DEAR FRIENDS OF RING LAKE RANCH,

Elsewhere in this issue of the Carillon you will read of the exciting developments at the Ranch over the last few months. New corrals, new bridge, new mattresses, and new linens for the beds. And perhaps most exciting of all -- whether you arrive at Ring Lake in sedans, four wheel drives, or big trucks -- a new road into the Ranch. It's not a paved road, but reports confirm that it is gravel, and without all the large rocks and holes encountered in the past. What is the world coming to? Will we recognize the place? How did all of this happen?

Yes, except for a smooth road and firm mattresses with new comforters, we will recognize Ring Lake Ranch as the place so many of us have come to treasure. And all these changes were made possible because so many people love the Ranch and are willing to contribute toward necessary improvements and its continuing operation.

Most of the changes were essential. New mattresses have been at the top of the list of capitol improvements for several years, since most of those we've slept on were thirty-five years old. Ring Lake Bridge was not actually falling down, but was no longer considered safe for trucks, including the one needed to bring in a new septic tank for the dining room. (Not one of the more glamorous projects, but nonetheless essential!) A substantial gift toward the bridge, including its balconies for benches, was made by Charky Tucker in memory of her mother, Ella Grace Williams, her uncle Gordon Lowry, and aunts Elizabeth Lowry and Lillian Gallaher. She said it would remind her of the special times they all had together in her youth, sitting on a bridge over a stream such as ours.

We all know that the cost of maintaining a retreat center such as ours is high, and required funds we did not have. That is why so many schools, churches, and other institutions have "deferred maintenance," and then found that the cost of deferring leads to trouble and even higher costs. Construction of the new bridge alone cost just over $40,000.

All these developments were possible because of a dramatic change in contributions over the past year, exceeded only by the original generosity of Maggie Kahin when she established Ring Lake Ranch, and of Bill Middendorf's bequest that enabled the Ranch to acquire additional land and establish a modest endowment account. This did not come from a single individual or family. More than half a dozen contributions in excess of $5000 were made, most for capitol improvements. As friends of the Ranch learned of such contributions, many realized they were capable of doing the same.

Most of the larger gifts have been in the form of appreciated stocks or mutual funds. Thus the donor both received the tax deduction for the gift and also did not have to pay capitol gains on the appreciation. One person said of such a gift, "Saving some taxes allows me to give more than I could otherwise." If you would like information about the procedure for such donations to the Ranch, please contact Ann Mebane or our treasurer, Mike Donelson. It's easy to do.

If those of us who love Ring Lake Ranch are to maintain the treasure entrusted to us, gifts such as these for capitol expenditures will be needed. But that is only half of the story. The other part is the regular operating budget. The Board has resolved to make the Ranch accessible to as many people as possible by keeping the fees as low as possible. As in the recent past, this years budget projects contributions of $30,000 for the annual operating expenses.

So Ring Lake Ranch counts on regular contributions of all sizes to pay the bills, including staff salaries, food, utilities, horse shoes, and hay. We hope those of you who have made gifts to Ring Lake Ranch over the years will continue to do so, and consider increasing the amount of your gift, and that others will think of the needs of the Ranch when you make your charitable contributions.

~ Gene Tucker, President
Board of Directors, Ring Lake Ranch