Seguin Magazine - February 2019

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

February 2019

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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. 9 Seguin magazine is published twelve times a year by the Seguin Gazette.

GENERAL MANAGER 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

GRAPHIC DESIGN Tera Swango Grace Davila

ADVERTISING Gay Lynn Olsovsky Laurie Cheatham

WRITERS Chris Lykins Felicia Frazar Valerie Bustamante Priscilla Aguirre Zach Ienatsch

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

CONTRIBUTORS Lizz Pumphrey

SEARCH SEGUIN GAZETTE

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

All rights reserved

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Awards for Best portrait • Most realistic Color Portrait • Lettering

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On

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Photo by Felicia Frazar

2018

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SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

Michael Hernandez’s passion, hard work and dedication to the veterans and the community as a whole garnered him the Mary Lee Roberts’ Citizen of the Year award.

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An inside look from our WRITERS...

“Writing the feature about Marika Bordes was challenging. She is such an inspirational person and I wanted that to exude in the article. Luckily, as I was learning about her and the work that she has done for Seguin, it helped inspire me to write the article in a creative way.”

– Priscilla Aguirre “When I found out Whitney Bischoff was one of the Vision Award recipients I knew I had to interview her. Not only is she super sweet, but Bischoff is such an inspiring woman. I sat at her desk for almost an hour just listening to her stories and her involvement in all these organizations and was just astounded. She is an empowering woman that I’m glad I had the privilege of writing about.”

— Valerie Bustamante “There are some people in your life where meeting them is not just a treat—it’s a privilege. Few people have shaken me to my core (in the most delightful way) by how much more radiant the world is for their existence than Michael. Even reading my article again while editing made me want to cry. It’s assignments like these that make journalism not just necessary but sublime.”

– Zach Ienatsch “I was on a mission to tour the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner but instead had some unexpected fun exploring the city.”

– Priscilla Aguirre “I’m always tickled by a man who loves his car enough to work on it consistently.

My grandpa has half a dozen old Volvos and you can really tell sincerity in a car guy when you see it. I enjoyed the chance to meet Kevin and his ‘78 Stingray.”

– Zach Ienatsch 8

SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

T

his issue of Seguin Magazine happens to be my absolute favorite. Of course I say that about every one, but this one is different. This year we decided to highlight our Mary Lee Roberts Citizen of the Year and Vision Award winners throughout the pages.

The honorees that we chose this year are without a doubt amazing people in our community, they truly are deserving of these awards.

If you haven’t been to Kimber Grace located across from the town square it is definitely worth a taking a moment to pop into the shop. Store owner Veronica Frizzell opened up her store to us not only for Closet Closeup but for our fashion spread as well. This models in this issue’s fashion sports a boho look. Although it was a cold, January afternoon, The Texas Agricultural & Heritage Center — also known as the Big Red Barn — served as a beautiful backdrop with its various buildings. Our models and photographer were, as always, incredible to work with.

Sometimes an idea for a story just doesn’t pan out like we envision it, Sports editor, Pricilla Aguirre found that out with a trip to Shiner to tour the Spoetzel Brewery. When she arrived the brewery was closed, but her and her fiancé made the best of it and had a great time in the small Texas town.

I do want to thank you all for your continued readership.

The staff at the Gazette really enjoys putting Seguin Magazine together for you. If you have any suggestions, story ideas or photos please send them in, seguinmagazine@seguingazette. com.

But, for now, turn the page and enjoy.

Hannah RuizGruver

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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

36

14

22

16

52

FEATURES

AROUND TOWN

IN EACH ISSUE

22 ROGER BETSCHLER

14 CLOSET CLOSEUP

12 SIZZLIN’ FIVE

36 MICHAEL HERNANDEZ

16 UNDER THE HOOD

30 FASHION

40 PAM BURRIS

26 CULINARY CREATIONS

56 FACES OF SEGUIN

44 DR. WHITNEY BISCHOFF

28 DAY TRIPPER

58 FAVORITE FINDS

48 MARIKA BORDES 52 TONI WINTERS

10 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

f

Bras For a Cause is an uplifting event held annually. “Art Bras� are the center of our event. Bras For a Cause is a non-profit organization passionate about helping cancer patients that are uninsured or under-insured have access to cancer treatments at Guadalupe Regional Medical Center. All proceeds raised by Bras For a Cause are donated to Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation Cancer Assistance Fund. From the proceeds of 2018 event Bras For a Cause established the All Cancer Endowment through the Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation. We wanted to do something that people would be excited about, while making sure the money raised stays right here in our community. For the men, women, teens, and children impacted by ALL TYPES of CANCER. Bras For a Cause is a chance to make a REAL difference in the lives of those affected by CANCER. We hope you will join us!

Bras

s afor rBras Ba a roffor a ECaUsE sUaCaUsE C

GUADALUPE COUNTY BRAS FOR A CAUSE Thursday, March 7, 2019 Seguin Events Complex 950 S. Austin Street 6:30 pm - 10 pm

Join us for the fifth annual fundraising event. There will be music, dinner, wine, margaritas, great entertainment, and an endowment raffle. Bras for a Cause is an uplifting experience to benefit Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation Cancer Assistance Fund combining elaborate decorated bras, fantastic food, and local first responders strutting their stuff on the runway to help our community in the fight against cancer.

Tickets are $50 and are available at Keepers Interiors, 615 N. Austin Street & Seguin Gazette, 1012 Schriewer Table Sponsors & Sponsorship available For more information call 830-305-5858

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Five events you don’t want to miss

February 23rd

FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL

Food trucks from all around will open up shop at the Seguin Hermann Sons Lodge for the local group’s Food Truck Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb 23 at the lodge, 2918 W. Kingsbury St. In addition to food trucks serving up tasty dishes, vendors will have booths to sell their arts, crafts and more. There will also be live music and raffle prizes.

February 23rd

DENIM AND DIAMONDS

An adult carnival, food trucks and auctions are on tap for the Seguin Education Foundation’s 11th Annual Denim and Diamonds at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Seguin Coliseum. Tickets include dinner, snacks, desserts and beverages. For more information, visit Seguin Education Foundation on Facebook.

February 28th

BUSINESS SHOWCASE

Showcase Seguin is the premiere business trade show produced by the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce. Each year local businesses and organizations gather to show what they offer the community.

This year’s Magical Kingdom of Seguin is set for 5 to 8 p.m. at the Seguin Events Complex. Admission is $30. The Show Day offers an action-packed day of interaction, games and door prizes from noon to 4 p.m., admission is free. The event also includes a job fair from 9 to noon.

March 1st

U.S. NAVY CONCERT BAND

The U.S. Navy Concert Band, the premiere wind ensemble of the U.S. Navy, will present a wide array of marches, patriotic selections, orchestral transcriptions and modern wind ensemble repertoire at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 1 in Texas Lutheran University’s Jackson Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public, however tickets are required to enter. For more information, visit www.tlu. edu/events/u.s.-navy-concert-band-performance-2019/

March 2nd

ARTSFEST

The Seguin Arts Fest is looking to highlight the artistic talents of the community with a day full of events on March 2 in downtown Seguin. This year’s event will include a very colorful run, an Art Market with displays, poetry readings and more. A Poochanga will allow pets to take part in the fun.

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VERONICA FRIZZELL

BY VALERIE BUSTAMANTE

A

mom, wife and businesswoman are the many roles Veronica Frizzell has, which is why casual and easy dressing is her style.

“I like casual, easy and fast because I’m a mom of five,” she said “I used to wear heels all the time because my work needed it. I needed to dress up for business, but now I think I’m more casual.”

Now as the Kimber Grace Boutique owner, Frizzell enjoys sporting blue jean pants and layering shirts, sweaters and cardigans. Dresses with pockets and neutral colors are other staples in Frizzell’s closet.

“Jeans and dresses with pockets are my favorite things to wear. All my dresses I have in the store have pockets all the time,” she said. “Neutral colors and pinks are my favorite colors. I’m always getting stuff that has pink on it.”

On the jewelry side of things, Frizzell said there are only a few pieces she wears on a daily basis.

“I’m not a big jewelry wearer. I wear one necklace all the time my husband gave me, earrings that my kids

got me 10 years ago and my wedding band— that’s all I wear,” she said. “I never wear a lot of jewelry because my mom always wore a lot of jewelry and so I always said I would never. Sometimes I’ll try wearing those long beaded necklaces, but that’s definitely been a learning curve for me.”

Unlike jewelry, shoes are another story.

“I’m big on shoes. All my girls are big on shoes. It’s crazy because I have all four girls and we’re all very different,” Frizzell said. “I like boots and booties.

When I used to wear heels I would buy new shoes all the time. I actually just started carrying shoes and they’ve done really well. I can’t keep them in stock.”

One of the pros of owning her own store is being able to wear what she carries in stock, but before Frizzell said she used to spend a lot of time at the mall.

“I used to shop all the time at a store at the mall called Body Central and they shut down all of their locations,” she said. “I would shop there and then Agaci, but then Agaci got too young for me so I made

GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 15

my own. I also liked going to JcPen- quins. I always look at what people have on Facebook.” ny’s. The reason I made my own While Frizzell’s style may be store was because I didn’t have simple, it doesn’t mean her style anywhere else to go.” hasn’t grown since opening up her For fashion inspiration, Frizzell Kimber Grace storefront at 217 S. turns to social media.

River St. “Facebook and Pinterest are my “My style has kind of grown since go-to’s. Before I had the store I I made the store though because would look on Pinterest for fall I buy stuff for customers that I work outfits and how to put them wouldn’t normally wear,” she said. together and layer stuff,” she said.

“Like animal print, I never wore “Pinterest is a big thing for me especially when I’m dressing the manne- animal print. Now that I get it I like

“Jeans and dresses with pockets are my favorite things to wear. All my dresses I have in the store have pockets all the time” Veronica Frizzell

it more.”

The store has allowed her to grow her love for fashion, Frizzell said.

“It’s helped me wear things I wouldn’t normally wear and brought me out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I think it’s made me have a higher confidence because I’m representing something. I think my clothes make me feel good. I don’t dread getting dressed every day and I can pull stuff together that I normally wouldn’t wear.”

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‘78 Chevrolet Corvette

Stingray Silver Anniversary

BY ZACH IENATSCH

F

or some, owning an older car is a labor of love. Few know this better than Kevin Baker and his ‘78 Chevrolet Corvette Silver Anniversary Stingray.

“I got this car from a friend,” Baker said. “I graduated from Seguin High School in 1978, so I feel like it was meant to be for me to own this car.”

In the two years since Baker acquired the car, he has rebuilt the undercarriage, replaced the transmission, installed a new aluminum radiator and has future plans to completely redo the vehicle’s interior.

“It’s definitely a work in progress,” he said. “There’s always something GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 19

to work on. If you ever want to rebuild something, an older car is a great idea.”

Even with all the changes Baker has made to his Corvette, it still retains a little bit of history with a fully operational 8-track player.

As noted on the Stingray’s license plate, Baker’s car is registered as an antique, which means “it’s not on the road very often,” he said.

Baker said his Stingray is “only for weekends reserving the classic ride for leisure only. However, the classic car gets its time to shine at auto shows, where Baker has found success in the past few years. Baker has his eyes set on the American Legion’s next car show is April.

“I won the show last year and I hope to make a repeat,” Baker said. “But there are a lot of beautiful cars out there so the competition is tight.”

Until then, Baker plans to keep working on his classic ride, occasionally making appearances at car rallies and for a little Sunday driving.

“I really enjoy working on my Stingray,” he said. “I get a lot of satisfaction out of just listening to the engine start up each time.”

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A Passion for Art

BY VALERIE BUSTAMANTE

The workroom was filled with mockups, finished and unfinished art pieces, sculpturing tools, different colored glazes and clay dust remnants as Roger Betschler picked up one of his pieces “The Giving Plate” to admire it. The room around him told just a part of Betschler’s story and evolvement as an artist.

22 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

Finding his way Betschler has been in the art world for more than 20 years as both an independent artist and a middle school art teacher in Seguin ISD. However, art wasn’t exactly where Betschler thought he would end up as a young adult looking to leave his family’s farm in Wisconsin.

“We had a dairy farm so you went out there, you did your chores early in the morning and went to school,” he said. “When we got back, we did the rest of the chores. I think that and being in Wisconsin — it’s cold up there — I think that’s what drove me to want to go to college. I didn’t exactly know what I was going to do, but I ended up in the arts area. I enjoyed the arts tremendously, so from there I just got enough jobs to keep me going to college.”

Not long after, Betschler earned his Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater before making the trek to the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 1979 for his master’s degree, which focused on sculpture and painting.

After meeting his wife Laurie at the university — the two decided to take the educator route and earned their teaching certifications back in Wisconsin.

However, the Betschlers soon learned the north wasn’t where they would start their educator careers.

“We were both doing some job searching, but there were no jobs up north so we went down to the Valley,” he said. “We were in Edinburg, Mission, Harlingen, McAllen — we were all through there looking for jobs.”

The Betschlers spent about two years in the Valley before deciding it was time to move.

“I started putting in applications up here in Central Texas — I was writing to everyone like Geronimo, Zorn,” Roger said. “I didn’t know any of these places, but finally I got one from Seguin ISD. They weren’t hiring, but I decided to stop by anyways at Briesemeister Middle School. They told me they would give me a call if they were interested. So we went up to Wisconsin because I had rental property up there … About a month into our working time up there I got a call about the position.”

Roger served as the art teacher at Briesemeister Middle School for 22 years.

“God just led me to be at Briesemeister Middle School.

Those kids, at that time, their hormones are bouncing all over the place and I just found it kind of entertaining and challenging,” he said. “Middle school kids — man once you get them focused they can come up with some pretty awesome stuff.”

However, in 2006 Roger decided it was time to close that chapter of his life.

“I retired in 2006 and I really knew it was time to retire

because that age group takes so much energy,” he said. “I just didn’t have the energy to keep up with them and doing a disservice to them. And you know, that’s not why I’m here on this earth and so I retired.”

Torsos After retiring from his teaching position, Roger threw himself into the local art scene by getting involved with the Seguin Art League and getting the chance to try his hand at new projects.

“It gave me a chance to work on my work year around rather than just the two, three months that we had during summer break,” he said. “That was that was pretty thrilling to be able to.”

For his new project, Roger decided to reference back to a lifecasting class he took at the Santa Fee College in 1993 and focus on creating the “Torsos” collection.

“I decided that I was going to do wall pieces, you know, like a painting on the wall and decided to do torsos,” he said. “I don’t know, I give myself these huge tasks and sometimes a torso is not really the easiest thing to do. If you do faces you always have expressions and with torsos GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 23

— how much expression can you get with that? So that was really a challenge.”

Roger started the project with the help of a model who he used to create a cast of the person’s actual torso.

“I don’t recommend people do this because there are horror stories of people getting trapped inside the plastered going into the hospital,” he said.

“So you need to really know what you’re doing. The class that I took at Santa Fe really prepared me for that kind of thing.”

Roger’s interest in multi-cultures also played a part in creating the collection over time.

“My torsos just ran the gamut from New Zealanders to Africans to Native American. I pick up some books and found the designs that different people were using in their culture,” Roger said. “Like, we have tattoos that are so common. So I started incorporating those into the surface of the torso.”

Lil’ Saints Following the completion of “Torsos,” Roger took a trip to Oaxaca with his sister and brother-in-law, where he got the inspiration for his latest project “Lil’ Saints.”

“There was this one artist who had created all 2,501 sculptures and he called them migrants,” Roger said. “He had been in Paris for a while studying and when he came back to the U.S. to a village near Oaxaca there was nobody there. Well, all these people were coming up to the United States as migrants and working. The women stayed behind and moved away until their husbands came back.”

The artist created various figures of people of different sizes to represent the migrants, Roger said.

24 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

“What amazed me is they were grouped in front of the church, down on the side streets — they were everywhere,” he said. “I just wondered, ‘how can you put your artwork up there in the street? You can’t pick them up at night.’ I think people just respected the art and it was just very interesting to be there and see what he did so I came home inspired.”

When Roger got back to Seguin, he set out to create something with a similar concept.

“I decided to make little saints. And of course, my saints, well, are quite a bit smaller than what that artist was doing, but mine are also very refined from what he was doing.

They still have a primitive look to them,” Roger said.

While most would think Roger’s Lil’ Saints were based on actual saints from the Bible, Roger said they’re just ordinary

people.

“The whole concept between the little saints was if you believe that Jesus Christ is your Savior, you are a savior,” he said. “My little saints are just normal, everyday people. It’s me, it’s you. It could be anybody. The inspiration for each piece might be flipping through a magazine. It’s seeing somebody on the street and seeing something about them that I really like.”

Roger said he still has one saint left that needs to go through its final firing stage in the kiln before he completes his 50 Lil’ Saints collection.

While Roger decided to take a break for the holidays, he said in April he plans to jump right back into his workroom in hopes of creating something new.

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Easy Cajun Jambalaya I

BY FELICIA FRAZAR

love spicy food, I rarely cook it. Cajun food in particular is my favorite spicy food, although I had never cooked it, until recently.

As I scoured the web looking for something to try, I found something I hadn’t had in a while — jambalaya.

For all of the Cajuns reading this, I’m sorry now for any sins I may have committed while whipping up Delish.com’s Quick Jambalaya recipe.

One happy mistake was adding too much tomato paste. Instead of two tablespoons I accidentally dumped the whole can. Luckily it was the INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 onion, chopped 2 bell peppers, chopped Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1” pieces 1 tsp. dried oregano 6 oz. andouille sausage, sliced 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tbsp. tomato paste ancho chili powder or other preferred spice 2 c. low-sodium chicken stock 1 (15-oz.) can crushed tomatoes 1 c. long grain rice 2 tsp. Old Bay seasoning 1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined or 1 pound of crawfish 2 green onions, thinly sliced

small one and according to those who tasted it, it came out great.

I altered the recipe to include a dash of ancho chili powder to help give the jambalaya a little more kick up front.

Although, it does have quite the bite after sitting for a day or two.

I think next time I’ll also swap out or combine the shrimp with some crawfish tails.

This dish will be a tasty addition to any Mardi Gras celebration. That will have everyone saying, Laissez les bon temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!)

DIRECTIONS In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and bell peppers and season with salt and pepper.

Cook until soft, about 5 minutes, then stir in chicken and season with salt, pepper and oregano. Cook until the chicken is golden, about 5 minutes, then stir in andouille sausage, garlic, tomato paste and a dash of ancho chili powder and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more.

Add chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, rice and Old Bay seasoning. Reduce heat to medium low, cover with a tight fitting lid, and cook for about 30 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid is almost absorbed.

Add the shrimp and cook until pink, 3 to 5 minutes.

Stir in green onions just before serving. *Adapted from Delish.com

A unique trip to

SHINER

BY PRISCILLA AGUIRRE

T

he Spoetzl Brewery was the only subject on my mind as my fiancé, Chris Roundy, and I drove to the town of Shiner.

We’ve been thinking about this road trip for days.

We were excited to learn the ins-and-outs of the brewery, to taste different Shiner products and just experience the place that makes our favorite beer.

However, that plan changed.

On our way to Shiner, Chris asked me to look up times for brewery tours.

So, I did and as I was reading their website, I found their holiday hours and suddenly my heart dropped.

They were CLOSED. Since we were only 10 miles away from Shiner we decided to check out the brewery from the outside — despite it being closed for the holidays.

When we got to there, we noticed a few cars parked outside and a family that was drinking Shiner on the benches in front of the Spoetzel Brewery.

It was definitely closed, but we made the decision to copy the family and buy a six-pack of our own down the road at a gas station.

Of course, the store had a variety of Shiner flavors to choose from. We bought our favorite Shiner Cheer and Shiner S’more to try out. Don’t worry we only had two beers each and saved the rest for later.

After we bought the beers, we sat on the benches that were placed right in front of the brewery and enjoyed the scenery.

We didn’t get to see the inside and tour the brewery, but it was a beautiful, breezy day and the taste of the Shiner was good enough for us.

As we talked, drank and laughed, we noticed we weren’t the only people that didn’t look up the holiday hours before traveling to the small town.

People from San Antonio, Luling and New Braunfels also had made the trip out there to visit the brewery. And, like us, a few of them bought a 6-pack of their own and sat at the benches outside as well.

After we finished our two beers, and were getting ready to pack up and leave, we noticed there was a green bridge to the left of the brewery that intrigued us.

We ended up walking over to the bridge and had ourselves a little photoshoot. We did a little pose here, a little pose there and ended up capturing some great memories.

We thought we were ready to hit the road and head back to San Antonio, but instead, we drove around Shiner and found the city’s park.

The park was filled with Christmas decorations, a cute gazebo and games, such as checkers, which we played. We only played one game which my fiancé won, time flew by because we had been at the park for a good hour.

We were going to check out the local restaurants, but we already had dinner reservations that night in San Antonio and time was ticking, so we hit the road and headed back home.

Although we expected to experience the brewery, we still made the best of it and had a lot of fun.

I learned a few things from this trip: Always check the holiday hours on the actual website (don’t just Google it), we need to make a trip back to the brewery for a tour and I learned that my fiancé is such a keeper for making the trip so much fun.

If you would like to visit the brewery, visit www. shiner.com.

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918 10th Street, Floresville, TX 78114 830-393-7993 Monday-Saturday 9-6 Sunday 12-6 GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 29

Shannon’s Clothes are provided by Southern Good

Shannon styling the boho look with a dark green Leto diagonal knit ruana -$26.99,peach boho dress by Umgee -$40.00, long knit Leto boho scarf-$22.99, tall brown Metion high boots-$59.99 and fringe Wolf brown leather bag-$79.99

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Location: The Texas Agricultural & Heritage Center Photographer: Lizz Pumphrey 30 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

Alarie is wearing a white distressed top with a blue lace sleeved cover up by Andree-$34.00, Tell you Tale earrings and a multitoned necklace, large cuffed jeans by Monkey Ride-$32.00 and Carrie black booties-$59.99

Alarie's Clothes are provided

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GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 31

Alarie is wearing an Umgee cream pullover velvet top -$36.99, See and Be Seen faux leather leggings -$38.99, turquoise Haven fringe earrings - $17.99 and Julio Dietrich necklace-$24.99 Provided by Southern Good

Shannon is wearing an off the shoulder pink embroidered top by Umgee -$35.00, long necklace and distressed fitted jeans by Monkey Ride -$32.00 Provided by Kimber Grace Boutique

32 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

Alarie is styling a beautiful Thml grey drape coat-$59.99, She/Shy wine scallop dress-$38.99, Jane M. Gala bracelet grouping-$25.00 and Jane M. Affirmation necklace - $24.99 Provided by Southern Good

Shannon is styling an elegant one piece black jumpsuit with gold buttons by Main - $48.99 and paired with dramatic L&B tassel earrings - $12.99 Provided by Southern Good

GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 33

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Michael Hernandez 36 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

Mary Lee Roberts

A Warrior with a Giving Soul W

BY ZACH IENATSCH

hen Michael Hernandez meets with his clients, he knows exactly what it’s like to be on the other side of the desk.

“This is a career, but it’s also a passion,” Hernandez said. “Speaking from experience, I know how frustrating it can be to get help.

That’s why I always try to point other veterans in the right direction.”

Hernandez is the assistant veteran services officer for Guadalupe County. His office supports veterans and their families, ensuring they receive adequate housing, healthcare, education and assistance from non-profits.

“There are more than 22,000 veterans in this county,” he said. “Almost every single one of them has at least one family member. And it’s just me and my boss in this department but we don’t let that stop us.”

Hernandez served in the U.S. Army during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was medically discharged in 2013 before going on to continue his education at Texas State University. The veteran services office came on his radar for the same reason he joined the military, his grandfather.

“I wasn’t aware of this office until my grandfather needed their help,” he said. “He fought in Vietnam and had severe medical condiGUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 37

tions for the rest of his life because of Agent Orange and asbestos. While I was still in school, I wanted to know how I could be a part of this office.”

Before Hernandez’s grandfather died in 2015, he was able to secure $60,000 from the Department of Veterans Affairs, which was then passed on to Michael’s grandmother.

“He knew he only had a few years left so he wanted to make sure my grandmother was set,” he said.

Hernandez’s wish to join the office came as a work-study opportunity for the Hays County office. After a time, his internship was transferred to his home county of Guadalupe.

During his internship, he helped get 12 homeless veterans off the streets. In November 2018, the Guadalupe County office extended a full-time job opening for Michael once he was done with school.

“Michael has always been a huge advocate and always goes above and beyond for everyone he meets,” Hays County assistant veteran services officer Sasha Mathews said. “He donates his time to food banks and the Salvation Army and has helped people with disabilities move furniture. You name it, he has done it. And he never complains or boasts.”

Mathews, having worked with Hernandez previously, felt confident he was the right man to receive a Vision Award. She and two other individuals nominated Michael.

“If there’s one word to describe him, it’s unbelievable,” she said. “He always has a smile on his face and nothing seems to get him down. Despite his young age, he has done so much for so many people in just a short amount of time. I was in the service too and you can really tell Michael lives every day for the men and women who lost their lives overseas and never came home.”

Hernandez has been married to his wife Jennifer for 10 years. Together, they have two Shar Peis, named Izzy and Gene. Every generation of his family has veterans, who fought in nearly every war since the American Revolution. Hernandez’s family members have lived in Guadalupe County for more than 100 years.

“For me and my family, community activism is everything,” he said. “My grandmother worked with Lady Bird Johnson decades ago.

My uncle was mayor and my aunt practices law with activism in mind. We always try to help others when they need it.”

Hernandez spends most of his time at the 38 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

veteran services office in Schertz, but he also makes appearances at his office in Seguin. Guadalupe County is one of the few county offices to conduct home visits for veterans and family members in need, provided they live in the county. The office also provides free transportation to the Audie Murphy VA Hospital in San Antonio.

Despite Hernandez and his boss, Marisela Gonzales, shouldering most of the work, the office has seen veteran outreach more than triple compared to previous years.

The office has helped with community events, coordinated commercial sponsors to fund said events and even put on a free Thanksgiving dinner for veterans and their families.

In January, the Guadalupe County Commissioners approved plans to renovate the new county annex in Schertz. While the building will provide tax services and an appraisal district, the annex will also become Hernandez’s new office, further improving the office’s resources to help even more veterans and their families.

“I’m really just eager to help people get the benefits they deserve on local, state and federal levels,” Hernandez said. “We don’t turn away any additional help or volunteers either. We are in dire need of drivers to help us get veterans to their appointments.”

Despite his work, Hernandez humbly assures everyone he’s just doing his job.

“I didn’t take this job for the recognition,” he said. “But it is nice to know what we’re doing here is being seen by the people who need it the most.”Despite his work, Hernandez humbly assures everyone he’s just doing his job.

Which is why Hernandez is being honored with the Mary Lee Roberts Citizen of the Year award.

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Pam Burris

A Passion for Paws P

am Burris has helped style the community’s hair for almost two decades, but it’s her work outside of the salon that is earning her recognition.

All of her life, Burris has worked with animals and has had a concern for animal welfare. She started working to make a change in the lives of animals while living in San Antonio.

Once she began planting roots in Seguin, she dug in, offering up support for the Guadalupe County Humane Society, helping with the formation of ARF and the creation of Barky Park dog park, lobbying on behalf of animals — locally and statewide — and helping coordinate with rescues and agencies outside of the state to help animals find forever homes.

“I do animal rescue to keep myself out of jail and out of trouble,” she joked.

Longtime friend Barbara Upper said Burris is a force when it comes to taking care of things.

“Pam is the type of person that when she sees a problem, she has her sleeves rolled up and is going

BY FELICIA FRAZAR

to work while everyone else is sitting around,” she said. “She just gets after it because she has a solution in mind. Most of the time that solution involves Pam doing a whole lot of work. She was instrumental in the creation of Barky Park, she was instrumental in every aspect of animal rescue.”

These are just some of the reasons why Burris was nominated and selected as one the of the Seguin Gazette’s 2019 Vision Award winners.

Burris began her career as a stylist 24 years ago and 5 years later opened up her own business — the Hair Forum.

She used to train and show Australian cattle dogs in obedience and agility, a cue she took from her father who used to work with Schipperkes.

“I was always around dogs and training them,” she said.

Burris dabbled in the world of rescue while living in San Antonio during a time when animal welfare wasn’t a top priority.

“There wasn’t the awareness back then that there is GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 41

nowadays,” she said. “Now we have groups working together, no kill and low kill shelters, none of that was going on in those days.”

After relocating to Seguin, Burris began getting involved to make a change.

She began offering her support to Barbara Upper, founder of ARF (Animal Rescue Foundation) and Margret Svatek, founder of the Guadalupe County Humane Society, in helping to change the culture of the city and county.

“Me, Barbara Upper and Margratt Svatek thought, something needs to be done around here,” she said.

One of their goals was to get the city of Seguin’s Animal Control Facility out of the “time warp” it was in an advocate for a change.

“It wasn’t a good place for people to go and adopt,” she said.

The change eventually came with the help of many as the old building shut its doors a year-and-a-half ago and a brand new facility opened up. It now serves as a holding facility, an adoption and education center.

Many residents, like Burris, also came together to assist the Guadalupe County Animal Shelter with adoptions and getting animals into foster homes.

“The county was more or less just a holding facil42 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

ity and wasn’t really set up for adoption and people weren’t aware of it,” she said.

Burris’s business has opened a line of communication for area residents who wanted to lend a hand to the area’s furriest residents.

Unfortunately, in one case it ended with a puppy being abandoned at her shop’s back door. Luckily, the puppy was saved and taken care of.

Throughout the years Burris has personally sponsored about 200 dogs, that doesn’t include the connections she’s helped make getting dogs into rescue or transporting them to organizations outside of the state.

“I think honestly, Facebook has made that come alive,” she said. “All of the groups come together and the public sees stuff. They see all of the animals out there. We can interact with northern groups and the Canadian groups that can help us with overpopulation problems. They don’t have those problems up there.

Seguin has really come a long way with all of that.”

That includes the time when Burris stepped into a pet hoarding situation and didn’t hesitate to help nearly 100 pups find homes.

“Her moment of glory was what we called ‘The Guadalupe Getaway,’” Upper said. “She directed the rescue of over 90 dogs from a house and delivered

them — driving herself — to New York and the East Coast. She is incredible.”

Burris also has extended her helping hand and her home to some larger animals in need of help.

“One of the biggest things that needs to be addressed is equine care,” she said. “They are large animals that need space.”

Her love of helping animals extends to giving young children the opportunity to learn how to care for animals, including horse grooming and dog obedience.

While Burris works to save as many animals as possible, she knows that not all can be saved.

“I’m a realist, we can’t save them all. But if we use the means we have and the education we can make a difference,” she said. “I’ve seen a huge difference in our city and our county in the past five years. You get small groups that grow and you get more people who want to advocate for it.”

The local stylist takes her advocacy to the state level as a member of the Texas Humane Legislative Network and as a member of the Texas Cattle Dog Rescue.

“That is very important,” she said.

“I think it takes a whole village to make it work. I just want to help the community for the betterment of animal welfare.”

However, her work with both has been put on the back burner to a low simmer while she fights a second round with cancer.

Burris said she is grateful for the nomination and the selection as a Vision Award winner.

“I appreciate people who appreciate the rescuers because not everyone can do it,” she said. “Whether it is time or space, not everyone can do it but you can help in different ways and you can support the people who do it. I think together all of the different groups when they work together, you have a bigger team and in bigger numbers, you can make changes.”

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Dr.Whitney Bischoff

The heart of a nurse

BY VALERIE BUSTAMANTE

W

hether she’s educating her students about the nursing field, being an advocate for mental health awareness or giving someone a lift to H-E-B — Whitney Bischoff PhD is dedicated to making a change in not just her own community, but in communities around the world. It’s her commitments to the community and making a difference that has gained her one of the Seguin Gazette’s 2019 Vision Awards.

Bischoff, a nursing professor at Texas Lutheran University, started her career in 1978 when she graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center’s School of Nursing.

“I was diagnosed with a serious illness when I was 16 years old and spent two weeks in the hospital having major surgery,” Bischoff said. “It turned out to be a giant benign tumor but I certainly learned about the work of doctors and nurses. I know this experience has contributed to my compassion for those I care for. I’ve always enjoyed science and had a curiosity about medicine and health.”

Bischoff ’s career has led her toward several opportu-

nities including working at MD Anderson Hospital and Cancer Institute in women’s health and radiation treatment and the Ben Taub General Hospital’s operating room in Houston.

Bischoff also worked at the clinic at the Baylor College of Medicine and was a part of the first Alzheimer’s drug trial before it was approved.

“We tried it on people to see if it would help them with their memory and we had some good results so it went to market,” she said. “I worked with people who were HIV positive at a psychiatry office at Baylor. We were giving them antidepressants to see if that would help them improve their mood.”

After marrying her husband Tim, living in various parts of the country and earning her master’s degree and doctorate at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the University of Hawaii at Manoa — the Bischoffs settled in Seguin in 2000.

Upon moving to the area, Whitney became a parishioner nurse for Emanuel’s Lutheran Church.

“I was responsible for all the older people in the congregation. We did nursing home visits and services,” GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 45

she said. “That’s how I got to know the community of Seguin.”

In 2006, Whitney began teaching at Texas A&M International University in Laredo from afar through online classes.

Although she wasn’t a faculty member at TLU at the time, when the university wanted to start their own nursing school they looked toward Whitney for assistance. Whitney served on the search committee to help find the former nursing director, Dr. Kathie Aduddell.

It wasn’t until 2015 that Whitney finally joined the TLU staff herself to teach several courses such as health policy, community health and leadership.

It’s been through Whitney’s courses she’s been able to get her students involved in the community.

“We actually are partnered with the Eden Apartments across the way and the Housing Authority. We go to the High Rise and to River Terrace and that’s where we interact with people that are living with chronic illness in the community and learn about their challenges,” she said. “Many of these people are low income and need resources. One of the things we’ve developed is a resource guide to help people know what’s available.”

With her students, they also created the File For Life kit, which keeps track of a patient’s emergency contacts, medications and health history that first responders can use in the wake of a health emergency.

“We talked to the Guadalupe Regional Medical Center’s nursing staff, and we said ‘what kind of issues do you need help with improving?’” Whitney said. “They had a little list. We took that list and the faculty took on each of the projects to give to our students. GRMC is a great hospital, but the whole point of being a quality hospital is you’re always looking for ways to improve.”

One of GRMC’s issues was medication reconciliation, which is when a patient comes into the hospital, but doesn’t have the ability to speak for themselves about the medications they take, Whitney said.

“The File of Life is this red magnetic that goes on your refrigerator. Ray Stahl over at Eden made us aware that they really wanted these on the door so that EMS, when they’re walking in the door, can go look at the refrigerator,” she said.

46 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

Whitney’s classes also partner with the West End Neighborhood Project during their events by conducting blood pressure checks and answering health-related questions.

However, Whitney’s service efforts don’t just stop in the classroom.

About nine years ago, Whitney and her friend Mary Jo Billnitzer started a Seguin chapter for an organization called Dining for Women.

Dining for Women was founded in 2003 by Marsha Wallace in South Carolina as an opportunity to have dinner with friends while talking about ways to help other women who face issues with health care, economic development and education. There are now about 700 chapters worldwide.

During Dining for Women meals, a hat is placed in the middle of the table as the women eat so they can donate money that can go toward grants for grassroots international organizations.

The grants are about $50,000, Whitney said.

In previous years, the Seguin chapter has helped raise money to help educate midwives in Haiti. The project was done in partnership with Whitney’s friend and fellow Vision Award recipient Marika Bordes who is originally from Haiti and whose mother was also a midwife.

“Whitney is very generous and generous with her time.

She likes to help. She’s a very likable person,” Bordes said.

“When she is your friend you can count on her. You can call Whitney at any time and you say you have a problem or something she will be there.”

Aside from empowering women through Dining for Women, Whitney is also involved in Days for Girls, a global movement that handcrafts sustainable feminine hygiene products. Members of Days for Girls sew waterproof menstruation liners, shields and bags to help keep everything in.

“Girls in other countries don’t have access to disposable products and even if they did they couldn’t afford it,” Whitney said. “In many countries, the girls don’t understand what menstruation is. They don’t have the means to take care of themselves when they’re menstruating. They’re not allowed to be with the rest of the people because of the superstitions about menstruating women.”

Many times these women can’t go to school one of the four weeks out of the month for the rest of their lives until they reach menopause, Whitney said.

“These are girls who want an education, who want to take the test or go to the lesson and they have to stay home because they don’t have a way to manage their menstrual period,” Whitney said. “This organization is about teaching feminine hygiene and taking care of yourself.

It takes a lot of the mystery out of the girl’s body and understanding what it means to take care of yourself.”

Around town Whitney is also always performing random acts of kindness from buying groceries for those in need, taking individuals to their doctor’s appointments or offering financial support.

“For as long as I’ve known Whitney she has been involved and interested in improving the health of the community — above and beyond what her job entails,” said Nancy Masterson, who nominated Whitney for the Vision Award. “She’s done so much as a volunteer of going above and beyond.”

Additionally, Whitney is a member of the Seguin ISD School Health Advisory Committee.

Whitney said she chooses to help others because of the ripple effect it creates.

“Research shows that there’s a ripple effect from doing something good. It causes more good things to happen,” she said. “If you let someone in line in front of you when you’re driving your car it just changes their energy and they have a better day. It is better to give than receive, really. I’m a firm believer that we all need to live the good life here in Seguin and so whatever I can do to help make life better that’s what I want to do because it helps everyone.”

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Marika Bordes

Vision

AWARD

Winner

A Mission To Inspire Others Through Art

BY PRISCILLA AGUIRRE

F

rom the restoration of the historic Gibson House to the many sculptures displayed through the city, Marika Bordes, a well-known sculptor, has revived the arts in Seguin by simply sharing her talent and knowledge with others.

“We are here to serve and to bring what we know to the community for the community to evolve,” Bordes said. “When you have the arts in a community, you see the soul of the people. What is amazing here is there is a lot of talent, but people are shy. It’s only by creating that you can really show your spirit.”

The Gibson House Originally from Haiti, Bordes moved to Seguin from New York, with her husband Dennis Martin, in 2005.

When the two were in search of a home in Seguin, they decided to move into one that later turned into a historical marker — the Gibson House.

The Gibson House is a two-story home with a threecar garage, which is now Bordes’ studio. The home was

built by professors Georgia and Hugo Gibson, who were instrumental in helping Texas Lutheran University transition from a junior college to a fully-accredited university.

As the new couple of Seguin began renovating their home, their neighbor Elsie Margaret “Peggy” Gustafson, a former TLU teacher, informed Bordes and Martin about the history of their home.

Once the two understood the importance of their home, Bordes and Martin filled out an application to make the house a historical marker. After a lengthy process, the Gibson House was made an official state historical marker from the Texas Historical Commission Register of Historic Places.

Because of this journey, the couple met several residents of Seguin, which led Bordes to her involvement with the community.

“Peggy was a pillar of the community and people would come to visit her, and she always made sure to introduce them to us, especially Marika,” Martin said.

GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 49

Sharing her knowledge After settling in Seguin, Bordes got to work and began volunteering her time to help bring the arts back to the community.

Bordes helped form the initial Seguin Commission on the Arts while serving on the Seguin Main Street Advisory Board. She is a past president of the Seguin Art League and has volunteered to facilitate “The Artist Way” classes in Seguin, committing to meeting weekly for 12-weeks each time.

“If you come here (her studio), you want to create,” Bordes said. “I’m going to show you how to create and I want you to get what you have inside and put it out. I learn as much from my students or the people who come to this place, then they learn from me. Art is in the community, you cannot have art without the community.”

In 2010, Bordes spotlighted her and her students’ work at an exhibit at the Seguin Heritage Museum — which turned out to be one of the biggest art scenes Seguin has had in quite some time as the event drew a crowd of more than 400 people.

Not only did the exhibit feature wood sculptures and poetry from Bordes and her students, but it also showcased artwork from the younger generation. Before the event, Bordes held an art-filled event for more than 100 children that allowed them to create a masterpiece out of clay sculpture — which was featured in the exhibit at the museum.

“The kids came and brought their parents and grandparents, you could literally not get in that museum, it was so packed,” Bordes said. “It was spectacular. It was just wonderful that people could come and be inspired with it and just see what we could do in Seguin, little Seguin, beautiful Seguin.”

Sharing her talent While volunteering her time to teach others and host several art events for the community, Bordes created several sculptures for various organizations that are now displayed throughout town.

Bordes was first contacted by Guadalupe Regional Medical Center, who commissioned her to do a sculpture called “Maternitree.” GRMC currently has four pieces by Bordes in their building, including one in the Wellness Center that is a tribute to athleticism.

She also commissioned work installed at Texas Lutheran University, Emanuel’s Lutheran Church and the Seguin Public Library. A big undertaking Bordes spearheaded was the installation of the Bird Sanctuary Sculptures along Walnut Springs Park.

At the library, Bordes’ “A Beautiful World” 50 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

features a collection of 104 wood pieces with drawings made by local children.

“It was a work of the community and the kids,” Bordes said. “In a few years, they will come back and say ‘This is my piece’ and then a few more years later they will have their own kids and say ‘This is what I’ve done.’ This is an example for people to achieve something. I think by giving the kids the opportunity of doing something is worth gold.”

Bordes’ work has been highlighted in the Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center and on the Sunday morning show Texas Country Reporter.

She published a book featuring her sculptures, which included poems and musings by over a dozen members of the Seguin community.

“Marika is a gifted and generous person,” Mary Jo Langford said.

“I believe Seguin is a better place because of her engagement in our community, most of which have been as a volunteer and much has happened due to her vision and commitment to engaging the public in arts endeavors.”

Bordes said she plans to continue to share her work with Seguin and hopes the children of the community carry on the torch to create.

“I’m really honored to serve the city of Seguin the way I did,” Bordes said. “I came here from Haiti on the mission to pass on my knowledge and what I’ve learned.

Anyone who wants to create an impact, they have to share. If you don’t share, nobody will know what’s in your head and nobody will encourage you.

“What is important in this community is the little ones that are growing. That’s where we have to start, that’s why I work in the library with the kids, that’s why I work in the park with them. We need to encourage the little ones doing that.”

Her work has earned her a nomination and selection as a 2019 Vision Award winner.

Congratulations

Marika Bordes She has such class with an international reputation and flair.

It is an honor to have you part of our organization.

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GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 51

Toni Winters

Vision

AWARD

Winner

Stepping up where needed

T

oni Winters, also affectionately known as Queenie, has spent her life helping others.

She said it’s just something she does.

“I just love to do it,” Winters said. “I just love to help people period. Every day I get through what I need to do, then I’m like, ‘how much time do I have left? Who can I help?’ I love to organize and clean. ‘Do I need to run an errand for somebody or check on someone who is sick?’ It is just the way my brain runs.”

When asked to help or participate, Winters can’t say no.

Winters serves as the chairperson for Guadalupe County Distinguished Young Women’s Program, also known as Junior Miss, is a McQueeney Lion, a founding member of the Seguin Parrot Head Club, member of the Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association, the Citizen’s Fire Academy Alumni Association, former member of the Seguin Commission on the Arts board member, Texas Theatre board member and volunteer and has served as stage manager for many productions, including “Will’s War.” “I’m a joiner, whenever you want to do I’ll do it,” she said.

It’s for that reason she was nominated and selected as one of the Seguin Gazette’s 2019 Vision Award winners.

Longtime friend Denise Crettenden said Winters’ work in the community sometimes goes unnoticed, which is why she nominated her for the award.

“Toni isn’t someone who volunteers just a little bit here and there. She volunteers every day,” she said.

“There is never a day where she is not doing something

BY FELICIA FRAZAR

for the community or looking out for the community.

She has made a long-term commitment to a lot of the things that she does. She is really seeing them through and staying energized about them through years and years. I think those things make an impact on the community.”

Winters, who is the youngest of the five Brodt sisters, comes from a family of public servants.

Her father was a firefighter for the Seguin Fire Department and her mother served as a member of the Fire Department Auxiliary and was a member of Zontas “My parents always did fire department, they always donated, they were always there to work and I took that on,” Winters said.

Winter’s helping hand extends to strangers she sees on the streets, helping a man pick up newspaper in an empty field or loading up a golf cart onto a trailer that had rolled off.

“I watch people and I want to jump in and help if I see someone is having trouble. My sisters do too,” she said. “We were just raised to love and help others.”

Many of her commitments span decades.

Almost 30 years ago, Winters received a call to supply snacks for the Junior Miss program on the day of the event.

“I went and I watched them and I thought it was cool and said, ‘I’ll help any way I can,’” she said. “I was just kind of a gopher in the beginning and then as time went on, I took over as chairman and I’ve had many wonderful co-chairs. I just love it. It’s just good for the kids. I still have friends that have been in the program that are still my friends and they’re adults nolw.”

GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 53

Winters had to take a step back as co-chairperson twice — when her daughters Ashley (Winters) Spahn and Taylor Winters competed.

Several years ago, along with her then-husband, Winters decided to start the Seguin Parrot Heads Club — a local branch of the national non profit organization created by Jimmy Buffett.

The group’s mission is to party with a purpose, and while Toni doesn’t drink, she still enjoys the company and the reason.

“We started the club and we’ve met so many people from all over the United States that have been Parrot Heads and Parrot Heads are just happy people,” she said. “But ironically, I don’t drink. I love the idea of the organization’s mission, I love the Buffet music, I love the people. Nobody scruffs to donate or bring things for the raffle or to donate toys for tots. We give to so many charities.”

The first year the group raised about $3,000, plus time and effort.

Throughout the years, the group has grown in size and donations, handing out funds to 13 organizations, gathering hundreds of toys for Blue Santa and donating boxes upon boxes of food for the Christian Cupboard.

“It’s such an incredible group,” Toni said. “I love giving back. Me personally, I can do more physical than I can financial. But, you know, $20 here, a donation here and there you know, that is just what I like to do.”

About 28 years ago, Toni joined the local Lion’s organizations. She served as a Sunrise Lion and is currently a McQueeney Lion.

“Lions is in my heart,” she said. “The McQueeney Lion’s Club is huge. Those men, the dedication, is huge.

I enjoy doing that I enjoy giving back in that respect.

We raise money to give back to the community. I was on the scholarship committee for many years.”

Toni’s service in theatre began when her daughter Ashley was 11 and tried out for the “Sound of Music.”

While she didn’t get a role, her little sister did and 54 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

Toni began lending a hand.

“I’m a hands-on mom, I’m always there and I’m always helping to do whatever needs to be done,” she said. “Somebody asked ‘would you like to be a stage manager?’ and I’m like sure and I’ve done it ever since.

Her daughters help fill in gaps when Toni asks, and have found their own way to help the community they live in.

“I’m proud of my girls because they’re both teachers here now, and that fills up my heart because they are giving back too,” Winters said. “They love their kids, they talk about their kids all of the time and they find ways for their kids to help others.”

To say Toni’s is family oriented is an understatement.

“I’m the youngest of five sisters and we’re all best friends,” she said. “We all talk multiple times a day. My girls and I, we talk multiple times a day.”

While her immediate family is quite large at about 58 members — including her grandson Beckett — she said it expands far beyond blood, all willing to help when called.

“Our family welcomes anyone,” she said. “If you’re my friend my family loves you, and if you’re my sister’s friend, we all love you too. And so I always say just call me because I’ve got sisters, I’ve got kids I’ve got nieces, nephews, and we can find somebody that can help you with whatever you need. That’s just what I like to do.

My whole family … don’t hesitate to call us and say, ‘hey, can you help me with whatever,’ and we’re just here.”

When she is not volunteering her time helping others, Winter assists them in cleaning their houses as part of the family business.

“We used to have a crew of seven and we would work 14 to 15 houses a day,” she said. “Then it went down to a crew of three which was Dottsy (Dwyer), Barbie (Von Minden) and I. Then Robin (Dwyer) got the judgeship and that’s when Dottsy retired and so it’s just Barbie and I. We can do seven in a day.”

Congratulations To One of Our Own Fellow Parrot Heads

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GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 55

56 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

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favorite finds These cute Artful Hearts and Crosses would make great gifts for any occasion. They are at Kolbe Flower Shop, 753 N Austin St., Seguin.

I love this vintage Fenton glass basket I saw at Sol Y Luna, 112 E Court Street, Seguin. $40.

This issue’s Favorite Finds are presented by Laurie Cheatham the Marketing Manager at the Seguin Gazette.

Culture Cool Clothes & Other Sh*t located at 114 E, Court Street has lost of cool stuff. I absolutely fell in love with this Sprayground backpack. It has soft velour fabric, spacious interior with pockets and comfortable straps.

The Mary Y Tierra Salad at Reyna’s Mexican Restaurant, is fabulous. Fresh lettuce topped with grilled pineapple, bell peppers, beef fajitas, shrimp skewer, grape tomatoes, garnished beautifully with an avocado. Is as delicious as it is pretty.

I found this cute Little Red Riding Hood outfit for dogs by Hope’s Pet Boutique at Moni’s Mutt Hutt, 2881 FM 78, Seguin.

58 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

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GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 59

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12/11/18 11:07 AM