Spring break is hiding in plain sight
Recent news
SCAM ALERT: Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative members have reported a recent increase in attempted scams.
These fraudulent activities include scammers posing as Bluebonnet representatives both over the phone and in person, making false claims about account issues and high billing errors, and claiming to sell solar energy systems.
Bluebonnet employees will never come to your home requesting information regarding your account, to discuss your bill, or to ask for immediate payment. Bluebonnet employees wear uniforms with Bluebonnet’s name and logo and have vehicles with the co-ops logo on the doors. Employees of Bluebonnet’s contractors wear their company’s uniform and drive vehicles with their company’s name and decal identifying them as a Bluebonnet contractor.
If a Bluebonnet member has not received a reminder in the mail or a courtesy call about their account, and someone claiming to represent Bluebonnet calls demanding an immediate payment, do not pay, and do not provide the caller with personal information, banking or credit card account information.
Bluebonnet asked members to report any attempted scams to local law enforcement and Bluebonnet member services at 800-842-7708. To get tips about recognizing scams, visit bluebonnet.coop/scams.
LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative representatives award a $25,000 grant to the Fayetteville Community Center Group for construction of an arts and cultural center. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Kate Ramzinski, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Cassie Austin, Fayette County court administrator; Ben Kastleman, advisory committee member; Sherry Murphy, Bluebonnet Giddings-area community representative; Mike Stroup, Fayetteville mayor; Byron Balke, Bluebonnet Board Assistant Secretary/Treasurer; Margaret D. "Meg" Voelter, LCRA board member; Pam Reynolds, Craig Moreau and John Reynolds, advisory committee members; Luke Sternadel, Fayette County commissioner, Precinct 2; Reid Bader, advisory committee member; Fred Roberts, FCCG board treasurer; and Keely Mikolajchak, Bluebonnet intern. Pictured behind in backhoe: Wesley Russell, Gaeke Construction.
A $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative will help fund construction of a new arts and cultural center in Fayetteville.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with more than $2 million in matching funds from the nonprofit Fayetteville Community Center Group, will pay for the first phase of construction, which is underway.
The project is rebuilding two historic buildings on Fayetteville’s town square to provide space for arts instruction, performances and meeting rooms for community and civic groups. A second phase of the project will add a state-of-the-art 150-seat theater and catering kitchen.
Jerry Herring, president of the Fayetteville Community Center Group, said the new building will include a spacious theater lobby that also will be available for public events involving schools, nonprofit organizations and other area groups.
“This is truly a civic project,” Herring said, noting it has received more than 700 individual donations. “Every little bit helps, and all the donations help validate our quest. We’re grateful for the $10 gift and we’re grateful for this CDPP grant. I think the end result will be terrific for the people here.”
Herring and other project organizers envision a cultural center with acting, music and dance programs for children and adults; health and exercise classes; and performance spaces for local and touring individuals or groups.
“In rural communities, arts and cultural education can sometimes take a back seat to other education goals,” Herring said. “We’re trying to fill a gap with a venue that will support drama and other arts and enhance the cultural activities available in our area. When you have a good event, people will come.”
Herring said planning for the new cultural center started in 2019, and the first phase of construction should conclude in about 12 months.
“We’ve been on this path for a while,” he said. “We have saved as much of the old buildings as we could, but the rebuilt replica will be a safe, comfortable and welcoming building. As the years go by, it will just blend into the quaintness of the town of Fayetteville.”
The community grant is one of five grants being awarded by Bluebonnet and LCRA through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in July. More information is available here
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and LCRA representatives present a $20,371 grant to St. John 19th Body for a new septic system and restrooms at its civic center. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Jo Anna Gilland, Bluebonnet’s Lockhart-area community representative; Rick Arnic, LCRA regional affairs representative; Diane Hill, organization treasurer; Rosie Lenear Darby, organization volunteer and event coordinator; Milton Shaw, Bluebonnet Board member; Marshall Hill Jr., organization assistant facility chef and member; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA board member; Doray Hill, organization vice president; Marshall Hill, organization president; Dyral Thomas, Caldwell County commissioner, Precinct 4; Gracy Hill, organization secretary; and Charles Simms, organization mechanical maintenance supervisory and member.
The St. John Colony Civic Center will soon have a new septic system and restrooms, thanks to a $20,371 grant from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with about $5,000 in matching funds and in-kind services, will allow St. John 19th Body to install a septic system and high-efficiency water heater, and add restrooms to its 3,600 square-foot multi-use building.
“Trying to raise nearly $10,000 for a septic system is a task,” said Marshall Hill, St. John 19th Body president. “Words don’t explain what it means to also have funds to go inside and finish out restrooms with sinks and a hot water heater. Without help it'd be years before we could make this happen.”
The civic center began as a pavilion to provide relief from the Texas sun during events, but the St. John Colony community soon realized the site could host more social and cultural events. The facility now has walls, insulation, electricity and air conditioning, and includes an open space with a stage and room for a future kitchen and meeting room.
“This community has been talking about this facility for years,” Hill said. “It has been a long time in the making. We have an air-conditioned building for people to get out of the elements. We will have indoor restrooms, with cleaner hygiene facilities for all, especially our elders so they won’t have to use portable restrooms or walk long distances across the site to go to a restroom. This facility will help our community so much.”
Hill said receiving the grant also will increase community involvement in the project as it gets closer to completion.
“Trying to raise enough money to provide the services we do and have money to build was a slow process,” Hill said. “You can only give so much. The community is getting excited again, and with this grant from LCRA and Bluebonnet, there will be even more excitement.”
Hill said he expects the septic system and restrooms to be finished in time for St. John Colony’s Harvest Festival this fall. The civic center also will be available for use on a first-come, first-served basis for celebrations and meetings, and as a voting location.
“If they come with a need to use it, it's theirs,” Hill said.
The community grant is one of five grants being awarded by Bluebonnet and LCRA through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in July. More information is available here
