Stonebridge Ranch News April 2024

Spring

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Stonebridge

To

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Before

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Our Annual Meeting was held on March 21, 2024, at Crossroads Church. Each Board member gave a review of committee activities for 2023. McKinney city Manager Paul Grimes brought us up to date on happenings in the city and addressed several questions from the audience.

I hope everyone who attended found the meeting interesting and informative. In addition to homeowners who attended in person, we also streamed the meeting so homeowners could watch from home. If you missed the meeting, a recording of the meeting is available on our website, www.stonebridgeranch.com.

This month’s magazine will feature an article on the April 8 total eclipse, a rare event which will be able to be seen in its entirety in our area. There is also an interesting article about a typical day for our maintenance department.

Board Meeting, February 22, 2024

The Board meeting was called to order at 12:30 PM by President Dell’Antonia. Six Board members were present. Director Buerkle did not attend. Attending were Grand Manors Vice President of On Site Management, Client Service Manager and Vice President of Shared Services, our Executive Administrator and Financial Manager and the Association’s Attorney. Three homeowners attended the meeting by Zoom and our new Board member, Nathan DeGuia who will join the Board in March was also in attendance.

Consent Agenda

Approved the January 25, 2024 BOD meeting minutes. We also reviewed and approved our Conflict of Interest Policy, Casting of Proxy Votes Guideline, Requesting Legal Opinions Guideline and Residents Attending Committee Meetings Guideline. We also approved the Electronic Vote for the 2024 Annual Meeting Notice and the Ballot and Proxy Quorum Form and information.

Old Business

We reviewed the 2023 Pool Season Guest Card usage and decided not to issue Complimentary guest cards or sell guest punch cards for the 2024 season.

New Business

We reviewed and approved the sale of two small tracts

of land we were not using along Highway 380 to TxDOT for use as part of the 380 Project construction.

We discussed and updated the operational procedure for storing and accessing current and historical Association documents.

We reviewed the presentations for the Annual meeting.

Association Reports

Our Financial Manager reviewed the December Financial Reports: Balance Sheet, Revenue and Expenses of the Operating Fund, Restricted and Non Restricted Investment Schedule, Summary of Accounts Receivable, Bad Debt Expense Reserve, and the Investment Performance Report.

Executive Session

We reviewed and approved the Foreclosure report.

We accepted the Variance Report, Payment Plan Status Report, Collections Committee Reports, Appeals Committee Decisions, Violations Report, and the Projects Report.

We approved additional funding requests for the Lake Wall project in Adriatica, Waterbury Boardwalk Project and Quail Creek Hillside stabilization.

We approved continuing our Tennis contract with Select Tennis Academy for 2024.

The Association’s attorney updated the Board on current legal matters.

The meeting adjourned at 6:20 PM.

Jon Dell’Antonia President, Board of Directors

S TONEBRIDGE R ANCH

C OMMUNITY A SSOCIATION , I NC.

6201 Virginia Parkway, McKinney, TX 75071

Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM

Ph: (214) 733-5800

website: www.StonebridgeRanch.com

Courtesy Patrol: (214) 794-4945

C ONTRIBUTORS T O T HIS I SSUE

Connie Baxter, Scott Finley, Dr. R.E. Moon, Jacob Cheatham

B OARD O F D IRECTORS

President Jon Dell’Antonia

Vice President Amanda Batson

Secretary Joe Closs

Treasurer Norm Counts

Director Jim Buerkle

Director Jim Norton

Director Kristen Vartian

SRCA S TAFF

Executive Administrator Lee-Yen Elliott

Administrative Assistant Jennifer Loyd

Communications Director Scott Finley

Financial Manager Lucy Duray

Lifestyle Director Connie Baxter

Landscape & Grounds Director Mathew Roebuck

Maintenance Supervisor Eric Ortega

Maintenance Technician Alastair Doherty

Maintenance Technician Lyle Noland

Pool Maintenance Technician Micah Reed

Porter Genri Barrientos

Porter Guillermo Barrientos

Compliance & ARC Director Eric Adams

Compliance Inspector Elizabeth Berglund

Compliance Inspector Amy Dearden

Compliance Inspector Robin Kuhar

Modification Coordinator Amy McAllister

P UBLISHER

To place an advertisement, please contact:

3001

(in

www.wbu.com/McKinney

Community Matters, Inc., PO Box 5900, Frisco, TX 75035

Ph: (972) 370-1778 | website: www.communitymattersinc.com

Stonebridge Ranch News is the only authorized publication of the Stonebridge Ranch Community Association, Inc. It is published on behalf of residents for informational purposes only. The Association does not guarantee any work or claims made by advertisers herein and claims no responsibility or liability for statements made in the publication. The Association does not support or take responsibility for services, whether paid or volunteer, mentioned herein, nor for statements published in articles or letters herein which are not endorsed by group decision of the Board of Directors.

Spring Weather in Texas

Texas is larger than France (it’s true, look it up) so you would expect us to have our own weird weather. Spring is here, and that means the weather in Texas can turn violent at the drop of a ten-gallon hat.

We are in tornado season – it runs April through June each year. What happens is that cold winter air runs up against our pre-summer heat, and that mix of cold and warm can, and does, produce tornadoes.

Of course, it’s not just this time of the year that we see twisters, it’s just that now the conditions are more prevalent for them to form. How many? About 136 of them pop up in the Lone Star State each year. In 2022, the last year with complete records, we had 159 tornadic visitations – and weather folks say 2024’s season could be above average.

Texas’ tornado magnet is Houston. The Bayou City has been hit by 246 twisters from 1950 to 2022. The leading month for Texas twisters is May, followed closely by April in second place.

Now that you know what could be on the horizon,

are you ready for it? The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says there are some things you can do now to help yourself out should the winds start spinning.

Put together a “go” bag or two. This carries essentials like toiletries, a few day’s supply of prescription drugs, a first aid kit, flashlights, water, can opener, charged cell phone power banks and extra wall chargers, non-perishable foods, sanitary wipes –you get the picture.

Don’t stand on your front porch and wonder why the sky is getting dark at two pm and there is no scheduled eclipse. A dark or green colored sky is a big warning sign, as is large hail and a rumble that sounds like a freight train coming close. Take cover! By the time you see the tell-tale rotating funnel shaped clouds, it’s show time.

When the twister is on your doorstep, where do you go? Always, an interior closet or windowless room on the lowest floor of your house is your go-to. Cover up with a heavy blanket, or if there is room, a piece of heavy furniture. Don’t forget to grab up your pets, too.

How best to stay informed? Listen for McKinney’s outdoor warning siren system. When you hear these sirens, move indoors and monitor local TV and radio stations for news.

Here is when McKinney activates their sirens:

• When a severe thunderstorm warning has been issued by the NWS predicting hazardous conditions such as large hail (1 ½ inches or

greater based on storm history and trained spotter verification), destructive winds (70 mph or higher), or other hazards requiring immediate protective actions in order to save lives and property.

• When a tornado warning has been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) for Collin County naming McKinney in the path.

• When a tornado has been sighted and confirmed in McKinney or is in close proximity to the city.

• When a chemical spill / release presents public exposure and potential harm.

• When a state or national emergency is declared by the governor or president.

• When appropriate for other emergencies.

• The first Saturday of each month at noon for testing, weather permitting.

The question always comes up about the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. A watch means conditions are favorable for producing severe weather/tornadoes. A warning means a tornado has been spotted either on the ground or indicated by weather radar and it’s time to take immediate shelter.

Just a reminder, Stonebridge Ranch does NOT issue any kind of watch or warning; this is left to local media.

Don’t let April scare you off, though. There are plenty of days for family kite flying, picnics and frisbee throwing in any of our public parks – just keep one eye on the sky! ◀

1.

2. Put new batteries in your thermostat.

3. Make sure all vents are open and all

4. Get a “real” maintenance done on your entire system.*

*A

Landscape & Grounds: Maintaining the Ranch

The Cambridge dictionary defines maintenance as “the activity of keeping a building, vehicle, road, etc., in good condition by checking it regularly and repairing it when necessary.” As a homeowner at Stonebridge Ranch, you understand what it’s all about, whether it’s changing a light bulb, oiling a squeaking door hinge, or maybe replacing that window pane your future major league slugger broke out.

How about doing all of that on a large scale? A really large scale?

Stonebridge Ranch employs a full-time crew of four maintenance men plus two porters to keep our five thousand acres in working condition. Led by Maintenance Supervisor Eric Ortega, the crew – Alastair Doherty, Maintenance Tech; Lyle Noland, Maintenance Tech; Micah Reed, Pool Tech; Genri Barrientos, Porter and Guillermo Barrientos, Porter – rolls through the property every day making repairs and keeping the facility

in working condition.

“We repair everything from changing out the heavy lights illuminating the tennis and pickleball courts to tightening a screw on a gate to stopping a faucet leak in a common area bathroom,” says Ortega. “We also take care of the playground equipment at the parks throughout Stonebridge Ranch and look after both swimming pool areas. For us, the maintenance demands at Stonebridge Ranch are kind of like painting the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. It’s a never-ending job.”

A typical day for the maintenance crew begins with tasks being assigned. Ortega says the work is doled out in a way that attempts to maximize time and travel on the property.

“Our porters drive over 40 miles each day collecting

HOA Dues at Work

trash, says Ortega. “Directional organization is a must in order to maintain this large-scale community.”

Of course, there are those annoying emergencies that pop up outside of – or inside of – office hours.

“A loss of power, even temporarily, can wreak havoc on our systems, particularly in the middle of the night. It can set off anything from a time clock that needs readjusting to an emergency with our burglar or the dry sprinkler systems.”

Some of the larger projects aren’t one day only events, but ongoing – like the dredging of Millerd Pond.

“To date, this has been a hugely successful project,” says Ortega. “This was the first time we used hydraulic dredging opposed to mechanical. It has been several months with daily visits required to ensure the integrity of the dewatering bags were not compromised.”

Also falling under the banner of the maintenance

department is the set up and take down for signature Stonebridge Ranch events, such as Meet the Easter Bunny, the Holiday Tree Lighting, and Spooktacular. “For not only myself but our entire crew, this is one of the highlights of the gig. It is always a pleasure to help bring joy to the community.”

Even an easy event like the monthly Coffee, Cars & Cycles is touched by maintenance. They put out the parking cones that block off the Circle Drive for all the show vehicles.

“Yeah, we’re on every event at Stonebridge Ranch,” says Ortega. “We’re usually the first ones to arrive and the last ones to leave after it’s all picked up and put away.”

The next time you see one of our maintenance crew out on the grounds, give them a wave and hello. They’re giving their best for all of us! ◀

Compliance Corner

Compliance

If you’re doing your big spring cleaning and plan a storage shed, here are some thoughts from your SRCA Compliance Team:

• Storage structures must be located behind a six (6) foot privacy fence or the required metal fence and may not exceed eight (8) feet at its tallest point.

• Storage structures cannot exceed a total maximum square footage of 120 square feet unless otherwise specifically approved by the Reviewing Body on a case-by-case basis depending on the yard area and proposed location. Two side by side sheds are permitted if total maximum square footage does not exceed 120 square feet.

• Metal storage sheds are not allowed. Storage structures shall be of wood, plastic, or resin and/or masonry construction. Color shall match or complement that of the house.

• Storage structure roofing must match or complement that of the house. Storage structure roofs shall have simple gabled ends. “Lean-to” style sheds are prohibited. The pitch of the roof will be determined by the Reviewing Body on a case-by-case basis.

• Storage structures must have a five (5) foot minimum clearance from any side yard or back alley and then (10) foot clearance from any rear yard fence or property.

Think you know Stonebridge Ranch?

ink you know Stonebridge Ranch?

See if you can answer these teasers!

Question one:

Which of these characters was NOT present at the 2023 Holiday Tree lighting event last December?

a. Santa Claus

b. Frosty the Snowman

c. The Grinch

Question two:

d. Mrs. Santa Claus

e. Elsa

Stonebridge Ranch covers approximately 5,000 acres. This is the equivalent of:

a. DFW International Airport

b. 3,781 football fields with endzones

c. Dallas Love Field Airport

d. Gettysburg National Park

Solutions are on page 30

LAWN ORDER

Spring has sprung early this year and it’s time to consider fertilizations. Usually, professionals and experts like to mention fertilizing lawns in the March to April time frame. I don’t like to mention fertilizing warm season turf type lawns till April. Shrubs were suitable last month for applying nitrogen to combat chlorosis as they began to move nitrogen from the lower leaves and buds to generate new foliar growth. A good general starting point is selecting a 50-50% fast and slow-release fertilizer that’s good for shrubs, ground cover, and perennials in March or April.

Mathew Roebuck Landscape & Grounds Director, SRCA

For lawns there is a completely different approach. The preferred recommendation I’ve found was not from Texas A&M but from the University of Georgia Turfgrass Research Department, a sister school in leading turfgrass extension services for the South Region. Fertilizing lawns too soon using any fast-release fertilizer will not be effectively absorbed by your lawn if it is still dormant. A good rule of thumb if you are a do-it-yourself homeowner is to wait till your lawn is around 50% green from coming out of winter dormancy. Transport of nitrogen is slower metabolically when your lawn is not active and will eventually leach out into the soil.

Another issue of feeding your lawn too soon would be the increase rate of disease. Brown Patch, Spring Dead Spot, and Rhizoctonia are three examples of diseases resulting from applying too much nitrogen too soon or too much fast-release fertilizer being delivered in the wrong time frame. Make sure you water in any fertilizer application with around a half inch of precipitation. If you are using a sprinkler system this would be around 10-15 minutes on spray type heads and around 20-30 minutes on rotary heads or nozzles.

Speaking of water, April is a great time to inspect any irrigation systems if not already completed after the freezing temperatures. Simply turning your system on and inspecting each zone for clogged nozzles, leaking heads, broken lines or valves will help with your system properly getting water where it is needed. Also please check your rain/freeze sensor. Most city ordinances require a rain/freeze sensor to be present and functioning. This can save you money, reduce the risk of overwatering, and most certainly lower risks of landscape diseases. The recommendation is to always hire a licensed irrigation company to provide this service in the spring, they can guide you on what is correctly needed. A properly licensed irrigation company will know the state and city requirements to ensure your system is operating correctly. When turning your system on at this time of year please make sure you have your system programmed to a spring setting and not the summer setting; this will help conserve one of our most precious resources in Texas. Spring rains are normally here this month and if we are getting a half inch or more a week, go ahead and shut your irrigation system off for a few days. An established landscape will have deep roots and will not need precipitation, sometimes for up to a week. This will help your city water bill and the health of the landscaping. See you next month!

EVENTS April 2024

Due to print lead times, all events listed here are subject to change or You can also subscribe to other SRCA communivcation channels for

Book Club, 7 PM (BR + Zoom)

Travel Club, 9 AM (CR); Tuesday Evening Bingo, 6:30 PM (CR)

Junior Tennis, 4 to 7 pm (BTC)

L & G Committee Meeting, 9:30 Amenities Committee 3:30 PM (BR)

Junior Tennis, 4 to

Social Committee 9 AM (BR)

Junior Tennis, 4 to Junior Tennis, 4 to

Junior Tennis, 4 to 7 pm (BTC)

Junior Tennis, 4 to 7 pm (BTC)

Junior Tennis, 4 to 7 pm (BTC)

Junior Tennis, 4 to 7 pm (BTC))

Junior Tennnis, 4 to 7 pm (BTC)

Junior Tennis, 4 to 7 pm (BTC)

Junior Tennis, 4 to

Junior Tennis, 4 to 7 pm (BTC)

Junior Tennis, 4 to 7 pm (BTC)

Junior Tennis, 4 to 7 pm (BTC)

cancellation. Prior to attending any SRCA event, please check the online calendar at www.stonebridgernach.com/events/ to confirm dates, times and details. up-to-date info. These include SRCA E-News Blasts and our official SRCA Facebook Group. See www.stonebridgeranch.com/stay-connected/ for details.

WE D

TH U FR I SAT

Communications Committee Meeting, 8:30 AM (Zoom)

7 pm (BTC)

Junior Tennis, 4 to 7 pm (BTC)

Committee AM (BR); Committee Meeting,

7 pm (BTC)

Stonebridge Ranch 101, 6:30 PM (CR)

Junior Tennis, 4 to 7 pm (BTC)

Committee Meeting,

7 pm (BTC)

Junior Tennis, 4 to 7 pm (BTC)

SRCA Board of Directors Meeting, 12:30PM (BR)

7 pm (BTC)

Junior Tennis, 4 to 7 pm (BTC)

Evening on the Veranda, 7 PM (BTC/Veranda)

Veterans Club Meeting, 9:30 AM (CR)

Coffee, Cars & Cycles, 8:30 AM (CR and Circle Dr); Adult and Teen Fishing Tournament, 9 AM (Stonebridge Lake, Upper Beach Club Parking Lot)

Super Solar Eclipse

Mark April 8 on your calendar – that’s when we are due for a total solar eclipse! It will be the last total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States until August 23, 2044.

As you can see on the accompanying map, the path of the April 8 event goes right over Dallas, giving us a ringside seat.

According to NASA, our Dallas viewing will follow these parameters:

Partial Eclipse begins at 12:23 pm CDT

Totality begins at 1:40 pm CDT

Maximum reached at 1:42 pm CDT

Totality ends at 1:44 pm CDT

Partial ends at 3:02 pm CDT (CDT = Central Daylight Time)

WARNING WARNING WARNING

Except during the brief total eclipse when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright face, it is NOT SAFE to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. Viewing ANY part of the bright sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will INSTANTLY cause severe eye injury.

Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses; regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun. Do NOT use eclipse glasses or handheld viewers with cameras, binoculars, or

telescopes. Those require different types of solar filters. Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and ought to comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. NASA does not approve any particular brand of solar viewers.

Always inspect your eclipse glasses or handheld viewer before use; if torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged, discard the device. Always supervise children using solar viewers. As soon as you see even a little bit of the bright Sun reappear after totality, immediately put your eclipse glasses back on or use a handheld solar viewer to look at the Sun.

So now that you know how you can safely take in this celestial event, what exactly will happen?

A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. People located in the center of the Moon’s shadow (as in Dallas) when it hits Earth will experience a total eclipse.

The sky will darken, as if it were dawn or dusk.

Weather permitting, people in the path of a total solar eclipse can see the Sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere, which is usually obscured by the bright face of the Sun. The Moon’s shadow as it passes overhead will be moving at over 1,600 miles per hour.

You can Google “Solar Eclipse 2024” for more information! Enjoy the eclipse, and don’t forget your safety glasses and precautions. ◀

April Fool!

Have you ever been the recipient of, or played, an April Fools’ prank? They come in all shapes and sizes, and usually take place on April 1, also known as April Fool’s Day or All Fools’ Day. Traditionally the pranks cause no harm, physically or emotionally, and the tradition dates back hundreds of years.

The first British reference is in 1686 to a Fooles Holy Day, and just twelve years later there is an account of several people being suckered into visiting the Tower of London to see the lions washed. (Which is probably preferable to the OTHER reason most people got a one-way ticket to the Tower of London.)

Pranks are usually one-on-one, though media have been known to get off a few good ones. The British Broadcasting Corporation in 1957 aired a story purporting to show a spaghetti harvest taking place in Switzerland. What could be better than Swiss farmers picking fresh spaghetti from spaghetti trees? It was a great idea, until BBC offices were swamped with calls from viewers wanting to know where they could buy a Swiss spaghetti tree to grow their own spaghetti.

Here at home, Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak and then- Jeopardy host Alex Trebek switched places on April Fool’s Day in 1997.

In 1906, the Chicago Tribune newspaper joined up with several other papers to prank the Windy City. They claimed in a big two page spread that dinosaurs were attacking Chicago, complete with fake photos of creatures destroying the city. (Remember that at that time, there was no internet, no tv, no radio….)

The BBC seems to take a particular joy in April Fools’ pranks. In 1980 they announced that the iconic Big Ben clock at Parliament was going to go digital – and that whoever got in touch with the BBC first could win the now-useless clock hands.

Oh, and by the way, don’t eat that Oreo cookie your friend gives you. They may have twisted it apart, scraped out the frosting, and put toothpaste in instead.

So now you know. If you participated, or if you didn’t, you’ve got a whole year to think of something to do the next time April Fools’ rolls around. And the ink from this magazine should have come off your fingers by then. ◀

Texas Two-Step

If you do not like cohabitating with Texas fire ants, now is the time to use the tried and true Texas Two-Step. No, I am not referring to the dance. I do not recommend dancing or stomping on any fire ant bed. The ants always win! But if you use the Texas Two-Step control method, you will no longer need to watch every step as you walk and work in your yard and garden, and it will prevent mounds around your foundation where ants can enter your home.

Fire ants start to become active in the spring when temperatures warm to 65 degree and during periods of heavy rain to protect their beds. Once temperatures warm, ants build beds, foraging for food and producing young. Purchase your control materials now, watch for the first signs of activity, and then Texas Two-Step with the Ants.

Texas Two-Step Method for Fire Ant Control

The first step is to apply a product containing a food source and an insecticide. Spread the bait over the entire yard, and the ant workers will carry the bait back to the mounds. There are organic baits on the market – Safer

by Dr. Moon

Brand Fire Ant Bait and Green Light Fire Ant Control with Conserve, or you can use Amdro Ant Bait or Advion Ant Bait. The second step is to treat individual mounds that remain active by drenching them with organic products such as Safer Brand Fire Ant Mound Drench Citrex Fire Ant Killer or any insecticide mound treatments such as Ortho Fire Ant Killer. You can purchase these products or something similar at Home Depot, Lowe’s, or online. Turn off the irrigation system and avoid rainy weather when applying products. ◀

Busting Water Myths

Knowing the best way to water your landscape in Texas can be tricky! Let’s bust some myths about watering that can help you save water and have a healthier landscape.

by Jacob Cheatham

Myth 1: Most plants die from lack of water. Did you know most plant deaths in residential landscapes are caused by over-watering, not underwatering? Water is an essential resource for plant roots, but it is only half of what they need. Roots also need to breathe! When plants are over watered, the air in the soil gets squeezed out, and the roots can suffocate.

So how do you prevent over-watering? There are two ways to determine whether your plants need water. The first is to feel the soil. Feel the soil with your fingers at 2-4 inches depth. Does it feel moist? If so, don’t water! If the soil is dry, turn your irrigation system on. The following method is to look at the plants themselves. If leaves start to wilt or turn yellow, it is time to turn on the water. However, sometimes the over-watered plants can look the same as the underwatered ones, so it is good to verify by checking the soil.

Myth 2: It is better to run your irrigation system for a short time more frequently.

The best way to encourage a healthy root system so plants require less water in the future is to water them deeply with less frequency. When plants have shallow watering, their roots are not encouraged to grow deep for water. More profound root growth is encouraged when irrigation systems can saturate the soil more deeply.

But water tends to run off with our clay soils before it seeps into the soil! This problem can be solved by having multiple run times for a single watering event. For example, if it takes 21 minutes of running

spray heads to saturate the soil, break that time into three different run times of 7 minutes with a break in between to allow the water to seep in.

Myth 3: Irrigation systems work just as well as natural rainfall.

There is no substitute for a good rain! Natural rainfall has a couple of advantages over an irrigation system. Even the best-designed irrigation systems can have poor coverage. There may be some spots that are overwatered and some that are under-watered. Good rain will provide much more watering, even watering.

Did you know that rainwater also comes with its fertilizer? Lightning strikes fix nitrogen from the air and make it available through rainfall for plant use. Rain droplets also pick up other minerals from the air and transport them to the soil as they fall. That greenup after a needed rain is not a fluke. It’s because of nature’s fertilizer.

Watering your home landscape does not have to be a mystery. If you pay attention to the signs your landscape is giving you and follow the watering guidelines listed above, you should go into the summer with plants that are well adapted to need less water. ◀

Rejuvenate, Replant & Refresh Your Landscape This Spring

REJUVENATE

• Clean up leaves and debris

• Cut dead tissue out of trees and shrubs

• Cut back perennials & ornamental grasses

• Remove any dead plants

• Fertilize trees*

• Fertilize shrubs*

• Fertilize turf * (water lawn after fertilization)

• Apply pre-emergent weed control*

* always follow label instructions for application rates

REPLANT

• Accent Trees

• Shrubs

• Perennials & Ornamental Grasses

REFRESH

After all rejuvenating and replanting, refresh with a double or triple ground, dyed brown mulch in beds. ◀

Social Scene

www.StonebridgeRanch.com/events/

DISCLAIMER:

Due to print lead times, all the events listed in this issue are subject to change or cancellation. Prior to attending any event hosted by the Stonebridge Ranch Community Association (SRCA), residents can check the online calendar to confirm times and check for updates.

FRIENDLY REMINDER:

In order to access SRCA events and amenities, residents need to carry a valid form of Stonebridge Ranch photo ID. SRCA homeowners on record with a valid Texas driver’s license that lists their Stonebridge Ranch address may use their driver’s license. All other household members, including permanent adult residents and children 3+ need a Stonebridge Ranch photo ID.

Book Club

Monday, April 8

7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

SRCA Boardroom & Zoom

6201 Virginia Parkway

Our April book selection is Sailing the Graveyard Sea: The Deathly Voyage of the Somers, the U.S. Navy’s Only Mutiny, and the Trial That Gripped the Nation by Richard Snow. Richard Snow spent nearly four decades at American Heritage magazine, and has been a consultant on historical motion pictures, among them Glory. “Richard Snow has brought forth the literary equivalent of a perfect storm in which nineteenth-century adventure, true crime, and high drama on the high seas all come together in the hands of a master storyteller operating at the height of his considerable powers.”

—Kevin Fedarko, author of The Emerald Mile

“On December 16, 1842, the US brig-of-war Somers dropped anchor in Brooklyn Harbor at the end of a cruise intended to teach a group of adolescents the rudiments of naval life. But this seemingly harmless exercise ended in catastrophe. Commander Alexander Slidell Mackenzie came ashore saying he had narrowly

prevented a mutiny that would have left him and his officers dead. Some of the thwarted mutineers were being held under guard, but three had been hanged: Boatswain’s Mate Samuel Cromwell, Seaman Elisha Small, and Acting Midshipman Philip Spencer, whose father was the secretary of war, John Spencer. Eighteenyear-old Philip Spencer, according to Mackenzie, had been the ringleader who encouraged the crew to seize the ship and become pirates, raping and pillaging their way across the old Spanish Main. And while the young man might have been a rebel fascinated by pirates, it soon became clear the order that condemned the three men had no legal basis. And worse, that perhaps a mutiny had never really occurred, and that the ship might instead have been seized by a creeping hysteria that ended in the sacrifice of three innocents. Months of accusations and counteraccusations were followed by a highly public court martial which put Mackenzie on trial for his life, and a storm of anti-Navy sentiment drew the attention of the leading writers of the day (Washington Irving thought Mackenzie a hero; James Fenimore Cooper damned him with a ferocity that still stings). But some good did come out of it: public disgust with Mackenzie’s training cruise gave birth to Annapolis, the place that within a century, would produce the greatest navy the world had ever known. Vividly told and filled with tense action based on court martial transcripts, Snow’s masterly account of this all-but-forgotten episode is naval history at its finest”--

There are copies at the McKinney and Allen Libraries. We look forward to seeing you.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82204197636?pwd=am1

UUTRobUZIek8wMUFydWNXUmU4dz09

Meeting ID: 822 0419 7636

Passcode: 323380

Dial by your location: +1 (346)248-7799

Travel Club

Tuesday, April 9

9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Community Room, 6201 Virginia Pkwy.

This club meets on the second Tuesday of each month. If you are curious and enjoy experiencing new things, this is the perfect group for you. The members explore together, dine together, and even cruise together. Join the club if you’re looking for some adventure!

Tuesday Evening Bingo (Adult Only Event)

Tuesday, April 9

6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:00 p.m.)

Community Room, 6201 Virginia Pkwy.

Want a chance to win a prize and to have some mid-week fun? Join us for an evening of Bingo! Players compete for $10 gift cards while snacking on light refreshments. This is an adults-only (age 21+) event. Stonebridge Ranch residents pay $3 at the door and may bring up to two non-resident guests. Guests pay $8 at the door. (We appreciate exact change and do not accept credit cards.) Seating is limited to the first 40 who sign up. All fees will be collected at the door. RSVP by signing up through the Eventbrite link in the email blast (https://www. eventbrite.com/e/tuesday-evening-bingo-april-tickets853783157407?aff=oddtdtcreator) or contacting the management staff at (214)733-5800.

Stonebridge Ranch 101

(Adult Only Event)

Thursday, April 11

6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Community Room, 6201 Virginia Pkwy.

Are you new to Stonebridge Ranch? Would you like to learn more about your Community Association? If so, then this event is for you! You will get a brief overview of the operations for our Association, followed by more specific information. Connie Baxter, Lifestyle Director, will review events and event registration. Our Communications Director, Scott Finley, will discuss our different channels of communication, and Eric Adams, our Director of Compliance and ARC, will discuss the modification and compliance processes. We will serve beverages and hors d’oeuvres at this informal, fun, and

informational event. Please register in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stonebridge-ranch-101april-tickets-853792003867. Maximum capacity: 40

Veterans Club

Saturday, April 13

9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Community Room, 6201 Virginia Pkwy.

Stonebridge Ranch Veteran’s Club seeks to enhance communication and foster bonds among Veterans in our community. It is a great place to engage in meaningful conversations with other Veterans who understand your journey and share a common bond.

This will be an informal social with coffee and conversation. Bring a friend!

Join us in honoring our past, celebrating our present, and shaping our future. Together, we thrive.

Evening on the Veranda (Adult Only Event)

Friday, April 19

7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Community Room, 6201 Virginia Pkwy.

Looking for a relaxing way to end a busy week? We have the perfect local spot where you can enjoy the sunset, listen to some great music, sip your favorite wine, and enjoy a date night or an evening out with friends. The gates open at 7:00 p.m. and the Diamond West Trio will entertain from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This trio features 2 powerhouse singers and all are musicians. Their song list has over 500 songs from oldies to country to pop. You won’t want to miss this group!

We will provide snacks, sodas, and water. Be sure to pack your favorite finger foods and BYOB in non-breakable containers. This non-swimming, nonsmoking event is for adults 21+ only. (Proof of age, such as a TX driver’s license, is required to enter.)

Residents with a valid form of ID get in for free. Guests pay $5 each at the gate. (We appreciate exact change, and we do not accept credit cards or bills larger than $20.)

Coffee, Cars & Cycles

Saturday, April 20

8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (Doors open at 8:00 a.m.)

Community Room

6201 Virginia Parkway

Residents are welcome to park their classic or fancy cars in the circle drive. We love to see motorcycles and choppers, too, but you are welcome regardless of the vehicle that you drive! This is a relaxed comeand-go event for residents only. Feel free to stop by while on your morning walk or bike ride. We will provide coffee and donuts in the Community Room until supplies run out. As part of this event, we are also hosting a Book, DVD, & CD exchange (bring one, take one).

Adult and Teen Fishing Tournament

Saturday, April 20

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Doors open at 8:00 a.m.)

Stonebridge Lake and Upper Beach

Club Parking Lot

6201 Virginia Parkway

We are excited to announce the 3rd Annual Adult and Teen Fishing Tournament on Stonebridge Lake. We are hoping for great weather, and hopefully, the big fish will be biting, too!

TEEN TOURNAMENT

• This tournament is for ages 12 to 17 only.

• Stonebridge Ranch residents get in free by presenting a valid form of Stonebridge Ranch I.D. (see www.stonebridge ranch.com/ Stonebridge-ranch-ids/). Non-resident teens may participate by paying a $5.00 fee to enter the event. (Please bring exact change as we do not accept checks or credit cards.)

• Fish will be measured to determine size (length).

• Trophies will be given out for the 2 largest (length) bass, the 2 largest (Length) catfish, and the smallest fish (any species).

ADULT BIG BASS TOURNAMENT

• This tournament will include ages 18 and up.

• There is a $10 Cash entry fee.

• Only residents of Stonebridge Ranch (ages 18+) will be allowed to enter, and a valid Stonebridge Ranch ID or driver’s license is required.

• Only fish from Stonebridge Lake will be considered.

• The big bass will be determined by length, not weight.

• First place will win 100% of the entry fees. In the case of a tie, prize money will be equally split.

• Only paid contestants are allowed to fish in the lake during this event.

After check-in, fishermen can proceed to any part of Stonebridge Lake, but may not pass through the Beach Club gates or across private property. Anglers are required to bring their own equipment and bait (live or artificial). No pre-registration is required. Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. in the upper Beach Club parking lot by the lake. Entrants may fish from the bank only; wading, tubes, and boats are NOT permitted. Fishermen may carry several rods but may fish with only one at a time. The tournament will be held from 9 a.m. to noon with no casting permitted before 9 a.m.

The fish will be measured with the jaw closed and the tail pinched to obtain maximum overall length. The final weigh-in will be held at noon, though fish may be brought to the judges’ table to be measured at any time during tournament hours. Fish must be brought in alive and breathing at the weigh-in. They will be returned to the lake after the weigh-in. Participants will be given a stringer, weigh-in bag and should bring their ONE biggest fish to the weigh-in. All contestants who are not in line by noon to weigh their entries will be disqualified. The tournament judge will give all participants the official time on the morning of the event.