COUPLAND CIVIC ORGANIZATION
At the March 27 CCO meeting, District 1 Chief John Roulston-Bates presented CPR training.
Sarah Torluemke reports, “John explained some about the AED’s (defibrillators) found in various locations these days. He explained that a primary use of the machine is to monitor the heart rate once the included pads are in place. It will tell the user if shocking is needed.”
The Coupland Volunteer Fire Department is planning to install three new machines in Coupland at Stock Up, the Bank and the Dance Hall.
Torluemke says, “John then presented a short film that pointed out the importance of doing the following if a person collapses, check (is there already a heartbeat?); call (for assistance or have someone else call); compress (use CPR if needed).”
Checking for a heartbeat is important. With a heartbeat, CPR may not be needed. The AED can tell the user if CPR or the defibrillator is needed.
Attendees then learned and practiced CPR. The CPR students were Sandra and Don Wernli, Judy Downing, Becky Sutton, Susan Schmidt, Ruby Wabbel, Charles Stark and Ted Wittliff. Participants were presented with a certificate indicating they had completed the training.
COUPLAND SCHOOL
On the May 6 ballot, there will be a bond election to build new middle school facilities for Coupland Independent School District. The recently completed facilities are already filled up, and the school had to add a portable building over spring break. It is proposed that the elementary students will remain in the existing facilities and the middle schoolers will be in new facilities that will be built east of Coupland on property that the school already owns. Plans are to build core facilities such as cafeteria, kitchen and art and music facilities that will be shared eventually by a high school, while classroom wings can be added in the future.
On April 19, Superintendent Tammy Brinkman hosted a meeting to discuss the proposed facilities and the bond election.
Enrollment is almost 300, and she notes that in eight years, it has doubled, and there are twice as many staff members.
She notes, “We are over capacity.” About the population growth in the area and the overcrowding in the school, she says, “It is not a matter of if; it is a matter of when.”
Brinkman showed a graph of the school districts in the area comparing tax rates.
Coupland has the lowest tax rate.
She explains, “Coupland ISD has the best reports in the area and lower taxes.”
Assistant Principal Kate Knapek reports that on March 28, the Coupland track team finished another successful season at the district track meet in Gause.
She also says, “Coupland ISD had another successful year raising funds for the American Heart Association. This year’s Kids Heart Challenge mission was to ‘Be the Torch.’” According to Coach Kyle Rinderknecht, “all PK-fifth grade students worked in the community to spread the message of being heart healthy.
We would like to thank all community members that contributed over $5,000 towards this great cause.”
On April 21, Coupland middle school students performed their spring musical, We Will Rock You, featuring charttopping Queen songs including “Another One Bites the Dust,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Killer Queen,” “We Will Rock You,” “Somebody To Love,” “We Are the Champions” and many more.
Theatre Director Annie Violette says, “We Will Rock You is a musical for our time, a fistpumping, foot-stomping anthem to individuality.” On March 1, the eighth grade class attended a career fair at the Williamson County Expo.
Teacher Tanya Alaniz explains, “Students were exposed to various companies that provide on the job training and other available opportunities once students graduate from high school and want to join the workforce.”
The eighth graders will be taking an educational trip to Washington, D.C., during the summer of 2024. They are fundraising to help offset the cost for the students attending.
Knapek reports, “Our first big fundraiser was a success. It was a parent’s night out at the school.
We had 25 kids attend and they all said it was a blast. Aviator’s Pizza in Elgin donated 10 pizzas for the event, and we were able to fundraise $500 toward the students’ trip.” Teacher Melissa Price says, “Kindergarten attended a rip-roaring round up of a field trip to Austin Rodeo Fairgrounds. The students learned about livestock, participated in pig races, loved the animals at the petting zoo, and enjoyed lunch in the arena.” She adds, “Kindergarten also received reading certificates for participating in
Book It!” Teacher Briana Larson reports, “The fourth-grade students visited Washington on the Brazos on March 31.
They enjoyed learning about the Texas Republic and life in the 1840s.”
ST. PETER’S CHURCH OF COUPLAND
Rev. John Sumner, Pastor Emeritus of St.
Peter’s, donated three of his paintings to benefit the church. The paintings were sold by silent auction, ending March 26. Funds raised will be used to replace the St.
Peter’s playground in time for Vacation Bible School this summer.
St. Peter’s will allow Williamson County to use the Fellowship Hall for voting May 6.
Coffee Connections continues to meet every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the conference room.
Pastor Charles Stark reports, “In October of 2021, HBO Max and Warner Brothers spent a month on location here in Coupland, in which the church was prominently featured as the Lucas United Methodist Church. This series starring Elizabeth Olsen is based on a true story from Wiley, Texas.”
The seven-part limited series entitled “Love and Death” will premiere on HBO Max April 27 and run through May 25.
Lois Schmidt, co-chair of the Senior Luncheons, reports, “We had a tremendous luncheon on March 21 even though it was a rainy day. Sixtyone plus senior citizens attended our luncheon.
Our dessert, strawberry dean cake, was a tribute to our departed member, Marge Gebhart.”
Hostesses were Sandra and Don Wernli, Becky Sutton, Janet Doss, Hermania Vitek, Cindy Alexander, Bonnie Sladek, Cynthia Wittliff, and Schmidt. Helpers were Wanda Walther, Arthur and Joyce Henze, JoAnn Ging, Cindy Wood, and Evelyn Draehn. Charlotte Albert did the decorations.
Stark gave the blessing.
Schmidt notes, “We had lots of bingo players and three tables of 42 dominoes. Thanks to all who helped with our luncheon.”
The next luncheon will be May 16 at 11:30 a.m. bingo and ‘42’ dominoes will be played.
Schmidt adds, “You are encouraged to bring a prize $10 and under if you are playing bingo.
Be sure to join us for another fun luncheon.”
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.
NEW SWEDEN CHURCH
Barbara Carisalez reports, “For the second year, New Sweden Lutheran Church held a special community event, blessing of the bicycles service by Rev.
Hans Lillejord in partnership with Texas Mamma Jamma on the church grounds on April 15. A tour of the church was at 10 a.m., the blessing at 10:30 a.m., then light refreshments following the blessing.”
Swedish Heritage Day was in April with history displays of the nearby Swedish communities, a wood carving demonstration, Swedish weaving display, Maypole dance, then a homemade Swedish meal.
Carisalez notes, “On May 4, at 7 p.m. the ladies Bible study group will meet and continue with the study of the 10 Commandments. A day trip is also planned in May to visit New Braunfels and Gruene.”
On June 22, is the Swedish midsummer event held at the Elgin SPJST Hall. On Sunday, June 25, at 7 p.m., New Sweden Lutheran Church will host the annual “God & Country” patriotic program. Burgers and hot dogs for a donation will be available prior to the program with ice cream served afterwards. Carisalez says, “In July we will pack backpacks for those in need in nearby communities.”
The New Sweden Lutheran Church continues to have morning Bible study at 10 a.m. on the second Tuesday and Thursday mornings of the month, Game nights are at 7 p.m. on the second, third, and fourth Thursdays of the month.
New Sweden Church is at 12809 New Sweden Church Road. For information, see newswedenchurch@ gmail.com and www.newswedenelca. org.
Carisalez adds, “New Sweden Lutheran Church welcomes everyone to all our events and activities.”
