Seguin Magazine April 2019

G u a d a l u p e C o u n t y l i v i n g

April 2019

Celebrating Women with our 2019 women’s issue

Alma Camacho the woman behind the lashes and heels

Sheryl Sachtleben

shares her dedication to Seguin’s Youth

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Guadalupe County living ~ Seguin

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WOMEN’S GUADALUPE COUNTY

MIND BODY SOUL

April 10, 2019 • 4-7pm Seguin Coliseum

Free Women’s Expo

Get the scoop on the latest health news, fitness breakthroughs, nutrition advice, beauty trends and much more!

In partnership with

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G u a d a l u p e C o u n t y l i v i n g

Vol. 5, No. 11 Seguin magazine is published twelve times a year by the Seguin Gazette.

PUBLISHER Elizabeth Engelhardt

Tattoos by Jeremiah

EDITOR Hannah Ruiz-Gruver

Award winning artist

Private Studio • Seguin, TX

• Custom Work • Color Art • Black & Grey Art • Cover-Ups

FASHION COORDINATOR Tera Swango

ADVERTISING Gay Lynn Olsovsky Laurie Cheatham

WRITERS Felicia Frazar Valerie Bustamante Priscilla Aguirre Zach Ienatsch

TO ADVERTISE IN SEGUIN MAGAZINE CALL 830-379-5402 STORY IDEAS seguinmagazine@seguingazette.com

SEARCH SEGUIN GAZETTE All material herein c. 2019 Southern Newspapers Inc., dba The Seguin Gazette, 1012 Schriewer Road, Seguin, TX, 78155.

All rights reserved

hot tip

Awards for Best portrait • Most realistic Color Portrait • Lettering

EMPOWERED WOMEN, EMPOWER WOMEN

ON

THE

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Photo by Hannah Ruiz-Gruver

Voted Best Tattoo Artist 5 years in row and Tattoo shop in 2019

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SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

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An inside look from our WRITERS...

“It was so much fun interviewing and writing about Dorothy Funderburg. She is an excellent chef and does great work at the Silver Center. Read about her hectic but fun schedule.”

– Priscilla Aguirre “Visiting with James and Laurie Deathrage was a lot of fun. James really has a passion for all of the vehicles he has collected, and each one of them has it’s own unique story. To hear how he recreated the Model T Depot Hack from just a rusted out frame and an old barn was incredible.

And to boot, he did all of the woodwork without the use of a square or measuring tape. You’d never know just by looking at it.

I can’t wait for my next visit with him and Laurie.”

– Felicia Frazar

“It was truly an honor to have the opportunity to write about Sheryl Sachtleben and what she has done with the Seguin Youth Services. Her passion and love for those kids really shows. We need more people like her. I also enjoyed getting to meet the kids who are a part of the program. They were a blast.”

–Valerie Bustamante

8

Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

W

hen Seguin Gazette publisher Elizabeth Engelhardt first approached me with the idea of coordinating a Women’s Expo for Guadalupe County I was behind the idea 100 percent. As the event’s details started coming to together and the date was set, I knew that this issue of Seguin Magazine needed to follow in the with the theme of Mind, Body, Soul.

With this issue of Seguin Magazine, you will meet some great influencers in our community.

Sheryl Sachtleben shares how and why she has dedicated her life’s work to the youth of Seguin. Hairdresser Alma Camacho lets us into her closet and shares what makes her feel empowered — her heels.

I faced a fear of mine in the kitchen and made French macarons for the first time and also took my kids on an adventure to learn about Texas History in Goliad. Felicia also got to visit with James and Laurie deatherage and see a Model T that James has restored.

Our Fashion section also sports some great athletic wear featured in a beautiful location in Seguin.

I hope that you find something for you in the pages of this issue, So turn the page and enjoy.

Hannah RuizGruver

sol y luna the shop @ design associates 110 West Nolte Street in Downtown Seguin @designassociatesseguin

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April in Seguin....

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G u a d a l u p e C o u n t y l i v i n g

THE HOTTEST SPOT

46

14

24

32

50

Features

Around Town

In Each Issue

38 Sheryl Sachtleben

14 Closet Closeup

12 Sizzlin’ Five

42 the WOmen behind the Silver Center Kitchen

18 Under the Hood

32 Fashion

46 Elanie Bennett

22 Culinary Creations

54 Faces of Seguin

24 Day Tripper

58 Favorite Finds

50 Noni’s Natural Soaps

10 Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

28 Luxury Lifestyle

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SIZZLINSIX

Six events you don’t want to miss

April 10th

2019 Guadalupe county women’ eXpo

The Seguin Gazette and Guadalupe Regional Medical Center are hosting the first annual Guadalupe County Women’s Expo from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10 at the Seguin Events Complex — Coliseum. The event will focus on women mind, body and soul and will include local vendors, guest speakers and more.

April 13

th

Kite day at parK west

Children are invited to come out and fly a kite and enjoy some family friendly activities from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 13. The city’s Parks and Recreation Department is hosting Kite Day in Park West. The event will feature arts and crafts, face painting, parachute games, bubbles and a 50-yard dash kite flying competition. Children can bring their own kites or make one.

April 26th

tHe HotsHot’s reunion

The Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce brings to life an old tradition with the Hotshots Reunion and Fish Fry at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 26 at the Starcke Park Pavilion. The event will include Hotshot’s famous cod dinners with, French fries, Eileen’s green bean salad, coleslaw and all of the trimmings. Desserts and drinks will be available for purchase and the dance slab will be open for dancing with a local band taking the stage.

April 27th

WOMEN’S GUADALUPE COUNTY

flapJacK JamBoree

The Kiwanis Club of Seguin will serve up its annual Flapjack Jamboree from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 27 at the Seguin Silver Center. The annual event has the organization cooking up a pancake and sausage breakfast and silent auction. Proceeds from the event benefit children in the community.

April 27th

eartH day festiVal and trade days

Learn to live a greener lifestyle at Seguin’s 12th annual Earth Day Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 27 in Central Park. Visitors are invited to see how Seguin can become a healthier, more sustainable community. Businesses, schools, organizations and industries will demonstrate various ways of how to protect the environment and conserve natural resources. Musical groups will perform in the bandstand and activities for children will add to the festivities.

Additionally more than 80 vendors will set up booths around Central Park selling arts, crafts jewelry, food and more.

April 27th

relay for life

Guadalupe County Relay For Life is heading back to El Fiesta Ballroom for this year’s venture. Guadalupe County residents are invited to participate in the American Cancer Society’s largest fundraising campaign starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 27 by walking laps and visiting vendor booths set up by area businesses, organizations and individual groups in an effort to raise money for the cause.

12 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

MIND · BODY · SOUL

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Alma Camacho

By Valerie Bustamante

F

rom her Lily Lux lashes, long bleach blonde hair and signature high heels — Seguin’s newest businesswoman, Alma Camacho – owner and hairstylist at Golden Locks Salon — keeps her style feminine while adding an edgy twist.

Proclaiming she doesn’t have a specific style, Camacho said she likes to mix up what she wears.

“I actually have a little bit of everything.

Sometimes I’ll dress up for work or I’ll wear a t-shirt, jeans and heels,” she said.

“I try to be conservative, but also kind of sexy too. After my son was born, I did tend to cover up because I’m a mom now, but my sisters told me I had to get it back together.”

Some of Camacho’s favorite pieces include maxi dresses, long skirts paired with tank tops or crop tops, loose, flowy blouses and blue jeans.

Guadalupe County living ~ Seguin 15

At home or when at the gym, though Camacho keeps it casual.

“When I’m at home it’s just pajama pants or work out pants and then my slippers. As soon as I get home I take off my shoes and I put on my slippers,” she said.

“My husband gets a kick out of it because he’s like ‘yeah you wish you could wear those out in public.’”

While Camacho said she likes a variety of color, she always gravitates toward the black.

“I’ve worn wedges probably since I was in eighth grade.”

Alma Camacho “I do wear a lot of black to work, which I shouldn’t because I work with bleach a lot so a lot of my clothes are stained with bleach,” she said. “Every now and then I’ll wear a nude pink, especially in the summer and spring. If it’s not black it’s a lot of pinks or peach.”

The color of her hair does play a factor in what color she wear Camacho said.

“Since my hair is really blonde right now I wear even 16 Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

more black now. I love nude, but I tend not to wear it too much because of how much blonder my hair is now — I disappear in pictures,” she said.

Since becoming a mom, Camacho said she doesn’t do a whole lot of shopping for herself anymore.

“I was probably more of a shopper back in the day before my son, but now when I do shop it’s for my husband or my son,” she said. “Most of my clothes are hand-me-downs. My family always does garage sales so I’m the first one they call — ‘hey, Alma, I have clothes if you want to come look through it.’”

With a total of five sisters, Camacho usually gets her clothes from them, she said.

“My sisters say I don’t have any style, but I get all my clothes from them,” Camacho laughed. “I guess it’s just a matter of how I pair things together. If I don’t get clothes from then I’ll go thrift shopping. I love Goodwill.”

When she is shopping Camacho opts for bargain buys.

“My main places to go if I do have to buy something is Melrose or Ross. I will not spend $25 on a shirt. I have to love it to buy it,” she said. “If I go into a nice store like Charlotte Russe or something I’ll go straight to the clearance rack and find basic pieces I can pair with anything.”

Jewelry can be a typical accessory for most people, however, for Camacho, it isn’t.

Camacho prides her wedges and high heels as her signature accessory.

“I’ve worn wedges probably since I was in eighth grade. Even when they had the tennis shoes with wedges,” she said. “I remember having these wooden wedges in eighth grade and wearing them all the time just because I hated being so short and my girlfriends were always taller than me.”

Even when she was pregnant, Camacho never tossed the wedges to the side.

“I was nine months pregnant, still working long hours and I would wear my big thick boots or my wedges,” she said. “The older ladies would always say ‘oh honey, you’re going to fall or hurt yourself and whenever you have that baby you’re not going to be able to wear those heels anymore.’ Well, I showed them when I went back — I told them “look, I have heels!”

Flats are never an option for her, Camacho said.

“Whenever I am next to people at the shop if I were to wear flats I feel very small and not myself,” she said.

“They won’t even see me. When I wear my heels I feel normal, you know?”

Heels are her ultimate confidence booster, Camacho said.

106 N. Austin St., Seguin, Texas • 830-463-5170 Guadalupe County living ~ Seguin 17

20 Horsepower inline 4 cylinder four wooden coils planetary transmission

1927 Model T

Depot Hack

By Felicia Frazar

A

t James and Laurie Deathrage’s ranch is a collection of classic vehicles.

While some include Model A’s and a Volkswagon bus — all in varying stages of restoration — the bulk of the assortment is Model T’s.

“I piddle with them just for fun, I don’t sell them,” James said inside a large barn converted to a garage, complete with neon signs and a man cave. “I’ve been doing this for 25 years.”

“This is his favorite place to be,” Laurie said.

Among the collection of vehicles is a 1927 Model T Depot Hack that James built from the frame up.

“I saw it in the people’s field, and they said I could have it if I did something with it, so that is what I did with it,” he said. “That was just the frame.”

According to the people, the automobile was converted to a peanut wagon in the ’30s and was eventually put out to the pasture, James said.

He began working on the vehicle at

the beginning of 2012 and finished it in May the same year.

“One thing that is interesting is when I did all of the work on it, all of the parts and left over pieces, all of the holes in the fender, I just painted over them,” he said. “I didn’t do any bondo, I just did scrap pieces.”

While most of the parts are from Model T’s only one, upon closer inspection, isn’t, James said.

“One thing that is not original to it is the radiator,” he said. “The one that is on it, if you didn’t know what to look

Guadalupe County living ~ Seguin 19

for, you wouldn’t know that it is not the right one. The radiator should be bronze, not aluminum.”

The planetary transmission is standard for a Model T and includes three pedals for movement — forward, reverse and brake — with the throttle on the steering wheel.

“It means that it doesn’t move, it is stationary, until you step on a pedal and it forces the bands together and it spins one direction or the other,” James explained.

All of the metal parts of the vehicle are Model T, except the cab, which was built out of old barn wood, James said.

“It’s got a Model T frame, it’s got a Model T engine, Model T transmission and all of the metal is Model T pretty much,” he said. “The wood, we tore a barn down in Marion and used the wood to build the cab.”

In creating the cab, James took an untraditional approach.

“I did the cab without the benefit of a tape measure or a square,” he said.

“That was the plan when I started, just to be able to say I did that. To get the boards to be the exact same length, I took a board that was not rotten or messed up and cut it to get two of them the same length.”

The sides of the Depot Hack are adorned with different utensils like a can opener, a coffee grinder, a tire patch and gears along the side.

“I hooked it up to an ice cream maker. So, now the Model T makes ice cream,” James said.

The box in the back is painted up to resemble an old Army footlocker.

“He would ride in it and have a big ‘ole about it all of the time and I said, The rolled up window coverings smile on his face, but he would not ‘Some day I’ll have one.’ He said, and upholstery for the seats were drive it.”

‘You’ll never have enough money to added by the AMC production of the Their love of the vehicle is a family have a Model T.’ So, it was kind of like television series “The Son” which affair with their children and granda challenge.” the Model T made an appearance in, children, and it drove the couple to Before his (father-in-law) died, James said. join The San Antonio Ford Model T James’ love of Model T’s came from James found an Model T and restored Club about 25 years ago. his father-in-law who was intrigued by it, just for him.

“It is great. It is something we can “I got the first one, got it all fixed the vehicle that was first introduced both do, the grand kids too,” James up and running and wanted him to the year he was born, 1909. said. “We’ve been doing it together drive it because he had always told “My (father-in-law) was born in and it would not be the same without me about the planetary transmission, 1909, that is the year that came out her.” pedals and everything,” James said. with Model T’s,” he said. “He talked 20 Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

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French

MACRONS

By HannaH ruiz-GruVer

I

have been baking as long as I can remember. I have always loved to bake, however, there has only been one baked good that has ever made me nervous and hesitant about attempting to tackle it — French macarons. So, I decided to face my fears. In total, I made three attempts to make the macarons, after spending time watching videos, scouring Pinterest and watching “Kids Baking Champion” on Food TV, I felt confident enough to make the attempt.

French macarons are very delicate cookies that take time and patience to make; they require a meringue to be made to stiff peaks and then a sifted dry mixture of almond flour (ground almonds) and confectioners sugar folded into the meringue.

The folding process is where things can get tricky if you under-fold, the mixture can be grainy and not cook right, if you over-fold, the mixture can get runny and sticky when being baked. Either way, you would not get the “feet” when baking.

Something I learned is that a solid silicone mixing spoon works better when folding, my bamboo ones hurt my hand. I also added the meringue to the dry mix in 3 parts and folded each time to finally get the perfect macaron. I also added the color I chose to use to the meringue before folding, to avoid over folding.

After the mixture is at the right consistency, you place it into a piping bag and make circles that are all identical

macaron sHells: 3/4 cup almond flour 1 cup confectioners’ sugar 2 large egg whites, at room temperature 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Vanilla Buttercream fillinG: 1/4 cup unsalted butter 3/4 cup and 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar 1 teaspoon milk 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet; I used a template that I found online.

Now comes the fun part — dropping the pan. Gently you pick up the pan and drop it on to the counter several times, this process releases air bubbles inside the batter.

Then the waiting. The pan has to sit out for 30 minutes to allow the batter to form a crust — you should be able to touch the circle.

Once the wait is over, the pan goes into the oven. During the baking process, you want the macaron to puff up and get what is called feet, at the base of the cookie. When you take the tray out of the oven, you need to let them cool.

Once they have cooled, you can take them off the parchment paper and pipe the filling of your choice — I chose a cream cheese frosting with strawberry jam on one cookie, then place another cookie on top of the filling and you have a perfect macaron.

instructions macaron sHells: 1. combine almond flour and confectioners’ sugar in a bowl and whisk together. pass mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing down on clumps.

2. in a large bowl, beat the egg whites using a hand-mixer or stand-mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes until soft peaks form. add the granulated sugar and beat on high for 2 more minutes until stiff, glossy peaks form.

3. add vanilla and beat on high for another 30 seconds.

4. gently fold in dry ingredients and repeat until mixture is smooth and shiny, (with no visible dry ingredients) and begins to run a little but not too runny. think lava consistency. do not overfold.

5. take a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2 inch round tip and fill with the batter.

6. line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and pipe batter into 3/4-inch round circles, 1 inch apart.

7. tap the baking sheet firmly against the counter to release any air bubbles.

8. let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes until they form a skin.

9. preheat oven to 325 f.

10. bake for 10-12 minutes, rotating halfway, until cookies have risen and just set. the cookies should be able to just come off the baking sheet when you try to lift them.

11. let cool for 5 minutes then transfer to wire rack and let cool completely.

Vanilla Buttercream fillinG: 1. using a hand mixer or a stand mixer, cream butter until soft and smooth.

2. add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla and mix until light and fluffy. maKe tHe macarons: 1. transfer the buttercream filling into a piping bag with a round tip.

2. pipe a swirl of filling on half the cookies.

3. Sandwich cookies together with the remaining halves. www.aheadofthyme.com

GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 23

Remember Goliad

By Hannah Ruiz-Gruver

H

istory is something that I have always loved, especially Texas history.

So, one Saturday in late February I decided that my kids and I were going to take a trip down to Goliad to see the missions and enjoy a day together.

As we were arrived into town, we 24 Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

were greeted by a water tower that says, “Remember Goliad�, this struck a chord with me because it really is a town that is so rich in Texas history, but so often forgotten. Goliad is the home to La Bahia and Goliad State Park, which is houses the Mission Espiritu Santo.

We made our first stop at Goliad

State Park. As we drove into the park we were greeted by the beautiful Mission Espiritu Santo, a white church that was reconstructed in the 1930s.

According to a sign on site, Mission Espiritu Santo was originally established near present-day Matagorda Bay and moved to its current location in 1749. At this location, the Fran-

ciscan missionaries taught the native Aranama peoples, the religious principles and craft skills they needed to become Spanish Citizens. In 1830, the mission became a secular church and then Aranama College. Over time, the Mission fell into disuse and Goliad residents used the stones from the structure for other buildings in the city.

When you walk into the church, you are greeted by an elaborate altar complete with saints and a crucifix.

The walls are decorated with paintings and art that have been recreated from a wall fragment found by archeologists in 1974, which is housed in a glass case in the same room as the rope for the bell that my kids enjoyed ringing.

Located to the left of the church is another building that held the workshop. It displays all of the tools and other items that were used to teach the Aranama peoples the skills to make clothes from cotton, baskets, pottery and knives. A park employee, Ron Niemeyer, showed us how to clean the cotton and how to use the weaving Guadalupe County living ~ Seguin 25

loom.

Connected to the church is the priest corridor, which now contains a museum preserving the history. It includes artifacts, letters, as well as a helmet and chainmail armor that both my kids tried on. Also in the corner of this building is the last remaining wall from the original mission.

After touring the inside of the mission we decided to walk throughout the park. Goliad State Park is 188.3 acres located on the San Antonio River.

We enjoyed a walk down a nature trail and saw the kiln that was used to fire the tiles used during the restoration of the mission.

We then drove less than a mile on U.S. Highway 183 to Presidio de la La Bahia (The Fort on the Bay). La Bahia was founded in its present location by the Spanish in 1749. It is now owned by the Catholic Church and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1967. The Church still holds mass every Sunday.

We walked into the fort’s museum that contained flags from the Texas Revolution, many artifacts and a piece of a cannon barrel. Outside of the museum, we walked into the courtyard. On the day we visited there were re-enactors throughout the fort. We explored the grounds, which included a fully intact canon.

Also, at La Bahia is a Our Lady of Loreto, one of the oldest churches in America. Located in a niche above the chapel entrance is a statue of Our Lady of Loreto, which was sculpted by Lincoln Borglum. The chapel also was the location where General Fannin’s men were held captive during the Texas Independence and also where the first declaration of Texas Independence was signed. The Chapel holds mass every Sunday at 5 p.m.

Goliad was a fun adventure for my kids and myself that wasn’t that far from Seguin and a great day trip. We really enjoyed learning about Texas History and about Texas Independence.

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The home is newly furnished by a professional decorator, complementing the design of the riverfront house. In the property’s three stories, multiple living rooms make for the perfect backdrops for quality family time.

A genuine chef ’s kitchen will make every dinner more than just a daily routine and give the residents’ palettes something befitting the high life. And in this home, eating dinner in the dining room is not the only option, as a wonderful summer night can move to the extensive decks and patios around the exterior. The outside has an additional kitchen for outdoor grilling and celebrations.

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Dedication to Seguin’s Youth

By Valerie Bustamante

S

tudents as young as third grade came in with their backpacks hanging on their shoulders while others came in groups. They all headed straight to the classroom area inside Seguin Youth Services to start working on their homework for the day.

But before making their way into the room each one of them looked up with the biggest grin and said ‘Hi Sheryl!” Some even rushing to give the matriarch of the Seguin Youth Services program the biggest bear hug.

Many of them surprised to see her as she wasn’t expected to be back so early from her day job as Guadalupe County Justice of the Peace Pct. 2.

Sheryl Sachtleben has seen hundreds of students come through the doors of the building at 919 N. Guadalupe Street as part of the 38 Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

program she founded 24 years ago.

Washateria In 1995, while working as a probation officer at the juvenile detention facility, Sachtleben dreamed of a program that could help at-risk youth keep their lives on track. A program that could set children up with a mentor that could help guide them through their school work as well as life.

“I was there just a little short of eight years and there just happen to be the first initiative for delinquency prevention,” she said. “Washington D.C. had just come out with every state being able to design programs that would prevent kids from getting in trouble.”

Sachtleben applied for several grants before earning a grant for $60,000 after only being one of two

people who had applied for the grant, she said.

“I remember we had to go to the governor’s office to present our idea.

We were like in this theater in front of a committee on a stage and it was really intimidating,” Sachtleben said.

With the grant, Sachtleben kicked off the program in the old washateria building on San Antonio Street.

“As a probation officer there were a lot of gang members in that area and that was my caseload,” she said. “Well, that building always had graffiti on it and so we always cleaned it up for the man who owned it. When I started to write the grant I asked him if he would let me use that building. We made an agreement, if I got the grant I could use it.”

The owner of the former washateria agreed to let her use the building

for three years for the new program although the grant was only for a year.

Together Sachtleben and Marcos Saenz, her former colleague and now husband, quit their jobs at the detention facility and took the leap.

“We both left probation to make less money with no retirement, no health insurance, no anything,” Sachtleben said. “We both second-guessed ourselves at the beginning, but we both knew it was the right time.”

A promise While now the program brings in students from across Seguin ISD, at the beginning Sachtleben said they just went around the neighborhood to see which kids would come in.

Their first child was a first grader name, Tyrone.

“He’s 37 now and his little boy is in the fourth grade now. During that first year when Tyrone came he was the youngest,” Sachtleben said. “He went on our family vacations. He’s been in all of my family pictures with my boys.”

After it’s first year, the program continued for another three years on another grant, but Sachtleben and Saenz didn’t know how much longer the program would continue.

“By the time we got into that guaranteed three more years when we finished that up we were like ‘oh, we’ve got to come up with something more permanent,’” Sachtleben said. “I remember us sitting in the washateria and Marcos saying ‘let’s just agree right now that as long as we have the funding we will commit until Tyrone graduates high school. I can remember making commitments, because at first, you didn’t really think it was going to lock on.”

In 1998, when the program expanded to the school district, they opened another building on Austin Street and a third in the neighborhood, which Sachtleben calls the “girls house.”

A year later, Seguin Youth Services started SYS Bingo, which now serves as their main source of fundraising for the program.

“It used to be a secondary source

because at the time we had all these grants,” Sachtleben said. “Someone asked me if I wanted to run it at the Fiesta Ballroom. One of the parents came out to the San Antonio Street location to do different barbecue benefits for us and we just became friends. He was in one day and telling me that someone had started one at St. James once a week. Bingo has been our backbone for 20 years.”

The race In the midst of managing SYS, Sachtleben had another dream — to run for Justice of the Peace Pct. 2.

“Running for the judge actually started from being involved in the Youth Services,” she said. “I had a mother from the next block over who had a son who started here in the fifth grade — he’s 30 now. But he’s gone to jail and people were not giving her good information about it. You know I felt for her and it frustrated me so much. These people needed good 40 Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

representation.”

It also gave her four years to prepare However, Sachtleben lost her first for a re-match. In 2010, she won the race against former Justice of the election for Pct. 2.

Peace Pct. 2. Edmundo “Cass” Castellanos in 2006.

SYS today While she didn’t receive the position, Today the program is managed by Sachtleben earned another win for her Sachtleben as the executive director, kids — a permanent home for SYS Saenz as assistant executive director, Bingo.

Cassandra Gonzales as a teacher and “The day after the election we were several volunteers. driving down 123 cleaning up and Every day the students come into picking up signs, with my head leaned the center to work on their homeup against the window and my mentor work with Saenz or Gonzales before from probation texted me saying ‘you going outside to play for a little and need to keep your head up. Don’t enjoy some freshly made bologna and put your tail between your legs.’ By cheese sandwiches. the time we picked up all the signs, I “Everyday we have a different schednoticed this property was just here — ule. On Mondays, they go to the (Irma like I had passed it 20 years in a row.”

Lewis) Outdoor Learning Center Sachtleben said she believed she and on Tuesdays we got to Hillcrest didn’t win because it was importChurch to play,” Sachtleben said. ant to find the property. Eventually, “They have a gym that they let the kids she was able to build the Geronimo play games in and church volunteers Community Center, at 280 Navarro show up with pizza.”

Dr, specifically to host the SYS Bingo On Wednesdays, the group makes fundraisers. its way to St. Andrews Episcopal

Church, where the congregation cooks them dinner, some kids get to practice for Sunday choir and others interact in youth activities.

Thursdays are for group activities at the center and Fridays are free days.

“It’s never you come in and do whatever you want. It’s always group activities,” Sachtleben said. “It’s not a boys club where someone can just walk in that we don’t know. It’s not a afterschool care for somebody that’s looking for somebody to keep an eye on their kids. We don't babysit — I mean we’re free.”

Several of the children and teens in the program have been in it since they were in elementary, although some have joined in during middle school.

Many of their own parents were in the program.

The SYS staff stays in the loop in regard to all the students’ grades and behavior by checking in with their teachers, counselors and principals.

To encourage them to keep succeeding, the staff takes all the kids on camping trips, beach trips, to the movies and on other adventures.

Every week, Sachtleben picks of a “student of the week” to have lunch with.

“The way you get a kid to perform is you support them. The reason they do good on their grades is because they know I'm looking at them,” she said.

“They want you to be proud of them.

The reason they do good on their grades is that they know I’m looking at them. We pay attention to them every single day.”

Although she started the program, Sachtleben said she wouldn't be able to do it without everyone’s help.

“I may have been the one who had the idea and pays the bills, but it’s what they do in that classroom that makes those kids come back every day,” she said. “I mean people that get off work to read with a kid — how awesome is that? I mean there are volunteers that buy them pizza. There are all these people that do it, but they don’t have to.”

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Dorothy Funderburg The woman behind the Silver Center cooking

By Priscilla Aguirre

F

or the majority of her life, Dorothy Funderburg has worked in the restaurant business.

It’s been a journey to find a place where she can have freedom in the kitchen while also having support when things get heavy.

But, Funderburg has found her home away from home in the Silver Center — a building located in historic downtown Seguin that serves as a place for the community to congregate, visit, volunteer, play games and most importantly eat.

Two years ago, Funderburg started as a volunteer at the Silver Center and then became the catering coordinator.

Now, she serves as the chef, cooking up a range of dishes Monday through Friday in the kitchen.

“The Silver Center is the best-kept secret,” Funderburg said. “People need to understand that we have some really good food that comes through here and they just don’t know it. They think it’s an old-folks home, but it’s not. It’s for the community, it’s for surrounding counties. We are

here to serve.”

With Glenda Layton being the executive director, Pam Davis as the assistant director and volunteer coordinator and Funderburg in the kitchen, the Silver Center stays busy because of the trios dynamic, Funderburg said.

“I have the freedom to try new things, but we all pitch in and work together,” she said. “When I get backed up or something happens, then I can call either one of these ladies and ask for help.

“I’ve worked in several restaurants where you are by yourself. Here, it’s really based around team effort and that is a very unique situation.”

From hors d’oeuvres to full home-cooked meals, Funderburg stays busy in the kitchen all week.

“I look at the week and see what needs to be taken out of the freezer and what needs to be prepped,” Funderburg said. “Monday is a prep day for me because I want to make sure all the salads and the desserts are ready. We do like it fresh, so I don’t like to cook several days ahead of time. I Guadalupe County living ~ Seguin 43

just always have tomorrow planned and look at the menu very seriously.”

On Mondays and Tuesdays, lunch can be a little quiet and slow, but Wednesdays and Thursdays are when the real fun happens as Funderburg cook’s lunch for about three different groups all at once.

“As the week goes on it kind of gets a little bit crazier because we’ve got other groups and clubs that come in,” Funderburg said. “Sometimes we’ll have 100 people in here that we are feeding. We have our regular lunches that will be in one room and then the clubs in another room, so there are times that we feed three different locations while we are here. It can be crazy, but it’s a fun crazy.”

Although Funderburg might have some stressful times, she said she enjoys cooking and loves seeing the faces of 44 Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

the customers after they’ve eaten the meal she prepared.

“They come in and we try to put out a really good product, a home cooked meal, and it’s really nice when someone comes in and says, ‘That is the best food I just had,’ Funderburg said. “That’s probably my favorite part, to see the people satisfied when they are done. The happy customers that come back. We do have a lot of regulars that come through here.”

One of Funderburg’s favorite dishes to make for her customers is the smothered pork chops.

“It’s a really nice meal,” she said. “I hand-cut it from a pork loin, flour it and fry it for just a few minutes. Then saute the mushrooms and onions and smother the pork chops in brown gravy, and cook it again for probably about another hour, so it’s a slow cook, and it’s very tender and

very tasty.”

Since Funderburg has been at the Silver Center, Layton said the kitchen has run smoothly.

“We’ve been in business 26 years here, for the first time ever, we had 100 percent rating, so no dings, no problems,” she said. “The city has a perfect report card for us when they had our inspection, so we are very proud of that and that’s all due to Dorothy’s leadership.”

Layton added Funderburg’s personality plays a big part of the chemistry and magic that happens at the Silver Center.

“She wants to learn something new and do something different, and I think that is the way we all grow,” Layton said. “She smiles all the time and the fact that there is joy in her personality is wonderful for us. It allows us to move and create and make other people happy, because it’s genuinely a joy.”

Davis agreed with Layton and calls themselves “the three amigas.”

“I have not thrown anything at her that she couldn’t do,” Davis said.

“What makes it easier is to laugh when it’s good, have somebody to cry with when it’s tough, but really laugh more than anything else. I think I’ve laughed more in the last year more than I ever have with the three of us as a team.”

With the combination of all three of them and more, the Silver Center continues to rise to success and Funderburg said it’s a fun ride.

“We combine recipes from their experience growing up and we do a lot of, because we want to put out the best product we can and that is unique,” she said. “Cooking here is always interesting and never boring, and that’s what I like. I’m constantly learning something new all the time and I have the flexibility to be creative.”

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Hotshot’s is presented by CMC Steel Texas Guadalupe County living ~ Seguin 45

By Felicia Frazar Photos Courtesy of Bill Sullivan & Stanley Nauman

F

or more than two decades, Elaine Bennett’s work care of everybody in our community, that is my driving has given her the ability to help people. force,” Bennett said.

Even more so in the past two years, as she That help comes in forms of grants ranging from $1,000 serves as the chief executive officer of the to $5,000, or even the purchase of equipment or bring in Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation. new programs that can help ensure residents get the best “There are so many ways to help people,” she said. “My treatment possible without having to leave the community. theme is I like to serve people, I like to help. That is some“I’m always looking for funding opportunities that really thing I really enjoy doing. Anything that I usually get fit the niche of what our needs are,” Bennett said. “I involved with, I’m all in — whether it be helping project communicate with administrators, department managers graduation or the food bank.” and employees to see what their needs are.”

Bennett is a graduate of Texas Lutheran College (now Recently, the foundation was able to fund the start-up known as Texas Lutheran University) where she received costs for a women’s pelvic floor therapy program in the her accounting degree. hospital’s physical therapy department.

After spending five years living and working in San AntoThe department submitted a Life-Saver grant to the nio, Bennett and her family moved to Seguin, where she foundation and was awarded funds to get the program eventually took a job at Guadalupe Valley Hospital in the going, Bennett said. accounting department.

“The Race2Raise funds go toward these unbudgeted During her 25 years at the hospital, Bennett received items and our board approved it,” she said. “That seed several promotions, which led to her being named execumoney went toward the startup costs for that program and tive director of finance, until two years ago. the hospital will pick up the rest of the costs — operational “I went back to school and got my masters from the and all of that.”

University of Texas San Antonio. Then upon graduation, I Awarding funding such as that helps “empower” the was promoted to CEO of the Foundation,” she said. “The hospital’s employees to seek out new and innovated ways foundation is the people piece, which I really like people. to help their patients, Bennett said.

My passion is helping people that are in need, giving them The foundation also offers support to the community a hand up. It has been a really rewarding experience. When through various programs like the Prescription Assistance I came to the foundation, I always said this is like a spiritual Program, the Cancer Assistance Fund and the Guadalupe walk for me.”

Clinic.

The Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation exists to “Everyone has good days and bad days, but when those give assistance to the Guadalupe Regional Medical Center bad days hit, I’m here and I want to help you,” she said. in its mission to care for and treatment of patients.

“When I get that call, ‘I have cancer,’ or ‘I’ve got a prescrip“We give GRMC the ability to continue the efforts to take tion, where can I go?’ I am empowered to say ‘Yes, we can 46 Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

help you. We raise money for that.’”

The organization hosts two major fundraisers a year — Pistols ’N Petticoats in November and Race2Raise in April — to benefit their programs and grants, Bennett said.

Helping donors make connections to where their contributions benefit is part of what Bennett likes best about her job.

“For that donor to understand that they’re not just donating money, they’re actually donating to a cause that is going to impact the community that they live in, that is pretty exciting to me,” she said. “Also, it is not really the amount of money that you have but it might be different things, it might be your talent, or your time, which is very valuable.”

Additionally, Bennett said she enjoys getting to work alongside other area nonprofits.

“The people that I meet in the nonprofit world are just genuinely kind people. We’re really just trying to help one another,” she said.

Bennett’s help within the community extends beyond the medical needs.

“Food insecurity and addressing those needs that we have in our community is a passion of mine,” she said.

Having grown up with a farming background, not having food on the table was not an issue Bennett faced.

“I never understood that people couldn’t have food. I come from a modest family and maybe I didn’t have brand new shoes or things like that, but we always had food,” she said.

When she joined the Seguin ISD School Health Advisory Committee, that was when Bennett saw a real need in the community.

“At that point, I realized that there were kids in our community that didn’t have food over the weekend,” she said.

“I got involved with that – that was the backpack program. I did that for a couple of years.”

Bennett also began a Bowl-A-Thon for hospital employees with the funds going toward the battle against hunger.

“The employees get-together and 48 Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

raised money for the food bank,” she said. “We raise about $5,000 every year and what that gets us is four distributions along with the donation from Faith Lutheran Church. That gets us two distributions here at the hospital and two at Faith Lutheran.”

Each distribution day, the group distributes between 12,000 to 13,000 pounds of food to community members in need.

Bennett said you see a sense of relief wash over the families when they receive the food.

“As these cars are coming through and you are putting food into their trunks you see how grateful everyone is,” she said. “It’s a look of ‘you don’t know what this means to me.’

Every person has something going on in their life and when they get that food voucher, you already know that they need it. That makes me feel good because we’re here to serve.”

Currently, Bennett serves as the chairwoman for the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

During her time on the board, Bennett has seen the organization’s programs geared toward getting area students insight into the businesses in their community bloom into something more.

“It’s been exciting watching the Talent Pipeline grow and expand into the Job Shadow program — which was so successful,” she said. “The community really opened their doors and allowed these students to come in and shadow them for half the day and feed them. I think this really showed them there are great opportunities here in our community for people who decided not to go to college. We need to make sure that those students know those opportunities exist.”

When she is not working on foundation projects, with the Chamber of Commerce or distributing food, Bennett enjoys spending time with her husband, and two adult children.

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Noni’s Natural Soaps

By Valerie Bustamante

D

ressed in an apron with a face mask and hair net, Denise Mele, scooped out some dried rosemary, peppermint and a hint of lavender before tossing everything in a cup.

The room smelled of floral and earthy tones as she mixed all the natural ingredients together to create a new bath tea concoction for relaxation.

Whether she is helping someone unwind from a stressful day of work or aiding others with skin conditions — Mele is trying to bring awareness to the benefits of natural products through her business Noni’s Natural Soaps.

50 Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

A seed is planted and a flower is sprouted While she didn’t start her business until a year ago, Mele’s interest in soap making started at a young age.

“I first started trying to make soaps when I was about seven years old. My father had bought me for my seventh birthday a candle making kit. I thought ‘well gosh if you can melt these down into all these cool shapes I can do soaps,’” she said. “I would grab all the little pieces of the Ivory and Dove and try to melt them down or try to redo them. Some of the stuff smelt chemically though and I knew I didn’t want my soaps to smell like that.”

As she grew older the use of natural products became even more important.

“I would buy 15 to 20 bars at a time of this goat milk soap and this brand was the only soap that I found that didn't dry me — just everything about it I liked, but they pulled out their contract from Whole Foods,” Mele said. “I

struggled for, like, three years trying different soaps from natural to not natural and I wasn't comfortable with not natural.”

After struggling to find a product, Mele decided to try her hand at making her own. She began learning about the health benefits of certain flowers and herbs and eventually started growing her own plants to use in her products.

“I started educating myself on botanicals and herbs and plants that are good for you. I’ve joined a lot of groups and started reading a lot,” Mele said.

As a person who suffers from advanced aggressive osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, scoliosis and fibromyalgia — Mele knew she wanted to create something that could help people with their own ailments.

“I really started this to help people. I deal with a lot of physical pain. I take a lot of turmeric and ginger for my pain,” she said. “I don’t take any pain medicine. Every

Guadalupe County living ~ Seguin 51

bone, joint and cartilage in my body is deteriorating. My bone mass is minus 4.0 and if you’ve done a bone density study you probably won’t ever meet another person with bones that thin.”

Mele took the next step in her new business when she made her debut as Noni’s Natural Soaps at the Seguin Brewing Company’s Market Days in April 2018.

“Their address is 111 and my birthday is 1/11 — so I knew this was going to be special. I had only gone up there to be social and wasn’t really thinking to make my big debut,” she said. “I went for this gumbo thing they were having and they told me they were having their first market and they invited me.”

lemon.

“I use lemon leaves for my lady parts soap as the secret ingredient because that’s a pH balancing bar”, Mele said. “It's supposed to kill bacterias and possible infections. I can’t make the claims, but the ingredients that The products are in it are known to cure and help with itching, odor, While Mele started and bacterial infections.”

Noni’s by selling soaps, her line of prod- For fragrance, Mele tries to use pure essential oils.

“I strive on all natural. There are some that are not all ucts has expanded over natural, but they are high grade,” she said. “But everythe last year to include varithing else that goes into the soaps are and I make sure ous other products such as body those are high quality.” glitters, scrubs and lotions.

Aside from focusing on natural products, Mele also “I offer different things from novelties finds it important for Noni’s Natural Soaps to be to more therapeutic. I have acne soaps that eco-conscious. have helped skin clear up within a few days,” “Anything that I sell in a bottle, jar or container if you she said. “I’ve been making products that help keep that I refill it for $1 off,” she said. “My reason for people with eczema.” that is not so much for the dollar off it’s because I do One of Mele’s newest items is bath teas not want my things in landfills.” that are made from different herbs, Mele’s favorite thing is taking custom orders for Epsom salts and oils. Mele gives customers who want to surprise their significant her customers a drawstring others and other loved ones. bag with their bath teas “I love to create something for someone. I one time had that they can use to soak in the bath tub. a girl whose mother had cancer.” Mele said. “ She can’t have perfumes and scents, but there are certain essenMany of the plants tial oils we can use with her treatment. So I was able and flowers used to come up with something she could use. She got the in Mele’s products are organic whip body butter to help her.” grown in her own backyard Her products also aren’t just for humans. such as spirulina, ginger and

“I started making pet care products. I make pet conditioning shampoo and moisturizing spritzer,” Mele said. “ I just signed my first deal with a business called WaterDogs Hydromassage, she is using my products solely.

We custom created them for her. I love that. I love when someone tells me they want something and I get to create it.”

When creating something new, Mele said she has to be in the right place and inspired.

“I never create unless I have good energy. I mean sometimes I have to go in there and I have to turn up the music,” she said. “When I did my Bob Marley soap I listened to Bob Marley for six hours. For six hours I felt his inspiration. I don’t sit and think ‘what am I going to make?’ I feel 100 percent guided all the time.”

A new life Since starting a year ago, Mele said the business has allowed her to grow as a person and has changed her life for the better.

“It’s been extreme gratifying and it is because of God and all of these wonderful customers and supportive friends,” she said. “When I started Noni’s, I literally stood outside with my arms as wide as I could and spread my fingers and I said, ‘God, if you want me to do this business I want you to pave the way.”

It’s allowed her to meet and help so many people, Mele said.

“I was living an introverted life and just knowing you know, the few times you've been around me introverted is not what you would call me,” Mele said. “This is my purpose. This gives me meaning. It gives me gratitude. I love to help others.”

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