MEMBERSPOTLIGHT

Margaret & Rodney Culverwell

Rodney and Margaret met in NW Colorado have been together since 1996 They eventually bought Rodney’s family ranch in Craig, CO where they raised 675 beef cattle and 300 sheep; cut hay; built roads, ponds and fences; and ran a big-game hunting operation as well as custom cattle hauling Their ranch was the size of Manhattan, NY and had 85 miles of fence They semiretired in 2009 when they sold the cattle but kept the ranch In 2010, they bought a motorhome and started traveling the US during the winter months. On their way to the FL east coast one winter, they drove through the Citrus County area and loved the warm weather and decided they would rather spend their winters in shorts than in Carhartt coveralls all winter where temperatures could drop to negative 40 degrees F. In 2012, they became snowbirds and bought a home in Pine Ridge. After picking up a golf club for the first time, they discovered they both really enjoyed the game of golf so they started looking for a golfing community to move to. The beauty of the Quarry, the gated community and the three private golf courses is what sold the Culverwells on making BD their forever home. They loved BD so much that they decided to sell their ranch and fully retire. They continued to return back to CO to work the ranch and run 1,000 head of yearling steers in the Summer and Fall months until they sold their ranch in January 2023.

They are both excited for their new year-round life in Black Diamond They are overwhelmed with how kind BD residents are and how much everyone welcomed and accepted them Their daily phrase is: “Life is good”

FEATURED RECIPE: OHIO-STYLE BEER CHEESE

Ingredients Needed:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cloves garlic, grated

One 12-ounce bottle beer, preferably lager, at room temperature

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

One 8-ounce block sharp Cheddar, grated

1/4 cup heavy cream

Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Soft or hard pretzels, for serving

Cooking Instructions

Melt the butter in a medium pot over medium heat.

Whisk in the flour and saute for 1 minute.

Stir in the garlic and cook for about 1 minute.

Whisk in the beer and mustard and cook, stirring, for a few minutes until the mixture begins to simmer and thicken

Whisk in the grated cheese a little at a time

Once all the cheese has been added, continue to cook, whisking, until the sauce is smooth and just beginning to bubble, another 5 to 7 minutes.

Whisk in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper

Transfer to serving bowl and serve with soft or hard pretzels