The judge at a preliminary hearing yesterday found that there was enough evidence to move forward with a trial in the case of Linda Stoltzfoos’ disappearance. Justo Smoker will be tried for felony kidnapping and misdemeanor imprisonment. Detective Christopher Jones testified. Via Penn Live: “She was nice, caring and always wanted to know about other people,” Jones testified today. The 18-year-old taught at an Amish…
Folks, does anyone actually take these offers? This is an addendum to my June post on the ad I found for Amish romance plot writers. A number of you chimed in explaining how bad their deal was. Here’s what some of you with professional writing experience had to say then: Boyce Rensberger: The fees offered are absurdly low. This must be some kind of rip-off….
This was filmed in Pinecraft Park by Ernie Bontrager, who made many Amish-themed films before his recent passing. This group of older folks sing a hymn which Ed describes as a funeral song. The hymn has a joyful feel and theme: “God Be With You Til We Meet Again.” Ed filmed this sitting amongst the group which gives you the feel that you are in…
Amish children in larger communities benefit from bookmobiles, which travel around their settlements delivering a mobile library to eager young readers. The bookmobile might seem like a relic of a bygone time – especially when we have more reading available to us in libraries, both online and off, than ever before. But for a community of people who are limited by their use of technology in…
This is a neat and tidy Pennsylvania Amish home of 2,282 square feet, found in the Smicksburg community. There was a second home on the same lane for sale as well, probably the neighboring place. I imagine those might have been related families who moved away to a new settlement together. Smicksburg (Indiana County) is the largest of the Amish communities I have yet to…
Yoder Brothers is an Amish auction company run by brothers Willis and Leroy Yoder. I recently came across some upcoming auction listings, and even some videos of the brothers on YouTube. The pair were also profiled in a 2017 Goshen News article, on the occasion of Willis being inducted into the Michigan Auction Hall of Fame: Together, Leroy and Willis operate Yoder Brothers Auctions and…
Riehl is not the most common of Amish names. You’re most likely to come across it in Lancaster County, and that community’s daughter settlements, but even then it is far outnumbered by all the Stoltzfuses, Fishers, and Zooks. The Riehl surname is noteworthy for having one of the more famous “Amish origin” stories of any the Amish carry today. This excerpt giving the story is…
I’m not loving sharing all these bad happenings on the roads with you. But after posting the sad case of a drunk driver who killed a young Amish father in Wisconsin last week, I surely can’t overlook this latest story. An 18-year-old Amish male was charged for “recklessly operating a buggy while drunk.” I don’t think that’s the exact name for the criminal charge, but…
I was shocked to see this obituary today. I immediately recognized the photo from the back of her book. Lillian Fern Stoltzfus wrote a very nice guide to learning Pennsylvania Dutch called Speaking Amish. I don’t believe I ever met Lillian or anyone in her family, but have known of her for years. I would often see her books in stores in Amish communities and…
An Amish store in Perry County, Pennsylvania happens to be up for sale right now. This is Stoney Ridge Foods, which advertises itself as selling both discount and bulk foods. There are some nice photos showing both the exterior and interior at a site called Land and Farm. Amish stores for sale online are even less common than Amish homes. This is only the second…