The rainy, cold weather may have chased this year's annual Apple Butter Frolic indoors, but it did little to deter scores of people from visiting the Mennonite Heritage Center in Harleysville.

                There was plenty of delicious homemade food available for take-out, and the steady flow of people into and out of the museum showed that, even though the weather robbed folks of this fantastic outside event, they came for the fantastic food.

                This was the first time in 42 years that the weather forced the event indoors.  Sarah Heffner, the center's director, said, "The weather sometimes scares us into making decisions but it was too wet and cold to hold it outside … and we're doing well inside."

                Well indeed.  The steady flow of visitors coming in empty handed and leaving with bags and boxes loaded with goodies was inspiring.  Also inspiring was the volunteers from many different church congregations who manned the tables.  In addition to area Mennonite families, there were helpers from Brethren, Lutheran and many others sects that helped out. 

                There was pork barbeque, scrapple, pickled eggs and red beets and sliced beets, chow-chow, chicken pot pie, green beans and ham, vegetable beef soup, ground-cherry pie, cherry pie, cheese custard, funny cake, shoo-fly and, of course, the namesake of the event, apples.

                There was apple butter, apple dumplings, apple pie and apples; lots of delicious apples.  Everything was donated and prepared by volunteers.

                 This writer had the opportunity to talk with many of the volunteers working the event.  Their years of service to the frolic ranged from first-timers to 40-plus-year veterans.

                Ruthann Kratz (3 years) and Jeanne Fretz (40-plus years) are both volunteers with the Mennonite Center.  They shared a bit of information about what was going on elsewhere in the museum.

                One of the benefits that rainy, raw weather brought to the event is that all of the visitors were directed inside of the Mennonite Heritage Center.  Those who have never been there took time to visit while others took the opportunity to check out the latest exhibits.

                The Pennsylvania Dutch dioramas of Aber and Aaron Zook are currently on display through Nov. 7, 2015.  The dioramas are breathtaking, bringing scenes from Mennonite and Amish communities in Lancaster County for visitors to enjoy.

                The three-dimensional artwork brings the scene to the eyes of the beholder, almost to the point where you feel you can reach out and shake the hand of the subjects in the art.  The building's figures, trees, carriages and nearly everything else in the artwork is hand-sculpted.  Made out of steel wool, copper wire, auto repair putty and many other simple items, the art represents a brilliant use of depth and perspective.

                Art appreciators and those who just love to see scenes of the life of Mennonite and Amish farms and communities will appreciate the exhibit.  The meticulous use of colors and the keen attention to detail by the twin brothers makes this a must-see.

                The Mennonite Heritage Center is a museum and historical library dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of Mennonite faith and life in eastern Pennsylvania. Mennonite Christians first settled in the Delaware Valley in 1683 and have been part of eastern Pennsylvania's community and religious life for over 300 years.

                Proceeds from the Apple Butter Frolic support the Mennonite Heritage Center.

                The museum, located at 565 Yoder Road in Harleysville, is open to the public Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

                For more information, you can call 215-256-3020 or email them at info@mhep.org.

                Although the Apple Butter Frolic is over for this year, you can believe it will be back in 2016.  And, you still have time to stop in a see the unbelievable dioramas of Abner and Aaron Zook.