Talk about native plants at March CCO meeting

COUPLAND NEWS

Coupland Civic Organization

On Monday, March 25, in the St. Peter’s Church fellowship hall, the Coupland Civic Organization heard from Anna Marie Blair, who presented a program on native plants. Before the program, attendees enjoyed a supper of sloppy Joes and homemade cookies, which was hosted by the CCO board members.

Anna Marie Blair is a Texas Master Naturalist who lives in Elgin. She discussed small native trees and pointed out that even though crepe myrtles are popular, they are not a native plant and don’t support fauna such as butterflies and birds.

She advised, “Look for drought tolerant and deer resistant plants such as ash juniper and desert willow. The flame leaf sumac is a beautiful red plant. Be aware that some plants such as the yew tree are poisonous.”

Regarding edible native plants, she noted that the Texas persimmon has edible fruit. The Texas redbud has edible blossoms that can be used in salads and in stir fry. The Turks Cap has red blossoms; the blossoms, young leaves and fruit are edible. Agarita berries are edible, and they make jelly and wine.

Blair said that some of these native plants are available at local independent nurseries like Bloomers in Elgin.

Williamson County ESD #10

Maranda Cummings, administrative support, notes, “Board meetings are being held in person at the Coupland Fire Station each second Tuesday of the month. The meetings are also available via telephone conferencing.”

She adds that this information is available each month on the meeting notice posted at the Coupland Fire Station, Coupland Post Office, Thrall Fire Station and Thrall Post Office. The public can see the approved minutes, meeting notice/agenda, and audited financial report which are posted on the ESD’s website at www.wcesd10.org.

Cummings says, “If any of our area residents are interested in joining Williamson County ESD #10, please contact John Roulston- Bates, District 1 Chief, at [email protected] or Zach Hall, District 2 Chief, at [email protected].”

Updates and upcoming events are posted on the Williamson County ESD#10 Facebook page and the Coupland and Thrall Volunteer Fire Departments’ Facebook pages.

ESD#10 provides fire service across 215 square miles of eastern Williamson County, including the communities of Beaukiss, Beyersville, Coupland, rural Elgin, Hare, Hoxie, Lanepor t, Lawrence Chapel, Noack, Norman’s Crossing, Sandoval, Shiloh, Structure, Rice’s Crossing, rural Taylor, Thorndale, Thrall, Type and Waterloo.

For more information, visit www.wcesd10.org.

Coupland Volunteer Fire Department held its annual Chili Supper Saturday, March 23. The chili is homemade by the firefighters, and the Chili Supper is always a popular event.