Seguin Today: July 2023

JULY 2023, Volume 3 l Issue 6

From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to thank the entire Seguin community for coming out on July 1 to celebrate Freedom Fiesta with us. Man, was it hot, but the party was still so cool.

We kicked things off with the Kiddie Parade hosted by the Guadalupe County Republican Women. The kids, rolled, scooted and walked all around downtown following Uncle Sam (Texas State Rep. John Kuempel). Then Susan Hickman kicked off the party. My personal favorite was when she sang Stevie Nicks.

As the sun went down Jesse Raub Jr. took the stage and got people out into the street dancing in the their flip-flops even though we reminded y’all to bring your boots!

Our non-profits and vendors kept everybody cool with ice cold-beer and snacks while the food trucks stayed busy all night long. Kids spent the evening playing in the bounce houses while we all just enjoyed the breeze and live music.

Thank you to all of this year’s sponsors for making this event happen. We couldn’t have done it without you: Just Ready Mix, Just-Store-It, Jiles Roofing & Solar Power, VTX1 Companies, Guadalupe Regional Medical Center, TriCounty AC, Guadalupe Healthcare Netwok, CMC Steel, GVEC, Sawyer & Garner, Tres Hewell Mortuary, Seguin Main Street, Tri-City Distributors, Bertling Equipment, and Texas Lutheran University.

It was a perfect Seguin night in downtown, and while this year’s event is now in the book, we can’t wait until next year.

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HELLO BABY

Chantilly Lace & Seguin’s connection to rock and roll history

STAYING T-STRONG

COVERSHOT

The Big Bopper died February 3, 1959, a day that later became known as “The Day the Music Died.” This photo of him was taken prior to his death and is part of his family’s collection.

Catching up with Triston Brashears-Cervantes now that he’s off at college and in remission

JULY EVENTS CALENDAR

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

DIY: RECIPE TO TRY

Cool off with this summery blueberry lavender lemonade cocktail

JULY

2023,

GENERAL MANAGER

Darren Dunn

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Lizz Daniels

WRITERS

Chris Austin

Lizz Daniels

MARKETING DIRECTOR

Nick Spence

ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS

Laurie Ann Heideke

Linda Duncan

DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCER

Jarred Kindles

OFFICE MANAGER

HELLO BABY!

Chantilly Lace & Seguin’s connection to Rock ‘n Roll History

Story & Photos by Lizz Daniels

This story begins way back on February 3, 1959 - the day the music died.

Rock and roll legends Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and JP Richardson, aka “The Big Bopper,” were all killed in a plane crash that shook the world. Movies have been made telling the story, the song “American Pie” was written about it, and though music has changed drastically since that day - the musical legacy of those three men still lives on. Famous artists cover their music, you hear the songs on soundtracks, and in Seguin, local business Jiles Solar & Roofing is named after the Big Bopper.

Jiles Perry “JP” Richardson was born in Sabine Pass, down on the Texas coast, but Beaumont became his home. He worked at its local radio station KTRM as a disc jockey and eventually broke through into the music industry, where he became known as the Big Bopper.

When he died in 1959, his wife was pregnant with their first child - and in 1987, the Big Bopper’s first grandchild was born –– her name is Ashlyn Adams, and she lives in Seguin with her husband Kevin and their three daughters.

“Growing up, my dad always talked to us about our grandpa,” she said. “We never met him in person, but he was always such a big part of our life. My dad and others that knew my grandfather would talk about how big he dreamed and worked so hard in his life to achieve his dreams. Those stories really stuck with us. I think I can speak for my brothers as well as myself when I say knowing my grandfather’s impact on music in his short life has truly inspired us to dream big, work hard, and treat people right. When my brothers and I started our companies, we knew immediately that we would incorporate our grandfather into it. Jiles being my grandfather’s first name, was the perfect fit.”

Ashlyn grew up understanding the impact of her grandfather, but when she met her husband Kevin –– for him, it was like dating rock and roll royalty.

“She’s the granddaughter of the Big Bopper and her father was J Perry Richardson and he toured all over the world playing his father’s music, and was better known as the Big Bopper Junior,” Kevin said.

“I was touring myself and I met Ashlyn through a private show that I did with her father. We did a show together –– I met the Big Bopper’s granddaughter and from there we fell in love, but I fell in love with her father as well because he was in music, and I’m in music. The first Christmas there, I was looking at pictures on the mantle of him and Dick Clark together, and I’m going ‘Wow, Dick Clark from American Bandstand, y’all are friends?’ So it just really blows your mind. It was like marrying Elvis’ granddaughter.”

Since joining the family, Kevin has taken his place at Ashlyn’s side in honoring the Big Bopper’s impact on musical history. He’s made it his mission to catalog the family’s historical keepsakes and shares their stories with others.

“Believe it or not, the Big Bopper helped start the career of Elvis Presley, so it’s just like every accolade in country music or rock and roll history –– her grandfather’s name is right there. One of the first five songs ever recorded on music row –– Hank Snow, Beggar to a King –– Ashlyn’s grandfather wrote that song too. Chantilly Lace was a big number-one song for Jerry Lee Lewis –– he wrote that. It’s crazy for me too because that was my uncle’s favorite song. It gives me chills today to think I’m married to the granddaughter of my uncle’s favorite songwriter. You have a humbling feeling every once in a while, and go ‘Wow this is bigger than you imagine. This guy lives in my garage, in my office here.’”

The walls of Kevin’s home office are a homage to the Big Bopper with the gold record of Chantilly Lace hanging framed on the wall. Behind his desk lays a keyboard for when song inspiration hits, and he has an array of memorabilia scattered about the room waiting to be discovered.

He has countless autographs from the Bopper and others, handwritten messages following his death, and a telegram from Elvis himself expressing his condolences. Kevin even has an old film tin with a message written in the Big Bopper’s handwriting claiming to be the first music video from well before MTV ever coined the term.

It’s a collection worthy of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which the Big Bopper has yet to be inducted into, something the family hopes to see someday.

With the city of Beaumont planning to erect a statue in the Big Bopper’s honor, the time may be coming soon.

“They just recently granted us the statue and we have a fan that is from Beaumont who paid for the entire project,” Kevin said. “So we’re going to have a monument in town close to the Jefferson Theatre where he created the Guinness World Record for the longest broadcasting radio show. He did that after his time in the army. When he got out, he wanted to say, ‘Hey I’m back again,’ and it was a big thing. He played 1,821 records in five days with no sleep. I think there was someone in 2010 who beat our record by one song and we would like to take that back for the family. Now, none of us could stay awake for two days, so we don’t know how he did it. He lost twenty pounds, but he did it. He stayed awake for five consecutive days.”

While Kevin and Ashlyn may not have the ability to stay awake and take the record back, they do have three daughters who may one day decide they want to break their great-grandfather’s record.

“We call them the little bitty boppers,” he said. “We have Hadley, she’s eleven. Then, we have Ruby she’s seven and then we have Walker Rose and she’s two. They kind of know a little bit and they go to school and talk about the music because we support the local music programs in schools here. We give back and donate money for instruments in memory of the Big Bopper and the Big Bopper Junior. Of course, kids don’t understand what a record is and what gold records are.”

Just as Ashlyn grew into her understanding of her grandfather’s fame, so too will her girls, with the guidance of their parents.

“We watched as my dad made it his life mission to keep my grandfather’s name and legacy alive,” Ashlyn said. “He always pushed to get my grandfather the recognition he deserved. Now that my dad has passed, Kevin, my brothers and I know how important it is to keep pushing to make sure my grandfather’s legacy is not forgotten. My absolute favorite song my grandfather wrote was called ‘Someone Watching Over You.’ It’s always reminded me that we have a very special angel watching over us. I hope one day, we will see him in the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame where he deserves to be.”

With the success of recent bio flicks and pop culture’s renewed interest in rock and roll history, it is helping Kevin and Ashlyn make big plans for the future. Because while the music may have died on that fateful February day in 1959, the songs live on, and so will Jiles Perry Richardson with his family sharing his story. •

Kevin and Ashlyn with JP Richardson aka the Big Bopper Jr. before his death in 2013. Photos courtesy the family.

Staying Staying

T-Strong T-Strong T-Strong

Two Years POST-Cancer with Navarro Alum Triston Brashears-Cervantes

Story by Chris Austin Courtesy Photos

Nearly two years ago, Triston Brashears-Cervantes was told he had cancer. A Navarro High School student-athlete in the middle of his senior year, Triston was treated for a concussion he sustained while playing for the Panther football team in the fall of 2021. During that trip to the doctor, he was also found to have testicular cancer. Further tests revealed that the cancer had spread to Triston’s left lung.

The diagnosis ended Triston’s football season, but he vowed to return to competition on the baseball field in the spring. Triston got support from his parents Amber and Dennis and also from his fellow students along with coaches, teachers, parents and people in the surrounding communities and neighboring schools.

The community adopted the slogan “T-Strong” in support of Brashears-Cervantes and his family. Propped up by the community, his classmates, teachers and his family, Triston worked hard to get back to the diamond.

After surgeries and chemotherapy treatments in the fall and winter, Triston returned to the baseball field helping the Panthers win the district championship while earning All-District accolades for the second straight season. He put together an outstanding

spring campaign, batting .375 with two home runs, five doubles, 20 RBIs, 19 runs scored, and a .483 on-base percentage while excelling behind the plate at the catcher position as well. He capped off his senior year by signing a commitment to play on the collegiate level at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas.

Triston is now 19 years old. He will be 20 in August. He recently finished his freshman year of college at East Texas Baptist University and competed as a member of the program’s developmental squad. Seguin Today visited with Triston to talk about his recovery from cancer and to see how he has been doing since he graduated from Navarro High School in 2022 to attend college.

“Yeah it really was. It was really disheartening for me because I was in the middle of my senior year of high school football and I was looking forward to participating with my team in the playoffs. And then I was also worried that I wouldn’t make it back in time for my senior year of high school baseball. So, yeah, it was really crushing and disheartening for me to hear that when the doctors told me.”

When you got the news you had cancer, that had to be crushing.

We all know you had to go through cancer treatments in order to come back for the baseball season. It had to be grueling just to get back into baseball shape.

“It was. In the very beginning, the first day of practice I was dying. I had to stop like halfway through because I was so out of shape and so unconditioned because of all the chemo treatments.”

The school and the community got behind you during your recovery. How did it feel to have everybody backing you?

“It felt amazing. I really appreciated all the support and love that I felt from them. Right before I had one of my surgeries, we all gathered together in the high school parking lot and they all came up and prayed for me and wished me the best on my surgery and my fight with cancer.”

You put in a lot of hard work to get back on the field. You had a great season and then got college offers. Did you always feel you would get to that next level?

“Before the cancer diagnosis, I was sure 100 percent that I would play in college. But after (the diagnosis), my thoughts of college were secondary because I was just focused on getting healthy and surviving the treatments.”

Give us an update on how your life is now and how your first year in college at East Texas Baptist went.

“I’ve been doing really well lately. My first year of college was kind of a struggle. In the beginning to be honest, I guess I was learning to be by myself. It was a whole new territory for me since during the chemo and all the cancer treatments, my mom (Amber) was always beside me. She was beside me for months and months at a time. So when it was time for me to leave for college, it kinda threw me into shock a bit. I had to learn how to be by myself and function by myself without my mom by my side.”

You played baseball on the college level on the ETBU developmental team as a freshman too, has that been an enormous challenge considering everything you’ve had to overcome?

“It most definitely was. All the guys that I was competing with at the time were so healthy and didn’t have to go through that. It kinda sounds like me complaining but at the same time, I embraced the challenge and I worked twice as hard to catch up to where they were at currently.”

What are you studying at East Texas Baptist University?

“Currently, I’m studying business management.”

What do you plan to do after college?

“After college, I plan to go work somewhere where I can use my degree to better my life and improve on what I’m currently dealing with.”

How are you doing with your recovery? Are you cancer free or are you in remission?

“Currently I’m in remission. It would take four more years of no signs of the cancer cells coming back for me to officially say that I am 100 percent cancer free.”

Are you still going through treatments and rehab?

“I’m not going through treatment anymore, but I am getting monthly check-ups and I am rehabbing.”

Your story has been inspirational to people and students at Navarro High School, in Seguin and nearby communities. What do you want to tell people about your fight in overcoming cancer?

“One thing I’d like to tell people is never let anything stop you from fulfilling your dream. It’s what I’ve done. I didn’t let cancer stop me fulfilling my dream which is to go on to play on the college level and compete.” •

Upcoming events and special promotions happening locally! JULY

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

July 2023

1

Featured Events

Featured Events

Seguin PD Backpack Drive

School supplies that are needed include: clear backpacks, notebooks, writing utensils, and folders. Monetary donations are also being accepted in the form of cash or cashapp to $seguinpd. Donations can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Seguin Police Department, located at 350 N. Guadalupe St. in Seguin. The 2023 Back to School at the Pool event will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 5 at the Seguin Wave Pool. For questions, email CommunityEngagement@ seguintexas.gov.

July 10-14

Music Camp Registration

Registration for the July 10 through July 14 Summer Strings and Choral Camps, for grades 2 through 6, runs from through Saturday, July 1. The camps will be held at the Schuech Fine Arts Center on the campus of Texas Lutheran University. The cost is $125 and discounts are available. For more details and to register, visit www.tlucma.org.

July 19

Lunch and Learn

The Seguin Young Professionals will have its Bi-Monthly Lunch and Learn from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19 at the GVEC Community Room, located at 927 N. Hwy 46. Get inspired by Jay Johnson from J2 Servant Leadership as he shares insights on teamwork and building a productive team. RSVP at www. seguinchamber.com/events.

July 14

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HOLIDAYS

4th - Independence Day

Join the SEF Board

The Seguin Education Foundation (SEF) is seeking dedicated individuals for its board of directors. As a nonprofit committed to supporting students and teachers in Seguin Independent School District (SISD), your involvement can make a difference. Apply at www.tinyurl. com/2sx2hfeb The deadline to apply is Friday, July 14.

July 21

TLU Nursing Fair 2023

The Texas Lutheran University Service Learning & Career Development will have its Nursing Fair 2023 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 21 at the New Braunfels Campus. Register on Handshake. For more information, email pgentry@tlu.edu.

July 17

Media Guide Deadline

The Seguin Sports Booster Club is seeking members and advertisers for its media guide that will be available at each home game this upcoming football season. The deadline for submitting information is Monday, July 17. For application/form, contact Cathy Beicker at 830-401-1954 or cbeicker@gmail.com.

August 8

Master Naturalist Training

The Guadalupe Master Naturalist Chapter will offer a Master Naturalist Training Classes will be held every other Tuesday from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 8 to Nov. 18 at the AgriLife Extension Building in Seguin. The Cost is $125. For application and class information, visit http://txmn.org/guadalupe Learn more about the program at http://txmn.org.

Cool for the summer

Blueberry Lavender Lemonade Cocktail

1. To make the Lavender Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan set over mediumlow heat, combine all syrup ingredients and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes or until sugar is dissolved.

2. Remove from heat and let steep for 2 to 3 hours. Strain and set aside.

3. To make the Blueberry Lavender Lemonade Cocktail: In a cocktail shaker, add 2⁄3 cup blueberries and

lemon juice. Muddle berries to release juices. Add gin and lavender simple syrup, and fill with ice. Shake until frosty.

4. Strain through fine-mesh sieve into two ice-filled glasses. Top evenly with soda water.

5. Garnish with remaining blueberries, lavender sprigs and lemon wheels. Tip: Cover and store remaining lavender simple syrup in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup water

1 tbspn dried edible lavender flowers

3/4 cup blueberries, divided

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 ounces gin

1 tablespoon lavender simple syrup

1/2 cup club soda

2 sprigs fresh lavender

2 lemon wheels

Lavender Simple Syrup

A BOIL for the BURNT BEAN BURNT BEAN

Community business leaders cook up shrimp & crab in celebration

Story by Cindy Aguirre-Herrera

The tables were turned recently when some local business owners made sure that the crew at Seguin’s most popular restaurant was well fed.

Instead of the food being served to the Burnt Bean’s growing customer base, a shrimp and crab boil was specially prepared and served for the restaurant crew.

Ken Kiel and Jay Kiel, of The Grounds Guys, initiated the meal plan. Ken says it was a no brainer to give back and show their appreciation to the restaurant who has not only been successful but has brought notoriety to the town.

“Jay and I, we’ve eaten at the Burnt Bean. We love the Burnt Bean and Jay and I were talking especially when the Burnt Bean was nominated for the James Beard Foundation Awards and Jay came up with the idea, he said ‘you know what we ought to do? We ought to give back to them because they’ve done so much for the community’ and I said, ‘I think that is a great idea. Let me do something.’ We both know Blake and Blake is like the VIP customer for Burnt Bean and Seguin and so I called, Blake and I said, ‘Blake, Jay and I were thinking about doing something for the Burnt Bean’ and I don’t think I had to finish my sentence and he said, ‘I’m in!’ So, the whole concept behind it is, when there is something successful, especially in your hometown, you want to praise that. You want to celebrate that,” said Kiel.

Jay says owning several businesses, he understands the importance for businesses to also be recognized not only for their services but for their role in the community.

“It was extremely important honestly. That was really the whole thought process behind us doing it. It’s easy to sit there and say ‘hey, we want to do something’ and hire a caterer or go out and buy them something. We wanted them to know that it’s coming from our heart and like Ken said, I want to reiterate it, they’ve done so much for the community and have given a lot and so it’s important for them to know how we feel,” said Jay.

210-749-7793

Blake Bertling of Bertling Equipment Rental was the last of the trio of community members who did not hesitate to jump on ship to assist with the meal. Bertling says he is a fan of the downtown restaurant and believes it deserves every applause possible.

“I love this place. David and Ernest and even Anthony are the nicest people that I’ve ever met. They are good. I’ve known David since high school. They are really meticulous in what they do. They take pride in it and you don’t hardly see that anymore. I like it. They do quality stuff and I love their food and I like to promote it and like he said, it brings people to downtown. Two years ago, three years ago, you drive downtown Seguin, there’s nothing. It’s dead. Now, you drive down here on Saturday and there are people hustling and bustling all over town and people are asking from Missouri to New Mexico and Oklahoma that I know, ‘hey, I’ve heard about this Burnt Bean place,’ and I’m like ‘hey, well that’s right in our hometown, right in our back yard and it’s a good feeling to have some rock stars like that living right here in town,” said Bertling.

Burnt Bean Co-owner David Kirkland says he’s always up for someone else to do the cooking. He says for his staff to receive this as a gift of gratitude was even more special.

“I was excited because it doesn’t happen very often. It’s always us cooking for everybody else but when they offered to come cook food for us, I thought it was a good thing. I was excited especially when he said it was going to be a shrimp boil because it’s not barbecue. We eat plenty of barbecue and stuff around here so it’s a nice change of pace,” said Kirkland.

Co-owner Ernest Servantes says he too was grateful for the Friday afternoon shrimp boil. He says while he and David are typically the faces behind their success, it’s their dedicated employees who also deserve the recognition.

“When we are done every day after the shift, we eat as a family every day. We eat as a family and the reason that after the shift we eat as a family is because we talk about how the day was and everything and so they are used to eating as a family because we are a family. No one goes to every table and eat separate or have different shifts. We all clean together. We finish together and we eat together as a family and that’s what makes us so bonded as a team. I’ve always told these guys and you can ask them; I will take this team and compete against any best restaurant in the country. My team has my back and I have theirs,” said Servantes.

Among those dedicated employees is Chris Mosel. Mosel says it’s amazing how the Seguin community continues to show its support. He says they even have loyal fans who have never tasted the food but who are happy that the Burnt Bean is in Seguin.

“It’s just such a welcome gift because we cook and feed every day and we love doing it but it’s just nice to have it reciprocated back to us. Seguin has been amazing. Being someone who lives in New Braunfels and works in Seguin, I’m so welcomed by everybody here. All I have to do is wear a Burnt Bean shirt and people just talk to me and thank me and tell me how awesome it is. I even have people tell me ‘man, that is such a great place and I’ve never been there’ because they drive by, they see the line and they really want to experience it, but they are just so proud to have something like this in Seguin,” said Mosel

Anthony Hernandez, who has been a Burnt Bean employee for almost three years, says he too was appreciative of the gift that was prepared personally by Ken, Jay and Blake.

“It’s very awesome to have someone come out here and cook for us. I’ve never really had anybody come out here to cook for me since I’ve always been cooking my whole life for everybody else, so this is actually an honor, a blessing for them to come do that for us,” said Hernandez.

Ken says as a community, it’s important to count the everyday blessings that exist and to make sure that folks support one another. He says in the end, it’s Seguin who benefits.

“I watched a TV show the other day and they had three barbecue places from Seguin and she said

Seguin is a barbecue destination. So, what happens when people come into town to buy barbecue or whatever to eat at these places, guess what, they might go ‘Oh, Central Park is really cool. Oh, Starcke Park is really neat. I didn’t know Seguin had that.’ So, we are exposing people to Seguin and so we want to celebrate its success,” said Kiel.

Burnt Bean located in downtown Seguin on South Austin Street was recently a finalist for the James Beard Foundation Awards. It is also ranked No. 4 on Texas Monthly’s Top 50 Texas BBQ Joints. The restaurant continues to gain national recognition for being a leader in the barbecue industry.

Turning

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