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HEALTH CARE
Medical hub provides quality health care, training
BY CHRISTIAN BETANCOURT
TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
One of the Temple’s greatest strengths is the medical hub that includes a Veterans Administration hospital, a medical school, nursing programs and Baylor Scott & White Health facilities that serve the health care needs of both area residents and people who come here for the quality care.
Temple is home to two major hospitals from the Baylor Scott & White group, one for adults and another specializing in children.
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-Temple, 2401 S. 31st St., is a 640-bed medical center in Temple and the only Level I trauma center between Dallas and Austin. Level I is the highest trauma designation available and means the health care team can treat the most severe injuries.
The medical center offers a broad spectrum of hospital and clinical services, including heart and vascular care, cancer care, organ transplants, neurosciences, and women’s services. The facility has a Level IV maternal designation, the highest level of maternal care. The hospital continues to provide personalized, quality care, in addition to supporting medical education and research. The Glenda Tanner Vasicek Cancer Treatment Center at the main Scott Baylor & White medical center expanded to include a new radiation oncology facility. The two-story 27,800 square-foot facility allows patients to receive all cancer treatments in one location. The facility can treat up to 70 patients per day and features advanced radiation treatment equipment.
Courtesy | Baylor Scott & White A new two-story, 27,800 square-feet facility, located at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Temple, allows patients to receive all cancer treatment in one location, Baylor Scott & White officials said.
Children’s hospital
Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center, 1901 SW H.K. Dodgen Loop in Temple, features a 115-bed hospital and
Temple photographer Wes Albanese captured a sunset with an aerial view of the sprawling Baylor Scott & White Center complex in Temple
five-story children’s specialty clinic. The facility offers a Level IV neonatal intensive care unit, the highest designation for neonatal care, and the area’s only Level II pediatric trauma facility. They offer more than 40 specialty services, including general pediatric care, pediatric surgery, cardiology, oncology, gastroenterology, neurosurgery, pediatric dialysis, and pulmonology services. Ten pediatric clinics are located throughout Central Texas. Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center will add a new Epilepsy Monitoring Unit before 2023. The EMU will allow physicians to monitor, diagnose and treat seizures in pediatric patients. Other facilities in the system include: • Baylor Scott & White Clinic — Santa Fe, 1402 W. Ave. H. • Baylor Scott & White Clinic — Temple Professional Plaza II, 1713 SW H K Dodgen Loop. • Baylor Scott & White Clinic — Temple Westfield, 7556 Honeysuckle. • Baylor Scott & White Clinic — Temple South Loop, 2601 Thornton. • Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s — Temple West 6684 W. Adams Ave. • Baylor Scott & White Continuing Care Hospital — Temple, 546 North Quigley Road. • Baylor Scott & White Mental Clinic building 22, 810 W. Ave. U. Several other specialty clinics are housed within the main campus of the hospital on 31st Street. The medical facilities in Temple aid in the development and training of new doctors and nurses.
VA hospital
The Olin E. Teague Veterans’ Center, 1901 Veterans Memorial Drive, offers primary care and specialty health services, including mental health services, cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, nutrition counseling, prosthetics, treatment for spinal cord injuries, women’s health care, and more. The city’s first military hospital, activated on June 16, 1942, was named after Maj. James A. McCloskey, who was killed on Bataan on March 26, 1942. He was the first regular United States Army doctor to lose his life in World War II, according to information from the Texas State Historical Association. In May 1946 the hospital was taken over by the Veterans Administration and became a general medical and surgical center. The two main hospital buildings were modernized and dedicated in 1967. In 1979 the McCloskey Veterans Administration Center was renamed in honor of Olin E. Teague, who served as chairman of the committee on veterans
affairs in the U.S. House of Representatives for 18 years. A 120-bed nursing home care unit opened in 1981, and 1986 saw the completion of a $25 million clinical expansion project.
Baylor College of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine’s Temple campus will open its doors in July 2023 with an inaugural class of 40 medical students, Dr. Paul Klotman, president of the Houston-based medical school, said. Baylor’s new campus will replace Texas A&M University’s medical school in Temple, which is increasing its presence in Dallas and Houston. The nursing programs at Temple College have earned a reputation for excellence in the Central Texas health care community and throughout the state through its Associate Nursing Degree and Vocational
Nursing programs.
In addition, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor offers a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The program prepares students to excel on the license exam: in the 2017-18 academic year, for example, the firsttime pass rate for UMHB nursing graduates was 95.8%. Other facilities in the area include Seaton Medical Center, 850 W. Central Texas Expressway in Harker Heights. Seaton is an 83-bed acute care hospital that opened in 2012. Also nearby is AdventHealth Central Texas, a 220plus bed medical center at 2201 S. Clear Creek Road in Killeen, and the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, a 947,000-square-foot facility that opened in 2016 on Fort Hood and includes primary and emergency care. cbetancourt@tdtnews.com
God Wants You!
Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Training Time 5:00 p.m.
College Heights
Baptist Church
od S d S h l 9 Sunday Worship 10:45 a.m.S d W hi 0 Evening Worship 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7:00 p.m.
www.chbctemple.org
Athletics
a tradition in Temple, Belton
BY JOSHUA WEAVER, TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
Sports have long been engrained into the lifestyles of many in Temple and Belton. Two tradition-rich towns considered small, but big on talent through the decades.
Over the last two years, in fact, two locals were selected in the NFL draft — Temple High grad Ta’Quon Graham was picked out of the University of Texas by the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 and Belton High’s Logan Hall (University of Houston) was chosen by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in April of this year.
But sports don’t just thrive because of the standouts and stars. Coaches, volunteers and fans alike contribute to the community-driven past time. Evidence of that can be found among recent dedications at local facilities, honoring those who have impacted youth, schools and more through years of service. In February this year, the soccer complex at Crossroads Park in West Temple was named for Peter den Harder, a former player, coach and referee and an integral piece in providing access to the sport who died in August 2020.
“He participated in every aspect of (soccer locally), and, many times, multiple aspects simultaneously,”
Dr. Ference Korompai — another influential figure in local soccer who also has fields named in his honor — said in February. “He organized, coached, administered, refereed, educated referees and did everything except mowing the fields. I think that there is no other person for the fields to be named after.” Belton ISD officials felt similarly when deciding to rename what
had long been Tiger Field on Belton High’s campus to Tidwell Field in recognition of the contributions made by former baseball head coach David Tidwell. Tidwell, a 2017 Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee, led Belton’s baseball program for 23 years (1985-2008) and racked up 491 wins and the 1994 Class 4A state championship along the way. He called the gesture the honor of his life during a ceremony March 18. “Coach Tidwell’s impact on this community is far reaching. It’s very fitting to rename the field in his honor and
as a tribute to his championship teams and his legacy of excellence,” Michael Morgan, assistant superintendent of operations and former athletic director, said. Also this spring, Lake Belton High School’s baseball team named its batting cages the
Joe Greene / Meredith-Dunbar dedication Joe Greene signs a painting of himself by local artist Susan Sterle while Dr.Ott looks on. Photo by Jason Deckman
Jace Jefferson Memorial Batting Cages, a lasting tribute of the former Belton ISD student-athlete who died in 2016 of glioblastoma brain cancer. Many other fields and venues around Temple, Belton and Bell County as a whole, also are constant reminders of dedicated individuals, who strived to allow others a slice of success. At Temple High, Wildcat Stadium’s field dons in big, bold letters “Bob McQueen Field” in honor of the Wildcats’ legendary football coach. Across the way, the Tem-Cats’ softball field is dedicated to Mildred “Lanky” Lancaster. And so on. The annual track and field meet hosted by Belton ISD is now the Denise Petter Big Red Relays. NFL Hall of Famer and Temple native “Mean” Joe Greene has a football field in East Temple bearing his name. There are others and likely more to follow — think something at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor involving football architect and head coach Pete Fredenburg, who led the Crusaders for all of their 24 years of playing and retired in January, about a month after winning the NCAA Division III national championship. After all, sports always have and always will be the tie that binds the past to the present.
BELTON COACHING LEGEND HONORED
Former Belton High School baseball coach David Tidwell, left, greets Travis Owens, who was a member of his 1999 team, before the Tigers’ varsity baseball game against District 12-6A opponent Bryan. Prior to the game, the school officially unveiled the new name of its baseball diamond as Tidwell Field. Tidwell, a 2017 Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductee, led Belton’s baseball program for 23 years (1985-2008) and racked up 491 wins and the 1994 Class 4A state championship along the way. Ray Swindle/Special to the Telegram
Recreational fishing, boating and more provided at Lake Belton, Stillhouse Hollow Lake
TELEGRAM STAFF REPORT
Residents and visitors seeking relaxing recreational activities by the water can head over to two man-made lakes in the area.
Lake Belton
The lake was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1954 to control flooding issues within the Brazos River Basin. Located within Bell and Coryell counties, in its 136 miles of shoreline, Lake Belton has 16 parks and three marinas. The seven campgrounds and dayuse facilities are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., providing camping, hiking, fishing and boating activities. Campgrounds are a popular destination, and those looking for a site should make a reservation at least two days in advance. Walk-in customers are welcome to use any reservation released due to cancellation. The sites also provides six pavilions for group activities, and three marinas — Morgan’s Point Marina, 16 Calamity Jane Drive; North Point Yacht Club, 3681 Cedar Ridge Park Road; and Frank’s Marina, 3269 Lake Road. For group activities such as tournaments or sporting events, a Lake Activity Permit may be required. Permits are regulated through the Belton and Stillhouse Lake offices, located at 3740 FM 1670, Belton TX 76513.
Stillhouse Hollow Lake
The lake is located on the Lampasas River south of Interstate 14 and west of Interstate 35, provides seven parks for community use. While group camping grounds aren’t provided, group pavilion areas accommodating 120 visitors are provided upon reservation. Trails for hiking and equestrian rides are also available. Other recreational activities included at the site are boat ramps, picnic areas, a playground and hunting areas. For those interested in fishing, there are 11 species that can be found in both Lake Belton and Stillhouse: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, white and hybrid striped bass, flathead and blue catfish, black and white crappie, blue gill, and channel catfish. For those looking for community volunteer work, there are opportunities such as shore cleanup and aquatic garden activities. For information, or to make reservations, go online at https://www.recreation.gov and search for the lake of interest, or call 1-877-444-677.
Photo by Jason Deckman
Bookworms rejoice!
The Central Texas area has no shortage of public libraries. The following is a list of some of their locations and hours:
The Temple Public Library
is located at 100 W. Adams Ave. in downtown Temple. It is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 1 to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
is located at 301 E. First Ave. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
The Salado Public Library
is located at 1151 N. Main St. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Bartlett’s library, the Teinert Memorial Public Library,
is located at 337 N. Highway 95. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The library is closed from noon to 1 p.m. each open day.
The Moody Community Library
is located at 612 Ave. D in Moody. It is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, from to 6 p.m. Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
The Harker Heights Public
Library is located at 400 Indian Trail. It is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Rockdale’s library, the Lucy Hill
Patterson Memorial Library, is located at 201 Ackerman St. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed each day for one hour at 12:30 p.m.) Monday through Friday.
The Cameron Public Library
is located at 304 E. Third St. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday.
Holland’s library, the B.J. Hill
Library, is located at 402 W. Travis St. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
The Jarrell Community Library
is located at 113 Limestone Terrance. It is open from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Jay and Riki Rivera, a graffiti artist duo who run the art company Laced and Found, work on a mural project for the Lena Armstrong Public Library in Belton. Photo courtesy
Venues host entertainment, music, other events
Museums provide local insights
BY RANDY RAY, TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
Central Texas is blessed to have numerous venues and facilities for the presentation of live entertainment: music, dance, plays and other cultural events. These venues greatly enhance the quality of life for residents, allowing them to experience a myriad of artistic performances, entertainment opportunities and cultural activities without having to travel to a larger city. As the coronavirus pandemic comes to an end and these venues reopen, performers of national and international renown as well as regional artists and local talent once again are performing at these area facilities.
AZALEE MARSHALL CULTURAL ACTIVITIES CENTER
3011 N. Third St., Temple. Call 254-773-9926 or visit www.cacARTS.org.
TEMPLE CIVIC THEATRE
2413 S. 11th St., Temple. Call 254-778-4751, or visit www.templecivictheatre.com.
FRANK W. MAYBORN CIVIC AND CONVENTION CENTER
3303 N. Third St., Temple. Call 254-298-5720.
BELL COUNTY EXPO CENTER
301 W. Loop 121, Belton. Call 254-933-5353, or visit www.bellcountyexpo.com.
MARY ALICE MARSHALL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER TEMPLE COLLEGE
2487-2567 S. Fifth St., Temple. Visit www.templejc.edu.
SUE AND FRANK MAYBORN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, 810 N. Main St., Belton. Call 254-295-5999.
TABLEROCK AMPHITHEATER, TABLEROCK FESTIVAL OF SALADO
409 Royal St., Salado. Call 254-947-9205, or visit www.tablerock.org.
CORKYS BEER AND WINE BAR
13 S. Second St., Temple. Call 254-314-2004, or visit www.corkys-bar-and-wine-bar.business.site.
BO’S BARN DANCEHALL AND CLUB
4984 FM 93, Temple. Call 254-939-7131, or visit www.bosbarndancehall.com.
SCHOEPF’S BBQ
702 E. Central Ave., Belton. Call 254-939-1151, or visit www.schoepfsbbq.com.
O’BRIEN’S IRISH PUB
11 E. Central Ave., Temple. Call 254-295-0518, or visit www.obrienstemple.com.
BARROW BREWING COMPANY
108 Royal St., Salado. Call 254-947-3544, or visit www.barrowbrewing.com.
JOHNNY’S STEAKS & BAR-BE-QUE
301 Thomas Arnold Road, Salado. Call 254-947-4663, or visit www.johnnyssteaksandbbq.com.
BELL COUNTY MUSEUM
201 N. Main St. in Belton, was established in 1991 in a former Carnegie Library that was built in 1905. The museum owns more than 12,000 items related to the history of Bell County and the region. Call 254-933-5243 or visit www.bellcountymuseum.org.
TEMPLE RAILROAD AND HERITAGE MUSEUM
housed in the historic Santa Fe Depot at 315 W. Ave. B in downtown Temple, opened in 1973 and features permanent and temporary exhibits, including those on the city’s railroad history. Call 254-298-5172 or visit www.templerrhm.org.
CZECH HERITAGE MUSEUM
119 W. French Ave. in Temple, displays artifacts and holds programs that share the rich influence of Czech culture in the community. The facility also presents Czech films at The Beltonian Theatre in Belton. Call 254-899-2935 or visit www.czechheritagemusuem.org.
SALADO MUSEUM AND COLLEGE PARK
423 S. Main St. in Salado, tells the pioneer history and cultural diversity of Central Texas. The museum includes an exhibit room, an auditorium and the Wee Scotts Shop, which sells traditional Irish and Scottish apparel, accessories and literature. Call 254-947-5232 or visit saladomuseum.org.
TEMPLE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
11 N. Fourth St. in Temple, resumed its regular hours in May after closing in response to downtown construction. The facility operates from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday through Wednesday and on the first and second Saturday of each month. Thursdays and Fridays are reserved for private parties and special events. Cost $7 per child and $7 per adult; admission must be reserved in advance. Call 254-500-7617 or visit templechildrensmuseum.org.
COME SEE US!
• Free admission year-round • Become a “Friend of the Museum” today! Call or visit the museum website. 201 North Main Belton, TX 76513 254-933-5243 www.bellcountymuseum.org
Tax •
MOVIE THEATERS
Although streaming new movies was popular during the coronavirus pandemic, Central Texans continued their return to movie theaters in 2022. The Temple-Belton area offers numerous cinema options, including:
Cinemark
4501 S. General Bruce Drive in Temple
Temple Premiere 15 IMAX
Inside Temple Mall, 3111 S. 31 St. in Temple.
Grand Avenue Theater
2809 Oakmark Drive in Belton.
The Beltonian Theatre
219 E. Central Ave. in Belton.
Cinemark at Market Heights
201 E. Central Texas Expwy, Harker Heights.
The Last Drive-In Picture Show
2912 S. State Highway 36 in Gatesville.
Theresa Dillon with Lightsey Farms from Mexia selects tomatoes for a customer at the farmers market in Belton. Photo by Nan Dickson/Special to the Telegram
Farmers Markets
Looking for fresh produce and other local foods for cooking or a picnic? Try the local farmers markets, including those in Temple and Belton, which are popular especially in warm months. In Temple, a farmers market is located at West Temple Park, 121 S. Montpark Road. The market is located in the parking lot behind Temple Fire Station No. 7. Hours are from 7 a.m. to noon starting May 24. The Temple Small Business Association holds frequent farmers markets at the Temple City Hall parking lot near the intersection of Third Street and Central Avenue in downtown Temple. The markets are held the second Saturday of every month. Water Street Farmer’s Market is held from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday year-round, rain or shine, on Water Street in downtown Belton. Eggs, jelly and décor items for sale. Belton Market Days, managed by the Downtown Belton Business Alliance, are held in downtown Belton near the Bell County Courthouse square, usually in the spring and fall, including the third Saturday in September, October and November in 2022.
Swimming
Trying to escape the summer heat? There are two Bell County reservoirs — Lake Belton and Stillhouse Hollow Lake — for recreational swimming and picnicking. There are 16 Lake Belton parks — including the popular Temple Lake Park — operated by the Corps. Temple Lake Park, on the far western edge of the city of Temple at 14190 FM 2305/West Adams Ave., has picnic and swimming areas along Lake Belton. Day pass required. Stillhouse Hollow Lake, built in 1968, covers 6,429 acres and has seven Corps-operated parks, some with swimming areas. Chalk Ridge Falls Park, 5600 FM 1670 near Belton, is open year-round just east of the Stillhouse dam and has a scenic waterfall fed by a clear stream that locals like to splash in during summer. The park also has access to the Lampasas River. Cool down at local water parks as well: Lions Junction Family Water Park, 5000 S. Fifth St. in Temple, and Summer Fun Water Park, 1410 Waco Road in Belton. Summer Fun opened May 7 while Lions Junction opens May 28. Other water activities in the area include local splash pads and swimming pools. The city of Morgan’s Point Resort opened its community swimming pool May 28. The pool is located at 60 Morgan’s Point Resort Blvd. near Lake Belton. The city of Temple has several pools and splash pads for community use. Community swimming pools open June 4. Outdoor facilities are: Clark Pool, located at 1808 Curtis B. Elliott Drive, and Walker Pool is at 2603 N. Third St. Summit Recreation Center Pool, 620 Fryers Creek Drive, requires a membership. Sammons Park Indoor Pool, 2220 W. Ave. D, offers senior swim times and classes as well as open swim periods and family swim times. Temple splash pads, open May 7 to Oct. 2, are located at West Temple Park, 121 S. Montpark Road; Miller Park, 1919 N. 1st St.; Jaycee Park, 2302 W. Ave. Z and Ferguson Park, 1203 E. Adams. Belton has two splash pads open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. They are located at Harris Community Park, 312 N. Alexander St., and South Wall Tiger Park, 1895 S. Wall St.
Micah Schexnider, Temple swims with his dog Cici a Labrador at the Wag N Wade dog pool party where dog owners and their pets splashed and played at Clark Pool in Temple. Photo by Nan Dickson/Special to the Telegram
GOLF & DISC COURSES
Public golf courses in the area include Sammons Golf Course in Temple, Stonetree Golf Club in Killeen, Mill Creek Golf Club in Salado and Greenbrier Golf Club in Moody. Temple also has Wildflower Country Club, a private course that hosts many charity tournaments that the public may participate in. Three disc golf courses are available in Temple, located at Lions Park, South Temple Park and Crossroads Park. Belton has a disc golf course on the former Leon Valley golf location in Heritage Park. The Sammons Community Center, located adjacent to the Sammons Golf Course, has art, computer, dance classes, and more to suit many interests. Memberships, which are $5 for Temple residents and $8 for non-Temple residents, are year-long. There are free activities as well, which include trail walking, dance classes, ping pong, and day trips around the community. Events that provide physical activity opportunities include the Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Hot 2 Trot 5K on July 17, and athletic fields for softball, soccer, tennis, and basketball available for rental through the Temple Parks & Recreation Department. Wilson Park Recreation Center, 2205 Curtis B. Elliot Drive, hosts many activities each month for families, including day camps, art classes, and a fourth of July fun fest. The Temple Parks & Recreation Department provides daily camps for children. Go to https:// templeparks.com and register for either one of two camps, Camp Discovery for ages 5 through 7, and Camp Pathfinder for ages 8 through 13. Other family friendly activities in the area include a bowling alley and laser tag. Spare Time Texas, located at 5434 205 Loop, provides both activities. Xtreme Jump Adventure Park, 3111 S. 31st Suite 6504 B, is another laser tag facility that also has a trampoline park and go-cart rides.
AFC Urgent Care............................................................................ 67 Ana Belen Skincare ....................................................................... 51 B&G Paint & Body.......................................................................... 25 Barrow Brewing Co........................................................................ 55 Bell Air Conditioning...................................................................... 15 Bell County Museum..................................................................... 54 Belton Chamber Of Commerce..................................................... 17 Belton ISD...................................................................................... 46 Belton Senior Activity Center........................................................ 39 Benton's......................................................................................... 19 Best Way Carpets .......................................................................... 69 Big Red Barn.................................................................................. 57 BGFN Certified Public Accountants. ............................................ 60 CareAge HomeCare....................................................................... 31 Central Texas Christian School .................................................... 20 Choice Rentals .............................................................................. 67 College Heights Baptist Church ................................................... 42 Cook Residential Design............................................................... 47 Cross Church on Birdcreek ........................................................... 45 Central Texas Orchestral Society ................................................. 61 Darling Decor & More.................................................................... 71 Devereaux Jewelers ...................................................................... 29 Don Ringler Automotive................................................................ 47 Donald Bulls Locksmith................................................................ 61 Edward Jones.................................................................................. 7 Ellis Air Systems............................................................................ 63 English Maids ................................................................................ 31 Extraco Banks.................................................................................. 3 Extreme Cheer & Tumble............................................................... 69 Fairway Independent Mortgage ................................................... 65 Family Loans of Temple................................................................ 37 Family Pet Clinic............................................................................ 17 Finney Insurance Agency.............................................................. 43 First United Bank........................................................................... 27 FloorCo Surplus............................................................................. 31 Gallery Design Center ................................................................... 19 Garcia Architects........................................................................... 65 Gold Star Finance.......................................................................... 69 Golden Age Health Plans .............................................................. 37 Grand Avenue Theaters ................................................................ 51 Green's Sausage House................................................................ 67 Gunter Financial Services............................................................... 2 Harper-Talasek Funeral Homes ................................................... 59 Healthy Success with Dr. Shelley Cole......................................... 24 Hewett Arney Funeral Home......................................................... 65 History of West Museum .............................................................. 39 Holy Trinity Catholic High School................................................. 21 Horizon Bank ................................................................................. 33 iMERAKi ......................................................................................... 45 Jubilee Homes............................................................................... 15 Kirbo's Office Systems.................................................................. 19 Lastovica Jewelers ....................................................................... 51 Laura Mays Resale Shop .............................................................. 31 Laura White Interior Design.......................................................... 23 Lion of Judah Garden Center........................................................ 57 Lonesome Pine Nursery................................................................ 67 Ludwick, Montgomery & Stapp.................................................... 56 Marksmen Firearms...................................................................... 29 May Bee Trendy............................................................................. 63 Mayborn Museum, Baylor............................................................... 5 Missy Pursley, Financial Advisor.................................................. 59 My Giving Tree............................................................................... 45 Nolan Creek Realty........................................................................ 23 Nolan Creek School....................................................................... 25 Ocean Quest Pools by Lew Akins................................................. 75 Pack-N-Mail .................................................................................. 39 Performance Food Group ............................................................. 74 Perry Office Products.................................................................... 15 Precious Memories Florist & Gift Shop........................................ 71 Ralph Wilson Youth Club .............................................................. 21 Ratibor Country Grill...................................................................... 17 Janie Reed, REALTOR.................................................................... 25 Rylander's Best Hamburgers........................................................ 71 Salado Creek Antiques.................................................................. 71 Salon Karen ................................................................................... 47 Security Bank ................................................................................ 43 Sendero Shooting Sports.............................................................. 57 SignaMold & Design, LLC.............................................................. 33 Sit Means Sit Dog Training ........................................................... 29 Smile At The World Orthodontics (SATW) ...................................... 8 SPJST ............................................................................................ 39 Spradley Properties....................................................................... 41 State Farm, Nichole Guajardo....................................................... 67 Stoney Brook of Belton ................................................................. 17 Subway .......................................................................................... 67 Suzy Q's ......................................................................................... 69 Tanner Roofing .............................................................................. 59 Taylors Valley Baptist Church....................................................... 61 Temple Belton Board of Realtors ................................................. 42 Temple College.............................................................................. 76 Temple Belton Feed & Supply....................................................... 58 Temple ISD ...................................................................................... 9 Temple Smiles Family Dentistry................................................... 43 Temple Symphony......................................................................... 55 Temple Winnelson Co ................................................................... 41 Texas Farm Bureau ....................................................................... 41 The Beltonian ................................................................................ 55 The Best Lil Hairhouse in Temple................................................. 37 The Buddy Schwab Group ............................................................ 17 The Floor Store.............................................................................. 63 The Retreat Bodywork Center....................................................... 19 Troy's Auto Care ............................................................................ 43 Twice Upon A Clothesline ............................................................. 59 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor................................................. 23 Valet Cleaners & Laundry.............................................................. 45 Visiting Angels .............................................................................. 61 Washington County Tractor, Inc. .................................................. 45 West Temple Orthodontics ........................................................... 27 Woods Flowers.............................................................................. 33 Young's Daughters Funeral Home ............................................... 69 Zooty's ........................................................................................... 31
The Rev. Keith Pozzuto celebrates Easter service Sunday at Christ Episcopal Church in Temple. Photo by Jason Deckman
A community of faith
Local residents portray religion through service
Bell County is a community with people of faith, predominantly Christian but including a Hindu temple, some Jewish and Muslim worshippers, plus followers of other religions. Many of those followers of all faiths show their beliefs by acts of community service.
Some of their stories have been heartwarming recoveries after tragedies. Just recently, the new Church of the Visitation in Westphalia has taken shape, rising from the ashes of a fire that destroyed a 124-year-old wooden church on July 29, 2019. The new building will seat 440 people. While the church was being rebuilt, worshippers continued at the Westphalia Parish Hall. church being constructed,” parishioner Nancy Doskocil said.
Some First Baptist Church of Temple worshippers can relate, as the church moved to a new location and rebuilt after a January 2010 fire destroyed its sanctuary.
Other ways churches are building include Vacation Bible School, which is getting back to full participation in a myriad of locations
during the summer of 2022 after COVID-19 concerns limited or canceled some normal activities.
LifeWay Research out of Nashville, Tenn., conducted a survey that revealed even if parents do not attend church themselves, they will often send their children to Vacation Bible School. The study noted that parents shared positive feedback about their Vacation Bible School experiences.
Among the activities provided by local worshippers include Churches Touching Lives for Christ, which distributes food, clothing and other items to people in need.
Feed My Sheep, also in downtown Temple, provides meals daily for the homeless and low-income population.
The Salvation Army of Bell County — which many people don’t realize is a church — has shelters for women and men trying to rebuild their lives and also provides warming shelters during freezing nights.
Love of Christ Food Pantry, which celebrated its 30th year of helping local people in December 2021, distributes food and clothing on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The organization also helps with money management, Medicare/Medicaid and health information, and senior citizen programs.
Impact Church in downtown Temple provides warming stations during the winter and other assistance to people in need.
Several local churches have provided relief funds and services for people in war-torn Ukraine and other areas that haven’t received as much attention. Temple Bible Church has a sister church in Ukraine, along with some satellite locations that local church members are trying to help during the war.
Bell County religious-based organizations also have missionary efforts across the globe, with Belton-based Hope for the Hungry providing food and schooling for children in places including Haiti. They also have related efforts here at home.
Among the efforts here have included Temple City Council recognition of local historically black churches with an African American Churches Historic District, an area with about 100 properties near downtown Temple. Borders for the city’s second historic district include Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to the west, Avenue A to the north, Avenue E to the south and the train tracks to the east. Structures within the new district, highlighted by city staff, included Eighth Street Baptist Church, Corinth Baptist Church, Wayman Chapel AME Church, the Wheatley Alternative Education Center and a historic building at 311 S. MLK Jr. Drive.
“There is a journey that each one of us must take,” long-time Eighth Street Baptist preacher Roscoe Harrison, who died in February of 2022, wrote in a “Pastor’s Corner” published in the Telegram. “It is a journey with only two directions. One direction leads to God and the other direction leads to the pursuit of self interest or selfishness.”
He went on to say, “A journey without God breeds a sense of non-fulfillment and disappointment, no matter what you aspire to achieve. But a journey with God opens up the windows of Heaven and rewarding opportunity.”
This photo shot from a drone shows the Church of the Visitation being rebuilt in Westphalia. Construction began in January 2021. The church burned down in 2019 after a fire from an undetermined source destroyed the 124-year-old historic wooden structure. Photo courtesy of Joseph Fino
have found rewarding is the “God and Country” concert put on by First Baptist Church of Belton and other local churches. The event celebrated its 50th annual
performance in July 2021.
Andy Davis, who retired in 2020 after serving as the church’s pastor for 32 years, gave the invocation. “Thank you for this great day of celebration in these great United States of America,” he said as people celebrated Independence Day. “Thank you for those who
made the ultimate sacrifice in the gaining and maintaining of freedom. I pray that all of this will be a precursor to a great revival that only you can send and that we need so very much.” Temple is also the home of the Hindu Temple of Central Texas. A Google search will reveal a Jewish worship place in Temple and Islamic locations in Temple and Killeen.
The Telegram has a Faith Page as a regular feature on Saturdays. Submissions for the page should be made by noon the Monday before publication.
The newspaper has been reporting efforts of the faith community since its inception, including stories on the “Christmas poor fund” formed by church and civic leaders in 1907 that, in a year of unusual weather and other disasters helped to take care of families “without a pound of food or a stick of fuel on the premises.”
Whatever one’s faith, many in Bell County take it to heart.
“The Church of the Visitation is and has been the rock and foundation of our community,” Kay Rabroker said.
Many other people feel the same way about their place of worship.
A sign Sunday on the historic Eighth Street Baptist Church in Temple bears the name of Roscoe C. Harrison Jr., where he served as pastor. Photo by Nan Dickson
Lake Belton Sunset. Photo by Sue Steakley
Carol Holle
CENTRAL TEXAS C o m m u n i ty G u i d e C o m m u n i ty G u i d e 2022-2023
Lawrence Bradburn Missy Lackey
Kaitlyn Utley John Dvoracek Sue Steakley
Dean Winkler Lawrence Bradburn Allan Anderson Missy Lackey
John Dvoracek
Missy Lackey Missy Lackey Seth Sysum Jim Durkee
Thank You!
Missy Lackey
Featured on this page are the submissions for the 2022 Community Guide Photo Contest.
Thanks to all of the local photographers who sent a picture illustrating why they think the Temple and Bell County area is the perfect place to call home.
Wayne Farrell Coleman Hampton
Aubrey Brickhouse Sue Steakley Mary Lou Tunnicliffe Susan Alley
Missy Lackey Guy Fowler Susan Alley Missy Lackey
Carol Holle Allan Anderson Carol Holle Kaitlyn Utley
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