By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
Eyes are closed.
Her soft German voice guides the imagination.
'You are in a kitchen, your favorite kitchen,' the professional hypnotist said.
Looking around the dining hall at the Howard Johnson Inn in Killeen, every woman's chin rested on her chest with her shoulders slumped.
The 30 women were at the hotel for Thursday night's meeting of the Central Texas area council of the American Business Women's Association (Please, see related story on Page 3B).
But while the voice spoke, the ladies were there to do as the voice commanded.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Precious memories: Alzheimer's patients find favorite items to trigger thoughts of long ago
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
The photograph was in a gold frame. A lady in a long, white dress stood beside a man in a black suit.
But Alzheimer's patient Elaine Stevens couldn't find the words to describe her wedding day. The note on the back of the picture read '1949, married in Stillwater, Oklahoma.'
Mrs. Stevens brought her wedding picture to First Lutheran Church for this week's Thursday Club meeting. The week before, co-director Joyce McKinney said all of the patients were asked to bring a favorite object that had special meaning. The program, 'Precious Memories,' was in honor of the club's first-year anniversary/birthday.
'It's a way to unlock memories, a recollection exercise,' Mrs. McKinney said.
Telegram Staff Writer
The photograph was in a gold frame. A lady in a long, white dress stood beside a man in a black suit.
But Alzheimer's patient Elaine Stevens couldn't find the words to describe her wedding day. The note on the back of the picture read '1949, married in Stillwater, Oklahoma.'
Mrs. Stevens brought her wedding picture to First Lutheran Church for this week's Thursday Club meeting. The week before, co-director Joyce McKinney said all of the patients were asked to bring a favorite object that had special meaning. The program, 'Precious Memories,' was in honor of the club's first-year anniversary/birthday.
'It's a way to unlock memories, a recollection exercise,' Mrs. McKinney said.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Retired into service
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.
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.
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.'
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