MARCH/APRIL 2021
COLIN AND STEPHANIE SHELTON TAKING CHARGE
+ KIDS LOVE THE CLUBS! THE CORDILLERA RANCH OUTFITTER WORKOUT SPORTING CLAYS COURSE REDESIGN
CORDILLERARANCH.COM
THE MOST ADVANCED PLANT HEALTH CARE TRUCK IN THE HILL COUNTRY. Offering science-based fertilization programs, air space root collar excavations and soil management.
www.burkettarborcare.com 830.229.5700 Contact us for a FREE ESTIMATE
FOR ALL YOUR LANDSCAPE & MAINTENANCE NEEDS Lawn and Landscape Maintenance Landscape Installation • Tree Trimming Irrigation Installation and Repair All Types of Brush Removal Custom Outdoor Living Areas Outdoor Kitchens • Outdoor Fireplaces Fire Pits • All Types of Flagstone Patios All Types of Fencing
201 A HIGHWAY 46 EAST, BOERNE, TX Z A N E PRIC E • 8 3 0 .3 31.8781 • zane@g reenspace-t x.co m
greenspace-tx.com
Todd Glowka is a Certified Graduate Master Builder and Certified Master Builder as well as a Certified Green Builder by the National Association of Home Builders. With almost two decades of luxury residential experience, he is a solution-focused professional, accustomed to leading and directing employees and subcontractors in the planning and execution of large-scale residential projects and custom renovations. As his clients’ first point of contact, Todd oversees all quality control and is highly skilled in resolving project obstacles, managing construction schedules and adhering to design requirements.
PO Box 478
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Kendalia, Texas 78027
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830.229.5565
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tgbuilder.com
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46
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Junior members find fun and fellowship while perfecting their skills in golf, tennis, horsemanship and other Club activities, and credit their instructors for providing challenging lessons for learning through play.
With an emphasis on FIT, this new workout at the Outfitter Center takes members of all fitness levels outdoors to rev up their metabolism, improve their heart rate, burn fat and build lean muscle.
The weather is perfect this time of year to sharpen your skills on the Sporting Clays circuit. The new design simulates actual field shooting and presents challenging scenarios for enthusiasts.
KIDS LOVE THE CLUBS!
THE CORDILLERA RANCH OUTFITTER WORKOUT
SPORTING CLAYS COURSE REDESIGN
ALSO INSIDE: 14 WELCOME LETTER 20 DAY IN THE LIFE 26 CALENDAR 28 RANCH SCENE 38 NEW GOLF EQUIPMENT 40 SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE CORDILLERA RANCH TENNIS CLUB 42 WELCOME TO THE PATIO 44 CELLAR CLUB 50 TROUT FISHING ON THE LOWER GUADALUPE RIVER 58 DAY TRIPS FROM BOERNE IN EVERY DIRECTION 62 TRANSPOSED FOR THE VIEW 68 ELEVATING SERVICE 70 DARK SKIES 72 2020 CORDILLERA RANCH MARKET RECAP 74 GET TO KNOW THE CORDILLERA RANCH REALTY TEAM 75 REAL ESTATE
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TAKING CHARGE COLIN AND STEPHANIE SHELTON Strong work ethics and diligent investment research have provided Colin and Stephanie the opportunity to fulfill their dream of raising their kids, Reagan and Cade, in the small town Hill Country atmosphere of Cordillera Ranch.
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Performance is our Priority #1 Title Company in Cordillera Ranch
$2.7 Billion in Texas
plus over $600 Million nationwide in Real Estate closings over the last 3 years Agents for Stewart, Chicago and First American
We buy and sell over $100MM in real estate deals each year across the country and rely on Texas Investors Title to close them. We have worked with a number of title companies including large national firms; in my opinion, Texas Investors Title Company is among the best in terms of customer service. They go above and beyond compared to their peers. I highly recommend Texas Investors Title. Jason Signor, Caddis Healthcare Real Estate
Steve Vallone
C.E.O. steve@texasinvestorstitle.com
Becky Edmiston, CESP President becky@texasinvestorstitle.com
116 W. Blanco Rd., Ste 101 Boerne, TX 78006 | p. (830) 816-5888 • f. (830) 816-5889 10000 Memorial Drive, Suite 100-N | Houston, TX 77024
WELCOME
www.cordilleraranch.com 830.336.3570 www.facebook.com/cordillera.ranch
PUBLISHERS: Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation Traveling Blender, LLC CORDILLERA RANCH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Charlie Hill – President cphill@cordilleraranch.com
As I look out across green fairways to Live Oak covered hills and a vivid Texas sunrise beyond, I’m reminiscing — blessed to live, work and play at such an amazing place. This past month, I celebrated 10 years working at Cordillera Ranch. I am fortunate to have had the support of family, friends and clients. Mentored by true professionals, I give thanks to the Hills and Northingtons for giving me the opportunity to participate in developing a world-class community and providing a work environment second to none with co-workers throughout our entities dedicated to serving all, and each other. A lot has happened during this past decade. From a real estate perspective — 651 lots sold, 419 homes sold, ~440 homes built. Clubs Village expanded to include Summit Pass, Bear’s Ridge, Di Lusso II and the completion of Clubs Drive. Today, FIVE developer lots remain in those developed areas and resale lots throughout the ranch number fewer than 20. We also launched The Springs of Cordillera Ranch with one-acre to three-acre properties providing continuity of one of our most popular offerings… and it is thriving. Home construction in The Springs flourishes and new areas will continue to be released and developed in 2021 and beyond. The future of Cordillera Ranch is The Springs, and our future could not be brighter. This past decade also brought continued growth and reinvestment in The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch with notable improvements like the new Outfitter’s Center, The Lodges of Cordillera Ranch, golf course bunker and greens renovations, the Golf Performance Center, new Fitness Center, and perhaps the greatest addition, human capital through identifying and bringing on board the best managers and employees to serve our members. It has been a great decade of personal growth made possible by the growth of Cordillera Ranch. I hope you’ve experienced the same. There are great things to come during these next 10 years!
Barry Denton Director of Real Estate Sales Cordillera Ranch
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DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Sara Hill 210.332.8628 shill@cordilleraranch.com EDITOR Trisha Doucette trisha@travelingblender.com EDITORIAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM Barry Denton, Marc DeWall, Debbie Pepper, Shane Reynolds, Robert Rodriguez CREATIVE DIRECTOR Tim Shaw – The Shaw Creative theshawcreative@me.com CORDILLERA RANCH SALES 830.336.3570 info@cordilleraranch.com The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch 830.336.9000 Feature article photography by David Teran Photography 210.650.2428 :: www.davidteran.com Cordillera Ranch Living is published bi-monthly through a joint venture between Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation and Traveling Blender, LLC. No reproduction in any form is authorized without the consent of both Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation and Traveling Blender, LLC. Cordillera Ranch Living is a registered trademark of Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation. 808 Highway 46 E, Boerne, Texas 78006. Printed in the USA. All rights reserved 2021. No responsibility is assumed for unsolicited submissions. Manuscripts, photographs, and other submitted material can be acknowledged or returned if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The content contained does not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation, Traveling Blender, LLC, or Cordillera Ranch residents. Cordillera Ranch Development Corporation and Traveling Blender, LLC assumes no liability for misinformation, omissions, or errors.
BACK AT THE RANCH
KIDS LOVE THE CLUBS! Article and photography by Kelsey Grudle
The Clubs at Cordillera Ranch provide world-class amenities for their membership, but on any given day, you will find many junior members on the course, courts, parks and trails. We asked a few dedicated kids what motivates them to so diligently practice their favorite sports and the overwhelming response was that it’s just plain fun.
JULIANNE • Why do you love to play tennis at Cordillera Ranch? “I like it because you get to be outside!” • Who is your favorite person to play tennis with? “Coach Bradley Hill, because he throws well and plays fun tennis games.” • Do you have a favorite tennis drill? “Sharks and Minnows!”
MAGGIE • How did you become interested in tennis? “My mom encouraged me to play and as I got better, I started to love tennis more.” • Do you play tennis with your family? “Yes, I do! We play every Monday and Wednesdays.” • What do you like the most about playing tennis at Cordillera Ranch? “I love tennis here because the coaches help me learn and socialize at the same time. It’s a better way to play tennis with the mixture of learning and playing.”
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CHARLOTTE • Why do you love riding horses? “I love riding because it makes me feel happy and all my anxiousness goes away. I love riding at Cordillera Ranch because the people there are super encouraging and they are so nice.” • Do you have a favorite horse you love to ride? “Butterbean!” • Do you have a favorite person you like to ride with? “I love to ride with Susie (Equestrian Manager) because she is super encouraging and is always making me better. I also love to ride with Meghan (Riding Instructor) because she is funny and Emery (friend) because we are a good team. We make each other better!”
EVERETT • What is your favorite thing about golf lessons? “Hitting a super long drive or beating my best score.” • What is your best score so far? “39 on the back 9 holes of Cordillera.” • Who is your favorite golf partner? “My dad.”
EMMA • What events at the Club have you taken part in? “Gingerbread House Decorating, Kids Club Craft Night, Lego Night, Painting Night, Science Night, Cooking Camp, Art Camp, Trunk or Treat and Christmas on the Ranch” • Wow, that’s a lot of events! What keeps you coming back for more? “Everything that Mrs. Kelsey does is really fun. She always wants the kids to have fun. She decorates and has themes and always makes it a fun party.” • Do you think other kids should come? “What I would tell other kids: The events are always really fun. You get to do fun activities with all of the neighborhood kids and sometimes get to meet new kids and make more friends.”
BRAYDEN • What do you like most about golf lessons? “I like when we hit far and Coach Katie makes me hit super far.” • What is your favorite golf memory? “Having the snack lady [at Cordillera] bring me tacos and other snacks!” • Who do you play golf with the most? “My dad.” Photo by Shelly
BEAU • What got you interested in the Outfitter programs? “When we moved here we fished at Swede Creek and the fishing was really good so we had a fishing party there for my 7th birthday.” • What Outfitter programs do you enjoy the most? “I love to go kayaking on the Guadalupe River and fishing for big bass at Swede Creek.” • Do you have a favorite Outfitter Trip memory? “My favorite memory was catching my biggest smallmouth bass on the Devil’s River Fishing Trip.” • What is the biggest fish you have caught? “I’ve caught an 8-pound largemouth bass at Swede Creek and a 5-pound rainbow trout in the Guadalupe River, here on the ranch!”
REAGAN • What is your favorite activity during golf lessons? “I love ZOMBIE putting. I try to beat Coach Michael.” • Do you want to be a golf professional one day? “Yes. So, I can travel and golf at different places and bring my dad along.” • What is your favorite part of the game and why? “Putting. I like using my putter and can out-putt my brother any day.” Au
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A DAY IN THE LIFE AT CORDILLERA RANCH
Photo by Terry Vine
11: 0 0 am | N at u ral wo n d e r s
A DAY IN THE LIFE AT CORDILLERA RANCH
Photo by Terry Vine
4 : 0 0 pm | S o ci al ci rc l es
A DAY IN THE LIFE AT CORDILLERA RANCH
Photo by Amy Mikler
6 : 3 0 pm | Fam i l y - f r i e n d l y
CALENDAR
The Clubhouse The Clubhouse provides spectacular settings for special occasions, cocktails, entertaining guests and enjoying family dinners. To-Go orders are available by calling the Club receptionist.
C-STAR RANCH MENU
SIGNATURE DINING MENU
BREAKFAST MENU
Available in the Main Dining Room, Twin Sisters Lounge and Twin Sisters Patio Tuesday-Thursday, 11:00am to 2:00pm, 5:00pm to 9:00pm Friday-Saturday, 11:00am to 2:00pm, 5:00pm to 10:00pm Sunday, 11:00am to 2:00pm, 5:00pm to 8:00pm Dining from 2:00pm to 5:00pm is available in the Twin Sisters Lounge and Twin Sisters Patio
Available in the Main Dining Room, Twin Sisters Lounge and Twin Sisters Patio Friday-Saturday, 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Available in the Main Dining Room Saturday-Sunday, 9:00am to 2:00pm Available in the Twin Sisters Lounge Saturday-Sunday, 11:00am-2:00pm
Friday-Saturday Evenings
Sundays
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays
Join us for an unparalleled fine dining experience spotlighting our chef’s finest steak and seafood features. On Friday evenings, enjoy live entertainment from 6:30 to 9:30pm. Advance reservations are strongly suggested.
Remember when Mom used to cook Sunday family meals? We do! Join us at The Club for some home-style cookin’! $15.95++ for adults and $8.95++ for children ages 10 and under, from 11:00am to 8:00pm.
Delicious family dinners are a convenient and affordable way to enjoy a variety of menu options, including fish specials, that feed up to four people for $28.95++. Place orders through the Club receptionist or Cordillera Mobile App for curbside pick-up or delivery, 11:00am to 8:00pm, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays.
SIGNATURE DINING MENU
Tuesdays-Fridays
C-STAR MARKET The C-Star Market provides quality meats, fresh produce, baked goods, household items, beverages and more for curbside pick-up or delivery, Tuesdays through Fridays, 3:00 to 8:00pm. Simply place your order online or email to the Club receptionist with 24 hours’ notice.
FAMILY MEAL FEATURE
FAMILY MEALS TO-GO
For dining and special event reservations, please contact the Club receptionist at 830.336.9000 or receptionist@cordilleraranch.com, or you may reserve your spot through the Cordillera Ranch mobile app or online at Clubsofcordilleraranch.com. For golf events, please contact Camille Ferguson at 830.336.9165 or cferguson@cordilleraranch.com. For tennis events, please contact the Tennis Club at 830.336.4823.
EVENTS Friday Evenings in March and April Live Music on the Patio Join us on our Twin Sisters Patio from 6:00 to 9:00pm every Friday in March and April for live entertainment, cocktails, small bites and dinner or enjoy dinner in the Main Dining Room. Reservations for the dining room are recommended and can be made online or through the Club receptionist.
March 2 :: Matchplay Championship Open to men and women, players will schedule their own matches within the defined windows. Contact the Golf Shop for details.
March 9-12 :: Spring Break Kids Camps Keep your kids active this Spring Break with plenty of options to choose from, including Junior Golf Camp, All Star Sports Camp, Little Tennis & Swim Camp, Horse Camp, Art Camp and Principles of Pathfinder Camp. Contact Kelsey Grudle at kgrudle@cordilleraranch.com for details.
March 13 :: Couples Putting Tournament Time: 1:00pm Shotgun :: Fee: $125 per couple This event is fun and laidback for golfers of all abilities. Sip on a cocktail, hit a few putts and enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres in the Cabana Dining Room after play. Advance reservations are required through the Golf Shop.
March 15-17 :: Greens Aerification The Golf Course will be closed.
March 20 :: Golf Clinic: Ball Fitting Time: 9:00am to 4:00pm, with 1-hour individual time slots Fee: $50 per person Players have the opportunity to compare golf balls side-by-side from the big manufacturers both on TrackMan and in an on-course situation. Contact the Golf Shop for details.
March 23 :: Ladies’ Tennis Member-Guest Time: 9:00am to 1:00pm Begin the day with a Flighted Qualifying Round Robin play, followed by the Championship Matches and lunch and awards at the Clubhouse. Contact the Tennis Club for more details.
March 23 :: Long Shadows Wine Dinner Time: 6:30 to 9:30pm :: Location: Cabana Dining Room Join us for an intimate dinner featuring Long Shadows wines from Washington. Executive Chef Isaac Cantu and his culinary team will craft a custom menu to pair with these remarkable wines. Advance reservations are required through the Club receptionist.
March 24 :: Men’s Tennis Night Time: 6:30 to 8:00pm :: Fee: $25 All skill levels are welcome, including pickleball players, to this new monthly event. There will be drills, play-based games and match play, and it’s a great way to meet other players. Advance reservations are required through the Tennis Club.
April 3 :: Easter EGGstravaganza Time: 10:30am to 1:30pm :: Location: Equestrian Center Enjoy an egg hunt at 11:00am, photo opportunities, sack races, balloon twisters, a petting zoo and a DJ along with lunch and drinks available for everyone. Advance reservations are required through the Club receptionist.
April 4 :: Easter Brunch Time: 11:00am to 2:00pm :: Location: Main Dining Room We’ve gathered together some of the tastiest dishes for your special Sunday! Kids will enjoy an appearance by the Easter Bunny and adults can enjoy a mimosa or two with entertainment by Bernie Martini. Advance reservations are required through the Club receptionist.
April 8 :: W.O.W. Women of Wine Time: 6:00 to 9:00pm :: Location: Main Dining Room Calling all ladies! Come enjoy this French-themed food and wine pairing experience with food demonstrations by Executive Chef Isaac Cantu. Advance reservations are required through the Club receptionist.
April 9 :: Azalea Invitational This one-day Member-Guest event will have a Masters’ theme and teams will consist of two members and two guests or one member and three guests. Contact the Golf Shop for details.
April 10 :: Mixed Doubles Pickleball Club Championship Time: 9:00am to 1:00pm :: Fee: $75 A fun Round Robin competition will qualify four men and women for the Championship Match. Breakfast small bites, mimosas, lunch and awards are included. Advance reservations are required through the Tennis Club.
April 14-15 :: CWGA Fiesta Tournament This individual stroke play will be contested over two days and will have gross and net competitions. Contact the Golf Shop for details.
April 17 :: Golf Clinic: Short Game Masterclass Times: 8:00 to 10:30am, 12:00 to 2:30pm, 3:30 to 6:00pm – small group time slots :: Fee: $400 per person Marius Filmalter, the Putting Guru, returns! An invitation to dinner with Marius the night before is included. Contact the Golf Shop for details.
April 22-24 :: C-Star Member-Guest Our big Member-Guest will kick-off with an optional putting tournament on Thursday followed by five 9-hole matches and a shootout to crown a champion. Contact the Golf Shop for details.
April 27 :: Department 66 Wine Dinner Time: 6:30 to 9:30pm :: Location: Cabana Dining Room Join us for an intimate dinner featuring Department 66 wines from France. Executive Chef Isaac Cantu and his culinary team will craft a custom menu to pair with these remarkable wines. Advance reservations are required through the Club receptionist.
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RAN S
H ENE
ROCCA DELLE MACIE WINE DINNER
Upload your own photos to www.facebook.com/cordillera.ranch for a chance to be featured in next issue’s Ranch Scene.
WOMEN OF WINE DINNER – BREAK OUT THE BUBBLY
KIDS’ TENNIS PLAY DAY
Photos by Club Photographer Kelsey Grudle
TAKING CHARGE
Stephanie and Colin Shelton are masters of their own destiny. By Trisha Doucette :: Photography by David Teran
Colin doesn’t remember his first visits to this lovely part of the Hill Country. He was only an infant. His parents, Kathy and Robby Shelton, are longtime friends of the Northington family, the owners of what would eventually become Cordillera Ranch, and were invited many times over the years to their ranch, originally called the El Max. Now years later, their lives have come full circle with Colin, Stephanie and his parents all settling in Cordillera Ranch.
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When recalling the Shelton’s lives up to this point, it seems that they have always instinctively chosen the right path to take, with perhaps a few twists of fate. With professions that include piloting planes, real estate, banking, custom home building and historical restoration, cancer research, men’s wellness and fitness, there is nothing this Type A couple can’t do and they aren’t stopping anytime soon. They have built a portfolio of businesses and investment opportunities that has allowed them to secure a strong future for their family while continuing to pursue their own personal and professional interests. “I have worked in the corporate sector all of my life so this is a new adventure for me,” says Stephanie whose career has centered on administrative cancer research. “Colin has always had an eye for things and takes calculated risks as it relates to putting our family in the best place possible. He does his research and uses that gut intuition. We have a wide range of friends that have found success in many different industries, so I feel like we have a great team to be able to bounce ideas off of and really look for new opportunities to grow and invest. Being able to have a chance to be in charge of our destiny really drives us to continue to look for new strategies and opportunities.” But they also credit their parents for their strong work ethics and strive to set good examples for their own children, Reagan and Cade. Stephanie elaborates, “We both come from hard-working families which taught us both that you have to
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work for the things you have. We have really tried to instill this same philosophy in our children. They have always known that we both work, but I really feel like this time working from home during the pandemic has opened their eyes a bit more to the time it takes to get jobs done — whether it’s their chores to waiting for me to get done with conference calls to take them somewhere — they know that they have to put in the time to earn the rewards.” Colin and Stephanie are both Houstonians, growing up in Katy and Cypress, respectively. Colin attended Texas Tech his first year in college before transferring to Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) and graduating in 2000 with a degree in Criminal Justice. He decided to transfer while visiting friends one weekend, saying, “I fell in love with Nacogdoches. I think it was the shock of living in Lubbock with dust storms and no trees that really made me appreciate the landscape and small town feel of Nacogdoches and SFA.” After he graduated, Colin began flight school in Florida before returning to Texas to work towards his commercial certificate. His plans were derailed with the September 11 attacks and he began co-piloting for local businessmen and politicians. Colin and Stephanie wouldn’t meet until after his college graduation. Stephanie also attended SFA, earning her Bachelor of Business Administration. She was an Alpha Chi Omega while Colin was an Alpha Tau Omega, and they credit a sorority sister
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and fraternity brother for their introduction. “Colin took me flying on our second date. He picked me up in one of the planes from his flight school that had duct tape on the door and on the wing… talk about being crazy!” laughs Stephanie who admits she didn’t tell her parents about the date until they had landed safely on the ground. But the deal was sealed and even though it would be a few years and long distance at times, their love survived. “We were young!” laughs Stephanie again when asked how they kept it together. “We both faced challenges in the beginning of our careers with many furloughed pilots and many business-types looking for work after the fall of Enron,” says Stephanie. “We decided to relocate to the small town of La Grange, Texas because it was only about 10 miles from Colin’s family ranch in Schulenburg. While it was not the ideal location for kicking off long-term careers, Colin had success in the real estate business and I in the banking business, and we both found the true secret of success in small towns — great friends and being closer to family.” Work eventually took them back to big city life in Houston when Stephanie was offered a job at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She says, “I accepted a position as a contract analyst, negotiating private industry research contracts for cancer clinical
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trials, and Colin went to work for a production homebuilder learning a new side of the real estate market in warranty and new construction.” “Right about the time we decided to move to Houston is when they started hiring back at the airlines. I was offered an interview with a regional airline (Continental at the time) but I would have been based out of NY making below the poverty level. Getting married changes priorities which was the major driver to transition into homebuilding. The most logical progression for me was to learn the other side of the real estate/ construction business in order to someday start my own company.” That day came in 2006 when he formed Southland Homes of Texas. “I specialized in custom home building and historic restoration. Houston had a very special group of architects in the 1920s and 30s and it was a privilege to bring those homes back to life. We worked on many historically designed homes and even homes on the National Historic Register. It was a very challenging balance to achieve but we would take the utmost care in preserving the historic integrity, even rebuilding the existing wood windows and repurposing the siding, trim, floors, hardware, etc. We even put a basement underneath an existing three-story, early 1900’s home while we restored it to its original
design. We built as many new construction homes but there was something special about those renovations,” says Colin. He also built two of their own homes. “This made for our own crazy stories, from being pregnant and having the entire back half of our home opened up like a doll house to being the first ‘test subject’ in our area to build a basement,” jokes Stephanie. Over the next 11 years, Stephanie spent most of her time in the Division of Radiation Oncology, advancing through positions that oversaw research and clinical operations. She explains, “In the cancer industry, research is always leading to new advances in how cancer is treated. I would partner with our physicians to help explore collaborations on developing, testing or advancing different technologies with other academic medical centers or industry partners. Now, my role is more on how we can strategically advance our collaboration with our partners at MD Anderson as well as opportunities to decrease the burden of cancer in San Antonio and South Texas through patient care, research and education.” Proud of his wife’s accomplishments, Colins adds,” I’d like to brag on Stephanie for a minute. She was one of the youngest executives at MD Anderson which employs more than 20,000 people and one of the senior leaders of the Radiation Oncology division before we relocated to Cordillera. Her last boss and mentor is now the Chairman of the FDA. MD Anderson is not only a great place to take care of patients but they really help to develop their employees. A major benefit of her leadership position here and in Houston is her ability to help people not only get in for treatment but to help them through the process. It’s been really incredible to watch her help people through a difficult time in their life.” Thank goodness for the Shelton Ranch. “On the weekends, like many Houstonians, we would make the 90-mile drive to Schulenburg. Being away from the city was a great way to reset after a long, fast-paced week,” says Stephanie. The ranch had always been their special place to entertain and relax with family and friends. In fact, it was also the location of their 2005 wedding. Before long, their weekend treks changed directions. After many years of living in Schulenburg, Colin’s parents moved to Cordillera Ranch to be close to friends and daughter Kristan’s family in San Antonio. “We would venture out on the weekends to Cordillera to visit the family. Those two-day weekends soon turned to three-day, then to four-day weekends, and the drive back each time to Houston became harder and harder!” says Stephanie. A move to San Antonio seemed inevitable. With the impending move, Colin stepped back from Southland Homes although retaining an interest and serving as a mentor to his former business partner who purchased the company. “I still stay in contact with many of my former clients as well. I’ve had two clients from 10 years ago recently call to ask for advice on new projects in different cities they’ve moved to,” he says. He and a fraternity brother then began Men’s T Clinic, a men’s wellness clinic/hormone replacement therapy that has grown to five locations in the Houston area. Colin explains the importance of maintaining men’s health, “Most men don’t realize the benefits of hormone therapy. The increased focus and added energy are two major parts of men’s lives that we lose over time and just
don’t realize how much of an impact it has until we get it back. We get men that never go to the doctor to come in two to four times per month and that allows our doctors to diagnose other issues which would have never been diagnosed until it’s too late in some of these men.” In 2016, an opportunity arose for Stephanie to transfer to MD Anderson’s newest Cancer Network partner at UT Health San Antonio where she now works as the Senior Director of Finance and Administration. The move not only allowed Colin and Stephanie to realize their dream of moving to the Hill Country, but also opened new opportunities for their kids. “When we were asked if we wanted to know the gender with our first baby, we both looked at each other and said, ‘No, we are going to keep this a surprise.’ While this was a shock to so many since we both are a bit of control freaks, we both felt that there are so few ‘good’ surprises in life so we knew if this was a healthy baby, we would be happy,” says Stephanie of daughter Reagan’s birth, adding, “Fast forward to baby #2 and the entire OR delivery suite knew we had a girl already so when Cade was born, the whole room cheered since it was a boy! It was even better when Colin was able to wheel both of them out after their deliveries and tell a full waiting room of family and friends the genders! It was really a cool and exciting time.” Like their parents, both kids love to try new things. “Cade is more adventurous with food and currently loves WWII history, hunting and baseball. Reagan has more of a daredevil, adventurous side to her but she has found a love for playing tennis — something she had not done until our move to Cordillera. We are really trying to let them be exposed to many different sports and activities so that they can find some that they are passionate for. I am keeping my fingers crossed for golf!” says Stephanie. So, how do Stephanie and Colin keep up with it all? “We thrive on having a very busy schedule. Fitness is a very important part of our lives not just for the physical benefits but for the mental aspects. I train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu five times per week and this, along with a regular regimen of weights and cardio, helps keep me mentally and physically fit,” says Colin, a brown belt who has competed in several Jiu Jitsu tournaments, winning gold in the World Championship competition in 2016 and silver in 2018. Recently, Cade has started training as well. This segues into their newest venture — they recently purchased into the HOTWORX franchise. Thrilled about the possibilities, Stephanie says, “We are looking to open in the Austin area. We are still early in the development process but are really excited to be a part of this franchise. The health and wellness benefits are incredible!” Basically, “incredible” sums up the Shelton’s life in general and at Cordillera Ranch, as Colin says, “It’s been a fantastic move for our family because it offers our children the opportunity to grow up in a place with traditional values and to be with others that share those same values. Just last week, several families with young children met at the river park and had a cookout while the kids ran and played like we used to when we were growing up. In Houston, we just didn’t have that option which is so important for our children at this point in their lives.”
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GOLF
New Golf Equipment By Corey Roberson, Director of Golf
Late winter and early spring are when the big golf club manufacturers release new equipment. Typically, these announcements are reveals made at the annual PGA Show in Florida. Due to the pandemic, the 2021 PGA Show went virtual. The good news for all of our members is that the manufacturers shipped demo and fitting product early! We have the majority of the latest and greatest from Titleist®, PING, TaylorMade® and Callaway. Titleist’s product cycle is a little different than the rest of the big four. They have major product releases in the fall and supplemental releases in the spring — last year they launched the TSi line of drivers and fairway woods. This coming fall, they will release new irons. The new TSi line is using a new face material called ATI 425 Aerospace Titanium. Essentially, ATI is lighter, has higher rebound and allows the engineers to move weight around in the head to make it more stable. This spring, Titleist will launch the TSi hybrids. PING announced the release of their G425 line of clubs that includes drivers, fairways, hybrids and irons. I’ve conducted a few fittings so far with these weapons in the mix and the results have been great. In the driver, you have the option of MAX, LST or SFT. Most players will see the best performance in the MAX head, but those who need to knock their spin down might like the LST, and those who need a little help hitting a draw will like the SFT. These same versions are available in the fairway woods as well. The G425 irons are a nice evolution of the successful G400 irons with a cleaner appearance, higher launch and faster ball speeds. TaylorMade released the SIM2 line that will replace 2020’s SIM. The driver is offered in standard, MAX and MAX D. Similar to PING, most players will find the best performance in the MAX variant — the standard version is lower spinning and the MAX D is great for those wanting to hit butter draws. Last year, we saw awesome performance from the SIM fairway woods and the early reports show the SIM2 is a nice upgrade. The SIM2 irons and hybrids also have two versions — standard and MAX. For this part of the bag, the MAX is going to have stronger lofts and a larger chassis. For 2021, Callaway is bringing back the Epic line of clubs. The driver comes in three versions — Speed, MAX and MAX LS. Most players will find themselves liking the MAX version. The Speed’s profile is a little smaller and the MAX LS has a larger chassis with a lower spin profile. The most exciting part of Callaway’s launch is a refresh on the Apex line of irons. You can choose from the Apex Pro, Apex and Apex DCB. The Apex Pro features a smaller profile with hollow cavity technology — it’s a perfect fit in the popular player’s distance category. The DCB in Apex DCB stands for deep cavity back — this iron falls in the game improvement category. All three of these irons offer a 100% forged body, AI designed flash face cup and urethane microspheres. There’s a lot that goes into figuring out what clubs should land in your bag. Our team is here to help — schedule an appointment with a golf professional to test the new equipment. Our goal is to help you play better golf. That might be accomplished by making an equipment change or just tweaking your current setup. Corey Roberson is the Director of Golf at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at croberson@cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.4653.
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TENNIS
Special special Events events
at the Cordillera Ranch Tennis Club By Joe De Luna, Director of Tennis :: Photography by Kelsey Grudle
Tennis is a sport that lasts a lifetime and the Tennis Club provides many opportunities for friends and families to enjoy the game together. Throughout the year, we host a variety of clinics and private lessons that provide great opportunities for players of all ages and levels to hone their skills while enjoying the fellowship of other players. We recently hosted two events for adult and junior members. ADULT TENNIS AND FITNESS BOOT CAMP The Tennis Club recently hosted the semi-annual Tennis and Fitness Boot Camp. This year we were able to incorporate our new Director of Fitness & Wellness Tamra Christianson into our event, along with the Club’s Director of Tennis Joe De Luna and Head Professional Bradley Hill. Sixteen members and their guests participated in the two-day Boot Camp designed for men and women of all tennis levels to “knock the rust off” after the holidays. Day 1 began with an extensive and dynamic warm-up that included movement, stretching and ladder footwork drills. There was a three-court rotation where all players were able to hit over 1,000 tennis balls. Forehand, backhand, approach shot, volley, overhead, serve and return drills helped each player get a lot of repetitions as well as some cardio work. In addition to the two
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tennis drill stations, Tamra ran a fitness court that included TRX strengthening, core exercises and some flexibility training. Day 2 also started with a warm-up and a series of groundstroke, volley, over heads and serves. This was followed by play-based drills and some match play. It was a great day with lots of point play. The main focus during point play was strategy, court positioning, shot selection and communication with your partner. It was an awesome event and we are looking forward to our next one in the fall.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL PLAY DAY On January 31, the Tennis Club hosted a Back-to-School Tennis Play Day for Cordillera Ranch juniors. We hosted two age groups: 4- to 7-year-olds and 8- to 14-year-olds. The kids gathered for a warm-up and then split up to play some games. The younger division focused on their forehands, backhands and net play. The group of older kids focused on play-based games. Afterwards, everyone got together to enjoy pizza from the Club and received prizes they had won during the games. The Tennis Club hosts a Back-to-School Play Day at the beginning of the semester. Be on the lookout for the next one! Contact the Tennis Club for other opportunities to improve your play in fun, themed events with other players who also love the game of tennis! Joe De Luna is the Director of Tennis at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at jdeluna@cordilleraranch.com
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DINING
Welcome To The Patio The Twin Sisters Friday Evening Experience By Graham House, Clubhouse and Lodging Manager :: Photography by Terry Vine
The days grow longer, the grass becomes greener and the crisp evening air welcomes you back to the outdoors, providing the perfect opportunity to relax around the firepit on the Twin Sisters Patio with breathtaking 25-mile views of the gorgeous Texas Hill Country unfolding before you. Springtime is a renewal of nature and Friday evenings are your time to recharge with sunset crafted cocktails, a culinary tasting station, live entertainment, stargazing and a community of friends and family. Every Friday, March through May, brings back the Twin Sisters Patio experience. 42 | MARCH/APRIL 2021
COCKTAILS & WINE Our amazing mixologist team creates inventive, signature-crafted cocktails with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Popular past patio cocktails include the Peach Raspberry Julep, Tequila Old Fashioned and Bacon Bourbon Bloody Mary with Smokey Chile Paprika Salt. For wine enthusiasts, our Wine Specialist, Jeffrey Cohen, provides insight into winemaking while introducing varieties outside your normal boundaries of flavor and terroir for a truly personal experience.
CULINARY TASTING Every Friday on the Twin Sisters Patio, our culinary team prepares crafted tastings that complement the evening’s signature
LIVE MUSIC cocktails. Tropical Watermelon-Citrus Shrimp Tostadas, Warm House-Made Sweet & Sour Chicken and Crisp Firecracker Shrimp are a few selections featured in the past. For dining, the Ranch and Signature menus are available on the patio, along with the Friday fish feature. The process starts the day before when Executive Chef Isaac Cantu sources the freshest fish available. When the dock receives the fish from the boat, it is flown overnight to the Club where Chef Isaac personally fillets the fish in preparation for Friday night. Another popular patio item, when seasonally available, is our selection of cold-water oysters such as Blue Points and Prince Edward Island.
As the sun sets, the patio comes alive with music. During the spring, we welcome talented musicians for everyone’s entertainment. Jeff Woods starts the season off in March. Jeff is a country music artist hailing from Springfield, Missouri. He has been writing and performing from a young age and is now working on his fourth country album. Every patio has a story, and this is ours. We welcome you to experience it. Graham House is the Clubhouse and Lodging Manager at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at ghouse@cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.9164.
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TA S T E !
CELLAR CLUB
IN THIS EDITION I WOULD LIKE TO SHOWCASE A COUPLE OF OUR NEWER WINES BY THE GLASS.
By Jeffrey Cohen, Wine Specialist
HEITZ CELLAR The Napa Valley Chardonnay highlights the rich ripe fruit character from the warmer Rutherford vineyard, combined with the crisp, light acid in the grapes from the cooler Oak Knoll vineyard. This marriage is what makes this chardonnay unique. The new French oak gives the wine vanilla and baking spice flavor without overpowering the varietal flavor.
ON THE PALATE: The Heitz Cellar chardonnay expresses hints of Meyer lemon, pineapple and freshly baked apple tarts. The fresh fruit aroma is complemented by subtle notes of toasted hazelnut, honey suckle and white floral characteristics. Its fresh, bright acidity pleases the palate while balanced by a smooth richness that is obtained by sur-lie aging.
FOOD PAIRING: Lemon and Herb Roasted Gulf Red Snapper. For a richer dish, serve with brown rice or a lighter dish with soft white jasmine rice. Accompany this with your favorite vegetable. Then finish it off with a tropical salsa of tomatoes, pineapples, mangoes and onions. Of course, the chile pepper that you choose is up to your heat tolerance. Please just make sure and let all the flavors of the salsa set for an hour to come together. Enjoy and let me know how it turns out!
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LE VOLTE DELL’ ORNELLAIA Ornellaia has established itself among the iconic wine estates in Italy and beyond. The estate is dedicated to producing charming and opulent wines, full of Mediterranean character and finesse, reflecting the estate’s unique terroir in Bolgheri and the Tuscan coast. The combination of Bolgheri’s unique soils and growing conditions, and what can only be characterized as a total obsession with excellence, result in the worldclass wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc that so many wine lovers across the world have come to cherish.
FOOD PAIRING: The Le Volte is extremely versatile. You can have a bottle with your favorite pizza. It will be quite amazing with your version of a “Meat Lover’s.” However, for a special occasion, let us think about a Tuscan marinated steak. Perhaps an Akaushi Strip from the Club’s Butcher Shop. First you want to marinate the steak. • olive oil • lemon zest • garlic • fresh rosemary • dried oregano • crushed red pepper flake • ground black pepper You should prepare this the night before. It is simple. Throw all the ingredients together and rub into the steak on both sides. Place in the refrigerator and let it do its thing — let it sit for about 12 hours. The main thing in cooking this to your perfection is to allow the steaks to come to room temperature before you grill them. If you remove the steak for 30 minutes to an hour before grilling, that should work. Then serve with your favorite vegetable and some roasted rosemary potatoes. “Buon Appetito!” See you at the Club… Jeffrey M. Cohen, CMS, is the Wine Specialist/Beverage Manager at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at jcohen@cordilleraranch.com or 210.677.9234.
WELLNESS
The Cordillera Ranch
OUTFITTER WORKOUT By Tamra Christiansen, Fitness & Wellness Director Photo by Kelsey Grudle
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Cordillera Ranch has the best weather when it comes to golf, tennis and any of the other great outdoor activities that the Clubs offer. So, why not begin your Tuesday and Thursday mornings with a workout, al fresco, at the Outfitter Center? Fresh air, friendly people and a fun program adaptable to any fitness level is the perfect way to start your day. And it’s just in time to gain a fitness edge on your summer vacation body.
In the OutFITter class, be ready to boost your heart rate and metabolic engine with HIIT/Tabata and Pyramid-style workouts, using TRX straps, tires, agility ladders, Kettlebells and body weight exercises. What is HIIT? It’s short for High Intensity Interval Training and Tabata is a form of a HIIT workout. This type of exercise burns high amounts of calories in small amounts of time while gaining lean muscle that becomes the engine for boosting your metabolism. The program works legs, core and lungs, improving oxygen uptake/consumption, and though your heart rate will rise in class, your recovery heart rate improves. It actually lowers your heart rate and blood pressure throughout the day. The biggest benefit is that your metabolism is heightened for up to 24 hours after the class, which means your body is also ramped up with energy all day. That automatically leads to our favorite subject: burning fat, especially visceral fat, which is the fat that surrounds the organs. Studies have shown that people who have performed HIIT three times a week burned over four pounds of fat in 12 weeks. Add in clean eating habits and that number grows while your body fat diminishes! In a Pyramid workout, you increase either reps or weights and then decrease those back down the “pyramid.” For example, if you start with two reps of Squat to Shoulder Press (Thrusters) using a heavier weight, you would then follow with four reps using a slightly lighter weight and so on until you reach 12 reps. Then, you make your way back down from 12 reps to the two reps you started at. Not only do you feel stronger, knowing you just did 84 reps of several exercises, but this builds strength, stamina and, once again, lean muscle that leads to a faster metabolism. Please join me on Tuesday and Thursday mornings beginning March 2 at the Outfitter Center for our new OutFITter Workout! Need that third day of HIIT? Kelly Vizzone teaches X-Fit on Saturdays for you. In X-Fit, Kelly will take you through timed intervals on the Row Machine, stations on the Queenax equipment, the TRX and the BOSU ball. All large muscle groups are used in this 45-minute class, creating maximum calorie burn. This class takes place in the Fitness Center at 10:00am every other Saturday. To sign up for any of these classes, please visit www.clubsofcordilleraranch.com, go to the Spa & Fitness tab and register for the classes of your choice on the calendar. Trying new things is a big component to boosting your self-confidence! You never know how much you will love something until you step out and try it! Tamra Christiansen is the Fitness & Wellness Director at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. She can be reached at tchristiansen@cordilleraranch.com or 210.878.5367.
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OUTDOORS
SPORTING CLAYS COURSE
The Outfitter staff are currently redesigning the Sporting Clays Course at Cordillera Ranch to enhance the overall shooting experience at the Gun Club.
REDESIGN
If you’ve never shot sporting clays, we invite you out
By Shane Reynolds, Outdoor Recreation Director and Outfitter
to try a round.
Sporting clays is sometimes referred to as “golf with a shotgun,” and that’s a fair comparison. Like golf courses, no two sporting clays courses are alike, and terrain and background have a lot to do with how targets are presented. For that reason, shooters travel to different courses to experience variety. Sporting clays is the closest thing to actual field shooting of all shotgun sports. Rather than having clay birds thrown from standardized distances and angles as with skeet or trap, sporting clays courses are designed to simulate the hunting of ducks, pheasants, other upland birds and even rabbits. Since there is no set season and it can be shot at any time, many hunters shoot sporting clays to further their wing-shooting skills during the off-season. Targets may be thrown from literally any angle or distance to simulate wing-shooting, and six different sizes of clay targets are used to further give the shooter the experience of actual hunting conditions. Sporting clays is typically shot in groups of two to six people over a course of 10 to 15 shooting stations laid around fields or around the natural features of the land. The course designer is not limited in target speed, angle or distance, so every course is different. The course at Cordillera Ranch is 10 stations and our members shoot rounds of 50 or 100. The most common target used in sporting clays is the clay that is used in skeet and trap. But sporting clays also uses specialty targets to introduce the illusion of speed or distance in the eye of the shooter, moving at speeds or in the ways of game birds. All can be thrown as singles or pairs.
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Any shotgun that’s in safe working condition, capable of firing two shots, may be used. Any gauge can be used, but the most popular are 12 and 20 gauge. Many shooters like to shoot an over/under because it gives them two choke choices. Shooters who tend to be sensitive to recoil might prefer gas-operated semiautomatics.
SHOOTING A ROUND OF CLAYS To shoot a round of sporting clays, you’ll start on the assigned first station and shoot each station in order. Before the first person in every squad shoots, the Outfitter staff will show your group the targets so you’ll be familiar with what and how the targets are being thrown and strategize how you’ll shoot them. When your turn comes up to shoot, be ready. Step up to the station. Then, and only then, do you load your shotgun. Point it safely toward the target firing area. When your gun is ready and you are in position, relax and call “pull.” When you shoot, the target will be considered a “dead bird” if any part of it is broken. The outfitter will score each shot a hit or miss and has the final word. When you’re done shooting at a station, open your gun, remove the used hulls, and exit the station. Remain behind the station, out of the way until all shooters have shot that station and are ready to move on. You’ll find that sporting clays shooters are friendly and always eager to share their sport with beginners. So, while you’re learning the sport, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Let your fellow shooters and outfitters know that you’re a new shooter, and they’ll go out of their way to show you the ropes and help you learn the game. To set up a shoot, contact our Outfitter staff and enjoy a round of sporting clays soon. Shane Reynolds is the Outdoor Recreation Director and Outfitter at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at outfitter@cordilleraranch.com or 210.616.6051.
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OUTDOORS
TROUT FISHING on the Lower Guadalupe River
Rainbow trout fishing in New Braunfels,Texas? Listed in America’s 100 Best Trout Streams, the Guadalupe River in Texas is the southernmost trout fishery in the United States. Through the efforts of the Guadalupe Chapter of Trout Unlimited (GRTU) and Texas Parks andWildlife (TPWD), fishermen can fly fish for trout year-round. Portions of the Guadalupe River below Canyon Lake maintain a low enough
By Shane Reynolds, Outdoor Recreation Director and Outfitter
water temperature to sustain rainbow and brown trout.
The Guadalupe River chapter of Trout Unlimited is the largest chapter in the nation. The section of the Guadalupe River is managed as a trophy trout fishery and the quality of the fishing improves every year. The Guadalupe River is stocked each winter by Texas Parks and Wildlife as well as Trout Unlimited. The average Guadalupe trout will be in the 12” to 14” range. Fish over 20” are not uncommon and many each year are in the five-to-eight-pound range. There are a few special regulations in effect from the second bridge crossing on River Road, upstream to the easternmost bridge crossing on FM Road 306. In this area, there is an 18” minimum size limit, a one trout daily bag, and the restriction that only trout caught on an artificial lure or fly may be harvested. Anglers may fish with all other legal means and methods, and may harvest all fish except trout. The Guadalupe River is a tailwater. Cold water is released from the bottom of the Canyon Lake dam. As a result, the Guadalupe River has the potential for the trout to survive year-
round. This section of river is best to fly fish during the winter months, but trout can be caught every month of the year. The Guadalupe River streambed below Canyon Lake is publicly owned, but the river banks are all private property. Because public access is limited, the best way to fish the Guadalupe River is to float. All of our Guadalupe River floats are done in comfortable, stable rafts with room for two fishermen and one guide. Full-day and half-day floats are available. Early morning half-day float trips are the best option during the warmer months due to recreational traffic. The Guadalupe River dates fill up fast during the winter months so book your date well in advance. Contact the Club Outfitter staff to arrange your trout fly fishing trip today!
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Shane Reynolds is the Outdoor Recreation Director and Outfitter at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at outfitter@cordilleraranch.com or 210.616.6051.
MEMBER SERVICES
Get get outside! Camping at the Cordillera Ranch Park By Shane Reynolds, Outdoor Recreation Director and Outfitter :: Photography by Kelsey Grudle
One of the greatest amenities that Cordillera Ranch has to offer is its parks and trail system that includes access to the Guadalupe River and the spring fed creeks on the ranch. The River Park at Cordillera Ranch has five campsites and each includes a picnic table, bar-b-q pit, fire pit and trash can. All Cordillera Ranch property owners and Club members have access to reserve these campsites through the Property Owners Association for no fee. The Clubs’ Outfitter service now offers a full line of camping gear to rent and a full-service campsite set-up and strike service for our Club members and their guests. Have you ever considered camping at the park? Why should you take your family camping? Camping with family is a great way to re-connect with each other through a shared experi-
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ence. When parents go to work and kids go to school on a daily schedule, family members experience separate realities. But sharing the same tent on a family camping trip has a way of uniting and strengthening family bonds. Camping offers families the opportunity to spend quality time together; it gives families an opportunity to bond in a new environment and create new memories. We’re excited to offer this new service. Please contact me with any questions you may have. Shane Reynolds is the Outdoor Recreation Director and Outfitter at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch. He can be reached at outfitter@cordilleraranch.com or 210.616.6051.
SIGNATURE VACATIONS
LOS SUEÑOS RESORT in Costa Rica A Cordillera Ranch Signature Vacation November 8-13, 2021
THE PERFECT VACATION Join our club staff as we visit beautiful Costa Rica and the Los Sueños Resort and Marina in November of 2021. Costa Rica is really a wonderful vacation destination. It has one of the oldest and most stable democracies in the Americas; it is relatively close to the U.S.; the beaches are clean and uncrowded; the population is happy and friendly; and the scenery is stunning and unforgettable. If you’re looking for a great fall vacation getaway, Costa Rica is the perfect choice. With ideal accommodations, adventure experiences and relaxation, what more could you ask for?
“PURA VIDA,” THE GOOD LIFE Costa Rica is not only rich in biodiversity, it’s rich in culture and happiness. According to the Happy Planet Index, Costa
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Rica is the greenest and happiest country in the entire world, by a substantial lead. There is a saying in Costa Rica: “Pura Vida.” It means “the pure life” or “the good life.” You can say it as a greeting or as a response to, “How are you?” It sums up just about everything you need to know about the Costa Rican people and the country in general. Los Sueños Resort and Marina is a hotspot for both inshore and offshore fishing. Costa Rica’s waters literally teem with big game: dorado averaging 40 pounds, yellowfin tuna that push the 300-pound mark and one of the largest concentrations of big Pacific sailfish found anywhere. In fact, Costa Rica boasts one of the healthiest billfish fisheries in the world, with 20-fish days being a common occurrence. Unusually calm waters and short rides to the fishing grounds cement the country’s place at the top of the big game fishing destinations. Those in search of an unforgettable sport fishing experience need to look no further than Los Sueños Marina, home to an extensive charter fleet certified by the Costa Rican Ministry of Tourism. It is not just the offshore fishing that is good in this area — the inshore fishing offers a great opportunity for 50-pound+ roosterfish and 40-pound+ dorado. You can try your hand at catching these on a fly rod as well as regular spinning rods. This area is one of the most consistent fishing grounds year-round and therefore attracts some of the world’s most passionate anglers. For golfers, the resort’s La Iguana Golf Course features 18 championship holes with a 73.4 course rating, par-72 and slope 145. Playing the exotic 6,698-yard Ted Robinson-designed golf course in Costa Rica would be any golfer’s dream. The naturally challenging layout will please players of all skill levels. The golf course is richly landscaped to include exotic native plants, banana trees, orchids, monkeys and more than 150 species of birds and local wildlife. This exclusive Cordillera Ranch Signature Vacation is planned for our members and their guests, with a minimum of four participants and a maximum of 14.
For more information or to reserve your spot, contact Shane Reynolds, Outdoor Recreation Director and Outfitter at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch, at sreynolds@cordilleraranch.com or 210.616.6051.
COMMUNITY
NATURE
and NURTURE
As a longtime advocate for early childhood education and appreciation for our environment, the recently rebranded Cibolo Center for Conservation has provided school field trips, homeschool curriculum, a preschool, summer camps and outreach programs for over 30 years. In the fall of
Cibolo Center for Conservation Opens The Nest Nature School
2021, The Nest Nature School opens with, appropriately,
For the past five years, the preschool has grown to be an integral part of the Center’s programming, and support and interest from the community has led to the expansion. “When The Nest Nature School opens, it will be one of the leading preschools in the country with all of the best practices in place — a child-centered curriculum, abundant areas for nature play, gardening and exploration, classrooms that invite children’s cognitive development and creativity, and a top-notch professional teaching staff and leadership,” says Margaret Lamar, the Executive Director of Cibolo Center for Conservation. The Nest is a fully licensed nature-based preschool that employs an experienced staff dedicated to creating a nurturing and loving environment. Enrollment is for children ages 3 through 5 in mixed-aged classrooms. “We have a defined curriculum that nurtures a child that has a sense of wonder, has a curiosity, loves the outdoors, but also has care for each other,” says Carolyn Chipman Evans, CEO of Cibolo Center for Conservation. The preschool’s expanded program provides students the opportunity to learn experientially through a place-based curriculum that includes both indoor and outdoor classroom environments. Students will spend at least 50 percent of their
day outdoors learning as they play while developing cognitively, socially, creatively, academically and physically. Linda Charlton, Director of Early Childhood Development at The Nest Nature School, explains, “The nature school curriculum is based in play because that is how young children learn best. The kids like to climb trees, they like to look for bugs, they’ll talk about how the prairie or the forest has changed, the leaves have dropped, the sun is hotter or not so hot; that’s all happening and we don’t have to create it. All we have to do is go out and take advantage of it, and that’s a beautiful thing.” Located on the historic Herff Farm property, Lamar says the comprehensive classrooms, or learning cottages, are designed to be fully self-sufficient spaces to give each class an opportunity to cultivate a unique community and culture with a low studentto-teacher ratio. Each learning cottage includes a large windowfilled classroom space and restrooms with an adjacent screened, open-air art and learning area and additional porch with picnic tables. All of the learning cottages open into a central play area designed by an internationally recognized nature play design team. With access to over 60 acres on the Herff Farm site, additional shared outdoor learning areas within the campus include a
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nature as its campus. By Trisha Doucette Photographs by Allison Russell Photography, courtesy of The Cibolo Center for Conservation
sensory pollinator garden, vegetable garden and multi-use area complete with child-sized nest, slide and mud play area. Classes also have access to the Cibolo Creek, forest and tall grass prairie habitats and multiple additional garden spaces. The Nest opens this fall with three learning cottages that will accommodate over 50 students on campus per day with the option of two, three or five days per week attendance. By fall of 2022, all four learning cottages will be open for over 70 students. Registration for the fall 2021 semester opened in February. Several Cordillera Ranch families have made naming gifts to the new school. Terri Katherine Rogers Ivie generously named the school in honor of Cibolo Founder and CEO, Carolyn Chipman Evans. Additional naming gifts were made by: Janice and John Brazil, Betsy and Larry Bush, Virginia and John Freud, Karen and Phil Hunke and Terry and Ben Smith, and many other Cordillera Ranch neighbors have contributed in so many ways. In addition to financially supporting the school, Ben Smith has been the volunteer Owner’s Agent, responsible for managing the construction and cost efficiency of the project. Joanne Williams, Past President of the Cibolo’s Board of Directors, has also been instrumental in advising and fundraising for the campaign. There are still opportunities to be a part of the campaign and support The Nest Nature School. Classrooms, campus and play features are still available for naming. Gifts support the continued growth, excellence and scholarship access at the school for years to come. Contact Leigh Owens at leigh@cibolo.org or 830.388.7676 to learn more.
To enroll or learn more about The Nest Nature School, visit cibolo.org or contact Margaret Lamar at margaret@cibolo.org or 830.249.4616.
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LIFESTYLE
DAY TRIPS FROM
BOERNE in Every Direction
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By Trisha Doucette Map courtesy of texashillcountry.com and authentictexan.com
Boerne, Texas is often referred to as the gateway to the Hill Country. Here you will find a charming, historic downtown area with fine dining and boutiques. There’s live theatre, an art scene, caverns to explore, parks for hiking, fishing and kayaking, and lovely places to stay. But it is also perfectly poised at the center of a diverse grouping of big cities, other historic towns and state/national
and are diligently preserved. Call first as hours may vary by season. Not to worry, there’s also handblown glass studios and art galleries, olive orchards and, when combined with nearby Dripping Springs, over 30 wineries, distilleries and craft breweries. visitwimberley.com, destinationdrippingsprings.com
parks. As an ideal position for launching scenic drives, within about 50 miles in every direction you can explore the Hill Country, central/south Texas and San Antonio. In Texas, you’ll discover there’s a trail for everything, from bluebonnets to bourbon to BBQ and wine to walking tours to water sports. Each town is perfect for a day trip or extended stay, with a variety of activities to please everyone. Here’s a sampling to get you started on your next excursion.
BLANCO – 39 MILES
Courtesy of Visit San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO - 30 MILES Beginning with the nearest big city, San Antonio is home to an international airport, South Texas Medical Center and five military bases. It’s also a tourism and convention mecca with several theme parks, arts and historical districts and five Spanish colonial missions (including the Alamo) – the combination named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. UNESCO also awarded San Antonio a Creative City of Gastronomy designation for its culturally significant food scene (with food trails, of course). Last but not least, the famous River Walk is frequented by locals as much as tourists for dining and seasonal entertainment. visitsanantonio.com
By Al Rendon Lake — nicknamed the Hill Country Coast. You’ll also find Schlitterbahn Waterpark & Resort and Texas Ski Ranch. Upstream from New Braunfels is the Gruene Historic District, home of the oldest dance hall in Texas, along with a thriving music and art scene. playinnewbraunfels.com
WIMBERLEY – 57 MILES Several swimming holes dot the Hill Country and Central Texas, but Wimberley is home to two of the most beloved — Blue Hole Regional Park and Jacob’s Well. Both are rare ecosystems that support many species of wildlife
NEW BRAUNFELS – 50 MILES This German town boasts everything from historic walking tours, art and heritage museums, Natural Bridge Caverns and Wildlife Ranch and upscale dining, but it’s water recreation that draws adventurers for tubing and fishing the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers, and boating on Canyon
The Old Blanco County Courthouse is most recognizable when lit for the holidays, and now houses the Visitors Center, museum and monthly Market Days. There’s also an annual Lavender Fest, boutiques and antique malls and the popular Old 300 BBQ. visitblancotexas.com
Courtesy of visitwimberley.com
Courtesy of NPS and Cynthia Dorminey
JOHNSON CITY – 53 MILES As the birthplace of President Lyndon B. Johnson, the LBJ District and Ranch include the President’s boyhood home and school, the family cemetery, “The Texas White House” and many other historical buildings to tour. The winespirit-beer trail continues as does the extravagant holiday lighting events that draw visitors from across the country, and joins the Science Mill for kids plus six-and-counting art galleries to visit. On the way to Fredericksburg, stop by Wildseed Farms, the nation’s largest working wildflower farm. johnsoncitytexas.com, wildseedfarms.com
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LUCKENBACH – 29 MILES As the saying goes, “Everybody’s Somebody in Luckenbach,” and Waylon and Willie made it famous. There’s a General Store, the Feed Lot restaurant and live music practically daily. luckenbachtexas.com Narrow Path Winery, by Jason Risner
MEDINA – 38 MILES
FREDERICKSBURG – 37 MILES The Hill Country is home to more than 100 wineries and vineyards, and Fredericksburg is the epicenter of Texas Wine Country. Original settlers produced wine with native mustang grapes and now more than 50 wineries are located around Fredericksburg offering Napa-worthy tasting rooms and exceptional wines. Main Street includes over 150 shops, restaurants and tasting rooms housed in historic buildings, with overflow on side streets. At either end you’ll find the National Museum of the Pacific War and the Pioneer Museum, both notable attractions. Enchanted Rock State Park is nearby, and this is where several bluebonnet trails begin and continue north to the towns surrounding the Highland Lakes. visitfredericksburgtx.com, thedaytripper.com
Head north towards Kerrville and you will discover Camp Verde, a former Army fort where in 1856 the Great Camel Experiment tested over 50 camels for endurance and transport for military purposes. Now the General Store is a great stop for shopping and dining. banderacowboycapital.com, campverdegeneralstore.com
Known as the “Apple Capital of Texas,” with several orchards and a fabulous fall Pumpkin Patch, Medina is a perfect stop for apple pie on the way to Lost Maples State Natural Area. texashillcountry.com
COMFORT – 17 MILES Right down the road from Boerne, Comfort is another German settlement founded in 1854. Several accommodations include B&Bs along with the restored Hotel Giles – part of architect Alfred Giles’ walking tour that features six historic properties he designed between 1879 and 1910. These and more than 100 other historic buildings house restaurants, a local distillery and antique and specialty shops. Holidays are celebrated in grand fashion with special events year-round. Nearby are wineries, the Buckhorn Golf Course, Flat Rock Ranch for mountain bikers and Old Tunnel State Park where 3 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge nightly from their home in the abandoned railroad tunnel. comfortchamber.com
Henri Castro Homestead
CASTROVILLE – 48 MILES Farther southwest but well worth a visit, Castroville was settled in 1844 by German farmers from Alsace. Residents call themselves Alsatians and many still speak an unwritten Germanic dialect that has been passed through generations. Their homes were built in a distinct architectural style and over 60 still remain that can be viewed on a walking tour. castroville.com
TEXAS BBQ TRAIL
Courtesy of Visit San Antonio
BANDERA – 25 MILES
By Al Rendon
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The “Cowboy Capital of the World” lives up to its name with dude ranches and tours, annual rodeos, a saloon and dancehall, plus several other nature sites.
While there are many delicious BBQ restaurants in the Hill Country, it would be sacrilege to not mention the line of towns east of I-35 that are nationally famous (in some cases, world). While they do exceed the 50-mile radius, it’s still an easy drive. In a nearly straight line, visit Luling, Lockhart, Bastrop, Elgin and Taylor. Each town is historically significant and each has more than one BBQ joint so with strategic planning, it’s easy to eat, sight see, repeat. texasbbqtrails.com
Relax and Rejuvenate The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch Spa Services invite you to relax and rejuvenate with an array of services including massage therapy, facials, and personal training. Tamra Christiansen Fitness & Wellness Director 210.878.5367
Kevin Durio Personal Trainer 214.232.8603
Kelly Vizzone Yoga Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor 210.442.9061
Lisa Geiman Masseuse 830.596.3831
Natalie Sales Group Exercise Instructor 956.455.3145 Kris Cracknell, NCPT Master Pilates Instructor 210.860.7322 Mike Miller Personal Trainer 573.201.5381
Amanda Rebollar Masseuse 773.701.1797 JoAnn Rangel Esthetician 830.850.0023 Kelsey Grudle Recreational Coordinator 830.336.9172
For more information about the state-of-the-art fitness facility and spa services, please call 830.336.9000 and visit
www.clubsofcordilleraranch.com
HOME TOUR
GARNER HOMES
TRANSPOSED FOR THE VIEW By Claudia Alarcón :: Photography by Blue Bruin Photography
Matt and Cindy Arkin knew they wanted to move to the Hill Country from Northern California for several years. After considering several larger properties, they stumbled upon Cordillera Ranch and quickly realized that this was the place they wanted to call home.“It fit our family’s lifestyle better than anything we had seen,” says Matt.“Between the golf, fishing, Clubhouse and like-minded community, we couldn’t be happier with our decision.” And here, they relied on award-winning builder Garner Homes, a Cordillera Ranch Preferred Builder, to make their Texas dreams come true.
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Rear elevation showing how home site layout was reversed in order to maximize the potential for the lot.
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When deciding on the lot to build their home, it was important to the Arkins to enjoy the Hill Country views while maintaining privacy and maximizing the southeast breezes. “Stylistically we were looking for a modern look while respecting the Hill Country topography, history and materials,” says Matt. “Barry Denton, Director of Real Estate Sales for Cordillera Ranch, and Trey Garner, owner of Garner Homes, were instrumental in orienting our house to capture our top priorities and greatly assisted us in bringing things to our attention as first-time home builders.” From a must-have perspective, the Arkins desired a house with clean lines, large windows that maximized the splendid views, and enough space for their grown children to visit, plus a wine cellar and a separate casita for guests. Garner delivered a 4,468-square-foot home with four bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths in a bright and open floorplan that’s ideal for entertaining, both indoors and al fresco. “The Garner team was truly great in asking questions on how we live, what’s important to have,” says Matt. “They listened incredibly well and were great at translating our needs into a house that is extremely functional while giving us the look we desired.” “This was quite a unique design,” says Trey Garner. “The views — dramatic, distant Hill Country views — were at the front of the lot instead of in the rear to which we are accustomed. Given that, Jim Terrian of J. Terrian Designs, wanted to spin the house around — the front in the back and the back in the front — so that we
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could capture the views from as many rooms as possible, which was a major priority for the homeowners.” Luckily, the ideal building area was 4.75 acres at the midpoint of the property. This allowed Garner’s team to get creative in capturing the views while respecting the community’s design intent. “Because this concept is a little unconventional, we wanted to create a unique arrival experience so that the back-in-thefront set-up wasn’t weird.” The solution was a porte cochere concept, which lets the owners pull into the property through a motorized gate, up the driveway and beyond the pool which, due to the topography, is higher than above natural grade. Once through, the Arkins circle around a stand of six statuesque Live Oak trees into the garage. The circle drive area allows for easy maneuverability. This feature also connects the main house and the guest quarters, providing privacy without being shoe-horned into the site. The home’s façade is comprised of white limestone culled to get the whitest stones possible. The install was linear, keeping with the modernized exterior shapes and lines. Inside,
the home features polished concrete floors and elegant yet contemporary light fixtures. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide plenty of light and views, and make the home feel even more open and spacious. The home has many unique custom features, full of character without straying from their form and function. In the ample living area, a masonry fireplace is clad in a modern steel surround, custom designed and fabricated in San Antonio. The powder room
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includes a floating concrete countertop with an integrated sink, and in the kitchen, the vent hood surround is painted in a black finish with stainless steel u-channels to create a metal reveal. The vent hood contrasts with the white cabinetry and the island, which is made from White Pearl Quartzite with a leathered finish and a black granite perimeter with a honed finish. The Wolf® and SubZero® stainless-steel appliances round out the kitchen’s design. An adjacent climate-controlled wine room with metal racks and a wet-bar provide multiple prep areas for serving guests. The home exceeds the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code with the features that are standard in Garner Homes projects. Tankless water heaters, spray foam insulation and LowE coatings on double-pane windows and doors are some of the specific equipment, systems and materials used to achieve this. The home was tested based on the Home Energy Rating
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System (HERS www.hersindex.com), which uses a relative performance index to identify the efficiency of a home. “We go through rigorous testing to ensure that our homes have no air leaks or compromises to the HVAC and insulation systems,” says Garner. According to data that analyzed the Arkins’ home against an average home of this size, their projected annual end-use electric consumption will be 34% less. Making sure that the pool was a visually appealing feature was critical, since it is the first structural element arrivals see after passing through the gate. Designed by Infinity Pools, it features a knife-edge on two sides to create a negative edge effect. Next to the spa, the sunken seating area has a custom-built, 10-foot-wide linear fire pit. “The Garner team paid particular attention to setting our expectations on all the planning, timing and budgets,” says Matt. “Weekly communication calls with the team to update us on the progress, work through specific decisions and discuss the next steps were quite helpful in keeping us in the loop and engaged. We made minimal additions and changes throughout the process, which were well integrated into the master plan and executed well. We thoroughly enjoyed the process of making the incredible number of decisions, and closely collaborating with team Garner while building our house.”
GARNER HOMES 210.493.1686 :: garnerhomes.com
POA
ELEVATING SERVICE By Kevin Koether, CRPOA General Manager
The Cordillera Ranch Property Owners Association (CRPOA) continues to evolve with the primary focus of being a resource for our Property Owners. We continue to critique our internal processes and work to enhance and optimize to serve each of you better. We want to share some of the changes that have been made and the planning steps we are taking to elevate our service level.
I have found that family events build continuity, camaraderie and community. The Pico-Boo Halloween event had a fantastic turnout, and we saw nothing but smiling faces. With that in mind, the CRPOA is planning multiple events to be held throughout the community. We are in the preliminary planning stages with various ideas being considered at this
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time, but we can announce the CRPOA will be hosting a Movie in the Park this spring. We would love to hear any ideas or recommendations that you may have on what types of events you would enjoy. If you would like to volunteer to help plan or assist with an event, please contact the CRPOA office. The CRPOA website is in the pro-
cess of being moved to a new service provider, which will tie directly into our accounting software. The website should be more aesthetically pleasing to the eye and much more functional as it will connect directly to your property account. The integration will allow property owners to pay assessments via the CRPOA website without logging into a third-party system. The new website will also link with the system that issues our e-blast communications, allowing the same information to be posted to the website for those who choose not to receive e-blasts. The CRPOA Management Team has been tasked with improving both the quantity and quality of communications to property owners through e-blasts. The communication expectations were set to provide quality, timely information and serve as a resource for all property owners. The CRPOA is working diligently to enhance the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) process, specifically moving from a reactive stance to a proactive position. The CRPOA office is working more closely with builders and contractors to ensure clear expectations while they work within Cordillera Ranch. We are walking in-process construction sites more frequently to ensure the sites are clean and well maintained. The CRPOA team will also be performing more frequent compliance inspections throughout the community to ensure adherence to the Governing Documents by all residents. In the last few months, we have seen an increase in the number of ARC submissions, and to enhance our efficiency, the CRPOA has added another team member, Amber Flores. Amber has taken over as the Office Administrator, Colleen Roberson has moved to Project Manager, and Brandi Wright continues to flourish as the ARC Administration Manager. We appreciate all feedback from our property owners and are grateful to have to opportunity to serve each of you. Kevin Koether is the General Manager of the Cordillera Ranch POA. He can be reached at kkoether@cordilleraranch.com or 830.336.3501.
POA
D ARK S KIE S By Joe Cheben
“The stars at night, are big and br ight, deep in the hear t of Texas.” Have you ever been camping in an area so remote that, at night, you can see the MilkyWay with your naked eye? Have you ever been to Big Bend National Park and gazed at the stars after sunset, or McDonald Observatory just outside of Fort Davis,Texas and participated in a Star Party? All these places are “dark sky” locations where light pollution is at a minimum; however, if we want to preserve the night sky and stars over our community, it’s important that everyone participate in mitigating the growing problem of light pollution. With the Hill Country growing rapidly, this challenge is only going to grow over time so we must all be vigilant today. Why is it important to have dark skies? It’s not just so people can see the stars, although that is a very good reason in and of itself. Night skies are connected to the natural world. Protecting the night sky from light pollution is critical to the environment, wildlife and our quality of life. Less than 100 years ago, everyone could look up and see a spectacular starry night sky. Now, for most people, this is not possible. The increased and widespread use of artificial light at night is not only impairing our view of the universe, but it is also adversely affecting our environment, our health and our energy consumption. There are several videos on YouTube that give a very succinct explanation of the problem, such as “Why the Stars are Disappearing” and “Light Pollution 101” by National Geographic.
HERE ARE SOME IMPACTS OF LIGHT POLLUTION: Light pollution has a major effect on mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. Circadian rhythm (the day and night
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cycle) plays an essential role in controlling the characteristic behaviors and physiology of all animals. Significant events of animal life such as growth, locomotion, development and reproduction are highly dependent on the proper balance between day and night. When unwanted artificial light enters their surroundings, it causes severe alterations in the natural cycles of animals’ activities. Light pollution may also affect the reproductive system of these insects and animals and it is also responsible for changes in the migration pattern of birds. Did you know that excessive light decreases the ability of zooplankton to consume algae from the water surface? This leads to algae blooms that may reduce water quality and also disturb the flora of aquatic ecosystems. In simple terms, light pollution interferes with the natural cycles and rhythms of daily life in the environment. Excessive light can affect humans in a variety of ways. It can cause eye irritation and redness, headaches, fatigue, stress and anxiety in people who are quite often exposed to over-illumination. Long-term exposure to light pollution at night may affect the production of melatonin which is an essential component for a strong immune system. Light pollution is not only showing negative implications on humans, animals, plants and the environment, but it is also adversely affecting astronomy. When light scatters in the sky,
• The Cordillera Ranch Design Guidelines have several other restrictions for lighting that, if followed, will help minimize light pollution, including: o Fluorescent, metal halide, low-pressure sodium lamps, exposed bulbs and wrap-around lenses are prohibited;
o Down lighting is encouraged;
o Exterior flood light lamps must have housing at least 8 inches long and the housing must extend at least 3 inches beyond the bulb, and the maximum angle from the wall shall not exceed 30 degrees;
o Traditional low-voltage exterior lighting should be limited to no more than 45 watts on address markers and entry gates and no more than 75 watts for exterior-mounted flood lamps. For LED lighting, it is important to minimize the amount of blue light emitted (that color spectrum brightens the night sky more than any), so the color temperature of LED lights should not exceed 3000 Kelvins (and again should be pointed downward and shielded).
o Exterior and landscaping lighting shall be installed to minimize the visibility of the light source and to minimize the pollution of the night sky.
it minimizes contrast in the atmosphere and astronomers find it quite challenging to view and observe the night sky. When excessive light enters a telescope, it makes observation very difficult due to extreme glare. This is why McDonald Observatory worked with the local community to create a very successful dark skies environment. Wasting energy is one of the major impacts of light pollution. It requires a lot of money and energy to light up public places and communities. The general mindset is that people are only paying for the amount of light they are using, but no one considers how much energy they are wasting. In short, over-illumination is just wastage of electricity, money and natural resources along with incrementally polluting our environment. The unfortunate fact related to light pollution is that it is created only by human-made causes. Hence, it is we who can make the necessary changes: • Ask yourself – do you need to keep your landscaping lights on all night? Cordillera Ranch basically shuts down after sun set. Why not turn off all your outdoor lights within an hour after sunset. It will save energy and promote a dark sky. • If you want to keep some external lights on, change out the bulbs to the lowest wattage and warmest color temperature LED you can find.
“The clear night sky is a major attraction for people moving to the Texas Hill Country,” noted Cordillera Ranch Development President, Charlie Hill. “Since Cordillera Ranch began back in 1997, limiting light pollution to preserve this beautiful and unique natural resource has been an important priority for us, and we’re currently working to update the existing lighting restrictions in the Cordillera Ranch CCR’s and Design Guidelines to enhance the existing stringent guidelines aimed at protecting the sky for years to come,” Hill continued. Just doing these small steps can help Cordillera Ranch be a true dark sky community. For more information and guidance on outdoor lighting that will help preserve our light school, check out this great resource from the International Dark Sky Association: www.darksky.org/our-work/lighting-for-citizens/ lighting-basics.
SOURCES: www.texas.darksky.ngo www.earthreminder.com/harmful-impacts-of-light-pollution www.darksky.org “Deep in the Heart of Texas,” Composer: Don Swander, Lyricist: June Hershey
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DEVELOPER’S CORNER
2020 CORDILLERA RANCH
MARKET RECAP By Charlie Hill, Cordillera Ranch Development President
Just when we thought the red-hot real estate market couldn’t get any hotter in 2020, December arrived and sales activity surged even further and continued into early 2021. By early November, home inventory had dropped to a 15+ year record low of only 12 homes available in MLS, approximately 75% below the historical average of 45 to 50+ homes on MLS in recent years. That shrinking supply seemed to create more of a buying frenzy in the last two months of the year, reducing the inventory of available homes on MLS to only four as of mid-February 2021. So, let’s take a quick look back at how we got there with a few highlights of 2020 sales data for Cordillera Ranch. HOME SALES After a drop in sales activity during the 2nd quarter of 2020, home sales (closings), excluding custom home starts, surged in the 3rd and 4th quarter to end the year with 63 total home sales — a 17% jump from the prior year. Two-thirds of the home sales occurred during the final six months of the year. The average home sales price in 2020 increased 10% to $1.33MM (only including resale and spec home sales) with an average price per square foot of $262/sf. The average price per square foot in the 4th quarter jumped 14% over prior year to $309/sf (again this does not account for current custom home construction costs). The chart to the right illustrates home sales price per square foot by quarter.
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Average $/sf of home sales price by quarter
Consistent with years past, the majority of the home sales activity occurred in the Ranch community (83%) followed by 13% of sales in the Clubs Village area. Cordillera Ranch Realty was the leader in sales activity during 2020, accounting for nearly 30% of the home sales (as buyer agent) in the community, well ahead of the next closest broker.
LOT SALES
CR Realty accounted for 62 of the lot sales in 2020, representing an 81% market share. CR Realty agents took the top five spots in terms of overall lot sales by agents in 2020, with Charles Mueller handling 32%, followed by Vance Waller at 18%, Carey Yeager at 14%, Barry Denton at 10% and John Kuhry at 7%. Overall, the strong sales activity has continued into 2021 as we’ve had two record months of total sales to start the year, with 53 properties already contracted in the first 45 days of the year (which only includes CR Realty sales). A variety of factors have driven the surge of buyers and the encouraging news is that this hot market appears to be different from the mid-2000’s when much of the activity around the country was fueled by investors and speculators. Generally speaking, we’re seeing “end-users” — people purchasing lots and homes for their personal use as opposed to just investment purchases. The number one reason we have seen the push of activity has been people from around the state and country seeking better quality of life overall, including lower taxes, a more business-friendly environment, more lifestyle activities for the family and more open space to enjoy. People were clearly seeking to escape the lockdown-driven claustrophobic life in the city, and Cordillera Ranch has been a good answer to those desires. Based on the extremely tight supply of homes (4 homes available with a starting price of $1.1MM; or $2.9MM for anything on 1-acre or more), the current trend of strong lot sales is anticipated to continue for 2021.
Lot sales (closings) in 2020 surged 28% versus prior year to 77 total sales (including resale and developer lots), and 58 (75%) of those sales occurred in the 2nd half of the year, almost The Cordillera Ranch Realty Team can be reached equal to the total sales for all of 2019 (60). In the final two at 888.66.RANCH. quarters of 2020, total lot sales nearly doubled the lot sales for that same period in 2019. That end of year momentum accelerated further the last week of the year and into 2021 as we had 8 lots contracted during the final week of the year and another 23 contracted in January and another 23 in the first two weeks of February. The average lot sales price increased 9% in 2020 to $274k, but as always lot sales prices vary widely based on property attributes, location and size. The Clubs Village area averaged $365k per lot (which includes non-golf course lots) and the Springs and Ranch community averaged approximately $220k per lot. The chart to the right illustrates the average sales price per lot over the past three years. The Springs of Cordillera Ranch and Clubs Village were the hottest neighborhoods over the past year, with 29 and 30 sales, respectively, in those two areas and were followed by 18 lot sales in the Ranch community. Average lot sales prices by year (including resale and developer lot closings)
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TESTIMONIALS
Get to Know t h e
CORDILLERA RANCH REALTY TEAM
CAREY YEAGER High expectations, exceptional results. It’s a mantra Carey Yeager not only adheres to in business, but also in her life. A transplant Texan by way of California and Michigan, Yeager has been with Cordillera Ranch Realty for nearly five years and thrives on helping others, especially when it comes to finding or building their dream home. She also knows a thing or two about the community and lifestyle she’s selling. Yeager and her husband Art live in Cordillera Ranch and can often be seen either on the golf course or enjoying a nice glass of wine (white for her, red for him). We asked Yeager about living and selling Cordillera Ranch, the benefits of client golf and why she lives in the “cookie house.” HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH CORDILLERA RANCH REALTY, AND WHAT WERE YOU DOING PRIOR TO THAT? I have been with Cordillera Ranch Realty for nearly five years, and in real estate for 40 years. Most of my professional career was in California — I covered a large geographical area of the state and worked everything from first-time buyers to multi-million-dollar homes. I did it all, and it kept my skills sharp and my sensitivity in-tune to everyone’s needs. The last 15 years in California we lived in Indian Wells and specialized in luxury homes in golfing communities.
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WHAT INTRIGUED YOU TO JOIN THE CORDILLERA RANCH REALTY TEAM? When my husband and I moved to Cordillera Ranch, we felt we could contribute to the real estate buying/selling experience and bring something different to the team. My husband also has his real estate license but he’s more behind-the-scenes and when golfing, he is marketing for me. What I can tell my clients is that I, too, was a buyer in Cordillera Ranch — I know what it’s like from their vantage point throughout the process. FROM YOUR UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE, WHAT IS THE MOST APPEALING ASPECT OF CORDILLERA RANCH? The lifestyle and people. You can build a house anywhere and you can buy a house anywhere, but when you’re coming to Cordillera Ranch, you’re buying a whole lifestyle and that lifestyle is made up by the people. Our people are just so genuine it is refreshing. Many people here have exceeded their life-long goals and have no need to tell you their achievements. They are much more interested in you. DO YOU TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE CLUBS FOUND WITHIN THE COMMUNITY? My husband and I love to play golf. It helps when you play golf with a client because how a home looks from the street is different from how the home looks from the golf course. It also shows how the home is positioned on the property and gives a different perspective. And that positioning can help them if they’re constructing a new home. Even if I have a non-golfer, Art and I will take a cart and drive them around so they can see the houses and the course.
In each issue, we spotlight a member of the Realty team to learn what motivates them, personally and professionally. By Robert Rodriguez
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO TEXAS? Art was in the Air Force and his first stop was Texas. He had spent time in Viet Nam and Hawaii and when getting out of the service, chose to return to Texas. Art was transferred in business to California and that is where I met him. I actually sold him a house! Over the years he was in Texas, he made many good friends. Many of those I got to know from ski trips and traveling and golfing together. When we would come to visit our daughter Jennifer and our granddaughters, we found Cordillera Ranch and it “spoke” to us. When we were ready to leave California, Texas was the choice. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? Family is all important to me and spending time with our daughter and two granddaughters is something we treasure as life moves on and schedules get busy. I love to read, cook and look forward to more travel. Cooking and baking actually is a way I decompress from the day and fuel creativity. We have built two homes here in Cordillera Ranch and during the process I would bake cookies for all of the people working on our house. It wasn’t until later that I learned from some of the people that I became known as the “cookie lady” who lived in the “cookie house.” IS THERE ANYTHING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH SOON? Not so much of a bucket list but I do look forward to Art and I doing some traveling when our world returns to some normality. Just like all of us, with this last year I have missed seeing family — both our Texas family as well as my family in Michigan. Luckily, we have had some time, though much less than usual, with our Texas family.
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CORDILLERA RANCH HOME LISTING INVENTORY IS AS TIGHT AS EVER If you’ve thought about listing and selling your home, now may be the perfect time. We’re seeing new listings sell quickly and for top dollar. LET OUR EXPERIENCED TEAM OF HOME SALES PROFESSIONALS PROVIDE AN ANALYSIS OF YOUR PROPERTY TODAY!
Charles Mueller
Vance Waller
Carey Yeager
John Kuhry
Barry Denton
210.710.6359 Licensed Real Estate Agent cmueller@cordilleraranch.com
830.388.2828 Licensed Real Estate Agent vwaller@cordilleraranch.com
830.388.6363 Licensed Real Estate Agent cyeager@cordilleraranch.com
512.424.9924 Licensed Real Estate Agent jkuhry@cordilleraranch.com
210.827.8384 Director of Real Estate Sales bdenton@cordilleraranch.com
CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 888-66-RANCH
WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570
LOT 13 OAKLAND HILLS Contact for Details
Rendering/Design subject to change
1
5,449 Square Feet
This distinguished design from the award-winning team of Garner Homes and J Terrian Designs overlooks the 8th and 9th holes of the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, with oversized windows and doors throughout to enjoy the view. 5,449 square feet of living space include a spacious home office and separate bonus space ideal for remote working; an open concept dining space with a climate-controlled wine storage closet and direct access to the outdoor living area; a large game room with a walk-behind bar and access to the patio; an open kitchen and great room with an abundance of natural light; an attached casita adds flexibility to the home’s layout. Outdoor living includes heritage Live Oaks and views of the golf course, a swimming pool and spa, and over 800 square feet of covered space. The oversized 4 car garage is ideal for a car collector or family with young drivers. • Gourmet kitchen • Climate-controlled wine storage • Outdoor kitchen • Centralized utilities (water, sewage, propane) • Large windows and doors flood the home with natural light • Master Full Golf Membership Available
20 OAKLAND HILLS $1,830,000
4,257 Square Feet
2
Non-MLS
Lifestyle by Stadler presents this two-story, three bedroom, five-bath transitional style home meticulously sited on 1.15 acres of golf frontage and surrounded by stands of Live Oaks with beautiful sunset views. Luxury touches abound. An open floor plan with huge sliding glass doors and windows bring the outdoors in, and diffuse abundant natural light throughout the home. Construction begins fall 2020 with a completion date of late 2021. Rendering/Design subject to change
• • • • • • •
3 bedrooms/5 baths/3-car garage Large master suite with dramatic accent wall Flex Room with its own bath and covered balcony Spacious media room with covered deck Elegant kitchen featuring granite countertops Backyard pool with pool bath and shower Master Full Golf Membership Available
WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570
ew
N g in st Li
418 CORDILLERA TRACE $1,200,000
3,993 Square Feet
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Non-MLS
This Hill Country-crafted home with an intricate stone and brick exterior sits on 5.23 acres and is positioned among stately Live Oaks. A signature fireplace in the family room and doublefaced fireplace in the master bedroom/bath create a relaxing ambiance. A recent renovation of the entire home reveals custom touches and current trends, and the kitchen is an epicurean delight with all new appliances and stone counters. Huge windows channel abundant natural light and capture views in multiple directions from many rooms and outdoor living spaces, including the beautiful pool with waterfall. • • • • • •
4 bedrooms/3 full baths and 1 half bath/3 car garage Great storage throughout Across Cordillera Trace from Pavilion Park Equidistant to Hwy 46 entry and Club amenities All new plumbing and water heaters Private well with water storage
347 PARK RIDGE $2,999,000
VANCE WALLER Listing Agent :: 830.388.2828
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5,905 Square Feet
MLS# 1494901
This unique Equestrian property includes 23 underbrushed acres and hundreds of trees. An open floor plan centers around a large kitchen, adjacent breakfast area, family room and bar. A bonus room can easily be converted to a fifth bedroom. Other rooms include game, utility, dining and a changing room for the pool. Outside living features an island grill/bar, covered patios overlooking the pool/spa, a Koi Pond and a fire pit. Equine facilities include six stalls with turnouts, a rotating tack wall, soaring ceilings sited for prevailing breezes, a wash rack, feed room, full bath and storage. The property is sectioned to manage grazing. • • • • • •
4 bedrooms/5 full and 1 half bath/3 car garage Master bedroom separated from secondary bedrooms RARE Ag Exemption – Great grazing Multiple wells Priefert round pen walker Master Full Golf Membership Available
BARRY DENTON Listing Agent :: 210.827.8384
WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570
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329 PARK RIDGE $999,000
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3,324 Square Feet
Non-MLS
A winding, forested driveway creates a peaceful arrival to this secluded, charming home nestled amongst hundreds of Live Oaks on 3.81 acres. With Hill Country architecture and styling inside and out, the interior boasts beautifully stained concrete floors, high timber frame trusses and beams, a soaring stone fireplace and interior stone elements. A large covered outdoor patio opens off the main living area and an isolated master suite features additional outdoor living with a fireplace. The main home is 2,476 square feet, the casita is 384 square feet and the loft over garage is 464 square feet. 4 bedrooms/4.5 baths/2 car garage Open kitchen, dining, living room floorplan Additional bedrooms easily locked off Large windows – great natural light Low maintenance landscape Convenient to Hwy 46 entrance and The Clubs Property backs up to generational ranch
JOHN KUHRY Listing Agent :: 512.424.9924
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116 RIVERWALK $899,000
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4,063 Square Feet
MLS# 1510380
Custom Hill Country home features a Lampasas stone exterior with a wonderful back patio and deck to take advantage of the view, star gazing, outdoor living and entertaining. Designed for one-story living except for multi-use bonus room upstairs, beautiful Pella casement windows offer scenic views surrounding the home. A welcoming foyer opens to a great room with a formidable fireplace, formal dining r)oom and kitchen with granite counters, gorgeous cabinetry and a sunny breakfast nook. Granite counters are also in secondary baths. • • • • • •
4 bedroom/3 baths/2 car garage 2.61 acres Quiet secondary street Close to Guadalupe River and Swede Creek Parks Abundant green space on back of property Central water and wastewater
WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570
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45 PERSIMMON $1,275,000
7
4,304 Square Feet
Non-MLS
This stunning Hill Country property was built by Authentic Custom Homes in 2006, and received an extensive recent remodeling with exceptional finishes and attention to detail. 45 Persimmon features three bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms, an over-sized study plus a spacious game room with a wet bar upstairs. In addition, this home has a climate-controlled bonus room downstairs that can serve as an exercise room or storage room. Gorgeous, mature oak trees frame the long-distance view from the living, master and dining rooms as well as the outdoor living space. • • • • • • • •
3 bedrooms/ 3.5 baths/3 car garage Study and game room Climate controlled bonus room Remodeled in 2019 Mature oak trees Long-distance northern view Central water, sewer and high-speed fiber optic cable Convenience of FM 3351 gate
VANCE WALLER Listing Agent :: 830.388.2828
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140 FM 3351 $4,900,000
8
6,500 Square Feet
MLS# 1510485
This 50-acre estate has abundant Live Oaks, cross-fenced pastures, each with running water, and an equestrian center with 20+ covered stalls, a barn with tack, feed and supply rooms, a hay barn and a 200’ x 300’ riding arena with cattle pens and round walker. The main home is crafted in Hill Country tradition. The grand living room has stone walls and timber trusses with stone and wood flooring throughout that pairs with stone counters and Alder cabinets, doors and trim. Covered patios and an outdoor kitchen capture southern breezes by the pool with spa, grotto, slide and a diving board. The home has a six-car garage, and guest/care takers quarters are also on the property. • • • • • •
5 bedroom/4 full baths and 2 half baths/6 car garage 2,000-square-foot putting green with two tees Ag Exemption Acreage may be subdivided 2 water wells with storage tanks Master Full Golf Membership Available
BARRY DENTON Listing Agent :: 210.827.8384
WWW.CORDILLERARANCH.COM | 830.336.3570
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Cordillera Ranch Realty Homes for Sale 1 - Lot 13 Oakland Hills 2 - 20 Oakland Hills 3 - 418 Cordillera Trace 4 - 347 Park Ridge 5 - 329 Park Ridge 6 - 116 Riverwalk 7 - 45 Persimmon 8 - 140 FM 3351
1499 S. Main Street
Next to the Dog & Pony Grill
830.331.1391
CORDILLERA RANCH LIVING
28 Cordillera Trace Boerne, TX 78006
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID FULTON, MO PERMIT #38
