By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
Winning's not always the point. Sometimes just playing the game is enough.
That's why the Buddy Ball games at First Baptist Church in Belton always end in a tie.
'The score doesn't matter,' said Ricky O'Banon of Belton, program coordinator. 'It's about everyone getting equal court time.'
That's important to the Buddy Ball players, children from 5 to 18 with special needs and disabilities.
The group's first practice was July 6, and everyone was having a blast. A smile was on everyone's face, and cheers could be heard from every corner of the FBC gym.
'Fun. Fun. Basketball is fun,' said Bobby Ayer, one of the players. 'My favorite is to throw, count and bounce.'
The enthusiastic Ayer also likes Buddy Ball because he gets to 'talk to a hundred friends.'
Parents enjoy Buddy Ball for the same reasons.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Sisters harvest for the hungry
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
Three years ago, there was just a half dozen lavender plants.
Now the Belton farm produces a variety of crops, sometimes more than a thousand pounds' worth.
The farming started as a hobby that two sisters - Melanie Morrow of Temple and Donna Stoa of Nassau Bay - could share.
'At the time we lived two states away,' Mrs. Stoa said. 'I was close to Houston, and Melanie was in New Mexico.'
And the routine was to meet at home base, the house of their parents, Don and Estelle Fisher of Belton. So there wasn't much opportunity for quality sister time.
'I wanted something we could do together like a project or a hobby that would give each of us an excuse to get together,' Mrs. Stoa said. 'Farming, why not? The land was there, and the barn was there. It could be put to use.'
When the sisters' garden project launched in 2006, the Fisher's five-acre farm land wasn't being used.
'The parents had donkeys and horses on it when we were younger,' said Mrs. Morrow, a member of First United Methodist Church in Temple. 'But those are long gone.'
The two novice gardeners opted to try their hands at lavender.
'There was no particular reason,' Mrs. Morrow said. 'We thought it sounded like fun.'
And it was successful, sort of.
'We got some plants working,' Mrs. Morrow said. 'But not well enough to grow them over the two acres we were working. There was a fungus that would grow on them, and it was too expensive to keep the plants treated.'
So they moved their sights to produce farming.
Telegram Staff Writer
Three years ago, there was just a half dozen lavender plants.
Now the Belton farm produces a variety of crops, sometimes more than a thousand pounds' worth.
The farming started as a hobby that two sisters - Melanie Morrow of Temple and Donna Stoa of Nassau Bay - could share.
'At the time we lived two states away,' Mrs. Stoa said. 'I was close to Houston, and Melanie was in New Mexico.'
And the routine was to meet at home base, the house of their parents, Don and Estelle Fisher of Belton. So there wasn't much opportunity for quality sister time.
'I wanted something we could do together like a project or a hobby that would give each of us an excuse to get together,' Mrs. Stoa said. 'Farming, why not? The land was there, and the barn was there. It could be put to use.'
When the sisters' garden project launched in 2006, the Fisher's five-acre farm land wasn't being used.
'The parents had donkeys and horses on it when we were younger,' said Mrs. Morrow, a member of First United Methodist Church in Temple. 'But those are long gone.'
The two novice gardeners opted to try their hands at lavender.
'There was no particular reason,' Mrs. Morrow said. 'We thought it sounded like fun.'
And it was successful, sort of.
'We got some plants working,' Mrs. Morrow said. 'But not well enough to grow them over the two acres we were working. There was a fungus that would grow on them, and it was too expensive to keep the plants treated.'
So they moved their sights to produce farming.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Harmons huddle into a traveling sisterhood
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
Sunday afternoons were for dinner with the family.
That's the way it was for the 10 children of Joseph and Bertha Harmon of Moffat.
'It was the way all of us came together,' said Martha Tomme, the oldest daughter. 'Us five girls, and the five boys. We'd all come for supper, even after we were grown.'
But when Mrs. Harmon died 23 years ago, her fear was that the family would drift apart.
'We didn't want that to happen,' said Melinda Murray, the youngest daughter. 'So we tried to make it a point to continue to get together.'
Even though all of the 10 siblings lived within 40 minutes of each other, it was difficult to continue the routine.
'The dynamic of the family had changed,' said Martie Crocker, one of the sisters. 'Things weren't the same.'
So the group made a pact. They promised each other they would take a vacation together at least once a year.
'It doesn't matter where we go,' Mrs. Murray said. 'As long as we go somewhere.'
That pact transformed into an annual October camp-out at Cedar Ridge.
'That's when all of us get together,' Mrs. Crocker said. 'And it's a big group because we bring our husbands, kids and what not. Sometimes the siblings of our spouses tag along.'
So the Harmon family felt whole again - not the same as when they were young, but just as happy and just as united.
The group's approach to life after the death of their mother was normal and healthy.
'Things change,' said Vekram Mehra, an area psychologist and counselor. 'And the best thing you can do with that is accept it and learn how to live with it the best you can.'
Telegram Staff Writer
Sunday afternoons were for dinner with the family.
That's the way it was for the 10 children of Joseph and Bertha Harmon of Moffat.
'It was the way all of us came together,' said Martha Tomme, the oldest daughter. 'Us five girls, and the five boys. We'd all come for supper, even after we were grown.'
But when Mrs. Harmon died 23 years ago, her fear was that the family would drift apart.
'We didn't want that to happen,' said Melinda Murray, the youngest daughter. 'So we tried to make it a point to continue to get together.'
Even though all of the 10 siblings lived within 40 minutes of each other, it was difficult to continue the routine.
'The dynamic of the family had changed,' said Martie Crocker, one of the sisters. 'Things weren't the same.'
So the group made a pact. They promised each other they would take a vacation together at least once a year.
'It doesn't matter where we go,' Mrs. Murray said. 'As long as we go somewhere.'
That pact transformed into an annual October camp-out at Cedar Ridge.
'That's when all of us get together,' Mrs. Crocker said. 'And it's a big group because we bring our husbands, kids and what not. Sometimes the siblings of our spouses tag along.'
So the Harmon family felt whole again - not the same as when they were young, but just as happy and just as united.
The group's approach to life after the death of their mother was normal and healthy.
'Things change,' said Vekram Mehra, an area psychologist and counselor. 'And the best thing you can do with that is accept it and learn how to live with it the best you can.'
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Yard art defines the home
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
From flamingos to toilets, all sorts of things decorate the lawns of Bell County.
The six-foot metal daisy, the gnome and mermaid statue: It could be homemade, store bought or a reminder of years gone by.
Each has a different story about why it came to be.
But they all have one thing in common: They make a place a home for their owner.
Telegram Staff Writer
From flamingos to toilets, all sorts of things decorate the lawns of Bell County.
The six-foot metal daisy, the gnome and mermaid statue: It could be homemade, store bought or a reminder of years gone by.
Each has a different story about why it came to be.
But they all have one thing in common: They make a place a home for their owner.
Astronomer takes the fiction out of science
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
When the first 'Star Trek' movie aired, the young Seth Shostak had a few things to say.
'There were a bunch of mistakes,' said Shostak, who was studying radio astronomy at the California Institute of Technology at the time. 'So I wrote Gene Roddenberry saying that if he paid the bus fare twice a week, I'd come red line his script and catch all the errors.'
The movie producer responded to the graduate student to express his thanks, but he had already employed a group of scientists to take care of that.
'Oh well,' Shostak said. 'That was that, but I bet I could have done a good job for him. That letter's still around somewhere.'
The young scientist didn't let the rejection slow down his career.
Now, more than two decades later, Shostak is the senior astronomer at the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute in Mountain View, Calif. - and his advice is sought on a regular basis.
He was the science advisor for the 2008 Keanu Reeves film 'The Day the Earth Stood Still,' and this week, he's been traveling the country giving talks on science. On Thursday, he was at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston.
And today, he'll be at Stagecoach Inn giving a lecture for the Central Texas Astronomical Society and the Institute for the Humanities at Salado.
Telegram Staff Writer
When the first 'Star Trek' movie aired, the young Seth Shostak had a few things to say.
'There were a bunch of mistakes,' said Shostak, who was studying radio astronomy at the California Institute of Technology at the time. 'So I wrote Gene Roddenberry saying that if he paid the bus fare twice a week, I'd come red line his script and catch all the errors.'
The movie producer responded to the graduate student to express his thanks, but he had already employed a group of scientists to take care of that.
'Oh well,' Shostak said. 'That was that, but I bet I could have done a good job for him. That letter's still around somewhere.'
The young scientist didn't let the rejection slow down his career.
Now, more than two decades later, Shostak is the senior astronomer at the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute in Mountain View, Calif. - and his advice is sought on a regular basis.
He was the science advisor for the 2008 Keanu Reeves film 'The Day the Earth Stood Still,' and this week, he's been traveling the country giving talks on science. On Thursday, he was at the Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston.
And today, he'll be at Stagecoach Inn giving a lecture for the Central Texas Astronomical Society and the Institute for the Humanities at Salado.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Eagles song makes great sermon material
By TOMIE LUNSFORD
Telegram Staff Writer
Don't you draw the queen of diamonds boy, she'll beat you if she's able. The queen of hearts is always your best bet. Now it seems to me, some fine things have been laid upon your table, but you only want the ones you can't get.
That's 'Desperado.'
'If there was anything that ever needed interpreting, it's that song,' said the Rev. Aldon Samaha, the new pastor at the Unity Church of Temple. 'It's filled with a symbology that carries a deeper meaning, one that many find important and true to their lives.'
The pastor plans to decipher the riddles of the Eagles' 'Desperado' at a western-themed worship service on Sunday at the Unity Church of Temple.
Telegram Staff Writer
Don't you draw the queen of diamonds boy, she'll beat you if she's able. The queen of hearts is always your best bet. Now it seems to me, some fine things have been laid upon your table, but you only want the ones you can't get.
That's 'Desperado.'
'If there was anything that ever needed interpreting, it's that song,' said the Rev. Aldon Samaha, the new pastor at the Unity Church of Temple. 'It's filled with a symbology that carries a deeper meaning, one that many find important and true to their lives.'
The pastor plans to decipher the riddles of the Eagles' 'Desperado' at a western-themed worship service on Sunday at the Unity Church of Temple.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Native American ritual leads way to healthy body, mind
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D99C1OTO2.html
This story was picked up by the Associated Press.
Telegram Staff Writer
For many moons, the Native American sweat lodge has held great power.
'It puts you in touch with the Creator,' said Rafael 'Tall Bear' Montez of Belton, president of the Tribal American Network. 'You suffer the heat, you sweat and your spirit is cleansed. When it's done, negative thoughts are gone.'
The ritual works magic on the body too.
'You sweat the impurities out of your skin,' said Jane Lee of Moffat, who's married to Marcus, a member of the Tarahumara tribe. 'Your skin gets so soft, and if there's anything wrong with you, like an aching back or sore knee, you'll be over it by the time you get out of the lodge. The heat is so intense that your body releases all tension.'
A night of deep and easy sleep is a gift of the sweat lodge as well.
'Your soul is renewed,' Tall Bear said. 'Your spirit is purified, and you are at peace.'
That's why the Apache tribesman hosts monthly sweat lodges for area Native Americans and soldiers returning from war.
'The soldiers coming home, they have so much stress and pain,' Tall Bear said. 'This helps them to get rid of it and move on.'
For soldiers needing immediate spiritual relief, Tall Bear is on-call. He will conduct sweat ceremonies for them any time, day or night.
'Those lodges are private and personal,' Tall Bear said.
People who suffer from arthritis are also welcome to attend the sweat lodges.
'It helps,' Mrs. Lee said. 'They're often able to move around more easily after it's over.'
There will be no sweat lodge in July because Tall Bear and his friends will be attending a U.S. tribal reunion. But starting in August, the sweats will take place the first Saturday of the month on Tall Bear's property in Belton. For details, call 254-624-7206.
This story was picked up by the Associated Press.
---
By TOMIE LUNSFORD Telegram Staff Writer
For many moons, the Native American sweat lodge has held great power.
'It puts you in touch with the Creator,' said Rafael 'Tall Bear' Montez of Belton, president of the Tribal American Network. 'You suffer the heat, you sweat and your spirit is cleansed. When it's done, negative thoughts are gone.'
The ritual works magic on the body too.
'You sweat the impurities out of your skin,' said Jane Lee of Moffat, who's married to Marcus, a member of the Tarahumara tribe. 'Your skin gets so soft, and if there's anything wrong with you, like an aching back or sore knee, you'll be over it by the time you get out of the lodge. The heat is so intense that your body releases all tension.'
A night of deep and easy sleep is a gift of the sweat lodge as well.
'Your soul is renewed,' Tall Bear said. 'Your spirit is purified, and you are at peace.'
That's why the Apache tribesman hosts monthly sweat lodges for area Native Americans and soldiers returning from war.
'The soldiers coming home, they have so much stress and pain,' Tall Bear said. 'This helps them to get rid of it and move on.'
For soldiers needing immediate spiritual relief, Tall Bear is on-call. He will conduct sweat ceremonies for them any time, day or night.
'Those lodges are private and personal,' Tall Bear said.
People who suffer from arthritis are also welcome to attend the sweat lodges.
'It helps,' Mrs. Lee said. 'They're often able to move around more easily after it's over.'
There will be no sweat lodge in July because Tall Bear and his friends will be attending a U.S. tribal reunion. But starting in August, the sweats will take place the first Saturday of the month on Tall Bear's property in Belton. For details, call 254-624-7206.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
