Visitors bring tribute to museum in Ramona
By JESSICA GILBERT
Ramona correspondent
"We're coming through Kansas and want to drop something by," said Gloria Jansma when she left a phone message early in April. Gloria and her husband, Ed, were planning a trip to Oklahoma for the birth of their first grandchild and Ramona was one of their stops along the way.
Gloria and Ed's connection to Ramona began in November 2001, when they once again were taking a trek from Montana to Oklahoma and Gloria's dad, Ed Grill, was along for the ride. "Let's stop in Ramona and see what's still there," urged Ed, who was born in Ramona 82 years ago.
In 2001, Pat and I had just put up the school exhibit in the former Ramona bank building, and Gloria and her dad stopped to see us and chat. We called in Hank Schubert, the local historian since he's lived in Ramona the longest of anybody around, and hoped Mr. Grill could learn something that Uncle Hank might remember, or see a familiar face from the past in some of the pictures hanging on the wall.
As they looked at pictures from Gertie Schubert's school collection, I suddenly heard a yell and shout. "Dad, here's a picture of your brother and sister!" exclaimed Gloria. And sure enough, there in a school photo from 1922 were two of Ed's siblings. Ed was just a year old when the picture of his brother and sister was taken.
During childhood, the siblings got separated, so this photo was a precious missing link to the past.
Ever since then, Ed has nurtured his strong connection to Ramona, even though he resides in Montana. He's helped sponsor the Ramona News (the town newsletter Pat and I write) on several occasions, and now was sending a gift via his daughter and her husband.
When Gloria and Ed arrived at the bank building, they began unpacking a large flat box. Inside were two beautiful frames containing pictures and facts about Ed Grill, one-time Ramona resident. The frames were even made by Ed, who is a master craftsman.
"This is what we want all the old-timers in Ramona to create for the museum," I said, when I saw the beautiful displays Ed had created. "We need to commission Ed to make us frames for our museum photos," said Pat, the moment she saw Ed's handiwork.
Ed didn't know it when he created these photo collages, but on Memorial Day we plan to have an exhibit at the Dirt Gambler's Museum featuring the military careers of some of Ramona's residents. Ed's picture frame contained just that — memories of his Naval career.
The Dirt Gambler's Museum will be open on Memorial Day and will feature two new exhibits: "Kids and Their Toys" and "Military Memories." If you live in the Ramona area or have ties to Ramona, and have toys from your childhood that you're willing to let folks see, call us at 785-965-2621. The same goes for pictures from service in the military.
This Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m., a very large brown Bunny is scheduled to hop into Ramona for the annual Bunny Hop at the Ramona Park. This event is for kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews of folks having a Ramona address.
Nothing will stop the Easter Bunny from bringing fun and laughter to the kids of Ramona — not even storms (which are predicted for Saturday). So, if it's yukky weather, the Easter Bunny is hopping out to Kent Brunner's big barn at 3553 Upland Road (take 360th east of Ramona and turn south on Upland).
There'll be egg hunts for all ages (0-12), egg toss competitions, fun prizes, and Easter treats to eat. If you have questions call 965-2621.
The adults of Ramona had games and prizes of their own this last Sunday night when the monthly Game Night was held at the Ramona Senior Center. "We had 14 people come out and play," said Norma Bird, president of the Ramona seniors. This event is for people of all ages, so don't wait 'til you're a "senior" to join the fun.
Treva Schneider and Frances Buxman participated in Game Night Sunday, but had to leave early so they could get their beauty rest and be ready for some "serious" games the following morning.
"We had to get up and be ready to go at 6:30 in the morning," said Frances, "and be at Hope to catch the bus for the Golden Eagles Casino in Topeka."
"How'd the day go?" I asked. "The machines were cold," replied Frances, in true gambling lingo. "They just gobbled our money."
"I put one quarter into a three-quarter machine," lamented Frances, "and three sevens came up (which is a jackpot) and nothing happened because I didn't put in three quarters!"
Frances went to share her disappointment with her buddy, Treva, but she wasn't sympathetic. "They told you to be sure and put in the amount of quarters specified on the machine — but you didn't learn!" In spite of momentary disappointment, Frances said they had a lot of fun.
On Saturday, Frances Buxman's daughters descended on her house for a spring cleaning rampage. "Oh man, they really cleaned my house," said Frances, "from ceiling to floor." Sandra from Ramona took the front room, Patty from Salina attacked the dining room and bedroom, and Linda from Abilene scoured the kitchen. "Two of the girls were here until midnight!" said Frances.
Naomi Fike had a busy weekend, too. On Sunday her daughter Virginia from Haysville joined her for lunch at the Ramona Café. Then Titus and Mary Wingerd from Hope stopped by to visit. Earlier that day, Mary Rohr delivered a gift to Naomi from her secret sister. Both ladies attend the Rosebank Brethren in Christ church just northwest of Ramona.
Sunday was a busy day at the Ramona Café. "We had so many people we used all our dishes and started over," said Marlene Anduss with a grin. "There were cars lined up and down the street — lots of people we'd never met before."
We're excited to see folks coming into Ramona to sample Reign and Marlene's cuisine. The restaurant becomes the "living room" for the town. I should just perch down there with my computer so I can catch the news.
"Did you know some new folks are moving into town?" asked my aunt Gertie Schubert Sunday evening. "I met them down at the Ramona Café — his name is Jim Thompson and he was having lunch at the café Saturday when I was there."
Mr. Thompson bought the property on the north end of town (across from Clinton Hanschu's place and just south of the high school) on the Internet, of all places. The property was sold at auction last fall. Evidently the folks who bought it featured the property on the Internet and Mr. Thompson bought it "site unseen."
According to Daniel Young, who also met the newcomer and is a new resident himself, the Thompsons live in Sacramento, Calif., and wanted to get away from big cities. They have five children, ages 3 to 13. Mr. Thompson was here to check out the house before he brings his family back in June.
By my count, that's six new families who have moved into the area in the last six months. Ramona is experiencing a real boom!
Last Friday Norma Mosier of Herington came to Ramona to tell business owners about a new book being published that features the Tri-County. As she left Ramona and drove across the railroad tracks she heard a thud and realized she had a flat tire.
"Jeannie Weber came along and saved the day," said Norma. "I asked her if she could drive me to Herington and she suggested we get Nick Elmore to help with the tire." (Nick has started an automotive repair service in Ramona.)
When they headed back to where Norma's car was parked there was a train blocking the tracks. Once more Jeannie saved the day and took Mrs. Mosier on a driving tour of Ramona to distract her from some of the unsavory aspects of Ramona life — like trains standing on the tracks for long periods of time.
Mrs. Mosier, president of the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce has created a pictorial tribute of Dickinson, Marion, and Morris counties, which also features events and attractions.
"I've been involved in tourism for the Chamber of Commerce for Herington for many years," said Norma. "And I created a booklet for Herington and once that was done I thought of including some of the large towns in the Tri-County area. Then Marci Penner of the Kansas Sampler Foundation suggested I put together a book of the entire Tri-County area and sell it. So I started touring the towns and photographing them." The book will be on sale this summer.
Ramona's new city council was sworn-in last Monday evening. I had my camera there to take a picture, but got so involved in signing checks and taking minutes (I serve as recording clerk and treasurer) that I forgot to capture the council on film. That will have to come later.
The meeting was one of the longest ever (90 minutes) as new council members learned procedures and began tackling the issues and challenges of city administration. Council leadership is: Connie Smith, mayor; Pat Wick, vice mayor; Angel Harold, Jeannie Weber, Reign Anduss, and Kathy Werth.
An important issue for the council was the burn pile just west of town. Recently folks have been putting inappropriate debris and garbage onto the pile, which puts the city at risk when KDHE comes to inspect. As a result, the council instructed city employee, Nick Elmore, to temporarily close the burn pile for cleaning and removal of surface debris, which Nick will have to take to the county transfer station in Marion.
Once the burn pile is open again, a reminder that the only materials allowed at the burn pile are brush and tree limbs. If evergreen trees are taken to the pile, they must be separate to cure to protect the environment. No garbage, junk, furniture, or metal is allowed. Your cooperation in keeping the burn site available to Ramona residents is appreciated!
A few months back, an eager student at Centre High School called Pat and me asking if she could build a web site for Cousins Corner, the bed and breakfast we own in Ramona. Alisa Fernandes, a senior at Centre, was taking a website design class and needed a project.
We were excited to work with Alisa. Our expertise is design and we needed somebody who knew the technology. We had dreams of what our website would look and feel like and Alisa provided the wings so our ideas could take flight.
What began as a small class project, mushroomed into a job! When Alisa completed the website, (she got an "A" by the way), we told her she'd just touched the tip of the iceberg. We needed a site to tell about our other businesses, about Ramona, about events in town, and the list goes on and on.
"I could use a part-time job," admitted Alisa, and so the journey began. Several months later, our website emerged. After last-minute "tweeking" by Alisa and Mr. Hake, who teaches computer classes at Centre and is the technology director for the school district, the website appeared like magic, and on-line!
When the website came up on the Internet for the very first time, I actually uttered something quite "sexist," which was: "I feel like a father watching his child being born — I'm not doing squat, but it sure is exciting!"
So gentlemen readers, forgive me for the comment — and understand the intent of my heart. We're excited about sharing the birth of our website: www.CaliforniaSisters.com. Because what we do is so connected to Ramona, we included town history, businesses, and events.
Alisa graduates next month but because of the wonders of computers, she's confident she can continue with website design even though she'll be in college in Illinois.
So if you're hankering for a taste of Ramona and can't get here for awhile (like some of our friends in Texas and elsewhere), just log onto our website and click on "About Ramona."
Someone from New Hampshire logged on the other day and sent an e-mail. "The pictures are wonderful — they're so filled with summer — and delightful to see since we're still knee-deep in snow!"
And that's the news from Ramona where we're getting ready for the heat and a traffic jam is two parked cars and a dog in the road.
