Who would believe that we could be at a rally in central Ohio, in one of the largest Amish/Mennonite communities in the nation, during the peak of the Fall Foliage? Thanks to Bud and Rosalyn Odom for arranging it so that we could do just that! Talk about natural beauty…we have not seen such green grass, beautiful flowers and colorful foliage in quite a while, and we really enjoyed this feast for the eyes. 

We all arrived at Scenic Hills RV Park in Millersburg, Ohio within a few minutes of each other, except for John and DeAnna Brandon, who had arrived a couple of days early. We had 14 rigs; Odoms, Brians, James H. Smiths, James R. Smiths, Brandons, Bassetts (Roger and Carol), Gambles, Langs, Lunts, Moreaus, Schenks, Wellocks, Adams (Walt and Sue),  and Rigneys. After getting set up and getting our bearings, we all set out for Der Dutchman for dinner in nearby Walnut Creek. They are famous for their chicken and Amish comfort foods. We saw many Amish buggies and beautiful horses along the back roads on the way there. The back roads were definitely the best way to see the local color (trees and people)!

At 7:30 Saturday morning, we were waiting at Miller's Bakery for their famous hot apple fritters and cinnamon twists. Then we drove to Charm, OH for Charm Days—a typical Amish village festival with horse games, flea market and auction. We went to Keim's Lumber and Hardware to see their rare lumber collection. We pigged out on barbecue chicken, ice cream and kettle corn. After resting for awhile, most of us went to the horse auction in Mt. Hope.  There were some beautiful trotters being auctioned off for big bucks!

On Sunday, after Bud and Polk made pancakes, we went to a liberal Mennonite Church in Berlin, and were just in time for the foot washing service (which I believe was only a once in awhile thing), but the service itself was very familiar to most Christians and we enjoyed it immensely. Then we left for Dover, OH, to explore the Warther Museum. Mooney Warther was a “whittler” turned “carver” who had to be a genius, as evidenced by his many carvings of trains, canes and postcards (that's right, made of wood, with the words carved on)!  He is best known for his carving of the Abraham Lincoln Funeral Train of 1865. He also made knives, which are still sold by the family today. His wife, Freida, was a button collector and an artist in her own right. Afterwards, all enjoyed dinner at Texas Road House.

On Monday, we left early for a tour of the Heini Cheese Factory. We learned how cheese was first made by travelers in the Middle Ages as they crossed the desert on camels, and the milk accidentally churned itself. We bought cheese and dips and Amish treats and got to taste them all. Next, we went to the Apple Barn and watched them sort and press apples for cider. We shopped at a Bulk Store, while some sampled sandwiches and ice cream at Mudd Valley Creamery. We still ate lunch after that at Boyd's in Berlin and shopped for quilts and baskets. Mid-afternoon, we went to John Miller's family farm to see horses being shod, pick out pumpkins, ghords and onions and to taste and buy apple butter that Linda Brian and Rosalyn Odom had helped to “stir” several days earlier. Amanda and Aden Miller welcomed us into their modest, clean home and we enjoyed meeting them and Aden's parents, John and Mary. Mary was busy quilting for a local vendor. Amanda raised 12 children on this farm!

On Tuesday, after eggs and ham at the Odom's, we left for Mt. Hope to attend the vegetable auction. Pumpkins, mums, squash, green beans, corn cob wreaths, and every other vegetable you can imagine were being auctioned off!  Some of us later drove to Canton to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, to Wendall August's Forge to buy beautiful hand-forged pewter pieces, and to see Lehman's Hardware in Kidron, which was amazing because of the numerous hardware pieces and tools that were available in one place!

The following day we said goodbye to the Rigneys, the Schenks, and the Adams (the Gambles had left earlier), and the remaining 10 rigs of us set off for Lexington, KY.  It was a 5+ hour drive, but we all made it okay, and Fletcher and Karen Christian were already there waiting to meet us. 

By:  Gail Smith

Viewing the film at the Warther Museum	Watching cheese being made at Hieni's Cheese Factory	Have you ever seen so many huge pumpkins in one place?
Ken about to cross the street at the Millers' farm.  We bought apple butter there.	Hosts, Odoms and Brians, at breakfast one morning.	A view of the apple barn which we visited.  The couple are not members

picture credit: Linda Brian