Town of Round Top Hosts Patriotic Tribute to Texas Independence
A Texas Independence Day celebration was held on Monday, March 2, at 11 a.m. at the Round Top Courthouse. David Stall served as the master of ceremonies and shared words from Sam Houston. Fayette County Judge Dan Mueller served as the guest speaker. Round Top Mayor Judith Vincent also spoke at the event. John Bone and Glenn Morris lead the pledges to both the United States and Texas flags. Ken Ripper and John Martin introduced key historical flags of the Texas Revolution, which were beautifully displayed on the courthouse grounds. The Round Top Cannoneer Corps, dressed in Texas revolutionary uniforms, performed a cannon salute. Corps members included John Bone, Ty Clark, Jerry Hinkel, Glenn Morris, Ken Ripper, David Smith, Parks Tilly. David Smith was the gunner. The closing prayer and benediction were led by Pastor Matthew Diehl.
Round Top Lion’s Club
Round Top Lion’s Club met on Feb. 26 at J.W.’s Steakhouse in Carmine for their monthly meeting. Guest speaker, Mayor of Round Top Judith Vincent, updated members on what has been happening in Round Top. One topic of interest she shared was that the city of Round Top has received a grant from TXDOT for a sidewalk along Hwy. 237 in Round Top. Other local issues were discussed, as well, such as the water pressure in Round Top. Zone Chair Dustin Gersch from Giddings Lion’s Club was a special guest. He visited with members and officially welcomed the Round Top Lion’s Club into the Lion’s Zone 4A.
The next meeting of Round Top Lion’s Club will be on March 10. Members will review and discuss the recipients of the revenue from their last Turkey Trot. The mission of the Round Top Lion’s Club is to provide funds to organizations that benefit or serve children. They will also review the submitted applications for a scholarship to an RT-C student who wishes to attend a trade school. Last year, the Lion’s Club was able to award several organizations each $2,000 for their causes, and to award a deserving young RT-C student a welding scholarship.
The Lion’s Club, along with Round Top Family Library Junior Master Gardener program, thanks the Round Top community for their food item donations during the month of February towards the AMEN Food Pantry drive.
RT-Shelby Hermann Sons
The monthly meeting of Hermann Sons Life was held on Feb. 26 at the American Legion Hall in Round Top. The event commenced with a social hour followed by a meeting. President Lila Garlin called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance. All officers and committee members were present, as well as many members. Treasure Mary Rauch will register the chosen convention delegates: Linda Mattocks, Earl Fenske and Jeanette Schoenst. Community coordinator Melanie Rauch gave a report on the cards she recently sent. Updated information was shared about those members who were unable to attend and those recovering from health issues. Hermann Sons agent, Linda Mattocks, presented her report. After hearing an array of positive points made by Post Commander Lyn Reavis of the Quade-Werchan American Legion Post No. 338 in Round Top, it was decided to hold the monthly Hermann Sons Life meetings yearround at the American Legion Hall in Round Top. To prevent scheduling conflicts for Shelby members, the March meeting will be set for Tuesday, March 24. Mary Rauch, Lila Garlin, Pearlie Wagner, Valgene Ebner, Earl Fenske, and Bob Porter were awarded attendance prizes. A wonderful lunch and great fellowship followed. Ora Lee Levien was recognized for her birthday and Carmen and Valgene Ebner were recognized for their 56th wedding anniversary.
RT Area Historical Society
The Round Top Area Historical Society will be extending their garage sale for an additional weekend. It will be held Saturday, March 7 from 9 a.m-5 p.m. and Sunday, March 8 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The garage sale will be located at the Round Top Area Historical Society pavilion at 397 E. Mill Street in Round Top (behind the Round Top Post Office.) All proceeds will benefit the Historical Society.
Richter’s Cemetery Assoc.
The bi-annual meeting of Richter’s Cemetery Association will be held Sun., March 8 at 1 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Round Top Rifle Association Hall. All persons with loved ones buried at this cemetery are invited to attend.
Round Top Rifle Association Monday, March 9, will be the second “Monday Night Burgers” in March. The Round Top Rifle Association hosts the Monday night social on the first, second, and third Mondays of each month for community fellowship. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with food served from 6-8 p.m.
RT-C ISD
Several of the RT-C ISD Cubettes were recognized for their hard work during the basketball season. They are Madison Markwardt who was named Co-Defensive MVP; Morgan Nelius who was named Co-Newcomer of the Year; Bree Dooley & Avery Lamson who were named First Team All-District; and Jaylen Bage, Hayden Kasmiersky, Cayden Nelius, and Liliana Salinas who were named Second Team All-District.
Spring Break for RT-C ISD will be March 9-13.
RT-C Education Foundation Three innovative teacher grants for Spring ’26 were recently awarded by RT-C Innovative Teacher Grant Committee members Jerry Schatte, Kristi Wunderlich, and Sherry Pennington. Congratulations to these outstanding teachers: Brandi Venghaus, Jaimie Gilbreath, and Barbara Banganz.
The Herb Society
For 31 years, the Herb Society of America’s Pioneer Unit has provided gardeners with plants familiar and new through its annual Plant and Gift Sale. The sale started as a small event held through the Round Top Inn and has grown to attract as many as 2,000 shoppers over its over two-day run. It was first held at the behest of the Inn’s owner, Sandy Reed, who wanted to increase visitors to her gift shop, where she also sold herbs. She approached legendary herbalist Madalene Hill, curator of the Macashan Herb Gardens at Festival Institute in Round Top; Hill’s daughter and business partner, Gwen Barclay; and the Pioneer Unit’s chair, Mary Reeves, proposing an herb festival with programs and meals at Festival Hill and the plant sale at her Inn.
The sale will be held Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own carts or wagons, as it is a given that most will need one to carry all they find. Festival Institute is located at 248 Jaster Road, just north of Round Top, off Highway 237. You can find out more about the event at herbsocietypioneer. org/events or on Facebook at Pioneer Unit Herb Society of America.
Do Your Duty Round Top The ladies of DYD Round Top are holding a fundraising raffle. The monies raised from the fundraiser will be used for scholarships for two graduating seniors from RT-C, as well as for operating expenses for the DYD. The raffle will have 16 prizes valued at $5,500. Raffle ticket prices are 1 for $20 or 3 for $50. The drawing will be held on April 9 and winners need not be present to win. Tickets are available at the Round Top Mercantile, Round Top State Bank (La-Grange, Giddings and Round Top branches,) or from any DYD member.
Round Top Family Library RTFL, in partnership with Turtle Wing, is offering a Life and Independent Living Skills Workshop for ages 8+ on Sat., March 7, starting at 10 a.m. Instructors Katie Delgadillo and Stephanie Galves teach organization skills, teamwork, problem solving and making good choices. The class is free and registration is required. Email info@ilovetoread.org to register.
Registration for the RTFL Summer Camps, Kids S.E.E., will open Tuesday, March 31 at 10 a.m. Some of the classes offered will be Animal Science, Arts and Literacy, Arts and Crafts, Cooking, Creative Writing, Gardening, Life Skills, Science Club and Theater. A preview of classes and times will be available on the RTFL website March 17. Online registration is required and will open at 10 a.m. on March 31 at www.ilovetoread.org under Children’s Programs.
Round Top Festival Hill
On Sat., March 7 at 3 p.m., Founder and Artistic Director, James Dick, will be holding a piano recital featuring the music of Beethoven Lizst. For more information, please contact info@festivalhill.org or (979) 249-3129.
Register to reserve your spot for one of the workshops that will take place at the April 17-19 “Round Top Poetry Festival 2026.” This is an annual festival presenting the nation’s most exciting and prominent poets over three days of readings, workshops, and conversations. Registration is available online only. Visit poetryatroundtop.org for the schedule and more information.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church Bethlehem Lutheran Church will hold their Sunday worship service with communion on March 8 at 9:30 a.m. A mid-week Lenten meal will be served on Wed., March 11 at 6 p.m. in the BLC Education Building with a Lenten service following at 7 p.m. in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 412 S. White Street in Round Top. Pastor John David Nedbalek will be leading both the Sunday service and the Wednesday evening Lenten service.
Celebrations
Happy birthdays to Jaxon Reyna-March 3, Cliff Rudolff and Kaitlyn Deramus-March 7, July Hancock, Reese Goebel, and Robert Wagner-March 8, Christine Cmajdalka-March 9, Karen Anna Sanders and Jaelyn Reyna- March 10, Wayne Wagner and Monica Fricke-March 12, Jerry Schatte-March 13.
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