The Amish Cook

By KEVIN WILLIAMS

Over 20 years ago, when I was 18 and a college journalism student, I created The Amish Cook column by hiring Old Order Amish writer Elizabeth Coblentz (Lovina’s Mom) to write it. At the time I would have told you that I was all grown up and knew exactly what I was doing. Maybe some kids that age know where they are going and what they’re doing, but looking back I sure didn’t. The Amish Cook column became my baby and we grew up together.

I still cherish Amish culture. There’s something magical about visiting Amish country, where freshly washed laundry hangs on the line in brilliant hues of blues, blacks, and rust. Where shiny black buggies outnumber cars, offering a slower, more measured pace with their clip-clop cadence and sure gait. Where families eat together, pray together, and talk to one another over a hearty supper of buttery noodles, homemade rolls the size of softballs, and fresh fruit pies for dessert. No smart-phones in sight. While Amish life is often overly romanticized I still believe it has much to teach us in the years ahead, that a column offering samples of simplicity can do a lot of good in this increasingly complex and crazy world. Perhaps this was the one thing, when I was 18, that I did get right.

Regular readers know it’s been a continual struggle to keep this column going and I’m sure I’ve contributed to it by making more mistakes and missteps in twenty years than many make in triple that time. I believe, however, that the best years are to come and that an incredible Second Act is about to begin, but I do need your help. We’re all a bit invested in this column. It’s always been the Little Engine that defies the odds and climbs the hill.

It’s time for my first baby to grow up because my focus will be on another. My wife and I are now unexpectedly expecting our first child this September. I’m 40 years old now. At an age when many of my peers are helping their children shop for prom dresses or prepare for drivers licenses, I’ll be changing diapers. I’ll be confused for the grandparent at graduation when the class of 2031 hits the stage. The thought of this new journey thrills me and terrifies me.

The Second Act will be 20 years that builds on the foundation of the first. I’ve been to Plain communities from Maine to Montana and I’ll be sharing those experiences in more books, talks, and online. Look for a children’s book about the Amish, video series, podcasts, organic gardening books, and a lot more fun activities in the years ahead. But to get there I need you to vote “yes” by ordering cookbooks. Cookbooks have been our mainstay and 300 cookbook sets (we’d only need 5 to 10 orders from Daily Journal country) ordered between now and May 31 would allow the mistakes of the past to be mopped up for good and the foundation for the future to be finished. And I can make sure Lovina has a bit solid of a start to this Second Act also. 300 book orders seems doable, too doable to walk away from the column when that’s all that is keeping the curtain from raising on the Second Act. Even if you have some of the books, covers have been redesigned and new titles added. Titles available are are:The Amish Cook Cookbook , The Best of the Amish Cook Vol. 1 ,The Best of the Amish Cook Vol. 2, The Best of the Amish Cook Vol. 3 , The Best of the Amish Cook Vol. 4, The Amish Cook Treasury,The Amish Cook’s Everything but the Kitchen Sink Book, The Amish Cook Family Favorites and Facts ,The Amish Recipe Project, An Amish Christmas and Rebecca at the Beach by Kevin Williams. And I’m going to give you as many tools possible to cast your vote:

Titles available are are:The Amish Cook Cookbook , The Best of the Amish Cook Vol. 1 ,The Best of the Amish Cook Vol. 2, The Best of the Amish Cook Vol. 3 , The Best of the Amish Cook Vol. 4, The Amish Cook Treasury,The Amish Cook’s Everything but the Kitchen Sink Book, The Amish Cook Family Favorites and Facts ,The Amish Recipe Project, An Amish Christmas and Rebecca at the Beach by Kevin Williams. And I’m going to give you as many ordering tools as possible to cast your vote:

The 11 book softcover set is now available for 50 percent off their usual price. The price for all 11 softcover book is $119 (shipping included) or any 5 titles for $75 (shipping included) from now through May 31. PHONE: Order books with credit card by calling .

ONLINE: Visit www.oasisnewsfeatures.com/cookbooks SNAIL MAIL: Or mail order to Oasis Newsfeatures, PO BOX 157, Middletown, Ohio 45042 All orders ship within 24 hours from Amazon. Have a backorder or question about an order? call .

Orders will ship within 24 hours of receiving. Questions about a backorder? write to the above address or email