Ramona senior center is bubbling with activity
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
(785) 965-2621
Mayor Connie Smith is gearing up for spring. "Let's do something special in Ramona this year," Connie said as I called for town news. She has her eye on sprucing up the park, "Maybe add some flowering shrubs on the north side. I think the park would be a wonderful focus; but we're open to suggestions."
While our hearts yearn for spring, the calendar reminds us we have just one month to complete our income tax returns. "I've had to dig out all this paper work," the mayor laughs, "I don't have a room in my house big enough to keep five years worth of receipts!"
"I've been working on my income tax," Tony Meyer reported, "and now I'm just calling to say good night. Since you aren't there I'm leaving this message on your answering machine. Tony Meyer, over and out." I chuckled, listening. Yes, I'd seen Tony hunkered down over his old antique portable typewriter earlier in the day, with a flurry of papers all over the kitchen table. Doesn't it seem to you that there should come a time in life — say at 90, for instance — that you wouldn't have to keep filing income tax returns? One should get a reprieve!
Hank Schubert, who is almost 88, has been doing income tax, too. "I did mine over at the senior center," he said with a chuckle, "and I've already gotten my refund back!"
Tool-time Tim said the best advice he could offer on income tax would be to "get it all together and head on over to H&R Block," which he did on Saturday with a rolled up sheaf of documents, "It only takes about half an hour, if you're organized."
Organized was what the ladies in Tampa were as they prepared for the Missouri Synod, Lutheran Church, Day of Prayer this past Thursday evening — offering food for sustenance and soul food at the same time. Some of Ramona's ladies, Orvell, Jean, and Yvonne Brunner, and Gertie Schubert, joined them for the services. "The Tampa ladies had such a nice evening meal," Gertie said, "and the minister gave such a good presentation." I rather enjoy being included in their supplication for a better world.
The Bird family feels a need for prayer — especially from their community of friends as they watch their son, Donald Bird Jr., dying of congestive heart failure at only 43 years of age. "We're praying for him to be released," said Norma. "We appreciate all the concerned calls but I haven't had time to answer anyone and we've had to limit visitors to two at a time at the hospital. I'm just worn out when I get home." Norma explained that when Donald was young he worked in the elevators and he was highly allergic to the dust and chemicals which damaged his heart. It's a difficult thing to lose a child and while Norma prays for her son to be released from misery, her mother's heart does not know how she'll face her prayers being answered. "Donald is so sweet," she added, "the chaplains are so impressed with his spirit — he's concerned about everyone else and he's in so much pain himself."
In the cycle of life, one chapter closes and another opens. We always have this conundrum in our midst. This past week, with spring in the air, who should I see coming down the road but Betty Ohm pulling her little grandchildren in a red wagon. It was such a sweet picture — Jordon, Justin, and Devin Richardson clutching the newspapers to deliver to family friend, Jim Brunner. I wish I'd had a camera handy to capture this precious scene of life's renewal.
"It's a challenge baby-sitting little ones," Betty admitted — the kids are five, four, and two years of age. "And this is the first time we've kept them alone; but Jackee was working in Marysville this past week — only two hours from here. If the kids got too homesick for their mother, she wasn't far away."
When Paul Jones cleared the streets, he left a mountain of snow by the Christmas tree — most especially for these flatland kids to play on. While the weather was warm enough for a romp in the park, there was still a pile of snow here on Main Street. "I think Fern's boys built that fort," said Betty. "When my grandkids found it (complete with a slippery slide) they thought it was the greatest place in the world to play."
Coming to Grandma's house has had all the thrill of country life. The children enjoyed seeing Antoszyk's horses and then one day on their way to the park, five-year-old Jordan decided she would count the dogs she saw, just the way Emily Staatz had done in the book, "Emmy Takes a Census."
"She started counting and came up with 34 dogs on just that four block walk — I guess our dog population is growing," Betty reported with a laugh, "and that's only the west side of town."
Paula and Warren Fike were most especially proud of their daughter Linda Peterson of Burdick this past week as they attended the award ceremony in Marion where Linda received the Georgia Neese Gray Award for Democratic Women, presented by the Kansas Democratic party state chairman, Tom Sawyer. This award is named after the first woman ever in the United States to be the Secretary of the Treasury — whose name is probably still on some of those dollar bills in your pocket. After the ceremony, Paula said, "We were so very proud of Linda — what more can I say?" Linda gave her all as a Marion County Commissoner for nine years. They tell me this commendation is the top award that can be given to a government official. It's quite an honor! Your hometown congratulates you, Linda.
"Treva was in church this morning and everyone was glad to see her," reported Frances Buxman as we sat down to a scrumptious Sunday dinner at her table. "She's doing well." Now that was two things to be thankful for — the yummy food, as well as Treva Schneider on the mend.
Even though the week sometimes feels long, Naomi Fike was surely counting her blessings this weekend as Joe and Janet Fike from Lawrence pulled into the driveway on Saturday for a visit. Janet brought food! This gal is a wonderful, inventive cook. "Everyone should be so lucky as to have a Janet in their family, like we do. She's a home economics specialist and I've just nominated her for the Daughter-in-law of the Year Award," said Naomi. (They do give one of those, don't they?) On Sunday, Naomi's list of blessings continued as the Millard Hostetter family took her and Velma Rock from Hope out for Sunday dinner at the Rockin' V in Herington.
When I called Kim Antoszyk for senior news she said to remind town folk that "Commodities will be distributed on Friday."
Whenever the weekend rolls around, I, too, find myself searching for a little adventure to add spice to country life. This week's invitation came unexpectedly on the answering machine. "Jess and Pat, have you ever heard of contra dancing?" the unknown voice on the phone said. "It's a little like an old fashioned barn dance and there's one happening at Bethel College in Newton this Saturday night. Are you interested in more information?" Hmmmm. Was I, the non-dancer, brave enough to be interested?
Too chicken to adventure alone, I asked my buddy Tool-time Tim, "Are you up for an adventure?" He's not a dancer, either, and I knew it was a long shot; but nothing ventured, nothing gained! (And Jessica had instructed him to "fill in for me while I'm gone.")
"Listen to this message on the machine." I said to Tim. We both sat listening to the invitation. He shrugged, grinned sheepishly, tried to sound nonchalant, "Sure, I'll try it." I was shocked. "You will?" Well, this was a first.
Later, as we sat in the college gym waiting for things to start, I was beginning to get nervous. Tim said, "Remember, it's just an adventure!" Taking deep calming breaths, my mind flipped to the phrase of a familiar song. Lee Ann Womack sings it and my daughter sent it to me for my birthday after I moved to Ramona. "This is your song, Mom," Jana wrote on the cover. "It's you."
The title is, "I Hope You Dance." You've probably all heard it — if not, search it out. It's a wonderful song. It starts out by suggesting that we should never take one single breath for granted. I don't. Then the challenge comes — when you have a choice of sitting it out or getting up and trying something new, "I hope you dance." When you think life is dull, sad, frightening, or you are just facing the unknown, "I hope you dance."
And most especially this week, my wish for Donald and his poor tired heart — shackled by pain to a hospital bed — is that once again, at least in spirit, "I hope you dance." And that's the news from Ramona
