ARCHIVE

Ramona: Thanksgiving weekend produces bushels of news

By JESSICA GILBERT

Ramona correspondent

(785) 965-2621

Nov. 21-31, 2005

Quite a few Ramona men were at the steak dinner for farmers and ranchers on Nov. 21 that was sponsored by the Marion Chamber of Commerce and area businesses. I was one of a handful of women present — definitely outnumbered — and I was there only as Tony Meyer's chauffeur.

Junior Hanschu and Fred Utech sat across from Tony, and I noted that Junior brought with him an essential piece of equipment that many didn't have — a heavy-duty steak knife! When I placed the hefty steak in front of Tony I realized that a small plastic knife wasn't going to cut it!

"Here, use my knife," said Junior generously. Throughout the evening Junior's knife became quite popular as friends and neighbors came and went. "I usually bring a steak knife — tonight I forgot," said Fred Utech, grateful he came with an equipped son-in-law.

Other Ramona folks that I saw enjoying steak (even without the assistance of Junior's steak knife) were Steve Jirak and his son, Seth, Rick Hanschu, Gayle Makovec, Robert Makovec, Terry Deines, Dave Frantz, and I'm sure there were others that I missed — although Tony was one of the last to leave the event. He thoroughly enjoyed talking cattle with fellow ranchers.

Gary Krause of Council Grove was in Ramona overnight Nov. 21 when he met up with a group of hunting buddies who were staying at Cousin's Corner for several days. Gary's mother was Velma Hanschu, (a sister to Junior Hanschu of Ramona) and his grandparents were Alex and Susie Hanschu. Gary was good enough to outline for me the entire Hanschu siblings and their children. At last, I know the family tree that connects Junior, Paula, Lyle, Rick, and Ronnie.

Thanksgiving had people on the move around Ramona. "We had two Thanksgiving celebrations," said Cole Svoboda. "At noon we were at Grandma Buxman's and then at five we went to Grandma and Grandpa Svoboda's." Cole didn't object to having turkey twice in one day! When I asked about the most memorable part of Thanksgiving he mentioned the ritual of shooting clay pigeons that his Uncle Tim sets up each year.

Nate Bailey and Judy Gratz hosted 13 at their family Thanksgiving. Nate's sons, Collin and Brendan and his family, and Judy's daughter, Corissa, and family were gathered around the table.

Lauren and Orvell Brunner had too many to count. "All the kids and grandkids were here," said Orvell. "We thought our granddaughter, Katherine, would have to work but at the last minute she surprised us — she got someone to take her place at work. So we had everyone at our gathering."

Ramona postmaster, Kathy Werth, said her family went to Salina to have Thanksgiving at her sister, Sheri's house. "My best friend, Trudy, and her grandson, came from Topeka and joined us," said Kathy. Kathy and Don started decorating over the weekend, and then the hail arrived and knocked out a bunch of their lights. "We're re-doing the lighting and all the decorations will be finished by the 3rd," said Kathy.

Warren and Paula Fike were in Eudora for Thanksgiving dinner for six. Hosting were Jeff and Jaime Peterson, with Jeff's parents, Dan and Linda Peterson of Burdick, joining them.

Harold and Betty Ohm had Thanksgiving at their home in Ramona. Joining them was their daughter, Joey, who was here until Monday, and Harold's sisters, Irene Riffel from Park City and Hilda Andrews of Herington. Dan and Connie Smith had their children home for Thanksgiving — Bryan and his daughter, Bryanna from Wichita, and Catina and her son, Alston from McPherson. Connie's brother, Barry, who also lives in Ramona, was at the family gathering, too.

The Sondergards went to their daughter, Kay's, place where 25 were around the table. "I made six pies for dessert," said Darlene.

Marlene Anduss made pies for her family gathering, too. Pies are Marlene's specialty at the Ramona Café, so I wasn't surprised to hear she was supplying dessert. The Andusses went to Argonia to be with their oldest daughter, Connie, and her family.

Norma Weber's granddaughter, Angie Mueller and husband, Kai, flew in from Virginia Nov. 22 and stopped in Ramona. They stayed in Ramona for the afternoon while my sister, Pat, interviewed Norma about her life. The reason for the interview is because Angie is sponsoring the next issue of The Ramona News in honor of her Grandma Weber.

Often families or individuals will sponsor an issue, but this is the first time a grandchild has sponsored the town newsletter in honor of a grandparent. "Grandma is a very special person and I wanted to celebrate that," said Angie.

After a couple hours of questions and sorting through pictures, Angie and Kai took Norma with them to Russell, where Angie's parents, Barbara and Charles Stinchcomb, live, for Thanksgiving and the weekend. Norma's daughter-in-law, Jeannie, brought Norma back to Ramona on Sunday.

Marge Stroda took her daughter, Marilyn, to have Thanksgiving lunch with Marge's mother, who resides at St. Luke Living Center in Marion. Art Stroda spent Thanksgiving with his daughter who lives in Salina. "Maurice spent a quiet afternoon at home," said Marge.

Frances Hanschu spent Thanksgiving in Salina, but not under joyful circumstances. "Clinton had an aortic aneurysm that put him in the hospital," said Frances. "All the family were here to see him, except one granddaughter from Kentucky. We all gathered at our granddaughter's home — Cindi and Larry Beneke of Salina, and took turns going to the hospital to be with Clinton. It was hard, because he wasn't recognizing us most of the time."

As of this writing, Clinton is no longer in the hospital, and while he's back at the nursing home, he isn't doing well, according to Frances. Your prayers, cards and calls are greatly appreciated by the Hanschu family.

Steve and Myrna Eskeldson were in Hillsboro on Thanksgiving, celebrating with their son, Bart, and his family. Betty Stenzel had a tranquil Thanksgiving with her son, Greg and his daughter, Nikki.

Pat, Mom, and I headed to Wichita to celebrate Thanksgiving with mom's sister, Frieda Struebing, and her daughter, Becky, and family. This was the first Thanksgiving in my life where I did no cooking. We were grateful to be pampered because we were working on getting the Barbershop Gallery ready for opening the following day.

While savoring the after-dinner coffee, the women ended up around the table, while the guys fell asleep in front of the television. The range in age was fascinating — 21 to 89 — especially when we started answering questions that Cousin Becky found in a holiday magazine. These were questions to ask your family members. Questions like: If you could do your life over again, what would you change? How are you like your parents? What's your best attribute? What was the most challenging event you've gone through with your family?

We started taking turns answering the questions. When asked what her best attribute was, Mom finally called it quits. "I don't know how to answer that," Mom retorted. "I was taught to be humble. Do you really say things like this about yourself? You answer it!"

The day after Thanksgiving was another stupendous, tremendous celebration. The weather was glorious, but nippy, but that didn't deter friends and supporters of Ramona gathering to acknowledge the award presented to Ramona by Rep. Jerry Moran. As we looked out at the faces of the group gathered in front of the former barbershop it was a reflection of Ramona's founding fathers that stood before us: Fikes, Brunners, Utechs, Heisers, Hanschus, Ohms, Meyers.

The youngest member in the crowd was Tanner Brunner, a seventh grader, who's leading the way in the next generation with keeping Ramona on the map. Brunner Beef Jerky, is featured at the Barbershop Gallery and Tanner is taking a leading role in marketing this family product.

Along with Pat and me, Reign and Marlene Anduss and Jeannie Weber, gathered around Moran to hear the words that were entered into the Congressional Record regarding Ramona. We were so honored to receive this acknowledgment of the work we've all been doing to keep Ramona alive and thriving.

Tampa Mayor Jim Clemmer and his wife, Mary, were at the ceremony and this was especially meaningful to me, because recently as Ramona worked with Tampa and other neighboring towns on the Scarecrows on Parade event, I realized anew that success is a group effort.

Following Congressman Moran's presentation to the Ramona mayor, he turned and cut the ribbon, officially opening Ramona's newest business — The Barberhsop Gallery. Reign and Marlene had hot coffee for everybody and Pat and I brought in boxes of fresh donuts for the celebration.

Tony Meyer thought the whole morning was a tremendous success. "That was a first-class event," he said, calling later in the day. "Why Congressman Moran even helped me get to my feet," and anybody who knows Tony, is aware of his ritual of telling someone how to stand like a post, so he can use them to pull himself up to his feet when he's been sitting. Tony was delighted that Rep. Moran attentively took his instructions.

"Why, Mr. Moran's assistant even helped me walk from my truck to the café, and back again," marveled Tony. "I was with the upper echelon," he said chuckling with delight.

Rachel Koch Epp came from Hillsboro to the Gallery opening because she got her first haircut in the former barbershop. "I have so many memories around this building," she said. "The barber when I was a child was Ray Kramer and he was a relative. I came into town one day with my grandpa and decided to go get a haircut while Grandpa did his errands. When I got home, my mother took one look at me and demanded to know what I'd done. I told her I'd gotten a new haircut — the windblown look. My mom asked me how I paid for it, and I told her I would be taking the 25 cents to Ray later in the week." Rachel laughed and then added, "I got something more than a haircut that day — my mother gave me a spanking!"

Over the weekend lots of folks wandered into the Barbershop Gallery and told stories about their haircut memories. There were so many stories, in fact, that Pat brought a blank book to the gallery so we could write them all down.

"I remember how the guys would come in and sit in chairs that lined the walls, waiting for their turn to get a haircut," said Rev. Gene Hicks of Herington. "Your Grandpa Schubert wasn't feeling well on one occasion, but didn't want to lose his place in line, so he held an empty tobacco can in his lap, just in case he felt sick."

Curly (Glenn) Bernhardt was the last barber to hold court in the old barbershop building. That's why we've made a special barbershop display in the windows of the gallery. "That doesn't look anything like my husband," said Rose Bernhardt of Herington, when she saw the scarecrow barber. We admit, we didn't have a picture of Curly to work from so our barber is a "representation."

Rose and her son, Willis, from Manhattan, brought family albums on their recent visit to Ramona so we can document the life of Ramona's last barber.

Vickie Jirak came into the Gallery on the weekend. "Sorry we couldn't be at the celebration yesterday," said Vickie, "but we were shopping!" The Tajchman-Jirak twins — Vickie and Jackie — were up at 3:45 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving, getting ready for the shopping blitz of the year! "My sister really gets into Christmas sales," said Vickie, "I dropped Jackie at one store, my daughter at another, and then I took a snooze while they waited in line — after all, I'd done the driving!"

In addition to shopping, Jackie and Vickie attended the all-school reunion for Centre High School graduates that was held Nov. 26 at Pilsen. "There were over 100 people there for the dinner and dance," said Vickie, whose class of '83 was awarded the "Spirit Stick" for having the most people from their class at the banquet. (The spirit stick is made of wood from the old gym floor, according to Carol Miller Riffel, chairman for the reunion.) The reunion is held every five years, although the next one will be held in four years, because 2009 will be Centre's 50th anniversary.

On Nov. 29 Tony Meyer and I drove to Marion for dental appointments. I was first in line to get a tooth filled and while Tony had his turn in the chair, I went to visit my aunt, Naomi Fike, who is in Marion Manor.

"I sure do miss Ramona," said my aunt. "You know, when you've lived all your life in one spot, it's hard not to be there — especially during holidays." Naomi had great news about her Thanksgiving celebration. She was strong enough to travel to her son, Joe's, home in Lawrence. Joe and Janet recently moved to a new house and this was the first time Naomi's seen it. "Oh, it's just beautiful. Janet even has a formal dining room! The boys — Ryan, Josh, and Tyler — were all home on Thanksgiving and even stayed around for a few days," said Naomi. Naomi's grandson, Tyler, recently announced his engagement to his long-time girlfriend, Elizabeth, and he's graduating from K-State this December.

On Saturday the Sader cousins rolled into town and gathered at Grandma Annie's former home on the corner of C and 4th in Ramona. Lyle Sader and his son, Brian, came from Salina on their motorcycles (Lyle is the son of Alvin and Helen). Anna Mae (Sader) and Frank Stika and their daughters, Lori, and Lori's daughter, Nikki, and Lisa and husband, Ronnie met them on the property that Lisa recently purchased, to decide if the family would attempt to restore the dilapidated house or take it down and put up a gazebo and garden.

"We decided on the gazebo — there's just too much damage that's been done through the years to the house," said Lori. "So many people were touched by Grandma Annie and want to be involved — it's going to be a wonderful family project," said Lisa.

Our mom, Martha Ehrhardt celebrated her 89th birthday Dec. 2 so earlier in the week we took her on a trek to Salina to see the film "The Parrots of Telegraph Hill." It was a documentary about a flock of wild parrots that reside in San Francisco. Mom's been an avid bird watcher all her life so we knew she'd enjoy this movie.

Do come to Ramona Saturday when we have our Festival of Lights from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Have supper at the restaurant, take in the Barbershop Gallery, view the live nativity (from 6 to 7 p.m.) and above all, schedule a reservation on the CollinBelt Railroad Tour. To take a tour of Collin Bailey's fantastic train display that travels through five rooms, call me at 785-965-2621 and leave your name, phone number, and number in your group and we'll assign you a time to show up for your 20-minute tour through a train fantasy land. It's delightful!

And that's the news from Ramona where a traffic jam is two parked cars and a dog in the road.

Quantcast