Letters to the editor

A Christmas birthday gift you will never regret

While at High Valley Veterinary Hospital today (Dec. 6), I found posted this letter. All I could think was, what could I do?

I hope this letter moves someone in Ramona, in the way it did to me, to help Ian find a home for the dogs he loves so much. If you have room in your heart this Christmas and room in your home, helping Ian will truly be a gift you will never regret.

This is a portion of Ian’s letter:

My name is Ian Maidrand and I will turn 13 years old on Christmas Day. My birthday wish is to find a loving home for my two dogs, Destiny and Justified.

These dogs are very special to me because they lived with my dad. Eleven months ago my dad suddenly passed away from a heart attack at age 45. It has been an extremely tough year for my dogs and me. We all miss him very much. This is why finding them a new home gives me such a heavy heart.

Even though Destiny and Justified are very special dogs, they were the only dogs in the house and I feel strongly that a similar situation would be best for them and their happiness. I live in Ramona with my mom, and unfortunately the pets she has at her house do not get along with my two dogs and this has created a very stressful situation.

I had no choice in losing my dad, therefore it would make me happy knowing my two dogs are in a good home being well cared for. They are bonded and get separation anxiety when they are apart. Both dogs are healthy and up to date on all their shots. Their medical records are available upon request.

It would mean the world to me if the new owner could send some pictures every now and then and I would be allowed to visit once in awhile.

If you can make space in your heart and home for my dogs, please contact my mom, Kimberly McLellan, at 619-302-8696 or email milt1750@aol.com.

K. Hashberger

RamonaShop where they wish you Merry ChristmasNow that December is here, I’d like to share an experience I had last Christmas Eve. Choosing to support our local businesses, I ducked into a Ramona store for a last-minute purchase.At the point of the sale, the young female cashier wished me a “Happy Holiday.” My mouth dropped open and I said, “If ever there was an appropriate time to wish a ‘Merry Christmas’ it would be now, on Christmas Eve.” She got flustered and told me that a couple of weeks prior she was chewed out by a customer for wishing her a “Merry Christmas.” I said she shouldn’t let the minority of the politically correct rule over the majority of those who still celebrate Christmas.I walked out the exit and turned right back around and went in the entrance. I asked to speak to the manager. A gentleman came from the rear and I explained what happened. I stressed it was Christmas Eve for gosh sake. I got a generic response about “political correctness.” I got upset and said, “This is Ramona. We don’t need political correctness.” I told him if that’s how he felt, he wouldn’t be getting my business anymore. I came home and told my husband what happened. For this past year we have given our business to another business in Ramona.My point? This December, this Christmas season, support the businesses that haven’t caved in to political correctness. Support businesses that still honor the “reason for the season.” Shop where they wish you Merry Christmas.

Sandy Hurlburt

RamonaFree speech is one thing, but poster is ridiculousEven though I agree that those who are petitioning on Main Street have the right to free speech, their poster of the president with a Hitler mustache is ridiculous. To equate Obama to a man who killed millions of Jews is insane.We have something called an election in this country. Why don’t you spend your time supporting someone who can win the next election?I pray that holiday travelers driving through Ramona do not get the wrong impression of this great town. It’s not the Ramona I know.Merry Christmas.

Bob Murphy

RamonaGenerosity keeps tradition goingFor more than three decades, Ramona United Methodist Church and the people of Ramona have gathered each November to help our friends and neighbors celebrate Thanksgiving as a community. We’ve given away thousands of free meals at the Ramona Community Center. This year’s Turkey Dinner was held on Sunday, Nov. 10.We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who joined us in this exciting annual tradition. Dinner tickets ranged from $5 for children to $10 for adults on dinner day, but many meals were distributed free to needy families and individuals, thanks to your generous donations, and as a result more people were fed.Your donations contributed to the cost of these complimentary meals and we truly appreciate your generosity. We are a community that certainly pulls together. What a marvelous community.Thank you for your generosity and assistance. We greatly appreciate those who donated and those who helped serve. May God bless you during the holiday season and upcoming year.

Pastor Val Weise

Ramona United Methodist ChurchToys for Tots gets help from manyCongratulations to organizers of the Toys for Toys and Anne and Martin Wood and Delkin Devices employees and the United States Marines.Congratulations to the Ramona community who supported Toy for Tots and all the people who flew in from near and far for the event.Thanks for the super delicious chili and award-winning hamburgers, and all of this is done with a lot of Christmas cheer. What fun!Thanks to Kevin Scanlan for using one of his many military trucks and generators for the event.The bottom line is some child will have a new toy or bike who would otherwise be left off Santa’s list.How nice.Newspaper has covered some bad stories of late. This story is all good.Ramona is richer having Anne and Martin come to town. They are so positive to fill the boxes with toys with their sun glasses on when the weather person had predicted a downpour.Good job.A very Merry Christmas indeed,

Mary and Dave Galusha

RamonaEditor’s note:Ramona resident David Williams of WakeWorld.com and his family arrived at the event with $6,669.67 worth of toys and a check for $3,713.33. The money came from the ninth annual fundraiser he coordinated with the wakeboarding community.