Ramona Town Hall kicks off group tours with third-graders

Before the end of the school year last Thursday, third-grade students from Ramona Community and James Dukes schools experienced Ramona Town Hall from the inside out on a new tour plan introduced by the Ramona Town Hall Board.

Woody Kirkman, board president, and Ken Serfass, leader of the Town Hall Brass Band, led two tours a day until all the third-graders had seen the historic hall. Serfass dressed as Constable Woodward, the first lawman of Nuevo in the late 1890s to lead the students through the building.

Fire events shape O’Leary’s views

Recently retired CalFire Deputy Chief Kevin O’Leary, of Ramona, holds a wealth of experience and firefighting knowledge. (See featured story on Kevin O’Leary.) The Sentinel asked him about specific topics of interest to Ramonans and they relate to wildfires.

Evacuation

“The most important thing is you,” O’Leary said. “You can’t replace a human life.”

Ramonan to portray Grant on USS Midway

Ken Serfass, leader of the Ramona Town Hall Brass Band, has a new part-time gig — portraying the hero of the American Civil War, General Ulysses S. Grant.

Serfass was seen recently in a History Channel production documenting Grant during the war, and on July 1 he will be seen on local television and a web-cast as the famous Union general. U.S. Grant rose from obscurity to become the second Lt. General of the American Army, after Washington, up to the Civil War (1861-65). He led Union forces to victory over the rebels and is well-known for his quiet demeanor, strategic vision and with a cigar

Pony baseball players advance to regionals

The official Ramona Pony League baseball season ended on June 4, but several of the teams have advanced to regional and section playoff series.

Shetland All Stars play in “Region” series July 2-9 in Fallbrook.

Mustang 10 Red has advanced to “Region” playoffs in Carlsbad July 1-5.

McHargue steps in after Bulldog quarterback breaks leg

The Bear Down Passing Tournament was more than just a passing league tourney for the Bulldog Passing League team.

Travis Stevens lettered last season as the backup quarterback for the Bulldog football team and was heir apparent for the starting job in the fall. Stevens took most of the snaps during spring, had a good spring and had a good showing at the first passing league tournament at San Diego State.

Fire Safe Council plans free chipping day July 9

Ramona residents are invited to participate in a free community chipping day on Saturday, July 9.

Hosted by the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County and the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County in cooperation with Ramona Disposal and the Ramona West End Fire Safe Council, free chipping will be provided from 8 a.m. to noon.

Future of fireworks uncertain in Ramona

LAST YEAR FOR RAMONA FIREWORKS?—At a recent Rotary Fireworks Committee, chairman Pete Schiff commented about a court ruling that fireworks over water must have an environmental review, which may end Ramona’s annual July 4 sky show. Between vernal pools and the creek running through school district land where the fireworks are held, the fire marshal is pretty certain Rotary will need an environmental impact report for next year’s show, Schiff reported, adding that “everyone gets a waiver (from the court) this year.”

What happened to draft pick programming?

I have a strong suggestion for anybody who watched the entire NBA, NFL and MLB drafts on television. GET A LIFE!

When ESPN and other sports networks first started, they had to broadcast tractor pulls, tree climbing, log tossing and other little known sports as did ABC’s “Wide World of Sports” just to fill in the programming. Those programs were much more entertaining than watching suits talk on the phone and a stoic commissioner then announcing in a didactic voice, “With the 5678 choice in the **** draft, the FBI has arrested A. Felon from The (name a state that starts with any letter) University.”

Between the Bookends at Ramona Library

YOUTH

Preschool Storytime: Enjoy a fun story on every Wednesday, at 11 a.m. followed by crafts at 11:30 a.m.

Grandparents and Books: Stories are read from a selection of favorite children’s books on every Thursday at 11 a.m.

Summer Reading Club: theme “One World, Many Stories.”

Ramona Idol auditions

Ramona Idol Auditions start at 10 a.m., July 2, in the Century 21 building at 2012 Main St. Auditions also are slated for July 16 and 23, with quarterfinals, semifinals and grand finals held during the Ramona Country Fair July 28, 29 and 30, respectively. Categories are Child Ramona Idol, ages 5 to 10; Junior Ramona Idol, ages 11 to 15; Teenage Ramona Idol, ages 16 to 20; and Ramona Idol, ages 21 and older. For more information, call Gin Boughner, Idol coordinator, at 760-315-1454.