Ramona
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
(785) 965-2621
I admit it, I had two pieces of pie this weekend — a cherry (warmed) with ice cream on top Saturday, and on Sunday I indulged in a coconut cream. I savored every moment, knowing this would be one of the last times I could just walk down the block and get a piece of Marlene's amazing pie. When the Andusses moved to Marion this summer they didn't know how long they'd drive to Ramona to keep the café open. But when Reign had heart issues and the stint put in, with a few tense moments from time to time after the procedure, they decided it was time to lay down the spatula, so to speak.
So Monday will be the last day the Ramona Café will be open. It's your last chance to taste Reign's great chicken and hamburgers, and Marlene's remarkable pies.
If you come into town for an evening meal you can take in the Christmas lights around town. Main Street is looking pretty spiffy thanks to city council members who decorated the big tree and surrounded it with 10 smaller ones.
The weather curtailed the council's plans to gather Dec. 1 to decorate and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. Vice mayor Art Stroda called on that Saturday to say we'd wait until the next day in hopes the weather would improve. It didn't — at least not much. But Art and Jeannie Goza got the process started and later in the week Art, Don Matkins, and myself finished the installation.
As we stood in the crisp night air stringing lights I gave thanks for the people who are ever so faithful in seeing a project from beginning to end — most especially Art Stroda, who, after a long day's work, rolled up with his truck (which has everything you'd need for most any project stashed in the back), making sure the lights got up.
Even Art's brother, Tom, from Texas, supported Ramona's Christmas decoration project. He sent four huge boxes filled with gigantic ornaments for our big town tree, garland of all types, and other decorations. When you're a small community and without big budgets for decorating, such an influx of Christmas spirit is just inspiring.
It was dark when the last of the lights went up — we were chuckling that we needed to be sure the lights looked good from the west since Betty and Harold Ohm live next door and can see the trees from their direction. I just had said something about that when I heard Betty's voice. There she stood with a thermos of hot chocolate and some brownies. "I always wish I could do more," she began, "I thought you might need something warm."
That was the best Christmas gift! Her gesture reminded me of what drew me to Ramona in the first place — the long-time Ramona residents who gave support to my sister and me when we first started renovating a house here in town. It was a cold Pepsi on a hot summer day, a towel for the kitchen we were remodeling, the lending of a tool to jack up a porch, a casserole for supper, the offering of a hose for water, or a cord for electricity.
Perhaps things are more pronounced in a small town — there's not a lot of variety to divert one's attention. You notice when somebody does anything! So one night when driving home from Salina I came into town on the county road past Betty Stenzel's house I just shouted out with glee. There were lights wrapped around poles, lights around the edge of the house and the windows. What a bright delight!
"Oh, my friend Judy Gratz came and helped me do that," said Betty. "We help each other."
Right after Thanksgiving Betty and I talked, and she commented that she didn't know if she'd have the energy to do much decorating, and I commiserated. But in the end, she put up the lights and what a welcome into town it was! I got so inspired I went home and put up mine!
I realized that every household that puts up a decoration or some lights for the season gives a gift to the whole town. And while some folks can't do it themselves anymore, they're fortunate to have wonderful children to take on the task, which is what happened for Frances Hanschu.
"Sharon put up my lights for me this year," said Frances. "My kids do such good things for me. This summer Randy put in a big new patio behind my house."
The Christmas rituals are popping up around town: The ladies of Trinity Lutheran Church had their annual Christmas luncheon Dec. 5, and the seniors will have their celebration Saturday night, meeting for dinner at 6 at the Ramona Café for supper and then moving to the senior center for a $5 gift exchange, goodies, and some games. All are invited.
One of my traditions is to have Christmas cookies and hot drinks at the Ramona City Council, which was Monday evening. It just makes December bill-paying so much more fun. We had another reason to celebrate, though, and that was the announcement of Don Matkins' (Ramona's maintenance man) engagement to Kathy Werth (city council member and Ramona's postmaster). Their wedding will take place Dec. 29 in Salina with close friends and family.
This time of year brings guests to our homes, and Norma Bird has some unusual visitors — parrots, to be exact. Her friend, Sandy, took a trip and left her two parrots — an African gray and a yellow-headed Amazon — for Norma to baby-sit.
"Sandy brings the birds down to my antique shop sometimes, so they know my name," said Norma, "and I'll tell you, it drives my dog crazy when those birds start calling, 'Norma, Norma. Come here!' or 'Hey babe!'"
Norma said they even ring like a telephone and follow it up with "hello."
"When my dog gets in trouble the parrots laugh, which really annoys the dog," continued Norma. The birds even like being read to; their favorite books are Dr. Seuss.
"Sandy teased me that I'd be in trouble if those birds are cussing when she comes to take them home," laughed Norma. "I don't cuss much, but they sure do pick up new phrases and words with ease."
Norma's at her antique shop in Herington most days, except if the roads are icy. Norma's new location, right next to Duckwall's on Broadway, is a terrific big space and Norma has it filled with beautiful displays.
News is in short supply this week because the weather kept folks home. Why, we even canceled plans to see "The Christmas Story" at the Salina Community Theater., But this weekend, weather permitting, Pat, Tim, my friend John, and I will be going to Abilene to see "Plaid Tidings."
That's the news from Ramona where our lights are twinkling, and it's so cold that there are lots of parked cars, but way too cold to see any dog in the road. Anybody who's smart is home where it's warm!
Santa Claus to appear
Saturday in Lincolnville
Jolly Old Saint Nick will be coming to Lincolnville Saturday to meet with all the good little boys and girls.
He will arrive at the Lincolnville Fire Department at 2 p.m.
Children and their parents are invited to come early to enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, and a story time, beginning at 1 p.m.
Visitor center to be built at Tallgrass Preserve
On Dec. 4, Senator Pat Roberts announced that a grant of $120,000 was awarded to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve near Strong City.
The money will be used to build a visitor center.
The funds were awarded by the United States Department of Transportation.
