On certain days, the life of Barco the police dog is just like the life of the pooch next door. He gets to nap, eat, exercise, catch another nap, maybe get a bath and chase balls in the backyard. But on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, it’s a different story. Wednesday is training day, and the other three days are work days. And this isn’t just any … [Read more...]
Home Sweet Home Projects
A drive around Abilene’s neighborhoods makes clear that not all the effects of the recent pandemic are negative. Abilene yards and homes are becoming more beautiful. With some businesses closed, many working from home, and schools and activities on hiatus, many people in Abilene, as well as the rest of the nation, are finding themselves at home more and with additional free … [Read more...]
Fruits of Their Labor
Several retired Abilene physicians have found a second career in winemaking. Take it from four local health professionals – winemaking is not for the faint of heart. Dan Munton, Vince Viola, Ed Brandecker and Roberta Kalafut Brandecker can attest to that. The Brandeckers are retired. Dan is retired from full-time practice but still monitors neurosurgeries remotely from … [Read more...]
New on the Scene: Abilene Fresh
KEEPING IT FRESH Josh Casey founded Abilene Fresh to connect the Abilene community with fresh, locally-grown food. Operations began in 2020 but emerged out of a previous organization, Hug-A- Root Farms. “I needed to eat better in order to stay well, and I developed a passion to help others do the same,” Casey said. “The key was expanding access to fresh, naturally grown … [Read more...]
Rising to the Occasion
On March 26, 2020, the City of Abilene and health officials from Hendrick Healthcare System announced the first positive test result for COVID-19 in Abilene. The COVID-19 coronavirus had cast its shadow over the community even earlier. Two weeks prior, as Spring Break concluded, public schools announced closure, first temporarily and later indefinitely. A disaster declaration … [Read more...]