NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
RICHARD AND KAREN JACKSON FROM SPACE MISSIONS TO HOME
+ A COMMUNITY AND CLUB GROWING YOUNGER BOERNE-KENDALL COUNTY EDC PREPARED FOR GROWTH CORDILLERA RANCH LIFESTYLE LEADS TO RECORD SALES
CORDILLERARANCH.COM
WINTER IS A GREAT TIME TO PRUNE TREES! Call our Certified Arborist today to be prescribed a proper dose of pruning. Never top, lion tale or remove large lower limbs unnecessarily. www.burkettarborcare.com 830.229.5700 Contact us for a FREE ESTIMATE TREE PRUNING TREE REMOVALS STUMP GRINDING TREE MITIGATION TREE PLANTING AIR SPADE TREATMENT DEEP ROOT FERTILIZATION BALL MOSS REMOVAL
FOR ALL YOUR LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE NEEDS Lawn and Landscape Maintenance Landscape Installation • Tree Trimming Irrigation Installation and Repair All Types of Brush Removal Custom Outdoor Living Areas Outdoor Kitchens • Outdoor Fireplaces Fire Pits • All Types of Flagstone Patios All Types of Fencing
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A COMMUNITY AND CLUB GROWING YOUNGER Tranquil living, top-rated Boerne schools, outdoor activities and the thriving but small town atmosphere of Boerne is drawing younger families with children to Cordillera Ranch.
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A new 5-year Economic Development Strategy Plan will serve as a guide to attract family-supporting jobs and industries that benefit the community while maintaining the area’s quality of place.
As families flock to the Texas Hill Country to retire or raise families in the bucolic setting, Cordillera Ranch welcomes them with unique properties and an engaging, active community.
CORDILLERA RANCH LIFESTYLE LEADS TO RECORD SALES
BOERNE-KENDALL COUNTY EDC PREPARED FOR GROWTH
ALSO INSIDE: 14 WELCOME LETTER 20 DAY IN THE LIFE 26 THE CLUBHOUSE CALENDAR 28 RANCH SCENE 30 STAFF PROFILE: KRISSY CRUZ 38 2020 C-STAR MEMBER-GUEST RECAP 42 2020 LADIES’AND MEN’S CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS 44 THE PUTTING GURU 46 CORDILLERA RANCH TENNIS CLUB USTA LEAGUE EXPERIENCE 48 SERVING UP CORDILLERA-STYLE 52 FROM WINE AND BEYOND.... 54 BUILDING A STRONGER COMMUNITY 56 HUNTING IN THE YEAR 2020: FAIR CHASE 64 TEACHER APPRECIATION 66 A PROPERTY OWNER’S GREATEST RESOURCE 72 DI LUSSO VILLAS: UNIQUELY BEAUTIFUL INSIDE AND OUT 78 GET TO KNOW THE CORDILLERA RANCH REALTY TEAM 81 REAL ESTATE
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FROM SPACE MISSIONS TO HOME RICHARD AND KAREN JACKSON After retiring from successful and dynamic NASA careers, the Jacksons moved to Cordillera Ranch to be close to family and enjoy their hobbies without any intention of slowing down.
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Performance is our Priority #1 Title Company in Cordillera Ranch
$2.7 Billion in Texas
plus over $600 Million nationwide in Real Estate closings over the last 3 years Agents for Stewart, Chicago and First American
We buy and sell over $100MM in real estate deals each year across the country and rely on Texas Investors Title to close them. We have worked with a number of title companies including large national firms; in my opinion, Texas Investors Title Company is among the best in terms of customer service. They go above and beyond compared to their peers. I highly recommend Texas Investors Title. Jason Signor, Caddis Healthcare Real Estate
Steve Vallone
C.E.O. steve@texasinvestorstitle.com
Becky Edmiston, CESP President becky@texasinvestorstitle.com
116 W. Blanco Rd., Ste 101 Boerne, TX 78006 | p. (830) 816-5888 • f. (830) 816-5889 10000 Memorial Drive, Suite 100-N | Houston, TX 77024
Todd Glowka is a Certified Graduate Master Builder and Certified Master Builder as well as a Certified Green Builder by the National Association of Home Builders. With almost two decades of luxury residential experience, he is a solution-focused professional, accustomed to leading and directing employees and subcontractors in the planning and execution of large-scale residential projects and custom renovations. As his clients’ first point of contact, Todd oversees all quality control and is highly skilled in resolving project obstacles, managing construction schedules and adhering to design requirements.
PO Box 478
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Kendalia, Texas 78027
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830.229.5565
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tgbuilder.com
WELCOME
www.cordilleraranch.com 830.336.3570 www.facebook.com/cordillera.ranch
During this season of giving thanks and celebrating the best in all of us, “THANK YOU,” to our members, residents and employee partners who make Cordillera Ranch a special place. Your connections with each other and those looking to join us are captivating. You make Cordillera Ranch the most friendly and engaging community and Club. On a recent property showing, I was reminded of such. The prospective members/residents had to initially think it was staged. We looked at two different properties on two different golf holes and YOU could not have been more engaging. “Hi Barry! Are we standing in the right place? Do you want us to move to a different tee box? We’re having so much fun on this beautiful day! The golf course looks fabulous!” shouted many enthusiastic members. “WOW!” said my guests, “If we hadn’t spontaneously ended up out here, we’d think you set that up.” But to have it happen a couple holes apart with different members, well they knew they had just witnessed something special. The same holds true as we guide our guests through the Clubs and community amenities. YOU set the tone through your smiles, good cheer, salutations and interactions. We often hear, “People sure are friendly around here!” Yes, YOU are. I’ve said to many and I might have even said to you, “This is the most friendly, most inclusive place I’ve ever been.” The amenities certainly attract, but our members, residents and staff win people over. So, for those of you who witnessed something like above on one of your visits
PUBLISHERS: Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation Traveling Blender, LLC CORDILLERA RANCH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Charlie Hill – President cphill@cordilleraranch.com DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Sara Hill 210.332.8628 shill@cordilleraranch.com EDITOR Trisha Doucette trisha@travelingblender.com EDITORIAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM Barry Denton, Marc DeWall, Debbie Pepper, Shane Reynolds, Robert Rodriguez CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tim Shaw – The Shaw Creative theshawcreative@me.com CORDILLERA RANCH SALES 830.336.3570 info@cordilleraranch.com
to Cordillera Ranch, THANK YOU for joining us permanently and continuing the tradition of friendliness and inclusion. For those of you considering Cordil-
The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch 830.336.9000
lera Ranch for your future home, we welcome your visit. But just remember, you might think we cue the doe and fawn to walk across the fairway; uncage the wild turkey hen and her chicks to scurry across the park; release the stout Axis buck to
Feature article photography by Mark Humphries Photography. 210.226.6275 :: www.markhumphriesphoto.com
amble across the road; or stage engaging residents, members and staff throughout the Club, but I promise… you’re not being guided through make believe — you’re just experiencing the everyday magic of Cordillera Ranch. Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and a Happy, HEALTHY and Prosperous 2021 to all!
Barry Denton Director of Real Estate Sales Cordillera Ranch
14 | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
Cordillera Ranch Living is published bi-monthly through a joint venture between Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation and Traveling Blender, LLC. No reproduction in any form is authorized without the consent of both Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation and Traveling Blender, LLC. Cordillera Ranch Living is a registered trademark of Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation. 808 Highway 46 E, Boerne, Texas 78006. Printed in the USA. All rights reserved 2020. No responsibility is assumed for unsolicited submissions. Manuscripts, photographs, and other submitted material can be acknowledged or returned if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The content contained does not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation, Traveling Blender, LLC, or Cordillera Ranch residents. Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation and Traveling Blender, LLC assumes no liability for misinformation, omissions, or errors.
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Wendy McCurley, MD Board Certified Family Medicine Charles McCurley, MD Board Certified Family Medicine Board Certified Sports Medicine We also offer BBL Photofacials, Rosacea and Acne Treatments, as well as Laser Hair Removal.
905 N. Main Street, Suite 105 Boerne, TX 78006 www.sfmboerne.com • 830.816.5800
BACK AT THE RANCH
A COMMUNITY Cordillera Ranch AND CLUB is a Great Place to GROWING YOUNGER: Raise Families By Debbie Pepper
Photo by Terry Vine Ginny and Daniel Quinn’s boys, Whitt and Guy, have made as many friends as mom and dad through a variety of activities for everyone in their family to enjoy. Ginny says, “Moving to Cordillera Ranch and joining The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch was one of the best decisions we could have made for our family. We have met so many families and have made genuine, lifelong friendships. One of our favorite things to do is meet our friends at the Club on Friday nights for live music on the patio, and the kids can’t wait to go see their friends at Kids Camp. Here, every weekend feels like a vacation, whether we are kayaking down the river, fishing at Swede Creek or taking the horses for a ride, we are refreshed for the week to come. Last but not least, we would not have made it through the summer without the Club — the kids absolutely loved all of the summer camps and playing at the pool, and as their parents, we loved that it wore them out! Thank you to everyone at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch for everything you do and for letting us LOVE where we live!”
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Photo by Kelsey Grudle
While Texas continues to enjoy continued growth from all over the country, Cordillera Ranch is setting the bar for not only continued growth but a positive trend of younger families with children calling Cordillera Ranch home! The Texas economy, the developing yet “small town atmosphere” of Boerne, our top-rated Boerne schools and the continual draw of tranquil living in the Texas Hill Country are attracting families pursuing a better quality of life. Not to be forgotten, empty nesters and early retirees are also seeking an active lifestyle in an engaging and thriving community that offers so much for young families and an equally important drawing card to
attract their grown children and grandchildren to visit. There truly is something for everyone and our diverse demographics exemplifies that “life really is better out here!” With miles of nature trails, river frontage, equestrian facilities and outfitter opportunities, along with extensive summer camps offering a menu of outdoor-life activities as well as golf, tennis and fitness, it is no wonder the Club is experiencing a 20% growth overall for young families with children in the past four years. We are now a community of over 900 homes and a safe haven for the approximate 350 school-aged children living and enjoy life on the Ranch.
Photo by Terry Vine For Brooklynn and Michael Willy, finding the perfect environment for their boys, Coulter and Caden, and older daughter Kaela, to enjoy their childhood was their top priority. “After several years of researching where we wanted our boys to grow up, we finally moved into Cordillera Ranch at the end of February 2020. Unbeknownst to us, and thanks to COVID, we were able to really get settled in! We have enjoyed the facilities, the summer camps, and The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch staff have gone above and beyond. We are looking forward to meeting and making new friends in the neighborhood,” says Brooklynn.
Photo by Shelly Au
Debbie Pepper is the Director of Membership at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. She can be reached at dpepper@cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.3544.
CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 19
A DAY IN THE LIFE AT CORDILLERA RANCH
Photo by Terry Vine
11:0 0 am | S u n day B r u n ch , al f res co
A DAY IN THE LIFE AT CORDILLERA RANCH
Photo by Terry Vine
2 :00pm | G am e, S et, Match , H appy H o ur !
A DAY IN THE LIFE AT CORDILLERA RANCH
Photo by Terry Vine
4:00p m | S tan di n g af ter n o o n fo u r s o m e
CALENDAR
The Clubhouse The Clubhouse provides spectacular settings for special occasions, cocktails, entertaining guests and enjoying family dinners. To-Go orders are available by calling the Club receptionist.
C-STAR RANCH MENU
SIGNATURE DINING MENU
BREAKFAST MENU
Available in the Main Dining Room, Twin Sisters Lounge and Twin Sisters Patio Tuesday-Thursday, 11:00am to 2:00pm, 5:00pm to 9:00pm Friday-Saturday, 11:00am to 2:00pm, 5:00pm to 10:00pm Sunday, 11:00am to 2:00pm, 5:00pm to 8:00pm Dining from 2:00pm to 5:00pm is available in the Twin Sisters Lounge and Twin Sisters Patio
Available in the Main Dining Room, Twin Sisters Lounge and Twin Sisters Patio Friday-Saturday, 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Available in the Main Dining Room Saturday-Sunday, 9:00am to 2:00pm Available in the Twin Sisters Lounge Saturday-Sunday, 11:00am-2:00pm
Friday-Saturday Evenings
Sundays
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays
The Club’s culinary team reflects seasonal products prepared in a higher level of cuisine. This elegant dining experience features live music along with the chef’s finest creations, including a fresh, seasonal fish option. Advance reservations are suggested.
Remember when Mom used to cook Sunday family meals? We do! Join us at The Club for some home-style cookin’! $15.95++ for adults and $8.95++ for children ages 10 and under, from 11:00am to 8:00pm.
Delicious family dinners are a convenient and affordable way to enjoy a variety of menu options, including fish specials, that feed up to four people for $28.95++. Place orders through the Club receptionist or Cordillera Mobile App for curbside pick-up or delivery, 11:00am to 8:00pm, Tuesday through Sunday.
SIGNATURE DINING MENU
Tuesdays-Fridays
C-STAR MARKET The C-Star Market provides quality meats, fresh produce, baked goods, household items, beverages and more for curbside pick-up or delivery, Tuesdays through Fridays, 3:00 to 8:00pm. Simply place your order online or email to the Club receptionist with 24 hours’ notice.
FAMILY MEAL FEATURE
FAMILY MEALS TO-GO
For dining and special event reservations, please contact the Club receptionist at 830.336.9000 or receptionist@cordilleraranch.com, or you may reserve your spot through the Cordillera Ranch mobile app or online at Clubsofcordilleraranch.com. For golf events, please contact Camille Ferguson at 830.336.9165 or cferguson@cordilleraranch.com. For tennis events, please contact the Tennis Club at 830.336.4823.
EVENTS November 10 :: Pinot and Pearls
December 5 :: Gingerbread House Decorating
Time: 6:00 to 9:00pm Location: Main Dining Room Ladies, come enjoy a night out while dining and shopping with the world’s largest pearl distributor! Advance reservations are required through the Club receptionist.
Time: 6:30 to 9:30pm Location: Cabana Dining Room Join us for an intimate dinner featuring wines from Napa Valley’s Whitehall Lane Winery. Executive Chef Isaac Cantu and his culinary team will craft a custom menu to pair with these remarkable wines. Advance reservations are required through the Club receptionist.
Times: 10:00am for ages 2-12 / 2:00pm for teens, only Location: Cabana Dining Room Come out to the Cabana Grille for this great holiday family activity! We will provide everything you’ll need: assembled Gingerbread Houses, icing and candies to decorate and best of all, we will take care of the cleanup! All your kids need to do is bring their decorating skills. Reservations required through Kelsey Grudle at kgrudle@cordilleraranch.com.
November 24 :: Bubbles and Big Reds
December 12 :: Breakfast with Santa
Time: 5:30 to 7:00pm first seating, 7:15 to 8:45 second seating Location: Cabana Dining Room This event will showcase a variety of Bubbles and Big Reds to taste before purchasing for the holiday season. Advance reservations are required through the Club receptionist.
Main Dining Room: 11:00am to 1:30pm, Thanksgiving Day Brunch Golf Shop: 7:00am to 3:00pm
Seating Times: 9:00am and 11:00am Location: Main Clubhouse Picture Fee: $15 for first photo printed on the spot, $5 for each additional photo Join us for a jolly good time as we host Breakfast with Santa and entertainment from Peter Gloria! Be sure to dress in your Christmas best to have your pictures taken while you tell Santa what is on your wish list. Children will also enjoy making our reindeer food craft and coloring sheets in the Twin Sisters Lounge! Advance reservations required through the Club receptionist.
November 26 :: Thanksgiving Day Brunch
December 17 :: Darioush Wine Dinner
November 19 :: Whitehall Lane Wine Dinner
November 26 :: Thanksgiving Day Hours of Operation
Time: Seating available every 30 minutes, 11:00am to 1:30pm Location: Main Dining Room In honor of Thanksgiving, we will be hosting a holiday-themed brunch menu with live music from Bernie Martini. Advance reservations are required through the Club receptionist and a 48-hour cancellation policy in effect.
November 27 :: Turkey Trot & Stuffing Stroll Time: 9:30 to 9:50am Registration / 10:00am Run or Walk Did you have more fun than your fair share of Thanksgiving turkey and pumpkin pie? The “Turkey Trot” is a 5K run through the Golf Village totaling 3.2 miles. For those of you looking for a shorter route, you can take a 1.5-mile “Stuffing Stroll.” Reservations required through Kelsey Grudle at kgrudle@cordilleraranch.com.
December 1 :: Festival of Lights Time: 6:00 to 9:00pm Join us in celebrating the lighting of the Christmas tree and Clubhouse! Wear your best Ugly Christmas Sweater, with awards for the top three. Enjoy drink specials, a Southwest-themed buffet and entertainment from Bernie Martini. Advance reservations are required through the Club receptionist.
Time: 6:30 to 9:30pm Location: Cabana Dining Room Join us for an intimate dinner featuring wines from Napa Valley’s Darioush. Executive Chef Isaac Cantu and his culinary team will craft a custom menu to pair with these remarkable wines. Advance reservations are required through the Club receptionist.
December 24 :: Christmas Eve Hours of Operation Main Dining Room will be closed Twin Sisters Lounge: 9:00am to 3:00pm Golf Shop: 7:00am to 3:00pm
December 25 :: Christmas Day Hours of Operation The Club will be closed.
December 31 :: New Year’s Eve Hours of Operation Main Dining Room: 9:00am to 2:00pm, 5:00 to 10:00pm Twin Sisters Lounge: 11:00am to 10:00pm (Prix Fixe Menu and Limited Ranch Menu, only) Golf Shop: 7:00am to 6:00pm
January 1 :: New Year’s Day Hours of Operation The Club will be closed.
CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 27
RAN S
H ENE
C-STAR LADIES’ DAY OUT
Upload your own photos to www.facebook.com/cordillera.ranch for a chance to be featured in next issue’s Ranch Scene.
C-STAR AWARDS PARTY PAHLMEYER WINE DINNER
Photos by Club Photographer Kelsey Grudle
STAFF PROFILE
KRISSY CRUZ
Food & Beverage Manager 210.323.8474 Kcruz@cordilleraranch.com
HOMETOWN: Seminole, Texas FAMILY: Husband Ernesto Romero, and kids Calvin Cruz, Robyn Cruz, Mia Sims, Medea Romero and Marco Romero WHAT PAST WORK HISTORY PREPARED YOU FOR THE CLUBS? I was in a management position at The Club at Sonterra which provided me the opportunity to work for a club where many of the members became like family. I was able to develop professionally from the experience, but I also developed socially from the kind and wonderful members. Working within a community of members and staff on a close level has helped me more than I could have possibly imagined. WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT WORKING AT CORDILLERA RANCH? The Texas Hill Country, the community atmosphere and the members are amazing. From the staff to the residents, Cordillera provides a sense of freedom and peace. CAN YOU SHARE YOUR FAVORITE EXPERIENCE SO FAR AT THE CLUBS? It was a Saturday morning and I was walking into my office when Mrs. Spitsnaugle approached me and complimented me on service that she and Mr. Spitsnaugle had received on our Friday Signature night. Mrs. Spitsnaugle told me it had been a while since they had been in and they noticed the change in atmosphere, and welcomed me as part of the Clubs’ management team. WHAT MAKES YOUR COLLEAGUES AN ASSET TO THE CLUBS? My colleagues have a high level of respect for one another, and the leadership team is great, welcoming me with open arms. Providing excellent service and fulfilling member service needs is the highest priority for my team. I will
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continue to listen to our valued members and focus on retaining the best and brightest employees to sustain this momentum. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST REWARDING PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE? This! The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch giving me an opportunity to join their team as the Food & Beverage Manager. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST PROFESSIONAL CHALLENGE? Finding balance. When choosing Food & Beverage management as a profession, you tend to find yourself working long hours. It’s a job chosen for the love of the service industry. WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES AND INTERESTS? Living a healthy lifestyle — I love spending time with my family and friends, enjoying the outdoors, fishing, camping, hiking and taking my jeep off-roading. I’m a BIG fan of fresh water fishing. Any free
time I can get, I will try and hit the waters for some bass or trout fishing. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY TRADITION? Christmas is my favorite holiday and my traditions include the decorations, family time, food, holiday movies and enjoying the cold weather. I find myself looking forward to this season every year. IF I COULD HOP ON A PLANE TOMORROW: I would fly out to Ireland. I would love to be able to experience the jaw-dropping natural landscapes, green rolling hills, rugged seaside cliffs and the music and festivals. I’M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT: My new chapter in life that 2020 has given me here at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. FAVORITE QUOTE OR MOTTO: Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have. – Gautama Buddha
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FROM SPACE MISSIONS TO HOME
By Cheryl Van Tuyl Jividen :: Photography by Mark Humphries
Cordillera Ranch’s Rocket Couple, Richard and Karen Jackson Both NASA retirees, Richard and Karen have propelled many a rocket-fueled shuttle into space during their careers in human spaceflight missions. CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 33
“Karen and I both started off as contractors supporting NASA engineering and operations prior to being hired by NASA. The 1980’s were an exciting time to work at the Johnson Space Center due to the large number of college hires and the initial flights of the Space Shuttle,” says Richard. “My first job was supporting the testing and certification of the Extravehicular Mobility Units, more commonly called the space suits, for the first Shuttle mission. I then moved into Mission Operations supporting the Orbital and Reaction Control systems which are the
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smaller rocket engines used for attitude control and getting into and out of orbit. Karen hired into Mission Operations supporting the Orbital and Reaction Control systems. We both progressed through the different support positions and eventually became Ascent/Entry Propulsion Officers. Karen was only the second woman to certify in this position.” Texas natives, both mechanical engineers got to NASA through different paths. Karen from San Antonio graduated from Rice University, while Richard a Houstonian, graduated
from Texas A&M. Their careers eventually mirrored each other. “My first flight as an Ascent Propulsion Officer was STS 51F which was our only abort to orbit. Part of the abort profile was to dump a significant amount of our systems propellant. I remember talking to the Ascent Flight Director years later about whether he was listening to my backroom communications loop. He was and remembers the response my consumables officer replied when I had asked how much propellant we had left. The answer was ‘not much.’”
The couple first met during the STS 51F Shuttle postlanding party at the Gilruth Recreation Center at the Johnson Space Center. It was Karen’s first week on the job. Richard’s NASA career evolved to technical management, Flight Director and then Deputy Manager for Space Shuttle Vehicle development. As a Flight Director, he supported 15 Space Shuttle flights, primarily as a Launch or Entry Flight director. “That job was one of the most challenging and demanding jobs I held over my career,” Richard says. “The Flight Director, along with the Shuttle Commander, have the real-time authority to take any action necessary for crew safety, vehicle safety and mission success.” While Richard was a Flight Director, Karen was responsible for training many of the Flight Controllers that would support his team. Richard left NASA in 2000, but he found his way back home when recruited by Lockheed Martin to manage operations for the NASA Mission Control Center, supporting business development and program management. He explains, “As a Flight Director, I was the first one to launch a Space Shuttle out of the new Mission Control Center; the final transition from mainframe computers to a workstation-based architecture.” As the Lockheed Martin Program Manager running the Mission Control Center, Richard’s team integrated two large contracts, one supporting the Mission Control Center and the other supporting the Flight Simulators. That integration led to synergies in hardware and software that significantly reduced the cost of operations. Karen advanced as well to include Propulsion Group Lead, making history as the first female Branch Chief of Electrical Systems and Deputy Systems Division Chief, and ultimately the Associate Director of Flight Operations. That position encompassed the astronaut corps, the aviation division overseeing T-38 jet trainers, Shuttle Training Aircraft, WB-57 research aircraft, and the flight operations division encompassing flight controllers, Mission Control Center and the Flight Simulators. Working together, Richard tells of a collaboration, “Shortly after Karen came to work in Mission Operations, we had a Reaction Control System regulator fail close at the external tank separation on STS 61A. We eventually discovered that a contaminant had blocked a pressure sense port. In order to ensure safe operations, Karen and I were assigned the responsibility to write a software change that would detect and reconfigure the system to ensure safe external tank separation. We then had to lead the effort to have the software change approved and implemented. The software change was implemented and flew for the rest of the Shuttle program.” Especially proud of her accomplishments, Richard recalls seeing Karen’s sharp skills in action, “One of my roles in technical management was as Spacecraft Analysis Manager which was the interface between the flight control team and the engineering mission evaluation team. I came in one evening to work the night shift and Karen was working as the Propulsion Officer for the shift prior. As I walked into the Mission Control Center, you could have heard a pin drop. I came to find out that Karen had seen unexplained reaction control
CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 35
system thruster firings as the shuttle was heading into a loss of signal with no data or communication, and alerted the Flight Director. The crew was asleep at the time. The Flight Director was able to identify that a state vector had been sent to the vehicle prior to the thruster firings. As a result, they immediately woke the crew at acquisition of signal, with data and communication re-established, to take action and stop the spin on the vehicle.�
Photo by Jennifer Smith
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While their NASA careers were in full force, Richard and Karen found time to enjoy biking, running — Richard has run 13 marathons, including Boston — scuba diving and river sports. Richard has a private pilot’s license and advanced sky diving ratings. He jokes, “I’ve jumped out of perfectly good airplanes/helicopters just shy of 1,000 times.” On one occasion, he was part of a skydiving team that set a world record canopy stack — 23 parachutes stacked together — beating out British and French military teams in 1985. They were also busy building their family. Married in 1989, Richard and Karen have two children, Kelly and Kevin. And even with their exciting careers and hobbies, they say that some of their greatest memories are centered on their involvement with their kids. Richard remembers he and Kelly participating in the YMCA Indian Princess program, “Our tribe had a fantastic group of dads and girls which fostered great friendships that continued over the years with memorable vacations, rafting trips and snow skiing. In fact, my first C-Star guest this year was one of the dads from the tribe.” Kelly also started golfing early with Richard and developed a love for the game, and went to play on Intermediate and High School teams. Son Kevin was born with special needs. “We were fortunate to have found the Monarch School in West Houston that really helped Kevin’s development,” says Richard. Kevin’s favorite activity was Challenger League Baseball which Richard coached the entire nine years that Kevin played. And they can’t forget other integral family members: their two yellow labs, Jake and Bluebird. Karen gave Richard their very first lab, Jack, as a house-warming gift in 1987 and labs have been a part of their family ever since. But even after retirement, the couple have no plans for slowing down. Though they just moved into their new home in January, and despite the pandemic, the Jacksons found friends with space mission commonalities at Cordillera Ranch. Karen had worked with Rick Weller at NASA while Richard had worked with Ginger Barnes when she was CEO of the United Space Alliance supporting the Space Shuttle Program. They’ve joined the CWGA, MGA and Couples Golf — Karen is working on trying to break 100 while Richard’s goal is to get his handicap down to 7 — have plans for travel and continue to maintain connections to NASA and their alma-maters. Richard has a seat on the Board of Directors for Space Center Houston as well as a Board of Advisors Position for the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration. Karen supports recruitment for Rice and together they fund several scholarships at TAMU for first-generation students. Richard was the first in his family to attend college and was fortunate to have the support of his parents, explaining, “Many first-generation students have significant financial need so we are happy that these scholarships can help ease their financial burden and allow them to focus on school.”
Aside from falling in love with the Cordillera Ranch community, having family in the area was a big draw. Karen’s parents still live in San Antonio, and even though Kelly and husband Ethan transferred to northern California where he is serving in the United States Air Force, they have plans to return. Kevin lives in Austin where he continues his education at The Marbridge Foundation — another recipient of Jackson family support — and works part time for MOD Pizza, a company who supports employment of the differently abled. Their latest and greatest news is becoming first-time grandparents. Kelly and Ethan welcomed granddaughter Whitney just a few weeks ago and extended visits will become a norm. When asked what their grandparent monikers will be: Kami for Karen (a combination of Karen and Mimi after her own mother) and Action for Richard. How appropriate!
CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 37
GOLF
2020
C-Star
Member-Guest Recap The 2020 C-Star Member-Guest was played October 8 to 10 and consisted of 120 players (60 members and 60 guests). On Thursday, we kicked off the event with a practice round followed by an 18-hole putting competition on the golf course. Despite a lot of tough putts, three teams tied for first shooting 1-under par 35 (every hole is a par 2). On Thursday evening, everyone gathered at the pool for a churrasco-style dinner and a few entertaining activities like axe throwing. The real part of the tournament started on Friday where each team played three 9-hole matches. While golfers were on the course, their wives enjoyed a Ladies’ Day Out, and everyone met that evening for a Lobster Fest. On Saturday, we finished with two 9-hole matches and the Lonestar Shootout. The 10 Flight winners advanced to the Lonestar Shootout where we played five holes and eliminated two teams on each hole. There were two teams left standing on #18 — Aldon Williams and Ray Iler vs. Jeff Smith and Vance Smith. Ray and Jeff both smoked their tee shots down the middle of the fairway. From there, Aldon tugged a 5-iron into the left bunker and Vance stuffed a wedge to about five feet. Ray played the bunker shot to seven feet and Aldon missed the par putt. All Jeff needed to do was lag his birdie putt down there for the win — instead, he buried it. Jeff Smith and Vance Smith earned the title of 2020 C-Star Champions, celebrating at the C-Star Awards Party that evening.
2020 C-Star Results
Congratulations to Overall Champions Jeff Smith and Vance Smith //// Alamo Dan Hansen / George McKeen Philip Earnest / Jason Evans
//// Harper Tony Coleman / Paul Crumley Barry Harkness / Mike Harkness
//// Guadalupe Jeff Smith / Vance Smith Chris Hill / Rusty Beldon
//// Rodeo David Hill / David Glenn Jay Harpole / Nick Altomare
//// Hill Country Aldon Williams / Ray Iler Barry Denton / Brett Denton
//// Walker Zane Price / Brett Lewis Todd Dunn / Steven Stockseth
//// Lonestar Rodney Morgan / Jimmy LeDoux Richard Jackson / Rick Derauf
//// Wrangler David Watts / David Brimager Jason West / Mike Norwood
//// Nicklaus Ken Nibling / Gary Dove Bubba Strait / Bubba Haney
//// Shootout Champions Jeff Smith / Vance Smith Aldon Williams / Ray Iler Zane Price / Brett Lewis
//// Riverwalk Glenn Emery / Mark Descrochers John Kester / Jeff Gibbons
//// Champions Flight – Guadalupe Webb/Burke – Hill/Beldon – Rickel/Egan – Fuquay/Fuquay – Chalmers/Bain CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 39
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GOLF LADIES’ CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Yana Dommert 2020 Ladies’ Club Champion
MEN’S CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Susie Long 2020 Ladies’ Club Net Champion
We had 21 competitors in the Ladies’ Club Championship that was conducted on September 16 and 17. In the final round on the 18th tee, Yana Dommert had a 2-shot lead over Maria Sayers. Both players hit great tee shots and were faced with a tough decision considering we had the hole tucked left — layup or challenge the bunkers in hopes of having a birdie putt. Yana took the conservative route and then pitched it behind the hole to leave a 15-foot par putt. Needing a 2-shot swing, Maria took the aggressive route, but her ball ended up just short of the green. She proceeded to chip it to about four feet from the hole. Yana confidently secured her victory with a 2-putt bogey. Maria holed her par putt to finish in second place — one shot behind Yana. Liza Robinson finished in third place and five-time Ladies’ Club Champion, Isabelle Mumford, finished in fourth place. On the net side of the competition, Susie Long had a landslide victory by nine shots after firing net rounds of 67-72 for a 5-under par 139 total. Mary Smith and Mary Callahan both finished at 4-over par 148. Janice Brazil finished fourth with 5-over par 149.
2020 LADIES’ AND MEN’S CLUB
The Men’s Club Championship was played September 18 through 20 and started with 14 players. That number decreased by one when the test proved too tough for one competitor after nine holes on Saturday morning. The other 13 players navigated the 7,000yard setups for three days in a constant north wind. After the 54th hole on Sunday afternoon, Phillip Earnest reached rarefied air by not only becoming the only member to claim three Club Championships, but he won them all in a row. Phillip earned this ‘turkey’ with rounds of 74-74-77 for a 9-over par 225 and a 10-shot victory over John Long who finished in second place. As a refresher, Long won the Senior Club Championship earlier this year. New member, Bart Wilson, finished one shot behind Long. On Saturday morning, the Championship Flight was joined by 27 competitors broken into two flights for a net competition. Alex Preston won the 1st Flight with rounds of 73-70 for a net 1-under par 143. He bested Rick Webb by four shots and Mike Wickless by seven shots. In the 2nd Flight, Brian Werner finished at the top of the leaderboard with rounds of 76-74 for a net 6-over par 150. He bested Robert Hobbs by one shot and Glen Emery by two shots.
CHAMPIONSHIPS
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Above: Phillip Earnest – 2020 Men’s Club Champion Top Left: Alex Preston – 1st Flight Champion Bottom Left: Brian Werner – 2nd Flight Champion
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GOLF
THE
PUTTING GURU By Katie Dillard Photography by Kelsey Grudle
Last month, the Golf Club’s professional staff were lucky enough to team up with Marius Filmalter, who Golf Magazine dubbed “The Tour’s Putting Guru,” to offer a world-class putting clinic to our membership.
Marius is a colorful character, professional golf instructor, inventor and research scientist originally from South Africa. He moved to Germany in the early ‘80s where he began researching the yips. The yips can creep into other motor skills and he’s studied many different avenues including pilots, musicians, surgeons and obviously golfers. In the late ‘90s, Marius was the prime inventor of the SAM Puttlab which is still considered the gold standard in putting analysis. Over the years, he’s worked with and measured the best players in the world including Tiger Woods, Mark O’Meara, Brad Faxon and Ernie Els. Participants were invited to join Marius for dinner on Friday night where they quizzed him on everything about
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golf and were treated to data, facts and inside stories of the best players in the world, including the big cat himself — Tiger Woods. The following day, Marius worked closely with 12 players teaching them the characteristics of the best putters in the world and how to apply those traits to their individual game. The instruction varied from mechanics to mental preparation, and all players were measured on the SAM Puttlab. Perhaps Marius’ biggest strength is taking the enormous amounts of data he has collected over the years, breaking it down and presenting it to students in a way that is easy to understand and implement. Players of all abilities attended the clinic and each of them walked away with tips
specific to their putting needs and styles. Marius’s master class in putting was the perfect complement to our August Monthly Clinic on speed and distance with guest Hunter Gathright (developer of the TruSpeed training aid) and player development coordinator Katie Dillard. If you would like to improve your game, please reach out to a member of the golf professional staff to see if any of our upcoming monthly clinics could help you shoot lower scores. Katie Dillard is the Player Development Coordinator and Coach at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. She can be reached at kdillard@cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.4653.
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TENNIS
COR D I L L E RA R A N C H T E N N I S C LU B
USTA LEAGUE EXPERIENCE By Joe De Luna
The United States Tennis Association League is the largest tennis league in the country with over 300,000 players across the nation. USTA leagues allow club and recreational players over 18 years old the opportunity to compete on teams while meeting new people and staying physically active. Match play is based on a National Tennis Rating Program and this NTRP is used to determine levels of competition. Ratings can range from 1.5-7.0, with 1.5 being a new player with limited experience to 7.0 which are world-class players. Here at the Cordillera Ranch Tennis Club, we currently have two USTA League teams. Both are ladies’ teams with one team competing at the 2.5 18 years old and over level (The Cordillera Aces) and the other competing at the 3.0 40 years old and over level (The BoCo Ballbusters). The Cordillera Aces 2.5 team competes on Friday mornings at 9:30am with a roster of eight players captained by Jane Smith. The BoCo Ballbusters 3.0 team competes on Thursdays at 9:30am with a roster of 14 players and is captained by Bobbie Sanborn.
The Cordillera Aces have an eleven-week season including one Bye week for a total of ten matches. The 2.5 team matches consist of two lines of doubles (two doubles matches) and one line of singles (one singles match). In order to win the overall match, the team must secure two victories out of the three matches that are played on that morning. The scoring format used is two out of three sets with regular scoring (ad scoring) with a 10-point match tiebreak to determine the third set. The Aces are currently competing against teams from The Club at
THE CORDILLERA ACES
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BOCO BALLBUSTERS Sonterra, Fair Oaks Ranch Country Club and San Antonio Country Club. The BoCo Ballbusters also have an eleven-week season with a total of eight matches. In the fall, these matches consist of four lines of doubles (four doubles matches). In order to win the overall matches, the team must secure three out of the four doubles lines or if the match is tied at two matches each, the team with the most games wins the overall match. The BoCo Ballbusters are currently competing against multiple teams from The Blossom Athletic Center, The Club at Sonterra, Fair Oaks Ranch Country Club, John Newcombe Country Club and The Tennis Park. Both teams have weekly team practices and participate in additional clinics. Many team members take private lessons in addition to their team practices, and set up friendly matches amongst themselves to build team chemistry and camaraderie. There is also a travel commitment as both teams travel to Fair Oaks, all over San Antonio and New Braunfels to compete and represent The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. If any member is interested in USTA League play, do not hesitate to contact Director of Tennis Joe De Luna. Joe De Luna is the Director of Tennis at The Clubs of Cordillera ranch. He can be reached at jdeluna@cordilleraranch.com or 830.363.9004.
NEW RESERVATION SYSTEM The Cordillera Ranch Tennis Club has recently gone live with a new tennis and pickleball court reservation system. Through The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch website or the app, you can reserve tennis courts, pickleball courts and the ball machine up to 72 hours in advance of play. I have been receiving great feedback on this new amenity available now to our members.
CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 47
DINING
S E RV I N G U P CORDILLERASTYLE Dining at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch The culinary team, under the creative talent of Executive Chef Isaac Cantu, has collaborated to redesign and
CERTIFIED PRIME PORTER HOUSE STEAK AU POIVRE roasted garlic confit, applewood bacon, fingerling potatoes
enhance the Club’s Signature Menu and Dessert Menu by embracing new provisions and ingredients, sourced locally and nationwide, from our purveyors.
CRISP-SKINNED ORA KING SALMON wild mushroom stone ground grits, gingered spinach, aged fig saba
KING SALMON “CARPACCIO”
fine shallots, capers, grilled belly rillette, crisp rustic bread
OYSTERS & CHIPS
golden fried gulf oysters, crisp applewood bacon, gaufrette potatoes, dried chili, hollandaise
BRAISED SHORT RIB OSSO BUCCO
DIVER SCALLOPS
oven roasted heirloom tomatoes, orange scented orzo-Florentine, citrus gremolata
whipped sweet potatoes, grilled artichokes, blackberry beurre rouge
HICKORY SMOKED TEXAS QUAIL
DIJON CRUSTED FREE RANGE LAMB RACK
agave sweet corn pudding, wilted Swiss chard, “23 flavors” bbq glace
BLACK TRUFFLE DEVILED EGGS
poached and peeled cage free eggs, summer black truffles, snipped chives, black Ossetra caviar
charred golden beets, rainbow carrots, turmeric-butternut puree, pistachio crumbs, pepper jam, pomegranate molasses
EAST COAST LOBSTER “BOUILLABAISSE” truffle scented linguine, saffron rouille crostini, fennel pollen
SALTED CARAMEL CHOCOLATE TART coco cornflake crunch, malt espresso gelato
EUROPEAN “GOOEY” BUTTER CAKE brittle crunch, peanut butter syrup
WARM BAKED APPLE FRITTERS A LA MODE caramelized granny smith apples, vanilla ice cream, house caramel
LEMON CAKE
tart citrus curd, oat thyme crumble, Madagascar vanilla semi-freddo
Chef-crafted with passion, only the freshest, seasonal ingredients are represented in these menus. Seafood from around the coasts is selected fresh from landed boats and given top priority for Chef Isaac who personally fillets each piece. Akaushi beef is definitely a cut above any other beef that’s available in the U.S. It’s a perfect steak with the most incredible color, texture and marbling — try the new Prime Porterhouse Steak Au Poivre. Whether it’s prepared by our team or by you — the master of your own backyard BBQ — you will agree with every bite you take. The most important end to a delicious meal is a luscious dessert and our pastry team has exceeded expectations with new confections to finish your lunch or dinner with a sweet delight.
THE SIGNATURE MENU Offered Friday and Saturday from 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Advanced reservations are suggested for this elevated dining experience. For reservations, please contact the Club receptionist at 830.336.9000 or receptionist@cordilleraranch.com, or you may reserve your spot through the Cordillera Ranch mobile app or online at Clubsofcordilleraranch.com.
CORDILLERA CANNOLIS
vanilla cream, strawberry Modena compote, salted pistachios
Graham House is the Clubhouse and Lodging Manager at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at ghouse@cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.9164.
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CELLAR CLUB
From Wine
and Beyond…. By Jeffrey Cohen
I have spent the last few weeks discussing the fires that are continuing to burn in Napa/Sonoma with many of you. So, I have done some research to discuss many of the wineries, vineyards and establishments that have been, in some cases, devastated or harmed greatly by the fires.This list is not absolute as there is still blazing going on. My main sources have come from the NY Times, Sonoma Magazine and ABC News. The fires started on the morning of September 27 in Deer Park, east of St. Helena near the Silverado Trail. Burgess Cellars winery was destroyed and the barrel warehouse as well. It took down the stone structure at Chateau Boswell. It then destroyed the three-Michelin star restaurant at the Meadowood Resort, and kissed the edges of the vineyards at Viader and Failla. As the winds shifted back to the west, it headed over to the Spring Mountain District where Cain Vineyard and Winery lost three houses and all of their 2019 and 2020 vintages. Newton was thoroughly damaged, losing its newly signature pagoda, its terraced estate vineyard and a lot of wine. To many known as “the Castle,” Castello Amorosa lost 10,000 cases of wine. Many other
52 | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
wineries including Hourglass, Merus, Behrens Family, Fairwinds Estate, Paloma Vineyard, Tuck Beckstoffer Estate, Spring Mountain Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards were affected but are still assessing their damage. After more shifting winds from south of St. Helena to north of Calistoga, the fires have continued to plague the areas. Many wineries evacuated by staff and homeowners are waiting to see what the outcome will be. In some cases, the crops are totally lost and homes are burned to the ground. Despite the extent of losses, most of the 215 wineries within Napa Valley’s evacuation zones were still standing by the time it reached a stable containment. The following is a list of wineries that have been affected the most; many are still assessing damages:
Barnett Family Behrens Family Winery Cain Vineyards and Winery Castello di Amorosa Chateau Boswell Cornell Vineyards Dutch Henry Winery Fairwinds Estate Winery Fantesca Estate Flying Lady Winery Hourglass Winery Hunnicutt Wines Juslyn Vineyards Melka Estates Merus Winery Phifer Pavitt Winery Ritchie Creek Vineyard Sarocka Estate School House Vineyard Sherwin Family Vineyards Spring Mountain Vineyard Sterling Vineyards Terra Valentine Winery Tofanelli Vineyards York Creek Vineyards
A wildfire in Wine Country has the power to destroy not only buildings - but also the region’s economic and cultural fabric! I have tried to keep as up to date on these matters as possible. So many are affected with much uncertainty for the future! Many experts say that the entire 2020 vintages will not happen from Napa and Sonoma due to the smoke that taints the wine. The fires of 2017 were also destructive; however, a lot of the vineyards had already harvested their grapes and therefore were able to make wine from that vintage. This year, the grapes were not harvested yet and thus destroyed. I must also add that this article mainly deals with wineries but there have been many other businesses such as hotels and restaurants that have been destroyed as well as residences. I do have some details about each of the wineries listed above if you wish to contact me directly. I wish everybody a Happy Holiday Season and I’ll see you at the Club. Jeffrey Cohen is the Wine Specialist at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at jcohen@cordilleraranch.com.
CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 53
WELLNESS
Building a
S TRONGER C OMMUNITY The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch welcome new Fitness and Wellness Director Tamra Christiansen. By Kelsey Grudle
Born in Midland,Texas,Tamra was raised in nearby Bulverde, and her love for the Texas Hill Country grew strong. She continued to build her life here as she graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Science in Health and an Internship in Pediatric Obesity.Tamra’s passion for fitness started early as a competitive dancer and cheerleader but truly began with her love of running and strength training.
Tamra has been a fitness and wellness professional for over 20 years and her detailed and personalized approach has helped her maintain a strong career in this industry. Along with her Personal Training Certifications, Tamra teaches a variety of Group Exercise formats including core classes, group cycle, HIIT training, kickboxing, stretch classes, water aerobics, water boot camp and more. She is also available for private and semi-private personal training in 30-minute to one-hour increments to help members focus on specific areas of strengthening. “My approach to personal training and fitness is to address every member’s needs individually to get them to their goals. I have worked with all age ranges and many unique situations. Specific training can help individuals improve their golf, tennis or running game, and I specialize in flexibility and yoga, and that is good for everyone! I have also worked to “pre-hab” prior to surgeries and continue and complement rehab after surgeries,” says Tamra, adding, “I look forward to meeting everyone and I welcome all ideas and suggestions!” In Tamra’s spare time, she lives a vibrant life running trails with her puppy, Ross, and spending quality time with her husband, Corey, and her two boys, Collin and Caleb. Tamra loves lifting weights, competing in races or triathlons and learning new ways to bring wellness and health into others’ lives. She has a true passion and love for helping people reach their unique fitness goals. Tamra’s motto and continued motivation is, “If you care for your health and wellness first, you are better equipped to care for others.” Tamra Christiansen is the Fitness & Wellness Director at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. She can be reached at tchristiansen@cordilleraranch.com or 210.878.5367.
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OUTDOORS
Hunting in the Year 2020:
FAIR CHASE By Shane Reynolds
I made a recent post on a social media website in a national group that I belong to of a teal hunt in Eagle Lake. The comments from some of the group’s members were extremely nasty to put it mildly. I understand that as a hunter I’m in the minority in this country. Maybe not in Texas, but at the national level that is certainly true. The debate that ensued allowed me an opportunity to try to educate the non-hunters in the group, and at the same time, allowed pro-hunters and anglers to chime in. It was refreshing to see quite a few people in that group express themselves about the importance of hunting and fishing in their lives and articulate their position. 56 | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
Hunting is a human activity that has been with us since the dawn of man. It is practiced today by millions of people worldwide and remains a longstanding outdoor tradition, out of both recreation and necessity. However, its perception in modern society has become muddled as more people drift away from the need to hunt, fueled by misconceptions of what it means to harvest an animal. Today, we hunters are a minority. Therefore, it is now more important than ever that we adhere to a strict code of conduct which requires respect for the animal and builds equity in the minds of a public that is becoming increasingly hostile to this lifestyle. The concept of fair chase in hunting has been around for well over 100 years. In 1887, at the very first meeting of the Boone and Crockett Club, the founding members discussed the need for a new standard of ethical hunting. The name given to this standard by the club was Fair Chase, and it has become a guiding principle for the pursuit of wild game — a code that many hunters I know and hunt with have applied to their life-long passion. It dictates that hunting should be conducted by responsible people who hold themselves accountable to a higher personal standard that extends above and beyond the law. The Fair Chase principle contains three fundamental components: Intrinsic Value, Moral Legitimacy and Ethics. I believe that an understanding of Fair Chase in today’s world is important for an accurate representation of hunting’s place in our society, and raising awareness to its truth will protect the sportsman heritage for those yet to experience it.
INTRINSIC VALUE This is the understanding that every being has value in its own right which is not derived from the human benefit they can or cannot be used for. The principles I hunt by have developed over time, and the first I chose to live by was responsibility, born out of respect for the wildlife. In my youth, I was fascinated with the nature of animals — I’ve always enjoyed watching and observing animals in their natural habitat. My father loved to hunt duck, and even before I was old enough to carry a gun in the field, I walked alongside him and my interest in wildlife focused on the animals we could hunt. This fascination evolved into an appreciation for game animals, specifically. Just laying eyes on these creatures in the wild was a precious victory and notched a memory. Once I was of age and earned the right to hunt, I harvested my first duck, and appreciation transformed into responsibility. I can recall my father’s early lessons about “this is how we do things and this is what we don’t do.” Although I didn’t connect the dots at the time, I later realized he was teaching for the sake of continuance — teaching me to respect the privilege to hunt so we can continue hunting for generations to come.
MORAL LEGITIMACY Some have emotional qualms about wildlife being killed for any reason. It appears that these same people are unconcerned if wildlife dies at the behest of nature, just as long as hunters
are not involved, and certainly not if they enjoy it. This ideology stands ground regardless of the fact that the source of enjoyment is from the process and the effort involved in the hunt, rather than pulling a trigger or drawing a bow. This raises an important question: Do we care more about the game itself or just our ability to hunt it? The answer used to be simple but is now clouded in the current climate of hunting resistance. It is easy to get caught up defending something we like to do and lose sight of the animals we pursue. There simply must be a moral legitimacy to hunting if it is to remain socially acceptable. Everyone values wildlife in their own way, but a deep connection is forged while engaged in the hunt of a wild creature. Bringing a harvest home to provide nourishment for oneself and loved ones creates a level of respect for an animal that only hunting can truly provide. True sportsmen must always hunt hard and fair, with honor and purpose, never taking wild game or the opportunity to hunt them for granted, and ensuring a future for both. This leads to the ethical treatment of game in their natural habitat and to hunters becoming participants with wildlife rather than conquering it for some other reason.
ETHICS A hunter’s values, what motivates us and how we conduct ourselves, shapes society’s opinion of hunting. If we falter while striving for excellence in the field, the public will lose faith in Fair Chase. Traditions could be at risk if a majority of citizens
CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 57
develop a negative perception of hunting and fail to recognize the benefits provided to wildlife populations. We must not allow this to happen. When I pursue an animal, I believe that it deserves my best and most honest effort. Cutting corners to make hunting easier and to assure a successful outcome undermines the unique nature of the pursuit, which offers “no guarantees.” By definition, to hunt is to pursue, which may or may not result in a kill. Any animal I take deserves to die quickly and humanely, just as much as they deserve to live wild and free. How an animal lives is just as important as how it dies. Fair Chase stresses the importance of hunting wild, free-ranging game animals as opposed to those confined without a chance to elude the hunter. This is where responsibility to myself and the game I seek connects. Fair Chase is the confluence of intrinsic value, moral legitimacy and ethics. A conversation about ethics in hunting, the use of wildlife and the land where wildlife lives is pertinent to the public image of hunters and hunting. As sportsmen and women, we each carry an individual and collective set of values with us into the field, teachings that are instilled from fathers, mothers, mentors and personal experience that light the paths of right and wrong. These values are deeply rooted in that which makes us human. Our treatment of the wildlife we pursue and the environment in which they live are also linked to the purpose for which the game is harvested: for sustenance and fellowship. Whether it is for food, the experience of the chase, the accumu-
58 | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
lation of fond memories, or all of the above, hunting ethics are also about continuance. History has proven that our society will eliminate or at least greatly diminish those activities seen as unethical. Therefore, society at large must be assured that hunting is something more than killing, and that hunting does not risk, but rather ensures the survival of the hunted. Through the concept of Fair Chase and hunting ethics, hunting transcends mere killing and becomes something more. That “something more” is a combination of the expectations of people, coupled with a binding contract on the part of the hunter to behave in a manner that honors both hunting and the animals pursued. The result will be a continuing social relevance for hunting in a modern world and the continued survival of the hunted in a truly wild state. As a hunter, I value the opportunity to talk to others and educate people about the importance that hunting has in my life. The opportunity to commune with nature and the peace it brings to my life is something that many of my fellow hunters understand. The fellowship opportunities that exist on hunting and fishing trips with members and their guests is a component of my job I value greatly. I hope to see a few of you on our trips the Club offers! Onward! Shane Reynolds is the Director of Outdoor Recreation at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at 210.616.6051 or sreynolds@cordilleraranch.com.
COMMUNITY
BOERNEKENDALL COUNTY EDC
PREPARED FOR GROWTH
By Amy Story, President/CEO, Boerne Kendall County Economic Development Corporation Photography courtesy of Boerne CVB
60 | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
By Wayfarer Photography
2020 has been one of the most challenging years in recent times, but the work of the BoerneKendall County Economic Development Corporation (BKCEDC) has remained focused. The BKCEDC is a public-private 501(c)(6) that exists to promote and foster business opportunities that will strengthen, diversify and grow our local economy, ensuring a future that is vibrant, prosperous, inclusive and resilient. The BKCEDC is not a sales tax-funded entity, rather it is supported by over 80 private businesses, as well as the City of Boerne and Kendall County. The BKCEDC has three primary objectives: to attract new business opportunities to Kendall County, to help retain existing businesses, and to support entrepreneurial activity.
This year, the BKCEDC was fortunate to partner with an organization called Planet Texas 2050, supported by the University of Texas at Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs, to create a 5-year Economic Development Strategy Plan (“the Plan”). Utilizing the vast resources of the University and their faculty team, as well as incorporating input from community stakeholders, the BKCEDC is sharing the ambitious results of this months-long process which culminated in a written document that will serve as a guide, or road map, for the BKCEDC to execute its strategy. Stating a vision for Kendall County to become “an environmentally responsible community with an appreciation for its singular quality of life, Boerne/Kendall County is the creative and innovation hub for the Texas Hill Country,” the BKCEDC is ready to implement this Plan for the benefit of Kendall County. Underlying all aspects of the Plan, the values in it include: embracing prosperity and “graceful” growth, honoring the county’s rural legacy while encouraging innovation, engaging a broader group of community and economic development players, focusing on family-supporting jobs, and maintaining Kendall County’s unique Hill Country quality of place. The BKCEDC is energized by the Plan to focus its resources on targeted industries that will add value to the community. Implementing the specific action items requires the involvement of a number of community partners from local businesses to the City of Boerne, Kendall County, the Chamber of Commerce, the Convention & Visitors Bureau and members of our community. While COVID dramatically affected business decisions, the BKCEDC shifted its focus from the attraction of new businesses to supporting the retention of existing businesses. Serving as a resource for COVID-related information and assisting businesses with navigating the process of applying for the available programs, the BKCEDC worked collaboratively with community partners to assist local businesses via a variety of marketing initiatives, connected with elected officials to advocate on behalf of affected businesses, and supported the City’s Business Assistance Grant program. Currently, the BKCEDC is partnering with The City of Boerne, The Chamber of Commerce, the Hill Country Mile and the Convention & Visitors Bureau to kick off a Shop Local campaign to keep the focus on supporting our local businesses. As our community continues to function in the new COVID “normal,” it is critical to work to shift the mindset of the community to support local first. Another outcome of the Plan has been an increased focus on supporting entrepreneurial ventures and start up companies that are looking for locations for their businesses. The concept of “growing our own” businesses is one that the strategic plan supports. The BKCEDC has played a key role in the launch of the new Boerne Kendall County Angel Network (BKCAN) this year. The BKCAN will provide
CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 61
By Snap Chic Photography
a valuable tool by which to attract new businesses to Kendall County through access to capital. Creating a pipeline of companies that will be exposed to Kendall County, the BKCAN is the first step in a deliberate strategy to increase resources available to entrepreneurs. More information regarding the BKCAN can be found at www.bkcan.org. Additionally, as a result of the post-COVID business environment, the BKCEDC has seen a trend in businesses looking at moving their operations out of larger cities and into smaller communities that are in proximity to big cities. A particularly significant project that recently announced its decision to move the corporate headquarters and manufacturing operations from California to Comfort, O.W. Lee, a 70-year-old family-owned business, continued its process of relocating to Kendall County despite COVID challenges because of the tremendous business benefits they would realize moving to a business-friendly state like Texas. The BKCEDC was instrumental in helping O.W. Lee
By Wayfarer Photography
62 | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
By Wayfarer Photography
navigate their site selection, due diligence process and local relocation incentive package. The luxury patio furniture manufacturer will be opening their new $24 million headquarters in Comfort in 2021 and the facility will ultimately employ over 200 people. Companies are evaluating their business location decisions, and Kendall County is poised to attract established businesses that no longer feel compelled to locate in large cities. Working to attract quality businesses to our community, assisting with the retention and expansion of our existing businesses and creating an atmosphere of entrepreneurial spirit and support will be the priorities of the BKCEDC. The BKCEDC remains committed to fulfilling its mission to promote business opportunities that strengthen and grow a vibrant and diverse economic future for Kendall County. For more information on the Boerne Kendall County Economic Development Corporation, please visit www.bkcedc.com.
By Snap Chic Photography
SCHOOL
TEACHER APPRECIATION By Trisha Doucette
The Adopt a Boerne Area Teacher or Support Admin 2020 campaign shows the true heart of the Boerne community. On August 16, just a few days after the start of the new school year, two Boerne moms and business women sat down to brainstorm an idea. By the end of the day, Dainelle Scott and Kristin Garcia had recruited Kiana Torres and launched the Adopt a Boerne Area Teacher or Support Admin 2020 campaign through a Facebook page — and word spread like wildfire. No one could have imagined the turn of events in mid-March, and the shutdown impacted school-aged children as much as businesses. But within days, the staff of Boerne ISD successfully rolled out online classes in what would turn out to be the new norm for many teachers and students. But thanks to the dedication of the teachers and administration, students were able to adjust and continue learning. Likewise, custodial and maintenance crews have worked diligently to keep all facilities sanitized. When asked why this endeavor was important to her, Scott said, “The purpose of this program was simply to bring light and love to our teachers and admins during a time of uncertainty and so much negativity. They truly love and want the best for our students, and are learning and adjusting so quickly. We want to show them that we have their backs and that they are not alone in this! We are thankful for their commitment, persistence and diligence they each have for the futures of our children.” That sentiment was echoed throughout the community and in just over a week, almost every staff member had been “adopted” by a BISD family or business. Boerne High School parent Christy Pettiette chose bookkeeper Nicole Bendele for her behind-the-scenes work in reopen-
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“
There are no words that could express the appreciation I have in my heart for the thoughtful gifts I have received from the Dufresne family. Over the years they have become my friends and I’ve enjoyed watching their beautiful children continue to learn and grow. That is the beauty of teaching — those connections that you make with the families and children that God brings into your path.” – Jeanne Gage, Pre-Kinder and Early Childhood Special Education, Cibolo Creek Elementary
ing the schools and Coach Koth for her commitment to the tennis teams, saying, “I am so thankful for our amazing Boerne ISD staff! By adopting them, we get to do a little something to show our gratitude for all the hard work and dedication they put in for our kiddos, be that a special treat, something they need for their class or office or just a meal here and there.” Kristin Shill adopted Wendy Sangdahl,
a science teacher at Capt. Mark T. Voss Middle School and adds, “Teachers and staff at our schools do so much for our kids, day in and day out. With the challenges this year brings, they all deserve some special treatment more than ever.” Without a similar program model to follow, the only guidelines were to show generosity and appreciation. Questionnaires were sent to each staff member, gathering lists of their favorites items to pass on, and relationships have been built between teachers and families to determine what their exact needs are. Gifts have included both school supplies and personal items — elaborate gift baskets filled with favorite goodies, special lunches and entire family meals or simply a surprise soda and snack to get through the day. And many flower deliveries! For Amy Thornton, Theater Arts teacher at Boerne Middle School North, her gift included an entire stage set built for her school play! “Mike and Mandy Jones adopted me and were able to take my vision for the Fall Play — Shrek Jr. — and build the set! While I have enjoyed the lunches and flowers, the BEST gift was giving me back a gift of TIME! It doesn’t need to cost a lot of money for gifts. We just enjoy being back in the class with students and feeling appreciated,” says Thornton. Jeremy Monroe, the 6th Grade Science Teacher and Boys Coach at Capt. Mark T. Voss Middle School adds, “The Schiffelbein family has made my year the best and we are still in the beginning of it. I came into class one morning to find a wonderful gift basket that included all my favorite things, and it made such a positive impact to start my day. My wife
and I moved to Boerne in July 2019. We took a leap of faith moving because she didn’t have a job at the time. The Adopta-Teacher program and the Boerne community has made the transition much easier and we know this is the place we want to raise our family!” Lourdes Rivas, the Principal’s Secretary at Capt. Mark T. Voss Middle School, was adopted by Janet Moore and her son, Landon Baudat, and says, “I am very proud and grateful to belong to the Boerne ISD and to be adopted by an amazing family. This is an awesome program that helps us feel the love and appreciation from our BISD families. The sweet gifts and surprises that we receive makes a huge impact, bringing smiles to our day-to-day challenges during this year.”
Admin campaign which brings so much joy to so many. I am #ThankfulGratefulBlessed.” Fellow principal Tanya Tate at Herff Elementary reciprocated, saying, “I was adopted by a family from Curington and I co-adopted the custodial staff from Kendall with a parent from that school. I am so grateful for the love shown to BISD faculty and staff by our community!” Just over two months in, the program is a proven success and will continue through the end of the 2020/2021 school year. For Dainelle Scott, Kristin Garcia and Kiana Torres, they never doubted the community’s participation, but they also never dreamed the outpouring of appreciation would be so thoughtful as well as extravagant. “We believed in the heart of this community and Boerne showed up BIG! We are so very grateful for each person who teamed up with us. It could not have been done without the wonderful hearts of our community!” says Scott.
It made my heart happy to see that 100% of the employees at BISD are adopted. The families who adopted us have such big hearts. They bless us with homemade cookies, office supplies, flowers, car washes, lunches and other great items. The Garris family has truly been a blessing to me. Just having a text message wishing me a wonderful week or to tell me I am the best is so uplifting.” – Debbie Fitzpatrick, Librarian, Boerne Middle School South
To see more examples of community kindness, visit the Adopt a Boerne Area Teacher or Support Admin 2020 Facebook page.
“ Shelene Livas, Kendall Elementary principal, is new to the district and overwhelmed by the support, “I have enjoyed an amazing welcome to the BISD family and to Boerne, Texas. Leading the Kendall Knights is such an honor. I love seeing the community rally behind the Adopt a Boerne Area Teacher or Support
“
I can’t begin to express how great the program is for my morale personally this year. I was adopted by Audrey Zuber and her family and they have kept a smile on my face this year with their generosity and thoughtfulness. We are all going through a more challenging school year and this program has helped soften some of the harder days!” – Major Steve Laughery, Aerospace Science, Champion High School
For more opportunities to support every student, every teacher and every school in Boerne ISD, join the Boerne Education Foundation Giving Day and contribute to academic success. For 24 hours on November 17 from 12am to 12am, visit BEFGivingDay.org to donate, and stay upto-date on FaceBook Live@BoerneISD and Boerne Radio 103.9FM / AM1500.
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POA
A PROPERTY OWNER’S
GREATEST RESOURCE The Cordillera Ranch POA Presents Operational Changes By Kevin Koether
During my years in the Property Owners Association Management industry, I have arrived at a belief that at its core, the Association should be a resource for the Property Owners.To indeed be a resource, the POA must take complete ownership of its role in the community by communicating clearly, prioritizing and executing, and serving with empathy.
COMMUNICATION We are working to improve communication with property owners so that it’s more timely and responsive to critical concerns that affect the community. We must communicate clearly and disseminate information with a frequency that is balanced and appropriate. Our recent resurfacing project on Cordillera Trace is an example of our commitment to frequent and timely communication. Hopefully, it helped to set appropriate expectations and allowed Property Owners to modify their travels to, from and within the community in order to more efficiently conduct their lives and daily activities.
NEW PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOLS Management begins and ends with the ability to hold a person or entity accountable. We recently added project management software to help facilitate and manage the execution of our projects. Over the next eighteen months, we plan to move at least 70% of the POA internal processes to this new platform. This is cloud-based software accessible from anywhere internet connection is available. We recently moved the ARC processes to the platform and are already seeing success in tracking the highly detailed and involved activities associated with the volume of projects in our community.
RESTRUCTURE, PRIORITIZE, EXECUTE We have restructured our various responsibilities and will continue to evolve as the team undergoes more training. I believe a key element of management is acknowledging capabilities and playing to each team member’s strengths. The restructure will allow for more focused roles and enable each to further develop their expertise. We’re already seeing dividends internally and externally. Clearer communication of expectations to Property Owners, designers, builders and other service providers is streamlining and expediting the ARC process. Developing expertise among our team members is enhancing our ability to better serve everyone. The number of moving parts within the Cordillera Ranch POA is dynamic and will continue to evolve. Our ability to prioritize and execute is vital and critical. We are working diligently to prioritize current and future projects to ensure execution is completed in a quality and manner typical of Cordillera Ranch. We’re better managing the execution process to ensure the final product is delivered correctly and completely. We’re analyzing each process meticulously in order to implement more thorough training for our team on how projects should be completed and why they should be completed in a particular manner.
SERVING WITH EMPATHY Empathy, by definition, is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. I have been asked before, “What does empathy have to do with operations success?” I believe that empathy is a core element of success in the management of a POA. I have impressed upon my team that every interaction, question or concern should begin from a place of empathy. When a Property Owner brings any concern to our office, there is added weight to the situation due to the financial investment and the emotional investment when speaking about their home and community. Understanding a Property Owner’s feelings allows the POA to communicate more clearly, help educate when needed and build a relationship of trust. We are becoming more operationally effective and will become a greater resource for the Property Owners of Cordillera Ranch. By leading every interaction with intentional empathy, taking ownership in our community role, communicating clearly, and prioritizing and executing, the POA is improving to better serve you. We appreciate the feedback, kind words and patience that you have shared with our new team. We are highly honored to have the opportunity to serve each of you. Kevin Koether is the General Manager of the Cordillera Ranch POA. He can be reached at kkoether@cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.3501.
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• • • • • • • • •
Botox Fillers Microdermabrasion Facials Chemical Peels Laser Hair Removal Massage Acupuncture and much more!
DEVELOPERS CORNER
CORDILLERA RANCH LIFESTYLE By Charlie Hill
LEADS TO RECORD SALES
The Springs of Cordillera Ranch
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In a year of unpredictable twists and turns, it’s nice to be in a part of the country where stringent lockdowns haven’t been necessary and political unrest hasn’t been the top local news story. In fact, most people in Kendall County have continued to safely enjoy the array of outdoor activities the Hill Country and Cordillera Ranch offer, maintain some semblance of normalcy with kids safely back in school and generally enjoy many of the freedoms they’re accustomed to, albeit while adhering to the various safety protocols. This quality of life has led many from cities around Texas and the country to flock to Cordillera Ranch in recent months, resulting in an 81% increase in home and lot sales during the 3rd quarter 2020 as compared to the prior five years average. In the month of September alone, we closed a record 20 homes and lots in the community, averaging four closings per week for the month. Overall, in spite of a shutdown in sales activity in March and April, Cordillera Ranch has already exceeded 2019 home and lot sales through three quarters. The hottest sales activity on the Ranch has been in the Springs of Cordillera Ranch, the newest addition to the community. In August, we broke ground on construction of the second phase of the Springs, Unit 302, which adds another 44 home sites to the 65 in the first phase. In the 3rd quarter we had 11 sales in the Springs and over 21 so far this year. This newest phase of the Springs is attracting many buyers because it adds some 2+-acre view home sites and Panther Creek-frontage home sites. These unique properties are unlike creek-front property offered before because the back yards gently slope down to the constantly-flowing spring-fed creek, offering homeowners the opportunity to sit on their back porch and see and hear the babbling brook. With over 50 home sites sold in the Springs so far and 20 homes in design review, under construction or completed in this area, it’s clear that this neighborhood is growing fast, so check it out for yourself on the link below or stop by our Visitor Center to get more information. Visit www.cordilleraranch.com/springs-of-cordillera.
The Springs of Cordillera Ranch
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HOME TOUR
DI LUSSO VILLAS:
Uniquely Beautiful Inside and Out By James Frierson :: Photography by Doug Gaidry with DG Imaging
The Di LussoVillas “lock and leave” homes marry the consistency of a European-style community with the individuality of their owners, allowing everyone to experiment with interior layouts and materials to accomplish a look that’s unique to each property. Landscape maintenance is managed by Di Lusso POA selected team members, so owners can rest assured knowing their homes are in good hands.When homeowners are away, they can even access their HVAC, lighting and security systems remotely through the Di Lusso technology package.
“Pasadera Builders produces authentic architecture,” says partner Gabriel R. Garcia, “meaning our work is indeed true to style.” After thriving in the competitive market of Houston luxury construction for 15 years, the team never “takes shortcuts with techniques, styles or products,” he says. It’s this expertise combined with the masterful design of architect Kirk Thomas that guarantees a quality and genuine custom home build every time. Starting with an exterior inspired by luxury Italian living, Di Lusso Villas’ interiors are then “adapted to the homeowner’s unique needs and personality,” says Garcia, and carefully constructed and designed to optimize the “beautiful views of the Hill Country while being nestled up against the Signature Golf Course designed by Jack Nicklaus.” Not only are these homes uncompromising, but the building process is also remarkably efficient; the average time from purchase to move in is generally within a year.
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Di Lusso Villa homes are the products of expert craftsmanship and are all “architecturally correct and true to what you would find in a true Tuscan villa,” says Garcia. Pasadera Builders employs hand-made stucco that mottles over time into unique and beautiful patterns, cut limestone from Texas quarriers, wooden accents over windows, paver driveways and classic European roofs crafted from Italian-made clay tiles to create a cohesive and authentic edifice. Homeowners are given the opportunity to extend their personal tastes to the
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outdoor living spaces as well; whether it be alluring infinity pools, multi-level putting greens, bird fountains, anterior courtyards to welcome guests or terraced backyard entertainment spaces complete with outdoor kitchens and dining, waterfalls for their beauty and ambient sounds, fire pits for gathering and conversation areas overlooking the spectacular landscape of Cordillera Ranch. “We don’t believe that any one of our homeowners should give up anything to have a beautiful view,” says Garcia, thanks to the years of experience and a wonderful amount of
talent on the building team. According to Garcia, each one-of-a-kind lot in Di Lusso Villas can bring something spectacular: “While some sites have an elevated view of the Hill Country and others an upclose view of the golf course, the variety of each living space is completely different from its neighbor.” The late and talented Roy Braswell was a key architect behind Di Lusso Villas, and took great care and pride to make sure a high level of privacy was maintained without sacrificing expansive views. The team at Pasadera Builders continues this
legacy, ensuring owners feel comfortable in every square inch of their space. Whether it be an entertainment space or a more intimate spot for relaxation, each outdoor feature works with the surrounding landscape to create natural barriers between neighbors. These gentle touches can make all the difference in how owners experience their expertly groomed backyards and cozy moments of respite. “Pasadera believes that lighting is an essential design element and should be a top priority in the design and construction process,” says Garcia. Outdoor lighting
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should present the home just as artwork would be properly lit and displayed, but with careful attention so as not to disturb neighbors or unlit spaces. In fact, Cordillera Ranch institutes a Night Sky Compliance to govern the villas’ exterior lighting design, minimizing light pollution and keeping the stars bright. Down lighting is encouraged with a 45-watt maximum and mounting lamp housings shield and direct lamp bulbs to cut down on excess beams without sacrificing safety. All exterior and landscape lighting is subject to prior written approval and night time inspections, giving everyone a front row seat to the stunning views of outer space only possible in the Texas Hill Country. The residences in Di Lusso Villas offer the security and pleasure of near-endless home customization with the added amenities of resort-living. By developing these luxury homes in the Texas Hill Country, Pasadera Builders takes the best of both worlds and creates something truly special. The work brings on unique challenges and meaningful relationships, strengthening this Boerne community just a short drive from San Antonio. “Taking the inspiration from an Italian hillside village and blending that into the magnificent views we have at Cordillera Ranch is so rewarding for us,” says Garcia, adding, “To be able to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee or spend an evening outside with friends with a view we are blessed with is where true living happens.” PASADERA BUILDERS
830.336.9198 :: www.pasaderabuilders.com
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TESTIMONIALS
Get to Know t h e
CORDILLERA RANCH REALTY TEAM Rosenberg, a board-certified real estate attorney and former New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson’s right-hand man. Before joining Cordillera Ranch Realty, I was at Bluegreen Communities.
CHARLES MUELLER Like most teens in high school, Charles Mueller was eager to get his driver’s license. Unlike most teens in high school, he also was eager to get another license. His real estate license. What started out as a small favor for his mom turned into a career for Mueller. The San Antonio native has been with Cordillera Ranch Realty for the past nine years and has seen the community, and surrounding areas, flourish. His resume and career highlights are quite unique — he also dabbled in law (yes, he still has his law license) and experienced firsthand the power of prayer when closing a sale. TELL US ABOUT GETTING YOUR REAL ESTATE LICENSE IN HIGH SCHOOL. My mom was a top residential agent in San Antonio — mind you, that was 40 years ago pre-Internet. Back then, you sold houses by putting an open house sign out and people who were interested would visit. If you weren’t having open houses, you weren’t working. My younger sister and I would sit out at these open houses — we would do three on Saturday and three on Sunday. My job was to make sure no one walked out with a TV. When I was in high school, I took some real estate classes — I wasn’t old enough to truly get a license, but no one was there to verify my age. My first sale was to Stanley
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IN BETWEEN HIGH SCHOOL AND NOW, YOU WERE EXCELLING IN ANOTHER PROFESSION. YET, YOU STILL HAD THAT REAL ESTATE BUG. I graduated college with a degree in finance. I went to law school, did litigation, and had a general business practice for 11 years. While practicing law, I was buying and selling property at what is now River Mountain Ranch as a hobby. It got to where I was selling more, and it became more fun than going to the courthouse. In 1998, that’s when I got into the land business, but I still have my law license. WHAT INTRIGUED YOU TO JOIN THE CORDILLERA RANCH REALTY TEAM? Because I owned so many properties on the other half of the ranch, I was aware of Cordillera Ranch and watched it develop over the years. I also developed a friendship with one of the members and one of Cordillera Ranch Realty’s longtime agents. I had worked with [Director of Real Estate Sales] Barry Denton at Bluegreen Communities and joined Cordillera Ranch Realty right after he did. IS THERE ONE SUCCESSFUL SALES STORY THAT STANDS OUT? I remember working with a young couple who wanted to see a homesite and pray on it. I gave them some water and a plat map, and told them to take all the time you need. Then they asked me to go out with them and asked me where I would position the house. So, we are standing there looking at the beau-
In each issue, we spotlight a member of the Realty team to learn what motivates them, personally and professionally. By Robert Rodriguez
tiful views and next thing I knew, they grabbed my hand and asked if I could lead the prayer. That caught me off-guard because I didn’t have anything prepared. I didn’t start the prayer with “Dear Lord, give this couple the courage and wisdom to purchase this lot,” but I guess the power of prayer worked as they purchased that lot and sent me three of their friends. WHAT’S THE MOST APPEALING ASPECT OF CORDILLERA RANCH? The lifestyle found here. And open spaces, more so now than ever. A lot of people will want to flock to what we’ve got to offer because they don’t like being stacked on each other in big cities. YOU WERE BORN AND RAISED IN SAN ANTONIO. A LOT HAS CHANGED. I grew up in the Nacogdoches/410 area, and as a kid I would remember these undeveloped fields inside the Loop. And when you got as far out as Boerne, there was nothing there. I never saw the city exploding as much as it has. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? I’m an avid racquetball player and for the past 25 years I was playing every day at the gym at 6:30am (before the pandemic). I have a house on Lake LBJ, so I’m an avid water sports guy. I also had an ultralight float plane for a while. LET’S SAY YOU’RE HOSTING A DINNER PARTY. WHO WOULD YOU INVITE AND WHAT WOULD YOU SERVE? My parents, Kevin Hart and Amelia Earhart. We would have crab-tini from Ruth’s Chris, a ribeye (medium) and lobster with lyonnaise potatoes from Perry’s Steakhouse, and crème brulee with fresh berries for dessert.
CORDILLERA RANCH HOME LISTING INVENTORY IS AS TIGHT AS EVER If you’ve thought about listing and selling your home, now may be the perfect time. We’re seeing new listings sell quickly and for top dollar. LET OUR EXPERIENCED TEAM OF HOME SALES PROFESSIONALS PROVIDE AN ANALYSIS OF YOUR PROPERTY TODAY!
WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 888-66-RANCH
Charles Mueller
Vance Waller
Carey Yeager
John Kuhry
Barry Denton
210.710.6359 Licensed Real Estate Agent cmueller@cordilleraranch.com
830.388.2828 Licensed Real Estate Agent vwaller@cordilleraranch.com
830.388.6363 Licensed Real Estate Agent cyeager@cordilleraranch.com
512.424.9924 Licensed Real Estate Agent jkuhry@cordilleraranch.com
210.827.8384 Director of Real Estate Sales bdenton@cordilleraranch.com
LOT 13 OAKLAND HILLS Contact for Details
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5,449 Square Feet
This distinguished design from the award-winning team of Garner Homes and J Terrian Designs overlooks the 8th and 9th holes of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, with oversized windows and doors throughout to enjoy the view. 5,449 square feet of living space include a spacious home office and separate bonus space ideal for remote working; an open concept dining space with a climatecontrolled wine storage closet and direct access to the outdoor living area; a large game room with a walk-behind bar and access to the patio; an open kitchen and great room with an abundance of natural light; an attached casita adds flexibility to the home’s layout. Outdoor living includes heritage Live Oaks and views of the golf course, a swimming pool and spa, and over 800 square feet of covered space. The oversized 4 car garage is ideal for a car collector or family with young drivers. • Under construction fall 2020 • Gourmet kitchen • Climate-controlled wine storage • Outdoor kitchen • Centralized utilities (water, sewage, propane) • Large windows and doors flood the home with natural light • Master Full Golf Membership Available
WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570
Rendering/Design subject to change
20 OAKLAND HILLS $1,830,000
4,257 Square Feet
2
Non-MLS
Lifestyle by Stadler presents this two-story, three bedroom, five-bath transitional style home meticulously sited on 1.15 acres of golf frontage and surrounded by stands of Live Oaks with beautiful sunset views. Luxury touches abound. An open floor plan with huge sliding glass doors and windows bring the outdoors in, and diffuse abundant natural light throughout the home. Construction begins fall 2020 with a completion date of late summer 2021. Rendering/Design subject to change
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3 bedrooms/5 baths/3-car garage Large master suite with dramatic accent wall Flex Room with its own bath and covered balcony Spacious media room with covered deck Elegant kitchen featuring granite countertops Backyard pool with pool bath and shower Master Full Golf Membership Available
25 AUGUSTA $2,182,700
3
7,300 Square Feet
MLS# 1414722
This sprawling Stadler Custom Home has sweeping views of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course and Hill Country beyond. It includes a fabulous kitchen with everything for the culinary enthusiast, and a spa-like master wing with a luxurious bath, enlarged changing areas, fitness room, coffee bar and private study. A media/game room, golf simulator, elevator, large guest suite and spacious secondary bedrooms complete this special home. Outdoor ambiance includes multiple decks and patios, a beach entry pool, cascading waterfall and putting green. • 4 bedrooms/4 baths/1 powder room/1 pool bath • 3 separate garages with additional golf car garage • Two-sided salt water aquarium • Electronic/audio/visual home automation • Three fireplaces • Oversized corner lot • Master Full Golf Membership Available
WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570
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1305 CORDILLERA TRACE $1,199,000
4,679 Square Feet
4
MLS# 1452603
Elevated living provides beautiful views from every room. Custom touches account for splendid living indoors and out. Recent renovations showcase updated trends in flooring, window coverings and lighting, and warm colors and abundant natural light create a charming sense of home. The island kitchen features stainless appliances, granite counters, gas cooking and a spacious pantry. The new outdoor kitchen is a grill master’s dream. A pool, spa and artificial putting and chipping greens can satisfy the outdoor enthusiast for hours. • • • • • •
4 bedroom/5 baths/ 3 car garage Isolated Master Suite includes bonus room 5.34 acres Private gate and fencing Two water wells and storage tanks Master Full Golf Membership Available
BARRY DENTON Listing Agent :: 210.827.8384
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Co
555 CORDILLERA TRACE $1,629,000
5,028 Square Feet
5
MLS# 1463222
This exquisite Equestrian Estate has great trees, privacy, views, a relaxing main house and Barndominium. The living room features hardwood floors, a boxed beam ceiling and Sisterdale Stone fireplace and walls. The kitchen circles around a rare Louise Blue Granite island and features Dacor®, Bosch® and Sub-Zero® appliances. The master bath includes marble floors, shower and counters, a Jacuzzi® tub and over-sized closet with built-in packing island. Oversized secondary bedrooms include an en-suite bath in each. The Barndominium contains three stalls, a timber frame loft, tack room, feed storage, wash rack, elevated/covered deck and guest apartment with kitchen, full bath and attached garage. • • • • • •
4 bedrooms/4 full and 1 half bath/3 car garage 4.71 acres (adjacent 4.77 acres available separately) 4 gas fireplaces •Outdoor living features covered grand porch and patios Captivating pool, spa and water features BARRY DENTON Access to miles of horse trails Listing Agent :: 210.827.8384 Master Full Golf Membership Available
WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570
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Cordillera Ranch Realty Homes for Sale 1 - Lot 13 Oakland Hills 2 - 20 Oakland Hills 3 - 25 Augusta 4 - 1305 Cordillera Trace 5 - 555 Cordillera Trace
1499 S. Main Street
Next to the Dog & Pony Grill
830.331.1391
CORDILLERA RANCH LIVING
28 Cordillera Trace Boerne, TX 78006
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID FULTON, MO PERMIT #38
