· Episode 14 · Brian McDonald had mailed his annual postcard to Milton Schrock. The color photo showed a Pennsylvania Amish farm with rows of grain stalks or sheaves standing up in orderly fashion. The next Saturday, Brian, as was tradition, sat at a table in Humble’s only restaurant, Amanda’s Amish Kitchen. He stared out a window that faced the public elementary school’s playground where he viewed the baseball field. Memories flooded Brian’s head. It was 1983 and Brian was seventeen, a … [Read more...] about Old Friends at Amanda’s Amish Kitchen
Behind the Books Blog
Milton’s Memories
· Episode 13 · The late morning heat guaranteed the afternoon would be a scorcher. Milton Schrock, in his horse-and-buggy, headed towards Amanda’s Amish Restaurant to meet his old friend, Brian McDonald. He reflected on their friendship. It was a year since Milton had seen Brian. It was over thirty years since they had played college football and roomed together at Wichita State University. What an amazing journey Milton had taken, from Humble to Wichita and back. From the simple life to … [Read more...] about Milton’s Memories
Bowling Alley Talk about Jersey Schrock
· Episode 12 · Earlier, we learned that Shawn Harris and Reuben Schrock are friends even though Shawn had previously been the hit-and-run driver in an accident involving his truck and the Schrock horse-and-wagon. Dot, Shawn’s girlfriend, and Katie, Reuben’s date, were on their way to the bowling alley when stopped by Deputy Jennings. Both Reuben and Katie have grown up Amish but are currently exploring the English (non-Amish) world during their time of rumspringa, a word translated as … [Read more...] about Bowling Alley Talk about Jersey Schrock
Deputy Jennings Stops a Speeder
· Episode 11 · (Two weeks later) Deputy Tom Jennings was on duty working traffic with his trusted companion, K-9 Yackel Von Baerenzinger. It was Saturday night and Jennings was out hunting. He knew there were drunk drivers and druggies to catch, who needed to go to jail. Maybe, for a few hours at least, I can help make the road a little bit safer for everyone, including the drunks, he thought. As a vehicle approached him with its high beams blazing, he flicked his patrol car’s high beams … [Read more...] about Deputy Jennings Stops a Speeder
Deputy Jennings Interviews a Suspect
· Episode 10 · The unfortunate accident was his good fortune. Thanks to the Schrock’s, Tom Jennings felt like he, for the first time, had a better understanding of the Amish. He was pleased they shared what they did. It would have been easier for them to say nothing to an outsider. Generally, remaining silent about their beliefs was the Amish community’s way. After the wreck, Jennings made a decision to do his job despite knowing that the Schrock’s were content with their lot. As per … [Read more...] about Deputy Jennings Interviews a Suspect
Tom & Jesse Jennings Discuss Parenting
· Episode 9 · Summary: Tom Jennings had never been all that interested in the Old Order Amish. He figured he was about as curious of them as they were in him. Both he and the Amish lived in separate worlds and that was fine. Then, after interacting with several individuals who were Amish, he changed. First, he was assigned to investigate someone stealing county dirt from a county ditch. The absurd assignment only got crazier as more and more Amish buggies arrived at the farmstead where he … [Read more...] about Tom & Jesse Jennings Discuss Parenting
Blame the Amish
· Episode 8 · Arthur Kane was Assistant Director of the Cottonwood County Road and Bridge Department. He’d been around a lot longer than the furniture and felt as worn out as the old carpet. Kane was following up on a call he had received from the Sheriff’s Office. One of Kane’s people had contacted Emergency Dispatch and reported a theft in progress. The property allegedly being stolen was soil from a county ditch. According to Patrol Captain McArdle, an R&B employee had caused law … [Read more...] about Blame the Amish
Deputy Jennings Learns a Lesson
· Episode 7 · Previously, in Episode 6 (Deputy Jennings Works an Accident), Deputy Tom Jennings worked an accident between an Amish horse-and-wagon and a hit-and-run truck. The officer interviewed the Amish teenagers, Rebecca and Reuben Schrock. * It was God’s will for the children to be in the wreck, but it was also His will for them to live. With the results of God’s plans surrounding them, Martin and Irene Schrock were thankful. They also reminded themselves to limit their … [Read more...] about Deputy Jennings Learns a Lesson
Deputy Jennings Works an Accident
· Episode 6 · In Episode 5, Irene and Martin Schrock were informed by a deputy sheriff that two of their children had been involved in an accident while they were operating the Schrock family's horse-and-wagon. Deputy Jennings and Sgt. Hunter had already been assigned to work the hit-and-run accident. * Irene and Martin Schrock saw the emergency flashing lights ahead and glanced at one another. Deputy Razer slowed her patrol car. Irene spotted the ambulance first. Martin observed his … [Read more...] about Deputy Jennings Works an Accident
An Amish Accident
· Episode 5 · In an earlier episode, Rosannah Yoder had been at her Amish farmstead talking with two deputy sheriffs when the officers were assigned to a nearby injury accident. Rosannah feared her husband may have been involved in the wreck. * The asphalt, like a thermometer, was heating up after the night’s sudden storm. Rosannah, holding her youngest child, was standing beside her mother, Anna. They spotted Adam’s tractor approaching from a distance of a half–mile. Rosannah waited by … [Read more...] about An Amish Accident
