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Orin, left, and Levi Housh hold some of the strawberries their mother Michelle, in the berry patch, grows on Monterey-Maple Grove Road in Jackson Township.
Strawberry lovers can pick their own By John Seney jseney@communitypress.com
A new U-pick strawberry farm has opened in Jackson Township. Michelle Housh of Maple Rey Farms said even though this is the first year for the half-acre strawberry patch, she has been practicing for about four years. “I was trying to do the best, with the least amount of chemicals I could,” she said. Though not fully organic, she is trying to use as many organic and natural methods as possible. Practicing included learning how to keep the strawberries from spreading out of control, getting the right spacing between rows and making the patch “peoplefriendly” so customers could pick their own. Picking season began in mid-May and is expected to last until the beginning of July. So far, business has been good, Housh said. The biggest obstacle has been the rainy weather. “We’re praying for sun,” she said. The farm is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Maple Rey Farms is at 4962 Monterey-Maple Grove Road, between U.S. 50 and Jackson Pike. Parking is
available, with room to park a bus for school visits. There also is a rest room available. Containers are provided for pickers. The price is $1.50 a pound. Picked strawberries are available for $2.50 a pound. Housh suggests calling 833-5354 first to check for availability. She decided to start the farm because she couldn’t find any U-pick strawberry farms close to her. “All the U-picks are gone.” Housh said there is a lot of work involved in the farm, but it’s something she likes to do. “It’s beautiful and I enjoy it,” she said. “I love to garden.” She gets a lot of help from her husband, Michael, who farms. Latham Farley, of The Ohio State University Agricultural Extension Office in Clermont County, said Maple Rey is the only Upick strawberry farm he knows about now open in the county. He has talked to several other farmers who are planning U-pick strawberry farms, but they are not ready to open this year. Rouster’s Apple House, 1986 Ohio 131 in Stonelick Township, every year grow blackberries and blueberries for U-pick which will be ready later this summer, said co-owner Donna Rouster.
Members of the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Civil War re-enactors, line up at the dedication May 22 of the Cook Log House in Goshen Township.
JOHN SENEY/STAFF
Log house dedicated in Goshen Township
Goshen Township paid tribute to its history with the dedication Saturday, May 22, of the Cook Log House. The house is part of the Marr Education Center at Cook Farm on the campus of Goshen High School, 6707 Goshen Road. Jim Poe, president of the Goshen Township Historical Society, said the original log house on the site was built in 1803. The land was acquired by the Goshen Local School District after the death of Aurelia Ellen Cook, who lived at the farm her entire life. The historical society leased the farm site from the school district and rebuilt the house with a new foundation. Farm buildings at the site also will be restored as part of the education center. The dedication was part of a weekend of activities May 21-23 which included the encampment of the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Civil War re-enactors.
JOHN SENEY/STAFF
Civil War re-enactors from the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry camped at the Marr Education Center at Cook Farm in Goshen Township the weekend of May 21 to May 23. From left are Dwight Mullins of Lebanon, Mike Davis of Columbus and Sam Davis of Dover.
THINGS TO DO Community dinner
SonRise Community Church is hosting a Community Dinner from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at the church office building, 203 Mill St. in Milford. Dinner is prepared by church volunteers. It includes spaghetti and meatballs, salad, bread, dessert and drinks. The event is free. Call 543-9008.
Fish fry
Ladies Auxiliary Dennis Johnson VFW Post 6562 is hosting a fish fry 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 28, at 1596 Ohio 131. Dinners include fish sandwiches, chicken fingers or six-piece shrimp dinner. Includes coleslaw and fries. Carryout is available. The cost is $6 and up. Call 575-2102.
Book fair
Cincinnati Nature Center at Rowe Woods is hosting the Scholastic Book Fair from 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 29, in the Nature Shop, 4949 Tealtown Road. It includes books with nature, science and wildlife themes for elementary school-age children. Non-members pay daily admission; free for members. Call 831-1711 or visit www. cincynature.org.
JOHN SENEY/STAFF
Rich Pierce of Ohio 727 loads a cannon May 22 at the Marr Education Center at Cook Farm in Goshen Township.
JOHN SENEY/STAFF
Magician Taylor Martin of Indianapolis, right, demonstrates a magic trick with Goshen Township Trustee Jack Kuntz May 22 during activities at the Cook Log House in Goshen Township.
JOHN SENEY/STAFF
Cook Log House in Goshen Township was dedicated May 22.
Volunteer
Clermont County Public Library is hosting the Volunteers of the Library meeting at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 3, at the Milford-Miami Township Branch Library, 1099 Ohio 131. Learn more information on how you can help with library fundraising and book fairs events. Call 2480700 or visit www.clermont library.org.
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JOHN SENEY/STAFF
Lee Lewis of Goshen Township fires a cannon May 22 at the Marr Education Center at Cook Farm in Goshen Township. JOHN SENEY/STAFF
Jim Poe, president of the Goshen Township Historical Society, speaks at the Cook Log House dedication ceremonies May 22.
JOHN SENEY/STAFF
The plaque on the front of the Cook Log House in Goshen Township.