Writer tells interesting story of Mennonites splitting from a modernizing community

Mennonites from one Central Kentucky community, on the South Fork of the Green River, are moving south to Grundy County, Tennessee, to maintain a more traditional way of life and escape modern technology that has increasingly been adopted by some neighbors in their sect, like Amy and Nathan Sizemore, right, who opened a restaurant supported by tourists and promoted on Facebook.

"Sixty of South Fork’s roughly 80 Mennonite families have already purchased land in Tennessee, and 17 already have made the move," reports Todd Kleffman of the Advocate-Messenger in Danville, Ky., who also took the black-and-white photographs for his story.

Ammon Weaver "is part of the more conservative 'horse and buggy' Mennonites," writes Kleffman. "He believes that the South Fork community has become too relaxed and loose in its acceptance of modern conveniences such as tractors, electricity, vehicles and even cell phones and computers as it has developed into a significant commercial enterprise and tourist attraction."

Weaver is a commercial success; his machine shop does work for drilling firms that use hydraulic fracturing, and his enterprise was named the industry of the year by the Casey County Chamber of Commerce in 2011. “It’s a shame he’s leaving,” Chamber Director Blaine Staat told Kleffman. “The guy is amazing.”

Weaver, who keeps his award face down on a shelf out of traditional Mennonite modesty, told Kleffman, "It’s really important that we focus on the true meaning, on serving the Lord more and not so much on lifestyle. We are not condemning, we are choosing not to participate any longer." The 3,526-word story is a fine example of reporting and writing for any newspaper, not just this 11,000-circulation  daily. To read it, click here.

Mennonites generally shun photography, but most are willing to allow pictures in which individuals are not clearly identified. The Advocate-Messenger published the story's photos in black and white out of respect for Mennonite ways, and did not publish many excellent pictures because the subjects asked that they not be published, Editor John Nelson told The Rural Blog.