Plain City, Ohio is always an interesting place for me to visit and yesterday we passed through there on the way to visit my sister-in-law.  Located just outside Columbus, Ohio the town has a storied plain past.  A large, thriving Amish settlement used to populate the area.  And even though the last Amish families (I think a few Amish widows still live in the area today) decamped for elsewhere in the 1970s, there are still plenty of Yoders, Troyers, and Schrocks around to give the town a very Amish flair.
The centerpiece of the town's Amish ambiance is the sprawling Der Dutchman and Carlisle Gift Shop complex on US 42.  On a whim yesterday since we were passing through I darted into the gift shop to see if they had a copy of one of my books.  I almost got lost among the two floors of hand-made doilies, wood crafts, and cookbooks.  And after passing several book racks where I didn't see any of my titles I almost gave up.  But as I was headed out the door, right in the lobby, I spied my Williams Guide to Amish Country.  Awesome!:)  Has anyone seen it elsewhere in a store?  So if you are in the Columbus, Ohio area and want to get your hands on  Williams Guide I can vouch for as of yesterday there being copies at Der Dutchman!
The stretch along US 42 west of Columbus used to feature at least three Amish-style restaurants and some Amish-owned businesses. Â Today the only restaurant that remains is the non-Amish owned Der Dutchman, but they feature a menu that pays homage to the area's past.
Carol Crowe Phillips
Glad your book is out there. Too many people tell you they'll help out when you are just getting rolling and then they let you down. Haven't seen this one yet though around here.
Ruth Osborne
Just started receiving your emails about a week or so ago.
Today I read your article about Arizona so I had to send a post. I also live in this beautiful state in a small community called Dewey. It is about half way between I17 and Prescott. I love it here as the temperatures are not as severe as Phoenix or Yuma in the summer. We do have winter but it is mild compared to Ohio or Kansas. Grew up in northeastern Nebraska. Lots of wildlife around here.
Kevin
Welcome, Ruth, sounds like a beautiful spot you live in. Welcome to amish365.com!
Lisa Siegwald-Baird
I live about a twenty minute drive from Plain City and go to Der Dutchman at least once a month. Next time i'm there,i'll have to make sure to grab a copy of your book ! My brother-in-law lives in Plain City so I may just have him drop by and pick one up ! Next time you are there,make sure to make a stop at Yutzy's market on Hyland Croy Rd. Nice assortment of Amish items,fresh produce and an awesome meat counter !
Kevin
Thanks for the tip about Yutzy's, I will definitely check that out next time I am by. And, yes, picking up a copy there would be awesome, the more they sell the better!:)