Wiehler-Echo 6 (2001)

Dear Family!
Well, that was the 4^th Wiehler reunion. It was July 21-23, 2000 in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. After a few years of planning and preparation by Helmut Lemke and his team, everything went smoothly and rather quickly that week-end. 201 Wiehlers attended, with 55 from Germany, 13 from USA, 5 from Luxembourg and 3 from Fiji Island. Emotions and expectation were high: Wiehlertag directions on the street, welcoming at registration, program and Wiehler lapel pins presented, greetings, meetings, embraces, introductions of old and newly acquainted relatives – some not having met since 1944. This alone was worth the trip! And into the agenda:official welcoming by Helmut Lemke - introduction of the team: Heinz Wiehler, Erwin Cornelsen, Rick Cornelsen, Fred Bartel, Magdalena Gauer, Hans Schowalter, Erwin Wieler, Andre Pekowich, Irmgard Thiessen, Evita Daniel, Hildegard Lemke - a great effort by all!

And the highlights were:
-the reports on immigration and integration, the humor of Herman Cornelsen, the presentation of Prof. Klaassen on the importance of family cohesion
-the sightseeing excursions (unfortunately the plane ride to view the Rockies was grounded – low clouds)
-the many spontaneous conversations at mealtime
-the beautiful piano and trumpet stylings of Doreen Buhler and Reinhart Ehritt

Of course, to meet and talk to all relatives in these 3 days was impossible. It took initiative to get to know the members of the Wiehler clans and the language barrier was also a factor. Perhaps planning future Wiehlertage should include organized cross-clan encounters. Some members missed the hoped-for casual meetings over a glass of that good Canadian wine for this could have enhanced the ‘getting to know each other’ aspect.

And now, we thank Helmut Lemke and his team for their huge efforts in the preparations and the ultimate success of the 4^th Wiehlertag. For us European participants it was unique opportunity to get to know your beautiful Canada. For some it was their first trip to the New World and a serious adventure.

The Family Bond - not without side-effects
”For risk and side-effects ask you doctor or druggist” is the last statement on any prescription in Germany. It appears to fit on the ‘Family Bond’ prescription as well. Richard Zerbe-Cornelsen (1 4 5 1 5) mentioned that: ‘with knowledge about my ancestors, I have acquired a bench mark for my own life, that can guide me in my attitudes and dealings.’

By looking at my origins I can determine what directions I have chosen and what paths I have already traveled. I find that this is quite something since orientation and focus are often lacking nowadays.

I originally anticipated less of a impact. With a somewhat reserved and distant attitude I approached this family reunion as a welcome reason for a holiday across the ocean, participate in the event, again meet the few I knew from before, and at the end return unaffected to submerge myself in my own life.

But now come the side-effects: the ‘substance’ of Family Bond - the people. Every encounter and every conversation, also my time and thoughts that I dedicate to the Family (e.g. the writing of this article) re-enforce that the Family Bond is part of my life. Through the actual and conscious activities with the extended family the philosophical view mentioned earlier comes to life.

Let me leave the discussion of effect and side-effect. They work differently in medicine, although in the same direction.

For many of the elders, the lively exchanges within the extended family are seen as normal. My experiences are in a rather small family circle, and for me, the ancestry of my father was viewed in sober hindsight. Therefore, the liveliness surprises me; it is not part of my past and yet I know that my personal involvement contributes to this liveliness. And now, with this essay, I will release myself from a promise I made earlier.

Back in Düsseldorf I made contact with Elfriede Krähahn (1 1 3 4), and 81 year old cousin of my father – something my father wished that I had done 13 years earlier. After the Wiehlertag in Abbotsford, his wish, which I had always resisted, became my goal. After a few weeks we met and although we were virtual strangers, there was an immediate bond (probably based on old roots). That is why I would like to think that the personal openness between us is based on our Family Bond.

And last but not least – the encounters at the Wiehlertreffen have inspired me so that, after much thought, I shall begin to offer PC courses to seniors.

The side-effect of Family Bond I experienced as the eldest daughter of Gerhard Wiehler and Gerda Wiehler (nee Pauls) at an early age. I was always close to my father and had an interest in genealogy and participating in the smaller family reunions was always important to me.

While other decorated their rooms with rock star posters, my walls had 2 large picture frames with photos and passports from 3 generations. Of course, I knew everything (almost) about these people. This was something special and made me proud. And later on, when it really mattered, it was the Family Bond that gave me the various bench marks I needed.

Subconsciously after my studies, I chose a career in which I could deal with many familiar names: Dyck, Friesen, Janzen, Thiessen, - traditional mennonite names - emigrants from the former Soviet Union. Wiehlers were not among them.

I was a counselor and as the child of refugees, the thoughts, feelings, memories and injuries were all familiar. Through my empathy, I was seen as approachable and could thus be helpful.

But the sad, nostalgic look at the past, what was, is only one dimension of emigration. That I became aware of through my work with various migrant groups and lately through my trip to Canada and the Wiehler reunion.

A new start in a new country is a great opportunity to leave the Old behind and discover the New and often unexpected. What I learned at the Wiehlertreffen, Frank Wiehler described in his foreword to the Chronik: The forced re-orientation of the family has brought an abundance of world and international awareness, and often also greater tolerance. That is good and gives strength to face future challenges.

I did not emigrate and do not have Japanese or Chinese neighbours, but my daily work brings me into contact with migrants of various origins which I counsel.

Effects have healing powers – and that I experienced in Canada. It was the awareness, liveliness and engagement of many members (especially the elders); it was the hospitality and the ‘open arms’ the welcomed us afterwards; it was the individual conversations that shed a different light on what was and is.

It is good that in 5 years there will be another chance to renew/refresh the Family Bond.

Wein aus dem.Weingut der Großamilie:

Estate Winery

GEHRIGER BROTHERS (1 4 5 3 2 E)

Road No. 8, Oliver, Bc. VOH 1T0
Phone: 498-3537 Fax 498-3510

"Taste the sunshine in our fine wine"

Anmerkung eines Weinkenners aus dem Kreis der Familie aus Europa: Der Wein schmeckt wirklich gut!

From my Travel Diary:
That I became a fan of Canada, in spite of the all too short stay, was not only because of the magnificent scenery, but also due to the hospitality I experienced during my two week stay.

Monday, July 24 2000
Breakfast – delicious salmon. Herbert has volunteered to take Olga, Karl-Heinz Wiehler with son Steffen to the car rental agency in Surrey – I go along to Vancouver. We visit the Queen Elizabeth park with its beautiful gardens. After much driving around we are late getting back for lunch.

After lunch, the extended family travels to Yarrow to the Daniels holiday place at the edge of the mountains and what was missing on this trip happened here – I went swimming in a Canadian lake. Many of the descendants of Nicholas Wiehler are enjoying this glorious, sunny summer day at Cultus Lake and as I float on the water the thought that perhaps after retirement, Ingrid and I should consider emigrating to Canada.

While we were enjoying the lake others were busy preparing a meal: salmon was smoked and baked on open fire, salads prepared, and plentiful fruit desserts were readied. It was delicious.

The kids, even the elders, took part in the water balloon fight that Evita had organized.

My name-sake cousin had prepared himself for this day. Rather proud, as some of the Wiehlerclan, or perhaps succumbing to peer pressure, he wished to improve his fitness and appearance and forced the tortuous ‘total body brush massage’ upon himself. Soon, he became aware of a very sobering realization, the smell of fish eminated from his every pore and fish scales clung to his body. He had used the brush that had been used to previously clean the salmon.

German songs remind us of home. We sing in the outdoors, in large numbers, accompanied by trumpet, mouth organ, flute, guitar, drums, lids and violin. After that it’s coffee, cake and ice cream. As a farewell to this family outing Gustav Gauer gave a sermon on Psalm 92.

In the evening we sit on the balcony at Daniels house in Abbotsford. Herbert is telling stories of the post-war years while Mount Baker disappears in the darkness. It was a beautiful day!

As editor of the Wiehler Echo, I would like, in this and future issues, to feature Wiehlerclan enterprises and thus give them some additional exposure. Please submit your contributions.

BIGHORN MEADOWS

BED & BREAKFAST

HOSTS:

BERT & MARILYNN DYCK (7 1 2 1 2)

Wildflowers, Aspen groves and Big Horn Sheep grace this exclusive Rocky Mountain Retreat. A cozy home with warm hospitality; a sumptuous breakfast. Your hosts are residents of 25 years with a wealth of knowledge to share about the valley and its people. 8 km East of Canmore on HWY 1A

Phone: (403) 673-2548, FAX: (403) 673-2580

Von der Redaktion getestet und für ausgezeichnet befunden!

Unexpected Meeting in Abbotsford
Attracted by the sign to the ‘Wiehlertag’ on the street in front of the Bible College, a Mr. Wieler approaches the table. He lives in Abbotsford and is a Russian Mennonite. In response to a question about his family, he relates: ”…a young English sailor named Wheeler was stranded and in danger off the coast of Holland. He was saved and cared for by a Mennonite family. He became Mennonite and is our forefather.” This is the story told for generations within his family.

Funding
Last year’s call for help to maintain the Wiehler Echo was quite successful( 577.00 DM) and assures publication through to 2003. Thanks go to Dorothee Wiehler, Werner Wiehler, Elisabeth Kirch, Karl-Heinz Wiehler, Erich & Gerda Wiehler, Anita Schulze.

The collection at the 4^th Wiehlertag for worthy causes (CA$ 804.00) was given to the MCC for nutrition aid to Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Wiehler Homepage
Benjamin and Arne Nagengast (7 3 8 2 1 & 2) have put much effort into a bilingual homepage on the internet. Take a look!!

WIEHLERCHRONIK 2000

The exiting history of the Wiehlers:

A present for you, your children and your grandchildren

New, updated edition in English and German, hardcover, 297 pages, with new photos

CONTENTS:
Chronicle of the family, The life of our Forefathers, Their Beliefs and Convictions, Genealogy, Reflections on our history in Pictures and Life Stories, Portraits of Family Members who Emigrated to Canada, Collection of Documents, updated addresses

Price: CA$ 50,-

Orders in Canada: HELMUT LEMKE, 7517
Pandora Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A3W1, Tel: 604 – 931 – 7141,

Orders in Germany: Mennonitischer Buchversand, GARRY WALTNER, Am Hollerbrunn 2A
67295 Weierhof-Bolanden, Tel.06352-5519,
Fax: 06352-740558 (DM 75,- plus Versandkosten)

A message from Japan
Roberta Fish-Dyck (7 1 2 1 2 1) schreibt aus Hakodate , wo sie für ein Jahr als Englischlehrerin tätig ist:
"Es tut mir leid, daß ich nicht zum Wiehler-Tag kommen konnte. Es wäre so schön gewesen Euch dort alle wiederzusehen" Hier ein Auszug aus der Beschreibung ihres derzeitigen Lebens mit ihrem Mann Alaric in Japan:

"On one hand, Japan is an ancient country deeply layered in tradition and ritual. The simplest thing, a cup of tea, a single sheet of paper, or a bath, is like an elegant work of art. There are silent temples, meticulously groomed gardens and colourful lanterns in the summer festival season. But, then, there's nothing more Japanese than baseball and Disneyland! It's also an ultramodern place where every high school girl walks around checking her email and her fortune on her minute pink Minnie Mouse cellular phone and where the harsh winter cold is offset by the technological miracle of the heated toilet seat! On bad days we feel there are too many rules, too many neon lights, and too much noise. But then we have a somewhat comprehensible conversation in Japanese, enjoy some fishy treats with our new friends, and relax in one of the many "onsens" (hot springs). So just when the pressures of working for a large Japanese company are getting us down, we think, well, maybe we should stay for a few more months......."

Erwin Cornelsen (1 4 5 1)
breaks donation records. He was one of the champions who helped to raise over 500,000 for MCC relief projects. Congratulations!

Births
Katharina Anne Dyck-Steinemann (7121311), *10 April 2000, daughter of Tanja &Don Dyck-Steinemann, Ontario
Ashley Marie Dyck (7121321) *15 July 2000, daughter of Derek and Kathaleen Dyck, Chetwynd, BC
Timon Erik Hein-Horsch ( 4 2 11 3 3 2 4) *26 August 1999, as son of Anita & Titus Hein – Horsch, in Karlsruhe/Thomashof
Lomani-Helen Rova- Wiehler (7 1 1 1 4 3), daughter of Maria Rova - Wiehler and Ron Rova in Nadi, Fiji Island, mum & baby are both healthy

Death:
Helmut Dyck (7 1 2 1 E), * 14 March 1914 in Ladekopp, + 9 December 2000 in Coaldale, Alberta

¹ REDAKTIONSANSCHRIFT/EDITOR’S ADDRESS: 2 A, rue des Sapins, 2513 Senningerberg, Luxemberg, Tel: 00352/348358, Fax: 00352/346110, fwiehler@interway.lu
Versand/distribution in Canada: Heinz Arthur Wiehler (1 8 10 1), Chilliwack, BC
Übersetzung/translation: Hilger Fast, (7 1 2 4), Calgary, Alberta

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