The Williamson County Sun

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May 7 election results in Williamson County

 

Georgetown sets dates for free family movie nights at San Gabriel Park

 

By KATHERINE ANTHONY

The city’s summer sunset movie series in San Gabriel Park will be back beginning June 10. 

Sponsored by the Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department, the three-movie series is family-oriented and free of charge. 

Movies will be screened at the ​​Legacy Pavilion,

445 East Morrow Street, at 8:30 p.m. Families are encouraged to bring a blanket or chairs. Free popcorn will be available for early-movie goers. 

Movies will be canceled if weather conditions are predicted to be too wet or unsafe. Cancellations will be decided by 2 p.m. on the date of the event, and notice will be posted on social media sites and at parks.georgetown.org

Summer schedule

June 10: Raya and the Last Dragon
This 2021 Disney film is a computer-animated story of a lone warrior and the last existing dragon in a battle against evil monsters. Rated PG.

July 15: Hook
An adult Peter Pan rescues his family from Captain Hook in this live action film from 1991. Rated PG.

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Central Texas Philharmonic

 

Tickets are available at CentralTexasPhilharmonic.org.

 

Georgetown councilmembers and city staff shovel dirt during the South Lake Water Treatment Plant groundbreaking ceremony, Monday. The incoming plant will double the city’s daily water treatment capacity.  Photos by Brigid Cooley

 

Georgetown Leaders celebrate

Water treatment plant project begins

 

By BRIGID COOLEY 

Roughly 40 people gathered for the South Lake Water Treatment Plant groundbreaking ceremony on Monday. The event marked the beginning of construction at the new Georgetown plant, which is expected to open between 2025 and 2026. 

“This is going to be a great, great project for the City of Georgetown,” Mayor Josh Schroeder said during the event. “We have been working to make this happen for the community for some time now.”

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After low ranking, JISD superintendent outlines recent improvements

 

By KATHERINE ANTHONY

When U.S. News & World Report last month rated Jarrell High School at the bottom of Williamson County’s 21 high schools, Jarrell ISD Superintendent Toni Hicks was prepared to come out swinging. 

“The [report],” she said, “is based on data from 2016-2019. It does not reflect the significant gains we’ve made this school year.” 

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A country music festival could take place in San Gabriel Park next year.

G’town could host country music fest

 

ACL organizers propose new spring showcase

By BRIGID COOLEY 

Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park could be the site of a new annual country music festival set to launch in April of next year. 

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Wag Heaven

City Council paves way for new garage

 

By BRIGID COOLEY 

After settling on a location for a downtown parking garage, the Georgetown City Council is tying up loose ends surrounding the project. 

Councilmembers voted to rescind a previously passed and ineffective ordinance abandoning a portion of the Sixth Street right-of-way during its Tuesday meeting. 

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Georgetown councilmembers and city staff shovel dirt during the South Lake Water Treatment Plant groundbreaking ceremony, Monday. The incoming plant will double the city’s daily water treatment capacity.  Photos by Brigid Cooley

 

Candlewood hotel again causes controversy

 

Residents, judge say homeless activity has increased in the area

By KATE THURMOND

Four Williamson County residents spoke to commissioners Tuesday, outlining alleged increased activity by homeless individuals near the Candlewood Suites hotel site, which is slated to be converted into a future resource center and shelter for the homeless population. 

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Scherer, Hirt McFarland win close races

 

By KATHERINE ANTHONY

A close race for Georgetown school board ended with victory going to James Scherer, Elizabeth McFarland and Cody Hirt for Places 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The election was held Saturday. Ms. McFarland was the only incumbent candidate and is the current president of the school board.

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Stewart elected to District 7

 

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Newly elected District 7 City Councilmember Ben Stewart celebrates the May 7 election results with wife, Sarah. Mr. Stewart will begin his new duties as council member later this month. Photo courtesy of Ben Stewart

By Brigid Cooley 

Results from the Georgetown city elections are in. Newly elected Ben Stewart will serve in the District 7 City Council seat after winning the race against write-in candidate Jaquita Wilson-Kirby. 

According to final unofficial results posted Saturday by the city, Mr. Stewart received 322 votes, or about 67.93 percent of votes, while Ms. Wilson-Kirby brought in 152, or 32.07 percent.

“To the voters who voted for me, thank you,” Mr. Stewart said after the win. “And to those who didn’t, I look forward to meeting you and working for you to ensure our city meets the needs of its residents.” 

 

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Pastor John Davenport, with his wife Lynn, began serving at Zion Lutheran in 1995. Zion Lutheran Church Photo

Zion Lutheran says goodbye to long-time pastor

 

Pastor John Davenport retires after more than 26 years

By KELSI DAVIDSON

Pastor John Davenport retired Sunday after serving the Georgetown community at Zion Lutheran Church in Walburg since 1995. 

 

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Art

LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE

Through May 20
The Sun’s own Ellen Greeney is the featured artist at Impressions Gallery, St. David’s Georgetown Hospital, from March 18 - May 20. The colorful photos capture her adventures in Portugal, Iceland, Croatia, Egypt, France, Malaysia, Antarctica, Singapore, Vermont and Texas, themed “Live, Laugh, Love.” The gallery is located to the left of St. David’s lobby near the gift shop, 2000 Scenic Drive in Georgetown.

LET US PRAY
Through May 31
The “Let Us Pray” exhibit will be shown at the Williamson Museum from May 3 to May 31. Exhibit photographs by Wes Odell and Ellen Greeney capture religious images and houses of worship from near and far: Socorro and Taos, New Mexico;  Georgetown, New Sweden and Clifton, Texas; Moscow, Russia; Sukhothai, Chiang Rai, and Ayutthaya, Thailand; Paris, France; Reykjavik and Gardabaer, Iceland; and Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The opening reception is Friday, May 6 from 6 - 7 p.m., 716 South Austin Avenue, on the Square.

SPRING SHOW
Through June 18
Sun City Visual Arts Club Spring Show opened May 1 and remains at the Activity Center, 1 Texas Drive, through June 18. It includes art demonstrations and refreshments. Come see more than 100 wonderful works of art, many for sale at affordable prices.

VISUAL ARTS EXHIBIT
Through July 18 
The work of the Visual Arts Club of Sun City will go on display in a juried exhibit at St. David’s hospital Georgetown beginning May 6. The 30 works in the exhibit includes oils, acrylics, photographs, collages, alcohol/ink, watercolors and mixed media images. All are from local area artists. The club has worked to include works from new artists in this juried exhibit. St. David’s Georgetown Hospital is located 2000 Scenic Drive. The Healing Arts Gallery is open during hospital hours. 

MOODY BLUES
May 17, 5:30 p.m.
The reception for “Moody Blues,” a solo art exhibit by Virginia Headley Maserang, will feature a brief talk on, “Painting with Fire — The Art of Encaustic.” This program is free and open to the public. “Moody Blues” is a series of mixed media encaustic work she created in response to the emotional landscape of current events. The works focus on her reconciliation of the trauma and challenges of our time with her sense of both vulnerability and resilience. The color indigo weaves throughout, evocative of both strength and mystery. The works will be on exhibit at Georgetown City Hall through June 30.

Performances 

SOMETHING ROTTEN
Through-May 15 
The Palace Theatre’s presents Something Rotten on the Springer Stage this month. Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play, but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theater involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. 

SAINT JOAN
May 19 -27
Lighthouse Theatre presents Saint Joan, God’s Mouthpiece Thursday, May 19 and 26 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, May 20 and 27 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 21 and 28 at  7:30 p.m.; Sunday, May 22 at 3 p.m.  Adults $15, 12 and under $10. All performances in the Event Center at Crestview Baptist Church, 2300 Williams Drive. 

FULL CIRCLE
May 19, 6 p.m.
The next Full Circle: Speaker Series will feature concert cellist Hai Zheng, who will perform solo at Grace Heritage Center, 817 South Main. Ms. Zheng has performed nationally and internationally — North America, Europe and Asia. Ms. Zheng is an Assistant Professor of Music at Southwestern University. Full Circle is funded in part by the Georgetown Arts & Culture Board. This event is free and open to the public. With limited seating and light refreshments.    

Museum

DOWNTOWN WALKING TOURS
Saturdays in May, 9 a.m.
Every Saturday in May at 9 a.m., The Williamson Museum will host a Downtown Georgetown walking tour. Explore the stories and architecture of the most beautiful square in Texas. Tours will run May 14, 21 and 28. Tours are limited  to the first 20 participants, first come, first served. Tours will meet at The Williamson Museum, 716 South Austin Avenue.

HISTORY TOURS
May 21, 10 a.m.
Georgetown’s historical markers will come to life in downtown Georgetown from 10 a.m. to noon on May 21. Join The Williamson Museum and Preservation Georgetown to stroll around and meet the characters who helped shape our city. This is a free event. Maps are available on the day of the tour at The Williamson Museum, 716 South Austin Avenue, and Preservation Georgetown, 811 South Main Street. For more information, visit www.williamsonmuseum.org or call 512-943-1670.