Dear Friends of The Apple Farm,

Almost a quarter of a century behind us and we find ourselves in a time of change. Sally was confronted with a very serious heart problem in mid January. She is well on her way to recovery but we are thinking about the future and how we might redefine our roles.

Karen and Sally have been working together on the classes since 1994, with Sally being the primary driving force. Karen has been more in the background while tending to the rest of the farm's needs. In the meantime the farm has grown and matured into a very special place. We are now seeing the next generation ready and able to step up to the plate. They are doing a lot of the work that Karen and Tim did previously and with their fresh ideas and young strong bodies they are well suited to the tasks.

Sally has given us a wealth of recipes and techniques from her lifetime in the kitchen, the French laundry years and the last 13 years at the farm. We feel extremely lucky to have been able to focus on preserving that knowledge and sharing it with our families, friends and customers. Too much is lost from one generation to the next and can be nearly impossible to retrieve. Karen's 13 years working with Sally during the classes, not to mention her lifetime apprenticeship, leave her well suited to carry the torch. We will continue to offer weekends full of recipes, tips and ideas about how to live the good life that we all enjoy here at the farm.

We will miss Sally's presence in the kitchen and at the table for the next few months while she focuses on her recovery. We hope to bring her back in a less active roll, but know that even if you don't see her she is behind the scenes keeping us on track and giving us the support we need to continue bringing you the farm experience. Don will be at her side keeping her company, offering menu suggestions and keeping the wine cellar stocked.

There is so much talk these days about sustainability. We have tried to build a really strong foundation that is greater than any one of us. We are counting on you, our loyal customers, to continue to patronize the farm and all it has to offer.

We are looking forward to a wonderful year at our beautiful farm and spending many hours in the kitchen and around the table.

Thank you for your support,

Karen and Tim
Don and Sally