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.
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.
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.
‘The Bikeriders’ are coming
More than a year before Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper roared across the silver screen in Easy Rider, a daring young photojournalist chronicled life inside one of the nation’s toughest biker gangs in the book The Bikeriders. This spring, a new version of The Bikeriders — a museum exhibit featuring dozens of Lyon’s iconic photos — comes to the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum for a two-month run. The exhibit opens April 22.
Bell County outdoors
Tight hay supplies and high winter feed prices are challenging Texas cattle producers’ ability to get as many cows as possible through winter in good condition. The 2022 drought and subsequent poor hay production resulted in stressed hay supplies going into winter, according to AgriLife Extension specialists. Check the Bell County Outdoors page for the latest fishing and birdwatching reports.
Block of Ages
LEGO bricks are possibly the most popular toy of all time, but not everyone begins their rectangular journey as a child. Robert Rodriquez Jr., for instance, was approaching 50 when his passion for the plastic building blocks surfaced.
‘The MLK’ nears completion
A six-band music festival featuring Temple native Eric Paslay and Holly Tucker on April 1 will be the first event held at the new Martin Luther King Jr. Festival Grounds in Downtown Temple. A second event — the annual Bloomin’ Temple Festival — will be April 28 and 29.
Viewfinder Stories
JohnJohn Montelongo, Jason Deckman and Chris Winston will be the featured artists at a Feb. 11 photography exhibition — Infatuation: Viewfinder Series — at Total Elegance Creations in Downtown Temple.