Susan Garry Coupland columnist
COUPLAND CIVIC ORGANIZATION (CCO) HOSTED FREE VISITS WITH SANTA Children enjoyed free visits with Santa at Coupland’s historic Depot this Christmas season. Sponsored by the Coupland Civic Organization, this event is becoming a Coupland Christmas tradition. It was the second annual visit from Santa, portrayed by Jonathan Jones. Santa travels to the Depot on a Coupland Volunteer Fire Department fire truck. The free visits with Santa event was Sunday, Dec. 17.
Families took free pictures with Santa, and the kids got free cookies and candy canes. There was caroling by the horseback carolers from St. Peter’s Church of Coupland.
CCO board member Jonathan Jones is not only Coupland’s Santa Claus, but also decorated the historic Depot and caboose with Christmas lights.
NEW MAYOR FOR COUPLAND
Coupland was incorporated in 2012 and the first mayor and city council were elected in 2013. Two members of this first council were Mayor Jack Piper and Alderwoman Susan Garry. They have retired from the council after 10 years of service.
The new members were sworn in at the Nov. 21 meeting. The new mayor is Russell Schmidt, the new Alderwoman is Carolyn Haverland, and new Alderman is Wells Mason. Karen Marosko continues as Alderwoman and Barbara Piper continues as Mayor Pro Tem.
Coupland has hired a new City Secretary, Rachel Wrzuszczak, pronounced Ruzak.
Before the meeting, there was a reception organized by Coupland Civic Organization President Susan Schmidt. She also arranged for awards for 10 years of service to the city of Coupland that were presented to Piper and Garry.
COUPLAND SCHOOL
The UIL competitions were held Dec.
5 and 6. On Dec. 9, Coupland School hosted its annual breakfast with Santa. The UIL One-Act Play was presented Dec. 13. The fourth grade took a field trip to the Capitol Dec. 18.
ST. PETER’S CHURCH OF COUPLAND
In December, Pastor Scott Wasdin and his family provided refreshments and offered Christmas fellowship time for the congregation every Sunday following the worship service.
The annual Christmas Party was hosted by Ted and Cynthia Wittliff Dec.
9. Sunday, Dec. 10 marked the first ever Brown Bag Christmas Pageant, directed and narrated by Crystal Wasdin. St. Peter’s held a candlelight service at 6:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve filled with reflective readings and beloved Christmas songs.
Jan. 7 will be a relaunch Sunday for the church Sunday School classes. Crystal Wasdin will be teaching a third through eighth grade class; Pastor Scott will be coordinating the resumption of the Adult Class. The first Seniors Luncheon of the new year will be Tuesday, Jan. 16, at 11:30 a.m.
Coffee Connections meets every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the Conference Room.
St. Peter’s worship services are at 10:15 a.m. on Sundays. For more information, email stpeterscoupland@ gmail.com or go to the website stpeterscoupland. org and click on the calendar link at the top.
NEW SWEDEN CHURCH
The annual Santa Lucia Festival and the Christmas singalong was held Dec.
10 at 7 p.m. This year’s Santa Lucia was Hayley Wenzel.
Santa Lucia Day is a Swedish custom, marking the arrival of the Christmas season.
Santa Lucia is usually the eldest daughter, dressed in a white gown with a red sash, wearing a crown of branches with lighted candles.
The New Sweden WELCA held its annual celebration Dec. 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with an ornament gift exchange. Christmas caroling, visiting nursing homes in Elgin and Taylor, was Dec. 17.
Christmas Eve candlelight service was held Dec. 24 at 7 p.m.
The annual Swedish Christmas morning festival, Julotta, was at 7 a.m., followed by breakfast in the Parish Hall.
New Sweden worship services are 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Church office hours are Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9 a.m. to no. The church telephone is 512-2810056. New Sweden is at 12809 New Sweden Church Road.
For information, see [email protected] and www. newswedenelca.org.
New Sweden welcomes everyone to all events.
HERMANN SONS LIFE
Hermann Sons Life Coupland hosted its Family Christmas Party at the Coupland Fire Station Sunday, Dec. 3. Organized by Charlotte Albert, desserts, drinks and Bingo prizes were furnished.
Every family brought a covered dish and there was a gift exchange.
