Amish Country Blog

I went to the Shipshewana Flea Market for the first time in a few years. I didn’t realize that the entrance was only on SR 5. That was a little strange. And then they have signs to show you which way parking is, but no exit signs. I realize that most people don’t want to exit the Flea Market, but they should have an exit path.

I don’t mind going to the Flea Market, but finding the bargains isn’t my idea of fun.

However, I did stumble on the flowers and the fresh produce of the market. I didn’t realize that the Flea Market had flowers and fresh produce. I bought red, yellow and orange peppers for a dollar. I found grapes the size of golf balls. There was fresh rhubarb, although a little late in the season, and Michigan asparagus. I was impressed with the quality and quantity of the fresh produce.

I also loved the plants. There were lots of hanging plants, and I loved seeing all the geranium and pansies in the baskets. Earlier in the season, I was looking for a hanging plant, but I couldn’t find any. But I found four different baskets I liked, but couldn’t decide what one would work best. I’m going to go back soon and actually buy one.

So when you visit the Flea Market, take some time to find the produce and the plants. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Specialist

I was pulling out my purse yesterday, and noticed that I should switch bags. I have a couple for fall and winter, and one for summer. Looking at my summer bag, I realized that I need a new summer purse. My summer one is a little dirty—there was stuff I tried to get off, and ruined a patch of fabric. So, I started my search, and found out about the Elkhart Bags.

These bags are beautiful, and the price is great! The average bag sells from $35 to $45. In order to help employees keep their jobs, Decorator Industries has started making handbags from cancelled orders of fabric. And since the fabric is from cancelled orders, the bag you fall in love with will probably be a limited edition, or one of a kind. I can’t wait to get one!

With Mother’s Day coming up, I can’t imagine a better gift than an Elkhart Bag. Right now, I know you can find them at the Cinnamon Stick, the Das Dutchman Essenhaus Country Store in Middlebury, and the Wakarusa Dime Store in Wakarusa. So when you are out and about in Amish Country, buy an Elkhart Bag. Send us a picture of the new bag you bought, and let us know where you found it.

Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana contributor and Visitor Center Travel Specialist

I’m starting to see people coming back to Amish Country.  The pace is picking up in the Visitor Center and the  Heritage Trail driving tour CD and map are popular.  It’s fun to watch! I have a few things that I need to tell you about Amish Country before you come to help make your trip a little easier.

First is that you need to begin early and stop early.  Amish Country is a farming community at heart, and we get up with the sun, and close down as the sun is starting to set.  If you want to visit shops, or visit businesses, or go to a museum, plan your day for a 9am to 6pm.  You can always start earlier, but just keep that 6pm close time in your mind.  Restaurants do stay open later.

If you want to learn about the Amish, the best place to go is Menno-Hof in Shipshewana.  They are dedicated to telling the Amish and Mennonite story.

Great food is abundant in Amish Country.  Pack a cooler so you can keep all your food purchases fresh. Driving the Heritage Trail is the best way to take in Amish Country, and it takes 3 and a half hours if you follow the audio tour and don’t stop.  It will take most of your day if you want to make stops…and well worth it!  You should plan on making at least a few stops on your way.  And don’t forget to bring your camera.  There are lots of great photo opportunities in Amish Country.

So have fun when you’re out and about in Amish Country, and I hope you enjoy your stay.

Have you driven the Heritage Trail audio tour? Let us know. Leave your comment

Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor

It’s back to below 0 degree temps this morning in Amish Country.  I’m cold, my hands are cold, and my feet are tingling.  I need a heavy sweater that will keep me warm, but I don’t like sweaters. This is also the week that my 89 year old grandmother is visiting.  Thank goodness she’s leaving here and going to Texas after this week, to get some sun and warmth.  But she wants to go visiting and shopping, in weather that’s not going to get up past 20 degrees.  And did I mention that she has a leg injury, and she still wants to go shopping.

She has a friend whose granddaughter is having a baby, so we need a baby gift.  Baby gifts that are under x amount of dollars, because she never spends more than x amount.  And so when we go out, it has to be somewhere warm, and has a lot of options, and then needs to fulfill her budget.  She can’t spend time walking outside because it’s still cold and icy in most places.  I don’t like going to big box stores, but my usual spots are not quite right for bitter cold winter days.

So we may end up going to Concord Mall.  There’s a wonderful place to get pretzels, called Ben’s Soft Pretzels.  (If you read my blogs, you know that Mina loves her pretzels.)  We can go shop for something for the baby, and we’ll find something there that will fit her budget.  We’ll have lunch and then go home.  I may even break down and buy a sweater.  It will be a good way to spend our morning.

So don’t forget our inside places when trying to brave the cold in Amish Country.
- Mindy Engle, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor

It’s the holiday season in Amish Country. Everybody is getting ready for big holiday celebrations, and the snow is coming down to help keep us all in the holiday mood. There is so much to celebrate during this season, and when you come to Amish Country Northern Indiana, you’ll find a majority of handmade and homemade gifts. But there is one gift that I feel I really have to talk about.

I’ve heard several people who visited Amish Country say that handmade quilts are too expensive. They would rather buy something cheaper in a catalogue. I think that people don’t understand handmade quilts. The quilt you buy in the catalogue is a cover for your bed. Homemade quilts are unique pieces of artwork. With proper care they will last for generations.

A great quilt is a piece of artwork. You need to decide that what the function of the quilt is going to be. Is it going to hang on a wall or is it going to go on a bed?  What kind of statement are making with your quilt? Do you want a custom design, or a traditional design? Is it going to make a bold statement, or a simple statement? And what do you want the quilt to say about you? You should think a little bit about each of these statements before you look to buy a quilt. 

I am lucky that I own one of Shirley Shenk’s crib quilts from Quilt Designs, at the Old Bag Factory in Goshen. Shirley is one of the area’s gifted quilters. She does unique and custom designs for her quilts. My husband presented me with the quilt on our second anniversary, when we found out that we were going to have our first baby. (It just so happens the second anniversary traditional gift is cotton)  We put it up in the baby’s room, and it makes the room feel warm and inviting.  I love that quilt, and I know that Mina will love that quilt, and that her children will love that quilt. 

So when you come to Amish Country, look at our quilts, and talk to our quilters. They love their work, they take pride in their work, and they would be glad to piece a quilt together for you.  A handmade quilt is great gift to give someone (or yourself) this holiday season.

-Mindy, Amish Count Northern Indiana Contributor

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is seeing what downtown cities do for Christmas decorations.  No matter how big or small, it seems like no city wants to be left out.  There are usually lamppost decorated, and lights on building.  Some have a town Christmas tree.  Businesses generally have decorations in their windows.  This is a great time of year, and this weekend Goshen is the place to be.

On November 15 and 16, The Old Bag Factory, in Goshen, is hosting its annual Renaissance of the Arts Festival.  Check out times on our events calendar.  There will be musicians, family activities, and guest artists.   

Outside, a forge will be burning as blade smithies create medieval style instruments.  That would make a very unique gift for your hard to shop for person.  There will be activities for children along with artist demonstrations for everyone. A variety of tasty treats will be available this year with special menu items at the Trolley Cafe and other specialty foods, and a roomful of model train displays will be on-site and running. Members of the local train club will be on hand to answer questions.  The Old Bag Factory is a great place to shop for that hard to find gift, and this weekend should be a great time to gather all those items in one place.

On November 16^th from noon to 5pm, downtown Goshen will be hosting its holiday open house.  Downtown business will be opening their doors for early Christmas shoppers. This annual event helps kickoff the holiday season for Goshen. There will be carolers, string musicians, carriage rides.  Santa will even show up at Goshen Floral from noon to 4pm.  For a great meal, stop at Kelly Jay’s. 

So this weekend, come out and discover Goshen!

Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor

It is going to be a beautiful week in Amish Country Northern Indiana! NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmostpheric Administration, pronounced Noah) says we’re supposed to have temps in the 70’s and it will be sunny until Thursday night.  For those of you who come to Amish Country this week, go drive the Heritage Trail, it will be a great time to be out and about. Start early and enjoy a leisurely pace as you go. Everyone on the trail needs to stop at Bonneyville Mill and enjoy being outside for a long period of time. Stretch your legs, fill your lungs with fresh air, and then get on the trail again. 

Stop at the Essenhaus for that handmade and homemade gift. This is one of my favorite places to shop for someone who already has a lot of stuff, and would like something with more thought put into the gift. Also you can head on over to Honeyville and take pictures of some beautiful farms and landscape. In Goshen, stop at the Old Bag Factory and find that perfect item for that hard to buy person on your Christmas list.  I love coming here and looking a dreaming about all the things that I would love to buy. Then head on to Nappanee. By this time, you’re going to want a snack, so stop at the Dairy Queen.  This restaurant was destroyed by the tornado, and was finally rebuilt earlier this year. They bring your food out to your table.  How great is that! Then, as you just think that you can’t be that car any longer (because it going to be so nice), get out and about in Wakarusa. Enjoy the small town atmosphere. Eat at Cook’s Pizza, and find some take along candy at the Wakarusa Dime Store.  When you head back to Elkhart, go walk the Riverwalk and exercise off all the food you ate. It will be a great day.

If you like, go to the web site at Amish Country.org, and take the virtual Heritage Trail.  You can find it by following this link amishcountry.org/heritage.trail.

Have a great time being out and about in Amish Country this week.

Mindy – Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor

If you love bidding on antiques and collectibles or hunting for that perfect treasure you need to head over to Borkholder Dutch Village in Nappanee! Don’t miss the weekly auction and flea market every Tuesday at 8am and the monthly Grocery Auction the first Friday of each month at 5pm. Other fun sales and swap meets including a Mega Garage Sale/Flea Market and Dutch Market Days take place on special date throughout the year!

While you’re there be sure to enjoy an Amish cooked breakfast and lunch at the world famous Dutch Kitchen. Its really fun to order one of their “old-fashioned” fountain drinks and get a scrumptious ice cream treat for dessert! More

It is Christmastime in Amish Country and Santa is stopping by to find out what all the good little boys and girls have on thier Wish Lists.

Santa will be visiting Shipshewana this weekend on Saturday morning. He will also be at American Countryside Farmers Market on Friday evening and Saturday during the day.

Sleigh Rides are available as well in both locations. Whether is snow or not you can get out there and enjoy a brisk ride in a horse drawn sleigh to catch a bit of the Christmas spirit. You may also catch a glimpse of Santa’s Reindeer, get your photo taken and feed them a few reindeer treats.

Leave the Cooking, Cleaning and Daily Routine Behind!

Plan a Girlfriends Getaway in Amish Country. This is the perfect time of year for the girls getaway! Shop till you drop, scrapbook, catch up on all the gossip! Share rooms, laughs and memories.

Shops around the area are packed full of great gift ideas. Most stay open later on weekend nights throughout the Christmas shopping season, offering special holiday open houses and sales. Come experience Christmas shopping in a laid back atmosphere. Its is a wonderful way to experience all the sights and sounds of the season.

Das Dutchman Essenhaus has The Girlfriends Getaway Packages available October 21, 2007 through the New Year. Chat with your friends, pick a date, and call the Reservations Coordinator at 800-455-9471 (x550) for additional details or information OR to book your reservation. Ask about special add ons such as massages and pedicures.