Tailwinds Fall 2023 - A Blue Skies of Texas Quarterly

WE HOPE YOU’RE HUNGRY

Dig into this quarter’s palate-pleasing showcase of the many things that make Blue Skies of Texas such a fun, fulfilling and secure place to retire (and America’s best retirement value!).

Bon appetite, y’all!

Download our Info Kit BlueSkiesInfo.org

SAN ANTONIO CLASSIC CRAVINGS

PAN DULCE

Whether as a sweet breakfast option or a tasty dessert, you never have to go too far to enjoy a delicious concha or marranito.

POZOLE

Pozole is a classic soup people really love, especially in colder months. It consists of veggies, hominy, meat and anything else that strikes your fancy.

PALETAS

Colorful, cooling and downright tasty, paletas are a delicious frozen treat any time of year. The best part? Flavors can range from sweet to sour.

FOODIES REJOICE!

From traditional favorites to culinary adventures, San Antonio has something for every palate. Here are three hot spots to try when you’re in town.

eatatgreen.com

With its award-winning grilled cheese, Texasstyle deep-fried pickle spears and house-baked cupcakes, this Alamo Quarry Market gem will make you a believer in plant-based foods.

La Gloria

chefjohnnyhernandez.com

Authentic Mexican dishes and specialties like tlayudas, panuchos and volcanic molcajete make this Riverwalk spot a foodie fave. ¡Olé!

doughpizzeria.com

Farm-fresh ingredients, two wood-burning ovens and true Neapolitan techniques let you delight in the taste of old Naples (passport not required).

“IT’S JUST SO FREEING.”

Residents David and Kathy Morris say the accommodating and beautiful campus makes Blue Skies a standout.

From their colorful outfits—a watermelonthemed head-to-toe ensemble for her, a blue and yellow Hawaiian shirt and slacks for him— to their heartwarming sentiments about the community, residents David and Kathy Morris radiate exuberance.

“It’s so freeing to be able to just live your life here,” the former Navy officer says as her husband nods in agreement. “And so many of your cares and worries are taken care of.”

Whether it’s joining group exercise classes, enjoying time as a couple, or sharing a glass of wine and good conversation with close friends, the Morrises love the option of doing as little or

DID YOU KNOW?

as much as they want within Blue Skies and the San Antonio community.

“I can’t say enough about how beautiful I think their mission is,” Kathy says. “It basically says, ‘come here, get better, and enjoy yourself as much as you can.’”

David, a former Navy admiral, adds, “One of the nice things about a place like this is that everybody has a different background and has done sophisticated, worldly or interesting things. And it’s nice to share stories about our lives while surrounded by caring personnel.”

In 1682, Spanish missionaries planted the first vineyard in North America along the Rio Grande River near what’s now El Paso. Let’s all raise a glass, shall we?

VINO VIDI VICI

Curious about Hill Country wineries? Sip back and relax—because we’ve got quite the list of exquisite vintage escapes you can visit that are 100 miles or less from Blue Skies.

STRAY GRAPE URBAN WINERY

San Antonio

Learn about wine, explore your palette, or become the creator of your very own wine. straygrape.com

COTTONWOOD WINE TOURS

San Antonio

Tour fees cover snacks, transportation and tasting. Choose a tour of one winery, a visit to four wineries or a private label tour. cottonwoodwinetours.com

BENDING BRANCH WINERY

Comfort (approx. 47 miles)

Known for its bold reds and fruity whites, this winery has snagged plenty of awards through the years. Come for a tasting and see why. bendingbranchwinery.com

MESSINA HOF WINERY

Fredericksburg (approx. 70 miles)

This family-owned establishment is the most award-winning winery in Texas and one of the largest producers of 100% Texas-made wine. messinahof.com

PEDERNALES CELLARS

Stonewall (approx. 71 miles)

Savor the Spanish and Rhone style wines created by a sixth-generation Texas family in the heart of Hill Country.

pedernalescellars.com

DRIFTWOOD ESTATE WINERY

Driftwood (approx. 72 miles)

Enjoy dazzling sunset dinner events (including one with a Fiesta theme!), tastings and small plates, pizza, burgers and more from the on-site bistro. driftwoodwine.com

ALOHA UKULELE!

Whether you’re a trained musician or just getting started, Blue Skies of Texas has a ukulele band that may be just what you need. The Sing-Along Strings and Ukulele Club is a combo that averages about 15 players, rehearses once a month, and plays frequent gigs at Blue Skies East.

The ukulele we know was first constructed by Portuguese immigrants in 1879 in Hawaii. It has four strings, simple chords and easy strumming patterns, making it a quick instrument to learn.

If the ukulele doesn’t strike a chord with you, we’re confident you’ll find a club that does. With more than 70 to choose from, all created by and for residents, there’s sure to be at least one that matches your interests or passions.

COMING SOON TO BLUE SKIES

SEPTEMBER

Gardening With Texas A&M

SEPTEMBER 29 – 10:00 a.m.

Join us for lunch as David Rodriguez from Texas A&M’s AgriLife Extension Service digs into gardening and native plants. A tour of our community garden will follow.

Get to know us better and see our beautiful campus by attending one of these fun, informative events. Seats are limited, so RSVP today by calling 210-236-6035

OCTOBER

Resident Panel Q&A Breakfast

OCTOBER 19 – 9:30 a.m.

Go ahead, ask them ANYTHING. Bring your appetite and your questions about life at Blue Skies of Texas to this fun, lively and highly educational event.

BLUE SKIES PROFILES

Danielle Weintraub Director of Resident Services, East Campus

As the Director of Resident Services for Blue Skies of Texas East, I am dedicated to making a lasting difference in the lives of seniors by providing exceptional care, promoting resident well-being and fostering a sense of community.

What’s your idea of perfect happiness?

My idea of perfect happiness is having both contentment and fulfillment; it’s when a person’s desires, purpose and relationships harmoniously align.

Which living person do you most admire?

I most admire my husband, Ben. His ambitious spirit fuels his relentless pursuit of personal and professional growth, serving as a constant source of inspiration in my life.

What’s your greatest extravagance?

My greatest extravagance is investing in my children.

What’s your go-to pick-me-up song?

“You Say” by Lauren Daigle.

What talent would you most like to have?

I would most like to have the talent to sing, not for fame, but to touch people.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

I consider my greatest achievement yet to come; I feel there is so much more I can accomplish.

What was the first concert you attended?

The first and last concert I attended was circa 2003 in Denver, Colorado – Lil John and the East Side Boyz.

What was your first motor vehicle?

My first car was a 1989 Mercury Sable; I called it “Titan.”

What’s the most San Antonio thing you can do?

Ditch the buns and use tortillas, especially for hot dogs and sausages!