By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
With a slew of RVs parked in its lot, the First Baptist Church of Troy looks like it might be hosting a carnival or rodeo.
But the two-week guests resemble neither carneys nor cowboys.
The 25 men who call those RVs home are retired teachers, accountants, bankers and lawyers. Instead of slacks and briefcases, they now wear hard hats and overalls with hammers and saws hanging from their belts.
Their wives call them the Hammering Grandpas.
And their nametags say 'Texas Baptist Men Retiree Church Builders (TBMCB) building for the glory of God.' Developed in the late 1960s, the statewide organization has at least 80 members.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Transferring treasures: Program teaches importance of keeping memories alive
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
The list of our treasures goes on forever, but we don't.
After our funerals, the half-decayed ornament that little Billy made the year he lost his first tooth will become an unidentified mass of goo that finds its final resting-place in a Hefty bag.
But our life's bounty deserves a future.
'These things are part of our heritage,' Ilene Miller said Thursday, Jan. 4, to about 20 members of the Housekeepers Club gathered for a meeting at the City Federation Clubhouse in Temple.
'They make us special as families. Otherwise it's just stuff,' she said.
Telegram Staff Writer
The list of our treasures goes on forever, but we don't.
After our funerals, the half-decayed ornament that little Billy made the year he lost his first tooth will become an unidentified mass of goo that finds its final resting-place in a Hefty bag.
But our life's bounty deserves a future.
'These things are part of our heritage,' Ilene Miller said Thursday, Jan. 4, to about 20 members of the Housekeepers Club gathered for a meeting at the City Federation Clubhouse in Temple.
'They make us special as families. Otherwise it's just stuff,' she said.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Another year equals 104
Dec. 31, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
She will turn 104 years old on Jan. 31.
Residing in an assisted living facility, Edith Guess of Temple said she isn't too excited about her upcoming birthday.
'I'm a shade too old,' Mrs. Guess said. 'And I'm just going to get older.'
But after a couple of her friends started teasing her, a slight grin contradicting her unimpressed demeanor.
'There will probably be a party with cake and candles,' Mrs. Guess said, pointing to a picture of last year's birthday party. 'They better give me every one of my candles.'
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
She will turn 104 years old on Jan. 31.
Residing in an assisted living facility, Edith Guess of Temple said she isn't too excited about her upcoming birthday.
'I'm a shade too old,' Mrs. Guess said. 'And I'm just going to get older.'
But after a couple of her friends started teasing her, a slight grin contradicting her unimpressed demeanor.
'There will probably be a party with cake and candles,' Mrs. Guess said, pointing to a picture of last year's birthday party. 'They better give me every one of my candles.'
Independent 101-year-old strong in will
Dec. 31, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
For the past 15 years or so, her goal has been to get out of bed and get dressed.
'I might not feel like doing anything after that,' said Virginia Bowen of Temple. 'But I'm not going to stay in the bed all day. I take one day at a time and enjoy it for all it's worth.'
That may be the 101-year-old's secret to long life. She's independent, living on her own.
Once an enjoyer of novels and puzzles, Mrs. Bowen's wit is still in tact, sharp with a century's worth of comments and opinions.
'My eyesight's not as good as it used to be,' she said. 'It's hard to hear too. But I get up and do as much as I can.'
One thing she looks forward to each week is her trip to Studio 2000 in Temple, a local beauty salon. Everyone who works there knows her when she comes.
'It's Miss Virginia,' they all said during one of her visits in December. Hi's and hello's were exchanged, and the long-time customer got at least four hugs before she had a chance to sit down.
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
For the past 15 years or so, her goal has been to get out of bed and get dressed.
'I might not feel like doing anything after that,' said Virginia Bowen of Temple. 'But I'm not going to stay in the bed all day. I take one day at a time and enjoy it for all it's worth.'
That may be the 101-year-old's secret to long life. She's independent, living on her own.
Once an enjoyer of novels and puzzles, Mrs. Bowen's wit is still in tact, sharp with a century's worth of comments and opinions.
'My eyesight's not as good as it used to be,' she said. 'It's hard to hear too. But I get up and do as much as I can.'
One thing she looks forward to each week is her trip to Studio 2000 in Temple, a local beauty salon. Everyone who works there knows her when she comes.
'It's Miss Virginia,' they all said during one of her visits in December. Hi's and hello's were exchanged, and the long-time customer got at least four hugs before she had a chance to sit down.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Area Spotlight: Church reaches out to AIDS victims
Dec. 30, 2006
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
Churches ostracize sick people.
Yes or no?
The answer depends on the illness.
If that person is sick with hives, depression, delusion or cancer - then no.
If that person is sick from HIV and AIDS - then, maybe, yes.
'People with HIV and AIDS are continuously turned away from church and organized faith activities because of the social stigma associated with the disease,' said Janet Cates, program manager for HIV patients at Central Texas Support Services in Temple. 'The ignorance of AIDS in Central Texas is shameful. Everyone thinks it's still a gay disease. It's not.'
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
Churches ostracize sick people.
Yes or no?
The answer depends on the illness.
If that person is sick with hives, depression, delusion or cancer - then no.
If that person is sick from HIV and AIDS - then, maybe, yes.
'People with HIV and AIDS are continuously turned away from church and organized faith activities because of the social stigma associated with the disease,' said Janet Cates, program manager for HIV patients at Central Texas Support Services in Temple. 'The ignorance of AIDS in Central Texas is shameful. Everyone thinks it's still a gay disease. It's not.'
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.
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.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
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.
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.
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