Life can change in an instant and on June 18, 2020, Heidi Wachtel experienced just that. Wachtel, a Michigan native, was playing on a trampoline in rural Nebraska when the unexpected happened. While doing a backflip, Wachtel was launched from the trampoline to the ground due to an open zipper on the net. The back of Wachtel’s head took the brunt of the impact while the rest … [Read more...]
Sadie Grace Farms
Beekeeping is part art, part science and for Crissy Ward it is also a labor of love and a fulfillment of her God-given purpose. Introduced to beekeeping through a friend around 2019, Crissy said when she saw “what and how bees create,” she knew God was guiding her down a very specific path. Like a Bee to Honey “My spiritual life is a big part of all of this,” she said, … [Read more...]
Mini Pavlovas
Have you ever had meringues? They're light, crispy cookies made with whipped egg whites, sugar, vanilla, cream of tartar and a pinch of salt. I've always loved baking them (and eating them!) and I have sold them at many of my bake sales! I've always wanted to try taking my meringues to the next level by making a pavlova. If you haven't heard of this dessert before, it's a … [Read more...]
Abilene Author: Garner Roberts
A trip to the dentist about 10 years ago turned out to be a pleasant and rewarding experience for both Garner Roberts and Bubba Ephriam. The dentist introduced Roberts to Ephriam, who also was one of his patients. That meeting led to a book, Bubba Ephriam: Black Texas Basketball Trailblazer. The book, which was published in 2024 by Abilene Christian University Press, tells … [Read more...]
Crane’s Craft BBQ at the Wagon Wheel
When the Crane family moved back to Texas, they imagined a place with “cold beer, boots, country music and barbecue.” Today, that vision has come to life in Crane’s Craft BBQ at the Wagon Wheel—a place now proudly nominated for a 2025 James Beard Award, a food industry honor. The historic square dance hall has been transformed into a lively barbecue restaurant that has kept … [Read more...]