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Meet LaVonne from Amish Heartland Tours

I am thrilled to have LaVonne DeBois from Amish Heartland Tours stopping by for a guest post! LaVonne has a exciting new venture called Amish Heartland Tours Information Kiosk which will be located on Main St. in Berlin. To celebrate she is graciously giving away a really fantastic prize. One winner will receive an Amish made pot holder and a recipe book that visitors get when they eat at one of the Amish homes. Let’s welcome LaVonne and good luck everyone!

LA-Vonne_with-Mary-Yoders-DaughterGreetings from beautiful Holmes County, Ohio. My name is LaVonne DeBois, owner of Amish Heartland Tours in Berlin, Ohio. My life changed when I responded to a small ad in our local Bargain Hunter 20 years ago. The ad read: “Wanted ~ Driver for work route. Must like mornings. 555-1234. The owner of K & B Lumber South of Charm returned my phone call from the message I left on his answering machine. His main concern was, can I get up in the mornings. When I ask him, how early, he replied. “The first pick up is 4:15 AM”

Needless to say, I took the job. I had recently returned back to Ohio from living in Dallas, Texas as a nanny for 10 years. Coming back to Amish country was more of a culture shock than going to the city. Friends would ask what are you doing for work? My reply was ~ “I have a great job. I can pick up 11 men in 2 hours.”

Little did I know how bumping and grinding the narrow back roads would lead to what I love and that is sharing this beautiful area with visitors from all over the world.

Amish Heartland Tours started out as a one hour tour for $6.00. I stood along the main street in Berlin holding signs just in hopes to have someone take that tour. It has been a lot of work over the years. Purchasing tour vehicles, advertising, attending travel shows, meetings, and trying to meet the needs of the traveler.
The relationships that formed from 3 years of driving the work crews led to driving Amish on vacation, school trips, wedding, funerals, shopping trips, or just about anywhere they needed to go. Once the tours started to pick up, I gradually weaned off of driving the Amish to focus on the growing pains of business.

Till this day, 2 Amish women who are mothers of 2 of my former workers, remain as cooks for our visitors wishing to have a meal in an Amish home. They both seem like a mother to me. We have been through so many experiences together. My gift to them in the winter is a free shopping trip. Here I thought I take a long time to shop. The only difference is they don’t take time to try on clothes! Every Spring I invite my cooks and their families to my home for pizza and ice cream. We sit on the back deck and share stories. We now have 6 Amish homes that provide meals including an Amish Bishop and his wife.

Coming in September is the Pam Jarrell Whoppie Pie Book signing followed by Shelly Shepard Gray and Amy Clipston book signing tour in November.

Our season is mid April thru the middle of November. It takes 3 sightseeing vehicles, 4 office staff and 5 tour guides to keep up with the various tour packages. I have met the most wonderful people from all over the world. I have been blessed beyond measure. I believe the Lord knows the desires of our hearts. He had to align me with the many connections before he could assign me. I will be expanding my business in mid April when the Amish Heartland Tours Information Kiosk opens in downtown Berlin.

I believe what Dorothy said in the Wizard of Oz….there’s no place like “Holmes.”

photo_5To enter leave a comment below. If you would like an Extra chance share this link on Facebook or Twitter. Remember to leave another comment if you did:)

photo_6

Contest starts today Monday, April 8th and ends on Friday, April 12th. Winner will be announced on Saturday.


Lavonne_1LaVonne is single, lives in Berlin, and is an accomplished pianist.

Follow her on Facebook at:

Amish Heartland Tours 

Amish Heartland Tours Information Kiosk 

Amish Artisans of Holmes County, Ohio 

I Heart Holmes County, Ohio

www.amishheartlandtours.com


156 thoughts on “Meet LaVonne from Amish Heartland Tours

    1. Hi Carol ~ Thank you for taking time to post a comment on Destination Amish.
      This has been a wonderful “job” for me. Have you visited any Amish communities?
      If so, which one is your favorite?
      Also, what are your favorite books to read?
      Take care Carol ~
      La Vonne

    1. Hello Tina ~ Thank you for reading the post. It has been alot of fun over the years, but also alot of hard work and long days. I hope someday that another person will be able to take over the business and have the same wonderful experiences I have had.
      Best to you always …..
      La Vonne De Bois

    1. Hello Lisa ~
      Thank you for reading the post. I hope you will keep trying to win something from the giveaways on Destination Amish. Someone will win and it may as well be you 🙂
      Have a great year!
      La Vonne De Bois

    1. Hello Patti ~ You mentioned you miss Ohio. Were you born and raised here? If so, where?
      Thank you for reading and posting. Hope you get a chance to come back to Ohio soon.
      La Vonne De Bois

  1. I really enjoyed meeting lavonne through this post. She is one busy lady! To start driving at 4:15 a.m…..I don’t know about that one! 🙂 lol

    I would love to win a cookbook and potholder. Please enter me!

    Thanks and Blessings!
    Judy B

    1. Hello from beautiful Holmes County, Ohio ~
      Thank you for taking time to read the blog and try to win the cookbook and pot holder.
      Please continue to visit Destination Amish and I’m sure there will be more great give aways to come!
      Have a great day!
      La Vonne

  2. It sounds like LaVonne is right where God has opened the doors for her. The most wonderful place to be! Good luck on your new business, I’m sure it will be a success 🙂

    1. Hello Loretta ~ One never knows where you will find people online 🙂 Yes, the Lord knew right where he needed me and he knew what I would love to do for a living. Thank you for your support and kind words. See you in Holmes County at the Kiosk!
      La Vonne De Bois

  3. Met you a few years ago. Took one of your tours last year.
    Learner many things I did not know on the tour.
    your.a very special person who does a great job and loves what she does.

    1. Hello Linda ~ I am just getting around to following up with replys. I am glad we have already started building a relationship thru facebook as well as you going on our tours.
      I know you love Holmes County and are a big fan! Keep in touch…
      La Vonne De Bois

    1. Hello Sandi ~ I see you collect cookbooks! Did you know Holmes County is one of the largest publishers of cookbooks? I have to admit, I don’t cook much, but I do love the Amish people too and glad you took time to read my blog that Michelle featured me on.
      Keep entering and hope you can win one of these times.
      La Vonne De Bois

  4. I can tell you have lived an intresting and blessed life, working very hard. Now everyone can face getting up at that time each morning. I would love to win the giveaway. This is very thoughtful of you to do. Besst of luck everyone.

    1. Hello Yvonne ~ Thats close to La Vonne 🙂 Sometimes people call me Yvonne, which is perfectly fine with me too! Yes, I would have never thought I would be doing what I do, but it has been amazing and I hope someday, I can turn over the business to someone who wants a turn key fantastic business and have the same fun I have had for 21 years.
      Best of everything!
      La Vonne

    1. Hello Bonnie ~ Thank you for taking time to read my story and enter to win. Keep visiting Michelles site and meet more amazing authors and one of these days, you could be the winner.
      La vonne De Bois

    1. Hello Kathy ~ Thank you for reading my story on Destination Amish. Michelle is a great gal and I felt honored to be her feature. Keep visiting Destination Amish and keep your fingers crossed that you will be the lucky winner soon!
      La vonne

    1. Hello Linda ~ I believe we met on another FB site, so good to see you are also a fan of Destination Amish. I hope to meet you in person some day when you get to visit Holmes County. You’ll love it here!
      Take care.

    1. Hello Rhonda ~ I see you on FB with other common pages with regard to the Amish. I know you love Amish Country as well as the Amish people. Thank you for taking time to read, post.
      Hope to, you can return to Holmes County soon!
      La Vonne

  5. Hope I win. I started collecting Amish/Mennonite cookbooks when we visited Lancaster several years ago. The area is beautiful and isn’t our God an AWESOME ARTIST? Have a blessed week and weekend.

    1. Hello from beautiful Holmes County, Ohio ~
      I see you enjoy collecting cookbooks. I hear people like to buy them to read which is also interesting. I have not been to Lancaster in years but would like to return some day.
      Have you visited Holmes County yet?
      Yes, God is an Awesome artist!!
      La Vonne

  6. I would love to visit the Amish country!
    My family always wants to go to the beach for vacation, but I would like to go on a tour of the Amish.

    1. Hello Louise ~ I actually live in Holmes County, Ohio which is the largest Amish community in the country. I see where you visit Lancaster, Pa. I have not been there in years. We have beautiful rolling hills and lush green lawns and grassy fields.
      Thanks for taking time to read and try for the give away.
      Blessings….
      La Vonne De Bois

    1. Hello Brenda ~ Good to hear you had a chance to visit Holmes County, Ohio. I hope you get to come back soon! Thanks for reading my story and trying for the give away.
      Please keep following Destination Amish and hopefully one day, you will win.
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

  7. I can’t Wait to Read and Try the Recipes in the Cook book if I win,,,,and to use the Amish Potholder… Thank You I love trying out new recipes…

    1. Hello Jean ~ Sounds like you like to cook! The little cookbook I offered is recipes of the Amish cooks who provide meals in their home for people who take our tour and have a meal in an Amish home. It has the yummy peanut butter spread that is popular among Amish church lunches.
      Keep visiting Destination Amish for another chance to win a great give away!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

  8. What an interesting lady…Her job sounds like fun and
    it would most likely never be boring! I really liked
    when she said that she “Could pick up 11 men in 2 hours!!!!!
    Her cookbook and the Amish handmade pot holder would be
    a thrill to win. There is nothing like handmade and
    Amish cooking.
    Many thanks, Cindi

    1. Hi Cindi ~ Thanks for taking time to read my blog on Destination Amish. Yes, I never imagined what picking up 11 men in 2 hours would lead too 🙂 Wow, it has been an amazing
      job for me. God knew what I would love to do!
      Your right when you said theres nothing like handmade and homecooking!
      Blessings….
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

    1. Hello MaryAnn ~ Thank you for trying to win the giveaway and taking time to read my blog in Destination Amish.
      Keep on visiting the Destination Amish sight and perhaps in the future you will win.
      Have a good day!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

  9. enter me in your contest. i have taken your tour before. linda yoder was oir guide and she did a wonderful job. i am coming back in june and if i tour again i will ask for her.

    1. Hello Jarmila ~ That is good to hear that you have visited Holmes County and have been on one of our tours. Linda Yoder is still with us and she would love to have you on another tour. Once you know what day your visiting, please call our office and make a reservation and ask for Linda as your guide. 330-893-3248.
      I will have my new Amish Heartland Tours Information Kiosk open by then, so please stop in and say hello. IT will be located in the center of Berlin across from Boyd and Wurthman
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

  10. I enjoyed your article & you have talked me into planning a trip to take your tour this summer. I would love to win the cookbook & hot pad. Thanks!!

    1. Hello Delores ~ Thanks for reading the blog on how I got started with tours of Amish Country. Will this be your first visit? Stop in an say Hello at the Kiosk which will be in the center of Berlin. I’ll be glad to assist in any way I can.
      Keep visiting Destination Amish and keep trying to win their great give aways!
      Blessings….
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

    1. Hi Jackie ~ Good to see your name again, as I see you on other FB pages and know you love the Amish Culture and people. I know if you ever got to visit Holmes County, you would love it! In the meantime, keep visiting Destination Amish and keep trying to win.
      See you on All Things Amish 🙂
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

  11. Thanks for the chance at winning this potholder & cookbook.
    See you in September LaVonne. Can’t wait to meet you.

  12. How wonderful that God is blessing you in this endeavor. We love visiting the Amish country in Lancaster, Penn.

    1. Hello Maryann ~ Thank you for your post regarding the story on how I got started doing tours. IT has been a blessing for sure!
      Hope you get a chance to visit Holmes County, Ohio. Did you know there are over 45,000 Amish in this area?
      Have a good day!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

  13. Ive have never been to Lancaster PA, I would love to viset an stay at the Bird an Hand Motel!! I just love every thing about the Amish!! Yes i would love a home made Pot holder, Please put me in for the draewing please!! Barb P [email protected]

    1. Hello Barb ~ Actually, I don’t live in Lancaster, Pa ~ I live in Holmes County, Ohio which is the largest Amish community. You would love this area, for sure! Keep visiting Destination Amish and all the great give aways they offer.
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

  14. My health doesn’t allow travel any more, but thru books and cookbooks, I am able to travel the world!! I would love to win!

    1. Hello Karen ~ It sounds like you have a great attitude and spirit. I have heard that reading cookbooks is sometimes more fun than reading other books 🙂
      Thanks for reading my post and keep visiting back for a chance to win another time.
      Blessings….
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

    1. Hello Jane ~ Thanks for taking time to enter the give away and read my story on how I started Amish Heartland Tours. I hope someday, you may have the chance to visit our beautiful area in Holmes County, Ohio.
      Till then, take care.
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

  15. I would love to win. My sweet hubby took me to the Berlin area a couple of years ago and I loved it. We didnt visit an Amish home. I told him that when we go again, I would love that opportunity if it is offered. My favorite part is seeing the quilts. Wish I could bring one home.

    1. Hello Kim ~ Good to learn you have already experienced beautiful Holmes County! If you get the chance again, I know you would love taking our tour and having a meal in one of the Amish homes.
      Yes, the quilts are beautiful!
      Blessings.
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

    1. Love your comment on Dorothy and Toto coming Holmes! Thank you for taking time to read my blog and please try again for the drawings.
      There’s no place like Holmes!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours
      Berlin, Ohio

  16. I would love to win this Amish cookbook. Just got back from Amish Country, ready to go back.

    1. Hello Marilyn ~
      You visited Holmes County, Ohio? What was your favorite place to visit?
      Thank you for taking time to read my blog on starting my tour business and entering for the pot holder and cookbook. Please try again!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours
      Berlin, Ohio

  17. Would be thrilled to win a copy of this cookbook. I look forward to meeting LaVonne this summer when we visit Ohio.

    1. Hello Mary Ellen ~ Thank you for taking time to read my blog on the tour business. So I see your planning a trip to Holmes County? Please stop by the Amish Heartland Tours Information Kiosk and say hello! IT will be in the center of Berlin across from Boyd and Wurthmann Restaurant. Enjoy your visit!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours
      Berlin, Ohio

    1. Hello Ida ~ Thank you for taking time to read my blog on starting the tour business.
      It is been rewarding in many ways.
      Please continue to visit the site and try again for future drawings.
      God Is Good!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours
      Berlin, Ohio

  18. You are a very lucky person to have the blessings of enjoying this culture. Thank you for sharing your story.

    1. Hello Terri ~ Thank you for taking time to read my blog on starting the tour business. Little did I know where it would lead. Please keep visiting the site and entering for the drawings.
      God Is Good!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours
      Berlin, Ohio

    1. Hello Rachel ~ Thank you for taking time to read my blog on starting the tour business. Along with a lot of hard work, it has been very rewarding. If you ever get a chance to visit Holmes County, Ohio, please stop by the Information Kiosk in Berlin, Ohio and say hello.
      God IS Good!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours
      Berlin, Ohio

  19. I love Amish cookbooks. I’m hoping that I will be able to meet LaVonne this summer when we visit Holmes County.

    1. Hello Rosie ~ I would like to meet you too when you visit Holmes County. Please stop in at the Information Kiosk in Berlin and let me know you were one of the entries on Destination Amish. It really is a small world!
      God IS Good!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours
      Berlin,. Ohio

  20. I would love this cookbook and potholder!! We live East of Seymour MO and love to see the horse and buggy next to us on the roadside! And all the windmills on the landscape! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House

  21. Neat article and bring the meal and potholder into your home with this drawing for one fortunate yummy-receiving winner! Shared with this note on my Facebook news page! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House

    1. Hello Lane Hill House ~ I know you can relate to the beautiful sites of the Amish Culture. MY son Lives in St. Louis, but I would like to venture out in your area to see what differences there are among the Amish.
      Please feel welcome to visit my Facebook page at Amish Heartland Tours.
      God Is Good!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours
      Berlin, Ohio

  22. What an AWESOME story!!! I would love to win. Amish country is one of my very favorite places to go. It is so peaceful and beautiful!!!

  23. I would love to win! and after reading about your business I would love to do one of these tours someday! =)

  24. I loved reading how LaVonne got her start in business. You can tell by the article how much she loves what she is doing.
    Thanks for entering me in the contest.

    1. Hello Janet ~ Thank you for taking time to read my blog on how I started the tour business. Yes, I do love sharing my knowledge with the visitors. Please keep visiting this site and try again for the drawings.
      HAve a great day!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours
      Berlin, Ohio

  25. I love all things Amish-would love the potholder,and especially the cookbook.I have made some Amish dishes,and my family loves them.

  26. Would love to have the potholder and especially the cookbook.I have made a few Amish dishes,and my family loves them.

    1. Hello Judith ~ Thank you for taking time to enter the monthly give away and reading the blog each month. Did you ever make peanut butter spread?? It is a favorite of the Amish to put on the bread. Please keep taking time to visit Destination Amish and good luck in the future with the drawings.
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours
      Berlin, Ohio

  27. Wow!!, Ive never seen A Buggy potholde befor, I must have this one, It should be orange so it can go on the back of a Buggie, An Yes!!for the cook book i dont have this one. I would realy love to WIN the potholder an the Cookbook!! I Love everthing Amish!! [email protected] Your Big Amish Fan Barb P!!

    1. Hello Barb ~ I love to see the enthusiasm from the readers. It is amazing how many people love to be involved with the Amish way of life, etc. Please keep visiting our site and enter the drawings.
      Have a great day!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

  28. LaVonne, Im so happy that you have found a career doing something you love. I miss Holmes County, living on the other side of the country, but have promised myself that next trip home I am looking you and Michelle up for lunch and gabbin! Would love to have the potholder and cookbook!!

    1. Hello Lynn ~ I see your name many times on FB, etc and Yes, Michelle, you and I need to meet up at Walnut Creek Cheese on a Tuesday morning for free donuts and coffee! Thanks for your encouraging words and taking time to enter the drawing. You know you could still own a pot holder for I sell them to. I will be opening a shopping store on line thru my website and they will be on within a month.
      Have a great day!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

  29. Enjoyed the article. Would love to win the cookbook. I have several Amish cookbooks and love all the recipes I have tried. Thanks for this opportunity.

    1. Hello Pat ~ Thanks for reading the article in Destination Amish on how I got started in the tour business. IT has been great fun! Keep trying again and perhaps you will be the winner in the near future. If you ever visit Holmes County, Ohio please stop by my Amish Heartland Tours Information Kiosk and say hello!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

    1. Sherri ! If you enjoy making bread, you would love tasting the homemade breads the Amish make in Holmes County, Ohio. Did you know, Holmes County, Ohio is one of the largest printers and publishers of cookbooks?
      Keep visiting each month for another chance to win.
      Have a great day!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

    1. Hello Sharma ~ I know your name…it could be that you are a friend on another mutual facebook page. 🙂 Thanks for taking time to enter the give away and read the blog on how I got started doing tours. It has been a great experience!
      Hope to meet you someday!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

    1. Hi Kathy ~
      Once you visit Holmes County, Ohio, you will call it your home away from home. Thank you for taking time to read my blog and enter to win the give away. Please try again in the future and good luck!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

    1. Hello Brenda ~ Thank you for taking time to read and enter the monthly give away. It sounds like you are planning a trip to Holmes County, Ohio in the near future? If so, please consider one of our tours and stop by the Amish Heartland Tours Information Kiosk and say hello in the center of Berlin, Ohio.
      Have a great day!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

  30. Would love to win…..I wish i was closer and could take a tour…Moved from Wisconsin to Colorado miss seeing amish buggies on the road and living near the Amish Communities…This is a great site….will share on facebook…

    1. Hello Kathi ~ Colorado sounds like a beautiful state to live, but I don’t think too many Amish live in Colorado. You can also visit and like my FB page Amish Heartland Tours if you like photos of the area. Thank you for reading my blog on how I got started doing tours of Holmes County, Ohio.
      Have a good day!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

  31. I loved your post & I love to read about the Amish. Would love to be entered in your contest . Thank you .
    lizd225(at)gmail(dot)mail
    Blessings

    1. Hello Elizabeth ~ Thank you for taking time to read my blog on Destination Amish. I love the Amish people and enjoy helping people to understand their culture.
      Please keep visiting Destination Amish each month for a chance to win.
      Have a good day!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

    1. Hello Donita ~ Thank you for taking time to read my blog. It has been so much fun to see what can result from picking up 11 men in 2 hours! If you ever get a chance to visit Holmes County, Ohio, stop in at my Information Kiosk in the center of Berlin and say hello.
      Blessings….
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

    1. Hello Cindy ~ It is fun to enter for Destination Amish monthly give aways! Keep checking back and hopefully one of the give aways will be yours!
      Thanks for taking time to read about out featured guests.
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours
      Berlin, Ohio

    1. Hello Cindi ~ Thank you for entering the monthly give away. Please keep visiting back each month for yet another chance to win.
      If you get a chance to visit Holmes County, Ohio, please stop by and say hello at the Amish Heartland Tours Information Kiosk in the center of Berlin.
      Have a good day!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

    1. Hello Barb ~ Thank you for taking time to read the blog about how I got started on the tours in Amish country. Please keep visiting each month for another chance to win.
      Blessings…
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

    1. Hello Ted ~ We see quite a few visitors that come from Apple Valley. Thank you for taking time to read my post about how I got started with the Amish Heartland Tours and if you have not already visited this year, please stop by my Information Kiosk downtown Berlin and say hello!
      Have a good day!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

    1. Hello ~ I appreciate you taking time to visit Destination Amish for a chance to win the monthly give away. Please keep trying for the upcoming giveaways.
      Thank you!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

    1. Hello Marietta ~ Thank you for taking time to read my blog on Destination Amish. Please keep visiting again next month and they will have another great give away.
      Blessings.
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

    2. Hello Marietta ~ Thank you for visiting Destination Amish and reading the various blogs and great give aways they offer. Please visit again soon.
      Have a good day!
      La Vonne De Bois
      Amish Heartland Tours

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