Ohio Amish Country Entertainment 28 May 2012, 6:56 am
When visiting Ohio's Amish Country, guests of the Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast are sometimes left wondering what there is to do after 5 p.m. when most of the shops close down for the night. Actually, Holmes County is central to many activities going on in surrounding counties!New to Holmes County will be the Amish Country Theater. It will be held at the old flea market building between Berlin and Walnut Creek and will host performances every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $19.95 for adults and $9.95 for children. There will also be a new musical held in Sugarcreek called The Confession. It will be based on the novels of best-selling author, Beverly Lewis. Adult Tickets Monday - Thursday are $34.50 each; Friday & Saturday $36.50. Kids, ages 6 -12 Monday - Thursday are $17.50; Friday & Saturday $19.50. Performances will be held at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The Barn Inn is packaging this tickets along with our room sales, so be sure to mention the musicals at the time of booking!
Wayne County has the Ohio Light Opera performed at Freelander's Theater at the College of Wooster, which is about 20 miles North. The season runs from June 16 - August 11, 2012 They offer a variety of performances throughout the week and weekend at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $48 for adults, $20 for students and $10 for children.
| The Guy C. Myers Memorial Band Shell |
In Tuscarawas County, 35 miles to the east, there are many forms of entertainement including 2 amphitheaters and Kent State University's Performing Art Center. Ticket prices and shows here vary from family events, musical and broadway shows, and more! Another exciting event is Trumpet in the Land. These performances are about life on the frontier in Ohio during the Revolutionary War. Shows begin June 13, 2012 and run through August 25, 2012 with performance times at 8:30 p.m. Ticket prices are as follows: Adults- $17, Seniors- $15 and Children- $8.
Amish Country Lodging Council Visit Troyer's Trail Bologna 23 May 2012, 10:03 pm
Today I had the pleasure of joining the Amish Country Lodging Council as we visited some of the area's leading businesses, among them was Troyer's Trail Bologna, now operated by 4th generation descendents of Michael Troyer, who in 1912 established the business. This year marks the 100th anniversary in the production of specially seasoned, hickory-smoked, cured beef bologna, a prized "Staple" in Holmes County.Visit Troyer's restaurant/store, built in 1933, where you will find old-fashioned round seats that turn on a post. Treat yourself to a hot Trail Bologna and Swiss Cheese sandwich and enjoy a soda and some munchies. It's a nostalgic place to take your grandchildren to show them how it "Used to be."
Exciting news is that soon Troyer's Trail Bologna will open to national sales with the conversion to newer equipment which will offer greater efficiency and the establishment of a Federal inspection program.
Our tour took us to the Amish Home at Yoders and businesses in the Winesburg, Ohio area. Plan a trip to Holmes County Ohio with a stay at the Millersburg, Ohio, Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast, where the owners share area information to their guests at breakfast time.
Submitted by Loretta Coblentz
May 24, 2012
Ohio Amish Country Greenhouses 18 May 2012, 6:40 am
Spring has sprung, which means it is time again to plant all of the beautiful flowers, work in the gardens and get our lawns looking just right. It is time once again to visit the many greenhouses that Ohio Amish Country has to offer.Berlin Seeds is located just outside of Berlin on County Road 77. They carry a wide variety of herb plants, strawberry plants, native fruit and nut trees, berry bushes, grass seed, pasture mix, wildflower mix, cover crops, and more.
Unfortunately, Raber's Greenhouse in Berlin is closing this year. They are having a large sale on any remaining merchandise they have. However, just down the road towards Millersburg is the Petal Path. This will be the third year they have been open and they carry flowers, hanging baskets, vegetables, etc.
Bowman's Greenhouse, located in Fredericksburg, sells organic vegetable plants. They are open only in the Spring season. Yoder's Produce is another great place to find vegetable plants for your garden. Fredericksburg Greenhouse & Nursery and R&K Flowers are also located in Fredericksburg. They carry a large selection of flowers and plants.
You will also find a lot of people selling plant starts from their homes and various businesses. Holmes County is a wonderful place to find small home businesses for almost anything like eggs, baskets, fruit and more.
Stay at The Barn Inn, a bed and breakfast located in the heart of Amish Country, and find all of the beautiful flowers your home needs as well as vegetables and fruit for your gardens and the right fertilizers to take care of all of your plant needs.
Amish Country Theater comes to Holmes County 8 May 2012, 8:40 pm
New to Holmes County for the 2012 season is the Amish Country Theater. Beginning on May 24, 2012 this musical will be held in the old flea market located between Berlin and Walnut Creek. It has been completely renovated to resemble an Amish Barn where the barnyard is the lobby and the hen house is a gift shop. Local talent will provide the acting, including two audience-interactive Amish stand-up comedians.Opening May 24, 2012, performances will be Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and on Saturdays performances will show at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. All performances are family friendly and suitable for all ages. Tickets are $19.95 for adults and $9.95 for children ages 3-11. Children 2 and under are free. Group rates are available for parties of 20 or more adults. The show will run through October 27, 2012.
The Millersburg, Ohio Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast, located just 9 miles from the theater, will be selling tickets for the performances. Book your stay with us and receive a complimentary, full country breakfast before exploring Holmes County and attending this fun show!
Submitted by Loretta Coblentz
May 8, 2012
The Confession Musical Theatre in Ohio Amish Country 1 May 2012, 7:10 pm
The Confession, a captivating musical theatre production portraying the life of Katie Lapp will be presented in Ohio's Amish Country June 7, 2012 through December 15, 2012, with matinee and evening shows. Last week I had the privilege of previewing this outstanding musical when I and about 45 other persons traveled to Indiana to view it. The music is professional, the acting outstanding, and the production itself was absolutely wonderful! The script was written by Martha Bolton, a Dove Award winner who is best known for her work with Bob Hope, Mark Lowry, Jeffa Allen, President Ronald Reagan, Phyllis Diller, and others.Based on novels by best-selling author, Beverly Lewis, The Confession Musical is the story of a young Amish woman whose life is tangled with secrets, scandal, love lost and love found, heartache, and healing. The story is incredibly relavent and, in many ways is reflective of the kinds of things that could, and sometimes happen in the Amish culture.
We at the Millersburg, Ohio, Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast are delighted to announce that we are packaging tickets to this musical with overnight stays at the inn. For years people have been wanting something to do after hours. This is now something special to do after 6 p.m.!
Adult Tickets Monday - Thursday are $34.50 each; Friday & Saturday $36.50.
Kids, ages 6 -12 Monday - Thursday are $17.50; Friday & Saturday $19.50
| Standard Deluxe Room at The Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast |
Submitted by Loretta Coblentz
May 1, 2012
Ohio Amish Country Annual Dandelion Festival Event 23 Apr 2012, 6:06 pm
Plan another fun Event in Ohio Amish Country, where on May 4 and 5, 2012, Breitenbach Wine Cellars will be hosting the 19th Annual Dandelion Festival. There you will find the Great Dandelion Cookoff where 15 finalists are chosen, competing using their best recipes made from dandelion flowers. The cookoff will take place on Saturday and guests are welcome to try samples after the winners are announced. Cookbooks will be available for sale.Tempting your senses will be a wide variety of products to try such as sausages, mushroom soup, jellies, lasagna, and ice cream all using, you guessed it, dandelions! Breitenbach will be using an old German recipe to make dandelion wine as well as dandelion gravy over mashed potatoes.
You'll find the most unusual - arts, crafts, and jewelry made out of the little weed. Items such as windchimes, candles and soap will be offered. There will be plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained as well, such as a scavenger hunt and a dandelion picking contest. Festivities will be held on Friday from noon until 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Stay at the Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast, located just 20 miles west of Breitenbach Wine cellars, and receive a full country breakfast before leaving for the day.
Submitted by Loretta Coblentz
April 23, 2012
Ohio Amish Country Discount Grocery Stores 19 Apr 2012, 8:00 pm
The Amish, a people of thriftiness, save money by shopping at local discount grocery stores as well as other discount outlet shops throughout the county. Scattered throughout Ohio's Amish Country are bulk food and dented can stores where salvage foods, paper products, cleaning supplies, and many other useful products are offered at remarkable savings. For the Amish, whose travel is by horse and buggy, such a "Convenience Store" is most appreciated. Imagine if you needed something and you had to hitch up a horse and buggy and travel 6 or 8 miles to get what you needed. The more liberal of the Amish hire van drivers to take them shopping; however, stricter sects are not so privileged.Here is only a partial listing of some of the discount grocers who typically also incorporate bulk foods in their stock, or even other salvage goods. You will notice that the Amish do not always clarify addresses and locations, because, after all, this is a close-knit community and everybody knows everybody. If you want to shop where the Amish shop, a drive to some of these stores will offer you a great opportunity to interact with them, save money, and get a closer glimpse into the Amish way of living. All Amish stores are closed on Sunday.
Cardinal Hill Grocery, 8221 CR 192 Holmesville
Country Hills, 8229 CR 201, Fredericksburg
Country Salvage Ltd., 9420 Kidron Rd, Apple Creek
German Village Market, 4933 W. Main St., Berlin (behind Sol's Craft Mall)
J & F Discount Groceries, (Joe & Fannie Bowman) 1 1/2 mi. SW Mt. Hope
Maple Valley Bulk Foods, 2430 TR 183, Baltic, closed Wednesday & Sunday
Miller Bent & Dent Groceries, (Daniel & Esther Miller) 3953 Twp Rd 414, Dundee,
2 mi north of Berlin off Rt. 62, closed Thursday & Sunday
Pleasant Hill Bulk Foods, 3577 TR 606, Fredericksburg, closed Thursday & Sunday
Prairie Lane Market, 7841 CR 373, Big Prairie, closed Thursday & Sunday
Route 62 Bent N' Dent, 1295 US Rt 62
Weaver Basic Foods, 8439 TR 527, Shreve
Weaver Ridge Surplus, 2495 CR 168, Near Trail
| Holmes Country Room at The Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast |
Submitted by Loretta Coblentz
April 19, 2012
Amish Community Work Ethic and Recreation 17 Apr 2012, 5:10 pm
In the Amish community, work is a virtue and idleness is shunned. They often say, "An idle mind is the devils workshop." Amish adults teach their children to work hard, to enjoy the work, and the satisfaction derived from a job well done. Hard work is not a part of the Ordnung; but rather is a distinctive trait of the culture. We have witnessed parents start up a side business to provide employment for their children. One particular family who had several daughters opened a dinner hall where they served Amish meals to bus tours. The primary purpose was not for added income, but to provide work for the girls.In the Amish society cooperative work provides opportunity for socialization. When we moved back to Ohio, my Amish sister-in-laws invited me to "Ladies Day." In other circles, this might be tea and crumpets. When I asked about Ladies Day, I learned it was a day that all of the sister-in-laws go to one of the sister's house and wash her windows, walls, floors, and whatever deep cleaning might be found to do. Each lady takes a dish of food. A lot of fun and fellowship is had while getting a big job done. Recreation and socialization combine in such a way that it doesn't seem like work.
At this local local barnraising, below, the barn was being built for a business, not as a result of a fire. It was a new business venture. The Amish came out by the hundreds and did a barnraising simply for the socialization and fun! I was told their labor was all donated, as is customary.
| Barn Raising in Holmes County Ohio |
Amish people see worldly children participate in activities such as dance and music lessons, baseball games, 4-H, reading, movies, and recreation of all types. This would be viewed by the Amish as irresponsible parenting. By the time an Amish child is grown, he or she has learned to enjoy work as much or more than play. Typically non-Amish teenagers work toward the main goal of earning money. Amish teenagers work because they have been taught the value of a job well done and truly enjoy it. A 16 year old girl who worked for us here at our Millersburg, Ohio, Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast, asked to have off every Friday because she washes her mother's windows each week. How many "Worldly" girls would want to be sure to be home to wash their mother's windows?
| Dutch Blitz Game |
On those occasions when Amish engage in recreation, the main physical sport is volleyball, and they compete fiercely. The girls are as aggressive as the boys. A table game that is frequently played is Dutch Blitz, a Pennsylvania Dutch game that can be purchased at Lehman's Hardware or other Amish stores. The Amish do not play card games with typical worldy playing cards.
Submitted by Loretta Coblentz
April 17, 2012
Downtown Millersburg Hosts PJ Party 13 Apr 2012, 1:58 pm
The Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast, only 3 miles from Historic Downtown Millersburg, encourages guests to participate in the second annual Pajama party taking place at various merchant locations in Millersburg on Saturday, April 14, 2012. Ten stores will be open from 7-11 p.m. and those wearing their pj's will receive discounts as well as other goodies hosted by each store. All stores will close at 5 p.m. and will reopen for the sale. Some of these shops will be open on Sunday as well.Some participating stores are:
Starlight Antiques
Shaker House Antiques
Jackson Street Gallery
Amish Country Essentials
Young's Uniforms and Scrubs
Three Feathers Pewter
Pioneer Loft
Bookworms Cafe
Mama Bear's Coffee Shop
Mohican Wildlife Weekend 9 Apr 2012, 8:10 am
From April 27-29, 2012, Mohican State Park will be hosting their 11th annual Wildlife Weekend. The theme this year will be predators of Ohio and the keynote speaker will be Scott Peters from the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Activities span a 30 mile area reaching from the Mohican State Park in Loudonville to the Ohio Bird Sanctuary in Mansfield. Participants can choose the presentations and avtivities they wish to attend as well as the places they would like to visit.Activities begin at 4 p.m. on Friday at the Mohican State Park Resort. A short hike will give participants a chance to view different types of birds. At 6 p.m. a welcome reception will be held where guests can register for special activities on during the weekend. The activities continue throughout the weekend with presentations about birds, bats, snakes, and other predators found in Ohio. The last presentation will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Other recreational features will be offered; nature walks, campfires, wagon rides, and more. Brunch will be offered Saturday from 9 a.m. until noon. The cost for adults will be $7, children ages 5-10 will be $5, and children 4 and under are free. All other meal arrangements must be made by the participants. Find a complete listing of events at mohicanwildlifeweekend.com or by calling 800-642-8282.
Within a 20 minute drive, you will find lodging accomodations, a delicious breakfast, and welcoming hospitatlity at The Barn Inn Bed and Breakfast.
