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December 18, 2025 Volume 60 l Number 225
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The Voice of Seguin
WEEKEND EDITION
TODAY
The season of giving Communities In Schools deliver boxes filled with holiday blessings Cindy Aguirre-Herrera
(Guadalupe County) -- Families across Seguin ISD, Navarro ISD, Marion ISD, and Schertz-CiboloUniversal City ISD are receiving a meaningful boost this holiday season thanks to a generous donation of 1,000 boxes of food made possible through a growing partnership between Communities In Schools (CIS) and Hope Presbyterian Church in New Braunfels. The donation was received through the church’s partnership with the Boxes of Blessing organization based in San Antonio. Lisa Driffill, chief program officer for Communities In Schools, says last year, the church donated 250 boxes of food to CIS to help families facing food insecurity during the holiday season. She says schools in Guadalupe County this year
accounted for at least half of those boxes. “The amount of boxes that they were packing this year – the donation was so great that they allowed us to share with all of the communities that we serve. Volunteers from that church got together and packed all of the boxes on Saturday and then on Monday, our team, so our site coordinators, our board of directors, some wonderful volunteers, our admin staff came together to kind of deliver all these boxes across the communities that Communities In Schools of South Central Texas serve,” said Driffill. Driffill says the site coordinators at the various campuses remain busy this weekend making sure those families who need the boxes get one. Giving, pg. 3
A Holiday Classic
The magic of the season comes alive on stage as cast members Greg Dew (as General Henry Waverly), Riley Patranella (as Susan Waverly), and Peggy Schott (as Martha Watson) perform Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at The Stephen & Mary Birch Texas Theatre, just in time for the holidays. Courtesy photos. See story on page 2.
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THU. December 18, 2025 Angelise Plata (as Rita), Paul Smith as (Phil Davis), Eleanor Crettenden as (Rhoda). Courtesy photos.
Holiday classic takes the stage as White Christmas opens at The Texas Theatre Cindy Aguirre-Herrera
(Seguin) -- The holiday season takes center stage in Seguin as The Stephen & Mary Birch Texas Theatre presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Sheila Lucas, director of The Texas Theatre, says the story captures the true spirit of the season, following two World War II veterans -- turned entertainers and whose journey leads them to follow a duo of singing sisters up to a snowy Vermont lodge owned by their former commanding officer. “They all get together in the end. It’s lovely. Boy meets girl. Boy loses girl. Boy gets girl back. It’s that sort of thing. The cast is very strong, very proud of all of them. We waited a long time to do this show and finally, got it right. We have been excited for 10 years,” laughs Lucas. Based on the beloved Paramount Pictures film, Lucas says the stage adaptation features 17 Irving Berlin favorites and a book by David Ives and Paul Blake. As Bob Wallace and Phil Davis team up with a talented sister act, audiences are swept into a story of friendship, love, and giving back. She says all set against a backdrop of show-stopping musical numbers including “Blue Skies,” “I Love a Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean,” and the iconic title song, “White Christmas.” Lucas says the theatre is especially excited to bring
the production to audiences just days before Christmas, offering families a chance to slow down and enjoy a shared experience during the busy holiday season. “It’s wonderful. It makes our Christmas. We become a family and it becomes our Christmas. It happens every year. We get so close, the cast and crew and it just makes your Christmas when you are involved with something like that in the community and just knowing that everybody is pulling together and we are all together, every night – all together for another week. I’ll tell you when it is not there, we are going to miss each other,” said Lucas. “It makes our Christmas and we hope it’s going to help to make everybody’s else Christmas that gets to come and see it and the ticket sales are amazing. They are going fast. It’s a name. We knew they would go very fast so that’s great.” The production runs for one weekend only. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. plus a Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m. The show will also offer a bonus performance on Monday, Dec. 22, with a final 7:30 p.m. performance. Tickets are currently on sale and available through the theatre’s website thetexas.org. All performances will be held at The Stephen & Mary Birch Texas Theatre, located at 425 North Austin Street in Seguin.
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Holiday movie set for local library, registration required Cindy Aguirre-Herrera
(Seguin) -- Lights, laughter, and a little holiday mischief will be coming to the Seguin Public Library this weekend. Hannah Farmer, assistant library director, says families are invited to gather and register this Saturday as the library hosts an all-ages screening of the holiday favorite Home Alone. “We’ve got an interactive holiday movie Saturday at 2 p.m. You will have to register for that. We are showing Home Alone. It is inside,” said Farmer. However, Farmer says this isn’t a sit-back-and-watch kind of movie. She says there’s a twist. Instead, guests will be enjoying an interactive viewing experience designed to bring the film to life and spark plenty of laughs. “Again, they need to register. They register to get the interactive bag of materials and a script to follow along with. It’s kind of like a party where you follow along and it will say okay, when this character says this, shake your egg shaker or throw a marshmallow at the screen when someone says this … – so you have to follow along as a family and pay attention to the movie to know what to do,” said Farmer.
To make the afternoon even sweeter, Farmer says pizza and ice cream will be served, and guests are encouraged to show up in their festive best, whether that means Christmas sweaters, Santa hats, or full holiday flair. Again, because participation is a key part of the event, registration is required, and space is limited. The event takes place at the Seguin Public Library, and families are encouraged to register early to secure their spot. A link to register for the holiday movie can be found on the Seguin Public Library’s Facebook page.
Giving, continued. “A big push right now is students are about to go on Christmas break and many of them are used to getting that solid breakfast and lunch at school and that is not going to be happening. These boxes are designed to feed a family of four for a week. They have basic items in them – some bread products – tortillas, macaroni and cheese, pasta, spaghetti sauce – lots of canned vegetables, fruits, snacks – even some moon pies. I saw some of them in there for fun so lots of things that can be used for basic meals and also snacks -- throughout the week,” said Driffill. Driffill also emphasized that the timing of the donation could not have been better. “We were very excited. We took it on and I think our biggest challenge was how we were going to get it out into all of our communities. But it’s huge because we know our families are needing this food. There’s a lot of food insecurities going on out
there even just pending from the government shutdown, the lapse that there was for food stamps and just the overall climate that we are living in so, it warms our heart to be able to partner with these agencies and just make sure that kids have what they need and families have what they need especially during these breaks from school where we can’t be with them and checking on them,” said Driffill. Communities In Schools works year-round to remove barriers to
student success, including addressing basic needs such as food access. CIS leaders say during the holidays, those needs often intensify as families balance rising costs and limited resources. They also say partnerships like the one with Hope Presbyterian Church demonstrate how community collaboration can directly support students and their families, offering not just meals, but reassurance during a critical time of year.
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Letters to the
NORTH POLE This month’s Seguin Today Magazine features letters to Santa written by area students. Here’s a sneak peak of a few, and to see more, check out the December issue of Seguin Today available in print and online here.
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High school football: UIL realignment cutoffs keep Seguin, Navarro, and Marion in current classifications Chris Austin
(Austin) -- The University Interscholastic League on Tuesday released its conference cutoff numbers for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years. The Seguin Matadors, Navarro Panthers, and Marion Bulldogs football teams will all retain their current classifications. Seguin, which submitted an enrollment of 1,998 to the UIL on October 31st, is projected to stay in Class 5A Division I for football. Seguin came in under the Class 6A threshold of 2,215 students. Three teams in Seguin’s current District
13-5A will have new classifications next year. New Braunfels will be moving down to Class 5A Division II, while Pieper and Wagner will move up to Class 6A. Smithson Valley, Boerne Champion, Victoria East, and San Antonio MacArthur will remain in Division I. New Braunfels submitted an enrollment of 1,409.5, putting them in the 5A Division II range of 1,305 to 1,829 students. Wagner reported an enrollment of 2,294.5, while Pieper reported an enrollment of 2,253 students to the UIL. Navarro submitted an enrollment of 785.5 and
will remain in Class 4A Division II for football. The 4A Division II range is between 550 and 895 students. Marion, which currently competes in 3A Division I football, will stay in Division I after submitting an enrollment of 519. The 3A Division I range is 367 to 549 students. The cutoff numbers will be used by UIL officials when finalizing district alignments during the February reclassification and realignment process. District assignments will be announced following that process.
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Habermann
nature tending to her cattle. Linnette is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Sonny Habermann. Survivors include cousins and friends. Private graveside services will be held in San Geronimo Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Cross Church, 814 N. Bauer, Seguin, Texas, 78155 or to the Guadalupe County Humane Society, P. O. Box 1593, Seguin, Texas, 78155 or to the charity of one’s choice. You are invited to sign the guest book at www.treshewell.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Dr., Seguin, Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912.
Svatek
A more complete obituary will follow when all arrangements are completed. In lieu of flowers the family humbly asks for memorial contributions to be made to the Guadalupe County Humane Society, P. O. Box 1593, Seguin, Texas, 78155. You are invited to sign the guest book at www.treshewell.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Dr., Seguin, Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912.
Bothe
always done right. Despite a life full of hard work, Wayne’s greatest joy came from the people and companions he loved most - his family and the four-legged friends who followed him everywhere. The garage is quieter now, and the house a little too still, but we take comfort knowing he is finally at peace. His voice, his humor, and his generous heart will live on in our memories. We loved him deeply, and we will miss him beyond measure. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Martha Ann Bothe. He is survived by the people he cherished most in this world: his wife, Lynn Bothe; his daughter, Alexandrea Bothe, and her husband, Scott Brown; his sons, Colton Bothe and his fiancée, Megan Younker; and Matthew Bothe. Wayne’s family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Hope Hospice, and especially to his primary nurse, Karra, whose compassion, humor, and ability to match his quick wit brought him comfort and reassurance during his final weeks. The family is also deeply grateful for the support and kindness shown by friends and neighbors during this time. Every thoughtful gesture has meant more than words can express. Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Hospice of New Braunfels. Donations can be made at: https://www.hopehospice.net/donate You are invited to sign the guest book at www.treshewell.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Tres Hewell Mortuary, 165 Tor Dr., Seguin, Texas, 78155, 830-549-5912.
Linnette Habermann, age 88 of Seguin, passed away on December 6, 2025. Linnette was born on December 10, 1936, in Seguin Texas to Linda Emma (Dietert) and Gilbert Robert Habermann. She was a lifelong member of Cross Church. Linnette worked for the City of Seguin for over 34 years serving as City Secretary. Upon retirement Linnette loved nothing more than being out in
Margarett Svatek, age 79 of Seguin, passed away on November 23, 2025. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 2 to 5 p.m. with remarks at 3 p.m.
Wayne Bothe, age 75 of Seguin, Texas, passed away on November 23, 2025, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born and raised in Seguin and was a proud 1968 graduate of Seguin High School. He lived his life with grit, humor, and stubborn determination. Those who knew him will forever remember his ever-ready smart-ass comments, sharp wit, and the sound of his laughter echoing through the house - and the garage. Though officially retired, Wayne could never sit still - unless he received the text, “Football and ‘seegars’ at Skip’s,” or it was time for the Thursday night “Holy Smokes” group. He greatly enjoyed sharing a cigar, swapping stories, catching up on neighborhood news, and talking sports with his tight-knit circle of friends. He worked hard his entire life and took pride in his career as a truck driver. He spent more than 30 years driving everyday to Miller Brewing Company in Fort Worth. At home, he was a talented mechanic, always working on his own projects or helping friends with cars and tractors. Whether on the road or in the garage, his work reflected the same determination, and pride that defined him. No matter how long it took him to complete a project, he made sure it was
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Nationwide Recall For Frozen Dairy-Free Dessert (Denver, CO) -- A popular dairy-free frozen dessert is being recalled over concerns that it may contain “small stones and other hard objects.” Danone U.S. issued the recall of select pints of its “So Delicious Dairy Free Salted Caramel Cluster” that were sold at retail stores nationwide as small stones or hard objects may be “within the cashew inclusions.” An FDA notice said the company “is working swiftly” to get impacted products off store shelves and no other So Delicious Dairy Free flavors or products are impacted. Consumers who purchased the affected product are advised not to eat it, and they can call the So Delicious Dairy Free Care Line for information on refunds. Debate Resumes Over Whether Light Drinking Is Good Or Bad (Dallas, TX) -- The debate over whether light drinking is good or bad for your health is back on. The American Heart Association has just released a report concluding that consuming one or two alcoholic beverages a day poses no risk for heart disease, heart failure, sudden death or stroke. The AHA now says that light drinking may even reduce the risk, the opposite of their own guidelines which say that any amount of alcohol is harmful. Some recent studies have linked alcohol consumption with a higher cancer risk as well as stroke and heart disease. New Eating Disorder Called Orthorexia Is On The Rise (Undated) -- A new eating disorder called orthorexia is on the rise. Therapists say that unlike bulimia or anorexia, which involve trying to change the shape of your body, orthorexia involves an obsession with so-called “clean eating.” That may sound healthy, but eating disorder experts say it’s not. A person who’s orthorexic sometimes avoids eating entire food groups which can lead to nutrition deficiencies, digestive issues and not getting enough calories for the body to function properly. Therapists blame the increase in this new eating disorder on social media which they say puts out a lot of misinformation about fad diets. NJ Sets New Rules For Embryo Storage (Trenton, NJ) -- New Jersey says it leads the nation in regulations when it comes to human embryo storage facilities. Governor Phil Murphy’s administration says the new rules create standards for the licensing and oversight of facilities that offer egg and embryo storage used in assisted reproduction. Regulations cover oversight, safety and emergencies for productive laboratories, in-vitro fertilization clinics, hospitals and other facilities. Murphy says this sets a national standard for safe embryo storage.
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DECEMBER
call 830-401-2422 or visit library.seguintexas. gov for additional information.
is for adults only, and registration is required. This program is free and open to the public. Please call 830-401-2422 or visit library.seguintexas.gov for additional information.
Baby Time The Seguin Public Library will have Baby Time on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 10 a.m. Learn rhymes and bounces to do with babies, sing songs, and listen to 1 baby storybook. Song and rhyme time will last approximately 25 minutes, followed by baby playtime with scarves, egg shakers, and more. Baby Time is geared towards ages 0 to 18 months. Baby Time meets at 10 a.m. every Wednesday. This program is free and open to the public. Please call 830-401-2422 or visit library.seguintexas.gov for additional information. Family Storytime The Seguin Public Library offers Family Storytime on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 11 a.m. Family Storytime includes stories, rhymes, songs, and other fun early literacy activities for families with children ages 0 to 5. Family Storytime meets at 11 a.m. on Wednesdays. This program is free and open to the public. Please call 830-401-2422 or visit library.seguintexas.gov for additional information. Kids Create: Gingerbread Man Decorating Let the gingerbread festivities begin! The Seguin Public Library will host Kids Create on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 4 p.m. Unleash the holiday cheer with gingerbread man decorating escapades for kids! It’s a sugary wonderland where frosting, candy, and all things edible transform plain gingerbread into festive masterpieces. Little hands get creative, building fine motor skills and imagination as each gingerbread man becomes a unique, sweetly decorated canvas. Registration is required. Attendees MUST be between the listed ages of 6 to 11. Kids Create will meet on the third Wednesday of each month. This program is free and open to the public. Please
Ready, Set, Hired! – Resume Writing & Social Media Networking Ready to make your resume shine? Bring your current resume and learn how to make it stand out and get past online application filters! Workforce Solutions Alamo, the Seguin Economic Development Corporation, and the Seguin Public Library are partnering to present Ready, Set, Hired!, on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 4 p.m. This month’s session features a résumé workshop and social media networking seminar led by a Talent Acquisition Manager from Caterpillar, Inc. Participants are encouraged to bring their current résumé for a personalized consultation. This workshop is ideal for anyone seeking employment or looking to boost their chances of getting hired. Join us for Ready, Set, Hired!, a free monthly program held every third Wednesday designed to help job seekers sharpen their skills and stand out in today’s job market. The program is held every third Wednesday at the Seguin Public Library. Registration is required to attend. This program is free and open to the public. Please call 830-401-2422 or visit library.seguintexas.gov for additional information. Adult Craft Night: Paint the Night Away at the Seguin Public Library The Seguin Public Library will host an Adult Craft Night on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. This month’s project invites participants to “paint the night away” as they create unique wooden ornaments inspired by the night sky. All materials will be provided, and attendees will have the opportunity to craft a personalized keepsake perfect for the holiday season. The event is designed for adults and encourages creativity, relaxation, and community connection. Register to attend, all supplies will be provided. This event
Fiber Arts Club Kick off your fall crafting season at the Seguin Public Library! Join us for the Fiber Arts Club on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. Bring your current projects and enjoy an afternoon of needle crafting. Beginners are welcome; however, please note that this is not an instructional class. Participants must bring their own supplies. This program is free, open to the public, and intended for adults only. For more information, please call 830401-2422 or visit library.seguintexas.gov Sound Bowl Session Unwind with a soothing sound bowl session that will leave you feeling refreshed. Join us at the Seguin Public Library for a calming Sound Bowl Session with Jennifer Baker on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 6 p.m. This relaxing experience uses the gentle vibrations of sound bowls to help you unwind, de-stress, and rejuvenate. Open to ages 16 and up, the session promotes relaxation and mental clarity. Please bring a mat or blanket for comfort. Registration is required, and space is limited, so reserve your spot today. This program is free and open to the public. Please call 830401-2422 or visit library.seguintexas.gov for additional information. Third Thursday in Downtown Seguin The Downtown Business Alliance (DBA) of Seguin invites the community to it for Third Thursday. Enjoy food, music, and shopping during the event, which runs Thursday evening, December 18 in downtown Seguin. Businesses will be open late until 8 p.m. and offering great deals and fun. There will also be several shopping and dining options available that night.
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Bilingual Storytime The Seguin Public Library will host Bilingual Storytime on Friday, December 19, 2025, from 10am to 11am. Join us for fun stories and cheerful songs and rhymes in English and Spanish. Little ones will develop early language skills in both languages while enjoying a fun and engaging environment. Bilingual Storytime is for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. This program is free and open to the public. Please call 830401-2422 or visit library.seguintexas.gov for additional information.
the beloved holiday classic Home Alone. This interactive experience encourages audience participation, making it a fun and engaging way for families and friends to enjoy the movie together. To add to the festive spirit, attendees are encouraged to wear Christmas attire, from holiday sweaters to Santa hats. Pizza and ice cream will be provided to make the event even more enjoyable. Space is limited, so registration is required to secure your spot. This program is free and open to the public. Please call 830-401-2422 or visit library.seguintexas.gov for additional information. Holiday Break for Kids’ Programs at Seguin Public Library The Seguin Public Library will take a short holiday break for its children’s programs from December 21, 2025, through January 5, 2026. During this time, programs will pause so staff and families can enjoy the holiday season. All programs will resume in the new year with fun, educational, and engaging activities for children of all ages. For more information on upcoming programs, please call 830-401-2422 or visit library.seguintexas.gov for additional information.
for free on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at 6 p.m. We are partnering with GRMC Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit to bring you Community Tai Chi. Beginners through Experts are invited to join us. Classes are led by Tai Chi instructor Barry A. Jackson, PT, DPT,. All skill levels are welcome. This program is free and open to the public. Please call 830-401-2422 or visit library.seguintexas.gov for additional information.
Library Holiday Closures The Seguin Public Library will close early on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 5 p.m. and will remain closed through Thursday, December 25, 2025, for the Christmas Holiday. Normal Business hours will resume on Friday, December 26, 2025, at 9 a.m. Items may be renewed online, or returned using outdoor book return. Please call 830-401-2422 or visit library.seguintexas.gov for additional information.
No Dance at Silver Center Christmas week The Silver Center will not be hosting a dance on December 26th due to the holiday.
Holiday Gift Wrapping at the Library Ease Your Holiday Stress, by gift wrapping at the library. Join us on Friday, December 19, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to wrap your holiday gifts. We’ll provide free wrapping paper, bows, and tags. You just bring your gifts and creativity. Stop by, unwind, and get your holiday wrapping done with ease. This event is made possible through community donations. This program is open to all ages and is available while supplies last. Please call 830-4012422 or visit library.seguintexas.gov for additional information. Drive Through Living Nativity The Faith Lutheran Church will be hosting a Drive Through Living Nativity at 5:30 p.m. on December 20 at 1326 E. Cedar St. The event will feature live music, live animals, and actors portraying scenes depicting the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ. This is a free community event open to all. Interactive Holiday Movie at the Seguin Public Library The Seguin Public Library invites the community to celebrate the holiday season with an Interactive Holiday Movie on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Join us for a lively, all-ages screening of
Tai Chi Tuesday The Seguin Public Library will host Tai Chi
Noon Year’s Eve Party at the Seguin Public Library Ring in the new year a little early at the Seguin Public Library’s Noon Year’s Eve Party on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Join us for a fun-filled morning with crafts, tasty snacks, and an exciting countdown to high noon. The celebration will end with a spectacular balloon finale that’s sure to bring smiles and laughter to kids of all ages. Space is limited, so registration is required. Contact the Seguin Public Library to save your spot and start the new year with a bang! This program is free and open to the public. Please call 830-4012422 or visit library.seguintexas.gov for additional information.
To ensure non-profit organization’s meetings and events appear in this calendar, send information to: communitycalendar@ kwed1580.com, or drop off the information at the Seguin Daily News/KWED offices located at 609 E. Court St. in Seguin. For best results, submit information at least two weeks prior to the event.
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