Stories

Posted: Apr 09, 2016
Here's another memory shared from 50 years past submitted by David Martin: "I can remember being in my late teens and being a “quilt holder” at either the first or second auction. So that would be 1966 or 1967. My mother Leah Martin from Elmira Mennonite and her sister Barbara Frey from Waterloo Markham Mennonite were helping with the quilt organization in getting the quilts to the auctioneer.... Read More
Posted: Apr 06, 2016
Long before the first visitors arrive at the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale (NHMRS), the fairgrounds is busy with volunteers unloading fryers, distributing tables and chairs, and setting up food venues. Amidst all this activity, a team of 10 or 12 electricians (who are also volunteers) ensure that electrical wires and receptacles are run to many of the different tents. In the past, electrical... Read More
Posted: Apr 06, 2016
Here's another story from the past:When Arlene and her twin sister Ardith were adolescents, deacon Oscar Snyder asked if they would hold up quilts at the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale. He thought it would be nice to have twins holding the quilts, but they were too shy and declined. Much later, Arlene joined the Relief Sale Quilt Committee and served for fourteen years. Maybe it had something... Read More
Posted: Mar 23, 2016
This picture is believed to be from the early 80s, and the first year Herring on a Bun was offered at the Relief Sale. Gertrude Doerwald and her daughter, Sigrid, are pictured in the food booth.                 Submitted by Gunnar DoerwaldNiagara United Mennonite Church
Posted: Mar 20, 2016
In honour of our 50th year, we're sharing stories from past sales. This story was submitted by Marlies Boldt. Back in 1972, Helmut Boldt, a member of the Board, was in a pinch. It was Friday, May 26, and his first child was overdue. He was in charge of the Relief Sale barbeque pits for the pork-on-a-bun project, and he couldn't get anyone else to get them to New Hamburg. He needed to get to the... Read More

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