Warda Home to Zoch Handcrafted Pottery
When you think of exquisitely crafted pottery, Warda is probably not the first place that comes to your mind. However, down on Zoch Lane, there happens to be just such a place. Turning out beautifully crafted and stunning pottery are Henry and Cecilia Zoch.
The couple met over 20 years ago in a pottery class in Dallas. In 2000, when she was going through cancer treatments, they reconnected through the clay community. Married for the past three and half years, they now live in Warda on property that was in Henry’s family.
The couple admits to being completely different potters, each with their own creativity and style. Cecilia says that Henry has a real eye for shapes and designs and catches on quickly. Cecilia is very detail-oriented and is persistent. They even have their own “his and hers” pottery wheels.
The couple remodeled a storage building and turned it into their studio; one side is the clay area and the other side houses the glazing area. These areas are separate so as not to have dust get on the pieces while they are being glazed.
Cecilia admits that most of her work is functional. “My favorite thing to make are platters, I really like to think and imagine how the piece will be used and how it will feel when it’s held.” As a cancer survivor, she is cautious and doesn’t use anything toxic in her pieces. A hot-selling item lately has been her canning funnels. “Aluminum and plastic funnels can leach harmful chemicals into the items people are canning.” Cecilia’s clay funnels are not only safer, but they are works of art.
Henry has made much of the equipment in the studio. When they needed an extruder to form the clay, he got creative and built one himself.
Cecilia says, “Your hands tell the clay what to do.” The process to create a piece is throwing the clay, creating it, drying it, putting it in the bisque kiln, glazing and then firing it in a very large propane gas kiln. This kiln is known as high-fire and temperatures reach 2100-2200 degrees. They have named their big propane kiln “Louisa.” It takes about 100 pieces to fill the kiln, which Cecilia says takes them about 2 months to make in order to fill it.
“A while back, one of Cecil-ia’s teachers told her she needed to work outside the box,” Henry said. “She took that comment to heart and jumped out of the box!” Cecilia’s been making lots of water features/fountains, plant pot feet and has been experimenting with adding different detailing to her pieces and coloring touches to her glazes. Most of the couple’s work sells in the $8 to $200 price range.
Both recently retired, Cecilia spends 20 to 30 hours a week in the studio but would like it to do more. In addition to pottery, Henry likes to garden and also has a sawmill.
If you want to learn more about pottery, Cecilia will be at the Art Stroll in La Grange on Sept. 12 with her wheel conducting demonstrations.
Run-Off Election
Holy Cross Fellowship Hall will be used for the run-off election on Tuesday, July 14, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters in Precincts 10 and 11 will vote there.
Graduations
Alyssa Brade, daughter of Leann and Tucker Briscoe and granddaughter of Harry and Patricia Lehmann. Brade is graduating eighth grade from Immanuel and ranked number four in her class. She will be attending Giddings High School in the fall.
Lauren Lorraine Lehmann, daughter of Lenny and Julie Lehmann and granddaughter of Leonard and Shirley Lehmann and Carolyn Fritsche. Lehmann is graduating from La Grange High School as one of the top 10 students. She plans to attend Texas A&M in College Station as a history major with a focus on pre-law. After college, Lehmann plans to enroll in law school to become a lawyer specializing in Constitutional Law.
Andrew Bamsch, grandson of Ralph and Carolyn Bamsch. Bamsch is graduated from Nevada Union High School in Grass Valley, California on June 6. He is considering a career in either military service or one of the trades.
Hailey Miller, granddaughter of Zane and Frances Gray. Miller graduated on May 16 with honors from Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi and will be attending Des Moines University to work on acquiring her doctorate in physical therapy.
Raina Lange, daughter of Kevin and Sandra Lange and granddaughter of Carolyn Buscha. Lange is a 2020 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Bridgeland High School’s inaugural class, where is she played varsity softball and was named to Texas High School Coaches’ Association Academic All-State Team and First Team All-District. Lange was also a member of the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Future Farmers of America and Key Club. Lange will be attending Texas State University in the fall, majoring in aquatic science. She was also awarded a scholarship to play for the Texas State Bobcat softball team.
Hailey Lehman, daughter of Donny and Felicia Lehman and granddaughter of Wally and Carol Lehman. Lehman graduated from Tivy High School in Kerrville on May 29 and will be attending Blinn College in College Station this fall.
Cancelled/Postponed Events
The Sewing Circle that meets at Holy Cross has been postponed till July 23. They will reevaluate at that time.
Events Still On
Bible study meets at Holy Cross every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. You may join in person or via Zoom. Contact Cyndy Zoch at cyndy.zoch@gmail.com for more information.
Holy Cross Services
Services at Holy Cross Lutheran Church are Sunday at 9 a.m. Bible Class follows the Sunday morning service.
Sermon links/streaming videos and additional information is on the website at www.holycrosswarda.com.
Sunday School Zoom
Sunday school for kids is now being conducted via Zoom every Sunday at 1 p.m. If you’d like to join in on their afternoon Zoom class, please contact Patty Schulze at (512) 914-5748.
FLHS
Faith Lutheran High School’s July office hours will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Friday and holidays will be by appointment only.
The school understands the seriousness of COVID-19 and is confident that their school environment, small class size and safety precautions will enable them to be back on campus full time in August. A detailed plan is currently being revised in preparation for August.
New student registration for 2020-2021 is underway. Contact FLHS at (979)-242-2889 to learn more.
Prayer Requests
J.C. Kaiser, William Jurk, Tommy Swearingen, Lorie Lehmann, Amy Wagner, Eugene Zoch, Wesley Cervenka and Annie Mae Fick.
Sympathy
Our sympathy to Gerald and Mary Sledge on the death of their friend, Bobby Ploog, on June 28 due to COVID-19.
Birthdays
Birthday wishes are extended to the following celebrants: Wayne Kunze-July 11; Oranell Dunk, Linda Hobratschk, Ryan Noack, Tiffany Noack and Crystal Landry-13; Harvey Hobratschk-14; Steve Green, Tina Huenefeld and Thaddeus Jurk -15; Wilma Kaiser-16; and Shane Kasper-18.
A special congratulations to Wilma Kaiser, as she will celebrate turning 88 this year.
Anniversaries
Anniversary wishes are extended to the following couples: Curtis and Glenda Davis - July 11; Delbert and Judy Zoch-13; Richard and Sarah Carey-16; John and Tina Huenefeld-17; and Trent and Liz Teinert-19.
Congratulations to Zane and Frances Gray, as they celebrated 52 years of marriage on July 6.
Have News?
If you have news items to share with readers of the Warda news, contact Lisa Gay at (979) 218-6000 or Wardanews78960@gmail.com.