Exploring Abilene State Park's Community Programs In the Big Country, community spaces bring people together. The libraries, the Cedar Creek Walkway and the ArtWalk festival downtown all provide free spaces to make memories with friends and loved ones. A true gem just thirty minutes from town is the Abilene State Park. With just a five-dollar entry fee, people can hike, … [Read more...]
Against the Grain: Gluten Free in Abilene
A BIT OF HISTORY FIRST During World War II, during the Dutch famine in the Netherlands, bread became scarce. Dutch pediatrician Willem Karel Dicke noticed that none of the children with celiac disease in his hospital died. He “hypothesized that the wheat protein may be the culprit in triggering celiac disease” (www.beyondceliac.org/ celiac-disease/celiac-history). Celiac had … [Read more...]
More than a Stage: How Mrs. Z’s Performing Arts Studio Builds Confidence and Community
Camille Zimmerman’s passion for musical theater is infectious, and at Mrs. Z’s Performing Arts Studio, she is able to share her love of this special genre with some very talented – and ambitious – youngsters. Camille’s studio provides a space where students come together to learn, rehearse and perform. Everything – from rehearsals to the finished product – reflects a … [Read more...]
Small Start, Big Dreams, Big Impact
THE REACH OF LOVE & CARE MINISTRIES IN THE BIG COUNTRY AND BEYOND Never underestimate the power of small beginnings. Thirty years ago, Mark Hewitt felt a nudge to serve the homeless. It was a small beginning that started with two men, 20 large cups of soup and the back of a pickup truck. Hewitt and his friend, Jim, would spend their Sunday afternoons driving around … [Read more...]
From Family Home to Community Treasure: The Legacy of Swenson House
A familiar and much-loved Abilene landmark, the Swenson House has played host to fundraising events, receptions, photo shoots and even ghost tours. But before it became a public treasure, it played perhaps its most important role – home. The Legacy of William Gray Swenson The home’s past is as storied as the couple who raised their family there. William Gray Swenson … [Read more...]