Historical Society of Helotes
FALL 2020
NOVEMBER GENERAL MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2020 • 12:00 -2:00 PM
This meeting is open to the public.
LOCATION:
Gardens at Old Town, 15060 Antonio Drive, Helotes, TX
GUEST SPEAKER:
Rudi R. Rodriguez, Polly Texas Pioneer Association
PRESENTATION:
"Polly, Texas, a Tejano Settlement"
In the Texas Hill Country, 3.5 miles southeast of Bandera, is the small historic settlement of Polly, Texas. The famous Army Scout, Surveyor, Texas Ranger, Rancher, Judge, and Minister, Jose Policarpio “Polly” Rodriguez founded the settlement in 1858. It consisted of 30 Tejano ranching families along with several European settlers. The settlement included Polly’s Fort, Schoolhouse, General Store, Post Office, Chapel, and Cemetery. It is one of a few historical Tejano towns remaining in Texas and has gone unrecognized for its part in our state’s early history.
In 2013, the Polly Texas Pioneer Association was founded as a non-profit organization. Its mission is to preserve and conserve the heritage of Polly, Texas and all the pioneers of that era. The goals of the group are to educate the community and bring awareness of our Tejano history. The association provide exhibits, restoration projects, publications, and online communications to do this.
Rudi R. Rodriguez, businessman, community leader, and great-great nephew of Jose Policarpio “Polly” Rodriguez, is vice chairman of the Polly Texas Pioneer Association, founder of TexasTejano.com, and author of A Tejano Son of Texas, a series of books about Texas Tejano pioneers.
LUNCH:
A deluxe box lunch from Jason's Deli. Order by November 8.
Members - $12; Non-Members - $16.
You don’t have to order a meal, but if you’d like one, our new selections include salads.
To order, select from five menu items on the Meetings page of our website: historicalsocietyofhelotes.org/id6.html
Your meal order is your RSVP. If you are NOT ordering a meal, but intend to come, please RSVP by emailing info@historicalsocietyofhelotes.org.
For more information, email: info@historicalsocietyofhelotes.org
2020 HSH FIESTA MEDAL
Our 2020 Fiesta Medal, a fundraiser for the HSH, sells for $10. The medals will be available at our November General Meeting. They are also sold at the UPS Store (Bandera & 1604) and can be purchased online via PayPal at the Society's website: historicalsocietyofhelotes.org/id22.html.
SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED....Get yours while they last.
HELOTES T-SHIRTS FUNDRAISER
Another fundraiser for the Society is our Helotes T-Shirt, designed by Keystone Specialties Inc. under the direction of HSH Vice President/Marketing Director Ardie Garner. All of the shirts feature a color image of a cattle drive from an oil painting by the late Warren Hunter (1904-1993), a Texan who lived in Helotes, San Antonio, Harper, Bandera, and Grey Forest.
Warren Hunter's cattle drive image is either on the front or back of the Helotes T-shirt, depending on the style. Youth shirts are $18. Adult shirts are $22 and $25.
The T-shirts are sold online at HistoricalSocietyofHelotes.org and at Picosos Peanut Company, 18620 Bandera Road, Helotes, TX . We will also have some of the T-shirts available at our November General Meeting.
FALL 2020 HISTORICAL EXHIBIT AT CITY HALL
Our new historical exhibit at the Helotes City Hall features a presentation on the life and work of John Warren Hunter, a famous Texas artist who lived his final years in Grey Forest, Texas. The exhibit includes newspaper clippings, photographs of him and his work, among other interesting items.
Warren Hunter was a prolific painter, illustrator, and book and magazine designer. A traditional realist, his watercolors, oils, and etching depict many scenes in Texas. His paintings are included in collections at the Smithsonian Institution and at the White House, among other prestigious locations. He taught at the Hunter School of Art in San Antonio opened in La Villita in the 1940s, and was the first dean of the San Antonio Art Institute on the grounds of the McNay Art Museum. For more info about the artist, visit: www.warrenhunter.org/intro.
MEMBERSHIP FOR 2021
Memberships are due for the next calendar year. If you pay your 2021 dues, starting October 21, 2020 or later, your membership will be good for the year 2021. If you are unsure of your membership status, contact Cynthia Massey at info@historicalsocietyofhelotes.org.
Go to this link to renew your membership, via Paypal:
historicalsocietyofhelotes.org/id2.html
- $11 single*
- $16 family*(spouses and children under 18)
- $26 for business* (includes three people from your business and your business card and website link displayed on our website)
*PayPal payments include a $1 fee for online payment.
BOARD POSITION OPEN
The HSH board of directors is seeking to fill two positions: Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer, starting October and January respectively. If you are interested in serving in either of these positions, please contact Cynthia Massey at info@historicalsocietyofhelotes.org. Please note that the biennial board elections will be held at our May 4, 2021 General Meeting. If you are interested in a board position starting then, please let Cynthia know.
CONTACT US:
Email: info@historicalsocietyofhelotes.org
Website: www.historicalsocietyofhelotes.org
Location: PO Box 707 - Helotes, TX 78023
Phone: -
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=historical%20society%20of%20helotes