Es Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch Eck

By: e Late C. Richard Beam

(Originally published in the May 14, 1986 issue of The Shopping News)

Ess-Sache Eimache

By Anna F. Faust

Die Memm waar umruhich darich die lange Windernachde: Sie hot im Sinn der Luscht fer iwwerdem Sache sehne waxe.

Fer ihr aegni Blanse uffziehe waar en Blessier, net en Badder.

So sucht sie fer ihr Sume-Buch un schreibt raus en grosse Adder.

Bis sie rumkumme sin, waar sie gerischt fer die lengere Daage:

Ihr Graut - un Tamaets - Sume waare schun am ausschlaage.

Eb zu lang muss der Pap der Gaarde bluge un fei reche.

Bei no sin ihr Blanse gross genunk fer in der Grund neischtecke.

Net viel mehner as Zucker, Molassich un Salz hen mir gkaaft am Schtor:

Fer’s menscht as die Famillye gesse hot, hen mir hatt gschafft davor.

Uff schier gaar alle Bauerei waar en grosser BammgaardeFer Ebbel, Pasching un Biere zeidich waxe, waar lang zu waarde.

Es waar vun alles genunk geplanzt, fer graad esse un aa eimache;

Mit Arebse, Buhne un Tamaets hot’s gebuschelt mit Gaardesache.

Mir hen Zucker un Millich adder Kuche gesse mit unser Aebiere.

Die wilde Biere hen mir eigemacht fer uff heemgebacke Brot schmiere.

Mir hen Graut ghowwelt, gsalse un in en Haffe waar er gschtempelt: Gummere hen mir siess un sauer gemacht - s waar ken Zeit fer bemble.

Die Memm hot mol Gummere gsalse in en Haffe unni Deckel:

Im Keller hen mir ee Daag en Kuh verwischt am draaschlecke!

Buhne un Welschkann hot die Memm gedatt, aa Ebbel fer Schnitzpei:

Un mit ihr Schunkefleesch un Gnepp waare allfatt blendi Schnitgz dabei.

Die gfallne Ebbel hen mir uffgelese fer Seider mache un Essich.

Ebbel, Zucker un Seider mache aa der gut Lattwaerrick. Schpaeder im Summer hot die Memm ihr gut Chow-chow gemacht:

Bis sie all ihr Gardesach zerecht hot, waar en ganz Daag gschafft.

Zu mir waar ihr Chow-chow es schennscht Esse uff die Schelfer, Wann’s Zeit waar fer esse, hab ich niemand gebreicht fer mer helfe.

In die Karich waar ee Daag beigschtellt fer unser Dankbaarkeit:

Die Ernkarich hen mir’s gheese darich mei uffwaxe Zeit.

Fer ihr schennscht Gaardesach reihole dutt die Gmee hatt suche:

Ich hab nimmi en Gaarde, so back ich allfatt en Kuche.

Die menscht Zeit hen die Eechhasse genunk Niss fer uns gelosst:

Sie waare gut in Pei, Mosche un Kuche - sie hen aa nix gekoscht.

Schpotyaahr hen mir aa Schpeckdrauwe, Tee un Yudde Kasche geroppt.

Net bis der Reife fallt is des Esse-Zamme-Sammle gschtoppt.

Gens und Ende, Welsch - un Mischthaahne, un Hinkel fer Bottboi:

Ich winsch all as ich gschlacht hab, kennt sehne in en Roi. Awwer die Arewet fer Fleesch beischaffe macht die greescht Rischderei.

Es waar unser eemol’s Yaahr, zwee Daags Rischding fer die Butscherei.

Was hen mir net gesse mit so viel Fleesch vum Bull un Sei!

Es waar ken Weg fer’s all frisch halde, so macht die Memm viel ei.

Sie hot Pickelfleesch gemacht, Hatz, Kuddelfleck, Zidderli un Zung.

Viel vun die Sache hab ich net versucht zider ich waar yung.

Schunkefleesch mit gegwellde Grummbiere un Biddre Selaat kan ich noch schmacke:

Ich hab die Memm gholfe Brotwascht ausbrode un in die Kanne packe.

Wann ich eich mol bsuch unni eilaade un dir seid in en Not:

Geb mir yuscht en dick Schtick Summerwascht zwische heemgebacke Brot.

Im Schpotyaahr waar die Memm ihr greeschdi Blessier:

Ihr Bsuch neifiehre darich die Keller-Dier.

Fer ihne weisse was sie Woche genumme hot zu mache: All ihr Schelfer waare gelaade mit eigemachde Sache! ***

Preserving Food

Mom grew restless during the long winter nights: Her thoughts included desires to again see things grow. To raise her own plants was a pleasure, not a bother. So she hunted her seed book and wrote a big order. - Till they rolled around she was prepared for longer days: Her cabbage and tomato plants were already sprouting. Soon Pop must plow the garden and rake it fine. By then her plants are big enough to plant. - Little more than sugar, molasses and salt were bought at the store; For most of the family’s food we worked hard. Nearly every farm had its own big orchard - for apples, peaches, pears and plums to ripen we had long to wait.Enough was planted to eat fresh as well as to preserve: Peas, beans and tomatoes - we had vegetables by the bushel. We served sugar and milk or cake with strawberries. The wild berries were preserved, to spread on homemade bread. - We cut, salted and stamped cabbage in a crock: Cucumbers were canned sweet and sour - there was no time to fool. Once Mom salted some cucumbers in a crock without a lid: One day we caught a cow in the cellar licking the brine. - Mom dried beans and also apples for snitz pies: To her ham and dumplings she added plenty snitz. Fallen apples were gathered to make cider and vinegar. Apples, sugar and cider were used to make good applebutter. - Later in summer Mom made her good chow-chow: To prepare all the vegetables was one day’s work. I thought her chowchow the prettiest cans on the shelf. When it was time to eat, I needed not help. - In church one day was designated to express our thankfulness: We called it Harvest Home Service in my young days. To present their choice vegetables the congregation searched hard. I no longer have a garden, so I bake and give a pie. - Most times the squirrels left enough nuts for us: They tasted good in pies, taffy and cakes and they cost nothing. Later we picked fox grapes, tea and ground cherries. Not till after frost did the food-gathering end. - Geese and ducks, turkeys and roosters and chickens for potpie: I wish I could see all I dressed lying in a row. But the work to prepare our meat caused the greatest bustle. It was our once a year two-day preparation for butchering.My, how we ate with all the meat from bull and pigs! There was no way to keep it all fresh, so we preserved a lot. Mom made pickle meats - heart, tripe, souse and tongue. Many of these goodies I haven’t eaten since I was young. - Ham and boiled potatoes with dandelions I can still taste: I helped Mom fry fresh sausage before we put it in jars. If I should visit you without invitation and you’d be in a pinch: Just give me a thick slice of summer sausage between homemade bread. - In autumn Mom’s greatest pleasure, Was to lead her company through the cellar way, To show them what it took her weeks to prepare. All her shelves were loaded with her home-prepared foods.

***

A common expression these days is: Eat your heart out! And indeed these words would apply to ESS-SACHE EIMA-CHE, which came to us in the midst of last February. There is much here we are certain will be familiar with many of our readers. Those who are no longer familiar with these former customs will surely be pleased to learn of them. With delight, we lift unser Deitscher Schtrohhut, now quite ready for summer weather, in a salute to Anna vun Bannwill! Indeed she has all of the mouths in Shopping News-Land watering.

May 14, 1986

Eastern Lancaster County area and that older adults are at greatest risk. Join experts from M&T Bank for an informative workshop in which you’ll learn how to protect yourself and your business from fraud. For adults.

• All About Food Chains with Lancaster County Parks and RecreationFriday, July 21 at 10:00 a.m. Let’s all get together for dinner in the wild. Participants have an opportunity to take a closeup look at the food chain, where a series of organisms are each dependent on the next as a source of food. They’ll examine skulls and teeth of animals, play games, and complete a craft with Lancaster County Parks and Recreation Naturalists. Recommended for elementary-school aged children. No registration is required!

• All Together Now! This Old Train: LVSingers Concert - Saturday, July 22 at 2:00 p.m. Join them for an enjoyable and inspirational concert featuring the LVSingers directed by Ms. Suzanne Delahunt. This spirited group of singers and instrumentalists, based at Lighthouse Vocational Services, will perform songs and reflections about the train and its importance in Pennsylvania. Music brings us all together, and these different-sounding voices and instruments work together to create harmony and a whole which is greater than its parts, while at the same time honoring and weaving together the unique contributions of each individual voice and person. For all ages.

• Dinosaur Expedition Adventure - Friday, July 28 at 1:00 p.m. Finding a dinosaur may be accomplished by one person, but getting a dinosaur out of the ground is always a team effort! All the different skills that come together on a paleontological dig will be showcased. Audience members will experience the thrill of digging up a real Triceratops dinosaur bone and then help construct a dinosaur on a large cut-out. The show will feature the skull of an Albertosaurus named Elvis and explore the characteristics of this dinosaur. The program will include audience participation, a touch of magic, show and tell with real fossils and the mystery fossil game show will round out the program. Recommended age group for program is 4-8 but all are welcome.

• Supporting Vulnerable Minorities in China with Jason Jones - Saturday, July 29 at 2:00 p.m. ELANCO Library is honored to host human rights activist, awardwinning film producer (Bella, Crescendo), and founder of The Vulnerable People Project Jason Jones for a live online talk on this situation, and what U.S. citizens can do to help, followed by Q & A.

All are welcome to gather in the library’s upstairs Activity Room to view the talk together on their large screen with no registration required. You may also register to receive a link to view the talk on Zoom from home. Registration opens Monday, July 10. Visit www.elancolibrary.org to register.

• All Together Now: A Shared Stories Party, or, A “GRAND” Time at the Library! - Saturday, July 29 at 10:00 a.m. Seniors, preschoolers, and people of all ages in between are invited to an intergenerational party, where they’ll share stories that span the ages! Co-Sponsored by Dementia Friendly Lancaster County. For all ages

The Ephrata-Reading Elks, 170 Akron Rd., Ephrata, will hold a Cash Bingo at 6:30 p.m. Food available. All welcome. For more info., call 717-738-0920.

THURS., JULY 6 - The Ephrata Community Meal will be held at Bethany U.C.C., 140 E. Main St., Ephrata. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and meal is served at 6:00 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the meal is cancelled. Dine-in only. For more info., call Tina at 484-798-0155.

FRI., JULY 7 & SAT., JULY 8 - The Schoeneck Fire Company, 125 North King St., Denver, will hold a Gospel Bluegrass Event. Friday doors open at 5:00 p.m. with performances at 6:30 p.m. Saturday doors open at 3:00 p.m. with performances at 4:00 p.m. The event is outside under a tent. Bring your chairs. Food available to purchase. There is an admission fee each day. For more info., call 717271-6382.

SAT., JULY 8 - The Akron Fire Company, 1229 Main St., Akron, will hold a Chicken BBQ, from 10:00 a.m. until sold out. There is a cost.

SAT., JULY 8 - The Reamstown Fire Company, 12 West Church St., Reamstown, will hold a Chicken BBQ drive thru, from 10:00 a.m. until sold out. There is a cost. Halves and dinners available.

SAT., JULY 8 - Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue will hold its monthly Open House, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, at 60 Vera Cruz Rd., Reinholds. Food is available to purchase. No admission charge. For more info., call 717-484-4799.

SAT., JULY 8 - The Men’s Brotherhood at St. John’s U.C.C. will hold their Steak

Sandwich Sale from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (or while supplies last) at 659 S. 4th St., Denver. There is a cost. Proceeds benefit local ministries and community services.

SAT., JULY 8 - Free Community Lunch at City Gate, 100 E. Main St., Ephrata, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or while supplies last.

SAT., JULY 8 - Martindale Day. Yard sales, chicken BBQ and food. Yard sale spaces available. For more information, call 717-9893050.

SAT., JULY 8 - The Schoeneck Fire Company, 125 North King Street, Denver, will hold a Gospel Singing. Time to be determined.

SAT., JULY 8 - Anchored Ministries will be at REAL Life, 240 Main St., Denver, for a Free Clothing Event, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the parking lot. No registration is required and donations are not being accepted the day of the event.

SUN., JULY 9 - THURS., JULY 13 - Word of Life Mennonite Church, 21 Willow St., Lititz, will host Vacation Bible School, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each night. Classes for ages 4 through adult.

SUN., JULY 9 - The Ephrata-Reading Elks, 170 Akron Rd., Ephrata, will hold a Cash Bingo at 6:30 p.m. Food available. All welcome. For more info., call 717-738-0920.

SUN., JULY 9 - The Ladies Auxiliary of the Ephrata Amvets, 614 S. State St., Ephrata, will host a Cash Bingo. Doors open at 1:00 p.m. Bingo starts at 2:00 p.m.

SUN., JULY 9 - St. John Center Lutheran Church, 599 Reading Rd., East Earl, will host Music in the Grove with “Horst Brothers,” from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. All ages event. Bring lawn chairs. Refreshments available.

SUN., JULY 9 - Akron Borough Summer Concert Series, “Harrisburg Mandolin Ensemble.” 6:30 p.m. at

Loyd H. Roland Memorial Park.

MON., JULY 10 - Garden Spot Village, 433 South Kinzer Ave., New Holland, will host a Caregiver Friends in Community meeting at 10:00 a.m. The program is free and open to the public. For more info., call Marcia Parsons at 717-355-6239.

TUES., JULY 11Concerts by the Creek, “Shea Quinn’s The Band Who Sold The World” David Bowie Tribute concert. 6:30 p.m. in Grater Community Park. Food trucks on-site. Rain or shine. Sponsored by the Borough of Ephrata in partnership with the Ephrata Public Library.

WED., JULY 12 - Garden Spot Village, 433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland, will host Fellow Travelers in Community at 10:00 a.m. The program is free and open to the public. For more info., call Leslie Sitlinger at 717-355-6076 or Melody Karick at 717-355-6136.

WED., JULY 12Weaverland Anabaptist Faith Community, 210 Weaverland Valley Rd., East Earl, will hold a Community Meal. Registration is not required. Meal served from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

THURS., JULY 13 - The Ephrata-Reading Elks, 170 Akron Rd., Ephrata, will hold a Cash Bingo at 6:30 p.m. Food available. All welcome. For more info., call 717-738-0920.

THURS., JULY 13 - 1st

UMC of Ephrata, 68 N. Church St., will hold its monthly Senior Moments luncheon with entertainment (Picnic in Grater Park with Bingo) at 11:45 a.m. Eat at 12:00 noon (small charge).

For more info., call 717738-2465.

THURS., JULY 13 - The Ephrata Community Meal will be held at Bethany U.C.C., 140 E. Main St., Ephrata. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and meal is served at 6:00 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the meal is cancelled. Dine-in only. For more info., call Tina at 484-798-0155.

THURS., JULY 13 -

SUN., JULY 16 - Terre Hill Days in Terre Hill Community Memorial Park. Food, games, rides, entertainment and more. Fireworks Saturday, July 15 at 10:00 p.m.

SAT., JULY 15 & SUN., JULY 16 - Landis Valley Farm Museum Civil War Days. Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

SAT., JULY 15 - New Life

Children’s Home will hold a Chicken BBQ at Martin’s Country Market, 1717 W. Main St., Ephrata, from 10:00 a.m. until sold out. There is a cost. For more info., call 717-847-5164.

SAT., JULY 15 - The Reinholds VFW will hold a Chicken BBQ at 250 Brunners Grove Rd., Reinholds, from 9:30 a.m. until sold out. There is a cost. For more info., call 717-3369918.

SAT., JULY 15 - Free Community Lunch at City Gate, 100 E. Main St., Ephrata, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or while supplies last.

SAT., JULY 15 - The Ephrata Fire Company, 135 S. State St., Ephrata, will hold a Chicken BBQ, from 9:30 a.m. until sold out. Take out only. There is a cost. Also pick-up at A.B. Martin (9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.). All proceeds benefit the Ephrata Fire Company.

SUN., JULY 16 - The Ephrata-Reading Elks, 170 Akron Rd., Ephrata, will hold a Cash Bingo at 6:30 p.m. Food available. All welcome. For more info., call 717-738-0920.

SUN., JULY 16 - The Annual Outdoor Historical and Inspirational Service will be held at the 1855 Alleghany Mennonite Meetinghouse, 39 Horning Rd., Mohnton, at 6:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair and a Church and Sunday School Hymnal. For more info., call 717-305-0231.

SUN., JULY 16 - St. John Center Lutheran Church, 599 Reading Rd., East Earl, will host Music in the Grove with “Sunnyside,” from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. All ages event. Bring lawn chairs. Refreshments available.

SUN., JULY 16 - Hope UMC Ephrata will hold “Wild Church” at the Hope Meadow, 3474 Rothsville Rd., Ephrata, at 5:00 p.m. For more info., email Lisa Hoefner at lisajean1953@ gmail.com.

TUES., JULY 18 - Garden Spot Village, 433 South Kinzer Ave., New Holland, will host the Essential Tremor Friends in Community support group at 2:00 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. For more info., call Sherilyn Lapp at 717-355-6264.

WED., JULY 19 - Garden Spot Village, 433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland, will host Compassionate Neighbors in Community event at 10:00 a.m. Free and open to the community. For more info., call 717-355-6000.

THURS., JULY 20 - The Ephrata-Reading Elks, 170 Akron Rd., Ephrata, will hold a Cash Bingo at 6:30 p.m. Food available. All welcome. For more info., call 717-738-0920.

THURS., JULY 20 - The Ephrata Community Meal will be held at Bethany U.C.C., 140 E. Main St., Ephrata. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and meal is served at 6:00 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the meal is cancelled. Dine-in only. For more info., call Tina at 484-798-0155.

SAT., JULY 22 - A

Community Day will be held at Oregon Community United Methodist Church, 1214 Creek Rd., Lititz, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Family activities, yard sale and chicken BBQ.

SAT., JULY 22 - Free

Community Lunch at City Gate, 100 E. Main St., Ephrata, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or while supplies last.

SUN., JULY 23 - The Ephrata-Reading Elks, 170 Akron Rd., Ephrata, will hold a Cash Bingo at 6:30 p.m. Food available. All welcome. For more info., call 717-738-0920.

SUN., JULY 23 - The Reinholds Fire Company, 156 W. Main St., Reinholds, will hold a Meat Bingo at 1:00 p.m. Kitchen and doors open at 11:30 a.m. There is a cost. For more info. or tickets, call 717-336-4277.

SUN., JULY 23 - St. John Center Lutheran Church, 599 Reading Rd., East Earl, will host Music in the Grove with “Mike Hertzog Trio,” from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. All ages event. Bring lawn chairs. Refreshments available.

MON., JULY 24 - Garden Spot Village, 433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland, will host Parkinson’s Friends in Community, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. For more info., call Jenny Snyder at 717-355-6259.

The Plumb Line

by Pastor Ricky Kurth

“And, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in His hand….Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumb line in the midst of My people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more” (Amos 7:7,8).

As we compare the two verses of this vision, God identifies the “wall” as “My people Israel.” But what did “the plumb line” represent?

A plumb line is a tool that is used even today by masons who wish to erect walls that are perfectly straight.

A simple weight at the end of a string is suspended alongside the wall as it is being constructed, to ensure that it is being built straight, and at a perfect right angle to the gravitational pull of the earth. Construction workers know that bowed or leaning walls are easily toppled (Psalm 62:3).

Since our text tells us that this “wall” that represents Israel was “made by a plumb line,” we believe the plumb line to be the Law of Moses. It was the Law that defined Israel as a nation, and its perfect code of righteousness ensured that Israel was built in accord with the perfectly upright standard of the very righteousness of God. Here in Amos 7, God is re-applying the plumb line standard of the Law to Israel to show

Amos how far his nation had shifted away from the perfect standard with which she had been constructed, and why He could no longer