Halloween Happenings
The Club At Sonterra’s Annual Spooktacular Delights Member Families
By Amy Morgan
October means slightly cooler weather in San Antonio and the hint of fall festivities to come. The Club At Sonterra puts its best foot forward with beautiful seasonal decorations that make it ideal for holiday gatherings and meetings.
And what’s better than a Spooktacular to celebrate Halloween, beloved by adults and children alike? Hundreds of members and their guests have looked forward to this family-friendly evening for more than a dozen years. On Wednesday, Oct. 28, The Club will go all out to transform the clubhouse into a Halloween event tailored for their families.
The Director’s Room will feature an internal Haunted House, with students from Pieper High School’s wrestling team volunteering as the ghosts and ghouls hidden amongst it shadows. “Enter if you dare,” intoned General Manager Nathan Gillespy, adding the staff has arranged a flashlight signal to alert the actors to tone down the chills and thrills for more junior guests.
The Terraces Room will be filled with traditional carnival games for all ages. The littlest goblins and princesses will enjoy a bean bag toss, fishing for prizes and balloon animals. Tennis and golf themed games and face painting can be found in the main ballroom, along with a show performed by a professional magician and illusionist.
Everyone is encouraged to dress in costume – even The Club At Sonterra’s staff members look forward to bringing out their inner Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz (or maybe the Wicked Witch!) And it wouldn’t be a Halloween event without candy for everyone. Pieper Middle School’s NJHS members are on hand to pass out sweet treats and staff the games.
A DJ will spin spooky tunes outside on the patio, weather permitting. Spooktacular patrons can find an appropriately themed buffet of renamed traditional favorites like green “toxic” Mac and Cheese, Mr. McChicken’s fingers, a Hamburgler junior burger and “Chef’s Remains” chopped prime rib sandwich.
“I love Halloween, it kicks the holiday season off,” enthused longtime member Cheryl Meredith. She and her husband, Vick, have lived within Sonterra’s gates for almost 30 years. Now their three children and six grandchildren (ages 12 – 1) have joined them as members and have enjoyed the Spooktacular for years. Cheryl and Vick volunteer to help with the games for the pre-school set – setting up bowling pins or tic tac toe bags and handing out candy. Last year their five-year-old granddaughter was having so much fun she didn’t want to leave, Cheryl reported. “It’s a great time,” she added, “and it gives the kids a chance to wear their costume again.”
“One of the best things about the Spooktacular is that the whole staff dresses in costume,” she continued. Claudia, one of the servers in the 19th Hole, was dressed as a witch, and her entire face was green! “It looked like a Hollywood makeup artist had done her makeup! I was so impressed,” Cheryl said. She also noted that Membership Director Debbie Gonzaba puts her heart and soul into the event. The celebration will be even more special for Cheryl and Vick this year, as their youngest grandchild will celebrate his first birthday just prior to the Spooktacular and will be eager to toddle after his older cousins.
So, if you are looking to skip the scare and join some low-key, local fun, call Debbie at 210-483-4292 to schedule a tour and learn how a membership at The Club At Sonterra might be a great fit for your entire family.
