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PLAIN VALUES
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Cultivating Anchored Community LEADERSHIP
Our Story
Marlin Miller, publisher Kevin Bille, general manager
a long time ago...
EDITORIAL Nic Stoltzfus, editorial manager + contributing writer
The Millers adopt the first of their four children with special needs.
Ferree Hardy, contributing writer - The Widow's Path Joel Salatin, contributing writer - Confessions of a Steward Merissa A. Alink, contributing writer - Homestead + Roots
then...
Elam Stoltzfus, contributing writer - Our Heritage Jim Zumbo, contributing writer - All Things Outdoors
They start a magazine to highlight the beauty of adoption and the dignity of children with special needs.
ADVERTISING Matt Yoder, Ohio sales advisor Aaron Stutzman, Indiana + Michigan sales advisor Joshua Saufley, Pennsylvania sales advisor
now...
OFFICE + PRODUCTION Bethany Troyer, bookkeeping
The magazine grows and grows.
Jan Schlabach, customer service Isaac Hershberger, production manager
They start a nonprofit.
Seth Yoder, graphic artist Landon Troyer, photographer
And give the magazine to the nonprofit.
a: PO Box 201/2106 Main Street, Winesburg, Ohio 44690 p: (330) 601 - 6109
The nonprofit raises money for children all over the world through the magazine.
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f: (330) 601 - 4099
w: www.plainvalues.com
OCTOBER AD CLOSE
Room to Bloom (the nonprofit) is able to support multiple families adopting children with Down syndrome with financial grants making it easier to bring these special ones home!
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e: reachout@plainvalues.com
September 7, 2021
Plain Values is published under licensed authority of Room to Bloom, a non profit, tax exempt Section 501(c)(3) organization. Room to Bloom controls the editorial content of Plain Values and authorizes Plain Target Marketing LLC to publish and circulate Plain Values. Plain Target Marketing LLC pays Room to Bloom a royalty in exchange that is applied to Room to Bloom’s mission of advocating for children with special needs, orphan care and adoption.
The magazine and nonprofit continue to grow and grow.
THE FORMALITIES This publication and its contents are published under licensed authority of 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.
Join us – by subscribing you help fund the work of the nonprofit and bring awareness to children with special needs. 3
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contents
Issue 99 // September 2021
feature 11 NEW HOPE
Finding Healing After the Nickel Mines Tragedy words by: Nic Stoltzfus
"Fifteen years have passed since the Nickel Mines tragedy. Those affected by what happened on October 2nd, 2006, understand that healing is a long and challenging road. Even today, a decade and a half later, many struggle with forgiving the gunman for what he did. Every morning one makes the choice between the path of hostility and bitterness or the path of forgiveness and grace."
simple living 27
HOMESTEAD + ROOTS
column by: Merissa A. Alink
DIY Chicken Feeder
“Since we’ve decided to invest in our chickens with quality feed, we aren't willing to let any go to waste."
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CONFESSIONS OF A STEWARD column by: Joel Salatin
Beginnings
“Does God care how I farm? That question defines my life's work and vision because it moves the visceral, practical decisions I make in my farming vocation to a place of sacredness and godly living."
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ONE MINUTE WITH MARLIN
ON THE COVER
FUNDS AND BENEFITS
Thoughts and ramblings from Marlin Miller, publisher of Plain Values.
A painting by Elsie Beiler, titled "Friends Forever," inspired by the events of Nickel Mines.
Every month we provide a listing of opportunities to help out those in need.
painting "A New Day" © Elsie Beiler
service 23
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
University Hospitals
“If recognized in time, heart attack warning signs can be treated before the heart is damaged."
support 34
THE WIDOW'S PATH
column by: Ferree Hardy
Grief Work
“There are many ways to express oneself, but let’s not overlook the basics: talking, crying, and creativity."
history 39
OUR HERITAGE
guest columnist: Elam Stoltzfus
History of the Amish Parochial Schools in Pennsylvania "...the group of Amish fathers gathered in a semicircle, huddled together quietly and prayed."
nature 45
ALL THINGS OUTDOORS column by: Jim Zumbo
Largemouth Bass
"When I was a youngster, I had a serious goal. I wanted to catch a fivepound largemouth bass."
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one minute with Marlin
I HAVE NOT FOUND a more perfect physical expression of the spiritual reality of what the Lord offers us through the cross than adoption. As beautiful as it is, adoption is also hard. Separation brings trauma, and trauma messes with our brains… literally. If you or someone you know is in the middle of caring for family members who have experienced traumatic things in life, good training is essential to a higher level of understanding. Darren and Stacey Gagnon have adopted 5 children, most from hard places, and they teach out of experience. I cannot recommend them highly enough. The tools my wife and I have learned from the Gagnons have made big differences in our family. You can learn more about their upcoming conference on page 2. I have the distinct honor to welcome Joel Salatin to the Plain Values editorial team. Joel and his family own and operate Polyface Farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. The farm produces pastured beef, pork, chicken, eggs, turkeys, rabbits, lamb, and ducks, servicing roughly 6,000 families and 30 restaurants in the region. He is the editor of The Stockman Grass Farmer, has written many books, and speaks extensively on land healing and local food systems. I'm sure you will enjoy his work! Currently, I am working with our team to develop additional guard rails for selecting the people and organizations that we feature in the pages of Plain Values. I welcome your comments and suggestions on how we can do better. I would like to extend a sincere apology to our readers who have been calling our office and perhaps getting frustrated that our phone lines were down. Unfortunately, something went haywire, and we shifted to a new number. Please call 330-601-6106, and Jan will be happy to help you. Again I’m sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.
MARLIN MILLER publisher
Lastly, a massive Happy Birthday to our friends from Charm, Ohio: Micah Troyer’s 17th birthday is August 29th, and his sister Kayla will be 9 on the exact same day! As always, may you find joy in the simple things. //
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feature NEW HOPE: NICKEL MINES
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New Hope Finding Healing After the Nickel Mines Tragedy
words by: NIC STOLTZFUS
TWO GIRLS WALK DOWN White Oak Road, pass by the school’s white board fence, and walk up the gravel drive towards the yellow one-room schoolhouse. They are laughing, swapping stories about their weekend’s haps and mishaps. The fields surrounding the tree-shaded schoolhouse are bare, and the Amish farmers have already harvested their corn for the fall. It is a beautiful October morning — the sun overhead shines bright in the clear blue sky. The iron bell swings back and forth in the open belltower; its peals ring out, calling the children to class. School begins with a Bible reading from Acts 4. After, the children stand and recite the Lord’s Prayer in Pennsylvania Dutch. painting "Happier Days" © Elsie Beiler
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"Although overcome with grief at the loss of his granddaughter, he knew that the man who took her life had deep troubles in his heart. He said to the boys, 'We must not think evil of this man.'"
Following the morning schoolwork, the students leave the schoolhouse for recess. The morning has started to warm up — perfect for a softball match. Their teacher, 20-year-old Emma Mae Zook, spends the break chatting with her mom, sister, and two sisters-in-law who are visiting for the day. Emma Mae is excited because her students will be singing for the visitors after recess. As she chats with her family, Emma keeps an eye on her students as they play. From the porch, Emma calls the students back to class.
It was another ordinary Monday morning for the students of West Nickel Mines, until a gunman entered the schoolhouse, shot ten girls, then killed himself. Five of the girls died: Naomi Rose Ebersol, Marian Stoltzfus Fisher, Lena Zook Miller, Mary Liz Miller, and Anna Mae Stoltzfus. Five of the girls survived: Barbara Fisher, Esther King, Rosanna King, Rachel Stoltzfus, and Sara Ann Stoltzfus. It was a shocking event for the Plain community, and one Amish man called it “Our 9/11.” Immediately following the tragedy, those left behind tried to pick up pieces of their now fractured lives. One Amish grandfather who had lost his granddaughter that day consoled a group of shaken schoolboys standing outside the schoolhouse. Although overcome with grief at the loss of his granddaughter, he knew that the man who took her life had deep troubles in his heart. He said to the boys, “We must not think evil of this man.” The gunman, a 32-year-old local man, left behind a wife and three young children. His wife, Marie, was heartbroken by what her husband did. In an open letter digital watercolor © Elam Stoltzfus
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following the tragedy, she wrote, “Please know that our
for it? If there’s anything that you can use from this,
hearts have been broken by all that has happened. We
you use it Lord, because I can’t imagine anything good
are filled with sorrow for all of our Amish neighbors
coming from anything that happened on this day.”
whom we have loved and continue to love…We know
At the burials following the shooting, the girls were
there are many hard days ahead for all the families who
peacefully laid to rest at a nearby Amish cemetery,
lost loved ones, and so we will continue to put our hope
buried in simple pine boxes. Marie attended one of the
and trust in the God of all comfort, as we all seek to
funerals. Marie’s husband was buried at the Georgetown
rebuild our lives."
Methodist Church cemetery, located only a few miles
Likewise, Chuck and Terri Roberts were shocked by
from the school. At 28 years old, she was a widow left
their son’s violent actions. The afternoon of the shooting,
to care for her three children, all younger than seven
Henry, one of their Amish neighbors, came to their
years old. At the funeral, over half of the 75 people
house. Chuck came out to the porch to talk to Henry. His
in attendance were Amish; many of them were family
face was rubbed raw from wiping away the tears that
members of the girls who were shot the week before.
had been streaming down his face all morning. Henry
The outpouring of support for the little community
placed his hand on Chuck’s shoulder and shared with
was enormous. Thousands of letters from all over the
him words of forgiveness. Henry’s gentle words and
world poured into the local Bart Post Office, many
actions brought comfort to the mourning father.
of them containing donations or gifts. Some of the
Terri Roberts, like her husband, was also overcome
gifts were from people who had survived other tragic
with grief and pain. That night as she laid in bed, Terri
events. One such gift was the “Comfort Quilt,” originally
prayed to God and said, “God, this is the worst thing that
stitched by schoolchildren after 9/11, that had traveled
I’ve ever heard of in my life. And my son is responsible
the country after various tragedies. The quilt was sent
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