For the eighth year in a row, Mary Kimball and
her daughter, Cindy, have set aside a day to
show their appreciatioin for their customers at
Moose Valley Farms, an old fashioned nursery on
U.S. 95 south of Naples on Latigo Lane.
That day came Saturday, April 30, and judging by
attendance, it was much more. It wasn't a
business event, but a community event.
"It was great!" Cindy said. "The energy was good
and everybody had a good time."
And obviously, everybody is ready for spring.
 |
Even with all the activity going
on outside, no one could resist the
beauty, or that sweet spring smell, of a
greenhouses in full bloom. |
| And there was a lot going on
outside, from a free picnic with hotdogs
and all the trimmings ... |
 |
 |
... To Buzz Lightyear providing
a place for little kids to send up
shrill shrieks and giggles. |
| It was obvious, though, that
thoughts were on spring, and on getting
out into the garden, as many ran first
to get their spring seeds, starts and
sets even before settling in to eat ... |
 |
 |
... While others chose to get in
some gardening practice and just chat
about farming in general. |
| For many, though, the first
attraction was the "chug, hiss, chug"
sound of the old John Deere engines
where Willy and Darlene Peachy were
churning up the first fresh ice cream of
spring ... old folks remembered the
sound of the old machines for planting
and harvesting that they grew up with,
while young kids now have the memory of
a sound and a taste that will last
them a life time. |
 |
 |
All the while, experienced
gardeners like Jennifer McLeish (right),
filled flats with beauty and compared
weather forecasts with Moose Valley
Farm's skilled staff.
According to Cindy, Spring is here! The
time for gardening is now! |
|