Volume 8, Issue 3
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May/June 2015
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NEXT G E NE R ATION OF G R EAT GOLFE R S HILL COUNTRY TO HIG H COUNTRY CONNECTION HILL COUNTRY STEAK NIG HTS
FAITH | FAMILY | SERVICE BRAD & CINDY MORRISON
POOL PARTY KAYAKING & THE UPPE R G UADALUPE AND MOR E
C O R D I L L E RARANCH L IVING. CO M
Furnishings & A l l Th e F i n e r Th i n gs C a la m it y Ja n e
sTra d in g C o.c om
Interior Design - Custom Furniture - Custom Drapery
404 S MAIN ST., BOERNE, TEXAS :: 830-249-0081
your local Design Build Firm servicing the greater Boerne and Texas Hill Country, as well as North San Antonio. Specializing in:
Other Features:
Architectural color rendered master plan including brilliant images and plant descriptions
• Irrigation Installation and Repair (including water efficient drip irrigation)
in both 2D & 3D, outlining 10 months of
• Outdoor Kitchen
color with a balance between evergreen
• Lot Clearing, Cedar Tree Removal and Mulching
and deciduous foliage containing movement
• Outdoor Lighting
throughout, resulting in low maintenance,
• Hardscape (including Fire Pits, Seat Walls, Retaining Walls, Flagstone Patios, Stained and Stamped Concrete, Arbors, Pergolas, Split Rail Cedar Fencing, and more)
drought tolerant and deer resistant landscape.
Stop in and see us, our associates are ready to assist you. 32255 IH 10 West, Boer ne, TX 78006
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Tel: 830.816.3200
www.acacialandscapeanddesign.com
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Fax: 830.249.3090
830.980.4198 | Info@StadlerCustomHomes.com | StadlerCustomHomes.com SUPERIOR QUALITY, CUSTOM HOME CONSTRUCTION FROM $500,000
C A L L T O DAY F O R A C O M P L I M E N TA R Y P L A N O R L A N D C O N S U LTAT I O N
F E AT U R E S
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FAITH | FAMILY | SERVICE A large family with diverse interests, the Morrisons are unified in their embrace of faith, family and service. BY ANGELA RABKE
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INTRODUCING THE HILL COUNTRY TO HIGH COUNTRY CONNECTION Two exclusive private Clubs with similar names separated by several thousand miles and the Rocky Mountains are joining together to offer a unique experience for their members and property owners. BY CHARLIE HILL
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HILL COUNTRY STEAK NIGHTS The idea that a steak dinner can be an event in itself is the thinking behind a few very special steak nights held at a handful of restaurants in the Hill Country. BY BETH BOND
ALSO INSIDE: 14 WELCOME LETTER 18 RANCH SCENE 22 MEMBER TRADITIONS 24 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 26 HILL COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS 38 GOLF 44 STAFF PROFILE: JASEN L. MILLER 50 KIDS’ FITNESS 56 KAYAKING AND THE UPPER GUADALUPE RIVER 58 CELLAR CLUB 60 EXCLUSIVE MEMBER SERVICES 62 POOL PARTY 66 BOERNE ISD CLASS OF 2015 68 HOME TOUR: GRAND DESIGNS 74 DEVELOPER’S CORNER 76 CORDILLERA RANCH REAL ESTATE 82 ADVERTISER INDEX
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TEXAS INVESTORS TITLE Performance is our Priority
Commercial, Ranch and Residential Title Transactions
Steve Vallone President
steve@texasinvestorstitle.com
Becky Edmiston
Beverly McCormick
Residential Escrow Officer beverly@texasinvestorstitle.com
Vice President/Escrow Officer becky@texasinvestorstitle.com
116 W. Blanco Rd., Ste 101 Boerne, TX 78006
p. (830) 816-5888 • f. (830) 816-5889
210.623.0505
www.pristinepoolstexas.com
830.537.3410
www.sterlinghometech.com
P R E FER R ED B U IL D ER I N CORD I LLERA RANCH
Garner Custom Homes is an award-winning custom home builder in Boerne and the Texas Hill Country. Since 1998, Garner Custom Homes has been designing and building custom homes, uniquely and exquisitely.
After interviewing several high quality custom builders, my wife and I chose Garner Homes
• All of our homes are designed with the impeccable craftsmanship and commitment to customer satisfaction that the Garner Homes Team has embraced since its inception.
to build our dream retirement home. We could not be happier with our home. We consider the entire Garner team our friends. We could not recommend them more strongly.”
• We specialize in the Design/Build approach to homebuilding. • Our expectation is to provide professional design and construction expertise in hopes of earning trust and creating a timeless, well-built home.
Mark and Marcia Pratt 2320 Clubs Drive
(210 ) 4 93-1686 | W W W.G ARNER HO M ES.CO M
WELCOME
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This spring in Boerne something shocking happened at the Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. It’s being referred to as the “Miracle on the Turf” by golf historians around the world, but the 2015 Cordillera Cup didn’t need a late Mike Eruzione game-winning goal to secure the Cup for Team Hill over the Soviet-esque Northington team. The “trouncing,” as described by Team Hill member Jimmy Walker on national TV, was a compilation of two days of power play wins for the Hill Team in fourball, foursome and singles golf matches. After the Northington Team had retained the Cup for eight straight years leading up to the 2015 event (in what Captain David Hill now refers to as the “warm-up years”), it was surprising for Team Hill to so resoundingly overcome Team Northington’s egregious sandbagging and well-concealed foot wedges. It was a 68.5 point to 43.5 point victory for Team Hill. The only thing missing from this year’s competition was the pillow fight that usually breaks out when Captain Hill battles drives a cart and yells at his clubs and golf balls for five hours in hopes of outlasting his opponent and long-time friend Captain Northington. The commentary from that focal match usually sounds more like Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau in Grumpy Old Men, but the tournament field was robbed of that annual comedy routine this year as Captain Hill was injured on the ski slopes leading up to the tournament and couldn’t play. This gave Mac Northington one sliver of joy to hold onto in defeat: the ability to continually remind David Hill that his absence in the tourney was the key to their team’s first victory. Team Hill wanted to be respectful of the many years Team Northington had won the Cup (yeah, right), and decided that the time was right to finally accommodate Mac’s demand that a stone be added to the Champions’ Gallery to commemorate the Cordillera Cup winners from each year. I’m sure Mac will be pleased with how the new stone turned out:
LIVING www.cordilleraranch.com 830.336.3570 www.facebook.com/cordillera.ranch
PUBLISHERS: Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation Traveling Blender, LLC CORDILLERA RANCH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Charlie Hill – Vice President cphill@cordilleraranch.com DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Sara Hill 210.332.8628 shill@cordilleraranchliving.com EDITOR Trisha Doucette trish@travelingblender.com EDITORIAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM Monty Becton, Barry Denton, Shane Reynolds, Robert Rodriguez CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tim Shaw – The Shaw Creative theshawcreative@me.com CORDILLERA RANCH SALES 830.336.3570 info@cordilleraranch.com Clubs of Cordillera Ranch 830.336.9000 Feature article photography by West Vita Photography 830.431.1157, www.westvita.com
I think the engraver may have made those Northington wins a little too large but this will have to work! Anyway, it was great to pull off the win and even better to have so much great rain this spring to make the Hill Country lush and green. Enjoy this edition of Cordillera Ranch Living Magazine and have a great summer — and don’t mention the Cup to Northington for a few months. Regards,
Charlie Hill Vice President Cordillera Ranch
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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 2015. 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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Cordillera S RAN
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nd Lettie a ger Goehrin n Warre at dancing p ound U R g Sprin
cing
son dan n Wilkin a V d n a Jodi d Up g Roun at Sprin
wling, Lisa Bo d n a t r epper. Robe ebbie P nd Up D u o h R it g w y Sprin i Cople and Ton Bobby Cordillera Cup - The Northington Team
Upload your own photos to www.facebook.com/cordillera.ranch for a chance to be featured in next issue’s Ranch Scene.
E TH BS U CL
Mackie Aldon Williams and Kurt rings Party Pai p at the Cordillera Cu
and Phil w Tosdevin p Left: Andre ordillera Cu ng in the C yi la P o rr u ill Turt ng The H id Hill Raisi Above: Dav in! W after a Big Team Flag
Cordillera Cup - The Hill Team
Photos by Club photographer Kelsey Grudle
CALENDAR
MEMBER TRADITIONS Our Ranch Menu is available every day with great new features! Tuesday
Wednesdays
Wednesday Evenings
Come to the Club on Tuesday nights for pasta night! We now offer a made-to-order pasta bar, including salad, pizza and dessert from 5:00 to 9:00pm! Perfect for the whole family.
We will draw a member’s name from our membership roster. If that person or anyone in their immediate family is in the main clubhouse at the time of the drawing, they will be awarded the current club credit. ($50 will be added for next week’s drawing if the winner is not present.)
Sample Manny’s wine picks of the week!
CORDILLERA RANCH’S SIGNATURE DINING MENU
Friday Evenings
Sunday
Join us for dinner at the Club as we spotlight our chef’s finest steak and seafood features, delivering an unparalleled fine dining experience.
Join us for an elegant dining experience, live music and the chef’s finest creations. Live entertainment is featured from 6:00 to 9:00pm. Advance reservations are strongly 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, $8.95 for children 10 and under, from 11:00am to 8:00pm.
PASTA NIGHT IS BACK!
Thursay-Saturday Evenings
CORDILLERA RANCH GOLD RUSH
SIGNATURE DINING
WEEKLY WINE PICKS
FAMILY MEAL FEATURE
To make reservations for any of these events, please contact the Club reception desk at 830.336.9000, or reserve your spot online at Clubsofcordilleraranch.com.
CALENDAR
EVENTS MAY May 5th 7TH CWGA ROUND-UP
This is the third year for the CWGA Ladies Member-Guest and the tournament promises to be even better than ever. 25-30 teams will be competing in different flights. The ladies have worked extra hard to make this event special and many new touches have been added this year which will enhance the event even more.
May 7th FIDDLEHEAD WINE DINNER
6:30-9:30pm We are pleased to welcome Kathy Joseph, Proprietor and Winemaker Fiddlehead Vineyards as she shares her wines with our members.
MENU
Reception Ratatoullie “Head Cheese” Bruschetta Lobster Custard with American Caviar Pink Fiddle Rose of Pinot Noir 1st Course Pan Seared Diver Scallop Head on Gulf Shrimp Salad bruniosette fiddlehead ferns & grilled radicchio meyer lemon butter Happy Canyon Sauvignon Blanc 2nd Course Red Beet Crusted Pork Shank carrot sharp cheddar gnocchi smoked olive oil Seven Twenty Eight Pinot Noir
3rd Course Seared Foi Gras - Parsley Dusted Veal Loin cavatelli - vegetable ragout sauce provençal Oldsville Reserve Pinot Noir 4th Course Bittersweet Chocolate Souffle Grand Marnier creme Lollapalooza Pinot Noir Price $150.00++ members and guest $120.00++ Cellar Club members
May 10th MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH
11:00am-2:00pm Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Club with a delicious brunch the whole family will enjoy. Chef Isaac and his team have created an extravagant menu just for the occasion. Johnny P & The Wiseguys will provide beautiful music for your enjoyment. Make it even more special with complimentary mimosas! For reservations, call 830.336.9000 or email, receptionist@ cordilleraranch.com.
May 15th – 17th MEN’S CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
May 23rd MEMORIAL DAY POOL PARTY CABANA GRILLE AND POOL DECK
Grab your entire family and head up to the Club for a Memorial Day Party that is sure to be a blast. We will have our DJ jamming some of your favorite tunes, games for all ages (adults, that includes you!), snow cones and a buffet of Memorial Day fare. This event is for members and community residents, so make your plans today! Tickets are available for purchase from the Club receptionist. Thank you to the Cordillera Ranch Social Club for sponsoring the event!
May 30th MGA STAMPEDE COUPLES GOLF TOURNAMENT
This is the premier Couples Tournament on the calendar and the event always has outstanding participation. Friday night, May 29, there will be a Team Draw Party at the Cabana to form each team. The format will be 9-holes Scramble and 9-holes Shamble which is a fun format for all. Following play on Saturday the tournament will conclude with an awards dinner here at the Club. Please let the Golf Shop know if you are interested in playing.
54-hole Stroke Play for the Championship Flight and 36-Hole Stroke Play for all other flights. Luke Hendry is the defending Club Champion. Come and test your game in a fun and competitive environment.
JUNE SUMMER JUNIOR GOLF CAMPS
June 9-12: Cordillera Cubs Junior Golf June 23-26: Cordillera Cubs Junior Golf
June 9th FESS PARKER WINE DINNER 6:30-9:30pm
June 10th GOLDRUSH AT THE POOL
Join us for a special Gold Rush at the pool! We will draw a member’s name from our
membership roster. If that person or anyone in their immediate family is at the pool at the time of the drawing, they will be awarded the current club credit. ($50 will be added for next week’s drawing if the winner is not present.).
June 19th US OPEN ONE-DAY MEMBER-GUEST
This is the second in a series of four events that we will be hosting this year in conjunction with the four major championships. We have a great format planned where a member can bring
up to three guests and compete in a 2 Net BB format. Each team will be allowed to pick two players competing in the US Open and their scores will be added to your team score. Specific details apply for each team picking their US Open players. This event is a fantastic way to showcase the Club and all Cordillera Ranch has to offer including the incredible Jack Nicklaus Signature Course. Bring a few clients or friends out and enjoy a great day of golf.
POOL HOURS May 23rd- August 23rd
All pool amenities will be available including lifeguards, towel service, and poolside food and beverage service from 12:00 to 8:00pm, with the exception of Mondays and Tuesdays following holiday weekends.
August 29th-30th & September 5th-6th
The pool will be fully operational during these weekends from 12:00 to 8:00pm, including lifeguards, towel service, and poolside food and beverage service.
September 7
Labor Day Pool Open
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HILL COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS The State Gem of Texas Did you know Texas has a state gem? It’s the Texas Blue Topaz, and it’s found only in west and northwest parts of Mason County. While pure topaz is colorless, impurities can often add a variety of colors, with natural blue being the rarest. If gem hunting interests you, three ranches in Mason County offer digging areas – and you can keep what you find! Topaz can shine brilliantly when faceted by an expert. However, there’s no need to be discouraged if you come up empty handed. You can buy the treasured Texas Blue Topaz at several gift shops in Mason. For more information, visit Masontxcoc.com/attractions
Bar M Ranch February through September $15 per person/per day with equipment rental for $6 830.203.1611/325.265.4223 Barmranchservices.com
Seaquist Family Ranch Mid-January through October — Two-Day advance reservations required $20 per person/per day, $5 for children ages 7-12, and free for those 7 or younger 325.347.5413 Masontexastopaz.com
Lindsay Ranch Rock hunting is for overnight guests of the ranch, only. $15 per person/per day 325.347.4052 Lindsayranch.net
PICK-YOUR-OWN PEACHES While there’s always the threat of a late winter freeze wiping out our beloved peach crop, the Hill Country Fruit Council says that 2015 will be the most abundant peach season since at least 2010. And that’s good to know because Gillespie County produces 40% of all peaches grown in the State of Texas. Highway 290 between Fredericksburg and Stonewall may be well known for its wineries but it’s as equally dotted with peach orchards. Stop at any number of stands and markets to stock up on fresh or canned peaches, jams or cobblers. Plus, many sell peach ice cream for a real treat. If you would rather enjoy the experience of picking your own peaches, Marburger Orchard is the place to be. Right off Highway 87 (if you’re coming from Boerne, there’s a turn-off before you get to Highway 290), Marburger Orchard provides the perfect opportunity to take home fresh-picked peaches. Peach harvest season runs from mid-May to early August so you might be able to find a few strawberries left as well, or grab blackberries which are in season around the same time. Pricing varies depending on weather conditions, quality and quantity of the fruits so visit their website regularly for up-to-date information. The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch has reserved a trip on June 5th to Marburger for Club Members. Contact the Club at 830.336.9000 to secure your spot on the Club’s Mercedes van for a day of fresh Fredericksburg peach pickin! Texaspeaches.com provides general updates on the harvest with an extensive listing of peach vendors. Marburger Orchards 830.997.9433 Marburgerorchard.com
SNOWBALL FIGHT
There’s snow year-round in Boerne. Kick off your summer party season with Bahama Buck’s Sno2Throw™ and be the coolest host in town. The powdery soft, fluffy shaved ice that makes their desserts so irresistible is shaped into soft spheres of snowy fun. Sno2Throw comes in Avalanche packs of 24 and 60 snowballs packaged in insulated “super coolers” — you keep the cooler! Bahama Bucks can prep 24 snowballs within a day’s notice, but for 60 it’s best to call 48 hours ahead. 24 for $12.99 and 60 for $24.99 Bahama Buck’s 210.698.9501 Bahamabucks.com
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HILL COUNTRY HIGHLIGHTS
WHITEWATER ROCKS
VINO AL PASTOR
Literally translated as wine and a “shepherd-style’ meat, Vino al Pastor is a collaboration between the wineries along Wine Road 290 and the Texas Pork Producers Association. Each of the 13 participating wineries will team with a top Hill Country restaurant to prepare a dish using pork which is then paired with their finest wine. In the tradition of Mexican Tacos al Pastor, pork is generously seasoned with spices and pineapple juice, and then slow roasted. Hill Country chefs will create dishes based on their interpretation or inspiration derived from the original version. Simply visit each of the participating wineries on Saturday, June 13 and receive a complimentary sample of food and wine. Hours will vary by winery. Regular tasting fees apply at most wineries, but the Vino al Pastor event does not require an additional fee.
Just steps from the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels sits a multi-million dollar music venue that rivals any big city music hall and has showcased such artists as Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and ZZ Top. The Whitewater Amphitheatre was designed to draw from its natural surroundings, with breathtaking cliffs and ancient Cypress trees providing a backdrop for the state-of-the-art stage, sound and lighting. A gently sloping, fan-shaped seating area ensures the acoustics and views are perfect from any position. Bars are conveniently spaced throughout the venue, and VIP Skyboxes and tables can be reserved for comfortable seating and larger parties. By day, tubing and other water activities can be accessed from Whitewater Amphitheatre. But as the sun begins to set, soft tree lights and torches are lit to provide an almost mystical ambience. Their line-up of artists isn’t too bad either.
Wineroad290.com
18 Days & Nights Of Music
Every Memorial Day the Kerrville Folk Festival attracts over 30,000 guests to what is known internationally as the Mecca for singers and songwriters. Founded by Rod Kennedy in 1972, it’s the longest and continuous musical festival in North America. Yes, it is 18 straight days and nights designed to promote a variety of musical styles and emerging artists. Robert Earl Keen and Lucinda Williams played here early in their careers. However, nationally known artists have graced the stage, and Emmylou Harris and David Crosby are scheduled for this year’s event running May 21-June 7. Tent and RV campers are invited to Quiet Valley Ranch during the festival. In fact, it’s in the campgrounds where you can experience the magnitude of talent with impromptu jam sessions or guitar solos by the campfire. The original music is so spectacular that no recorded music is allowed in the campgrounds. The website even says: Bring a guitar and your tent. Special package deals are available if booked in the fall of the previous year — you can even buy Lifetime packages. For now, purchase day tickets online.
Kerrville Folk Festival 830.257.3600 Kerrville-music.com
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MAY 22: Billy Curington w/ Sam Hunt 23: Girl Talk & Ludacris 30: Life Palooza Festival w/ Spazmatics
JUNE 6: Randy Rogers Band 20: JMBLA. 2015 26 & 27: The Avett Brothers w/ Old Crow Medicine Show
WHITEWATER AMPHITHEATRE 830.964.3800 Whitewaterrocks.com
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Faith Family Service By Angela Rabke :: Photography by West Vita
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Cindy and Brad Morrison have lived at Cordillera Ranch since 2005. “We moved in just after Maya was born, and have been here for over ten years. We have five kids now, and they all call Boerne and Cordillera home,� says Brad. A large family with diverse interests, the Morrisons are unified in their embrace of faith, family and service. CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 31
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Cindy and Brad were married in 1998 at the Kelly Air Force Base Chapel when she was a kindergarten teacher and he a military officer out of the United States Air Force Academy. Brad proposed to Cindy in front of a class full of young students, perhaps an early indication that they would build an active life surrounded by children together. “What an incredible ride it has been, and it is only getting started,” reflects Brad. After a stint in Florida serving at Eglin AFB, the couple followed a professional opportunity to Dallas before packing it up to start his business and build a life together in Boerne. “When I left military service in May 2001, I went to work for KPMG, LLP as a management consultant in the telecommunications sector. Feeling a tug to get back to supporting the
military after 9/11, Cindy and I had the opportunity to come back to San Antonio with two kids in tow and start Innové in 2003. Today Innové provides secure network solutions for government and private sector clients around the country.” Cordillera Ranch was exactly what they were looking for as they made the transition from Dallas. The tight knit community of families and the bounty of outdoor activities were a big draw for the growing family. The couple describes Cordillera as a slice of Americana. “We wanted to find a community that we could engage in and make a difference,” says Cindy, and they have indeed made service a significant part of their life, especially through involvement at their church, St. John’s Lutheran, and many other community organizations in Boerne. One of the more
memorable and meaningful ways that the family is “making a difference” is through a tradition that began in 2013 of taking mission trips to Project Talitha Cumi (PTC) in Honduras during Thanksgiving break following the lead of Greg Rickert, another Cordillera Ranch resident. PTC ministers to the abused and abandoned children of Honduras. The family plans to continue this tradition annually, incorporating their children and teaching them service in a demonstrable way. Cindy has also served her faith community as a Sunday School Teacher, Young Life / youth group volunteer and Vacation Bible School Director. “Giving is rewarding; giving together as a family is even more satisfying, especially when trying to get the seven of us through immigration and customs in a foreign country,” says Cindy.
CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 33
Five kids equals a busy life for the Morrisons, but they find great joy in the community that surrounds their various activities. In addition to church involvement, each of the kids keeps busy with many athletic and artistic endeavors. Their oldest, 14-year old Josh, started kindergarten at Cibolo Creek the first year it was open, and where all five kids will work their way through school. Josh is actively involved in theater, 4H and, like all of the boys in the family, baseball. Bradley splits his time between orchestra, football, basketball and Little League, while 10-year old Mayah is busy with cheerleading. Their youngest are twins, seven-year-old Jeff and Lila, who enjoy
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recess, coach pitch and dance. With dad running a growing business and coaching various youth sports teams, and mom running such things as the PTO, it is hard to imagine that the Morrisons find time to slow down and relax together, but that is exactly what their community has added to their life. “As we have grown, we have seen Cordillera grow. We have great friends and experiences...the wine cellar where we’ve been able to enjoy our anniversary, pool parties for baseball teams, the Shindig at the horse barn, and all of the time we have spent down at the creek and Guadalupe River.” All of which make up a scrapbook of memories that the family keeps adding to.
“We’ve been so blessed to be a part of such a community,” shares Brad as he speaks about a health scare that Cindy experienced last summer. Cindy was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and with the support of a strong community, the family was able to maintain a sense of normalcy for their kids as they dealt with the emergency and treatment. “The experience brought everything into clear focus. The community support we felt…prayers, assistance…we cannot say thank you enough to the friends we have in the Boerne community and what it meant to us for them to be there in our time of need.” Happily, Cindy has a clean bill of health, and lost no time getting back to living her life fully and
giving back to the very community which provided support for their family, as well as providing the logistical expertise to manage a family of seven while Brad grows the business, Innové. Established within the aerospace and defense industry, Innové was recognized by INC. Magazine in both 2008 and 2009 as one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S. and named among the Top 50 private companies in San Antonio by the San Antonio Business Journal in 2010. Brad understands that smart growth is key, and that San Antonio is an ideal hub for Innové. “The economic environment that we have in Texas creates a really neat place to grow a full service, secure
communications solution provider as part of the cyber security industry. As Internet use grows exponentially, so does the demand for secure communication networks and data security. And, Texas is largely looking to San Antonio to be the nexus of cyber security leveraging its unique military, academic and business assets in this space. We are excited to be a part of the answer, supporting both government and commercial clients that need to protect and keep data flowing over communication networks.” Thanks to the right leadership, the right business climate and a steady stream of Texas talent, Innové is positioned to take advantage of these trends. “Our first
opportunity was to help the Air Force modernize military encryption systems under the guidance of the National Security Agency and now we see opportunity to leverage our expertise into the private sector with a team that puts our customers first. This is a marathon, not a sprint, to build a company of lasting value and pass economic opportunity on to our employees and other generations of workers.” Brad also gives back to the military in other ways because of what the military has done for him. He was key to getting a San Antonio Chamber initiative underway supporting veterans with aspirations to start their own business — the Cyber Security Business Bootcamp. The intent
CordilleraRanchLiving.com | 35
of the program is to help those interested in starting a business get the venture off the ground using experiences from other veterans that have done the same. He is an Honorary Commander to the 67th Cyberspace Wing and a Director of the Texas Lyceum comprised of emerging political and business leaders from around the State that have an interest in making Texas better. He will be bringing these leaders to San Antonio this fall. “I am really excited about hosting my fellow Directors and other U.S. and state political leaders at the Alamo to discuss the storied relationship between the U.S. Military and Texas. This is a dialogue that continues to this day with its roots going all the way back to the fight for Texas Independence. This is an important part of the legacy of Texas and one that our political leaders from around the state must not forget, especially those representing us in Washington DC.” He also intends to show off Cordillera Ranch during this important conference. Through all of this, Brad maintains focus on the priorities that brought he and Cindy to Boerne and Cordillera Ranch: “Our children have been exposed to things that will help them discover and commit to using their God given talents to make the world a better place. That is our hope and prayer for them.”
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Golf
GOLF
TEAM HILL CAPTURES CORDILLERA CUP The Cordillera Cup held in March once again had a record number of players entered with 112 players participating in the tournament! For the first time in the event’s nine year history, Team Hill has finally raised the victory flag! With a strong performance in all three formats, the team dominated the tournament with a score of 68.5 to 43.5 to win going away. One of the great things about the tournament that helps to make it special is the unique “ribbing” that takes place by the two rival sides. This year was no different as Team Hill created this video for the world to see. Enjoy: www.youtube.com/ watch?v=HZlpxGf8x0Q
WELCOME TO GOLF MONTH & PGA FREE LESSON MONTH May also marks an initiative called Welcome to Golf Month and PGA Free Lesson Month. The professional staff at Cordillera Ranch will be working on encouraging new golfers to come out and give the game a try throughout the month. We also are offering complimentary 10 minute lessons to all of our members on Saturday, May 9 from 9:00am to 12:00pm.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE The tournament schedule is definitely in high gear and we have a number of great events planned that I hope you will be able to participate in. Men’s Night Out events begin in late May and are scheduled weekly throughout the summer. The Men’s Club Championship also takes place May 15-17 when 2014 champion Luke Hendry will look to defend his title. The CWGA will be hosting their Cordillera Ranch Round-Up Member-Guest on May 5-7. This event has quickly turned into a great annual event that is memorable for both members and their guests. The Couples Stampede will be held May 30 this year and is the most popular Couples event of the year. There is not much time for rest when moving into June as we still have a few events on the schedule for you to enjoy. We have a US Open One-Day Member-Guest planned for Friday, June 19. This is a great way to showcase the Club and all that Cordillera Ranch has to offer by enjoying a great day on the course with clients or friends in a fun, competitive environment. Finally, our Junior Golf season kicks into high gear with two camps being held in June. We have a number of outstanding junior golfers here at the Club, some of which are highlighted in this issue of the magazine. As you can see, there are plenty of ways to enjoy playing golf here at Cordillera Ranch. Even if you do not care to play in a tournament, just come out and enjoy the game and the beauty of the golf course. See you on the course, Marc DeWall, PGA Director of Golf, The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch mdewall@cordilleraranch.com | 830.336.4653
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THE NEXT
GENERATION OF GREAT
GOLFERS By Gevin Allen
Golf is the best game for juniors. Why? It is the only sport where the competitor is the referee and player. Juniors call their own penalty and are taught to call on themselves when they break a rule. It is designed to teach etiquette, patience, fairness and goodwill towards your fellow competitor. This is where the importance of junior golf shines. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 10 YEARS SINCE THE SOFT OPENING OF THE CLUB. We have junior golfers that have grown up through the Cordillera Ranch Junior Program such as Walker Hale, Luke Hendry, Jacob King, Chase Phillips and Trip Smith. Taylor Coleman has been an outstanding junior golfer and ranked nationally utilizing the Club as her
home base. We also welcome new and accomplished junior golfers who have only been a part of Cordillera Ranch for less than a year, such as Zach Heffernan and Will Williamson. We look forward to watching what the future holds for all of them. We are proud of our junior golfers. Now it’s time to let them do the talking.
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What golf accomplishment are you most proud of? I am proud of recently holing out from 110 yards on #5 for eagle and making the team at Champion High School. Who is your dream foursome? Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Jimmy Walker (have to put him there) and Rory McIlroy
TAYLOR COLEMAN
of Cordillera Ranch opened in 2006. The opportunity to have an unbelievable practice facility and golf course five minutes away was special.
18 years old, Johnson High School How did you get started in golf? My dad would take me to golf camps and I was always excited to hit the water balloons our instructor would fill for us. He would also fill one balloon with a dollar bill. What golf accomplishment are you most proud of? 1) My commitment to play for Arizona State University my sophomore year, 2) My Texas State Championship win, and 3) Qualifying, playing and being in 8th place after the first round in the LPGA Texas Shootout. Who is your dream foursome? Jimmy Walker, Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler and myself.
What golf accomplishment are you most proud of? 2014 Men’s Club Championship and 2013 Men’s Match Play Championship
ZACH HEFFERNAN
Who is your dream foursome? Jimmy Walker, Zach Johnson, Miguel Ángel Jiménez and myself
12 years old, Fair Oaks Ranch Elementary How did you get started in golf? I started going to the driving range when I was five years old to hit golf balls with my dad. I entered my first golf tournament when I was six. I played a lot more baseball than golf up until last year. Although I play both now, I am starting to focus more on golf. What golf accomplishment are you most proud of? I am most proud of shooting under par for the first time and also getting to play in the U.S. Kids World Championships in Pinehurst, NC.
JACOB KING 11 years old, Cibolo Creek Elementary
WALKER HALE 15 years old, Champion High School How did you get started in golf? I would spend time with my dad and grandfather. Using a video with my instructor, Gevin Allen, is improving my golf swing.
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Who is your dream foursome? Jimmy Walker, Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth and Tiger Woods
LUKE HENDRY 18 years old, Boerne High School How did you get started in golf? I got started with golf when The Clubs
How did you get started in golf? My dad started taking me out when I was about four years old and we lived in Omaha, Nebraska. We lived on the 10th hole there so I could play all the time and loved to chip and putt. I also learned from Gevin (Allen) — he has been my teacher and friend.
What golf accomplishment are you most proud of? Playing with Walker Hale at the Ping Four-Ball Tournament at Grayhawk in Arizona. It was a little scary but fun to play against boys in high school.
Who is your dream foursome? Jimmy Walker, John Daly and Jason Dufner (I think it would make for interesting conversation). Holly Sonders could join as well — I’m sure the guys wouldn’t mind.
Who is your dream foursome? Rory McIlroy, Jack Nicklaus, Walker Hale and me.
TRIP SMITH
CHASE PHILLIPS
How did you get started in golf? I started playing golf when I was really little; I can’t even remember how old but my dad used to take me to a range with him in San Antonio. But I didn’t get serious about golf until I was 10 years old when I entered my first junior golf tournament at Cordillera Ranch.
17 years old, Boerne High School How did you get started in golf? I grew up playing baseball but injured my elbow and had to find another sport. Trip Smith and I started playing during the summer and I haven’t looked back. What golf accomplishment are you most proud of? I have only been playing for two years so the list is short. However, I am proud of the fact that due to Jack Haby’s instruction and hard work I was able to achieve a single digit handicap my first year.
16 years old, Geneva School of Boerne
What golf accomplishment are you most proud of? I am the most proud of placing in the Top 10 and receiving an All-State Medal as a freshman last year at my school’s State Golf Tournament.
for me to fall in love with the game. That’s when decided I wanted to become a professional golfer. What golf accomplishment are you most proud of? Last summer I played in my first U.S. Kids Golf World Championship in Pinehurst, North Carolina. It was my first three-day tournament, and kids from all over the world came to play in it. On the first day, I shot a horrendous 88. The second day, I played a mediocre round and shot 78 in the rain. The last day, I shot a new low of 73 and moved up the leader board quite a bit. I didn’t get discouraged, but continued to improve my game each day. Who is your dream foursome? My dream foursome would be Jimmy Walker, Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson. I really admire these players and the success they’ve had.
Who is your dream foursome? My dad, Jordan Spieth, Adam Scott and myself.
WILL WILLIAMSON 12 years old, Fair Oaks Ranch Elementary How did you get started in golf? My dad took me out to hit golf balls on the range when I was a young kid, and I played my first round when I was about 9 1/2 years old. I love the game because it is challenging and fun, and the course is very peaceful. Soon after my first game, I started practicing or playing about 6-12 hours almost every day. It didn’t take long
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2015 CORDILLERA JUNIOR GOLF PROGRAMS To register, call the Pro Shop at 830.336.4653
MISSION STATEMENT
Cordillera Ranch Junior Golf Association is an organization dedicated to providing Cordillera youth the skills to learn and play the game of golf while establishing camaraderie among its members in a fun, exciting environment.
CUBS DIVISION Ages 7-14 The Cubs Flight is designed for the beginner junior golfer in mind. Introduction to the game of golf will be taught along with rules and etiquette. The program will concentrate on basic technical skills, performing TPI golf specific movements to introduce golf skills, and most importantly a lifetime of fun. Membership Tuition: $300 (April-November) • Bi-Monthly Instruction (2 Hours) • Cordillera Junior Golf Directory, CJGA shirt and a cap • US Kids Club-Fitting Session • TPI Physical Assessment (Monthly)
BEAR DIVISION Ages 11-15 The Bear Flight is a 6-month program designed for Cordillera juniors wanting structured golf training on a weekly basis. It is an opportunity for juniors to fine-tune on-course management and technical skills to ready them for competition. The program also includes TPI golf specific workouts to enhance their golf game and decrease their chances of injury. Membership Tuition: $1200 (April-November) • Weekly Instruction or Play Day (Three Hours) and Weekly One Hour TPI Golf Circuit session (Specifically designed to enhance the junior’s ability to swing the golf club properly, maintaining strength and flexibility to prevent injury) • Cordillera Junior Golf Directory, CJGA shirt and a cap • US Kids Club-Fitting Session • TPI Physical Assessment (Monthly)
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2015 CORDILLERA CUBS SUMMER GOLF CAMP The Cordillera Cubs Junior Golf Camps are a great way to introduce youngsters to the game or enhance skills for intermediate level juniors. The focus of the program is to teach each junior golfer at his/her own level of experience. Junior golfers will receive the basics of a good set up that will lead to improvement in all areas of the golf swing, short-game, bunker play and putting. Junior golfers will also leave the camp with a better understanding of golf rules and etiquette. Dates: Session 1 - June 9 - 12 Session 2 - June 23 - 26 Session 3 - July 7 - 10 Session 4 - July 21 – 24 Session 5 - August 4 – 7 Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm (instruction) 12:00pm - 1:00pm (swimming and lunch) Ages: 7 - 14 years Fee: $200 - Member $240 - Member sponsored guests (with space available) Instruction: The Cordillera Ranch PGA professional staff
WEEKLY JUNIOR CLINIC The Weekly Junior Clinic will be available to juniors who cannot commit to Cordillera Junior Golf Association clinics or want additional instruction. We will teach golf course etiquette. They will be taught and tested on the rules of golf which will prepare them to play the game by the rules and ready them for a social round. Dates: Session 1: April-May
Session 2: September-November Time: 4:30pm -5:30pm Ages: 7-14 years old Fee: $20 - Full Golf Members $25 - Guests (must be accompanied by a member)
JUNIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP Date: Thursday, July 30 Time: 9am tee-times Fee: $25, includes food and prizes Format: Stroke Play
PARENT-CHILD GOLF AND FISHING TOURNAMENT Date: August 15 Time: 9:00am Format: Two-Person Scramble (Nine-Hole) and Fishing Tournament Fee: $25 per team, includes snacks and awards
WHAT IS TPI? The Titleist Performance Institute is part of the Acushnet Company’s Oceanside Test Facility. Since 2003, TPI has studied thousands of golfers ranging from tour players to average golfers. TPI gathered important data of all golfers with various shapes, sizes, ages and fitness levels. From this data, TPI has created a systematic golf-screening program to determine one’s physical limitations that may lead to swing faults and mid-swing compensations. These physical limitations may also cause an injury if not addressed. TPI-prescribed exercises are designed to address physical limitations and swing flaws to improve their golf game. TPI Junior Golf Program focuses on the development of a junior golfer through fitness. Our goal for the junior golfer is to first develop fundamental movement skills and establish functional movement patterns to teach golf-specific skills. The strength and flexibility of the juniors will also be tested and improved to prevent injury.
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STAFF PROFILE
Jasen L. Miller 830.570.3796 Real Estate Sales Agent
HOMETOWN Born in Dallas; raised in Houston; now firmly rooted in the Texas Hill Country FAMILY Wife: Tisha Miller, Son: Jaden-11, Daughter: Hana-9, Dog: Arial (Hana said my choices were Arial or Barbie) EDUCATION MBA, Drexel University; BBA, University of North Texas; High School, Cypress Creek High School HOW DID YOU GET INTO YOUR FIELD? I was hired out of college by Double Diamond Resorts in Dallas, Texas where I was Director of Marketing for Texas and the East Coast. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH CORDILLERA RANCH? 3.5 months WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF LIVING/ WORKING IN THE HILL COUNTRY? My favorite aspect of living in the Hill Country is the quality of people and the culture that appreciates God, Country, Family and Community. My favorite aspect of living/working in the Hill Country is representing Cordillera Ranch and having full confidence that the product, lifestyle and different way of life here will benefit those who make the move to get involved at Cordillera Ranch. WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES/INTERESTS? My hobbies revolve around what my wife and children are doing at the time and generally involve sports, exercise, academics and my wife hosting family or guests. I also enjoy reading world, real estate and financial news. My favorite activities are all with my family and they include fishing, kayaking, swimming, boating, skiing, hiking, camping, and occasionally staying in our pajamas all day wrestling, having pillow fights and watching movies. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SPORT? Football, baseball, basketball, golf and UFC. FAVORITE SPORTING EVENT YOU’VE ATTENDED? Cowboys, Rangers and Spurs games.
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FAVORITE QUOTE? “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” - Aristotle FAVORITE MOVIE AND WHY? Hunger Games, because it is one of the few movies that my wife, son and daughter mutually like. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE IN YOUR BUSINESS? The challenge has also been an asset, but it has been adjusting to the way business is always transforming in a digital age where change is a constant. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST REWARDING EXPERIENCE IN YOUR BUSINESS? My most rewarding experience is watching customers and their friends and families grow and benefit from getting involved and enjoying the lifestyle at the communities I have been a part of. FAVORITE ASPECT OR FEATURE AT CORDILLERA RANCH? The Cordillera Ranch Team is the best aspect because it requires each and every department and their personnel to deliver the quality I work to represent at Cordillera Ranch. ANYTHING ELSE THAT NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT YOU THAT WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? I enjoy growing hot peppers.
Chet Hawkins, dds magd, facd MASTERFUL DENTISTRY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US Thank you to all our wonderful patients for a blessed year. Master in the Academy of General Dentistry
30 YEARS EXPERIENCE 806 N. Main St. • Boerne 830-249-7870 www.drchethawkins.com
INTRODUCING THE
HILL COUNTRY TO HIGH COUNTRY CONNECTION
By Charlie Hill :: Photography courtesy of The Club at Cordillera in Vail
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Periodically, the Club at Cordillera in Vail, Colorado, gets mixed up with Cordillera Ranch in Boerne, Texas. It’s not too much of a surprise given that both are luxury residential communities with exclusive private clubs that include Nicklaus Signature golf courses and other activities and amenities, including equestrian facilities. The similarities don’t stop there — several members here at Cordillera Ranch in Boerne are also members of the Club at Cordillera in Vail and many of the members at Cordillera Vail reside in Texas and spend parts of the summer and winter months in the Vail Valley. The Club at Cordillera in Vail provides Texans a break from the summer heat with three lush mountain golf courses while Cordillera
Ranch offers year-round golf and a reprieve from the winter and spring snow. Although the connection between these two premier private clubs has been in name only thus far, the Club at Cordillera in Vail and Cordillera Ranch in Texas are now teaming up to offer their respective members a limited opportunity to experience the other club via the new “Hill Country to High Country Connection” program. The Hill Country to High Country Connection offers the Clubs of Cordillera Ranch members the exclusive opportunity to visit the Club at Cordillera in Vail, play their golf courses and enjoy other membership privileges for two days during their open season (generally April – October). The
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Club at Cordillera in Vail offers three golf courses with distinctly different breathtaking settings: the Valley Course designed by Tom Fazio, the Mountain Course designed by Hale Irwin, and the Summit Course designed by Jack Nicklaus. The Vail Valley is well-regarded as one of the top vacation destinations in North America, with its mild, dry summers and crisp mountain air countered by the powder snow days on the world-class Beaver Creek and Vail ski mountains in the winter. With the Eagle-Vail Regional Airport just 30 minutes away, it’s easy to get to by plane. The Valley also offers world-class cuisine that you would only expect to find in the major metropolitan areas. This is not a traditional “reciprocal”
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program where each membership base is open to the other club and community — it’s better than that and yet more limited. First and foremost, both Clubs are equally protective of their members’ rights to Club privileges and exclusivity. The Hill Country to High Country Connection is simply a one-time opportunity to be personally hosted by the other Cordillera and enjoy the membership privileges and experience the community for a limited time. You will have the opportunity to entrench yourself in the community, meet other members and property owners, and really see what the lifestyle is like first-hand. The availability will be limited and will be first come, firstserved. The ownership and management
of both clubs feel their members will find great value in this opportunity. To discover more of the luxurious amenities at the Club at Cordillera in Vail, visit their website at www.cordillera-vail.com. To learn more about this opportunity and pricing, contact the Clubs of Cordillera Ranch Director of Membership, Debbie Pepper at 830.336.9000, dpepper@ cordilleraranch.com or learn more on our website at www.cordilleraranch.com. You may also contact the Club at Cordillera in Vail’s Director of Membership directly with any questions at 970.569.6418. Be sure to mention you’re interested in learning more about the “Hill Country to High Country Connection.”
FITNESS
KIDS’ FITNESS By Ann-Kristin Allen :: Photography by Kelsey Grudle
Years ago, our after-school activities included playing with friends outside, watching boring game shows on the nonHD television or doing our homework. Now kids turn on their Xbox, PlayStation®, iPad or iPhone. Children of today are learning and understanding skills we did not have to learn as they participate in the evolving high-tech and social media world. Most importantly, we want children of today to understand that in order to accomplish what they want in life, being healthy is a necessity. Our objective is to
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create an environment for the children to discover what they love to do physically, and then encourage them to do more of it. This is where Cordillera Kids’ Fitness comes in. Kids’ fitness is not working out in the gym utilizing a treadmill or lifting heavy weights, rather it’s in an environment where they can have fun and improve their health. It is an excellent way for kids to bridge themselves into the sport of their choice because it teaches agility, balance, coordination, strength, endurance and flexibility.
AGILITY Agility is an important skill that must be acquired at an early age. It is the ability to change direction quickly and easily. Agility drills for kids can increase nimbleness and speed, and that is important for all sports.
BALANCE AND COORDINATION Developing balance and coordination from an early age sets the stage for kids to be successful in a wide variety of activities. Balance is the ability to maintain a
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stable position while coordination is the ability to move through a complex set of movements. Balance and coordination depend on the workings of multiple body organs and systems. The eyes, ears, brain and muscles work together. The skill of balance and coordination should be introduced to kids prior to power.
STRENGTH Children should not be subjected to the strains of power lifting and heavy weights. Heavy weights can put too much strain on young muscles, tendons and cartilage. Improving strength is very important for all sports but should be done with lighter weights and higher reps or utilizing their body weight.
ENDURANCE Endurance is developed when kids perform in an aerobic activity. During aerobic exercise, the heart beats faster and when it is done regularly it will strengthen the heart which is necessary for all sports.
FLEXIBILITY Flexibility is the ability to move joints and muscles to their maximum range of motion. Flexibility with kids is sometimes overlooked but should not be forgotten, especially through “grow-
ing pains.” A rapid bone growth can cause stress on muscles and supporting connective tissues. Flexibility exercises can be used to target muscle groups to relieve these pains. One of the most important benefits of kids’ fitness is the mental benefit they will receive. Kids who are more active will have greater self-esteem, confidence, concentration and energy, and a stronger memory. Exercise enhances the brain’s metabolism, burns off excess harmful hormones and releases needed hormones in the body. At the Clubs of Cordillera Ranch, we have group circuit training for kids ages 8-13. Group training is ideal for kids because of the opportunity to socialize. We will emphasize proper form to prevent injuries and create good habits which they can take to adulthood.
UNIQUE QUALITIES OF KIDS’ FITNESS ARE: • Children will be assessed with their physical and age-related readiness before participating. • It includes specialized equipment geared towards youngsters: equipment will be lighter and smaller with less resistance. • There are easy to perform exercises focusing on specific skills such as balance, coordination, agility, strength, endurance and flexibility. • It is an introduction to a variety of ways to exercise such as plyometric, yoga and resistance training. • It provides a safe and comfortable environment within the Club. We recognize that all of us come from different backgrounds and we want to empower the differences within each child. I grew up in Norway where my parents stressed the importance of academics. I ran to school and skied during the winter months. My husband Gevin, on the other hand, rode a bus when he was young and had a personal driver during high school.
He played soccer when he was younger but fell in love with golf at the age of 13. Our oldest son loved skateboarding when he was young. He was gifted with computer building by the age of 4. He continued gaming and made money through middle and high schools. Technologically gifted, he became a Social Media Influencer in LA, all the while staying in shape because of the foundation of healthy habits that we had given him. Our youngest son’s dedication to fitness is similar. He was academically minded, receiving a scholarship from Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts. He was an avid tennis player when he was younger and is currently a dedicated yoga student who just received his Yoga Certification in India during spring break of this year. Each child is very special to us. Cordillera Kids’ Fitness Program is our way to share the importance of physical activity and give all children the gift of health.
Ann-Kristin Allen is the TPI Level 3 Fitness Professional and Gevin Allen is the Director of Golf Instruction and Player Development at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. They can be reached at akallen@ cordilleraranch.com and gallen@cordilleraranch.com.
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Waring General Store
HILL COUNTRY STEAK NIGHTS By Beth Bond
While crawfish boils bring people together in late spring and elaborate turkey feasts are a rite of autumn, a good steak is a delicacy that’s available year-round. Even so, one that’s expertly cooked is something to mark on the calendar in anticipation. The idea that a steak dinner can be an event in itself is the thinking behind a few very special steak nights held at a handful of restaurants in the Hill Country. Take a look at our list of favorites, then grab a few friends or family members for a meal to remember. 52 | MAY/JUNE 2015
WARING GENERAL STORE 544 Waring-Welfare Road Waring, Texas 78074 830.995.4377 Waringgeneralstore.com Photography by Marks Moore The first thing to know about the food at the Waring General Store is that it’s part of a Texas family’s proud culinary legacy. Owner Jason Strange is the son of Don Strange, a renowned caterer who cooked for presidents and celebrities.
Twice, Rockefeller Center in New York City was converted into “the Don Strange Ranch,” serving only his food from the Fourth of July through Labor Day. “He was one of the pioneers of offpremise catering, which he started in San Antonio around the time of the Hemisfair in 1968,” Strange said of his father. “Along the way he became a globally famous cook.” The family owns several event venues, and the Waring General Store is open daily, serving a menu of burgers — except for Wednesdays. For 17 years now, Wednesday has been Steaknite. For $25, you can get a 10-ounce New
York Strip cooked to order or a grilled chicken breast, plus all-you-can-eat desserts — many from Boerne’s own Bumdoodlers — and appetizers including a salad bar, mashed potato bar, the world-famous Don Strange queso and handmade spinach quesadillas and gorditas. Just pay at the counter up front, buy some Texas wine or beer, then walk into the backyard and let the cook know how you’d like your steak done. “You’ve already paid, so help yourself to anything and everything,” Strange said. “It’s like being at a private party.” There’s plenty to do for the kids, too. Kids 10 years and younger are treated
to free hotdogs and appetizers. The hotdogs are wrapped in a tortilla and grilled — so delicious you’ll want a bite! And there’s a big backyard for them run and play in. Reservations aren’t required but may be a good idea if you know a large group is coming. Live music is also part of the deal, with rotating acts each week, and Strange said folks are looking forward to a performance by Jason Bowen on June 3. Need one last motivation to go? The Waring General Store’s website makes this promise: “We are always striving to get the beer just a little bit colder for you.”
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TEJAS STEAKHOUSE & SALOON
man Ranch, serving only all-natural Angus beef, certified Angus beef & U.S.D.A prime steaks. The wine list is one of the best in the Hill Country, so ask your server about finding the perfect pairing. Because the area surrounding Fredericksburg is dotted with a number of Texas wineries, the wine list is full of spectacular locally made options. Want to sip something from beyond Texas? The cellar also features wine from around the world. Plus, the restaurant serves locally brewed and imported beers, a complete selection of top shelf liquor and a well-stocked humidor for enjoying a cigar on the patio after dinner. Looking to add a little variety to your steak dinner? Try one of the expertly prepared add-ons and have your steak topped with sautéed mushrooms, brandy peppercorn sauce, blue cheese butter, a red wine reduction or sautéed steak onions, or go all out and top it with a grilled lobster tail.
401 Obst Road Bulverde, Texas 78163 830.980.2205 Tejasrodeo.com/steakhouse Photography courtesy of Tejas Steakhouse & Saloon The Tejas Rodeo Company in Bulverde is a 70-acre complex of Texas-style fun that really gets hopping on Saturday nights. Buckaroos show up for a rodeo 44 weeks out of the year starting at 7:30pm, followed by live music that lasts until 1am And it’s a family-friendly event, with pony rides, a mechanical bull to conquer and a spot to get your best boots shined. Also on the grounds is the Tejas Steakhouse & Saloon, and you could say Saturday night is a pretty popular night to get a steak there: the Old Westthemed restaurant sells about 300 orders of its signature menu item each Saturday. Tip: Get there early because the outdoor beer garden and patio area is first-come, first-served. “People come in about 4:30 and make an evening of it, starting with dinner,” said general manager Tom Ozene. So what’s for dinner? The KC panseared steak is not to be missed. One order is seven 2.5-ounce coulotte-cut medallions, meaning it’s from the top end of the sirloin straight from the Beeman Family Ranch. “We season every piece and it’s cooked on a hot flat top like the cowboys used to cook,” Ozene said. “When you bite into this meat, every piece has seasoning on it. And we serve Premium Akaushi Beef from Japanese cattle.” It’s a recipe that really works, earning the title of “Best Steak in Texas” from Texas Monthly magazine. “This type of steak may be well-known in West Texas, but no other steakhouse in South Texas serves the KC steak like we do,” said co-owner Trey Martin. Try it — or the super-flavorful wild boar served with caramelized pineapple, roasted garlic, red peppers and chipotle cream cheese, or BBQ quail loaded with house-smoked jalapenos, pecan pesto and Texan Oaxaca cheese — each piled
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on the black pepper and Cheddar flatbread, known as “cowboy flatbread” or pan de campo. If you make a weekend of it by staying at a bed and breakfast on the property (where you can go fishing and hunting), you can also try the barbecue — pulled pork, brisket, chicken, turkey and ribs — served at the property’s smokehouse. The Steakhouse is also open Thursday for dinner, and Friday through Sunday for lunch and dinner.
CROSSROADS SALOON & STEAKHOUSE 305 West Main St. Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 830.992.3288 Crossroads-texas.com This Fredericksburg hotspot hosts live music Thursday through Sunday nights, but if you’re a steak lover the best time to go is Wednesday, Thursday or Sunday. That’s when the steak special is offered: For $20, get either a 6-ounce sirloin or an 8-ounce prime rib with a baked potato, asparagus and a salad. Plus, select bottles of wine are half-price. The kitchen sources its beef from Ni-
11TH STREET COWBOY BAR 307 11th St. Bandera, Texas 78003 830.796.4849 11thstreetcowboybar.com On Wednesday nights in Bandera, the Cowboy Capital of the World, you’ll find a place that’s more than a bar but not quite a restaurant. But it’s certainly a great spot for a steak night. The 11th Street Cowboy Bar is an old, wood-framed building with a porch out front, plenty of cold beer and, on Wednesdays, several fired-up Texas-sized barbecue pits. Bring your own steak (or chicken or fish) to grill, then buy a plate of sides for $6. All the fixings (such as spices and cooking utensils) are provided, and you’ll get a salad, baked potato and a roll. However, they do recommend you BYOSK (Bring Your Own Steak Knife). Country and western bands play each week, making it a great place for midweek entertainment. After you eat, take a turn on the only jet-cooled dance floor and patio in Texas. The 11th Street Cowboy Bar often has pickers and jam sessions, so bring your guitar and join in the fun!
The Clubs of
CORDILLERA RANCH Relax and Rejuvenate The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch Spa Services invite you to relax and rejuvenate with an array of services including massage therapy, facials, manicures, pedicures and personal training. Tammy Stone, Nail Technician 210.833.0083 tammystone1958@yahoo.com Martha Miehe-Renard, Massage Therapist & Pilates Instructor 830.446.1140 marthamiehe@hotmail.com
Karen Walton, Massage Therapist 210.363.6194 Tammera Aranda, Esthetician & Masseuse 830.336.9000 Ann-Kristin Allen, Personal Trainer 830.336.9000
For more information about the state-of-the-art fitness facility and spa services, please call 830.336.9000 and visit
www.clubsofcordilleraranch.com
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OUTDOORS
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KAYAKING AND THE UPPER
GUADALUPE RIVER
By Shane Reynolds
With spring upon us, I am very optimistic that our rain pattern might return to average and bring with it the opportunity to explore and enjoy the Upper Guadalupe River between Comfort and Guadalupe State Park. There is no better way to explore the Guadalupe River than by kayak. The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch has a fleet of kayaks for our members and their guests to utilize and invite you to come give it a try. As the Outfitter for the Club, we offer complimentary Learn to Kayak classes during the spring and summer. We teach kayaking on Swede Creek Lake, a very controlled environment and a great place to learn to paddle before heading out onto the waters of the Guadalupe. When I mention kayaking to our members, I often get a shocked look and comment of, “I don’t want to be trapped inside a kayak if it flips.” That comment is simply referring to a whitewater or touring kayak with a cockpit and spray skirt. The Club is equipped with sit-on-top and inflatable kayaks which are the easiest and safest kayaks to paddle. Sit-on-tops have similar hull shapes to their traditional counterparts, but instead of sitting inside the kayak, you sit in a molded depression on top. Sit-on-tops share many benefits with traditional sit-insides but are easier to use. There are sit-on-tops for fishing, surfing, touring, scuba diving and more. Sit-on-tops have a few advantages over sitinsides, one of which is comfort. Paddlers with large body types, long legs, or limited flexibility feel less confined paddling a sit-on-top. One of the biggest benefits, though, is the self-rescue. Because siton-tops have an open deck rather than an enclosed one, there is no risk of being trapped in the boat if it tips over — no need to practice rolls or wet exits, which really appeals to new paddlers. From its headwaters outside Kerrville, the Guadalupe River flows over a limestone bed lined with beautiful, huge, old Cypress trees accented by Pecans, Sycamores, Elms, Live Oaks and others that add to the scenic attraction of the river. The river is slightly narrower near the headwaters with shallow banks and gravel bars and fewer rapids. The gradient increases as it moves towards Cordillera Ranch where rapids exist just below the ranch at Bergheim as the
river makes it way towards Canyon Lake and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. The water quality in the Upper Guadalupe is generally very good. However, it will become muddy after rainfall and may become cluttered with debris during flood stage conditions. The river slows down during the dog days of summer unless there is adequate rainfall to keep the water flowing. The Upper Guadalupe is a free flowing river at the mercy of rainfall and spring flow. We have three spring fed creeks on Cordillera Ranch that contribute to this beautiful waterway. The first is Spring Creek which has steady flow as it drops underground in dry times just south of the bridge across Cordillera Trace. The next is Swede Creek which has a steady, constant flow and feeds the lake at Swede Creek Park. The last is Panther Creek which is on the undeveloped tract of the KWW Ranch. This beautiful creek is also lined with Cypress trees and has a steady flow down into the Guadalupe River. Early spring to late June is generally best, followed by late September through early November. With proper cold weather gear, the Upper Guadalupe can be paddled in the winter when temperatures are permissible and adequate flow is available. Summer paddling is fun and adventurous with enough rainfall but can be a bit challenging in the small rapids when flows are below about 100 cubic feet per second (cfs). Summer temperatures should be considered a hazard if proper precautions are not taken. Always have protective clothing, sunscreen and plenty of non-alcoholic liquids to prevent dehydration. I have paddled every section of the Upper Guadalupe between Comfort and Canyon Lake during all seasons over the past nine years. During that time I have witnessed many changes in the character of this river, and it is my favorite river to paddle because it is serenely beautiful, seldom crowded and offers an enjoyable and highly recommended paddle trip for almost any paddler. The giant Cypress trees that line this river make for a beautiful paddling experience in the spring and fall when the grasses are green and the trees are in full bloom. There are some good Class II drops, and at high water levels some of them
can become Class III ratings. The Upper Guadalupe is a pool-and-drop river typical of most Texas rivers. Headwinds can also be a challenge unless the water is moving, so plan trip distances according to flow rate and wind conditions for the most enjoyable paddle trip. The river club also has tubes and canoes, but can be challenging when the flow is slow. Shane Reynolds is the Club Outfitter. He can be reached at sreynolds@ cordilleraranch.com or 210.616.6051, or the Cordillera Ranch Outfitter Center at 830.336.4823 for detailed float times and current river conditions.
RIVER DISTANCES AROUND CORDILLERA RANCH Hwy 474 to Swede Creek at Cordillera Ranch - 12 miles Swede Creek at Cordillera Ranch to Bergheim Campground (FM 3351) - 1.8 miles Bergheim Campground (FM 3351) to Edge Falls Road - 3.8 miles Edge Falls Road to Guadalupe State Park - 4.5 miles Guadalupe State Park to Spring Branch Road - 9 miles Spring Branch Road to Hwy 281 - 4 miles
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•
CELLAR CLUB • JUST GOT BETTER! By Monty Becton
The Cellar Club is one of the most popular programs we’ve extended to our membership over the last five years with more than 100 Members who enjoy the many benefits to enhance the enjoyment of wine. Our members will tell you, whether you are a wine aficionado, a novice seeking to explore and learn more about wine or simply, like most of us, just love to drink wine…The Cellar Club is here for you! Originally, our Cellar Club benefits were focused on great rates when purchasing wines by the bottle, but we have extended the benefits to include a discount on wines by the glass. In addition, our wine list for both the clubhouse and Pre-Sale Wine Shop will show Cellar Club pricing for your convenience. The lists are designed to provide a well-rounded wine selection from hand-
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picked boutique wines to lesser known value vintages. We continue our distinctive monthly wine dinners as one of the best ways to learn, explore and receive exceptional value while experiencing delicious wine and food pairings with fellow members and friends. Keep an eye out for weekly emails from Manny and Chef Isaac for more benefits as we continue to add value to our Cellar Club Members. For those of you currently enrolled in the popular Cellar Club, we are demonstrating our appreciation for your support by keeping your dues the same. Anyone not enrolled can join for $25.00 per month until the end of May. After June 1, the dues will be $30.00 per month. Don’t be left out! If you would like to join the Cellar Club, please contact any of
our receptionists, servers, bartenders or food and beverage team members. We are excited to explain the benefits and enroll you in the program. Cheers!
CELLAR CLUB BENEFITS • Preferred retail shop pricing • 20% off wine list pricing • $2.00 off all wines by the glass • 20% off wine dinners • Weekly Cellar Club specials
Monty Becton is the General Manager of The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at 830.336.4024 or mbecton@cordilleraranch.com.
With the arrival of spring, you’ll see a few new faces in new roles around the Club. Our member services operations are continuing our goal of being the friendliest Club in the world. AUTO WASH & DETAIL SERVICE The Club’s revamped Auto Wash Service is now coordinated by Ben Bailey. Ben arrived at Cordillera Ranch many years ago and has worked numerous positions over the years. He is an auto enthusiast and takes pride in keeping vehicles looking sharp. Contact him today to have your automobile pampered why you enjoy the Club! The Auto Wash Service is available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with additional service Tuesday through Thursday available to our monthly Clean Car Club members. Reservations are encouraged but drive ups are more than welcome and based on availability.
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FITNESS CENTER ORIENTATION If you have not visited the club’s wellequipped and state-of-the-art Fitness Center, we encourage you to contact Ann-Kristin Allen for a quick orientation. Ann-Kristin loves sharing her passion and experience speaking with our members about the many fitness opportunities available at the Club. She is also an expert in our group exercise program and can answer any questions about classes. She may be contacted at 210.367.5942.
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Exclusive Member Services
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CLUB SERVICES
LUXURY LIMO VAN SERVICE A service the Club provides members is a van shuttle to and from San Antonio and Austin utilizing the fleet of Club vans — an 11 passenger Mercedes Luxury Limo Van and a 14 passenger Chevrolet van. This service has proven to be extremely popular with our members for their transportation needs. Whether it’s a Spurs game, a night out on the Riverwalk, a drop-off or pick-up at the San Antonio airport or a shuttle service to a wedding, our friendly Club staff drivers are on standby to take great care of your family and guests.
KIDS’ CAMP The Kids’ Camp is a fun and safe child care environment for members to use while utilizing the Club. From books, games, movie and arts and crafts, there is something for every child. Not only will children be cared for by our qualified staff, the Kids’ Camp is also a place of social interaction and learning. For any related questions, please contact Shane Reynolds at 210.616.6051 or sreynolds@cordilleraranch.com.
pool party By Julie Catalano :: Photography courtesy of the Billiard Factory
Ryan Stick wants to bring families together over a good game of billiards — or air hockey, foosball, shuffleboard or anything else that he says many customers want: “To get the kids away from video games or sitting in front of the television, even for a little while.”
Stick and his brother Tony are co-owners of the Billiard Factory, a homegrown Texas business that started out in 1975 as a single location in Houston and is now one of the largest billiards and game room furniture retailers in the country. As the second generation, the brothers carry on the family business with more than 100 employees in 15 retail stores, including Houston, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio, along with locations in Florida and Las Vegas. Customers are drawn to the company’s family-friendly philosophy and visit the Billiard Factory showrooms looking for ways to make home more fun — mostly
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to keep their kids a little closer to it. “The lion’s share of our customers,” explains Stick, “have a room in their house that’s either a game room or could become one. They have children approaching their teenage years, and the parents are looking for something that will keep the family together versus wondering where their children are going to be spending evenings and weekends.” The goal, he says, is “to create an environment that will get their kids excited about having their friends over and keeping the party at their house.” There is plenty to be excited about at
the Billiard Factory, with hundreds of inspiring items to create the ultimate game room experience for players of all ages. Rooms can be as simple or as elaborate as needed, with pool tables, game tables, arcade games, home theater seating and accessories in price ranges for everyone. “Pool tables are definitely our number one seller,” says Stick, “with shuffleboard tables gaining fast, as multigenerational play increases in popularity.” The majority of the pool tables are all wood — maple and oak the most popular — along with some that contain laminates. Quality is a priority, and a longtime family
tradition. “We’ve been doing this for 40 years and we’re not going to put a product on the floor that we don’t think will last,” says Stick. This extends to delivery and installation, where for an additional fee a crew will expertly set up the tables. Game rooms start with the games, of course, but don’t end there. “Seating is really important,” says Stick, especially with pool tables, where a couch won’t work. “You need higher chairs to watch the game,” he says, along with pub tables to enjoy drinks or snacks. To expand the gaming experience, Stick encourages buyers to add a television, sound system and “maybe another side game like foosball, darts or air hockey.” A space-saving way to add another game is with a ping pong tabletop that fits on top of the pool table. For about $300, the tabletop option provides a cost effective two-games-inone feature for those with no room for a full size ping pong
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table. “It has a rubber backing so it doesn’t scratch or move around,” says Stick. A dining top can also be added for a pool table to do double duty as a dining table. Planning is the key to a successful game room, says Stick. “On our website we have a program where people can design their game rooms and plug in different pieces like a pool table and seating.” In addition to the virtual room planner, the site also provides buying guides for pool tables and bar seating. Convenient packages also make the shopping experience easy, by putting together a billiard table and accessory kit including pool cues, billiard balls, racks and chalk for around $3,000. “It’s a nice way to fill a room at a relatively inexpensive price,” says Stick. For the ultimate in pool tables, the
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Masterpiece Collection boasts elaborate design, construction, embellishments and premium materials, many of them from Italy, says Stick, with prices to match. “Those are really heirloom pieces that will likely get passed on from generation to generation.” But for the Billiard Factory, it all comes back to the average family looking for
ways to spend more time together in an often hectic world. Stick frequently gets rewarding feedback and remembers one especially emotional call to the San Antonio store from a grateful customer. “A lady called to compliment us on our installation, and then went on to say how she came home one night to see her children with their grandfather in the converted dining room that was now a game room. She was almost in tears explaining how good it made her feel.” Stick shared the feeling. “Getting families and friends together and providing a place in the home for people to enjoy time together. That’s really what we’re all about.” BILLIARD FACTORY www.billiardfactory.com 210.490.1426 / 800.641.9367
Interior Design Consulting & Project Management Belinda, a Cordillera Ranch resident herself, has just recently completed this elegant, rustic home on the Guadalupe River just minutes outside of Cordillera Ranch.
Belinda Obst Bloxsom President 830.431.2571 b.o.bloxsom@obstdesigns.com
obstdesigns.com
COMMUNITY
BOERNE ISD
CLASS OF 2015
By David Boggan
When the Class of 2015 from Boerne High School and Boerne-Samuel V. Champion High School conduct commencement ceremonies June 6, the 550 seniors receiving diplomas will hold the distinction of being the first students in the community’s history to graduate from schools both named to Newsweek’s Top 500 High Schools in America list.
That 2014-15 designation by the national news magazine is just one of the superlatives used to quantify the quality education students receive in Boerne schools. Top marks from the Texas Education Association, the Niche survey and other rating entities validate the community’s priority on public education. Like recent senior classes before them,
the Class of 2015 will have a graduation rate of better than 99 percent. Keeping with past trends, the next stop for approximately 70 percent of graduating seniors will be a four-year university. Another 25 percent will advance to a two-year college or vocational training school. Academic recognition will be earned and scholarships will be abundantly generous. “Our seniors step off that stage with a diploma and, I believe, an automatic advantage of having received their formal education in a community that cares so much about education and places a priority on achievement,” says Boerne ISD superintendent David Stelmazewski. “Everything that I know, both statistically and anecdotally, about our students’ success after graduation tells me that we are on the right path in our schools with regard to instruction, parental involvement and community support.” Many of Boerne ISD’s college-bound students have an instant advantage with the high success rate of advanced placement courses. These college-level courses
Boerne High School | OCO Architects, Inc. / Pfluger Architects | Photo by Mark Menjivar
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taken in high school translate into college credit, which translates into significant tuition savings for many students and their families. Last year, BISD students sat for more than 1,300 advanced placement tests, with 67 percent of those earning scores that potentially led to college credit. Conservatively, that represents a cumulative tuition savings of $2.4 million at a state university or as much as a $5.5 million in savings at a private institution. The number of local individuals and organizations that award scholarships to Boerne seniors has increased through the years. Over the past several years, local scholarships have surpassed $200,000 in value, offering a tremendous financial boost to the community’s college-bound students. “The generosity of our community — while not surprising — is amazing,” says Stelmazewski. “For these organizations and individuals to reach out and assist our students in this generous way, you just know education is a priority in our community. Couple that support with the untold number of scholarship dollars our students receive directly from their select-
ed universities and you start to see what a tremendous impact is made on students’ ability to continue their educations.” The district’s emphasis on establishing a top-tier Career and Technical Education (CTE) program extends similar post-graduation benefits to students whose path may not include college. The technical training received in areas of study such as automotive technology, health careers, manufacturing, culinary arts and other career-directed choices help students earn internships and in many cases full-time employment right out of high school. “Our partnerships with local and area businesses has really made a difference in the success of our CTE program,” superintendent Stelmazewski says. “We have, for example, a very visible partnership with Toyota of Boerne. Over the years, they have supported our automotive technology program, contributed vehicles and equipment, developed work opportunities with our students, and paved the way for these students to gain appropriate certifications with the
possibility of employment after graduation. And that is just one example. There are many, many more.” Stelmazewski recalls a recent trip to Austin to visit with legislators on school finance issues. Toward the end of the day, he and school board members traveling with him were pleasantly surprised to see a 2014 graduate from Champion High School in the corridors of the state capital. In addition to taking a full freshman class load at the University of Texas, this young lady was working fulltime for a member of the House of Representatives and gaining invaluable experience in the realm of politics and business. “This community has invested heavily — and wisely — in the education of our students,” the superintendent says. “Each time I encounter one of our successful graduates, I am reminded of how many people — parents, teachers, friends, community members — had a hand in assuring that success. It is a good feeling to be a part of a young person’s successful walk across that commencement stage and off into their future.”
Boerne-Samuel V. Champion High School | OCO Architects, Inc. / Pfluger Architects | Photo by Chris Cooper
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HOME TOUR
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ROBERT S. THORNTON, LP — GREAT HOMES
GRAND DESIGNS t
Sitting on two Cordillera Golf Village lots, this one-story Mediterranean home brims with custom finishes and luxurious touches throughout 8,500-square-feet of elegant living space. By Mauri Elbel :: Photography by Siggi Ragnar
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From distinctive woodworking and cabinetry to one-of-a-kind lighting and wine storage, the home, designed by Dave Morris Designs and built by Great Homes, serves as testament to the exceptional talents of local craftsman and artists. Traffic distribution among the four bedroom, four-and-ahalf bathroom home, featuring various spaces for relaxing with family and entertaining guests, is facilitated by two circular rotundas located at each end of the grand gallery. The eastern end rotunda networks the garage, theater, exercise room and master bedroom while the western end rotunda connects the wine cellar, guest bedrooms, game room and pool powder bath feeding directly outdoors. The two rotundas as well as the detached cabana are finished with copper standing seam roofs, and each rotunda is finished with Copper Canyon limestone walls and flooded with natural light from towering windows above. Spectacular custom lights in each rotunda were fabricated with forged steel pendants by Flux Metal Studio and blown glass by Garcia Art Glass, both with studios in San Antonio. Flux Metal Studio also fabricated a copper vent hood in the cabana.
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Outside, a barrel tile roof, Copper Canyon limestone masonry and handtroweled exposed aggregate combine for a beautiful exterior where the pool and barbecue cabana area provide an idyllic spot for entertaining. Fine finishes and artisan features are laced inside and outside the home, punctuated with custom interior touches like walnut ceiling beams in the office and paneling in the game room equipped with a pool table and full-length shuffleboard. Travertine tiles from Materials Marketing flow throughout the grand living spaces; and unsteamed, select walnut flooring, beams and study wall materials sourced from Catterton Woodworks of Boerne provide a rustic-meets-elegant look. The custom walnut front door was
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fabricated by Catterton Woodworks while the walnut cabinetry throughout was constructed by Chaparral Custom Cabinetry, also in Boerne. No details were spared throughout the design. Kolbe® windows usher in natural light throughout the home; while NanaWall® bi-folding doors open the great room to the back porch giving way to panoramic northern views. In the kitchen, Autumn Green leatherized granite tops from Delta Granite wrap the counters and island and a high-end appliance package from Factory Builder Stores creates a cooking space suiting for a culinary aficionado. Coordinating carved stone surrounds the kitchen vent hood, great room fireplace and master bedroom fireplace, each custom fabricat-
ed by Materials Marketing out of honed materials sourced from Mexico. Special spaces found throughout the home were designed to the highest level of quality and craftsmanship. The elaborate climatized wine cellar by Vito Alvillar is a grand sight for any wine enthusiast, stocked from ceiling to floor with an enviable display of favorite vintages. The media room, designed and engineered by the renowned Anthony Grimani and Performance Media Industries (PMI) of Novato, California, won the Level IV Gold Technical Design Award for Home Theater in CEDIA’s (Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association) 2012 Electronic Lifestyles® Awards national competition. Sterling Technologies and Robert S. Thornton, president and partner of Great Homes, executed the highly detailed installation and assembly of sound isolation, acoustics, control, video and audio systems. “The objective was to deliver the best possible image and acoustics the client had ever experienced with minimal compromise,” says Thorton. “It was, in the words of Tony Grimani, one of the ‘best sounding rooms he’s been in, even those that are multiples times the cost.’” During construction, a curved-front walnut wet bar was added to serve the needs of the adjacent theater and exercise room. And special touches –– like the heated floors in the master bathroom –– provide added comfort and luxury. “There is much to appreciate about this beautiful home,” says Thornton. “The scale, materials, features, fit and finish are something to behold, and provide for a wonderful living space whether reading the paper in front of the fireplace or enjoying with friends and family.” Since 1991, Robert S. Thornton, LP and his collaborative team at Great Homes has taken pride in labeling themselves a “boutique” builder. That is, each project is not necessarily extravagant, but each is specifically designed to suit the needs of the client and is very site specific. Their creations are always pure custom homes, with a team fully engaged in the design process from start to finish. Visit their website at www.rsthornton.com, or call 830.249.3646.
CORDILLERA RANCH PREFERRED BUILDER
PURE CUSTOM HOMES — Robert S. Thornton, a founding member of the Preferred Builder Group, has completed over 85 homes in Cordillera Ranch, each home capturing the personal style of the owner and adapted to its one-of-a-kind Hill Country environment. The company has developed a reputation for building homes with unique and rich character, quality craftsmanship and energy efficiency. True custom design requires addressing specific needs of each client while taking full advantage of the views, terrain, trees and prevailing breeze. The experienced team brings critical and creative thinking and an appreciation of value to the custom design process. From design through occupancy, Robert S. Thornton, LP – Great Homes promises intense supervision and a constant display of faith-based integrity. The long-term satisfaction of current and former clients is their motivation and reward. If you’re in the market for a new home just ask any of our current and former clients, and along with rave reviews of quality and creativity you’ll hear the intangible reasons for our success first hand. Thank you to each of our 85+ friends and clients of Cordillera Ranch for allowing us the opportunity to be a part of your team.
ROBERT S. THORNTON, LP – GREAT HOMES 507 EAST BLANCO, BOERNE TEXAS 78006 830 249 3646 | WWW.RSTHORNTON.COM
DEVELOPER’S CORNER
NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN
CORDILLERA RANCH The most common question we get right now is, “Has the drop in oil prices slowed down business?” The typical response is, “Shockingly no.” Starting last fall when oil prices really collapsed we anticipated we’d see some slowdown, but weren’t sure exactly how long or deep of an impact it would have. Over six months later, it’s safe to say that sales have been better than we expected. Are there prospective buyers that are maybe sitting back waiting for the oil business to recover? Probably, but those are the ones we don’t always know about. We have seen continued brisk sales; however, January and February are typically two of the slowest months of the year in the real estate market in Cordillera Ranch so it’s harder to sense the oil impact just yet. Some buoying factors in the market have been: 1) the fact that the San Antonio market is still reasonably diversified with other industries such as biotech, health care, military and even technology companies; 2) that Cordillera Ranch is drawing from a national market — not just reliant on San Antonio and South Texas; and 3) we’ve had several new releases of premier properties over the past 18 months attracting new activity. In late 2014, we completed the first phase of Bear’s Ridge premium view lots and followed that up with a new release of Golf Frontage Estate lots on holes 9 and 10. These heavily oak covered 1+ acre lots offer panorama views of the course and the clubhouse. Due to high demand for those lots we expedited development of the next phase of Golf Frontage Estate lots on hole 11 which were just released in April 2015, and we already have a few of those presold. The spectacular setting along the lakes of hole 11 overlooking four different golf holes makes these the most unique golf lots
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we’ve ever offered, and with only four lots left in this release we don’t expect them to last much longer. The Springs of Cordillera Ranch across FM 3351 is progressing along. The builder group for one of the Springs sections was secured late last year and the custom estate lots are scheduled to be available for sale by early Summer. Construction will be under way this summer and the plans still call for 65 lots in the first phase with approximately one-third being creek front or view lots along with a mix of two to three acre estates and 0.7 to one acre lots. Homes in the Springs are targeted at $600k-$1.5MM+. Looking further out into the planning for Cordillera Ranch, we are working on the design of some future small lodging units near the club as well as some small office development near the Highway 46 entry. Both of those projects are in the early planning stage and are targeted for development in 2016. For now, we look forward to continuing development of some of these ongoing phases and hope to see a rebound in oil prices later this year so we don’t have to keep speculating on the impact of oil prices — and answering that same question over and over! Below: Looking back towards new golf lots and hole 11.
Above: Overlooking new golf frontage lots on hole 11. Extension of Clubs Drive. Below: Clearing for Clubs Drive construction.
Below: New home construction on hole 9.
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Cordillera Ranch Realty Homes for Sale 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
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10 Alberi Lane 116 Valley Knoll 209 Swede Creek 25 Augusta 445 Augusta 60 Oakland Hills 44 Oakland Hills 1838 Clubs Drive
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The #1 resource for Cordillera Ranch Real Estate Agents:
Realty
Charles Mueller
Rick Grimes
Eric Metzger
Jasen Miller
cmueller@cordilleraranch.com
rgrimes@cordilleraranch.com
emetzger@cordilleraranch.com
jmiller@cordilleraranch.com
Director of Real Estate Sales: Barry Denton bdenton@cordilleraranch.com
10 ALBERI LANE $1,490,000
1
4,780 Square Feet
High quality construction, finest hand selected materials and immaculate attention to detail combine to ensure a lasting legacy. Authentic Italian materials and construction methods abound including imported Italian clay tile roofs, old world sealed stucco & slab stone counters. Additional accents include wood windows, beams of Douglas Fir, solid eight – foot mahogany doors and red oak or natural travertine flooring. Cooking surrounds feature rustic cherrywood cabinets and an array of gourmet technology. Natural light permeates through architecturally refined elements. • 4 Bedroom / 4.5 Bath / 2+ Garage • Designed by Roy Braswell • Di Lusso gated enclave • Lock & leave convenience • Golf course frontage • Panoramic Texas Hill Country Views • Closest proximity to The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch • Master Full Golf Membership available for purchase The depiction of this home is an artist’s rendering. The actual features and/or designs may vary from those depicted.
116 VALLEY KNOLL $509,000
2
3,024 Square Feet
MLS# 1085874
Located at the end of a cul-de-sac with stunning Hill Country and Guadalupe River Valley views, this single-story home, with a native stone exterior, is on a 3.5 acre flat lot with ample space, privacy, large mature oaks and views. Home has been recently upgraded with new interior paint, hardwood floors/carpet, stainless steel kitchen appliances (Bosch 5-top gas cooktop) and new light fixtures. An all new outdoor environment includes new landscaping, large Rainbow Systems playscape and patio-mounted flat screen TV. • 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, game room/office, 2 car garage • New hardwood floors and carpet recently installed • All new Bosch stainless steel kitchen appliances/ Bosch 5-top gas stainless stove cooktop • Entire new front and back yard landscaping with new irrigation system; completely re-sodded with Zoysia • Long Hill Country and Guadalupe River Valley views off of the rear of the home • Outdoor entertainment center with flat screen connection • Back lawn is fenced with gates and an invisible fence for dogs that covers about 2 acres of the property • Great buy for family wanting move-in ready home with a view on a spacious lot with privacy • Master Full Golf Membership available for purchase
WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570
209 SWEDE CREEK $1,499,900
3
6,036 Square Feet
Traditional Hill Country living in this masterfully designed and appointed home by Authentic Custom Homes. 4.52 acres of mature trees and panoramic views provide a relaxing backdrop and comfortable lifestyle. Open floor plan includes spacious great room and adjoining kitchen. Custom millwork, ceiling treatments and plantation shutters complement hardwood and stone flooring throughout. • • • • • • • • • • •
5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 3-car garage Porte-cochere connects home to oversized garage French glass doors and divided light windows provide abundant light Gourmet kitchen with commercial grade appliances Oversized rooms throughout Butler’s pantry with climate controlled wine cellar Relaxing master suite and inviting guest suite downstairs Three spacious bedrooms upstairs Outdoor, covered living includes fireplace and built-in grill Convenient to Swede Creek Park and the Guadalupe River Master Full Golf Membership available for purchase
25 AUGUSTA $2,395,000
4
7,299 Square Feet
MLS# 638461
This Stadler Custom Home was featured as the “WOAI Concept Home.” The ultimate entertainment home on more than 1.5 acres overlooking the 15th tee box on the Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course. • • • • • • • • • •
4 bedroom, 4.5 bath, with 3 car garage Enormous gourmet kitchen features Miele appliances and abundant counter space Coffee bar in master bathroom Two-sided salt water aquarium visual in both study and entry way The ultimate outdoor living area with a fireplace, cascading waterfall pool, hot tub, and a full outdoor kitchen State of the art Zenpanion electronic/audio/visual home automation system Private outdoor putting green Golf simulator room and golf cart garage Numerous water features Master Full Golf Membership available for purchase
445 AUGUSTA $2,249,000
5
5,465 Square Feet
MLS# 1038461
Experience the feel of the Tuscan sun as you take in Burdick & Christofilis’ new Model Home on the 17th Fairway of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. 3 Bedroom, 4 Bath home has a fabulous game room and bar off of the large covered patio. Enormous, vaulted kitchen and great room give way to 10’ tall sliding pocket doors that open to patio. Master suite includes decorative ceiling with timbers, lavish master bath with a hammered copper slipper tub. Adjacent to master bath is a flex room that has multiple use options. Circular courtyard completes the feel on the front of the home. · 2 + 1 garages · Fully equipped outdoor kitchen · Custom infinity pool and spa · Stone and wood flooring in all gathering areas · Countless Burdick & Christofilis Signature features · Convenient to Cordillera Ranch Clubhouse · Master Full Golf Membership available for purchase
WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570
60 OAKLAND HILLS $1,735,000
6
5,136 Square Feet
MLS# 1089030
Now Available! 5136 Square feet of brilliantly designed elegant living on Hole #7 of the Jack Nicklaus signature golf course. Currently under construction and awaiting your preferences of interior element selections. • • • • • · · ·
4 Bedroom/4.5 Bath/3.5 Car Garage Designed by Gustavo Arredondo Secluded living in Clubs Village Fabulous Oak Trees Panoramic Views One-story convenience Exceptional outdoor living Efficient outdoor kitchen
· Stunning pool and spa · Wood and travertine floors throughout · Chef’s Kitchen with premium appliance package · Oversized rooms · Signature ceiling treatments · Stadler Custom Homes quality • Master Full Golf Membership Available
The depiction of this home is an artist’s rendering. The actual features and/or designs may vary from those depicted.
44 OAKLAND HILLS $1,349,000
7
5,280 Square Feet
MLS# 1019540
Tuscan-style home by Stadler Custom Homes with a bright, open floor plan that overlooks the fifth fairway of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. • • • • • • •
4 bedroom, 3.5 bath, 3 car garage Tall windows, travertine and wood floors, custom window treatments, lux ceiling treatments Chef’s kitchen with premium stainless steel appliances, granite counter tops, built-in coffee maker, eat-at island and additional breakfast bar Master suite and its sitting area have great views of hole #5 and the Hill Country beyond Master spa bath with his and her vanities, coffee bar with wine fridge, oversized closet, built-in dressers, granite counter tops, and travertine throughout Outdoor living area, including fireplace, kitchen with gas grill and fridge, and dual rock water features looks out over breathtaking Hill Country views and hole #5 of the golf course Master Full Golf Membership available for purchase
1838 CLUBS DRIVE $1,142,000
8
4,267 Square Feet
MLS# 1089152
Partners in Building is under construction on their first luxury, custom home in Cordillera Ranch. It is a single story Hill Country jewel with beautiful natural stone and luxury lifestyle features throughout. Contact John Moon at 210-978-2424 for more information. • • • • • • • • • • • •
4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, 3-car garage Single Story Towering ceilings in the family room Panoramic views through the family and breakfast rooms Expansive covered patio with complete summer kitchen and fireplace Spacious master suite with lavish bathroom and enormous walk-in closet Formal dining room and private study off the foyer Open game room with adjacent media room Large wine room Intricate ceiling treatments throughout Three additional bedrooms with private bathrooms Master Full Golf Membership available for purchase
The depiction of this home is an artist’s rendering. The actual features and/or designs may vary from those depicted.
WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570
KNEE PAIN?
Specializing in non-surgical treatment of knee pain. Wendy McCurley, MD Board Certified Family Medicine
Charles McCurley, MD Board Certified Family Medicine Board Certified Sports Medicine
SPORTS MEDICINE
Advanced arthritis treatment Muscle and joint pain Sports injuries for all ages Ultrasound guided treatments/injections In-office x-ray Sports physicals Broken bones/fracture care
136 Old San Antonio Rd, Suite 406 • Boerne, TX 78006 • www.sfmboerne.com • 830.816.5800
ADVERTISER INDEX AUTO DEALERSHIPS Cavender www.cavenderchevrolet.com 210.477.8300
FINANCE Centennial Bank www.bankoncb.com 830.816.5199
Mercedes www.mbboerne.com 830.981.6000
Frost Bank www.frostbank.com 830.249.6633
BUILDING PRODUCTS Texas Timber Frame www.texastimberframe.com 877.680.1680
Sonora Bank www.sonorabank.com 830.331.9118
TITLE COMPANIES Texas Investors Title www.texasinvestorstitle.com 830.816.5888
FURNITURE & DESIGN Calamity Jane’s Trading Co. www.calamityjanestradingco.com 830.249.0081
POOLS & OUTDOOR LIVING Pristine Pools www.pristinepoolstexas.com 210.623.0505
OBST Designs www.obstdesigns.com 830.431.2571
MUSIC Hearts’ Home Acoustic www.heartshomeacoustics.com 830.331.9840
CORDILLERA RANCH PREFERRED BUILDERS Authentic Custom Homes, LLC www.achomes.com 830.816.7100 Burdick & Christofilis Custom Homes www.burdickhomes.com 830.229.5176 / 210.497.2200 Garner Homes wwwgarnerhomes.com 210.493.1686 Great Homes, Robert S. Thornton, L.P. www.rsthornton.com 830.249.3646 Partners In Building www.partnersinbuilding.com 210.978.2424 Stadler Custom Homes of San Antonio, LP www.stadlercustomhomes.com 830.980.4198 CHARTER PLANES Jet Linx www.jetlinxsanantonio.com 210.892.0800 DENTISTS Chet Hawkins, DDS, MAGD, FACD www.drchethawkins.com 830.2497870 EQUESTRIAN SERVICES Reid Thomas www.reidbthomas.com 361.739.1951 FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT Billiard Factory www.billiardfactory.com 210.490.1426 / 800.641.9367 FLOORING Travertine Doctors www.travertinedoctors.com 210.632.8030
82 | MAY/JUNE 2015
GUTTER SYSTEMS Quality Gutter Systems www.qualityguttersystems.com 830.816.3322 HEALTH CARE Sports & Family Medicine of Boerne www.sfmboerne.com 830.816.5800 HOME TECHNOLOGY GVTC Communications www.gvtc.com/gigaregion 830.885.4411 / 800.FOR.GVTC Sterling Home Technologies www.sterlinghometech.com 830.537.3410 HUNTING Adam Clements Safari Trackers www.safaritrackers.com 210.698.0077 Spey Creek www.sctrophyhunting.com 559.303.4289 / 559.901.9505 INSURANCE State Farm 830.249.9505 ginny,thompson.b4ae@statefarm.com LANDSCAPE DESIGN Acacia Landscape & Design www.acacialandscapeanddesign.com 830.816.3200 C4 Landscape & Design www.c4landscape.com/hillcountry 210.241.7972
Dynamic Environments www.dynamicenvironments.com 830.249.7525 Green Space Lawn & Maintenance www.greenspace-tx.com 830.331.8781
PHOTOGRAPHY Jena Craig Photography www.jenacraig.com 830.370.8433 PRIVATE SCHOOLS Hill Country Montessori www.hcmontessori.com 830.229.5377 REALTORS Debra Janes Luxury Realtor www.debrajanes.com 210.573.4040 REHABILITATION FACILITIES Cibolo Creek Rehabilitation www.cibolocreekhealth.org 830.816.5095 RESORTS Thatch Caye www.thatchcayebelize.com 800.435.3145 SPA SERVICES The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch www.clubsofcordilleraranch.com 830.336.9000
New Landscape Design and Installation | Landscape Restoration and Updating | Drainage and Irrigation Quarterly Landscape Maintenance Programs | Insect Misting Systems And more! C4 Landscape & Design is a full service landscape and design company serving the Hill Country and all of Northwest San Antonio. Our success is derived from high standards of service and care for our customers, along with our commitment to a responsive and honest approach to conducting business. Call today for your FREE ESTIMATE (210) 241-7672. www.c4landscape.com/hillcountry
CORDILLERA RANCH LIVING
808 Hwy 46 East Boerne, Texas 78006
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