Growing Up in Bandera

Sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky to be born into this special place called Bandera. I can’t imagine any other place being so well suited for growing up. I have heard others say that they couldn’t wait to get out of here after graduating high school and it’s confusing to me because anytime I was somewhere else all I could think about was getting back home.

The jealousy is real in the eyes of people who eagerly listen to my tales of earlier times around here. There is never a need to use my Texas privilege card by adding a little bragging to my tales. They are special enough to stand on their own. It’s a common feeling shared by all the friends I grew up around back in the day.

Stories about the river, the Bantex Theater, The Corner Drug Store or teens dragging Main Street will have a familiar tone no matter who is telling the tale from those 50’s and 60’s years in Bandera. There is a special bond between those of us still around here who have remained close friends through the decades. No matter how many times we meet and relive an event from the past the excitement still remains.

There is a pretty good list from my Class of 65 still living in the area. I would warn anyone talking to my friend and classmate Butch Bradford to keep that Texas privilege card in mind. On the other hand Richard Kinsey, my best friend throughout high school and beyond, is more like me. We would tell you the truth three or four different ways before we would mislead you. Everyone’s friend JM Clements was another classmate. They don’t come any better than that man. Even the old man sitting in the county judge’s chair, Richard Evans was part of our class if you can get him to admit the association with the forementioned.

I’m not sure I could ever name something that was more special than the friends I made back in my earliest years. The days at St. Joseph’s Catholic School created memories that have lasted a lifetime. Too many were gone too early from this adventure we began together so long ago. Charlie Fellows remains in the same neighborhood where we grew up together. He’s just around the corner from me now on Cedar Street. That property is where he lived as a kid and holds some great memories of our Growing Up In Bandera years.