LOGANTON — It’s that time of year again, when the snow is on the ground and love is in the air. To celebrate the most romantic month on the calendar, the Sugar Valley Fire Company is inviting the community to their annual February fundraiser, an Amish Wedding Meal.

The event has become a favorite of the local community and gives the public a peek inside of a world that many of us from the Central Pennsylvania area are familiar with, but only from the outside.

February is typically laden with icicles and snow storms, but right now, in one-horse open air buggies, and at youth get-togethers, love is alive and blooming in the hearts of many young Amish men and women.

Here in Sugar Valley we have a lot of Amish neighbors who travel by our homes daily, but at this time of year you might notice that most of the carriages on the roads are not full of families, but have just one passenger — a young man.

Many are on their way down the White Deer Pike, or over to Penns Valley, to visit their special lady, and these trips can last hours, often in a snowstorm. Their wide brimmed black hats are covered in snow, and the blankets spread accross their laps appear to be frozen to their legs, but to them it’s worth it. Because the girl who awaits at the end of the road will have a hot meal ready to warm his belly, and a smile to melt his heart.

If you’re lucky, and happen to be sitting by your window or shoveling off your sidewalk, you might get to hear his joy in the form of music. Not from a radio, mind you, but from his soul. A song with no actual words cuts through the air… loud, almost a cry, maybe a wail — but not of pain. It is a melodic stream of love, straight from his heart to the world, as he and his horse clip-clop off into the distance.

Once he arrives, and his four legged friend is dried off and put in the barn with some feed, the lovebirds will spend the remainder of the day with her family, laughing and telling stories around the wood stove.

They are already quite fond of him, and treat Amos as one of their own because they know this coming autumn he will be wed to their oldest daughter, the smart and sweet Lydia.

Most English (what the Amish community refers to those of us who aren’t in their fold) don’t know about the customs that surround an Amish wedding day.

Amish weddings usually take place in November and always on a Tuesday or a Thursday.

The traditions surrounding this day might differ from a typical English wedding, but do not let that fool you — they are every bit as blessed, and sacred, and full of unity and devotion.

When the day finally arrives, the home of the bride is filled with busy visitors who are there to move the day along seamlessly.

Right before dawn breaks and after the barn work is completed, buggies and vans start arriving, filled with helpers who will take care of the last-minute details.

The wedding service starts at 8:30 a.m. and will last three hours and includes scripture readings from the Bible, hymn singing, and of course, a sermon.

A minister blesses the couple, and a few men who have been ordained by their church give a testimony about marriage and commitment. The minister then says a final prayer to close the ceremony.

Afterward, all of the women, except for the mother of the bride — who does not work on this special day, rush to the kitchen to serve the noon meal.

While the women bring out the food, the men set up the tables and chairs in the living room.

The tables are set up in a “U” shape with the newly married couple sitting in the corner. The bride sits to the groom’s left, which is the same way they will sit in their buggy, and the single women gather on the same side of the room as the bride. The young single gents sit on the same side as the groom. The parents, and their immediate relations, sit at a long table in the kitchen, with each of the fathers seated at an end spot.

Lunch is then served, and it is one of the most looked forward to meals by anyone fortunate enough to be invited to the ceremony.

The menu is almost exact at each Amish wedding here in the Central Pennsylvania area, and nobody who attends these weddings gets tired of eating it several times a week in 4 week period.

The main star of the feast seems to be what is referred to as “the roast,” which is slow roasted chicken that is pulled off of the bone, mixed with a homemade stuffing, and then put back into the oven once again for all of the flavors to mingle. This is served with homemade mashed potatoes and gravy, and on the side, coleslaw, with just the right amount of vinegar and sugar.

The Amish wedding meal would not be complete without the creamed celery.

An early indication of a future wedding in an Amish household is how much celery might be growing in your neighbor’s garden. And to accommodate such a large number of guests, one needs a lot of celery.

To make this dish, celery is sliced thin and then cooked in a little sugar, water, and butter, which is thickened with flour or cornstarch, and stewed until tender.

Absolute perfection.

And if I might offer a personal note, it is this writer’s favorite meal of the year.

If you would like to experience this Amish tradition, the Sugar Valley Volunteer Fire Company is partnering once again with some of their own Amish members, along and their friends and families, to cook up an authentic Amish wedding meal this Saturday, Feb. 12, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the fire company’s new banquet room, located above the engine room at 24 W. Anthony Street in Loganton.

The banquet room is accessible by taking the entry road to the left of the building.

The dinner includes the above menu plus noodles, veggie pizza, fresh baked rolls with strawberry jam, homemade pies, donuts, and old fashioned homemade ice cream.

Everyone is welcome, whether you bring just your sweetheart or your whole family. The cost is $20 for adults and $12 for kids ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and younger eat free.

For more information, please leave a message on the fire company’s non-emergency number at 570-725-3017.