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Bruce & Mary Files
Hatteberg's People
Reporter: Larry Hatteberg
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January 7, 2007--This Amish Mennonite couple from Kentucky had a dream. A dream of opening up their own bakery & deli. That dream came true when the couple, Bruce and Mary Files moved to Lyndon, Kansas.
“When the deadline is crunching and you are panicking then it gets to be work-work. But it’s kind of fun to come up with stuff people like.” |
And people like this little Bakery and Deli in Lyndon, Kansas…..that’s Bruce Files out front…while is wife and four children work inside.
I think where my wife and I might have made a difference is when people look at our lives they may see something different and remember us for that.
That’s Katherine, B. J. , Elaine, and John and Bruce’s wife, Mary.
“Part of the separateness is the way we dress and I think when you have that separateness you expect people to have questions. You want to cut that son?” |
And questions about their Amish-Mennonite faith are constant. They are used to it and they don’t mind.
“Not really.”
All around the store, their faith is evident. But it is a quiet faith. The Amish Mennonites are not pushy people. |
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“People are usually very nice, they are not mean or nasty, they are just curious…so part of that being curious is asking questions.”
“From a faith point of view being what we would call ‘separate’, some people say ‘peculiar’ actually is an opening for us because people do have questions and we can share things that they might be uncomfortable with if we just brought it up.”
“Thank you Mildred.” |
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Their little store sells grains and jams, much of it imported from Lancaster
County Pennsylvania when a strong Amish community flourishes. In addition to the bakery, they also make deli
sandwiches….thick, with many different breads that fits the palette of local workers. |
‘There are always lots of questions as to what we’re about and we like sharing that. We like sharing our faith.”
They live rural, they don’t have some of the so-called necessities of our lives, but they don’t totally shun the world. They use computers in their business and of course electricity…but there is no TV’s or DVD’s…none.
“We do other things, we have games…we talk.”
“The television, I have seen it and for me it is not too much of a temptation.”
“You can’t control something like that and you let it in the house and the children have control of it.”
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“I have a lot of friends who are non-Mennonite and they tell me I’m not missing much.”
In this world of fresh baked pastries, jars with unfamiliar labels, and a strong work-ethic, there is a peace….a quiet joy. |
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“Listen, if he’s going to be in here, I’m going to make him work.”
“Well absolutely.”
(laugh)
“Have a good day.”
“Take care John.”
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| Note: The Selighoff Bakery & Deli is located in Lyndon, Kansas in Osage County. Take I-35 to the Highway 75 Exit (Beto Junction) turn North and go 12 miles. |
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