By Judith Pannebaker

This year’s edition of “Celebrate Bandera” started off with a bang - literally - on Friday, August 29, with the Cowboy Mounted Shooter competition at Mansfield Park. And the events and fun kept on keepin’ on during the entire Labor Day weekend.

By Stephanie Parker

Jacob Postert, the son of Prussian immigrants, worked ranchland along the Medina River, eventually saving enough money to purchase a total of 1,520 acres. Jacob, his wife Magdalena and their five children worked hard to clear the land and build sheep and cattle barriers.

By Suellen Ehrmann

He played most any kind of music on piano, guitar and fiddle, switching easily from one style to another. Massé had many friends among the community of musicians that stretches across south central Texas, and his skill and joviality live on in the memories of those who heard or accompanied him.

By Bob Brischetto

When Billie Lyons died in 1998, her husband Nat wanted to do something that would remind her neighbors in Lakehills of both her generosity and her passion for reading.

By Stephanie Parker

The Sunday, Sept. 31, Tarpley parade and barbecue, sponsored by members of the volunteer fire department, thronged with people and pets, many of whom had traveled great distances to attend the timeless event.

By Stephanie Parker

Medina Automotive, located at 13916 Highway 16 in Medina, shifted into gear in July and has been picking up speed since then.

Contributed

The seventh annual “Baubles & Beads” Style Show and Luncheon will be held, beginning at 10 am, Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the Inn of the Hills Resort and Conference Center.

By Dan Wise

Carmen Gascot, managing owner of Comprehensive Physical Therapy & Bandera Fitness Center, has initiated a special program to recognize volunteers at the Arthur Nagel Community Clinic.

Contributed

The congregation of the Medina United Methodist Church was set to celebrate the third annual “Gather at the River” on Sunday, August 24. The Lord, however, had another plan.

By Stephanie Parker

Ignoring intermittent rain, a large crowd attended the Friday, August 29, lighthouse dedication at the Lighthouse Church on Park Road 37 in Lakehills

Contributed

Like everything else, a chance for wedded bliss carries a heftier price tag of late.

Daniel Boone, candidate for House District 73, will bring his “Voicing your Views - Listening to Voters” tour to the Tapatio Springs Golf Resort Restaurant in Kendall County from 10 am to 11 am, Saturday, Sept. 6.

By Judith Pannebaker

In the Cowboy Capital of the World, it’s never too early to start preparing for the National Day of the American Cowboy, traditionally held the last Saturday in July.

Students at Hill Country Elementary recently experienced Texas history though the songs and narration of KR Wood - aka “Camp Cookie.”

By Judith Pannebaker

Today, Thursday, Sept. 11, marks the seventh anniversary of the most devastating series of international terrorist attacks on American soil.

Rev. Alan McKean

It is not quite true that this letter is from Scotland. As I write this, I am actually in the library in Bandera. Outside, the Hill Country is clothed in summer beauty and scents.

By Suellen Ehrmann

This Sunday, Sept. 14, Music Hall of Fame will posthumously honor John Paul Jones, a chain-smoking, electric guitar-playing gentleman who called himself an outdated, obsolete guitar picker, and Fiddlin’ Phil Trimble

Contributed

The Pioneer Museum will celebrate the Grand Opening of the reconstructed Dambach-Besier house at the corner of Milam Street and Main Street in Fredericksbur

Contributed

The Texas Heritage Music Foundation will hold the 12th annual Texas Heritage Living History Day from 9 am to 3 pm, Friday, Sept. 26, at the Robbins-Lewis Pavilion

By Ross Hord

The Medina ISD School Board met on Saturday, August 30, 2008 and approved the 2008-2009 school budget funded at $1.00 tax rate.

By Medina Mikie

The doors have opened at Medina’s latest eatery, the Rusty Rooster, located on Highway 16 North in the heart of the community.

Contributed

PVT Logan M. Godfrey, 18 of Bandera graduated from US Marine Corps boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego on Sept. 5.

By Stephanie Parker

Don’t make the mistake of calling Bandera’s Kiddo Wright the “organizer” of the annual Friends of the Library sausage barbecue - because, as she quickly asserts,

By Judith Pannebaker

Bandera County animal lovers waiting to exhale can now relax. “The Revealing of the Pearls of Bandera Calendar” by Magnolia Pearl occurs next week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18, 19 and 20.

By Judith Pannebaker

A scant few “dew drops” stopped falling even before the first musical notes sounded on Sunday, Sept. 14, making it a noteworthy - in more ways than one - day for inducting new members into the Bandera Music Hall of Fame.

By Judith Pannebaker

Catholic parishioners participated in a very special ceremony - that included strong ties to Bandera - in the City of Rozmierz, Poland, Sunday, Sept. 7.

Special to the Courier

Hill Country Alpacas of Medina will participate in the second annual National Alpaca Farm Day from 10 am to 4 pm, Saturday, Sept. 27.

By Stephanie Parker

Bandera brother and sister team Travis and Deana Lara have both participated and shown brightly in every Bandera County activity made available to them from raising pigs for the stock show to cheerleading.

By Stephanie Parker

Bandera trick roper Kevin Fitzpatrick and son Will, 10, competed at the 20th annual National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration in Lubbock on Sunday, Sept. 7, in Lubbock. Kevin was named World Champion Trick Roper and Will was named Champion Young Trick Roper.

By Stephanie Parker

Annette Kalka-Schulte and husband Sonny run the historic Oak Mound Farm in Bandera, Founded in 1877, their ranch was listed as a Texas Family Land Heritage Ranch in 1983.

By Stephanie Parker

Published in the October 1923 issue of The Frontier Times by J Marvin Hunter was a story “The Cry of the Death Bird Served as a Warning,” written by Isaac Motes and first published in the El Paso Times.

By Peggy Huffman

The practice of “saucering” one’s coffee has died out and few people still remember the custom.

Contributed

Risé Lyman, DDS, was recently elected to continue serving as a vice president on the 7,500 member Texas Dental Association (TDA) Board of Directors for 2008-2009.

Contributed

Christmas in September? Well, not quite, but exciting plans about the annual Cowboy Christmas were announced last week at the monthly meeting of the Bandera Business Association. Each year, the BBA hosts the holiday event.

Contributed

For the third consecutive year, Schreiner University administrators have announced a record number of students.

Pipe Creek is home to the newest office building in Bandera County. On June 30, CIA Services opened a new 3,600-square-foot office building on Bear Springs Road.

By Judith Pannebaker

Although not an official, “celebration” weekend, nevertheless Bandera was buzzing from one part of the county to the other last weekend.

By Stephanie Parker

Bandera County is not only the place where “the misfits fit,” it is also the place that draws uniquely talented individuals who fit into the category of “national treasures.” Enter into that category BR Lightning Ranch owner Bill Rivers who doesn’t have a tiger by the tail, but once had his neck in a lion’s mouth.

By Judith Pannebaker

Recently, equipment and accouterment better suited to a sound stage have been shuffled around the Cowboy Capital of the World. The municipality’s diverse backdrops fit perfectly with the needs of a San Antonio film company.

By Stephanie Parker

Feeling crafty of late? Exercise that passion by visiting Diz Dat N D’Other in Lakehills where even the sign tells a story.

By Stephanie Parker

Bandera Courier cartoonist Dennis Allyn wears many hats-one of which gives him a legitimate reason to have camels in his yard when he is a financial analyst for a high tech company out of California.

Contributed

In a special 11 am service on Sunday, Sept 21, Pastor John Stegemueller and the congregation of the Medina United Methodist Church honored first responders in the Medina area.

Contributed

In addition to Food and Fun, this year’s True to Texas BBQ Cook Off, hosted by Vicki Browning of Texas Rose Realty Saturday, Sept 20, also produced ... you’ve got it ... winners!

By Judith Pannebaker

Asked to name the single most important factor that has contributed to the success of the nearly 30-year-old Medina Lake Cajun Festival, without hesitating, founder Bob Caswell

Contributed

For the last quarter of a century, the Friends of the Library have staged successful sausage barbecues for the benefit of the Bandera County Library.

By Jana Osbourn

Hurricane Ike sent a wake up call to people across Texas! Are you prepared for a natural disaster? You can help protect your family during and immediately after a disaster by making a family disaster plan and creating a family disaster kit.