PO Box 50 Caulfield, Missouri
Above Photo Taken By: Chuck Ruckdeshell RRC ProJect
Established in 1972
Inside this Issue What’s New 2013 Winter Camping Hours Reduced Camper Storage Winter Projects Special Dinners Christmas Party Facility Hours
Hot trend One of the hottest new trends this season‌is actually quite cold! While this new trend may not be right for everyone, the popularity of winter camping is on the rise. The summer crowds have left out, the campgrounds are quite & peaceful and the landscape, especially with a blanket of snow is absolutely stunning. So if you are up for some winter camping, here are some tips that will make your winter camping trip one to remember..in a good way! Tip #1-Be Realistic Know your limitations and pick a climate that is suitable for your camping ability. Tip #2-Check the Weather Forecast Before you ever head out, check the weather and always be prepared for an unexpended change in the weather. Tip #3-Appropreate Clothing Wool Socks, warm boots, thermal underwear, warm jacket, gloves, hat and such are essential. Dressing in layers will help to regulate your body temperature. Tip #4-The Right Gear Having fun is what it is all about, you won’t have fun if you are not comfortable so bring the right gear. If you are tent camping, make sure you have a thick matt to protect against the cold air coming from the ground and a sleeping bag rated for the appropriate temperature. A four season tent is a must. Extra fuel for your camp stove especially if you plan to melt snow for your drinking water. Continued pg 3
Caulfield, Missouri
Established in 1972
Expecting Bigger and Better Last week the announcement was made that the Annual Newsletter would be distributed primarily by email in 2013. The new process of email distribution will be cost savings for the membership. It is estimated to save somewhere in the neighborhood of $4000 in postage fees, printing, and labor costs. However, for this method to be effective, the membership will need to do its part in getting the project up and running. Beginning on December 1st, Members are encouraged to visit the official website at www.cloud9ranch.com and begin the required registration process in order to receive the Annual Newsletter. Another positive aspect of this project, the space for newsletter content will not be limited as strictly as it has been in the past. Previously, the Annual Newsletter publication has had to restrict content in order to control the size of the publication. The emailed newsletter will allow more space and more information to be prepared for the publication, keeping the Membership better informed of what is happening at the Ranch in 2013. One of the complaints that is heard most often is that the general Membership is not kept abreast of projects and events that are taking place at the Ranch. Overcoming the poor communication flow is the primary objective in expanding and distributing the Annual Newsletter. We hope that you will do your part in bridging the gap by signing up for your emailed copy of the Annual Newsletter. Clubs and Committees are also asked to do their part in making the Annual Newsletter a success. The Clubs and Committees of Cloud 9 Ranch provide year around activities for all of the membership to enjoy. Fund Raising Events, Trail Improvement Projects, Special Dinners, and Poker Runs are just a few of the things that are hosted by volunteers of the Ranch. The Annual Newsletter is a great place for these organizations to promote what is being planned for 2013. If your Club or Committee would like to be included in the Annual Newsletter, the dead line for article submission will be March 18th, 2013. If you have any questions about article submissions, you can contact us via the website or email directly at ranchoutfitters@gmail.com
Facility Hours reduced for December Both the Ranch Trading Post and the Ranch Gas Station announced today that facility hours will again be slightly reduced beginning this week. The Gas Station does have after hour service available. If you find yourself in a bind and you need service at the Gas Station, simply contact the Gate House and our Ranger Staff will assist you. There is a small fee for after hour service. This announcement is being made in order to help Ranch Members who are visiting to be aware of the new business hours. Currently the Ranch Stables are open by appointment only. For a limited time, horseback rides are on $10 person for both Members and Guests. You can schedule your horseback ride by calling the Ranch Trading Post at 417-284-7321 ext 118. For a full listing of the facility hours check page 6 of this weeks 9 Lines.
November 29th, 2012
Winter Camping Continued From Page 2
Tip #5-Winterize Your Camper If you are using an RV, pop-up camper or trailer, make sure to winterize your camper. Freezing water lines is a big concern for recreational vehicles. Your owners manual will give specific direction for your model. If you are doing your winter camping on the Ranch, you can have your camper winterized by our maintenance staff. You can schedule your appointment with the Gate Staff. Tip #6-Have plenty of Firewood It can be difficult to find firewood in the winter especially if there is snow on the ground. So stock up when you set up camp and cover with a tarp to help keep the wood dry. Tip #7-Eat Right Light lunches are fine in the summer but winter camping requires a good hearty meal. Soups and stews will help keep you warm from the inside out. Warm beverages such as coffee, hot coco, and apple cider are good to have with you as well. Tip #8-Nightly Entertainment At Cloud 9, the entertainment is usually provided by the campsite next door but this time of the year the nights are longer so it is a good idea to have a little entertainment. Bring a book, playing cards or maybe even a movie to watch. The Ranch Club house will have a nice warm fire burning in the fireplace and there are plenty of tables for a nice game of cards. See you at the Ranch!
The 9 Lines
Page 3
Is there Space for Me? The new Compound 6, Pay to Park Compound facility is now open and filling up fast! The pay to park area is a benefit to those members who prefer the convenience of having your own compound key and assigned parking spot for your camper. Owners who use the “Pay to Park Compound” do not have to wait on Rangers and they do not have to worry about purchasing compound tickets. Compound 6 is a simpler way for you to store your camper and enclosed cargo trailers. Requirements for Storage in Compound 6 $120 Fee for using Compound 6-One year service running from November 2012 to November 2013. If purchased after November 15th, the remaining time will be pro-rated out. Your Camper must be a “livable” camper. Your Cargo Trailer must be Factory built. You must keep your space clean & neatly stored. What Space is Available? Compound 6 offers individual spacing for single units Compound 6 offers double spacing for Members who wish to store both a camper and a cargo unit. For more information on spacing available, requirements and specific Compound 6 questions, please contact Holly in the Accounting Office. Holly can be reached at 417-284-7321 ext 102. Or Email at frontoffice@cloud9ranch.com
Activities Committee News Plans have been made for the 2012 Membership Christmas Dinner. This special dinner will be held on December 15th at 6PM in the Ranch Club House Patio Room. To kick off the New Year, the New Years Dinner Will be held on December 29th at 6PM. This dinner will also be held in the Club House Patio Room. All Members and their guest are invited to join in these fellowship meals.
Employee Christmas Party! Well it is that time of year again & the holidays are approaching fast! Any member who would like to help defray the costs of the Employee Christmas Party, please do so at the Ranch office. Your support is appreciated. With our sincere gratitude, C9R Office Staff
November 29th , 2012
The 9 Lines
Page 4
Ranch Rider Improvement Projects Going on Now! Happenings from the Ranch Riders Club
Steel structure being formed for the Wilder Foot Bridge connecting Wilder I & Wilder II
David Schwierjohn stands beside the new outside faucet install at RRC Building
Volunteers use their skills digging the ditch for the new water line that was installed
The Ranch Riders Club wants to thank the Board of Directors for approving the Trail / Ranch Road Improvement projects. Work began with clearing some of the Road Circles of underbrush and trimming back the overgrowth along the ranch roads in the Lane Spring Road / loggers Lane area. With the well received and use of Memorial Park and Veterans Park, many request have been made for more “Sweetie swings” and RRC built picnic tables. These will be added where possible. The RRC likes to do these projects while the leaves are off the trees. If you would like to help, please check with the RRC. The recently install waterline from the stables lot to the Ranch Riders Building was connected to the ranch waterline over Thanksgiving weekend. The RRC installed an extra frost free water hydrant outside the horse pasture fence and along the maintenance shop road for ranch employees to wash ranch equipment away from the maintenance shop. The RRC has purchased a used running Kubota diesel engine for the first donated Gehl skid steer, which has been down for over a year due to major engine failure. The RRC hopes to have the 1st skid steer back in service soon. A fork attachment for the skid steers has also been purchased. This attachment will be used for lifting the broken picnic tables for repairs, along with lifting many other heavy project materials. The Wilder Foot Bridge steel structure is still being welded together in two sections at the RRC building. Gussets and “X” bracing will be welded next along with the steel anchoring to be bolted to the concrete abutments which are in place at Wilder. Two dump truck loads of top soil have been delivered to Lonnie’s Lookout. The dirt will be placed in the wildflower beds below the fence. Anyone wanting to work on this project or any of the other Ranch Riders Club approved project, please contact Dale Cox on the ranch if you need to borrow RRC tools. Please enjoy your stay at the ranch!
Underbrush has been cleaned up at Foggy Circle making much needed appearance improvements.
Please Ride Responsibly and help keep the Ranch and the Trails clean. Visit Us Online www.ranchriders.org
November 29th, 2012
The 9 Lines
Page 5
Pay It Forward~ Pride in ownership that will Just in case you’ve never met this couple, let us introduce you to Chuck and Helene Allen. They are Cloud 9 Ranch members who came up with an idea that will benefit Cloud 9 Ranch for future generations. It’s a “pay it forward” move on the part of this couple. First of all, you need to know a little about Chuck and Helene before we tell you what they are doing. Chuck Allen retired from the Air Force in 1977 as a First Sergeant of Security Police Squadron in California. They moved to Caulfield, Missouri in 1981 and became very active in the Caulfield community, helping organize a committee and Chairmen of the first Caulfield Fall Festival to raise funds to build the fire house. Chuck became Vice-President and Helene Secretary-Treasurer of the Caulfield Volunteer Fire Department when it was established in 1982. The couple bought a Cloud 9 Ranch membership around 1983 (when the prices were developer-sized). Living so close, they didn’t camp overnight at the Ranch but invested to enjoy the Ranch in their retirement years. Helene is from Hawaii and around 1986 they moved there to care for Helene’s aging parents. Staying in Hawaii for over 20 years, in 2010 Chuck retired as a Parks/Recreation Maintenance Superintendent, Helene retired as a legal assistant, and they moved back stateside, settling in San Antonio, TX. They have three sons, 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren scattered all over the USA. Cloud 9 Ranch members for almost 30 years but living in Hawaii for most of that time, Chuck and Helene were unable to visit Cloud 9 Ranch since they left Caulfield in 1986. However, they continually supported Cloud 9 Ranch, even sending checks when hearing of a project or need, especially the Employee Appreciation program. Chuck and Helene are some of the first Charter Members of the Cloud 9 Cruisers Club, a service club of dedicated owners who donate money and time to ranch service and support management and ranch improvements with fundraising events. In both 2010 and 2011, they fulfilled part of their retirement dream and were able to spend a few weeks on the Ranch meeting people and building lasting friendships. Now, why should you know all of this? This is a bittersweet time in Chuck and Helene’s life, as they are thankful for family and friends, and the life they have together, but realize it is time to make some changes. Now a retired couple living on social security, the rigors of travel and health issues, retirement didn’t turn out to include Cloud 9 Ranch as much as they had planned. Faced with facts of life, hard decisions had to be made; one of which is giving up their Cloud 9 Ranch membership. They had several options to consider; like selling or deeding back. But they didn’t do either. They have a much better idea; donating their longtime membership to the C9R Fire Department Building Fund, where raffle tickets will be sold and the membership deeded to a new ranch family on New Year’s Eve. The new member’s 2013 Maintenance Fees will be paid and all other proceeds of the raffle will go directly to the Fire Department Building Fund. This is a wonderful gesture on the part of Chuck and Helene Allen. Their longtime membership will still count for something. Their generosity will be memorialized in a way that many would never think of, let alone make it happen. Hopefully, Chuck and Helene will be able to attend as our honored guests for the grand opening of our new C9R Fire Department building when it becomes a reality. But first, we’ve got to help them sell those raffle tickets over the next few months!!! Raffle tickets for a Cloud 9 Ranch Membership (includes 2013 Maintenance Fees paid) are available for $5.00 each or 3 for $10. They are printed in packets of 12 tickets and will be distributed to anyone who wants to help sell them. You can even purchase an entire packet for ONLY $40 (a $20 savings off the one-ticket price). If you want to buy raffle tickets or help sell them, call the Ranch Office at (417-284-7321). Because of just a little bit of creative thinking outside the box, on New Year’s Eve 2012 one lucky new member of our Cloud 9 Ranch family will know the membership they own was cherished for so many years and comes with a history of deep pride of ownership!!! Thank you, Chuck and Helene Allen for support C9R over the years. We at Cloud 9 Ranch hope your golden years bring you many blessings!
Around the Ranch FACILITY HOURS November 29th-December 5th
CHAPEL Sunday Service 10AM ACCOUNTING OFFICE Monday-Friday 8AM-4PM TRADING POST Sunday-Thursday 8AM-4PM Friday & Saturday 8AM-6PM
GAS STATION Monday-Saturday 10AM-2PM Closed on Sunday
Practically everyone you know has a Facebook page. Chances are….You have one too. Cloud 9 Ranch has a Facebook page that is growing by leaps and bounds and each week more and more Friends Find Us and “Like” us on Facebook. Members and Friends of Members are finding out that Facebook is a fun way to share Cloud 9 Ranch experiences and meet other Ranch Members with the same likes and interests. Plus, Ranch Members who follow Cloud 9 Ranch Outfitters on Facebook are the first to know about special savings offers that are available. If you would like to be apart of the growing Cloud 9 Ranch Family on Facebook, Join Us Today!
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RANCH STABLES By Appointment Only RESTAURANT Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday 8AM-2PM Friday & Saturday 8AM-6PM
Severe Weather Alerts Siren Warning Signals Series of Short Blasts Means that a severe thunderstorm is in the area and campers are alerted to take shelter. Continuous Signal Means there is a tornado warnings for the area and campers are alerted to take shelter. Storm Shelter Location Pet friendly shelter is Available in the youth center, which is located below the Trading Post. Chapel basement is Available for shelter during extreme weather conditions. Entrance is located on the Spring Hill side of the building.
For Sale 2008 Honda Rincon– 680 automatic, 4WD, white, w/ aluminum wheels, Swamp Fox tires w/good tread. Full extra set of stock Honda wheels. Well kept bike with regular oil changes etc. Full set of mud tires on stock Honda rims. $4400.00 Call or Text 417-274-6757
Got Something to sell? Advertise Your Stuff! What Items are allowed? ATV’s, SUV’s, UTV’s etc Cargo Trailers, Trailers, Campers, and Autos. How Do I List My Ad? Ads Must Be Submitted in Writing to the Ranch Office or emailed to: c9routfitters@gmail.com How Do I Pay? Ad Space can be paid for by cash, check or credit card at the office. Checks, along with the Ad can be mailed to: Cloud 9 Ranch c/o Toy Trader PO Box 50 Caulfield, MO 65626 For emailed ads, Credit Card payment can be taken by phone by calling 417-284-7321 When Must the Ad be received by? Ads must be paid in full and must be received by 4PM on the Monday prior to the Thursday print date. What is the cost? Base price for up to 15 words $2.50 Words exceeding 15 add .10 cents per word Business card size photo add $1 per each photo included How long do Ads Run? Each ad will run for one week. Multiple weeks may be purchased but are non-refundable. Additional Information: All ads submitted must include a phone number.