Back to My Roots
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DIGGI love the prairie because there is an energy that comes from the land. A drive only a few hours from Winnipeg offers a traveler a small sampling of this vast beauty. One particular trip to the south west of our province held great historical importance for me.
Winnipeg has always been my home. I come from Mennonite background and my maternal grandfather, Cornelius Winters, came to Southern Manitoba in the 1880’s. The family had journeyed from a small village in Southern Russia to very similar terrain in Canada.
When I was growing up we had many family gatherings in the Winkler/Morden area. Take Highway 75 South of Winnipeg to Highway 14 West, turn right, straight head less than an hour or so and you can’t miss it. My paternal grandfather’s name was also Fred Penner, and he was on the first town council in Winkler. Because of this historical fact, our family was asked to join in a special celebration to pay tribute to the pioneers and their contributions.
In the summer of 2007 there was a dedication of a cairn in Winkler. This cairn was a commemorative rock structure with a plaque telling the reason for its existence. Inside the cairn is a time capsule with various artifacts of the day. Family and friends gathered for this celebration and for all of us it was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and to reminisce. This was a beautiful day.
So, dear reader, I encourage you to explore Manitoba, and as you do, take the time to read the inscriptions on the ‘Points of Interest’ that dot the countryside. Take the time to turn off the highway, and venture into these small towns for a piece of homemade pie and a cup of coffee.
