Bluebonnet and LCRA representatives present a $25,000 grant to the Cedar Creek Schuetzen Verein (Carmine Hall) for renovations to the historic community center. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Grants program. Pictured, from left, are Sherry Murphy, Bluebonnet’s Giddings-area community representative; Kyle Merten, Bluebonnet’s Brenham-area community representative; Stephanie Lamoreaux, Carmine Hall secretary; David Kieke, Carmine Hall treasurer; Byron Balke, Bluebonnet Board Assistant Secretary/Treasurer; Marlene Waak, Carmine Hall board member; Carol Freeman, LCRA board member; Conway Waak, Carmine Hall board member; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA board member; Tom Drummond, Carmine Hall board member; Vicki Drummond, Carmine Hall vice president of external affairs; Cherrie Wines, Carmine Hall president; Wade Eilers, City of Carmine mayor; Tamara Neese, Carmine Hall member; and Kate Ramzinski, LCRA regional affairs representative.

Cedar Creek Schuetzen Verein will soon renovate a portion of Carmine Hall, thanks to a $25,000 grant from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The community grant, along with more than $225,000 in matching funds from the organization, will support a complete rebuild of the lower section of the hall, including updates to the kitchen, seating, storage, restrooms, flooring and HVAC system, ensuring Carmine Hall continues to serve as the primary gathering place for local families and organizations.

“Carmine Hall has been the heart of our community for generations, hosting everything from the fire department’s fundraisers to school programs, church events, weddings and family reunions,” said Cherrie Wines, president of Cedar Creek Schuetzen Verein. “Unfortunately, years of wear and limited resources have taken a toll on the building. These upgrades are much needed and will make the hall safer, more comfortable and easier for everyone to enjoy. It’s already a gathering place for so many, and we believe even more people will take advantage of the hall once the work is finished.”

As work begins to upgrade the hall, Wines said that preserving the building’s historic integrity remains a top priority.

“Preserving the historic character of Carmine Hall is very important to us,” Wines said. “Even with these much-needed renovations, we’re committed to keeping the hall as authentic as possible. The exterior walls will be rebuilt with the original board-and-batten design, and many interior features will be reused as facades.”

Wines said the group plans to upgrade the top section of the hall as well in the future. “We wouldn’t have been able to start this work without the grant,” she said. “Carmine Hall has long struggled to secure funding for needed repairs. This support allows us to move forward with the lower hall renovations while continuing to plan updates for the upstairs. Without it, we would have had to rely solely on community fundraising, like our bingo events, which would have delayed these improvements significantly.”

This is one of five grants recently awarded by Bluebonnet and LCRA through LCRA’s Community Grants program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund eligible capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. Bluebonnet 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 January. More information is available at lcra.org/grants

Bluebonnet and LCRA representatives present a $50,000 grant to the Rockne Community Recreation Center for new baseball field lighting. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Grants program. Pictured, from left, are Elizabeth Ehlers, LCRA regional affairs representative; Josh Thomas, Bluebonnet’s Bastrop-area community representative; Matthew L. ‘Matt’ Arthur, LCRA board member; Roderick Emanuel, Bluebonnet Board Vice President/Vice Chairman; Melissa K. Blanding, LCRA board member; State Rep. Stan Gerdes; Marty Mercer Sr., recreation center president; Margaret D. ‘Meg’ Voelter, LCRA board member; Josh Almendarez, recreation center field commissioner; Paige Cox, recreation center vice president; Mark Mayo, LCRA board member; Al Bauer, recreation center member; Stacy Kazmir, recreation center secretary; and Gabriella Almendarez, recreation center treasurer.

The Rockne Community Recreation Center will soon upgrade its community baseball field with new durable light poles and LED lights, thanks to a $50,000 grant from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The community grant, along with $21,888 in matching funds from the recreation center, will pay to replace damaged wood poles and add energy-efficient LED lighting to increase safety at the fields, which host a number of community leagues and events throughout the year.

News of the grant comes at a good time for two reasons. First, the center is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary. And almost as important, the center needed to find a way to stop area birds from damaging wood poles at the field, creating a concern that heavy winds might cause the poles to topple.

“Some of the existing wooden light poles are more than 40 years old,” said Al Bauer, Rockne Community Recreation Center member. “Woodpeckers have actually pecked holes in the existing poles, which have caused a few to break off. Replacing them with metal or concrete poles will ensure the improvements we make are longer lasting.”

The center hosts both youth and adult baseball/softball leagues, as well as an annual BBQ cookoff, a fish fry, Easter egg hunt and other events.

Paige Cox, community center vice president, said the improved lighting will allow the organization to extend its playing hours, which is needed as interest in outdoor recreation and league play continues to grow.

“Our fields have seen generations of families participating in community leagues, and as we approach our 50th anniversary in 2026, receiving this grant feels particularly meaningful,” Cox said.

“These improvements will ensure future generations can enjoy the same sense of community, pride and tradition that RCRC has built over the past five decades.”

This is one of five grants recently awarded by Bluebonnet and LCRA through LCRA’s Community Grants program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund eligible capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. Bluebonnet 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 January. More information is available at lcra.org/grants.

Bluebonnet and LCRA representatives present a $27,690 grant to the Delhi Volunteer Fire Department for a new helipad. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Grants program. Pictured, seated, from left, are Greg Guillot, David Reininger, Betty Platt and Joyce Rodgers, VFD supporters; Joyce Smith, EMT-B; and Rachael Guillot, VFD supporter. Standing: Joe Johnson and Cheryl Reininger, VFD supporters; Ray Rodgers, firefighter; Victor Bastien, VFD supporter; Eric Bastien, assistant chief; Cindy Woolley, treasurer and firefighter; Danney Rodgers, chief and EMT; Matthew L. ‘Matt’ Arthur, Margaret D. ‘Meg’ Voelter and Melissa K. Blanding, LCRA board members; Milton Shaw, Bluebonnet Board member; Mark Mayo, LCRA board member; Jo Anna Gilland, Bluebonnet’s Lockhart-area community representative; Josh Thomas, Bluebonnet’s Bastrop-area community representative; Elizabeth Ehlers, LCRA regional affairs representative; and Roderick Emanuel, Bluebonnet Board Vice President/Vice Chairman.

The Delhi Volunteer Fire Department will soon build a concrete helicopter landing pad next to the fire station near Rosanky, thanks to a $27,690 grant from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The community grant, along with $7,386 in matching funds from the VFD, will pay for a 40-by-40-foot helipad to provide transport helicopters with a safe, permanent landing location with aviation lighting.

“We average about one air transport every eight weeks, and a lot of those transports are happening at night,” said Danney Rodgers, fire chief. “Our department services a pretty remote and rural side of Caldwell County, and we’re often responding to situations that require emergency transport via helicopter. With a growing population in the Delhi VFD service area and no additional trauma centers being constructed in proximity, the landing pad is a needed addition to enhance the safety of our community.”

The new landing pad will enable the department to make arrangements for air transport providers in advance, and emergency responders will have a flat, level walkway from the parking area to the landing pad, providing a safer transfer to the helicopter.

Rodgers said current conditions are less than ideal for emergency evacuations.

“Recently we had a landing that ended up being aborted due to poor ground conditions and another that was severely delayed due to lack of suitable clearance,” he said. “The permanent concrete landing will greatly improve response times for patients, regardless of weather or time of day.”

The Delhi VFD serves eastern Caldwell County.

This is one of five grants recently awarded by Bluebonnet and LCRA through LCRA’s Community Grants program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund eligible capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. Bluebonnet 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 January. More information is available at lcra.org/grants.