It’s been over nine months since our Mom passed away at the age of 90.  When I think of the many ways she influenced my life I’m finding it difficult to write this letter.  If you happened to meet her at some point you immediately were drawn to her quiet spirit.  It was easy for her to put that on display because that’s who she was deep inside.  Growing up poor in an Amish family with 15 siblings created many hardships, some not necessary to repeat.  What was unique with Mom was her interest in people, we have memories of guests (strangers) living with us for weeks,  in some cases months thanks to the kindness in our parents hearts.  My Dad being the pioneer he was along with Mom opened the Inn having to borrow all of the money.  So the dream of meeting many people along with a place of quiet respite in a truly unique location was born.  Now what remained was to give the guests an experience away from home that made them feel ‘at home’.  As Moms health declined in the past ten years along with her memory the sweet disposition along with her sense of humor was there to the end. That was Mom that impacted my life in positive ways. 

Moving forward us four siblings will carry on Mom and Dads vision of a place of rest and relaxation.  The theme to this letter and 2024 is encouragement,  many of you with cards, words, acts of kindness have encouraged us more than my words can express. We will never be able to reciprocate your generosity because we truly don’t know and haven't forgotten all the encouraging ways you blessed us.  THANK YOU!!  Our goal along with Phyllis and the staff at Orchard Inn is to maintain the hospitality Mom and Dad envisioned at the beginning and hopefully encourage many of you as you enter our doors.

This holiday season and in 2024…..to honor our Lord and Savior along with our Mom, join us in showing exceptional kindness to someone special you know in your life. Think of a widow/widower,  someone that experienced loss recently or someone very needy and encourage them with a message of hope. 

‘Encouragement is like water to the soul, it makes everything grow’.

Mahlon
12/2023