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Queens, born of watermelon

Queens, born of watermelon

MCDADE – The Mc-Dade Watermelon Festival held its 75th annual Queens Revue this past week, naming the celebration’s three new representatives for the upcoming year. 07/05/2023 12:00 AM

Beck Joins Bastrop ISD as Director of Finance

Beck Joins Bastrop ISD as Director of Finance

BASTROP – Renée Beck has been named Director of Finance for Bastrop Independent School District. Most recently, she served as the purchasing director for the Klein Independent School District. Her new role will involve the supervision of accounting, procurement, auditing, compliance with state and federal requirements, and assisting with the district’s budget. 07/05/2023 12:00 AM

Bastrop ISD board approves pay raises

Bastrop ISD board approves pay raises

BASTROP – The Bastrop Independent School District Board of Trustees approved the 2023-24 budget at its June 20 regular meeting. The budget includes a 5% pay raise for teachers, librarians, nurses and paraprofessionals. Administrators and other professional staff will see a 3% increase. The approved compensation package also includes a starting salary for new teachers of $56,000 (up from $53,000). Bus driver pay will increase to $23 per hour, and substitute pay will see a boost to $105 for non-degreed, $115 for degreed, and $125 for certified. 07/05/2023 12:00 AM

Western Days

Western Days 06/28/2023 12:00 AM

Elgin Garden Club’s yard of the month

Elgin Garden Club’s yard of the month

The yard of Albert and Sylvia Ramirez at 501 South Ave. has been selected for the Elgin Garden Club Yard of the Month award. 06/28/2023 12:00 AM

Caution warranted as Texas continues to experience hot and dry conditions

Caution warranted as Texas continues to experience hot and dry conditions

COLLEGE STATION – As hot and dry conditions persist, extremely dry vegetation will continue to support wildfire activity across much of the state, even as surface moisture increases in some areas. 06/28/2023 12:00 AM

Championship Hearts Foundation coming to the area

Championship Hearts Foundation coming to the area

BASTROP – Championship Hearts Foundation is coming to Bastrop High School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 15 to offer free heart screenings for all athletes, band members, spirit groups and students ages 14-18. People from the Bastrop County area are also encouraged to volunteer to help with the next heart screenings. 06/28/2023 12:00 AM

Coupland Civic Organization to hear from Hollywood cameraman

Coupland Civic Organization to hear from Hollywood cameraman

On Monday, June 26, in the Fellowship Hall of St. Peter’s Church of Coupland, the Coupland Civic Organization will experience a rare treat. Hollywood cameraman Cal Roberts, who has retired to Georgetown’s Sun City, will present information about his career to the CCO, and he will display material that he has collected over the years. Attendees will hear about the behind-the-scenes workings of filmmaking. 06/28/2023 12:00 AM

JULY 2

SMITHVILLE – Smithville’s Fourth of July celebration includes live music, food, fireworks and fun. Riverbend Park festivities begin at noon. Booths will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. 06/28/2023 12:00 AM

JUNE 30

BASTROP – Horton Foote’s moving play, Trip to Bountiful, tells the story of Carrie Watts, an elderly woman, who longs to escape the cramped Houston apartment where she lives with her protective son, Ludie, and her authoritarian daughter-inlaw, Jessie Mae. The play begins at 7:30 p.m. at 711 Spring St. in Bastrop. 06/28/2023 12:00 AM

JUNE 28-29

BASTROP – By popular demand, LPAC’s resident instructor Tobin Bortner is offering an Intermediate Level drawing workshop over three days for teens at the Lost Pines Art Center in Bastrop. The workshop is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dig deeper into the techniques and applications to step up your drawing skills. Some basic knowledge in drawing is required. Ages 13 and older are welcome. All supplies are provided for class. 06/28/2023 12:00 AM

Photo by Niko Demetriou Fashion show attendees were treated to a showcase of local businesses and well-dressed residents. Not just for promotions sake, the show also acted as an update for some of Elgin’s proud, highlighting personal accomplishments and achievements.

There’s no place like Western Days

Elgin’s 54th annual celebration of community and camaraderie continues to grow, with residents and visitors gathering at Memorial Park this past weekend for three full days of events, vendors and familiar. This year’s rendition of Elgin’s homecoming fair and festival, organized by the Chamber of Commerce, brought a bit more to the greenery than years prior. With a Wizard of Oz flair, Western Days included a yellow brick road fashion show, great Oz golf tournament and Toto’s dance, concluding with the grand parade and vendor market. 06/28/2023 12:00 AM