Local Celebrity Profiles
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Beverly Mooney | Millstone Creek Orchard
[Perma Link]Beverly Mooney | Millstone Creek Orchard
Q: When did Millstone Creek Orchards first open, and what types of fruit do you have that people can pick on their own?
We opened up to the public in 2004, but my dad bought the property in the 1980s. We have apple orchards, grapes, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, pumpkins, and pecans.Q: Are you open year round?No, due to much of the fruit trees going dormant during the winter, we are open from March until mid-December.Q: Are there specific ages for the tours you do, and how many people do you serve each year?We see approximately 3,500 guests here a year and we do tours from kids starting in preschool, going through elementary, middle, and even some high schoolers. We don't limit our tours just to schools, though. We have church groups and senior citizens coming in, and we're even open to corporate groups. This is a great place for families and couples, friends, anyone really. It's really a wonderful way to get outside and breathe in the fresh air, get away from the everyday life, and enjoy being in nature.Q: Do you have a main goal in mind you'd especially like to teach kids when they come?We try to lead by example showing people about stewardship of the land. For some kids who come here, particularly from the bigger cities, it's actually the first time they've ever seen fruit grow in nature. I once asked a question to a group of kids, "Where do you think apples come from?" A kid said, "The grocery store!" He wasn't the only kid who didn't know! People who live in rural areas are more aware of these things because they see them, but that still doesn't mean they actually know about how farming works if it's not what their families do. When people get to pick their own fruit or apples, and we show them how the apple juice is made by demonstrations where they make their own juice, they get a whole new appreciation of where our food actually comes from.Q: What are some of the other things you have going?Aside from the classes and the orchards, we also have hayrides, storytelling times, special events; and we sell Christmas trees, and of course we have a store. We sell all things apple, of course - apple cider, jams, jellies, apple slushies - and local honey, hand-dipped ice cream, gift baskets, local pottery, aprons, tee shirts, books, and other unique gifts. At Easter, we have a scavenger hunt, and throughout the season we have other fun things like apple bobbing and pie eating contests.Q: Is there a favorite thing people like to indulge in other than eating fresh apples or berries?I'd have to say the apple donuts are pretty popular, especially when they're hot!