Windmill brings joy to many

Just two days before the windmill that serves as a landmark for the Fallbrook Land Conservancy home office was slated to be repaired and put back into service, Joy Ross passed away. Joy and Vince Ross were founding members of the FLC, established in 1988.

The windmill, donated to the Conservancy many years ago, had blown over in a huge windstorm about seven years ago. Two years passed before anyone dared to try to fix the fallen giant. Then, about five or six years ago, Russ Heyneman, Ken Graydon and Jim Freda pooled their efforts to restore the relic. A long, hot summer of work, repairing, reshaping, powder-coating and lettering brought the windmill back to its rightful place on the grounds, signaling one’s arrival at the old Palomares House. The house was donated to the FLC by Vince and Joy Ross, Al and Flo Pinamonti and Otis and Linda Heald in 1990.

For some time the blades churned and brought pleasure to all who drove by, but gradually, something went awry and a clanging noise became a problem. Tied down for almost a year, the windmill was repaired by Graydon with the help of Todd Wellburnof DHC with his boom and bucket truck. Jim Freda and Jackie Heyneman, who put together the repair team, could not allow the landmark windmill to be idle, tied and unable to signal the coming wind. Jim commented, “When we fixed the windmill before, Joy Ross and Mania Black were thrilled to see the old windmill turning. Rest in peace, Joy; it’s working again.”