COUPLAND CIVIC ORGANIZATION
Many thanks to Coupland Civic Organization board member Jonathan Jones who decorated the Depot and Caboose. Each year, he adds more lights, increasing the impact of this centerpiece of the Trail of Lights.
This year, the CCO hosted Santa Claus at the Depot to talk to children as their parents took their pictures.
Santa was in Coupland Sunday, Dec. 18, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Santa arrived on a fire truck, and there were free candy canes and cookies. The St. Peter’s carolers provided Christmas music.
CCO members said they appreciate Jones, who played Santa Claus, and his wife Mary who organized the event.
There was a good turnout of children to see Santa, especially considering that this was our first visit with Santa.
The CCO thanked the firefighters for bringing Santa in the firetruck and to the horseback carolers for the beautiful music.
COUPLAND SCHOOL NEWS On Dec. 13, Coupland students enjoyed Christmas dress-up day while they worked on the canned food drive. There also was a school performance of the one-act play. Later in the day was the one-act play dress rehearsal. On Dec. 14, was the performance of the one-act play in the UIL competition.
In the OAP competition, Coupland won first place overall, along with Best Crew. Best Performer honors went to Kody Smith and Noah Schultz. Named to All-Star Cast were Kalli Coffey and Avery Ward.
Honorable Mention went to Omar Benitez, Mikayla Hyzak and Sarah Herring.
The OAP director is Annie Violette.
On Friday, Dec. 16, marked the middle school Christmas dance. On Dec. 19, the fourth grade went on a field trip to the State Capitol. On Tuesday, Dec. 20, the school holiday program was held from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
ST. PETER’S CHURCH OF COUPLAND
The annual Christmas party for the Coupland school teachers and staff was held Dec. 9in the fellowship hall.
Ted and Cynthis Wittliff hosted the St.
Peter’s Christmas party Dec. 10. The children’s Christmas Pageant was held Sunday, Dec.
18, at the 10:15 a.m. service. On Saturday, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m. was the Christmas Eve candlelight service. The Christmas service was at 10:15 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 25.
Doreen Streit announced, “We had another successful year with the angel tree project. I would like to thank everyone for your help with shopping, wrapping and bagging the gifts. It is truly a blessing for us to help some children in our community have a bright and Merry Christmas. We had a total of 26 ‘angels’ this year.”
Lois Schmidt, cochair of the senior luncheons, says, “The next luncheon will be Jan.
17 at 11:30 a.m. Come join us in the New Year. If you would like to play Bingo, please bring a prize of under $10.
‘42’ Dominoes will be played.”
The annual congregation meeting will be Jan. 28. Every Tuesday the Coffee Connections group meets at 9:30 a.m. in the conference room.
Everyone is welcome at St. Peter’s worship services at 10:15 a.m. on Sundays. For more information, email [email protected] or go to the website stpeterscoupland. org and click on the calendar link at the top to see all the church events.
NEW SWEDEN CHURCH
Terry Ramm says, “The New Sweden WELCA hosted Delights of December, Saturday, Dec. 10. The ladies enjoyed holiday festivities and socializing and a catered luncheon.”
Sankta is Swedish for saint, and the Sankta Lucia celebration and the Christmas singalong was held Dec. 11, at 7 p.m.
Sankta Lucia is remembered for her sacrificial giving to the poor and her devotion to Christ. In Sweden, Sankta Lucia Day, celebrated Dec. 13, heralds the arrival of the Christmas season. She is celebrated each year at New Sweden.
This year’s Sankta Lucia is Paloma Ortiz, a sixth-generation Swedish Texan, the daughter of Pascual and Tracy Snowden Ortiz.
Sankta Lucia wears a white gown with a red sash, and a headdress with candles. At New Sweden, she leads a procession of children carrying candles.
The candlelight Christmas Eve service was held at 7 p.m. with the Swedish tradition, of Julotta service Christmas morning at 7 a.m., followed by breakfast in the Parish Hall.
New Sweden Church is at 12809 New Sweden Church Road.
For information, go to [email protected] and www. newswedenelca.org.
COUPLAND VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT The Coupland Volunteer Fire Department was invited by the Elgin Fire Department to join in this year’s Elgin Lighted Christmas Parade Dec. 3. The Coupland firefighters enjoyed participating in this popular annual event. The Emergency Services District #10 provides fire service for the areas of rural Elgin that are in Williamson County and has cooperated with the Elgin Fire Department for many years.
COUPLAND AUTHOR CHARLENE HANSON JORDAN RELEASES NEW BOOK Charlene Hanson Jordan has written several books about the history of the area east of Coupland, and her latest one is now out. Entitled “Notes & Recollections,” it is about the vanished plantation at Post Oak Island and more area history.
Jordan does a large amount of research, and the book includes extensive source information.
It is available for purchase at the Elgin Depot Museum and directly from Jordan herself.
She can be reached at 512-856-2562 and [email protected].
Her other books include “Crossroads Elgin” and “Stuck in the Mud at Post Oak Island.”
COUPLAND YOUNG PEOPLE ARE WINNERS Sara Neipert reports that her daughter Liberty and team members won first place in the 4-H District 8 Junior Main Dish Food Challenge team competition at the Bell County Expo Center. Neipert says, “The Fabulous Foodies are Elizabeth, Liberty, William, and Parisa. Best friends who practiced hours and so proudly represented Williamson County.”
Jenny Slauson announces that her daughter Bella has won the 2022 Grand Champion Market Swine at the Williamson County Livestock Show.
Slauson says, “We are in awe of the blessings this show year has brought us, and we are grateful for the people who have taught us each step of our way.”
