Tell us a bit about yourself.
“I grew up in suburban Chicago (Aurora), and spent 19 years as a teacher and then 17 years as an administrative assistant and bookkeeper at a law firm. In the mid-1980s, a friend and I discovered Shipshewana via a brochure at a rest stop on the tollway. We spent a weekend, and then that became an annual tradition, and then a twice-a-year tradition. There were no hotels then, so we stayed at various B&Bs. In the late 1990s, I met my first Amish friends, who are still dear friends today. Then in 2017, I got married, and Gary and I honeymooned here. He loved the area immediately, and he suggested that we retire here. So in 2017, we did! We live in Middlebury now.”
What is My Amish Indiana, and how did it begin? 
“My friends at the law firm started asking me all kinds of questions about my favorite weekend getaway spot, so around 2013, I started a Facebook page to share my photos and answer their questions. But I had a lot of stories to tell that were too big for Facebook, so soon I started a blog. I called both of them “My Amish Indiana” because I didn’t claim to be an expert; rather, I was sharing my experiences and what I was seeing, hearing, and learning here. I continued to ask my Amish friends a million questions—and I wrote down the answers. Sometime after COVID, a few Facebook followers started asking me, ‘Could I pay you to show me around when I visit the Shipshewana area?’ About three years ago, Sonya Nash called me into the Visitors Center and asked if she could help me promote my private tour services. Then two years ago, I rewrote about 165 of my blog posts into my first two books, mostly as a companion to my tours. To my surprise, the local Amish liked the books as well! Since then, I’ve written a book for ‘English’ kids about the Amish, and a book for Amish kids about their heritage here in northern Indiana. At some point, my husband, Gary, started doing tours too. (All of my writing, by the way, has been fact-checked by my Amish friends.)”
What is one thing you most enjoy about Shipshewana?
“Even after decades of vacationing here and nearly a decade of living here, we still like to drive over from Middlebury to shop, eat, and see what’s going on in Shipshewana. I’d answer that question by saying that even though it’s growing, in the important ways, it’s still the same.”
What makes LaGrange County/Shipshewana so unique, and why should people visit?
“The Amish presence here really gives the area a distinct feel. I’ve been to plenty of other Amish settlements. The difference here is that the Amish culture is so much more accessible to tourists. You don’t have to wander out into the distant countryside to spot a buggy.”
If you were to meet someone who has never stopped by, what would you tell them?
“Shopping and eating, and shows are great! We still do all three! But the more you learn about the local Amish culture, the more you’ll gain from your visit. That’s why I wrote my books. They contain the information and backstories that I wish I’d known when I first visited the area. Also, don’t believe most of what you read about the Amish on the internet or see on TV! The amount of bad information is appalling.”
What are you most excited about for 2025?
“Gary and I have been excited to do a growing number of tours this year, and for such a variety of people! To quote from my website: ‘We have welcomed tour guests from all over America, as well as Canada, Spain, Germany, Hungary, Austria, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan. We have hosted diplomats, professional photographers and artists, contest winners, and every kind of family or friends group!’ We have spent decades familiarizing ourselves with the culture here, and sharing it is our mission and joy. There are so many misconceptions about the Amish, and we get a lot of opportunities to set people straight.”
How can residents learn more about My Amish Indiana?
“Several ways: My website, myamishindiana.com, has lots of information on my books and on taking a tour with one of us. Our rack cards are available at the Visitors Center and in dozens of other places in the area. My books are available on Amazon or locally; there’s a list of locations on the website. On social media, I have a Facebook page and an Instagram page, both named “My Amish Indiana.” Tour reviews can be seen on TripAdvisor and Google Maps.”
Anything else you would like to add:
“So many people have encouraged us and helped us to grow our business! Sonya at the Visitors Center, local business owners who carry our books and rack cards, Vickie at Great Life Tours, Lora Gates at the Trading Place, and our many Amish friends and acquaintances who have answered our questions, let us bring guests to their farms and businesses, and allowed us to take photos.”
