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CORRESPONDENTS:   Ramona

Ramona correspondent

Anonymity is impossible in a small town — somebody notices most everything you do. Jakie Brunner used to say that they even know how much toilet paper you use — and that was totally possible when there was a grocery store in town.

I suppose it’s just natural to be curious, or maybe it’s like throwing a rock into a puddle, it makes a big splash because Ramona’s not a very big pond.

I was thinking about all this over the weekend, as my sister and I were tying up some loose ends — projects that began when Tooltime Tim was in our lives, and now require our conclusion.

In the midst of trying to lift some very big logs from trees that Tim had cut down for us, who should suddenly appear but Kathy Matkins, Ramona’s vice mayor.

“Here, let me help you girls with that log,” she said as she quickly lifted one end.

Oh, my, did she ever appear at just the right moment.

Long after her kind gesture, I was pondering how each of us in a small town either lifts it up or tears it down. Every action, every choice, moves to one end or the other, and because there’s so few folks in town, it feels like all of us are touched by those actions.

A couple of weekends ago there was action at the City Park that had folks driving by the park, long after the work was done. Kathy Matkins was the one who instigated the installation of new metal roofs on the shelter house and bathrooms in Ramona City Park.

A couple of months ago, Kathy approached Rick Hanschu and Merv Deines, who are members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ramona. Kathy knew that Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, the not-for-profit insurance company for Lutherans, is committed to assisting in community projects and the park shelter needed a new roof.

Kathy was thrilled when she received word that Thrivent would pay the majority of the materials costs, and that their members would assist in the roof project if Ramona community members would also help.

Excitement was in the air Sept. 12, and all of us were praying for the clouds and rain to lift so the new roofs could be put in place. Trinity Lutheran Church members, who were a crucial part in this project were Merv Deines, Rick Hanschu, Junior Hanschu, Max Morgan, Kent Brunner, Nolan Brunner, and Terry Deines.

Helping from the Ramona community were council members Art Stroda and Byron Noeth; city maintenance man Don Matkins; and Jim Thompson. Jim’s kids, C.J., Cassy, and Nathan Young, came along to help, too.

Kathy was the organizer, and she and Don provided a beautiful luncheon for all the workers. Others city folks — Mayor Pat Wick, council member Jeannie Goza, and city clerk Jess Gilbert helped Kathy with lunch, ran errands, and assisted workers.

“Seeing all the volunteer helpers at the park made a believer out of me,” Kathy said. “When I first started the ball rolling, I never dreamed it would actually happen at such a quick pace. I cannot begin to say how excited and grateful I was when I found out we got the funds from Thrivent. From that point on, I knew it was more than an idea, and that it was going to take place. I felt so proud to be part of this wonderful transformation.”

Kathy said this event touched her in a special way.

“I drive by the park every single day and I smile and feel blessed by what everybody did to make this dream come true.”

“The park shelter house gets used by so many people and for so many community events,” Rick Hanschu said. “We are pleased to help make it happen.”

Ramona has such a committed group of citizens — whether in the country or in town — who are continually improving the town. They are a blessing to us all.

The Radke family, who moved to Ramona following the tornado in Chapman, is bringing improvements to Ramona. The Radkes are remodeling and expanding their home on B Street, and Mrs. Radke (Amanda) recently suggested the city apply for a grant from Wal-Mart Stores Inc., where she and her mother are employed.

The city applied for assistance in getting a new tornado warning system for Ramona.

When Wal-Mart asked Mayor Wick about a month ago to come to Junction City to receive the money she wondered just how much Ramona would receive, since there were many other organizations there for the same reason. What a surprise when Ramona was awarded one of the largest checks for $1,000.

It’s a wonderful start.

Hunter safety class

Brendan Bailey of Ramona will conduct a hunter safety class 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Ramona Senior Center.

The class is free, and children 11 and older are eligible for certification.

“Kids 10 and younger need a parent with them,” Brendan said.

The class will cover gun safety, ethics, first aid techniques, and wildlife management.

There’s room for 20 participants, and Brendan said he has 10 spaces remaining. For more information, call him prior to the class at (785) 965-2060.

Ordinances can preserve the town

Ramona City Council requested the City Clerk (that’s me) to put together a booklet of city ordinances so everybody would be “reading from the same page.”

For the next several months, the Council reviewed the ordinances to make them current and concise.

During the weekend, council members present and past, with several residents, were asked to do an informal review of properties in Ramona. They were asked to evaluate how well we’re doing to create an environment that will entice others to join us in living here.

“So what was noted about our properties that Pat and I need to attend to?” I asked one of the evaluators.

“Well, you did one of those things already — you moved that pile of logs this afternoon, and mowed the tall grass that was growing around them,” he replied.

“So were there many households on your list who got an A-plus?” I queried.

“Oh yes,” he said, “long-time residents like Betty and Harold Ohm, the Sondergards, and some newcomers, too — like the Noeths and Brendan and Michelle Bailey.”

Brendan Bailey grew up in Ramona, and then moved away for a while when he married. How lovely it was to have them decide to make Ramona their home, and purchase my Aunt Naomi Fike’s home on B Street. They just keep adding embellishments, which make me smile every time I drive by.

I saw other folks cleaning up their properties — caring for the things they hold dear — this past weekend. My heart smiled because it felt like we were all working together to make changes that improve all our lives.

As the sun set Sunday, I drove around town myself, specifically checking out our properties to see if I felt good when I drove by or did my energy drop a bit in looking at the shed on F Street that needs to have its contents organized. That’s a project for another sunny Sunday.

And that’s the news from Ramona where we want others to join us in living in a jewel of a town where a traffic jam is two parked cars and a dog in the road.

Last modified Oct. 1, 2009

 

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