Dueck Family Gathering 2012, Email #9

Dear Family,

Our home has returned to a state of stability after an exciting Dueck Gathering. We enjoyed the visiting time, reconnecting with family we had not seen for a while, visit with nieces & nephews, and the growing grandchildren. We also welcomed our newest adult member, Alli Durksen (Tim’s wife).

Some of the highlights as expressed by different people on the evaluation sheets were:

Campfires, casually visiting with cousins, seeing kids get along.

Saturday banquet program, stories by Elfrieda about Mom + Dad Dueck, pictures of families, campfire chats.

Seeing the kids have fun connecting with out of town family. The attention given to the child entertainment. Thanks!!

Fireside chats, worship on Sunday, family history shared – all wonderful.

Beach was a good afternoon outing that the younger families enjoyed.

I am not sure what to say because there were lots. The meals were fabulous, the kids activities were really over the top, the stories of grandma and others were great, the visiting and fellowship super, visiting with all ages, the water fights were great to watch ,the firesides were great – Ted’s stories. I guess I saw my kids having a great time and that makes my time even better.

We had 44 people attend the entire weekend (23 adults, 14 children {5-12}, and 7 pre-school {0-4}), 5 adults joined us for the Saturday banquet, for a total of 49 for all or part of the weekend. We missed those of you who were unable to attend and hope you will be able to join us for the next time.

Ted became our ‘unofficial’ event photographer – Thanks Ted. Some casual pix are embedded below. To see the full complement of pictures check out the Shutterfly website http://dueckfamily2012gathering.shutterfly.com/. These pictures give a good overview of the weekend activities. And thanks to Dave Stobbe, he was able to assemble us again for a large group family photo. We will post a link to Dave’s family pix on the blog. http://dueckfamilygathering.blogspot.ca/

Many wonderful memories were made and everyone agreed that we want another event of this nature in three years.

The new planning committee consists of the families of Ted & Mary and Jake & Eleanor.

Love and Blessings,

Jake & Eleanor and Elfrieda & James and Ted & Mary

 

Email #8 sent July 18, 2012

Dear Family,

Well, with 2 days to go a few more items have surfaced that we wish to pass on to all.

1. The weather forecast calls for sunny hot weather – PTL. We must add that the dorm rooms are not air conditioned so you may wish to bring along a fan for air circulation in the rooms. If you have more than one fan bring them all along as some of the ‘out of province’ friends may want to use them.

2. When arriving at Providence College (PC) be sure to turn left at the very first road way to the PC grounds and follow the balloons and signs saying: “Dueck Family”

3. Saturday plans are for a beach outing to St.Malo for those interested. We will be leaving at about 1:15 PM and stay until around 4:00ish. Transportation is by carpooling. James, Elfrieda, Eleanor and several others will remain on the grounds to welcome those coming in the afternoon and for the banquet.

4. Current plans call for the Group Family Picture shoot to happen between 5:00 and 5:30. Please be prompt for this event.

5. For information or emergency messages at Providence during the week-end you may call Jake Dueck’s cell 1-204-798-5459, or James Nikkel’s cell 1-604-854-9556.

Pray that this family week-end will be a time of enjoyment, encouragement and blessing,

Love and Care,

Jake & Eleanor and Elfrieda & James

Email #7 sent July 16, 2012

Dear Family,

Here we are just a few days away from the Dueck Gathering. The last minute details are coming together and we look forward to seeing all of you on Friday, July 20.

A few final instructions and Information:

1. Arrival time for the Dueck Gathering - Friday afternoon 3:00 - 5:00 PM. Supper will be at 5:30.

2. When arriving at Providence (first entrance) follow the balloons and signs saying: “Dueck Family”

3. Upon arrival please register in the Eichhorst Hall lounge - the Family Gathering headquarters.  (South of new Reimer Student Life Centre).

4. The week-end lodging and many indoor activities are also in Eichhorst Hall.

5. The location for the RV/tent parking is in the parking lot just west of Eichhorst Hall. (Tents and small trailers may be on the grass next to the parking lot. Electrical outlets are on the northwest corner.)

6. For those sleeping in the lodge be sure to bring your own towels and bedding, unless you unless you requested ‘linens’ ($10.00 / set). This is a student residence - beds are single twin beds, 2 per room. Two rooms share an adjoining bathroom – these are the ‘family suites’.

7. Payment of weekend fees can be made when you register and obtain room assignments, etc. We have to pay for each meal that has been registered for, whether you are there or not so please remember your registration commitments. For those not registered for the entire week-end there is some flexibility in terms of a few extra people who wish to register for extra meals.

For people coming just for Saturday or Sunday, payment for meals can be made to Jake Dueck at your convenience.

8. The meal times are as follows:

Breakfast - 8:30 Lunch - 12:00 Supper - 5:30

9. Miscellaneous items you may wish to bring:

- games for kids & adults (and videos in case we have rain or cool weather)

- lawn games you have that would add to the fun of the week-end

- bikes if you and your children want to explore the campus

- lawn chairs - to visit or watch outdoor activities

- family pictures for people to browse/chat about during free time

10. Saturday plans are for a beach outing to St.Malo for those interested. We will be leaving at about 1:15 PM and stay until around 4:00ish. Transportation by car-pooling.

11. For information or emergency messages at Providence during the week-end you may call Jake Dueck’s cell 1-204-798-5459, or James Nikkel’s cell 1-604-854-9556.

Pray that this family week-end will be a time of enjoyment, encouragement and blessing,

Love and Care,

Jake & Eleanor and Elfrieda & James

Email #6 sent July 6, 2012

Dear Family,

The Dueck Gathering, at Providence College, July 20 – 22, 2012, is 2 weeks away and plans are almost completed.

1. Attendance: A total of 49 guests have registered to attend - 44 for the entire weekend, of which 23 are adults, 14 children (ages 5 – 12), and 7 pre-school (ages 0 – 4). Five adults will join us on Saturday only. For everyone who indicated they were coming I returned an acknowledgement email with an attached expense sheet, including the amount payable at registration time. Preferred method of payment is a cheque payable to “Jacob Dueck”. I will submit the entire week-end total to Providence College as a lump sum payment.

2. Activities:

Friday: supper kick-off, evening fireside and visiting.

Saturday: AM - kids (& adult) group activities,

PM - beach day at St. Malo (for those interested),

Eve - banquet (casual dress), group family picture by professional photographer

Sunday: AM - multi format worship time,

lunch and wrap-up by 3:00ish.

3. Pictures: Dana has assembled a very interesting Pictorial Family Tree. Everyone is included (regrets to the January, 2013 arrivals), with family pictures and biographical data. The Family Introduction Picture Presentation has grown to over 100 beautiful and unique pictures – a lovely glimpse into each family.

4. Dueck Recipe Cookbook: The response has grown, however, if you want to submit a last minute entry, respond to Candice Dueck (candice.dueck@gmail.com) with your recipes, as soon as possible.

5. Blog update: http://dueckfamilygathering.blogspot.ca/ Thank you, Dana for having nurtured our family in embracing this media.

6. Bring along: lawn chairs (local guests), table games, lawn games, eg. soccer ball, swim gear,

Also we are in need of a portable electric piano. If anyone has one or could acquire one that we could borrow for the week-end please let us know.

We are looking forward to a great time together in two weeks.

The committee, Jake & Eleanor, James & Elfrieda

Happy Father's Day!

Hello All,

Just want to wish all the father's out there 

 Happy Father's Day!

Mother's Day Tribute to Grandma Dueck

I realize this is a bit late but I'm going to post a Mother's Day Tribute anyways.  I was working over Mother's Day (yeah...Happy Mother's Day to me - My family planned a wonderful evening for me Friday before the start of the Mother's Day weekend and my shifts.) and life has quickly passed by since then. 

This is the story of a mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Sara Dueck.

Grandma was probably around 20 years old in this picture.  At 22, she married Jakob Wiebe, presumably the love of her life and over the next seven years they were blessed with a son and two daughters.  She very quickly embraced the life of a mom with young children; keeping house, making meals, changing diapers, bathing kids (much more of a challenge back then when she may not have had running water), and playing - lots of playing.  Some days she really loved her children, everything went right; the kids listened and obeyed, the supper turned out right and Jakob got home from work exactly when he promised.  Other days everything seemed to be 'discombobulated'.   She felt like she was following a three headed wrecking crew around cleaning up messes, never seeming to catch up so the house was a disaster zone, the baby wouldn't have a nap and she was very cranky, the supper was started late and to top it off, Jake forgot to charge his cell phone (ok, maybe not...) and couldn't call and say he was working late.  Motherhood was great!  "Oh God, please help me to love them."  What did she do without the electronic babysitter (TV) and Lego?
 
One day when she was 29 years old, probably right in the middle of her day, she received word that there had been an accident and shortly thereafter, Jakob died in her arms.  Shocked and heartbroken, she knew she needed to go on, if not for herself, then for her three children ages 6, 2 and 8 months.   Grandma was a strong woman.  I have no idea what I would do in that situation.  She has three kids, no real source of income, minimal education, bills to pay.  She has some extended family around and many church friends and so life goes on, very slowly at first.  "Oh God, where are you?"  Remarkably, another young man stepped out of the background very quickly and within nine months,  Grandpa and Grandma are married.  Is it love?  Probably not in the romantic sense.  I am not sure it is possible to grieve sufficiently and fall in love with another person in that short period of time.  It was definitely a special relationship which grew into love.  "Oh God, there You are!"

Over the next the next eight years they were blessed with another son and two more daughters.  Now she had a "six headed" wrecking crew to drive her crazy, but she loves each of them with all the love a mother could have.  They were each special in their own unique way.  "Oh God, We are truly blessed!"


 
Grandma brought two boys and four girls from childhood to teenager to adult.  The boys had raging hormones and energy to burn.  She guided four girls that were moody and had attitude at times.  She did this without the assistance of Tampax or Walmart.  "Oh God, give me strength!"


All six kids grew up to be teachers or be married to teachers or ministers.  How cool is that?  At age 62, the last of the children was married and Grandma and Grandpa were truly 'empty nesters'.

The family continued to grow over the years until they had 21 grandchildren.  They sold the farmstead and moved into the city.  She spent the next many years enjoying her garden and grandchildren with God walking side by side.




At 73 years of age, her eldest son was accidently killed and she was thrown into the world of grieving again.  Children are not supposed to die before their parents.  It is now that Grandma learned that grieving for a child is very different from grieving for a spouse.  "Oh God, what's up with this?"

Grandma also learned the difficulties of having children that live far away, a child with cancer that God lovingly spared and failing health as she and Grandpa grew older but she keeps on trusting God.  They move from house to condo to apartment and finally nursing home as it became too difficult to cope on their own.  Finally, at the age of 89, Grandma lost her second husband. "Oh God, please take care of him."



About a year and a half later, Grandma faced the loss of a grandson.  How do you grieve for him?  How does she comfort her daughter, the mother of the child?  "Oh God, why?"

She spends her final seven years praying and comforting her family until she too goes to be with her husbands at the age of 97.

You've kept track of my every toss and turn
      through the sleepless nights,
   Each tear entered in your ledger,
      each ache written in your book.        Psalm 56:8

As of 2012 Grandma is the mother of:

5 children/6 spouses

20 grandchildren/20 spouses

47 great grandchildren

Total 98

 
That's quite the legacy to leave behind.  Within this large group, there are 26 mothers, 6 of whom are Grandmothers, all striving to learn from her example.  My greatest wish is for my three children to grow up walking with God and to become productive useful members of society and I want to learn from Grandma's success.

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all the Mothers and Grandmothers!

Proverbs 31:26-30

When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,

   and she always says it kindly.

She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,

   and keeps them all busy and productive.

Her children respect and bless her;

   her husband joins in with words of praise:

"Many women have done wonderful things,

   but you've outclassed them all!"

Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.

   The woman to be admired and praised

   is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.

Email #5 sent May 23, 2012

Email #5

Dear Family,

The Dueck Gathering, at Providence College, July 20 – 22, 2012, is now less than 2 months away and plans are coming together. The numbers are looking good. For the total week-end we have confirmed: 21 adults, 14 children, 7 pre-schoolers (under 5), and then we have 5 more adults coming on Saturday. This gives us a grand total of 47 people attending for some or all of the week-end.

1. Registration: If you are planning to attend and have not yet ‘officially’ responded, please do so before the end of May so that we can submit numbers to Providence College. If you are coming for a portion of the week-end only please indicate approximately when you are coming and when you will be leaving, as well as which meals you are planning to have at Providence. We must have this information in advance to reserve the rooms and prepare the meals. Also let us know of any food allergies.

2. Family Pictures: In previous emails we requested pictures from each family for two projects, Pictorial Family Tree and Family Introduction Picture Presentation. The Pictorial Family Tree collection is almost complete and looking great! We (Dana and I) have communicated directly with many of you in order to obtain current pictures. The individual branch ‘draft issue’ has generally been sent to the grandparents for approval, however, if you have any last minute updates of photos please send them directly to Dana dannielle.friesen@gmail.com as soon as possible.

For the Family Introduction Picture Presentation, if you have not submitted some casual pictures (children, Christmas, birthdays, travel, playtime, work activity, home projects, etc.) please do this ASAP. Send these to me (max 5), at jedueck@gmail.com . We would appreciate having pictures from every family even if you may not be able to attend. BTW, who is the grandchild riding in the wagon - Opa Dueck on the mower (see above picture)?

3. Dueck Recipe Cookbook: In past emails we called for favorite recipes, “We are seeking recipe submissions for the Dueck Family cookbook. Please submit up to three recipes from these categories, dessert, main course, soup or side/salad, and a note about why your recipe is special. We will compile the recipes into a booklet for each family to take home and taste the culinary diversity of our family.” The response has grown, however, we could still have more. Please respond to Candice Dueck (candice.dueck@gmail.com) with your recipes, as soon as possible.

All these projects need to be completed and prepared for presentation so ‘sooner is better’.

4. Blog update: http://dueckfamilygathering.blogspot.ca/ We have been getting more visits, but would encourage more comments. You may have an entry to post - please do so.

We are looking forward to a great time together this summer.

The committee, Jake & Eleanor, James & Elfrieda

Dueck Tidbits

Remember this guy?  This great horned owl perched in Grandpa & Grandma's living room for many years.  It now sits in my parents place living room.   There is a story behind the owl. 

Many years ago, back on the farm, this guy was a visitor.  Unfortunately, he was not an invited guest.  The problem was he was hunting and killing the new born chicks (of the fowl persuasion, not human...).  It was decided that he had to go and the way to do this was to shoot him.  Not sure who was all involved in the hunt, but my dad pulled the trigger.  Some people hang fish or moose heads on their walls, well dad saved the owl and had it stuffed.  Each to his own eh?

Remembering Josh

Joshua Mark Goossen

June 25, 1979 - April 26, 2001

If You Could See Me Now

If you could see me now you wouldn't shed a tear.
Though you may not understand why I'm no longer there.
Remember my spirit that is the real me because I'm still very
Much alive, I've just been set free, Oh, if you could only see!
I have beheld our Father's face and I've touched my Savior's
Hand. All of Heaven's angels rejoiced as I entered the promised
Land. Beyond the gates of pearl I've walked on the golden streets.
I've touched the walls of jasper and dipped my foot in the
Crystal sea. The beauty is beyond words and nothing could
Compare, I've even seen your mansion and someday
I'll meet you there. Let Jesus be your guide because
His Word will show you the way! So please don't
Cry because we will meet again someday.
-Author: Patsy Stambaugh Deskins

 

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."

James 1:12

Josh:  you will always be loved but never forgotten.

This is a picture of Josh and Delbert at about age 6 or 7.  They had spent all afternoon working on this Lego masterpiece to use as the centerpiece for the staff table at a Friday evening banquet at Simonhouse Bible Camp.  Pretty impressive eh?

Please feel free to add your memories of Josh in the comments section.  We would all love to remember him together.  If you have a picture you'd like to share with your comments, send it to dannielle.friesen@gmail.com and I would love to post it for you

Calling all Cooks!!!

So wouldn't you enjoy having a cookbook which included many of the favorites that you remember growing up but didn't know which of the Aunties or Cousin's brought to the gatherings?  Or maybe you have a personal/family favorite that you make on special occasions.  We would love to share these along with the stories about what makes them special.

These are the staple of our family Sunday faspa.  It's become a family effort.  We put the ingredients into the breadmaker shortly after we arrive home from church/lunch.  Ninety minutes later we have one adult and 2-3 children gathered around the island playing with the dough, eating the raisins before they make it into the buns and licking the brown sugar off the counter.  When they finally get assembled, they look like what you see here.  Well, they need to rise for awhile and bake first but you get the idea!  The recipe will be in the book.

These are my mom's Paska breads.  Nothing says Easter to a kid better than bread with sprinkles.  I don't have this recipe but I'll make sure to get mom to submit it!

And straight from Candice's Kitchen, we bring you the famous Mennonite

Fleisch Perishky or meatbuns.  Non Mennonite Girls can Cook too!  Candice, aka Martha Stewart, is an amazing cook, baker and crafter.  

We made these as a family in February for my Uncle Hank's funeral.  These were his favorites and Candice, Mom and I made a whole lot of them! The funeral was in Burlington, ON and thanks to mom Balkaran for allowing us to invade her kitchen and use her Kitchen Aid mixer!

Hope these stories have inpired you to share a bit of your family's culinary history with all of us.  Please submit your recipes to Candice Dueck at candice.dueck@gmail.com and she will be compiling them.  Thanks!

Candice pinching off the dough

Dana inserting the meat

Eleanor painting on the egg glaze

Reflections from 2009

I stumbled across the disk of Uncle Ted's pictures from the Gathering in 2009 the other day.  It was quite by accident as I was cleaning out a box of outdated photos and there it was.  Take a walk down memory lane...

Dining Hall

Dorm

Mennonite Heritage Museum, Steinbach

 

 

 

memory table

Most people really enjoyed the gathering and want to return.

A few were undecided...

The remainder, just wanted to be left alone.

Well, whichever camp you fall into, we want to know so send in your registration forms asap.  Hope this has peaked your interest and we will see you there!

Email #4 sent April 16, 2012

Email #4

Dear Family,   

Spring is here and after experiencing a ‘winter that wasn’t’, we are enjoying the beginning of a wonderful summer.  The Dueck Gathering 2012, at Providence College is about 3 months away and we would like to see all of you there, July 20 – 22, 2012.  We would like to begin determining numbers.

The Registration/Expense Form is embedded as page 2 of this email, and is also attached as a PDF.  Please REPLY to this email and complete the appropriate blanks, or print the PDF form, complete it as needed, scan and return via email to jedueck@gmail.com.  Although we need to have the numbers by June 1, if possible, return your registration sooner in order to help us plan.  Payment will be collected at the Gathering.

Providence requires a minimum number of 26 adults (18 and over) in order to get the group package price.

We want to encourage everyone to be at Friday’s 5:30 supper launch of the week-end.  Registration will begin at 3:00 pm.  Saturday afternoon will be a beach party (alternate rain plans) and in the evening it will be banquet time, show casing local family talent.  Sunday will be a family worship and memorial time.  More program details will be coming in later emails.

Family Pictures:  In Email #3 we requested pictures from each family.  These pictures are coming in but we still need to hear from more of you.  We are assembling a Family Tree complete with data and pictures and although the data is now complete, we still require more current family pictures.  In many cases we have older pictures in our files, however we would prefer to have current ones.  Also for our family picture slide presentation we would like to have a family shot, some favorite/interesting family activity, Christmas get-together, vacation, work, etc.  Email these (max 5) to (jedueck@gmail.com) ASAP.  We would appreciate having pictures from every family even if you may not be able to attend.

Dueck Recipe Cookbook:  In Email #2 we called for favorite recipes, “We are seeking recipe submissions for the Dueck Family cookbook.  Please submit up to three recipes from these categories, dessert, main course, soup or side/salad and a note about why your recipe is special.  We will compile the recipes into a booklet for each family to take home and taste the culinary diversity of our family.”  Although the response is somewhat underwhelming, we have been encouraged to continue with this project.  Please respond to Candice Dueck (candice.dueck@gmail.com) with your recipes.

Blog update:  http://dueckfamilygathering.blogspot.ca/  Although this is a ‘private’ blogspot, (ie. you cannot google it) we have had several hundred visits.  In case some of you have been disappointed with the lack of new activity on the site, don’t lose heart.  A new generation of techno savvy geeks has taken over the maintenance of the site and changes are happening – do visit again, and add your comments.

Guidelines for Breakdown of Costs   (taxes must be added to each item)

1.  Weekend package (meals & Lodge) – Friday supper to Sunday lunch

     Adults - $94.50 plus tax; Children- age 5 -12 - $47.25 plus tax (half price); under 5 free

2.  Weekend ‘meals only’ package (no Lodge) - $52.50 plus tax 

3.  One day meals & one night Lodge - $52.50 plus tax

4.  One day meal package only - $26.25 plus tax

     Individual meal prices, Breakfast $7.00; Lunch $10.00; Dinner (supper) $10.00

5.  RV/camper/tent $10.00 (non-elect)/day,  $12.00 (elect)/day

6.  Linens/towels - $10.00/set (includes sheets, pillows with cases, blankets, etc.)

Please note:  If you are coming for a portion of the week-end only please indicate when you are coming and when you will be leaving, as well as which meals you are planning to have at Providence.  We must have this information in advance to reserve the rooms and prepare the meals.  Please let us know of any food allergies.

We are looking forward to a great time together this summer.

The committee, 

Jake & Eleanor,  James & Elfrieda

Looking for pictures...

I am currently working on the Family Tree display. This is that we have been collecting names, dates and pictures for.  Thanks to all who have responded so far.  We have pretty much completed the names and dates part but I am still looking for some family pictures.  Please continue to send them either to my dad or me.  My goal is to have everybody identified with a current photo beside their name and birthdate.

So as I was working on this, I came across some pictures and was inspired to make another entry to the blog.  I thought it might be interesting to hear some of the memories that surface when you see them.

This is the old farmstead.  Sorry the upper picture is kind of fuzzy but it's what I had.  The lower photo is Jan 1962.  I have no recollection of this place even though I must have been several years old when they moved into the city.  Anybody know the exact year that they moved?

Now this place holds memories for me.  From the swingset and the well kept garden in the backyard to all of the grandchildren crowding into the tv room watching Walt Disney.  The adults all sitting around the table in the dining room and the kids goofing off in the kitchen.  Neopolitan ice cream, those awful sugar coated jelly candies (personal opinion - my husband still buys them) in the Christmas bags every year, the clothes washer that looked like R2D2 from Star Wars and the exercise bike.  Makes me wonder what my kids are going to remember from my parents place eh?

Once again I invite thoughts, memories, comments.  If you have a picture to add, not sure if you can post it in the comments section (I'm new to this remember?) send it to me and I'll post it with your comments.

Have a great Easter Weekend

Matthew 28:6   He is not here! He has risen, just as he said he would! Come and see the place where he was lying. 

Dana