Ramona Festival of Lights is Saturday
By PAT WICK
Contributing writer
Yes, it's that time of year again, when Ramona lights up the northern edge of Marion County with their Festival of Lights. While lights have been coming on (or going up) all over town during December, the Big Night is Saturday when we invite you to come into town and help us celebrate this good year!
At noon, Santa is scheduled to arrive at the Senior Center to have lunch with the children of Ramona, their families, and all of Santa's helpers.
Colin Bailey will have his roof-top railroad ready for display from 1:30-4:00 Saturday afternoon. There is no admission fee. You have to be able to climb stairs in order to view it, but we guarantee it's worth the effort. Colin stopped by the other day and said, "It's been snowing in the north room upstairs and the weather forecast is for more snow this afternoon." Colin has the whole upstairs of his house covered with his train layouts. There is even a trestle going over the stairwell into the Ramona area which is definitely "a work under construction," as Colin puts it. "Does this mean that Wyoming will be in perpetual winter?", we wanted to know as we imagined trying to get that snow up off his miniature landscape. "I guess so," Colin drawled, "Looks like it might be a long cold season."
If working on the railroad increases your appetite, stop by for some homemade pie, ice cream and a cup of coffee at the Ramona Store and Cafe. Mr. and Mrs. Claus (Reign and Marlene Anduss) will be hosting this event from 6 to 7 and 8 to 9 Saturday evening.
At 7 o'clock you're invited to continue participating in this community event by stopping by the Lutheran church on the corner of 4th and E streets in Ramona for our annual nativity presentation. The children of the Ramona area are the characters in the traditional Nativity scene. They include Emily Staatz, Jacob Jirak, Allyson Mainville, Bryaanna and Cole Svoboda, Anna Weber, Makenzie Deines, Mikayla, Mikael, and Zach Antoszyk, Tanner Brunner, Joseph Pierce, Solomon Brunner, Katrina Fredrick, Derek Stuchlik, Nick Kleiber, and Rustyn Kerbs. "The children will look so lovely," says Pat Wick, who has been shortening her stash of nativity costumes all week, "In fact the wisemen will be stunning, so bring your camera."
The Nativity will not just be a feast for the eyes, but music to your ears. It all begins with a prelude of Christmas songs by Gertie Schubert on the organ at 6:45. Angelic voices will fill the air as Jessica Gilbert, Jean Brunner, Terry Deines, Jill McGrath, Lisa Hanschu, Jim and Marilyn Anderson, Bonnie Sill, Karen Coup, Nicki Stenzel, and Stan Wiles lift their voices in song. Martha Ehrhardt will join her daughters, Pat and Jessica, in singing "Silent Night" in German — as an added treat.
Following the nativity, you can go get your piece of pie at the Ramona Store and Cafe or you can drop by Cousin's Corner Bed and Breakfast for punch and cookies. We'll have the house open for viewing until 9:30.
The Festival of Lights is brought to you by the Ramona Festivities committee and the citizens of Ramona. Each year, folks add to their displays and as we share our joy with you, the world gets a little brighter.
