Annual Carmine Christmas Fest Held

CARMINE News

The 40th annual Christmas Fest was well-attended and a great success.

Santa Claus came as usual on a fire truck. He and Mrs. Claus welcomed many children, who had a chance to tell him what is on their wish list and take a photo.

Delicious beef stew and hamburgers were served, along with desserts.

The Round Top-Carmine elementary students presented a musical program. Thanks to Mr. Cory Buckley, band director and music teacher, for the wonderful job he did in leading this group.

Children enjoyed riding the Polar Express.

Forty miniature Christmas trees were placed on tables and each had a year on the star, beginning with the first year the Christmas Fest was held.

Twelve children entered the craft contest. All won in different categories and each received an award and a prize.

Lots of booths had Christmas crafts and food items for sale, along with other creations.

Holiday Decorating Contest The Carmine Chamber of Commerce invites residents and businesses to participate in the annual Christmas holiday decorating contest. Residences and businesses within the city limits are eligible to participate.

Judging will be on Friday, Dec. 20. Leave your lights on until 9 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place for both categories.

Ledbetter Lane of Lights The last two days of the Ledbetter Christmas Lane of Lights are this weekend Dec. 20 and 21.

Take part in the family event for all ages with a hayride through a lighted path of Christmas reflections from 6-8:30 p.m. Cost is $10 per person, cash or check only. Children two years and under are free. Live musical entertainment and Santa will be there each night for your enjoyment.

Tickets are available near the intersection of FM 1291 and Hwy. 290.

All proceeds benefit the Ledbetter Volunteer Fire Department.

For additional information or for large groups, contact Gwen at (979) 540-0105.

RT-C School News 

The Round Top-Carmine varsity girls’ and boys’ basketball teams play at Calvert on Dec. 17 with the first game at 5 p.m.

The girls’ basketball team placed second in the North Zulch tournament recently.

Classes will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 18 for the Christmas/Winter break. It is also the end of the third sixweeks grading period.

Looking to 2025, teachers have a workday on Jan. 7. The next day, Jan. 8, is a professional development day. Students return for classes on Jan. 9.

Central Texas Food Bank The Central Texas Food Bank truck will be at Waldeck Lutheran Church on Dec. 21 from 10-11 a.m. Volunteers will distribute and load preboxed food into each vehicle as the client drives through the line.

It is located at the intersection of FM 1291 and FM 2145. Clients need to have their back seats, trunks and truck beds cleaned out to make room for the food.

Carmine Lions Club 

The Carmine Lions Club drew the winner of the “Mystery Cooler Raffle” at the 40th Carmine Chamber Christmas Fest on Dec. 1. The navy Yeti on wheels held several gift certificates, magnetic kitchen knife set, jewelry, liquor, an outdoor rug, and many other items totaling more than $2,000 in value. Congratulations to the winner, Elizabeth Williams. She and her family are from the Greenvine area and have attended about 35 of the 40 Carmine Christmas Fests.

Appreciation goes to the sponsors of the “Mystery Cooler” items. They are Round Top Real Estate, Windmill Ranch, Ronnie & Donna Mueller, JV Cattle, Carmine State Bank, Jimmy & Marie Loewe, and David & Courtney Kieke. Profits are used to help those in need as the Lions motto implies, “We serve.”

Carmine 42 Domino Club 

The Carmine 42 Domino Club met on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at JW’s Steakhouse.

Eight games of 42 were played after the delicious lunch.

The high-scoring partners were Myrt Meinkowsky and Betty Porter with a score of 2,018 and they played one hand of 84. Edith Flinn and Avalda Pohl were the secondhighest partners with a score of 1,802. In third place were partners Linda Mattocks and Jeanette Schoenst. Donna Mueller and Marlene Waak played one hand of 84. Everyone enjoyed the competition and laughter.

This group will be meet again on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

Sons of Hermann Lodge 6 My husband, Wade, and I had the pleasure of attending the Sons of Hermann Lodge 6 annual Christmas party as guests of Will and Cheryl Blakemore on Dec. 7. A delicious meal of turkey and dressing was served.

Awards were presented for members who reached a membership anniversary.

Allison Crowson and friends provided dance music for the occasion. Many prizes were given for the drawing.

Burn Ban 

A burn ban remains in effect for Fayette County. In Carmine we received 1.2 inches of rain.

MLLC News 

The last Advent meal is Wednesday at 6 p.m. It will be served by members of Waldeck Lutheran Church. Worship service begins at 7 p.m.

AA meets Saturday at 8:30 a.m.

Saturday worship with Holy Communion, observing the Fourth Sunday in Advent, is at 6 p.m.

Sunday Worship with Holy Communion is at 10 a.m. A Carole Service will be presented in place of the sermon with a number of persons either singing or playing instruments.

The Rev. David Tinker is the pastor.

Visitors’ Center 

The Carmine Chamber of Commerce Visitors’ Center at the restored Train Depot and Museum is open on the second Friday and Saturday of the month from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Birthdays 

Birthday wishes are extended to Paula Barrick and LouAnn Stokes-Dec. 17; Raylon Zwernemann-18; and Melvin Schoenst and Gwen Woelfel-23.

Have News? 

If you have news to share with readers of the Carmine News column, you may email Nancy Eilers at w5ten@industryinet. com or call (979) 2783645, or send it to P.O. Box 95, Carmine, TX 78932.