Festival of lights: Family hosts latke-licious party

Dec. 23, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer

If there's no latke, it's not Chanukah.
The latke is what a hashbrown aspires to be, a patty-sized potato cake fried in German tradition.
'They are delicious. The latke completes the Hanukkah party,' said Jan Hart, the chief latke cook at the Hanukkah party that took place at the Frankel residence in Temple on Thursday, Dec. 21.
With each ladle full of batter, Mrs. Hart was teaching 12-year-old Rebecca Frankel how to properly form and fry each latke.
'Foods that are fried in oil are important at Hanukkah celebrations,' said Mary Jo Koss of Temple.
She referenced the Hanukkah story that tells the miracle of how the oil lasted eight full nights instead of just one.

Church sends gifts to Cardboard Village

Dec. 16, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer

Big cardboard boxes can make wonderful playthings for small children.
An imagination and a few crayons can transform them into cowboy forts or adventuresome hideaways. If a pair of scissors enters the equation, an empty TV box can turn into a whole-day affair for a 3-year-old.
But the youngsters in Saltillo, Mexico, see no such potential in their cardboard boxes. For them, they are lifeless and mundane. Pale brown cardboard is all they see everyday, no matter where they travel within their village.
Dubbed Cardboard Village, Saltillo is one of the poorest villages in Mexico.
'Everyone there lives in a cardboard house,' said Wanita Rylander, missions affiliate with Christian Life Church in Temple. 'They worship in a cardboard church. It's an amazing, sad sight to see.'
To add some Christmas festivity to the lack-luster environment, Ms. Rylander and a mission team of 12 from CLC Temple set out Thursday to deliver more than 450 cheerily wrapped Christmas packages.

God's love in action: Sip of water puts name on church's mission

Dec. 16, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer

In Texas heat, thirst tortures.
For that dry, thirsty mouth, that first sip of water is a gift.
That's why the leaders of Christian Life Church in Temple say they frequently volunteer to distribute bottled water during public events.
'People were thirsty,' said Kathy Gillis, wife of CLC Senior Pastor Rick Gillis. 'They needed something to drink. So we gave it to them.'
In a nutshell, Mrs. Gillis said that idea is at the heart of CLC Temple's mission to share God's love in practical ways.
'That's what we do,' Mrs. Gillis said. 'We look for needs in the community, and then we go out and meet them.'

Familiar face called to serve however he can

Dec. 3, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer

It doesn't matter who's driving, they all wave at the man behind the big, red sign - the man they call Mr. Stop.
His name is Matthew Wilson, and he sits in a tollbooth-sized box each weekday, guarding the main entrance at Temple High School. He's done so for 25 years.
Drivers intending to park in the high school lot wait for his nod of approval. And when the afternoon bells ring, the traffic jams a bit because all the students, teachers, coaches and visitors won't turn to go home until they wish Mr. Stop a good evening.
'The all know me,' he said, grinning. 'I like my job here, and I like the people I've come into contact with. Never have been disrespected.'
He said he tries to greet each face within the steady stream of motorists, entering and leaving.
'I don't know all their names all the time, but I just keep on talking and smiling,' Wilson said. 'You might not think it makes a difference, but it does.'

Special Thanksgiving meal unites strangers

Nov. 24, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer

Not everyone at the table was related or even acquainted, but their behavior didn't show it.
They smiled, held hands and said grace before the Thanksgiving meal was served, just like a family.
Some were family through Christ, united as brothers in faith. And some were distant kin through their shared struggle in poverty and homelessness.
But most of the 100 or so people who came to eat turkey Thursday at First Christian Church in Temple were strangers to each other.
The opening prayer, however, quickly melded the various groups and those who were sitting alone into a single entity.

Whispering Mother Native American connects to God through nature

Nov. 11, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer

He didn't know about his Chiracahua Apache heritage until he was 10 years old. Born in Belton, Rafael Montez said he thought he was just another kid.
But he wasn't.
The Belton High School graduate would grow up to be 'Tall Bear,' president of the Tribal American Network, the organization that keeps people of Indian ancestry in communication with one another.
'I was walking down a street in Belton one afternoon when a lady rolled down her car window and said, 'You're Indian, aren't you?' 'No, I'm not,' I told her. 'Yes, you are,' she says. And we went back and forth like that a few more times until I ran home,' Montez said, describing the day he learned of his Native American ancestry.
His mother and grandmother soon confirmed the woman's accusation. He was, indeed, an Indian.
'My path to know the Creator had started,' Montez said.

Treehouse receives $30,000 grant

Nov. 4, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer

Christian Farms Treehouse Inc. of Temple received an anonymous contribution of $30,000 this week.
Attached to the check was a note of challenge to Bell County: 'Match this grant. Let's support this local drug rehab center in what it's doing. Its need is great - so let's help them together.'
'It's a much welcomed, much appreciated contribution,' said Jon Crosby, executive director of Christian Farms Treehouse Inc. in Temple. 'And we're eager to see what happens next.'