HANDPICKED VALLEY RANCH INVITES PUBLIC INTO ORCHARDS HISTORIC SITE NOW RUN BY CITY.Byline: BRANDON LOWREY Staff Writer Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, isn't quite how it used to be, but Orcutt Ranch is a welcome throwback throwback see atavism. for 63-year-old Mark Davis -- it's dirty, sweaty sweat·y adj. sweat·i·er, sweat·i·est 1. Covered with or smelling of sweat. 2. Causing sweat: a sweaty job. work in a citrus grove. In other words Adv. 1. in other words - otherwise stated; "in other words, we are broke" put differently , it's fun. "I love to pick fruit," the Chatsworth resident said Saturday as he recalled the first tree he plucked pluck v. plucked, pluck·ing, plucks v.tr. 1. To remove or detach by grasping and pulling abruptly with the fingers; pick: pluck a flower; pluck feathers from a chicken. . "I was just a little boy. I picked grapefruits with my grandmother, out around Walnut. I love to pick fruit." This weekend, Orcutt Ranch opens to public pickers interested in taking home several pounds of fresh grapefruits and Valencia oranges for about $2 for a stuffed grocery bag and $5 for a moving boxfull. Workers said that every year, people haul off tons of fruit. On Saturday morning, dozens milled about with fruit pickers -- long poles fitted with hooks and a basket at the end. Even when picking is prohibited, the ranch's shaded groves, nature trails and rose gardens make it a common setting for walks and weddings. Linda Kaplan, 42, married her husband there 12 years ago and took a box of grapefruits along for their Canadian honeymoon. Since then, their family has made it a habit to return every year. "It's just so pretty," said her husband, Joel Kaplan. It was ideal for their ceremony because "it's outdoors, rather than at a hotel somewhere." Andy Fashola, 50, said his family loves the idyllic setting. He pointed at his wife, Sandra. "She'd make a house right here, if she could," he said. "This place is a well-kept secret." Every year, Orcutt Ranch opens for a weekend of picking in the summer and in January. The oranges and grapefruits that aren't taken home on these days are often donated to the needy, said Jody Carleton, park maintenance supervisor for the city. Once a cattle ranch belonging to oil industry pioneer William Warren
William Robertson Warren (October 9, 1879-December 31, 1927) was a Newfoundland lawyer, politician and judge who served as the dominion's Prime Minister from July Orcutt, the ranch has shrunk from its original 210 acres to 24. The city of Los Angeles
Davis bemoaned the loss of places that allow residents to pick fruit, especially his favorite apple orchard in the desert town of Little Rock. "Those were the best apples I've ever eaten," he said. "Most people nowadays think fruit only comes from the grocery store." If you go Orcutt Ranch is at 23600 Roscoe Blvd. Hours for Sunday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Street parking only. CAPTION(S): 2 photos, box Photo: (1) Tracy Forrestall of Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. watches traffic as he gets ready to cross the street with a cart full of oranges picked during the annual summertime fruit pick at the Orcutt Ranch Horticultural hor·ti·cul·ture n. 1. The science or art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, flowers, or ornamental plants. 2. The cultivation of a garden. Center. (2) Penny Spark of West Hills looks for her bag amid branches of a Valencia orange tree during the annual summertime fruit pick. Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News Box: If you go (see text) |
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