Seguin Magazine - July 2023

the stage

FALLING FOR BROADWAY

Directors and counselors help children discover a passion for acting at Camp Broadway

NATURE’S BRUSHSTROKES

Capturing and chronicling breathtaking sunsets in scientific atmospheric study

Embracing the rock and metal music scene with thunderous success

In this issue July 2023

FEATURES

10 BEYOND THE STAGE

Hometown musician hits the rock and metal music scene with thunderous success

16 NATURE’S BRUSHSTROKES

Scientist captures and chronicles breathtaking sunsets in atmospheric study

20 MORE THAN SKIN DEEP

Self taught artist fuels her passion with tattooing and her love for music

ON THE SCENE

24 FALLING FOR BROADWAY

Igniting the passion for acting, directors and counselors help children discover love for the stage

CULINARY CREATIONS

30 EDIBLE ARTISTRY ON A PLATE

Tuna tartare transforms into an inspirational masterpiece of flavor and beauty

32 THE ART OF BREWING TEA

Exploring the enchanting world of herbalism and the benefits of brewing

AROUND TOWN

34 FAVORITE FINDS

Unique items from small, local businesses

36 SAVE THE DATE

See what events are coming up

38 FACES OF SEGUIN

Submitted photos from our readers

on the cover

Navarro High School alumni

Jonathan Norris looks out into the crowd as his band Kingdom Collapse plays a show. Kingdom Collapse is a rising rock band that has two songs that have made Billboard’s Top 40 Metal charts.

Photo courtesy Jonathan Norris

Desiree Gerland

Graphic Designer

Rebecca Harrison

Writers

Emi Aubin

Felicia Frazar

Grim Gilbreath

Dalondo Moultrie

Bianca Rawlings

Danny Story

Photographers

Felicia Frazar

Victoria Gaytan

Megan Granzin

Gay Lynn Olsovsky

Being an artist comes with its share of challenges, but it is through these struggles that we discover the depth of our creative potential. I am always blown away by the absolute genius of so many new and popular artists and their drive to make a life while doing the art that fuels their soul. In this edition, we explore the struggles and triumphs that come with being an artist, showcasing inspiring stories that will hopefully ignite your own creative sparks.

Drop into the journey of a small-town musician who has risen to the rock and metal music scene, proving that dreams can be achieved with passion and determination. Dive into the captivating work of a scientist who studies sunsets, capturing nature’s artistry through a scientific lens. For the young and young-at-heart, shine a spotlight on Camp Broadway and the exploration of creative potential. Meet a self-taught tattoo artist with unique tattoo designs and a passion for music. In the realm of taste and aroma, celebrate the art of brewing herbal tea, a delightful experience that engages the senses and offers a moment of tranquility. And don’t miss our culinary adventure with a beautifully delicious tuna tartare, where flavors and aesthetics intertwine.

One of my absolute favorite parts of my day is when I get to cook some delicious food or slap some scribbles on paper while listening to my best friend/boyfriend play guitar or drum. Neither of us claim to be a professional artist by any means (he would argue otherwise of my artistic talent), but we absolutely adore being able to blossom with our passion for art and enjoy it with each other.

Desiree Gerland

Desiree Gerland

Creative Director /

desiree.gerland@seguingazette.com

Beyond The stage

Hometown Musician Hits the Rock and Metal Music Scene with Thunderous Success

For all of Jonathan Norris’ life, music was an inspiration and an aspiration.

Growing up in a small community and graduating from a smaller school — 2012 Navarro High School graduate — Norris found himself submersed in country lyrics, but rock really called his name.

“I’ve always been into rock and metal, that’s my thing,” he said. “I’ve always just kind of done my own little deal. I loved music as a kid growing up. I listened to the classics and the legends growing up like Elvis, the Beatles. Then I really got attached to heavier rock.”

Finding a passion in the sound, he started gravitating toward the music and began playing the guitar when he was 10. Now, he is the singer and songwriter for the rising rock band Kingdom Collapse based out of San Antonio.

“I started singing because I was writing all of this stuff for a brand new project,” he said. “I just jumped in to the deep end, making it my own solo project.”

As he wrote more songs and really started to explore all of his talents, Norris found the inspiration for his band’s name.

“That was actually at a point in my

life when I was discovering who I was and growing up,” he said. “I was forming my own opinions and beliefs on certain things and it was that old kingdom collapsing for something new and better. It was that doing away with that old and being yourself.”

He joined up with some fellow musicians and started playing some of the songs he wrote. Kingdom Collapse began with Norris, guitarist Robert Flores, bassist Blake Suarez and drummer David Sanchez.

People started to really take notice of the group with its first release hitting it big on YouTube, Norris said.

“Our first song to really kind of blow up on YouTube was ‘Suffer,’” he said. “That one has 9 or 10 million views. That kickstarted things.”

In 2020, they released “Uprise,” which made the Billboard Mainstream Rock Top 40, as well as Mediabase Rock Top 40, all as an unsigned band.

However, things changed over the years and so did his bandmates. But that didn’t stop Norris or Kingdom Collapse from continuing to rise, as the current members found themselves “coming alive” following their release of the single “Unbreakable.”

Story by Felicia frazar Photos courtesy Jonathan Norris

“That was the first song that we all released with this line up and that’s kind of been what everyone knows Kingdom Collapse as, these four members — me, Aaron, David and Eli.”

Following the COVID-19 shutdowns, Norris asked childhood friend, pseudo manager and guitarist Aaron Smith to lend a hand on the bass. Smith brought with him his musical talents as well as his ability to network and connect with others in the industry, Norris said.

“(This industry is) more than just playing music, it’s more than just being an artist,” he said. “It’s networking, it’s business, it’s relationships. He was already helping with behind the scenes stuff for us.”

Norris looked to a former bandmate, David Work, to help out on lead guitar and brought on Houston-based drummer Elijah (Eli) Santucci.

The group never expected the single would skyrocket to the top of the charts.

“‘Unbreakable’ just, we didn’t expect it to blow up like it did,” Norris said. “It started being played, it was Billboard Top 40 on the Rock Charts, it was all over Sirius XM’s Octane and it’s still played, even two years later. That was our big hit thus far.”

Other recent releases include “Save Me From Myself,” “Breakfree” and “Anything,” which came out April 2023. Like most bands, Kingdom Collapse still works to put out new songs and get them to the same level, Norris said.

“Not every song is as big as the last. They’re all their own animal,” he said. “But they’ve all kind of snowballed to where the catalog grows. Some people might like another song more than ‘Unbreakable.’ They may like ‘Suffer.’ They may like the new one. It just helps build things bigger and bigger.”

Eventually, the band started seeing more requests for shows outside the state and landed gigs in rock-heavy cities, which help pushed their success to new levels.

“We’re dependent on touring the country, hitting those markets,” Norris said. “Like Florida and the Mid-West

are big rock markets. We just go where we’re wanted.”

Norris is stoked to book a show close to home on Aug. 4 at Sam’s Burger Joint in San Antonio.

The band is working toward putting together a full-length album. In the meantime, Norris said they continue to tour to promote the songs they’ve already released.

Kingdom Collapse took the stage 163 times and played eight tours last year. They’ve shared the stage with bands like Three Days Grace, Nothing More, From Ashes to New, and more, Norris said.

“Nothing More, we’ve been friends with them for a while,” he said. “We’re in that same world with them. They call us up to see if we want to play with them.”

After getting that call, Norris said the band packed up and headed to Albuquerque for the show and started their trek home. About halfway, they received a call from their agent saying there was a change in plans.

“He said turn around, you’ve got Three Days Grace tomorrow in Kansas City,” Norris said. “It was awesome. We showed up, met all of them, played for like 2,500 people. It was great.”

He ensured his biggest supporter and No. 1 fan was there to see it.

“I flew my mom out to Kansas City for the show,” he said. “She was right up in the front on the rails. It was awesome. My mom is a big supporter. She has always supported the music stuff. She’d seen how serious I was about it and that it wasn’t just a pipe dream. She saw that and supported it, even when others didn’t really see it.”

Playing with bands of that caliber is surreal, Norris admitted.

“The same artists that I grew up listening to and inspired me to want to play guitar, we’re playing with them,” he said. “It is crazy. I feel like we’ve made it, even if we haven’t technically made it. We’re already in a great spot, where it’s crazy to look back and see how far we’ve come.”

For Norris, it’s a small county in the heart of Texas.

Nature’s Brushstroke

Scientist Captures and Chronicles

Breathtaking Sunsets in Atmospheric Study

Story by Dalondo Moultrie

For many years, local scientist Forrest Mims has had his eye on a prize in the sky.

Recently, the longtime Guadalupe County resident has been documenting amazing colorful sunsets and sunrises with vivid streaks of red and astonishing views. Not content with just taking in picturesque images, Mims studies the atmosphere and explains what makes the sky appear so beautiful.

It’s smoke, dust, air pollution, sulphur and more, he said.

“I built six instruments that can measure the altitude of all that stuff in the sky,” said Mims, who is an inventor, a writer and a freelance scientist who does technical work for NASA.

Mims has captured some terrific twilight photos displaying images at the Texas coast as well as around his home. He uses a drone to photograph brilliant sunrises with fewer obstructions than if they were taken at ground level.

But he also uses instruments he created to look skyward. It all comes

from a lifelong obsession with science and gadgetry, Mims said. A natural phenomenon opened his eyes to a world of possibilities that blossomed into the scientific world he now inhabits.

“I started being interested in science when I was 6 years old,” Mims said. “I saw a big spider web. There was this black and yellow spider. … It started vibrating the web. That fascinated me.”

A lifetime of discoveries and seeking and sharing knowledge followed.

Mims was a military brat born as his father served the United States Navy in Houston. The family moved around and lived in parts of Alabama, Alaska, Colorado and Texas.

As a child, he and his brother became interested in rockets and read all they could get their hands on about the machines. It wasn’t just rockets, though. When he was in the ninth grade, Mims built his first transistor radio, which led to a future of creating other gadgets and building them or having an engineer bring his ideas to life.

Photos by Felicia Frazar and courtesy Forrest Mims

His senior project in high school involved such a device.

With his father learning to speak Russian while in the military, Mims came up with an idea to help his dad and others.

“I dreamed up a way to translate Russian to English and English to Russian with a computer,” he said. “I became pretty serious about electronics.”

After earning a government degree at Texas A&M University with minors in English and history, Mims joined the United States Air Force. He volunteered during the war to go to Vietnam and helped develop technology to help rescue downed fighter pilots, Mims said.

After a yearlong tour, Air Force brass noticed his skills with electronic devices and sent Mims to the military branch’s weapons lab, he said. The first day at the assignment, Mims said he met Minnie Chavez, a beautiful secretary with whom he fell in love.

“If it hadn’t been for my electronics, I never would’ve met my wife or had my kids,” Mims said.

He remains married to Minnie and they have three adult children, Eric Mims, Vicki Mercer and Sarah Mims.

In 1985, the family moved to a house just on the outskirts of Seguin in Guadalupe County. It is around that home and in the county where Forrest has made some important discoveries.

In 1995, NASA recruited him to help measure smoke effects from widespread burning in Brazil. The following year, the space agency hired him to study the effects forest fires in the western United States made on the atmosphere.

Another Brazil project for NASA followed in 1997 and the agency currently has Mims measuring the altitude of smoke, debris and total water vapor speed into the air from Hunga Tonga, an underwater volcano in the Pacific Ocean.

“Total water vapor is extremely important to understand climate, droughts and El Ninos,” Mims said. “It can predict the conditions for thunderstorms. You may not get the thunderstorms but you will have the conditions.”

Through the years, Mims has had “some pretty interesting adventures,” he said. He also has penned a bevy of books.

Among them are 1978’s “Understanding Digital Computers,” which moved 165,000 copies. In 1992, his “Engineer’s Notebooks” was published and it sold 160,000 copies, Mims said.

Then there’s “Getting Started in Electronics,” which came out in 2020

and has sold more than 1.3 million copies, he said. On top of those hits, he has a published memoir and is working on his second.

Mims said he has no plans of slowing down any time soon. He’s having too much fun.

“I’m a freelance scientist and writer; that’s it,” Mims said. “I can make money from NASA but not very much. … I’m doing it because I enjoy doing it.”

Skin DeepMORE THAN

Self taught artist fuels her passion with tattooing and her love for music

Story by Grim Gilbreath

Photos by Victoria Gaytan

Self-taught tattoo artist Amy Contreras has been leaving her mark around Seguin for over 10 years. She has become a respected name in the tattoo community, often letting her work speak for itself. This artist has not only gained notoriety in the tattoo world, but she is also an accomplished musician with a local alternative band, Sea of Silence.

“Music has been my number one love , for sure.” Contreras said “ I’ve been playing since I was 5 years old.”

Contreras fell in love with music largely due to her uncles and local musicians, Danny and Steve Velasquez, who ignited her interest in guitar and taught her how to play at the tender age of 5. That passion is a flame that has burned brightly ever since. Contreras joined many bands through the years and carries her immense love for music in everything she does. The love is apparent in her shop and in her personal life, as she is still active in the Seguin music scene as vocalist and lead guitarist for Sea of Silence.

In addition to her love of making music, she found her passion for creating visual art early in her childhood,

when she would aimlessly doodle drawings in school. She soon found herself drawing on her arms in class, which led to classmates not only admiring her work, but begging her to do the same to their arms. Before long, she would come to realize her preferred medium wasn’t pencil and paper, but skin and ink. Through a massive amount of support from her siblings and her parents, Cindi and Felix Contreras, she set out on the path of teaching herself to be a tattoo artist. She said,

“I’m a self taught artist, which I personally don’t recommend. It took tons and tons of research, and I’d have to find solutions and techniques on my own. It was a lot of literal blood, sweat and many tears, but it has to be when it’s something you’re extremely passionate about.”

Studying established artists like local friend, mentor and artist Jerimiah Camacho, Contreras eventually honed her own tattoo technique. With the help of expert advice and her own persistence and diligence in improving her style, she became ever more versed in a variety of different methods. After years of practice, she was approached by an established tattoo parlor that had

become a fan of her work and after a short while, she became a full- fledged licensed tattoo artist. She never stopped developing her skills and talents, which ultimately led to her success.

“Parents need to embrace their children’s dreams,” Contreras said. “It will give them that drive to not quit when people tell them otherwise.”

After years of finding her stride and becoming a well-known and respected artist in the area, she felt the urge to spread her wings and open her own shop, since the next step in her mission was to become the best tattoo professional. With even more support from her girlfriend, family, friends and church Contreras opened All Aces Ink in the summer of 2022, and the community was quick to welcome her with open arms. Having the fundamentals of the business established but still lack ing a few details, Contreras received generous aid from her loved ones and from her church. She received offers of unprompted generosity, such as the time Contreras was having a simple conversa tion with her pastor, Marcos Avalos. He was getting a tattoo from Contreras at the time, which then led to the generous donation of a new tattoo chair from his congregation at Crossroads Church.

Just a year into being a shop owner, Contreras brought on an apprentice, and her unique style has flourished at her shop. Showcasing not only her love for tattooing but also her love for music, All Aces Ink welcomes a small army of new clients through its doors regularly. While the shop is currently operating on an appointment-only basis, she is thinking of transitioning to a hybrid of walk-ins and appointment-based business platforms.

The new downtown Seguin has welcomed so many new faces, and it’s great to see yet another take the stage both literally and figuratively with her tattooing on one and her music on another. The love and support Contreras has received from the local community goes to show that her art may be skin deep, but her effect on the people she interacts with clearly goes all the way to the heart.

Falling for

Story by Emi Aubin

It’s summer once again, and we all know what that means: It’s theater season! Every year, the folks at Camp Broadway pull off the seemingly impossible feat of corralling kids, helping them memorize lines, learn lyrics and put on a full musical after only two short weeks; from auditions to curtain call.

This is, of course, an incredible feat, because of what goes on behind the scenes. Without everyone working hard to keep things organized, the show could not go on.

Photos by Felicia Frazar

Broadway

Igniting the Passion for Acting, directors and counselors help children Discover Love for the Stage

Sheila Lucas, the director of Camp Broadway, and Aidan Martinez, the assistant director and former camper, are just two wheels of a well-oiled machine that takes center stage at the historic Stephen and Mary Birch Texas Theatre. There is so much to do every day, it takes a team of dedicated individuals to make the magic happen, Martinez said.

“There’s the Directors, the choreographer, the set designer, stage managers, the techies and, most importantly, the Drama Mamas!..So much needs to get done – choreography, costumes, last minute fixes, and I don’t even know half of the things Sheila Lucas does to keep us intact,” he said.

Like any great summer camp, Camp Broadway relies on a team of stellar camp counselors. These counselors are generally high schoolers who were once campers themselves. This creates a self-sustaining cycle of sorts. The counselors help the shy little ones come out of their shells and ensure that the campers have fun. They enjoy it so much, they keep coming back every year and eventually age out as campers, and step into counselor roles. Then, they help the next generations of campers have just as great of a time as they did, which makes them want to become counselors, and the cycle continues.

“They counsel and teach,” Lucas said. “They do all of the vocal rehearsals, all of the choreographic rehearsing. They do dramatic readings. They do the character building and games with them, theater games and improv. They love improv. So they pretty much take over when we're getting the kids ready.

The counselors are the heart of the camp, Martinez said.

“We really rely on our counselors for a lot of camp,” he said. “There are campers who’ve grown out of camp and high schoolers who are active in the theater at Seguin High School. They deserve so much praise, because these young adults work so hard and truly care about the campers and their experience here at Camp Broadway.”

Lucas, who is a professional actress and retired theater arts teacher, uses her experience to rise to the challenge of overseeing this program and overcoming any obstacles.

“Everything is sort of cyclical in this business,” she said. “And so, every day at camp, I'll see something that's happened before. Experiences just flood back when there’s an issue to resolve here. You never forget it, and you just try to pass on what can help young people overcome those stumbles and falls in live theater. Because they’ll always happen, and that's all just part of the joy of live theater. And in the end, the kids always do a great job.”

While time is of the essence, the directors and counselors make the magic happen, Martinez said.

“The time restraint is the biggest obstacle,” he said. “Two weeks is a crazyshort amount of time; but at this point, it’s second nature to us.”

Family members also jump in to lend a hand.

“The camper moms’ work is absolutely seamless, and they 100% come through every time,” Lucas said. “If I have a problem, they fix it. They find it and fix it immediately. So it’s been a true blessing to have that level of involvement from the parents.”

Despite all of the challenges and chaos involved in making everything come together, the process is a magical labor of love.

“There’s so many rewarding things that come from being part of Camp Broadway — getting to work alongside Lucas and Amanda (Henk), getting to see the amazing Drama Mamas year after year, and getting to watch these kids and young adults fall in love with acting and helping them hone their craft,” Martinez said.

Lucas agreed, adding that she looks forward to the camp year after year.

“During Camp Broadway, this building is filled with laughter and joy in every room,” she said. “ Everywhere I walk, there’s laughter, and joy, and music. It’s more than amazing – it’s God-given, and it’s truly wonderful.”

EdibleArtistry on a plate

Tuna Tartare Transforms into an Inspirational Masterpiece of Flavor and Beauty

Hello, friends and neighbors. How do you feel about sushi? There are so many different rolls, fish and sauces. Do you like it raw or do you prefer cooked? I’m personally a huge fan. I could eat sushi three or four times a week and be over the moon. It was on my most recent trip that I really got inspired for this month’s dish.

I wanted to make something beautiful, but different this time. When I think beautiful dishes, I always consider simple yet refined; something with all the right ratios of elements that make every bite perfect. This month, I also wanted to combine all of those elements

with something nice, cool and refreshing for the early summer months.

At first, I was seriously thinking of making a steak tartare. It’s a dish many haven’t tried but that arguably is inaccessible because of the aversion to raw red meat. That’s where my trip to the sushi bar came in.

What if I made the tartare with tuna instead? Then I added a little Asian inspiration to bring the flavors home since I’m introducing a whole different way of eating it. It came out way better than I ever could’ve hoped. I promise, if you decide to make this at home, you will not regret it!

Story and Photo by Danny Story

- INGREDIENTS -

For rice base-

1 cup of medium grain or sushi rice

1 tablespoon of rice vinegar

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

Sushi tuna-

1 tuna steak, cubed (I recommend frozen to insure it’s safe and sushi grade)

1 tablespoon sriracha sauce

1 table spoon sweet soy sauce

A pinch of ginger powder

Sesame seeds to taste (white and black)

Wasabi paste (to taste as it can be strong)

1 egg yolk

1 cucumber sliced thin for garnish

1 large, smashed avocado

Your favorite sushi sauce

Spicy mayo-

Equal parts sriracha and mayo

Eel sauce-

Equal parts oyster sauce and sweet soy

- INSTRUCTIONS -

This one is easy to put together and the only cooking involved is the rice. Mix together the ingredients for the tuna minus the egg.

Using a ring mold or ramekin, start to build your stack on a separate dish. I like to build mine upside down because it makes the transfer easier. You want to fill the mold about 1/3 to 1/2 full of the tuna mixture. Then add the smashed avocado and finally the sushi rice mixture.

Once you have it all placed in your mold, I recommend putting it in the freezer to chill for about 15 minutes. Trust me, It’ll make all the difference when you plate.

On your platter, place your sliced cucumber, and then simply flip your tuna stack and place it down onto the dish. To finish it off, place the egg yolk on top and cover it with your favorite sauces.

I recommend eating this meal with a friend because it is rich, but oh so good!

the art of

Brewing Tea

Exploring the Enchanting World of Herbalism and the benefits of brewing

Story by Bianca Rawlings

Herbalism, an age-old practice rooted in the tradition of using plants for wellness, has gained widespread popularity in recent years. As people seek natural alternatives for promoting health, the art of using teas and herbs to soothe the body and soul has become more and more mainstream.

Let’s take a deeper dive and “spill the tea,” so to speak, on the wonderful world of herbalism and tea making. Whether someone chooses to forage for and brew their own bounty or buy from local shops and herbalists, they are certain to enjoy herbal tea as much as (maybe even more than) they enjoy a cold glass of Texas sweet iced tea.

From research to word of mouth, herbal teas are renowned for their potential health benefits. Consuming herbal teas can support digestion, improve sleep quality, boost the immune system, and alleviate stress, according to Penn Medicine.

Each herb requires different brewing parameters, according to the research of TheSpruceEats.com. The art of tea making lies in the delicate balance of ingredients and the brewing process. Some herbs, such as delicate flower petals, are steeped for shorter durations, while others, like roots and barks, may require longer brewing times for optimal extraction of beneficial compounds.

The preparation method significantly affects the phytochemical content and bioactivity of herbal teas, according to an article published on the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources website. As recommended by UCANR, to extract the maximum benefits of your tea, use the following guide: Water temperature: Different herbs respond to varying water temperatures.

For delicate flowers and leaves, use water around 175°F (80°C), while hardier herbs like roots and barks require boiling water at 212°F (100°C).

Steeping time: To achieve a well-balanced infusion, steep the herbs for an appropriate duration. Generally, delicate herbs steep for 3-5 minutes, while tougher herbs may require 8-10 minutes.

Storage: Store dried herbs in airtight containers away from sunlight to maintain their potency and flavor.

Steeped in tradition and celebrated for its calming ritual, the art of herbalism and tea making encompass more than just the selection of herbs. It involves an understanding of the nuances of tea leaves, the overall water quality and the various brewing methods that bring out the best flavors and aromas.

Like any true art, it takes time and a process; one that is well worth it, though. So take some time to enjoy the art of herbalism, and let nature’s bounty enhance your well-being one soothing cup at a time.

Choose local and independent for all your shopping needs! Thank you for continuing to support our community.

Ultimate Supply Kit

You’re So Crafty - $29.99

Easy-to-use tools perfect for the painter learning color theory. The artist wheel visually illustrates relationships between colors and the gray scale & value finder has a unique cutout design that allows for easy viewing and ensures accurate reading to determine the values from black to white as well as colors. A paint brush washer and storage tray allow for a clean and organized work station that any artist will appreciate.

208 S. Austin St. | (830) 379-0730 | www.youresocrafty.com

Raze Eyewear

Pecan City Disc Golf Shop - $19.99+

These are the highest performance sport frames made by Raze. Rubber injected throughout the arms, a 4-way adjustable nose piece, and thin arms create the most comfortable fit you can find.

225 N. Saunders St., Suite 6 | (830) 491-5007 www.pecancitydgs.com

‘Art Is Life: Icons and Iconoclasts, Visionaries and Vigilantes, and Flashes of Hope in the Night’ Pecantown Books and Brews - $90

In “Art Is Life”, Jerry Saltz draws on two decades of work to offer a real-time survey of contemporary art as a barometer of our times. Chronicling a period punctuated by dramatic turning points from the cultural reset of 9/11 to the rolling social crises of today. Saltz traces how visionary artists have both documented and challenged the culture.

212 S. Camp St. | (830) 491-9155

www.pecantownbooks.com

Marshall Stars & Stripes Polo

The Mercantile - $58.99

Engineered with performance technology to wick away moisture, maximize mobility and shield you from the sun, plus the versatility to transition seamlessly from one activity to the next, this polo will fit your active lifestyle.

206 S. Austin St. | (830) 406-2321

Happy Holidays Y’all Ornament

Kitty Keller Designs - $52.95

Celebrate Christmas in July in the Lone Star State with a one-ofa-kind cloisonné ornament. No two ornaments are ever alike, each one is a unique work of art. Cloisonné ornaments are shatterproof, made from a copper form and meant to last a lifetime.

416 N. Austin St. | (830) 303-9280 www.kittykeller.com

EVENT CALENDAR

-jULY-

Biggest small-town Fourth of July parade: fourth – 10 am

The “Biggest Small-Town Fourth of July Parade in Texas” - Crowds of flag-waving people will line Austin Street for the annual parade. The floats roll at 10 a.m. Past crowd estimates have exceeded 10,000. There will be more than 100 parade entries including floats from local businesses, elected officials, churches, schools, military representatives and more.

Location: Central Park, 201 S. Austin St.

Texas Lineman’s Rodeo: fifteenth – 9 am - 7 PM

The annual rodeo is an event where electric utilities professionals demonstrate their skills. The event includes a golf tournament, barbecue competition, and individual and team written and skills tests. Crews are judged on technique, agility, safety and speed.

Location: Nolte Island Recreation Area, 2220 FM 466

Third Thursday: twentieth – 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.

Knock out Child Abuse Bowling Fiesta: twenty-eighth – 4 - 9 PM

Join us for an evening of bowling and knocking out child abuse in Guadalupe County. All proceeds benefit the children and families served by the Guadalupe County Children’s Advocacy Center. Visit gccac.net/events/bowling/ for more information and to register. Location: Fiesta Lanes Bowling Center, 1202 Huisache Ave., New Braunfels

Christmas in July: twenty-ninth – 10 am - 4 PM

A Christmas themed artisan market inside the Seguin Coliseum with vendors selling handcrafted items such as soaps, lotions, crochet and knitted items, charcuterie boards, cutlery, freshies, tumblers, jewelry, candles, sun catchers, pinecone art, fused glass art, pressed flower jewelry, leather items and purses, homemade canned goods, bird houses and feeders, dog scarfs, handspun fiber animals, aprons, potholders and much more. LOCATION: Seguin Events Complex, 950 S. Austin St.

-August-

Texas women of influence Gala and Conference: Second & Third

A two-day event to honor all women of Texas and the people who support them. There will be a Gala Night on Wednesday, Aug. 2 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and a conference on Thursday, Aug. 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. LOCATION: Seguin Events Complex, 950 S. Austin St.