Weekly Newsletter

February 9, 2026

Members, if you have something that needs to go in the newsletter, please email it as a jpeg or png file by Thursday to info@beltonchamber.com

Chamber News

TxDOT I-35/I-14 Expansion Project Update

We want to thank everyone who participated in the TXDOT I-35/I-14 Expansion Project Public Meeting and/or submitted comments as requested. TXDOT has indicated that we were heard, due to the large turnout and significant number of written responses received. Using information prepared by the City of Belton, we were able to provide common themes in feedback submitted. We cannot overstate the value of a community that provides feedback with a unified message.

State Representative Hillary Hickland hosted a meeting at Schoepf’s BBQ with downtown business owners on February 3 (rescheduled from January 26 due to the ice storm). She held this meeting to provide an update about the current status of the proposed project.

Representative Hickland reported that TXDOT received common themes in the feedback submitted, specifically in regard to downtown exits being maintained. She also vowed to advocate for the changes we have requested as the planning process proceeds.

Additional meetings with TXDOT engineers are expected to result in revisions to the proposed plans. Rep. Hickland stated that TXDOT has committed to exploring options to restore downtown access.

Additional feedback will be provided as it becomes available. When TXDOT provides potential alternatives, and when the need for letters from our community are needed, we will forward that information.

Thank you again for your investment in our community and engagement in this process. We will continue to fight for our community and advocate for safety and efficiency without disrupting our local economy.

Additional details about the meeting with Rep. Hickland can be found in the February 5 edition of the Temple Daily Telegram.

Curious about home buying in today’s market? Learn why now is a great time to buy a home from Texell Credit Union at the February Business Bites & Insights!

Member Renewals

Member News

Every student deserves the opportunity to pursue a Christian education, no matter their income. That's why we're introducing UMHB Promise — a free tuition program for eligible first-time freshmen and new transfer undergraduate students, beginning with the incoming fall 2026 class.

The program is open to students with a family income of $65,000 or less. For a complete list of requirements, visit www.umhb.edu/admissions

Temple Civic Theatre presents: August Wilson's ~ Fences

Troy Maxson, a former star of the Negro baseball leagues, now works as a garbage man in 1957 Pittsburgh. Excluded from the major leagues in his prime, Troy has grown increasingly bitter, and his anger and frustration take a toll on his wife Rose and his son Cory, who now wants his own chance to play ball professionally.

Bell County Museum

February 13th 6pm-730pm

Join us for a special presentation by Dr. Lela Butler celebrating Black history through personal reflection, education, and music.

The event is completely FREE.

Experience the excitement of the Bell County Youth Fair Livestock Show & PRCA Rodeo, taking place February 13-14, 2026 at 7:30pm, with a special pre-show Mutton Bustin' at 7pm. Join us at Cadence Bank Center for two action-packed nights that celebrate Texas western heritage and support local youth. Youth Fair Livestock Show dates are Feb. 7-14.

Support Local Youth & Tradition

All net proceeds from the Rodeo help fund scholarships and opportunities for the youth of Bell County. Last year alone, over $60,000 in scholarships were awarded, thanks to dedicated volunteers and generous supporters.

Galentine’s calls for tea, treats, and time together!

Step into a cozy tea ritual with Ruby Tearoom’s Crème Tea Service on Friday, February 13th! Enjoy a delightful pairing of freshly baked scones served with jam and cream, and a pot of premium tea. Ideal for lighter gatherings and leisurely afternoons, this charming service offers a taste of tradition in every bite and sip.

Gluten-free orders require 3-day advance notice. For food allergies, or special accommodations, please contact the tearoom before ordering. Find us in Arusha Coffee Co in Downtown Belton!

TICKETS

Join us for an evening of bubbly and the sweetest treats — cotton candy mimosas included

Event Perks:

• 15% OFF all retail (excludes Kendra Scott)

• $10 BONUS gift card for every $125 spent on in-spa gift cards

• FREE Kendra Scott Ari Heart Stretch Bracelet when you spend $250 on an in-spa gift card

• Giveaway: Babor Advent Calendar

• Retail Gift with Purchase: FREE mini P-Tiox when you spend $200 on SkinCeuticals!

Shop, sip and treat yourself (or someone you love) to a little Valentine’s luxury

While supplies last. One night only.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Ruby Tearoom’s Valentine’s Candlelit High Tea! Enjoy a romantic evening designed for slowing down, savoring, and indulging.

Included is a decadent High Tea menu featuring warm, elevated savories (including our Everything Bagel Scone) and beautifully crafted sweets like our Strawberry Mousse Cup, all served in a softly lit, intimate setting perfect for date night.

Elevated bites

Cozy ambiance

A lingering, unhurried evening

Please note:

Prices are per person. Gluten-free orders require 3-day advance notice. For food allergies or special accommodations, please contact the tearoom before ordering.

TICKETS

Bold Republic Brewing

February 14th at 12pm

Eat. Cray. AND Love this Valentine's Day with us at BOLD!

Central Texas Crawfish Co. is warming up their kettle and bringing the best mud bugs from Louisiana they can get their hands on! Join us for a Valentine's Day lunch. Bring your date. Bring the family. And get ready for some ice cold craft beer to wash it all down with.

You know the way to their heart. Crawfish. Sausage. Corn. Potatoes.

Join us for the 2026 TABA Home & Garden Show, a weekend packed with inspiration for every part of your home. With more than 100,000 square feet of exhibits, you’ll discover the latest in home improvement, remodeling, outdoor living, landscaping, décor, and more. Stroll the aisles, chat with local experts, compare solutions, and gather fresh ideas for your next project. Whether you're dreaming up a renovation or just looking for inspiration, you’ll find it all under one roof.

Cadence Bank Center

Friday, February 20th | 6:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.

Saturday, February 21st | 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.

Sunday, February 22nd | 11:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

Bunco Night at BeeMaRosa Vineyard & Winery

Saturday, Feb. 21st

Join us for another fun night of shaking dice, laughing loud, and meeting new friends.

Schedule

• 5:30–6:00 PM – Social time

• 6:00–7:30 PM – Game time

• 7:30 PM – Awards for:

• Most Wins

• Most Losses

• Most BUNCOs

• Most Mini BUNCOs

Cost: $5 to play

Your entry includes:

• Two large savory charcuterie boards (cheese, meats, crackers, fruits, olives, etc)

• One sweets tray

• A few extra surprise snacks

Participants are welcome to bring outside food as well.

Come roll, snack, mingle, and enjoy a great night out. Bring a friend or come solo — you’ll leave with new ones.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

TICKETS GO ON SALE JANUARY 2, 2026

FOR THE FEBRUARY 21, 2026

“THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME” BENEFIT AT THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES CENTER (CAC), TEMPLE, TX.

Ticket options are: Corporate Partner Reserved Table for 8 is $2,500. This includes a Personal Table, Assistant, Wine for the Table, Swag, Premier seating at the Concert, and Public Recognition. Personal Partner Table for 8 is $1,800 and includes 2 Bottles of Wine and Preferred Seating at the Concert. Individual Tickets with opening seating for dinner and Reserved Seating for the Concert are $175.

Concert Tickets are $75. Tickets may be purchased through the CAC website at www.cacarts.org by phone at 254-773-9926, or at the CAC Office located at 3011 North 3rd Street, Temple, TX 76501. Credit cards are accepted.

Gain key insights at Texell’s Small Business Summit from Jason Dorsey, bestselling author, researcher, and expert on marketing to Gen Z

RSVP HERE

Held at Temple College, the presentation helps you understand how to:

· Recruit, motivate, and retain Gen Z employees

· Market to, sell to, and build Gen Z’s brand loyalty

· Use your own generational strengths for results

Ten registrants will receive a copy of Jason Dorsey’s bestselling book, Zconomy: How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business and What to Do About It.

When: Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where: Event Center, Main Bldg., Temple College, 2600 S. 1st St., Temple, TX 76504

Cost: $30 – general admission (includes a boxed lunch)

About the speaker: Called a “research guru” by Adweek, Jason Dorsey is President of The Center for Generational Kinetics (CGK), the leading generations and emerging trends research, strategy, and speaking firm. CGK has worked with over 700 companies around the world to drive innovation, growth, and research-based thought leadership. Jason wrote his first bestselling book at age 18, and his current bestseller, Zconomy: How Gen Z Will Change the Future of Business and What to Do About It, was a #1 New Release on Amazon and a Top 10 Business Book of the Year by Forbes.com.

Get creative and soak up a little extra light!

Join us for CrafTEA: Sun Catchers, an evening of creativity and connection hosted at Crow & Cactus in downtown Belton. Enjoy a cozy crème tea service while we guide you through creating your own sun catcher — a beautiful piece designed to reflect light, spark joy, and brighten your space.

Menu:

Premium tea

Freshly baked scones with jam & cream

Sweet surprises

All supplies are included, and each guest will take home their handmade sun catcher. Tickets are limited, so don’t wait to claim your spot!

Please note:

This event features a set menu. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer substitutions or accommodate dietary restrictions or food allergies for this experience.

TICKETS

CASA of BELL and CORYELL Counties

Interested in making a difference for children in foster care?

Our Director of Volunteer Engagement, Maddy, is hosting Zoom Info Sessions where you can pop in, learn more about volunteering with CASA, and ask any questions you may have. This is a great opportunity to see if CASA advocacy is right for you—no pressure, just information!

12:00 PM Info Session

3:00 PM Info Session

Take the first step toward being a voice for children who need one.

Click HERE for ZOOM LINK registration on EVENT page

The Friends of the Belton Library invite you to an unforgettable Author Luncheon featuring John R. Erickson, author of the beloved Hank the Cowdog series.

Saturday, Feb. 28

10 AM – 2 PM

Celebrate literacy, enjoy tasty BBQ, and support your local library in great company. Tickets are available — link in the comments to purchase!

Dearest Reader… Last month went so well we're doing it again!

You are cordially invited to an afternoon of elegance and indulgence inspired by the world of Bridgerton, just in time for Part 2 of Season 4!!!

Join us again for a Royal Afternoon Tea featuring:

• An elevated, decadent 3-course menu fit for the queen

• Curated teas served throughout the experience

• Regency-inspired party games & costume contest

• Prizes and delightful surprises worthy of the ton

Costumed attire is highly encouraged. Think Regency flair, dramatic details, and your best royal energy.

Please note: The menu is fixed and offers general and vegetarian options only. Gluten-free accommodations are not available. Prices are per person. Reservations are required, and seating is limited. Find us inside Arusha Coffee Co!

TICKETS

BeeMarosa Vineyard

Where are my singles at!

Central Texas, it’s your time to shine.

Join us February 28th 6p-8p

for a fun and relaxed Singles Mixer at Beemarosa.

Early bird tickets are only $25, and that even includes your first glass of wine.

Come meet other amazing singles from around the area and enjoy a great night out. Don’t miss it — this is your sign to put yourself out there!

TICKETS

Bell County Museum ~ Historic Escape Games

March 6th, 6pm - 8:15pm

There has been a crime at the museum and it is up to you to find the culprit! You have 60 minutes to work together, solve the crime, and escape!

There are 2 game times for the Robbery game: 6:00pm and 7:15pm

Tickets are $12/person. Pre-registration is required. Games are private and limited to 8 guests (ages 13 years and older) of the same group per game time. Players under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult player.

Submit one form per group as all games are private. Please be mindful of the age requirements. Payments can be made through the payment link on the registration form below.

Join us for Feeling Lucky – High Tea, a festive twist on Ruby Tearoom’s classic evening High Tea service.

This elevated experience features warm, savory bites, indulgent sweets, and playful seasonal touches inspired by a little extra luck.

Elevated evening High Tea

Warm savories and decadent sweets

Optional Lucky Tea Flight tasting

A cozy, playful, and elegant way to enjoy a spring evening at the tearoom.

Please note:

This experience features a set menu and we cannot accomodate dietary or food allergies.

TICKETS

This is our 9th Annual CASA 5K Race and Fun Run. Our unique loop running course in Temple was voted “Best 5K Route” last year by our race participants. Come run our fully paved, well-marked, and measured route on Saturday, March 7th. The route is excellent for serious runners as well as those who enjoy supporting a great cause with a fun run. This is a chip-timed race with official results. In addition to all of the running prizes for the various age categories, our race includes prizes for “Best in Theme” dressed runners, largest club/group participation prize, youngest and oldest runners, and an award for the runner that travels the farthest to participate. Have fun and support CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties – join us on Saturday, March 7th as we run for CASA!

Bold Republic Brewery

March 14th @10am

4th Annual Shamrock Shuffle

Lace up and get ready, Temple! The 4th Annual Shamrock Shuffle is back—bringing green gear, good vibes, and plenty of local fun to the streets of Temple.

Whether you’re running, walking, or just here for the post-shuffle celebration, this annual tradition is all about community, movement, and St. Patrick’s Day spirit. Grab your friends, throw on some green, and join us for a morning of fun capped off with well-earned celebration.

What to expect:

• 4th annual community Shamrock Shuffle

• All paces welcome — run or walk

• Festive vibes and local support

Mark your calendar, get shamrock-ready, and let’s keep this Temple tradition rolling.

TICKETS

Help us celebrate 4 yrs of business! We are having a cigar & bourbon night. Must be 21+ and buy 2 cigars pp or a $10 cover pp. Cigar Cut & Light with Faustino Cigars. This is a new line we brought into our humidor. They are bringing their roller who will be doing live demonstrations of rolling cigars!

We will be having a Bourbon Night also. Bring extra cash to buy raffle tickets for great prizes.

Free food while it lasts!

Temple Civic Theatre presents: Cabaret

In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920s draw to a close, a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret. With the Emcee’s bawdy songs as wry commentary, Cabaret explores the dark, heady and tumultuous life of Berlin’s natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich. Cliff, a young American writer newly arrived in Berlin, is immediately taken with English singer Sally Bowles. Meanwhile, Fräulein Schneider, proprietor of Cliff and Sally’s boarding house, tentatively begins a romance with Herr Schultz, a mild-mannered fruit seller who happens to be Jewish.

Temple Civic Theatre presents: Ken Ludwig's ~ Dear Jack, Dear Louise

U.S. Army Captain Jack Ludwig, a military doctor stationed in Oregon, begins writing to Louise Rabiner, an aspiring actress and dancer in New York City, hoping to meet her someday if the war will allow. But as the war continues, it threatens to end their relationship before it even starts. Tony Award-winning playwright Ken Ludwig (Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, Lend Me a Tenor) tells the joyous, heartwarming story of his parents’ courtship during World War II and the results are anything but expected.

We imagine a world where families in rural Nigeria no longer spend hours each day searching for what should be basic—clean, safe water.

If you believe in that future too, join us on April 25, 2026 | Temple, TX for GALA NITE—an elegant evening supporting life-changing clean water projects in rural Nigeria.

� Reserve your seat:

https://givebutter.com/c/whrswQ

Temple Civic Theatre presents: Rodgers & Hammerstein's ~ Oklahoma!

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s first collaboration remains, in many ways, their most innovative, setting the standards and rules of modern musical theatre. In a Western territory just after the turn of the 20th century, a high-spirited rivalry between local farmers and cowboys provides a colorful background for Curly, a charming cowboy, and Laurey, a feisty farm girl, to play out their love story. Their romantic journey, as bumpy as a surrey ride down a country road, contrasts with the comic exploits of brazen Ado Annie and hapless Will Parker in a musical adventure embracing hope, determination and the promise of a new land.

Temple Civic Theatre Guild presents:

Texas Hold 'Em Tournament

Join the fun with a classic Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament. Enjoy refreshments while you play or watch!

Saturday, July 18, 2026 7-10pm

$50 – Play, Food and Drink

$25 – Food and Drink Only

Come check out Central Texas' BIGGEST EVENT of the year!

Event: Bell County Comic Con

Date: Aug 1 & 2, 2026

Time: 10AM-6PM

Bringing together 80's, 90's, 00's Pop Culture, Celebrities, Artists, Vendors, Food Trucks, and More.

You don't want to miss it!

Get your tickets now:

www.bellcountycomiccon.com

Welcome to The Tea Club — Ruby Tearoom’s weekly CommuniTEA Table!

Every Thursday at 3 PM, we set the table for connection, conversation, and a good cup of tea. Whether you’re coming solo, with a friend, or just curious to try tea & find communiTEA, this is your chance to join the club.

Free to join — simply RSVP below so we know to save you a seat!

RSVP