VOL. 18, NO. 2 “Shepherding the Hesitant” DECEMBER 2005

MISSION STATEMENTProviding family oriented Christian homes for adults who have developmental disabilities, on a working ranch.

The heavens are telling the glory of God. Psalm 19:1

Beneath a shining star,upon a silent night, within a lowly stable

the gift of Love was born

Merry Christmas

RAISING THE BARNow that I have been Program Director for over

a year, I look back and have taken some personal inventory on the whole picture of Special K Ranch. Overall it was a great year. We experienced several record breaking events, like the annual fundraising dinner with record attendance along with record donations. This enabled us to pay off the mortgage 10 years early. We even appreciated a couple of months when the ranch was completely debt free. Although short lived, it is great knowing that God is providing through people like you. We also had record sales in our greenhouse, and according to Carla, this year will be even brighter. Our first annual volunteer appreciation dinner was a great success with many of the volunteers attending. We received record donations of sheep to our livestock program and pigs to our food program, thanks to the caring business community and the 4H organizations around this area. We also had more parents, friends and staff attend this year’s Special Olympics basketball tournament than previous years. Thanks to the efforts of our residents, staff and volunteers like Gary & Judy Hadlock.

All of the above was made possible by God instilling a desire in our staff, residents and our faithful friends like you to Raise the Bar at Special K Ranch. In doing this we aim to be the example for community homes for the developmentally disabled. There are many different areas that play into this. The #1 area we desire raised standards lies within our staff and resident housing. We are focused on living and eating in a family setting with God as the center piece of the house. I feel we are very blessed in this area. Our house parents all try to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and pass their knowledge on to the residents with their

actions and weekly bible studies. Every year the Fire Marshall,

Health Department and the Quality Assurance Division come out to Special K Ranch. These organizations inspect us to make sure that we are in compliance with the licensing requirements set forth by the State Of Montana. These three departments know our desire to be the best that we can be. This is another area we not only want to be in compliance with, but strive to go above the requirements set by these organizations. Our staff and residents take great pride in trying to achieve this goal. When an item is found to be lacking, these organizations truly try to help us achieve our goal by pointing out the shortcoming and suggesting options in our procedures or changes in our policies. They have conveyed to us that they really look forward to their time with us. Not because we are perfect, far from it, but because we love God and just want to do the best we can for His ministry.

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himselfthrough Christ and gave us the ministry of

reconciliation.2 Corinthians 5:18Oh! By the way, have I told you how much I Love

my Job?

In His Name,

Mike T. ObergProgram Director

Six of the eight original signers were with us to celebrate along with a number of other former board members and over 300 guests. This has been a monumental year in our history. In ad-dition to paying off the mortgage, we re-

ceived a $148,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to “Expand Development Department” over the next three years. The major portion of the grant is designated to a fulltime development director position. With these two accomplishments the prospect of a second ranch is coming ever closer.

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR I’d like to share a memorable snippet that was told to me about Hank that happened at the Special Olympics. At age 66 he was on a basketball team for the first time. In previous years he has always participated in the individual skills portion of the tournament. In midst of a tie ball game with all the cheering and excitement Hank got a rebound and put it back up – swish, game over. Hanks arms go up in the air with the joy of having made a basket. When the noise of the cheers and laughter settled it was no big deal that the ball went through the opposing teams basket. Living and working in a society that places so much emphasis on competition and winning, it is refreshing to be around people who live and work with as much joy for the success of others as their own.

DOUBLE YOUR GIFTCheck with your employer regarding a matching gifts program.

Hap Gilliland, Exec. Dir. Larry Goehner, Hugh Huntley, Harry Cuff, Bill Clagg, Toodie Kunkel (wife of Ed), and Jay Streaver. Other signers not shown were Earl Aalseth, and Tom Longsdale.

Board President Allan Karell holding the flaming mortgage as Hap Gilliland, SKR first Board President (1986), and Larry Goehner (Executive Director since 1986), look on.

HONORARIUMS:BRET BEAVENS Robert & Connie JohnsonHER FAMILY Norris ColeLEE GAGNON Mrs. Irene BeluskoERIK & DESTA GOEHNER Larry & Joy GoehnerLARRY & JOY GOEHNER Mom & Robert BischoffDEBORAH HADLOCK Trish Ingvalson Pete & Marion LangdorfCARLA OBERG Craig & Liane WrightDOROTHY PIKER Ordell & Shirley EnstadCRYSTAL RADACH Mrs Alma RadachJANNA RADACH Douglas P RadachALLEN & MOLLY SASSER-GOEHNER Larry & Joy GoehnerRUTH WARREN Ron & Carol Mjelde

MEMORIAL:JOHN & BONNIE ALT Raleigh & Rachel Lawson David & Laura YoderEMIL & ELSIE ANDERSEN Lillian EvansGENE ANDERSEN Eleanor AndersenKENT ANDERSEN Eleanor AndersenSHIRLEY ANDREWS Jan & Jesse Blackburn Ms. Jennine Budge Janine Foster Margaret Funk Larry & Joy Goehner Jim & Ruth Hatten Walt & Elsie Holmes Dottie Leeds Charles & Lois Noggle Bonnie Owen Dorothy Perrin Bob & Betty Saxbury Len & Elsie StengerEILEEN BACKMANN Dan & Judy St DonCHRIS BADURA Jim & Linda PetersBETTY BALDRY Lorraine E HansenDUSTY BARHAM John & Kathleen ChaffeeCHUCK BELDEN Jim & Linda PetersLUCILLE BERGSTROM Clyde & Helen Oberg

MEMORIALS AND HONORARIUMS July 1, 2005 – October 31, 2005We are pleased that the people memorialized and honored on these pages are part of the on-going ministry of

Special K Ranch. A special thanks to those making these gifts.

GOLDIA BIALORUCKI Donna BeutlerJUNE BILDEN J. Carl & Kathryn Jensen Willa McSweynED BILLINGSLEY Art & Bonnie D DanielJOYCE BISCHOFF Mom & Robert BischoffTHOMAS EARL BRADSHAW Carole M.TetraultJOHN BRAUN Betty Kuehn Merle PedersonCATHERINE BROOKS Joann M WillisGAYLAN BROWN Gene & Betty J. LeachMELANIE BURT Hans & Marcie TreumannMRS. CAPOLUPO Irene GermanRICHARD CAUDILLO Hank & Marj GratwohlVADA A. COATES Terry & Bill CoatesJACOB KELLY CRNKOVICH Bill & Kathleen DorsettLILLIAN CUNNINGHAM Thomas Blankenship Mr & Mrs Steve & Deborah SmithOPAL STEPHENS CUNNINGHAM Mr & Mrs Ken & Colleen EkleHANK & LINDA DAVIS Mr & Mrs Ken & Colleen EkleTHOMAS E. DOKKEN Bobbie OstrumLES J. EGGER Leon & liz Kerkhove Ernest N. & Joyce ZinneLARRY EKLE Mr & Mrs Ken & Colleen EkleRICHARD EKLE Mr & Mrs Ken & Colleen EkleSTANLEY EKLE Mr & Mrs Ken & Colleen EkleJEFF EWING Mom & Robert BischoffJANE FERGUSON Carole M.TetraultFRED FEUERBACHER III Cal Feuerbacher Carol Feuerbacher Mr. & Mrs. David Neibauer Ruth & Norman OrrNICHOLAS FLOOD Bill & Kathleen DorsettFRANK FORTIN John & Kathleen Bardwell & ConaboyPHILLIP FRANK Art & Bonnie D DanielLARUE FREAND William & Rose Caton

HERM “BUD” FUNK Bud & Marjorie Funk Judy SmithNEVA GEARY William & Rose CatonMABEL B BEAVANS GEESKIE Dan & Marie MiddletonFRED GLOCKHAMER S. Albert & Bertha MikalsonJOHN GOEHNER Steen & Trina HudsonALICE GOOD John & Kathleen Bardwell & ConaboyEMMA GRAMS Mom & Robert Bischoff Pauline LucasLESLIE GRUBS Mr & Mrs Donald & Roberta HarperBETTY HAIGH Edward & Sandra HelgesonJOHN L HANSEN SR Jean HansenMILDRED HANSON Marcella HullCLIFTON HARAGAN Leon & liz KerkhoveHERB HELGESON Jim & Jo BurtDAN HILL Victor & Loretta FrankT SEWELL HINES Thomas & Sandra HinesELSA HJULSTAD Clifford & Helen HansonJOE HOEKSEMA Charles & Katherine Safris Barbro Westerlund GarlandBEV HOGEN Vivian HodgesAGNES HOLZWORTH James & Carol SwansonBARBARA HORTON Ralph & Natalie NelsonJEANNE HULL Dennis & Mary HullLES D JONES John & Carol WoodmanseyMARY ANN JONES James W JonesERVIN KING E.C. & Iline RehlingLEONARD KLASSEN Mrs. Nan KlassenEMMA KLEIN Bob & Beverly HarperGEORGE KRATOCHVIL Walt & Elsie HolmesED KUNKEL Dennis & Priscilla Backstrom Toodie KunkelGARY LARSEN Carol Larsen

MICHAEL LAUGHERY Jeffrey R PeeteRAYMOND LEEDS Shirley Andrews Floyd & Betty Creekmore Walter & Carol Degnan Warren & Judith Frank Hap & Erma Gilliland Toodie Kunkel David & Lisa Larson Lillian Meyers Robert & Dorothe O’Sullivan Vera Reineking William & Shirley R Speare Ralph & Vera Stenehjem Emma Jean Stevenson Allen E WaltonROBERT LEFLER Bobbie LeflerMELVIN LINDGREN Hazel StevensSALLY LU CLAQUE Gary & Peggy HedgesNANCY LUKEMBACK Alice ZumbrumARNIE MAKEEFF Alice KolstadDAVID & JEAN MCCULLOUGH Richard R Clark Donna J. Cook Richard & Rhonda Huffman Mary Ann McCullough David & Pamela Oliver Maxine SennLISA MCJUNKIN Donna Beutler Kathy McJunkinHAROLD MCMANUS Jim & Ruth HattenMERLE & HAROLD MCMANUS Bob & Beverly HarperMALCOLM MCRAE Jim & Jo Burt Jack & Margie KnoblochCY MEIDLING Bobbie LeflerJENNIE MEYERS Clifford & Helen HansonMARGARET MILLER Beth KeatingMARY JO MILNE Charles MilnePEARL MORAN Cal Feuerbacher Carol Feuerbacher Mr. & Mrs. David Neibauer Ruth & Norman OrrPAUL MYDLAND Art & Bonnie D DanielRAY MYERS, JR. Robert & Charlotte Van Oosten Dan & Helen F WalkerEARLENE NATION David Nation

WILLIAM NEAL Ronald & Gail PletcherEVELYN NELSON Mr & Mrs Ken & Colleen Ekle Dorothy OlsonBERTHA NEVILLE Robert & Rebecca TirrellHAROLD NORDAHL George & Mary KrollDONNA NYSTUL Ms Josephine MendenhallMABEL OLSON Clifford & Helen HansonAL PARR Helen ParrCONNIE PETERSON Lucretia AmenJAY PETERSON Lucretia AmenEDITH PIERSON Pat MichaelMAYNARD PIERSON Doris & Irvin J LofthusJAMES H POND Robert W PondPHIL & BETTY POPE Ralph & Carolyn GrannerLEO RADACH Mrs Ida RadachELNA RASMUSSEN Clifford & Helen HansonELLEN READY George & Ruth Cebuhar Hank & Marj Gratwohl Bob & Betty SaxburyHENRY REIMERS Lillian EvansJAMES REINHARDT Carole M.TetraultMICK REINHARDT John & Kathleen ChaffeeBOB RICE Carol LoveMINA RIESINGER Patrick & Helen Mullaney Karen Ripley Rob & Lori RosselotM.L. ROEBUCK Charles & Alice A. WrightKATHRYN ROLISON Bob & Betty SaxburyEMMA LEUTHOLD SCHEYTT Robert W. Sheldon Robert & Harriet SheldonMADGE SCHULTZ John & Kathleen Chaffee Darrel & Carol HamiltonMATTHEW SHOWERS Gail WenosMABEL SMART Karen RipleyETHEL SMITH Doris & Irvin J LofthusGARY SMITH

MEMORIALS...Continued

Judy SmithKAY & DARRELL STAHLECKER Mr Winston StahleckerJAMES A STEPHENS Mr & Mrs Ken & Colleen EkleANNABELLE STOCKDALE Clifford & Helen HansonMARGARET STONER Betty KuehnKATIE STRENDING Darlene & Manny EnriquezLTC. GARRELL SUTHERLAND Connie SutherlandRUTH SYRING K. J. & Laura FeyhlNANCY TARR R.G. Aldrich William D. Clagg Maurice & Patricia R Colberg G. C. & Lois Dalthorp Dean & Laverne Frank Bryant & Carolyn Riddle Emile & Letitia Ruffier George & Maxine Schuman Lawrence l Smalley Eugene & Shirley Spildie Gene & Marlys Stumvoll James K WagnerJAMES S. TODD S. Albert & Bertha MikalsonJON L. TOLZIEN Roy & Darlene JonesCATHY TOOLEY Creath & Mildred TooleySTEPHEN TORCZON Jim & Linda PetersAL WAGNER K. Kent KoolenJAMES WALKER Lucretia AmenJOHN WARREN Ron & Carol Mjelde Mrs Ruth WarrenMARIE WEBER Clara Benner Marlene DonaughJIM WEGNER Marvin & Kay KappelWALTER WEIL William & Gladys Bernhardt Al & Marion RudioMEL WILLIAMS Christine KuntzMIKE WOLLAN Clifford & Helen Hanson

Shane and Bryan

RANCHER OF THE MONTH

SEPTEMBER RANCHER OF THE MONTH – BRYAN FORTIN

Bryan came to Special K Ranch from Incline Village, Nev. last January. Although he is one of the youngest residents on the ranch he has found his niche and con-siders him self very fortunate to be at Special K Ranch. He is known for his contagious smile and is very eager to perform any task he is given, whether it is in the home or on his work crew. He especially enjoys work-ing on the farm crew with the animals. Bryan enjoys all sports and is looking forward to cheering on the Bulls at the hockey games. Having never played organized basketball prior to the Special Olympics Tournament in Helena recently, he was very enthusiastic and at 6’1”, truly a shining star. Bryan is definitely a team player and a huge asset to Special K and Hawkins house.

OCTOBER RANCHER OF THE MONTH – SHANE RODGERS

Shane is a Wyoming cowboy, coming to Special K from Glenrock, Wyoming almost four years ago. He has the distinction of being unanimously appointed Rancher of the Month for October by the staff, which is a first for Special K Ranch. Shane has shown tremen-dous personal growth and maturity in the past year. He is eager to assist fellow residents and staff in getting any project accomplished that is requested of him, and is a positive role model for fellow residents and housemates. Shane enjoys watching sports, especially rodeos, football, NASCAR, hockey, and is anticipating a great season cheering on the Bulls. He also enjoys participating in skiing, bowling and basketball. Hawkins House is privileged to have Shane as a member.

SKR FOUNDATION Charitable Gift Annuities

A gift annuity can provide you:• A lifetime income for one or two people• A significant tax deduction (if a Montana

resident, a tax credit)• Attractive, fixed interest rates for your lifetime• A worthy investment, helping to improve the

lives of people with disabilitiesCall our office at (406) 322-5520 and ask for Larry

Goehner for details.

A will is the simplest form of a planned gift and it affords everyone the opportunity to help others and have a living legacy. Consider naming Special K Ranch in your will for a percentage, a specific amount, or as the sole benefactor. Special K Ranch could also be named as beneficiary of a life insurance policy, your tax-deferred IRA or other retirement plan. The blessings you have received will continue to bless and help others. (Check with your attorney for the proper legal forms and wording.)

YOUR WILL A Way To Help Others

All 24 residents brought home a medal from the Special Olympics basketball tournament that was held in Helena this year. We had three teams for the first time ever. Our “new” team was made up of residents who had previously participated in the individual skills events. To watch these athletes become a “real team” was an inspiration to all of

us at Special K. Our two limited sighted athletes who participated

in Individual Events brought home gold and silver. What a rewarding culmination of 8 weeks of exercise and practice. On the night before everyone left for Helena the team received a mighty send off with a huge bonfire and pep rally down by the river. The Columbus cheerleaders lead cheers, some speeches were made, and the rural fire truck stood by. There were about 75 people who attended. In past years our cheering entourage has mostly

consisted of coaches and a few staff and parents. This year we had 41 parents and friends in attendance in addition to 38 residents and staff, helping to con-firm why earlier this fall we received a plaque recogniz-ing SKR as the “Outstand-

ing Special Olympics Local Program in Montana”. The residents and staff help Montana Special Olym-pics with their major fundraiser by selling raffle tickets for a new Chevrolet pickup. Special K Ranch receives 50% of the monies received from the tickets we sell, to help cover our expenses when we attend Special Olympic functions. This year we sold enough tickets to pay for the whole trip including a meal at Golden Corral and both of our breakfasts catered to the motel. Ticket sales will begin again soon and we’re ready to sell. One of the joys each year is to see how participa-tion in Special Olympics brings

out something new in the residents. Laurie caught my atten-tion this year. Laurie was our 1st female resident on the ranch. For the past several years she has done individual skills events. Laurie was part of our newly formed “North Team”. She came to practice, but only did what was required of her. The first game of the tournament, sedate Laurie dis-appeared and “warrior” Laurie was on the scene. Running up and down the court waving her hands and scoring baskets! After the game she said, “I am the secret defensive weapon!”. Way to go Miss Laurie. You embodied the Special Olympic spirit. “Play well and play hard”. Some resident reflections: Henry Grem-mer said “I was on a team.” Bryan Fortin’s comment was “I had fun at the tournament.” Debbie Hadlock, “I made more baskets than I ever did before”.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS MEDAL COUNT

A GREAT GIFT IDEAWe all have someone on our Christmas list that

seems to have everything, that lives some distance from us, or is just down right hard to buy for. A nice way to let them know you are thinking of

them is to give a gift in their honor to help some special people living at Special K Ranch. A card will be sent to the person being honored with a

note about the ministry of Special K Ranch.

Jana rocking with a hoola hoop at the dance.

Coach Kenney giving instructions

Deb poised to make a basket.

Greg shooting a foul shot.

P.O. Box 479 Columbus, MT 59019

406-322-5520

www.specialkranch.com E-mail: skr@wtp.net

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDBillings, MTPermit No. 1

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Tell your friends about our website at www.specialkranch.com

FAIRSARCHIE COCHRAN FORDBEARTOOTH ELECTRICBEARTOOTH FORDBROKEN HORN RANCHBTE EXCAVATION CO.“BURNS, EMILY”COLUMBUS BUILDING CENTER“CROWLEY, HAUGHEY, HANSON”“DERNBACH, DR. TIM”“ELLIS, CHERI”EMPLOYEE BENEFITS MT SER-VICESFARMHAND SALESFIRST INTERSTATE BANK“HANKS, AUDREY”“HANSON, ROBERT”“HAVIG, DON”“HAVIG, RAY & AGNES”J C TIRE & REPAIRJOLIET MINI STORAGE“KOVANDA, KERRY & NADEEN”KRUEGER OIL CO.“LEBSACK, DUANE”

CONSIDER A GIFT

Mini van or largerFeed Grain and hay

Corral PanelsLivestock, calves-

and sheepGated Irrigation Pipe

Hand ToolsTractor 60 horse or largerDESIGNATE A CASH GIFT:

Automatic watering system for tomato

greenhouses $5,000Material for building fifty seven green-

house tables $5,900Lumber for greenhouse

table repairs $800Fans $930

Electrical work $1,000Deep tube wash sink $200

These are some items that SKR could use. If you have any of these you would be willing to donate, please give us a

call at 406-322-5520.

Phil won the contest for namingLarraine’s donkey,

with the name Alfalfa.

A BIG THANK YOU to LIVESTOCK DONORS

...who bought and donated livestock from the county fairs and the NILE. Also to those who donated from their own herds.

“LONE WOLF CO., INC.”MILLIGAN IGA“NELSON, DAN”“NEWTON, DENNIS”NORTHERN AG NETWORK“OLLIES CORNER, LENA CABIN”PALISADES LIVESTOCK“PECK, SANDRA & SAM”“PELICAN, FRANK”PURCELL WILDLIFE ARTISTRYRED LODGE COUNTRY“REITER, MICHAEL”“RUPPRECHT, LEE”“SCHOLLARD, DIANA”SHIPTON BIG RSilverstrikeSTEAMBOAT RANCHSTILLWATER HARDWARE & LUMBERSTILLWATER MINING COSTOCKMAN BANKUNITED BANK OF ASBSAROKE“WALLINDER, JUDITH”WAL-MART

“WILSON, DELBERT”YELLOWSTONE BEAN COMPANY“YOUNG, RICK”

NILE“CROWLEY, HAUGHEY, HANSON”“ARTHUN, ARVIN”FIRST INTERSTATE BANK“WILSON, DELBERT”“RANCH, TINTZMAN”

DONATION FROM HERD“HIARING, BARBARA & ROBERT D.”“HELLE, JOE”“REID, CHUCK”“TUSLER, BILL”“RANCH, CHERRY CREEK”“KOSTUM, TIM & SHARILYN”“MERCER, DENNIS”“LESTER, DANIEL”“LLAMAS, CHANTAR”“HENMAR, MICHELLE”“SYNDERGAARD, KEN & SHANE”