Orlando Fragasse was his real name, and he was my friend. “Peach” or “Peaches” is what everyone called him though, on account of his big peachy-looking cheeks, a nickname he picked up in childhood and stuck, to the point that even his own children would use it. We met on my first bookselling trip to Holmes County, and Peach’s place, the creaky but cozy home…
Amos Hertzler is a one-year-old Amish boy who was born with a rare esophageal condition. His story came to public attention last October as his parents were having difficulties raising the funds for the expensive procedure Amos needed. Thankfully, Amos has since had his surgery and now the family is trying to pay off the remaining $60,000 in debt (having already covered $175,000). Last Saturday…
Well overdue, here is our second batch of Amish questions-and-answers. I meant to get to more of these, faster, but as they say “circumstances intervened” 🙂 Thanks for your patience. SharonR: Since the Amish farmers and their neighbors mostly eat farm fresh products, are they generally healthier than the “Englishers”, or have they also fallen to eating “junk” like so many of us Englishers have,…
In addition to the quilts we saw last week, Hostetler’s in Conewango Valley in New York sells faceless handmade dolls. Here’s a fancier version of the Amish doll which Tom notes must be destined for English buyers. The faceless doll is another item iconic of the Amish. Truth be told I haven’t seen too many of them in the Amish homes I’ve been in. It’s…
Amish people can seem a little health-obsessed. At least that’s the impression you get when perusing Amish publications, filled as they often are with advertisements for a wide range of health-enhancing products. Many Amish purchase piles of vitamins and supplements via local dealers and mail order. You can also point to the organic food movement, which has spawned Amish evangelists who believe in the health…
Now that we’re finally on the right side of the Spring Equinox many of us have our minds on warmer topics. But let’s pause for a moment before diving into spring to think about a technology we often take for granted – refrigeration. Most Amish do use some variety of refrigerator. Amish who don’t typically rely on ice for cooling. Today Tom offers us some…
I often take along my running shoes when I travel to Amish communities. When you’re in the car for long hours and saddled up next to the table for many more, hitting the pavement for a jog becomes a basic necessity. The scenic roads of Lancaster County are popular among recreational athletes. In parts of the County there is almost a steady stream of runners…
Energy extraction techniques such as directional drilling and “fracking” (short for hydraulic fracturing) have become a hot issue in both Amish and mass society. These techniques, some of which have been around for quite a while, have been hailed for their potential to transform the energy industry. Recent developments combining fracking with horizontal drilling have made the process much more viable, leading to the recent…
Sam Miller Shoe Repair & Sales East off route 414 on Clyde Hunt Corner Road just north of Clyde NY. Look for a sign at the corner. The shop is on the right hand side of the road (first Amish place). Tom lends a hand again today with some photos of an Amish shoe store in Clyde, NY. Buggy parking. Where Amish re-boot. A Singer…
The Kentucky Amish SMV situation has seen quite a few developments this week. On Tuesday the KY House Transportation Committee passed Senate Bill 75 by a count of 25-1, sending it to the House for full consideration. This bill would allow reflective tape in lieu of the SMV triangle. If it passes the House, it returns to the Senate for final passage. The last hurdle…