B.I.G. Ag Tour Takes Round Top Area Group to Michigan
The Blackland Income Growth (B.I.G.) group is a cooperative regional agricultural program sponsored by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. It supports farmers, ranchers, landowners, and agribusinesses across Central and North Texas through annual educational conferences, professional recertification, and youth scholarships. Each year, annual college scholarships are awarded to regional high school seniors pursuing agriculture, agribusiness, or related fields.
Since 1992, an annual agricultural trip has been held each September to raise funds for the scholarships. A group of about 50 individuals travel to a different state each year. On Sept. 14-19, many Round Top area locals were part of the 2026 tour that went to Michigan. The group saw many farms, crops, dairies, ranches, and agricultural businesses, as well as an indepth tour of the beautiful Michigan State University campus. M.S.U. is a leader in Ag Bioresearch, researchbased education, innovative crop production, animal health, and environmental sustainability.
Those from our area attending the tour were: Joys Baird, Max Baranowski, Kay Brown, Dennis and Sandy Crum, Tom and Vicki Drummond, Connie Gwyn, Jeanette Hancock, Sherry Pennington, Bobby and Betty Porter, Dottie Schoeneberg, Jeanette Schoenst, Norman Schultz, Sedalia Ullrich, and Jeff and Judy Witte.
St. Cecilia’s Features Artist
Saint Cecilia’s Round Top will feature the talents of Italian singer-songwriter Giulia Millanta, at both services on Sunday, Sept. 27. Giulia will join the music team at Saint Cecilia’s for the 8:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. services. At 12:15 p.m. she will present a special concert and will be joined by cellist Carol Anne Bosco. Saint Cecilia’s is in the heart of Henkel Square in Round Top. All events are free and open to the public.
St. Cecilia’s Purchases Land
Saint Cecilia’s Round Top recently purchased 6.5 acres on Hwy 237 just outside of Round Top to begin building a new worship, fellowship, education, and concert space that has already broken ground. The church is known for its excellent and innovative music ministry with a music team that includes a “who’s who” of musicians from Texas and Louisiana. Saint Cecilia’s celebrates its fifth anniversary in October with special concerts, receptions and an Animal Blessing service on Saint Francis Day, October 4th. To learn more, go to: stcecilias.org. For more information contact Father Bill Miller at PadreBillMiller@ gmail.com.
Round Top Family Library
Round Top Family Library will resume its weekly Storytime for children and their families on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 10:30 a.m. Storytime will take place every Tuesday and include stories, songs, activities and plenty of fun for young children. Families are invited to join the library for a new season of reading, learning and making memories together.
Round Top Family Library’s fall programs are off to a great start. Classes are underway, and there are still a handful of spots available in some programs. If you would like your child to participate, please visit the library’s website for registration information or call the library for more information.
RTFL hosts The Bluebonnet Mahjong Society on campus in the beautiful, historic Rummel Haus every week. Consider joining the group every Thursday from 12:30 3:30 p.m.
Round Top Family Library welcomes community members who would like to share their time and talents as part of the library’s volunteer team. Volunteers can help with children’s programs, gardening, special events and many other activities. Whether you have a few hours to spare or would like to become more involved, there are opportunities to fit a variety of interests and schedules. For more information, visit the library’s website at www.ilovetoread. org and click on the “Help the Library” tab, or call (979) 249-2700.
Booster Club Fundraiser On Saturday, Sept. 26, the 3rd Annual Round Top-Carmine Booster Club Shrimp Boil Fundraiser will be held at the Round Top Rifle Hall beginning with a 5 p.m. happy hour and 6 p.m. meal. There will also be a live and silent auction, a DJ, and more. Proceeds support the RT-C ISD Athletics. A few tables and tickets remain so call or text (979) 203-4343 to purchase yours.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
On Sunday, Oct. 11, BLC will be celebrating 160 years as a church, which was established in 1866. There will be an 8 a.m. worship service in the historic sanctuary, a 9:30 a.m. worship service at the Round Top Rife Assn. Hall, and food and fellowship to follow with a German-style sausage meal served for lunch. Meal tickets are $15 each and can be purchased at the church office or by calling (979) 249-3686. All are welcome to attend.
The BLC Praise Team is currently recruiting any musicians and vocalists to join them in providing music at the Lutherhill church service on Oct. 25. If you can join them, please contact Lanette Williams at (979) 249-3686.
RT-C ISD Save the Date for the Round Top-Carmine ISD Fall Festival on Oct. 17 from 4-7 p.m. It will be held at the RT-C Elementary School. There will be a kid’s costume parade and contest, free carnival activities, a haunted house, a raffle, a cake walk, and a flamed grilled hamburger meal, chili dogs, and dessert. Admission is free and all are invited.
Round Top Rifle Hall
Mark your calendars for the 15th Annual Oktobierfest at the Round Top Rifle Hall on Saturday, Oct. 24. Gates open at 11 a.m. with the ceremonial keg tapping at noon. Traditional German fare will be served including bratwursts, kassler-style pork chops, schnitzels, german potatoes, and sauerkraut. Guests can enjoy keg and bottled beer imported from Germany. There will be German music until 6 p.m. Entry is free and all are “willkommen.” The Round Top Rifle Hall is located at 710 FM 1457 in Round Top.
RT Christian Fellowship On Friday, Sept. 25, from 7-9 p.m., the Skaggs Brothers will be performing for the community. Their music is a mixture of gospel and country with a touch of bluegrass. This will be held inside the air-conditioned sanctuary building at Round Top Christian Fellowship, 440 E. Mill Street in Round Top. Everyone is invited to attend and enjoy a fun evening. There is no admission charge.
Sunday Church Services Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Round Top, at 9:30 a.m.; Chapelwood United Methodist Church, Round Top, at 10:30 a.m.; Round Top Church Christian Fellowship, Round Top, at 10 a.m.; St. Cecilia’s Episcopal Church, Round Top, at 8:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.; St. John’s Lutheran Church, Warrenton, at 8:30 a.m.; St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Shelby, at 8 a.m.
Celebrations
Happy Birthdays to Ashley Marburger-Sept. 24; Ashley Nelius-Sept. 25; Connie Burch-Sept. 26; Margie Stardig & Tami Bone-Sept. 27; Eric Schobel and Pam Langford-Sept. 29; Ronald Goehring, Gloria Hickey, and Pamela Schoenst-Sept. 30.
Happy Anniversary on Sept. 26 to Paul and Kim Cmajdalka.
Have News?
Round Top area, please send any news you wish to share to SherryPen@icloud. com by Monday morning for the following Friday’s paper.
OP
News