Lifestyle
Centenarian shares memory of lifetime
Posted on March 1st, 2012
Frances Kristynik Oglesby turned 100 on Saturday, Feb. 25. She lives at Sweeny Home in Sweeny. Sharing and celebrating with Frances were relatives: sister-in-law Helen Kristynik Kieke, niece Karen McCoy, nephews John Allen and James and Charles Kristynik, other relatives and many friends from the home.
Her earliest memories of traveling anywhere involved hitching a team to a wagon that could get a bit exciting traveling around Orchard where she grew up.
“We either walked or rode in a wagon with two mules who were scared of trains. We ended up in a ditch many times,” she said.
Frances lived by herself at her home in Wild Peach until she was 97 years old—having been active and independent. Her most favorite memory was learning how to drive. It was a skill she’d never picked up and when her husband, Red, passed away in 1972 she found she had to learn out of necessity.
If there’s a secret to getting to be 100, it just might be the habit of clean living.
“I didn’t drink and I didn’t smoke and that’s why I’ve lived so long,” she said.
According to the website DataBlog, the odds of a female born in 1912 making it to age 100 is 1.1 percent.
Frances states, “God’s not ready for me and the devil’s afraid of me.”
Kyndal Leann Hawkins
Posted on February 8th, 2012
William and Sandra Hawkins of Rosharon are proud to announce the birth of their daughter Kyndal Leann Hawkins. Kyndal was born at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston on Dec. 6, 2011 at 8:10 a.m. She weighed 6 lbs. 1 oz. and was 18 inches long. Kyndal was welcomed home by her big sister Kaylie. Kyndal’s grandparents are Gene and Irene Morris of Wallis and Vernon and Janet Huffman of Pearland.
Caroline Clair Bartek
Posted on September 22nd, 2011
Matthew and Cara Bartek of College Station are proud to announce the birth of their first child, Caroline Clair Bartek. She was born June 30, 2011 in College Station and weight 7 lbs., 8.4 oz. and measured 19.75 inches. Grandparents are Rolf and Clair Krueger of Wallis and Dora Jo and the late Jamie Motloch of Odessa. Great grandparents are the late Bill and Patsy Rider of Wallis.
Reid Marshall Engelbrecht
Posted on September 22nd, 2011
Reid Marshall Engelbrecht was born at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land on July 5, 2011 at 2:47 p.m. to Clay and Karla Engelbrecht. He weighed in at 6 lbs. 13 oz. and measured 19-1/2 inches long. Reid was welcomed home by big sister, Morgan. His grandparents are Grandma and Grandpa, Wanda and Freddie Engelbrecht of Wallis and GG and PopPop, Jim and Sally Gabel of Rapid City, S.D. Great-grandma is "Mamaw" Lennie Morton of Pasadena.
A piece of history
Posted on August 12th, 2011
By Johnny Griffin, Editor
Rudy Knesek has been in Wallis from the beginning. He was born in Wallis on Sept. 10, 1918 and has never strayed far from home. He has been involved in just about every organization the community has to offer.
Rudy said he doesn’t like to brag, but he was the highest ranking boy to graduate from the Catholic School in Wallis in the Texas Centennial Year of 1936. He also graduated in 11 years.
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Kolafa Conner exchange vows
Posted on August 12th, 2011
Kayla Deanne Kolafa and Jess Adam Conner were united in marriage in a beautiful destination wedding on the beaches of Moon Palace Spa Resort in Cancun, Mexico on June 22.
Approximately fifty family members and friends boarded flights to Mexico on Monday, June 20, to enjoy a week of fun together celebrating this special occasion with Kayla and Jess. All enjoyed the many activities of the resort and a special rehearsal dinner was celebrated on Tuesday evening with all in attendance.
On Wednesday evening, June 22, at 6 p.m. everyone gathered at the beautiful gazebo overlooking the beach to take part in the ceremony as Kayla and Jess became husband and wife. The ceremony began as the groom and groomsmen made their way to the altar followed by the bridesmaids. Attendants included friend of the groom and best man Kyle Dorociak, brothers of the groom, Jarred and Joseph Conner, brother of the bride, Kyle Kolafa, friends of the groom, Aaron Hicks, Cullen Williams and Emmett Rumsfeld. Serving as ring bearers were cousin of the groom Gentry Suazo and nephew of the groom Carson Conner.
Sister of the bride Kimberly Hoogendoorn served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids included friends of the bride Heidi Vykukal, Katie Brandt, Megan Parker, Michaela Green, Molly (Farrell) Rumsfeld and Elizabeth Evans. Cousin of the groom Rory Suazo served as the flower girl.
The bride was given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father to begin the double ringed ceremony.
Following the ceremony, as the sun set beautifully over the horizon, Mr. and Mrs. Conner were introduced to begin the reception with everyone enjoying appetizers, dinner, cake and dancing to continue the celebration. Toasts were given by the maid of honor, best man and father of the bride. Special dances included a father/daughter as well as mother/son dance. Kayla and Jess celebrated their first dance together as husband and wife to the song “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You”.
Katie Brandt caught the tossed bouquet and Aaron Hicks the garter. Dancing continued into the evening and then all guests joined hands to form a tunnel as Kayla and Jess made their way through to leave on a resort decorated golf buggy.
Guests included grandmother of the bride Anita Kubes, aunt of the bride Dawn Archer, cousins of the bride, Derek Kolafa, Justin Korenek, Tyler Archer, Lori and Carmen Novitski, friend of the bride Lauren Fenn, friend of the family Karen Mize, members of the Conner family as well as numerous other friends of the bride and groom.
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Blahuta and Pavlock to wed
Posted on July 21st, 2011
Glen and Irene Blahuta of Wallis are pleased to announce the engagement and upcoming wedding of their daughter Ashley Lauren to Shane Michael Pavlock. Shane is the son of Rodney and Marie Pavlock of Orchard. Ashley is the granddaughter of Hilda Blahuta and the late Alphonse Blahuta of Wallis, and the late Steve and Annie Pavlicek of Frydek. Shane is the grandson of Albert and Ellen Pavlock of Orchard and the late Fred and Marie Sulak of Orchard. Ashley is a 2004 graduate of Brazos High School, 2008 graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor’s in Science degree in Kinesiology, and a 2010 graduate from WCJC with an Associate’s of Science from the Physical Therapy Assistant program. Ashley is currently employed at South Texas Rehab in Wharton as a Physical Therapist Assistant. Shane is a 2007 graduate of Brazos High School, and is to graduate from Sam Houston State University in August with a Bachelor’s in Marketing and plans to go into sales. Ashley and Shane are to exchange vows on Aug. 13, 2011 at Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Wallis.
Kaleb Ty Krenek
Posted on July 20th, 2011
Tracey and Nathan Krenek of Canyon Lake are proud to announce the arrival of their son, Kaleb Ty Krenek. This is their first baby born on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 9:19 p.m. at New Braunfels Christus Santa Rosa Hospital. Kaleb weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. and was 22 inches in length. He was eagerly greeted that evening by his maternal grandparents Robert and Sarah Young of La Vernia and paternal grandparents Donald and Shirley Krenek of Wallis. Maternal great-grandparents were the late Daniel and Janie Young and Lawrence and Betsy Melenesk, who all had lived in La Vernia. Kaleb’s paternal great-grandparents include Lillian Krenek who resides in La Grange and the late Daniel Krenek and the late Alfonce and Rosie Cerny of El Campo. Kaleb is also welcomed home by aunts and uncles Chad and Nina Krenek, Bobby and Tracey Young and Christine Young and Hank Perez, as well as his cousins Cole and Cassidy Krenek, Blake and Brooke Young and Hannah Perez.
Newsome, Thornton-Lindsey to wed in July
Posted on June 25th, 2011
Jennifer and Scott Bradshaw of Wallis are proud to announce the marriage of her daughter Elanna LaNise Newsome to Douglas D. Thornton-Lindsey, son of James and Pamela Hinton, of Hattiesburg, Miss. Elanna is currently a student at Ashford University, studying for a BA in English. She is a property manager for Ambling Management Companies at the campus of Southern University of Shreveport, La. (SUSLA). Elanna is the granddaughter of John and Alma Newsome. Douglas studied at Jackson State University and received a BA in Nursing. He’s currently employed with Advantage Travel Nursing as a Registered Nurse. Elanna and Douglas will exchange vows at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 1 at Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church in Wallis. A reception will follow at the American Legion Hall in Wallis.
Matek, Hanzelka to wed in June
Posted on June 25th, 2011
The parents of Mollie Anne Matak and Carlton Wade Hanzelka are pleased to announce their engagement and upcoming marriage. The couple will exchange vows on June 25 at Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Wallis.
Mollie is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Matak of Richmond. She is a graduate of Lamar Consolidated High School and a 2010 graduate of the University of Houston, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. She is currently employed as a Kindergarten teacher for Brazos ISD.
Carlton is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond “Lefty” Hanzelka of Wallis. He is a graduate of Brazos High School and a 2002 graduate of Sam Houston State University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science/Kinesiology. He is currently employed as a Fitness Specialist for Memorial Hermann Healthcare System.
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