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2 WINNIPEGFREEPRESS,SATURDAYMARCH21,2015 PEMBINA " " "This allows volunteers the freedom to join us around their busy schedule, whether it be for an hour each season, an afternoon a month or several days a week." They can help out in the dining hall, do general carpentry or maintenance, work with museum visitors or water the gardens. They may sew and repair period clothing, restore antique tractors, promote events, conduct research or set up displays, to name only a few options. "It's simple — everyone loves visiting or being a part of something exciting," Striemer says. "So the more volunteers there are, the more fun it is for both the volunteers and the visitors, which keeps everyone feeling good, having a great time and coming back. It's a win- win situation." Volunteers also ensure that everything runs smoothly during special events. Popular 2015 outings include Heritage Day (June 5), A Day in the Life of a Pioneer (July 6, 18, 27 and Aug. 15) and Reunion Days (Aug. 28 and 29). "On special event days, the whole museum comes alive with fun interactive outdoor stations — a Kids Zone Activity Centre and working General Store plus a kiddie barrel train ride, which creates tons of giggles amongst the young ones," Striemer says. "Additional volunteers join in the fun by dressing up in period outfits to add extra life to the grounds and bring smiles to visitors' faces, although, truth be known, it's sometimes hard to tell who is having more fun — the public or the volunteers themselves." For Reunion Days in August, about 100 volunteers lend a hand. At other events scheduled from May to October, around 15 to 25 volunteers join in the fun. And on a regular daily basis, about five to 10 people drop in to do some dusting, cut the grass, work in the field or tackle any other task that needs attention. For Bill Reimer Sr., volunteer work at the museum has been part of his life for the past 25 years. He is past- president of the board of directors and remains a current board member. "In summertime when we're seeding or harvesting, then I'm not there much. But the rest of the time, I spend quite a bit of time there. In winter, we have a workshop and we rebuild old tractors and stuff," says Reimer, who recently helped move a grain elevator to the museum from the Haskett area. "There's something going on just about every weekend. And there's always room for more volunteers. We have a very good relationship there. It's lots of fun." Similarly, Jake Buhler has served multiple terms on the board of directors while also volunteering in various roles at the museum for nearly 11 years. "I enjoy it. You get to pick your own hours. We've got carpentry work. We've got shop work. We've got office work or whatever you want to do. For me, I've always collected antiques. Since I started working there, I've donated a lot of antiques and put them in the General Store," Buhler says. "I take care of the gardening and I'm in charge of the artifacts as they come in. Also when the Haskett Store came in, I was in charge of that. I run the General Store if they have something going on." Like Reimer and Buhler, the team of volunteers enjoys the experience of stepping into the "past lane." "There's something for everyone, so we invite you to join us and experience all we have to offer those who come play for the day, the PTM way," Striemer says. "So y'all come back now, ya hear?" To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit www.threshermensmuseum.com, email info@ threshermensmuseum.com or call 204-325-7497. ❙ LIFEINTHEPASTLANE Volunteersplayvitalroleatmuseum By Jennifer McFee For the Free Press At the Pembina Threshermen's Museum, you can help preserve the past by becoming a part of it. Volunteers are crucial to the ongoing operation of the 12-acre establishment, which is open to the public from May 1 to Sept. 30. T he museum has been a fixture on Hwy. 3 between Winkler and Morden for almost 50 years. It opened in 1966, offering a unique setting for visitors to get a taste of early Mennonite life in southern Manitoba. It features a village with more than a dozen historical buildings filled with antiques from the 1800s to mid-1900s, as well as a working field, vintage farm implements, machinery, steam engines and threshing machines. Museum manager Kimberly Striemer says volunteers can get involved in countless ways that suit their skills and interests. "Whether it be a man, woman or family, it's important that people realize vol- unteering at the PTM is flexible," Striemer says. Volunteers can help out in ways that best suit their skills and interests. Photos courtesy of the Pembina Threshermen's Museum ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS JOIN IN THE FUN BY DRESSING UP IN PERIOD OUTFITS TO ADD EXTRA LIFE TO THE GROUNDS AND BRING SMILES TO VISITORS' FACES, ALTHOUGH, TRUTH BE KNOWN, IT'S SOMETIMES HARD TO TELL WHO IS HAVING MORE FUN — THE PUBLIC OR THE VOLUNTEERS THEMSELVES. ALTONA MEMORIALS 3202ndSt.N.E. Ph.204-324-6808 www.altonamemorials.com STEINBACH MEMORIALS Unit E 22 Loewen Blvd. Ph. 204-326-9479 "MemoriesToMemorials" Comejoinusforthe Manitoba Sunflower Festival July 24, 25 & 26, 2015 Visit our website at: www.altona.ca NOTRE DAME CREAMERY LTD IT'S BETTER WITH • BUTTER • ORGANIC MEADOW MILK • ORGANIC KEFIR P.O.BOX158,35PROVENCHERSTREET NOTREDAMEDELOURDES, MANITOBAR0G1M0 PHONE:(204)248-2212 GUY ROCH FAX: (204) 248-2532 President EMAIL: ndcream@mts.net FIELDOFDREAMS! 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