Our day started at 7:30am and we are off to tour around Amish Country. 
Awesome to sit in a real Amish buggy...loved the velvet interior.
There’s more than just shopping in Lehman's store. Holmes County resident Paul Weaver also is providing some world-class art carvings. A furniture builder by trade, Weaver’s been working with wood his whole life. About 23 years ago, he took up whittling and then a deep relief carving workshop with master carver David Bennett changed him forever and lead to the exhibition at Lehman’s. Paul's bigger carvings can take as long as six months. Although he’s used a drill press to rough out the design, the majority of the work is by hand. “It’s all carved out, every bit. He uses drawknives and chisels…He just takes his time and carves.”
He doesn't sell the carvings, it’s basically still a hobby for Paul.
Time to start heading home and on the way it rained so hard you could hardly see out to drive.
Thank Goodness Marlon was driving. When the rain stopped we stopped at our favorite roadside
stand where a young Amish couple and their small children are out running around and made some
purchases from them. The cantaloupe I could smell the minute I got close to their building. We
bought some corn, cantaloupe, and some fresh peaches. Laura visited with the children and their
dogs. So far it's been a wonderful fun filled a day of adventures. Forgot to mention we did stop at a
place that sold Amish furniture just to look around.
We finished our day with a stop in Utica and toured the factory where Velvet ice cream is made and walked through the gift shop. Who knew that the “Ice Cream Capital of Ohio” is in Utica? The Velvet Ice Cream factory, which produces over five million gallons of ice cream per year, is the source of this delicious title. Started in 1910 by Lebanese immigrant Joseph Dager, the family is now running the company in its fourth generation. You can find Velvet ice cream all over the Midwest, and it all starts here, at Ye Olde Mill. As you turn into the driveway of Ye Olde Mill on Mt. Vernon street.
We just can't believe the size of this wheel.
Laura and I gave Bessy the cow a hug and I even got to milk her.
First stop was Smuckers in Orville, Ohio. 
Laura Lupo-Castelli and I even got to tickle the Pillsbury Dough Boy's belly..... Marlon enjoyed a cup of coffee at the cafe while we shopped. 
Got behind a Amish horse and buggy with 2 young girls driving it to town. Love to see them in their natural settings.
Next stop was Lehman's Hardware. The buildings were a quarter-mile-long structure made up of
Next stop was Lehman's Hardware. The buildings were a quarter-mile-long structure made up of
the remnants of a log cabin and three pre-Civil War buildings, including a hand-hewn barn. Ready to
enter the building and do some shopping.
There’s more than just shopping in Lehman's store. Holmes County resident Paul Weaver also is providing some world-class art carvings. A furniture builder by trade, Weaver’s been working with wood his whole life. About 23 years ago, he took up whittling and then a deep relief carving workshop with master carver David Bennett changed him forever and lead to the exhibition at Lehman’s. Paul's bigger carvings can take as long as six months. Although he’s used a drill press to rough out the design, the majority of the work is by hand. “It’s all carved out, every bit. He uses drawknives and chisels…He just takes his time and carves.”
He doesn't sell the carvings, it’s basically still a hobby for Paul.
These 2 Amish boys followed us around as we admired Paul Weaver's carvings.
Marlon gave us ladies a little time out in jail........LOL
When is the last time you saw a telephone booth?
Ended the trip to Lehmans with some homemade coconut ice cream. It was so cold and yummy.
Next stop was Wendell August where they make forged metal to create ornaments, platters, trays and jewelry.
Time for some lunch and we are headed to Guggisberg's Chalet in the Valley for their famous swiss
cheese Reuben's. Enjoyed looking at all the German clocks hanging around the establishment.
Thank Goodness Marlon was driving. When the rain stopped we stopped at our favorite roadside
stand where a young Amish couple and their small children are out running around and made some
purchases from them. The cantaloupe I could smell the minute I got close to their building. We
bought some corn, cantaloupe, and some fresh peaches. Laura visited with the children and their
dogs. So far it's been a wonderful fun filled a day of adventures. Forgot to mention we did stop at a
place that sold Amish furniture just to look around.
We finished our day with a stop in Utica and toured the factory where Velvet ice cream is made and walked through the gift shop. Who knew that the “Ice Cream Capital of Ohio” is in Utica? The Velvet Ice Cream factory, which produces over five million gallons of ice cream per year, is the source of this delicious title. Started in 1910 by Lebanese immigrant Joseph Dager, the family is now running the company in its fourth generation. You can find Velvet ice cream all over the Midwest, and it all starts here, at Ye Olde Mill. As you turn into the driveway of Ye Olde Mill on Mt. Vernon street.
We are tired and home now. Hope we gave Laura Lupo-Castelli a nice tour of Amish country.
