Rod Henry (left) and Bobbie Jo King (right) of the Temple Chamber of Commerce, sample donuts provided this morning by Salvation Army officers Dawn and David Beckham. Dawn is wearing World War I attire in tribute to the Donut Lassies and National Donut Day.

DAVID STONE | June 3, 2022

The sight of a woman dressed in World War I attire carrying boxes of donuts throughout Temple this morning likely raised a few eyebrows.

The woman was Sgt. Dawn Beckham of the local Salvation Army, and the deliveries were made in recognition of National Donut Day.

“We delivered 35 dozen donuts, and we plan on expanding the scope of National Donut Day in the future,” she said. “It was a lot of fun and everyone appreciated it. Dressing the part of a Donut Lassie gave the story personality.”

Donut Lassie? Story?

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Chicago. 1938. The Salvation Army celebrated the first National Donut Day by helping those in need during the Great Depression. They dressed in World War I uniforms to commemorate the work of the Donut Lassies who served donuts to soldiers during World War I.

“They were on the front line,” said Lt. David Beckham, leader of the Temple-area Salvation Army program and Dawn’s husband. “They really didn’t have many supplies, but they made do with what they had.”

Back in 1917, the Salvation Army began a mission to provide spiritual and emotional support to US soldiers fighting in France. About 250 volunteers, mostly women, traveled to the war zone and set up small huts near the front lines where they could give soldiers fresh clothing, supplies and baked goods.

Soon after arriving, the women discovered that making and serving baked goods would be difficult considering the conditions of the huts and the limited rations.

“They began frying donuts,” Dawn said. “They cooked them in military helmets supplied by the soldiers. They had very few ingredients, but they figured it out. They made donuts and served them.”

The treats boosted morale and won the hearts of many soldiers.

Nicknamed Donut Lassies, the women who served donuts to troops are credited with popularizing the donut in the US when the “Doughboys” returned home from war. Many began asking for the pastry treat at local bake shops.

According to the Beckhams, the donut still serves as a symbol of comfort that the Salvation Army provides to those in need through its social services programs. The agency still serves donuts, in addition to hot meals and hydration, to neighbors in need.

National Donut Day is held annually on the first Friday in June and the Salvation Army celebrates the work of the original Donut Lassies by delivering the pastries to donut lovers across the country.

“Today, we delivered to community leaders and to first responders such as police, fire and ambulance crews,” Lt. Beckham said. “We wanted to say ‘Thank you’ for their service and what they do for Temple.”

Dawn Beckham said she put together her WWI outfit by going through donated clothes and buying a few items at a local Army surplus store.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

today’s best bets

• All Craft and Arts Retreat at Rockin’ R Retreat Center, 5650 Bottoms Road in Temple. Bring your own projects and come create! Retreats and classes are for ages 18 and up, but ages 14-17 may attend with an adult. Details and registration at www.renacotti.com

• Chad Prather & The Ragmufins live at Schoepf’s BBQ. 6 p.m. Get your tickets or tables her: https://www.outhousetickets.com/Event/19618-Chad_Prather

• Bold Republic Brewing Co. 4th Anniversary Party. Last anniversary at Belton location. 2 p.m. June 3, 11:30 p.m. June 4. We are brewing 2 special treats for this event. First, is the summer shandy an easy drinking light and citrusy beverage. Brewed with fresh lemon juice and honey, this low ABV beer is certain to be a crowd-pleaser. Second, we have a smooth and creamy Avocado Ale. Why? Because we like to push the limits of your taste buds and we are weird. This refreshing kolsch style ale is brewed with cilantro, crushed red pepper, honey and of coarse avocado. There will be live music from Martin Folk and other guests, and as always we will have music bingo Saturday night.

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

First Friday: The sunshine edition

Our Town Temple | June 3, 2022

May seems to have evaporated during the warm days of spring, and it’s June — to be more specific, it’s the First Friday of June, and there’s a ton going on tonight in Downtown Temple.

The Hub will be open until 8 pm and will offer Fun in the Sun refreshments for First Friday shoppers. They will also feature exciting showcase deals from Glo Girl, Hazel Moon and the Lenna Lane Hat Bar.

Fire Base Brewing will put on a Fun-in-the-Sun block party featuring the Pizza PieRosfood truck, music by Cade Baccus & The Sawdust Stompers for live music, the Rowdy Axe Co, the Rolling Stogies Mobile Cigar stand and lots of other cool vendors.

Ras Kitchen will celebrate their 2nd anniversary in business with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. and a ‘Daddy-Daughter Dance’ later in the evening, featuring a Live Performance by Jinda Harris. Also, as always, Chef Ras will be serving up your favorite Jamaican foods downstairs in the dining room, so you won’t want to miss this evening.

Tour Temple & Corky’s Wine Bar will present a live show by guitarist-vocalist, Zechariah Grey. This show will provide a night of 1990s fun, cover tunes, sing-alongs, and some serious guitar strumming! The music kicks off at 8 p.m. but the fun will last all night!  Also, earlier in the evening, they’ll offer a beer and wine trail bus tour from 4-8 p.m.

The Smokehouse Restaurant will set up a pop-up eatery at the location of their future restaurant at 9 N Main Street with the Sticky Fingers food truck, the Black Axe throwing trailer, cold beer, and more

J& M’s Dogs & Paninis at 8 E Avenue A will offer a free beer with a purchase of a hot dog or panini.

Mexiko Cafe will offer Happy Hour prices all day and will stage a Fun in the Sun party with live music by the band  Astron+55!

EZ Pawn Will put on a Fun in the Sun party with a sidewalk sale, free snacks & drinks, and a 10 percent discount off all products in the store.

Total Elegance Creation will have a Juneteenth Flare by creating an Ol' Skool Fish Fryand creating a Juke Joint scene. The Fish Fry will be $12 and will include 2 pieces Fish, Fries, salad, drink and dessert. The Juke Joint will be BYOB while listening to ol' school music being played by DJ Dave.

Mo’s Railyard Saloon will offer red, white and blue frozen margaritas for $3 and strawberry daiquiris for $4 throughout the evening.

O'Briens Irish Pub will feature a live show by Megan Brucker and they will offer 20 percent off an appetizer when you mention First Friday.

Bird Creek Burger Co. will offer half-priced appetizers (excluding chili), and happy-hour prices all day with $2.50 domestics, $3 draft beer, and $4 select glasses of wine.

‘Artist 2 Artist Showcase’ will stage an art show and vendor sale at the Main Street Courtyard at 5 S. Main Street. This month, you’ll be able to cool off with the ‘Petey's Snowcones’ food truck and shop with cool local vendors like ‘Obscurely Wicked Oddities & Antiques’ and Rocky Gutter Soaps.

Artist Noel Johnson will hold an art sale on the sidewalk next door to O’Briens Irish Pub.

Green Door will offer 20 percent off an appetizer when you mention First Friday and will put on a live piano show by Russell Boyd.

The Yard Food Truck Plaza will offer tasty eats from several food trucks:

• The Taqueria Mi Lindo Nayarit food truck will offer a 10 percent discount to any guest who mentions First Friday.

• The Chock Full of Cheese food truck will offer a 10 percent discount to any guest who mentions First Friday.

• The 808 Island Grindz food truck will offer a 10 percent discount to any guest who mentions First Friday.

• The Mama Lama Mobile Kitchen food truck will offer a 10 percent discount to any guest who mentions First Friday.

Precious Memories Flower and Gift Shop will have a Jurassic-Park-themed Fun in the Sun open house with dinosaur treats so tasty that they’ll soon become extinct.

Cha Community will offer all First Friday guests one free topping and $1 off your order of Taiwanese cold noodles.

Darling Décor and More will offer a ‘Fun-in-the-Sun Clearance Sale’ with markdowns throughout both shops of 20-75 percent off select items. 

The Parlour Antiques & Oddities will hold a Fun in the Sun party with free snacks and drinks, and they'll also have their prize wheel out so customers can have a chance to win cool discounts and prizes.

FoxDog will have the Lupita's Food Truck on-site, and as always they'll be serving up the finest coffee, craft beer, and wine from 4:30-10 pm. Guests can come to try over 2 dozen local Texas drink options!

Treno Pizzeria & Taproom will offer discounts on selected beers & wines, and Treno’s pizza chefs will be baking up tasty fresh hot pizza pies.

BJ’s Brewery and Tasting Room will be serving up cold craft brews on tap to First Friday guests.

Kowboy Wine Bar will be serving up great wines and beer all evening to First Friday guests.

Cheeves Brothers Steak House will have half-price appetizers from their menu from 5-7 p.m. in their bar and lounge. They will also offer half-priced specials on selected beers, wines by the glass, and call level liquors

La Dalat will offer 10 percent off appetizers and $3 for coffee or hot tea to anyone who mentions First Friday.

PJ’s Tabletop & Catering will be open all evening to serve First Friday Guests

Thai Cafe will be open all evening to serve First Friday Guests

Pignetti’s will feature Lobster Night and Osso Buco.

Nami Japanese Steak & Sushi will offer First Friday happy-hour specials on select appetizers and Sushi rolls.