Ranch Round-Up
School's Out for Summer!
... but the job of an educator is never done. GCR understands the rich dedication of our school administrators and teachers, who selflessly work in the "off season" to prepare for next school year. After all, the human mind is our fundamental resource. Those devoted to the enrichment of our children ought to be commended... and pampered! GCR's dynamic atmosphere offers a tranquil retreat and a productive setting for educators to simultaneously decompress from the finished school year and gear up for the fall.
Previous guests have gushed that "we went from 7am to 11pm and the beauty of the Ranch, both inside and out, was conducive to accomplishing much in a short period of time, while still feeling relaxed." Administrators certainly understand the GCR's unique value. Superintendent Dr. Janice Cooper of Lake Worth ISD observed that, “education is a challenging field. Coming together in the tranquility of this space allowed us to ready for the new year, to be enthusiastic about our approach, and to be ready to give our students the very best we have to share."
Let your teachers, principals, superindents and even PTA presidents know about our special charm. Nonprofit rates make the Ranch the perfect spot to start back-to-school planning!
Bragging Rights - Verio, Inc.
In January Verio, Inc. stepped out of the fast paced world of web hosting, eager to trim away distractions while they focused on team building and strategizing during their annual Sales Kickoff Meeting. As the sales arm of a geographically diverse team located in different parts of the country, Kirsten Kirlin, Senior Manager of Marketing, searched for a venue that would bring everyone together. Many of the team members were new, some were meeting for the first time; truly putting a face to a name.
Garrett Creek Ranch was ideal because it offers a “frontier, a new path” that still keeps the “feeling of being at home.” By engaging in unique and different activities, the sales team was able to form personal relationships with their peers. Even after their departure, Kirsten believes that the team is “definitely stronger after leaving the ranch.” Coupled with enthusiastic customer service (even Ranger, the Ranch dog, welcomed the group with showers of affection!), the Ranch created an atmosphere to provide the whole package – so much so that GCR ranked #1 in Verio’s internal exit survey of the Sales Kick Off Meeting.
From the beginning of the design phase to today, GCR's environment was designed and built with the goal of providing an invigorating, comfortable and distraction-free meeting and team-building environment. We’re excited that GCR was able to help Verio achieve their meeting goals and more!
GCR Green with Spring
Jaynie Schultz, GCR President
Spring has sprung at Garrett Creek Ranch. With a mild winter almost behind us, nature is beginning to bud in anticipation of sunshine and warmth, even as our April showers have come early. After all, as ee cummings wrote, spring is a time when “the world is puddle-wonderful.” Many of Garrett Creek’s most cherished residents agree and have begun to stir, as bluebirds have begun nesting in the recently dedicated Bluebird Trail. Creating proper habitats for our animal residents is a key component to our sustainability efforts.
GCR's sustainability efforts are continuing at an exciting pace. As we continue to focus on conservation, GCR is investing in biodegradable corn cups. Truly a revolution, these cups look and feel just like plastic cups, yet are completely compostable in our on-site facilities. These cups will replace the bottled water we currently offer. Additionally, low flow toilets will be installed throughout the property to help us conserve water.
While preservation of resources is essential to sustainable efforts, we also recognize that environmentally friendly power generation is an important next step. Currently, we are exploring alternative ways to generate energy to help support the Ranch in environmentally responsible ways.
As always, suggestions for ways to improve the Ranch are always welcome. jaynie@garrettcreekranch.com
Staff Spotlight
A friendly and familiar face, Eloisa McGinnis is truly one of the gems of the Garrett Creek Ranch family. With us for 15 years this April, she brings a placidity and joy to those around her. Linda Dillinder, Director of Services, gushes that “Eloisa is one those people that if you are having a crummy day just look for her and she will make it all better just by her smile and kind words.”
Always thinking of others, Eloisa’s compassion extends well beyond housekeeping duties. She regularly takes care of the hummingbird feeders because she wants to ensure that they return every year for our guests’ enjoyment. She also tends to the stray cats that wander onto the Ranch. She takes them to the vet, has them spayed or neutered and lovingly finds them good homes.
It is no surprise, then, that a woman with such a big heart would share that tenderness with her family, as a mother of two and grandmother of three (a beautiful granddaughter was recently added!). An experienced seamstress, Eloisa made all of her children’s clothes throughout the years. She’s continued the tradition with her grandchildren, often making beautiful dresses for them.
With such a full life, it is difficult to imagine that Eloisa has much free time, but when she is not tending to her own family and her GCR family, Eloisa loves to garden. Her green thumb produces beautiful flowers every spring. She also makes time to travel. Last year, she was able to take a lengthy trip to Panama, her original home.
GCR is fortunate to have such a remarkable woman as part of our family for so long. Linda says it best, “I have enjoyed working with her and could not imagine the Ranch without her.”
|