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Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008
All Things New
Brennan BulletinBrennan BulletinBrennan BulletinBrennan Bulletin Term 1 Year 2007—2008 Volume 9 Issue 1
Brennan School Box 1060 Newton, MB R0H 0X0 Tel: 204.267.2700 FAX: 204.267.2040 email: [email protected]
TTTT he saying “When God closes a door in your life, he
always opens a window” can certainly be applied to
me. When a brand new school was built in Springfield, I
could see myself as a gray-haired Ankela still teaching
within its walls. I had waited for that building for so long.
Little did I know that somewhere along this flat prairie-
land, my prince would come knocking and waltz me away
to a place almost foreign to me, where the only faces I
knew were the familiar Maendel clan.
They say ‘a change is as good as a rest’. I must dis-
agree. A rest does not require months of anticipation, ap-
prehension and uncertainties. It does not make the past
easy to forget. Neither does it demand physical and mental
labor.
This change for me was every bit as positive as it
was negative.
It was heart-
breaking leav-
ing behind the
relationships I
had estab-
lished with the
students in
Springfield.
Yet, it was
heartwarming
to know I can
start brand
new relation-
ships with the
children in
Elm River. It
was difficult
leaving behind
the walls of a
school where
so many dear
and precious memories were established in two short
years. Yet, it is exciting to think of the many special mo-
ments I will collect here.
Throughout my first summer in Elm River, I got a
glimpse of the attitudes and ambitions of the High School
Dienen I will be teaching, by purposely seating myself
beside them during Gmanorbet or chitchatting with them
while picking beans in the garden. I felt warmed by the
smiles of Elissa and Samantha, the giddiness in Stephanie
and Susanna and the enthusiasm of Amanda. The last thing
I wanted to do was start the school year without having
spoken a word to at least some of my students.
I am looking forward to being a full-time high
school teacher here at Brennan School. I am eager to share
my knowledge of various subject areas, including my pas-
sion for Math. Most of all, I am overwhelmed and even
ecstatic to have the opportunity to teach a four-part high
school choir. It is a pleasure to offer Woodworking, a
hands-on course, to hopefully benefit the community. I am
confident we will be able to celebrate many successes and
take part in many learning experiences this year and in the
years to come.
I know I have to be careful jumping through the
window that’s been opened for me. I am assured though
that whenever I do jump, I will have a soft landing because
I have the support of the leadership in Elm River, the par-
ents of my students, as well as the teaching staff in the
school. I hope we can continue working together for the
betterment of my new community.
Karen Maendel - Teacher
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 2
Königin...Königin...Königin...Königin...
DDDD ie kleine Königin
mag rot. Sie sagt,
„Male alles rot! Rot ist
meine Lieblingsfarbe.“
Sie bekommt ein Pferd.
Das muss auch rot sein.
Sie reitet glücklich
herum und singt, „Ich
bin eine Cowboy-
Königin. Rot, rot, rot,
sind alle meine Kleider.
Rot, rot, rot ist alles was
ich hab.“
Daria Hofer - Gr 1
AAAA m 12. Oktober 2007 machten die Kinder der Klassen 1-5 einen Ausflug nach Winnipeg zum Manitoba
Theater for Young People. Dort durften wir eine Aufführung „Königin der Farben“ sehen. Das ist eine
Kindergeschichte von Jutta Bauer, und wurde von Eva Noell, Paul Olbrich und Alexander Voynov aus
Erfreuliches Theater in Erfurt, Deutschland aufgeführt. Musik und Malerei machten die Vorführung lebhaft
und amüsierend.
Für die Kinder war das sehr lustig. Für mich als Lehrerin, war es nicht nur lustig, sondern auch sehr
erfreulich, weil unsere Kinder, bis auf das Jüngste fast jedes Wort verstanden, und deshalb haben sie es auch
herzhaft genossen. Die folgenden Bilder und Absätze bereiten einen Blick in die Geschichte.
Linda Maendel
CowboyCowboyCowboyCowboy----KönigenKönigenKönigenKönigen
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 3
...der...der...der...der Farben
DDDD ie kleine Königin geht ins blaue
Wasser. „Ach, das ist
schön!“ Sie schwimmt
eine Weile glücklich
herum. Dann fing sie
an zu frieren. „Brrrrr!
Es ist kalt! Es ist
zuuuuu kalt!“ Jeanita Maendel - Gr.1
Zu Kalt
B rrrrrrr! Die kleine Königin
frierte. Sie sagte zu Frau
Hofmalerin, „Male eine Sonne.
Noch eine! Noch eine!“
Frau Hofmalerin ist erstaunt
und sagt, „Nein!“
„Ja!“ schrie die Königin. „Ich
bin hier die Königin! Male
noch eine! Und noch eine.“
Bis auf dem Bild fünf Sonnen
waren!
Dann war es ihr zu heiß. Sie
weinte, „Es ist zuuuuu heiß! Es
is zuuuu heiß!
Adrian Maendel - Gr. 4
Zu Heiß!
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 4
DDDD ie kleine Königin kommt zu
einer gelben Wüste. Es ist sehr
heiß! Sie hatte durst. Endlich sieht
sie blaues Wasser. Und hüpfte
hinein.
„Kalt!“ und springt wieder heraus.
„Heiß.“ Und wieder hinein. So
geht es „Heiß! Kalt! Heiß! Kalt.“
„Male das blaue Wasser gelb an!“
sagt die Königin.
„Ja, ja, kleine Königin!“ und
Frau Hofmalerin mischt gelb und
blau zusammen. „Schön grün!“
Aber dann will sie noch viele
andere Farben darauf haben.
O Nein! Alles wird grau! Kristopher Hofer - Gr. 4
Zu viele Farben!
DDDD ie Königin hieß die Frau
Hofmalerin viele Farben
zusammen mischen. Die bunten
Farben verschwanden. Alles war
grau und traurig! Die kleine
Königin, Frau Hofmalerin und
Herr Hofmusiker waren zornig. Sie
zankten und schrieen lauthals:
„Du bist Schuld daran! Du hast
gesagt was ich malen soll.“
„Es ist deine Schuld! Du hast
gemalt.“
„Nein! Ich habe gemalt so wie
Herr Hofmusiker gespielt hat.“
Herr Hofmusiker ging zornig weg.
Arme Königin!
Joshua Hofer - Gr. 5
ARME Königin
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 5
Meine Farben sind weg!
D ie kleine Königin ist im
Hof. Alles is grau. Sie
weinte, „Ich will meine Farben.
Ich will meine Farben!“ Sie
weinte und weinte viele bunte
Tränen. Die bunten Tränen
bedeckten das graue Bild. Frau
Hofmalerin pustete die Tränen
weg. Dann ist alles wieder
schön bunt und die kleine
Königin ist wieder glücklich.
Alex Waldner - Gr. 5
AAAA m Ende des Tages ging
die Königin zu ihrem
Schloß. Sie war sehr
glücklich! Sie ging ins Bett
und hüpfte bis sie müde
war. Dann legte sie sich hin
und schlief ein. Sie träumte
von ihrem schönen Tag.
Alles ist schön bunt; rote
Blumen, blauer Himmel,
gelbe Sonne und grünes
Gras. Wunderschön!
Laura Hofer - Gr. 5
Schöne Träume
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 6
I I I I RememberRememberRememberRemember
IIII remember feel-
ing excited when
our school did the
play, “Miracle on
Bethlehem Street.
IIII remember feel-
ing giggly about
the police car I re-
ceived as a gift, be-
cause Gabriel fol-
lowed it and laughed.
IIII remember feeling excited when my
mom said, “We can’t just open our
presents, we should be thankful that
God sent us Jesus as our Savior.” He is
the best present.
IIII remember feeling sad when we
went to Bloomfield at Christmas
time. I wanted to stay at my Elm River
Ankela’s, because I love her so much.
IIII remember feeling
happy for my remote
control car that I received
from my mom when I
was 8 years old.
Joshua Hofer - Gr. 5
IIII remember feeling shocked when I
saw Amanda dressed as Mary hold-
ing the baby Jesus upside down.
IIII remember feeling excited when
Roger came home from Calgary and
brought Leroy and me a Play Station 2.
IIII remember feeling neischierich
when I got a big, long present: a
race track!
IIII remember feeling glad when An-
gela and I wrapped presents for our
family.
IIII remember feeling stuffed when I
finished eating chips and dip at our
family Christmas supper.
Alex Waldner - Gr. 5
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 7
IIII remember the exciting feeling I
had when I saw the Magna-
Doodle I received from my parents
when I was eight years of age.
IIII remember enjoying a delicious
shrimp Christmas supper with my
family.
IIII remember the silly play “Best
Christmas Pageant Ever” at our
concert two years ago.
IIII remember a sad Christmas when
my Ankela wasn’t here. She just
had her first Christmas in heaven. My
dad said, “I wish grandma were
here.“
IIII remember feeling angry at King
Herod for killing all the babies in
Bethlehem, when I heard the Christ-
mas story.
Damion Hofer - Gr. 6
Christmases PastChristmases PastChristmases PastChristmases Past
IIII remember feeling overjoyed when I
got a bed canopy from my sister
Elissa. I was so happy, I gave her two
hugs!
IIII remember feeling disappointed when
my sister Rochelle did not come
home for Christmas.
IIII remember feeling happy when my
aunts from Poplar Poimt came to our
Christmas concert.
IIII remember feel-
ing surprised
when I got a teddy
bear from Mrs.
Diggle: we had a
draw at the Christ-
mas concert and
my name was
pulled out.
IIII remember feeling awesome when
the Essnschuel children did a black
light activity showing the Christmas
story in the new Kuchl.
IIII remember feeling joyful when my
mom sang Christmas songs with the-
other mothers at the Christmas dinner in
the old kitchen.
Shaniah Hofer - Gr. 6
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 8
“H ey Roman willst oigean zu log cabin?” I ask
my cousin Roman.
“Mir kinnetn affn Heisela orbetn” Roman re-
plies.
It is a beautiful summer day in July. We make
our way down to the log cabin which is located beside
the La Salle River near the strawberry patch. We sit
down on a log in front of our log cabin and think
about how we could improve.
Suddenly Roman suggests, “We could build a
raft! We’ve got enough railroad ties to make one.”
“Yeah great idea,” I reply.
“We can build it beside the creek near the log
cabin. That way it will be easier to get it into the wa-
ter.” We get all the railroad ties we can, from our junk
pile. No one uses them anyway. They are unbearably
heavy and hard to carry, but we manage. We stack
them together, then make our way home for supper.
Next day, early in the morning, Roman comes
into our house to get me and tells me his buddy Titus
from Valley View Colony is coming for a week.
“Great! He can help us with the raft! When
should he be arriving?” I ask Roman.
“Ich glaub ba Mittoch,” Roman answers.
“Well, let’s collect all the supplies we will
need,” Roman suggests. We go to Lenny’s old trailer
that is full of old tools and construction supplies. We
get some nails and boards for joining the railroad ties
together until Titus arrives.
“Man, this raft is going to be awesome, sitting in
the warm sun, fishing, even making a hideout on it,” I
think to myself. By the time we are finished, it’s time
to go to Mittogesn. As we leave the Essenschuel, we
see a green van at Roman’s house. We rush over and
sure enough, it is Titus. We get our hammers and
head down to our log cabin, Titus along with us. On
the way down, we explain to Titus what we are trying
to make. We arrive at our log cabin and get straight to
work getting the boards. We hammer the boards onto
the railroad ties to hold them together securely.
“This is going to be great!” I tell Roman
“Come on, we’re almost finished,” I tell them.
After a lot of hammering, our magnificent raft is com-
pleted.
“Let’s get it into the water. I want to check it
out,” Roman instructs us. We push the raft into the
water. “Splash!” the raft goes when we drop it into
the water. We get the paddles and jump on.
River RaftRiver RaftRiver RaftRiver Raft “Wow! This thing is awesome” I tell both of
them.
“This thing is off balance!” Titus says. “If you
go to the right side, it tilts right. If you go on the left
side, it tilts left. Same thing with the front and the
back. We have to stay exactly in the middle or we
will be eating seaweed.”
“We should have made it broader, but the prob-
lem is we don’t have any more ties to do that,” I tell
Roman. We start paddling carefully, watching so we
don’t move around, causing it to tilt. We’re in the
middle of the river when suddenly the raft tilts and
SPLASH! Roman goes flying off into the water. After
a while he comes up, covered with seaweed. He tries
to get back onto the raft but he soon finds out the raft
starts to tilt.
“Ah! Get off Roman or I’ll be in the water with
you.” SPLASH!
“I told you to keep off, didn’t I!” I yell at Ro-
man. Now Roman and I are all soaked. Titus, the only
one left on the raft, is laughing like a hyena. Then Ro-
man and I tilt the raft, he goes flying head first into
the river. After a while he comes up covered with
mud.
“Yuck, this stuff is disgusting,” Titus informs us.
As if we didn’t know.
“Don’t forget about the smell. I mean you smell
as if you fell into a manure pit,” I tell him. We drag
the raft out to shore and make our way home, all wet.
It’s just time for snack.
“What if our parents are going to be mad at us?”
I say.
“Well, you'll just have to grin and bear it.”
“Oh man! I just hope my mom will go easy on
me.” I moan. I walk swiftly into the bathroom, but my
parents catch me.
“What happened?” my mom asks.
“I’ll explain later, first I need to take a bath,” I
tell her. After taking a nice bath, I get dressed go out
for a snack and tell my parents what happened. And
you won’t believe this! They actually let me off easy,
too easy.
Today, the raft is somewhere a drift on the river,
but it brings back good memories of our younger
days. Perhaps one day the next generation will have
another adventure.
Caleb Hofer - Gr. 8
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 9
“Ok, everyone, if you want to go hiking, here are the
maps,” Ernie from Baker reminds us. “And don’t forget to
take your water bottles along.”
Craig, Leroy, Caleb, Glendon and I head off to hike as
a group. Leroy grabs the map. There are two hiking trails.
One is 7.5 km long and the other one 1.6 km long.
“Kumm den 1.6 km trail nehmen” Caleb and the rest
of our team decide.
A few other kids from Elm River and Baker join us.
We really did not like that, because we older boys wanted
to stroll alone and have a good time. Ernie, a Baker teacher
decides to come along, too.
As we hike, the five of us make a plan to get rid of the
smaller kids. There are two trails that both lead to the same
area; a bird watch stand. We take a
narrower trail up a hill and down to
the stand. We’re waiting there for a
few minutes, for the rest of the group
to appear. We sit there and look at
the huge hills of sand until everyone
leaves. When the smaller kids and
Ernie have moved on, Craig, Leroy,
Caleb, Glendon and I decide to take
a short cut, so we can beat the group
ahead of us to the big sand hill. We
arrange this right after the teachers
announced we should stay on the
trail. In retrospect, this was not a
very smart move to make.
“Es is zu haβ,” Glendon complains as we walk
through the hot sand.
We stroll along and Craig decides to take another short
cut. The rest of us join him. Walking a few meters, how-
ever, Craig and I start jogging and after that we start run-
ning. We really want to beat the other students. After a
while we are way ahead of Leroy, Glendon and Caleb.
When we finally get there, it seems we have been
walking and jogging for hours, but in reality it is only 20
minutes. It is unbelievably hot. I can feel the sun beating
on my head, back and neck. We remove our suspenders
and let our shirt hang out so we can chill out. The sand is
awfully hot, but we get used to it. I look back and see
Leroy, Glendon and Caleb stride up a hill to catch up. It
seems like they’ve been walking for days, lost in an empty
arid desert area.
“Maybe we should wait for them,” I suggest.
“Se sein weit hinter. Wie long wistn wortn? Se homm
es Woser und die map. Mir homm nix.
“Ok man, whatever you say.”
Seeing the other group far in the distance, we start to
run. We run so fast and hard we get a stunning pain in our
“W e are what??” I exclaim.
“I think we are lost!!” Craig repeats.
“Ja, I noticed it too,” I joke, hoping he’s doing the
same.
“Hey, I’m serious! We’ve been on foot for a while! Do
you spot any trails?”
I look around. “Nope! Do you have a map?”
“Na, ich hob kanna gnomen!,” He stutters. “Leroy
has it.”
“That’s a lot of help!” I sputter.
I rest my hands on top of my head and try to think of a
way to get back to the trails.
Tired, thirsty and sweaty with hardly any hope left, we
walk on, heads hanging, trying not to think that we’re lost.
We talk about other stuff to get
it off our minds. All I can think
about is how disappointed my
parents and teachers will be.
“How can I face them?”
“What will I tell them?”
“After their clear warn-
ings to “stay together,” and
“be careful!” Would they un-
derstand that we got lost acci-
dently? How would we ex-
plain?” We had started out
with such excitement!
We had all eagerly looked
forward to this day for weeks,
and now the day had finally come for Elm River and Baker
K-8 students to tour the Manitoba Agriculture Museum in
Austin, then hike through Spirit Sands at Spruce Woods
Park.
The Agriculture Museum was sometimes too boring.
Tour guides showed us all kinds of antique tractors and
farm machinery. The museum had a village with stores
and houses we could tour.
After all the touring, Craig, Leroy, Caleb and I board
the Baker bus for the ride to Spruce Woods Park with their
students.
“So how is the Better Air business going?” Craig asks
Glendon.
“Good, like always. . . I guess,” he answers.
We keep traveling. Craig, Leroy and I chat with Jodi
and Marita, while Glendon shows Caleb his camera and
the pictures he has already taken.
When we finally arrive at Spruce Woods Park, we
clamber out and explore the surroundings.
“Dos is länger wie ich hob gmant es weat sein,” I
remark.
“Jo, no kidding!” Craig agrees.
Spirit Sands ScandalSpirit Sands ScandalSpirit Sands ScandalSpirit Sands Scandal
“We can cut across here?
It would be a short cut.”
We both knew we should
remain on the trail, but
we are too exhausted
and we really want to get
back, so we set out.”
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 10
side.
“Craig! We need to stop and catch our breath!” I puff.
I wonder all along how Leroy and the other two are
getting along. I have an uncomfortable feeling, that we
could get lost, which would be a major problem.
We finally come to a small cabin or resting point.
There is also a huge map there with a star indicating where
we are and another star where the trail started.
“At least do is e map!” I exclaim.
We fix our eyes on the map, trying to find the stars.
“Ok! All we need to do is take this trail until we are
here, then we cut down there……” We make plans on
how to get back.
With renewed hope, we head off again. We walk on
and on. Finally we come to a place where we can see the
trail curve.
“Look! The trail is curving a 90° angle to the right.”
Craig says, “We can cut across here, which would be a
short cut.” We both knew we should remain on the trail,
but we are too exhausted and we really want to get back,
so we set out.
The trail seems to be making a 90° angle, so heading
off; we start running through bushes and up more sand
hills. Getting through the bushes is kind of tough, because
we have to do some fancy weaving. It is horribly hot and
the branches aren’t helping either. It feels like 50° Cel-
sius. Once more we walk through bushes, but we never
get to the trail. I think of the children of Israel - 40 years of
this!
“Maybe we should have stuck to the trail,” I suggest a
little later.
“Ja, good idea, maybe next time you should bring it up
sooner,” Craig teases. I just try to ignore him.
At that moment, Craig sees the bird watch stand.
“Look. The bird watch stand we first came to! We are
not to far away from the others after all.”
We start off. As we come to the top we start yelling,
hoping for a reply. Not even our echo returns. We hope
someone will hear us and yell back. We follow the trail
where we had walked on before we got lost. Then it splits
up.
“Es is vlacht dos do,” I suggest.
We dart off down a hill. Craig is running in front of
me. When we come down, Craig steps into an unexpected
hole, falls, and rolls a few feet.
“Whoa, are you all right?” I inquire, concerned he
might have sprained his ankle or something. I don’t even
want to think of having to drag him out of here.
“Ja! I think I can walk.”
He gets up and we walk back to where the trail splits
up. Craig limps a little, but it gets better eventually. This
time we take the right trail back to where we’re supposed
to go. We talk a little, wondering if the teachers will be
mad at us and what they will say.
As we carry on, a man and his wife ask us with a
funny accent. “Are you Craig and Roman?”
Craig and I look at each other, both knowing what big
trouble we might be in.
“Yes,” we reply.
“Ok your parents and teachers are looking for you. All
you need to do is take this trail till you come to the old
horse wagons, then cut to the right and you will get back
with your group.”
We already knew where to go but it was kind of him to
help and all.
“Warum is er nitt enter kummen?” I ask sarcastically.
“Hey, I think we’re in big trouble man,” Craig reminds
me.
“Has it occured to you that we ruined the whole field
trip because of this? What will the other kids think of us?
Our whole colony will know about this today yet.”
We know the others are probably worried sick about
us. I really don’t want to face my family, our teachers and
the kids after what happened. So with an uncomfortable
feeling we come in sight of them. They come running to-
wards us with water. My mom is first; “Oh my goodness!”
She says as she hugs us. “Are you all right?” She asks her
eyes huge and watery.
“We were worried sick about you!” my dad exclaims.
They give us water and ask what had happened.
“You should have taken a map and stuck with the
group and the trails.” my teacher Robert tells us.
A park warden had bean called and he asked my dad
questions about us, our names, if we have ever been lost
before and how old we were.
We plod to a pump and wash our faces. The cool,
water feels refreshing.
That was a very tough experience! The first time I got
lost. I wonder how many miles we made that day. The
kids crowd around and ask us questions.
“What went wrong?” my brother Damion asks.
“Where were you?” Caleb enquires.
“We thought you’d be back before us!” Glendon re-
marks.
“Did you know that Hannah from Baker went two
miles back in the sand hills and yelled for your names?
Didn’t you hear her?”
“No.” Craig replies, “We yelled too but not a sound
came back.”
We tell them all about our adventure.
One thing I learned that day is to always stay on the
marked trails when hiking and take water and a map along.
Next time we will be wiser and obey the rules that were
given.
Facing my family, my teachers and friends was pretty
tough. All along that was all I thought about, my biggest
worry. I thought every one would be angry and mad at us.
However, they were just concerned and not mad at us at
all. But in the end, everything turned out alright.
Roman Hofer - Gr. 9
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 11
Good Turns Bad
W e’ve just finished supper and the Buebm are
not playing hockey, so that means the kids will
be playing. I walk to the carpenter shop to get my
Mission skates and my one-piece composite stick.
Since I’m desperate to set foot on the smooth ice, I
run to the rink, enter the hockey hut and pull on my
comfortable skates.
“How do you like your sticks?” I ask the other
guys.
“This is the best one!” everyone answers at once,
showing me their wooden, two piece
sticks!
I just laugh at them and head for
the ice, knowing I have the best one.
It’s a one-piece and is the ultimate for
stick handling.
I step onto the smooth ice and ex-
perience the best feeling in the world.
I speed skate around the medium
sized rink getting me into the skating mood and to kill
time while waiting for the others so we can get the
match started that I’ve been waiting for all day.
Fifteen long minutes later, everyone has arrived.
The teams are made and ready to start the battle. The
game begins with a face off. Each team scores until
the score is five all. We stay at that score for a while.
Our opponents score two easy, quick goals to give
them the lead and all the confidence.
My teammates notify me with a few words that I
have to do something to get us back on our feet and
get back into the game. I know I have to do some-
thing.
The athletic competition begins once again; I take
the puck and start down the ice picking up speed until
I am skating all out. I pull off a few well known
deeks to get around a few guys, look down on the
puck and up again.
Ten feet in front of me is Adrian, a small 10 year
old boy, in the middle of the ice. I speed right to-
wards him trying to trick him by stepping to the side
at the final moment. I step to the side but not far
enough.
The right side of my body slams into him!
A 175-pound boy against a sixty-five pound kid.
He has no chance!
The huge impact causes him to spin like a top and
collapse on the ice. I glance back. He isn’t moving. I
start to think what have I done? I turn around slowly
as I wonder out loud.
He looks like he’s dead.
This indescribable feeling rushes through me as
Joe and Adrian’s dad, Alfred, charge over to him. Joe
knows CPR, and does what he can to get him to re-
gain consciousness. I skate over to him slowly with
thousands of questions in my head. I only manage to
ask one of them,
“Is he awake?” Joe is in such a rush, he only re-
plies, “Get back guys. Give him
room!”
They all stand back, but I skate
closer and ask, “Will he be all
right?”
Joe answers, “I don’t know, just
give me time.”
Not knowing what to say or think,
I stand there and stare at Adrian,
thinking of what I’ve done and hoping he will get up,
but it appears that my hopes are failing big time. I
skate away, head down with the worst feeling in me
that I’ve ever experienced. I hear Adrian moan and I
look back. I see him start to move around a bit. A
sigh of relief fills me; I quickly turn around and skate
back. Joe and Alfred carry him off the ice and the
game continues, but it was a totally different game for
me now. I really didn’t care what the score is. We’re
playing hockey without scolding, just feeling relieved
that everything turned out well.
Usually after the match, we talk about the high-
lights of the game, but this time, everyone was de-
scribing what they saw and felt when I hit Adrian by
accident. Everyone agrees it was a big collision,
The next day everyone is still telling each other
how I hit Adrian and gave him a concussion. I can’t
believe I gave him a concussion, but picturing that hit
in my brain and everything else, I just have to believe
it.
Ever since that incident, I’ve changed. I kept tell-
ing myself to be careful around little kids. Because
every time I step on the ice with kids, this image fills
my head. The image of when I creamed Adrian, caus-
ing a concussion, which could have been something
that could have ruined his life and mine forever.
Craig Hofer - Gr. 9
The huge impact
causes him to spin
like a top and he
collapses to the ice.
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 12
Ford
Science Fieldtrip
I t was the winter of 2006.
Our white colony van was on its way to Fair-
holme Colony to attend the science field trip to Bran-
don. We arrived there around 9:00 and boarded the
Fairholme bus. We were on our way in no time, trav-
elling on the Trans Canada Highway west to Bran-
don.
The first thing we did was tour the huge coal
burning plant that generates electricity for the city of
Brandon. First we walked into the lunch room and
waited for a few tour guides. Next we split into
smaller groups and begin our tour.
Our tour guide took us to almost all the floors
and some of the interesting rooms. Every room
smelled like burnt coal and everything was covered in
black. Some of the students asked questions like,
“How many floors are there in this building?”
Their response was, “About 12 floors and from-
the 12th you can see down to the first floor, because
there are all cage floors and can see through them
all”.
“That’s pretty cool!” mentioned another student.
When we were through the coal burning place,
we went to a nuclear plant. It was also a huge and in-
teresting to tour.
For dinner, all the students drove to Pizza Hut
and had lunch. As soon as we walked through the
door, we could smell the pizza. Right away we knew
something good was coming up. We could eat all the
pizza we wanted.
Next came the best part of the trip - bowling at
the Thunderbird Bowling Club. Our teacher, Evelyn
put us into four or five groups and then we each
group bowled ten rounds. I had one of the best scores
of all the students. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed
getting to know the rest of the students.
After every group had finished with their bowl-
ing game, we toured two small water treatment plants.
They were both very interesting places to visit. Again
we split into groups and we both had a tour guide. We
saw lots of different kinds of fuel and empty tanks.
Also lots of big pumps that pump water in from the
Assiniboine River.
Finally, we started driving home on the long
road to Fairholme Colony. We had supper there, and
some of the other students went home. Around 7:00,
our driver came and picked us up and we also went
home. It was a long, tiring day, but we had a great
time and learned a lot.
Andrew Waldner - Gr. 10
FFFF ord, as every one knows, is a brand of vehicle. It has the best towing capacity, luxury interior
and is built tough just for you.
I think Ford has the best towing capacity of most
of the trucks. Many people prefer a Ford as a pulling
truck for their flat bed or van trailer. Even while pull-
ing heavy trailers, its fuel mileage is awesome. When
going a distance it will pull your load and at the same
time save you money on its fuel. So if you need a
pulling truck, Ford will be there for you.
Ford, as you may know, has the best luxury inte-
rior. It is made comfortable for you. There’s as much
leg room in the back as in the front, so the back pas-
sengers can also ride in comfort. The front has com-
fortable, switch–controlled seats, so you can adjust
them any way you want. The steering wheel and the
controllers are right there in front of you. You don’t
have to go reaching for the radio or the heater. The
vehicles’ suspension will also make it the most com-
fortable ride you’ll ever drive.
Ford is the toughest truck on the planet. It is
made of tough steel and bolted together by the tough-
est and strongest bolts. The bottom frame of the vehi-
cle is totally closed in and it doesn’t allow any flexi-
bility. Also the whole vehicle is closed off at the
front and the back to make it tough when being hit.
So if you want a tough truck, Ford is tough enough,
because trucks don’t get any tougher. Talk to any of
our Mandle and they’ll tell you the same.
Michael Hofer - Gr. 10
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 13
Hole in 1Hole in 1Hole in 1Hole in 1
“T his colony is so boring.” Spit.
“I mean there is nothing to do.” Spit.
“We should go looking for trouble.” I said
while sitting on our front porch with Jared, Andrew,
Tyson and spitting sunflower seeds after Sunday
school with nothing to do yet again.
“Hey! I know something we can do. We could go
break windows or go in the woods and build a
teepee,” Jared said. We all thought that was a good
idea, so we all started walking in the direction of the
woods. We were walking beside the carpenter shop
when Mack, the E&R boss, called out.
“Boys, could you please come and
help me lift the camper onto the black
F150 carpenter pickup.”
While we walked into the shop, I
hesitated a little, because my mind
started thinking.
Campers are really heavy. Now I
don’t want to make it look like I’m a
wimp. So I went in. It didn’t look very heavy, but I
doubted if I could lift the camper.
My doubts went away when I noticed there were
five people lifting. The problem was that I was lifting
at a corner. While we are lifting, the sharp camper
pegs that are inserted into the bedholes of the pickup
and I am not looking where my hand is placed. I took
my hand out from under the camper when Jared
shockingly announced, “Benji, look at your hand!”
I looked down and saw a half-inch hole in my
right hand. I thought my eyes would be jumping in
and out like I usually see in those animated movies. I
saw a big, gaping hole. Not to mention the meat and
bone inside the hole. The sight of that would make
any solid object faint, because I did.
As quick as possible, Jared jumped on his blue
mountain bike and drove for help. Andrew just stood
there panicing. Mack and Tyson ran over and started
slapping, pinching, and yelling at me.
“C’mon Benji! You got to stay with me. Don’t
faint!”
I couldn’t help it, because the stuff I saw inside
my hand was uuggllyy. I felt dizzy just looking at it. I
thought sitting down would prevent me from falling,
but they wouldn’t let me. They had to hold me up
because I started to wobble around.
The strangest thing was, I didn’t feel any pain in
my hand.
When my dad arrived at the shop door with his
black, long box, F150 pickup, I jumped in and my
mom, dad and I drove to the Portage District Hospi-
tal. I had to wait a very long time to see the doctor. I
knew they would use frightful stitches to fix my hand.
By that time, excruciating pain rushed through
my hand, I had to pinch my left hand very hard to
take my mind from the pain in my right hand.
Soon I started beefing. “Es tut su dunish weha.”
I thought at a time like this, someone would be close
to dying, because of the long wait.
I started swearing to myself be-
cause I had to wait hours and hours
just to get a few stitches.
After a few hours, we went into a
white room. After us, Dr. Howden
came in. He washed my hand. Then
came the hardest part. He pushed a
sharp needle into my arm to freeze
the hand and that was excruciatingly painful. Next he
took some string and a needle and stitched it up. Fi-
nally, he put on new bandages because the other rags
were saturated with blood.
Dr. Howden then gave us information that helped
me realize how fortunate I was. If the peg would have
gone in a few millimeters farther, it would have hit
my main blood vein and I would have lost a lot of
blood.
When he was finished, we drove home. The
stitches on my hand were a bit of a problem because I
couldn’t use it. At times, I would stretch my skin and
it hurt when I did that. If I tilted my hand just a little
bit, a sharp, stinging pain would begin, so I tried hard
not to use that hand.
After we got home, I went for a walk with Ty-
son. Everywhere I went, everybody asked, “What
happened to your hand?” and I would have to tell eve-
rybody what happened.
Pretty soon I got tired of telling the story, so I
went home and just slept for the rest of the day.
Benjy Hofer - Gr. 10
“The sight of that
would make any
solid object faint,
because I did.”
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 14
Patch and Stitch
Mom tells us, “Mir mochn heint in Keller rein.“
“K,” we say half heartedly
Mom gives everyone a job
Mine, helping Roger put boxes in the crawl space
Tough, intense work for a six year old boy
I was a small, short Mandl
Couldn’t reach the crawl space
Roger sets up a table that I can stand on
Mom asks Roger if he made sure the legs all snapped in place
Means they are locked
Roger was sure he had
Few minutes later we were all hard at work
And suddenly……. Unexpectedly
The table gave way and down I went
Tried to catch myself at the edge of the table
Apparently the table had sharp edges and there was the cut
Couldn’t catch myself
Tried to cushion my fall, with my hands
Too late, I slammed into the pavement
Everyone in the basement heard it
Came to my aid immediately
Mom didn’t panic, knew what to do
Held a rag to my hand
“Roger, get Dad from church,” mom instructs
One minute later dad comes along
Already got bleeding under control
15 minutes later we sit in the Portage General Hospital
Wonder why we are waiting so long
We have an emergency here with me
But finally a doctor comes along
Nice guy, seems experienced, looks okay to me
Didn’t think that, after he gave me that needle
After he patches me up, about five stitches
Dad buys me ice cream
So tired, mom doesn’t let me sleep
Probably won’t wake up if I sleep
But I go to the couch to rest
Night, night.
Leroy Waldner - Gr. 9
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 15
TouchdownTouchdownTouchdownTouchdown !!
“HUT!”
Feet pounding
Bodies clashing
Two blockers crashing to the ground
I stand alone
“Hey!”
An open receiver
My hand yanks out
The pigskin flies
into the hands of the receiver
A touchdown
“Yea!”
Happiness on the field
Hands in the air
Claps all around
Victory!
It’s ours.
Jared Hofer - Gr. 11
A giant bear hug from my mom and
dad,
Cuddling my teddy bear Timmy,
Bed at night when it is heated up,
My fleecy sweater on a windy winter
day,
Fuzzy moccasins when my feet are cold
from walking on the cold floor,
Friends when they come to my birthday
party,
My electric heater when I come inside
when hadn’t worn my mittens,
Singing Obendliedlen with my family.
Shaniah Hofer - Gr. 6
Warm is...
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 16
Letter To Heaven
It’s six weeks today since you left us.
Though it feels like six months.
Our lives will never be the same
without you here with us.
Uncle Albert says it already feels so empty
not to see you sitting in your chair as
he walks by your window.
I know you’re in a better place and won’t be coming back.
Ankela must have been waiting for you at the gates,
just like she promised you she would.
I hope she likes the roses that we sent along for her.
Did you kiss her on the cheek and give her all our love?
Please tell her that we love her so,
We’re dreaming of the day we will be with her again.
It’s almost 26 years ago since we last saw Aunt Susie.
I’m sure she was overjoyed to see you.
Please tell her that my momma misses her so.
That she even named a daughter after her—ME— to keep her
memory alive.
I never met Sanna Basel, but have heard so much about her.
I feel like I missed out on knowing a truly special person in my
mom’s life.
And also little Christine and baby Jacobi, who we never got to
know.
Please kiss them on the cheek and hold their little hand,
You’re the grandpa they never got to meet here on earth.
I was talking to Jesus just yesterday, Olvetter.
I told him if He had a spare moment
To let you know that we have not forgotten you.
You are still in our hearts and in our minds
And that’s where forever you will stay.
Susanna Hofer - Gr. 11
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 17
Admirable Essentials G
arett is one of the most athletic, sports crazy
people that I know. When the Buebm and Diene
want to go to the gym, he’s the person we call to ar-
range everything. I don’t know how a person can
have so much energy to go, go, go all the time.
Whether it is -30°C or +30°C he’s up to a game of
hockey, soccer, basketball, etc. He is simply most at
ease when busy playing a sport. On top of that, he’s
really smart, from his work to games, and of course
school. He’s always been caring and reliable, lending
a helpful hand or just giving me that smile of his that
makes me believe that the problems in life are a fun
ride that will turn out for the better.
He is the smartest at nearly everything, includ-
ing school, especially when it comes to figuring out a
game or an activity, like those trick riddles. He knows
what is the best way to do his work. I’ve always ad-
mired him. I mostly play games for fun, to spend time
with friends or pass the time, but Garett, on top of
doing that, he seems to immediately find the best way
to play it and win the game, even simple games likep-
ing-pong.
Since he remembers mostly everything, has
his head filled with all kind of information, it’s hard
to get him stuck with anything, no matter how hard
we try. When playing ‘four on a couch’, it seems like
he programs who has what name into his head. As a
result of that, he usually wins. He never gets stuck up
or annoyed.
On top of everything, my brother is a person
you can depend on - he’s reliable in every way. When
I ask him for a favor, helping me wash dishes, carry
something to the basement; it’s rare when he forgets
to do it or says he doesn’t have time. He finds a way
to help me out, no matter what it is, even when it’s
just something small.
‘Garett’ is the name most often heard in our
school when somebody needs help with their work.
Students have said that he can define certain things
like math problems better than their teacher. I’m talk-
ing from experience, since he’s helped me a lot with
my math assignments, I’ve got to say I agree.
He’s also not a person that gets excited or
worked up about anything. My mom always says that
an elephant could trot into the house and he’d barely
lift his head to look at it. But staying calm in all pos-
sible situations is just part of his charm, showing that
life is too short to get worked up about anything.
Throughout the years Garett has been the
greatest older brother and friend to me. He is truly
someone I can look up to. He lifts my spirits with his
brilliant smile and deep blue eyes and makes every
event enjoyable with his easy going personality.
Amanda Hofer - Gr. 11
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 18
I am...
IIII am like a tiger because they appreciate solitude.
But, I would like to be like a wolf, working to-
gether with my comrades to accomplish great things.
IIII am like the color red because it facially shows
an athletic characteristic.
But, I would like to be a darker red – more aggressive
and energetic.
IIII am like an eraser because I don’t leave messes
and keep a clean sheet
But, I would like to be like a marker, leaving positive
marks in people’s hearts.
IIII am like a coconut, hard on the outside and soft
and healthy on the inside.
But, I would like to be like an apple, crunchy and
juicy, so that people always come back for more.
Garett Hofer - Gr. 12
Treasure
Chest
The treasure we all live in
But only some can see,
The treasures of the earth
The treasures of the sea.
You walk upon them everyday
Your eyes can see them clear,
The treasures that God put there
For you and me to share.
The trees that give us oxygen,
And brighten up the land.
Well, people take them for advantage
To build their houses with.
The water we keep running
And waste a ton each day.
Some day you’ll beg for it,
But none will be to spare.
The sun that shines so beautiful
And gives us light each day.
Your cars are burning holes in her
Some day she’ll burn in you.
Don’t take advantage of this treasure
For it will turn on you,
It all depends on what you do today
Cause tomorrow is too late.
So I’ll save this little treasure chest
Be careful what I do
But it’s up to you to follow me
And help me save this treasure.
Elissa Hofer - Gr. 11
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 19
Pictures of pleasant PlacesPictures of pleasant PlacesPictures of pleasant PlacesPictures of pleasant Places
TTTT here are times in every person’s life where they
are self-absorbed and times when they want to
have the company of friends. Here in Elm River Col-
ony, there are places I like to visit when I want to be
alone and places I want to experience with friends.
One of my favorite places is at the train tracks.
They are about half a mile from colony, and in the
summer when you walk down there at the right time,
you spot some gorgeous sunsets. Because there are no
trees obstructing the view we can see both beautiful
of sunsets and sunrises. I like walking down there
when it is dark already and the stars are coming out. I
enjoy sitting on the tracks and scanning the skies for
falling stars. There is nothing more peaceful on earth
than the skies dotted with stars.
But all that peace vanishes when you hear a
train whistle from a mile away. When we go to the
tracks with some visitors it’s fun to scare them a bit.
When we reach out and pretend to touch a fast mov-
ing train, visitors flip out. They scream out at us and
try to drag us away. Another funny thing is when you
have visitors overnight and you ask them how they
slept. They say it would have been better if the train
didn’t whistle past every hour. Because we are al-
ready used to it we don’t understand why it would
prevent someone from sleeping.
During the summer about a year ago Sonia, one
of our Diene, decided to make a trail in the bush by
the river and have it circle back to the colony. We all
thought it was a fine idea and soon got to work. We
have been working on it for close to 2 years now and
it’s almost finished. The Diene come back with shears
and cut away the small branches that are in the path
and with rakes we clean the trail. The Buebm come
back sometimes when they have time and help cut
down trees that are too big for us to move. In the
spring when everything is green, it is the most beauti-
ful. Sonia also planted some flowers alongside the
trail. Beside the trail is the La Salle River that also
adds to the beauty. A bit further into the trail we have
made a clearing that will serve as a campfire site for
the Buebm and Dienen when it is finished.
Sonia got the idea about a trail when she was
in Thunderbird at the wedding three years ago. Thun-
derbird’s is called Hidden Heart Trail and you have to
find hearts hidden in the trees to know if you’re going
the right direction. Ours is called River Walk because
there is a river beside you all the time as you’re walk-
ing through it.
The hockey rink is also one of the best places in
Elm River. Although it’s only used in the winter I still
enjoy going there. Watching the Buebm play hockey
can be an exciting experience. I don’t play hockey
with the Buebm because they are too rough. Standing
at the boards and cheering for the best team also
makes me part of the game. I remember last year I
was standing at the boards watching the Buebm play a
game against Norquay and I was not really in the
mood for cheering. Two sticks collided in front of me
fighting for the puck and what usually happens when
sticks collide with the puck is that the puck flies up-
ward. I saw the puck coming at me from the corner of
my eye and I closed my eyes quickly. For some rea-
son I did not duck, and the puck hit me on the side of
my face. It didn’t hurt, but I could feel the impact
long after. I was glad that it didn’t leave a mark. This
incident wouldn’t stop me from cheering for my fa-
vorite hockey team.
My favourite things in nature are stars, so I al-
ways look for good places to lie down and watch
them. One place on the colony that is just perfect for
that sort of thing is “die fleta bin” (the flat bin) as we
in Elm River call it. The bin is pretty old; almost as
old as the colony which is about 70 years, but it is
still used for storing grain. It isn’t the tallest bin on
the colony but going up there at night you can see the
most beautiful sight. It isn’t a cone shaped bin like
most of them. The top is flat and there is a ladder that
curves around the bin all the way to the top. Above
you, is a sky full of stars and below you can see the
whole colony and with the lights, it looks like you’re
looking at a postcard. But I don’t really like going up
there with the guys because they always scare us girls
by sitting on the edge with their feet hanging down
and it’s a long way down. But other than that, it’s a
really peaceful place to hang out.
The last and best place on the colony to me is
my bedroom. It is something that belongs to me and
no one else. It is my own private place and it’s where
I go whenever I don’t have anywhere else to go. It’s
also a good place to hang out in the evening.
Sometimes the Buebm and Diene come home after
supper and we just sit and talk and listen to music on
my stereo. We listen to the latest hits on our favorite
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 20
stations. It also happens that sometimes we don’t
even listen to the music. We’re too busy talking about
sports and debating who has the best hockey team and
who has more muscles and who is the most popular
person. So the guys have to have an arm wrestling
competition to prove their point and the girls are the
cheerleaders.
We sometimes play card games like pig and
camp. When we get too loud, my mom comes down
and tells us to quiet down. When we have visitors, the
young people all show up at my house. Then we sit
and talk in my room for a while because that’s where
we always end up when they come home. For exam-
ple, when we had my sister’s 15th birthday party, I
told everyone that the party will be in her room be-
cause it’s her day. For some reason it ended up in my
room. Because I only have one sibling we usually
have the basement to ourselves. Then we don’t have
to worry about waking up other people.
I sometimes wonder where these favorite places
of mine will be in a few more years. I realize that one
day I might not be around these places anymore. We
have to take the time to enjoy things that are impor-
tant to us or we will regret it when it disappears.
Samantha Hofer - Gr. 12
HHHH adassah Sue Maendel is the fourth child of Alfred & Sara. She was wel-comed into the world on May 22 , 2007, by her de-lighted sisters Jeanita (7), Jody (5) and pleased brother Adrian (9). Baby Hadassah weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz.. Her first word was “Tata.” On June 30, 2008, One of the many moments her family treasures was on June 30, when Hadassah Sue took her first steps.
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 21
DJ at JD
M anufacturing a John Deere tractor is a quick, organ-
ized, complicated and top secret process, which
leads to a reliable and efficient piece of machinery. I was
given the privilege of going to Moline, Illinois to tour the
John Deere factory. It is one of the most amazing things I
have ever seen!
John Deere was started by a man named John
Deere who developed the world’s first commercially suc-
cessful, self scouring steel plow. “The full story of the
John Deere Company over the last 170 years is one of
people, places and products that reflect our core values of
integrity, quality, commitment and innovation. When John
Deere crafted his famous steel plow in 1837 in a small
blacksmith shop, he also forged the beginnings of Deere
& Company a company which now does business around
the world and employs approximately 52,000 people”.
People have different opinions on what they like
about a certain kind of tractor. Some like John Deere. Yet
others are more comfortable with Cat or Case or any other
tractor manufacturer that compete with each other to
make their piece of machinery the most reliable and effi-
cient. They will mostly consider fuel con-
sumption, quality, and technology to be
the most important parts of engineering the
tractor. Some might like the color better or
getting their money’s worth out of what
they buy. John Deere is one of the most
expensive tractors to buy. This results in
better trade in value and quality parts to
run the tractor in an efficient and reliable
way.
The engineers come up with the lat-
est technology to increase yield and time
by adding auto steer and modern computer
system. Auto steer has grown dramatically
over the last couple of years. Manufactures
keep updating the system to keep the accu-
racy of the system to the minimum number
of inches possible, to reduce over lapping
and to avoid unseeded land. The reason
different people like different makes, is
that they tend to operate the tractor that
suits them best with their operation.
When it comes to constructing cer-
tain parts of a John Deere tractor such as
the motor, it is a top secret operation that is highly se-
cured. There are no cameras allowed in the factory. The
reason being to keep their own engineering techniques
and to keep other manufacturers from taking the ideas
they use to build a quality machine. Engines aren’t as
easy to construct as other parts of the tractor. They have
to take emissions and fuel consumptions into considera-
tion to meet the environmental needs and reduce pollu-
tion. The engine is engineered to keep it running
smoothly and efficiently.
What do you have to do to get a job in the manu-
facturing shop? You have to have a minimum education
of grade 12 and go through on site schooling for two
years to get trained and educated to build a piece of
equipment that won’t have any malfunctions.
“Nothing runs like a deer” is the slogan used by
John Deere. They have proved their point and built one of
the best pieces of machinery on the market today, from
my point of view. The price you pay for the machinery is
what you get out of it. As the saying goes, “You get what
you pay for.”
I think in the future the tractor companies will have
to take fuel prices into consideration and lower their mar-
ket price. This will encourage farmers to buy expensive
and reliable equipment in order to keep there operations
running fast and efficiently.
Derek Waldner - Gr. 12
References
http:/books.google.ca/books
http://www.deere.com/en_US/compinfo/history/index.html
http://www.deere.com/en_US/compinfo/history/johndeere.html
A coveted 9760 John Deere combine in the showroom of the John Deere factory
in Moline, Illinois.
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 22
Serenity Serenity Serenity Serenity
RoadRoadRoadRoad
DDDD usty dirt-packed road Leading past colony garden,
Corn, cucumbers, beans,
For pickling and preserving.
Filing past Friedhof, rouses
Memories of departed folk –
Grandma and Grandpa’s
Dear faces welcoming Eniklen
Dad’s teasing eyes sparkling.
Two infant brothers --
Chubby cheeks and curls --
Blessed solace and hope
Of meeting again...
Onward it stretches between two golden
Seas of ripened grain, swaying under a
Shimmering sunshine-canopy.
Silvery lines on silky clouds
Creeping languidly across
Indigo evening sky.
Colossal oaks, lush elms border
Prime-for-harvest wheat fields.
Bright blue contrasting
With auburn hues.
Balmy breeze brings
Ripe grain aroma
Mingled with
Piquant flowers,
Delighting the senses.
Raspy refrain of
Chirping crickets,
Twittering sparrows
Croaking frogs,
Enchanting twilight concert
Imploring the heart to
Join evening Vespers!
Snaking between flaxen fields
and green gardens
The tranquil cadence
Of a narrow river
Ripple-singing --
Reverberating my sentiments
For this Paradise…
The voice of the Lord
Is upon the waters…
The voice of the Lord
Is full of majesty!
Psalm 29: 3, 4
Linda Maendel
Educational Assistant
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 23
O n July 22, 2007, Elm River celebrated a
two-couple wedding.
James Maendel, son of the late Jake and
Asnath Maendel, married Karen Waldner,
youngest daughter of Ben and Mary Waldner
of Springfield Colony.
Marvin Waldner, second oldest son of
Andy and Bertha Waldner, married Joyce
Waldner, daughter of the late John and
Susanna of Cascade.
The wedding was the first occasion
held in our new Essenstubm. The space pro-
vided good acoustics for the many wonderful
choirs, as well as refreshing breathing room
2 New 4 e.r.
for everyone attending.
When asked what she remembers most
about the wedding, Karen states, “I remember
wondering how I would look as part of the
Elm River Sisters choir in the future. I was
also thinking how it would be earthly possible
to remember the names of all the people I
met, especially the Hofer brothers, because se
‘seh sich gleich wie Step-meis’.”
“I felt warmly welcomed and look for-
ward to spending the rest of my life here as an
Elm River Weib.”
Brennan Bulletin Term 1 2007—2008 24
Do You Remember When...Do You Remember When...Do You Remember When...Do You Remember When...
EEEE lm River’s original Kuchel was built during the 1930’s and used until 1974 when it was
leveled and rebuilt on its original foundation.
Among the Köchene, headcooks, working in this kitchen, were Rebecca Hofer who later
moved to Oakbluff, Katie Maendel (Valley View) and Mary Hofer (Elm River). Mary Basel’s
daughter, Irene (New Rosedale), is pictured in this photo.
The Woshheisel that was demolished in 2006 is also pictured here. Standing next to the
Woschheisel is part of the Kommer (grosery storage). Two components not part of the existing
Kuchel: Tronkheissel and Stoneboat for garbage.
Elm River’s Original Kuchel