AMISH GAMES:The Amish aren't all work and no play. The serious, somber side that many outsiders think of when they see the Amish isn't at all representative. Lovina has written in the Amish Cook column about her family's enjoyment of card games like Dutch Blitz and a game called Aggravation. Volleyball, softball and corn-hole are popular outdoor games among the Amish. The board games, naturally, are more popular during the cold, dark evenings of winter, while summer brings softball and swimming. But one Amish man has gone beyond playing games and has invented one. Samuel Borntreger of Edgar, Wisconsin has invented a game that is described as a cross between Life and Monopoly and is devoted to the sport of Harness Racing . This is a photo of the board. Sounds like a fun game for those out there with an interest in harness racing and maybe even for those without. Read more about the Midwest Harness Racing game here.
For those who would like to see me do a little demo of the game Aggravation, click here.
I didn't learn until relatively recently how popular Checkers is among some segments of the Amish population. Read here about an encounter I had with an Amish man who is a true Checker champion.
Again, the indoor games aren't quite as popular during the summer. Why stay inside when one can run the bases or hit a volleyball? Below is a distant shot of an Amish vs. English softball game in Holmes County that I stumbled upon one spring day.
In the Amish settlement of Pinecraft, Florida shuffleboard courts are always full, a popular outdoor game that is easy on the senior set. So next time you are in Amish country don't be surprised at all if you witness the playful side of being Plain!
Pam
My husband and I were introduced to Dutch Blitz last year when in Berlin, OH. If the Amish play it anything like we and our friends do, they would definitely not fit the "serious, somber side" some people might expect. We love the game and have lots of fun with it!