Quote: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is God’s gift, that’s why we call it the present.” – Joan Rivers

Just for Laughs: “Why to Americans choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America?” – Unknown

Fun Amish Fact: The last two week’s Tidbits focused on the beginnings of the Amish (1693) & Mennonites (1540’s). The story begins before that: On January 21, 1525, Conrad Grebel and a few dedicated followers of the Radical Reformation (a more progressive reformation than Martin Luther was leading at the time) met on Neustadt Street in Zurich, Switzerland, in the home of fellow reformer Felix Manz. Grebel commenced the first “believers baptism” by baptizing his friend George Blaurock. Blaurock in turn baptized Grebel and the others who were there. At the time the State Church baptized infants which was admission into the Church as well as the State. Church and State were one in the same. Grebel and his followers believed that baptism should be a public confirmation of faith, not admission to the State. As a result the State called these radicals “Anabaptists,“ a derogatory term meaning “rebaptizers,” and arrested anyone who would incite such “vile insurrection.” The historically significant events of the Anabaptist Reformation became part of the foundation for the Amish and Mennonites who came into being years later. This was also the beginning of the idea that the church should be separate from the state.

Quote: “Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” – Dr. Seuss

Just for Laughs: “The only reason people get lost in thought is because it’s unfamiliar territory.” – Paul Fix

Fun Amish Fact: In last week’s Tuesday Tidbit we learned how the Mennonite tradition began in the 1500’s. A century and a half later, in 1693 a Mennonite elder, Jacob Amman, thought that the Mennonite church was becoming “too worldly.” He believed that the church should remain separate from the world in all things, including lifestyle (along with many other ideas). Many within the church disagreed with Amman believing that many of the reforms he insisted upon were unnecessary. As a result, the Mennonite church was divided with many leaving and following Amman. Those follows became known as “Amish” in reference to Amman’s name.

Weekly Tidbit: Conrad Grebel utilizes a special corner block technique for all of our leg tables that interlocks the corner blocks to the table aprons. In addition, we use dual lag bolts that are set through the corner blocks directly into the legs. This combination of interlocking corners and dual lag bolts gives your leg tables more strength for long-term durability and sustainability.

Quote: “Let your heart feel for the afflictions and distresses of everyone, and let you hand give in proportion to your purse.” – George Washington

Just for Laughs: “If you can’t convince them, confuse them!” – Harry Truman

Fun Amish Fact: Many Amish vote in elections but at a rate that is probably far less than the national average. There really is no church ordinance that says one cannot vote, instead it is left to the individual’s choice (seems unusual since they live as community, not individuals). The Amish who choose not to vote tend to believe in simply staying out of the fray. It is more common that the Amish will be more active in voting in local vs. national elections. In the last few presidential elections the Amish were courted heavily in the swing states of Pennsylvania and Ohio by members of both parties.

Quote: “A mind always employed is always happy. This is the true secret, the grand recipe, for felicity.” – Thomas Jefferson

Just for Laughs: “Americans are living longer these days, which is great news unless you happen to figure prominently in someone’s will!” – Unknown

Fun Amish Fact: It has often been asked of me as to how the Amish can use power tools to build our furniture without the use of electricity. In order to be competitive in today’s marketplace the Amish will use a clean diesel engine to generate the power that they need. The engine is typically placed in an isolated room off of the woodshop because of the noise level it creates. Electricity pulled from a standard power line is too assessable and thus, worldly to the Amish. A clean diesel engine can generate enough air and hydraulic power to replace electricity in order to operate a woodshop efficiently. Creativity can often lead to positive solutions within the Amish way of life so that they may adapt (competing in the marketplace in this example) without compromising their want of separation from the world.

Quote: “Keep away from small people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” – Mark Twain

Just for Laughs: “You can’t leave footprints in the sands of time if you’re sitting on your butt. And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?” – Unknown

Fun Amish Fact: An Amish farm in Northern Indiana can reach up to 100 acres. Amish families who are woodworkers will have a farm of around 10 acres, which is enough for their home, woodshop, barn and pasture for their horses. An Amish family who farms for a living will have more acres to plant crops. A family will only have as much acreage as they need to fill the income needs of their family instead of working solely for profit. This is all within keeping of the Amish tradition of working with their hands to provide for their needs.

Quote: “Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” – James Barrie

Just for Laughs: “If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?” – Unknown

Fun Amish Fact: In the Amish tradition it is common for aging parents to live in a home connected to one of their children’s. This is called a “Dawdy Haus” in their Dutch language. Often it is addition added to an existing home, like an apartment. In the tradition of community it is rare for the Amish to live in a formal retirement home. Instead, they are cared for by their own family when the time comes.

Quote: “Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill

Just for Laughs: “Did you know that dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish?” – Unknown
Fun Amish Fact: • The Amish believe that the Bible teaches that parents are to be responsible for their children’s early education. In the Amish tradition there is no such thing as day care, pre-school or even kindergarten. Instead, children are to be instructed by their parents in these youngest of years in the ways of the culture through community and family interaction.

Quote: “He who is really kind can never be unhappy. He who is really wise can never be confused. He who is really brave is never afraid.” – Confucius

Just for Laughs: “Now there are more overweight people in America than average-weight people. So overweight people are now average… which means, you have met your New Year’s resolution.” – Jay Leno
Fun Amish Fact: • The Amish celebrate the Christmas holiday much like other Christian traditions with gift giving and family get-togethers. In addition, they will celebrate “Old Christmas” on January 6th each year. This is traditionally believed to be the time that the Three Wise Men arrived in Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus as described in the New Testament Gospels. During the Middle Ages the days between December 25th and January 6th culminated into the “12 Days of Christmas.” This was a time of great feasting and celebration each night beginning on December 25th. This is where we get the famous Christmas carol of the same name.