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My coworker and I installed a plate rolling machine up in Fort Vermillion, Alberta, Canada over the last 2 days for a metal fabrication company. The place was family owned and operated by the father and his two sons. Their shop sat on about 1000 acres along with a couple of homes, a barn, tractors, a dump truck, and various cool gadgets, like a personal bulldozer. They are the only fab shop for about 1000 square kilometers and do quite a good amount of business.
These men reminded me of the Pennsylvania Dutch up in Lancaster PA, and the women were the Amish type, though not as hardcore. Dresses, hair in a bun, no makeup, very sturdy, and rigid in their mannerisms.
I did a little research behind the scenes and discovered that Fort Vermilion is occupied by Mennonites.
The men were hardworking men of good stock and high morals, and knew how to deal with metal profiles and fabricate with the best of them. They treated us Yanks with great respect and hospitality. They informed us on Tuesday that we were coming to the older son's home about a mile away for a family BBQ on Wednesday. They shut down at noon yesterday and we came over to another 1000 or so acre spread of land, and were treated to "BBQ Chicken Breast Steaks", salad greens, best potato salad I've ever had, the best iced tea I've ever had, and the best cherry cheesecake on the earth.
We sat with their family for two hours and had the best time ever! They found us Yanks quite hilarious, we managed to roll with laughter at each others stories and life experiences. I looked around the house and it became apparent that it was hand built by the men, and the drapes, comforters, quilts, tablecloths, etc, were made by the women. The wife ran a sewing enterprise from the house and made all the dresses for the many women in the town.
It was quite an experience that I won't soon forget. These folks were truly good people and though their society is different than ours, they definitely restored a little faith in fellow man.
Good Times!
These men reminded me of the Pennsylvania Dutch up in Lancaster PA, and the women were the Amish type, though not as hardcore. Dresses, hair in a bun, no makeup, very sturdy, and rigid in their mannerisms.
I did a little research behind the scenes and discovered that Fort Vermilion is occupied by Mennonites.
The men were hardworking men of good stock and high morals, and knew how to deal with metal profiles and fabricate with the best of them. They treated us Yanks with great respect and hospitality. They informed us on Tuesday that we were coming to the older son's home about a mile away for a family BBQ on Wednesday. They shut down at noon yesterday and we came over to another 1000 or so acre spread of land, and were treated to "BBQ Chicken Breast Steaks", salad greens, best potato salad I've ever had, the best iced tea I've ever had, and the best cherry cheesecake on the earth.
We sat with their family for two hours and had the best time ever! They found us Yanks quite hilarious, we managed to roll with laughter at each others stories and life experiences. I looked around the house and it became apparent that it was hand built by the men, and the drapes, comforters, quilts, tablecloths, etc, were made by the women. The wife ran a sewing enterprise from the house and made all the dresses for the many women in the town.
It was quite an experience that I won't soon forget. These folks were truly good people and though their society is different than ours, they definitely restored a little faith in fellow man.
Good Times!
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