Ramona
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
(785) 965-2621
Ramona looks most alive on Memorial Day weekend — it actually begins about a week before when one sees a variety of strange cars with out-of-state license plates cruising the streets. I'm always comforted by this annual ritual where cars roll slowly down the avenue, checking out what's changed and what will always remain the same.
"What do you think about as you drive down the street?" I asked Richard Tessmann of San Francisco. "I think of all the people I knew and there are specific spots around town that trigger those memories," replied Richard who'd been on a trek from San Francisco to Kansas decorating all the family graves as he visited one state after another.
"I usually hire someone to decorate the family plots, but this year I decided to make the drive and do it myself," said Richard. Tessmann was a graduate of Ramona High School, and has many friends in the neighborhood.
Tony Meyer got a surprise when Richard knocked on his door. Normally Richard would have had a "two for one" event when he stopped by Tony's in the afternoon, since Erich Utech was often at Tony's house around 4 p.m., but since Erich's now residing at the Lutheran Home, Richard and Tony drove to Herington to connect with their mutual friend.
When Richard visited Ramona two years ago I learned he was a dancer. So when Richard departed a couple of years ago to return to California, I teased him that when he visited again, we'd have to dance.
But when Richard called on May 25 and asked if we had a room available at our bed and breakfast, I was neck-deep in projects — moving our mother into her new home, getting our two guest houses ready for Memorial Day weekend, and the Dirt Gambler Museum suitable for viewing — there wasn't time to dance.
But the morning of Richard Tessmann's departure I realized that one has to make time to dance! So I waltzed home, put on my best dancing dress and high heels, we rolled up the carpet in Cousins Corner, put on some nostalgic music, and danced.
"Who would have thought that I'd one day be dancing with the daughter of classmates from Ramona High," commented Richard. Both my parents were friends of his, and they all graduated in 1934.
The song we danced to was "I'll Be Seeing You," and it became my theme song for Memorial Day weekend for that's exactly why folks return to Ramona year after year. "I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places," the song says, "that this heart of mine embraces all day through. In the small café, the park along the way, the children's carousel, the chestnut tree, the wishing well."
Before Richard returned home to San Francisco, he left a gift. "This silver cream and sugar set belonged to my wife," said Richard. "We didn't have children and I'd hate to see this sold at some garage sale when I'm gone, so I want you two girls to have it."
"Manda will be part of every Ramona tea party," I told Richard, "and when we use the set for our bed and breakfast guests, we'll celebrate her life and yours." To which Richard replied, "I had a fairy-tale marriage and I miss her."
Martha Schubert Ehrhardt was missing her life-partner of 67 years when she moved into her new home on the corner of 5th and D. "I just wish he could be here to enjoy this," she said, surveying her beautiful new kitchen.
Martha moved into her new house just in time to accommodate family guests. Henry and Gertie Schubert's sons and wives and even one grand-daughter, Kristina and her boyfriend, all came to Ramona for the purpose of moving Hank and Gertie to Colorado on Memorial Day weekend.
Since our B&B was already booked, the Schubert clan just stayed in the guest wing of Martha's new home. "This is like the Hilton Hotel," exuded Vicki Schubert when she saw the spacious bedroom with bath attached that even had a Jacuzzi tub.
The Schubert "kids" arrived Thursday evening just in time for an anniversary supper which Martha and her daughters (that's us) prepared in celebration of Hank and Gertie's 59th anniversary. "It was the happiest day of my life when I got married to Hank and knew that I was going to have a family and children," said Gertie at the supper table. "Going to Colorado and being near the kids is the next happiest."
Hank and Gertie looked like a wagon train heading west the morning of May 30. Keith with Hank and Gertie in the front in the Toyota, Gary driving the U-Haul, Carol in their Explorer with daughter Kristina and her boyfriend, Kyle, and Vicki bringing up the rear in her little red Prelude.
Pat and I stood in front of Cousins Corner and bravely waved them off. As folks on Main Street realized what was happening, they dashed to the car windows to bid farewell to Ramona's native son.
By nightfall, Hank and Gertie were in their new apartment on the fifth floor of the retirement complex in Greeley, Colo., just minutes away from Gary and Carol's house. The kids had the apartment already furnished with beds and furniture so they could walk right in and feel somewhat at home.
Hank had a week's stay in the hospital shortly after they arrived in Colorado — something to be expected with the trauma of a move and Hank's heart condition. It was while he was in the hospital that he first got to hold his great-grandson, Logan Glueckert.
Hank was released Monday from the Greeley hospital. I'm sure he and Gertie would love to receive word from home. Here's their new address: Hank and Gertie Schubert, 704 22nd Street, Apt. 508, Greeley CO 80631.
"I see more cars in one hour from my porch in Greeley, than I did in a whole year in Ramona," laughed Gertie.
What's Connie Smith doing in her front yard on a Saturday afternoon wearing Hawaiian print, and a lei around her neck? Has Ramona gone tropical?
"It was my 50th birthday and I decided to have a Hawaii Five-O party," explained Connie when I called. Indeed on May 29th, Connie transformed her yard into a tropical paradise — there were flamingos everywhere, including two nine-foot ones just east of Connie's house, the swimming pool was ready for a dip, and even the food had a tropical flare!
Connie started planning the party at the first of the year. "I was thinking about whether I'd even recognize the birthday!" said Connie. When the party finally materialized it was not just for her, but included her son, Bryan, who had a birthday May 31 and Bryan's uncle (Dan's brother) Don, who also had a birthday that day.
Connie had leis for everyone, Panama hats, wild Hawaiian baseball caps, hibiscus bandannas, flowers for the ladies to put in their hair, a kite for everyone, and the swimming pool was filled with 60 beach balls that Dan had to inflate!
"Early the morning of my party I came out and Dan had my 'baby' (that's Connie's prized Ram truck) up on jacks with the tires off and he was installing stainless steel fender covers," said Connie. But that wasn't his only gift — he also got Connie an electric chain saw, something she'd been coveting since Christmas.
Another stellar surprise was a diamond and emerald ring — a gift from her children, Catina and Bryan. "I've never had a birth stone before — it's gorgeous!"
Attending the party: Don Smith with his wife and daughter, from Topeka, Harold Shinn and wife, Janelle, and daughters from Norton, and Catina Cunningham, Connie's daughter, and Catina'a son, Alston, from McPherson; Bryan Smith and his daughter, Bryanna from Wichita. From Ramona: Kim and Sean Mellstrom and Leiha, who brought Casey Jones from Herington, John Antoszyk and children from Ramona, Paul Jones, and Barry Reghr, Connie's brother, and Connie's husband, Dan, who managed to be home despite his busy trucking schedule.
Connie said the party was a wonderful event to plan and pull off. "I gave lots of gifts to everybody — kites and beach balls, flamingos, and hats — it's my birthday after all, and if I want to give gifts, that's my prerogative!" Then she laughs and adds, "They all know I'm nuts — I thought I'd just prove it!"
This week's news
St. John's Catholic Church in Herington was full and overflowing with friends and family who'd gathered to watch a stunning couple get married. Melissa Stimac and Nolan Brunner's wedding party were already in the vestibule when I slipped in the door. I found some wall space at the back of the church where I could stand and suddenly found myself standing by the groom's grandfather — Lauren Brunner.
"I somehow ended up here today with that lady over there in the black hat," whispered Lauren with a twinkle in his eye. The lady in the stunning black hat was his wife of 59 years, Orvell. Within minutes the two of them were proudly walking down the isle to take their seat at the front of the church.
Nolan's family was involved throughout the service. His uncle, Tracy Brunner, read from the scriptures, and Nolan's mother, Jean Brunner, carried on a tradition that began at her own wedding to Kent Brunner 31 years ago — she sang a beautiful wedding song. I believe that Jean has sung at all of her children's weddings.
Nolan's aunt and uncle from Wichita, Ann and Bernie Koch, were hosts for the reception.
I spoke with Erich Utech on the phone this week at the Lutheran Home in Herington and he reported the Brunner reception was lovely. "Jeanetta came and got me so I could go to the reception," said Erich. "I had a great supper and got to see lots of friends!"
Erich doesn't have a phone in his room, but says his room is right around the corner from Jeanetta's office (that's his niece) so he can get phone calls. From the conversation I gathered about the only thing he misses about his old way of life is the lunches he enjoyed at his sister, Edna Mueller's in Tampa.
Naomi Fike went to Wichita June 5 for the wedding of her grandson, Scott Bowyer, son of Mack and Virginia (Fike) Bowyer. The weekend was so full of activity that when I called to get a report from Naomi she said she was too tired to say a word!
Tony Meyer was so impressed when he saw Tampa's new sign by K-15 that he called Pat and me and said, "We need a sign for Ramona!" We heartily agreed. Pat worked with Tony on a design idea and the "Ramona sign" project was born. "I figured we were an antique little town, so why not create a sign that looks like an antique truck," said Pat to Tony, and he liked the idea and was one of the first donors.
Erich Utech also has helped launch the project and the California Sisters are investing too. Thanks Tampa, for the inspiration. If anyone wants to donate to the project we'll send you a copy of the design. We opened a savings account at Tampa State Bank: "Ramona Sign."
Another improvement project was launched this past week — the park bathroom building committee was formed with Jeannie Weber as chairman. Committee members are Angel Harold, Jayme Brunner, Collin Bailey, Paul Jones, Nate Bailey, and David Staatz.
"We've already begun fund-raising," said Jeannie, who launched the campaign Memorial Day weekend. The proposal also was brought to Ramona City Council Monday evening, and the council gave permission for a bathroom to be built in the park. The city will not be providing any funding for the project.
In addition to fund-raising and donations (the committee has opened an account at the Hope bank), they also are hopeful that a grant might be secured to help with the project.
"Catina Cunningham, Connie Smith's daughter, has contacted us because she'd like to pursue a grant for Ramona to improve the park," said Jeannie. Catina is taking a class in grant writing and each student had to pick a project and she chose the Ramona park. "I grew up in Ramona and would like to keep the park a great place for children," said Catina.
Reign and Marlene Anduss closed the Ramona Café this past weekend, but that doesn't mean they weren't cookin! "My family had a reunion for the Gaede side, at Harvey County East Lake," said Marlene Anduss. There were 93 who attended the event and Marlene was one of the cooks.
"This was the first time I've had all my nine brothers and sisters at a reunion," said Marlene. The reunion began Friday and continued through Sunday. On Monday Marlene was catching her breath!
And that's the news from Ramona where reunions are the summer highlight, and a traffic jam is two parked cars and a dog in the road.
