GUMBO GAZZETTE
For a number of years our family has been able to assist the Dobesh family of Belle Fourche, South Dakota with their branding. The fellowship is sweet. Thank you Frank, Dane and Krisie for your friendship. Rachel, Molly, Danny, Caleb, Julia and Kiersten along with Kohler Finn along with the Dobesh Crew were a pleasure for Robin and me to work with
Photos by Kiersten, Rachel and Robin Reinhold
Frank Dobesh banding one of many good Hereford calves with Danny and Mark holding.
During the drought of 2016, as the landscape was drying up and all the grass was turning brown, we noticed a strip of alfalfa that stayed green. It was located a distance from the current stream bed of Lonetree Creek which was completely dry.
Caleb and I took the skid steer and put on the auger that would drill nearly five feet deep. We had a suspicion that there was water below the surface, but had no idea how deep. Knowing that alfalfa roots can grow very deep was our clue. We drilled numerous holes some dry... and some we hit gravel,sand and then water. Four feet down in a meandering fashion, we had found the ancient stream bed of Lonetree Creek. We continued to follow the path. In 2017 we put in cottonwood cuttings. We had some success, but due to extreme 100 degree weather, some of them did not make it. However, some did
This year we made our cutting earlier and have been fortunate to have cooler weather.
I will write more on this project. As of now we have 50 very nice cuttings in the ground in a satisfactory manner.
I enjoy doing these projects with family. Hopefully some of the trees will live and the next generation of Reinhold will have stories to tell to their children.
This past week was like 180 degrees from the previous week and then today the temperature went into the 80s. That warmth was nearly hard on the livestock as they have not shed their winter coats, but the warmth and sunshine sure made the grass grow. Most of western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming needs more moisture and the weatherman says me get some today.
Molly went out and captured some gorgeous scenes this evening. The day has been quite breezy and there is a cold front coming in. In the area there were some occurrences of thunderstorms. All in all... the sky was amazing. Welcome to the ranch in photos.
This has been our welcoming message for nearly 40 years. Photos by Molly Reinhold
Caleb didn't figure he could do track this year, but he told me that he missed the 400 and the high jump. I know what he was thinking about as he walked that field. And I know what Danny was thinking about... He loves the football field at Wall.
Love how these kids have so much fun together. A bunch of ranch kids from across Meade County, South Dakota get together at the most, once a week to practice. They show up at the track meet and pour their hearts out. Good job kids
Julia was our family's participant in the track meet in Wall, South Dakota this afternoon. It was windy and rainy event. She came home all smiles, however. First one this year that the kids have been able to attend due to weather cancellations.
Just an update on the moisture situation here at the ranch. Even with the good moisture that we received in the past months, the evidence is obvious how dry our area was and is. Most of the water continues to go down rather than runoff. We believe the grass and hay situation will be much improved over last year... but this area still remains dry. Our hopes for more runoff into the Big Dam did not come to pass since so much soaked in. The rain that came this past few days resulted in .20" here. Please continue to pray with us that the water levels be replenished. It has been a long dry spell throughout this area.
"And everywhere that Kiersten went... the lamb was sure to go and Kota and Belle..
Robin and I realize the blessings that God has entrusted to us. Today our oldest son turns 18. "Yes, the Marine Corp has been calling..."
Danny, we have admired for so many years your willingness to serve the Lord working with kids and famiies, even when your peers are participating in other teenager activities.
Danny... Mom and I love you and we are proud of you. Danny... you are a wonderful "big brother". And we are thankful that we get to call you Son.
We certainly enjoyed Mrs. Elvira Nickel's piano students and the recital on Sunday. Julia and Kiersten did a fine job as did all the other students. It was a beautiful day and our family extends our heartfelt thanks to Mrsl Nickel and husband Dick, for all they have poured into our family over the years.
House warming party... We were invited to the Old Homestead for dessert and coffee. Other than a short stint by a couple of our wranglers about 15 years ago, no one has occupied this "shack" since 1929 when the Emanuel and Hazel Reinhold moved into their new house. Looking pretty cozy.
A BEAUTIFUL BARN OWL
PHOTO BY ROBIN REINHOLD
SANDHILL CRANES MIGRATING NORTH
ELEVEN INCHES OF SNOW CONTAINING OVER AN INCH OF PRECIPITATION
This photo was taken about 50 years ago over east. The dam has since washed out and it was not needed...until now. The decision has been made to repair it and make it a '''Wildlife Pond". It has been fenced to keep livestock away from it. We believe it will be an attraction to waterfowl with tall grass left for nesting. We are especially excited about the potential of stocking it with fish since it is located only about 150 yards from where our RBR kids camp outside. I can see a lot of youngsters coming up with a great reason to get up at sunup and go fishing. Chris Emme of Summit Construction is here to begin the dirt work as soon as possible and weather permits. Rainbow Bible Ranch has several "Stewardship Projects" such as this underway.
It seem that everyone loves Springtime! After a long, cold winter, the arrival of spring is highly anticipated, especially in the North country.
Here on the ranch, we eagerly await those first signs of spring—a blade of green poking through the melting snow, the return of the meadowlarks and robins, and the new life that seems to appear everywhere! Calves, colts and lambs frolicking in the pasture, kittens in the manger, chicks in the barn..no matter where you look, there is one central theme: New Life!
Springtime is a gift from our Creative God to remind us of His renewal, that life goes on, that the dark, cold days of winter come to an end—a truth, not only in the physical world, but also spiritually.
Sadly, some people live all their lives in the dark, cold days of “winter”, not allowing the “Son” to shine in and give light and life. Jesus said that He came so that we might have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).
Are you longing for a more abundant life? Are you weary and burdened, needing some “new life”? The answer is found in Jesus. After all, He is the source of life itself (John 1:3), and He is THE LIFE (John 14:6). Only Jesus can lift the darkness and replace it with light and joy! I know this to be true!
The Bible tells us that “...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). To be “in Christ” simply means to place your complete trust and faith in Him alone. And when we do that, He offers forgiveness from our sins and not only an abundant life on earth, but the promise of eternal life “...that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.” (John 3:15)!
Anything less than Jesus is just a temporary fix, kind of like one warm day in the winter, followed by a blizzard. Look to Jesus, open your heart to Him, and let His love and joy fill you up! Experience the warmth of everlasting springtime, from new life to eternal life!
Yes we have been having "more than our share of winter", but a quick look at the drought monitor puts perspective in place. The drought in our area over the last 2 plus years has only allowed us 29 bales of hay. Even with the extra snow fall over the last months our dams and subsoil moisture are still in need. Many of us have lost livestock to cold and wet conditions and that hurts, but another year of drought may be the real killer. A load of hay costs about 4300.00 dollars. Our main hay hauler is working primarily with 10 ranchers and he is keeping two trucks going constantly. These are trying times and for those of us that were hit by Atlas, and drought, the last years have been challenging to say the least. We are reminded of our finite capability, let us continue to press forward in faith.
The hymn composed by Isaac Watts echoing the thoughts of Psalm 90....
"Our God, our Help in ages past,
our Hope for years to come,
our Shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal Home.
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is Thine arm alone,
and our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood
or earth received its frame,
from everlasting Thou art God,
to endless years the same.
A thousand ages in Thy sight
are like an ev'ning gone,
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.
Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
bears all its sons away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream
dies at the op'ning day.
Our God, our Help in ages past,
our Hope for years to come,
be Thou our Guide while life shall last,
and our eternal Home!
"GOT TO FEED THE RACE HORSES!"
We have been putting in some long hours and tonight was reason to have a great meal. I prepared New York Strip on the grill and Robin made biscuits and broccoli in cheese sauce.
"AND WHAT ABOUT THE HORSES?"
Whether it be family members putting in extra long hours or staff members that give all they have... this has been our maxim. For years I have had the privilege of working with dedicated and talented young people... the sort of people that give above and beyond nearly all the time. Yes I am blessed and I grateful to work with them. A few year back after a particularly long and difficult day, Robin and I were discussing our appreciation of our team as well as meal possibilities. I told Robin, "Our crew is no different than high performance horses, and yes, I have high expectations and yes... they come through. And yes we have "GOT TO FEED THE RACE HORSES!"
BY THE WAY... LONETREE HEREFORD BEEF ... IT IS WHAT IS FOR SUPPER.
Lonetree Ranch
14666 Lonetree Road
Sturgis, South Dakota 57785
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