Shakers.

A religious group in the 1800's, died out because no sex was allowed, Roadfood 2012, is going to die out because very little is allowed topic wise, need some spice! No? It's happening now!! Any solutions?

No spice?  Michael and I just got married.  To the best of my knowledge it's the first Roadfood Marriage.  That's pretty spicy!  And I seriously doubt that Roadfood 2012 will die out.  At least I hope not.

chewingthefat


Roadfood 2012, is going to die out because very little is allowed topic wise
 

 
Sigh...
 
 
I really don't understand why you and a few others keep writing this. The only subjects that are not allowed are "discussions involving political or social issues". That is it. All other subjects, fair game.  That doesn't seem so cumbersome or restrictive to me.
 
As for the Shakers, they made nice barns and furniture, but this was my favorite item...
 

 
 

I think 2012 has started out great on Roadfood! Some really fun trips have been shared. People are reporting on  restaurants they have experienced, and there are some neat meet ups in the near future.I certainly am having alot of fun on this site again!

If you want to talk politics, there are a gazillion news and political sites on the web where you can discuss political issues. Our troubles are more because of Facebook and people not traveling as much. I also have enjoyed the accounts of the glee club meet-up. Lisa and michael's marriage. I've missed hearing from bruce biomes though.

Tom , I must agree with Tony and our other members.  Yes, the posting level is down, but I don't see reaching out for 'Reality Show' controversy to be an 'Improvement'.
  We have a wide variety of members age- economic level-education etc etc make this a pretty diverse group...What holds us together (and why folks come here) is their interest in the food one finds as they travel.
 While many of us have formed friendly relationships ( and some not-so-friendly) the main function is still the exchange of information relative to the core-theme. I, for one, like it the way it is.

No sex huh?  I guess that explains why they were called shakers.

A historical note- One of the few surviving communities that were originally founded by SHAKERs is NEW HARMONY, IN. Located right at the Illinois/Indiana border (The Wabash River) just south of I-64. It is a very interesting place to visit, if you are interested in the 19th Century "American Religions". Lots of good food in the surrounding area. 

Actually New Harmony never was a Shaker community. It started out with a religious utopian sect led by George Rapp, a German immigrant, called the Rappites. It was then sold to Robert Owen, an English immigrant, who started a utopian society that lasted but a few years. It was a non-religious sect. I was there last fall. It is an interesting place with both historic and significant modern architecture.
 
 

After reading over the comments, I must add that I DO notice less posting, so I am not trying to dismiss that as reality, I just have a hard time believing it is "because very little is allowed topic wise".

George Rapp also founded the Harmonites who built a commune in Economy (Ambridge), PA now called Old Economy.  The Harmonites believed that Christ's Second Coming to Earth was going to happen at any moment so they all became celibate and of course died out.  They were apparently very prosperous economically.  Anyone who is in the Beaver County area of PA should visit the site, the buildings are beautiful. 

My wife wanted to visit the last remaining Shaker community in Maine a couple of years ago, but I didn't want to go. There are only 3 remaining Shakers. Somehow it would have seemed wrong to go look at them like they were some type of tourist attraction. The Shaker village in Hancock, MA has some amazing buildings.

The Shaker village in Kentucky was a very interesting visit. And a good meal.

Tony Bad

My wife wanted to visit the last remaining Shaker community in Maine a couple of years ago, but I didn't want to go.

 
Yeah, but I think she was trying to tell you something.

You are a wise man JoeRogo. I never considered that angle.

Tony Bad


After reading over the comments, I must add that I DO notice less posting, so I am not trying to dismiss that as reality, I just have a hard time believing it is "because very little is allowed topic wise".

Just trying to get folks moving, shaking it up a little, the very little is allowed topic wise, comment, was the Screwdrivers talking!

chewingthefat

Tony Bad


After reading over the comments, I must add that I DO notice less posting, so I am not trying to dismiss that as reality, I just have a hard time believing it is "because very little is allowed topic wise".

Just trying to get folks moving, shaking it up a little, the very little is allowed topic wise, comment, was the Screwdrivers talking!

 
Remember, if you shake it too much, you're playing with it.

chewingthefat

  Just trying to get folks moving, shaking it up a little, the very little is allowed topic wise, comment, was the Screwdrivers talking!

 
Talking screwdrivers! You have been watching Handy Manny again haven't you! 
  
 

Chewy, after reading this, I yelled to my wife " Honey, I found out who your ancestors were" ...........

I hoe that she smacked you in the face!

Since the Roadfood forum was created, there have been THOUSANDS of other web sites, blogs and other food intercommunication creations show up on the Internet.
Just look at the number of Food sites you can participate in like Serious Eats, Chowhound, etc. Want a directory? http://www.foodblogs.com/
The point is Roadfood has competitors.
There's sites just for BBQ, Chinese, Italian, Mexican Etc, etc, etc.
Roadfood is just a very small piece in a large food sites pie.
In order to stay competitive, RF needs to keep introducing new topics and fresh ideas or readership and participation will continue to deminish.

Foodbme

 In order to stay competitive, RF needs to keep introducing new topics and fresh ideas or readership and participation will continue to deminish.

A large part of that is up to us as members. The staff cannot be expected to always be the ones to come up with new ideas, especially in forums.

felix4067

Foodbme

In order to stay competitive, RF needs to keep introducing new topics and fresh ideas or readership and participation will continue to deminish.

A large part of that is up to us as members. The staff cannot be expected to always be the ones to come up with new ideas, especially in forums.

True, but they have the final say and control of what the site includes. I've made numerous suggestions. Never even recieved any acknowledgement that they saw my suggestions.

joerogo

chewingthefat

Tony Bad


After reading over the comments, I must add that I DO notice less posting, so I am not trying to dismiss that as reality, I just have a hard time believing it is "because very little is allowed topic wise".

Just trying to get folks moving, shaking it up a little, the very little is allowed topic wise, comment, was the Screwdrivers talking!

Remember, if you shake it too much, you're playing with it.

Joe, I think I was 11 or 12 when I learned this the HARD way!

pnwchef


Chewy, after reading this, I yelled to my wife " Honey, I found out who your ancestors were" ...........

LOL!   You and joerogo!!!!

Foodbme

felix4067

Foodbme

In order to stay competitive, RF needs to keep introducing new topics and fresh ideas or readership and participation will continue to deminish.

A large part of that is up to us as members. The staff cannot be expected to always be the ones to come up with new ideas, especially in forums.

True, but they have the final say and control of what the site includes. I've made numerous suggestions. Never even recieved any acknowledgement that they saw my suggestions.

 
There are numerous suggestions each month and all are considered.  Roadfood has a specific objective and that is to appeal to folks that have a interest in roadfood places across the USA.  I think that they have done a very good job in that.  Roadfood cannot be all things to all folks.  People that have a interest in sex, politics, religion will find numerous other sites that will satisfy their needs.
 
Quite frankly it tooK a lot of effort to get the Misc forum approved as it was felt that it would offer members who had a interest in Roadfood a opportunity to offer other ideas.
 
Please do not feel that because you suggest something that you feel will improve the site and you receive no response that no one read or understood.  It is probably because somehow it did not fit the objective of Roadfood.
 
Your site has four moderators that volunteer their services and do so willingly.  All understand that each new member can offer value and we value that and we need that.  We do get new posters that do not understand this forum and post in the wrong place and we understand that and try to help them and relocate their post.
 
Thank you for your understanding.
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Hmmm, Talk about a 'paradox'... Did I just read that PNW's ancestors were celibate ?

My great grandfather was a Shaker and apparently the no sex rule happened later as, um, here I am. I also own 2 beautiful shaker pieces of furniture which he made. One is a great ladder back chair with the original square headed nails and original red "wash'- not paint.The other is now my kitchen table-small, round, with 2 leaves and a small drawer in the middle. True Shaker style.
Now, there is a new exercise equipment called the Shake Weight. Maybe chewy should try that and then tell us how he really feels! LOL!

My oldest piece of furniture is a table made by my great grandfather in the 19th Century. You might think it was Shaker inspired but he was no Shaker.

I am not sure about the relationship of the  Shaker and the Amish but a friend of my in Springfield Ohio built a beautiful home on the highest point in Springfield.  He had the Amish folks custom build his furniture for his den and office.  It took them a year but it was beautiful and a absolute piece of art.  It cost him $100,000 but the appearance with the different colors of woods and striping was nothing like I had ever seen.  I wish I had taken a pic of it.  It was double rock solid.
 
I have made numerous visits to Lancaster, PA and had a chance to observe the Amish in their environment.  I saw ten year old boys driving a four horse team in the field mowing hay.  They may be strange but they are extremely industrious people.
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN