82-Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, April 24, 1999 Frecon Orchards Is ablaze with spectacular blooms In the peach tree part of the orchard. Barbara Gilbert, a 30-year employee of Frecon Orchards, enjoys late season pruning on these Saturn peach trees. The Saturn peach Is a freestone, white flesh peach that is shaped like a saucer with a small seed that pops out, making It quick and easy snack for children and adults. Springtime Blossoms LOU ANN GOOD Lancaster Farming Staff BOYERTOWN (Berks Co.) When Richard S. Brecon pur chased an orchard in the area known as “The Fruit Basket of the World in 1944,” he didn’t foresee that most competitors’ orchards would eventually dwindle to nothing and that Brecon Fruit Farms Inc. would blossom into a thriving three-generational business. The survival of the 200-acre farm has not been without sweat. ‘Willow In the Wind’ Will Go To Highest Bidder LOU ANN GOOD Lancaster Fanning Staff MOUNT JOY (Lancaster Co.) Fifty years ago, Eileen Miller was cme of the first students to attend Kraybill’s Mennonite School. Later she married Galen Benner and all six of their children attended the school. Today, three of the Benners’ grandchildren are students at the Mount Joy school, which has grown from 31 students to 418. Throughout the years, the school has relied on an annual ben efit sale to boost its treasury, ena bling students a lower price to attend the private school. In those beginning years, Eileen’s mother (Barbara Miller) headed the quilt committee. “My mother soon discovered that if she picked out a good quilt, it would bring a good price,” Eileen said. Now that Eileen is in charge, she carries on the tradition of her mother. This year Eileen didn’t need to search to find a breath taking quilt that promises to bring a hefty bid at the school’s upcom ing benefit sale to be held May 7-8. tears, and continual education to keep abreast of changing consumer habits. “Our goal has always been to provide the finest fruits and veget ables grown, never to be the big gest,” said Richard S. Frecon Sr., who was a fruit and vegetable inspector for the state of Pennsyl vania before he settled in Boyertown. Although retired, the elder Fre con remains chairman of the board for the three separate businesses in the family enterprise, which Eileen knew exactly where to look for the most stunning quilt as a special donation for the school’s 50th anniversary—her daughter in-law. Cheryl, married to Eileen’s son Lamar Benner, is a quilt artist. She designs original patterns in many different styles. The one selected for the benefit auction is called “Willow In The Wind.” The contemporary-style quilt features bold, bright tropical flowers, cheerful butterflies and dragonflies, and Cheryl’s trademark —a petite ladybug. The quilt explodes with joyful colors and surprising details stitched onto a muted white and beige background. Cheryl designs quilts with so many details to applique that seamstresses recognize that her designs cannot be stitched in a rush. Cheryl has several employ ees who complete the applique and quilting for the commissioned quilts. “Cheryl designs them, but she doesn’t make them,” said Eileen. “I wonder if she had to make them if she would put in all that detail?” But it’s the details that bring include the retail sales outlet that daughter-in-law Torrie oversees, the wholesale growing operation that her husband Henry manages, and an orchard supply business run by Henry’s brother Richard A. A sister Ten serves as secretary and treasurer for the enterprise. “But like any farm, we fill in wherever needed,” Torrie said. The orchards spread for miles on some of the hilliest land in the area. “It’s a bit difficult to have an orchard in such a hilly area, but the (Turn to Page B 4) depth and life to the design. With out the detail, it would be just another quilt not a unique, original that is recognizable as one designed by an artist and will gain in value in years to come. People are prone to copy Chery l’s designs and claim them as their own. It’s a frustration that all great artists face. Usually, the counter feiters alter a few details and claim (it as their own original, but coun terfeit copies often lack balanced scale and the detail so prevalent in Cheryl’s designs. Cheryl became a quilt designer almost by accident After she was graduated from the Art Institute of Philadelphia, Cheryl took a job with People’s Place, where she designed book covers and illus trated children's book. About 10 years ago, she was asked to design a quilt for People’s Place. Her first design was called “County Love.” The design took the county by storm, and it con tinues to be one of the most popu lar quilt patterns around. Since then, Cheryl has designed a scries of quilts that ate featured in books: (Turn to Page B 14) Frecon Orchards is a family enterprise with three sepa-' rate businesses. The retail outlet and wholesale growing operation Is headed by Henry and his wife Torrie, at left. Teh . Frecon, center, Is secretary and treasurer for the enterprise i begun by her father, Richard S. Frecon. Richard is retired 1 but remains chairman of the board for the three separate 1 businesses. An orchard supply business is run by Richard A., right. Cheryl Benner designed this contemporary quilt that she calls “Willow in the Wind.” Her designs are known for their detail, eye-catching beauty, and a ladybug trademark that appears somewhere In all of her patterns. Several of Chery l’s quilt patterns are published In books. Cheryl also Illus trates children’s books and designs fabrics. rr "t H? i ’< ’ & . yu
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