ABBOTSFORD, BC
A Jeopardy! clue this past week has made two Mennonite mayors world famous. Abbotsford mayor Ross Siemens and Winkler mayor Henry Siemens were mentioned in the clue, which had contestants stumped.
“I couldn’t figure that question out yet,” said contestant Larry from Chilliwack. “Where I come from we honour our Siemenses and our Pletts and Wienses, too, but we don’t worship them. Must be an Abbotsford thing.”
Meanwhile in Manitoba, the clue was equally baffling.
“My mother was a Siemens,” said contestant Abe from Altona, “so I knew right away it had to be something in farm equipment installation or maybe grain bins or something for sure.”
All three contestants got the question wrong with host Ken Jennings finally revealing “mayor” as the answer.
“Waut de schissjat?” said Mr. Penner of Winkler after the answer was revealed. “I knew there was a Siemens in charge, but around here we call him Schultz.”
Meanwhile residents of Vancouver were so jealous of the Abbotsford shout-out that they’re desperately trying to find a way to claim Ross Siemens for themselves.