RTC Students Prepare Solar Car For a National Race at Texas Motor Speedway

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Round Top-Carmine students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education projects are building a four-seat vehicle, which is powered only by sunlight. They plan to take it to compete at the national high school solar car competition at Texas Motor Speedway in July.

Students and parent volunteers traveled to Dallas for a Solar Car Challenge workshop recently. They joined twenty-seven teams to learn about the race route, observe a mock judging of a solar car, and learn what to do and what not to do for competition day.

There is a lot of expense involved, so they would appreciate donations. To give a monetary donation, go to www.rtcsolar.com or call the high school at (979) 966-6118.

RT-C varsity girls’ and boys’ basketball teams play at Calvert on Jan. 27. These teams host Concordia on Jan. 30, which will be Parents’ Night and Senior Night. They host Dime Box on Feb. 3. All games begin at 5 p.m.

Jr. High girls and boys host North Zulch on Jan. 29 at 5 p.m., which will be Parents’ Night. The teams travel to Buckholts on Feb. 5 with start time also at 5 p.m. This will be Jr. High’s last game.

Looking ahead, Homecoming is scheduled for Feb. 13.

Bingo at Carmine Hall Bingo party at the Carmine Hall will be on Friday, Jan. 30. Doors open at 4 p.m. with games starting at 6 p.m. Twelve regular games will be played, along with two coverall games.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Small School, Big Hearts The Round Top-Carmine Education Foundation’s annual “Small School, Big Hearts Celebration” is on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Meal is served from 5-6 p.m.

Individual tickets are also available at the local schools and banks, and at Round Top Mercantile. Call (979) 2497183 to see if tickets are still available.

A silent auction begins the week before the event and a live auction will be held at the celebration.

Fried Chicken Meal 

The Carmine Hall is sponsoring a fried chicken meal on Sunday, Feb. 22. Pick up is at the Carmine Hall from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Advance-only tickets must be purchased by Feb. 14. Tickets are available at Carmine State Bank, from hall members, and by calling (214) 732-1014.

Desserts are available for a donation and this supports the scholarship fund.

Carmine Lions Club 

The Carmine Lions Club is sponsoring an evening of country music in support of the Carmine Hall and the Carmine Lions Club. The Heart of Carmine will be held on Thursday, Feb. 12 at the Carmine Hall featuring Allison Crowson & her Tribute Show Band with Bill Mock and Donovan Pavlock.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with the meal at 6:30 p.m., followed by the show. A table for eight is $1,000 and includes a prime ribeye and shrimp dinner by Sandtown Catering. Drinks and community spirit are included. Individual tickets are available upon request.

To purchase tables, contact (979) 966-3686 or email lisa@roundtoprealestate.com.

Rebekah Group 

The Rebekah Group of Martin Luther Lutheran Church met on Jan. 8. The nine members present were Susan Ray, Diana Wunderlich, Joann Ullrich, Sharon Rhome, Dianna Gerland, Sedalia Ullrich, Joys Baird, Leonita Sanders, and Nancy Eilers. The Women’s Circle from Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Round Top were welcomed. Those who joined in the Bible study and fellowship, were Sherry Pennington, Pearlie Wagner, LaVerne Albers, Julie Wantland, and Pastor John David Nedbalek.

The theme for the group Bible study was “Now let us pray”: Session 1-Praying with our Bodies.

Refreshments were served by Sedalia Ullrich, Joys Baird, and Pearlie Wagner.

Thank-you notes were read from Matt Kindsvatter from Lutherhill and Hospice Brazos Valley for the $500 donations sent to each.

Quilting will be on Jan. 12 for Lutheran World Relief.

Items for Baby Care Kits for LWR will be collected during January. Especially needed are cloth diapers; gowns, long or short sleeved sleepers, or pajamas without feet; and hand towels (dark color recommended). Other kit items include: receiving blankets; sweaters, sweatshirts, or jackets with hood; baby caps; socks; bath-size bars of gentle soap; and diaper pins or large safety pins.

Sedalia Ullrich plans to schedule parties at nursing homes or assisted living facilities in 2026.

Leonita will take the donated food items to AMEN in La Grange.

St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbus will host the Western Cluster Spring Happening in Columbus on April

18.

Happy Birthday was sung for the January birthday celebrants, Thelma Hinze and Dianna Gerland.

MLLC News 

Senior Citizen meal pickup and dominoes are Wednesday from 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Confirmation class meets Wednesday from 4:15-6:15 p.m.

AA meeting is Saturday at 8:30 a.m.

Sunday School is Sunday at 9 a.m.

Worship service with Holy Communion, observing the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, is at 10 a.m. The Rev. Bonnie Parker will serve as the guest pastor.

Domino party is Monday at 1 p.m.

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. It is located at 248 E Sylvan, Carmine, TX 78932, which is on the south side of Hwy. 290.

Birthdays 

Happy birthday to Robert Hinze and Nancy Rosenbaum-Jan. 27; Michelle Kohring and Gaylon Mueller-28; Quinn Koehl and Jimmy Loewe-29; Esther Kelley-30; Tiffani Brooks-Feb. 1; and Leonita Sanders-2.

Have News? 

If you have news for the Carmine column, you may email me at w5ten@industryinet. com or call (979) 2783645, or send it to P.O. Box 95, Carmine, TX 78932.