Choo, choo, coming through
On Sunday, Oct. 15, at 11:15 a.m. the Coupland Civic Organization will hold its annual Choo Choo Fest fundraiser for the restoration of the CCO’s historic caboose next to the Coupland Depot.
Choo Choo Fest will be inside and on the grounds of the landmark St. Peter’s Church of Coupland.
The barbecue dinner will be served from 11:15 a.m. until food runs out.
Barbecue will be prepared by Coupland’s Master Chef Peter Wabbel and will include sausage, pork loin and chicken drumsticks with potato salad, cole slaw and beans as sides (homemade by CCO members). Tickets are available for purchase in advance for $15/adults and $7/eightyear- olds or younger.
Purchase tickets from any board member or call Susan Schmidt at 512-818-0648; Barbara Piper at 512-8562635; Becky Sutton at 512269-8571; or Judy Downing at 512-293-0501. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.
There will be a petting zoo across the street from St. Peter’s Church.
“My personal favorite is the fabulous silent auction,” said CCO President Susan Schmidt. “We plan to have even more items this year including antiques, arts and crafts, artwork, collectibles, décor items, toys, services and much more.”
There will also be one of Coupland’s famous bake sales.
In addition, the colorful collectible Coupland Caboose End of the Line T-Shirts will be for sale. This year, brand new colors are available, so come and add to your collection.
Thanks to proceeds from previous Choo Choo Fests, the exterior of the caboose has been repaired and the caboose has been leveled and rests on new ties and ballast. A new roof has been added. The original door has been repaired and installed and a second door has been constructed to match the other end. The windows have been put into the cupola on top, and windows have been installed on the sides.
Exterior painting has been done, and now more work will begin on the interior.
“Our historic caboose represents a step back in time and needs to be preserved as an important part of our country’s transportation history,” said CCO Caboose Coordinator Barbara Piper.
“Even though it is not totally restored yet, people already love to visit and take pictures. Our ultimate goal is to have a Children’s Museum in the caboose where children can climb the ladder, view surroundings from the cupola atop the car and experience history.”
The CCO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Serving the dinner at a past Choo Choo Fest are Mayor Jack Piper, Dottie Hahn, Becky Sutton and Barbara Piper. Photos courtesy of Coupland Civic Organization
Coupland Mayor Jack Piper and Master Chef Peter Wabbel at Choo Choo Fest.
