Most of the other writers featured in The Heart Beat are seasoned veterans of the Bandera, and Texas Hill Country scene. Me, I’m a tenderfoot having only lived in Bandera for a little over a year.
When approached to write an article, for The Heart Beat, my first response was, “About what?” After all I’m still trying not to get lost (where do you get your driver’s license renewed?), visit all the shops (Christmas is coming soon!), who has music when (have I heard this group yet?), who serves the coldest beer, and most importantly who has the best chicken fried steak, Mexican food, and breakfast (still trying to eat my way through all of the great restaurants.). I’m still like a wide eyed little kid when I see real cowboys and cowgirls on horseback. On any given day you might come upon a chuck-wagon set up in front of a campfire or a horse drawn wagon offering rides. Then there are unforgeable characters all dressed up like Wyatt Earp or Doc Holliday and they are sitting in local restaurants like it’s no big deal!
If that wasn’t enough I was strolling the sidewalks one Saturday and suddenly found myself surrounded by outlaws, lawmen, soiled doves, and others shooting it out right in the street For a young boy raised with the likes of Roy Rogers, The Lone Ranger, and Gene Autry I was in Heaven on Earth. I even got deputized! What a great town full of great people I have moved into and I have the entire Texas Hill Country to explore as well. Then the idea hit me, why not write an article from the “newbie” perspective. I might even find someone, some place, or some thing that the old timers might miss. If you’ve lived in the forest long enough you sometimes miss the trees….right?
With notebook, and camera, in hand I promise to faithfully always be on the lookout for an interesting character, a merchant with an unusual story, a haunted dwelling, an off the beaten track piece of God’s beauty or anything unusual visitors and locals alike might find interesting. We will discover Bandera and The Texas Hill Country together.
Next issue I’m going to learn all I can about the 2nd oldest Polish community and church in the United States. I’m looking forward to visiting the church as I understand it is gorgeous inside. I just love Texas history so be on the lookout for my inaugural article.
I’ve never been one to shy away from asking for help so let’s make this an interactive column we can all have fun with. I’ll entertain any suggestions for future articles. Maybe you know someone who should be recognized that our readers might find interesting. Maybe you’ve found a little slice of Heaven few others know about and you don’t mind sharing.
If you want to make a suggestion just drop me a line or email with as much of the particulars as you can to: The Heart Beat | PO Box 1204 | Bandera, TX 78003 | texashillcountrytony@gmail.com