New Year, New Board, New Beginnings

Hello Neighbors! Some of you may know me as Bekah the Elf, some of you may recognize me as the lady who talks on the mic at the Easter event with an energy drink in hand, and a few of you may just remember me as ‘the eldest’ of the Wachholz clan. For those of you I haven’t met, my name is Rebekah Wachholz, and I’m honored to have been selected to take the mantle of acting WBNA president this year.

My family moved to Wells Branch in 1993 and growing up I was very lucky to have an incredible mom to look up to as a pillar in the community who volunteered for pretty much every neighborhood board that existed. I remember going to all the community events, going door to door delivering the newsletters out of a red flyer wagon, selling snow cones at Fourth Fest with the Girl Scouts, winning the fishing competition at Mills Pond, competing in the Armada, being on the soccer team (the purple uniforms were fire), and countless fireworks shows. Most of my childhood was spent at the WB community events, pool, fields, or library. Continue reading New Year, New Board, New Beginnings →

Wells Branch Wild Conservancy
– Invasive Plants

Invasive plants aren’t native to the areas they live in, and they can disrupt local ecosystems by crowding out native plants. Our local wildlife depends on native plants, so it’s important we protect them! To learn more about invasive plants, join Cliff Tyllick for a presentation at the Wells Branch Recreation Center (3000 Shoreline Drive) on Saturday, February 8, at 9 a.m. I hope to see you there!

What’s Escaping Your Landscape? by Cliff Tyllick

Everyone in Wells Branch can pitch in to help control invasive species! Here are some simple ways you can get involved: Continue reading Wells Branch Wild Conservancy – Invasive Plants →

St. Andrew’s Food Pantry Update

Help your Wells Branch neighbors in need by supporting your local food pantry at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church at 14311 Wells Port Drive.

With increasing levels of food insecurity in our community, the demand for food pantry assistance has grown from an average of 50-60 households served per pantry between 2012-2017 to 201 households in 2024. The number of individuals served has doubled in the past two years.

St. Andrew’s Food Pantry partners with both the Central Texas Food Bank and the Austin Diaper Bank to attempt to meet this growing need, but neither agency can supply all our needed food or hygiene items. Community donations and support are crucial. There are many ways you can help: Continue reading St. Andrew’s Food Pantry Update →

American Red Cross Lifeguard Course

March 17-20 | 10:00am-4:00pm $200 Course Fee

Gain lifeguard skills and get certified at the ARC Lifeguard Certification Course! Upon successful completion of the course you will receive your ARC Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED Certifications.  This course will be a blended learning course.  Individuals will need to complete online modules before attending the first day.  Registration can be found at: wellsbranchmud.com/arclifeguard

If you have any questions regarding the course or lifeguard employment opportunities, please reach out to Katie Hutcheson at khutcheson@wellsbranchmud.com.

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE NEWS!

by Emily Berver

Wells Branch Girl Scouts are currently busy selling cookies to fund their future Girl Scout adventures. All profits stay local and help fund troops, camps and programming, so be sure to stock up on your favorite cookies before the sale ends!

This year’s cookie lineup includes Thin Mints, Caramel Delites (aka Samoas), Peanut Butter Patties (aka Tagalongs), Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Trefoils (aka Shortbread), Lemonades, Adventurefuls, Toast Yays and the gluten free Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie. The packaging may look different, but the cookies still have the same great taste! Cookie are $6/package, except for the gluten free, which is $7/pouch. Continue reading GIRL SCOUT COOKIE NEWS! →

Cub Scout Pack 728 News

by Lee Logan

Cub Scouting is in full swing in Wells Branch, with the members of Pack 728 putting the finishing touches on their pinewood derby cars ahead of the big race at the end of this month! Many of our cubs are also preparing for a overnight field trip to Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, as well as our spring campout in March.

Our scouts are also busy working on their rank advancement requirements, which include learning new skills related to the outdoors, good citizenship, physical fitness, and more! Plus, we are planning to participate in several service projects benefiting the Wells Branch neighborhood this spring. Come and join the fun! Continue reading Cub Scout Pack 728 News →

BSA Venturing Crew 1409

by Steve Dzurenko, Advisor

Venturing is a youth-led program for youth between the ages of 14 and 20 that focuses on building outdoor adventures with friends. Crew 1409 meets weekly on Tuesdays from 7:00-8:00 PM at the WB MUD Annex at 14611 Wells Port Dr. For more information: visit http://www.crew1409.com or email info@crew1409.com. Continue reading BSA Venturing Crew 1409 →

McNeil HS Maverick Band Mulch Sale

Website OPENS February 22!
https://www.mcneilband.org/mulch

Despite the freezing temperatures, Spring is in the air!  McNeil HS Band will be selling mulch as their Spring fundraiser for only $5 a bag!  We have two types:  black and hardwood @ $5/bag.  All orders must be placed online, but customers can pay by cash, check or Venmo via the band website (mcneilband.org).  Delivery is available for orders of 10 bags or more (within the delivery area map).  Orders of less than 10 must be picked up at Kelly Reeves stadium by 2:00pm on April 5.  Please check the website for any changes.  We have many McNeil High School Band students in the Wells Branch area.  If you know a student personally please input their name so they can get credit for your sale.  If you don’t know a student personally, that’s OK, all sales are very important to us!  The band was very successful this year and it is in large part due to the generous donations of our supporters.

Thank you so very much!

WB Armada
Swim Team News

Want your kids to get some exercise, make friends, and have fun this summer? Joining the Wells Branch Armada (WBA) is a great way to do that. Registration for the 2025 season for returning swimmers opens on February 20, and registration for new swimmers opens on March 6th. Our first evening practice is April 28, and morning practices will begin after the school year ends. Information and registration links can be found on our website, https://wellsbranch.swimtopia.com.

This year we will be holding a virtual information session (via Google Meet) for new and returning families. We will discuss requirements for new swimmers and expectations for families (e.g., meet volunteer requirements and fundraising) and will answer any other questions you may have. Join in to meet some of our board members and coaches and to ask us all of the things! This virtual info session will be held on Sunday, February 9, at 3:00pm. A link to join and extra details about this Armada info session on February 9 can be found on the Wells Branch Armada Facebook page and on our website at https://wellsbranch.swimtopia.com. (Check the Schedule tab.) Continue reading WB Armada Swim Team News →