HAND HILLS GRAPEVINE NEWS: Busy times at the New Muehl Colony
By Marilyn Vredegoor
Hello Hand Hills! We had a nice little dump of the white stuff last week. It sure brightened up the countryside and even gave me thoughts of Christmas and the Jolly Old Man. A little moisture, a little at a time, is all we can ask for. Bring on more, please, Mother Nature.
Congratulations to the Hanna JCC Hawks 6-Man Football Team on winning last week's Provincial Title. They defeated Hinton, 76-47, in Red Deer to take the trophy home. Hanna has a very successful Football System. Congratulations to everyone!
Things have been real busy on the Neu Muehl Colony: one last Farmers Market, a new baby and a wedding.
It was a long-awaited arrival, but little baby boy Ricky made his appearance on November 13. He is the son of Richard and Anita Teichroeb. Congratulations to the whole family on the New Muehl Colony.
The wedding had many interesting features that crossed many borders. Markus Wipf and his new wife Kayla were married at the Colony on October 29th. Kayla, who is from South Dakota, is from a different sect in the colony world. She is a Schmiedleut, and Markus is from the Lehrleut Sect. This is the first time in 100 years that a wedding crossed over. Six Elders from the New Muehl Colony traveled 4200 kms round trip to meet and visit with Kaylas’ Colony before the wedding. Fifteen people from South Dakota were at the wedding. Congratulations Markus and Kayla. Welcome to the Hand Hills and Alberta, Kayla. I don’t know much about South Dakota but I am sure that there will be adjustments in lots of things.
The Ranchers Ball has come and gone. The crowd was small, but those that were there had a great chance to visit and catch up with friends and neighbours. The Smoked Brisket was something to rave about. Well done cooks! Again, the young volunteers were busy serving appetizers and cleaning the tables. We couldn’t do it without them. Thanks for the night out, Hand Hills!
The Nelner family had an online auction to raise money and awareness for the Alzheimer Society. It was very successful, and it just proves that turning something bad in your life into something good always helps someone somewhere. What a selfless deed. Yeah, Lyla and Family!
Granddaughter Ellie and I toured the Spirit’s Respite Ranch, just outside of Stettler, a couple weeks ago. What a heartwarming, humbling place this is. This Ranch is set up for riding lessons, work experience, school tours, summer camps, riding for Special Needs Riders and Seniors, Therapeutic Riding and of course, volunteering. The day we were there, there was a little girl who was about 5 who came to the ranch not talking or walking. After months of riding she is walking, with help and communicating a little. I watched Abby Grantham, formerly of Hanna, work her magic with this little girl. Walking backwards in front of the horse, Abby had her music blaring, and she and the little girl were doing dance moves. It was such a sight to see this little girl responding to the laughter, the music and the moves. Janelle, the Boss, would jokingly say to the little girl, no more dancing, and Abby and the little one would really strut their moves. Abby is such a bubbly person and perfect for this job. What a great place, in so many ways. This non-profit Ranch is a god send for a lot of people. I know that I will be making a return trip. It sure put life in perspective. If you are thinking of donating to a cause, this would be a great one. Make that Christmas Spirit happen. I know I did!
Till next week - look around this world and look for all the good, not the bad. I know that the good really outweighs the bad. We are very lucky to live where we do!