Jean is a old order Mennonite woman from New York state. She shares her stories exclusively on Amish Stories.
Hello everyone, I am back to continue about the Farmers Market. At 5:00 AM the van comes to our home to pick up the baked goods, my mother (or mother-in-law) and sometimes Susan. The back seats of the van go down and David slides in the wooden shelves that fit into the back of the van. David made these shelves-each one has a ridge so that I can put in pies, containers of cookies, etc. so they don’t slide out. Every time our driver lady gets a new van David has to make different shelves to fit the new van-one van never seem to be the exact same size as the previous van-even if it is the same make and model. In between the shelves we put in the items that do not fit on the shelves. From our house, the van goes to my mothers house, mother-in-laws house, and both grandparents houses. Everything is loaded in the van and off we go.
We arrive at the market at 5:30, cover the table, and set out our baked goods. There is an Old Order Mennonite couple next to us and he gets another gentleman to slide the shelves out. We set the shelves up behind the table where customers can see what is on them. They shelves has sort of legs that slide down so they will stand. When David is there he and the man next door slide the shelves out. Even before we are set up some other people, that are set up, come to us for cookies, donuts, and more with their morning coffee. Once the Farmers Market opens at 6:00 AM we are flooded with customers. We get more customers on Saturday than Friday, but we are busy both days.
At the opening of the day most of the people are regular customers that come in every week or month. We have gotten to know them and they know us. Also, we know, that certain people like certain goods, so we try to make sure we have them. We have a cash box that we make change at. Also , whoever is with me and myself have a money purse (money belt) hooked around our waist. One time, when David was there, he and I were busy with customers and someone took the cash box. We did not see who took it or the cash box again. Now, we wear the purses and after the cash box looks like it has a a lot of paper money , we put some in our money purse. If someone gives us a large bill-$20.00 or $50.00-it goes into our money purse and we make change out of the cash box. More than once whoever is with me and myself have caught someone’s hand reaching toward the cash box. We tried putting the cash box on the back table, but if we turn out back to make change people sometimes steal the baked goods. We don’t have much room so there is no place for a middle table-so the money purse has worked out very well.
Most people are very nice, wait their turn, and would never think of stealing. It’s the few not so nice people that we have to watch for and the worse thing is if someone had a need and asked for some money-we would probably give it to them. We wouldn’t make them prove the need-we trust in the Lord. If they are taking money from us that is not theirs that is also between them and the Lord. We both bring our lunch with us so about 11:00 ones of us eats lunch and the eats at 1:00 or later. If customers are slow, we both eat at the same time. Also when customers slow down one usually takes a walk around the market to see what others have for sale and to get some exercise. We don’t go to far from our area because we never know when we will have to return to our tables fast-sometimes buses of customers come in.
In the Finger Lakes tourists come from all over. Many of them would like to take our pictures. Even when we ask them not to-they do. Some of them are nervous around us and stare, but do not come close. Others come and ask us questions, most of which we are glad to answer. When David is there, they would rather talk to him than to me-which is fine. But of course there are some who are rude. They ask why we don’t fly the American Flag. That we should go back to where we came from because we do not respect this country and do not deserve to live here. That we should live in the current century and stop dressing and acting the way we do. Some people believe that we are not Old Order Mennonite, but dressed like them-actors-to draw tourists. People want their pictures with us. Some try to talk us down on our prices. Some are just rude. Thank heavens there are very few of these rude people. If David is there, he handles them. When he is not there we try to be as tactful and as kind as we can be.
Yes, in most ways the tourists have helped our business. Most people like to come and buy from us, ask questions, and are kind. I have had customers pay more than I have marked on the baked goods, because these are goods they can not get in their area. A few times we have had tourists come over on our side of the table and take money from people buying – when we have been flooded with people. When we get talking they have either been selling in markets like us or owned a store. Any person that has come and helped us like that have never taken a thing. They also will not take money for pay. We usually give them something they would like-a pie, cookies, etc. Usually we don’t let people do that but sometimes we haven’t had a choice with all
Yes, we have been out of New York State to the Lancaster, Ohio and more areas to weddings, funerals, etc. Usually we go by van, bus or train-we are not allowed to fly except in an emergency. We try to avoid tourists areas when we are there. Yes, we are glad that we do not live in a big tourists area like they are. In the Finger Lakes we deal with tourists at the Famers Market and sometimes at our home stand in front of our house, but we do have anywhere near as they do in Lancaster. When a day is finished at the Farmers Market, we go home to our quiet farm. At our home stand, we are usually glad to have tourists. We like to find out where they came from, where they are going-how they found us in our area because we are way out in the country. You have to take six different roads to get to our farm. Of course there are good people and not so nice people. I guess I have told you mostly about the markets and how we live. If you have any questions, please ask.
Due to this is planting season, Farmers Markets time, plus we also set up and sell baked goods and sometimes vegetables, jellies, jams, fruit and more on some special village Saturdays like Gorham weekend, Rushville weekend and more-I am not able to make or bake a special items. I hope you understand. When the fall comes and harvesting is done, I may be able to, but I just don’t have the time at this time-I hope you understand. I did ask our Bishop, last Sunday, and he told me I could not make prayer kapps for someone outside Old Order Mennonite. If you live near Old Order Mennonite or Amish you may be able to buy some prayer kapps at yard sales. Again, I hope you understand. Our prayer kapps are a little smaller than our bonnets-so that the bonnets will fit over the kapps. Our prayer kapps are white, light weight and starched.
Yes, we do have pets. As we live in the country people leave their unwanted pets in our area. We have seen people leave them from their cars in front of our houses. Early on David and I decided we would not have a dog. Many of the kittens and cars that have been left in our area are in our barn-but we thought we had no need for a dog. Usually when dogs are left in front of our house we call the dog patrol. This particular one the dog patrol could not catch. He would sit on the edge of the road, stare at out house, but when the dog patrol came would run off. David tried to catch it by putting food out. The food would be gone, but we couldn’t catch the dog. One day I let Susan out in the back yard playing-she was about three, I was in the kitchen and could see her. I turned away for a minute and turned back she was gone. As I ran out of the house I called David from the barn, we saw her down by the road with the dog. The dog would not move as we yelled at him. From where we were it looked like the dog was biting Susan. David grabbed a board to get the dog away from her. He ran faster than I did and he realized the dog was not biting her but was standing between her and the road trying to keep her from going out in the road. I grabbed Susan and David tried to grab the dog, but off it ran. After much feeding and slowly walking closer day after day-it finally came in our yard. A few days after that it came to us. In became our pet. We washed it and took it to the vet in the buggy ( Bad mistake. He loves to ride in the buggy) and found out this big dog was yet a puppy and still had more growing. That was three years ago. The dog is big but as harmless as they come. When our regular gas reading man is on vacation-I have to take the dog inside because any fill in is afraid of him because of his size. People that don’t know us and pull in the drive way think twice when they see him coming. He is suppose to herd the cows in the barn but David says he mostly chases the cows not herd them.
Yes, we do speak Pennsylvania Dutch. It is a bit different is some phrases, but mostly alike. We speak it all the time except when we are among people who do not speak it-then we speak English. Although Susan knows some English when she starts school-that is all they speak so we will have to be using English more in our home.
We have some Amish that have moved in our area and if what we heard is correct more are moving in. Yes, we are friends with them. In a way it is a bit funny. Most areas the Amish out number the Old Order Mennonites-in this area the Old Order Mennonites out number the Amish almost 100 to one. We all help each other when in need.
Well this is it for this week. Please keep asking questions.
Be With the Lord,
Jean
Good morning everyone. I used to work in a market a long time ago, so i have an idea how tough it can be.Ive found most people to be nice and courteous, while the rest will just plain wear you down. So it takes a tremendous amount of patience on the sellers part. Richard
Thank you for the great article. This kind of first hand information from someone living the life is exactly the kind of information I am looking to read.Looking forward to more!
Wow! That was very interesting!!! I also have a small farm stand at my house and sell Amish baked goods on Friday and Saturday. I also have a few "plain" friends and when we are out together, people STARE! Not just the children, but adults. I myself, not being plain, really want to ask why they are staring. I know that they are used to people looking. They have also had people throw soda cans and such at them while in the buggies. REALLY MAKES ME WONDER! They are wonderful friends, gracious, and as sweet as their baked goods! Thanks ior letting me share:). Enjoy your day!!
Greetings!!Jean, another awesome article!! Like you I have had some bad people come to the market here and steal things or money. And like you had they only asked I would have gladly given it to them. It sort of breaks my heart when someone steals. There should be no reason for it. But some folks pride won't let them admit and ask for help when they need it. Others just don't care. They don't realize that the majority of folks who set up to sell at a farmers market are doing it to make money, to supplement their incomes or be their only income. They think you go to all that work for the fun of it, or it gives you something to do.I also had my regular customers that came every week and bought the same things. I always made sure I had plenty on hand and theirs was made and put back for them. You have to take care of your regulars, they are the back bone of your business. :-)What would you say was your most popular seller? Mine was definitely breads and chocolate chip cookies. I did have one lady who bought two dozen blueberry muffins every week without fail. But other customers were hit and miss as to what they would buy.I don't know about you but I always had a bible with me. Especially wearing plain clothes in a non plain community. Invariably someone would want to argue that dressing plain and wearing head coverings was not biblical.The one problem I did find really irritating here was we had a Baptist Brethren lady who told folks or lead them to believe she was Amish. Her lying and decietfulness really bothered me because she was so blantant about it. I was truthful when asked if I was Amish. I told them I was "just a Christian" seeking out what God wanted for me in my life and I felt lead according to scripture to wear plain clothes and a headcovering. Many looked at me as though I were strange but most wanted to know more of why I felt that way. I have gotten away from plain clothes and headcoverings but deep down I am being pulled back in that direction again and I don't think it will be long before I am back in my dresses.I tried to be friends with the lady until she really let her attitude show. She used it only to get business, did not care if people were "too stupid to know she was not Amish". Too me that is just plain lying and as Christians we are not suppose to lie. I think people like that give a bad reputation to those who are sincere in their beliefs.I do understand about you not being able to make kapps for someone who is not of your faith and community. But I wonder would you be allowed to make a kapp that is not the same as your particular style? For example, I have seen some that are not much bigger than a bun covering. I picture yours being a little bigger as you said they were just slightly smaller than your bonnets. Just a thought anyway. I know there are some people on the internet who make plain dresses and kapps.Thanks again for your wonderful post.Much love and blessings,Alice
Thank you Jean and Richard for another wonderful informative article. This abosutely answers a lot of unasked questions about the AMISH and MEMMONITE. You find rude and dishonest people in all walks of life. I believe everyone will answer to GOD for all their wrong doings, but he also is a forgiving GOD. I have encoutered all kinds of people, and believe there are more good than dishonest. I look forward to your post each week. I love the dog story. Blessings, Pat
I see some new faces here posting comments, and i thank you all for that.This is a very good post, and i have to admit Jean has me looking over my shoulder with some of this very good writing. Infact im about 5 miles behind Jean right now,lol. Richard
Hello Alice,I do have some Prayer Kapps. They are Amish or Mennonite and I also have some Amish or Mennonite dresses. A lady I know use to drive for the Amish in Kentucky and they made these for her. She doesn't do that anymore and wanted me to sell them for her on ebay. They have been in my closet about a year now. The kaps are still in the box she sent them to me in. I may put them on etsy instead of ebay. But if someone wanted to buy something before I put them on-that's fine, too. I don't know the size of the dresses as they don't put sizes in them so I will have to measure them. I did measure them once, but my old memory fails sometimes so I have to do it again. LOLMarilyn
And trust me when i tell you Jean was very apprehensive about writing on Amish Stories, and i don't think she thought anyone would be interested in what she had to say. I think she was pleasantly proved wrong. I've just seen her next post which i just recieved, and its a good one so please don't miss that one next Tuesday. I have something a little different for Thursdays post, it will be from the publisher of the Amish Country News. Its a look 90 years into the future of Lancaster and its Amish. You wont like it, but maybe it doesn't have to happen this way. So look for that one on Thursday. Richard
Also i have a very important announcement to make, well at least for me anyway. Amish Stories will be having its very first contest ever starting next Monday, in fact I'm working on it right now so its not all together just yet. I can not give all the details just yet, but i can say it should be fun for most of you. So this is how it will go for next week, Jeans post will be posted on Wednesday instead of tuesday only for next week. I will leave the information about the contest at the top of Amish Stories for 2 days. Please tell everyone about it so they can participate in this as well. I wont be joining in this contest or be judging it (my choice) so please make sure you guys stop by Amish Stories next Monday to enter. Richard
How wonderful is my Tuesday when it is touched by the words of Jean? It is one of the best days of the week and I am so blessed to learn more about her life. I will also be interested in your post on Thursday Richard it sounds like it will be interesting yet almost a as if it could be sad. I rest in the truth that no matter what this person may think we can know that God only holds the future in his hand.As many have said there are good and bad in all walks of life and yet so often a few bad people can cause others to think everyone is the same. It must be alot of work to go to market each week. We were at market on Saturday. It is about two hours from our home and their were many Amish and Mennonite booths there. I wanted to take pictures but felt as though I would be invading their beliefs. My husband and I would love to have a booth at this market and are praying for the door to open for that because we have a great product to share. I believe we could be successful enough for my husband to leave his job at the Casino in Niagara Falls. It would be a very big leap of faith on our part. It is a beautiful day here in St. Catharines and we have had to put the AC on but I am glad we have it. Hope everyone had a great long weekend if you are American and may the rest of our week be wonderful. Blessings to all Veronica
Veronica about you coming to Lancaster and looking for a bed & breakfast. Just e-mail me when you should get a chance and ill try and give you some tips. The e-mail address is on the top right of Amish Stories. And if you can ever send me images of Canada's Amish/Mennonite communitys ill post those images on Amish Stories. And if you should ever get your business started in a market ill post that as well with that post. That goes for anyone who contributes to any story for this blog. If you have a web site trying to sell your products ill post it along with a story that you helped with. Just something to keep in mind folks. Richard
Also folks Jean is accepting questions about her old order Mennonite life style, so please feel free to ask her a question. Jean enjoys receiving questions. Thanks everyone. Richard
I have a question for Jean. Does her church allow people to come and attend a sunday service? I was also wondering if the Old order mennonites have as large a family as many of the Amish? I know the Amish leave their choice to have children up to God do the Mennonites believe this as well? Unlike most English we choose when and how many childre to have. I hope that is not to personal. Thanks Veronica
Marilyn,,, I am looking for a very specific kapp it is more like a bun covering kapp in size. I have some other kapps here but want something smaller. Also I have some dresses but have since lost weight and need to make new ones. I am hoping to have both the money and the time to do that by fall if not sooner.Can you take pictures of the kapps and dresses? I might be interested depending on the dress measurments and the style kapp.Richard, I look forward to all the upcoming posts you mentioned and the contest too. And of course I am looking forward to hearing more from Jean.Well so far today I have finished up the pruning and yard work I need to do for today. (Need to finish getting the garden in tomorrow, raining now.), made potato salad and macaroni salad and did two loads of laundry. Also started a exercise regimine this morning. LOL Man do I need a nap!! Still have to make a cheese ball and slice summer sausage for Thursday evening bible study.The morphine is not totally eliminating the pain but it sure is making it more tolerable. I actually was able to stand for 45 minutes straight before I started feeling the pain getting worse. Have not been able to do that in years. :-)Back to finish up some tasks before taking about an hour's nap. Have a great day!Love, Alice
I recieved your e-mail Veronica, and i will try and provide you with some of the answers to your questions on your trip to Lancaster,Pa. Richard
And a good question Veronica on the large family question regarding Mennonites, ill make sure Jean gets that one. I know from reading that the Amish have an average of 7 children, so i look forward to Jeans answer on that one myself. Richard
Hello Everyone,Alice, I may have a bun one too. I have to look. I know I have a couple of small ones that don't tie or fit over your whole head.Veronica I made note of all your questions to ask Jean. I don't think she'll mind them. We made the deal if some question offends her or she feels is to personal to her to tell me-and she doesn't have to answer it. So far there hasn't been any she wouldn't answer. So keep asking.Marilyn
Thanks Marilyn, i was going to e-mail you Veronicas question. Glad to see your on top of things.If you weren't working for free i would have fired you by now,lol.Im kidding "i love ya Marilyn". Richard
If anyone else has a question for Jean please ask away. I love to see folks comment, and Jean loves questions. Richard
Hello Richard,I try to stay on top of these questions. Hey, you have fired me and re-hired me so many times I don't listen to your firing anymore. LOL :I love ya back, Richard".Marilyn
Wow Richard, I am really ticked at you now. How many times have I told you I love you and never have you told me that back. I guess I don't do anything for you like Marilyn does, LOL. Men are all alike,,, ughhhhhhh.
Very interesting post Jean. I really enjoyed learning about your market days. And that was a wonderful story about the dog.Interesting conversation in the comments too. There are numerous prayer kapp patterns available for those who sew. My husband follows I Corinthians 11 which says a woman's hair is her covering, which is why I have long hair.
Welcome back over Leigh.You will need to check next Wednesdays post where Jean talks about her relationship with the Amish in her community. Its very interesting stuff. Richard
And as ive said on Tuesday Amish Stories will be having a little contest this monday, and im almost done creating a post for that one. Hope everyone will be enjoying their day, and i will be back later. Richard
Good Morning Alice,Don't worry we all love you Alice.Marilyn
Good morning Marilyn,I am not worried at all.Truthfully, I do not care. Its no big deal.Have a good day.Alice
Hey folks just getting back home. Hi Alice, dont worry your a big part of Amish Stories, so theres always a welcome mat at this blog for you and everyone. Richard
I had a conversation with a Brethren woman today at a dentist office, and it was a pretty pleasant conversation. At first her husband was going inside because he was called in, and i thought he was Amish at first. But his wife's cloths were not of Amish/Mennonite origins so i asked her which church that she was a part of, and she said Brethren. She lives in Berks county on the Lebanon county border. So it was nice to engage in a nice conversation to help pass the time away. Her daughter in Indiana has a business in a farmers market and does very well there, and her mom thinks one reason is the way she dresses, which is of a plain woman. In fact when someone whose dressed regular say in jeans and a shirt next to her booth, most folks gravitate towards her booth. It makes a little sense but i still found that to be interesting. I'm sorry folks I'm orig from New York, so sometimes i can talk a little too much,lol. Well everyone have yourself a great evening, and ill see you bright and early on Thursday morning. Richard
Hello Richard,I will have to ask Jean if she notices that, too. I never thought of that. Thanks.Marilyn
Im sure it may help Marilyn, but in the end its how good Jeans products are, and im sure they are very good. Richard
Oh, Yes !!!! They are good !!!!!!Marilyn
I know if i wont have a chance to taste some of Jeans baked goods, id love to see some pictures of some of them. That would even torture myslef even more maybe,lol. Richard
Jean, I loved this post. I have read them all but this one was the most interesting so far. I am sad people steal from you but my experience is the same as yours, most people are decent and would not dream doing such things. Your life is interesting, I follow your stories from the other side of the globe, from Sweden so they are in fact of international interest…
If you liked this post Elin you will really enjoy Jeans next post for june 8 (Wednesday). I will have a contest post for Monday and Tuesday. Richard
And im very glad your enjoying Jeans post Elin. Richard