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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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Chess club visits Cedar Creek Published April 24, 2008 Jessica Tirado, Ruby Preston and Sara Keith Debra Heron, Joe Reeves, Sara Keith, Jessica Tirado and Brett Desek    The Bandera County Library Chess Club returned to the Cedar Creek Nursing Home Friday, April 11, for an afternoon of giving, games and goodwill. Dubbed a “just because” visit by parent Richard Espinosa and club advisor D.C. Brown, the trip was another of the community service projects undertaken monthly by the group.     While discussing possible ventures for the young chess enthusiasts, Espinosa suggested a return trip to the nursing home. In the past, the group visited Cedar Creek residents during special occasions such as Valentine’s Day, when they gave handmade Valentines to residents and enjoyed refreshments with their “seasoned citizen” friends.     When Brown asked Espinosa what the occasion was this time, Espinosa replied, “I think we should go back just because it’s a nice thing to do for the residents.”     Espinosa’s mother Margaret was known to her numerous friends and customers at El Jacalito, the family’s popular restaurant, as “Maggie.” When she passed away in December 2007, she left behind a large collection of Beanie Babies which were subsequently boxed up and put into storage. Espinosa decided his mom would want her collection to be shared, so he made arrangements with Cedar Creek staffers for the kids to hand out the stuffed animals to residents during their visit.     As the youngsters distributed their gifts to the excited residents, Espinosa knew his mom’s treasured Beanie Babies were bringing joy and pleasure to others, just as they had to her. In April, the chess club’s community project will be a little closer to their home base. Plans are underway for the group to repair the gazebo at the city park on 11th Street, behind the library. Armed with sandpaper, wood putty and paint, the kids will join forces to restore the damaged structure to its original condition.

Youth articles in the on-line edition of the Courier

Chess club visits Cedar Creek	Published April 24, 2008
Camping, anyone?	Published April 3, 2008
Chess Club Knights set for life	Published March 27, 2008
Boys & Girls Club preps for regional Odyssey of the Mind	Published March 6, 2008
It happened at ‘Meet the Candidates’	Published March 6, 2008
Spurs 2-ball competition	Published Feb. 28, 2008
Boys & Girls Club Member of the Month	Published Feb. 21, 2008
'Thanks' from Boys & Girls Club Margaret Alkek Boys & Girls Club of Bandera County	Published Jan. 17, 2008
Boys and Girls Club of Bandera County NEWS ‘Odyssey’ team members sought	Published Nov. 29, 2007
Learning the right moves	Published Nov. 8, 2007
Boys and Girls Club of Bandera County NEWS Boys & Girls Club 'It Just Takes One' campaign	Published Nov. 8, 2007
Youth articles from early 2007
Youth articles from 2006	Youth articles from 2005

Camping, anyone? Published April 3, 2008    Bandera High School students have the opportunity to go camping July 26 through August 3 at the world class Sharptop Cove resort camp, located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of northern Georgia, with the international youth organization, Young Life. The trip is open to any current ninth through 12th graders.      The action packed adventure camp provides a chance for students to make new friends, have lots of fun, and to learn about God and the Christian faith in a fun and relaxed environment.       "The cabin facilities are first rate – very comfortable – and the food is absolutely delicious,” said Dee Dee Stewart, Bandera ISD science teacher and Young Life volunteer leader. "We can't wait to go back. It's so fun!"      Activities include a ropes course, giant triple swing, climbing tower and climbing wall, mountain biking, Frisbee golf, a zip line over a lake, volleyball, basketball, a huge hot tub, arts and crafts, jewelry making depot and a swimming pool.  Applications for camp can be picked up at the local Mini Mart, Beverage Barn drive through, Bandera Veterinary Clinic, First United Methodist Church, St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, First Baptist Church, Flying L Chapel, Dairy Queen, Boys and Girls Club, Bandera High School office or from Stewart's classroom at Bandera Middle School.       The cost to students is $249 and a $50 deposit is due upon registration. In an effort to make the trip more affordable for teenagers, the remaining balance of $340 per camper is being raised by the local Young Life Committee.       Camp applications, with the $50 deposit, can be mailed to Bandera Young Life, P.O. Box 1751, Bandera, 78003, or they may be turned in to a Young Life leader. Spots are limited and reservations are accepted on a first come, first served basis.   The Young Life Club is open to all high school students and meets each Monday night at the Silver Sage Senior Center from 8 pm until 9 pm.  Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.      Contributions by the public can be made to help send Bandera students to camp, either by mail or directly into one of the Young Life tin cans in restaurants and businesses around town.      Young Life is a charter member of the ECFA, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.  Questions? banderayounglife@gmail.com, or call Denise Whitehead, Bandera Young Life secretary/treasurer, at 830-688-1103.

Chess Club Knights set for life Special to the Courier Published March 27, 2008 Bandera County Attorney-elect John Payne donated six chess sets to the Bandera Library Chess Club Knights, according to advisor DC Brown. Since the club began in September, it has grown to a total of 30 participants, and includes students from first grade through high school.    Thanks to a donation from John Payne – presumptive Bandera County Attorney – members of the Bandera Library Chess Club Knights now have enough chess sets to allow all members to play the mentally challenging and life skills enhancing game of chess.     Chess Club Knight advisor DC Brown explained that he first met Payne at a meeting at the Bandera County Public Library. “When he heard about the chess club, he told me that if I needed anything for the club, he would like to help,” Brown said.     “The club started Sept. 24, 2007, with Richard Espinosa and three of his buddies. It has now grown to 30 members with between 20 and 24 students participating each day. We didn’t have enough chess sets to allow everyone to play and when kids can’t play, they lose interest,” Brown explained. “I didn’t have enough money to buy more chess sets. Then I remembered John Payne’s promise and called him. He came through. It’s a big thing to me that he really meant what he said and he came through on his promise.”     Payne purchased five new sets for members to use daily and one deluxe set for tournaments. “Chess is a great game,” Payne said. “I used to play chess and I loved it. it’s very stimulating. I was excited when I heard that Bandera had a chess club for kids. My immediate thought was, ‘This is great’.”     Bandera Library Chess Club Knights meet from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, at the Bandera County Public Library on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Brown provides a snack after the chess matches. Tournaments are held every other Friday.     Brown praised parents for the club’s growth. “The real story to this is that parents have supported the club. They say their children’s math grades have improved since they started playing chess.”     He continued, “Last year, when we went to the park on Fridays to play chess and have cookouts, the parents became involved with the club. They enjoyed meeting each other and bringing things to the cookouts. When the weather gets warmer, we’ll do that again.”     For more information on the chess club, contact Brown at 830-796-0532, or banderachessclub@yahoo.com.

Boys & Girls Club preps for regional Odyssey of the Mind by Nicole Bates Bandera Boys & Girls Club Published March 6, 2008    What do Leonardo Da Vinci, Exoskeleton Man, Pikachu, Harry Potter and the Muse Trespichore have in common?     They are all a part of the solution to the Division III (high school) Odyssey of the Mind classics problem for this year's competition. Members of the Bandera County Boys & Girls Club will participate in regional competition Saturday, March 7, at Groesbeck High School.     Groesbeck is located centrally between Houston, Austin and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.     Local teams are in “crunch” mode to finish their work before the competition.     In addition to the high school team, the club will send two middle school teams to compete in the vehicle and technical divisions.     The vehicle team welded together parts of a broken weight set to a broken scooter to make the frame for a battery-powered car. They are currently learning the differences between series and parallel circuits, allowing them to power their motor. The current mode of power will probably come via a garage door motor.     The technical team created a humorous skit involving dinosaurs driving SUVs. They are currently working on costumes, dinosaur models and technical scene changes to look like exhaust from the SUVs.     Members involved in the Division III “The Wonderful Muses” are Ashley Baker, Cody Bates, Mohamad Issa Jamal, Mason Palmer and Cody Williams. Participants in Division II “Road Rally” include Austen Bates, Jesse Burnes, Austin Carrol, Evan Kitchens, Wesley McDowell and Devin Van Bidder. Club members involved in the Division III “Dino Stories” are Dusti Brought, Josie Burnes, Sammy Burnes, Brandon Merritt and Zane Nordquist.     According to the website, www.odysseyofthemind.com, the Odyssey of the Mind teaches students to explore fun ways to solve problems creatively. For more than 25 years, this unique program has helped teachers generate excitement in their students. By tapping into creativity, and through encouraging imaginative paths to problem-solving, students learn skills that will provide them with the ability to solve problems for a lifetime.     The Odyssey of the Mind teaches students how to think divergently by providing open-ended problems that appeal to a wide range of interests. Students learn how to identify challenges and to think creatively to solve those problems. They are free to express their ideas and suggestions without fear of criticism. The creative problem-solving process rewards thinking “outside of the box.” While conventional thinking has an important place in a well-rounded education, students also need to learn how to think creatively and productively.

It happened at ‘Meet the Candidates’ Published March 6, 2008 Bandera Boys and Girls Club Chairman Ann Cassidy, left, Civil Air Patrol member Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Luke Williams and Cadet Airman Mason Allert Zachary Alanis    In the first photo, Bandera Boys and Girls Club Chairman Ann Cassidy met Civil Air Patrol members Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Luke Williams and Cadet Airman Mason Allert at the Feb. 29 open house and Meet the Candidates event at the Margaret Alkek Pavillion, 715 Maple Street.     In the second photo, Alkek Elementary third grader and official guide Zachary Alanis took a break from showing guests around the B&G Club headquarters to demonstrate his favorite method of going downstairs at the center.

Spurs 2-ball competition Published Feb. 28, 2008    It’s time for Spurs 2-ball! The Boys and Girls Club will host a preliminary competition for Spurs 2-ball on Tuesday, March 4, from 6 pm until 7:30 pm at the Bandera High School Gym. The competition is open to all children ages nine through 14. We will have a free 2-ball practice session at the high school gym Tuesday, February 26, from 6 pm until 7:30 pm.     Spurs 2-ball is a game in which two-person teams shoot for 60 seconds from numbered spots on the floor. If a shot is made, the team receives points based on the value of the spot. The team with the highest points at the end of the evening is the winner. There are four divisions: boys nine through 11 years old, girls nine through 11 years old, boys 12 to 14 years old, and girls 12 to 14 years old.     Winners in each division of the Boys and Girls Club competition will move onto the semi-finals on Saturday, March 15 at the Lou Hamilton Community Center in Northeast San Antonio. Winners of that competition will compete at a Spurs game.     Please come join us for some fun and friendly competition! For questions, call the Boys & Girls Club of Bandera County at 830-796-8109.

Boys & Girls Club Member of the Month By Nicole Bates BGCA Bandera Published Feb. 21, 2008 Brandon Merritt practices the conductor role for the “Polar Express.”    A train conductor? A dinosaur hunter? Just who is the Boys and Girls Club member of the month? We are proud to introduce sixth-grader Brandon Merritt.     Merritt, a two-year regular member of the club, has played a variety of acting roles in both our Odyssey of the Mind and drama programs during these years. So yes, Brandon was the train conductor in the production of the “Polar Express.”     Now in Odyssey of the Mind, he is the script writer and plays the role of dinosaur hunter. Brandon also has an important role in the club's top secret “On Stage” performance to be revealed on St. Patrick's Day.     Merritt's involvement in club activities is not limited to the world of drama. He is a regular participant in Kids Club, Lego Club, Draw Squad and Power Hour (homework help). The Boys and Girls Club of Bandera County has been pleased to get a first hand view of Brandon Merritt's creativity and hard work. Keep it up, Brandon!

'Thanks' from Boys & Girls Club Margaret Alkek Boys & Girls Club of Bandera County Published Jan. 17, 2008 Sorriah, Alexis, Jessica and Katelyn hang out at the Bandera Boys & Girls Club    While reflecting on this past year, the Boys and Girls Club of Bandera County has been reminded, once again, that we truly are a community organization.     As you're probably aware, we were challenged to raise $10,000 in December due to a very generous opportunity through the Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation. During December, individual donations, up to $10,000, would be tripled. Thanks to the generous support of the community, we not only met this match, but exceeded it by raising $15,000.     Support from the community has not been limited, however, to just monetary gain.     We want to thank many local businesses and agencies that helped us "reach beyond our walls." In particular, we would like to recognize Dairy Queen for their ongoing, yearly support of our teen recycling program.     For the past four years, Dairy Queen has provided free sundaes each week for our teen recyclers.     The cooperation of our local school district, as well as local churches, enabled us to participate in programs such as the Spurs Drug-Free Basketball League and 5th Quarter.     We have been repeatedly blessed with gifts of food from churches, restaurants, individuals, schools and hotels. With the community's support, we were able to feed an average of 84 kids a day.     Eighty-four kids a day was our overall average daily attendance in 2007 — as compared to 20 kids a day in 2002. This represents a 77 percent growth rate since the first year we opened our doors.     Some days we're literally bursting at the seams. One night a few weeks ago, in addition to our regular Club kids, we hosted Girl Scouts, Civil Air Patrol and a basketball draft — all on the same evening.     Yes, it was a bit crowded, and, yes, we had to all work around each other. But wow! How nice it was to see so many groups and so many adults in one place. Every adult was there to support the children.     Given that, this seemed a good time to reflect and say — yes, we truly are a community who cares about our children. Once again, thank you for supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Bandera County.

Boys and Girls Club of Bandera County NEWS ‘Odyssey’ team members sought Special to the Courier Published Nov. 29, 2007    The mantra for this year's Odyssey of the Mind teams at the Boys and Girls Club of Bandera County is “The Journey Is the Destination.”     The club has conducted spontaneous problem practice and team-building activities every Wednesday for the past month, and is now forming 2007-2008 Odyssey of the Mind teams.     Odyssey of the Mind is a creative team problem-solving competition open to all schools and established organizations across the United States. For the past two years, the local Boys and Girls Club has sent teams in all three divisions – elementary, junior high, and high school.     To date, most of the club’s focus has been on the “spontaneous” part of the competitive journey. In the competitions, teams split into groups of five to seven children, who must be prepared to solve any problem given to them the day of contest.     For example, a hands-on spontaneous problem may be "make a free-standing structure out of Twizzlers. You have two minutes."     Teams may also be given a verbal problem to solve. "If your mother ran for mayor, what would her campaign slogan be?" In order to be prepared, teammembers spend time exploring thinking styles and problem-solving techniques.     The second component in Odyssey of the Mind is the long-term problem of a team’s choice.     This year, one challenging problem is “DinoStories.” Using a humorous performance approach, teams will present their original theory of what caused the dinosaurs to become extinct.     There are three other problem choices. Teams choose problems from four categories, technical, vehicle, performance or classics.     Absolutely no outside assistance is allowed.     Coaches will work with their teams to develop the skills needed to work the problems, but all of the work must be done only by the participants. As the mantra explained, “The journey is the destination.”     Anyone interested in competing in, coaching or judging an Odyssey of the Mind team in the March 8 regional competition should contact Nicole Bates or Jackie Tharp at 830-796-8109. In addition, registration forms are also available at the Bandera County Boys and Girls Club during regular club hours.

Learning the right moves by David Arny BCC Staff Writer Published Nov. 8, 2007 Richard "Richie" Espinosa Jr.'s passion for chess has rubbed off on other kids at Alkek Elementary School. He regularly participates in informal game sessions at the Bandera County Public Library that serve as workshops for budding grandmasters who want to improve their playing skills. Espinosa is pictured at the head of the table wearing his trademark wire-rimmed glasses.    Eleven-year-old Richie Espinosa Jr. loves playing games that don't require a television monitor or a $600 Playstation3. The game he loves most is chess, which he plays with the same passion kids his age normally save for Super Mario Galaxy or Halo.     "It's all about strategies," said the son of local restaurateurs and civic supporters Richard and Rebecca Espinosa. "Sometimes I can win a game in 15 or 16 moves, but I like to take my time."     The elder Espinosa taught his son the game when Richie was six years old and Espinosa junior has become something of a Pied Piper of chess among his peers. Weekdays after school, he and his fellow afficionados can often be found quietly battling it out over chessboards in the conference room at the Bandera County Public Library.     One recent Friday afternoon, a laptop computer lay on a desk at one end of the room that displayed a game of chess in progress, but most of the kids favored playing the old-fashioned way ­ on a grid of 64 black and white squares, laid out on a table, with three-dimensional pieces.     One of the dividends Espinoza and his friends have reaped from their newfound love for chess is better grades in school.     "Math is easy for me now," said Richie, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the namesake of the popular Harry Potter book series. "And I've raised my science class average more than 20 points."     The late film director Stanley Kubrick, who was also a lifelong chess player, said about the 600-year-old game, "What chess teaches you is that you must sit there calmly and think about whether it's really a good idea and whether there are other, better ideas" ­ a worthwhile exercise for anyone at any age, but especially valuable for young minds learning cognitive skills which can last a lifetime.

Boys and Girls Club of Bandera County NEWS Boys & Girls Club 'It Just Takes One' campaign Contributed by The Board of Directors of The Boys & Girls Club of Bandera County Published Nov. 8, 2007    The 2007 Annual Campaign for the Boys and Girls Club of Bandera provides children with the activities designed to capture their interests, teach skills and build supportive relationships.     These personal relationships are the means to a much greater end. They provide members with the opportunity to communicate rules and expectations, take on meaningful challenges, build self-confidence and self-esteem and offer hope and opportunity.     One person can make a lasting difference in the life of a child.     The Alkek Foundation has issued a charitable challenge. Raise $43,000 from the community and they will match it with an additional $43,000. In other words, every dollar donated will be matched with a dollar from them. Please help us reach this generous and thoughtful challenge by making a lead gift to the "It Just Takes One" campaign.     Funds raised in this campaign will be used for general operation expenses, necessary to run a successful organization. With your support we will demonstrate to member families, our staff, and community leaders that we are solidly behind the work of the Boys and Girls Club of Bandera County.     Call 830-796-8109 for more information.