Rousters has been a part of my life as far back as I can remember. My family used to make trips there every Fall to buy their Krispy apples. My sister and I used to love going just to get one of their apple cider pops and sit by the fire on one of the ancient benches surrounding the log coffee table. In the Summers we visited their berry fields to pick blueberries, blackberries and raspberries religiously.
Since my childhood Andy and I have continued the tradition picking berries in the Summer and buying apples in the Fall. We have also order crates of peaches and cherries to preserve into jams, salsas and fresh in cans. The apple house has always been a favorite place of mine to visit. From the moment you walk in the door you are transported to a place more rustic and rich in real things. There is just a cadence of life there that can only be felt by walking in.
I was just at the apple house about three weeks ago picking up our crate of peaches. Today I found out they are closing the apple house. After the crazy record breaking wet Spring we had their trees were never pollinated properly and after 72 years they have decided the work isn't worth the diminishing returns anymore. The berry fields will be kept open next Summer but I am still immensely saddened by the closing of the apple house. A piece of my childhood and current life is slipping away into a nostalgic memory.
You can read more about the family's decision
here.
What a bummer, though I can certainly sympathize with him on a personal level. Apples definitely are a 'high-risk, high-maintenance' crop, that is for sure.
ReplyDeleteThat's very sad, although I understand their decision.
ReplyDeleteYeah we understand but it definitely bums us out big time.
ReplyDelete