Amish Country, info please

mcmike55 · Aug 8, 2005

BFL

You were asking about Amish country. I love going there. Holmes Co. Ohio, is the largest congregation of Amish around, short of Pa, and Ind. I think.

Depending on where I WVa, you live,,the easiest way is to just go north on

I-77 to the Dover/New Philidelphia area. Get off on Route 39 (I think) turn West towards Sugarcreek. There are dozens of shops and things to see along that route, between Sugarcreek and Millersport.

If you get off that road, there are also lots and lots of things to see and do.

There are cheese houses (making it,,not made of :chuckle )

One of my favorites is Leyman's Hardware, there's a couple branches, but the main one is in Charm (I think). They cater towards the Amish, so you will find things there that others have long forgotten about, like oil lamp parts, hand crank ice cream machines, etc.

One of my favorites is the Amish style eateries. Think family style. They bring you your choice of roast beef, ham, turkey or/and fried chicken and all the trimmings, mashed potatoes, real stuffing, noodles, corn, gravy,,etc.

There are several excellent hotels up there, but I suggest you call ahead, they are often booked. There's the Carlisle House in Walnut Creek Ohio, then another similar newer one in Sugarcreek, I'm not sure of its' name. My wife and I stayed a couple nights for our wedding anniversary a few years ago. It was fantastic!!! Slower pace, nice people, outstanding views, lots of shopping, and excellent food.

I would suggest doing a web site search or two, and make a reservation ahead of time.

By the way, I live about 45 mins south of there in Cambridge...honk as you go by!!! :rotfl: And have a good time!

mike

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Aug 8, 2005

Your reply with information on Amish country is greatly appreciated. I am really looking forward to this little vacation. I will be going north on 77, the computer advised a traveler to get off on US 250 and travel to Berlin, Ohio. I think your directions give me a little more to see and do. Funny, I cannot eat cheese but hubby can/does but only small amount. I would love an old fashioned hardware store. Being here in WV, we may have a thing or two still sold here that the "outside" world has discrded. I love the old fashioned apple peelers, slaw cutters(cabbage cutters) and nuts and bolts of all kinds.

We had family living in Cleveland years ago, I remember going past the sign for Cambridge. Seemed like a nice little town. Do you or your wife work at the hospital there?

Well, thanks for the information. Have a good day. :)

2003rn, ASN, RN · Aug 8, 2005

Barefoot,

I've been to the Amish country in Sugar Creek and Walnut Creek, OH. We always try to eat at a restaurant called 'Der Dutchman'. They have the biggest salad bar I've ever seen. You order whatever kind of meat, etc that you want and you get the salad bar too. They serve wonderful little loaves of homemade bread with the meals. So good...I think my hubby and I may go there towards the end of August. Have a good time. You'll love the big hardware store as well as the little shops, beautiful quilts, etc.

Dixie

naggytabby, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2005

on a side note. please be culturally sensitive- do not stop by the side of the road to gawk at folks as they carry on with their daily lives. do not chase them with cameras- actually you shouldn't take any pictures without their permission- think how you would feel if people came to your neighborhood and walked onto your lawn and just snapped away. and no, the Amish (or anyother group for that matter) are not "used to it". for the most part they'd prefer you not. treat them like zoo animals (as in they are an attratcion placed for your covenience. I know many people don't consider these things and are caught up in the experience of a new place/culture and do not mean to be intrusive, but here is where thoughtfulness can make a difference :)

Please enjoy every single public venue available and have a wonderful trip to a lovely part of PA.

PS this is not meant to a flame of anyone, just an awareness promotion. thank you

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Aug 8, 2005

I would never presume to stick a camera in someone's face and snap away. Nor do I think it is good manners to snap pictures of their homes, families working in the field, or any other personal subject. I may take a picture of a barn, a field with hay cut, horses in a meadow, flowers or even a sign that is particularily interesting. I have a little experience with outsiders coming to our area, overlooking the nice homes, the beautiful scenes from our mountains, and snapping away at some of the still less up-to-date places. I do get offended with some of the questions and remarks outsiders make to us. I know no one who is married to a cousin, I have never kissed a brother, cousin, BIL, SIL, or uncle on the mouth. I have a gate on my bridge for a reason, no outsiders on my land without my permission and no, don't cross the bridge to ask. Bonnets and hats are worn for protections from the sun, no I don't sell them, lawn ornaments are the usual kind, no commodes, buses, junk cars. We even have laws here about that now. I have a long list of so called celebrities who have insulted WV without knowing the state. Burt Reynolds, George Lopez, ZsaZsa Gabor come to mind. Richard Geer, Morgan Freeman, and the Judds are big on my good list. Ben Afleck is gaining too. I raise a garden because I eat the veggies and I love to work the soil, I fish because it is fun and I do look a sight on the riverbank, you will never see me, I don't go where "outsiders" go. Sorry for the sermon, but I needed to vent. :nono:

lisamc1RN, LPN · Aug 8, 2005

My brother lives in Sugarcreek and is also a head chef at Der Dutchman! The food is awesome, I promise! Also, there is an animal farm out that way. The name alludes me at the moment. If you really want to see the backroads of Amish living, stay on rt. 39 until you get to Dutch Harvest Restaurant in Berlin. Turn right, by the restaurant. Keep going for a while and enjoy! There are little Amish business run from homes and some interesting farms as well. They have deer, longhorn cattle, some lamas... Just drive slowly because there are usually lots of Amish buggies, bikes and pedestrians on those backroads. :)

mcmike55 · Aug 8, 2005

Your reply with information on Amish country is greatly appreciated. I am really looking forward to this little vacation. I will be going north on 77, the computer advised a traveler to get off on US 250 and travel to Berlin, Ohio. I think your directions give me a little more to see and do.
We had family living in Cleveland years ago, I remember going past the sign for Cambridge. Seemed like a nice little town. Do you or your wife work at the hospital there?
BFL...Not sure why MAPQUEST/MAPBLAST, or whatever told you Route 250. That will put you slightly north of the "main drag" of Amish which I think is Route 39. On 250 is a place that has the worlds' largest cucko clock, but the other things in that area are a bit more spread apart. Do a search for Sugarcreek, Berlin, Charm and Millersport. Oh, if you like spices, you know hot stuff, there was a great place in Berlin. Its' a small town at a cross roads, but lots to see, and everything is real close. My wife and I just parked at one end of town, walked up one side, then down the other stopping in all the shops.
Leave a little empty room in your car for purchases, especially if you are into crafts.
By the way, I work at the Medical Hospital, Southeastern Med in Cambridge. Nice place, I think, 3 OR'S, nice new Childbirth Center, good ED, Level III trauma facility.
Our web site is http://www.seormc.org.
Lisamc....hello, my family and I love Der Dutchman!! The wife and I stayed at the Carlisle House in October a couple of years ago...was able to eat breakfast at the Dutchman a couple times....WOW, so good!! The food,service and facility always top notch, no matter how busy. Please pass along our compliments to your brother.
Darn....all this talk is making me hungry for good Amish family style!!
ROAD TRIP!!!! :chuckle
Mike

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2005

I will be going north on 77. . .to get off on US 250 and travel to Berlin, Ohio.

I hope you haven't left yet. My mother went down to what she called "Amish country" all the time when we lived in Ohio. The place where she went most was Mount Hope and Kidron which is north of Walnut Creek, Millersberg, and Sugarcreek (it's all in Holmes county). Lehman's hardware has a store (er, barn) in Kidron which sells a lot of the non-electrical appliances and gadgets Amish homes use. It is fascinating to just walk through it's many rooms and examine the various gadgets. At the time I think they were one of the few places in town that had a phone. On the road to Mount Hope are a couple of little country stores where you will find great bargains on bulk grains, cereals, spices, nuts, and candy. I was told that the Amish way is not to overcharge on items, so mom always found some really good food bargains. You will also find quilting and fabric stores there. During one trip we ordered and purchased some furniture from an Amish shop after looking at the tables and chairs they had on display. Their wooden chairs seemed (to us) to be designed for people with short legs--just perfect for my 5'2" mom. Our chairs were taken over to Lehman's where the Lehman's employees packed and sent the boxes out by UPS.

Be careful when you drive the roads there especially in places like Mount Hope where the roads wind around and are hilly. You might find yourself suddenly behind a horse and buggy. Most of the drivers will pull their buggies way over to the right side of the road so you can pass, but some may not. There has been a history of fast drivers having accidents with the buggies causing the deaths of the occupants.

Der Dutchman has several restaurants throughout Ohio, doesn't it? They serve homestyle meals as I recall (soup and bread with every meal--very, very Dutch/German).

Super_RN, BSN, RN · Aug 19, 2005

I am sure you are already on your trip, but I live extremely close to Sugarcreek and all those places. I have Amish neighbors and my boyfriend has many many Amish friends. I love the food! Der Dutchman is awesome!

:balloons: Have a great trip!!

Hairstylingnurse · Aug 19, 2005

Darn....all this talk is making me hungry for good Amish family style!!

ROAD TRIP!!!! :chuckle

MikeAmen Mike, I hear ya, All this talk of the amish cooking makes me homesick for tenn. cooking. I'm in sw florida for about 2 and a half years now and really miss country cooking:( . I do get to Cracker Barrell:p about twice a month, but I do miss all the small family owned country restaurants. It is a whole different world of eating down here in sw florida. We eat a whole lot healthier to fit in our bathing suits:chuckle not to mention it is just too hot to eat that good ole heavy comfort food.:chuckle We had quiet a bit of amish in middle tn. when I lived there. I loved to go buy their sour dough bread and homemade jellies and jams. Always wished when I was in high school I could go spend the weekend with them but I also knew the work would have killed me before sat. night:chuckle :chuckle :chuckle . Well I guess i better go cook that lean cuisine to quiet my tum tum.

barefootlady, ADN, RN · Aug 19, 2005

Wanted to tell everyone I will not be going to Amish country until October, but since I have family visiting I am cooking today. These are requests from the kids and this is what is on the menu today.

1. Spaghetti

2. Fried chicken

3. Mashed potatoes

4. Green beans with onion and country ham

5. gravy

6. corn bread

7. deviled eggs

8. garden tomatoes, cukes, onions, green peppers

9. Lemon cake

10. Sweet Tea

11. Corn on the cob

12. Slaw

Yes, except for the spaghetti noodles everything is made from scratch. So, that smell that hits you as you come across my bridge is powerful. The fried chicken is deep dish southern style with all over crisps, not the oven baked kind that has hit or miss spots. My 3 grandsons said they had dreamed about it for weeks. LOL!

Tomorrow is sirloin tip roast. :)