You see a lot of this type of story. Amish-helping-English or vice versa. “Feel good”, though usually a bit boring (the headline tells you all you need to know). Still I’m glad these stories are out there. Good news when a lot of what qualifies as news is downright depressing. What got my attention was the strange event that got Amish and English together in this community…
Today’s photos were all (except for the first two) recently taken by a reader in the Holmes and Wayne County area.  By last count there are 238 church districts in this settlement, more than any other Amish location, with over 30,000 Amish people living here. The Holmes County community is a sprawling settlement, spanning 20-some miles, as the crow flies, from north to south and east…
Just out in the Columbus Dispatch, news on a possible compromise over the outhouse issue in the Amish community in Hardin County, Ohio: KENTON, Ohio — A truce has been reached, at least for now, between the Amish of Hardin County and health officials. The two sides have been at odds over rules for wells and outhouses at new Amish homes. With a clock ticking…
Thoughts, articles, links following last week’s Ohio visit: My new favorite soup? Â Cheeseburger. Â To the extent that you can call it soup. So thick it’s really a stew. Â Or let’s cut to the chase, this is basically a liquefied cheeseburger. Â Had a rib-sticking bowl last week at my Amish hosts’ table. Â By the way, is this an “Amish soup”? Â What makes something an “Amish soup”…
Meet you in the middle? There is a small Amish settlement near Degraff, Ohio, which I passed through while leaving Logan County this morning. Â At one stop a dozen eggs were had for just $1.50 (follow the “Produce” arrow to get there). They’re not very good eating raw though, so may need another snack to get me home.
Last month when commenting on a favorite Amish restaurant, reader Cherie wondered: A couple of decades ago, Sugarcreek was the major shopping and dining area in Amish Country. Not so much anymore. The Amish tour train no longer operates. The ice cream shop is no more. I don’t understand why Sugarcreek is losing favor with tourists when it is so close to I-77. Perhaps someone…
A reporter from the Cleveland Plain Dealer visited Bergholz recently, and has given us a look at the community from a different perspective. Unlike most previous coverage, this article provides a rather sympathetic look at the group: Last week, members of the Bergholz community scoffed at the government’s portrayal. They said they were tired of being treated like zoo animals by others in different Amish…
This is another installment in the 10 views series, featuring photos from my recent visit to the Holmes County, Ohio Amish community. Â I’ve included a few comments and links to relevant posts that you might enjoy. Sugarcreek is technically in Tuscarawas County. Â It’s often the first little town visitors to the area pass through. Â Many of the buildings in Sugarcreek’s “Swiss Village” downtown area…
It’s fun to visit a new Amish community when you have someone waiting there to greet you. Last Monday I had a chance to drop in on Mark Curtis, son of frequent commenter Don Curtis. If you recall from last year’s account, Mark joined the Amish after living much of his adult life on the other side of the fence, at the age of 50….
Holmes County, Ohio is one of my favorite Amish communities to visit, in part due to the diversity of groups. There are four main Amish tribes here; adding up the sub-groups and spin-off affiliations you get more than double that. A short list of differences you’ll find among Holmes County Amish: Silent vs. spoken prayer Peeling paint vs. pristine walls Rubber vs. metal rims Singing…