Seguin Magazine — October/November 2017 by Seguin Gazette

A u t h e n t i c

T e x a s

l i v i n g

October | November 2017

Stories of Seguin’s favorite haunts

Rebecca Harrison’s tales of leather-working

From Muscle to Mystique Seguin’s Classic Cars

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Authentic Texas living ~ Seguin

Vol. 4, No. 3 Seguin magazine is published six times a year by the Seguin Gazette. PUBLISHER

Jeff Fowler CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Hannah Ruiz

ith Halloween approaching, what better time to take a look at some of Seguin’s darker history? Beware all ye who enter here, beyond this page there be ghosts. And lots of other cool stuff. One of our main objectives with Seguin magazine is to make each issue just a little better than the one that came before. What defines that can vary from one issue to the next, but we always try to push for something. It can be content variety, engaging photography, an eye-catching cover, something truly unique to Seguin, or something completely unexpected. We hit a little bit on all of it in this one. From creative to creepy, from tasty to tasteful, from muscle to mystique, and from beer to barrels, this issue has something for everyone. So don’t linger too long on the threshold. And if the page creaks just a bit as you turn it, don’t be scared. Come on in …

Jeff Fowler

EDITOR

Travis Webb GRAPHIC DESIGN

Becca Harrison WRITERS

Felicia Frazar Valerie Bustamante Stephanie Agnew CONTRIBUTORS

Lizz Phumphrey ADVERTISING

Elizabeth Engelhardt Gay Lynn Olsovsky Rebekkah Grimm TO ADVERTISE IN SEGUIN MAGAZINE CALL

hot tip

An inside look from our WRITERS... “As a former runner who probably couldn’t manage the 100-yard dash these days, not only do I find the veterans and others who participate in the upcoming DAV Dash an inspiration, but the sheer amount of work that goes into organizing a race is simply daunting. It was fascinating to take a closer look at the process and see how much effort TLU students put into the endeavor.” — Travis Webb “The New Braunfels Area Car Club doesn’t know strangers. They immediately welcome newcomers and guests to their tables at Kirby’s Korner as if they have known them for years. After only a few minutes I felt like I was part of the family.” — Felicia Frazar “Being a lover of all things paranormal, I was thrilled to write Haunted Seguin. I enjoyed learning about the history behind the Saffold House and the Magnolia Hotel. Also, having the opportunity to walk through the rooms of these ghostly buildings was breathtaking and something I’ll never forget.” — Valerie Bustamante

LEAVE THE WORLD A LITTLE BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT.

“The Castle sisters are amazing to watch as they work. From working in the arena running barrels to washing down the horses after, theses two are fluid. They complement each other and have a synergy and energy when working together that is incredible to witness.” — Felicia Frazar

SEARCH SEGUIN GAZETTE

SEGUIN ~ AUTHENTIC TEXAS LIVING

THE

COVER

Photo by Lizz Phumphrey “Interviews with artists are some of my favorite pieces to write. Every serious artist I’ve ever met has a unique approach to their creations; a singular voice that adds to our collective conversation about art and what it means to make it. In that respect, the exceptionable Rebecca Harrison (Disclaimer: Becca is Seguin Gazette employee.) is no exception. Her unique hats and other creations are not only impressive and beautiful — better still, they’re fun.” — Travis Webb

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THE HOTTEST SPOT

18 Features

Around Town

In Each Issue

18 Classic Car Club

10 Imbibe

8 Sizzlin’ Six

30 Haberdashery

12 Culinary Creations

24 Fashion

34 Haunted Seguin

14 Closet Close up

44 Favorite Finds

40 Barrel Racing

16 Be you – be well

46 Faces of Seguin 50 Testimonial

Seguin ~ Authentic Texas living

Proudly serving Seguin, New Braunfels, Lake McQueeney and the surrounding lake and river communities

SEGUIN

Jay Crowell SEGUIN

Don Ennis NEW BRAUNFELS

Julie Ennis NEW BRAUNFELS

Fanny Harkins SEGUIN

Eve Hiner SEGUIN

Karen McMillan SEGUIN

Kenneth Holder SEGUIN

Ken Kiel SEGUIN

Brannon Monkerud NEW BRAUNFELS

Cynde Parker SEGUIN

Lea Phelps SEGUIN

Kelley Rose SEGUIN

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Carol Sewell SEGUIN

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Debbie Freeman Brown

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Lynn Zarr, Sr. NEW BRAUNFELS

Susan Schmidt Office Manager

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Not pictured from Seguin: Cindy Olvera and Willie Velasquez

SEGUIN NEW BRAUNFELS

808 E. Court St.

Seguin, TX 78155

251 S. Seguin Ave., Suite 110

830.303.SOLD

New Braunfels, TX 78130

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830.214.0043

SIZZLINFIVE The Guadalupe County Fair is a can’t miss event that starts the first week of October. From carnival games and rides to livestock shows and rodeos, the event is sure to have something for everybody. Pre-fair events include a barbecue cook-off and mutton bustin’. For more information on the fair, visit gcfair.org.

th October 25th - BUcK 26Fever

Buck Fever is the county’s very own hunter’s extravaganza set in the Seguin Events Complex. The event includes a horns contest, fishing pond for kids, pellet fun shoot and this year’s program is presented by Happy Tails Entertainment. For more information, check out www.buckfever.org.

October 27th - 29th

PecaN FesT aND HeriTaGe Days

Pecan Fest and Heritage Days is a three-day salute to the town’s nutty industry. The celebration will include honoring the city’s namesake with the Hats Off to Juan Seguin celebration. Events will be spread through out the area to include the Central Park, Big Red Barn, Sebastopol, Pape’s Pecan House Nutcracker Museum, Riverside Cemetery and the Magnolia Hotel. For more information, go to seguingonuts.com.

th November 11 veTeraNs Day

Local groups and organizations take the day to honor those who served in the military on Veterans Day with a special ceremony. The event takes place at 11 a.m. in Veteran’s Park, located at the corner of South Saunders Street and Jefferson Avenue. The ceremony is a joint operation between all of the area veterans organizations, including the American Legion, the American GI Forum, Disabled American Veterans, Geronimo VFW and the McQueeney VFW.

November 30th st December 1 HOliDay sTrOll

The Christmas spirt officially rolls into town with the Holiday Stroll Parade on Nov. 30. This event gets the community out to welcome the Christmas spirit with a parade and festivities that include the lighting of Central Park. The celebration continues the next night with the annual Holiday Sip-n-Stroll, which pits downtown business against each other in a friendly war of “who has the best hot cocco.” Then on Saturday afternoon is the North Pole Stroll. 8

SEGUIN ~ AUTHENTIC TEXAS LIVING

SEGUIN

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WORK HARd. celebrate big. Pecan Fest Heritage Days is an opportunity to break out of your shell, go a little nuts, and harvest a good time. The weekend long celebration is spread out over all of Seguin and is a celebration of all things pecan and all things Seguin.

www.seguingonuts.com Authentic Texas living ~ Seguin

By Travis Webb

in M a r io n

entral Texas is famous for live music. From Austin’s legendary music festivals to Gruene Hall or the Whitewater Amphitheater, the John T. Floore Country Store or the many excellent venues in the Alamo City, there’s an abundance of choices for those willing to make a drive. But closer to home lies a little gem of a venue that’s growing, increasingly attracting some quality acts and — best of all — serves up some mighty fine adult beverages in the process. Tucked away on a side street near downtown Marion, just a couple of blocks off FM 78, is the Marion Biergarten. The venue has been graced by the likes of JB and the Moonshine Band, Sam Riggs and Mickey and the Motorcars. Although the biergarten, co-owned by Tommy Bonner and Marshall Hogan, has only been in operation since May 2016, the place already has won over many Marion residents with its blend of a fun rustic look, outdoor spaces, live music and a staggering selection of taps and craft brews. “My focus was on a relaxed, outdoor vision,” Tommy said. “I wanted the most relaxed outdoor place you can have.” With charming outdoor lights, swinging seats, a handcrafted bar, two stages and even a massively oversized chess set, the biergarten has a uniquely Guadalupe County feel to it — blending German traditions with a rustic, DIY aesthetic that’s pure Texas. “Everything here is custom made,” Tommy said. And he would know, he built much of it himself. Of course, no amount of charming decor or excellent landscap10 Seguin ~ Authentic Texas living

ing can save a bar with lousy drinks and, on that front, biergarten visitors can rest assured that their libations are in good hands. The venue’s talented crew of bartenders can mix up a number of delicious house specials. Tommy himself is partial to the Prickly Pear Margarita when the season is right, but the Whiskey Blues makes for a more-than-adequate substitute. Bartender Olivia Maya whips this bad boy up with Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey, De Kuyper Blue Curaçao, sweet and sour mix, a dash of Sprite and a slice of lemon — all served over crushed ice in a tall glass. While whiskey might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think “refreshing,” if there’s a drink that could change that, it’s this one. Light and crisp, not too sweet and with just enough bite, it’s a treat for any whiskey lover — especially with Texas’ mercurial weather keeping temperatures high well into fall. The drink may be blue, but after enjoying this delicious concoction you certainly won’t be. The bar hosts live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and Tommy says the whole family is welcome. “We’re a definitely a family friendly place. Every night we have kids here,” he said. Marion Biergarten is located at 100 W Huebinger St, Marion, TX 78124. Call 830-420-7056 or visit biergartentx.com for more information. Alternatively, you can find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BiergartenMarionTX/.

Not your Average

Turkey By DeNise rOUX

or many folks, holiday meals are all about continuing family traditions. The cook may feel the urge to experiment with new recipes, but he or she knows better than to tamper with the expectations of others. That often means the turkey is the star of the show. I believe it is perfectly fine to cast the bird in a supporting role if you prefer an ensemble performance of meats. We like a pork Boston butt, because it can simmer to its heartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s content in the slow cooker freeing up the oven for other duties. One year, I broke the bank and bought a seven pound rib-eye roast. In my defense, I was a new bride entertaining the kinfolks. Everyone seemed pleased, but I was nervous about not having turkey so I made sure to have at least a part of the bird on the table. In this case it was a bone-in breast prepared the way my cousin Deborah taught me. Everyone in my family uses this recipe because it ensures a moist final product with the added joy of bacon as a crunchy on the side. The breast should be thoroughly thawed; I find this takes two or three days in the fridge. The skin should be well-seasoned. This is not the time to be skimpy. Seasoned salt and lemon pepper are good, or you could go with Montreal Chicken Seasoning. Use your imagination, and coat the breast well. Place a solid layer of bacon strips across the top. If you are a perfectionist, secure the bacon with toothpicks. I never do. The breast is baked at 350 degrees until it is done. Most recipes advise 165 degrees on a meat thermometer which can take anywhere from one to two hours. I like my turkey falling-off12 SEGUIN ~ AUTHENTIC TEXAS LIVING

the-bone tender so I cook it longer, add about a half cup of water, cover the pan and finish the bird off in that moist heat. It carves easily once cooled down and the bacon can be chopped or crumbled for a lovely garnish. Leftover turkey is practically a given on any holiday and, after the initial flush of sandwiches and day-old dressing, we are craving new flavors and textures. I like to make a version of Tetrazzini from a recipe I clipped out of the Blacksburg, Virginia, newspaper in the early 70s. The ingredients are simple, and so is the technique. It works equally well with chicken breasts. This is a real comfort food casserole that stores well and reheats nicely. The buttered breadcrumbs on top are essential. When planning a holiday meal, I like to poll the attendees about their favorites and incorporate those dishes into the menu as much as possible. The prerogative of the cook is to make final decisions based on oven and refrigerator space and timing. There also is the consideration of complementary tastes, textures, and colors. I usually start noodling around with the menu two or three weeks ahead before I make a final decision and begin making lists. Next, I decide what can be done a day or two ahead of the event. It is important to get as much prep work out of the way as possible before the day of the dinner. A harried, stressed-out hostess is no fun for anyone. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want the kids and company to sympathize with the amount of work we have done. We want them to enjoy our food and the glorious time we have together.

Oven-roasted Turkey Breast with Bacon 1 bone-in turkey breast (any size, just remember big ones take longer) seasoning (Montreal chicken, or lawry’s seasoned salt and lemon pepper) 6-8 strips thinly sliced bacon preheat the oven to 350 degrees. line an oven-proof pot with aluminum foil. place the turkey breast in the pot and season well. position the breast so it is upright. place the bacon strips over the top. bake for an hour. test with a meat thermometer. the turkey is done at 165 degrees so you can stop there, remove it from the oven and cover with aluminum foil. if you want it more tender, cook until the meat is starting to pull away from the bone. add ½ cup water and cover with aluminum foil. bake for another twenty minutes. remove from oven and let rest until cool enough to carve. remove the bacon and chop to use as garnish.

chicken Tetrazzini casserole 3 cups leftover turkey in chunks (or 4 chicken breast halves) 1 ½ cups chicken broth 6 to 8 ounces thin spaghetti pasta 1 can cream of mushroom soup 8 ounce package shredded sharp cheddar cheese 4 ounce can mushroom pieces 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 cup fine breadcrumbs½ stick butter preheat the oven to 350 degrees. grease a two-quart casserole dish. if you are using chicken breasts, cover them with the chicken broth and water. when they are cooked, reserve 1 ½ cups of the broth. debone and pull into chunks. boil the pasta until tender and drain. Heat the soup, cheese, worcestershire sauce, and broth in a saucepan. add the drained mushrooms. melt the butter and mix with the breadcrumbs. place half of the turkey or chicken in the casserole dish. layer on half of the pasta followed by half of the sauce. repeat. top with buttered breadcrumbs. bake thirty minutes. AUTHENTIC TEXAS LIVING ~ SEGUIN 13

Closet Closeup

Brandi Atchley By valerie BUsTaMaNTe

lower child, artist, vintage collector, costumer designer and screen writer are amoung the many titles Brandi Atchley goes by. Originally from San Antonio, Brandi’s love of art and fashion started at a young age. As a child in the 1970s, her family used to make haunted houses during Halloween and create short films, which drove them to shop at garage sales and thrift shops. “That’s where I really fell in love with costuming, because we would do it almost all year long,” Brandi said. “We’d see something that didn’t have anything to do with the show, but we had to have it because it was so different and unique. I was probably about 7 years old when I caught the (thrifting) bug.” Growing up in an old Victorian home is something else Brandi thinks contributes to her love of buying vintage items now as an adult, she said. “I like going on treasure hunts whether it’s at an estate sale or thrift store … that’s my thing,” she said. “Sometimes it is shopping therapy … I’m like ‘Oh, I’ve got 10 bucks in my pocket. I’m just going to hop on over to the Cranny,’ which is a place I do a lot of shopping at.” New Braunfels, Austin and Blanco Road in San Antonio are some of the places Brandi enjoys exploring for hidden treasures. “They have these really cool eclectic shops … they have some fun and funky stuff,” she said. “I’ll do that with my dad. With him being an artist we like to go buy cool stuff.” If a thrift shop gives back to the community, she is more likely to shop there, Brandi said. One of her favorite thrift shop finds is a pendant of Blue Demon, a Mexican luchador. “I saw it in Austin and I thought ‘oh my gosh this is fantastic.’ It’s an actual photograph and then they put these dry flowers in it. It just cracks people up, but I love the sense of humor in fashion.” 14 SEGUIN ~ AUTHENTIC TEXAS LIVING

When thrifting, Brandi loves searching for the most unique and different item whether it’s a coat or a skirt. Although there are some things she doesn’t buy at a thrift shop. “Most of my shoes are bought in department stores and there are several reasons why,” she said. “Sometimes people have bad stuff going on on their feet and you don’t want that. You can use spray the shoes with Lysol, bag them and let them sit for two weeks, but even at that you take a risk. So generally most of my shoes come from stores. Also, I don’t buy pants at thrift stores. I am 5’9 so it’s very rare I find pants that fit me properly.” Brandi’s love for thrifting also plays into her love of theater. “I produce, act and write shows,” she said. “I also design costumes.” Brandi’s biggest project every Halloween is Cowboy Jack’s Haunted Trail. “I’s not your typical haunted house,” Brandi said. “You’re not going to find your Freddy Krueger, Jason or Michael Meyers out there.” Set in the 1930s, the haunted trail follows the story of an anti-hero named Cowboy Jack who’s face is part jack-o-lantern. “Jack has a granny and a little sister named Jill,” she said. “So what happens is Granny poisons the dudes on the ranch and they turn into zombie cowboys. Jack comes back and finds out and gets really angry about this. I don’t want to give too much away, but there’s a lot of different characters. The actors act out scenes throughout the trail.” The proceeds raised from the haunted trail goes towards the Irma Lewis Seguin Outdoor Learning Center, which is where the show takes place. “I think it’s so much fun being able to raise money for them because I really believe in everything that they do out there,” she said. “I believe in giving back to my community all that I can. I love living in Seguin ... I’ve been here for 23 years now.” Brandi’s inspiration for fashion comes from film and music made in the 30s, 40s and 50s.

Many of the pieces in her closet look as if they came straight from an old Hollywood set. “I grew up watching old films at the theater … my dad’s friend had an old fashioned art deco movie house and I watched all of the old films there. The first time I ever saw the Wizard of Oz was on the big screen. It had a huge impression on me as a young child.” Lauren Bacall, Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe were some of the Hollywood stars Brandi wanted to grow up to look like. However, these stars aren’t the only inspirations in Brandi’s life. “My dad is a really cool cat,” she said. “He’s a retired art teacher from Smithson Valley and he wears really fun shoes and fedoras to match. He’ll wear purple alligator Stacey Adams … he’s just got a really cool style. He also will wear these embroidered western shirts with skulls on them. He pulls them off and wears them well. I think because he’s always been brave to wear what he wanted …. I got it from him. My mom was too, but I think I did get it more from him.” One of Brandi’s favorite shirts sports a psychedelic print and belonged to her father when he attended the University of Texas. Brandi said what she wears on a daily basis all depends on how she’s feeling. “It just depends,” she said. “I’m always drawn to being comfortable now that I’m older … but I love the bohemian look. Somedays I like wearing my grandmother’s 50s shirt with little rhinestones and black tailored pants like Audrey Hepburn. It’s just my mood and what my crazy hair is doing that day and how much makeup I like putting on.” Being a painter at You’re So Crafty also dictates what Brandi wears

day-to-day, she said. “I do the painting parties and help people paint pottery … all these fun crafts, but I can’t wear my cool stuff,” Brandi said. “I have and I’ve paid the price for it.” But when she has the opportunity to wear anything that brings out her personality she will. “It never surprises my friends what I put on,” Brandi said. “They’ll see me and be like ‘yup, only Brandi can pull that off ’ and I do. I’ll wear some things in Seguin and I’ll get some funny looks, but I’m just being me and I’m comfortable with it. I get it, it’s not everyone’s thing. People like some really conservative stuff and that’s great. I think there are beautiful conservative things and I have some of those items too. Every once and while I have to be conservative, but I do throw something in there that does make it slightly different.” Brandi’s husband, a San Antonio Police Officer, who is very conservative has learned to let let her do her own thing, she said. “Sometimes he’ll tell me ‘Are you really going to wear that?’ and I’m like ‘Yeah, I am,” Brandi said. “He just shakes his head and giggles.” Brandi believes no one should ever be afraid to dress the way they want to. “I’m eclectic and I think I’m brave,” she said. “Life is not a dress rehearsal. Find your stage door and get out there. Don’t ever look at something and think ‘Oh, that’s beautiful, but I can’t wear that.’ Don’t do that … who cares what other people think. Just care about what you think.”

AUTHENTIC TEXAS LIVING ~ SEGUIN 15

be you • be well

Soldiers Run

By Travis Webb

unning is a great way to get — and stay — fit. It’s good for the heart, lungs and — last but not least for most folks — the waistline. Most health and fitness experts agree, running is one of the best forms of exercise for losing or maintaining a consistent weight. And studies show that even a fairly minimal amount of daily running or jogging can drastically reduce the chances of dying from cardiovascular disease. But unlike many other sports or seasonal outdoor pastimes, running doesn’t normally have anything resembling a real season. Here in the Lone Star State, Mother Nature has seen fit to ensure that the vast majority of Texas’ various marathons and half-marathons, 10Ks, 5Ks and myriad fun-runs take place between September and February. Anyone who’s ever been outside during a Texas summer will no doubt understand the rationale behind that particular schedule. That will make the next few months important for a number of charities and nonprofits, many of

16 Seguin ~ Authentic Texas living

which who rely on proceeds from 5K fun runs. That holds true for a particular group near and dear to the hearts of many patriotic Guadalupe County residents, Disabled American Veterans. According to information from the group, DAV is a nonprofit charitable organization that provides support for veterans and their families. The group helps more than 1 million veterans each year by assisting with transportation needs and benefit claims. The group also works to help ensure America’s veterans can find meaningful employment. With nearly 1,300 chapters and roughly 1.3 million members, DAV helps veterans across the country with a variety needs. DAV Chapter 61 here in Seguin provides a host of services, from counseling to Bible studies. And they rely in part on proceeds from the upcoming Dash for Disabled Vets 5K Run/Walk. The event is the largest single-event fundraiser for the nonprofit. Which makes it remarkable that much of the organization behind the race comes from students volunteers. Since 2012, students in Texas Lutheran University’s Freshman Experience course have helped organize and run the dash.

“It all began through the honors section of the Freshman Experience. We really want those students to be involved in the community,” said TLU’s Morgan Klaser, Director of the John and Sandra Moline Center for Service Leadership. “The dash is DAV’s biggest way of raising funds for all the various services they provide.” Since getting its start, the dash has grown and organizers expect upward of 70 or 80 participants this year. “It’s grown from year to year. Last year we raised more than $1,500,” Morgan said. Freshman Experience professor Beth Barry said it’s all a part of teaching students be a part of the community. “We want them to know that, when they come here, they’re not joining the community of TLU, they’re joining the community of Seguin.” The Dash for Disabled Vets 5K Run/Walk is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Starcke Park. Visit www.athleteguild.com/running/seguin-tx/2017-thedash-for-disabled-vets-5k-runwalk for registration information. For more information about the local chapter of Disabled American Veterans, visit www.texvet.com/partners/ disabled-american-veterans-dav-chapter-61. TIPS FOR RUNNING A 5K Don’t forget to register: It may sound silly but race registration is important — not only is it required, but paying for registration is an important part of mentally committing to train. While some races allow registration the day of the event, many races limit registration to well before. Make sure you get it out of the way as early as possible. Try to clear your schedule — you don’t want to miss an important event because the race (or you) ran late! If you have to cancel for any reason and you’re far enough out from the race, some organizers might be willing to refund your registration fee, but most stipulate that registration payments are final. Cross Train: Most 5Ks and longer races aren’t going to take place on a smooth track. Typically, you’ll be outdoors on trails, sidewalks or roadways. There will most likely be hills, and adverse weather and difficult footing aren’t out of the question. When training, try mixing up speeds, alternating between running and walking if necessary. Weight-lifting should also be a part of your training routine; weight training will help ensure your bones and muscles are up to the challenge on race day. Pre-race Plan: It’s best to make sure you’re familiar with the course. If possible, try to walk or joy it at least once before race day rolls around. On the day itself, make sure to arrive early just in case. Try not to eat too much before the race — a solid breakfast is fine but maybe skip the pancakes and extra bacon; if necessary, remind yourself you can always load up after the race! Finally, as with any physical activity, it’s important to stretch before running: Not only will a bad cramp or pulled muscle ruin your race, you could seriously injure yourself.

By Felicia Frazar

s the sun slowly lowers on the western horizon on a Friday night, cars begin to file into the parking lot of a local restaurant. Vehicles from all eras carefully find a place to park at Kirby’s Korner, located on one of Seguin’s busier thoroughfares, State Highway 123 Bypass. First, the cars fill in front row of parking spaces, then the sides — but all are visible from the highway. From hot rods to cruisers, the New Braunfels Area Car Club has a little bit of every thing when it comes to classic cars. “Everybody here likes to drive their cars,” past president Larry Taylor said. “It is not a political group, we just like our cars. We like doing things with our cars. It is a fun club. We’re not specific to any one car. It just has to be a car.” The New Braunfels Area Car Club was founded in 1992, member Steve Hair said. “It was just a bunch of guys that got together and formed a club,” he said. While it is called the New Braunfels Area Car Club, the majority of the members are from the Seguin/McQueeney area, Steve said. Although the criteria to join is to own a car at least 20 years old, both Steve and his wife Cindy said it is more of a guideline. “We do make exceptions,” Cindy said. “If somebody is willing to join our group and their membership is in cars, I don’t care how old their car is, it is all about who is going to participate,” Steve said. “If they can contribute, we want them.” Once a month the group of about 150 members gather in New Braunfels for the organizations official meeting to discuss business, car cruises and their large fundraiser — The New Braunfels Swap Meet and Car Show, which all of the members highlight as a key element of the club.

“A year after the club was formed, they started the New Braunfels Swap Meet,” Hair said. “The money we raise goes into a scholarship fund to try to help students who are interested in education in the automotive field or technical field. We try to target young men or women who are going to autotech schools, because there isn’t a whole lot of financial help out there for them.” Member Charles Greenlawn said it is the group’s way of keeping the art of classic cars alive. “It is our attempt to pass on our love and appreciation,” he said. The group informally meets every Friday in Kirby’s. A tradition that started not long after Larry joined the group. “Shortly after I joined I said, we could do this in Seguin on Friday night,” he said. “I came in and talked to Steve Johnson, owner of Kirby’s Korner, and asked if it would be alright to bring some cars on in a Friday night. He said yeah. I just called people I knew who had cars. We had probably 16-17 cars show up that night. After that they just started showing up and we started from that.” Surprisingly, Steve said it isn’t easy finding a place that allows that amount of cars and people to take up residence for a couple of hours. “It is kind of hard for us to find a place where we can park our cars and they be appreciated,” he said. The large group takes up a portion of the restaurant as they talk. However, the discussion isn’t just revolved around cars. Conversations turn to holidays, vacations, family and friends. They talk about the week’s happenings or upcoming events. “We try to do at least one activity every month — a cruise or something,” Steve said. “There’s not much during the summer, primarily because of the heat. We do have stuff scheduled for September, October, November, December.” But the stories always shift back to the cars: each one has it’s

own story, like the 1955 Ford Crown Victoria Fairlane that was featured in Johnny Cash’s video “Delia’s Gone” or the Shelby Cobra that is worth more than $1 million and sports copious amounts of power and speed. Gabriel Sassenhagen, who joined the club about two years ago, arrives in his 1954 Ford Station Wagon Country Sedan, a car that has been a member of his family for almost 70 years. “It has been in the family since 1958,” he said. “We knew the owner who originally had it. He bought it in ‘54 and then he traded it in ‘58 and told my dad about it and my oldest brother is the one who picked it up. It has been in the family since.” The dark green car with a pearl black base features a dealer item showroom hood with a built in window made of lexan, which originally came with the car. “The first year, when they came out with the wide look, they wouldn’t have to have the hood open, so they put the glass in there,” Gabriel said. Under the hood, the wagon houses a ‘71 Mustang Mach 1 — a 351 Cleveland, a 1968 Mustang transmission and a 1956 Ford rear end, Gabriel said. ‘The only thing I’ve done was change the drive train,” he said. “Everything else is original.” He said, the color choice, was as close to original as he and his brother could get when they painted it 27 years ago. “It was always green and white, but this is as close as we could get,” he said. “It is indigo green over pearl black. It took us eight hours to paint it and we did it on an Easter Sunday. It was me and my brother Gilbert. He was the one who was the body man. I basically did all of the mechanical work and he did all of the body work.” In 1997, Charles and his wife Martha, each found their dream car while in Carlsbad, California. “I had been looking for a ‘34 Ford Cabriolet like I had when I was a teenager, and I found one for sale up in Oregon,” Charles said. “I came home, told Martha, ‘I told this guy I was going to come and get his car.’” That night Martha turned around and told Charles that she too found a car, he recalled. “She showed me this car in the hanger that was for sale,” he said. “It was the ‘32 Ford Deuce 5-window Coupe. It was such a deal. It was a great weekend.” Charles’ first two cars were 1941 Chevrolet Coupes, while his third was an ‘34 Ford Coupe with an Oldsmobile engine, he said. “That was cool. I was hot stuff, at least I thought,” he joked. The couple moved to Texas and not long after found new friends who shared their same love of cars. “We’ve been here 10 and a half years,” Charles said.

“We made friends with Jim Best and he talked us into joining the club. We had heard about it and I knew that you had to contact Sherry Dawson at the time to join. I never got around to it. Next thing you know, we’re going to Kirby’s meeting people and thought, ‘Oh, why not.’” For John Baker, owning a classic car isn’t so much about the history, or the story that comes with them, but more the ability to have an adult-sized toy. “It is a rich man’s toy,” he said. “You can’t afford it until you are in your 50s. I’m 65 years old and I got my first one, the pickup, which is at home. It is not so much a piece of history as it is as toy. It is like a kid having a brand new radio controlled car or drone. This is what we have, this is our toy. What kids can afford a $45,000 toy? $1 million.” John, who is a mechanic, who rebuilt the engine of his bright yellow 1958 Chevy pickup. “I was a GM mechanic from ‘76 to ‘95. I did nothing but transmissions and mainline engines,” he said. “Like the ‘58, I’ve built every square inch of it. I built the rear end, I’ve built the transmission, I’m fixing to take the engine out and do it. I fixing to put a whole new frame under it. I do it all my self. I can do everything, except body and paint. That’s why I went and bought a pretty one.” After seeing the group of people in Kirby’s and talking to them about five years ago, it didn’t take them long to convince him to join. “Just coming up here and being with these people is great,” he said. “It’s just fun being around people who love cars. You see stuff, you learn to do it yourself.” Steve has always had an interest in the classics, but it wasn’t until about 15 years ago he was able to find a car that took him back in time. “When we dated — 45 years ago — we dated in a ‘44 (Deluxe) Coupe, but not nearly in the shape that one is,” he said. “The one I’ve got out there I bought out of Colorado 15 years ago, it wasn’t running. The guy was very honest with the problems I bought it, sight unseen, but he was very honest with the problems. I got it running and over the years I’ve just maintained it. I’ve got three other projects.” It took the couple time but they were able to find 1940 plates for the Coupe, Cindy said. Larry’s appreciation for the cars came from his father. “My dad and I always rebuilt cars,” he said. “I’d gotten out of it for years until we took a family vacation and we went out to California. They had Hot August Nights going on and I got the bug. I came back and found a Camero sitting on (State Highway) 46 for sale. I was just telling my wife, I think I want to get a car and rebuild like daddy and I used to. We

came over the hill and there it was. I said turn around, I done found it.” That car was a 1969 Chevrolet Camero convertible — one Larry said is a rarity. “Getting into the history in a lot of these cars, you start finding out some things that are real unique,” he said. “In 1969, they made fewer convertibles than they did Z-28s. This one was assembled in October of ‘68. Because of the strike, they made ‘69s into ‘70’s. Then you get into the color of the car. It is an original GM color, but only less than 3 percent of the cars were painted that color. It is not a real popular color, one that everybody sought.” Larry is a firm believer of getting a car up and running, and keep it on the streets. “My dad and I both said, if we are going to own a car, we are going to drive it. It is not going to be a trailer queen,” he said. However, he is a little more careful when it comes to his father’s 1928 Model A. “It is all pretty much original,” he said. “I don’t like to drive it in a lot of traffic because it is a little slower, it takes longer to stop it and I just hate the thought of having to repair it, if something happened.” Just like the cars they take care of, the group’s average age continues to climb higher. “We need younger people to carry this on,” John said. “The problem is the younger people can’t afford what we do.” Larry described the club as a weekly social gathering of friends, and the only real conflict, is between dealer-lines. “When you join the club, they’re going to ask you what kind of car you have,” he said. “If you say, Chevy half the group is going to say ‘awww,’ while the other half is going to say ‘yeah.’ If you say Mopar, they just look at you. It is a very diverse group. It is a very enjoyable group. I’ve made a lot of friends.”

Leslie Lammers, CFA (830) 715–9300

LLammers@RiverstoneAdvisors.com

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Authentic Texas living ~ Seguin 29

“I’ve always loved ‘Alice in Wonderland’ because really, not everything has to be sane,” she said.

30 Seguin ~ Authentic Texas living

MAD as a HATTER hey say that life imitates art. But many artists will tell you that, often enough, it’s art that imitates art. Countless artists have found inspiration in the earlier works of their fellow creatives. Seguin-based artist, haberdasher and leatherworker Rebecca Harrison is no exception. Her unique hats are a popular hit at comic con-style events and other fan-based conventions and have been the gateway to professional costume work. “I’ve always loved ‘Alice in Wonderland’ because really, not everything has to be sane,” she said. “Not everything always has to make sense to the individual. I think a lot of artists find solace in it.”

weight. Rebecca said that even stiffened correctly this will usually happen — but her designs are robust enough to last upward of 6 years with few signs of wear. The hats themselves range from around $250 to more than $800 — with good cause, even a single hat can sometimes take dozens of hours to complete. “I’ve spent upward of 25 hours on a single piece before,” she said. These days, Rebecca makes all her own unique, original patterns, with about half a dozen she regularly uses. But despite the use of patterns, every one of her hats can be customized into a unique piece of craftsmanship, from the materials, stitching to decorative elements like dye or even paint. Of course, with a material as versatile as leather and talents to match, Rebecca can do much more than just hats. Bags, purses, helmets and even leather body armor aren’t off the “THE aESTHETIc table. But the artist said she still loves making hats best. “A hat is already almost like a flag,” she said. “It’s cOMES FrOM like, ‘Hello, you’re getting something that’s not quite STEaMPunK normal.’”

MAD HATTER And of all the unusual characters in Lewis Carol’s famous work — perhaps the most iconic is the Mad Hatter. — a SOrT OF “I mostly started in hopes of making hats like the Mad Hatter’s, and then I found that STEAM-POWERED nEw-vIcTOrIan people really liked them and wanted to buy The designs themselves have a Victorian feel, as ScIEncE FIcTIOn them,” she said. befits a Lewis Carol fan, and take inspiration from the gEnrE,” The unique aesthetic of Carol’s classic world of Steampunk. rEbEcca SaId. tale and it’s characteristic sense of bizarre “The aesthetic comes from Steampunk — a sort of whimsy inform her work — but the nuts new-Victorian science fiction genre,” Rebecca said. and bolt of making hats came from still “Think late-1700s to 1800s England. Their fashions, another artist. but made with modern tools and a much more modern aesthetic.” “I learned to make hats from YouTube videos, honestly,” While Steampunk isn’t exactly a household term, it’s a popular genre Rebecca said. “An artist I like, he put up a video blog with with fans of science fiction and science fantasy. It typically blend Victohis pattern. Based on that, I made my own pattern.” rian or even “Wild West” period style with clockwork and steam-power Her designs must be carefully coaxed into shape, often inspired sci-fi technology. stitched inside out, stretched and then carefully turned “I had this group of friends when I was in college who wanted to go back around. Stiffening and coloration are usually done to a convention,” Rebbecca said. “And I said ‘What’s Steampunk?’ I had with dyes or a number of other ways, even watercolors, never heard of it.” and the former is an important part of the process — if But that first trip would prove to be the impetus not only for Rebecca’s done incorrectly the hats will collapse under their own burgeoning interest in the genre and an entry point into her leatherwork AUTHENTIC TEXAS LIVING ~ SEGUIN 31

ing, it also gave rise to a collaboration and sort became a performers group.” of like-minded artists and performers Rebbecca said. “Then we started to sell in the form of Airship Isabella. what we made and have become a props Airship Isabella is a collective of and costuming house for the television artists and performers specializing in and movie industry.” leather fabrication, costume design and Rebbecca and fellow Airship Isabella fabrication, performing and vendor artists worked on AMC’s “Into the coordination. Badlands,” now in it’s second season. “I got started doing the convention “I actually moved to New Orleans to circuit in 2012, with Dickens on the work on the show,” she explained. “That Strand,” she said. “We try to provide an experience, getting to meet those people experience, so people are taking away and be on the set ... As a gigantic nerd more than a piece of merchandise.” and as a costumer, to stand behind a Organized by the Galveston Histor- director and see how costuming works ical Foundation, the annual Christmas on an actor – or how it fails — was event that regularly draws tens of thou- pretty phenomenal.” sands of attendees. Since then, she’s And unfortunately, when it comes appeared at more than 25 conventions to live actors moving about during the all across the nation, events like the rigors of television filming, Rebecca said Endless Nights Vampire Ball in New that latter can happen easily. Sometimes Orleans, Wasteland Weekend in Califorcommissioned pieces of a costume nia City and even Atlanta’s famous Dragmight be changed to better fit the actor onCon, which regularly draws upward of the look and feel of a character. of 70,000 fans. “If its not aesthetically right, we had While Rebecca has the ability to work to make changes right there on the fly,” on hats and other costume pieces from Rebbecca said. home, she still enjoys the convention While the film schedule for televiexperience. A convention setting can sion productions can be grueling, being help sell pieces as well, but ultimately surrounded by other talented artists it’s all about having a good time. certainly helped when it came to shoul“Hey, we’re artists and we’re making dering the burden of costuming. stuff and we’re selling it,” she said. “But “When you work with a group of charwe’re also here to experience this and ismatic people who are passionate about share in it and have a good time.” what they’re doing, you’re not going to have too hard a time,” she said. STAGE AND SCREEN Still, Rebecca said she is is glad to be Eventually, the Airship Isabella group transitioned into professional costume back in Seguin. To find out more about her work or to commission a piece, work. “We started off as a costuming group contact her at info@airshipisabella.com. 32 Seguin ~ Authentic Texas living

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Authentic Texas living ~ Seguin 33

One hundred and seventy nine years ago, the members of Matthew Caldwellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gonzales Rangers founded Walnut Springs for its water source. Later the name was changed to honor the Texas Revolution hero, Juan Seguin. Seguin has a great amount of history. However, within its history are a few eerie tales â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from an unknown ghost child to an axe murderer who still lingers behind.

By valerie BUsTaMaNTe 34 SEGUIN ~ AUTHENTIC TEXAS LIVING

Saffold House estled off of Stockdale Highway 123 and Pecan Orchard Drive is the former home of a Civil War veteran, who many say still walks the halls of the 1865 Victorian home along with a few other spirits. General William Saffold, a member of the Confederate Army, built the five bedroom, four bath yellow and white home on top of the ruins of what some say was the family home of Juan Seguin’s wife. Saffold lived as a recluse in the house for many years after he developed skin cancer and never married. The illness left the general’s face disfigured and with almost no eyesight. After living with the illness for 25 years, on Aug. 7,1896 Saffold called all of this relatives to the home for what he called a reunion. “It wasn’t a reunion. It was going to be for his funeral he had planned,” said Floyd McKee, the current owner of the Saffold House. In the front of fireplace in the upstairs master bedroom, Saffold shot himself in the right eye with a .45 pistol on a self-made pallet on the floor, taking away the front portion of his skull. “The newspaper in those days … the newspaper would say it was from an self-inflicted wound, but he blew his brains out with the 45 pistol,” he said. The Seguin Enterprise reported that pieces of Saffold’s brain and skull were scattered in the room, McKee said. A day before Saffold killed himself, a letter explaining the reason for his death was delivered to the Enterprise office so it could be published as an advertisement. After Saffold’s death, the building served as a home to Will and Ada Mae Blanks and then was turned into apartment spaces by the Donegan family. The home’s last owner was a woman named Ivy Spears, until 14 years

ago though when it was purchased by Floyd and Jody McKee. “We bought it with the idea of restoring it and we did. It was in very poor conditions,” Floyd said. “The porch was falling off and the windows were broken out.” Floyd wasn’t a stranger to the old Saffold home, he said. “I was in this house when I was about 10 or 12 years old … the people who owned it, Will and Ada Mae Blanks, were friends of my parents,” Floyd said. “I use to think ‘Man, this is such a beautiful and big home. It’s like the big banker on top of the hill.’ We didn’t have any money, so this was very impressive to me as a child.” Upon buying the building, the couple signed a real estate paper stating the home came with hauntings, he said. “I’d never seen that in a real estate advertisement, but we signed it,” Floyd said. Shortly after moving in and beginning renovations, the couple started experiencing odd occurrences. One of those involved a green dress. “When we moved I would get these clothes from Fredericksburg that they would send me,” she said. “I’d take them up to the (General’s) bedroom and try them on in front of the mirror. There was this green dress … it was like a slip, but it was emerald green and it was so beautiful. I put it on and thought ‘OK this is something I want to keep.’” After going through the remaining items in the box, Jody decided to go back to the green dress, but it was gone. “I looked under the bed and thought it had fallen or maybe one of the dogs came and grabbed it and didn’t see it,” Jody said. “So I went out in the yard and I’ve got Floyd looking with a flash light. We went back up and turned everything upside down and there was nothing. So I called Fredericksburg and I tried to explain to the guy that I didn’t have this dress anymore. I didn’t know how to tell him. He asked what was it and I told him it was that beautiful emerald green dress. He said ‘Hold it. There wasn’t anything emerald green in that box. We don’t make

anything that color.’ I know I tried that dress on.” In addition to the ghost dress, almost everyday somebody would knock over a plant Jody kept in the upstairs hallway. “The whole pot was like it was picked up and thrown over,” she said. “All the dirt was just spread out everywhere. I’d slide it over and turn it around so the heavy side was against the wall and I’d come up a couple days later and it would be moved again.” Floyd believed it was wind, although the upstairs stayed closed in, Jody said. Finally, Jody’s mom told her whoever kept moving it did not want it in that spot. “So I moved it on the other side of the door and it never happened again,” she said. When they first moved into the home, Floyd experienced something he still can’t explain, he said. “Just after we moved in something caused me to trip on the back staircase and I’m not that clumsy,” he said. “I had a cup of coffee in my hand. I now have scars on my right forearm from it. I don’t know what shoved me or caused me to fall. Jodi said somebody shoved me.” Along with the possibility of Saffold’s spirit still residing in the home, Jody believes the home’s second owners are also still there. “When we first moved in we we would smell home cooking,” she said. “We didn’t even have a stove, but we could smell cooking. It was just a scent that was right there with you. So i think that was Ada May Blanks in her house cooking.” Another inhabitant of the home is said to be a little girl. “We’ve been told that there’s been sighting of a little girl walking along the rails outside on the second floor,” Floyd said. “The next door neighbor, who just moved a couple months ago, asked if I had seen a little girl walking along the rail outside at night. He said that four or five people that were walking on the road saw her.” While cleaning out the home they discovered a photo of a little girl, he said. “We were vacuuming between the pocket doors and a 3 x 5 photo came out that was taken in the 30s or 40s,” Floyd said. “It was a little girl about 5 years old and she was dressed in a communion type dress. We have not found anyone who knew a little girl here. Everyone that lived here never had any children. So we don’t know she was. No one’s ever been able to explain it.” The McKees now have a trunk filled with white tulle and dresses in the upstairs hallway for the little girl. Spears, who was the previous owner and land lady of the home, was aware of the hauntings, Jody said. “Every time someone would leave the House, would take their mattress and stuff it down the back stair case,” Jody said. “It was just stuffed with mattresses and the reason why was she didn’t want the ghosts coming down the stairs. She was trying to block them.” The back stair case, which was used for the servants quarters, also has an unexplained cold spot, Floyd said. “We would come up here and we’d call our black lab and he would whine and stay back,” he said. “Then he’d run around and come up the front stairs. He refused to come up those back stairs.” Spears witnessed some of the spirits, Jody said. “One day (Ivy Spears) was looking out the window of the master bedroom when it was close to dusk and there were people dancing around a tree outside,” Jody said. “They were holding hands and going around and around in circles. So she called her grandson and told him he didn’t to get these people off of her property.” When Spears’ grandson arrived on the property, the people just vanished at the sight of his cars’ headlights, she said. “He said what was off was that there was a circle with the leaves and the dirt where they had been dancing in circles. It formed a path.” The couple said they’ve had a paranormal group from TLU investigate the home and were told while it is haunted, the ghosts are friendly ones. While the McKees no longer live in the house, they hope to someday put it back on the market, Floyd said. It’s just to big for the two of them, but he hopes it’ll become something for the public Floyd added. “Hopefully it’ll become a restaurant where people can come and see it,” Jody said. “I’d hate to see it become a residency again.”

Magnolia Hotel ormerly a home to an original Texas Ranger and stagecoach stop — The Magnolia Hotel, 203 S. Crockett St. — holds a great amount of history along with a few spirits who like to make themselves known. Purchased in 2013 by husband and wife Erin O. Wallace and Jim Ghedi, the Magnolia Hotel originally started out as a two-room log cabin built in 1840 by James Campbell, a co-founder of Seguin and a Texas Ranger. Campbell, who only lived in the cabin for a year, was killed by Comanches while on a trip to San Antonio. After Campbell’s death, Joseph F. Johnson purchased the property and turned it into Seguin’s first stagecoach station. Shortly after, Johnson added a three room structure to the back of the building, which served as the original Magnolia Hotel. By the 1850s, Dr. William S. Read, the property’s new owner, combined all three structures, making it Seguin’s largest hotel. “During that time they turned the original hotel in the back into a servant quarters,” Erin said. “They had a kitchen on the outside. When you arrived on the stagecoach part of the agreement was that you had to stay at a the hotel and meals were included. The servants would cook and they served breakfast, lunch and dinner.” The last owners of the hotel were Edgar and Virginia Lannom, who turned the bottom floor into their home and converted the 10 rooms on the second floor into apartments. “After they passed away their children inherited it,” she said. “When they grew up and were ready to make their own lives they just locked the doors and for more than 20 years it just remained here. It started to deteriorate and it became a really bad place. There were bums, drug users and prostitutes living here. The place was just graffitied and it was horrible.” When Erin and her husband discovered the property it had become one of Texas’ most endangered buildings.

“We actually found it on a little Youtube video that the Main Street Project made in hopes someone would come rescue it,” Erin said. “We just fell completely in love with it even with the condition it was in. We felt we could take on this project especially with out background. Jim is a preservationist and an antique restorer and I’m a retired museum curator and a historian.” While the husband and wife duo toured the property, Erin and Jim asked if the hotel was haunted and they were told no. However, when walking around the couple could sense that that wasn’t the case, Erin said. They felt a strange and different feeling when walking up to the second floor, she said. “Once we started restoring the building of all these weird things started happening and we realized that we do have ghosts,” Erin said. “It was actually fascinating the way it happen.” Their first encounter was in the back building where the original hotel and servants quarters once was. While celebrating their new project, Erin and Jim felt a gush of air sweep past them and slam a door shut. As they began to progress on the building’s restoration, Erin brought in dowsing rods, which are usually used by paranormal investigators, she said. When she brought the dowsing rods into the back room they created a tingly sensation and Erin knew something was definitely there. After doing her research Erin discovered that the unknown presence belonged to Idella Lampkins, a well-known Psychic who once lived in Seguin. “She was an African American woman and an amazing psychic,” she said. “She use to do her readings here in the hotel. So when she passed away she decided to stay.” When the Ghedis come for the weekends to work on the hotel, they stay in the back building and Idella’s spirit is quite active, Erin said. “She’s so strong,” Erin said. “Idella likes to touch your hair and she’ll hug you. You can feel the tingling. She’ll sit at the edge of our bed at 2

a.m.” It’s been discovered that 13 spirits reside in the Magnolia Hotel, Erin said. One of those includes a spirit named ‘Little John’ who that makes himself known to visitors through a mirror. “People were taking pictures of a large mirror in the back room and every time they would catch a face. Finally, I decided to take one. In the picture you can see there are two eyes, a nose and a mouth that resembles an African American boy. In the hotel there were many slaves. There was one who born and raised here and after the civil war he became a free man, but he stayed on at the hotel because he it. So he lived out his entire life here and his name was ‘Little John.’” Campbell, the property’s first owner also is reported to be active. “We can actually hear his boots walking across the floor in the smoke room, which was where the log cabin was located,” Erin said. “Then you can hear the rocking chair rock and we’ll smell his cigars. When we give tours and tell the people they say ‘Yeah right.’ Until they actually experience it.” It’s said the smoke room is where Campbell spent his last days before he was killed, she said. Strange town, a paranormal group from Austin, captured a black mass on camera during an investigation in the room. “They put a camera in James Campbell’s room and it was close to 2 a.m,” Erin said. “You can actually see a black mass ride along the side of the wall and it goes underneath the rocking chair. Once it gets right up to the camera, it starts to swirl. When you see it you can actually see what looks like his face turn. It hit every station in America.” The Magnolia’s most known spirit is of murderer and pharmacist William Faust, she said. In 1874 Faust murdered a little girl name Emma with an axe in New Braunfels after mistaking her for his wife Helena. After killing Emma, Faust hit Helena with the axe and blinded her. Faust then returned on horseback to his room in Seguin where he slept overnight.

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Chop House In 1875 he was convicted of the murder and imprisoned and in 1876 Faust was shot through the window of a courthouse by an unknown shooter, Erin said. His room is the one the most popular ones visitors of the hotel like to visit, she said. “When you walk into Faust’s room it always has this yuck feeling to it,” Erin said. Other spirits that reside on the property include a traveler who shot himself in the entrance of the original hotel and a woman who’s lover never showed up. On Saturdays the Magnolia is open for people to tour it, she said. “It was never our intention to open up the hotel for tours when we purchased it, but after seeing the ghost activity we thought people would want to come in,” Erin said. “We only bring in 20 people ever weekend and ever single one is sold out until January.” For more information on the Magnolia Hotel, visit hauntedmagnoliahotel.com

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More than a Hobby Two sisters Love of Barrel Racing By Felicia Frazar

isters Bonnie and Laura Castle accountant. While she focuses a majority have a shared love of horses of her time to the family businesses, she and barrel racing. also continues to work as a CPA. Tucked away in the far “I lived in Austin and then in Dallas, corner of the county sits 33 where I worked,” she said. “I still work for Ranch — hundreds of acres (the same company), but I moved back of nearly untouched earth that plays host home. Now, I work from home and kind to Castle Farms LLC, where the sisters and of do this. It is pretty rewarding, we love business partners work. our horses.” The duo have built a business out of Laura opted to stay closer to home and their love of horses and racing, with Laura continue honing her skills as a trainer. focusing on the training aspect and Bonnie “I just started doing it when I was the riding. younger,” she said. “I was pretty good at “Laura is more about training and I’m it. We had a lot of different trainers and more about competing,” Bonnie said. “I I picked up and learned a lot. I really just get more enjoyment out of going someliked it. A lot of it is self taught. I rode where and competing, whereas Laura likes with just about anybody I possibly could. the everyday working with the young ones.” Anybody who would take the time to teach “Bonnie handles more of a broad aspect me, I would ride with them. I have been of managing everything,” Laura said. “She very fortunate to ride with a lot of differdoes an all around type jobs. I guess I’m ent accomplished trainers.” more specialized in the horse training It was that same passion that took aspect.” Laura to South Dakota for a few months, The two started their path on horses however, she knew their business was in not long after they moved to Seguin from good hands. Louisiana almost 20 years, Bonnie said. “I left for South Dakota to ride for a “My parents got divorced, and my dad’s more well known barrel racing breading attorney was into horses, and that’s kind of operation,” she said. “I was gone for three how we started getting into competitively,” months and Bonnie stepped up. She rode she said. all of the 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds. I The sisters started off participating in wouldn’t be able to do it at the level do it the play days hosted by the Guadalupe now without her.” County Sheriff ’s Posse, which further Bonnie admitted it wasn’t easy, but she spurred their competitive side. knew it was a good move for her sister and, “We were extremely competitive. When eventually, their businesses. I was 12 to when I was 19, I did it profes“Laura leaving last year was extremely sionally,” Bonnie said. “Later, I decided to hard, but that really boosted her resume,” stay in college and go that route, because it she said. “That is the top of the top.” is hard to make money in horses.” Barrel racing is a sport consisting of Bonnie attended the University of Texas a horse and rider team that races into an in Austin, and is now a certified personal arena and rounds a three individual barrels

40 Seguin ~ Authentic Texas living

Authentic Texas living ~ Seguin 41

set in a triangular formation, according to the International Barrel Racing Association. “The course consists of barrels placed in a triangle in the middle of an arena,” the website said. “The rider races into the arena with the timer starting when the team crosses the start line, and ends after completing the clover leaf pattern and racing to cross the finish line. The team that puts up the best time with tight turns, explosiveness, communication and no overturned barrels wins.” However, it wasn’t always about speed in the beginning, according to the IBRA. “Originally, barrel racing was a women’s event and alternated between a figure-eight and clover leaf pattern,” it said. “In the early 1930’s, speed was not as much of a factor in the results as the rider’s outfit and horsemanship as demonstrated by maneuvering through the designated pattern. This was an event for women, while the men participated in the more athletic rodeo events like roping and bull or bronco riding. By 1948 a group of women formed the GRA (Girl’s Rodeo Association) and in 1949 Barrel Racing became all about speed.” Training a horse to race takes months, if not years, depending on the age of the horse, Bonnie said. “The horsemanship-colt breaking is what Laura does a lot of, I don’t really mess around with that. I don’t speak horse like she does,” Bonnie said. Currently, Laura is working with a 3-year-old who is slated to make his debut run in December in Oklahoma City. “A lot of these are other people’s horses that we just ride to keep them in shape or to train them,” Bonnie said. Laura said it is a lot of work getting them to the point of competition. “I train every day,” she said. “I get up pretty dang early. I’ve been up and at it since 6 a.m.,” she said. “I love selling them and seeing other people do well on them. It is very rewarding, especially seeing the ones you raised as babies go on and win something; it is just a really good feeling.” Seeing the little day-to-day changes is what Laura said was her favorite part. “Every day you get to see them get a little bit better and it is just a good feeling,” she said. “That is why I like the younger horses. Every day, as long as you go out there everyday and get on them, they get a little bit better.” While the pair still occasionally barrel race locally, they focus most of their time on the training. “When we were competing, we would go all over the place,” Bonnie said. “We would go to Fort Worth, we would go to Oklahoma, we

would go to Jackson, Mississippi all of the time. Now we’re more into staying home and training.” “It is just very time consuming,” Laura said. “It is hard to make money rodeoing. You’ll haul five horses all the way up there, spend at least $3,000 and maybe win nothing. Now, once our horses get to that point, we sell them and other people go and race them. That is the way we found to try and actually raise money and be able to stay home.” There’s more to girl’s business venture than just horses, Laura said. “We have cattle and other stuff,” she said including breeding. “It is a whole ordeal.” However, Laura doesn’t classify what she does as “work.” “Getting to do what I love,” she said. “It not really work. Well, it is work, you put in a lot of hours, of blood sweat and tears, but I just having the freedom to do what I like. I wake up every morning and I really like getting out here and knowing how much better my horses are doing. Whenever you get on them, they get a little bit better each day and it is just what drives me. I want to see how much better they are going to get. I take a lot of pride in how they do.”

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