Ramona
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
(785) 965-2621
"It's been 15 years since I've been on a horse," said mayor Pat Wick, as she waited for the 4th of July parade to commence Sunday. She was radiant, dressed in full American Indian regalia, and sitting on the back of one of A.J. Svoboda's horses.
"I used to own horses in California and then sold them, so being on horseback again is downright exhilarating!" said Pat. "And riding in the parade dressed as an Indian is just frosting on the cake!" Pat was wearing one of her most stunning Indian headdresses — all white feathers that cascade from head to toe.
Folks were sitting all along D Street, anticipating the parade, but the largest crowd was right in front of the bank and post office, where Andrea Kleiber was announcing each parade entry. The parade began moving down Main Street the moment I began singing the national anthem.
Tanner Brunner on horseback, carrying the American flag is a stirring site and this sixth grader has become a tradition in Ramona. He was followed by the mayor, who was flanked by two local "cowboys" — Tracy Brunner and A.J. Svoboda.
The theme of the parade was "Explorers, Cowboys and Indians," and winning first prize in the children's division was Tyler Bentz of Tampa, pulling his covered wagon that was made by his talented grandmother, Virginia Bentz.
The Thompson kids won second in this category with their rendition of "The Ponderosa." Tying for third was The Ohm Gang (Harold and Betty's grandkids on bikes that were transformed into horses), and Ryan Jahnke riding a small motorized tractor.
Larry and Deana Olsen from Marion with their Cottonwood Miniature Horses, won first in the adults and animals category. The seven-week-old foal they had with them literally stole the show! When Deana walked up to collect the first prize winnings, the little foal followed and kicked his heels in the air as if to say, "I knew we'd win!"
Cole Svoboda brought together his school chums — Jacob Jirak, Nick Kleiber, and Rustyn Kerbs — all of whom played in the Centre band last year. They called themselves the Younger Gang and added music to the entire parade.
In the adult category prize money was awarded to Dave Frantz, Gary Fike, and Merv Deines who all drove tractors in the parade. These tractors and owners also won trophies in the tractor show that Jeannie Weber held earlier in the day.
David Frantz took home the trophy for best restored, with his 1942 B International tractor, Warren Fike won people's choice for his 1949 John Deere A, Merv Deines received oldest of show with his 1941 John Deere Model B, Harold Ohm for best un-restored, and Martha Ehrhardt, who entered her late husband's tractor, received the best decorated award.
The floats always are the highlight of the parade and winning first prize was "The Cowboy's Bed & Breakfast," created by Tim Steinborn and Pat Wick. In the olden days the cowboy's bed was a haystack and breakfast was milk and whatever eggs he could scrounge. There was a rooster ready for the "wake-up call" and a couple of tin tubs worked as the Jacuzzi spa. I rode on the float as the innkeeper and was milking a cow to get breakfast for my cowboy guest.
Second place was awarded to the Lewis and Clark float — a canoe that carried Ramona's two three-year-olds, Nathan Young and C.J. Thompson — with Indians lurking among the trees.
Third place went to the Ihde family, who would have won first, if the judging criteria had been "most people on a float and most unusual." The Ihdes were holding their bi-annual 4th of July family reunion out on their homestead west of town. Family members rode on the antique fire engine (owned by Mike McNeil of Wichita,) and others were on motorcycles and in trailers. There were so many folks that they were a mini-parade by themselves!
While the Ihde reunion wasn't as large as usual — there were only about 40 this year — there were too many guests to fit in the farmhouse west of town, so we had Ihde family staying at Cousin's Corner B&B over the weekend. We'd like the Ihdes to hold an annual reunion, because we love having their energy in the parade — they're kindred spirits!
Kathy Werth and Katherine Herrman of Ramona won the bike raffle. The bikes were donated by David and Jane Staatz and the benefits go toward building bathrooms in the park.
Judging the parade this year were Linda Peterson of Burdick and Deb Hare and Lynn Kleiber of Ramona. Amanda Kleiber coordinated the tally of votes.
While folks waited for the fireworks to commence, there were games in the street and the music by "Bob and the Boys" from Marion. It reminded me of the stories I've heard over the years about Saturday night in Ramona when folks would come into town for a little respite from the rigors of farming. The adults would sit and chat, the kids would get an ice cream cone, and everybody would relish the sense of community.
Prior to the parade Sunday the Ramona Senior Center held a cakewalk — an event that will become a tradition, I'm sure. Earlier in the afternoon, Jeannie Weber held a treasure hunt around Ramona. The "Bird Sisters," Julie and Cindy, along with Julie's daughter, Katrina, and their niece, Jenny Davis, and friend Emily Staatz, won the $40 treasure hunt prize given by Weber Trucking.
And the finale of the evening was the stunning fireworks display sponsored by Tampa State Bank and D.C. Trucking of Ramona. The fireworks are by far the greatest expenditure of our little hometown event and we're grateful for the Ramona Fire Department who set loose this sparkling conclusion to the day's events.
What makes the Ramona 4th of July such a winning event is because so many folks participate — whether that's in planning the event, contributing to it, taking the time to create something for the parade, or attending the festivities.
Joining me in planning this annual event are my sister Pat, Jeannie Weber, Reign and Marlene Anduss, and Connie Smith.
Ramona's population hovers around 95 these days, so it's so much fun to see people driving into town and filling the streets. Merv Deines sat in the shade enjoying refreshments and conversation with Dan Peterson and Dennis and Donita Ryff.
The Utech family, including Erich, congregated at Tony Meyer's house for homemade ice cream, and teenagers and adults alike were itching for dark so they could light their stash of fireworks.
There were several "mini-fireworks displays" around town after the city event ended, and then soon after midnight the rain rolled in and cleansed the air of smoke and sparkles.
Come Monday morning, life in Ramona was back to normal — there was blessed silence all around, and traffic was back to being two parked cars and a dog in the road.
