Mary Jo Schaffer Bandera Texas Real Estate

The Bandera Honors Veterans Committee is geared up to hold its 4th Annual Veterans Day celebration this Saturday, November 8th starting at 9:30AM with the flag raising ceremony at the Bandera County Courthouse.

The Committee will honor local veterans as well as local elected officials after the flag raising, to include County Judge Richard Evans, and County Commissioners and City Mayor. Guest speaker will be Bridadier General Victor M. Ortiz, Jr. US Army who resides in Castroville. After the ceremony, a parade will commence down Main Street starting at 11AM. Lunch will be served for all the veterans of the county and distinguished guests after the parade.

There will be several vendors in place at the courthouse, including non profit agencies and Texas Veterans Commission representatives to help veterans find employment and services in the area. I will be there as Bandera County Veteran Service Officer to speak to veterans about VA services that they are entitled to, and how to go about receiving those benefits.

I look forward to the celebration and getting the opportunity to meet the veterans and their families. Please join us for this important day of honor for those who sacrificed so much for our well being and freedoms. To contact me with your VA related questions, please call me at 830-460-1643.

Mary Jo Schaffer www.sweetheartrealty.com 830-796-7448

It's hard to believe another year has passed, and it's time again for Hunter's Bar B Que. This years big event is this Friday, October 31- Halloween to those of us trick or treaters.

This is the event that kicks off the deer hunting season in South Texas, and locals and visitors from far and wide celebrate the extravaganza.

The doors open at 3 PM for those of us who can't wait to partake in the delicious bar b que beef and sausage, and hopefully, dessert. Live entertainment is also in store for your listening pleasure, while you eat and visit with both old and new friends.

Vendors will line the hall with their wares, from trucks and hunting equipment, to salsa and jewelry. A silent auction and a live auction will keep you busy and attentive- don't miss out on these bargains.

There may be a chill in the air, but the Mansfield Park Showbarn will definitely heat up your surroundings. For info on vendors and times of events, check www.banderahuntersbba.com or call 830-796-3280.

Mary Jo Schaffer www.sweetheartrealty.com 830-796-7448

The Medina Lake Annual Cajun Festival has always had a special place in my heart. Fifteen years ago, my future husband and I had our first date at the Cajun Festival. I had also just moved to Lakehills with my 2 children and had never attended the event before that day. I got all dressed up in my best party dress, and I took along my 12 year old son for a chaperon. Can't be too careful, I worked with this guy, but didn't know him well. I also had volunteered to work on the food line, handing out crawfish etoufee, jumbalaya, and bread pudding (my fav). I soon found out party dresses were passe at the festival.

Well, the rest is history, the date was a success- we ended up getting married a year and a half later, and have made the Cajun Festival an annual tradition in our house. This year we ran into alot of the old friends, and some new ones as well. The music is , impossible to sit still and just listen. The weather cooperated this year- usually it is beyond hot without much relief.

The founders of the Festival, Bob and Barbara Caswell were everywhere, directing the numerous volunteers and visiting with their numerous friends. Bob in no way lets his battle with MS stop his enthusiasm for all things Cajun.

You missed a really great event if you didn't make it to Lakehills Texas and the Cajun Festival yesterday. So, mark the fourth Saturday of September on your calendar for 2009, for great food, great music, and a cajun good time.

Mary Jo Schaffer, www.sweetheartrealty.com 830-796-7448

Another Labor Day weekend is upon us, time to head to Bandera Texas where the cowboy never dies- time again for another "Celebrate Bandera" extravaganza. I don't mean a small get together, I mean mega celebration, The Bandera County Chamber of Commerce, The Convention and Vistors Bureau, the Bandera Business Association, the Dude Ranches, the Watering Holes, and numerous Bandera Businesses pull out the stops when it comes to jamming the weekend full of activities.

The big kickoff begins Saturday, August 30, at 11AM with the Longhorn Cattle Drive and Parade down Mainstreet Bandera. The streets are lined 3 deep in anticipation of the yearly trek of some 50 longhorns, none of which stray from their intended destination. Quite a feat, considering all the screaming fans as they strole by. After the parade, time to spend your hard earned cash at the Bandera Courthouse where the lawn is filled with vendors and artisans displaying their unique designs, such as hand-made jewelry, barnwood furniture and fixtures, quilts and handbags, military and religious goods, and plenty of food and refreshments to replenish your energy.

The Dude Ranches are hosting several events throughout the day, the Flying L Ranch presents "Historical Reenactments, the Dixie Dude Ranch is presenting the"Circle of Life Intertribal Pow Wow", the Medina River Ranch Resort is presenting the "Cowboy Capital Mounted Shooters", on Saturday and Sunday nite is the "National Professional Bull Riders Challenge".

The Eleventh Steet Cowboy Bar is hosting "The Doug Moreland Showw", "Jake Hooker and The Outsiders", and Leon Rausch and The Texas Playboys, check www.celebratebandera.com for other groups and venues.

This is one event you don't want to miss, folks, so mark your calendar, pick up your jeans and starched shirts from the cleaners, polish your boots and head on over to the "Cowboy Capital of the World" for the best time, the best food, and the best entertainment this side of the Rocky Mountains!

Last night, the Silver Sage Community Center, and Bandera Honors Veterans, put on a program for Veterans, which I, as the Bandera County Veterans Service Officer, was a participant. Being that I have only been the Service Officer for Bandera for one year, this was the first seminar that I had a part in. There were several participants, the Texas Veterans Commission, the VA Hospital System, The Veterans Administration, the Texas Veterans Land Board, TVC Employment Counselors from San Antonio and Kerrville, the American Legion from Bandera and Lakehills Chapters, and a VA approved loan officer. All of these representatives were there for two hours to explain their jobs and to answer veterans questions, and to assit them in filing for benefits.

Besides myself, there were Service Officers from Gillespie County and Kerr County. I had a table setup with VA benefit books, important phone numbers for the veterans and their dependents, relevent website addresses, and info on real estate properties that would qualify for a Tx-Vet loan.

I was amazed at how crowded the room was, I'm not sure of the count, but somewhere around 100-150 had attended, and they all had questions. I even got up in front of the group to say a few words about Veteran Service Officers and what they do (will explain in a subsequent post). A big deal for me because I dislike public speaking. I better get used to it because I'm sure we'll be doing this again next year.

I also was pleasantly surprised when I was the last table to fold up to leave, because I had so many stop by my table to say hello, and to let me know how their request for evaluation for benefits was going. I also talked real estate with several people that wanted to use their low,low interest rate offered by the Veterans Land Board- 7.2% with 5% down, such a great deal!

Some of the veterans and their spouses drove 100+ miles to be there, just for the chance to speak with VA and TVC staff. Everyone got their questions answered, and felt good about the event and what it accomplished. I look forward to meeting again with those that need my help, and hopefully, I will find them land or a home they will want to use their VA benefits to buy!

Mary Jo Schaffer www.sweetheartrealty.com 830-796-7448