DAVID STONE | June 22, 2022

According to Jeff Stegall, life is an art show and people are the exhibits.

That’s the message behind Through My Eyes: A Journey into the Heart of Temple, a Stegall-inspired art exhibit coming to The Loft in Downtown Temple on July 27-28.

“This is something that’s been in my head for a while,” said Stegall, executive director of Feed My Sheep. “Every day I see beautiful art exhibits come through our door. Not everyone gets to see this. I want local artists to focus on people and tell their stories.”

“We are asking the artists of Temple — and we believe everyone is an artist — to be part of this project. Anyone can contribute.”

Stegall called the art project “more than a photo exhibit.”

“All mediums will be accepted — paintings, sculptures, poems, photos — as long as the piece focuses on a person in the Temple/Belton area and it reflects their true beauty and worth.”

Stegall said the purpose of the art project is to raise awareness of “all the incredibly diverse people who make up our city.”

“We believe our most important treasure is our people, and we would like to showcase their beauty for the whole world to see.”

Every piece of art submitted should include a short narrative about why the artist chose their subject and what they find beautiful about the person being highlighted.

“We want to know what they hope people feel when they experience the artwork,” Stegall said.

To submit digital works of art, send entries to Jeff@FeedMySheepTemple.org. Pieces that need to be dropped off — such as photo prints, paintings or sculptures — can be taken to the Feed My Sheep Resource Center at 116 W. Ave. G between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Entries are now being accepted and the deadline for entering is July 18.

The Through My Eyes exhibit will be on display from 6 to 8 p.m. July 27-28 at The Loft.

“There will be a voting process by the community to determine the top pieces of art,” Stegall said. “But the contest is secondary. Awareness is our priority.”

Many non-profit organizations in the Temple area will be participating in the project, and works of art submitted on behalf of these organization will be part of a silent auction to raise money for their efforts.

Stegall said he hopes Through My Eyes becomes an annual event.

Complex mobility plan gets Council OK

DAVID STONE | June 22, 2022

Temple City Council has approved the adoption of the Mobility Master Plan, a document both massive and complex.

Our Town Temple will be dissecting portions of the plan in the near future with the help of city planner Jason Deckman.

Work on the Mobility Master Plan began in January 2021. Over the last 18 months, the project team held two public meetings and met separately with residents and community groups to receive feedback

“It’s been 18 months of work by a lot of folks,” Deckman said. “It’s truly been a community effort for a community plan.”

The multifaceted plan includes improvements and the construction of roads, bus routes, sidewalks, trails, signalized intersections, parks and more.

The city of Temple will implement the plan by identifying priority projects, then determining how each will be funded.

“This is the important part,” Deckman said. “You can’t build it if you can’t pay for it.”

Deckman said he will be entering the implementation phase of the plan in the very near future.

“I’ll get started as soon as I return from vacation,” he said. “We’ve actually already started with some budget meetings.”

“Its a matter of what do we want to fund and what gets prioritized. There are options for funding sources. TxDOT has grants, so does the federal government. The money is out there if you do the work and go get it.”

The approved draft of the plan is available online.

ATTENTION BARS, RESTAURANTS, CHURCHES AND VENUES: Please send your July/August events to OurTownTemple@gmail.com…it’s free!!! Photos are welcome. There’s something new on the horizon. Yep, the future’s so bright we’re putting on shades.

Wednesday’s best bets

• Comedy Open Mic at Corky’s. Sign up at 7:30, show at 8.

• Sweatin’ With The Oldies at Sammons Community Center. 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Join Kathy Patterson as she leads these extremely popular exercise sessions designed especially for those with mobility issues or who have difficulty standing while exercising. Slow stretches and comfortable balance exercises, while seated or in contact with a chair, will help tone and strengthen muscles to increase mobility and flexibility. Gradual use of hand weights and stretch bands is also incorporated. Easily adaptable for those with physical limitations. Two convenient session times to choose from. For more information, call 254.298.5403. Click calendar link for the full Sammons Community Center schedule.

• Temple Coyotes FC soccer at Woodson Field. Fun starts at 6, game starts at 7:30 p.m.

• Open Mic Night at Fire Base Brewing featuring Maxx Carter.

Thursday’s best bets

• Texas Red’s Taproom Trivia at Fire Base Brewing. 7 p.m.

• Country & Western Dance at Sammons Community Center. 6-9 p.m. Take a whirl around the dance floor! Come scoot your boots and tap your feet to the lively music of local country and western bands on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month. Coffee and punch provided. Bring a finger food or dish to share during intermission. Singles and couples are all welcomed. 18+ 2nd and 4th Thursday. Click calendar link for the full Sammons Community Center schedule.

• Trivia Night at Fire Street Pizza in Belton. There will be 6 rounds of themed trivia to test your knowledge of all things trivia! Other categories will include Movies, Sports, music, and more! Play from your phone! FREE to play! Join anytime. Winners walk away with FSP swag, free pizzas and bragging rights! 6 p.m.

• Holy Trinity Catholic High School will be hosting a Blood Drive from 10 am - 3 pm.  Schedule your appointment to donate at https://ww3.greatpartners.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/133466.  Walk-ins welcomed too. Unfortunately, the need for blood doesn’t take a summer break. Volunteer donors are the only source of blood and platelets for patients with blood disorders, trauma victims, and those experiencing difficult childbirths. A little of your time could make a life difference for someone.

• Karaoke at Bo’s Barn. 8:30 p.m.

• Spin Night at Corky’s. Spin to win specials, 4 to 10 p.m.

Friday’s best bets

• Karaoke night at Corky’s. First song at 8 p.m.

• Bob Appel live at Bo’s Barn. 8 p.m. Tickets: bosbarndancehall.com

• Sweatin’ With The Oldies at Sammons Community Center. 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Join Kathy Patterson as she leads these extremely popular exercise sessions designed especially for those with mobility issues or who have difficulty standing while exercising. Slow stretches and comfortable balance exercises, while seated or in contact with a chair, will help tone and strengthen muscles to increase mobility and flexibility. Gradual use of hand weights and stretch bands is also incorporated. Easily adaptable for those with physical limitations. Two convenient session times to choose from. For more information, call 254.298.5403. Click calendar link for the full Sammons Community Center schedule.

• Summer Sounds Free Concert Series at West Temple Park featuring Jean Pierre & The Zydeco Angels. 7:30 p.m.

• First Anniversary Party at Arthur Murray Dance Center in Temple. 1950s ice cream social and sock hop! Open to the public and FREE! 6-9 p.m., group dance lesson at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call (254) 721-9524.

• The Yard Food Truck Plaza will come to life with sounds of Astron 55 and the aroma of a melting pot of cuisines. In addition to great food, there will be axe throwing and yard games. The celebration is part of National Food Truck Day.

• Megan Brucker live at Fire Base Brewing.

• Glenn Collins Big Band live at Barrow Brewing Co. 7:30 p.m.  Royal Street Art Walk begins at 6 p.m.

• National Food Truck Day @ The Yard. 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Come hungry! This will be a celebration you won’t want to miss. Enjoy axe throwing, live music from Astron 55, yard games and delicious food that will satisfy every craving.

Saturday’s best bets

• Leslie’s Tumble & Cheer grand opening. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Leslie’s Tumble & Cheer is coming to Temple! Get to the Grand Opening early- we are limited in spaces!

• Belton Downtown Block Party. 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.  The Belton Area Chamber of Commerce is kicking off the weeklong Fourth of July Celebration with a Downtown Street Party featuring live music, food trucks, craft beer and wine, activities and games, and fun for all. This non-ticketed family friendly event is open to the public at no charge with a goal of bringing people together to celebrate in the Downtown Belton area.

• Meg Groves live at 11 a.m. at Barrow Brewing Co. Anna Larson live at 7 p.m.

• Name That Tune Bingo Mixtape 80s & 90s at Fire Base Brewing. 7 p.m.

• Comedy Showcase at Corky’s. 8 p.m. show.

• Y’all Means All PRIDE at FoxDog. Bands include Kady Rain, Martian Folk, Lilly Milford, Jordan Valentin, Harper Rynearson. Noon until 10 p.m. This is a FREE event.

• Downtown Belton Street Party. 5 p.m.  Family fun to kick-off 4th of July in Belton! Food Trucks, Local Brewers, Kids Activities & More! For more info visit beltonchamber.com

• Flower Power: God Bless the USA at Precious Memories Florist & Gift Shop. Program to include simple clever ideas to decorate your home with a patriotic flare. Celebrate our Nation’s birthday by creating your own fresh arrangement with a patriotic theme for your home, office, or giving as a gift. Enjoy a shopping discount during the class and the always fun Precious Memories Swag Bag. For more information or to register call 254.298.5690.

• Temple College Mobile Distribution. 9 a.m. Need help with food? Visit us our mobile food pantry distribution for FREE food on the fourth Saturday of each month at Temple College. Be sure to leave space in your trunk before you arrive.

• Broken Arrow live at Bo’s Barn. 9 p.m. Tickets: bosbarndancehall.com

Sunday’s best bets

• Central Texas Film Society Monthly Movie & Discussion presents The Trip To Bountiful at CAC. 2 p.m. “In 1940s Texas, an elderly woman is determined to visit her childhood home for one last time.”

• Summer Lecture Series at 2 p.m. at Barrow Brewing Co.  Live music TBD

• Martian Folk live at Fire Street Pizza in Belton. Noon.

  COMPLETE CALENDAR OF EVENTS

What is the name of Temple’s first lake? ANSWER AT END OF TODAY’S ISSUE

On this day in 1921, the first patients were admitted to the American Legion Memorial Sanatorium, now known as the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, at Kerrville. The hospital was established in 1919 as a result of efforts by the Benevolent War Risk Society of Texas to raise money by popular subscription to build a hospital for the treatment of World War I veterans. The Schreiner family of Kerrville deeded property fronting the Guadalupe River to the society in April 1920, and construction began later that year. When building was halted due to lack of funds in January 1921, however, the Department of Texas of the American Legion purchased the project for one dollar and undertook fund-raising. In April 1921 the American Legion donated the unfinished buildings and 748 acres of land to the state of Texas, which subsequently opened the facility. Today the hospital continues to provide health care to over 18,000 United States armed service veterans in its primary service area covering fourteen Texas counties.

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On this day in 1824, the battle of Jones Creek was fought between colonists of the lower Brazos River and Karankawa Indians. After several Indian raids in which some immigrants were killed, Stephen F. Austin commissioned Randal Jones and a company of 23 other settlers to retaliate. According to Jones, the problem began at a store belonging to James (Brit) Bailey, when braves demanded to purchase ammunition. Fighting broke out, and the Indians fled to their encampment with Jones and the settlers in pursuit. The next morning the settlers attacked 30 Indians camped on the bank of what later became Jones Creek in southern Brazoria County. Both sides had many casualties; the settlers returned home, and the Indians retreated across the San Bernard River but continued to trouble the settlers. The creek has since then borne Jones's name.

TODAY’S TEMPLE TRIVIA ANSWER: Lake Polk was dug in the 1880s at what is now Sammons Golf Course. The primary purpose was to provide water for steam engines, but it also provided the city with drinking water and needed recreation. Remember, Belton Lake was decades in the future. A dam was constructed on nearby Bird Creek to create the reservoir and a ready water supply. By 1900 a group of investors formed an association to develop a park at the site to be named in honor of railroad general manager LJ Polk. The park offered such recreational opportunities as boating, fishing, croquet and tennis. Local citizens assisted in landscaping the area and enjoyed the facilities for a 10-cent admission fee. The area eventually became a private club and, later, a city park.