My Farm

[Molerj]

Hi Nick,
We've made alot of trips to Millersburg, Charm, Kidron, Berlin, Walnut Creek etc.
Dutchman builders out of Berlin (no longer together) built our house. Had another crew
out of Fredricksburg build our pole building, weren't nearly as good. Altho to their defense
the owner of the company they worked for dictated how he wanted them to build it. They
weren't too crazy about him either, he wasn't Amish, used to work for Morton. Also had
Cherry Ridge Masons out of Sugarcreek do the masonry work on our house. My experience
was very positive & I felt very confident in their ability. I have continued our friendship &
when we go shopping in Amish country, I still look them up for a visit. We have stayed
over several times in the Millersburg Hotel. Had to stay there because it was during the
Swiss Festival & everything else was sold out.

 

[MDNick]

molerj,

My folks live about 6 miles west of Millersburg, near the West Holmes High School. Yeah, West Holmes school district. The other district in the county is, you guessed it, East Holmes. It is a fairly large county (by Ohio standards).

Of course, I have never stayed at the Millersburg Hotel, but I have spent a LOT of time in the bar. It is the only decent bar/restaurant in town. There is another hotel south of town, more like a normal hotel, but there isn't a restaurant in the building.

Pepper Construction built my folks' house. Apparently the father (now grandfather) of the current crew REALLY liked pepper, so MANY years ago they started calling him Pepper John. His boys are called Pepper Amos, Pepper Lester, Pepper Andy, and another that was killed on the job just before my folks' house, fell off a scaffolding. Pepper Amos' son started up Pepper Plumbing, says so, silk screened on the side of the Ford Van just like every other plumbing company. Not sure if he drives it or not. When they built our house, the driver of the Pepper Construction work truck was a mennonite guy. He actually was a good finish carpenter and was the eaves/downspout specialists. They came HIGHLY recommended at the time and were backed up on jobs, but were worth the wait.

Yes the swiss festival and antique festival are a phenomenal draw. I am surprised you found a room in Millersburg. Though the 'english' residents hate all the festivals, and the leaves colors. Having said that, again, the money that comes in is appreciated by the county and pretty much stays in the county. I know the owners of one of the large crafty crap places in Berlin. The property used to be a car dealer/body shop owned by the family. They tore that down and built the craft building. Went from barely 2 nickels to rub together to owning an Excursion, Grand Cherokee and a really nice twin airplane. Good money in crafty crap.

Where abouts do you live? I am going to be headed through the area from I-77 across 39 on the 26th.

Nick

Farmer kid usetabe, Farmer Wannabe

 

[Molerj]

Nick,

We also spent alot of time in the bar at the hotel. I needed to unwind after all that shopping. Also took a walk down the street to one of the other bars. It was a little on the seedy side. Didn't stay there too long. I even golfed at one of the courses near Millersburg, while the wife shopped. I would think by now she has bought all the craft things she could ever want, but she still finds something that she thinks she needs. We did buy most of our furniture there also. Bedroom sets, dining room table & hutch, end tables etc. The quality is so much better than production furniture. We live near Steubenville. It's about 2 hrs. away. Actually if you go on Rt. 250 to Cadiz & then east on S.R. 151 you go right past our house. I know the area is really comercialized now, but I still enjoy just riding around the towns. I really like Kiem lumber. The men at the desk are really helpful.

 

[RichZ]

"Miller is a common Amish name."

Hmmm, I wonder if John Miller is Amish./w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif He doesn't dress like that, but he does have a great work ethic, and is always trying to help everyone.

Rich
"What a long strange trip it's been."

 

[MDNick]

Molerj,

Town Tavern or the Corner Bar. 'Seedy' fits the both of them. You probably golfed at Briar Hill, or Fire Ridge. They changed the name to Fire Ridge 2 years ago. It is the course that I worked at for 4 years. Did it have 18 holes, or did you repeat the first 9 to play 18? 'My' L2850 is still making the rounds pulling a 7 gang reel type rough mower.

Yes, the oak furniture the Amish make is exceptional. Some beautiful pieces in several stores around Walnut Creek. My house here in Maryland needs about everything. Mom has it all picked out, but I need to bring the checkbook, and MY L3010DT has ensured that the checkbook can stop a production kitchen table from rocking, but that is about it.

Nick

Farmer kid usetabe, Farmer Wannabe