Tajchman siblings visit Ramona
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
(785) 965-2621
Nov. 7-18
The Tajchman siblings convened on Cousin's Corner Bed & Breakfast Nov. 8 for a four-day walk down memory lane. Clarence Tajchman arrived from Texas, Bobby drove from Colorado, Patricia and her husband, Wayne White, came from Florida, and Pat's twin brother, Patrick, came the shortest distance since he lives in Marion. The siblings were last together two years ago when they had a family reunion.
The Tajchman homestead was two and one-half miles south of Ramona and still is owned by one of the family. There Pete and Adeline Tajchman raised their eight children. "We were all repeats," said jokester, Patrick, referring to his father's name. Pete's father was Joseph Tajchman and he and his brothers all settled in this area.
Several of the Tajchman kids went to school at Ramona High, but only one — Clarence — graduated from RRHS. "I was in the first graduating class from Centre High," interjected Bobby.
The Tajchman siblings spent their time driving around the familiar countryside and visiting family and friends while in Ramona. "We drove around Ramona and Patrick recited who lived where," said Bobby, "and then we drove to the Herington Reservoir. We did lots of reminiscing. On Thursday we went to Marion and Pilsen."
When Bobby walked into the former bank building he recalled opening his first checking account. "I took the money from a 4-H sale and opened a checking account," said Bobby, "and then I promptly walked down the street to Brunner's Market and bought some penny candy or something, and wrote my first check to pay for it. I was 11 or 12, I think."
"Dennis Brunner, Keith Riffel, and I got into all kinds of mischief," said Clarence with a mischievous laugh, "but I don't want to see it in print!"
Pat remembers going to Strickler Store with her brother, Patrick, and their dad instructed them to each get a Red Chief tablet for school, and charge it. "My brother said he wasn't going to get a tablet because he didn't have money for it. I told him, 'Dad told us to get a tablet and charge it!', but my brother didn't understand the concept of charging for what you bought."
"It's been great being here and staying at your guest house," said Bobby, as he prepared to head for Colorado. "It's the closest thing to experiencing our old home place again."
On Nov. 11 Centre School held its annual Veterans Day program at the elementary school in Lost Springs. The program took place in the morning, when my sister and I are usually teaching art to third and fourth graders. Because of the program we held art class in the afternoon and the moment we walked into the fourth grade classroom, one of the Ramona kids, Makenzie Deines, came rushing to my side.
"I sang a solo this morning when we sang "American Tears" for the veterans program, and so did
Warren Fike and his wife, Paula, of Ramona always are in the audience for the veterans program. "We always enjoy the children's tribute," said Paula.
Warren had another memorable occasion this month — his 80th birthday. Many of you probably saw the pictorial tribute to Warren's life that was featured in the area newspapers. "Our daughter, Sara, and her husband Stewart, designed it," said Paula.
Stewart's brother, Sid, happened to see the photograph of Warren's Navy days and decided to do a portrait of Warren. "While he doesn't claim to be a professional artist, he did a great job painting Warren," said Paula.
But the gift that "took the cake" was Cole Steven David Deines — a new great-grandson that was born on Warren's birthday! Cole is the son of Shane and Sarah Deines and grandson of Steve and Sandra (Fike) Deines.
The culmination of all the celebrations was dinner Nov. 12 at the Brookville Hotel. "All our children were there," said Paula. "Only a couple of the grandkids couldn't make it."
A day after Warren's party the Fikes were on the road again and on their way to Westmoreland for their grandson, Derek's, confirmation. Derek is the son of Dennis and Lou Ann Fike.
"It was a busy week," said Paula as she continued to outline their activities. "On the 17th we had the luncheon for Esta Lee Schneider Strom, whose funeral was Wednesday in Enid." Mrs. Strom was laid to rest in Lewis Cemetery on Thursday. The ladies of Trinity Lutheran — Orvell Brunner, Paula Fike, Yvonne Brunner, Myrna Eskeldson, and Leola Neushafer of Hope — prepared the luncheon. Esta Lee was a sister to the late Duke Schneider, long-time resident of Ramona, and one of Ramona's mayors.
Following the graveside ceremony the family asked if they could tour Cousin's Corner Bed & Breakfast. This two-story home was once Lydia Schneider's residence, mother of Duke and Esta Lee.
Our sympathy also extends to David Staatz and his family here in Ramona. David's brother, O.B., died this past week and his funeral was Saturday in Herington. When David knew his brother's time was probably short he began making a garden in his yard as a living tribute to him. The cistern pump in front of the fence is the first piece to the memory garden for O.B. Come spring there'll be blooming flowers to surround the antique pump, as a reminder of the good times David shared with his brother.
Ramona Fire Department held a hunters' breakfast and luncheon Nov. 12. It was a great success for the fire department, which is raising funds for an expansion to the existing fire station in Ramona, and a welcome meal and social gathering for many who attended.
"It was great to see so many old friends," said Clarence Tajchman of Texas, who was visiting in Ramona for a few days and took advantage of the meals just down the street from the guesthouse where he and his family were staying.
The folks pulling off this event had a long day by the time the last dish was dried and the parish hall floors swept and mopped. "We've been up since four," said Tonya Stroda, assistant fire chief, as she leaned against the wall for a rest.
Jeannie Weber asked us to make noodle soup with butterballs for the event, so we asked our mother, Martha, to make homemade noodles for the soup and we set to work on the butterballs. "Next year we want twice as much," said Jeannie. "We had a hunter from Oregon who wanted to taste butterballs and there wasn't one to be found by the time he arrived for lunch."
The dedicated fire department folks who presented this event were Alan Bentz, fire chief of Tampa, Tonya Stroda, assistant chief of Hope, Jeannie Weber, Jayme Brunner, Collin Bailey, Paul Jones, Max Morgan, and Angel Harold, all of Ramona. (If I forgot someone, or didn't see them when I happened to be at the event, my apology.)
The Oregon hunter who wanted to taste butterballs just happened to be a guest of Martha Ehrhardt's. "My neighbors from Silverton, Ore., where I used to live, came out to visit me and take in some hunting," said Martha.
"I've heard about the wonderful pheasant hunting in Kansas," said Larry Lyons of Oregon, "and since I've hunted so many places, but not Kansas, I decided we had to come and experience this."
After two days of hunting Larry didn't leave with a trophy pheasant, but he left four lovely quail breasts for Tooltime Tim to eat.
I saw a welcome sight this past Wednesday as I drove to Hope — there was Betty Ohm out walking the road picking up cans from the ditches that folks throw out their windows. This was something Betty and her dog Millie did as a weekly, if not daily, ritual, until Harold's unfortunate stroke.
When I stopped to tell Betty how grand it was to see her out walking again, she said, "Oh, our daughter Joey is here from Wisconsin and when she asked me what I'd like to do to take a little break, I told her I wanted to go out walking the road!"
Despite the challenges for both Harold and Betty, the Ohms venture out now with a van that's equipped for a wheelchair. It makes trips to church and the doctor's office easier than before. "We went to Platte City near Kansas City this past weekend," said Betty. "We didn't use the special van, we just drove in our regular van that has the bucket seats because with such a long drive we figured Harold would be more comfortable in a regular seat than sitting in his wheelchair the whole way."
Betty has the help of Judy Gratz of Ramona to assist with Harold's at-home care. With Judy and a lift, the two of them can help Harold get to where he needs to go. "Judy's been wonderful help for me," said Betty. From now until the end of the month the Ohms have their daughter, JoAnne's help, "Joey flew into Kansas City when we were up seeing Jackie and her family. It's so nice having her here!"
While in Platte City Betty got to see her granddaughter, Jordan, who just turned nine, perform in a high school production of "The Music Man." Jordan was one of 25 cast members and her picture was in full color on the front page of the Platte City newspaper. "You know she likes to dance," said Betty, "and you know she's pretty dramatic," and then we both laughed.
Indeed I do know Jordan is dramatic and loves to dance — we have priceless video footage of her at Ramona's Fourth of July celebration this past year, where she unabashedly danced her heart out in front of the band, and she was the lone dancer — the rest of us were in easy chairs watching! She knew the moves, she was in perfect rhythm and the unscheduled "show" was a memorable highlight.
Betty also is recovering from cataract surgery on Nov. 14. "That's why I'm wearing these dark glasses," said Betty, smiling.
The Ramona Senior Center celebrated Thanksgiving a week early with a Thursday luncheon. It was a lovely event, complete with turkey and stuffing!
And that's the news from Ramona where we're ever so grateful for each business and each resident, because together we keep the town alive, and yet peaceful — where a traffic jam is two parked cars and a dog in the road.
