"Building a Stronger Community Through Education, Information, and Inspiration"

Published monthly by the Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association

Communications Committee - January 1, 2025 Edition!

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From Tuna to Treats: Celebrating the Neighborly Spirit of Deb Biggerstaff

I want to recognize Deb Biggerstaff, who lives in the Summit and is across the street from me. When I was out of cat food, she gave me a packet of Starkist tuna, brought brownies just because, and brought over a plate with a slice of cherry cream pie on Thanksgiving night.  

Submitted by: Susan L. Cloud

A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Dedicated HOA Staff in 2024

All Villages of Westcreek HOA team members, the Board of Directors, and community members want you to know that your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed. Your appreciation is greater than words can convey, and your contributions significantly impact the lives of everyone in the community. Thank you for everything you do to keep our community running smoothly and beautifully.

As we enter 2025, we are excited about the future and the continued partnership with our HOA staff. With their support, we are confident that we will continue to thrive as a place we all take pride in calling home. Here’s to another year of collaboration, growth, and shared success. Thank you for making 2024 an exceptional year for the Villages of Westcreek!

Submitted by: Victor M. Estello

GOT A NEIGHBOR YOU WANT TO RECOGNIZE?

Remember that neighbors don’t have to live next door, just someone who lives in Westcreek. It could be as simple as a mom who helps out by picking up a child from school, a neighbor who cuts your yard for you just because, or brings in your trash cans. It does not have to be a grand gesture, just something that made your life easier, made you happy, or was just thoughtful.

If you would like to recognize their good deeds and show your appreciation, please submit your recommendation by a deadline of the 20^th day of the month prior to publication to: frontoffice@villagesofwestcreek.com.

January Communications Committee Meeting

This meeting will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, January 6, 2025, in the VWOA Community Center. Please click on the link below for the agenda and details:

https://conta.cc/4gTBOdE

Submitted by: Francis Lomax - VWOA Communications Committee Chairman

The Village of Westcreek Owners' Association is currently seeking volunteers to serve on the Nominations Committee. The Committee will oversee the election process and ensure that it is carried out in a fair and impartial manner. If you are interested in serving on the Committee, kindly email the community manager at cm@villagesofwestcreek.com. 

The time commitment required is minimal. Volunteers are expected to attend one or two meetings. A Board Member is always the Chair of the Nominations Committee.

The Annual Meeting of the Members will be held as follows:

Thursday, April 17th, 2025 at 6:00 pm

VWOA Community Center

12395 Military Drive West, San Antonio, Texas 78253

We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your participation in the election process.

Submitted by: VWOA Board of Directors

Dear Homeowners,

Everyone in the Villages of Westcreek has something valuable to offer to the community. That's why we're encouraging members like you to consider running for one of the two open Board Member positions in the upcoming election.

As a Board Member, you'll have the opportunity to make a difference in your community and help shape the future of the Villages of Westcreek. You'll work alongside other dedicated volunteers to help ensure that our community remains a great place to live.

If you're interested in running, we invite you to submit a short bio explaining yourself and your interest in being on the Board of Directors. You can also include a photo of yourself if you'd like one included with the bio. All candidate bios can be submitted via email or dropped off at the Villages of Westcreek office during regular business hours.

Everyone should have the chance to participate in the election and have their voice heard. That's why all candidate bios will be published in the March newsletter if turned in by the end of business Friday, February 7, 2025. Submitting your bio will also ensure your name is included on the ballot that will be included in the Annual Meeting notice mailed out later. Please note that self-nominations are permitted up to and including at the Annual Meeting.

To ensure that your name is included on the mailed ballot, the deadline to turn in a Candidate Bio is by the end of business day Friday, February 7, 2025.

If you have general questions about running for the Board of Directors or want to submit your candidate bio, please email cm@villagesofwestcreek.com. You can also contact the community manager at the Villages of Westcreek office during business hours, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Thank you for being so interested in serving our community as a Board Member, and we look forward to hearing from you soon!

Submitted by: VWOA Board of Directors

The VWOA Office Staff and Board of Directors would like to clarify the mailbox replacement procedures, especially regarding vandalism.

We understand the frustrations with mailbox issues and are committed to phased replacements in the coming year.

• CLICK HERE for detailed clarification of the mailbox repair and replacement procedures.
• CLICK HERE to view the letter from Congressman Joaquin Castro and other congressional leaders to the US Postmaster on this issue.

Thank you for your cooperation. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact the VWOA office.

Submitted by: VWOA Board of Directors

REMEMBERING BARBARA HOPKINS - A PILLAR OF THE WESTCREEK COMMUNITY

The Villages of Westcreek community is mourning the loss of a cherished volunteer, Barbara Hopkins, who passed away recently. Her dedication and service as a long-time volunteer on various committees have left an indelible mark on our community.

Barbara was an active member of numerous committees, including Communications, Finance, Nominations, Landscape, Public Safety, Fence, and Historical Research. Her contributions were vital to the growth and success of these initiatives, constantly working to improve the quality of life for all residents in Westcreek. Her passion for service and commitment to the community were evident in every project she undertook.

During this difficult time, the VWOA Board of Directors, staff, and fellow volunteers would like to express our deepest sympathy to Barbara's husband, Eugene Hopkins, and her entire family. Barbara’s legacy of dedication and compassion will continue to inspire those fortunate to know her. 

As we reflect on her remarkable life, we remember that her spirit will always be a part of the fabric of Westcreek, reminding us of the power of community service and the importance of giving back.

Our thoughts are with Eugene and the family as they navigate this profound loss. Barbara will be deeply missed but fondly remembered.

Submitted by: VWOA Board of Directors

STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE

Do you want to help shape the future of your community's common areas and amenities? The VWOA Strategic Planning Committee is looking for volunteers to help with long-term planning for the Association's reserve funds.

The Association has two reserve accounts: the Repair and Replacement Fund and the Capital Improvement Fund. It is critical that we have a solid plan in place for maintaining existing items and adding new ones. Every few years, the Association contracts with a firm to conduct a Reserve Study, which itemizes the useful life of our community items, identifies necessary repairs or replacements, and provides a funding plan to ensure we have enough money saved to meet our obligations.

As a member of the Strategic Planning Committee, you'll have the opportunity to use the Reserve Study to list short-term and long-term projects, create a 5-year plan for reserve projects, and take suggestions from the community and committees on requested amenity additions and improvements. Based on the committee's projections, your recommendations will be presented to the Board.

This is a critical opportunity to have a voice in planning the future of your community's common areas and amenities. If you're interested in serving on this committee, please email our community manager at cm@villagesofwestcreek.com. 

Join us and help shape the future of your community!

Submitted by: VWOA Board of Directors

BOERNE, TEXAS

Boerne (prounced bur nee) is a picturesque town in the Texas Hill Country that offers endless opportunities for fun and adventure. It’s only about 30 minutes north of Villages of Westcreek. Whether you're a local or just passing through, there's something for everyone to enjoy in Boerne. Here are some of the top fun things to do in Boerne:

Visit the historic Boerne Main Street: Steeped in Hill Country charm, the lovely storefronts and historic buildings that are downtown Boerne’s Hill Country Mile will bring feelings of nostalgia–but the shops, restaurants and galleries are anything but antiquated. You’ll find boutique clothing, jewelry, gifts, home goods and works of art. You also can find antiques, cafes, eclectic stores, and more. It’s no wonder Country Living Magazine named the Hill Country Mile one of the “Top 25 Small Town Main Streets in America.”

Free DIY Historic Walking Tour: Explore more than 100 historic properties in downtown Boerne. Pick up a copy at the Boerne Visitors Center or download it on your phone. www.ci.boerne.tx.us/1691/Boerne-History Also check out the Old Jail Museum, Boerne's newest museum. Get locked up in a historic jail cell and learn crazy facts from the past.

Explore the Cibolo Nature Center: The Cibolo Nature Center is a 100-acre nature preserve that boasts over four miles of hiking trails, bird watching opportunities, and educational exhibits. The Historic Herff Farm Homestead is also part of The Cibolo's space and has a weekly farmers market on Saturdays.

Take a hike: Boerne is surrounded by beautiful parks and nature preserves that offer endless opportunities for hiking and exploring. Some of the top hiking spots in the area include the Kendall County Parks, the Guadalupe River State Park, and the Friedrich Wilderness Park.

Go on a wine tasting tour: The Texas Hill Country is known for its wineries, and Boerne is no exception. There are several wineries in the area that offer wine tastings and tours.

Visit the Cascade Caverns or Cave Without a Name: Cascade Caverns is Boerne’s oldest tourist attraction (1932). The Cave Without a Name is a stunning underground cave that's filled with breathtaking rock formations and clear pools. Regular concerts are held in the Queen’s Throne Room.

Go on an outdoor adventure: There are several ranches in the Boerne area that offer horseback riding adventures. There are hunting ranches as well, offering year-round sporting clays, fishing, more. Joshua Springs Park and Preserve offers a stocked pond for catch-and-release fishing, observation blinds, a playground, walking trails, and more. Bergheim Campgrounds and River Outfitters offers camping, kayaking, canoeing, and tubing rentals.

Attend a local event: Boerne is known for many events and festivals. From the annual Berges Fest to the Boerne Handmade Market to Dickens on Main, there's always something happening. Every second and fourth Saturday, take a tour of the Kuhlmann-King historic home that dates back to the 1880s.

The AgriCultural Museum and Arts Center offers a self-guided tour. Join them every third Saturday for their Hand-Crafted Market, and every second and fourth Saturday for the BYOB (Bring Your Own Banjo) Bluegrass Jam (free). Boerne Market Days is the second weekend of every month (twice in December) in Main Plaza.

Boerne is a hidden gem in the Texas Hill Country that's just waiting to be explored. You should check it out. https://www.ci.boerne.tx.us/2292/Visit-Boerne

Submitted by: Michelle de Jongh - VWOA Communications Committee, Secretary

This is just a friendly reminder that Christmas and New Year's decorations must be taken down by January 16, 2025.

Standards Reference: Article 6.7

For specific questions about the Standards, you can contact the Standards Manager at frontoffice@villagesofwestcreek.com.

Submitted by: Bill Fenstermacher - VWOA Architectural Review Committee, Chair

The Villages of Westcreek is a beautiful community that boasts of its abundance of oak trees. These trees are not only aesthetically pleasing but also provide numerous benefits to the environment and the community itself. However, there is a threat that could potentially wipe out these trees, and that is oak wilt.

Oak wilt is a fungal disease that affects oak trees, and it can spread quickly through root grafts or by sap-feeding beetles. Once infected, the tree's water-conducting system is disrupted, and it eventually dies. The disease has been found in the Villages of Westcreek, and it is essential to take preventative measures to protect these trees.

One of the best ways to protect your trees is to avoid pruning them during the spring months, which includes the beginning of February through the end of June. Oak wilt is most likely to spread during this time, so it is best to prune during the fall and winter when the beetles are less active and when the fungal mats where the beetles pick up the oak wilt fungal spores are not fresh. When pruning oaks, even in fall and winter, always paint open cuts on the tree immediately after each cut. This includes any damage or wounds to any part of the tree (branches, trunk, or roots) that exposes live wood, similar to pruning, as any fresh wound can attract the beetles carrying oak wilt spores. Regular paint or spray paint from the hardware store is adequate. Tree wound products are fine as well, but not necessary. Note: if you are pruning non-oak species, like elms, ashes, crape myrtles, etc., it is not necessary to paint cuts made on these trees and is actually not advised.

If you suspect that your tree is infected with oak wilt, it is essential to contact a certified arborist immediately. They can diagnose the tree and recommend the best course of action to prevent the spread of the disease. Keep in mind that the continual two-year drought has had a negative impact on our trees, so make sure you get a confirmation of oak wilt from a qualified and certified arborist before moving forward with oak wilt treatments because drought stress symptoms can be easily confused with oak wilt symptoms.

In conclusion, the oak trees in the Villages of Westcreek are an essential part of the community, and it is crucial to take preventative measures to protect them from oak wilt. By avoiding pruning during the spring and early summer, painting all open wounds and cuts on oaks immediately, and contacting a certified arborist if you suspect an infection, we can preserve these beautiful trees for future generations to enjoy. For more information on oak wilt, visit https://texasoakwilt.org/

Submitted by: Bill Fenstermacher - VWOA Communications Committee, Vice-Chair

HOME SECURITY INSPECTIONS

Did you know that the Bexar County Sheriff's Office offers free home security inspections to residents? Ensuring the safety of your home and family is a top priority for anyone. Home security inspections are an effective way to identify potential security vulnerabilities and take measures to prevent them.

The Bexar County Sheriff's Office conducts home security inspections. A trained law enforcement officer evaluates the security of your home and suggests any necessary improvements. The inspection covers various aspects of home security, including the locking mechanisms of doors and windows, exterior lighting, and landscaping. The officer also provides tips on securing your home and what to do in an emergency.

The home security inspection is free of charge and available to all residents of Bexar County. To schedule an appointment, residents can call the Bexar County Sheriff's Office or submit a request online. The inspection takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, and residents can expect to receive a detailed report outlining any potential security vulnerabilities and recommended improvements.

The Bexar County Sheriff's Office believes that prevention is the key to ensuring the safety of our communities. Home security inspections are an essential part of this prevention strategy. By identifying potential security vulnerabilities and taking steps to prevent them, residents can reduce the risk of break-ins and other security incidents.

In conclusion, if you are a resident of Bexar County and want to ensure the safety of your home and family, consider scheduling a free home security inspection by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. The quick and easy inspection provides valuable information on improving your home's security.

If you have any questions regarding home inspections, don't hesitate to contact the Crime Prevention Unit at 210-335-6492 or visit their website at https://www.bexar.org/726/Home-Security-Inspections. 

Submitted by: Bill Fenstermacher - VWOA Communications Committee, Vice-Chair

Submitted by: Ashley - Resident Specialist

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