Ragtime in Ramona held at Centre Elementary School gymnasium
Although Ragtime in Ramona could not take place Sunday in Ramona as planned, its organizers found a way to make it happen.
As with many public events planned to be held outdoors during the past several weeks, the event had to be moved indoors because of rain. It was held at the Centre Elementary School gymnasium in Lost Springs.
A spirited six-member professional brass band from Kansas City, named the Turpin Tyme Ragsters, belted out numerous toe-tapping, jazzy tunes from the early 20th century. The band included an excellent female piano player. Other instruments included the coronet, piccolo, clarinet, trombone, saxophone, drums, and tuba or base horn.
The clarinet player, Greg Briggs, is a cousin to Jessica Gilbert, one of the organizers of the event.
Members of Ramona City Council and other Ramona residents served hot dogs, soda pop, and ice cream cones.
In introducing the "St. Louis Rag," the band's spokesman said it was fitting that hot dogs and ice cream were served at this event. The song was first performed at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904, the same occasion when hot dogs and ice cream in a cone were introduced to the world.
The St. Louis World's Fair drew ragtime talent from all parts of the country, leading to its great popularity for several decades.
The band's final song was a rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching In." As the tempo increased, members of the audience got to their feet and marched around the room, a fitting climax to a rousing performance.
Most likely due to the wet weather and late location change, attendance at Ragtime in Ramona didn't meet earlier expectations, but almost 100 people were present to enjoy the two-hour performance. Many were from Marion and other surrounding communities.
Gilbert was happy with the way things turned out despite the weather.
"We probably would have had twice as many people if it could have been held in the Ramona park, but I was really thrilled about the outcome," she said. "I was pleased with the participation from other communities."
She said the fact the event could be moved from one community to another on short notice is a good example of what small, rural communities can do.
"There is a lot of room to move back and forth between communities and support each other," she said.
She also was pleased at the donations received to sponsor the event. She said donations collected Sunday by people who walked in the door provided the last $100 needed to pay the band it's $1,100 fee.
"That's what's inspiring to me," she said. "Planning such a big event was scary, but it left room for a small miracle, and it happened.
"I'll dream again and we will do it again and hope for better weather next time."
Those who contributed $100 prior to the event were Jayme Brunner, California Sisters, Cow Camp Inc., Tony Meyer, Kenny and Lisa Stroda, Tatge Manufacturing, Dan Holub and Jerry Cady Agency, both of Marion, and Tampa State Bank at Tampa and Marion.
Other donors were Mervin and Leona Deines, Junior and Jeanetta Hanschu, Ronnie and Lisa Hanschu, Steve and Vickie Jirak, Gail and Marissa Makovec, Theresa Tajchman, and Ron Makovec.
