"It was a momentous year."

That is how Barry Dyck, Executive Director for Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach is describing 2016. The museum Tuesday night held its annual general meeting.

"This is probably the first year in quite awhile where we've closed the year with no bank debt," reports Dyck. "The column that says 'cash in the bank' actually had a positive number on it."

Dyck says that is thanks in large part to their Foundations For A Strong Future Campaign. Through eighteen months, the campaign has already taken in $2.1 million in cash and pledges towards the goal of $3 million. Dyck says these funds have been allocated to things like the restoration of heritage structures, construction of the Summer Pavilion, replacement of furnaces and air-conditioners in the Village Centre and repayment of debt.

"This, of course, is the result of the community support for our campaign," notes Dyck. "Some of this money is earmarked for elements of the projects that we have here, but we have made significant progress this year and we're just delighted for the support."

Tuesday night also provided opportunity for the museum to pay tribute to one of its board members. Lawrence Klippenstein has served the last nine years and is stepping down. This is in addition to the six years he served earlier in his career.

"For a total of fifteen years Lawrence has served this museum and its community and its constituency as resident historian on our board," notes Dyck.

Dyck says Klippenstein has made wonderful contributions and it is always a joy to have him drop by and share stories of what happened to Mennonites in Russia and Poland. The museum Tuesday welcomed Matt Wieler and Jeremy Peters to three-year board terms.

Meanwhile, the theme for 2017 is "Storied Places." Dyck says we all have artifacts, articles and items that remind us of places. He notes the goal is to collect artifacts and stories this year of places that are significant in peoples' lives. He notes the Gerhard Ens Gallery exhibit will be built around this. They will also blend this into their education program.

New in 2017 will be a Heritage Classic Car Show on Sunday, June 4th. Dyck says the Lions Club has opted not to stage a car show this year and the Heritage Classic will fill that void.

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