Amish in the News: Iron Works, Re-Adjusting, and Amish Country Bike Tour

IRON WILL:   This is a neat article about Lancaster County businessman Amos Glick's iron-works business.   First, it's just an intriguing article about the artistic craftsmanship that goes into forging fine iron.  It seems to be a lost art.   Secondly, the article is just an amazing testament to the resourcefulness of some Amish entrepreneurs at stretching to the limit what they are able to do within the boundaries of their faith.  And, thirdly,  in my mind, the article really highlights a difference between Lancaster County Amish and Amish elsewhere.  My experience is that the Amish are generally a very entrepreneurial culture regardless of geography.  But it just seems like the Lancaster County Amish are at the forefront of innovation and envelope-pushing.  Click here to read the fascinating article about how one of the nation's premiere ironworks rose out of a bucolic farmfield.    The business has a website, maintained by some non-Amish employees, and it really gives you an idea of the business's reach. Click here to see the site.

RE-ADJUSTING:  It's been awhile since we've heard from Sam Mullet's breakaway beard-cutting gang.  But now the Amish who received shorter prison sentences will be heading home.  16 Amish were sentenced to time ranging from 1 to 7 years, with leader Mullet serving 15 years.  Life behind bars was an adjustment for the Amish.  I am sure their children are glad to have them home and hopefully life in Bergholz will return to quietude.  But some of the returning Amish will have to shake off the influences of prison life:  pool, yoga, soda and slang.  Click here to read more.

AMISH BIKE TOUR COMING UP:   Just a heads up that it is still not too late to register for the annual Amish bike tour in Dover, Delaware.   The event is held September 6 and features five loops (15, 25, 50, 62 and 100 miles) through the back roads of Kent County. It is the largest cycling event in Delaware, with more than 2,500 cyclists from 25 states and the U.K.  This is an event I have always wanted to attend.  I doubt I'll be there this year but as soon as Aster is old enough to pedal, I want this one on my calendar.  Click here for some more information.  The bike tour is part of a whole weekend of festivities centered around cycling and the Amish, click here for more information about other activities in the area that weekend.  What is great about the event is that it isn't a "race", it's non-competitive bike tour of the area, so you cycle at your own pace.