[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 144 (Thursday, November 3, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING THE COMMUNITY OF RAMONA, KS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 3, 2005

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ramona, 
KS, for successful community revitalization efforts.
  Pat Wick and Jessica Gilbert have always considered this town of 100 
people to be home. It is where their parents were born and raised. As 
children, these sisters would accompany their parents on annual visits 
from their home in California to help their grandparents with summer 
harvest. As adults, Pat worked as a clinical psychologist and Jessica 
was a philanthropic organization consultant.
  When they returned to Ramona in 1989 for a family reunion, the 
sisters felt a strong pull to come home. They reestablished their roots 
building by building. In 1990, Pat purchased and the sisters renovated 
a home they now call The Ramona House, in honor of their ancestors. Pat 
and Jessica purchased a second house in 1995 and remade it into 
Cousin's Corner bed and breakfast. The sisters purchased a third home 
that is now a lodge called Jake's Place. All of this was accomplished 
through frequent visits to Ramona, even while Pat and Jessica continued 
their careers in California.
  By the year 2000, Pat and Jessica decided to take the final step and 
moved home. The sisters now live in the Ramona House and operate Jake's 
Place and Cousin's Comer. More recently, they purchased the old bank 
building and turned it into The Dirt Gamblers Museum, which is home to 
photographs and other items honoring Ramona's pioneer history. The 
sisters have also contributed to the revitalization of Ramona through 
extensive community involvement. They have helped organize several 
civic and community events, including a spring tea party, a citywide 
Memorial Day service, a Main Street Fourth of July parade and an 
outdoor Nativity in the city park complete with live animals and 
singing angels. In an effort to celebrate Halloween and promote 
regional tourism, Pat and Jessica are currently helping promote a 
Scarecrow parade in Ramona and several other area communities. If all 
of that isn't enough, Pat is the town's mayor and Jessica is the city 
clerk.
  At age 93, Tony Meyer is Ramona's oldest citizen. He believes Pat and 
Jessica are doing great things for the community. ``The sisters have 
awakened this town again,'' Meyer said. Warren Fike, a lifetime 
resident, also notices a positive change. ``Having the sisters come in 
has helped keep Ramona alive,'' Fike said. ``The steps they've taken to 
improve the town have motivated more people here to help, too.''
  The sisters believe Ramona's revitalization is beginning to take 
hold. ``We're romantics, and we have a passion for this place,'' 
Jessica said. ``We want people to be proud they're connected to the 
town and want them to invest in it again.'' ``It's a special place,'' 
Pat noted. ``It's Mayberry R.F.D. come to life.''
  For rural communities to survive and prosper into the future, 
citizens must be willing to create their own opportunities for success. 
Ongoing efforts to revitalize Ramona are an example of how hard work, 
vision and community support can create just such an opportunity. 
Citizens throughout Kansas are working together to enhance the quality 
of life in their communities. Ramona is a success story that 
demonstrates how teamwork and creative thinking can make a positive 
difference in rural America.

                          ____________________