Seguin Today: April 2024

THE MOSHEIM

Step inside Seguin’s mansion on the corner

ICYMI

SHS Senior Karsyn Ross set to compete for Team USA in Italy & Peru

Spring in the

EXPLORE THE BENEFITS OF PLANTS WITH TIPS FROM MASTER GARDENER CLARA MAE MARCOTTE

Spring has arrived, bringing with it a symphony of rain showers, a carpet of vibrant wildflowers, and the awe-inspiring spectacle of a total solar eclipse. As the world awakens from its winter slumber, we are greeted with the promise of renewal that only the spring season can deliver. Nature adorns herself in her most resplendent attire, undergoing a breathtaking transformation that serves as a poignant reminder of the eternal cycle of growth, rebirth, and rejuvenation.

In this edition, we embrace spring and all it has to offer. First, you’ll step inside one of Seguin’s most iconic buildings and explore the restoration that’s been going on inside the Mosheim Mansion. Locals may remember when the historic home was struck by lightning a few years ago and wonder what happened to the property –– Cindy Aguirre-Herrera explains all in her feature.

Then in this month’s cover story, you’ll read a Q&A with master gardener, Clara Mae Marcotte. Spring is such a great time to try out gardening, so I reached out to her with some questions about where to get started. She shares insight into her own home garden, and offers tips and tricks to help you get started growing –– even if you think you have a black thumb like me.

With these stories of rejuvenation and growth, we hope you’ll feel the positive energy spring can bring with it and embrace the opportunities put before us. May this season be a reminder that with every ending comes a new beginning, and with every challenge comes the opportunity for something new.

Lizz Daniels Creative Director

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SeguinToday

COVERSHOT

Indian Blankets are a Texas wildflower staple and adorn the countryside of Guadalupe County. Pictured, a resilient bloom popped up in a planter at the St. Andrews community garden.

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INSIDE THE MOSHEIM MANSION

Explore the elegance inside one of Seguin’s most recognizable buildings

FANTASTIC BLOOMS & HOW TO GROW THEM

Get in the garden for spring with Master Gardener Clara Mae Marcotte

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EVENTS CALENDAR

Community events & special promotions happening in the area this month.

DIY: RECIPE TO TRY

Grilled Chicken Ciabatta

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ICYMI: A SKEET SHOOTING MATADOR

SHS Senior Karsyn Ross set to compete for Team USA

Photo by Lizz Daniels

GENERAL MANAGER

Darren Dunn

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Lizz Daniels

WRITERS

Cindy Aguirre-Herrera

Chris Austin

Lizz Daniels ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS

Laurie Ann Heideke

Linda Duncan

Jarred Kindles

Nick Spence

OFFICE MANAGER

Priscilda Rodriguez

INSIDE THE

MOSHEIM MANSION

Experiencing the elegance of one of downtown Seguin’s most ICONIC buildings

Story by Cindy Aguirre-Herrera Photos by Lizz Daniels

As a child, Patricia Saucedo stood witness as her father was forced to rebuild their family home time and time again.

Whether it was after one of the many record-breaking floods or the fire that ripped through that same Glen Cove home on Christmas Eve, Saucedo says nothing could put the brakes on rebuilding their home.

Now, years later, Saucedo has been left to pick up the hammer for her father, but this time to restore some of Seguin’s most precious structures.

In January, Saucedo officially reopened the historic Mosheim Mansion, which sits just south of the Texas Theater on North Austin Street.

After a fire left much of the home in ruins in April of 2021, Saucedo purchased the property and began the journey of one of her largest restoration projects to date.

In fact, Patricia’s desire to restore the Mosheim was driven by more than just her love for historical restoration. She says she wanted to offer the Mosheim to the Seguin community in honor of her late parents, Dr. Juan Garcia Perez and mother, Margarita.

“I think the reason that I’m not afraid of structures when they are devastated is because I watched my dad rebuild that house after the floods and after the fire,” Patricia said. “He was a physician in Seguin, but a second thing that he loved to do was construction so I learned from him. I think that as far as the Mosheim in Seguin, I was drawn to that because I felt, first of all, I had started a project that is at 902 N. Austin Street also had a fire, and that house, which is called the Erskine Hollamon Home which has a historical marker on it, and when I started the project there, the Mosheim caught on fire. It was being run then as the Olivia Mansion, and I think that for me, one of the reasons that I was drawn to do that project is because I felt like the Mosheim family had built that home and the name had taken, I guess, a turn to the Olivia Mansion to be able to have a fresh kind of new marketing for a bed and breakfast, and I felt like, historically, it should go back to the original name and be seen as a historical home that it is in Seguin and open up back for the community there.”

Originally built in 1898, the Mosheim is noted as the first home in Seguin to have running water and electricity. A few years prior to the fire, the home changed its name and operated as the Olivia Mansion. Today, the newly renovated home serves as an event center featuring parlors, a ballroom and several bedrooms – bedrooms that Saucedo says are each eloquently named after her four sisters, Adriana Garcia Trevino, Martha Alicia Garcia Ramos, Nena Garcia Gomez and Mary Lou Garcia Castillo.

Detailed with carefully handcrafted staircases, elegant chandeliers, and wrap-around verandas, the Mosheim’s giant presence from the street does not compare to the elegant affair beyond those brick walls.

“I think that I was drawn to it because it was on Main Street and felt like the excitement of downtown Seguin would eventually go up that way on North Austin Street,” Patricia said. “And I just felt like it was a great opportunity to be able to do something in tribute to my parents.”

Although there have been challenges along the way, Patricia’s desire to breathe life into the Mosheim has always been the focus.

Attention to detail has been of the utmost importance for Patricia, who continues to be selective in designing the home. At the helm of those decisions were her parents, who “inspired” the property through their own legacy in Seguin. Saucedo says that after immigrating to this country and raising a family, her parents worked to open the first bilingual health clinic in Seguin.

For Patricia, this venture has not only been an opportunity to restore the Mosheim and to retell its story but also to maintain a connection to her own roots.

“It’s been a success in that I’ve put an incredible team together that has been able to do it right and really take back that building to what I feel is important because she is just a majestic beauty,” she said. “So I’m proud of that but also excited to share it with the community because I feel like every time they walk in, there is no way you can’t think of my parents because I have something of them in almost every room and so I’ve been able to share more stories about my parents and that keeps their memory alive for me and that’s what my goal was here.”

Today, Patricia has left the property in the hands of her daughter, Erica Saucedo who works to bring life back into the Mosheim. As operations manager, Erica taps into the various potential opportunities for the home to include things such as meetings, trainings, weddings and family reunions.

“She’s an incredible artist and she is a project manager,” Patricia said. “She has a way of looking at life and at art and at community that I think is amazing. She’s already worked on some things with Yvonne De La Rosa with the ballet folklorico there and what I feel I bring that is the most incredible thing back in this community is the next generation and she is one of my three daughters and is incredibly just talented and driven. She loves the project.”

Any respect in working to grow the mansion’s potential is heartfelt as Erica credits her mother for serving as the example.

“I absolutely love my job! I have over 10 years of experience in project management,” Erica said. “So bringing my expertise to a shared vision dreamt up by my remarkable mother is a dream come true.”

When you have such a gorgeous mansion, Erica says folks can’t help but imagine their own special occasions there too.

“I’d have to say I am most excited to bring guests into the expansive ballroom with its colossal ceilings and sprawling imported terrazzo floors,” Erica added. “I love how clients walk into the space and instantly start making connections and dreams of how they would use our venue on their special day. We have had weddings, professional dance concerts, rehearsal dinners, corporate events, local community meetings, and more, and with each event, my favorite part is watching the space shift and adapt to bring a special something to each client’s vision.

Erica says she hopes the community embraces the Mosheim Mansion as a gift. She says while it could have sat as a vacant eyesore in the middle of town, its limitless list of possibilities thankfully caught her mother’s attention.

“My personal goal for the business is that we create a thriving and welcoming event space in Seguin where people can come together to make lasting and unforgettable memories,” she said. “I am driven by the legacy my grandparents started in Seguin; they were true members of their community, actively invested in the people, places, and culture of the town, and always leading with compassion and care. I see that reflected in our dream of running a historic venue where people feel both at home and like royalty!”

While the property is open for business, the hope is for it to eventually become a bed and breakfast, bringing in even more people to experience the stories that have been resurrected within its walls.

After a labor of love, she says the history of the Mosheim is ready to embrace its future.

“It’s just a story that fascinates me and so that’s why it was important for me to just keep it open for Seguin,” Saucedo said. “I think tearing the building down would be terrible. I couldn’t see that happen and so I’m excited for where we are at.”

Getting into the Garden this Spring with Seguin Master Gardener Clara

Mae Marcotte

Tell us a little bit about your personal/home garden. We get to hear a lot of advice from you in the Master Gardeners Column, but I’m curious what does your garden look like? What victories and struggles do you deal with?

I have let my yard go wild; first, because I like wildscapes, and second, because I am growing old. My house is on a half-acre lot with quite a few trees that I planted in 2004. The lawn is mostly St. Augustine (with bare patches under the large trees since even St. Augustine needs sun). The back quarter of the yard has an ephemeral creek (it runs when it rains and drains our subdivision), and the land on both sides has been given over to wildflowers and a few plants I put in which have run away from me: Turks Cap and Tall Goldenrod. I have a few large pots dedicated to vegetables. Right now, I still have kale, a Siam tomato plant, and onions. My fruit trees consist of a Warren pear, a Kieffer pear, a Celeste sugar fig, and a loquat. Of course, the fruit trees have good years and bad years. Last year, I had a million Kieffer pears, while this year, there are no blooms at all, but the Warren is covered in bloom. I have been struggling to control the bedstraw (sticky weed) this year. Luckily, it pulls up easily.

An early problem I had when I first moved into this house is that the back yard was covered in grass burs. It took 10 years of digging but my yard is finally grass bur free.

Photos by Lizz Daniels

Featured photos from the St. Andrews Community Garden.

We all know plants die, but some people may feel like they have a black thumb. What advice do you have for new gardeners who feel like they’ll never be able to keep anything alive?

New gardeners should start with something easy to grow. Don’t try to plant things that do not grow in Seguin. Your local nursery is a good place to start rather than a big box store. Personally, I find myself resorting to easy-growing plants when I fill the planters in front of the library. In the winter I have snapdragons and in the summer I plant periwinkle (Vinca). This year the snapdragons did not do well for some reason even though they grew perfectly for the last five years. So I put in pansies to fill in.

What benefits does working with plants have that people may not realize?

When you work with plants, you are outside in the sun and the wind interacting with nature. Basically, it is a meditative experience. Growing your own plants is healthy and educational for any age. Young people learn where vegetables and fruit really come from and have a better appreciation for farmers and the amount of time and energy required to grow food. Older people gain a sense of worth. And we much older people can look back and say, “We planted that and look at it now!”

BENEFITS THAT GO ABOVE

& BEYOND

Millions of people embrace opportunities to get back in their gardens each spring, and they might be reaping more rewards from that activity than they realize. According to the American Institute of Stress, gardening sparks a level of creativity among enthusiasts, and that can help to alleviate stress by lowering levels of the hormone cortisol. In addition, authors of a 2022 study published in the journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening concluded that gardening during the COVID-19 pandemic helped people cope with coronavirus-related stress through outdoor activity.

LEVEL UP YOUR BACKYARD

Whether it’s trying out some new plant life, incorporating water features, or even bringing in fish, backyards can become an at-home oasis for those with the know-how. Here in Seguin there are many local businesses ready to help community members make their dream yards happen. Over at Water Garden Gems, they even have koi fish, which can grow up to 3 feet long, depending on the breed. While koi require ongoing maintenance, they are loved for the peace and serenity they bring to garden spaces.

Plants and gardening can be such an overwhelming hobby to get into. How can a newbie go about getting into gardening with no background knowledge, and what advice do you have for them?

I have been a Master Gardener since the year 2000. I recommend that for practical knowledge about plants that work in Seguin and in Central Texas, the Master Gardeners and AgriLife should be your first step (210 E. Live Oak). If you want to grow native plants, contact the Guadalupe County Native Plant Society (www.npsot.org/chapters/ guadalupe). The second thing you should do is walk around town and around your neighborhood and see what is growing, its health, and how tall it is. Go to your local nurseries and check out their plants and see which plants are blooming (note the time of year). Check around your house and map out where the trees are located, where the morning sun hits, where the afternoon sun hits, and where the water faucets are. This is useful when you are purchasing new plants because you don’t want your trees too close to the roof of your house or to each other. • 15

APRIL

Upcoming events and special promotions happening locally!

Featured Events

Featured Events

Non-Profit Expo

The Guadalupe County Fair will host a Non-Profit Expo from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24 at the Seguin Event Complex, located at 950 S. Austin St. There will be booths, fun things for kids, door prizes, and a big equipment rodeo. The expo is free and booth space for non-profits are free. For profit booths are also available for a fee. Live commercial minutes are also available. For more information and to secure a booth, call 830379-6477, email gcfairoffice@gmail.com, or visit www.gcfair.org.

April 20

Annual Spring Stream Cleanup

The Geronimo and Alligator Creeks Watershed Partnership will have its 11th Annual Spring Stream Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 20. There will be two meeting locations, at the Irma Lewis Seguin Outdoor Learning Center, located at 1865 E. US Highway 90 and at Oak Creek Elementary, located at 3060 Goodwin Lane in New Braunfels. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ GeronimoAlligator. To register, visit www. geronimocreek.org.

April 27

Get Out The Vote Concert

The Guadalupe County Democratic Party will have a Get Out The Vote Concert featuring the Peterson Brothers Band at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 27 at The Stephen & Mary Birch Texas Theatre, located at 425 N. Austin St. in Seguin. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for balcony seating, $35 for floor seating, and $40 for orchestra seating. For tickets and more information, email Secretarygcdp@gmail.com.

To promote your event on this page contact advertising at 830-379-2234 or email

communitycalendar@kwed1580.com

April

April 20

Seguin River 5K Run/Walk

The Seguin Faith Lutheran Church will have its Seguin River 5k Run/ Walk at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, April 20 at the Seguin Dance Pavilion, located at 950 S. Austin Str. in Seguin. For event details visit www.athleteguild. com/event/seguin-tx/2024-seguin-5kriver-runwalk. For questions, contact Cody Goetz at SeguinRiverRun@gmail. com. Proceeds benefit the South Texas Pregnancy Care Center.

May 2

Seguin Rotary Club

Charity Golf Tournament

The Seguin Rotary Club will have its Charity Golf Tournament beginning with check-in at 7 a.m. on Thursday, May 2 at The Bandit Golf Course. The fee for a four-person team is $600. Register at www.seguinrotary.org.

April 21

TLU’s Dr. Eric Daub Piano Recital

The Texas Lutheran University will host the second of two recitals celebrating and honoring Dr. Eric Daub’s career as he retires at the end of the school year. Dr. Daub will be featured as a soloist together with friends and the TLU Orchestra in J.S. Bach’s Concerto for Four Pianos and William Grant Still’s Ennango at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 21. A reception will follow the concert.

May 21

Leadership Seguin Graduation Dinner

The Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce will have its Leadership Seguin Graduation Dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21 at the Geronimo Community Center, located at 280 Navarro Dr. Tickets are $25 per person. To RSVP, call 830379-6382 by Monday, May 13.

DIY: Recipe to Try Taste of Spring

Grilled Chicken Ciabatta with Romesco and Baby Greens

Serves 4

2 loaves ciabatta or 4 ciabattini (ciabatta rolls), sliced in half lengthwise

• Olive oil, for brushing

Fine kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to a 1⁄2inch thickness

• 1/2 recipe Romesco Sauce (see below)

• Small wedge (about 4 ounces) of Manchego or Parmesan cheese, for shaving

• 2 cups baby greens

Prepare a hot fire in your grill.

Brush the cut sides of the ciabatta with olive oil. Brush the chicken breasts with olive oil on both sides and season with salt and pepper.

Grill the chicken, turning once, for 5 minutes total. Grill the ciabatta, cut sides down, until it has good grill marks, 1 to 2 minutes.

Slather all the grilled sides of the ciabatta with the Romesco.

Place the chicken breasts on the bottom half of the bread, shave some Manchego cheese over the chicken, then top with baby greens and the top half of the bread. If you’re using a loaf of

ciabatta, you’ll have 2 chicken breasts on each loaf, so cut each loaf in half horizontally.

If you’re using ciabattini, you’ll use 1 breast for each roll. Serve immediately.

Romesco Sauce

Makes 2 cups

• 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds

2 jarred roasted red bell peppers, roughly chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 slice white bread (crust removed), toasted and crumbled

• 1 tablespoon roughly chopped fresh flat-leaf

parsley

• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar

• 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

In a food processor, grind the almonds. Add roasted peppers, garlic, bread, parsley, and hot pepper flakes. Blend until it becomes a paste. Add the vinegar and pulse to blend. With the motor running, gradually pour the olive oil through the feed tube in a steady stream until the mixture thickens like mayonnaise. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.

Matador Senior Heading to Italy & Peru for SKEET SHOOTING

Story by Chris Austin

Karsyn Ross, a senior at Seguin High School, is a Junior Olympic skeet shooting travel team member. Ross will be representing Team USA in Europe and South America later this year.

Ross recently qualified for the team for the third time after qualifying at events in Michigan in May of 2023 and in Arizona in March of this year. She will compete at the Junior World Cup in Italy in July and the Junior World Championships in Peru in September and October.

Last year, Ross finished 6th in the world at the World Cup and 10th in the world at the World Championship. In 2021, she finished 11th in the world at the Junior World Championships.

Ross says it’s emotional for her to represent

the United States and her hometown of Seguin.

“It’s just the most amazing thing ever,” Ross said. “Whenever we get to stand on the podium and hear the national anthem playing, it’s real emotional for me knowing that it’s not just for the USA but it’s also for my hometown.”

Ross is an exceptional student at Seguin High School. She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and competed on the volleyball team. Ross was named an Academic All-State Honorable Mention by the Texas High School Coaches Association in volleyball this past season.

Ross says balancing her studies with her shooting schedule and travel is a challenge.

“While I was on the road traveling, I was doing a lot of my school work on my computer

while we were flying and at airports. I always email my teachers to make sure that my work is getting submitted correctly,” Ross said. “It’s harder for me because most everybody in USA shooting is homeschooled, so they don’t have to worry about their curriculum or grades from their teachers. So for me, it feels a little more challenging.”

Ross plans to attend Tarleton State in Stephenville where she will compete on the shooting team there. She will study biology and pre-med with plans to be a pediatrician.

Karsyn Ross will compete for the Team USA Skeet Team at the Junior World Cup in Porpetto, Italy July 9th through the 16th and the Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru September 26th through October 7th. •