COUPLAND NEWS
Spooky fun at St. Peter’s
Halloween Trunk or Treat was 6 p.m. Sunday in front of St. Peter’s Church of Coupland, 108 Wathen St.
Residents were invited to dress up in costumes and hand out treats from decorated vehicles.
In case of inclement weather, the event moved to the fellowship hall.
Meanwhile, the Coupland Civic Organization stayed busy in September and October, including hosting Choo Choo Fest and a report on local schools.
The nonprofit sponsored a meeting and spaghetti supper Sept. 30 featuring Coupland Independent School District Superintendent Earl Parcell discussing the growth of the Coupland School, the new middle school and how schools are financed.
The supper took place at St. Peter’s.
St. Peter’s also was the site of the annual Choo Choo Fest Oct. 20, which included a barbecue dinner prepared by master Chef Peter Wabbel. Featured dishes included sausage, pork loin and chicken drumsticks. CCO members provided homemade sides of potato salad, coleslaw and beans. Desserts were available from the bake sale. Coupland merchandise on sale included collectible Caboose T-shirts.
Children and their families enjoyed free rides around town on the Kiddie Express train from noon until 2 p.m. The popular Homestead Petting Zoo also delighted young and old alike, organizers said.
Choo Choo Fest is the CCO’s biggest fundraiser and helps maintain the historic Depot and caboose.
Coupland turns dirt for new middle school
Oct. 15 marked the groundbreaking for the planned Coupland Middle School and included visits from local, county and state dignitaries among the 70 attendees.
Officials included Coupland Independent School District Superintendent Ed Parcell, Coupland Mayor Russell Schmidt, City Council and school board members, a representative from U.S. House Rep. Pete Session’s office, state Rep. Caroline Harris Davila, Williamson County Precinct 4 Commissioner Russ Boles, Constable Paul Leal, Sheriff Mike Gleason and others.
Keynote speakers included student body Vice President Wyatt Pachl and sixth grade class representatives Callie Luce and Jude Schultz. There were also remarks from Parcell and school board President Crystal Ward.
In related education news, Coupland School Assistant Principal Kate Knapek described Cultural Night Sept. 26 as “a huge success. Families brought their favorite cultural dish to share, and students performed songs they learned in … Spanish class.”
In addition, on Oct. 5 school chess players attended the 2024 National Chess Week Scholastic at Paragon Prep in Austin. Attendees are Jose Martinez, Hunter Bollinger, Wyatt Pachl, Aiden Prinz, Braeden Bookout, Morgan Thomas and Chase Molineax.
Also, prekindergarten students took a field trip to visit a helicopter.
The district also brought back the Harvest festival Oct. 19, said PTA President Tessa Strider, who also noted, “This is our PTA’s biggest fundraiser of the year and will help fund things like field trips, teacher appreciation events, classroom items and so much more.”
The festival included carnival-style games and activities, concession foods, a vendors’ market, a raffle and silent and live auctions.
Coupland School now boasts its first crosscountry team.
Coupland’s Citizens National Bank also sponsored a school supply drive.
St. Peter’s Church of Coupland
St. Peter’s Church of Coupland, 108 Wathen St., hosts a number of area events and activities, sponsors said.
These include:
• Coffee Connections, 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays in the Church Conference Room.
• Popsicle Playdates at the playground at 9 a.m. the last Saturday of each month.
• Worship 10:15 a.m. Sunday and a separate children’s program for ages 2 and up,
• Kirchenfest, the traditional celebration honoring past confirmation graduates, is Sunday.
• Veterans Day Service Nov. 10.
• Coupland Community Senior Luncheon, hosted by the ladies’ group, is 11 a.m. Nov. 19 with turkey and all the trimmings. The meal is free, but donations are appreciated, sponsors said. They also ask for a $10 bingo prize if possible.
At the Sept. 17 luncheon, 40 attendees dined on chicken spaghetti and enjoyed a surprise birthday celebration for Evelyn Draehn. Organizers thanked Cindy Alexander, Janet Doss, Anita Holubec, Charlotte Albert, Prissy Rumel, Machelle Sandbulte, Wanda Walther and students from Coupland ISD for serving and cleaning up.
St. Peter’s monthly newsletter is not only mailed but is now online with more information and color photos. Click the “Newsletter” button at the top of the website at StPetersCoupland.org.
To contact the church or use the fellowship hall, email [email protected] or call 512856-2433.
New Sweden Church
New Sweden Church Secretary Susan Rountree said 75 backpacks were donated at the beginning of the school year to Coupland, McDade and Thrall schools. The project is organized by Yvonne Carroll.
Congregants recently took a day trip organized by Gayle Anderson and Jamie Lundgren to Round Top and saw Festival Hill Concert Hall. A planned tour of the Capitol is next.
In addition, game nights are 7 p.m. every second, third and fourth Thursdays; Bible studies are 10 a.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays and 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month. The church is at 12809 New Sweden Church Road.
Sermons by the Rev. Hans Lillejord can be found at newswedenelca. org.
The Christmas Shoebox Project is underway to fill boxes for children in need. The project is headed by Mavis Takatsuka.
Also, a potluck dinner is scheduled Sunday after the service.
