Dreaming Big
Dreaming Big In LOVE & with
Valentine’s season is upon us, and soon couples will dress to impress before sashaying out for a night of romance on the town. Here in Seguin, local businesses are already getting in the spirit of the holiday season with red and pink awash in storefronts across downtown.
Seguin Today, is also dressed in our best Valentine’s colors this month as we dive into a love-themed issue with this month’s feature stories.
We are also kicking off our FIFTH volume of Seguin Today, which is why I must tell you, our readers, how much our staff LOVES YOU. It hardly seems possible, but here we are in 2025, launching another year of telling real Seguin stories from all across Guadalupe County.
I personally, have met so many amazing people on this adventure, that I would likely never have crossed paths with without being on assignment. I’ve learned new things, and been afforded the opportunity to expand my own way of thinking with each person I’ve interviewed for a story. I love this magazine.
So happy Valentine’s Day, Seguin. May you find love, whether romantic, platonic, or otherwise, to fill your heart with joy.
Lizz Daniels Creative Director
COVERSHOT
Dewayne and Commie Jennings are captured here in their engagement portraits prior to their wedding in
Photo by Lizz Daniels
Priscilda Rodriguez FEBRUARY 2025, Volume 5 l Issue 1
GENERAL MANAGER
Darren Dunn
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Lizz Daniels
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Nick Spence
WRITERS
Cindy Aguirre-Herrera
Chris Austin
Lizz Daniels
ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS
Laurie Ann Heideke
Linda Duncan
Jarred Kindles
OFFICE MANAGER
For the LOVE of the GAME Seguin Little League Challenger Program: Up to bat for a second season
Story by Cindy Aguirre-Herrera
Photos Courtesy Llamar Vasquez Photography
They say it takes a team to pull things together and a team is exactly what it took to help inspire and lift some very deserving Little Leaguers. This spring, the Seguin Little League Challenger Program celebrates its first anniversary. The adaptive program is designed specifically for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges.
April Bustamante, a member of the Little League board of directors and coordinator of the Challenger division, says this past year has helped to pave the way for what she believes will be an even more successful baseball season.
“We are inspired by the quote, ‘Build It and They Will Come,’” Bustamante said. “As we continue to evolve and be impactful, we will cultivate an environment where everyone will be encouraged to reach for and live to their fullest potential. We are the Seguin Little League, where everyone belongs and is encouraged to succeed.”
While already successful in other communities since 1989, Bustamante shared that it took a great leap of faith here in Seguin for folks to step up to the plate.
“The Challenger Division was approved by the 2024 Board of Directors when Amanda Peterson brought the idea to life,” Bustamante said. “Why
do you ask? Why Not! Each child deserves the same opportunity as others in the community. We saw the need and removed the barrier.”
The local program accommodates players from the ages of 4 to 18 or up to the age of 22 if they are still enrolled in school. Games are typically 1-2 innings long and scheduled for an hour. All players play defensively and bat every inning with flexibility and adaptability during the games.
The program plays an even more special role for Bustamante’s family. She says prior to last spring, her son, who has autism didn’t have many options in just being a kid and having fun.
“His closest opportunity, having to play baseball before the Challenger Division, was being on the sidelines cheering on his brothers,” Bustamante said. “As a special needs mother, you want your child to experience the same opportunity as other children. Yet, it is frightening when you think your child might be judged by others. In our Challenger League, there is no judgement; we are fueled by understanding and supporting each other.”
Bustamante said after its inaugural spring season, the group came together again in the fall to continue the kids’ passion and love for the game.
“The Challenger Division has been thriving for the past two seasons,” she said. “We started with approximately 12 players in the first season and grew to 28 players in the fall. I witnessed so much growth in the kids this past season. The fundamental goal of the Challenger Division is to provide an environment where players can learn and enjoy the game of baseball in an environment structured to their abilities. As players improve their baseball skills, they enjoy a sense of accomplishment and belonging as they achieve their goals. The kids look forward to seeing each other on Saturday mornings. We have become more than just a team; we are a family.”
Like anything new, there are always challenges that come up, especially during the initial year. While the program might have started off a bit rocky, in the end, it all came together.
“There are always challenges in any new program and the one that stands out the most was the unexpected change in the members that coordinated the program,” Bustamante said. “The members didn’t have much experience with children with disabilities and feared they’d do something wrong that would negatively impact the program. The parents came together and pulled off the first season together with board members and made it a success. I soon joined the board of directors and began coordinating the program alongside the parents. I am a big believer there is never growth without a few challenges along the way.”
Learning from those mistakes is what she believes, will help fuel the program for another great season.
“During this first year, we have grown and seen what has worked and what still needs work,” she said. “We give each other grace and pivot when we have to make changes. The program will continue to grow. For now it’s my belief that we have made an impact in the community by providing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for a population that may have never had the opportunity to participate in a sport and meet others that are experiencing the same challenges, yet find community and belonging which helps increase self-esteem and motor skills but, most importantly...unity and a space to grow. We are grateful to have a space where we create respect and dignity for all. We’re just planting the roots, the best is yet to come.”
However, amid the planning and challenges of operating the program, comes the desire to build confidence in each player, something that Bustamante hopes more parents will learn to understand, and ultimately embrace for their own children.
“Of course, when a parent enrolls their son or daughter in the Challenger Division for the first time, it is often the first athletic activity in which their child has participated in,” she said. “As with any parent allowing a child to participate in a new activity, there is often some level of anxiety and uncertainty about what to expect the first time their child steps onto the field. Parents will say ‘my child screams when noise is overwhelming’ or ‘my child may have a random meltdown.’ My response is always, ‘That’s okay. We will work through it. Just give them the chance they deserve. All we can do is try.’ Usually, this helps to ease their concerns regarding their child’s participation.”
Meanwhile, for the fans, it’s been the smiles and the player’s laughter on that diamond that have helped to solidify the vision for the program.
All in all, the Challenger Program comes with plenty of fanfare and has been reviewed publicly by the following families:
“Putting Matthew in Baseball has been an amazing experience for me and him. Even though someone, April Bustamante, had to twist my arm, I was so nervous about joining and so glad I made the right decision. I am so proud of Matthew and all that he has overcome!” -K. Vanhowten
“It’s the greatest opportunity for special needs kids to feel welcomed and get to learn about being a part of a team.” – E. Brackett
“The Challenger team has been such a positive asset in my and Jesses’s life. It has allowed Jesse to be included in a sport where he has made friends and memories that will last forever.” – B. Zuniga
Now with the first year of the Little League program under its belt, the sky’s the limit, and hopes that the community will continue to show its support.
“The support of the community will keep us going,” Bustamante said. “Without the community, we don’t have a program. As a nonprofit 501c3, we depend a lot on the donations. These donations keep the registration at zero cost to the families. We understand the financial difficulties that some of the special needs parents may have, and we want to remove that barrier and give that child the opportunity to play a sport we all love,” Bustamante said. “We also use donations to purchase all necessary adaptive equipment that meets the individual needs of each player. An adaptive bat holder, beep ball system and an adaptive stroller are just a few pieces of equipment that have been purchased with the generous donations of the community. Our dream is to one day have our very own adaptive baseball field that incorporates all modifications necessary to allow equitable participation for players with all physical, intellectual, and emotional disabilities.”
Whether it’s a financial donation, donating equipment, or volunteering alongside a buddy on the field, coordinators guarantee the community’s gesture will be rewarding.
And as for the kids, well, they just get to play ball, make friends, and be a part of a team. It’s true sandlot baseball where you go out, have fun, and play until they say it’s all done. Because after all, baseball, it’s not just a game –– it’s a way of life. •
Love Affair Having a (not so secret) with your JOB
How this local business woman built the career of her dreams with her partner by her side
BStory & Photos by Lizz Daniels
iting into a good cupcake is like falling in love. The softness of the cake paired with the lusciousness of buttercream icing melting together create a decadent experience that can evoke the same dopamine high as locking eyes with a stranger and getting butterflies in your belly.
No one knows this better than Seguin Sweet Treats owner, Commie Jennings. Commie is not only a master baker, but she’s a creative mind who spins storylines for her cupcakes and plays them out in a drama via social media where her followers stay for the story and to know what’s in the shop each day.
Seguin Sweet Treats stocks fresh baked good and offers lunch items and high tea for those who fancy it.
While Commie is now synonymous with cupcakes locally, she didn’t necessarily expect to become a professional baker.
“I was working at a party store where I baked and worked the front,” Commie said. “One day, the lady who decorated the cakes just quit, and everybody was like, ‘well, who’s going to decorate the cakes?’ And I was like, well, I’ll do it.’ And so I did it, and I fell in love with it. But the funny thing is, when I was working at the party store, I was studying for my nursing entrance exam. I remember I did that first wedding cake, and it was like it just opened up something in me. I started looking up cakes more than I was studying for nursing. And needless to say, I took my test like three times, but I never passed. I’ve always worked in healthcare, I just never passed my test. So I don’t know; I kind of think it was a calling. It was an undiscovered talent that I had. And I think if I had become a licensed nurse, I don’t think I would have discovered that this is what I was meant to do. It’s just crazy how it happened.”
Bakery photos courtesy of Seguin Sweet Treats
All of that was over fifteen years ago. Since then, even while working her corporate job, Commie hustled on the side baking and decorating, striving to make her dream come true. She juggled her growing cake business with the demands of being a single mother, and a business professional, and somewhere along the way, she met her now husband, Dewayne.
“He kept calling me,” Commie laughed. “It was like we had that first date and it was like, ‘Okay we’re going out again. Okay we’re going out again.’ And I remember in that first maybe two or three months after each date, I was like, ‘I’m not going out with him again.’ But then I’d find myself sending a text, and I’d be at work and he’d be texting me. And I don’t know, it was like we just looked up one day and it had been three or four years later and we’re still together. Then another three years, and I’m like wow, this is really happening.”
While dating, Commie and Dewayne lived in separate cities with Commie living her life in Seguin and Dewayne in San Antonio. They’d keep up via text and phone calls, meeting in person when they could, always keeping up the delicate balancing act between their individual loves for their careers and their relationship.
As their love grew, however, so did Dewayne’s role in Commie’s business.
“Dewayne’s been on this journey with me for the last 10 or 11 years now,” Commie said. “He’s always been supportive of my job, even my corporate job because then I worked and cakes and stuff was my side gig. And Valentine’s, even as a side gig, it was always a big part of what I did. And so Dewayne kind of just stepped in and became, like, our delivery slash pickup guy. If we needed supplies, he was always the one to get them, because fortunately, his job is in San Antonio, where a lot of my vendors and things where I get stuff from are. So if I needed something, it was always, ‘Hey, can you bring me this? Hey, bring me that.’ So he just got to the point where that became his job. He also got a lot of clients for me from his job and the barber shop where he goes. So then he became the delivery guy when we had orders. So it just kind of worked like that.”
“I’m here for whatever she needs. On Valentine’s, I’ll be the delivery guy. I take the day off, and help her out. It’s a big day for her, so I’ll come pick everything up and take it to San Antonio.”
-Dewayne-
As for Dewayne, he takes his role seriously and knows the ins and outs of the business and plans for the important holidays, even taking off from his job to help on Valentine’s.
“I’m here for whatever she needs,” Dewayne said. “On Valentine’s I’ll be the delivery guy. I take off the day, and help her out. It’s a big day for her, so I’ll come pick everything up and take it to San Antonio. From the beginning, we’ve had our families involved in this. My parents helped her. Her sister has helped her. Her nephew has been there. Both our daughters have helped. And we’ve had everybody, family and friends, that really poured into this over the last several years. It’s all of us.”
But with all that work that goes into the bakery on Valentine’s, it can be easy for couply things to take a backseat to business.
“You know, this is our first year that we’re actually going to go on a date on Valentine’s Day,” Commie said. “We’ve never been on a date Valentine’s Day on the actual day. Never. We always do it, maybe before the weekend, or after. Never on Valentine’s Day.”
And the big plans? A couple’s date with friends at Melting Pot, a bucket list restaurant for both of them.
As Commie fills her bakery case this upcoming holiday, and serves Seguin all their favorite treats, customers can close their eyes, take a bite, and know that each delicious bite was baked with love. •
FEBRUARY
Featured Events
Job Shadow Program
The Seguin Job Shadow Program offers high school students real-world experience through hands-on learning with professionals. Open to students from Seguin HS, Marion HS, Navarro HS, and Southwest Preparatory. The program runs on February 5, 11, 19, and 27 from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Contact Jessica Dersen at jdersen@seguintexas.gov to sign up.
February 13
Art Unveiling
The National Endowment for the Arts, City of Seguin, and Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin present Our Town Seguin: Roots of Resilience, an art unveiling event celebrating the African American experience in Seguin. Join us on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 5:30 PM at Texas Lutheran University’s Annetta Kraushaar Gallery in the Schuech Fine Arts Building, 517 Prexy Drive, Seguin, TX. This event features art installations by renowned artist Howard Crunk, created in collaboration with the Seguin community.
February 27
To promote your event on this page contact advertising at 830-379-2234 or email communitycalendar@kwed1580.com
February 14
Valentine Cookie Decorating Class Valentine Cookie Decorating Class will be held February 14 from 5:30 to 6:30 at the Seguin Art League. Want to find something different to do for Valentine’s? How about cookie decorating! This class would be a great start to a date night evening with someone special, a significant other, or even best friend! And, the best part? You’ll have a great time, come away with some delicious cookies decorated by you to enjoy, and decorating skills you can apply for a lifetime! 18 and older; limited to 10 people; $25 single or $40 a couple with supplies included. For more information call 830-305-0472 or come by 104 S. Austin.
Brown Cultural Event Series – Elizabeth Smart
The TLU Jessie S. and Jack Harold Upton Brown Cultural Enrichment Fund will present Elizabeth Smart at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27 at Jackson Auditorium on the campus of Texas Lutheran University. Elizabeth Smart is a victim of one of the most followed child abduction cases of our time and has become a beacon of hope and an advocate for change related to child abduction and recovery programs. Smart, now a bestselling author, will speak about her experience and recovery.
March 1
February 23
Jury Day
Jury Day for the Seguin Art League will be February 15. Artwork should be presented between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. The prospectus is available on the website seguinartleague. com or may be picked up at the gallery at 104 S. Austin. This jury process enables the accepted artist to display in the gallery and serve as a gallery docent. For more information call 830305-0472.
Noche De Gala Competencia de Vocalistas
The Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin presents the 40th Annual Noche De Gala Competencia de Vocalistas on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the TLU Jackson Auditorium, Seguin, TX. Performing and accompanying vocalists are the renowned all-female mariachi group, Mariachi Las Alteñas. Reserved and general admission tickets go on sale Saturday, January 11, 2025. Don’t miss this incredible celebration of music and culture!
DIY: Recipe to Try
Treat your Sweetheart
to CHEESECAKE!
Atholl Brose Cheesecake
Serves 4 to 6
For the Atholl Brose
250 ml (1 cup) whiskey
70 grams (2 1/2 ounces) oats
3 teaspoons honey
40 ml (2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons) double cream
For the cheesecake
100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) butter
250 grams (9 ounces) digestive biscuits, crushed
600 grams (1 pound, 5 ounces) cream cheese
35 ml (2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon) Atholl Brose
100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) icing sugar
300 ml (1 1/4 cup) double cream
100 grams (3 1/2 ounces) dark chocolate, grated
To make the Atholl Brose: Pour the whiskey over the oats in a bowl and rest under a clean dish towel for 24 hours.
The next day, use a muslin (or cotton dish towel) to squeeze out the whiskey into a fresh bowl. Be sure to get every last drop! You can discard the oats.
Warm up your honey for 10 seconds in the microwave, or over a low heat in a small pan, and whisk into the Brose mix.
Add your cream and whisk again. Now let it rest in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
To make the cheesecake: First,
melt the butter in a pan, remove the heat and add the crushed digestive biscuits. Mix well until the biscuits have absorbed all the butter. Press into the bottom of a lined 18 cm (7-inch) springform tin. Place in the fridge and allow to set for an hour.
Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Lightly whip the cream cheese, then beat in the Atholl Brose and icing sugar. Whip the cream and fold in along with the grated chocolate. When smooth, spoon evenly onto the biscuit base.
Refrigerate and allow to set for a further 2 hours, then serve with a dram of Atholl Brose.
Note: Double cream is challenging to find outside of the United Kingdom. Therefore, an approximate substitution can me made my mixing 1 cup of heavy cream with 1 tablespoon of buttermilk in a lidded jar. Shake for 1 minute. Then wrap the jar in a towel and allow to sit at room temperature for 12 hours until thickened.; otherwise, use heavy cream, which has a slightly lower fat content, in the recipe.
A Seguin SNOWDAY
Seguin and Guadalupe County residents not only got to feel but also actually see Old Man Winter do his thing these past two days. Residents began reporting snow flurries late on the twentieth with most of the accumulation occurring the next morning. Community members were pleasantly surprised to open their windows and doors to find the white snowscape left behind. Keeping safety in mind, students throughout Seguin and the surrounding areas also enjoyed the day off while many businesses and offices also shut down or delayed opening. In Case You Missed It
Photos submitted by our KWED, Facebook followers.
