The Rise and Fall of The Amish Cook Column: A Heartwarming Tale of Tradition and Controversy

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Have you ever wondered what happened to that quaint little newspaper column that gave us a glimpse into the simple life of the Amish? Well, grab a cup of coffee and settle in, because the story of The Amish Cook column is as fascinating as it is heartwarming—with a dash of controversy thrown in for good measure.

The Humble Beginnings

Back in 1991, when the internet was still a twinkle in Al Gore’s eye, an 18-year-old non-Amish kid named Kevin Williams had a brilliant idea. He thought, “Hey, why not give people a peek behind the curtain of Amish life?” And just like that, The Amish Cook column was born[1].

Williams teamed up with Elizabeth Coblentz, a 59-year-old Old Order Amish grandmother, to create a weekly column that would share snippets of Amish life and recipes. It was a match made in heaven – or at least in the rolling hills of Amish country.

The Golden Years

The column quickly gained popularity, appearing in over 100 newspapers across the country at its peak. Readers were smitten with the folksy glimpses into Amish life and the mouth-watering recipes that accompanied each column[1].

Some highlights of the column’s success:

  • Appeared in small-town newspapers from coast to coast
  • Spawned a collection of cookbooks
  • Gave readers a unique insight into a traditionally private community

A Change of Hands

Tragedy struck in 2002 when Elizabeth Coblentz passed away suddenly. But the column didn’t die with her. Elizabeth’s daughter, Lovina Eicher, took over the reins, continuing to provide readers with the same folksy charm and delicious recipes[1].

Enter Gloria Yoder

In 2014, the column underwent another change. Gloria Yoder, a young New Order Amish mom from Flat Rock, Illinois, became the new voice of The Amish Cook. Gloria brought a fresh perspective to the column, sharing the joys and challenges of raising a growing family in the Amish tradition[1].

The Controversy: Money Troubles and Broken Trust

Now, here’s where things get a bit sticky. Remember Kevin Williams, the young entrepreneur who started it all? Well, it turns out that running an Amish column isn’t all apple pie and buggy rides.

In 2018, a dispute erupted between Lovina Eicher and Kevin Williams. Eicher accused Williams of cheating her out of money from book deals and column syndication[3]. Ouch! Talk about a buggy crash of trust!

Here’s a breakdown of the financial kerfuffle:

ItemTotal AmountAmount Eicher Received
Book Deals$164,000$24,000
Annual Column Pay$2,000$2,000

As you can see, the numbers don’t quite add up. It’s enough to make you spill your buttermilk!

The Aftermath: Dueling Columns and New Beginnings

Following the dispute, Eicher and Williams parted ways. But that wasn’t the end of the story. Oh no, my friends. Instead, we now have dueling Amish columns!

Eicher started writing for a new publisher, MennoMedia, while Williams continued The Amish Cook with a new writer, Gloria Yoder[3]. It’s like the Amish version of a rap battle, but with more butter churning and less… well, rapping.

The Challenges of Publishing an Amish Column

Now, you might be thinking, “How hard can it be to publish a column about Amish life?” Well, let me tell you, it’s not all horse-drawn carriages and homemade jam. There are some unique challenges:

  1. Technology: Amish writers don’t use computers. Eicher writes her column on notebook paper and faxes it from a nearby business[3]. Talk about old school!
  2. Publicity: The Amish don’t allow photographs of themselves, except for their hands. Try promoting a column without being able to show the writer’s face!
  3. Business practices: The Amish way of doing business is based on relationships and trust, which can sometimes clash with modern business practices.

The Impact of The Amish Cook

Despite the controversies, The Amish Cook column has had a significant impact over the years. It’s given readers a window into a world that’s often misunderstood or romanticized. Plus, it’s probably responsible for a spike in homemade pie consumption across America. (Okay, I made that last part up, but it sounds plausible, right?)

The Future of Amish Columns

So, what’s next for The Amish Cook and other Amish columns? Well, as newspapers continue to struggle in the digital age, these columns face an uncertain future. But if there’s one thing we know about the Amish, it’s that they’re pretty good at preserving traditions.

Maybe we’ll see an Amish TikTok account in the future? (Just kidding, that’s definitely not happening.)

FAQs

  1. Q: Who started The Amish Cook column?
    A: Kevin Williams, an 18-year-old non-Amish entrepreneur, started the column in 1991 with Elizabeth Coblentz, an Amish grandmother [1].
  2. Q: How many newspapers carried The Amish Cook at its peak?
    At its peak, the column appeared in over 100 newspapers across the country [1].
  3. Q: Why did Lovina Eicher stop writing The Amish Cook?
    Eicher left due to a financial dispute with Kevin Williams in 2014 [3].
  4. Q: How do Amish writers submit their columns without using modern technology?
    A: They typically write by hand and fax or mail their columns to their editors [3].
  5. Q: Are there other Amish columnists besides The Amish Cook?
    A: Yes, there are now several Amish and Mennonite newspaper columnists, although The Amish Cook was the first [1].

Conclusion

The story of The Amish Cook column is a fascinating blend of tradition, innovation, and good old-fashioned drama. It’s given us a unique glimpse into a world that many of us would never otherwise see, all while teaching us how to make a mean shoofly pie.

As for what the future holds for Amish columns? Well, as long as there are people curious about life beyond their smartphone screens, I reckon there’ll always be a place for a slice of simple living—with a side of controversy, of course.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, all this talk of Amish cooking has made me hungry. I’m off to attempt one of those Amish recipes. Wish me luck—and maybe send the fire department, just in case!

Fayruj Ahmed
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