What: National Night Out Planning Meeting
When: Tuesday, May 15, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Where: Back room at Madhatters Tea House & Café, 320 Beauregard

Within days of graduating from high school, Bennie joined the United States Air Force. After four years of service he returned to Temple to attend Temple Junior College. It just so happened that Sue was in her sophomore year there. And Gladys wasn’t the chemistry teacher.

They were married on June 1, 1961 and moved to San Marcos where Sue graduated from Southwest Texas State College and took a position teaching Speech and Drama at San Marcos High School. Bennie graduated in 1963 with a degree in Accounting and a commission in the US Air Force.

The early years of their marriage blessed them with three children — Monica, Benet and Boyd — and found them moving around quite a bit. Bennie had assignments in Florida, Texas, California, Colorado, Ohio, Alabama, Guam, the Philippines, and Germany. Bennie’s outstanding performance in the Air Force earned him three Distinguished Flying Crosses, sixteen Air Medals, a Base Commander position at Bitburg Air Base in Germany, and a promotion to Colonel. The Air Force also sent him to the University of Colorado for an MBA.

They eventually ended up back in Texas, first in San Marcos — where Bennie was Commander of AFROTC at SWT — and then in San Antonio, where Bennie served at Randolph AFB. Sue resumed her career and took an Associate Director position at St. Mary’s University.

After Bennie retired from the Air Force, they moved into an apartment on the Riverwalk. Sue became interested in the Bed and Breakfast business, and in 1993 they became the proud owners of the Brackenridge House Bed & Breakfast in King William. After eighteen years and hundreds of guests they sold the Brackenridge House and are now completely retired.

They have a summer home in Medford, Oregon, where their oldest daughter Monica lives with her husband and three children. Their winter home is here in King William. Their family here in town includes their daughter Benet and her husband and children; and their son Boyd and his wife.

Their children recently treated them to a 50th anniversary cruise! The entire family joined them (all three kids, their spouses, and all five grandchildren). It was a great week and a wonderful way to celebrate a long and happy life together.

Bennie and Sue frequently come to the La Frite Happy Hour event, so be sure to say hello the next time you see them there!

Originally published May 9, 2012 in the Lavaca & Friends Happy Hour update.

The agenda for this month’s general meeting is planned to include a presentation about the Hertz On Demand Car Share program. We’ll also start planning Lavaca’s National Night Out — last year’s event was a big success, with over 200 attendees, and we’d like to make it even better in 2012.

What: Lavaca Neighborhood Association General Meeting
When: Tuesday, May 8, 7 pm
Where: Victoria Plaza Community Room, 411 Barrera

Click image to enlarge.

“We chose this house for the tour because it’s a great example of retrofitting a home affordably,” says Anita Devora, executive director of Build San Antonio Green. “It was a labor of love that Scott did himself.”

Check out the article for details and some great photos! And check out the house itself on the tour next Saturday!

Unique among home tours, this one features exclusively “green homes” in one of San Antonio’s hippest areas – Southtown! All the homes are in designated historic neighborhoods – see firsthand how homes can be made efficient and green while still maintaining the historic charm and character of the neighborhood!

The fair itself will take place at 800 E César Chávez.

Be sure to check out the Fair, too! Food, fun, and live music! Numerous companies and organizations will showcase energy and water efficient products and services that you can incorporate into your home to save energy! Looking to retrofit your home to be green? Get the most up-to-date and accurate knowledge from the vendors! Whether you are interested a simple measure, or redoing your entire home, the Fair is your One Stop Shop to find all the information you need!

The tour will run from 11a to 5p and the Fair runs from 10:30a to 4p. Call 210-224-7278 to arrange advance purchase tickets ($12), or purchase tickets on the day of the tour at the fair for $15.

Click >>here for a map of the tour.

Read an article in today’s Express-News about one of the homes featured on the tour: Scott Martin & Jenny Browne’s home on Vance Street.