The 3rd Annual Apple Festival held on September 25th was a day of delight for many that found their way to this once abandoned orchard nestled in the mountains. It has been lovingly brought back to life and the event and apples were free thanks to the owners of Laughing Waters at Hickory Nut Forest. Basket in hand children were strolling about with eyes in awe as some found out for the first time that “apples really do grow on trees. “
Parents lovingly held them on their shoulders so they could pick one of their own. Mountain music slowly drifted about the crowd as the sound of laughter mixed with the stringing of an old banjo. Ladders leaned against trees and hands cranked old apple presses to make fresh apple juice for all to share. As you sipped the sweet juice you could not help but feel the love that was squeezed right into it from the hands that picked the apples to the ones that turned the crank on the press.
When young and old alike gather to share the bounties of the earth of this beautiful place we call home it is the true sense of community as Gerton, NC and the Hickory Nut Gap area has known for many years. Whether it is the monthly potlucks held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 6:30 at the Community Center for over 50 years or events such as this you will want to join in on the experience. Neighbors though spread apart by either geographical landscape or generations do not let this deter their coming together and sharing. The true sense and experience of community is here nestled away on top of a mountain and makes for a fine sweet day of life in Gerton.Check out Laughing Waters at www.LaughingWatersNC.com
and Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community at www.HickoryNutForestEcocommunity.com
Photos and Story by Deborah Pustorino+
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