By Kevin Williams
Amish Friendship Bread....
AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD (OR HERMAN): This bread was a huge craze back in the 1970s and 80s and it still has a following. When I first started out as the editor of The Amish Cook column back in 1991 I quickly became acquainted with "Amish Friendship Bread", a sourdough based bread that requires a starter that needs constant "feeding." I think my Aunt has had her starter in her fridge for close to 40 years, people can keep the starter their whole lives, basically. Anyway, if you want the recipe for the starter and the bread, the Indianapolis Star has a good primer and recipe this week (and in the article an interesting retrospect on that quintessential 70s food: aspic. ugh).
AMISH CLASSES: Man, if I were craftier person and I lived anywhere near Leon, NY, I'd do this in a heartbeat. Leon, NY is located in the Conewango Valley of western New York in a pretty darn conservative Amish community so I'm extra surprised (pleasantly surprised) to see this event where you have Amish people teaching English students, what a cool way to interact and learn! Read more about it here. There are 5 classes in April and May and each one includes a homemade Amish lunch, here is the menu:
4/22/2017- Homemade Chili or Homemade Chicken soup. Homemade bread and homemade butter, homemade brownies. Drinks: Coffee, Tea, soft drink, water
4/29/2017- Homemade Sloppy Joes or Homemade Vegetable soup, homemade bread and butter, chips, homemade cookies. Drinks: Coffee, Tea, Soft Drink, Water.
5/6/2017- Homemade Gumbo or Homemade Hamburger Soup, Homemade Bread and Butter, Homemade cookies. Drinks: Coffee, Tea, Soft drinks, water.
5/13/2017- Pizza, Chips, Homemade Pie and homemade cookies. Drinks: Coffee, tea, soft drinks, water.
HUTTERITE HOSPITALITY: This is a really neat story about Hutterite colonies in Canada welcoming Syrian refugees to their colonies. Click here to read.
BURGLARIZING AMISH HOMES: Wow, this is an odd story...a woman burglarizing Amish homes in Geauga County, Ohio. Click here to read more.
AMISH TAXI DRIVERS TARGETED: Interesting story. You know, I have a lot of familiarity with "Amish taxis." I almost think it does need regulation of some sort. It's a such a growing industry, the Amish are growing, since they don't have cars but have a need for long-distance transportation, private drivers fill the void. But they aren't regulated and I have seen some terrible price gouging and safety issues. Of course, there are great drivers too. Are they being targeted? Click here to read more.
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