Being a cooperative member has its advantages

It's National Cooperative Month – a time to celebrate you, the members of the co-op!

A group of neighbors banded together and organized Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative more than 83 years ago. They worked together for the benefit of the whole community, and the newly established electric lines helped power economic opportunity in our community.

As a utility, we provide safe, reliable and affordable energy to our members. But as a cooperative, we are also motivated by service to the community rather than profits. Among the advantages to being a Bluebonnet member are:

• You are a member, not a customer, which makes you a partial owner of the cooperative.
• You elect the members who lead the cooperative — the board of directors — at Bluebonnet’s Annual Meeting on the second Tuesday of every May.
• Bluebonnet members get capital credits every year, which are much like a return on dividends.
• We support the communities we serve, because we live here, too.
• Every year we provide scholarships to students in Bluebonnet's service area and sponsor numerous nonprofit groups and events.

This month and every month, we’re so happy to have you as a member of Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative. Keep an eye on our social media for cooperative stories, videos and giveaways. Plus, learn about your cooperative benefits here.

We asked our members to share some of the things they like about being a cooperative member. Here are some of their comments:

"We have had trees fall on our power lines on more than one occasions during storms. The response is phenomenal and we adore our linemen!!!!"
- Christina Murdock-Gill, Bluebonnet member in Brenham

"I love bluebonnet because of the immediate customer service response time we receive when power goes out."
- Stephanie Locke, Bluebonnet member in Del Valle

"Thank you to all BEC employees! We have always had questions answered and quick response when needed. Easiest app to use and appreciate the text updates when needed. Again thank you all."
- Jackie Gonzalez, Bluebonnet member in Fentress

"During ice storm I had power more than most of my co-workers. It was rolling outages but manageable. They notify of outages and handle them quickly. Good job and thank you."
- Melissa Kleihege, Bluebonnet member in Austin

"The service from Bluebonnet is fantastic, whether is is the customer service call center or the workers who work on the lines."
- Beanie Willis

"Bluebonnet is always quick to respond and I’ve used them for over 40 years. Would never change."
- Lurlene Roch, Bluebonnet member from Dale

"Ya'll keep us up to date on power outages and other things. Thank you."
- Laura Bohmfalk

"Love the Bluebonnet application glad BB embraces the technology!"
- Connie Fullick, Bluebonnet member in Paige

"I love being a member because ya are dependable, fast to respond to outages, great customer service, and fair pricing. Keep up the great work."
- Melinda Garza, Bluebonnet member in San Marcos

"I did not catch her name last week but my son called to get his elec turned on as his roommate had it disconnected. The young lady emailed him all the necessary paperwork & let him know it would be on by 5pm. She was exceptionally nice & handle him (he was upset there was no power & he had a big dog in the house) needless to say his power was on with in 3hrs of his call...I can not thank you enough for your rocking customer service."
- Angela Smith, Bluebonnet member in Maxwell

"The last outage I was kept updated and they worked quickly to fix the issue…even going in the rainy woods to find the issues when it was almost dark!"
- Tia Najvar

"Updates! So appreciative of the level of communication when things go wrong. And for keeping our power on during the snow storms!!"
- Nicki Dunn Morgan

"I appreciate the awesome customer service and the friendliness of the customer service staff that I always receive. And the notifications from BEC when we are having outages."
- Dora Dynette Gonzales, Bluebonnet member in Bastrop

"Great updates, easy to use app."
- Staci Klekar, Bluebonnet member in Brenham

"Always get the job done night or day"
- Johnnie Eckert, Bluebonnet member in Brenham

"We appreciate the prompt updates posted on social media during outages. We know right where to go for info!"
- Austonia RV Resort and Community, Bluebonnet member in Austin

"Always great service and friendly staff."
- Charles Funk, Jr., Bluebonnet member in Bastrop

"When I see a Bluebonnet member, they Light up!"
- Lucy Faz, Bluebonnet member in Bastrop

"Always great service"
- Deborah Deleon Olson, Bluebonnet member in San Marcos

"You send out updates before we can even report a problem most of the time and All issues are always fixed faster than the estimated response time. Thank you for keeping the lights on!"
- Holly Siegmund, Bluebonnet member in Lexington

"I love all the love they show our Community. We are truly blessed"
- Donna Bartsch, Bluebonnet member in Red Rock

"Bluebonnet is dependable, responsible, always doing the best for its members. I still can't believe how fast they restored the electricity after the 2011 and 2015 fires, for which I'm very grateful."
- Nancy Price Koudelka, Bluebonnet member in Smithville

"Dependable, Great Service, Very Friendly and Extremely Considerate for their customers!"
- Michael Pease, Bluebonnet member in Bastrop

"Great customer service, they really care about their customers and restoring electricity as quickly as possible. Thanks for all you do!"
- Janice Becker, Bluebonnet member in Giddings

"Appreciate the reliable service and the great customer service."
- Kenneth Barnard, Bluebonnet member in Paige

"Always friendly. Great services."
- Theresa Sanders Kettler, Bluebonnet member in Brenham

"Great service, always keeping us updated in an outage and quick to return power."
- Kimberly Weldon Abke, Bluebonnet member in Chappell Hill

"Reliable and OUTSTANDING customer service for many years… my husband and I brag all the time about how quick the response is to power outages… we were blessed during the February freeze to only lose power for about 3 hours and even then a truck was on our road within minutes of notification.

I have always appreciated employees being ready to answer any questions we have.. i was able to ask a question about a tree limb we were concerned about because over a power line… we were told put in a work order… we were also told at that time that one tree we had near road will be taken out by bluebonnet!

To know our membership to the co-op is being put to use in such a wonderful, stress relieving way is amazing."
- Emily McLoud

"Bluebonnet is very concerned about hazards that trees pose to power lines and promptly take care of them."
- Robin Barcelo Powell, Bluebonnet member in Bastrop

"We have been members since the late ‘80s. Why do we love Bluebonnet? Because in this crazy world where things change without warning, Bluebonnet has remained a constant. The service. The standards. The easily recognizable commitment. One of my favorite moments was entering a restaurant one day when some Bluebonnet workers were exiting and I got to tell them personally how much we appreciate everything they do for everyone."
- Mary Sariti Comerford

"The best rural electric company. Rates up there with Xcel energy with restoring power and upgrading their infrastructure!"
- Gilbert Zamora, Bluebonnet member in Bastrop

"Love that if power goes out. Notifications and time fixed. Quick Fix. Great Service!!"
- James Kellam, Bluebonnet member in Bastrop

Test your knowledge of friends and foes in Central Texas landscapes

By Addie Broyles

They seemed like good ideas at the time.

Remember the Chinaberry tree in your parents’ backyard? Who didn’t have a thick privet hedge for privacy? And what’s so bad about a backyard full of Bermuda grass?

The bark scale and lone star tick are high on the bad-bug list in Central Texas. Do you know what they look like?

Our quizzes test your knowledge of undesirable plants and insects in our landscapes. Most are classified as invasive species, which are nonnative species that are bad for the environment, economy or your health. Others may not make the invasives list, but can still present problems in area lawns and fields.

It can take time to fully understand problems with a species, said Mike Arnold, director of The Gardens at Texas A&M University and a professor in the university’s Department of Horticultural Sciences.

We’re talking about “aggressive or adaptive plants,” he said. Invasives can outcompete native species and cause a devastating ripple effect in the ecosystem and the industries that rely on it. They cost the United States $137 billion annually, according to the Texas Invasive Species Institute in Huntsville.

Some of the most economically harmful invasive species of plants and creatures are in Texas lakes. Plants such as giant salvinia, water hyacinth and zebra mussels hurt the local ecosystem, cause millions of dollars in damage to water treatment plants, and cause lost boating and tourism revenue on heavily affected lakes.

When a region loses its natural diversity, it is more susceptible to diseases and harmful pests, too.

“As we experience global climate change, invasives are going to put increased physiological effects on these ecosystems,” Arnold said. “When an extreme cold snap kills a certain plant, it creates opportunities for plants that weren’t previously invasive to become a problem.”

Test your knowledge of the plants and bugs (and one worm) that make the nice and naughty lists in area gardens and fields with our quizzes. Plus, learn what native plants can best replace less-desirable ones in your landscape.

The Great Central Texas Plants Quiz

Is it good for your garden, or will it sow destruction?

It’s time to test your knowledge of what’s growing in your landscape or pasture, and learn a little more about plants in our region: Are they dependable natives or destructive interlopers?

1

__________, an invasive tree that originated in China, grows in the Bluebonnet region. Long used as a landscaping tree, it became widespread in the 1950s. It crowds out native plants with its deep taproot and tolerance for drought.

A. Chinaberry tree

B. Heavenly bamboo

C. Chinese privet

D. Chinese tallow tree

Answer: D

The Chinese tallow trees in our area were introduced by the U.S. government as a source of seed oil for soap. Also known as “popcorn trees,” their waxy seeds look like a favorite movie snack. But don’t eat them. They’re poisonous!

2

Which two of the following are true about the chinaberry tree, a member of the mahogany family, native to China, Indonesia and Australia?

A. It was brought to the United States in the late 1700s by a French botanist.

B. It’s not bad for planting because it provides shade.

C. Seeds can be poisonous to people and pets, and birds can get intoxicated by eating rotting seeds.

D. It is found in all 50 states.

Answers: A and C

Even though these fast-growing trees are shade kings, chinaberries are invasives that sprout so many trees under their canopy they can become a landscaping mess. They are sold in many nurseries in the South, because they can’t withstand cold climates. Chinaberry has yellow seeds and violet flowers. It is similar to the Western soapberry, which is native to Central Texas.

3

Privets — also known as Ligustrums — are still popular hedge plants in many Bluebonnet-area yards. There are many varieties, but the Chinese privet can quickly take over a Central Texas ecosystem. Which of these is a better shrub alternative that also happens to be the only native-grown source of caffeine in North America?

A. Yaupon holly

B. Cenizo

C. Texas mallow

D. Flame acanthus

Answer: A

The yaupon holly is a better choice. The woody evergreen shrub or small tree can grow up to 25 feet, and female plants are known for their bright red berries. They are native to the eastern, southern and southwestern states. Yaupon holly’s leaves and twigs can make a caffeinated tea you may find for sale at local farmers markets. The other plants on the list are also native and make excellent substitutes for the pestilent privet.

4

Bermuda grass is still popular as a turfgrass, but it is also considered a weed. It is one of the most common aggressive grasses in Texas, likely arriving from Africa. It can handle Central Texas heat and droughts, creeps into crops, covers the soil and is hard to remove. Consider planting this native turfgrass instead:

A. Zoysia

B. King Ranch bluestem

C. St. Augustine

D. Buffalo grass

Answer: D

The only native turfgrass on the above list is buffalo grass, which once fed millions of grazing bison from Mexico to Montana. It doesn’t require a lot of water. Zoysia and St. Augustine grasses are popular but aggressive and can spread rapidly. King Ranch bluestem, also aggressive, came from Europe and Asia in the 1920s and was planted on the famous King Ranch in South Texas in the 1930s.

5

True or false: Juniper trees are among the state’s worst invasive tree species.

Answer: False

Junipers, as well as cedar trees, are responsible for many Central Texans’ allergies from December through February, but both are native to Texas. In fact, junipers have been growing here for centuries. Many people mistake junipers for cedars. The two types of trees have a similar smell, but junipers belong to the cypress family and cedars to the pine family. Ashe junipers, though widespread, provide food for birds and butterflies, and forage for mammals. One common juniper, however, is named "native redcedar," which may contribute to the confusion.

6

Native plants in many rivers, lakes and creeks of Central Texas have been getting pushed out by invasives in the last 20 years. Conversely, which two of these water plants should you be happy to see in your water garden?

A. Cow lily

B. Alligator weed

C. Hydrilla

D. Humped bladderwort

Answers: A and D

Cow lily and humped bladderwort are good choices if you have a lake or pond. The bladderwort is attractive, plus it can capture and consume insects. Avoid alligator weed and hydrilla at all costs. Hydrilla is right up there with water hyacinth and giant salvinia as one of the most damaging invasive water plants in the Bluebonnet region, including in Lake Somerville and the Fayette County Reservoir. Hydrilla can suffocate other plants, fish and some animals.

7

This aggressive invasive, native to East Asia, can tower more than 20 feet tall in watery areas throughout the Bluebonnet region, including in ditches alongside roads. It grows thick roots and absorbs water that could benefit native plants.

A. Giant reed

B. Heavenly bamboo

C. Giant hogweed

D. Salt cedar

Answer: A

Although all of the above are invasive plants, the giant reed is perhaps the biggest threat. It can burn quickly and spread via pernicious, hard-to-kill rhizomes. The clumps of reeds are hard to dig out of the ground. Many folks resort to a glyphosate herbicide.

8

What flowering tree that your parents might have planted turned out to be a bad idea (and not just because it stinks in spring)?

A. Magnolia

B. Bradford pear

C. Crepe myrtle

D. Oleander

Answer: B

It can look nice, but it’s the weedy Bradford pear that was introduced from China in the early 1900s. Some folks still plant it, even though it smells terrible when it flowers. Its branches break easily in storms. The other three flowering trees on the list — magnolia, crepe myrtle and oleander — look nice and are popular, but they can outcompete native trees for growing room. Lady Bird Johnson would have preferred you plant a Texas redbud.

9

Don’t let their cute little yellow flowers fool you. This plant is choking out Texas’ beloved wildflowers.

A. Rue

B. Horsetail

C. Beggar’s lice

D. Bastard cabbage

Answer: D

Noxious, weedy bastard cabbage from southern Europe and northern Africa, also known as turnip weed or wild rape, smothers native plants and can quickly cover a field. Nativized rue and horsetail are fine plants to grow in your yard. Beggar’s lice is native, but it can fill your yard with burrs in summer.  

10

These two invasive species go together like grackles and parking lots.

A. King Ranch bluestem and red-streaked leafhopper

B. Hackberry trees and cankerworm caterpillars, also known as inchworms

C. Agarita bushes and carpenter bees

D. Greenbrier vine and possums

Answer: A

Bluestem and the leafhopper, which may resemble a grasshopper, are both invasive. The insect feeds on native and nonnative grasses, and sugarcane crops. Hackberry trees and agarita bushes are weedy, but they’re native to Texas and are food sources for wildlife, including cankerworm caterpillars and carpenter bees. The nativized greenbrier vine — originally from the eastern United States, just like the possums that feed on it — isn’t as much of a pest as the poison ivy that usually grows near it. By the way, grackles are native, too. Parking lots, not so much.

Good bug or bad bug? Take the quiz.

Stop before you squish! That insect could be good for your landscape. Most bugs are good — about 97% of them, according to some experts. But there are some insects that cause more harm than help to people, animals or the environment. Beneficial bugs help pollinate plants and crops, aerate soil, balance the ecosystem, recycle organic matter and even eat bad bugs. Test your knowledge of native, nonnative and invasive bugs, and one worm (it’s so bad, we couldn’t leave it out).

1

Formosan subterranean termites have been eating lumber in Texas homes since at least the 1950s. Why are they worse than regular termites?

A. They build huge aerial nests.

B. They reproduce faster than other species.

C. They secrete a foul odor.

D. They resist all forms of treatment.

Answers: A and B

Formosan termites are the most destructive kind, causing more than $1 billion in damage to U.S. homes annually. There are many ways to keep termites at bay: Get information from Texas A&M’s AgriLife Extension website: Go to citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/ and search for "termites." If you’ve already got termites, Formosan or not, call in professionals to use termiticide, fumigation and/or continual baiting until the colony is eliminated.

2

Which three of these ants should you leave alone in your yard?

A. Tawny crazy ants

B. Red fire ants

C. Pyramid ants

D. Leafcutter ants

E. Harvester ants

Answers: C, D & E

Pyramid, leafcutter and harvester ants are all native. They might carve a path in your grass or make a bald spot near their nest, but they are important to our ecosystem. Invasive tawny crazy ants and red fire ants are decimating our native ant populations. Texas A&M’s fire-ant research and management project recommends using pesticide baits from late August through October.

3

True or false: Honeybees are a native species that thrives on Texas wildflowers.

Answer: False

There are more than 1,000 species of native bees in Texas, but honeybees are not one of them. Honeybees are native to Europe, Africa and the Middle East, although they’ve been in North America since the 1600s. “Hardcore naturalists aren’t fans of honeybees, but they don’t disrupt native bees, to our knowledge,” said Molly Keck, an integrated pest-management program specialist with Texas A&M University who hosts two podcasts on Texas pests. Bees native to Texas include bumblebees, carpenter bees and sweat bees.

4

Love your crepe myrtles? Watch out for this tiny insect causing big problems in Brazos, Williamson and Travis counties.

A. Bark scale

B. Varied carpet beetle

C. Confused flour beetle

D. Cochineal scale

Answer: A

Some scales, like cochineal, which lives on prickly pear cactus, are native, but the bark scale is not. After emerging from clusters of felt-like egg sacs, these tiny, oval-shaped insects with shell-like coverings can quickly give rise to a dark, sooty fungus that blackens crepe myrtle bark, making the tree susceptible to disease. Flour and carpet beetles are troublesome for homeowners, but they aren’t a problem for trees.

5

Hammerhead flatworms, recently spotted in Houston, are among the fastest-spreading, most troubling invasive species in Texas because:

A. They travel easily and quickly via wet ground, including sidewalks, roads and waterways.

B. They can irritate your skin and can make pets sick if ingested.

C. They can regenerate parts of their body, so stepping on one could just create two worms.

D. They eat other species of worms.

Answer: All of the above

Earlier this year, the state’s Invasive Species Institute made a special appeal to folks in Central Texas to be on alert for this flatworm with a hammer-shaped head that came to America 100 years ago from Southeast Asia. It reproduces and travels quickly, and harms humans and animals, so take a photo of it before you kill it by putting salt and/or vinegar or citrus oil on it. Email your photo to invasives@shsu.edu. Be sure to tell them where you found it.

6

Which is the native: a ladybug or a ladybird beetle?

Answer: Ladybug

Although the two look similar, ladybird beetles, native to Asia, were introduced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the 1960s to control agricultural pests. They aren’t invasive, though, and even though they can swarm inside your home when it gets cold, or bite to protect themselves, they are good for your garden. The beetles eat aphids and mites, just like ladybugs.

7

This insect’s bite can cause humans to have a sudden onset of an allergy to red meat.

A. Asian tiger mosquito

B. Damsel fly

C. Lone star tick

D. Common bed bug

Answer: C

The lone star tick — named not for Texas, but for the white star on its back — can cause alpha-gal syndrome, which can create a lifelong allergic reaction to red meat (think hives, itching, swelling and shortness of breath). These ticks, more common in the northeast United States, are starting to show up more in Texas, including in Fayette, Burleson and Austin counties.

8

Spiders might scare you, but you shouldn’t kill most of them: They are good for the environment. Which two of these should you leave alone (or carefully move outside if one is in the house)?

A. Wolf spider

B. Brown recluse spider 

C. Orb spider

D. Brown widow spider

Answer: A and C

Wolf and orb spiders are two native species that do a lot of good in an ecosystem: They eat smaller insects and they're eaten themselves by birds. The brown widow is nonnative and, though less dangerous than its native cousin, the black widow, it still packs a venomous bite. The brown recluse’s bite can cause all kinds of problems, including fever, nausea and even necrosis.

9

There are more than 150 species of assassin bugs in the United States, but this is the only one to worry about because it can carry a parasite that causes Chagas disease, which can be life-threatening.

A. Ambush bug

B. Milkweed assassin bug

C. Giant wheel bug

D. Kissing bug

Answer: D

Also known as the cone-nosed bug, kissing bugs can bite humans (and dogs) and transmit a parasite that causes the potentially fatal Chagas disease that can lead to flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, vomiting and a rash. Cases have been reported in Fayette, Lee and Travis counties. The other three assassin bugs are fine: They eat soft-bodied insects that might chew up your crops.

Did you know?

The Texas horned lizard, often called a “horny toad” or “horned frog,” is now considered a threatened species in Texas due to habitat loss and the decline of native ants, in particular the harvester ant.

Fun fact: In 1928, a horned lizard that was said to have been sealed in a time capsule 
for more than 30 years was found alive after all that time. The lizard, named Ol’ Rip, went on tour, including a stop at the White House to meet President Calvin Coolidge, and inspired a rush on horned lizard sales.  

 

Enjoy the artwork, hometown feel and shopping in Bastrop County

By Laura Castro

Residents here have a standard warning for visitors: You’re going to fall in love with Smithville. The picturesque community of more than 4,000 along the Colorado River in Bastrop County, off State Highway 71 about 40 miles southeast of Austin, abounds with smalltown charm, historic buildings, museums, antique railcars, and oak tree-lined streets and parks. There are popular restaurants, eclectic shops and stylish art galleries scattered along or near historic downtown Main Street. Hollywood chose the town as the backdrop for the hit movie “Hope Floats” with Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick Jr., which was released 25 years ago. That paved the way for Smithville to appear in at least 100 other movies, TV shows, commercials and music videos. Independence Park commemorates the town’s first house and store built in 1827 along the river by settler Dr. Thomas J. Gazley. Decades later, 17 families moved from the riverside to be near the tracks of the Bastrop and Taylor Railway, which started service there in 1887. The train line was extended to Houston and then merged with the Missouri, Kansas & Texas (MK&T or “Katy”) railroad in 1891. That spurred employment and growth that made Smithville Bastrop County’s largest city for over 50 years. A legendary coin toss between two prominent businessmen — Murray Burleson and William Smith — determined the town’s name.

WHAT TO DO

Self-guided tours of the city’s historic commercial and residential districts start at James H. Long Railroad Park and Museum, the 100 block of First Street. Pick up self-guided tour brochures at the Chamber of Commerce and visitor center (in the same building) on weekdays, or grab them from any of three informational kiosks on Main Street. One brochure features a walking guide to 26 historical buildings downtown and, on the flipside, a driving guide to 32 historic homes and churches. Another is a tour map of movie sites around town. You can also find a guide o the historic downtown at explorebastropcounty.com (search for Smithville Historical Downtown Walking Tour) and the movie tour map at smithvilletx.org/tours.

Learn more of the city’s history at Smithville Heritage House & Museum, 602 Main St., open 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday; call 512-629-2197 to schedule a tour.

Smithville is a state-designated cultural district with a vibrant arts scene. Outdoor murals, mosaics and sculptures are all around, many reflecting the city’s railroad history. A swallowtail sculpture near Railroad Park’s Gazebo is dedicated to workers killed in a 1911 locomotive explosion; a bust of town founder Gazley sits in Independence Park, 506 NW Loop 230; and Smitty, a 20-foot-tall replica of the former world’s largest gingerbread man (baked here in 2006) stands next to the chamber.

Several art galleries feature paintings, sculptures, pottery, handmade furniture, mosaics and collages by local and regional artists. Community theater and live music also thrive.

Annual festivals include the Airing of the Quilts & Tour of Homes the second Saturday in November, the Festival of Lights & Lighted Parade the first Saturday in December, and the Smithville Jamboree in April.

Eleven area public parks include Buescher State Park, just north of town, with six miles of hiking/biking trails, a 30-acre lake and campsites; Vernon Richards Riverbend Park on the Colorado River, with camping, fishing, disc golf and more; and Railroad Park, where the Smithville Farmers Market happens every Sunday near the gazebo. Other parks include Veterans Memorial Park-Splash Pad, 311 NW Second St.; MLK Park, 208 Miller St.; and Power Plaza Skate Park, 350 NW First St.

GRAB A BITE

Your Mom’s, 109 NW Second St. Cajun and comfort food, plus a popular chicken-fried steak. 6-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, noon-3 p.m. Sunday. Just a few steps away is Hope Floats Ice Cream & Bakery. Noon-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, noon-3 p.m. Sunday.

Other dining options ranked high on Tripadvisor.com include:

Comfort Cafe, 111 NW First St. Popular for weekend brunch, cash only (pay what you can), the restaurant supports SerenityStar recovery program. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday-Sunday.

Honey’s, 109 NE Second St. Wood-fi ed pizza, craft beers. 5-9 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

The Front Room Wine Bar, 116 Main St. Drinks and dining in a quiet, cozy pub. 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m. Friday, noon- 10 p.m. Saturday.

Olde World Bakery & Cafe, 112 Main St. Breakfast and lunch. 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.

Fat Cat Lounge and Cafe, 301 Main St. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday- Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday.

STOP TO SHOP

Tour galleries and shop for local artists’ paintings, pottery, furniture and more: Mosaic Art & Home, 218 Main St.; Lost Pines Artisans Alliance Gallery on Main, 206 Main St.; Main Gallery Smithville, 200 Main St.; and Lumberyard Studio, 223 NE First St.

Popular boutiques, gift shops and antique stores include:

Consuela, 110 NW Second St. Popular, one-of-a-kind handbags and totes. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

Texas Trails Antiques and Marketplace, 213 Main St. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Bella’s Cottage Antiques, 119 Main St. same hours as Texas Trails, except closed Tuesday.

Sources: City of Smithville (ci.smithville.tx.us/for-visitors), Explore Bastrop County, (explorebastropcounty.com), Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce (smithvilletx.org), Visit Smithville (visitsmithville.org), Buescher State Park (tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/buescher)

This is part of a series featuring towns in the Bluebonnet region.

Tiny Round Top transforms into one of America’s biggest shopping destinations, drawing 150,000 or more treasure hunters

By Sharon Jayson

Nancy Krause has been here since the beginning. 

She is the last remaining dealer from the 25 or so who set up shop at the first Round Top Antiques Show in the fall of 1968.

Next month will mark her 55th year selling rare and vintage finds. You can find her, as usual, in booth 327 in the 30,000-square-foot Big Red Barn venue, about a mile from the original show’s location, Rifle Hall. 

“I usually like to bring colors and pottery that lend themselves to fall decorating,” Krause said, explaining how she will prepare her 9-by-20-foot booth for October’s event. “I know where everything is going before I get there.” 

Krause, 87, has operated Nancy’s Antiques in Brenham since 1965. She has missed only one Round Top show, in the spring 54 years ago, when she gave birth to her youngest child. 

Those original sellers probably never dreamed their little event would evolve into a global shopping phenomenon. 

Now, every spring and fall, as many as 4,000 dealers from around the nation and other countries set up shop for 150,000 or more shoppers at the Round Top Antiques Show. It’s been called the country’s largest antiques festival, both for the square footage of shopping space and the square mileage it occupies.

The events are located almost midway between Austin and Houston, within the Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative service area. 

It’s not just one show: Almost 100 venues are set up, most along an 11-mile stretch of State Highway 237, stretching from Carmine to Warrenton. Other venues can be found in Burton and Fayetteville, all within a 20-mile radius of Round Top in Fayette County. 

The town’s 87 residents, by Mayor Mark Massey’s count, see their area transformed for a few weeks each spring and fall into an Instagram darling for destination shopping. Their streets are packed with visitors from out of town, out of state and overseas. There is a winter show in January, but it is shorter, smaller and draws fewer participants.  

Whether a devoted Round Top veteran or a novice, everyone is on something of a treasure hunt. Mingling amid the serious shoppers and casual browsers are celebrities, TV and social media influencers, decorators and designers arriving to see what’s there and to be seen.

The next fall event begins in mid-October. Some venues open as early as Oct. 12, others as late as Oct. 24. All end by Oct. 29.

Merchandise here ranges from high-end European furniture and fine art from around the globe that can cost thousands (or tens of thousands) of dollars, to flea-market bargains that will get you change back from a $20 bill. There is an eclectic mix of styles: Americana, Texana, midcentury modern, French country, classic European and contemporary, to name a few. Shoppers can find decor, jewelry, clothing, vintage signs, stylish Western boots and hats, one-of-a-kind collectibles and unusual collections spilling from tents, trailers, barns, air-conditioned buildings and historic properties. 

“Round Top has an amazing reputation as a place with a lot of design energy,” said Beth Berke of Chicago, who was selling her antiques for the first time at Round Top during this year’s spring show. “It attracts people from all over the U.S., and I thought it would be fun to come and be a part of that,” she said. “I was excited when a space opened up.”

Her 15-by-30-foot space at Round Top’s Marburger Farm Antique Show limited her to “a sampling” of inventory from her 6,000-square-foot South Loop Loft showroom in Chicago: furniture, decorative arts, rugs and textiles, lighting, accessories and artisan items. She specializes in one-of-a-kind European pieces from the 1940s through 1990s.

The Marburger Farm show, just south of Round Top, features more than 300 dealers selling primarily antiques inside nine tents — five the size of football fields — and 10 historic buildings on 43 acres, said Tracy Blacketer, show manager.

Not all of Round Top’s vendors offer high-end goods. Sure, shoppers can buy elite items that come with certificates of authenticity, but they can also find collectibles sold from small roadside tents. 

“Round Top is extraordinary in that it provides an escapism many are seeking, regardless of their bank account,” Blacketer said. 

The venues have multiplied and spread for miles from that first show in Rifle Hall. The Original Round Top Antiques Fair, as it is now known, includes the Big Red Barn (a climate-controlled building with an array of antiques, fine glass, art and jewelry), the Continental Tent (an air-conditioned tent with antique furnishings) and the Barn’s Annex. 

“People started to see this magical antique wonderland,” said Stephanie Layne Disney, the show manager of the Original Round Top Antiques Fair. The Layne family, native Houstonians and sixth-generation Texans, bought the show in 2022. They had previously purchased another major Round Top venue, Blue Hills, south of the Big Red Barn and north of Round Top. That 100,000-plus square feet of shopping space includes more than 75 vendors, plus food, parking and restrooms.

Disney, who lives in Fort Worth, has an interior design and antiques background. Growing up, she and her mother often shopped the Round Top shows. Now, the events aren’t just about shopping: “It’s about what you’re wearing, where you are, what events you’re at,” she said. 

Almost every evening, venues host events where brands promote products. “A lot of people put on a dinner and invite other influencers,” Disney said. Sought-after invitations and tickets are part of the Round Top scene. 

Former Texas First Lady Linda Gale White arrived at the Big Red Barn for the spring opening day earlier this year with a group of friends who have been coming to Round Top for more than 30 years. She returned the next day for Marburger Farm’s opening.

“I love finding the little jewel that attracts my eye,” said White, 81, who was shopping for items for her small antiques business in Houston.

The Marburger show, which opened in 1997, is owned by a Dallas-based real estate development and investment services company. Manager Blacketer touted the quality of Marburger’s offerings: “These are masterfully created vignettes that come from merchandise sourced all over the globe,” she said.    

Among Marburger’s dealers is one of its co-founders, Ed Gage. Many know Gage for Uncommon Objects, his longtime South Congress Avenue shop in Austin. In the mid-1990s, he and a partner bought the 44-acre Marburger property that was once a farm. He calls himself “a lifelong treasure hunter.”

“We’re kind of road-warrior gypsies who travel from town to town,” said Gage, who sells mostly jewelry and art. “There’s a huge camaraderie and support system of people who love their neighbors, treat each other well and see each other at the next show.” 

Among those who planned to be first in line when Marburger’s doors opened last spring was first-time show shopper Jennie Logan of Dallas. She was on a mission to find a buffet for her dining room. She was with her friend and interior designer Lacy Lange, a Round Top regular for at least six years. 

“All these people who have stand-alone shops all around the country and bring the best of their stuff to this small town are pretty amazing,” Logan said.

“I did find the elusive buffet I was looking for and had to get that shipped,” she said, adding that she also bought “probably 15 pieces of art, a big rattan bench, two side tables and two lamps.” 

Does all the selling and buying benefit the residents of Round Top? Massey, the town’s mayor, a Houston native who was elected in 2020, said the antique show is “entrepreneurship at its finest.”

“We all talk and cooperate as best we can. There’s no organization that runs it or checks in with vendors,” he said. “Each venue is independently operated. Outside of our town’s one square mile, the town has no jurisdiction over the venues,” and many are expanding their existing sites, he added. 

“The town of Round Top has witnessed a major increase in year-round tourism, resulting in annual sales tax revenue of just over $400,000 in the last fiscal year,” Massey said. 

This fall will be Round Top native Lauriano Pineda Jr.’s fourth show as a dealer of art, decor, furniture and pottery imported from Mexico. He and a partner operate Terracotta Cowboy out of an 80-by-40-foot leased building in the Round Top venue Cisco Village.  

“It’s kind of a wild thing. I grew up in Round Top and watched it when nothing was here. I’m 31. I’ve seen it grow up from dirt roads to what it is now,” he said. “I think it’s wonderful. There’s always somewhere to go out. To be from Round Top is like saying you’re from Aspen.”

Pineda’s import business is open only during the shows, as are many of the venues that aren’t year-round shops in permanent locations along the State Highway 237 corridor and in nearby communities. Just south of Round Top, the Marketplace Warrenton offers rental spaces for vendors’ RVs. North of Round Top, the La Bahia Antique Show near Burton is in a historic 1879 dance hall and community center.

Ron Naumann, a sergeant with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, knows all about the growth that can back traffic up by as much as 12 miles every spring and fall. He has coordinated traffic and security for shows since 1996, when events lasted only a few days. After the first year, Naumann started working on horseback to cover more ground and better coordinate with the assortment of assisting officers from other jurisdictions. 

He still does his job atop a horse. 

Less likely to be caught in traffic are the celebrities who make their way to Round Top, sometimes in helicopters. Actors, singers, sports stars and well-known TV interior designers and decorators have been spotted shopping. They’ve included TV home makeover stars Chip and Joanna Gaines, designer/actor Carson Kressley, actor Matthew McConaughey, country singer Miranda Lambert, former NFL star Peyton Manning and many more. 

Long-timer Krause says it’s easy for her to spot wealthy buyers.  

“They come in and just say ‘I’ll take this,’ and somebody comes behind them with a sold tag,” she said.

It’s a far cry from the early days when Emma Lee Turney, a Houston antiques dealer, organized that first show. Turney, who died in 2021 at the age of 92, created a tradition that has evolved into the ultimate Texas “shopportunity.”  

For Krause, the 2023 winter show in January marked a milestone in her Round Top antique-selling career: She sold out for the first time. 

Her trip back to Brenham had never been easier.

“I had taken some live plants I’ve decorated with, and when I was packing up to leave, two ladies from South Carolina asked me if the plants were for sale. So, I even sold my decorations,” Krause said. “Then I picked up my purse and walked out the door.” 

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IF YOU GO TO THE ROUND TOP ANTIQUES SHOW

Getting there, the big venues and more

About 100 venues hosting up to 4,000 vendors will open for business in October during the Round Top Antiques Show. Most are concentrated along an 11-mile stretch of State Highway 237, starting at the intersection with U.S. 290 and heading south to Warrenton. Some shopping is available in nearby communities as well.  

Dates and times of operation will vary. The first venue opens Oct. 12 and the last opens Oct. 24; the final day of sales is Oct. 29.

Some of the larger venues, heading south along State Highway 237, include:

BIG RED BARN and ANNEX, and CONTINENTAL TENT (also known as the Original Round Top Antiques Fair): south of the intersection of State Highway 237 and U.S. 290

BLUE HILLS: 26-acre property with 100,000 square feet of shopping space, more than 60 vendors

THE ARBORS: about 70,000 square feet of shopping; more than 120 dealers selling antique and new furniture, textiles, jewelry and art

THE HALLES: largely open-air venue with eight buildings (three enclosed) where vendors sell art, antiques, artisan furniture and lighting

BADER RANCH AT ROUND TOP: antiques and garden decor, as well as midcentury modern furnishings and assorted vintage and handmade apparel and jewelry 

MARBURGER FARM: more than 300 dealers with goods from around the world across 10 historic buildings and nine tents

THE COMPOUND: six barns (two climate-controlled) where shoppers can find antiques, furniture, decorative arts, lighting and architectural objects, as well as jewelry, silver and more

WARRENTON: small town that has come into its own as a venue or, rather, multiple venues that stretch along several miles of State Highway 237. A hodgepodge of goods spill across open fields, out of tents and in structures, both temporary and permanent

NEARBY COMMUNITIES

BURTON: north of the intersection of U.S. 290 and State Highway 237, has some small shops; La Bahia venue, just south, is one of the first on Highway 237

CARMINE: on U.S. 290, just west of its intersection with Highway 237 and near the major venues; has several year-round antiques shops

FAYETTEVILLE: several miles southeast of Warrenton, has some offerings, including year-round antiques stores

GET MORE INFORMATION

roundtoptexasantiques.com

exploreroundtop.com/antiques-show/

roundtop.com

antiqueweekend.com

Check websites and Instagram feeds of individual venues 

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SHOP, DON’T DROP

Tips for making the rounds
at the Round Top show

Expect traffic delays, especially on opening days. The scenery on State Highway 237 changes as you move from the more polished Round Top-area venues to the less fussy temporary tents with a flea-market feel in the Warrenton area.

• Each of the more than 100 venues is independently owned and operated, setting their own opening and closing dates within the time frame of the overall show. Amenities vary: Some are air-conditioned, others not; some have permanent bathrooms, others don’t. Some have restaurant-like seating and dining, others have limited menus, takeout or food trucks. 
• Admission prices for venues vary. Early-admission tickets to Marburger Farm are $40; VIP tickets to the Original Round Top Antiques Fair venues are $25; others range from $15 to free for most.
• Plot your strategy, and do your research. You can opt to visit multiple sales, but with so many big venues on large grounds stretched far apart, covering one or two may be all you can manage in a day. Be prepared to both walk and to move your car from place to place. Some parking is free; some isn’t. 
• Newbies, manage your expectations. Have a shopping list. There is more merchandise for sale than you can imagine, and another show is always around the corner. Large items can usually be shipped, and there are many shipping options. You will need to lug around the rest of your purchases and load them into your vehicle. The bigger your vehicle, the more room for unplanned purchases. 
• Dress for comfort and prepare to walk for miles. Wide-brimmed hats can help. Broken-in sturdy shoes or boots are essential. There’s not a Round Top uniform, but if you want to see what folks wear, check the venues’ Instagram feeds.

  

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KEEP AN EYE PEELED FOR FAMILIAR FACES

Former Texas First Lady Linda Gale White, the widow of Gov. Mark White, discusses an item with her friend Suzie Johnson. Both are from Houston. They traveled with a group of friends for the Big Red Barn opening day last spring and then White came back for the Marburger Farm opening the following day. White owns a small antiques business at the Memorial Antiques & Interiors showroom in Houston. Many celebrities — actors, singers, sports stars and TV interior designers and decorators — have been spotted in the crowds of shoppers, including, clockwise from top center, TV home makeover stars Chip and Joanna Gaines, designer/actor Carson Kressley, former NFL star Peyton Manning, country singer Miranda Lambert and actor Matthew McConaughey. Upper left photo by Ken Herman

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A NEW VENUE

8,000-square-foot A.R.T. opened in spring

As existing Round Top venues expand and new ones seek toeholds, one of the newest is A.R.T., which stands for Antique Round Top. The 8,000-square-foot, climate-controlled space opened its doors this spring. 

The venue, at 2260 N. State Highway 237, north of Marburger Farm and south of Round Top, is the brainchild of longtime dealers Ted Fuehr and his wife, Jennifer Fuehr, of Shawnee, Kan. 

Their 47-year career as show dealers includes more than 15 years at Round Top, where they began selling 18th-and 19th-century American furniture and accessories, then added items from other genres and time periods. 

“I’ve watched Round Top grow from a small amount of venues to become a megamarket,” he said. “We’re getting major decorators and designers from both coasts — New York, L.A., Miami, Seattle, Atlanta, Denver, San Francisco and quite a few from North Carolina — and they’re spending a lot of money buying, in some instances, a semitrailer load of merchandise.”

Ted Fuehr said Round Top is cost- and time-efficient for designers and decorators because of the variety of goods sold in one area. Buyers can find items for homes, stores, restaurants or hotels. 

Janet and Rick Waldrop of Carthage in East Texas were among those checking out A.R.T. this spring. They weren’t just casual shoppers. Janet Waldrop makes jewelry and art from antique “found objects” for her business, Skip 2 My Lou, inside the Marburger Farm venue.

“It’s amazing how many new people are coming in from everywhere,” she said. “They all say (the antiques festival) is so much more than that they thought it would be.”

— Sharon Jayson

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STAYING OVERNIGHT?

Pros know to plan far in advance

There are several dozen trendy places to stay overnight in Round Top during the spring and fall shows, but the supply cannot keep up with demand. The hottest spots near town are reserved a year — or years — in advance. 

A few often-mentioned overnight spots, all renovated with a chic vibe, include: 

HOTEL LULU: Spread across six 19th-century bungalows and three private cottages; in earlier times, the restored buildings were known as Bybee Square; also an herb garden, formal garden and pool; 204 E. Mill St., Round Top; 979-249-5174; hotellulutx.com

RANCHO PILLOW: Twenty-acre compound two miles from Warrenton, self-described “whimsical wonderland” with grounds that include a bathhouse, heated saltwater wading pool and treehouse; 11222 Schuster Road, Round Top; ranchopillow.com; make reservations online or email info@ranchopillow.com

THE COTTON PEARL MOTEL: Compound of properties from the early 1900s includes a main house and two cottages, pool, firepit and pickleball court; 404 N. Live Oak St., Round Top; must book entire property for two-night minimum; thecottonpearl.com

THE FRENCHIE: Boutique hotel with assorted rooms in an 1800s vintage farmhouse, also art studio suites, poolside rooms, a private cottage and private shed, with amenities that include fire pits, massages, hot tub and gourmet kitchen; 311 N. Live Oak St., Round Top; 979-208-9851; thefrenchieguesthouses.com

WANDER INN: Numerous chic rooms, including the Wanderlust, the Stardust and the Wild Blue Yonder, are at the inn, adjacent to the retail compound Junk Gypsy, a brand known to HGTV and now QVC shopping network fans; 1215 S. State Highway 237, Round Top; 979-249-5865; gypsyville.com/wander-inn

The Round Top Area Chamber of Commerce’s member directory lists 49 options for overnight stays, including hotels, motels, bungalows, cabins, apartments, cottages, guesthouses, inns, RV parks and vacation rentals. Go to exploreroundtop.com and click on Stay.

A search for “Round Top” on Airbnb.com returns more than 475 area listings stretching from La Grange to Brenham; vrbo.com shows more than 230 listings in the same area.