When first asked to write about my life’s experiences and accomplishments, I was both flattered and humbled. I thought it would be a breeze but actually doing it became more of a challenge than I expected.

Born and raised on a 160 acre dairy farm in neighboring Oconto County, I soon learned the many aspects involved in farming. Being the eldest of three daughters-I had no brothers- I was expected to perform many jobs, from gathering the chicken eggs to slopping the pigs to driving the horses on the hay fork rope. At the age of five, I begged my parents to let me milk a cow (this was before milking machines). That first experience was a near disaster as Old Bessie promptly put her foot in my little bucket! Not to be deterred, I went right back, and from that day on became part of the “milking crew.” I feel I learned many skills from growing up on a farm that perhaps influenced what I’ve done later in my life. I enjoyed everything about farming except getting up so early every morning to milk those cows. Ironically, to this day I have a hard time sleeping later than 5am.

Of course, part of farm life was getting involved in 4-H. First my grandfather and then my mother were the leaders of our local club. Over my 10 years in 4-H, I took on many projects, mostly having to do with the outdoors, including gardening, poultry and cattle but also clothing and cooking. Some of my proudest moments were showing Ayrshire calves at the county fair.

My education included eight years in a one-room rural grade school, four years at Lena High School and three years at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh where I prepared for a career in teaching as my mother, aunt and uncle had done, and later many other members of my family. My first teaching position at age 19 was in a one-room rural school in Marinette County where I faced 37 first through eighth grade pupils. That was a real challenge!

About a year later, I married my high school sweetheart, Godfrey (Gabe), and we both continued teaching until 1952 when Gabe joined the U.S. Coast Guard for a four-year stint. While he was in training, I continued teaching until he was transferred to Point Betsy Lighthouse on the shores of Lake Michigan. At the end of the school year I joined him there and we spent nearly 2 years living in a lighthouse. That area of Michigan was the center for many cherry and apple orchards. Little did we realize then that just a few years later, we would be owners of a 20 acre apple orchard in Langlade County.

After military service, Gabe’s first teaching job was in the Antigo High school. By then, we had 2 children so I became a stay-at-home mom. We were looking for something to fill in the summer months away from teaching but when Gabe came home one day and asked me how I would like to buy an orchard, I thought he was crazy and I told him so. Yet not a week later, we were half owners of Grandview Orchard together with another teacher, Leon Kalkofen. We had no expertise or experience in knowing how to operate an orchard but with a lot of reading, relying on UW Extension people and good hard work we were able to struggle through the early years. We soon learned that running a 20 acre orchard is more than just summer work!

Gabe kept teaching in Antigo for more that 30 years while together we continued in the orchard business. In 1976, we bought out Leon’s share but by then the oldest of our five children were able to fill in doing many of the jobs, much as I had done on the dairy farm.
One of the highlights of our business has been the Apple Festival the first weekend in October which we have hosted for the last 17 years. It has become a great family outing for many people in and around our area. We feel it is our way of giving back to the community which has supported us for 53 years.

Running an orchard is not “all work and no play” as it has given us many ways to expand our opportunities. During spring, before the new apple season starts, we were able to travel extensively. Most trips have been to Europe. We met many interesting people as a result and have had the good fortune to visit them in their own homes. Also, several young ladies have come here to stay and work with us.

I’ll always treasure the walks through the orchard, especially in the spring when the trees blossom and the birds are building their nests. I have conducted many tours of school children in the fall. It is heartening when they come back years later and recall the time they were part of the tour. Although it has been years since I have done formal teaching in a classroom, I still am teaching in a different way when we have been invited to be speakers at Master Gardener classes or to church or school meetings. Even when just selling a tree I give the purchaser all the information I can so he/she will be a successful grower.

Approaching 4 score in years, I remain optimistic and motivated to continue our endeavors as long as possible.
Given the chance to buy an orchard again, would we? Most certainly!

From an article by Elaine Gabriel published in Impressions 2011 with permission of the author.