I WA LIFE
SUDOKU
DARIN’S ADVENTURE IN AMISH COUNTRY MEET THE OLD-SCHOOL COMMUNITY OF KALONA, IOWA
Hey folks, Darin here! I know I rarely pop into this section of the newsletter, but I couldn’t let the opportunity to talk about my trip to Amish country pass me by. The memory popped into my head this month and I just had to turn it into an article. Here in Iowa, we have a pretty big Amish community. About 7,000 people in the state are dedicated to that lifestyle, and a group of 1,200 “Old Order” Amish live outside the town of Kalona. Their settlement is the oldest Amish community in Iowa (started in 1846 if you can believe it), and one of the biggest west of the Mississippi. Amish communities promote simple, old-fashioned living. They have a set of rules called “ordnung” that requires the Old Order Amish to refuse electricity and farm and travel with horses. The women wear dresses and prayer caps, while the men don black suits and grow beards. They’re church-going folks, pacifists, and, in my experience, friendly people. Gina and I see Amish people pretty regularly here in Cedar Rapids, and I work with a few Amish investors. It’s a really interesting and unique way of life, and that was driven home for me when Gina and I visited an Amish farm to buy our very first puppy. This was years ago, but I still remember how excited I was to check out the place in person. Gina and I had heard through the grapevine that this family had Shetland sheepdog puppies for sale, so we took a road trip to the settlement. When we pulled up, I was blown away by the garden — it was the biggest one I’d ever seen! The farm was like something out of a picture book. There was a modest house, a barn, and some horses. The puppies were adorable, and Gina and I picked one out. We named her Bailey, and she grew up to be a great dog. In fact, she’s probably the reason we have Shetland sheepdogs today! The memory of visiting the farm to get her will always be a sweet one.
SALES AND SUCCES S
APARTMENT
UNDER CONTRACT! 100-UNIT APARTMENT COMMUNITY!
24 UNITS FOR SALE
TERRIFIC 4 PLEX SOLD IN DAYS!
CONTACT DARIN TODAY AT 319-350-5378 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE LISTINGS!
If you ever visit Kalona, I’d recommend stopping by the Kalona Historical Society to learn about the local Amish community. You won’t regret the trip!
319-350-5378 3
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