Uncategorized
Amish Man Sentenced to 38-76 Years in Prison for Child Sexual Abuse
On Friday David and I attended the sentencing of David Smucker in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, along with several other victim advocates. So often in court cases involving perpetrators among the Plain People, community members will show up in support of the perpetrator, leaving the victims feeling alone. We wanted to ensure this didn’t happen. This was…
Read MoreA Report Revealing Incest, Rape, Abuse, and Cover-Up in Amish Country
A recent article in Cosmopolitan Magazine by investigative reporter Sarah McClure, has given voice to those who have been sexually abused and silenced in Plain communities, and it has rocked the positions of “Amish defenders” as I call those who want to cling to the ideal image of the Amish. The article is graphic, which…
Read MoreThe Last Known Amish in Europe
Recently Pamela Lakits asked: “Why are there no more Amish in Europe? Could it have been possible that they all found their way to America? Did those left behind give up their faith and their way of living or were they imprisoned or put to death? In other words totally wiped out?” Before I answer…
Read MoreHappy New Decade!
I hope you have all had a good start for our new year and decade. David and I enjoyed our holidays, and I hope you did too. Our sons, Paul and Tim came to visit us, along with Tim’s girlfriend, Niina.We found the visit to be short, but meaningful. Our holidays are officially over after…
Read MoreA Parent’s Worst Nightmare
Last night I read a bizarre story that happened in upstate New York, near the Pennsylvania border. An Amish three-year-old leaned against an emergency window in the back of a minibus. The window opened and spilled the boy onto Interstate 81. He was found running along the side of the highway. He sustained bumps and…
Read MoreTen Year Anniversary, Part II
Today I continue providing links to blog posts I wrote in previous years. You can click on the photos to enlarge them in all of the older posts. In 2012, the PBS documentary, “The Amish” premiered on American Experience. I wrote about the symbolism I found in the film. Symbolism in the Film “The Amish.”…
Read MoreTen Year Anniversary, Part I
It has been almost ten years since I posted my introduction to this blog. I don’t know where all those years have gone, but I thought it would be fun to go back and find several popular posts from each year and feature them here with links. I will do this over the next several…
Read MoreMeeting a Kindred Spirit
On our way to Ohio recently, I had the privilege of meeting one of my dear blog friends, Pamela Lakits. I am truly grateful that so many of you read and comment on my blog posts. I often have a longing to sit and chat with each of you, though I have met only a…
Read MoreA Trip Down Memory Lane in Amish Country
This past week, I had an urge to visit the places where I grew up. So David and I took an impromptu and quick trip to northeastern Ohio while we were still having Indian Summer. My thoughts go to that area this time of the year since both of my parents died in autumn: Datt…
Read MoreMinnesota Amish Man Serves Jail Time for Rape
The sexual abuse survivor I wrote about in my last blog post has given me permission to use her name. Lizzie Hershberger was not alone in the courtroom in Preston, Minnesota on Monday for the sentencing of her rapist, thanks to the women who showed up to be by her side. Several of them traveled…
Read More