Amish in the News: Zippy Dandelion Salad, Amish Doughnuts, Amish in a study, Amish Quilts and More!

By Kevin Williams

We have an interesting slate of stories today in the News! So let's start right off:

It's that time of year....

ZIPPY DANDELION SALAD:  For newbies here, Millie Otto is an Amish writer who pens a column for a local paper in Illinois.  She is not affiliated with Amish365.com in any way and I'm actually not a huge fan of her writing style (and that is okay, we can't all like everything) but I like to showcase other Amish writers and recipes from time to time so let's check in with Millie this week where she updates us on her husband and shares a very timely recipe! Click here.

AMISH BAKING COMPANY:  I've been watching this business grow over the past couple of years and I'd so love to try one of their doughnuts.  The article says that Sadie Peachey grew up in Statesville, North Carolina....I'm going to assume they mean Union Grove, about 30 minutes from there. There are only a handful of Amish settlements in North Carolina.  Union Grove is one of the most progressive horse-and-buggy Amish settlements in existence. Still, if that is where she grew up and the recipe she uses for her doughnuts is from her mom, I am sure it is steeped in flavor and tradition. Yum! Click here to read more.

AMISH MENTAL ILLNESS STUDY:  Mental illnesses are definitely in need of all the study possible.  It's just so easy to diagnose a broken bone or a torn rotator cuff, but bipolar or depression?  Just a whole lot more difficult, so kudos to some Plain people stepping up to take part in a study.  Click here to read more.

GAY HUTTERITE:  For newbies here, we talk mainly about the Amish on this site, but also about Mennonites, Brethren and Hutterites who are from the same Anabaptist theological tradition as the Amish.  The issue of homosexuality within the Amish and Mennonite church is an interesting one because, on one hand, you'd expect it to be quite taboo and not accepted.  On the other hand, as a traditional peace church, you'd think there'd be a welcoming attitude also.  That very juxtaposition is tearing at the Mennonite church now.  But this is a well written piece about a young gay Hutterite man, I think it's worth a read. Click here.

THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN LANCASTER COUNTY:  The Hufftington Post ran an article about some good activities to do with kids in Lancaster county and I guess I can't find too much fault with the list.  Of course, "kid" can range in age from 2 to 15, so these are pretty "catch all" activities, but you can check it out here.

AMISH QUILTS:  Just a little, interesting tidbit about Amish quilts from the Lancaster paper. My two cents:  Amish quilting is a true craft but it has, as this article sort of intimates, been pushed  and shaped by the tourist trade.  The most authentic Amish quilts, in my view, are the ones not for sale (or for sale at, say, estate auctions), the ones piece together by some Amish ladies at a quilting bee and stored away in the hope chest or put on the bed.  Click here to read more.