Ramona: Utech sale was a family affair
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
(785) 965-2621
March 25-April 6
The Utech sale March 25 was an "event" and I hated to miss it. I had commitments that took me out of town so when I approached Ramona around three in the afternoon I was passing trucks pulling trailers loaded with a tractor or implements, or in the case of my sister and Tooltime Tim, their truck was loaded with twin beds and an old bicycle.
Farm sales, estate sales, and auctions, hold a fascination for us, and mostly because they bring people together, and so it becomes a country social. When I lamented that I couldn't be at Fred and Marguerite's sale, my sister asked, "Why, was there something in particular you wanted? Was there someone you wanted to see?" And I could only reply, "I just know there'll be lots of people there and I'm certain there'll be a story there that I'm missing."
When I drove into the Utech farm that Saturday afternoon there weren't many cars still around. Most folks already had gathered up their purchases and headed for home. Fred and Marguerite were sitting on chairs in a prominent location that gave them a view of all the happenings — they looked like weary ringmasters from an all-day three-ring circus.
"Oh, it was a terrific turnout," said Tony Meyer, who didn't attend the sale because at 94 he wasn't sure if he could find a suitable parking spot. But that didn't stop Tony from having the details of what happened that day. "There were 183 bidders," he announced when I stopped to see him.
Orchestrating a sale of this magnitude takes months of planning. The Utechs' son-in-law, Junior Hanschu, said the family started preparation after the first of the year. On many a weekend, family members joined in the work and on the day of the sale all of Utechs' children — Jeanetta of Ramona, Marlon from Tennessee, and Garland of Missouri — helped keep things rolling.
And the grandkids were part of the show too — Junior and Jeanetta's children, Jolene, Jennifer, and Jayson and their families, and Marlon's daughter, Sally, did whatever was necessary whether that was directing traffic or helping folks load up what they purchased.
Fred's siblings came for the event too. Sitting around Fred and Marguerite like spectators in an arena were Dolores, Liz, Junior, Erna, and Edna. "It was a perfect day," said Fred. "The weather was great, we had great bidders and the sales were good. There were lots of people — while there were 183 bidders, those bidders came with a son or wife, and then there were just onlookers."
Fred said he thought the sale would be hard for him. "But it wasn't," Fred declared. And then he said wistfully, "It's sure more fun, though, starting a farm and acquiring everything you need to run it, than it is to quit and let it all go."
While the Utechs are part of a select group of Ramona citizens who've lived all their lives in Ramona, the Lewises have barely lived a month in Ramona since they were given a home on Main Street by Reign and Marlene Anduss. If you read my column a few weeks ago that told the story, you know that Brian Lewis had a knee injury due to two accidents — a fall that occurred while roofing and a car accident that further exacerbated the initial injury.
I drove the Lewises to Wichita March 27 for Brian's knee surgery and while Brian wasn't eager to undergo the first surgery of his life, he was eager to have full use of his leg again so he can once more return to work and support his family.
There's always a lot of waiting that accompanies such events and Virginia almost was pacing as we watched the clock and knew her husband should emerge from surgery any minute. It seemed like an eternity to her until the doctor came out and announced that Brian's procedure had gone perfectly and in fact, there was less damage to his knee than they'd anticipated.
By 5:30 in the afternoon we had Brian loaded in the car. We had only three items on our agenda: 1) fill a prescription for pain killers, 2) stop at Taco Bell, and get food in Brian's stomach, and 3) get home! As Brian hopped on crutches into the house Virginia unloaded a trunk full of equipment the doctors gave her for helping Brian exercise his knee.
I knew rehab was next on the agenda and I asked Virginia if there was a plan for getting there. Virginia replied in a quiet voice, as though not sure she should believe what she was about to say. "Someone said they were giving us a car."
That "someone" was Bill and Dorothy Broce of Lost Springs. "I read in your column how the Lewises needed a car," said Bill, "and my wife and I were just talking about how we had three cars; we only needed two."
"We decided to give the Lewises the 1990 Buick," added Dorothy. "It was my favorite car — I loved that car! I delivered Avon with it. But when Bill mentioned the idea of giving it to the Lewises, I agreed it was a good idea." And then Dorothy, with a wistful tone in her voice adds, "When we gave it to the them I knew it was where it belonged."
When the Broces delivered the car, with oil changed, full of gas, and freshly washed, the Lewises were overwhelmed and grateful. "Bill just told them we all want to give something to them, and perhaps one day there'll be a time when they can help someone, and continue the cycle of giving," said Dorothy.
The little white Buick looks quite cute sitting next to the little brown house on Main Street. And everyday that I drive by, I smile thinking of such country generosity represented there. It's the power we all hold within our hearts — the power to change the world around us.
Frances Hanschu's family has been home on weekends to sort and sell the things no longer needed since Clinton died. The other day I saw Randy come driving around the corner on his dad's tractor and for a second I thought it was Clinton. It's been nice seeing Randy and Sharon and even great-grandchildren around town.
"I cook for them and it's wonderful having them here," said Frances. "But I wonder what it will be like when I don't have their weekend visits to look forward to." But for the time being they'll be here frequently because Clinton had lots of little storage bins and equipment.
Lots of folks in Ramona are sorting and releasing things they don't need anymore — it's all part of the "junk funeral," which is being held April 29 in Ramona. The motto is "Use it, Sell it, or Junk it!"
The junk funeral begins with "the viewing" of the junk at a citywide garage sale from 8 to 11 a.m. April 29.
Some of Ramona's residents are giving their junk for a city fund-raiser — those sale items will be on display downtown on the west side of the street. If you buy these items you'll be helping build bathrooms in Ramona's park.
To further entice you to Ramona early in the morning there'll be biscuits and gravy at the Cheers II building beginning at 8 a.m. until they run out. Across the street in front of the Barbershop Gallery will be my homemade cinnamon rolls and coffee. The proceeds from these food sales all go toward building bathrooms in the park.
In the afternoon following the yard sale, the "junk funeral" will be held where citizen mourners are encouraged to attend and show support of our dearly beloved community. Council members and others are leading clean-up teams to spiff up the town and "bury" so to speak, unsightly junk, apply some paint, and clean up the ditches.
In preparation for the junk funeral, Tim Steinborn already has hauled away more than 10,000 pounds of junk from residents' yards. Tim's sponsoring the hamburgers for "the wake" that concludes the day where Ramona residents gather to celebrate a new, clean Ramona, and enjoy a potluck/barbecue together.
The Sader family has decided to join the clean-up event and begin demolition of the house that once was their grandmother's on C Street. "While everyone in town is working to improve things, we decided to call our family gathering for the same day and begin this big job," said Lisa Hanschu.
Next weekend, April 22, a fund-raiser is being held in Ramona city park, sponsored by the park improvement committee chaired by Angel Harold, with proceeds going toward the bathroom project. The event begins at 4 p.m. with a sloppy joe supper, followed by a talent show and karaoke. "If you can tell jokes, sing, play an instrument, come and share your talent — even if your talent is just playing spoons!" says event coordinator Jeannie Weber. As an added bonus, Thrivent has committed to supplemental funds for the bathroom project.
A popular Ramona event in May is the Ladies' Spring Tea, which occurs at 2 p.m. May 13. This year's theme is "The Hen House Tea," a delightful event for "hens and chicks" (older women and young ones too).
Entertainment will be provided by Sister Strings, the Routh girls from Augusta. They're granddaughters of Leona Kleiber of Tampa. They play everything from mountain dulcimers to fiddles. This annual tea has become so popular that seats are reserved weeks in advance. If you want a seat, call 785-965-7110 or 785-965-2621 and leave your name, phone, and number of persons in your party. Tickets are $15 per person; under 12 are $10.
Door prizes will be provided.
And that's the news from Ramona where, thanks to the Broces, the Lewis family can finally experience the wonders of a Ramona traffic jam — two parked cars and a dog in the road.
Mitchel receives promotion
Heather Holub Mitchel, Marion High School graduate, recently was promoted to the rank of sergeant by the U.S. Army.
She currently is stationed at Fort Rucker, Ala., after completing a 2.5-year tour in Korea.
Mitchel is the daughter of Daniel and Rhonda Holub of rural Marion.
