The thought of plucking fresh veggies out of the ground or off the stalk brings a big smile to the face of Cyprien Kilulu, a refugee from the Congo who resettled in Abilene in 2010. Thanks to the generosity of Paul Thomas and Gayla Fullerton and their Grapevine Farms, Kilulu and other refugees in Abilene can look forward to eating fresh produce this summer, including plants … [Read more...]
Curating Memories: How Andrew Penns Preserves Abilene’s Black History
The comment Andrew Penns hears most often as he escorts tour groups through Curtis House Cultural Center shouldn’t come as a surprise. “I didn’t know that,” people say as Penns offers tidbits of information on artifacts, people, places, and events significant in the history of the contributions of Black Abilenians to the city’s development. Those words have been repeated … [Read more...]
A Season of Serving Students in Need
The aroma of a turkey roasting in the oven for Thanksgiving and the sight of a pile of packages waiting to be ripped open on Christmas morning started filling the minds of many Americans the minute the Halloween decorations were packed away, maybe earlier. They are comforting imaginings, the stuff of a Norman Rockwell painting. But for some Americans, those imagined aromas … [Read more...]
Coffeehouse Culture in Abilene Texas
Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to study by day or a lively music scene by night, there’s an Abilene coffee shop waiting for you. Maybe you’re in the mood for a richly-roasted shot of espresso, or maybe you need something sugary and sweet. Coffeehouse culture in Abilene Texas means whatever vibe you’re looking for and in any section of town, you can find just the right … [Read more...]
The Farris Family
Taylor County’s 2019 Agriculture Family of the Year By Wendy Kilmer Photography by Beth Dukes Mary Beth Farris grew up near Chicago and envisioned herself settling down somewhere around Cape Cod. Her husband, Danny, admits to experiencing culture shock when moving from the rolling, piney hills of Northern Louisiana to West Texas. But today both say they can’t imagine … [Read more...]