Ramona bustles with 4th of July excitement
aBy JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
(785) 965-2621
Ramona normally is known as the town where a traffic jam is two parked cars and a dog in the road. But on the Fourth of July, Main Street was lined with folks — sometimes two and three deep — in preparation for the annual parade.
Various families used the occasion to call a family picnic. The Nate Bailey family and friends were clustered on the corner of 4th and D.
Jim Brunner, who lives in a prime spot along the parade route, had 18 guests at his home, including his two sisters, Karen Mowat and Neva Applegate, both of Marion. Karen was the instigator of this family event. "I just thought it would be great fun to have a picnic while watching the parade. We could even see the fireworks from where we sat."
The scent of Uncle Haney's Barbecue started drifting through town around noon, getting us all in the mood for a party. For a town with no restaurant, having great food right on Main Street was a definite reason to celebrate.
At three in the afternoon, Mayor Connie Smith led the youngsters in a kite-flying event. Two Ramona kids ended up in the winners circle. Katrina Frederick, who won a gift certificate for her most successful effort. When Katrina's kite string broke right in the middle of the competition, she just re-tied the string and started flying again. And Josh Leach was awarded two video rentals for flying his kite the highest.
Justin Prine of Abilene also won two video rentals for flying the longest. "I'm sure there's a yellow Mickey Mouse kite flying in the ozone layer," said Mayor Smith, who led the kite event, "since his kite got away from him and never came back to the ground."
The littlest contestant was 18-month old Mariah Biehler of Herington, who tried flying a kite attached to a fishing pole. She was awarded a video rental for effort.
One person at the kite flying event definitely knew what he was doing! Jeff Braden from McPherson was in Ramona with his wife, visiting his in-laws — Junior and Jeanetta Hanschu.
Jeff obviously was skilled at flying kites because his kites had more than one string attached and he purposefully crossed the lines to make the kite zoom and twist in the sky.
"My dad built me a box kite when I was a kid," said Jeff, "and ever since then I've flown kites. I have several."
Nothing launches a parade quite like a "fly-by" and Ramona was blessed with one last Thursday. Four private airplanes flew over Ramona, then circled several times as the parade commenced. Prior to the parade, I was asked — via the Ramona grapevine — if we'd like a "fly-by" on the Fourth, and I sent an enthusiastic message back: "Please do!"
Veterans Erich Utech and Don Bird of Ramona started the parade on the ground by walking down Main Street with the United States Flag draped between them. "What do I wear," Erich wanted to know. "The only thing that fits from my uniform is the hat," he grinned.
Twenty-seven parade entries followed Erich and Don. "The floats and entries were exceptional this year," said Pat Wick, who orchestrates the parade each year. "It just gave me goosebumps to see them all lined up, ready to roll down Main Street."
The parade theme for 2002 was "Shake, Rattle, and Roll in Ramona," which meant that parade entries were encouraged to portray something of the '50s and '60s.
As usual, it takes lots of folks to make something a success. Stan Wiles stood ready to space the floats and parade entries so judges would have plenty of time to make decisions. Bekah Hubbard and Tim Steinborn got everyone lined up and ready to go, and Justin Hubbard made an heroic attempt to announce each float as they rolled by.
Winning first prize in the adult section were the Schubert cousins with "Juke Box Magic." Their prize was $50. Participants were Micah Schubert as Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis, and Micah's girlfriend, Cara, along with cousins, Tara and Kristina Schubert, as soda fountain beauties. The Schubert cousins are from Colorado. Micah, Tara, and Kristina are grandchildren of Hank and Gertie Schubert of Ramona.
"Splish Splash," a float designed by Tooltime Tim and Pat Wick, won second prize in the adult float category. The float was inspired by the '50s song of the same name. Tim's trailer was transformed into a living room and bath (complete with tub) and while his "living room" was filled with dancing friends, he was taking a bath on the other side of the wall. He definitely had the best spot in the parade because the cool tub water was a relief from the heat! Tim won a $30 prize.
Folks enjoyed the unexpected surprise of seeing Tim in a bathtub — they often erupted in applause as we traveled along the parade route. The "dancing friends" on the front end of the float were Cindy Bird, Bekah Hubbard, Bryanna Svoboda, Pat Wick, and Jessica Gilbert, all of Ramona. Visiting dancing friends were Carol Schubert of Colorado, Jessica Luna of Hillsboro, and Josh Fike (Naomi Fike's grandson) from Lawrence.
Third prize in floats was awarded to Shaina Makovec and Dana Beltz of Ramona, who used a boat as their float. They received gift certificates.
Kid's floats were especially delightful. Winning first prize of $15 was "The Ramona Drive-in" with cars of the '50s made out of cardboard boxes. The float was designed by Pat and Tooltime Tim, and featured a looming movie marquee and movie screen, with silhouette of John Wayne. The float was even equipped with a sound track from one of John Wayne's movies.
Pat's summer art students designed most of the cars as one of their weekly projects. The kids perched in their cardboard automobiles, munching on popcorn and waving to the crowd. Drive-in kids were Cole Svoboda, Rustyn Kerbs, Emily Staatz of Ramona, Andy Carlson of Burdick, Quentin, Timothy, and Charles Stuchlik from Lincolnville. Seth Stroda of Ramona designed one of the cars, but was unable to be at the parade so rather than have an empty "front seat," Jakob Hanschu of Hillsboro rode on the float.
Adam Makovec and his sister Amy of Lincolnville also had a "drive-in" theme of a different sort. On a mini-trailer, which was pulled behind Adam's bike-tractor, were a collection of Barbie dolls and automobiles. Amy, was the "car hop" on roller-skates. Both youngsters won 2nd prize in different categories. Each received $10.
First prize in the Kid single entry went to Nikki Stenzel of Tampa. She won $15. Nikki's grandmother, Betty Stenzel, lives in Ramona.
Lauren Brunner had a "cushie" ride through the parade, as he lounged in a recliner with a whip in his hand and a headline that read: "This old cowhand has come a long way since the '50s." Beside him on the back of the truck was his great-grandson, Tucker, who was perched on a rocking horse, and another sign read "He's training-in another cow hand." Riding behind the truck on horseback were two of Lauren's grandchildren, Tanner Brunner of Ramona, and Emily Koch from Wichita.
Second prize in the adult category went to Jim Schimming of Herington for his 1950s tractor.
Automobiles were a vital part of the '50s, so folks really enjoyed these entries. Winners were Dwight Beckham Sr. of Marion for the overall favorite '50s-'60s car. Dwight owns a 1968 Dodge Charger. The Stika Family won for best theme in the car division, which featured Frank and Anna Mae Stika in full Fourth of July regalia, along with their children and grandchildren who rode in the car.
Art Hughes of Herington won best "oldie but goodie" for his '65 Riviera. All winners received Coleman coolers.
Other Ramona folks in the parade were: Max and Paula Morgan on horseback and Warren and Paula Fike in their antique truck. There were other participants from Hope, El Dorado, Lost Springs, Salina, and Tampa.
Ramona was very fortunate to have such grand support from businesses in the area. Their generosity helped make our event a stellar one.
Two bikes were raffled, with proceeds going to the Ramona Improvement Committee. Winners were Trace Hostetter of Hope and Devin Richardson of Platte City, Mo.
Following the parade the adults enjoyed watching youngsters compete in games ranging from bubble gum blowing to who could spit watermelon seeds the most distance. In the midst of the games, a little boy walked up to the mayor and me and tugged on my hand. "I want to play in the games, but I don't have a team."
He was a small "sprite" of a fella and the mayor asked him if he could make bubbles with bubble gum because we were about to have a bubble gum contest. He grinned and shook his head, "No." It was when he grinned that we saw his two front teeth were missing.
"How about watermelon seeds? Do you think you can spit a seed?" Connie asked. At last, something he could do.
Marianne Prine and her helpers had 25 or more children doing everything from racing while spinning hula hoops, to hopping on one leg to a chair where they had to blow up a balloon and then break it by sitting on it. Winners of the games received a free can of soda.
The Dirt Gamblers Museum flourished with non-stop guests from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Gertrude and Henry Schubert were hosts as folks streamed through the little museum. "It was just wonderful to see folks enjoying all the things I've saved over the years," said Gertie. "What might have been seen as junk many years ago, has become treasure."
Farmers gathered around tractors that were parked outside the bank building and discussed makes and models, and Hank Schubert was heard reminiscing several times with friends who were featured in some of the old photographs.
The Ramona Senior Center was a busy spot, especially after the parade. "I sold the last of the ice cream and pop at 10:45 p.m." said Evelyn Strecker, treasurer of the organization. This meant that Evelyn and her helpers didn't even get to see the fireworks display. Thanks to Ramona volunteer firemen Ron Cheever, Alan Bentz, and Rob Prine for overseeing the firing of displays.
"It was a great event," said Dee Duggan of Tampa, as she folded her lawn chair and headed to her car after the fireworks. "I love small-town celebrations."
"I want to thank everyone — from committee members to the volunteer fire department," said Mayor Connie Smith, who chaired the planning committee this year. "All of you made our Fourth of July celebration a rock 'n' roll success. And to all who participated from far and near in the parade, games, and fireworks, I didn't get your names, but without you here, it just wouldn't have been a celebration to be remembered until next year."
Jayme Brunner and Krista Griffen added to Ramona's Fourth of July celebration by having another fireworks show at the north end of town. They won a drawing which gave them over $200 worth of fireworks and, by the time friends added to the stash, they had a show which continued until nearly 1 a.m. It was a beautiful sight to see fireworks at both ends of town.
The Fourth of July had barely ended and my sister and I launched into the Schubert Safari, this year's annual reunion of the A.G. Schubert family. Thirty-five family members came together from Colorado, California, Missouri, and Kansas for this three-day affair.
The fun began with a safari adventure to Rolling Hills Wildlife Preserve in Salina. To get us in the mood, Cousin Becky Peoples of Wichita purchased safari hats and sunglasses for us all. Aunts and uncles — Hank and Henry Schubert of Ramona, Anna Schimming of Herington, and Frieda Struebing of Wichita — were good sports to take the trek in the noon-day heat.
"It was fun to look out over the wildlife park and see the safari hats bobbing up all over the place," said Pat's daughter, Jana, who flew in from the Napa Valley in California.
On Saturday evening, the group met at the Lutheran parish hall for a Mexican dinner and tell about their greatest adventures. We decided that Hank Schubert's adventure at age 21, where he went to Wyoming to pan for gold, was the "winner."
Sunday's reunion dinner was an adventure in itself. We departed from the traditional fried chicken and mashed potatoes to venture into exotic food, featuring grape chutney chicken. The cooks in the kitchen watched as folks dished up and were visibly relieved when relatives enjoyed it so much they asked for the recipe.
Patricia Tajchman White from Leesburg, Fla., stopped by the Dirt Gamblers Museum on Monday. She was in the area for her family reunion.
"I remember when I was a kid, my folks would trade eggs for supplies at Strickler's store," said Pat. "One day my twin brother, Patrick, and I needed a new school tablet, so Dad told us to walk down to the store and 'charge it.'"
Now Patrick didn't know what the concept "charge it" meant, so when Vern Strickler handed Patrick the tablet, Patrick kept handing it back, thinking it wasn't paid for yet. "He never did understand the concept of 'charging,'" said Pat. "He still doesn't charge anything!"
And that's the news from Ramona, where you never know who'll show up in town to tell a great story, and a traffic jam is two parked cars and a dog in the road.
