Meet the Herrera-Antonio

Know Your Neighbors

by Julie Lundin

Meet the Herrera-Antonio family of Breezewood Estates. Evanjelina and her fiancé, Mario Antonio, live in their home with Evanjelina’s parents, Manuel and Estefana Herrera, along with their five combined children: Rigoberto Basurto, Cecilia Herrera, Liliana Basurto, Snow Craig, and Analicia Herrera. Joining them are their three pets, Henry the Beta fish, Charmy the bird, and Tiny the Chihuahua.

The family moved to their new Shawnee home this past January and have enjoyed the peacefulness and quiet our community has to offer. They moved from Swayzee, Indiana where Manuel and Estefana were migrant workers many years ago. Eventually they both worked in factories. Manuel worked for 33 years at the General Motors Stamping Plant, while Estefana worked for 21 years with United Technologies. Evanjelina moved to Lima nine years ago when she took a contracted position at St. Rita’s Medical Center as a phlebotomist. She also ventured out and has been working and traveling in the medical field for the past 23 years. When the job at St. Rita’s became permanent seven years ago, her fiancé and the other family members moved to Lima, as well. Mario was working in construction, but is currently on disability following an explosion at work. Their five children are all students. Evanjelina’s children attend the Lima City Schools, where they are involved in various trade programs, marching band, and choir. Mario’s children attend both LCC and Apollo where they are excelling in various programs, as well. In addition, both Evanjelina and Cecilia are Spanish language interpreters.

In addition to work, the Herrera-Antonio family has a passion for cooking! Several years ago they opened their first restaurant and catering business called El Gallito. However, because they had a difficult time staffing their restaurant, they had to close after three years, yet they continued the catering portion of the business. While the restaurant was open there were two desserts that were customer favorites. The recipes for these desserts are located on page 23 in the “DISH-cussions” article.

Together, the Herrera-Antonio family enjoys traveling and site-seeing in different little towns, as well as vacationing in Texas. They like to help others and be involved in the community. “We are an easy-going family and we like to help in any way we can,” said Evanjelina. “Cooking together as a family and spending time together with our grandparents in our new beautiful home is, however, what we enjoy doing most of all.”

Currently, Evanjelina and Mario are in the process of developing a “to-go” Mexican-American cuisine restaurant called, Las Jefas. While at home the family enjoys cooking out, but their favorite dishes are Grandma’s tamales, enchiladas, and rice. When going out for dinner, Cancun Mexican Restaurant on Elida Road is their top pick!