The MHSA Chronicle Official Publication of the Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta

Volume XXII Number 3 October 2019

Coaldale Centennial Mennonite Pilot Homecoming by Gerry Regehr by Dave Quapp I, Gerhard (Gerry) Regehr, joined the Royal Known Canadian Air Force on February 12, 1951 at the as The Gem age of 19. I had seen recruitment posters and of the West, found them appealing to my sense of adventure. Coaldale As I was being signed up, the recruiting officer was incor- asked me if I spoke a foreign language, and I porated as a answered, “Yes. German." Then the officer village in asked, “How fluent?" I replied, “Fluent." Ten 1919 and as years later this would send me to Germany as a a town in personal assistant to the base commander, a 1952. Its post I held for four years. centennial After joining up, I spent two years working homecoming Dave Quapp as an airman on Sabre aircraft. Then I entered a celebration, pilot training program. In November 1952, I Gerhard Regehr

August 3-4, 2019, attracted former went before the Pilot Selection Board in Lon- 1951 Age 19 Coaldalites from all of western Can- don, Ontario. Of the 180 men present from all across Canada, I was one of ada, with a large segment consisting five who were already in the Air Force. Following a battery of tests, 100 of 2nd generation Mennonites. This were sent home, 37 were selected for pilot training, 17 graduated, and sev- event afforded a great opportunity en became career pilots. Two, Larry Rodewolt of St Albert and I, are still to renew acquaintances for chats alive. and arguments. Many discussions I would fly for the next 26 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force centered on the arrival of Mennon- (See Pilot on page 4) (See Coaldale on page 8)

In this Issue Mennonite Historical Society of Alberta 1. Mennonite Pilot 1. Coaldale Centennial Fall Conference: 2. Editorial Reflections 2. Chairman’s Corner Alternative Service in WWII, Crisis of Community 10. Peter Bargen’s Service 11. Archeology Date: Saturday Nov 16, 2019, Registration $20, starts at 12:30 pm 15. Jake Isaac, from CO to PhD Time: 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM, Q & A and Faspa lunch to follow 16. Mennonite Heritage Farm Place: The Gem of the West Museum, Coaldale, Alberta 18. Jake Driedger Biography 19. Letters to the Editor Featuring: 20. To God be the Glory Conrad Stoesz, Archivist, 22. Borscht 27. Mennonite Heritage Week Mennonite Heritage Centre, Winnipeg

28. Fall Conference ***** See the poster on the back page for more details 2 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

Editorial Reflections Winnipeg. He said, "When I first excursion to Manitoba and Sas- by Dave Toews saw your name as editor of MHSA katchewan recently to see all things Chronicle, I thought I should Mennonite. (See my article May the A lot has know this man, but I couldn't place Borscht be with You in this issue of happened since you." Needless to say I have been the Chronicle.) I last talked to flying under the radar for years. The Saskatchewan Roughrid- you on this fo- This summer I played in two ers' record is 9 and 4 so far this rum. I have fund-raising golf tournaments: season, and they are definitely on been to Sas- MCC and Mennonite Mutual In- track to win the Grey Cup! katchewan three surance of Alberta (MMI). We If you know someone who is times and to raised a total of about $127,000 interested in the MHSA and is not Calgary twice. It between the two. The MMI tour- yet a member, consider using the has been a Dave Toews nament was for the Edmonton enclosed gift membership form to rainy, cool, but Mennonite Guest Home (EMGH), give him or her a Christmas gift. busy summer. From the beginning a home for out-of-town patients Thank you to all the authors of June through the end of August and their families being treated in and contributors to this issue. Your we did not have two consecutive Edmonton hospitals. The EMGH articles are always appreciated. It is days without rain. I sincerely hope is a project of the Church of God a pleasure to work with you. the farmers can get the crops in off in Christ (Holdeman) Mennonites. the fields. I met a number of interesting The MHSA welcomes your I am in my 12th year as editor Holdeman people there including feedback, emails, letters to the edi- of this publication, not in the 11th construction company owner Den- tor, and articles. Contact Dave as I thought. I just double-checked. ver Eidse from Bowersville, Geor- Toews at [email protected] I shudder to think of what we put gia, and building designer Galen with any questions or comments. out in some of those early issues. Wiebe from Stettler, Alberta. Hope you can all make it to the fall Maybe some of you also do, shud- The Alberta Mennonite Herit- conference in Coaldale. ❖ der that is? Recently I spoke with age Cultural Centre (AMHCC) has Jon Isaak, director of the Centre occupied some of my time this for Mennonite Brethren Studies in summer as well. The AMHCC is a project of Ernie and Linda Wiens, Chairman’s Corner Sherwood Park, Alberta. (See Er- by Ken Matis Mennonite Historical Society of nie's article in this issue.) Alberta Chronicle ISSN 1916-6966 Dave Dyck and I went on an With All is published three times a year. Saints Day Send submissions and other MHSA Executive (November 1) correspondence to: Chair: Ken Matis, Lethbridge and Remem- Dave Toews, Editor Vice Chair: Katie Harder, Didsbury ([email protected] ) Secretary: Jake Driedger, Calgary brance Day Subscription is through membership Treasurer: Jake Retzlaff, Calgary (November 11) ($30.00/year or $500.00 lifetime). soon to be upon To join, send payment to: Members at Large: us, I want to MHSA Ernie Wiens, Sherwood Park share my grand- #223 - 2946 32 Street NE Bill Franz, Red Deer father Willi Ken Matis Calgary, AB T1Y 6J7 David Jeffares, Edmonton Schmidt's mem- Sigrid Warkentin, Calgary Editor: Dave Toews oirs of his days as a Mennonite Verne Klassen, Duchess Copy Editor: Carolyn Wilson forced to fight in WW II for the Dave Toews, St Albert Layout: Harvey Wiehler Polish Army and then the German

Distribution: Bill Janzen GAMEO Representative: Army. The following are his own Membership List: Ellie Janz Vacant words as recorded in The WW II Memoirs of Willi Schmidt - a Mennonite Visit our Website: MAID Representative: Soldier. www.mennonitehistory.org Vacant (See Chairman on page 3) 3 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Chairman from page 2) others lost their lives. On my side through experience. of the family I lost a brother, a After eight months we re- Our wedding date was Novem- cousin, and a cousin's son; on my ceived an order to go back to the ber 12, 1932. Our meeting was not wife's side she lost a brother, her place where we once lived in or- difficult as we lived in the same mother, and a brother-in-law. der to be reunited with other village of Zyck, Poland. The young We can never thank God families. Whoever was guilty of people got together every Sunday enough for His goodness and mer- anything would be punished, and at different places where we both cy to us. there were guilty ones among the joined in. The casual acquaintance When the war was over, we German people. However, the became a serious relationship, and were surrounded by the Russian Polish lady where we lived didn't after some time we married. My army. An idea came to me: I want to let us go since we were wife received some land from her dressed in civilian clothes, and as a already together as a whole fami- parents, and I received money result I was not taken as a prisoner ly. The village mayor told us to from mine so that we were able to of war. The Russians sent me with leave secretly: if they didn't catch buy some additional land. We all the German civilians to an area us, all would be well; if they did were able to make a good living on where each person was to receive catch us, he didn't know what the farm having animals and fruit their just due. It was quite near to would happen to us. Instead, the trees. The government at the time our home, but when we got off the Polish lady made arrangements was favorable; we had our own train there was a checkpoint. Our with the police for us to stay with German schools and had German names gave us away as being Ger- her. However, the conditions in services in our own churches. man, so the Poles immediately took that area were very bad for Ger- We lived in peace and quiet us to the prison where we were mans. On Sundays my wife had until that terrible war came in 1939 abused and beaten. It was so brutal to work for the police. When the between Germany and Poland, and that I fainted twice. When I day was over, the police told us everything was destroyed. I was awoke, I was completely wet. (The to come into the office and they forced to enlist as a Polish para- Poles had poured water on me to would pay us. Instead, they beat medic. I must say the Lord pro- revive me because they had secretly us badly saying, "This is your tected me in a most wonderful beaten us even though the Russian payment." way. As an example, I will men- soldiers had forbidden them to do The Lord kept his protecting tion one time when I was near so.) hand over us, and we eventually death. A bomb fell so close to me God heard my prayer there too came back to our own home that I was covered with dirt. It was and helped me get out after eight safely. We went directly to our not too deep - at least I could get days. A lady came wanting a work- house, which was inhabited by up. When the attack was over (the er for her farm and picked me. Her our former worker. We then all war only really lasted 18 days), I farm is where I was for three lived together on the farm. Some could go home again to my dear months. I asked her to allow me to of the Poles in the area made an wife. At home everything was in train her fourteen-year-old son on effort to help by letting me prac- good order, which was not the case the farm because I wanted to get tice my trade for them. Finally for many others. The Poles had back to my dear wife. She agreed we were safe; no one harmed us mutilated and murdered many fam- to my idea and let me go. She was anymore. ilies. never unkind to me. We lived together in our vil- I was with my wife until 1943 I went back to my village and lage almost three years. We did when I was forced to go to war found my wife and child at a Polish not want to stay there because again, this time as a German sol- home where my wife was a maid Germans had no rights, and we dier fighting against the Rus- and did handwork. The moment were not willing to accept Polish sians. This war did not end so of our reunion we will never forget citizenship even though it was quickly; I was away from home for as long as we live, that emotional offered to us. two years. I must say, however, moment when we met our loved One day the opportunity that the Lord kept His protecting ones alive when thousands were came that we could go to Germa- hand over me in this war also. I not to experience that. I believe ny. A certain Mr. Fast from the was never wounded when so many that is a grief one can only feel (See Chairman on page 4) 4 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Chairman from page 3) Courtship USA was in Poland in the port city of Danzig, and he was authorized by the In December 1953, after basic MCC to go around and find all the Mennonites in Poland. So one day the training in Portage La Prairie, I Polish police came to pick us up and take us to the Red Cross Cen- decided to drive to Ontario with ter. From there we went to Germany for eight months, and then we emi- my friends, Paul Schmidt and grated to Coaldale, Canada. We can never thank God enough for bringing Doug Vann, to spend Christmas us here where we are so richly blessed, both spiritually and materially. ❖ with their families. On the return trip we were in a head-on collision! Doug, who was driving, was un- (Pilot from page 1) hurt, Paul had bitten off the tip of his tongue, and I suffered a con- (RCAF). My initial flying took place at Winnipeg. This was followed by a cussion. The doctor said I would two-year tour at 418 Squadron Edmonton and a tour at Penhold, Alberta as never fly again. As it turned out, a pilot instructor. I was then sent to Germany. After spending four years the head injury was not too severe, but as a result of the accident I was rerouted from fighter to heavy air- craft pilot. Had I not been rerouted, I would not have been in the right place on July 14, 1954 to meet my future wife, Eula. In June of that year I had just finished my pilot training in Saskatoon by taking an advanced flying course on B-25 bombers. I was immediately sent on a pilot survivor course. On completion of this course I came Lockheed T-33 Silver Star, L-R Gerhard Regehr and Rollie Cook out famished, home to Tofield to (Edmonton Eskimos 1955-56) CFB Edmonton (Namoa) 1957 Mom's cooking. I ate five pork publicity photograph for the City of Edmonton Squadron #418 chops at my first meal. I was just beginning my 30 there, I was transferred to Summer- days of holidays before going to side, P.E.I. where I flew the Argus my next posting in Winni- Submarine Patrol aircraft as Captain peg. Wondering what to do I with a crew of 15 for nine years. Fol- strolled around and happened into lowing my service in the RCAF, I the bowling alley. There I saw Eula worked for a further 12 years as a civil Haukedal. I was 22 and hadn't seen aviation inspector with Transport her for seven years. I spoke to Canada. her, and she told me she was going During the years in the RCAF my to the Edmonton Exhibition the Mennonite upbringing came into play next day. When I left her I in many ways. People often remarked, Gerhard (Gerry) Regehr thought what a klutz I was, not to “You don’t ever swear!” I replied, ask to go with her! The next day “Swearing is just a weak mind trying to express itself forcefully.” During my was July 15, 1954. I went to the service I went to church or chapel regularly on Sundays. In Germany, Cana- Edmonton Exhibition, hoping to dian airmen lived on or near the self-contained base, and Eula, my wife, see her there. I happened to meet accompanied me. She played the organ for both chapels (Protestant and Raymond McGinitie, who was also Roman Catholic). As a family we always went to church and sang in the at loose ends, and together we choirs. Our friends were also derived from the church setting. (See Pilot on page 5) 5 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Pilot from page 4) ering button to stop it. Although I was only shook up momentarily, this moment was significant for me. I really hadn't known before how I would went in search of Eula. We finally react to an emergency. caught up with her at the end of During the investigation they found that the main connecting rod had the day, and I took her home from broken in the engine. This caused it to flail around so that the inside of the there. This started it all. engine looked like a hollow case. The interesting thing was that I had zero After the month was over, I seconds left before the feathering system would have quit. It used oil pres- started my flying out of Winnipeg, sure to feather, and the pressure was ebbing quickly! Had I not feathered flying Beechcraft C-45s and Mitch- in that moment, the engine would have broken off the wing, and the air- ell B-25s. We were told that the craft would have gone down immediately. All in a day's work! RCAF would like us to practice flying on airways on the weekends, My Second Emergency: so I began flying to Edmon- On July 24, 1957, Flight Lieutenant Gar Langford and I were scheduled ton. Getting from Edmonton to for a trip to Las Vegas to pick up a ranking officer. We stopped at Malm- Tofield was difficult because I al- strom Air Force Base (AFB) at Great Falls, Montana to refuel. On take- ways had to sign in the aircraft af- off, our starboard propeller struck the runway as the wheels retracted, and ter landing and then phone Dad for a ride. We arranged a rendez- vous point in Edmonton. On the flight into Edmonton I would fly off the airway, so I could fly over my parent’s house, and this was the signal for Dad to pick me up. I found out later that Dad really en- joyed our drives from Edmonton to Tofield, and he definitely helped with the courtship. Eula told of an incident she had at the hospital during one of my “fly-bys”. She and Dr. Free- B-25 Mitchell, Medium Bomber, Winnipeg Airport circa 1950, same bury were scrubbing for surgery aircraft model as was involved in the second emergency when they heard the B-25 roar by on its way to Edmonton. Dr. Free- we had to do a forced landing straight ahead on the runway. The aircraft bury, a quiet reticent type, com- caught fire and was destroyed. mented “Are we expecting compa- At the time of the accident Gar Langford, who had not flown for three ny this weekend?” Eula blushed. months, was assigned as Captain of the aircraft. Although I had the greater We were married July 16, experience, he had higher rank. After refueling, starting, and taxiing out, I 1955. had received a very long air traffic control clearance and was writing it down with my flying gloves off. When Gar started the takeoff run, I put A Major Emergency down everything to assist. The takeoff was routine. I had been flying for three I glanced down at my board to check the clearance again and didn’t hours in a Beechcraft C-45 when notice that Gar had let the aircraft do a slow descent while trying to get the suddenly the aircraft began to all-important single engine speed. Suddenly the starboard propeller shake very hard. I went through touched the runway. Unknown to me, the propeller tip broke off, went my FMS (fuel, mixture, switches) through the aircraft wall on my side just 13 inches behind me, and severed a check but couldn’t see the instru- fuel line that was used for the cabin heater in the nose of the aircraft. Also ments because of the shaking. I unknown to me, fuel was running into my foot tray below my seat. looked outside and saw the right While Gar was concentrating on bringing the aircraft down, I reached engine was shaking more than the for the emergency hatch above us. On first touchdown I pulled the release left, so I hit the right engine feath- handle and pushed the hatch out of the way. This turned out to be the only (See Pilot on page 6) 6 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Pilot from page 5) ever he wagered. He took the chips and divided them between opportunity I had to perform this act because immediately on touchdown, the ladies present (which included the aircraft caught fire and started burning between my legs. Eula) and said,” Have a good I tried to undo my seat belt to get out but couldn’t because my hands time.” were already so badly burned that the muscles did not have any strength. I Eula asked,” How do I play felt I was doomed, but then by the grace of God I thought that if I wedged this?” I said, "Just put a bunch of my right hand behind the buckle and swung my left hand against my right chips all over the table and stand hand, the inertia would open the seat buckle. It worked! I jumped out of back.” We were standing around the emergency exit and landed on the ground. the table four deep. The croupier My hands and face turned the roulette wheel and took were badly burned, but in the chips from people who had my eyes were OK be- lost. Then he piled the chips up, cause of the sunglasses looked Emma right in the eye and I wearing, and my ears pushed them toward her. She had were OK because I had won! Eula said to me, “What do I earphones on. My do now.” (You have to remember flight suit was fireproof, that I was always “low man on the and I only got a slight totem pole” so we couldn’t have burn on my ankle. (The our visitor waiting for us while Eu- flight suit was quite brit- la played.) I said, “Play more and tle and fell apart later.) faster!” She won once more, took The ambulance ar- her winnings and offered them to rived as I was standing Gerhard Regehr, U of A Hospital, Edmonton, the air marshal. He said, “You there with the skin from Aug 10, 1957, two weeks after the accident keep them, but don’t let him my hands hanging (referring to me) get them.” down. The ambulance driver said, “What can I do?” I exclaimed, “Drive to the hospital!” My watch crystal had melted onto the face of the watch at King Hussein two minutes to five o’clock. Everybody was driving home after work, and In 1962 I met King Hussein of we had to drive across the line of traffic. People would not yield. Finally I Jordan and Princess Munna when shouted in the driver’s ear, “Drive!” He jerked out the clutch, the traffic they visited West Germany. Two yielded, and we drove through. weeks ahead of time, I received At the time of this accident we had an acting commanding officer who word that the king would be using was inexperienced at notifying people of accidents. He knocked on Eula’s our airfield for his departure to door and said, “Hi, Mrs. Regehr. Your husband has been in a serious crash, West Berlin. The Berlin Blockade and we don’t know his condition.” In shock, Eula couldn't quite compre- was in effect, and the only airline hend. She invited him in and had him repeat everything plus give more de- that had clearance to fly to West tails. We didn’t have a phone in those days, so she had to go to Olfred Berlin was Pan American Airlines. Moen (an old neighbour from the farm days who lived a short distance A Pan Am aircraft had been char- away) and use their phone to call the hospital. tered for this purpose. I was back flying in three months no worse for wear. I contacted our government in Ottawa to enquire about protocol Eula’s Gambling for this situation. They advised me On August 5, 1961, we arrived in Baden Solingen, Germany, where I to use the protocol for a king. I was to serve a four-year NATO tour. I would work as personal assistant to thereupon ordered a 100-man the base commander, Group Captain J.J. Jordan. When VIPS visited our "honour guard"* to receive him on base, my duties included escorting them and the base commander. arrival. [*foot soldiers] On one occasion we had an air marshal visiting. We decided to show King Hussein was scheduled to him the local Spielbank (casino) in Baden Baden near us. It is a very classy arrive at 11:30 a.m. with a depar- place. Our visitor was playing roulette and won on odds of 35:1 on what- (See Pilot on page 7) 7 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Pilot from page 6) car, ran to the commander, and asked him to move them off as quickly as possible since the arrival of the king was imminent. This was done, and the ture time of 12:05 pm on the day in guard marched directly across and off the tarmac. question. At 9:00 a.m. I received a A few minutes later phone call from the German we saw the entourage Oberst (commanding officer, CO) with King Hussein accompanying the king’s party. He driving from the other wanted to confirm that we were direction toward his indeed “mounting “ (assembling) aircraft. The king’s car an honour guard for the king. Then suddenly veered left he asked whether we could and to our surprise was "dismount " (disassemble) it. I told heading in the direction him we had instructions from Ex- of the honour guard. ternal Affairs in Ottawa to mount The commander saw it. the car coming, so he At 9:15 a.m. I received another immediately stopped Aug 4, 2017 front page of the Edmonton Journal phone call requesting that the hon- the guard and prepared retired pilot Gerhard Regehr poses with the B-25 our guard be dismounted. I imme- them for the king’s arri- diately phoned Ottawa but was un- val. When the king ar- Mitchell that flew in WWII 1944 in Corsica able to contact anyone. Because of rived, the commander (Maid in the Shade-restored under a canopy in the time difference, they were not called “Guard, Royal Arizona) Salute! Present Arms!" The guard commander saluted the king. He approached him with “We did- n’t expect you here, Your Highness,” whereupon, King Hussein replied, “But you have such a very fine guard." The King then fully inspected the guard, got into his car, and drove to the aircraft. I joined the RCAF at the age of 19 and had no thought of ever meeting King Hussein or Prin- cess Munna. Since this was such King Hussein of Jordan and Prin- an unusual occurrence, I thought cess Munna before departing you might be interested in this one day in the life of this most Germany, summer 1962 admired man. at work yet. I then tried to contact I was brought up on a farm our ambassador in Bonn, but I did near Tofield, Alberta. My family not succeed there either. was part of the local Mennonite At 11:10 a.m. Group Captain church, and as a part of the fami- Jordan, Air Commander Bradshaw, ly, my formative years were spent and I drove to the aircraft for the in this church. The Mennonite departure. I had left word at the habits I acquired stayed with me office that should Ottawa or Bonn throughout the rest of my life. I call with any instructions, they always took pride in my Mennon- should call the control tower who ite heritage. could relay the message to me in Eula was also brought up on the car. a farm in the vicinity of Tofield. Eula and Gerhard, Waterton National At 11:20 a.m. the car phone We are both 88 years old. We Park, Alberta 62nd wedding rang, and I was advised: have been married 64 years and anniversary July 16, 2017 "Dismount the guard." The com- are still in good health. manding officer leaped from the (See Pilot on page 8) 8 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Pilot from page 7) filled your own glass jug with vine- gar, hopefully not into the empty kerosene jug (Ugh!). John and Pe- Gerhard Regehr retired from active service in 1991 having served 26 years in the ter Martens voluntarily ran tabs on RCAF and 12 years with Transport Canada as a civil aviation inspector. He lives in unpaid purchases, a book for each Sherwood Park, Alberta with his wife Eula. He hopes to fly again at age 90! Gerhard family. The smoky pool hall was and Eula attend Glory Lutheran Church in Sherwood Park. ❖ forbidden to us kids. There I had my first carbonated pop, a shared quarter bottle's worth, at the ad- vanced age of 10. (Coaldale from page 1) A large brick building in Coal- dale, formerly a bank but currently ites from south Russia in the late 1800's, 1925, and the post-war still labeled "Greer's Hardware," 1950's. These Mennonite immigrants, our people, were determined to start became the town's first hospital in anew in agriculture, re-establish their churches, cultural practices, business- 1934/45. It was started by Men- es, and societal associations on a common basis, remember the huge losses nonites and included a health in- experienced in Russia, and weather the terrible dirty-thirties here. surance plan that later was made available to all people in the wider area. The building of this first hos- pital continued efforts Mennonites had begun in 1925 to re-establish in Canada services and co- operative ventures abandoned in John Pauls directing the choir Russia Our Japanese doctor, Dr. Oshiro, was impressed by the Noted directors John Pauls and Henry Jantzen directed a volunteer Mennonites and referred to our choir of 100 singers for the general assembly and the Sunday Service. Offi- B.B.Janz as the Mennonite patri- cials spoke and even preachers had their say. The attendance of 1000 people had been expected. Coffee from McDonalds was plentiful, but, alas, cream was very scarce.

Reflections on Coaldale History Big attractions to Coaldale during the settler years were available new land, existing irrigation systems, (contributors to southern Alberta's wealth second only to petroleum), and favorable 1925 loans from the CPR for travel from Russia and for farmers. The CPR, in its self-interest, had certainly evalu- ated the Mennonites as worthy and honest people for purchase of its numerous land holdings and was forbearing during subse- Aerial view of historic Coaldale, quent hard times. Read Ted Regehr's article Photo credit, Google Photos in Mennonite Life, Dec 1977, page 13 on the link below. https://mla.bethelks.edu/mennonitelife/pre2000/1977dec.pdf arch. I was born in this hospi- Until Calgary surpassed it, Coaldale town was the major Mennonite tal. This building was also where I center in Alberta. Its main street, still narrow with angle parking, has most purchased at age 15 my 22 rifle of the very old buildings still in use. Remember the Del Monte and promptly, through careless- store? There you cut your own wedge from the 30-inch cheese wheel and (See Coaldale on page 9) 9 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Coaldale from page 8) even embraced engineering. Coaldale's agriculture is now dominated by professional Dutch farmers who came post World War II. ness, shot myself through the shoe It seems to me that there is a resurgence of Mennonite historians ana- and toe. (Needless to say, that lyzing and clarifying the shoe was never again polished, and Russian/Prussian eras of the hole was forever covered with which our forefathers had mud. My siblings were told about incomplete and biased infor- this mishap 20 years later.). A sec- mation. One of the cele- ond hospital was built and served brants at the homecoming the area until 2004. A new third suggested that in Canada hospital served until it was closed and the USA we are now in under Ralph Klein's progressive the last "real" Mennonite and enlightened policies. period. Other cooperative Coaldale Wonderful glimpses into ventures evolved also. The ceme- the common past of Coal- tery at the Mennonite Brethren dale residents are available at (MB) Church became an Alberta - The Gem of the West Mu- wide facility. A Co-operative seum, located in the former cheese factory was built and pro- MB Church. The museum is vided cash to the farmers who a multi-ethnic organization shipped their milk in the famous with great community sup- iron milk cans, no refrigeration re- port. Community members quired! An interesting process was of Hungarian, Japanese, used to produce low-fat cheese German, Dutch and other from the whey left over from backgrounds have provided cheese production. It was sold at display material. There are perhaps half price. Eggs were can- exhibits of tools, music, mu- A working blacksmith at the dled and shipped elsewhere. A sical instruments, writings, Coaldale Gem of the West Museum High German (not Plautdietsch/ photography, creameries, Low German) library served the and a working blacksmith's shop. There is also a remarkable exhibit of Indi- original settlers. an artifacts from the collections of Armin Dyck, Bill Quapp, and me, all As time went on, however, curated by Duncan Lloyd, who has over 1000 such items. (See the related Coaldale became less of a major article by Dave Hubert in this issue of the Chronicle). A mural, painted by hub of Mennonite culture. Two big local artist Judith Nickol, details the Indian lower buffalo kill and camp Mennonite churches were con- sites. Nickol also displays wonderful paintings of Alberta's prairie scenes structed in the 1930's, and these showing the Rocky Mountains in the background with the Chinook arch in assemblies were of major influence the sky above. and importance in Alberta, but The museum's architecture and furnishings are now almost exactly as eventually leadership shifted to they were when built 90 years ago, with only a floor change for strengthen- Calgary. The Alberta Mennonite ing purpose. The original wainscoting, fir flooring, wood paneling and trim, High School was opened in 1946 window details, and stairwells have been in place since the 1940's. Even the and blossomed favorably, but both old pendulum wall clock hangs there. How we kids hoped that B.B.Janz it and the Bible School closed with- would cut short his 5 to 10 minute closing prayers way back then! And of in two decades due to diminished course, the view of the pulpit area brought forth the memory of "Hatch" attendance. Many new adults left Siemens preaching at the time of my baptism, listing the strictures for Men- farming behind for further educa- nonite Christian girls: no lipstick, earrings, bobbed hair, short sleeves and tion and entry into academia, pro- dresses, slacks, smoking and dancing, alcohol, and what else. Amazingly he fessional and trade jobs, nursing, had nothing to say to the boys, or if he did, I do not remember. How teaching, and mission endeavors things have changed. such as MCC. Some brave souls (See Coaldale on page 10) 10 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Coaldale from page 9) Peter Bargen’s Service Story The Gem of the West Museum was also the site of The Alberta Men- by Neil Bargen nonite High School's (AMHS) BBQ get-together on this occasion. Over 150 former students and spouses attended. There were chat groups every- My Dad, where. Some friends I noticed were John B. Toews, John Pauls, Rudy Peter Bargen, Wiebe, Alfred Klassen, Ted Regehr, Werner Schmidt, the Hubert clan, and voluntarily en- Bill Baerg. Absent but remembered listed in the were nurse Helen Toews, engineer Canadian army Rudy Kornelsen and Heidi, and at the X Dis- others whose names I only dimly trict Depot in remember. Howard Dyck of CBC Winnipeg, music fame attended with his Manitoba on AMHS spouse. I left the school November 5, after one year in grade 10 since 1943. He was Peter Bargen, 23 teacher Peter Dick failed miserably 23 years old. years old, Nov 5, to teach me to sing, and the cost of Dad 1943, Winnipeg tuition was a factor. wished to be of Now a few family details. My assistance in wartime without bear- parents, Peter and Margaret ing arms. In his words, “I entered (Klassen) Quapp, came to Coaldale the medical service because I felt it from Russia in 1925. Dad died in enabled me to do my part as a citi- 1942 leaving mother with 10 chil- zen yet did not violate my Chris- dren aged 3 to 19. Rheumatic fever tian convictions”. struck, with Edgar dying after grade He served in the Restricted 12, Agnes dying in grade 3, and Royal Canadian Army Medical Johnny suffering from major heart Gem of the West Museum Corps. Opportunity for this re- problems and other complications. stricted corps was made possible Bill and Ernest farmed together after Dad's death. I was startled to recently by a national Order-in-Council in discover that Bill did all the hard work in farming from a very young age September 1943. This corps re- because Dad's endless frail health would not allow hard labor. If you can quired battlefield duty, but recruits believe it, being without a dad helped us to develop initiative, great inde- did not have to train with pendence, and stubbornness (ask my wife). Those characteristics began to arms. The regulations regarding develop at an early age: When Mother was chasing us kids with a switch to this corps also specified that re- punish transgressions, we could outrun her. cruits could not be transferred to I enjoyed all three days of the celebration. It was a rare opportunity to another unit without their con- become reacquainted with almost-forgotten friends, and to remember the sent. In Dad’s platoon there were town as it was 50 years ago. Meeting the former Mennonite High School 43 men, 25 of whom were Men- students was a highlight. nonites. Dad was never sent overseas Dave Quapp worked for the Alberta Transportation Department's Bridge Branch but became an instructor in Ad- Design Section. After an initial period of detailed bridge design, he wrote computer pro- vanced Medical Corp Training in grams for engineering, design, and management applications. He also worked as Assis- Camp Borden, Ontario. He did tant Registrar for several years for The Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists not apply for nor was he directed and Geophysicists of Alberta and installed an in-house computer for registration purpos- to the “alternate service” choic- es. Dave and Mary attend Lendrum Mennonite Church, Edmonton. Volunteer time in es (e.g. forestry, road construc- charitable organizations is important to them. Most of their time is currently spent in tion) available to conscientious Ottawa with their grandchildren and daughter, who is unable to drive. ❖ objectors. His Canadian Army (Active) (See Bargen on page 11) 11 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Bargen from page 10) of McMaster Divinity College for the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. The second major factor which renders identification of Mennonites enlisted in service Discharge Certificate indicates that to Canada difficult, is the question of what actually defines a Mennonite. That some peo- he was discharged with the rank of ple of Mennonite background were hesitant to officially state their adherence to the Men- private on February 1, 1946 by rea- nonite faith or acknowledge their Mennonite heritage is an indicator to some that such son of return to civilian life people were, of their own volition, truly no (Routine Order 1029(5a)). His dis- longer Mennonites and should therefore not be charge papers indicate that he was included in the enlistment records. a recipient of the Canadian Volun- War veteran Peter F. Bargen's 1956 teer Service Medal. Dad passed article entitled "Why I am a Mennonite" de- away Aug 25, 2004. scribes the fact that Mennonites are not easily identified. A visiting professor at the Universi- In a May ty of Alberta expressed his disbelief that Barg- 1952 Liberty en was an adherent to this group: "But how Magazine can you be? I always thought Mennonites wore article "Why black clothes and long beards, and certainly I Am a Men- did not sanction higher education. You look nonite", Peter like an average university student. You just Bargen states can't be a Mennonite in good standing!" Barg- why he taught en acknowledged that there were those who did at Alberta match that description, but that there were Mennonite many who were entirely different in thought High School Neil Bargen and appearance as well. Peter Bargen, circa 1959, proba- in Coaldale. While Mennonite beliefs are rooted in the bly as the new Superintendant of My purpose has not been one of in- Reformation-era teachings of the renegade the West Jasper Place School doctrination, but rather one of persuasion. Catholic priest Menno Simons, some debate the Board We do not close our eyes to the rest of the exclusivity of following the spiritual teachings of Simons as a cut-off point for Mennonite world. Rather, in spite of the world, our identity. To many, Mennonites are as much an ethnic people group as a faith-based de- philosophy of life must be based upon nomination. high moral precepts and ideals. God has Editor's notes . ❖ never rejected our faith but has answered it powerfully. God has given me peace of mind, the A Mennonite Contribution to the Development of greatest of all gifts. I do not fear life. It is Archeology in Alberta a challenge. Nor do I fear death. It is a by Dave Hubert hope. As a Mennonite Christian, I have a dynamic way of life in which I can be One Saturday morning in May 1957, when I both a good Christian and a good citizen. was 15 years old, a strange car drove onto the our It is a life that has a meaning and an- farmyard north of Coaldale. The driver got out and swers the perplexing "Why?" of exist- introduced himself as Richard “Dick” Forbis, he ence. It satisfies. Again, as a Mennonite wanted to talk to my oldest brother, Jacob [Jake] Christian, I have the assurance of eternal Hubert. Forbis, who had recently been hired by the life after death. With this faith, I hope to Glenbow Foundation in Calgary, had been “informed live creatively and die nobly. by Dr. Earnest Reinhold of the University of Alberta, of a site along the Oldman River, northeast of the town of Coal- dale. Immediately afterward, I went to Coaldale to see Jacob This Liberty Magazine article by Hubert, who had reported the site to Dr. Reinhold. Dave Dave Hubert Peter Bargen regarding Mennonite Identi- Hubert escorted me [Dick Forbis] to the Ross Site and two ty is mentioned by Nathan R. Dirks in (See Archeology on page 12) his 2010 thesis submission to the faculty 12 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Archeology from page 11) was Jake and Dave who initiated the digging for arrowheads, they other nearby localities, the Upper Kill and the Lower[buffalo] Kill. The Ross Site was were soon joined by others, includ- originally discovered by David Quapp, who, like Dave Hubert, takes a vital interest in ing Art Wiebe, Harold Pankratz archeology...” and Armin “Soupy” Dyck. As The Reinhold article word got around, there were oth- went on to state, “…The ers as well, including Billy Meyers Ross site and its environs reflect and the Davidsons. the heaviest prehistoric occupation I have a vivid recollection of in all of Alberta.” (1) Jake sitting in a red Radio Flyer The Ross site and the wagon just outside the front door Lower and Upper Kill are of our home, working on an ar- located about 8 miles north rowhead. In his left hand he held a and three miles east of the supple piece of buckskin. The town of Coaldale. The Ross buckskin held a piece of stone be- site itself lies along the ing formed into an arrowhead. The south bank of the Old Man buckskin protected his fingers River, less than a mile east from the sharp flakes that were of the Lower Kill. The Up- Reintroduced buffalo on the Buffalo Kill being chipped off the stone. In his per Kill is at the head of the Coulee land now owned by the right hand he held the tine of an same coulee about two hun- Richards family antler of a mule deer. He had dis- dred yards above the Lower covered, by trial and error, that the Kill and features a spring, which is currently used to supply a watering hardness and edge of the tine, ap- trough for the buffalo that roam freely within the confines of a fence that plied at the right angle, and with encloses both the Lower and Upper Kills. The land was leased by the Da- just the right pressure to the stone, vidson family when we were digging for arrowheads, and is now owned by was very effective in flaking chips the Richards family, who have re-introduced buffalo to the spread. The of the stone and producing a very Ross site is on land previously owned by Cleve Ross and now owned by the sharp point. and evidence his curi- Nicholls family. When we were digging at all three sites in the early to mid- osity to learn as much of the cul- 1950’s an ancient cowboy, Herb Johnson, rode the range taking care of the ture of the indigenous people of cattle on the Ross property. Johnson recalled the indigenous people, then the northern plains as he could. called Indians, and their “burial” practices. These practices consisted of On many summer Sunday af- building a platform on the trees, placing the body on this platform, and let- ternoons, we would dig up some ting the birds and weather do what birds and weather did in such situations. earthworms, load spades and Having placed the body on the platform, the indigenous people would screens and fishing gear onto the break camp and move to another campsite. back of a corn binder (an Interna- When Dick Forbis arrived on the scene in 1957, we had already been tional Harvester pick-up) and head active at the Lower Kill for more than eight years. My earliest recollection north to the Old Man. We would of the site was perhaps seven years earlier, when Jake took my Uncle Ben first bait several hooks on leaders Janz to see the site. Uncle Ben was a science man, and I recall his trip with on a braided green fishing line, peg us “Hubert boys” to a fossil bed near the confluence of the St. Mary’s and the one end of the line to the Old Man Rivers, just south of Lethbridge. I recall finding large petrified riverbank, and throw the other clams and ammonites (extinct sea creatures) on that trip. I was fascinated end, weighted with used spark by the first ammonite I found, perhaps 1 ½ inches in diameter and 3 inches plugs or some other heavy object, long with more brilliantly iridescent colors than a Christmas tree. into the river. Then we would head Jake introduced my brother Frank and me to digging for arrowheads at for the Lower Kill to dig for ar- the Lower Kill. Dave Quapp, Jake’s best friend, introduced his brother, rowheads. We might be there Johnny. Subsequently, Frank and Johnny, in their explorations of the cou- alone, but sometimes we had com- lee, discovered some arrowheads at the Upper Kill and thereafter, we had pany. The screenings for one after- the choice of digging and screening for arrowheads at two sites. Although it (See Archeology on page 13) 13 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Archeology from page 12) head made of white chert (rock) with grey specks on the day of our annual church picnic noon might result in 10 to 20 or on the third Sunday of June in 1953. That even- even more points. Many were bro- ing I traded it to Jake for a nickel and 80 post- ken but there were also quite a few age stamps. The nickel would buy a creamsicle whole ones, which were obviously at Win Ke Yip’s restaurant on Monday and the prized more than those that were stamps would be added to the stamp collection broken. If there was dirt on the that I started to emulate my oldest brother, complete points we would pop Jake. Brother Frank had amassed a significant them into our mouths to clean collection of arrowheads, many from the Upper them, and then admire our find- Kill, and these also eventually also ended up in At the time of his death, ings. (We didn’t learn until much Jake’s collection. Dec 3, 1960, Jake Hu- later that anthrax was endemic in Jake was an inveterate collector, and kept bert was a teacher at the pre-Columbian buffalo herds of his eyes glued to the ground wherever he was. Alberta Mennonite High the northern plains—and that the This resulted in him amassing artifacts not only School, Coaldale anthrax spore can be active for mil- from the sites north of Coaldale, from the farms lennia. Fortunately, our method of of our neighbors and our own, but also from many other locations in Al- doing this final clean-up never berta. A partial list of the places where his collection originated appears in caused any problems other than the handwritten note on the following page. muddy mouths.) Several years after we began excavating the Lower Kill, Dave Quapp When it was time to get back and Harold Pankratz discovered some layers of bone and burned rocks in a to the farm to milk our 20 Hol- cutbank along the south side of the Old Man about half a mile east of the steins, we would head back for the Lower Kill, and our attention shifted to what became known as the Ross river, pull out our set lines, throw Site or simply “the campsite”. There were three clearly identifiable layers in any fish attached to them into a the cutbank, with the oldest going back some thousand years. The top layer sack, throw the sack onto the corn was perhaps four feet below the surface and the bottom layer three to four binder and head home. In fall we feet below that. would stop at a chokecherry grove When the river was in flood, typically in mid-June when the snow was and break off some branches that melting in the headwaters of the were particularly heavily fruited Old Man in the Rockies to the and eat choke cherries while riding west, it was impossible to access home in the box of the corn bind- the face of the cutbank. Of er. By the time we got home, our course, the river kept eroding teeth were black. the layers of the campsite and After one such excursion in carrying away the very artifacts September 1954, when I had a we were looking for. After the pocketful of arrowheads, I gave spring runoff subsided, we care- some to friends in my Grade six fully examined what was left in class in the John McDowell- the rocks on the shore of the Davidson School in Coaldale. water to see if we could find Some of these schoolmates had artifacts. come to Canada as displaced per- Dave Quapp and Harold sons from Germany after World Pankratz found the campsite in War II and they were fascinated by spring just before the river went these artifacts of the indigenous into flood. A couple of weeks Left to right: Dave Quapp, Shawn Bu- people who had lived in the very later the river was in flood and bel, Leta Pezderic and Dave Hubert at place to which they had come. access to the cutbank was im- the Lower Kill, April 30, 2019 Most of the arrowheads we dug possible. Undeterred, Dave up eventually ended up in Jake’s Quapp and his cousin Waldemar, got a rope, looped it under Jake’s armpits collection. I found a perfect arrow- (See Archeology on page 14) 14 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Archeology from page 13) After 1957 and the arrival of Dick Forbis, this all changed, as and lowered him over the edge of the cutbank, keeping him just above the Forbis taught us proper archeolog- flooding river. Jake immediately found an arrowhead in the cutbank and ical methodology. He did this by handed it up to the rope holders. This maneuver demonstrated the dangers hiring both Jake and Dave, Art and associated with excavating the cutbank. One Sunday afternoon when I was John Quapp to assist in his excava- alone working the site my digging undermined the cutbank above me. Sud- tions. These excavations included a denly a big chunk of it gave way and almost knocked me into the river. site on the prairie overlooking the We learned quickly to look for hearths in the layers of bone and stone, Upper Kill, the Ross site and the as these yielded the highest returns for our efforts. It was clear that these Lower and Upper Kills. Eventually hearths had been the focal point for the activities of the inhabitants of the David Quapp and Jake would tipis that had once provided shelter for the people of the plains. These hearths yielded many stone chips that were the by- products of the manufacture of arrowheads and other stone im- plements. In addition, the hearths yielded a lot of pottery, unfin- ished arrowheads, knives, awls, scrapers to remove the fat from the insides of animal skins and even the bowl of a pipe. One of the most fascinating finds was a small piece of sheet copper. This, and the obsidian (black glass) stone from which some of the points were made, indicated a fairly wide-ranging trade net- work of the people who populated the Ross site. All of this information and the attendant material culture that accompanied it were of vital interest to Dick Forbis and his associate, Dr. Timothy O’Leary, from Columbia University in New York. This interest was both positive and negative. On the one hand, they were delighted to see the artifacts, and deeply impressed by the work that had gone into finding them. This de- Catalogue of the collection surrounded by vari- light extended to the catalogue of all the artifacts collected by ous artifacts. The author found the knife blade, Jake and his brothers. This catalogue is an important part of the in the blue/gold box, to the left of the collection and documents where each piece was found, from catalogue, in a hearth at the Ross site. Coaldale to Waterton Lakes to Rocky Mountain House and Ed- "J.H.-artificial” at top RH denotes points monton. One the other hand, Forbis winced at the primitive manufactured by Jake Hubert methodology used to acquire the collection. work on excavations farther afield, This method of col- like the Old Woman’s Buffalo lection, which de- Jump at Cayley, Alberta. stroys a great deal of The time of wholesale looting significant evidence ended with the arrival of Dick For- about how this mate- bis and led eventually to the pro- rial culture was pro- tection of these sites in 1973 by duced and used, the passing of the Alberta Histori- could justifiably be cal Resources Act. Unauthorized called looting. For and unsupervised digging at these example, when work- sites became illegal. Moreover, to ing both the Lower protect the Ross site from further Kill and the Upper erosion by the Old Man River, the Kill, we covered what Government of Alberta has placed was a very rich part Buffalo Kill Coulee, Northeast of Coaldale, Upper rip rap (rock rubble to protect of the site with our Kill on the left and Lower Kill at the shorelines) along the entire edge of screenings. centre of the photo (See Archeology on page 15) 15 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Dyck Archeology page 14) Armin’s collections. Note about the display: In 1973, I was appointed President of Portage the site. The Ross site and the College, in Lac La Biche, Alberta. One of the significant mandates of Por- Lower and Upper Kills undoubted- tage was to meet the post-secondary needs of northern Alberta’s indigenous ly have a great many artifacts of people, and many indigenous people attended the college. At this time the archeological value that could be best parts of the collection were mounted in five display cases and displayed excavated, but these will be exca- at the college. vated only using appropriate arche- ological protocols. Born in Coaldale, Dave Hubert and his wife Martha live in Edmonton, Alberta. Most of Jake’s collection, is He has been a teacher, college administrator, has served with the Edmonton Mennonite now in the home of Leta and Tyler Center for Newcomers and MCC Canada. He was the founding Board Chair of both Pezderic, 100 meters south of the the Edmonton Recycling Society and the Edmonton Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity. Old Man and three miles west of Dave enjoys reading, grand parenting, volunteering and currently works as the Executive the sites. The collection is available Director of Canadian Peacemakers International. to the University of Lethbridge for teaching purposes, and has been (1) Some Sites in the Oldman River Region, Alberta. viewed by Dr. Shawn Bubel, Pro- Contributions to Anthropology, 1957. National Museum of Cana- fessor at U of L. Leta is the niece da, Bulletin 162: 119-164. Ottawa of Dave Hubert. Other parts of Jake’s collection are located at the Further References: Glenbow and the University of • Alberta Plains Prehistory: A Review by J. Roderick Vickers, by Alberta, where I saw them when I the Archeological Survey of Alberta, Alberta Culture attended the institution in 1963. • Record in Stone Familiar Projectile Points from Alberta. Shawn Jake died at 24 in a hunting acci- Bubel, James McMurchy and Duncan Lloyd; Archeological Society of Alberta, Lethbridge Centre. ❖

Jake Isaac, from CO to PhD by Ernie Wiens

Jake Isaac was born August 25, 1924 in Drake, Saskatchewan shortly after his family had emigrated from Russia. The following year they relocated to Arnaud Manitoba, where The complete collection, much of many other Mennonite farms were being estab- it boxed in the original containers lished. used by Jake Hubert Jake was a shy boy, slight of stature, but learning came easily. His last two years of high dent at Chin Lake in 1960, and un- school were at Mennonite Collegiate Institute til it was taken to the home of the in Gretna. Here he met Peter Bargen, and their Pezderics in December 2018, the lives would intersect frequently. (See Peter collection was in the care of Jake’s Bargen article, this issue) After graduation in brother, Dave. The extensive col- June 1943, Jake received his draft notice from lections of David Quapp and Ar- the Canadian military. Along with his church min “Soupy” Dyck, along with minister, H. P. Toews, he travelled to Winnipeg some artifacts collected by Bill to answer the call. With his Mennonite upbring- Jake Isaac, Montreal Quapp, David’s brother, are ing and his pastor at his side, he was granted Military Hospital 1945 housed at the Gem of the West conscientious objector (CO) status and assigned Museum in Coaldale, which has an (See Isaac on page 16) impressive display of David and 16 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Isaac from page 15) owned a large house in the city, half paid for. We had a three-year- to the Jasper CO camp. old son on whom we doted. Our Jake found camp life "boring and useless". Felling trees and cutting futures seem secure. Then why mine timbers were not his calling. He was reassigned to the Banff Camp, were we restless? where he volunteered as a kitchen "flunky". We both come from a rural Still feeling useless and unfulfilled he enlisted in the non-combatant background of large Mennonite medical corps of the Canadian military. There he thrived. After a month- families living on busy mixed long accelerated course he became a "certified" nursing orderly. He worked farms. Nothing unusual. Along in various military hospitals in Quebec, including the Montreal Military with most of our rural contempo- Hospital, while awaiting deployment overseas. Before this could happen, raries, we had spent a decade and a the war ended. Jake was reassigned to Vernon where he eventually received half in the city getting educated, an honorable discharge. Jake's time in the military was short and seemingly choosing our professions, and insignificant, but it changed his life and opened a door that had seemed im- starting our careers. So why were possible before: education. we restless? With financial and administrative help from the Canadian military, Jake Every spring we would scour enrolled in the Faculty of Arts at University of British Columbia in Septem- the ‘acreages for sale’ ads, chasing ber 1946. He did well at university and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts down wonderful-sounding leads three years later, majoring in chemistry and math. He was able to get anoth- and coming home disappointed. er year of support from the military and switched to education. Through his Strange, I don’t remember a dis- short career in the Canadian military he was able to start on his long jour- cussion on why we were looking ney: education, something he was good at. Subsequent credentials included for rural properties. a Bachelor of Theology, a master's degree in education, and finally a PhD And then it happened! As we in mathematics. walked along a tree-lined lane to- Institutes of higher learning where Jake taught include Alberta Mennon- ward a small older farmhouse, we ite High School, Jasper Place High School, and the Northern Alberta Insti- looked at each other knowingly. tute of Technology. Not bad for a shy Mennonite immigrant boy from Ar- Someone said, “This feels naud, Manitoba, and it all started because of his involvement in the Canadi- right." The other concurred, “Yes an military. it does." A twenty-acre property that felt like a farm, like home, and Jake Isaac lives with his son on an acreage in rural Sherwood Park, Alberta. His it was only 30 minutes from the wife Irene passed away in 1996. He enjoys his grandchildren and great grandchildren, heart of the city where we worked yard work, and coffee time at Tim Horton's. Jake attends Sherwood Park Alliance for a living. Home was for recu- Church. ❖ perating, for creating, for building, for planting, for entertaining, for sharing, for dreaming. A Mennonite Farm Now four decades later we by Ernie Wiens look back, and it feels like a dream, a good dream, an idyllic dream. Where do ideas come from? Do they originate in Nevertheless, almost nothing is the brain, or is there some vast collective consciousness the same. The trees are taller, where ideas wander around waiting to enter a selective much taller. The house is large and or arbitrary mind? I don’t know. spacious. Although it still has cedar What about dreams? Are they just random synaptic -planked box stalls, the barn now firings along a complicated network of dendrites? has a hard-surface floor, a stage, Could they not be some predetermined blueprint and space to accommodate a 160- waiting for predetermined individuals to fill predeter- seat audience. The muddy farm- mined spaces? You decide. Ernie Wiens yard now passes for an all-weather The year was 1978, in the springtime. We were rest- parking lot. The front pasture is a less - "I Know Not Why". We had been married for nearly 12 years. We (See Farm on page 17) 17 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Farm from page 16) When we are manicured lawn, and for a while it young, we sported a putting green. The live in and slough is a water feature complete for the fu- with a fountain. Instead of grazing ture. We horses, sheep, and even goats, make plans, there are bridges, a water wheel, we formu- and a Candy Store. There are ter- late ideas, races, flowering shrubs, rose bush- we dream es, and flower gardens now. dreams. When we are old, we live in memories. Riders on the Mennonite Farm In between lies the present where implementation occurs. And therein lies the rub! Where once there was strength, boundless energy, enthusiasm, and creativi- ty, there now exists weariness, arthritic joints, backaches, and afternoon naps. So what happens now? Apples in abundance In 1978, the year we moved to “The Farm”, the Cooper Brothers burst on the music scene with their big hit song "The Dream Never Dies". I’ve The apple trees are laden with always loved that song although I was somewhat conflicted by its psycholo- fruit, and the saskatoons, raspber- gy. Now that I’m old I’m less conflicted, and I wish for the lyrics to be ries, and communal garden are as true. productive as we knew they would be. The dream never dies How did this all happen? I Just the dreamer have no idea. The dream never dies There are memories every- If it’s strong where: birthday parties; garden plantings and harvestings; outdoor The song never dies weddings; Thanksgiving feasts; and Just the singer New Year’s Eve parties, some with So come on, everybody midnight skating, some with fire- Sing along works. And then there are the an- nual Mennonite Heritage Picnics, By the spring of 2018, it was clear to all that we and our friends no eleven of them! Pig roasts, roast longer had the strength or the stamina for either the Mennonite Heritage beef, baked beans, freshly baked Picnic or the communal garden. At the last Picnic we sadly announced it’s buns, rollkuchen and watermelon, demise. and half a dozen varieties of platz. Then two things happened: Enough photo-memories that they A group of young families asked to take over the communal garden. can and do fill a book. And could they also have the raspberries? … and the saskatoons? Children who once played in The concept of a Mennonite Cultural Centre began to circulate. sandboxes, caught frogs in the • a steering committee was formed pond, played with litters of kittens • bylaws were drafted and puppies, rode horses, and • documents for a non-profit society were submitted chased sheep and goats now bring- • politicians were canvassed ing their own children to do the • bureaucracies and neighbors were consulted same. (See Farm on page 18) 18 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Farm from page 17) Jake was married in December 1966 to Susan Harder, whose par- I suppose some- ents farmed near Aberdeen Sas- one will ask, “Will such a venture suc- ceed?” or “ Can a metaphysical dream become a reality?” I honestly don’t know. This kind of implementation takes time. Discussions and debates will be need- ed; options will have to be explored. Dreams and ideas must eventually give way to reality, to busi- ness plans, to budgets Mennonite Farm and Heritage House and grant applications. Do dreams die or do they merely recede for a time? Who knows? Jake Driedger Although never fully articulated, our dream has been wonderful. Our focus on agrarian and Mennonite heritage and culture has been exhilarating katchewan. They moved to Calga- and rewarding, especially when we shared it with so many others. Maybe ry, Alberta in 1968 as part of his the dream was never ours. Maybe we merely belonged to the dream? employment. They have 3 children What ever it was, it was a good dream, an idyllic dream. To those who and 6 grandchildren. lived it with us, and there were many, we say that you enriched our lives. To the Giver of Dreams and Songs, we humbly give thanks. ❖ Career

Jake attended Rosthern Junior College for grades 11 &12 and Get to Know Your MHSA Board Members then the University of Saskatche- Biography of Jacob (Jake) Driedger (Secretary) wan, Saskatoon. He graduated in 1967 with a degree in engineering. Great Heritage He became employed in the oil industry and worked as a senior Jake Driedger was born in September of 1942 at a small farm located 3 reservoir engineer. In 1983 he be- miles north of the village of Blumenheim, Saskatchewan. His parents, Hen- gan working at a bank as a reser- ry and Sarah (Wiebe) Driedger, were also born in Blumenheim. voir engineer and remained there Jake’s great grandfather Peter Driedger was born in 1857 in Burwalde, until receiving an early retirement South Russia. He and his family emigrated from there to southern Manito- package in 2001. Then he provided ba in 1875. They were part of the “Old Colony Group”. In 1895, they part time consulting services to the moved again, this time to a newly opened tract of land in the Territories banking industry until his final re- called “the Hague-Osler land reserve", an area now located in the province tirement in 2016. of Saskatchewan. Jake and Susan started their Jake’s grandparents Wilhelm and Gertrude Wiebe, also came from married life as members of the South Russia and lived in Blumenheim. Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA) also known as the Alli- Family ance Church. There Jake took on

(See Driedger on page 19) 19 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Driedger from page 18) In 2010 both Jake and Susan transferred their membership to Centre Street Church (CSC), where they participate in a bible study group and are various ministry roles. With a heart on a hospitality team (greeting). Jake is also involved in compassionate min- for leading and teaching young istry and often interviews individuals who have difficulties in their lives and boys, he became very involved in seek assistance. Christian Service Brigade. His ac- Jake and Susan have found the time to go on many short-term mission tivities included leading boys, re- trips to places such as Mexico, Nicaragua, China, Jordan, and Kenya. In cruiting men, doing administration, addition they have spent time serving at the Wycliffe center in Arizona. directing activities in the Calgary area, and teaching leaders through Faith and Ministry various courses. He enjoyed bible study groups, and taught for many In Jake's opinion the book of Romans teaches that salvation is a free years using the “precept-upon- gift. However, the letters of Peter teach that faith without works (ministry) precept” methodology. He also is dead. In his early years and even into university, Jake dealt with this prob- served on the church elders board. lem of the assurance of salvation. He now believes that both faith and min- In addition, since prayer became a istry have been very important parts of his family's life journey, and he urges personal cornerstone in his minis- us to focus on both. ❖ try, for a period of time he led the church prayer ministry teams.

Letters to the Editor

Dear Dave, Aug 18, 2019

Thank you for the quality articles in the June 2019 Chronicle. I especially appreciated reading about the recent recognition of Rudy Wiebe and Dave Hubert. The announcement of the formation of the Russlaender Centenary Committee under the leadership of Winnipeg’s Ingrid Riesen Moehlmann was of special interest. She is the great granddaughter of David Toews of Rosthern, Saskatchewan. David Toews was the head of the Canadian Mennonite Board of Colonization during the 1920’s and as such spearheaded the challenge of arranging the immigration of 22,000 Mennonites from Russia to Canada. Mennon- ites in Canada and Russia worked tirelessly to achieve this goal which included negotiations with Colonel Dennis of the CPR to arrange passage for many of these immigrants and refugees on credit. In the 1960’s this migration was deemed important enough to be included in a course on the History of Western Canada at the University of Alberta. The circumstances of the migration , both in the Soviet Union which was instituting its brutal policies of Col- lectivization, and in Canada where some in the Mennonite community were reluctant to commit financially to this effort, make for interesting reading, in such books as David Toews was Here, by Helmut Harder. I hope you will continue to keep your readers informed on further developments from the Russlaender Cen- tenary Committee, including the commemorative train journey to Rosthern and other celebrations. 2023 will be an interesting year!

Sincerely, Anne Friesen, Edmonton

20 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

To God be the Glory • All others who had a part in by Helen Porter the programs and planning A special thanks to Randy and Duchess Days: Duchess Mennonite Shyla Lauber for the donation of Church 100 Years Celebration 2017. our new church sign and cross in Looking back on 100 years of Duchess Men- honor of our 100th year. nonite Church history, we feel a sense of accom- The program committee con- plishment. To God be the glory! sisted of Alvin Penner, Nathan Our 100th year at Duchess Mennonite Church Ramer, and Helen Porter. Nathan focused on the following monthly themes: Grace, was the contact person between Remembering, Confession and Repentance, Sur- the church and town. Alvin headed render, Identity, Kingdom, Community, Celebra- up our participation in the parade. tion, Blessing and Benediction, Praise and Grati- Helen looked after advertising and tude, Legacy, and Advent (Hope, Expectancy, An- many other details. We divided up ticipation). Helen Porter contacting people for the pro- The celebration grams. We met for the first time of our 100 years took May 30, 2014 to start the planning. place August 4-6, It seemed a daunting task and in- 2017 with all activi- volved many meetings, e-mails, ties being held at the phone calls etc. church. We were Thanks to our church council thankful for great who gave the go-ahead to do a his- weather. Approxi- tory book. A committee was mately 350 attended. formed consisting of Harvey Thanks to all who Burkholder, Mark Porter, Mary participated. Accord- Burkholder, Helen Porter, and ing to feedback, the weekend was a great success, and people Historical display table, historical photos in the commented that it rear, L-R Sunday School attendance books & old was well organized. A Hymnals, cranks or rappers to roll MCC bandages few highlights from made from ripped bed sheets, ladies hats, dippers the feedback were the to eat soup from at conferences and history book, youth ladies black boots activities, meals, sing- ing of old hymns, reminiscing with old friends, archival display, and quilt display. The grand finale was the Christmas banquet and a production about our 100 years together. Thanks to the following people who helped make our weekend celebra- tion a success: • Ronda Porter and her work crew for heading up the meals • Ronda and Stephanie for the greatly loved pies • One Tree Ranching for donation of the beef • Alvera Weber for organizing the ushers • Susan Mitchell for getting the song sheets printed and in the pews • Gary Thiele for parking • Mark Porter for making the advertising posters and church bulletins New cross & church sign donated • Kevin Dyck for videotaping the event by Randy and Shyla Lauber • Mary Burkholder for the history display • Volunteers at the registration table (See Duchess on page 21) 21 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Duchess from page 20)

Arline Ewert to write our story. The job of locating past members was a huge task and getting family histories required many reminders. Digging through archives for infor- mation seemed insurmountable at times. Mary designed the first his- tory book brochure to be mailed, emailed and posted on the website. The congregation was asked to submit names for the book, only two people responded and the sug- gestions just didn't seem to fit. Then Mary suggested that we take our inspiration from the old winter Bible School theme “That We May Arnie Weber presents history book committee members Mary Glorify God", and the book's final Burkholder, Helen Porter, Mark Porter & Harvey Burkholder with first title, "To God Be the Glory", was copies of the history book chosen. Starting in late spring of 2017 we met several times to finalize programs and details. It became very stressful as the countdown was on. Some midnight oil was burned, and we met the publisher's deadline for the book with a few days to spare. Mark, with his expe- rience in book publishing, was able to save the church considerable dollars by having the layout done, ready to print. We are thankful for the countless hours he spent doing this. Council set the price at $40.00 per book, a little above cost price to help with postage. 264 history books were printed and 143 were sold. Five books were gifted to the Winter Bible School teachers, Stanley Shantz, Clarence Ramer & Milo committee members. 13 books Stutzman, Duchess Mennonite Church circa 1940 were gifted: five to the committee members, one each to Duchess copy was gifted to each of 16 conference church libraries and as well as to and Brooks public libraries, the missionaries Todd and Jennifer Miller. 91 books remain for sale. Alberta provincial archives, the Mary Burkholder is putting together a scrap book of all the events for Duchess Mennonite archives, The the year 2017. It will be a great record for the archives. 2017 was a year of Mennonite Historical Society of celebrating the faithfulness of God through the years. Alberta, and The Alberta Genealo- gy Society, and two to the Ottawa This article was submitted to the MHSA Chronicle by Mary Burkholder. historical archives. In addition one ❖ 22 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

May the Borscht be with You* by Dave Toews

For the past year we had been talking about go- ing on a road trip, a trip to Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and some of Alberta. I dubbed it The Dave Twins Menno Tour, and so it was that Dave Dyck and Dave Toews embarked on a trip to see all things Mennonite. Sunday Sept 15, 2019 at Dave Toews and 7 am we left Edmonton. Artist Ray Dirks Four stops and 13 1/2 Dave Toews and Dave Dyck hours later, we were in some new information on my fa- Winnipeg. ther. Alas, I could find nothing. Monday morning we began our itinerary with a visit to the Mennonite Ray showed us the upcoming dis- Heritage Archives and Art Gallery to see archivist Conrad Stoesz, artist Ray play of amazing art by Hutterite Dirks, genealogist Glenn Penner, and historian Lawrence Klippenstein. young people. After lunch with Conrad toured us through the archives and showed me where I might find Lawrence at the CMU cafeteria, we went to meet Dave's boyhood friend John Schlamp at the Forks Market at the confluence of the Assiniboine and the Red rivers. The Forks was a great place to spend an afternoon in the unsea- sonably warm 30 C sunshine! Tuesday morning we met up

Carving by Hutterite Young People

Painting by Hutterite Young People

Chortitza Mennonite Heritage Cemetery (See Borscht on page 23) 23 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Borscht from page 22)

Dave Dyck and John Schlamp with John again and enjoyed brunch with him and his wife Kathy, who is Dave Dyck's cousin. More great boyhood stories! Then Russländer Exhibition at the Mennonite Heritage Village it was on to the Centre for Men- nonite Brethren Studies to meet this story to be an emotional one and close to my heart. Director Jon Isaak. Jon showed us After leaving the main building I saw in the garden a bronze sculpture the archives and how to look for by Bill Epp to honour Grandma Helena Klassen of Glenbush, Saskatche- when my Toews and Kroeger fami- wan (SK). So close to home. I met both Bill lies emigrated from Prussia to Rus- Epp and Grandma Helena Klassen, as I was sia in the 1790s. Next we travelled raised at Mayfair not far from Glenbush. east toward Steinbach through var- For lunch at The Livery Barn Restaurant I ious places of interest. Niverville was one of those places for me. In 1955 our family went on a big trip by train to Ontario and Manitoba, and we stopped in Niverville to visit the Johann Toews family. I felt compelled to seek out the graves of Johann & Mariechen Toews in the cemetery there. We also stopped at the Chortitza Men- nonite Heritage Cemetery, across Grandma Helena Klassen the road is the site of the first Men- May the Borscht be with You by Bill Epp nonite church built in Canada in the 1870s, according to the sign. had Komst (cabbage) Wednesday we set aside for a Borscht, Foarma comprehensive visit to the Men- Worscht, (farmer sau- nonite Heritage Village (Museum) sage) two Vereniki in Steinbach. There is so much to (cottage cheese see and read. You have all been perogies) smothered there, so I will just mention a few in Schmauntfatt highlights. The Russländer exhibit (cream gravy), a serv- graphically displays the compelling ing of coleslaw, a slice story of the 1920s Mennonite mi- of stone ground gration from the Soviet Union. As whole wheat bread, a son of Russländer parents, I find and rhubarb plautz The Post Road Billboard at Fort Dufferin (See Borscht on page 24) 24 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Borscht from page 23) from the Library and Archives Canada explores its story. (square). The DVD video filmed in The windmill, the buildings, the machinery row - so much to see and 2007 in the quaint prairie town of Her- retain! But we were on bert, SK, "Heaven or Not" by filmmak- our way again, this time ers Zuzana Hudackova and Danijel to explore the Post Margetic is an intimate portrayal of one Road Memorial Trail man's tireless journey to give his life that stretches from greater meaning. John Gerbrandt, a Fort Dufferin in the WWII veteran, has been singlehandedly east to Mountain City building a 7,000-square-foot house over in the west. The Post the past three decades with nothing more Road (currently re- than his pension and salvaged materials. ferred to as PR243) was With no formal training, he is fuelled by a cross-country trail a powerful determination to prove his over the treeless plains Friesen Housebarn Interpretive Centre, worth to his God, his family and his marked by square Neubergthal community. John's story transcends day- wooden post markers to-day life in a small town and reaches erected a stone's throw apart. The posts allowed early settlers to find their the realm of deep spirituality marked by way through all kinds of weather. From there we turned north to Neu- an unwavering commitment. Now at the bergthal, a National Historic Site of age of 84, suffering from health problems Canada. Neubergthal is the best- and the financial burden of property tax- preserved single street Mennonite vil- es, John might not be able to finish his lage in North America. The Mennon- lifelong endeavour. His desire to build the ite village layout, house barns, and highest peak in the town of Herbert now architecture were developed over cen- faces the greatest obstacle of all - time. turies of Mennonite life in Europe This massive house, half completed, and Russia. We finished the day driv- has been viewed by many in the commu- ing through Altona, Plum Coulee nity as an eyesore over the years - a con- (love the name), Winkler, and Mor- stant construction site that is unsafe for den, just to say we'd been there. visitors. Masterfully shot, replete with the Thursday we drove to Regina to nostalgic beauty of the picturesque sur- Ben Friesen and Dave Dyck visit with Ben Friesen, roundings, the film begins to reveal the another of Dave Dyck's house from the point of view of this small many boyhood friends. -town community. Gradually, we see the (Dave comes from a true nature of the townspeople's misgiv- family of nine, and ings unfold. Credit - worldcat.org when every family in the Further details about John H. village has that many or Gerbrandt's life are revealed in his more children, you gain obituary. From that we learn that a lot of friends. This he was born on Feb 14, 1923 in was something that did Niverville, MB and passed away on not happen in my child- June 4, 2013 in Saskatoon, SK at hood, as Mayfair was the age of 90. His wife of 70 years largely non- Mennon- Mary Dueck was by his side. John ite.) In Herbert, Dave and Mary were married at the was eager to show me Trinity House, Herbert, SK note the craved Gouldtown Mennonite Church. the House Of Trinity, a Biblical numbers 3 and 7 on the eaves and ga- Time in the army taught John how huge structure on Main ble ends to survive. Following that he Street. A DVD available worked hard to excel in music and (See Borscht on page 25) 25 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Borscht from page 24) carpentry, and he farmed for 30 years. For about five years he owned the Circle G Grocery Store in Herbert. He designed and built the House of Trinity on Herbert's Main Street all with his own two hands. Credit - swiftcurrentfuner- alhome.com Friday was reserved for the Swift Current and Wymark areas, Dave Dyck's home turf. We drove around Wymark and saw that the Emmaus Mennonite Church had closed in Oct 2018. After 90 years Frank Dyck, Dave Dyck and Mr. Ginter in the Wymark skating rink in operation, the building was for sale. When we came to the skating rink, there were about six vehicles

Old Housebarn in the Village of Schoenfeld

slightly rolling and mostly tree- less. Looking in- to the distance in all directions, we could see clusters Emmaus Mennonite Church of trees where for sale the thriving vil- lages once exist- parked in front. Seniors have cof- ed. fee there three mornings a week. We then We joined the conversation, and headed along Dave soon found people he knew. dusty country We toured the villages of trails and across Bob Dyck and Dave Dyck Schoenfeld, Reinfeld, and Chortitz, Dave's nephew Bob Dyck's combined wheat fields. We were looking for and we visited several churchyards. the Woolt läach (coulee) where Dave's maternal grandparents the Reimers Modern farmhouses and buildings had lived when they first moved to the area. Bob stopped his combine and are spotted between dilapidated old pointed out exactly where the farm had been. The spot is now flooded as housebarns and sheds. The land is (See Borscht on page 26) 26 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

(Borscht from page 25) the current owner has built a dam across the coulee. On Dave's former home yard in Rosenhof there are only new farm buildings now. No original buildings are left, but we saw The Brooks Aqueduct a National Dave Dyck pointing out the dammed off Coulee the site and could Historic Site where his Reimer grandparents once lived only imagine how it used to be. It tugged at Dave's heartstrings and left us somewhat melancholy. Back in Swift Current we had supper with Dave's siblings, sister Anne and Jake Ginter and brother Peter and Elaine Dyck. I have now met all of Dave's living sisters and broth- ers except Marg in Saskatoon. Saturday in Taber we marveled at the huge Lantic Rogers Sugar Factory. The plant produces 150,000 tons of sugar a year from Brooks Canal and Aqueduct sugar beets produced by 400 farmers in the area. There was a constant stream of semi trailers dumping beets onto an enormous pile in the front yard of the plant. visit was the Brooks Aqueduct. A There was no sign of Mennonite young people acting out on Taber street national historic site erstwhile un- corners or Wal-Mart parking lots in contravention to Taber’s recently en- known to me, it is an Alberta engi- acted Community Standards Bylaw 4-2015 . neering milestone built in 1912 - 14. The three-kilometer structure carried water to irrigate almost a million acres of land for 63 years. It was replaced in 1979 with a low- er maintenance earthen canal. Our visit to Brooks concluded a very busy enjoyable week of driv- ing, concentrated learning and ob- serving, meeting new people, and seeing different places and things. We were home by 8 pm Saturday evening. The Lantic Rogers Sugar Factory, Taber

On to Brooks to see my high school friend, Bob Speiser, recently relo- * May the Borscht be with You cated to Brooks from Watrous, SK. Bob was happy to see us. He toured us - is a slogan on a tee shirt for sale around and showed us his regular haunts including where he goes for his at the gift shop of the Mennonite daily walks and where he golfs once a week with his friend, Swede. Of spe- Heritage Village, Steinbach, cial interest was the gigantic, sometimes troubled, XL Foods Lakeside Pack- marketed by redbubble.com. ❖ ers plant. This facility processes a million animals per year! Also worth the 27 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019

Mennonite Heritage Week Mennonites after all, we don't have Mennonite Heritage week... But you know what, I'm by Dave Toews so happy, he was serious and we very much support him in this motion. So even though Mennonites are humble people I'm really happy that we can talk about Mennonites to the On Feb- extent that we are today. ruary 27, Bergen finished her comments by reading out headlines from the Men- 2019, Ed nonite humour website "The Daily Bonnet." Fast, Con- Credit: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/mennonite- servative MP heritage-week for Ab- Debate followed and the motion was carried on May 29, 2019. botsford Royden Loewen, Mennonite studies professor at the University of Win- BC, rose in Ed Fast nipeg, recognizes the irony of setting aside an entire week to focus on Men- the House of nonites. Parliament in Ottawa to move: As a scholar of Mennonites and as a practicing Mennonite, it's nice if people say nice That in the opinion of the things about us. On the other hand...since [the times of] Menno Simons almost 500 House, the government should years ago, humility or service or simplicity are values that the Mennonites aspire to...So recognize the contributions that how can Mennonite members of Parliament stand up and ask the nation to recognize Canadian Mennonites have Mennonites? made to building Canadian so- Credit: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/mennonite-heritage-week ciety, their history of hope and The implementation of Mennonite Heritage Week has left Canadian perseverance, the richness of the Mennonites proud, celebratory, thrilled, humbled and confused. The head- Mennonite culture, their role in line in the June 24, 2019 issue of the Mennonite World Review reads, "Heritage promoting peace and justice Week Causes Division in Canada. Celebration goes against traditional values both at home and abroad, and of diversity and humility, some say." Personally, like Candice Bergen, I the importance of educating thought at first it was a joke! Now I'm both proud and somewhat conflict- and reflecting upon Mennonite ed. heritage for future generations, What did your church do to celebrate Mennonite Heritage Week? by declaring the second week of At Lendrum Mennonite Church Edmonton, where we attend, the response September as Mennonite Herit- was very low key. age Week. Jake Enns of the Facilities Commission posted on the bulletin board in Credit website - openparlia- the foyer pages from the Aug 12, 2019 online issue of the Canadian Men- ment.ca nonite. The pages mentioned 12 organizations worth recognizing during Speaking to his own motion, Mennonite Heritage Week including MCC, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Fast noted: Project Ploughshares and nine others. Why Mennonite heritage week? On Sunday Sept 1, 2019, worship leader Ernie Wiens referred to Men- First, this is an opportunity for the Gov- nonite Heritage Week when he asked, "What are Mennonites?" In response ernment of Canada to recognize the con- to this question he reminded us of the seven statements of Menno Simons tributions that Mennonites have made in including: building our great country. The Mennon- True evangelical faith cannot lie dormant. It clothes the naked, it feeds the hungry, it ite community is incredibly diverse and comforts the sorrowful, it shelters the destitute, it serves those that harm it, it binds up has invested heavily in building a commu- that which is wounded, it has become all things to all people. nity that is tolerant and prosperous, During the benediction Wiens also quoted from Matthew 25:37-40 where we care for one another and are Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, generous with each other. or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite Portage-Lisgar MP Candice you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to Bergen, who is a Mennonite as visit you?' The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least well, supported Fast's motion: of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' NIV When the member from Abbotsford Pastor Paul Cumin stated, "In future years we may have a better under- talked about bringing this forward, we standing of how to properly celebrate Mennonite Heritage Week." ❖ sort of chuckled because we really weren't sure if he was fully serious because we're 28 - Volume XXII Number 3 The MHSA Chronicle October 2019