COLUMN: Village News – A community celebration

I was drawn to Mennonite Heritage Village because of my own family history. Raised a Mennonite in jantsied, I grew up eating forma vorscht and schmauntfat. I also grew up knowing the importance of community, and of celebrating together. That’s what we are inviting you to at our annual Spring Gala Fundraiser on May 22.

This elegant evening will feature fine dining from our very own Livery Barn Restaurant, drinks by Manitoba’s own Blumstein Brewing, and music from three-time Juno nominee Don Amero. It is also an opportunity for you to invest in the legacy and future growth of MHV; it’s why we are the premier interpretive centre for the Russian Mennonite story, a vital community hub for events in southeast Manitoba, and Steinbach’s official tourist information centre.

To top it all off, we will be officially launching the new Gerhard Ens Gallery exhibit, Mennonite Medicine: Cures + Curiosities – 1800-1950. This exhibit will look at life before modern medicine and how faith shaped the health and healing of Mennonites. During the sneak peek, you can test your Plautdietsch medical vocabulary, learn more about the practice of bloodletting, and discover one Mennonite man’s cure for cataracts. Spoiler: it involves smacking your head on a post.

This isn’t just a fancy evening with good food. It truly is an opportunity to connect with the community and be a part of this incredible legacy. I look forward to meeting every one of you, whether it’s at our gala, or out on the grounds this summer.

Upcoming events

May 9 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Manitoba Day Celebration – Join us as we celebrate Manitoba’s birthday with a day full of activities, history, and community fun! This special event will feature a flag-raising ceremony, free birthday cake, and more. Free admission.

May 10 – 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Mother’s Day Buffet at the Livery Barn Restaurant.

May 22 – 6 p.m. – Spring Gala Fundraising Banquet – The Mennonite Heritage Village warmly invites you to an unforgettable evening of celebration, vision, and community spirit. Join us for our annual Spring Gala, where tradition meets transformation. As we reflect on our rich heritage and honour the stories that built our foundation, we also look ahead with hope and excitement to a future full of promise. We will also officially launch the new Gerhard Ens Gallery exhibit, Mennonite Medicine: Cures + Curiosities – 1800-1950. Tickets are available by calling 204-326-9661 or online at www.mhv.ca.

Judson Rempel is the development coordinator at the Mennonite Heritage Village.