Rick Light Building and Remodeling designed, built, and installed a wall valence in the New England Apple Association booth before opening day of The Big E, September 16, 2016.They also installed a chest freezer in an existing cabinet.They designed and built a custom-made cabinet on wheels for extra workspace in the back of the booth.
Eber Currier, 85
We sadly note the recent passing of apple grower Eber Currier. He died August 6 at the age of 85.
Eber and his wife Trudy owned and operated Currier Orchards in Merrimack, and Currier Self Storage in Milford, New Hampshire, for 32 years. He was previously a partner of Demers Vega International Harvester Truck Sales and Service Centers in Nashua and Amherst.
Eber was a long-time member of the New England Apple Association. He was founder of the Merrimack agricultural commission and served on it for eight years. He was a member of the Merrimack conservation commission for 25 years.
Eber was born in Littleton, Maine, and previous lived in Burlington, Massachusetts, Houlton, Maine, and Littleton, Maine. He earned an accounting degree from Bentley University and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Northeastern University.
In addition to Trudy, his wife of 67 years, Eber leaves five sons, eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, a sister, Eda Stockson, and several nieces and nephews.
On the last evening of the fair we were lucky enough to get one more visit from Anna and Dina of Agawam, unabashed apple pie lovers!
Cheryl, off-camera, swaps a bag of Atkins cider donuts for Finnish pancakes from Massachusetts Poultry Association booth manager Brenda LeBlanc and her family.
Jeannette of Somers, Connecticut, spied our huge Honeycrisps from Pine Hill Orchards, Colrain. “This is a real treat! This is better than a steak any day!”
MaKenna and Rowen, five years and two years old, respectively, chose fresh Macs from Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, although they also like Cortland, Gala, and, of course, apple pie.
Four-year-old Ainsley of Sturbridge, likes the size of the Apple Pie Smoothie!
Chuck and Bill from Rhode Island, here trying their first cider donut, talked about the phenomenon of honeybee decline with us.
Pie lovers John, Theresa, Kristen, and Jacob love the combination of Gala and Paula Red apples in Cook’s Orchard apple pies.
Lindsey is a Jonagold lover – she came to the right place. We just picked up fresh Jonagold from Cold Spring Orchard in Belchertown.
Chicopee Day! These Chicopee guys had a thirst for Carlson Orchards fresh apple cider! Judy Leplante and Sharon Gagnon are serving.
Sandra and Phyllis of Ludlow visit the booth each year and buy our apple pies frozen – then they bake them at home for the holidays!
Enoch and Lyn try their first Atkins’ cider donut and, little wonder, they like it!
Each year Russ Powell’s cousin Karen Seremet and her mother, Bobbie Wilson, generously deliver fresh-picked McIntosh from Brookfield Orchards in North Brookfield. We really appreciate their help!
Tom Rice tells Russ Powell stories about how he used to pick apples and peaches on weekends for Atkins Farms when he was 18 years old. We learned that Atkins began growing apples in 1887, while the retail part of their operation began in 1962.
Elizabeth of Woodbury, Connecticut, will be lucky if she gets any of her Apple Pie Smoothie – 11-month-old Olivia is a growing girl!
In total comfort, three-month-old Fitzpatrick gets his first look at the apple booth. Moe, his mom, also in the food industry, owns Red Riding Hood’s Basket Cafe on the rail trail in Southwick.
Chrisanne, Steve, and Emma and Hadley recently moved to New York state from Massachusetts. We’re so glad they came back for a visit!
On Massachusetts Day, Susan was nice enough to stop in so Matthew could try his first Carlson Orchards cider and Michael his first Atkins Farms cider donut.
Kelly, Evangeline, and her Grandpa celebrate with a big four-year-old birthday hug!
Richard had to get a snack for his sweet-toothed service dog Sadie – she delicately nibbled each bite of her Atkins Farms cider donut.
Atkins Farms cider donuts all around for these three apple lovers: Brianna, Ishani, and Davien!
This is Grace’s third year making New England Apple booth her first and last stop of the fair. What draws her? Apple crisp a la mode!
Eight-month-old Nevaeh enthusiastically tries her first Carlson Orchards cider. Her mom, Kayla, holds on tight!
Proud new parents, Kristen and Sean, bring baby Colette and her sisters, Kaitlyn and Adelaide for apple treats.
It’s always nice when friends drop in. Chris and Jen say “hi!”
Thank you to all of our member orchards!
Gala from Tougas Family Farm, Northborough
Fresh box of Atkins Farms cider donuts, Amherst
Rhode Island Greening from Red Apple Farm, Phillipston
Apple pies and crisp from Cook’s Orchard, Brimfield
Gala from Doe Orchards, Harvard
McIntosh from Brookfield Orchards, North Brookfield
Honeycrisp from Pine Hill Orchards, Colrain
Golden Delicious from Pine Hill Orchards, Colrain
Buckeye Gala from Carlson Orchards, Harvard, McIntosh from Brookfield Orchards, North Brookfield, and Empire from Cold Spring Orchard, Belchertown
Left to right: New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan presents a proclamation naming August 31 New England Apple Day and recognizing the apple industry’s contributions to the state to Todd and Peter Wagner of Applecrest Farm Orchard in Hampton Falls. Commissioner of Agriculture Lorraine Merrill is at the left. (Gail McWilliam Jellie photo)
BOSTON – September 12, 2016 – Governor Charlie Baker today declared September as “Massachusetts Apple Month” to support Massachusetts apple growers, especially during the current drought conditions. The declaration was followed by a visit to Wojick Orchard in Blackstone by Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner John Lebeaux.
“Massachusetts Apple Month’ is an opportunity to recognize the hard work local apple growers do to produce delicious and healthy fruit from Massachusetts,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I encourage everyone to support Massachusetts’ farmers this month by purchasing locally grown apples and other produce.”
We updated Governor Charlie Baker on how the drought has affected the apple crop this year at the 2016 Big E.
“Despite a very challenging growing season, farmers have been working very hard to bring quality products to farm stands and farmers’ markets, and they have succeeded in doing so,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “Apple growers also help support our local and regional economies and participate in a wide variety of conservation efforts and renewable energy projects that advance the protection of the environment.”
Massachusetts boasts more than 140 varieties of apples grown in the state, including local favorites such as McIntosh, Cortland, Macoun, Gala and Honeycrisp. According to the United States Apple Association, apples contain no fat, cholesterol or sodium and are excellent sources of fiber, natural plant-based anti-oxidants and the mineral boron – which promotes healthy bones.
Massachusetts Commissioner of Agriculture John Lebeaux introduced us to Lt. Governor Karyn Polito who was interested in how the drought affects apple size and color, but the flavor is just as if not more intense.
“The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources encourages consumers to visit their local farmers’ markets, farmstands and pick-your-own operations. There’s plenty of healthy, high-quality, locally-grown product there that will taste delicious in meals and snacks,” said MDAR Commissioner Lebeaux. “There’s no denying our farmers have had a lot of challenges thrown their way this season; we can greatly help them by purchasing and enjoying their nutritious harvest.”
With approximately 340 apple orchards in Massachusetts on over 4,000 acres of land, the Commonwealth yielded over 28 million pounds of apples worth $20 million in 2012.
Visit MDAR’s farm finder to find information on Massachusetts apple orchards, pick-your-own apple farms, farmers’ markets, and roadside produce stands.
After a one-year hiatus, the New England Apple Association will once again produce a wall calendar for 2017. The NEAA chose not to produce a calendar in 2016 in order to invest in a remake of its website, newenglandapples.lndo.site.
The popular calendar features photography of New England orchards by Executive Director Bar Lois Weeks and Senior Writer Russell Steven Powell, plus photos and descriptions of a new apple variety each month. The calendar includes orchard listings and contact information. Supplies of the 2017 New England Apples wall calendar should arrive at member orchards in early September.
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Big E staff
Judy Laplante and Sharon Gagnon greet first-time customers.
One-year-old Inara is pictured here with her parents on right, Josh and Laura, and her doting grandmother, Judy Laplante, one of our hard-working team.
