Page 22 - OCT2021

Page 22 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM October 2021 Farm Feature: Cardigan Mountain Orchard
By BRittany amalfi
There is no better time to pick some farm-fresh apples than in the crisp month of October, and Cardigan Mountain Orchard has a beautiful crop of them waiting for everyone! Cardigan Moun- tain Orchard is a family-run farm specializing in growing apples, and with just under 1,000 apple trees, they have a lot to offer.
October is a big month for Cardigan Mountain Orchard with their pick-your-own apples going on, and it makes for the perfect fall family day. “We love to share the orchard with people, and there’s a beautiful crop this year,” Stephen Bleiler says. Ste-
phen is one of the sons of Steve and Nancy Bleiler, the ones who started it all in the late ’70s. Steve and Nancy thought buying a lit- tle apple farm would be a small pleasure in their lives, but it turned out to be so much more. Now, the farm is still going stron- ger than ever, with the different generations of Bleilers continu- ing to run the show. “It’s nice to see my kids go out and tend to the trees I’ve always known. We still have trees here that were on the farm before my parents took over,” Stephen says.
With their substantial amount of apples, there’s a lot to enjoy at Cardigan Mountain Orchard. Other than pick-your-own ap-
ples, people can find pies, jam, apple butter, and other home- made goods in their country store. Starting in October, they press their own cider every week until the end of the month, and they will make their own cider donuts! The farm’s apple cider is as fresh as it can get with their old-fashioned way of pressing and their variety of different apples. They offer over 15 vari- eties of apples like Honey crisp, Spartan, Macintosh, Empire, and many more. There shouldn’t be any shortage of pies because Bleiler has been working hard to
get the pie train rolling. “I made over 50 pies the other day,” Ste- phen tells me. “My mom taught me how to make a good apple pie because she always made the best, but I aim to make them every week in time to be ready for the weekend.”
“We’re proud to continue to carry on the agricultural tradi- tion in New Hampshire and grow fruit. We have a strong Christian faith in our family, and it’s nice to be a part of something so re- warding. We encourage people to come on down and have some fun! Cardigan Mountain Or-
chard has some of the best views of the scenic mountain and the valley. It’s a beautiful spot, and we even have a large population of Monarch Butterflies, so we have a lot for people to see,” Ste- phen tells me when asked about their family farm.
The Bleilers have made this farm an open and inviting place for all families to come and enjoy their fresh apples and baked goods. Stephen tells me, “It’s so spiritually rewarding to have our own little corner of the world and be able to share it with others.” Cardigan Mountain Orchards is open every day from September 4th to October 31st from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (or while the ap- ples last!) So come on over, enjoy some apple picking, drink some fresh cider, and explore the scen- ery at this beautiful place the Bleilers call home.
North CouNtry Mortgage
Licensed by the NH Banking Department NMLS # 1438584
“Proudly Serving The Granite State”
Shawn P. Economides
Broker / Owner NMLS # 166706
North Country Mortgage 4 Central Square Bristol, NH 03222
Tel: (603) 744-8875 Fax: (603) 744-8876 Cell: (603) 348-8875
Newfound Real Estate
GEORGE HILL & BOG ROAD
SPRINGFIELD, NH
6.00 Acres | Close to Lake Kolelemook MLS #4878876 | $79,000
ROUTE 114, NORTH SUTTON, NH
NORTH WILMOT ROAD, WILMOT, NH
just listed
sold
sold
Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated. Office: (603)526-4020
thinking of selling?
CALL DEBBIE AND LALENA TODAY!
DEBBIE ROWE WALKER (603)748-9147 LALENA MATHENY (603)724-0636