FROM STAFF REPORTS

MAXWELL — The Maxwell Social Club has won a $25,000 grant to renovate its building in eastern Caldwell County.

The club will use the money, awarded by Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and the Lower Colorado River Authority, to replace its kitchen, bar and dining areas. Planned improvements include a new exhaust vent, ceiling fan, prep and serving counters, storage cabinets, lighting and chairs.

“Maxwell Social Club has been a popular location for community activities for a large area of Caldwell County and surrounding counties for many years,” said David Kristynik, the club’s president.

The building serves as a polling place during Caldwell County and Lockhart Independent School District elections. It is also used for meetings, dance recitals, quinceañeras, family reunions, birthday parties, wedding receptions, class reunions and other Maxwell community events.

Bluebonnet Electric, one of LCRA’s wholesale customers, is the electricity provider for a territory of more than 3,800 square miles that includes all or part of 14 counties, stretching east-to-west from Travis County to Washington County and north-to-south from Milam County to Gonzales County. The cooperative has 85,000 retail customers and 11,000 miles of power lines.

Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative officials formally present a grant to the Maxwell Social Club officers, who intend to use the money to renovate the club’s kitchen and dining areas. Pictured left to right are club secretary Am Wackerhagen; Bluebonnet Electric community and economic development manager Johnny Sanders; Bluebonnet Electric Joyce Buckner; Bluebonnet Electric director Milton Shaw; club vice president Clarence Schulle; LCRA board member Lorie Berger; and Bluebonnet Electric director Rick Schmidt. COURTESY PHOTO

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COVER: PHOTO by LARRY MILLER SAN MARCOS MERCURY GRAPHIC by BRAD ROLLINS