Submitted by Mendy Barnett

Cub Scout Pack 140 is chartered by The Wells Branch Homestead, and parents work diligently with their young boys to teach them strong values, how to be a strong leader and that character counts. There is one scout that has learned all of this and has taken it to the next level.

Sean Johnston joined Cub Scouts in 2007 when he was in 1^st grade. He has had a lot of fun in Cub Scouts, and has accomplished a lot in the last 5 years. Sean has participated in many service projects, received numerous patches including the Chili Pepper patch for camping in over 100 degree heat at Camp Tom Wooten, attended Scout Jam, spent the night at NASA Space Center in Houston, earned several patches while visiting Washington DC last summer, earned the 9/11 patch for participating in the 9/11 Memorial Celebration last September, sold over $7000 in popcorn to raise money for his Pack, and earned the Leave No Trace patch.

Continue reading Sean Johnston Exemplifies Scouting →

The WBNA will be hosting the Silent Auction during the annual FourthFest on July 4th. This is our BIG fundraiser for the year – how we pay for the Easter Egg Hunt, National Night Out, our participation at Halloween, Luminary Fest and New Year’s Eve as well as all the meetings we host throughout the year.  We are seeking donations of merchandise, gift cards/certificates, theme baskets, services…. to auction. Some ideas are: Gift certificates for movie and dinner for 2; body care products; unique candles or household items; sports memorabilia; gift certificates for babysitting…. use your imagination!  In return, you receive exposure for your business at the auction, through flyers, a special “Thank You” section in the September issue of the WBNA Neighborhood News and on our website with links to your site. If you have items or services to donate OR if you would like to help solicit items, please email us at info@wbna.us.

Click on individual photos to see entire picture.

On February 25, around 50 residents gathered at the WB Community Center to dream and create a Vision for our community. This meeting was the brainchchild of twelve year resident George Holcombe and new resident Scott Smith. The following was presented before the actual brainstorming began:

Reason for Visioning: To gather our vision from the community to use in planning
and acting out the future.

What a Vision is and is not:

•  A vision is not something we do or a plan of action
•  A vision is an underlying image that motivates us, defines us, is a reason for being
•  When we complain or boast about our community, we are making judgments based  on our unspoken vision.

Why are Visions important: They are alive and dynamic – they move us – the clearer

we are about our visions, the clearer our actions tend to be.

Once the purpose and examples were given, residents were invited to share what they felt were the gifts and challenges of our community. Mr. Holcombe and Mr. Smith facilitated the rest of the session encouraging residents to to participate and collaborate to build a rational chart. Click  Shared Vision for Wells Branch to view the chart. 

2nd “Visions” meeting planned for April 1, 4-6pm, WBCC

If you missed the February meeting, the next opportunity is scheduled for April 1, 4-6pm at
the WB Community Center on Klattenhoff. The discussion will focus on the challenges to achieving
our vision.

Refreshments provided.  Please join us and share YOUR vision for Wells Branch.

Nothing new on the home front for W2A Road Acceptance or the Affordable Housing project behind Willow Run.  Please check our website (wbna.us) periodically for updates.

RRISD Update:  On February 16, RRISD Trustees voted to move children north of Merrilltown and west of Bratton to McNeil High School.  Students currently enrolled in Cedar Ridge will be allowed to continue there thru graduation.  Bus service to both campuses will be provided.

WB Resident, Michael Farris, met with Superintendent Jesus Chavez on February 24.  He was told by Dr. Chavez that he would grant a transfer to any Wells Branch child that is currently attending Chisholm Trail Middle School, or will be going next year, thus allowing a path to keep RRISD Wells Branch students together through elementary, middle and high school.  It is not known at this time whether any transportation services will be provided.  Please check our website for updates.

Wanted: Wells Branch resident to run for the RRISD Board of Trustees.  Our voices have been ignored by this school board for too long.  We need someone to fight for Wells Branch.  Deadline to file is: 8/20/12.  See www.roundrockisd.org for more details.

Way to go Wells Branch!  Our participation rate was 78.65% for the month of November and 78.3% for December!  We were down a little in volume, but more folks are participating.  Our recycling efforts for November & December brought in $714 & $682 respectively to buy trees for the park system.  Please, recycle wherever you can and encourage your neighbors to join you.  For more info regarding your area’s participation, please visit our website.

Recycling pickup only occurs every other week on regular trash pickup days.  Clip and save this calendar of recycling pickup days or download a calendar thru May 2012 from our website:  wbna.us.  Just search “Recycling” for the calendar and list of materials accepted.

The generosity of the residents of Wells Branch shone bright as more than 105 pairs of  shoes were donated to Soles4Souls, a charity that collects gently used and new shoes and distributes them to people in need, regardless of race, religion, class, or any other criteria.  During the 2011 shoe drive, over 354 pairs of shoes were donated.  With 105 of those coming from here in Wells Branch, our community was responsible for donating almost 30% of the total number of shoes collected.

In November and December, Horizon Realty sponsored a shoe drive to benefit Sole 4 Souls with donation bins in the Wells Branch Rec. Center.  For some children and adults, this is the first pair of shoes they have ever owned.

Since 2005, Soles4Souls has delivered over 16 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes. The shoes have been distributed to people in over 127 countries, including Kenya, Thailand, Nepal, Peru, Iraq and many more.  Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS and donating parties are eligible for tax advantages.  Visit their site at www.soles4souls.org

Thank you so much Wells Branch!  We really appreciate you helping Horizon Realty and Soles 4 Souls “Changing the World, One Pair at a Time.”  Many in need around the world will benefit from your generosity during this shoe drive.

Special thanks to Matt Fuller at the Wells Branch Recreation Center, Laurie DeLeon from Horizon Realty, and Debby Thompson for helping to make this happen.