Favorite Posts Of 2019
As we wrap up the 2010s, a look back at some favorite posts of the past 12 months. My thanks to all of you who took the time to read, share and comment on posts this year. Wishing you all good things in 2020 ~ Erik
Church
- 6 Examples of Amish Ordnung Rules
- Colorado Amish To Build Meeting Hall
- Attending Amish Church
- All About Amish Church Directories
- Amish Funeral Traditions
- Pennsylvania Amish Wedding Photos
Communities
- Enon Valley, Pennsylvania
- Halifax County, Virginia
- Holmes County, Ohio
- Pittsylvania County, Virginia
- Oregon County, Missouri
- A First Visit to Amish Ohio
- A First Visit to Amish Pennsylvania
- Amish in West Virginia
- The Amish Population in 2019
- 5 Remote Amish Settlements
- The 10 Largest Amish Communities (2019)
- Pinecraft (Sarasota, Florida)
- Burke’s Garden, Virginia
- Comparing 3 Amish Settlements
- Ellenboro, North Carolina
Beliefs
- Amish Latter-Day Saints?
- Leaving The Amish: 3 Stories
- Do Amish Believe Taking A Photo Captures Their Souls?
- Mennonites Forgive Driver Who Killed 7-Year-Old Boy
- Amish 7th-Day Adventists?
- 5 Insights From Indiana Amishman John Gingerich
- 5 Insights From Illinois Amishman Reuben Mast
- 5 Insights From Swartzentruber Amishman Sam Shetler
- An Amish Obituary
- The Amish & Organ Donation
- “I Am Thankful”
Culture
- Comparing Amish Women’s Head Coverings
- Butchering Day
- Amish Church Clothing
- The Amish & Adoption
- 40 Years Of Amish Taxi Driving
- Amish Phone Shacks
- 5 Surprising Facts About The Amish & Food
- Highlights From The 2019 Amish Health & Well-Being Conference
- Pizzeria Owner Repays Amish Who Helped After 2013 Fire
- Amish Women’s Clothing – What Differences Do You Notice?
History
- The First Amish Settlement in North America
- Who are the Amish Mennonites?
- 6 Fascinating Amish Historical Photos
- The First Amish Settlement in Canada
Controversies
- 20 “Unique” Ways Amish Raise Their Children..?
- A Casino Is Coming To Lancaster County’s Doorstep
- 15 “Insane” Rules All Amish Children Must Follow..?
- Lancaster Co. Resident Objects To Amish Keeping 2 Horses On Half-Acre Lots
- The Ugly Reality Behind Amish “Reality” TV
- Michigan County Deems Amish Homes “Unfit For Human Habitation”
- 25 “Secrets No One Knows” About The Amish
- Two Volunteer Firefighters Arrested For Burning Down Amish Furniture Shop
- Should A Rare Orchid Stop An Amish Farmer From Working His Land?
- Amish Plea For Help In Face Of Rendering Plant Stench
- NY Judge: No Religious Vaccination Exemption For Amish
- 4 Types Of Alternative Animal Businesses Run By Amish
Books
- Where Are Aldo’s Treasures?
- Nature and The Environment in Amish Life
- Cathedrals, Castles, and Caves: The Origins of the Anabaptist Faith
- Our Amish Values
Buggies
- Buggy Lanes in Action
- Buggy Driver Escapes Whole After Buggy Obliterated
- “Disrespect For Amish” – Underreported Cause Of Buggy Accidents?
- Ride Along To The Grocery Store With An Amish Farmer (Video)
- Driver In Michigan Buggy Crash Speaks
- One Swartzentruber Community’s (Unique?) Buggy Visibility Improvement
Businesses
- An Amish Candle Shop (Holmes County)
- Charm Sweet Shoppe & Pizzeria (Holmes County)
- An Amish Auto Restorer (Lancaster County)
- Boyd & Wurthmann Restaurant (Berlin, OH)
- Amish Building RVs (Video)
- Swartzentruber Amish Rag Rugs (Holmes County)
- Shiloh General Store (Union Grove, NC)
- An Amish Variety Stand (Charlotte County, VA)
- Weaver’s Farm Market (Morris, NY)
- Schlabach’s Bakery (Guthrie, KY)
- King’s Kountry Store (Halifax County, VA)
- 12 Amish Farms Where You Can Stay Overnight (Lancaster County)
- An “Off The Map” Amish Dry Goods Store
- Pineview Bulk Food & Deli (Farmville, VA)
- 5 Interesting Facts About Lehman’s (Kidron, OH)
- Eat A Meal In An Amish Home (Holmes County)
- 10 Household Items From A Swartzentruber Amish Auction
- Pioneer Equipment (Wayne County, Ohio)
- Saw Blade Art by Edna Troyer (Holmes County)
Fun Stuff
- 250 Amish Move A Barn (Video)
- Music Mystery Supper Quiz
- Jet-Powered “Thunder Buggy” Reaches 60 MPH
- Amish Guy Buggy Skiing
Happy NewYear!
Erik,
When I’m off from work and back home with family, one favorite highlight is checking in with you and reading Amish America.
Thank you for making all of us readers “think”. There’s always more than one perception and pondering thwarts the reaction to immediate judgment. I learn something every single time I read your posts, and then contemplate all your reader’s responses. Something wonderful usually results.
“Amish America” can’t be easy for your to manage; please know it’s greatly appreciated! And it’s a great source of education beyond the Amish culture. The Amish, as you know, are true and dear to me personally, yet you give a diverse dimension via your posts beyond my scope. Thank you.
The best to you and your family in 2020,
Godspeed,
Maureen
Central New York and the North Country
Thank you, Maureen. I was happy to read that you felt that way about the posts. If they get people thinking then I am glad for it. It takes some time and effort, but I do enjoy it – both creating the posts and the time spent in Amish communities which often means spending time with friends. Thank you for your own contribution to those discussions, your extensive comments and insights have added a lot of value, especially as you know your community on a deep level. Sending a big happy new year in your direction:)
Thanks for this interesting post. It’s amazing the number of different topics you covered in 2019. You are really a prolific researcher and writer.
I looked through all of the topics and tried to determine my most favorite, but couldn’t because all were good. Yet there were three that I likely learned the most from — “Amish Latter-Day Saints?”, “Highlights from the 2019 Amish Health & Well-being Conference”, and “Who Are the Amish Mennonites?”.
During the past year I had opportunity at different times to answer questions from several non-Amish people who are interested in learning more about Amish faith and life. I would share with them what I have learned, but also would suggest to them books by authors such as Donald Kraybill and Steve Nolt, and direct them to the Amish America website. So, thanks again for all the good information in the 2019 posts. I look forward to learning more from new posts in 2020.
I appreciate that Al. I’m usually surprised looking at the range of topics that come up over the year when I put these annual posts together. By the time December rolls around I’ve forgotten a number of posts from January and February. I definitely had some help from contributors, and the Amish seem to remain a pretty newsworthy group of people for the general media to cover as well, which helps to keep this site “well-fed.”
I’m glad you mention this site as a resource. It was interesting to see which 3 posts you learned the most from. As for me the ones I learned the most while putting together include the Enon Valley, PA settlement post, 5 Facts on Amish & Food, also the Health Conference post, Cathedrals, Castles, and Caves, and the 4 Alternative Animal Breeding businesses post.
In addition to the regular slate of new posts this year, I plan to update the state guide pages with new numbers and info on settlements. That update has been overdue, and a nice even-numbered year like this one seems like the right time to do it.
Do you ever visit Amish locations in Canada?
I haven’t yet. I recently thought to post a list of the communities I’ve been to. Is there a specific Canada community you’re interested in?
Joy
Thanks for all you do, Erik. My favorite post has to be the buggy skiing video. It’s taking joy in simple things of life. A good lesson for anyone.
Thanks, Geo! I appreciate that.