Ohio Amish Country Experiences

Volume 02
Issue 10

November 2010

Dear Ohio Amish Country Enthusiast,

There are two "problems" with fall here in Northeast Ohio. The first is that it is far too short lived. The second is that it ushers in - winter.

In late summer and early fall, the colors start to sneak up on you. Then, all of a sudden, all the trees and underbrush are ablaze with vivid, vibrant colors. The beauty can hardly be described.

You blink and the next thing you know - most of the leaves are on the ground being swept, swirled and buffeted by the wind. Blink again and the sky presents ominous, foreboding clouds announcing the imminence of winter!

This year, there didn't seem to be quite as much of the bright red and burgundy foliage as other years. However, the yellow, orange and gold colors seemed exceptionally brilliant, especially when accented by the sun against a crisp blue sky.

The weather was a bit of a mixed bag - extreme temperature swings and periods of intense rain with harsh winds followed by beautifully sunny, warm and mild days.

Not sure if we actually had an old-fashioned, Indian summer or not, but the temperatures of late have been basically warm and mild considering it's the end of October, beginning of November.

The Ohio Swiss Festival in Sugarcreek, Ohio, Charm Days in Charm, Ohio and the Covered Bridge Festival in Ashtabula County, along with other fall events, were quite successful and well attended this year.

Now, attention is being focused on finishing the harvest, preparing for Thanksgiving and getting ready for winter. Speaking of Thanksgiving, we are aware of one place that will be open on Thanksgiving Day.

If you'd like to spend Thanksgiving in Ohio Amish Country - what better place to gather with friends and family? Consider going to the Amish Door Village in Wilmot, Ohio. They have a beautiful inn, and their restaurant will be featuring a Thanksgiving Day special.

Interested? Check out our featured establishment below! _________________________________________________________________

In this issue we'll be highlighting:

Our Feature of the Month - The Amish Door Village

The Tip of the Month - Great Fall Photos!

A - Featured Recipe of the Month - Dinner Rolls

And as always Monthly Events - Find out what's happening - where and when in Ohio Amish Country.

_________________________________________________________________

The Amish Door Village

A favorite destination of ours in Stark County is tucked into the southwest corner of the county just before you enter Holmes County.

It is the Amish Door Village and is located at 1210 Winesburg Street on US 62 in Wilmot, Ohio.

They boast a luxurious 52 room inn with beautiful country views, fitness room, indoor pool & hot tub, conference room and complimentary continental breakfast.

Family owned and operated by the Miller family since 1977, their restaurant features an award winning restaurant with traditional and Amish kitchen cooking and a choice of menu or family-style dining.

They have wholesome entertainment, Dinner Theaters, Gospel Dinner Concerts, Comedy Dinner Shows, Mystery Dinner Theaters and more.

They also have a bakery on site serving up wonderful Amish-style baked goods.

The shops at The Amish Door include the Gallery with framed art, jewelry, scrapbooking and gifts. The Country Loft features country gifts, accessories and home décor.

The Wooden Toy Shop sells toys, games, books, dolls and much more.

Grandma's Pantry and Ice Cream Parlor offers a wide selection of bulk foods, mixes, spices, kitchen accessories and hand-dipped ice cream.

For more information visit their site. _________________________________________________________________

Great Fall Photos!

Since not everyone has a chance to visit Ohio Amish Country in the Fall, we thought our "tip of the month" could be your "trip of the month."

So we decided to share a few of our own photos of beautiful Northeast Ohio in the fall. We don't claim to be professional photographers but we hope that you'll "catch our vision" of Ohio Amish Country.

Maybe you'll like it well enough to determine that next year you will make that trip and come see the beauty while you can. Don't forget to get your map before you come!

And . . . for those of you who did make it to Ohio Amish Country this fall - if you happened to snap any photos you'd like to pass along, please submit them here so others can share your experience as well - thanks!

_________________________________________________________________

Featured Recipe of the Month

Dinner Rolls

Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup milk
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
dash of salt
2 eggs, beaten
4 1/2 cups flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar and baking powder. Let set for 20 minutes. Scald milk. Add butter, sugar and salt. Cool, then add eggs. Add yeast mixture. Mix in flour. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Roll out 2 hours before serving and shape either as butterhorns or pinwheels in muffin pans. Let rise until double. Bake at 400° for 10-15 minutes. Brush with melted butter. Makes 2 dozen.

Dinner Roll Recipe given by Ina Kline.

Enjoy this recipe? Want more? Amish Wedding Foods publishes a cookbook called The Amish Wedding Story & Cookbook with over 300 favorite Amish Recipes.

Only $10.98 Click here for more information.

Calendar of Events

November Events:

November 1 - December 13

Holiday Passport Tour
Chance to win! Free - 3 Holiday Suitcases filled with gifts valued at over $500. Travel through Middlefield's countryside and visit all 19 of the listed shops with your official passport, receive a stamp from each location listed for a chance to win. Enter at any Christmas in the Country shop. More info at Country Arts & Jewelry 440-632-5343 or Vancura Gallery 440-632-1124. Suitcases full of prizes will be displayed at the Middlefield Cheese House.

November 4

Shutterbugs Camera Club
Exercise your creativity with monthly photo assignments. Learn tips, tricks and new techniques. All skill levels welcome. Group meets the first Thursday of each month. Geauga Park District - The West Woods Nature Center.

November 6 & 7

Discover Alpacas Eighth Annual Weekend Event & Farm Tour
Alpaca Fiber arts display along with alpacas. Camel, llama, & guanacos also on display. Events throughout the weekend. Fiber and clothing available for sale. Refreshments available. Free to the entire family! Slatetop Alpacas 440-543-4403.

November 7

Meet the Artists: Hillcrest Art Guild
View diverse nature-themed work from dozens of artists representing eighteen communities from the eastern suburbs of Cleveland. Refreshments served. Artwork on display through January 10th. Geauga County Park District - The West Woods Nature Center.

November 11 - 13

Annual Christmas Open House at Berlin Village Gift Barn and Country Gatherings
Berlin Village Gift Barn and Country Gatherings, 4755 SR 39, Berlin, Ohio 44610. Call 330-893-2648 or 330-893-1174 for more information.

November 12 & 19

Fish Fry Friday's
Friday Night Fish Fry every Friday October 1, 2010 thru April 29, 2011. Except Holiday weeks (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years) Serving 5:30 pm till 7:30 pm Fraternal Order of Eagles Chardon Area Woman's Auxiliary 440-286-9921.

November 13

Turkey Dinner
Turkey Dinner, $10.00 donation, Chardon Eagles Ladies Auxiliary, 440-286-9921.

November 18

Maple Town Tune Traders Jam Session
Singers and musicians: come share songs each month. Acoustic, gently amplified instruments, & vocals welcome. Hot beverages available. Snacks to share welcome. Geauga Park District - The West Woods Nature Center.

November 20

Wooly Holiday Ornament
Join folk artist Rebekah Smith for an introduction to the art of wool appliqués. Participants will create a nature-inspired ornament featuring birds, leaves & berries or snowflakes from hand-dyed repurposed wool. Ages 15 . $18 fee per person when registering. $15 materials fee payable to instructor on date of program. Pre-registration required after 9/20/10. Geauga Park District - The West Woods Nature Center.

November 20-December 25

Cut Your Own Christmas Tree
Ruetenik Farms, Zoar, Ohio 44697. Hours: 8 am.-6 pm. Daily. Call 330-874-2688 for more information.

November 20 - December 31

Holidays at the Mansion
Victorian House Museum, 484 Wooster Road, Millersburg, Ohio 44654. Call 330-674-0022 for more information.

November 21

Holiday Shopping Tours - Yankee
A Special 6-hour Holiday shopping tour in Geauga County. This Small Group Guided tour to out-of-the-way places you might not know about. Great prices! We will ride in a bus that holds only 18. (Yankee means that these are non-Amish shops.) Goodwin House Bed & Breakfast.

November 26

Christmas in the Village
Downtown Sugarcreek, Ohio 44681. Call 888-609-7592 for more information.

November 26 - 30

Christmas Tree Sales
Cut your own, pre-cut, & balled and burlap trees. Colorado Blue & Norway Spruce, White & Scotch Pine, Cannan & Fraiser Fir. Wreathes, roping, swags, boughs, bows, maple syrup & candy. Free tree shaking and baling available. Rhodes Sisters Christmas Trees, 440-636-5498.

November 26 - 28

Fowlers Mill Store Open House
Fowler's Milling Store Open House on the 3 days following Thanksgiving, Sample Specialty Foods and Order Holiday Gifts. Fowler’s Milling Company, 440-286-2024, 800-321-2024.

_________________________________________________________________

Well, guess that's all for now - hope you find this news helpful and as exciting as we do.

Trust also that you'll have a great Ohio Amish Country Experience - real soon!

Best Regards,

Stuart & Norma Watson