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Photo- Tima Amsden

Pioneer Day Celebration.
(Posted 7-29-08) It was if the spirit of Norman Rockwell visited Ramah on July 26, when the Pioneer Day Parade wended its way through the town. Pioneer Day, a state holiday in Utah, is a Mormon celebration of the day the first Latter Day Saints arrived in the Valley of the Great Salt Lake.
Each year the parade grows larger, and this year was no exception. The crowd along the route was larger as well. A goodly number of local people and visitors ate homemade goodies, watched the parade, and wandered among the booths and tables that offered food and other items for sale.
There was also a rodeo in Ramah the same afternoon, with mostly Navajo cowboys and cowgirls roping, bull riding, bronco riding, barrel riding, egg tossing, and milking wild cows. The parade and the rodeo are both wonderful, nostalgic, unusual events, and your editors highly recommend them both for your calendars next July.

I am writing this to alert my Timberlake friends, especially part time residents, about a recent burglary to our home.
It appears that the thieves entered the house by using a key. It is possible that a former employee of a local contractor made a duplicate or kept a key issued to him while working on our home. The other buildings were entered by smashing doors and breaking locks.
I suggest that you inventory and list your appliances and other valuables that have serial numbers. Also, take still photos of the interior of your home as well as specific items. If you have out buildings, take photos of the inside and outside of each building.
Record what information you can. Then, keep a copy at the home and a second copy somewhere else. This will help you when working with your insurance company.
The McKinley County Sheriff's office is working on the case. I am glad to report that they consider this theft important and are working at tracking the stolen items.
A big thank you to my friends who keep an eye on the property.
It could have been worse.

Sincerely, the Kirchners

Gary Blum Joins the Timberlake Board
    (Posted 12-22-07)Trnews is happy to report that the Board of Directors of Timberlake Ranch is now at full strength. Gary Blum was recently unanimously appointed by the board to the one remaining unfilled board position, bringing the board to seven members. Below is Gary's resume. When you run into him and his wife, Sally, around the ranch, tell them "hi" and thank him for being willing to serve.
                RESUME…. GARY R. BLUM
    Age..63 years young; married, wife.. Sally; children, son & daughter; 4 grandchildren; resident of New Mexico past 7 years; currently ranch owner & licensed New Mexico real estate broker; Vice President, Quemado Community Equestrian Association; home & lot owner Timberlake Ranch; 34 years experience as real estate broker; owner of own business & partner in major real estate brokerage firm.
    "My past business experience allows me the perspective to deal with the many challenges facing the Board of Directors of TRLA. Timberlake landowners are many and diverse with individual goals. I believe it is the duty of the Board of Directors to consider these individual goals and ultimately do what is best for the whole of TRLA.
    My previous business skills in negotiating contracts and keeping all parties of a transaction satisfied and the ability to listen will help move the Board of Directors and land Owners toward a better Timberlake for all.
    As an equestrian enthusiast, I will be well suited to address the concerns of the horse owners within TRLA. My personal goals are to assist in making the Proposed CC&R’s a livable document for the owners which should enhance the long range preservation of property values" -Gary Blum

Congratulations TRLA!
     (Posted 11-4-07) The Amended and Restated Bylaws for TRLA were Adopted at the Special Meeting held on November 3rd, 249 lot owners representing 306 lots voted on the adoption of the Amended and Restated Bylaws. This was the culmination of 18+ months of work by the Committee for Revision of Bylaws and CC&Rs. The following is a breakdown of the vote:
306 lots represented approx. 48% of Members in Good Standing.
13 votes disqualified due to owing more than $107.50/lot and arriving after the meeting.
256 lots voted yes
37 lots voted no
22% of the votes were from fulltime/part-time residents; 78% non-residents.
43% in Arizona, 34% in New Mexico, 21% from other states inside the continental U.S. and 2% outside the continental U.S.
     The Committee wishes to thank all the landowners who took the time to vote and give feedback. As Chairperson I wish to acknowledge the dedication and perseverance of Duane Barbano, Stu Dutcher, Linda Shoppe, Josh States, and Nancy Wills. Without them this would never have happened.
     All Landowners will be getting a copy of a proposed rough draft of the Revised CC&Rs later this month for comments. This will be the beginning of a long process of negotiation and finding common ground for all Timberlakers.

---Linda Pedersen, Chairperson

(The following is an official statement from the TRLA Board of Directors posted as a courtesy by TRnews)

TRLA PURCHASES A 1990 JOHN DEERE MOTOR GRADER

The TRLA Board of Directors notified Tom Growney Equipment (TGE), the John Deere dealership in Albuquerque, of our intention to purchase a 1990 670B Motor Grader for $69,750. Adding sales tax and a $20,000 down payment, a balance of $52,148 will be financed through Wells Fargo Bank for three years at a 7.186% interest rate. Monthly payments will be $1,614.62.

The purchase price includes rebuilding the engine, rebuilding the front end, replacement of the cutting edge on the blade (moldboard), new teeth and shanks for the scarifier, repair of the electrical system as needed, repair of the hydraulic system as needed, repair of the transmission as needed, new tires, a paint job, replacement of fluids, filers, and hoses as needed, and adjustments to other parts of the grader.

Of the three major component systems: the engine, the transmission and the hydraulic system, only the engine is need of significant repairs. Preliminary test results show the transmission and hydraulics to be in good shape. One additional test on the transmission will be performed once the engine is rebuilt. If it points to any problems, TGE will make the necessary repairs at no additional cost to TRLA. There are no oil leaks in the hydraulic system. An inspection shows only two hoses need to be replaced at this time.

The grader also comes with a 90-day warranty on all work TGE performs and a one year power train warranty that covers all components bathed in oil: the engine, the transmission and the hydraulics. The Association expects to take delivery in about three weeks.

While there are never any guarantees with mechanical equipment, properly maintained, TGE believes this 670B motor grader will operate seven to ten years without a major mechanical failure. The Board looked at the maintenance program offered by TGE, but found it to be too costly. Jerry Toellner, Robert Unkestine and JRL Enterprises will perform all required maintenance. At a minimum, oil samples will be taken every 250 hours of operation and sent to John Deere's lab for analysis. John Deere filters and fluids will be used per maintenance specifications.

This decision ends an intensive, four-month search for the replacement of the 1978 John Deere 570A. Numerous Caterpillar and John Deere motor graders, both new and used, were considered. The cost of equipment, its availability, concern over what the final assessment fee number would be and the current financial condition of the Association were critical factors in the decision making process.

The Board wishes to thank everyone who took the time to give us feedback on this issue and who helped in many other ways. We appreciate your interest and advise. This was not an easy decision to reach.

LATEST TRLA BOARD MINUTES - FUTURE SERVICES & ANNUAL FEES
(Posted 3-19-07) The latest official TRLA Board Minutes for the March meeting are now posted. The TRLA Board needs landowner responses to these minutes. Please read carefully and contact the Board. This is extremely important for the future of TRLA.

TRLA WELCOMES 2 NEW EMPLOYEES
     (Posted 5-20-07) TRLA has hired Ralph Cranston as a part time Ranch Hand. He has skills in carpentry, land surveying and maintenance work (3 .5 years with the NMDOT). Ralph also has a commercial driver's license.
     Margaret J. Allen has been hired to fill the janitorial position. She lives with her husband in Ramah and has several years experience in this area.
     TRLA welcomes both Ralph and June and feel their experience will be a valuable asset to the Association.

THEY REALLY CLEANED UP!
(Posted 5-20-07) The Timberlake Road cleanup day was a huge success! Volunteers picked up enough trash to fill 51 bags, along with miscellaneous other larger items such as boards, pipes, and even a tire. Timberlake Road all the away to the Box S, Cliff Shore Drive, and a portion of the south side of Ramah Lake, have all been returned to pristine beauty.
With 29 people the job took only two hours, and afterward most of the stalwarts met at the Timberlake Community Center Ranch House for a raucous a sack lunch capped off by the always melodious voice of Danny Montoya singing “testing, testing,” as he prepared the magnificent TRLA sound system for the annual meeting.

Photogenic Road Crew
     The event was so successful that there is talk of another pickup day next month, to work along other portions of the lake and side roads that may be in particular need. As the wave of enthusiasm crested for the triumphant group at lunch, one member, obviously hopped-up on an excess of peanut butter and jelly, cried, “and then maybe we’ll take on the rest of the State!”
     Special thanks to Karen Brunner, Lucia and Tim Amsden, Dave & Linda Shoppe, David Skinner, Duane Barbano, Ted & Carol Rodda, Justin Beoff, Avery Wilson, Perry Cole, Allan and Pat Burnam, Dick and Claire Knowles, Nancy Dobbs, Danny Montoya, Linda Pedersen, Matt and Liz Sowa, Robert and Jo Garcia, Mary Barry, Bob Johnston, Tim and Eileen Domer, and Anita and Paul Davis.
     Very special thanks to: McKinley County for supplying the garbage bags and free T-shirts, Eileen Domer for coordinating the activity with the county, Tim and Lucia Amsden for directing traffic, Carol and Ted Rodda for picking up the filled bags along the road and TRLA for the use of their trailer to dispose of the bags.

New grader delivered monday
(Posted 5-22-07) TRLA took delivery of the 1990 670B Motor Grader from Tom Growney Equipment this morning. Purchased after a four month search for a replacement to the 1978 JD 570A, the 670B was extensively refurbished over the past three weeks. The engine and the front axle were torn down and rebuilt. The cutting edge of the moldboard was replaced. New shanks and teeth were added on the scarifier. New tires and a paint completed the major repairs. The hydraulic system and the transmission were tested and found to be in good operating condition. Tom Growney also added a one year powertrain warranty which covers all components coated in oil--the engine, the hydraulics and the transmission. The grader will be available for landowner inspection at the Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 26th. Read more details on newspage 2

There is an ongoing problem with three dogs being allowed to run loose. A shepherd mix, a Blue Heeler mix, and a chow mix. I've seen them repeatedly in the forest of Woodland development and a friend living in the Zuni foothills section of Timberlake sees them. The dogs are running deer, which explains why the usual herd that lives behind us in Woodland has disappeared. They always come and eat my horse's leftover hay. This year, since the dogs started running them, there hasn't been one visit. My friend in the foothills has missed her herd, also. She has one old doe that lives nearby, and that one is missing. We've figured out that the deer have been driven into the mountains, which isn't fair to them. The usual feeding patterns of the deer and elk have been disrupted by this mongrel pack. We've encroached enough on their ecosystem, now we've turned loose the worst kind of predator on them. There were two unexplained deer kills this past summer, the carcasses found on private land. Of course, it was hard to tell what brought down those does, but now I'm suspecting these dogs since both kills were in the backyards of friends. Wild predators usually kill away from mankind.

The worry, in particular, is for the spring fawns and calves. Sure, we've got tons of deer and elk around here. So many that two does routinely raid mine and other people's gardens. The does live...lived around here, with their children. They're gone now. In the woods behind my house, there have usually been 5 elk cows, living safely until these dogs moved in. The elk and deer give birth in hiding, then bring the babies into these woods. The narrow strip of forest is the only way for deer and elk on the Ramah side of Timberlake road to secretly get to the lake for water, which is necessary in the spring. That high ground back there doesn't have any catch basins or springs like the area between Timberlake road and the Zuni's. When the fawns are just getting around, they can't run from this pack. And the constant harassment can cause the mother elk or deer to abandon an otherwise healthy fawn or calf. In the Ramah-side cliffs, the only other route to the lake is a high, rocky, treacherous trail that has drops and climbs that a fawn or calf couldn't make. I've walked it. Wow. Anyway, this year, there are no tracks in the woods. The ungulates are gone, which also means the big lion who lives back there must find another food source. Wish he'd get the dogs! In addition, the wild turkey population along these cliffs will suffer. In the spring, the turkey chicks can't fly to avoid big dogs. State Fish & Game monitors those turkeys as a resource flock. I'd hate to see the State get involved in the dog problem.

Someone isn't being responsible for their dogs. The dogs have collars, but can't be caught to read the tags, if they have any. In this area, we've never had a pack that ran loose for so long. Anyone's dogs can escape a yard, so it's understood when a strange dog is putzing down a road. They aren't a constant danger. But this pack
has been roaming since late last summer. When walking with a friend in the woods behind my place, two of these dogs behaved aggressively. I had a walking stick, she had a gun, so we were safe. They've gotten the idea that
the forest is their territory. We have friends who own that land and come up with an elderly woman and their own small dogs. A tragedy seems in the works if this pack isn't contained or disposed of.

Perhaps the owner could be found and persuaded to keep them home by knowing this is a subdivision and has leash laws. Some folks think this is the wild west and turning their dogs loose is a given right. We need to bring home the message that the loose dogs are angering residents. Several landowners have mentioned the pack.

Folks must understand that allowing their dogs to run loose is actually illegal. Hopefully, we'll stop this marauding before fawn season or the arrival of summer folks with their own dogs and small children.

This is a note inviting anyone newly or formerly interested in the
Ancient Way Preservation Coalition to join a group on the Internet
titled "AWPC", under Yahoo Groups. This is a new location with updates
on the latest info, pictures, and documents, concerning the situation
on Highway 53 and the dealings with the gravel pit and the asphalt
plants that come and go at that location. We are also looking at any
other entities that may damage the air and/or water resources along the
route and area of the Ancient Way. I formerly sent email messages to
those interested, but Yahoo will no longer allow mass mailings; it looks
too much like spam. So Yahoo suggested that I start a "group" that
discusses and informs about the AWPC. I have sent an email message to
each of the email addresses I had, informing them of the change, but got
only 19 of the former emailees to join the AWPC group. It is free,
with no strings attached, so if you are still interested in being
informed about AWPC, this is our new forum. The address is:

If you need more info you can still contact me at: rschafer51@yahoo.com
-- but I cannot send mass mailing from that address anymore.

COUNTY ADOPTS HIGHWAY 53 PROTECTION RESOLUTION
(Posted 7-24-06) On July 10, 2006, the Cibola County Commission adopted a resolution to preserve the environment and protect the scenic qualities of the area along

On July 10, 2006, the Cibola County Commission adopted a resolution to preserve the environment and protect the scenic qualities of the area along Highway 53. The resolution was prepared and proposed by the Ancient Way Environmental Coalition.

At the commission meeting, Paula Tripodi gave an excellent presentation on the need for the resolution. After a request from Chairman Bennie Coho that the Ancient Way Preservation Coalition work with the county to reduce illegal dumping, the county commissioners quickly and unanimously approved.

WHEREAS: The Ancient Way Preservation Coalition members, who live along Highway 53 between the Zuni-Acoma Trailhead and the McKinley County line, have expressed their sincere concern regarding the preservation of this scenic area; and

WHEREAS: This portion of Highway 53 is a designated part of The Native Heritage Trail, a New Mexico Scenic Byway; and

WHEREAS: This area holds great scenic, recreational, tourism, and economic development opportunities;

THEREFORE: We, the Cibola County Commission, do hereby support and encourage only that development which would preserve the environment, including clean air and water, and protect the peaceful, safe and scenic qualities of this area. We oppose any activity or facility that would degrade these qualities.

Highway 53 is part of the Native Heritage Trail, a New Mexico Scenic Byway. For more information go to:

High speed Internet service?
(11-15-06) A recent conversation with a local Century Telephone technician confirmed that the company was considering a combination of new and old technology that could bring Digital Satellite Link (DSL)to Timberlake (and others 3.5 miles from hwy 53). The following cost estimates for the new service were given by the company: 10X the speed of a land line would cost $29.95. 50X the speed of a land line would cost $39.95 per month. 100X the speed of a land line would cost $49.95 per month. Landowners who might be interested in the faster service should immediately call the customer contact center at 1-800-201-4099 and make sure they get on the list of interested people.

On September 28, 2006 Bubba Ozee resigned his position as TRLA Ranch Manager effective October 14, 2006. On Monday, October 16, 2006, all TRLA tools, equipment, files, and keys were turned over to board members Ted Rodda and David Skinner.

On September 21, 2006 the Board met in Executive Session to discuss a number legal matters and iron out some internal process issues. A discussion about roads came up and a decision to form a formal Roads Committee to support the Ranch Manager in performing this part of his job duties was made. Members of the committee were Jerry Toellner, Eileen Domer, David Skinner and Ranch Manager Bubba Ozee.

This decision evolved out of C&E Concrete’s decision to stop the practice of spreading gravel out of the back of their 10-wheel 20 ton gravel delivery trucks this past summer. This put the graveling of Timberlake side roads at risk and temporarily put a stop to the Association’s plans to gravel all or parts of a number of side roads. Neither Bubba nor David Skinner could get C&E to change this policy for the Ranch. Jerry Toellner, however, was able to convince C&E to spread gravel from one of their belly-dump trucks. As a result, portions of Sagebrush, Elk and Cottonwood were graveled.

A meeting was set for this formalized Roads Committee meet on September 27 to review what plans were in plan and to discuss future actions. David Skinner was to meet with Bubba and explain the decision and direction coming out of the September 21 meeting and inform him of the meeting on the 27.

David scheduled this meeting with Bubba for September 23. Bubba requested a meeting with the full Board, which David consented to and set for September 27. In preparation for this meeting, David met with Bubba on September 26 for almost three hours discussing a number of issues, including the formation of a Roads Committee.

On September 27, Bubba presented the Board with his resignation effective September 29, made a brief statement, and left. After a brief discussion, a majority of the six board members present at that meeting (one member was traveling and thus unable to attend) voted to reject his resignation. That afternoon David Skinner informed Bubba and his wife, Cindy, of the Board’s decision.

The following day, September 28, Bubba and David entered into negotiations regarding a number of issue related to his job and what had evolved into the Ranch Operations Committee. Though skeptical about this new direction, Bubba agreed to give it his best effort. Later that afternoon, Bubba informed David that, after discussing things with his wife, he had decided to resign effective Sunday, October 1.

The following day, David asked the Ozees to consider extending the effective date of Bubba’s resignation to October 14 to facilitate a smoother transition of responsibilities. They agreed.

(Posted 1/13/05) Progress on crime prevention in the Ramah-Timberlake area. -
      Neighborhood Watch officers were elected and initial watch districts were defined. Officers elected were; Allen Lewis, Pres., Vince Savarino, VP, and Brian Mackey, Sec. Captains were elected to organize each of the following districts; Ramah (west of Bloomfield St.) - Patrick Riley; Ramah (east of Bloomfield St.) - Laverne Merrill. Elected for Cloh Chin Toh - Nancy Dobbs; Timberlake South - Don Bires; north of Timberlake Rd. - Dana Letts; and south of Timberlake Rd. - Eileen Domer. The District Captains' areas north and south of Timberlake Rd. run from the cattle guard past the McGaffey Rd. turn off and end at the entry to Box S. District Captains will be contacting full and part time residents and setting up a phone tree within the respective districts.
     We deeply appreciate the volunteer effort of our officers and six Watch District Captains who have stepped forward to serve their community. One of the immediate results of the creation of our Neighborhood Watch organization was a commitment by both counties to provide a grant of training materials, signage for the roads, and continuing education on request.
     Finally, it was reported that there have been arrests made and the investigation continues relative to the recent break-ins. As a result of good police work and the organized determination of our local citizens there have been NO MORE BREAK-INS!

(Posted 3-15-06) Extremely dry, high fire conditions were greeted with two winter storms dropping a total of twenty-four inches of snow on vacationing landowners, guests and permanent residents this past weekend. Electricity was out on the north side of the Ranch for over ten hours. A combination of extreme weather, inexperience and poor judgment on the part of some folks, and equipment failures created trying times for landowners and TRLA employees.

Ranch Manager Bubba Ozee and Ranch Hand John Mitchell were up at 4:00AM Saturday morning plowing the 11.3 miles of Timberlake Ranch Road from the Box S to Highway 53. High winds on Saturday and Sunday complicated snow removal efforts on all TRLA roads creating snowdrifts up to four feet deep and requiring repeated passes on the main road to keep it open throughout the day.

The last snow of this magnitude is reported to have occurred in 1993. Most landowners have never seen snow this deep at the Ranch, and it was not long before calls for assistance began coming into the Ranch Manager. Both Bubba and his wife, Cindy, worked more than 12-hour days Saturday, Sunday and Monday to meet landowner requests for clearing side roads and driveways and help with stuck cars and trucks.

Saturday evening one landowner's car was pulled out from a bar ditch at 6:00PM. Attempting to return home Sunday morning, this same vehicle became stuck again in a snowdrift near the entrance to Timberlake South. This resulted in five more vehicles becoming stuck in the same area by the end of the day, including TRLA's recently purchased 2001 Dodge 4WD pickup truck. More than five hours of effort by TRLA employees to clear the road proved to be unsuccessful. The McKinley County Sheriff's Department closed the main road Sunday evening.

Also on Sunday, unable to make into their driveway, another landowner abandoned a truck loaded with furniture in the middle of a side road. They traveled to Timberlake from Gallup based upon the advice of another landowner living here.

With additional assistance, Timberlake Ranch Road was reopened late Monday morning and graders from Cibola and McKinley counties cleared the remaining snow from it. Also on Monday morning, the TRLA pick up was taken to JRL Enterprises in Ramah. Upon inspection, the transmission of the truck is being replaced. According to Jody Lewis, it appears a lack of proper maintenance by its previous owner is the primary cause for its failure.

Continuing to respond to landowner's requests for assistance, Bubba Ozee worked until 9:00 PM Monday night to clear side roads and driveways with the TRLA tractor. However, using this piece of equipment in two-feet of snow has proven to be too dangerous to continue. Side road contours and poor traction contributed to insufficient control for safe operation from a lack of chains and its current equipment configuration. Using a front-loader bucket is a slow and inefficient way to remove snow.

Also, after consulting with experienced grader operators, it was determined that using the TRLA grader with no chains on side roads with this amount of snow and drifts up to four feet deep would create a significant safety hazard due to a lack of mobility. The set of chains used with the previous TRLA grader do not fit the one we now own.The chains are going to be modified as soon as possible.

If you wish to make comments on the proposed State Environment Department permit, indicate you are addressing Permit No. 3324, TEMPO Agency Interest ID No. 24829. Write to:

Ms. Longying Dong
New Mexico Environment Department
Air Quality Bureau
Permit Section
2048 Galisteo
Santa Fe, NM 87505

Mr. Ronald Curry
Secretary of New Mexico Environmental Department
Harold Runnels Building; Room 4050
1190 St. Francis Drive
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87502

Governor Bill Richardson
Office of the Governor
490 Old Santa Fe Trail
Room 400
Santa Fe, NM 87501

To express concern about the project and encourage implementation of the County Comprehensive Land Use Plan:

For more information and fact sheet on the proposed asphalt plant, follow this link.

Long time residents Bob and Sarah Myers were honored with a farewell party hosted by Bill and Pat Wolford on Sunday, October 9th. Many people gathered to swap stories, feast, and say thank you. Bob and Sarah will be moving to Yuma where their family live and they graciously shared some stories and memories. The following are just a few highlights.

Sarah grew up in Kentucky where her father and mother raised several children in an old style log cabin. She traveled from Kentucky to Cincinnati to California and finally to Yuma, Arizona where she met Bob in l969 and later married in Carson City, NV.

Bob refers to himself as a flatlander having got his start in the plains of Texas and still recalls following his father in a covered wagon when he was only 6 years old. In l940 he hitchhiked and rode the rails to arrive in Yuma and would spend the next 40 years. During those years he wore several hats - digging home foundations, working for the fruit growers, night watchman, and general handyman/grader for the City of Yuma. In the 40's he acquired a filly quarter horse and won back-to-back world championships at the Rillito Racetrack in Tucson. As a side job he was a farrier for 20 years (to make "beer" money as he says) and could shoe a horse in 21 minutes - $3 to trim and $6 for shoeing.

Bob's brother called him in August of 1982 to tell him about this wonderful place he had found and wanted Bob and Sarah to check it out. They bought their lot in Timberlake from the Sanchez brothers and it was directly across the road from his brother. He fondly recalls that most of the easement of the main Timberlake Road which came later was taken from his parcel and not his brother's. Between 1983 and l984 Bob and Sarah were trying to get their cabin "dried in" using whatever building material they could acquire reasonably - beams from Colorado and excess lumber from Reidhead. They remember using cardboard for temporary interior doors and walls to give some privacy. In 1986 Bob retired and they moved to Timberlake full-time. There were no telephones or TV reception and the roads were not graveled from Hwy 53. When Bob and Sarah were asked if they could recall the worst winter, they both talked about the winter when they were trying to put together a 10 foot diameter satellite TV dish. The snow was 18 inches deep and they had to clear a circle in the snow to assemble and install the dish. It was 30 degrees below zero for three straight days and their diesel Volkswagon froze up. Sarah said it didn't take Bob too long to put a laundry room addition on the cabin when she threatened to let him shovel a path to the washing machine and he could do the laundry in the freezing cold. Bob also talked about the three separate wells they had to dig before acquiring potable water. The first well had too much salt in it, the second one caved in and the third one finally hit good water. He thinks he spent between $10-$12,000 before he had a decent well.

Bob was one of the first board members in Timberlake. At that time the association was called TLA. During those first years, the volunteer firehouse was built, phone lines brought in and mailboxes placed by the firehouse. Bob said, "there were only about 10 houses in Timberlake and one could take a walk without seeing or being enveloped in dust, but I use to look forward to seeing a car." Other board members were Joty Baca, Bob Hilker, Duke Railsback, and Dave Howse. Bob remembers that when TLA was being replaced by TRLA, Bob Hilker (president of TLA) wasn't about to hand over the few dollars they had saved up so the board decided to spend the money and contracted to have a sign made for the main Timberlake entrance.

Bob said he never wanted to or thought he would ever return to Yuma, but at 87 he figures it's about time. The altitude is starting to bother him and this is a man whose medication at bedtime consists of a baby aspirin and a vitamin C tablet. Sarah and Bob have four children between them and as Sarah puts it, "a mess of grandchildren and great-grandchildren." When asked what gave them their greatest satisfaction living in Timberlake for 20 plus years, Bob replied immediately, "trying to help people."

Timberlake will miss Bob and Sarah. Bob leaves a legacy and a hard act to follow. His hours and hours of time volunteered and dedicated to Timberlake reinforces the vision of TRLA - protect, enhance and foster.