The 25th annual Bastrop Martin Luther King Scholarship program will be Sunday, Jan. 15 at 3 p.m. at Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church, 507 Toliver St. in Bastrop. The event, which normally is held on the third Monday of January, is changing the date and time this year to commemorate the special anniversary and actual birthday of Dr. King.

Jewell Hodges and Zenobia Robinson, both charter members of the committee, will reflect upon the formation and history of the event.  Musical performances will be provided by a recently-formed youth choir under the direction of Nelia Kerr Greene, who will also provide musical accompaniment for the program. Local elected officials will also be on hand to make tributes to King.

“This organization doesn’t do fundraisers,” Jackson said. “We receive funds through goodwill from private individuals and many community and business organizations, including the LCRA, Bluebonnet Electric and area civic and charitable organizations. Over the years we have given more than $75,000 in scholarships to Bastrop students.”

The annual event raises scholarship funds for local Bastrop students who are pursuing higher education. The committee hopes to raise $10,000 this year in scholarships. For more information on the scholarship program or to make a donation, contact Tom Scott (303-0760), Jackson (629-2859) or Willie Piña (796-2164).

The goal of this program is to develop a group of well-informed volunteers who provide education, outreach and service dedicated to the beneficial management of the natural resources and natural areas in the community.

“Our chapter serves primarily Bastrop and Caldwell counties,” Bauer said. “In the Master Naturalist program, you will enhance your love of nature with research-based, scientific knowledge. You will learn about the plants, animals and natural history of Central Texas, meet other people who enjoy nature, find out how to attract wildlife to your property and share your knowledge through volunteer activities in our communities.”

Introductory Master Naturalist Training includes more than 40 hours of intensive classroom and field based instruction – with an emphasis on local ecosystems – conducted by experts in fields such as ecology, geology, climate, wildlife diversity, native plants, aquatic ecology, forest/wetland/prairie management and others.

Training begins with an orientation class on Feb. 6 and ends with graduation on May 21. Evening classes are Mondays, 6:30-9 p.m. (two or three times a month). There are also five Saturday morning field trips planned.  A preliminary class schedule and application forms are available at the chapter website http://www.lostpinesmasternaturalist.org.

Return completed applications by Jan. 23 to the Bastrop County Extension Office at 901 Pecan Street in Bastrop or the Caldwell County Extension office at 1403B Blackjack Street in Lockhart.  Electronically-completed applications may be returned by e-mail to abutler@mac.com and the fee of $85 may be brought to the orientation class.  This fee includes a binder containing a comprehensive Texas Master Naturalist Curriculum (several hundred pages of educational materials), various hand-outs and other resources during the course; and dues for first year membership in the Lost Pines Chapter.

For more information, contact the Bastrop County Extension Office at (512) 581-7186, bastrop-tx@tamu.edu or the Caldwell County Extension Office at (512) 398-3122, caldwell@ag.tamu.edu.  Information is also available through the Bastrop and Caldwell county Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist.

Recent finds include a 1960s vintage guitar purchased for $100,000. Four gold coins were purchased from a local resident for over $72,000, Confederate money hidden in the walls of a residence that was uncovered during a remodel, Abraham Lincoln hand-written thank you letter, expressing gratitude for a night’s stay while traveling to Chicago and much more.

What kind of treasures will be revealed during our trip?  Let’s find out together.  You or your next door neighbor just might be the next to find a jackpot in the attic.  Start digging now and be ready to have some fun and make some money.

Bastrop is the next stop on the Treasure Hunters Roadshow world-wide tour.  During this event at the Hampton Inn & Suites from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, our treasure hunters are hoping to see items such as coins and paper currency issued prior to 1965, toys, dolls, trains, vintage jewelry, old and modern musical instruments, war memorabilia, gold and silver jewelry, costume jewelry, advertising memorabilia, swords, knives, daggers, and the unusual.

Collectors are very serious about their hobby; so serious that they will pay a lot of money for the items they are looking for.  Nearly all coins, vintage jewelry, musical instruments and toys made prior to 1965 are highly sought after by collectors.  The Treasure Hunters Roadshow is a place where anyone in your community can connect with collectors from around the globe.  Our treasure hunters make offers based on what our collectors are willing to pay.  Then when someone decides to sell, they get paid on the spot and our treasure hunters send the item to the collector at their expense.

Have fun with your search.  Empty your jewelry box of broken jewelry, dig out your old teeth containing dental gold, find your gold coins, gold bars, etc.  Gold is traded on the stock market and prices fluctuate daily.  We will buy gold based on the day’s current gold value.  Don’t miss out.  Make plans now to attend the Treasure Hunters Roadshow.

Volunteers will be able to participate in at least two projects: spreading mulch around Houston toad ponds and installing straw logs or wattles on hillsides. Both of these projects are important steps in the land’s recovery.

“As much as we need rain, too much at one time could prove to be catastrophic,” Park Superintendent Todd McClanahan said. “The sooner we can get these erosion control devices in place, the better off we will be in regards to potential erosion.”

Without plants and their roots to hold onto the soil, the ground is unstable and can wash away easily. It is only when the erosion is under control that the park can begin to plant trees – probably beginning in 2013 – to replace those lost in the wildfire.

“Volunteers provide the park with a valuable workforce,” park interpreter and volunteer coordinator Katie Raney said. “They have the unique opportunity to be closely involved with Bastrop State Park’s recovery.”

The erosion control projects are easy to moderate difficulty, and may involve bending, carrying buckets of mulch and walking long distances. Volunteers should plan to wear long pants, closed-toed shoes and long-sleeved shirts. They should also bring gloves, but hard hats will be provided.

The erosion control workdays will take place on the following Saturdays:  Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Jan. 28 and Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are required by 5 p.m. on the Friday before the workday. Contact Katie Raney at (512) 718-0211 or by email at katie.raney@tpwd.state.tx.us.

Restoring the park’s historic Lost Pines will be a long process and volunteers can be involved on many steps along the way.  Bastrop State Park is also soliciting donations for these projects, including erosion control.  If you are interested in donating to this cause, visit Bastrop State Park’s website at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/bastrop/ or the Friends of Lost Pines State Parks website at http://www.friendsoflostpines.org/. Donations and these work days are the first of many opportunities for the public to be involved in the park’s recovery efforts.

LPAA has been collecting supplies and money to give to the local artists who lost their studios and supplies in the wildfires that affected so many in the Smithville and Bastrop communities.  Come and paint to make a difference with a local artist. The painting of the evening is Snowy Pine.

In keeping with the founders’ fundraising roots, Painting with a Twist is passionate about supporting the local communities that it serves. With its Painting with a Purpose program, the franchise locations serve as fundraising spots for local charities where at least 50 percent of the proceeds are given to organizations throughout the community.

With local art instructors as guides, friends can come together for an evening of creativity and camaraderie as they create one-of-a-kind pieces of art and, often, discover a newfound talent.

For more information, contact (512) 371-9488.

The northern route will start at the chamber of commerce kiosk across from the post office on the corner of Main and Spring streets, then proceed to Calvary Episcopal Church, Bastrop Christian Church, First United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church and end at Ascension Catholic Church.

The southern route will start at Primera Baptist Church and proceed to Bastrop Bible Church, Paul Quinn AME, First Assembly of God and then meet up with the other group at Ascension Catholic Church.

Everyone is welcome to participate. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring a light. Sheet music will be provided and there will be a police escort for safety. For more information, call Bob Long at 303-0810.

Tickets are available at the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce at 927 Main St. and at the BCC&O Box Office at 512/217-7606. The Box Office opens at 6:30pm the night of the performance. For more information about the Bastrop Community Chorus & Orchestra, please see www.bastropcommunitychorusandorchestra.com