Dear Alice,

I wanted to send you my sincere thanks for such a wonderful day at your ranch. The events that day will bring fond memories to each and every one of my staff members. I knew that this event would be very different from what they were accustomed to. In the past, the previous General Manager planned an outing to a Buffalo Bison's game one evening during the summer months.

When I started with this company in January, I was told that the attendance to the summer event had been disappointing the last few years.

After last Friday, my staff asked if they could have their Christmas party at the ranch! When the bus returned to our plant, I had some people say that the time at your ranch brought back their childhood and they felt refreshed and connected with their company. What better response could a manager ask from her team?

You should focus more marketing on the team-building experience you can provide to companies in this area. The results are substantial. Feel free to leave my name/company/number as a professional reference.

As always, your professional and warming demeanor put everyone at ease. Your staff did an excellent job showing them the ropes and guiding many of them on their first-time riding experience.

Your facility is an outstanding example of horsemanship and your staff an exemplary example of professionalism and kindness.

Sincerely,

Kristine Wallace
General Manager
The Mibro Group

From: Deborah M Jalovick
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2004 9:45 AM
Subject: Birth announcement!!!!

Hey there Alice,
Boy were you in my thoughts this morning and was I thankful for the experiences you allowed me to have at your place. Jo-Jo gave birth this morning to a small, but tall, gangly colt, liver chestnut with a white blaze , no socks, haven't even looked at his eye color yet. I am still shakin from all the excitement. I had concerns about her being pregnant but the vet said last fall that she was not. What a surprise to find a little baby standing OUTSIDE the pasture fence this morning. Jo was worked up about the entire ordeal and actually tried to bite my back as I was ushering him into the pasture but she calmed down immediately when she realized what I was doing. Glad I have a thick Carhart coat. After running into the house to call my neighbor...I called the vet and went back outside to put both mom and baby into the barn. Luckily my nearest Hardware store is only at the corner and I could walk there....I went and got shavings and got both the horses into the barn. I actually picked up the baby and carried him all the way to the barn from the pasture. He is so sweet..I did all the bonding things...the feet slapping, the ears, the nose, the rubbing and the tail holding...he began to suck my cheek and chin....He is standing great and nursing away like a trooper. Jo is very tolerant of any quiet people who wish to visit. Peter even got to pet the baby who we have named .... because he is Echo's Grandson .... Echoing Thunder ....... It was raining this morning, not really thundering but it fit. The vet is coming tomorrow to do all the baby checking. I have Jo on 16% sweet feed...I have been dipping his stump, cord remains in Betadine and collected the placenta for the vet to check tomorrow. Not much blood, Jo is rather clean, she is such a good mom. The baby is so cute....I have to go and enjoy him some more....

Love to all
Once again...thanks for all you have taught me....
((((HUGS))))
Pictures to follow as they are available....
Oh..and of the new human baby due any time now as well......

DEB&CO.

From: Jane Tevnan Blanchard
Subject: Thank you
Date: Sun, 13 Jul 2003 10:28:28 -0400

Dear Alice,

I am just writing to thank you for hosting my family on our wonderful (if brief) stay at R&R from June 30th to July 2nd. I wasn't sure what to expect, never having been to a dude ranch . However, you and your staff provided a great experience for us. We only wished we could have stayed longer! Next time we will for sure. We just arrived back yesterday from our 2 week trek to Wisconsin via Otto, NY. All went well and we had a great trip. Your ranch was indeed a major highlight!

I especially enjoyed talking with you, Alice, and meeting Sydney, Judy and "Alice #2!" Phil was great, too - I was touched by how he jumped right in to helping that night on the firefly ride. I know it was a big hassle to have 2 extra folks along, but they, too jumped in and helped along with the "pros". It seems you touch a lot of people with your unique approach and style, Alice. You are one of the most interesting women I have come across in a long while! I sincerely hope you will write that book...I'll be one of the many in line to buy a copy.

I plan to write another letter about the "firefly" ride for the web site at some point soon...As you know,I was very anxious about it before hand, and apologize to Sydney for asking my son every 2 minutes (or less) if he was ok during the ride. She was very patient, and quite aptly told me I needed more reassurance than he did!! I am SO GLAD I did go, though. It was a classic example of the way to cope with fear is to "ride through it". It was a valuable life experience for me. I sincerely meant it when I told you it changed my life. You laughed in that wonderful way you do, but I think you understood. The ride in the dark was a metaphor for trust...blind faith and the inner peace that comes from acceptance of life's mystery. It was a ride I will never forget.

Thank you again for everything. I imagine you are busy as ever with the height of the summer season. My best to all at R&R!!

Very Fondly yours,
Jane (Tevnan) Blanchard
(Gene, Mary Kate & Tom)

From: "Wallace, Kristine (K.J.)"
Subject: 5-15 Ride
Date: Mon, 19 May 2003 09:56:13 -0400

Dear Alice,

I wanted to thank you for such a wonderful ride on Thursday of last week. For my sister's first "real" riding experience, I could not have asked for better. Your horses are a product of your love and dedication. As you well know, many people enter the horse business with love but soon lose sight of their animals needs as the business side takes over. You are one of the very few people that never forgot why you started your business, your love of horses.

If you could let me know what your schedule would be in the next couple of weeks, I would love to ride with you again. I have vacation scheduled from June 30- July 13, I would like to reserve riding for a few of those days also. I also wanted you to know, if you ever needed an extra hand when you had large groups coming down to ride, you can call me. I am sure that finding kind, knowledgeable and dependable staff can be a challenge at times. If you ever find yourself short-handed for your weekend schedule, please feel free to call me. I would love the opportunity to learn more and assist you at the ranch.

Thanks again for a wonderful experience. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Kristine Wallace

Alice,

Just wanted to thank you again for a wonderful weekend! I have a few parents who are blaming me because now their daughters are begging for a pony and riding lessons. I am so happy that they are hooked ..

We even had some tears because they won't be able to come back for a while. I hoped you enjoyed my girls as much as I do , they continue to amaze me with their ability to learn and their willingness to try new things.

Sincerely, Mary Jo

Girl Scout Troop

From: Valerie*****@*****.com
To: jcpo*****@*****.com
CC: alice@recreationranch.com
Subject: horse camp
Date: Thu, 3 Oct 2002 19:28:05 EDT

Cheryl:

My daughter Sarah (11 yo) went to horse camp this past summer and it was a great experience for her.

We first met Alice and visited the Dude Ranch in the summer of 2001. Sarah had told me she loved horses ... and I wanted to teach her that she probably didn't. We spent 5 days there as guests in the bed and breakfast. Sarah loved it.

We soon bought a horse, and found ourselves going out there a few times a month (we live in Rochester, NY ... it is 100 miles away).

I felt comfortable sending Sarah to horse camp because I had the opportunity to "see the place" first hand ... live their routines ... watch the people ... listen to Alice and all of her rules.

People sometimes think Alice is a mean person when they first meet her. Soon though, you realize that she has very strict rules and enforces them because she does NOT want anyone to get hurt. Once Alice knows the rider ... and their capabilities ... she lightens up on them (unless its someone that pays no attention, then she watches them like a hawk). Alice is not a mean person at all ... she has a big heart and worries about everyone.

The horse camp is a very busy place ... they are active sun up to past sun down ... and the kids love it. They laugh and play ... the way kids should.

Alice has come to be a good friend of our family ... I would do anything for her.

Sarah ended up living with Alice the whole summer ... Alice is a second mother to Sarah now. Sarah misses Alice dearly when she's at home. She misses home when she's at Alices!

I hope this helps ... if you have questions ... please don't hesitate to ask.

Valerie Grossman

From: jcpo*****@*****.com
To: alice@recreationranch.com
Subject: Re: Horse Camp
Date: Sun, 6 Oct 2002 17:24:38 EDT

Ok Alice,

I have researched you pretty thoroughly and I can't find any flaws!

Besides, several of the people you forwarded my email to have responded. They had a lot of nice things to say about you. One thing that they all had in common was that you stressed 'safety first.'

My husband and I would love to come by and visit. Maybe after the first of the year? When is it too late to sign up our daughter?

Thank you very much for responding to all my questions. We look forward to meeting you!

Cheryl and John Post

Dear Mom, Dad, Brett, Gramma and Grampa,

I am having sssooooo much fun at the horse ranch!!! Alice is really nice. We are staying in the loft and it can sleep about 14-16 people. I love the horseback riding!!! It is so much fun going on the trails in the woods!!! I sometimes get to ride bareback. I am riding a girl horse named Promise. If Brett remembers, this is the horse that he and Uncle Phil stayed up with all night to see if she was going to have her baby. I saw Witchita and Midnight. (Ryan rode Witchita and Brett rode Midnight. I like grooming the horse's every morning, but I have to get up at 7:00 or 8:00. (What a pain!!!) I know how to use a curry comb and a horse brush. I usually brush Promise. We give the horse's baths after every time we ride them and in the morning. There are so many beautiful views out here.

We got here safe and sound. I love you and miss you all ssssssssssooooooooooooooo much.

see y'all soon
Love ya,
Lee Anne