Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen (Middlefied, OH)

Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen (Middlefied, OH)

For being the fourth-largest Amish settlement, the community in Geauga County, Ohio, often seems to go overlooked. That is probably because of its nearness to Holmes County, a popular tourist destination. But this is a large settlement approaching 20,000 Amish in size, so it gets some tourist visitors, and therefore has some attractions, like food. Mary Yoder’s Amish Kitchen, located in Middlefield in the center…

Things You See at an Amish Auction (22 Photos)

Things You See at an Amish Auction (22 Photos)

Reader Jerry frequently visits Amish communities and auctions. You might remember his posts on dandelion greens in Amish cuisine, a Nebraska Amish auction in Big Valley, the Amish in Burke’s Garden, VA, and photos of a $9,861 Amish buggy. Jerry is back today following a trip to an Amish sale in central Pennsylvania. What will you see at an Amish auction? Jerry gives us a nice…

Corner Ball – Traditional Game Of The Amish & Old Order Mennonites (15 Photos)

Corner Ball – Traditional Game Of The Amish & Old Order Mennonites (15 Photos)

Nearly 10 years ago we had a post about corner ball, a traditional game played by Amish and Old Order Mennonites. I had long heard of this game – described in depth by Richard Stevick in Growing Up Amish: The Teenage Years – and had always wanted to see it “live”. Fortunately, I had a chance to do just that on my recent visit to Lancaster…

Amish Midwives Face Felony Charges For Illegally Practicing Medicine (Updated)

Amish Midwives Face Felony Charges For Illegally Practicing Medicine (Updated)

Two Amish women in the Adams County, Indiana community face felony charges for illegally practicing medicine and administering medication. Sylvia C. Eicher and Lydiann S. Schwartz were investigated in May 2017 over two separate incidents. In both cases the women had administered veterinary medications to their patients. Schwartz was investigated after a 14-day-old baby died of congenital heart disease after being rushed to the local…

Sam Mullet’s 11-Year Sentence Reaffirmed

Sam Mullet’s 11-Year Sentence Reaffirmed

Sam Mullet, leader of the Bergholz, Ohio group infamous for hair and beard-cutting attacks on Amish, made news again recently when he asked for early release due to alleged mistakes made by his attorney. Mullet lost his attempt for release Wednesday: An attorney for 72-year-old Samuel Mullet Sr. argues that Mullet’s previous lawyer made mistakes. U.S. District Judge Dan Polster disagreed Wednesday, concluding that those…

Amish Firefighters & EMTs Are Using Motorized Scooters

Amish Firefighters & EMTs Are Using Motorized Scooters

A neat bit from Jack Brubaker’s “Scribbler” column today at Lancaster Online. Some Amish first responders are using motorized scooters to get to the firehouse faster. Here’s what one looks like: As you may know, Amish are significantly involved in volunteer firefighting and emergency response in Lancaster County. And Lancaster County is one of the more prominent Amish communities where scooters are used rather than bicycles….

The Amish of West Plains, Missouri (26 Photos)

The Amish of West Plains, Missouri (26 Photos)

Don Burke is back with a visit to another Midwestern Amish community, that of West Plains, Missouri (Howell County). Don discovered several surprising things in this small and relatively young settlement, two of them having to do with the local Amish transportation. I hope you enjoy Don’s account and photos below. In the autumn of 2016 my wife and I decided to take a couple…

Amish Salve-Maker Denied Appeal, Will Remain In Prison

Amish Salve-Maker Denied Appeal, Will Remain In Prison

Samuel Girod was sentenced last summer to 6 years in prison for various charges relating to the manufacture and sale of herbal products, including a salve which the Kentucky Amish farmer claimed could be used to treat cancer, among other ailments. Girod was convicted for charges including “conspiring to impede the FDA; failing to register his facility with the agency; threatening a witness to try to…

A Visit to BB’s Grocery Outlet (Quarryville, PA)

A Visit to BB’s Grocery Outlet (Quarryville, PA)

Another of my business stops in Lancaster County was BB’s Grocery Outlet. This is a “plain chain”, with four five locations throughout southeastern PA. BB’s actually has a website which gives you the background: BB’s Grocery Outlet is a discount grocery chain that was started in 1986 on an Amish Farm in Lancaster County, PA.  It began with the simple idea of providing quality groceries…

A Visit to Gordonville Book Store (Lancaster County, PA)

A Visit to Gordonville Book Store (Lancaster County, PA)

Of all the different kinds of Amish businesses, places selling food and books are two of my favorites (with the classic variety store also in the mix – see 5 Amish Businesses You Should Visit). Recently while in Lancaster County I dropped by two spots that some of you might know – BB’s Grocery Outlet, and Gordonville Book Store. I’m sharing some photos from both…