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MISSY THERIOT melissa.theriot@coloradocountycitizen.com
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ON THE COVER
Wildflowers captured on FM 109 North of Columbus
FOR A GOOD CAUSE
4 Habitat for Humanity’s community connections day fundraiser set
MEET COLORADO COUNTY’S VOLUNTEER CAREGIVER
5 Spreading hope, faith, and love: Colorado County’s volunteer caregiver
FAMILY FUN
9 Splashway: More than just a waterpark destination
ELDERLY ATHLETE TAKES CHALLENGE
12 County man carries himself to new shores on his own two feet
DANCER MAKES HISTORY
13 Check back in with Columbus’ first female professional athlete!
Spring is a great time for food, games, music and fellowship. What better way to enjoy the festivities of spring than by giving back to the community?
Colorado County Habitat for Humanity will host its Community Connections Day on Saturday, April 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Local nonprofits and youth groups will gather for a day of fun and fundraising at the Colorado County Habitat for Humanity backyard at 602 Walnut St. in Columbus. The Columbus Lions will be out in force to sell their famous Lions burgers while the Catholic Daughters of Americas Court #1588 (St. Anthony Church) will sell their famous desserts for free will donations. Victor Rodriguez will sing and DJ for the event.
The idea for Community Connections Day started two years ago when Colorado County Habitat for Humanity celebrated its 25th Anniversary. It turned out to be a day of fun and awareness building while supporters and families were able to build and take-home souvenir Habitat birdhouses.
“We realized we had the opportunity to get more of the community involved and invite everyone out for a day of music, games, crafts and food,” said Habitat Board Member Doris Klaus. “The best part is that local nonprofits and youth groups get to keep the money they make that day!”
One of the first groups who
signed up was Columbus Boy Scouts Troop 312. They will be selling fresh hot popcorn, bottled water, and providing a carnival game. Nicole Findeisen, committee chairperson for Troop 312, and frequent Habitat volunteer said, “The Boy Scouts and Habitat for Humanity are natural partners because they both love doing things outdoors and helping the community.”
Habitat Board President Steve McCullough said, “We want to share our passion for helping low-income families build homes. These homes change countless lives. Soon, we would like to start a Habitat Home Repairs program because there is a great need in our community.”
Started in 1996, Colorado Habitat has been steadily building simple and sturdy homes for local families. In 2008, a very generous donation allowed Colorado Habitat to build slowly, but surely two houses a year.
Today, they are working on their 29th house in Alleyton. Habitat sells these homes to families at much lower prices because they charge zero interest and most of the labor is done by volunteers. Homeowners are required to attend financial classes and dedicate 200 hours of “sweat equity” by working on their homes. Last year, Habitat Homeowners paid almost $40,000 in local property taxes.
Those interested in supporting Colorado Habitat and local nonprofits and youth groups, can reach out to Colorado County Habitat for Humanity at 979-732-5677 or cchfh96@ gmail.com.
Charmaine Katz, Executive Director of Colorado County Habitat for Humanity
BY SHAYLA KUYKENDALL
When Bobbie Jo Contreras started caring for the elderly throughout Colorado County, she did not know the impact would resonate with so many of the residents. Contreras started off volunteering at Kevin Courts, the retirement home in Eagle Lake, about five years ago. She then expanded her visits to the residents at the nursing homes in Eagle Lake and Columbus, even adopting many of them as grandparents. She has since become a volunteer house sitter, however, her desire to look after the elderly did not recently start.
Her mother worked in the medical field as a nurse.
“Sometimes, I think that’s why I went to the medical field as a CNA nurse,” she said. “That’s how I learned to deal with the elderly until I got fired from a job because I wasted too much time with the patients.”
She said she would buy personal hygiene products and other things she felt patients needed, but was told that she was not allowed to buy things for patients...it was the family’s responsibility to do so. She said she worked in several other jobs afterwards including Meals on Wheels, home health care, and at all the fastfood restaurants in Eagle Lake.
“Back then, if I would have known where it was leading me to, I would have probably done something then. But you know what, God has His plan and timing.”
As Contreras thinks about her childhood and work life, she believes that God revealed to her what she should be doing with her life.
“I always asked God, ‘What do I be when I grow up?’ , He said, ‘you’ve been all this your whole life. It’s time for you to find it,” she said. She started getting volunteers together to
help her make gift bags and other “pick me up” items to distribute to the elderly throughout the county. She said she makes a post on her Facebook page about what she will be delivering in the community. People will then inbox her names of people that need some cheer in their life. She then adds their names to her distribution list. Contreras said she looks at it as a form of ministry. Her mission is to spread hope, faith and love to others, especially the elderly.
“When you get up loving what you do, then that’s where you’re supposed to be,” she said. “Because if you get up dreading ‘Oh, I got to go to work’ or ‘oh, I got to do this,’ then you’re not in the right position.”
Contreras said that local businesses have also contributed towards her efforts by donating items to her instead of throwing them away. Before moving into her new home, Contreras shared that her living room used to be filled to capacity with baskets, toiletries, nonperishables, festive, seasonal items and other gift ideas that could help make someone’s day a little brighter. The assistance she has provided to members in the county has been appreciated by many, including by Eagle Lake resident Dorothy Flores, who suffered a broken femur earlier in 2022.
“Bobbie Jo is a whole package of love, peace, faith and joy,” she said. “When I was in the nursing home for like three months, I couldn’t put any weight on my leg, she went and bought me some gowns. She’d come and bathe me, change my dirty diapers and all that. She was such a joy to have around. I love it when she would come, sit down and talk.”
Flores said that Contreras has also brought her goodie baskets and meals.
“It gives her so much joy to do this stuff for people,” Flores said. “People don’t understand; when she does this, a lot of the money comes out of her own pocket. She goes above and
beyond what she should.”
Contreras has become known as the “snack lady” to residents at the nursing homes throughout the county. Martha Avalos has been a resident at the nursing home in Eagle Lake for four years. She said she made the decision to move into the nursing home because she was afraid of falling at her home and being there alone. She also does not have family near the Eagle Lake area.
“All of this is Bobbie Jo,” she said pointing to the decorations in her room: balloons, teddy bears, and the colorful crocheted blankets at the foot of her bed.
“I think it’s wonderful what she is doing,” she said.
Avalos has known Contreras for quite some time.
“Bobbie Jo’s aunt, Martha, was my friend,” she said.
Martha has since passed away.
Charles Axel, was another resident in Eagle Lake that Contreras adopted and visited until he passed away in July 2021. In a social media post, Contreras described Axel as “the highlight of [her] Sundays.”
In addition to adopting grandparents and providing snacks to residents, Contreras likes to assist nursing homes throughout the county with events they put on for their residents. Recently, she went to nursing homes in Colorado County and Sealy delivering chocolates and floral arrangements that she and her volunteers handcrafted for Valentine’s Day. Flower Carter and Patsy Mrkwa, who Contreras is a caregiver for, assisted with putting the arrangements together.
“It’s been great, fantastic!,” Mrkwa said about the experience working with Bobbie Jo on the project. “She comes to my house before she goes to her other job and makes sure I have food and everything...It gives me company since my husband passed away.”
Contreras said the three of them would work at Mrkwa’s house at different times throughout the day until the project was finished.
“Everything was either given, donated from the museum in Eagle Lake, bought at garage sales, resells shops, or Goodwill,” Contreras said.
Executive Director at Columbus Oaks Assisted Living facility Tara Cernoch, LVN said she has been at the residence home for six years and has witnessed Contreras come out when they put on events for the residents. Cernoch said Contreras doesn’t just stop at Valentine’s Day.
“She donates items to the residents, helps out, her and her group are great,” Cernoch said.
LaBrittany Miller became the activity director at the assisted living facility in February 2022 and said that Contreras is very active when volunteering her service to help the assist living facility when they put on events for the residents.
“Right when I came on board, she was here helping, always donating around Christmas, Easter, and throughout the year,” Miller said.
“She has happy hour on Fridays and brings wine for the residents. She hosted a spa day for the residents last Mother’s Day. She came and did facials, polished nails, makeup and hair.”
Miller said when Contreras comes to the assisted living facility, residents always say they had a good time and that Contreras is always so kind and helpful.
“There are a few residents that she worked for when they were at home, and so now since they are here, they look forward to seeing her,” Miller said. “She brings them hamburgers, wine, and sometimes she takes the ones she knows out to get ice cream.”
One of the residents that Contreras used to take care of is Jane Booker who is from Eagle Lake. At the Valentine’s Day party, hosted by the assisted living facility, Booker was elected queen and Joe Ramirez elected king. Booker said she cried because she could not believe her fellow residents voted for her.
Booker came to the nursing home in March 2022 after her brother died. Before entering the nursing home, Booker said she worked for Meals on Wheels throughout the county for 22 years.
Contreras said they exceeded their goal of distributing to 500 people. Anything extra went to kids and elderly members through the county. She hopes she can double her outreach next year.
“That’s all that matters to me is to see that smile on their faces,” she said. “That’s it.... just for candy or a flower, that they’re being thought of. But without the support, love from my friends and friends...I just couldn’t do it without them.”
She said Christmas and Valentine’s Day are her biggest holidays because they involve love and everybody likes Christmas.
“Nobody gets presents anymore only kids, so I want to make sure that I give whatever I can give on Valentines just to show the love,” she said. “I always say, ‘God loves you and so do I.’ So, I want to make sure that they are loved and I give out as many as I can. Hopefully next year it will be to 1,000.”
Contreras reflects over some of the challenges she has endured in her lifetime. From going blind in 2012 and still dealing with the fear of losing her sight again, to being a survivor of domestic violence. Reflecting on her journey of visiting nursing homes, she hopes she has been able to be a light.
“When you enter into the hallways, you see the elderly sitting with their heads down,” she said. “But when you walk into their room, they lift their heads and they automatically light up. I want to be that person who lights up the hallways when I visit the nursing home.”
She is now preparing for more holidays like Easter and Mother’s Day hoping that each resident she serves never feels forgotten.
When people think of Splashway, they may just envision the waterpark, but what many may not know is they are also a campground destination that attracts families from across the state of Texas and beyond.
In fact, Splashway Owner and General Manager Carl Blahuta said that while the family destination, located in Sheridan, started as more of a tri-county attraction, it now spans its reach to the South-Central area of the United States.
“We’re getting people as far north as Oklahoma and as far east as Louisiana, and even out to the other side of San Antonio,” Blahuta said. “I would say our strongest demographic of course, is Houston and the Gulf Coast area, but you can’t rule out anything anymore. They’re coming from everywhere, especially for the campgrounds.”
The campground portion of the site has taken on a beach/ campground lodge theme. Some of the features of the campground include hiking and biking and passive activities on the site like playing on the large chess and checker board, playground, scavenger hunt, and more.
Some of the amenities guests can partake in include putt putt, laser tag, and catch and release fishing. Guests can stop by the Adventure Station to book a laser tag game, pick up fishing bait or pedal carts to rent. There are also fire pits, dog parks, showers and restrooms for those camping in a tent or RV, golf cart rentals and more. The camp store is also a go-to for guests to purchase souvenirs and to visit The Hideaway Express for coffee, treats, and breakfast eats.
Guests can also enjoy a meal and patio entertainment at The Hideaway. They hope to have a large event center by next fall and more surprising ways to entertain guests.
The campground also has movie night every night during the summer and on Fridays and Saturdays around the winter/spring months. Blahuta said there are many activities that everyone can get involved in.
“Every weekend, there’s different competitions like site decorating, a golf cart parade, a bike parade, cookie or baking contest” he said. “There’s usually more than you can actually do in the weekend.”
While there is entertainment for guests provided by the campground, Blahuta said he enjoys the atmosphere amongst guests.
“You drive around and start mingling with these people that are so friendly...that’s what I love about campers,” he said.
In addition to RV and tent sites, guests can choose from cabins, cottages or bungalows which range in size to accommodate each family. They even have bunkhouses for those planning a retreat.
People may be surprised to know that Splashway is a faithbased company. When guests walk into their cabin or lodge, Blahuta said they will be greeted by a TV
channel that is playing Christian music.
Cabins sleeps 10 and usually have four queen size mattresses upstairs, which as Blahuta puts it, is ample size for kids to have fun. The couch can also fold out and if guests are in a cabin with couches that don’t fold out, Splashway provides an air mattress that guests can blow up and put on the floor. There are fully furnished kitchens to allow guests to cook. And while bugs are not really an issue, Blahuta said guests enjoy the screened in porches as well.
A popular option that families have been taking advantage of is booking their next vacation spot before leaving. Blahuta said 80 percent of people rebook before they leave.
“If you want to plan your future vacation, you can do it all at the adventure station,” he said. “Everybody gets a 365 day right to their site. And what that means is if you book it before you leave, you can have that same spot next year for the same weekend.”
One of the reasons why the campground implements this feature is to help families.
“They’re planning family traditions and we don’t want to break those traditions,” Blahuta said. “We want them to be able to continue to do what they do, where they do it.”
And while the campgrounds site is open year-round, Blahuta said most of their weekends if not, all of their weekends are completely sold out from April to October. When Blahuta reflects on the growth that the waterpark has seen since incorporating the campgrounds, he contributes it to their vision.
“Our vision is to be the best vacation in Texas,” he said. “That’s what we want to be. We want to compete with all other premium destinations throughout the state.”
He said as their vision has grown so has Splashway’s mission on how they want to deliver services.
“We put a lot into our trainings and staff developments,” Blahuta said, “I like to compare it to Chickfil-A. We try to deliver at that level of service.”
Blahuta said that around the 2008, 2011 time period, the need for RVs became abundant due to the Eagle Ford Shale. As they started to develop more RV sites, Blahuta said they began to see potential.
“We realized how big the RV world was in the camping world and that’s when the campgrounds took off,” Blahuta said.
This summer, the waterpark is looking to expand on vacation rentals. There are three versions of vacations rentals that are near the waterpark including Ray’s Ranch House.
“It is the prime example of a vacation rental that will be another offering of lodging types to the Splashway lodging,” Blahuta said. “We’re remodeling another home to be called Ray’s Beach House and then we have the 1907 Sheridan Hotel.”
Blahuta credits the Dupre family for helping the historical landmark come alive again.
“They’re the family that’s been in the community since the 40s
and 50s, and then in the 70s one of the sons, Wayne Dupre and his wife Natalie, bought the hotel and restored it completely,” Blahuta said.
Blahuta wants the community to know they have much in store for their customers. And if you ask Blahuta what’s next for the family destination? His answer is that they are just getting started.
“We have such a larger vision for where we’re headed,” he said. “If you’ve enjoyed the park over the last 20 years, just stick around because it’s going to get even better.”
They also have family-friendly special events planned during spring including a Spring Wine Walk and Artisan Market on April 15. For more information about special events happening at the campgrounds, visit splashway. com/things-to-do/special-events/
The waterpark opens the last weekend in April all the way until the second weekend of October. To learn more about the waterpark and campgrounds, visit splashway. com
The importance of staying active is paramount for a person hoping to stay healthy and mobile from their youth into their elderly years. Despite the vital nature of getting exercise and staying in shape, many neglect their physical needs due to the growing demands of their lives. One man, David Dusek from The Falls near New Ulm, has proven just how far an active lifestyle can take a person. After running, biking and walking nearly all of his life and even undergoing a relatively recent heart surgery, Dusek has earned himself unique opportunities and chances to do incredible things. The proof of the impact of a healthy life is clearly evident in the 76-year-old, and he will claim more of the benefits from his lifetime of activity in the coming months. The farm boy native to Vanderbilt turned Colorado County landscaper will plant his two feet on new soil when he travels to Europe to participate in the Camino De Santiago, a walk that traverses multiple countries from France to Portugal.
To understand Dusek’s commitment to his health and body, one must understand his upbringing. Just south of Victoria is Vanderbilt, Dusek’s hometown and where he gained the work ethic that has persisted his entire life. Dusek lived his whole childhood on the family farm, and as one of the oldest boys of six children in a household with no father, he and his siblings assisted their mother in keeping the family farm running. While never one to want to accept much praise for himself, he always keeps with him the memory of working with his whole family to purchase a new family car with their combined funds his senior year.
“They call me the energizer bunny all the time,” Dusek said of his inextinguishable drive that has persisted from his youth, “Most people cannot believe my work ethic as of now.”
Due to the extra responsibility of someone in their youth hoping to keep their family fed, Dusek never got the opportunity to participate in any varsity sports as a student at Industrial High School. However, this did not stop him from becoming an avid runner, often getting his exercise in the areas around his house and farm. He developed a spirit that embraced hard work and, with some support and encouragement from his mother, he went on to attend and graduate from Texas A&M in College Station with multiple degrees in agricultural studies.
Fast forward to the present day, Dusek still provides for his family with outdoor labor as a highly detailed landscaper and one-man business owner. He and his wife of 54 years, Sandra, went on to build a life for themselves, became parents of two children, and eventually became grandparents as well through their daughter Kara.
From college to working to raising and caring for a family, Dusek could have reasonably forgotten about his own personal obligation to maintaining his health. With every excuse available to him, he still committed himself to some form of cardio exercise to keep his body and mind
sharp despite the many obstacles that may have presented themselves. In his almost 13 years since moving to Colorado County, Dusek has clocked in around two to three miles of walking every weekday while still taking time to participate in different athletic events.
One major obstacle was the quadruple bypass surgery for his heart in 2021. For a full year, Dusek spent his time recovering and included his daily walks as part of his rehabilitation.
It was Dusek’s ability to stay committed that has allowed him to push himself to greater and more difficult athletic achievements. After first being inspired to do the Live Strong 65-mile bike ride by his son Travis in 2012 and participating together for the good part of a decade, he was ready to reach an even more difficult milestone. Just one year after completing the vital heart surgery, Dusek alerted his doctor during a checkup that he was hoping to participate in the MS 150 biking event from Houston to College Station for the fourth time since 2018. When learning of Dusek’s desire, the doctor had just one suggestion.
“Heck yea, when you get done let’s have a party,” Dusek said of his cardiologist’s comments.
Not only was it his first event since the surgery, but he would get the added benefit of seeing his alma mater’s state-of-the-art stadium, Kyle Field, for the first time.
Since then, he has pushed the limits even further, preparing himself for the aforementioned Camino De Santiago. The walk will start him in France, and from there, will take him through the heart of Spain until he reaches his final destination in Portugal. To prepare for the European tour, Dusek drives into town with his wife Sandra to her work at the First United Methodist Church in
Columbus. From there, he walks the 13-14 mile walk back to his residence in The Falls. He has not lost focus on his other desires as well as he plans to participate in the MS 150 once again in the last week of April. Once the bike race is done, Dusek will have one day of rest before hopping on a flight for Europe to take on the event.
“I would think that all ages should get into a walk regimen, it doesn’t have to be very long,” Dusek advised to others, “It helps you collect your thoughts, it’s not just the physical aspect of it. It puts everything in perspective in a holistic way.”
Dusek’s work ethic and commitment to doing things the right way has given him a different perspective on life and his health. Now, just a few weeks removed from his 76th birthday, he will have the opportunity of a lifetime to plant his feet on the other side of the world from where he first planted his roots in Texas.
In last year’s Fall edition of the Colorado County Living Magazine, the Citizen highlighted the story of Lissa Beth (referred to as Lissa Hoelscher in the last edition) and her climb to success as the first professional female athlete from Columbus. From the elite dance teams in Columbus to the official dance team for the Houston Rockets NBA team, Beth has seen the highest levels of dance throughout her career. With her rookie season as a professional coming to a close, the Citizen reached out to Beth for some comments on her history-making year and her experience as a professional. Here are her comments in her own words.
CITIZEN: WHAT WAS YOUR SCHEDULE LIKE AND HOW LONG DID IT TAKE IT TO GET USED TO THE SCHEDULE?
Lissa Beth: My schedule this season has been nonstop. I’ve had to balance rehearsal schedules, games, work, full time online classes, workouts, and a social life all while making sure I have time to recover and rest properly. I would be lying if I were to say that I don’t love all of the busyness that I encounter in my day-to-day life. Funny enough I feel that it has taken me months to actually learn what genuine time management skills are! What has helped me best whenever completing multiple tasks is to do it with inten-
tion and thoughtfulness. To-do lists have also been a lifesaver.
WHAT
LIKE? WHAT ABOUT YOUR COACH AND CAPTAINS?
It’s a true sisterhood and I am so proud to be able to say that I am able to speak on behalf of any one of my teammates and tell you why it is that I look up to them. Each of us has something to bring forward. My teammates have even gotten me through some tough times this season and have given me life advice that will carry me forward for the rest of my life.
My coaches and captains are the most amazing leadership unit I’ve ever worked with. Again, the cohesiveness of this team always amazes me. They set high expectations for us to be able to go above and beyond, and I feel this is why I have grown so much as a person and performer this season.
I absolutely love and adore any moment that I am able to interact with fans and listen to their stories. At a few appearances, I’ve been able to meet young girls that one day want to accomplish their dreams. I’ve had students show me their best cheers and dance moves and have
told me that someday they want to do what I do. These are the moments that I realize all of this is bigger than me. All of the outpour of energy I put into what I do is contagious and has the power to make others feel that they can accomplish what has been set on their heart. I’ve listened to other young fans tell me that someday they want to grow up to become photographers, teachers, doctors, community outreach sponsors. I’ve met fans that have held season tickets for 20+ years and have been dedicated fans. Being a part of this organization is all beyond me.
Another favorite moment of the season was at our last home game of November. Each month, a clutch city dancer earns the title of CCD of the month. I was honorably selected to be December’s Clutch City Dancer of the month. At that moment, I felt like I had made the team all over again. The over pouring support from my teammates was incredible and I felt like all of the work I had been putting in during the season was humbly being recognized. Each month, a new CCD of the month is announced. I love being able to cheer on my teammates because I know exactly how it feels to have that moment of recognition.
I actually have a couple of favorites that I can’t decide which one is my absolute favorite. My first favorite moment was performing during opening night. During our routine, I just remember it felt like all the time in the world had slowed down and that I was in slow motion. I distinctly remember feeling as if time slowed down and thinking to myself “wow I am actually dancing on the court of the Toyota Center for the Houston Rockets as a Clutch City Dancer.” You would think that by now I would be used to this feeling, but during each routine I will have a moment like this just about every time. Another highlight of my season was when we did a collaboration game with Netflix’s Outer Banks, and I am a huge fan of the show!
Personally, for me, getting rid of self-doubting thoughts has been my biggest struggle. This year has been such a transitional period in my life, including going from dancing at the collegiate level to the professional level. It’s very easy to look around the room and compare yourself to the next person, but that’s not beneficial to anyone. I have
fiercely strived to shift self-doubting thoughts as a weakness into strengthening my confidence. If I ever find myself at a low, I understand that it is in my power to use that low to gain momentum and turn it into a high point.
I have learned a lifetime of lessons this season. A major lesson I’ve learned is that confidence is not walking into a room and telling yourself ‘I am better than everyone here.’ True confidence is feeling secure and comfortable in who you are as a person and knowing that you have a lot to offer. You don’t have to be anything but yourself and that is more than enough.
With that said, I also had to learn that confidence is a continual practice. Even on days when you don’t feel the most confident, you have to remind yourself of who you are.
This season, I have been chasing self-growth fiercely. Day in and day out I have put my best foot forward to grow in my artistry as a dancer: in the way that I present and carry myself, how I deal with business, and how I view the world. It’s difficult to recognize your personal improvements while in the process of improving but looking back on this season I feel like a new person. I feel that I have grown in all of those areas, but there is always room to grow.
For the remainder of March and early April, I am looking forward to enjoying games and soaking in every moment of the season that I have left.
Now that I’ve put in the work, I am ready to relish in growth and just to be ever-present and joyous.
This entire season I have been hustling, to put it blatantly. Although rest is important, I will rest when the season has concluded. I have tirelessly searched for opportunities where I can develop myself and make myself even more well-rounded. I have had so many opportunities come my way during the season but now especially, I am seeing the results of my hustle. I don’t want the season to end ever but once it does, I have a plethora of job opportunities headed my way.
I am looking forward to getting my Islander ring from TAMUCC and graduating this May! I just ultimately feel that so much goodness is headed my way right now.
Wow, just imagining my first practice feels like a decade ago. Since then, I have gained so much wisdom. I would tell myself to just breathe. Everything is going to work out to be better than you could have ever imagined. I would tell myself to trust the process and to trust yourself more. I would also tell myself to be more present. Soak in every second because before you know it, it will come to an end.
Every time I walk into the Toyota Center or drive by the Houston city skyline, I can’t help but think “you’ve made it.” Not once have I ever taken a single opportunity for granted, and I am proud to say that I have remained humbly grateful throughout this whole season.
