Home Care In Fredonia, TX

A midcentury modern boutique hotel is not quite what you would expect to find off the beaten path in Nacogdoches, the oldest town in Texas.

The beauty of the Fredonia Hotel is rooted in its rich historic origins. The hotel opened in 1955 as the crowning jewel of the town. Peer back into the hotel’s storied past and you’ll find it was one of the most unique "community-owned hotels" in America, financed completely by the citizens of Nacogdoches. From the color of the brick to the hotel’s name, Nacogdoches residents had a hand in selecting all the finer details of this Texas inn.

Some of the noted celebs who have taken rest and refuge at The Fredonia Hotel include Amy Schumer, Farrah Fawcett, Elvis Presley, and Colonel Sanders.

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The hotel was recently restored to its midcentury beauty in 2017 with an $18 million renovation. If you’re searching for the aesthetic of modern luxury crossed with the charm of Texas, this is a the perfect "off-the-grid" destination. Guests have 109 luxurious rooms to choose from that come in four different styles — Cabana, Tower, Terrace and Suites. Rates start at $129 per person.

Take a dip into the retro kidney-shaped pool or stop for a cocktail at Fredonia’s two restaurants and bars. The speakeasy-style Nine Flags Bar offers artisanal cocktails. The 1st City Café serves as the town’s main hub for Sunday brunch, and the Republic steakhouse offers an old-world-style chophouse.

The hotel is also ideal as a wedding spot and features four ballrooms — including one that can accommodate 1,000 guests.

The Fredonia Hotel’s fascinating past reveals the collaborative Texas spirit behind this tourist destination and town. According to the hotel's Texas history milestones, builders sold stock in the hotel to town residents at $50 a share. It was actually named after the area’s 1826 Fredonia Rebellion when a group of settlers declared Nacogdoches independent from Mexico.

When it was christened, the new hotel featured a "sleek contemporary-styled hotel building," 100 rooms, a patio, conference facilities for 600 and a pool with cabanas. Original rates were only $6.45.

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The Micky Elliott Family Foundation was inducted into the Stephen F. Austin Society during Stephen F. Austin State University’s 32nd Gala, held Saturday. Pictured, from left, are Dr. Steve Westbrook, SFA interim president; Karen Gantt, SFA Board of Regents chair; Bill Elliott, president of Elliott Electric Supply; Gerald Schlief, SFASU Foundation chair; and Jill Still, SFA vice president for university advancement.

Dr. Sammie and Beverly Smith were inducted into the Fredonia Society during Stephen F. Austin State University’s 32nd Gala, held Saturday. Pictured, from left, are Dr. Steve Westbrook, SFA interim president; Karen Gantt, SFA Board of Regents chair; Beverly; Sammie; Gerald Schlief, SFASU Foundation chair; and Jill Still, SFA vice president for university advancement.

Photo by Hardy Meredith

Paul and the late Dixie Kellerhals were inducted into the Fredonia Society during Stephen F. Austin State University’s 32nd Gala, held Saturday. Pictured, from left, are Dr. Steve Westbrook, SFA interim president; Karen Gantt, SFA Board of Regents chair; Paul; Gerald Schlief, SFASU Foundation chair; and Jill Still, SFA vice president for university advancement.

Photo by Hardy Meredith

Hank and Suzy Crouse were inducted into the Thomas J. Rusk Society during Stephen F. Austin State University’s 32nd Gala, held Saturday. Pictured, from left, are Dr. Steve Westbrook, SFA interim president; Karen Gantt, SFA Board of Regents chair; Suzy; Hank; Gerald Schlief, SFASU Foundation chair; and Jill Still, SFA vice president for university advancement.

Photo by Hardy Meredith

The Micky Elliott Family Foundation was inducted into the Stephen F. Austin Society during Stephen F. Austin State University’s 32nd Gala, held Saturday. Pictured, from left, are Dr. Steve Westbrook, SFA interim president; Karen Gantt, SFA Board of Regents chair; Bill Elliott, president of Elliott Electric Supply; Gerald Schlief, SFASU Foundation chair; and Jill Still, SFA vice president for university advancement.

Photo by Hardy Meredith

Dr. David and Charlotte Sanderson were inducted into the Fredonia Society during Stephen F. Austin State University’s 32nd Gala, held Saturday. Pictured, from left, are Dr. Steve Westbrook, SFA interim president; Karen Gantt, SFA Board of Regents chair; Charlotte; David; Gerald Schlief, SFASU Foundation chair; and Jill Still, SFA vice president for university advancement.

Photo by Hardy Meredith

Dr. Sammie and Beverly Smith were inducted into the Fredonia Society during Stephen F. Austin State University’s 32nd Gala, held Saturday. Pictured, from left, are Dr. Steve Westbrook, SFA interim president; Karen Gantt, SFA Board of Regents chair; Beverly; Sammie; Gerald Schlief, SFASU Foundation chair; and Jill Still, SFA vice president for university advancement.

Photo by Hardy Meredith

Paul and the late Dixie Kellerhals were inducted into the Fredonia Society during Stephen F. Austin State University’s 32nd Gala, held Saturday. Pictured, from left, are Dr. Steve Westbrook, SFA interim president; Karen Gantt, SFA Board of Regents chair; Paul; Gerald Schlief, SFASU Foundation chair; and Jill Still, SFA vice president for university advancement.

Photo by Hardy Meredith

Hank and Suzy Crouse were inducted into the Thomas J. Rusk Society during Stephen F. Austin State University’s 32nd Gala, held Saturday. Pictured, from left, are Dr. Steve Westbrook, SFA interim president; Karen Gantt, SFA Board of Regents chair; Suzy; Hank; Gerald Schlief, SFASU Foundation chair; and Jill Still, SFA vice president for university advancement.

Photo by Hardy Meredith

The Micky Elliott Family Foundation was inducted into the Stephen F. Austin Society during Stephen F. Austin State University’s 32nd Gala, held Saturday. Pictured, from left, are Dr. Steve Westbrook, SFA interim president; Karen Gantt, SFA Board of Regents chair; Bill Elliott, president of Elliott Electric Supply; Gerald Schlief, SFASU Foundation chair; and Jill Still, SFA vice president for university advancement.

Photo by Hardy Meredith

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University honored prominent donors who have supported the school and the surrounding community during the 32nd annual SFA Gala held Saturday in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Grand Ballroom.

This year’s honorees, inducted into the university’s three highest tiers of giving, were David and Charlotte Sanderson, Sammie and Beverly Smith, Paul and Dixie Kellerhals, Hank and Suzy Crouse, and the Micky Elliott Family Foundation.

The event included a three-course meal with red and white wine, live music and remarks from Dr. Steve Westbrook, interim president of SFA, and Jill Still, vice president for university advancement and executive director of the SFASU Foundation.

“Our donors help SFA provide a quality education for students and are a big reason why the university continues to be an important and impactful member of the greater East Texas region,” Still said. “Those who give to our colleges and programs, from athletics to academics, are essential members of our community. We are pleased to recognize their generosity.”

Fredonia Society Inductees

David and Charlotte Sanderson Dr. David Sanderson established a thriving orthopedic surgery practice in 1979, and Charlotte served as his longtime business manager. While Charlotte managed the practice and raised three children, David served SFA’s student-athletes on the field and courtside, both home and away, for 31 years. During that time, he worked with seven different football coaches but only one trainer — Sandy Miller.

The Sandersons estimate that David stood on the sidelines at Homer Bryce Stadium for 250 games and courtside in Johnson Coliseum for 600 or more while also caring for all SFA’s student-athletes.

Early on, the Sandersons decided to match their financial giving to athletics with support for the College of Sciences and Mathematics. Additionally, they support SFA’s fine arts and gardens programs and have hosted and mentored many students throughout the years. The Sandersons believe the university defines Nacogdoches and has enriched the quality of life in the town they’ve called home for 43 years.

Sammie and Beverly Smith Dr. Sammie Smith is a renowned former chair of the Schlief School of Accountancy and faculty member for 26 years at SFA.

He was named the Temple-Inland Employees Distinguished Professor of Accounting and received the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants’ Outstanding Accounting Educator of the Year award. Sammie’s been honored with three teaching excellence awards — one in 2003 from SFA’s Rusche College of Business and two from the international accounting honor society, Beta Alpha Psi. He earned the prestigious title of regents professor in 2004 before retiring two years later.

Beverly is not only an alumna but also served SFA for 18 years working in multiple university offices. She retired in 2021. The Smiths have established four endowed funds for faculty and student support.

Paul and Dixie Kellerhals Paul and the late Dixie Kellerhals have been supporters of SFA for many years. Dixie graduated from SFA, first in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and then the next year with a master’s degree in special education. She went on to serve as an educational diagnostician for 11 years before retiring.

Paul spent his early years in the U.S. Army, serving tours in Germany, South Vietnam and South Korea before becoming an SFA professor of military science from 1982 to 1986. In civilian life, Paul worked as a head coach for both high school football and basketball, an elementary school principal, and director of teacher education at the University of Central Texas.

He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Northern Iowa, a second master’s degree from the University of Central Texas, and a doctoral degree from Auburn University. The Kellerhals endowed the Dixie and Paul Kellerhals Scholarship, which supports students enrolled in the James I. Perkins College of Education.

Thomas J. Rusk Society Inductees

Hank and Suzy Crouse Hank and Suzy Crouse are longtime Nacogdoches residents. They came here in 1977 looking to manage a family business and start a family of their own. Eventually, they came to own Burns, Morris and Stewart, a manufacturing company specializing in exterior door frames.

They have always had an appreciation for higher education and in more recent years became avid Lumberjack basketball fans. They attend practice, games, host athletic-related events in their home, and share life lessons, love and support with student-athletes, coaches and their families.

Hank and Suzy consider the coaches and student-athletes their family and desire to help students experience success on and off the court. To honor their generosity in both financial resources and service, the university Board of Regents named the Hank and Suzy Crouse Weight Room within the Naymola Basketball Performance Center after them in 2020.

Stephen F. Austin Society Inductee

The Micky Elliott Family Foundation The Micky Elliott Family Foundation was established in 2017 with a gift from Elliott Electric Supply Inc., which was founded and is owned by Bill Elliott. The foundation was named in memory of Bill’s wife of 41 years, Micky, who passed away in 2001.

The mission of the Micky Elliott Family Foundation is to provide opportunities to make Nacogdoches, SFA and the East Texas area better through their financial support.

Bill and Micky moved to Nacogdoches in 1972. Micky’s commitment of their savings and her unwavering support allowed Elliott Electric Supply to grow in the last 50 years from a startup with $20,000 to what today is a company worth $2 billion that employs 2,600 employees in 10 states. Micky loved the arts, gardens and people of Nacogdoches and believed it a privilege to live in Texas’ oldest town.

NACOGDOCHES, TX (KTRE) - A longtime tenant of Hotel Fredonia is back in his beloved Nacogdoches, a place he's called home for 66 years.

J.D. Harkrider, a very independent 103-year-old, didn't plan the move … or did he? You be the judge.

This story from the witty centenarian may be the best one yet.

J.D. Harkrider loved his longtime home and VIP service at the Hotel Fredonia. After the hotel closed Harkrider was convinced last year to hand over the car keys and move to Orlando to live with his son and daughter-in-law. His last words before leaving that August day were

"I'm not burning any bridges," Harkrider said. "I might be back."

A man true to his word, Mr Harkrider is back living at Magnolia Court in Nacogdoches.

"I came in on Sunday and moved in on Monday," Harkrider said.

Was it an impulse decision or planned out?

"I have always thought about coming back home," Harkrider said.

Harkrider's son knew while he away on a business trip his father would be visiting Nacogdoches. But that's all he knew.

"Came to church from San Augustine with my niece, and after we had lunch, I just suggested let's drive out to Magnolia Court," Harkrider said.

By the next day, Harkrider moved in with only a suitcase and without calling his son. Good friend, Varron McLemore has his own theory.

"He denies it," McLemore said. "I think he had it planned all along that he was going to try to figure out something to do."

Nevertheless, the decision was made and it was time to break the news to Harkrider's son.

In response to a question about who broke the news to his son, Harkrider chuckled and said, "Well, Varron called my grandson, and my grandson called his mother and daddy, and that's when the fire started."

The fire has since been put out. The family shipped Harkrider his belongings, including portraits of his late wife of 66 years, Thelma. She is buried in a cemetery across the street. In her memory, Harkrider had planted 100 roses at Hotel Fredonia.

"Of course, I like to go to the hotel and see if my roses were still blooming like they are," Harkrider said.

And could this wise man have something else up his sleeve?

"I would hate to leave this place to go to the hotel, but it would be really tempting," Harkrider said.

In the meantime, Harkrider walks three miles a day, just as the doctor ordered. He must be fit so not to break a record he's kept for years. He'll visit Florida for the Atlanta Braves spring training. Mr Harkrider is a slugger who can honestly say he's hit a home run.

J.D. Harkrider will celebrate his 104th birthday on October 24th. A party is planned and Harkrider is already talking about easily reaching 105.

The first phase for more than 700 school districts across New York state that submitted reopening plans amid the COVID-19 pandemic was completed last week.

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"Now we have to get down to the nitty gritty and the details of the plan," said Dr. Colleen Taggerty, Fredonia Central School District interim superintendent.

Fredonia Central Schools is now in the next phase of its state-required reopening plan, which calls for students pre-K through 4th grade to be back in the classroom five days a week.

Leaders say the plan comes complete with plenty of space for social distancing between the main campus and Wheelock Primary School, in addition to a sick and well room for the nurse.

"We certainly need parent support. We need the families on board with us ensuring the students are wearing their masks into the building. We will do the temperature checks before they enter," said Dr. Taggerty.

The same cannot be said for students in grades 5 through 12, as a lack of space requires middle and high schoolers to learn two days a week in school and three at home.

School leaders will continue to fine tune their plan based on guidance Governor Andrew Cuomo said Monday he'll give out later this week.

"I would say it was challenging because there were so many unknowns. We also need to reach out to our families to say, ‘are you going to send your children?’ I mean we know that there are some families that aren't comfortable," said Dr. Taggerty.

Another potential challenge facing the district at the start of the school year is the traffic from a partial re-construction of the county’s only roundabout after state department of transportation leaders say they need to redesign portions of the drainage system after a recent storm caused the traffic circle to flood.

"I can't say I'm overly concerned because I was not even aware of it," said Dr. Taggerty.

State Department of Transportation leaders say the project will be completed in the fall as crews are currently in the process of installing a new drainage structure to better carry storm water from the nearby Fredonia School District Campus that should prevent future occurrences of flooding.

"Last year during the construction, Fredonia was able to work out how to manipulate and maneuver around the roundabouts. I'm assuming the traffic patterns would be similar if in fact it has to be shut down again," said Dr. Taggerty.

It’s just one more reason Dr. Taggerty is asking parents for their continued patience.

"This is a work in progress and we certainly know the importance of your children's safety, health, well-being, and the need for a quality education. And we're working on that," said Dr. Taggerty.

The first day of school is tentatively set for Tuesday, September 8.

East Texas is often overlooked as a weekend vacation destination. But there’s something about the beautiful, peaceful piney woods that recharges the mind and spirit.

Nacogdoches is considered the oldest town in Texas, at least that’s what locals contend. And with the combination of the beautiful campus of Stephen F. Austin State University and the crunchy pine needles underfoot, “Nac” has a knack for welcoming visitors.

Courtesy Fredonia Hotel via Texas Lifestyle Magazine

The courtyard of the Fredonia Hotel, which opened in the 1950s.

Vintage and vibrant, the Fredonia Hotel offers an old-timey feel with a super-cool vibe. From the outside, it looks like a refurbished relic from the 1950s; inside, there’s a lobby with striking lighting and posh fabrics. It really feels like a trip back in time. The hotel’s 1st City Cafe offers savory dishes and delicious desserts. Start the day with an on-demand omelet or the Lumberjack Breakfast – an homage to Stephen F. Austin University’s mascot.

Another great restaurant is Maklemore’s Ale-House & Bistro – known as Maks. It offers a large craft beer selection and live music on weekends. Most locals come for the gourmet stacked burgers and fried mac ’n’ cheese balls.

Located just off a busy railway, Auntie Pasta’s restaurant serves some of the finest Italian food in East Texas. Start with house-made fried cheese, which comes with piping hot French bread in a bag. The ambiance is ideal for a big family dinner or an intimate date night.

In downtown Nacogdoches, with its charming brick-lined streets, is Dolli’s Diner. Known for its generous portions, it’s a good spot for extra-hungry eaters. Dolli, with her colorful apron and knee-high socks, welcomes guests with a smile. Like the menu says, it’s “Not fast, not fancy, just good food!” Sit on the barstools and order funnel-cake fries, a shake or an old-fashioned float.

Enjoy a glass of wine at Red House Winery, which has a tasting room and a relaxing patio.

The Heart of Texas Gift Gallery has a great selection of Nacogdoches and East Texas souvenirs. Don’t forget to say “Hello” to Gracie, the store’s unofficial canine greeter.

For nature lovers, the hiking trails around Nac are beautiful, shady and full of pine trees. Try one of the many trails around town like Lanana Creek Trail, Banita Creek Trail or the Stephen F. Austin Interpretive Trail. Each provides a shady path for walking or jogging.