Letters to editor: Mounted patrol, equal greeting, more

Appreciates mounted patrol

It is a real pleasure to see the Mounted Patrol in the Kmart parking lot during the holiday season.

The presence of the Mounted Patrol brings some piece of mind with their presence. Not only is it reassuring to know that another set of eyes is watching the parking lot and other areas of town, but the members have all been so pleasant.

I love seeing the joy in a child’s face when they get to go touch one of the horses and meet the riders. I believe they are an asset to Ramona and I hope that they continue to patrol throughout Ramona.

My husband and I chose Ramona for the smaller town feel and the plethora of horses, and it makes me smile to see the Mounted Patrol during the holidays!

Laura Farmer-Streeter

RamonaSupports equal greetingI noticed a letter in a recent Sentinel about a local store choosing to use a “Happy Holiday” greeting instead of any that was aimed at a specific culture or religion. I just wanted to show my support for my neighbors who choose to greet or send their well-wishes to everyone equally, without any presumption about the recipient’s religious affiliation.While I have celebrated Christmas most years of my life, it does often make me uncomfortable when someone assumes I subscribe to one religion or another, come from one culture or another, or that I celebrate religious holidays at all. Do I look Jewish? Do I look Christian? Can you tell just by looking at me? Should you be able to?Much of history’s evils have taken advantage of people supporting a cause or idea simply because everyone around them did so. I think it behooves us to remember that we are all individuals with our own separate beliefs, none exactly like the next.I am not particularly offended when someone wishes me a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah or Joyous Kwanzaa, but I must applaud those who choose to wish everyone well regardless of their holiday choice, or indeed whether they even have a holiday this season.Namaste.

Kevin Burke

RamonaToy drive thanksThank you to all our customers for helping us make our fourth annual toy drive, “Keep the Toys in Ramona,” a huge success. We were able to provide gifts for at least 150 children from the Ramona Boys & Girls Club.We are very grateful for everybody generosity. I would like to also thank Santa for being part of our drive, and my new helpers — Heather Winters Photography, your pictures are amazing and Roxanne Dyer, Century 21 agent, for keeping the Santa line going smooth.Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

Nora Seidl

Ramona