Slavery Still Exists: The Secret No One Wants to Hear | June 2021

1

JUNE 2021

PLAIN VALUES

2

PLAIN VALUES

4

Cultivating Anchored Community MARLIN MILLER

Publisher

KEVIN BILLE

General Manager

MATT YODER

Sales Advisor // Ohio

AARON STUTZMAN ELAM STOLTZFUS

Sales Advisor // Indiana Sales Advisor // Penn.

NIC STOLTZFUS

Editorial Director

JAN SCHLABACH

Customer Service

BETHANY TROYER ISAAC HERSHBERGER

Bookkeeping Production Manager

SETH YODER

Graphic Artist

LANDON TROYER

Photographer

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Elaine Tomski

Marcus A. Yoder

Nic Stoltzfus

W.H. "Chip" Gross

Merissa A. Alink

Jim Zumbo

Ferree Hardy

JULY AD SALES DEADLINE

//

June 7, 2021

Plain Values is published monthly by Room to Bloom. Room to Bloom is a nonprofit, tax-exempt Section 501(c)(3) organization. Please contact us with any questions regarding Plain Values.

PO Box 201/2106 Main Street, Winesburg, OH 44690 Phone: (844) 260-4578 | Fax: (330) 601-4099 www.plainvalues.com | reachout@plainvalues.com

THE FORMALITIES This publication and its contents are © 2021, Room to Bloom. Individual copyrighted items, trademarks, etc. contained within are the property of their respective copyright holders. No part of this publication may be reproduced or redistributed by any means without authorization from the publisher. Publisher is not responsible for advertisers’ offers, products, or services, and publication neither expresses or implies an endorsement.

5

JUNE 2021

ISSUE 96

CONT PRAYERS FOR THE NATIONS: UGANDA

// 24

This month, we turn our attention to the country of Uganda in Africa.

SLAVERY STILL EXISTS: THE SECRET NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR

THE STORY OF HEINZ GAUGEL

// 13

Traffickers are experts at making friends with our children online... the internet is a frightening place for children and youth who can be too trusting.

PLAIN VALUES

// 37

Marcus Yoder shares the history of the artist who painted the Behalt mural.

ONE MINUTE WITH MARLIN

Thoughts and ramblings from Marlin Miller, publisher of Plain Values. // page 9

FUNDS AND BENEFITS

Every month we provide a listing of opportunities to help out those in need. // page 50

ON THE COVER

Although access to the internet can have many benefits, it opens the door to many dangers.

6

ENTS MILLER TECH

// 26

MillerTech has expanded beyond selling lithium batteries; they are a distributor of renewable energy products.

CHANGES...

A SPECIAL PLACE //

HOMEMADE WINDOW CLEANER // 31 This month, Merrisa teaches us how to make homemade window cleaner.

CRAWFISHING 101 40

As a kid, I was obsessed with only two vices in life: baseball and fishing.

// 45

As they say, some of the best things in life are free. The crawfish is a perfect example.

JUNE 202 1

PATTERNS OF THE HEART // 32 Sorrow and joy —together may they create a unique pattern in your heart this Father’s Day.

GOOD STUFF WITH KEVIN: COACHABLE // 49 Be open to feedback, look inward, and be interested in growth.

This section of Plain Values is devoted to showcasing local goods and services to our readers. Each reader will enjoy one of four editions, depending on where they live. Our hope is that the "Plain Pages” can be a resource in finding local businesses to assist you in your needs as well as in your wants. // after page 50

7

JUNE 2021

One of my favorite preachers is Voddie Baucham. The Lord has gifted him to be a powerful communicator, and he is unafraid to tackle the hardest issues of our day with a solid Biblical worldview. In speaking about people’s hardness of heart, he quipped, “I’m not in the hard heart business. I’m just in communications, my Daddy handles sales.”

Over the last three years, I have wrestled with the topic of human trafficking, asking Him for wisdom and guidance. It was not a yes/no question; it was when and how. That’s mostly true! For the first year, I turned into Jonah and ran. Slowly and graciously, the Lord changed my heart, and as I dove into research,

ONE MINUTE WITH MARLIN

He made it clear that this is an issue needing open discussion in our communities. Part of that research included sharing with people I trust, most of whom are bishops and preachers from different sects across the country. Not one of them told me I was crazy! One of the bishops told me, “Marlin, don’t you dare chicken out on this! If it makes a difference for one child, it’s worth it.”

A retired judge told me point blank, this type of sin is different. “It devastates the victims and negatively changes their whole lives forever. I have not seen another sin as evil as this.

The perpetrators of this behavior are trapped in a nightmare.

They know what they are doing is wrong, but the darkness that drives their behavior will be unstoppable until it’s dragged into the light.”

Every single day I am reminded of my own sinfulness. That same judge wisely says, “don’t ever condemn anyone because they sin differently than you do.” We are all capable of unspeakable things, every one of us. I pray this issue brings truth and light to at least one person trapped in this darkness. I can identify with Voddie. I, too, am only in communications; that same Daddy handles sales by changing hearts for His glory.

As always, may you find joy in the simple things. //

Happy 31st birthday to our new friend, Craig!

MARLIN MILLER publisher of Plain Values // always looking for more friends

9

JUNE 2021

PLAIN VALUES

10

11

JUNE 2021

PLAIN VALUES

12

Feature Story

|

Business Spotlight

|

Homestead + Roots

|

Widow's Path

|

Our Heritage

|

W.H. "Chip" Gross

|

All Things Outdoors

Slavery Still Exists THE SECRET NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR

words by: ELAINE TOMSKI

God's gift of loving intimacy is given to one

man and one woman within the marriage bond.

Any sex act outside of that union is not God's plan and not in our best interest. However, human traffickers have a different plan; a destructive, abusive, deceptive one. Actual human beings are being bought and sold in a business generating 150-billion-dollars per year. The business is human trafficking, and two-thirds of its profits come from sexual exploitation. Men, women, and children are forced against their will and God's will to commit unthinkable acts for monetary gain. Such knowledge is too hard to hear. But putting our fingers in our ears will not stop evil.

Understanding how sex trafficking works will serve to protect our families, communities, and enslaved victims.

As with last month's article on labor trafficking, this month's topic is challenging to research, write, and offer. Still, our discomfort cannot compare with the horrors of sex trafficking. Please understand, everything I tell you will be hard to hear, but it will be helpful for the protection, rescue, and restoration of sex traffic victims.

According to International Justice Mission (IJM), “Every day, innocent people are beaten, raped, and abused in slavery.” Across the globe,

13

JUNE 2021

P H OTO S © INTE RNATIO NA L JU STIC E MIS S IO N

more people are trapped in slavery than

build a small home, become a teacher and

ever before in human history. Every one

complete this fight. I want one thing. What

of those forty million oppressed human

I have gone through to not happen to any

beings matters to God. Including Kashi, a

other child.

precious girl from Mumbai, India.

Listen. They need our help.

The story Kashi tells is short, but her

Kashi In Her Own Words Will you listen to me? I was only five years old when I was enslaved by strangers.

They forced me to do all the housework, beat me, and didn't let me sleep.

Listen. My identity was of thorns, amongst them and choked by them.

I was sold again. At the brothel, I was told, 'Don't scream, don't make friends, just work. Attend to twenty men a day.' These were the rules. I thought I would never get out of that place, but I did. IJM helped rescue me.

Listen to me. Now my identity is amongst the flowers; there are no thorns here. I am a woman who has overcome. I stood to fight for myself in court. I dream to

PLAIN VALUES

imprisonment and time of restoration were not. IJM finds people like Kashi, brings them to safety, and helps them work through the trauma until they are restored. The aftercare victims receive from IJM is an essential part of restoring their lives. Jenn Petersen, IJM Director of Church Mobilization for the U.S. Northeast Region, says, "I'm inspired as we hear from our survivors and see the healing God has brought. It's beautiful what God can do through a life restored. We rescue, work on restoration, and ultimately, we want to see reform so people are protected, as they should be."

The first step in providing protection is to recognize the problem. Sex abuse and trafficking thrive in a culture of silence, so

14

the more we know and talk about it, the better protected every vulnerable child will be. Thankfully, Kashi is not willing to be silent or held down by fear or shame. She says, "I will not be known as a girl who has gone through bad things. I will be known as a girl who has overcome bad things." Kashi's life has changed because of IJM. Serving across the globe, IJM has also witnessed tremendous change in Cambodia, which was the hot spot of sex trafficking for so long. Jenn says, "The number of victims has dropped drastically, and we've seen a turnaround in the country. God is working!"

IJM was able to shift their casework from commercial sexual exploitation to forced labor slavery because of the dramatic reduction in the crime. "It's a beautiful thing when IJM can see crime reduced and lives protected because justice is now being served in an area, and our efforts are no longer needed. We give God all the glory!"

IJM's efforts also helped lead to a ban on child marriage in the Dominican Republic earlier this year. Girls under the age of eighteen are no longer forced into marriage. Maggie Cutrell, IJM's Director of Media and Communications in North America, had the opportunity to meet survivors of sexual exploitation in the Dominican Republic.

Their stories of abuse are so hard, and their journeys of restoration inspiring. Maggie says, "I got to look survivors in the eyes and hear their stories. It's just life-changing.

Hearing survivors tell their stories of transformation brings my work in Washington, DC, to life."

Jenn Petersen says, "We strive to give honor, respect, and dignity to the survivors. We want to do this the Jesus way of doing it." Nearly 60,000 people have found rescue since IJM began in 1997, but this is only the start.

Jenn says, "Our goal by 2030 is to rescue millions, protect a half-billion, and make justice for people in poverty unstoppable." IJM needs our support and prayers. Here are some specific needs we can include in our prayers.

Pray for the IJM Kenya team as they prepare to launch work in Mombasa to address child sex trafficking across the coast. We are praying that God will open doors to relationships in this new area so that we can help bring freedom to those caught in slavery as quickly as possible.

Pray for a breakthrough in cases of online sexual exploitation of children in the Philippines. Please pray specifically for cases being investigated that IJM and partners will gather the information they need to bring swift rescue and aftercare.

15

JUNE 2021

Sex Trafficking Close to Home

older teenage boy. Angel says, "One night, the guy wanted sex, and I said absolutely not!" The guy responded, "Then I'll find somebody who loves me." Angel says, "The fear

Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so.

of him leaving made me do things with him that were We sing and teach this song to our children because

against my own best thinking. So, I gave myself away."

we want them to know how precious they are. Every

The guy used Angel and moved on. She says, "From that

person needs to feel loved and secure, including Angel.

point forward, I had it in my head that I had to give

Angel grew up in a family of love. In Hartville, Ohio,

myself away for someone to love me."

her childhood home is where family and school friends

Feeling unloved and insecure, Angel did give herself

came to jump, splash, and laugh in their pool. Their

away, over and over again. She says, "I took all of their

backyard was a safe place for barbecues and birthday

lies and shoved them deep down inside of me and made

parties. Angel felt accepted and secure in her school

it my truth." Soon, Angel was drinking alcohol and taking

and community. But then, when Angel was thirteen, her

drugs to numb the pain in her heart. Angel says, “By the

family moved to Arizona due to her dad's job transfer.

time I was fifteen, I was snorting cocaine." What began

Rather than finding friends in her new school, Angel

as a girl needing love turned into twenty-three years lost

discovered bullies. They told her she was ugly, different;

in drug addiction. All the while, Angel hoped for rescue.

they made fun of her red hair. When Angel needed

Eventually, she returned to Ohio, hoping to find a new

friends, she received insults and began believing she

start in life and her knight in shining armor.

was unlovable.

Finally, that man came into Angel's life. "He said

Angel's family occasionally visited with another

he was going to take care of me, and I fell into a deep,

family from her dad's work, so at least she had one safe

dark, counterfeit love." Young women often think they

place to go. Or so she thought. That family included an

are in love with their traffickers, not even realizing they

PLAIN VALUES

16

are in trouble. But, soon enough, Angel's man

God knows a fool when he sees a fool. Thank God

of hope pushed her further down into darkness

he takes care of fools. And I felt something. I didn't

by pounding bruises onto her body and into her

know it at the time, but now I know I felt the

mind. Eventually, he forced her into her first car,

presence of my Savior, Jesus Christ." While Angel

selling her to other men and more violence. Angel

was in prison, she began to find freedom from the

increased her drug and alcohol use to deaden

guilt and shame she and others had placed on her.

the pain of prostitution until she was so out of

Angel did not have many visitors during her

control, she cried out, "God kill me, or save me. I

extended stay in jail, but one day a voice called

don't want to live like this!"

her name over the loudspeaker to come to the

God heard Angel's desperate cry. She says, "On April 1st, I woke in Summit County jail thinking,

visitor's window for a clergy visit. She asked a fellow inmate, "What is that?"

"Oh, somebody just wants to talk to you about Jesus."

Angel flew up the stairs and met Becky. From RAHAB Ministries in Akron, Ohio, Becky Moreland

"Young women often think

looked through the glass directly into Angel's eyes

they are in love with their

to say, "Jesus loves you." Angel heard Becky loud

traffickers, not even realizing

on a new path. She prayed, "Lord, please change

and clear. Those precious words started Angel my hard heart back into flesh." Becky helped

they are in trouble."

Angel uncover the truth about herself and her worth. The road to restoration was long and 17

JUNE 2021

"Angel's story demonstrates how feeling vulnerable or unloved can make our children put their trust in people who want to abuse or traffic them."

PLAIN VALUES

18

rocky, but Angel learned we sometimes get caught up in people's opinions. She says, "That can be damaging, especially if there are unkind and evil people around us." Angel also learned feelings don't help. The truth helps. "Don't listen to what the world says. Listen to what Jesus says." It changed Angel's whole world to understand Jesus was forsaken so that he can forgive her.

The women at RAHAB helped Angel find her way out of the darkness. Angel says, "Being raped does something to your body you think you can never heal from, but you can. I had to heal by bringing out the things that had happened to me, especially when it came to the sex part. It felt like broken glass coming up through me, but the more I could tell, the freer I felt. I have no more secrets."

Now, Angel is helping other women caught in sex trafficking. She says, "God showed me that man doesn't have the final answer. God has the final answer. He showed me I was created for a purpose, and that purpose is to show other women who they are in Jesus Christ. I am to be a part of loving them right where they are."

Jocelyn

Hamsher

of

Toward

the

Goal

Ministries and Tusc Against Trafficking says, "There's a lot of hurt and a lot of harm done when we don't get help for a person who has gone through the trauma of trafficking." Although she has survived, a trafficking victim is still in trouble. She needs support to work through the hurt she holds inside. "Restoration is possible for survivors of sex abuse and trafficking. However, if something happens in a girl's past, and it is never dealt with or talked about, it affects her for a lifetime."

Angel's story demonstrates how feeling vulnerable or unloved can make our children put their trust in people who want to abuse or traffic them. Sadly, often a person known to the family can be the one to manipulate our children.

Although we prefer to think of people we know as safe, unfortunately, we need to realize they sometimes pose a hidden danger.

19

JUNE 2021

Online Safety Becoming more common is another hidden danger we need to expose. Traffickers are experts at making friends with our children online. The internet is a helpful tool I used to research some of what I share with you in this article.

However, the internet is also a frightening place for children and youth who can be too trusting. On the Tusc Against Trafficking online safety podcast, Detective Sergeant Adam Fisher of the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's department says, "Strangers on the internet can be even more dangerous than strangers we meet face to face. We wouldn't allow our kids to play on the playground with an unknown adult. Why do we allow it on the internet?" You see, an adult predator pretends to be a child or teenager online. Hidden, they can act as a friend while skillfully and patiently preparing a child to be trafficked.

In a world where our children often understand more about technology than parents do, it is easy to see how predators can take advantage of vulnerable youth. So, what are we to do?

Detective Fisher suggests we need to educate ourselves and our children. Learn how to use their phones, know their passwords, and know what they're doing online. He says, "Ask your kids questions and help them know what a friend is and what a friend is not." Teach them not to share personal things about themselves or photographs of themselves online. Predators will use such information to lure and manipulate them.

The love146.org website provides 8 Red Flag Phrases to talk about with our youth, so they will know if someone has bad intentions, rather than just being friendly. The following are examples of online or text messages used by traffickers to befriend, manipulate, and locate your child. Have the hard talks and share these warnings with your youth who are online.

1.

DM me. Let's go private. (DM means direct message) Leaving the group message site to talk privately allows a predator to learn personal information while not overheard.

2. Are you alone? Someone may be trying to send or receive something they don't want others to know or see. When others make you feel uncomfortable, it's always okay to end the conversation and block this person.

3.

Send me a face pic. This request may seem harmless, but a predator will share your photo and can also determine your location by observing the background. Remember, you lose control over any image you share online.

PLAIN VALUES

20

4. You seem sad. What's bothering you? The person

Remember, traffickers will be charming at first and for

may ask what seems like caring questions to

as long as it takes to manipulate and control their victim.

determine your weakness so they can take advantage

You never have to feel pressured to do anything you are

of you.

uncomfortable doing, no matter who asks you to do it. You

5. I know a way you can earn money fast. It's never

can tell them to stop. It is always okay to ask someone you

a good idea to get into a money deal with someone

trust for help. If you're a child or teenager, tell a parent.

you don't know, especially if a camera or webcam is

If you're a parent, notify law enforcement. Detective

involved. Even if they make it sound like no big deal,

Fisher says, "If people are after your child, they're after

always avoid such situations.

other children. Protect your child and others by reporting anything suspicious happening online."

6. What's your number? Text me. This request from a

Pornography is an awkward subject to discuss with

predator serves to build a false trust and can reveal

our children. But authorities say the average age of a

your location and possibly your home address.

child viewing internet pornography is eleven years old.

7. I love you. We all like to hear these words, but

If our children are online, they don't have to be seeking

sometimes people use them to make you feel safe

pornography; it finds them. Our children need to hear us

and willing to do things you wouldn't normally do.

say, "If anyone shows you a photo of someone with their

8. If you don't do what I ask, I'll show everyone the

clothes off, or you see them by mistake, you can tell dad

pictures you sent me. Even if you're afraid of what

and mom, and we will not be mad at you. We will listen

they might think, tell a parent, teacher, or another

and help you."

adult you trust right away if someone tries to

Pornography Feeds Sex Trafficking

intimidate you like this. It's better to deal openly with this problem than to think it will go away. With

We've heard the excuses; they're just photographs,

a secret predator, the problem always grows.

they don't hurt anyone. But these claims are misleading.

21

JUNE 2021

Jocelyn Hamsher of Toward the Goal Ministries says, "Viewing pornography can be a factor in sexually abusing and/or trafficking victims. Pornography can serve as a trap in that we think it's not hurting anyone, but in actuality, we are re-victimizing those who are being filmed. Many of those filmed in pornography are not always there by choice but are being trafficked or abused. By watching, we're also hurting ourselves and our relationships. When we view pornography regularly, it changes our brain's landscape and can take us into a downward spiral, much like drugs.

We need more stimulus to get that high, leading us to view more violent material or even child-abuse content.

Regularly viewing pornography can lead us to acting out, and over time can lead us from watching the screen to actually buying sex in person. Viewing pornography can change the way we see others, from people with Godgiven value to objects meant for our pleasure."

Love is never abusive, forced, or for sale. However, the demand for pornography and prostitution keeps the sex trafficking industry alive. Think of it. When the purchase of pornography ends and no hands change money for sexual favors, there will no longer be the demand for victims of sex trafficking across the globe or in our communities.

The harsh reality of sex abuse and trafficking weighs heavily on our hearts, but there is hope. Jocelyn Hamsher says, "We can all join together in humility to help others.

We all have our stuff. If we can come together and start walking and talking together and seeking health through Jesus Christ, we can help ourselves and other people beyond the secrecy. Whether it's abuse, pornography, or any other thing that brings us shame, if we can talk and embrace grace, there is hope for all who are enslaved in sin and darkness."

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

– JOHN 3:17 – Now that you and I have heard how sex trafficking works, let's act by joining Kashi and Angel in doing all we can to protect our families, our communities and to restore freedom to enslaved victims around the world.

Jesus loves them. We can, too. // ELAINE TOMSKI IS THE AUTHOR OF PREGNANT AND PRAYING, A GIFT BOOK FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS. SHE AND HER HUSBAND CALL OHIO’S AMISH COUNTRY HOME.

PLAIN VALUES

22

Do Not Be Afraid to Call For more information, to report concerning activity, or for the human trafficking victim to receive help call: The National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888 Or text HELP to 233733 Trained people are always on call to help protect and free victims of human trafficking.

Or call your State Highway Patrol, Sheriff, or Police.

They are equipped to help.

For more information about human trafficking online you can visit these websites: ijm.org TuscAgainstTraffficking.org northstarinitiative.org love146.org rahab-ministries.org polarisproject.org

To further educate your church community or youth, these organizations will provide resources or a speaker.

Please call during the day.

In the Tuscarawas, OH area: Toward the Goal Ministries Jocelyn Hamsher // 330-231-7121 In the Goshen, IN area: Bashor Children’s Home Steve Riikonen // 574-875-5117 In the Lancaster, PA area: North Star Initiative Janelle // 717-568-2700 No matter where you live, you can call local authorities to request information about faith-based organizations willing to provide human trafficking resources or speakers for your community.

23

JUNE 2021

PLAIN VALUES

24

25

JUNE 2021

PLAIN VALUES

26

Feature Story

|

Business Spotlight

|

Homestead + Roots

|

Widow's Path

|

Our Heritage

|

W.H. "Chip" Gross

|

All Things Outdoors

words by: NIC STOLTZFUS Lester Miller was frustrated. He was working with his logging crew to pull trees out of the woods with a twelve-volt high-power winch on his logging cart, but the batteries they were using weren’t strong enough to keep up with the work. Lester and his crew went through up to eight lead acid batteries a year, and he was tired of constantly having to replace the batteries. Plus, it seemed like it was an unnecessary expense. Wasn’t there something better out there on the market that could handle the heavy amperage? So one day on the way home from work, he asked his driver to Google “best batteries on Earth.” The result that his driver came up with was a new and upcoming kind of battery promising to replace lead acid batteries: lithium.

Excited to see if they would work, Lester ordered some lithium batteries, but they didn’t work well. Undeterred by this, he bought his own lithium cells and assembled his own batteries. These batteries worked much better, and he found that they could handle the heavy amperage for the winch better than the old lead acid batteries.

27

JUNE 2021

reminded what his Dad told him growing up: “Lester, if

His friends found out about what he had done, and

you’re not honest, people won’t be honest with you.”

they asked him to build batteries for the work they were doing. Pretty soon, Lester found himself assembling

Today, MillerTech has expanded beyond just selling

forty to fifty batteries a month in his shop at home.

lithium batteries; they are a wholesale distributor of

People were impressed by the quality of the batteries,

renewable energy products. Their mission is the same

and Lester realized that there was a strong demand for a

now as it was from the beginning: to provide the highest

high-quality lithium battery. He realized that there was

quality products possible at prices that make sense.

enough demand that he could make batteries full-time.

When experimenting with developing high-quality

However, he had his concerns: he was newly married,

lithium batteries, Lester realized that you had to have

and he didn’t feel as if he had enough saved up to start

high quality every step of the way. Many lithium batteries

his own company. Besides, his dream was to own his

are produced in China, and Lester did his research to

own sawmill, not start from the ground up in a different

find out which companies produced the highest quality

industry! But Lester saw that it was a good time to get

Grade-A cells. As a result, all MillerTech batteries are

into the battery market: many Amish were transitioning

sourced from two of the top five Chinese lithium battery

away from propane and natural gas to more efficient

manufacturers. The batteries may be manufactured

energies and cost-effective energies such as solar,

in China, but they are designed by MillerTech here in

battery, and LED lighting. So, in 2017, Lester left his job at

America. Each battery is manufactured according to

the logging company and started MillerTech.

MillerTech’s rigorous specifications.

He started out making 40-amp lithium iron

In particular, MillerTech’s premium lithium batteries

phosphate batteries. Like other lithium batteries, they

are backed by a five-year warranty. Lester Miller realized

put out a high amperage and last a long time. From the

that, in order to have longevity in the batteries, it is

very beginning, Lester decided that it was important that

essential that you not cut corners.

he make a battery that was based on quality first and

For customers who don’t need a premium battery

foremost. He knew that it was easy to make a cheaper

for high-cyclical applications, MillerTech has developed

battery and not tell the customers about it, but he was

an economy line. These batteries are just as safe as the

PLAIN VALUES

28

premium line and are backed by the same level of safety

One of the promises that MillerTech has for its

precautions. MillerTech’s economy batteries are backed

customers is that all products manufactured and

by a three-year warranty and are good for 1500 cycles.

distributed by MillerTech Energy Solutions have a

Another innovation in the market MillerTech

warranty ranging from 1 to 5 years, with all MillerTech

has provided is with using lithium batteries as solar

premium lithium batteries backed by their five-year

batteries. Many solar installations are still using lead

warranty. With MillerTech you can rest assured, that if

acid batteries, but these types of batteries are inefficient:

by chance, you have a warranty claim, it will be solved

they lose energy and take longer to charge. MillerTech’s

with an honest, understanding, hometown approach. //

batteries are 98 percent efficient and charge quicker than the lead acid batteries. In addition, there is not as

To request a catalog, order a product them, or

much heat build-up, which makes them safer and at less

inquire about dealership opportunities, give them a call

risk of starting a fire.

Monday-Friday, 9:00am-4:00pm EST, at (855) 629-5484.

MillerTech Energy Solutions has expanded beyond the battery market, with a focus on renewable lights.

One of their bestselling lights are their renewable-

“As one of Lester’s distributors, it’s

battery headlamps. Built with an aluminum frame, with

interesting working with his company and

bright LED lights that are highly visible and clear to see,

a privilege…I actually speak with Lester

they come backed with MillerTech’s 5-year-warranty

on a weekly basis, sometimes daily basis,

and up to 1,000 charges.

and I don’t have that kind of a relationship

Instead of having to worry about the constant

with other businesses that I work with on a

expense of buying AA or AAA batteries for your

business-to-business level, so I’ve developed

headlamps, all you need to do is continue to recharge the

a friendship with Lester.

same battery. Now in its second generation, these lights

“And I’ll back that up on the warranty: he’s

have a USB-C charging port, which is more heavy-duty

got more of a Costco thing going on where

and proven to charge better than the old USB ports.

customers are trusting him because they

A new product that MillerTech has developed is

know that he is going to stand behind those

LED directional lighting. Instead of using the corncob

batteries. He’s not looking for a loophole.

style bulbs that shine bright light directed outward,

He’s going to honor that warranty.”

MillerTech’s LED directional lighting is focused on only lighting up the area where you need the most light. This

JASON LEE

way you can use less energy and still light up the area

LDS Reliance - MillerTech Distributor

you need lit up just as well.

29

JUNE 2021

PLAIN VALUES

30

Feature Story

|

Business Spotlight

|

Homestead + Roots

|

Widow's Path

homestead

|

Our Heritage

|

W.H. "Chip" Gross

|

All Things Outdoors

roots

+

words by: MERISSA A. ALINK The other day I realized I had run out of window cleaner. The sun was shining brightly and highlighted all the rain spots and fingerprints. Not wanting to go to the store, I did some quick research and tried several formulas. The following is the recipe I found works the best and really does leave a clean, streak-free finish.

.............................................................................. homemade window cleaner ..............................................................................

Shake well before using.

The rubbing alcohol helps the water to evaporate more quickly, but if preferred, an alcohol-free formula also works well (see right).

Making homemade cleaners is a great way to save money and keep harmful chemicals out of your home.

There are many recipes available made with common household ingredients that can be changed to meet personal preferences.

31

.......................

Combine all of the ingredients in a spray bottle.

what you need • 1 Cup water • 1/4 Cup rubbing alcohol • 3 T. vinegar

alcohol-free • 1 Cup water • 1/2 Cup rubbing alcohol • a few drops of essential oil, pieces of orange peel, or lemon rind

JUNE 2021

Patterns O F T HE HE AR T words by: FERREE HARDY

weeks. She turns on her side and looks at the empty half of the bed. She places her hand on the cool sheets and smooth pillow.

Father’s Day: it can be a tough day for widowed

Will it always be like this when she wakes up, she

mothers. It’s such a strong reminder of the man we so

wonders? Will her heart always start to ache as soon as

dearly miss. Will we ever be rid of the deep sorrow and

she opens her eyes?

move forward with only joy instead?

The past two months have been a blur: forced to

When we remember that Jesus was called the “Man

sell her beloved first home, she’s still not settled into her

of Sorrows,” yet he was also full of joy, we can realize

parent’s house yet. With the baby coming, she’ll need their

that God created us with the same capacity. It’s quite a

help with her daughters: her girls are two and four—cute

concept: sorrow and joy abiding together, so I thought

as buttons, but mischievous as monkeys.

I’d try some storytelling for a change.

She’d better get up and start the day. Father’s Day. She

Please remember that since the following scenarios

shakes her head. No! She can’t do it this year. Not yet. The

are in story form—the names are not real, and the characters are not based on any individuals I’ve met.

wound is too fresh and raw. Her girls still cry; they don’t

Instead, they embody the many different experiences

understand where daddy went. They keep asking when

that a widow could possibly go through. I think stories

he will come home. Next year they will start Father’s Day

can, in a special way, show us ways in which sorrow and

without a father, when they are a little stronger.

Ooops! Too late. She hears little bare feet running

joy can coexist and bless us with wise patterns for life.

on the wood flooring. Laughing and squealing, the girls

* * * * *

dash into the bedroom and jump into her bed. For a

Susan was six months pregnant when her husband

few brief moments, they all snuggle under the covers.

was killed in an accident at work in April. As sun rays

Susan presses her daughters close. Their shiny, sleep-

touch the edges of her window this Father’s Day morning,

tangled hair smells so good. They giggle and tunnel

what thoughts await her? A thud and movement deep

up tight to Susan’s belly. The baby inside gives them a

within remind her that the baby will be due in a few

playful thump, just like their father would have, Susan

PLAIN VALUES

32

Feature Story

|

Business Spotlight

|

Homestead + Roots

|

Widow's Path

imagines with a deep yearning. Will this baby look like

|

Our Heritage

|

W.H. "Chip" Gross

|

All Things Outdoors

Over the years, they’ve each expressed grief very differently, even though they all lost the same person.

him? She hopes so.

However, Mary’s keenest insight so far is that as she and

* * * * *

the children have matured, sorrow and joy are settling in and making for peace.

Mary reminds herself once again, “In saving your

Almost unknown to her, Mary has learned to pray

kids, you save yourself.” She’d read that in her early days

constantly, with every breath. At first, she felt so silly and

of widowhood. She feels like she’s worked day and night

weak. Her every thought was, “God help me with this…

ever since, holding onto that promise. Her husband had

and that…” but it’s second nature to her now. Sometimes

died instantly of a massive heart attack when their four

the children hear her talking out loud to Jesus. The

children were in grade school.

older ones might roll their eyes, sort of teasing; but all

It’s five years later now. She doesn’t have much, but

in all, she senses they’ve come to feel a bit safer knowing

she stretches what she does have. As for Father’s Day,

that God is at her side throughout the day.

some ideas worked for her family, and some did not.

Sitting in a circle and sharing a memory was awful for her boisterous bunch, even though other widows said it was a great idea.

Instead, one time she marked everyone’s height with a measuring tape and wrote their name in pencil on the doorpost in the breezeway. She remembered how tall her husband had been, so she marked his height too. Now, a few years later, the children look forward to Father’s Day, so they can measure how much they’ve grown. Who will be as tall as, or taller than, him? They often talk about him, too. Sometimes they make his favorite dessert or play his favorite game.

33

JUNE 2021

"Sorrow and joy— together may they create a unique pattern in your heart this Father’s Day." * * * * * It’s still dark when Rose opens her eyes. She sighs and squints at the luminous hands of the alarm clock on her nightstand—four o’clock—again. Why can’t she sleep until six anymore? It’s four in the morning, and she feels like she could leap out of bed! Or, more honestly, her mind is willing to leap, but the old body is slow to start.

She knows she’ll feel worse if she stays in bed, but she also knows she has to take a few minutes to warm up her muscles and joints before getting up. Her husband fell out of bed when he had his stroke, and she’s certain he got up too fast. While going through her exercises, she remembers today is Father’s Day. On the oak chest that was her husband’s stands the card she bought him this year. Tucked in the top drawer are fourteen cards from the past fourteen years.

On the first Father’s Day without her husband, Rose made several attempts to buy a Father’s Day card before she succeeded. She knew people would think she was very odd, but she was determined. The first store she stopped at was her favorite, but as she entered, she saw two women she knew—the town gossips! She panicked and fled before they could spot her. She ended up at a large retail chain where no one would recognize her.

While there, reading row after row of thoughtful and touching cards, she began to cry, softly, at first, then the full waterworks started. In great need of a handkerchief, she had to rush out empty-handed. A few days later she gathered her strength—and some tissues—and went PLAIN VALUES

34

"PAPA WOVE SO MUCH INTO EACH OF OUR LIVES. OUR FAMILY LIVES ON. MY HEART WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE SORROW OF MISSING HIM, BUT OH, THE JOY OF HAVING LOVED HIM."

Father’s Day means so much because of our

back. Allowing herself only ten minutes, she purchased

sons (who I see him in), our daughters, and all the

the first card in her collection.

She smiled to herself. Each year it got easier and

grandchildren. Papa wove so much into each of our

easier. She had no idea it was something that would

lives. Our family lives on because of how he loved us. My

bring her such joy.

heart will always have the sorrow of missing him, but oh, the joy of having loved him.”

"Why didn’t I get him cards when I could give them

Sorrow and joy—together may they create a unique

to him in person? Well, I don’t know if he would have

pattern in your heart this Father’s Day. //

wanted them. He didn’t like to talk about feelings. But now he’s gone. So, I say how I felt back then. How I still

Until next month,

feel. I really loved him. He said I told him that enough,

ferree l

but maybe I never told him enough for me.”

To learn more about widowhood, order a copy of Postcards from the Widows’ Path – Gleaning Hope and Purpose from the Book of Ruth. It’s a gentle, biblical guide for widows that has many saying, “This is the best I’ve ever read!” Contact your local Christian bookstore or mail a check for $14.99/copy (paperback, 248 pgs.), along with your address to: Ferree Hardy, 244 Sweetwater Landing, Dr., North Augusta, SC 49860. Allow 2 – 3 weeks for delivery.

Free shipping for all Plain Values readers!

www.WidowsChristianPlace.com

35

JUNE 2021

PLAIN VALUES

36

Feature Story

|

Business Spotlight

|

Homestead + Roots

|

Widow's Path

|

Our Heritage

|

W.H. "Chip" Gross

THE STORY OF

HEINZ

GAUGEL PAINTER OF BEHALT

words by: MARCUS A. YODER

Appointments happen at many times over the course of a day, a week, or a lifetime. Some are scheduled and planned; others are those “chance” appointments that can change a lifetime with their outcome. Sometimes those appointments affect much more than just the person or people involved because our lives often connect with greater groups of people.

Such is the case of one such “chance” lunch meeting in the 1960s when an artist from Ontario, Canada, traveling to Columbus, Ohio, decided to stop for lunch in a small, sleepy town named Berlin.

The artist, Heinz Gaugel, had grown up in the Black Forest Region of Germany, where he spoke a dialect of German known as Swabish, similar to the Pennsylvania German of the Amish. When Gaugel stepped onto the sidewalk after his lunch that day, he heard someone speak “his” language and immediately connected with the area. He was intrigued by the Amish culture and world, whose origins he had never heard. About ten years later, he moved his family to this community to learn more about these people who had their roots and language in the same region where he had grown up.

Gaugel grew more connected to the Amish and began to study their history. He was particularly impacted by their position on not joining the military and their belief that war and violence would never bring lasting change to the world. This was because Gaugel himself had been drafted at

37

|

All Things Outdoors

"Still a teenager, Gaugel and other young men in his unit were thrown into the maw of one of the deadliest conflicts of World War II: the Battle of the Bulge."

age 17 into the German Army under Adolf Hitler. He was

taken to a prison camp from the prison hospital. It was

immediately sent to the Western Front. Still a teenager,

horrible. You don’t know what hunger is until you’ve been

Gaugel and other young men in his unit were thrown

hungry for months on end. All you can think about is

into the maw of one of the deadliest conflicts of World

food. My fellow prisoners and I talked of nothing else —

War II: the Battle of the Bulge.

how you prepare it, what it tastes like, what our favorite dishes were and anything else pertaining to food.

Here are Gaugel’s own words as to what he experienced in those days that would shape his life

Once, I helped some other men escape. I couldn’t

dramatically: We had guns from World War I and a few

go along because of my arm. I hid under the floor of

rounds of ammunition each — that’s it. We marched the

the tent and drew maps of their escape route. Then the

entire night — not knowing where we were or where we

night they were ready, I cut a hole in the barbwire fence

were going — and found ourselves on the front line at

that was underwater in the stream that flowed around

dawn. This was two days before the Battle of the Bulge.

the camp. Every time the guard walked past, one of the

We had been sent out as nothing more than a decoy. It

men would give me a whistle and I’d hold my breath and

wasn’t long before I was shot in the shoulder and passed

hide underwater until he was past. I cut and cut until

out. I awoke to the screams of my dying friends. Of our

the hole was finally big enough, and then I bid them

unit, seven escaped uninjured, seven were hurt and

farewell. Unfortunately, I said hello again as they were

taken to a prison hospital, and 120 were killed.

marched into the camp three days later.

So after only one day of battle, I was injured and

After four very long months, the war was finally

taken prisoner. I was taken to the hospital tents. I was

over, and we were told that we would be allowed to go

absolutely petrified. I could hear people around me

home. So we all foolishly gulped down our food and

screaming in pain and begging to have their legs taken

water rations, thinking we would soon have more.

off. I was laying there, absolutely shaking in fear, when

Well, due to uncontrolled circumstances, our (many,

something interesting happened. A beautiful American

many men packed into a boxcar like sardines) train trip

nurse came up to me, took out a stick of gum, ripped it in

turned out to be six days long. We almost died from

half, and took half for herself and gave half to me. Just

dehydration, not to mention almost burned alive by a

that small act of kindness really made an impression on

campfire gone out of hand. But we finally made it back

me and reassured me a little.

home—the place we’d been longing for months.

From there I was taken to a prison hospital for six

These experiences impacted Gaugel a great deal.

months, where my shoulder was given some time to

After the war, he moved to Canada, where he pursued

recover. I remember American soldiers standing around

his artistic career. While living in Canada, he traveled

my bed and laughing, “Now we know the Germans

through Amish country and had that fateful lunch

are getting desperate. They’re using children for their

“appointment.” Since his views of war had been deeply

soldiers!” Even though my arm still wasn’t healed, I was

impacted by his traumatic experiences during World

PLAIN VALUES

38

War II, he connected with the history of the Amish and Mennonites’ views regarding violence. Gaugel said, “No one should ever have to go through that. Endless months of constant hunger, fear, pain, suffering … all for a

If you wish to hear more historical stories like this

completely useless cause. War is useless. It accomplishes

please call or visit the Amish & Mennonite Heritage

nothing. It doesn’t solve problems; it causes more.”

Center. We offer guided tours of "Behalt" - a 10 ft. x 265

With this background, Gaugel decided he needed

ft. cyclorama oil-on-canvas painting that illustrates the

to use his artistic talents to tell not only the Amish

heritage of the Amish and Mennonite people from their

and Mennonites, but also the world about a group of

Anabaptist beginnings in Zurich, Switzerland, to the

people who have believed that war and violence are

present day. Behalt means “to keep” or “remember.” We

antithetical to the way of Jesus. The medium and

are open Mon-Sat 9:00-5:00 and are located near Berlin,

format he chose to tell that story are still very viable

you can find us at 5798 County Road 77, Millersburg, OH

today as people from at least 185 nations have heard

44654. Please call (330) 893-3192 for more information

the story of the Amish and Mennonite people to date.

or to schedule a day or evening group tour.

Gaugel died in 2000 at 73 years of age. That one chance appointment at 35 years of age over lunch at the local diner has impacted many people since. Next time we

MARCUS A. YODER IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AMISH & MENNONITE HERITAGE CENTER AND THE OHIO AMISH LIBRARY. HE IS

will look at the actual work Gaugel did, a mural 10 feet

ALSO THE AUTHOR OF CATHEDRALS, CASTLES, & CAVES: THE ORIGINS OF THE

high and 265 feet in length that depicts this story. In

ANABAPTIST FAITH.

the meantime, think about your own “appointments” and the impact our lives leave as we give to the people around us. //

39

JUNE 2021

Feature Story

|

Business Spotlight

|

Homestead + Roots

|

Widow's Path

Changes...

A Special Place words by: W.H. "CHIP" GROSS The first time I saw it was on one of those perfect summer afternoons. A high-pressure system had escaped south from Canada, temporarily blowing away the haze and humidity of June in the Midwest. It was a day when redtailed hawks ride the thermals as much for fun as for food.

As a kid, I was obsessed with only two vices in life: Little League Baseball and fishing. I accept none of the blame or criticism myself for becoming addicted to angling. I was innocently duped as a mere child by a seemingly harmless grandfather. This incorrigible old man forced me to spend much of my summer vacations sitting on stream banks or lakeshores, tight-lining for catfish or casting for bluegills.

That grand old man took the time to point out the many wonders of the natural world to an impatient boy.

It was on one of his “mosquito feeding expeditions” as he called them, when late one day the car rolled to a stop along a one-lane gravel road near an old, iron-girder bridge.

PLAIN VALUES

40

|

Our Heritage

|

W.H. "Chip" Gross

|

All Things Outdoors

41

JUNE 2021

Walking above the little river on the bridge and looking

built a fire against the coming night. We were in our

downstream, I saw the first thing in my 12-year-long life

mid-teens, too old to be afraid of the dark. But we were

that had ever registered as truly beautiful. Mammoth,

both amazed at how an enraged black bear charging

century-old sycamore trees with dinner-plate sized

across the river in the dark toward our camp instantly

leaves lined the banks, their crowns nearly canopying the

changed itself into a foraging raccoon when hit by the

stream, their trunks fully a yard thick.

beam of a flashlight. Morning came none too soon.

I marveled as the clear pool below me slowly

As a young adult grows older, things change.

gathered itself into a narrow chute, then hurried

Looking back, I returned to the river only occasionally

downstream. Caroming off the roots of an ancient

during my early twenties. I returned to temporarily

sycamore, the water thinned over a riffle, descending

escape a world I found increasingly demanding,

into a swirling hole. From there the little river made

constricting,

a sharp turn at the base of a heavily-wooded hillside

I was quickly becoming a man with man-sized

about a quarter-mile away and disappeared from sight.

responsibilities. Subconsciously, I guess I returned to

confusing—a

world

in

which

recapture those summer days of boyhood freedom, to

I stood in a kind of adolescent wonder, attempting

somehow return to things unchangeable.

to take in the raw beauty before me. A city kid, the

I remember stopping by the little river one evening,

atmosphere of this place was different from anything I

hearing a great horned owl hoot its five notes into the

had ever seen or felt. It was completely wild.

frozen stillness of a January dusk. I remember a sunny

“This it, Gramps?” I asked hopefully. “Is this where

October afternoon, watching brightly colored leaves ride

we’re gonna fish tonight?”

the stream’s clear current. I remember showing the little

“Course it is,” growled the old man, pulling fishing

river for the first time to my April bride.

tackle from the trunk of the car. “Didn’t think we were gonna fish in them woods did ya?”

That evening was spent in paradise. Just me and Grandpa fishing that beautiful little river. Together we impaled squirming, fat nightcrawlers on large, sharp hooks, weighted black, braided line with homemade lead sinkers, then cast the whole mess into the slow current using old, steel fishing rods outfitted with backlashing bait-casting reels. Together we drank bottles of orange Nehi soda pop, “cooled” in the tepid river water. Together we watched night silently descend on the stream.

During the years following, I returned to that little river many times. I waded the high, muddy waters of spring with spinning gear, casting for white bass on their spawning run. Summer and fall found me trying for bluegills and smallmouth bass with a fly rod. The fly rod was Grandpa’s, and he’d taught me to use it. I accidentally snapped it in half one day while trying to jerk an errant backcast from a streamside bush. Years later, after Grandpa was gone, Grandma solemnly handed me all his fishing gear, including that stillbroken, split-bamboo fly rod.

A friend and I camped on the bank of the little river one night. A large, flat boulder overhung the stream at the base of the wooded hillside, just out of sight of the bridge. It was there we set up our command post and PLAIN VALUES

and

42

Then it was years before I returned, I forget just

My education also told me that white-tailed deer and

how many. College, jobs, and the responsibilities of

ruffed grouse would now replace the gray squirrels and

being a young husband and father took me far away. But

pileated woodpeckers. But it wasn’t the same. Textbooks

one day found me driving within a few miles of the little

have no place for memories. My only consolation was

river. “What the heck…,” I thought, so steered my vehicle

that Gramps was no longer alive to see it.

toward the old iron bridge. I shouldn’t have.

EPILOGUE

Rounding the bend in the road that offers the first glimpse of the little river, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

I fished the little river today. It was the first time

Had I made a wrong turn? Was this the right road?

in years. I went because it was one of those special

The mammoth, century-old sycamore trees that once

days, one of those perfect summer afternoons. A high-

canopied the little river were gone, only yard-thick

pressure system had escaped south from Canada,

stumps remained. The heavily-wooded hillside, too, was

temporarily blowing away the haze and humidity of

naked from logging. Even the old, iron-girder bridge

June in the Midwest. It was a day when red-tailed hawks

itself was no more. A sleek, two-lane concrete structure

ride the thermals as much for fun as for food.

stood in its place.

I caught no fish and hadn’t really expected to. Today

I pulled the car off the road, walked onto the new

was a day for observing, not serious fishing. The hurt

bridge and looked downstream. Gone. It was all gone

had subsided enough. I wanted to see how much the

except for the river itself.

little river had really changed.

A college degree in natural resources management

A commercial canoe livery now runs hordes of

assured me that the wooded hillside would return to

weekend adventurers down the little river. I found a

climax forest in a hundred years or so, if left undisturbed.

broken wine bottle in the clear pool beneath the bridge and empty beer cans on the camping rock. It hurt to see the abuse, but I also found something else.

I found an old man and a small boy sitting on the bank, tight-lining for catfish and casting for bluegills. I didn’t stop to talk—just nodded and moved on—because theirs is a special time. Together they will impale squirming, fat nightcrawlers on large, sharp hooks, weight their monofilament lines with store-bought lead sinkers, and cast the whole mess into the slow current using graphite rods and push-button spincast reels. Together they will drink cans of Pepsi, “cooled” in tepid river water. Together they will watch night slowly descend on the little river—their special place.

It will never occur to the boy that things will someday change. And that is as it should be... //

W.H. "CHIP" GROSS IS AN OUTDOOR WRITER AND PHOTOGRAPHER. HE IS A GUEST COLUMNIST IN THIS ISSUE OF PLAIN VALUES MAGAZINE. CHIP IS ALSO THE AUTHOR OF HOME, AT LAST, IS THE HUNTER, THE CLASSIC COMING-OF-AGE TURKEY HUNTING NOVEL. TO ORDER A COPY, SEND A PERSONAL CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE AMOUNT OF $25 (INCLUDES TAX AND SHIPPING) TO: WORDSMITH, 6108 TOWNSHIP ROAD 88, FREDERICKTOWN, OH 43019. PLEASE INCLUDE A NOTE AS TO WHOM YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR BOOK(S) SIGNED. FOR QUESTIONS, CALL 419-5126064. MAKES A GREAT FATHER’S DAY OR CHRISTMAS GIFT! (PAPERBACK, 222 PAGES)

43

JUNE 2021

PLAIN VALUES

44

Feature Story

|

Business Spotlight

|

Homestead + Roots

|

Widow's Path

|

Our Heritage

|

W.H. "Chip" Gross

|

All Things Outdoors

all things outdoors words by: JIM ZUMBO Jim Zumbo is Plain Value’s newest columnist, writing for the “All Things Outdoors” column. Jim has hunted all fifty states for deer, has fished in most states, has hunted elk in all the major western elk states, and has hunted on four continents. He worked for fifteen years as a forester, game warden, and wildlife biologist and has two degrees in forestry and wildlife management. Jim has been able to draw on these experiences to share with the wider public: he has hosted a TV show on the Outdoor Channel, was a full-time editor/writer for thirty years for Outdoor Life magazine, and has written 23 books on hunting, fishing, and conservation. He currently lives in Cody, Wyoming, with his wife Madonna, two Labrador retrievers, and one cat.

For more information, visit www.jimzumbo.com.

As they say, some of the best things in life are free. The crawfish is a perfect example. A piece of string and some sort of bait will allow you to gather enough for a meal. Or, you can simply catch them by hand by carefully turning over rocks and quickly grabbing them. Another option is catching them with a trap that you can build yourself or buy commercially.

These crustaceans are also known as crawdads, crayfish and mudbugs and are found in every state.

Amazingly, there are more than 300 subspecies in the US. Louisiana is the king of all the states, yielding a mind-boggling harvest of 100 million pounds of crawfish annually. That’s a lot of mudbugs!

Most youngsters who live on farms and in rural areas become familiar with crawfish early on. Kids love

45

JUNE 2021

to explore small creeks and streams, and crawfish are found in practically every one. When I was young, I kept some in an aquarium as pets. Later I found that they’re great fishing bait, especially for largemouth and smallmouth bass.

Let’s look at the ways you can catch crawdads. As I mentioned, the simplest is to tie a piece of bait on a string and toss it in the water, especially in places where there are lots of rocks. Crawfish love rocks because they provide hiding places. When a crawfish is alarmed or being chased by a fish, it swims backward and quickly scurries under a rock. A suitable bait is something that gives off a scent and is easy for the crawfish to hold on to, such as a chicken neck, chicken leg, hot dog, a nightcrawler, or a piece of raw bacon.

The crawfish has a terrific sense of smell. It will grab the bait with its two large pincer claws and begin to eat the bait. Your job is to pull the bait into shore very

Of all the techniques, trapping is the way to catch

slowly. Most of the time, the crawfish won’t let go, and

lots of crawfish, and you don’t need to be present. The

you can literally pull it up out of the water and swing

most common trap is shaped like a cylinder with two

it over on the bank. Some will drop off and escape. A

inverted funnels at each end. A door allows you to put

small net will help catch them before they let go.

bait in and remove crawfish. Most traps are made out

Another way is to carefully turn over rocks and

of 1/4 inch hardware cloth. The holes in the funnel

grab crawfish that were hiding under them. Some

should be at least 1 and 1/2 inches in diameter, which is

folks are a bit squeamish about grabbing a crawfish

a bit larger than those on a minnow trap.

because those claws can hurt. Grasp it around the

As you can imagine, suitable bait is mandatory

body with two fingers just behind the pincers. It won’t

since bait is what draws the crawfish into the trap.

be able to reach back and get you!

Some baits are far more effective than others. There is

PLAIN VALUES

46

much discussion among crawfish trappers about baits, and there are all sorts of opinions. I’ll list here what has worked for me over the years. Obviously, if you’re going to spend the time and effort to catch crawfish, you want the best bait available.

Some baits include canned cat or dog food, sardines, and other smelly foods, but I believe you don’t need to look any further than a fish carcass, which is free if you’re an angler. This can be a fish that’s had the fillets removed or a chunk of undesirable fish such as a carp that can be cut up in chunks. Some believe the baits must be allowed to get rotten under the hot sun for a

"Carefully turn

few days, and some believe it must be fresh. I’m among the latter. It works just as well, and you don’t have to

over rocks and grab

fumigate your vehicle when you’re transporting the stuff! Besides, since I intend to eat the crawfish, I’d

crawfish that were

rather they haven’t dined on nasty, stinky bait as their last meal.

hiding under them."

Some folks will put their bait in a small container so the crawfish can’t actually get to it. The container must have holes so the scent can come out, of course.

47

JUNE 2021

around, don’t throw your traps out where you can be observed. Next, hide your trap lines so they’re virtually impossible to see. Don’t tie your string or rope to a tree branch or bush where it’s highly visible. It’s human nature to be cautious and wonder why a string is in the water and pull on it to see what it is. At that point, a thief will make off with your trap or remove your crawfish. An honest person will toss the trap back in the water, their curiosity satisfied. We like to think everyone is honest, but that’s not the case.

Here’s how I hide my traps. I tie a 20-foot length of black or camo-colored parachute cord to the trap.

Then I tie a 15-foot length of clear 90- or 100-pound test monofilament line to the paracord and make a loop at the end so it will fit around your wrist. The loop prevents you from accidentally tossing the whole works out in the water (I’ve done it!). Now wrap the loop around a rock several times and put it underwater, making it virtually impossible to see. Sometimes when I return to pull the traps, I’m at a loss to find the right rock, so I’ll place something unobtrusive like a bottle cap onshore to help me locate the rock (and remove the bottle cap later).

The best way to cook crawfish is to boil them.

I’ve tried wrapping the bait in cheesecloth. It works to

In many places, especially Louisiana, a “boil” is a

a degree, but the critters will tear it up. There are two

wonderful family event. In a big pot, put in small

reasons to keep the bait away from the crawfish. First,

potatoes or chunks of potatoes, corn ears snapped in

if you just put the carcass in the trap, it will likely

half, andouille sausage, crawfish, and shrimp if you

touch the sides of the trap. With their sharp claws, the

wish. You can add Old Bay seasoning or any of the

crawfish can reach it and eat on it from the outside,

commercial crawfish/shrimp seasonings or make your

never having to enter the trap. Also, if they go into the

own. Add the ingredients to the pot in the order of

trap and eat all the bait quickly (which they will), there

their cooking time. The crawfish should go in last. Put

will be less scent to keep attracting other crawfish

the live crawfish in the pot when it’s at a rolling boil.

outside the trap.

The boil will stop, and when it comes up again, boil

There’s some discussion about the time of day

the crawfish for five minutes, turn off the heat and

to trap. Some folks believe crawfish are strictly

let them sit for five minutes. They’ll come out bright

nocturnal, but I’ve found otherwise. I’ve had great

red. Traditionally, folks will dump the whole pot on an

results tossing the traps in the morning and picking

outside table covered with newspaper. Then they’ll dig

them up in the afternoon. I’ve also had equally good

in! Dipping your shucked crawfish tail into hot butter

results leaving them out all night. It doesn’t seem to

is a treat you’ll never forget. Then you’ll have to trap

make a difference.

some more! //

I hate to say this, but there are people who will steal

JIM HAS HUNTED ALL FIFTY STATES FOR DEER, HAS FISHED IN MOST

your traps if they find them. Sad, but true, especially

STATES, HAS HUNTED ELK IN ALL THE MAJOR WESTERN ELK STATES, AND

in public waters where you have no control over who

HAS HUNTED ON FOUR CONTINENTS. HE WORKED FOR FIFTEEN YEARS AS A FORESTER, GAME WARDEN, AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST. JIM DRAWS ON

is out and about. There are a couple of ways to avoid

THESE EXPERIENCES FOR HIS MONTHLY COLUMN “ALL THINGS OUTDOORS.”

this unfortunate problem. First, if there are strangers

PLAIN VALUES

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.JIMZUMBO.COM.

48

Hey, what’s the good word!

On the flip side, some people are uncoachable, and

COACHABLE. Being coachable means being open to

you might be wondering why. From my perspective they

asking for and receiving feedback, looking inward at how

exhibit some of the following characteristics.

you can move forward, and being interested in growth. You

They are resistant to any and everything new, not being

don't take things personally or as a criticism, instead you

open to change at all. They feel as if their way is the only

see it as an opportunity.

way and they are unwilling to learn or adopt something

Some of the most successful people I’ve been around

new because “they have always done it this way.” This could

share this trait. It is something I’ve always appreciated

be the worst thing for a person or company to say.

and tried to model over the years. There were consistent

Next, I see these types of people lacking self-awareness

qualities and patterns that stuck out to me about these

and not wanting or willing to be vulnerable. In my humble

people.

opinion, vulnerability is a strength not a weakness. It

They are always open to learning something they don’t

takes courage and shows me that you’re authentic, which

already know. I would say it’s more of a healthy curiosity

is something we need more of. You can’t grow yourself or

they exhibit, always trying to improve but realizing they

your team without it, and being vulnerable is a big key to

will always have blind spots and never arrive.

being self-aware.

Coachable people take accountability and use it as

Finally, if you’re unwilling to get outside of your

a positive, rather than shy away from it or look at it as

comfort zone, then you’re probably not coachable. I

a negative. They take responsibility and do not make

understand that fear exists in most of us, but this is where

excuses. At the same time, they are willing to manage their

our most growth happens. Being coachable and open to

expectations on a consistent basis.

this allows that to occur.

One other thing is they seem open to try new things

So, what area of your life can you become more

because they are seekers of growth. They allow the

coachable today?

Now that’s GOOD STUFF! //

platform of being uncomfortable to push them forward, knowing it’s a good place to be. And this is where they seem to be most vulnerable to coaching because they know it’s something they are not good at.

Please feel free to reach me anytime with your thoughts at kevin@plainvalues.com or:

I can’t help but think of Peter when it comes to this, particularly 1 Peter 5:5-6: “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the

Plain Values Attn: Good Stuff with Kevin PO Box 201 Winesburg, OH 44690

proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

Hungry for more Good Stuff? Join Kevin as he discovers it.

//

Listen to dozens of eye-opening podcasts on www.youtube.com.

49

JUNE 2021

FUNDS and BENEFITS //

MOSE AND SUSAN MILLER FUND

Mose P. & Susan Miller’s 17-year-old son Samuel was in an accident where he broke his back and suffered other internal injuries.

He was in an Akron Children’s Hospital for 2 months and underwent multiple surgeries. The family has a large medical bill and any help is great appreciated. Send checks to Mt. Hope Charities, PO Box 19, Mt. Hope, OH 44660. Attn: Trail Southeast District 83.

//

RUDY AND FANNIE MILLER FUND

Rudy & Fannie Millers’ 10-year-old son Jonathon age was hit by a vehicle on his way to school in December 2019. It was a horrible accident and left him in a wheelchair. He is scheduled to have spinal surgery at Shriners in Pittsburgh. Jonathon is one of 8 children and, with the multiple hospital trips and medical expenses, Rudy & Fannie have more expenses than they can bear. Funds can be sent to Deacon Steven Troyer, 9995 State Route 534, Middlefield, OH 44062. May God bless you all who are led to help and care.

//

AMOS AND BETSY FISHER FUND

Betsy is in the hospital with colitis and other health problems. It takes Amos 3 hours to reach the hospital and he can only be with his wife 4 hours each day, due to COVID restrictions, so the driver bills and medical expenses are high. If you wish to help, make checks payable to the Betsy Fisher Fund and send checks to: NBT Bank, 41 Canal St. Fort Plain, NY 13339. Thank you for your support.

//

ESTHER MILLER FUND

A fund has been set up for Esther Miller, widow of Leon Miller, to help pay off a mortgage loan. Leon died suddenly last October, and Esther has 3 children ages 10, 15, and 18. Send checks to Mt. Hope Charities Inc. PO Box 19, Mt. Hope, OH 44660. Attn. Mt. Eaton SW. God bless you for helping a widow in need.

//

AARON BEILER FUND

Aaron is 21-years-old, and he has recently been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He lives in Pennsylvania and will be traveling back and forth to Mexico for treatments. You can send tax deductible donations to: First National Bank, PO Box 444, Millheim, PA 16854. Write in memo line “for Aaron Beiler.” Thank you for your prayers and support.

//

ABE AND ESTHER MILLER FUND

Abe Miller had his leg amputated and now has surgery on a tumor that he is currently taking treatment for; your support will help Abe and his wife Esther with the medical expenses. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and God Bless! Make checks payable to Mt. Hope Charities Inc. Attn: Fairview West Church 2, Po Box 19, Mt. Hope, OH 44660.

//

CHESTER AND ARLENE BYLER FUND

Chester & Arlene Byler’s son William has Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). Children with this disease cannot reason or think logically and need intensive therapy and full-time supervision. Because of this, Chester needs to stay home from work to help his son. If you wish to help with expenses, you can mail a check or drop by in-person at any Community Bank. Make checks payable to: Chester & Arlene Benefit Fund, Community Bank West Region, 101 Main Street, Sherman, NY 14781.

//

HENRY AND LINDA BEILER FUND

Linda Beiler is a 36 year-old who was diagnosed with colon and liver cancer last June. She had surgery in Mexico last year and is now back in Mexico with more tumors on her liver. Her chemo treatments have made her weak. Henry & Linda and their children— ages one to twelve—are struggling to make ends meet on the dairy farm. Any help is greatly appreciated. Make checks payable to Linda Beiler Fund. Send to: First National Bank, PO Box 444, Millheim, PA. 16854. /

P L E AS E N O T E

/

If you are conducting a fundraiser to assist with medical or hardship expenses, please let us know and we will be happy to feature it for one month at no cost.

Funds must be payable to a bank, church, or charitable organization.

PLAIN VALUES

50

51

JUNE 2021

PLAIN VALUES

52