Ramona: Jirak trades Martina McBride for surprise party
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
(785) 965-2621
Sunday afternoon there were so many cars around Cousin's Corner Bed & Breakfast in Ramona that some folks thought it was a town meeting — except town meetings are never that well attended!
As I watched cars streaming into town around 4:30 p.m., Ramona felt like a regular city — with traffic rolling by every few minutes instead of once every few hours.
The gathering was in honor of Vickie Jirak, who will have a new baby in her arms by the time this newspaper reaches all of you. But Vickie had no idea she was heading for a baby shower in her honor when she and husband Steve got in their car Sunday afternoon. Vickie thought she was heading for a Martina McBride concert.
It all began when seven of Vickie's friends and family decided to throw a surprise baby shower. Vickie's husband Steve added his part when he came up with a way to trick her. Steve got friends Kris and Jim Srajer to help with the scheme.
Earlier last week Kris said to Vickie, "Jim heard over the radio that Steve won tickets to the Martina McBride concert." Vickie replied, "Oh, Steve hasn't said anything to me about that." And Vickie was hooked.
As the week rolled on, and Steve STILL hadn't said anything to Vickie, she finally confronted him. "Did you win Martina McBride tickets?" And Steve fibbed: "Oh, it was supposed to be a surprise. Now the surprise is ruined." Steve said he had left the tickets at the Ramona Post Office, where he works, so nobody would bother them, and off the two of them drove to Ramona, to supposedly collect the tickets and head for the concert.
When they got to town, Steve drove north from the post office and stopped at Cousin's Corner. "Let's go in," said Steve, and Vickie couldn't figure out for the life of her, why Steve wanted to go into a bed and breakfast that was surrounded by cars.
"Vickie was very surprised," said Julie Kerbs, who helped create the event. "She was at a loss for words." The 35 guests who attended had a delightful time watching Vickie open gifts, while enjoying cake and nibbling on meats, cheese, and crackers that were piled on snack trays.
Hostesses for the baby shower were: Julie Kerbs, Francie Mueller, Raschelle Jirak, Kris Srajer, Natalie Tajchman, Candace Tajchman, and Rita Brunner.
Indeed my sister and I were delighted to have a baby shower at our bed and breakfast house. We had just decorated the house for Christmas, with trees in every room of the house. The Sunshine Suite has a tree twinkling with sun ornaments, the Bridal Suite has a tree topper from a wedding cake.
If you'd like to see inside Cousin's Corner Bed & Breakfast, it will be open for viewing Dec. 21 during Ramona's Festival of Lights.
Thanksgiving was the big event this last week, with families bringing Ramona to life. It was fun to drive around town and see the cars bunched up in front of houses here and there.
I started to call folks and ask what happened at their house last Thursday, and here's what I learned:
The Antoszyks: "John came home from Kentucky," said Kim. Her husband John works in Kentucky and so having him come home is a big deal. "Anybody else join your celebration?" I asked Kim. "Just my crew — that's big enough," she said with a laugh.
The Birds: I asked Don Bird what happened on Thanksgiving and he promptly said, "Call Norma at the antique shop." So I did. Norma reported that their extended family went to her granddaughter's house in Kechi. "There were around 16 people," said Norma. "And we celebrated lots of birthdays, too. Matt, Josh, Jenny, Cindy, and Julie all have birthdays in November," explained Norma. "When my mother was alive, her birthday was in November, too."
Fern's daughter Jenny also came to Ramona for another birthday dinner this last weekend. "Fern cooked another turkey," said Norma. "It's the fifth turkey dinner I've had this season," she said with a chuckle.
"Do you know, I used to cook a separate dinner for every birthday in November," said Norma. "And then we'd still have a Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas, too. Now we do it all together, thank goodness!"
Frances Buxman: "I had 26 at the table," said Frances. "We had all the usuals like turkey, ham, stuffing, and then I made a favorite — kasenoodle casserole." My sister Pat overheard our conversation, "I'm coming to your house next year," said Pat, who loves Frances' kasenoodle.
The Cheevers: Ronnie Cheever answered the phone, but the moment he heard my questions about Thanksgiving he said, "We went to Marvena's folks at Arkansas City, but if you want to know more, talk to Marvena, she knows all about it." I laughed, because it seems the men of Ramona were at the Thanksgiving table, but are at a loss for words to describe it. "My sister made desserts," said Marvena when she took the phone, "my aunt furnished turkey and we brought the ham. Dad's cousin from Iowa comes every year and two of my mom's sisters come over with their families. It was great sitting down to relax and visit with people I don't see very often."
Naomi Fike: Naomi had her two sons (Steve & Joe) and their families at her house for dinner. In addition, her daughter-in-law's mother Marie Dunkel joined them from Salina. "There were 10 of us," said Naomi. "Well, I hope Grandma can make her cranberry salad," Naomi's grandson Josh was heard to say the week before Thanksgiving. "Who would have guessed that the younger generation would want cranberries," said Naomi with a grin. But she was very flattered that her grandson would request her special dish. "I haven't been well enough to do lots of cooking," said Naomi, "but Josh's mom Janet knew my recipe and she made the salad for everybody to enjoy."
Naomi also had a visit last week from Titus and Mary Wingard who have family and roots here in Ramona. "They were on their way to Oklahoma in their motor home," said Naomi. "They do volunteer work helping build homes for the underprivileged."
And talk about good friends, Naomi's long-time friend Dorothy Broce of Centre heard Naomi mention over the phone that she needed Christmas wrapping paper, and next thing Naomi knew, Dorothy was standing at her door with an armful of Christmas wrap.
Brooks & Dericks Household: "We stayed at home," said Janet, "and Bob's son Aaron came from Kearney, Neb., to be with us." Bob's mother Delores Brooks also came for the weekend. As for traditional foods, Janet reported that her orange Jell-O salad is a favorite.
Treva Schneider: Treva's daughters and their families convened on her house for the holiday. They even helped put up Christmas lights while they were here.
The Staatzs: Emily came and reported that her sisters Jennifer and Vinnie, and Stefanie, Ben, and Allison were all coming over for Thanksgiving dinner at her house. Jane was making peanut clusters and other treats the week before, and Emily brought us samples off and on — very yummy.
Betty Stenzel: Every week I call Betty and ask what she's been doing. "Nothing" is usually her reply. So I called to tease her, just certain that she'd had company or gone somewhere. "So what did you do for Thanksgiving, Betty? And don't say nothing!" She laughed. "You won't believe it, but I didn't do anything. I wasn't feeling well, so I stayed home. I did put up my Christmas lights, though." Then she added a PS: "Oh, and I talked to Miriam (Riddle) this morning."
Erich Utech: Erich went to his sister Delores Sigg's home in Goddard for the holiday. "Food you wouldn't believe — everything you can think of. Delores has a big long house and table set for over 20 people."
The Sondergards: "We spent dinner and supper with daughter Karen and family at Marion," said Darlene. She added that their daughter Kaye, who recently lost a son, was valiantly joining the gathering. "We told her we'd do the cooking," said Darlene, "but she insisted on making pies — eight of them!" Kaye was determined to be thankful, even though she and the family are still reeling from the sudden death of Brian earlier in November. "Kaye did well," said Darlene. "She said she made up her mind the morning of Thanksgiving to be thankful for what she still had!" There were 22 at the Sondergard gathering. Most lived here locally, but granddaughter Julie and her husband David Sellmeyer came all the way from Oklahoma for the celebration.
The Schuberts: Hank and Gertie's son Gary came from Colorado with his wife and daughters. For my sister and me, we felt like little kids as we prepared Cousin's Corner for their arrival. Gary's wife Carol brought so many pies (plus a couple from other relatives) we had an average of two pies per person. And, wonder of wonders, we managed to devour them all by the time the weekend was over. Joining the fun were Hank Schubert and Martha Ehrhardt's sisters — Anna Schimming from Herington and Frieda Struebing from Wichita. They came on Thursday and Frieda's daughter and grandsons also came from Haysville, swelling the table to 17.
Pat and I added spice to the party by buying Mary Kay lipstick for all the ladies. "Mary Kay gives a beautiful jeweled lipstick case with every purchase," said Pat, "and the table looked so festive with this little gift in front of every woman's plate. We couldn't leave out the guys, so I got cologne samples from Dillard's for the men. We made them wear it — they got lots of kisses and hugs as the ladies from 13 to 96 took a wiff!
The Smiths: Connie had two deep-fried turkeys on the table this year — a first. "One was Cajun spiced and the other butter-herbed," said Connie. "This was something Dan wanted to try. But he wasn't able to be here for Thanksgiving, so Rob Prine deep-fried them for me. I was a little leary, but it was the most wonderful turkey I've ever tasted in my life!" Connie was joined by her daughter Catina and grandson Alston, Connie's mom from Hope, Paul Smith and Mark Arnold from Ramona. "Nate and Collin Bailey came by for a visit," said Connie. "It was a really nice holiday." And she adds a note: "I hope Dan can be home for Christmas!"
Well, lots more happened around town, but I'm running late, and I promised this column to the Marion County Record by high noon on Tuesday.
This weekend I caught David Staatz straddling the peak of his roof and hanging over the gable putting up twinkling lights. "That's heroics," I yelled to David. "Yeah! And I hate heights!" he said. But the result was stellar and worth all his efforts. We love looking out our window and seeing all the lights in David's yard.
And lights are popping up all over town as folks prepare for the Dec. 21 Festival of Lights! The Hare family installed a gigantic inflating Santa and Christmas tree in their yard. Bob Brooks was hanging from a very tall ladder edging his house in lights. And Tooltime Tim was seen perched high in a tractor bucket decorating the biggest tree in Ramona that just happens to be in his yard.
And that's the news from Ramona where we're full of good cheer and a traffic jam is two parked cars and a dog in the road.
