Can anyone tell me about Brenham, TX (county, race)

[crbcrbrgv]

Originally Posted by ZeroTX

Umm, that's where they make Blue Bell ice cream. The best ice cream anywhere.

Texas has some of the best foods in America. I will never understand why we think Blue Bell is so great. It's like saying Kansas City BBQ is the best.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by crbcrbrgv

Texas has some of the best foods in America. I will never understand why we think Blue Bell is so great. It's like saying Kansas City BBQ is the best.

Blue Bell IS great! I've made my way through most of the possibilities in the ice cream freezer, and Blue Bell consistently tops them.

Amy's is great, too. Different, but great. But you have to go to Amy's or someplace local to get it, by the scoop, and you never know if your favorite flavor is going to be available when you go. (Which leads to adventures in ice cream, sometimes, so it's not always a bad thing unless you're in the grip of a serious craving.)

At least Blue Bell has a calendar on their website so you can check if your favorite rotating flavor is likely to be there before you go.

[crbcrbrgv]

Blue Bell tastes like generic HEB ice cream to me. I just don't see it.

[theSUBlime]

Originally Posted by crbcrbrgv

Blue Bell tastes like generic HEB ice cream to me. I just don't see it.

Blue Bell is a lot creamier than most other brands--it tends to melt a lot faster also so you have to eat it fast!

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by crbcrbrgv

Blue Bell tastes like generic HEB ice cream to me. I just don't see it.

I've eaten the two side by side - there's no comparison.

[stargazer]

I'm from Brenham, trust me, they make that ice cream with lots of care and pride. My neighbors made the stuff. Hey I even saw one of my old neighbors on tv up here in Dallas years ago and was so excited to see an old familar friendly face from my childhood.

The Homemade Vanilla is still my all time fav.

I would not know the condition of the schools now nor how the town is socially since it has been 30 years since I have been lived there. My experience growing up there was that there were 2 groups of people there. There was the college faculty and students and then there was the old town made up everyone else. My dad taught up at the college and therefore we were really outsiders to the old town. The old town was made up at the time of old german and other central eurpoean families there. Our next door neighbor was polish/czech( I am having a hard time remembering right now) and did not speak english. My parents asked me not to bother her because she seemed to complain about the noise with all the neighborhood kids around. I stayed away till her grandson came over and we played sometimes. They had a Mayfest every year and I was always invited to be apart of it. I got to ride on a float and get to be a character then have to bow to the king and queen of the mayfest, which was chosen by who gave the most money for the town. It was a pretty big deal, they got to wear beautiful crowns and had huge capes and sceptors. The floats for the king and queen even had an area behind where they would sit for their very long capes which were 10- 15 feet long. The sad part about this and I did not know was it was by invitation only. The old town at the time being German mainly did not invite african americans to be apart of it. To this day I look back with such sadness to know I grew up with such racial people... and the majority of them were DEMOCRATS... strange huh? Well for the most part, they looked at most as outsiders. I understand that the Mayfest no longer is done unless they brought it back. I do not know the climate today and their mindsets on racism but hope and believe that living in 2009 that their attitudes have changed.

School for me there was a hard experience. I was not considered apart of the core group of townie people, an outsider and hey my welsh name reflected it. The kids were incredibly mean to me and to anyone new who moved in. I was told this more than once even after I left. The teachers there at the time were good, very good infact. I do credit the teachers there for really pulling for me to do well.

I have good memories and bad ones. I believe that if there had been better school choices, I would have loved being there. My family was just like most families of the 70's, you did the public or private school. If there was a problem, you just couldnt do much. Homeschool, Montesorri and Charter Schools were non existent. There are probably more choices today and homeschool is always an option, plus with the college being there too, the possibility of having private tutors for children could be an option.

My mother has this really funny/ cool memory... there was a very modern couple who moved there from THE CITY. She breast fed and started a chapter of the La Leche League in Brenham. It was at the time very controversial... My mom thought she was very brave and admired her, so did many others.

I know it doesn't help much now, but it is good to get a modern historical perspective of the town.

[jessedog]

One of the most wonderful things about Brenham is the State School there and the Community that supports it. Located on over 200 acres of rolling hills, over 400 residents live there, and just as many staff (if not more) are employed from part to full time. Blue Bell Ice Cream employs residents from the State School, a major mattress company does too, as well as many other businesses. David Weekly homes is a big supporter, and many other businesses. It has been rated in the past as one of the best, if not the best run State School in Texas. For many disabled residents, group homes are not a viable option, we need the State Schools for these individuals, many of whom were dumped as babies or children during a time when Doctors thought it best. The community embraces this State School and its Residents. I know, because my youngest brother, of whom I am legal guardian, has lived there since 2001, after 10 years in the Group Home System in Houston failed him, could not meet his medical or living needs. My hat goes off to all the individuals who work at the school, caring for these individuals, and the wonderful caring community of Brenham that supports its residents.

Brenham is a beautiful city, small town feel, but its wonderful landscape is only surpassed by the heart of its people.

[grandmaluv]

I have lived in Brenham since 1963 and raised 2 children here. My husband was born and raised in Brenham. We think it is "the best" place to raise a family. I will be happy to answer any questions I can.

[grandmaluv]

To Stargazer -- You know nothing of what Brenham is like now. It was not like you have described 30 years ago. That is your personal opinion. We still have the Maifest. We are not racist. "Anyone" who wants can be in the Maifest. Mostly democrats??? Lois Kolkhorst is from Brenham. Have you heard of her? We have wonderful new schools. We have new residential subdivisions. I could go on and on. We have new restaurants, motels and businesses. I am a Realtor with Coldwell Banker here in Brenham and we have people moving here every day from Houston, Austin, San Antonio. Some of my clients have moved here from California, Colorado, Ohio a

[grandmaluv]

Originally Posted by stargazer

I'm from Brenham, trust me, they make that ice cream with lots of care and pride. My neighbors made the stuff. Hey I even saw one of my old neighbors on tv up here in Dallas years ago and was so excited to see an old familar friendly face from my childhood.

The Homemade Vanilla is still my all time fav.

I would not know the condition of the schools now nor how the town is socially since it has been 30 years since I have been lived there. My experience growing up there was that there were 2 groups of people there. There was the college faculty and students and then there was the old town made up everyone else. My dad taught up at the college and therefore we were really outsiders to the old town. The old town was made up at the time of old german and other central eurpoean families there. Our next door neighbor was polish/czech( I am having a hard time remembering right now) and did not speak english. My parents asked me not to bother her because she seemed to complain about the noise with all the neighborhood kids around. I stayed away till her grandson came over and we played sometimes. They had a Mayfest every year and I was always invited to be apart of it. I got to ride on a float and get to be a character then have to bow to the king and queen of the mayfest, which was chosen by who gave the most money for the town. It was a pretty big deal, they got to wear beautiful crowns and had huge capes and sceptors. The floats for the king and queen even had an area behind where they would sit for their very long capes which were 10- 15 feet long. The sad part about this and I did not know was it was by invitation only. The old town at the time being German mainly did not invite african americans to be apart of it. To this day I look back with such sadness to know I grew up with such racial people... and the majority of them were DEMOCRATS... strange huh? Well for the most part, they looked at most as outsiders. I understand that the Mayfest no longer is done unless they brought it back. I do not know the climate today and their mindsets on racism but hope and believe that living in 2009 that their attitudes have changed.

School for me there was a hard experience. I was not considered apart of the core group of townie people, an outsider and hey my welsh name reflected it. The kids were incredibly mean to me and to anyone new who moved in. I was told this more than once even after I left. The teachers there at the time were good, very good infact. I do credit the teachers there for really pulling for me to do well.

I have good memories and bad ones. I believe that if there had been better school choices, I would have loved being there. My family was just like most families of the 70's, you did the public or private school. If there was a problem, you just couldnt do much. Homeschool, Montesorri and Charter Schools were non existent. There are probably more choices today and homeschool is always an option, plus with the college being there too, the possibility of having private tutors for children could be an option.

My mother has this really funny/ cool memory... there was a very modern couple who moved there from THE CITY. She breast fed and started a chapter of the La Leche League in Brenham. It was at the time very controversial... My mom thought she was very brave and admired her, so did many others.

I know it doesn't help much now, but it is good to get a modern historical perspective of the town.

You must be confused! Are you sure you lived in Brenham? The Maifest is always Mother's Day weekend and "ANYONE" can participate. Any race or color. We are not racist. Where did you come up with "mostly democrats"? You really should come spend some time here. Read the post from jessedog. Brenham is about a lot more than Blue Bell ice cream and breast feeding babies. Check with our local chamber of commerce (Washington County Chamber of Commerce) and they will send you a free package of information.