Amish Life

Part 2: On-Camera Interview with Amishman Joseph Yoder

Joseph Yoder is an Amishman in the Arthur, Illinois community. He recently did an on-camera interview for news channel WCIA. This is the second part, you’ll find part 1 here if you missed it. In this segment, Joseph talks about getting into the furniture business and challenges the community faces with technology. He explains how it came about that he was able to begin carrying…

Amish Benefit Dinner: How much food is needed?

Lovina Eicher (who last month commemorated 20 years of writing columns) answers this question in a recent Amish Kitchen column. Lovina has covered this big meal logistics topic before. I like these columns because they quantify just how much goes into these larger meals and events like weddings and benefits. The occasion here was a grilled chicken and pulled pork benefit dinner for Lovina’s daughter…

On-Camera Interview with Amishman Joseph Yoder (Part 1)

On-Camera Interview with Amishman Joseph Yoder (Part 1)

Joseph Yoder is an Amishman who works in the furniture industry in the community at Arthur, Illinois. Local news station WCIA had the chance to do an on-camera interview with Joseph. They’ve released it in two parts. Joseph of course had to consent to do the interview on camera.  Not too typical, but it sounds like he might wish to further public education about his people…

Remarkable Video: INSIDE an Amish Building Move

Remarkable Video: INSIDE an Amish Building Move

So I haven’t ever seen a video like this before. In this remarkable recording, Bill Lyons filmed inside a building as it was being moved down the road to a new location by a bunch of Amish men and youth (around 150). If you’ve been around this site for awhile, you know I like to share the barn and building moves (an Amish specialty). Another…

Surprise, No Surprise: Some Amish Ignoring Ohio Buggy Light Law

The new Ohio law requiring flashing yellow lights on horse-drawn vehicles came into effect in September. And as predicted here months (and years) back, some Amish in the state are not complying. From Fox 8: ASHLAND, Ohio (WJW) – A new law that makes flashing yellow lights mandatory on Amish buggies, and other horse-drawn vehicles across the state, is now being enforced by a number…

“How can we make our lives as hard as possible and still survive?”

“How can we make our lives as hard as possible and still survive?”

Here’s another interesting YouTube comment (which turns out to be a good source of what people are thinking about the Amish). A commenter recently wrote “Amish = How can we make our lives as hard as possible and still survive?” While there might be some Amish who find a virtue of sorts in living very plainly, for many Amish, they appreciate comfort and try to…

Eddie Swartzentruber’s False Claims

Eddie Swartzentruber’s False Claims

So if you’re not into “social media drama”, just skip this post. I don’t plan to make a habit of covering things from Facebook, but I need to address this here. You might remember a post I did in August about Eddie Swartzentruber’s TikTok channel (“Swartzentruber Amish-Raised Man Shares The Bad Sides Of His Amish Life“). Eddie responded on Facebook, making some false claims about…

Amish Father & 2 Sons Die In Tragic Silo Accident

Very sad story from central PA, via the Altoona Mirror: Three members of an Amish family died in a farming accident Wednesday morning. Centre County Coroner Scott Sayers said Andrew Beiler, 47, and his two sons ages 14 and 19 died from asphyxiation after they were trapped inside a silo. The buildup in gases inside the silo caused their deaths, which have been ruled accidental….

Unity Amish Market Reopens 9 Months After Fire

Good news for one of the country’s most widely-covered Amish stores, in the little Amish community at Unity, Maine. Back in January, the Amish Community Market & Bakery burned down in a rapidly-moving fire which likely started in a stove or chimney. Reflecting its popularity, in the aftermath of the fire owner Caleb Stoll received many donations and offers to help from non-Amish people who…

“Why are the Amish using plastic packaging? I am so disappointed.”

“Why are the Amish using plastic packaging? I am so disappointed.”

 “Why are the Amish using plastic packaging? I am so disappointed.” That is a comment someone left on the recent video on the Amish popcorn shop. Lot of plastic packaging in that shop, like in any Amish-owned store that sells food (or other products for that matter). I find this expression of disapproval interesting for a few reasons. I think it reveals a few…