for anyone who is interested. We have a large Amish community south of Cleveland. They make some very beautiful furniture that is sold in some furniture stores. They also farm, raise livestock, etc. and most do pretty well for themselves.
The younger women even work in some of the wonderful restaurants and shops that are in that area. Some of the younger men come into our county, usually on buses or vans, and work in construction here in the summer. Most communities still don't use electricity in their homes or drive cars, but they are allowed to pay someone to drive them where they need to go.
Like everyone else, they have their medical emergencies from time to time, as the result of accidents or illness, and I see them regularly at the city hospital where I work. From what I've been told, they do not have hospitalization insurance, but their community does pay their hospital bills. With today's hospital costs, I can't imagine how they do that.
When Alyssa had her heart surgery last year, there was a whole family of Amish people "camped out" in the waiting rooms. They had a child in the same unit that Alyssa was in. Their family members would bring in food for them sometimes, but they ate in the cafeteria a lot as well. I was amused at the amount of candy and snacks they bought. I guess it's something they don't normally buy, so they were sure enjoying it there. I would have gladly given them chips and candy bars in exchange for some of their fried chicken and homemade pie.
The Amish here in Holmes county still make their own clothing by hand and mostly in dark colors of blue and black. They don't use zippers and the men wear suspenders. All of the women wear long dresses and bonnets. They also make beautiful quilts that are for sale in the many shops in the little towns near their homes. You can also purchase fresh meats and poultry, eggs, about 200 varieties of cheese, and wonderful bakery.
Only a few open their homes to the public for dinner, but I have found most of the people to be very friendly, and don't seem to object to photographs especially if you ask permission to take them. Each community has their own rules that they live buy. They are very hard working and fascinating people.
The younger women even work in some of the wonderful restaurants and shops that are in that area. Some of the younger men come into our county, usually on buses or vans, and work in construction here in the summer. Most communities still don't use electricity in their homes or drive cars, but they are allowed to pay someone to drive them where they need to go.
Like everyone else, they have their medical emergencies from time to time, as the result of accidents or illness, and I see them regularly at the city hospital where I work. From what I've been told, they do not have hospitalization insurance, but their community does pay their hospital bills. With today's hospital costs, I can't imagine how they do that.
When Alyssa had her heart surgery last year, there was a whole family of Amish people "camped out" in the waiting rooms. They had a child in the same unit that Alyssa was in. Their family members would bring in food for them sometimes, but they ate in the cafeteria a lot as well. I was amused at the amount of candy and snacks they bought. I guess it's something they don't normally buy, so they were sure enjoying it there. I would have gladly given them chips and candy bars in exchange for some of their fried chicken and homemade pie.
The Amish here in Holmes county still make their own clothing by hand and mostly in dark colors of blue and black. They don't use zippers and the men wear suspenders. All of the women wear long dresses and bonnets. They also make beautiful quilts that are for sale in the many shops in the little towns near their homes. You can also purchase fresh meats and poultry, eggs, about 200 varieties of cheese, and wonderful bakery.
Only a few open their homes to the public for dinner, but I have found most of the people to be very friendly, and don't seem to object to photographs especially if you ask permission to take them. Each community has their own rules that they live buy. They are very hard working and fascinating people.
Maryann
"Drink your tea slowly and reverently..."
"Drink your tea slowly and reverently..."
