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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.

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LCRA donates to PC VFD Published Feb. 21, 2008    Pictured on the right of the “really big check,” Debbie Corley of Bandera Electric Cooperative, Inc. recently presented members of the Pipe Creek Volunteer Fire Department with a $25,000 grant check, courtesy of the Lower Colorado River Authority. The funds will be used to purchase a vehicle rescue system to replace the aging extraction equipment now used by the department.

Articles in the Pipe Creek section of the Courier:

LCRA donates to PC VFD	Published Feb. 21, 2008
Groundbreaking heralds new HQ for Pipe Creek VFD	Published Jan. 31, 2008
Christmas lights in Pipe Creek	Published Dec. 27, 2007
Cielo Rio joins efforts for new Pipe Creek VFD fire station	Published Dec. 27, 2007
Lamar Smith announces Pipe Creek VFD grant	Published Dec. 13, 2007
June 27 target date for Pipe Creek signal	Published June 14, 2007
Roadwork begins again in Pipe Creek	Published March 22, 2007
Civil Air Patrol cadet commander appointed	Published Feb. 1, 2007
Privilege Creek Road protest	Published Dec. 21, 2006
Civil Air Patrol cadets fly high	Published Dec. 21, 2006
Brutal Off-Road does well in Nevada	Published Dec. 14, 2006
Donations needed for Pipe Creek EMS Support Team’s annual barn and bake sale	Published Sept. 14, 2006
Spaghetti Dinner to benefit Beloved Firefighter	Published June 22, 2006
Pipe Creek to get traffic light, sidewalks	Published May 18, 2006
Residents turn out for S.T.E.P.	Published Nov. 10, 2005
Pipe Creek Father lost to 4-wheeler accident	Published Nov. 3, 2005
Head-count needed at Nov. 3 meeting	Published Nov. 3, 2005
Pipe Creek Hair	Published Oct. 6, 2005
Getaway at Pop's Place	Published Sept. 15, 2005
Members of Castle Lake VFD Going out of Business Sale	Published March 3, 2005

Groundbreaking heralds new HQ for Pipe Creek VFD by David Arny BCC Staff Writer Published Jan. 31, 2008 On hand at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Pipe Creek Volunteer Fire Department’s new fire station was Frank Konvicka, Dellis Jumper, George Hohan Jr., Calvin Plummer, Rachel Corales, Bobbie Woodie, Carol Corales, David Hulsey, Cheryl Hulsey, Brian Mayhew, Richard Whiddon, Rick Martin, Allen Meyers, Randy McHorse, William Koerner, George Hohan Sr., Kyle Guerra, Dale Martin, Tana Martin, Sully Woodland, Beverly Peters and Don Boyd.    Members of the Pipe Creek Volunteer Fire Department moved a step closer to having a brand new fire station with a Sunday, January 20 groundbreaking ceremony, held next to the department’s present headquarters on FM 1283 and Heisler Road.     The building currently called home by the PCVFD was erected by volunteers in 1972 and is slated to become a site for community events and fundraisers, in addition to providing space for equipment storage.     The 32 members of the PCVFD thank the community for the generous support they have given, which made it possible for the department to continue keeping area residents and property owners safe, said a spokesman.     When completed, the new building will be more than doubled in size, and contain four drive-through bays – an area large enough to house eight firefighting vehicles. Planners also allocated room for a 33-person training facility, in addition to dorm space for eight individuals.     Wells Fargo Bank will finance $300,000 of the $385,000 price tag for the new station. The PCVFD is a non-profit association and receives no county, state or federal funding. It provides essential services to the community solely through tax-deductible donations and a dues system of $28 per year – far less than it would cost to residents should an emergency services taxing district be formed.     Don Boyd, a 20-year veteran of the PCVFD and its 2007 treasurer, pointed out that the volunteers who serve do so without compensation of any kind, including reimbursement for time off from their regular jobs or compensation for gas used in their personal vehicles while driving to and from the fire station.     “They do it for one reason and one reason only – the satisfaction they get from helping out their neighbors,” said Boyd.

Christmas lights in Pipe Creek Published Dec. 27, 2007    One very special set of outdoor lighting in Pipe Creek depicted a Nativity scene.

Cielo Rio joins efforts for new Pipe Creek VFD fire station Published Dec. 27, 2007 Blake Blakely (second from left) presented Pipe Creek Volunteer Fire Chief Rick Martin with a check on behalf of Cielo Rio Ranch Development Tuesday, Dec. 18. Fidel Ramirez (left) assisted in obtaining the contribution and PCVFD Treasurer Boyd Peters (right) has worked tirelessly to make the new firehouse a reality. Staff Photo by David Arny    The owners of Cielo Rio Ranch Development, a 630-acre subdivision along Highway 16 between Pipe Creek and Bandera, made a $500 donation to the Pipe Creek Volunteer Fire Department to aid them in building a new fire station.     "The citizens of the Pipe Creek area are most appreciative for the $500 donation. This donation represents the commitment of Cielo Rio Ranch to our community," said Pipe Creek VFD Fire Chief Rick Martin.     "The timing is perfect," said Pipe Creek VFD Treasurer Boyd Peters. "The ground breaking for the new station will take place in early 2008." Fidel Ramirez, who facilitated the donation, said, "I hope that Mr. Apostolo's donation will gain support within the development community to make donations such as this in appreciation for the fine work that our volunteer fire departments do throughout Bandera County."

Lamar Smith announces Pipe Creek VFD grant Published Dec. 13, 2007    United States District 25 Rep. Lamar Smith recently announced that the Pipe Creek Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $13,702 grant through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program.     The funds will be used to purchase a monitor nozzle and a large diameter hose. The new high volume nozzle will stand on its own, freeing up fire fighters for other duties. The 32-member Pipe Creek VFD serves an 87-square-mile area of southeastern Bandera County, including Pipe Creek. The department has served the people of Pipe Creek and Bandera County for more than 36 years.     "This federal grant will help the volunteer department acquire equipment so they can do their jobs more safely," Smith said.     "It will enhance their ability to serve the residents of Bandera County."     "Right now our community is growing. We've had limited fire hydrants before and now, with the growth and new subdivisions, we can effectively use the hydrants and hose to put out fires faster," said Fire Chief Rick Martin.     "These volunteer firefighters are committed to protecting the lives and property of their neighbors," Smith said. "This federal assistance program likewise demonstrates a commitment by the federal government to provide them with equipment that volunteer fire departments like ours need."     The Assistance to Firefighters Program is administered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the United States Fire Administration. Smith is a senior member of the House Committee on Homeland Security.

June 27 target date for Pipe Creek signal Published June 14, 2007    The new traffic light at the intersection of FM 1283 and State Highway 16 has been flashing red and yellow for some time, but residents should look for the signal to go green-yellow-red on or about Wednesday, June27.     That's when most of the work in downtown Pipe Creek is scheduled to be completed, according to Don Cranford, one of the engineers at the Kerrville Texas Department of Transportation office. Besides the traffic signal, the work on building sidewalks and ADA ramps to the sidewalks should be close to complete by then.     The roadway will get one more coat of asphalt and that will bring the level of the SH 16 up to the new concrete sidewalks. Right now there is an inch or an inch-and-a-half lip between the sidewalk and the highway. The new coat of asphalt will solve that problem. When the new asphalt is applied, the highway will be closed one lane at a time to complete the task.

Roadwork begins again in Pipe Creek Contributed Published March 22, 2007    Pipe Creek's new traffic signal should be blinkin' by mid summer, according to personnel with the Texas Department of Transportation.     Work crews recently returned to the job of widening Highway 16 and installing a traffic signal at the intersection of Highway 16 and FM 1283 in Pipe Creek. Construction was delayed while telephone lines located within the project limits were relocated.     "We're glad to be back at work and are looking forward to having the project completed this summer," said Mike Coward, TxDOT engineer in charge of the project. "Work on this project has been delayed since last August 2006 when relocation of telephone lines began. However, our crews remained busy on the east side of the roadway, as shown by the new curbs, sidewalks and retaining wall."     The $1,441,000 project will widen Highway 16 to five lanes in the Pipe Creek area. Construction also includes new sidewalks, storm sewers, curbs and a new traffic signal. Estimated completion date is early July 2007.

Civil Air Patrol cadet commander appointed Contributed Published Feb. 1, 2007    The Pipe Creek Christian School Civil Air Patrol Squadron 804 has announced the appointment of C/A1C Luke Williams as its first cadet commander. Cadet Williams is an eighth grade student. Also announced is the appointment of C/A1C Mark Zimmerschied, also an eighth grade student, as cadet deputy commander.     Cadets C/A1C Claire Seifert and C/A1C Trevor Johnson are appointed as the cadet advisory committee.     An honor guard was formed with cadets Trevor Johnson, Dalton Parker, Jonathan Pate, Caleb Seifert, Luke Williams, and Mark Zimmerschied.     A color guard was formed with cadets Lauren Finley, Trevor Johnson, Dalton Parker, and alternate Jonathon Pate.     These honor guards will perform ceremonial duties when flags are raised at meetings, in parades, and when dignitaries are represented. The cadet honor guards will also be trained for funerals for veterans, military retirees, and active duty servicemen.     Honor guards are represented by cadets who will receive special marching maneuvers and different uniforms. Honor guard programs are opportunities for cadets to serve their communities through excellence in drill and ceremonies.     In other CAP news, two students, Haydon Roberts and Zalen Windham, have joined as new cadets and will be attending leadership camps as part of the process to earn their stripes. The CAP program remains open to all Pipe Creek Christian School and home schooled middle school and high school students.

Privilege Creek Road protest Published Dec. 21, 2006 The new turn at SH 16 and Privilege Creek Road.    Recent work by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDot) may have made the intersection of Privilege Creek Road and State Highway 16 between Bandera and Pipe Creek less safe.     The property owners around and frequent users of Privilege Creek Road are protesting the changes just completed by TxDot made where Privilege Creek Road intersects with Highway 16.     The changes drastically complicate use of the intersection, especially with trailered vehicles, increasing safety hazards, and the possibility of auto accidents. The time and visibility for merging with northbound SH-16 traffic is reduced and the entry to Privilege Creek Road is no longer visible to drivers turning either right or left from SH-16, according to Ennis C. Smith, one of the people mounting a petition drive directed at TxDot.     "Since this is an accident about to happen, we urge TxDot to take immediate action to correct this problem," said Ennis. "We are not highway engineers, but we can suggest a simple, common sense solution."     At least 16 people are organizing to send a petition to the TxDot executive director as well as state and local officials including Texas Senator Carlos Uresti, Texas Representative Carter Casteel, Bandera County Sheriff Weldon Tucker, and Bandera County Commissioner Bruce Eliker.     Smith urges people to contact him at 796-4434 or by mail at 1776 Privilege Creek Road, Pipe Creek, 78063, for questions or to add their names to the petition.

Civil Air Patrol cadets fly high Contributed Published Dec. 21, 2006    One of the Civil Air Patrol activities at Pipe Creek Christian School that attracts the most attention is the opportunity for cadets to take a flight and sit at the controls of a Civil Air Patrol aircraft during the school year.     Four PCCS cadets flew out of Stinson Field in San Antonio on their first flight. Dalton Parker, Lauren Finley, Ariel Wong, and Megan Lohrke, seventh – ninth grade students at the school, each enjoyed their flights Saturday, Dec. 2.     The cadets took flights from Stinson Field to Kerrville where they landed and took off again to view Bandera, Pipe Creek, and then find and identify their homes. On the same Saturday, those cadets who did not fly marched in the Bandera Christmas parade.     Additional cadets who have earned their rights will be given the opportunity to fly in January, 2007.     Seven cadets travelled to Houston Friday, Dec. 8, for the weekend to attend the Curry Leadership Camp to earn their first stripe. This camp teaches cadets discipline, customs and courtesies, how to identify rank, and various military customs.     PCCS will host the Arnold Leadership Camp at its own campus Dec. 15-17, where cadets can earn their second stripe.     Finally, cadets will have the opportunity to attend the Winter Encampment in Bastrop beginning Dec. 26-31.     In class on Wednesdays, CAP cadets are currently studying rocketry. and are performing physical training, including running a mile and performing curl-ups and push-ups. On Mondays, they are learning precision drilling. Additionally, in January, eligible students will be given the opportunity to join the CAP. At that time, CAP will be opened to home schooled students.

Brutal Off-Road does well in Nevada Published Dec. 14, 2006    The Brutal Off-Road crew, after finishing second in the Word Extreme Rock Crawling Championship in Las Vegas, Nev., Friday, Nov. 3. The Pipe Creek company, owned by James Bennack, specializes in building trucks which redefine the meaning of "all-terrain." The custom Jeep built by Brutal beat entries from Mexico, Canada, Australia, Spain and England at the event held at the Fiesta Henderson Casino.

Donations needed for Pipe Creek EMS Support Team’s annual barn and bake sale Contributed Published Sept. 14, 2006    Pipe Creek EMS Support Team’s 22nd Annual Barn and Bake Sale will be held Saturday, Oct. 14, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.     Donations are needed: furniture, appliances, tools, kitchen items, toys, jewelry, household items, knick-knacks or any other saleable items. Donations may be dropped off at the EMS station, 8914 SH-16 south, from Monday, Oct. 9, through Friday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon and Friday evening from 4-6 p.m.     To have large items picked up, call Fay Honaker at 830-510-4377 or Kerry Schneider at 830-460-8400.     Home baked goodies will be accepted Friday, Oct. 13, and early Saturday, Oct. 14, at the EMS station. For more information on the bake sale, please call Linda Withers at 830-510-6445.     Cash donations may be mailed to the Pipe Creek EMS Support Team, P.O. Box 63100, Pipe Creek, 78063.     Proceeds provide maintenance and upkeep on the Pipe Creek EMS station for the coming year.

Spaghetti Dinner to benefit Beloved Firefighter Published June 22, 2006    A spaghetti dinner will be held Saturday, July 8, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Pipe Creek Firehouse to benefit Rick Whiddon Jr.     Beloved firefighter Rick Whiddon, Jr., is under treatment for a brain tumor. Rick is a volunteer firefighter for Pipe Creek, he is 36 years old with a wife and an 8-year-old daughter.     Many of you have asked how you can help. The family humbly asks for your support through prayers and donations. The funds collected will help with the cost of medical bills and lost wages. We have set up an account at Wells Fargo under the name Rick Whiddon Jr. Benefit Fund.

Pipe Creek to get traffic light, sidewalks by Stephanie Day BCC Staff Published May 18, 2006    During a public meeting about SH 16 improvements held at the Pipe Creek Civic Center on Tuesday, May 16, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) engineer Don Cranford brought one welcomed bit of information to the crowd of approximately 65: Pipe Creek will finally get a real traffic light, fully automated and complete with sensors. He also brought news that puzzled many people: Pipe Creek will also get…sidewalks.     One wonders what the late Ed Jennings, who once had a Pipe Creek City Limit sign painted on both sides of one sign and installed at his store at the intersection of SH 16 and FM 1283 would have thought about sidewalks in Pipe Creek. TxDot touts the sidewalks and curbs as a significant improvement. Cranford explained the $1.4 million Pipe Creek Road project that encompasses 0.9 miles, from Bear Springs Road to Dry Hollow Creek. He said there will be five lanes, two in each direction and a turn lane. There will be sidewalks and curbs and a new asphalt surface. There will also be drainage improvements and a traffic signal at the intersection, to which several in the crowd mumbled, “finally!”     Pipe Creek residents have petitioned TxDOT for a traffic signal at the busy intersection for years, pointing to school traffic, San Antonio travel, vehicles in and out of the Pipe Creek Post Office and additional road use on Sundays from the First Baptist Church of Pipe Creek.     Road improvements in Pipe Creek will be handled by Ryan Materials out of New Braunfels and are scheduled to begin in two to three weeks and be completed within 98 days.     The SH improvements in Pipe Creek will fall entirely within the existing right-of-way. The shoulder will be eliminated. Sidewalks will stretch from Bear Creek to Dry Hollow, although the dedicated turn lane at FM 1283 will remain. While Ryan Materials works to build the road, AT&T will be installing new lines to improve area phone service.     Those in attendance asked questions: how many trees would be eliminated, where was Dry Hollow Creek, what about the danger of added driving speed through Pipe Creek now that there will be two lanes in each direction?     Cranford said TxDOT had realigned the roadway to save big trees and nine small ones, not all oak, would be removed. He said that the project would extend to Pipe Creek East, the road leading to the county’s waste disposal site but would stop before it reached Pipe Creek West. He said another project is planned two to three years from now to make SH 16 four lanes all the way to Bandera. Additional speed, he said, is a law enforcement issue.     The questions about tree removal brought to mind the scheduled SH 16 improvements between Bandera and Medina and the removal of historic pecan trees near Kyle Ranch Road. TxDot said the trees were a safety issue and needed to be removed to lower the traffic accident and fatality rate on that stretch of road. Kyle Ranch Road residents and the Ranchers and Landowners Association took issue with that and hired Bandera Attorney John Payne to represent them and protect the trees.     According to an accident schedule provided from the Bandera branch of the Department of Public Safety (DPS), no accidents have occurred in the 500-foot strip of SH 16 at Kyle Ranch Road within the past three-and-a-half years.     TxDOT originally planned to remove three pecan trees on the Kyle Ranch Road side of SH 16. Negotiations continue between TxDOT and those who want zero trees removed. TxDot has conceded to remove just two trees. Attorney Payne met with the Ranchers and Landowners Association on Wednesday, May 17, to see what further action needed to be taken in the interest of reaching a compromise.

Residents turn out for S.T.E.P. by Julie Whitmore BCC Staff Published Nov. 10, 2005    Approximately 70 Bandera Falls residents crowded the Pipe Creek Community Center Nov. 3 to hear a presentation about the Small Town Environmental Program (STEP). The Bandera Falls Subdivision hopes to win a grant of up to $350,000 to build a new water system.     The current system, built in 1950, serves 221 customers, and is seriously inadequate, according to Tom Parker, secretary-treasurer of the Bandera Falls Water Supply Corporation, a group of five subdivision residents who purchased the system in 2002. Cynthia Vallejo, program development specialist with the state Office of Rural Community Affairs, said the office has funded 111 self-help projects in 85 communities since 1997. One of the purposes of the meeting was to show the state office that at least 40 percent of the projected work will be done by local volunteers. This work runs the gamut from operating a back-hoe to laying pipe to providing sandwiches and Gatorade for workers, Vallejo said.     She said she was impressed by the turnout, and also by the evident commitment of county government. Judge Richard Evans, who led a contingent of county officials, said, "we are here to support this effort in any way we can." The application will be filed by Dec. 2.

Pipe Creek Father lost to 4-wheeler accident BCC Staff Published Nov. 3, 2005    Edward Douglass "Doug" Needham, 55, of Pipe Creek died Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 6 p.m. at Big Bend National Park when the 4-wheeler he was riding rolled over on him. He died instantly.     Needham was riding with his brother and friends. His brother said he had just looked back at Needham and observed a look of joy and excitement on his face as he rode the 4-wheeler. When he looked back again, the wheels of the vehicle were sticking up.     Needham was active in the Pipe Creek Little League, and after 20 years in the printing industry, had learned computer programming so he could spend more time with his family. He leaves behind a wife of 20 years, Chris, and daughters Lee, 14, and Chloe, 13. Services were held at the Lakehills Baptist Church with Pastor Rusty Cook.     Chris said she, Lee and Chloe will remain in Pipe Creek. They moved to San Antonio in 1999 and began looking for property in Bandera County. They moved to Pipe Creek in 2003.     Speaking of her husband and the accident, Chris said, "my husband was a practical joker with a great sense of humor. He was smiling -- and keeping us laughing -- all the time. Living with him was like living in a sitcom. Our daughters were the light of his life. He was a devoted family man. I wouldn't have traded these years for anything.     "He had a strong sense of right and wrong. There was never any gray for him. But he judged actions, not people. He said judging people was God's job, not ours.     "His death was a shock.. But he died with a smile on his face and doing what he loved. For that, I'm thankful."

Head-count needed at Nov. 3 meeting by Stephanie Logue Published Nov. 3, 2005    A Small Town Environmental Program (STEP) meeting will be held on Thursday, Nov. 3 at the Pipe Creek Community Center, beginning at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the state and volunteer fueled efforts to finance a new water system for the Bandera Falls Subdivision.     The current water system at Bandera Falls was built in 1950 and feeds 221 water customers from 63 connections and five wells connected to a two-inch main water line. Grantworks representative Martha Drake said that the subdivision has severe needs and has applied for a STEP grant with a $350,000 limit.     The grant requires at least 40 percent of the work to be accomplished through volunteers to meet self-help requirements. It will also allow either the purchase of or lease of equipment needed to complete the project. Drake said the project will be attractive to the state for funding purposes because 74 percent of the subdivision residents are in the low to moderate income level and because Bandera Falls residents have already proven that they support the self-help requirement.     "The state is impressed with the volunteers and how far they've already come." Bandera Falls Water Supply Corporation Secretary-Treasurer Tom Parker said five Bandera Falls Subdivision owners purchased the water system and began operating it in April 2002. He said the water is insufficient to supply residents. "We run out in the summer during droughts. We make $2,000 a month revenue and have met TCEQ requirements for fencing around the wells, putting meters in the wells, installing a chlorinating system...the subdivision won't support a whole new system. Everyone in the subdivision is working together."     Work on the STEP project in Medina is nearing completion. The state paid for the drilling of a well and the construction of water storage. Volunteers put in 43 percent of the work. Whether or not Bandera Falls Subdivision is awarded the STEP grant partly depends on the turnout at the Thursday, Nov. 3 meeting, beginning at 6:30 p.m. "The presentation will be made by the state," Drake explained. "They will base their decision on the public turnout as to whether or not the community is ready to do this now or in the future."     Bandera County Commissioners will post a notice for the Nov. 3 meeting so they can attend, a requirement of the Open Meetings Act when a quorum of public officials attend the same meeting.

Pipe Creek Hair Published Oct. 6, 2005     "It's hard to believe that hair could bring a smile to a child's face, but if that's all it takes, then they can have it!" George Lacey of Pipe Creek adds, "as long as I can grow it and they don't mind a gray hair or two, Locks of Love can consider me a hair farm!"     The Pipe Creek resident is donating his hair to Locks of Love, the organization that makes hair pieces for those with cancer or other diseases that cause hair loss.

Getaway at Pop's Place Published Sept. 15, 2005 After losing his home to Hurricane Katrina, Arturo Zamarripa from Marreno, La. celebrated his 47th birthday at Pop's Place in Pipe Creek with his extended family.     Extended family members of the Zamarripa family from Marreno, La. They went swimming, squirted each other with water guns and enjoyed a barbecue and children's games at Pop's.        Raba-Kistner Consulting hosted an outdoor get away and barbecue for Katrina survivors Sept. 8 at Pop's Place.     After being flooded in 2002, Pop's Place received help from friends and strangers. They wanted to help other people recover from their losses.

Members of Castle Lake VFD Going out of Business Sale All items to be auctioned off at the Fire House Published March 3, 2005    This is a warning of what could possibly happen if we don't get more help both financially and physically. BASICALLY WE NEED YOU!     Money is great but without volunteer support we cannot operate. If you could make it to our meetings and wou1d like to help out, we will find something for you to do. If you want to go into burning houses, we will train you. If you want to help out by selling raffle tickets, we will teach you. But the big item is you!     If someone is not here to do these different tasks, then just sit back and watch your insurance rates go up. If everyone helps out a little we can do a lot. Fighting fires requires equipment, coordination, manpower and all the training that goes into it. Every little bit helps. Come down to our regular meetings and show us what you have to offer. We would also be pleased to have you join us in our other social activities.     Our annual meeting and election of officers will be Sunday, March 13th at 2:00 p.m. at the firehouse. All members and new residents are welcome to attend. Food and drink will be offered after elections. If you have not been to a regular meeting, they are held the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the firehouse located 3.5 miles off Hwy. 16 on Bear Creek Road. Bear Creek Road is located between Pipe Creek and Bandera.     We continue to have training an hour before each meeting to keep up with and maintain our equipment. We are planning a training exercise the second weekend of April. This will be paged out exercise and will require gear and equipment to fight a fire. Plan on coming down and helping out.     We have accomplished much this last year and are lookiing to the new year with a lot of confidence. This is due in part to all the new members and the usual stand-bys.     Your annual dues of $25.00 pay for our utilities, maintenance of our equipment and needed improvements. This is a small investment in your property. Donations over the $25.00 per year fee are welcome. We will charge all non-paying members a $200.00 fee if called out.     Thanks to all who have helped out over the last year and those who have contributed to the fire department by donations. In the past, I have asked for phone numbers of those who would like to help. Please take a moment and fill out the form below and send it in with your dues. You can pay your dues at our annual meeting if you would like to do so. For information on current events, you may call the fire department at 830-535-6611 and leave a message. Thank you,     Vern Lore     President CLRVFD