This is an accident the media will call “freak”, and Amish will simply call God’s will. Yesterday an Amish woman picking berries in Pennsylvania woods was struck by lightning as she sheltered under a pine tree. Yesterday was also the woman’s due date; the baby she was carrying died with her. The woman’s husband and two children, who took shelter under a different tree, were…
Love these photos today. This is oat threshing in the Amish community at Carroll County, Tennessee. You hear it pronounced “thrashing” as well. For some time I thought that was the official spelling. But I think that might just be the Amish accent (I’m actually partial to “thrashing”). These photos were taken by Brenda, who previously brought us scenes from a laundry day in the same…
Tonya Clifford shares a batch of photos today from Ethridge, Tennessee.
Rules of a Godly Life is a devotional found among Amish. It’s a small booklet consisting of three parts. You can access it in its entirety here, where it was included to accompany the PBS Amish film. You can also get it at places like Gordonville Book Store or Raber’s in Ohio for a dollar or two. The PBS site describes it as such: “Rules…
I am speaking with someone shortly for a story on use of the Amish name to sell products. I’ve found this a topic people react strongly to. Doing anything involving the Amish name to make a buck is obviously exploiting them, after all. I’ve also found that with reflection some see it differently. There are a number of topics like this, where there is sort…
Tom shares a few photos from an Amish welding business in the settlement at Clyde, New York. Tom describes Schmucker Welding as a “Nice new shop with two very long power shafts and more belts that I have ever seen in one place.” Shafts and belts can be used to operate a variety of shop tools. But welding takes “real” power. Unlike other Amish-engineered tools,…
There is apparently one Amish-attended event where cameras are not at all welcome: dog auctions. Or at least undercover cameras aren’t. WFMY News reports that a producer and videographer working incognito were tossed from a recent Millersburg auction and threatened with arrest. I can’t say I’m too surprised, given that it was on private property. And given that there is a reported ban on recording…
As promised, more photos today from an auction in the Bowling Green, Missouri Amish settlement. These were taken in May of last year, by Beth Russo. Bowling Green is the oldest Amish enclave in Missouri, dating to 1947. Quilts of course are a staple of Amish auctions. I quite like this design. Lining up for grub. And something for the sweet tooth. Beth says it…
One of the more remarkable interactions between Amish and civic society occurs in Lancaster County, in the form of Amish and other Plain People volunteering, at a quite high level, on local fire crews. This article details that involvement, as well as Plain participation as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). These aren’t just a few token Plain people. One local fire and EMS company is described…
Remember Funny Business? Today Tom has some more signs from a variety of New York Amish shops, showcasing the Amish funny bone as well as some wise sayings from smart and important people. Which do you find wisest or wittiest?