New Friendships Blossom at Easter Party

Spring 2002
www.mercedhousingtexas.org
New Friendships Blossom at Easter Party
Mix a few creative volunteers, a few quick days to plan
and implement—and you have a spontaneous Easter party
for about 10 children at Merced owned Elmhurst Place Apartments. You also have a closer knit resident community.
How long are a few quick days? “The planning took
about a week,” says resident Danielle Hicks.
Three residents went all out giving the party. Each child
got a grab bag full of goodies. Danielle took charge of the
games and organizing the event in general.
“I’m used to planning events like this because I do it all
the time for my church,” says Danielle. Instead of Musical
Chairs, the children played Musical Eggs with construction
paper eggs that Danielle made to put on the ground. “I
helped one little girl play Musical Eggs. I took her hand and
led her around the eggs,” says resident Michelle Hemmen.
Michelle and Danielle are two single roommates who simply
enjoy the children, they say.
The children played Red Light-Green Light, had a coloring contest, and hunted Easter eggs. They ranged in age
(continued on page 2)
The children of Elmhurst Place Apartments color Easter
pictures as a resident supervises.
Camaraderie, Laughter Mark Third Merced Golf Tourney
Good humor and good companionship were the rules of the day for the Third Annual Merced Housing Texas Golf Tournament. Seventy-seven players teed off at
12:30, April 11, at The Golf Club of Texas. The weather cooperated beautifully.
The tournament would not have been a success without the volunteer time and
effort of the Tournament Committee: Chair John H. Thurman, Charles Brehm, Sandra
Ellis, Rob and Alice Hollis, R. Douglas Leonhard, Rob Leonhard, and Gregory L. Thorse.
The committee began meeting in August 2001. Lou Walters Caldwell and Christine S.
Sembera of Merced coordinated the tournament. “It’s a viable golf tournament now,
thanks to the incredible staff support,” says John Thurman of Phyllis Browning Co.
Gold Sponsor Galaxy Builders, Ltd., helped to recruit players from other corporations. “We think that what Merced is doing is wonderful, and we were just so happy to
help out,” says Reggie Etheridge, Project Manager at Galaxy. Fernando Reyes of
Reyes Industries, Inc., furnished goody bags for each of the players.
“People are now looking forward to the tournament. It was fun, entertaining, and
informative; it was everything that we could hope it would be,” says John Thurman.
Three years ago, Doug Leonhard of Leonhard Real Estate Services, Inc., paired
Merced with Buddy Cook, owner of The Golf Club of Texas. “The tournament has progressed beautifully; it was right up there with the best of them. The players really
Proshots Photography
enjoyed themselves,” he says. He urges Merced supporters to put next year’s event
J. J. Amaro, Vice President of on their calendars—Thursday, April 10, 2003. All proceeds from the tournament help
Marketing at BudCo, Ltd.
Merced build and maintain healthy communities.
(See photo on page 2)
Spring 2002
www.mercedhousingtexas.org
Easter Party (continued from page 1)
from three months to twelve years. The three-month-old
baby’s mother met resident and mother Theresa Kuchler,
who offered to baby-sit if she needed occasional time
out. Now little Nathan is a regular fixture in the Kuchler
household.
“Some of us spoke English and some spoke Spanish,
but we all managed to communicate just fine,” Theresa
says.
Golf Tournament (continued from page 1)
Golf tournament
(continued from page 1)
Proshots Photography
Winning team (from left) Mike Sangalli of Morrison Supply,
Pops Brenham of Triple Cross Plumbing, George Orsak of Morrison Supply, and Bobby Davis of Triple Cross Plumbing.
Page 2
President’s Message
The word “recreation” appears twice
in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. The
first entry reads “a refreshing of strength
or spirits after work.” The second says
“the act of creating over again.” Merced
has seen both meanings converge this
spring.
At Elmhurst Place Apartments, three friends plan an
Easter party. Elmhurst children have a great time playing games and receiving Easter treats. A new, mutually
beneficial relationship forms between a mother who
needs a babysitter and a woman who loves children and
is happy to oblige. Friendships begin and a community
emerges from a simple collection of people.
A special young lady from Bellshire Apartments uses
her spare time to enrich her life with sports and crafts.
In the process, her talent and hard work shine. She receives tangible awards in the form of medals and ribbons, but it is her energy that inspires others.
Seventy-seven golfers come together and have a
great time at The Golf Club of Texas. They also refresh
old acquaintances and form new networks of friends, as
well as benefiting Merced and those we serve.
Work and play meld together in the life of Merced
Board Chair Sister Jane Ann Slater. She revels in every
moment of her work and her play. Her spare time is
filled with activities that enrich her soul and the lives of
others.
We all need recreation. We need to get away from
work and engage in activities that rejuvenate our
strength and our spirits—and in so doing we can build
friendships, build stronger communities, and share the
spark of inspiration.
Classified Advertisements
Sponsors
For our website and to underwrite
the cost of our newsletter
VOLUNTEERS
skilled in construction
trades to help rehabilitate
Merced homes
Rehabitable single-family residences and duplexes/fourplexes
º
Buildable single and
multifamily lots
Financial assistance
for operations
Master Gardeners/Landscapers
to help beautify
various properties
AND
Purple Martin houses
for Elmhurst Place Apartments
and Casitas de Merced
Please call us at 210/281-0234 if
you or someone you know could
help with our wish list.
Spring 2002
www.mercedhousingtexas.org
Page 3
Firm Foundation Poured at Stablewood Farms
At first glance, Stablewood Farms Apartments does
not look much like a 242-unit apartment complex, but
important parts of the construction are proceeding.
As of May 9, subcontractors for Galaxy Builders had
made much progress, according to Matthew Gregory,
supervisor of the project
Austin Pacesetters had poured foundations for several
of the buildings and garages. Triple Cross had installed
the water main. Winco had finished grading around the
foundations, and City Public Service had the electric lines
halfway in place.
“Once the framing begins, buildings quickly begin to
take shape,” says Gregory.
The selection process is well underway for such details as brick style, lighting fixtures, carpets, blinds, etc.
The buildings will have a warm, rustic look in keeping
with the name of the complex.
When the community center is finished, it will include
space for a learning center/day care, basketball, and
community meetings. A resident services program will
be in place once the complex is complete and fully occupied.
Initially, the community center will be used as a leasing office. Galaxy Builders, Ltd., estimates that some
units will be available as early as October 2002.
The complex is located at 8301 Lake Vista Drive and
Pictured is an aerial view of Stablewood Farms building site at
the corner of U.S. Highway 90 and Loop 410.
is in the Northside Independent School District. Encore
Management Company will provide property management. Stablewood Farms Apartments is owned by
Merced-Stablewood, LLC, a single member LLC, with
Merced Housing Texas as its sole member.
Chemistry Works Abundantly with Sister Jane Ann Slater
Merced Housing Texas Board Member Profile
Energy, focus, and serenity—Merced
Board of Directors Chair Sister Jane Ann
Slater, CDP, brings those three words to
mind.
She holds a doctorate in inorganic
chemistry and currently teaches at Providence High School, an all-girls school. “I
mentor the students as well as teach
Sister Jane Ann
them. I like the opportunity to help Slater, CDP
these young women realize that they can
go into any field that they want to,” she says.
Between two teaching careers, Sister Jane Ann spent
six years as General Superior of the Congregation of Divine Providence. In a “twenty-four/seven” position, she
was in charge of all the business aspects of the congregation as well as the spiritual well-being of the sisters.
“The responsibilities never ended, but I had opportunities to go places and meet people that I never would
have had otherwise,” she says.
Sister Jane Ann has been on the SAWS Citizens Advisory Panel for about four years. She also chairs the representative assembly of her religious congregation. She
serves various groups in a consulting capacity, facilitating meetings. Sister Jane Ann was the only female
golfer in Merced’s first tournament. She brought another
sister with her to play in the second. She leant her muscles and spirit to the 2002 Komen Walk for the Cure.
“I’ve been blessed with a lot of energy,” she says. “I
teach in my spare time.”
Merced’s mission has been a passion for Sister Jane
Ann since 1993, when Maria Antonietta Berriozabal
planted the seed of serving the economically poor of San
Antonio in the minds of women religious congregations.
Sister Jane Ann sees resident services as a fundamental
part of Merced’s mission. “It’s so exciting to be on the
verge of being able to assist people with child care, nutrition, access to computers, and other things they need
to become self-reliant,” she says.
Thanks...
for getting into the
swing of things
at our
3rd Annual Golf Tournament
at The Golf Club of Texas!
Special thanks to our...
Scoreboard Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Galaxy Builders, Ltd.
Silver Sponsor
Valero
Bronze Sponsors
Budweiser
Commercial Investment Services, Inc.
Crown West Commercial Real Estate
Domicile Property Management, Inc.
The Enterprise Foundation
H-E-B
Leonhard Real Estate Services/
Coyle Engineering
The Lynd Company
Triple Cross Plumbing/Morrison Supply
Westside Land Partners, Inc.
Hole-In-One Sponsor
Saturn of San Antonio,
a member of the Cavender Auto Family
Bank One, N.A.
InTEC
Royal Door, a BMC West Company
Simpson Housing Solutions
Stogsdill Architects, Inc.
U.S. Province—Sisters of Charity
of the Incarnate Word
Driving Range Sponsor
Fixture Exchange Corporation
Putting Contest Sponsors
InTEC
Williams Insulation
Tournament Committee
John H. Thurman, Chair
Charles L. Brehm
Sandra Ellis
Rob and Alice Hollis
R. Douglas Leonhard
Rob Leonhard
Gregory L. Thorse
And many thanks to our...
Hole Sponsors
Paper & Printing Sponsors
Atrium Aluminum Products
Fannie Mae
Larry Hufford
IKON Office Solutions
John T. Maldonado
McCabe and Associates, PC
Paramount Steel Holdings, Inc.
Universal Service Group
Winco Contractors
Wright Industries, Inc.
FasClampitt Paper Store
QuikPrint
Massage Therapist
Leona Bateman, RMT
Media Sponsor
San Antonio Business Journal
Volunteers
Ileana Rodriguez
Joe Stahl
Jaimie Wies
Signage Sponsor
Lone Star Reprographics
Water & Soft Drinks Sponsors
Putting Contest Judges
Culligan
H-E-B
Reggie Etheridge
Edgar T. Sandoval
Goody Bags Sponsor
Tournament Coordinators
Reyes Industries, Inc.
Lou Walters Caldwell
Christine S. Sembera
Golf Headgear Sponsor
Texace
Prize Donors
Academy Sports * Alsatian Golf Course * The Bandit Golf Course * The Barn Door
Bolner’s Fiesta Products, Inc. * Canyon Springs Golf Club * The Club At Sonterra * Culligan
Flying L Guest Ranch * The Golf Club of Texas * Integrated Office Systems * La Cantera
La Mansion del Rio * Liquor World * Pecan Valley Golf Club * Plaza Club
River Crossing Golf Club * San Antonio Missions * San Antonio Spurs
SeaWorld * Silverhorn Golf Club * Southwest Airlines
Goody Bag Goodies
Budweiser * Bank One, N.A. * Broadway Bank * Fannie Mae * Frost Bank * Fuji Camera
The Golf Club of Texas * QuikPrint * Rudy Zamarripa, State Farm Agent
Tournament Supporters
Amber E. Alonso * Sister Jo Marie Arredondo, SHF * Rick Cavender
Sue Flynt England * Bill J. Gregory, CPA * Ted and Marie Hughes
Sister Carol Ann Jokerst, CCVI * Loeffler Jonas & Tuggey, LLP
Merced Housing Texas Board of Directors * Bill Montez
Proshots Photography * Sister Guadalupe Ramirez, MCDP * Lisa A. Rodriguez
Sister Jane Ann Slater, CDP * Pati Semander * Frances V. Sheeran
Spring 2002
www.mercedhousingtexas.org
Page 6
In Memoriam
Sister Lora Ann Quiñonez, immediate past Superior
General of the Sisters of Divine Providence, died April
29, 2002, after a lengthy battle with cancer. She played
an integral role in the formation of Merced..
Her teaching career spanned elementary school to
Our Lady of the Lake University. She served as Superior
General of the Sisters of Divine Providence from 1993 to
1999. She also was Executive Director of the Leadership
Conference of Women Religious from 1979 to 1986.
“And just at the moment when someone at my side
says, ‘There! She’s gone!’ There are other voices ready
to take up the glad shout, ‘There! She comes!’ And this
is dying.’ On this day I feel certain that … hundreds of
other Sisters of Divine Providence who have gone before—and the God Lora Ann knew and loved as her
Source—have taken up the glad shout, ‘There she
comes!’” said Sister Suzanne Dancer at Sister Lora Ann’s
funeral Mass on Friday, May 3, in Sacred Heart Chapel
where Sisters of Divine Providence, friends, and colleagues gathered to celebrate Sister Lora Ann’s life and
entrance into the fullness of life.
(from “Signs of Providence”)
Caldwell, Sembera Contribute Great Teamwork to Merced Housing Texas
Lou Walters Caldwell and Christine S. Sembera make a winning team.
They are, as a matter of fact, mother and daughter. Besides coordinating
the golf tournament, they were the “snack chicks” on tournament day, delivering fruit and candy bars to players via golf cart.
As office manager and secretary-treasurer, Lou has worked part time at
Merced to assist operations through five years of growth and change. She
spent more than 22 years of her professional life in the housing field.
A San Antonio resident for 33 years, she and her husband, Richard K.
Caldwell, have been together for 27 years. Lou says she feels strongly
about the need for housing for the poor—“I feel very fortunate to be associated with an organization that is changing people’s lives.”
Christine, grants assistant, works two mornings a week to keep the
grant-writing process at Merced running smoothly. Her role at Merced has
grown in importance during her three-year tenure. “Keeping track of grant
applications isn’t hard, because I’m a very organized person; it’s just a part
of me,” she says.
A San Antonio native and life-long resident, Christine has been married
She has two children: daughter Savannah, in kindergarten, and exuberant 2
Lou Walters Caldwell and daughter Christine
S. Sembera enjoy the fruits of their labor at
the golf tournament.
to husband Mark Sembera for 12 years.
1/2-year-old son Canyon.
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM! Support our mission of providing
affordable service-enriched housing for economically poor families, seniors, and persons
with special needs.
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Thank you for your generous contribution, which is tax-deductible to the extent of the law.
Our residents are at the heart of everything we do!
Spring 2002
www.mercedhousingtexas.org
Page 7
Excellence Marks Life of Bellshire’s Jennifer Dittman
Nothing is stopping Jennifer Dittman. The 20-year-old Conroe High School
senior and Merced’s Bellshire Apartments resident spends two hours every Friday practicing for the Special Olympics. Her practice has paid off. She holds
two Special Olympics gold medals, one in the 400-meter walk from a meet in
Bryan, Texas, and another gold at Oak Ridge High School at The Woodlands.
“She practices bowling in the fall, basketball in February, then athletics,” says
mom Katherine Dittman.
Jennifer volunteers at Target, and in what’s left of her spare time she does
needlepoint—award-winning needlepoint. According to her mom, she enters
the special education competition at the Montgomery Country Fair. Her work
took the Grand Champion prize in Division Two this past March.
Graduating in 2004 is part of Jennifer’s plans for the future. She currently
spends some afternoons at Ridgewood Farms, where the developmentally disabled work on reading, writing, job training, and ceramics. Recreational outings
are part of the routine. “They have a social life like everybody else,” says
Katherine.
After graduation, Jennifer will move into Ridgewood Farms “… if everything
comes out the way we plan,” says her mom. If everything comes out the way
Jennifer Dittman displays her Special
Jennifer Dittman plans, count on success.
Olympics gold medal.
Kudos
Thank You for Your Support
St. Mary’s Students Keep Merced’s
Computers Working
San Antonio Area Foundation Grants
Merced Funds for Single-Family Projects
Three students from the Small Business Institute Program at St. Mary’s University worked with Merced last
semester to iron out problems in the computer system.
The team consisted of Julius Laurel, Kelly Meegan, and
Arturo Mora.
They made recommendations for their client, Merced
that included setting up an internship with a local university such as St. Mary’s, in which a student could work
with Merced on a weekly basis.
According to their professor, Edward G. Cole,
“Students have the opportunity to get into the real world
and apply what they have learned in class while at the
same time providing a service to small businesses and
non-profit organizations.”
The Small Business Institute Program is part of the
School of Business and Administration at St. Mary’s University.
Bellshire Manager Honored
Linda Belk, manager of Merced’s Bellshire Apartments, was recognized at Domicile Property Management, Inc.’s, recent managers’ conference in San Antonio. She was awarded the plaque for Tax Credit or Bond
Community of the Year.
Domicile Property Management, Inc., manages 70
properties nationwide. Bellshire Apartments has 312
units, many of which are occupied by senior citizens.
The San Antonio Area Foundation awarded Merced a
$20,340 grant for Denver Heights/Nevada Street Single
Family Acquisition/Rehabilitation.
The San Antonio Area Foundation is a public, nonprofit organization that combines the gifts and bequests
of many individuals, families, and corporations, helping
them pass the legacy of giving to future generations.
Kenedy Foundation Supports Merced
The Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation recently
gave Merced a $10,000 grant.
The Foundation was established in 1960 by Sarita
Kenedy East to support and fund Catholic educational,
charitable, and religious activities within in the state of
Texas.
New Copier Hums at Merced
The Myra Stafford Pryor Charitable Trust recently donated the funds for a new copier at Merced. The Canon
Image Runner 2200 is complete with all the bells and
whistles a copier can have.
The Pryor Charitable Trust was established in 1943 to
be used for tangible purposes and is managed by William
Clyborne, Jr., at Frost Bank. Merced donated its old copier to Elmhurst Place Apartments.
Read how Merced residents and supporters mix recreation with inspiration.
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 3431
San Antonio, Texas
212 West Laurel
San Antonio, Texas 78212
210/281-0234
210/281-0238 fax
merced@mercedhousingtexas.org
Return Service Requested
Merced Housing Texas
Board of Directors
Sister Jane Ann Slater, CDP, Chair
Sister Rose Ann Aguilar, DC, Vice Chair
Amber E. Alonso, Esq.
Sister Veronica S. Cahill, SHSp
Paul G. Cuellar
Dr. Larry Hufford
Sister Carol Ann Jokerst, CCVI
Sister Susan Mika, OSB
Sister Guadalupe Ramirez, MCDP
Lisa A. Rodriguez
Sister Marian Strohmeyer, RSM
Staff
Classified Ads
Real Estate
722 S. Pine
1621 Michigan
For Sale. Two bedrooms, large bath, spacious kitchen. New
roof. Central air and heat. Large windows; light, airy interior. $50,000
Sister Jo Marie Arredondo, SHF
Bookkeeper
Lou Walters Caldwell
Secretary-Treasurer
Sue Flynt England
Communications Manager
Sold. Two bedrooms, one bath,
spacious living area, mother-in-law
cottage and one-car garage, large
corner lot in Beacon Hill
neighborhood. $63,000
Edgar T. Sandoval
Vice President
Christine S. Sembera
Grants Assistant
Susan R. Sheeran
President
Merced’s Property Acquisition and
Rehabilitation Program is funded by
the San Antonio Housing Trust and the
San Antonio Area Foundation. For
further information, call Edgar
Sandoval at 281-0234.
123 Fargo
For Sale. Former Coliseum Oaks parade
of homes selection. Three bedrooms. Two
full baths. Central air and heat. One-car
garage. $69,900