NEWSWEEK SAYS WE’RE NUMBER ONE!
GROWING A CULTURE OF SERVICE THE GREAT TEXAS AIR SHOW
MAKING BEAUTIFUL MUSIC TOGETHER
Blue Skies of Texas Quarterly SPRING 2024
TAILWINDS A
FLY WITH US
From our culture of service to the Great Texas Air Show, the United States Air Force has had a profound influence on San Antonio. Read all about it, our local golf scene, world-class music at Blue Skies and more. Up, up and away we go!
Want to learn more?
Download our Info Kit. BlueSkiesInfo.org
U.S. AIR FORCE FUN FACTS
TAKE ME TO THE PILOT
Only 4% of USAF personnel are pilots.
VERY IMPORTANT PASSENGER
Air Force One is not any particular aircraft, but rather whatever plane that the President is on at the time.
FAMOUS FORMER AIRMEN
Johnny Cash, Morgan Freeman and Jimmy Stewart all served in the USAF.
GROWING A CULTURE OF SERVICE
It’s hardly surprising that when Darrell D. Jones, Lieutenant General, USAF (Ret), and his wife were considering where to retire, they chose San Antonio. During the course of his 34-year career, Darrell (now President and CEO of Blue Skies of Texas) had been stationed at bases across the country and overseas, but his time at Lackland Air Force Base cemented his love for the city.
Like Jones, many of the residents at Blue Skies of Texas had been stationed in San Antonio at one time or another. Darrell points out the population of veterans at Blue Skies of Texas runs the gamut from 4-star generals to people who just served a few years. “They want to be part of something bigger than themselves,” he says.
This culture of service doesn’t just apply to military personnel, Darrell notes. “Serving others is done through tons of other areas,” he says. “You’re a medical professional. You’re a teacher. You’re a volunteer. There are so many ways to serve others.”
Jones sees this commitment to service come to life at Blue Skies of Texas every day, especially in the way residents support and share their passions with each other. “You only need to look at the fact that we have 70 di erent clubs here on campus to know that service doesn’t stop when you retire.”
WE’RE NUMBER ONE! AND IT DOESN’T STOP THERE
Exciting news! Blue Skies of Texas was awarded a top spot on Newsweek’s 2024 list of America’s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities. We’re ranked #1 in San Antonio, #3 in Texas and #14 in the nation.
“We’re proud to be recognized by Newsweek as one of the top CCRCs in the United States; the only CCRC in San Antonio to make its top 250 list. This recognition attests to the dedication of our wonderful sta and reinforces how everyone works to make Blue Skies of Texas a truly special place,” says General Darrell Jones, President and CEO of Blue Skies of Texas. As the top-ranking CCRC in San Antonio, Blue Skies of Texas continues to set the standard for excellence in senior living and looks forward to building on its success in the years to come.
If you didn’t see it, you probably heard it. The Great Texas Air Show flew into town April 6-7, and once again, fighter jets were streaking just above our heads.
The show took place at the Joint Base San Antonio and Randolph Airfield, where thousands of attendees took in the festivities. The theme this year was “Service In Action,” and the main event was the precision aeronautics of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
The show also featured aircraft fighter demos, fly-bys of USAF and other aviation DoD assets that entertained and informed one and all.
GOLF SEASON IS IN FULL SWING LOOK! UP IN THE SKY…
Golf fanatics rejoice! This is a great time of year to be in San Antonio. There are plenty of great places to tee it up or just sit back and watch some world-class players show us all how the game is played.
There are several events in particular that merit keeping an eye on. The San Antonio Golf Association presents its Senior Men’s and SuperSenior Men’s Championships,
May 3-5 at Riverside Golf Course. The women will be there as well, with the Senior Women’s and 90th Women’s Amateur Championships happening concurrently.
Less than two weeks later, Oak Hills Country Club will host the inaugural 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball Championship, May 11-15.
TEEING OFF IN ALAMO CITY
There are plenty of opportunities to hit the links in San Antonio. Here are just a handful of the area’s public courses where you can enjoy a round.
MISSION DEL LAGO GOLF COURSE
Similar to a British style links course, you’ll be challenged by contoured fairways, creeks, dog legs, gullies and raised greens.
CANYON SPRINGS GOLF CLUB
Rolling hills, thick stands of trees and even a couple of waterfalls make this the quintessential Texas Hill Country course.
RIVERSIDE GOLF COURSES
Riverside’s family-friendly, renovated 18-hole course opened early this year, and the 9-hole course is set to be ready for play this spring.
THE QUARRY GOLF COURSE
Once the home of the Alamo Quarry, this par 71 is chock full of dramatic rock formations, cli s and abrupt elevation changes.
BRACKENRIDGE PARK GOLF COURSE
This tree-lined city-park course was home to the first Texas Open in 1922. After your round, be sure to check out the Texas Golf Hall of Fame.
OLMOS BASIN GOLF COURSE
The Alamo City Golf Trail’s mostplayed course, Olmos Basin is suitable for all types of golfers, from beginners to scratch players.
SOUNDTRACK FOR A HAPPY LIFE
If there’s anything you should know about the Blue Skies of Texas residents, it’s that they have a keen eye for talent and a deep love of music. Since its inception in 2012, the resident-driven, 10-person Concert Committee has continued to bring world-class talent to the Blue Skies community via six concerts annually.
A foundation supported by residents ensures that all community members can enjoy these enthralling performances without incurring additional expenses, underscoring the community’s collective appreciation for the arts and dynamic cultural scene.
COMING SOON TO BLUE SKIES
APRIL
Fiesta Blue Skies Open Houses
APRIL 15 – 10:00 A.M.
Blues Skies of Texas East
APRIL 16 – 2:00 P.M.
Blues Skies of Texas West
Celebrate the kicko of Fiesta San Antonio with a tour of actual Blue Skies homes and meet the people who live here.
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 210-306-4609
MAY
Senior Living 101 with Brad Breeding
MAY 7 – 10:30 A.M.
Blue Skies of Texas West
Nationally known senior living expert Brad Breeding breaks down senior living options and how to choose the right one for you.
BLUE SKIES PROFILES
Sarah Manzke Chief Growth O cer
Blue Skies of Texas’ Chief Growth O cer Sarah Manzke is as passionate about playing classical music as she is about creating and orchestrating personalized experiences for residents.
What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
Riding the Great Allegheny Passage, a railsto-trails bicycle path from Pittsburgh, PA, to Washington, D.C., with my husband, Marc, and our two boys, Ori and Avi.
Which living person do you most admire?
Now, as a working mother of two, my admiration and respect for my own mother has grown even more than I ever imagined. Somehow, she made it look easy.
What’s your greatest extravagance?
My violin! It was made in 1693 in Italy by Giovanni Battista Rogeri.
What’s your go-to pick-me-up song?
Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire” or Beethoven’s “Grosse Fuge” for String Quartet Op. 130.
What talent would you most like to have?
Speaking foreign languages! Despite being a musician, I have a shockingly limited ear for language.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Well, I hope that is yet to come! But in the meantime, it was certainly a milestone event to perform in Carnegie Hall with the Boston Symphony Orchestra!
What was the first concert you attended?
My father was in the Pittsburgh Symphony, so I grew up going to classical orchestra and chamber music concerts. As for non-classical concerts, that would be Dave Matthews Band.
What was your first motor vehicle?
A used maroon Subaru Legacy that I named Suzie the Suby. My grandmother sold it to me when she moved into a CCRC in Pittsburgh!
What’s the most San Antonio thing you can do?
The Riverwalk! Grab a bite, catch a show and just walk through wonderful downtown San Antonio.
ACTIVE? SOCIAL? YOU’LL DO VERY WELL HERE. See why Newsweek ranks us #1 in San Antonio, #3 in Texas and #14 in the nation at: blueskiesinfo.org/newsweek 210-306-4609 A not-for-profit Life Plan Community open to those with or without military service. Blue Skies of Texas is the only Texas senior living community to earn the prestigious CARF accreditation. Friendly, welcoming residents. A robust fitness program. 70+ clubs, lifelong learning and more. They’re just the beginning of what our wellness-focused Life Plan Community has to help you enjoy a fun, enriching retirement. And we’re America’s best retirement value.