Ramona
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
(785) 965-2621
Ramona may be a small town, but when it comes to the holidays, we generate a large amount of news!
The Makovec family was probably the first to celebrate Christmas because they did it in November! Their son, Simon, was home on leave from Iraq and arrived Nov. 27 at Kansas City. The family stayed in the metropolis for a couple of days and celebrated Gail's birthday on Nov. 28. "Having Simon home for my birthday was the best present I could ever receive," said Gail.
After their Thanksgiving on the 30th, the family moved on to the next Christmas celebration with Gail's side of the family on Dec. 3. "We held the event in Marion where my mother resides at Hilltop," said Gail.
A couple of days later family and friends gathered at Al's Café in Lost Springs for a "Welcome Home" party, where Simon was greeted by the Patriot Guard, a dedicated group of bikers who make it their mission to pay tribute to soldiers returning home or on leave.
Gail and Marissa's family had their private Christmas Dec. 7 and Simon spent his time doing the ordinary things in life — like seeing friends, riding his four-wheeler, and enjoying his girlfriend. I saw Dana and Simon in the Ramona Post Office together — Dana was sending a package. I imagined that just doing the simplest things were probably meaningful when returning home from the Middle East.
On Dec. 13 Simon headed back to Iraq and the Makovecs carried on, going to Oklahoma to be with Marissa's family on the 23rd. As for what they were doing on Christmas Day itself, Gail only said, "We were resting!"
But they didn't sit still for long because "the girls" (Shaina, Sheila, and Dana Beltz) needed a ride to the Texas Bowl the day after Christmas, so Gail and Marissa decided to take them at the last minute.
Right after the new year, Jan. 3, the family gathered once more at Al's Café for another family celebration — Sheila's 16th birthday.
The Andusses also had someone home on leave from Iraq — their grandson, Chris Jolly — so the family celebrated Christmas a week early to fit Chris's schedule. "We met at Hesston at our daughter, Marsha's," said Marlene. "Chris got to meet his first child, a little girl, who was born while Chris was in Iraq, on Nov. 15." Marlene said her grandson knows Simon Makovec. "They're camped next to each other. We often talk with the Makovecs about 'our boys'," said Marlene.
Marlene reported 28 at the family Christmas celebration in Hesston. "All our kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids were there," enthused Marlene.
The first major Christmas party in Ramona was Dec. 21 when the Ramona Senior Center had a decadently delicious meal! Marlene Anduss, president, Darlene Sondergard, secretary-treasurer, and Iona Dietrich of Tampa had the place decorated so beautifully. "Al and Walt helped too," adds Darlene. "We can't leave out the guys!" Walt and Iona Dietrich donated a very large artificial tree that they no longer needed and it made the senior center so festive.
Celebrations started in earnest on Christmas Eve — that's when the Bird family celebrates together each year. This was the first year without Don, but Norma's loss was cushioned by kids and grandkids, who are such a loving support.
"I am so blessed, I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for my family and kids who've helped me through the loss of my son, Donny and my dear husband Don. I know I will be with Don and Donny again, and that's what keeps me going," said Norma.
Norma said the family drew names this year — they do it differently every year — and attended candlelight services in the evening on Christmas Eve, and then came home to eat, play cards, and visit. On Christmas morning the whole family moved a couple blocks south to daughter Fern's home, where they had breakfast and opened still more presents.
On New Year's Eve Norma curled up with a good book and called it a night way before midnight.
But this last week she went to Salina with her friend Sandy for dinner and shopping. "I got a new exercise bike — got it on sale, with a rebate too, and now I can do my exercising early in the morning right here at home. Then Sandy and I hit all the sales and by the time we thought of getting groceries, the car was full! I'll worry about food tomorrow," says Norma with her infectious laughter.
The Sondergards had a full house on Christmas night. "All of our kids were here (except for three). There were 23 of us," said Darlene. "One granddaughter and husband flew to Puerto Rico for the holidays, and our granddaughter's husband was in Iraq — but other than that everybody was home. We ate soup, sandwiches, and Christmas candies, cookies, and cakes and had a gift exchange."
I called the Merv and Leona Deines household, but their son Terry answered the phone. I thought for a minute I called the wrong number. "I've got a cow calving out here, so I thought I'd better answer the phone in case it was for me," said Terry.
I figured Terry could give the family news as quickly as Merv or Leona, and he gave a quick, concise, and humorous account of the Deines Christmas. "Christmas Eve we were all here at Mom and Dad's and Mom made her chicken soup, and chicken and gravy."
The Deines family draw names when it comes to gifts but the kids are exempt. "The kids got tons of gifts," said Terry. "We're going to have to add on, again!" he adds with a laugh.
On Christmas Day Julie's side of the family came out to their home for more holiday festivities.
Christmas Eve the Smiths had 24 at their home for dinner. All three of Connie's kids were here with their families — Bill, Catina, and Bryan. Dan's daughter, Melissa and family were at the table, too.
"Melissa and her husband brought their son, Jacob, who is the youngest grandbaby — he's almost two," said Connie. And Connie and Dan are great-grandparents now, since Connie's granddaughter, Kimberly, the oldest of the grandkids, just had a baby girl named Aubrey. "Aubrey was born on her grandpa's birthday — that's my son, Bill," said Connie. Also joining the festivities were Barry Regehr, Connie's brother, who lives just down the street, and Paul Jones, also of Ramona. Collin Bailey came by as Santa, a role he's accustomed to since he delivered goodies around town a couple of weeks ago on behalf of DC Trucking. "Collin came and handed out all the gifts, which was nice — I got to sit down!" said Connie.
"We took generational pictures while everyone was home," continued Connie. "I just got tears in my eyes, wishing my mom could have been here, and seen how our family is growing."
Connie said that friends, Kim and Sean Melstrom of Ft. Riley (they used to live in Ramona) stopped and gave Connie a lovely angel inscribed with this message: "Perhaps they are not stars, but openings in the sky where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy." This gift was especially meaningful since Connie lost her mom in 2005, and Kim lost her dad, Mart Ditto to cancer right before Christmas.
On Christmas Day the Smiths continued the celebration with immediate family, more gift opening, and good food.
"So what did Dan get you this year for Christmas?" I asked Connie, knowing that Dan is consistent about giving his wife amazing gifts.
"You know how they advise husbands not to get their wives appliances for Christmas? Well, Dan took exception to that rule this year because we're having a whole cow processed, so he got me this humongous upright freezer so we have a place right here at home to keep all this meat!"
The gift was so big Connie had to rearrange her whole kitchen to accommodate it; it's so big it blocks light coming into the kitchen. "Maybe we need some new sky lights," said Connie, assessing the situation.
But Dan had another idea — "Maybe get Paul to help you move the freezer to a new location — that's an easier solution than remodeling."
At 3 a.m. the next morning, Dan was back on the road with his trucking business — glad that he could be home for the two-day holiday.
As for New Year's: "I didn't do anything, thank heavens! It was quiet. I spent my time cleaning up from the two Christmases!" said Connie.
The Stroda family used the parish hall Christmas Day for their family gathering. When I phoned, Marge was ready with her list of family who attended: from Ramona were daughter, Jane and her husband David Staatz and their kids, Emily, Stephanie, and Allison, Jennifer and Vinnie with their children, Mathew and Paige. Art, who also lives in Ramona was joined by his daughter, Sara and her new husband, Scott from Salina; son, Tom and Mike from Austin, Texas; daughter, Marilyn from Andover; grandson, Brian and his child, Kaina, and granddaughter, Michelle, and husband, Jason, and their daughter, Kaylee, were all here from Wichita; son, Jim and his daughters, Ashley and Mallory from Plainville; son, Bob and wife Leann and daughter, Kelly, along with daughter, Elaine and fiancé Randy and her son Chris, all from Salina.
"We were also able to get Maurice from Golden Living Center (formerly Marion Manor) so he could be with us," said Marge. "It's the first time he's been home since February. We even had the dog there — the dog is Maurice's great companion. We had a really good time."
Maurice recently celebrated his 80th birthday. Marge took his birthday cake to him at Golden Living Center and he shared it with fellow residents. If you haven't sent greetings to Maurice, it's not too late!
The Fike Family began celebrating weeks ago, when on Dec. 16, Duane and Ruthita from California hosted a family dinner at Kirby House in Abilene. There were 40 people who attended from Duane's, Warren's, and Inez's families.
Christmas Day the Fikes were at Westmoreland with son Dennis and family, and then all the family gathered Dec. 30 here in Ramona at the parish hall. "We have 55 in our family now, but we had just 43 for this dinner," said Paula.
Betty Stenzel celebrated Christmas with son, Greg and granddaughter, Nikki. "My news isn't whoopee, but my holidays were wonderful," chuckled Betty, who usually teases that she has no news to report when I call her. Because of the holiday I knew she'd have something to say!
"Greg and Nikki came over to eat on Christmas Eve and then we attended Our Redeemer church together, where Nikki played a flute solo and also sang a solo as part of the church program. They also came over on Christmas Day. A week earlier we took a trip to Abilene and looked at Christmas lights, and enjoyed Ramona's displays too!"
When I called Frances Buxman the first words out of her mouth were: "I had a great Christmas! All the kids were home!" (That's three girls and four boys, plus grandkids.) "There were 28 of us."
Usually her children get together to buy their mom's gift, and this year there were sets of gifts: two living room lamps, two tablecloths, two red shirts, and a new coat. Her daughter, Sandra, drew Frances's name, and got her even more clothes. "I got a shirt and jeans," exuded Frances.
This year, the Three Musketeers, Tim Steinborn, my sister Pat, and myself, decided that for our Christmas present to each other we would take a trip — a quick trip, for an adventure. Each of us would do some part of the excursion. Tim's part was to drive and keep filling the truck with fuel. Our part was to orchestrate hotels, meals, and things to see and do that were exciting.
We packed quite a lot into three days! Oklahoma City was our first stop where we jumped the Blue Line Trolley and went to see the Memorial Site, stared in wild-eyed wonder at the Christmas lights, and rode the downtown water taxi along canals decorated like a winter wonderland. The next day we found brochures about the Gaylord Texan, a convention center where we voted we'd like to stay the whole 2007 Christmas season next year! We donned our heaviest coats and mittens to view ICE 2006 — 14,000 square feet of ice sculptures. They hauled in 2 million pounds of ice to the hotel and kept it refrigerated and then brought 40 ice artisans from China, who spent 25 days carving, turning tons and tons of ice into a winter wonderland — we slid down a slipper slide made entirely of ice! There was a life-size Nativity that looked like crystal.
Our destination was Fort Worth, Texas, because we had tickets to see "Greater Tuna Christmas," a seasonal play performed (for nearly 30 years), and written by Joe Sears and Jaston Williams.
We toured the stockyards in Forth Worth. Tim bought a cowboy hat, Pat had her picture taken on a Texas longhorn called Pecos Bill, and I bought some snazzy pink boots. When we pulled into Ramona on Christmas Eve, we looked at one another and said, "My, that was the greatest present! Thank you!"
On Christmas morning, Pat, Tim, and our mom, Martha, came over to my house and I made apple pancakes. While we savored breakfast, Pat and I opened all our holiday letters — we save all our Christmas greetings until Christmas morning and then enjoy reading them all at once.
Christmas was barely over and we were on to New Year's Eve where there was a rip-roaring party going on at the Ramona Café — I noticed as I headed out of town with my friend, Darrel — we were going to dance the new year in at!
"We had a chili supper, made by Reign and Marlene," said Darlene Sondergard. "Al and I were there, along with Jim and Mary Clemmer, and Walt and Iona Dietrich of Tampa, and the Andusses' daughter, Marsha (and son, Mack) and Marsha's husband, Doug Strecker. We played Chase the Ace and had lots and lots of goodies! Isn't that awful?" she says laughing.
On Jan. 5, the Sondergards hosted another card party at their home, for their Herington friends: Don and Joyce Campbell, Chic and Gladys Albrecht, and Pill Miskimen. When I commented on how they are on the go, Darlene laughed and said, "We like to keep going! We hope it keeps us young and more alert!"
B-I-N-G-O, that's what Kathy Werth and Don Matkins were doing with family and friends on New Year's Eve in Salina. "I just love playing bingo," says Kathy as she explained that she does 12 cards at a time! "And I won $100, too," Kathy beamed. "Don was lucky, too — he won even more — which added up to a pretty exciting evening."
Kathy uses much of her winnings to be a guardian angel around Ramona — whether somebody needs an appliance, a utility bill paid, or sponsoring the town newsletter.
"I try to help out family and friends who have special needs or when there's emergencies," said Kathy. "I didn't earn this money that I won, so if somebody has a need greater than mine I share. I like to think that maybe that's why I'm here on earth — to help," said Kathy.
Whew! What grand holidays were had by all — and this wasn't even all the news from Ramona, where a traffic jam is two parked cars and a dog in the road!
