Façade grants continue progress in Downtown

Special by Kyle Kramm, Main Street & CVB Director

(Seguin) -- Recently, the Seguin Main Street Advisory Board reviewed eleven applications for FIX-IT Façade grants in downtown Seguin and recommended nine projects for funding.

The façade grants continue to be the most effective tool in downtown Seguin’s revitalization. These small grants make a big difference in a building owner or downtown business’ ability to invest in Seguin. The grant can go to any exterior improvements in the downtown district, including ADA compliance, painting, roof repairs, awning construction.

Of the eleven applications reviewed, due to limited funding, the Board recommended funding nine projects. The projects include:

• 106 West Court Street - To repair cracks in the façade, replace missing downspout, and reconstruct bulkheads under storefront windows.

• 420 North Austin Street - Convert a window to a door to meet fire code.

• 200 East Court Street - Construct awnings, install windows – transom and storefront.

• 110 South Austin Street - Construct a new awning.

• 109 – 113 North Austin - Repair the second story wood windows.

• 314 North River Street - To replace tin roof with asphalt roof.

• 104 South Austin Street - Installation of a roof membrane system.

• 206 South Austin Street - Construct a new awning with recessed lighting.

• 409 North Austin Street - Repair balconies and replace windows.

These projects represent an investment of over $300,000 in downtown Seguin. Representing a ratio of 6:1 meaning for every dollar of public money invested in the grant, another five are being invested by the private sector.

“Seguin Main Street has been awarding façade grants since 1998 and have been a driving force in rehabbing downtown properties,” said Kyle Kramm, Main Street & CVB Director, “We are pleased to announce these grant awards and cannot wait to see the impact the projects have in all of downtown.”

Noche De Gala returns with live mariachi music

(Seguin) -- Vocalistas from numerous South and Central Texas communities will take the stage at the Texas Lutheran University Jackson Auditorium in Seguin on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 7 p.m. The singers will be the heart of Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin’s 38th Annual Noche de Gala Competencia de Vocalistas. Twenty vocalistas will compete in three divisions: middle school, high school, and University/ Community. These contestants are going to knock your boots right off your feet with their amazing talent. “We are very excited to showcase the amazing talent you can find in Seguin and around Texas. We look forward to welcoming back families to Jackson Auditorium for the competencia de vocalistas,” said Dr. Yvonne De La Rosa, Teatro’s executive director. Mariachi Las Alteñas, “Texas finest all female mariachi” from San Antonio, will provide live music for each vocalista’s performance. Valerie Vargas, a professional mariachi violinist since she was 14, began organizing Las Alteñas when she was 19 and recently celebrated their 20-year anniversary. See www. mariachilasaltenas.com for info.

Benno, continued.

General admission to the Noche De Gala presale and at the door is $10; tickets are on sale at the Seguin Heritage Museum 114 N. Austin St. (Tuesday-Thursday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.) and Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin Cultural Center, 921 W. New Braunfels St. (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.) both in Seguin, TX

Family says Benno had both practical experience in agriculture and degrees in Animal Husbandry and Education. Bryan says his father was no stranger to anyone in the agricultural community. He says although identified with Guadalupe County and the Seguin Cattle Company, relationships in the industry even before cattle were built all over.

“Before we started running cattle, he was a registered Duroc breeder back in the 60s and 70s and early 80s and all of the way from the Midwest down into Mexico. I mean, I remember as a kid where we would haul breeding gilts all the way into Mexico. We would leave at midnight so we could be there at daybreak while it was cool, and I mean that’s why I say it’s not just one county. It was all over the United States and the Mexico border. In ’82 is when he had his tractor accident, that’s when the girls were off to college and me and my brother were in high school, and they already had the cattle company. We had all these hogs and we just had to sell the hogs off because we were spread too thin. It was just mom and us two boys there at the house starting on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Online ticket sales for the general admission will also go on sale on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Reserved seats ($15) are selling fast and are only available at the Teatro De Artes' Cultural Arts Center located at 921 W. New Braunfels St. Seguin, TX 78155. You may purchase tickets Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. and that’s when we got into the cow and calf operation and that’s where we stuck with it,” said Brian.

Event is partially funded by Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin, National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, Guadalupe County Community Symposium, Guadalupe County United Way, H-E-B, San Antonio Area Foundation, and the City of Seguin. For further information about tickets or the event, please contact us at Teatro (830) 401-0232.

Teatro de Artes de Juan Seguin is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1982; its mission is to promote the Mexican American arts. Proceeds from Noche de Gala are used to fund the organization’s programs, most of which provide activities for children and youth.

In 1974, the family shares that the U.S. Feed Grain Council asked Benno to travel to South Korea and work as a service consultant for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They say there he spent two years in South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. They add that he was also asked to continue working for the Agriculture Department but chose to return home to his family and farm.

The Seguin Cattle Company was purchased in 1978. Sharing in the business were Benno’s brothers Hank and Otto. Later joining the team was brother Richard.

Among his accomplishments and recognition for a lifetime of service to the community and agriculture are awards from the Swine Breeders Association, Independent Cattlemen’s Association, Texas State University, Texas Lutheran College, and the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce.

Benno leaves behind his wife Shirley Luensmann, and other children Reagan Luensmann, Yvonne Evilsizer and Donna Skogman. Benno was 88.