Stone Oak, TX November 2025 by City Lifestyle

ARTS + CULTURE

MRS. SCHROEDER IS MAKING 4TH GRADE LOOK MAGICAL. LOCAL SERVICES BEHIND THE SCENES AT STATION 46.

CROSSBRIDGE CHURCH ANSWERS THE CALL IN KERRVILLE.

Hugs, Sirens, and a Prize Wheel

There are a lot of things I expected when I signed on to lead Stone Oak City Lifestyle Magazine. Watching a fire truck race out of the station midphoto shoot? Not on the list.

This month, I had the chance to visit Station 46 and photograph some of the incredible firefighters who serve our community. They were kind, hilarious, and maybe just a little too excited to dress me up in full gear for the cover. I smiled. I thanked them. I said no. Moments later, they got a call, and I got to see them spring into action. Lights on, sirens going, cool as ever. It wasn’t quite the movie version, but it was real. And impressive.

This issue is full of people I’m thankful for. Starting with Mrs. Schroeder, the fourth grade teacher at Wilderness Oaks Elementary who made me want to go back to school just to spin her classroom prize wheel. She’s fun, creative, and clearly adored by her students. Fourth grade is such a big year, and she’s making it feel magical.

You’ll also meet the team at CrossBridge Community Church. When flooding hit the Kerrville area, they showed up. They prayed. They cleaned. They hugged. And they stayed. Their impact goes far beyond the physical help they provided. It’s the kind of love that leaves a mark.

And as for me? I’m just grateful. To be doing work I love. To be telling stories that matter. And to be surrounded by people who say yes. The photographers. The writers. The publishers. The local businesses. Every person who makes this magazine what it is.

So take a deep breath this month. Savor the pie. Hug your people tight. Celebrate the good. And remember how lucky we are to live in a place full of heart.

Same place next month?

November 2025

PUBLISHER

Sarah Mottu

sarah.mottu@citylifestyle.com

CO-PUBLISHER

Jonathan Mottu

jonathan.mottu@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Chelsea Humphreys chelsea.humphreys@citylifestyle.com

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad

LAYOUT DESIGNER Lillian Gibbs

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN NOVEMBER 2025

city scene

1: We are thankful for our community and customers!-The Old English Tea Shoppe 2: We are thankful for the trust placed in our firm.Morales Padia Law 4: Our team is grateful for our patients and the trust they place in us! 5: Grateful for volunteers keeping San Antonio’s waterways clean year-round. 6: Through grateful hearts, Danzavida De San Antonio educates dancers of all ages, honoring art and culture. 7: Grateful for SNIPSA and the lives they help rewrite.

Want to be seen in the magazine?

Daily Bread Ministries Expands Its Mission

Daily Bread Ministries equips more than 100 churches and ministries with food, resources, and biblical poverty alleviation training so they can better serve their communities. What began in San Antonio is now expanding to Houston and launching in Corpus Christi just in time for Thanksgiving. Join the journey as a volunteer or supporter and help bring hope to families in need. Learn more at www.dbmsa.org

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Sparkle Squad of North-Central San Antonio

Veteran owned and family run, Sparkle Squad was created after 23 years in the Army so that owner Ron Welter could work alongside his son. Serving San Antonio and surrounding areas, they offer window cleaning, pressure and soft washing, gutter cleaning, solar panel cleaning, permanent house lights, and holiday lighting. With gratitude for the community’s trust, Sparkle Squad stands behind every job with attention to detail, a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, and the care of treating every client like family.

The need in San Antonio has never been greater.

Families, right here in San Antonio are struggling to afford food, shelter, and basic necessities. With your help, The Salvation Army is stepping in to help—providing meals, safe housing, and essential support to those facing hardship. As the cost-of-living rises, so does the urgency. Every donation, every volunteer hour, makes a difference. Together, we can bring hope to our neighbors in need.

At Station 46, being a firefighter is not just what they do. It’s who they are.

Always There for Stone Oak

ARTICLE BY ERIN LYONS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHELSEA HUMPHREYS

As I walked up to Station 46 on Evans Road in Stone Oak, I heard machinery and laughter. The firefighters were working as a team to check their truck and raise its ladder. Cooperation and focus were balanced with humor and lightheartedness. While it was obvious that safety was their top priority, a comfortable and friendly atmosphere filled the entire station.

When most people think about fire stations, they imagine firefighters riding the truck to a blazing inferno and saving people’s lives. The firefighters of Station 46 certainly do that, but sometimes they go for an entire month or more without a fire. Most of the calls in their area are to senior living communities or neighborhood residents for medical reasons. The majority of their time is spent at the station, working and living together. When I asked Captain Chris Suther to tell me what it was like every day at Station 46, he told me right away, “It’s a team. We’re a family.”

The firefighters at Station 46 report for 24-hour shifts, which means they have to function much like a family would during that time. Everyone has chores like cooking, cleaning, and taking out the trash. Mixed in with their routine are equipment checks and required training hours. But if it weren’t for all that equipment, you would feel like you were in someone’s home. Comfortable couches, bedrooms, and a fully functioning kitchen make up most of the station’s interior. “It feels like hanging out at home with your best friends.” He also told me there’s always someone there to back you up and help you out when you need it.

“It’s not just a job, it’s something you become. This is who you are. You leave work, you’re still a firefighter. No matter where you go, you’re a firefighter.”

While all that bonding time at the station means a lot to the firefighters, they never forget the times they made the biggest impacts. Captain Suther told me about a local child that they saved from a near-drowning, who still visits the station every few months so the family can continue to express their gratitude to everyone involved in saving his life. He told me, “When we get out there and we can make an actual difference to somebody, that feels good. You can’t make a difference on all of them, but the ones you can, it’s a good feeling.”

Captain Suther told me his father’s career as a firefighter inspired him to become one as well. Many of the firefighters at Station 46 come from firefighting families. Captain Suther acknowledged that it may be a stereotype, but he says he does this job because he likes helping people. “I like coming in and

making a difference.” Firefighter Lee Brown added, “It’s not just a job, it’s something you become. This is who you are. You leave work, you’re still a firefighter. No matter where you go, you’re a firefighter.”

Station 46 stays very busy with community events, and they thoroughly enjoy participating in them. Woody Woodward, who works in Media Operations for the San Antonio Fire Department, informed me that they receive specific requests for Station 46 on a regular basis. They attend community parades, school events, and Touch-A-Truck, an event that gives kids the opportunity to see the fire truck up close and explore it. They are very busy in October during Fire Prevention Month, sometimes making up to three educational visits around San Antonio each day.

“When we can make an actual difference to somebody, that feels good. You can’t make a difference on all of them, but the ones you can, it’s a good feeling.”

holidays. “No one needs to pack a lunch during the holidays,” he joked again. It means a lot to the entire crew at Station 46 when people just stop by and say thanks and let them know that they are making an impact. “That’s what makes the difference and makes the job worthwhile: hearing from the community.”

When I asked him how the community shows them gratitude, he joked, “We eat a lot of cookies around here!” In addition to cookies, the station gets visits from neighborhood residents, churches, and businesses that drop off food, cards, and even artwork, which is displayed on the walls of the station. Not a single Texan will be surprised to hear that H-E-B is one of their biggest supporters, often providing them with food and covering every bit of counter space during the

Not every call to the fire station has a happy ending. Captain Suther told me that even when they respond to a call and the person doesn’t make it, their family members will often reach out or show up at the station to let them know they’re grateful for their efforts.

The fire crew at Station 46 has a challenging job. But what I sensed in my short time with these firefighters is that they feel grateful to get to do this work. They love serving Stone Oak, where people go out of their way to show gratitude for everything they do.

“We appreciate the community, too. Everything they do for us. It’s a two-way street here. And we appreciate them.”

Creating the Road Map you Need

Fostering

NOT YOUR AVERAGE Fourth

Grade Classroom

Multiplication with a rap, division with a rhyme, and confidence taught every single time.

ARTICLE BY CHELSEA HUMPHREYS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY YVETTE HARTRIDGE

“Teaching is like mom-ing. There are long days and hard days, but you could not imagine doing anything else because you love the little rascals.”

Walk into Mrs. Schroeder’s classroom at Wilderness Oak Elementary and you will find more than desks and books. You will find a space that feels like home. Bright pillows line a cozy carpet area. Wobble stools and rolling chairs give students freedom to learn in ways that feel comfortable. Laughter echoes as rhymes and silly raps turn tricky math lessons into something unforgettable.

For the past eight years at Wilderness Oak, and more than twenty years total in the classroom, Mrs. Schroeder has built a reputation as the teacher who makes learning joyful. Her students know she believes in them. Parents see how she sparks motivation with encouragement and creative challenges. And in every lesson she teaches, she is guiding children not only to master academics but also to grow in confidence and curiosity.

Her path to the classroom began long before she earned her teaching degree. Growing up, she was surrounded by educators. Her father taught agriculture and her mother taught preschool. She remembers playing school with her cousins just for fun, lining up her dolls and little sister to “teach” them everything she had learned that day. Her sister, who went on to be valedictorian, still credits those childhood lessons. Teaching was never just an idea for Mrs. Schroeder, it was a calling that lived in her from the start.

What she loves most is the spark in a child’s eyes when understanding finally clicks. “To see them excited and eager to learn something new is such a gift,” she says. For her, teaching is more than academics. It is watching a journey of growth unfold as students discover not only math and reading but also their own strength and resilience.

Her classroom is a place where motivation feels like play. A math challenge might turn into a friendly competition with prizes for persistence as much as accuracy. A tricky multiplication concept might suddenly be remembered forever through a rap or rhyme that has the whole room laughing. “My teacher thought I was smarter than I was, so I was,” she likes to remind her students. That mindset is the foundation of her teaching philosophy. Let

children know they are capable, and they will rise higher than they imagined.

The environment she creates reflects that belief. Instead of rigid rows of desks, her students choose from exercise balls, wobble stools, rolling chairs, and a large carpet where they can stretch out with pillows and lap desks. It feels less like a classroom and more like a family room, and that is exactly how she wants it. “We spend so much of our day together,” she says, “it needs to feel like home.”

That sense of home also extends to the way she views gratitude. To her, gratitude is not about perfection. It is about noticing the good, showing grace on hard days, and working toward something a little bit better every day. “Gratitude is authenticity and intention,” she explains. “We do not always have it together, but together we have it all.”

Her students and their families have shown that same spirit of gratitude back to her in countless ways. Parents send cards and messages, invite her to games and recitals, and surprise her with thoughtful gifts. One year her classroom was decorated from floor to ceiling for her birthday. She treasures those memories, but more than anything she is grateful that families trust her with their children every day. “That is the best gift of all,” she says.

Of course, teaching is not without its challenges. There are long days and difficult moments, but her motivation never wavers. What keeps her joyful is seeing her students succeed. Some cannot wait until Monday to share their victories and ask their parents to message her over the weekend. Whether it is a math breakthrough or a fun adventure, they want her to be part of their lives beyond the classroom. That connection reminds her daily why she teaches. “It is really all about relationships,” she says with a smile.

When asked what she wishes others knew about teaching, she describes it as being much like parenting. There are days filled with laughter and love, and days filled with challenges, but you would never trade it for anything else. “Teaching is like mom-ing,” she says. “There are long days, there are hard days, and there are days filled with laughter

and love, but no matter what the day brings, you could not imagine yourself doing anything else because you love the little rascals.”

That love is what students carry with them long after they leave her classroom. Once you are a Schroeder kid, you are always a Schroeder kid. In her room, mistakes are not failures, they are stepping stones. Gratitude is not just a word for November, it is a way of living together every single day.

As our community pauses this month to give thanks, we celebrate teachers like Mrs. Schroeder whose influence goes far beyond lesson plans. She is a reminder that gratitude is not only found at the Thanksgiving table. Sometimes it is found in a classroom filled with joy, in a teacher’s steady belief, and in the light of a child’s eyes.

MRS. SCHROEDER

Mrs. Schroeder has been teaching for 21 years, including the past eight at Wilderness Oak Elementary. Known for her joyful spirit and creative classroom, she believes learning should feel like home. Her students know they are cared for, challenged, and celebrated, and she proudly says, “Once a Schroeder kid, always a Schroeder kid.”

SERVING NEIGHBORS, RESTORING HOPE, AND BUILDING FAITH AFTER FLOODS.

Faith in Action Restores Hope

ARTICLE BY CHELSEA HUMPHREYS

Our teams keep returning, driven by the joy of helping hope rise again.

When floodwaters swept across Hunt, Kerrville, and the surrounding Hill Country this summer, devastation followed in their wake. Homes were destroyed, families displaced, and entire neighborhoods left in shock. Roads were impassable, debris piled high, and families stood in front of houses they no longer recognized. While the community reeled from loss, help arrived quickly. Within twenty-four hours, CrossBridge Church partnered with Acts of Mercy, a disaster-relief organization that responds immediately to crises. On July 5, a team of thirteen volunteers was sent to the Hill Country. What began as one trip has since become a mission that continues week after week.

Since that day, CrossBridge, alongside eighteen other San Antonio churches, has sent more than forty-five teams to help. Early efforts focused on clearing debris, tearing out damaged walls, and even searchand-rescue along the river. Today the focus has shifted to rebuilding homes and restoring lives. Yet through it all, prayer and presence have remained central. Volunteers listen to families’ stories, kneel beside them in prayer, and remind them they are not alone.

Leaders say the greatest need is not only physical. “Someone who will listen to their story and pray with them,” they explain. Families grieving losses are leaning on faith to carry them through. Volunteers describe it as holy ground: pulling up a chair in a half-gutted home, bowing heads together, and lifting broken hearts in prayer.

One story in particular captures the impact. Two months after the floods, a larger team returned to visit families they had helped in the early days. Their only mission was to pray. The impact was immediate.

Many families wept as they felt seen, remembered, and cared for. In neighborhoods marked by grief, volunteers witnessed hope beginning to take root again. “Seeing Jesus step into that place of hurt and bring people back together has been inspiring,” one team member said.

Another team member recalls meeting a family who had lost nearly everything. Their house had been gutted, their yard filled with debris, and the grief of losing a neighbor hung heavy. When the team came to pray, the family insisted on serving the volunteers water and snacks as if to say, “We still have something to give.” That moment reminded everyone present that gratitude is not dependent on circumstances but on the strength of community and faith.

The work has also transformed the volunteers themselves. Many who stepped into the field for the first time did not know what to expect. They returned home humbled, deeply moved by the resilience of the families they served. “Our volunteers continue to go back week after week because of the way they get to be part of the gospel of restoring hope,” leaders explained. What begins as an act of service often becomes a calling, as volunteers discover the blessing of walking with others in their time of need. Some have rearranged work schedules or family commitments so they can continue serving, unwilling to let go of the opportunity to make a difference.

Gratitude has become a theme for both those receiving help and those giving it. Residents show it in embraces, words of thanks, or by telling volunteers, “This is your town now too.” Volunteers find

CONTINUED >

More than nails and boards, it’s the heartbeat that whispers we’re with you. “ ”

gratitude in the privilege of serving, of being trusted with people’s deepest hurts. “It’s not the work that we’re doing,” one leader said, “it’s the silent words of we’re with you and for you and we aren’t leaving.”

CrossBridge continues to send teams every Thursday and Friday. They invite anyone who feels called to join them in rebuilding homes, restoring hope, and reminding families they are not forgotten. For those unable to go, prayer is equally vital. Pray for healing, for strength, and for peace in communities that are still grieving. The church also welcomes financial support and donations of supplies that can help families on their long road to restoration.

For the leaders and volunteers of CrossBridge, this ministry has left a permanent mark on their hearts. “My heart will be forever marked by the way I’ve seen community come together to love our neighbors,” one reflected. “It’s one thing to see it all on the news, it’s another to stand there with others in their deepest time of brokenness.” That experience has shaped not only individuals but the entire church community.

The lesson they carry home week after week is simple but profound: joy truly does come in the morning. Joy is being restored. Community is being restored. And, in time, what was broken will be better than before.

H O P E

with YOU

The holidays have a way of calling us back to what matters most—faith, family, compassion, and the quiet but powerful act of giving. As lights go up and calendars fill, there are still many who sit in silence, carrying burdens too heavy to bear alone. But what if this season, you could be the spark that changes everything for someone else?

The founders of City Lifestyle, through their private foundation, are once again launching its annual Christmas Giving Campaign—a heartfelt effort to seek out and support individuals and families who have quietly fallen through the cracks. The mission is simple: to bring light, dignity, and hope to those who need it most.

Since its beginning just four years ago, this initiative has grown from a humble idea into a life-changing movement. Last Christmas alone, more than 200 families across the country received unexpected support—financial relief, but also something even more powerful.

“We don’t just send checks,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”

Together with City Lifestyle President Matthew Perry, Steven has helped shape this into a tradition that goes far beyond charity. “This is about community,” Matthew adds. “We believe we’ve been blessed, so now we get to be a blessing.”

Every story begins with a nomination. Often, it’s a neighbor, coworker, friend, or teacher—someone who’s been quietly carrying too much for too long. One past recipient, after receiving unexpected support during a time of deep personal struggle, wrote:

SCAN TO NOMINATE

“We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”

“Beyond the very practical solution of receiving funds to fix my car, this thing you guys worked together to do is bigger than that. I carry the Christmas card you sent in my purse. When things get really hard, I pull it out and remember what it felt like to be seen. That card represents hope— that change for the better is possible. I’m not sure how many people get to carry hope around in their purse. But I do.”

Another wrote in after her husband was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer and unable to work:

“This support has blessed our family not only financially, but emotionally and spiritually as we trust God to meet our needs throughout this difficult time. Thank you to our anonymous friend and to your foundation. What a joy and gift to be part of God’s family!”

Each year brings countless stories like these—real lives touched by simple acts of kindness. Some use the funds to pay overdue bills, others to afford groceries, medication, or repairs. But no matter the circumstance, the impact is the same: hope is restored.

This season, you have the opportunity to be part of that. The campaign is now open to nominations—completely confidential and prayerfully considered. Whether it’s someone battling illness, facing unemployment, or just in need of a helping hand, you can bring them a moment of grace that will ripple far beyond Christmas morning.

“Knowing my mom was chosen filled my heart with indescribable joy,” said another past recipient. “Your generosity doesn’t just brighten her life; it inspires hope and faith in all of us. It enables her to stay in her home and get back on her feet.”

Nominations are open from November 1st to December 5th, 2025. To submit someone you know, simply scan the QR code or visit @CityLifestyle on Instagram, where you’ll find the nomination form in the bio.

This holiday season, let’s give more than gifts. Let’s give each other the gift of being seen. Because sometimes, the smallest gesture becomes someone’s greatest miracle.

To nominate someone in need, visit: KingdomBuildingFoundation.org or scan the QR code.

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NOVEMBER 2025

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

THIRD FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH

Bandera Farmer’s Market

11851 Bandera Road, Helotes | Times Vary

Bandera Market is a state certified farmer’s market open every weekend Saturdays 10am-5PM, Sundays 11am-5PM and the third Friday night of every month 2-6PM for a special event. The market offers produce, eggs, honey, artisan breads, German & Puerto Rican baked goods, plants, planters, custom wood products, CBD, boutiques, artisan crafts, jams, jellies and much more. Come support small and local San Antonio businesses. 2-6 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

NOVEMBER 1ST

Texas Wine Jam

Downtown Johnson City | 12:00 PM

Texas Wine Jam returns November 1, 2025, in its vibrant new home in downtown Johnson City. Produced by Vinovium, this one day celebration features outstanding Hill Country wines, live music, local eats and good vibes. Tickets include tastings, a commemorative glass, bottle check and a six bottle carrier. Learn more and get tickets at www.txwinejam.com.

NOVEMBER 8TH

Monte Vista Historical Association 5K Fun Run/ Walk and Holiday Market

Landa Library | 9:00 AM

Join the 2nd Annual Monte Vista Historical Association 5k Fun Run and Walk. All ages are invited to run or stroll through one of Texas’ largest historic districts, featuring homes from 1890 to 1930 in a variety of architectural styles. The event begins and ends at Landa Library, followed by kids activities, holiday market, food trucks and live music. More info at montevistasa.org/5kandmarket.