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    Home » The Plain Columns » The Amish Editor

    No Phone, No Problem

    Published: Mar 25, 2014 · Updated: Mar 25, 2014 by Kevin Williams | 8 Comments

    I have many fond memories of being editor of this column over the years.  One memory that strikes me as particularly interesting was how I would get a hold of Elizabeth Coblentz during the early 1990s.   She would hand-write the column and mail it to me.  I have more modern methods of reaching Lovina today.

    But her mother was from a different generation and lived in the much more conservative Swiss Amish community near Geneva.   I remember a time or two when I had a question about her column that I needed her to answer but I had no way to reach her.  I think I had a question on a recipe that was a bit unclear.  This was in the days before the internet when you could just Google a recipe.

    Elizabeth had no phone and I was on deadline to get the column out. I think I called my grandma to ask her the recipe question, but she didn't know.  So I got the idea to call a florist local to Elizabeth.  It was a place called Edelweiss.

    I asked the proprietor how quickly she could get a cheap basket of flowers out to Elizabeth's address.  She said she could have it done before noon.  Perfect, my deadline was around 2.

    "So, what shall the message on the card be?"

    "How much sugar is in the pie recipe? Please tell the driver."

    Silence.

    "I know that's a strange message, but that's the only way I can get a hold of her. And can you please make sure she reads that card before your driver leaves."

    "Oh boy, I thought I had heard it all," I thought I heard her mutter.

    I tried to explain to her but I think it fell on uncertain ears.  Nevertheless, she attached the card to the cheapest basket of daisies they had and gamely dispatched the delivery driver who came back with an answer for me within an hour or so.   At $20 it was about as costly - but quicker - than a FedEx.  I met my deadline and all was well.   In the future, for such time pinches, I switched to pizzas a time or two.  I thought later about using carrier pigeons to deliver messages.  I had heard stories of generals using them during World War II to take messages to the front-lines.   I remember calling the national headquarters of the American Racing Pigeon society and describing my dilemma to the person answering the phone.   He said my idea was fine, but I'd have to have a colony of pigeons on both ends, one at Elizabeth's and one at my apartment and it all just seemed so complicated.  It's nice that more and more Amish have phones these days!HW0_458488

     

    « Editor's View: Five Favorite Interstate Drives
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    About Kevin Williams

    Hi, my name is Kevin Williams and I am owner of Oasis Newsfeatures and editor of The Amish Cook newspaper column.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. clk

      March 25, 2014 at 4:05 pm

      I like the idea on pigeons....

      Reply
    2. Wendy P

      March 25, 2014 at 4:11 pm

      That was a very creative solution! I'll bet Elizabeth loved getting your questions.

      Reply
    3. Becky wellington

      March 25, 2014 at 4:43 pm

      I love this what a cover thing to do!! B ky

      Reply
    4. Becky wellington

      March 25, 2014 at 4:45 pm

      What a clever thing to do! I never would have thought of it. Bcky

      Reply
    5. brenda

      March 25, 2014 at 4:58 pm

      I like it. thanks for telling us. I must confess to having wondered how you did it.
      I hope I will not have a challenge with the captcha today

      Reply
    6. GLORIA JOHNSON

      March 25, 2014 at 5:57 pm

      Interesting what we humans can accomplish when we are forced to think outside the box. I'm sure she enjoyed the flowers!

      Reply
    7. Eva Drummond

      March 26, 2014 at 7:40 am

      What a cool idea! That is why you are still doing what you do today! I sure have enjoyed your work over the years!

      Reply
    8. lincolnlady1121

      March 27, 2014 at 8:25 pm

      You know what if funny about the Amish that do not have telephones is that if something important happens, that everyone should know, news travels faster than a telephone, telegraph or television. It's amazing how fast they it gets around.

      Marilyn

      Reply

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    Kevin Williams - The Amish Editor Amish Cook Column

    Hi There, I'm Kevin!

    Welcome to Amish365, where I share my knowledge of Amish cooking and culture! I’ve spent almost three decades exploring Amish settlements and kitchens from Maine to Montana and almost everywhere in between. I’ll occasionally throw in stories of my travels, journalism adventures (I’m a Pulitzer prize-nominated journalist), fascination with grocery stores and Kmarts, and much more!

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