BELLVILLE - Members of the Austin County Retired Teachers Association had a fun and entertaining meeting on Dec. 11, 2025, at Brahmas on the Square, the Bellville ISD Learning Center and Museum. Members were entertained with Christmas music by Don Allphin, and they enjoyed an excellent lunch provided by the culinary arts chef and his students.
Everyone was overwhelmed by the graciousness of the Superintendent of Bellville ISD, Dr. Nicole Poenitzsch, along with Heather Higginbotham, Natalie Jones, Matt Mahlmann, and Alys Travis. In addition to the delicious meal, members enjoyed participating in a silent auction to raise money for their scholarship fund.
Besides the money raised at the auction, Don and Janet Allphin were instrumental in another donation to the fund. They had been chosen for a humanitarian award by Hermann Sons Life to be used for a benevolent purpose, and they chose the ACRTA Scholarship Fund. President Janet Montgomery opened the meeting by welcoming the large crowd, and she especially recognized the ACRTA members who have been diligently working on the items on display in the museum. Members voted to donate to the BISD Culinary Arts Department.
Don Allphin gave a very informative legislative report; he urged members to write letters to their state legislators about supporting public schools and retirees, and he also reminded members about voting in the upcoming primaries. Members were reminded to turn in their 2025 total number of volunteer hours to Janet Allphin by Saturday, Jan. 31. On Tuesdany, Jan. 20, members will enjoy a lunch and outing at Brookwood. On Thursday, Feb. 12, the ACRTA meeting will be held at Tony's Restaurant in Sealy at noon, and Dr. Bryan Hallmark, superintendent of Sealy ISD, will be the speaker.
