|
Seguin Rotary Club Pledges $25,000 for Texas Theatre
The Rotary Club of Seguin has pledged a gift of $25,000 to the Seguin Conservation Society for the restoration of The Texas Theatre. In recognition, the concession loge of the expanded theater lobby will be named for the Rotary Club.
"If there's a significant project in Seguin, Rotary wants to be a part of it," said Rotary president Mark Williams. "The theater is a beautiful building. Architecturally and historically, it’s worth preserving." He noted that many Rotary members have early recollections of watching Saturday morning cowboy movies there in the cool air-conditioning.
The theater’s renovation plan will allow flexible uses of the theater, including live music, stage productions, receptions, recitals and film festivals. With the Rotary pledge, the campaign has reached 70% of its $2.5 million goal - over $1,800,000 raised to date. The campaign has won support from the Stephen & Mary Birch Foundation, Texas Historical Commission, San Antonio Conservation Society, the City of Seguin, the San Antonio Area Foundation, the Meadows Foundation, American Bank of Texas, First Commercial Bank and many local donors. For information contact Steve Tschoepe, campaign chair, at 830-401-1971.
Photo above: Don Keil and Nancy Masterson of the Texas Theatre Task Force received a pledge of $25,000 from Seguin Rotary Club president Mark Williams and treasurer Tres Hewell.
Message from the President
Dear Fellow Conservationists,
As I begin my term as Seguin Conservation Society president, I am reminded of a quote by Albert Einstein; "The high destiny of the individual is to serve, rather than to rule." I am excited for the opportunity to serve not only the Conservation Society, but also the entire Seguin community.
Although we don’t have information at press time, watch for news of a proposed city ordinance establishing a historic landmark preservation program for Seguin. At our October meeting, our board heartily endorsed the program, which grew out of our Mark It, Seguin! project, spearheaded by member Angela Nickel. The goal is to recognize and protect local places of historical importance, advance heritage tourism, and create community pride in Seguin's colorful and interesting history. These efforts are part of our mission of remembering, understanding and advancing our shared heritage, so we ask for your support, too.
Our 21-member Board of Directors also recently formed a new membership committee to improve opportunities for our members to share their time, talents, and gifts. Opportunities for you might include being a:
- Seguin birthday party cookie baker
- Moore House luncheon volunteer
- Historic property tour guide
- Historic property beautification partner
- Furniture restorer for the Texas Theatre
None of these sound interesting? Well, a monetary donation is always a good fit. With a willing group of volunteers, the Seguin Conservation Society will continue to build on our great accomplishments. As Winston Churchill once said, "We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give." My goal as president is to broaden opportunities for each of us to serve as we are able. I hope you are up for this exciting challenge. I am!
Preserving Seguin Together,
Cristin Ledbetter, President
|
Recent News
Pecan Fest Pie Sale A Big Success
Thanks to all the volunteers who baked pies for Pecan Fest, we sold $156 in baked goods and received $250 in donations over the Oct. 27-28 weekend celebration. More than 70 people toured our historic properties. The Heritage Days aspect of Pecan Fest was wonderful for our organization and we look forward to seeing it grow.
Help Seguin Shine Grant Awarded
Help Seguin Shine awarded us $1,572 for two projects that will increase our visibility. We will replace the old display cases on the front of The Texas Theater with handsome, lockable showcases to depict the progress of the restoration. We have support from Lone Star Printing, Matera Paper, Hair Haus, Red Spoon Productions, and photographer Stanley Naumann to create visually exciting displays and change them frequently.
When we open Los Nogales, Campbell-Hoerrman Log Cabin and the First Church during Downtown Trade Days, few people visit because they can’t see that we are open. The grant will pay for curb flags for our historic properties. The Main Street Program offered to drill holes and provide poles for sidewalk flags, just as they have done for the Kiwanis Club's American flags. With the grant, we will purchase banner holders and "Open" flags. Thank you, Help Seguin Shine donors!
Help Wanted:
Gracious volunteers on the first Wednesday afternoon of every month to set tables with cloths, napkins, place cards and silverware at the Moore House. Arrange flowers in vases. Contact Mary McDonald at 401-4543.
Handy volunteers with a home workshop. Ability to work independently to restore an original Texas Theatre chair for sale to interested donors. Some experience with furniture restoration appreciated. Contact Don Keil at 303-7333.
Enthusiastic volunteers. Make phone calls, post flyers, stuff envelopes, be a campaign worker for the 2008 "A Star is Reborn" Texas Theatre community fundraising campaign. Contact Steve Tschoepe at 401-1971.
History Request From Our Mailbox
Oct. 8, 2007
Dear Seguin Conservation Society,
Please accept this donation as a token of our gratitude for Mary McDonald's (tour) of the Campbell Log Cabin during our recent visit. It is also in honor of our ancestor Susan Kerr Faver, who may have lived in the cabin.
She was my third great grandmother who was on the 1860 and 1870 U.S. Census, living with her daughter and son-in-law Canzada and John Campbell in Guadalupe County. They may have lived in this cabin or in another that John built, depending on when this one was passed on to Peter Campbell's family. Canzada married John in Guadalupe County on 15 March 1855. Her widowed mother lived with them until her death 20 November 1872. If any of your members have any information on these Texas pioneers, I would appreciate your help. Thanks.
Linda Maddox
6363 Newport Ct.
Fort Worth TX 76116
|