Taste of Pinecraft: Sherry Gore interview and 5-book giveaway
Sherry Gore is a national scribe for The Budget, editor of The Pinecraft Pauper, and columnist for the Amish magazine Ladies Journal.
Sherry is also a mother of three residing in Sarasota, Florida, home to Pinecraft, a well-known community of Amish and Mennonites.
Sherry has written an especially neat cookbook called Taste of Pinecraft: Glimpses of Sarasota, Florida’s Amish Culture and Kitchens, a tribute to the area’s culinary heritage. It is one of the most entertaining cook books I’ve come across.
I’ve been looking forward to getting the behind-the-scenes on Sherry’s book and community for some time now.
Today we’ve got an interview with Sherry, which I think you’ll enjoy. We’ve also got a 5-book giveaway of Taste of Pinecraft.
Taste of Pinecraft 5-book giveaway: How to win a copy
The rules for this contest are simple. This is an Amish America subscriber contest.
If you are subscribed to Amish America, you are entered–just let me know that you are by leaving a comment on this post. Your comment can be an observation, a question, or just “Hey, count me in, I’m a subscriber”.
If you are not a subscriber yet, you can do that here.
What being a subscriber means is you will get email updates in your inbox whenever new posts go up on Amish America (usually a few times a week). That’s it, no spam, and you can opt out at anytime. Once you sign up, just leave a comment on this post letting know you did.
The contest ends in one week’s time, on Monday, November 8th.
On Monday I’ll also select the 5 winners at random from the comments, and announce them on the blog.
Taste of Pinecraft interview with Sherry Gore
Amish America: Your cookbook, Taste of Pinecraft, is more than just a collection of recipes. In it you share observations on Pinecraft, many of them excerpted from your writings for The Budget.
Sherry Gore: Some people travel the world in search of extraordinary subjects to write about, I found them in my own backyard, so to speak. Kids, dogs, and old folks. Originally, I set out to compile recipes from Pinecrafters for a local cookbook to be given as sort of a souvenir gift – I have many such treasured books from my own travels. To give folks a real feel of life here in Sarasota, I went a few steps further and began to add pieces I had written over several years for The Budget.
“Letters from home” in the National Edition of the paper has been keeping Amish and Mennonites (scattered wide across the world) connected for over 100 years. Through these “letters” we tell of daily happenings in our churches, homes, and neighborhoods.
In my cookbook, I included a broad range of happenings. Like the time Eleanor Miller dumped an entire plate of spaghetti on a customer’s lap while working her first shift as a waitress. And how Kris Knepp shared of his courtship days at a dinner in the home of one of our ministers. “With Rebecca going off to the Dominican Republic for two years rather than one, Kris told us, “If Jacob waited seven years for the wrong girl, then I can wait two years for the right one.“ Rebecca’s father said to him, “You know, I do have an older daughter.”
And then there are the fish stories. Lots of them. All true, of course.
You can also find a bit of Pinecraft history, and historical moments taking place today, like records of births, and wedding announcements, and ordinations of ministers.
Also found in Taste of Pinecraft are stories of death, and tragedy. My younger sister’s life was taken last December, and I wrote some in The Budget of different acts of kindness from folks in the community, just soon after. And upon returning from the funeral for nine in Burkesville, Kentucky, I wrote a 10-page account of the accident on March 26, 2010 that claimed the lives of our close friends, the Eshes. It too, was one of the more difficult pieces I’ve ever written.
Bro. John Esh was a regular visitor to Pinecraft every January. He preached in our churches, visited old friends, and made new ones. He also attended the Haiti Benefit Auction with his wife, Sadie. Their daughter, Anna Lynn, had worked at Overholt’s produce, a hub of sorts in the community.
The Pinecraft Pauper made its debut just around the time Taste of Pinecraft was completed, so I was fortunate enough to have been able to include stories from it as well.
AA: Reading your descriptions, you get the idea that this is a fun place to be. Is that the case? Are Pinecrafters really all that cheery, and why (I’m assuming it has something to do with the sun, and maybe all the vitamin C in the air) ?
Sherry Gore: I haven’t been everywhere, but in my travels throughout America this has to be one of the merriest. Imagine leaving the north to spend the winter months in a sun-kissed environment with no burdensome snow to shovel, no cows to milk, and no alarm going off at 4:00am. That alone would make anybody happy.
But throw in white sandy beaches, mild temps, a gulf beach sunset, salt-water fishing, shuffleboard games that last till dusk, nightly volleyball games and never-ending visiting just makes winter all the more sweeter. Pinecraft is laid back. Even a mere week here seems to jolt some folks out of their sternness and puts them in a more relaxed mode.
Who can stay grumpy, when there’s pie to be had at Yoder’s Restaurant? Or the buffet at Troyer’s Dutch Heritage Restaurant? And don’t forget the friendly folks that make a living down here, year-round. One host/cashier, Brent, likes to tell people where to sit, and then ask them how they enjoyed overeating.
The sun seems to have an effect on snowbirds of all ages. Often, you’ll see girls step off the Pioneer Trails bus wearing bullet-proof stockings and their black everyday shoes. A week or two later these same girls climb back aboard the bus heading north wearing flip flops.
As to your question, are they all cheery in Pinecraft? There’s a sourpuss in every crowd, maybe more. We have two.
AA: Another question on Pinecraft: what makes this community so unique? And what’s the deal with the tricycles?
Sherry Gore: With the exception of the radar-laden Sarasota County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol officer’s horses, we’re basically horse-less. The only buggy in town sits in the courtyard at Yoder’s Restaurant, mostly for photo opportunities. The most common mode of transportation are these three-wheelers. Drivers are hired of course for doctors appt. etc, and some use golf carts, but you’ll see most folks get around the village on the broad-seated trikes.
Thomas Peachey, a minister of the Amish Church, has been known to many as “The Flying Dutchman.” His faster-than-necessary motorized trike took him many miles from home everyday to his store, where he makes his famous Big Olaf Ice-cream.
On a return trip to Pinecraft recently, his axle broke sending him and the bike into oncoming traffic. Thomas was hit by a truck and suffered a severe leg injury. As in all other aspects of his life, he took the incident in stride. His motorized bike is totaled so Thomas has been reduced to riding a rather adventure-free version of a three-wheeler; one that goes about five mph in a good wind. “Well, Sherry, I suppose you’ll have to change my name now. Perhaps to something along the lines of “The pedaling Dutchman.”
There’s a great many good ideas drummed up in Pinecraft, too. Some months back, Sam Peachey shared his version on the latest news on the oil spill: BP officials have announced they will lower a giant Amish hat over the gusher. A spokesperson said they are very optimistic this plan will work. An Amish hat is used to control wild, out-of-control hair. There is no reason it would not have the same effect on oil.”
AA: There are a lot of cookbooks out there. What does yours have that others don’t?
Sherry Gore: Embarrassing moments, directions on how to cook an alligator, how not to catch a mouse, an inside look at the #1 Amish snowbird capitol of the world, and the answer to life‘s biggest question. This is not your Grandmother’s cookbook.
And here’s one reader’s take on it: “A regular recipe book has just recipes. Your special book cannot just be considered a “recipe” book. It is entertaining, heart wrenching, comical and enlightening as well as educational. You can make a recipe and while you are waiting for it to cook/bake, you can read a story or more and the time goes by faster. Before you know it, you are ready to eat.” ~ Monique Wood
Amish America: I’m not a cook. Things can get ugly in my kitchen. Which recipes should someone like me try out first?
Sherry Gore: That depends. Are you looking for a get-me-to-the-table-quick kind of meal? The Florida Avocado Egg Scramble is easy. Five ingredients, five minutes, and it’s on the table.
Don’t mind waiting? Try Rebecca Fisher’s Sour Kraut- three ingredients and a six week interim. It’s somebody’s favorite.
Numerous recipes are no-fail classics, like easy Barbecue Meatballs and Vera Kipfer’s Pan-fried Chicken; she’s been a Pinecraft resident for 54 years.
Other dishes, like the Grilled-lime Fish Fillet (a reader favorite), or Fried Alligator Nuggets, call for a little pre-kitchen adventure, both easily had in Sarasota.
AA: And which are your personal favorites?
Sherry Gore: Esther Souder’s recipe for Coquina Soup epitomizes Florida living, but it was the story she told of growing up in Pinecraft and trekking to the beach with her family that captured me.
Another favorite can be found in the Pie section. Amish Henry Detweiler (there’s three fellows in town with the same name, somebody had to get a nickname) was holding an auction on Graber Street to disperse Gary Eash’s worldly goods. Across the road, Fannie Kay Yoder had made her Chocolate Cream Pie and was selling it by the slice.
In the midst of the auction, the Pioneer Trails bus arrived at the Tourist Church parking lot filled to the brim with pale-faced northerners itching for some Florida sunshine. That crowd seeing the crowd on the opposite end of Graber Street came down to see what was shaking. While Gary may have owned some hard-to-find items of interest, I’m more inclined to think it was Fannie’s pie that made the crowd swell.
AA: In addition to being a national scribe for The Budget, you are also a writer for The Pinecraft Pauper, which I’d have to describe as a local paper of mirth and a bit of mischief (the good, fun kind of mischief of course). Really, reading through some issues your founder Daniel sent me, I found myself audibly laughing. It takes a lot to do that. Tell us a little about the PP.
Sherry Gore: Our village paper, the first of its kind, was launched by Daniel Fisher and Leon Hostetler to provide a creative outlet for the Amish. It certainly has a Florida feel to it. Since the maiden issue of the PP several folks have jumped on board.
While most of the writers are local, some send their carefully type-written pages via snail-mail. Steven Fisher, a young farm boy in PA, began his literary debut last winter by sharing his observations on birds, a topic of great interest to many plain folks. This year, Steven has takes a more journal-type approach and is broadened his scope to include an array of wildlife happenings on his wooded 100 year-old farm in his nostalgic writings.
The wide variety of readers we have took me by surprise In addition to quite a few Old Order Amish folks, there’s a Kentucky Derby race horse owner, two New York Times best-selling authors, and at least one professor included in the list of subscribers.
With five books of my own scheduled to be released by Christmas 2012, I recently sent word to Moby Dick, a rather witty and satire-filled fellow, explaining my lack-of-time dilemma. He’s agreed to continue answering questions sent to the Editor.
One feature tells of notable Pinecraft Facts:
“The smallest house in the village, found on Shrock Street, measures 8 x 12 with 96 sq. ft. It belongs to Katie Troyer, one of Pinecraft’s little people.
The largest house, also on Shrock Street, has an astounding 6,000 sq. ft. We don’t know who’s moving in, but one fellow claimed who ever it is must be fat. At least in the wallet.”
AA: In Taste of Pinecraft, you mention “the world’s only Amish-owned Post Office”. The Amish are getting into the postal business? I thought Uncle Sam had that market locked down.
Sherry Gore: This tiny, frumpy building and it’s parking-lot-for four, houses more than just mail. Sitting across the road from Big Olaf Ice-cream is one of the distribution boxes for the Pinecraft Pauper. Outside, on the east wall is the famous bulletin board. Here you can advertise for an up-coming benefit supper, find a job, announce your woes of not finding a job, or disperse a litter of kittens. If your lucky, you can find someone to do your ironing. Senator Lisa Carlton did that once. It was a good job; one I rather enjoyed.
Inside the post office you’ll find gems written on bits of pink paper and taped to the walls – words of wisdom, such as “You can’t stumble when you’re on your knees.”
What you won’t find are computers; not even a hand-held debit card machine. Postal clerk Magdalena Graber uses a small calculator. Receipts are hand-written and hand-stamped. Mark Shrock works the winter season. Expect to stay longer if you ask him a question regarding current politics. But never quote him.
AA: So if I pay a visit to Pinecraft, what do I need to do while I’m there? Anyone I need to watch out for?
Sherry Gore: Eat. First go get your fill of home-cooking Amish-style at one of the two restaurants. We must be doing something right. Recently, 600 people came to Pinecraft, for liver and onions. Then go rent yourself a three-wheeler on Kruppa Ave. They’re only $4 per day. You’re better off taking the long route so by the time you pedal your way to the Pinecraft Park you’ll be ready for shuffleboard, marbles, loafing, or for the youngie, volleyball. And don’t leave without sitting down with Amish Henry, at least once. And watch out for Becky Fisher. She’s 81, and caught a burglar recently.
AA: Let us know how to get a copy of Taste of Pinecraft, and how one might get ahold of The Pinecraft Pauper too while you’re at it.
Sherry Gore: You can find Taste of Pinecraft in many Amish and Mennonite stores across the country, but those living outside a plain community can order a copy on my website at www.SherryGorebooks.com. Subscriptions for 8 bi-weekly issues from Dec.-April to the PP can be ordered by sending $11 to Pinecraft Village Publishers PO BOX 50231 Sarasota, FL 34232. You can also find us on Facebook.
Read more on Florida Amish, or find Amish furniture-Florida.
Photo credits: Northern Arrivals- Sherry Gore; Amish Tricycles-Bruce Stambaugh; Pinecraft Pauper box- Sherry Gore
Update: Taste of Pinecraft winners, sample recipes, and stories
Time for the winners!
Thanks to everyone who read the above interview with Sherry Gore, author of Taste of Pinecraft: Glimpses of Sarasota, Florida’s Amish Culture and Kitchens. What fun it was to get Sherry’s inside take on this unique community. Also really enjoyed reading your comments and great questions.
Before we roll out the winners, I asked Sherry if she could share a recipe and story from Taste of Pinecraft. The following bit is originally excerpted from the Pinecraft Pauper, and was written by founder Daniel Fisher, with a recipe from Pinecraft local Sadie Hochstetler. I’ve never heard of “Fluffy Pumpkin Pie” but with the recipe calling for 24 large marshmallows I have no doubt that it is!
And here are the five winners of a copy of Taste of Pinecraft, chosen at random using random.org. If you left more than one comment that is great, but I just counted the first one for contest purposes:
comment #201, Tammy Graham
#25, Janet Rader
#42, Joann R
#13, Esther
#203, Dianne Kerchner
Congratulations to all. Winners, please send the address where you’d like the book shipped (send to me at amishamerica@gmail.com) and I’ll pass along to Sherry.
If you didn’t win, you can pick up a copy of the book at Sherry’s site. Also, if you would like to get a further fix of Pinecraft, Katie Troyer (author of the mounties photo above and fishing photo below) shares photos and writes about life in that community here.
Finally, be sure to check back as there are about 5 more giveaways of other books scheduled for the next couple-few months.
And how about one more excerpt and recipe, before we go?
Photo credits: mounties and fisherman-Katie Troyer
I’m subscribed! I would love to win a copy!
Very much enjoyed the interview! 🙂
Hi! I love your site! Always look forward to new posts! Thanks!
Erik, your site is brilliant.
I have a question, it is connected with Amish cooking.Do the Amish use any particular spices or herbs in their cuisine, that is things that give their kitchen a signature taste?
I’m a subscriber to Amish America!
Hey I am now a subscriber. I love Amish cooking. Living close to Lancaster Pa I get to interact with Amish. I love to visit their little roadside stands in the summer.
I am now a subscriber!!!!!!!! and would love to be entered in the 5 book giveaway…too fun
Hi Sherry…I am a Facebook friend and I just subscribed! I have always loved Amish fiction but have not been familiar with Taste of Pinecraft, until I met you. 🙂 Please enter me in the giveaway! Thank you!
Nice raccoon! Where did you get it? I am a new subscriber and fan of Amish America. Hope I win the book! Best wishes 🙂
I love getting your posts, they are all fun and informative at the same time, but this interview has become one of my favourites and I will return to it and read it again.
Keep up the good work!
Sue
Loves learning about the Amish and also enjoy reading Sherry & Eric’s posts. I would love to win a copy of this book. Fingers crossed 🙂 Thanks…
I’m a subscriber now and I would love to win. Enjoy reading about the Amish. Thanks!
would love to have a copy of Taste of Pinecraft will buy one for my girls for Christmas they would also love one!
I just subscribed to Amish America and would love to be included in your giveaway. I recently connected with Sherry on Facebook and have found her to be a fascinating lady!
Just subscribed… interesting!
i’m a subscriber to Amish America and a fan of Sherry’s. Would love to add this book to my collection.
I have been friends with Sherry on Facebook and consider her a Christian sister!
Would love to win this book!
would love to have a copy of Taste of Pinecraft I enjoy reading about the Amish and their ways have lots of Amish friends.
Would love to win a copy of the Taste of Pinecraft cookbook.
I am a subscriber … Thanks for letting me enter the contest.
This interview is a really absorbing read – and I love the photos; what a wonderful injection of sunshine!
I enjoy the posts here on Amish America, and also following Sherry’s sharing of her life with friends on Facebook :0)
I’m not sure where to buy Taste of Pinecraft, as Amazon didn’t have it in stock when I looked – so winning a copy would be a delight.
God bless you!
I am now asubscriber to amish america … thank you 111 I would use the cookbook as a gift should i win … i love my taste of pinecraft !!!!!
I am a subscriber! Please register me in your contest!
I am a subscriber of amish america so interesting. I love sherry gore too and things she writes i love to win a free book i also like the budget but can afford it right now God Bless u sherry
I joined because of Sherry Gore. Thanks Sherry.
Awesome Amish site!
Count me in on this contest! Would love to have a copy of Sherry’s book!
I really enjoyed reading the article/interview with Sherry Gore. I would love to meet her some day! I’m hoping to win a copy of Sherry’s book!!
Many years ago, I was a subscriber to ‘The Budget’ and I always looked forward to the Pinecraft scribe’s commentary. I have enjoyed being a subscriber to Amish America. I have been around the country and I’m always pleased to read about the going-ons of persons in the Amish and Mennonite communities. I enjoyed contact with a group in Grabill Indiana at Das Nolt Haus and I wish there were more communities around San Antonio TX, where I practice, so I could again enjoy the foods and atmosphere at that restaurant. I would love to have a copy of this book, as a means of creating this flavor in my home.
I’m a subscriber!!
Hi, I’m a subscriber!
I loved reading this interview and appreciate being given the chance to win a Taste of Pinecraft! What a great cookbook/history lesson 🙂
Hay I want to win. Been wanting to find the book but I don’t get to a book store very often. I do enjoy reading what Sherry Gore writes.
I just subscribed today, as I read about this on facebook…love inbteracting with Sherry on facebook and would love to win this, enjoyed reading your blog here very much 🙂
Hi,
I’m a subscriber and would love to win the cookbook : )
Enjoy your posts . Love visiting Holmes County,OH every year with my husband. Have made several Amish friends. The food is great,too!
Hi, I loved the interview with Sherry Gore. Please count me in on the book give away. I do have a question though,,, how long has the Pinecraft Amish been there in Florida?
I’ll be subscribing to the paper too!!
Blessings, Alice
Just found your blog and subscribed immediately. I look forward to reading the archives to see what I’ve missed to date!
I’ve often visited this website but never signed up until now. Now I know I won’t miss out on any articles or interviews! GREAT!
And thanks to Sherry for bringing Amish America to our attention again. What’s not to love about that lady?!!!
Thanks everyone, so nice to see some new names here and thanks again to Sherry for the great book and interview.
I still want to respond to some comments but for now just a quick answer to Alice’s question–the Pinecraft community has actually been around since the late 1920s!
thanks for signing me up, also
Really enjoying the posts on Amish America
The Kalona Amish seem to be frowning on Pinecraft the Amish getto. They must be having too much fun. Thanks for signing me up
Please include me in the drawing!!! I would love to win a copy!!!
I just signed up and I truely enjoy reading about the amish. I have a couple of Amish cookbooks I just love to use too. I would love to win one of the free books.
Love reading your comments and antics with Daniel Boone! He is so sweet! Had no idea about your community in Pinecraft, Florida. Would love, love, love to have a copy of your book. If I do not win one I will buy one. Thanks so much for all of your posts and education on the Amish communities.
Until recently I had no idea that there was a community in Pinecraft. Looks like a wonderful place to visit!
I am a subscriber..
I could always use one more cook book and I have heard that yours is really good and i sure would love to have one. Since yours always has stories to read in it too that is a plus!
I just signed up and I enjoy reading about the Amish.
I would love to win a book! Have a blessed day!