Amish in the News: Millie's Toffee-Apple French Toast, More Hog Maw, Quilting, and More!

By Kevin Williams

We have an interesting mix of Plain-themed stories in the news today so let's get right to it!

Mennonite-owned Big Olaf's creamery is a popular stop in Pinecraft for visiting Amish, Mennonites, and tourists!

MILLIE'S APPLE-TOFFEE FRENCH TOAST:  Amish columnist Millie Otto is sampling Pinecraft, Florida, the winter outpost for "Amish snowbirds."  Her dispatch is very typical of how an Amish person experiences Pinecraft, this is part of what she writes:

Everything is just so different here — the scenery, the way the houses are built, the landscaping, so different. I do believe I am ready to go home, but I may want to come back next winter.You meet people from all walks of life, people you never knew before, people you know but hardly ever see.

It's like one giant "family reunion", laid back, devoid of a lot of the "rules" that the churches impose "up north."  Pinecraft in winter is an amazing place to visit.  Check out Millie's column this week and her recipe for Apple Toffee French Toast.

MENNONITE CHURCH ON THE MOVE:  This is just an interesting article because it illustrates the huge latitude found in the Mennonite church from the most conservative horse and buggy Mennonites to the very progressive techie Mennonites, this is about a more Plain group seeking a large revenue near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Click here.

MOBILE MEAT TO NEW YORK:  We have some readers in the Lowville area, a very Plain region in Upstate New York, the famed Mennonite Central Committee "mobile meat canner" will becoming to the area soon to pack protein for undernourished elsewhere...check it out here.

HUTTERITE COLONY HOSTS QUILTING RETREAT:  This is kind of interesting, this Hutterite colony seems to be a bit more open than some others...click here to read more.

HOG MAW:   This is a delicacy, especially this time of year, in Pennsylvania Dutch kitchens and some Amish homes.  You can read about hog maw and it's preparation here.  Mennonite writer, Gina, at the Home Joys blog, has a recipe for "Hog Maw Casserole" here.