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2009 Tale writes final chapter in Perry
Monday, March 16, 2009
By Ben Beagle
bbeagle@batavianews.com
TALE FINALE: The 2009 "A Tale for Three Counties" reading
project wrapped with author Paul L. Gaus' talk in Perry on Saturday
afternoon.
Author Paul L. Gaus has come to know hundreds of Amish during 30 years
of traveling "off the blacktop" in Holmes County, Ohio.
They've provided him with dozens of stories to tell. And after this year's "A Tale for Three Counties" community reading project he has another.
Gaus' talk and book signing at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, Medina, on Friday night was attended by an Amish bishop and his wife.
"I was surprised, a little discombobulated. He threw me off," Gaus acknowledged Saturday afternoon following Tale's final program at Perry Elementary-Middle School. "It was a little different for me to speak to a group of English with an Amish bishop in the audience."
Gaus is a writer of mysteries set in Holmes County, Ohio, where Amish and non-Amish "English" societies often intersect. His most recent book, Separate From the World, was this year's Tale title.
The program wrote its final chapter for 2009 with a talk and book signing in Perry organized by the libraries of Wyoming County. About 65 people attended the presentation.
The seven-year-old Tale program encourages people to read the same book, discuss it and then meet the author. About 360 people attended author talks in Batavia, Medina and Perry that began Thursday and ended Saturday. Gaus also met with four of the five winners of Tale's annual book review contest during a Friday lunch.
"I really like the camaraderie of all the people" that the Tale project creates, said Ruth Gibson of Perry Center. "All the people reading and talking about the book, makes a closeness among the community."
Donna Sanford of Castile picked up Gaus' book because she liked other Amish fiction from authors such as Wanda Brunstetter and Beverly Lewis, who write stories that explore family, relationships and heritage.
"So this was very different," Sanford said of Separate From the World, Gaus' murder-mystery. "At first, I wasn't sure about it. But by the middle I couldn't put it down."
At each appearance, Gaus shared stories of his encounters with the Amish and the changes they are experiencing around Holmes County -- all of which influence the actions and events in Gaus' six Ohio Amish mystery novels.
The bishop whom Gaus met Friday night had moved to the Medina area from Holmes County.
The bishop -- who Gaus said appeared to be about 35 -- offered a couple of points during Friday night's presentation, according to librarians who attended and Gaus. The bishop indicated that Amish parents are not happy with the perception that the reumspringa, a coming-of-age period for Amish teens, is often characterized as a time of wild and risky behaviors; and that he does not make up arbitrary rules for the sect to follow.
"It's phenomenal to me to think that a man of 35 could be responsible for leading a congregation of 35, 40 families, and lead them through discussion of pretty significant matters," Gaus said.
In Perry, Gaus talked about another experience meeting a bishop.
During one trip to Holmes County, a short drive from Gaus' home in Wooster, Ohio, Gaus recalled sitting on a park bench when an Amish man in blue denim trousers, a blue denim jacket, black hat and nicked work boots approached.
"Well, sir, what is it that you do for a living?" Gaus recalled the man asking. The author told the man that he was a college professor.
"And he looked me over sternly and said, 'Ohhhh ... yes, college professor,'" Gaus said.
Then the Amish man started in with questions. Gaus relates the story: "'I understand that you have these trans,' and we wrestled with '-vest' and got to '-ite.' And I'm blushing all the while and wondering what he intended.
"We talked for about 40 minutes; one question after another. It was like he was mining for gold," Gaus said. "I was embarrassed and blushing at times, but I stuck with him."
Eventually, the Amish man explained that he was "looking for an English scoundrel who would tell him everything he needed to know," Gaus said. "He had just been named bishop and was being asked questions about all manner of life."
Gaus went on to explain that the bishop's role was more than just establishing the spiritual rules by which the sect would abide, but that they could be called on to decide all manner of things, including the proper length of a summer dress or the size of a hat brim. The bishop's own choices often provide the example that others in the sect will follow, he said.
"It's not that they're automatons, but they give themselves over so completely to the idea of submission as spiritual grace, that they all want to be the same," Gaus said.
Gaus acknowledged the difficulty many have in understanding the concept.
"We're all here today dressed differently, with all our own personalities," Gaus said. "That's who we are. It's part of our identity to be individuals, but for the Amish the whole point is to be like one another, to live like one another."
Gaus spoke for an hour, capturing the audience's attention with an entertaining array of stories that often revealed the Amish to be curious about the world and have a sense of humor.
"I thought he was a wonderful storyteller, even in talking about his experiences -- particularly about the details," said Eleanor Jacobs of Perry. "There was so much more detail in his presentation."
Gaus shared stories of traveling to Holmes County in his red Miata sports car -- with the top down -- and attracting the attention of an older Amish man. Their conversation began with predictable jokes about "how many oats does that baby take" or "how many horses do you have under the hood." A short time later, Gaus was driving the man to several towns so he could complete a number of business arrangements. Along the way, Gaus' passenger leaned over to him and said, "Just so you know I've always wanted to go 100 mph."
"Now, I'm not going to admit to any sort of lawlessness, but in an open-topped Miata at certain speeds, Andy Weaver's beard splits down the middle and blows itself back along the sides," Gaus said, demonstrating by pulling on his own beard.
The experiences Gaus recalled hardly fit the expectation many would have of the Amish. Their world is not as insulated as some believe, he said, and they have an enterprising nature that allows them to make use of such things as cell phones and cars without going against the tenets of their beliefs.
Gaus also noted the changes happening among the Amish, who are turning to other work pursuits as farmland becomes scarce and expensive. Weaver, who lived in Minnesota, refurbished sawmills and would have his deliveries stop in Holmes County so mill pieces could be repaired before he sold them.
Other Amish are turning to trades that might appeal more to tourists, such as handmade quilts and baskets.
"Amish people are like anyone. They can be funny, spontaneous, entertaining," Gaus said in an interview after his Perry program. "They are an engaging people, you meet some in town and they wonder who you are and the next thing you're talking and sharing.
"But there are plenty of Amish who won't bother me at all," he said, "and that's the way it should be, too."
Courtesy of Batavia Newspapers Corporation