Music

 These girls played the Harmonica for Levi Jones this afternoon.

 Listening in from the street.

 Later tonight the Waldner Messengers played at Chet Stoltzfus' place.

One of them but I don't know his name. 

tomorrow night they plan to be at Birky Square, staarting at 6 PM.

Yard Sales

Today was a good day to have a Yard Sale and it was also a good day to find bargains. I found four coffee mugs that look like they have never been used, total price fifty cents. 

 This neighbor boy had $2.00 and he knew exact;y what he wanted to buy. 

Here is the bargain he found, which cost less than a dollar.

Pencil Passion

Pencil Passion - About the Artist

Andy Mast was raised in rural southern Illinois within an Amish community where strong beliefs are taught and practiced as a way of life. His lifestyle and upbringing directly influenced his artwork. His preference to the raw medium is born from living a simple life on the farm where he is most familiar with the simple blessings of life.

But his love for a simple life abruptly ended when he was 17. Andy suffered a serious head injury walking one of their horses to pasture on their family farm. Although it remains unclear how the accident happened, the results were devastating. Through his dark time, drawing became a sanctuary. His talents became a refuge and solace, providing hum a way to both express his despair and see hope beyond it.

Andy has had no formal art education. By exercising his "God-given" talent, he found a purpose through his life-changing experience, to become an artist of hope. He desires to bring his viewers courage, peace and hope through his art.

The young artist has successfully exhibited his work across the county. He has won multiply awards for his art, including first place in the Western Spirit Art Show & Sale in Cheyenne, Wyoming, first place at Sangre De Cristo Art Guild's summer show in southern Colorado and four successive years he won awards in the Fine Art competition at Cederhust Center for the arts, Mt Vernon Illinois.

I met Andy's parents in Pinecraft this past summer while they were here doctoring for a few weeks. They showed me some of his art and it is the best as far as putting life and feelings into pencil drawings of horses.

Places where they are available if you can't make it to the public auction in Mt Hope on February 19, 2016. Andy's address is:
Andy Mast
7155 N. Goshen Lane
 Belle Rive, IL 62810
Phone: 618-246-2964

Charter Bus by Pioneer Trails

 If I have my facts straight this bus contains dealers from Holmes Lumber. They have a point system and according to how much they buy, their points add up and Holmes Lumber gives them a free trip. This time the free trip is to Sarasota Florida.

 This dealer is from western Pennsylvania.

 My nephew Joseph Schrock is married to this dealer's daughter Rebecca.

 Wayne Weaver front on the right is my niece Mary Anna's husband. 

Yesterday the bus load was let loose in Pinecraft. Their only order was to be at Der Dutchman's at a certain time for their dinner. Then board their bus and head for Long Boat Keys where they have lodging. 

Little Children

 Waiting to get on the bus. She already had her snow boots on her feet. She said she will use them when she gets back home to Indiana.

 This boy and the net one are brothers. 

and this is a brother to the girl in the snow boots.

House With Three Apartments For Sale

 The former Adin & Barbara Miller home on the corner of Hines and Estrada is up for sale. All of this past summer the present owners remodeled everything from the ground and the grass to the roof. 

This home has three apartments, two in the main house and another one on the right of this vehicle. There is also a shop/garage on the backside of the house.  

Everence Pie Contest

Today was their 5th annual Pie Contest. It appears that they just happen to have the Pie Contest  on a cold windy day. I think this is the third years in a row that it was miserably windy.  But as long as there is no rain we can dress warmly and enjoy the day. 

Below are some of the main pictures. More pictures will be posted on Facebook. 

 The pies started coming in soon after 10am

.

 I think there was approximately 20 pie. 

 Sherry Gore and Laura Beiler.

It was cold and a wind of about 25 mph.

 Looking and admiring the pies.

 There were four judges.

Sherry Gore

 Marlin Eicher from Alaska but spend their winters in Florida.

 Dr Daniel Miller from Holmes County. 

 Todd Emrich from Yoder's Restaurant.

 Ready and eagerly waiting to taste a slice of each pie.

 The two ladies on the right dish out small slices for each judge. 

 David and Toni Kauffman brought the Chili and it is ready to be dished out.

 Praying over the food.

 Simon Lengacher got two servings, one for his wife and he takes the other bowl. 

Announcing the winners for the Creme Pies.

 And a few of the final winners. 

And the cleaning up. 

Fresh Baked Goods

On 1262 Graber Avenue, south of the Tourist church's parking lot is freshly baked goods every day except Sunday. 

From Dinner Buns...

  

 to different bars. 

Some are Lemon bars and Oatmeal crumb bars.

And freshly baked bread. 

It is good eating. 

Going Home

Both of these buses brought people from New York and Pennsylvania and maybe elsewhere too for the Haiti Benefit Auction, which was on Friday and Saturday. Today it was time to head back home.

 The New York bus had a mixture of Amish and Mennonites. These Amish didn't fit any of my familiar slots, and so I asked the lady where they had moved from to their present location. She said Enon Valley PA about fifty years ago.  

 I visited a bit with this couple and found out one of their sons lives a bit east of Sarasota. 

 I think these are "Stauffer Mennonites."

The boy and his parents moved to Bainbridge Ohio.

 These two are boarding the East Earl PA bus.

There is always the partings and "Good-Byes".