Amish Mafia star Lebanon Levi visits Fredericksburg
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(Gallery by Paul Chaplin | pchaplin@pennlive.com)
"Amish Mafia" fans turned up in droves at the Matthews Public Library in Fredericksburg to catch sight of the show's star, Lebanon Levi on Sunday. Some, such as Beverly Martel were Fredericksburg locals. Others, including Jenny Kiggans, had come from as far away as Ohio.
Kiggans and her family had left Cambridge, Ohio, Saturday morning in order to arrive in plenty of time for the Lebanon County event.
She came loaded with a bonnet for Levi to sign as well as Levi's Choice Potato Chips.
The library event was not Kiggans first attempt at getting close to the stars of "Amish Mafia." She had driven up to the area in which antagonist Merlin lives in attempt to catch the villain in action – but to no avail.
She's still a fan though, although she might like Levi better.
"Merlin is definitely entertaining, but personality-wise Levi is the nicest," she said.
While Kiggans is a religious "Amish Mafia" viewer, Martel had never sat through an entire episode. She came to the event to help support the library, which had charged $10 admission for the chance to meet Lebanon Levi.
"I think I've had it [the show] on one day for 10 minutes," she said. "But it wasn't something I was interested in. It was cute."
Martel was one of few non-fans at the event. The library's talk was so packed that police were helping cars park outside. A space was reserved out front for Levi.
When Levi emerged from his black cadillac – which he drove himself – he immediately was flanked by the Leatherneck Motorcycle Club, whose members had volunteered to be his security for the day.
"I'm sure Merlin is not going to show up, but we are on the look out for him or one of his helpers," said JohnPechar, the Leatherneck's chaplin.
When Levi entered the library, he was greated by cheers as he strode to the makeshift stage on the library's first floor. There, he was grilled by library director Sheila Redcay.
She referenced Merlin's threats against Levi and asked if Levi was worried.
"Of course you worry a little, but he don't got balls enough," Levi replied.
When it came to who made the better shoofly pie, old love Esther or new girlfriend, Barb, his answer came quickly. "I wouldn't eat Esther's," he said.
After the questions, it was time for the fans to come face to face with Levi. More than one woman already had declared she wanted a kiss with the star, others said they would be happy to settle for a date.
"Everybody here is having a great time," Redcay said as people continued to line up to shake hands with the "Amish Mafia" don. "This is what we were hoping for."
It also helps that the day raised at least $3,000 for the library, based on ticket sales alone.
UPDATE 3/26/2013: The event raised about $5,000 for the library, according to officials - the final number includes the sale of Lebanon Levi bumper stickers and the "Amish Mafia" star's donation of the money he raised signing autographs ($1,000).