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...]
A New Home for the Holidays: How Refugee Families Celebrate in Abilene
“Fireworks!” 12-year-old Bright Kabura says as he describes a holiday celebration. He’s not describing the 4th of July or New Year’s Eve – he’s describing Christmas in Zambia, where he and his family lived before coming to Abilene as refugees in December of 2016. Like many refugee families in America, the Kabura family has adopted some American traditions for the holidays … [Read more...]
Christmas Comes Early for Matt Robinson
The Christmas season starts in September when you’re in the holiday lighting business, but electrician and business owner Matt Robinson said Christmas came early for him in a different way last year. The Friday after Thanksgiving, Robinson was reaching the end of a major undertaking – spreading festive holiday lighting throughout downtown Abilene – and he and his crew were … [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...]
Abilene’s Ninja Warrior
Two-year-old Hank was in a hospital bed, hooked up to an IV due to a lung infection, at Cook Children’s Medical Center, and he and his dad, Abilene firefighter Shane Haught, passed time watching American Ninja Warrior re-runs. It was late at night, and Shane likened it to the feel of an informercial when the words ran across the screen: “Do you want to be on the show? Here’s … [Read more...]