Current Ranch News

as of May 9, 2008

Check out the COMMITTEES page of this web site for upcoming events on the Ranch.

All Candidates Meeting Sunday June 1st. 11:00 a.m. in the Rec. Center. Meet the Members that are running for Trustee on the Board of Directors of BMR; and have your questions ready for them to help you decide which of them you would like to vote for. There are five positions to fill and six nominees. You can vote for up to five of the nominees you wish to serve on the Board for a two year term. Click here for list of the Nominees and their bio.
AGM - The Annual General Meeting of the Membership of BMR Sunday June 8th 11:00 a.m. in the Rec. Center. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Vote on proposed rule changes and ratifications, a new budget and for your choices for Trustees for five positions. For a copy of the proposed Rule changes and ratifications click here.

Event Calendars are ready for purchase at the Ranch office! The cost is $15 each. Proceeds will again go to the Tess Scarberry Kidney fund. The calendars are filled with photos of the Ranch and Members and staff enjoying the Ranch.

Did you know that the trees of the forest need to have the moss that grows and branches that fall on the forest floor in order to stay healthy? It's true! That layer of moss and tree debris holds moisture in the soil instead of letting it evaporate. It also helps keep the PH levels of the soil at an optimum for the evergreens. The decomposition of the leaves and branches actually delivers fresh nutrients to the soil to feed the trees as well. Please keep this in mind when cleaning up on and around your site. Picking up the really large fallen branches near your site to take and put on the burn pile is okay, we do have to consider fire hazard in our forest, but leave the small stuff, leaves, needles and twigs to decompose; and do not remove that lovely green carpet of moss. The trees will thank you for it! As in most aspects of life there is a balance to be kept. Some are concerned about increased fire danger by putting leaves, needles and small twigs (or letting these things stay) in the greenbelt. We certainly do not want mountains of debris piled in the greenbelt spaces, but we do need to take steps towards helping our forest stay healthy and viable. The campsites themselves present a dangerous fire hazard; let us all remember that forest fires are started by a source, sometimes by nature itself but most often by the actions or carelessness of people and people can use caution to avoid the actions that cause fires. By using forestry management practices balanced with care when using flame/fire sources we can work together to keep our forest healthy and serving us in the many ways it enhances our times at the Ranch for a very long time to come.

Ski Season is still hanging on. For information on skiing at Mt. Baker Ski area see the web link on our web links page. The other web links you will find here may be useful to you for more than just your stays at the Ranch. If you find a web source that is helpful please pass it on to the web master for adding to our web links page.

The next board meeting will be held Friday, May 23rd at 7:30 pm in the Cookshack. All Members are Welcome. See you there!?!

REMINDERS! -

Storage of vehicles other than the primary camping vehicle is not allowed on the Ranch. This includes utility trailers.

No Member mail or parcels received/handled at the Ranch.

Tarps must be taken down when Members or guests are not present at the Ranch.

Do NOT remove the anti-backflow connection from your standpipe.

NO nails, screws, wire, string or rope around trees. Only bungee cords!
Please consider utilizing the classified ads page of this web site to get rid of unwanted items or materials that someone else may be able to use. There is no charge for a text only ad, and this may be a very effective way of reducing the amount of refuse the Ranch has to pay to have disposed.
The Ranch (membership dues) has paid approximately $40,000+ this past year (the annual expense for this keeps increasing) for the removal of the refuse deposited at the dumpster area. Making an effort to use the recycling opportunities offered at the Ranch and paying a small fee for the deposit of any furniture, appliances, or structure demolition materials will go a long way in helping the Membership dues that you pay go towards other more desirable things.

If you have signed up for automatic credit card payment of your dues, please email or phone the office to give us your updated expiration date for your card.
This is important, especially during winter weather or busy summer time. Moved or changed your phone service lately? Please check to be sure that the Ranch office has your up to date information, it is imperative in emergency or urgent situations that sometimes arrive that the Ranch is able to contact you. A secondary phone number may also be helpful. Let us know next time you call or stop by.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

***** Toll free phone # for the Ranch 1-866-563-5212 *****

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Scarberry Kidney Fund News

water status/electric service

web links page

memberships for sale

classified ads page

local service providers

Black Mountain Ranch is a private campground in Deming, Washington, USA.