Reader Michele purchased an Amish home and converted it to “English”, a process which took about half a year to begin. Â She had this to say about “living Amish” in the meantime: I don’t know why they are called “simple”…we lived just like Amish for 6 months before our contractor could start our construction. Â There isn’t one thing “simple” about being Amish. Â It’s a lot…
Over the years, a number of cases have come to light of Amish who have committed sexual abuse. Many have in turn wondered how prevalent sexual abuse is among the Amish – and why it seems to keep recurring. Certain questions come to mind: Why does sexual abuse happen in some Amish homes and communities? What is it about the Amish church and culture that…
Following up today’s tech conference post, as an example of basic-but-creative Amish technology, we have an “improvised Amish canning range”.  The reader who snapped the photo below shares: Many Amish often do their canning in their building entry/wash room or shop building. In Arthur they usually had an old gas stove/range which they kept in the shop or wash room to do their canning on. In Indiana we don’t see that as…
The second coming of Breaking Amish–“Breaking Amish: Brave New World” arrived last night. This season (or “spin-off” as the TLC network has been calling it) has taken the cast and placed them in the Pinecraft neighborhood of Sarasota, Florida.  I wasn’t surprised when I heard of the choice, for a couple of reasons: Filming in Pinecraft they can remain in an urban environment, in line with…
A reader in Indiana shares: The fences around here are used as a “lost and found.” I have seen halters, lead ropes, buggy wheel rubbers and the most common item — horseshoes hanging from the fences lines in the Elkhart – LaGrange community. Perishable items like clothes, expensive items like batteries, or small items like bike lights are usually picked up and then listed in…
This year (2026) Ascension Day – commemorating Jesus’ physical ascension into heaven – is Thursday, May 14th. The date changes each year, falling on the 40th day following Easter Sunday. Interestingly, Ascension Day is observed by Amish in some places – but not in others. Ascension Day: Observance in Different Amish Communities The Amish in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania are among those who do observe Ascension…
Certain Amish surnames occur with great frequency. Here are ten of the most common: 1. Miller The most common of all Amish last names. Joseph Stoll writes: “The German spelling was Müller, and because there were many Millers in Europe, the name was very common, with no common ancestor for many people of this name. There were a number of Anabaptists of this name in…
William Woys Weaver is a food historian who has written extensively on Pennsylvania Dutch food and culture.  He’s written a new book called As American As Shoofly Pie: The Foodlore and Fakelore of Pennsylvania Dutch Cuisine.  From an NPR article on the subject: News flash: Whoopie pies are not indigenous Pennsylvania Dutch food, no matter what the tourist traps say. Nor are the seafood bisque, chili, roast…
While in Belle Center, Ohio a few months back, I had dinner with Mark Curtis and a young couple in his community. One of my favorite moments came after Mark said something in Pennsylvania German which seemed to baffle the three other “native Amish” at the table. The man of the house, grappling with the fact that no one could put a finger on the…
You might remember a previous post on July 4th buggy races in the Elkhart-Lagrange Amish settlement.  As one reader shares Topeka is not the only spot in northern Indiana holding an annual buggy race: Shipshewana has a celebration called Mayfest each year. Mayfest includes several different events one of which is a buggy race. The buggy race involves teams of 4 individuals. Two team members ride…