• Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.

easy nav

Do U like this template?
 

categ2

Flames Force Flourishing Factory to Rebuild

by Linda Maendel for Hutterites.org News:-)

 It was well after midnight on October 20, 2010 when a woman looked out the window, and saw flames at the Millwork shop. Minutes later most members of Elm River Colony were at the site, trying to extinguish the blaze or watching in disbelief as years of investments and building up burned to a mound of metal and rubble.

ERShopFireNov2010_307px
Elm River Colony Carpenter Shop Fire - Nov 2010

Twelve fire trucks from Portage and area colonies surrounded the carpenter shop trying to douse the fire, but the building collapsed. “We have nothing!” One carpenter lamented. “Not even screws or a tape measure!”

Naturest Bedding was established in 1991, in an old 40 X 28 foot building, to make waterbed and futon frames, bunk beds, dressers and bedside tables. This venture didn’t do well, so the kitchen cabinets and vanities market was targeted and the name later changed to E & R Furnishings and Millwork.

To accommodate the growing number of orders, expansion was imperative. Therefore, the carpenter shop was moved to one side of the broiler barn, a relatively new 250 X 40 foot building, but more room was needed, so the whole building was utilized.  (Elm River had discontinued producing geese so the goose barn became a broiler barn.)

The larger building provided opportunity to invest in larger, more complex machinery: shapers, glue wheel, edge bander, lathe and rip saws. “This meant we’d be able to expand our business and build furniture more efficiently,” explained Irvin Waldner, shop foreman. For over a decade beautiful, sturdy cabinets were manufactured for private homes, hotels, doctor’s offices, restaurants and other businesses all over Manitoba, into Saskatchewan and Ontario, building a name as a quality furniture factory.

From Italy, a state of the art Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) router was acquired. It cuts, drills, and routs quickly and precisely. To accommodate the orders, plans were made to extend the building in spring 2011 and add a CNC nesting machine for melamine; a durable, economic particle board, pre-finished with a smooth laminate used for the insides of cabinets.

“Initially, most furniture was made of oak.” James Maendel, a carpenter explains. “Today, cabinet doors and drawer fronts are also custom-made out of maple, mahogany, hickory, cherry alder, knotty alder and pine, finished in many different colours.”

Advertising is largely word-of-mouth, but we set up a booth at the Autumn Home Show in Winnipeg, at the Convention Centre this year, resulting in exposure and kitchen cabinets orders.

E & R Furnishings employed seven full-time and four part time workers. “I don’t have a job after school!” A highschooler reflected, his voice thick with emotion. Carpentry is something I learned to enjoy. Now it’s gone!”

Days after the fire, the carpenters talked about rebuilding. “No doubt, this is a severe setback,” James stated. “But I am confident we can rebuild and continue our business as strong as ever.”  A temporary shop is set up in a barn with the office at the preschool which is used only during summer months. Contractors are constructing a new 300 X 70 foot building, and new machines are being ordered

“Compared to all the things we still have to be thankful for, this building was but a speck.” Rueben Vetter, our minister reminded us, during the first Sunday service after the fire. “We have every reason to lift our voices with the Psalmist David, Praise the Lord, o my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Psalms 103:2

 “We’ll wait for our cabinets, till you’ve rebuilt,” some customers offered.

A machinery salesman offered manager, Mac Hofer three interest-free years on the purchase of new machines.   

  “My heart goes out to my buddies at E &R Furnishing,” Pauly Kleinsasser, Springfield Woodworking posted on Facebook, and offered their shop to build cabinets for the new houses at Elm River.

This support, along with viable insurance provides the means and determination to rebuild after a devastating loss.
 
You are here: Home / News

SubMenu

Most Read

BJ Content Slider

Hutterite Store

We believe that people are interested in purchasing fresh, clean, and safe products.  That includes the music to which they listen.

Singing is a traditional and an important pastime on a Hutterian community. Songs are often German songs of faith and families often sing these songs in the morning before going to work and in the evenings.  Each church service begins with singing as well (where songs are often lined). Choirs and congregational singing happens at special events and gatherings, such as weddings, funerals, communal meals.

In recent years, choral, four-part singing has become more of a priority among Hutterites. The choirs usually consist of single young people (Buebm and Dienen) between the ages of 15 and 30. Choir sizes range from 10 to about 45 members. Many choirs are directed by Hutterites, whereas others have Mennonite and Holdemann directors. Singing practice usually occurs in the evenings.

Interest in choir singing has sparked even larger choirs gatherings  among the Manitoba Schmiedeleut.  The Western Manitoba Hutterian Youth Choir (WMHYC) is a 150 member choir made up of eight different colonies from western Manitoba.  In fact this choir now has four CD's out; the last one was released August 2010.  (Click for more information.)  A lot of interest was generated when the WMHYC choir was formed and as a result, young Hutterites choir members from the eastern side of Manitoba created a choir as well which they named Prairie Praise.

It is important to note that Hutterites sing, not for self-glorification, but rather to praise God in song and to reach out to others.  This is evident in the fact that Hutterian Choirs often are found singing at gatherings such as weddings, funerals, and special holidays such as Christmas and Easter.  In addition, Hutterite choirs regularly sing at senior homes and in hospitals as a way of reaching out and bringing joy to others.

 

 

 

 

Sports activities enjoyed by Hutterites are hockey, volleyball, baseball, soccer, football, lacrosse and others.

During winter, many Hutterites play hockey on rivers or ponds.  Some colonies have constructed outdoor hockey rinks for their young people.  Many winter afternoons or evenings are spent playing hockey.

During the summer, sports activities are a lot more varied than in winter.  Volley ball and baseball are probably the Hutterian favorites.   Other sports, such as soccer and touch football are played as well, but not to the same degree.

In some more conservative colonies all forms of sports are prohibited.  In others, it is frowned on, but accepted.

The Schmiedeleut branch of the Hutterites generally do not discourage sports.   They believe that being active in sports is a good alternative to other less desirable pursuits.   In addition, it provides an ideal opportunity for co-operation among Hutterian young people.

The "Leut"
Differences among the Leut

Three different branches of Hutterites live in the prairies of North America, the Schmiedeleut, the Dariusleut and the Lehrerleut.  Even though all three "Leut" are Hutterites, there are some distinctive differences.  However, it should be noted, that the original doctrine of all three groups is identical.  The differences are mostly traditional and geographical.

1.  Schmiedeleut

Hutterian Brethren (Group 1) (Elder Jacob Kleinsasser, Crystal Spring, MB)
Group 2 Hutterites (Group 2 or Committee Hutterites)

2.  Dariusleut (Elder Martin Walter, Spring Point Colony, AB)

3.  Lehrerleut (Elder John Wipf, Rose Town Colony, SK)

The Schmiedeleut subdivided into two groups, the Hutterian Brethren and the Committee Hutterites, in 1992.

 

 


Geographical Locations of Hutterites

The Lehrerleut and the Dariusleut are located in the north-western part of North America, in Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Colombia, Montana, and Washington and Oregon.

The Schmiedeleut are all found in central North America in the province of Manitoba and the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota.

<click for more information>

 

 

Dress Style Differences

All three Leut wear modest clothing but different traditions have molded each group's distinctive clothing style.  The Lehrerleut probably wear the most conservative clothing, followed by the Darius and and then the Schmiedeleut.

<click for more information>

 

 

Origins of the 3 "Leut"

The Hutterites immigrated to the United States from Russia between 1874 and 1879.

These three groups share a common ancestry but differ basically in that they had different leaders upon immigrating into the Dakotas.

Schmiedeleut: The Schmiedeleut, under the eldership of Rev. Michael Waldner, established the first Hutterite Colony (Bon Homme) on North American soil in 1874.  Rev. Michael Waldner was a Schmied (or blacksmith) hence the name, Schmiedeleut.

Bon homme Colony is located near Yankton SD, on the banks of the Missouri River, and is still inhabited today.

Dariusleut: The Dariusleut established Wolfcreek Colony near Olivet SD in 1875.  The leader of the group was named Darius Hofer.  Hence, they are called Dariusleut.  Originally the Schmiedeleut and the Dariusleut had a single elder, Schmied Micheal.

The original Wolf Creek colony was sold in 1930 when the Dariusleut migrated to Alberta, Canada.  Later, in 1963 the colony site was purchased by Tschetter Colony and rebuilt nearby.  The colony name remained Wolf Creek.


Lehrerleut: The Lehrerleut established Elm Spring Colony in 1877.  The leader of the Lehrerleut was a teacher (Lehrer), hence their name, Lehrerleut.

After selling this colony site in 1929, the Lehrerleut migrated to Canada, settling in Alberta.  The original colony site was purchased in 1936 by a Schmiedeleut colony (Maxwell Col, MB) and renamed New Elm Spring.

 

Distribution of Hutterite Colony by Province/State/Leut


MB SK AB BC MT WA ND SD MN Totals
Schmiedeleut 108 7 60 9 184
Dariusleut 31 106 2 15 5 1 160
Lehrerleut 36 69 37 142
Totals 108 67 175 2 52 5 8 60 9 486

Close to 45 000 Hutterites live on 460 colonies in North America today.

Joomla template by ByJoomla.com