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Published weekly by the Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association's
Communications Committee - February 13, 2017 Edition!
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"
The person who tries to live alone will not succeed as a human being. His heart withers if it does not answer another heart. His mind shrinks away if he hears only the echoes of his own thoughts and finds no other inspiration."
~ Pearl S. Buck
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The
Election Committee is now accepting nominations for the
Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association's Board of Directors. There will be (2) two open seats.
If you are a Homeowner or know a homeowner who would like to serve your community, please submit the following by
February 20, 2017. Nominations received by this date will be published in the
April 2017 issues of
"This Week in Westcreek,", on the
website, and on the
printed ballot mail out.
Please use the below to tell the community a little about yourself. Don't forget the following crucial items.
- Candidate's Full Name
- Home Address
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Please answer the three questions on the form
- Attach a Short Bio (no more than 300 words)
- Photo Image (jpeg) or if you wish you can drop by the Community Center and we will take the picture for you.
The information should be delivered to the following:
Chair, Villages of Westcreek Owner's Association Nomination Committee
12395 Military Drive West
San Antonio, TX 78253
BY FAX: 210-679-0040
NOTES:
- Nominations can be made at any time up to and including the call for nominations from the floor at the Annual Meeting on April 20, 2017.
- Nominations received after February 20, 2017, will be published on the website and in "This Week in Westcreek," however they will not make the printing deadline for the paper Ballot mail out.
- To be elected, the candidate must be a Homeowner of the Villages of Westcreek.
Click here to download form (MS Word version)
Click here to download form (pdf version)
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING THIS THURSDAY
Date: February 16, 2017
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Where: Community Center Hall
This is an Open Meeting and all are invited to attend!
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THE OLD HOMESTEAD - OR - THE OLD FARM HOUSE
In the Westcreek Community Center there is a picture/print above the water fountain of the oldest house in Westcreek. This artwork was pointed out by the current owner of that same property that is located at 11531 Creek Bow in the Summit.
If you bought a home in the Summit in 1996, the salesperson referred to this house as "the old homestead" or "the old farm house." According to the Bexar Appraisal District, the house at 11531 Creek Bow was built in 1960. The current owner, Roxie Freeman, said she was drawn to the charm and looks of the old farm house and was interested in knowing the history of the house.
The goal was originally to find who owned the land and the house known as "the old homestead" before the Summit was developed. The VWOA Historical Research Sub-Committee made an attempt to piece together ownership of the land where the house is located from the original land grant to the present, but some information is missing.
In 1874 the heirs of Hubertus Meurer (deceased) patented the 640 acres of the original Third-Class Headright Grant issued for immigrating to Texas. The land at 11531 Creek Bow was within the Meurer land grant (survey #559).
The next information available shows ownership by D & A (Daniel and Anton) Oppenheimer. We can infer from records that these two brothers owned the Meurer land plus land from other land grants that are in current day Westcreek plus land outside of Westcreek. The Oppenheimer brothers immigrated to the United States from Bavaria (Daniel in 1854 and Anton in 1858). They opened a mercantile in Rusk, Texas, then joined the Confederate Army during the Civil War. Later they settled in San Antonio and owned a mercantile and opened a private bank. As their business grew, they began trading goods to ranchers for cattle; they also began to buy land. The Handbook of Texas states that at one time they ran 15,000 head on ranches; one ranch comprised 110,000 acres in McMullen and Atascosa counties. They owned smaller ranches closer to San Antonio that covered 5,000 to 8,000 acres and were among the pioneers in the raising of Angora goats. Anton died in 1906 and Daniel died in 1915 at his home on Jefferson St. Both men are buried at Temple Beth-El Cemetery in San Antonio.
In 1920 Daniel and Anton's widows (and other heirs) sold the 2,769 acres known as the "D. & A. Oppenheimer Ranch" to Claude A. Pepper. This land included parts of many original land grants within Westcreek including: part of Thomas York league and labor-survey #201½, part of Bradford-survey #201, part of Crockett-survey #383, and also the whole of Meurer- survey #559.
The San Angelo Standard Times article, Homestead: Hard Work Uplifted Peppers provides the following information. The Pepper ranch during the 1950's gained the reputation of having Angora goats with a bloodline of superior quality fleece. The sons, Herbert Leslie and Claude, moved to Sabinal in 1943 and also raised Angora Goats. Leslie took over his father's herd in 1953 and moved the Pepper herd to Sabinal in 1957.
Again, according to the article cited above, Claude and Lillian Pepper lived on their land (2,769 acres) until their death, but there is not a record of who built the house in question in 1960 or if the Peppers lived in that house.
CHALLENGE QUESTION!
Billion Graves website lists Claude A. Pepper (1889-1971) and wife Lillian H. Pepper (1890-1978) buried at Mission Burial Park North in San Antonio, Texas. Children listed as: Claude Allen Pepper Jr. (1916-1992), Laura Louise Pepper Clark (1925-2009), and Herbert Leslie Pepper (1930-1988).
A Warranty Deed dated 1982, transfers the land in the estate of Claude A. Pepper and Lillian Pepper to the three children (Claude A. Pepper, Jr., Laura Louise Pepper Clark, and Herbert Leslie Pepper).
Researchers could not find the owner of the land (and house) from the time the Pepper children were deeded the property (1982) until the time Centex ended up with ownership (1993) and began building in the Summit. The challenge question is "Who owned the property/house from 1982 till 1993?"
Records found show the transfer of property (including house now at 11531 Creek Bow) to Resolution Trust Corporation, sold to Westcreek Joint Venture, and then sold to Centex all in one year time frame-1993.
From 1993-2003 the house at 11531 Creek Bow was rumored to have been used as a marketing office and/or construction office for Centex Builders while homes were being constructed in The Summit.
In 2003, Centex sold the home to Ronaldo Valentin. In 2010, Roxie Freeman purchased the house from Ronaldo Valentin.
Just a bit of interesting information
: The house is listed with Bexar Appraisal District as having 1931 square feet living space and the owner said that the home has two bedrooms (and one other little bedroom) and one bath.
It was pointed out to me that the back of the house is actually facing the road! If one walks around to the current backyard, you can see the front porch and garage entrance. Centex must have found that it was necessary to have the back of the house facing the road to better fit the layout design of the Summit. The print/painting in the Community Center does not show the current driveway that was added to allow owners to drive around the house to the garage entrance.
Submitted by: Deb Biggerstaff
VWOA Historical Research Sub-committee Meeting
Date:
Monday, February 13, 2017
Time:
6:00 P.M.
Where:
Community Center Conference Room
This is an Open Meeting and all are invited to attend!
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NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS -
MANFRED WEICKERT
Gus and Dee Dee Valerio are currently fostering four children who will be leaving for their adoptive family within the next few months. They needed more luggage since the kids had amassed a lot of clothes during the 2 years they have been in their care. Dee Dee posted on the
Nextdoor neighborhood application about their request to purchase some cheap luggage. In exchange they offered to barter free labor for a fence gate in return for luggage.
On Monday morning last week, fellow neighbor
Manfred Weickert showed up with 5 pieces of luggage which he had purchased from a lady on the Nextdoor forum. He gave them the luggage free of charge.
Manfred has also done odd jobs around the neighborhood free of charge, helping fellow neighbors.
Gus and Dee Dee would like to recognize
Manfred as a neighbor that goes above and beyond to help a fellow neighbor in our community.
This week we join
Gus and Dee Dee Valerio and recognize
Manfred Weickert for his
"Neighbor to Neighbor - Random Act of Kindness."
If you know a fellow neighbor who displayed a
"Random Act of Kindness" by helping a fellow neighbor and would like to publicly recognize them, please contact
Bill Fenstermacher, Chair of the Communications Committee.
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HOW IMPORTANT IS CURB APPEAL WHEN SELLING YOUR HOME?
Prospective buyers and Realtors agree that a home's first impression can make a huge difference in how well a home fares on the market. People who prepare their homes inside and out before putting it on the market are proven to have a quicker sale and they receive the market's top dollar. Curb Appeal is the face of your home; it's welcoming and makes a strong statement when it's attractive and appealing.
Unkempt curb appeal sets off subconscious alarms such as
hanging gutters
, or peeling paint. Not only can these deferred maintenance items damage your home, but they can decrease the value of the home.
A home's exterior and yard should be in working order and well maintained. For the most part, homeowners can take care of this work themselves with some hands-on preventive maintenance and education.
Lawns should be cut, edged, and watered to keep them as green as possible throughout the year. In addition, all bushes and trees should be trimmed, and flower beds should be free of weeds and covered with fresh mulch.
Some small suggestions of preventive maintenance that make a great impact towards the sell are to replace burned out bulbs, clean or replace the doorbell button and repair or replace any damaged trim. Also, windows and siding should be rinsed off and any metal items such as knobs, kick plates, home numbers and light fixtures should be polished.
Repair and replace any broken fence pickets and ensure that all gates open and close freely. Keep sidewalks and driveways clean and passable at all times. Be sure to clean out your waste bins and store them in an inconspicuous area outside your home per the Westcreek Standards guidelines.
Unkempt neighborhood streets make a bad impression on your property. Avoid this by keeping streets clear of debris such as newspapers or trash that has fallen out of waste bins and collection trucks. Once the homeowner gets the home and yard in presentable shape, they must maintain the property, because at any time your potential buyer might be driving by. We want the home to say
"BUY ME! I'M READY!"
Submitted by: John Trejo, Westcreek Homeowner
Realty Executive of San Antonio
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DONATION REQUEST
At the last Board of Directors Meeting, a homeowner recommended that we start a
"Community Book Exchange" at the Community Center. Residents will be able to donate books and pick up books at the exchange.
We have identified a space in the lobby of the Community Center for the exchange. We are asking if anyone would be willing to donate a book case that is no wider than 8' and no taller than 4' to 5'.
We will let you know when the
"Community Book Exchange" is up and running!
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WEBSITE SURVEY CLOSES MARCH 15, 2017
The Communications Committee is conducting a survey regarding your satisfaction with the
Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association
website.
Click here to take the survey!
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VILLAGE MONUMENT LANDSCAPE PROJECT BEGINS
We are happy to announce that prep work has begun on the landscape improvement project, starting with the village monuments for
"The Royal Oaks" and
"The Oaks" located at Saxonhill and Military Drive West.
The
Landscape Committee has been working hard developing plans to beautify these monuments with low maintenance and drought tolerant plantings. Plans are currently being developed for all of the other monuments in the community.
Next Landscape Committee Meeting
Date: March 2, 2017
Time: 6:00 P.M.
Where: Community Center Conference Room
This is an Open Meeting and all are invited to attend!
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CHALLENGER SPORTS' BRITISH SOCCER CAMP
The Villages of Westcreek Soccer League is excited to announce a new partnership with Challenger Sports.
Challenger Sports' British Soccer Camp is the most popular soccer camp in the country based upon one of the most innovative approaches to coaching youth soccer in the US and Canada.
Their experienced International staff study the game at all levels and will help players improve their core techniques and become more confident on the ball.
With programs for each age, the curriculum's includes a variety of foot skills, technical drills, tactical practices, freestyle soccer, small-sided gam
es and coached scrimmages.
World Cup style games are held each day, where campers compete for their adopted country. In addition, they are encouraged to learn about different customs and cultures, the Challenger Sports core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship and leadership.
Click here for more information about the program being offered by the professionals of Challenger Sports!
Click here to view and print flyer!
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KIDS CREATIVE DANCE CLASS - AGES 3 - 5
Creative Dance Class is for children ages 3-5 and provides a fun way to learn the foundation of dance, music, timing and fun choreographies. The class teaches focus, and coordination, while combining movements to music that is fun for all.
- Rates: $12 per class
- Full Session Rate: $169 ending in Spring Showcase
- Non Westcreek Residents add 10%
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MIXXEDFIT - People Inspired Dance Fitness Program
MixxedFit is a people inspired dance fitness program that is a mix of explosive dancing and boot camp toning. Everything about our dance fitness program can be described as explosive - all of our movements are always big, exaggerated, full-out, and our very best. ALL Levels Welcomed!
This class meets every
Monday at 7:00 P.M. till 7:45 P.M., in the Community Center Hall.
First Class is FREE!
Rates: $8 per class or $25 per month
Click here for more information!
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This weekend around the house,
remove plantings that were killed during our last winter freeze. Prepare your flower beds for spring planting.
Keep Westcreek Beautiful!
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No crime incidents reported to the VWOA Office last week!
Please remember to be observant in your neighborhood.
- Report any suspicious activities or persons to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office at 210-335-6000.
- If you see graffiti or vandalism in the Villages of Westcreek, please report it to the office at 210-679-8761.
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When using our Sports Park or just walking around the community, it is very important to be prepared. Have your phone with you and readily accessible in situations you may have to make an emergency call.
If you have to call 911, be sure you can call promptly. If you are going to an area where you might be alone, particularly at night, we recommend taking a self-defense device or personal alarm to protect you and notify others that you are in trouble.
A criminal activity or an emergency situation could happen at anytime, so always be ready. Taking a few precautions in advance and maintaining situational awareness can help make sure you and your loved ones have a great time at the park!
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FOR ACTIVE DUTY AND RETIRED MILITARY WITH ID
Every time you go in or drive through to make a purchase, present your ID to receive a
FREE loaf of
Kneaders' Hearth Bread.
Kneaders Bakery & Cafe (Alamo Ranch)
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Westcreek resident
Michelle de Jongh prepares a weekly list of
"Things to do in San Antonio."
Click here
to download and print!
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GARAGES AND CARPORTS
Garage door(s) must be maintained in good condition including the paint and repair of any damage that occurs. Garages may not be altered or converted into a living space if the alteration or conversion is apparent from the outside. Screens may not be placed over the garage opening while garage doors are closed and must always be in good working condition. When the screen is not in use and the garage door is closed, no part of the screen (to include screen, hardware, brackets, hooks, etc.) can be visible.
Carports are not permitted.
Click here
to view the
2016 Standards!
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THE MARKET IS BACK!
The VWOA is hosting a Farmers Market from 10:00 A.M. till 3:00 P.M. every Thursday, thru November 16, 2017.
The Farmers Market now offers fresh chicken and beef for sale along with their regular offerings of fruits and vegetables.
The market is located in the overflow parking lot adjacent to the Com
munity Center. They accept WIC, Senior FMNP Vouchers and Credit Cards.
Support our Local Farmers!
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You can be overwhelmed and underwhelmed, but why can't you be simply whelmed?
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