For further information on the York Chapter or to enquire re membership,
publications or videos, please contact:
Lorne Smith
10292 McCowan Road
Markham, Ontario.
L3P 3J3
Fax:: 905-640-9394
Email: Lorne Smith
Contributions to the site are welcome by emailing
| THE PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN FOLKLORE SOCIETY OF ONTARIO |
| WELCOME TO THE HOME PAGE |
Executive
Past-President: Bruce VanderBent
President: Don Miller
Vice/President:: Paul Ressor
Sercetary: Marlene Mattson
Co-Treasurer: Jim Monkman
Co-Treasurer: Bruce VanderBent
Past-President: Bruce VanderBent
President: Don Miller
Vice/President:: Paul Ressor
Sercetary: Marlene Mattson
Co-Treasurer: Jim Monkman
Co-Treasurer: Bruce VanderBent
Directors:
Reg Crawford Murray Smith
Don Reesor Esther Lewis
Reg Crawford Murray Smith
Don Reesor Esther Lewis
HISTORY
At the suggestion and encouragement of Dr. G.E. Reaman, fourteen descendants of the early
pioneers in York County met at the home of Mr. N. Smellie and Miss Ella Reaman in Thornhill,
September 18th, 1954.
Dr.G. E. Reaman addressed the Meeting and those present decided to organize a chapter to
be known as "The York Chapter" of The Pennsylvania German Folklore Society of Ontario.
George Snider was elected President and Annie Stong as Secretary-Treasurer. Charter
Members were George Snider, Roland Keffer, Lawrence Keffer, Nelson Smellie, Ella Reaman,
Marion Keffer and Annie Stong.
On October 28th, 1955 The Chapter held its first York Pioneer Supper at Richmond Hill United
Church with an attendance of 120. Dr.G.E. Reaman and Bishop C.F. Derstine, Pastor of the
First Mennonite Church in Kitchener, addressed the meeting.
Annual pioneer suppers over the years have become very popular with a menu that reflects a
dinner rather than a supper. The Chapter has broken with Pennsylvania German tradition and
serve “dinner at night”. The dinner meeting has been instrumental in fulfilling the purpose of
the Society to learn more of the early history of the Pennsylvania Germans as well as to interest
others in learning about their contribution to York County over the past 200 years. Early
meetings featured well documented papers on the history of local communities in the
Townships of Markham and Vaughan. These were compiled and printed in Volume 6 and 9 of
The Society’s Canadian-German Folklore series.
At the suggestion and encouragement of Dr. G.E. Reaman, fourteen descendants of the early
pioneers in York County met at the home of Mr. N. Smellie and Miss Ella Reaman in Thornhill,
September 18th, 1954.
Dr.G. E. Reaman addressed the Meeting and those present decided to organize a chapter to
be known as "The York Chapter" of The Pennsylvania German Folklore Society of Ontario.
George Snider was elected President and Annie Stong as Secretary-Treasurer. Charter
Members were George Snider, Roland Keffer, Lawrence Keffer, Nelson Smellie, Ella Reaman,
Marion Keffer and Annie Stong.
On October 28th, 1955 The Chapter held its first York Pioneer Supper at Richmond Hill United
Church with an attendance of 120. Dr.G.E. Reaman and Bishop C.F. Derstine, Pastor of the
First Mennonite Church in Kitchener, addressed the meeting.
Annual pioneer suppers over the years have become very popular with a menu that reflects a
dinner rather than a supper. The Chapter has broken with Pennsylvania German tradition and
serve “dinner at night”. The dinner meeting has been instrumental in fulfilling the purpose of
the Society to learn more of the early history of the Pennsylvania Germans as well as to interest
others in learning about their contribution to York County over the past 200 years. Early
meetings featured well documented papers on the history of local communities in the
Townships of Markham and Vaughan. These were compiled and printed in Volume 6 and 9 of
The Society’s Canadian-German Folklore series.
Black Creek Pioneer Village has always received strong
support from the Chapter. The Chapter has participated
in the annual Pioneer Festival at the Village each
September since 1957. This has involved a co-operative
effort, reminiscent of old-time “work bees”.
Demonstrations of butchering and the making of sausage,
sauerkraut, cider and apple-butter have been carried out
in the past. Preparations for the day begin several weeks
beforehand when Chapter members spend an evening at
the Murray Reesor home to make 80 gallons of sauerkraut
and another evening preparing 750 pounds of sausage to
have ready for sale at opening time at Pioneer Festival.
support from the Chapter. The Chapter has participated
in the annual Pioneer Festival at the Village each
September since 1957. This has involved a co-operative
effort, reminiscent of old-time “work bees”.
Demonstrations of butchering and the making of sausage,
sauerkraut, cider and apple-butter have been carried out
in the past. Preparations for the day begin several weeks
beforehand when Chapter members spend an evening at
the Murray Reesor home to make 80 gallons of sauerkraut
and another evening preparing 750 pounds of sausage to
have ready for sale at opening time at Pioneer Festival.
| York Pioneer Day |
Over the years members have participated
in the writing of publications for the
Canadian-German Folklore Series. In 2004
the York Chapter celebrated the 200th
Anniversary of the arrival of the first
Pennsylvania German settlers in York with
the dedication of a plaque at the
Bicentennial Monument listing the names of
the 69 families who settled in York.
in the writing of publications for the
Canadian-German Folklore Series. In 2004
the York Chapter celebrated the 200th
Anniversary of the arrival of the first
Pennsylvania German settlers in York with
the dedication of a plaque at the
Bicentennial Monument listing the names of
the 69 families who settled in York.
| York Bicentennial Celebrations 2004 |
:
New members
Fees are very reasonable at $13.00 single and $20.00 family. It is not necessary to be a
descendant of a Pennsylvania German settler to be a member. All members receive a copy
of our Spring and Fall Newsletters and receive a pass (including parking) to Black Creek
Pioneer Village Pioneer Festival held annually each September. Members also receive a copy
of new publications with two years of continous paid membership. The York Chapter has
to-date approximately 175 members.
New members
Fees are very reasonable at $13.00 single and $20.00 family. It is not necessary to be a
descendant of a Pennsylvania German settler to be a member. All members receive a copy
of our Spring and Fall Newsletters and receive a pass (including parking) to Black Creek
Pioneer Village Pioneer Festival held annually each September. Members also receive a copy
of new publications with two years of continous paid membership. The York Chapter has
to-date approximately 175 members.
| Links to |
Links To
From a new painting created and donated
by MurryPipher
A Conestoga Wagon drawn by four horses
coming to Upper Canada in the early
1800's.
The “note card” is available for purchase
from each Chapter.
Contact a Chapter officer or attend at
Chapter events.
Note Card and covering sleeve – 5 in a
package, $10.
Can be purchased individually for $2.50
New Note Cards |
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| THE YORK CHAPTER |
Honorary Directors:
Paul Burkholder Murray Reesor
Thursday, April 8th, 2010 - 7:45 p.m. 55th Annual General Meeting Victoria Square
Community Centre Election of Directors-Appointment of Auditor-Presentation of Reports
Entertainment: SHOW & TELL Bring old items, items with family connections, unusual
items, items you are proud of, family heirloom items and mystery items for discussion and
display. Refreshments will be served
Saturday, June 5 The Unionville Festival - 8:30 a.m. Our Conestoga wagon will be in
the Festival parade, so come on out and enjoy the day, celebrate our rich heritage in the
Markham/Vaughan area.
Our members dress in heritage costume and walk behind our Conestoga wagon in the
parade down Main Street.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 25th, 26th and 27th Reesor Reunion -
Reesor Cemetery and Markham Fairgrounds All Reesor descendants invited to attend this
weekend event
Thursday, July 1st Canada Day in Markham Our members will be located in Milne
Park along with our Conestoga wagon to interpret our heritage in the Markham area for all
citizens present in the park and also arriving in the Canada Day Parade. Our members
will be dressed in heritage costume to celebrate Canada's birthday.
Saturday, September 16th Pioneer Festival at Black Creek Pioneer Village Our
members will again take part in the Pioneer Festival; work bees will be held prior to the
Festival to make sausage and sauerkraut and to pack apple butter for the Festival. On
Festival Day we sell our wares, display our Conestoga wagon and books, videos and note
cards for sale. We will also hold a sausage making display for the general public.
Saturday, November 27th Annual Sausage & Sauerkraut Dinner Rouge Valley
Mennonite Church - 6:30 p.m. Tickets to be reserved - $20.00 Speaker to be announced
closer to the event
| Chapters Activities for 2010 |
| Membership |