By Kevin Williams
Maine is  state with an increasing Amish population.  When I first started studying Amish culture back in the late 80s there was no Amish presence in Maine, only a "plain community" near Corinna.  I think it was 1997 when the Amish established a settlement near Smyrna, and the Amish presence in Maine has been growing ever since.  More recently established communities include Unity, Patten and Fort Fairfield.
When I first read about Fort Fairfield, IÂ never thought I'd make it to this rural Amish outpost . Â Instead, I've been there twice. Â And twice I've failed to really find much. Â You can read more about my visit last year here.
I wasn't planning to stop in there at all this time as I had a very packed schedule, but I was driving back from an assignment last week and I found myself passing through Presque Isle, a charming little town in northern Maine.  I remembered that the Amish settlement was within a mile or two of the very spot I was traveling, so I thought I needed to try to swing by. So I did.  SIGH, you know, I just didn't even think about "Googling" where the Amish community is.  I know this is a pretty conservative community but, sheesh, had I "googled" it I would have found that the Fort Fairfield visitors bureau actually publishes a map of the area's Amish community and Amish-owned businesses.  I take some solace in knowing that even had I had this map, it was coming up on 7 p.m. so I doubt many Amish businesses would have been open. Still, I would have been able to see more of the community.
Instead, I ended up at the Zook house again. Â Looking at the map, I can see what I have done "wrong" each time. Â I have hooked back towards Fort Fairfield each time when the majority of the Amish settlement is actually farther south towards Easton. Â I think the Zook farm must be one of farthest afield in the whole settlement. Â And, interestingly, it appears some of the Amish settlement has spread over the border into New Brunswick. Â Wow, what a pain for those Amish every time they have to attend church services to have to go through customs. Â So I'm a little bummed that I didn't know this Amish map existed, I would have especially liked to check out the Amish bakery. Â I doubted I'd ever make it to Fort Fairfield once, let alone twice, Â so I doubt I'll make it back there a third time, but if I do....I now know where to go! Â Meanwhile, here are some scenes I did capture from the Amish settlement
Kathy Barnes
Oh my goodness Aster is a doll. That picture of her in the tree is priceless it needs to be in a frame. I'm a grandma and we just had our 8th grand child. Grandkids are the best thing in the world. Congratulations!!
Sincerely,
Kathy