Seguin Magazine - February 2023

in this issue

February 2023

Mary Lee Roberts

AWARD HONOREES

10 DR. JAMES LEE

Long-time Seguin physician’s lifetime of care and compassion have helped shape the community as we know it.

16 KATHERINE GARCIA

Decades of hard work blend into years of volunteerism.

22 FELIX MORENO

With a reputation for going above and beyond, lifelong citizen continues to help make seguin a better place.

26 DINA DILLON

Veteran’s work with youth earns recognition from the community and her family.

AROUND TOWN

Submitted

on the cover

by Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation

Local physician and long-time philanthropist

Dr. James Lee was nominated and awarded the Seguin Gazette’s Mary Lee Roberts Citizen of the Year Award.

Photo

Shop & Donate

By shopping and donating to our Guadalupe Valley Habitat ReStore you are not only reducing your footprint on the environment, but you can purchase new and reusable items knowing that the proceeds are funding HFHSAGV’s home building program!

Learn more: habitatgv.org Tue-Sat 9AM - 5PM

Felicia

Dalondo

Felicia

The February issue of Seguin Magazine is always a special one, as this edition is the presentation of the Mary Lee Roberts Citizen of the Year and VISION Awards. In the fall we began accepting nominations from the community for individuals in our community who go above and beyond to make Seguin and Guadalupe County better places.

The recipients of these awards don’t normally go looking for recognition. They do such wonderful things from the goodness of their hearts and never think very much of it. That’s where we step in and make sure that these hometown heroes are given the recognition they deserve.

Inside this issue you will find stories about local citizens, from all walks of life, doing amazing things in our community. This is just a small snapshot as we are truly blessed to have so many wonderful people who devote their time and energy toward causes bigger than themselves.

You may or may not recognize some of these faces, but once you read their stories and all that they give back to Seguin and Guadalupe County, it may trigger a connection. I encourage each of you to find a way to give back to your community. It doesn’t have to be something big, just a little bit of your time to help those around you.

So, without further ado, I present to you the 2023 Mary Lee Roberts Citizen of the Year and VISION Award winners. Congratulations to all of the recipients and thank you for making Seguin the best place to be!

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

DR. JAMES LEE

Long-Time Seguin Physician’s lifetime of care and compassion have helped shape the community as we know it

Story by Felicia Frazar

by Felicia Frazar & courtesy of Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation

For more than 50 years, Dr. James Lee has dedicated his life to the health and wellbeing of the community’s residents.

From running a successful medical practice for more than 30 years, and serving for several years on the MHMR board to helping found the Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation, Lee has helped shape medical care in Seguin and Guadalupe County.

It’s his continued contributions to the community that have earned him the Mary Lee Robert’s Citizen of the Year Award.

Lee’s journey into the medical field began in college at Schreiner University. Although, his chosen career path was completely opposite of medicine.

“I was going to be an engineer, but turned out I loved my sciences better than the math part,” he said. “I ended up going pre-med.”

After spending two years in Kerrville, Lee transitioned to the University of Texas - Austin for pre-med and upon graduation went to San Antonio Medical School.

After earning his medical degree, Lee did his three years of residency in Fort Worth.

The love and care Lee’s general practitioner gave him growing up inspired the doctor and gave him the foundation of how he wanted to run his own practice.

After his residency was complete, Lee looked to three small Texas towns

Photo

to open up his own practice — Kerrville, New Braunfels and Seguin.

Wanting to work more with children and families, Lee chose Seguin for his practice. He also found a strong network of doctors in town.

“I was interested in pediatrics and the younger age group,” he said. “I liked Seguin because all of the doctors got along real well with each other. Plus, Pat Liberty said we had really good schools here.”

Not long after moving to Seguin in 1977, Lee joined the St. James Catholic School board, giving him glimpse into serving on boards. Lee is also a 50-year member of the Knights of Columbus and a 30-year member of the Rotary Club.

He spent 25 years on the MHMR board at the behest of Ellie Selig, who was the wife of former SMI owner Marvin Selig and chaired the board at the time.

“That was my main thing,” he said. “Now it was taken over by Bluebonnet Trails. They built a nice big building. Previously, we had to try to piecemeal that facility to try to make it something useful for MHMR clients.”

In the mid-’80s, Lee served as president of the Seguin Chamber of Commerce. It was a time when the organization was looking to help the city create economic development.

“The big thing that we did was we tried to pass a half-cent sales tax because Walmart was coming to town and so we said we needed to pass that and use that money for economic development,” he said. It did not pass.”

On the second attempt, the wording changed from half-a-cent to one-fourth of a cent for economic development and one-fourth for ad valorem, Lee said. This time, the measure passed and the city saw a change that would change the community.

“It amazed me how much money that started to roll in,” he said. “In there was the start of the economic development board as a separate entity. We saw in the future that we were trying to recruit that industry to come to

Seguin. We really needed to have some money to develop that.”

Lee was appointed to the hospital board 30 years ago and has served as chairman for the past 10 years. He is the only member of the seven-person board who was appointed by the city and county.

“The hospital is so important for the community to have. We’re one of the few five-star hospitals in the state of Texas — I think there are 31 and we’re one of them,” he said.

While serving the hospital board and running his family medicine practice, Lee helped found the Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation — an organization that supports Guadalupe Regional Medical Center’s work in the community.

One of the programs Lee is proud of is the patient prescription program that helps community members receive much-needed medication.

“There were so many people that couldn’t afford medicine,” he said. “It has been a tremendous help. It’s been millions of dollars in medication for people who couldn’t afford them.”

Throughout the years, donations to the foundation have led to the purchase of equipment that is imperative for hospitals to help their patients.

“Through the foundation, the hospital has new equipment that hospital’s in San Antonio don’t have like a 3D X-ray scanner,” he said. “It’s very rare to have something like that.”

While Lee is proud of his work in the community, he’s more proud of his family — wife, four daughters and 10 grandchildren. He admitted his volunteer work wouldn’t be possible without his wife Janice’s support.

All of his family members are involved in their communities, which doesn’t have to take much, Lee said.

“There are a ton of places to volunteer, you don’t have to wait to retire,” he said. “You can start volunteering earlier. I would encourage people to volunteer. It is very satisfying.”

CONGRATULATIONS

JAMES LEE, MD GRMC BOARD CHAIRMAN

Dr. Lee is a 2023 recipient of The Seguin Gazette’s Citizen of the Year Award!

Dr. Lee has served on the Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation Board since 1999 and the GRMC Board since 2009.

We are proud of Dr. Lee’s dedication to caring for our community. grmedcenter.com

VISION AWARD

KATHERINE GARCIA

Decades of hard work blend into years of volunteerism

Story by Felicia Frazar

Photos by Felicia Frazar & courtesy Katherine Garcia’s family

For nearly four decades, Seguin resident Katherine Garcia worked to ensure that area seniors were taken care of.

Her care for her neighbors continues well after her retirement and earns her recognition as one of the Seguin Gazette’s VISION Award winners.

“I was surprised,” she said. “I’m sure there is somebody more worthy than I am. I just enjoy working with the senior citizens and people.”

The newspaper presents VISION (Volunteers in Service in Our Neighborhoods) Awards annually, along with the Mary Lee Roberts Citizen of the Year Award. The awards celebrate the best and brightest of the community.

More than half of the 91-year-old’s life has seen her lending a helping hand to the community.

Born in Gonzales County, Garcia moved to Seguin with her family when she about 4 or 5 years old. She is one of nine children.

She attended Ball High School and graduated in 1950. Shortly after that she married.

When the U.S. Government drafted her husband into the war, Katherine stayed home to raise their three children.

“I stayed at home and my husband went off to war,” she said. “Not that it was his idea; he had to go.”

Her children grew up in Seguin, graduated high school and headed off to college.

Eventually, she began working at a local kindergarten, and she had a short stint at the tax office, but it was her almost-40 years of work for Community Council of South Central Texas that started her generous path.

“I worked in the Community Council South Central Texas Aging Program, but first I worked with the younger people,” she said. “When the aging program started, we had to keep the budget, keep the vans running, deliver the food to New Braunfels, Sweet Home, Schertz, Marion. We would prepare 300-something meals a day to get out. I enjoyed working everywhere. If the driver didn’t show up, I had to drive, if the cook didn’t show up, I had to cook.”

Katherine worked for Community Council of South Central Texas for 38 years before she decided to call it quits in 2010. However, she wasn’t done helping people.

A partnership with a local program started Katherine on her path of volunteerism.

“I started volunteering because of Stephen Doerr with the RSVP Program,” she said. “All of the seniors I had been working with the meals program, I got them into the RSVP program.”

Doerr looked to Garcia when she worked for CCSCT for help recruiting seniors into the volunteer group and when she retired, she joined them.

“When I quit work, he asked me to start volunteer. I enjoyed working with the people,” she said.

At one point, Katherine said she volunteered for some time with the Guadalupe Valley Family Violence Shelter and the Cranny.

A dozen years ago, she lent a hand at the Salvation Army and that’s where she spends most of her time helping today, Katherine said.

“I’ve been there for 12 years and I enjoy working with the people and everything and trying to help them,” she said.

Katherine is a life-long member of Greater Pilgrim Baptist Church, where she used to teach Sunday school. She is a member of the Seguin chapter of the NAACP and the MLK Day Committee.

Helping others is what she enjoys doing, Katherine said.

“You feel good, because you are helping somebody have a better life,” she said. “Everybody says God has a plan, but I don’t know what it is. I enjoy volunteering and get up and go sometimes when I don’t feel like going because I know they depend on me being there.”

VISION AWARD

FELIX MORENO

Aplethora of activities keep lifelong Seguinite Felix Moreno busy, and he would have it no other way.

Besides working at Tres Hewell Mortuary, Moreno spends his time on the board of the Guadalupe County Fair Association, volunteering with Seguin’s League of United Latin American Citizens council, serving the local Knights of Columbus council and more.

With a reputation for going above and beyond, lifelong citizen continues to help make seguin a better place

Story by Dalondo Moultrie

Photos by Felicia Frazar & courtesy Felix Moreno

“I really give back to my community and help them out with all the fundraisers they do and stuff,” Moreno said. “I just like to give back to the community.”

It’s for that giving spirit and the hours put in to help make Seguin better that Moreno is a Seguin Gazette 2023 VISION Award recipient.

The newspaper presents VISION (Volunteers in Service in Our Neighborhoods) Awards annually, along with the Mary Lee Roberts Citizen of the Year Award. The awards celebrate the best and brightest of the community.

Born and raised in Seguin and having never lived anywhere else, helping to improve the town is second nature for him, Moreno said.

“I do it out of the kindness of my heart,” he said. “I like to give back. I’m involved in four or five organizations I like to help out.”

His volunteerism started about 13 years ago when a friend mentioned that LULAC needed participants to help the local council, Moreno said.

His father had recently died and he had extra time on his hands. The friend suggested he spend it with the council and Moreno said he’s volunteered with LULAC ever since.

In recent years, he helped the council with its fundraising efforts that benefit area youth with scholarships and more. Helping LULAC coordinate entertainment for its annual Cinco de Mayo events in Seguin is important to him, Moreno said.

In more recent years, he joined the Knights of Columbus, where he provides assistance in various ways. He volunteered to help the council sell food and more nearly each day of the 2023 Guadalupe County Youth Show as well as other activities throughout the year.

“A lot of people, especially this past two years, they have been complimenting me a lot for the stuff I do for the community,” Moreno said. “A lot of the members of Knights of Columbus, because I do a lot, they say ‘you’re doing a good job’ and ‘keep up the good work.’”

Moreno has gained a reputation for being someone always willing to help out. He is known for going above and beyond what is required or requested of him.

He does it because he can and he wants to help. So learning that he was chosen as a VISION Award winner came as a shock, he said.

He doesn’t do it for the accolades, but it is an honor to be recognized, Moreno said.

“I’ve never been met with an honor like this before,” Moreno said. “I do a lot of community service just to give back to the community and I never realized something like this would happen.”

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VISION AWARD

DINA DILLON

Veteran’s work with youth earns recognition from the community and her family

Story by Dalondo Moultrie

Photos by The Seguin Gazette & courtesy Dina Dillon

Before Dina Dillon’s son reached his teens, he learned of the Young Marines organization and decided to join.

Her son’s experience and more led to her volunteering with the organization, said Dillon, Guadalupe Valley Young Marines unit commander. Little did the U.S. Navy Veteran know, the chance encounter would develop into a decades-long passion for her that she still cultivates to this day.

“It was the best decision I could’ve ever done and still doing,” Dillon said. “There are so many memories being in the program and volunteering that I am so glad I’m doing it.”

Now, that volunteerism and more have led to a specific honor.

Dillon has been named one of this year’s VISION Award winners.

The Seguin Gazette presents VISION (Volunteers in Service in Our Neighborhoods) Awards annually, along with the Mary Lee Roberts Citizen of the Year Award.

Chandler Dillon nominated his mother, Dina, for this year’s award.

“Dina volunteers most of her time to the Young Marines program helping youth in our community, promoting a healthy, drug-free lifestyle,” Chandler said in his nominating form. “She has received the national Fulcrum Shield award given by the U.S. Department of Defense for her commitment to Red Ribbon Week.”

Dina’s work in the community does not end with Young Marines, Chandler said. She supports military service men and women in the Guadalupe County area, he said.

Heath

“She also volunteers for almost every single veteran event in the community on top of taking care of her disabled husband,” Chandler said. “She is very deserving of this award and is nuts about Seguin.”

Also on the volunteer front, Dina serves as Seguin Premier Toastmasters’ vice president of public relations and media. She’s gone through the Seguin Police Department Citizens Police Academy and served on band booster and athletic booster clubs in the Navarro ISD.

Learning that someone nominated her for the award, and the fact that she actually was chosen as a VISION Award winner, means a lot, Dina said.

“I’m totally excited,” she said. “I feel giddy inside. It’s, like, oh my God because she said somebody nominated me.

“That’s kind of exciting that somebody’s thinking about me that I’m doing something good.”

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EVENT CALENDAR

-February-

Chamber Showcase Seguin - 2023 A Space Odyssey: Ninth – 5 - 8 PM

It’s that time of year to showcase your business with out-of-this-world service and galactic possibilities. Showcase Seguin is a business expo to highlight the amazing options in the area. This year entry is free, but you must register in advance. LOCATION: Seguin Coliseum, 950 S. Austin St.

Galentine’s Cocktail Social: Tenth – 7 - 10 pm

Come join an event for women hosted by women. Enjoy a nice evening of networking, friendship and fun all while supporting The Seguin Christian Cupboard. LOCATION: Soel Venue, 112 W. Donegan St.

Sunrise Rotary Sweethearts Dance: Eleventh – 6 - 9 pm

Join this charitable effort to raise money for Seguin and Navarro students. You will hear live music from the Michael Hale Trio featuring Mac Macintosh, a full dinner, and adult beverages are provided with purchase of a ticket. LOCATION: Big Red Barn, 390 Cordova Rd.

Third Thursday: Eighteenth – 4 - 8 PM

Come out to see what Downtown Seguin has to offer! Late-night shopping, food trucks and live music. Location: Central Park, 201 S. Austin St.

Education Foundation’s Mardi Gras: twenty-third – 5:30 - 8:30 PM

The Seguin Education Foundation’s Mardi Gras festivities include live jazz, Cajun food and beverages, amazing live and silent auctions, and a chance to mix and mingle with friends. LOCATION: Seguin Coliseum, 950 S. Austin St.

Cornhole for a Cause: Twenty-fifth – 12 - 10 pm

The Jacobs Ladder Foundation is inviting the community to come show off their cornhole skills, enjoy barbecue and sip on a free adult beverage. The event will include wholesome family fun with kid activities, live music and raffle prizes! LOCATION: Big Red Barn, 390 Cordova Rd.

-March-

Guadalupe County Bras For A Cause: second, 6:30 pm

The entire evening is full of light-hearted fun, raising awareness and raising money to help people in our local community fighting all forms of cancer. The Bras For A Cause Endowment will provide assistance to men, women, teens, and children impacted by all types of cancer receiving cancer-related services at GRMC. LOCATION: Seguin Coliseum, 950 S. Austin St.