2D |
|
|
Pleasanton Express Cowboy Homecoming Edition Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Keeping the tradition alive NOEL WILKERSON HOLMES PUBLISHER
Cowboy Homecoming was first celebrated in 1966 and has continued to grow and change as an annual event. The celebration was dedicated to and built upon the strong heritage left to this region by the working cowboy. This proud legacy continues with the cattle industry still remaining important to the growth and economy of Pleasanton and Atascosa County. Based upon extensive historical research Pleasanton laid claim to the title, “Birthplace of the Cowboy”. Dr. Ben Parker and the Chamber of Commerce wanted to seed this history in Pleasanton by celebrating cowboy heritage in a big Texas way that provided fun and entertainment for the whole family. One of the most exciting events of the initial affair was a cattle drive down Pleasanton’s Main Street recreating the days when longhorns passed through Pleasanton on the way up the Chisholm Trail. At a turn in the street,
approximately 70 head of cattle stampeded before being brought under control by the trail drivers. Cowboy Homecoming has created thousands of memories for friends and families throughout the county. The history and tradition of this event have evolved over the years but what remains is a time of fun and celebration for folks of all ages. Scattered throughout this issue are snapshots from Cowboy Homecoming collages of year’s past. One of the best parts of this event was picking up the wrap-up in the Pleasanton Express to see if you or your family and friends made it in the paper. This year the collage custom will continue with hundreds of photos being featured from the fun and festivities. Continue the tradition of making new lasting memories with your children, grandchildren, friends, family and neighbors. This Cowboy Homecoming and Turn N Burn special edition outlines the many
opportunities for free fun including the new Doc’s Kiddie Corral sponsored by Dr. Mike McFarland for little folks, ages 2-10. Come pan for gold and enter the Wilco Peanut sack races with your little ones. Enjoy the parade that for the first time ever comes through the Atascosa River Park. Stay to play. Games aren’t just for the little kids. There are big kid games too – washers and cow patty bingo. Sign up to be a Turn N Burn judge at one of the best and biggest bar-b-que cook-offs in Texas. Find treasures at the arts and crafts vendors. Visit the carnival. All this and so much more! Let’s keep this tradition strong. Make plans to head to the annual Pleasanton Cowboy Homecoming and Turn N Burn event held at the Atascosa River Park, March 9-11. Spend the day. Spend a few hours. Create family memories. The Pleasanton Express continues to be an ardent supporter of this event. The late publisher and editor of the Pleasanton Express, Wally Daetwyler, envisioned the goal of this annual affair to be “friendly and
folksy with the emphasis on the colorful history and proud heritage of Pleasanton and the area.” Come out this year and show your support to keep this tradition strong. Thank you to all the Cowboys past and present for giving us this rich heritage to hang our hat on for many years to come.
I met my high school sweetheart at Cowboy Homecoming, August 1976. The McDaniel family adopted me and made this “new girl in town” feel safe and special. David McDaniel went on to follow in the footsteps of his father, Jim McDaniel and brother, Joel McDaniel, to become Cowboy of the Year in 1997. Photo: August 1977
Nancy McDaniel, advertising manager for the Pleasanton Express, hoodwinked me into joining this otherwise talented crew of thespians in an ACT Melodrama. A high school classmate of mine, Randy Ricks, gave me a review after my performance saying, “You would have been great had you stuck with just at least two specific accents!” I retired from the theater promptly after the last curtain call. Photo: August 1980
Making plans for the 2nd annual Cowboy Gallop hosted by the Pleasanton Express were Edward Haverlah, Attorney at Law (aka: my dad’s partner in crime) and Judy and Bill Wilkerson, Co-Publishers of the Pleasanton Express and my parents. The race is now entering its 38th year and has been renamed in honor of my dad - The Wild Bill Cowboy Gallop 5K and 2 Mile Fun Walk. The event will be held Saturday, March 11th at 8:00 a.m. at the Atascosa River Park. Photo: August 1980
My son, William Wilkerson Holmes, named after my dad and my father-inlaw, wins first place in his age division while running barefoot in the Wild Bill Cowboy Gallop 5K race held, October 2015.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
|
Cowboy Homecoming Edition
|
| 3D
Pleasanton Express
A blast from the past with Cowboy Homecoming Queens
Brenda Jones, 1967 50 years ago
Cindy Arguijo, 1977 40 years ago
Cillia Castillo, 1987 30 years ago
Lesley Rakowitz, 1997 20 years ago
40 years ago, 1977 Dora Caballero, Cindy Arguijo, Kim Kuretsch, Laura Kardell and Josie Leal.
Remember when... Homecoming Court 1967 1977
50 years ago, 1967 Sherry Barry, Craig Dowdy (hidden), Katherine Holder, George Waters, Regina Krause, Pat Hurley and Brenda Jones atop the boot.
Kayce Huizar, 2007 10 years ago
4D |
|
|
Pleasanton Express Cowboy Homecoming Edition Wednesday, March 8, 2017
REMEMBER WHEN
30 years ago, 1987 J.J. Wehman, Jennifer Korus, Cillia Castillo, Julie Turner and Roxanne Robles.
FORMER LEADERS: 2007: Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce President- Tamara Gonzales Tolbirt Cowboy Homecoming Committee ChairmanMargie Mendez 1997: Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce President- Tobin A. Hill
Cowboy Homecoming Chairman- Jack Wisdom 1987: Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce President- Lee Ricks Cowboy Homecoming Association PresidentRandy Ricks 1977: Pleasanton Chamber of
Commerce President- Bill McQuary Cowboy Homecoming Committee President- Judy Wilkerson
20 years ago, 1997 Standing: Gabriela Gaytan and Lesley Rakowitz; sitting: Marina Gonzales, Erica Gonzales and Jennifer Shearrer.
1967: Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce President- Dr. Ben Parker Cowboy Homecoming Association Chairman- Dr. Ben Parker
Homecoming Court 1987 1997 2007
10 years ago, 2007 Kayce Huizar, Marissa Ortiz, Katheryn Bader, Kara Roane and Samantha Treviño.
Events for the family THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2017 6-11 p.m. - Carnival 7 p.m. - Bluegrass Music Night- FREE Pine Island Station Tennessee Valley Authority Bluegrass FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017 5:30 p.m. - Little Mr. & Miss Cowboy Homecoming Pageant 6:15 p.m. - Cowboy Homecoming Queen’s Coronation 6-11 p.m. - Carnival 6-11 p.m. - Food Vendors 6-12 a.m. - Arts & Crafts SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 2017 7-7:45 a.m. - Wild Bill Cowboy Gallop registration at River Park 8 a.m. - Wild Bill Cowboy Gallop race begins 10 a.m. - Cowboy Homecoming Turn N Burn Parade (Downtown & River Park) ALL DAY FOOD & DRINK BOOTHS, ARTS & CRAFTS until 1 a.m. 12 p.m.-12 a.m. - Carnival 12 p.m. - Washer Tournament 12 p.m.-4 p.m. - Doc’s Kiddie Corral (@ Soccer Field) 1 p.m. - Lil’ Darling Contest (@ River Park Pavilion) 4 p.m. - KidsQue Cook-off (@ Baseball Field)
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
|
Cowboy Homecoming Edition
|
Pleasanton Express
| 5D
6D |
Pleasanton Express
|
Cowboy Homecoming Edition | Wednesday, March 8, 2017
CAROLE HURLEY
BRENDA JONES
ANN DEGENHARDT
CINDY DONAHO 1969
KATHY & KARRY CHAPMAN 1970
CYNDY WEHMAN
LOVETTA ARGUIJO
PAT SEAY
STACI WEHMAN
1978
MELISSA & MARY ELLEN HEINEN 1979
PAM PORTER
ELEANOR LEAL
AMY LEE
STEPHANIE RILEY
BETH DOWDY
RUTH DOWDY
AUBREY OLLE
NICOLE MORRISON
MEGAN NICOLE GUERRA
ANGELICA ORTIZ
JESSICA OLLE
HALEY HUIZAR
KAYCE HUIZAR
1966
1990
JENNIFER OLLE 2002
1967
1991
2003
1968
1980
1992
2004
Cowboy Homecoming was not held in 2016 JORDYN OLLE 2014
CASSIDY FERNANDEZ 2015
1981
1993
2005
1982
1994
2006
1971
1983
1995
2007
Pageant & Coronation Friday, March 10, 2017 5:30 p.m. - Little Mr. & Miss Cowboy Homecoming Pageant 6:15 p.m. - Cowboy Homecoming Queen’s Coronation Large Pavilion • Atascosa River Park
Wednesday, March 8, 2017 | Cowboy Homecoming Edition | Pleasanton Express
| 7D
MYRA KRAUSE 1972
MARY ALICE MONTEMAYOR 1973
JOYE STANUSH
SUZY SHEARRER
SUE BROWN
CINDY ARGUIJO
GRETTA HOWARD
EDIE KNIGHT
SHANA GASCH
CILLIA CASTILLO
RENEE ROYAL
JENNIFER HAYDEN
MARISSA ANTU
LESLEY RAKOWITZ
KELLEY GROTHUES
CASEY JONES
STEFANIE GARCIA
KRISTI McDANIEL
MYSTLE CROSSLAND
ASHTIAN GUERRA
SHELBY CROSSLAND
JACQUELYN OLLE
KIANNE ROWINSKY
ORIANA ORTIZ
1984
1996
2008
1985
1997
2009
WILD BILL COWBOY GALLOP Saturday, March 11, 2017 • 8:00 am at the Pleasanton Riverpark
1974
1986
1998
2010
1975
1987
1999
2011
1976
1988
2000
2012
1977
1989
2001
2013
8D |
|
|
Pleasanton Express Cowboy Homecoming Edition Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Celebrate our 51st For over 50 years Pleasanton has celebrated Cowboy Homecoming in true western fashion. This year, Cowboy Homecoming and Turn N Burn collide to make one spectacular event for the whole family. This is a special tradition and Pleasanton does it right with a major-premier event that attracts thousands of spectators. The Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce kicks it all off on Thursday, March 9 with the Carnival and music at 6:00 p.m., at the Atascosa River Park. Little Mr. & Miss Pageant will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the Queen’s Coronation to follow. Saturday morning will begin with the popular Wild Bill Cowboy Gallop 5K Run, Carnival, Parade, Doc’s Kiddie Corrall, Kids’Que, BBQ Cook-Off, and so much more. Thrown into all this action, entertainment for our spectators continues with three nights of entertainment provided by Tennessee Valley Authority, Pine Island Station, South Texas Rainmakers, 86’D, LC Rocks and William Clark Green! There will be roughly 200 teams participating in the Turn N Burn BBQ Cook-Off. And what would any event be without plenty of food and vendor booths to browse and drool over. Check out the website for all ticket
and schedule information: www.pleasantoncofc.com. Don’t forget, for family and friends coming to town, please have them contact the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce for lodging, shopping, dining and entertainment information at 830-569-2163. Special thanks to our sponsors, volunteers, and friends for the incredible support this year. We are especially grateful for our Title Sponsors – H.E.B., Miller Lite and Western Wood Premium Products. Let’s make our 51st Annual Cowboy Home-coming and Turn N Burn Celebration the best ever! We hope to see you there!
Brad Mumm
Wade McBee
Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce Cowboy Homecoming /Turn N Burn co-chairs.
THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2017 6-11 p.m. - Carnival 7 p.m. - Bluegrass Music Night- FREE Pine Island Station Tennessee Valley Authority Bluegrass 6-11 p.m. - Jack Daniel’s Experience Virtual Distillery Tour (Ages 21 and Up) FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017 5:30 p.m. - Little Mr. & Miss Cowboy Homecoming Pageant 6:15 p.m. - Cowboy Homecoming Queen’s Coronation 6-11 p.m. - Carnival 6-11 p.m. - Food Vendors 6-12 a.m. - Arts & Crafts 8 p.m. - South Texas Rainmakers 10 p.m. - 86’D ($5 Admission) 6-12 a.m. - Jack Daniel’s Virtual Distillery Tour (Ages 21 and Up) SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 2017 7-7:45 a.m. - Wild Bill Cowboy Gallop registration at River Park 8 a.m. - Wild Bill Cowboy Gallop race begins 10 a.m. - Cowboy Homecoming Turn N Burn Parade (Downtown & River Park) ALL DAY FOOD & DRINK BOOTHS, ARTS & CRAFTS until 1 a.m. 12 p.m.-12 a.m. - Carnival 12 p.m. - Washer Tournament 12 p.m.-4 p.m. - Doc’s Kiddie Corral (@ Soccer Field) 1 p.m. - Lil’ Darling Contest (@ River Park Pavilion) 4 p.m. - KidsQue Cook-off (@ Baseball Field) 9-11 p.m. - LC Rocks 11:30-1 a.m. - William Clark Green ($10 Pre-Sale/$20 at the door) IBCA Turn N Burn Schedule 10 a.m. - Judge Sign-Up 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. - BBQ Judging (@ Small pavilion near playground) 11 a.m. - Chicken Turn-In 1 p.m. - Pork Spare Ribs Turn-In 3 p.m. - Brisket Turn-In 6 p.m. - Awards (@ Large Pavilion) SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2017 12 p.m.-’Til Closing - Carnival 12 p.m.-’Til Closing - Helicopter Rides
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
|
Cowboy Homecoming Edition
|
| 9D
Pleasanton Express
A Step Back in Time
Carole Hurley, 1966 50 years ago
Sue Brown, 1976 40 years ago
Shana Gasch, 1986 30 years ago
EDITOR’S NOTE: Since the Pleasanton Cowboy Homecoming was not held last year, we are also running A Step Back in Time from 2016.
30 years ago, 1986 Myra Mitcham, Shelley Eanes, Gina Grantham, Shanna Gasch and Jennifer Krawietz with Jerry Stendebach. 50 years ago, 1966 Carole Hurley and her young court: Carla Zepeda and Dedra Shahan.
40 years ago, 1976 Sue Brown, Paula Bezoni, Teresa Sotello, Denise Goddard and Kim Farrer.
Marissa Antu, 1996 20 years ago
Haley Huizar, 2006 10 years ago
10D |
|
|
Pleasanton Express Cowboy Homecoming Edition Wednesday, March 8, 2017
FORMER LEADERS: 2006: Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce President- Susan Netardus Cowboy Homecoming Committee ChairmanMargie Mendez 1996: Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce President- Gary Wisdom Cowboy Homecoming
Association President- Jack Wisdom 1986: Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce President- Lee Ricks III Cowboy Homecoming Association PresidentTommy Shearrer 1976: Pleasanton Chamber of
Commerce President- Bob Kinsel Cowboy Homecoming Association President- Gilbert Kuretsch 1966: Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce President and Cowboy Homecoming “Range Boss�- Dr. Ben Parker
20 years ago, 1996 Courtney Casares, Shelly Lingo, Trisha Lambert, Marissa Antu, and Jami Spacek
10 years ago, 2006 Seated: Sonia Fernandez and Haley Huizar; standing: Lyssette Anzaldua, Kirie Rodriguez and Jennie Baker.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
|
Cowboy Homecoming Edition
|
| 11D
Pleasanton Express
Race you to the 38th Wild Bill Cowboy Gallop In 1979, the publishers and owners of the Pleasanton Express, Judy and Bill Wilkerson, decided Cowboy Homecoming needed to have a race. 10K runs were becoming popular so they thought it would generate more people coming to our celebration. Bill never met a stranger and truly loved helping with the run each year, even after his and Judy’s retirement to Austin in 1989. Bill - or as most knew him - “Wild Bill”, passed away April 30, 2015 and since then our event has been called the Wild Bill Cowboy Gallop. Over the years, runners have come from all over South Texas because even though the heat was almost unbearable, they all said this run was fun and well organized. In 1991, 5K runs were becoming all the rage so it was decided to go with the flow and change the 10 kilometer (6.2 miles) course to a shorter, more heat friendly 5 kilometer (3.1 miles) course. The only changes were that the kitchen crew had to step it up to have hundreds of tacos ready in half the time. The same year, a “fun” walk was started. A two-mile course was mapped out for those who wanted to come out and walk just for fun. Through the years sponsors have come and they have gone, but all have been beneficial to the means of promoting a fun event within a fun event, Cowboy Homecoming. It doesn’t happen on its own. The course is mapped out each year and signs are placed in strategic places over the course. Packets are made with t-shirts and run numbers for the pre-registered runners and walkers. The crew shows up at 6 a.m. to load up and set up the registration area and kitchen. Water stations are erected midway and folks man these as well. The EMS
unit helps by following the end of the race in case a medical emergency happens and the Pleasanton Police Department provides a pace car to lead off the run. As our runners cross the line, our crew then passes out cards with the specific number they placed in the race. Someone else is calling out their time so they can record it on the back of their card along with their name, age group and sex. The cards are then divided into each category and the winners are written down for the awards ceremony. While all this is going on, the kitchen crew is assembling hundreds of tacos and dishing out tamales, oranges and drinks. There is still time left to pre-register for the 38th annual Wild Bill Cowboy Gallop, held in conjunction with the Pleasanton Cowboy Homecoming and Turn N Burn. The 5K Run and 2 Mile Fun Walk take place Saturday, March 11, at the Atascosa River Park in Pleasanton. The race will run through nearby streets, before ending back at the park. The park route is a bit different this year. Pre-registration is $20. If you wait until the morning of March 11 to register, the fee is $25. Registration and check-in are from 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. on Saturday, March 11. The race will begin promptly at 8 a.m. Forms are available at the Pleasanton Express office. Checks can be made payable to: Cowboy Gallop, PO BOX 880, Pleasanton, Texas 78064. T-shirts will be given to all pre-registered participants, or the first 150 entries for the 5K Run and 2 Mile Fun Walk combined. The cool shirts were updated by Pleasanton Express graphic designer Brianna Smith. The design features our beloved “Wild Bill” - complete
ERIKA VELA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS
Tiffiney Willmon won first place overall in the female division at the Wild Bill Cowboy Gallop 5K in 2015.
with curly hair and glasses. If that isn’t enough to sway you, then how about free breakfast tacos and beverages? Plaques will be awarded to the first overall winners, male and female. Medals for first, second and third place winners will be given for male and female in each age division. Medals will only be awarded for the 5K. In our last race in October of 2015, the Top Male Overall Winner was Novel Gaitan and Tiffiney Willmon took the title of Top Overall Female Winner. For additional information, call Rhonda Chancellor at 830-569-6130. San Antonio residents can call the metro line, 830-281-2341. Our sponsors this year are: South Texas Regional Medical Center, Healthy Woman, H & R Block, BesTees, Ramos Tire and Auto Service, The Gym and the Pleasanton Express. MEN’S DIVISION 10K Course 1979 - Andy Gonzales, 31:32 1980 - Tom Benson, 32:14 1981 - Michael Layman, 30:28* 1982 - Kevin Ruland, 1:48 1983 - Robert Yara, 32:03 1984 - Robert Yara, 32:10 1985 - Robert Yara, 30:56 1986 - Mike Polk, 31:56 1987 - Robert Yara, 31:28 1988 - Steve Sisson, 32:49 1989 - Steve Sisson, 32:06 1990 - Jose Puente, 33:17 Changed to 5K course 1991 - Alberto Puente, 15:48 1992 - Alberto Puente, 16:11 1993 - David Terris, 16:08 1994 - Alberto Puente, 16:18 1995 - Oscar Gutierrez, 15:56 1996 - Oscar Gutierrez, 16:17 1997 - John Varela, 15:39 1998 - Daniel Alvarado, 15:42 1999 - Robert Yara, 16:41 2000 - Marcus Estrada, 16:59 2001 - Thomas Gaudette, 17:07 2002 - Chris Maloy 16:44 2003 - Victor Viesca, 15:36 2004 - Efrain Velazquez 15:25 2005 - Efrain Velazquez, 15.24* 2006 - Gabriel Lucido, 15.57
ERIKA VELA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS
Novel Gaitan won first place at the Wild Bill Cowboy Gallop 5K in 2015.
2007 - Paul Frost, 17:10 2008 - Victor Viesca, 15:25 2009 - Zach Foulk, 15:58 2010 - Sebastian Benavides, 16:15 2011 - Sebastian Benavides, 16:43 2012 - Luis Flores, 17:55 2013 - Christopher Hernandez, 17:19 2014 - Alex Solano, 18:25 2015 - Novel Gaitan, 20:19 WOMEN’S DIVISION 10K course 1979 - Laura Alvarado, 41:04 1980 - Sharon Smith, 44:02 1981 - Barbara Long, 49:04 1982 - Linda Jorgenson, 45:40 1983 - Carmen Hilleman, 53:00 1984 - Pamela Castellaw, 41:21 1985 - Bernadette Lishko, 45:39 1986 - Ann Livingston, 39:08* 1987 - Juanita Morales, 39:31 1988 - Veronica Salazar, 43:36 1989 - Juanita Morales, 39:14 1990 - Bernadette Lishko, 43:53 Changed to 5K course 1991 - Yolanda Gomez, 20:45 1992 - Melinda Casarez, 22:32 1993 - Ruth Nalepa, 19:30 1994 - Landra Fowler, 20:04 1995 - Corinne Morales, 20:18 1996 - Annette Bauer, 18:56 1997 - Marisa Bono, 20:35 1998 - Andrea Jarzombek, 17:45* 1999 - Bree Wilson, 18:40 2000 - Corinne Morales, 19:24 2001 - Bree Wilson, 18:07 2002 - Bree Wilson, 18:40 2003 - Elizabeth McCumber, 19:30 2004 - Bianca Paredes, 20:34 2005 - Melanie Hennis, 22:10 2006 - Bernadette Beck, 24:26 2007 - Lindsey Grewe, 19:18 2008 - Trich Sauceda, 21:49 2009 - Julee Gossett Guinn, 20:49 2010 - Bianca Paredes, 20:132 011 - Bianca Paredes, 22:10 2012 - Bianca Paredes, 20:49 2013 - Bianca Paredes, 21:52 2014 - Bianca Paredes, 23:29 2015 - Tiffiney Willmon, 27:44 *Record holders in respective courses and divisions.
Do you have the guts Do you have the guts to be a Turn N Burn barbecue cook-off judge? If so, Turn N Burn needs you! It’s estimated over 150 teams will enter the contest which takes place at the Atascosa River Park. Competition is fierce in three categories: mouth-watering beef brisket, pork spare ribs and chicken. Officials are expecting that 400 judges will be needed to determine the best of the best in each category. To be a judge, you must be over the age of 18. All you have to do is visit the judge’s tent by 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 11 at the Atascosa River Park to sign up. Turn N Burn prize money – one of the largest pay outs in the nation - will be given to the first through fifteenth places in each cook-off category. The top five overall winners will also receive cash prizes. A Kids’Que competition will also be held for cooks ages 4-17. They will be needing judges for their event, too. Support the kiddos and their excitement of competing in their own cook-off. Prize money is up for grabs for them, too! Plan on making Saturday, March 11 a fun-filled family day and head to the Atascosa River Park where young and old alike can spend a fun, cool March day with friends and family making Cowboy Homecoming/Turn N Burn memories. Entry to the cook-off grounds and Cowboy Homecoming’s daytime events are absolutely free. For more information, you may call the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce at (830) 569-2163 or E-mail them at pleasantoncofc@att.net. Also, check out our Facebook page and website for more information to stay up to speed on all the events happening during Cowboy Homecoming and Turn N Burn including nightly dances.
12D |
|
|
Pleasanton Express Cowboy Homecoming Edition Wednesday, March 8, 2017
2E | Pleasanton Express | Cowboy Homecoming Edition | Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Honoring cowboys through art LISA LUNA LIFESTYLES EDITOR
It is often said that the pen is mightier than the sword. However, a paintbrush is just as powerful, allowing an artist to conjure up strong feelings in those who view their work. One such artist is Pleasanton native Gaye Stanush Sekula, whose Cowboys of the Year series is currently on exhibit at the Pleasanton Civic Center. The art exhibit features 50 original oil paintings of Atascosa County’s Cowboy of the Year (starting in 1966). The eldest of eight children born to Alfred and Joyce Stanush, Gaye attended Pleasanton schools. She began studying art when she was 12. She took a class with Merle Brown over the summer between junior high and high school. During high school she studied with Gladys Beutnagel, whom Sekula credits with teaching her a valuable lesson. “She would never tell me anything I chose to do was going to be too hard. So
I didn’t have fear. I tried everything. I teach now, so I try to teach in that same way,” said Sekula. After high school, art was placed on the back burner once Sekula married and had children. Later she began painting again and has taught for 15 years, most recently at the New Braunfels Art League, where she teaches beginners to intermediate in the morning and portrait painting in the afternoon. Classes are held on Mondays and Tuesdays. Sekula works primarily in oils, but she sometimes works in pastels, acrylics and watercolors. So what draws Sekula to painting? “It sounds like a cliche, but it is a way to express yourself without words. I LISA LUNA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS don’t paint realistically. I think if that were the case, Above are three of Gaye Stanush Sekula’s oil paintings featured in the Cowboys of the Year series. Left to right are: 2000 Cowboy of the Year Leroy Krueger, 2014 Cowboy of the Year Randy Mangum and 1970 Cowboy of the Year Alfred Stanush (who is also Gaye’s father). Below are the original phoa photograph is better. I tos of the Cowboys of the Year paintings shown. like to capture the emotion and just one moment in time. That is why this series that I did of the cowboys are more like sketches rather than fully rendered portraits. Because to me, they have more emotion in them,” said Sekula.
MORE ON THE COWBOY SERIES
conference in Washington, D.C. She had the chance to meet two artists that are an inspiration to her: Rose Sekula serves as the Tex- Frantzen and Mary Whyte. as Ambassador for the PorFrantzen painted the trait Society of America. people of her hometown in Last year she attended a Iowa, while Whyte travels
through the South painting blue-collar people in their profession. “I thought, my gosh ... something like that would really be neat.” “It must have been percolating in the back of
my mind, because on the way home on the plane I thought, the Cowboys of the Year, of course!” What makes Sekula quite suited for this endeavor See ART, PAGE 7E
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
|
Cowboy Homecoming Edition
|
| 3E
Pleasanton Express
William Clark Green, LC Rocks headline at the Cowboy Homecoming, Turn N Burn event 86’D and South Texas Rainmakers perform on Friday
The annual Cowboy Homecoming and Turn N Burn event will feature music to please everyone in the crowd. Locals will probably recognize a few old friends from the classic rock band 86’D and the South Texas Rainmakers.
William Clark Green With two critically esteemed album releases already under his belt, William Clark Green is back and this time it is getting personal. Give Green a pen and paper and he is a lyrical force to be reckoned with. On his critically acclaimed third release, Rose Queen, he puts it all on the line and makes absolutely no apologies. “Songwriting is reality. People are scared to put reality on paper, but this is 10 times more reality than my past work,” he explains bluntly.
The past few years have been consumed with Green touring heavily in the booming Texas scene and persistently writing a plethora of songs that are pulled from true to life experiences. Green has adamantly pushed his boundaries as a writer revealing, “Songwriting is exactly what is in your heart, in my opinion, it is not about writing a hit. It is about revealing your heart and your feelings on the paper.” Not only has Green raised the bar with his seasoned writing and musicianship, he also enlisted a team of powerhouses to mold his full package of artistry. William Clark Green is definitely no stranger to the music scene; he knew at the ripe age of 13 that he would embrace his passion and work vigorously in order to make a name
but is best known for 80’s Rock – Guns & Roses, Zeppelin, Def Leppard, AC/ DC, Journey, and more! LC Rocks has been playing top Austin clubs and private parties throughout Central Texas since 2002 and has earned the reputation as Central Texas’ most popular 80’s rock band! LC Rock will hit the stage from 9-11 p.m. on Saturday.
Last fall, several friends started kicking around the idea to provide the entertainment during their 20th high school reunion weekend. The group, comprised of musically talented Pleasanton High School classmates John Mayse See MUSIC, PAGE 8E
Tennessee Valley Authority Thursday, March 9
for himself. As a 7th grader with substantial ambition, he began receiving guitar lessons and spending free time with his cousin writing music and bouncing ideas off of one another. Green draws inspiration from his personal musical
hero Willis Allan Ramsey, as well as his father who Green has fond memories of with a guitar in hand. While attending college at Texas Tech University, Green played for a live audience whenever he could and steadily gained notoriety on the Texas music scene. He credits the Blue Light in Lubbock as his unofficial home, where he spent many nights honing on his craft and gaining a loyal army of followers. You can catch him on Saturday from 11:30 p.m. 1 a.m. Tickets are $10 presale and $20 at the door.
LC Rocks Clad in leather and 80’s glam, LC Rocks has energy and attitude to get your party rockin’! LC Rocks plays a variety of music
LC Rocks Saturday, March 11
PHS alumni 86’D reunites again
The Cowboy Homecoming and Turn N Burn March 9-11 at the Atascosa Riverpark
4E |
Pleasanton Express | Cowboy Homecoming Edition | Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Gene Chapa was named the 2016 Working Cowboy of the Year this past August at the Pleasanton Young Farmers Rodeo and Dance. Ernest Korus, Fidel Regalado and Nicasio Regalado were inducted into the South Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.
ROBERT KUYKENDALL 1966 - (DECEASED)
BOB HINDES
1972 - (DECEASED)
FORD RUTHERFORD
GEORGE HENRY
JIM McDANIEL
ROBERT McADA
MANUEL ZUNIGA
JIMMY MANSFIELD
WILFRED STANUSH 1975 - (DECEASED)
1976 - (DECEASED)
1977 - (DECEASED)
IKE BARNES
JACK RUTHERFORD
BOB THOMPSON
GUADALUPE GONZALES
LINO NAVARRO
TOMMY HENRY
CHARLES MADDOX 1987
BILL SEAGO
1988 - (DECEASED)
GILBERT GONZALES
DANNY ZUNIGA
DARRYL ASHLEY
1967 - (DECEASED)
1973 - (DECEASED)
1978 - (DECEASED)
1979 - (DECEASED)
ROBERT BRYAN
STEVE RICHTER
1984
JOEL McDANIEL 1990
1985
BENNY ZUNIGA 1991
1968
1974
1980
1986
1992
1969 - (DECEASED)
1981 - (DECEASED)
1993
ALFRED STANUSH 1970 - (DECEASED)
GUY SMITH JR.
1982 - (DECEASED)
1994
TRAVIS MANSFIELD 1971 - (DECEASED)
PETE GARCIA
1983 - (DECEASED)
CAREY BRYAN 1989
NIXON DILLARD 1995
Wednesday, March 8, 2017 | Cowboy Homecoming Edition | Pleasanton Express
DAVID McDANIEL
ROBERT RUTHERFORD
1997
1996
DAN OSTERMAN
MICKIE CLARK
2002
2003
ROCKY ROBERTS
DAVID KAISER
2008
2009
South Texas Cowboy 1966 John Dewees Bob Lauderdale George F. Hindes 1967 Nick Bluntzer John Lytle Tom Smith 1968 R.J. “Bob” Turner Wright William Jr. F.M. Mansfield 1969 James Lowe Alonzo Peeler Sr. Harry Sturges 1970 Ralph “Rafe” Franklin Dave Anderson George W. Saunders 1971 John Doak Hugh Simpson Tom Lake Porter Tom Campbell Ed English 1972 Ed Byrne Jack Teal L.A. “Alse” Franks 1973 Murray Franklin 1974 Travis Harrell 1975 Mallory Franklin 1976 Jeff Martin Gordon Douglas Wilton Oden 1977 Guy Hooker Smith Guy E. Teal, Sr. 1978 John L. Thompson W. S. Hall 1979 Lussuc Coble 1980 Tom Howard J.W. “Willie” Mansfield 1981 J.H. “Jake” McAda 1982 Manuel Martinez 1983 Emmett Lee Riley George W. Henry 1984 H. H. Coward, Sr. Jake Williams 1985 Joe Tom Woodrow Cowan 1986 Pete L. Garcia Roland Jerry “Pebo” Coleman Willie Esse, Jr. 1987 Ford Rutherford, Murray Franklin R.S. “Hun” Franklin Green Franklin, Felix Franklin Chapman “Chap” Franklin John Franklin Claude “Pudge” Franklin Tom “Babe” Franklin Sam Franklin, Julius Franklin 1988 Robert McAda 1989 Manuel Zuniga
RUSTY MADDOX 1998
ROY HINDES III 2004
GENE HIRSCH 2010
| 5E
JOHN CHANEY 1999
JOHNNY SCHRUTKA 2005
LEROY KRUEGER
CLINT HINDES
RUDY ZUNIGA
BILLY WAYNE KAISER
2000
2006
2001
2007
CUATRO HINDES
MIKE SHEARRER
ROY ALONZO
RANDY MANGUM
COLBY MANGUM
GENE CHAPA
2011
2012
2013
Hall of Fame Inductees 1990 Ben Parker Pete Pawelek, Sr.
2004 Jimmy Mansfield
1991 Kenneth “Buddy” Shearrer Lonnie “Cap” Wheeler
2005 Carey Bryan Jim McDaniel
1992 Robert Kuykendall
2006 Leroy Hindes Claude Kaiser
1993 Murray Potts 1994 Leonard Ellis “Bud” Potts Raymond Hindes 1995 Doyle Lawhon 1996 Bob Hindes Roy Hindes, Jr. 1997 Bennett Reed 1998 William Huble, Sr. Eleanor Maspero Buck Maspero 1999 Guy Holland Smith 2000 Claudio Martinez Jesse Willis “J.W.” Jenkins 2001 Billy Winn Travis Mansfield 2002 Roy Wheeler W.A. “Bill” Seago 2003 Robert Bryan Dan Heinen
2007 Steve Richter Clayton Bryan 2008 Jack Rutherford 2009 Alfred Stanush Wilfred Stanush 2010 Alonzo Peeler 2011 Benny Zuniga 2012 Jose Angel Calvillo Johnny Escalante Wendell Munson Ysidro Regalado 2013 Jacinto Gutierrez, Sr. Gilbert Gonzales 2014 Margarito F. Guevara C. S. “Pete” Mangum 2015 Edward Korus Bryan Campbell 2016 Ernest Korus Fidel Regalado Nicasio Regalado
2014
2015
2016
6E | Pleasanton Express | Cowboy Homecoming Edition | Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Zamarripa shares the spice of life LISA LUNA LIFESTYLES EDITOR
Known to many locals as the manager of Johnny’s Paint and Body Shop in Pleasanton, Edward Zamarripa is also the creator of Texas Eddie’s SeasonAll. It started approximately 10 years ago for the eldest son of Johnny Zamarripa and Angie Zamarripa and brother of Henry Zamarripa, when he was headed out of town to eat at a truck stop. The Pleasanton native noticed a place called The Chocolate Factory at the end of the intersection of
Humble Camp Road by Eddy’s Motel. The sign said open, so he went in. “I looked around and saw a bunch of chocolate. It was the first time I had been there, but it had been there for a long time,” said Zamarripa. He yelled out, asking if anyone was there and Catherine Rodriguez Brown walked out. She asked if she could be of help. “Are you cooking? I smelled that you’re cooking something back here,” asked Zamarripa. Brown replied, “I’m just making a hamburger for
my brother. Would you like one?” “That’s awfully nice of you,” said Zamarripa. He went out to his car to get a package of his rub that he had been trying to make for a long time. He asked Brown to put some on his hamburger. So she did. “So we sat down and got acquainted and we ate the hamburgers that she made. She said it was delicious.” Zamarripa suggested that she open up a little restaurant. So the following week, she thought about it again. They kept in contact and she opened up the restaurant. He supplied Brown with the powder rub. “That’s how we became friends. I’ve known her family because I went to school with her brother. Slowly through the years, we have developed a friendship.” Brown later went to Houston and returned back. When she did, she called Zamarripa and told him she was going to open up a restaurant called Home Plate just north of Leming. She said she was going to need his rub. “So we got together and I started supplying all the rub for the food. Everything that she cooks has my rub in it. We decided to go into a partnership-type deal,” said Zamarripa. Texas Eddie’s Season-All is sold and manufactured by Ashur products and available for purchase at Home Plate. “We are probably going to be putting it in a couple of places in Pleasanton once we start having more product in stock. This is our second batch. We had 60 gone in about two days. We are going to try to make 150 bottles this week, which is not a lot compared to big manufac-
turers. We are on a small scale now.” Zamarripa describes it as not your regular rub. There are ingredients that have earthy flavors. “There are over 11 ingredients in the rub. Some of the stuff that you wouldn’t think is in a rub, is in the rub. That is what makes it a little different. It is good for soups, salads, pork, chicken, potatoes, beef. It is a season-all with bold flavors.” You can put it on food either before you cook it or after, said Zamarripa. He also knows of customers who want to use it for this weekend’s Turn N Burn BBQ Cook-Off. The product sells for $10 and is available at Home Plate. It was also Brown who designed the cowboy hat logo on the packaging. “It may be a little more expensive, but there is more of it.” The Pleasanton ISD School Board member does not barbecue often, but he barbecues as much as he can. They barbecue at the auto shop at least once a month. Zamarripa is honored that Brown gave him a chance. “I had been dabbling in it throughout the years prior to that. It was over 10 years in the making, trying to get the right combination of flavors and everybody always wants to experiment. I think we are on the right track for now. We may just come up with something else, we don’t know yet at this point.” For those who have had the fish plate at Home Plate, it has the seasoning in it as well. Zamarripa thanks everybody for the support he has received to help make a great product for the world to see.
LISA LUNA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS
Edward Zamarripa is the creator of Texas Eddie’s Season-All, which can be purchased at Home Plate on Old Pleasanton Road, just north of Leming.
Texas Eddie’s Season-All is made with over 11 ingredients and is perfect for soups, salads, chicken, veggies and more.
Left, a bowl of menudo from Don Jesus, which Edward Zamarripa added Texas Eddie’s Season-All to.
EDWARD ZAMARRIPA | COURTESY PHOTOS
It’s burger time at Home Plate, featuring Texas Eddie’s Season-All.
The Cowboy Homecoming and Turn N Burn March 9-11 at the Atascosa River Park
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
|
Cowboy Homecoming Edition
|
Chapa to lead parade
Art
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2E
is that her father Alfred Stanush was the 1970 Cowboy of the Year. One of her uncles was another Cowboy of the Year and many others were her neighbors. Also, on her mother’s side of the family relative John Bowen was the founder of Pleasanton. Sekula lives near St. Hedwig with her husband of 30 years, Larry. They have three daughters and five grandchildren. Her father’s side of the family helped found that town. “It is really neat. We live within visual distance of the steeple of the church that they built.” When she decided to do this series, she visited the Pleasanton Express and spoke to Editor Sue Brown. Gaye asked if she could get photos of these cowboys. “I really didn’t start this with the intention of even having an exhibition. I didn’t let myself think past doing one at a time. Then as they started becoming more and more finished, I thought what could I do with these? They don’t need to just sit in my studioand they are not for sale,” Sekula said. With some of the cowboy portraits, she first had to sketch them in charcoal to work out some of the difficult poses. She loved how some of the photos seemed to have been taken quickly. “They were taken on the fly, so some are silly looking poses, but they are fun. For example, Travis Mansfield has his head back and he is laughing and Steve Richter... I just love those. I noticed as time went on, they got more and more posed, which was easier to paint. I liked the fun of the other ones,” said Sekula. She hopes that this series means as much to the cowboys’ families as it meant to her to paint them. Her desire is to honor the heritage of these cowboys.
| 7E
Pleasanton Express
The Grand Marshall for this year’s Cowboy Homecoming parade is the 2016 Cowboy of the Year, Gene Chapa. Gene has spent most of his life on a horse, breaking colts and working cattle. He’s also spent quite a bit of time on the back of a bull. He has had a successful career in the bull riding circuit, making it to the high school rodeo finals three times, winning 2nd place in state his junior year. Gene was seriously injured while riding a bull at the Pleasanton Homecoming Rodeo. The injury
LISA LUNA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS
Gaye Stanush Sekula
“I was raised by one so I know what it meant and how much they love their land and their cattle and each other. Seeing them together in this group, is just I don’t know… I wish I had the words, but I don’t.” With her father being a cowboy, growing up she was involved as much as a child can be. “I worked cattle with him. How much help can a little kid be working cattle? But the men were always so nice and they were always so kind. I remember when Three Oaks was there, I was such a daddy’s girl. I’d walk in with daddy and one of the waitresses would say, ‘Oh, there is Alfred and his son.’ I would dress like him and walk like him, I just adored him
and I loved everything he loved. So I know that is a big part of this. I wish he was here,” she said. Portraits are Sekula’s passion right now. She also enjoys being outside and painting landscapes. She tells her students the lesson she learned from Mrs. Beutnagel. “They will never hear me tell them anything they want to paint is too hard. We are going to go ahead and paint it, because that is how you learn.” Sekula’s cowboy series will remain on display at the Pleasanton Civic Center until Thursday, March 9 and later at the Longhorn Museum.
The Cowboy Homecoming and Turn N Burn March 9-11 at the Atascosa River Park
caused Gene to lose the sight in one eye and ended his career riding bulls. This didn’t end his rodeo career however, Gene started team roping. Gene will be wrangling the entrants in the Cowboy Homecoming Parade on Saturday, March 11 starting at 10 a.m. The route is a bit different this year. The line up begins at the Pleasanton Jr. High and will make its way down Bryant Street, but the official start won’t be until they hit Goodwin. The parade will also travel to the Atascosa River Park. Gene Chapa Cowboy of the Year 2016
8E | Pleasanton Express | Cowboy Homecoming Edition | Wednesday, March 8, 2017
86’D Friday, March 10
William Clark Green Saturday, March 11
Music CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3E
(on guitar), JC Martinez (vocals/guitar), Randy Reed (on drums), Barry Milam (on bass/vocals) and Richard Garcia (guitar), will once again take the stage this Friday night at 10 p.m. The friends have been practicing - several are in different bands on their own - to bring some 80s hard and heavy classic rock to Cowboy Homecoming and Turn N Burn. Tickets are $5 at the gate.
guitar), and Tony Cisneros (drums). The South Texas Rainmakers will perform starting at 8 p.m. on Friday March 10.
Tennessee Valley Authority Bluegrass
The Tennessee Valley Authority Bluegrass band was founded in 1972 by brothers Hank, Jeff and Scott Harrison with Mark Maniscalco on banjo. Over the years the band has won numerous awards including the prestigious National Bluegrass Band Championship in South Texas Rainmakers Louisville, Kentucky. Straight out of Atascosa The band has performed County, South Texas Rainmakers play all of the best with Bill Monroe, Johnny Gimble, Flaco Jimenez and classic and Texas country Junior Brown. The TVA and rock. They hail from toured with Peter Rowan, Jourdanton and are ready Jerry Douglas, Uncle Josh to entertain everyone at Graves and Kenny Baker. the Cowboy Homecoming and Turn N Burn on Friday, They have opened for Michael Martin Murphy, March 10. The band is comprised of the Country Gazette, Tony Clifford Lyssy (lead vocals), Trischka, Hot Rize, Tony Rice, Doyle Lawson & Mike Titzman (sound and Quicksilver, Del McCoury, bass), John Titzman (lead
South Texas Rainmakers Friday, March 10
Kitty Wells, Ralph Stanley and the Dixie Chicks. The TVA was part of the WOAI Country Jubilee radio show which included Riders In The Sky, Asleep at the Wheel, Tammy Wynette, Hank Thompson and The Whites among others. In addition, the TVA has played many bluegrass festivals and they performed at the Majestic Theater for a Christmas Pops concert with the San Antonio Symphony. In 2012 the Tennessee Valley Authority celebrated its 40th anniversary. A hard driving traditional band, the TVA is also known for their ability to take non-bluegrass songs and deliver them in the bluegrass style. Don’t miss a chance to catch a performance by this band. Everyone goes home satisfied.
Pine Island Station The award-winning Pine Island Station is a Houstonarea bluegrass band that delivers energetic, heartfelt music from a wide variety of sources, including original tunes. Whether it’s traditional or contemporary, cowboy or folk, swing or gospel, this top-notch acoustic group makes the songs their own, with crowd-pleasing vocal and instrumental arrangements. In a city full of great bands, Pine Island Station is a favorite among their peers as well as among their growing audiences. From small rooms to large stages their fans return for the “special blend” harmonies, and the versatility of four lead instruments (banjo, guitar, dobro & mandolin) in capable hands. The group’s second recording, “Call of the Past”, has received great reviews, airplay both nationally and abroad, and was featured in the magazine Bluegrass Unlimited. The Bluegrass bands will perform on Thursday, March 9 starting at 7 p.m. No cover on Thursday night.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
|
Cowboy Homecoming Edition
|
Pleasanton Express
Kids can barbeque too, at the KidsQue Do your kids like to cook? Are they competitive? If you answered yes, then sign them up to compete in the KidsQue Nation Cook-off held in association with Cowboy Homecoming and Turn N Burn, March 11. The event will be held at the Atascosa River Park. Children ages, 4-17, who participate, will be provided with two pork chops from Granzin’s and charcoal and fire starters from Western Wood. Each participant will need to bring their own pit, cooking necessities and supplies. All cooking will take place in the designated KidsQue area at the baseball field at the Atascosa River Park. Parental supervision is required. However, the child should be responsible for prepping, seasoning, cooking, and presenting their entry. One free KidsQue entry is included with a paid entry for the IBCA Turn N Burn cook-off. If your child isn’t with a barbecue team, the contest is still open to the public and a registration fee of $25 will be collected prior to the cook-off. All entrants must pre-register online by visiting https://kidsquenation. wufoo.com/forms/turn-n-burnkidsque/. Some 400 judges are needed for
both KidsQue Nation and Turn N Burn to help find the best of the best. “Judges are a critical part for both events. We absolutely depend on the public to come out and help us with that by judging. The KidsQue event doesn’t require as many judges as Turn N Burn, but we still need them and our kids need them because they work so hard,” said Steve Jimenez, Director, KidsQue Nation. Prizes for children who place in different age divisions are up for grabs as well as cash prizes that will add up to big bucks. Last year, around $6,600 was generously donated to the KidsQue winners by businesses and individuals. “The money that was given to the kids last year was completely unexpected. Any money these kids are able to walk away with will be greatly appreciated. It blew our mind and we hope even more money will be collected for the kid cooks this year,” said Jimenez. For more information or to sponsor this event, you may contact the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce or E-mail kidsquenation@outlook. com. Look for updates on their Facebook page by visiting www. facebook.com/kidsquenation.
Pictured are kids participating in the KidsQue at the 2016 Turn N Burn cookoff.
| 9E
10E | Pleasanton Express | Cowboy Homecoming Edition | Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Family Friendly Music Entertainment March 9-11 Atascosa River Park
THE 2015 COWBOY HOMECOMING COURT ERIKA VELA | PLEASANTON EXPRESS
The 2015 Cowboy Homecoming Court, back row, from left, Zoe Mangum, Larissa Gomez, Queen-Cassidy Fernandez, Skylar Alexander, Kyla Llamas at the 50th Cowboy Homecoming celebration. Pictured in the front row are the 2015 Little Mr. and Miss Cowboy Homecoming Austyn Partida and Payton Garza. This year the Little Mr. and Miss Cowboy Homecoming Pageant will be on Friday, March 10 at 5:30 p.m. at the large pavilion at the Atascosa River Park with the Queen’s coronation following at 6:15 p.m. A carnival will also open that day from 6-11 p.m. There will be free bluegrass music from starting at 7 p.m. Ages 21 and up can also enjoy the Jack Daniel’s Experience Virtual Distillery Tour from 6-11 p.m.
WASHERS
FILE PHOTO
At the Cowboy Homecoming, Turn N Burn event you will find plenty activities to participate in, including washers, BBQ cook-off judging, kiddie corral-games for youngsters, cow patty bingo, Lil’ Darling contest, kids cook off, a carnival and more.