Behind the Front Page

By Maureen Robertson

CHAMBER MOVE?

—On Tuesday,

Ramona Chamber of Commerce’s

2012 directors held their retreat in

Ramona Town Hall

1. The chamber board traditionally meets in January for a daylong retreat to plan the year’s direction and activities and to choose directors who will chair specific committees and events.

This year they may have done more.

Sharon Davis

, Ramona’s

honorary mayor

and an outgoing chamber director, was busy last week hanging curtains in the

East Wing

of Town Hall. She wanted chamber directors to feel as comfortable as possible, and the curtains prevent the south sun from streaming in the large front windows.

Who knows? The chamber may want to return its offices to Town Hall. That was the plan in 1986, when Ramona Town Hall had to close its doors to the public in October 1986 to make the building fit for occupancy. The chamber’s office was in Town Hall then, as was

Ramona Art Guild

, the

Town Hall Players

,

Ramona Council of the Arts Unlimited

and even

North County Health Services

1. Harvest fairs, health fairs, dance classes, art shows, silent movies and community theater were among the many activities occurring in the historic building — and the chamber had a

Window on Main Street

and a strong Old Town presence.

Town Hall trustees planned to give chamber directors a tour of the 117-year-old building Tuesday and discuss additional renovation work planned. Having a steady rental income from the chamber certainly would help with Town Hall insurance and utility bills, giving the trustees and other Town Hall enthusiasts additional resources to complete the renovation.

If chamber directors decide to move into Ramona Town Hall, they’ll have more room than the chamber had in 1986. The entire East Wing is available — and they would have large windows on Main Street.

NOTHING NEW

—Well, what do you know. The slogan “

Ramona: The Heart of San Diego County

” is decades old.

The 1926 “

Anniversary and Development Edition

” of the

Ramona Sentinel

has those very words atop a page of news about the town’s history.

That was the year

Don Owen

moved to Ramona. Don kindly lent his copy of the 1926 newspaper, making it clear he’d be back to get it. Several days later Don was honored at the 2012 Chamber’s Choice Awards as Citizen of the Year — a long overdue honor. At age 91, Don has quietly volunteered and contributed to the community for decades. Everyone from schoolchildren to senior citizens have benefited from his efforts on behalf of Ramona.

SECOND CHANCE

—Anyone who missed

Ramona Community Brass Band’s

“Christmas on the Home Front” concert in the Ramona High School Performing Arts Wing last month has an opportunity to see and hear the talented musicians directed by

Ken Serfass

— on Facebook. Here’s the link: www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=2574696565551.