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S TONEBRIDGE R ANCH N EWS
I hope everyone enjoyed our annual Christmas tree lighting event on December 5. This is always a special event for our Association including Santa, trains, holiday characters, holiday bounce houses, and other activities.
In this month’s magazine, there is an article about our upcoming annual meeting in March of 2025. Also, some tips on preparation for the winter weather. There is also an article to explain in more detail about our color bed renovation project.
We held our annual Strategic Planning session on Dec. 6 to discuss plans for 2025.
Board Meeting, November 21, 2024
The Board meeting was called to order at 12:30 PM by President Dell’Antonia. All seven Board members were present. Also attending were Grand Manors Vice President of On-site Management, our General Manager, Financial Manager, Lifestyle Director, Director of Landscape & Grounds, the Association’s Attorney and three staff members from The Power Group via Zoom.
Homeowners Open Forum
Five homeowners attended. Two to discuss design guidelines for owners of vacant lots and three to observe the meeting (one via Zoom).
Consent Agenda
Approved the October 10, 2024 BOD meeting minutes. Reviewed and Approved the Amenities Committee Guideline and the Lake Usage Request Guideline with no changes made. The Pool Season Guideline was tabled to a future meeting.
Old Business
We reviewed and approved revised Modification Guidelines, Village Guidelines for Wellington Point, Pickleball Courts Usage Guideline, and the Tennis Courts Usage Guideline.
New Business
The Board reviewed and approved with changes the Appeals Process Policy. The Board Code of Conduct Guideline was discussed and tabled until the December Board meeting.
We reviewed the status of the 2024 Communications Strategic Plan.
Association Reports
Our General Manager reviewed the October 2024 Financial Reports: Balance Sheet, Operating Fund Revenue and Expenses, Restricted and Non Restricted Investment Schedule, Summary of Accounts Receivable, Bad Debt Expense/Reserve, and the Investment Performance Report from Cadent Capital.
We also had a preliminary look at the November 2024 Balance sheet and Operating statement.
Executive Session
We reviewed and approved the Collection Accounts Status and Foreclosures Report.
We accepted the Financial variance report and the Projects status report.
The Adriatica Lake Wall project has been completed and the Seasonal Color Bed Reduction project has begun. We approved funding for Playground mulch.
We approved funding for a mobile Power Washer. This will allow our staff to perform power washing tasks saving a significant spending amount of previously contracted work.
We approved an extended contract with The Power Group for extended communications services.
We reviewed the monthly water usage report. We remain under budget for the year.
We received a brief update on the Pool Committee’s activities. They have been focused on contract negotiations and preliminary work that is required for construction.
The Association’s attorney updated the Board on current legal matters.
The meeting adjourned at 5:27 PM.
Jon Dell’Antonia President, Board of Directors
Whether your yard is covered with a beautiful blanket of snow or it’s just a drab winter’s day, a visit from a Northern Cardinal always brightens the mood. Offer our exclusive Cardinal Confetti™ Blend formulated to attract cardinals, Pyrrhuloxia, and a variety of other birds. It’s loaded with high-fat seeds, Bark Butter® Bits, dried mealworms and peanuts. Shop now for foods and feeders from our Cardinal Collection and get the party started!
BIRD FOOD • FEEDERS GARDEN ACCENTS UNIQUE GIFTS
TONEBRIDGE R ANCH A SSOCIATION , I NC.
6201 Virginia Parkway, McKinney, TX 75071
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM
website: www.StonebridgeRanch.com
Courtesy Patrol: (214) 794-4945
ONTRIBUTORS T O T HIS I SSUE
Amanda Batson, Connie Baxter, Hope Beitchman, Scott Finley,
IRECTORS
Jon Dell’Antonia Amanda Batson
Joe Closs
Michael Warner Jim Buerkle
Kristen Vartian Kris Grooms
Administrative Assistant Jennifer Loyd
Administrative Assistant Janine Lyons
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
Modification Team Lead Elizabeth Berglund
Compliance Team Lead Amy Dearden
P UBLISHER
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.
Beach Club 2.0
Owner feedback is important to help ensure our modern Beach Club meets the diverse needs of our multi-generational community.
The SRCA Board of Directors is planning various options for owners to provide comments and feedback. While the Board will incorporate resident input as much as possible, it does not guarantee that the final designs will reflect all suggestions. Once finalized, our partner, Kimley-Horn, will develop distinct design concepts. These designs will then be shared with the community for homeowner review, ensuring transparency and inclusivity in this exciting process.
We are also working diligently to create preliminary drawings and renderings, which we hope to share with residents later this month. These visuals will offer a first glimpse of what the new Beach Club experience could look like.
Please continue to follow our weekly Friday Flash emails, website updates, and our official Facebook page for timely information on the Beach Club project, as well as opportunities to share feedback. We look forward to sharing more developments with you soon. ◀
SRCA 2025 Annual Meeting
The Stonebridge Ranch Community Association (SRCA) will host its Annual Meeting on Thursday, March 13, 2025, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Crosspoint Church at 2101 S. Stonebridge Drive in McKinney.
The Annual Meeting is clearly the most important of all the SRCA-hosted events each year. Here’s why:
• It is a legal proceeding required by SRCA bylaws. Aspects of the meeting (such as achieving a quorum) are guided by Texas State Law – see the Texas State Property Code, Title 11, Chapter 209.
• A quorum of the SRCA membership is required for the Annual Meeting to be conducted. According to our Bylaws, ten percent (10%) of our homeowners must attend in person or by proxy for a quorum to be established. In the official notice of the Annual Meeting, details of the meeting,
proxy options, and voting directions as needed will be provided.
• Association accomplishments from 2024 will be presented by SRCA board members.
• And, last but not least, two lucky homeowners who attend or participate by proxy will win the 2026 annual assessment! All homeowners who vote (one vote per household) will have their names put into the drawing for the prize. *
Homeowner participation is key to Annual Meeting success
A quorum must be met for the Annual Meeting to be conducted. For our Association, that means at least 946 members (homeowners) must participate either in person or by proxy vote.
Participation Options
There are four options for participating in the Annual Meeting. SRCA homeowners can choose from any of the following:
• In-Person Attendance: Attend the meeting on March 13 at Crosspoint Church, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
• Online Voting: SRCA offers online voting for homeowners who register accordingly. When online voting officially opens, we will provide a direct link to registered owners, post it on our primary website at www.StonebridgeRanch.com, Facebook page and also in our weekly Friday email-blast.
• Absentee Ballot: Homeowners also have the option of casting their vote via absentee ballot. This ballot is available via download from the SRCA website. The absentee ballot includes all actions that require a homeowner vote including
the names of the candidates running for the Board. In 2025, three director positions will be filled.
• Participation by Proxy. Voting by proxy is another option. This form will open the same day that the online voting does and will be available for download at www.StonebridgeRanch.com, on our Facebook page, and in our weekly Friday e-blast. Homeowners who vote using the proxy form must choose to either assign their vote to the Board or another homeowner who will attend the meeting in person on their behalf. Alternatively, owners may choose to assign the “quorum only” option. Using this option, they will not vote in meeting action items, e.g., the election but will assign their proxy to help us meet our 10% participation requirement.
Each of these voting options allows voters to be eligible in the prize drawing for the 2026 assessment.
This year, three Board seats are up for election. SRCA wants all members to be well-informed of all board candidates. Full profiles of each candidate will be featured in the March 2025 issue of Stonebridge Ranch News magazine. Additional candidate information will be available on other SRCA channels. If the number of candidates does not equal the number of positions to be filled, the Board of Directors may vote to accept the candidates standing for election to those positions and select, at its sole
discretion, the process to fill the vacant positions. If the selection process is completed on time, the new Board members will be introduced at the Annual Meeting. This is according to the SRCA Section 3.2 Bylaw Amendment. You may find this document at https://stonebridgeranch.com/wp-content/ uploads/2021/10/003_First-Amendment-to-the-SixthBylaw_POSTED.pdf on the Governing Documents page at www.StonebridgeRanch.com.
As mentioned, make sure to follow all SRCA communication channels for updated Annual Meeting and election news. These include:
*PRIZE RESTRICTIONS.
• Our website at www.StonebridgeRanch.com.
• Our official Facebook page at https://www facebook.com/groups/250390076027824/.
• CiraNet announcements in the Resident Portal (Grandmanors.com); ensure your email and other contact information are correct in the Resident Portal.
• Our SRCA Friday E-News blasts. You may sign up on our website if you do not currently receive these email news blasts. Simply visit any page of our website and enter your email address in the lower right corner under “Stay Connected.” ◀
The March 13 Annual Meeting quorum must be achieved for both drawings to occur. The prizes will be awarded equal to a winner’s 2026 annual assessment rate for their lot. The prizes are awarded as an account credit against 2026 dues. (There is no cash value or alternate redemption.) In the event a winning owner moves out of the association prior to paying their 2026 annual assessment, the prize will be forfeited. The two winners will be chosen at random from among all quorum participants combined (online, absentee, proxy, and in-person). The winners will be announced on the Stonebridge Ranch website by 3 p.m. on Friday, March 21, 2025, and staff will privately notify each homeowner who is a winner.
Color Around Stonebridge Ranch
As we welcome the New Year, Landscape and Grounds wants everyone to know that we are in the midst of a pivotal change in the way we have been doing landscaping. The Association is conscious of all that your homeowners’ assessments must cover for all costs across the budget and wants to ensure that your money stretches as far as possible.
At the heart of our Landscape and Grounds changes are the monument color beds traditionally replaced on a seasonal basis. For sustainable, costefficient Stonebridge Ranch curb appeal, the decision was made to re-landscape village entry beds. The new beds will consist of permanent plants, contrasting colors, accent foliage, textures, and long-term size in lieu of seasonal color. These plantings will consist of drought tolerant shrubs, woody perennials, and some herbaceous perennials that are approved by Dr. Moon & Associates (our new Landscape Consultant) and the Association.
This winter we have been installing cold-hardy plant material that will not freeze due to lack of establishment. In the spring of 2025 (as early as Mother Nature allows), the remainder of plants will be installed.
As of the date of this issue, the Board of Directors and Landscape and Grounds Committee have elected to start this project in Sections A and B of the community with Section C installation next spring. When looking at the map provided with this article, Sections A and B are highlighted in green and blue denoting different contractual areas of the community. Section C will be installed in its entirety in early Spring 2025 with our contractor who will service both Sections A and C in 2025.
Making this change in planting provides the Association with a significant cost savings. In fact these adjustments allowed the landscape budget not to increase beyond 5%. While you may notice this change during the seasonal color portion of our landscaping, this change allowed us to continue with the overall current levels of landscape services that the community has been receiving.
Everyone has been experiencing higher costs on their own household expenses in the last couple of years; SRCA has also experienced increases outside of contractual obligations. With those supplier contracts ending in 2024, the Association looked ahead to 2025
and the future; in supplier contracts there was an increase in seasonal color at 39% installed. By reducing the amount of seasonal color, we pushed back a larger increase that would have affected the remainder of the operational cost of the community.
For a comparison example, look at the cost at an automotive repair shop. Hourly rates for mechanics used to be around $80.00 per hour, currently these rates are running $115.00 to $150.00 an hour. When purchasing an oil change service for your car they used to run $50.00 to $75.00, now they are $75 and higher. This is the same for all landscape services. In 2022, seasonal color cost the community $311,107.08 a year. At the end of 2024, we were paying $320,882.10 a year in seasonal color; these prices were fixed in our threeyear old supplier contracts that expired in December.
It's not only the cost of installing seasonal color for the community – the cost of water from the City of McKinney continues to rise. For the community
to irrigate the color beds and/or the surrounding landscapes as our infrastructure sits now, in 2024 it cost us around $199,625.39 in water. For the 243 beds or 1.2 acres of seasonal color in 2024, it cost the community $520,507.49 for irrigating and planting seasonal color. In 2025, if we did not make the immediate change, seasonal color would cost us $764,502.26 annually. That means out of the 9,500 households paying annual assessments, 8% of our annual owner assessments would be used to pay for the seasonal color the way it has been the last three years.
Changes are being made because the Association cares how your dollars are being spent. We are working hard across the community each year to restore and provide a premier master planned community that continues to mature.
We look forward to the implementing the next phase of our restoration process in 2025! ◀
ink you know Stonebridge Ranch?
See if you can answer this teaser!
Question one:
A story from the February 1995 newsletter stated the population of Stonebridge Ranch as of January 1, 1995. What was it?
a. 2000
b. 7000
c. 4000
d. 3000
Solution is on page 30
Holiday Tree Lighting 2024
The annual Holiday Tree Lighting at Stonebridge Ranch took place on Thursday, December 5 to the delight of hundreds of resident attendees.
Led by Santa Claus, The Grinch, and Elsa and Olaf from Frozen, the event provided an evening of good cheer highlighted by SRCA Board Chairman Jon Dell’Antonia pushing down the lever to light the tree.
Residents and their guests enjoyed holiday-themed bounce houses, a first-ever full-size inflatable maze, slides and three trains to take rides around the event.
“This is always a favorite event,” said Connie Baxter, SRCA Lifestyle Director. “And we enjoy putting it all together for everyone to have a great time and get into the holiday spirit.”
The weather cooperated and provided a clear, chilly evening that was perfect for enjoying hot chocolate and cookies and visiting Santa Claus.
The Jolly Old Elf promised he’d be back at Stonebridge on Christmas Eve – and until then, to all a goodnight! ◀
SU N
S TONEBRIDGE R ANCH C OMMUNITY A SSOCIATION, I NC. 6201 Virginia Parkway | McKinney, TX 75071 214.733.5800
AC = Aquatic Center, BTC = Beach & Tennis Club, BR = Board Room, CR = Communit y Room, SBP = Stonebridge Plaza Weekly Meet-ups, Monthly/Annual Events, Committees
M O N
Due to print lead times, all events listed here are subject to change or You can also subscribe to other SRCA communivcation channels for
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
Veterans Club MeetingSaturday Morning Coffee, 9:30 AM (CR)
Coffee, Cars & Cycles, 8:30 AM (CR & Circle Drive)
Protecting Pipes and Pets in Freezing Weather
Remember the HBO series Game of Thrones ? One of the catch phrases that came out of that popular show was “Winter is coming.” For the characters in that show, winter was an almost apocalyptic event. For all of us here in North Texas it’s not that bad – unless you count ice storms, power outages, three inches of snow that closes roads, and all the additional traffic headaches.
Elsewhere in this magazine we’ve talked about protecting your plants from freezing temperatures. Here, we’re going to take a look at how you can protect your pipes and pets from sub-freezing temps.
Let’s address pipes first.
There are few things worse than a burst water pipe inside your home. In a nutshell, your water pipe freezes, and freezing water expands. With nowhere to go, you know what happens next.
So – the trick is to keep those pipes from freezing.
Let’s start outside. First, disconnect ALL hoses from outdoor faucets. Drain the hoses and store them away. Open the outdoor faucets to let any water in the system drain and leave them open so any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing damage. Wrap and insulate exposed outdoor faucets. (Hint: buy what you need NOW, because when that first heavy freeze hits it’s going to be a zoo out there at home improvement and hardware stores.)
If you have a garden fountain of any sort, you’ll want to drain the pump and lines and take similar precautions. DO NOT add antifreeze or any deicing product to an outdoor fountain. Antifreeze is extremely toxic to pets, wildlife, or children who come in contact with it, and it can also damage your fountain’s pump. Cover the fountain with a cover similar to that used on outdoor grills.
Got a sprinkler system? Turn off the water supply to it and wrap/insulate the main shut off valve. If there
is any exposed above ground piping it also needs to be insulated with something like self-sticking foam tubes. Don’t forget to shut down your controller timer to prevent the pump from activating and being damaged. As a last precaution, drain the system.
Finally, just in case – know the location of your main incoming water valve and know how to shut it off if there’s a line break.
With the outside protected, move indoors. If your kitchen sink backs up to an exterior wall, open the doors beneath the sink to allow warm air in. Also, open bathroom cabinets to let warm air circulate. Be mindful of exposing any cleaning products stored there to small children and pets.
Let cold water do a slow drip from the faucet that is in an area that backs up to an exterior wall. Remember that you may have a water line or two running through your attic; let the faucet served by the cold water line drip slowly, and remember to insulate the pipes in the attic. If there are water supply lines in the garage, keep the garage door closed.
Keep your thermostat set to the same temperature day and night.
If you do get a frozen pipe, here are some tips from the American Red Cross:
• If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
• Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
• Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
• Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you cannot thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
• Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.
Your pets need attention during freezing weather, too.
As a rule, if it feels cold to you outside, it feels cold to your pets, no matter if cat or large Husky. Hypothermia is a real threat to animals in cold weather. Bring your pets in during cold winter weather. When your dogs need to go out, make sure their outdoor water dish has fresh, unfrozen water in it. On the whole, cats are no fools and would rather be indoors than out in the snow and ice.
The Humane Society of the United States adds that If pets cannot come indoors, make sure they are protected by a dry, draft-free enclosure large enough to allow them to sit and lie down, but small enough to hold in the pet’s body heat. Raise the floor a few inches off the ground and cover it with cedar shavings or straw. Turn the enclosure away from the wind and cover the doorway with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic.
If you take your dog for a walk in a winter wonderland, make sure you give their paws attention when you get home. Salt or other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate their feet. Wipe their paws with a damp cloth before your pet can lick them
and irritate their mouth. If your dog will tolerate it, try little booties or sweaters.
Take some advance precautions, and you can enjoy winter weather with a cup of hot chocolate and some peace of mind! ◀
The January 2025 issue of the Stonebridge Ranch News will be the LAST issue printed and mailed. Effective with the February 2025 magazine, all issues of the magazine will be in a digital format, with links available on the Friday Flash, on our website, and on our Facebook page.
The primary drivers for this are cost savings and basic business. Printing and mailing the magazine to over 9,000 homes in Stonebridge Ranch for one paper issue runs to more than $7,000. Through January 2025 (including the issue you hold in your hand), this cost was defrayed by our publisher selling ads within the magazine as well as their volume discount pricing. However, when the publishing company changed its business model and canceled their monthly, adsupported magazine publication services, SRCA had to consider alternatives. The Board voted in October
Stonebridge Ranch News Production Update Compliance Corner
2024 to move to fully digital publications and cease publishing Stonebridge Ranch News in paper with surface delivery.
Digital availability costs next to nothing. There will be expenses for digital version support services, e.g., publication layout and hosting, but the cost of printing and mailing will be a thing of the past.
Look for the link to the February issue on or about February 1, 2025. ◀
When replacing or repairing wooden fences, all pickets are required to be treated through either painting or staining. All treated fences must be properly maintained to create a uniform appearance. Any finish requires approval and must be of muted earth tones in the brown or light gray range. Any repairs made to a treated fence shall result with the entire fence blending in appearance. Metal must be properly prepared, primed, and painted flat black. Extension of existing subdivision fences must be stained the same color as the existing subdivision fence.
https://stonebridgeranch.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Modification-Design-Guidelines-with-images.pdf
Space Heater and Fireplace Safety
We are in that time of the year when North Texas can produce bone-chilling cold snaps at the drop of a hat, and that means we’re reaching for that space heater and lighting up the fireplace in addition to the whole-house furnace.
While we should have our furnace checked once a year along with our air conditioning, we seldom give much thought to the fireplace and plug-in space heater until we use them. Here are some reminders on staying warm and snuggly!
Fireplaces
Are you burning wood or gas? The home I grew up in had a gas fireplace, but the gas was used primarily to help ignite the wood we’d cut, then the wood took over completely and the gas was turned off. In either case, check that your damper is open! A closed damper will keep wood smoke from exiting up the chimney and instead send it meandering through your house!
Do you have an artificial gas log set? Did you know that artificial sets require that the damper be open as well – not for smoke, but for toxic fumes from the gas. Just like wood, gas logs produce carbon monoxide.
On the subject of carbon monoxide, get some CO2 detectors in addition to your smoke alarms. Many models do both at once. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless and deadly.
Natural gas is also colorless and odorless in its unrefined state but has a rotten egg smell when it is piped to end users. This is because of the addition of an odorant known as mercaptan during gas processing. Natural gas distributors began adding mercaptans to natural gas after a deadly school explosion in 1937 at the New London School in New London, Texas killed
over 300 young students and teachers.
Wood burning fireplaces have porous screens or glass doors to prevent pops and sparks from burning wood reaching beyond the hearth. On a gas log fireplace, glass doors should never be completely closed; it’s an invitation to build up excessive heat that could damage part of your gas valve, as well as produce excessive carbon monoxide and soot.
Your gas log set may have a receiver that turns on the flame, and a remote control that tells the receiver to turn flames on and off. Both receiver and remote control use batteries. Make sure you have new and fresh batteries in both of them, and make sure you remove the batteries at the end of the season when you shut the gas fireplace down.
A chimney cap to keep critters from getting in through the top of your chimney while letting smoke and harmful gases out is always a good idea.
Finally, not sure when your chimney was last cleaned? You may consider hiring a chimney sweep (yes, they really exist and some even wear the traditional black top hat) to come out and check for you.
Space Heaters
We’ve all probably used one or know someone who keeps one under their desk at work. Small in size but powerful in heat, they are great little conveniences –but they need to be treated with respect.
The Electrical Safety Foundation (esfi.org) offers these tips:
• Make sure your space heater has the label showing it is listed by a recognized testing laboratory.
• Before using any space heater, read the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels carefully.
• Inspect heaters for cracked or broken plugs or loose connections before each use. If frayed, worn or damaged, do not use the heater.
• Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when you’re leaving a room or going to sleep, and don’t let pets or children play too close to a space heater.
• Space heaters are only meant to provide supplemental heat and should never be used to warm bedding, cook food, dry clothing or thaw pipes.
• Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and outside all sleeping areas and test them once a month.
• Proper placement of space heaters is critical. Heaters must be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including papers, clothing and rugs.
• Locate space heaters out of high traffic areas and doorways where they may pose a tripping hazard.
• Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which could overheat and result in a fire. Do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater.
• Place space heaters on level, flat surfaces. Never place heaters on cabinets, tables, furniture, or carpet, which can overheat and start a fire.
• Always unplug and safely store the heater when it is not in use.
However you do it, stay warm and safe during whatever Texas throws at us this winter! ◀
LAWN ORDER
Welcome to the new year 2025! We’re in winter, and next month, we’ll start looking at ways to get our landscape in shape. For now, we should consider shutting down or already have our irrigation systems off for the winter and be ready to protect our plant material from freezing conditions. Freeze damage is caused by the rupture of the plant cells from freezing and destroying the cell wall. Herbaceous plants will lose turgor pressure and become limp, water-soaked, darker green leaves from the inside and eventually die. Woody-stemmed plants and trees will show cracking of the trunk or stem where the vascular system has been compromised, resulting in dieback or total loss of the plant. Any trees that show cracking at the trunk should be looked at in the Spring by a professional arborist or landscaper to determine if they
Most Texas landscape plants can handle our winters, but there are a few plants that require protection for extended periods. These include Palms, Agaves, Rosemary, Ligustrum, Seasonal Color, or Topiary potted plants on elevated surfaces. When temperatures dip below the 20 degrees Fahrenheit range for more than a day, these plants should be wrapped or covered to help insulate them from moisture or wind. Protecting with a N-Sulate Fabric will help insulate them from elements that can cause damage. If planting is at the soil line, this will help warm the plants by providing warmth from the ground. Before covering your plant material, make sure it is well watered. This will help the plant during a freeze-thaw action of evapotranspiration as the plants warm up. Any potted plants or tropicales that can be moved indoors should be moved indoors where they can stay warm and receive sunlight from a neighboring window. Once the cold weather breaks, please pull your protective fabrics as soon as possible. If the fabrics are left in place when temperatures reach above 45-50 degrees, they can warm the plants too quickly and ultimately bake the plants underneath, causing stress from heat or acclimation to warmer weather too fast. If your landscaping or plants are dry after a frozen condition, please water your plants. Give them a drink or cycle your irrigation to re-establish moisture. If you find plant material has sustained freeze damage, don’t make a hasty decision to cut down or remove the plant material. You should consider removing any vegetation that is stressed and give the remainder of the plant time for it to overcome the stress. Most plants that have a cold hardiness of Zone 7 or 8 will recover. Plants that were fed in the fall should have a healthy root system with stored nutrients to regrow itself. An example of this would be our Dianthus Seasonal Color, which can handle colder weather than Pansies and Violas. In winter of 2023, many Dianthus throughout Dallas did not perform due to a major freeze in December of 2022 or the winter storms in January/February of 2023. Several plantings died back to the soil line. As Landscapers and Property Owners, we all wanted to pull the plant material right away, but we waited a couple of weeks to pass, and the Dianthus started to regrow itself, giving a late winter and spring bloom.
Nature can be a fickle creature, but it is slow and patient, so we should be, too.
Mathew Roebuck Landscape & Grounds Director, SRCA
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 can use their driver’s license. All other household members, including permanent adult residents and children 3+ need a Stonebridge Ranch photo ID.
Morning Bingo
Thursday, January 9
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Doors open at 9:30 a.m.)
Community Room
6201 Virginia Parkway
Start your day off right with a morning of fun and prizes! Winners of each round earn $10 gift cards, and light snacks and beverages are provided. This is an adult-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. RSVP by signing up through the Eventbrite link in the email blast or contacting the management staff at (214)733-5800.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/morning-bingojanuary-tickets-1109636254909 January 2025
Veterans Club Meeting
– Saturday Morning Coffee
Saturday, January 11
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Community Room
6201 Virginia Parkway
The Veterans Social 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. Are you ready to become a part of our vibrant Veteran community? Join us in honoring our past, celebrating our present, and shaping our future. Together, we thrive.
This will be an informal social. Bring a friend!
Book Club
Monday, January 13
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
SRCA Boardroom and Zoom
6201 Virginia Parkway
Our January book, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, was written by Ben Fountain and described in the Dallas Morning News as the greatest book ever to come out of Dallas. We will discuss if we agree. Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction and a finalist for the National Book Award in 2012, this satire set during the Iraq War explores themes of fraternity and the disconnect between war at home and war abroad. A movie with some big names was made (2016), but the reviews for that were not stellar. We’ll be happy to discuss the film as well.
The book and the movie can be found at the following libraries (reciprocal memberships are available to McKinney residents): Plano, McKinney, Allen, Frisco and probably others. We look forward to seeing you.
Join us in the Boardroom or on Zoom. There are hard copies and audio books and eBooks at the McKinney Library. It can also be found at the Frisco, Allen, and Plano libraries; all of which offer reciprocal library cards to McKinney residents.
We look forward to seeing you and discussing this book in person in the SRCA Boardroom or via Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 822 0419 7636
Passcode: 323380
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Travel Club
Tuesday, January 14
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Community Room
6201 Virginia Parkway
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!
Coffee, Cars & Cycles
Saturday, January 18
8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (Doors open at 8:00 a.m.)
Community Room and Circle Drive
6201 Virginia Parkway
Residents are invited 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 your vehicle! This is a relaxed come-and-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).
Stonebridge Ranch 101
Tuesday, January 28
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Community Room
6201 Virginia Parkway
Are you new to Stonebridge Ranch? Would you like to learn more about your Community Association? If so, then this event is for you! Kris Grooms, Community Association General Manager, will present a brief overview of the operations of our Association. Connie Baxter, Lifestyle Director, will review events and event registration. There will also be a discussion of the different channels of communication to residents, and 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. Maximum capacity: 40
Please register in advance at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stonebridgeranch-101-january-tickets-1109637057309
