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NB Many of the photos are copies of copies and even the most careful focusing has not always been successful. 
Cornucopia or the
'Story of Corn on the Cob at
Highlands Baptist Church 1977-2006 Forth Printing April 2006
INTRODUCTION “John, how would you feel about writing up the story of the Corn Roasts that have been a fixture at Highlands Baptist lands Baptist Church since 1977? Would you include it in the general history that you are writing”? My answer was, “yes” and “yes” (immodesty knows no bounds) But, as Sylvia Traynor went on to say, 'there was a considerable amount of material', we came to the conclusion that perhaps a separate booklet was in order. We dutifully made and passed the necessary motion. Ha! The material came in the form of many photographs, some ‘notes’ on ‘happenings’ and Sylvia’s good wishes! Plus, I had attended a couple of the Roasts so I knew a little about them. As always, there is the problem of what photos to include, all of them, perhaps?! Should the people in the background be included, or just the ‘main’ characters, and believe you me there are some characters!! OK, what ‘resolution’ to scan at, will the scanner burn out before the project is finished…?? I would also like to thank those, and you know who you are, who have answered questions, provided information So, what is a Corn Roast? I asked Jeeves, you who know, know of whom I speak, and the message is are 2,184,000 hits’…. I looked at ten…I closed the web down… saw enough to know there are Corn Roasts in all kinds John Tidridge CORN-CREATION: It was not until Ruth and Mar were back from their annual trip down south that the true facts of the beginning of the Corn Roast were discovered… It was learned that friends of Ruth’s family, her second parents as she called them, not only grew corn but attended church where Corn Roasts were held. Mar attend one such Corn Roast, and, according to Ruth, against his better judgment ate one of the cobs….he was sold on the idea of Corn Roasts. Corn was brought back to Edmonton, friends were called, and so the tradition began.
Since 1977 those people have be CORN-OGRAPHIES Marwin & Ruth Marsten – Biography Marwin was born at an early age to Dalton & Amy Marsten, April 17, 1945 in Calgary; Highlights from his childhood were hours riding his 2 horses; and his involvement in sports. Marwin played many sports throughout his school years, the highlights playing the Harlem Globetrotters & being the Badminton Champion of Central Alberta in 1961. Marwin attended U of C for a year where he was encouraged to find something else to study; this corresponded with his first exposure to television. He returned to the North working with Northern Transportation, Pine Point & then the N.W.T Highways department in Hay River in ’66. Here he met Ruth Meyer. The rest is history. Ruth, born in Lethbridge to Otto & Elinor M eyer, on November 20, 1944; was the oldest in a family of five. She spent her childhood in Lethbridge kept busy playing sports with her brothers, swimming, baby sitting her younger siblings and sewing. After high school Ruth followed her dream and became a nurse, training in Lethbridge.Graduating, her first job was in Hay River, NWT in 1966, where she met Marwin. They married May 18, 1968 residing in Hay River for the first 4 years; Ruth continued to work in the Hospital, Marwin for the Government. Marwin continued to play basketball; being picked to play for Inuvik in the Arctic Winter Games 1969. As a couple they curled until the birth of the first 2 of their 3 beautiful children, Arlene & Karen, after which the fun was over.
This was the beginning of beautiful relationships; hours of teaching Sunday School, leading Pioneer Girls, keeping After the birth of their third child, David, Ruth stayed home for the next 10 years to raise their family, going back to work at the Charles Camsell Hospital in ’84, the Dickensfield Nursing Home in ’88 and the Gimbel Eye Centre in ’96 where she still works. Marwin worked for Mix Bros./Mix the Mover until he bought the Mix the Mover section in 95, which he still operates today. There was a short absence when the couple surprised their children by purchasing a Gold mine in Northern BC. This was an effective way of encouraging grown children to leave home. After their adventure they purchased Barry and Maggie Bullen Barry and Maggie were married in 1969 in London England. A daughter, Donna, arrived in October 1972. The family moved to Edmonton in 1975 for Barry to work as the youth pastor at Highlands Baptist Church. Another daughter, Lisa, was born in May 1976: a son Peter, arrived in June 1978. a home in Sherwood Park where they still reside. Since 2001 they have been going south to Wycliffe Bible Translators base near Dallas Texas in the winter to help out any way they can and to avoid the cold. CORN-STITUENCIES: So, where is such an event held? The first Roast, held in 1977, at a spot east of Clareview Then for a few years it was held at [not in!!] a pond near the late Ron and June Mixs' property. Mar says the pond was on the Apex Gravel property, which was the east end of 153 Avenue, then probably a mile across the field. Barb and Norm Hotte, searched for pictures but thought the only ones they had were 'movies'.
The Bullens are the consummate hosts! For at least one year the Roast was held at the Wilson-Clark home at 3201-211 Avenue NE which is country enough for any Corn Roast.
CORN ROASTS: This definition was found in Encarta a web information service, “a social occasion at which people roast and eat corn on the cob over an open fire”. The author’s knowledge of cooking is restricted to boiling eggs, pancakes and ‘chicken in a hurry’, but roasted to him has always meant in an oven. It is apparent the corn is boiled or did he miss something here? Moving on… Does the Corn Roast, held by Highlands Baptist Church, meet this definition? You bet your corn cobs it does. But, more about that later. CORNESTIAL’ MEDIATION: Prior to start of any cooking the two couples responsible for the event eat lunch together, meditate and probably console each other, preparing for the next 3-6 very busy hours. The fire pit is prepared, using a grate made by Alan McLean, the late son of Bruce and Helen McLean, brother of David. The water is heated, and, in varying numbers, the cobs are inserted and cooked to perfection.
CORN-RECIPES: Ruth was adamant that corn cobs had to be kept cool in order for the full favour to be realized… CORN-TRETEMPS: An Agatha Christie word meaning, “an inopportune and embarrassing occurrence”. OK if you
CORN-GREGATING: It is obvious from the definition provided earlier that one criterion for a successful Corn Roast is that it be a ‘social’
Cooking Mothering Pondering
Clarity Decisiveness Determination
CORN-TROL OF QUALITY Quality Control is of the utmost importance to ensure that people keep coming back, year after year after year… CORN-TINUITY: Some may worry as to the future of the Corn Roast…never fear… There are plenty of babies and youngsters just itching to get their hands on a cob of corn!!
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CORN-GENIAL HOSTS EXTRODONIARE: Chances are at least 112 people will meet at a prearranged, wooded location, on a Sunday afternoon, with a temperature of 17 degrees, each to eat 1.8 corn cobs! Many of the people will have brought desserts. How do we know these amazing facts? They come from records kept by those arranging the affair.
en the Marstens and the Bullens ! Mar. and Ruth and Maggie and Barry have been the driving force behind the Corn Roasts. None of them seek any credit or a place in the limelight. It would be fair to say though, that without their continuing enthusiasm the Corn Roast would fade away. Maggie indicated that Ed. Foth had also been involved in the early years. 
joined later by 2 brothers & a sister. Marwin’s family moved to 8 different towns/cities ending up in Fort Smith, N.W.T. for his grade 12, where his father started up a new church. 
In 1972 they moved to Calgary believing God would provide for them; 8 months later they moved to Edmonton, Marwin having been hired by Mix the Mover. Ruth began nursing at the Charles Camsell Hospital. They bought their first home in 1974 in Beverly next to Helen & Rene Haasdyk who invited them to come to Highlands Baptist. 
on 153 Avenue, then could be made. The author will not bore you with the details except to say that the directions given by Mar were accurate, and
should have posed no problem unless one’s thinking is ten years out of date…like the author’s! The location is actually very easy to find!! The trail was indeed overgrown so much so that it was with fear and trepidation the author ventured into unknown territory!
For at least one occasion the Roast was held at the Strathcona Science Park. This park, which is part of the Capital City Park trail system, in connected to Rundle Park by a pedestrian bridge. Located 1 km east of Edmonton the park provided ample space for the Corn Roast. The park is operated by Alberta Community Development.
Edmonton, and your sense of direction. 
The last one for this record (2006) was held on the grounds of Delwood Church, 6712-Delwood Rd. This was part of the program to reintroduce the church to the neighbourhood. A modicum of success was enjoyed!
can imagine this…for the first few years of the Corn Roasts, the Marstens would drive to Taber, on the day of the Roast, pick up the corn and then return for the event! On one occasion the vehicle ran out of gas near Vulcan, while travelling to Taber. They had to stay in the van for seven hours, with no heat or warm clothes. However, not only did they get the corn, the journey back to Edmonton was completed just thirty minutes before the Roast was scheduled to start.
gathering. The Highlands Baptist Corn Roast certainly qualifies. Members, friends, acquaintances -? Getting to know one another better? Fellowship? Renewing friendships? Reviewing plans? Probably, all of the foregoing. 
and not having dishes to do afterwards either…let’s at it. While, of course, some may say they are not dressed for dinner…at least they looked dressed ready for the kill!! 
Men use these occasions to exhibit their excellent taste in dress. 
They, of course during the proceedings, have engaged in other activities worthy of mention. In these particular fields the women are far superior to other gender, having studied hard and long. Who but a fool would argue with them!! 
Those of a more relaxed nature simply sit and entertain or are entertained. The age range is from very young to mature. The Bullen site, used more than most, offers a woodland setting…lots of things for the children (young and old) to do. 
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