Seguin Today: November, 2021

NOVEMBER 2021, Vol 1 l Iss. 10

HUNTING WITH FAMILY Target practice and bow hunting with the Reyes family.

2nd Story

Dance & co.

TOP CHOICE AWARD VOTING

UPSTAIRS AT THE STUDIO

Nominate your local faves for our first ever TOP CHOICE awards!

Formerly known as Seguin’s Suzi Hughson School of Dance

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THIS ISSUE

13 NOVEMBER 2021, Volume 1 l Issue 10

Thanksgiving means different things to different people.

It may mean being grateful for another trip around the sun with a loved one or being at peace with where you currently are in life. It may also mean being thankful for a roof over your head or something as simple as a hot meal.

The Holidays are a hard time for many people, and Thanksgiving is just the start of a two month-long onslaught of joyful reminders that are all but impossible to ignore.

As we head into this Holiday season, it is important to remember to lift each other up. Give when you can, share when you have a surplus, and look inward toward our community for inspiration and hope.

And with Black Friday looming in the distance, it’s also helpful to remember to think outside of big-box retailers when searching for the perfect Holiday gift. Our community is full of treasures waiting to be discovered, but the most important of these is...giving.

facebook.com/KWEDradio kwed.seguindailynews @kwed

COVERSHOT Raylee Bell and classmates practice their form during ballet rehearsal at Second Story Dance & Co. The studio is located in downtown Seguin overlooking Central Park.

Photo by Jarred Kindles

Head upstairs into Second Story Dance & Co to see how they are instructing the area’s next generation of young dancers.

Guadalupe County Fair Results are in & we’ve got them all for YOU!

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You’ve got opinions and we want to hear them in our first ever Top Choice Awards!

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Bow Hunting

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Hunting season is an all-year event in the Reyes Household!

STAFF GENERAL MANAGER Darren Dunn CREATIVE EDITOR Lizz Daniels WRITERS Cindy Aguirre-Herrera, Mike McBride, Lizz Daniels, Tess Coody-Anders PHOTOGRAPHER Jarred Kindles

SALES MANAGER Nick Spence ADVERTISING Laurie Cheatham, Linda Duncan, Mary Jane Windle OFFICE MANAGER Priscilda Rodriguez

Seguin Today is published by KWED, Seguin Daily News www.seguintoday.com

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Giving Family a

SHOT

How archery and hunting brought this family of 3 together

Story and Photos by Lizz Daniels

T

he sun was getting low as eight-yearold Natalia Reyes headed out into the wilds of the Texas Hill Country for her first hunt with her dad. Fitted with a crossbow and guided by Raul Reyes, the father-daughter hunting team was ready to catch its prey.

And then nothing showed. Such is the nature of hunting –– a lesson Raul is glad his daughter learned on her first time out.

“We got here - we were running a little late trying to get everybody together,” said Raul. “We got here, and the blind was set up perfectly for the animals to come in and nothing came in. I think we got there too little, too late. And then the full moon, I’m sure they came in right after dark. But that’s just hunting, it’s not just shooting.”

While it can undoubtedly be a let a down to spend all that time preparing for the hunt only to head home empty-handed, for the Reyes family, that is the most important part –– the time they spend together.

“For me, it was more about the experience for her,” said Raul. “I was just enjoying having her prepare for it, getting ready, talking her through what you’re going to do when the appropriate animal does step out –– just prepping her for that. That to me was a whole different level -- now that I’m taking her hunting versus me hunting. It’s like I’m passing this on to the next generation, hoping that she’ll continue to do this until she gets a little older. And then later on when she has kids, maybe she’ll pass it on.”

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The hunting and the archery skills behind it have become a familial pastime that even mom, Monica, is in on. With her hot pink camo compound bow in hand and matching arrows, she’s just as eager to get in on the action as her husband and daughter.

“When I met him, I knew he was a big hunter,” said Monica. “I thought it was cool. One day he said, why don’t we go to the bow shop and let’s try out shooting a bow. I’ve been an athlete. I played sports and I danced, and I was in band so when I tried shooting a bow for the first time, the challenge of it hooked me in. I knew right then and there –– this isn’t easy, and I like challenges so he reeled me in. We got myself set up for a bow, and I got my bow in 2011.”

The Reyes family home lies along their local green belt, which means they can all practice their archery skills whenever they feel like it.

“We actually practice in our backyard with our bows,” said Monica.

“My husband spends more time than me –– I’m a teacher –– and also being a mom and tending to our daughter who’s also in dance. I don’t practice as much as I would like. I’m getting back into it, and now that she’s into it, we’re hoping to now make this a family thing. We actually

took her out last week for the first time with her crossbow, the three of us as a family and we had never experienced that as a family. It was exciting to just be there together.”

As they practice, the trio of archers help each other with Raul sighting shots and Natalia running to grab arrows before Monica sends another thwacking into a deer-shaped foam target. Then when Natalia takes her turn, roles rotate with parents guiding their daughter.

“She shoots pretty good with a crossbow,” said Raul. “But she shoots a compound bow really good for eight years old. She’ll shoot up to fifteen yards and shoot in the ten ring. She shoots competitively now in ASA. This past summer, she did her first two tournaments and took second and first, so she did pretty good.”

Quick-witted Natalia is about as sharp as a broadhead and clarifies the details of her win.

“I got first place,” said Natalia. “But I was the only one that day, so I had to get first place.”

Shot, continued on page 31 >

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Eight-year-old Natalia shows off her purple compound bow. Natalia (and her parents) are all right-handed, but left eye dominant. Wearing an eyepatch while shooting helps strengthen Natalia’s eye and will help her aim longterm in addition to making her look super cool.

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&Dance!

Second Story Dance & Co. embarks on new chapter in downtown Seguin Story by Cindy Aguirre-Herrera Photos by Jarred Kindles

A

local woman is taking dancing in Seguin to a whole new level or in this case, to the second floor.

After a 42-year long history, Second Story Dance & Co. is not only the newest chapter for the former Suzi Hughson School of Dance, but also the latest addition of progress that can be seen in downtown Seguin with its new location at 106 W. Donegan St. Leading the dance company’s charge into the future is Owner Amanda Gold Henk. Henk, who has owned the studio for several years, says the welcoming of this new future, ironically, comes with a few similarities to its original beginnings.

“It originally began in 1979 when Suzi Hughson came into Seguin. She actually rented a space directly across the street from me right now on Donegan Street. She was on the second floor of one of the building’s here downtown and in 1982, she was able to purchase a small lot on Koepsel Street and so high school students from the trades department actually built the studio on Koepsel Street and that is where we operated with the studio from 1982 until June 9, of 2021.

So, that’s where we had been and when I told Ms. Suzi that I had this opportunity to go downtown and I told her exactly where it was, she said ‘well, that is di-

rectly across the street from where I first started teaching.’ So, it literally became a full circle all the way around. Where she started is where I’m starting - what we call the Second Story and she was so excited about it and it seemed like it was meant to be for sure,” said Henk.

Henk says with a new studio location also comes an entirely new identity – an identity that has already been embraced with a warm welcome.

“I actually bought the studio from her in 2005 and since I stayed in the same location that she had been in for so many years, I kind of was under the impression of if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. So, I kept the name the same because it was such a prominent name for dance in Seguin but Ms. Suzi and I had already talked about it when I did that -that if we were ever to change locations, since the studio was mine that I would change the name. The blessing was there the whole time I had the studio even 16 years after the fact, I decided that I still needed her blessing to not only move from that location but to change the name and she said ‘Oh, stop honey! Yes, it’s about time you finally did it. It’s yours. It’s been yours. Make it your own now.’ And that’s when we decided to drop Suzi Hughson School of Dance and go with the new name,” said Henk.

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The blessing was there the whole time I had the studio even 16 years after the fact, I decided that I still needed her blessing to not only move from that location but to change the name.

-Amanda Gold Henk

Henk says her investment in the studio is more than just about her love for dance.

It represents who she is today. Not only did she start as a student in 1985, but she has maintained a role with the studio for the past 36 years.

Henk says the move and renovation of the downtown building are simply the results of years of dreaming and longing for more.

“It had always been, I guess a dream to have a bigger location. I felt that if I was able to offer two dance rooms instead of one, I could give more dancers an opportunity to participate and that we can just offer so much more. I have so many dance friends that are in Austin and Houston and Dallas and even in San Antonio, they operate two and three rooms because there’s so many dancers that want to participate and I always felt that with just having one dance room, it was limiting what we could do, and it had been my dream ever since I took over in 2005 and even before that with Ms. Suzi as my teacher, that was always such a fun dream to have and one day, I just sketched out a studio that had two dance rooms and just different things that I had always wished for and I always kept it in my filing cabinet at the studio on Koepsel Street,” said Henk.

Getting to today; however, was not that easy, nor was it overnight.

“And after a couple of setbacks throughout the years, I had a life changing event happen and my husband now, after I got remarried, he said ‘why don’t you try it?’

I was brought the idea of having a bigger studio and it was a very scary situation because I was in a new part of my life and he said, ‘I think you can do it. I know you can do it in fact. Give it a shot!’ So, I took that leap of faith and here we are,” said Henk.

Henk says although it took about a year to get her plan off the ground, she knew the 12 months was nothing compared to the 10 years that they had operated in an outgrown Koepsel location. She says the location was not only operating at capacity, but it was also land locked and unavailable for any future growth.

Henk says the decision behind this leap of faith has proven to be more than just accomplishing her personal goals that were tucked away in that filing cabinet. She says it’s about ensuring another 40 plus years of dancing and all while positioned in the heart of the community.

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Dance Co. continued on page 29 >

guadalupe county

FairResults 2021

The 71st Annual Guadalupe County Fair Queen’s Court was announced. Pictured (from left) Duchess Kailey Kuntschik, of Navarro High School; Queen Mariah Castilleja, of Seguin High School; and Princess Hannah McMullan, of James Madison High School in San Antonio. The court will go on to represent Guadalupe County in future events including area parades and county contests. Also pictured, the 2021-22 Miss Round-Up is Cheyan Bland with Little Miss Round-Up, Paisley Hague.

home arts tricolor winners ANTIQUES Kathy Hartman Kaylee Miller Kim Miller Mariann Bielke Velada Harley Jay Derrickson (two) Gladys Jackson (two) Rodney Schmokel Kathryn Hopkins (three) Royce Widner Liz Hilsdorf Lonnie Garza ART Best of Show & Tri Color Montana Franke - Middle School Charlie Garcia - Elementary Emily Schoenherr & Lillit Wilson High School Kristin Precod-Handy & Mia Ramirez - Adult Class Project Tri Color Navarro Elm Meredith Hernandez’s Class BAKED FOODS Karen Doffing Sherry Rakowitz Emma Poe Jada Bloom Kailey Kuntschik (two)

2021 guadalupe county fair results

Luke Anderson Kenzie Bloom Mandee Riley Kaylee Hale Mia Wright Charles Dwyer Caden Bloom Meagan Ohnheiser (two) Brody Kowalik Rebekah Wright CLOTHING Harper Wright Colleena Burnsides CRAFTS Mary Capehart Saydie Simpson

Rex Rohde Randy Harper Max Hester

FRUITS & VEGETABLES Mariann Bielke (two) Dorleeta Wheelinton Kage Herfurth (two) Paul Theiss HAND NEEDLEWORK Jeanne Rawe Jodi Neuse KNITTING, CROCHET & WEAVING Juli Biggs Audrey Dalling Donna Wiley James Taylor JELLIES, JAMS & PRESERVES Jeanette Barber Paul Barber Mariann Bielke Kim Schlichting Tucker Wells Robin Parker

ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE Myrtle Huebinger Mandy Riley Georgia Speir Harley Thornton Pat Schultze PICKLES Tessa Thomas Luke Vogel Stephen Germann Dakota Timmerman Joy Strey Paul Theiss Steve Van Booven Mariann Bielke Chris Ackermann PHOTOGRAPHY Best of Show Adult – Heather Eaton Best Of Show Youth – Rhett Rohde Tri Laura Miller Aliana Garcia Krista Schultze Jacqueline Springs Stevo Carrasco Rhett Rohde (two) Kristy Smith (three) Remington Rohde (two) Sara Sosa Rex Rohde Heather Eaton Grace Vogel

PHOTOGRAPHY, continued...

Jana Elam Holly Alderson QUILT Viola Simmons Rebekah Wright

hay show

GRAND CHAMPION OVER ALL Cody Michaud RESERVE CHAMPION OVER ALL Isabella Hartman Class 2 Champion - Lilly Zimmerer Reserve Champion - Jacob Cassity Class 3 Champion - Barbara Wright Reserve Champion - Andrew Weller Class 4 Champion - Jacob Cassity Reserve Champion - Lilly Zimmerer Class 5 Champion - Debra Mattke Reserve Champion - Emma Hartman

horticulture & field crop Tri-Color, Overall - Hannah McMullen Tri-Color, Overall - Eric Anderson Tri-Color, Reserve/Overall - Justin Braune Tri-Color, Reserve - Kathy Anderson Tri-Color - Caleb Anderson Tri-Color - Rodney Schmoekel Tri-Color - Paul Theiss

market lamb show

Fine Wool Champion - Bree Byrd Fine Wool Reserve Champion - Dylan Trotti Fine Wool Cross Champion - Case Martinez Fine Wool Cross Reserve Champion - Ava Clark Southdown Champion - Kambrie Boeder SouthDown Reserve Champion - Montana White Medium Wool Champion - Kambrie Boeder Medium Wool Reserve Champion - Bree Byrd Grand Champion Lamb - Kambrie Boeder Reserve Grand Champion Lamb - Bree Byrd Third Overall Champion - Kambrie Boeder Guadalupe Shootout Grand Champion - Case Martinez Lamb Showmanship Winners Pee Wee Showman - Kase Pierson Junior Showman - Colsen Moore Intermediate Showman - Lacey Matney Senior Showman - Case Martinez

market goat show

Division 1 Champion - Kaydie Light Division 1 Reserve Champion - Reagan Crick Division 2 Champion - Kaydie Light Division 2 Reserve Champion - Reagan Crick Division 3 Champion - Abbie Owen Division 3 Reserve Champion - Mason Wurzbach Grand Champion Market Goat - Kaydie Light Reserve Champion Market Goat - Reagan Crick Third Overall Champion Market Goat - Kaydie Light Champion Breeding Doe - Preston Wallace Reserve Champion Breeding Doe - Ava Schlessiger Guadalupe Shootout Grand Champion Market Goat - Abbie Owen Guadalupe Shootout Reserve Champion Market Goat - Lottie Owen Market Goat Showmanship Winners Pee Wee Showman - Lilly Lunday Junior Showman - Dodge Turner Intermediate Showman - Brook Clemens Senior Showman - Kaydie Light

beef cattle show

Tri Creativity - Lareina Kaplan Tri Originality - Kelley Kenny Tri Pumpkinality - Mandee Riley

2021 guadalupe county fair results

pumpkin decorating contest

Champion American - Mason Koepp Reserve Champion American - Landyn Koepp Champion British - Mattison Koepp Reserve Champion British - Reagan Holdmann Champion Exotic - Kaylie Cerda Reserve Champion Exotic - Karsyn Kaufmann Grand Champion Steer - Kaylie Cerda Reserve Grand Champion Steer - Karsyn Kaufmann Champion British Heifer - Carlee Hoffmann Reserve Champion British Heifer - Amanda Hoffmann Champion Exotic Heifer - Brooke Bimslager Reserve Champion Exotic Heifer - Jenna Contreras Grand Champion Heifer - Brooke Bimslager Reserve Champion Heifer - Carlee Hoffmann Junior Showman - Karsyn Kaufmann Senior Showman - Kaylie Cerda Overall Steer Scholarship Winner - Kaylie Cerda

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fiddlers awards

OLDEST FIDDLER - Ed Henson YOUNGEST FIDDLER - Scarlett Arnold J BOX ROBERTS MEMORIAL FAVORITE FIDDLER AWARD - Nathan Pedneault RAY FRANKLIN MEMORIAL ACCOMPANIEST AWARD - Hyatt Hopkins RESERVE CHAMPION FIDDLER - Carl Hopkins GRAND CHAMPION FIDDLER - Wes Westmoreland

most fair entries

best western wear roundup

Overall girl winner: Keslee Coffman Overall boy winner: Gattlen Palmer Queen: Sophia Torres

county roping winners

1st place winners - Wade Zaeske and Winn Cox 2nd place winners - Porky Garcia and Ricky Cox 3rd place winners - Ronnie Atchley and Mike Mitchell Winners of the 13 slide Jaime Macias and Wayne Folmer The folks with the most fair entries this year include Kathy Hartman, 1st Place and $100 prize; Mariann Bielke, 2nd Place and $75 prize; and Kutz Ashbury, 3rd Place and $25 prize.

goat roping

Champion Header - Levi Garcia Champion Heeler - Timothy Ashe

2021 guadalupe county fair parade results

Grand Prize - Seguin High School Matador Theatre group present “Madagascar, Jr.” Best Overall Entry - Seguin FFA Best Animal - Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse Best Car/Truck Vehicle Farm Equipment Commercial Entry - Seguin Jeepers Best Festival Float - Warriors of Fall featuring area frontline workers Best Float Business/Commercial - Pak Medical Group Best Float Out of Town - San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Ambassador Committee Best Heavy Equipment - Commercial, Guadalupe Gas Company Best Horse Individual/Home Club, Group - Comal County Best Local Entry - Briesemeister Middle School Cheer Team Best Marching Band - Seguin High School Band Most Patriotic - Seguin High School NJROTC Unit.

2021 guadalupe county fair results

bbq cookoff winners

Grand Champion - Jaime Garcia,JCG Barbecue Co. Reserve Grand Champion - Tara Mihalski, Backward Jacks 1st Place Chicke - Tom Jewell, Cranky Bull BBQ 1st Place Ribs - Jaime Garcia, JCG Barbecue Co 1st Place Brisket - Tara Mihalski, Backward Jacks 1st Place Beans - Kevin Knight, Smokin Knights BBQ Chef’s Choice 1st Place Meat: Mike Kraft, Kraps 1st Place Dessert: Kenneth Gibson, Lease Crue Cookers

NOVEMBER

Events and special promotions happening locally this month!

To promote your event on this page contact advertising at 830-379-2234 or email communitycalendar@kwed1580.com

November 2021 2 9

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21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 HOLIDAYS 25th - Thanksgiving 29th - Hanukkah

Featured Events November 10

Nov. 13

Nov. 17

Chamber Mixer

Sand Hills VFD BBQ

League of Women Voters Veterans Visual Art Exhibit The Seguin Art League will present its free 4th Panel Discussion

The Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce will have its After Hours Mixer from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10 in the Central Tower of Guadalupe Regional Medical Center, located at 1215 E. Court St. The Mixer is sponsored by the Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation and the event will kick off its Petticoat and Pistols celebration.

1st & 3rd Sat. Farmer’s Market

The Big Red Barn will have its Farmer’s Market on the first and third Saturdays of the month. There will be various booths featuring local farmers selling vegetables, plants and more.

The Big Red Barn 10:00 am - 2 pm texagedu.org

The Sand Hills Volunteer Fire Department will have its annual fundraiser BBQ at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13 at Lifegate Church, located at 395 Lifegate Lane. Plates are $15. Proceeds benefit training and supplies to continue to serve the Sand Hills community.

Nov. 19

The League of Women Voters-Comal Area will have a Panel Discussion, CRT Is Not The Issue - DEI Explained, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17 via Zoom and Facebook Live @LWVComalTX. The panel will focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. The Zoom ID is 860 9865 9369 Passcode: 673106.

Annual Veterans Visual Art Exhibit from 1 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 19 and Saturday, Nov. 20 at the VFW Post 8315, located at 1000 FM 78 in Schertz. The art of regional active military and veterans will be displayed. Come and vote for your favorite. For more information call Roger Betschler at 830-372-4479 or email rogersartstudio@gmail.com.

Nov. 21

Dec. 3

Dec. 10

Thanksgiving Outreach

TLU Christmas Vespers

Country Christmas

There will be a Thanksgiving Outreach beginning with registration at 12:30 and service at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21 at 842 E. Pine St. in Seguin. There will a Thanksgiving basket raffle that you must be present to win and Thanksgiving dinner to follow. For a ride call 830-463-9637.

Texas Lutheran University presents, Christmas Vespers 2021 taken from Susan Labarr’s choral work, “Where The Light Begins,” on a text by Jan Richardson at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 4, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at Jackson Auditorium and 4 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 12 at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Austin. Tickets are available for reservation online and in the TLU Bookstore.

The Big Red Barn Texas Agricultural Education & Heritage Center will have its Country Christmas from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 11 at 390 Cordova Rd. in Seguin. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12. (no debit/credit cards).

There will be entertainment, concessions, visits with Santa, self guided tours, demonstrations, live farm animals, hayrides, kiddie train, open fire marshmallow roast, and more.

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Welcome to Pecan Town

Where there’s SMOKE, there’s

Fire Column by Tess Coody-Anders Photos by LIzz Daniels

T

he rising tide raises all boats. It’s a phrase President John Kennedy used in 1960 to promote the notion of American states working collaboratively to improve the overall economy of the country. Oft used since, it’s a favorite phrase of Main Street Director Kyle Kramm, only today he is talking about barbecue.

Two weeks ago, Texas Monthly published its rankings of the Top 50 BBQ joints in Texas, only its sixth list since 1997. Significantly, Seguin’s own Burnt Bean BBQ unseated some perennial favorites to be named 4th on the list - barely a year into opening. Folks, no small business or Main Street Association has the marketing budget to buy the kind of advertising and exposure that this list generates. In fact, you cannot impute a dollar value to the reputational lift and credibility that such a recognition imparts.

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What you can measure is the resulting impact not only on Burnt Bean’s business, but downtown Seguin. Burnt Bean co-owner and pitmaster David Kirkland says they are increasing productivity by upwards of 30 percent - and they are seeing new faces from all over Texas and beyond.

“With all the previous and newly added traffic to the Burnt Bean we have been hearing a lot of buzz from our neighbors about the increase in traffic as well as business. The Seguin Art League even told me they have sold some paintings to people waiting in our lines,” he said.

Yes, those lines are much, much longer - and we’ve all seen the local social posts that prove it. That’s part of BBQ culture and lore. Yes, that means it’s tougher for locals to enjoy their new favorite restaurant. But it also means that downtown Seguin is having a moment - one I hope we don’t squander.

“It really is a great example of how one business’s success can benefit everyone. We are seeing a lot more visitors downtown. They may come for the barbecue, but they are exploring other shops, too,” Kramm said. “And calls from investors interested in opening new businesses in downtown Seguin are up, too.”

Burnt Bean’s success is no accident; owners Ernest Servantes and Kirkland are masters at their craft, and many people helped make their location downtown possible. And while we often receive business press when our economic development team attracts a new manufacturer to the area, nothing is as impactful to Seguin’s brand as the kind of recognition that comes with an upstart BBQ joint knocking down some giants.

As Kramm says, too many people think Seguin is what they see from Interstate 10. The more we are able to draw people into downtown, the more they see Seguin for what we really are: an authentic, small Texas town, where people know each other and want to get to know you. And while the lines at Burnt Bean may be long, there are other amazing BBQ options, too: Davila’s, KJ’s, Johnny’s. And at points in between? Many well retailed shops, two breweries, a winery and a lot of charm.

All of which is why Kirkland believes Seguin is poised to have more than a moment.

“I used to come to this very building in high school and get banana splits while I worked at The old Vivroux Sporting Goods one block over,” Kirkland recalls. “As much as I like things the way they are, Seguin is the next boom town. It’s already starting to head that way. We have an awesome city manager that is doing everything he can do to help make the growth happen.”

Sure, I miss shorter lines at Burnt Bean. But I’m proud to see those lines, and proud to know that people are talking about and visiting our downtown, because when one of us does well, there’s greater potential for everyone. •

Tess Coody-Anders is a serial smalltowner, having spent most of her adult life in towns where everybody knows your business. A Seguin High School graduate, Tess currently serves as Vice President for Strategy and Strategic Communications at Trinity University. Welcome to Pecan Town is Tess’s column which seeks to explore opportunities and challenges from explosive growth in our area.

This Month...

August

in History!

1842: Abraham Lincoln marries Mary Todd in Illiniois.

1922: Howard Carter discovers the entrance to the toumb of Tuankhamen in Egypt.

2008: Senator Barrack Obama wins the Presidential Election against Senator John McCain.

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DIY: Recipe to Try

A Gluten-Free

PieDelight!

Crustless Pumpkin Pie

3/4 1 1/2 1/2 1/4 2 1 1

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Makes 8 servings

cup granulated sugar teaspoon ground cinnamon teaspoon salt teaspoon ground ginger teaspoon ground cloves large eggs can (15 ounces) Libby’s® 100% Pure Pumpkin can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé® Carnation Evaporated Milk Nonstick cooking spray Whipped cream (optional)

Directions:

Cooking Times:

1. Preheat oven as directed below. Glass baking dishes without crust require a cooler oven, and in most cases, a longer baking time.

2. Spray baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or lightly grease bottom of baking pan or baking dish.

3. Mix sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in a small bowl.

Beat eggs in a large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.

4. Bake as directed below or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean.

5. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

9-inch-round glass pie dish: 325 F; bake for 55 to 60 minutes 10-inch-round glass pie dish: 325 F; bake for 45 to 50 minutes 8-inch-round cake pan: 350 F; bake for 45 to 50 minutes 9-inch-round cake pan: 350 F; bake for 35 to 40 minutes 8-inch-square baking pan: 350 F; bake for 45 to 50 minutes 8-inch-square glass baking dish: 325 F; 50 to 60 minutes 9-inch-square baking dish: 350 F; bake for 35 to 40 minutes 11x7-inch glass baking dish: 325 F; bake for 45 to 50 minutes 13x9-inch baking pan: 350 F; bake for 35 to 40 minutes 13x9-inch glass baking dish: 325 F; bake for 40 to 45 minutes TF21B491

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28

Dance Co. Continued >

“You’ve got me all emotional thinking about it,” said Henk. “By moving down here, it not only brought life to downtown, but it also brought life back into me as a teacher and as a business owner – the kids that I get to see throughout the week, which we’re over 200 strong and it just makes my heart so full. The joy and the happiness that just fills these old walls – you can tell it breathes a breath of fresh air back into this corner especially, but we are a collection of every walk of life, every age, from 18 months all the way to adulthood – of just individuals sharing the love of dance and the love of learning and growing and spending time with each other.”

Henk says the relocation of the dance studio to the historic downtown building only allows for more offerings for all those who want to dance like someone “is” watching.

“Right now, we have only one adult class and it’s adult jazz but my goal is to expand that even being able to offer lunch hour type sessions where they can come in and take a class whether down the line it be Pilates or a Zumba type (program) or even if they wanted to take a lunch break for jazz or ballet or anything to help them when they actually have time because I know a lot of adults, a lot of them are dance moms and so when they are here, they are focused on making sure their dancers are in class and taken care of and so for that 45 minutes, it’s just to take a break to be themselves.

So, I hope to expand that throughout the week for them,” said Henk.

Since their official move in mid-Septem-

ber, Henk says the response from her dance families and the community has just been incredible.

“It’s overwhelming, absolutely overwhelming. There are a few classes that we have waiting list for right now if they can’t make the new classes that we started on Saturdays. From our three-year-olds to our eight-year-olds, our classes are just full. I can’t accept any more students, unfortunately, unless they come on Saturdays if that class is available. I see so many new faces which just makes me so happy that Seguin has seen a reenergizing and a rebirth of our community expanding with all the new subdivisions and the new opportunities with the brand-new high school. Seguin is finally coming to its potential and I can’t wait for everyone to be a part of it,” said Henk.

Also, since their move, interest in the program has obviously grown. New class sign-up, however, won’t likely be ready until the first of the year or until mid-spring.

Now although things are brand new, Henk says she is already planning for what’s next for Second Story Dance & Co. But before any of those dance steps are taken, Henk says she’ll just quietly take her place on the dance floor and enjoy what surrounds her today.

“There’s nothing like standing in our big dance room and looking out those windows and seeing Central Park with the fountain lit up especially right now. There’s nothing like it.

It’s the most relaxing, amazing feeling of just being able to dance right there and look out the window and know that my dream of being downtown finally came true,” said Henk. • 29

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Shot, Continued >

According to Raul, she would have won anyway due to her high score and improvement over her first competition. The details of her points, however, are far less important to Natalia than the trinkets she collected for winning.

“I got like these little dog tag medals and there was one that said my place, and then one that said it was my first tournament,” said Natalia. “I just like that I can spend time with my family. I can go outside and like to see the animals.”

And the animals she wants to hunt –– Natalia changed her mind a few times before deciding what she wanted to do. At first, she thought wild hogs would be the best bet. This is because she’s learned a lot about how they can destroy environments from her dad’s knowledge as a wildlife biologist. But now, Natalia has decided she wants to take down a buck.

“I changed my mind because he kept telling me ‘why don’t you just shoot a buck’ and I was like okay I don’t want to,” said Natalia laughing. “But then I watched his YouTube channel once and there were huge bucks. It made me change my mind.”

Having grown up in Seguin, Raul is passionate about sharing his wildlife knowledge with the community. To this end, he has served as a Buck Fever board member since 2003.

“Mainly, I do it for the kids,” said Raul. “It’s raising money for the kids. It’s a lot of work, a lot of time away from the family and I’m not getting paid for it. And I have to drive and hour to and from meetings, and then the event, it’s just very tiresome. But what it boils down to is March, April when we’re giving all that money to the kids and different organizations. That’s what it’s all about for me.”

Raul also has an archery club that meets at his property, where kids get hands-on experience with bows learning to shoot under experienced guidance. And of course, there’s the Youtube channel where he carefully films his hunts to educate viewers.

After the hunt, the Reyes family processes the meat taking it from the field to table and beyond.

“We’ll make sausage or backstrap...we will basically use all of it,” said Raul. “A lot of times when we do have to harvest extra meat –– there’s a quota –– we have a lot of friends that don’t hunt at all but do want the meat so we donate a lot of it.”

With bow season now closed, Natalia may have to wait another year for her first hunt, but the practice for the season has already begun with competitions in the future as well.

As for other local hunters, the white-tail season is now open, meaning many other area families are gearing up to spend time together in the great outdoors, just waiting for the right moment to take their shot. •

31

Hello, are you LISTENING? Our first ever top choice awards are here & this is your chance to VOTE!

TOP CHOICE LISTENER AWARDS

32

How it works:

listener awards

Write your nomination for each category on this ballot, cut it out and mail it or drop it off at the KWED office: 609 E. Court St, Seguin TX. One entry per person. Deadline to enter is November 30, 2021. Winners will be announced at a future date!

Band/Performer

Tax Service

Church

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Bar

Antique Store

Dry Cleaners

_____________________________

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Happy Hour

Apartment Complex

Collectables

_____________________________

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Asian Food

Attorney

Home Builder

TOP CHOICE LISTENER AWARDS

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

BBQ Restaurant

Auto Body Shop

Commercial Builder

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

Mexican Restaurant

Auto Dealer

Day Care

_____________________________

_____________________________

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American Restaurant

Auto Parts Store

Day Spa

_____________________________

_____________________________

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Pizza Parlor

Auto Repair

Elected Official

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

Fried Chicken Restaurant

Bank

Electrician

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

Coffee Shop

Barber Shop

Exterminator

_____________________________

_____________________________

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Donuts

Beauty Shop

Feed Store

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

Fast Food

Boutique

Financial Advisor

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

Food Truck

Bridal/Formal Wear

Fitness Center

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

Accountant

Car Wash

Furniture Store

_____________________________

_____________________________

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Turn the page for more categories!

33

KWED, Seguin Daily News Listener’s Choice ENTRY DEADLINE: November 30, 2021 Florist

Plant Nursery

Wrecker Service

_____________________________

_____________________________

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Gift Shop

Plumber

Window Tint

_____________________________

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Golf Course

Print Shop

Doctor

_____________________________

_____________________________

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Grocery Store

Professional Photographer

Chiropractor

_____________________________

_____________________________

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Heating and Ac

Quick Loan

Dentist

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

Home Décor

Real Estate Agency/Agent

Dental Hygienist

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

Hotel/Motel

Travel Agency

Dermatologist

_____________________________

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Insurance Agent/Agency

Rental Center

Eye Doctor

_____________________________

_____________________________

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Jewelry Store

Resale Shop

Hearing Aid Center

_____________________________

_____________________________

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Landscaping

Retirement/Senior Living

Home Health

_____________________________

_____________________________

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Manufactured Homes

Assisted Living

Nursing Home/Rehabilitation

_____________________________

_____________________________

Center

Massage Therapist

RV Park

_____________________________

_____________________________

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Nurse

Mini Storage

RV Sales Center

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

Orthodontist

Mortgage Lender

Shoe Store

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

Pediatrician

Nail Shop

Smoke Shop

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

Pharmacy

Oil Change

Tattoo Shop

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

Vet Clinic

Pet Boarding

Teacher

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

This section must be complete for your ballot to be valid.

Pet Groomer

Tire Store

Your name:________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

Phone #:_____________________________

Place to work

Upholsterer

Email:_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

Address:___________________________

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