PLAN AHEAD NOW FOR HARVEST FEST

HARVEST FEST 2015
October 9-11

GREAT NEWS AT THE ORCHARD!

After more than 45 years of Park Service ownership and nearly 20 years of seasonal employment, two great changes have occurred at the Buckner Orchard.

Since purchasing the Buckner Orchard from Harry and Lena Buckner in 1970, the National Park Service has employed seasonal workers to maintain the orchard.  For the past 20 years, Laurie Thompson has, as a seasonal employee, cared for and nutured the historic trees.  In March, that all changed.

With little fanfare, and after months of process, the orchardist position at the Buckner Orchard was designated a permanent position, and Laurie was hired to fill it.  This is great news for both Laurie and the Orchard.  Laurie will no longer have to continually reapply for the seasonal work, and funding is now on a more solid basis for care of the orchard.

 

Congratulations, Laurie!  You and the trees of the Buckner Orchard all should be very happy!

Harvest Fest 2014 - A Great Weekend!

 

Beautiful weather, a large apple crop, and lots of great folks,  music and food highlighted this year's Harvest Fest!

BY THE NUMBERS

Friday Orchard work party - 14 participants

Friday Night Stehekin Valley Music Program - 130 Attendees

Saturday Cider Pressing and Community Potluck  -  220+ Participants

Sunday Poetry Night - 17 readers and reciters
 

THE EVENTS

Friday Work Party - A very important part of what the Foundation does is to gather volunteers to help at the Orchard and Homestead.  Winterizing this organic orchard is critical to the longevity and health of the trees.  Controlling mice by removing grass and food, cleaning ditches, mowing and weed eating, along with setting up for the next day's festivities are only some of the many activities completed.

Friday Evening  -   Banjo, piano ragtime, solos, duets. and quartets with music from the 40's and 50's as well as other lively offerings from Stehekin's own Agnes on Fire band made for another enjoyable and entertaining evening.

Many thanks to all the musicians and singers, and especially to Mary Denmead, Mark Scherer, and Jo Reiter for their organization of this great event.

Saturday at the Orchard -  A bumper apple crop coupled with our largest attendance ever made for a day filled with lots of apples, lots of cider, lots of people, and lots of food and music.  We couldn't ask for more!

The Orchard has never looked better!  The signature Common Delicious apples, along with the Rome Beauties, Winesaps, and Johnny's were large, juicy, and numerous. 

Chili with all the fixings, a fine selection of salads, and a multitude of yummy desserts rewarded the pickers, pressers, and watchers, while enjoying the music of Agnes on Fire, our versatile and talented band of local musicians.

Sunday Evening Poetry Night - Reading from favorites, many of them reflections of the Stehekin Valley and the mountains that surround it, as well as original writings from those present, this relaxing evening brought Harvest Fest 2014 to a quiet close.

Many thanks to the Wilfred and Kathy Woods Advisoy Trust and the Community Foundation of NCW for their support of Harvest Fest!

NEXT YEAR - Harvest Fest 2015 will be held October 9 - 11.

HARVEST FEST 2014

The Details

You've all seen the flyers and now here are the specific details related to this year's Harvest Fest.

 

Where:  Stehekin, Washington on beautiful Lake Chelan

When:  October 3, 4, 5, 2014

Getting there:  Unless you have your own boat or plane, or chose to hike in, you'll want to take advantage of services provided by the Lake Chelan Boat Company and/or Chelan Seaplanes.

Lake Chelan Boat Company

The Lady of the Lake provides daily service through October 15, with only a single boat running at this time of the year, so reservations are recommended for both Friday arrivals and Sunday departures from Stehekin.   Schedule and Rates

Chelan Seaplanes

Here is a note from Shane at Chelan Seaplanes, just for Harvest Fest

"We have added some extra flights and a $20 discount on a round trip or $10 one way for folks flying up to the Harvest Fest. They can make their reservations online via our web site or the link here.  (LINK)  Folks can enter the Promo Code "BOHF2014" when making their reservation to receive their discount."

Places to Stay:  Use this link at the Foundation web site (LINK) to check out accommodations in Stehekin, as well as fishing, hiking, and bicycling adventures.  And, don't forget the Stehekin Pastry Company!

 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3

9 AM  -  Work party at the Orchard

This involves light work setting up for the weekend, as well as getting the Orchard ready for winter.  Come when you can, leave when you need to.

 

7 PM  -  Stehekin Valley Music at the Stehekin School

The Valley is the home to many fine musicians dedicated to providing traditional,  as well as contemporary music.  End of the Road/Agnes on Fire will play, along with both vocal and instrumental individuals and groups.  If last year is any indication, this will be a sold-out house, so arrive early!

NOTE - As per state law, alcohol and tobacco are not allowed on the school grounds.

 

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4

10 AM  -  Picking and Pressing at the Orchard

Two cider presses, new picking bags, a choice of ladders or long-handled fruit pickers, or just visiting and enjoying the Homestead and Orchard, there are a lot of fun choices for everyone. 

 Bring your own containers for cider, if you have them.  One-gallon freezer bags are provided for this purpose, as well.     

1 PM  -  Community potluck at the Orchard

Our tables are always graced with a great selection of foods at this bountiful time of the year, and End of the Road entertains for your enjoyment in this great setting.

 Chili with all the fixings, lemonade, coffee, plates, cups, and utensils are all provided. 

If you have lawn chairs, bring them along, or maybe a blanket to sit on the grass.
                  

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5

7 PM  -  Poetry Night  (Location to be determined)

Most Harvest Fest visitors have returned home.  The Valley is quiet and peaceful, the perfect evening to relax and enjoy your favorite poetry and that of others.  Bring your favorite pieces, your own writings, or just listen and enjoy.

Come to enjoy the hospitality of the Stehekin Valley, the fruit and history of the historic Buckner Homestead and Orchard, and the incredible colors of autumn in this unique and wonderful setting!

HARVEST FEST - The Orchard and the Community

HARVEST FEST 2013

A Great Weekend!

BY THE NUMBERS

Friday Night Stehekin Valley Music Program - 140 Attendees

Saturday Cider Pressing and Community Potluck  -  165+ Participants

Sunday Poetry Night - a dozen readers and reciters

WHAT A COMMUNITY EFFORT!

Informed on Monday that the normal venues for Harvest Fest, (the Buckner Orchard and the Golden West Lodge), would be closed due to the government shutdown; the Stehekin Community stepped up!

Instrumental was the Stehekin School Board in providing the use of the School on Friday evening for the music program and for cider pressing and community potluck on Saturday.  Without this prompt and generous offer, Harvest Fest would not have happened this year.

As the School is cleaned on Sunday evening and was unavailable, sincere thanks to Terry Lavender for providing a warm and comfortable setting for Poetry night.

Many individuals stepped forward, allowing us to pick a truckload of apples prior to the shutdown.  Many other small details needed to be worked out now that the Orchard was unavailable.  Hauling and storing the apples, disposing of the cider mash as to not attract bears to the school, and more.  Without hesitation, community member and friends were there!

  

STEHEKIN VALLEY MUSIC - ACROSS THE GENERATIONS

With a standing-room-only crowd, the Friday night program was lively, and entertaining, with a dose of Valley history.  Peggy Ann Courtney, Mary Denmead, Patty Wilsey, Liz and Tom Courtney, The End of the Road Band, "The Andrew Sisters," and spirited sing-along's of Valley favorites made this an event to be remembered!  Rocking the School from 7-8:30 PM, the program was followed by music for dancing and listening from Agnes on Fire, an aberration of The End of the Road Band.  This was an excellent kick off to Harvest Fest 2013!  And, many thanks to JoAnne Reiter and Mark Scherer for thier planning for this event.

CIDER MAKING AND COMMUNITY POTLUCK

Truly the result of a community's commitment and effort, Saturday was busy, relaxing, entertaining, filling, and very enjoyable.  Serenaded first by big band music typical of the Orchard in its hey-day, then live with Imus and the Mud Flows, this was a day to forget about the many consequences of the shutdown to this small community and to celebrate the Community and the Buckner Orchard.

  

Under the best of circumstance, this was a great Harvest Fest Weekend.  Under the circumstances overlaying the Valley this year, this was a marvelous weekend!  The Stehekin Valley and Community truly shined!  Many, many thanks to all who made it so.

Harvest Fest celebrates the Buckner Orchard and the Stehekin Community.  This year, it was a little more about community.

See you next year!

E-mail:  bucknerorchard@aol.com

Web page:  bucknerhomestead.org

The Buckner Homestead Heritage Foundation is a not-for-profit organization
created specifically to support and preserve the Buckner Homestead and Orchard in Stehekin, Washington, and is registered as such with the State of Washington and the IRS
(Tax ID #452913458)

Foundation information is sent by blind copy to members and interested
individuals. If you no longer wish to receive these messages, please
contact us at the e-mail address from which this originated.

HARVEST FEST 2013

October 4-5

Over the past four years, Harvest Fest at the Buckner Orchard has evolved to become more than a one-day event.  For the fourth consecutive year, a Friday evening program at the Golden West Lodge will kick-off our celebration of the Buckner Homestead and Orchard as an important part of our Stehekin Valley heritage.

 

Stehekin Valley Music - Across Generations

Live at the Golden West Lodge, enjoy an evening celebrating the musical heritage of the Valley.  Featuring talented local musicians, sing-along's with Mary Denmead, The End of the Road Band, Peggy Ann Courtney, displays, and more, this is a do-not-miss gathering!

7 PM, Friday, October 4, at the Golden West Lodge,  Be there! 

Fifth Annual Harvest Fest

Be a part of another great day of picking apples, making cider, the community potluck, and the musical entertainment of Stehekin's own The End of the Road Band. 

Saturday, October 5, The Buckner Orchard, Stehekin

10 AM - The picking and pressing begins!

Be sure to bring containers for the cider.

1 PM  - Community potluck, great music, and visiting with old friends and new.

Chili with all the fixing's, table service, plates, cups, lemonade, and coffee are provided.

Bring  lawn chairs if you have them.

Need something in Stehekin?  Follow this link to the Foundation web site and all the connections you need.  Find it in Stehekin

HARVEST FEST AND MORE

HARVEST FEST 2012 - NEAR-PERFECTION!

Continued Indian summer weather, a great apple crop, sumptuous food, and 200+ enthusiastic participants made for a near-perfect celebration of the Buckner Orchard and Stehekin Community on October 6!

 

Valley residents and visitors spent an enjoyable day picking apples, making cider, visiting with old friends and new ones alike, enjoying the music of Stehekin's own End of the Road, while filling plates from the large selection of potluck food. What a glorious day, and the orchard has never looked better!

 

 

 

See what you missed or reminisce about your time at the Buckner Homestead with photos of the day provided by Leo Christoffer, Crystal Austin, and Herb Sargo. (Photos)

 

Follow this link to Wilfred Woods' column in the Wenatchee World celebrating this year's Harvest Fest. Thank you, Wilfred! (Column)

 

MANY SPECIAL THANKS

Special thanks are in order for Eric Little and John Schinneman of Whildbey Island, friends of the Stehekin Community, for completely refurbishing both cider presses at the orchard. Metal and wood parts were replaced or retooled in their shops in Freeland, WA, and the presses are not only much easier to use, especially for kids, but will now serve the community for many years to come. They look great! Thank you both for you generous contribution to the Orchard and Stehekin Community.

The project and transportation to and from Whidbey Island was facilitated by the Foundation, and we are very grateful to Tom Courtney Tug and Barge for providing shipment of one of the presses.

 

Eric is pictured readying the presses for their maiden voyage.

 

NEW BUCKNER ORCHARD SIGN

Harvest Fest 2012 also brought the unveiling of the new Buckner Orchard sign on the Stehekin Valley Road. Construction of the sign was funded by the Buckner Homestead Heritage Foundation, and is pictured here with Wendy Garfoot. The old sign, created by the late Phil Garftoot, now resides at Wendy's new home in Stehekin. The Garfoots were long-time residents at the Orchard and are responsible for much of the work that has made the Buckner Homestead and Orchard what it is today.

 

FALL ORCHARD WORK DAY

13 friends of the orchard spent the morning of October 5 readying the orchard for winter by removing grass and apples from around trees for mice control, cleaning up around the buildings, and other structures, and preparing for the next day's Harvest Fest. (Photos)

 

GRANTS APPROVED

At its annual meeting on May 14, the Foundation Board approved the following grants for work and services at the Buckner Orchard:
     Hazardous Tree Removal  -  $3,000.00
     Replacement of Entrance Sign  -  $2,000.00
     Tree Cage Removal  -  $2,000.00
     WSU Ext. Consultant - $350.00
     Upgrades to Current Fence  -  $1,200.00
     Fill Tractor Tires  -  $600.00
     Replace Old-style Culverts  -  $1,900.00
In addition, The Foundation will work with NPS on improving the wagon shed roof and inventorying, sorting, and placing historic equipment at the Orchard.

NON-PROFIT STATUS

The Foundation has now acquired its own non-profit, 501 (c)(3) status and is no longer a project of the Community Foundation for NCW!

ELECTIONS

Board members David Kurth (Stehekin) and Doug England (Manson) were re-elected to their respective postions as Stehekin Community Representative and Apple Industry Representative.  In addition, Herb Sargo (Sedro-Woolley) was re-elected Foundation president, JoAnne Reiter (Walla Walla) re-elected Secretary, and Cinda Gilbert (Manson) was re-elected Treasurer.

PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBIT IN CHELAN

Historic photos from the Orchard Centennial Exhibit are now on display at the Lake Chelan Museum in Chelan.  This is a great chance to view or revisit the earlier days of the Buckner Orchard and Homestead.  The exhibit will be on display through September.

CALENDAR SET FOR 2012

Work parties, meetings, and Harvest Fest dates are all included in our 2012 Calendar of Events.

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE 2012

Our membership drive for 2012 is underway. Join us today and help support the Buckner Homestead and Orchard. (Membership Form)

ANNUAL REPORT 2011

2011, the Centennial Year of the Buckner Orchard, was a busy and produuctive time. Our Annual Report of these activities, financial as well as events, are here for your review and comment.

ANNUAL REPORT

The 2010 Annual Report of Foundation activities is now available. Review the past year's events and happenings here, then join us in creating great events and memories this year in preseving all that is good about the Buckner Orchard and Homestead.

A GREAT WEEKEND IN STEHEKIN!

What a great weekend!

Orchard Centennial Kick-0ff - With a full house at the Golden West Lodge, the Kick-off to the Buckner Orchard Centennial was an over-whelming success. Thanks to the tremendous work of Adrienne Carpenter and Christine Sargo, the 95 attendees were provided personal and entertaining insights to the people and life at the Orchard over the past 100 years. Displays of historic photographs, personal letters to and from the Buckner Family,artifacts, and anecdotes shared made for a extraordinary evening. (Photos - thanks to Rick Beauchesne, Crystal Austin/Crystalviewgraphics, and Herb Sargo). For further information, check the History Note in the previous posting.

2nd Annual Harvest Fest - Bracketed by beautiful fall weather, Harvest Fest avoided the heavy rain of Friday and Saturday evenings for another great day of picking apples, making cider, and community potluck while enjoying the music of Stehekin's own, End of the Road.

Pictures are worth a thousand words, so please enjoy the creative and captivating work of Mike and Nancy Barnhart/Barnhart Photography, Crystal Austin of Crystalviewgraphics, Rick Beauchesne, and Herb Sargo. Many thanks to all for sharing these with us.

Wilfred Woods has, again, captured the spirit of the weekend in his Talking it Over column on the front page of the Wenatchee World. Thanks, Wilfred!

Start planning now for Saturday, October 8, for the 3rd annual Harvest Fest.

Many thanks to the many,many people who made both of these events a success!

CENTENNIAL KICK-OFF

Buckner Orchard Centennial Kick-off
Friday, October 8, 7-9 PM Golden West Lodge Stehekin

Join us at this drop-in open house featuring historic photos, letters and reminiscences, artifacts, Olive's applesauce cake and beverages, and more as we kick-off a celebration of the first 100 years of the Buckner Orchard.

History Note
The property that now comprises the Buckner Orchard was homesteaded in 1889 by Bill Buzzard. After clearing about an acre of land, Mr. Buzzard built a log cabin, which is still standing today, and planted a large garden. He also cut many of the large trees on the homestead and sold them to mills downlake or as firewood for the steamers.

In November of 1910, Bill struck a deal with William Van Buckner to sell the homestead for $5,000.00 or $50.00 a month for the rest of his life. Bill took the monthly payments, "knowing his weaknesses - gambling and moderately heavy drinking, which in combination might be fatal to his $5,000.00".

When Bill died in 1919, having received $4,950.00 of the agreed-to price of $5,000.00, With the remaining $50.00, Van bought a fine polished granite gravestone to grace Bill's grave in the Chelan Cemetery.

In April of 1911, the Buckner's arrived in Stehekin with fairly elaborate plans to develop what they always called Rainbow Ranch. Apples were their focus and the first thing needed was water. The hand-dug ditch still carries irrigation water to the orchard today.

And, thus, began 100 years of the Buckner Orchard as a jewel and source of community pride in the Stehekin Valley.

HARVEST FEST 2010

(Click on flyer for a larger version)

GREAT WORK DAY AT THE ORCHARD

Fourteen adults and two very enthusiastic youngsters accomplished much to be proud of on an unadvertised work day at the Buckner Orchard on Monday, July 26.

Anchored by a large contingent from Walla Walla, ditches were cleaned with weed eaters, and encroaching seedling pines and cottonwoods were removed from Buckner Lane, the main irrigation ditch, and the pasture. Significant weed eating around young and old trees to reduce mouse habitat took place over two days, with the return of two very dedicated "weed eaters" for a second day.

Additionally, summer pruning of water suckers and the cleaning and removal of vegetation and roots help ensure a better flow of water to the orchard for the remainder of the season.

Volunteers also assisted chief orchardist, Laurie Thompson, to add a second large gate through the elk/bear fence.

Work parties are organized by the Foundation and posted to our website. Assistance at the orchard is always needed and most welcome, whether it be one person for several hours or a small group for any period of time. Contact the Foundation at bucknerorchard@aol.com or Laurie at the orchard to arrange to volunteer.

BOARD CHANGES

Long-time member, Ray (Toad) O'Neal of Chelan recently announced his retirement from the Foundation board. Toad is the last of the original board members and will be sorely missed. His ability to get things done in the community, bring humor to our discussions, and to provide a history of both the Foundation and the Stehekin Valley were very much appreciated. Thank you, Toad!

Newly-elected to the Board is Brun Garfoot of Stehekin who brings an unique perspective and passion to the Foundation Board. The son of Wendy and Phil Garfoot, Brun grew up at the Buckner Homestead, living in the Buckner House, and currently resides in Stehekin with his wife, Mindy, and their children. Brun carries on another family tradition, his mother, Wendy, was a long-serving original board member.

Thank you, Toad and Brun, for your willingness to help further the work of the Foundation in supporting and preserving the Buckner Orchard and Homestead.

ANNUAL MEETING SUMMARY

SECRETARIAL - Jo Anne
Approved minutes of July 22, 2009 board meeting in Stehekin
Read two items of correspondence
Approved incorporation of on-line board voting in minutes of this meeting

FINANCIAL - Cinda
Treasurer reported on 2009 and 2010 to-date, current balance = $14,177.45
Adopted budget for 2010
Approved use of Pay Pal for one year for on-line memberships, donations, and Adopt-A-Tree
Approved IRS-mandated policy on disbursing of funds if Foundation dissolves
Approved change of fiscal year to align with membership year, Jan. 1 - Dec. 31

ELECTIONS
Approved election cycle for the Board
Re-elected Cinda Gilbert and Herb Sargo to the Board (3-year terms)
Re-elected (1-year terms)
Herb Sargo, Sedro-Woolley, President
Cinda Gilbert, Manson, Treasurer
Jo Anne Reiter, Walla Walla, Secretary
Ray (Toad) O'Neal has retired from the board and will be sorely missed. His replacement was discussed.

GOALS for 2010 (adopted)
1. A minimum of 100 people will attend the Annual Harvest Fest
2. A minimum of two Foundation-sponsored work parties will be held to support the orchard and homestead
3. A minimum of at least one interpretative project will be undertaken in 2010 in collaboration with the NPS and other appropriate organizations
4. Obtain funding from an outside source(s) for a minimum of one priority project

REPORTS
Orchard and Homestead - Laurie
light winter with minimal snow and elk damage - all in good shape
Recently acquired brush flailer is working, with some notable quirks that will be addressed
No expansion of the elk/bear fence will take place this year
May be a lighter crop this year - quite heavy last year
Boy Scouts may possibly do service projects at the Homestead


Incorporation and Nonprofit status - Herb
Incorporated in State of Washington as of January 2010
Variety of polices will need to be adopt as a part of IRS 501 (C) 3 application
At some point, we will need to secure professional assistance, i.e. an attorney or nonprofit specialist

PLANNING DISCUSSIONS
Harvest Fest and Buckner Homestead Centennial
Approved Centennial celebration for evening of October 8 and planning committee formed (will be expanded)
Reviewed inaugural Harvest Fest (2009) and began planning for October 9, 2010
Work days were discussed with late July and prior to the Harvest Fest in October most likely
Future external communications were discussed regarding our role, mission, and working relationship with the NPS
Discussed possible interpretative enhancements at the packing shed and Buzzard cabin

ANNUAL MEETING SET

The 2010 Foundation annual meeting will be held at 7 PM on Monday, May 10 in the Board Room of the Lake Chelan Reclamation District in Manson. The tentative agenda includes:

· Setting Goals and Priorities for the year
· Planning for Harvest Fest and the Buckner Homestead Centennial
· Work days at the Homestead
· Election of Officers
· Election of two board members
· Adoption of election cycle
· Membership and Finances
· Update on incorporation and nonprofit status

ELK AND BEAR FENCE EXPANSION

Protection for more of the Buckner Orchard trees coming in 2010.

National Park Service plans are in the works to expand protection of the orchard from bears, a traditional threat, and from the more recent and growing elk herd. The weight of bears climbing and pulling to "harvest" apples in the fall has become even more of a danger as trees become brittle with age.

Elk cannot only denude a tree of new and young growth, but also break limbs and leaders when attempting to reach farther up the tree.

Approximately one-fourth of the orchard is now protected with a tall hog-wire fence, supplemented by a solar-powered electrical line. Even with this 8' fence, elk have, during deep snow, been able to leap the fence, creating a need to shovel snow away from portions of the fence.

In the spring of 2010, the NPS plans to fence the portion of orchard between the packing shed and the currently fenced trees. Work will involve creating post holes, mixing cement, placing poles, attaching wires, constructing gates, and adding the electric fence.

In addition, a semi-temporary electric bear fence will be installed on the remaining orchard, those trees in front of the homestead house, from the pasture to the packing shed. This fence will be composed of a single fabric wire strand between low fence posts, which can be easily dropped or removed. This fence will be utilized during the "bear season" in the late fall.

The NPS has applied for a Washington Conservation Corp grant that would provide WCC workers to construct the fences, but word has not been received as to whether or not the grant has been funded. If not granted, volunteers will be needed to complete the fence installation.

No longer the working ranch it once was, the Buckner Orchard is now haven to a small herd of deer; and bear and elk find the ranch more inviting without the activity, dogs, hunting, and work that were once the norm for the Buckner Family.