2010 was the 4th full year of this blog. I thought it’d be nice to look back at the year’s “best” posts. If you’re new here, it might also be a good way to catch up on what we’ve been up to. Here, “best” means posts that got lots of responses from you, or lots of visitors, plus some personal favorites. Thanks to every one…
Florida Plain newspaper The Pinecraft Pauper gears up for season #2 The Pinecraft Pauper is a community newspaper of the Pinecraft neighborhood of Sarasota, Florida, home to a small but sturdy collection of Amish and Mennonites. The Pauper was founded by local writer Daniel Fisher, and features news, human interest stories, puzzles, cartoons, tips (“Make your own carryon luggage for pennies, by taping a cardboard…
The failure of A&M investments tests the Holmes County community A financial controversy has been playing out in the Holmes County, Ohio Amish settlement over the past few months. Amishman Monroe Beachy operated A&M Investments, a fund in which hundreds of locals, mainly Amish, invested money. One day early last summer, a sign appeared on the door of A&M Investments’ Sugarcreek office, reading simply: “Due…
A grab-bag of thoughts and stories for the weekend. Enjoy! Rhymemaster B “Full of action, traction and a lot of satisfaction.” So replied Amishman “Rhymie Aaron” when asked how he was feeling. “Rhymie Aaron” was the nickname of Aaron Beiler, who lived most his life in Lancaster County before passing away in 1964. I recently came across an article about him dating to last year. Sounds…
Why do people leave the Amish? Charles Hurst and David McConnell identify two main reasons in An Amish Paradox, their study of the Amish in Holmes County, Ohio. According to the authors, these are “the desire for fewer lifestyle restrictions”, and “the desire for a more intense religious experience.” Ex-Amish have created a number of venues which provide support to former members. The Former Amish…
You asked some great questions. I originally said I would just choose some of them to answer. But in the end I decided to answer them all. It took about 5 hours, so I hope you enjoy it. I certainly did. But before we get to that, we have three winners of Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive. As usual,…
“It’s like standing on the edge of a cliff with nothing but darkness…you don’t know what’s down there. But you just know you’re gonna jump.” National Geographic is currently airing “Amish: Out of the Order”, a program about leaving the Amish. I’ve posted a clip below. Curious to hear your comments. I’ll make two of my own: it’s not made clear, at least in this…
Though we’ve done quite a few book giveaways lately, I realized I’d never given away my own. So let’s do that! Win a copy of Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive I’ve got 3 copies of Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive to give away. If you somehow missed all the times I’ve gone on…
Does the stork make home deliveries? For many Amish families, the answer is yes. Birth at home, or in Amish-oriented birthing centers, is preferred for a few reasons. They include cost, comfort, and closeness to family. Midwives, some licensed, and others not, often handle deliveries in lieu of a doctor. Midwives may be non-Amish, or in some cases come from within the Amish community. In…
Reader Brett shares some photos of Amish in Western Kentucky. Graves County is home to a pair of settlements, one of which is a Swartzentruber Amish community. Kentucky Amish settlements range from Swartzentruber to New Order communities. Amish have moved into the state in large numbers in recent decades. In fact, all present Kentucky Amish settlements (except one) have been founded over the past 40…