The Hutterites of Montana’s King Colony The National Geographic Channel is on a roll with programs about Anabaptist groups. The popular Amish: Out of Order program is entering its final weeks, while last week a new series called American Colony: Meet the Hutterites premiered on the network. This series examines the lesser-known communal group found in Canada and the United States. The Hutterites are a…
Welcome to the not-so-scenic side of Amish country. The Amish of Hardin County, Ohio (aka Kenton Amish) are in the news for violating waste disposal rules. Local officials warned Amish some months back that new outhouses will need a sealed concrete tank, and that they’ll need to pay for a waste removal service. A local news outlet caught up with bishop Elmer Bontrager on…
One of our readers, Anne, has a son, Ed*, who was fairly recently baptized in the Amish church. I’ve been corresponding with Anne for some time on the subject, and hope to share more with you in future. Anne and her husband have had an experience unlike most, in watching a college-educated son with a modern upbringing join one of the more closed religious societies…
It’s become a near-weekly thing to hear from our Empire State correspondent Tom about some Amish corner of New York. This week he checks in with photos of an Amish relief auction in New York’s Conewango Valley, the most heavily-settled Amish area in the state. This auction took place in Cherry Creek, NY. Below, the livestock barn. Amish quilts are a big seller. Amish furniture…
Fifteen-year-old Rachel Yoder was killed in Holmes County, Ohio last December when an Amish hunter fired his weapon into the air from over a mile away. Rachel was hit in the head while driving her buggy home from a Christmas gathering. The news is that Marion Yoder, the shooter, will be charged with reckless homicide. If convicted the 28-year-old faces the possibility of several years…
Texas is home to one small Amish community, near Beeville, county seat of Bee County. Reader Debbie shares photos and comments today following a visit to the community. Stacked up against the verdant lands of Lancaster or midwestern Amish communities this is hardscrabble territory, which the photos here reveal. About businesses, Debbie comments that “There is a main store at the beginning of the settlement….
Something fun today. I thought it might be nice to highlight some of the more interesting recent comments from Amish America readers. We typically get between 200 and 300 comments each week. So even if you’re checking in frequently, you’re likely to miss some, which often appear on old posts as well as the fresh-baked ones. Even if I can’t reply to everything, I do…
The St. Joseph News-Press is running a nice story on a changing-of-the-guard at a Jamesport, Missouri Amish furniture business. Owner Jake Graber has passed on his company to son John following health problems: Jake Graber survived an aneurysm a couple of years ago and strives now to lead what he regards as a “healthier, more Godly life.” Forgive him, though, occasional moments of exasperation. Some…
“Hello, do I have a twin out there?” Despite how it may sound, this isn’t a plea for a long-lost identical sibling. The above comes from The Diary newspaper, which features a regular “Twins and Circle Letters” section. I remember first learning about Amish “twins” when my friend’s wife, whom I had known for around 4 years at that point, and whose family I had…
We check in with Tom again today, with some photos from a shop owned by Noah, a New York Amishman. Noah’s business is a classic example of an Amish-English partnership. Most of his buildings are sold to an English dealer who picks them up and delivers them to customers. The shed and storage building sector is one with many Amish manufacturers. You’ll often see rows…