The Pinecraft Pauper Newspaper

The Pinecraft Pauper is published twice per month, and sells for $1. It is black-and-white, with photos and illustrations. There are 10 issues, beginning mid-December and running through Easter week.

Richard Stevick, Messiah college professor and author of Growing Up Amish: The Teenage Years, has kindly shared an interesting report on an unusual new Amish publication (excerpts to come) based in the Sunshine State:

“Sunny Pinecraft, Florida, may not be replacing frozen Alymer, Ontario, as the creative and intellectual center of Amish thought and writing, but at the least, Pinecraft seems to be experiencing a bit of an intellectual renaissance with the appearance of a new periodical. Just before Christmas past, the first edition of The Pinecraft Pauper hit the newsstands. All right, “hit the newsstands” may be exaggerated a tad, but the unexpected appearance of the twelve page ‘rag,’ as the founder/editor affectionately calls it, is making a splash in this vacation community.

“Rather than resembling the Budget or Die Botschaft, The Pauper reminds me of a down home and denim version of the New Yorker, minus the cartoons and the attitude. It certainly features clear writing, a broad range of subjects, and engaging writing. The inaugural issue reported not only recent and current happenings in this snowbird capital for plain people but featured a diversity of offerings, touching on the economy, the arts, some science, and even some political ruminations.

“The Pinecraft Pauper was temporarily retired after the 2009-10 winter months. It's a seasonal paper. Sherry Gore has since taken over editorship, and under her guidance it has come roaring back for another season.

“The first issue of the second run has just been released, and I can say it is continuing in the same vein. Highlights in this issue include ‘Christmas, Florida’ (on a small town near Orlando), ’Mischievous Logic Puzzles’, a recipe for squirrel stew, and a report on the Flying Dutchman’s hard landing (he’s pretty banged up, but sounds like he’ll survive).”

(Comments taken from Amish America)