Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Get over it America!

I have seen enough racial bigotry and injustice to make anyone sick. I am 72 years old, and in my lifetime blacks were not allowed to fight alongside whites in WWII. Blacks were not allowed to play pro basketball, football, or baseball with white Americans. Blacks were not allowed to eat in the same restaurants, shit in the same toilets, go to the same churches, attend the same schools as white Americans. Blacks were still being lynched in the 60’s.


Blacks fought and died for our flag since the time they were liberated from slavery. Blacks have been on a journey seeking racial equality for 150 years. If I was black I would probably hate all white people because of the cruelty we showed toward them. But you know what? The black people I have met have been loving, forgiving, gracious as a people.
I have heard every kind of stupid white explaination denying that they are racist … remember separate but equal? When whites said they were not racist because they wanted blacks to have separate but equal schools? They weren’t racist, they just didn’t want their kids to go to school with those “other” people. Same bullshit today. White nationalists aren’t racist, they only want a part of the country separate from blacks so they can enjoy their white culture! BULLSHIT. That is the essence of racism.
Now that some black athletes peacefully protest toward achieving the goal of racial equality, the same stupid white people wrap themselves in the American flag to cover their obvious inability to acknowledge the black struggle for equality in the United States. And yes, black people also fought and died for our flag, so cut the crap about blacks disrespecting soldiers like me who fought alongside them in Vietnam.
Let me remind you all that I watched a white police officer draw a gun and shoot a black man in the back as he posed no threat and ran away from the officer because of a routine traffic stop. So, do blacks suffer racial injustice in America, You’re damned right they do!
As much as it pains me to know that white people spit on Jackie Robinson when he was the first black in pro baseball, I am also proud that more and more white Americans understand this injustice and have fought alongside blacks to end racism and bigotry in all parts of American life.
The black journey for racial justice is a long and cruel road for those who are forced to travel it. Nothing about race relations pisses me off more than seeing white people jeering and taunting blacks seeking justice, while they hide behind our flag as justification.
It ain’t about our flag, it is about equal justice.
Black people have enough going against them as it is, quit throwing rocks at them because it gauls you to see them protest peacefully in public view. They have the right and we should encourage every American to put our racist fears behind us.
Remember, I fought for their right to protest, but so did they, because in the end, they are loyal Americans, just like you and me.

Blacks will probably not reach equality in my lifetime, but I am please that they persist. I wish you well on your journey. And as for the white people standing against you, all I can say is “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”

Friday, March 27, 2015

May Days Festival

I made a new promotional video for the upcoming May Days Festival on May 8th & 9th. It is a great time to visit Jamesport. This year promises to be better than ever. Several stores are expanding, including Sherwood Crossing, Jamesport Sales and Surplus, and The Farmhouse Collection.






Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Amish Homemade Noodles

I recently visited the John and Marie Detweiler farm in Jamesport, Missouri. Johm and Marie make homemade noodles that are sold in the local stores. This is a video that shows how the noodles are made.


Saturday, October 13, 2012

13th Annual Jamesport Amish Quilt Auction

Gail Ledesma, Verna Graber and Joe Burkholder getting ready
The annual Amish Quilt Auction is going on today in Jamesport, Missouri. We have been busy the last few days getting ready for the quilt show and auction.

The judging is over and we have many beautiful quilts for sale this year. More than 300 hand made quilts are up for auction today.

There were too many quilts to show here, but I did get a picture of the Best of Show ....

Best of Show
 The judges were overwhelmed this year. They all  complained that there were too many beautiful quilts. It was tough to pick a winner. This is a good problem to have. The word is that the large number of quilts being auctioned (a record number this year) will mean lower prices. My wife is looking to bid on a quilt she likes. I hope that prices are good!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Fall Hay Harvest

Fall is here and the last cutting of hay is being raked. This is a common scene about the Amish countryside. This photo is of a 15 year old Amish girl driving a 4-horse team pulling a double rake.

I was told that she enjoys doing field work with the horses. I watched her work for a while yesterday and noticed how relaxed she was.

This was just another beautiful day around Jamesport!

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Amish Home Tour

Amish Kitchen
I have been taking tour groups to the Graber Farm this year for an inside peek at the Amish life style. The tour only includes a walk through the downstairs are where the Grabers do summer cooking, canning, and daily laundry.

Some of the folks who took the farm tour were cusious about the upstairs portion of the house, so I asked permission to take some photos. I was able to take quite a few pictures. Here are a few




Saturday, September 22, 2012

Amish Hospitality

Free Amish Carriage Rides
Jamesport, Missouri celebrates Heritage Days every year at this time. One of the Amish attractions in the area is Shearwood Crossing.

At Shearwood, they are having customer appreciation days to coincide with the Jamesport Heritage Festival. They are giving free carriage rides, and miniature train rides all day.

Amish ladies are serving food and dessert, as well as home made ice cream.

Train Rides at Shearwood Crossing
The turnout this year is exceeding expectations. The interest in all things Amish seems to be on the increase. I have noticed that a large number of tourists from the St Louis area are coming to Jamesport. Many of the tourists share that they have seem stories about Amish on the TV. This might account for the current uptick in Amish tourism.