Seguin Today: August 2022

August means the end of summer - even if it’s not the end of the heat - and of course, back to school. This month students and school employees are gearing up to head back to classrooms for yet another exciting school year.

With the city of Seguin hosting several events across the community this month, community members have access to lots of help getting back-to-school supplies and more. It serves as a great reminder of what this community can do when it comes together to achieve a goal.

As the school year starts, parents, set your students up for success by helping them set goals for the year. Think of small and attainable things, but also shoot for the stars.

With STAAR test scores rising around the district, local students and the faculty who teach them (some of whom were recently students themselves) should be proud of their achievements and know that their community is rooting for them.

We wish you all a good school year –– and remember kids ––just turn in your homework!

COVERSHOT

A RETURN ON INVESTMENT

CAMEL & THE TRAVELING KOOZIE

WELCOME TO PECANTOWN

A RETURN on Investment

Pair of Early College HS grads return to SISD for second year of teaching

Story by Cindy Aguirre-Herrera Photos by Jarred Kindles

Imagine going from tossing up your graduation cap at Matador Stadium to returning as a teacher for a district that helped make it all happen in just half the time.

That’s been at the least the experience for two for mer Seguin High School students who were part of the first cohort ever to receive their associate’s degree and their high school diploma at the same time during the spring of 2018.

Now as Seguin ISD employees, both Seguin High School Teacher Michael Grandys and Barnes Middle School Teacher Kameron Ridgeway are sharing their experiences of this journey that began in the eighth grade. Not only have they completed their first pro fessional year in the classroom, but both are looking forward to year two this fall.

However, those classroom experiences this past year cannot begin without an acknowledgment from Annalisa Vargas, the director of the Seguin Early Col lege High School program. Vargas says not only are Grandys and Ridgeway program success stories, they are now become pivotal in passing on advice to current students who also look to walk in their shoes.

“I think one of the most exciting opportunities and just rewarding opportunities was seeing them par ticipate in our (summer) panel discussion. As part of Summer Bridge, we have the Class of 2026 here and both of these former students, now teachers, serve on that panel to talk to our incoming ninth graders about the Early College High School experience, what to ex

pect, the challenges, the opportunities and benefits in volved with it -- the hard work involved with it so just hearing them share their story, I think, is the best thing because it was a tough and challenging rigor to take and they succeeded. So, they worked hard, and they were able to earn their associates degree but to be able to see them and hear them speak words and advice of wisdom to incoming Early College High School Stu dents, that was amazing. That right in itself makes my heart happy because you know for a fact, that they are going to have an impact on Early college High School students,” said Vargas.

Vargas says Grandys, who teaches math and AP government, is the poster child for having the deter mination to want more despite the fact that he did not have anyone like himself now serving as an example.

“Truly the transformation from his freshman to his senior year to graduating to even this day, still ex tremely humble -- but he is very humble in his story, but he worked extremely hard and as a first-generation student. But that in itself was inspiring because that’s something that our students can say ‘if he can do it, then I can do it as well,’” Vargas said. After earning his associate’s degree during high school with St. Philips College, Grandys, who went on to graduate from Texas State University in 2021, de cided to earn his teaching certification following his studies in economics. He says this certification allowed him to return to his old stomping grounds at SHS, but this time as a teacher.

It was kind of really a big jump. As soon as I graduated Seguin High School, I was back at the high school teaching color guard, and I still do that. Along with color guard, I’ve been tutoring AVID. So, right after high school I was already back in. Teachers, administrators calling me in the hallways like ‘where is your class?’ I’m like ‘I’m sorry I work here.

-Ridgeway-

“It was kind of funny because you see a lot of the same people. I mean all of the tenured teachers are really teachers that care and those are the ones that are still here, right? So, you see a lot of familiar faces. I think the reception I got was great. Everyone was in support of me. I felt like it was a home team coming here. It was just a great experience. I felt welcomed and I’m glad to be on this side of it,” Grandys said.

Grandys says while there were obstacles, his family, along with those leading the program, are what he believes helped provide him the strength to push forward. Going into the program, he wasn’t an all-A student or that highly motivated student. He says that’s why he believes the program can be successful for any student willing to do the work.

“Starting off, I think I’m a statistic that a lot of our students fall into. My mother was a teenager when she had me. My father in and out and income wasn’t a thing that we ever had, or college was never a possibility for us. It was definitely unmarked territory. My grandparents both worked informal jobs cleaning houses or mowing lawns and stuff like that. They spoke only Spanish. My mother had a high school education, and she was paying the bills. So, I didn’t really feel like there were many options for me but going through this program and everything that surrounds these kids is there to support them and even during my time, there was so much sup port. Ms. Vargas is amazing. You have a whole AVID program that these kids spend all four years in. The peer camaraderie that develops over the years was just great and it helped me be successful,” Grandys said.

As for his career in teaching, Grandys says it was a combination of experiences that helped guide him to the classroom, a place he recognizes now as one of the most important places in the world.

“When you start Early College High School, you are 13 or 14 and I know I didn’t have a thought in my brain then, so it took a while to devel op. I’ve had different things (ideas) and I think it solidified senior year. I

wanted to go to school for economics because my dual credit teacher kind of really opened up a topic for me and that was something I really took an interest in learning and not many subject matters do that for me and so I kind of took it in stride there and started at Texas State and already the first year, I was in major specific courses so that was fun. During that time, I was part-time working as an ADVID tutor and having that experi ence with the kids and just being not far removed from it -- but helping students work through problems, that just really felt fulfilling to do and so that’s when I decided ‘okay, this is something I can do. This is some thing I want to do’ and so that’s when I started considering teaching,” Grandys said.

Grandys says he was first hired on at Seguin High School to teach geometry. He says he is proud of the district as a whole and that having gone through the program personally allows him to help his own students make the same decision.

“I wish I could have known what eighth grade Michael was thinking. He was probably worried about the corndog he ate at lunch or something, but I don’t know what led me to that decision, but I made it. It’s impacted me greatly. I met role models in my life that I never thought I would have,” said Grandys.

Like Grandys, Vargas says Ridgeway also has proven a successful ex ample of the Early College Program.

“Kameron shared with the students about taking it seriously and things not always being easy and so just the fact that she worked really hard, overcame anything that she was doing and persevered throughout high school, for both of them, it wasn’t an easy challenge. Both of them had family responsibilities and things that they did as well so they were able to persevere and overcome that and now they are inspiring and influ encing and having a positive impact on our students,” Vargas said.

Ridgeway says now as a teacher, she can advocate for early college from both sides of the fence and share the program that splits the traditional four-year college journey in half. In fact, Ridgeway says the day after graduating, she returned even sooner after snagging a job at the high school as a color guard tech – a job she still continues and continued while finishing up her teaching degree at Texas Lutheran University.

“It was kind of really a big jump. As soon as I graduated Seguin High School, I was back at the high school teaching color guard, and I still do that. Along with color guard, I’ve been tutoring AVID. So, right after high school I was already back in. Teachers, administrators calling me in the hallways like ‘where is your class?’ I’m like ‘I’m sorry I work here. I promise I know what I’m doing,’ and I did that all the way up to my student teaching,” Ridgeway said.

Although she already worked in the district, Ridgeway says there was definitely still some nerves when she arrived on the Barnes Middle School campus but now as a teacher.

“It was a lot different in terms of returning for color guard than it was returning as a full-time teacher just because with color guard, I knew everyone there and I knew how things worked and that was kind of why the director wanted me back just because I knew how she ran things and how she wanted things done but when it came to full-time teaching -- I actually teach at Barnes Middle School which was a big difference be cause I went to Breezy so I was bit nervous going to a school that I wasn’t comfortable with. All of my siblings went there but I was kind of the odd ball because I was the last one and we moved,” Ridgeway said.

Kameron Ridgeway graduated from Seguin HS in 2018 with an associate’s degree from St. Philip’s college. Courtesy photo.

Michael Grandys is a member of the math department at SHS heading into his second year of teaching.

Pictured, he and ECHS Director Analyssa Vargas are now colleagues working together for student success.

In regard to accepting the challenge of enrolling in the Early College High School Program, Ridgeway says she doesn’t remem ber much other than probably not listening during the school presentation but hearing her parents say ‘this is what you are go ing to do. You are going to do it and you are going to like it.’

Ridgeway says she now realizes the critical role parents play in helping students make the decision to go for it. She says her parents have always known who she was at a very young age and provided her that level of confidence.

“I’m the youngest of six kids and none of my siblings – they are very intelligent, but they weren’t very street smart. They made all of the wrong decisions and so again, I am the one that sits in the back and kind of just watches everyone around me and I saw what they did and kind of went from there deciding what I’m going to do with my life to make a difference,” Ridgeway said.

Graduating in 2018 with two degrees in hand will always be a great memory especially when you graduate from college before high school as her class did. However, no matter the journey, Ridgeway says in the end, it’s all worth it.

“It was all around excitement and amazement. My family who doesn’t live around here, they couldn’t believe that Seguin had progressed in the way that it had. I mean if you get my par ents talking about it right now, they would never stop. They are beyond proud and excited to talk about it whenever they can,” Ridgeway said.

Vargas says Grandys and Ridgeway’s experience only so lidifies the program’s future and the future of dozens of other Seguin ISD students who have yet to follow. She says the Class of 2026 already has 77 students committed to beginning the pro gram this fall.

“Early College High School is 100 percent about opportunity and it’s a game changing opportunity that I would say allows stu dents to come from first generation families and turn that into a completely different history. Dr. (Hector) Esquivel (Seguin High School Principal) used to say ‘they are rewriting their families’ histories’ and so the fact that they are taking that opportunity and running with it to be able to walk away from high school with their associate’s degree, that’s a big deal. You are talking over a $13,000 savings and that doesn’t include textbooks and so tuition alone, you are looking at $13,000 that are saved by families and so if you think about the opportunity and hopefully the inspiration that it will want them to persevere them even further after they leave Seguin High School, (it’s worth it). So, it’s about giving our students opportunities that they might not have had otherwise and in the process, you can see that our students transform so much that they want to come back and they want to help our students as well so I think that’s the biggest key with these two students (now teachers), Vargas said.

Grandys says it’s not always possible that a person can find themselves in a professional position or role where the invest ment they make into others is returned or the course of those people’s lives are forever changed.

“I saw myself as a manager at a shoe store like my mom was. I saw working lawn care with my grandfather on the weekends, but I was glad I was presented with an opportunity and given circumstances that were put into in my life. It’s world-changing, Grandys said. “Providing a college education to students for free that would not have access to it otherwise is life changing. Not only does it set them up for future success, but it puts them head and shoulders already out the gate at 18 and it’s just a won derful opportunity.”

How Alva

Met Camel

The tale of the traveling koozie

Story by Lizz Daniels Courtesy Photos

When you float the river, there’s no telling what treasures may be lost. Whether a wedding ring or your favorite pair of Ray Bans, when the water takes something –– you rarely get it back. But the river is a fickle thing, and from time to time, it gives unexpected gifts to those who know where to look.

That is what happened to Alva Pulido while in Con can floating the Frio river.

“For as long as I can remember, we always went to the river,” she said. “It’s the last river trip I took, and I’m walking around with my nephew and you always find stuff. So we’re walking to the river path and I find this koozie. I didn’t even think of it, I didn’t even look at it. I remember just picking it up and I was like ‘oh! Koozie! Let’s go get some beer!’ I remember going back to the cabin, putting it in my bag and honestly not thinking about it for a while.”

That was in August of 2020. The fol lowing December, Alva’s father passed away. During that time, her life changed entirely, and the koozie went forgotten as life went on. She lost her job and even tually found a new one, but her time un employed allowed her to re-evaluate what it means to have, save and spend money. She also looked hard at her life and what it means to live in the moment.

That was when the koozie reappeared.

“The following April it is my four ty-fifth birthday and I’m having all of my girlfriends from college and family and we’re all going to Port A, and we have this amazing condo,” Alva said. “And so I’m packing my stuff, getting all my suits together and I open the bag that I guess I hadn’t used since the river and I find this koozie. So I finally read the back and I was like ‘oh it’s a memorial koozie,’ which is kind of common down here, I think, in Texas.”

The man on the koozie was named Ruben Perez II, but his friends called him ‘Camel.’ Born June 28, 1987, he passed away unexpectedly in 2019. Camel loved sports and, according to his friends and family, al ways knew the stats of whatever game was on. However, his most beloved sport was softball, and he spent all his spare time on the field. Alva, however, knew none of this yet, having only his name as she decided to take Camel traveling.

“I remember showing my friends, and they were like, ‘so he passed away and they made a koozie?’ I just remember thinking that’s how I’d want to be remembered ––somewhere fun, doing something with a great smiling picture, and I put it in my bag and used it on the trip. So then I was like I’m going to start traveling with him. He’s just going to start traveling with me.”

While Camel’s life was cut short, he found his way to Alva and has been all across the United States and (even Hawaii for his birthday –– a place he always want ed to visit), joined by Alva’s late father on a memorial pair of socks.

They have ventured to destinations like Puerto Rico, Honduras, and even Tulum, having zip line adventures and enjoying the experiences while sampling all the best beers. Camel went every where with Alva.

“He was literally always in my purse or backpack, or in my car,” she said. “And I am such a driver that if someone’s like ‘hey you want to come to Houston this week?’ I’m down. Koozie just became second na ture to my cell phone.”

After all the time spent looking at Camel’s face smiling from the koozie, Alva became curi ous about him and the family he left behind.

So she did a little Google sleuthing to find some answers about her travel buddy. She discovered his obituary, the Scholarship that now exists in his honor, and one more impor tant thing –– an address.

“I honestly didn’t know if I wanted to send an email, send a letter to his family because I don’t know how he passed, nor does it matter,” Alva said. “I was talking to a good friend of mine, and she was like, ‘no, I think she’d appreciate that, or they, or whomever. And for all you know it might not get to them, but just think of the good sto ry that everyone knows’ on my end and how it actually helped me cope with my dad’s passing.

And she goes, ‘let’s do it,’ and I’m never afraid of things in general. So I was like, I’m sending it.”

And into the mail, the letter went making its way to Seguin.

It arrived at the Perez family home in an unassuming envelope with the words ‘At tention: Memorial Koozie’ carefully written on it. When Camel’s mother, Helena Perez, retrieved her mail the day it arrived, she was expecting correspondence about the Scholar ship and ordering more of the Camel com memorative koozies.

When she turned the envelope over, there was more.

“It was A. Pulido, Alice TX, and I’m like what the heck,” Helena said. “So then I opened it, and there’s this beautiful letter. I was in tears that day. I was like, ‘my goodness; my boy is still touching people.”

Unintentionally, the Camel changed my life, Alva wrote. Although he is no longer on this earth, I want you to know that he has im pacted my life, despite his untimely passing. She went on to write: I understand this koozie is NOT mine, and if you’d like it back, I would gladly return it, but I wanted you to know that I have my two travel staples. My Camel koozie and a pair of socks with my father’s face all over them. I hope both of them can appreciate the respect I have for their lives and that they are missed.

The letter deeply impacted Helena and Ruben (his father), who share Alva’s passion for travel and living life to the fullest.

“Ruben and I try to travel somewhere every year since 2014,” Helena said. “My hus band started with a fifty and over team at that time, so we were going to Vegas every year be cause at the end of softball, there’s a big tour nament in Vegas for fifty and over. 2014 was our first year to go. Well, then the kids went with us the second year, and oh my God, Ru ben (Camel) loved it. He could play, that boy. That boy could count cards and make money in 30 minutes. He was good with it. I start ed looking at (other) trips, and baby Ruben said, ‘mama, I want to go to Denver. Let’s go to Denver mom. Well, we were going to try and go December of ‘18, and the other kids couldn’t take off. Well, then in January, I said I’m going to book this trip to Denver and Ru ben (Camel) said, ‘I’m in, I’m going.’ So we did a big trip to Denver just us, and my brother showed up too. And that was like the trip of his life. He loved it.”

I just remember thinking that’s how I’d want to be remembered –– somewhere fun, doing something with a great smiling picture, and I put it in my bag and used it on the trip. So then I was like I’m going to start traveling with him. -Alva-

I started looking at (other) trips, and baby Ruben said, ‘mama, I want to go to Denver. Well, then in January, I said I’m going to book this trip to Denver and Ruben (Camel) said, ‘I’m in, I’m going.’ So we did a big trip to Denver just us, and my brother showed up too. And that was like the trip of his life. He loved it.

-Helena-

That trip was Camel’s last before he passed the following March. His family and friends were devastated. So many people attended his funeral that many couldn’t get inside the doors.

“As far as I’m concerned my son was a good citizen,” Helena said. “He loved his city. He loved being from a small town. He was proud of Seguin. He loved to say he was from Seguin and he always said, ‘I’m never leaving Seguin. Seguin’s my hometown, that’s where I came from.’ Anyone I ever talk to, they always said Ruben picked them up, Ruben talked to them, Ruben made them feel so good, Ruben turned them around. And I’m happy to know that.”

Camel supported his friends while living and continues to support his new friend Alva as she aims to experience all life has to offer while she still can.

“I could easily die in a car accident tomorrow,” Alva said. “And it wasn’t always about death –– what if I’m super broke to morrow and can’t travel? Or things can always just change, and I think, the more things change, whether it comes to having to find a new job or losing your job I’m still going to be fine the next day.”

Camel and the traveling koozie are a reminder to live life to the fullest because you never know when things may be cut short, and Alva lives to embody this mentality. One of her next big trips will be to Paris for the 2024 summer Olympics.

“I want to go to the Olympics,” Alva said. “Everyone that knows me knows I’m such a sports fanatic. As much as I don’t watch a lot of sports on TV, if someone invites me to go see badminton tomorrow –– the professional badminton champion ships, I am there.”

And Camel will be right there beside her, knowing all the stats for all the sports –– just like he always did. •

Featured Events

Seguin Birthday Celebration

DUE:

Aug. 15

Seguin Soccer Registration

Registration for Seguin Soccer is open until Sunday, Aug. 14 for players with birth dates between 2010 and 2019. Registration is $80 and includes a jersey, shorts, and socks. After Sunday, Aug. 14, there will be a $10 late registration fee and registration will depend on availability. Games will begin Sept. 24 and will run for 8 weeks. Games are played Saturday mornings between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at Park West. To register, visit https://system.gotsport.com/ programs/69E907709?reg_role=player.

Aug. 28

Filing Deadline

Candidates can file for a place on the city council ballot for the following City of Seguin Council Districts: District 3, District 5, District 7, and District 8. Candidates can pick up election packets from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the City Secretary’s Office at Seguin City Hall, located at 205 N. River St. in Seguin. The last day to file is by 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26. For more information, visit www.bit.ly/ seguinelections.com, call 830-401-2468 or email nmanski@seguintexas.gov.

Aug. 27

Dance at Crystal Chandelier

There will be a dance to the music of Gabe Galvan from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26 in the Crystal Chandelier Ballroom at the Silver Center, located at 510 E. Court St. in Seguin. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. with pre-sale tickets at $10 or $15 at the door. For more information call 830303-6612.

Chamber State of the City Luncheon

September 7, 2022

The Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce will have a State of the City Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7 at the Silver Center, located at 510 E. Court St. in Seguin. Member price is $15 if registered by noon Friday, Sept. 2, or $20 at the door.

Sep. 8 Noon Lions Fall Fling

The Seguin Noon Lions Club will have its drive-thru only Fall Fling from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8 at the Silver Center, located at 510 E. Court St. in Seguin (enter through San Marcos St.) Pork Steak Dinners will be available for $15 presale and $18 at the door. Tickets are available at the Silver Center, Starcke Furniture, Ascot’s Custom Travel, and Tri County Air.

Sep. 10

Navarro FFA Pantherfest and Tractor Pull

The 13th Annual FFA Pantherfest and Tractor Pull will be held Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Texas Agricultural Education & Heritage Center (The Big Red Barn), located at 390 Cordova Road in Seguin. The tractor pull begins at 9:30 with a $20 entry fee. Call 830481-9267 for more information. Pantherfest begins at 5 p.m. with brisket and sausage plates for $20, including DJ dancing with DJ Manny, a gun raffle, chicken drop bingo, live and silent auction, and more. Call 817-6929491 for more information.

Sep. 27

Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet

The Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce will have its 101st Annual Banquet & Awards Presentation from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27 at the Seguin Coliseum. The guest speaker will be Sarah Lucero and the event is sponsored by Guadalupe Regional Medical Center.

5Reasons Why Seguin ISD’s Success MATTERS

Column by Tess Coody-Anders

Photos courtesy SISD

Whilemy husband Heath and I are proud ’86 and ’89 graduates of SHS and local business owners, our children were not Matadors. Because of our street address, they were Panthers, and we happily supported Navar ro ISD for nearly 20 years. It’s a great district, but it’s not the backbone of Seguin. That responsibility falls to Seguin ISD. SISD educates most of the children in our community, and has a greater impact on the quality of life and economy. As we start a new school year and the district contemplates another bond package, here are five reasons why anyone who works, lives, or owns property in Seguin should care about the future of SISD.

1) OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS STRONG SCHOOLS TO THRIVE.

Communities that fail to support their schools fail all together. Investment in a high-quality education is synony mous with increased productivity and economic growth, as employers look to our schools to produce a strong, capable work force. Likewise, economic development profession als will tell you that the quality of the school district is a concern for high-skills employers who want to ensure their employees will enjoy an equally high quality of life. If we want to strengthen and diversify the Seguin economy, start by investing in education.

2) INVESTING IN SCHOOL FACILITIES IMPACTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (AND STUDENT PERFORMANCE).

What happens in the classroom matters, but the actual classroom makes a difference, too. Studies indicate that student performance is impacted by the condition of the facilities in which students learn, and teachers teach. When we defer maintenance for decades and fail to pro vide the space, equipment and modern technology necessary for a 21st century education, we fail our children and educators.

3) STRONG SCHOOLS INCREASE PROPERTY VALUES.

There is indisputable research that strong schools positively impact real estate values in the community. Look no further than the housing growth in the Navarro ISD — and the use of the district name in ad vertising — as local evidence of that fact. Property owners in high-per forming school districts also demonstrate a willingness to accept slightly higher taxes. Whether you have children in SISD or not, the reputation of the district matters to you if you own property or a business in Seguin.

4) SISD IS AN ECONOMIC ENGINE THAT FUELS SEGUIN.

and workforce, SISD is the second

Setting aside the district’s mission to educate

town with more than 1,250 employees, just behind Continental. When we invest in new facilities and pro grams at SISD, we create more jobs – directly

permanent and temporary. More dollars

the

5) HIGH-QUALITY SCHOOLS HELP CLOSE THE DIVIDE.

From vocational programs to col lege-preparedness, SISD’s mission is to “cultivate, inspire and empower students to grow and learn.” Not some students. Not just students who live near Barnes Middle School or Vo gel Elementary and enjoy newer, more modern facilities. All students. If we share this mission as a community, then we are called upon to invest in the facilities and resources that help all students thrive – so Seguin can thrive.

It’s a new day and a new direction at SISD, and I am more confident than ever that Matadors are on the rise. And when Matadors rise up, all of Seguin stands taller. •

H

istory suggests that the sandwich — a go-to, lunch-hour staple — was named for John Montagu, the Fourth Earl of Sandwich. Lord Sandwich was an 18th century English aristocrat who asked his valet to bring him meat tucked between two pieces of bread while Sandwich was embroiled in a cribbage match he just had to play through.

Even though Lord Sandwich wasn’t the first to enjoy meat or cheese between bread, he was the one to help solidify the moniker “sandwich.” Since then, all types of sandwiches have been designed and enjoyed, and these portable meals are a favorite for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Seasoning

sauce-side up,

medium

the

the grill pan and top

2 slices of cheese, some basil, a few slices of tomato, bacon, sliced turkey, remaining cheese, and a second piece of buttered bread, sauce-side down. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes, or until grill marks form, then carefully flip and repeat.

Cut in half and serve with more romesco sauce for dipping.

Former Dixie Grill transforms into Texas Axeholes

Seguin HITS the BULLSEYE!

Story by Cindy Aguirre-Herrera

Photos by Lizz Daniels

Seguin’s newest business endeavor has reportedly hit the bullseye with this past weekend’s grand opening of Texas Axeholes, an axe throwing entertainment venue.

What has historically been an event in a lumberjack com petition is now described as not only a modern sport but also a unique opportunity for adults to have some fun.

Transforming the old Dixie Grill restaurant along IH-10 into not only axe lanes, but also a venue for billiards, darts and ping pong are owners Sarah and Jessie Wallace.

Sarah, who also happens to be a Seguin Police Officer, says after making Seguin their new home, they wanted to lend their own contributions in making it a better place to live, work and play.

“I love that we can bring some type of entertainment to Seguin. I didn’t know much about Seguin when I came and start ed working here and I loved the small town feel of it. I loved from the PD aspect of when stuff happened, how great our community would pull together especially events like National Night Out and everything. You saw how much people loved their community and the biggest complaint, myself included, that we had was that there not much to do here so we love that we are bringing some type of entertainment here to Seguin and positive entertainment -- a way for people to distress these last two years or so. They have been rough on everyone so hopefully people can come here, let some stress out and have a great time with friends and family and just be in a fun environment,” said Wallace.

Not only is Sarah a police officer, but Jessie, is also a para medic. She says while the combination might be an ideal one giv en that their business involves throwing an axe, both have worked hard to really maximum the safety of the venue. She says they have basically looked at other similar spots in the area and have enhanced not only the safety elements but have made the games that much more entertaining.

Wallace says coming up with the business idea, however, was not hard and hopes that it equates to what others have also been looking for here in Seguin.

“So, we love doing active date nights where we are doing something like axe throwing or I love the darts. I was a big cham pion of getting the darts in here because I love darts, but we like things that when we go out, we like to be active and not just sit down and just conversate or something. We are both high

strung people so we’ve axe-thrown before, we love it but my big gest complaint with axe-throwing was I got bored in about 10-20 minutes because it was just repetitive to me and so that’s why we were really big on making sure there were different games where I’m like okay, I’m over this standard target, now let’s move on to Connect Four, tic-tac-toe or black jack so that’s kind of how we came about with this idea,” said Wallace.

Now while everyone loves a grand opening and a new estab lishment, Wallace does want to make sure that their visit is mem orable. For that reason, she asks that folks not only remember to bring closed toe shoes but that they reserve an ax lane in advance.

“The big thing I would say with people right now is reserve online because we would feel so terrible if you came all the way over here and everything is all booked up and you just wasted all your gas gathering all your friends and everyone to come over here and we don’t have a spot for you so make sure to get the time you want. Reserve online and like I said earlier, our two big rules are you have to have closed toed shoes because anyone with sandals can’t throw because of safety reasons and that we are 18 and older except for family days. Those are Saturday and Sunday. They will be from 2 to 7 p.m. and 12 and older are welcome to come those days,” said Wallace.

Also making the establishment unique is the opportunity to bring in your own drinks and food. Wallace says it’s important that the venue be accommodating as much as possible.

“So, they are welcome to bring their own beer and wine, no liquor or bring their own food. So, say if you all came here and you wanted to celebrate a big accomplishment at work or some thing, you are welcome to order some pizzas, bring your own drinks and just have a good time. We are just providing the en tertainment because why come here, spend another 50 something dollars paying for alcohol. Just bring your own. We do limit it to just beer and wine, but you are welcome to do that. We do have some food trucks set up outside. You are welcome to get the food from the food trucks and come on in and eat that in here as well in the nice AC,” said Wallace.

Now before picking up an axe, each guest will receive a few minutes of good coaching for the axe-perts. Among those cele brating his first “stick” on the board during Friday’s ribbon cut ting ceremony was Cody Reimer.

“It’s pretty simple. The first couple of times, it bounced off,” said Reimer.

Appearing to edge toward that bullseye with every throw was Rafael Castilleja. Cas tilleja says this too was his first time throwing an axe.

“The demonstrations are pretty easy. They showed you how to hold it, where to feel when it’s ready to throw. It’s pretty easy, pretty sim ple. I like it. It’s real nice, a real good place to come to and relax and very welcoming. So, this is the first time for me really throwing an axe but it’s kind of fun, interesting,” said Cas tilleja.

Those wishing to participate in axe throw ing again are encouraged to reserve their lane by visiting texasaxeholes.com. Others are sim ply welcome to walk in and enjoy the billiards and dart machines. A rental space is also avail able for parties and other private events.

Texas Axeholes is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 10 p.m.; Fridays from 5 to midnight; Saturdays from 2 p.m. to mid night and Sundays from 2 to 8 p.m. The busi ness is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Texas Axeholes is located at 1575 IH-10. Again, you must be 18 and older to enter. Family fun for ages 12 and older held on designated days and time only. •

urgent care.