By JESSICA GILBERT

Ramona correspondent

I resolved to capture the Christmas news in town the day after Christmas, but many folks were nowhere to be found. So, I waited until Saturday, and still, the phones went unanswered. I guess people are still traveling, visiting, and shopping. But I managed to gather more than enough news from the residents who stayed closer to home.

Stan and Deb Wiles had a tranquil Christmas. “We enjoyed the quiet,” Stan said. “It’s the first time we haven’t gone away at Christmas.” Stan’s brother and wife from Lawrence came Dec. 21 and the foursome went to Abilene to eat out and exchange gifts.

On Christmas Eve Stan and Deb went to Abilene for a special church program. The previous Sunday the Rock Island Church in Herington, where Deb Wiles is the pastor, held their special Christmas service.

I asked Stan if they made anything memorable for Christmas dinner at home. “We had steak and potatoes — I guess that’s pretty special,” Stan said with a smile.

Vonnie Calvert, teenage daughter of Ben Calvert of Ramona, gave me the news for their family on Christmas.

“We went to our relatives — the Zellers (they live on the corner of 360th and U.S.-77) and had breakfast and stayed all day.”

When I asked Vonnie what she did that was the most fun she said, “I stayed up until one in the morning playing Guitar Hero, World Tour.” “What is that?” I queried. “You can play the guitar and sing with this video game.”

Don and Kathy Matkins had a “tour” planned for the Christmas holiday. First they went to Salina to pick up their daughter, Jenny, then off to Abilene where they had supper on Christmas Eve with Kathy’s dad and step-mom, and Christmas day with Kathy’s sister in Salina.

“My step-dad wrapped up mementoes from my mother’s life,” said Kathy. “My sister and I each got some of her childhood toys — little egg beater, frying pan, and spatula.”

As she described the toys it brought back memories of my own, because once I had a set of those little red-handled cooking utensils.

“Dad’s been giving my sister and me some of mom’s cherished jewelry, every year since she died. So we each got lots of jewelry items.” Kathy added, “And my family loved the cinnamon rolls you sent along. They were gone before Christmas morning.”

I had made cinnamon rolls in the shape of Christmas trees and put frosting on the trees to look like decorations, adding red hots and nuts for the ornaments. Baking is my favorite Christmas ritual and I baked until there was no more flour to be found — I even took the last of Pat’s flour!

Warren and Paula Fike have been celebrating Christmas since Dec. 20 when the Fike family had two big events. “It was a busy day!” conceded Warren, as he gave me the details.

At noon Dec. 20, the Fike Siblings — Duane, Warren sister Inez’s family — gathered at the Kirby House in Abilene. “Duane hosted this dinner,” Warren said, “and there were 50 of us there.”

That evening, Warren and Paula’s immediate family had their dinner at the Lutheran Parish Hall in Ramona. “There were 51 at that event,” Warren continued. So when Christmas Day actually rolled around, they were quite content to spend a tranquil day in Westmoreland with son, Dennis, and his wife, Lou Ann.

For Connie Smith, it’s a gift to have her husband, Dan, home for the holidays. Dan’s in the trucking business, so there are some holidays he’s on the road and Connie’s never sure who’ll be home for Christmas.

“We had a quiet celebration on Christmas Day,” Connie said, “with Dan and Bryanna, and our friend, Harlan (Brown). And Collin (Bailey) came over for breakfast.”

Connie always receives amazing Christmas gifts so I was eager to hear what Santa brought her this year. “Oh, I got the most gorgeous necklace from Dan —nothing for my truck this year, it’s ‘blinged’ out enough. It’s a butterfly necklace made of three different kinds of gold. It’s the most beautiful necklace I’ve ever seen.”

Dan also got his wife a big screen digital photo frame. “It holds 600 pictures!” Connie said. “And after I get done cooking and cleaning the house after the holidays, Dan’s going to take me to upgrade my camera equipment.”

The Smiths aren’t done celebrating, though. Today, Dec. 28, they’re having their big family gathering.

“I’m rushing to get the meal ready now — we have no notion how many people will be coming.” Connie said, when I called on the phone to get the news.

Junior and Jeanetta Hanschu also were celebrating today, they were right in the midst of their Christmas event. “We’ve just had brunch and are about to open presents,” Jeanetta said. “All the kids are home and we’re having a big sleepover. Then we’ll all go to church Sunday morning.”

With all the kids home it means the Hanschus have seven grandkids around the house. Lots of excitement!

On Christmas Eve — it was already dark — I saw Art Stroda at the senior center shoveling the sidewalks. I was at my office checking e-mails and I came out and asked Art what he was doing.

“I’m clearing the sidewalks and the handicap ramp, because we’re having our family gathering here tomorrow, and plan to bring dad home for the day,” Art said.

When I asked his mom, Marge, how many people were there, she just laughed and said, “I never counted!”All of the Stroda’s children were home except Terry and Tom from Texas. “The bad weather kept them from driving up,” said Marge.

Christmas often is made more special by the food we eat. “We had different kinds of food this year,” Marge continued. “Jane made soup and butterballs and my grandson, Brian, made spaghetti.”

Marge’s grandson, Brian Haden, (Marilyn Stroda’s son), is Ramona’s newest resident. He’s moved into the house on Main Street that’s east of the post office, owned by Jim Stroda of Plainville.

Brian’s daughter, 6-year-old Kiana, will be a part-time resident of Ramona, since she lives with her mom in Wichita.

A highlight of this Christmas gathering was having Maurice Stroda, the patriarch of the family, home for the holiday. Maurice resides in a nursing facility in Marion because of health issues that are too complicated for home care.

Art Stroda, vice mayor of Ramona, celebrated the first Christmas with his little grandson, Conner. He’s just 6 months old.

Marge and Maurice’s son, Terry, and his wife, Bonnie, did eventually make it to Ramona from Texas. They came Friday, and Marge went with them to Marion to visit Maurice and Marge’s mom.

Jane (Stroda) Staatz and her husband, David, also live in Ramona and their daughters were home for Christmas. The oldest daughter, Jennifer, didn’t have to travel far to “come home,” because she also lives with her husband and children in Ramona. Stefanie came from Manhattan where she lives with her little girl. Emily is the only daughter still living at home, and her boyfriend, Andrew, came from Mississippi.

Jane is really enjoying the holidays because she’s off work for a week.

“The restaurant is closed for a week so I’m home,” Jane said. Jane is the cook at Papa T’s in Hope.

Chet and Shelia Mercer opened presents at home with their six children. When I saw 9-year-old Josh wandering around town with his buddy, C.J. Thompson, this morning, I asked what he’d gotten for Christmas.

“A new bike!” he said with a smile. “It’s green.” His mom, Shelia, told me all the kids got new bikes.

“Anything make this bike more special?” I asked Josh.

He was pondering his answer when C.J. quickly interjected, “He can ride it and it doesn’t have a popped wheel like his old one!” Leave it to C.J. to summarize with humor.

Shelia said they had Christmas dinner in Junction City where her mom lives. Shelia’s brother, Andrew Brown, who also lives in Ramona, also attended.

The Thompson Christmas was made even more special than usual because oldest brother, Ben, was home from military training. Ben graduated in October from basic training at Fort Knox in Tennessee and the entire Thompson Clan went to witness the ceremony.

“I was so proud of my son,” Jim said. Immediately after graduation, Ben was shipped to Maryland for further training on repairing tank tracks. “Because this skill is in such high demand, he may be shipped to Afghanistan rather quickly,” Jim continued.

Ben did get time off to come home on Christmas leave. I was driving down Ramona’s Main Street and saw this handsome guy walking down the street in casual military garb, and thought he was probably somebody’s boyfriend who was visiting. And then later that day this same lad showed up at our door and it was Ben! We enjoyed hearing about his life now, and the goals he has for his future. Ben is serving in the National Guard.

Ben’s youngest brother, C.J., was quick to tell me what he got for Christmas — a long string of computer games with names I didn’t recognize, and wasn’t sure how to spell. C.J. was appalled that I didn’t know about Moon Sand.

“What? You’ve never heard of it?” Then he turned to Josh and explained my ignorance: “She doesn’t watch commercials or cartoons.”

As for Christmas dinner, C.J. said this was the first time they’ve had a traditional Christmas dinner. “We had Heaven — it’s awesome, and it’s made with fruit, Miracle Whip, Cool Whip, tons of marshmallows — and that’s Heaven!” He went on to name everything else on the menu —yams, turkey, cranberry sauce and egg nog.

“Last year’s Christmas dinner was the best, though. We had spaghetti!”

Tony Meyer, Ramona’s oldest citizen, ate Christmas dinner with nieces and nephews who gathered at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Parish Hall in Herington. He received a box of See’s chocolates from nephew Glenn Meyer of California the week before Christmas. Tony doesn’t eat sweets very much — he’s dedicated to always weighing 208 pounds — so he took the candy to his family gathering. Chocolates were his contribution to the potluck!

“There were so many people there, I only knew about one-third of them,” Tony said.

Al and Darlene Sondergard had all their family home for Christmas dinner in the evening.

“It’s the first time in years that everyone — every grandchild —was present,” Darlene said. “It’s what made this Christmas so neat!”

Along with their daughters and their husbands, there were seven grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren at the Sondergards. The grandchildren present were Sheri, from North Carolina, Mary, from Texas where her husband is stationed with the military, Lorie from Kansas City, Jamey from Lindsborg, Mike from Topeka, and Brad from Lost Springs.

Brad got some fabulous Christmas Eve news from his employer — he received a service award from the John Deere Corporation Headquarters in Iowa, and a seven-day, all expenses paid, Caribbean cruise for he and his wife.

Zeb and Norma Wright, and Norma’s daughter, Fern Leach, hosted the annual gathering of the Bird family.

“Oh, we had the best time,” Norma bubbled, as she highlighted one great happening after another.

First they met at Norma and Zeb’s house for Christmas Eve. “Jenny (Norma’s granddaughter) always makes chicken enchiladas,” Norma explained. “And then off to the Christian church in Herington for the candlelight service which was so lovely.”

The party continued for Christmas brunch at Fern’s house, and then Christmas dinner back at Norma’s.

“At every gathering we opened presents,” Norma said.

Prior to the holiday Zeb and Norma discussed Christmas gifts, and Zeb said, “I give you presents every day,” implying, and teasing (because Zeb is a big tease!) that he didn’t have to go out of his way on Christmas Day.

“Oh, no,” Norma retorted, “I want a present and I want it wrapped.”

Zeb complied — he put a beautiful necklace in a brown paper bag and tied it with an “I love you” ribbon.

Norma is anticipating becoming a great-grandmother in May, when both her granddaughters — Jenny and Rachel — are expecting their first children May 1. And they’re both boys!

“I teased Jenny’s husband, Robert, when they got married eight years ago, that I was expecting a little girl when they had children,” Norma said. “But Robert quickly informed me their first child would be a little boy. We even placed a $50 bet on it —and I’ve lost!” Norma laughed.

So Norma got “even” on Christmas Day. “I wrapped presents for my grandsons-in-law and the gifts were baby toys! I wrote them a note and teased (yes, Norma’s a tease, too) that if they wanted a regular present next year they better produce little girls next time!”

Norma’s already vowed next year will be a simpler event.

“I’m doing one meal — a brunch — and it’s going to be simple and we’re eating on paper plates,” Norma declared mischievously. “I’m serious! By 2 in the afternoon everything will be cleaned up, in the trash, and I’m putting my feet up!”

The granddaughters are already objecting. “Oh, no, Grandma!”

“You just watch me,” Norma laughed, who’s going to have a pacemaker put in Jan. 7. Who knows, by next Christmas, with new babies in-tow, the granddaughters may vote for “simple,” too!

My sister and I had a very quiet and lovely Christmas. Tooltime Tim wasn’t feeling well, so it was pretty much a “sister act” for the two of us this holiday.

Our festivities begin Christmas Eve when we open all our greeting cards and letters. We had a special treat to go along with reading cards — homemade fudge and buttery caramels from the Noeths, who live here in town.

Pat and I save all our Christmas cards and put them under the tree, and what delight to read what friends have been doing during the year — although few of our friends write as creative or as extensive a Christmas greeting as Pat and I do.

My Christmas letter started out as six pages of pictures and stories, and I kept reducing it every day until it was down to two. Pat had all her news down to one page —she always was good at condensing. But later she said when she re-read her own letter, she understood what family members, especially our mom, would say when reading our letters. “It just makes me tired to read all that you’ve done this year!”

And Pat had reduced the pictures to such a small size, she later wondered if people would need a magnifying glass to see them.

This Christmas my sister and I, along with her daughter, Jana, agreed to have a “commerce-free” Christmas. We decided the best gift we could give each other would be to not incur any more credit card debt.

Around October, I felt very compelled to bring my life into financial balance — after all, that’s what Wall Street was being invited to do, of late — so why shouldn’t I? As a friend and mentor of mine said, “Every time you use your credit card you’re embezzling your future.” That statement really struck home and I decided to make some changes in my life.

I baked cookies and sent out Christmas greetings. I sang Christmas carols and attended Christmas parties. But I did absolutely no Christmas shopping. It wasn’t until I put up my beautiful Christmas tree that I began to miss packages.

Then one morning an idea flew into my head — I created a Gratitude Tree. I began wrapping empty boxes or any items around the house that begged to be wrapped (I had wrapping paper and bows from previous years in supply), and on each “to and from” card I wrote down something for which I am grateful.

I had a most delightful time wrapping and stacking these “gifts” under the tree. The packages began to mount, representing gifts like the beauty of vision that’s in color, the magnificent of muscles that move me effortlessly through the world, a brain that is filled with creative power, kidneys and liver that cleanse toxins from my system, a home that is warm and cozy, fresh oranges from Florida, my reliable old car, the gift of sunshine and brilliant moon, the wonder of living in a country that has no war within its borders, the joy that I’ve never been hungry a day in my life, the delight of ballroom dancing, the bright prospect of President Obama leading the nation, friends who keep in touch, a sister to share life with, moving to Kansas for an adventure of a lifetime, parents who gave me a strong and loving start, my new hot water heater that gives me warm baths, and clean clothes, and the list goes on.

The pile got bigger every day. And when I awoke on Christmas morning, I just stood in my living room and absorbed all the abundance in my life, that didn’t cost a cent. I laughed and giggled at all the riches in my world. I felt so abundantly wealthy!

My gift to all this season, is a reminder that each and every day is Christmas, if we just open our eyes to behold it! I look forward to 2009, and what we all will create together in our lives, our families, our towns, and our nation, and the world.

Someone recently asked me if I knew why I was on the planet. I smiled, because I really loved the question, and because I recently had come upon the answer. “Yes, I know why I’m here,” I replied. “I am here to create heaven on earth.”

That is my aim each and every day, to create a little heaven by my actions, my words, my thoughts, my choices. I invite you to join me — who knows what wonder we can create!

And that’s the last of the 2008 news from Ramona, where a traffic jam is two parked cars and a dog in the road.