Seguin Magazine - January 2019

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

January 2019

Queens Rustic Ranch A Quilters Dream Retreat

Texas Theatre

A Shining Star in the Heart of Seguin

Bridal Venues

Get married in Guadalupe County

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Guadalupe County living ~ Seguin

3

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

GENERAL MANAGER Elizabeth Engelhardt

Tattoos by Jeremiah

EDITOR Hannah Ruiz

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

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

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

All rights reserved

hot tip

Awards for Best portrait • Most realistic Color Portrait • Lettering

A GOAL WITHOUT A PLAN IS JUST A WISH.

ON

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Photo by Felicia Frazar

2018

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SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

Santa enjoys a quick break at the Campbell-Hoermann log cabin before the busy holiday season.

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An inside look from our WRITERS...

“It was pretty interesting learning about the way the Seguin Police Department uses their motorcycles.

Officer Willie Ybarra talked about the history of the bike and showed us the ins-and-outs of the motorcycle.”

– Priscilla Aguirre

???

— Valerie Bustamante

“Helping Hands Hardware definitely lives up to its name. From the small engine repair shop to the dry cleaning service, and everything in between, they definitely lend a hand. From the time I walked into the store, customers were talking to employees, as well as the owners Roger and Karen seeking directions around the shop or needing help ordering a part. It was fun to see how they interacted with them all. The store just has an all around nostalgia feel to it.”

– Felicia Frazar “I recently got engaged so looking at bridal venues was so much fun. All five venues offer something different and unique for a wedding.”

– Priscilla Aguirre

8

SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

G

etting to go on location and working behind the scenes on photo shoots and interviews is really one of the fun parts of this job. Truth be told, job isn’t the right word. It really feels so much different than

that.

As this issue comes to a close I can’t help but be incredibly proud of how it came together. You will notice that two different features, Santa and Fashion were both taken at the same location.

The Campbell-Hoermann Log Cabin is a beautiful historic site just south of downtown and made the perfect background for visiting with Santa. Felicia got the opportunity to sit down with him and find out exactly how hard his job really is.

We also chose the location for our fashion shoot because it went great with the wintery theme we envisioned.

Tera and I visited Wimberley for this issue’s Day Trip article.

Spending an afternoon shopping in this town was fun. Of course, I love shopping just as much as the next girl, so it wasn’t hard to say yes to this choice.

Although, I was particularly intrigued by the 10-foot tall boots that decorated the downtown square, and loved the story of how they came to be.

In this issue, Valerie and Felicia got to go get up close with a few exotic pets at Janda Exotics in Kingsbury area. I am surprised that neither of them came back with hedgehog!

Hot chocolate is one of my favorite things to drink during the colder months and Felicia’s Dreamy Hot Chocolate Delight hit the spot with the colder weather that we have been experiencing.

Make sure to check out her recipe in Culinary Creations.

Also in this issue we brought back a classic — Under the Hood.

We always welcome comments and ideas from our readers so please send them in to seguinmagazine@seguingazette.com, but for now turn the page and enjoy.

Hannah Ruiz

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THE HOTTEST SPOT

46

14

50

38

16 Features

Around Town

In Each Issue

38 Santa

14 Culinary Creations

12 Sizzlin’ Five

42 New Years Resolutions

16 Under the Hood

32 Fashion

46 Nutcracker Museum

14 Closet Closeup

54 Faces of Seguin

50 Exotic Menageries

24 Day Tripper

58 Favorite Finds

28 Luxury Lifestyle

10 Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

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SIZZLINTHREE

Three events you don’t want to miss

Janury 10th - 13th

yOutH liVestOcK sHOW

One of January’s biggest events it he Guadalupe County Youth Livestock and Homemaker’s Show which brings youth from all around the area together to put on their best on display. It all wraps up with a Saturday auction where the grand champions collect big prizes for the students scholarship purses. You can learn more at www.gcys.org

January 12th - 15th

martin lutHer King celeBratiOn

Seguin and Guadalupe County residents pack Central Park and then make their way to TLU’s Jackson Auditorium as part of the march that is the highlight of area’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities. The events unfold the weekend before and Monday, January 15.

January 27th

BriDal eXPO

Couples look for vendors and ideas for their upcoming weddings can find meet several at the Annual Bridal & Quince Expo from noon to 4 p.m. on Jan. 27 at the Big Red Barn, 390 Cordova Road. Booths will include everything from vendors to photographers, florist and floral designers, photographers and everything in between.

12 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

The Gypsy goes

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New Items Delivered Daily 106 N Austin St. Seguin, Texas • 830-463-5170 Guadalupe County living ~ Seguin 13

Walnut Crusted Chicken

By Felicia FraZar

A

s the new year begins, many people look to keep their resolutions.

Whether it is workout more, eat better. It tends to go well for the first week or two. Some even last

the month.

I’ve never been good at making nor keeping resolutions.

I will, however, search for and try healthier recipes.

One that I found a few years back and hadn’t had the opportunity to test out until recently was a Paleo Walnut Crusted Chicken.

If you haven’t noticed by now, I like quick and easy recipes.

The base recipe is four boneless chicken breasts, three eggs and a cup of walnuts, baked for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

My first attempt at this recipe had me changing things up from the start.

I didn’t have any chicken breasts on hand, so I used chicken thighs.

Then, knowing that walnuts don’t particularly have a lot of flavor, after dipping the chicken in whisked eggs and coating it in the crushed walnuts, I sprinkled salt, pepper and ranch dressing on top.

After cooking for 25 minutes, the chicken didn’t quite look done, so I cooked it for an additional 20 minutes.

And it came out great.

The chicken had a really good flavor, and wasn’t dry.

The next attempt had me mixing the dressing, salt and pepper into the crushed walnuts, it really helped to enhance the flavor.

The chicken laid over a bed of cauliflower rice with sauteed squash and zucchini made for an easy, tasty meal.

Walnut Crusted Chicken 4 skinless boneless chicken thighs 1 cup walnuts, ďŹ nely chopped 1/2 package dry ranch dressing seasoning salt ground black pepper 2 eggs 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees 2. Place eggs into a mixing bowl and whisk 3. Place walnuts into a separate bowl mix in seasoning, dash of salt and pepper.

4. Dip each chicken breast in the egg mixture then in the walnut mixture to coat the chicken. If needed dip a second time into egg and then mixture.

5. Place chicken in a baking disk and bake for about 40 minutes.

6. Remove and serve

2016 Road King Harley Davidson 103 motor with 1400 CC’s Camera system on the bike — as soon as the lights turn on the camera system comes on and also captures 30 seconds prior to recording.

The trunk contains the light system and all the components.

Two saddlebags — holds equipment such as ticket writer and printer.

Front antenna (the radar antenna) captures vehicles approaching.

Rear antenna, captures vehicles coming from the behind.

Harley Davidson

Road King

By Priscilla Aguirre

T

he motor division started at the Seguin Police Department. At first, the department started 11 yearsago rode around on a 1000 Kawasaki.

However, a year later, the department switched to what they have now, the Harley Davidson Road King.

“They are actually really good bikes,” Seguin Police Traffic Officer Willie Ybarra said. “They really are workhorses, they are very good when it comes to traffic control and things like that. It’s a good tool for our department to have.”

Currently, Seguin PD has two bikes on the road which are primarily used to enforce traffic laws and investigate Guadalupe County living ~ Seguin 17

wrecks. situation.”

A lot of training is involved in order “In situations where we have a major accident it’s easier for us to maneuver to ride the bike. The officers go to – especially on the interstate around accident reconstruction school, basic vehicles,” Ybarra said. “Whereas intermediate and advanced schools, patrol cars can’t get around, even on field sobriety school and more. shoulders sometimes it’s difficult, and “There is a lot of schools involved with motorcycles, we can get up to and a lot of training involved and a lot the very front of the accident much of continuous training,” Ybarra said. quicker than anybody and assess the “But for us, it’s good because it keeps

18 Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

us on our toes and keeps us sharp and keep us aware of things that are the road and things like that.”

Although the training can be tough and riding a motorcycle can seem dangerous to some, Ybarra said he enjoys the ride.

“As far as being on the motorcycle, I like it,” he said. “I think it’s probably the best job in the department for me.”

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Sam Ehrlich

By Valerie Bustamante

A

rt has been a part of Sam Ehrlich’s life for as long as he can remember. It isn’t just in the paintings that hang in his home, but it’s in his vintage patterned blazers, multi-colored shorts and lobster patterned shirts.

“Life is too short to dress boring. I am an artist and I collect art and I’m surrounded by art so why not wear it too?” he said. “I often wear bright colors and bold patterns and I attribute that to growing up.”

As a child, Ehrlich’s mother dressed him in “wild shorts and crazy colored tops” as a way to keep track of him, he said.

“I would often drift away and sneak off so she always knew she could find me when the K-Mart said ‘please pick up the kid with alligator shorts on aisle one,’” he said.

Between being the co-owner of Keeper’s Interiors and the director of corporation and foundation relations at Texas Lutheran University — Ehrlich’s style depends on what the day entails. However, that doesn’t stop him from having fun with it.

“At Texas Lutheran University everything depends on what constituency I’m meeting with. At times it calls for

floral suits and ties, there are blazer days and there are business casual days,” he said. “On my casual days, loud shorts and t-shirts always work well or a loud shirt and khakis are my go-to. I work in the art world and I’m always thinking of color and I think the decision has already been made for me.”

Regardless of what he’s sporting, Ehrlich’s signature piece are his socks.

“My main gig is my socks, it’s always been. I’ve never matched my socks even as a child. It’s kind of cool to do it now,” he said. “They always have a little levity in them to keep me grounded.”

Ehrlich’s sock collection includes ones with strips, fluorescent colors, polka dots, tigers, sharks and dinosaurs.

“I always know a dinosaur sock is a lucky day, I never look and I just grab. I have a thing that if it’s a dinosaur it’s going to be a great day,” he said. “On a rare moon, because I have over 1,000 different pairs of socks, if you get the dinosaur paired together it’s money day.”

Ehrlich’s only had them paired once or twice, he said.

While most of the socks are gifted to him, Ehrlich does enjoy shopping for them at his own store, as well as Gift

Guadalupe County living ~ Seguin 21

“Life is too short to dress boring. I am an artist and I collect art and I’m surrounded by art so why not wear it too?”

Sam Ehrlich

and Gourmet and The Shop at Design Associates.

“The person who does the buying at Gift and Gourmet shares my sense of humor so I really like to go out there and find a great pair that says something funny on them and nobody else knows,” he said.

Something else most community members know Ehrlich for is his silver hair.

“I consider my hair an accessory because I think I spend more money on hair than anything else,” he said with a laugh. “I started greying in my mid-20s and so I’ve always had to make that a part of it. I’ve gotten to the age now where people ask if I dye it grey, but no baby this is real.

This is what you get. My hair does what it wants so I just 22 Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

have to go with it.”

An important accessory Ehrlich carries with him is a pin from the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation, which he dedicates to his friend who is in need of a kidney transplant.

Some of Ehrlich’s favorite brands and stores include Dillard’s, Vineyard Vines, D&D and Robert Graham.

However, Penner’s – a longtime menswear boutique in downtown San Antonio holds an important spot in his heart.

“Going to pick a guayabera at Penner’s was always a special time and I still like going there and picking for one,” he said. “I remember on Sunday afternoons my grand-

Happy New Year!

2018 was a joyful & blessed year for our Sisters family. We pray 2019 is full of just as many blessings for you & yours. We’d like to thank you for allowing us to do what we love, without you our dreams would just be dreams. Thank you for 28 blessed years & cheers to many more!

D Stacy, Annette, Katie & Lauren father would dress down and wear his guayaberas and so I have a collection of guayaberas that I love. That’s what Sunday afternoons are for.”

Ehrlich said he loves hearing the story behind them and where they come from.

Ehrlich names the late sports reporter Craig Sager and local realtor Heath Anders as his fashion inspirations.

“Craig Sagar is one of my inspirations for the coats that he used to wear. I also always look at what Heath Anders of Anders Pierce Reality is wearing,” he said. “If you dress like Heath you’re going to look cool. Heath Anders is always dressing well.”

Everything for today’s trendy woman, kids & home 918 10th Street, Floresville, TX 78114 830-393-7993 Monday-Saturday 9-6 • Sunday 12-6

Guadalupe County living ~ Seguin 23

24 Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

Guadalupe County living ~ Seguin 25

26 Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

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LUXURY LIFESTYLE

S

itting on 10 fenced acres, this custom built rock home offers gorgeous views paired with luxury living.

Boasting a spacious, open floorplan, this 2,614 square foot home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms features a gorgeous rock fireplace, tile flooring throughout the main living area and a walk-in pantry.

Pella doors and windows, and windows filled with argon, allow in abundant natural light, and offer views of the trees and property that surround the home.

The master bath features a tiled walk-in shower and the home is embraced by two large covered porches overlooking the pond, mature trees and fruit trees.

The home also features a 1,200 square foot workshop on a slab foundation with electricity and insulation and plumbing roughed in and a an extra room with bathroom off the garage.

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Your Way Into 2019

Left is Ashley in pink sequin short sleeved shirt-$29.97, pink bracelet-$10, Sequin pink earnings -$12, black New Mix jeggings - $19.97 and nude high Bebe Berdine Metallic Heels-$59.99 Clothes complements of Bling shoes by Bealls Top Right, Anjanette is wearing a black V-neck silver sequin long sleeve top-$19.97 blue jeggings black Rialto Clayton Boots-$79.99 Clothes complements of Bling shoes by Bealls Top Left, Crystal is wearing red leopard printed top with a sequin accent pocket, matching earrings, blue jeggings New Mix jeggings - $19.97 and brown sequin accented cowboy boots Clothes complements of Bling GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 33

Above is Ashley wearing a ďŹ tted 3/4 length camo tank dress by I Joah - $32.00 paired with a carmel colored duster - $32.00, Feather gold earrings and a simple brown/gold necklace and cut out booties.

Clothes and shoes are complements of Kimber Grace Boutique

Left is Anjanette looking stunning in a distressed black sweater by Miracle- $46.00, with black lace cami bodysuit by Oh Yes-$23.00, Light distressed ďŹ tted jeans by Denim Couture-$42.00 earrings are snake skin print and simple black Texas necklace with snack skin booties Clothes and shoes are complements of Kimber Grace Boutique

34 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 35

Above - Crystal wearing a gray cold shoulder long sleeve Sweater

by Twenty Second- $32.00, large cuffed Jeans by Monkey Ride Jeans $32.00, Hot pink necklace, Texas theme earrings, and gray Sugar Passions Ankle Boots-$ $59.99 Clothes and Jewelry are complements of Kimber Grace Boutique and shoes by Bealls

36 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

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Above -Russell is wearing a gray Van Heusen blocked fleece sweater- $34.99 and wine Signature Studio diamond print woven shirt$24.99 from Bealls

Left - Jason is looking good in a black Chaps quarter zip knit shirt-$27.50 and black striped Van Heusen traveller woven shirt-$29.99 from Bealls GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 37

38 Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

For the Love of Quilting

By Valerie Bustamante

T

he smell of homemade breakfast swept through the workroom and the sound of sewing machines echoed as several women — some still in their pajamas — laughed and chit-chatted.

Some shared tips with each other while others concentrated on their new creations.

This is usually a typical morning for the quilting retreaters who visit the Queen’s Rustic Retreat, 3191 FM 78 in McQueeney.

“Everybody has a different style or flavor if you will. It’s fun seeing what other people are working on and getting advice from other people,” quilter Marleen Morneau said as she ran a piece of fabric through the machine. “We sit and we visit and we work. It’s just very relaxing.”

Owned and operated by Doris Rice, the Queen’s Rustic Retreat is a hidden McQueeney get-away spot for quilting and crafting enthusiasts.

“Queen’s Rustic Retreat is a quilting and craft retreating facility where they come and book at least a two-night stay,” Rice said. “They can book a week or whatever they want to book, but minimum two-night stay. They work

on whatever they want to work on. Sometimes the ladies have what they call a structured retreat where they will bring in a teacher and teach everybody at the retreat the same thing.”

Other times they work on what they call their “UFO” or “unidentified object of quilting,” Rice said.

The retreat opened its doors in July 2016 after Rice — also known as the “Quilting Queen” — spent years going to other quilting retreats herself.

“I’m kind of an entrepreneurial at heart so I thought ‘well if they’re doing this then why can’t I do this?’ she said. “I had been on enough retreats that I gathered enough information of things I liked at the various places I went and tried to put together a conglomeration into my facility.”

While her original idea was to build a facility from the ground up, Rice and her husband found the McQueeney property and decided it was the perfect place to open and settle into.

“When we came to look at this property it had been vacant for two years and it was very overgrown up front.

You couldn’t even see the house from the road,” Rice said.

Guadalupe County living ~ Seguin 39

Upon opening Rice was no stranger to the craft.

“I have quilted since I was in 4-H in my teens. I am originally from southwest Missouri,” Rice said. “I taught myself to quilt and I frequented my local quilt shop so often that the owner said ‘you know you’re getting pretty good at this quilting thing maybe you should be teaching the rest of us how to quilt.’”

In her early 20s, Rice began teaching others and for 38 years continued doing so.

“I bought my first long arm machine in 1990 and started mostly for myself, but I had some customers as well,” she said. “I was a single parent at the time, got a divorce, remarried, wasn’t quite as hungry so I didn’t quilt for other people for a while and I got rid of the quilting machine. Then in 2008, I bought another one and my business just really took off and flourished.”

Eight years later when Queen’s Rustic Retreat opened its doors, Rice said the response was overwhelming.

“I actually had a five-year plan to be ‘booked up’ in five years. I probably accomplished that in about a year and a half. People love it, the ladies love it,” she said. “The only advertising I’ve done is by social media the rest has been word of mouth and, trust me, quilters talk.”

A 200 miles radius from McQueeney is Rice’s core group, but as the retreaters talk more and more people from out of state come for a visit.

“I’ve had people from all over,” she said.

A lot of Rice’s visitors are regulars.

“We have what we call ‘retreat on a whim’ where it’s an open retreat and anybody can come,” she said. “These ladies almost faithfully come. They complain it’s not enough. They love it and look forward to it. They complain when I don’t have one, but I have one when my calendar allows.”

Queen’s Rustic Retreat features a 1,500 plus square foot workroom with two cutting tables; ergonomic sewing chairs, three area ironing boards with irons; fiveinch work tables and 13 design walls.

Cathy Bridge, who is a frequent visitor and now works part-time at the retreat, said the workroom definitely meets the needs of the retreaters.

“The work area is awesome, which is really important for quilters to have plenty of space, plenty of display boards,” she said.

For those in need of supplies, there is a shop on the property called Cactus Queen Quilt Company with all the necessities from notions, rulers to the fabric.

“The shop came about because I’m seeing all these retreaters go to various other places,” Rice said. “There’s a quilt shop in Schertz and Luling and several retreaters encouraged me by saying, ‘you need a quilt shop so we don’t have to drive to the shop.’ We’re going to have a new shop in McQueeney in the former McQueeney Dance Hall, which is exciting.”

Generally the retreaters bring their own supplies, 40 Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

fabrics, rulers and sewing machines, Rice said.

“If it’s a structured class I might provide a clip that they might purchase, but they bring their own machine,” Rice said. “I do have machines in case somebody forgets their foot pedal to their machine or their cord to their machine or it breaks down.”

In the Queen’s Rustic Retreat cottage there are also seven bedrooms, including one single, with 20 beds complete with their own bedding and storage space. In the center of the cottage’s first floor sits a furnished kitchen and a dining table that seats 12.

“They can cook for themselves or we cook for them whichever they choose to do. Of course, if we cook for them there is a difference in the price,” Rice said.

There also is a massage therapist who sets up shop for the ladies who stay at Queen’s.

“We’ve been three or four times now and we’ve never repeated any other place so that should tell you something,” Bridge said. “When she says they treat you like a queen here — let me tell you having been to a couple of retreat places this is one of the best. It truly is and I’m not saying that because I work here, but it truly is one of the best.”

Rice agreed with Bridge that everyone is treated like a queen at her facility.

“When you come here we want you to be released, enjoy yourself,” she said. “Let the world go by around you and you just quilt and do the thing you love the most.”

For most of the ladies though, the reason they keep coming back is for the lifelong friendships they’ve made with one another.

“The friendships, the camaraderie, seeing what everyone is doing is why I come back,” Morneau said.

For more information on Queen’s Rustic Retreat, visit www.queensrusticretreat.com.

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Bridal Venues

By Priscilla aguirre

From finding the perfect bridal gown to picking out the prettiest flowers, wedding planning can be a headache at times. It can send some of the most level-headed brides into full on Bridezilla mode.

The hardest part of it all is finding the right venue that suits your personal style. Whether you are planning for a small intimate ceremony or a grand celebration, the Seguin area with several the charming local venues.

The Allen Farmhaus

T

he Allen Farhaus, a chic venue that offers everything a couple could ask for. Sisters Cassie and Maitlyn Kraft began working on the 104-year-old house, that is now a renovated bridal suite, more than two years ago and have expanded the 52-acre property into a modern farmland fairytale.

The gorgeous 100-foot long silver reception barn brings a romantic ambiance that is decorated with Edison style lights on the ceiling, a uniquely-styled candle wall and raw custom-made wood tables that should never be covered with linen.

From the 14-foot tall, 12-foot wide barn doors to the dark wood cream-cushioned chairs, the climatecontrolled barn offers a rustic twist that can fit up to 300 guests.

The venue offers an outside cocktail area with an outdoor bar that was previously a smokehouse, as well as a groom suite that comes with all types of entertainment.

The newest addition to the indoor and outdoor venue is the Chapel, which fits up to 250

guests. The vintage covered open-air Chapel has restored antique church pews and stained glass doors to create that traditional ceremony feel.

“One of the reasons that we feel that we are just a great option for all brides is because we are a little slice of Texas,” Cassie said. “Where you can go anywhere from rustic to modern, our venue is a complete open blank slate to come put all your personal touches on. With the combination of charming characteristics to the modern barn to the historical background that we have, it really is everything you can go for.”

Address: 2606 FM 758, New Braunfels; Contact: (830) 358-3333; 12-hour rental that can be adjusted; Friday-Sunday Price: $6,000; Saturday Price $7,500; Price includes bridal and groom suite, cocktail area with designated bar, security officer, the Chapel, the barn, the wood tables and chairs and venue manager on site; for more information visit TheAllenFarmhaus.com.

Geronimo Oaks

T

wo rustic chic venues, two outdoor ceremony sites, overnight lodging, along with a flexible staff — are just a few of the amenities Geronimo Oaks offers a bride and groom.

The largest venue, West Texas can fit 300 guests comfortably. It is a gorgeous 6,000 square feet cedar barn that features a beamed ceiling, barn doors on each side of the building and bride and groom suites. The Bluff, the ceremony site for West Texas, showcases a stunning landscape of hills and sunsets to give off a natural picturesque setting.

The Creeks, the smaller venue, provides a perfect setting for a Hill Country Wedding. From the natural, rocky stage to the adjustable ceiling windows that highlight the towering trees to the sliding barn doors, the Creeks (fits 175 comfortably) can be customized in anyway a bride and groom see fit.

The ceremony site for the Creeks is located just outside the venue and can

seat 200 chairs. The venue also comes with a bridal and groom suite, which is located a few steps away from the ceremony site.

Along the venues and ceremony sites, Geronimo Oaks now offers overnight lodging for a wedding party. The house, just a down the road from the venue, has three bedrooms and three bathrooms in the main house and two bedrooms and two bathrooms in the side house — all while keeping the same rustic chic theme.

The staff at the venue are flexible as a bridal groom can use any vendor they like and can get to the

venue as early as possible the day of the wedding.

“If brides are looking for a rustic feel out in the Hill Country we are a perfect fit for them,” Geronimo Oaks event director Juliann Polasek said. “We try to make a stress free environment and make the wedding parties as happy and excited for the wedding as possible. We are budget friendly, very flexible and do everything we can to make your vision come to fruition.”

Address: 1377 Dietert Rd., Seguin; Contact: (830) 391-8685; Price for West Texas: starting at $3,500 on Friday and Sunday and $5,500 on a Saturday; Price for The Creeks: starting at $2,500 on Friday and Sunday and $4,000 on a Saturday; Overnight Lodging: $600 a night with a minimum of two nights (price includes the main house and the side house); for more information visit geronimooaks.com.

OLIVIA MANSION

T

he historic and charming Bed & Breakfast, located in downtown Seguin, offers a bride and groom a place to have an intimate ceremony and reception.

The Mansion, originally owned by Emil Mosheim, a prominent lawyer in the area, was built 124 years ago and was one of the city’s first homes to have electricity and indoor plumbing, and is rumored to have had President Woodrow Wilson as a guest when the Mosheim family lived on the property.

After several upgrades and renovations, the Mansion still has the Victorian-style charm but will a fresh and relaxing twist. The Mansion has six bedrooms that feature 19th-century chandeliers, luxurious whirlpool tubs, Victorian furniture

and decor, and artisan crafted fireplaces.

Along the six luxurious rooms, the mansion boosts a beautiful ballroom, that fits 70 people comfortably for an intimate reception or ceremony. The site also allows brides and grooms to be married under shaded oak trees on the grounds outside.

From the stunning staircases to the exquisite antiques to the stained glass windows, the Olivia Mansion is a perfect fit for showers, rehearsal dinners and a small wedding event.

“Olivia Manson offers a historical charm that other places in Seguin

may not necessarily have,” manager and innkeeper Melissa Grimm said.

“You can make an entire weekend out of it by renting all of the guests’ bedrooms and bathrooms as well as the event space to make it your perfect event.”

Address: 409 N. Austin St., Seguin; Contact: (830) 372-9905; Price: Rates vary depending upon the room and whether booking on a weekend or a weekday; Starts at $1,500 to rent the entire mansion; Rental for wedding comes with tables, chairs and linens; The six bedrooms are available to rent for your wedding party; Other amenities include: microwave, refrigerator, coffee and tea facilities; for more information visit oliviamansion.com.

Address: 12300 Huber Road, Seguin; Contact: (512) 214-1614; Price for Barn: Monday-Thursday $2,000 or $300/hr plus $200 cleaning fee, Friday- Saturday $3,000, Sunday $2,500; Price for Ranch and Pool Area: Monday- Thursday $950/night + 6%occupancy tax + $200 cleaning fee or $150/hr +$200 cleaning fee, Friday- Sunday and Holidays 1,000/night +6% occupancy tax + $200 cleaning fee (min 2-night stay); for more information visit harperhillranch.com.

HARPER HILL RANCH

H

arper Hill Ranch is one of the newest venues in the area as it just opened its doors in Fall of 2018.

The 88-acre ranch is nestled in the trees up on a hill to offer a sense of peace and exclusivity. The venue comes with a temperature-controlled barn for any type of event and a historical house that has organs from the 1880s.

The unique barn originally housed horses, but owner Amy Stanfield, and her husband Steve, transformed the space into an upscale, rustic venue.

From the sparkling chandeliers and refurbished stained glass to the reclaimed wood doors, the 4,000 square foot barn provides enough space for a max of 175 people.

The barn sports a bridal room, a grooms suite (comes with a pool table and more), caterer’s kitchen, silo bathrooms and a covered outdoor patio.

The Ranch House was renovated, but still features unique historical characteristics that were built many years ago. Included with the antiquemaze like home, that sleeps up to 22 people, is a covered outdoor kitchen, a large pool with a swim-up bar, a grotto, a waterfall, a hot tub, a basketball and volleyball court and much more.

“We offer a unique background with our stained glass and chandeliers,” Amy said. “It’s still out in the country but it’s upscale and we also have the historic house that is really neat and has a lot of character. This gives the bridal party an opportunity to stay over the weekend and we are very accommodating to the bride’s needs.”

BLUE LOTUS WINERY

C

alling all wine enthusiasts!

The Blue Lotus Winery, owned by Michael and Melissa Poole, offers a place for a couple to host a medium-sized ceremony in one of the three gazebos sites at the vineyard.

The Blue Lotus Garden, the most popular gazebo site, fits 150 people and brings

a romantic-garden side theme to a ceremony. The White Gazebo, sits 100 guests, allows a couple to have a traditional wedding while being

surrounded by a lavender garden and mimosa trees. The smaller gazebo, fits 50 comfortably, is emerged into the vineyard to feature that natural wine aroma and scenery. All gazebo sites come with tables and chairs.

Although a reception on the property isn’t typical, the couple can book the tasting room and the

gallery for a party. The galley seats 80 guests while the tasting room can hold up to 90.

From the fantastic smell of grapes to the garden and vineyard visuals, the Blue Lotus Winery provides a place for all couples that dream of having a ceremony in a vineyard.

“It’s affordable, reasonable and countryside,” Melissa said. “It is a beautiful setting for a wedding. It’s personable because we always work everything ourselves, so it’s not a commercialized place at all. Vineyard venues are pretty expensive and ours is pretty affordable for our location, and in the springtime, the whole field is covered in Indian Paintbrush so it’s really pretty. We do offer the wine and the mead here, which is very different from other wineries because most wineries don’t have the option of the Meads.”

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Guadalupe County living ~ Seguin 45

Shining Bright

in the Heart of Seguin

By Felicia Frazar

A

fter sitting dormant for several years, then undergoing renovations and restorations, the Stephen and Mary Birch Texas Theatre is a star that has shined bright in the heart of Seguin for the past seven years.

The stage that once was used to present feature films now offers a spot for artists to put their talents on display, as well as a venue for events for any business, organization or individual and a home for the summer theater camp.

“Things are good,” Steve Tschoepe, Seguin Conservation Society board president and Texas Theatre Management Committee chairman, said. “We are very blessed.

People want to come here. I think things have moved well, better than what we thought they would.”

When the old theater reopened in March 2011, a group of volunteers known as The Friends of the Texas Theatre, offered up their services and time.

“We have a good core of volunteers,” Tschoepe said.

“We’ve had a lot of our volunteers since day one. We still have new people come in and some take a leave, then they come back, especially our Friends of the Texas. They are our friends, they greet the guests they help the guests, they work the office, they’ll vacuum the floors, they’ll clean bathrooms sometimes, they’ll do whatever the Texas needs.”

The helping hands extend far past the doors of the theater, Tschoepe said.

“Our Friends of the Texas help on our Christmas Tour of Homes as docents, they do things for the Seguin Birthday Party,” he said. “It has helped build a volunteer pool for the rest of the Conservation Society.”

The Texas Theatre, which was designed by architect W. Scott Dunne, first opened its doors in 1931 as a movie house.

In the years after, it made special appearances in films such as “The Great Waldo Pepper” in 1975, “Raggedy Man” in 1981, and “The Ballad of the Sad Cafe” in 1991.

When the Seguin Conservation Society took over the former movie house in the mid to late ‘90s, they had their work cut out for them, Tschoepe said.

Some setbacks alongside a flood that devastated the area pushed those plans to restore The Texas on hold for a couple of years. Eventually, things fell into place for the Conservation Society to get the ball rolling on opening the doors.

Many community members opened their hearts and their wallets to assist with getting the old girl on her feet again. Their mark on the theater is noticeable in the stars that decorate the ceiling. Each one represents a significant donation to the restoration. The name of the theater was changed to honor the largest financial push — a $1 million donation from the Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation.

“Our note when we opened the doors, we had to borrow $230,000 to pay off the contractor,” Tschoepe said. “We now owe less than $15,000 and we still pay all of our monthly bills, our insurance. We have a good management team that steps up to work. We have no paid employees, they are all volunteer. We are self-sustaining.”

The Texas has produced dozens of plays, which wasn’t originally part of the plan, Tschoepe said.

A local organization was set to produce the plays, however, the group dissolved, leaving the Texas to step

Guadalupe County living ~ Seguin 47

up to the plate.

“We produce the plays. That was not something we looked to do initially,” Tschoepe said.

“Fortunately, we are blessed to have the talents of Pat Hoppe and Shelia Lucas who stepped up and said they would direct this and do that.

They did it and so we became producers.”

Christmas shows, comedies, dramas, murder mystery, children’s shows and everything in between has taken the Texas stage.

Each summer the Stars of the Texas — Camp Broadway takes over offering a summer camp for area children interested in theater.

The two-week summer day camp offers children the ability to take part in a production, act, sing, and more.

The popularity of the camp has grown so much there is a waiting list each year.

Tschoepe hopes to expand it to two sessions but knows it’s not an easy task.

“It takes a lot of coordination to put that stuff together,” he said. “Our current group can do one, but they can’t do two. They try to get everything together before the camp starts.

They’ll work to get the set stuff together or get what they need to build the sets prior to the start. They work on all of the dance routines or whatever it is before the camp starts so when the kids come in they hit the ground running.”

Tschoepe said they are looking at ways to expand the summer program, but for now it will remain the same.

Reaching children and getting them excited about drama is one of the missions of the Texas Theatre.

“You have to find a way to capture the attention of today’s young people and this place does that,” he said.

“Especially with our summer drama camp and the Christmas show this year. They understand the historical importance of the Texas and they take care of it.”

One of the ways they did that was through the Texas Tales outreach program which brought a core group of actors to local campuses and encouraged children to write.

The groups would then take some of the Children’ss stories and bring them to life on stage.

“It was an excellent program because we were doing more than just getting people to come to a show, we were reaching out to the students,” he said. “We want to get Texas Tales back into Seguin ISD. It was a successful program and through changes at the district and some changes on our end, the program fell off. We’ve had a preliminary conversation with SISD and they want to get back into it.”

The Heart of Texas Roadshow makes its way to the Texas stage three to four times a year, bringing musical acts to Seguin.

“This year, we have a really good line up,” Tschoepe said.

“One person we are bringing back is Dion Pride. He is

S

truly an entertainer and we’re excited to get him back.”

Other artists coming to the Texas as part of the roadshow include Barbara Fairchild, Dallas Wayne, Jake Penrod, Tre Twitty, Tayla Lynn, Dottsy and Kaye Tolson.

The approximate 5,000-square-foot facility can host more than entertainment as it can hold about 300 people in rowed seating and about 120 people with the large round tables, Tschoepe said.

The building can serve as a meeting venue for business, organizations, quinceaneras, weddings, receptions, birthday parties and more.

“We even have a screen we can put down and run stuff through the projector,” Tschoepe said. “We don’t have the BIG screen. People ask if we’re going to show movies here. All of the research that we did showed that would not be successful if that was only what we did.”

Tschoepe said the Texas Theatre wouldn’t have the success it has had without the support of the community.

“They’ve been behind us every step of the way,” he said.

“We just thank them for their support. They support the arts, the kids, all of the stuff we have. We always say we want to be the community’s front porch and I think we’ve done that. We continue to look at ways to expand and grow without losing our identity.”

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Guadalupe County living ~ Seguin 49

Lending a Helping Hand

By Felicia Frazar

A

young couple started a business more than four decades ago and was set on helping their hometown of Marion.

Now, 45 years later Roger and Karen Scheffel are still making sure their neighbors and friends have all they need at Helping Hands Hardware, 106 W. San Antonio St. “We were both in our mid-20s and we had a young family,” Roger said. “We decided that we wanted to have a business locally, so we started.”

Having been in the hardware business in San Antonio for a number of years, Roger said it was an easy decision to open that kind of store in their hometown.

When the couple first opened their business’s doors, it was a small storefront with not a lot of stock, Roger said.

“It was really small,” he said. “We had a lot of empty boxes on the shelves that went all of the way up the wall. We had empty boxes with a brick in them and made it look like we had stock. The DeWalt power tool salesman, was a very good friend of mine, and he brought me about 30 to 40 boxes. We had about 10 pieces down on the floor and all of the empty boxes. That is what we did and how we started off.”

Eventually, the empty boxes turned into products, but not without its challenges.

When Roger wanted to begin looking to stock the shop, he faced some resistance.

“We started off with three chainsaws as out initial order,” he said. “The Stihl company said they didn’t want to estab50 Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

lish a dealer that was that small. I said, we’ll you have to establish a dealer with what he can pay for and I said three of them is all I can pay for.”

His orders for chainsaws and parts has expanded exponentially in the past 45 years, Roger said.

“We started off with three, today we sell about 500 pieces of Stihl every year. We sharpen chains for chainsaws,” he said. “We’re really big on chainsaw replacement. We have about 100 different chains for chainsaws.

This year so far we’ve sold 1,280 chains. There are certain items that we have that we sell a lot of. Those are our forte.”

Overall, Helping Hands Hardware offers about 47,000 items to customers in the three adjoining buildings that make up the front of the shop.

The business offers a wide selection of nuts and bolts, sports more than 400 belts on the walls and ceiling, and makes its own hoses in the hydraulic hose shop.

“We have 125 different kinds of lawn mower blades. We have a very big selection of hand garden tools,” Roger said. “We have a lot of general stock and stuff. We have a brass fitting assortment that is several hundred pieces. We like to be able to

fix things and to hook things up. We also have real big PVC fittings. We’ve got almost every PVC fitting known to man.”

The shelves are also lined with kitchen utensils, home decor, toys and patio furnishings, which come already assembled.

Throughout the years, the business evolved to include specialized services, Roger said.

“We have a small engine shop in the back that does lawn mower repair,” he said. “We work on motors up to four-cylinder — welders, trenchers

lawn mowers, whatever’s got a motor on it. People needed it. We didn’t have anything like that out here.”

The shop also offers a dry cleaning service by way of collecting the items, transporting them to a business in Seguin and picking up the clothing when its done.

With the ever-growing need for hardware in Marion and the continuation of adding stock, the shop began to outgrow its walls and the Scheffels began purchasing nearby buildings to accommodate their growth, Roger said.

“We bought the building on our left and it was actually a warehouse and we converted it into retail and plumbing department,” he said. “We have three buildings, we have the shop in the back and a warehouse across the alleyway that is 20-feet wide and 180-feet deep. Part of it is two story, and we have it stocked. We believe in stock. If you don’t have it you can’t sell it.”

The name of the business came from a conversation he had with Karen’s uncle, who made the suggestion of Helping Hands Hardware, and it stuck.

“I said ‘we’re not going to call it Marion Hardware and I’m not going to call it Roger’s Hardware’,” Roger said. “So the old man, said, ‘Well, we need to call it Helping Hand Hardware because we’re going to be helping people.’ I said that’s good. I was busy and didn’t give it a lot of thought. We just did that. We opened a bank account that way and that is where we’ve been.”

The store often lives up to its name as customers bring problems to the Scheffel’s and they do what they can to solve it.

52 Seguin ~ Guadalupe County living

“We always have people bring things in and we can fix things up and hook them together,” Roger said. “We repair a lot of small engines, there’s not too many people that do that. We just do a little bit of everything for everybody.”

The customers range from local residents, farmers, ranchers, Union Pacific Railroad and even nearby cities, Roger said.

“We just have a wide assortment of customers and we try to serve them all,” he said. “The city of Marion does business with us, and the city of Seguin does business with us.”

While they were building their inventory up, their customer base grew well beyond the city limits, Karen said.

“We have a lot of customers who are military, who move off and come back and look for us,” she said.

“That’s really special.”

Helping Hands Hardware is every bit of the family business as Roger and Karen can be found daily working in the store at their respective posts, while their daughter helps out.

Additionally, their oldest son is set to retire soon and has said he may move back home to Marion to help in the store, Roger said.

The secret to having a successful family business is staying out of the other person’s way, Roger said.

“One thing we do, is we work here at the store together, and everybody realizes that we have an organizational chart of who does what,” he said.

“We stay out of each other’s business.

Once we get home we discuss nothing from business, because that just ruins the evening. We’ve always done that and we’ve had that rule since we started and it has worked out well for us.”

Karen added its been an adventure.

“It is a very big commitment, especially when you have small children to start,” she said. “But, I like that we’re able to just have things that people need so they can stay in town and not have to drive far to go get.”

Roger is a fourth generation Marion resident, while Karen is third. While they have operated a business in the heart of the small town, they’ve also been largely involved in the community they call home.

“Both of us have been just about everything in this town that you can be,” Roger said. “I’ve been PTA president, MYO, Lions Club, Marion Fire Chief for 22 years, mayor for two years, on the city council for nine and just pretty well have done whatever can be done in this town I have done it.”

While Roger is slowing down, he said he’s still not done in their shop and has many more years left of serving the Marion community.

“I don’t’ do a lot of things now,” he said. “I’m 74 years old and there is only a certain amount of things that I can do any more. I can’t do the things that I did when I was 35, but I’m still at it. I come to work every day and I work.”

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m gift & af Board fro in e l le p a M ersonalized i like this hey come p t 0 .0 0 s.

5 o 1 g $ gourmet dles and lo s, fonts, han different size

waxing poetic has such an interesting line, the Sterling silver & brass jewelry is designed in california - charm bracelets and necklaces. cross necklace $275.00, Silver / swarovski bracelet $180.00 both from gift & gourmet

this issue’s favorite finds are presented by Mary luensmann a district Manager at the Seguin gazette nora fleming one platter for every occasion -platters and interchangable minis (for every holiday or event) platters $38-$70 Minis $12.50 available at gift & gourmet.

who doesn’t like candles, i always go to Soecthing Motors to pick up circle e candles for gifts and to burn at home. 12oz $14.00, 28oz $20.00, 40 oz $28.00, 1/2 gallon $60.00, tarts for a warmer $12.00, all prices include sales tax hours Monday thru friday 8:00am - 6:00pm Saturdays 8:00 am - 4:00pm

i actually love the americano with cream and sugar but these look more appealing. My daughter Savannah loves the Strawberry smoothie both from on the grind.

58 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

WOMEN’S GUADALUPE COUNTY

MIND BODY SOUL

April 10, 2019 • 4-7pm Seguin Event Center

Free Women’s Expo

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

In partnership with

Choosing Excellence.

At GRMC, we choose excellence, so you can too. From being the only facility in the region to offer the latest in robotic technology with the da Vinci Xi Surgical System to our phenomenal team of physicians and nursing staff, we’re proud to provide world-class healthcare to Seguin and its surrounding communities. We’re nationally recognized, locally loved, and passionate about taking care of you.

1215 E. Court St. |

Seguin, TX 78155

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830.379.2411

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