Ramona: Early Christmas edition causes holiday to linger in Ramona
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
(785) 965-2621
After you've celebrated 82 birthdays, exactly what can your family give you on your 83rd that you haven't already gotten? Erich Utech's family certainly wasn't stymied by this issue — they threw a birthday party for Erich Jan. 7 and not only surprised him, but presented a birthday gift that he's still raving about.
Erich was going to his sister Edna's for lunch as usual last Tuesday. Edna lives just north of Tampa and Erich often has lunch with her. "When I drove into Edna's yard and saw all the cars, I knew something was up," said Erich. "She had a turkey dinner for my birthday and all my brothers and sisters — except for Grace who lives in Georgia — were there."
Erich was giving me the "blow-by-blow" report of his birthday wingding at Tony Meyer's house. Erich and I just happened to be there at the same time. And since I also have a birthday in January, I was particularly interested in his celebration.
"You've got to see what they gave him!" said Tony with enthusiasm. "They made him a calendar with pictures and the date of everybody's birthday and wedding anniversary," continued Tony. "Erich, go right now and get it and show her," ordered Tony.
"Nah," replied Erich nonchalantly, not wanting to relinquish his comfy spot in the kitchen chair, "I'll just stop by and show it to her later."
Erich was good on his word. Not long after, he knocked on our door and produced the amazing birthday calendar. "My sister, Dolores and her daughter made this calendar," said Erich. "It even has the dates of those who have died in the family."
The calendar was indeed thorough and cleaver. At the top of the page where a picture would normally appear, Dolores had pictures of all the family members featured in that month — whether it was a birthday or an enchanting old-time photo like Fred and Marguerite's wedding anniversary picture. What a cute couple they were! Quite a birthday keepsake!
But this calendar wasn't just for the birthday boy. "Everybody in the family got one," said Erich.
Tony had some news of his own to share before I left his house. "I'm back in the cattle business," he said with a grin. "Bought some cattle the other day and have them at the Pratt feedlot."
Tony thought that perhaps last year would be his last year in the cattle business, but at 90+ he isn't showing any signs of slowing down, and at a recent sale in Herington, he couldn't resist the urge to buy.
"Oh, and my nephew Glenn Meyer is in Egypt right now," added Tony, always doing his part to generate news for Ramona. "He was supposed to send me a postcard but I haven't gotten one yet," he says as he re-arranges the papers on his "desk" (which is really the kitchen table).
"Well, he took a lady friend with him," said Erich with a sly grin on his face. "That's probably why you aren't hearing from him."
Another reason could be that it takes a while for mail to reach here. When I went to Europe many years ago, I made it home before the postcards," I said, while munching on cashews. Tony always has great treats resting on his kitchen counter, inviting one to linger.
Speaking of lingering somewhere — have I got a recommendation for you! On Jan. 26, right after church, the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ramona is holding the annual soup luncheon in the parish hall. There'll be chicken noodle soup with butterballs and vegetable soup as well, so come linger with friends and family over a bowl of soup.
"We've had the soup luncheon (and sometimes supper) for several years," said Orvell Brunner. "We use the contributions that folks give, for our mission projects."
The ladies of the church have been making butterballs for a couple of weeks now. "We're making extra and will have them packaged and for sale at the luncheon," said Orvell.
The Ramona City Council met Monday evening for the regular monthly meeting. In addition to Mayor Connie Smith, council members present were Vice Mayor Nathan Bailey, Pat Wick, and Angel Harold.
The council reviewed the year-end financial report prepared by City Clerk Marvena Cheever. For a small town like Ramona to take on a big project, like paving the streets, it means the council has to carefully watch and monitor the cash flow to make sure all obligations are met, with money to spare for the unexpected. If you don't like balancing your own checkbook and living within a budget, imagine what it's like to do these things for a city.
And while Ramona has only five streets, there is on-going maintenance — mowing the park, the water ways, and around sewer ponds, removing limbs, flushing the sewer system twice a year, equipment maintenance, and of course helping Ramona residents in times of emergency.
I'd never really heard all the things that Paul Jones did, until city council Monday evening when the mayor informed everyone that Paul regrettably gave his resignation last week as maintenance man for the City of Ramona.
The position is a part-time one, but vital to our small community, so the council was eager to find a replacement for Paul. They voted to hire Nick Elmore to assume the role that Paul vacated.
Nick is a newcomer to Ramona and, while most folks wouldn't recognize his name, they certainly know his fiancée Kathy Werth if they live in this area. Kathy is Ramona's postmaster and recently moved here from Salina with her daughter Jenny.
When Kathy and Jenny made the move, Nick (who has been working and living in Kansas City) decided to abandon city life and join his wife-to-be. "I have plumbing, electrical, and welding experience," said Nick, "and have worked for many years in building maintenance. I also have automotive expertise and would like to open a repair shop in this area."
Ramona City Council member Angel Harold brought her new grandbaby with her to Monday night's meeting. She cuddled and cozied with Grandma all during the meeting, not making a sound, despite having a touch of colic.
This little grandbaby is Angel's first grandchild born Nov. 7 to Angel's son Clint Kidd and his companion Jennifer Helstab of White City.
"I became a grandmother again Jan. 5th," said Angel. If you receive the Herington Times you probably saw the picture of Angel's son Clayton and his wife Penny with their new daughter, Charlie Ann Michelle Kidd. "She was the first baby born in Herington after the New Year," explained Angel.
"This weekend the family is gathering to take family pictures," said Angel. "My grandmother Lorena Estes, who lives in Exeter, Mo., is here visiting so we're taking the opportunity to capture five generations on film."
Angel also suffered a family loss recently when her cousin died unexpectedly. "This is why my grandmother was here — for my cousin's funeral."
As I watched Angel talking to her granddaughter and witnessed this little girl smiling and reacting to her grandmother's voice, it was evident that Shelley Nicole was bringing lots of happiness to Angel's life.
"My husband Johney just spoils her," said Angel. He spends lots of time with her, especially at night when he can't sleep and the baby is awake.
Johney suffers from a disease called syringomeyelia (also called Marvans disease) where bubbles of fluid form in his spinal cord and destroy the nerves. Johney's disease keeps him homebound and precludes him from working.
"It's a degenerative disease; life expectancy is 10-20 years," explained Angel. "We live every day to the fullest."
Angel, ever optimistic, added there's a least one benefit from Johney's illness — "He can tell you if a tornado is in the area, because the barometric pressure falls and he feels it acutely in his body."
Angel said that having the baby around the house is terrific for her and her husband and brings them lots of joy. "When the kids brought her by for us to baby-sit, they left two big cans of formula. 'How long were they going to leave her with us?' I wondered."
As the baby cooed and smiled at Grandma, Angel admitted she wouldn't mind a bit if bad weather descended this week. "I wouldn't mind being snowed in with Johney and Shelley Nicole!" she said with a smile.
The Ramona Café is opening this weekend! The menu will feature hamburgers, cheeseburgers, barbecued beef, pork tenders, grilled cheese, chicken strips, chicken fried steaks, hamburger steaks, salads, French fries, and Marlene's famous PIES! Café hours are Saturday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Monday 11a.m.- 2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.
Ramona Senior Center is having the monthly luncheon and games at noon Thursday. Bring a covered dish and if you can't or don't wish to cook, then just show up and make a contribution. "We'll be playing nickel Bingo after lunch," said Norma Bird, president of the Ramona seniors.
The Rose Bank Church has lots of activity happening this Sunday. "The secret sisters group is going to Enterprise to explore the bed and breakfast there," said Norma Bird. "Then we'll reveal who has been our secret sister for the past year." Later in the day, at 6 p.m., the church is holding a layette shower for Kim and Luke Wingard ,who are expecting their first child in February.
Lee (Kahns) Denton of Everett, Wash., called this week and asked to receive the Ramona News, which is the newsletter my sister and I publish on behalf of Ramona. "When I was a kid and lived in Ramona, I think we lived in eight houses over a four-year period," laughed Lee (known as Lela when she lived here). "In the fifth grade, we lived in the house just southeast of the old parsonage. I know Gertie Schubert real well — she was my teacher when I was in school." The house she referred to is now owned by Reign and Marlene Anduss, who own the Ramona Café. And the parsonage is now our bed and breakfast, Cousin's Corner.
Lee explained that she went to elementary school for several years, then her parents moved away from the area for a while. "When we returned to Ramona and started high school, I was attending with all the kids I'd known in first grade," said Lee.
There's just something about this little town — once it gets in your blood, you're hooked. At least a couple of times a month we hear from people who have had ties to Ramona, and they delight in staying connected. We relish it too!
The message on our answering machine said, "This is Yvonne. I was going to bring you a pot of chicken noodle soup for Pat's recovery, but your answering machine says you're not home." There was amazement in Yvonne Brunner's voice.
That message was followed by one from our 96-year-old Aunt Anna. "I was calling to see how Patricia was doing, and I expected to at least find her at home. I hope she's okay?" There was concern in my aunt's voice.
Indeed, my sister Pat is a hard one to keep down. She was home from the hospital and surgery in less than 24 hours. By Saturday she was ready for a trek (albeit, slow moving) with Tooltime Tim and me to see a movie in Salina. The only concession she made to having had surgery was that she let Tim wheel her around the Salina mall in a wheelchair.
We were sitting at the table Sunday and I had just raised the question: "What shall we have for Sunday lunch?" when there was a knock on our door. There stood Yvonne's daughter Cat with the pot of steaming, luscious, soup with tender chicken intertwined with juicy noodles. What a loving gift.
I set the table and we savored soup, surrounded by the beautiful flowers and cards Pat received from friends and family in Ramona. "Ramona is an amazing place," said Pat wistfully. "On the day I went to surgery, Paula and Warren Fike already had a get well card in my mail box." And the ladies of Ramona had a card waiting for Pat at the Herington hospital!
And that's the news from Ramona where folks are often there for you before you even know you need 'em, and a traffic jam is two parked cars and a dog in the road.
