MESOPOTAMIA - The Amish faith advocates living apart from the world.
The Amish still must live in the world, however. And as the recession deepens, many of the conservative Christian community are drawing on their traditions to weather the storm.
''Not many families can rely completely on their farms for income,'' said Freeman Miller, who owns Millers Holz Haus in Middlefield with his wife. They sell small furniture pieces, children's toys and furniture, decorative objects, quilts and other goods made by the Amish. "As a result, many men went into building or construction.''
He estimates at least half of the Amish community is involved in some way in building and construction. When the housing market crashed last year, so did job prospects for many of the companies. With the resulting economic decline and layoffs of thousands around the area, the remodeling businesses also slowed.
''Many people think that because the Amish don't have things like cars or electric, that the economic crisis hasn't impacted them,'' said Miller. ''I would say 75 or 80 percent of them work in wood in some fashion, and many of them are out of work. Many of the younger men work in construction, and there hasn't been work for them all winter.''
There are other things those men can do, Miller said. But the loss or cutback of a livelihood is an adjustment for anyone, he said.
Bill Gingrich opened his store - B & K Salvage Groceries - nine years ago to help save people money. He originally ran a construction business and was looking for something to supplement his income. The second year of operation he stopped the construction work and concentrated entirely on the store. It now employs his family and six other people.
''When gasoline was $4 a gallon, people didn't want to drive this far,'' he said. The Gingrichs' store is on state Route 87 in Mesopotamia. ''But now that gas is down, more people will come.''
When he opened B & K, it was the only salvage grocery in that part of Trumbull County. Now there are several in the upper regions of the county.
''It is a new industry in our county, but it is one that is needed,'' he said. ''It makes it easier for people to make their budgets reach.''
At the salvage grocery, Gingrich sells name-brand groceries at a discount. He also sells fresh produce and fresh bread. He said he thinks as more people need to trim their budgets, they'll look for ways to save money and may look to salvage groceries.
''We all tend to live right up to our means,'' Gingrich said. ''It's when those means are gone that we have to make an adjustment.''
In the end, Freeman Miller said he's confident people will find their way through the economic crisis. It may mean realizing that things once thought essential are actually luxuries, or that people will spend more time with their loved ones. There may be a silver lining to the storm clouds, too, he said.
"It's been good to see everyone step back," Miller said.
