Hello, everyone, today is November 11, 2009. Things are going well at Sky Ranch at Ute Trail. Here is a brief report on what we are doing:
1. We have completed the wastewater treatment plant. This includes the pipes, house, tanks and everything else needed. It will be put into usage this spring.
2. We have completed most of the fire protection water system. There is still some work to be done at the pond.
3. The road is complete from the highway to the basketball court. The remainder to the west will be completed next spring.
4. We have done the foundations for 4 cabins and are framing up these 4 cabins now. This week we are starting the foundation for the meeting room. The room has been detached from the store due to some store foundation problems, butI think this might look better.
5. Leigh Dillenback, our designer, has begun work on plans for the new dining area behind the lodge and for converting the infirmary and kitchen to better usage. Also, we have hired Rainmaker in Montrose to do a design for our landscaping this spring.
The work looks good. Matt and Luke Ventura are on the job daily and Spallone Construction has done a good job on the wwtp and road. Bill and Ann Carpenter, our excellent caretakers/cook have taken off for 4-6 weeks but will return soon. Here are some pictures that I took several weeks ago.
1. We have completed the wastewater treatment plant. This includes the pipes, house, tanks and everything else needed. It will be put into usage this spring.
2. We have completed most of the fire protection water system. There is still some work to be done at the pond.
3. The road is complete from the highway to the basketball court. The remainder to the west will be completed next spring.
4. We have done the foundations for 4 cabins and are framing up these 4 cabins now. This week we are starting the foundation for the meeting room. The room has been detached from the store due to some store foundation problems, butI think this might look better.
5. Leigh Dillenback, our designer, has begun work on plans for the new dining area behind the lodge and for converting the infirmary and kitchen to better usage. Also, we have hired Rainmaker in Montrose to do a design for our landscaping this spring.
The work looks good. Matt and Luke Ventura are on the job daily and Spallone Construction has done a good job on the wwtp and road. Bill and Ann Carpenter, our excellent caretakers/cook have taken off for 4-6 weeks but will return soon. Here are some pictures that I took several weeks ago.
Thomas Ufer has been named Director of Programs for Sky Ranch at Ute Trail and Gary Morgan and Chris Witt are to serve as Co Directors of Sky Ranch at Ute Trail. In my opinion this is an extremely gifted and outstanding threesome to lead our camping programs. They are spiritual leaders.
The Rock Staff Reunion in Dallas was excellent and we had a good turnout of over 30 people. We had dinner at Mattito's and then took turns sharing information on what everyone has been doing. Thomas Ufer and Angie Fleshman did a great job of organizing everything for us. Kevin and Laura Sipp also were a big help. Part of the evening was set aside to honor Doug and Julie McClain who have been a key part of the camp since 1997. Several of the staff spoke about how important and helpful the McClains have been and they were given a framed picture of out 2007 reunion. Doug and Julie have been involved in every aspect of our programs for 12 years and have been crucial to our growth and improvement as a ministry serving God in His great Creation. Doug is currently the Director of Operations for Sky Ranch Camps. We are all grateful for their positive influence over the years.
Angie and I and maybe my wife, Nancy, will attend a Christian Camping and Conference Center conference with seminars in late November and hopefully we will learn something useful for the coming summers. Linda Paulk, Sky Ranch's CEO and Chris Witt, Sky Ranch's Director of Camps may attend also.
It is a privilege to be involved in this Christian Ministry of Evangelism and Discipleship in the middle of God's amazing Creation. We hope our new improvements will fit in nicely with the magnificance of the San Juan Mountains where we are. We have some excellent pictures done by Sara Kerens from our August Ute Trail Boys Camp Reunion. Here is the link to the website: www.pictage.com/708855.
Thanks for reading and taking an interest in this ministry.
Sincerely,
George Seay, Trustee, Ute Trail; Ranch Foundation
ps. We have Park Cities Presbyterian Church and Prestonwood Baptist Academy each signed up for two weeks next summer. Two great organizations! My church, Highland Park Presbyterian Church has signed up for two trips for next summer.
