Ramona
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
(785) 965-2621
Usually if Ramona is going to have a traffic jam (that's defined as more than two cars on the street at one time) it happens when folks gather at the Ramona Café for Sunday dinner. But this week it happened on Monday! There were cars and pick-ups parked up and down Main Street Monday as members of the Family RV Club came rolling into town.
Their first stop was at the Dirt Gambler's Museum where I gave them a tour of Ramona history. Most of the folks live in rural Kansas so the stories about the switchboard and other small-town phenomenon were no surprise to them.
"I worked for the railroad as a crew caller," said one of the guests from Newton. "Because of the nature of my job I'd have to call quite a few railroad employees and inform them that they'd been assigned to a crew. The switchboard operator was mighty helpful because I'd give her the names of the people I needed to reach and she'd just connect me, one right after another."
Today this same job is done by computers. "What used to be done by 3,500 people across the country is now done by machines," said the retired railroad guest.
When the group of 19 arrived at the Ramona Café, they were greeted by the scent of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and gravy and the lovely buffet that Reign and Marlene Anduss prepare for Sunday guests.
The camping club, known as the Golden Circle, are part of what used to be called the National Campers and Hiker's Association. "They modernized the name and now it's called the Family RV Club," said one guest. The club members on this little excursion (minus their RVs) were from Newton, Halstead, Lehigh, McPherson, Hillsboro, and Hutchinson.
"We go camping once a month and the wagon master sets the agenda," said Rick Rickard of Newton. "I make reservations for camp sites — usually they're within a 100 miles," said club president, Margaret Wells of McPherson, who is current "wagon master."
Twin sisters, Zelma and Velma, are club members and don't act their age at all!
"We'll be 92 in June," said Zelma Bergen. They also belong to an organization for twins and take treks to "twin conventions."
Zelma's twin sister, Velma Pummill of Newton, was one of the famed "Harvey Girls" who worked at the Harvey Restaurant in Newton. Before there were diners on trains, folks ate at the Harvey Restaurant that was connected to the train depot.
The Brunner family gathered Sunday at Trinity Lutheran parish hall for their annual reunion. The guests were all descendants of G.H. Brunner and his wife, Eva Beisel Brunner.
"We had a big attendance this year, — 110+" said Orvell Brunner. Orvell and Lauren Brunner's children — Tracy, Kent, and Anne — and their families all attended the reunion. "It was crowded in the parish hall, but it makes it more chummy," laughed Orvell.
The reunion was planned by John and Betty (Brunner) Dyck's family from Minneapolis. Betty is a sister to Lauren Brunner, who is one of the pillars in the Ramona community.
Of course, Johanna Brunner Kaiser was at the reunion. Johanna is the only one of G.H. and Eva's children who is still living. Johanna is a regal 102 years old and holds the "longevity record" in the family.
Hank and Gertie Schubert became great-grandparents Monday when their oldest granddaughter, Kimberly Schubert Glueckert gave birth to a little boy. This little fella is so new to the world that at the time of this writing, he doesn't even have a name yet.
Hank and Gertie will get to see their first great-grandchild in June when Kimberly and her husband, Adam, bring their first child to the Schubert family reunion, which is always held in Ramona.
Don't forget — Tracy and Yvonne Brunner will be showing a video they created from their recent trip to South America at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Trinity Lutheran parish hall.
As for the Ramona Spring Fling Tea party that I mentioned in last week's column — it's full and overflowing already. It's become such a popular event that the 80 reserved seats are filled before we even got a chance to send out invitations this year.
And that's the news from Ramona where a traffic jam is two parked cars and a dog in the road.
