Community Commentary
By Paul Tarr

Bryn and I moved to Ramona in 1989. We thought the country was beautiful. We were looking for a place to raise a family in a rural environment, and have horses. Right away we were drawn into community groups that were organizing activities to make Ramona a better place. We had parades down Main Street, Fair Days, the Rodeo, the Air Show, 4-H, FFA, Scouts, Ramona Pet Awareness League (R-PAL), Town Hall Inc., Ramona Outdoor Community Center, the Charter School, Ramona Trails Association, Kiwanis youth activities, Rotary started 4th of July fireworks, Soroptimists, Awana groups, Friends of Ramona Library, Ramona Disaster Preparedness Group, Ramona Volunteer Fire Dept., all the community organizations raising funds for scholarships for our kids, the Chamber of Commerce activities, and on and on and on. So many folks quietly giving of their time to make our town a better place to live. This is the fabric of our community. It is this aspect of a society that makes a place a home. There is a depth and fullness here that enriches us all.

I am happy to report that this fabric is weathering well in the winds of change as Ramona continues to grow. Yes, the Main Street parades have ceased because of increased traffic and liability costs, but the Chamber's Business Center Halloween has grown to be quite an event. I want to commend here the Chamber on a successful Oktoberfest event week before last. Ramona's insatiable desire to improve our lives is alive and well. It was great to see all the groups and take pulse on the community.

A spotlight focus, and special thanks go to the Ramona Trails Association, and artist Leslie Souza for the masterful creation of an incredible monument, soon to be installed at Hwy 67 and Highland Valley Rd., that was show cased near the beer gardens. Wow. I was not aware.

Our thanks go to John Deganfelder for spearheading the project through the RTA. Also to Gene Driscal for doing the survey for the county, Erik Gunther for his commitment to build the footing, and Jean Rumis for donating 2 horses and tack for sale to raise money, among many others. And, of course, to Leslie Souza for her incredible design and creation of what will be a defining emblem of our beautiful valley.

Leslie Souza is a local artist whose work can be seen at www.silhouwest.com.

Paul Tarr is a Director of City of Ramona, NOW! Inc., a group of citizens dedicated to Ramona's self determination, and preserving its rural character. For questions on cityhood call: 760-788-9600 or www.cityoframona.org.

My recent stay in Ramona (Oct. 30-Nov. 10) was a very enlightening and emotional time for me. I was one of the many Red Cross volunteers on those red trucks that went out to feed hot meals to those who had lost their homes and/or didn't have electricity. For me, it was the evening meal runs to the Intermountain Fire Station where I got to meet so many people who had suffered losses, yet displayed upbeat attitudes. These were a proud group of people, some of whom didn't want to take a meal for fear of depriving someone else in need. I had to act the salesman to convince many that we had plenty and that they needed to take a hot meal, not only for themselves, but for other family members and workers at home. The one thing that I will always remember, and it still brings me to tears, is the number of times that we heard one simple word from so many people in such a short period of time; the word "thank you."

I picked up a copy of the Ramona Journal "Special Edition" and was amazed at the out-pouring of love and sympathy by so many. In that copy was an article about the Intermountain Fire Station, its volunteer firefighters and its chief Cary Coleman. I had the privilege to meet several of the firefighters and the chief. Of course, it was after the major fires were out or contained, but you could still see that they were tired and stressed. Yet they also displayed an upbeat attitude, and they welcomed us with open arms when we showed up. Chief Coleman and his crew deserve a great round of applause and thanks for the job they did.

I am back home now, but I will never forget the 12 days I spent in the Ramona area. I want the people of Ramona to know that although I was thanked so many times for being there, it was my honor and privilege to have had the opportunity to serve.

Thomas Schors

Huntsville, Alabama