A reader just shared this delightful video of Amish schoolchildren singing for the Ohio House of Representatives in November. In the video you’ll see and hear Marvin Wengerd speaking on behalf of the Amish. Before singing begins, Marvin holds up a 2015 Ohio Amish Directory and addresses the House: “On behalf of the 32,262 people, Amish people in this directory, we want to thank you for allowing us…
A fitness coach with connections to the Amish has put together a list of four things the Amish do – which she says make for a healthier life. Now, sometimes “learn from the Amish” media pieces idealize the Amish – and gloss over nuance. But at the least, I think each of these ideas has a good basis. And “health” of course can have a…
In more turbulent times, Amish parents have been fined, pressured, and even arrested, all in defense of their preferred manner of schooling. The Wisconsin v. Yoder decision of 1972 helped preserve Amish control over classroom education, leading to hundreds of Amish schools across North America. Regulations and Guidelines for Amish Parochial Schools of Indiana shows how seriously Amish take their hard-won schooling privileges today. The booklet, seen below in…
Chances are you’ve read a book or two to try to better understand the Amish. In today’s post, Richard Stevick shares his experiences with the people who write those books, starting with John Hostetler, through some of today’s authors. — Growing up in a working class community and in a family from which nobody had ever gone to college, I never imagined that I would write a book,…
Today’s guest post and feature photo are by David Arment of armentphoto.com. — The Pumpkinvine (one word) Trail is part of a trail system running from Elkhart, Indiana to Shipshewana, Indiana. It is a liner park which is very popular and has many bicyclers and people strolling during the nice times of the year. The trail follows the old rail bed of the Pumpkinvine Railroad (to…
If you’ve traveled through northern Lancaster County at any point in the last 168 years, you might have noticed a structure of religious importance lying just feet from the current Route 322. The Pike Mennonite Church is shared by two groups of Mennonites (Stauffer and Weaver), who use it on alternate Sundays. Unlike most Amish, Old Order and Conservative Mennonites worship in church structures. 168 years is how long…
A couple of readers have sent along a link to a short news clip about Amish aiding residents of a mobile home park in Buffalo. As you can see in the video below (unavailable), photos show Amishmen hard at work on the roofs of residents’ homes (I assume this past Friday or Saturday). Buffalo, of course, was hit by a once-in-a-generation snowstorm last week, dumping…
Following a look at a zoning conflict in one Amish settlement, a different sort of building issue in Minnesota has one couple banned from their new home. You may have noticed that some Amish seem to have recurring problems with the law, over issues such as safety triangles on buggies, or building requirements for their homes. These are typically the most traditional Amish, like those who…
A reader living in the Allen County, Indiana settlement shares a pair of rather surprising photos. As you can see in these shots, local Amish are sending a message to any potential new neighbors. Our reader explains what’s going on here: There is a new subdivision going in on a road near us and the Amish that live on that road have been mad that they lost the zoning fight. …
Loren Beachy has delivered a second batch of answers to your questions, so we’ll get right into them. Today’s questions include queries about Loren’s favorite writers, how he manages eight grades at once, and how many single Amish ladies he is currently fending off. You asked some good ones. With these and his previous answers, Loren got to over 30 of your questions, so I think he did alright….