Contact us by e-mail: bccourier@
sbcglobal.net
to send press releases, advertising inquires, compliments or complaints.

Contact Web master by e-mail: pcwordsmith@
indian-creek.net
to report a missing link, a problem with the Web site or incorrect information on the Web site.

Bandera County Courier is published weekly by Gail S. Joiner, 1210 Hackberry St., Bandera, TX 78003. Subscription price $26 per year in Bandera County, TX; $36 per year for other Texas counties; $40 per year out of Texas. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Bandera County Courier, P.O. Box 1704, Bandera, TX 78003. Periodicals Postage pending in Bandera, Texas.

Subscribe to the Bandera County Courier

Gail Joiner: Publisher
Carl Holt: Sales/Marketing
Staff: Judith Pannebaker, Editor
David Arny, Writer
Dennis Allyn, Political Cartoonist
Linda Reynolds, Classifieds
James Henry Frazar, Composition Editor
Contributors: Stephanie Parker, Marlene Heavner, Doug White, Clare Barnett, Mikie Baker, Doris Doebbler, Jack Finger, Ed Longhurst, Bill Ellis, Bob Jamison and Jim Harris.

The BCC is responsible for its errors in advertising to the limit of the size of the space occupied by the error. Any mistakes will be gladly corrected provided advertiser notifies this office after the first publication. We reserve the right to reject any/all advertising at any time. The taking of an ad by e-mail, clerk, or other BCC personnel does not constitute acceptance of the material for publication.

Download Bandera County Courier Advertising Rates. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the ad rate card.

Entire contents Copyright © 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 - Bandera County Courier

The Bandera County Courier
Deadlines
Real Estate Review and Community Board Ads
Noon Friday
All other Advertising and Articles
5 p.m. Friday
(Proof corrections Noon Monday)

Items should be typed or printed and should include the name and daytime phone number of a contact person. Items submitted after deadline will be considered for that week's edition but may be held over for later publication. Photos should include information on the time and place of the event, as well as full names of people from left to right, front row to back.

American Legion takes over flags at cemeteries Published April 12, 2007    The local American Legion Post 157 in Bandera was taken over the flags at the Bandera Cemetery and Pipe Creek Cemetery.     The local Sea Cadets, sponsored by Jay & Tina Saunders from God and Country, have been taking care of replacing the flags and maintaining the flag poles.     At a flag raising ceremony Monday April 2, the responsibility was past to the American Legion Post. On hand for the ceremony were Martin Smith (Bandera's Cemetery Director), Lew Koehn (Am. Leg. Commander), Marc Marcaurele, Bill Ellis, Diana Ellis, Doris Mae Bell, Charles Bell, Daniel Marry Ott.

This is the Flag page of the Courier.

American Legion takes over flags at cemeteries	Published April 12, 2007
Wave the Flag for Celebrate Bandera	Published Aug. 24, 2006
Bandera Flag Committee meeting changed	Published Jan. 5, 2006
Bandera Flag Committee to meet January 14	Published Dec. 29, 2005
The City needs a flag!	Published Dec. 8, 2005
Make History Design a City Flag	Published Sept. 15, 2005
Second Bandera County flag has traveled a good deal	Published July 21, 2005
Yes, Virginia... There is a county flag!	Published July 14, 2005
What is Flag Day?	Published June 16, 2005
My Name is Old Glory	Published June 16, 2005

Wave the Flag for Celebrate Bandera Published Aug. 24, 2006    The county’s 150th anniversary is almost upon us, and what better way to celebrate than to wave our flag?     Jackalope Gifts, located at Silver Saddle Real Estate, 1210 Hackberry, has contracted with the city as the sole supplier of the flags of Bandera and our sister city in Poland, Strzelce Opolskie.     While flags of varying sizes will soon be available, an 11” by 14” version is ready for displaying now. The flags are machine washable and fade-resistant.     They are available with or without dowel for hanging, or in a barnwood frame. Prices are $17, $20 with dowel, or $30 framed. If both the Bandera and Strzelce Opolskie flags are purchased at the same time, the second flag is $10.     Gift shop owners Karen Longhurst, Mindi Hauck and Ericka Ivy hope that businesses throughout the town will display them during the Celebrate Bandera festivities.     The flags and other western-themed toys and gifts can also be purchased online at www.jackalopegifts.com.

Bandera Flag Committee meeting changed Published Jan. 5, 2006    PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF MEETING: The Bandera Flag Committee meeting has been changed to January 16 at 4 p.m. in the Bandera City Library genealogy room.     Please mark your calendars. We will have a secret counting of the Bandera Flag ballots. At our last Flag Committee meeting we had discussed having a ballot box available at Mansfield Park for the Junior Livestock Show. A ballot box will be available for at this event on January 12, 13, and 14 for people who have not yet voted.     Before the meeting begins on the 16th, there will be a small presentation by Shelly Rittimann. Shelly is 8 years old and her flag design was the first entry. She worked really hard on her design and made a complete flag, putting many red, white, and blue buttons on it.     The Bandera Library is going to display Shelly's flag in the Library. Both of Bandera's newspapers and the San Antonio Express News have been notified. Hopefully all 15 flag committee members will be able to attend this special event on Jan. 16.     Bandera County and Strzelce Opolskie County now have an email connection. The five flag designs, a brief history and information about Bandera have been sent to the Strzelce Opolskie offices in Poland. Our Polish friends are interested is our flag contest and the reason we are having one. The Strzelce Opolskie officials will be conducting a survey among their people on which flag they would select for Bandera. Bandera's sister city-county's participation is historical and exciting. It will be interesting to learn which design they choose. The Strzelce Opolskie flag survey will not count towards Bandera's final vote. One of the first flags to be made will be given to Strzelce Opolskie County. The Polish people of our sister city-county are participating is a historical event, as did many of their Polish people who immigrated to Bandera in 1855. Fifteen Bandera Polish settlers, fathers and their sons, signed the1856 petition to form Bandera County.     On Jan. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Bandera City Council meeting, the five finalists will be present and Mayor Griffin will announce the winner. Both Bandera newspapers and the San Antonio Express News have been notified. Please mark this date on your calendar.     Hope to see all of you Jan. 16 and 19. If you have any questions, please call me at 210-695-3958 or e-mail me at: jnkcgo@aol.com.

Bandera Flag Committee to meet January 14 Contributed Published Dec. 29, 2005    A meeting for the Bandera Flag Committee is scheduled on January 14, 2006, 10:00 a.m. in the Bandera County Library genealogy room. We will have a secret counting of the Bandera Flag contest ballots. Please mark your calendars.     Before the meeting begins there will be a small presentation by Shelly Rittimann. Shelly is 8 years old and her flag design was the first entry. She worked really hard on her design and made a complete flag, sewing many red, white, and blue buttons on it. The Bandera Library is going to display Shelly’s Flag in the Library. Both of Bandera’s newspapers and the San Antonio Express News will be notified.     Hopefully all 15 flag committee members will be able to attend this special event on January 14. On January 19, 2006, 6:00 p.m., at the Bandera City Council meeting, the 5 finalists will be present and Mayor Griffin will announce the winner. Both of Bandera’s newspapers and the San Antonio Express News will be notified. Please mark this date on your calendar.

The City needs a flag! Published Dec. 8, 2005    In a Bandera City Council meeting June 16, 2005, Elenora Dugosh Goodley presented two flags to the City of Bandera from Bandera's sister-city-county, Rozmierz, Poland. The flags were a gift to the city. In an earlier trip to Poland, Goodley had presented our Polish sister with a Texas flag, but the City of Bandera did not have an official flag.     At Goodley's suggestion, and in cooperation with the Bandera County Historical Commission, a contest to design a flag to represent the City of Bandera was initiated and the results are in.     The Commission has reviewed the entries and established five finalists in the design contest. It is now up to the citizens of Bandera to make the final decision.     Elenora Goodley and the Bandera County Historical Commission respectfully request that you review each of the designs to your right and cast your vote for the flag you would most like to see represent you.     Voting will begin on Dec. 11, and run through the Jan. 13 , 2006.     There will be a display of the five designs at three locations where people can pick up or turn in their ballots,     Places take time to vote and turn your ballots in at one of the following locations:     1. The City of Bandera Office, 511 Main Street in Bandera.     2. O.S.T. Restaurant, 305 Main Street in Bandera.     3. Super S Foods, 907 Main Street in Bandera.

Make History Design a City Flag Contributed Published Sept. 15, 2005 This flag has been around... Bandera resident James Duff was recently photographed in the Labor Day parade carrying the Bandera County Flag. Twenty years ago, he and Frank Anderwald both carried Bandera flags in the historic Sesquicentennial wagon train that celebrated Texas' 150th birthday. Duff is anxiously awaiting the reunion of the wagon train participants next January. BCC Staff Photo    The Bandera County Historical Commission is sponsoring a Design a Flag for the City of Bandera Contest. Residents who live in Bandera and Bandera County are encouraged to participate. A 15-member Flag Committee representing a wide range of interest in Bandera and Bandera County will select five final flag designs. Bandera County residents will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite design. The Bandera County Courier will print the final five designs along with voting forms. Please use some of the information below as a guideline for designing your flag.     a. The History of Bandera: Culture, Immigrants, Indians, War Veterans, etc.     b. Bandera's Countryside: Polly's Peak, Medina River, & Old Spanish Trail.     c. Cowboy Capital of the World: Cowboy Champions, Rodeo Arenas, etc.     d. Dude Ranches in Bandera -- Covered Wagons. e. Old Buildings: Churches, County Courthouse, Old Sawmill, etc.     f. Agriculture -- Farming & Ranching: Cattle, Horses, Goats, & Sheep.     g. Use Colors, Words, & Objects that compliment our city and state flag.

Second Bandera County flag has traveled a good deal James Duff has carried it in parades; around the state The flag traveled over 3,000 miles for the state sesquicentennial in 1986... By Stephanie Logue Published July 21, 2005 Accompanied by the Bandera flag, Bobby Malone, James Duff, Charlcy Brown and Alverta Hilseberg rode out to meet Governor George Bush at Lost Valley.    Bandera's James Duff carries Bandera County's official flag in every local parade.     The flag trotted out to meet Governor George Bush at Lost Valley before Mr. Bush became President of the U.S.     Only two Bandera flags, designed by former Bandera County Judge Ryan VanderZee, exist. One lives at the Bandera County Courthouse. The other is carried by Duff during special events and on special occasions. That flag participated in another historical event (before greeting now-President Bush), when Duff carried it on a 3,028-mile wagon train trip around the State of Texas for the sesquicentennial anniversary in 1986. Bandera participants in this historic event, Duff remembers, included the late Frank Anderwald who carried Bandera's other flag on his wagon, the late Lou Colburn, Duff and Kelly Scott.     A "Texas Wagon Train Brand" was burned into wagons at each 1,000- mile stretch of the sixmonth trip. Wagons that made the entire trip received three brands. Wagons averaged four miles an hour and 22.9 miles a day.     The official end of the wagon train was at Saginaw, but a group of determined riders continued to "close the circle of Texas." They rode from Ft. Worth to Sulpher Springs for an unofficial finish.     Duff paid $25 in 1986 to take his family on the 3,000-mile-plus trip. "People lined up outside towns to welcome us­until we got to San Antonio and found they had no idea who we were or what we were doing. Most towns threw barbecues and dances for us."     A time capsule was buried at the Fannin Longhorn F Ranch at the wagon train's campsite. It was buried on July 18, 1986 and is scheduled to be opened on July 18, 2036.

Yes, Virginia... There is a county flag! Published July 14, 2005    Courier readers came to the rescue on last week's history question and the answer is "yes!" Bandera has its own flag.     The flag was designed in 1978 by then County Judge Ryan VanderZee and lives in the closet of the county courtroom at the Bandera County Courthouse. The flag was carried in parades until it began to show signs of age-related deterioration.     The Flag, with a relief map of Bandera County complete with Medina Lake and a star for the City of Bandera boasts, "Bandera County -- The Star in the Texas Hills."     Thanks readers!

What is Flag Day? Published June 16, 2005    The idea of celebrating the United States Flag on a day all its own was conjured up by Wisconsin public school teacher BJ Oigrand in 1885, on the 108th anniversary of the official Flag Resolution of 1777.     President Woodrow Wilson established Flag Day on May 30, 1916, but the day and date of the flag-honoring occasion varied until President Harry Truman signed an act of congress designating June 14 as National Flag Day.     The United States Flag celebrates its 228th birthday in 2005.

My Name is Old Glory Published June 16, 2005    I am the flag of the United States of America.     My name is Old Glory.     I fly atop the world's tallest buildings.     I stand watch in America's halls of justice.     I fly majestically over great institutes of learning.     I stand guard with the greatest military power in the world.     Look up! And see me!     I stand for peace - honor - truth and justice.     I stand for freedom     I am confident - I am arrogant     I am proud.     When I am flown with my fellow banners     My head is a little higher     My colors a little truer.     I bow to no one.     I am recognized all over the world.     I am worshipped - I am saluted - I am respected     I am revered - I am loved, and I am feared.     I have fought every battle of every war for more than 200 years:     Gettysburg, Shilo, Appomatox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of Normandy, the deserts of Africa, the cane fields of the Philippines, the rice paddies and jungles of Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Guadalcanal, New Britain, Peleliu, and many more islands.     And a score of places long forgotten by all but those who were with me. I was there.     I led my soldiers - I followed them.     I watched over them.     They loved me.     I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima.     I was dirty, battle-worn and tired, but my soldiers cheered me, and I was proud.     I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free.     It does not hurt, for I am invincible.     I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my country, and when it is by those with whom I have served in battle - it hurts.     But I shall overcome - for I am strong.     I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stand watch over the uncharted new frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.     I have been a silent witness to all of America's finest hours.     But my finest hour comes when I am torn into strips to be used for bandages for my wounded comrades on the field of battle,     When I fly at half mast to honor my soldiers,     And when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving mother at the graveside of her fallen son.     I am proud.     My name is Old Glory.     Dear God - Long may I wave.