Daring to share: Woman's controversial newletter in 14th year of publication

Dec. 30, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer

It's yellow. It's monthly. And it's not a phone book.
Some, outraged by its message, tear the strip of paper into shreds and call it junk mail.
Others are intrigued. They study every edition and enjoy discussing its contents.
To the Temple woman who writes it, 'Connections: A Monthly Newsletter Calling the Church to Faithful New Life' is a tool for her to express her thoughts about church and religion.
Schooled in philosophy and history, newsletter author Barbara Wendland said she seeks to eradicate the narrow views of the Christian church. The unofficial reformer holds a master's degree in theology from the United Methodist Seminary at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

Getting the truth from the man in the red

Dec. 24, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer

Santa Claus is not in high school anymore.
'So can we please stop spreading rumors?' Claus asked. 'If you want to know something, just ask.'
Regarding the issue of entering houses without chimneys, the toy maker from the North Pole wants to set the record straight, once and for all.
'I might fly around in a sleigh, and I might live with elves, but disappearing into thin air, that's ridiculous,' Claus scoffed. 'I don't shrink tinier than a needle, and I'm not in cahoots with Captain Kirk and Spock, so I don't get beamed up.'
Claus patted his belly. He was at Temple Mall one day earlier this month talking to a newspaper reporter.

She's a child at heart come Christmas

Dec. 24, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer

Some people never outgrow Santa Claus.
That's the toy maker's hope for every one of us.
Edith Wolffberg of Killeen is a 102-year-old woman who did Santa proud. Mrs. Wolffberg says she still believes in Santa. In her long life, she said she's never seen a reason not to believe.
'Edith and I just sit and visit. She's real sweet,' Claus said. 'We don't talk about anything in particular. She doesn't really have a wish list like the kiddos. She just likes talking to Santa.'

Santa gives rare interview

Dec. 24, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer

Santa has a secret.
'It's bad, but I've got to tell someone,' Santa Claus told a newspaper re porter one day at Temple Mall. 'House after house, it's always the same. Cookies and milk. Cookies and milk.'
The jolly old elf wasn't badmouth ing his most favorite snack. It's just that he works up a mighty appetite on Christmas Eve, flying around the whole world, unloading toy after toy.
'I need something more substantial. I get hungry on Christmas Eve. I mean real hungry,' Claus said. 'This year, I am telling kiddos that I'd like a big, old thick prime rib.'
Don't worry, though. Temple Mayor Bill Jones was quick in volunteering to leave Santa a plate of steak and potatoes.
'It would be an awful shame for San ta to go hungry,' Jones said. 'Well it won't happen, not here in Temple. I'll make sure Santa gets his prime rib.'

Church learns tradition of Moravian candle craft

Dec. 23, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer

For 250 consecutive years candles have been part of Moravian Christmas Eve services in America.
Temple Brethren Church will continue the Czech tradition this year. The service, 'Light the Way,' at 2202 Bird Creek Drive is set for 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24.
To prepare for the candle lighting ritual, the Rev. Bill Rinderknecht taught about 40 congregation members how to make the traditional Moravian candles on Sunday, Dec. 17.
Supplies needed include bee's wax candles, flame-retardant red paper, scissors, scotch tape and Styrofoam.
'You use bee's wax because it's the purest form of wax known,' Rinderknecht said. 'Since it was developed as a children's item, the pureness is important because it represents the pureness of Christ.'

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.