Seguin Magazine - June 2025

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

JUNE 2025

FAMILY, FURNITURE &

Fortitude

Starcke Furniture isn’t just a store, it’s Seguin’s stone-cold testament to family grit.

SCOOPING UP TRADITION From grandfather’s recipes in Mexico to a legacy of true success that comes from loving what you do.

HAMMER AND HEART

Raising funds, raising walls and raising a generation of tradesmen ready to leave their mark on Seguin.

THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT WE RAISED $35,000 AT THE 2025 SEGUIN ROTARY GOLF TOURNAMENT & GALA! Golf Tournament Seguin Chevrolet · WM · Su Casa · Lone Oak Tax Service · Brad Webb · GRMC · Kristy Kirkland, Edward Jones · Seguin Gazette · Fred Shanafelt · Warren Micky · HUBCO Transportation · First United Bank · Factory AC Direct · Dr. James Colvin · Paul Dean · TQ Industries · First Baptist Church · Prosperity Bank · Beck & Beck · Dennis Clarkson · Mid-Texas Symphony· Pic-n-Pac · Paul Gaytan · TRC · Warren & Kathy Nossamann · Angel Pest Control · Springs Hill Water Supply · Chicken Express · Schwartz & Associates · Bruckner Truck & Equipment · Grace Kunde · Tribute Woodwerks · JB Servise · Angel Pest Control

Gala Dinner First Commercial Bank · Seguin Gazette · Hubco Transportation · Prosperity Bank · Lone Oak Property Tax Service · Tres Hewell Mortuary · Tome Walters · GRMC · Seguin Chamber · Angel Pest Control · Dr. Debbie Cottrell, TLU · Kristy Kirkland, Edward Jones · Peter Glawe · John Martin · GVEC · TQ Industries · Pic-n-Pac · First United Bank · Fabio’s · The Bandit Golf Course · Seguin House of Games · Rob & Dawn McMillan · Jim Kaelin · Brian & Elizabeth Engelhardt · Jerry Goode · Windmill Farm Winery · Tres Hewell · Robin Walker · Angel Pest Control · Black Tie Catering · Stanley & Marilyn Naumann · Melanie Krause, Just Smile Photography

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IN THIS ISSUE JUNE 2025

10

FEATURES 10 SCOOPING UP TRADITION

From grandfather’s recipes in Mexico to a legacy of true success that comes from loving what you do.

16 NO EXCUSES, JUST MOVEMENT

How a simple routine can lead to powerful change

20 FAMILY, FURNITURE & FORTITUDE

Starcke Furniture isn’t just a store, it’s Seguin’s stone-cold testament to family grit.

16

26 HAMMER AND HEART

Raising funds, raising walls and raising a generation of tradesmen ready to leave their mark on Seguin.

CULINARY CREATIONS 30 MAN VS FISH: TACO EDITION

Panko-battered fish, punchy slaw and enough kick to make the brisket boys sweat.

AROUND TOWN

20

34 ARTIST ALLEY Your front-row seat to Seguin’s art scene

36 SAVE THE DATE See what events are coming up

38 FACES OF SEGUIN Submitted photos from our readers

ON THE COVER Photo by Felicia Frazar

Hilmar Starcke III and Frank Starcke hold a portrait of the man who opened Starcke Furniture, their grandfather, Hillmar Starcke Sr. in front of the store's original safe.

26

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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

T Vol. 12, No. 1 SEGUIN MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED TWELVE TIMES A YEAR BY THE SEGUIN GAZETTE. PUBLISHER

Elizabeth Engelhardt MAGAZINE EDITOR / CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Desiree Gerland

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FROM THE EDITOR

his month, we’re celebrating the men of Seguin. The fixers, builders, farmers, veterans, teachers, and everyday dads who’ve passed down a legacy through busted knuckles, early mornings, and the quiet consistency of showing up.

Now, full transparency, I didn’t exactly grow up with a Father-of-the-Year situation. I didn’t get the fairy tale version of a dad, but I did get a grandfather who handed me a wrench along with a side of lecture and taught me everything I needed to know to survive. I was raised by hard lessons, rough hands, and a man who made duct tape look like a parenting style. He is equal parts wisdom, grit, and stubborn mule. The man could build anything, repair everything, and argue with a fence post if it looked at him funny. And I guess, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tool shed.

He taught me what I needed to know to stand on my own two feet, how to wire a light fixture without electrocuting yourself, how to spot a soft tire by the way it whispers around a turn, how to take pride in your work, and how to never— ever—ask someone else to do something you could figure out yourself. Stability. Self-sufficiency.

Stubbornness. That was the curriculum, and whether I liked it or not, I was enrolled for life.

As I put together this issue, I was reminded that the lessons we carry often come from men who lead quietly, by example, and usually with a side of dry humor, sharp tools, or well-earned calluses. So here’s to them and to the legacies they leave in homes, hearts, and hardware drawers across Guadalupe County.

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SEARCH SEGUIN GAZETTE All material herein c. 2025 Southern Newspapers Inc., dba The Seguin Gazette, 805 E. Court St., Ste. #200, Seguin, Tx, 78155 All rights reserved

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| FE ATURE |

SCOOPING UP

Tradition

FROM GRANDFATHER’S RECIPES IN MEXICO TO A LEGACY OF TRUE SUCCESS THAT COMES FROM LOVING WHAT YOU DO

STORY BY BIANCA RAWLINGS PHOTOS BY VICTORIA GAYTAN

F

or the owner of La Playa Pop, Alejandro Guerrero, running an ice cream and paleta shop in Seguin isn’t just a job — it’s a continuation of a family legacy that spans three generations. Born into a lineage of paleteros, he grew up alongside the machines and recipes passed down from his grandfather and father in Mexico.

Now, as a father himself, Guerrero is not only preserving that tradition but also inspiring his own children to follow in his footsteps.

His two children — 13-year-old Pablo and 18-year-old Jorge Alejandro Guerrero — live with their mother and Guerrero’s wife Catherine Romero in Mexico, but they often spend summers with him in Seguin. His youngest has already shown an interest in carrying

on the family business — especially after helping out at the shop during a recent vacation.

“He wants to have his own business one day and I hope he will love his business as much as I love my shop,” Alejandro said.

Caring for his shop is much like having another child, Alejandro said, one that needs to know its stories while also making room for it to grow up and follow its own path. He advises that anyone who starts their own business should really care for what they do.

“You should not chase money when owning a business,” he said. No matter how much money you make, if you do not truly enjoy and love what you are bringing into the world with your work, you will be miserable.”

GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 11

Alejandro’s cousin, who recently opened his own shop in San Antonio, expressed deep gratitude for the mentorship and support he received from Guerrero.

“I wouldn’t be where I am without him,” the cousin said. “Alejandro helped me learn the ropes, offered lessons, advice. He’s always lifting people up.

He’s not the most patient teacher but he’s always there when I need him and he never gave up on me.”

Alejandro said he learned this sort of determination push to learn, to do and be better, from his father, Pablo Guerrero Jr. and his grandfather, Pablo Guerrero Sr. Between the generations, these men shared not only a family recipe but also a drive to create something that would provide for their families and communities.

“We still use the same types of machines and the same process my grandfather used. And many of the flavors are the same” Alejandro said.

Because of this, Alejandro’s work carries deep meaning. More than just a business, La Playa Pop is a living testament to his family’s history — and a source of pride for his fatherwho still runs his own shop in Mexico.

“I know he is proud of everything I have accomplished. I owe a big thanks to him and I never want to take all he has done for me for granted,” Alejandro said.

Through his work and his role as a father, he ensures that the recipe for both success and family tradition remains intact for generations to come.

Alejandro has much to be grateful for. He says he will never forget all his family has done for him. From his father and grandfather to his siblings and extended family, he makes sure to always remember those who have helped him.

“I wanted to thank my sister, Paulina Z. Hernandez, and my brotherin-law, Julian Hernandez, who brought me here to Seguin. I don’t know where I would be without them,” Alejandro said.

12 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 13

Alejandro’s shop offers Seguinites a space that serves up more than paletas. It serves up connection, family and culture and with a smile. So for bringing Alejandro to Seguin, the locals can also be grateful to the Hernandezes.

Another key figure in Alejandro’s life was Jorge Guerrero, his tio (uncle), who has been like a father to him.

“Jorge has had an enormous impact on my life. He has shown me how to work hard and set a positive example that I am grateful to have had,” Alejandro said.

Alejandro attributes the success of his shop to a powerful network of family and the love they share. He aims to impart some of that feeling of family onto every customer.

“It’s important to me that people feel that love in every flavor,” Alejandro said.

“That they taste the care, the history.”

That history is something that Alejandro remembers each and every day. He knows that his father and grandfather have shared more than just a job with him; they have also shared a role in the community.

“My grandfather had such pride in what he did,” Alejandro said. “He wasn’t just selling ice cream. He was sharing joy.

I think about him every time one of my customers smiles, which is often.”

Just as his forefathers before him, Alejandro’s impact stretches far beyond his ice cream shop. He is a figure of kindness, generosity and quiet strength in every space he occupies.

This Father’s Day, Alejandro reflects with pride and gratitude on the lessons passed down from his father and grandfather.

“They taught me not just how to make great ice cream,” he said. “But, how to serve people, how to share what you have and how to take pride in your roots. They gave me a legacy.”

And, in Seguin, that legacy continues. One scoop and paleta at a time.

14 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

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| FE ATURE |

NO EXCUSES, Just Movement HOW A SIMPLE ROUTINE CAN LEAD TO POWERFUL CHANGE STORY AND PHOTOS BY FELICIA FRAZAR

A

knee injury in college brought a change in career options toward healthier living for Barry Jackson.

Jackson serves as the Guadalupe Regional Medical Center Inpatient Rehab Unit’s education coordinator and a physical therapist. He is also a Tai Chi instructor at Guadalupe Regional Wellness Center and the Seguin Public Library, where his role places him in the position to help people get back on their feet and live a healthy lifestyle.

His journey on that road started at the University of Maryland as a business and engineering major before a knee injury forced him to reevaluate his decision.

“I injured a knee by stepping off of a curb that was higher than normal and had to have arthroscopic surgery on it,” he said. “I realized that I needed someone to guide me through the recovery process.”

Jackson began pursuing a degree in kinesiology and eventually changed course to exercise physiology at the University of Texas - Tyler.

“That was helping seeing how I could be hands on with other people,” he said.

After searching for the right physical therapy program to join, Jackson 16 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

found the Army had one that appealed to him most.

“Fort Sam Houston had a degree program that is offered by Baylor University and all of the school was at Fort Sam Houston,” he said. “They pay for school, they pay you while you’re going to school because you’re commissioned as an officer and they tell a guy what to wear.”

In the military, he worked frequently on knee, ankle, hip and back injuries, but wanted to broaden those horizons so he joined a rehab unit.

“There is more to physical therapy than just joint injuries,” he said. “That was a very eye-opening thing. It was motion and mobility, getting people up and moving, not just do the same thing over and over again. For the 33 years I’ve been a physical therapist, I’ve treated dozens of people that have diagnoses of stroke, but they’re all different.”

Mobility and activity are high on the priority list to a healthier lifestyle, and Jackson encourages those looking to get healthy to get moving.

“It is very hard for individuals to exercise on their own, unless they’re a loner, so, it (helps if ) they can find an

GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 17

exercise partner, a small group,” he said.

“At the Wellness Center and the library where I teach the Tai Chi class, some people will admit to not wanting to come, but knew that their friends would be there and give them a hard time if they didn’t show up. Sometimes it is just finding that group of people that give you that motivation, that everyone is working toward that same direction.”

Sometimes, especially for men, this is a key and in a community like Seguin, there’s no shortage of opportunities, Jackson said.

“Get out into the community, whether it is with your church, an exercise group, read the paper and see where things are happening,” he said. “Go downtown to the things around the park. Walk around and talk to people.

You may find someone with a common interest as you. Getting around other people helps to improve your mindset.

Getting out with other people can help you pull yourself out of some of those dark holes that we sometimes get into.

When you start comparing notes, it’s almost like a counseling group that isn’t formally guided. It’s just you socializing with friends.”

One such group is the Tai Chi class Jackson leads at the Seguin Public Library. But in general, it’s about finding something of personal interest and taking a chance to make the change, Jackson said.

“A lot of this is just finding what it takes to do things on your own,” he said.

“Some people like to be on their own and just get up and walk. Walk through your neighborhood, you may see someone you haven’t talked to in months.

There are service organizations or fraternity organizations, cycling clubs, exercise clubs. All of this stuff that happens at parks — golf, tennis, volunteering at Little League. You just got to get out of your house, get out of your rut.”

18 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

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20 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

| FE ATURE |

FAMILY, FURNITURE &

Fortitude

STARCKE FURNITURE ISN’T JUST A STORE, IT’S SEGUIN’S STONE-COLD TESTAMENT TO FAMILY GRIT

STORY BY ALEX LOWE PHOTOS BY FELICA FRAZAR AND COURTESY OF THE STARCKE FAMILY

I

f Seguin has a first family, it may very well be the Starckes. The Starcke family has been front and center in the history, culture and development of Seguin for more than a century. Today, Starcke Furniture, which sits prominently on the corner of South Austin Street, serves not only as a popular retail business but also as a towering callback to the city’s vibrant history.The illustrious story of the Starcke family cannot be told without talking about Maximilian (Max) Hugo Starcke. The future mayor, river authority executive and businessman was born at York's Creek (now Zorn), Texas, on Nov. 11, 1884. The son of Hugo and Ida (Eberhard) Starcke, Max was the grandson of German immigrants. His grandnephew, Hilmar Starcke, now runs the Starcke Furniture company where he has worked since 1974.

“Hugo Starcke had a peg leg and owned a bar at the depot,” Hilmar said.

“Hugo had four sons. Max was the oldest. Max ended up as the mayor of the city of Seguin.”

After Max’s first wife Meta Blumberg passed away and his two children were grown and had moved away, authorities sought someone to run the Lower Colorado River Authority. By that time,

Max had been mayor of Seguin for about 12 years, Hilmar said. So, leaders asked Lyndon Johnson, who was a congressman at the time, what he thought about it. Johnson chose Max to become LCRA general manager. Next, Max moved to Austin and eventually married Evelyn, Hilmar said. They ended up having another child when he was 60 years old.

In 1938, Max became the first operations manager of the Lower Colorado River Authority. But his contributions to Seguin’s history go back even further than that.

According to the Texas State Historical Association, Max attended Seguin public schools, the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University) and a San Antonio business college, where he paid his way by working as a salesman for coal mines near Uvalde. In 1906, he became a clerk and secretary in the law office of state Sen. Joseph B. Dibrell of Seguin. His early business activities included subdividing and developing Sandia and Orange Grove, establishing a funeral home in Seguin and organizing the Farmer's State Bank in Seguin. Max worked as an officer in that bank and its successor, Seguin State Bank and Trust, from 1917 to 1938.

GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 21

He served as an alderman in Seguin from 1909 to 1912 and as mayor from 1928 to 1938. As mayor, Max built the city's first water-filtration plant and a hydroelectric power plant on the Guadalupe River. The main municipal park in Seguin, a show-place playground that he built, Max Starcke Park bears his name.

“Max was instrumental in getting one of those government public works programs that helped pay for the development of Starcke Park in the late 1930s,” Hilmar said. “They named the dam up at Marble Falls after him for his work at the LCRA.” While at the LCRA, Max's responsibility was to sell the electric power provided by the LCRA and make it as inexpensive as possible to local communities. By 1940, the authority's construction phase was complete and Starcke was promoted to general manager of the LCRA, where he served until Dec. 31, 1955. During his tenure, the authority built two more dams and hydroelectric power plants on the Colorado River with proceeds from revenue bonds and extended its services to 33 cities in a 41,000-square-mile area.

“The next son of Hugo was Hilmar, my grandfather,” said the younger Hilmar Starcke. “My dad was Hilmar Starcke Jr. and, of course, then me, Hilmar Starcke III. My grandmother’s name was Lalla Nolte. Her father was Edgar Nolte. Edgar and his family had the Nolte National Bank. Edgar built this building after my grandmother married Hilmar, my grandfather, and gave it to her.”

The contemporary Hilmar’s wife Lynne helps run Starcke Furniture today.

She offers her input on new additions to be brought into the showroom. She is also well versed in Starcke family history.

“Lalla was an incredible pianist,” Lynne said. “She would play the piano during the silent movies over at the theater. People would come to listen to her play and they would stop in and look at the furniture on the way.”

The Weisskopff-Starcke Furniture Company existed between 1910 and 1912.

“In 1912, my grandfather bought the balance of the company, and it 22 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

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became Starcke Furniture Company,” Hilmar said. “This building we are in right now opened Jan. 2, 1915. So, we’ve been here in downtown Seguin for 110 years doing business. We were the first business to make use of a truck for deliveries in Guadalupe.”

The 1907 truck, referred to as Little Giant, still appears in advertisements and selected events.

“Some people request to have their furniture delivered in that truck,” Hilmar, “which, of course, is not possible.”

Through the decades, the Starcke family has developed a reputation for giving back to the community in the form of contributions to local fundraisers and advertising in yearbooks and event programs. During the 1960s, girls from Seguin High School received beautifully crafted miniature hope chests.

Hilmar and his younger brother Frank delivered furniture at the store when they were in high school. Hilmar began working full-time at the store in 1974, continuing a long tradition of family participation in the running of the business.

“My brother Frank is our operations manager,” Hilmar said. “He likes going on deliveries. My wife Lynne plays a great role in that she goes to market with me and offers her views on new inventory we can bring in. She has an eye for that, and it is much appreciated here. My daughters worked here briefly as well. That makes the fifth generation of Starckes to work at the store.”

Although a long-cherished, family endeavor, Starcke Furniture has seen its share of non-family members who contributed to its success.

“It hasn’t just been a Starcke family thing here,” Hilmar said. “We’ve had three people who weren’t part of the family who came and worked here for more than 50 years.”

In 2013, Starcke Furniture received the Texas Treasure Business Award, presented by the Texas Historical Commission, for its exceptional contributions toward the economic growth and prosperity of Texas in a historic building.

24 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

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CALL FOR AN APPT. 830-379-9492 GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 25

| FE ATURE |

HAMMER AND Heart

RAISING FUNDS, RAISING WALLS AND RAISING A GENERATION OF TRADESMEN READY TO LEAVE THEIR MARK ON SEGUIN STORY BY SYDNEY SEIDEL PHOTOS BY SEGUIN GAZETTE STAFF AND COURTESY OF CARLOS MORENO

C

arlos Moreno believes giving back is in his blood, inspired by the example his parents set while he grew up.

Their community service, paired with his passion for engineering and gratification he finds in hands-on work, shapes the path he follows today.

Moreno now runs LoneStar Home Solutions with his family, a home remodeling business built on the same values he was raised with. The company reflects his drive to create meaningful projects and his desire to continue giving back, not just through volunteer efforts, but through the work they do every day for their clients.

After graduating from high school in Seguin, Moreno earned his engineering degree from Texas A&M before returning home, which was always his goal.

“A lot of people at the time wanted to get out and leave for ‘something better,’” Moreno said. “But I never felt that way. I always knew I wanted to be a part of this small town.”

Moreno worked at Continental until around 2007, when he sensed the economy was heading for a downturn. He also realized that staying put meant limited opportunities for growth. After a lot of reading on entrepreneurship, deep conversations with friends and reflection through his 26 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

faith, he was ready for a change.

So, when his wife asked him what his plan was, he knew it was time to start something new.

After acquiring several rental properties and building his own home, Moreno found himself with a trailer full of tools and a desire to get out of debt. Initially, he offered to help a friend with remodeling — installing floors, showers, whatever was needed — just as a side hustle.

That first opportunity turned into an $85,000 riverfront remodel and, despite having no advertising or formal business setup, he realized the hands-on satisfaction of transforming spaces and seeing the finished product was something engineering had never given him. With encouragement from his wife, he came to see that remodeling wasn’t just a side job but the beginning of a real business.

To Moreno, what sets LoneStar Home Solutions apart from surrounding contractors is their focus on design on top of remodel.

When customers walk through the doors of LoneStar, they’re met with more than just a contractor but with a partner in the process. Each project begins with a thoughtful conversation, where the focus is on truly understanding what the client wants and how to achieve it within their

GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 27

budget. Through detailed planning and the use of advanced 3D renderings, customers are able to visualize their finished space before any work even begins. This not only helps align expectations but also gives clients the confidence to move forward knowing exactly what to expect.

Though Moreno may not have decades in the remodeling industry, that has become one of his greatest strengths.

His approach is rooted in thoroughness, communication and an eagerness to get every detail right. Rather than relying on routine, he takes a more hands-on, collaborative approach with clients and his team.

Outside of his day-to-day work with LoneStar, Moreno is also deeply committed to giving back to his community, particularly through his involvement with Habitat for Humanity.

During his time as the steering committee president for Guadalupe Valley Habitat for Humanity, Moreno was determined to grow the chapter’s impact.

When the pandemic slowed down regular work and left his crew with extra time, he decided to put their skills to use by building wall paneling for Habitat homes.

Looking to expand the effort and involve the next generation, he soon began reaching out to Seguin ISD, his alma mater, in hopes of engaging students and introducing them to hands-on construction experience while contributing to the community.

Now, through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity, students are able to treat their involvement like an internship by gaining real-world experience in construction. Their next major project will be the construction of a tiny home, giving them the opportunity to take part in a build from start to finish and see the tangible results of their efforts.

Beyond hands-on training, Moreno is also passionate about supporting students who may not follow the traditional path of attending college after graduation. He’s been actively raising funds to help aid these students in the paths they choose.

“You hear people say, ‘Kids and teenagers aren’t the same these days,’ but then I look and see what these kids are out here doing for their community,” Moreno said.

“There is so much beauty in that.”

28 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

Moreno is also proud of the work his three sons have contributed to LoneStar.

During summers after football practice and workouts, they can often be found helping out on construction sites, landscaping or even operating forklifts.

He has also passed along his entrepreneurial mindset, encouraging his sons to explore their own business ideas. That influence has already taken root with his kids who have launched a mobile car detailing service, taking their first steps into the world of business. His youngest son has even begun talking about a future role with LoneStar and where he believes he could take the business.

For Moreno, growing LoneStar Home

Solutions into a family business with his wife and children is one of his proudest accomplishments.

“People say to never work with your family and all that stuff,” Moreno said. “My experience has been nothing like this. We support each other in everything we do.”

With Seguin’s predicted growth in the coming years, Moreno is confident that LoneStar will be able to keep pace with the demand. With new jobs, housing and retail on the horizon, he’s begun thinking more intentionally about how his business can grow alongside the community and continue providing high-quality remodeling services as needs evolve.

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GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING ~ SEGUIN 29

| CULINARY CREATIONS |

MAN - VS Fish

TACO EDITION PANKO-BATTERED FISH, PUNCHY SLAW AND ENOUGH KICK TO MAKE THE BRISKET BOYS SWEAT

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DANNY STORY

W

hat makes you think of summertime food? There are so many options, right?

Grilled burgers and chicken, slow smoked meats and fresh fruits and veggies. Things that you don’t have to typically cook inside or at all, but also bright, bold flavors that are light and easy. So, needless to say, I had my work cut out for me on this one. For the men’s edition, I figured I could go for something typical and share my brisket recipe (it’s amazing, by the way), but I wanted to do something a little different. I wanted to share my absolute favorite thing to make when summer rolls around: fish tacos.

It’s hard to beat a good fish taco.

30 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

When they’re done right, they are the perfect balance of fresh acidic flavors, crunchy texture and a cool creaminess that is simply craveable. This time, I went all out with my preferred recipe, but one of the great things about fish tacos is that they are very adaptable. If you don’t want the panko-crusted fish, simply coat it in a blackening season and sear it in a non-stick skillet. I’m a huge fan of slaw with mine, but that’s completely optional, too. If you’re not feeling queso fresco, cheddar gives it a whole different flavor.

The options are endless. Do whatever floats your boat (fishing pun intended) but try my full recipe and I promise you won’t regret it.

- INGREDIENTS -

Fish: 1 lb. fresh white fish fillets (I like flounder) 1 cup panko bread crumbs 1 tbsp each of salt and pepper 1 tsp each of cayenne, paprika, garlic powder 2 tbsp vegetable oil Pico de gallo: 2 large tomatoes, diced 1 small jalapeno, diced ½ large red onion, diced ¼ cup chopped cilantro ½ tsp salt 1 large lime, juiced Slaw: 2 cups shredded cabbage ½ cup Mexican sour cream 2 tbsp vinegar based hot sauce (like Tabasco) ½ tsp ground black pepper Corn tortillas Queso fresco Sliced avocado Lime wedges & cilantro on the side

- INSTRUCTIONS -

1: Mix the ingredients for the pico and slaw in separate bowls and place them, covered, into the fridge. They get better if they have a little bit of time for the flavors to marinate.

2: Wash and pat dry the fish fillets.

Slice length ways, usually just in half will do. In a large mixing bowl, mix the panko and seasonings well. Coat the fish well. You may have to really press the fish into the mixture to get a good coating, but that’s ok. It’s how you end up with the best crunchy texture.

3: In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Once very hot, place the fillet’s in, making sure not to overcrowd the skillet. Fry for three to four minutes per side, or until the panko is a nice dark gold in color.

4: Make sure to warm your corn tortillas in a small skillet right before 32 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

serving. It’s how you get that great flavor and texture out of them and keeps them from being too brittle.

5: Assemble and enjoy.

Don’t forget to break out the chips and chow down on any leftover pico. It makes for an amazing dip, especially if you have a group of people over.

Enjoy your summer guys. I know we’re in Texas, and it gets almost unbearably hot, but we get the river, time with great friends and, hopefully, amazing food to eat. I’m looking forward to sharing more and more great recipes again with y'all for another amazing year.

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| ARTIST ALLEY |

TIMOTHY SHYMKIW MIXED MEDIA - OIL PASTEL, SOFT PASTEL, ACRYLIC AND ALCOHOL MAKERS INSTAGRAM @TIMSHYMKIW STORY BY GRIM GILBREATH

T

imothy Shymkiw doesn't paint what's stereotypical; he draws inspiration from what lurks in the shadows and behind the mind’s eye.

He is inspired by the grimy glow of 1980s sci-fi and the churning heavy metal music of his childhood. To some expressionism, to others more of an exorcism, stark, surreal and powerful, his paintings tend to almost feel like a freeze frame from a different, darker dimension entirely — places and creatures that never felt the warm kiss of sunlight and the shadows hide an alternative yet powerful definition of beauty.

“Some artists want to paint daffodils,” Shymkiw said. “I want to kick over the rock next to the daffodil and paint the scorpion and the centipede scurry instead.”

34 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING

A lifelong fan of science fiction and heavy metal, Shymkiw finds comfort in the shadows. That affinity for the visceral shows in his art — the jagged metallic yet organic landscapes riddled with flame and decay, lone warriors in rusted armor, mechanical deities half consumed in darkness.

It's not just visual. His life as a bass guitarist bleeds through the canvases in deep tones, rhythmic brush strokes and a constant undercurrent of dread. Like a low, distorted note pulsing through a vacant catacomb, his paintings both hum with tension and convey a simultaneous sense of sorrowful tranquility. Just as the bass holds together the floor of music, his paintings carry weight through their structure. One almost expects the canvas to be as heavy as

granite. His metaphorical weight leeches through the paint and into our world.

Though his influences are rooted in VHS-era nightmares and metal album covers from his youth, Shymkiw’s work remains deeply personal. His art is built from imagination, distortion and instinct — an evolving visual depiction constructed of shadows, flame, teeth, and ash.

Shymkiw’s art doesn’t pretend to offer comfort to people; it's crafted to inspire the public to look behind their own internal curtains and in the shadows maybe feel something real. Through support from his loved ones and, most importantly, his loving wife Carol, Shymkiw looks forward to pulling many more untold shadows into our world.

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| SAVE THE DATE |

EVENT

C A L E N D A R - JUNE CENTRAL PARK SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: EVERY SUNDAY IN JUNE – 7 - 9:30 PM Come on out for a fun night of music, friends and a little dancing with the Comal Community Band.

Enjoy live music in Central Park every Sunday in June. Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blankets and beverages. Food trucks will be available.

Location: Central Park, 201 S. Austin St.

SEGUIN ROCKS THE RUNWAY STYLE SHOW: FIFTH – 6 - 9 PM Seguin Silver Center Rock the Runway Style show allows businesses to show off their latest fashions.

Individual tickets $35. For information, call 830-303-6612.

Location: Chandelier Ballroom at the Silver Center, 510 E. Court St.

FOAM PARTY: SEVENTH – 10 AM - 12 PM Get ready for a bubbly blast at the library’s foam party! Join us for a fun event filled with mountains of sudsy fun, music and laughter. Sign up for all ages Summer Reading Experience while you are here! Be sure to bring: swimsuit or clothes you don’t mind getting wet, towel, sunscreen and water.

Location: Seguin Public Library, West Nolte St.

THIRD THURSDAY IN DOWNTOWN SEGUIN: NINETEENTH – 10 AM - 8 PM Enjoy food, music and shopping! We’re all open untill 8 p.m. and offering great deals and fun!

Shop and restaurant specials galore throughout downtown.

Location: Central Park, 201 S. Austin St.

- J U LYFIREWORKS FIESTA: THIRD – 9:30 - 10 PM Presented by H-E-B, Niagara Bottling, Inc., Caterpillar and Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott LLP Attorneys at Law, the night sky will light up with a fireworks display starting at 9:30 p.m. The best views are from Starcke Park and the surrounding area.

Location: Max Starcke Park, River Drive West

BIGGEST SMALL-TOWN 4TH OF JULY PARADE: FOURTH – 10 AM - 12 PM Crowds of flag-waving people will line Austin Street for the annual parade. The floats roll at 10 am. Past crowd estimates have exceeded 10,000. There will be more than a hundred parade entries including floats from local businesses, elected officials, churches, schools, military representatives and more. The city of Seguin asks parade attendees to not block parade route sidewalks with chairs and other items until the morning of the event.

Location: Central Park, 201 S. Austin St.

SEND EVENT DETAILS TO SEGUINMAGAZINE@SEGUINGAZETTE.COM TO HAVE YOUR EVENT ADDED TO THIS CALENDAR

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