I recently checked in with the head of a large tourist business in one of the main Amish settlements. He told me that 2020 “was certainly an absolute disaster.” Things are somewhat better this year, but apparently not by a ton. That said, it is only May, and states are still in the process of releasing their citizens from restrictions. So I’ve been wondering about…
This was a neat idea for an article. Denise Fedorow of the Goshen News interviewed three Amish bicycle shop owners in the Nappanee, Indiana community to get their insights on what types of bicycles appeal to their Amish customers. Many Amish in this community and others use bicycles as a form of transportation (for more on the Amish bicycles vs. scooters question, see here). The…
Why are Amish opting out of the COVID-19 vaccine? This Cedar Rapids Gazette article about Iowa Amish and the COVID vaccine is one of the better that I’ve seen. We get a deeper look at the Kalona Amish community, in some ways one of the more progressive settlements. Author Brooklyn Draisey speaks with several Amish leaders, including several current bishops, as well as a former…
Here’s one I hadn’t seen before: an Amish farmer in Lancaster County is selling his baseball card collection via online auction. Amish play baseball and softball, and there is certainly interest in the sport in some quarters. Amish have hobbies and pastimes of course, but we tend to hear about ones like hunting. So I’d never heard of adult Amish with baseball card collections. But,…
It’s nothing new to observe that people feel overwhelmed by technology nowadays. The Amish fascinate many for a related reason. They’re a society of people who live with restricted technology, yet by many measures appear to be thriving. Here’s a new article on the Amish and technology where writer Alex Mayyasi looks to the Amish for ideas that non-Amish can use to get back in…
Tragic story from the Adams County, Indiana community: Master Trooper Kurt Jack’s preliminary investigation reports that the girl, identified as four-year-old Barbara JC Graber of Berne, and two other Amish children were running across U.S. 27 and crossed into the path of a southbound Buick passenger car. The Buick, driven by Wayne Foust, 82, of Berne, hit and critically injured Barbara. The other two children…
Similar to 2020, many mud sales have been canceled this year, though some are still happening. The Gratz, PA sale (Dauphin County) does not seem to show up on “official” lists of mud sales, but these are Lancaster-descent Amish, and it appears to be the same concept – a sale meant to support the local fire company. So I’m taking the libery of calling it…
Romain Speisser, who gave us a look at the history of the Amish in Salm (Alsace, France), returns today with a historical look at the “Heftler” people – and in particular an Amishman named Joseph Beller, notable as being likely the last Amish person in his area. The name “Beiler” (seen often in Lancaster County) or its variant more common in the Midwest – “Byler”…
I just came across an Amish business listing for the nation’s fifth-largest community, with over 75 businesses. I wouldn’t say Adams County, Indiana is an Amish destination that draws a ton of visitors. I think it is overshadowed by the three or four larger communities, as well as some smaller ones. I also don’t think it’s the most tourist-friendly place. That might have to do…
It’s been a while since we had an Amish singing clip. I think it’s a nice time to post this one. This is described as an “Amish Hymn-Sing at the Historic Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead”. It’s a good time because the homestead just celebrated its 250th anniversary this past week, with a gathering and benefit auction. Former Stoltzfus Homestead caretaker Nic Stoltzfus with current caretaker &…