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Travel Article

ONE OHIO TREASURE

Tucked in gently rolling hills and perfectly manicured fields, within central Ohio's Wayne, Holmes and Tuscarawas Counties, lies the largest Amish Settlement in the world. Many immigrated to the United States close to three hundred years ago, driven by religious persecution from their homelands, mainly Germany and Switzerland. Their simple life style hasn't changed much in those three hundred years, since they don't use the modern conveniences we take for granted, such as electricity, telephones and motor driven machinery.

You can experience awe, excitement, joy, romance, or peace and quiet just on a weekend trip. In fact, you can return again and again and see something new every time.

The rolling green fields and neatly manicured homesteads look like perfectly made quilt blocks that were sewn together. It doesn't take long to feel that you've slipped back into the past. Over the first rise, is the most frequently seen mode of travel, a horse and buggy. Inside is a family of four. The horse is trotting along at a good clip. Not long after, a frauline, clad in her long light gray dress, white apron, and bonnet, is briskly walking along he quiet country road.

Hitching posts are conveniently placed in front of the shops along each side of the street. Small inviting shops line the streets. Simply built, but certainly well defined and labeled, The first store that catches your eye is the Quilt and Craft Shop, where you can buy Amish made bird houses, candles, sconces, and many other handmade crafts. The quilts, also handmade, are breathtaking. There are many designs and colors.

Nearby is an Amish furniture store. Inside is an array of wooden items; poster beds, dressers, side tables, buffets, dinner tables and chairs, curio cabinets and rockers, outside,
gazebos and porch swings.

The local bakery is full of homemade pies, cakes, hard candy, fudge, bread and pastries, all prepared the way they were many years ago, before electricity. You can also purchase all the different cheeses that the Amish are famous for making there.

There are a number of shops, were you can pick up little mementos or a handmade quilt or unique piece of Amish furniture.

Close to the village is a blacksmith's shop. If he's at work, watch the blacksmith shaping a horseshoe the way you've seen it done in an old time movie. There's even a shop where folks can buy a new buggy or get one repaired.

Don't miss the hardware store. The contents are not what you might expect. After all, the wares are intended for Amish use. The hand driven plows, lanterns, and wood burning kitchen stoves makes you feel like you've been transferred to an episode of "Little House on the Prairie". Big picture, it is amazing what the Amish accomplish with the tools they use.

Standing in front of any Amish family restaurant, The smell of home cooked fried chicken and freshly made apple pies flirt with your nose, and all of a sudden you'll realize you're hungry. You can have an amazing meal here for the cost of a fast food burger. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and a side salad; you can't resist a piece of that apple pie either. If that's not your pleasure, there are a variety of menu items to choose from.

With so much to see and do you might like to stay in a nearby village Bed and Breakfast. Donna's Bed and Breakfast is a very popular one. The staff is friendly and eager to accommodate. Ask about their many different packages. The rates are seasonal, but economical. (www.donnasofberlin.com)

If you're on a short visit, you can take a quick buggy ride around town, or a four hour back road narrated tour, visiting authentic Amish home businesses, and historical landmarks, learning as you go about Amish culture and heritage.

For more information contact:

Wayne County Convention & Visitors Bureau at:

www.wooster-wayne.com/wccvb

E-mail at waynecvb@cs.com

Holmes County Convention & Visitors Bureau ate

www.holmescountychamber.com

E-mail at info@holmescountychamber.com

24-hour Info Center: 330-674-3975

1-800-BUCKEYE

A - Berlin

I'm hesitating to blog, but I have to try, because if I want to freelance write, it's necessary. So I sit here looking at this nearly empty spot with nothing to say. Here's hoping my next blog will be a little more interesting. I'll be working on it!