By Richard Gappmayer (Jennifer’s dad)

In September of each year after the pears had been picked, sorted, boxed and shipped, I would walk through the orchard and observe that many of the trees had a few pears left on them. Because there were just a few in each tree it would not be worthwhile to carry a ladder around to pick them. They were, however, still very good. Since they had been on the tree for a week or more longer than those already picked they had grown in size and were nice big beautiful pears.

I would get a number 10 tomato can and attach it to a long pole and then I would go through the orchard and reach up with the pole, secure a pear in the can, twist the pole and the pear would be released from the branch and I could retrieve it from the can. I could pick two or three bushels of pears each afternoon after school. I would set them in front of our home by the street and sell them for $3.00 per bushel. Those people who had put off buying pears until they were almost gone would be glad to get these very nice pears. I could make a little spending money. It was a win-win for all of us.

Juicy pears on tree