For Immediate Release:

Amboy Trail Ranch, Newton Iowa

After 48 years, 26 of those under the current owners, the Amboy Trail Ranch will be closing this fall.

According to owners Mark and Dara Carlock., this decision has been contemplated for the last three years. "Dara and I are at the point in our lives where we want to spend more time together and with family and friends. After 26 years of coming home from my full time job to run and maintain our 100 acre ranch, it is time to retire. Dara's Log Cabin Quilt business is growing quickly, and my position as President of Forbes Office Solutions keeps me plenty busy.

Negotiations are going on behind the scenes to find a new owner for the Ranch, started in 1960 by Dara's grandparents, Delbert and Dorothy Hammer.

"We want to thank the hundreds of thousands of people that have come to us for entertainment and escape from the daily grind. We have been honored to serve so many. We have enjoyed a successful business; put smiles on countless faces and made a difference. It needs to also be clearly noted that this decision has nothing to do with Maytag. It does have everything to do with the fact that we are at an age where we can't work at this level any more."

"It is our hope that a new buyer will come forward to continue to offer outdoor recreation of some type on this property so that generations to come can enjoy this special place in our community. We love it here in Newton, this is a great place to live, and we intend to remain in the community."

Happy Trails to all of you!

Update 8/01/08: Negotiations have been completed and the property will transfer to the new owners November 1, 2008