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Krenek, Turnage wed in Tennessee ceremony; baby born
Liliana Johse

The old saying goes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, is true. Jonathan Allen Krenek and Tristan Brynn Turnage have the best role model of a married couple in his parents Tim and Phyllis Krenek. Jonathan has always had good guidance and fine example in them.

Jonathan of Egypt and Tristan of Halls, Tenn., met in one of Jonathan's working trips to Tennessee. They were married Nov. 17 at Archer's Chapel Church in a Catholic ceremony, blessed by our own Father Henry Rachunek. Yes, Father Rachunek made the trip by automobile, Bobby Stasney of Sugar Land drove him. He is a good friend and a parishioner at St. Wenceslaus in Beasley, where Father is the pastor. They had a good trip. Attending the wedding ceremony were mostly the immediate family - Anthony and Leslie Spacek and daughter, Sandra and Todd Wolfe; Eleanor and Marcus Spacek, maternal grandparents; Margaret Zahn, paternal great-aunt; Richard Koch, Mary Lou Krenek, Mark and Pam Krenek, Gerard and Teresa Krenek and Richard and Susan Zahn. They all stayed in Jackson, Tenn., about 30 miles from Halls. His parents Tim and Phyllis went ahead before the wedding and spent 10 days with the family. Phyllis was able to attend one of the teas honoring the bride-to-be. For the wedding the chapel was decorated with ferns and candelabras. A reception followed at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Hank Beaird. Jonathan and Tristan spent eight days in the Dominican Republic for their honeymoon. They returned to their newly built home in Egypt Nov. 25. Jonathan farms and Tristan is a professional photographer.

A big Texas reception will be given this evening for the newlyweds at the Crescent Hall at the Wharton County Fairgrounds with dinner catered by Vincek's of East Bernard and a dance to follow with music provided by Russell Hubenak. Tristan will be received with open arms and the taste of some good ol' Texas hospitality. They make a beautiful couple. The grand march will be led by good friends Tony and Cathy Ermis of El Campo, whose son Jason Ermis is also a good friend of the groom. Valerie Woodruff, the groom's sister was one of the bridesmaids, the rest of the bridesmaids were Tristan's classmates and friends. There were 11 groomsmen, all but three from Texas. Kevin Hoffman of Nada was bestman, Jonathan's brother Travis Krenek, his brother in-law Benny Woodruff and Tristan's brother Nicholas Turnage of Tennessee. Others were Jason Supak, Drew Kana, Jason Ermis, Robby Strnadel, Thomas Wynn of Egypt, Brandon Hughes of Tennessee, Dave Barham of St. Louis, Mo., and the groom's three-year-old nephew was ring bearer. Grandma Phyllis said he behaved beautifully. For the reception 300 invitations were sent to family and friends. Our best wishes. Hoping to meet you soon.

Sending our best wishes for a happy birthday to Sharon Jedlicka, Lisa Englund, Frances Crump, Wayne Milberger, Daniel Cazares, Jerome Zahradnik, Suzanne Blair, Taylor Hudgins, Pam Hubenak, Bill Laurenson, Harolyn Freeman, Steven Matus, Don Carlson, Carl Douglas Ludwig, Ryan Cisneros, Frances Cullers, Lexie King, Pat Kubala, Susie Carlson, Velma Strarup, Donald Allen, Jenna Norrell, Steve Bosch, Andres Garza III, Clarice Kutach, Juanita Chudalla, Samantha Cockerham, Vivian Stammann and Jacob Kalina.

Celebrating wedding anniversaries this week are Daniel and Clara Chumchal and Tim and Pam Barker. Caleen and Roy Moffett celebrated an anniversary Nov. 21. Belated anniversary wishes. Don and Ann Strouhal congratulations on their 49th, Alan and Theresa Priem on their 33rd wedding anniversary.

Congratulations are in order for our Dr. Thai D. Huynh and his wife Lien Chi Huynh on the arrival of their first baby. Binh Thai Huynh born Nov. 16 at Methodist Hospital in Sugar Land at 3:44 p.m. He weighed 8 lbs., 1 oz., and was 19.8 inches long. Dr. Huynh took off for several days from duty at GCMC in order to spend some time with Lien-Chi and Binh Thai. He is a beautiful baby. He is a proud daddy. He is back at work.

One of the sweetest doctors we have is retiring this year. Dr. Sandra Williams will come to work for the last time at STMC on Friday, Dec. 28. She is a loving and dedicated pediatrician who came to Wharton to cure our sick children in 1980. I came to Wharton the same year, moving from Louise, and started working at the clinic in 1981. I have had the privilege of working closely with her for many years. She is someone who never lost her composure and good manners, a real special lady that will be sorely missed. Dr. Williams now lives in Rosenberg but has promised to come back to Wharton to visit her friends that are many. We had a nice little talk with her, Brenda Mach, R.N. Case manager and Dr. Huynh. It was a surprise to him and when a friend told me I couldn't believe it. I guess she deserves to take a rest. She is not sure yet what she will do, for now just to take it easy and rest. We wish her our best and hope to see her when she comes to visit Wharton.

Barbara and Dr. Keith Dowell had a house full for Thanksgiving. Dr. Dowell was telling us that everybody came home, including grandchildren and grandogs. Would you believe that Dr. Dowell did the cooking?

Larry Sitka spent Thanksgiving with family Izzy and Kathy Smolik. We know Kathy is an excellent cook.

We enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with part of our family. Our son and his wife, Maxyves and Debra Lynn Verzele of Clyde; sons, Julien of Austin and Justin who is at Tarleton State; Sarah Mc- Nutt of Texas State in San Marcos; our daughter, Brigitte of Managua, Nicaragua; Helene Vaughan; and later on we were joined by Kerry Johse. We had a great meal and a most enjoyable time with everyone. Everybody but Brigitte left on Friday and she left Saturday for Central America.

Twelve-year-old Kimberly Castro was honored with a party as she finished with the seventh grade B-team football in Wharton. Kimberly played the whole season with the Wharton Tigers. Attending the party were her grandparents, Mary Alice and Leroy Longoria; her mom, Katrina and step-father Ted Gonzales; great-grandma, Suzanne Perez; aunt, Lee Marie Mrnustik; and Desirae Castro. Special guest were Melissa and "Cat" Ayala.

Susan Slavens came to Texas for the first time to visit her sister Doris Huddleston. Doris is a wonderful host and they did all the Texas things. Susan just loved Texas, its people and everything about it. She plans to return next May. She is a registered nurse anesthetist. Knowing her, I am sure they had plenty of fun.

James and Annette Hlavinka had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the family. Both grandmas were special guest. Julia Bartos, who is Annette's mom, and Bessie Hlavinka, James' mother, their children and grandchildren. They had a great visit and a good meal prepared by Annette. The visit lasted until late in the evening.

DeVoy and Jean Shaw of Boling enjoyed the visit of their daughters. On Friday they went to K-2 Steak House in Bay City for dinner.

Gloria Garza is the chairperson this year for the CDA Mardi Gras raffle. To donate items call her at 532-0578.

We had a nice visit and enjoyed the tasty stew made by Lil Kohleffel the other evening at Allen and Lil's residence.

We often have lunch at GCMC cafeteria. This week we caught up with plenty of news during lunch with Alice Koenig and Mary Ann Erdelt. It was like old times remembering the fun we had when we were all working at South Texas Medical Clinic.

Dr. Vanessa Mandal is still on maternity leave. She gave birth to another baby boy. Mother and son are doing well.

Frank and Alice Koenig spent Thanksgiving at Bill and Susie Koenig's in East Bernard. Alice says there were 33 people in total, all members of the family. Susie's family came from McAllen.

This is the season of giving. After 40, most people need glasses and we like and must change them sooner or later. The Lions Clubs International primary mission is Sight First. Last year they collected more than 1,000 pairs of used glasses to be recycled and donated to someone who needed them. If you have any glasses that don't fit or you can't use, please take them to Dr. Keith Ermis at Family Vision Office on Fulton St. or give them to any Lion friend. When people work together for a good cause, remarkably good things happen. Thanks for your help.

Next Tuesday we'll have another enjoyable time, when we attend the Boling ISD 14th annual Christmas Open House at the Administration Office in Boling.

This is also a time to party. El Campo Leader-News, The Wharton Journal-Spectator and The East Bernard Express are having their first joint Christmas Party for the staff on Thursday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. at Mikeska in El Campo. Special entertainment will be done by our own rising star subscription manager for Wharton and East Bernard Pam Hubenak.

Tonight is also the South Texas Medical Clinic Employee's Holiday Party at the Wharton Community Center.