Ladies' Aid hosts Christmas luncheon for Ramona ladies
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
(785) 965-2621
When we walked in the door of the Trinity Lutheran Parish Hall last Wednesday, there were three delicious sensations that hit my senses all at the same time — the warm air that came gushing to meet me the moment I opened the door, the scent of meatballs bathed in barbecue sauce, and the twinkling, bright beauty of the tables decorated with poinsettias, and each place setting with its own sparkling Santa or Snowman tree decoration.
Marguerite Utech had on a playful candy cane outfit and many of us wore our holiday sweaters for the Christmas luncheon. "This is the first time I've been out for a social gathering in three months," said a grateful Naomi Fike.
Following lunch, the Rev. Davis, led the group in singing Christmas carols, with Gertie Schubert accompanying on the piano. He concluded by sharing a charming Christmas story about Joseph.
The most lovely of all, however, was just the chance to see friends and share holiday joy with one another. Christmas memories floated around the tables as folks reminisced while enjoying the meal.
"My grandma had these candies that were soft like a marshmallow and shaped like a peanut," said Kim Wingard, trying to explain one of her favorite childhood treats. "They were orange and the moment the last one disappeared from the bowl, Grandma had it full again."
"My mother, Leah, had a candy dish that was chrome and it had a lid on it," said Naomi. "Mom kept mints in that candy dish, and that lid was constantly rattling as the kids tried to get treats out of the dish without being heard. I'm sure the candy dish was empty within 30 minutes of our arrival."
I remembered that bowl myself, because Leah was my grandmother. At our house we never had dishes sitting around, brimming with candy, so raiding Grandma's candy dish was something I looked forward to. And the challenge of getting our candy without the chrome lid clanking as we lifted and replaced it, was just part of the excitement.
"Home for the holidays" just seems to create a special brand of memory, no matter what your age. Luke and Kim Wingard were in Pennsylvania from Nov. 21 to Dec. 2. "We were there to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family," said Kim, who was born and raised in Manheim.
In the midst of celebrations, the couple had a chance to go exploring. "Manheim is in Amish country and Luke really enjoyed seeing the Amish families as they worked in the fields together."
On Dec. 3, the children of Centre Elementary had their yearly Christmas program. Those of us attending began to catch onto the theme when we walked in the gymnasium doors and saw oodles of kids with mittens on and winters scarves draped around their necks.
The stage was decorated with Christmas trees and a street scene, as the school kids pretended to go Christmas caroling to all the towns in the vicinity. "Let's go to Ramona and sing for Gertie Schubert and Mr. and Mrs. Wiles," said one of the children. And then they commenced to sing.
Earlier in the week Sandra Svoboda called and alerted me to the fact that Gertie's name was going to be mentioned in the program. "The kids really want to be sure Gertie is there," said Sandra, whose children, Cole and Bryanna, were in the show.
As usual, the music was delightful and watching the kids is always a treat. While I have no kids of my own, I already have sweet memories of watching the Ramona kids grow up and change from year to year. Things that made me smile: Joseph Pierce with a fresh haircut and a snappy suit and tie, Tanner Brunner with his hair jelled and spiky, James Weber acting all mature and grown up, Emily Staatz singing her heart out in honor choir, and most of all, hearing Stan Wiles sing "We Three Kings" and the kids being his back-up singers.
Now, I didn't know Stan was such an outstanding singer. How I've known Stan is in watching him teach PE at school. And when Stan started to sing, I was just in awe. Immediately afterward, Pat and I cornered him. "You've GOT to sing Dec. 21 at Ramona's Festival of Lights and Nativity," we said in chorus. Stan just smiled that mischievous grin. "If I'm here
Hearing Stan sing is reason enough to attend Ramona's Community Christmas Nativity which is being held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ramona this Saturday evening at 7 p.m. Stan finally agreed to sing, and there's even more outstanding music to entice you. Jean Brunner, along with her daughter Jill, Terry Deines, Lisa Hanschu with friends, Jim and Marilyn Anderson, Bonnie Sill, Karen Coup, and Nikki Stenzel. My sister Pat, my mother Martha, and I also will be adding our talent to the evening.
The arrival of two new babies to Ramona families was hot news at the elementary school last Friday when Pat and I went to teach the Friday art class. "So, Jacob, did you get a new brother or sister?" we asked Jacob Jirak, who's in fourth grade. Before Jacob could answer, his classmates responded in chorus, "It was a boy, and his name is Elias."
Jacob was quick to add that Elias was a name that his dad really liked. "It's a Biblical name," added Vickie Jirak when we spoke briefly this week.
Emily Staatz was carrying around a sheet of pictures featuring her new nephew. Mathew David, born to Jennifer Staatz and Vinnie Madron on Dec. 5. "We've finally broken the tradition of having all girls in the family," said David Staatz, Grandpa to the little one.
Hank and Gertie Schubert celebrated Christmas with their son Keith, his wife Vicki, and daughter Kimberly of Aurora, Colo. They arrived Dec. 6 with loads of gifts.
They did a lot of eating out. "Vicki has to visit Al's Cafe in Lost Springs," added Gertie, "And our granddaughter Kimberly likes Butch's in Tampa, so we couldn't miss that."
Dorothy (Riffel) Brooks was enjoying a walk down memory lane Dec. 7 with her sister Dolores (Riffel) Boettcher of Greenville, Texas, and cousin, Alice (Heppner) Meier of Sulphur, Okla.
Alice especially wanted to check out our little "Dirt Gambler's Museum" so Pat and I took them down to the bank to have a look. Dolores immediately walked over to the old switchboard. "Our mom Wanda ran the switchboard when it was located just north of the bank," said Dorothy and Dolores.
One memory sparked others. "I remember coming to Ramona on Saturday night to see the movie that was shown outside," said Alice. "As a rule we never saw the end of it because the film would break," she said laughing.
Dolores and Dorothy were raised in Ramona and graduated from Ramona High School. Alice lived in Ramona until she was eight, then moved to California. "When I was a teenager I vowed I wouldn't stay in Ramona," said Dolores with a wry smile. "I was going to go out and seek my fame and fortune, so I went to Topeka."
Dolores, on the other hand, stayed in the area and her son Bob Brooks now lives in the house once owned by his grandparents, Wanda and Dan Riffel.
What brought the ladies together was a celebration in honor of Dorothy (Brunner) Matz, who was having her 90th birthday. "Dorothy is my godmother and we share first names," said Dorothy Brooks.
Pauline Sondergard stopped at the museum this last weekend to leave a contribution to the town newsletter — Ramona News. "I look forward to the newsletter so much," said Pauline, "and my husband Dale would have enjoyed so much all that you're doing in Ramona." Pauline was in Ramona with her grandson to decorate Dale's grave at Lewis Cemetery.
Pat and I took off last Friday on an adventure with our buddy, Tony Meyer. He called earlier in the week and left a message on our answering machine: "I want to take you girls out for lunch on Friday — to the Main Street Cafe in Durham."
Before lunch was over, Tony had introduced us to many of the folks in the restaurant. "I feel right at home here," said Tony as he insisted that we order a piece of pie. By the time we left I had hands full: coconut cream pie for my folks, apricot filling to make some sweetbread treats, and country sausage.
"Have you tried our homemade syrup?" asked Wendell Wedel, owner of the cafe. "It's one of our specialties." I couldn't resist — I still had one hand available to carry a carton of syrup. On Christmas morning I'm making a batch of buttermilk pancakes with some of Wendell's famous syrup on top — who knows, I just may be starting a new Christmas tradition!
A favorite Christmas tradition for many is the "Nutcracker," and Paula Fike. Along with Linda Peterson, Agnes Steinert of Hillsboro, and Betty Mueller of Tampa she went to McPherson last Sunday to experience a live performance.
"I've seen the Nutcracker on TV," said Paula, "but I've never seen it live." Making the performance even more memorable was the fact that Paula's great-niece, Christina DeVaney, was one of the dancers.
Around 9 p.m. Saturday, I saw a black SUV drive north on Ramona's main street, stopping up near the high school, then turning around. When the car went up and down the street for the third time, I walked out of the bank building to investigate.
The car stopped, the window came down. "Are you lost?" I asked. Sometimes we've had folks land in Ramona and they want to be in Hope. I figured this was one of them.
"Hi, Jess," came the voice, and I immediately recognized it as Warren Gfellar, owner of Tatge Manufacturing.
"What are you doing in Ramona cruising the streets at this hour of the night?" I queried. "Oh, we were out at Dave and Mary Ann's house for the office Christmas party. They said the plant had lights on it and we had to come into town and check it out!" said Warren.
Indeed the workers at Tatge's did put lights in windows and outlining the company name — the first year they've done it. "We wanted to outline the roof," said employee Paul Jones, "but then realized just how many lights it would take to outline the high school, and thought better of it."
Paul reported that the food at the party was "fabulous — all home-cooked," and added that they had a great time reminiscing about past company parties. "Lots of laughs," said Paul.
Attending the party were Warren Gfellar and his companion Angela from Shawnee, Paul Jones, Judy Gratz and Nate Bailey, Bob and Mary Ann Frantz of Ramona, Jeanette and Walt Clark and Ed and Pat Miller of Herington.
The branch of the Fike Family gathered for their yearly Christmas dinner this last Saturday at the Kirby House in Abilene. Duane and Ruthita Fike of Golden, Colo., along with their children Toby and Rindy, hosted the Christmas dinner.
"It's an annual tradition," said Paula Fike, "that Warren's brother Duane and his family host a Christmas dinner. One year it was in Wichita and the last two years it's been in Abilene."
Family members attending were Ernest Peterson, Rod and Krista Peterson, and Iris and Luke Pauly, Wichita; Warren and Jeanne Leine, Valley Center; Warren and Paula Fike, Ramona; Linda and Dan Peterson, Burdick; Sandra and Steve Deines, Lawrence; Carla and Stacey Collett, Marion; Glenda and Mike Jirak, Glade; Dennis and LouAnn Fike, Derek and Nolan, Westmoreland; and Sara and Stewart Eells, Airel, Paige, and Kirstin, Topeka.
"We all exchange gifts after dinner," said Paula, "and this year our gifts were unusual because they came from China. Duane and Ruthita were in China last spring, visiting their daughter Rindy, who was teaching there."
Gary Fike of Ohio wasn't able to attend the Fike gathering, but that didn't stop him from participating in Ramona's Festival of Lights this coming weekend. Gary recently received the Ramona Newsletter and read about the angel tree event happening this weekend. "Here's $10 — buy a gift for one of the kids," said Gary in a note.
We needed Gary's help this year. There were 35 names of kids 12 and under on the tree! The angel tree is an event started by the Ramona mayor Connie Smith about eight years ago when she was a city councilwoman. "I thought it would be a nice thing to do for the kids of Ramona," said Connie. "Marvena Cheever was doing something for the kids at Easter and I thought there should be something at Christmas too."
This week folks in Ramona are busy getting ready for the Festival of Lights this Saturday. For more details, read the press release about this Saturday's event in this edition of the Marion County Record.
Collin Bailey stopped by on Monday to say that his Collin Belt train display is ready for viewing — his entire upstairs is filled with trains that move from room to room. New this year is a train trestle across the stairwell and several "winter scenes."
"I've even painted the dining room for the occasion," said Collin. Collin's displays will be open for viewing from 1:30-4 p.m. Collin's house is the red house on the corner of 4th and D.
Reign and Marlene Anduss are sprucing up the Ramona Store and Cafe building where they'll be serving pie and coffee beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday. Marlene is baking her marvelous pies for the celebration.
My sister Pat has been sewing beautiful costumes for all the kids featured in the live nativity at 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. Tooltime Tim is building the manger scene and putting up the last of the lighting displays around town and I'm warming up my vocal chords.
Gertie Schubert's been seen taking a trek to the church to practice her organ prelude, James Weber is learning a special John Updike poem which he'll recite at the nativity, and Pat and I decided at the last minute to wallpaper the Cousin's Corner B&B dining room before the open house Saturday evening.
And that's the news from Ramona where Santa's bound to cause a traffic jam on Saturday, disrupting the two parked cars and a dog in the road.
