Amish Country News - July 2023

HANDMADE is Our Heritage

From Families Who Make the "RIEHL" Difference

Our farm features 100 local family craft businesses offering hand made products. All locally made!

• Quilts to Brighten Your Home

Discover the beauty of Traditional Amish Quilts with wide selections of King, Queen or Single.

• Country Gifts & Crafts

The ultimate gift waits for you including souvenirs, Quillows, hand bags & purses, leather goods, things for the kids, for your baby, and more!

• Body Care

All natural body care made in Lancaster County, PA., including lotions, soaps, lip balm and more.

• For the Home

Decorate your space and bring it new light including kitchen items, home decor, pillows, lap throws, wall hangings, bird houses & feeders, brooms and more.

Mon.–Sat. 8 a.m.–5 p.m., CLOSED SUN Evenings by appointment only. For our catalog or information call 800.957.7105 | 717.656.0697

Rite has been making natural products that address many common health needs. From respiratory infections to back & neck pain, eczema to food poisoning these products have come to the rescue in cases where commercial western medicine simply

this 3-point holistic solution. If you are having digestive problems… we have a Digestive Rehabilitation Kit. If you have sinus problems, we have Sinus Kits to choose from. If you have Sleep Apnea or Restless legs… Each product is a complete solution for each problem.

All of our remedies are made in an FDA audited GMP facility right here in Sarasota Florida. We take great pride in making the best products for you and we are constantly testing them to ensure quality and effectiveness. If you are a scientific type, just contact us and ask for some of our testing reports. If you like to read about the formulations to understand why we selected the ingredients, we offer a book called HealthCare ToolKit that explains everything that you need to maintain the health of your family naturally.

Of course, all of our products are backed by our un-conditional moneyback guarantee. If you are not happy with the product for any reason, we will

refund the cost upon return. Our return rate is very, very low. In fact, we think that once you try one of our products, you will want to try them all. And you can. We have some heavily discounted assortment boxes to meet the most common health-tool needs and save you money!

Steven Frank designed these products to use on his family and friends. He is very happy to share them with you and your family. From the Nature’s Rite family to yours, we wish to help you stay healthy naturally; the way God intended.

See Our World From a Buggy!

All About Aaron

Did you know?

Aaron was Jessica’s first horse!?

Embrace the moment and travel the countryside in our locally made horse drawn Amish carriages!

All About Jessica

Born a small town girl, it was Jessica's dream to own a horse and carriage where she could share our lifestyle with others. She and her siblings attended a one-room schoolhouse and experienced the rigors of winter and hot summers. At the young age of 14 when her eighth grade education ended, Jessica had the opportunity to select the interior color of her buggy, choosing which style wood dashboard she wanted, and items such as a speedometer versus hand-powered windshield wiper! YES, even 30 years ago every family custom ordered the interior design of their Amish carriage. An opportunity presented at Plain & Fancy Farm to open a carriage business for visitors. In the next moment, Jessica found her favorite horse and named him Aaron, and soon began offering a carriage ride experience to travelers who were seeking to learn more about the Amish, Mennonites, and Old Order Brethren of Pennsylvania. Tracing our heritage back through Pennsylvania Dutch trails, to the Dutch Brethren of the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland, Jessica and her dad had a new found joy of telling others about our way of life.

Today, Jessica's family lives in one of the oldest known standing homes in Lancaster County. It's now been over 31 years that the family has maintained the passion to share the Christian faith and "reasons" for living a Plain lifestyle. Within those years, Jessica and her five siblings are now parents to a combined 15+ children! Every few years another one of the children got to start learning how to drive a horse. In Lancaster County, you will see children as young as 6 or 7 years old driving their miniature pony to town!

Just as we continue to grow and develop, our communities continue to adapt to newer technology that may be permissible to utilize within the home or at work. It is important to understand that Amish and other Plain community members do not have a specific religious belief against technology. Their faith in the New Testament teaches them to follow verses such as John 15:19, to be in the world, but not of the world. No matter the progression, the simplistic lifestyle still holds strong! On our ride you'll have the opportunity to ask questions about day to day life, Don't forget to ask about the electrical sources in our homes (electrical wires are still non-existent).

In Jessica's home, and in a select few of the Plain churches, children are permitted to go to school beyond eighth grade. When Jessica had the opportunity to do local farm calls with a veterinarian, she found a love of medicine and caring for our horses.

Once she obtained her vet technician degrees, she worked five years in a horse operating room. She quickly discovered her true passion was caring for not just animals but humans also. Being the eldest sibling, she led by example and soon her next four siblings followed suit in pursuing healthcare degrees. Jessica’s sisters remain in Lancaster County practicing nursing within the local communities.

Today, you may see Jessica or her youngest sister Miriam offering buggy rides. This is your full opportunity to learn first hand about our childhood and the Christian beliefs that still hold true to us.

A Family Tradition that Never Disappoints

No matter the stage in life or agenda of the day, guests, locals (and even our drivers) find riding in a horse drawn carriage to be very relaxing! Even after thousands of carriage rides, Jessica, Sarah, Rachel, Miriam and their two brothers still love taking an evening joy ride in the carriage. When you come to our buggy ride, every ride begins with a ride through our covered bridge!

As Jessica and Miriam continue to expand our rides, we now offer many public, private and “themed” buggy rides. Inquire about scheduling your next special moment and create memories to last a lifetime!

GROUPS ARE WELCOME!

We have team carriages so your group can ride together! Group rates available for 20+ riders.

“Ride back in time, before the car or plane was ever imagined...”

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”!

& ’ BUGGY RIDES

So, you’ve made the decision! It’s time to get away from it all and use up some of that vacation time. In Amish Country, there’s so much to do and see, obviously you’ll need a few days to fit it all in.

So, where do you go to stay? Conveniently, the ideal solution would be to stay with friends or family in the area. But maybe you don’t want to be a bother, or maybe you don’t have anyone you know that is close by?! And what if a traditional motel or hotel just ain’t grabbing you this time? Remember the hassle you had to go through on your last vacation? The noise next door, on both sides, key cards, city traffic and all the extra amenities cost extra. What a hassle!

Nope, you told yourself last time, “Next time we’re really goanna relax, just like at home!” So, what do you do? Where do you go? How about a Bed & Breakfast? Way back when, a Bed & Breakfast was usually hard to find, obscure and off the beaten path. Usually reserved for traveling professionals and couple’s getaway from the 1800’s to the late 1970’s. But in the 1980’s and 1990’s there was an explosion that happened within the hospitality and tourism landscape, Bed & Breakfasts started popping up all over, not just in the countryside, but in the suburbs and city as well. Today, there are probably hundreds of B&Bs throughout Central Pennsylvania.

Traditionally in the past, a Bed & Breakfast had between 4 to 6 bedrooms in a colonial style home. You might be

How to Get Away From It All, But Still Feel Like Home!

By Edward Blanchette

able to get your laundry done. Breakfast was served early. Coffee and tea were served in the afternoon. There was a parlor or family room where everyone could gather, or not. Sometimes you might get supper too. Or you could find yourself sitting on the back porch and enjoying the evening’s sunset, before turning in for the night. Today you may find as many as 11 bedrooms (+/-), In some, the bedrooms may be decorated differently from one another. some with their own suites, and some with shared accommodations. But most importantly, they have that inviting & homey feel about them. The Bed & Breakfast, that is.

Still not sure if this is for you? Here are six possible considerations to stay at a Bed & Breakfast on your next excursion.

The Opportunity to

Meet Others

–Because of the limited rooms and guests, it’s possible you may meet other guests during your stay, especially if meals are served in a group setting.

A Customized Atmosphere– Most Bed & Breakfasts usually have a story behind their location or are located in historic areas. Some may have that “Old World Charm” and some may have more of a Modern look or appeal.

An In-Depth Guide From Locals– In most cases, you will deal directly with the owners and or caretakers of that specific B&B, not to forget other locals in the area who know the area and history very well. Where to go, shop, and what to see in the those surrounding areas are always important information to gather, and these folks are fully vested, eager, and

willing to inform & enlighten you during your stay.

Food and Extra Amenities– With most Bed & Breakfasts you often get a nice meal or two included in your stay. Some may even offer complimentary snacks and special beverages that reflect the local cuisine and culture of the area you are visiting. Before you book, always check to see what is available and being offered, as all Bed & Breakfasts are run differently.

Flexible Local Menus– Your B&B Host will mostly be attentive to your specific dietary needs, should you have allergies, food sensitivities, or other dietary restrictions. Again, remember to communicate those needs to your host. If they know in advance, they may even create a special breakfast/ meal that is designed to meet your specific needs.

Small Business Support– When you stay at a Bed & Breakfast you support not only the hosts, but you also support the local small businesses, restaurants, and farms within that area’s community. In doing so, you’ll be able to end your vacation on a positive note, knowing that not only did you have a great stay, but you gave back and helped out a community at the same time.

Now I can’t list all of the Bed & Breakfasts within our beloved “Amish Country” but listed below are just a few that are near and dear to our community. So, if you find yourself looking for that special homey spot to stay. These may just fit what you were looking for:

After Eight Bed & Breakfast 2492 E. Lincoln Highway Gordonville, PA 17529 717-687-3664

www.aftereightbnb.com

Greystone Manor Victorian Inn Bed & Breakfast 2658 Old Philadelphia Pike Bird In Hand, PA 17505 717-393-4233

www.greystonemanor.com

Orchard Inn 44 S. Harvest Road Bird In Hand, PA 17505 717-768-3644

www.orchardinnpa.com

Bird In Hand Village Inn & Suites 2695 Old Philadelphia Pike Bird In Hand, PA 17505 717-768-1535

www.bird-in-hand.com/ bird-in-hand-village-inn-suites/

Homestead Lodging 184 Eastbrook Road Smoketown, PA 17576 717-393-6927

www.homesteadlodging.net

Pleasant Pines Stables & AirBnB, LLC 1553 Habecker Road Columbia, PA 17512 717-903-3999 www.airbnb.com (Search Pleasant Pines Stables)

Cardinal’s Roost Bed & Breakfast 837 Village Road Lancaster, PA 17602 717-464-0707

www.cardinalsroostbnb.com

The Inn & Spa at Intercourse Village 3542 Old Philadelphia Pike Intercourse, PA 17534 717-768-2626

www.inn-spa.com

Smoketown Inn 190 Eastbrook Road Smoketown, PA 17576 717-397-6944

www.smoketowninn.com

E.J. Bowman House Bed & Breakfast 2674 Lititz Pike Lancaster, PA 17601 717-519-0808

www.ejbowmanhouse.com

Lititz Springs Inn 14 E. Main Street Lititz, PA 17543 717-626-2115

www.lititzspringsinn.com

Strasburg Village Inn Bed & Breakfast 1 W. Main Street Strasburg, PA 17579 717-687-0900

www.strasburg.com/strasburg-village-inn/

Antiquing

in Amish Country

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!

Information for the First–Time Visitor

Here in Lancaster County, over 40,000 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, they came to America from Europe to escape religious persecution by both 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 known as Anabaptists, which means rebaptizers. 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.

In time, the different Anabaptist groups became known as Mennists or Mennonites, after the greatest

Cont’d on Page 31

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-inHand 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 two-story 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 Indians 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 Bird-in-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.

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 86-mile Pennsylvania Railroad line between Philadelphia and Columbia.

Bird-in-Hand, with its tanneries, feed mills, coal and lumberyards, was the most important 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 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 Bird-in-Hand, a town in the Amish country of Pennsylvania.” The cast was

Schleck on the Schmutz: Try Lancaster County’s Spreadable Cheese

By Clinton Martin

In 1982, the Pennsylvania General Assembly designated milk as the official State beverage of the commonwealth. Nowhere could this have been cheered more than right here in Lancaster County, where dairy, and the business of all things milk, cheese, butter, and yoghurt has been at the core of local culture for generations. Dairy farming is still considered an ideal occupation by the Amish, though most make their living doing something other than milking cows these days.

Enjoying Lancaster County’s dairy industry usually comes in the form of visiting a local creamery for a delicious ice cream treat or pouring a nice glass over your morning cereal. But, for a small, yet vocal, segment of devotees, Amish Country’s dairy industry is best spread on a cracker, scooped with a hearty pretzel, or smeared on some hearty toast.

Cup Cheese, Lancaster County’s strong in smell and flavor spreadable cheese is not hard to find if you know where to look. There is only one commercial producer (Shenk Foods) of cup cheese still in existence today, but one can find their product line on shelves at local, PA Dutchinfluenced grocery stores, such as Kauffman’s Fruit Farm & Market in Bird-in-Hand, or Stoltzfus Meats in Intercourse. Town Clock Cheese Shop (Gap) also stocks their products.

Cup Cheese is a very soft cheese, and thus is stored in a bowl or cup (hence the name.) It has a strong aroma, similar to Limburger, and has a sour flavor. It is best eaten as a spread. As a tip, leave it sit out for just a little bit so it

brought to Bird-in-Hand on January 17, 1955, prior to the official opening. 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.”

isn’t “fridge-cold” when you try to eat it. The flavor is blunted when super cold, and the consistency will be too tough right out of the cooler. Amish and Mennonite farmers adapted the German cheese “Koch Kase” (meaning cook cheese) when they arrived in America. Shenk Foods was founded in 1929, and still makes the cheese 94 years later. In the early days, globs of the cheese were spooned out of a big kettle into customer’s own vessels, but today, it is a handy pick off the store shelves.

Lancaster’s Wild West: The Early Days of Tourism

By Clinton Martin

In 1910, nobody came to “Amish Country” as a tourist. The Amish way of life, and especially their farming practices, weren’t all that remarkable. Everyone farmed with horses. 1920, ‘30, still pretty unremarkable. Then in the 1940’s, people started to wonder about the Amish. By the 1950’s Lancaster County was “on the map” for tourists, and the Amish countryside was well and truly a sight to see. This was because as the rest of the country left horse and mules behind, farming with tractors, driving in cars, fashions of dress changing rapidly, the Amish stayed put. People wondered “why?”

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 | www.AmishBuggyRides.com

Amish Experience

717–768–8400 | www.AmishExperience.com

Cackleberry Farm Antique Mall

717–442–2600 |

www.CackleberryFarmAntiqueMall.com

Choo Choo Barn

717–687–7911 | www.ChooChooBarn.com

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre

717–898–1900 | www.DutchApple.com

Hershey’s Chocolate World

717–534–4900 | www.Hersheys.com

Jake’s Country Trading Post

(717) 687–8980 | www.JakesHomeAccents.com

Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery

717–626–4354 | www.JuliusSturgis.com

Miller’s Smorgasbord

800–669–3568 | www.MillersSmorgasbord.com

Renninger’s Antique Market

717–336–2177 | www.Renningers.net

Smokehouse BBQ & Brews at Plain & Fancy Farm

717–768–4400 |

www.SmokehouseBBQandBrews.com

Strasburg Scooters

717–344–2488 | www.StrasburgScooters.com

Turkey Hill Experience

844–847–4884 | www.TurkeyHillExperience.com

Village Greens Miniature Golf

1444 Village Road, Strasburg, PA 17579

(717) 687-6933 | www.villagegreens.com

Water’s Edge Mini Golf

717-768-4653 | www.watersedgegolf.net

These early days of tourism to the county were a bit of a blur. Visitors started arriving, essentially before there was much infrastructure in place to welcome them. Services for tourists thus sprang up haphazardly, without much planning or research. “Hang a shingle” was the basic business plan for these new enterprises.

This “wild west gunslinger” kind of atmosphere lead to some rather intriguing early attractions. Most people today wouldn’t remember the PA Dutch Dugout, but for a brief moment in time, it was The Scene in Lancaster County. In 1951, an advertisement in the Newspaper promoted the goings-on available to visitors at this Route 30 site:

• Free Dancing

• Exquisite PA Dutch Gifts

• Clever Souvenirs

• Delicious Home-Cooked Food

• Complete Fountain Service

• Exhibit of Authentic Historical Objects

And, especially notable to the zeitgeist of the Cold War era, the advertisement also proudly proclaimed the Dugout as Lancaster County’s only public Atomic Bomb shelter, well-stocked with food, just in case the Soviet Union launched a missile while you were on vacation.

Amish VIP (Visit–in–Person) Tour

717–768–8400 | www.AmishExperience.com

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre

717–898–1900 | www.DutchApple.com

Gish’s Furniture

717–392–6080 | 717–354–2329 www.Gishs.com

Good’s Store

“Weekdays Only” www.GoodSstores.com

Hershey’s Chocolate World

717–534–4900 | www.Hersheys.com

Jake’s Country Trading Post

(717) 687–8980 | www.JakesHomeAccents.com

Miller’s Smorgasbord

800–669–3568 | www.MillersSmorgasbord.com

Smokehouse BBQ & Brews at Plain & Fancy Farm

717–768–4400 | www.SmokehouseBBQandBrews.com

Village Greens Miniature Golf

1444 Village Road, Strasburg, PA 17579 (717) 687-6933 | www.villagegreens.com

Water’s Edge Mini Golf

717-768-4653 | www.watersedgegolf.net

Exp erie nce

COME FOR A TOUR LEAVE WITH AN VISIT AMISHEXPERIENCE.COM

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.

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.

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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

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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.

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Paradise A

Small Town with a Big Heart

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

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.

The origins of RT 30, also known as “Lincoln Highway,” date back to Cont’d on Page 22

SUMMERTIME 2023! We Are Open Regular Hours ALL YEAR LONG!

CACKLEBERRY FARM ANTIQUE MALL IS CELEBRATING THEIR 26TH YEAR! Located at 3371 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise, Pennsylvania, on Route 30. Four miles west of Route 41 and only six miles east of Rockvale Square Outlet Mall. They are only minutes away from everywhere and everything Lancaster County has to offer. It's Not Just an Antique Mall – It’s Your Destination! WITH OVER FIVE MILLION DOLLARS OF INVENTORY, their huge 26,000 square foot facility houses a wide variety of antiques and collectibles, displayed by over 125 dealers featuring fine items such as: furniture, glassware, Railroad, Mining and Fire Fighting Memorabilia, coins, sterling silver, clocks, advertising, jewelry, fine china, toys, books, postcards, trains, Christmas, pottery, linens, primitives, kitchenware & much, much more! It is impossible to tell you everything they have to offer. You will be amazed at the quality selection.

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!

OPEN ALL YEAR: MONDAY

THROUGH SATURDAY 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Sunday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed on Tuesday. Visa / MasterCard / Discover / Debit Cards accepted. Gift Certificates, Layaway and Shipping Available. For more information call: (717) 442-8805 during business hours or visit us on at www. CackleberryFarmAntiqueMall

CHESTER –The “Other” Amish County

By Clinton Martin

What do the Amish and the oldest English-speaking university in the world have in common? Not much more than a name, really. The name of Oxford either conjures up thoughts of ancient academia, or of a bustling small town on Amish Country’s (the “Lancaster Settlement”) eastern edge, depending on where you live.

Oxford Pennsylvania is located halfway between Philadelphia and Baltimore, in Chester County PA. This made it a stopover on a naturally important route. The first recordings of a tiny village are from 1754, though it was not much more than an old dusty inn (Hood’s Tavern) at that time. The name “Oxford” was officially adopted as the town’s name in 1833 (yes, as a nod of honor to Oxford England.)

In the age of trains and horse-drawn wagons, the town flourished and grew

steadily in economic might and political importance. Once the automobile took over, the town’s fortunes soured. By the 1970’s, the town’s storefronts were largely empty. This was not an uncommon fate to small towns across America, and as many other locales did, Oxford created a downtown association, and a chamber of commerce to seek a renaissance of the community.

Today, the town is once again a vibrant small-town area, with shops and eateries, and perhaps most popularly, a year-round farm market. The Oxford Farm Market is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Stand holders offer up a variety of meats, cheeses, vegetables, flowers, crafts, and even larger items such as furniture and other locally made merchandise. Many of the local entrepreneurs displaying wares at this market are Amish, and thus many locals call it the Amish Market.

While Oxford of course changed with the times when the automobile became the mainstream manner of

transportation in America, horsedrawn carriages never did completely disappear in town. This is due to the large Amish population in the surrounding countryside of the Oxford area. Out of 84 farms with Oxford mailing addresses, 74 of them are Amish. These Amish are aligned with the Lancaster County “settlement” so the carriages are of the same style, the clothing of the same design, and the doctrinal elements aligning as well.

The downtown association runs events throughout the year, but the biggest and most popular is the car show. The event draws over 3,000 people to downtown, with over 200 cars from the 1930’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s shown, right along main street. In 2022, top honors went to a 1965 Chevrolet Corevette (1st Place), a 1960 Chrysler Imperial (2nd place), and a 1936 Chevrolet 3-Window Coupe (3rd place.) To get more information regarding the annual event, visit www. downtownoxfordpa.org or call 610998-9494.

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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Part Eatery. Part History Lesson. Valid

Paradise Cont’d from Page 18

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!

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 26

PRETZELS GALORE

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

Community Partners - A Quiet Donation

By Edward Blanchette

Here at Amish Country News, we have spotlighted many community and charity endeavors throughout the years since we started the publication in 1989. From auctions to community breakfasts, we’ve covered a large majority of opportunities that give back to the Amish, Mennonite, and English communities we serve. For us, it’s all about getting those messages out to make everyone aware. And sometimes, that’s half the battle.

But there’s one charity, and its community of partners, that each and everyday makes a quiet donation to assist in giving the kids and their families a fighting chance to deal with those overwhelming health challenges that a child may be experiencing and still have their family close by for continued support. The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Pennsylvania. www. rmhc-centralpa.org

So, what does this all have to do with Amish Country News? I’ve been asked, from time to time, what do we do with

the leftover magazines after each issue? Some we archive for future, as well as subscriber requests for back issues. But a little-known fact is, once a new issue comes out and gets distributed to the 400 (+/-) distribution locations throughout Central Pennsylvania, we also collect the previous issue. This way our distribution points don’t have to deal with the clutter and expense of past issues laying around. Roughly, three percent of 295,000 copies (+/-) annually get reclaimed for recycling.

There are multiple Container Collection locations supplied by CSR Inc. (Consolidated Scrap Resources) throughout the communities they serve www.consolidatedscrap.com

The one we use is located behind the McDonalds located at 1434 Manheim Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601. Once the container is filled, the contents of the container are taken back to be recycled and the proceeds are donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities that assist those Kids and Families in need.

When the containers are full, a call is made to Consolidated Scrap Resources, Inc. to pick up the containers.  They process the contents and sell them to a paper mill, which turns the discarded paper into new magazine paper. A portion of the proceeds from each ton of paper collected comes directly to RMHC-CP.  Since this program began in 2004, over  $379,000 has been raised by recycling over  14,000 tons of glossy paper.

Other silent partners are Penn State Children’s Hospital, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, and all of the McDonald’s Restaurants Owner/ Operators. There are more contributors and partnerships, but the above are just a few that help to make this charity work every day and find continued hope and success for those kids and their families. So, the next time you clean out that garage, shed, attic, or basement, and you have a bunch of magazines you need to get rid of.

Remember to make that “quiet donation” that helps out a kid and their family along the way. Have a positive day! Be safe, be kind, and stay positive.

Drop glossy magazines ONLY into the green containers at the locations below. At this time, we do not anticipate adding any additional containers.  Location information is subject to change, please check here for any updates before dropping off your magazines.

Elizabethtown – Formerly Darrenkamp’s Market, 191 Ridgeview Road South

Ephrata – Public Works Complex, off Church Avenue

Harrisburg – Harrisburg Area Community College, Industrial Road Gate 2

Hershey – Ronald McDonald House, 745 West Governor Road (Route 322)

Lancaster – McDonald’s, 1434 Manheim Pike, Rear Lot

Lancaster – West Lampeter

Township, 852 Village Road, Lampeter, PA (Rear)

Lebanon – Greater Lebanon Refuse Authority, 1610 Russell Road (Mon-Fri 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sat 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.)

Manheim – Logan Park – W. Ferdinand Street Parking Lot

Mechanicsburg – Mechanicsburg Middle School, 1750 South Market

Street  – (Mon-Fri after 4 p.m. and Sat. & Sun. any time)

Palmyra – Corner of E. Broad & N. Prince Streets (NEW LOCATION as of December 2022)

York – Consolidated Scrap Resources, 120 Hokes Mill Road. (Mon –Friday 7 am to 4 pm only)

IMPORTANT – PLEASE NOTE Containers are marked “MAGAZINES ONLY” so that other non-glossy paper, plastic bags, cardboard and other trash are not deposited. Please use slots on BOTH sides of containers. Please do not reopen slots that have been closed.

If you have a very large collection (i.e., trunk or truckload), please make sure there is room in the container before you make the trip. Magazines cannot be left outside the container or stored on site. Thank you!

Ronald McDonald House

History at a Glance:

1984 – Welcomed first guest family –The Ronald McDonald House in Hershey opened its doors on November 19th and welcomed the first guest family to the original 13-bedroom home

1993 – Eight-bedroom wing added –An eight-bedroom wing was added to the Ronald McDonald House in Hershey and is dedicated to the memory of Bob Burgess and his daughter Pamela, through the Burgess Foundation

2000 – Ronald McDonald family room opened – The Ronald McDonald family room was opened at Penn State Children’s Hospital, featuring a living room that converts to provide overnight accommodations, kitchen, computers, laundry area, and shower

2009 – Groundbreaking for Expansion – Ground was broken to expand the 21-bedroom Ronald McDonald House to 35 bedrooms

2010 – Grand Opening after expansion –Grand opening of expended 35-bedroom Ronald McDonald House

2013 – Hospitality Cart – The Hospitality Cart debuts at Penn State Children’s Hospital supplying pediatric patients and their families with snacks, small games, arts, crafts, and personal care items

2013 – Family Room Renovated –The Ronald McDonald family room is renovated with new appliances and furniture

2019 – Ronald McDonald Hospitality

Kiosk – The Ronald McDonald Hospitality Kiosk opened at Lancaster General Hospital providing a welcoming environment; offering nourishing snacks, drinks, health & beauty aids, small activities, and a place of respite for families while their child is receiving essential pediatric care.

Lititz

Cont’d from Page 23

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.

An (s) after name denotes Open Sunday. An * before name denotes coupon.

ATTRACTIONS

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.

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

A

Postcard

organized and bus service initiated to and from Lancaster. While “many of the Amish residents of the area were eager

in Every Turn

Covered br idge tours & more … Schedule your tour online!

(717)584–8631

StrasburgScooters.com

Many great tours at two convenient Lancaster County locations 242 Gap Road, Strasburg 2705 Old Phil a Pike, Bird-in-Hand

Single or double seat scooters on our covered bridge tour or country roads excursion. EXCLUDES SCOOT COUPES. Valid Sun.–Fri. Expires 11/28/23 ACN23

Calling All Photographers!

Now Accepting Entries!

Got great photos? Send them to us and see your photo in the pages of Visit AmishCountryNews.com for Photo Contest prizes and more info. Email your HIGH RESOLUTION ONLY photos in JPG format to clinton@amishexperience.com (minimum size 8x10 at 300 DPI). Put 2023 Photo Contest in the subject line. File names should contain your name. Include your name, address and phone number with brief details of location and subject matter in the email. No more than five photos can be submitted. LOW RESOLUTION PIXELATED IMAGES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Photos become property of Amish Country News / Amish Experience and may be used in upcoming issues, publications, and promotional materials.

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.

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 administered by a proprietary governor while the sale of land was formalized by patent deeds.

2023 SEASON HITS

Based on the newsboys’ strike of 1899. When the greedy New York World Publisher decides to hike paper prices at the “newsies” expense, Jack Kelly rallies the teenage newsies from across the city to strike and prevail for what’s right.

TOWN KEY

Bird–in–Hand Pg. 10

Intercourse Pg. 35

Paradise Pg. 18

Strasburg Pg. 31

New–Holland | Blue Ball Pg. 30

Lititz Pg. 26

Apple Dinner Theatre

Hill Experience

Sturgis Pretzel

Sticky’s Sticky Buns

A Town of Trains & Heritage

First-Time Visitors

Cont’d from Page 9

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.

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.

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.

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

Cont’d on Page 34

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 the electrical grid, they have bottled gas stoves and refrigerators.

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.

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%.

(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.

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 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.

Strasburg Cont’d from Page 32

Hello?! Hello?! It’s Me! Are You There?

By Edward Blanchette

In last month’s issue of ACN, I touched on the subject of loneliness

“In my opinion.” This issue, I wanted to create awareness of another mannerism that can affect ones emotional, personal, and professional core, just as loneliness can – Ghosting. Be it individuals, professionals, communities, businesses, in one form or fashion we may have all been guilty of Ghosting at one time or another. Especially at today’s pace and expectation levels.

What’s Ghosting? Ghosting is abruptly ending communication with someone without explanation. The concept is usually reserved for romantic relationships. But more often today, the action of ghosting is being experienced in normal friendships and professional business interactions. Ghosting isn’t always done with malicious intent. In some situations, it could be due to abusive, harmful, or toxic situations or people. Mostly, it’s because the Ghoster doesn’t wish to hurt other’s feelings or to avoid some sense of awkwardness due to personal insecurities.

Way back when, not so long ago, when I started personal interactions with people and my professional career, we did not have the luxury of social media, as we know it today. We had to go out and knock on doors, network with people, communities, organizations. Written correspondence, phone calls, actual conversations with people along with informed media and networking that were required to get things done. To be competitive and successful in business / community. In doing so, this made us interact within the communities we serve and build lasting relationships. Be it personal, recreational, or professional.

Vaulting back to present time, the evolution of technology and social

media has given more opportunities to connect electronically, but has also given us more opportunities to hide or ignore accountability for ourselves and each other and interact in real life. For example, I’m sure you’ve seen it at one point or another, being takeout has become more prevalent, an individual places an order at the order window or app. Next, the order taker or service person comes back to call for the person to pick up and pay for their order. Then greeted with silence and wasted product. Both the business and waiting

customers get affected negatively by having to wait additional time for their orders to be filled.

So, the next time you get a voicemail, email, text, messenger, remember to give the other person and yourself proper closure by interacting with a response. Even if it’s just a polite, “No thank you” works. This way you don’t burn potential bridges along the way and everyone on either side will feel validated and valued by experiencing proper closure. Have a positive day! Be safe, be well, and be kind.

Amish VISIT-IN-PERSON Tour

VISIT-IN-PERSON Tour

EXCLUSIVE

Amish Visit-In-Person Tour (3 Hrs.)

$59.95 adult, $49.95 child (age 6-12*)

* Children under age 6 not permitted on VIP Tour

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.

INTERACTIVE TOURS @ AMISH EXPERIENCE

Enjoy a 3–HOUR Experience featuring a traditional Amish Family-Style Meal, served in an Amish home.

$64.95 per person regardless of age*

* Small children must be in a car seat you provide.

MEAL in an HOME