For the citizens and visitors of Hood County, Texas, the courthouse in the middle of the town square has been a beacon of beauty and history for all to see and the county to use as offices and courtrooms. Recently though, the interior of the courthouse has begun to look a little unkempt and luckily for all of us Hood County and the Texas Historical Commission partnered together in 2008 to make this old girl beautiful again.

Built in 1890 and designed by W.C. Dodson in the Second Empire style, this courthouse is similar to others in Texas with its three stories and mansard roof treatment. Through the years the original zinc roof has been soldered, painted, tarred, and finally replaced with lead coated copper and zinc in 2008 with the help of the Texas Historical Commission once again.

The business owners were obliged to cooperate in the beginning of the renovations in 2009 as the entire parking lot around the Courthouse was torn up and 120 geothermal wells (265 deep) were dug to create a natural heating and cooling system for the entire Courthouse. The shrubbery around the building was also removed but all the historic Pecan trees are still standing and gorgeous.

One of the most beautiful changes to the Hood County Courthouse has been the addition of new red trimmed windows that are weatherproof and able to be opened and closed. Wooden shutters that were original to the building will soon adorn these new windows as well. All the tin ceilings have been restored to their original condition and the wooden floors throughout the building are now gleaming with the help of tung oil. Safes located in the Treasurer's and Judge's offices have been restored and look just as they did in 1890. All the woodwork and trimwork has been restored as well.

The courtroom on the second floor has been restored to its original look with the original dimensions that were in place when the Courthouse was built. The restorers discovered stenciling and decorative painting on the courtroom walls and this has been restored as well.

The signature of the Hood County Courthouse is and has always been the hand-wound Seth Thomas Tower Clock that is the focal point for the entire square. Broken and silent for many years is has been renewed and is almost ready to keep time for residents and visitors alike as the original McShane Bell rings every hour.

Now that the restoration is almost complete, the Hood County Courthouse is once again functioning as it was intended---with county offices and county court business being held during the week. Justice of the Peace offices are now is use as well as County Constable offices. County Judges' offices will be on the first floor and the Hood County Historical Commission's room will also be located on the first floor with many original furnishings used to enhance this room.

The Courtroom on the 2nd floor will be used by the County Court and the Justice of the Peace Court. The courtroom has also been equipped to accommodate the County Commissioner's Court session. An information systems department will be housed on the third floor and there are additional offices available for other future needs.

All of us here in Hood County are ecstatic to have our beautiful lady once again gleaming and ready for service. The exterior of the Hood County Courthouse was restored in 2000 so now she is beautiful inside and out. According to the National Register of Historic Places, the town square of Granbury is one of the most complete nineteenth century courthouse squares in Texas. The buildings surrounding the Courthouse complete the picture of nineteenth century commerce and it is something you just don't want to miss seeing.

Lake Granbury is beautiful and full to the brim for all water activities so plan a trip today to come check out our glorious new Courthouse and enjoy the lake and the square and all Granbury has to offer. If you would like to see what homes might be available then we at Gardner Real Estate,LLC are available to show you properties in any price range from waterfront homes, golf homes, acreage properties and historical homes.

Visit us today at http://www.granbury-real-estate.com and learn why so many folks are deciding to call Granbury home!!

What a difference a day makes!! Those of us who live in the southwest and love it have been in the throes of anxiety for the last 18 months as we have watched our countryside and lakes and ponds get drier and drier. We have watched the tanks (ponds to you Northerners) on our ranchlands go completely dry and read heartbreaking stories of livestock dying from lack of water and available feed and grass. One really terrible story out of Weatherford Tx was of several horses that were found dead with one tangled up in the barbed wire trying to get to a swimming pool full of water a hundred or so yards away. We have watched our cattle ranchers sell off all or most of their herds because there was simply nothing to feed them until the cattle market in Texas has been almost completely destroyed and generations of breeding stock wiped out.

Obviously Mother Nature can decide when and where to withhold her bounty in any part of our great county and we always worry whenever any part of the United States or the world is suffering from lack of adequate rainfall. Additionally we see stories on the TV about man’s increasing use of the water in our lakes and rivers around the world and wonder where this will all end—will we have enough water to sustain our needs?

Our small historic town of Granbury just southwest of Fort Worth is built with the beautiful Brazos River running through and around the county for miles. Lake Granbury is an integral part of our economy as thousands of tourists come each year to enjoy our historic square and the miles of lakefront. A couple of days ago our precious lake was over 8 feet low and expected to be up to 10-12 feet low by the end of February. Homeowners on Lake Ganbury have not been able to access the lake from their boatdocks for months and public ramps have all been closed. We were wondering as a community where this was all going een though in 15 years of living on Lake Granbury I have never seen it is this condition. Were we going to end up with a trickle of water instead of a lake?

But praise the heavens---prayers were answered and a low pressure system decided to park over our area for about 12 hours and deliver 5-6 inches of rain on Granbury and the watershed of Lake Granbury. Would you believe when I walked the shoreline of the lake just now ---the water is at the normal and full level once again. Who would have believed that just a few hours could make so much difference in the lives and livelihood of so many people?

We have always known that it would rain SOMETIME but of course drought conditions can last for months and years and there is nothing man can do about it. All across Texas and the southwest people are thanking God for his bounty this sunny morning as we approach spring with lakes and water everywhere. Now perhaps our real estate market for waterfront homes on Lake Granbury has a life again. Isn’t life grand?

There are many wonderful waterfront homes on the market at the current time and more coming each day. If you have been thinking of buying a lakefront home for your family or retirement NOW is this perfect time to come and see what treasures we have here on Lake Granbury. Visit our website to see all the waterfront homes currently available and call us today and let us help you find your dream vacation home. CALL GARDNER REAL ESTATE TODAY AT 1-817-219-6606.

Pecan Plantation Country Club Clubhouse

PECAN PLANTATION COUNTRY CLUB, GRANBURY TX

Pecan Plantation Country Club

PECAN PLANTATION COUNTRY CLUB, GRANBURY TX is a very unique gated golf and tennis community located just south of Granbury on the historic Brazos River and only minutes from Fort Worth and Dallas at 8650 Westover Ct., Granbury, TX 76049. Pecan Plantation is a peninsula completely surrounded by the Brazos River and below the dam of Lake Granbury and has almost 100,000 mature pecan trees throughout its beautiful acres. This wonderful country club and golf course offers security, privacy and a gorgeous setting among all the magnificent pecan trees.

Even thought Pecan Plantation Country Club is hidden away from the crowds of the metroplex, it is within easy access and offers many amenities for your convenience.

Included in your Membership will be access to :

Pecan Plantation Golf Course: Championship 18 hole 72 par golf course with sand and water hazards and lined with historic Pecan trees throughout.

Brazos River – With 17 miles of river frontage you will be able to enjoy boating, floating, canoeing, swimming, fishing and just enjoying the beautiful water and parks.

Lake Granbury—Enjoy Lake Granbury as it runs north to the historic town of Granbury. You will have access to the lake from the marina and you can fish, ski, wakeboard or just motor across the lake to your heart’s content.

Full Service Pecan Plantation Clubhouse and Restaurant: This beautiful southern plantation style clubhouse offers a full service restaurant and grill room, business offices, hotel rooms for guests, ballroom for parties and 19^th hole and pro shop for the golf course

Nutcracker Golf Course – A second membership 18 hole, 72 par golf course.

The Village – Full service shopping area: grocery store, gas station, car wash, drug store, cleaners, bank, etc.

Marina - Boat ramp and storage, wet slips, fuel, fishing supplies, dining and fast food.

Tennis – Full service pro shop with resident pro, 5 lighted courts, league tennis, etc.

Swimming – 2 pools for your enjoyment—one at the club and one at the sport complex.

Sport Complex – Sports area with soccer fields, walking paths, pool, and building.

Air Park– Private airpark with 3000 ft lighted landed strip.

Parks and Nature – Several parks located along the river and many walking trails throughout Pecan Plantation Country Club afford you many opportunities to commune with nature and just enjoy the outdoors and all the wildlife you will see in Pecan. Many deer, wild turkey, hawks, eagles and others can be seen throughout the year.

There are many many kinds of home available for sale in Pecan and also for rent from time to time. There are 1 and 2 bedroom condos, zero lot line garden homes, duplex homes, townhouse homes, golf course homes, mainbody lakefront homes with boatdocks, riverfront homes, home with orchard views, and homes in neighborhoods with wonderful neighbors. The quality of life that you will find in Pecan Plantation Country Club is unsurpassed almost anywhere in Texas. Come check it out today and see for yourself why hundreds of fine folks proudly call Pecan home.

We look forward to being of service to you today or any day in the future---

Call 1-877-418-0644 toll free or 817-219-6606 --

Stanley Gardner or Peni Gardner at Gardner Real Estate,LLC or visit us at www.granbury-real-estate.com to find out more about Pecan Plantation Country Club or any other property in and around Lake Granbury.

HISTORIC GRANBURY, TX ~ THE GARDENS BED & BREAKFAST

Located just blocks from the historic town square in Granbury, Texason Doyle Street is the quaint Granbury Gardens Bed & Breakfast. A lovingly restored residence complete with a front porch with rockers, white picket fence, creaking wood floors and lovely gardens. You will feel the stress of everyday life simply vanish as you walk through the front doors.

The owners and hosts, were lovely people who made us feel completely at home. And did I mention the spectacular breakfast? Something right out of Southern Living magazine! Coffee, Danish and a full course breakfast served on gorgeous china made the meal extra special. The "eggs in a cloud" dish was out of the world! There was even a pretty flower on each plate.

The home is surrounded by beautiful gardens both in the front and the back. The back gardens have a lovely gazebo, outdoor fireplace, small pond and hot tub. A great place to unwind and enjoy a glass of wine at sunset.

Gorgeous antiques grace the home throughout. Attention to detail is evident in even the smallest of ways. You certainly know that your hosts love what they do and are proud of their home.

Make it a point to stay at this bed and breakfast in Granbury, Texas. Only a few blocks from great shopping on the town square. The lake is also just a few blocks away! You will enjoy this small Texas town and will come away rested and ready to head back into reality!

You can find the Granbury Gardens Bed & Breakfast on 321 W. Doyle Street in Granbury, Texas. 817-573-9010. www.granburygardens.com

GRANBURY HIGH SCHOOL REUNION ~ CLASS OF 1976

Isn't it crazy to think about how quickly time passes? You look up and many years have passed and you are heading to a class reunion. This weekend, I went home to Granbury, Texas where I graduated in 1978.

You read that right, ‘78'! I crashed my sister's class reunion and it was FUN! Granbury back in the day was a small high school and we all knew everyone. Many of my classmates married people in the classes above us. Therefore, crashing another reunion was great as I saw a ton of people I had not seen since the late 70's.

Granbury in the late 70's was a small, 2-A Texas high school. With Granbury situated right along the Brazos River and Lake Granbury, friends were spread out all over the lake and river area. It was a diverse mix of people and growing up there was full of wonderful memories.

As we get older, I think it is really important to reconnect with those from our past. Seeing people that you have not seen since your teenage years is eye-opening for sure. Many times I needed to revert to the yearbook to see what someone looked like back then so I would know who they were!

The reunion was a blast and it was in true Granbury style. The directions and I just can't make this stuff up were:

"Take the road out north from the town square. Turn right at the Cemetery. Pass the Senior Citizen home and when you see the goats, turn right. The horse show barn entrance that says ‘Restrooms' is the door to go in."

What a hoot. All in all however, it was a great time. Delicious bar-b-que from the famous Hard 8 out of Stephenville, TX. Awesome 70's music and reconnecting with old friends. I am blessed to have grown up in such a cool, Mabyberry-type of town.

If you have a class reunion coming up, I urge you to consider going. We all never know when we will pass this way again!