Coblentz Chocolate Company: Man, I love this place. When I am in Holmes County, Ohio, I am always sure to stop in and sample their sweet treats. The candy isn't Amish-made per se, but the Coblentz family has Amish roots so much of what they make has a Plain influence. Here is an excerpt from an article about the candy store:
When you walk inside the shop, a heavenly smell surrounds you – the smell of chocolate. Then you are greeted with the friendliest workers who are eager to help you make your selections or answer your questions.
Perhaps first, you would enjoy going back to the viewing area to actually watch them making the chocolate treat of the day. Watch through their special viewing gallery as it is made and hand-dipped. The gallery is closed during the pandemic.
A gazillion years ago (more like 20), I tried teaming up with the Coblentz Chocolate Company to make Amish Cook themed chocolate gift baskets that I could sell from the website. But this was in e-commerce's early days and I think we only sold a couple. I always had good ideas, but just had trouble in the execution. Read about the Coblentz Chocolate Company here.
Ontario Mennonites Close Churches and Schools: COIVD is on the rise in the bucolic farmlands of southern Ontario and the Mennonites are responding by closing things down. Click here to read more.
Fatal Buggy Crash in Upstate New York: I am so saddened reading stories like this...two teenagers lives intersected for a split second and it ends with one of them being killed. Click here to read more.
Stephen Fisher: This Amish man got to live a longer life, although age 70 is still too young.....anyway, sometimes I share obituaries here because it is culturally insightful to see how Amish families spread out and grow and it sounds like this man had a huge, loving family. Click here.
Why Are the Pennsylvania Dutch "Dutch"? This is a fascinating article. I always held to the notion that Pennsylvania Dutch was simply a butchering of the word for German, Deutsch. Apparently, though, that is not so. Click here to read an interesting history of the term.
Authentic Shoofly Pie: I would not typically go to the website Pop Sugar for my recipes, but I have to give them credit for posting a superb one for Pennsylvania Shoofly Pie. Here is how they describe it:
If you've never tried shoofly pie, prepare to have your mind blown by this classic Pennsylvania tradition. Perfect for a festive dessert it's a molasses pie or cake created by the Pennsylvania Dutch in the 1880s that is comforting, flaky, and delicious. Shoofly pie is a tradition hailing from the state's Amish community, You probably already have all the ingredients for this in your kitchen.
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