.png)
COUPLAND NEWS
Susan
GARRY
Coupland News
Coupland Civic Organization
Coupland residents enjoyed their annual National Night Out Aug. 6, at the Historic Depot. Barbara Piper, mayor pro tem and depot coordinator, introduced the speakers: Coupland Independent School District Superintendent Earl Parcell, Emergency Services District No. 10 Chief Mark Moellenberg, Williamson County Precinct 4 Constable Paul Leal and Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Ray Killebrew. The Coupland Civic Organization served free hot dogs and homemade cookies Plan ahead for the annual Choo Choo Fest Oct. 20 at St. Peter’s Church, 108 Wathen St. The barbecue dinner, prepared by Coupland’s master chef Peter Wabbel, will feature sausage, pork loin and chicken drumsticks. Serving will begin at 11:15 a.m. and continue until the food runs out. CCO members will provide homemade sides and desserts will come from one of Coupland’s famous bake sales. Merchandise will be available for purchase, including collectible Caboose T-shirts in new colors.
From noon to 2 p.m., the Kiddie Express train will offer free rides around Coupland. The free Homestead Petting Zoo, a hit last year with both children and parents, will also return during the same time.
The nonprofit CCO relies on Choo Choo Fest, its largest fundraiser, to support the Historic Depot and caboose.
Coupland School
Before school started, teachers at Coupland School participated in some professional development, focusing on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills Resource System and TExGUIDE.
“Aligned with the TEKS Resource System curriculum, TExGUIDE ensures that instructional materials and activities are closely aligned with state standards, promoting coherence and consistency in teaching,” said a statement from Educational Service Center Region 13.
On Aug. 2, the school hosted Cowboy Corral for sixth, seventh and eighth graders.
“The students met their teachers, did team building and picked out lockers,” Assistant Principal Kate Knapek said. “We had so much fun at Cowboy Corral. The students helped define ‘The Cowboy Way.’” The school also hosted Meet the Teacher Night Aug. 8, and classes resumed on Aug. 14.
In September, the groundbreaking ceremony for the new middle school will take place, with construction beginning soon after. The campus is scheduled to open in August 2026.
Johanna Hill organized a Back to School Evening of Prayer at the campus Aug. 12. Attendees gathered on the steps of the school to pray for the new school year alongside students and staff. Johanna said the community came together to pray for “the best little school in Texas.”
St. Peter’s Church of Coupland
St. Peter’s Church, 108 Wathen St., holds Adult Sunday School, starting with coffee in the conference room at 9 a.m. Sundays, followed by discussion at 9:15 a.m. On the last Sunday of each month, the congregation enjoys lunch at the church or a local restaurant. On Aug. 25, a potluck lunch featured special music by the Johnson family.
Whi le St. Peter ’s searches for an interim pastor, guest pastors included Gerald Metzger Aug. 4, Arlene Turner Aug. 11 and Carl Schwartz-King Aug. 18.
The church currently offers rides to services. Parties that need a ride or can volunteer to provide one in the Coupland, Taylor or Elgin area, call Charlotte Albert at 512924-3335 or email charlot tealbert66@gmail. com.
The St. Peter’s Community Senior Luncheons, hosted by the ladies group, occur on the third Tuesday of odd-numbered months. The next luncheon is at 11 a.m. Sept. 17. While the luncheons are free, donations are accepted. Attendees who wish to play bingo should bring a prize worth $10. Coupland School students have been assisting with serving and cleanup, and their help is greatly appreciated, organizers said.
St. Peter’s hosts Community Play Days on the playground, which is open daily from dawn to dusk. The playground features new equipment for children ages 2 to 12, including a covered sports court with basketball hoops, balls and a moveable pickleball net. The church provides free frozen ice pops.
The special offering for August supports the Coupland School Supplies Fund. Coffee Connections meets at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays in the conference room for coffee and conversation. The community is welcome.
St. Peter’s has transitioned its monthly newsletter to an online format. “The PDF version of the St. Peter’s newsletter is packed full of information and color photos,” Dana Smith said. “We’ve added two extra pages of photos at the end.”
You can read the newsletter online by clicking the “Newsletter” button at the top of the website at StPetersCoupland.org. For more information, contact the church at StPeter-sCoupland@ gmail.com or call 512-856-2433.
New Sweden Church
In August, the New Sweden congregation completed its project of packing backpacks with school supplies and donating them to children in need at local schools.
The church, located at 12809 New Sweden Church Road in Manor, expressed gratitude for the support of this important initiative.
“Many thanks to all who help with this muchneeded project. Thank you, Yvonne Carroll, for organizing and leading this program,” Church Secretary Susan Rountree said.
The Rev. Hans Lillejord leads Bible Study at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Sermons by Lillejord are available on the New Sweden website, newswedenelca.org.
New Sweden hosts game night from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursdays in the parish hall. Games vary each week but typically include cards and an occasional pingpong match.
The monthly Church Council meeting for the 12-member governing body took place Aug. 20. All attendees are welcome.
The Ladies Bible Study, led by lay members, will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Sept. 5, and starts with a light meal.
The Evangelism meeting, scheduled for Sept. 9, focuses on directing the church’s outreach efforts. This committee works on attracting new members and exploring ways the church can serve the community. Meetings are open to all church members.
Type Church
Type Church members recently visited The Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum in Kentucky.
“It was a great group and fun to learn more about God’s creation,” the Rev. Ryan Evans said.
Type Church, located east of Coupland at 1200 CR 466, holds Sunday worship services at 10:30 a.m.
Hear Ryan’s sermons on the church’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ type.church.1/. He can be reached at 281-229-8962 or via email at pastorryan91@ gmail.com.
Coupland Volunteer Fire Department, ESD No. 10 Administrative Support Maranda Cummings announced that Williamson County ESD No. 10 is in the process of hiring its first part-time day crews. They are recruiting certified part-time firefighters for 12-hour daytime shifts Monday through Friday, with three personnel per crew.
For more information, visit wcesd10.org/jobs.
Those interested in volunteering as a firef ighter can contact District 1 Chief John Roulston- Bates at [email protected] or District 2 Chief Zach Hall at [email protected].
The Coupland and Thrall fire departments are engaged in community-risk reduction, an essential part of their mission. They collaborate with local community groups, schools and other organizations to provide information and teach new skills, including CPR. They also present home safety information and conduct school programs such as Stop the Bleed, Shattered Dreams and National Fire Prevention Week.
To arrange a community- risk reduction program, contact the firefighters through wcesd10. org.
Teaching polocrosse
Prissy Rumel is the driving force behind Coupland’s polocrosse team, headquartered east of Coupland. She recently conducted a polocrosse clinic in Canada. The sport is a cross between polo and lacrosse.
