Dale Basin Well Owners Association meets November 1

Everyone is invited and welcome to attend the meeting of the

Dale Basin Well Owners Association

Sunday, November 1 at 4:00pm

Wonder Valley Community Center

80526 Amboy, Wonder Valley, CA 92277

Join and/ or pay your dues at the meeting.

Wonder Valley Well Owners Association Meeting Notes

My husband Ken and I went to the Wonder Valley Well Owners Association biannual meeting on Sunday, May 3, at the WV Community Center. There were 28 people in attendance. Mary Quamme read the minutes from the last meeting of November 2014. At that time there were 92 members. We joined today so that brings the total to 94.

Clarence Chambers presided. He’s drilled most, if not all, the wells in Wonder Valley, including ours. He told the group about his recent work in the San Joaquin Valley and how the drought is affecting people there. It’s very bleak.

In contrast, Wonder Valley does not seem to be experiencing any more drought than usual. Our water table has not diminished. Water levels remain stable.  But then Wonder Valley has no agriculture or industrial or commercial wells. The EPA has deemed our water, Clarence told us, unfit for human consumption. Most people out here have reverse osmosis filter systems. Clarence told the story of an old-timer named Wetzle who drank unfiltered Wonder Valley water his entire life and lived to a ripe old age.

Lauren Ell took this photo of new members Ken (orange shirt) and Teresa Sitz at the meeting.

Grey water systems were promoted and those in the room who had hauled water before they got a well shared stories. Grey water is nothing new for Wonder Valley many people having practiced it for 30-50 years. Clarence said he knew people who survived on 2000 gallons of water a month.

There was a general consensus that the non-potability of our water is a positive that keeps powers and principalities from wanting to get their hands on it.

We were reminded how lucky we are to have wells and everyone agreed with the assessment. Clarence did remind us that if and when the power grid fails many of us will not be able to access the water in our wells. He encouraged everyone to get a small generator (about half the people in the room already had them), a Shurflo pump, and a tank for water storage.

The meeting changed gears and the issue of crime and starting a neighborhood watch was discussed. I took a straw poll and found most people do want to meet in the daytime so a Saturday meeting will be arranged with the Sheriff’s Department to discuss issues of crime, dumping, forming a neighborhood watch, and to learn more about the Citizens on Patrol program.

At the end of the meeting neighbors chatted. After awhile Mary Quamme, keeper of the key, turned off the lights, a subtle message that we didn’t have to go home, but we couldn’t stay there.

Desert Trail Column, April 30, 2015

We’re sorry to report that Charlotte Williams fell and broke her arm in three places, from her elbow to her wrist. It is a compound fracture and she had surgery at Hi Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree. All the bone splinters were removed and a metal harness was put in place. Since her elbow was shattered, she may also need elbow replacement surgery. Good grief, Charlotte! You didn’t have to go to such extremes to get out of washing dishes! Only joking – our thoughts and prayers are with you, and we sincerely hope you’re feeling quite a bit better by the time you read this.



The Well Owners Association meeting will be held on Sunday, May 3 at the Wonder Valley Community Center, 80526 ½ Amboy Road, at 4 pm. Whether or not you currently have a well, the information brought forth at these meetings is always interesting and valuable. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Since the birthstone for May is the emerald, and the flower is the lily-of-the-valley, we send out Rainbows-of-Emeralds-and-Lilies-of-the-Valley to Marlene Roberts who will celebrate her special day this week. Happy birthday, Marlene!

Anyone wishing to go to the 29 Palms Nutrition Site for lunch can be picked up by Reach Out Morongo Basin on Tuesdays and Thursdays at The Palms at 10 am and returned at 2 pm. This is a free service, and if you have a problem getting to The Palms, they will be happy to pick you up and drop you off at your own home. Call 760-361-1410 for information.

How to make your ownweed killer

Handy Hint: This is a “potential handy hint”. Our cousin Annie in Phoenix told us that a sure way to kill weeds is by pouring white vinegar on them. The only problem is that the weed is eradicated, but nothing else will grow in that spot either. So here is our thought: Would this work on mustard plants? At this time, neither one of us has any mustard plants growing in our yards, which is unusual, so would someone try pouring vinegar on a mustard plant to see if this works? Also, if you want to do a little science experiment, try pouring a little on one plant, twice that much on another and a lot on a third plant. See if the amount makes a difference, and how long before each one dies (IF they die). We’re very curious to know if this would work.

Thought for Today:  Many girls like to marry a military man – he can cook, sew, make beds, is in good health, and he’s already used to taking orders.

Until next time . . . remember to take time to enjoy the WONDERs all around us.