Amish Country News - September 2023

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A Craft for Generations, a Family Business, All Wrapped Up in Leather

by Ed Blanchette

Ihave had the privilege of meeting dozens, maybe even hundreds, of Amish craftsmen over the last decade or so. As the Amish population grows, farmland does not, and out of necessity, Amish people have forayed into various “cottage industries” that they can develop on a small homestead. What may have been borne out of necessity, has in some cases become a treasured pursuit.

The Amish way of life requires leather goods, that we “English” don’t use anymore. You can’t just walk into a Walmart to buy these things, so where do the Amish go? You guessed it, among the Amish, there are leather craftsmen who, for generations, have made the things that their community needs.

A trusted, valuable, local business with a strong work ethic, that continues to perfect a time-honored craft within the Amish community and culture for what may truly be generations.

bonded together with adhesives, or synthetic knockoffs, that you might find at big box stores. This is a fullservice leather “cottage industry” that uses only the finest leather hides, real 100% pure leather of unmatched quality. Forest Hill Leather Craft offers an array of items, such as briefcases, business planners, women’s handbags & carryalls, coasters, unique gift items, and much more. The main thrust of the business may be belts in almost unlimited lengths, (in stock ranging from 22 inches to 58 inches), and of course, these leather belts come available in numerous styles and colors.

create wonderfully unique pieces that last a lifetime. Just out of curiosity, I asked Ike, “Just how big a belt can you make for a custom order?” He said he’s made them up to at least 70 inches in length, but essentially, he can make a belt with almost limitless length.

However, at some Amish workshops, it isn’t all about harness and tack. Such is the case at

Forest Hill Leather Craft

Unlike the lesser-quality strips of hide,

Resident craftsman Isaac Stoltzfus opened the doors of Forest Hill Leather Craft after gaining 14 years of experience in working for others. This isn’t just a grumbling job for Ike and his family. No, this is obviously a passion project for them, as they

Forest Hill Leather Craft belts are guaranteed to “last your lifetime” so unlike cheaply mass-produced belts at impersonal big-box retailers (which are often just veneers glued together with very little actual leather involved), an expertly hand-crafted belt from Forest

"You can’t just walk into a Walmart to buy leather goods, so where do the Amish go?"

Hills Leather Craft will not need to be replaced every year or two. A cheap belt becomes a bit more expensive when you think how many times it will need to be replaced when compared to a lifelong purchase like a belt from Forest Hills.

The entire family is involved in one way or another, but Ike, patriarch, and founder of the business oversees all aspects of production. Assisted by his apprenticing sons, Isaac thoroughly enjoys his work and is very happy to share the finished products with the many people who come through his doors.

No matter how young his family members are, all are involved in the business, with the tiniest tots able to at least sweep the floor of the shop. Truly, the epitome of a family business. The leather shop sits in a renovated half of the barn, so while you shop, you often hear the whinnying and nickering of the horses on the other side of the barn, or maybe the crow of a rooster just outside (on my most recent visit I saw the family had a sign proclaiming all-natural, free-range brown eggs

for sale.) But the shop is clean, nicely appointed, and spacious, even sporting a mirror to see how the merchandise might look on you before buying.

In early August, Ike took a three-day trip with his family, which included a tour of the leather tannery in Curwensville Pennsylvania, and a two-day leather workers Auction & Expo in Ohio. This gave Ike the opportunity to meet with suppliers of leather, hardware, and machinery, as well as present his questions and concerns. Ike closed his business for three days to go see, touch, experience, and source the best leathers and supplies available. That’s Ike’s commitment to his craft and to the quality of the product he creates. And that’s the kind of work ethic and quality that you’ll see and find when you look around the Forest Hill Leather Craft shop and feel in your hands when you inspect the wares at this off-thebeaten-path “cottage industry.” Getting there couldn’t be easier, but a word to the wise, his physical address is listed

as “Bird-in-Hand” but that is indicative of a quirk of the US Postal system. His property is actually six miles north of the center of Bird-in-Hand, just a short jog north of Route 23 near the town of Leola. The easiest way to get there? Plug 225 Forest Hill Road, Bird-in-Hand, PA 17505 into your GPS. Heading there without a GPS, take Quarry Road north off Route 23 in Leola, and then make a right on Forest Hill Road. The farm is on the right (look for their sign) and is just a short distance after you pass by the Amish One-Room School.

The Plain People and the Foster Care System

with a Brief Introduction by Clinton Martin

Iknow an Amish family well, where the two children in the home are not biologically those of the mother and father. Two “English” (non-Amish) girls were placed with this Amish couple when their mother was unable to care for them. After the mother’s overdose death, reunification obviously was no longer a goal, and the girls were adopted by the Amish couple. I’ve often wondered, is this an exceedingly rare occurrence, or is foster / adoption among the Amish and other Plain groups commonplace?

I recently came across a fascinating study, published in the Journal of Public Child Welfare, which indicated that Amish and Mennonite (and other Plain) communities are indeed participating in the foster care system in America, and that their participation is growing.

The study is titled Inviting Plain Mennonite and Amish families to provide foster care for children and is authored by three experts in the field:

• Jeanette Harder, Goshen College, Social Work Department, Goshen, Indiana

• Sara W. Bharwani, Academy for Child and Family Well Being, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska

• Jodi Gabel, Grace Abbott School of Social Work, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska

One of the study’s authors, social work professor at Goshen College Jeanette Harder, wrote a fictional story, as an illustration of the aggregate findings. In her words, a “story” that I like to use to illustrate the results - the story is not any one family’s story but is rather a compilation of the highlights of many families’ stories. I’ve shared it with the families we interviewed, and they tell me that it’s “accurate.”

Amish Country News has re-printed it here with Harder’s permission:

Joe and Sarah were concerned. They had married 5 years earlier. Joe was partnering with his father and brothers in the shop, and Sarah was home caring for their two children, Ben and Beth. Sarah had a medical situation when Beth was born and now it seemed their fears were confirmed. While their friends had three, four, even five children already, their family had stopped growing.

Sarah went out to the barn where Joe was finishing the chores. Ben and Beth were playing in a water puddle not far away. “Joe, do you think we should look into doing foster care?” Joe looked up at his wife. He was silent. He knew how she longed for their home to be full of children, for that is what he wanted too.

A week later, he picked up the mail and saw a manilla envelope with the return address of their county offices. They poured over the material together. They called Joe’s sister who had adopted three children after doing foster care. She said, “Go for it! But don’t expect it to be easy.” They imagined what their parents would tell them about inviting the government into their home and about the future of dark-skinned children this would bring into the community.

Joe & Sarah started going to the training with other potential foster families. They were overjoyed to see a Mennonite family from a nearby community. They endured the home study, with Joe building a new locked cabinet for his firearms and erecting a fence around their wood-burning stove, even though any child would surely know not to touch a hot stove. The case worker asked them more questions than they could ever imagine, and just when they thought her next question would be the size of their underwear and the brand of toilet paper they purchased, she delivered the good news: they were approved as a foster home in their county.

They waited longer than expected for their first placement. When it came

in Amish Country Antiquing

By Ed Blanchette

Do you enjoy searching for antiques? Perhaps you are looking for that special something, or you just enjoy searching for a surprise to add to your home decor. Maybe you hope to find an item worthy of an “Antique Roadshow.” Whatever you discover, once you find it, it becomes your personal treasure.

What makes Lancaster County such a great place to go antiquing? One obvious answer would be that this area has a rich history going back hundreds of years to the first settlers in the early 1700’s. Many of us have stuff in our attics that we have forgotten about, or inherited. Who knows what may be out there either at a yard sale or an antique shop? Here in Lancaster County we boast thousands of antique shops and dealers. The Adamstown area alone has over 3,000 antiques dealers, and is known as Antiques Capital, U.S.A. The many locations stretch out along Route 272, just off Pennsylvania Turnpike, Exit 286.

Whether you are after a rarity, or just something old that intrigues you, you’ll find everything from sheet music to music boxes, pocket watches to kitchen sinks, nostalgic clothes to beautiful wardrobes to hang them in. Glassware, crafts, toys, clothes, artwork, china, quilts and fabrics, memorabilia...the list is endless!

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HOUSED INSIDE THE ANTIQUE MALL, IS AN OLD TIME GENERAL STORE, which will take you back in time to the Mom & Pop stores of years ago. With a wide variety of antique and collectibles including Pharmacy, Tool Supply, Barber Shop, Hardware Store, Haberdashery and more!! They offer convenient parking for over 100 vehicles, with a spacious area for campers, trailers, and tour buses. You will find it such a pleasure to shop in their clean, climate-controlled, brightly lit and carpeted mall. ABSOLUTELY ONE OF THE BEST SHOPPING EXPERIENCES IN LANCASTER COUNTY! As if your shopping experience couldn't possibly be any better, a Gift Shop and Restaurant are located on the premises to make your memorable day complete!

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The Plain People and the Foster Care System

Cont’d from Page 7

right down to it, the workers just couldn’t picture placing a child in their home. What would they tell the birth families? Finally, late one afternoon, the caseworker called. “Would you come to the hospital tomorrow morning?” Joe & Sarah flew around the house preparing for the arrival of a new baby. They asked their neighbor to care for Ben and Beth the next morning while they went to the hospital.

Isaiah had been born to a 16yo girl. Just 4 lbs. and unable to breathe or feed on his own, he’d spent the last month in the NICU. The hospital social worker had done her best, but Isaiah’s mother wasn’t prepared to care for a child. She had stopped visiting him. She had brought Isaiah a toy giraffe and disappeared into the foggy morning.

Isaiah was now ready for discharge and the caseworker was handing a car seat to Joe and Sarah. “We can’t use that.” Surprised, the case worker explained that all babies must be transported in a car seat. And then it dawned on her, Joe & Sarah had come in a buggy. Joe patiently explained that the buggy was not a vehicle, and a car seat would not make little Isaiah any safer. Before they knew it, Sarah found herself in a van with Isaiah, while Joe drove home alone in their buggy.

Isaiah was a fussy baby. Unlike anything they’d ever experienced with Ben or Beth. He cried all night and all day. Joe & Sarah took turns rocking him each night, all night. During the day, Sarah struggled to care for their little household while also cradling Isaiah. The next few weeks were a blur of doctor’s appointments, caseworker visits, and caring for a fussy baby. Joe & Sarah were grateful when the case worker’s supervisor let them know that it would be ok to transport Isaiah in their buggy.

Just as they were beginning to find a new balance in their home, the caseworker called again: Would they be able to take in 6yo Tabby? Realizing Tabby’s age, Sarah asked about school. The case worker explained that the bus would pick up Tabby at the end of their lane, and she would go to the public school. The case worker also explained that Tabby’s mother had entered treatment and was working toward reunification. Sarah thought about Tabby – how she must feel alone and scared – and said yes.

Tabby was certainly more active than Ben and Beth, but she blended right into their household. At first, she wore clothes Sarah bought for her with the money from the county. But before

they knew it, Tabby was asking to wear clothes that looked like Sarah’s and Beth’s, especially to church, and then later at home as well. She wanted to look like other children.

The county asked Sarah & Joe to take Tabby to visit her mother in treatment each week which Sarah was glad to do. Sarah couldn’t imagine how hard this must be for Tabby’s mother. While the county reimbursed them for the driver, it was exhausting to pack everyone up and go to the treatment center – it usually consumed the whole day. She tried to coordinate these visits with Isaiah’s appointments with the medical specialist, but that didn’t often work out. He was getting inhome services too, which sometimes had to be changed to accommodate Tabby’s visits to her mother. Joe & Sarah were grateful whenever their neighbors offered help in the form of food, childcare, or just companionship. Life was full, but it was good.

Going to church became more challenging than ever though. Isaiah was often fussy, and Tabby simply would not sit still. Joe & Sarah sighed to themselves when they saw other parents with their children. Tabby’s aggressive behavior around other children was beginning to make Joe

& Sarah avoid community gatherings. Then one Friday, the school called and said Tabby had touched another girl inappropriately in the restroom. Joe went to school and apologized for Tabby’s actions. Apparently, the school made a report because the caseworker pulled into their lane the next day. She asked why Joe & Sarah hadn’t called her right away. Joe explained that their phone was not working, and they had not yet had the chance to go to their neighbors. Besides Tabby was home safe with them over the weekend.

The caseworker told Joe & Sarah that Tabby’s mother was about to be released from treatment, and that her supervisor had asked her to move Tabby to a respite home for a few days and then she would likely be returned to her mother. Joe & Sarah gasped and pleaded for Tabby to stay with them. But no, the caseworker said that would not be possible. Joe & Sarah only had time to quickly pack Tabby’s few things and before they knew it, the caseworker was pulling a sobbing Tabby out of their arms. Their home seemed quiet that evening without Tabby’s energy. The next morning, Sarah called the county to say they wanted to take a break from foster care for 6 months.

Joe & Sarah signed up to do foster care through a private agency that was nearby. Their new caseworker called just a month later. Even as Sarah was forming the words to say “No, it’s too soon,” the caseworker began describing the 3 and 5yo brothers who needed a place to stay. “Just for a few days,” she said. “These boys have had so many placements, and we need a home where the mother is home full-time, so they don’t have to go to daycare. You are the only home we have for these boys.” After talking with Joe, they consented.

The boys had been severely neglected. They had apparently spent all their time snacking in front of the TV in a darkened apartment and were quite overweight. A few days stretched into a week, and then a month. The caseworker expressed her gratefulness to Joe & Sarah for continuing to care for the boys. Over time, the boys

became comfortable playing outside with the other children. But then the 5yo began having significant anger outbursts and sometimes the other children would cry in fear of him. Joe & Sarah knew he needed discipline in the form of a good spanking, but they also knew that wasn’t allowed. Joe spent hours restraining the 5yo until he would finally calm down and could listen to reason. Joe was grateful for the training they had received about trauma and was grateful for the support of other foster parents, as other parents in their church community just couldn’t relate. Except for setbacks after visiting

their birth mother, Joe & Sarah were satisfied to see how the boys began to blend into their family. They wondered how long the boys would stay.

Joe & Sarah were relieved that Isaiah’s adoption had been finalized and hoped that he would do ok as an African American child in their community. They looked forward to continuing to grow their family. When another couple in their church asked Joe & Sarah if they should also consider doing foster care, Joe & Sarah said, “Go for it, but don’t expect it to be easy.”

A Small Town with a Big Heart

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of Penn’s Woods. By 1712, they had secured land in Lancaster’s Pequea Valley as the area’s first white people, living peaceably with local Indians.

Visitors to Lancaster from the east on RT 30 travel through Paradise, just one of our many intriguing town names. The town’s story traces back to Europe over 300 years ago, to the area of the Palatinate in Germany

where Protestants had settled following the declaration of King Louis XIV that all Protestants in France would be persecuted. Fearing a French invasion, many accepted the invitation to settle in the New World in William Penn’s colony

The origins of RT 30, also known as “Lincoln Highway,” date back to Lancaster’s Colonial days when the frontier county needed a highway to connect it with the provincial capital of Philadelphia. The road that was constructed is now Route 340, still referred to as the “Old Philadelphia Pike.” Soon, it was apparent that the Pike was insufficient to handle

the increasing traffic, and in 1790, a commission to survey a new route was created. Since the cost was too much for the state to undertake, the company charged with building it was given the power to demand “reasonable” tolls from users. Investors received dividends earned from tolls collected along the gates of the turnpike. (As the toll was paid, the gate or “pike” was turned, hence the term “turnpike”).

The Act described the construction of the highway, which was to be a bed of small crushed stones on top with, rather than dirt, larger stones underneath to prevent carriage wheels from cutting into the soil. This revolutionary system of road construction is credited to a John McAdam, whose name became the term for paved or “macadam” roads. The turnpike opened in 1795 as the first long–distance, hard surfaced road in the country. Taverns and stagecoach shops grew up along the turnpike for weary travelers. Of these, the Revere Tavern, dating back to 1740 and originally called the “Sign of the Spread Eagle”, still proudly stands today. In 1841, the tavern became the residence of Reverend Edward V. Buchanan and his wife Eliza Foster Buchanan. Eliza was the sister of Stephen Foster, whose immortal songs will always be a part of Americana. Foster not only penned music at the tavern, but sent many of his manuscripts to Eliza, also a talented musician, for her approval. On the banks of the Pequea Creek, Eliza and Stephen played many of Stephen’s 200 songs, including “Way Down Upon the Swanee River” and “Oh, Susanna.”

Wherever you happen to call “paradise,” we hope you can see that a little bit of our own Paradise won’t do you any harm!

For The First-Time Visitor

Here in Lancaster County, over 30,000 Amish (pronounced Ahmish, not Ai-mish) serve as living reminders of a quieter time, a time when the horse and buggy was the mode of transportation and families lived and died in the same small communities.

The first Amish, so named for Jakob Ammann, arrived in Lancaster County and nearby Berks and Chester counties in the early 1700s to take part in William Penn’s “Holy Experiment” of religious freedom. Originally called Anabaptists,

Protestants and Catholics. The county is now home to three Anabaptist groups called the Amish, Mennonite and Brethren.

In 1525, after the Reformation, a group of Swiss Brethren felt that only adults should be baptized. They met secretly in a member’s home and confirmed their faith by re-baptizing each other as adults, even though they had been baptized as infants in the state church. Thus, they became Cont’d on Page 23

THEAMISH and Photographs

In the August issue of Amish Country News we revisited the questions given during my travels in and around Amish Country from visitors and even some locals of what is proper or allowable for photographing the Amish people within their communities. As you know, we always attempt in making it our utmost goal here at Amish Country News to be thoughtful and respectful regarding our articles, historical references, artwork, and all the photographs that are submitted, taken, and used in and throughout our publications.

We even have a special continuing section in each issue categorized Reminders to Visitors that assists in making our readers and visitors to the Amish communities, aware of some of the simple etiquettes to bring to mind. This way we all have a respected and civil guide for interaction between peoples, be it Amish, Mennonite, or English and the continuing goal of respecting each other’s privacy, space, and dignity.

As promised, please enjoy part three of this revisiting from our friend Brad Igou and his previous contribution to Amish Country News regarding the on-going questions of photographing our friends in the Amish communities. So, without any further delay, please enjoy, this, the third of four parts. Thank you.

by Brad Igou

Most visitors to Lancaster County find it difficult not to take photographs of the Amish. Yet, if there is one thing that appears to bother the Amish, it is people trying to constantly, and sometimes secretly, take their picture. (There are even stories of tourists paying or bribing Amish children to be photographed.) This aversion to photographs is often explained as being based on the Second Commandment, “Thou shalt not make to thyself a graven image, nor the likeness of anything that is in heaven or in the earth beneath.”

As most people know, Amish children often played with faceless dolls. While there are explanations for the lack of a face having to do with the doll’s becoming a “likeness,” others say it was simply a custom. Today it is common for the Amish to buy or make dolls with faces, and there are examples of Amish dolls with faces sewn or drawn on dating back to 1900.

REVISITED (Part Three of Four)

Elmer Smith in his 1961 book

The Amish Today feels a short story published in a leading national magazine led people to such a conclusion. The December 1937 Scribner’s story called “Suzie” told of an Amish girl who received a doll from her teacher as a Christmas gift. Her father removed the head and replaced it with a stuffed stocking since “only God can make people.” Smith concludes that this idea that dolls are graven images “is not nearly so widespread as most people think.”

Now we will look at what one Amishman himself has to say about it all.

Elmo Stoll, writing in the March 1987 issue of Family Life, an Amish magazine, took on the entire issue of graven images, photography, and the Second Commandment. He notes that certainly a painted portrait would be no more permissible than a photograph, that x-rays and toy animals are images, and that stamps and money have likenesses of people on them. He writes that “the second commandment is not about taking snapshots. (If it were, what were the poor people supposed to make out of it for 5,000 years before the recent invention of the camera?)”

REMINDERS for Visitors to Amish Country

Although thousands of visitors come to Lancaster County to experience a bit of the Amish lifestyle, the Amish are a private people and find the attention somewhat disconcerting. It is important to respect their feelings while you’re visiting. With that in mind, here are a few tips for fostering good relations between the Amish and non–Amish.

NO PICTURES Please! Don’t ask an Amish person to pose for a picture. Most will politely refuse. It is against our Amish neighbors convictions to have their pictures taken, except in very special situations. Please respect this belief and do not take photos without permission, just as you would like to have your beliefs respected.

HOLD YOUR HORSES Driving along area roads, you will no doubt encounter numerous Amish carriages, or “buggies,” as visitors like to call them. Do not honk your horn, because the sound may frighten the horse and cause an accident. Instead, wait until it is safe to pass and then give the buggy plenty of room. Be sure not to cut back in the lane too sharply in front of the horse. The county’s roads are generally wide enough that you should be able to pass most buggies without much of a problem.

NO TRESPASSING Do not trespass onto private Amish property for a closer look. Amish homes are not museums, and Amish people are not exhibits. Respect their property and privacy as you would like others to respect your own. You can get a good sense of Amish life at many area visitor attractions and on guided tours.

WAVING Do not be offended if the Amish do not wave back to your friendly gesture. With all the people who wave to them throughout a day, they would be waving back all day if they did!

A FINAL WORD Remember the Amish are not on vacation and are not costumed actors. They are real people going about their daily lives. They are not here to serve as tour guides or attractions for visitors. This, after all, is their home, so please respect their beliefs and lifestyle.

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While driving by some of the approximately 300 Amish one-room schools in the Lancaster Amish settlement, visitors often wonder what a typical day is like in these private schools. Here is an “inside look” adapted from the comments of an Amish schoolteacher...

Who are the teachers?

School is typically taught by young Amish women in their late teens or early 20’s, who teach for several years before getting married. No one usually teaches after marriage; it is too big of a commitment. There are some women who never marry, however, that may continue to teach.

How many students and teachers are there in the school?

Schools are usually one room, one teacher, although occasionally there is a helper in schools of more than 30 pupils. (Special schools for students with learning or other disabilities often have one teacher per four pupils.) Usually there are 25-30 “scholars” from grades 1-8, and ages 6-13. They may start at the age of five if their birthday is before the end of the year.

How long is the school term and day?

We have a 180-day term, with the five 7-hour days. School usually begins around 8:30 am. There are 15-minute breaks in the mid-morning and mid afternoon. Then, there is a one-hour break at lunch, which includes recess. There are four class periods of about an hour and a half in length, two in the morning and two in the afternoon.

What subjects do you teach and how?

Lessons taught include arithmetic (not math), and we often use agricultural arithmetic books printed in the 1930’s. Lots of drill games and flash cards are used, especially for the lower grades. Workbooks are used for most subjects. Spelling is drilled well with spelling words being assigned for use in sentences and written many times in an exercise book to practice for the test, which is given orally

at the end of the week. As for reading, the first grade learns phonics, sounding out the letters rather than recognizing words. By Christmas they are reading out of Readers, either McGuffy, Dick & Jane, or another series from the Amish publishing house in Canada that uses Amish themes and illustrations. Every grade has reading once a week “in class.” The first and second grades read “in class” daily. Pupils stand up front of the class in order of age and take turns reading by sentences or paragraphs, depending on the grade. When a scholar who is reading makes a mistake, if another student notices, he will raise his hand. The teacher will call on him and he will mention the error, be it mispronunciation, skipping or adding words, etc. Students are so eager to do this that the teacher very seldom has to correct them.

Amish children learn to speak English in school, since they speak the Pennsylvania

German dialect at home. English lessons are taught twice weekly in all grades, including parts of speech, vocabulary, etc. And by the way, English is usually spoken in the classroom and on the playground, with exceptions made for a first grader who is not very fluent yet. First graders usually know some English before they get to school but may not be really fluent at the start of the year.

Many a scholar’s favorite subject is American History, with special emphasis on the early days of our country. Geography/ Social Studies is also taught, with the best students learning the States and their capitals. Penmanship is considered to be very important. And German starts in the second or third grade, beginning with recognition of the German alphabet and advancing to German reading and comprehension in the upper grades.

What is a typical day like in your school? A typical day starts with the teacher reading a chapter from the Bible. Then students rise and say the Lord’s Prayer. Students file to the front and sing three or four songs from the songbooks. The teacher has arithmetic assignments on the board for grades three to eight daily. The teacher begins with first and second grade phonics or reading. Each class is taught for about 10 minutes, “hands” are answered between classes. During recess, softball is usually played whenever weather permits. Smaller children play tag, prisoner’s base, jump rope etc. On rainy days, ping-pong, board games, or party games are played inside. At lunchtime, a prayer is recited in unison. A story is read to all after the lunch recess. Classes continue in the afternoon. At dismissal, a goodbye song is usually sung.

What happens after grade eight? There is vocational training after grade eight, until one session past the student’s 15th birthday. While students work and help their parents at home, they keep a journal of their activities. And once a week they meet with the teacher, where they further their German studies.

What about discipline?

Discipline varies among the teachers, but parents are notified of an unusually disrespectful child. It really all depends on how the teacher earns the respect of the students and parents.

Please Note: Amish schools are, of course, private, and not open to the public.

Exp erie nce

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WITNESS the emotional story of an Amish teenager's struggle in Jacob's Choice, where he must choose between his faith and the modern world. 3–D sets, special effects, unique "ghost–like" characters, all on five screens.

EXPLORE the Amish Country Homestead, the region’s only Officially Designated Heritage Site Amish home then sit at a desk in the Fisher Amish Schoolroom furnished authentically with desks and more from an actual Amish classroom.

TOUR the magnificent back roads through Amish Farmlands with a certified tour guide in complete comfort onboard one of our 14 passenger busses.

SATISFY yourself that you’re making the most from your Amish Experience. Since 1959, the area’s first, and still foremost, interpretative source of Amish Culture.

Amish Farmlands Tour

Journey along back country roads, deep into the Amish Farmlands to discover sights rarely seen. Under the watchful eye of your certified guide, you’ll gain insights into the “how” and “why”of an ever–changing culture, and see at–the–moment activities of the Amish. If you’ve seen the Amish portrayed on the various “Reality” TV shows, and you wonder what really is true and not true about the Amish, this is the tour you won’t want to miss! We’ll debunk myths about the Amish and provide accurate, respectful, and authentic information, just like we have done for over 60 years.

Duration: 1 1/2 hours Mon.–Sat.

Rare is the opportunity to meet with Amish families willing to share their traditions and beliefs with you. In a group whose size is never more than 14, this is the only Amish Tour to be designated an official “Heritage Tour” by the County of Lancaster. Visit an Amish farm at milking time, stop at a Cottage Industry, and finally enjoy a visit and chat with one of our Amish friends in their home.

Duration: 3 hours

Monday through Saturday 5:00 p.m.

The SuperSaver Package includes the Amish Farmlands Tour, the acclaimed “Jacob’s Choice” at the Amish Experience F/X Theater, and a tour of the Amish House & One–Room School.

Plain & Fancy

The Only Place Where You Can Do It All...

Drive along the area’s only AAA Scenic Cultural Byway, and when you’re mid–way between Bird–in–Hand and Intercourse, you’ll discover the ten pristine acres known as Plain & Fancy Farm, and home of the Amish Experience Theater, Country Homestead, farmlands & VIP tours, buggy rides, shopping, restaurant and hotel.

Amish Country Homestead & Schoolroom

Visit the only officially designated “Heritage Site” Amish house. As you walk through the nine rooms with your guide, unravel the riddle of Amish clothing, life without electricity, and eight–grades–in–a–room education as you sit at authentic Amish school desks.

Visit–in–Person Tour

This officially designated “Heritage Tour” is a rare opportunity to meet and talk to the Amish personally. On this exclusive tour you will go right into the barn on an Amish farm at milking time, visit with an Amish artisan at his workplace, and then enjoy a personal visit and conversation right in an Amish home.

Jacob’s Choice at the Amish Experience Theater

Discover what it means to be Amish through an immersive film as you become part of the emotional struggle of the Fisher family to preserve more than 400 years of Amish traditions. Five viewing screens, a unique barnyard setting and special effects create a one–of–a–kind experience.

Amish Farmlands Tour

Journey down rarely traveled back country roads, deep into the farmlands, to discover the sights sought after by visitors. Gain insights into the hows and whys of an ever–changing culture from certified guides in mini–shuttles. Stops may include a roadside stand, quilt shop, country store or craft shop on an Amish farm.

Aaron & Jessica’s Buggy Rides

Aaron & Jessica’s drivers are happy to share life stories and answer questions.

Smokehouse BBQ and Brews

Please see right hand page.

The Country Store

Find books, DVDs, candles, toys and dolls, kitchen and home items, souvenirs, local handcrafts, Amish clothing, straw hats, bonnets, and last but not least...tasty treats.

AMISHVIEW INN & SUITES

SMOKEHOUSE BBQ & BREWS THE PLAIN & FANCY COUNTRY STORE RESTROOMS & ATM

AMISH COUNTRY HOMESTEAD

AARON & JESSICA’S BUGGY RIDES

AmishView Inn & Suites

Rated the Best Hotel in Lancaster County

The place for the perfect getaway or family vacation with indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, and hot hearty breakfast. Plus, many rooms have whirlpools or footed tubs, fireplaces and more.

Adult–Only Meets Kid–Friendly

The family–friendly building includes a wide array of beautiful, award–winning rooms, suites and amenities including an arcade that will satisfy the requirements of any family. The adults–only building features elegant, Grand King rooms, fulling the needs of adults seeking a tranquil escape.

Complimentary

Hot Breakfast Buffet

Lancaster’s best complimentary hot breakfast buffet includes made–to–order omelets, eggs, pancakes, and Belgium waffles with endless helpings of bacon, sausage, country potatoes and much more. Plus, don’t forget tasty bakery items from our own Miller’s Bakery. Menu items subject to change.

Other Amenities

Every room or suite includes a kitchenette with refrigerator, microwave, sink and coffee maker. Serta Presidential Suite beds, wi–fi, DVD players, lighted make–up mirrors, irons, hair dryers and the Tarocco line of shampoos and soaps. Plus, there are so many things to do on the Plain & Fancy Farm.

Get the Whole Story at: AmishViewInn.com • 1–866–735–1600

So, you find yourself going on a vacation or on an outing with your family that takes you out of your initial community. That’s exciting! This venture may also include a furry family member to go along on the ride. It is believed that approximately 40 percent of vacationing families bring their pet along for the adventure. It’s also believed that 85 percent are dog owners and 21 percent are cat owners, according to surveys taken by PetRelocation (2019/08/08) and the American Pet Products Association (2019/02/13) traveling with a pet. That’s up from approximately 19 percent over a decade ago.

In addition, it is believed that individual pet parents love to travel with their “fur-kids” or “fur-babies” even more so. Since February of 2021, that number jumps to approximately 78 percent of Americans that have pets travel with them each year.

When traveling we look to go over our vacation or travel list. To ensure we’re ready and prepared for the upcoming expectations of our travel. Suitcases packed, RVs loaded, sunscreen, tooth brush, mad- money, and so on are just some of the things that we put on that list to prepare for a positive vacation result. But what about our pets? Have we really prepared for every contingency, so that they have an enjoyable and safe outing?

Does the Hotel, Motel, or Campground you plan to visit allow for pets, are pet friendly, and are safe for them? What are the ordinances of the localities and/ or communities you are planning to visit with them? Did you pack up the necessities needed for your pet? List of medications or dietary needs? If not or should you run out, where is the nearest place to resupply, in the area(s) you plan to visit? Finally, one of the biggest questions that should be asked and addressed, before you venture out with your pet, “Where is the nearest Vet/ Pet Hospital in the area? Do they have pet boarding available? What insurances and forms of payment do they take? What are their hours of operation? Do they have or who is the backup contact in case of the afterhours emergencies that may pop up?

When traveling, it’s usually easy to find a hospital, urgent care, or pharmacy to meet your personal or your family’s medical needs. But you can’t always just dial up “911” for your pet. Yes, you can google most information, but if you find yourself in an area with spotty or

no service, especially with an evolving emergency situation where either minutes to even seconds can mean a big difference and are critical to your pet’s wellbeing and getting back home with your family safely.

Here at “Amish Country News”, we have “fur-babies” too. In most publications that I see out there, very few tend to discuss the “vacationing pet” subject. So, I wanted to put a bit more of a spotlight on the subject and those small businesses in “Amish Country” that address this specific subject and important need, so everyone has a successful and positive experience, as you visit Lancaster County and the counties that surround it. Here are what I feel are some “common-sense” preparation points to consider when planning for your pet to accompany the family vacation, as referenced from the following online site www.cntraveler.com/ story/how-to-travel-safely-with-pets.

YOUR PET HOMEWORK IN ADVANCE CHECKLIST

 Is your pet up for the trip?

 Book in advance and confirm

 Get a (space-age) pet ID

 Get an approved pet carrier

 Acclimatize your pet to the carrier

 Bring medical records

 Get the right gear

 Stay on schedule

 Avoid adventurous eating

 Mark your territory

Below are a handful of bullet points to reference:

First Time Visitors

Cont’d from Page 13

known as Anabaptists, which means re-baptizers.

Animal Heath Care of Myerstown

1 Krall Rd, Myerstown, PA 17067 (717) 866-7387 • ahcm.net

Companion Animal Hospital

2034 W Main Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552 (717) 393-9074

companionanimalhospetown.com

Because of their beliefs in adult baptism, non-violence, and separation of church and state, they were viewed as “radicals,” and thousands were tortured and killed in the following years. Nevertheless, the religion spread into other areas of Europe.

Bernville Veterinary Clinic

7135 Bernville Rd., Bernville, PA 19506 (610) 200-6219 • bernvillevet.com

Hershey Animal Emergency Center

1251 E Chocolate Ave., Hershey, PA 17033 (717) 298-7883 • hersheyanimaler.com

In time, the different Anabaptist groups became known as Mennists or Mennonites, after the greatest of the Anabaptist leaders, Menno Simons. It was in the late 1600’s that Ammann broke away to form a group that more strictly adhered to the founding beliefs and practices of the first Anabaptists.

Black Horse Animal Hospital

5081 Lincoln Hwy, Kinzers, PA 17535 (717) 442-0252

blackhorseanimalhospital.com

Pine Creek Animal Hospital

150 Pine Creek Drive, Gap, PA 17527 (610) 593-6132 • pinecreekah.com

The differences between the various Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren groups are in their interpretations of the Bible, their uses of modern technologies such as automobiles and electricity, the values they place on education, their uses of English, and their degrees of interaction with outsiders.

The Amish believe that “worldliness” keeps one from being close to God, so they choose to live without many modern conveniences and technology, such as cars, television, videos, etc. Rather than use electricity, they have bottled gas stoves and refrigerators.

Brownstone Animal Hospital

1-3, W Main Street, Brownstown, PA 17508 (717) 656-4144 • brownstownanimal.com

Hershey Veterinary Hospital

1016 Cocoa Ave., Hershey, PA 17033 (717) 534-2244 • hersheyvet.com

Columbia Animal Hospital

4801 Columbia Ave., Columbia, PA 17512 (717) 684-2285 • columbiaanimalhospitalpa.com

Willow Run Veterinary Clinic

320 Beaver Valley Pike, Willow Street, PA 17584 (717) 464-3424 • willowrunvetclinic.com

They do not live in seclusion from the rest of the world. Amish farms can be seen interspersed with modern farms throughout the countryside, and there is much daily interaction between the Amish and the non-Amish (“English”) community. Contrary to popular belief, the Amish do not live the same way they did 300 years ago. They have adopted many things to make life easier, but are careful not to accept new technology without considering its effects on their family and community lifestyle.

Lititz

No Place Quite Like It

There is no place quite like Lititz, and everyone should plan to spend some time there while in Amish Country. Lititz Springs Park is a popular spot for locals, and the site for many community activities. Indeed, the town’s 4th of July Celebration, begun in 1818, is reputedly the oldest continuing community–wide observance in the United States. Historians say the springs are what brought Indians to the area. Spearheads have been found nearby, dating back to 6,000 B.C. A recent local journal states that “Main Street was traveled by human beings for at least 10,000 years.” When you come to Lititz, you’ll want to travel Main Street, too.

The Lititz story is tied to that of the Moravian faith in Bohemia. It was in the present–day Czech Republic that John Hus and followers founded the Moravian Church in 1457. Historians note that since this was 60 years before Luther’s Reformation, the Moravians may lay claim to being the oldest organized Protestant Church. But over the course of the Thirty Years War, its 200,000 members nearly disappeared. In the 18th century, a renewal of the Moravian Church came through the patronage of Count Zinzendorf of Saxony. He invited all those persecuted for their faith to come to his lands in Saxony.

As was the case with other persecuted religious groups in Europe,

many Moravians sought freedom by taking the perilous journey to the New World, arriving in the early 1700’s, with the main settlements becoming established in Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

Missionary work was integral to the faith, and preachers were sent from the Moravian community in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Zinzendorf himself arrived in America in 1742. A local resident, John Klein (Kline), was so moved by hearing Zinzendorf’s preaching that he made arrangements

to transfer his lands over to the Moravian community in 1755. It was in the following year that the town actually got the name of Lititz, the German spelling for Lidice, where European Moravian reformers had taken refuge in 15th century.

In addition to mission work, music and education were important to the Moravians. In fact, the Lititz schoolhouse erected in 1746 marked the beginnings of what was to be Linden Hall, the oldest continuously operating residence school for girls in the United States.

Cont’d on Page 25

PRETZELS GALORE IN

STORE

Sweet, salty, & savory gifts plus party treats

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Please check website for hours.

TOURS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

To schedule a tour, please go to www.juliussturgis.com

S. Locust St.

The Ephrata Fair, "the largest street fair in Pennsylvania" has been a significant part of local history. Come out and visit, September 26-30. For more info visit ephratafair.org

OPEN SUNDAYS IN Amish

Country

For Plain People, Sunday is a day of rest, but there are many things to do in Amish Country on Sundays. Save some of these for your Sunday sight–seeing.

Aaron & Jessica’s Buggy Rides

717–768–8828 | AmishBuggyRides.com

Amish Experience

717–768–8400 | AmishExperience.com

Cackleberry Farm Antique Mall

717–442–2600 | CackleberryFarmAntiqueMall.com

Choo Choo Barn

717–687–7911 | ChooChooBarn.com

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre

717–898–1900 | DutchApple.com

Hershey’s Chocolate World

717–534–4900 | Hersheys.com

Jake’s Country Trading Post

(717) 687–8980 | JakesHomeAccents.com

Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery

717–626–4354 | JuliusSturgis.com

Locally Made Food Shop

717-687-6621 | LocallyMadeFoodShop.com

Miller’s Smorgasbord

800–669–3568 | MillersSmorgasbord.com

The Quilt Shop at Miller’s

717-687-8439 | QuiltShopatMillers.com

Renninger’s Antique Market

717–336–2177 | Renningers.net

Smokehouse BBQ & Brews at Plain & Fancy Farm

717–768–4400 |

SmokehouseBBQandBrews.com

Strasburg Scooters

717–344–2488 | StrasburgScooters.com

Turkey Hill Experience

844–847–4884 | TurkeyHillExperience.com

Lititz

Cont’d from Page 24

For about a hundred years, Moravian church members were the only people permitted to live in town. A Brothers’ House and Sisters’ House were erected for the unmarried, although they did not live communally. It was not until 1855 that non–Moravians were allowed to own their own houses. The Brothers’ House played a role in the American Revolution. George Washington ordered it used as a military hospital between 1777–78. Some 1,000 soldiers were nursed here, about half of whom died and were buried nearby.

Two names are linked forever with the history of Lititz—Sturgis and Sutter. It was Julius Sturgis who opened the first commercial pretzel bakery in the New World in Lititz. The year was 1861, and the site at 219 East Main Street is on the National Register of Historic Places. A tour of the bakery is unlike any other. Inside, you get to try your hand at pretzel twisting. It’s not as easy as it looks. Guests also may see the old brick bake ovens, as well as the more modern facilities. The bakery can be reached at 717.626.4354.

John Sutter was born in Switzerland and in 1834, fleeing creditors in Europe, arrived in New York. He headed west and sailed up the Sacramento River to begin a settlement. By 1848, work was being done on a mill when some gold flakes were spotted in the water. Soon Gold Rush fever struck and Sutter’s land was overrun. Because of his need to be near Washington, D.C. while seeking reimbursement for his lost lands, the Sutters stayed one summer at the Springs Hotel in Lititz. They decided to settle there, and promptly bought a home and placed their children in school. The inn once named the General Sutter Inn, is now known as the Lititz Springs Inn. The Sutter home built in 1871 is across the street at 19 East Main St. It was in a Washington hotel room where Sutter died in 1880, still involved in unsuccessful attempts at redress from the government for his seized lands. Sutter, a Lutheran, was buried in the Moravian cemetery, normally reserved for Moravian church members.

Intercourse

It's More Than a Name

Perhaps no other town in the entire country can claim its fame on one simple thing — its name. Harrison Ford drove a buggy past the road sign on a memorable visit in the Hollywood blockbuster hit of the movie “Witness.” For years people have postmarked “Intercourse” on envelopes, and the jokes from visitors who travel through Bird–in–Hand to Intercourse are endless. There are several theories for the name, but that which we find most plausible follows.

Around 1730, the Old Provincial Highway (now Route 340) was laid out to connect Philadelphia with Lancaster. Conestoga wagons hauled freight back and forth between the two cities. Providing rest for travelers and horses, taverns sprouted along the way, becoming centers for news, gossip, and commerce. The construction of a log tavern in 1754 at the intersection of Newport Road and the Highway took “Cross Keys” as its name.

Intercourse Fire Company Heritage Days Breakfast, Sat, Sept 30, 6:30 AM - 10:30 AM. Visit villageofintercourse.com for details.

It remained such until 1814, when the name was changed to Intercourse as part of a failed real estate scheme of a Mr. George Brungard, who had acquired 48 acres of nearby land and attempted to lay out a town site and divide it into sections for sale by a lottery, advertising “151 handsome building lots of $250 each to be drawn for by number.” Renaming the town made sense, as intercourse

had a common usage referring to the pleasant mutual fellowship and frequent intermingling which were so common in the informal atmosphere of the quiet country village.

Over time, Brungard’s scheme begat others. As recently as 1971, an enterprising soul tried to take advantage of the town’s name by selling deeds for one–inch square plots of Intercourse to visitors. Creative, but nonetheless a failure. By 1880, Intercourse had a population of 280 with a post office that actually moved among stores or restaurants as owners hoped visits by residents would increase their business.

The local stagecoach service started around 1898 as “a single horse conveyance similar to a market wagon, with a roll–up curtain and double set of seats.” When the stagecoach driver knew of passengers beforehand, their comfort on cold days was added to with the placement of hot bricks heated in the oven, and wrapped in newspaper to preserve their warmth.

As the days of the dirt road drew to a close, so too did the stagecoach era. In 1923 a transit company was organized and bus service initiated to and from Lancaster. While “many of the Amish residents of the area were eager to see the line started, they

did not want to invest in stock of the Company. Instead they bought books of tickets which were really prepaid bus fares.” Enough money was raised to buy a Mack Auto Bus for $6,800. It held 25 passengers and even had solid rubber tires!

Today Intercourse has been recognized as a “foodie” town by the Visitor’s Bureau. You’ll soon discover why walking the streets of this tiny hamlet is an absolute must–visit for everyone.

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New Holland & Blue Ball

The instability in Europe in the late 1600’s spawned and nurtured the pioneer interest in the deep forest lands of Pennsylvania — 60 miles inland from Philadelphia. In 1681 William Penn received his 40,000 square–mile land grant to settle King Charles’ debt to his father. Himself a Quaker, Penn had experienced religious persecution firsthand, and decided to establish his American colony based on complete religious freedom. This entire century had been one of continued misery for the peasants of the Palatinate (western Germany). The Thirty Years War had raged across the area with barbaric ruthlessness. The peasant inhabitants fled to nearby Holland for refuge. And within a decade of the end of that conflict, King Louis XIV of France started a new religious war in the same general area. These Palatinate peasants were exhausted by war’s desolation, and were ripe for a new start.

Traveling land agents for William Penn’s new colony found willing ears. In addition to religious freedom and a peaceful existence, Penn offered cheap land. The stated price was 100 English pounds for 5,000 acres. (At today’s rate exchange, this would be less than $.04 an acre). By the year 1702, a goodly number of Palatinates had immigrated to Pennsylvania, and Queen Anne, newly reigning in England, was delighted that Penn

was colonizing his immense grant without drawing off the population of Britain.

The area today called New Holland was practically covered by virgin forests. By 1728, William Penn had been dead for 10 years and his American colony, called Pennsylvania, was being

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SET YOUR MIND ON ISLAND TIME

SEPT 22 - NOV 11

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A SEASON FAVORITE

“Bah, Humbug!” The life of Ebenezer

THE MUSICAL

NOV 17 - DEC 30

Scrooge, a crotchety miser is revealed to him in flashbacks on Christmas Eve. Scrooge discovers the true spirit of the holiday and greets Christmas morning with a newfound happiness.

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Amish VIP (Visit–in–Person) Tour

717–768–8400 | AmishExperience.com

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre

717–898–1900 | DutchApple.com

Gish’s Furniture

717–392–6080 | 717–354–2329

Gishs.com

Good’s Store

“Weekdays Only” GoodSstores.com

Hershey’s Chocolate World

717–534–4900 | Hersheys.com

Jake’s Country Trading Post (717) 687–8980 |

JakesHomeAccents.com

Locally Made Food Shop

717-687-6621

LocallyMadeFoodShop.com

Miller’s Smorgasbord

800–669–3568 |

MillersSmorgasbord.com

Smokehouse BBQ & Brews at Plain & Fancy Farm

717–768–4400 |

ago, the delivery was also without any issue. They were very careful with how they brought the new furniture into the DELIVERY AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE U.S. Visit your local Amish Farms for Fresh CORN!

Our furniture arrived about a Handcrafted CAMP HILL 717-761-9061 LANCASTER 717-392-6080 SHADY MAPLE COMPLEX 717-354-2329 COCKEYSVILLE 410-891-8117 Gishs.com

- Janice

A Town of Trains & Heritage

For a spooktacular time in Strasburg, take a tour with Ghost Tour of Lancaster & Strasburg! It's never a dead issue when it comes to fun. Visit ghostour.com/strasburg for details.

The area we know today as Strasburg was first settled by Swiss Mennonites (called “Swissers”). They lived in Germany for at least a generation before arriving here and spoke the German language. After bargaining with William Penn in London, they came directly to Philadelphia from the Rhineland, arriving in September 1710, on board the ship Maria Hope—with a combined passenger and crew list of 94. Thirty-six of the leaders were granted patent deeds from Penn’s property commissioners for 14K acres of land surrounding Strasburg. Some of the family names are familiar to

locals today, including John (Hans) Herr, whose house in Lancaster County is open to visitors and remains as the county’s oldest surviving dwelling (1719).

French fur traders opened up the first path through this area from Philadelphia to the Susquehanna River—known as “Minqua’s Path.” As early as 1716, when the first wagon was used for hauling goods between Philadelphia and Lancaster County, it became known as the Conestoga Road. The first wagoner was John Miller. By 1717 there were two more wagons, and the first to be described as a Conestoga Wagon.

A Postcard in Every Turn

During the next half century, traffic on this road increased considerably—and Main Street Strasburg was developed. The first buildings appeared in the village about 1733. A traveler, who drove through during the second half of the 18th century, described it as a village of log houses.

In fact, the 1769 tax returns list 19 houses—53 log, 29 brick and four stone. Strasburg was second only to Lancaster Borough in terms of relative wealth.

Strasburg flourished in the 18th century primarily because of its location along the major wagon routes between Philadelphia, Lancaster and the Susquehanna River. Strasburg was one of the principal stopping stations and, with the heavy wagon traffic, there were as many as eight or ten taverns or “ordinaries” here.

Ghost Tours

No doubt the religious nature of the first settlers was responsible for the village becoming a center for worship and education. In 1816, when the village was incorporated into a Borough, the name Strasburg was selected, undoubtedly named for the Cathedral City from which the “Swissers” came—Strasburg in Alsace.

Wealthy doctors and clergy, and an interest in worship and education, made Strasburg a cultural and educational center. The first formal school opened in 1790, a classical academy where Greek and Latin were taught.

These academic enterprises were followed during the 19th century by a flood of schools. In 1823, by an act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, an Academy was established in which “the languages, arts, and sciences will be taught.”

The year 1839 marked the founding of the Strasburg Academy at 37 East Main (the present day Limestone Inn Bed & Breakfast was the headmaster’s home and housed boarding students). The Academy gained the reputation of being one of the best academies in the country for both boarding and day students, and its students came from all over the East Coast and as far away as Cuba and Puerto Rico.

In 1841, a classical school for girls, the “Strasburg Female Seminary,” opened at 17 East Main. Such a school for girls was quite unusual at that time.

Most of the older houses along Main Street were at one point private schools and academies and with many of the structures still intact, the Strasburg Borough Council enacted an ordinance in 1970 that created a Historic District, in order to maintain the charm and historical significance of the Village. East Main, West Main and Miller (a continuation of West Main), plus Decatur Street constitute the Historic District, which is approximately 2 miles long, comprises 82.5 acres, and contains 193 buildings.

A significant aspect of the Historic District is the survival rate of the oldest buildings. At least 12 of the 29 oldest brick structures survive, all four of the oldest stone houses are still intact, and there are at least two dozen log houses still standing in the district, putting the survival rate of pre-1815 houses at approximately 50%.

Thank you so much for supporting my store over the last 4 years and making my final days of being open a huge success. After thoughtful consideration and harnessing mixed emotions, I have come to the conclusion that this chapter in my life will be ending. HOWEVER my website WireToFire.com continues to grow and expand its customer base. My SHOW SCHEDULE, posted on the window at the shop, will also continue with 12 more excellent shows till the end of the year. Also, please keep in mind we will have many of our store items available through Discover Lancaster at the Lancaster visitor’s bureau just off Rt 30 at the Greenfield exit., 501 Greenfield Road, Lancaster, PA. Locally our jewelry will be available for sale September 2-3, Booth 130, at the Heart of Lancaster Art and Craft Show, which takes place and is located at the Roots Market grounds, 705 Graystone Rd. Manheim, PA 17545. Hope to see you in the future. Blessings, Kimberley Jade

(The Strasburg Heritage Center has created a self-guided “Strolling Tour of Strasburg’s Historic District.” Brochures are available at the Historic Strasburg Inn, and along Main Street at Merenda Zug, The Creamery, and at 140 East Main, the Strasburg News Office.)

As Strasburg flourished, so did its neighbor to the east, Philadelphia. The

commercial interests of Philadelphia pressured the State Legislature to improve the transportation network into their city. As a result, an internal improvements bill passed in 1826 to construct a series of canals. The Philadelphia and Columbia Rail Road was also incorporated with financing provided by the state.

Cont’d on Page 36

TOWN KEY

Bird–in–Hand Pg. 10

Intercourse Pg. 30

Paradise Pg. 22

Strasburg Pg. 36

New–Holland | Blue Ball Pg. 34

Lititz Pg. 26

Bird–in–Hand

Discover the Charm

Of the many unique village names that dot the Amish Country map, one of the more interesting is Bird-in-Hand. The story of the town of Bird-in-Hand is as colorful as the name itself. To be correct, the town is really a village, since it has no governing body. When Bird-in-Hand celebrated its 250th Anniversary (1734 – 1984), a commemorative booklet was put together. It outlined a brief history of the town…

The William Penn, an English Quaker, had founded the colony of Penn’s Woods (Pennsylvania), and settlers began arriving from Europe in the early 1700’s, moving westward from the port city of

Philadelphia. English Quakers and Swiss Mennonites were the early settlers. The Quakers built a meetinghouse and twostory academy, which stands today, next to the fire company. But over the years, the Germans “made the greatest lasting impact.”

A friendly relationship existed between the early settlers and the Shawnee and Conestoga Indians, who were, of course, the area’s first inhabitants. They taught settlers how to deaden trees, use deerskin, prepare corn as food, and use medicinal herbs. But as the white settlement grew, there was less hunting available, and many of

the Native Americans became peddlers or beggars.

“When the Old Philadelphia Pike became a well-established route of transportation for those traveling west to the Alleghenies, Lancaster became known as the gateway to the west.” The trip by stagecoach for passengers, or Conestoga wagon with freight and merchandise, lasted several days. Inns were built every few miles, identified with signs held by an iron pole or attached to the side of the building.

The reason for these signs was twofold. First, they could be understood by all nationalities. Secondly, many teamsters or wagoneers were poorly educated and could not read. If they were given orders to stop at a certain inn, they could do so by recognizing the artwork on the signboard.

The old legend of the naming of Birdin-Hand concerns the time when this pike was being laid out. Legend says that two road surveyors were discussing whether they should stay at their present location or go to the town of Lancaster to spend the night. One of them said, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” and so they remained. The sign in front of the inn is known to have once “portrayed a man with a bird in his hand and a bush nearby, in which two birds were perched,” and soon was known as the Bird-in-Hand Inn.

The original hotel was destroyed by fire about 1851. By the following year, a three-story hotel was built to replace it. More recently, it was known as Bitzer’s Hotel before becoming the present Village Inn of Bird-in-Hand, now on the National Register of Historic Places. The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County noted that it “may be one of the few 19th century inns in the context of a small town in Lancaster County, which survives with a high degree of architectural integrity.”

The Bird-in-Hand Mill, built by James Gibbons in 1770 at the west end of town, “is probably the oldest mill in Lancaster County that is still being used” commercially, now known as Nolt’s Mill. The datestone in the wall has the misspelled word “biult,” perhaps an error made by a local German.

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Gibbons is an important name in the town’s history. Quaker activists, the Gibbonses operated the primary “underground railroad station” for slaves escaping from the South. It is said that Hannah and Daniel Gibbons helped about 1,000 slaves. “A single tap on the window at night indicated to everyone in the family that a fugitive was there. The escapees were taken to the barn and in the morning brought to the house separately,” where each was given a new identity.

The year 1834 marked the beginning of construction of the 86mile Pennsylvania Railroad line between Philadelphia and Columbia. Bird-in-Hand, with its tanneries, feed mills, coal and lumberyards, was the most important

Enjoy All That Lancaster County Has to Offer

stop on the Lancaster to Coatesville section. Horses were used to pull the cars. In 1836 a second track was laid and locomotives began pulling the cars.

Well into the 1900’s, everything from flowers to live ducks were shipped from

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the village to large cities by the railroad. As late as the 1950’s, mail was “hung from a long arm and caught by a moving train.”

Even with a bridge over the tracks, there were fatalities and an underpass was dug so that the main street would go under the train tracks. It opened in 1928. To this day, road traffic goes under the train tracks on Route 340.

Some of the other interesting businesses around the village over the years have included a Christmas tree plantation, archery targets, potato chips, dried corn, ceramics, wagons, carriages, and raising ducks.

The town post office was established in 1836 as the Enterprise Post Office. “Enterprise” was then the official name of the town, until the final change back to Bird-in-Hand in 1873.

After a large fire in 1896, people discussed the need for a fire company. In the early days, hitting a circular saw alerted the men of a fire. The year 1916 saw the change from horse-drawn to motorized fire equipment. Today the Hand-in-Hand Fire Company remains

a volunteer organization, famous for its delicious fund-raiser dinners.

The town of Bird-in-Hand remained relatively unknown until a musical called PLAIN & FANCY opened in New York. The show Playbill noted that “The action takes place in and around Birdin-Hand, a town in the Amish country of Pennsylvania.” The cast was brought to Bird-in-Hand on January 17, 1955, prior to the official opening.

Strasburg (Cont’d from Page 31)

With these undertakings, Strasburg residents became alarmed at the possibility of losing their commercial position and from this concern emerged the Strasburg Rail Road. In 1832 a charter was secured from the Pennsylvania Legislature to construct a rail line connecting Strasburg with the Philadelphia and Columbia Rail Road main line near Paradise. Due to financial difficulties, the project was delayed until finally put in running order in 1852. But this shortline between Strasburg and

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Today, the town of Bird-in-Hand is still small, said to have a population of only about 300 people. On any given day, there may be more visitors than inhabitants. Many are city folks who have come to enjoy the country atmosphere, history, and shopping. It is said that visitors “can still expect friendly shopkeepers, homegrown Lancaster County foods, and restful lodging for weary travelers.”

Paradise was not financially successful for many reasons, until it was revived to provide rides to visitors on authentic steam locomotives, thus becoming the focal point for all of the town’s train attractions.

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How Now Brown Cow?

By Clinton Martin

When you visit Lancaster County, you might end up talking with an Amish person, either informally at the store, or perhaps more formally on a genuine visit. Here are some phrases that are common among the Amish parlance that you might not be used to.

“The milk is all.” (It is all, as in all gone. It is empty. Anything in Lancaster County can be “all.” The water is all. The ice cream is all. The pretzels are all. If something is “all” you’re out of luck. They’re all used up.)

“Let’s do that in the forenoon.” (Let’s do that in the morning, as in before noon… fore noon. Opposite of afternoon.)

“Did you change your clock to fast time?” (Daylight Savings Time is also known as “fast time” among the Amish. When Daylight Savings Time was first introduced, many of the Amish didn’t bother to take notice. Their daily lives weren’t really dictated by a clock on the wall. The farmers milked their cows at set intervals. Cows don’t like “gaining an hour” or “losing an hour” – and they don’t “fall back” or “spring forward”

for that matter. Planting, plowing, and harvesting were more scheduled by frost, phases of the moon, or other weather events, rather than a clock on the wall. In the last fifty years or so, as the Amish have begun to work in a wider variety of vocations, the clock on the wall was more important. Being in the same “time zone” as their English neighbors made a difference, so the Amish began to “speed up” and observe “fast time.”)

“My son is being published on Sunday.” (The Amish woman’s son didn’t write a book. He’s getting married. When an Amish couple is going to be married, their names are announced, or ‘published’, by a deacon in the church. This is typically done at the service following the fall communion. The name of the brideto-be is read, and second the name of the groom-to-be to whom she’ll be wed. The couples themselves are not usually present at this service. They traditionally stay home from church that day and enjoy a private meal at the home of the bride with the bride’s family.

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Stop 1: The Amish Farm Observe the milking process and discover “Amish electricity” as you learn that the Amish do not milk cows by hand.

Stop 2: Amish Cottage Industry As the Amish population grows, more Amish turn to home businesses rather than farming. Visit an Amish workshop to see what they make and how they make it.

Stop 3: The Amish Home We’ll go to the home of one of our Amish neighbors for friendly conversation…a chance to sit, chat, and visit the Amish way.

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summer hours

Monday - Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm

Sunday 10:00am - 4:00pm

Standard Rides

Country & Cookie Tour

Adults: $18.00 Child: $12.00 (age 3-12) 2 & under: Free

A 30-35 minute tour passing a cluster of Amish homes and businesses in an all Amish area. Travel our country roads, the way we travel! Cookies, snacks and drinks are USUALLY available for purchase, depending on our Amish neighbors availability.

Amish Farm Tour

Adults: $35.00 Child: $16.00 (age 3-12) 2 & under: Free

A 50-60 minute ride to Lancaster’s best! Experience our way of life on a real working Amish farm. Tour the barn, see the cows, chickens, goats, and horses. Discover life without electricity and how the Amish remain separate from traditional American society!

The Sunday Ride

Adults: $20.00 Child: $12.00 (age 3-12) 2 & under: Free

A 30-35 minute tour passing numerous Amish farms. Our local drivers can answer your questions and talk to you about points of interest.

Private Journey Tours

For a truly unique experience, book your own private tour, with your own driver, horse, and buggy. Our guests call it “ unforgettable”!

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