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.

Utopia arts on display Published Nov. 15, 2007 Staff Photo by David Arny    “Stitchery artist” Wanetta Hillis, of the Utopia Arts and Crafts Guild, displayed some of her beautifully intricate artwork at the Utopia Arts and Crafts Fair Saturday, Nov. 3. Mrs. Hillis’ talents earned her the guild’s Artist of the Year Award in 2006.     Many local artists and craftsmen exhibited their creative efforts at the town’s main square, and the turnout the best in years, according to regulars.     Hillis said she does a line drawing of the outdoors scene she wants to depict in a piece and then uses “every kind of stitch (she) can think of” in a full spectrum of brilliant colors. Tens of thousands of stitches later, when Hillis signs the piece, husband David builds a custom frame for it out of weathered barnwood or or mesquite.

Here's what else is in this section of the Courier:

Utopia arts on display	Published Nov. 15, 2007
Utopia senior wins second in writing competition	Published Feb. 22, 2007
Wedding fashion show Feb. 17	Published Jan. 18, 2007
'Save a Life Day' in Utopia	Published Sept. 28, 2006
Utopia, the small community with the big heart	Published Sept. 21, 2006
Utopia hosts huge rummage sale	Published Aug. 10, 2006
Utopian community communicated at Utopia Library	Published Aug. 3, 2006
Memorial Day in Utopia	Published June 1, 2006
Utopia spells enthusiasm ART	Published Feb. 23, 2006
Shoot out at noon for candidates	Published Nov. 24, 2005
Utopia/Vanderpool Garner Funds for Emergency Services	Published Nov. 24, 2005
Valentines for Veterans	Published Feb. 24, 2005

Utopia senior wins second in writing competition Story by Kelli Rhodes Published Feb. 22, 2007 Beck Alleman Photo by Kelli Rhodes    Beck Alleman, a senior from Utopia high school, was awarded second place in the annual LoneStar Writing Contest for his feature story about his classmate Patrick Fisher, which was published in the November issue of the Bandera County Courier.     "With Patrick, it was a standard interview, but he's been my friend for a long time," Alleman said. Through the article, Alleman not only won an award, but was also able to get to know Fisher better and find out that his friend's life is centered around horses and his father, long-time Utopia resident Billy Fisher's business, Wagon Wheel Stables. "I think we needed the story, because it encompassed the personality of the (Utopia) High School," Alleman said.     Alleman was also happy to win the $100 cash prize that went along with the award. "I'm going to get a new water pump and fix my car with the money," he said. Alleman has attended Utopia high school since kindergarten. As a senior and editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, he is going to be leaving it all behind soon. "I'm going to the University of Texas in Tyler and I'm going to major in journalism," Alleman said. Now he can add this LoneStar Writing award to his resume.

Wedding fashion show Feb. 17 Published Jan. 18, 2007    The Utopia Arts and Crafts Guild will sponsor "Wedding Wonders, Bridal Blunders" in the sanctuary of Utopia Methodist Church Saturday, Feb 17, beginning at 2 p.m.     This wedding fashion show will feature gowns worn by brides, bridesmaids, flower girls and mothers of the bride. Models will be community members, some of whom are wearing their own gown, some wearing a garment of a friend or relative. And their escorts will be the husbands of the Art Guild members.     Wedding Wonders will include the stories behind the gowns and ceremonies. Did the groom really lose the ring? Did the bridesmaids get lost on the freeway and almost miss the event? Why were there two Irish setter dogs at the wedding? How did those people arrange a military flyover just at the end of the ceremony? Come hear what the mother of the bride didn't want to think about on THAT DAY.     Tickets are available for $10 at Utopia on Main, Heaven's Landing, and the Utopia Memorial Library (Thursdays only), or check with an Art Guild member for a ticket.     All proceeds go to the Arts in Education program which provides art and craft projects for Utopia ISD students, presented in the classroom by Art Guild members.     The Arts and Crafts Guild provides art projects for grades one through six because the school does not have an elementary art teacher.     "Come join us for an afternoon of fun - complete with wedding cake and reception, old wedding pictures and a great way to spend time with your Valentine," said spokesperson Linda Ross.     Call Linda Ross at (830)966-4560 for more information.

'Save a Life Day' in Utopia Published Sept. 28, 2006    The Sabinal Canyon Senior Center in Utopia will host a "Save a Life Day" Thursday, Sept. 28.     The Utopia Volunteer E.M.S. will provide two American Heart Association certified CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) with AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) instructors to teach two classes for the public, according to Judy Huebner, President Board of Directors.     The first class will be from 9-11:30 a.m. and the second class will be in the evening from 6-8:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome prior to the beginning of class.

Utopia, the small community with the big heart by Stephanie Day BCC Staff Published Sept. 21, 2006    Attending the Utopia Independent School Board of Trustees meeting Monday, Sept. 11, resulted in taking a step back into the past where successfully reaching "seniorhood" in high school marked an individual with a brand of honor. Utopia seniors are planning a senior trip -- a real trip both in destination and time.     Utopia school board members will vote on the final plans for the senior trip at their Oct. 9 meeting. But the lack of a vote was not a lack of support at Monday's meeting. Seniors were allowed to change the trip from spring break -- during which past senior classes since 1993 have taken snow skiing trips -- to either the week before or the week after graduation. The scope of the trip could entail anything from four days to more than a week and destinations discussed included far away tropical islands, California or Florida.     The length of the trip and the destination in regards to expense will be decided by the amount of money seniors amass prior to their departure. And, thanks to the support of the Utopia community, seniors are guaranteed enough money for plane and hotel reservations and daily pocket cash for each of the seniors.     Utopia senior class trips have been a tradition as long as anyone can remember. Some of the parents whose seniors will be taking this year's trip remember their senior trips. Basically, students begin earning money for the senior trip during the first year they attend Utopia School. They start out with small fundraising events like the fall festival. Once they reach high school, they work the concession stand and divide the cash. Juniors put on dinners to raise money. Seniors host a cake auction where generous members of the community pay up to $500 a cake.     During the upcoming fall festival, the junior class will provide a meal. Seniors will auction cakes. It's all a part of the Utopia tradition, a small community with a big heart. Volunteers and donations built the senior center, the library and a sports complex for the kids.     To echo the heart theme, seniors do not get to keep and spend all the money they make over the years on their class trip. First, they donate some of the money to the volunteer fire department, EMS and back to the school. They also purchase roses to give to their parents at graduation and flower bouquets as gifts to show appreciation for special teachers, sponsors and supporters. Then they divide up what's left for trip expenses.     Utopia School has an enrollment of 188 this year. This year's senior class consists of 10 male students and three female students -- a small class in number with big dreams of adventure and success for the future.

Utopia hosts huge rummage sale Published Aug. 10, 2006    The Sabinal Canyon Senior Center in downtown Utopia will hold its annual huge rummage sale on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 11-12, at the senior center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.     Barbecue brisket and all the trimmings will be served on Friday, beginning at 11 a.m. This is the only fund raiser of the year. There will be a lot of good items along with a silent auction. For more information, please call 830-966-6263.

Utopian community communicated at Utopia Library by Stephanie Day BCC Staff Published Aug. 3, 2006    Utopia Library Director Connie Lanphier, who has served as library director since 1993, is proud to live in a community whose utopian practice of cooperation replaced a 700-square foot library with a 3,800-square foot building, complete with a blooming butterfly bombarded native plant garden.     The old library building, located in a rickety wooden building with no grounds attached to it, had poor lighting and little space for library patrons to browse among the books or use a computer station comfortably. Then in April 2001, the First State Bank of Uvalde moved into a new building and donated their old building to the library, which with an eye to future expansion had already purchased a lot not far from the bank’s old building. "We just slid the building over here," Lanphier explains.     Building the new library was not quite as easy as "sliding" the donated building over to the new lot. Dr. Stephen Cox of Uvalde joined the utopian spirit. Moving into a new office himself, he donated his old office to the library. The former medical building was moved to Utopia, joined to the former bank building, then gutted and remodeled. Then the outside of the two buildings was rocked with native limestone.     The result of donated buildings, labor, material—mixed with the volunteers’ love of their community —is a state-of –the-art facility used by 300 library card holders and a host of visitors who are traveling through and stop to check their emails. Most of the 300 library card holders are from western Bandera County.     With light flooding in from the high wall-to-wall windows, 11,000 books tantalize patrons with bright jackets and a myriad of reading material. Local authors, including local historians like Greg Walton who interviewed Sabinal Canyon "old timers" have their own display. Walton wrote "Bear Meat and Honey" and "Coyote Songs." Books on Texas history have expanded from one shelf to an entire room. Five public computer stations stay mostly full whenever the library is open.     The Utopia Library is seeking a grant for wireless to transform the roomy library into a space where laptop computer owners will find a haven for their business or personal computer use. The library applied for a Kronkosky grant since the majority of the patrons it serves are from Bandera County. However, Kronkosky’s strict guidelines only allow the foundation to serve residents who live within the Bandera County lines. The Utopia Library is located in Uvalde County, yards away from the Bandera County line.     "We stay busy," Lanphier says. "This library has done a lot for the community—and the community has done a lot for it. People have been wonderful. They donated the furniture— all things we could use. Even a big conference table."     Hours are Monday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. and Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. Volunteers are always needed. Call 830-966-3448.     Lanphier’s husband died right after they moved to Utopia and she considered leaving the small, united community. Hearing that volunteers were needed a the library, she volunteered. When the library director left, Lanphier found herself with a new life and a full-time job. "I love it. I love it when people come in and browse or read the newspaper or magazines.     "We have the old and new bicentennial books for the Sabinal Canyon and cemetery books and local history and books that genealogists come in to search.     "Besides showcasing our local authors, we have a local display of local arts and crafts once a month. Everything from cross stitching to artwork. Some of the displays are really unique. We have an artist that makes yarn from her own goats and knits hats and sweaters. "We also have videos, books on tapes and DVDs."     The Utopia Library boats a small meeting room for residents to use and a large spirit of community cooperation and volunteerism. For quiet reflection and meditation, the garden outside blooms with the ground clusters of bright flowers and the flying colors of bright butterflies—beauty on the move in a community that lives up to its name—Utopia.

Memorial Day in Utopia by Stephanie Day BCC Staff Published June 1, 2006    Memorial Day Flags waving in Utopia denoted a special sadness for residents this year as they remembered hometown hero Jeffery Wiekamp, 23, a 2001 graduate of Utopia School who died in Kunar Province, Afghanistan on May 5 when his helicopter crashed. U.S. Flags lined the main street of Utopia and marked the way to Wiekamp’s resting place at Jones Cemetery.     Wiekamp is buried with other Utopia heroes including Texas Ranger Ben Highsmith and teacher George Baker who is credited for naming Utopia. Rev. Irvin Jones deeded two acres of his homestead to the Utopia Methodist Church to use as a cemetery in 1879. His wife had been buried there in 1886. Early Methodist minister O.A. Fisher, early settlers from Utopia and Taylor, several Civil War veterans and a Mexican war veteran are also buried at Jones Cemetery, now donned with U.S. Flags honoring Wiekamp.     Jeffery was born in Watertown S.D. to Randy and Kathleen Wiekamp on Aug. 7, 1982. He is survived by his parents, brothers Joshua, Jared and Joseph, and wife Ashley Wiekamp. He is also survived by maternal grandparents Jim and Jackie Triner of Utopia.     Both Jeffery and Ashley ranked as sergeants in the U.S. Army. Ashley was deployed in Iraq at the time of Jeffrey’s helicopter crash.     Wiekamp’s memorial service was held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vanderpool on May 18. Out of the community of approximately 350 residents, some 200—many of them students and Wiekamp’s friends—lined the street to honor Wiekamp and attended the burial service at Jones Cemetery.

Utopia spells enthusiasm ART by Lynn Scotty Published Feb. 23, 2006 Utopia Art & Crafts volunteer, Colleen Horn, helps senior, Tara Stacy, with a knitting project in art class at Utopia High School on Jan. 10. Photo Courtesy of Lynn Scotty    Moments after the bell rang that released them from Mrs. Martinez’s math class, 12 seventh graders filed into their last classroom of the day, settling themselves a full three minutes before the tardy bell rang. For the next 50 minutes they sat absorbed, cutting and pasting and bouncing ideas off their classmates.     The students’ focus was a collage they had begun the day before in art class at Utopia School. The lesson was not delivered by the regular teacher, but by Claudia Rogers, a member of the Utopia Arts and Crafts Guild. The guild’s new program, Arts in Education, brings previously untapped talent into the school and provides funds for all the art supplies used.     The idea came to several members of the guild when they learned that the elementary art teacher had been spending some of her own money on art supplies.     At first, club members thought that simply an infusion of club funds was the appropriate response. But as time went by, Arts in Education Coordinator, Suzy Sims and Volunteer Coordinator, Claudia Rogers, worked up ideas for the program based on resources available in the community. The result was a complete rededication of the art guild’s mission.     "At the end of last year we decided as a group to shift our entire focus to this project," Sims said.     ‘Entire focus’ does not convey the level of talent, energy, and enthusiasm that is being pumped into the arts at Utopia School. A workforce of 22 presenters and assistants have been contributing to art instruction in grades 1-7, as well as the senior art class for several months now. Offering instruction as varied as fiber art, pointillism, cross-stitch, doll making, ceramics, watercolor, and collage many of the volunteers are experts in their field.     An archaeologist who spent several years in the field in Egypt, Dr. Tom Hester of the University of Texas, gave a presentation to the sixth graders on alabaster carvings and hieroglyphics. The students finished the lesson by writing their names in hieroglyphics.     Colleen Horn, who has worked in all stages of fiber art - from raising, sheering, spinning, and knitting wool from her herd of Rambouillet sheep - taught knitting and needle felting to the seniors. For nearly two weeks, students knitted and purled cell phone holsters and scarves.     Several students have still not returned their knitting needles, choosing to work on their project during down time they find at school and at home. One senior, Whitney Ellis, took her knitting to her after school job where she hoped to squeeze in a few rows during breaks. Senior, Joey Wiekamp, likewise was absorbed in the project. While some of his classmates struggled, knitting came easy to him. Wiekamp’s explanation for his success: "I learn best by hands on."     Like seasoned teachers, Arts in Education volunteers deliver the instruction across the curriculum. Presenters may make history, math, science, literature, and technology connections to add depth and texture to the lesson.     When Shirley Hood taught fifth graders to make cornhusk dolls, she included a generous helping of American History - covering the craft’s development during the War of 1812, western expansion, and the Louisiana Purchase.     Future lessons the volunteers are planning include computer photography, led by Garnett Sheffield, macramé by Jonelle Gazaway, and Aztec and Mayan pottery taught by Sims.     An accomplished ceramist and handbag designer, Sims is a true believer who pulls no punches in her defense of the arts.     While not denying the importance of math, science, and technology Sims thinks emphasizing these fields should not be done at the expense of the art curriculum - the current trend in education nation-wide.     "Art is the first on the chopping block so often," Sims said. "This program is our way of bringing art back into the schools."     Rogers, with a background in labor management, agrees and points out that industrialization changed the way Americans looked at art and artists. With industrialization, she says, was born the idea that the value of work was found in productivity, numbers, and the bottom line – an outlook that celebrates the product, but ignores the producer.     "You can’t quantify an artist," says Rogers.     Sims sees art as a way to reach young people who may not be successful in other areas. "Give them art materials and it sometimes turns out they’re very talented," Sims said.     "Kids really need art in their lives," says Sims. It teaches them to expand the way they think"     "No lines," she admonishes.     Indeed, a ‘no lines’ philosophy is apparent in much of the student artwork. Visual puns and elements of the absurd make their way into the collages - a giant donut floating in the sky, a big green toad napping on a sofa.     Seventh grader, Naomi Goff, whose class also spent several days making collages summed up her experience. Says Goff about the project: "It lets you express you."     The Utopia Arts & Crafts Guild is happy to accept new members. Membership dues are $12. Hands-on workshops are held at the monthly meetings. Call president of the guild, Garnett Sheffield, for details.

Shoot out at noon for candidates by Stephanie Logue BCC Staff Published Nov. 24, 2005 Bandera County Commissioner Doug King tossed the coin that determined the winner (Kermon Smith) for emergency services district board member. BCC Staff Photo by Stephanie Logue The candidates, John Garofono and Kirmon Smith, congratulated each other after the win. Taxpayers won too, a $1,000 savings from what a runoff election would have cost. BCC Staff Photo by Stephanie Logue    After 10 years of vain attempts, an emergency services district became a reality for EMS and volunteer fire fighters in Utopia -- with just one problem. Two candidates for a position on the board tied and remained tied after a recount -- and in keeping with Old West tradition -- a showdown at high noon seemed the solution for deciding who would take the reins.     A crowd gathered at the Utopia town square on Saturday, Nov. 19 at noon to see whom would corral a victory. Bandera County Commissioner Doug King served as marshal for the event and branded the results on an official document.     "When John Garofono and Kirmon Smith remained tied after the recount," King explained, "the Secretary of State named options. We could hold a run off (which would cost the emergency services district $1,000), one candidate could withdraw or we could do anything possible to resolve the issue -- such as a coin toss or cutting a deck of cards."     Another words, the Texas Secretary of State sanctioned the high noon showdown.     Smith arrived first and seemed outwardly calm. "Either he or I would be suitable candidates. We have no rivalry between us. We were both willing to resign but we were told that if we both resigned we would be throwing away the voters' votes. Whoever wins, it will be hard work."     The elected board for the emergency services district is a taxing authority. Taxes collected will support the fire department and emergency medical services in the four-county area, which includes Uvalde and thus Utopia. "Every time a vehicle blew an engine," Smith explained, "we'd have to hold a barbecue and try to raise funds to fix it."     "Now," King added, "they can go to the bank and get a loan for major expenses like that because they will have a steady income."     "It gives us enough funds for matching grants," Smith said. "It's a very good idea except for the taxation. No one wants more taxes."     Also looking calm, John Garofono arrived. He explained his willingness to participate in what the crowd had dubbed "shoot out at the town square at high noon in a small town."     Garofono stated that the event was "the fairest way and most equitable way of determining the winner. What's important here is the emergency services district, not the board members. We want to show people that by our example. Any other option would be too expensive and too derisive to the community."     King pulled a silver dollar from his pocket. Smith told Garofono to call first. He called heads. "Then I call tails," Smith joked.     King tossed the coin. No joke. It landed on tails.     Smith became the newly elected board member for the emergency services district. The crowd dispersed.

Utopia/Vanderpool Garner Funds for Emergency Services by Julie Whitmore Published Nov. 24, 2005 The Utopia/Vanderpool Emergency Service District Number 1 is the first of its kind in the state to encompass four counties, according to Precinct 4 Commissioner Doug King.    The Utopia/Vanderpool Emergency Service District Number 1 on November 19 made history on several counts. First, the board of directors was decided by a coin toss, after the November 8 vote and a recount revealed a tie between Kirmon Smith and Jon Garofono for fifth place on the board.     The district is the first of its kind in the state to encompass four counties, according to Precinct 4 Commissioner Doug King. He worked closely with the Texas Office of Rural County Affairs to provide funding for the Vanderpool and Utopia Volunteer Fire Departments and the Utopia EMS, which serve areas of Bandera, Uvalde, Medina, and Real Counties, loosely following the boundaries of the Utopia School District.     Other such districts exist, but none with four counties, King said. The services are all volunteer and have been hard pressed to maintain equipment and supply new officers with gear without lengthy fundraising drives. Each new volunteer recruit costs the departments $3,500 in training and equipment costs, he said.     The district will levy 10 cents on each $100 of assessed valuation for property within its boundaries. This would result in an additional $100 tax due on a property assessed at $100,000.

Valentines for Veterans Contributed Published Feb. 24, 2005    UTOPIA -- Brothers Peter and Robert Hood, Utopia 4-H Club, delivered 84 valentines for veterans at the Kerrville VA Center. Robert, a 5th grader, and Peter, a 7th grader, have participated in rabbit clothing and Entomology 4-H projects. Utopia 4-H Club members deliver Valentines to Veterans at Kerrville VA Center. Back Row (L-R): Robert Hood, veteran Alfred Adams and Peter Hood with E.J. Warren, Recreation Assistant, Kerrville VA Center (Kneeling).