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Did You Know?IBy Cynthia Leal Masseyn the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, brass bands were popular in rural areas, especially in Germancommunities. After the Sons of Hermann Lodge #76 in Helotes was chartered on June 3, 1893, and a new building was erected on land donated by the Braun family, the Helotes Brass Band was formed.The new building was called Schuetzen Halle, or Shooting Hall, named for the gun club enthusiasts who also met there. Originally built in the style of a dogtrot cabin, the hall was used for dances, celebrations, band rehearsals, and concerts. Today, this building—renovated and modernized—is known as Braun Hall.Brass bands performed a mixture of polkas, quadrilles, and waltzes. Also included were patriotic selections and marches. According to Charles Kuentz, director emeritus of the Helotes Area Community Band, “The brass instruments could be played outside in rain or snow and were not subject to inclement weather like all the woodwind instruments were. With allthe doom and gloom during the Civil War, brass bands helped tremendously to lift the morale of the soldiers.”In around 1840, most bands eliminated woodwinds in favor of brass instruments. This played a key role in the growth of town bands, which provided entertainment for social and civic occasions, like Independence Day celebrations, parades, picnics, fraternal organization events, and political rallies.The Helotes Area Community Band, founded in 2009, continues the tradition started by the Helotes Brass Band more than 125 years ago.This is a slightly revised reprint of an article that first appeared in the September 2014 issue of Helotes Highlights.Cynthia Leal Masseyis the author of severalhistories on Helotes.Visit her website at https://cynthialealmassey.com.Helotes Brass Band, circa 1896. Top row standing, first from left: Theodore Biering (on tuba);fourth and fifth from left: Henry Steubing Jr. (on euphonium) and Herman Mosmann (on alto horn). Second from right on top row: Alexander Benke (on bass drum). Fourth from left, sitting in middle row: Karl “Charles” Ruempel (on tuba). If you can identify any of the other musicians, please contact Cynthia Massey at info@historicalsocietyofhelotes.org.Local Author Pens New West Point HistoryH Mayor’s CornerBy Lesli HicksCommunication With The CommunityAs a volunteer in George Washington’s Revolutionary Army, Harold faced Dieter, a Hessian onear Residents,elotes may be considered a small city, but make no mistake, there is a LOT going on! There are newDbusinesses opening, developers applying for projects, TxDOT construction both on Bandera and an upcoming monster project on 1560. We have ordinance updates, community events, a new garbage collection company, and a myriad of public service announcements.One of my original platforms as Mayor was to increase transparency and communication with the public. As such, we have expanded our social platform presence to include an enhanced web site, Facebook, Instagram, Next Door, You Tube Live, our own You Tube Channel, Live broadcasts of council and commission meetings, newspaper and magazine articles, Message from the Mayor videos, and even launched our very own app “My Helotes” which is available on both IOS and Android (please download the app as it is the best source of information). Additionally, I try to inform people on my personal and Mayor Facebook pages.We expend this time and effort so that you can be informed of all things Helotes. Unfortunately, there remains a percentage of our population that declines to research (or watch) any of our numerous publications before publicly voicing their complaints. We do our best to identify and reach out to those citizens and find that the vast majority of the time they had the wrong information4the British side, likely pointing their muskets at each other more than once.The two soldiers – a fresh-faced blacksmith eking out a subsistence living and a hardened German-speaking warrior from Hesse province – are composite characters deep inside a new account, Born in the Shadow of History: West Point’s Early Years and the American Revolution.The fact-based book uses the flair of two fictional combatants as archetypes in the highly readable historical narrative of the military academy’s difficult birth. While the history has been documented, this work repackages the dramatic origins of “The Point” to secure a new nation.A passion project for area author John B. Buckley, the publication covers the fortress and military school at the time of Gen. Washington, when he and his compatriots turned their guns on King George III’s colonial rule.Rebels first sought reform, then revolution by force of soaring rhetoric – and a militia-turned-professional army whose very heart was West Point.A history enthusiast who until now only tapped technical writing, Buckley graduated from West Point in 1981 after a halcyon youth there. Accordingly, he draws upon memory and better-known histories to concisely recast them.“The narrative benefits from Buckley’s personal connection to West Point, as both he and his father graduated from the institution and spent much of their liveswww.heloteshighlights.comor they ‘heard from a friend’.... Please be cognizant of potentially ill-informed posts.I have a policy to be accessible and invite anyone that wants to meet about any subject. In fact, I even open my doors to people that live outside of Helotes. I do this so that we can insure accurate information, incorporate any good ideas citizens may have, and provide the best possible municipal government services to you. We continue to produce simply amazing results to include vastly increased financial stability, 3 consecutive property tax rate CUTS totaling over 11%, significantly expanded the police force, increased employee salaries, and streamlined permit processes all while maintaining our small-town charm and identity. Stay connected and continue to be HELOTES PROUD!John B. Buckley, Authorthere,” retired Brigadier Gen. Lance Betros, author of Carved from Granite: West Point since 1902, said on the book’s backflap.Buckley and his wife Suzanne live two miles southwest of Helotes with his wife Suzanne. Their two sons Robert and David graduated from Sandra Day O’Connor High School and The University of Texas system.Leaving the Army as a major, Buckley joined the business world, ultimately serving in management at USAA Life Insurance Co. and retiring in 26 years.West Point stayed in his blood. Buckley’s late father, Col. Harry A. Buckley, served there as a popular instructor and later head of the Department of Military Psychology and Leadership.Buckley and his two brothers and two sisters peacefully passed the years in sight ofAuthor - continued on page 7 March 2024Sincerely,Rich WhiteheadRich Whitehead Mayor