Ramona
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
(785) 965-2621
News for April 26-May 14
The parish hall was full again this year, as women of all ages (six-89) came to savor the delights of raspberry heart-shaped scones, caramelized beef sandwiches, cheesecake, banana split cakes, and much more.
Frances Hanschu attended with her daughter Sharyn Mueller — Frances was dressed in a lovely dusty blue outfit, as a bluebird, and Sharyn came in robin colors with a rosy orange blouse and brown pantsuit. Both had corsages made of bird nests, complete with birds and eggs, which Sharyn had made that day.
Twelve birds, one for each of the tables, were featured at the tea, and we asked guests to pick one, and dress in the colors of that bird. I saw Rhea Kolling of Herington in the grocery store a few weeks before the tea and she asked if guests were supposed to dress as birds. "Well, in the colors of different birds," I replied, imagining the challenge of actually trying to create a bird-like costume.
But was I ever surprised when the women started to arrive May 10. Rhea was a guest of Dee Duggan from Tampa and Dee's party was quite a spectacle. Rhea came as a redheaded woodpecker, with a jazzy sequined hat with a bill that won her the prize of best woodpecker. Dee's daughter, Deb Hall, won the cardinal award dressed in red from head to toe, with a red feather boa. She even wore black wrap-around sunglasses to mimic the cardinal's eyes, which are circled in black. Dee won best red-winged blackbird, dressed entirely in black, with a shiny red shawl for wings.
The hummingbird table was equally stunning. Tracey Wert of Canton brought a group of four, who all came dressed as hummingbirds — one even brought her own feeder. Tracey won the prize with a hat covered in shimmering green feathers, a sequined green and purple top, green skirt and a sequined shawl for wings. Tracey is an avid collector of bird things — from pitchers to nests. She brought many decorations with her to enhance the environment — there were even bird nests in the bathroom!
Ramona resident Norma Bird-Wright (she got married May 3, and that's another story), came as a barn swallow. "I even brought my supper," she joked, as she pointed to a huge rhinestone dragonfly perched on her hat. She won the prize in that category. Attending with Norma were her daughter, Fern Leach, her friend, and new sister-in-law, Betty Roth, and Jeannie Goza. Jeannie won best blue jay with a jaunty blue and white hat with a perky feather on it to mimic the blue jay's crest.
Paula Fike and daughters Carla and Linda attended the tea and sat with Darlene Sondergard, who came as a cardinal. Darlene is quite an authority on birds — whenever there were bird questions, Darlene was quick to call out the answer.
We always give away a corsage to the oldest mom in attendance, and this year we had a tie for top mom between Laura Ollek of McPherson and Geraldine Frick of Hillsboro, who both were 89.
"There are four generations of us here," said Geraldine as she pointed to her daughter, Janet Bielefeld of Hope, her granddaughter Michele Berens of Tampa, and great-granddaughter, six-year-old Addie, (who was the littlest robin).
My sister, Pat, really outdid herself this year with decorations. I teased her and said she had a "Martha Stewart moment," because she got inspired to make the 12 birds for the table centerpieces. She garnered some new ideas one morning, while watching Martha Stewart make birds out of Styrofoam and crepe paper. Pat got supplies and set to work. Before long there were finches in the living room floral arrangement, and hummingbirds dangling from a cherry tree twig.
Pat already was an avid bird person — she's collected nests and eggs for years. At last, we had an event where all those treasures could be enjoyed.
The young people of Ramona served all the delicacies at the tea, and were such a credit to the town. They were Kaitlin Brunner (fifth-generation Ramona citizen), Bryanna Svoboda (fourth-generation) Molly, Josh, and James Mercer and their cousin, Kristy, Vonny Calvert, Jessica Turley, and Dustin Rhodes. Guests always are generous in tipping the kids, and it's a way for them to be proud of where they live.
We hadn't even finished cleaning up after the tea when my cell phone rang.
"How did it go?" inquired an excited voice on the phone.
I began giving Mike Kutzel of southern California, a blow-by-blow account of the event, beginning with all the imaginative costumes.
"I can hardly wait until October," enthused Mike, as he relayed what I was saying, to his wife, Nancy who was standing near by.
You see, the Kutzels were the inspiration for doing a second tea this year on Oct. 11. Pat and I already had decided that this would be the last Mother's Day tea for awhile.
"I'm ready to wake up on Mother's Day and not be stiff from lugging dishes and toting tables," said Pat. "Let's pick another time of year."
The inspiration for this second tea came when the Kutzels were here in April, doing more work on their house in town. The Kutzles bought one of the oldest homes in Ramona a year or so ago (once owned by Nancy's grandparents, the Conrad Schnells).
We'd had a meal together and afterward Mike sat down at Pat's piano and began entertaining us. Both of the Kutzels are accomplished pianists — he even played in the opening ceremonies of the 1988 Olympics. "I wish I could be here to play for your tea," said Mike as his fingers flew across the keys.
"Maybe we should plan a tea sometime when you're here again," I replied.
"That's in October," he swiftly said. And I replied, just as quickly, "Let's do it!"
The date is set for Oct. 11, the parish hall is reserved, and the menu is already being created. We've already got reservations for 25 (those were made at the May 10 tea), and the parish hall holds 75 comfortably, with a piano inserted in the mix.
So if you want a seat at this event, send $20/person to The California Sisters, Box 12, Ramona 67475. This tea is not just for women — guys are invited too!
Of course Mother's Day happened this weekend, too. The best story that I heard came from Marissa Makovec who was taken on a "weekend whirl" to honor her role as "mom" in the Makovec family. Pat and I were meeting with Marissa about the upcoming Ramona High School Reunion, which Marissa is catering. When we arrived at her home she was dressed in this stunning shorts and jacket outfit.
"This was a Mother's Day present," said Marissa and then she proceeded to tell the story about her amazing Mother's Day weekend.
Gail and Sheila took Marissa to Manhattan where Shaina is going to school and working at Dillards. Shaina is getting her degree in fashion design and that figures into this amazing gift. So Marissa is told to get in a dressing room at Dillards and Sheila and Shaina picked out clothes for her to try on.
"I also was told to come out and model what I tried on," said Marissa, "and Shaina had gathered all her co-workers to come and watch too. It was a fashion show of one, and I was the show!"
After Marissa had tried on several outfits, her husband came to get her to supposedly show her something else she might like. When they returned to the dressing room all the clothes were gone and Shaina was up at the check-out counter.
"I haven't decided what I like best," said Marissa.
"Oh, we're getting them all," replied her daughters. "There are several people putting their money together for this gift.
After the shopping, they all went to lunch and then stayed the night at a hotel. On Sunday morning they went to church and in the afternoon they went to Topeka to try on bridesmaid dresses for Dana and Simon's wedding. (By this time, Dana had joined the party.)
Afterward Gail commented how much orchestrating of schedules this event required. "I was on the phone constantly with the girls," he said to Marissa. "You're usually the one who does all this coordinating for the family — I never realized how much work it was, until now!" Bless moms and wives!
The day after Mother's Day, Frances Buxman — mother of Ramona residents Tooltime Tim and Sandra Svoboda — died suddenly after a long stay in the hospital. The doctor said the primary cause of her death was a bowel obstruction that caused damage, much like a heart attack to the heart. Frances was in the hospital because of diabetes issues. I will write more about Frances in my next column.
One of Ramona's more quiet citizens, Barry Regehr, died at his home April 13. He was 61 years old. He died from numerous organs shutting down. He moved to Ramona 15 years ago, to be near his sister, Connie Smith.
His primary profession was nursing, but he also had a degree in communication and worked as a manager and DJ for several radio stations in Texas, Arizona, and West Virginia.
During his service in the Navy he received several commendations in fire-fighting and other humanitarian service endeavors. He also was in the bugle corps as a drummer. It was in the Navy that Barry began his nursing career.
Barry specialized in special needs nursing care and for eight years he traveled throughout the state taking assignments. He focused in geriatrics and on caring for those in the final stages of life. In 2003 he ceased nursing because of health complications — he struggled with diabetic issues throughout his life.
"It breaks my heart that Barry died alone," said his sister, Connie with tears in her voice. "He spent his life dealing with life and death issues, and caring for people in their final stages of life, giving them dignity and respect."
Barry never had children, but he opened his home to foster children for several years. "Barry was a humanitarian," continued Connie. "And he had several degrees — he excelled farther than anyone else in our family."
Barry's family will gather May 25 here in Ramona for a private memorial service. Connie is creating a memory garden in his honor and his ashes will be buried there.
Frances Hanschu turned 85 April 23, and celebrated with family April 26-27 when her daughter surprised her with a party. "Sharyn and her daughter, Tami, with her baby, Graham, were all here on Saturday, so I didn't expect anything else," said Frances. "Then on Sunday even more showed up. By Monday, I was so worn out I had to stay in bed," she says, laughing.
Other guests who joined the party were Cindi and Brittany Beneke from Salina and Cindi Goertz and Candi Petty from Winfield. Cindi and Candi are Frances's nieces. The guests enjoyed birthday cake and ice cream.
Steve Jirak was running on May 10 in a 6.2 mile race at the Wichita River Run. "This is my sixth race," said Steve. "I enjoy it because there are so many people in the race, and you run through town and by the river and it's very scenic. At the end of the race everybody gets a medal for finishing and then snacks and drinks are provided for the runners and there's even music."
I asked if Vickie and the kids went along. "I'd love for them to go with me, but it's a bit early for Vickie — I have to leave at 5:45 in the morning," he said with a grin.
The kids of Ramona took to cleaning up the city park with city council members April 26. Don Matkins, city maintenance man, proposed hiring the kids to help and he and his wife, Kathy, were the first to give a donation to fund the effort. Soon Billy and Rohani Alcorn added a donation, and then Jayme Brunner contributed, along with Betty Ohm, Angel Harold, Tony Meyer, and myself. Mayor Pat Wick, along with Tooltime Tim said they'd do a barbecue and feed everyone for lunch and vice mayor Art Stroda said he'd lead the whole affair.
Leadership Marion County had their monthly workshop at our guest house, Cousins Corner May 1. We look forward to this yearly appointment because we meet folks who desire to be the "movers and shakers" in Marion County. It was at one such meeting a couple of years ago we met Byron Noeth, who was looking for a home to buy this area. Ramona had a couple to offer and they became Ramona residents. Today, Byron and his wife, Julie are two of the primary leaders in Ramona's 4th of July celebration. Last year they initiated the Redneck Run, which was a stellar success and will be repeated again this year on the 4th.
Norma Bird married Zeb Wright May 3, in a ceremony that was the most precious I've seen. Perhaps it seemed more meaningful because these two people have lived full lives and had nursed spouses through difficult illnesses, and honestly knew what it meant to stay with someone in "good times and bad." So when they promised to be there for each other, it was so very sweet.
I was honored to sing at the wedding. Norma requested the song, "At Last." The couple slowly danced together while I sang — I'd imagined that when I was practicing the song. In fact, when their friend, Toby Harmison, sang "Can I Have This Dance," they danced a second time. Norma doesn't think she's a dancer, but we teased that all was required was to snuggle up to her man.
Norma's daughter, Fern Leach, was busy for days decorating the senior center with flowers and candles, with the help of her daughters. Norma's wedding was a family affair throughout with all of her grandchildren present. Her granddaughter, Katrina, was her bridesmaid. Zeb's groomsman was Michael Voit, a friend from Navarre.
The day began with dinner for family at the senior center, followed by the ceremony at 2 p.m. The place was packed with people. Afterward the guests savored cake and punch, along with fresh fruit and a dip that was so yummy it could have been eaten alone.
After opening presents, the happy couple went to Oklahoma. "I'm taking Norma to meet my people," said Zeb with his winning smile. "I've met all of her friends and family and now I want her to meet mine. We're staying at the Renaissance Hotel honeymoon suite, in Oklahoma City."
Norma said the hotel room was amazing. "We had chocolate covered strawberries and champagne in the room. And the next morning we enjoyed a buffet that was spectacular." The room was a gift from Zeb's cousin, Sandra.
One of the traits that Norma and Zeb share is a keen sense of humor. When they returned from the honeymoon, Zeb stopped by to say they were home and then he added with a mischievous smile, "The bed in the honeymoon suite was so big, I had to hunt for Norma!" And then he added. "You know, the next morning she asked for a divorce!" and then he paused. "She said she wanted to do this all over, and over, and over again!" and then he roared with laughter.
Norma added, "But you should have seen the look on his face when I said I wanted a divorce!" (These two are a matched set!)
The couple went on quite a honeymoon tour through the hills of Oklahoma, on to Arkansas and Missouri. "I met all of Zeb's cousins, and where he went to school — it was wonderful!" enthused Norma.
It's evident that Zeb and Norma have already begun to live happily ever after!
And that's the news from Ramona where a traffic jam is two parked cars and a dog in the road.
