50 years in business
Bob’s Boot & Shoe Repair honored for service to Temple, country
Boots that have been repaired line a shelf at Bob’s Boot & Shoe Repair, 416 N Third in Temple.
DAVID STONE | OUR TOWN
Bob Stone, owner of Bob’s Boot & Shoe Repair and a veteran of the Vietnam War, was honored this week by the Temple Chamber and a group of business and community leaders.
Bob has been repairing, polishing and stitching boots and shoes for 50 years, and he will be retiring and closing his shop at 416 N Third in December.
Bob was honored with a reception on Thursday.
“Today, we celebrate Bob in two areas: his dedication to his craft and his service to our country,” Chamber President Whitney Theriot said during the celebration of Bob and his business. “Bob is a skilled craftsman who has been sharing his talents with our community for over 50 years, preserving the timeless art of boot and shoe repair.”
“In his craft, he has shown a commitment to quality, longevity, and true artistry,” Theriot added. “In a world where things are often ‘disposable,’ Bob’s work reminds us of the value of restoration, care, and pride in what we own.”
“From boots that have traveled across Texas to shoes that tell the stories of their owners,” she said. “Bob has stitched, polished, and cared for countless pairs, breathing life back into items many of us hold dear.”
Alongside his achievements in his craft, Bob has also served America with honor and dedication. As a Vietnam Veteran, he is part of a legacy of courage, sacrifice, and service.
“Today, we also take the time to honor that service, to acknowledge the sacrifices he and his family made, and to say thank you,” Theriot said at the ceremony.
“In recognition of his service to our nation, it is my privilege today to present Bob with the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin. This small token is part of a national initiative to thank and honor Vietnam Veterans for their courage and dedication.”
Theriot said the idea of honoring Bob came from Hope and Kevin Koch, loyal Bob’s Boot & Shoe Repair customers for about 30 years. Hope said Bob is the fabric of Temple, Texas.
“I met Bob when I moved to town in the mid-1990s and have taken my shoes to him ever since,” Hope said.
“He has always listened intently and fixed whatever my problem was no matter how petty it was,” she continued. “Bob has put tips on heels and fixed my belts. He has customized my husband’s backpacks and resoled his shoes.”
Hope said she was crushed to learn of Bob’s retirement.
“When Bob told me he was going to retire, my heart hurt at the prospect of not being able to pop into his shop, get my stuff fixed and talk to an old friend,” she said.
“On a recent trip, I told him I was going to Vietnam,” Hope added. “He told me he served in Vietnam out of high school and after his service he came back to Temple and opened his shop.”
Kevin Koch, Hope’s husband, said he has “had the honor of working with Bob for more than 20 years.”
“A 20-plus-year relationship doesn’t happen by accident,” Kevin said. “To state it simply — Bob cares. He cares about his customers no matter how small the job. He cares about the quality of his work — he is a true artist. He also cares about finding innovative solutions to resolving issues he did not create.”
“Bob is also tough and resilient,” Kevin added. “When his shop burned. He cleaned up and carried on. Most importantly to me, Bob is a kind man with a good heart. I will miss visiting Bob and his shop. He is truly amazing.”
Theriot Called Bob’s Boot & Shoe Repair’s 50 years in business an incredible achievement.
“Generations of families in our town have known and relied on Bob,” she said. “He has been more than a craftsman; he’s been a friend, a neighbor, and a keeper of stories, one pair of shoes at a time.”
State Rep. Hugh Shine also had kind words about Bob Stone, and the District 55 lawmaker presented him with a Texas flag that flew over the capital in Austin.
“I’ve been doing business with Bob for about 50 years,” Shine said Thursday. “He was on First Street downtown the first time I took my boots in. The boots are 40 years old, and he has resoled them several times.”
“Bob is the salt of the earth,” Shine added. “He will be missed.”
State Rep. Hugh Shine, left, presents Bob Stone, owner of Bob’s Boot & Shoe Repair, with a Texas flag that once flew over the state capital in Austin.
Bob Stone, owner of Bob’s Boot & Shoe Repair, was honored Thursday for his 50 years in business. From left to right are: Whitney Theriot, president of the Temple Chamber of Commerce; State Rep. Hugh Shine; Chamber Director Bobby Jo Young; Mike Pilkington of the Temple City Council; Bob Stone; Temple College Trustee Hope Koch; and Mayor Pro Tem Jessica Walker.
Dr. Kenneth Marquardt (sitting) works on a patient while Kalyn Harvan, a registered dental assistant, looks for an instrument at the Body of Christ Community Dental Clinic in Belton.
Body of Christ Community Clinic in Belton needs donations
DAVID STONE | OUR TOWN
The Body of Christ Community Clinic in Belton has treated 6,232 patients during medical and dental visits since January 2023, but is facing a tight budget and is in need of donations.
“We have a couple big fundraisers that bring in money for operating expenses — our annual Together We Heal banquet and a concert,” said Donna Dunn, executive director of the clinics. “We also get help from 16 churches and generous individuals, and we are introducing a couple new ways to bring in money.”
“In order to create a continuous stream of donations, we have established a program through RaiseRight that allows people to buy gift cards for everyday expenses at stores and restaurants,” said Chris Scherer, program coordinator.
RaiseRight is an app that sells e-gift cards to popular businesses, and groups such as Body of Christ receive a percentage of the sale.
To use RaiseRight, download the app and enter the enrollment code Q8I2PXWNCJIF (Note: I is a capital i, not a 1). Items can then be purchased.
“The money you’re already planning to spend on things like gifts, wrapping paper, stocking stuffers, groceries, travel, and more, can help you earn funds for Body of Christ,” Dunn said. “It adds up fast.”
Also, Chick-Fil-A restaurants on North and South 31st Street in Temple are having a Body of Christ Community Clinic fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Chick-Fil-A purchases must be made through the app, and the code is BOCCC2024 (all uppercase). The Clinic will receive 15 percent of orders placed using this code.
The Body of Christ Community Clinic opened its doors in 2010 and has grown significantly during the past 14 years. The organization opened a dental clinic in 2017 to provide basic services such as X-rays, fillings, extractions and teeth cleanings, Dunn said.
“Medical and dental services are provided by volunteer board-certified physicians and dentists, nurse practitioners, dental hygienists and assistants,” Dunn said. “We have 172 volunteers.”
The medical clinic provides primary medical care; lab services; treatment for obesity, hypertension and high cholesterol; diabetes care and education; and eye exams.
The eye exams are conducted by members of the Temple-Belton Ladies Lions Club.
The clinic does not provide emergency care, cancer treatment or prescribe pain medication or other controlled substances, she said.
“We provide services to the underserved residents of eastern Bell County — including Salado, Holland, Rogers, Troy, Belton, Temple and other communities in that area,” she said. “Patients must have no medical or dental insurance and must meet specific income guidelines.”
The medical clinic is located at 2210 Holland Road in Belton and the dental clinic is a short distance away at 1508 Oleta Street. The clinic does not accept walk-ins — appointments can be made by calling (254) 939-9500.
For additional information, to donate or to register for services, visit https://bodyofchristclinic.org
Beehive opens Nov. 21 at TCT
DAVID STONE | OUR TOWN
The sounds of the ‘60s come back to life this month at the Temple Civic Theatre.
Beehive, TCT’s next production, celebrates powerful female voices of the decade with hits such as Me and Bobby McGee, My Boyfriend’s Back, Son of a Preacher Man and Be My Baby. The story is told by six young women who come of age during the turbulent decade.
“Beehive is a fun journey back into the 1960’s music scene,” said Natalie Tolleson, artistic director of the TCT.
“Our exciting musical celebrates those female icons that made the decade so special, from Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin to Tina Turner and many other fabulous ladies of the era,” Tolleson said.
Priscilla Santana directs a powerful ensemble with music direction from Dr. Ben Irom. Choreography is provided by Cameron Jackson.
Beehive stars Isabelle Smith as Alison, Toni Ringgold-Steele as Gina, Danielle Washington as Jasmine, Sophia Campos as Laura, Ashley Ray as Pattie and Martha Satterwhite as Wanda.
Show dates are Nov. 21-24. Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 and the other shows are at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $14 for students with ID, and they can be purchased at https://templecivictheatre.ludus.com/index.php.
Beehive is a special event and is not included in the TCT’s main series.
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2nd Lake Belton Archery Deer Hunt is under way at wildlife management areas
DAVID STONE | OUR TOWN
The second annual Lake Belton Archery Deer Hunt opened Monday in an effort to control deer populations and provide hunters with an opportunity to hunt on public lands around the lake.
The hunt will continue through Dec. 15, according to Ranger Cassy Pruett, a natural resource specialist with the Lake Belton Corps of Engineers office.
“This year, drawn hunters are authorized to hunt in four of the wildlife management areas on the lake,” Pruett said. “They have the opportunity to choose between Horseshoe Bend, White Flint, Iron Bridge and Cedar Creek wildlife management areas.”
Ranger Pruett explained that Lake Belton’s Archery Deer Hunt is set up as a draw for hunting permits. Any hunter interested in entering the lottery was instructed to apply at recreation.gov.
“We had 157 hunters apply and 25 were drawn,” she said. “Of the 25 chosen, four declined to continue with the permitting process.”
“Given that this program is still new on Lake Belton, we have opted to keep the number of permits small as we continue to learn from this event,” Pruett said.
“The US Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Belton opened this hunt to provide population control and management,” she said. “This will promote a healthier herd in the area while also promoting an opportunity for the local population to hunt at public wildlife management areas.”
“We are excited for our hunters that were chosen this year, and we look forward to hosting this event annually for the general public.”
Thank you for this article. Bob is my father in law and one of the hardest working people I know. He truly cares about his customers and this has been such a hard decision for him. He leaves behind a great legacy.