Visit Amish Country Ohio
Buggy Talk

April 2014

Celebrate Easter with a Helicopter Egg Drop

Learn to Cook from the Best at Walnut Creek Cheese

“Phen-mom-enon” comedian at Amish Door

Home Décor 101: Area Rugs

Third Thursdays at Sol’s

Free to do: The Self-Guided Tulip Trail

Event in Holmes County

Saturday, April 5

The Farm at Walnut Creek Season Opener

Every Woman's House High Tea & Fashion Show

Saturday, April 12

Murder Mystery Dinner at the White Oak Inn

Walnut Creek Easter Egg Hunt

April 12 - 13

Mid Ohio Mopars Swap Meet & Car Corral

Thursday, April 17

Third Thursdays Craft Series at Sol's

Saturday, April 19

Easter Egg Hunt in Killbuck

April 23 - 26

Anniversary Sale at Keim Lumber

April 25 - 26

Diners, Drive-ins and Doo Wops

Saturday, April 26

Easter Adventure Egg Drop

Show Me the Funny!

Berlin Barnstorming Event and Sales

May 2 - 3

Dandelion Festival

Saturday, May 3

Brian Free & Assurance Gospel Concert

For a complete list of events, VisitAmishCountry.com.

Culture Tip Easter Egg Drop

Celebrate Easter with a Helicopter Egg Drop

The Farm at Walnut Creek has put a twist on the traditional Easter egg hunt. Instead of searching for hidden eggs, the Farm will be dropping thousands of plastic eggs by helicopter on April 26. Once the eggs have been dropped, kids are encouraged to find eggs, which may be redeemed for prizes.

 

The Farm’s Easter Adventure also features plenty of activities for kids. A giant corn box, piñatas, a coloring contest, horse-drawn wagon rides and a chance to take pictures with real bunnies will be available throughout the day.

 

The event is for children 1-11, and each child will receive prizes. Egg drops will occur at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. There is no extra charge for the event, but normal admission to The Farm at Walnut Creek applies.

 

For more information, visit www.thefarmatwalnutcreek.com.

Dining Cooking Classes at Walnut Creek Cheese

Learn to Cook from the Best at Walnut Creek Cheese

Every month Walnut Creek Cheese offers cooking classes featuring Amish and family recipes, some of which have remained the same for decades and others that have been updated for modern tastes. In April the classes are geared towards the grandest of mothers!

 

Yes, it’s about Grandma this month,” said cooking class instructor Betty Firebaugh. “April 26 would have been my mom’s 81st birthday. She never got to see me become a Mawmaw, but I like to think she would be proud. So this month we celebrate the Grandmas and their wonderful gift of love.”

 

Recipes that will be taught in the month of April are

  • Ham Pot Pie and Dinner Rolls – April 5, 8, 30
  • Grandma Yenny’s Zupfa Bread – April 15, 16
  • Artisan Bread 301: Filled Bread – April 23, 29

The Artisan Bread class is a 301 class and is only offered to attendees who have completed Artisan Breads 101.

 

All cooking classes begin at 10 a.m. and end by 1 p.m. Reservations can be made by phone at 330-852-2888. There is fee of $10 to hold class reservations. All attendees must be 12 years of age or older. To find class prerequisites and instructions on what to bring, check out www.walnutcreekcheese.com. Walnut Creek Cheese is located at 2641 State Route 39 in Walnut Creek.

Culture Tip Anita Renfroe

“Phen-mom-enon” comedian at Amish Door

“Well, this is my first time performing at a door,” said Anita Renfroe, joking about her upcoming performances at Amish Door on May 17.

 

Renfroe’s comedy career took off in 2007 when her rendition of “William Tell” surfaced on YouTube. Renfroe offers an interesting mix of comedy and music that she describes as “estrogen-flavored musical comedy.”

 

Renfroe says her goal is to have the audience make an appointment with her so she can fulfill their laughter prescription. Audience participation is almost mandatory, according to the comedian.

 

Having been to Amish Country for leisure before, Renfroe is excited to return with her husband, who is her road manager and muse. Her favorite part about the area is the fresh air and the beautiful scenery.


Renfroe will be performing live at Amish Door on Sat. May 17 with a lunch matinee at 12:15 p.m. and a second performance at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $35-$43 and are available online via the Amish Door’s website. You can also buy by phone at 888-264-7436. For more information about Renfroe, visit www.AnitaRenfroe.com or go to her Facebook page.

Culture Tip Area rug

Home Décor 101: Area Rugs

The return of popularity in hard-surface flooring has created a demand for area rugs, which can add a splash of color to your room.

 

The oriental patterns in area rugs that were popular for so long are out. Transitional patterns, which progress from traditional area rugs with larger patterns, are in.

 

“People are starting to use area rugs over their carpet,” says Rory Stringer, an interior designer with Pine Tree Barn in Wooster. “It’s a great way to break up a room and get some pattern in it.”

 

Flat woven and braided rugs are also seeing a return to popularity, according to Stringer. Braided rugs have often been associated with a country style, but with a transition from an oval shape to a rectangular shape with modern colors, they are seeing a whole new life in homes.

 

For area rugs, grays and natural hues remain very popular as a base color with a brightly colored highlight.

 

About materials, Stringer says, “Wool rugs are always a good purchase and are going to have a lot of longevity.” They also hold color well and are stain resistant.

 

When you are starting your search for an area rug, bring these items with you:
• Room dimensions
• Furniture dimensions
• Photo of your room that show wall, floor and furniture color and style

 

Also, remember to consider a rug pad, which can increase the longevity of a rug as well as keep it from shifting around.

 

Pine Tree Barn is one of many fantastic home décor stores in Ohio’s Amish Country. Stringer welcomes additional questions via email at rory@pinetreebarn.com

Culture Tip Crafting at Sol's

Third Thursdays at Sol’s

Ohio’s largest craft mall, Sol’s in Berlin, is giving customers the opportunity to get hands-on. On the third Thursday of every month, Sol’s in Berlin hosts craft nights for people interested in new, fun hobbies taught by crafters from all over the area

 

According to a Sol’s representative, “We are connecting our knowledgeable crafters with those interested in learning and creating. We welcome all ages. At our knitting night in March, the youngest one was 9 years old. It is a great night for moms and daughters, friends and even individuals.”

 

Upcoming Third Thursday crafts include Amish basket making on April 17 and felt flower pins on May 15. All Third Thursday classes begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Sol’s Palace building at 4914 West Main Street in Berlin. The cost is $10 per person and $15 for two people. Refreshments are included throughout the class.

Tours Tulips at The Lamplight Inn

Free to do: The Self-Guided Tulip Trail

At some point between mid-April and mid-May, Holmes County will be bursting with colors as flowers of our region make their glorious return. Many businesses plant thousands of tulip bulbs for the enjoyment of visitors and residents alike.


Grab your camera and several friends, and take the self-guided Tulip Trail tour, featuring more than 50,000 tulips!

If you are planning a motor coach group of 20 or more, Country Coach Adventures offers a Tulip Trail experience that includes special behind-the-scenes activities. Country Coach Adventures can be reached at 1-877-359-5282.