Download & Print
November 19, 2019
Silver Sage plans cottage community
By Jessica Goode
The Bandera Prophet
Setting his sights beyond the holidays and into warmer weather, Art Crawford has big plans. Although still in the drawing phase, the Cottages of Silver Sage are set to break ground in the spring. A community for active seniors, the first phase is expected to have 47 cottages, with potentially two more phases to follow.
The environmental engineering and survey are completed, and civil engineering is underway. Once the architectural drawings are ready, Crawford will present them to the Bandera City Council.
“We’re not building HUD or government housing. We’re building cute little cottages that are affordable for senior citizens who need to live in town,” Crawford, the Silver Sage executive director, said.
Crawford said the Silver Sage will rent the cottages to seniors on a sliding scale based on their incomes. Their proximity to downtown Bandera and the Silver Sage Senior Center will help improve the lives of people who may otherwise become isolated in remote parts of the county.
In an annual survey conducted by the Silver Sage, 58 people in Bandera County said they would be in a nursing home if not for Meals On Wheels - a service provided by the Silver Sage and its battalion of volunteers who deliver meals daily. Fifty-six people surveyed said if not for Meals On Wheels, they would not have a hot meal that day; 45 people said they have serious transportation issues, and have no one to take them to the grocery store, doctor or pharmacy.
“It’s not just about the meal, it’s about seeing them, checking on them, making sure they’re safe,” Crawford said.
In September, Meals On Wheels drivers traveled 8,698 miles, and that distance continues to increase. In 2015, 18,139 meals were delivered; in 2018, 51,883 meals were delivered.
During a fundraising concert last month, Crawford recalled a story about a client in Lakehills.
“A woman called several months ago, she just said she was hungry and she didn’t know who to call,” Crawford said. “We have a wonderful pantry, so I put together a box of food and went to her home in Lakehills. She was eating cat food and mayonnaise. She said her car had broken down and she hadn’t been to the grocery store in seven weeks. She said her pride kept her from calling for help.”
Crawford told another story about a woman living in Wharton’s Dock who was unable to get to town, and had not had her insulin in three weeks.
“Every day I’m reminded how depressing this job can be, and what a blessing it is,” Crawford said.
The Cottages project, funded by the community and grants, is estimated to total $3.6 million. To donate, call 830-796-4969, or go to www.silversage.org.
The environmental engineering and survey are completed, and civil engineering is underway. Once the architectural drawings are ready, Crawford will present them to the Bandera City Council.
“We’re not building HUD or government housing. We’re building cute little cottages that are affordable for senior citizens who need to live in town,” Crawford, the Silver Sage executive director, said.
Crawford said the Silver Sage will rent the cottages to seniors on a sliding scale based on their incomes. Their proximity to downtown Bandera and the Silver Sage Senior Center will help improve the lives of people who may otherwise become isolated in remote parts of the county.
In an annual survey conducted by the Silver Sage, 58 people in Bandera County said they would be in a nursing home if not for Meals On Wheels - a service provided by the Silver Sage and its battalion of volunteers who deliver meals daily. Fifty-six people surveyed said if not for Meals On Wheels, they would not have a hot meal that day; 45 people said they have serious transportation issues, and have no one to take them to the grocery store, doctor or pharmacy.
“It’s not just about the meal, it’s about seeing them, checking on them, making sure they’re safe,” Crawford said.
In September, Meals On Wheels drivers traveled 8,698 miles, and that distance continues to increase. In 2015, 18,139 meals were delivered; in 2018, 51,883 meals were delivered.
During a fundraising concert last month, Crawford recalled a story about a client in Lakehills.
“A woman called several months ago, she just said she was hungry and she didn’t know who to call,” Crawford said. “We have a wonderful pantry, so I put together a box of food and went to her home in Lakehills. She was eating cat food and mayonnaise. She said her car had broken down and she hadn’t been to the grocery store in seven weeks. She said her pride kept her from calling for help.”
Crawford told another story about a woman living in Wharton’s Dock who was unable to get to town, and had not had her insulin in three weeks.
“Every day I’m reminded how depressing this job can be, and what a blessing it is,” Crawford said.
The Cottages project, funded by the community and grants, is estimated to total $3.6 million. To donate, call 830-796-4969, or go to www.silversage.org.