Ramona's newest baby arrives on Valentine's Day
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
(785) 965-2621
Lacey Joy Wingerd picked a grand day for her birthday — she entered the world at 2:09 a.m. on Valentine's Day. This newest little Ramona resident is the daughter of Kim and Luke Wingerd.
I heard the news of Lacey's arrival long before I talked to the new parents — news travels fast in the country, you know. First my aunt Naomi Fike called on Saturday and shared the news.
Then Saturday evening Paula and Warren Fike were eating at the Ramona Café and we were at the next table. "We have a new great-grandbaby," announced Paula with pride. "She was born on Valentine's Day at around two in the afternoon. And the Wingerd baby was born on Valentine's, too," she continued, "but at two in the morning."
Now all I had to do was catch the new parents near a telephone so I could hear it "from the horse's mouth," so to speak. On Monday evening, I phoned the Wingerd household and who should answer but the new mom — having just arrived home from the hospital that very afternoon.
Kim confirmed that Lacey was born Feb. 14 at 2:09 a.m. at Abilene Memorial Hospital, weighing in at 8 pounds, 8 ounces and 21 inches long. And then suddenly there was a precious little "squeal" and I knew that must be little Lacey's voice. "I'm going to let you talk to Luke," said Kim, "so I can feed Lacey."
Ah, yes, now life will be regulated by that little voice, communicating hunger and other needs and desires through squeals and cries and chortles and giggles. What an amazing journey.
"So what's it like being a dad of four days?" I teased Luke when he got on the phone. There was a pause, "It's different!" he said and then followed with a hearty laugh.
It was a tough question to throw at a new parent — I've never had children, but I can imagine that it might feel like a deer in front of the headlights for a few weeks. That was ornery of me to ask such a tough question of Luke, so early in the game. I guessed there probably were no words to adequately describe this life-changing experience called parenthood.
Oh, and by the way, about the other Valentine baby — Grace Fike — she's the daughter of Gary and Carol Fike of London, Ohio. This is their first daughter. They have two sons, Jackson and Marshall.
Grace is named after Gary's great aunt Grace (Warren's aunt) and Grace's middle name is Elizabeth, which honors her grandmother, Paula, who also shares that middle name.
Continuing with Valentine news — Brandon Hanschu got engaged to Amber Svitak this weekend. According to Brandon's dad, Rick Hanschu, Brandon wanted to "pop the question" on Valentine's Day over a lovely dinner at the Kirby House in Abilene, but wouldn't you know it — they were booked solid.
Leave it to Brandon's mom, Barbie, to see the "silver lining" in this momentary "cloud." Why not tell Amber you'd like to take her out on Valentine's Day but "you got to go out with your folks" instead, then plan the engagement dinner on Saturday evening, when she'd least expect a proposal.
So that's what Brandon did. He told Amber that he was taking her out for their Valentine's celebration on Saturday and, on the 14th, he and Amber joined a host family to celebrate birthdays — his own on Feb 16 and his brother-in-law, Mark's, on Feb. 21.
Barb and Rick picked Manhattan as the gathering place for the birthday shindig, since their daughter, Danelle Leiker, and her husband, Mark, were coming from Ashland, Neb. Barb's parents, Bob and Oma Lou Mushrush from Elmdale, came for the celebration, along with two of Barb's nephews, Daniel and Chris, also of Elmdale.
The birthday hoopla finished on Friday. Brandon now could concentrate on the real event — asking Amber to marry him. He reserved the desired third-floor table for two at the Kirby House on Saturday evening.
Brandon even "stacked the deck," when he had some special fortune cookies made that said, "Say YES to a lifetime of happiness." He delivered these special cookies to the Kirby House before their dinner and when the cookies arrived at the table for dessert, he innocently asked Amber what her fortune said. "I can't say," she shyly replied.
Brandon then proposed, and she took the advice of the fortune cookie and said "Yes!"
Clinton Hanschu celebrated his 81st birthday in Ramona this past weekend. That was a special treat for Clinton, who must reside in Salina these days, where he can receive dialysis on a regular basis.
"Our granddaughter Cindi Beneke from Salina picked Clinton up and brought him home for the weekend," said Frances Hanschu. "When Cindi got to her grandpa's apartment he was sitting in a chair, with his coat and hat on, and his bag packed, ready to go!"
Lots of family members joined in the celebration. Present were Cindi's two children, Brittany and Bryant, who also brought a friend, and the Hanschus' daughter Sharon and her husband Mike Mueller from Olathe and Randy Hanschu and his wife Jo from Kansas City.
"Three of our grandchildren called to talk with Clinton," said Frances, "from Kentucky, Arkansas, and Overland Park."
On Sunday Mike and Glenda Jirak came and got Warren and Paula Fike (Glenda's folks) to join them and Mike's mom Margaret Jirak for a trek to Wichita to have dinner with Iris and Luke Pauly.
"Iris wanted her grandmas to come and see the new house," said Paula, "and Iris also cooked Sunday dinner for us all." Iris is Mike and Glenda's daughter.
As Paula talked about their weekend jaunt she mentioned that the Jirak family has a charming and thoughtful tradition. "Margaret has 12 children and each weekend a different child takes her to dinner," explained Paula. This weekend it was Mike's turn, so he took his mother and mother-in-law to dinner together.
On Saturday, my sister was in Herington hospital visiting our dad, Laurel Ehrhardt, who was admitted on Valentine's Day because of some heart concerns (no pun intended). In the room next door was another Ramona resident, although Pat didn't know it.
"I had just returned from surgery and was still feeling a little woozy," said Kim Antoszyk, "when I heard this voice in the room next door and I was sure it was Pat's" Kim asked the nurse who was next door and the nurse said "Someone named Ehrhardt," but that rang no bells for Kim.
"What does the person look like? Is she tall? Dark haired?" Kim continued to question. And finally curiosity got the best of Kim and she instructed the nurse to walk next door and ask the person talking if her name was Pat.
"I was beginning to wonder if all of Ramona had come to the hospital," said Kim, who is home now recuperating from gallbladder surgery.
Kim was in Kentucky seeing her husband John, who works there at the moment, when she had the gallbladder attack. "I ended up in emergency and they thought I should do the surgery there, but I insisted on surgery at home," said Kim. "They gave me some meds for pain. I drove myself home on Monday and the following Friday had surgery in Herington." What a way to spend Valentine's!
"This is my third surgery through my belly button," said Kim with humor. "I just told my doctor to put a zipper in there, so it's easier the next time."
Ramona's postmaster Kathy Werth was delighted there was a holiday on Monday. "I wish I had about four more days," said Kathy, who was cleaning, scrubbing, and getting everything ready in the new house she purchased in Ramona.
On Valentine's Day, Kathy signed the papers, making her the new owner of the home on the corner of 4th and F. "It's wonderful, I'm tickled," said Kathy. "I was so tired I laid on the kitchen floor for a minute, then I said out loud 'This is heaven'."
January and February have been filled with moving for Kathy and her daughter Jenny. "I really wanted Jenny to begin school in January and when our Salina house sold, I had to find housing in Ramona — quickly!" said Kathy.
"It all started when Lisa and Kenny Stroda agreed to let us rent their farm home while I hunted for permanent housing." Then Verle Bowman announced she wanted to sell her home and the pieces began to fall into place.
This weekend Kathy and her fiancé Nick Elmore were beginning the cleaning-packing-moving process again. "Betty brought us homemade chicken noodles for lunch on Monday so we wouldn't have to stop to cook," said Kathy. "And she even made apple cake, which is Nick's favorite."
Betty Ohm is the postmaster relief for Ramona and, beside filling in for Kathy when she can't be at work, Betty has been a great friend. "Betty has helped me clean, run errands, get keys made for the house — you name it!" said Kathy. "She's wonderful."
The more serious moving will begin this Wednesday when Nick's parents Jack and Gayle Elmore of Salina arrive to help. "It's been a family move," said Kathy. "My parents and Nick's have helped, loaned vehicles, and packed."
Spring is in the air when you see daffodils pushing up through the soil and watch baby calves appear on the landscape. This weekend Pat, Tool Time Tim, and I were driving past Rick Hanschu's pasture on the southwest corner of Ramona when I saw something unusual. "Stop the truck! Back up!" I said to Tim.
I'd never seen a calf birthed before — and there in the corral was a baby calf with one foot protruding, along with its head — and a pink tongue hanging out.
Tim got on his cell phone and tried calling Rick. No answer. Then he tried Max Morgan, who works with Rick. No answer. We headed to the Ramona Café to see if Rick and Barbie were eating there. Not there.
But, Rick's brother Ronnie was there. I expected Ron to leap up, upon hearing our news, but instead he nodded his head. "Yep, I saw the heifer as we were coming to lunch, she wasn't quite as far along, though. I'll go check her after we eat."
When I finally saw Rick Tuesday morning, I asked about the calf. Before he said a word, he laughed. "Well, Max and I are lovin' all the attention we got about that calf," said Rick. "I know Erich Utech called Junior (Hanschu) and Connie Smith saw the calf and called a couple folks. Kim Antoszyk said she got a call. Then you guys spoke to Ronnie."
Rick said he usually puts the cattle in the big pasture, but he and Max figured with 18 calves on their way they'd put them in the corral that's contained — and close — and within viewing of everybody who drives by. Aahhh, such is life in a small town, where your business is everybody's business.
I happened to talk with Merv Deines Monday evening and he said he was busy with calving, too. I mentioned the cow that was struggling to birth the calf. "Was it a heifer?" Merv asked. I was embarrassed. I didn't know. All I knew was that it was a female!
Later Rick explained that heifers often have difficulty birthing their first calf. (Oh, what an education this city girl is getting!) Rick also reported that Ronnie had to help deliver the calf — pushing head and legs back inside and lining up legs properly — and mother and baby are doing fine.
"Maybe I should leave my cell phone number so people can call when they see something!" said Rick as he walked out the door of my office. Then he turned and added, "Just kidding!"
If you want a great meal this Sunday evening, come to the Lutheran parish hall for the pancake supper sponsored by the Fellowship Club. "We'll start serving at 5 p.m. and continue until whenever
And that's the news from Ramona where anything new is exciting, and a traffic jam is two parked cars and a dog in the road.
