happened to be watching the movie Witness and forgot the barn raising scene is really still amazing. Harrison gets to use some of his carpentry skills. any of you ever get a chance to actually see one of those Amish barn raisings??? that would be an amazing experience.
Witness - barn raising
- Thread starter blion72
- Start date
I just woke up.Tough crowd here ...
Yeah, it’s very cool, the barn-raising scene. Good flick.
Too bad real Amish women don't look like the ones in the movie.
They still do traditional barn raising occasionally (i.e. without mechanical assistance, air tools, etc), but mostly just to preserve the tradition.
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My uncles barn burned down maybe 25 or so years ago, and he has an amish barn raising to rebuild. I don't remember much, but I remember it taking 2 days, amish families from as far as an hour away came to help, the men and boys did the work while the women and girls kept everyone fed and hydrated, and cooked a HUGE meal for everyone for lunch and dinner. No one used power tools, and if I remember correctly they only used wooden pegs to "nail" everything together. A few days after it was done, we had a "hoedown", to include a bluegrass band and lots of dancing. It was straight out of the movies. As I get older, the memories start to fade but i'll always remember it. I have to talk to my aunt to see if there was something in the paper about it. I think there was, but I can't remember.
It's one of my favorite H Ford movies and truly a beautiful scene....all done with instrumental music, not a word of dialogue -- really showed the beauty of community and Amish life. Peter Weir, who also directed Dead Poets Society, did a fantastic job with Witness.
I think a Flag is in order...Kelly Mc......sponge bath Just Sayin'
It's a beautifully-filmed scene in a movie that's enjoyable from beginning to end.
But who knew that the exiled King of Gondor was also hiding out in Amish country?
But who knew that the exiled King of Gondor was also hiding out in Amish country?
This has nothing to do with barn raising, but thought it needed attention.
Post_ShockTherapy_MackDaddy
Well-Known Member
This has nothing to do with barn raising, but thought it needed attention.
Be right back.
What, how did you get that? They are clearly working and moving about freely at unnatural heights, which makes them some form of super ape. We have a poster who can teach you about these things.
She farted.
This has nothing to do with barn raising, but thought it needed attention.
Not "Witness," but I always thought this news story from 20 years ago would make a terrific movie. I imagine a bunch of bearded men in 18th century clothing blasting armed motorcyclists off their bikes from behind silos.
AMISH-RAISED MEN ADMIT DRUG CHARGES
Family And Friends Show Their Support
PHILADELPHIA _ Two Lancaster County men, born and raised in Amish families, pleaded guilty Monday to federal drug-trafficking charges stemming from their involvement in a drug ring organized by members of the Pagan motorcycle gang.
Wearing the traditional Amish garb of black jackets and pants, Abner Stoltzfus, 24, of Ronks, and Abner King Stoltzfus, 23, of Gap, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine before Senior U.S. District Court Judge Clarence Newcomer.
In a plea agreement worked out with the U.S. Attorney's Office, the two men, who are not related, have agreed to cooperate fully with the government in the case, provide information on the eight other defendants and testify against the others if asked to by prosecutors.
The plea agreement had been worked out before the two were even indicted, John F. Pyfer Jr., Abner Stoltzfus' defense attorney, said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Dominguez said the government will ask the court for leniency in sentencing because the two men have cooperated fully with prosecutors.
"They have explained their role in the conspiracy and expressed their desire to plead guilty," Dominguez said. "They have accepted responsibility from the beginning."
Their sentences, however, rest in Newcomer's hands. The two face up to 40 years in prison and as much as $2 million in fines. They will be sentenced in late January or early February.
With more than 40 Amish looking on _ the men wearing black coats, the women clad in dark gray sweaters and white bonnets _ the defendants admitted to selling or distributing between 500 grams and two kilos of cocaine to young Amish people at "hoedowns," which are organized by Amish youth groups, over a three-year period ending in 1997.
The Amish, making their way out of the courthouse in Center City Philadelphia, shielded their faces from television and newspaper photographers. Those asked for comment offered no response.
The event proved solemn for the two defendants, who answered the judge's questions with simple and polite responses of, "Yes, your honor." The two, who are construction workers, eventually began to shed tears as the 45-minute proceeding wore on.
Newcomer, a former Lancaster County district attorney familiar with Amish ways, noted the strong show of support from the defendants' families and friends.
"It is very gratifying to know these individuals' families and peers are supporting them in a time of trouble," the judge said. "Certainly they are going to continue to need that support for some time to come."
Louise Stoltzfus, a local author who was raised in the Amish community but has since left to pursue a writing career, said a sense of sorrow over the drug use has fallen over the Amish community. She said church leaders and parents are redoubling efforts to steer young people away from drugs.
"The Amish community is really concerned about drug use," she said. "They are doing a lot of intentional things to keep the young people from using drugs."
The two Amish-raised men were indicted in June along with seven members or associates of the Pagan motorcycle gang and another unidentified Amish juvenile, on various drug charges. The two were considered by prosecutors to be just a small part of a major drug ring organized by Pagan members from Chester and Lancaster counties.
In all, those charged are accused of distributing up to $1 million worth of cocaine and methamphetamine in Lancaster and Chester counties from 1992 to 1997.
The case drew widespread attention due to the unusual association between the Amish, known worldwide for their simple, God-fearing agrarian traditions, and Pagan gang members, whose notoriety stems mainly from their hard-living, outlaw image.
"It's definitely an oddity," Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Dominguez said. "But, as this case has uncovered, there are problems in every community. No matter how tight a community is, it can fall prey to drugs."
The defense attorneys said they were hopeful the two Amish-reared men would receive lenient sentences from Newcomer.
Though the mandatory sentence for conspiracy to distribute cocaine is five years in prison, the judge could deviate from standard sentencing if he saw fit, said Phil Restrepo, the attorney representing Abner King Stoltzfus.
"We are hoping for a sentence under 60 months," Restrepo said. "Anything is possible. We expect their cooperation will be considered."
Pyfer expressed the same hope.
"I think it went very well today," Pyfer said. "I appreciated the judge's comments. I think people from Lancaster County understand the Amish and know these men are remorseful. That is certainly the case here. Their remorse is sincere. They never in any way denied their guilt.
"We're hopeful the judge will take this into consideration."
Of the 10 charged in the drug ring, five have pleaded guilty and five await trial, Dominguez said.
Lawrence "Twisted" Mellott, 33, of Frazer, Robert "Fat Head" Reeder, 33, of Coatesville, and Pagan associate James Boyd of Coatesville have also pleaded guilty.
The other five have been scheduled for trial in December.
Emory E. Reed, 47, of Millersville, alleged to be the former leader of the Pagans' Chester County chapter, is charged as the lead defendant in the case and faces up to life in prison if convicted. Reed, with a long criminal history that includes convictions for kidnapping and aggravated assault, remains in federal prison pending trial.
Also scheduled for trial in December are Douglas "Juke" Hersh, of Ronks, and Dwayne "BD" Blank of Gap, Natalie "Nat" King of Coatesville and Russell Samuels of Blue Bell. They have been released on bail pending court appearances.
AMISH-RAISED MEN ADMIT DRUG CHARGES
Family And Friends Show Their Support
PHILADELPHIA _ Two Lancaster County men, born and raised in Amish families, pleaded guilty Monday to federal drug-trafficking charges stemming from their involvement in a drug ring organized by members of the Pagan motorcycle gang.
Wearing the traditional Amish garb of black jackets and pants, Abner Stoltzfus, 24, of Ronks, and Abner King Stoltzfus, 23, of Gap, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine before Senior U.S. District Court Judge Clarence Newcomer.
In a plea agreement worked out with the U.S. Attorney's Office, the two men, who are not related, have agreed to cooperate fully with the government in the case, provide information on the eight other defendants and testify against the others if asked to by prosecutors.
The plea agreement had been worked out before the two were even indicted, John F. Pyfer Jr., Abner Stoltzfus' defense attorney, said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Dominguez said the government will ask the court for leniency in sentencing because the two men have cooperated fully with prosecutors.
"They have explained their role in the conspiracy and expressed their desire to plead guilty," Dominguez said. "They have accepted responsibility from the beginning."
Their sentences, however, rest in Newcomer's hands. The two face up to 40 years in prison and as much as $2 million in fines. They will be sentenced in late January or early February.
With more than 40 Amish looking on _ the men wearing black coats, the women clad in dark gray sweaters and white bonnets _ the defendants admitted to selling or distributing between 500 grams and two kilos of cocaine to young Amish people at "hoedowns," which are organized by Amish youth groups, over a three-year period ending in 1997.
The Amish, making their way out of the courthouse in Center City Philadelphia, shielded their faces from television and newspaper photographers. Those asked for comment offered no response.
The event proved solemn for the two defendants, who answered the judge's questions with simple and polite responses of, "Yes, your honor." The two, who are construction workers, eventually began to shed tears as the 45-minute proceeding wore on.
Newcomer, a former Lancaster County district attorney familiar with Amish ways, noted the strong show of support from the defendants' families and friends.
"It is very gratifying to know these individuals' families and peers are supporting them in a time of trouble," the judge said. "Certainly they are going to continue to need that support for some time to come."
Louise Stoltzfus, a local author who was raised in the Amish community but has since left to pursue a writing career, said a sense of sorrow over the drug use has fallen over the Amish community. She said church leaders and parents are redoubling efforts to steer young people away from drugs.
"The Amish community is really concerned about drug use," she said. "They are doing a lot of intentional things to keep the young people from using drugs."
The two Amish-raised men were indicted in June along with seven members or associates of the Pagan motorcycle gang and another unidentified Amish juvenile, on various drug charges. The two were considered by prosecutors to be just a small part of a major drug ring organized by Pagan members from Chester and Lancaster counties.
In all, those charged are accused of distributing up to $1 million worth of cocaine and methamphetamine in Lancaster and Chester counties from 1992 to 1997.
The case drew widespread attention due to the unusual association between the Amish, known worldwide for their simple, God-fearing agrarian traditions, and Pagan gang members, whose notoriety stems mainly from their hard-living, outlaw image.
"It's definitely an oddity," Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Dominguez said. "But, as this case has uncovered, there are problems in every community. No matter how tight a community is, it can fall prey to drugs."
The defense attorneys said they were hopeful the two Amish-reared men would receive lenient sentences from Newcomer.
Though the mandatory sentence for conspiracy to distribute cocaine is five years in prison, the judge could deviate from standard sentencing if he saw fit, said Phil Restrepo, the attorney representing Abner King Stoltzfus.
"We are hoping for a sentence under 60 months," Restrepo said. "Anything is possible. We expect their cooperation will be considered."
Pyfer expressed the same hope.
"I think it went very well today," Pyfer said. "I appreciated the judge's comments. I think people from Lancaster County understand the Amish and know these men are remorseful. That is certainly the case here. Their remorse is sincere. They never in any way denied their guilt.
"We're hopeful the judge will take this into consideration."
Of the 10 charged in the drug ring, five have pleaded guilty and five await trial, Dominguez said.
Lawrence "Twisted" Mellott, 33, of Frazer, Robert "Fat Head" Reeder, 33, of Coatesville, and Pagan associate James Boyd of Coatesville have also pleaded guilty.
The other five have been scheduled for trial in December.
Emory E. Reed, 47, of Millersville, alleged to be the former leader of the Pagans' Chester County chapter, is charged as the lead defendant in the case and faces up to life in prison if convicted. Reed, with a long criminal history that includes convictions for kidnapping and aggravated assault, remains in federal prison pending trial.
Also scheduled for trial in December are Douglas "Juke" Hersh, of Ronks, and Dwayne "BD" Blank of Gap, Natalie "Nat" King of Coatesville and Russell Samuels of Blue Bell. They have been released on bail pending court appearances.
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I just love the idea of the Amish guys testifying against the PAGAN drug Kingpin, who gets life, then sends his minions into Lancaster County to "take out the trash."P.A.G.A.N.
People
Against
Goodness
And
Normalcy
Pagans motoring their choppers down a dirt road in a cloud of dust, then suddenly a wire rope is stretched taut across the road and they are all wrecked, some decapitated and carp dancing in the road. The camera pans out and on either side is an amish guy with a plow horse, the wire rope stretched taut between the horses.
There has already beena tv show about this stuff...starring Lili Simmons and a bunch of other folks whose names escape me.
I used to see her at my job on a regular basis back in the earlier part of this decade and she was all but unrecognizable from her roles in Witness and Top Gun.
