Morning Star Youth Ranch has a NEW MAILING ADDRESS that matches our physical address! Our new address is:

1385 Exline Road
Paso Robles, California 93446

Our phone number has not changed. Please make a note of our new address.

Over twenty volunteers came to a SPECIAL WORKDAY in September to get Morning Star Youth Ranch ready for winter. Many important projects were done including creating a larger doorway in the barn to make room for a fork lift to load it up with fresh hay for the winter.

The weather was great - not too hot. Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves to "get 'er done!"

CALIFORNIA DRESSAGE SOCIETY
SAN LUIS OBISPO CHAPTER
DONATES $1,500 TO MORNING STAR!

The local Dressage Society named Morning Star Youth Ranch as the beneficiary for their special weekend event held in June. Morning Star was invited to set up an information booth and volunteers manned the lunch station to feed hot and hungry participants of the Central Coast Summer Benefit Dressage Show.

It was a wonderful weekend to meet riders from across the United States and watch the amazing horses and talented riders in the dressage events. The event was hosted by Golden Hills Farm at their beautiful facilities in Creston.

FUNDS RAISED AT SPECIAL EVENT!

Stacked Stone Cellars hosted their 1st Annual Equine, Wine and Art Fundraiser for Morning Star Youth Ranch on July 27th. The outdoor event enjoyed lovely weather surrounded by shady oak trees with a view of the vineyards.

Beautiful live music was played by musicians who volunteered their talent. Chorinhos played early Brazilian jazz with clarinet by Todd Weatherwax accompanied on the guitar with Dave Richter. Todd also plays with the Main St. Big Band of Paso Robles. Jon Howard played guitar and harmonica with his soulful vocals.

Kellie Rebel Watts and Kasi Brady were gracious hosts for Stacked Stone Cellars making sure everyone was having a good time. Randy and Vivian Borden organized and oversaw the silent auction. Generous businesses and artists donated 35 items for the silent auction. Beautiful photography and artwork was on display by Stephanie Laird, Faye Baker and William Halopoff. Kellie Rebel Watts won her bid on one of the largest valued items, a stainless steel BBQ donated by Idler's Appliances.

Numerous Morning Star board members and volunteers were on hand to talk with visitors about the vision for the youth ranch program. Matthew Linn, Pres Meyers and Randy Borden fed the crowd barbequed hamburgers. Morning Star met new people who are interested in supporting the ranch program. Families and friends enjoyed a leisurely afternoon and fun was had by all.

WE HAVE MINIS !

A miniature mare named Teaspoon, a miniature donkey named Billy and their their faithful companion Midnight the goat have recently made Morning Star Youth Ranch their new home. These three little characters have been a wonderful addition to our herd and soak up all the attention they can get. Their nickers, bleats and brays are hard to miss!

Teaspoon received some badly needed dental and hoof care and is adjusting very well to her new surroundings. Midnight has been her long time companion and was the first to hop in the trailer to come to the ranch, making sure he was not left behind!

Billy's loud melancholy bray reminds Carl when it is breakfast time and he loves to go on walks with visitors at the ranch. Billy loves to pose for the camera and is quite photogenic. We will post photos of him soon on our Meet our Horses page.

Diane Rose, known as the "Amazing Quilter, created a special horse blanket sized quilt and donated it to Morning Star Youth Ranch in honor of Arcy Linn, who died in January. Diane traveled from her home in Texas to make the presentation to Arcy's husband, Carl in late May.

Diane Rose began quilting in 1998, even though she has been blind since she was a young child.

Diane had been involved with the Grand Old Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. She worked in journalism and on the radio as well as serving as a blind tour guide.

Seeking a change Diane moved to Texas and met Pat Ratley, her minister's wife. While visiting Pat, Diane felt a quilt on the back of the couch and traced the pattern with her fingers. Pat, noticing her interest, offered to teach Diane to quilt.

Diane's 1st project was a baby quilt which she entered into the local fair and won 2nd place. Diane has been quilting ever since!

In addition to her work quilting, she frequently travels to share her story at schools, clubs and churches. Diane says she believes her quilting is truly a gift from God.

"It's amazing to me how real God is and how he can use us to create and do things that are beyond our comprehension. I would never have dreamed this in a million years. I have no doubt God gave me this skill and I'm going to use it for his glory."

Diane's goal is to finish her 500th quilt by August 14, the ten year anniversary of her introduction to quilting. For more information visit her website.