Recently the administrator neighborhood network for the home owners association ask local Realtor and resident of Cinco Ranch, Liz Carter to write an article about her experience with the strong Cinco Ranch Ladies Club for the residents newsletter.  Cinco Ranch is the fist and largest master planned community in Katy Texas.  The developer is currently Newland Communities, and there are over 8,000 homes now.  It began being devolved in early 1990, and has gown rapidly due to the many outstanding amenities it has to offer.  It is located off I-10, West Park Toll Road (hwy 99),  and Westhimer in the outstanding KISD school district.  I has many lakes that are well stocked with large mouth bass, catfish, perch, etc., it has many miles of natural trails, hick & bike trails, a large water park, a beach club with a real sand beach, several pools, tennis courts, parks, a public golf course, free sail & paddle boats, and mcuh more.  Living in Cinco Ranch is like "taking a vacation without having to leave home".  The Cinco Ranch Ladies Club was formed at almost the beginning in 1992 by a small group, and grew quickly to over 800 members at one time.  Liz Carter was a charter member of the club, and also severed as the historian of the club for almost 10 years.  She has been a resident since 1992 as well.  Liz owns Liz Carter & Team Realty, located on the corner of Mason Rd. @ I-10 and she was one of the first Real Estate companies in the area.  Liz began selling homes in the Katy area in 1976 when the area was not very developed and has watched the area become one of the most desirable places in the great Houston area to live and work, it now has a world-wide reputation.  For more information about homes for sale in Katy, and the surrounding areas you can visit her information packed web site at http://www.lizcarter.com/, or call 281-391-SOLD (7653).  She has a wealth of many years of experience and knowledge about Katy Texas, and is more than willing to share, or help you buy or sell a home in Katy.  Following is the story Liz submitted about the Cinco Ranch Ladies Club of Katy Texas.

Cinco Ranch Ladies Club...Thanks for the memories

We came to life with the gathering of a small group of ladies and their vision for residents of Cinco Ranch to form a ladies club to meet monthly as a fun and social group in 1992. The Cinco Ranch Ladies Club was born, with only around 200 homes having been built at the time, now we have over 8,000.  Vanetta Hilton was the first president, and we had one of our fist meetings at the home of Barbara Burger with around 50 ladies.  CRLC had several meeting places before the Golf Club at Cinco Ranch was built and became our official gathering place in 1995-1996 with Evelyn Eason as our president.

Who would have thought we would become such an integral and important part of living in Cinco Ranch and the surrounding community!  Our club has evolved from a small group of ladies to become much more than a social gathering.  The club helps ladies and their families form friends, support groups, charity endeavors, personal growth, exposure to new ideals, and of course our socials, and just plain fun.  There is something for everyone, and for every age at CRLC, we range in age from ladies in their 20"s to ladies in their 80's.  The Cinco Ranch Ladies Club has spanned so many fun, social groups including the 50+ group, Children's Play Groups, Creative Kitchen, Expatriate Club, Grupo de Damas Latinas, Bridge, Tennis, Baby Boomer's, The Movie Group, Bunko, Bible Study, Book Clubs, Poker, Wine tasting, Gourmet Dinner Group, Garden Club, Golf, and many more.  There literally is something for everyone of every age.

We also host many social gatherings during the year, not just for the ladies, but also to include the spouses, family and friends of members. There is a Casino night party, Luau party, and my personal favorite, the Road Rally, which is an adult scavenger hunt were after figuring out the clues & puzzles ends up at a restaurant for dinner, awards, and prizes. The other all time favorite which was started the very first year is our annual Christmas luncheon, it is always a big hit.  The year I chaired it my theme was "A Texas Christmas".  It was held that year at Falcon Point County Club and attended by 200+ ladies decked out in everything from festive Christmas attire to cowboy boots & hats.  My birthday present to one of my best friends Pat Bies each year is a ticket to the CRLC Christmas Luncheon, it has become a family tradition for many of us.  

CRLC also has done so much to give back to the community.  Hillary Sellers introduced the Houston Firefighters Assoc. to the club with their annual calendar.  As a group we have contributed many thousands of dollars to the burned and crippled children's fund they use the proceeds for.  The Brookwood Community, Katy Christian Ministries, Toys for Tots, Alzheimer Assoc., The Kruse Center, and too many other worthy groups there is not enough room to mention.

We have had many other clubs ask us how we have been as successful for so long as a group/club. Several things come to mind, in addition to all of the above, which would have alone worked.  The main thing is everyone is made to feel welcome from your first visit; we want you to feel comfortable in coming to your first meeting and will make you feel right at home.  You can come to the monthly meetings in any attire from business straight from work, to as casual as you want, even wear your red hat. The monthly meetings are fun, informative, and sometimes way out there.  There are door prizes, food, desert, interesting speakers, and or activities, and a cash bar. Our dues are still only $20 a year, and that includes the monthly gatherings, a monthly newsletter, and a membership directory which includes maps of Cinco Ranch.

I have served on the board as historian for 10 years, vice president twice, president, and parliamentarian.  That's one of the other keys to the success of CRLC, so many great ladies who have volunteered their time, energy and creativity over the last 15-16 years to make this a place where everyone can come and have fun, meet new friends, have an instant support group, and be entertained at the same time...for $20 a year!

I would like to personally thank each and every lady I have met, and those I have become friends with, all those ladies who have given their time and energy to this group for all these years, especially all of those that have served as board members.  The Cinco Ranch Ladies Club has given me so much, friendships, personal growth, a support system, learning, tons of fun, and beautiful memories I will cherish for life.  Looking forward to many more years, and meeting many more great new ladies, and making more friendships for life.

Liz Carter