Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and LCRA representatives present a $18,123 grant to the Meyersville Volunteer Fire Department for a new generator. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left, are Kyle Merten, Bluebonnet's Brenham-area community representative; Robert Mikeska, Bluebonnet Board secretary/treasurer; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA board member; Josh Roman, treasurer and firefighter; John Burleson III, fire chief; and Kate Ramzinski, LCRA regional affairs representative.
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and LCRA representatives present a $17,710 grant to the Blue Volunteer Fire Department for a new emergency generator and fuel tank. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Kate Ramzinski, LCRA regional affairs representative; Sherry Murphy, Bluebonnet's Giddings-area community representative; Russell Jurk, Bluebonnet Board member; Ward Taylor, VFD assistant fire chief; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter and Matthew L.
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and LCRA representatives present a $24,400 grant to the Bastrop County First Responders for emergency equipment. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Tom Oney, LCRA chief people officer and executive vice president of external affairs; Gregory Klaus, Bastrop County judge; Matthew L. “Matt” Arthur and Margaret D.
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors unanimously voted to award $1,000 grants to 63 local fire departments that protect and serve communities in the cooperative’s 14-county service area.
“These departments serve everyone in our communities, answering the call every day, around the clock,” said Matt Bentke, Bluebonnet’s general manager. “Our line workers and control center operators work closely with firefighters and first responders during emergency events, which is critically important to keeping people safe.”
From a ghost town to golf, venture off the highway to enjoy growing town’s top stops
By Melissa Segrest
Along busy U.S. 290, 12 miles northeast of Austin, the ever-multiplying home and apartment rooftops of Manor may give the impression this town is a new commuter community. But Manor — pronounced “MAY-ner” — has a rich 152-year history. It was named for James B. Manor, who settled on Gilleland Creek west of today’s downtown in the mid-1830s.
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative members have reported a recent increase in attempted phone scams. The fraudulent callers typically tell members their power will be disconnected unless they make an immediate payment over the phone.
Bluebonnet never calls members to demand immediate payment. Bluebonnet makes at least two attempts to remind its members with delinquent accounts – once by mail and again by a courtesy phone call – before disconnecting service for nonpayment.
Lydia Huebner and Chasidy Nowicki are set to represent Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative when they join hundreds of other high school juniors and seniors in Washington, D.C., this summer for an immersive week of connection, education and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
They are called Freedom Colonies: at least 65 settlements, built by newly freed Black people, established across the Bluebonnet region more than a century ago. Family histories and dedicated descendants keep their stories alive.
Story by Clayton Stromberger l Photos by Sarah Beal
Tucked away in the Post Oak Savannah about 10 miles northeast of Lockhart, the unincorporated community of St. John Colony is country-quiet much of the year, just like the rest of rural Caldwell County.
Soak up the town’s history, shopping and dining
By Camille Wheeler
From its lone stoplight where U.S. 290 meets FM 1155, Chappell Hill opens like a history book. The two-lane road serves as both Main Street and a stretch of the Texas Independence Trail reaching into the Washington County countryside. On this general path, Stephen F. Austin established his first colony in 1821. A small community with an estimated population of 1,000, Chappell Hill has numerous homes and businesses with national and state historic designations.
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and LCRA representatives present a $25,000 grant to the Maxwell Community Volunteer Fire Department for new rescue gear. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are, Ambrose Garcia, firefighter; Rick Arnic, LCRA regional affairs representative; Alfredo Hernandez, firefighter; David Childress, fire chief; Margaret D.