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S TONEBRIDGE R ANCH N EWS
Fall should have arrived by the time you receive this newsletter. Cooler temperatures and hopefully rain will have returned. Dr. Moon, our landscape consultant, held a seminar open to our residents about what you should do to your plants and lawns in the Fall. He will have another one in the Spring. These are very informative, and he asks questions of attendees. So, be on the lookout for the next one. Our annual tree-lighting celebration is coming up in early December, so be on the alert for that, too! This month’s issue includes information about the 2025 Annual Assessment, various payment methods, and the December tree lighting entry change.
Board Meeting, September 26, 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 the Grand Manors Vice President of On-site Management, our General Manager, Lifestyle Director, Financial Manager, the Association’s Attorney, and two staff members from The Power Group via Zoom.
Homeowners Open Forum
Seven homeowners attended, three in person and four via Zoom. One to discuss compliance violations on his account, three to discuss maintenance and low water on some Wellington Ponds, and one to ask about the policies regarding limiting the number of rental homes in a village. We do not have any restrictions. Some sub-associations have implemented their own restrictions limiting the number of rentals in their villages. The remaining two attended the meeting to observe.
Consent Agenda
Approved the August 22, 2024 BOD meeting minutes. We reviewed and approved the Supplier and Contractor Insurance Policy Guideline, the Working Capital Guideline, and the Competitive Contract Bidding Policy.
Old Business
The Board received an update on the Beach Club project. We have selected three firms to request contract proposals.
New Business
The Board appointed the President and General Manager to negotiate a contract with the selected Landscape Architect for the Beach Club 2.0 Project.
Association Reports
Our General Manager reviewed the August 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.
Executive Session
We accepted the Variance Report, Payment Plan Status Report, Collections Committee Reports, Appeals Committee Decisions, Violations Reports (Compliance percentage, violations aging, priority violations, and nonsubmittal and modification applications), and the Projects Report.
We renewed and approved actions to be taken on our Foreclosure Report.
We approved the contract with The Power Group to provide PR services for our Beach Club 2.0 project throughout 2025.
We approved the funding methodology (the specific accounts to be used) for the pre-construction expenses for the Beach Club 2.0 Project.
We had an initial look at and discussion about the 2025 Association budget, which will be adopted at our October 10th BOD meeting.
We reviewed the Association’s monthly water consumption report. Due to the number of hot days in September, our water usage will be high.
We reviewed the recently negotiated Landscape and Grounds Contracts, which will be effective January 1, 2025. We rebid those contracts every three years. Our new contracts are the most detailed we have ever had and should improve our landscape efforts.
The Board President informed the Board of potential HOA issues that may come up in the 2025 Legislative Session.
The Association’s attorney updated the Board on current legal matters.
The meeting adjourned at 5:20 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
Amanda Batson, Connie Baxter, Scott Finley, Mathew Roebuck
B OARD O F D IRECTORS
President Jon Dell’Antonia
Vice President Amanda Batson
Secretary Joe Closs
Treasurer Michael Warner
Director Jim Buerkle
Director Bill Arnold
Director Kristen Vartian
SRCA S TAFF
General Manager Amber Pendergrass
Assistant General Manager Maya Hayes
Executive Assistant Lee-Yen Elliott
Administrative Assistant Jennifer Loyd
Administrative Assistant Janine Lyons
Administrative Assistant Stacey Fought
Communications Director Scott Finley
Financial Manager Lucy Duray
Lifestyle Director Connie Baxter
Landscape & Grounds Director Mathew Roebuck
Maintenance Supervisor Eric Ortega
FOOD • FEEDERS
Maintenance Technician Alastair Doherty
Maintenance Technician Lyle Noland
Pool Maintenance Technician Micah Reed
Porter Genri Barrientos
Porter Guillermo Barrientos
Compliance Inspector Elizabeth Berglund
Compliance Team Lead Amy Dearden
Modifications Team Lead Amy McAllister
P UBLISHER
To place an advertisement, please contact:
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.
2025 Annual Assessment Due January 1, 2025
During the October 10, 2024, meeting of the Stonebridge Ranch Community Association (SRCA) Board of Directors, the Association’s 2025 operating budget and the 2025 annual assessment were approved.
The flat-rate 2025 annual assessment for Stonebridge Ranch homeowners is $1,003. This is a 5.2% increase over the 2024 annual assessment. When planning your annual assessment payment, please keep these key factors in mind:
• The 2025 annual assessment statement will be sent to each homeowner no later than November 1, 2024.
• The due date for your annual assessment payment is January 1, 2025.
• It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure their payment is received by SRCA on time. The SRCA does not accept postage mailing date or the procedures of the homeowner’s bank. Some e-check and ACH payments can take up to two weeks to be
processed and posted to the SRCA account. If your payment is received by SRCA after January 1, you risk a late payment fee.
Why the Increase?
GrandManors and the SRCA homeowners who volunteer on committees and serve on the Board of Directors strive to maintain (and improve) premier SRCA services. Various factors have contributed to the annual assessment adjustment, although the primary factor is inflation. Just like our homeowners, SRCA has felt the effects of inflation and increased costs. To that end, as costs and expenses continue to increase, so must the amount of the annual assessment.
Some residents may be wondering: dues, assessments, and taxes. What’s the difference?
Taxes are what you pay to municipal, state, and Federal taxing authorities. Dues are what you pay to be a
member of a country club or other similar organization. Assessments are the charges that each property owner in a property owner’s association pays according to the Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs) and Bylaws of the said association.
Overall, the state of Texas uses the term “assessments” to refer to what people might instead consider dues. Dues are used by a country club for maintenance of the facilities, upkeep of the club house, keeping the golf course in tip-top shape and a host of other functions. Likewise, your SRCA assessment goes toward upkeep of our amenities -- the Aquatic Center, tennis courts, pickleball courts, parks, walking trails, ponds, landscaping, irrigation, and more – it’s all made possible by owners’ payments of the annual assessment, which fund the annual operating budget.
Do you have some treasured family pictures of events at Stonebridge Ranch? Annual assessments fund events like the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Meet the Bunny, Halloween Spooktacular, Concerts on the Circle, Cardboard Boat Races, monthly Coffee, Cars and Cycles meetups and many other events.
Annual assessments also cover overall management of the Association, including on-site staff, legal, and other professional fees, and a variety of other expenses approved by the SRCA Board of Directors. Our Repair and Replacement Reserves are also funded by the annual assessment.
Just like you have a household budget, so does the SRCA. Our budget is approved annually by the Board of Directors, a seven-member team of elected homeowner volunteers. Analysis and recommendations are provided by the staff as well as the Finance Committee, homeowner volunteers who are experienced in financial planning, large-budget management, accounting, investing, etc. Based on the analysis of past spending and projected future needs, the Board determines the annual assessment amount for each year.
Increases in the annual assessment rate are limited according to the SRCA CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions). According to SRCA governing documents, the Board of Directors is authorized to increase the annual assessment by five percent (5%) or the percentage increase of the CPI-U index from the previous fiscal year, whichever is greater. Since the previous fiscal year’s CPI-U index increase of 5.2% was greater than 5%, that percentage increase was used on October 10, 2024, to set the 2025 annual assessment rate at $1,003.
For detailed descriptions of SRCA governing documents, amenities, and a calendar of SRCA events, please visit our website at www.StonebridgeRanch.com
or your online resident portal. The approved annual operating budget is posted on the SRCA website and resident portal.
Again, the SRCA annual assessment notice will be sent out by November 1, 2024, and is due on January 1, 2025. Payments received by SRCA after January 1, 2025, may accrue late fees. For those homeowners who have not elected to receive an e-statement via email, the statement is mailed to the mailing address listed in the homeowner’s online account. If you do not receive a statement, contact the SRCA onsite office at 214-733-5800 or log in to your online resident portal to review the assessment statement. It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure we have the correct email and mailing address on file.
Are you a new homeowner and this is your first annual assessment? Thank you for joining us here at Stonebridge Ranch! We encourage you to add your email to your account and elect to receive e-statements via email for ease of communication. This is also a good time to check your account to make sure we have the most up to date contact information (mailing address, email, and phone numbers).
So, how do you pay your annual assessment? There are a few options available. Whichever option you choose remember that it is the owner’s sole responsibility to ensure that the payment is received by SRCA no later than January 1, 2025. Any payment received by SRCA after January 1, 2025, may prompt a late fee charged to the owner. SRCA is not responsible for mail service delays, incorrect address on the owner’s account, any conditions listed on the owner’s check that may cause the check to be rejected and not accepted, problems with the ACH set-up, etc. On to the payment options.
Resident Portal
Log in to your resident portal on CiraNet and pay using e-check or credit card. Please note, credit card payments will incur a convenience fee charged by the bank for processing the payment (neither SRCA nor GrandManors receives any part of the fee).
If you do not have your resident portal set up yet, here are the steps to log in:
1. Go to www.Ciranet.com/residentportal and click ‘Don’t have an account?’ below left of the Log In button. You can also access the resident portal from the homepage of the SRCA website, www. stonebridgeranch.com.
2. Create your user account by entering your account number, check digit, email address, and a password
of your choice. Then click ‘Create User’. If you do not have your account number and check digit, please refer to your statement or call GrandManors Resident Service Center at 855-947-2636.
3. Next, check your email inbox and open the email with subject line ‘CiraNet Portal Registration.” Click on the link to activate your account (the email may be in your ‘Junk Mail’ folder if you use Spam Protection). The link will take you back to the Login page.
4. Log in with your email address and the password that you created. The ‘Home Page’ will appear. You are now logged into the Resident Portal and are ready to use your portal to review and pay your annual assessment.
Note: If you own more than one Stonebridge Ranch property, click ‘Add Property’ located under your profile icon at the top right of your screen and enter the Community ID, Account Number, and Check Digit (each property address has a unique account number and check digit number, which can be found on the top right corner of the statement).
Automatic Draft
You may sign up for automatic draft or ACH via CiraNet, to be drafted once each year. Please note since the assessment is annual, the automatic draft will only draft once a year; there is not an option for monthly automatic draft schedule.
Automatic drafts need to be set up new by the homeowner annually as the annual assessment amount is subject to change from year to year. Owners who use ACH need to review and verify their setup and preferences each year.
For assistance, call GrandManors Resident Service Center at 855-947-2636.
Call GrandManors Resident Service Center
You may call GrandManors Resident Service Center at 855-947-2636 to pay by e-check or credit card.
In Person at SRCA Office
You may pay by check or money order at the SRCA on-site office at 6201 Virginia Parkway. The office is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm (closed on holidays). Include your account number on your check. A drop box is located to the lower left of the entrance door for after-hours deposits. Credit and debit cards are accepted during office hours with a service fee applied. The SRCA on-site office does not accept cash.
Check by Mail
You may send your check in the mail to the lockbox listed on your statement. Make sure to include your statement coupon with your check and write your account number on your check. Make checks payable to Stonebridge Ranch Community Association (abbreviate to SRCA) and mail to:
Stonebridge Ranch Community Association
c/o GrandManors PO Box 105007
Atlanta, GA 30348-5007
Payment Plan Option
If your SRCA account is delinquent and you meet certain eligibility requirements, SRCA offers an option for a voluntary payment plan arrangement with defined limitations and requirements. Administrative fees will be additional and applied for this option. Payment plans are available to homeowners after assessments are posted to owners’ accounts. It is the owner’s responsibility to request a payment plan. For more information about this option, call the SRCA office at 214-733-5800.
Please note: Some SRCA villages have their own sub-associations which oversee areas of maintenance or operation specific to a single neighborhood. These sub-associations assess their own dues to homeowners in their villages. Owners in these sub-associations will receive two separate assessment statements: one for SRCA and one for their respective sub-association.
So, there you have it. Again, assessment notices will be sent November 1, 2024, and are due and payable January 1, 2025. For any questions not answered in this article, please call the Association office at 214-733-5800.
Keep Informed
It is the goal of Stonebridge Ranch Community Association to keep our homeowners fully informed, including budget and assessment decisions and how they are used to maintain and improve our beautiful community. Please make sure to subscribe to our multiple communications channels to receive up-todate information. Visit www.stonebridgeranch.com/ stay-connected/ to access these channels.
Word to the Wise: Pay by January 1, 2025, to avoid late fees.
Thanks for your help in continuing to make the Stonebridge Ranch Community Association the premier, large-scale, master-planned community of choice in North Texas. ◀
2025 Operating Budget Summary
Preparing a Safe Holiday Dinner
As we approach Thanksgiving and the holidays we may be thinking of shared meals with family and friends, roasted or fried turkey, and cranberry scented candles.
The McKinney Fire Department thinks of those things, too, but they also think of making a lot of calls on Thanksgiving Day.
“Cooking is the main cause of home fires at any time, but Thanksgiving Day is the busiest day of the year for cooking fires,” said McKinney Fire Department Public Information Officer Merit Ossian–Jaeckel.
Ossian-Jaeckel says it’s all a matter of attention. “We know cooking fires can be prevented. Staying in the kitchen while cooking, using a timer, and avoiding distractions such as electronics or TV are steps everyone can take to keep families safe in their homes.”
Of course, that may be easier said than done. Thanksgiving Day parades, football games and just an overcrowded home are all things that lead to distractions in the kitchen, which can in turn lead to fires.
The National Fire Protection Association offers these tips:
• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey, and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay three feet away.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep things that can catch fire like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels at least three feet away from the cooking area.
• Avoid long sleeves and hanging fabrics that can come in contact with a heat source.
• Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long
time. Never throw water or use a fire extinguisher on the fire.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Only open the door once you’re confident the fire is completely out, standing to the side as you do. If you have any doubts or concerns, contact the fire department for assistance.
While most people use the oven for roasting a turkey, turkey frying is gaining in popularity. “Fried turkey is delicious, but it can be very dangerous if you don’t do it correctly,” says Ossian-Jaeckel. Correctly means not doing the number one mistake in frying a turkey –dropping a fully frozen turkey into a vat of boiling oil.
For those who have forgotten their basic chemistry and physics, here’s why a frozen turkey basically explodes when put into boiling oil. Water’s boiling point is 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking oil’s boiling point is about 350 degrees Fahrenheit. A frozen turkey, as you may imagine, has ice inside it. When added to the vat of boiling oil, the ice instantly vaporizes into steam. The steam instantly expands, which in turn multiplies the volume and increases the internal pressure inside the hot oil fryer.
In less than a second you have a flying turkey spraying hot oil and steam into the immediate area, including you and your eyes and skin.
There is also a number two mistake in frying a turkey, and the turkey isn’t even involved in this one.
As cooking oil passes its boiling point, it will begin smoking at around 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Different cooking oils have different “smoke points” but they all will catch fire if the temperature
continues to climb past that point.
Oil that boils past the lid of the fryer and comes in contact with the burner flames will combust, and that burning oil will then follow its own path back up the side of the vat and into the vat. Again, you will have no time to react. The resulting fire and explosion can throw flame up to ten feet into the air, igniting whatever it hits.
Here are some tips to keep your turkey frying, not flying.
• Don’t fry in a garage or shed. Get at least ten feet away from any structure.
• Make sure your fryer has a working thermostat.
• Keep a Class B flammable liquids fire extinguisher handy, as well as protective mitts, goggles and clothing.
• Don’t leave the fryer unattended, ever.
• Watch your oil. If it starts to smoke, turn off your cooking flame to lower the temperature immediately.
• More oil is not better. Add only the recommended amount per your fryer instructions.
• Your kids probably enjoyed the Frozen movies, but again, you won’t enjoy what happens if you use a frozen turkey with boiling oil. Make sure your bird is completely thawed and dry before its oil bath.
• The turkey is placed in the vat of boiling oil, not slam-dunked. Do it slowly to prevent splashing hot oil out.
• This should go without saying, but keep kids and pets away from the frying area.
“Just remember that even slightly frozen turkeys lowered into hot oil can lead to an explosion or fire,” says Ossian-Jaeckel. “The McKinney Fire Department wants you to have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.” ◀
Gazebos and Holiday Lights
With the holidays coming up, just a reminder: holiday lights are not permitted on SRCA gazebos. These include the Millard Pond gazebo, La Cima gazebo, Fountainview gazebo, Wellington gazebo, Liberty Place gazebo, Mayberry Park gazebo, Regents Park gazebo, and Cypress Crossing gazebo. SRCA will place lights on some Stonebridge Ranch monuments, but not on village monuments. Homeowners are permitted to decorate their village monuments with holiday lights.
Residential holiday lights are permitted November 1 – January 31. ◀
Your dental insurance benefits expire at the end of the year and don't roll over into the new one. You could have hundreds or even thousands of dollars in unused benefits you will lose if you don't use them. Call us for a complimentar y benefits check and make the most of your insurance!
(18 years old & under, non-insured) includes exam, x-rays, and cleaning.
Jingle All the Way to Radiant Smiles with our December offer. Enjoy discounts on braces and clear aligners star ting Dec. 1st
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
Veterans Club Meeting, 9:30 AM (CR)
Committee Meeting, Amenities Meeting, 3:30 PM (BR)
Coffee, Cars & Cycles, 8:30 AM (CR & Circle Drive); Tag-A-Truck, 10 AM (Tennis Courts Parking Lot)
Tree Lighting Entry Change
Our annual Holiday Tree Lighting event is right around the corner, and we want everyone who plans to attend to have all of the information about our entry change. We will have one single entry point at this year’s event. That entry point will be on the main drive leading to the Beach Club and Community Association Office. You will not be able to enter the event from the Adriatica path or the walking trail.
Once you arrive at the entry point, we will have 3 different lines:
• 1st line will be for residents with a Stonebridge Ranch ID Card. You will simply show your ID Card to the person at the desk, and they will give you a wristband to show that you have been granted entry to the event.
• 2nd line will be for residents who do not have a Stonebridge Ranch ID Card but have a valid form of identification (Click Here for information on valid forms of ID). This line will
take a little longer than the first line, as we will need to look up your address in our database. Once we have confirmed your residency, you will receive a wristband to show that you have been granted entry to the event.
• The 3rd line will be for residents with guests. You may show your Stonebridge Ranch ID Card or another valid form of identification in this line. A guest fee of $5.00 (Cash or check please, we do not accept credit cards) will be charged for every non-resident attending with a resident. Residents will receive a wristband, and guests will receive a different color wristband. Both will show that you have been granted entry into the event.
We strongly encourage you to get your Stonebridge Ranch ID before this event. It will decrease your wait time at the entry point for this and future events. Stonebridge Ranch IDs can be issued Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Community Association Office at 6201 Virginia Parkway.
You may be wondering why we are making this change.
1. Security - One of the primary reasons we are utilizing wristbands is to enhance security and control access to the event premises. Wristbands serve as a visual indicator that an individual has been granted access to the event. Wristbands make it easier for event staff to identify authorized attendees and differentiate them from those without proper credentials.
2. Fiduciary Responsibility – In a nutshell, we want the money spent on our activities to be used for our residents.
Studies show that 84% of consumers rank safety and security as important factors when attending live events. Failing to verify identities undermines public trust in events and makes attendees less likely to attend.
We will be utilizing this entry change at many upcoming Stonebridge Ranch events. We look forward to seeing you and your family at the Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 5th. ◀
Compliance Corner
Trash Talk
Trash Tote/Recycle Bins shall not be viewed from the street (as viewed from property line to property line of your home) and shall be stored in the following locations:
a. In the garage
b. Behind a six (6) foot cedar privacy fence screened from public view.
c. In the alley up against your house or fence.
d. Behind your front building line and screened by large dense evergreen shrubs. The density of the evergreen shrubs must provide appropriate screening of the totes as viewed from the street.
e. Minimum of 2-foot setback from front corner of home with approved screening, so they may not be viewed from property line to property line of your home.
f. Trash Tote/Recycle Bins fencing may be installed as detailed in the fencing guideline section.
g. Trash Tote/Recycle Bins may not be stored in the driveway of any property, unless located in an alley and stored up again your house or fence. May not be stored in a flower bed.
Finally...
Trash Tote/Recycle Bins can be placed out ready for pick up not earlier than 6:00 pm on the day prior to the trash pickup day and must be properly stored by 7:00 am the day following trash pickup.
Turkey and Tryptophan
It’s something of a cliché – that big Thanksgiving feast and then watching Uncle Bob nod off to sleep during the football games.
According to sleepfoundation.org, that feeling of sleepiness is pretty common after Thanksgiving dinner, and many people blame it on the bird – or rather, the tryptophan in the turkey.
What’s tryptophan? It’s an amino acid that’s necessary to several human functions, primarily in keeping your mood on an even keel. Tryptophan helps your body make serotonin which is good for your mood, but the byproduct of that chemical conversion is melatonin. Melatonin plays a major role in how and when you are awake or asleep.
Researchers say that over the years turkey, which contains tryptophan, has gotten a bad rap for being behind those food comas on the couch. Sleepfoundation.org says the turkey tryptophan probably doesn’t make you sleepy by itself, but once it’s combined with carbohydrates, it’s nighty-night time.
Carbohydrates you consume at Thanksgiving include potatoes, corn, peas, breads, desserts – all the good stuff! Can you eat this and not get sleepy? Sure, but who among us has the willpower to resist that second piece of pecan or pumpkin pie?
It’s also not just what you eat with a fork or spoon, it’s what you drink. Alcohol consumption goes up during the holiday season (DON’T drink and drive!) and as you know, that tends to dull your brain and
nervous system. Coupled with that big meal, a few drinks are going to make you sleepy.
So, what’s to keep you from going face down into Aunt Clara’s Jello salad?
Sleepfoundation.org offers these tips:
• Get Enough Sleep: Holiday gatherings may disrupt your routine, but it’s important to keep your sleep schedule as consistent as possible. Most adults need at least seven hours of sleep each night.
• Eat Smaller Portions: Smaller portions and foods lower in carbohydrates can help reduce your feelings of sleepiness.
• Reduce Alcohol Consumption: Especially in people who do not frequently drink, low amounts of alcohol reduce the time it takes for them to fall asleep.
• Exercise Regularly: Regular exercise helps you maintain overall health and well-being and is recommended for healthy sleep. However, it is best to avoid exercise two to three hours prior to bedtime.
• Create a Healthy Sleep Environment: Make your sleep environment dark, cool, and quiet, and avoid light from electronics in the hours before bedtime.
Remember, the holidays only come around once each year. Don’t be Rip Van Winkle and sleep through them! ◀
Pets and Thanksgiving
We all consider our pets part of the family, and that means many of our dogs and cats get to partake of a bit of the Thanksgiving meal.
Purina says while cats can eat a bit of turkey, make sure it’s cooked well, not seasoned (which can be toxic for cats) or the skin of the turkey, and only in a small quantity.
The same goes for dogs, and NEVER give dogs a bone to chew on. It can shatter in their jaws and the sharp shards can be ingested by the dog, sending you both to the veterinary emergency clinic on Thanksgiving. Also remember that chocolate is highly toxic to dogs and cats and is strictly off their dietary list.
For more information on what’s good and bad for your pets this holiday season, contact your veterinarian. ◀
Holiday Shopping Safety Tips
Your friends in law enforcement wish you a happy and joyous holiday season!
How do you like to do your holiday shopping? Are you a Black Friday or Cyber Monday person? Do you prefer the sensory overload of going to a mall, or a cup of coffee and a search engine? Maybe some of both?
Any way you do it, holiday shopping is a task – and one that requires you to proceed carefully. Here are some tips on staying safe while shopping this season, from the McKinney Police Department and the National Crime Prevention Council, home of McGruff the Crime Dog.
Be aware of your surroundings. Leave the earbuds at home. You need to be able to hear what’s going on around you.
Be wary of sparsely populated or poorly lit areas, such as corridors and parking garages.
Women should carry lightweight purses slung crossbody, not just hanging from one shoulder, to deter snatch and grab thieves. Men should put wallets inside a coat or front pocket. Shop with a friend, or friends.
Do one thing at a time. Do not allow other things, or people, to distract you. There are plenty of distractions while shopping. Product demonstrations, carolers, other shoppers – don’t let anyone make you lose focus and forget where you are or to keep an eye on your packages and bags.
You may also find yourself shopping with kids who are out to see Santa or other holiday displays at stores. Shopping may bore them, and bored kids let their attention wander. Make sure you and your charges have a plan in case you get separated. Picking out a central meeting place, such as Santa or a mall fountain, is a good idea. Point out security officers you see, and let children know they can ask them or store employees for help.
Have your keys ready before heading to your vehicle.
Don’t stand and fumble for your keys at the car with an armful of packages. Be ready to pop the trunk and load up. If you have a lot to carry, have a friend or store employee help you. Leave after you load. Don’t go back inside after someone may have seen you depositing items in your trunk. Also, never leave your car with stuff out in clear view on the seats.
Do not carry large amounts of cash. If stolen, cash is untraceable and easily disposed of. Use a credit card, but don’t pull it out before you need to. Thieves have been known to “shoulder surf” and get a quick pic of a card or other item. Keep up with your receipts. Beyond the obvious that you don’t want anyone picking up your information, having your receipts in one place will help when you need to return or exchange an item, and also to reconcile your credit card accounts. The same goes for your receipts from online shopping. Print and keep them. Before you leave the house, get all your credit cards out and line them up on the table. Take a group picture front and back, so you know what you have just in case.
Beware of scammers. If you think it’s a scam, it probably is.
The Wild West doesn’t just exist in movies and old black and white TV shows. It’s alive and well out on the internet. When you step in, keep your personal information private and NEVER release your password. The number one thing you can do before plunging into the web is making sure your computer security software is up to date, with the latest anti-spam, anti-virus, and antispyware installed.
Don’t bother to reply to “requests” to verify your password or credit card information, unless YOU initiated the conversation. Just move it to the trash without opening it. The same goes for messages you receive with misspellings, grammar, and tense issues – they go into the trash without opening. Remember, if it looks fishy, it more than likely is fishy. One of the best ways to keep yourself safe is to use only secure websites when purchasing. Look for the image of a little padlock up in the left corner of the screen in the address.
Use only sites you know are reputable. Don’t EVER click on links or download attachments unless you are absolutely sure where they came from. And while it may be tempting to log onto unsecured public WiFi while you’re taking a break for coffee, don’t. Criminals are also logged on and searching for ways to exploit you.
Finally, if you see something, say something. A package sitting alone could be a mistake, or it could be something else. ◀
Question one:
Before it was Stonebridge Ranch, the area was known as the Flying M Ranch. The ranch included an airstrip. Where was it located?
a. Running alongside Virginia Parkway
b. Between what are now the 10th and 14th fairways of the Pete Dye Golf Course
c. On a line from the deli section of the Tom Thumb at 6800 Virginia Parkway up through the nearby McDonalds drive through
d. From the site of the current SRCA office building out to Virginia Parkway
Question two:
Stonebridge Ranch is home to a cemetery. It's named after the first person buried there - who was it? HINT – the answer to this question is in the October issue of the Stonebridge Ranch News magazine!
a. Mattie A. Ottenhausen
b. Henry Ottenhausen
c. George McGarrah
d. Harriet McGarrah Solutions are on page 28
LAWN ORDER
Nothing makes a greater impact on your yard than a beautiful tree – but you just can’t leave it to nature and hope for the best.
Whether you’re planting large canopy shade trees like red oak and live oak, or ornamentals like crepe myrtle or even shrubs, taking the time to do it right will help to ensure your success as a DIY arborist.
Fall’s cooler temperatures make planting trees much easier. The soil temperature is mild, preventing root shock. If you’re planting items that come to you in a burlap root ball cover, planting now gives them time to recover and extend roots before spring arrives.
So, what’s the best way to plant?
Listen to Texas A & M University’s Agrilife Extension Service.
1. Select the right tree for your location. Make sure there’s overhead room for a canopy to spread and side to side room for roots.
2. Get a couple of shovels. You will need to dig out a hole that’s at least TWICE as wide as the root ball, but no deeper than the root ball.
3. Get a hose. Fill the hole with water and see how it drains. If it takes over 24 hours, find a different location for your tree, because having roots underwater for long periods of time will kill the tree.
4. While out of the ground, take the opportunity to carefully prune the tree. Prune diseased or dead roots, not canopy branches.
5. Go over the root ball and remove any foreign materials you see. Inspect the top of the root ball for excess soil from being in the container or field dug. Excessive soil on the top of the root ball can cause the tree to be over planted. Now’s the time to take off as much of the burlap covering as possible.
6. Don’t hurt your back! Set the tree in the hole with the top of the root ball flush or just above the ground.
PLANT YOUR TREE PROPERLY
7. Carefully fill the area of the hole with the dirt that came out. Do not use any soil amendments. Back filling you should be following 1/3 of the size of the root ball method and compacting to remove air gaps at each interval for soil to root contact. Be careful you could damage fine roots.
8. If necessary, carefully stake the tree.
9. Add mulch like pine bark or wood chips.
10. Water for the first two years. A newly planted tree is thirsty, consuming between six and eight gallons of water per week for every inch of diameter of the trunk.
11. If needed, put a wire guard around the trunk to protect it.
12. Let the tree grow by itself for the first season. Don’t add fertilizer or other growth products.
13. Finally, be patient. Remember this quote from Warren Buffet: “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”
Mathew Roebuck Landscape & Grounds Director, SRCA
Illustration ~ Robert O’Brien
November 2024
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.
Veterans Club
Saturday, November 9 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Community Room 6201 Virginia Parkway
The Veterans 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. An update on the proposed projects will be discussed. Bring a friend! Join us in honoring our past, celebrating our present, and shaping our future. Together, we thrive.
Happy Veterans Day
Book Club
Monday, November 11
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
SRCA Boardroom and Zoom
6201 Virginia Parkway
November’s book is Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, by Gabrielle Zevin, the New York Times best-selling author of The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry. On a bitter-cold day, in December of his junior year at Harvard, Sam Masur exits a subway car and sees Sadie Green amid the hordes of people waiting on the platform. He calls her name. For a moment, she pretends she hasn’t heard him, but then, she turns, and a game begins: a legendary collaboration that will launch them to stardom.
These friends, intimate since childhood, borrow money, beg favors, and, before even graduating college, they have created their first blockbuster, Ichigo. Overnight, the world is theirs. Not even twenty-five years old, Sam and Sadie are brilliant, successful, and rich, but these qualities won’t protect them from their creative ambitions or the betrayal of their hearts.
Everyone is welcome to discuss this story. There are multiple copies at the McKinney library, plus eBooks and eAudiobooks, and even more at surrounding libraries. We look forward to seeing you in person in the SRCA Boardroom or via Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82204197636?pwd=a m1UUTRobUZIek8wMUFydWNXUmU4dz09
Meeting ID: 822 0419 7636
Passcode: 323380
Dial by your location: +1 (346)248-7799 Travel
Tuesday, November 12 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!
Morning Bingo (Adult Only Event)
Thursday, November 14
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-bingonovember-tickets-1038908381937 or contacting the management staff at (214)733-5800.
Tag-A-Truck
Saturday, November 16
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Tennis Court Parking Lot 6201 Virginia Parkway
Coffee, Cars & Cycles
Saturday, November 16
8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m
Community Room and Circle Drive
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 you drive! 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, breakfast tacos, and sweet treats (one per person, please) 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).
We like big trucks and we cannot lie! We hope you will bring your whole family to the tennis court parking lot to see a variety of cool vehicles. We will have a fire truck, bucket truck, dump truck, and more! You will also get to meet the people who drive them! Children will be given a sticker to “tag” the bumper of their favorite vehicle. Who will win this year?
Residents can also participate in a free raffle drawing for remote-control car prizes. DJ Uptown Sound will be in attendance to play family-friendly music and we will also provide a themed bounce house.
Think You Know
Answer 1: B, Between the 10th and 14th fairways of the Pete Dye course
Answer 2: C, George McGarrah, buried in 1879. As a side note, according to the McGarrah Cemetery Association, the name “Ottenhausen” on the historical plaque at the cemetery should read “Ottenhouse,” the actual name on the cemetery tombstones.
Due to print lead times, all events listed here are subject to change or cancellation. Prior to attending any SRCA event, check the online calendar at www.stonebridgeranch.com/ events/ to confirm dates, times and details.
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