The Homestead - Newsletter
Fall 2010 Making room for Heritage
A moving day of giving
October 19 had been selected as the day to move the Mobile Home off the site where the barn is to be built. Would our schedules allow? Would the weather permit? Both looked doubtful until Daniel Glick, Jr., of Pequea Salvage called Monday afternoon and said we will go ahead.
Michael Allgyer delivered a front-end loader Monday evening. As we assembled Tuesday morning the rain continued, but soon the clouds broke up. When I called Michael to see where we would find the key to the loader, he said, “I’ll be there myself”, which was most encouraging. Michael towed the Home to its new spot, pushed over a dying pear tree, and evaluated the rocks where the Barn will be. David Esh our builder and he concluded the rocks can be moved when we begin.
Also present were Merle Stoltzfus who develops and presents the plans and Levi Fisher of Red Hill Plumbing to disconnect the utilities. Dan Fisher had been there early to do the electric.
Well, the pear tree did not yield to an easy pushover. It twisted as the scoop pressed against the trunk, crashing down, (as I ran behind the other tree) then it fell along the south side of the house. So often the Lord has given us signs of his blessing. Here was another: The falling pear tree did not hit me, or even brush the front of the house!
John Kauffman and Calvin Kurtz assisted, and began making firewood for future use at the auction from the fallen tree.
Daniel Glick asked only that he would be allowed to take some plants home that grew on land once owned by Nicholas, for his wife. “I want to do this for the heritage.” So all that day gave their time and skill, continuing the dedication which has made the preservation possible.
Heritage Friendships
Alberta Brinkman of Emporia, Kansas, cherishes her heritage. In the 1957 Fisher Book, Amos Fisher wrote on the first page:
We should be thankful for what our forefathers have done for us because we believe they were deeply concerned, naturally and spiritually, not only for themselves, but also for the future generations, so that we may prosper and live in peace in this country of free religion. If we study their history we find that they were very sincere to live and to do according to their Faith. We cannot fully appreciate what they have done for us, unless we know of their testimonies.
It was this Amos Fisher who first (later Abner Beiler ) accompanied Alberta and her husband of the 1970’s on her first visit to the Nicholas Stoltzfus House. Amos’ wife Susie and Alberta became friends, Their son Elam Fisher, and wife Emma, along with 30 others attended her 90th birthday dinner at the Stoltzfus Farm Restaurant on September 28. Friends and family donated over $10,000 to commemorate this occasion.
Merle Stoltzfus who has been key to planning the barn project invited Alberta to sign the application for a building permit. Committee chairman Mose Smucker made this ceremonial signing “official”. This was most appropriate since Alberta has the desire to see the barn in her lifetime. The barn with its Heritage Room will remind us all of the Faith, the guide of importance that has come to us.
On September 27 Alberta, her son Phil, and relative David Love visited the cherished homesteads of Nicholas(Anna) in Wyomissing, Christian (Catherine, Elizabeth) on Hess Road, and Jacob (Mary) on the Newport Road, Lancaster County. On the 29th Ben Riehl accompanied them to the Deacon Christian (Susanna) home in Union County.
“Doing” for the Heritage
I wish you could have heard Dan Glick say this: “I want to do this for the heritage.” He took time from his busy day to move the house trailer.
So far 300 have made cash donations for the barn. That means most of the One million descendants living today have not yet felt the joy of participation. Surely there are 800 more who would want this. That is why we accept any amount.
I was telling a Fisher friend about this recently. I said we are looking for 800 to give $20 so as to be involved. I said this should spread like a virus, or like gossip: “Have you heard about the barn at the Stoltzfus House? Did you send in your donation?”
My friend said “I can’t give 20, but I can do 10”, and he gave a $10 bill.
That is the spirit that will keep this heritage alive.
Biblical view of Heritage
(submitted by “Cousin” Calvin)
An amazing million of us are walking around on this planet who possess the DNA ( likeness) of Nicholas. What is so unique about this that a special room is being planned to hold this ongoing heritage in esteem?
The Prophet Malachi spoke on behalf of God that the agenda of bringing heaven to earth is by turning the hearts of fathers to their children & the hearts of children to their fathers. In doing this the blessings of heaven are manifest vibrantly on earth. The other option to God, prophet Malachi said, is to strike the earth with a curse.
Our Lord Jesus Christ embodied this value deeply in all he did & said. Could we embrace this project as an opportunity to promote the embodiment of heaven on earth in God`s ongoing story through the Stoltzfus family heritage?
Upcoming Event
The Union County story, at Intercourse Fire Hall, Wednesday, 6:00 February 16, 2011
Have you heard Don Carpenter? Twice at a Stoltzfus event he told of the Amish families that had been in Union Couny, Pa., the Buffalo Valley. Both times we squeezed him in. Now Mose Smucker gave the orders to give him an entire evening, this was backed by the Nicholas Stoltzfus House Preservation Committee meeting on October 27. The event will support the Preservation project.
Most Lancaster County Amish can trace ancestry to Union County. Don will illustrate homesteads of these ancestors, show the burial sites, and tell of those moving away. What were their issues, and why did this settlement disband? What is the heritage for the descendants?
One of those descendants, Alberta Stolfus Brinkman, came to the Stoltzfus Farm Restaurant to celebrate her 90th birthday on September 28. Her inspired support for the barn has enabled us to come sufficiently close to our goal so the committee passed a motion to apply for as building permit, then build.
Another descendant, Ruth Yoder ,91, wrote this note along with her donation.
Both of these descend from Deacon Christian: Alberta from Susan Lantz, and Ruth from the second wife, Lydia Beiler (or Byler). They are second cousins. Don tells the agony that the Deacon felt from the issues. He also tells of the tricky move of most of the family to Kansas.
So send in your $25.00 to make (a) reservation(s) at the Intercourse Fire Hall, 6:00, on February 16, 2011.
Twenty Dollar Amens
If I were a seismologist I would listen for rumblings, and signs that point to an earthquake or an eruption. Not that I would hope for such events to occur! But these rumblings I hear tell me something very well could happen. We could have 1000 of the 1,000,000 Stoltzfus or Schmucker (Smucker, Smoker) descendants of Nicholas Stoltzfus send in $20 each as new donors.
This would be like the church service I knew as a lad when the preacher gave it his all – to be followed by two or three testifying to the message just heard.
Up till now we have seen over 200 give for the barn so that we all are driven to say “amen”. New donors “AMENS” of $20 would be like moving on to sitting down for a celebrative dinner! Like AMENs to this message from Michael Leader!
Michael Leader
If we had 1000 new donors each giving small amounts it would mean so many more have an interest in the Heritage, and may well want to be a part of future events at the house. It would also give Dave Esh, the builder, the “AMEN” encouragement in going ahead..
The rumbling we hear is “Hey, do you know about the Barn at the Stoltzfus House? You could get connected. Send any amount ($20?) to NSHPC c/o Vivian Beiler ,Treasurer, 243 W.Fulton Street, New Holland, PA 17557
And don't forget – The May 14, 2011 Auction at the Stoltzfus House