so far as money can; and to insure a greater, nobler Baylor in all the years to come.”

The remaining rubble was left until 1955 when a memorial was constructed on the site using stones from the building and featured the structure's stone arches. The memorial serves as the backdrop for the annual Easter Pageant and other activities.

The bell tower includes two historical bells: the Horton Bell from Independence and the sophomore bell that can be rung only by sophomores.

The stabilized ruins form a focal point of the campus near the eastern entrance and are all that remains of the campus' earliest architecture.

How the Grinch recycled Christmas

By JENNIFER WILSON & DR. SEUSS 

Every year, at this time, our hearts turn to joy,

and sleigh bells, and mistletoe, holly, and toys.

We’re quick to forgive and kind words are a cinch,

except when speaking of that old Mr. Grinch.

Now, it’s true, the Grinch did steal the Whos’ toys,

the Whos’ stockings, and presents for all the Who girls and boys.

And yes, I admit, it’s truer than true that he lied about a Christmas tree to little Cindy-Lou.

But despite all of this, and all else I could say, the important fact remains —

the Grinch changed his ways on Christmas Day.

But before the Grinch stole the Whos’ Christmas feast,

and the Who-pudding, and the roast beast,

the Grinch had one habit, one good trait it seems,

the Grinch, that mean old Grinch, was environmentally green.

In all of his plans to keep Christmas from arriving,

he used no fuel and wasted no energy driving

to the Who-malls, the Who-shops, the Who-stores,

indeed, everything he used he had used before.

He made his Santa suit from an old Grinch outfit,

and used old mattress stuffing (he used just a bit),

to trim all the edges in white, fluffy stuff.

He even trimmed his hat, his collar, and both cuffs.

Some old burlap bags sufficed for his sacks,

he even made a reindeer using his poor old dog Max.

Using only red thread (and I’m not advocating this),

the Grinch cinched a horn on top of his head.

Not one single item did the Grinch buy brand new,

everything he had used, so he used it again too.

No trash or packaging or miscellaneous swill

did he send to take up room in the Who-ville landfill.

Now, I’m not suggesting that you wholly imitate this guy

and eliminate Christmas and all that you buy,

but the Grinch has a few tricks, for what they are worth,

that will help all the Whos, all Yous, and the Earth.

Everyone gets boxes from the Post or Fed Express,

just save them up and by the holidays you’ll be under no duress,

to go and purchase packing materials from the local store—you’ll already have

your boxes—share them with friends if you have more.

You can cushion your packages with old newspapers, catalogues, or mail,

or reuse the packing materials vendors use when they make a sale—

bubble wrap, foam peanuts, or even Styrofoam—why go out and spend your money?

Everything you need is already at home.

Buy only the amount of wrapping paper that you truly need,

or, better yet, buy gift bags—they come in all colors, even tweed!

You can reuse those fancy bags for many years on end,

and when you give a bag away it can be fixed up and used again.

And speaking of again, what about those bows?

You know, those bows, under which a package goes?

Who says you can’t save those bows,

for everyone knows they’re the first of a gift that goes, goes, goes.

So, I repeat, save those bows and any gift you wrap

will solicit deserving “ohs.”

If you or your kids are creatively inclined,

why not make your own wrapping paper? There are oh so many kinds.

Color brown paper bags with crayons or stamps.

It’s not hard if you practice—you’ll soon be a champ.

Wrap with comics, stationery, paintings with brush—

they all make good wrappings and add the personal touch.

When you’re done with all the wrapping, and the mailing, and the sending,

and the tearing, and the eating, and the clean-up, and the mending,

gather what you can and save it for next season.

And then as duty calls, or whatever your reason,

pick up the leftover paper, the cardboard, cans, and plastic,

and recycle those items—what else is left to say? Fantastic!

And if mulch is what you really do need, just chipper chip up that old Christmas tree.

And use it in your garden, your yard, or compost. It really is easy—

there’s no reason to boast. And perhaps by and by you will one day see,

that just like the Grinch your heart will be free to mend your past and stubbornly ways,

and learn a new tradition to follow the rest of your days.

So now I leave you like old Mr. Grinch,

realizing that what he learned was really a cinch.

Christmas will always continue, no matter what we do,

but in order to be a part of it and for the sake of the Cindy-Lous,

we must change our greedy and hurried ways to tolerance and mirth,

and if you do this, your reward will be appreciation from our children and the Earth.