Amish in the News: Amish-Made Clothing, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, & More!

By Kevin Williams

An interesting slate of Amish-themed stories in the news today as we do our weekly whirl through the headlines of anything and everything Plain!

First of a couple of "Amish snowbird" stories. For our many newcomers, Pinecraft, Florida, is an enclave near Sarasota that attracts throngs of Amish and Mennonites who enjoy spending a few weeks under the warm west Florida sun each winter.  You can read a past post about Pinecraft here.

Amish-made clothes in non-Amish styles, that is the premise behind "Farmhouse Frocks", a collection of clothing made by 35 Amish and Mennonite seamstresses...

FARMHOUSE FROCKS: 35 Amish seamstresses have come together to produce a clothing line for non-Amish that uses American-made fabrics in stylish patterns.  Click here to read this short, but intriging, article.

EMMA'S VILLAGE PIZZA:  I think this business is relatively new. I don't recall seeing it last time I was in Pinecraft a couple of years ago.  But you wouldn't know, because the article doesn't say. As a journalist, I found this piece a little frustrating because there are some basic questions that went unanswered:  How long has the business been there? Is it Amish or Mennonite owned?  Are the pizza recipes Amish or Mennonite in origin? Well, I did a little digging online myself and it is a Mennonite-owned business which makes me all the more curious about the recipes. Oh well, I know where I am going next time I am in Pinecraft!

AMISH PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE:  For newbies, Millie Otto is an Amish writer in Illinois who this site is not affiliated with, I just like to showcase her recipes and writing sometimes.  Click here to see what is up with Millie in March and get her father's recipe for pineapple upside down cake.

MORE PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND AMISH:  We've been following closely the past several months the migration of some Amish to PEI in Canada.  First, it's always fun and interesting to watch a new settlement start from scratch. But, second, this also has broader implications about the Amish in general and their desire to seek a new life in new places. After all, if PEI now, where next?  Click here to read more about how the island is planning to make the Amish newcomers feel welcome.

MENNONITE RELIEF SALE:  This event remains on my bucket list.  Mennonite relief does some great work after disasters and these annual sales are a great way to raise funds and for the wider public to experience Plain culture.  Illinois and Kansas are two states that really big ones, as does Ohio and some other places. Click here to read about Illinois's recent sale.

AMISH BUSINESS EXPO:  This was an interesting article from the Ottumwa, Iowa paper about a business expo organized by an Amish man, the businesses included are Amish and non-Amish. Interesting. Click here to read.

PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH EASTER RECIPES:  Eastern Pennsylvania's rich culinary traditions have been often adopted by the Amish and the Allentown Morning Call is often great at showcasing those recipes.  How about some Hot Bacon Dressing?  That is a PA Dutch classic and the Amish of the area have adopted it. Yum.  Check out that recipe and some other PA Dutch Easter favorites here!