Ramona: Christmas magic descends on community
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
(785) 965-2621
LAST WEEK'S NEWS
This past week seemed like any other week in Ramona until Tooltime Tim called us on his cell phone from work Wednesday and said, "Have you been listening to the radio? They're telling all about the Thompsons, and asking people to help them finish their house in time for Christmas!"
I don't listen to the radio much, but it was clear that a lot of other folks were listening to 99.9, KSKG out of Salina, because everywhere I went folks were talking with excitement about the "Angels in Disguise" program where KSKG was helping 10 families realize a dream in time for Christmas. The Jim Thompson family was "family number six."
"I wake up to the guys on the radio, and I fall asleep with them too," said Mike Carney of Salina, who stayed overnight at our bed and breakfast while working on the Thompson house (that was something we could donate). "When I heard them talk about Jim and his family I thought to myself, I don't have lots of money to donate but I have two hands and a strong back and I can volunteer my time."
Mike arrived on the scene in Ramona Saturday morning and didn't leave until very late Monday night. He worked so late Sunday night that he didn't even make it to a conventional bed — at about 3:30 in the morning he stopped to drink the last of the coffee in the house, sat down on the floor, and promptly fell asleep from exhaustion.
Undoubtedly you've seen and heard about this magical and powerful weekend at the Thompsons' house at 501 D in Ramona. The story's been on the front page of the Salina Journal and a feature story by Rowena Plett is in this newspaper as well. By mid-day Saturday, we had multiple traffic jams in Ramona as reporters and workers came and went.
When Pat and I arrived on the scene Saturday the Thompson house was swarming with workers. Marissa Makovec and her daughters arrived when we did, carrying trays of goodies. "I made some fresh cinnamon rolls and cookies too," said Marissa, whose husband, Gail, was part of the work force.
"This place sounds like a bee hive," someone commented as they walked by me. I smiled to myself because at one time this house was owned by cousins of mine who used it only in the summer, so I knew the story of how all the upstairs walls had been gutted because they were filled with honeycombs and swarming with bees.
On this sunny Saturday morning, "worker bees" of a different kind were now insulating those same walls, putting up drywall, and eventually painting and transforming each room into one of the children's own bedrooms.
"It's going to be so exciting to be able to say to the kids, 'Go to your rooms!'" kidded Jim, as he saw the work progress. Right now Jim's family lives in a house where all the kids share one bedroom.
Five year-old CJ wanted bright yellow on his walls and Cassy picked brilliant fuchsia pink. Dallen selected blue and Terren wanted tan, Ben chose white. All five upstairs rooms are cozy and enclosed, getting ready for carpet that will be laid later in the week.
I met the carpet layer, J.D. Pickel of Gypsum, who came Saturday to be part of the excitement, knowing that his job would come later in the week. As he leaned against the hood of his pick-up, watching the action, he said, "I know what Jim's going through because I lost my wife a year and a half ago. She was just 47 and always healthy and she just dropped in front of me with an aneurysm. This is really good for me to be part of this project."
Cynthia O'Bray of Hope and Moonlight Karaoke, was standing next to J.D. watching the buzz of activity. Cynthia was part of this project, too, although she didn't hold a hammer in her hand.
"We did a benefit at Papa T's in Hope Friday night," said Cynthia. "We put a jar at the bar and donated $100 and then challenged the bar to match it — we raised $500."
The materials for the project were funded with donations like this and from many companies in the area. Trucks and trailers arrived throughout the day delivering carpeting, windows, flooring, washer and dryer, deck tops.
"It's overwhelming and wonderful," said Jim Thompson who stood in the midst of the project. "I'm continually challenged to find words to even express what I feel. My instinct is to run and find Terri and show her what's happening."
I went down into the dark basement of the Thompson house and talked with Lin of Linco Electric, as he moved the overhead light socket to a new position so the guys putting in the heating and air could locate the system in an ideal spot.
The sounds above me were a "working symphony" as each volunteer joined their talents with another and harmoniously blended spirits as they worked to fulfill a dream and have Jim and his five children in their house on B Street by Christmas day.
"It's a group effort," said Merle Flaming of Flaming's Inc. in Marion. "I've done this kind of thing before in Colorado with an organization called World Impact." Merle's company is installing the heating system in the Thompson House, while KVK Inc. of Woodbine is putting in the air conditioning.
Larry Peterson from Smolan is working on all 10 of the KSKG "Angels in Disguise" projects. "Well, my slogan for Peterson Plumbing says, 'We're Plumb Crazy,'" laughed Larry, who was obviously enjoying the experience of making magic with his plumbing expertise.
"You can accomplish anything you want in life," said KSKG morning D.J., Sky Phillips, "but not by yourself. The radio station doesn't accomplish this miracle alone, it's just a tool — the people are the ones who make it happen."
Sky's morning compatriot on the air, Kady the Van Lady, also was on the project — organizing, running errands, getting supplies.
Ramona folks were part of the project throughout the weekend. I was there for a few hours painting, along side Jeannie Weber and her children. Jeannie's son, Randall Ricketts, was the overall construction supervisor on the project. Randall is a sub-contractor from Emporia.
Pat and Tooltime Tim did some dry walling and Art Stroda could assist in lots of places since building is his trade. And no work force can keep going without food. Reign and Marlene Anduss of the Ramona Café fed everyone Saturday. "We fed part of the crew off and on through Monday," said Marlene.
I ask forgiveness in advance if I haven't listed everyone from Ramona who's helped on the project. I've come and gone on the work site, and seen just a slice or two of the action that's still on-going over at the Thompson house.
Two people deserve special recognition: Ron Nelson and Tonya Stroda. Ron, Terri Thompson's brother, has been working on Jim's house since he and his family moved here after Terri's death. Little by little he was trying to make progress.
Ron was with Jim when they heard the news this past Wednesday that angels in working clothes would be descending on the weekend. "We just both sat there and cried," said Ron. "It's just a miracle."
And if you need a reminder about the power of one person, then this story is the one to remember. Tonya Stroda lives in Hope, and got acquainted with Jim and Terri Thompson and their family because Jim joined the volunteer fire department where Tonya is assistant chief.
She was at Jim's side throughout the grueling experience of Terri's death. And she dreamed of getting friends together to help finish Jim's house by Christmas, but she was having a hard time getting everyone rallied. And then she heard about the "Angels in Disguise."
She sent an e-mail to KSKG, and told the story of the Thompson family. Early Wednesday morning she noted on her computer that the e-mail had been read by Sky Phillips at 5 a.m. and at 6:14 (Tonya will forever remember the hour) she got a call from the station saying the Thompson family had been chosen as Christmas Family for the day.
"It didn't really hit me until Friday morning when a porta potty was delivered to the Thompson's house. I just started crying," said Tonya.
"Why are you crying over a porta potty?" asked Jim when he heard Tonya's voice on the phone. "Because who would have thought so many strangers would come to help that we'd need one of these. I hadn't even thought of that!"
Tonya's been on the work site around the clock. "When I left last night at 1 a.m. Ron (Nelson) and Art Stroda were still working hanging doors," said Tonya.
I was driving away from the Thompson house Sunday when I screeched to a halt — a red pick-up suddenly came out of no where and as we came to a stop a workman from Salina ran to the intersection and picked up a ladder that had fallen from the back of a truck. "It's a traffic jam!" he yelled.
Indeed, Ramona may have experienced its first REAL traffic jam. The worker had no idea that on any other given day a traffic jam in Ramona is two parked cars and a dog in the road!
Normally I end my column with this byline, but the Thompson house project was just one tree in a forest of excitement that happened over the weekend. I can't stop until all the fun news is reported!
Ramona held it's annual Festival of Lights Saturday evening where residents give people a reason to drive through Ramona. This year we gave people three reasons: see the lights, eat at the Ramona Café, and view the live nativity in the park."
"We were packed, non stop from 5 p.m. and didn't quit serving until 9," said Marlene, who could still manage a smile. The Andusses had planned to close at 7:30, but then many of us who were in the Nativity in the park and wanted a treat so we descended on the Café and begged for mercy and Reign made hamburgers and grilled cheese!
And of course the judges of the house decorating contest had to have something to eat too. Ray Mueller, owner of Clark Lumber in Herington, enjoyed a late supper with his wife, Sue and their two teenage sons. "We made judging a family affair," said Sue.
Linda Peterson of Burdick and Faith and David Judd of Topeka were the other judges for the first-ever house decorating contest in Ramona.
Winners of the contest were Cousin's Corner Bed & Breakfast (401 D), Kathy Werth and Don Matkin's residence (504 E. 4th), and the Weber residence (302 B).
"They put a lot of work into their display and it was lovely," said one judge of the Weber residence. Indeed, Jeannie Weber displays some of her artistry in house decorating since she created a hand-made nativity of her October scarecrows.
The Christmas lights in Ramona will be "on" for your pleasure and viewing through Christmas although you'll miss the nativity and a stop at the Café.
The live nativity in the park was the best ever — and a constant stream of cars drove by to view and listen. Some even parked their cars among the park trees and stayed for awhile.
"I stayed until I heard you sing all your songs," said Jane Vajner of Tampa, who was leaning against a nearby tree and listening.
This year for the first time I had a "junior angel" help with the singing. Brandon Nelson, who recently moved to Ramona from Oregon (he's Jim Thompson's nephew), accepted the challenge of learning "Away in the Manger" for the nativity.
For 90 minutes this young angel sat perched on a ladder, and after I'd sing a song or two, he'd flawlessly sing the manger song. He didn't forget a word, he didn't tire out.
But at 7:25 p.m., just minutes before the nativity was to close, I looked down from my "angel perch" and saw Brandon's little mittened hands just trembling. We removed him from his throne on high, and sent him to Tooltime Tim's pick-up truck to warm his wings.
The friends in Ramona who joined to make the nativity happen give a great gift to the community. "It was stunning to walk down the street and see among the trees the star and the nativity," said one guest. "Cole's bleating lamb made the scene even more real," said another.
Joseph and Mary were portrayed by Chet and Shelia Mercer and their three children were hovering nearby as little cherub angels. The Mercers looked so realistic as the Holy Family that at times it seemed a glow surrounded them, as I looked down from my lofty angel's perch.
The wise ones who brought gifts were portrayed by Jeannie Weber, Terry McRae, and Don Matkins. And shepherds were Art Stroda, Steve and Jacob Jirak, Lynn and Nick Kleiber, Kristy Lang, and Cole Svoboda who brought his pet sheep.
As the minutes ticked by I admired Steve Jirak who kneeled beside Cole throughout most of the performance to keep Cole's sheep standing in one spot! Bless those knees!
Ramona always has had lots of Christmas parties, beginning with the Senior Center luncheon last Thursday. The meal was incredible and presents were piled high for bingo prizes after lunch.
Saturday evening Tatge Mfg. held their annual event at the Lutheran parish hall. Jeannie Weber was the primary cook for the party, which means she was working magic to get the cooking done and then be part of the Nativity in the Park. Jeannie's husband, Jim, does trucking for Tatge's.
David Frantz, manager of the plant, and his wife Mary Ann, reported that twenty-some folks attended: Warren Gfeller (owner) from Shawnee and his companion, Angela, Ramona plant workers Judy Gratz with Nathan Bailey, Paul Jones, and secretary Barb Stokes and husband Willie from Herington, and retired employee Harold Ohm and Betty of Ramona.
"Several of our customers came to the party," said Dave and he listed Merv and Leona Deines of Ramona, Bob and Margaret Harris who have a farm in Ramona, Kenny Kropa and Kelley Kropa from Hutchinson, and Ed Belton and his wife.
At the Cheers II building another party was taking place — the annual meeting and Christmas gathering of the Colfax Fire District No. 3 that is located in Ramona. "We had a potluck supper and re-elected Collin Bailey to the board," said board member, Mark Heiser of Ramona.
Attending the party were Mark and Kathy Heiser, Max and Paula Morgan and Collin Bailey, all of Ramona, and Alan and Virginia Bentz of Tampa, who are so involved in Ramona we claim them as residents!
And if you think this is all that's been happening in Ramona — guess again. Read my sister's column, Another Day in the Country, and you'll discover more of the magic that's been descending on Ramona this blessed Christmas season.
And that's the news from Ramona where we've called each traffic jam a blessing, and the parked cars have brought angels to our town! And as for the dog in the road — well, I nearly laughed mid-way through a song Saturday night, when one of the town puppies came racing through the tranquillity of the nativity — even leashes won't hold the dogs when such magic abounds!
