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. Â 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. Â Click here to read this short, but intriging, article.
EMMA'S VILLAGE PIZZA: Â I think this business is relatively new. I don't recall seeing it last time I was in Pinecraft a couple of years ago. Â 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: Â How long has the business been there? Is it Amish or Mennonite owned? Â 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:Â 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. Â 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: Â We've been following closely the past several months the migration of some Amish to PEI in Canada. Â 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? Â Click here to read more about how the island is planning to make the Amish newcomers feel welcome.
MENNONITE RELIEF SALE: Â This event remains on my bucket list. Â 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. Â 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: Â 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: Â 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. Â How about some Hot Bacon Dressing? Â That is a PA Dutch classic and the Amish of the area have adopted it. Yum. Â Check out that recipe and some other PA Dutch Easter favorites here!
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