Christmas at the DQ

Christmas at the DQ in Morden

What would provoke someone to have, or want to have, Xmas at the Dairy Queen in Morden? Are they nuts or what? What parallel does it have with the Christmas story of yore? There is no Star in the East to guide you there, but you can rely on the locals to give you direction. It has never had one Wiseman visit it, let alone three. Three Wisemen anywhere in the world today would be a monumental surprise to us all. But the local “Bruce” Almighty has frequented it on occasion.

Bearing gifts is nothing new - in place of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, we bring loonies, toonies, and coupons, and nobody is the wiser. As for shepherds, well, they have more or less gone by the wayside. However, a facsimile of them still exists in the form of bikers, with their Harleys, Hondas, and BMW, plus a lost tribe that call themselves "Hell’s Angels". This is as close as our local bikers will ever get to seeing a host of Angels, and when they do, you may be assured that they will be sore afraid and hugging the ground.
Then there’s Mary - and she actually exists at the DQ!
She is one of the most considerate, warm, kind, and caring women you could ever meet. She has kept the image of compassion intact since the days of Mary of Nazareth.
"More coffee, Harold?"
"Sure, Mary."
And then there is the Baby Jesus. Now you wouldn’t find Him at the DQ. But you will find parents who can’t find their child, muttering under their breath, “Jesus, where did that kid disappear to now?"
So to all the management and staff of the Morden Dairy Queen, Merry Christmas, you bring joy to all those you serve.
Is that not a part of the year round Christmas spirit?
And the same goes for all you loyal pumphandle blog readers!
Cheers!

HEROES and Cream Gravy

How many times have you heard the phrase “I could write a book”, from a friend, a relative, or other assorted types? The fact of the matter is that they never write one, not that it’s any big disaster. It’s just another over used phrase that people throw around. Well a chap by the name of Roy Heinrichs, who hung out around Haubstadt (translated means Halftown) and has now retired to Altona, has done just that, written a book. It’s called Heroes and Cream Gravy. It covers Roy and that of his families through the cycles of life from his youth, his teenage years, as a young farmer, then as a seasoned farmer, then as a retiree and Grandpa. It covers the era from 1951 to the present. It depicts incidents and a lifestyle that is familiar to most of us in Southern Manitoba, who have lived during this time.
It took me a few or more chapters to get into this book, and begin to appreciate the legacy Ron was leaving, for this generation and its heirs. That somewhat parallels one's own life and many others who live along the 49th. A snapshot (another over used word) of Saturday night baths, outdoor toilets, Kraft dinners, Wonder Oil, harvests, dreams, and jeans. Cream Gravy? It’s about the all time great Mennonite dish, cheese perogies, smothered in dark brown fried sausage dripping gravy.
Want to know more………..read the book!