Riverhill Living - Spring 2020

RIVERHILL Living Spring 2020 | Vol. 4, Issue 1

In this issue:

Riverhill Volunteers

Resident Spotlight: Capt.Bill White Christmas party photos

Riverhill Home Sales and Current Listings Riverhill Home Sales Current Listings Data Board of ofand Realtors MultipleListing Listing Service.

Data source source is is the the Kerrville Kerrville Board Realtors Multiple Service.

January 1, Board 2019of toRealtors July 31, 2019 Listing

Data source is the Kerrville Multiple Service.

November 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020 January 1, 2019town to April 30, 2019.

All residents include homes an condos.

All residences including town homes and condos.

All residences including town homes and condos.

Riverhill Sales January 1,1, 2019 to July 31, 2019 31, 2020 Riverhills Sales November 2019 to January SALES PRICE

NUMBER SOLD

Riverhill Sales January 1, 2019 to April 30, 2019 20 SOLD NUMBER

100,000 SALES -199,000 PRICE

200,000 - 299,000 100,000 - 199,000

780 36 10

300,000 - 399,000 200,000 - 299,000 400,000 - 499,000 300,000 - 399,000

3 53

500,000400,000599,000 - 499,000

3 03

600,000 - 699,000 500,000 - 599,000

01

700,000 - 799,000 600,000 - 699,000

00

800,000 - 899,000 700,000 - 799,000

00

900,000 - 999,000 800,000 - 899,000

00

> 1, 000,000 900,000 - 999,000

00

> 1,000,000

0

Current Listings as of May 6, 2019

Current Listings as of January 31, 2020

LISTED PRICECurrent Listings as ofNUMBER ON MARKET 07/31/2019

100,000 - 199,000 LISTED PRICE 200,000 - 299,000 100,000 -199,000 300,000 - 399,000 200,000 - 299,000 400,000 - 499,000 300,000 - 399,000 500,000 - 599,000 400,000 - 499,000 600,000 - 699,000 500,000- 599,000 700,000 - 799,000 600,000 - 699,000 800,000 - 899,000 700,000 - 799,000 900,000 - 999,000 800,000 - 899,000 > 1,000,000 1,000,000 +

0 MARKET NUMBER ON 4 0 8 4 3 2 11 4 4 22 0 3 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 0 0 0

Prepared by

Prepared by

The Hills Realty

1726 Sidney Baker Street, Kerrville TX 78028

1726 Sidney Baker Steet, Kerrville, Texas 78028

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RIVERHILL

Living

The Kerrville Daily Times’ Staff Carlina Villalpando Publisher Louis Amestoy Managing Editor Parastoo Nikravesh Special Sections Editor John Doran Advertising Director Contributors Nancy Foster Frank Dunlap Rhonda Wiley-Jones Matt Trevino Photography Tom Holden Advertising Luly Bliss Brandon Baldwin Valerie Tucker Composition Dean Heep Johanna Rangel Contact Riverhill www.riverhillpoa.com Send story ideas to riverhill@dailytimes.com Contact The Daily Times 429 Jefferson St., Kerrville www.dailytimes.com 896-7000

Message from the Board The past couple of months have taught us Riverhill APOR members are willing to rally behind a cause and take action to maintain and improve our beautiful neighborhood while striving to protect and grow our property values. Our special appointed committee, chaired by Bill White, worked tirelessly with the City Council, city staff and developers of Vintage Heights and reaffirmed our ability to work together to achieve a common goal.

To that end, your Board of Directors is announcing a new way forward for our Association. Our priorities will be refocused to ensure that we are meeting the needs and expectations of Riverhill now and for the years to come. Over the past several years, we have been focused on maintaining our membership and supporting social events that have been enjoyable and worthwhile, but have left us with stagnant membership numbers and an inability to devote the appropriate resources to spend on our landscaping maintenance and beautification needs. Riverhill has always been known as the premier neighborhood in Kerrville, but we must work to maintain the landscaping at our entrances, work closely with the city to increase lighting and generally keep “our yard” beautiful.

While we will continue to host social events and functions such as National Night Out, Yard of the Month and the Christmas Decoration and Lighting Contest, we will devote more

time and resources to neighborhood beautification and maintenance projects. With less than 50% of Riverhill residents being active dues paying members of the APOR, we will continue, with your help, to demonstrate the value of belonging to the APOR and to encourage greater participation and financial support for these projects. We have also begun an in-depth review of expenses and budgeting that will likely lead to an increase in dues for 2021. Given the facts at hand, we have essentially agreed moving toward a mandatory HOA is not feasible so we must seek other avenues to meet our needs. We think we can all agree $45 per year per household dues is not nearly enough to cover the upkeep and maintenance of our current entrances and traffic circles, let alone adding the beautification projects that will certainly enhance the curb appeal of our neighborhood. There will be more to come on this before our Annual Meeting in October.

2020 will be an exciting time to join with us in making Riverhill the best it can be. Please go to www. riverhillpoa.com to print out and mail in your membership form and check.

We thank you, in advance, for those who have supported us over these many years and hope all others will do the same.

APOR Board of Directors Mindy Wendele, Bart Jones, Andrea O’Neal & Steve Boynton

On the Cover Photo by: Parastoo Nikravesh Location: Rolling Green entrance Cover models: Riverhill volunteers Coming in the next issue: Riverhill Artists

Riverhill Living 3

Table of Contents News

6 Landscape Project

Photos

8 Winter Yards of the Month 9 Bragging Rights 12 Christmas Party Photos

19 Volunteers of Riverhill Feature

14 Kerr Konnect Volunteers Columns

19 Golf Tip 20 Gardening Tip Travel

24 Travel Tales 10 Resident Spotlight: Capt. Bill White 4 Spring 2020

Riverhill Living 5

News

Lanscape Project The Board of Directors have approved a major landscape project for our entrances. All we have to do is raise the approximately $12,000 to complete the work! The entrances on track to be improved are the Highway 173 at Riverhill Boulevard entrance, Highway 16 at Riverhill Boulevard (both corners) and both sides of the Rolling Green entrance. The enhancement of these entrances will increase the values of our homes and elevate the curb appeal for our whole neighborhood, but we will need everyone’s help in order to make this happen.

Below you will see the “before” and “after” examples of the project we would like to complete. If you would like to make a donation, please mail a check to: APOR, PO Box 293895, Kerrville, TX 78029 and mark “landscape project” in the memo line. We have already had 6 generous donations so far, so get out your checkbook right now and help us put the project in motion. We feel the Riverhill entrances should be as beautiful as those found at Comanche Trace and Saddlewood.

We thank you, in advance, for the donation. We hope you will appreciate it every time you drive into Riverhill to get to your home.

If you have any questions, please contact any board member found on the website at www.riverhillpoa.com.

A special thanks to the following people for their generous donation to our project: Doug Jones and Kathryn Loeffler $100 Steve and Pam Boynton $100 Ken Harris $100 Maya Christenson $100 Stockton Williams $30 O’Neil Griffin $1,000 We would love to add your name to our list!

Before and after picture for Rolling Green entrance.

6 Spring 2020

Did you know?

City of Kerrville Pet Ordinance Did you know that within Kerrville city limits, pet owners are allowed no more than four dogs or four cats or a combination totaling no more than four?

This ordinance is according to the City of Kerrville Development Services Code Enforcement (As can be read on our website under “Resources.”)

Be sure when looking for any additional furry family members to keep this limit in mind to adhere to our city’s code.

Before

After

Before and after pictures for Highway 16 and Riverhill Boulevard.

Before and after picture of Highway 173 and Riverhill Boulevard entrance.

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Riverhill Living 7

Yard of the Month/Yard News

Yard of the Month November

December

November Yard of the Month — Congratulations to Bart and Karen Jones at 311 Lakewood.

December Yard of the Month — Congratulations to Jim and Carrie Wilson at 410 Springmill Drive.

Great style starts at home.

Your home is a reflection of you. It inspires. It comforts.

It communicates who you are to neighbors, friends, and family.

Call us today to help you achieve the beautiful window creations you’re dreaming of right now. We make dreams come true. k e r r villewindo wfashi ons.com

8 Spring 2020

Kerrville window fashions SE E YOU R W OR LD IN S TY L E.

5 0 7 J u n ct i on Hwy. , Ke r r vi l l e , TX 7 8 0 2 8

8 3 0 . 73 3 . 0 0 4 1

Happy Birthday!

Making Music

Any new babies, graduates or newlyweds in the family? We’d love to share it! Send a photo of them, the school they’re graduating from and what their future plans are to riverhill@ dailytimes.com to be featured in the summer issue.

Julia Finger turns 100 on March 4, 2020

Holy Cow!

Mindy Wendele: Our grandson, Foster, first grader at Clear Fork Elementary School in Lockhart, won 1st Place in the annual Science Fair in January. Foster’s entry was All About Cattle.

Bragging Rights

James Henson, grandson of Jim and Barbara Posgate, was recently selected, for the second year in a row, as lead guitarist for the jazz band in the Pacific Jazz and Modern Music Festival held at Kadena AFB in Okinawa, Japan. James is a student in Guam High School, where his parents, Dr. Keith and Young Henson, are educators. He has a Third Degree Blackbelt in Taekwondo and, during the summer, participates in tennis and golf at Riverhill County Club. He plans on attending Schreiner University.

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2nd place: Roger Butzen & Maridee Rinehart — 503 Preston Trail Loop

1st Place: Greg and Laura Shrader —108 Castle Pines Drive

3 3rd place: Clement and Karen Proud — 513 Preston Trail Loop

Annual Christmas Lighting and Decoration Contest

Riverhill Living 9

Q&A

Q: How long have you lived in Riverhill, and what is your favorite thing to do here?

A: We’ve lived here since 2006 full-time and we were

up here in 2005 part-time. The answer to the second question is the people here. It’s a tremendous mix of community-oriented and easy-to-get-along-with people.

It’s amazing the number of volunteers we have here, and Riverhill itself is just a wonderful place to live.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do in Kerrville or Kerr County?

A: Golf, but I’m on the injured reserve right now with some back issues

Q: Where do you work and/or volunteer, and what is your job title and/or role there?

A: I went to the University of San Diego and after

graduation I was commissioned in the Marine Corps and served three years on active duty. The last year was with the 1st Marine Air Wing based in Da Nang, RVN. Following that I went to work for American Airlines at Dallas Love Field. I spent 32 years in operations management. Among other jobs, I was the first General Manager for American Airlines in Corpus Christi and from there moved into a similar position at Houston Hobby Airport. I concluded my career as Sr. Vice President of Field Operations for AMRServices, one of the largest airline ground handling contractors in the world. I had a great career with them and went to a lot of places and did a lot of things. Anything in the operation of the airline except for maintenance I was involved in.

After I retired from American, I moved on to a big design engineering construction company called Parsons. That took me back to Houston as the project manager for the installation of the explosive detection baggage system at the new International Terminal at Intercontinental Airport and then down at Hobby. This was right after 9/11 and all the sophisticated equipment was going in.

10 Spring 2020

Capt.

Bill White

with

Resident Spotlight

When I was there I had a chance to work on a special project in Socci, Russia, for the Olympics getting an airport redesigned. And my final project was to Ecuador helping Ecuadorians moving from one airport site to another one.

Then I retired and have become involved in a very unique and special project for the Military Order of the World Wars. It is a national undertaking and in our case the Hill Country Chapter and others throughout Texas conduct a Youth Leadership Council where we recruit high schoolers and homeschoolers, pay their tuition and take 13 to 14 junior students down to the U.S.S. Lexington.

While on the ship, they undergo a very intense four-day course that focuses on patriotism, civics, the Constitution and team building to make them better leaders for the future. It gives me an opportunity to see the youth of America and our future leaders in action. I get as much out of it, as a lecturer and mentor, as they do.

Q: What is your favorite holiday tradition that your family and/or friends do?

A: When I was working in Corpus Christi I met my

bride in 1984 and I was invited to Thanksgiving dinner in Kerrville with her family. That started a tradition. It’s still going on, to a degree, but when her mom lived down the street, she would have 30 to 45 members of the family in for Thanksgiving and that was a big draw.

Q: What hobbies or activities do you enjoy in your free time?

A: Golf, when I am able to do it, and getting involved

with community things and current events. Most recently, I was the Chairman for a Committee of our Homeowners Organization that addressed the many issues and impacts to our subdivision with the new Vintage Heights Project.

Q: What are you most proud of?

A: Having the ability and opportunity to earn a

commission into the United States Marine Corps. Being

afforded the opportunity to lead the men and women of the finest military organization in the world is a very unique privilege for which I will be forever grateful.

Q: What is your biggest pet peeve?

A: When people don’t follow up. If I make a

commitment to someone to do something, I do it. I get it done. And if there is something that is required further, I make sure that is done and is communicated.

Q: What is the best and worst thing about getting older?

A: I don’t have to go to work anymore. After 32

years of working and getting up at the crack of dawn and taking phone calls 24/7, it’s nice to sleep in. The hardest thing is I recently had to give up skiing — which I thoroughly enjoyed — because of my back and knees.

Q: What’s the best advice you’ve been given and from whom?

A: I can’t really remember who gave it to me but

it’s pretty simple: “When things are going their worst, you need to take a step back and think of one thing — somehow and some way, everything is going to work out for the best.” And I can honestly say, to my recollection, that has always been the case despite how bad something seemed to be.

Q: What is on your bucket list?

there, and we were married at the Chapel at the Naval Air Station. I also had the good fortune of adding two teenage daughters to our family, and they have been a joy and inspiration. They now have daughters and a son, so we can enjoy the joys of grandparenting.

A: Number one is to return to New Zealand. I was down

Q: What is something you think everyone

there years ago with a friend of mine, and Becky has never been there. It is a tremendous country, and I have a distant relative in residence who has invited us to visit him at his avocado and kiwi ranch. More immediately, our eyes are set on a river cruise to the Christmas markets in Germany. Third, we want to get back to Ireland.

Q: What goal are you currently working on?

A: In my small way, to do the best I can to ensure that this country remains free and that our liberties are protected.

Q: What is the best gift you ever received?

A: It was when someone said “yes” and she is sitting over there [he points to his wife]. We met in Corpus Christi when I was the general manager for American

should do at least once in their lives?

A: Everyone should go to Arlington Cemetery. I was

just back there six months ago on an Honor Flight where they fly veterans from WWII, Korea and, now, Vietnam back and do the tour of the military monuments in D.C. The National Cemetery was one of the stops, and it was very important for me, because in 1968, a year after I got back from Vietnam, I buried my best friend there and hadn’t been back in quite a while. It was especially meaningful for me, since our military escorts were from HMX-1 (the Marines who escort and fly the President).

Everyone needs to go to Arlington, there are 400,000 people buried there, and I think if you take a minute to reflect on what’s there, then a lot of the things that people seem to go off the deep end about today would go away in a big hurry, especially the younger kids.

Riverhill Living 11

Kerrville Funeral KFH Home Gene and Katie Allen, his family and the staff take great pride in being a part of the Kerrville community.

“Serving each family with dignity, pride and honor since 1967.”

1221 Junction Highway • Kerrville, Texas 78028 830-895-5111 • www.kerrvillefuneralhometx.com 12 Spring 2020

TFSC Lic. #2355

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our annual Christmas party!

Riverhill Living 13

From left: Mary Ellen Summerlin, Debby Threadgill, Linda Smith Photo by Tom Holden

Celebrate Riverhill

Volunteers Story by Nancy Foster

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olunteering in Kerrville seems to be contagious. At least it is in Riverhill, where we rarely meet anyone who hasn’t selflessly devoted time and talent to supporting the worthy nonprofits in the Hill Country. Considering that one of four Americans volunteer, as reported by The Corporation for National and Community Service, and that volunteerism has a value exceeding $185 billion, our residents are definitely among those making a difference.

We identified several Riverhill residents who volunteer at Kerr Konnect, the Kerrville-based transport company that provides a service of lowcost rides within a 10-mile radius of Kerrville for those unable to drive to medical appointments, hair salons, shopping or errands. Thanks to community

14 Spring 2020

support, donations, grants and a cadre of dedicated volunteers who stepped up, this nonprofit is a real success story and a lifeline for many in need. We caught up with Linda Smith, Mary Ellen Summerlin and Debby Threadgill to learn about their passion for Kerr Konnect and their other volunteer initiatives.

Linda Smith Linda Smith and husband, Chuck, have lived in Riverhill since May 2005. With an extended family of five children, 13 grandchildren and nine greatgrandchildren, Linda stays quite busy but still finds time to do volunteer work. She is enthusiastic about Kerr Konnect and signed on as an office volunteer as soon as they opened their doors in 2018. As one of 15 office workers, she volunteers each Tuesday afternoon, doing tasks including handling the phones, mailing and processing membership packets, assisting

Feature

Linda Smith in the Kerr Konnect office.

drivers with mileage reports and computer work.

“I love what I do. Our mission to connect the community becomes personal for all of us. We get to know our riders and are able to help them with their specific needs.” Linda hopes this article may inspire others to consider volunteering. “With close to 100 people waiting to join, we really need more volunteer drivers.”

Linda also volunteers with other area organizations.

“I serve on my church Board of Directors, our Outreach and Social Justice Committee, am currently Chair of our Ministerial Search Committee and act as our church liaison to the Hill Country Alliance Against Human Trafficking. I belong to AAUW and recently joined their Scholarship Committee.”

Mary Ellen Summerlin Mary Ellen Summerlin has lived in Riverhill for the past 20 years and is a true advocate of volunteering.

She had recently returned from a week-long missionary trek to Guatemala and jumped right back into her Kerr Konnect involvement, squeezing in time for our photoshoot before dashing off for a poll worker class.

Mary Ellen is one of 50 drivers and discloses that their commitment to solving a significant problem led to her involvement with Kerr Konnect.

“They make it so easy to participate,” she says, “and I get to meet such interesting and friendly people that ride with me.” She also encourages others to become

involved.“Even if you can only spare a couple of hours a week, give it a try.”

In addition to her involvement with Kerr Konnect, Mary Ellen volunteers at the YES Center to help with after-school tutoring, the League of Women Voters, the Kerrville City Code Review Committee, many churchrelated programs and serves as board president of the Synod of the Sun Presbyterian Foundation.

Debby Threadgill Debby Threadgill stays busy. Very busy. Many area nonprofits benefit from her time and talents, including Kerr Konnect, which she learned about from a friend.

She now devotes three to five hours a week as a driver and last year logged in 1,300 miles on passenger trips. She is happy to be of service. “I have met many wonderful people through Kerr Konnect, including several I now consider good friends.”

Debby, who has lived in Riverhill since 2006, has been volunteering for years, assisting with the Lions Camp Discovery, the HEB Tennis Center, Red Kettle bell ringing for the Salvation Army and Schreiner University’s Hill Country College Fund.

According to VolunteerHub, volunteerism improves health by strengthening the body, improving mood and lessening stress. Looking around at all our Riverhill volunteers, this seems to be true, and our community benefits greatly.

Riverhill Living 15

Feature

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1. Brenda Williams — Brenda volunteers on a project with the Kerr County Historical Commission as the Chairperson for the Downtown Historic Sign Project. She also volunteers with the Museum of Western Art and Hill Country Youth Ranch Auxiliary.

2. Patricia Kobe — Patricia volunteers for the Interfaith Welcome Coalition. Patricia’s job is to welcome refugees, help them get their tickets, get through security and to their gates. These folks are mostly women with small children, toddlers and babies from the Northern Triangle countries (Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador) who were on their way to their sponsored families in the U.S. Most came with nothing except what they could put in grocery bags. Patricia feels passionate about the mission of this organization.

3. Barbara Posgate — Barbara is a member of the Hill Country Youth Ranch Auxiliary.

4. Greg and Laura Shrader — Greg volunteers at Peterson Health Board, Salvation Army Board, Nimitz Foundation and the National Museum of the Pacific War Board and at the First United Methodist Church. Laura volunteers at Hill Country Youth Orchestras Inc. Board and the First United Methodist Church.

5. Martha Mitchell, Karen Bammel, Phyllis Young — Martha Mitchell (Winged Foot), Karen Bammel (Oakland Hills Lane) and Phyllis Young (Rock Creek) all volunteer with the Friends of the Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library. Martha serves as President of the Board of Directors. The Friends of the Library operate a bookstore located on the first floor of the library building on Water Street. The bookstore is open Wednesdays from 1 - 3 p.m. and the second Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Proceeds from sales of donated books go toward the Summer Reading Program, Family and Literacy programs and Books for Babies at Peterson Hospital.

6. Lynda DeMasco — Lynda has volunteered with Peterson Regional Medical Center since 2013 and is currently the first vice president of the Auxiliary and has served as second vice president as well. She is in her second term as a board

member of the Texas Association of Healthcare Volunteers and has chaired the 2018 District TAHV meeting. She works closely with the joint coordination nurse at the hospital and has volunteered in the surgical waiting room since 2013.

7. Stockton Williams — Stockton works with Magdalene House of Mercy Gate Ministries and The Coming King Foundation (Empty Cross). Stockton was part of the group that established Magdalene House back in 2014. He’s on the board of MGM, a ministry to women who have been sex trafficked, abused, in jail, etc. He’s also vice president of the board of The Coming King Foundation.

8. Toni Hynds — Toni volunteers at Schreiner University. As a former faculty member at Purdue and Texas A&M Universities and working for a major engineering and construction firm on international projects, Toni’s areas of contribution are mainly with the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs and mentoring students who hope to work internationally. Toni has learned through volunteering at Schreiner University that Kerrville is blessed with many talented, skilled folks who, selflessly, donate their time and energies.

9. Rick and Jana Malm — The Malms founded two nonprofits that operate out of Kerrville that provide missionary services globally. In 1994, they founded Commission To Every Nation, an international, interdenominational missionary sending agency. Currently, CTEN has 743 missionaries in 63 nations.

And they also created Commission Ministers Network, an organization started 15 years ago that is an international association of ministers and ministries that exists to serve men and women who are actively engaged in ministry either full or part-time.

10. Ron and Emily Curry — Ron and Emily are very involved in Lions Club and have participated as members of their board for many years. They also deliver monthly Meals on Wheels to clients who live farther out of town. They have volunteered and worked both the Chalk Festival for years, and the Texas Arts and Craft Fair since it started again.

... and even more Rick Harter: CAM, Riverside Nature Center, Schreiner University Library, Hill Country Master Naturalists and annual river cleanup Kay Harter: Riverside Nature Center, Schreiner University Library, Hill Country Master Naturalists and annual river cleanup Carol Holmes: Past District Governor Rotary International, member of Kerrville Rotary Club, member of Hill Country Chorale Doug Holmes: Texas Water Mission Board member and active participant in drilling water wells in remote communities in Honduras, volunteer work for Peterson Hospital as a parking lot shuttle driver Jeff Harris: President of the Board for The Ingram Police Benevolent Foundation, board member/director for The Hill Country Crisis Council and Kid’s Advocacy Place, Secretary of The Rotary Club of Kerrville - will be President Elect in July, Hill Country Veterans Council, First Responders Scholarship & Training Council (through Rotary but a separate entity), Personnel Committee at First Presbyterian Church, MGA

Vice President for Riverhill CC (not a 501(c)3 but part of our neighborhood) Kristy Harris: Mentor at Starkey Elementary currently and has been involved with KISD Mentoring for four years and has been with the same child the entire time, Welcoming Committee at First Presbyterian Church Warren Ferguson: Member of the board of directors of the Symphony of the Hills, trustee for Schreiner University Judy Ferguson: Board member on rotation from Riverside Nature Center, clerk of Session-First Presbyterian Church Mike McClung: Meals and Wheels Bryant Williams: Volunteers by finding Kerrville more water for the future with the Kerr Basin Paleozoic Groundwater Exploration Team Terri Edmiston: Has delivered for Meals on Wheels for nearly two years. She is getting certified to do tax returns through AARP.

Riverhill Living 17

Community

APOR Members as of January 20, 2020

Thank you to our members!

18 Spring 2020

Winter Short Game Golf Tip Story by Matt Trevino

A

s we move close to the spring, the grass gets thinner and the greens get firmer and faster, all of which make for tough short game conditions.

Most times the best play is low and an easy shot to hit is putting with a hybrid or fairway wood. Use your putting grip, stand close enough to get the shaft close to 90 degrees, put the ball slightly back of center and use your putting stroke. The ball will not bounce as much as if you used a putter, so speed is easier to control, and with the face being hotter, you can use from further off the green.

Courtesy Photo

For more help, contact Matt Trevino at Riverhill, (830) 792-1143

Important Golf Course Reminder Story by Matt Trevino, Director of Golf Riverhill Country Club and Steve Boynton, APOR Board Member

H

ow would you react to someone walking in your backyard? What if they had a dog or were skateboarding? Unfortunately this happens every day in Riverhill. While we all recognize Riverhill Country Club as a great neighbor and a source of pride and value for our community, many are taking advantage of the golf course without understanding the risks or accepting the responsibility of encroaching on private property. Riverhill Country Club is private property that is made available for the use and enjoyment of its members. All too often, residents of Riverhill are walking and using the golf course without respecting the fact that membership is required. The maintenance crews get slowed down, chemicals that are applied get walked on and spread to areas where they aren’t intended and people are put at risk of serious injury. The city of Kerrville has spent millions of dollars to provide the riverside walking trail made accessible to our community via Birkdale Drive. Each entrance to the golf course from every street is clearly marked with

Courtesy Photo

a sign indicating Private Property, Members Only.

These signs are meant to insure that non members of the country club avoid putting themselves or dues paying members at risk. Membership in the Association of Property Owners of Riverhill does not include country club membership. Both organizations want you to belong and help increase the value of home ownership and club membership.

Let’s all respect each other’s property and stay out of our neighbor’s yard.

Riverhill Living 19

Get Ready for Spring with Green Tips

Story by Frank Dunlap Master Gardener

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f you are like me, March is when I start getting excited about working outdoors again. But, I also hesitate to put out young plants for fear of a killing freeze.

When is our last freeze?

A history search by ZIP code 78028 shows a 50%

20 Spring 2020

chance of a 28 degree low by March 19 but only a 20 percent after April 3. On average April 2 is historically the last day when a freeze with severe plant damaging temperatures might occur.

What can I be doing if not planting?

February is an ideal time to begin preparing beds for spring planting. It is also a good time to assess what you already have planted and determine if it might be time to move or remove older plants that

Community

Photo by Frank Dunlap

no longer enhance your property.

Begin thinking about what new plants you might put out and remember native species are already well-adapted to our environment. Local nurseries are a great resource for suggestions. Â Bed preparation should include trimming back overgrown or winter burned foliage. Make space for plants that have been dwarfed by your larger plants to allow all of them to be more productive. Clear out debris and weeds and turn the soil as may be necessary.

This is also a good time to inspect your irrigation system and to repair any damage.

Fresh mulch should be applied, but you may want to wait until after bedding any new plants.

Any questions for the Master Gardener? Call or email to find out the answers at 830-257-6568 or kerr@ag.tamu.edu.

And don’t miss the Blooms and Barrels Annual Plant Sale on April 11, 2020, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Riverhill Living 21

Trip Tips

Pick the best Travel Guide

Story by Rhonda Wiley-Jones

R

ick Steves says, “Guidebooks are $25 tools for $4,000 experiences.” On PBS, I heard him tell viewers guidebooks are all different and we can find the one that best fits our personality and style of travel. While attending a “Travel Writing as Memoir” workshop, I asked the instructor, Rolf Potts, an extensive traveler, if various guidebooks offer different slants on travel — absolutely.

given in various guides. You may need regional or local guidebooks as well. Buy two or three that balance each other: one for hotel and restaurant info, another for history and cultural information, and a third for funky, beyond the typical tourist attractions. That will be too much bulk to carry, so rip out the pages you want from each. Staple or bundle. Always check the copyright date — the more recent, the better.

“Buy two or three that balance each other: one for hotel and restaurant info, another for history Digital may appear and cultural information, and a third efficient (and should not be overlooked), but maps for funky, beyond the typical tend not to show well on tourist attractions. small devices, therefore,

From first-class to budget-friendly travel, you’ll find guidebooks to suit you. Match your type of travel (from Old World European to Asian exotic to off the beaten path) to the type of information

22 Spring 2020

”

many still carry books or the parts we will need en route.

Google purchased the rights to Frommer’s guidebooks several years ago but chose not to print

Helpful Links There are more guidebooks than mentioned in this article. Check all of them on the following websites: • • • •

theunconventionalroute.com/travel-guidebooks-versus-blogs/ bookriot.com/2019/04/05/best-travel-guide-books/ vagabondish.com/essential-travel-guides/ www.experienceplus.com/blog/reviews/a_guides_guide_to_the_best_ travel_guide_books/ • www.mobal.com/blog/travel-talk/best-of-guides/who-produces-thebest-travel-guide-books/

paper productions, according to Forbes’ Gary Stoller.

In 2013, Arthur Frommer bought the rights back.

Pauline Frommer, editorial director, explains they write their guides primarily for American readers, who have less vacation time than people do in other countries. They focus on what to see and do, which gives the biggest bang for the buck; their books are curated rather than encyclopedic.

Since 2012, Lonely Planet has been the bestselling travel guide. In addition to covering 95% of the world and especially exotic places other books do not address, it has multiple series that markets to specialized travel, long-term stays to tips on exploring your own backyard.

Fodor’s publications have more people living in locations who contribute to guides. They believe their books provide more diverse perspectives than many other guides do. They take recommendations from locals then vet them before publication. Their audience is travelers aged 50+.

Rick Steves claims he prefers to write selectively about places, so his guidebooks have more in-depth information about fewer places. Steves intends to ease your travel experience, yet deepen it with cultural and heritage background material.

Two guidebooks that are beautiful presentations and helpful to the visual learner but are slim on information are the National Geographic Traveler and DK Eyewitness Travel.

The French-published, tall slender Michelin Green Guide has recently added restaurants and lodgings

that used to be covered only in the Red Guide.

However, if you are a connoisseur, you will still want the Michelin Red Guide. The Green Guide offers rich information on culture, arts and history.

In 2014, I met the editor of a local guide, The Insider’s Guide to San Miguel (1999-2011), Archie Dean, shortly after he sold the rights of the annual publication to someone else. He expressed grave disappointment that the new owner did not do the legwork he had done to ensure annual, up-to-date information. Dean exuded the kind of pride that goes in to useful travel guides we all want to use.

You will be wise not to borrow the guidebook your friend used three years ago, because addresses, contact information and prices likely have changed.

Instead, look for the one that gives you what you need for your next trip with current information. A $25 up-to-date travel guide(s) with relevant maps and details will be a good investment for your next trip.

Meet the columnist Rhonda Wiley-Jones is author of her comingof-age travel memoir, “At Home in the World: Travel Stories of Growing Up and Growing Away.” Her stories, articles and essays have been published online, in anthologies and in magazines. Wiley-Jones conducts journal writing, travel writing and craft-of-writing workshops locally and in Mexico. Visit her at http://RhondaWiley-Jones.com.

Riverhill Living 23

Travel Tales

Experiencing JAKARTA

By Sanny Sullivan

L

ast October, I went on a thrilling adventure to Jakarta, which is on the island of Java and is the capital and financial center of Indonesia.

I went to visit my son, whose career in electrical and computer engineering took him there five years ago.

Tommy works for the video arm of a large media company in the center of the city, and during my stay, he gave me an inside tour of SCTV broadcasting and Vidio.com, slowly explaining their workings to his tech-challenged mother.

His office is adjacent to a seven-story upscale mall, so I happily explored and then met him for lunch or dinner. The cuisine is wonderful, and a new favorite became the popular flatbread dish, honey-drizzled

24 Spring 2020

roti-chani.

Tommy lives with good friends Mohan and Sylvia and their baby, Asha, in a large rented house with a pool, gardens and lovely guest quarters. The balmy weather let me swim each day. Since Indonesia is predominately Muslim (Sunni Islam), a call to prayer is broadcast on loudspeakers five times a day. Admittedly, I had trouble returning to sleep after the predawn call, but waking up to delicious espresso coffee kept me energized.

I went on several outings with Sylvia, who revealed fascinating insights on Jakarta and its people. Sylvia, who speaks four languages, volunteers with a group that contributes funds to students whose families need

Share your trip Did you recently travel somewhere? We’d love to share it. Send photos, captions and story to riverhill@ dailytimes.com.

Left: Sanny previously stayed at Marina Bay Sands with its famous infinity pool overlooking Singapore. Right: Sanny and her son Tommy.

help paying tuition. The government does provide some free education; however, supplementary schools pop up that charge students a bit and are funded with grants from the government and donations to help defray costs.

I visited three of these schools and noted that even the poorest children are sent to school in immaculate uniforms

hand laundered by loving mothers. My son is among many who sponsor students, and his sisters and I were thrilled that his Christmas gift to us this year was sponsorships.

Mohan’s family traveled to Malaysia to celebrate Diwali with their relatives, and Tommy and I joined them for a day of festivities, food and family fun. I even got wrapped in a silk sari. We stayed at a delightful hotel in Kuala

The memories of my visit with my son and the extraordinary adventures I had in this fascinating part of the world will remain with me forever.

Riverhill Living 25

Travel Tales Left: “Welcome Monument” on car-less Sunday. Right: It took Mohan’s mother a half hour to “wrap” me. She buys only the finest silk because it drapes and shimmers better.

Lumpur called The Ruma, near the famous Petronas Twin Towers. I’d love to return someday for more of Ruma’s luxury and flavorful food.

In one day, I experienced five forms of Jakarta transportation. Tommy started us out walking, followed by a taxi ride, then we bounced along in a well-dented 3-wheel scooter to reach Kota Tua, Jakarta’s Old Town.

Visiting this centuries-old area with its Dutch Colonial roots was a delight, and my reward for the bumpy BaJai ride was an excellent lunch at the historic Batavia Café. My fourth mode of transport was the underground MRT, which is President Jokowi’s massive project to relieve traffic congestion. We ended our date on motor scooters, and I held on tightly as my driver glided between lanes and around curves.

26 Spring 2020

Tommy challenged me to participate in a Jakarta car-less Sunday. These are events held each week to combat urban pollution and promote healthy exercise.

From sunup until 11 a.m., a long stretch of the major Central Highway is closed to motor traffic as people and organizations from all walks of life walk, jog, skateboard and even dance through the heart of the city. I managed to cover over six miles and celebrated afterward with an eggs Benedict brunch.

The memories of my visit with my son and the extraordinary adventures I had in this fascinating part of the world will remain with me forever. It was an arduous 27-hour flight (in coach), crossing 11 time zones, but worth every minute.

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Petition Circulation begins April 1, 2020

Works from the L.D. “Brink” Brinkman Foundation

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