Elizabeth Coblentz penned The Amish Cook column from 1991 through 2002. Shortly before Elizabeth died, she and I discussed what would happen to her newspaper column if anything were to happen to her. It was just one of those casual kitchen conversations. We thought we were planning for a day 10 or 20 years away. But God had other plans and took Elizabeth from us in September 2001 when she died suddenly of an aneurysm.

Elizabeth had indicated that she would like to see her work continue through one of her daughters, but she left that decision, which daughter, up to me. Though deeply grieving, I had to make that tough choice in the days after Elizabeth died.

Lovina was standing in the driveway with her mother on that warm July day so many years ago when I first met Elizabeth (CLICK HERE FOR HOW IT ALL BEGAN). In many ways, Lovina was the logical successor to her mother. In looks and in personality, Lovina most resembles Elizabeth. With a hurricane-eye calmness, Lovina lovingly and patiently raises her growing brood of children. Despite the chaos six kids can cause in any home, Lovina wrote in her first column that "she wouldnt have it any other way." Lovinas steadfast devotion to family life mirrors her mothers. As is the Amish way, all of Elizabeths children rallied around Lovina in supporting her new endeavor as a columnist.

Lovina lives in rural eastern Indiana. She has a large garden that yields a variety of vegetables including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and pumpkins. Lovinas cellar is full of freshly canned goods. The skill of home-canning is something Elizabeth passed down to all of her children. Lovina is also an avid baker and cook, who will be sharing many of her favorite recipes through her newspaper column.

Kevin Williams, Editor

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