Brevard Ridge Haven Prayer Emergency

Brothers and sister of faith:

I just received an urgent prayer request from Wallace Anderson,  Ridge Haven's Director. This snow storm hit the camp very hard, with power lines down, no power, trees falling. Pray for safety for all the staff. The temperature is dropping to teens tonight,  and staff is desperately draining the pipes before they freeze. There is significant other damages as well. Please pray now for this situation and pass this along as you can.

Your partner in love for Ridge Haven ministries and prayer partner. 

Andy White for the Board

LATEST UPDATE: As of yesterday (Tuesday), power has been restored to the Brevard campus and damage is limited. Trees and roads still need clearing, but after today, temperatures should be above freezing for most of the remainder of this week. THANKS for praying.

Untouched Classroom Relics

This story just warms my heart, not only because I was taught on chalk boards by my Great Aunt Marian (Gardner) Draper but seeing what looks so very similar to her hand writing has the Belz family believe that the teacher who wrote on these very blackboards could in fact be her teacher. 

The blackboards were discovered in Oklahoma when Emerson High School was going through a remodel and contractors found them behind other blackboards in vibrant condition, with the year 1917 written on them. This blast from the past was written and drawn over 100 years ago!

To view more photos and read the entire story, please click HERE and enjoy stepping back in time to view true American history. 

photo taken from Sharably.net

Mrs. Draper was an incredible teacher, and we knew it at the time. She was determined to make her students proficient in math, spelling and everything else she taught. What a gifted woman. She had a difficult life, but was more influential than the rich and famous of the day. Anyone who sat in her classroom still appreciates her greatly. I got tears in my eyes as I looked at these pictures, remembering her. She was quiet and humble, yet changed so many lives. - Mark Belz

photo taken from Sharably.net

I'd love to hear your stories of past Cono teachers and the impact they made on you. 

Please email me at dbraun2003@gmail.com or you can send me a message on Facebook. 

Good Supper

"Good Supper!"

Eating meals together is a central memory for most of us when we think of Cono. As we get ready for Thanksgiving and eating together with those we love, remember to mark your calendars for a Cono reunion, July 5-6, 2019, where we can break bread together again. - Adrienne Belz McCrory

Photo: Saturday night supper, Spring 2008

Please watch for an update from Cono in your mail

Cono Updates in the works...

This is Mary, from Iowa City. Her smile says it all...she is the reason Ridge Haven Cono exists. (Pictures taken at Cono in July. Please look at our website and look for pictures of more campers and more activities. Click Here)

A paper mailing coming to your mailbox in the next few days is an update on all things Cono, including news of the Ridge Haven Cono board's visit to the campus in October. Please give attention to that when it arrives.

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Cono Reunion set for July 5-6, 2019

The dates are set for us to gather at Cono for a reunion on July 5-6, 2019 (next summer). Please save those dates to be on campus. More details will follow.

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Whether it is playing limbo, sliding down the Mount Cono water slide, we are all about kids being kids, enjoying each other as a way ‘to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.'


Our Contact Information
Ridge Haven Cono (www.ridgehaven.org)
3269 Quasqueton Ave.
Walker, IA 52352
828-702-9510

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

His eye is on the sparrow and I know he watches me. Written by Civilla D. Martin and composed by Charles H. Gabriel. The inspiration to write the song came to Civilla, when she and her husband were visiting their friends the Doolittles and Mrs. Doolittle commented on their bright hopeful lives even though she had been bedridden for 20 years and her husband propelled himself to and from work in a wheelchair. Her simple reply was sweet and oh so perfect, "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." 

This song has been a comfort to so many, it will always hold a special place in my heart as it reminds me of my Grandparents, LeRoy & Marian Gardner. Also a dear old neighbor, who was truly like another Grandmother to me, Francy Fults. 

What are some of your favorite hymns? Click on the link below and listen to the girls group sing, "His Eye is on the Sparrow" and comment a few of your favorites below! 

photo courtesy of Joshua Haveman

photo courtesy of Joshua Haveman

Look At The World

I've always loved this song. From the beautiful piano solo in the beginning to the words and harmony.

As a thunderstorm just swept through our little village in Germany, I'm fascinated by the whiteout of rain that waters the apple trees and garden in our backyard. The boom of thunder is powerful, exciting and comforting all at the same time. The cool air that follows is a welcome respite from the summer heat. I never in a million years thought that an Iowa farm girl, such as myself would live in Germany, twice!

"Every good gift, all that we need and cherish, comes from the Lord, in token of His Love"

As you look at the world, what are the miracles, joys and wonders that you've experienced in your life? All the gifts we share and every blessing. All things come of thee...

Cono Choir Memories by Dawn

1995-1996 : Sometimes a Light Surprises

(click on the link above to play)

As you listen to the songs, I'm sure you can pick out the voices of a few you used to sit shoulder to shoulder with. Backs straight, in wooden pews as you sang, laughed, learned and grew vocally, through the ever encouraging words and smiles of Mr. Belz. His arms raised and pumping in a vigorous manner, depending on the speed of the song.

I'll never forget when  Mr. Belz pulled out a paper toothy smiley face and put it in front of his own mouth, during a concert to get us to all smile. Something we had to be reminded of, as all teenagers do. And some of us couldn't stop laughing...

Song binders and sheet music was never held in front of us during concerts, we learned the words, the tune, the songs...DAILY...verse by verse and I'm pretty sure that everyone that has attended Cono and had the pleasure of singing in the choir could very easily sing along to any of the songs that we've sung throughout the years.

"Singing, can He, could He, would He, yes, He can, He could, He would and He did!"

Miss Padding dutifully playing each piece over and over, until we got it right...our voices came together in perfect harmony to create something beautiful, year after year. I'm so very proud of that heritage and still love singing to this day. Those 45 minutes were by far my favorite school activity.

Choir Tour was always such a wonderful highlight of the year. Spring Break wasn't just a break from school but a time for us to share what we as a choir had learned throughout the year. Also a time for us to travel to places beyond where we grew up, meet new people and share our mission with others. A large bus (with TV's) would pull into the school driveway and we'd all pile on, stashing our bags underneath and finding our seats. Upper class men and ladies graduated to the back of the bus and the newbie 7th graders were closest to the front. Stormin' Normin and Mr. Gilchrist were two bus drivers that I remember and they got us to each destination safely. Mr. R was also a welcome chaperone when he sang with the choir, his quick wit made us all laugh. We'd settle into our seats and inevitably watch The Princess Bride every year, "as you wiiiiish".

What are some of your favorite choir tour memories or songs?

by: Dawn (Gardner) Braun