Village News

“Happy Pioneer Days!” I shouted from my truck as I drove the Mennonite Heritage Village parade float down Main Street, Steinbach. It was the kick-off of four full days for us to remember and celebrate those who went before us.

Over the years (five decades worth), volunteers have made the Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV) what it is today – a world class museum.

It’s worth considering that one hundred years ago Mennonites were not welcome in Canada. Introduced in June 1919, an Order-in-Council barred Mennonites (along with Hutterites and Doukhobors) from immigrating to Canada.

The title for this two part series comes from the Kellogg’s Corn Flakes tagline ‘Taste them again for the first time.’ Instead of adding marshmallows, colour or a new flavor they just asked the consumer to reconsider enjoying their taste.

Once in a while I hear someone say that they have visited the Mennonite Heritage Village already and don’t need to come again.

This Canada Day was my first one as Executive Director at the Mennonite Heritage Village. Visiting as a child on this day, I remember my fascination as I roamed the grounds and came upon a concert in the schoolhouse and saw an endless line of ‘dinosaur tractors’ in a shed.

There are many things I enjoy about the work that I get to do at Mennonite Heritage Village and one of these is the ability to sit in the living rooms of strangers in front of some object the person is donating to the museum’s artefact collection and to hear its story.

It was great to meet some of you at our Mennonite Heritage Village Waffle Booth in ‘Summer in the City’ and again on Sunday at our Father’s Day buffet at the Livery Barn Restaurant.

When I consider where my Mennonite ancestors have lived, I wonder if they have always been at ‘the right place, at the right time’? Did some leave Russia too soon?

To really know someone is one of the most precious gifts in this world. It takes time. It takes setting aside our own self and entering into someone else’s story.