About Bandera's City of Bandera

Another Labor Day weekend is upon us, time to head to Bandera Texas where the cowboy never dies- time again for another "Celebrate Bandera" extravaganza. I don't mean a small get together, I mean mega celebration, The Bandera County Chamber of Commerce, The Convention and Vistors Bureau, the Bandera Business Association, the Dude Ranches, the Watering Holes, and numerous Bandera Businesses pull out the stops when it comes to jamming the weekend full of activities.

The big kickoff begins Saturday, August 30, at 11AM with the Longhorn Cattle Drive and Parade down Mainstreet Bandera. The streets are lined 3 deep in anticipation of the yearly trek of some 50 longhorns, none of which stray from their intended destination. Quite a feat, considering all the screaming fans as they strole by. After the parade, time to spend your hard earned cash at the Bandera Courthouse where the lawn is filled with vendors and artisans displaying their unique designs, such as hand-made jewelry, barnwood furniture and fixtures, quilts and handbags, military and religious goods, and plenty of food and refreshments to replenish your energy.

The Dude Ranches are hosting several events throughout the day, the Flying L Ranch presents "Historical Reenactments, the Dixie Dude Ranch is presenting the"Circle of Life Intertribal Pow Wow", the Medina River Ranch Resort is presenting the "Cowboy Capital Mounted Shooters", on Saturday and Sunday nite is the "National Professional Bull Riders Challenge".

The Eleventh Steet Cowboy Bar is hosting "The Doug Moreland Showw", "Jake Hooker and The Outsiders", and Leon Rausch and The Texas Playboys, check www.celebratebandera.com for other groups and venues.

This is one event you don't want to miss, folks, so mark your calendar, pick up your jeans and starched shirts from the cleaners, polish your boots and head on over to the "Cowboy Capital of the World" for the best time, the best food, and the best entertainment this side of the Rocky Mountains!

Last night, the Silver Sage Community Center, and Bandera Honors Veterans, put on a program for Veterans, which I, as the Bandera County Veterans Service Officer, was a participant. Being that I have only been the Service Officer for Bandera for one year, this was the first seminar that I had a part in. There were several participants, the Texas Veterans Commission, the VA Hospital System, The Veterans Administration, the Texas Veterans Land Board, TVC Employment Counselors from San Antonio and Kerrville, the American Legion from Bandera and Lakehills Chapters, and a VA approved loan officer. All of these representatives were there for two hours to explain their jobs and to answer veterans questions, and to assit them in filing for benefits.

Besides myself, there were Service Officers from Gillespie County and Kerr County. I had a table setup with VA benefit books, important phone numbers for the veterans and their dependents, relevent website addresses, and info on real estate properties that would qualify for a Tx-Vet loan.

I was amazed at how crowded the room was, I'm not sure of the count, but somewhere around 100-150 had attended, and they all had questions. I even got up in front of the group to say a few words about Veteran Service Officers and what they do (will explain in a subsequent post). A big deal for me because I dislike public speaking. I better get used to it because I'm sure we'll be doing this again next year.

I also was pleasantly surprised when I was the last table to fold up to leave, because I had so many stop by my table to say hello, and to let me know how their request for evaluation for benefits was going. I also talked real estate with several people that wanted to use their low,low interest rate offered by the Veterans Land Board- 7.2% with 5% down, such a great deal!

Some of the veterans and their spouses drove 100+ miles to be there, just for the chance to speak with VA and TVC staff. Everyone got their questions answered, and felt good about the event and what it accomplished. I look forward to meeting again with those that need my help, and hopefully, I will find them land or a home they will want to use their VA benefits to buy!

Mary Jo Schaffer www.sweetheartrealty.com 830-796-7448

Back on August 28, 2007 I wrote a blog about "Devastating Fire on Main St. Bandera" in which I told about the wipe out of two major businesses in Bandera Texas.

Shoe Biz, owned by Peggy Ashmore opened on April 17, 1987 and has been a constant in Bandera ever since. The store carries not just shoes, (Keds, Clarks, and many other distinguished brands), but a full line of womens clothing, accessories and jewelry. Hers was the place to find out what styles were new and what colors were in this year. It is where the menfolk could buy that oh so special blouse or dress, or necklace that the Mrs. wished was her own.

It seemed as though the rebuilding process was going oh so slow as well, there was the Fire Marshall's report, the Insurance Inspector's report, the wait for the insurance proceeds and the hiring of a company to rebuild the store. Never mind all the trips to market to decide what to buy to put into the store, everything was destroyed in the fire, everything had to be replaced. Gone were all the lay-away receipts, all the customer records and invoices.

Nearly 9 months to the day, on May 22, 2008 the store was finally ready. The party was on, Bricks did the catering, the "Almost Patsy Cline" Band was performing for all the guests. A good time was had by all, and everyone in Bandera was reveling at the Rebirth of Bandera's Shoe Biz.

Mary Jo Schaffer, 830-796-7448, www.sweetheartrealty.com

The routine is the same for us each Sunday morning- call the OST (Old Spanish Trail) to see what the lunch buffet is today. That is important because that call determines where my husband an I will have lunch that day. If the OST is having something that I don't like (turkey and dressing for example) then we go somewhere else for lunch. I've called each Sunday morning so often, that Linda (the hostess with the mostess) already knows it's me (by my phone#) and just tells me what the buffet is that day.

Well, today was roast beef, broccoli with cheese, boiled potatoes, succotash, ribs, rolls, plus a salad bar with potato salad, jello and pudding. Who could ask for better? And only $7.95 per adult, such a deal!

The night before, we were greeted with a new menu with higher prices on all menu items at another of our local restaurants. Bandera has yet to see $2.00 for a glass of iced tea, tho, I guess we're pretty lucky at that.

When we got to OST, the place was jammed pack with people, with a waiting line crowding the entrance. Lucky for us, we were ushered to a select location near the entrance before anyone the wiser. I could tell it was a happy crowd of tourists because the din was way louder than usual. There has been times when I couldn't even have a decent conversation with my husband because of all the words floating around the room at once.

I relished every bite of my meal, unfortunately my hubby had to wait 30 minutes for his made-to-order omelet. He gobbled his down rather quickly tho, so I guess he forgave them.

All in all, it was a fantastic lunch, I always see someone I know, or one of my clients- so I get to catch up on news and also get a chance to talk with Linda and my favorite servers (you know who you are). Life in a small town is grand- I look forward to next weeks buffet!! Hope it's baked chicken!!