Angelica’s Song
It was early afternoon on a Sunday when Angelica Gandara left her North 6th Street home to visit her grandma three blocks away. The 11-year-old briefly stopped at a friend’s house, then continued on her short journey. After a visit with her granny, she headed home. Angelica never arrived. That was nearly 38 years ago — July 14, 1985 — and she remains missing.
Forbidden Love
Patsy Ewing and Ed Luna got married in 1956, and were one of very few interracial couples in Temple at the time. Patsy, who later served three terms on the Temple City Council and was known as a champion for city parks, said the couple had to leave town on dates and after they were married, they still faced obstacles not presented to single-race families of the day.
Racket Science
John Schuckmann was all smiles after rocketing a serve past Paul Friedman in a ping-pong matchup Thursday between two retired physicians. Friedman grimaced, then vowed revenge, and he got it moments later by sneaking a shot past his opponent. The two former Scott & White doctors are among a group of about 20 “athletes” from throughout Central Texas who take turns at the tables every Tuesday and Thursday at Sammons Community Center.
EDUCATION & SCHOOL NEWS
The Temple Independent School District Transportation Department is rolling out another digital tool to help increase safety and communication for bus riders across the district. The district is opening the parent portal of the SMART tag transportation system this week. INSIDE: Updated news from local schools, colleges and school districts.
TC construction starts in spring
Temple College will hold a ground-breaking ceremony in early April and construction will begin in May on a massive $160 million project that will add four major buildings to the local campus.
They’ve got spirit!
Cheerleaders from Lake Belton High School and Belton High School made school history when both squads earned a spot in the UIL State Spirit Championship finals last month in Fort Worth.
FIGHT NIGHT
Pro wrestling is coming to Academy High School — home of the Bumblebees — on Feb. 25, and the senior-class fundraiser promises to be more fun than a figure-four leg-lock.
8 WONDERS OF THE TEMPLE AREA
Green’s Sausage House in Zabcikville topped Our Town’s list of the 8 Wonders of the Temple Area. More than 2,500 people voted in a poll that asked: What are eight places every visitor to the Temple area should see? Green’s had 313 votes, or 12 percent of all votes cast.
DOUBLE-DOSE
Baylor College of Medicine’s Temple campus plans to open its doors this summer to its inaugural class of 40 medical students, but those first students likely will have maroon-clad company.
GET READY TO KICK IT
The Temple Coyotes FC will begin the process of setting its roster this month as the 2023 National Premier Soccer League season fast approaches. The new year will bring several changes and additions to the club, including a new Under-19 team and possibly a new name.