Tom shares a few photos from an Amish welding business in the settlement at Clyde, New York. Tom describes Schmucker Welding as a “Nice new shop with two very long power shafts and more belts that I have ever seen in one place.” Shafts and belts can be used to operate a variety of shop tools. But welding takes “real” power. Unlike other Amish-engineered tools,…
There is apparently one Amish-attended event where cameras are not at all welcome: dog auctions. Or at least undercover cameras aren’t. WFMY News reports that a producer and videographer working incognito were tossed from a recent Millersburg auction and threatened with arrest. I can’t say I’m too surprised, given that it was on private property. And given that there is a reported ban on recording…
As promised, more photos today from an auction in the Bowling Green, Missouri Amish settlement. These were taken in May of last year, by Beth Russo. Bowling Green is the oldest Amish enclave in Missouri, dating to 1947. Quilts of course are a staple of Amish auctions. I quite like this design. Lining up for grub. And something for the sweet tooth. Beth says it…
One of the more remarkable interactions between Amish and civic society occurs in Lancaster County, in the form of Amish and other Plain People volunteering, at a quite high level, on local fire crews. This article details that involvement, as well as Plain participation as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). These aren’t just a few token Plain people. One local fire and EMS company is described…
Remember Funny Business? Today Tom has some more signs from a variety of New York Amish shops, showcasing the Amish funny bone as well as some wise sayings from smart and important people. Which do you find wisest or wittiest?
We’ve got two winners of Marlene Miller’s Grace Leads Me Home today. First, a note from Cathy: Hi, I’m Cathy, Marlene’s friend who helped her write her book,Grace Leads Me Home. I just got off the phone with Marlene and she is just thrilled with all the comments from everyone on this site. It’s wonderful to her that out of her conviction that God…
Michigan Mary attended the Horse Progress Days event this past weekend, held at Clare, Michigan (home to a small Amish community). Horse Progress Days bills itself as “the showcase event for newly manufactured and modified horse drawn equipment”. This annual event started in 1994 in Lancaster County and rotates among locations including Leola, Pennsylvania, Arthur, Illinois, Mt. Hope, Ohio, Clare, Michigan, southern and northern Indiana, and…
I rarely get ill, but when I do, it’s more often than not in the summertime. I put this down to the constant temperature swings of modern life–going from a scorching 100+ degrees outside to the frigid air conditioned interiors of the car, work, home or store. I try to be proactive about this. If I’m going to, say, the supermarket to do some shopping,…
Not all Amish vaccinate their children, with concerns over safety, money and thwarting God’s will. Amish apparently also vaccinate their horses at a lower rate. Human vaccination has been a hot issue for many years. We don’t really think as much about animal vaccinations. However animal-borne diseases are a potential danger, and not just to a farmer’s bottom line. Officials in New York are trying…
Marlene Miller is a convert to the Amish and author of Grace Leads Me Home, a memoir of becoming Amish and her life in the 45 years since. I read Marlene’s book a couple of months ago and quite enjoyed it. Here is how I described my overall impression: I liked the book. We’ve seen a few accounts of individuals leaving the Amish lately (see Ira…