Lifestyle of Comanche Trace

C O M A N C H E T R A C E Lifestyle of

RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT

Trey and Markie Atkission find the perfect home for their growing family at Comanche Trace

AT HOME

CT home strikes balance between modern and Texas regional architecture

ARCADIA LIVE

Historic downtown theater reborn as an entertainment venue

Slip into something a little more comfortable...

There’s no better time to gather outdoors to enjoy family and friends. Come in to OutBack Patio Furnishings and let us help you create an outdoor space to remember.

We’re here. Right in your own backyard.

Kerrville | Marble Falls 1000 Sidney Baker St. S. outbackpatiofurnishings.com

WELCOME

Comanche Trace Members and Residents, Summer of 2023 will be an exciting one for Comanche Trace as our long-awaited Tap House and Fitness Center renovations get underway. Once these projects start, we expect that they will move very quickly, with both being completed by the end of summer.

Conditions on the golf course this spring/summer have by all accounts been some of the best we have seen at Comanche Trace. This is achieved with a little help from Mother Nature along with a tremendous amount of hard work and TLC from our Golf Course Maintenance team led by Kyle Erdige and Brandon Fuchs. Please be sure to give them a “pat on the back” next time you see the crew working out on the course.

We are pleased to have recently added John Powell to our management team in his newly appointed role of Clubhouse Manager. John comes to Comanche Trace with over 15 years in the private club industry, most recently serving as the Director of Operations at Ridgewood Country Club in Waco, Texas. His passion for service and hospitality will undoubtedly have a big impact on our efforts to continue improving the Member Experience at Comanche Trace.

As a reminder, we are now part of the Troon Privé network. As a Troon Privé property, our Comanche Trace Members receive exclusive access to extraordinary golf and lifestyle benefits throughout the world. Golf Members now have preferred access to 140+ private clubs and amenities as well as preferred rates at 150+ resort and daily fee properties worldwide. Plus, all Comanche Trace Members now have access to additional benefits, including discounts on rental cars, event tickets and more! For more information, rates and to book your next adventure, please visit www.troonprive.com.

See you at The Club!

Justin Jafarian General Manager The Club at Comanche Trace

REAL ESTATE UPDATE

By Stacy Stavinoha, CT Realty Broker

It is always exciting to see new construction happening throughout the community. There are over 30 homes under construction in Comanche Trace. Many of these are custom homes being built, but there are also several spec

homes being built that are for sale. We have now opened up two new phases with sales already happening in each! Our new Phase 12 Estate and Single-Family lots have amazing views of the golf course, water and surrounding Hill Country. Come choose your lot and your builder!

MESSAGE FROM THE HOA

BOARD REPORT:

1st Quarter 2023

An integral part of the Board’s focus on increasing transparency is to make this quarterly report comprehensive and informative. We will report on the financial results, projects update, activities of the Security and Safety Committee and the Long-Range Planning Committee.

Much, if not all of this, will have been covered during the quarterly Board meetings, but we hope that those members who were not able to attend the meeting will find this information useful.

GENERAL COMMENTS

You may have noticed that two dead trees were taken down along Comanche Trace Drive. Thanks to Sawyer Tree Service for doing this at no cost to the HOA. In addition, the company treated the remaining trees for oak wilt, also at no cost to the HOA. Thank you, Sawyer Tree Service and James Lovett!

Turtle Creek Vineyards planted milk weed and local wildflowers in the Butterfly Way Station, also at no cost to the HOA. Let’s cross our fingers and hope we get enough precipitation to get everything growing. Thank you, Turtle Creek Vineyards and Dan Schulse!

FINANCIAL REPORT

The December 31, 2021, financials have been posted on the website.

Here are the highlights: Total Fund Balances increased $57,000 to $683,000. Reserve Funds, which exclude the funds held for current operating expenses, increased $25,000 to $521,000, and available cash was $404,000. The Operating Plan for 2030 projects a $66,000 profit. Our association is in excellent financial condition.

First quarter financial results were good. Revenues exceeded budget by $24,000, and expenses were $2,000 less than budget — meaning that the HOA is $26,000 ahead of plan.

Expenses were in line with

expectations with the exception of legal, which was $4,600 greater than planned. This trend in legal expenses will likely continue as the lawsuit progresses.

The majority of our revenue is received during the first quarter, so any further increases over plan will likely be less than the first quarter.

Our cash position remains strong at $867,000, some $20,000 greater than last year at this time. Again, because the majority of our revenues are received in the first quarter, cash will decrease as we go through the year.

LONG-TERM PLANNING COMMITTEE

Three projects were initiated so far this year, and two of the projects have been completed with the last one starting in May. The two projects completed were the rebuilding of the motor for one of the pond fountains for $9,410 (Capital Replacement Fund) and the power washing of the front entrance stone wall for $2,235 (Operational Budget).

In addition, one project recommended by the Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC) was a refresh to the Rock Barn Entrance. We set budget of $5,000 and requested bids from two contractors. We accepted the bid from TX Design Landscapers, which initially met our budget, but after the board added a change in scope for a chopped limestone border, the final cost will be $8,036 (Capital Replacement Fund). Work on the landscaping will begin the second half of May.

The Long-Range Planning met in May, and three additional projects are in the process of being evaluated to include: Walking trail from Dry Hollow to the Sales Center, Front Pond benches with shade covers and additional Pet Waste Stations. These projects still need to be further defined, including cost estimates, before presenting to the HOA Board for approval.

The committee, led by Marc Askew, will continue to meet quarterly to discuss current and future ideas

Our new Phase 18 Villas at Turtle Creek are unattached garden homes with spacious, open floor plans that offer the perfect Lock & Leave Lifestyle. Our new website offers great information, but our CT real estate team is the most knowledgeable about all that is happening here in

Comanche Trace.

Our Sales and Welcome Center is open 7 days a week with one of the agents here to assist with all your real estate needs. Stop by and take a look at the floor plans for the Villas at Turtle Creek and some of the spec homes under construction.

to improve our Comanche Trace Community, and we appreciate their hard work.

SECURITY AND SAFETY COMMITTEE

Our HOA Security Committee headed by Mike Pitcock and Norm White has been busy. After several meetings, they have studied the cameras and set up at the front entrance and made some upgrade recommendations, which our Board is reviewing. They have also looked at what would be needed for the back entrance out to Lower Turtle Creek Road.

The committee has looked at several

ideas for enhancing our security in Comanche Trace, including better lighting at the front entrance and possibly a light as well. The board will be looking at these ideas as we go forward.

We really appreciate all the work that Mike, Norm and their committee are doing.

Enjoy the rest of what we hope will be a wet spring.

Danny Almond Steve Forbus Mike Sigerman

CT Ladies Club Bunco

Come and roll the dice, don’t think twice! You might even win, which would really be nice!

Comanche Trace Ladies Bunco invites you to play with us. We meet in the Ladies Locker Room on the second Friday of each month. Bunco is a fun, simple, fast-moving game. and we have a reputation of having a hootin’ and hollerin’ good time.

If you love to play an easy game and laugh a lot, you’ll love our Bunco group. Please come and give it a try! Hope to see you there!

Please contact Lisa Mullins at 832-623-9221 or lbbmullins@yahoo.com

CT Bridge Club

If you are a bridge player, or if you used to play bridge and want to get back in the game, come join the CT Bridge Club!* We play every Tuesday, 2-5 p.m., in the Ladies Locker Room.

For information, call Gary or Evelyn Nelson at 830-895-9742.

*Must be a Comance Trace Club member

Comanche Trace Book Club

The Comanche Trace Book Club (CTBC) is open to all club members, both men and women, which provides unique perspectives during their discussions. Currently CTBC has about 43 members, but with seasonal travel throughout the year, they average about 15-20 members attending the monthly discussions. The books that are read by the group are voted on annually from recommendations made by its members and is a good mix of all genres, including fiction, non-fiction, history, suspense and thrillers.

In the second quarter, the group will be reading: “The Last Flight,” by Julie Clark; “The Only Woman in the Room,” by Marie Benedict; and “The Last Thing He Told Me,” by Laura Dave.

The group meets monthly to socialize as well as a facilitated discussion of the monthly book. For more information, please contact Susie Geiger at smgtx1013@gmail.com.

Texas 42

By Kristen Crandall

A little 42 trivia for you: This game’s history is an astounding 135 years old! In the year of 1887, in the small town of then Trapp Spring (now part of Garner located west of Fort Worth) Texas, two young schoolboys, Walter Earl and William A. Thomas, developed this trick-taking domino game. Earl, 14, and Thomas, 12, children of devout Baptists, were caught playing cards in the barn. Because of the moral standard of the day, it was considered a sin to play cards, and they were disciplined for their wrongdoing. So, they set out to find a way to play cards using dominos.

As the story goes, by fall of 1887, they had devised a four-player game using double-six dominos incorporating bidding and trumps, very close to the game we play today. Playing dominos was acceptable to their parents, and they started to teach others how to play. The game caught on and has been handed down over the generations.

Texas 42 has not only become one of Texas’ favorite pastimes, but in 2011, it was designated the Official State Domino Game of Texas.

Come join us the third Wednesday of each month in the Ladies Locker Room, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Save these dates to play: July 19, Aug. 16, Sept. 20, Oct. 18, Nov. 15 and Dec. 20 (subject to change).

CT Mah Jongg Club

The Comanche Trace Mah Jongg Club was formed in 2006 by a member who wanted to bring this fun game to the CT community. It quickly gained in popularity, growing to the current size of 65 members!

Mah Jongg is a tile-based game that was developed in the 19th century in China and has spread throughout the world since the early 20th century. The game is played with a set of 144 tiles based on characters and symbols. The object of the game is to match one of the various combinations of tiles from the current years Mah Jongg card. Mahjong is a game of skill, strategy and luck. The more you play, the more challenging the game becomes.

Our group meets from 1 to 4 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month in the Ladies Locker Room.

The second Wednesday of the month is hosted by Cheryl Wood and Rose Leewright and is primarily considered for experienced players; however, all levels are welcomed.

The fourth Wednesday of the month is a practice session used to hone our skills. This session is hosted by Carolyn Goodloe and Sabia Milligan. Each session encourages new members to join, and we provide experienced partners to support new members to learn the game. We have training guides that we provide to each new member wanting to learn the game of Mah Jongg.

We hope anyone interested in learning this fun game will reach out to one of us to learn more about us or just to join one of our sessions.

Cherly

Rose

Wood - cheryldwood3@gmail.com

Leewright – r.leewright@att.net

Carolyn

Sabia

Goodloe - pixgee@stx.rr.com

Milligan - sabiaam@twc.com

CT Ladies Club

The CT Ladies had several activities during the last few months. We kicked off the period with a Sip & Shop hosted by Tori Hoffmann and the staff at The Golden Antler. Over 30 ladies joined in shopping, wine and goodies in the after-hours event.

The April CTLC Luncheon was a very informative program, featuring CT Realty Broker Stacy Stavinoha, who shared some of the details on the new neighborhoods coming soon in Comanche Trace, The Villas at Turtle Creek, The Gardens at Comanche Trace and Phase 12 Single Family and Estate Lots.

Several ladies took advantage of the Kentucky Derby Specials at the Club to enjoy an evening of mint julips, dinner and lively competition of the Kentucky Derby with neighbors at the club. The big winner with the Win and Show horses was Mimi Linscott.

In May, a group traveled to San Antonio for lunch and a tour of the San Antonio Botanical Gardens new exhibit, “Imaginary Worlds: Once Upon a Time.” The beautiful gardens were scattered with whimsical sculptures, including a dragon, mermaid and a parading peacock.

Another activity planned for late May is a Painting Class, where Terri Chaney will provide all the supplies and detailed instructions for the group to paint individual paintings. The “Chick-Flicks” will attend an afternoon movie “The Next Chapter” at the Rio.

During the summer months, there will be no monthly luncheons, but we continue to plan activities for the ladies.

On June 19, we had An Afternoon at Becker Vineyards, with a private tour, tasting and seated lunch.

On June 17, members attended “End of the Innocence: A Solute to the Songwriters” at the Cailloux Theater. The concert featured big hits from iconic songwriters such as Kenny Loggins, America, Three Dog Night and Charlie Daniels.

A couple of activities that we encourage you to participate include:

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 26: ’80s Night Out at The Cailloux Theater. This is a tribute to the decades of Women of Rock. We do not

have group tickets, but purchase or reserve your tickets directly online or go to the box office. Currently several CT residents have purchased tickets in the Orchestra Center section, Rows, F, G, H at $33. Get your family, friends and neighbors and join an evening supporting our local theater. Please watch for upcoming CTLC eBlast and Foretees for activities including: Bunco: Second Friday of each month in the Ladies Locker Room. Contact Lisa Mullins at lbbmullins@yahoo.com or 832-623-9221 or Kathy Walton at skwalton.kw@gmail.com or 409-789-8577.

Games at the Pool: Every Monday (unless it is raining). A group of ladies gather at the CT Pool, sit in the shade and play all sorts

of games, including Mexican Train, Chicken Foot, Hand & Foot, Phase 10, Poker and others. We welcome newcomers and will teach you how to play. Some of us wear our swimsuits and cover-ups to enjoy a swim before or after. Bring a beverage and join us. Questions? Contact Deb Mock at 719252-0052 or dwmock51@att.net.

Chick Flicks: As new movies are released, a date will be published in the CT eBlast. Comanche Trace Events: Again, if you’re an unaccompanied lady and want to attend events at Comanche Trace, watch the CTLC eBlast. Generally, we have a group/table at most CT events such as Tunes and the Tap House, Special Dinners at the Club and Happy Hours.

CLUB ACTIVITIES / CLUBS WITHIN A CLUB

COMANCHE TRACE POOL HOURS

9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

7 days a week

MOBILE FOOD ORDERING AVAILABLE using the Fore Tees app

11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tuesday - Saturday

Yoga & Pilates with Kristen

By Kristen Crandall

Summer is officially here, and even if you don’t have any vacation plans yet, here are some ideas that will help you relax, refresh and enjoy the moments of the season. Get up, get out, get moving.

Memories

Everyone loves a throwback, doing activities that you may have loved as a kid will surely bring some joy to your summer.

• Walk along the Guadalupe River, dip your toes in.

• Blow bubbles with your children and grandchildren.

• Play miniature golf.

• Cruise around the neighborhood on your bicycle.

• Run through the sprinklers.

Eat and Drink

With all the beautiful produce out there,

there’s plenty to enjoy.

• Buy and grill fresh produce from the farmer’s market.

• Make fresh lemonade.

• Eat a slice of watermelon.

• Sip a sweating glass of iced tea.

• Drink a frozen cocktail.

Great Outdoors

Even if you’re not the outdoorsy type, you’ll probably find something here to get you out to enjoy some fresh air.

• Go fishing.

• Put a kayak or canoe into Flat Rock Lake Park.

• Toss a Frisbee.

• Take a stroll through San Antonio Botanical Gardens.

• Watch for birds and butterflies.

• Photograph mother nature.

Just Because

Set aside some time for little mindful, joyful summer activities.

• Make a summer music playlist and dance.

• Take a spontaneous road trip.

• Collect seashells at the beach.

• Read a book.

• Go to a baseball game.

• Host a lawn game tournament. Relax

Warm summer days are made for taking time to chill.

• Go river tubing.

• Sit on a swing.

• Lay on a blanket at an outdoor concert at Louise Hayes Park.

• Watch the clouds roll by.

• Nap in a hammock.

Whatever you do, stay moving, stay hydrated and enjoy your summer, especially those around you.

Yoga & Pilates with Kristen Pilates: 9 a.m. Monday

Yoga: 9 a.m. Wednesday

Yoga: 9 a.m. Friday

For more information, email Kristen at kristencrandall@outlook.com

Men, women and children: Join the Comanche Trace Hiking Club, sponsored by CT Ladies Club.

Join this group to get notices on planned hiking excursions. Excursions will be planned for local and regional hiking outings.

Hikes will be 1 to 4 hours and include all levels of hiking and walking paths.

Contact the coordinators and get on the list by providing an email or text contact to:

Betsy Boswell – betsybos@yahoo.com

Lola Auger – lolaauger@gmail.com

Comanche Trace Hiking Club

Comanche Trace Lady 9ers

The Comanche Trace Lady 9ers have had a busy spring. In March, decked out in their finest green, the Lady 9ers were hosted by the Comanche Trace Ladies Golf Association in a lively St. Patrick’s Day 18-hole scramble. The luck was with us, as far as the rainy weather that was forecasted, and all had a great time.

In April, not wind nor sleet nor cold nor rain could keep the Lady 9ers from playing in the spirit of the Masters. At the annual tournament, defending champion Lynn Dotter started off strong with a chip in on Creeks number 2. However, with 15 Lady 9ers competing for the coveted Green Jacket, it was Kathy Leonard who fought through frozen fingers and toes to pull off the win. Afterwards, the Lady 9ers enjoyed lunch and plenty of warm beverages! Congratulations to our new Masters Champion, Kathy Leonard!

The Lady 9ers wrapped up their spring festivities with the Great Gatsby Gala. Thanks to the creativity of their fantastic Lady 9ers social committee, the event was full of sparkles and fun. The Lady 9ers were dazzling in their favorite Gatsby-era dresses along with their very dapper guests. After the “Club 9er” cocktail hour, guests enjoyed a wonderful meal. Attendees were treated to an awesome band that provided hours of great dancing music. It was a definitely an incredible “Great Gatsby” evening.

At 72 members strong, the Lady 9ers have plenty of golf events and more parties planned for the remainder of the year. The Lady 9ers is open to any lady with a Comanche Trace golf membership. Their membership is made up of ladies at all levels of play, from beginners to experienced golfers. They are a very compassionate group and always ready to help one another. For more information or to join the Lady 9ers, please contact Pat Collie, Membership Chair, at patcollie1@aol.com

CLUB ACTIVITIES / CLUBS WITHIN A CLUB

Pickleball. You’ve all heard about it. Often described as a combination of tennis, Ping-Pong and badminton, pickleball grew nearly 40% between 2019 and 2021, making it America’s fastest-growing sport.

So why is it so popular? Simple answer is FUN. Pickleball is very fun, it’s easy to learn, and as an added bonus, you get some great exercise.

How do you get started? Come out to the courts and join other players during Open Play. ALL skill levels are welcome. Open Play at Comanche Trace is on Mondays at 3 p.m. Thursdays and 9 a.m. Fridays.

At Open Play, you will find a very welcoming Pickleball group who are more than happy to help you get started. Wear comfortable clothes you can move in and athletic shoes. Paddles and balls are available in the Sales Center. See you on the courts!

For more information, please contact: Pasty Kimes, dpkimes@att.net Daisy Crawford, Crawford.daisy@yahoo.com

The CT Convertible group, affectionately known as the “Topless” group, went for a “wildflowers drive” on April 4. Ten convertibles drove the Hill Country backroads to Llano for lunch at Coopers Bar-B-Que. We headed back via Willow City Loop with lots of bluebonnets and white poppies. We made a stop in Fredericksburg for dessert.

Great day for all and splendid followup from our February drive to Cimarron Hills Country Club.

Interested CT residents who own a convertible and would like to be included on the roster for drives, please contact Lisa Self at 830-896-0416.

Pickleball at Comanche Trace

CT Topless Club

The 2023 season is in full swing, and we’re having a great time. The St. Patrick’s Day Scramble with the Lady 9’ers was great fun even though it was a drizzly day; just got us into the Irish feeling! The 2023 Member Guest Tournament was a success! Congratulations to all the winners, and a huge Thank You to all the wonderful sponsors for supporting our event. We couldn’t have done it without you!

We are looking forward to the last few events of the season with our Member-Member Tournament in September, LGA Championship in October and a Joint Play Day with our sister club, Cimarron Hills. And we would love to have you join our group! We play on Thursday mornings and enjoy a mix of fun games, friendly competition and good times with friends!

If you’d like to check out our play schedule and game descriptions, visit our LGA Website at www.ComancheTraceLGA.com.

Feel free to contact Stacey Isola at sisola498@gmail.com if you have any questions about the league or how to join.

See y’all on the course!

Comanche Trace Ladies Golf Association

CLUB ACTIVITIES / CLUBS WITHIN A CLUB

Comanche Trace Men’s Golf Association

The golf course continues to look and play great. Given our recent rains in late April, the course should be in prime conditions, although it has given ample growth to the native grasses outside the fairways.

The ABC Scramble, held on April 12, was a huge success. We had 42 MGA members playing on 3-man teams. Following are the results: Place:

Gross Score:

The March, April and May Ringer/Individual events of 2023 were conducted since the last newsletter and the results follow:

March 8, 2023

First Flight:

1st place: Rex Little1st

2nd place: Al Fields

3rd place: Marc Askew

4th place: Mike Sigerman

Second Flight:

1st place: Steve Hall

2nd place: Dennis Newman

3rd place: Don Capps

4th place: Steve Hultquist

April 21, 2023

First Flight:

1st place: Mark Askew

2nd place: Al Fields

3rd place (tie): Andy Spano

3rd place (tie): Steve Hultquist

Second Flight:

1st place: Mike Sigerman

2nd place: Al Hunt

3rd place: Charlie Ferguson

4th place (tie): Bob Crandall

4th place (tie): Dennis Newman

Third Flight:

1st place: Paul Bruggeman

2nd place: Rob Lindermanis

3rd place (tie): Eric Gschwind

3rd place (tie) Al Hunt

Fourth Flight:

1st place: Larry Leewright

2nd place (tie): Al Dingman

2nd place (tie): Don Henderson

2nd place (tie): Boyd Mulkey

Third Flight:

1st place: Mike Pitcock

2nd place: Lee Nowell

3rd place: Kelly Leonard

4th place: Leo Clark

Fourth Flight:

1st place: Al Dingman

2nd place: Steve Patterson

3rd Place: Don Henderson

4th place: Boyd Mulkey

The MGA would like to wish Leonard Scott all the best as he leaves Comanche Trace. All those who know Scotty will miss him a lot. By the way, Scotty was the 2022 King of the Hill.

The Second Annual King of the Hill match play event was concluded in late April. Congratulations to all participants. The top four all had great matches and the results follow:

Winner (King of the Hill): Al Hunt

Runner Up: John Harrison

Third place: Mike Cain

Fourth place: Ray Wieckert

Pick-Ur-Partner Event (May 10)

First Flight:

1st place: Don Moore and Ken Syring

2nd place: Steve Hall and Eric Gschwind

3rd place (tie): Chad Sorenson and Mark Askew

3rd place (tie): Leonard Scott and John Harrison

3rd place (tie): Al Fields and Mike Rosier

Second Flight:

1st place: Don Henderson and John Knapp

2nd place (tie): Charlie Ferguson and Kelly Leonard

2nd place (tie): Jim Mullins and Ken Maginot

NEXT MGA EVENTS

1. The July Ringer is scheduled for Friday, July 7, 2023. Meal included after play.

2. The August Ringer is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023.

3. The MGA Championship is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 25, 2023, and Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023.

4. The September Ringer is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. Meal included after play.

5. The rescheduled February Ringer is now scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.

NEW MEMBERS

We are looking for ways to increase the number of MGA members, so if you have a new or existing neighbor who might be interested, please let Tom Caccia or myself know.

Kyle and his team have the golf course in excellent shape, so let’s focus on repairing all ball pitch marks on our greens and fill those fairway divots so everyone can continue to enjoy the great courses that are available to us.

Marc Askew, 2022-23 MGA president, askewmc@gmail.com

The Flight Winners for the April Ringer/Individual are, from left, Al Dingman, Mike Pitcock, Mike Sigerman and Marc Askew.

Al Hunt is King of the Hill.

RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT

Love at first sight

Trey and Markie Atkission find perfect home for their growing family at Comanche Trace

When Markie and Trey Atkission learned their family would increase from three to five in a matter of months, they knew it was time to search for a larger home. That’s how they wound up in Comanche Trace in April of 2020 — right before COVID hit in full force and shortly after Markie had given birth to twin girls.

Trey said it was easy for him to decide on the right home.

“It was love at first sight. I took one look at the panoramic views from our back deck and was sold. We both agreed this would be the perfect home for our family.”

Their lovely pool home on Ranch View Court East is a blend of tasteful elegance with a comfortable, homey vibe. It suits this growing family well, Markie feels.

“Now we have the space to entertain our guests and accommodate visiting friends and relatives,” she said.

THE EARLY YEARS

It was 1996, and Trey was 12 when the Atkission family moved to Kerrville from Uvalde. On his first day at Hal Peterson Middle School, his assigned desk was next to a pretty young girl named Markie Stark. They had English and science classes together and soon developed a friendship.

“I didn’t know anyone, and she was the most popular girl in class, so she helped me a lot,” Trey said.

In the ninth grade, however, Markie and her family moved to San Antonio.

“I have wonderful memories of living In Kerrville. My Dad was employed by Bobbie Shelton, and Comanche Trace as it is today was mostly ranch land. But then a job opportunity in San Antonio meant we had to move, so I finished high school in Boerne, Class of 2002,” Markie said. “Admittedly, it was hard moving away at that age.”

Trey and Markie went to different colleges — he attended Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business, and she received her BA in Finance from Texas Tech. Both graduated in 2006.

When Facebook came out, they friended each other, and although they hadn’t met face-to-face in years, they stayed in touch via cyberspace. It was in 2015 when the next chapter began, Markie relates.

“I was out to dinner in San Antonio with

friends and thought I spotted Trey. I looked at my Facebook to verify it was him and noted it was his birthday, so I messaged ‘Happy Birthday’ to him.”

Within 10 days, they had their first official date, and two years later, in 2016, the couple became engaged. They married in a lovely ceremony at Horseshoe Bay in January 2017.

Markie owned a townhouse in Fair Oaks,

Photo by Tom Holden

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

and Trey had his own home in Kerrville, so the newlyweds had two houses for about a year until Markie, pregnant with their son, sold the townhouse and moved to Kerrville in December 2017.

THE CAREERS

Markie is a Senior Bond Trader and Co-Bond Fund Manager for Frost Investment Advisors, a subsidiary of Frost Bank. Fortunately, her job allows her to work from home and only travel to San Antonio one day a week. Trey’s job is a short, 8-mile hop to Cecil Atkission Motors.

“After college, I was an airplane broker for five years and sold preowned business jets, but during the recession in 2008, I felt it was time to decide between a career in aviation or a return to the auto business that had been part of my life since I was 12,” Trey said. “I’d spent each summer working at my Dad’s dealership until I graduated and learned the ins and outs of the business. My father had always said, ‘I built up a family business and I’m only going to want to do this for a number of years. You like this business and are good at it,’ so I worked myself up from Used Car Sales Manager in August 2011 to General Manager in March of 2019. This August, I’ll have 12 years. I enjoy this work and have a knack for sales.”

Trey continues to build on the ideals his father initiated at the outset.

“We feel the dealership’s mission is to enrich lives, whether for our employees or those who buy from us. We stand by five core values: integrity, hard work, service, teamwork and community.”

Community involvement is important. Trey is currently a member of the Rotary Club of Kerrville and sits on the Kerrville-Kerr County Joint Airport Board. The dealership is proud to support the community. This year, they are underwriting the 2023 Hill Country Charity Ball and have been sponsors or been part of Kerrville Chalk Festival and events produced at Schreiner University and St. Peter’s Episcopal School.

FAMILY LIFE

Markie and Trey are proud parents of son Four (a namesake of his grandfather, Cecil the Fourth), who is 5 years old, and their 3-year-old twin girls, Ava and Amelia. Rounding out the family is Mr.

Handsome, a 15-year-old chihuahua.

The family loves nature and, whenever possible, loves to go for long walks.

“The homes here are so beautiful, and we love the whitetail, axis and antelope we see as we walk,” Trey said.

They also love to travel. When their son was younger, they took him everywhere, but with three youngsters, they’ve agreed it best to cut back for a few years. While the children stay anchored at home with a nanny, Markie and Trey do find time to grab some couple time when he, an accomplished pilot, flies the family and employees for meetings and events. They also are planning a family trip to Port Aransas this summer.

Grilling in his beautiful outdoor kitchen is something Trey finds relaxing and rewarding.

“I work six days a week and find cooking something to look forward to. I can stand here and take in the panoramic views while cooking delicious food my family can enjoy. I love to cook steaks, burgers and chicken and try different recipes and seasonings.”

Markie stays busy with work duties from 7:30-4:30, then devotes the rest of the day to the children. In previous years she has been involved in the Kerrville Junior Service Guild and the Hill Country Charity Ball Board, but these days it is work and family.

“I go from work to being knee-deep in kids until bedtime,” she laughs.

COMANCHE TRACE LIFE

The Atkissions are quite content with Comanche Trace. Neither play golf, but they do enjoy the neighborhood.

”I appreciate that all the codes and standards are managed very well,” said Trey.

Markie said they also use the fitness center and the club facilities.

“This is an ideal location for our family. We are very content here.”

Courtesy photo

Texas-made, Texas modern

This Comanche Trace home strikes a balance between modern and Texas regional architecture.

Nestled into the Comanche Trace Estates neighborhood, the Granett/Miller home tells a story of connection and contrast.

The home connects in a seamless flow of interior and exterior glass details. Each room creates a subtle interplay between light and dark, organic and industrial, minimum and curated.

Dark Galvalume roof and large windows throughout balance natural elements like wood beams, walnut floors and warm-colored limestone.

The home was designed and finished in 2015 by powerhouse professionals, Kerrville-based Mark Eubanks Architecture and Mike Stavinoha Fine Homes.

The Millers owned the site for a number of years before designing and constructing the home. While planning, they focused on rehabilitating three large live oaks, which took four years of fertilization. Working with Stavinoha and Eubanks, they added several tons of soil to hide the future foundation and reduce the slope.

Fortunately, the Millers purchased a wide lot, allowing the design of the home to be spread out and give the main rooms light from both sides of the structure.

Mr. Miller, the son of a custom home building, has a keen understanding of construction practices. As a result, he knew what he and Mrs. Miller wanted in the home when they chose their partners. He collected many photos to use in the planning discussions.

Mark has a process for turning a client’s ideas into a structure. He focuses on the wishes of the owner and the site, making sure to give them equal weight.

“I always begin with the end in mind, considering the size of the project, costs and timeframes,” he said.

After many meetings and lawn chair visits on the site, Mark oriented the house to capture the southeast breezes. He framed the views from the inside on the trees, the golf course and the pond. All in all, these decisions made for a great start in bringing this home to life.

Mike Stavinoha reflects on his collaboration with the Millers and Mark, saying “It was one of the best.”

Mike turned Mark’s architecture and the Millers’ wishes into the beautiful finished home that it is today.

In 2020, the Millers sold their home to the Granetts. The buyers were moving from Austin, where they had lived for 32 years. In that timeframe, the couple had built or redesigned 12-plus homes in Austin and Lake LBJ.

Mrs. Granett, an interior designer, was impressed with the quality of the Miller home, the layout and, of course, the trees.

While Mr. Granett was satisfied with the interiors as originally designed, Mrs. Granett had a different vision for the space, which they ultimately agreed to execute. She started the project by honoring the architecture of the home. She did not want to push the home away from its original moorings. Keeping the personality was key, while still incorporating the vision she had for showcasing their art collection and furnishings.

She added a pony wall separating the living room from the dining space and, by doing so, created a place for their largest artwork. Flooring materials and wall colors changed, along with lighting, venting and plumbing fixtures. Bookcases and shelving was added to up the modern tilt. All the stone walls were muted with a plaster glaze, which increased the visual appearance of their texture. Classical furnishings were mixed with modern and, in this restrained environment of white walls, tall ceilings and muted stone, one can simply relax.

A seasoned decorator once said, “A lot of decorating is in details that you don’t notice but you experience.”

Life in Comanche Trace has been a pleasure. Moving away from the hustle bustle of a growing city is exactly what they needed to do.

My wife, Lisa, and I are residents of Comanche Trace. I’ve been a Mutual of Omaha agent since 2011 and the industry for 37 years (and counting).

Graduate of Texas A&M University Class of 1977. There is an age old saying that people ultimately choose to do business with those that they “know, like, and trust”. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to earn your business.

Also licensed with Broker Services, where I have access to several quality compani es for my medi care supplement clients.

Cantini LUTCF, FSCP Insurance Advisor

ARCADIA LIVE Downtown venue offers live music, more in historic movie theater location

The Arcadia Theatre first opened its doors in 1926 as a vaudeville and silent movie venue by the Kerrville Amusement Company, named by the citizens of Kerrville through a write-in poll. Our city has always been a focal point of art and culture, and from the beginning, Arcadia was a place where the community could gather and unify.

As technology progressed, Arcadia stayed on the cutting edge. In the late ’20s the Western Electric Sound System introduced a state-of-the-art sound system to the theater, making way for the latest advancement in technology: the “talkies,” or, moving pictures with sound.

Most Kerrville natives have fond childhood memories of the Arcadia, when it served the community as a movie theater for 60 years before closing its doors in 1989. The gorgeous building, prominently featuring the Art Deco style characteristic of the period of its construction, was an empty space for three decades before it was donated to the 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Kerrville’s 4th on the River, who maintain it today. The directors serving on the board are local business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders in the community who aim to breathe new life into the theater as well as preserve the history of downtown Kerrville.

A passion for the arts, live music and sustaining and stretching the culture in the Hill Country is what has seen Arcadia Live expand exponentially since its grand opening in late 2019.

The Arcadia is overseen by the Board of Directors and run daily by an incredibly talented and driven staff. The board, made up of a group of professionals who

volunteer their time to ensure its success, is led by president Larry Howard. Other board members consist of: Kyle Bond, Steve Schulte, Michael Burniston, Blake Smith, Wes Lane, Scott Stumbo, George Phillips, David Wampler, Shari Addington Borchers, MD, Deena Todd and Janice Bowen.

Arcadia’s team is led by Executive Director Stacie Leporati, who came to Kerrville with years of experience in theater management from beginning her professional career in Las Vegas, Nevada. Together with Meredith Tilley Crook, PR and Development, Libbie Horton, Events Coordinator,

Phoebe Green, Box Office Manager, and Aaron LaCombe, in-house Talent Buyer, this powerhouse team has sparked new life into the theater and downtown Kerrville alike.

While the world was thrown a curveball with the events and restrictions of the global pandemic, Arcadia was determined in its mission. With the incredible support of donors, they were able to completely renovate the theater. When you enter through the Arcadia front doors from Water Street, you feel as though you are stepping back in time.

One of the main aspirations through renovation was to

maintain and highlight the deep history the theater holds. Upon restorations to the exterior, under layers of previous renovations, original hand-carved, ornamental concrete detailing above the entrance was uncovered. The theater itself made an incredible transformation, embracing a modern yet rustic design.

Plaster was stripped from the walls, revealing the layers of Arcadia’s history within its remaining brickwork. The sloped gallery floor was leveled and tiered into separate spaces, allowing for flexible seating for various community and private events and show arrangements. The stage was expanded, and large glass doors were added, opening to the back deck with stunning views of the Hill Country and its Guadalupe River.

Matching these breathtaking visuals, state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment were added, noted by experts to rival any renowned facilities within a 100-mile radius of the Arcadia. The original vaudeville orchestra pit was converted into a green room, where artists relax and prepare for their shows. Here, scribbled on the walls, you’ll find artists’ signatures, literally leaving their mark and continuing to make history.

Making your way up the original 1926 concrete stairs, freshly painted in “Arcadia Red,” you emerge into the remodeled balcony. Here, cozy booth-style suites boast prime views of the performances below. A second bar was added along with a private VIP room. All theater bars were finished with longleaf pine salvaged from the original flooring and period beams.

Reminders of the venue’s past as a movie theater remain, like the old film room projection

windows, which are now purely decorative but remain lit on the upper level.

The 1948 Arcadia neon sign was renovated and relocated to the new side alley, reaching the landmark’s back deck, which is newly furnished by the generosity of the Hill Country Charity Ball Association. The sign is a beacon to be seen by all, calling visitors and locals. Along with it, a “Kerrville, Live Happy” mural, donated by Happy State Bank, adorns the back deck — an art installation that has garnered much admiration and appreciation from our community, visitors and even notable publications.

Beginning in the pandemic with simplistic, free open-air concerts on the back deck, Arcadia has grown to see acts such as Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters, Rodney Crowell, Reckless Kelly, Charlie Crockett, Asleep at the Wheel

and Robert Earl Keen grace its stage. Once more, the city of Kerrville has become a hub for community and culture right in the heart of downtown.

As well as bringing in exciting live music acts from a wide range of genres and eras, Arcadia Live works closely with other nonprofits in the area to put on educational and enriching events, often entirely free to the public. Just this year, in celebration of Black History Month, local videographer Alyson Amestoy premiered her new documentary “Voices of Doyle” at Arcadia on Feb. 28, highlighting the historic Doyle District and staff at the Doyle Community Center.

Dozens of trivia enthusiasts convene monthly at the theater for the most popular free community event: Third Thirsty Thursday Trivia. In the last two years alone, the event has grown by word of mouth, and more tables have been added,

still reserved to capacity every month. Beyond glory, winning teams receive complimentary tickets to upcoming live music concerts or stand-up comedy shows.

In 2023, children’s programming has blossomed. Arcadia saw a need for fun, educational events for the whole family and has more than filled it. Whether it’s iconic children’s movies such as “Finding Nemo” or “A Bug’s Life,” a singing zoologist who marries a love of music with an appreciation and respect for Earth and its inhabitants, or even simply a KidFest complete with bouncy houses and games, Arcadia has prioritized creating a space for families to connect with each other and the community at large, at an affordable price.

The Arcadia theater also helps host many diverse private events, from weddings to milestone celebrations, corporate events, parties and annual conferences, fundraisers, social gatherings like high school proms and so much

more. With its stunning historic aesthetic, open floor plan, flexible arrangements, multievent spaces and breathtaking views, this is an ideal venue for private events.

Since the theater was donated to Arcadia Live in 2018, there has been great promise for its strong future. Arcadia Live is a group of dedicated volunteers and staff with a crystal-clear vision and hope to build upon its legacy by providing a vibrant and diverse hub for our community to gather and unify, celebrating the history and generating lifetime memories in downtown Kerrville. Together with the Main Street Advisory Board in Kerrville and the Historic Downtown Business Association, Arcadia Live is committed to restoring the economic vitality of downtown.

A complete list of upcoming events is available online at https://www.thearcadialive. org/calendar, and their friendly and helpful staff are available by phone at 830-315-5483 (LIVE).

Meet Meloe

Hi everyone. My name is Meloe, pronounced mellow, and supposedly named after a song. I’m a 14-year-old female mix breed. I was abandoned and left at the Savannah, Georgia, Animal Shelter without anyone’s knowledge and eventually adopted by my owner who was stationed at Fort Stewart. I’m not quite sure why he picked me, maybe it was my good looks, but I sure lucked out. He ran something called a DNA test on me and, if you believe the results, I’m 50% American/English Coon Hound, 25% Shepard and 25% Chow. As far as I’m concerned, I’m a hound!

Now it gets confusing. I spend 50% of my time in a town called Katy, Texas, and the rest of the time in Kerrville. There is this older gentleman who comes to Katy twice a year, picks me up, and takes me to Kerrville for what I call a vacation. He calls it boot camp. Whatever you call it, I sure enjoy my time in the Hill Country. From what I understand, my owner is his son. I call the old man Peepaw, because I don’t know his real name.

I really like it here at CT. I get to take Peepaw out on walks two or three times a day and get rewarded for it. I’ve been able to meet some four-legged friends at a place called The Grove. Let’s see, there’s Abby, Riley, Laci Charmaine, Chance, Paddington … and the list goes on. Even Pearl comes by to visit occasionally.

My favorite time at The Grove is when Ms. Carolyn drives up in her cart, as we know she is bringing us treats. My friends in Tuscan Village include Matilda, Izzy and our newest resident, Jake, plus a few others I have yet to meet. What a great bunch of canines.

In my younger years in Georgia, I really enjoyed chasing rabbits and other animals. Unfortunately, I tore the cruciate ligaments in my two back legs a few years ago, so my mobility is limited. I have metal bone plates in each one. I now spend much of my time in the backyard, keeping the deer away and chewing on my stick. In the house, I’m on alert 24/7. I have an amazing skill where I can guard the house with my eyes closed. It’s something that dogs are really good at.

My time at CT is limited, but I sure enjoy it here. I’ll be off to my other home shortly, where I will be battling for attention and will be counting the days before the old man shows up to whisk me back to Kerrville. As they say “It’s a dog’s life.”

14-year-old ‘hound’ enjoys vacation time with Peepaw

DIVALICIOUS DISHMAKER

Have a “Divalicious Dishmaker” recipe you want to share? We would love to have a bite of your best cooking inspiration, whether you’re a culinary artist, gourmet chef, minimal baker or hash slinger, we want your recipe(s) and expressions of your kitchen’s best to share with our readers. Contact Erin Burrows, Membership Director, at 830-895-8500, ext. 224, or email: eburrows@comanchetrace.com and share your bites of best cooking in our Comanche Trace Lifestyle Magazine.

Summer is here and it’s grill’n time somewhere

Barbecue (bar-bi-kyu); the word is believed to have originated with 17th century Spanish explorers in the Carribbean, who encountered natives drying meat and fish on a wood rack. Texas style grill’n is mainly for beef, especially brisket and ribs. The seasoning is traditionally just salt and pepper. Just add your style!

Lid on v.s. lid off, for both gas and charcoal grills: Leave the lid on for thick food, as that allows trapped heat to cook it on all sides, but remove the lid for thinner items.

Temp check if you can’t tell if an item you’re barbecuing is fully cooked just by looking, or use a grill thermometer.

Everyday masters of the grill — grill on!

THE SUMMER SALAD

Watermelon Salad with Feta and Cucumber (Feta optional but tastes great!)

This watermelon salad is full of sliced cucumbers, crumbled feta cheese and mint, all tossed in an easy lime dressing. A simple yet unusual summer salad that’s sure to get rave reviews!

7.5 cups of watermelon, cubed or balled

3.75 cups of sliced cucumber (seeds removed)

5 tablespoons mint, thinly sliced, or small mint leaves (taste and keep to minimal)

Add feta cheese crumbles to taste (0.83 cup)

7 tablespoons of olive oil

2 tablespoons of lime juice

Salt and pepper to taste

Place the watermelon, cucumber and mint in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice and salt and pepper. Drizzle this dressing over the melon mixture and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle feta (to taste) and serve!

GRILLED VEGETABLES

1 small eggplant

1 red bell pepper

1 large Vidalia onion

1 small zucchini

Cut vegetables lengthwise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Spray lightly with olive oil and place on grill. Cook, turning and spraying often until all are brown and tender, about 10 minutes. Arrange on a large platter. Enjoy!

THE DESSERT — SCOOPS OF DELIGHT

Watermelon Sorbet

Seedless watermelons are on the market these days, but I prefer the old-fashioned ones with big black seeds — easy to see and remove. Then proceed with the recipe.

8 cups cubed (1-inch) watermelon, seeds and rind discarded

1 cup simple sugar syrup

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Puree the watermelon cubes in a food processor. Measure 4 cups of the puree and place in a bowl. Add the simple sugar syrup and lemon juice and stir well. Freeze in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instruction. Makes 1 1/2 quarts to serve 12.

SUMMER THIRST QUENCHERS

Thirst quenchers come in pitchers, white sangria, wine cocktails by the pitcher, champagne Bellini pitchers. Don’t forget the brews, large and in charge — beers perfect for sharing, from lightest bodied to more robust flavors! Try one on for size:

WHITE SANGRIA

1 bottle of white wine

1/2 cup white rum

1/4 cup brandy

1/4 cup orange juice

1/2 cup super fine sugar

2 can (12 oz.) club soda

1 cup cubed honey dew melon

1 peach, sliced

1 plum, sliced

1 pint raspberries

Ice cubes

Make and let sit overnight. Add ice cubes when ready to drink!

Happy summer, from the Divalicious Dishmaker!

Clubhouse Manager John Powell knows how to build a positive team

John joins the Comanche Trace family with over 15 years in the private club industry. John has been a prominent figure in the club industry, making significant contributions and achieving impressive accomplishments throughout his career. As John’s accomplishments have been numerous, we would like to highlight some of the most noteworthy ones.

Did you know that John was part of The World’s Largest Gingerbread House in 2013 at Traditions Club in Bryan, Texas? The purpose of the structure was to raise money for a charitable cause, with proceeds benefiting the St. Joseph Children’s Hospital. The original design of the gingerbread house was to be 60 feet by 42 feet, with a height of 20 feet. However, the final structure ended up measuring 60 feet by 42.7 feet and stood at a height of 21.25 feet, making it break the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest gingerbread house. It was constructed using 1,800 pounds of butter, 7,200 eggs, 7,200 pounds of flour and close to 3,000 pounds of brown sugar. Add to this 22,304 pieces of candy that are attached to it, totaling 35,823,400 calories! The gingerbread house raised $150,000 for the St. Joseph Children’s Hospital.

John’s career in the private club industry began in 2004 when he first joined the industry as a Cart Associate at Horseshoe Bay. Over the years, John has worked for various private clubs, including some of the most exclusive

clubs in Texas. John’s strong work ethic, attention to detail and dedication to meeting the needs of club members have made him a valuable asset to each club he has worked with.

John comes to Comanche Trace most recently from Waco, Texas, as the Director of Operations at Ridgewood Country Club. Prior to his time in Waco, John held several positions at prestigious country clubs, including serving as the Food & Beverage Director at both Miramont Country Club and Traditions Club in College Station. He then moved to San Antonio and started working at the Dominion Country Club as the Executive Food & Beverage Director.

Additionally, he spent several years as the Director of Operations and General Manager at Onion Creek Country Club in Austin.

In addition to his experience and expertise, John is also known for his ability to lead and motivate a team. He understands the importance of building strong relationships with his staff and fostering a positive work environment. By prioritizing staff development, training and recognition, he ensures that his team is always equipped to provide exceptional service to members.

John’s background in the industry has given him a passion for service and a deep understanding of what it takes to create

an exceptional Member Experience. This understanding will undoubtedly have a big impact on his efforts to continue improving the Member Experience at Comanche Trace.

John is engaged to his wonderful fiancée, Taylor, and they have an adorable 2-year-old daughter named Collins. They are also expecting a baby boy in August. John and his family are very excited to be here in Kerrville and to join the Comanche Trace family.

Clubhouse Manager John Powell is shown with his fiancée, Taylor, and their 2-year-old daughter, Collins.

John Powell was part of the team that designed and built The World’s Largest Gingerbread House in 2013 at Traditions Club in Bryan. The structure used 1,800 pounds of butter, 7,200 eggs and 7,200 pounds of flour.

Voted Best

Title

Company

We appreciate your confidence in us and enjoy working with the best clients, realtors and lenders.

We are honored by your votes –and send a sincere Thank You to the community! closing & escrow services

Stacy Stavinoha Broker

Pat Buck Sales Associate

Michelle Manziel Sales Associate

Richard Peace Sales Associate

Brenda Wendel Sales Associate