Herrmans venture from Ramona to explore Alaska
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
(785) 965-2621
I was drooling by the time Kathryn Herrman finished describing her recent trip to Alaska with her husband, Ollie. It sounded like one big "food-fest" interspersed with sightseeing, crab cakes, crab legs, halibut, prime rib, salmon, baby-back ribs and jumbo shrimp. "Really jumbo!" prompted Kathryn.
When Ollie and Kathryn flew out of Wichita on Aug. 16, bound for Anchorage, they made every minute count — even layovers in Denver. "We had four hours between flights in Denver, so we took a cab and went to Aurora to visit Ollie's cousins, Don and Maxine Clem," said Kathryn.
When they landed in Anchorage that evening at 8:15, the temperature was a chilly 56 degrees! Quite a shift from the scorching heat of Kansas!
The Herrmans stayed overnight with friends Dan and Lisa Rohaley, who took them out to breakfast on their first morning in Alaska, showed them a few sights, helped them find a map so they could find their way around, and handed Ollie and Kathryn the keys to one of their cars for transportation. What pals!
Now, to make this little travelogue more interesting, you really need to know something about Ollie and his history with Alaska. Ollie was in the Air Force and spent two years of his military service in Alaska — that was 26 years ago.
Many of Ollie's military buddies stayed in Alaska when their tour of duty was over. Ollie stayed in touch over the years with Christmas cards, but hadn't seen many of his comrades in well over 20 years. So this trip was about connecting with old friends, while also taking in the gorgeous Alaska scenery.
When they had dinner at Jack and June Cheney's, the menu included baby-back ribs. "They had enough ribs for 10 people," said Kathryn, "and there were just six of us. I've lost some weight recently, but I'm afraid I gained some of it back on this trip!"
Kathryn and Ollie did do other things besides eat. They visited the Alaska Zoo, for one. "People kept talking about the wonderful zoo," said Kathryn, "but it was about the size of the Wichita Zoo. I come from Washington, D.C., — now that's a wonderful zoo!" she laughed.
They took a cruise up the Kenai Fjords where they saw bald eagles, puffins, otters, and sea lions, but no luck seeing any whales. They took in a theater show, "Sky Song," which is a Smithsonian-type show about the Northern Lights.
And a train ride to Seward, the "gateway to Alaska," named such because when the railroad was completed in the early 1900s, passengers and freights arrived by steamship. It also was a departure point for gold and coal being shipped to the lower 48 states.
"We had prime rib on the train," said Kathryn, "and it was worth every bit of the $21 per plate!"
The Herrmans even visited a chocolate factory — which surprised me since Kathryn works in one!
"We took everybody we visited a box of Russell Stover chocolates and a bag of West Star spice flour," said Kathryn. (Ollie works at West Star in Salina; Kathryn works at Russell Stovers in Abilene.) In case you don't know what spice flour is — I didn't — Kathryn said it's flour that has spices already in it and it's great for coating fish or chicken.
Last Friday, Kathryn and Ollie were experiencing the Alaska State Fair in Palmer. When I looked at the fair booklet Kathryn brought home with her, the events didn't seem that different from the Kansas fairs — they had demolition derbies, farm exhibits, high-calorie foods, and even country western entertainment.
But there were a couple things I've never seen here in Kansas: The Great Alaska Husband Holler where women pit their yelling skills against those of other Alaskan wives, and the Diaper Derby where infants 18 months and younger compete in a speed-crawling competition.
So what are the other major differences between Kansas and Alaska besides no sales tax, no income tax. The state gives you a little monetary compensation for living there and don't forget the mountains, lakes, glaciers, and moose loose in the streets!
"The cost of living is quite high there," said Kathryn. "A can of soda is typically $1.85 and coffee $1.75." And then there's the weather. "You can imagine the shock when we flew into Wichita and it was 109 degrees and the highest temperature in Alaska while we were there was 64 degrees!"
While some folks have been away from Ramona on vacation, others have come for a visit to their old stomping grounds.
Sonia Langlay Sheldon of Lamont, Okla., stopped by a couple of weeks ago. She visited with Fern Leach at Norma's Attic Antiques and Fern gave me a brief report.
"Sonia said her grandparents owned Badger Lumber Company," said Fern. Of course, today that's the site of Norma's Attic Antiques. Sonia's grandparents were Leslie and Edna Hungerford.
"Sonia also said she was friends with Neva Applegate's daughter," continued Fern. The last time Sonia visited this area was 1996.
Marlyss Brunner and her son, Charles Ryan, came to Ramona last week. "We heard about the museum and wanted to check it out," said Charles, who lives in Salina. "And we also visited my husband's grave at Lewis Cemetery," added Marlyss.
Marlyss, a Herington resident now, lived in Ramona until her husband, David Brunner, died. "We lived out on the farm that was north and east of Ramona," said Mrs. Brunner, "and then moved into town in the trailer house just east of the Lutheran church. We lived there 19 years, until my husband passed away." (Ollie and Kathryn Herrman now reside in the trailer home on the corner of 4th and E.)
"Oh, I remember living in Ramona before then," interrupted Charles. "Didn't we live in Shorty Brunner's house and also the Gonzalez house? I was about three years old. I remember you talking about it."
That jogged Marlyss's memory. "Oh, that's right," she said. "We lived in Ramona before I met David Brunner." Marlyss went on to explain that she was raising two small children, working as a waitress in Hillsboro, when a friend wanted to introduce her to Mr. Brunner.
"I didn't think he'd be interested in dating someone with two small children," said Marlyss, "and when he asked me to go out with him I told him right away that I had two little ones." Marlyss figured that would cut short their relationship, but it didn't.
To Dave's credit, he told Marlyss that children didn't lessen the attraction. "We dated for about six months and then got married," said Marlyss with a smile. "David was a good husband. I couldn't have asked for a better man to raise my children. And David and I had a daughter, Jane."
Now, many of you may be up on all the genealogy of Ramona families, but I'm still "connecting the dots." In case some of you readers are like me, I'll explain the connection.
David Brunner was one of 10 children of George and Eva (Beisel) Brunner. There was Eva, Lydia, Amelia, Benjamin, Henry, Samuel, Solomon, Alex, and Johanna.
The last three siblings have strong ties to Ramona to this very day: Solomon was Jim Brunner's father. Jim resides on Main Street in Ramona. Alex was Lauren Brunner's father; Lauren and his wife Orvell live just northwest of town and started a cattle business in this area, which is now operated by their sons, Tracy, Kent, and Mark.
As for Johanna, she's the last living child of George and Eva Brunner. Johanna is nearing 102, lives in Lincolnville, and is in astounding health. She recently loaned our little Ramona museum many of her clothes so we could present a fashion display (which, by the way, will be open for viewing on Aug. 31 from 1 to 4 p.m.)
As for Marlyss Brunner and her son Charles, they could especially enjoy the museum display since it featured a Brunner relative. And closer to home, Charlie found his grade school picture in the schoolroom exhibit when he was in the 7-8th grade class of 1957-58.
"I was in the first class to graduate from Centre High School," said Charles. This, of course, was after the Ramona High School closed and schools in the area consolidated at Centre.
Verle Bowers stopped by our house on the corner of 5th and D on Sunday after he'd enjoyed dinner at the Ramona Café. "I used to live in this house when I was a kid," said 93-year-old Verle. I remember playing on this porch with my sister, Lois.
When we asked what he recalled about living here, Mr. Bowers said he remembered stepping on a nail and his mom putting him in the wagon and pulling him downtown to Doc Saylor's office for treatment.
"I remember our neighbors to the south (the red house where Collin Bailey now lives) was where N.P.J. Sondergard lived and I played with his son Dale," said Verle. "Across the street (where David and Jane Staatz now live) John Bernhardt lived there," he said pointing. "Where Tony Meyer now lives was where the old Cramer home was — he was the barber in Ramona at one time. And Archie Greer had a home just north and west."
Now I knew something about Archie Greer because he inscribed his name just north of the bank, on the sidewalk, commemorating the opening of his store, "The Coney Island." If you look closely you can still read what he wrote in the cement.
Verle Bower's parents were Oscar and Etta Bowers. According to Verle, his father came to Ramona in 1902 and opened a store here. If I understood him correctly, it was the same location where the Hanschu's eventually owned a store. The Ramona Café now is in that building.
"In 1903, the following year, he married my mother Etta Fike," said Mr. Bowers. "While my mother's parents (the Daniel Fikes) immigrated to Canada, my mother stayed here because she wanted to marry my father."
As we talked further I learned that Warren Fike's grandfather and Verle Bower's grandfather were brothers. "All the brothers had the same middle initial 'K' which stood for Knupp," said Verle. Warren's grandfather was Joseph K. and Verle's grandfather was Daniel K.
I was curious whether Knupp was a family name and Mr. Bower's wasn't sure, so I called his cousin Warren Fike and asked him if he knew. He did — "Knupp was my great-grandmother's maiden name," said Warren. "They did that in the old days — included the mother's maiden name in the children's names."
That custom continued another generation in the Fike family. "My dad was named Floyd Hostetter Fike," explained Warren, "and that's because my mother's maiden name was Hostetter."
The Bowers family moved from Ramona in 1916. "My dad took a job at the elevator in Herington." And Verle Bowers still lives in Herington to this day.
Verle's visit to Ramona Sunday inspired a decision: Pat and I are opening The Dirt Gambler's Heritage Museum on the first Sunday of every month, from 1 to 4 p.m., as well as on major holidays, like this weekend. We're also open by appointment. So come to town, have lunch at the Ramona Café, then walk right over to the museum for a walk down memory lane.
Lowell and Marge Hanschu had their son Daniel from Joplin, Mo., home for the weekend. "He was just here finishing a couple of projects," said Marge.
One of those projects was changing the oil in the Hanschu's new vehicle. A month or so ago, Marge and Lowell were in Topeka when their car just quit and as a result they purchased a 2000 Toyota van.
"When we bought the car, they wanted to sell us an extended warranty," said Marge, "and my son said 'I'm her warranty!' " Daniel made good on that promise by coming to see his folks this weekend.
Daniel didn't go home empty-handed either. "I gave him nine cantaloupes from my garden," said Marge. "Five were for him, one for his daughter Laura, and three for our daughter Martha, who also lives in Joplin."
I was envious just hearing this story. Now you may ask why I would be envious of cantaloupe — but you wouldn't say that if you'd tasted Marge's cantaloupe! She gave Pat and I one last week and we had it devoured in 15 minutes. So sweet you didn't even need ice cream to make it edible!
Across the street, Naomi Fike had company, too. "Oh, the chicken is so delicious at the Brookville Hotel in Abilene," said Naomi as she gave me a blow-by-blow report on Sunday's dinner with her son Joe and wife Janet from Lawrence, along with their son Josh.
Naomi also was brave enough to venture from home and attend last Thursday's senior center potluck. After lunch, Naomi, Al, and Darlene Sondergard, Marlene Anduss, and I, played Mexican Train dominoes, until it was time for the Ramona Rowdies' excursion to Wichita to take in the Ringling Brother's and Barnum and Bailey Circus.
Josh Leach, Norma and Don Bird's grandson, went on the excursion with his grandparents. His favorite part of the show was The Gator Guy, "Who sticks his head in an alligator's mouth," explained Josh.
This is not the first time Josh has been to a circus, but it's the first time he remembers. "My mom said she took me to the circus when I was little, but I don't remember anything about it."
Rita Brady said it was hard to pick just one favorite thing about the circus. "There was a lot to see in three rings, but I think the elephants were my favorite."
Treva Schneider has gone to lots of circuses. "I used to take my kids when they were little — a LONG time ago." Treva said she enjoyed it all — especially the clowns and lions.
When I asked Norma Weber what "wowed" her or made her mouth drop open, she laughed and said, "I think my mouth was open all night and the whole circus wowed me, but especially the guy who did acrobatics while standing on a huge wheel that was spinning."
"That was so scary I couldn't even watch," said Norma's daughter-in-law, Jeannie Weber.
"The show was great!" commented Paula Fike. "We were glad we went — Warren especially loves circuses."
Marlene Anduss also went on the trip, while husband Reign stayed home to continue house remodeling. He got a huge sliver in his finger and had to go to the doctor. I teased Reign that all work and no play has consequences — the circus sounded like a better deal!
The Andusses want everyone to know that they will be closed this Saturday and also on Labor Day. But on Sunday, they'll be open as usual for Sunday dinner. The place was packed last Sunday — several times over!
On Sunday, 10 members of the Gamma Gamma Preceptors of Herington were at Cousin's Corner Bed & Breakfast for an afternoon tea party. They even came with hats and gloves on.
"We conducted a little business, but mostly we had an agenda to just have fun," said Clarendene Deatrick, president. The Kansas Gamma Gamma Preceptors of Beta Sigma Phi is a service organization and very involved in city events in Herington like the annual Easter egg hunt. They also do fundraising for their scholarship fund.
The most fascinating hats at the tea party were worn by two sisters, Carol Idleman and Kathy Biehler. Their hats were made out of newspaper. "Our mother read about a woman in Missouri who sewed hats together out of newspaper," said Carol, "and she ordered one for each of us."
And that's the news from Ramona where it's "hat's off" to anybody who is out working in this heat, and a traffic jam is two parked cars and a dog in the road.
