| IDEAS FOR THE TRAVELER
Intercourse is my life long home. This was always where we went to the store, bank and post office. I attended a one room school in first grade, played with Amish children as a youngster, have had Amish customers most of my life, and now Amish employees. I was raised in the Mennonite faith and most of my relatives live within thirty miles of me. How does one share their Lancaster County heritage so a visitor can understand what makes our area so special in a few days? Many have questioned me in the pretzel factory on what to see and do. I thought I would take a little space on this site for those that plan ahead to share a few thoughts and some of my favorite places in Lancaster County.
The Amish - where are they?
First, I suggest a two hour tour that familiarizes you with the area. There are over 20,000 Amish residing in Lancaster County, and they are typical of an agrarian society that lives the saying 'early to bed-early to rise'. Start your day early especially in the summer. They do their errands in the cool of the morning when it is easier on their horses to go to the store, post office and bank. Use a good area map like the one in our Lancaster County visitors guide to drive the side roads. Stop at the road side stands, strike up a conversation and buy something.
The Amish - who are they?
The Amish are part of a larger religious group called Anabaptists. The Anabaptists were part of a religious movement in the 1500’s and are represented today in our area as Amish, Mennonite and Brethren. As a body, they are often referred to as ‘plain people’. There are 42 plain sects in Lancaster County. They do not baptize their children. One is baptized when they accept Christ and join the church. They believe standing apart from the world exemplifies their faith. Some stand apart in dress, some in manner of plain living, and some by mode of transportation. I lived here all of my life and occasionally, I have to ask for clarification. To truly understand takes more than a few days. While you might see their sacrifice of worldly conveniences or manner of living as strange, I would hope you could grasp that their life choices allow them a simplicity many envy. To confuse the issue, most Mennonite and Brethren dress as you and I do. There are many nuances past the outer clothing. Our area has a strong, German, Swiss, Scots and Irish heritage. Hence, we can be described even today as a highly independent people.
Among our many local treasures are our local farm markets, greenhouses, antiques auctions, fire company breakfasts and dinners, bake shops, fabric stores, bulk food stores and country department stores. To go off the beaten path and experience a bit of our country living is not for everyone. To blend in dress modestly, leave your camera in the car and compliment the workers on something to start a conversation.
Our volunteer fire companies raise money with community breakfasts and dinners. They are all you can eat, low priced, and you eat at large tables with local people. The Intercourse Fire Company has a breakfast on months that have a fifth Saturday. www.intercoursevillage.com has a complete listing of community events.
There are two real country farm markets to visit. Tuesday is Root’s Market www.rootsmarket.com which is beside a great auction house Conestoga Auction www.conestogaauction.com . Root’s has been in business since 1925. Friday is the day to visit Green Dragon Farm Market www.greendragonmarket.com . They have an antique auction, livestock auction, several buildings of vendors with fresh foods and numerous restaurants. Both places have flea market type sections.
We have many country department stores catering to 'plain' people. My favorite is Good's Store. They have fabric, hardware, long underwear, bird houses, house wares, all manner of plain and functional clothing for all ages. They don't have a web site but are located by Shady Maple Smorgasbord www.shady-maple.com.
Local bakeries are plentiful. We like a soft bread versus crusty breads. Common to most bakeries is an array of pies, cookies, sticky buns, donuts and cakes. Remember, not much is available on Sundays or Mondays. Most places are closed on Sundays and start baking on Monday. They have little inventory before later in the day on Monday. Like any bakery, your best selection is available before noon Tuesday through Saturday.
Antiques and auctions. There is a antique shop beside the pretzel factory. A day at auction is as good as a vacation day for me. I can attend an auction within thirty miles of the pretzel factory almost any day of the week except Sunday. Here are some links to a few of my favorite auction houses.
Antique shops are abundant in Lancaster County. We compile a list of favorite shops the beginning of each year for customers. Ask for a copy when you are in our store.
Camera etiquette. I can sum this up with - Do unto others... With discretion, from a distance, you may take a picture. Amish interpret the commandment regarding graven images to mean photographs. Please be courteous.
| 
