Letters to editor: Purse return, Mike Ernst bravo, pie auction ‘breaks ceiling’

Thank you, whoever you are, for turning in my purse

On Wednesday, the 8th of July, my brain went on vacation and as a result of that I left my purse sitting in a shopping cart at Stater Brothers in Ramona.

I left the parking lot and got about 10 blocks away when I realized my purse was gone. I quickly returned to the store and the cart was still there where I had left it, but not the purse.

I inquired at the store if it had been turned in, but no, it hadn’t. I went to the sheriff’s substation to report my problem, but the gates were closed for the night.

I started my drive home to Julian thinking about all the phone calls I needed to make. After my first call to a credit card company, the phone rang and it was a sheriff saying he had my purse. Someone had turned it in.

What a wonderful phone call that was and what a great feeling I had, knowing that there are still people out there who are honest, caring and helpful.

I want to sincerely thank that person, whoever you are. You can’t imagine what your honesty meant to me. Thank you so much.

Donna Lewis, Julian

Bravo Zulu, Mike Ernst

I would like to thank you for the great piece on Lt. Cmdr. Mike Ernst in the July 9th edition. I had the distinct pleasure of having Mike work for me as a First Class Petty Officer in the 1980s and then again having my grandsons taught and mentored by him in the NJROTC program.

Commander Ernst was a superb sailor and an even better leader of our young men and women here in Ramona. I am sad to see him depart but happy for his success and for continuing to achieve his career goals.

In my best Navy-ese I must render him a salute and say Bravo Zulu (Well Done).

George K. Zane, U.S. Navy Cmdr. (Retired), Ramona

Pie auction, barbecue breaks ceiling for 2015 junior fair

The Ramona Junior Fair had another banner BBQ, Pie Auction and Tractor Show this year.

Thanks to the team who helped put this together.

Special thanks to Bob and Carol with Specialty Meats for not only donating the delicious meat for the dinner, but also contributing hugely in the auction, Jon Donais for his exceptional barbecue skills, Lynne Kotas and her team for doing the most daunting job accounting for all this madness and making this nearly impossible task look like a breeze (I can assure you all it is far from a walk in the park), Brett Huff for working his tongue off for the kids — you worked it, and lastly, but certainly not leastly, our junior representatives and all their Steering Committee kids — Kaylin and Sarah, you did a great job all around.

Thanks to everyone for their help and support in pulling this event off the ground. We did it! $20,531. We broke the ceiling on this one!

Crissy Tobiason, event chair