By Kevin Williams
This is a photo I took of a Swartzentruber Amish-owned buggy parked in Sinking Spring, Ohio. I like the way the afternoon sun was illuminating the grey reflective tape on the back of the buggy. But note that there is no orange reflective triangle, the bright symbol goes against their beliefs....
First, a shout-out the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram in Elyria, Ohio, this first story is an example of some fine, fine journalism. I’d say 95 percent of reporters would see a story about a buggy crash, shrug, print a brief, and leave it at that. The C-T dug deeper and came up with amazingly textured, nuanced story with super context about buggy accidents. Add to this story is that it is a rare, thoughtful interview with a Swartzentruber Amish. Now, I often talk about newspapers and their decline, but this article is a perfect example of how newspapers can remain relevant by digging deeper and seeking the story behind the story. Click here to read a super article about an Amish man who was just involved in his 14th buggy accident.
AMISH AND HEART HEALTH: Of all things, it was the Amish and their love of milkshakes that led researchers ona globetrotting tour to unlock the mysteries of better heart health. Click here to read.
UPSET MENNONITES: As the CBC drama mini-series "Pure" continues to air in Canada, many Mennonites are increasingly upset. Click here to read more.
MENNONITES NEAR BUFFALO, MISSOURI: Never heard of Buffalo, Missouri, but it sounds like they have quite a Mennonite presence in the area. Click here.
MY AMISH HOME: Check out Millie Otto's latest column and her recipe for Triple Orange Salad. Millie is an Old Order Amish woman from Arthur, Illinois. Click here.
Barb LaPierre
This is about your Oxford train story: Where did you live in Oxford? Years ago,I lived in a house (now gone) on South College across the street from the lumber company. The tracks crossed our driveway and I often wished I could climb aboard. And many years ago back East, I took the train to school on Monday and back home on Friday. I was so disappointed when we didn't get the train here in Middletown a few years back.
Kevin
Barb, I lived on West High Street, corner of, I think, Locust and High...can't even remember...But West High right by the tracks. SIGH, yes, I am with you, I was very disappointed when the train was nixed for Middletown. On one hand, the specs that I saw showed that it would not have been a very fast train and prices not all that great...Still, I would have LOVED it...I so, so, so wish our country would invest more in rail, I'd take a train any day over car...Maybe someday we'll get our train here in Middletown, we have the old train station still standing, now we just need some trains! - Kevin