Amish in the News Friday: Millie's Bachelor Coffeecake, Amish Flood, Double Cousins, and More!

By Kevin Williams

We have a lot of interesting Amish stuff in the news this week, so let's get right to it.

AMISH STORE OPENS:  This is another in what has seemed to be a growing trend: non-Amish people opening "Amish stores" and I keep having mixed feelings.  I mean, it would be like me opening a Chinese restaurant.  It would just seem not very authentic.  On the other hand, I guess, if I were serving great, authentic Cantonese fare then it would be all that matters.  I don't know. What do you think?  Anyway, check out this new "Amish store" in southern Illinois.

WHOOPING COUGH:   There is a whooping cough outbreak in St. Joesph County, Michigan right now, primarily.  Up to 30 families have been impacted so far with fears it could spread, click here to read more.

AMISH FLOODING:  Flash flooding caused a lot of damage just ahead of a weekend benefit auction in this north central PA Amish community.  Click here to read how everyone pitched in to clean up.

DOUBLE COUSINS IN MONTANA:  You know, this article interested me for different reasons than what the article is about.  The double cousin part is interesting, that is relatively common among the Amish, where siblings from one family marry siblings from another.  But it's interest how the article refers to these people as Amish and the people in the article also call themselves Amish, but many Amish people don't think of this group as Amish.  Confused.  The story takes place in Libby, Montana and this group was once Old Order Amish but they broke away a decade or so ago, taking a more evangelical path than most Amish are comfortable with.  But the Amish in Libby still consider themselves Amish even if other Amish don't.  Click here to read the article.

MY AMISH HOME:  Check out Amish columnist Millie's latest this week, where she serves up Bachelor's Coffeecake.  Hmmmm, I'm not a bachelor, but it sounds nice and easy.  Click here to read the latest.

Related recipes: German Coffeecake, Amish Cherry Coffeecake,  Homemade Amish Rhubarb Coffeecake, Amish Cinnamon Coffeecake