Ramona ambassadors visit Tabor College
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
(785) 965-2621
We were chatting with our cousins Saturday afternoon when there was a noisy rap on the kitchen door. Two breathless, frosty faces poked into the warmth of the kitchen. "We need Uncle Tim to come help us in the park," said Cole Svoboda, as though he'd run all the way from the park to our house. "We're building a snowman and the middle part is so heavy we can't lift it up."
Uncle Tim was sitting at our table, but he didn't have on his work clothes. He'd just spent the morning with Pat and I at a speaking engagement where he'd been the photographer. He was dressed in good shirt and slacks and wasn't so sure that he wanted to get wet and dirty.
But who could resist the playful invitation to help build a snowman. Within minutes I had my coat and hat on and was walking to the park. Tim put on his coveralls, Pat donned her mittens, and our cousins jumped in the truck and we all convened on the park. After all, who knew how long the snow would be with us.
One small completed snowman already stood near the entrance to the park — testament to the fact that the kids had been busy for quite some time. Now they were working on snow person #2, which was so big it was taller than the kids themselves when it was finished.
Pat put her scarf around its neck, Tim donated hat and gloves, and we gathered around for pictures. The snowman building even erupted occasionally into a first class snowball fight, and I remembered once more, why I hated baseball when I was a kid — I can't hit the broadside of a barn, much less my cousin, Keith, who was sending hard-packed, concise, solid, snowballs my direction!
The Schuberts had both their sons home over the weekend — Keith Schubert and his wife, Vicki, from Aurora, Colo., and Gary Schubert, from Greeley, Colo., arrived last Thursday evening.
"We're taking our folks to Al's Café in Lost Springs for supper," said our cousins, "come and eat with us." So Pat and I joined the party; even Tooltime Tim went along.
"We have lots of Mexican restaurants where we live," said Gary, as we munched on chips and cheese dip, "but the special at Al's is still our favorite."
Throughout the weekend the family gathered for meals together. Our cousins stayed at Cousins' Corner — our bed and breakfast house — which was named after them. We always get special delight when our cousins come and visit and stay there — the house just comes to life.
"Come for spaghetti supper," said Vicki Schubert, "we're cooking at Cousins' Corner tonight." Table conversation included stories of Keith's recent trip to Honduras where he and 10 others painted a hospital, along with other volunteer projects.
The next night it was supper at the Ramona Café. There were so many of us we had to put two big tables together. It seemed like one big family enjoying the meal, with Warren and Paula Fike at the next table and Erich Utech sitting at the extra chair at ours. The whole restaurant seemed like family as folks heard each other's conversations and joined in the fun and laughter.
Pat and I were invited to be guest speakers last Saturday morning for a chapter meeting of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International held at Tabor College in Hillsboro. When we arrived we were greeted by Mildred Karnowski, president of the society.
She stood by the door to the meeting room dressed in black and red, and what I noticed most were her jaunty red shoes and her stylish red hat. I knew instinctively that we were meeting with women of spirit. I wondered if everybody wore hats and I wished I'd thought to wear one — Pat and I collect great hats.
"There was a day back in the 1950s," said one society member, "when everybody wore hats and gloves to the meetings. It was the custom and fashion at that time. Today, Mildred keeps up that tradition."
Delta Kappa Gamma Society is an international group whose members are distinguished teachers. One must be recommended in order to be considered for the society and its purpose is to unite women educators as well as honor women who have given distinctive service.
Other society goals are to endow scholarships and encourage personal and professional growth. "The society is an international one," explained Mildred, "with chapters in England, Mexico, and other countries." The Marion/Chase county chapter, Alpha Omega, has existed since 1952 and meets six times a year.
Their meeting began with roll call where everybody mentioned what they were looking forward to this month. "Going on a trip, tulips blooming, getting out in my garden, sunshine, wearing pink," were common responses. What are you looking forward to this month?
Following devotions and a delicious breakfast brunch, Pat and I gave our presentation of "Living a Beautiful Life." Do you know that often we spend more time focusing on what we don't want in our lives, than what we do want! (Observe yourself this week — how much of your time is spent reacting to situations you don't want in your life, and how much is spent creating the life you dream of having? You haven't forgotten how to dream, have you?)
The Ehrhardts had more guests in one day Saturday than they've had since they moved here in October. First, Hank and Gertie brought their boys to see Laurel and Martha and just as they were walking out of the house, more guests from Bazine arrived.
Laurel Ehrhardt was pastor of the Bazine Seventh-day Adventist Church in the early days of his ministry. Bob Hagelgantz was just a boy when Dad was pastor there. But many years later he married Bob and his wife Loa. They reminded Dad that he married them 39 years ago.
As I write my column, my dad is in the hospital again. We took him to emergency Monday because he was having difficulty breathing and they determined he'd suffered another heart attack. He's perky and optimistic, even though his condition is serious.
Lacey Joy Wingerd was the center of attention Monday afternoon at a baby shower in her honor held at Paula Fike's home. Orvell Brunner and Paula Fike hosted the event. Besides the guests of honor, others at the party were Gertie Schubert, Naomi Fike, Rebekah Hubbard, Nadine Abeldt, and myself.
Kim and Lacey lounged on Paula's comfy couch, ironically sitting under a plaque inscribed, "Grandmas are just antique little girls." Sometimes it's amazing to think we once were as little as Lacey.
As Kim opened gifts all the way from frilly pink dresses to coveralls she said, "I'm so glad she got some overalls because Luke would like to see Lacey wear something other than just pink!"
It was fun listening to the conversations of the mothers in the room. When Kim changed Lacey's diapers, she commented about the "warmer" she had at home for the baby wipes. "What's that?" asked Paula, "I've never heard of that." Thus began a discussion of "what was new" since Paula, Orvell, Gertie, and Naomi had their children. Everything from disposable diapers to clothes dryers to baby wipes with warmers.
Naomi Fike had company Saturday when her daughter Virginia and husband Mack Bowyer came for the afternoon. Mack went on to Herington to meet some high school buddies he graduated with from Centre High School. "They do this once a year," said Naomi. "They met at the Rockin' V and had lunch and then visited. They must have had a great time because he didn't come back until about 3:30."
"We went to the 40-fingers concert in Herington last week," said Norma Bird. "There were four ladies playing two baby grand pianos and it was wonderful!" Before the concert, Norma and Don had supper with their friends, Velda and Jim McDiffet.
Norma's grandson had an enlightening experience this past weekend. Josh Leach participated in a youth event at Rose Bank church where the young people went on a 30-hour fast and slept on the floor in the church basement Saturday night.
What's the purpose of all that? The youth leaders wanted the kids to experience how many kids live in Third World countries. Plus they raised money for their efforts, which go to mission projects. "Josh raised a good little chunk from family members," said Norma. "And because the kids were hungry after their fast, we had a 11 o'clock carry-in luncheon."
Josh said he went right to sleep on the cement floor of the church basement, but reported that some kids said they were cold, which of course gave them the experience of what it's like for kids who sleep on sidewalks and live outdoors.
"Our church is really active with youth," said Norma. "They're really good."
Since Norma is the president of the Ramona Senior Center, she wants folks to know that they're adding a new senior event to the monthly program. "The second Sunday of the month we're having Game Night with finger foods," said Norma.
The first Game Night will be at 5 p.m. this Sunday at the center. Bring finger food for everybody to enjoy. The next senior luncheon will be at noon March 20.
And that's the news from Ramona where it's all fun and games and a traffic jam is two parked cars and a dog in the road
