CORRESPONDENTS: Ramona: A lot happened while writer was in Bali years ago
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
(785) 965-2621
When I got home to Ramona, after a month long trip to Bali, a lot had certainly happened in my absence! I couldn't get e-mails from Pat or anybody while I was away, and phone calls were out of the question, so I just waited until I returned to hear the news.
When I returned home to cold and windy Ramona in February, my first task was to visit the office and go through my mail. I sat at my desk, opening cards and letters and was puzzled by one from the Brunner family thanking us for flowers. That's when I discovered that Orvell, the matriarch of the Brunner family, had died. I was stunned — just seconds before I had been thinking I needed to send her another card, because she was struggling to recover from a stroke when I left for Bali.
I was sad to hear that Paul Jones was admitted to a Salina nursing facility for chemotherapy and radiation in early January. Paul's good friend, Collin Bailey, stops in about once a week to see Paul, and this past Sunday when he visited he was encouraged.
"When I got to Paul's room, he wasn't there," said Collin. "Normally Paul doesn't go far from his bed or wheelchair, and I'd heard that he'd been back in the hospital, so I was worried when I saw his empty bed."
But the staff quickly comforted Collin by telling him that Paul was down at the cafeteria having lunch!
"That was good news! I ate with him and we spent several hours visiting afterwards. He was the 'old Paul' that I knew!"
Paul and Collin have been buddies ever since Paul moved to Ramona more than 15 years ago. They'd often go trekking to restaurants in Marion or Dickinson counties.
"We loved to talk politics over a meal," said Collin. "But the rising price of gasoline curtailed our voyaging a little here lately. I miss having him around."
Collin said Paul enjoys receiving cards and visitors. He's staying at Windsor Estates, 623 S. Third, Salina KS 67401.
Another Ramona person who had a hospital stay in January was Frances Buxman. She's home and doing OK again.
And I was thrilled to discover that Norma Weber was back home after weeks in hospital care — she actually came home around Christmas but I hadn't heard that news before I left.
I was excited to hear that our buddy Tooltime Tim had resigned his 20-year job as lead man at the Martin Marietta quarry, to start his own business doing small construction and tree trimming. The name of his business? Why, Tool Time Tim, of course!
Paula Morgan launched a new phase of her career in January when she was installed as postmaster in Durham. Paula recently dropped by to visit and said she loves having her own post, but it's not like Ramona, where she knows everybody and has history with them. "I feel kinda way out there by myself," she laughed.
Marguerite Utech was in and out of the hospital twice since the beginning of the year, and doctors still aren't sure what caused Marguerite's legs to fold from under her.
"I don't feel all that bad now," said Marguerite, "but to have your legs go weak and not function — that's kinda scary."
Marguerite said not being able to get out and go is the hardest part for her now. I asked her if she could do anything with strong legs, where she'd go and what she'd do.
"I'd go hiking!" she immediately replied. "I used to love to hike and walk — sometimes two or three miles at a time!"
Marguerite and husband, Fred, did get out March 8 for a family birthday party for her great-granddaughters, Kallie and Morgan Albrecht. The party was held at Jolene and Neil Albrecht's home in Salina and most of the family was there: Junior and Jeanetta Hanschu, also of Ramona, and Jayson and Jan Hanschu and children from Hillsboro, Jennifer (Hanschu) Braden and her son, Josh, came from Windom, and Neil's mother, Bel, and his aunt, Thelma Humbarger, both of Herington were there, along with Neil's sister, Linda James.
"We played games at four," said Junior Hanschu, "and then ate supper and had cake and ice cream while the kids opened presents."
The most wonderful thing of all that happened while I was in Bali was that Norma Bird fell in love! Upon my return I met Norma in front of the post office — where we'd often run into each other and share, in two minutes or less, the romantic adventures of our lives — and she blurted out, "I'm in love, Jess, and having the time of my life!"
That stopped me dead in my tracks. The last time I'd talked with Norma, she didn't think there was a man alive that could intrigue her. Oh my! Someone got to Norma's heart, and that someone is Zeb Wright!
Zeb, a retired hospital administrator from Oklahoma, moved to Navarre six months ago. He decided it was time for a change since he'd lost his wife a couple of years earlier, after seven years of nursing her through a difficult illness. So he moved to Navarre to live with his sister, Betty Roth, and the two decided to keep each other company.
Then Norma and some of her lady friends, one of whom was Betty, went to a tea dance in Salina. The dance wasn't anything to talk about, but it was there that Betty talked about her brother Zeb, and thought maybe he and Norma might want to meet.
Zippity-do-da! The two were introduced and have been together ever since!
"Our first date was to the Eisenhower Museum in Abilene," said Norma. "We both like museums and we immediately hit it off. He's such a great guy, with a wonderful sense of humor and we have so much fun together!"
I got to meet Zeb Wednesday night at the Jolly Mixer dance in Salina. I was out waltzing when suddenly Norma was standing in front of me. I hadn't expected to see Norma there, usually the only places I run into her are at the post office or her shop in Herington.
"Oh you've got to come and meet Zeb," she said glowing. And within seconds I was whisked over to the table where Zeb and Norma were sitting with friends. Immediately laughter erupted as Norma started telling stories of their romance.
When Zeb heard that I was a newspaper columnist, he reached out and touched my hand, "You can't print that," he said, his face flushed with laughter. And then Zeb would embark on adding embellishments to Norma's story or tell one of his own. It was clear that these two are kindred spirits.
This relationship has blossomed quickly — maybe that's the benefit of getting older, we know ourselves better. On May 3, Zeb and Norma are having a ceremony celebrating their union.
"I knew almost immediately after I met him — that's where I belonged," said Norma. "Being with Zeb just felt right."
Zeb and Norma are making Ramona their home. These two are on the go, though, so I'll have to catch the news as they fly out of town! They're on their new life adventure.
Tony Meyer turned 96 March 3 so Pat and I took him to lunch in Marion to Casa Azteca where he was joined by his long-time friend, Jim Socolofsky, and his trusted advisor, Keith Collett.
"I never expected this!" exclaimed Tony when he walked into the restaurant and saw cake, candles, balloons, and friends. Not only did we sing happy birthday, but also the restaurant owners, Hector and Felicitas Cardenas, came to the table with fried ice cream that had a candle on it. They sang a beautiful song in Spanish that brought tears to Tony's eyes.
Harold and Betty Ohm became great-grandparents again when their grandson, Daniel Reicher and his wife, Rebecca had a daughter, Danielle Lynn. She was born Feb. 12, weighing 6 pounds 15 ounces and 20 inches long. Grandparents are Tammy and Mark Lewis and Paul and JoAnn Reicher, all of Wisconsin. The other great-grandparent is Minnie Reicher, also of Wisconsin.
Jim Thompson and his children — Ben, Dallen, Terren, Cassy, and CJ — just returned from a three-week trip to California, Arizona, and Texas.
"We went to Sacramento first," said Jim, "to see my mother and brothers. Then on to Modesto to see Ben's great-grandmother." After that the Thompsons turned their car east and headed for Tempe, Ariz., where Jim's father and sister live. The last stop was Texas where Jim has a great-uncle.
"I felt it was important to take this trip because the kids haven't seen their grandparents in quite awhile," explained Jim. While driving west, Jim tried to explain to his children how important it was to see their loved ones, hear their stories, and make memories with them, while they can.
Terren really took this to heart, so when the family arrived in Sacramento, he went up and hugged his grandma and said, "We just had to come and visit you before you died."
"I thought I was going to die — from embarrassment," laughed Jim.
When the Thompsons returned home, they decided to do some community service and pick up limbs and twigs in the city park. Despite their dedicated efforts, the park will not be ready for a city Easter egg hunt this year.
Instead of an egg hunt in the park, the Easter Bunny has agreed to deliver Easter baskets to all children (ages 2-12) who live in Ramona, early Easter morning.
The clean-up work from the December ice storm has begun in Ramona. FEMA reps have met with Ramona mayor Pat Wick three times already approving the city's plan for getting the trees trimmed and removing debris from city rights-of-way.
With the arrival of a little warm weather, the "storm clean-up team" has made considerable progress, although in doing so, they've had to make a little mess. When they're finished we'll pray for rain to wash the dirt off the streets.
"Oh, I'll get out and sweep the streets myself, if I have to," said Don Matkins, Ramona's dedicated maintenance man. He's joined in the work by Billy Alcorn, Billy's brother, and Tim Steinborn.
Time marches on in Ramona — just watch the babies suddenly become teenagers. I remember when we first started coming back to Ramona and little Solomon Brunner was born — fifth generation Brunner to live in Ramona. And this weekend — on Easter — Solomon turns 13!
David Staatz can attest to time moving on, too. His youngest daughter, Emily, turns 16 in a couple of months, and he's reached his own important benchmark in life — he turned 50 this past weekend! To celebrate, his friends and family gathered at Papa T's — where David's wife, Jane is the cook — to have his party. When I asked David what was the most fun for him, he said, "Having everyone important to me, all together in the same room." And then he added, "And it was a great surprise seeing friends I hadn't seen in over 25 years. We've got plans to get together again soon."
Ramona's Spring Tea will be happening at 2 p.m. May 10 at the Lutheran parish hall. This is the eighth year for the annual tea which happens on Mother's Day weekend.
Tickets are $15/person. For more information contact The California Sisters, PO Box 12, Ramona KS 67475.
"Happy Days" is the theme for the Ramona Rural High School Reunion May 25 at the Centre Elementary School gym in Lost Springs. The alumni officers — Jim Sader, president, Junior Hanschu, vice president, and Dolores Siggs, secretary/treasurer — have met with Pat and me (we're the event planners) twice and invitations will be going out next week.
The school gym's going to look like a drive-in from the 1950s — down to a car hop wearing skates! Entertainment promises to make your heart weak, with appearances from Elvis, The McGuire Sisters, Patsy Cline, and the Everly Brothers.
"Even if you didn't actually graduate from Ramona High, you're invited," said Dolores Siggs. "Some folks who were classmates moved before graduation, or maybe they were friends of RRHS students — we want everybody to feel welcome because it's a great time to reconnect with old friends." If you're one of these people, who isn't on the RRHS mailing list, send a letter to The California Sisters, address above.
Dolores was the one to recruit the Everly Brothers for the reunion. "I got my brothers, Junior and Bill, to lip sync one of their songs," admits Dolores, who's a powerful woman, but not so powerful as to raise the Everly Brothers from the dead. "My big challenge is to find my brothers some hair!"
And that's the news from Ramona, where a traffic jam is two parked cars and a dog in the road.
