Seguin Magazine — August/September 2017

A u t h e n t i c

T e x a s

l i v i n g

August | September 2017

Handmade Purses | McQueeney Ski Bees | World’s Largest Pecan

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Vol. 4, No. 2 Seguin magazine is published six times a year by the Seguin Gazette.

PUBLISHER

Jeff Fowler EDITOR

Travis Webb DESIGN

Hannah Ruiz Becca Harrison

W

hen you think about Seguin, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Pecans, of course! After all, we are home to the world’s largest pecan(s). Not to say that there aren’t some other pretty big nuts around here, but I digress.

That’s why this issue of Seguin is dedicated to that wonderfully versatile and delicious tree meat, that kernel of healthy flavor, that heaven in a shell, the amazing pecan. Too much? Yeah, you’re probably right.

Still, pecans are kind of a big deal around here. But why? Well, we’re going to try to answer that question. Or at least shed some sunlight on it. Because it takes sunlight to grow those pecan trees. Come on, stay with me.

My personal favorite way to enjoy pecans is either right out of the shell or baked into a delicious pie, but there are several other ways that are right there as well. One of those is BS Brewing’s Pecan Ale, which is a perfect complement to pecan-crusted chicken from Güero’s Backyard. Hungry yet?

Lest we go completely nuts, we’ve also got a pretty eclectic mix of other subject matter for you as well. From water skiing to handmade purses and from jiu-jitsu to living history, there is something for everybody. Oh, and we also take a peek inside Kay Martin’s closet.

Have I piqued your curiosity? Well then, turn the page and come on in!

WRITERS

Jeff Fowler

Felicia Frazar Marcel Louis-Jacques Valerie Bustamante Lauren Dodd Stephanie Agnew CONTRIBUTORS

Lizz Phumphrey ADVERTISING

Elizabeth Engelhardt Gay Lynn Olsovsky Lorinda Spaulding TO ADVERTISE IN SEGUIN MAGAZINE CALL

830-379-5402 All material herein c. 2017 Southern Newspapers Inc., dba The Seguin Gazette, 1012 Schriewer Road, Seguin, TX, 78155.

All rights reserved

hot tip NEVER MAKE A MAJOR DECISION ON A MONDAY.

An inside look from our WRITERS...

“I was actually involved, albeit briefly, in SCA nearly 20 years ago. That brief exposure to the group sparked a lifelong love of history in me — a trait that our local SCA participants clearly share.”

— Travis Webb “Watching the Lake McQueeney Ski Bees was comprable to watching well choreographed ballet, except on water. The skiers have an amazing talent and I’m glad I got the opportunity to see them in action.”

— Felicia Frazar “Working with Kay for the Closet Closeup was a whole lot of fun. I loved hearing her stories about the trips her family has taken and getting to see her collection of foreign fashion accessories.”

— Valerie Bustamante “Marco struck me as a passionate instructor, but what really resonated with me was the diverse student body. From 10-year-olds to full-grown adults, Seguin Training center’s student proved jiujitsu is for everyone.”

— Marcel Louis-Jacques

SEARCH SEGUIN GAZETTE

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Seguin ~ Authentic texAs living

D

ON

THE

COVER

Photo by Felicia Frazar Courtney Watson shows off her amazing talent with one of her purses, as well as her love of animals with Denver, a Belgian Draft Horse she rescued.

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THE HOTTEST SPOT

28

10

38

26

16 Features

Around Town

In Each Issue

26 World’s Largest Pecan

10 Imbibe

8 Sizzlin’ Six

28 Lake Mcqueeney Ski Bees

12 Closet Close up

20 Fashion

34 Local Society for Creative Anachronism

16 Be you – be well

42 Favorite Finds

18 Under the hood

44 Faces of Seguin

38 Handmade Purses

49 Reader’s Comments 50 Testimonial

6

Seguin ~ Authentic Texas living

Proudly serving Seguin, New Braunfels, Lake McQueeney and the surrounding lake and river communities

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Jordan Lippe Walker NEW BRAUNFELS

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SIZZLINSIX The city of Seguin will celebrate 179 years with barbecue, music and homemade ice cream. Each year, the Seguin Conservation Society hosts the annual celebration at Heritage Village. The event is an opportunity to celebrate the town’s heritage, make new friends and sample ice cream.

August 19th

casiNo FuN NiGHT Gala

For one night, the Big Red Barn is placing bets on the community to help raise funds for the Texas Agricultural Education and Heritage Center. The Big Red Barn Casino Night Gala offers guests a chance to ante up at Texas Hold ‘Em or various other casino-style games, try their hand at bucket raffles card raffles and enjoy a meal. Doors open at 6:30

September 3rd

66TH aNNual NeW BerliN sausaGe FesTiVal

The city of New Berlin will serve up German-style sausage and fixings at the city’s largest fundraising event. Festivities will take place all day including a dance, bingo auction, kids games, country store, raffle and more at the New Berlin Community Center, 8815 FM 775, New Berlin.

th September 8 seGuiN V. NeW BrauNFels

Each year one of the oldest high school football rivalries comes to life as the Seguin Matadors take on the New Braunfels Unicorns in the battle of the Guadalupe River Bowl. This year’s gridiron matchup will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Matador Stadium.

September 16th

GuaDaluPe couNTy youTH sHoW Gala

Each year community members gather at Seguin Knights of Columbus Hall to raise funds for Guadalupe County youth who exhibit during the yearly Youth Livestock and Homemakers Show. The event includes social hour, steak dinner, dance, live and silent auctions.

October 1st

PuMPKiN PaTcH

The First United Methodist Church’s front lawn will turn to a sea of orange, as the fall gourds come in, creating the annual Pumpkin Patch. The month-long event includes photo stations, education stations, story time and, of course, the chance to purchase a pumpkin.

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Seguin ~ Authentic texAs living

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By TraVis WeBB

“Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a big, red beard “We had locals bringing us dewberries for it, that’s how much to work here,” BS Brewing owner Brian Schmoekel said as he everyone liked it,” Brian said. sat with brewery employee Daniel Steddum — both sporting The brewery uses only local honey and strives to use locally impressive examples of the aforementioned fashion. grown ingredients whenever possible. They also go out of their Brian rattles off the joke easily enough, despite being admitway to support their fellows in the business. tedly a little nervous, although not about being interviewed; BS “When we’re short a style, we typically reach out to another Brewing has garnered its fair share of attention in its 4-and-alocal brewery,” Brian said. half year history — and rightly so.

In that spirit, BS Brewing is also part of the Texas Keg & No, Mrs, Schmoekel is expecting to go into labor at any Barrel Trail. moment. And, while Brian is well-prepared (this will be the BS Brewing is located at 1408 Old Lehmann Road in Seguin.

Schmoekel’s fourth child, hardly their first rodeo), there’s still a Call 830-660-8124 or visit www.bsbrewingtx.com/ for more sense of apprehension. Just not quite enough to keep him from information. The brewery is currently gearing up for their upsitting down to talk about beer. coming Viking Feast event, featuring chef Paul Schroeder, forBrian’s a family man, through and through, and it’s reflected merly of Tavern on the Creek. The highlight of the menu will in his work; three of his beers are named for his children and be a whole hog and the event also will feature cask ales, mead the brewery’s small venue/tap room, The Patio, is very much a and viking reenactors. Tickets can be purchased at bsbrewing. family friendly locale. ticketleap.com/viking-feast/.

“We’re very kid friendly, we’re dog friendly. We’re genuine, not And be warned, BS Brewing’s fine products may be delicious about gimmicks out here,” Brian said. “That’s really our big draw. — but several of their dark, rich beers are quite strong and If you’re nice to people, if they feel like you’re treating them can quickly go to your head, especially during the hot summer well, they’re going to treat you well.” months.

That honest, rough-around-the-edges feel is apparent at The “We’re not opposed to lighter beers or anything,” Brian said.

Patio — in fact, it’s part of the charm of the place. Still, Brian “We gave it a try, it just turns out we’re terrible at it.” and company have made many improvements — with more on the way soon.

“I apologize to everybody that’s been out here but I promise, we’re about to get some shade up,” Brian said.

If the location lacks a little refinement, the beer more than makes up for it.

From beers like their well-known and well-distributed Pecan Ale With Honey to the bacon-infused Drew’s Brew, BS Brewing’s beers are a delight for any lover of hops and barley. Drew’s Brew, named for a friend who passed away, is a particularly fine example of the craft-brewer’s art; a black lager with a smooth, perfectly balanced finish. The hint of bacon is not only delightful, but serves to highlight the other complex flavors of the beer.

Brian takes great pains to not only produce high-quality products, but also to support local agriculture and fellow independent brewers in the process. Take Logan’s Bramble, a honey and dewberry Blonde ale.

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Closet Close-up

Kay

Martin

By Valerie BusTaMaNTe

K

ay Martin describes her style as a mix of Bohemian and preppy fashion — and says it must feel comfortable.

Kay’s abundance of blouses, bracelets and purses give one a window into some of her most treasured memories — whether they’re about the numerous countries she’s visited or her family members.

While her job as the vice president for Tri County A/C and Heating Inc. — a company she started 20 years ago with her husband Bubba — requires her to be in an office, her clothing options are not restricted.

“I can get away with anything. I can wear jeans and a t-shirt if I want because we don’t really have a dress code for the ladies, they just need to be decent,” she said.

However, she does have her go-tos.

“I like to wear the knee length Bermuda shorts because they’re really comfortable,” she said. “I pretty much wear those all summer. I love wearing them with button down Oxford like shirts. I absolutely love those and have a million of them. It’s kind of my uniform.

I’ll wear khakis, white or black ones with a button down straight shirt.”

When it comes to what colors she enjoys, Martin definitely likes having a variety in her wardrobe.

“I like color. I think color helps,” Kay said. “A lot of people just wear nude or beige and it just seems so boring. So, I don’t do that very often. See, I’m a 12 Seguin ~ Authentic texAs living

brunette and they say blondes have more fun, but truly brunettes are the ones who do. We can get away with murder because we can wear anything. I have not found a color that doesn’t look good on me because I’m fair and I have dark hair. I really do like turquoise and I have a lot of it. It goes well with my gold jewelry. Also, I love red.”

Her only exception for colorless clothing is her collection of plain white T-shirts.

“My daughter tells me all the time ‘Mom, how many white shirts do you have?’ Because I have so many,” she said. “I love just a plain white shirt because you can dress them up. I love pairing them, especially with jewelry.”

Some of Kay’s favorite stores for shopping include Chico’s, Talbots, Dillards and Bling in Seguin.

Kay said there is not a particular clothing item she loves shopping for because she prefers buying “separates” to mix and match.

One of the main reasons she enjoys going to Chico’s and Talbots is because of the pieces they sell that can be paired together, she said.

As far as dresses, Kay said they aren’t usually her favorite item to wear.

“I’m not a huge dress person, but if I do wear one they’re usually t-shirt dresses,” she said. “They’re so comfortable. A t-shirt dress is the best with the short sleeves and the scoop neck. If I do buy a dress though and it’s for a really nice affair I won’t buy black dresses because everyone wears black. So, I wear red.”

Kay believes her inspiration for fashion comes from her mother and grandmother.

“I’m from a long line of clothes’ and shoesaholics,” Kay said. “My mother loved clothes and shoes. Her mother loved clothes and shoes. My grandmother worked in downtown Houston and was an executive secretary back when you had to wear the purse with the matching shoes.

I remember going to visit her in Houston at her job and taking her lunch as a little girl and I thought she was the most gorgeous person ever. She always had a sense of style, even ‘till she was in her 80s. She still would put jewelry on and dress nice to go to town. I actually try and do that. I wanna look nice if I can. It’s important to me.”

Although, Kay admits she prefers being in a baseball cap with no makeup when possible.

“When I’m home I love to go to the grocery store early Saturday morning with my baseball cap on and some jeans and a t-shirt and tennis shoes,” she said. “I won’t fix my hair on Saturday or put on any makeup, but that’s usually when you see someone you know or someone you haven’t seen in years.”

Kay said her favorite brands to purchase are Eileen Fisher and Kate Spade “Eileen Fisher sells some good stuff. It’s a little pricy though,” Kay said. “I just purchased an Eileen Fisher grey dress with a scoop neck. It’s kind of an a-line skirt that’s Authentic texAs living ~ Seguin 13

flowy. So, I like her and Kate Spade and her purses. I kind of have a collection. It’s an illness because then you get the matching wallet. I’m like ‘oh my God someone stop me.’”

Not all of her purses come from a department store though.

In fact, many of them originate from countries such as Russia, Budapest and Africa much like other items and accessories Kay has, which she has handpicked herself while abroad.

“We travel a lot so if I find a really cool thing on a trip, I’ll get it — like a vest,” Kay said. “I’ve gotten a lot of vests in various places. When we were in Russia, I got a mink vest that’s really pretty. Of course I didn’t get to wear it this year because it was so darn hot. I got a felt vest one time in Austria and it has all this cute cutout work. It’s absolutely beautiful. Whenever we travel I like to get jewelry too. I have a bangle from Russia that’s hand painted. Even purses because you’ll think about it when you wear it.”

One of her favorite foreign purses is a basket, which she received for her 50th birthday in Austria.

“This purse is kind of fun. It’s a basket that they use (in Austria) to go to the markets,” she said. “It’s a shopping cart for some people, but I use it for a purse because it’s so adorable.”

Jewelry is something else that Kay holds dearly to her heart.

Many of her items aren’t expensive pieces, but instead ones she’s picked up on trips to Santa Fe, Grand Canyon and Napa Valley, while others she’s preserved for years for more sentimental purposes.

One of those items is a turquoise necklace — Kay’s favorite type of jewelry — which she’s had since she was in the seventh grade.

“I wear it all the time,” she said. “ I got it when we went to Mexico with my grandparents. I’m pretty proud that I still have this.”

Saving jewelry and keeping it in good shape is something Kay said she learned from her mom.

“I take really good care of stuff. My mom always taught me as soon as you get home from school or church to take your jewelry off,” she said. “So, that’s the first thing I do when I get home. Take my jewelry off, clean it and put it in its place.”

Other of Kay’s most precious jewelry items includes an antique necklace given to her by her daughter that folds out and holds her two children’s wedding photos and two gold charm bracelets, which once belonged to her grandmothers.

“Jewelry to me is not to be showy, it’s like a memory,” Kay said. “That’s what all my stuff is. Every time you pull something out that somebody gave you, you think ‘Oh, that’s so nice Laura gave me that.’”

14 Seguin ~ Authentic texAs living

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16 16 Seguin Seguin ~ ~ Authentic Authentic texAs texAs living living

The Art of

E

ven in a state and country obsessed with ball sports — football, basketball and baseball, especially — off-kilter sports are on the rise.

Crossfit’s popularity grows daily but, although Crossfitters can fuel their competitive fires through myriad competitions and games, mixed martial arts gives athletes the opportunity to stay fit, sharpen their minds and let off a little aggression.

Mixed Martial Arts or MMA is exactly what it sounds like — a combat sport that blends a variety of standing and grappling fighting styles. While the punches and kicks might get the glamour and the YouTube views, a fighter earns his keep on the mat.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a ground-base martial art that can serve as the ultimate equalizer in any fight. It’s all about leverage — jiu-jitsu gives an overmatched fighter a chance to defeat a larger opponent through proper form and a variety of chokeholds and joint locks.

“I could never compare anything to jiu-jitsu. It’s just a grind,” Marco Antonio Montaña Hernandez said. “The strength that they have, it’s hard to compare. We’re working a lot of muscles, tensing and relaxing.”

Marco runs the Seguin Training Center at 200 E Court Street where he teaches Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Judo and MMA. A multi-sport athlete in high school, Hernandez first got into MMA looking for a constructive way to fight.

“I wanted to fight MMA. About 11 years ago I was hanging around with the wrong crowd and getting myself into trouble,” he said. “So 11 years ago, I walked into a jiu-jitsu gym, really wanting to fight.

That’s when I fell in love with the sport.”

Drawn to the strategic qualities of jiu-jitsu, Marco said he began to see it less like a combat sport and more like an art

By Marcel Louis-Jacques

form. distinct advantage.

“Jiu-jitsu is a grappling art. It’s a submis“That’s the big thing I stress to new sion art,” he said. “It’s a lot of core guys and especially the parents — this is strength, a lot of push and pull.” a thinking man’s game. A lot of people Dumbbell curls are nice for beach liken it to human chess,” Marco said. season, but they don’t do you much good “You get guys that’ll chain things together. when you’re tussling with an opponent They’ll set you up and bait you. They’ll on the mat. That’s why Marco says his have a flow of like six different techstudents focus on core exercises and grap- niques; they’ll try one and it fails, they’ll pling-specific workouts. try another and it fails and then boom.

A successful jiu-jitsu fighter trains their On the fourth technique they’ve got you. body with quick, controlled movements Sometimes it’s just a trap to see what you all centered around strengthening their might do. core and legs.

“It’s a thinking man’s game. You have to “We do grip training where we’re think about what you’re doing.” strengthening our grips. We do a lot of Marco wishes he learned martial arts as bodywork — explosive push-ups and a kid, but he offers children the opportuexplosive squats,” he said. “If we do work nity to craft the art at a young age at his with a piece of equipment it’s generally a studio. One of which, 10-year-old Frankbosu ball or kettle bells.” lin Gumabon, has made the most of his Marco said his students also work out training recently, placing second at the with a jump rope or elastic band. Most American National IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Chamof the time, they perform bodyweight pionship in July. exercises with a little cardio before every Competing in the grey Junior 1 Lightsession. Just like jiu-jitsu itself, these workFeather division, the 9-year-old took down outs may not be the most orthodox in the his first two opponents via arm bar and sports world but they’re certainly effective. shoulder lock, before narrowly losing the “I’ve got guys that come in here who championship fight by a 3-2 decision. have done Crossfit and are like, ‘yeah, “I’m proud of him,” Marco said. “He’s I’m ready,’” Marco said. “But in the first come a long way and he’s got a bright minute-and-a-half they’re huffing and future ahead of him.” puffing. It’s a different kind of workout.

The tough-as-nails Franklin is a shining “For the first 15 minutes we get a little example of how far proper technique can sweat going and warm up,” he added, get you in this sport. explaining what each class entails. “The Seguin Training Center offers classes next 30 minutes we practice a technique and workouts Monday through Friday. that I show them, and the remainder of the class we have open roll — or sparring.” Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class begins at 5:15 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and ThursThe physical challenge jiu-jitsu presents days, with the Adult class starting at 6:30 is obvious when you hit the mat; what's p.m. on the same days. Judo class is held not so apparent is there mental workout it Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., as is MMA/ puts you through as well. striking class. Hernandez offers an open You can’t necessarily get by on brute mat session on Fridays beginning at 6:30 strength alone; Marco said experienced jiu-jitsu artists are essentially playing chess p.m.

For more information, visit Seguin in the way they strategize their attack on Training Center’s Facebook page, or call the mat. Similar to so many other sports, in jiu-jitsu the smarter competitor holds a 830-556-7510.

Authentic Texas living ~ Seguin 17

Under the Hood

t s e g r a L s ’ d l r o W Pecan S

Worlds Largest Pecan Weight: approximately 3,320 pounds Length: 16 feet Diameter: 8.5 feet Pie count: unknown

By Felicia FraZar

eguin is home to the World’s Largest Pecan, and the World’s Largest Mobile Pecan, although, the giant nut on wheels has become a permanent fixture at the Pecan Museum.

In 2010, the Seguin Chamber of Commerce Leadership Seguin took on the project of bringing the title of “Home to the World’s Largest Pecan” back to Seguin by creating the pecan trailer.

Through the fundraising efforts, of the Leadership Seguin Class along with those of Mel Grones, then president of the Texas Agriculture Education and Heritage Center board, they were able to bring the title home.

“The Chamber of Commerce found out that someone in Missouri had a pecan larger than Seguin and they tried to get one built,” Mel said. “They needed help securing the funds and they called out here to see if we could assist. Wilfred said yes, and turned to me and said, ‘Mel, that sounds like your kind of project. You know how to get things done, you know a lot of people.’”

Mel took the group’s design and expanded on it.

“I started getting things together,” he said. “It took us until 2011 to get it built. It is 16 feet long, and 8.5 feet in diameter. I have no idea how many pies it will make.”

With the help of local businesses, Mel got the pecan rolling.

“I got Ray McCullough from McCullough Welding and he bent the 1inch square tubing for me and had it on a jig,” he said. “I was going to weld it myself but because, I couldn’t take the jig home, I asked him to weld it and he did. He welded it together for me and then I got John Pape of Pape’s Pecan House to put the wire mesh on it. He wanted to be involved and I thought this would be a good project for his guys.”

Mel then took the pecan to get shelled.

“I got a hold of Red Ewald down in Karnes City,” he said. “We checked on putting orange foam on it and it cost too much. He said he hadn’t done one, but he would do it. I hauled the frame down there,

by George, in about 10 days he called me and said ‘it’s ready to float down the Guadalupe’. He coated it with half inch fiberglass and resin.”

A painter in Floresville dressed the shell up and put the finishing touches on the pecan.

“He is the guy that paints all of the pump jacks around Luling and Stockdale,” Mel said.

Mel put the finishing touches on the trailer with panels that folded down reading “World’s Largest Pecan” and began showing off the artwork.

“I hauled it up here, we put it in a few parades, but it ended up that I was the only one taking it to parades,” he said.

When Mel couldn’t continue to haul the giant pecan around, it was parked at the Big Red Barn, where it found its permanent home.

“It sat around here for a while in the sun.

We said we had to do something because the sun would fade the paint,” he said .

“Since we started the Pecan Museum and we weren’t going to put it in the parade, somebody suggested to put it here permanently and make it a monument in front of the Pecan museum. They built a roof over it. We took it off the trailer and set it here.

It is mounted to this concrete slab ... along with the signs that I had made for it for the float. So, here it stands.”

In true museum fashion, the display includes plaques that surround the tribute with information about the local industry and the trailer.

Authentic Texas living ~ Seguin 19

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Authentic Texas living ~ Seguin 23

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Authentic Texas living ~ Seguin 25

E R ’ E W T

By sTeFFaNie aGNeW

Nuts

he city of Seguin is also known as “The Pecan Capital of Texas.” So, it comes as no surprise that it also is home to the original World’s Largest Pecan, a statue that sits grandly in front of the Guadalupe County Courthouse.

Built in 1962, the pecan is 5 feet long and 2-and-a-half feet wide, and weighs approximately 1,000 pounds. In 1978, a plaque was added that tells the story of Cabeza de Vaca, a Spanish explorer who was held captive for 10 years near the Guadalupe River, known then as the ‘River of Nuts.’ The plaque was dedicated by the Texas Pecan Growers Association and the Guadalupe County Pecan Growers Association.

The giant pecan was created thanks to local pecan grower, Dr. E.W. “Doc” Darilek, said Charlie Willmann founding member of the Guadalupe County Pecan Museum “Dr. Darilek grew pecans for a number of years and, back in those days, Guadalupe County was rather significant in the amount of pecan production it had,” he said. “Dr. Darilek financed it and he put it up in the state park there for years. It became a tourist attraction.”

People got married in front of the pecan and had celebrations, he said. The world’s original largest pecan became a historical icon for Seguin and, to this day, still draws people in to the city eager to take a picture with the massive nut.

“It has a reputation. We’ve got folks that come from different countries and when they come through this town, they want to see that big pecan,” he said.

The pecan depicted by the statue is the original, native Texas pecan, Willmann said. It is the father of all pecans.

“Those big ol’ pecan trees down along the river are three, four hundred years old,” he said. “Those are the big old native pecan trees.

Most of the pecans we have now are an improved variety of pecans.”

Of course, as “The Pecan Capital of Texas,” it wouldn’t do to only have one giant pecan monument. Over at the Big Red Barn, 390 Cordova Road, sits another “World’s Largest Pecan.”

Built in 2010 and dedicated in 2011, this pecan is 16-feet long, and 8-feet wide. The city of Brunswick, Missouri had attempted to take the crown away from Seguin with their world’s largest pecan statue.

But local residents brought it back home.

The Big Red Barn’s pecan also receives a lot of attention from passerby’s wanting to take a pic, said Pecan Fest Chair Jenny Siltmann.

“People will be driving down Highway 123 and they’ll go “Oh, I see a big pecan over there,” and will turn around and come and take pictures,” she said. “It catches people’s eyes when they’re driving by.”

The Pecan tree is the official state tree of Texas, and Seguin, being the “Pecan Capital” for the state, it only makes sense that this city holds the title of having the world’s largest pecan.

More info: PaPe’s Pecan www.papepecan.com/website1001.htm quick facts original World’s largest Pecan Built: 1962 size: 5-foot long, 2 and a half feet wide Where: guadalupe county courthouse guadalupe county Pecan Museum Built: 2010 size: 16-foot long, and 8-foot wide Where: Big red Barn, 390 cordova road

28 Seguin ~ Authentic texAs living

SKI BEES

THE

By Felicia FraZar

T

he Guadalupe River has a plethora of hidden treasures, and among its jewels are Lake McQueeney and the Lake McQueeney Ski Bees.

“The Ski Bees are a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to promoting waterskiing, not only for show skiing but also three-event competitive skiing,” Ski Bee board president Lacey Gosch said. “It is an organization that promotes skiing in general, but to also create better skiers.”

The group competes and produces a ski show each week, just as it has done since its inception 65 years ago, with founder “Buzz” Mueller.

“It was started with Buzz Mueller, his brother Joe Mueller and Bob Spalten, Sr., who were competitive skiers and some of the first ones to really do ski jumps,” Lacey said. “Joe won the World Champion for jumping 137 feet at Cypress Gardens, Florida in 1957. Now jumpers jump up to 200 feet.”

Originally called the Buzz Mueller Ski Show, the group performed a number of skits on skis which included tricks, jumps, clown and ballerina acts, Lacey said.

“Even now, these many years later, these acts are still part of each show,” she said.

“Years ago they hosted the shows on Thursday and Sunday evenings, now it’s just Thursdays.”

For the competition portion, the group participates in three-event skiing, which includes slalom, distance jumping and trick skiing.

But whether its competition or performance skiing, becoming a member of the Ski Bees instills a love for the water sport, Lacey said.

“We are about promoting the sport and continuing the legacy — and showing people that water skiing is fun and a life long sport,” Lacey said. “In the show we have skiers as young as 3 and folks who are up in their 60s.”

For the younger children, the main lesson is safety, something they talk about prior to each practice and show.

“Some of our youngest skiers are 4 and 5 years old and know how to motion to the boat driver they need to stop and how to do it safely,” she said. “Even though we are putting on a show and we are doing things that look very scary and risky, there are a lot of safety measures put into place and we’re teaching these kids skills they can use on any lake for the rest of their lives.”

Authentic texAs living ~ Seguin 29

Each member, no matter their age, learns more than just the skills need to ski, Lacey said.

“The children grow with the organization,” she said. “They strive to do better and learn more and more, and get more involved. They take on bigger roles and try to help the show directors with suggestions for the show, or for costumes or safety issues. They really become an active part and take personal responsibility.”

With skiers ranging in age, it opens the door for the group to be completely family oriented.

“It is a family affair,” she said. “We have lots of families that come out, dads carrying daughters and moms carrying daughters or sons and everyone skiing together. They ski with their grandchildren.”

While the show is built off the skiers, they are only a piece of the puzzle.

“Everybody can partake, whether it is volunteering to help in the boats, on the shore or actually skiing in the show,” Lacey said. “We have people who don’t ski but their children do, and they help by providing boat drivers and helping with ropes on the dock — which doesn’t sound like a really big job, but when you have 16 skiers sitting on a dock waiting to be pulled off by one boat ... it’s a lot. It is really a neat atmosphere for that, because it really is a full family affair.”

That includes Lacey’s own family.

“I have four kiddos myself, and my 14-year-old is our only girl jumper in the show right now,” she said. “She also carries her 30 Seguin ~ Authentic texAs living

younger sister on her shoulders.”

In addition to helping children learn to master this life long sport, the Ski Bees are working to continue the legacy of those before them by handing down these traditions to the next generation.

“With each generation you lose those skills if they are not handed down or passed down from year to year,” she said. “In terms of that, it is a really long legacy. We are just helping to maintain the art of waterskiing, whether that is girls doing ballet moves on skis, or doing acrobatics with the girls being held in the air, it is just to maintain that legacy.”

Long-time skier Dave Samford helps keep these traditions alive.

“I’ve skied for half a century,” he said. “Twenty-five years ago I discovered show skiing when I lived in the west side of San Antonio. The Sea World people taught me the show skiing, which is the different style. It fits me because by then I was 40, and I couldn’t do all of the things the young strong reflexes can do. It works for me.”

Eventually, Dave moved from San Antonio to Canyon Lake where he was able to easily hop on the water. Not long after, he joined the Ski Bees “I’ve only been here for about 15 to 20 years,” he said. “Rather than just skiing around a lake by yourself, it is group stuff and family stuff and organized. It is more of a group activity than just skiing on the lake. It’s a good, clean, family sport. They’re not in front of a TV or whatever. We have fun.”

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While skiing is a bit of a workout, Dave said it is more than that.

“Mostly, I’m afraid to quit, I think it is therapeutic,” he said. “If I don’t ski for a while I start getting stiff and seizing up. It’s probably mental, but it works. It is mostly kids stuff here, but it is a fun way to stay out of the rocking chair. I tell people I don’t feel like I had a workout. I burn so many calories and I’m just holding on.”

For his part on the Ski Bees team, Dave skis barefoot as well as carries some of the girls for the tricks, including pyramids.

The group is based out of the Lake Breeze Ski Lodge owned by the Mueller family, and eventually the two merged and formed the Lake McQueeney Ski Bees.

“We’re one of the few show ski teams in Texas that is not affiliated with Sea World or a place like that,” Lacey said. “We are an independent corporation. We’re one of the only ones in Texas.”

Clubs like the Ski Bees are few and far between in Texas, but in the north it’s a different story, Lacey said.

“Show skiing is very big up north, especially in Wisconsin, is the hub for show skiing and they have huge teams up there,” she said. “We’re one of the few in Texas that does this. McQueeney has been known as the water ski capital of Texas for as long as I can remember — and that even dates back to when Buzz and Joe were younger and building up the sport of water skiing. For our little community to have a show ski team that is able to demonstrate some of the really fun and unique aspects of water skiing ... is just phenomenal.”

While show skiing is a bigger sport in other states, Dave is surprised it hasn’t taken off here.

“There are lots of ski clubs all over the country,” he said. “The ones up north, like in Wisconsin and in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, there is a ski club in every puddle. They are bigger and longer 32 Seguin ~ Authentic texAs living

acts and more tricks and flips and turns. We’re just a fraction of that.”

Through the help of community organizations, the group is able to not only practice the day before a show, but members of the club have the opportunity to practice in their free time as well, Lacey said.

“GBRA is one of our biggest supporters, and since Lake McQueeney is a GBRA controlled lake, they permit us to be able to use the ski jump,” she said. “We are one of the only lakes around that is a public access lake that has a permanent ski jump that resides on the property as well as a slalom ski course. This allows people who want to take part in three-event skiing, as long as they are a member of the Ski Bees, to practice using the jump and the slalom course.”

While the permanent jump is set behind Treasure Island, the group is allowed to place a temporary jump in front of the lodge for weekly practice and shows, Lacey said.

Additionally, the McQueeney Volunteer Fire Department assists with traffic control on the lake during the shows to help keep the skiers safe, Lacey said.

“It really is a community effort,” she said.

While a decline in memberships threatened the group, the Ski Bees are on the upswing, Lacey said.

“The past couple of years we’ve been working to slowly rebuild that membership back up and getting people back involved,” she said. “We saw a surge in membership last year. We want people to get involved and for people to take part and be willing to take a risk, come out and have a good time with us and continue to make it a family affair. We’re just a large group of local people who really enjoy water skiing and really want to see it thrive and want to see the show get better and better each year.”

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Reliving

By TraVis WeBB

History

The Modern Day Adventures of the SCA

I

t’s a Wednesday night at Mamacita’s Restaurant & Cantina in San Marcos and the place is just beginning to fill up with the usual sort of crowd: young families, Texas State University students still in town during the summer, Mongolian silk traders, a samurai and a couple of Vikings. You know, typical crowd.

There’s a large group of costumed guests in the back and, as they find their seats, a young father — kids in tow — approaches.

“Um, what, um ... What are you guys?”

An ancient Greek, the Mongolian, the lone samurai, the Vikings and the others — they tell him.

They’re the Society for Creative Anachronism and they’re here to talk history, learn and have some fun. And for the nachos.

History Lessons The SCA is an educational living history organization: a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that dubs itself a “practical history society,” with members seeking to recreate the arts and skills of pre-17th century cultures — primarily, but not limited to, Europe. Members dress up in period costumes, practice historical arts and even create historically plausible personas for use during SCA events.

“It’s pretty much from the 600s to the 1600s,” said local member David Calafrancesco (or Haraldr when he’s in costume). “We do arts, sciences, fighting, pottery, leather working, weaving, anything that they did.”

The group began in Berkeley, California on May 1, 1966 as part of a graduation celebration. Since then, the SCA has grown to include about 30,000 paid members and sees upwards of

34 Seguin ~ Authentic texAs living

60,000 total participants in events held all over the world.

The global organization is divided into smaller administrative regions called kingdoms. Smaller divisions within those kingdoms include Principalities, Regions, Baronies, and Provinces.

Depending on their size, local chapters are known as Cantons, Ridings, Shires, Colleges, Strongholds, and Ports. Kingdoms, Principalities, and Baronies have ceremonial rulers who preside over activities and issue awards to individuals and groups.

Locally, Seguin belongs to the Shire of Ffynnon Gath, which covers the cities of San Marcos, Wimberley, New Braunfels, Gonzales, Kyle, Buda, Seguin, Driftwood, Fischer, Harwood, Kingsbury, Lockhart, Luling, Martindale, Spring Branch, Maxwell and Blanco.

This history of our local group goes back about 30 years, according to longtime member Regina Ryan — the aforementioned Mongolian merchant. Regina, 71, has been involved in SCA for more than 4 decades. She got started at 27 — and participated in SCA combat-related events until her early 40s.

“I found it in college,” she said. “Through some friends of friends. They were talking about throwing axes and I was in.”

Heavy Metal Of all the various activities the SCA engages in, their combat events are perhaps the most widely known. The group hosts both heavily armored combat and rapier fencing, with large events like Pennsylvania’s annual Pennsic War drawing upward of 10,000 participants. Because SCA combat is live competition and completely unchoreographed, the combatants themselves must determine whether a strike was successful based on the angle, location and its forcefulness.

While armor can be customized based on a combatant’s

period and culture of interest, the group does regulate minimum defensive standards for the sake of safety. It’s not uncommon to see outfits ranging from Romans legionaries or Germanic tribesman in fur and leather to the sort of fully-plated defenses associated with the proverbial “knight in shining armor” — and everything in between. According to the group’s website, as a general rule, armored combatants must have sufficient protection for their head and neck, their joints (wrists, elbows, shoulders, and knees), their hands, and their kidneys and groin. Safety officers, known as marshals, are always on hand to ensure that the combat is performed safely and to ensure that all equipment used meets established safety standards.

“I always tell parents, we’ve got a great safety record,” David said. “We’re safer than little league and Pop Warner football.”

Back in May, Seguin’s Nolte Island played host to The Queen’s Champion Tournament — a rapier fencing event. Unlike the armored combat events, which utilize “blades” made of rattan — a material that closely resembles bamboo — SCA rapier fencing features steel blades, albeit capped and unsharpened ones.

Al Enriquez, our lone samurai, is the local group Knight Marshal — the group officer primarily in charge of combat events. In costume he’s Takeyama Daitaro and has been active with the group for about three years now.

“We practice on Sundays at William & Eleanor Cook Park here in San Marcos,” he said.

Summer is the slow time for SCA combat practices though, Al said, with just 2 or 3 in attendance most Sundays, maybe as many as 7 or 8. Once the weather cools off, he expects things to pick up. Al also mentioned SCA youth combat — an activity Ffynnon Gath hasn’t implemented — yet — but is active in both Austin and San Antonio.

SCA Youth Combat is for children between 6 and 17 and heavily prioritizes safety. The requirements for youth armor and weapons vary somewhat by area, but generally parents can armor their would-be warriors with standard athletic gear like elbow and knee pads, athletic cups for boys, hockey or lacrosse helmets, and hockey gloves. Body armor and neck protection may need to be built by hand.

Of course, combat is only a part of what the organization does. Other activities include equestrian events, archery and throwing contests, historical arts and crafts, dance and more.

Eric Hecox, who came to the meeting at Mamacita’s in full Viking attire, most of which he made himself, was inspired to join the organization by an interest in his own heritage. Eric, AKA Ragnar, is as broad-shouldered and fiercely bearded as one of his ancestors — and evidently wields a needle and thread as fiercely as any of his forebears did an axe.

“I like making my own stuff,” he said.

Eric’s online research kept leading him back to mentions of the SCA, piquing his interest in the group.

“Finally I just said ‘I’ve got to check this out,’” he said.

Friends and Family Most of the members found the group through loosely related interests like tabletop gaming, college clubs and groups or from friends and friends-of-friends.

Conversation at the big table in Mamacita’s ranged from Facebook to blacksmithing, trade across the Silk Road and traditional Chinese methods of shaping dumplings.

But one topic that continued to come up was the family-friendly nature of the group — indeed, SCA members (who sometimes affectionately call themselves SCAdians) think of themselves as something of a huge, extended family.

“I have more family and made more friends since joining the SCA than I ever

had before,” said Alma Danks, Ffynnon Gath’s Minister of Culture and Arts. “I’ve met people I probably never would have met before. “Doctors, lawyers, soldiers, teachers and more.”

Soldiers, both current and former military personnel, are particularly well-represented in SCA, with some bases and even Naval ships having their own small groups. In fact, almost half of Ffynnon Gath’s regular members have military experience.

“Really, the only job I haven’t seen represented yet is the President of the United States — and maybe Supreme Court Justice,” David said.

Over and over, members talked of giving — and receiving — help from other groups.

Years ago, after a move to New Mexico, Regina said she knew she could call on her SCAdians.

“I had just moved to New Mexico, I knew nobody. I called the local group and they unpacked me,” she said.

36 Seguin ~ Authentic texAs living

David had a similar story after having some car trouble on the road. The word went out that some visiting SCAdians were having car trouble and he was welcomed like family.

“I knew nobody around, but we got the help we needed, they fed me and my kid,” he said. “We always help each other.”

SCA members pride themselves on their approachability and strive to make the organization inviting, billing themselves as “a social club with a history theme.”

David said that group members recognize it’s difficult to get involved with reenactment and living history groups.

“We’re full immersion,” he said. “But our primary requirement is just ‘an attempt’ at period clothing, so it’s a lower bar for entry than some other groups.”

Interested parties can even borrow so-called “loaner garb” in order to get started. And, despite a heavy focus on education, the group tries not to take itself too seriously.

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“We idealize the period somewhat, we don’t want to recreate the Black Plague,” David joked. “It’s more about just setting aside your modern world for a bit and enjoying your idea of life in Medieval times.”

For more information on the Society for Creative Anachronism, visit welcome. sca.orgor ffynnon-gath.ansteorra.org for more on Seguin’s local group and activities.

As Regina told the curious family at Mamacita’s that night, “We’re all about having a good time.”

“Come on out,” she told them. “We will assimilate you.”

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Purses with Purpose |

By laureN DoDD

T

hree years ago, while Seguin entrepreneur Courtney Watson was reeling from a family health scare, inspiration struck.

Not long after, a simple monogrammed cowhide set the wheels in motion for Courtney’s business, Designer Custom Ropes.

“One of my customers, who now does my monogramming, she put her monogram on her (Designer Custom Ropes) bag and I said, ‘you just opened a can of worms,’” Courtney said. “So we did a test run on a piece of cowhide and it was great. From then, that was three years ago in January, it just exploded from there.”

From an early age Courtney grew up riding, training and showing race horses in San Antonio.

“She won one of the scholarships at the San Antonio Stock and Rodeo,” said Sally Watson, Courtney’s mother, number one fan, part-time Designer Custom Ropes seamstress and right-hand

38 Seguin ~ Authentic texAs living

businesswoman.

A self-proclaimed tomboy, with no prior experience sewing, Courtney said her custom leather bag business, Designer Custom Ropes, initially grew out of a desire to create her own custom horse leads and ropes.

“We calculated the time it would take to drive somewhere else to stitch (the horse halter), so we just invested in a machine and that somehow led to purses,” Courtney said.

What started as a daunting do-it-yourself project, with her first leather cross body bag, has turned into a successful startup, featuring handmade leather products of all sorts, attracting clients from all over the country.

“Early on I got inspiration from a lot of different pages, Pinterest posts, I was looking around for something that was simple enough to make because I had not sewn a day in my life before that,” she said. “I had never touched a sewing machine, the

first thing I stitched was on my big sewing machine.”

Since 2013, Designer Custom Ropes has filled more than 1,000 custom orders, with requests coming in from places like New York and Saudi Arabia.

“It just exploded from there,” Courtney said.

“Three years ago, we were pushing to get a 1,000 likes on our (Facebook) page and now we’re at about 40,000.”

Courtney uses a variety of leather hides — from cow to ostrich — to create her custom line of handbags, wallets, accessories, concealed carry, makeup and diaper bags.

When it suits her client, Courtney will add touches of fox tail or a strip of authentic vintage Louis Vuitton leather to add flair to a custom order.

“When customers call me and they are excited, then I get excited,” Courtney said. “That is really motivating. Seeing the progress we’ve made even in the last year, just the quality of what we’re doing, every single day is a learning experience on how to improve our bags and what we do.”

With the help of her mother and a serious piece of machinery — a Cobra sewing machine — Courtney’s skill has grown from a hobby to a business capable of supporting her number one mission in life — rescuing horses and dogs.

“I love dogs, but I never thought I’d do what I do,” she said. “When you look at the (shelter) pictures and you know they are going to die … it’s something where I know I can help, so how can I not. I’ve inconvenienced myself in a lot of ways, but I love them.”

For the past four years, Courtney has rescued hundreds of dogs from local kill shelters, many of whom have found a loving forever home in Vermont.

During the interview, Courtney received a text message from a “blast from the past”.

“That was ironic, one of my first rescues just messaged me,” she said.

The text read: “It’s been a few years and our Lola/Kona is still an absolute love. I’m messaging you today to know if you have any others looking for a forever home.”

Courtney said she loves to see her rescues find a loving home.

In the past few years, Courtney’s rescue mission has expanded to include horses.

“Emily was my first rescue, she was a Palomino mare that was just skin and bones,” Courtney said.

Emily was saved from a kill pen buyer in Louisiana who had different plans for the horse.

Although horse slaughter is illegal in the United States, according to the ASPCA, approximately 150,000 American horses cross the border every year to be slaughtered in neighboring Mexico.

Authentic texAs living ~ Seguin 39

“I had the money and I knew that horse was going to ship tomorrow,” she said. “She was skin and bones and now she is a plump little toot. She’s spoiled rotten.”

Emily is one of 17 horses living out the rest of her life on 60 acres of Watson land.

Courtney lives and works on her family’s Seguin acreage with many fourlegged, furry neighbors.

What may look like a working farm from afar is really a safe haven for a multitude of animals, some for life and some en route to a final loving home.

Almost every animal at the Watson family compound — horse, dog or donkey — has a heart wrenching story.

Just inside Courtney’s lovely country home on a hot summer day in July, a small, spotted, long-legged, 6 month-old puppy with tall ears, bounced around in a baby playpen.

“Chewy” was a rescue who died and was resuscitated on the operating table during a routine neutering. When he came to he wasn’t quite right, Courtney said.

“He was a limp noodle for a week,” she said. “We didn’t think for a while he could see or hear, but he can.

He is coming along. He improves daily.”

Where some people would see a lost cause, Courtney sees an opportunity to save a life.

When asked where she would like to see her business in five years, Courtney gauged success by the number of animals she would be able to save.

“I hope to be able to make a comfortable living to support what I do,” she said. “I don’t make money to have this big mansion, I do it so I can feed my rescue animals. That’s the biggest thing.”

Business is booming for Designer Custom Ropes and soon Courtney will unveil her first storefront, a family barn turned office, workshop and retail showroom.

“I’m hoping I can be moved in by August,” she said. “Happy birthday to me.”

In the future, Courtney’s customers may find themselves heading home with a handmade leather Designer Custom Ropes bag and a furry companion.

“People can come visit and pick up a purse and a pooch,” she joked.

For more information on Designer Custom Ropes visit www.designercustomropes.com.

40 Seguin ~ Authentic texAs living

S

eguin miles

Same Day CROWNS

PLLC

Professional dental services we provide: Cosmetic dentistry | Implant restoration | Sedation dentistry Veneers | Oral cancer screenings We accept Visa, American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Care Credit.

830-372-2949 www.SeguinSmiles.com

Mon. Tues. Thurs. Fri. - 8am - 5pm Wed. 8am - 1pm • Lunch 1 - 2pm

Our Mission is to bring health & beauty to the patients that entrust their SMILES to our TEAM!

Janice Weinman, D.D.S. General & Cosmetic Dentistry 1460 Eastwood Dr. • Seguin, Tx 78155

“Caring for Smiles from Ages 1 To 100” Authentic Texas living ~ Seguin 41

SoapRocks

these decorative soaps will be a beautiful addition to your home available at Bling & company

favorite finds Show what you mean

For the home

the heartfelt emotions line from amanda Blu have great sayings on their charms. charms and bangles available at Bling & company.

design associates carries a variety of home decor, this screen door has clocks, chalkboards, wooden signs, artwork, flowers and even a decorative throw.

Larry the Squirrel

larry would look great in any home, available at keepers interiors.

Doddled Blooms

Michelle M. Johnson created a great adult coloring book, take the artwoks and create a great tile at you’re so crafty.

N U R S E RY, L A N D S C A P E & I R R I G AT I O N

Free Estimates Landscape Installation Irrigation Installation and Repair Bulk Materials Plants Super Savings: Buy ONE Shade/ Ornamental Tree get the SECOND 25% OFF* 5 gallon and bigger trees *Priced at equal or lesser value L1#0005699 Open Monday Thru Friday 8:00AM - 5:30PM • And Saturday 8:00AM - 4:00PM

3011 HWY 90 WEST, SEGUIN

830-372-3879

Family, Cosmetic & Sedation Dentistry All Insurances Accepted

Taking New Patients

BrightStarDentist.com · 830.379.6545

Hiring Financial Customer Service Reps • Help consumers find financial resolution • 90% of calls are inbound • No sales

Perks of the Job • Be a part of a new department and growing team • Competitive pay and benefits package • Fun and fast paced environment

Apply at CBEjobs.com

"Look To Seguin Assisted Living For A Carefree Future.”

Family Owned And Operated

• Large Apartments / 3 Floorplans to Choose From • Selective Menu at All Meals • Daily Activities Call us today for information or to arrange your personal visit.

We look forward to meeting you!

226 Preston Drive, Seguin, Tx 830.379.8882 www.SeguinAssistedLiving.com

or call 830.730.4282 EOE/AA M/F/VET/DISABILITY. Background checks and drug screening required.

Lic# 050604

Authentic texAs living ~ Seguin 43

FACES OF SEGUIN 44 Seguin ~ Authentic texAs living

Call (830)372-2237

to schedule your appointment today!

122 S. Moss • Seguin, TX 78155 www.AdvanceHearingSeguin.com

Serving Seguin and the surrounding areas for 28 Years LIC # 50540

GROOMING

WANT TO SEE YOUR PICTURES ON THIS PAGE? send theM to us at seguinMagazine@seguingazette.coM

Professionally Trained Stylists Offering the Full Spa Experience Member NDGAA

TRAINING

CCPDT Certified Training Member APDT

BOUTIQUE

Featuring the Finest, Healthiest, Hippest & Fanciest Dog Stuff in Seguin 206 S. Austin St. • Seguin 830-379-7000

www.thunderpawsdogs.com

RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL Providing over 20 years of Comfort to our Customers

VOTED BEST HEATING/AC COMPANY IN SEGUIN

TACLA010612C

Change your life with

WIFI T-STAT

(830) 303-8624

510 N. Austin • Seguin www.TriCountyAC.com Authentic texAs living ~ Seguin 45

Luvvits-garden www.Luvvits Garden.com

Flower Shop Flowers • Plants • Balloons • Specialty Gifts Weddings • Funerals

Monday - Friday 9-5 Saturday 9-1 6772 N State HWY 123, Geronimo, TX 78155 (Located in the Old Geronimo Post Office) luvvitsgarden@yahoo.com

830-401-9262

ANNIESLOAN ® CHALKPAINTS Now a global phenomenon, Annie Sloan first developed the Chalk Paint® range in 1990 to answer the need she had for a versatile paint that would work beautifully on furniture without priming or sanding; that would be easy to use and quick to dry; and that could be used for a number of different paint techniques.

K

We carry a complete line of paints and supplies. Call today to reserve a spot at our next Chalk Paint® workshop.

830-379-9995 keepersinteriors.com 615 N Austin St, Seguin, TX 78155

Keepers Interiors

BECKER’S

Feed & Fertilizer, Inc.

2433 N. Austin - Seguin, TX | 830-379-5679

Lawn & Garden supplies and decor Pet feed and livestock feed

Checkout our New Website www.beckersfeed.com

Do you have photos of, Friends, Family, Kids, Pets

Send them to SeguinMagazine@seguingazette.com 46 Seguin ~ Authentic texAs living

send theM to us at seguinMagazine@seguingazette.coM

FACES OF SEGUIN

WANT TO SEE YOUR PICTURES ON THIS PAGE?

Authentic texAs living ~ Seguin 47

GET A FULL YEAR delivered to your mailbox!

Only $24.95

Call 830.379.5441

or clip and mail this order form to: 1012 Schriewer Rd., Seguin, TX 78155 along with a check or money order made payable to The Seguin Gazette

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48 Seguin ~ Authentic texAs living

READERS COMMENTS

“I have lived here all my life and I didn’t know that there were so many businesses and so many interesting people here in Seguin... wow!! This magazine is so vibrant and colorful, I love how it’s so down to earth I totally enjoy every page. Thank You Seguin Magazine” --Mary E. Adame “Seguin magazine is a great way to stay informed about what’s going on in Seguin. Many of my patients read it while waiting to get adjusted, and really enjoy it! They are always asking if they can take a copy with them!”

--Dr. Dominic Scaramozi, Pecan Country Chiropractic “The thing I love about the magazine is that it’s a really great representation of Seguin. It highlights the best of what the city and surrounding area have to offer.”

-- Lizz Phumphrey “I enjoyed being in the April/May issue of the Seguin Magazine with my daughter in law and grandchildren. I have gotten lots of compliments about the magazine and how they enjoy reading and looking at all the advertising information. I would like to thank the Seguin Gazette and the employees that put it together.”

-- Patricia Trinidad

SEGUIN SEGUIN

c e n t i A u t h

s T e x a

g l i v i n

Februa ry|Ma

A u t h e n t i c

T e x a s

l i v i n g

c e n t i A u t h

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g l i v i n

rch 2017

April| May 2017

Too Sweet !

es | Thea tre | Gam Serv ice Dogs Cha inma il |

Sprin gi Forw ng ard

BMX Biki ng | Can es for Vet s | Tex as Pla nts

June|J uly 2017

Summer

r

On the Wate

e | ILSO LC dMa de Furn itur Bar becu e | Han Fly Fish ing |

Have something to say? Send us your comments, SeguinMagazine@seguingazette.com Authentic texAs living ~ Seguin 49

“Hello, I’m Dr. Mark Kneuper and I am happy to announce that I am celebrating 25 years of practice in this area.

To inform the folks who live here of what we offer, I have chosen to advertise Hill Country Vein and Aesthetics Center and Texas Reflux Solutions in the area newspapers and magazines.

I feel that including the Gazette and Seguin Magazine in my advertising program has reached a wide audience, and has proven beneficial.””

— Mark Kneuper Hill Country Vein

50 Seguin ~ Authentic texAs living

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