Farm stand closes on Halloween
By FRANK BRADLEY Sentinel Writer

It was an amazing maze in the cornfield at the Collins, next to Choestoe Valley Produce, where the last of the season's pumpkins were finding their final home as Halloween Jack- O-Lanterns and perhaps pumpkin pie.

Donna Guess, who is manager of the produce store, located next door, said both the Maze and produce stand would be closed down for the season.

"It was a busy growing season," Donna said. In addition to the beans, corn, tomatoes, all grown locally, we've sold thousands of pumpkins, gourds and baskets of decorative gourds. All grown by the Collins family."

Donna said the drought hadn't affected the number of pumpkins grown, but that they are somewhat smaller than normal.

Clyde and Sue Collins has been farming for more than 40 years, according to Guess. Clyde is a retired Union County high school principal and school superintendent. Initially, the couple sold produce off the porch and in their yard. Clyde's son, Bill opened the store five years ago. It has been a grand success.

This was the first year for the corn maze, according to Guess.

"It's been well received by the community," she said. "Kids have loved it."

With cold weather coming on and the store running out of produce, October 31 was to be their last day open.

"We're giving some of the remaining pumpkins to churches and to decorate the square in Blairsville," Donna said. "The rest of them we'll feed to the hogs."