Taste of Pinecraft: Sherry Gore interview and 5-book giveaway

Sherry Gore is a national scribe for The Budget, editor of The Pinecraft Pauper, and columnist for the Amish magazine Ladies Journal.

sherry gore taste of pinecraftSherry is also a mother of three residing in Sarasota, Florida, home to Pinecraft, a well-known community of Amish and Mennonites.

Sherry has written an especially neat cookbook called Taste of Pinecraft: Glimpses of Sarasota, Florida’s Amish Culture and Kitchens, a tribute to the area’s culinary heritage.  It is one of the most entertaining cook books I’ve come across.

I’ve been looking forward to getting the behind-the-scenes on Sherry’s book and community for some time now.

Today we’ve got an interview with Sherry, which I think  you’ll enjoy.  We’ve also got a 5-book giveaway of Taste of Pinecraft.

Taste of Pinecraft 5-book giveaway: How to win a copy

The rules for this contest are simple. This is an Amish America subscriber contest.

taste of pinecraft coverIf you are subscribed to Amish America, you are entered–just let me know that you are by leaving a comment on this post.  Your comment can be an observation, a question, or just “Hey, count me in, I’m a subscriber”.

If you are not a subscriber yet, you can do that here.

What being a subscriber means is you will get email updates in your inbox whenever new posts go up on Amish America (usually a few times a week).  That’s it, no spam, and you can opt out at anytime.   Once you sign up, just leave a comment on this post letting know you did.

The contest ends in one week’s time, on Monday, November 8th.

On Monday I’ll also select the 5 winners at random from the comments, and announce them on the blog.

Taste of Pinecraft interview with Sherry Gore

Amish America: Your cookbook, Taste of Pinecraft, is more than just a collection of recipes. In it you share observations on Pinecraft, many of them excerpted from your writings for The Budget.

Sherry Gore: Some people travel the world in search of extraordinary subjects to write about, I found them in my own backyard, so to speak. Kids, dogs, and old folks. Originally, I set out to compile recipes from Pinecrafters for a local cookbook to be given as sort of a souvenir gift – I have many such treasured books from my own travels. To give folks a real feel of life here in Sarasota, I went a few steps further and began to add pieces I had written over several years for The Budget.

Letters from home” in the National Edition of the paper has been keeping Amish and Mennonites (scattered wide across the world) connected for over 100 years. Through these “letters” we tell of daily happenings in our churches, homes, and neighborhoods.

In my cookbook, I included a broad range of happenings. Like the time Eleanor Miller dumped an entire plate of spaghetti on a customer’s lap while working her first shift as a waitress. And how Kris Knepp shared of his courtship days at a dinner in the home of one of our ministers. “With Rebecca going off to the Dominican Republic for two years rather than one, Kris told us, “If Jacob waited seven years for the wrong girl, then I can wait two years for the right one.“ Rebecca’s father said to him, “You know, I do have an older daughter.”

And then there are the fish stories. Lots of them. All true, of course.

You can also find a bit of Pinecraft history, and historical moments taking place today, like records of births, and wedding announcements, and ordinations of ministers.

Also found in Taste of Pinecraft are stories of death, and tragedy. My  younger sister’s life was taken last December, and I wrote some in The Budget of different acts of kindness from folks in the community, just soon after. And upon returning from the funeral for nine in Burkesville, Kentucky, I wrote a 10-page account of the accident on March 26, 2010 that claimed the lives of our close friends, the Eshes. It too, was one of the more difficult pieces I’ve ever written.

pinecraft florida amish bus
Northern arrivals to Amish vacation destination Pinecraft

Bro. John Esh was a regular visitor to Pinecraft every January. He preached in our churches, visited old friends, and made new ones. He also attended the Haiti Benefit Auction with his wife, Sadie. Their daughter, Anna Lynn, had worked at Overholt’s produce, a hub of sorts in the community.

The Pinecraft Pauper made its debut just around the time Taste of Pinecraft was completed, so I was fortunate enough to have been able to include stories from it as well.

AA: Reading your descriptions, you get the idea that this is a fun place to be. Is that the case? Are Pinecrafters really all that cheery, and why (I’m assuming it has something to do with the sun, and maybe all the vitamin C in the air) ?

Sherry Gore: I haven’t been everywhere, but in my travels throughout America this has to be one of the merriest. Imagine leaving the north to spend the winter months in a sun-kissed environment with no burdensome snow to shovel, no cows to milk, and no alarm going off at 4:00am. That alone would make anybody happy.

But throw in white sandy beaches, mild temps, a gulf beach sunset, salt-water fishing, shuffleboard games that last till dusk, nightly volleyball games and never-ending visiting just makes winter all the more sweeter. Pinecraft is laid back. Even a mere week here seems to jolt some folks out of their sternness and puts them in a more relaxed mode.

Who can stay grumpy, when there’s pie to be had at Yoder’s Restaurant? Or the buffet at Troyer’s Dutch Heritage Restaurant? And don’t forget the friendly folks that make a living down here, year-round. One host/cashier, Brent, likes to tell people where to sit, and then ask them how they enjoyed overeating.

The sun seems to have an effect on snowbirds of all ages. Often, you’ll see girls step off the Pioneer Trails bus wearing bullet-proof stockings and their black everyday shoes. A week or two later these same girls climb back aboard the bus heading north wearing flip flops.

As to your question, are they all cheery in Pinecraft? There’s a sourpuss in every crowd, maybe more. We have two.

AA: Another question on Pinecraft: what makes this community so unique? And what’s the deal with the tricycles?

Sherry Gore: With the exception of the radar-laden Sarasota County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol officer’s horses, we’re basically horse-less. The only buggy in town sits in the courtyard at Yoder’s Restaurant, mostly for photo opportunities. The most common mode of transportation are these three-wheelers. Drivers are hired of course for doctors appt. etc, and some use golf carts, but you’ll see most folks get around the village on the broad-seated trikes.

pinecraft amish tricycles
Three wheels, full throttle.  Pinecraft Amish make extensive use of adult-sized tricycles (photo by Bruce Stambaugh)

Thomas Peachey, a minister of the Amish Church, has been known to many as “The Flying Dutchman.” His faster-than-necessary motorized trike took him many miles from home everyday to his store, where he makes his famous Big Olaf Ice-cream.

On a return trip to Pinecraft recently, his axle broke sending him and the bike into oncoming traffic. Thomas was hit by a truck and suffered a severe leg injury. As in all other aspects of his life, he took the incident in stride. His motorized bike is totaled so Thomas has been reduced to riding a rather adventure-free version of a three-wheeler; one that goes about five mph in a good wind. “Well, Sherry, I suppose you’ll have to change my name now. Perhaps to something along the lines of “The pedaling Dutchman.”

There’s a great many good ideas drummed up in Pinecraft, too. Some months back, Sam Peachey shared his version on the latest news on the oil spill: BP officials have announced they will lower a giant Amish hat over the gusher. A spokesperson said they are very optimistic this plan will work. An Amish hat is used to control wild, out-of-control hair. There is no reason it would not have the same effect on oil.”

AA: There are a lot of cookbooks out there. What does yours have that others don’t?

Sherry Gore: Embarrassing moments, directions on how to cook an alligator, how not to catch a mouse, an inside look at the #1 Amish snowbird capitol of the world, and the answer to life‘s biggest question. This is not your Grandmother’s cookbook.

And here’s one reader’s take on it: “A regular recipe book has just recipes. Your special book cannot just be considered a “recipe” book. It is entertaining, heart wrenching, comical and enlightening as well as educational. You can make a recipe and while you are waiting for it to cook/bake, you can read a story or more and the time goes by faster. Before you know it, you are ready to eat.” ~ Monique Wood

Amish America: I’m not a cook. Things can get ugly in my kitchen.  Which recipes should someone like me try out first?

Sherry Gore: That depends. Are you looking for a get-me-to-the-table-quick kind of meal? The Florida Avocado Egg Scramble is easy. Five ingredients, five minutes, and it’s on the table.

Don’t mind waiting? Try Rebecca Fisher’s Sour Kraut- three ingredients and a six week interim. It’s somebody’s favorite.

Numerous recipes are no-fail classics, like easy Barbecue Meatballs and Vera Kipfer’s Pan-fried Chicken; she’s been a Pinecraft resident for 54 years.

Other dishes, like the Grilled-lime Fish Fillet (a reader favorite), or Fried Alligator Nuggets, call for a little pre-kitchen adventure, both easily had in Sarasota.

AA: And which are your personal favorites?

Sherry Gore: Esther Souder’s recipe for Coquina Soup epitomizes Florida living, but it was the story she told of growing up in Pinecraft and trekking to the beach with her family that captured me.

Another favorite can be found in the Pie section. Amish Henry Detweiler (there’s three fellows in town with the same name, somebody had to get a nickname) was holding an auction on Graber Street to disperse Gary Eash’s worldly goods. Across the road, Fannie Kay Yoder had made her Chocolate Cream Pie and was selling it by the slice.

In the midst of the auction, the Pioneer Trails bus arrived at the Tourist Church parking lot filled to the brim with pale-faced northerners itching for some Florida sunshine. That crowd seeing the crowd on the opposite end of Graber Street came down to see what was shaking. While Gary may have owned some hard-to-find items of interest, I’m more inclined to think it was Fannie’s pie that made the crowd swell.

AA: In addition to being a national scribe for The Budget, you are also a writer for The Pinecraft Pauper, which I’d have to describe as a local paper of mirth and a bit of mischief (the good, fun kind of mischief of course). Really, reading through some issues your founder Daniel sent me, I found myself audibly laughing. It takes a lot to do that. Tell us a little about the PP.

 

pinecraft pauper newspaper
A distribution box for the Pinecraft Pauper newspaper. Honor system!

Sherry Gore: Our village paper, the first of its kind, was launched by Daniel Fisher and Leon Hostetler to provide a creative outlet for the Amish. It certainly has a Florida feel to it. Since the maiden issue of the PP several folks have jumped on board.

While most of the writers are local, some send their carefully type-written pages via snail-mail. Steven Fisher, a young farm boy in PA, began his literary debut last winter by sharing his observations on birds, a topic of great interest to many plain folks. This year, Steven has takes a more journal-type approach and is broadened his scope to include an array of wildlife happenings on his wooded 100 year-old farm in his nostalgic writings.

The wide variety of readers we have took me by surprise In addition to quite a few Old Order Amish folks, there’s a Kentucky Derby race horse owner, two New York Times best-selling authors, and at least one professor included in the list of subscribers.

With five books of my own scheduled to be released by Christmas 2012, I recently sent word to Moby Dick, a rather witty and satire-filled fellow, explaining my lack-of-time dilemma. He’s agreed to continue answering questions sent to the Editor.

One feature tells of notable Pinecraft Facts:

“The smallest house in the village, found on Shrock Street, measures  8 x 12 with 96 sq. ft. It belongs to Katie Troyer, one of Pinecraft’s little people.

The largest house, also on Shrock Street, has an astounding 6,000 sq. ft. We don’t know who’s moving in, but one fellow claimed who ever it is must be fat. At least in the wallet.”

AA: In Taste of Pinecraft, you mention “the world’s only Amish-owned Post Office”. The Amish are getting into the postal business? I thought Uncle Sam had that market locked down.

Sherry Gore: This tiny, frumpy building and it’s parking-lot-for four, houses more than just mail. Sitting across the road from Big Olaf Ice-cream is one of the distribution boxes for the Pinecraft Pauper.  Outside, on the east wall is the famous bulletin board. Here you can advertise for an up-coming benefit supper, find a job, announce your woes of not finding a job, or disperse a litter of kittens. If your lucky, you can find someone to do your ironing. Senator Lisa Carlton did that once. It was a good job; one I rather enjoyed.

Inside the post office you’ll find gems written on bits of pink paper and taped to the walls – words of wisdom, such as “You can’t stumble when you’re on your knees.”

What you won’t find are computers; not even a hand-held debit card machine. Postal clerk Magdalena Graber uses a small calculator. Receipts are hand-written and hand-stamped. Mark Shrock works the winter season. Expect to stay longer if you ask him a question regarding current politics. But never quote him.

AA:   So if I pay a visit to Pinecraft, what do I need to do while I’m there? Anyone I need to watch out for?

Sherry Gore: Eat. First go get your fill of home-cooking Amish-style at one of the two restaurants. We must be doing something right. Recently, 600 people came to Pinecraft, for liver and onions. Then go rent yourself a three-wheeler on Kruppa Ave. They’re only $4 per day. You’re better off taking the long route so by the time you pedal your way to the Pinecraft Park you’ll be ready for shuffleboard, marbles, loafing, or for the youngie, volleyball. And don’t leave without sitting down with Amish Henry, at least once. And watch out for Becky Fisher. She’s 81, and caught a burglar recently.

AA:   Let us know how to get a copy of Taste of Pinecraft, and how one might get ahold of The Pinecraft Pauper too while you’re at it.

Sherry Gore: You can find Taste of Pinecraft in many Amish and Mennonite stores across the country, but those living outside a plain community can order a copy on my website at www.SherryGorebooks.com. Subscriptions for 8 bi-weekly issues from Dec.-April to the PP can be ordered by sending $11 to Pinecraft Village Publishers PO BOX 50231 Sarasota, FL 34232. You can also find us on Facebook.

Read more on Florida Amish, or find Amish furniture-Florida.

Photo credits: Northern Arrivals- Sherry Gore; Amish Tricycles-Bruce Stambaugh; Pinecraft Pauper box- Sherry Gore

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    264 Comments

    1. Dena Mullet

      I would love to win the taste of pinecraft cookbook.Please enter me in the deawing!!

    2. Mona Greer

      Please enter me in the drawing would love to win the taste of pinecraft cookbook….Thanks

    3. Keri Bucci

      I would enjoy and cherish a copy of Sherry’s book..I love to cook and read so this would be a perfect fit for me :). Maybe one day I will get lucky enought to snag a copy..lol.

    4. I would really enjoy a copy of Sherry’s book. Have a wonderful day and thank your for this wonderful site!

    5. Roseann Byler

      This would be fun to win,

    6. Debbie Mikel

      Love Amish cooking! Can’t wait to get a copy of this book, and I’m also going to give as gifts for Christmas this year.

    7. Joan Main

      This sound like a fantastic place.Would love to visit sometime.Love to cook so the cookbook would sure be fantastic,So glad to hear it will be available here in Canada!!Even though I live in Amish country ,each place is so different.

    8. Camilie Baker

      I am a new subscriber, count me in! 🙂 Sherry Gore is amazing!

    9. Donita Corman

      I love to read cookbooks as well as collect them. A Taste of Pinecraft would be a perfect fit for my collection. I love Amish stories and authors as well. Sherry is an inspiring lady and am glad to have found her….

    10. Permelia Ehle

      It has been so wonderful to find Sherry Gore on Facebook. She is such a ray of sunshine. Would just love to receive a copy of her cookbook. I hope to be able to go to Pinecraft and meet her in person someday. Love learning about the Plain People..They are really special.

    11. Lisa Colver

      I’m a new subscriber, can I be entered in the drawing? I love cookbooks, and this one sounds really nice.

    12. Sherry is not only a wonderful cook, mom and author she is a delight too know! Count this subscriber in on the giveaway!

    13. Christy Graf

      Sherry, It has been a real delight to meet you and know you!! Your testimony inspires me and the way you handle each trial with the Lord in control helps me see that God is always with us. It has been a joy to know you just the little I do and your lovely Jacinda.. I enjoyed the wedding pictures and your joy at sitting with the newlyweds at the table and having a mixture of feelings. I know for we are into the empty nest stage of life and it has been a struggle for me.. Nothing, but God in my life could have prepared me for the emptiness of not having little ones… even big ones around to laugh and enjoy.. God Bless you !!

    14. karenholm

      I with love to see this place ,I love Amish and mananite people. I my self a plane and head covering and love the Bible to we are hoping to live more plain like. this place looks very nice love to see it in person soon. God bless you all. Karen Holm

    15. This sounds like a scrumptious deal!! I want to tell everyone that my husband and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary this week. He also is the house cook since I’ve become disabled. I wonder how well he would do wrestling the alligator before getting it on the table.

      I also am a newbie at the writing business and just finished my first chapter. I was very nervous about getting started, but the Lord made it much easier. He is the one who has prompted me to write for his glory. I don’t know anything about publishing or things like that, but I’m sure I’ll learn all of this as I move along.

      Sherry’s interview is wonderful. I enjoyed everything she said and have empathy for those that experienced the tragedies. Pinecraft is a very lovable and liveable town. I’d like to visit one day. My wheelchair has wheels, so I’d qualify as having wheels to move about the town. So, until I get there one day to visit, I pray God’s many blessings on this wonderful village. Thank you for letting me tell you some of my news. Thank you to those who read my comment. Thanks for this giveaway and the chance to win the 5 books. I hope I do and I promise to share them with my friends and family.

      Sharing Christ’s Love,
      Barb Shelton
      barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    16. Oh yes, I forgot to say that I’m a subscriber of this delightful blog.

      Blessings,
      Barb Shelton
      barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

    17. Typical Amish herbs and spices

      Mark and marie b–thanks for your questions, both on food… Mark I do not know if there are particular herbs or spices used, Amish food seems to me to be more neutral in that sense, but I am not a pro in the kitchen here…And marie b, it sounds to me like there are some differences regionally, at least going by some of the recipes in a Taste of Pinecraft…maybe Sherry or someone more experienced with Amish cooking can chime in here?

      Barb Shelton–good for you and I do hope you reach your writing goal! Sounds like you’ve gotten a great start.

      Jessica Kotzbeck–Thanks! Awesome comment 😉

      Dr. K–thanks for sharing your experiences. There is a small Texas community in Bee County, but I believe that is a ways from San Antonio. Also a couple of communities in Oklahoma.

      Thanks to everyone who has subscribed so far!

    18. Cindy Gironda

      I am a new subscriber. I have found this site through a friend on facebook and from what I have seen I can not wait for more.

    19. Cheryl Callan

      I so enjoy trying Amish receipes. They are so tasty. And thank you for a chance to win your cookbook..

    20. Nancy Beams Bryant

      I have a copy of the book and I love it..but would love another copy to give as a gift!

    21. Joan Allabaugh

      I would like to win a copy. I truly admire the Amish. I hope to get to Pinecraft sometime soon as I only live 1 1/2 hours away.

    22. Leanna Morris

      Count me in…I’m a subscriber and would absolutely love to win this book!!!

    23. I am subscribed to AA. Would love to have a copy of Sherry’s book.

    24. Loretta Shumpert

      would love my own copy, as well

    25. Marie Ferland

      I would love to win a copy of Taste of Pinecraft Cookbook. I love to cook so please enter me!

    26. Jane Squires

      I wondered how I became friends with Sherry Gore on fb. I am a lover of cookbooks. I have two Amish cookbooks. I am not Amish. I love reading about the Amish because I grew up poor without a lot of electricity – I think we had two lamps. We had a coal stove, wood burning cook stove and the old outhouse outside. We did not have running water – we had two wells.
      I see very little difference between my life growing up and Amish except I was not part of a Community life. I was just poor.
      I love Amish books and live near Seymore, Mo. where there are a lot of Amish.
      Would love to be in Pinecraft where there is no snow – I’m 60 and no longer find the snow enjoyable.
      I do not get up to an alarm except on Sunday. I love mild temperatures and loved it when I lived in Arizona. Today there is a cold cold wind here and house is very cold.
      I also love liver and onions.
      God bless.
      Please enter me in the contest.
      I just subscribed to feed.

    27. Colleen Bartell
    28. would love a copy of Sherry’s book!

    29. Margie Mijares

      I am a subscriber!!! Would love to win a book but I think I will order your Taste of Pinecraft today so I can get the free Budget subscriiption!!!

    30. Treasa Strunk

      I would Love to be entered for this contest!
      I envy the closeness that is shown in the Amish community! <3

    31. Kimberly Musgrove Brewer

      I just subscribed to Amish America. What a wonderful website and so informative! Today I am ordering some copies of Taste of Pinecraft as Christmas gifts for family members. Also ordering today where I can be sure to get a free subscription to the Pinecraft Pauper! Great interview above, ya’ll keep up the great work!

    32. Subscribed to Amish America! Looks like a fun book to read & to try new yummy recipes. Thanks for writing it Sherry! 🙂

    33. Alice Aber

      Thanks Erik!! I would have never guessed there were Amish in Florida that long!! That is truly amazing,,, but then again, so are the Amish!

    34. Samantha

      signed up! my Mennonite friend turned me on to her cooking; I can’t wait to get the cookbook!

    35. Samantha

      signed up! my Mennonite friend turned me on to her cooking; I can’t wait to get this cookbook!

    36. Samantha
    37. Forgive me if this is a duplicate; I don’t think my original reply ever posted.

      I am a subscriber, and LOVE the Amish community!

      Blessings –

      Andrea
      andrealschultz at gmail dot com

    38. I’d love to have the book.

    39. Mona Greer

      11/5/10 Finally someone listened….thanks to Erik I was able to click on the link he sent me……Please enter my name for the contest, I would love to win this book……

    40. Glad you got on Mona, and you’re entered!

    41. Karen Pollard

      Sherry’s Facebook page is a delightful insight to the daily lives of the Florida Amish Mennonite. She’s a wonderful person who faces each day of huge challenges with a huge belief and trust in God to help her through.

    42. Sherry Sutherby

      Excellent interview – both the questions and the responses. Nice addition to what I’ve already gleaned from Suzanne’s Amish Wisdom. Keep up the great work Erik!

    43. Tina Rice

      Subscribed to Amish America and would love to win a copy of the cook book by Sherry Gore! I love that is not just a cook book, but includes “some of Pinecraft” too. Thanks for sharing your interview with her. Blessings, Tina

    44. Rhoda Stoltzfus

      Hey, count me in, I’m a subscriber”

    45. Margie Mijares

      I am a new subscriber and would love to win the 5 book giveaway!!! Please count me in…I loved this interview, by the way!!!

    46. Hi, Erik! Thanks for letting us know about this giveaway over that Amish Living Recipes! I thought I was already a subscriber, but it turns out I wasn’t, so I am now! 🙂 (Long way to say….”I subscribed.”) 🙂 Thanks for doing the giveaway and for the interview with Sherri – I think she’s a doll!!!

    47. Sarah Talo
    48. Wendy Aston

      Hello Erik! I thoroughly enjoy your site every week. I also have a site that talks a little bit about the Amish, but really focuses on the PA Dutch lifestyle which encompasses more then just the Amish. I am a subscriber to your site. I look forward to reading more of your articles. Have a great week!

    49. Gail Dawson

      Long-time reader, now a subscriber. I’d love to know more about Pinecraft and recipes from the Florida Amish!

    50. Morinne Capuano

      Hi Erik,
      Please count me in on the 5-book giveaway of Taste of Pinecraft! I enjoyed all of the info shared by Sherry Gore about Pinecraft and would love to visit!
      Thank you!