Round Top Plans Full Day of Fourth of July Festivities
Make plans to enjoy the Fourth of July in Round Top. The festivities kick off on the Round Top Town Square at 10 a.m. with the parade beginning at 10:30 a.m. After the parade, head over to the Round Top Rifle Hall for BBQ, cold beverages, live music and fun. Rifle Association members, along with their families and volunteers, will begin serving the BBQ brisket and sausage meal at 11:30 a.m. for $20 per plate. Drive-thru will be available. There will be live music all day at the hall by the Round Top Brass Band, Round Top Jam Session, and Cool Freddie & The Crew. From 6-10 p.m. you can dance away the evening with the Rocky King Band. Tickets are $20 at the door.
Round Top Family Library While there will be no Kids S.E.E. classes July 6-10, the RTFL invites you to two exciting special events. At 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, a special presentation by Lucas Miller will be held. Lucas is an award-winning children’s author, songwriter, and educator known as The Singing Zoologist. Through comedy, puppetry, music, and live animal science, he creates an unforgettable interactive experience that brings wildlife conservation and the natural world to life. Then, mark your calendars for July 8 at 1 p.m. when Loretta Hajovsky of Texas Party Animals brings Alpacas in the Library to RTFL. This family-friendly event will give children and adults the opportunity to meet professionally trained alpacas and learn more about these fascinating animals.
There is still time for children and teens ages 17 and under to participate in the Summer Incentive Reading Program. The program runs through the week of July 20, giving young readers plenty of time to earn entries for prizes. The grand prize drawing will be held on July 23. All young readers are encouraged to join the fun and keep reading this summer.
The library is looking for individuals to join their volunteer team. From helping in children’s programs, gardening, event planning and more, there are opportunities for every interest level. For more information, go to http://www. ilovetoread.org and click on the “Help the Library” tab or call (979) 249-2700.
Round Top Festival Hill
The Festival Concert Hall at Round Top Festival Institute will host a weekend of live performances highlighting American music and rising Young Artists. The weekend begins Saturday, July 4 at 1:30 p.m. with the 2026 Piano Showcase featuring a solo recital of the two young pianists of this summer’s Festival Institute. At 3:30 p.m. the faculty will present a Chamber Music Concert of music by rarely performed American composers, including works byAmy Beach, Reena Esmail, Billy Childs, and more.
The festival continues Sunday, July 5, at 3 p.m. with the American Composers Concert, performed by the Texas Festival Orchestra under the direction of Elizabeth Askren. This program features three great American works of music: Jennifer Higdon’s blue cathedral, Samuel Barber’s Symphony No. 1, and Aaron Copland’s beloved Appalachian Spring. For more information on summer festival events and to purchase tickets, visit festivalhill.org or call (979) 249-3129. Follow Round Top Festival Institute on Facebook and Instagram for updates and behind-the-scenes highlights.
New Business in Round Top
Anew business has moved into Round Top called Shimmering Waters Pools, Inc. The owners are Chad and Melissa Helms from Schulenburg. This will be their third location, as they also have locations in Schulenburg and Port Aransas. They will offer construction of swimming pools, weekly maintenance, repairs, and remodels. They also will sell pool supplies and chemicals.
The building they are leasing for their business in Round Top is located at the corner of N. Washington and N. White streets (across Hwy 237 from Round Top State Bank). The building is owned by LaVerne and Barnell Albers. Two years ago, they hired Sean Dunbar to remodel the building. Pleased with the result, they now are able to lease it.
A bit of history about the building: this is where Barnell’s father, Wesley Albers, ran his egg business from the mid 1940s through the mid 1960s. Mr. Albers would drive his “egg route” out to local farms to pick up fresh eggs, bring them to the “egg house” where the eggs would be “candled,” washed, graded, and packed in cartons. Twice a week, Mr. Albers would deliver and sell the eggs to restaurants in Houston. Barnell still remembers when he and his brother, Kervin, had the job of candling the eggs each day after school. Their sister, Delores Albers Bayer, recalls that her job was to clean the eggs, while their youngest sister, Dinell, helped a little with packing.
Round Top Happening
Residents of Round Top are again wondering “What’s happening in Round Top?” A very large home is currently being constructed across Hwy. 237 from the Round Top Mercantile. Longtime Round Top resident Karen Fricke Sanders sold the 2.3 acre property to the McKinney family from College Station. They had been searching for a second home in Round Top and decided that Karen’s property was perfect for them. They love the proximity to downtown Round Top and Henkel Square. Lou Ann and Mike McKinney, along with their son, Seth, and his wife, Paige, are using Brazos Heritage Homes as their builder. Paige found the perfect Southern living house plan with big, covered porches and a large, screened porch which they nestled under the huge century oak tree. Besides the main house, there will be a detached garage with a carriage house above, a private studio suite, a pool, pool house, fitness studio, special event space, and a pickleball court. Since the property is zoned for commercial use, and they realized the need for lodging in the area, they will add extra private guest suites to accommodate their growing family and use as rental lodging. They have named the property “The Annie Inn” after many generations of Ann’s in the family. The McKinney’s dream is for all their family to have a place to gather and meet on special occasions for generations to come.
Mike and Lou Ann Mc-Kinney have three sons and ten grandchildren. Two of their sons, Steve McKinney and Seth McKinney, played football for Texas A&M and in the NFL. Seth and Paige have three daughters and own CrossFit Aggieland. Seth also serves as co-founder and Principal of Sago, a private equity real estate firm in College Station. Their youngest son, Sean, works in real estate in Centerville.
Dr. Mike McKinney is a leader in critical health related governmental policy and served as Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs for UT and as COO/EVP at UTHSC in Houston before being named Chancellor for the TAMU System. He practiced medicine in Centerville and served in the Texas House of Representatives. He worked for Governor Perry and as Commissioner of Texas HHS for Governor Bush. He currently serves as chair on a health-related board for Governor Abbott. Both he and his wife, Lou Ann have a deep passion for helping others, especially those in the Brazos Valley area.
Round Top Lion’s Club
The Round Top Lions Club met at JW’s Steakhouse on June 25. V.P. Pam Langford called the meeting to order. The main topic of discussion was the upcoming 10th Annual Turkey Trot, which will be held on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26 at 8 a.m. in Round Top. Participants may choose a timed 10K, 5K or a One-Mile Fun Run, and can register now at www.AthleteGuild. com. For questions, please contact Pam Langford
at (979) 530-5086.
The Round Top Lions Club meets on the second Tuesday and fourth Thursday each month.
RT Hermann Sons Life The regular monthly meeting for Hermann Sons Life was held on June 23 at the Round Top Rifle Hall. President, Lila Garlin, opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Jeanette Schoenst presented a reading about the history of the American Flag in honor of Flag Day. Mary Rauch, Treasurer, reported memberships totals of 708 adult members and 81 junior members.
It was decided that a hot German-style meal of sausage and sauerkraut will be served at the July 28 meeting. The August and September serving committee will include Mary, Melanie and Sophie Rauch; Bob and Betty Porter; and Valgene and Carmen Ebner.
Community Coordinator, Melanie Rauch, reported on the cards she sent, and several members gave updates on absent members. The group observed a moment of silent prayer for David Noak. Mary Rauch will send memorials to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Rutersville. Happy anniversary wishes were given to Ray and Jo Ann Ullrich, and Happy Birthday was sung to Sophie Rauch.
Bob and Betty Porter provided the door prizes which were won by Jo Ann and Ray Ullrich, Pearlie Wagner, Lila Garlin, and Mary Rauch. The attendance prizes were won by Sophie Rauch, Betty Porter, Jeanette Schoenst, Melanie Rauch and Jeanette Hancock.
Historic Photo Exhibits
Two historic photo exhibitions are currently being displayed in Round Top for free admission to both locations.
The Round Top Courthouse exhibit will be open from 11 a.m.– 4 p.m. on July 2, 3, 4, 5 and again on July 9,10, 11, 12.
On Saturdays in July (July 4, 11, 18, 25) from 1-4 p.m., the Round Top Area Historical Society will open their doors to the Pavilion at 397 E. Mill Street in Round Top (behind the Round Top Post Office) for the public to view their exhibition. Round Top Rifle Hall
The Round Top Rifle Hall members have decided to pause all Monday Social Burger Nights for the month of July. Their crew of volunteers will be taking the month of July off. The next scheduled Burger Night will be on Aug. 3.
Round Top American Legion The nextAmerican Legion Quade-Werchan Post #338 and Auxiliary meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 6, at their facilities located at 1503 N. State Highway 237; Round Top, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Church Services for July 5 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.
St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Warrenton celebrates Mass monthly on the first Tuesday of each month at 8 a.m. for the intentions left on the altar. The church is open daily and is located one mile east of Warrenton at 3490 Hwy 237.
Celebrations
Happy Birthdays to Megan Krause and Justin Pietsch on July 2; Shirley Neumann- 5; Liliana Rodriguez-6; Clint Eilers, Victor Weishuhn, and Justin Krebs-9.
Happy 59th Anniversary to Johanna and Hendrik Bergen on July 6.