Benefit proceeds aid medical bills

The benefit for Bandera local Mark Leonard at Jake’s Bar and Grill at Polly Peak last Sunday drew a crowd of about 100 who listened to live music provided by Jay Urbano and his band while they ate tasty barbeque brisket and beans.

The proceeds from this event went to Mark and Mary Leonard to help with Mark’s medical bills.

The crowd casually gathered under the oaks in lawn chairs and at picnic tables while chatting amiably to friends and neighbors. Some even felt the spirit to move and danced to the music.

At 3 p.m., the auction started when Conrad Berube displayed the Winchester Model 70 Featherweight 243 rifle that was then raffled off. Anthony Gregory was the lucky winner of the Winchester.

Bandera-based auctioneer John Bitting started the live auction at 3 p.m., when the lively crowd enthusiastically bid on the items offered.

All of the items were provided from local businesses.

A silent auction was also available for more sedate bidding from the crowd. One of the event’s organizers, Debbie Holland, en couraged the audience to peruse the silent auction and make generous bids.

Organizers Greg and Debbie Holland wished to thank the following people for their contributions to the afternoon: Susan Parker for offering Jake’s for the event; Wayne Zoeller for providing the cooked brisket and beans; Randi Dillard for providing the home baked cookies for dessert; Jay Urbano and band for the live music; John Bitting for volunteering his auctioneering skills; and Conrad Berube for providing the rifle to raffle off.

The following businesses and individuals provided live and silent auction items for the benefit: Bill Bowermaster; Brenda and James at Pipe Creek Trading Company; Cedar Street Market; Cindy Hatcher of Maggie Mae’s and Nellie Rae’s; Conrad’s Coffee, Guns, and Cigar Store; Joe Cardenas; Judy and Geronimo Trevino; Lois Janetzke; Lynn White of Prairie Song Custom Sewing; Mark and Mary Leonard; Pam and Allen Adkins; RaeNell of Nellie Rae’s Plants and Home Décor; Tammy at Spoiled Rotten; Larry Allen; Trish at Maggie Mae’s and Nellie Rae’s; Randi at Touchstone Crystals; Western Trails Antique Mall; and Yesteryear Boutique.