Ramona correspondent
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As I look back on Ramona’s Fourth of July a month later, I’d have to say that what remains with me is the satisfaction of working with a group of committed and creative folks.
I am reminded how one or two people can change a town or what happens there.
When the Byron and Julie Noeths moved to Ramona a couple years ago, we were thrilled that they wanted to be involved.
They came up with the Redneck Run and sparked the theme, Redneck in Ramona.
Don and Kathy Matkins have lived in Ramona for six years. When they joined the committee, they came up with ideas like the kiddies’ water slide and ice cream cart.
This year, another newcomer, Brian Haden, catapulted us to new heights when he said he’d organize the Poker Run.
Brian’s uncle, Art Stroda, has been a stalwart on Ramona’s Fourth of July team. This year, he and Brian went off the charts. Two of their creations — the Lawnmower NASCAR and the Royal Flush dunk tank — were highlights of daytime activities.
As city clerk, I dutifully took my turn sitting under the Royal Flush toilet that gushed freezing water over my head when somebody hit the target. Believe me, there were plenty of 11-year-old boys who just loved trying to hit the mark, and they were darn good at it. Tyler Bentz was best. He kept reappearing with a string of tickets in his hand, and I kept shivering for the cause.
As for the Lawnmower NASCAR, Brian and Art had several lawnmowers for folks to drive, but each had a “deficiency” of some kind — different sized tires, a steering wheel that came off, or no decent brakes. Brian has divulged some of his 2010 plans, and they’re fabulous. He’s promised to let me talk about them after the first of the year. So if you have an old lawnmower just begging for another life, save it for Lawnmower NASCAR 2010 and start looking for your pit crew.
The parade continues to entries that never cease to amuse.
First place in floats was won, again, by the Makovec/Beltz families with their entry: “Redneck tours serving the ‘grader’ Ramona area.”
Gail Makovec drove a tractor with deer antlers on the roof of the cab that pulled a trailer full of tourists looking for rednecks. Tour guide Ron Makovec, complete with microphone, pointed out rednecks for the “tourists” to take pictures of.
The Ryff family of Ramona placed fourth with their Redneck Rock Band. Family members had rocks duct taped to their feet and kept time to music by banging on old tin tubs.
The “most redneck” award went to “Ramona Country Club,” the first, ever, mobile driving range: a decrepit pick-up that showcased two redneck gals — Bethany Symns of Atchison and Amanda VanTyle of Kansas City — practicing their swings. The slogan on the side of the truck said, “Green fees: 1 beer.”
Winners in the animal division were the Riffle kids of Tampa. Karl, Kyle and Kara, came with two goats dressed in prom attire with little crowns on their heads. As the kids got into the parade line, their mom turned to me and joked, “This was a bad idea!”
The Eklund Kids of Ramona placed second in the kids’ division for their Redneck “wide-deck” lawnmower: three push mowers, duct taped side-by-side.
Tanya Eklund won the Miss Redneck competition for her talented belching.
“I’m especially proud to receive this award, since my kids helped me create this whole thing,” she said, gesturing to her black polyester gown with silver duct tape strategically placed for decoration.
Tanya’s beer-can-earrings were also quite a stunning accessory.
Miss Redneck turned on her crown — yep, Jeannie Goza made the crown so it would blink red, white, and blue — and accepted her scepter (created out of old car parts by Art Stroda), and then immediately began her duties handing out prizes.
“What does Miss Redneck do all year long?” you might be asking. Nothing too taxing. Her visage appears on the Redneck in Ramona website, and there is an occasional appearance in other parades throughout the year.
Tanya, along with a couple other Miss Redneck contestants, appeared in the Herington Tri-County Free Fair parade later in the month.
And here it is, the start of a new month and Ramona is quiet once more. There’s hardly a redneck to be seen. But I’ve already heard people sharing their ideas for next year’s parade.
“There’s a little redneck in us all,” one guest said.
I remember when the committee first decided to try the redneck theme and one of the kids in town asked me what a redneck was.
“It’s somebody who doesn’t have lots of money, but still tries to be creative anyway.”
The little boy thought for a moment, and replied, “Well, heck, Jess, that’s about everybody in town!”
And that’s the news from Ramona, where a traffic jam is two parked cars, and a dog in the road.