Amish Life

“Plain Parade” Rallies Support For President In Amish Ohio

“Plain Parade” Rallies Support For President In Amish Ohio

Several readers shared this somewhat surprising story with me. Here’s a video showing a parade in support of President Trump, which took place Saturday in and outside of Fredericksburg, Ohio: This is in the Holmes/Wayne County settlement. There were a reported 500 people who gathered in this small town lying just over the county border. If you watch the video, you’ll see it is a…

Announcing A New Publication: The Journal Of Plain Anabaptist Communities (JPAC)

I’m happy to inform you that there is a new free online publication covering Amish and Plain Anabaptist topics which has just launched. One of the editors, Joseph Donnermeyer, has passed along the following to be shared with you: On September 18, the inaugural issue of the new online, free access journal – the Journal of Plain Anabaptist Communities (JPAC) – was launched. JPAC is…

Lovina Eicher: Water Pump Challenges In An Amish Home

In her latest, Lovina Eicher, an Amish mother of eight who writes the Lovina’s Amish Kitchen column, explains a challenge of everyday Amish life – making sure the water pump is working reliably enough for a shower. Lovina’s household’s water pump is run by a battery, in this case a solar powered-one. Lately in her Michigan community the sun hasn’t been doing its job, which…

An Interview With Swartzentruber Amishman Dennis Hershberger (Video)

An Interview With Swartzentruber Amishman Dennis Hershberger (Video)

“I grew up Amish…and for somebody that never was Amish, and goes Amish, I have no way of telling you what that guy would have to go through,” he laughs. “I imagine it would be pretty tough.” That’s Swartzentruber Amishman Dennis Hershberger discussing Amish life, from a very nicely done 8-minute video showing us the community at Harmony, Minnesota. In it, we ride along with…

“Amish Bookmobile” Grounded Due To Coronavirus

“Amish Bookmobile” Grounded Due To Coronavirus

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…

Slice Of Amish Life: End Of The Commons

Slice Of Amish Life: End Of The Commons

In today’s Slice of Amish Life, an Amishman approaches the End Of The Commons General Store in the Geauga County, Ohio community, with what looks like his daughter in tow. This is not an Amish business, and has more of a touristic feel. But I would suppose it’s one that Amish living nearby would visit as well. It is in fact the oldest general store…

Two Historic Amish Homes

Two Historic Amish Homes

Several years back Amish in Illinois made news when they moved the state’s oldest-known Amish home using horsepower (that is, at least part of the way):  This was originally the home of an Amishman named Moses Yoder, and dates to 1865. The Moses Yoder house is joined by a second historic home, the Daniel Schrock house (1882), as a focus of preservation efforts in…

Slice Of Amish Life: Moving Mountains Of Hay

Slice Of Amish Life: Moving Mountains Of Hay

This is another great photo by Cindy Cornett Seigle. I can’t say I’ve ever encountered this exact sight coming down the road – at least not at this size. These guys are riding atop piles of hay that have them literally two – or is it three – stories up in the air. I assume they have those things well-balanced. This photo was taken in…

Fundraiser & Card Shower For Amanda King & Family (Updated)

Fundraiser & Card Shower For Amanda King & Family (Updated)

A news blurb about an accident in Lancaster County several days ago contained few details. An English friend of the family involved has just filled out the story. Three Amish sibling children were hit by a pickup truck while driving the buggy to church in Bart Township, at around 7:30 Sunday morning. Parents Dave and Liz King own the BBQ Barn at the Amish Farm…

Slice Of Amish Life: Disembarking In Portland

Slice Of Amish Life: Disembarking In Portland

This photo shows Amish people getting off an Amtrak train in Portland, Oregon. In states without Amish settlements (like Oregon), public transit stations are among the few places you’re likely to see Amish folks (here’s another example from Alabama). This shot, taken in 2011, captures a moment – perhaps we’re witnessing that happy relief at the end of a leg of a long trip. It’s…